An ancient Roman’s hilarious (and perhaps relatable) response to a social snub

In the events series Letters Live, performers read notable letters – old and new, original and written by others – in front of a live audience. In this video, as part of the Letters Live event at the Royal Albert Hall in London in November 2023, the US-born comedian Rob Delaney reads a 1st-century letter by the ancient Roman lawyer and writer Pliny the Younger. Addressing his friend Septicius Clarus, who had stood him up for a meal, Pliny excoriates his flaky dinner mate for the boorishness of his offence, and laments the unrealised joys they surely would have shared. Performed with delightful verve by Delaney, the short is both hilarious and humanising. For, although we might not long for the delicacies of three snails, two eggs and a lettuce, the pain of a social slight still cuts deep.

Via Open Culture