Rectina
Encyclopedia
During the eruption of Vesuvius in 79CE, Pliny the Elder
received a message from a friend named Rectina. This prompted him to set sail with galleys and a cutter partly in order to observe what was happening at closer range, and partly to attempt a rescue of some of the people of the towns at the foot of the volcano.
Pliny's ships were driven back from the shore and it would seem that Rectina was not rescued by Pliny the Elder.
mentions Rectina, whom he calls the wife of Cascus, Tascus or Tascius, in Letter 16 of book VI of his Letters. Different online translations of this letter, from Pliny the Younger to the historian Tacitus
, disagree on the name of Rectina's husband.
, whom Pliny did visit at Stabia after failing to land near Herculaneum. It is not obvious from Pliny's letter that the two historical characters were linked in any way.
of Caroline Lawrence
's dramatic fiction series "The Roman Mysteries
" written for children. In that story she appears as wife of Tascius Pomponianus of Stabia.
Several scenes in Robert Harris
' bestselling novel Pompeii
are set in the Villa of the Papyri
, just before the eruption engulfed it. In this story, the villa is claimed to belong to Roman aristocrat Pedius Cascus and his wife Rectina. At the start of the eruption Rectina prepares to have the library evacuated and sends urgent word to her old friend, Pliny the Elder
, who commands the Roman Navy
at Misenum on the other side of the Bay of Naples. Pliny immediately sets out in a warship, and gets in sight of the villa, but the eruption prevents him from landing and taking off Rectina and her library - which is thus left for modern archaeologists to find.
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
received a message from a friend named Rectina. This prompted him to set sail with galleys and a cutter partly in order to observe what was happening at closer range, and partly to attempt a rescue of some of the people of the towns at the foot of the volcano.
Pliny's ships were driven back from the shore and it would seem that Rectina was not rescued by Pliny the Elder.
Rectina, wife of Cascus or Tascus or Tascius
Pliny the YoungerPliny the Younger
Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo , better known as Pliny the Younger, was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. Pliny's uncle, Pliny the Elder, helped raise and educate him...
mentions Rectina, whom he calls the wife of Cascus, Tascus or Tascius, in Letter 16 of book VI of his Letters. Different online translations of this letter, from Pliny the Younger to the historian Tacitus
Tacitus
Publius Cornelius Tacitus was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories—examine the reigns of the Roman Emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors...
, disagree on the name of Rectina's husband.
As wife of 'Cascus'
'Cascus' is possibly a reference to Pedius Cascus, a Roman senator and aristocrat.As wife of 'Tascius'
'Tascius' could refer to Tascius PomponianusPomponianus
Pomponianus was at Stabiae during the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, he was stuck to the shore because he was not favoured by the wind, so was greeted by Pliny The Elder in order to help him escape the increasing danger...
, whom Pliny did visit at Stabia after failing to land near Herculaneum. It is not obvious from Pliny's letter that the two historical characters were linked in any way.
In modern literature
Rectina appears as a character in book 2The Secrets of Vesuvius
The Secrets of Vesuvius is a children's historical novel set in Roman times by Caroline Lawrence. The novel is the second in the Roman Mysteries series; sequel to The Thieves of Ostia and prequel to The Pirates of Pompeii novels...
of Caroline Lawrence
Caroline Lawrence
Caroline Lawrence is an English American author, best known for The Roman Mysteries series of historical novels for children. The series is about a Roman girl called Flavia and her three friends: Nubia , Jonathan and Lupus...
's dramatic fiction series "The Roman Mysteries
The Roman Mysteries
The Roman Mysteries is a series of historical novels for children by Caroline Lawrence. The first book, The Thieves of Ostia, was published in 2001, finishing with The Man from Pomegranate Street, published in 2009, and 17 more novels were planned, plus a number of "mini-mysteries" and companion...
" written for children. In that story she appears as wife of Tascius Pomponianus of Stabia.
Several scenes in Robert Harris
Robert Harris (novelist)
Robert Dennis Harris is an English novelist. He is a former journalist and BBC television reporter.-Early life:Born in Nottingham, Harris spent his childhood in a small rented house on a Nottingham council estate. His ambition to become a writer arose at an early age, from visits to the local...
' bestselling novel Pompeii
Pompeii (novel)
Pompeii is a novel by author and journalist Robert Harris published by Random House in 2003. It is a blend of fictional characters with the real-life eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 that overwhelmed Pompeii and its surrounding towns. Pompeii is especially notable for the author's...
are set in the Villa of the Papyri
Villa of the Papyri
The Villa of the Papyri is a private house in the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum . Situated north-west of the township, the residence sits halfway up the slope of the volcano Vesuvius without other buildings to obstruct the view. The villa suburbana was owned by Julius Caesar's father-in-law,...
, just before the eruption engulfed it. In this story, the villa is claimed to belong to Roman aristocrat Pedius Cascus and his wife Rectina. At the start of the eruption Rectina prepares to have the library evacuated and sends urgent word to her old friend, Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
, who commands the Roman Navy
Roman Navy
The Roman Navy comprised the naval forces of the Ancient Roman state. Although the navy was instrumental in the Roman conquest of the Mediterranean basin, it never enjoyed the prestige of the Roman legions...
at Misenum on the other side of the Bay of Naples. Pliny immediately sets out in a warship, and gets in sight of the villa, but the eruption prevents him from landing and taking off Rectina and her library - which is thus left for modern archaeologists to find.