A Roman Ghost Story

In one of his letters, Pliny the Younger recounts a chilling story from Athens, where a notorious and pestilent house stood. This house had a dreadful reputation, and it was often filled with strange, unsettling sounds at night—noises resembling the clanging of metal, and sometimes the distinct rattling of chains. At first, these sounds seemed distant, but over time, they grew louder and appeared to come closer.

Soon, the source of these noises revealed itself: a ghostly figure of an old man, gaunt and disheveled, with a long, wild beard and hair. His hands and feet were bound in chains, and the rattling of his fetters reverberated through the house. The inhabitants of the house, struck with fear, could not sleep, and the constant dread took a heavy toll on their health. Many fell ill, and some even died, their minds haunted by the memory of the specter. Though the ghost did not appear during the day, its terrifying presence lingered, leaving its mark on their waking hours.

Eventually, the house was abandoned, regarded as too cursed to live in. However, attempts were made to sell or rent it, and a notice was posted to attract a new tenant, one who might be unaware of the house's haunted past.

At this point, the philosopher Athenodorus arrived in Athens and, intrigued by the low rent, decided to take up the offer. Undeterred by warnings, he rented the house, set up a study, and settled in for the night with his writing tools and a lamp. He instructed his servants to retire, determined not to let fear influence him. The first part of the night was uneventful, but then the familiar clanging of chains began. Athenodorus remained unmoved, focusing on his work, closing his ears to the sounds.

The noises grew louder and nearer, until it seemed as though they were right at the door and then in the room itself. Athenodorus looked up and saw the ghostly figure as described—a gaunt old man, beckoning him with a finger. Athenodorus calmly signaled the ghost to wait and resumed his writing. The specter persisted, its chains rattling above him. Finally, Athenodorus stood, took his lamp, and decided to follow the apparition.

The ghost moved slowly, encumbered by the chains that bound it. It led him to the courtyard, where it suddenly vanished. The next day, Athenodorus marked the spot of the ghost's disappearance with grass and leaves. He then urged the local magistrates to investigate. Upon digging at the site, they uncovered a long-decayed body, its bones entangled with chains. The remains were properly buried, and after the rites were performed, the haunting ceased.

This tale, though ancient, is strikingly timeless. The eerie elements—the increasing nighttime noises, the bound ghost, and the restless spirit seeking peace—are familiar themes in modern ghost stories, yet set in the context of ancient Rome