Susie Thomas, Ph.D., studied literature at University of Ulster and Royal Holloway College. She has lectured on British literature to American students in London for 20 years and taught classes on creative writing for the universities of Pittsburgh and Minnesota. She has published articles on a wide range of literature and a monograph on Willa Cather. Her most recent volume is Hanif Kureishi: A Reader's Guide to Essential Criticism (2005), and she is currently completing a book entitled Burning Books: Encounters in the Post-war London Novel.
Works
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Thomas, Susie
Works
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Thomas, Susie
One of the few accounts of the eruption of Vesuvius (24th august 79AD) can be found in the letters of Pliny the younger. His letter (the death of Pliny the Elder) was ordered by the Historian Tacitus and tells of The Elder Pliny leading a rescue attempt across the bay of Naples to save civilians from the eruption. He dies at the end and it is the description of his death that has lead some historians to believe that it was no accident but was orchestrated by Pliny the younger. The reasons for this may be many and varied but it would seem that the most likely is that he would probably have recieved a great deal of inheritance money.
The account contains the following passage
Original latin: ubi dies redditus est (is ab eo quem novissime viderat tertius), corpus inventum est integrum inlaesum opertumque ut fuerat indutus: habitus corporis dormienti quam mortuo similior.
Translated: When daylight returned (this was the third day from the one that he had last seen), his body was found intact, uninjured and covered as he had been dressed; the appeareance of the body was more like one sleeping than one dead.
We know from a previous passage that the only humans who remained with him were two slaves who could easily have been in the employ of his nephew (Pliny the Younger)after all of the other crew had fled for their lives from the volcanic eruption. This presents perfect opportunity for murder. The above translated passage goes into great depth relating to the condition of the body which is uncharacteristic for the author and can therefore lead to suspicion. There is emphasis on the fact that "the body was found intact, uninjured and covered as he had been dressed" and is is odd to mention these facts given the circumstances; the corpse would most likely have been damaged by falling pumice, the atrocious weather or wild animals and ,so, we can be sceptical. It is possible that these 'facts' were mentioned merely to shift suspicion from the Pliny the younger and the slaves.
There was perfect motive, opportunity and very suspicious circumstances with no civilian witnesses it is therefore likely that his death was no mere accident but a murder.
Resources:
Latin original: Cambridge Latin Anthology
English translation: Saint Bartholomew's Latin group.
The account contains the following passage
Original latin: ubi dies redditus est (is ab eo quem novissime viderat tertius), corpus inventum est integrum inlaesum opertumque ut fuerat indutus: habitus corporis dormienti quam mortuo similior.
Translated: When daylight returned (this was the third day from the one that he had last seen), his body was found intact, uninjured and covered as he had been dressed; the appeareance of the body was more like one sleeping than one dead.
We know from a previous passage that the only humans who remained with him were two slaves who could easily have been in the employ of his nephew (Pliny the Younger)after all of the other crew had fled for their lives from the volcanic eruption. This presents perfect opportunity for murder. The above translated passage goes into great depth relating to the condition of the body which is uncharacteristic for the author and can therefore lead to suspicion. There is emphasis on the fact that "the body was found intact, uninjured and covered as he had been dressed" and is is odd to mention these facts given the circumstances; the corpse would most likely have been damaged by falling pumice, the atrocious weather or wild animals and ,so, we can be sceptical. It is possible that these 'facts' were mentioned merely to shift suspicion from the Pliny the younger and the slaves.
There was perfect motive, opportunity and very suspicious circumstances with no civilian witnesses it is therefore likely that his death was no mere accident but a murder.
Resources:
Latin original: Cambridge Latin Anthology
English translation: Saint Bartholomew's Latin group.
Vincent Sheker a speech pathologist of Asian origin but was born and raised in Anaheim, California. His involvement in advanced clinical research related to Speech Correction led to pioneering speech rehabilitation methodologies for Johns Hopkins Medical Foundation where his own theorem was developed. Vincent Sheker was known in the Clinical Rehabilitation Field during the early 2000's until his decision to retire at age of 22 and pursue personal interests.
Proton International (PI) is a committee of the Chemistry U.S.S. Proton at Utrecht University. PI organises a yearly international study tour, in order to give chemistry students at Utrecht University an overview of chemistry abroad.
During a tour universities, research institutes and companies are visited to get an impression of corporate and research culture in a country. Of course, there is also time to experience the local culture, explore the country and get a bit of relaxation. These tours are primarily intended for students who are in the last year of the programme, or who have started their programme.
In 2008 Proton International will visit Ireland. In the past PI has visited countries such as England, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Poland and the Czech Republic.
During a tour universities, research institutes and companies are visited to get an impression of corporate and research culture in a country. Of course, there is also time to experience the local culture, explore the country and get a bit of relaxation. These tours are primarily intended for students who are in the last year of the programme, or who have started their programme.
In 2008 Proton International will visit Ireland. In the past PI has visited countries such as England, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Poland and the Czech Republic.