Sidonius Apollinaris Letters

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Sidonius Apollinaris, Letters. Tr. O.M. Dalton (1915) pp. 1- 33; Boo !

BOO" !

!.

To his friend Constantius

c. A.D. 477

[1] WITH all the influence you derive from a genius for sound advice you have long urged me to correct reviseand !ring together in one volume the more finished of those occasional letters "hich matters men and times havedra"n from me# I am to set $resum$tuous foot "here %ymmachus of the am$le manner and &liny of the $erfectedart have gone !efore. ['] (f )icero as letter*"riter I had !est !e dum!+ not ,ulius Titianus himself in his Letters of

Famous Women, could "orthily re$roduce that model+ 1 he tried to imitate a style "hich "as not of his time- andronto/s other $u$ils' in their 0ealousy called him /a$e of orators/ for his $ains. I have al"ays !een horri!ly

conscious ho" far I fall short of these great eam$les+ I have consistently claimed for each the $rivilege of his o"n $eriod and genius. [2] 3ut I have done your "ill+ here you have the letters not merely to revise for that is nothing !ut to $olish and as the $hrase goes clear of lees. Do I not no" you devoted not to studies only !ut to the studioustoo5 Which devotion no" maes you launch me des$ite my fears u$on this dee$ main of am!ition. [4] I had !eensafer had I !reathed no "ord a!out these 6' trifles content "ith the rece$tion of my $oems1 "hich good luc surelyhel$ed to recognition rather than sill of mine. %uch fame as I have should !e to me an anchor cast in the haven ofsafe re$ute. I ought to !e content "ith it after the envious snarls of all the %cyllas "hich my shi$ has $assed. 3ut ifthe tooth of 0ealousy s$ares these etravagances of mine volume shall follo" u$on volume all full*!rimming "ithmy most co$ious flo" of corres$ondence. are"ell.

!!.

To [his brother-in-law] Agricola*

A.D. 44859

[1] :ou have often !egged a descri$tion of Theodoric the ;othic ing "hose gentle !reeding fame commends toevery nation+ you "ant him in his <uantity and <uality in his $erson and the manner of his eistence. I gladlyaccede as far as the limits of my $age allo" and highly a$$rove so fine and ingenuous a curiosity.

Well he is a man "orth no"ing even !y those "ho cannot en0oy his close ac<uaintance so ha$$ily have&rovidence and =ature 0oined to endo" him "ith the $erfect gifts of fortune+ his "ay of life is such that not even theenvy "hich lies in "ait for ings can ro! him of his $ro$er $raise. ['] And first as to his $erson. He is "ell set u$ inheight a!ove the average man !ut !elo" the giant. His head is round "ith curled hair retreating some"hat from

!ro" to cro"n. His nervous 62 nec is free from disfiguring nots.1 The eye!ro"s are !ushy and arched+ "hen thelids droo$ the lashes reach almost half*"ay do"n the chees. The u$$er ears are !uried under overlying locs afterthe fashion of his race. The nose is finely a<uiline+ the li$s are thin and not enlarged !y undue distension of the

mouth. >very day the hair s$ringing from his nostrils is cut !ac+ that on the face s$rings thic from the hollo" ofthe tem$les !ut the ra?or has not yet come u$on his chee and his !ar!er is assiduous in eradicating the rich gro"thon the lo"er $art of the face.' [2] )hin throat and nec are full !ut not fat and all of fair com$leion+ seen closetheir colour is fresh as that of youth+ they often flush !ut from modesty and not from anger. His shoulders aresmooth the u$$er* and forearms strong and hard+ hands !road !reast $rominent+ "aist receding. The s$ine dividingthe !road e$anse of !ac does not $ro0ect and you can see the s$ringing of the ri!s+ the sides s"ell "ith salientmuscle the "ell*girt flans are full of vigour. His thighs are lie hard horn+ the nee*0oints firm and masculine+ thenees themselves the comeliest and least "rinled in the "orld. A full anle su$$orts the leg and the foot is small to

!ear such mighty lim!s.



[4] =o" for the routine of his $u!lic life. 3efore day!rea he goes "ith a very small suite to attend the service of his $riests.2 He $rays "ith assiduity !ut if I may s$ea in confidence one may sus$ect more of ha!it than conviction inthis $iety. Administrative duties of the ingdom tae u$ the rest of the morning. Armed no!les stand a!out the royalseat+ the mass of guards in their gar! of sins are admitted that they may 64 !e "ithin call !ut e$t at the thresholdfor <uiet/s sae+ only a murmur of them comes in from their $ost at the doors !et"een the curtain and the outer

!arrier.1 And no" the foreign envoys are introduced. The ing hears them out and says little+ if a thing needs morediscussion he $uts it off !ut accelerates matters ri$e for dis$atch. The second hour arrives+ he rises from the throneto ins$ect his treasure*cham!er or sta!le.

[] If the chase is the order of the day he 0oins it !ut never carries his !o" at his side considering this derogatory toroyal state. When a !ird or !east is mared for him or ha$$ens to cross his $ath he $uts his hand !ehind his !acand taes the !o" from a $age "ith the string all hanging loose+ for as he deems it a !oy/s tric to !ear it in a <uiverso he holds it effeminate to receive the "ea$on ready strung. When it is given him he sometimes holds it in !othhands and !ends the etremities to"ards each other+ at others he sets it not*end do"n"ard against his lifted heeland runs his finger u$ the slac and "avering string. After that he taes his arro"s ad0usts and lets fly. He "ill asyou !eforehand "hat you "ould lie him to transfi+ you choose and he hits. If there is a miss through either/s erroryour vision "ill mostly !e at fault and not the archer/s sill.

[@] (n ordinary days his ta!le resem!les that of a $rivate $erson. The !oard does not groan !eneath a mass of dull

and un$olished silver set on !y $anting servitors+ the "eight lies rather in the conversation than in the $late+ there iseither sensi!le tal or none. The hangings' and dra$eries used on these occasions are sometimes of $ur$le silsometimes only of linen+ art 6 not costliness commends the fare as s$otlessness rather than !ul the silver. Toastsare fe" and you "ill oftener see a thirsty guest im$atient than a full one refusing cu$ or !o"l. In short you "illfind elegance of ;reece good cheer of ;aul Italian nim!leness the state of $u!lic !an<uets "ith the attentiveservice of a $rivate ta!le and every"here the disci$line of a ing/s house. What need for me to descri!e the $om$ of his feast days5 =o man is so unno"n as not to no" of them. 3ut to my theme again. [7] The siesta after dinner isal"ays slight and sometimes intermitted. When inclined for the !oard*game1 he is <uic to gather u$ the diceeamines them "ith care shaes the !o "ith e$ert hand thro"s ra$idly humorously a$ostro$hi?es them and

$atiently "aits the issue. %ilent at a good thro" he maes merry over a !ad annoyed !y neither fortune and al"aysthe $hiloso$her. He is too $roud to as or to refuse a revenge+ he disdains to avail himself of one if offered+ and if itis o$$osed "ill <uietly go on $laying. :ou effect recovery of your men "ithout o!struction on his side+ he recovershis "ithout collusion u$on yours.' :ou see the strategist "hen he moves the $ieces+ his one thought is victory. [] :etat $lay he $uts off a little of his ingly rigour inciting all to good fello"shi$ and the freedom of the game# I thin heis afraid of !eing feared. Beation in the man "hom he !eats delights him+ he "ill never !elieve that his o$$onentshave not let him "in unless their annoyance $roves him really victor. :ou "ould !e sur$rised ho" often the $leasure

!orn of these little ha$$enings may favour the march of great affairs. &etitions that some "reced influence 6@ hadleft derelict come une$ectedly to $ort+ I myself am gladly !eaten !y him "hen I have a favour to as since the lossof my game may mean the gaining of my cause. [C] A!out the ninth hour the !urden of government !egins again.3ac come the im$ortunates !ac the ushers to remove them+ on all sides !u?? the voices of $etitioners a sound"hich lasts till evening and does not diminish till interru$ted !y the royal re$ast+ even then they only dis$erse toattend their various $atrons among the courtiers and are astir till !edtime. %ometimes though this is rare su$$er isenlivened !y sallies of mimes !ut no guest is ever e$osed to the "ound of a !iting tongue. Withal there is no noiseof hydraulic organ1 or choir "ith its conductor intoning a set $iece+ you "ill hear no $layers of lyre or flute nomaster of the music no girls "ith cithara or ta!or+ the ing cares for no strains !ut those "hich no less charm themind "ith virtue than the ear "ith melody. [1] When he rises to "ithdra" the treasury "atch !egins its vigil+armed sentries stand on guard during the first hours of slum!er. 3ut I am "andering from my su!0ect. I never

$romised a "hole cha$ter on the ingdom !ut a fe" "ords a!out the ing. I must stay my $en+ you ased fornothing more than one or t"o facts a!out the $erson and the tastes of Theodoric+ and my o"n aim "as to "rite aletter not a history. are"ell. 67

E Translated !y Hodgin Italy and her Inaders, ii. 2'. The ing here descri!ed is Theodoric II successor of Thorismund $redecessor of >uric.

!!!.



To his friend Filimatius

A. D. 4@7

[1] I=DI)T me no" !y the la"s against intrigue1 degrade me from the %enate for ee$ing $atient eyes on the $romotion to "hich after all !irth gives me claim since my o"n sire and my "ife/s my grandsire and his sire too !efore him "ere ur!an and $raetorian $refects or held high ran in court and army.' ['] If it comes to that consider

our friend ;audentius "ho !ut no" of tri!une/s ran to"ers in the dignity of the Bicariate a!ove the unenter$risingsloth of our good citi?ens.2 (f course our young no!les grum!le at his $assing over their heads+ as for him his onesentiment is satisfaction. And they no" res$ect a man scorned till yesterday+ ama?ed at such a sudden rise they loo u$ to one as magistrate on "hom as neigh!our they looed do"n. He for his $art sets his crier to stun the ears of hisdro"sy detractors+ though envy goads them to hostility they al"ays find a friendly !ench reserved for them in court.4

[2] :ou too had !est mae good the loss of your old office !y the mem!ershi$ of the $refect/s council no" offeredyou+ if you fail to do so if you sit "ithout the advantage "hich such a $osition confers you "ill !e set do"n as oneonly fit to re$resent a Bicarius. are"ell. 6

!#.

To his friend !audentius

A. D. 4@7

[1] )(=;FATGATI(=% most honoured friend+ the rods of office are yours !y merit. To "in your dignities youdid not $arade your mother/s income or the largess of your ancestors your "ife/s 0e"els or your $aternalinheritance. In $lace of all this it "as your o!vious sincerity your $roven ?eal your admitted social charm "hich"on you favour in the im$erial household.1 ( thrice and four times ha$$y man "hose rise means 0oy to friends gallto enemies and glory to your o"n $osterity to say nothing of the eam$le given to the active and alert and the s$ura$$lied to the listless and the slo". The man "ho tries to emulate you !e his s$irit "hat it "ill may ha$ly o"e thelast success to his o"n eertions !ut "ill certainly o"e his start to your eam$le. ['] I fancy I see among theenvious "ith all deference to !etter citi?ens !e it said the old misera!le arrogance the old scorn of service affected

!y men too slac to serve men lost to all am!ition "ho cro"n their cu$s "ith so$histries a!out the charm of a freelife out of office their motive a !ase indolence and not the love of the ideal "hich they $retend. . . .

[2] [%uch a] taste the "isdom of our fathers re0ected for fear that !oys might tae advantage of it+ they liened

school orations to a tetile fa!ric and $erfectly understood that in the case of youthful elo<uence it is harder to s$inout the terse than cut the eu!erant short. %o much for this su!0ect+ for the rest remem!er that 6C if &rovidencea$$roves my endeavours and !rings me !ac safe and sound I mean to re$ay your goodness "ith e<ual measure.

#.

To his friend "erenius *A. D. 4@7

[1] :(GF letter finds me at Fome. :ou are solicitous to no" "hether the affairs "hich have !rought me so far gofor"ard as "e ho$ed "hat route I too and ho" I fared on it "hat rivers cele!rated in song I sa" "hat to"nsfamed for their fair sites "hat mountains re$uted as the haunt of gods "hat glorious !attlefields+ for it is yourdelight to chec the descri$tions you have read !y the more accurate relation of the eye*"itness. I am re0oiced thatyou in<uire a!out my doings !ecause I no" that your interest s$rings from the heart. Well then though littleaccidents there "ere I "ill !egin under ind &rovidence "ith things of good event+ it "as the "ont of ourancestors as you no" to develo$ even a tale of misha$ from fortunate !eginnings. ['] As !earer of the im$erialletter1 I "as a!le to avail myself of the $u!lic $ost on leaving our !eloved yons + my $ath lay amid the homes ofinsmen and ac<uaintances+ and I lost less time from scarcity of horses than from multi$licity of friends so closelydid every one cling a!out me shouting each against the other !est "ishes 61 for a ha$$y 0ourney and safe return. Inthis "ay I dre" near the Al$s "hich I ascended easily and "ithout delay+ formida!le $reci$ices rose on either side

!ut the sno" "as hollo"ed into a trac and the "ay thus smoothed !efore me. [2] %uch rivers too as could not !ecrossed in !oats had convenient fords or traversa!le !ridges "ith covered arches !uilt !y the art of old time from



the foundations to the stoned road a!ove. (n the Ticino I !oarded the $acet no"n as the cursoria, "hich soon !ore me to the &o+ !e sure I laughed over those convivial songs of ours a!out &haethon/s sisters1 and their unnaturaltears of am!er gum. [4] I $assed the mouth of many a tri!utary from igurian or >uganean heights sedgy am!ro

!lue Adda s"ift Adige slo" Jincio' !orne u$on their very eddies as I looed+ their margins and high !ans "ereclothed "ith groves of oa and ma$le. >very"here s"eetly resounded the harmony of !irds "hose loose*$iled nestss"ayed on the hollo" canes or amid the $ointed rushes and smooth reed*grass luuriantly flourishing in themoisture of this "et riverain soil. [] The "ay led $ast )remona2 over "hose $roimity the Jantuan Tityrus sodee$ly sighed. We 0ust touched at 3rescello to tae on Aemilian !oatmen in $lace of our Benetian ro"ers and

!earing to the right soon reached Favenna4 "here one "ould find it hard to say "hether )aesar/s road $assing !et"een the t"o se$arates or unites the old to"n and the ne" $ort. The &o divides a!ove the city $art flo"ingthrough $art round the $lace. It is diverted from its main !ed !y the %tate dyes and is thence led in diminishedvolume through derivative channels the t"o 611 halves so dis$osed that one encom$asses and moats the "alls theother $enetrates them and !rings them trade ****[@] an admira!le arrangement for commerce in general and that of

$rovisions in $articular. 3ut the dra"!ac is that "ith "ater all a!out us "e could not <uench our thirst+ there "asneither $ure*flo"ing a<ueduct nor filtera!le cistern nor tricling source nor unclouded "ell. (n the one side thesalt tides assail the gates+ on the other the movement of vessels stirs the filthy sediment in the canals or the sluggishflo" is fouled !y the !argemen/s $oles $iercing the !ottom slime. [7] rom Favenna "e came to the Fu!icon"hich !orro"s its name from the red colour of its gravels and formed the frontier !et"een the old Italians and the)isal$ine ;auls "hen the t"o $eo$les divided the Adriatic to"ns. Thence I 0ourneyed to Fimini and ano the firstfamed for its association "ith )aesar/s re!ellion the second tainted !y the fate of Hasdru!al1+ for hard !y flo"s

Jetaurus more dura!ly reno"ned through the fortune of a single day than if it had never ceased to run red to thishour and roll do"n the dead on !lood*stained "aters to the Dalmatian %ea. [] After this I 0ust traversed the otherto"ns of the laminian Way****in at one gate out at the other****leaving the &icenians on the left and the Gm!rianson the right+ and here my ehausted system succum!ed either to )ala!rian Ata!ulus' or to air of the insalu!riousTuscan region charged "ith $oisonous ehalations and !lo"ing no" hot no" cold. ever and thirst ravaged thevery marro" of my !eing+ in vain I $romised to their avidity draughts from $leasant fountain or hidden "ell yesand from every stream $resent or 61' to come "ater of Belino clear as glass of )litunno ice*cold cerulean ofTeverone sul$hureous of =era $ellucid of arfa muddy of Ti!er+1 I "as mad to drin !ut $rudence stayed thecraving. [C] Jean"hile Fome herself s$read "ide !efore my vie" !ut I felt lie draining do"n her a<ueducts oreven the "ater of her naval s$ectacles. 3efore I reached the city limits I fell $rostrate at the trium$hal threshold ofthe A$ostles and in a flash I felt the languor vanish from my enfee!led lim!s.' After "hich $roof of celestial

$rotection I alighted at the inn of "hich I have engaged a $art and there I am trying to get a little rest "riting as Ilie u$on my couch. [1] As yet I have not $resented myself at the !ustling gates of >m$eror or )ourt official. or

my arrival coincided "ith the marriage of the $atrician Ficimer to "hom the hand of the >m$eror/s daughter "as !eing accorded in the ho$e of securer times for the %tate.2 =ot individuals alone !ut "hole classes and $arties aregiven u$ to re0oicing+ you have the !est of it on your side of the Al$s. While I "as "riting these lines scarce atheatre $rovision*maret $raetorium forum tem$le or gymnasium !ut echoed to the $assage of the cry Thalassio#4 and even at this hour the schools are closed no !usiness is doing the )ourts are voiceless missions are $ost$oned+there is a truce to intrigue and all the serious !usiness of life seems merged in the !uffooneries of the stage. [11] Though the !ride has !een given a"ay though the !ridegroom has $ut off his "reath the consular his $alm*

!roidered ro!e the !rides"oman her "edding go"n the distinguished senator his toga and the $lain man his cloayet the noise of the great gathering has 612 not died a"ay in the $alace cham!ers !ecause the !ride still delays tostart for her hus!and/s house. When this merrymaing has run out its course you shall hear "hat remains to tell ofmy $roceedings if indeed these cro"ded hours of idleness to "hich the "hole %tate seems no" surrendered are ever to end even "hen the festivities are over. are"ell.

E &ara$hrased !y Hodgin Italy and her Inaders, ii. 44+ or the occasion of %idonius/ visit to Fome see Introduction $. vii. $hodanusiae nostrae.

#!.

To his friend %utro&ius*A. D. 4@7



[1] I HAB> long "ished to "rite !ut feel the im$ulse more than ever no" "hen !y the )hrist/s $reventing grace Iam actually on the "ay to Fome. Jy sole motive or at least my chief one is to drag you from the slough of yourdomestic ease !y an a$$eal to you to enter the im$erial service.1 . . .

['] Joreover !y the goodness of ;od your age your health of !ody and mind concur to fit you for the tas+ youhave horses arms "ardro!e esta!lishment slaves in $lenty+ the one thing lacing unless I greatly err is the

courage to !egin. In your o"n home you are energetic enough+ it is only at the idea of eile from it that a dulldes$ondency intimidates you. Ho" can it fairly !e descri!ed as eile for one "ith !lood of senators in his veins and"ith the effigies of ancestors in the tra!ea daily forced u$on his sight to visit Fome once in his $rime****Fome thea!ode of la" the 614 training*school of letters the fount of honours the head of the "orld the motherland offreedom the city uni<ue u$on earth "here none !ut the !ar!arian and the slave is foreign51

[2] %hame on you no" if you !ury yourself among co"*ee$ing rustics or grunting s"ineherds as if it "ere theheight of your felicity to feel the $lough*handle trem!le a!ove the cleft furro" or !o"ed over your scythe to s$oilthe meado" of its flo"ery "ealth or hoe the luuriant vines "ith a face !ent earth"ards. Have doneK a"aeK sleeease has unstrung the sine"s of your mind+ raise it to higher things. Is it a less duty in a man of your descent tocultivate himself than his estate5 [4] In fine "hat you are $leased to call a young man/s eercise is really arelaation only fit for !roen soldiers "hen their fee!le hands echange rusty s"ord for !elated mattoc. %u$$oseyou achieve your end+ su$$ose that vineyard u$on vineyard foams "ith $ur$le 0uice "hile $iled granaries colla$se

under endless mounds of grain+ su$$ose $lum$ neatherds drive the cro"ding co"s "ith their s"ollen udders into thereeing yards to mil# "hat then5 What use "ill it !e to have enlarged your $atrimony !y sordid gains lie these tohave lived recluse not only among such things !ut ( dee$er shameK for such things/ sae5 :ou "ill have onlyyourself to than if one day you stand you a no!leman !orn o!scure in your "hite hairs !ehind your 0uniors seatedin de!ate if you smart under the s$eech of some $oor man risen to honour !y office and "ith anguish see yourselfdistanced !y those in "hom it "ould once have !een $resum$tion to follo" in our train. [] 3ut "hy say more5/Tae my a$$eal 61 as it is meant and you shall find me at your side ready to antici$ate and share your every effort.1 3ut if you let yourself !e caught in the insidious nets of $leasure+ if you choose to yoe yourself as the saying is"ith the tenets of >$icurus "ho franly sacrifices virtue and defines the chief good as $hysical delight then !e our

$osterity my "itness I "ash my hands of the disgrace. are"ell.

E &artly translated !y )hai+ $. '@4. or the effect of the letter on >utro$ius see III. vi.

#!!.

To his friend 'incentiusA. D. 4@

[1] TH> case of Arvandus' distresses me nor do I conceal my distress for it is our em$eror/s cro"ning $raise that acondemned $risoner may have friends "ho need not hide their friendshi$. I "as more intimate "ith this man than it"as safe to !e "ith one so light and so unsta!le "itness the odium lately indled against me on his account theflame of "hich has scorched me for this la$se from $rudence. ['] 3ut since I had given my friendshi$ honour !oundme fast though he on his side has no steadfastness at all+ I say this !ecause it is the truth and not to strie him "henhe is do"n. or he des$ised friendly advice and made himself throughout the s$ort of fortune+ the marvel to me isnot that he fell at last !ut that he ever stood so long. Ho" often he "ould !oast of "eathering adversity "hen "e"ith a less su$erficial sense of things de$lored the sure disaster of his rashness una!le to call ha$$y any man "ho

only sometimes and 61@ not al"ays deserves the name. [2] 3ut no" for your <uestion as to his government+ I "ill tellyou in fe" "ords and "ith all the loyalty due to a friend ho"ever far !rought lo". During his first term as $refecthis rule "as very $o$ular+ the second "as disastrous. )rushed !y de!t and living in dread of creditors he "as

0ealous of the no!les from among "hom his successor must needs !e chosen. He "ould mae fun of all his visitors $rofess astonishment at advice and s$urn good offices+ if $eo$le called on him too rarely he sho"ed sus$icion+ iftoo regularly contem$t. At last the general hate encom$assed him lie a ram$art+ !efore he "as "ell divested of hisauthority he "as invested "ith guards and a $risoner !ound for Fome. Hardly had he set foot in the city "hen he"as all eultation over his fair $assage along the stormy Tuscan coast as if convinced that the very elements "eresomeho" at his !idding. [4] At the )a$itol the )ount of the Im$erial argess1 his friend lavius Asellus acted ashis host and 0ailer sho"ing him deference for his $refectshi$ "hich seemed as it "ere yet "arm so ne"ly "as it



stri$$ed from him. Jean"hile the three envoys from ;aul arrived u$on his heels "ith the $rovincial decrees' em$o"ering them to im$each in the $u!lic name. They "ere Tonantius erreolus2 the e*$refect and grandson onthe mother/s side of the )onsul Afranius %yagrius Thaumastus and &etronius all men $ractised in affairs andelo<uent all cons$icuous ornaments of our country. [] They !rought "ith other matters entrusted to them !y the

$rovince an interce$ted letter "hich Arvandus/ secretary no" also under arrest declared to have !een 617 dictated !y his master. It "as evidently addressed to the Ling of the ;othsE "hom it dissuaded from concluding $eace "ith/the ;ree >m$eror/ urging that instead he should attac the 3retons north of the oire and asserting that the la"of nations called for a division of ;aul !et"een Bisigoth and 3urgundian. There "as more in the same mad veincalculated to inflame a choleric ing or shame a <uiet one into action. (f course the la"yers found here a flagrantcase of treason. [@] These tactics did not esca$e the ecellent Auanius and myself+ in "hatever "ay "e might haveincurred the im$eached man/s friendshi$ "e !oth felt that to evade the conse<uences at this crisis of his fate "ould

!e to !rand us as traitors !ar!arians and $oltroons. We at once e$osed to the unsus$ecting victim the "holescheme "hich a $rosecution no less astute than alert and ardent intended to ee$ dar until the trial+ their scheme"as to noose in some unguarded re$ly an adversary rash enough to re$udiate the advice of all his friends and rely"holly on his o"n unaided "its. We told him "hat to us and to more secret friends seemed the one safe course+ "e

!egged him not to give the slightest $oint a"ay "hich they might try to etract from him on $retence of itsinsignificance+ their dissimulation "ould !e ruinous to him if it dre" incautious admissions in ans"er to their<uestions. [7] When he gras$ed our $oint he "as !eside himself+ he suddenly !roe out into a!use and cried#/3egone you and your nonsensical fears degenerate sons of $refectorian fathers+ leave this $art of the affair to 61 me+ it is !eyond an intelligence lie yours. Arvandus trusts in a clear conscience+ the em$loyment of advocates to

defend him on the charge of !ri!ery shall !e his one concession./ We came a"ay in lo" s$irits distur!ed less !y theinsult to ourselves than !y a real concern+ "hat right has the doctor to tae offence "hen a man $ast cure gives "ayto $assion5 [] Jean"hile our defendant goes off to $arade the )a$itol s<uare and in "hite raiment too+ he findssustenance in the sly greetings "hich he receives+ he listens "ith a gratified air as the !u!!les of flattery !urst a!outhim. He casts curious eyes on the gems and sils and $recious fa!rics of the dealers ins$ects $ics u$ unrolls

!eats do"n the $rices as if he "ere a liely $urchaser moaning and groaning the "hole time over the la"s the agethe senate the em$eror and all !ecause they "ould not right him then and there "ithout investigation. [C] A fe"days $assed and as I learned after"ards 8I had left Fome in the interim9 there "as a full house in the senate*hall.Arvandus $roceeded thither freshly groomed and !ar!ered "hile the accusers "aited the decemvirs/1 summonsunem$t and in half*mourning snatching from him thus the defendant/s usual right and securing the advantage ofsuggestion "hich the su$$liant gar! confers. The $arties "ere admitted and as the custom is too u$ $ositionso$$osite each other. 3efore the $roceedings !egan all of $refectorian ran "ere allo"ed to sit+ instantly Arvandus"ith that unha$$y im$udence of his rushed for"ard and forced himself almost into the very !osoms of the 0udges

"hile the e*$refectE gained su!se<uent credit 61C and res$ect !y $lacing himself <uietly and modestly amidst hiscolleagues at the lo"est end of the !enches to sho" that his <uality of envoy "as his first thought and not his ranas senator. [1] While this "as going on a!sent mem!ers of the house came in+ the $arties stood u$ and the envoysset forth their charge. They first $roduced their mandate from the $rovince then the already*mentioned letter+ this"as !eing read sentence !y sentence "hen Arvandus admitted the authorshi$ "ithout even "aiting to !e ased. Theenvoys re0oined rather cruelly that the fact of his dictation "as o!vious.1 And "hen the madman !lind to the de$thof his fall dealt himself a deadly !lo" !y re$eating the avo"al not once !ut t"ice the accusers raised a shout andthe 0udges cried as one man that he stood convicted of treason out of his o"n mouth. %cores of legal $recedents "ereon record to achieve his ruin. [11] (nly at this $oint and then not at once is the "retched man said to have turned"hite in tardy re$entance of his lo<uacity recogni?ing all too late that it is $ossi!le to !e convicted of high treasonfor other offences than as$iring to the $ur$le. He "as stri$$ed on the s$ot of all the $rivileges $ertaining to his

$refecture an office "hich !y re*election he had held five years and consigned to the common 0ail as one not no"first degraded to $le!eian ran !ut restored to it as his o"n. >ye*"itnesses re$ort as the most $athetic feature of all

that as a result of his intrusion u$on his 0udges in all that !ravery and smartness "hile his accusers dressed in !lachis $itia!le $light "on him no $ity "hen he "as led off to $rison a little later. Ho" indeed could any one !e muchmoved at his 6' fate seeing him haled to the <uarries or hard la!our still all trimmed and $omaded lie a fo$5 [1'] ,udgement "as deferred a !are fortnight. He "as then condemned to death and flung into the island of the %er$entof >$idaurus.1 There an o!0ect of com$assion even to his enemies his elegance gone s$e"ed as it "ere !y ortuneout of the land of the living he no" drags out !y !enefit of Ti!erius/' la" his res$ite of thirty days after sentenceshuddering through the long hours at the thought of hoo and ;emonian stairs and the noose of the !rutaleecutioner. [12] We of course "hether in Fome or out of it are doing all "e can+ "e mae daily vo"s "eredou!le $rayers and su$$lications that the im$erial clemency may sus$end the stroe of the dra"n s"ord andrather visit a man already half dead "ith confiscation of $ro$erty and eile. 3ut "hether Arvandus has only to



e$ect the "orst or must actually undergo it he is surely the most misera!le soul alive if !randed "ith such marsof shame he has any other desire than to die. are"ell.

E >uric. Anthemius.E Tonantius erreolus.

#!!!.

To his friend Candidianus*A. D. 4@

[1] :ou congratulate me on my $rolonged stay at Fome though I note the touch of irony and your "it at mye$ense. :ou say you are glad your old friend has at last seen the sun since on the %aMne his chances of 6'1 a goodloo at it are fe" and far !et"een. :ou a!use my misty yons1 and de$lore the days so cloaed !y morning fog thatthe full heat of noon can scarcely unveil them. ['] =o" does this nonsense fitly come from a native of that oven of ato"n )esena5 :ou have sho"n your real o$inion of your charming and convenient natal soil !y leaving it. Themidges of &o may $ierce your ears+ the city frogs may croa and s"arm on every side !ut you no" very "ell thatyou are !etter off in eile at Favenna than at home. In that marsh of yours the la"s of everything are al"ays the"rong "ay a!out+ the "aters stand and the "alls fall the to"ers float and the shi$s stic fast the sic man "alsand the doctor lies a!ed the !aths are chill and the houses !la?e the dead s"im and the <uic are dry the $o"ersare aslee$ and the thieves "ide a"ae the clergy live !y usury and the %yrian chants the &salms !usiness men turnsoldiers and soldiers !usiness men old fello"s $lay !all and young fello"s ha?ard eunuchs tae to arms and roughallies to letters.' [2] And that is the ind of city you choose to settle in a $lace that may !oast a territory !ut littlesolid ground. 3e inder therefore to Transal$ines "ho never $rovoed you+ their climate "ins too chea$ a trium$hif it shines only !y com$arison "ith such as yours. are"ell.

E &artly translated !y Hodgin i. @ and !y )hai i. '72. )f. etter B.

!$.

To his friend "erenius

A. D. 4@

[1] TH> $atrician Ficimer "ell married and the "ealth of !oth em$ires !lo"n to the "inds in the $rocess the 6'' community has at last resumed its so!er senses and o$ened door and field again to !usiness. >ven !efore thisha$$ened I had already !een made "elcome to the home of the $refectorian &aul and en0oyed the friendliest andmost hos$ita!le treatment in a house no less res$ecta!le for $iety than learning. I do not no" the man moreeminent in every ind of accom$lishment than my host. I am ama?ed "hen I thin of the su!tleties "hich he

$ro$ounds the figures of rhetoric adorning his 0udgements the $olish of his verses the "onders "hich his fingerscan $erform. And over and a!ove this encyclo$aedic no"ledge he has a still !etter $ossession a consciencesu$erior even to all this science. =aturally my first in<uiries as to $ossi!le avenues to court*favour "ere addressedto him+ "ith him I discuss the lieliest $atrons for the advancement of our ho$es. ['] There is ho"ever little need tohesitate+ the num!er of those "hose influence merits our consideration is so small. There are indeed many senatorsof "ealth and !irth ri$e in e$erience hel$ful in counsel all of the highest ran and e<ual in real consideration.

3ut "ithout dis$aragement to others "e found t"o consulars ;ennadius Avienus and )aecina 3asilius inen0oyment of a $eculiar eminence and cons$icuous a!ove the rest+ if you leave out of the account the great militaryofficers these t"o mem!ers of the ealted order easily come net to the em$eror himself. We found them !othdeserving of the highest admiration+ !ut their characters "ere very different+ "hat resem!lance there "as restedrather on in!orn than ac<uired <ualities. et me give you a short descri$tion of the $air. [2] Avienus reached theconsulate 6'2 !y luc 3asilius !y merit. It "as o!served that the former attained his dignities "ith envia!le ra$idity

!ut that although the latter "as slo"er he "on the greater num!er of distinctions in the end. If either chanced toleave his house a "hole $o$ulace of clients "as afoot to escort him and $ressed a!out him lie a human tide. 3utthough the t"o "ere in so far on a level the s$irits and e$ectations of their friends "ere very far from e<ual.Avienus "ould do all that in him lay for the advancement of his sons or sons*in*la" or !rothers !ut "as so



a!sor!ed in family candidates that his energy in the interest of outside as$irants "as $ro$ortionately im$aired. [4] There "as a further reason for $referring the Decian to the )orvinian family. What Avienus could only o!tain for hiso"n conneions "hile in office 3asilius o!tained for strangers "hile he "as in a $rivate station. Avienus o$ened hismind freely and at/ once !ut little came of it+ 3asilius rarely and not for some time !ut to the $etitioner/s advantage.

=either of the t"o "as inaccessi!le or costly of a$$roach+ !ut in the one case cultivation rea$ed mere affa!ility inthe other solid gain. [] After long !alancing of alternatives "e finally com$romised in this sense+ "e "ould

$reserve all due res$ect for the older consular "hose house "e "ere duly fre<uenting !ut devote our real attentionto the ha!ituN/s of 3asilius/ house. =o" "hile "ith the assistance of this right honoura!le friend I "as consideringho" !est to advance the matter of our Arvernian $etition1 the Lalends of ,anuary came round on "hich day theem$eror/s name "as to !e enrolled in the asti as consul for a second year. [@] /The very thing/ cried my 6'4 $atron./Jy dear %ollius I "ell no" that you are engaged in an eacting duty !ut I do "ish you "ould !ring out yourJuse again in honour of the ne" consul+ let her sing something a$$ro$riate to the occasion in "hatever hastecom$osed. I "ill o!tain you an audience !e there to encourage you !efore you !egin to recite and guarantee you agood rece$tion "hen you have done. I have some e$erience in these matters+ trust me "hen I say that seriousadvantage may accrue from this little scheme./ I too the hint+ he did not "ithdra" from the suggested $lan !ut gaveme the su$$ort of an invinci!le ally in the act of homage im$osed u$on me and managed so to influence my ne"consul that I "as incontinently named $resident of his senate. [7] 3ut I e$ect you are tired to death of this $roliletter and "ould much rather $eruse my little "or 1 itself at your leisure. Indeed I am sure you "ould so theelo<uent $ages !ear you the verses here"ith and must do duty for me until I come to s$ea for myself a fe" dayshence. If my lines "in the suffrage of your critical 0udgement I shall !e 0ust as delighted as if a s$eech of mine in

the assem!ly or from the rostra called forth the /!ravos/ not of senators alone !ut of all the citi?ens. I "arn you nay Iinsist "ith you not to thin of setting this slight $iece of mine on the same $lane as the heameters of your o"nJuse for !y the side of yours my lines "ill suggest the triviality of e$ita$h*mongers rather than the grandeur ofheroic verse. [] Fe0oice all the same "ith the $anegyrist+ he cannot claim the credit of a fine $erformance !ut atleast he has the re"ard of one. And so if gay may enliven grave I "ill imitate 6' the &yrgo$olinices of &lautus andconclude in a ro!ustious and Thrasonical vein.1 And since !y )hrist/s aid I have got the $refecture !y a lucy $en I

!id you treat me as my ne" state demands+ $ile u$ all conceiva!le felicitations and ealt to the stars my elo<uenceor my luc according as I $lease or fail to $lease your 0udgement. I can imagine your smile "hen you see yourfriend carrying it off in this style "ith the !raggart airs of the old stage*soldier. are"ell.

$.

To his friend Cam&anianus

A. D. 4@

[1] TH> Intendant of %u$$lies ' has $ersonally $resented the letter in "hich you commend him as your old friend tomy ne" 0udgement. I am greatly inde!ted to him !ut most of all to yourself for this evidence of your resolve toassume my friendshi$ certain and $roof against all sus$icion. I "elcome I eagerly em!race this o$$ortunity ofac<uaintance and of intimacy since my desire to o!lige you cannot !ut dra" closer the !onds "hich already uniteus. ['] 3ut $lease commend me in my turn to his vigilant care commend that is my cause and my re$ute. or Irather fear that there may !e an u$roar in the theatres if the su$$lies of grain run short and that the hunger of all theFomans "ill !e laid to my account. I am on the $oint of dis$atching him immediately to the har!our in $erson

!ecause ne"s is to hand that five shi$s from 3rindisi have $ut in at (stia laden "ith "heat and honey. 6'@ A stroe of energy on his $art and "e should have these cargoes ready in no time for the e$ectant cro"ds+ he "ould "in myfavour I the $eo$le/s and he and I together yours. are"ell.

$!.

To his friend (ontius

A!out A. D. 4@1*7

[1] (= the eve of your de$arture to visit your $eo$le of ranche*)omtN most elo<uent of friends you as me for aco$y of a certain satire assuming it really of my com$osition. I must say the re<uest sur$rises me+ it is not nice to

0um$ to a false conclusion a!out a friend/s conduct in this manner. It is so liely****is it not5****that at my then ageand "ith my total lac of leisure I should devote my energies to a ind of literature "hich it "ould have !een



$resum$tuous in a young man doing his service to com$ose and assuredly $erilous to $u!lish. Why a mere noddingac<uaintance "ith a grammarian "ould suffice to recall the advice of the )ala!rian#

/Against the li!ellous $oet is there not remedy of la" and sentence5/1

['] To $revent any more credulity of this sort as regards your old friend I "ill set forth at some length and from the

!eginning the events "hich !rought on my head the sound and smoe of $u!lic odium. In the reign of Ja0orian ananonymous !ut very mordant satire in verse "as circulated at court+ gross in its invective it too advantage ofun$rotected names 6'7 though it lashed vice its attac "as a!ove all $ersonal.1 The inha!itants of Aries 8that city"as the scene of these events9 "ere much ecited+ they "anted to no" on "hich of our $oets the "eight of $u!licindignation "as to fall+ at their head "ere the men "hom the invisi!le author had most visi!ly !randed. [2] Itchanced that the illustrious )atullinus arrived at this 0uncture from )lermont+ al"ays a close friend of mine he "asthen nearer to me than ever as "e had 0ust served together+ a common duty a"ay from home !rings 8you no" ho"9fello" citi?ens nearer. Well &aeonius and 3igerrus set a tra$ for the unsus$ecting visitor# they too him off hisguard and ased him !efore numerous "itnesses "hether he "as familiar "ith the ne" $oem. /et me hear someof it/ said )atullinus. 3ut "hen they "ent on 0estingly to <uote various $assages from the satire he !urst outlaughing and asseverated rather ino$$ortunely $erha$s that such verses deserved to !e immortali?ed and set u$ inletters of gold on the rostra or the )a$itol.' [4] At this &aeonius flamed out for he "as the man "hom the fiery toothof the satirist had most shar$ly !itten. /HaK/ he cried to the cro"d attracted to the s$ot /I have found out the author of

this $u!lic outrage. ,ust loo at )atullinus half dead "ith laughter there+ o!viously he ne" all the $oints !eforehand. Ho" could he thus antici$ate and conclude from a mere $art unless he "ere already ac<uainted "iththe "hole5 We no" that %idonius is in Auvergne. It is easy to infer that he "rote the thing and that )atullinus "asthe first to hear it from his li$s./ =o" I "as not only a!sent !ut ignorant and innocent as a !a!e+ that did not $reventa tem$est of fury and 6' a!use against me+ they cast to the "inds loyalty fair $lay and fair in<uiry+ [] such $o"erhad this $o$ular favourite to dra" the ficle cro"d "hither he "ould. As you no" &aeonius "as a demagogue "ellversed in the tri!une/s art of trou!ling the "aters of faction. 3ut if you ased /"hence his descent and "here hishome5/1 /tis no"n he "as nothing more than a $lain citi?en "hom the eminence of his ste$father more than anydistinction of his o"n house first !rought to $u!lic notice. He "as !ent on rising and more than once let it !e seenthat he "ould stic at nothing to attain his end+ though mean !y nature he "ould s$end freely for his o"nadvancement. or eam$le "hen the engagement of his daughter 8against "hom I "ould not !reathe a "ord9

!rought him the alliance of a family a!ove his o"n our )hremes' if rumour does not lie announced to his&am$hilus a do"er magnificently !eyond the strict civic standard. [@] Again "hen the Jarcellian cons$iracy 2 tosei?e the diadem "as !re"ing "hat did our friend do5 A nous homo, and in his grey hairs he must needs constitutehimself the leader of the young no!ility until in the fullness of time the efforts of a lucy audacity "ere re"ardedfor the interregnum lie a rift in clouds thre" a flash of s$lendour on the o!scurity of his !irth. The throne "asvacant the %tate in confusion+ !ut he and only he had the face "ithout "aiting for credentials to assume the fascesas $refect in ;aul and for months together clim! in the sight of gods and men the tri!unal distinguished !y somany illustrious magistrates. ie a $u!lic accountant or advocate $romoted to honours at the close of a $rofessionalcareer he 6'C 0ust managed to get recognition at the very end of his official term. [7] A $refect and senator in such"ise that only my res$ect for the character of his son*in*la" $revents me from e$osing him as utterly as hedeserves !ehold him unashamed to fan the odium of good and !ad alie against one still nominally his friend as if I"ere the only man of my e$och com$etent to string a verse or t"o together. I came to Aries sus$ecting nothing****ho" should I5****though my enemies "ere good enough to !elieve I dared not venture. The net day I $aid myduty to the em$eror and "ent do"n to the forum as I al"ays do. As soon as I a$$eared the cons$iracy "as at onceconfounded !eing of the sort "hich as ucan says1 dares $ut nothing to the touch. %ome fell cringing at my neesa!asing themselves !eyond $ro$riety+ others hid !ehind statues or columns to avoid the necessity of salutation+

others again "ith loos of affected sorro" "aled closely at my sides. [] I "as "ondering all the time "hat might !e the meaning of this ecess first in insolence and no" in a!asement !ut "as determined not to as "hen one ofthe gang $ut u$ no dou!t to $lay the $art came for"ard to echange greeting. We taled and incidentally heremared# /:ou see these $eo$le5/ /I do indeed/ I ans"ered /and I may say that their $roceedings astonish me asmuch as they im$ress me little./ To "hich my ind inter$reter re0oined# /It is in your <uality of satirist that they sho"this fear or detestation of you./ /Ho" so/ I cried /on "hat grounds5 "hen did I give them the ecuse5 "ho detectedthe offence5 "ho !rought the charge and "ho the $roof5/ Then "ith a smile I continued thus# /Jy dear sir if you 62

don/t mind o!lige me !y asing these ecited $ersons from me "hether it "as a $rofessed informer or s$y "ho gotu$ this imaginative story a!out my "riting a satire. If they have to mae the inevita!le a$ology later it "ill !e !etter



for them to give u$ this outrageous !ehaviour at once./ [C] =o sooner had he conveyed the message than they allcame to offer their hands and salutations not man !y man and "ith decorum !ut the "hole herd "ith a rush. (ur)urio "as left all alone to !reathe im$recations on the !ase deserters until at fall of evening he "as hurried offhome on the shoulders of !earers gloomier than mutes. [1] The net day the em$eror commanded my $resence atthe !an<uet he "as giving on the occasion of the ;ames. At the left end of the couch 1 "as %everinus the consul ofthe year "ho managed to trim his sails to a "ind of even favour throughout our vast dynastic changes and all theuneven fortunes of the %tate. =et him "as the e*$refect Jagnus "ho had 0ust laid do"n the consul/s office and

!y virtue of these t"o dignities "as no un"orthy neigh!our. 3eyond Jagnus "as his ne$he" )amillus "ho hadalso held t"o offices and !y his conduct of them added e<ual lustre to his father/s $roconsular ran and his uncle/sconsulshi$. =et to him "as &aeonius and then Athenius a man versed in every turn of controversy and vicissitudeof the times. After them came ;ratianensis a character not to !e mentioned in the same !reath "ith evil+ and thoughlo"er in ran than %everinus a!ove him in the im$erial estimation. I "as last u$on the left side of the em$eror "holay at the right etremity of the ta!le. [11] When the dinner "as "ell advanced the $rince 621 addressed a fe" shortremars to the consul. He then turned to the e*consul "ith "hom he taled several times the su!0ects !eingliterary. At an early o$$ortunity he addressed himself to )amillus "ith the remar# /Jy dear )amillus you have soadmira!le an uncle that I $ride myself on having conferred a consulshi$ on your family./ )amillus "ho coveted alie $romotion sa" his chance and re$lied# /A consulshi$ %ireK you surely mean a first)/ >ven the em$eror/s

$resence did not chec the loud a$$lause "hich greeted this re0oinder. [1'] 3y accident or of set $ur$ose I cannotsay "hich the $rince no" $assed over &aeonius and addressed some <uestion or other to Athenius. &aeonius hadthe !ad manners to tae the oversight ill and made matters "orse !y ans"ering !efore the other had time to s$ea.

The em$eror only laughed+ it "as his "ay to !e very genial in society so long as his o"n dignity "as o!served. ToAthenius the laugh came as com$ensation for the slight he had suffered. That craftiest of all the elders had !een

!oiling "ith su$$ressed resentment all the time !ecause &aeonius had !een $laced a!ove him !ut he calmed himself enough to say# /It no longer sur$rises me %ire that he should try to $ush himself into my $lace "hen he has no"

$ushed into your Ja0esty/s conversation./ [12] The illustrious ;ratianensis here remared that the e$isode o$ened a"ide field to a satirist. (n this the em$eror turned round to me and said# /It is ne"s to me )ount %idonius1 that youare a "riter of satires./ /%ire/ I ans"ered /it is ne"s to me too./ /Anyho"/ he re$lied "ith a laugh /I !eg you to !emerciful to me./ /I shall 62' s$are myself also/ I re0oined /!y refraining from illegality./ Thereu$on the em$eror said#/What shall "e do then to the $eo$le "ho have $rovoed you5/ /This %ire/ I ans"ered. / Whoever my accuser !elet him come out into the o$en. If I am $roved guilty let me a!ide the $enalty. 3ut if as "ill $ro!a!ly !e the case Ire!ut the charge I as of your clemency $ermission to "rite anything I choose a!out my assailant $rovided Io!serve the la"./ [14] The em$eror looed at &aeonius "ho "as hesitating and made a sign of in<uiry "hether heacce$ted the conditions. 3ut he had not a "ord to ans"er and the $rince s$ared his em!arrassment+ at last ho"ever

he managed to say# /I agree to your conditions if you can $ut them in verse on the s$ot./ /Bery "ell/ I said+ andturning !ac as if to call for "ater for my hands I remained in that attitude the time occu$ied !y a <uic servant ingoing round the ta!le. I then resumed my former $osition and the em$eror said# /:our undertaing "as to as in anim$rom$tu our sanction for "riting satire./ I re$lied#

/( mightiest $rince I $ray that this !e thy decree# let him "ho calls me li!eller or $rove his charge or fear./

[1] I do not "ant to seem conceited !ut the a$$lause "hich follo"ed "as e<ual to that "hich had greeted)amillus+ though it "as earned of course less !y the merit of the verse than !y the s$eed "ith "hich I hadcom$osed. Then the em$eror cried# /I call ;od and the common "eal to "itness that in future I give you licence to"rite "hat you $lease+ the charge !rought against you "as not susce$ti!le of $roof. It "ould !e most un0ust if theim$erial decision allo"ed such latitude to $rivate <uarrels that evident malice might im$eril 622 !y o!scure chargesno!les "hom conscious innocence $uts "holly off their guard./ At this $ronouncement I modestly !ent my head and

thaned him+ the face of my o$$onent "hich had $reviously sho"n successive signs of rage and veation no"gre" $ale. Indeed it "as almost fro?en "ith terror as if he had received the order to $resent his nec to theeecutioner/s dra"n s"ord. [1@] ittle more "as said !efore "e rose from the ta!le. We had "ithdra"n a shortdistance from the im$erial $resence and "ere in the act of $utting on our mantles "hen the consul fell u$on my

!osom the e*$refects sei?ed my hands and my guilty friend a!ased himself so often and so $rofoundly that hearoused universal $ity and !ade fair to $lace me in a more invidious $osition !y his entreaties than he had ever done

!y his insinuations. Grged to s$ea !y the throng of no!les round me I closed the e$isode !y telling him that hemight set his mind at rest+ I should "rite no satire on his !ase intrigue so long as he a!stained hencefor"ard from themisre$resentation of my actions. It should !e $unishment enough for him to no" that his ascri$tion of the lam$oon



to me had added to my credit and !rought nothing !ut discredit on himself. [17] In fine honoured lord the man"hom I thus confounded had not !een loudest in calumny+ he "as a mere "his$erer. 3ut since !y his offence I hadthe satisfaction of !eing so "armly greeted !y so many men of the highest influence and $osition I confess that it"as almost "orth "hile to have !orne the scandal of the eordium for the sae of so trium$hant a conclusion.are"ell.

BOO" !!

!.

To [his brother-in-law] %cdicius*

c. A.D. 47

[1] :(GF countrymen of Auvergne suffer e<ually from t"o evils. /What are those5/ you as. %eronatus/ $resenceand your o"n a!sence. %eronatus****his very name first calls for notice+ 1 I thin that "hen he "as so named a

$rescient fortune must have $layed "ith contradictions as our $redecessors did "ho !y anti$hrasis used the root of

/!eautiful/ in their "ord for "ar the most hideous thing on earth+ and "ith no less $erversity the root of mercy intheir name for ate !ecause ate never s$ares. This )atiline of our day is 0ust returned from the region of the Adourto !lend in "hole confusion the fortune and the !lood of unha$$y victims "hich do"n there he had only $ledgedhimself in $art to shed. ['] :ou must no" that his long*dissem!led savagery comes daily further into the light. Hiss$ite affronts the day+ his dissimulation "as a!0ect as his arrogance is servile. He commands lie a des$ot+ no tyrantmore eacting than he no 0udge more $erem$tory in sentence no !ar!arian falser in false "itness. The livelong dayhe goes armed from co"ardice and starving from $ure meanness. ;reed maes him 62 formida!le and vanity cruel+he continually commits himself the very thefts he $unishes in others. To the universal amusement he "ill rant of "ar in a civilian com$any and of literature among ;oths. Though he !arely no"s the al$ha!et he has the conceit todictate letters in $u!lic and the im$udence to revise them under the same conditions.

[2] All $ro$erty he covets he maes a sho" of !uying+ !ut he never thins of $aying nor does he trou!le to furnishhimself "ith deeds no"ing it ho$eless to $rove a title.1 In the council*cham!er he commands !ut in counsel he is

mute. He 0ests in church and $reaches at ta!le+ snores on the !ench and !reathes condemnation in his !edroom. Hisactions are filling the "oods "ith dangerous fugitives from the estates the churches "ith scoundrels the $risons"ith holy men. He cries the ;oths u$ and the Fomans do"n+ he $re$ares illusions for $refects and collusions "ith

$u!lic accountants. He tram$les under foot the Theodosian )ode to set in its $lace the la"s of a Theodoric' raingu$ old charges to 0ustify ne" im$osts. [4] 3e <uic then to unravel the tangle of affairs that maes you linger+ cutshort "hatever causes your delay. (ur $eo$le are at the last gas$+ freedom is almost dead. Whether there is anyho$e or "hether all is to !e des$air they "ant you in their midst to lead them. If the %tate is $o"erless to succourif as rumour says the >m$eror Anthemius is "ithout resource our no!ility is determined to follo" your lead andgive u$ their country or the hair of their heads.2 are"ell. 62@

E &artly translated !y ertig &art i $. '.

!!.

T his friend omitiusA.D. 4@1*7859

[1] :ou attac me for staying in the country+ I might "ith greater reason com$lain of you for lingering in to"n.%$ring already gives $lace to summer+ the sun has travelled his full range to the Tro$ic of )ancer and no" advanceson his 0ourney to"ards the $ole. Why should I "aste "ords u$on the climate "hich "e here en0oy5 The )reator hasso $laced us that "e are e$osed to the afternoon heats. >nough said+ the "hole "orld glo"s+ the sno" is melting onthe Al$s+ the earth is seamed "ith ga$ing heat*cracs. The fords are nothing !ut dry gravel the !ans hard mud the



$lains dust+ the running streams languish and hardly drag themselves along+ as for the "ater hot is not the "ord+ it !oils. ['] We are all $ers$iring in light sils or linens+ !ut there you stay at Ameria all s"athed u$ under your greatgo"n !uried in a dee$ chair and setting "ith many ya"ns /Jy mother "as a %amian/ 1 to $u$ils $aler from the heatthan from any fear of you. As you love your health get a"ay at once from your suffocating alleys 0oin ourhousehold as the most "elcome of all guests and in this most tem$erate of retreats evade the intem$erate dog*star.

[2] :ou may lie to no" the ind of $lace to "hich you are invited. We are at the estate no"n as Avitacum'

aname of s"eeter sound in my ears than my o"n $atrimony !ecause it came to me "ith my 627 "ife. Infer theharmony "hich esta!lished !et"een me and mine+ it is ;od/s ordinance+ !ut you might !e $ardoned for fearing it the"or of some enchantment. (n the "est rises a !ig hill $retty stee$ !ut not rocy from "hich issue t"o lo"ers$urs lie !ranches from a dou!le trun etending over an area of a!out four 0ugera. 3ut "hile the ground o$ensout enough to form a !road a$$roach to the front door the straight slo$es on either side lead a valley right to the

!oundary of the villa "hich faces north and south. [4] (n the south*"est are the !aths1 "hich so closely ad0oin a"ooded eminence that if tim!er is cut on the hill a!ove the $iles of logs slide do"n almost !y their o"n "eight andare !rought u$ against the very mouth of the furnace. At this $oint is the hot !ath "hich corres$onds in si?e "ith thead0oining unguentarium, ece$t that it has an a$se "ith a semicircular !asin+ here the hot "ater $ressing through thesinuous lead $i$es that $ierce the "all issues "ith a so!!ing sound. The cham!er itself is "ell heated from !eneath+it is full of day and so overflo"ing "ith light that very modest !athers seem to themselves something more thannaed. [] =et come the s$acious frigidarium, "hich may fairly challenge com$arison "ith those in $u!lic !aths.The roof is $yramidal and the s$aces !et"een the converging ridges are covered "ith im!ricated tiles+ the architecthas inserted t"o o$$osite "indo"s a!out the 0unction of "alls and dome so that if you loo u$ you see the finecoffering dis$layed to the !est advantage. The interior "alls are un$retentiously covered "ith $lain "hite stuccoand the a$artment is designed !y the nicest calculation of s$ace 62 to contain the same num!er of $ersons as thesemicircular !ath holds !athers "hile it yet allo"s the servants to move a!out "ithout im$eding one another. [@] =ofrescoed scene o!trudes its comely nudities gracing the art to the disgrace of the artist. :ou "ill o!serve no $aintedactors in a!surd mass and costumes rivalling &hilistio/s gear "ith colours gaudy as the rain!o".1 :ou "ill find no

$ugilists or "restlers intert"ining their oiled lim!s in those gri$s "hich in real !outs the gymnasiarch/s chaste"and unlocs the moment the enlaced lim!s loo indecent. [7] >nough you "ill see u$on these "alls none of thosethings "hich it is nicer not to loo u$on. A fe" verses there are harmless lines enough since no one either regrets

$erusal or cares to $eruse again. If you "ant to no" "hat mar!les are em$loyed neither &aros nor )arystos nor&roconnesos nor &hrygia nor =umidia nor %$arta have contri!uted their diverse inlays. I had no use for stone thatsimulates a !roen surface "ith >thio$ic crags and $ur$le $reci$ices stained "ith genuine mure. Though enriched

!y no cold s$lendour of foreign mar!le my $oor huts and hovels do not lac the coolness to "hich a $lain citi?en

may as$ire. 3ut no" I had really !etter tal a!out the things I have than the things I lac. [] With this hall isconnected on the eastern side an annee a $iscina or if you $refer the ;ree "ord !a$tistery "ith a ca$acity ofa!out t"enty thousand modii. Into this the !athers $ass from the hot room !y three arched entrances in the dividing"all. The su$$orts are not $iers !ut columns "hich your e$erienced architect calls the glory of !uildings. Into this

$iscina then a stream lured from the !ro" 62C of the hill is conducted in channels curving round the outside of thes"imming !asin+ it issues through si $i$es terminating in lions/ heads "hich to one entering ra$idly seem to

$resent real fangs authentic fury of eyes indu!ita!le manes. [C] When the master of the house stands here "ith hishousehold or his guests a!out him $eo$le have to shout in each other/s ears or the noise of falling "ater maes their "ords inaudi!le+ the interference of this alien sound forces conversations "hich are <uite $u!lic to assume anamusing air of secrecy. (n leaving this cham!er you see in front of you the "ithdra"ing*room+ ad0oining it is thestoreroom se$arated only !y a mova!le $artition from the $lace "here the maids do our "eaving.

[1] (n the east side a $ortico commands the lae su$$orted !y sim$le "ooden $illars instead of $retentious

monumental columns. (n the side of the front entrance is a long covered s$ace un!roen !y interior divisions+ itmay !e incorrect to call this a hy$odrome !ut I may fairly a"ard it the name of cry$to$orticus. At the end it iscurtailed !y a section cut off to form a delightfully cool !ay and here "hen "e ee$ o$en festival the "holechattering chorus of nurses and de$endants sounds a halt "hen the family retires for the siesta.

[11] The "inter dining*room is entered from this cry$to$orticus+ a roaring fire on an arched hearth often fills thisa$artment "ith smoe and smuts. 3ut that detail I may s$are you+ a glo"ing hearth is the last thing I am inviting youto en0oy 0ust no". I $ass instead to things "hich suit the season and your $resent need. rom here one enters asmaller cham!er or dining*room 64 all o$en to the lae and "ith almost the "hole e$anse of lae in its vie". This



cham!er is furnished "ith a dining*couch and gleaming side!oard u$on a raised area or dais to "hich you mountgradually and not !y a!ru$t or narro" ste$s from the $ortico !elo". Feclining at this ta!le you can give the idlemoments !et"een the courses to the en0oyment of the $ros$ect. [1'] If "ater of our famous s$rings is served and<uicly $oured into the cu$s one sees sno"y s$ots and clouded $atches form outside them+ the sudden chill dullsthe fugitive reflections of the surface almost as if it had !een greased. %uch cu$s restrict one/s draughts+ the thirstiestsoul on earth to say nothing of :our A!stemiousness "ould set li$ to the free?ing !rims "ith caution. rom ta!leyou may "atch the fisherman ro" his !oat out to mid*lae and s$read his seine "ith cor floats or sus$end hislines at mared intervals to lure the greedy trout on their nightly ecursions through the lae "ith !ait of their o"nflesh and !lood# "hat $hrase more $ro$er since fish is literally caught !y fish5 [12] The meal over "e $ass into a"ithdra"ing*room "hich its coolness maes a $erfect $lace in summer. acing north it receives all the daylight !utno direct sun# a very small intervening cham!er accommodates the dro"sy servants large enough to allo" themforty "ins !ut not a regular slee$. [14] It is delightful to sit here and listen to the shrill cicala at noon the croa offrogs in the gloaming the clangour of s"ans and geese in the earlier night or the cro" of cocs in the dead of it theominous voice of roos saluting the rosy face of Da"n in chorus or in the half*light nightingales fluting in the

!ushes and 641 s"allo"s t"ittering under the eaves. To this concert you may add the seven*sto$$ed $i$e of the $astoral Juse on "hich the very "aeful Tityri of our hills "ill often vie one "ith another "hile the herds a!outthem lo" to the co"*!ells as they gra?e along the $astures. All these tuneful songs and sounds "ill !ut charm youinto dee$er slum!ers. [1] If you leave the colonnade and go do"n to the little laeside har!our you come to agreens"ard and hard !y to a grove of trees "here every one is allo"ed to go. There stand t"o great limes "ithroots and truns a$art !ut the !oughs inter"oven in one continuous cano$y. In their dense shade "e $lay at !all1

"hen my >cdicius honours me "ith his com$any+ !ut the moment the shado" of the trees shrins to the areacovered !y the !ranches "e sto$ for "ant of ground and re$ose our tired lim!s at dice.

[1@] I have descri!ed the house+ I no" o"e you a descri$tion of the lae. It etends in a devious course to"ards theeast and "hen violent "inds lash it to fury drenches the lo"er $art of the house "ith s$ray. At its head the ground ismarshy and full of !og*holes im$assa!le to the e$lorer+ a slimy and saturated mud has formed there and colds$rings rise on all sides+ the edges are fringed "ith "eed. When the "ind dro$s small !oats cleave its changefulsurface in all directions. 3ut if dirty "eather comes u$ from the south the "hole lae is s"ollen into monstrous"aves and a rain of s$ray comes crashing over the tree*to$s u$on the !ans. [17] 3y nautical measure it isseventeen stadia in length. Where the river comes in the !roen "ater foams "hite against the rocy !arriers+ !utthe 64' stream soon "ins clear of the overhanging crags and is lost in the smooth e$anse. Whether the river itselfmaes the lae or is only an affluent I no" not+ certain it is that it reaches the other end and flo"s a"ay throughsu!terranean channels "hich only de$rive it of its fish and leave it intact in volume. The fish driven into more

sluggish "aters increase in si?e red !odied and "hite under the !elly. They cannot either return or esca$e+ theyfatten and go self*contained as it "ere in $orta!le 0ails of their o"n com$osition. [1] (n the right a "ooded shorecurves "ith an indented line+ on the left it o$ens to a level s"ee$ of grass. (n the south"est the shallo"s along the

!ans loo green+ overarching !oughs lend the "ater their o"n hue and the "ater transmits it to the $e!!les at the !ottom+ on the east a similar fringe of foliage $roduces a lie tint. (n the north the "ater $reserves its naturalcolour+ on the "est the shore is covered "ith a tangle of common gro"ths crushed in many $laces "here !oats havero"ed over them+ close !y tufts of smooth reeds !end to the "ind and $ul$y flat leaves of a<uatic $lants float u$onthe surface+ the s"eet "aters nourish the !itter sa$ of the grey*green "illo"s gro"ing near. [1C] In the dee$ middleof the lae is an islet at one end of "hich $ro0ects a turning $ost u$on !oulders naturally $iled "orn !y contact "ithoar*!lades during our a<uatic s$orts+ at this $oint com$etitors often collide and come to cheerful grief. (ur fathersused to hold !oat*races here in imitation of the Tro0an ceremonial games at Dre$anum.1

It is not in my !ond to descri!e the estate itself+ suffice it to say that it has s$reading "oods and flo"ery 642

meado"s $astures rich in cattle and a "ealth of hardy she$herds. ['] Here I must conclude. Were my $en to run onmuch further the autumn "ould overtae you !efore you reached the end. Accord me then the grace of coming<uicly+ your return shall !e as slo" as ever you choose. And forgive me if in my fear of overlooing anythinga!out our situation here I have given you facts in ecess and !eyond the fair limits of a letter. As it is there are

$oints "hich I have left untouched for fear of !eing tedious. 3ut a reader of your 0udgement and imagination "illnot eaggerate the si?e of the descri$tive $age !ut rather that of the house so s$aciously de$icted. are"ell.

!!!.



To [his friend (agnus] Feli+

c. A.D. 47'

[1] I F>,(I)> honoured lord to see you "in the distinction of this most ealted title+1 and all the more !ecause thene"s is announced to me !y s$ecial messenger. or though you are no" high among the $o"ers and after all theseyears the $atrician dignity comes !ac to the &hilagrian house !y your felicity ' you "ill discover most loyal of

friends ho" much your honours gro" !y !eing shared and ho" far so rare a modesty as yours ealts a lofty station.['] It "as for these <ualities that the Foman $eo$le once $referred Ouintus a!ius the Jaster of the Horse to )ursor"ith his dictatorial rigour and his &a$irian $ride+2 for these that &om$ey sur$assed all rivals in a $o$ularity 644 "hichhe "as too "ise to scorn. 3y these ;ermanicus "on the "hole "orld/s favour and forced Ti!erius to re$ress hisenvy. or these reasons I "ill not concede all the credit for your $romotion to the im$erial $leasure. It has only oneadvantage over ours+ "ere "e to o$$ose your claims it has the $o"er to override us. :our $eculiar $rivilege youruni<ue advantage is this# you have neither actual rival nor visi!le successor. are"ell.

!#.

To his friend agittarius*A.D. 4@1*7

[1] TH> honoura!le P &ro0ectus is ardently !ent u$on your friendshi$+ I trust that you "ill not re$el his advances.He is of no!le lineage+ the re$utation of his father and his uncle and his grandfather/s eminence in the )hurch uniteto lend a lustre to his name+ he has indeed all that conduces to distinction+ family "ealth $ro!ity energetic youth+

!ut not till he is assured of your good graces "ill he consider himself to have attained the culminating $oint of hiscareer. ['] Although he has already ased and o!tained from the "ido" of the late honoura!le ($tantius herdaughter/s hand****may ;od s$eed his ho$es****he fears that little "ill have !een gained !y all his vo"s unless hiso"n solicitude or my intercession gains him your su$$ort as "ell. or you have taen the $lace of the girl/s deadfather+ you have succeeded to his share in the 64 res$onsi!ility for her u$!ringing+ it is to you that she loos for afather/s love a $atron/s guidance a guardian/s !ounden care. [2] And since it is !ut natural that your admira!legovernment of your household should attract men of the right stam$ even from distant $laces re"ard the modesty of this su$$liant "ooer !y a indly res$onse. In the usual course of events it "ould have fallen to you to o!tain him themother/s consent+ as it is he saves you this trou!le and you have only to sanction a troth already a$$roved. :ourre$utation gives you in effect a $arental authority in regard to this match+ the father himself if he had lived could

not have claimed a greater. are"ell.

E (r to %yagrius as ).P Clarissimus.

#.

To his friend etroniusA.D. 4@1*7

[1] ,(H= my friend is caught inetrica!ly in the la!yrinth of a com$le !usiness and is at a loss "hat to ho$e and"hat a!andon until your e$erienced eye or another as good 8if such there !e9 has looed into his titles todetermine their validity. The case is confusing in that it has more than one side and he does not see "hether his

statement should maintain one line of action or im$ugn another. ['] I most earnestly !eg you therefore to eaminehis documents and tell him "hat his rights are "hat he ought to allege or refute and "hat his $rocedure should !e.et !ut the stream of this affair flo" from the s$rings of your advice and I have no fear that the other side "illmanage to reduce its volume !y any unfair diversion. are"ell. 64@

#!.

To his friend egasiusA.D. 4@1*7



[1] TH>F> is a $rover! that delay is often !est+ I have 0ust had $roof that it is true. We have had your friendJenstruanus long enough among us to find him "orthy of a $lace among our dearest and most intimate friends. Heis agreea!le and of refined manners moderate sensi!le religious and no s$endthrift+ his is a $ersonality "hichconfers as much as it o!tains "hen admitted to the most a$$roved of friendshi$s. ['] I tell you this for my o"nsatisfaction and not to inform you of "hat you already no". As a result content "ill no" reign in three se$arate<uarters. :ou "ill !e $leased at this seal set on your 0udgement in the choice and ado$tion of your friends+ theArvenians "ill !e $leased since to my certain no"ledge they lied him for the very <ualities "hich I am surecommended him to you+ lastly Jenstruanus himself "ill !e gratified at receiving the good o$inion of honoura!lemen. are"ell.

#!!.

To his friend %+&liciusA.D. 4@1*7

[1] :ou have given so many $roofs of your im$artiality that you have "on universal res$ect and for that reason I amal"ays more than eager to send all seeers after 0ustice to your 0udgement*seat+ !y so doing I ease 647 the dis$utantsfrom their !urden and myself from all necessity of argument. These ends I shall attain in the $resent case unlessyour diffidence should $rom$t you to refuse the $arties audience+ !ut your very inaccessi!ility is the !est $roof of

your im$artiality. or almost every one else intrigues to !e chosen as an ar!itrator e$ecting to gain something ininfluence or advantage. ['] 3e indulgent therefore to men "ho $ress on each other/s heels to en0oy the $rivilege of $leading !efore so fair a 0udge+ your re$ute is such that the loser can never !e so stu$id as to im$ugn your verdict or the "inner so over*su!tle as to deride it. 3oth sides res$ect the truth+ those against "hom the verdict goes res$ectyou+ those "hom it favours sho" their gratitude. Therefore I im$lore your early decision on the matter in dis$ute

!et"een Alethius and &aulus. I !elieve your sound sense and healthy 0udgement can alone heal the malady of thisintermina!le <uarrel and that they "ill !e far more effective than any decrees of decemvirs or of $ontiffs. are"ell.

#!!!.

To his friend esideratusA.D. 4@1*7

[1] I WFIT> o$$ressed !y a great sorro". Three days ago ilimatia died and all !usiness "as sus$ended out ofres$ect to her memory. %he "as an o!edient "ife a indly mistress a ca$a!le mother a dutiful daughter "hether athome or a!road earning the "illing service of her inferiors the affection of her e<uals and the 64 consideration ofthe great. eft an only daughter at her mother/s death she so !e"itched her father !y her charming "ays that thoughhe "as still a young man he never longed for a male heir. And no" her sudden death $ierces t"o hearts leaving ahus!and desolate and a father childless. The mother of five children has !een snatched a"ay !efore her time hervery fertility her "orst misfortune1+ had she !een left and the invalid father taen the little ones "ould seem lesshel$less than no". ['] The tri!utes of affection "hich "e $ay the dead are not vain+ it "as not the sinister train of

!earers "ho !uried her+ all $resent "ere dissolved in tears and the very strangers hung u$on the !ier as if they"ould hold it !ac. They im$rinted isses on it until more lie one in slum!er than one dead she "as received !yher relatives and the clergy to !e laid to rest in her long home. When the rites "ere done the !ereaved father !eggedme to "rite an elegy for her tom!stone+ I did it "hile my tears "ere still almost "arm choosing the hendecasylla!icin $lace of the elegiac measure. If you do not thin the lines too !ad my !ooseller shall include them in the

volumes of my selected $oems+ if you do the heavy verse shall !e confined to the heavy stone.

[2] Here is my e$ita$h#

/In this tom! a mourning country/s hands have laid the matron ilimatia "hom "ith fierce stroe and s"ift fatesnatched from s$ouse from sire from five or$haned children. ( $ride of thy house ( glory of thy consort ( "iseand $ure and seemly ( strict and tender and "orthy to $recede even the aged !y "hat art of thy gentle nature didstthou unite the 64C <ualities "hich seem at discord "ith each other5 or a grave ease and a modesty not too severe for



gaiety "ere ever the com$anions of thy life. Therefore "e mourn thee taen thy sith lustre hardly run and the duerites $aid in this undue season of thy $rime./ 1

Whether you lie the verses or not hasten !ac to the city. :ou o"e the !ereaved homes of t"o fello" to"nsmenthe duty of consolation. &ray ;od you so act that the manner of your action may never !e your re$roach hereafter.are"ell.

!$.

To his friend onidius EA.D. 4@1*7

[1] To your <uestion "hy having got as far as =imes I still leave your hos$itality e$ectant I re$ly !y giving thereason for my delayed return. I "ill even dilate u$on the causes of my dilatoriness for I no" that "hat I en0oy isyour en0oyment too. The fact is I have $assed the most delightful time in the most !eautiful country in the com$anyof Tonantius erreolus and A$ollinaris the most charming hosts in the "orld. Their estates march together+ theirhouses are not far a$art+ and the etent of intervening ground is 0ust too far for a "al and 0ust too short to mae theride "orth "hile.' The hills a!ove the houses are under vines and olives+ they might !e =ysa and Aracynthus famedin song.2 The vie" from one villa is over a "ide flat country that from the other over 6 "oodland+ yet different

though their situations are the eye derives e<ual $leasure from !oth. ['] 3ut enough of sites+ I have no" to unfoldthe order of my entertainment. %har$ scouts "ere $osted to loo out for our return+ and not only "ere the roads

$atrolled !y men from each estate !ut even "inding short*cuts and shee$*tracs "ere under o!servation to mae it<uite im$ossi!le for us to elude the friendly am!ush. Into this of course "e fell no un"illing $risoners+ and ourca$tors instantly made us s"ear to dismiss every idea of continuing our 0ourney until a "hole "ee had ela$sed. [2] And so every morning !egan "ith a flattering rivalry !et"een the t"o hosts as to "hich of their itchens shouldfirst smoe for the refreshment of their guest+ nor though I am $ersonally related to one and connected through myrelatives "ith the other could I manage !y alternation to give them <uite e<ual measure since age and the dignity of

$refectorian ran gave erreolus a $rior right of invitation over and a!ove his other claims. [4] rom the firstmoment "e "ere hurried from one $leasure to another. Hardly had "e entered the vesti!ule of either house "hen "esa" t"o o$$osed $airs of $artners in the !all*game1 re$eating each other/s movements as they turned in "heelingcircles+ in another $lace one heard the rattle of dice !oes and the shouts of the contending $layers+ in yet another"ere !oos in a!undance ready to your hand+ you might have imagined yourself among the shelves of some

grammarian or the tiers of the Athenaeum or a !ooseller/s to"ering cases.'

They "ere so arranged that thedevotional "ors "ere near the ladies/ seats+ "here the master sat "ere those 61 enno!led !y the great style ofFoman elo<uence. The arrangement had this defect that it se$arated certain !oos !y certain authors in manner asnear to each other as in matter they are far a$art. Thus Augustine "rites lie Barro and Horace lie &rudentius+ !utyou had to consult them on different sides of the room. [] Turranius Fufinus/ inter$retation of Adamantius (rigen1 "as eagerly eamined !y the readers of theology among us+ according to our several $oints of vie" "e haddifferent reasons to give for the censure of this ather !y certain of the clergy as too trenchant a controversialist and

!est avoided !y the $rudent+ !ut the translation is so literal and yet renders the s$irit of the "or so "ell that neitherA$uleius/ version of &lato/s haedo, nor )icero/s of the Ctesi&hon of Demosthenes is more admira!ly ada$ted to theuse and rule of our atin tongue. [@] While "e "ere engaged in these discussions as fancy $rom$ted each a$$earsan envoy from the coo to "arn us that the moment of !odily refreshment is at hand. And in fact the fifth hour had

0ust ela$sed $roving that the man "as $unctual had $ro$erly mared the advance of the hours u$on the "ater*cloc'. The dinner "as short !ut a!undant served in the fashion affected in senatorial houses "here inveterate usage

$rescri!es numerous courses on very fe" dishes though to afford variety roast alternated "ith ste". Amusing andinstructive anecdotes accom$anied our $otations+ "it "ent "ith the one sort and learning "ith the other. To !e !rief"e "ere entertained "ith decorum refinement and good cheer. [7] After dinner if "e "ere at Borocingus 2 8thename of one estate9 "e "aled over to our 6' <uarters and our o"n !elongings. If at &rusianum as the other iscalled [the young] Tonantius and his !rothers turned out of their !eds for us !ecause "e could not !e al"aysdragging our gear a!out# 1 they are surely the elect among the no!les of our o"n age. The siesta over "e too ashort ride to shar$en our 0aded a$$etites for su$$er. [] 3oth of our hosts had !aths in their houses !ut in neither didthey ha$$en to !e availa!le+ so I set my o"n servants to "or in the rare so!er interludes "hich the convivial !o"ltoo often filled allo"ed their sodden !rains. I made them dig a $it at their !est s$eed either near a s$ring or !y theriver+ into this a hea$ of red*hot stones "as thro"n and the glo"ing cavity then covered over "ith an arched roof of



"attled ha?el. This still left interstices and to eclude the light and ee$ in the steam given off "hen "ater "asthro"n on the hot stones "e laid coverings of )ilician goats/ hair over all.' [C] In these va$our*!aths "e $assed"hole hours "ith lively tal and re$artee+ all the time the cloud of hissing steam envelo$ing us induced thehealthiest $ers$iration.

When "e had $ers$ired enough "e "ere !athed in hot "ater+ the treatment removed the feeling of re$letion !ut left

us languid+ "e therefore finished off "ith a !racing douche from fountain "ell or river. or the river ;arden runs !et"een the t"o $ro$erties+ ece$t in time of flood "hen the stream is s"ollen and clouded "ith melted sno" itloos red through its ta"ny gravels and flo"s still and $ellucid over its $e!!ly !ed teeming none the less "ith themost delicate fish. [1] I could tell you of su$$ers fit for a ing+ it is not my sense of shame !ut sim$ly "ant ofs$ace "hich sets 62 a limit to my revelations. :ou "ould have a great story if I turned the $age and continued on theother side+ !ut I am al"ays ashamed to disfigure the !ac of a letter "ith an iny $en. 3esides I am on the $oint ofleaving here and ho$e !y )hrist/s grace that "e shall meet very shortly+ the story of our friends/ !an<uets "ill !e

!etter told at my o"n ta!le or yours****$rovided only that a good "ee/s interval first ela$ses to restore me thehealthy a$$etite I long for. There is nothing lie thin living to give tone to a system disordered !y ecess. are"ell.

E Translated !y Hodgin ii. 2'4 f.

$.

To his friend "es&erius

c. A. D. 47

[1] WHAT I most love in you is your love of letters and I strive to enhance the generous devotion !y the highest $raises I can give+ your firstfruits $lease the !etter for it and even my o"n "or !egins to rise in my esteem. or therichest re"ard of a man/s la!ours is to see $romising young men gro"ing u$ in that disci$line of letters for "hich hein his o"n day smarted under the cane. The num!ers of the indifferent gro" at such a rate that unless your little !andcan save the $urity of the atin tongue from the rust of sorry !ar!arisms "e shall soon have to mourn its a!olitionand decease. All the fine flo"ers of diction "ill lose their s$lendour through the a$athy of our $eo$le. ['] 3ut of thatanother time. Jy $resent duty is to send you "hat you ased namely any verses I might have "ritten since "e sa"each other last to com$ensate 64 you for my a!sence. I no" satisfy your desire+ young though you are your

0udgement is already so matured that even "e seniors lie to o!ey your "ishes.

A church has recently !een !uilt at yons1 and carried to a successful com$letion !y the ?eal of 3isho$ &atiens+ youno" his holy strenuous and ascetic life ho" !y his a!ounding li!erality and hos$ita!le love to"ards the $oor heerects to an e<ual height the tem$le of a s$otless re$utation. [2] At his re<uest I "rote a hurried inscri$tion for theend of the church in tri$le trochaic a metre !y this time as familiar to you as it has long !een to me. Heameters !ythe illustrious $oets )onstantius and %ecundinus adorn the "alls !y the altar+ these mere shame for!ids me to co$yhere for you. It is "ith diffidence that I let my verse a$$ear at all+ com$arison of their accom$lished "or "ith the

$oor efforts of my leisure "ould !e too over"helming. ,ust as a too !eautiful !ridesmaid maes the "orst escort fora !ride and a dar man loos his s"arthiest in "hite so does my scrannel $i$e sound common and is dro"ned !ythe music of their no!ler instruments. Holding the middle $ost in s$ace and the last in merit my com$osition standscondemned as a $oor thing no less for its faulty art than for the $resum$tion "hich has set it "here it is. Theirinscri$tions $ro$erly outshine mine "hich is !ut a setchy and fanciful $roduction. 3ut ecuses are of little use# letthe "retched reed "ar!le the lines demanded of me#

[4] /( thou E "ho here a$$laudest the la!ours of &atiens our $ontiff and father !e it thine to receive of heaven 6 anans"er to a $rayer according "ith thy desire. High stands the church in s$lendour etending neither to right nor left

!ut "ith to"ering front looing to"ards the e<uinoctial sunrise. Within is shining light and the gilding of thecoffered ceiling allures the sun!eams golden as itself. The "hole !asilica is !right "ith diverse mar!les floorvaulting and "indo"s all adorned "ith figures of most various colour and mosaic green as a !looming mead sho"sits design of sa$$hire cu!es "inding through the ground of verdant glass.1 The entrance is a tri$le $ortico $roudly seton A<uitanian columns+ a second $ortico of lie design closes the atrium at the farther side and the mid*s$ace isflaned afar !y columns numerous as forest stems. (n the one side runs the noisy high"ay on the other lea$s the%aMne+ here turns the traveller "ho rides or goes afoot here the driver of the creaing carriage+ here the to"ers



!o"ed over the ro$e raise their river*chant to )hrist till the !ans re*echo Alleluia. %o raise the $salm ( "ayfarerand !oatman for here is the goal of all manind hither runs for all the "ay of their salvation./

[] :ou see I have done your !idding as if you "ere the older and I the younger man. 3ut mind not to forget that Ie$ect re$ayment "ith com$ound interest+ and to mae the $ayment easy and $ositively delightful there is only onething to do# read shamelessly+ never sto$ longing for your !oos. The aus$icious event no" so near I mean the

home*coming of your !ride must not distract you+ ee$ steadily !efore your mind ho" many "ives have held thelam$ for studious or meditative lords****Jarcia for Hortensius Terentia for 6@ Tullius )al$urnia for &liny&udentilla for A$uleius Fusticana for %ymmachus. [@] When you are inclined to com$lain that femininecom$anionshi$ may deaden not only your elo<uence !ut your $oetic talent as "ell and dull the fine edge "hichlong study has set u$on your diction remem!er ho" often )orinna hel$ed her (vid to round off a verse es!ia her)atullus )aesennia her ;aetulicus Argentaria her ucan )ynthia her &ro$ertius or Delia her Ti!ullus. Why it is asclear as day that to the studious marriage is o$$ortunity and only to the idle an ecuse. %et to then+ do not $ermit amo! of the unlettered to discourage your ?eal for letters. or it is =ature/s la" in all the arts that the rarer theaccom$lishment the higher the value. are"ell.

E Translated !y Hodgin ii. 2' ff. "ho uses a corres$onding >nglish metre also !y ertig ii. 27.

$!.

To his friend $usticusA. D. 4@1*7

[1] I only "e lived nearer to each other and the distance "hich sunders us "ere less vast I should allo" noremissness in corres$ondence to affect the duties of our esta!lished intimacy. I should not cease the foundations ofour mutual friendshi$ once laid to raise thereon a no!le structure !y all honoura!le attention. The distance of ourhomes from each other may hardly affect the union of hearts lined once for all yet it interferes "ith the intercourseof minds. ['] The remoteness of our cities is really res$onsi!le for the rarity of our letters+ !ut so close is ourfriendshi$ that "e ee$ accusing ourselves though all the time the 67 o!stacles are $urely natural and afford no realground either for !lame or for ecuse. I o$ened my gates in a good hour illustrious lord to your messengers in"hom I mared the effect of your training and the influence of their master/s unassuming manners. I heard "ith

$leasure all they had to say and finally dismissed them as the event re<uired. are"ell.

$!!.

To his brother-in-law AgricolaA. D. 4@1*7

[1] WHAT a fast and "ell*!uilt !oat you have sent roomy enough to hold a couch+ and a $resent of fish tooK Inaddition a steersman "ho no"s the "hole river "ell "ith sturdy and e$ert oarsmen "ho seem a!le to shoot u$*stream 0ust as fast as do"n. 3ut you must hold me ecused if I decline your invitation to 0oin your fishing+ strongernets than yours detain me here nets of aniety for our invalids a source of concern not merely to our o"n circle !utto many !eyond its limits. If the natural feelings of a !rother a"aen in you the moment you o$en this you too "illgive u$ the e$edition and return. ['] The cause of this general solicitude is our %everiana. At first she "as trou!led

!y a shattering intermittent cough+ u$on this an ehaustive fever su$ervened "hich has gro"n "orse during

successive nights. %he longs to get a"ay into the country+ "hen your letter came "e "ere actually $re$aring toleave to"n for the villa. Whether you decide to stay "here you are or to come to us 0oin your $rayers to ours that

=ature "ith her vigorous 6 gro"th may !ring !ac health to one $ining for country air. :our sister and I have !eenliving in sus$ense !et"een ho$e and fear+ "e thought that to o$$ose the invalid/s "ish "ould only mae her fret themore. %o under )hrist/s guidance "e are determined to fly the languor and heat of to"n "ith all our household andincidentally esca$e the doctors also "ho disagree across the !ed and !y their ignorance and endless visitsconscientiously ill off their $atients. (nly ,ustus shall !e of our $arty !ut in the <uality of friend not as $hysician+,ustus "ho if this "ere a time for 0esting I could easily $rove a )hiron rather than a Jachaon.1 et us then "ith all



the more diligence entreat and !eseech the ord that the cure "hich our efforts fail to effect may come do"n to ourinvalid from a!ove. are"ell.

$!!!.

To enanus*

A. D. 4@1*7

[1] TH> advocate Jarcellinus has !rought your letter+ I find him a man of e$erience+ he is of the sort that maesfriends. The consecrated "ords of greeting over you give all the rest of your s$ace no trifling amount to laudationof &etronius Jaimus your im$erial $atron. With more $ersistence 8or shall I call it amia!ility59 than truth and

0ustice you style him /the most fortunate/ !ecause after holding all the most honoura!le offices of state he at lastattained the diadem. &ersonally I shall al"ays refuse to call 6C that man fortunate "ho is $oised on the $reci$itousand sli$$ery $ea of office. ['] ( the uns$eaa!le miseries of that life the life of your fortunatesK And are they "housur$ the title as %ulla did really to !e so styled for tram$ling u$on all la" and 0ustice and !elieving $o"er theonly ha$$iness5 Does not their !lindness to their o"n most harassing servitude alone $rove them more "retchedthan other men5 or as ings rule their su!0ects so desire of domination dominates ings. [2] Were the fate of all

$rinces !efore and after him left out of the account this Jaimus of yours "ould alone $rovide the maimum of"arnings.1 He had scaled "ith intre$idity the $refectorian the $atrician the consular citadels+ "ith an unsated

a$$etite for office he too for a second term $osts "hich he had already held. 3ut "hen the su$reme effort !roughthim to the ya"ning gulf of the im$erial dignity his head s"am !eneath the diadem at sight of that enormous $o"erand the man "ho once could not !ear to have a master could not no" endure to !e one. [4] Imagine ho" much "asleft in all this of the influence the $o"er and the sta!ility of the old life+ then thin of this t"o*months/ $rinci$ateits !eginning its "hirl"ind course its end. Is it not $lain that his real ha$$iness "as over and done !efore thise$ithet of /fortunate/ "as ever given him5 The man "ho once "as so great a figure "ith his cons$icuous "ay of lifehis !an<uets his lavish e$ense his retinues his literary $ursuits his official ran his estates his etensive

$atronage+ "ho so 0ealously "atched the flight of time that the cloc ' must set !efore his eyes the $assage of everyhour+ this man once made em$eror and $risoned 6@ in the $alace "alls "as rueing his o"n success !efore the firstevening fell. And "hen his mountainous cares for!ade him to mete the hours in his former tran<uil "ay he had tomae instant renunciation of the old regular life+ he soon discovered that the !usiness of em$ire and a senatorial easeare inconsistent "ith each other. [] The future did not deceive his sad fore!odings+ it "as no hel$ to him to havetraversed all other offices of the court in the fairest of fair "eather+ his rule of it "as from the first tem$estuous "ith

$o$ular tumults tumults of soldiery tumults of allies. And the clima "as un$recedentedly s"ift and cruel+ ortune"ho had long co?ened him sho"ed no" all her faithlessness and made a !loody end+ it "as the last of her that stunghim as the tail of the scor$ion stings. A $rominent no!le man of high culture "hose talents raised him to <uaestor/sran a man of great influence among the no!ility I mean ulgentius used to say that "henever the thrice*loathed

!urden of a cro"n set Jaimus longing for his ancient ease he "ould often hear him eclaim# /Ha$$y thou (Damocles "hose royal duresse did not outlast a single !an<uetK/ [@] History tells us that Damocles "as a %icilian of%yracuse and an ac<uaintance of the tyrant Dionysius. (ne day "hen he "as etolling to the sies the $rivileges ofhis $atron/s life "ithout any com$rehension of its dra"!acs Dionysius said to him# /Would you lie to see foryourself at this very !oard "hat the !lessings and the curses of royalty are lie5/ /I should thin I "ould/ re$lied theother. Instantly the da??led and delighted creature "as stri$$ed of his commoner/s gar! and made res$lendent "ithro!es of Tyrian and Tarentine dye+ 6@1 they set him on a gold couch "ith coverings of sil a figure glittering "ithgems and $earls. [7] 3ut 0ust as a %ardana$alian feast "as a!out to !egin and !read of fine eontine "heat "ashanded round+ 0ust as rare viands "ere !rought in on $late of yet greater rarity+ 0ust as the alernian foamed in greatgem*lie cu$s and unguents tem$ered the ice*cold crystal+ 0ust as the "hole room !reathed cinnamon andfranincense and eotic $erfumes floated to every nostril+ 0ust as the garlands "ere drying on heads drenched "ithnard****!ehold a !are s"ord s"inging from the ceiling right over his $ur$le*mantled shoulders as if every instant itmust fall and $ierce his throat. The menace of that heavy !lade on that horsehair thread cur!ed his greed and madehim reflect on Tantalus+ the a"ful thought o$$ressed him that all he s"allo"ed might !e rendered through ga$ing"ounds. [] He "e$t he $rayed he sighed in every ey+ and "hen at last he "as let go he "as off lie a flashflying the "ealth and the delights of ings as fast as most men follo" after them. A horror of high estate !rought him

!ac "ith longing to the mean nicely cautioned never again to thin or call the mortal ha$$y "ho lives ringed round"ith army and guards or !roods heavy over his s$oils 1 "hile the steel $resses no less heavily u$on him than he



himself u$on his gold. If such a state !e the goal of ha$$iness I no" not my lord !rother+ !ut that those "ho attainit are the most misera!le of men is $roved !eyond dis$ute. are"ell. 6@'

E &artly translated !y Hodgin ii. '*2.

$!#.

To his friend (aurusiusA. D. 4@1*7

[1] I H>AF that your vines have res$onded to your hard "or and our general ho$es "ith a more a!undant harvestthan a threatening and lean year $romised. I e$ect that you "ill conse<uently stay longer at the village ofBialoscum+ 1 "as not the $lace formerly called Jartialis from the time "hen it formed )aesar/s "inter <uarters5 (fcourse you have a rich vineyard there and a large farm !esides "orthy of its great $ro$rietor !oth of "hich "illee$ you and yours !usy harvesting the various cro$s and al"ays in fresh <uarters. ['] When your granaries andstores are full you may decide to $ass the sno"y months of ,anus and =uma in rural ease ' !y your smoing hearthuntil s"allo" and stor rea$$ear+ if so "e too shall cut short engagements hardly $romising enough to ee$ us into"n and "hile you en0oy your country life "e shall en0oy your society. :ou no" me "ell enough to !e a"are thateven the sight of a fine estate "ith am$le revenues could never give me half the satisfaction or the een $leasure

"hich I derive from intercourse "ith a neigh!our of my o"n years and so "orthy of my esteem. are"ell.

BOO" !!!

!.

To his friend Aitus

c. A. D. 47'

[1] F(J our earliest !oyhood and through our youth you and I have !een lined !y many !onds of mutualaffection. To !egin "ith our mothers "ere very near relations. Then "e "ere !orn a!out the same time and "erecontem$oraries at school+ "e "ere together initiated into the study of the arts and em$loyed our leisure in the sameamusements+ "e "ere $romoted !y the same im$erial favour+ "e "ere colleagues in the service of the state. astlyin $ersonal liings and anti$athies our 0udgement has al"ays agreed****$erha$s a stronger and more efficient factorthis in "idening the sco$e of friendshi$ than all the rest together. ['] The out"ard resem!lance of our careers dre"us together !y the !ond of similar occu$ation+ in"ardly "e "ere less alie for yours "as !y far the higher and moreecellent nature. And no" I gladly recogni?e that yours is the hand to cro"n the edifice of our long mutual regard !ythis most timely endo"ment of the church in our $oor to"n of )lermont "hose un"orthy !isho$ I am. In this estateof )utiacum lying almost at its gates you have indeed made an im$ortant addition to its $ro$erty+ to the mem!ersof our sacred $rofession 6@4 "hom your generosity has thus enriched the convenience of access counts for almost asmuch as the revenue "hich the $lace yields. [2] Gnder your late sister/s "ill you "ere only a co*heir !ut theeam$le of your $iety has already moved your surviving sister to emulate your good "ors. And heaven has already

re$aid you as you deserve for your o"n deed and its effect u$on her+ ;od has chosen you out to !e ealted !yunusual good fortune in inheritances. He did not long delay to re"ard your devotion a hundredfold and it is our sure

!elief that these earthly gifts "ill !e follo"ed !y heavenly gifts hereafter. I may tell you if you are really una"are of it that the =icetian succession is heaven/s re$ayment for )utiacum surrendered. [4] We $ray you in the future toetend to the city itself the interest you have already sho"n its church+ hencefor"ard it should !e more than ever theo!0ect of your $rotection since you have inherited a $ro$erty there. :ou may conclude from the attitude of the ;othsho" valua!le the $lace might !ecome if you "ould only mae it fre<uent visits+ they are al"ays de$reciating theiro"n %e$timania1 and even taling of returning it to the em$ire all !ecause they covet this land of yours "hich they"ould lie to anne even if everything u$on it "ere laid "aste. [] 3ut !y ;od/s grace and your mediation a moretran<uil outloo lies !efore us. or though the ;oths have !roen their old !ounds though their valour and the



im$etus of a vague greed have $ushed their frontiers to the FhMne and oire yet the esteem in "hich you are heldand the "eight your o$inion carries should so influence !oth sides that "e shall learn to refuse "hen "e ought andthey to refrain 6@ from further demands "hen met "ith a firm denial. are"ell.

!!.

To his friend ConstantiusA. D. 474

[1] TH> $eo$le of )lermont salute you a great guest in their lo"ly homes1 coming "ithout am!itious retinue andsim$ly environed !y their love. Jerciful ;od "hat 0oy they felt amid their tri!ulation "hen you set your veneratedfoot "ithin their half*ruined "alls. Ho" dense "as the cro"d of !oth sees and of every ran and age a!out you+ho" im$artially you gave a cheering "ord to one and all+ ho" ind the small !oys found you ho" considerate theyoung men ho" hel$ful in advice the older among us. What tears you shed over our !uildings ruined !y the flamesand our homes half !urned to the ground as if you had !een the father of us all. What grief you sho"ed at the sightof fields !uried under the !ones of the un!uried dead. And after"ards "hat a $o"er of encouragement you "ere"ith "hat s$irit you urged the $eo$le to re$air their loss. ['] (ver and a!ove this you found the city no lessdesolated !y internal dissension than !y the !ar!arian onslaught+ !ut you conciliated all+ you rene"ed theirharmony+ you gave the country !ac her sons. The "alls are re*manned the $eo$le restored to them at unity all

thans to you+ your counsel it "as "hich !rought them !ac into one mind as into one city. They all regard you astheir father and themselves as your children+ they $erceive "ith an infalli!le eye 6@@ "herein lies your greatest title to $raise. [2] or day !y day it is !orne in u$on their minds "hat a magnificent thing this is that you have done at soadvanced an age and in so delicate and infirm a state of health. Des$ite your no!le !irth and the veneration "ith"hich you are regarded you !roe do"n every !arrier !y sheer force of love+ all the difficulties of the 0ourney "erenothing to you long "ays and short days thic sno"s and thin fare "ide "astes and narro" lodging1 roads full ofholes no" sodden "ith rain no" ri!!ed "ith frost high"ays covered "ith rough stones rivers sli$$ery "ith ice+you had stee$ hills to clim! valleys choed "ith continual landslides to $ass+ through every discomfort you cametrium$hant "ith the love of a "hole $eo$le for your re"ard !ecause your o"n comfort "as the last thing of "hichyou thought. [4] And no" "e !eseech the ord that he may hear our $rayer and set far the term of your life+ that thefriendshi$ of all good men may !e yours to have and hold+ that our affection "hich you seem to !e leaving !ehindmay ever !e a!out your $ath+ and finally that the fair structure of our concord "hich you !egan to restore may !eregarded from foundation to summit as your $eculiar "or. are"ell.

!!!.

To his brother-in-law %cdiciusA. D. 474

[1] TH>F> never "as a time "hen my $eo$le of )lermont needed you so much as no"+ their affection for you is 6@7 a ruling $assion for more than one reason. irst !ecause a man/s native soil may rightly claim the chief $lace in hisaffection+ secondly !ecause you "ere not only your countrymen/s 0oy at !irth !ut the desire of their hearts "hile yetun!orn. &erha$s of no other man in this age can the same !e said+ !ut the $roof of the statement is that as yourmother/s time advanced the citi?ens "ith one accord fell to checing every day as it "ent !y. ['] I "ill not d"ell onthose common things "hich yet so dee$ly stir a man/s heart as that here "as the grass on "hich as an infant youcra"led or that here "ere the first fields you trod the first rivers you s"am the first "oods through "hich you

!roe your "ay in the chase. I "ill not remind you that here you first $layed !all and cast the dice here you firstne" s$ort "ith ha" and hound "ith horse and !o". I "ill forget that your schooldays !rought us a verita!leconfluence of learners and the learned from all <uarters and that if our no!les "ere im!ued "ith the love ofelo<uence and $oetry if they resolved to forsae the !ar!arous )eltic dialect it "as to your $ersonality that theyo"ed all. [2] =othing so indled their universal regard for you as this that you first made Fomans of them and never allo"ed them to rela$se again.1 And ho" should the vision of you ever fade from any $atriot/s memory as "e sa"you in your glory u$on that famous day "hen a cro"d of !oth sees and every ran and age lined our half*ruined"alls to "atch you cross the s$ace !et"een us and the enemy5 At midday and right across the middle of the $lainyou !rought your little com$any of eighteen ' safe through some thousands of the ;oths a feat "hich 6@ $osterity"ill surely deem incredi!le. [4] At the sight of you nay at the very rumour of your name those seasoned troo$s



"ere smitten "ith stu$efaction+ their ca$tains "ere so ama?ed that they never sto$$ed to note ho" great their o"nnum!ers "ere and yours ho" small. They dre" off their "hole force to the !ro" of a stee$ hill+ they had !een

!esiegers !efore !ut "hen you a$$eared they dared not even de$loy for action. :ou cut do"n some of their !ravest"hom gallantry alone had led to defend the rear. :ou never lost a man in that shar$ engagement and found yourselfsole master of an a!solutely e$osed $lain "ith no more soldiers to !ac you than you often have guests at your o"nta!le. [] Imagination may !etter conceive than "ords descri!e the $rocession that streamed out to you as you madeyour leisurely "ay to"ards the city the greetings the shouts of a$$lause the tears of heartfelt 0oy. (ne sa" youreceiving in the $ress a verita!le ovation on this glad return+ the courts of your s$acious house "ere crammed "ith

$eo$le. %ome issed a"ay the dust of !attle from your $erson some too from the horses the !ridles slimed "ithfoam and !lood some inverted and ranged the s"eat*drenched saddles+ others undid the flei!le chee*$ieces of thehelmet you longed to remove others set a!out unlacing your greaves. (ne sa" fol counting the notches in s"ords

!lunted !y much slaughter or measuring "ith trem!ling fingers the holes made in cuirasses !y cut or thrust. [@] )ro"ds danced "ith 0oy and hung u$on your comrades+ !ut naturally the full !runt of $o$ular delight "as !orne !yyou. :ou "ere among unarmed men at last+ !ut not all your arms "ould have availed to etricate 6@C you from them.There you stood "ith a fine grace suffering the silliest congratulations+ half torn to $ieces !y $eo$le madly rushingto salute you !ut so loyally res$onsive to this $o$ular devotion that those "ho too the greatest li!erties seemedsurest of your most generous acno"ledgements. [7] And finally I shall say nothing of the service you $erformed inraising "hat "as $ractically a $u!lic force from your $rivate resources and "ith little hel$ from our magnates. Ishall not tell of the chastisement you inflicted on the !ar!aric raiders and the cur! im$osed u$on an audacity "hichhad !egun to eceed all !ounds+ or of those sur$rise attacs "hich annihilated "hole s<uadrons "ith the loss of only

t"o or three men on your side. %uch disasters did you inflict u$on the enemy !y these une$ected onsets that theyresorted to a most un"orthy device to conceal their heavy losses. They deca$itated all "hom they could not !ury inthe short night*hours and let the headless lie forgetting in their desire to avoid the identification of their dead that atrun "ould !etray their ruin 0ust as "ell as a "hole !ody. [] When "ith morning light they sa" their misera!leartifice revealed in all its savagery they turned at last to o$en o!se<uies+ !ut their $reci$itation disguised the ruse no

!etter than the ruse itself had concealed the slaughter. They did not even raise a tem$orary mound of earth over theremains+ the dead "ere neither "ashed shrouded nor interred+ !ut the im$erfect rites they received !efitted themanner of their death. 3odies "ere !rought in from every"here $iled on dri$$ing "ains+ and since you never

$aused a moment in follo"ing u$ the rout they had to !e taen into houses "hich "ere then hurriedly set 67 alighttill the fragments of !la?ing roofs falling in u$on them formed their funeral $yres. [C] 3ut I run on !eyond my

$ro$er limits+ my aim in "riting "as not to reconstruct the "hole story of your achievements !ut to remind you of afe" among them to convince you ho" eagerly your friends here long to see you again+ there is only one remedy atonce <uic and efficacious for such fevered e$ectancy as theirs and that is your $rom$t return. If then the

entreaties of our $eo$le can $ersuade you sound the retreat and start home"ard at once. The intimacy of ings isdangerous+ 1 court it no more+ the most distinguished of manind have "ell com$ared it to a flame "hichilluminates things at a short distance !ut consumes them if they come "ithin its range. are"ell.

!#.

To his friend (agnus Feli+

A.D. 472

[1] TH> !earer of this is ;o?olas a ,e" and a client of your ecellency a man I should lie if I could onlyovercome my contem$t for his sect. I "rite in great aniety. (ur to"n lives in terror of a sea of tri!es "hich find init an o!stacle to their e$ansion and surge in arms all round it. We are e$osed as a $itiful $rey at the mercy of rival

$eo$les sus$ected !y the 3urgundians almost in contact "ith the ;oths+ "e have to face at once the fury of ourassailants and the envy of our defenders.' ['] 3ut of this more later. (nly let me no" that all goes "ell "ith youand I shall !e 671 content. or though "e may !e $unished in the sight of all men for some o!scure offence "e arestill generous enough of heart to desire for others all $ros$erity. If a man cannot "ish others "ell in evil times he isno !etter than a ca$tive+ the enemy that taes him is his o"n un"orthy nature. are"ell.

#.

To his friend "y&atiusA.D. 472



[1] TH> ecellent Donidius admires and res$ects your character+ and had he no other aim than his o"n familyadvantage he might safely confide in your acno"ledged re$utation and feel no need of another/s advocacy. 3ut hethins so "ell of me that he "ould have me as for him "hat he could certainly o!tain alone. )onse<uently you"ill ac<uire a cro"ning title of distinction in maing !oth of us your de!tors though one alone "ill rea$ the material

!enefit. ['] He sees to ac<uire the other moiety of the estate of >!orolacum1 a!andoned even !efore the !ar!ariancame !ut no" in $ossession of a $atrician family+ his rights are clear !ut the added "eight of your su$$ort "ould

!e very "elcome. Fes$ect for the memory of his ancestors and no mere greed inclines him to this $urchase fordo"n to the recent death of his ste$father the "hole $ro$erty !elonged to his family. He is of an economical turn ofmind !ut not the man to covet his neigh!our/s goods+ the loss of a former $ossession in itself trou!les him little+ the

$oint of honour decides him+ it is not avarice "hich $rom$ts his action !ut the 67' shame of inactivity. [2] Deigntherefore to consider "hat you o"e to your o"n credit to his honoura!le desire to my friendly intercession+ hel$ tosecure for him this chance of rounding off the estate. These $aternal acres are not 0ust casually no"n to him+ hecra"led u$on them as an infant hardly "eaned. He "ill mae little $rofit !y their recovery+ !ut he feels that it "ouldhave !een too contem$ti!le not to mae the effort. Whatever favour you may !e a!le to accord to one "hom I regardas a !rother in years a son !y $rofession a fello" citi?en !y origin and a friend !y loyalty I shall !e as much

!eholden as if the matter turned to my o"n $articular advantage. are"ell.

#!.

To his friend %utro&iusA. D. 47 859

[1] I ind memories still remain to you of our old comradeshi$ and of an intimacy ever and again rene"ed you"ill readily understand that our soaring "ishes "ill follo" your ascent to each ne" height of office. We re0oice "ithyou over your insignia !elieving that there!y your house and our friendshi$ are alie $romoted. In $roof "hereof Iremind you of my letter of ehortations 1 "hich I thin had no small share in this result. ['] 3ut "hat trou!le I hadin $ersuading you that a man might !e a $hiloso$her and a $refect at the same timeK :ou "ere dee$ in the tenets of&lotinus and the &latonic school had seduced you into a <uietism unsuited to your age. I maintained that only a man"ithout family 672 o!ligations "as free to $rofess a $hiloso$hy of that nature. Jost $eo$le ascri!ed your scorn for

$u!lic service to sim$le indolence+ malignant tongues added that our no!les fail to rise in the state less fromdisinclination than inca$acity. [2] =o" therefore as a )hristian should I !egin !y rendering unstinted thans to (ur ord "ho has raised you to an official ran !efitting your ealted !irth+ our ho$es are also raised so that "e may

fairly loo for even !etter things to come. It is a common saying "ith $rovincials that a good year really de$endsless on am$le cro$s than on a good administration+1 it must !e yours honoured lord to cro"n all our e$ectations !ysuch measures as the $resent occasion demands. (ur no!les do not forget the stoc from "hich you s$ring+ they aresure that so long as the family of %a!inus controls their destinies they have nothing to fear from the house of%a!inianus.' are"ell.

#!!.

To his friend [ (agnus] Feli+

A.D. 474

[1] :ou are very s$aring in your corres$ondence. >ach of us o!eys his o"n tem$erament# I gossi$ you hold your $eace. And since in other o!ligations of friendshi$ you are !eyond re$roach I am driven to the conclusion that this

indefatiga!le love of ease must itself !e a ind of virtue. 3ut seriously "ill no thought of old ac<uaintance ever liftyou from the rut of this intermina!le silence5 (r are you really una"are that it is nothing short of insult to refuse atalative man an 674 ans"er5 :ou !ury yourself in the de$ths of a li!rary or office and give no sign of life yet all the"hile e$ect the attention of a line no" and then from me+ and this though you no" <uite "ell that mine is rather aready than a gifted $en. ['] The a$$rehensions among "hich "e live ought alone to furnish you "ith su!0ect enoughfor letters+ "rite then and do not fail to entrust a good !uly missive to some one coming our "ay to relieve yourfriends/ anieties and es$ecially to let them no" "hether the ne" <uaestor icinianus 1 is liely to o$en a door ofsafety out of these mutual alarms. He is descri!ed as one "ho has more than fulfilled the e$ectations formed ofhim $roving greater on ac<uaintance than his great re$ute+ in fine a man cons$icuously endo"ed "ith the !est giftsof nature and good fortune. [2] A model of 0udgement adorned "ith e<ual discretion and $ersonal charm this trusty



envoy is "orthy of the $o"er "hich he re$resents. He is <uite free from affectation or $retence+ there is nothingfeigned in the gravity "hich lends "eight to his "ords. He does not follo" the eam$le of most envoys "ho see are$utation as safe men and are over*timid in di$lomacy+ on the other hand he is not to !e num!ered among thoseam!assadors to !ar!arian courts "ho sell their master/s secrets and "or for their o"n advantage rather than that of their mission. [4] %uch is the character of the man as favoura!le rumour carries it to us. 3ut let us no" at once ifthe descri$tion s<uares "ith fact. Then $erha$s "e may snatch some !reathing*s$ace from our unceasing vigils+ at

$resent neither a sno"y day nor a cloudy moonless night "ill tem$t our $eo$le from their "atch u$on the "alls.>ven "ere the !ar!arian 67 to dra" off to "inter <uarters their fears are too dee$ to !e eradicated+ at the most theycan only !e deferred. >ncourage us "ith ho$e of !etter times+ you may regard our country as remote !ut the cause"e stand for is as near to your o"n heart as to ours. are"ell.

#!!!.

To his friend %ucherius8=o indication of date9

[1] I HAB> the highest res$ect for the men of anti<uity !ut mere $riority in time shall never lead me to $lace thevirtues and the merits of our contem$oraries u$on a lo"er $lane of ecellence. It may !e true that the Foman statehas sun to such etreme misery that it has ceased to re"ard its loyal sons+ !ut I "ill not therefore admit that a

3rutus or a Tor<uatus is never !orn into our age. :ou as the $ur$ort of this declaration5 :ou yourself shall $oint mymoral most ca$a!le of men+ the state o"es you the re"ards "hich history a$$lauds "hen granted to the great menof the $ast. ['] Jen ignorant of the facts had !est refrain from carelessly conceived o$inions+ they had !est a!andonthe o!stinate ha!it of looing u$ to the men of old time and do"n on those of our o"n day. It is a!undantly clear thatthe recognition "hich the state o"es you is no" long overdue. :et "hat is there to "onder at in this "hen a race ofuncivili?ed allies directs the Foman $o"er yes and !ids fair to !ring it crashing to the ground5 We have men ofran and valour "ho ecel anything "e ourselves could ho$e or our enemies !elieve. 67@ Aye and they do the olddeeds+ !ut the re"ard is not forthcoming. are"ell.

!$.

To his friend $iothamus

c. A. D. 47'

[1] I WI "rite once more in my usual strain mingling com$liment "ith grievance. =ot that I at all desire tofollo" u$ the first "ords of greeting "ith disagreea!le su!0ects !ut things seem to !e al"ays ha$$ening "hich aman of my order and in my $osition can neither mention "ithout un$leasantness nor $ass over "ithout neglect ofduty. :et I do my !est to remem!er the !urdensome and delicate sense of honour "hich maes you so ready to !lushfor others/ faults. ['] The !earer of this is an o!scure and hum!le $erson so harmless insignificant and hel$less thathe seems to invite his o"n discomfiture+ his grievance is that the 3retons are secretly enticing his slaves a"ay.Whether his indictment is a true one I cannot say+ !ut if you can only confront the $arties and decide the matter onits merits I thin the unfortunate man may !e a!le to mae good his charge if indeed a stranger from the countryunarmed a!0ect and im$ecunious to !oot has ever a chance of a fair or indly hearing against adversaries "ith allthe advantages he lacs arms astuteness tur!ulences and the aggressive s$irit of men !aced !y numerous friends.are"ell. 677

$.

To his friend TetradiusA. D. 4@1*7

[1] IT is a most lauda!le trait in the character of younger men "hen they resort to more e$erienced heads in<uestions of $er$leity+ as the honoura!le Theodoras no" does. He is a man of good family !ut <uite as muchenno!led !y his admira!le modesty as !y his high descent. Jy letter introduces him to the source of humane lettersI mean the $ure fount of your erudition to "hich he is setting out "ith the most commenda!le ardour ho$ing to



learn much himself and $erha$s !ring a"ay as much to im$art to others. ['] %hould even an e$erience lie yoursfail to give him all the hel$ he needs against such factious and $o"erful o$$onents at all events your sill andadvice "ill stand him in good stead. Gnless you "ish me to conclude that you regard our 0oint $etition astrou!lesome and im$ortunate 0ustify his ho$es of you and this testimonial of mine !y a favoura!le re$ly so that thecause and "avering fortunes of this su$$liant may !e fortified !y your salutary counsel. are"ell.

$!.

To his friend im&licius8=o indication of date9

[1] A LI=D of fatality attends my ho$es and you still grudge us a sight of you. 3ut most ecellent of 67 men "eneed not therefore regard you as one "hose memora!le actions must necessarily esca$e our notice. or all our

$eo$le the nota!les included hail you "ith one accord as the model of all that a father should !e even in the selectand critical society in "hich you move. ['] The manner in "hich you have !rought u$ your daughter and chosen ahus!and for her confirms the o$inion of our friends+ and the accom$lishment of your desires in this union must haveraised in your mind an agreea!le uncertainty "hether you have most ecelled in the choice of the one or theeducation of the other. (n that score venera!le $arents you may "holly set your minds at rest+ you sur$ass everyone !ecause your children sur$ass even you. &lease therefore ecuse my earlier letter+ it "as negligent of me not to

have sent it !efore I did !ut the dis$atch of it I fear !etrayed the chatterer. Jy officiousness "ill lose its !lemish of lo<uacity if you condone the im$ertinence of this greeting !y sending me an ans"er. are"ell.

$!!.

To his ne&hew ecundus

c. A. D. 4@7

[1] I HAB> dreadful ne"s. :esterday $rofane hands all !ut desecrated the grave "here my grandsire and your great*grandsire lies1 !ut ;od/s intervening arm stayed the accom$lishment of an im$ious act. The cemetery had for years

!een overcro"ded "ith !urned and un!urned !urials' and interment there had long ceased. 3ut sno"s and constantrains had caused the mounds 67C to settle+ the raised earth had !een dis$ersed and the ground had resumed its former even surface. This e$lained ho" it "as that some undertaer/s men $resumed to $rofane the s$ot "ith their grave*

digging tools 0ust as if it "ere unoccu$ied !y human !odies. ['] Just I relate "hat ha$$ened5 They had alreadyunturfed the ground so that the soil sho"ed !lac and "ere $iling the fresh sods u$on the old grave. 3y a merechance I ha$$ened to !e $assing on my "ay to )lermont and sa" this $u!lic outrage from the to$ of a neigh!ouringhill. I gave my horse his head and dashed at full s$eed over the intervening ground flat or stee$ "as all the same tome+ I grudged even those !rief moments and sending a shout !efore me sto$$ed the infamy even !efore I myselfreached the scene. The villains caught in the act "ere still hesitating "hether to mae off or hold their ground"hen I "as u$on them. It "as "rong no dou!t !ut I could not allo" them an instant/s im$unity+ on the very graveof our !eloved ancestor I gave them such a trouncing1 as should in future secure the dead from molestation andsafeguard the $ious care of the survivors. [2] I did not reserve the case for the 0udgement of our good !isho$' considering it !est for the common advantage not to do so I ne" too "ell the strength of my o"n case and hisgentle nature+ he "as certain to 0udge me "ith too much severity and these fello"s "ith too great a lenience. Tosatisfy his right to !e informed I did e$lain the "hole affair after I had resumed my 0ourney and this u$right andholy man gave me far more than the mere a!solution I e$ected+ he etolled my righteous indignation declaring that

in his o$inion men "ho $er$etrated 6 so audacious a deed deserved the death our forefathers "ould have inflicted.[4] The incident should hel$ to $revent any similar mischance in future and I !eg you to see that the distur!ed earthis at once raised to a mound again and to have a smooth flat sla! $laced u$on it at my e$ense. I have de$osited asum of money "ith the venera!le ;audentius to cover the cost of the stone and of the mason/s la!our. The verses"hich I enclose "ere com$osed the night of the occurrence+ of course they are not finished to $erfection+ I "as too

!usy "ith $re$arations for the road. [] %uch as they are $lease have them carved on the tom! "ith the smallest $ossi!le delay and !e s$ecially careful that the stonemason maes no errors either !y negligence or "ith intention+for "hatever the cause the ca$tious reader "ill $ut it all do"n to me. If you carry out this $ious o!ligation I shallthan you no less heartily than if you "ere not certain to receive $art of the $raise and credit. or "ere I your uncle



no longer "ith you the "hole res$onsi!ility of this duty "ould have devolved on you as the net descendant aftermyself.

/A grandson not all un"orthy of such a grandsire I dedicate to him though all too late this e$ita$h my father andmy $aternal uncles !eing dead that you ( $asser !y may never tread on unmounded earth un"itting of thereverence due to him "ho is !uried in this grave. Here lies A$ollinaris "ho having ruled all ;aul "as gathered to

the !osom of a mourning country. He "as learned in the la" and hel$ful to his ind a!ove all other men. Hela!oured for the land and for the %tate and in the cause of elo<uence+ and eam$le $erilous to others he dared !efree 61 under the rule of tyrants. 3ut this stands as his chief title to fame that of all his race he "as the first to $urifyhis !ro" "ith the sign of the cross and his lim!s "ith !a$tismal "ater+ he first a!andoned the old sacrilegious rites.This is the highest glory this the transcendent virtue if a man outstri$ in ho$e those "hom he e<uals in honours andis $laced !y his desert a!ove his fathers though on earth his titles "ere the same as theirs./

[@] I no" "ell that this e$ita$h is un"orthy of our accom$lished ancestor+ yet methins the souls of the lettered donot refuse a $oetic tri!ute. And neither of us need regard as too !elated the $ious duty "hich "e have no" fulfilledin our <uality as heirs in the third and fourth degree. Ho" many revolving years rolled !y !efore Aleandercele!rated funeral rites for Achilles/ shade or ,ulius )aesar for the shade of that Hector "hom he treated as anancestor of his o"n5 are"ell.

$!!!.

To [his son] A&ollinaris

c. A. D. 4@C

[1] TH> love of $urity "hich leads you to shun the com$any of the immodest has my "hole a$$roval+ I re0oice at itand res$ect it es$ecially "hen the men you shun are those "hose a$titude for scenting and retailing scandals leavesnothing $rivileged or sacred "retches "ho thin themselves enormously facetious "hen they violate the $u!licsense of shame !y shameless language. Hear no" from my li$s that the 6' standard*!earer of the vile troo$ is thevery ;natho of our country.1 ['] Imagine an arch*stringer of tales arch*fa!ricator of false charges arch*retailer ofinsinuations. A fello" "hose tal is at once "ithout end and "ithout $oint+ a !uffoon "ithout charm in gaiety+ a

!ully "ho dares not stand his ground. In<uisitive "ithout insight and three*times more the !oor for his !ra?enaffectation of fine manners. A creature of the $resent hour "ith ever a car$ing "ord ready for the $ast and a sneer

for the future. When he is after some advantage no !eggar so im$ortunate as he+ "hen refused none so !itter inde$reciation. ;rant his re<uest and he grum!les using every artifice to get !etter terms+ he moans and groans "hencalled on to refund a de!t and if he $ays you never hear the end of it. 3ut "hen any one "ants a loan of him he liesa!out his means and $retends he has not the "here"ithal+ if he does lend he maes ca$ital out of the loan and

!ruits the secret a!road+ if de!tors delay re$ayment he resorts to calumny+ "hen they have a!solved the de!t he triesto deny recei$t. [2] A!stinence is his a!omination he loves the ta!le+ !ut a man "ho lives "ell "ins no $raise fromhim unless he treats "ell too. &ersonally he is avarice itself+ the !est of !read is not for his digestion unless it is alsothe !read of others. He only eats at home if he can $ilfer his viands and send them off amid a storm of !uffets. Hecannot indeed !e "holly denied the virtue of frugality+ he fasts "hen he cannot get himself invited. :et "ith the light

$erversity of the $arasite he "ill often ecuse himself "hen ased+ on the other hand if he sees that men avoid himhe "ill fish for invitations. [4] If left out he gro"s a!usive+ if admitted un!eara!ly 62 elate# no !lo" descends onhim une$ected. If dinner is served late he falls lie a !andit u$on the dishes+ if a$$etite is stilled too soon he fallsto lamentation. Thirst un<uenched maes him <uarrelsome+ drunenness maes him sic. If he !anters others he

gro"s scurrilous+ if others !anter him ungoverna!le+ tae him for all in all he is lie the filth in se"ers the foulerthe more you stir it. His life !rings $leasure to fe" love to none contem$tuous mocery to all. He is one to !urst !ladders or !rea canes u$on1 one "hose thirst for drin is only ecelled !y his thirst for scandal+ ehalingloathsomeness frothing "ine uttering venom he maes one dou!t for "hat to hate him most his unsavouriness hisdrunen ha!its or his villany. [] /3ut/ you may say /$erha$s a fair com$leion lends a colour to a vile nature+

$erha$s his charm of $erson redeems ine$titude of mind+ the man may have elegance or e<uisite taste+ he maycreate a good im$ression on those "ho meet him./ In $oint of fact his $erson is fouler and more unsightly than acor$se rolled half*!urnt from the $yre "hen the !rands have settled****such a thing as a very undertaer/s slave ' could not !ring himself to $ut !ac. He hardly sees out of his+ eyes "hich lie the %tygian lae roll "aters do"nthrough darness. [@] His ears are ele$hantine+ an ulcered sin surrounds each a$erture "ith indurated "aste either



heli is !ossed "ith su$$urating tumours. His nose is !road at the nostril and narro" at the !ridge strait for his o"nolfactory ends !ut for the s$ectator a cavernous vision of horror. He o!trudes a face "ith leaden li$s and a !estialrictus "ith $urulent gums and !ro"n teeth+ a foul me$hitic odour !reathes from his 64 decayed and hollo" teethenhanced !y eructations from the feasts of yesterday and the !ilge of his ecesses at the !oard. [7] A forehead too heflaunts hideous "ith creases and distension of the !ro"s. He gro"s a !eard "hich age vainly "hitens since %ylla/smalady 1 ee$s it !lac. His "hole face is as $ale as if it "ere ever dolorous "ith infesting shades. I s$are you thehuling residue gout*ridden fat and fla!!y. I s$are you his "eal*furro"ed sull covered "ith almost as many scarsas hairs. I s$are you the descri$tion of a na$e so short that "hen his head is thro"n !ac it seems to merge into hisshoulder*!lades. [] The sunen carriage the lost grace and vigour of his arms the gouty hands !ound cestus*lie"ith greasy $oultices+ all these I s$are you so too the acrid hircine arm$its that entrench his sides and $ollute the air for every nostril near him "ith a ree three times more $estilent than that from Am$sanctus/ cave.' And !reastscolla$sed "ith adi$osity horri!le on a man/s !ody even in mere $rotu!erance !ut no" hanging lie a mother/s. Andthe $endulous folds of the a!domen a!out genitals thrice shameful in their de!ility a foul creased covering "orsethan "hat it hides. [C] Why should I tell of his !ac and s$ine5 True the ri!s do s"ee$ round from the verte!ral

0oints and cover the chest !ut the "hole !ranching structure of !ones is dro"ned under a !illo"ing main of !elly. I $ass over the fat reins and !uttocs "hich mae even his $aunch loo insignificant in com$arison. I $ass the !entand "ithered thigh the s"ollen nees the slender hams the horny shans the "ea anles the small toes andenormous feet. As I have dra"n him he is horri!le enough in his deformity a monster 6 from "hom his infinitenoisomeness drains half the !lood and life "ho cannot sit a litter or "al a yard ho"ever much they $ro$ him. 3uthis tongue is more detesta!le still than his other mem!ers. [1] He ee$s it !usy in the service of the vilest

$rurience+ !ut it is most dangerous of all to $atrons "ith anything to hide. or those in luc he !elauds !ut those"ho are unfortunate he !etrays+ let a tem$ting moment !ut urge to disclosure of a friend/s secret and instantly this%$artacus "ill !rea all !ars and o$en every seal. He "ill mine "ith the unseen tunnels of his treachery the houses"hich the rams of o$en "ar have failed to !reach. This is the fashion in "hich our Daedalus cro"ns the edifice ofhis friendshi$s sticing as close as Theseus in $ros$erity+ !ut "hen adversity comes more elusive than any &roteus.[11] The more you avoid even a first introduction to such com$any the !etter you "ill $lease me+ es$ecially to thoseso shameless that they tal lie degraded $layers at the !ooths and no" neither !ar nor !ridle. or "hen a maneults in leaving all seemliness and decency !ehind and fouls a loose tongue "ith the dirt of all la"less licence !esure his heart is no less filthy than his language. :ou may find an evil liver "ith a serious tongue+ the foul tongueand virtuous life are very rarely allied. are"ell.

$!#.

To his friend lacidusAfter A. D. 477

[1] TH(G;H your loved ;reno!le1 holds you far from me I learn from a sure channel****your former hosts**** 6@ that you are ind enough to $refer my trifles in $rose or verse to all the other volumes on your shelves. It goes"ithout saying that it gave me $leasure to hear ho" my "ritings occu$y your leisure+ !ut I understand "ell enoughthat it is really affection for the author and not the <uality of his "or "hich $rocures you this delight. Jy de!t is allthe greater+ friendshi$ "ins me the honour "hich you could not honestly give the com$osition. ['] or the rest Ihave not yet considered "hat definitive re$ly I shall mae to the detractors of my "or. The self*a$$ointed critica!sor!s a sound or unsound style "ith e<ual a$$etite+ he cares no more that the "orld should ealt his favourite thanthat it should des$ise the o!0ect of his mocery. And so "e see the fine construction the comeliness and grandeur ofour atin tongue e$osed to contem$tuous criticism of idle <uidnuncs+ minds careless and so fli$$ant as this "ant

!oos only to car$ at+ their use for literature is a mere a!use. are"ell.

BOO" !#

!.



To his friend robus

A.D. 4@1*7

[1] :ou married my cousin 1 "hence the first and $rinci$al tie !et"een us+ the cousinly relationshi$ often leads to astronger $urer and more unmied affection than that !et"een t"o !rothers. or "hen !rothers/ <uarrels over

$ro$erty are once a$$eased their children have no longer cause for disagreement and so it often ha$$ens that

cousins are the more dee$ly attached+ the enmities arising from the $artition of estates are over the tie of !loodrelationshi$ remains. The second lin !et"een us is intellectual and formed !y a similarity of studies+ our literarytaste is identical+ "e $raise and !lame the same things+ a style a$$roved or disa$$roved !y one $roduces the sameim$ression on the other. ['] 3ut I am $resum$tuous in venturing a com$arison !et"een my 0udgement and yours. Itis common no"ledge among young and old that you "ere my real master though "e "ere nominally !oth $u$ilsof another. :ou "ere every!ody/s teacher in every !ranch of literature. All of us learned from you ece$t those "hohad not the !rains or could not do themselves $ro$er 0ustice# our e$ic $oets derived from you their lofty vein ourcomic $oets their humour our lyric $oets their musical art+ from 64 you the orator dre" his rhetoric the historian hisres$ect for truth the satirist his $ictorial gift the grammarian his fidelity to rule the $anegyrist his $lausi!ility theso$hist his gravity of style the "riter of e$igram his $etulance and $oint the commentator his lucid method thela"yer his o!scurity. HeavensK ho" $roud our res$ective fathers used to !e "hen they sa" that )hrist had given yougrace to teach and me to learn that you not only did "hat lay "ithin your $o"er !ut also en0oyed the doing of it andso deserved a name for goodness no less than a learned re$utation. [2] And indeed in your case >use!ius/ house1

$roved a verita!le mint of the sciences and arts+ you "ere there struc on a $hiloso$hical die and to the delight ofyour o"n instructor "ere a!le to im$art to the rest of us every $hase of no"ledge and of elo<uent e$ression. ,ustas &lato the $u$il "as more e$ert than %ocrates so did you ecel our good >use!ius. While he "as maturing ourtender unformed and $lastic youth "ith ruthless floggings or trying to ground it on "holesome $rinci$les there you"ere a dialectician !orn moving "ith Attic ease through all the categories of Aristotle.

[4] :et ho" admira!le his $rinci$les "ere after all ho" $recious in $ossessionK If only some migratory $hiloso$hercould e$ort them to the %igam!ri on their marshes or the Alans of the )aucasus or the mare*miling ;eloni thehorny hearts of all these star and !rutal fols yes and all their fro?en fi!res "ere surely tha"ed and softened"hile "e should cease to sneer and scoff and trem!le !y turns at their stolidity and their ferocious natures "hichno" !rood in !estial 6 dullness no" !urst into s"ift flame. [] %ince then our family conneion and our studiesthus unite us $reserve the la"s of friendshi$ unshaen "herever your a!ode may !e+ though my home is far fromyours let our hearts dra" nearer !y virtue of this affection "hich I for my $art "ill ee$ inviolate as long as !reathremains in my !ody. are"ell.

!!.

Claudianus [ (amertus1] to the Lord /isho& idoniusA. D. 47'

[1] I I could only meet you no" and again my dear lord "ere it only for a short time I should not have to looa!out on all sides for any ind of messenger "hose good"ill or necessities might hel$ me $ay the de!t ofcorres$ondence o"ed you. =umerous causes all sad ones $revent me from seeing you again+ even an o$$ortunityof "riting comes rarely or not at all. Whether all this ecuses me or not you yourself must 0udge.

['] 3ut in often favouring "ith your letters $ersons "ho either do not e$ect them or deserve to get them less than I

you on your side are guilty of an offence against the la"s of friendshi$ "hich may not !e committed "ith im$unity.Though I have said little I confess that it has "ounded me never to have received from you any acno"ledgementof the !oo ' "hich you have deigned to allo" me to $u!lish under the aus$ices of your illustrious name. 3ut

$erha$s you cannot s$are even 6@ a fe" short moments for a friendshi$ of such long standing as ours5

[2] I "onder if you "ill ever involve yourself in any interest "hich does not turn to other fols/ advantage. Whenyou $ro$itiate ;od !y $rayer you entreat Him not only for your friends !ut for men you have never seen+ "hen yousearch out the mysteries of Holy Writ the more dee$ly your o"n mind is im!ued "ith doctrine the fuller the stream"hich you im$art to others. When you lavish your goods u$on the $oor there is a sense in "hich you may !e said to



serve yourself !ut your aim is the service of others. =ot a single action of yours is so !arren as to yield a!undantfruit to your sole self and not to a host of other $eo$le as "ell. [4] =o $ossi!le $retet then can !e alleged !y anystretch of fancy on "hich an intimate friend lie myself should !e de$rived of his o"n es$ecial fruit "hile strangersin scores are allo"ed to eat of it in $lenty. I su$$ose you follo" the $recedent of the giver in the ;os$el and accordto the un"orthy !ut im$ortunate "hat you deny to a hungering friend. 3ut if you allo" yourself to gro" hardened inthis ha!it I shall tae measures to assure your re$entance. or if your taciturnity eceeds all reason mycommunications shall do the same. It is <uite evident that you "ill have to !e $unished !y my letters as I myself am

$unished !y your silence. are"ell. 67

!!!.

To Claudianus [ (amertus]A.D. 47'

[1] :ou declare most honoured master that I have offended against the la"s of friendshi$# you allege that though itis my turn to give you e$istolary greeting I have let my ta!lets and stylus lie and no traveller/s hand has !een

!urdened "ith $a$yrus of mine inscri!ed "ith my assiduous "ishes for your "elfare. The suggestion is unfair+ youcannot really su$$ose that any man on earth "ith the least devotion to atin letters "ould lightly su!mit hiscom$ositions to the ordeal of !eing read to you+ you "ith "hose accom$lishments !ut for the over"helming

$rivilege of anti<uity I should never ran either ronto/s gravity or the fulminating force of A$uleius+ for com$ared"ith you the Barros !oth he of the Ata and he of Feate and the &linies uncle and ne$he" "ill al"ays seem $rovincial. ['] In su$$ort of this o$inion I have only to mention your ne" volume on the nature of the %oul "ith allits "ealth of evidence and mastery of diction. The dedication to me I regarded as an inestima!le gift# the fame "hichmy o"n !oos "ould never ee$ alive "ould no" !e immortali?ed !y yours. ;reat ;odK "hat a "onderful !oo itis and of "hat authorityK a!struse in su!0ect in e$osition clear as day+ in statement serried e$ansive indiscussion and though !ar!ed "ith many a $oint of syllogism yet soft "ith vernal flo"ers of elo<uenceK [2] :ouhave found ancient "ords "hich !y their very age regain the charm of novelty+ com$ared "ith these even a classicvoca!ulary 6 seems o!solete. And "hat is more the style so succinct in its short clauses has yet an even flo"+loaded "ith facts concise in comment these $ages do not merely $ro$ound****they inform. It "as once and rightlyheld the highest $art of elo<uence to condense much matter into a small s$ace and aim at ehausting the su!0ect

!efore the $a$er. [4] And "hat a charming feature it is in your !oos "hen you allo" some relaation in thesustained dis$lay of mastery and inter$ose most "elcome graces amid the severities of argument+ !y this means the

reader/s attention strained !y follo"ing that ehaustive analysis of doctrine and $hiloso$hy is suddenly relieved !ythe most delightful of digressions comforting as har!ours after o$en seas. ( "or of endless ecellencesK ( "orthye$ression of a genius su!tle "ithout tenuity "hich neither freshets of hy$er!ole s"ell nor mean terms minish anda!aseK [] And then the unrivalled the uni<ue learning cons$icuous in so many fields and used to hold its o"n "iththe great masters in the discussion of every art. It does not hesitate if need !e to "ield the $lectrum "ith (r$heushimself or the staff "ith Aescula$ius or the rule "ith Archimedes the horosco$e "ith >u$hrates the com$asses"ith &erdi the $lummet "ith Bitruvius+ it never ceases to e$lore the ages "ith Thales or the stars "ith Atlas+ tostudy "eight "ith Qetus num!er "ith )hrysi$$us or measure "ith >uclid.1 [@] I can only say that no man of ourtimes $roduces his no"ledge "ith more effect in the stress of conflict "ith the adversary can $oint "ith more

0ustice to his o"n share in maintaining the s$irit and the letters of ;reece and Fome. Here is a "riter "ho has the $erce$tion of &ythagoras the clear logic of 6C %ocrates+ he can unfold a theme "ith &lato or involve it "ith Aristotle+the charm of Aeschines is his and the indignation of Demosthenes+ he is as fresh and vivid as Hortensius+ he stormslie a )ethegus+ he is im$etuous as )urio cautious as a!ius+ in finesse the e<ual of )rassus in reserve of )aesar insuasion of )ato in dissuasion of A$$ius in $ersuasion of Tully himself. [7] )om$are him no" "ith the holyathers+ you find him instructive as ,erome destructive as actantius constructive as Augustine+ soaring in flightlie Hilary in humility mee as ,ohn+ a 3asil in re!ue in consolation a ;regory. He is fluent as (rosius terse asFufinus+ he has >use!ius/ gift of narrative and >ucherius/ $o"er to stir &aulinus/ rousing voice the $erseverance ofan Am!rose. [] And no" for my o$inion on your hymn.1 I find it at once admira!le in !revity and richness ofcontent at once tender and ealted in $oetic charm and truth to history su$erior to any lyrics or dithyram!s that Ino". It is your $eculiar merit that you o!serve each foot in the metre each sylla!le in the foot and each em$hasisin the sylla!le+ and in a restricted measure none too rich in o$$ortunity you contrive to include great o$ulence of"ords+ the com$ressed terse metre does not eclude long*dra"n !eauty of ornate diction. It seems mere $lay to you



"ith your tiny trochees and tinier $yrrhics to sur$ass in effect not merely the Jolossian and ana$aestic ternary !uteven the <uaternary the e$itrite and &aeonian rhythms.

[C] :our grand eordium overflo"s the customary strait limits as a great gem is hardly confined in a $oor setting+ asthe mettle of a strong steed flashes out and he chafes on the !it if he is held in over rough and 61 !roen ground+ soit is "ith you+ you are conscious of a s$eed to "hich a $ro$er field is denied. What more shall I say5 I "ill assert

that neither Athens "as ever so Attic nor the Juses so musical as )laudian if indeed a long $eriod of inaction hasnot ro!!ed me even of my critical ca$acity. or in deference to the $rofession "hich has !een thrust u$on me1 I amendeavouring ste$ !y ste$ to ac<uire a ne" style of "riting "hile I unlearn my old one !y lea$s and !ounds+ littleremains no" of a good s$eaer ece$t that I am more than ever the indifferent $oet.' I must therefore !eg yourindulgence if remem!ering "ho and "hat I am I seldom !lend my thin and $arching rivulet "ith your mighty river.The "hole "orld shall honour the music of your silver trum$et music thrice !lessed in finding neither rival nore<ual though it has sounded all these years over the earth charming the ears and li$s of $eo$les "hile I too stroveto s$read its fame. 3ut all that your servant no" dares in $u!lic s$eech is to raise his voice among to"n*councillorsand teachers or even among maret*<uacs+ these are the ma0ority no" and 8"ith all a$ologies to the !est amongthem9 even in their am!itious efforts !ut illiterately lettered. 3ut as for you "ho can ring the changes on verse and

$rose and "rite in metre or "ithout it eactly "hen you $lease your emulators "ill !e fe" and those only "homA$ollo loves.2 are"ell. 611

!#.

To [his 0insmen] im&licius and A&ollinaris

c. A.D. 47'

[1] AT last I send the $romised austinus1 for "hom you have !een "aiting+ he is the father of a family a no!le !y !irth and a man to !e accounted one of the chief ornaments of our common country. In years he is a !rother to mein community of sentiment a friend. Ho" often have he and I together !lended grave and gayK ho" often in the far*off days of our youth $layed !all and dice together and vied in lea$ing running hunting or s"imming al"ayshonoura!le rivals !ecause firmest friendsK He "as my elder !ut only !y a little+ the difference did not so much !indme to defer to him as mae it a delight to follo"+ he too "as more dee$ly charmed not to !e given deference !utsim$ly affection. (nly "ith advancing years and "ith his entry into the )hurch has my old love for him insensi!ly

$assed into veneration. ['] This is the man through "hom I greet you in the ardent desire that I may see you very

soon if ;od "ill and the state of the country $ermit. Gnless then my "ish is irsome to you inform me !y returnof this good messenger in "hat $laces you e$ect to !e and "hen. I am firmly determined to shae myself freefrom all o!stacles and hindrances of $ersonal affairs and allo" myself the $rivilege of long and intimate hours inyour society if only some ma0or force does not u$set my $lans as I am half afraid it may. [2] :ou too might find it"orth "hile 61' to tal them over "ith 3rother austinas in the light of $ro!a!le events. I made him my envoy

!ecause I love him and no" that he returns my feelings. If he 0ustifies my good o$inion I shall !e very thanful.All men set him high in their esteem+ and $erha$s he is none the "orse for not !eing a $erfect $aragon. are"ell.

#.


A.D. 474

[1] I %AGT> you a second time !y the same messenger as !efore. :our ;o?olas1 8may I soon call him mine tooK9acts once more as the carrier of my letter. %$are us !oth therefore the indignity of an o$en slight+ for if you $ersistin silence every one "ill thin that you loo do"n on me and on the destined !earer of your re$ly. ['] As on the lastoccasion I as nothing as to the state of $u!lic affairs fearing it may !e $ainful to you to announce unfavoura!leevents at a time "hen fortune fails us. It "ould not !e lie you to send false ne"s+ and as there is nothing $leasant torecord I "ould rather learn of disaster from any one !ut my friends. are"ell.

#!.



To [his 0insman] A&ollinaris

A. D. 47'

[1] I %>=T you a ver!al "arning lately !y the $riest austinus my old comrade and ne" !rother in the ministry andglad I am that you have listened to it. It is the root*$rinci$le of $ractical "isdom to avoid 612 unnecessary riss+ if aman taes them and a rash course ends in trou!le it is futile to !rea out into lamentations and a!use ate for the

conse<uences of one/s o"n !ad management. ['] :ou as the trend of these remars. I confess I "as much afraidthat at a time "hen all men felt aniety you might feel none+ and that the house "hich stood solid as a roc throughall these years might !e shaen at last through a mis$laced devotion. I feared that the solemnity to "hich the ladiesof your family so looed for"ard might !e s$oiled for their gentle souls !y these alarms though I "ell no" thattrue religion is so dee$ly im$lanted in their !reasts that they "ould have re0oiced to suffer a sort of martyrdom inhonour of the Jartyr 1 had anything unto"ard !efallen u$on the "ay. 3ut I have less innocence and therefore moredistrust of events+ amid such uncertainties I $refer the safer side+ it taes little to mae me 0oin those "ho discoverdanger in the very heart of safety. [2] I therefore a$$rove your action in $utting off so $erilous an e$edition andrefusing to e$ose the fortunes of a family lie yours to such a ha?ard. The 0ourney once undertaen might $ossi!lyhave $ros$ered+ !ut I for one "ill never vote for the recless ind of measure "hich only luc can 0ustify.&rovidence I dou!t not "ill grant a ha$$y issue to our $rayers and under ne" !lessings of $eace "e shall loo

!ac u$on these tenors as mere memories+ !ut those "ho "ish to en0oy security in future must learn caution fromthe $resent hour. [4] Jean"hile I dra" your attention to the !earer/s com$laint of some "rong done him !y one ofyour $eo$le !y name ;enesius. If you find that facts !ear out the grievance I !eg of you to do the $laintiff 0usticeand grant him 614 a <uic return to his distant home. 3ut if he has fanned u$ a flame of calumny out of cul$a!les$ite the defendant can en0oy the foretaste of his discomfiture "hen he thins of his "anton accuser "ay"orn andim$overished !earing all for nothing the hard conse<uences of a rash accusation and that at the very height of"inter "hen the ice is thic and the sno" lies $iled in drifts. The litigious are a$t to find this a season "hen hearingsare generally short !ut there is $lenty of time for suffering damage. are"ell.

#!!.

To his 0insman im&licius8Date not indicated9

[1] /:ou s$ur the "illing/ 1 is the usual comment of the man "ho meant to do unased the thing you as of him. :ou

as ho" the <uotation a$$lies5 The !earer of these lines insists on a letter of introduction from me "hereas themoment I ne" "here he "as going I should myself have !egged the $rivilege of giving it !efore he o$ened hismouth o!liging him not so much from consideration for him as from my "arm feeling to"ards yourself. or therest my messenger calculates that !y doing me a service he "ill have deserved a good turn+ he has o!tained "hat he"anted !ut "ithout ever dreaming ho" close the !ond is "hich unites you and me. ['] Jiles a"ay though I remainI shall !e a!le to $icture his stu$efaction on his arrival "hen the mere fact that he comes from me secures himres$ectful "elcome and he finds no effectual use for a letter "hich it "as really su$erfluous to solicit. I can see it allas if I "ere there+ the novelty of everything to one "hose 61 "its are not of the shar$est+ his confusion as a strangerinvited to mae himself at home or as a nervous guest dra"n into conversation or as a countrified fello" called onto tae his $art in $olite gaiety or as a $oor man set do"n at a sum$tuous !oard. It "ill !e strange indeed to a manfrom these $arts "here ill*cooed viands and too much onion afford the only fare to find himself as no!ly regaledas if he had eaten his fill all his days at A$ician !an<uets served !y the rhythmic carvers of 3y?antium.1 2. Anyho""hatever his merit or im$ortance he could not have !etter hel$ed me to $ay my de!t of friendshi$. Jen of his ty$eare often almost !eneath our notice+ at the same time friends "ho lie ourselves are thro"n !ac on letters for theirintercourse "ould lose many a chance of "riting "ere they too $articular a!out the $erson of their messengers.are"ell.

#!!!.

To his friend %odius *A.D. 4@7 859



[1] I WA% 0ust setting out for a remote country district "hen your messenger handed me your letter and told hisac<uaintances in confidence that you "ere on the $oint of visiting Toulouse in o!edience to a summons from theLing. This gave me an ecuse to shae off the em!arrassing cro"d "hich delayed my early start and allo"ed me togive you such re$ly as a traveller !ooted and s$urred could attem$t. ['] Jy servants had gone ahead at da"n to

$itch my tent eighteen miles a"ay at a s$ot "ith many conveniences for cam$ing 61@ a cold s$ring issuing from a"ooded hill "ith a meado" of rich grass at the foot+ a river in the foreground stoced "ith "aterfo"l and fish+ andin addition to these advantages almost on the !an the ne" home of an old friend "hose !oundless hos$itality isthe same "hether you try to refuse it or not. [2] After sto$$ing !ehind to do "hat you re<uired that I might send themessenger !ac at once from the end of the to"n I found it "as already more than four hours after da"n+ the sun"as "ell u$ and his gathering heat had a!sor!ed the heavy de"s of night. The torrid air and our $arched throats got"orse and "orse and so cloudless "as the sy that the only $rotection from the !la?ing heat "as the dust "e madeourselves. The long "ay "as a "eariness stretching in full vie" for miles in front of us across the grassy $lain+

!efore it had time to tire us it already terrified !y its $ros$ect+ it meant that our lunch "ould !e late. [4] All thisintroduction is to convince you honoured lord and !rother that "hen I o!eyed your !ehests I had small time tos$are and little leisure of mind or !ody. I return no" to the su!stance of your letter. After the usual salutations youased a $oem of t"elve verses suita!le for engraving on a large t"o*handled cu$ the sides of "hich from foot torim "ere fluted "ith si channels. [] The verses you design I su$$ose for the hollo"s of the flutings or !etterstill if that seems more suita!le for the ridges !et"een and as I gather you intend to assure yourself an invinci!le

$rotection for all your $lans actual or $ros$ective !y offering the cu$ enriched "ith this em!ellishment toFagnahild the <ueen.1 I did your !idding then not as I could have "ished 617 !ut as !est circumstances allo"ed. :ou

must !lame yourself for giving the silversmith time !ut the $oet none+ though you no" $erfectly "ell that in theliterary smithy the verses forged u$on the metric anvil "ant $olishing no less severely than any metal. 3ut all this is

!eside the mar+ here is your $oem# E /The shell "hich !ears )ythera !ehind the fish*tailed Triton com$ared "iththis must yield its $ride of $lace. 3end thy <ueenly head ealted $atroness to our $rayer+ acce$t this hum!le gift+graciously loo do"n u$on >vodius "ho sees thy favour+ mae him great and thine o"n glory shall gro" greater.Thy sire and thy lord/s sire "ere ings+ royal too is thy lord may thy son also reign a ing !oth !y his father/s sideand after him. Ha$$y "ater enclosed in this gleaming metal reflecting a royal face yet !righterK or "hen the <ueenshall deign to touch it "ith her li$s the silver shall dra" ne" s$lendour from her countenance./ If you love me "ellenough to mae use of such idle stuff conceal my authorshi$ and $ro$erly rely for success on your o"n $art of theoffering. or in such a mart or such a school 1 as this !ar!aric court your silver $age "ill get all the notice and notmy $oor inscri$tion. are"ell.

E The first $art translated !y Hodgin ii. 22*'.

E Translated into ;erman verse !y ertig &art i $. 2'+ and into $rose !y )hai i. 22.

!$.

To his friend Industrius 1

c. A.D. 47'

[1] I F>)>=T: visited the illustrious Bectius and "as a!le to study his "ay of life at close <uarters as 61 leisurelyas if I had nothing else to do. I found it "ell "orth no"ing and therefore not un"orthy of descri$tion. In the first

$lace and this may rightly !e regarded as the highest $raise of all the "hole household emulates the master/sfla"less $urity of life. His servants are efficient those in the country o!liging those at his to"n house friendlyo!edient and contented "ith their lord. His ta!le is o$en to the stranger no less than to his o"n clients+ there reigns alarge hos$itality and an even larger moderation. ['] It is of less moment that the man of "hom "e s$ea is "ithout a

rival in training a horse 0udging a dog or in !earing ha" afield+ that his dress is al"ays e<uisite and his girdle tomatch that all his accoutrements are s$lendid. The ma0esty of his gait accords "ith his gravity of mind and as thefirst secures him consideration a!road so the last maintains his dignity at home. His is an indulgence "hich does nots$oil a $unishment "ithout !rutality a tem$ered severity stern !ut never dreadful. [2] With all this he is a regularreader of the %cri$tures+ even at meal times he en0oys this nutriment of the soul. He studies the &salms and yet morefre<uently chants them setting a ne" $recedent !y living after this fashion in martial dress the com$lete mon in all

!ut the monastic ha!it.1 Though he a!stains from eating game he indulges in the chase+ to have the s$ort "ithout thes$oil accords "ith the secret delicacy of his religious feeling. [4] The comfort of his "ido"er/s life is his littledaughter sole $ledge of his lost "ife/s love+ he !rings her u$ "ith the tenderness of a grandfather a mother/s



sedulous care a father/s indness. In addressing his servants he does not give "ay to violence and he is not a!ove 6

1C taing their advice u$on occasion+ in investigating an offence he is never in<uisitorial he rules those under him !y reason and not mere authority# you might tae him for the ste"ard in his o"n house. [] All this virtue andmoderation seemed to me to deserve recording for the !enefit of others+ the outlines of it at least should !e commonno"ledge. It "ould !e "ell for our age if every mem!er of our sacred $rofession "ere stirred to emulation !y thestory irres$ective of a gar! "hich in these days often deceives the "orld. or !e it said "ithout offence to my o"norder if only the good men among us manifest their individual <ualities I shall $refer the layman of $riestlyinstincts to the $riest. are"ell.

Translated !y Hodgin ii. 24*'.

$.


A.D. 477

[1] IT is many years since I have "ritten to you my good lord and this greeting !reas a long silence+ I had not theheart to ee$ u$ the old fre<uent corres$ondence "hile I "as living in !anishment from my country and my s$irit"as !roen !y the hard lot of an eile. :ou ought to have com$assion on one "ho admits his delin<uency as I do+

for "hosoever is !rought lo" should go hum!ly and not attem$t to $reserve the same familiar footing as !efore "iththose to"ards "hom affection may !e less in $lace than reverence. That is "hy I have said nothing so long and"hy after the arrival of my son Heliodorus1 I could at least ac<uiesce in your silence though I could hardly !ee$ected to regard it "ith satisfaction. 6' ['] :ou used to say in 0est that you stood in $ositive a"e of myelo<uence. >ven "ere it seriously meant the ground for that ecuse is gone+ for as soon as I had finished my volumeof etters "hich though I say it "as a careful $iece of "or I reverted to the every*day style in everything else.And indeed my fine style itself is much on the same level+ for "hat is the use of giving finish to $hrases "hich "illnever see the light5 If ho"ever you are faithful to an old friendshi$ and allo" our corres$ondence once more tofollo" its former course I too "ill return to the old trac and !e as communicative as ever. =ay more if )hrist "illguide my ste$s and my $atron 1 on his return "ill only sanction my de$arture ho" eagerly "ill I fly to meet you"herever you may !e and revive !y my $resence a friendshi$ "hich my negligent $en has left to languish.are"ell.

$!.

To his friend etreius Ec. A.D. 472

[1] I J(GF= the loss of your great uncle )laudianus snatched from us only the other day+ it is the loss of our age+ $erha$s "e shall never see his. lie again. He "as a man of "isdom $rudence and learning+ elo<uent and of anactive and ingenious mind a!ove all his com$atriots and contem$oraries. He "as a $hiloso$her all his days "ithout

$re0udice to his faith. It 6'1 "as only !y his faith and !y his ado$tion of ordinary dress that he dissociated himselffrom his friends of the &latonic school+ for he never let his hair and !eard gro" long and "ould mae fun of the

$hiloso$her/s mantle and staff sometimes "ith much !itterness. ['] Ho" delightful it used to !e "hen a $arty of us"ould visit him 0ust for the $leasure of hearing his o$inionK With "hat freedom from diffidence or $retence "ouldhe at once o$en his "hole mind for our common !enefit delighted if some insolu!le and thorny $oint arose to $rove

the vast resources of his no"ledgeK If there "ere many of us he e$ected us all of course to listen !ut nominateda single s$oesman $ro!a!ly the one "hom "e ourselves should have chosen+ then in his methodical "ay no"addressing one no" another and giving each his turn he "ould !ring forth all the treasures of his learning not"ithout the accom$animent of trained and a$$ro$riate gesture. [2] When he had finished "e "ould $ut our adversecriticisms in syllogistic form+ !ut nothing "as admitted "hich "as not "ell considered and susce$ti!le of $roof forrash o!0ections he "ould at once demolish. Jost of all "e res$ected him for his tolerance of some men/s $ersistentdullness of a$$rehension. It amounted almost to an amia!le "eaness+ "e could admire his $atience !ut it "as

!eyond our imitation. Who could shrin from consulting on any recondite $oint a man "ho "ould gladly suffer inargument the stu$id <uestions of the ignorant and the sim$le5



[4] %o far as to his intellectual interests. It is !eyond my $o"er ade<uately to etol him in other relations of life.Jindful in all things of our "ea mortal nature he "as al"ays ready "ith consolation hel$ing the 6'' clergy !y hisdeeds the $eo$le !y his "ords mourners "ith ehortation the destitute "ith "ords of comfort. He gave the $risoner money+ he fed the hungry he clothed the naed. To enlarge u$on these things "ere indeed vanity of re$etition. He"as $oor in this "orld/s goods !ut the good deeds "ith "hich he richly endo"ed his soul he concealed from noticein the ho$e of a !etter re"ard hereafter. . . . [] or his elder !rother the !isho$ 1 he had the most affectionate regard+he reverenced him as a father he loved him as a son. And the !rother in his turn looed u$ to him "ith !oundlessadmiration no"ing that he had in him a counsellor in every dis$uted <uestion a re$resentative in his churches anagent in !usiness matters a ste"ard on his farms a registrar of all ecclesiastical dues an associate in his reading aninter$reter in difficulties of e$osition a travelling com$anion u$on his visitations. They "ere the very eem$lars of

!rotherly affection "ith an a!solute confidence in each other. [@] 3ut "hy do I add fuel to the flame of a sorro""hich it "as my $ur$ose to assuage5 I meant to have !egun !y saying that I have "ritten an elegy to this ungratefulshade****the $hrase is Birgil/s as you no" and a$$lied to the dead "ho can render no man thans. They are sadlines full of sorro"+ the "riting of them "as no light tas to one "ho has lost the ha!it of com$osing+ !ut griefheavy "ith rising tears moved me from my natural indolence. This is the elegy#

/3eneath this sod lies )laudianus at once the glory and grief of his !rother Jamertus the "onder and su$reme $rideof the !isho$s. In three fields of learning he "as a master and a shining light the 6'2 Foman the ;ree and the)hristian+ all of them as a mon in his $rime he made his o"n !y secret disci$line+ he "as orator logician $oetcommentator geometer musician+ silled also to loose the !onds of dis$utation and "ith the s"ord of the "orddissect the sects1 that harass the )atholic faith. Well "as he silled to chant $salms and lead a choir+ for his grateful

!rother he taught the trained grou$s of singers to chant !efore the altar. His "as the choice that at the yearlyconclave a$$ointed the $assages to !e read in season. A $riest of the second order' he eased his !rother/s shoulder of the !isho$/s !urden+ for "hile the other !ore the insignia of $ontifical ran it "as he "ho undertoo the la!our. 3utthou "hoe/er t!ou art that grievest ( indly reader over the thought that of such a man nothing no" survives "etnot this mar!le "ith thy tears# the mind and its reno"n come not do"n into this grave./

[7] %uch are the lines that I com$osed over the remains of this !rother of my soul as soon as I reached the s$ot. or"hen they !uried him I "as a"ay though a!sence did not "holly ro! me of the longed o$$ortunity for tears. or"hile I "as $ondering "hat to "rite my heart s"elled to overflo"ing+ I gave it rein and over my e$ita$h I "e$t asothers had "e$t a!ove the tom!. I "rite this to you for fear you should imagine that my devotion is only to livingfriends and censure me as one "ho thins less tenderly of those "ho are gone than of those "ho are yet alive. Andindeed in days "hen hardly a trace of loyalty remains among survivors you might "ell !e $ardoned for counting asa small com$any those "ho are faithful to the de$arted. are"ell. 6'4

E Jost of this letter is translated !y ;ui?ot "istoire de la ciilisation en France, ed. 14@ i. 1@7*. %ee also ertig &art iii $. 1.

$!!.

To [his 0insmen] im&licius and A&ollinaris*c. A.D. 47'

[1] TH> ecita!le mind of man is lie nothing so much as a "recing sea+ it is lashed to confusion !y contrarytidings as if it !red its o"n rough "eather. A fe" days ago I and the son "hom "e !oth regard as ours "ere together en0oying the admira!le "ecyra of Terence. %eated at his side as he studied I forgot the cleric in the father+ to

increase his ardour and incite my docile scholar to a more $erfect a$$reciation of the comic rhythms I had in myo"n hands a $lay "ith a similar $lot the %&itre&ontes 1 of Jenander. ['] We "ere reading and 0esting anda$$lauding the fine $assages **** the $lay charmed him and he me "e "ere !oth e<ually a!sor!ed **** "hen all ofa sudden a household slave a$$ears $ulling a long face. /I have 0ust seen outside/ he said / the reader )onstans !ac from his errand to the lords %im$licius and A$ollinaris. He says that he delivered your letters !ut has lost theans"ers given him to !ring !ac./ [2] =o sooner did I hear this than a storm*cloud of annoyance rose u$on the clearsy of my en0oyment+ the mischance made me so angry that for several days I "as ineora!le and for!ade the

!lochead my $resence+ I meant to mae him sorry for himself unless he restored me the letters all and sundry tosay nothing of yours "hich as long as I am a reasona!le !eing 6' I shall al"ays "ant most !ecause they come leastoften. [4] Ho"ever after a time my anger gradually a!ated+ I sent for him and ased "hether !esides the letters he



had !een entrusted "ith a ver!al message. He "as all a*trem!le and ready to grovel at my feet+ he stammered inconscious guilt and could not loo me in the face !ut he managed to ans"er# /=othing./ The message from "hich I"as to have received so much instruction and delight had !een all consigned to the $ages "hich had !een lost. %othere is nothing else for it+ you must resort to your ta!lets once more unfold your $archment and "rite it all outane". I shall !ear "ith such $hiloso$hy as I may this unfortunate o!stacle to my desires until the hour "hen theselines reach you and you learn that yours have never yet reached me. are"ell.

E Translated !y Hodgin ii. 24*'.

$!!!.

To his friend 'ectius

c. A.D. 47'

[1] =(T long ago I "ent to see the church of )hantelle1 at the re<uest of the ecellent ;ermanicus "ho is clearlythe $ersonage of the $lace. Though he no" has sity years !ehind him he cultivates such !ravery of fashion that notcontent "ith gro"ing younger he gets more !oyish every day. His clothes fit close his !oots are tight his hair is cut"heel*fashion+ the t"ee?ers have searched the de$ths of all his "rinles to get every single hair out of his face. ['] Heaven has given him strong and "ell*nit lim!s an unim$aired sight an easy and ra$id gait+ his teeth are com$lete

and his mouth 6'@ "holesome. He has a $erfect digestion an even circulation a sound heart and lungs his loins arefree from stiffness his liver from congestion. His hand is firm his !ac straight endo"ed "ith the health of youthall he ass for age is its $ro$er $rivilege of res$ect. [2] ;od has indeed sho"n him $eculiar mercies. 3ut on that veryaccount I !eg nay I en0oin you as a neigh!our and intimate friend to give him a $iece of that advice "hich acharacter lie yours invests "ith such authority# tell him not to $ut his trust too much in such unsta!le things orfancy himself immune from all decay+ tell him it is high time for him to em!race religion to gather strength frominnocence re!orn and !y good deeds to !ecome a ne" man in his old age. [4] Tell him that fe" of us are free fromsecret faults and it "ere "ell for him to $our forth full and o$en satisfaction for all the hidden offences "hichmemory can recall. A man "ho is a $riest/s son and has a son of his o"n a !isho$ must sanctify his o"n life or he"ill !e even as a rose!ush. (f roses !orn and !earing the same he comes !et"een the old !loom and the ne"+ andthe !riery thorns a!out him may !e liened to his "ounding sins. are"ell.

$!#.

To his friend olemiusA.D. 477

[1] )(F=>IG% TA)ITG% your ancestor consular in the reigns of the Gl$ians1 in his history introduces a ;erman)ommander ' as saying /Jy ac<uaintance "ith Bes$asian goes !ac to old days and "hile he 6'7 "as a $rivate

$erson "e "ere called friends./ :ou as the o!0ect of this $reface. To remind you that your $osition as a $u!lic manought not to involve neglect of $rivate friendshi$s. Almost t"o years ago our old regard for you rather than oursatisfaction at your ne" dignity led us to re0oice over your elevation to the $ost of $raetorian $refect in ;aul. 3utfor the misfortunes of the >m$ire nothing "ould satisfy us !ut the enrichment of every!ody and every $rovince !ythe various !enefits of your administration. ['] And no" that $ro$er feeling $revents us from asing "hat it is

!eyond your $o"er to grant I should lie to no" "hat generosity you "ould have sho"n us in deed "hen in "ordyou have $roved so o!stinately avaricious. or if I com$are you "ith your ancestors I must consider you more than

the e<ual of Tacitus in elo<uence and in $oetry a!ove Ausonius. If this ne" $refecture has turned a $hiloso$her/shead remem!er the line#

We too hae sered for name and fame.1

[2] 3ut if you scorn the lo"liness of our $rofession !ecause "e $riests voluntarily lay !are !efore )hrist the Healerof human lives and fortunes the ugly sores of the sic heart "hich in us are at least uns"ollen !y $ride ho"evermuch they may have hitherto offended for "ant of $ro$er tending I "ould have you no" this that it is one thingfor a man to stand !efore the magistrate in the forum another thing for him to stand !efore the ,udge of all the



"orld. The offender "ho avo"s his crime to you is condemned+ !ut among us the same confession made to ;od isa!solved.' It is therefore a!undantly clear that you 0udges of this "orld are "rong 6' in fastening guilt on him "ho isamena!le to another 0urisdiction than yours. [4] :ou cannot therefore any longer ignore the force of my com$laint+"hether your $ros$erity maes you forget old friendshi$ or only neglect it the result in either case is almost e<ually

!itter to me. If then you have any serious thoughts of the future "rite to me as to a $riest+ if of the $resent as to acolleague. There is a virtue "hich never disdains an old friend for a ne" one+ if it "as !orn in you develo$ it+ if notat once im$lant it in your heart. (ther"ise you "ill a$$ear to treat your friends as one does flo"ers "hich are onlycherished as long as they are fresh. are"ell.

$#.

To his friend %la&hiusAfter A.D. 47'

[1] JAL> ready a great feast and couches to receive a great com$any. 3y numerous roads $arties yet morenumerous converge u$on you for since the date of your coming dedication is no" universally no"n all our goodfriends are !ent u$on invasion. :our letter tells us that the !a$tistery so long in the !uilder/s hands is no" ready forconsecration. We must all ee$ festival in honour of the faith that "e o"n and some of us for other causes too+ youto cele!rate the accom$lishment of your vo"+ I to do my $art as !isho$+ and many others to sho" their recognition

of your enter$rise. or indeed you set a great $recedent erecting a ne" fa!ric in an e$och "hen other men havehardly courage to re$air an old one.1 ['] or the future 6'C I $ray that as your $resent vo" is $aid you may mae ne"vo"s to the glory of ;od to !e redeemed in coming $ros$erous years+ and that too not as the e$ression of aconcealed faith !ut of manifest conversion. I further $ray that in ha$$ier times than these )hrist may grant my o"ndesire and the ho$e of the $eo$le of Fouergue and that you "ho no" offer an altar for your o"n soul/s "eal maythen offer the holy %acrifice for theirs. [2] Though the days dra" in "ith the late autumn and leaves from every treerustle in the anious traveller/s ear+ though your castle of the mountain crags is hard to reach "hen "inter is so nearyet "ith )hrist to guide my ste$s I shall traverse your rugged mountain flans+ I shall not shrin from rocs !eneathor overhanging sno"s+ no not even if the "ay "inds in s$irals u$ the long slo$es and returns continually u$on itself.or should there !e no festivities after all yet you are one of those for "hom to use the "ords of Tully1 a man"ould even tram$ to Thes$iae. are"ell.

$#!.

To his friend $uricius8=o indication of date9

[1] &AT>F=I=G% has given me your letter+ I can hardly say "hether it $leases most !y "it or charm. It $resentssuch elo<uence such fragrant flo"ers of diction that your $rogress is clearly due to something more than anacno"ledged study# you must !e "oring in secret as "ell. The a!straction of a !oo of mine to co$y for "hichyou so a$ologi?e I regard 62 as an act redounding to your credit and re<uiring no ecuse. What can you do really"rong "hen even your faults are lauda!le5 ['] I am not the least veed at !eing $layed this little tric in mya!sence+ it is no loss at all !ut really a signal $rivilege. The volume you a$$ro$riated to your use has not thereforeceased to !e my $ro$erty+ your no"ledge has not !een increased at the cost of other $eo$le/s. (n the contrary youshall have full credit for your action and rightly+ for your nature has the <uality of flame "hich communicates itself entirely and yet remains entire+ it is $ro$er that you should act lie your o"n element. 3e no more uneasy then+ that

"ere to !etray a little too much uncertainty of your friend "ho "ould only deserve the "ound of !lame "ere hevulnera!le !y the dart of envy. are"ell.

$#!!.

To his friend Arbogast

c. A.D. 477



[1] :(GF friend >minentius honoured lord has delivered a letter dictated !y yourself admira!le in style and !earing in every line the evidence of three shining virtues. The first is the friendliness "hich leads you to esteem thelo"ly talents of one so far a"ay1 and so anious to avoid $u!licity. The second is the modesty "hich maes youover*sensitive to !lame !ut deservedly "ins you $raise. The third is the gentle humour "hich maes you in the"ittiest "ay accuse yourself of "riting "retched stuff "hereas you have drun at the "ell*s$ring 621 of Fomanelo<uence and no draughts from the Joselle can tae the taste of Ti!er from your mouth. :ou have yourconversation among !ar!arians yet you $ermit no !ar!arism to $ass your li$s+ in elo<uence and valour you e<ualthose ancient generals "hose hands could "ield the stylus no less silfully than the s"ord. ['] The Foman tongue islong !anished from 3elgium and the Fhine+ !ut if its s$lendour has any"here survived it is surely "ith you+ our

0urisdiction is fallen into decay along the frontier !ut "hile you live and $reserve your elo<uence the atinlanguage stands unshaen. As I return your greeting my heart is glad "ithin me that our vanishing culture has leftsuch traces "ith you+ continue your assiduous studies and you "ill feel more surely every day that the man ofeducation is as much a!ove the !oor as the !oor in his turn a!ove the !east. [2] Were I to o!ey your "ish and sendyou a commentary on some $art of the %cri$tures it "ould !e sorry ver!iage+ you "ould do far !etter to direct yourre<uest to the clergy of your o"n district. They are venera!le in years a$$roved in faith no"n !y "ors+ they areready in s$eech and tenacious in memory my su$eriors in all su!limer gifts. >ven if "e leave out of the account the

!isho$ of your city a character of su$reme $erfection !lessed in the $ossession and re$ute of all the virtues youmay far more a$$ro$riately consult on any ind of $ro!lem the cele!rated fathers of the )hurch in ;aul+ u$us andAus$icius are !oth "ithin your reach and ho"ever in<uisitive you may !e you "ill not get to the !ottom of alearning such as theirs. In any case you must $ardon me for diso!eying you in this matter and that not only out of 6

2' indliness !ut from sim$le 0ustice+ for if it is fair that you should esca$e from incom$etence it is e<ually rightthat I should avoid conceit. are"ell.

$#!!!.

To his friend Lucontius

c. A.D. 47

[1] I >AF you have a memory defective in the matter of others/ re<uests !ut infalli!le in the matter of your o"n. It"ould !e tedious to re$eat all the $romises of s"ift return "hich you and your family made to me and mine+ not thesmallest of them have you e$t. ar from it your flight "as cunningly $lanned to mae us thin you "ere coming

!ac for >aster+ you too no heavy !aggage out of to"n neither carriage nor cart for luggage a$$eared in your train.

['] It is too late to com$lain of the tric you made the ladies $lay us causing them to travel "ith only the lightest ofeffects "hile you and our !rother Bolusianus "ere hardly escorted !y a single client or attendant. 3y this device youcheated the friends "ho came to see you off "ith the delusive ho$e that they "ere soon to see you !ac. )ertainlyour good !rother Bolusianus deceived us !y the $retence of a short tri$ "hen in fact he "as $ro!a!ly !ound notmerely for his o"n estate at 3aiocassium !ut the "hole second $rovince of yons into the !argain.1 [2] As foryourself though you have !roen faith !y idling all this time a"ay do"n there you yet have the face to as me forany $oetical trifles I may have recently com$osed. I o!ey+ !ut 622 sim$ly !ecause you deserve the ru!!ish you "illget+ the verses I am sending are so rustic and unfinished that no one "ould !elieve they came from to"n and notfrom the de$ths of the country. [4] :ou must no" that 3isho$ &er$etuus1 a "orthy successor of his great

$redecessor has 0ust re!uilt on a greater scale than !efore the !asilica of the saintly $ontiff and confessor Jartin. Itis said to !e a great and memora!le "or and all that "e should e$ect "hen one such man does honour to another.or the "alls of this church he has demanded of me the inscri$tion you are no" to critici?e and sure as he is of his

$lace in my affection he taes no denial in matters of this ind. [] Would I could thin this offering of mine "ould $rove no !lot u$on the magnificence of that $ile and its "ealth of gifts+ !ut I fear it must !e so unless some ha$$ychance should lend its very defects a charm "here all is of such $erfection 0ust as a dar s$ot on a fair !ody ismoced at first and then com$els a$$roval. 3ut "hy should I dilate u$on all this5 &ut do"n your she$herd/s $i$eand give a su$$orting hand to this ho!!ling elegy of mine#

E/(ver the !ody of Jartin venerated in every land the !ody in "hich reno"n survives the life de$arted there rose astructure meet for $oor men/s "orshi$ and un"orthy of its famous )onfessor. Al"ays a sense of shame "eighedheavy on the citi?ens "hen they thought of the saint/s great glory and the small attraction of his shrine. 3ut&er$etuus the !isho$ sith in line after him' has no" taen a"ay the disgrace+ he has removed the inner shrine from



the modest cha$el and 624 reared this great !uilding over it. 3y the favour of so $o"erful a $atron the founder/s famehas risen together "ith the church "hich is such as to rival the tem$le of %olomon the seventh "onder of the "orld.That shone res$lendent "ith gems and gold and silver+ !ut this fane shines "ith a light of faith !eyond the !rillianceof all metals. Avaunt >nvy of the venomous toothK !e our forefathers a!solved+ may our $osterity ho"ever fond ofits o"n voice $resume to add or alter nothing. And till the second coming of )hrist to raise all $eo$le from the deadmay the fane of &er$etuus $er$etually endure./1

[@] I send you as you see the most recent verses I can find. 3ut if you $ersist in s$inning vain delays theconcession "ill not sto$ me from shaing the stars "ith my com$laints+ nor if the case re<uires it shall I shrinfrom a resort to satire and you "ill !e very much mistaen if you imagine that I shall !e as suave as in the versesyou have had to*day. or it is a la" of human nature that man is more telling more fiery and <uicer on the mar inhis censure than in his $raise. are"ell.

E Translated !y ertig &art ii $$. 27*+ and !y )hai i. 2'C.

$!$.

To his friend Florentinus8=o indication of date9

[1] :ou !lame me for my delay and my silence. I can $urge myself of !oth charges for I am not only on my "ay !ut as you see I "rite as "ell. are"ell. 62

$$.

To his friend omnicius Ec. A. D. 47

[1] :ou tae such $leasure in the sight of arms and those "ho "ear them that I can imagine your delight if youcould have seen the young $rince %igismer 1 on his "ay to the $alace of his father*in*la" in the guise of a

!ridegroom or suitor in all the $om$ and !ravery of the tri!al fashion. His o"n steed "ith its ca$arisons other steedsladen "ith flashing gems $aced !efore and after+ !ut the cons$icuous interest in the $rocession centred in the $rincehimself as "ith a charming modesty he "ent afoot amid his !odyguard and footmen in flame*red mantle "ithmuch glint of ruddy gold and gleam of sno"y silen tunic his fair hair red chees and "hite sin according "iththe three hues of his e<ui$ment. ['] 3ut the chiefs and allies "ho !ore him com$any "ere dread of as$ect even thuson $eace intent. Their feet "ere laced in !oots of !ristly hide reaching to the heels+ anles and legs "ere e$osed.They "ore high tight tunics of varied colour hardly descending to their !are nees the sleeves covering only theu$$er arm. ;reen mantles they had "ith crimson !orders+ !aldrics su$$orted s"ords hung from their shoulders and

$ressed on sides covered "ith cloas of sin secured !y !rooches. [2] =o small $art of their adornment consisted oftheir arms+ in their hands they gras$ed !ar!ed s$ears and missile aes+ their left sides "ere guarded !y shields"hich flashed "ith ta"ny 62@ golden !osses and sno"y silver !orders !etraying at once their "ealth and their goodtaste. Though the !usiness in hand "as "edloc Jars "as no "hit less $rominent in all this $om$ than Benus. Whyneed I say more5 (nly your $resence "as "anting to the full en0oyment of so fine a s$ectacle. or "hen I sa" thatyou had missed the things you love to see I longed to have you "ith me in all the im$atience of your longing soul.are"ell.

E Translated !y Hodgin ii. 2@4.

$$!.

To his friend A&er c. A.D. 47'



[1] I= every genealogy the father/s line must tae $recedence yet "e o"e not a little to our mothers. or it hardly !efits us to accord a lesser honour to her "ho !ore than to him "ho !egot us. I leave the !iologist the care ofdefining "hat "e are or ho" "e came into the "orld $assing on to the su!0ect introduced !y these reflections. ['] :our father is an Aeduan1 your mother comes from Auvergne. Aeduan then you are first and foremost !ut yet notaltogether. or remem!er the $assage in Birgil ' to the effect that &allas is Arcadian !ut at the same time %amnite. Hemight have <ualified as a foreigner to lead the >truscans against Je?entius save only for the fact that through his%amnite mother he traced his descent in $art to her country of >truria. Here you have evidence of great momentfrom the greatest of authorities 8unless indeed you !elieve $oets false to facts even "hen they deal "ith history9that 627 the mother/s country must count no less than that of the father. [2] =o" if the Arvernians in their turn rightlyclaim at any rate a half*share in you $ray give a $atient hearing to the com$laint of men "ho yearn for your

$resence and no" un!urden the !osom*secret of a "hole $o$ulation through the li$s of a single s$oesman.Imagine them as standing !efore you and addressing you face to face. /What is our offence ungrateful fello" citi?enthat all these years you shun the soil "hich nourished you as if it "ere an enemy/s country5 Here "e tended yourcradle here "e heard your infant cries and formed your tender lim!s+ it "as our $eo$le "ho carried you in theirarms. [4] This "as the country of your grandsire ronto "hose indulgence to you "as e<ualled only !y his o"nself*disci$line "hich our models of to*day might tae as a model for themselves. This "as the country of yourgrandmother Aus$icia "ho from a single heart after her daughter/s death gave to the hel$less or$han a devotiongreat enough for t"o. :our aunt "as also of our land and so "as rontina the virgin holier than a nun held !y yourmother in res$ect !y your father in veneration and so ascetic and austere in her life so $erfect in ;od/s faith andfear that she ins$ired an a"e in all men. It "as here that our schools vied one "ith the other to $erfect you in

grammar and in rhetoric "hen the time came for your initiation in the li!eral arts "ith such results that even !yvirtue of your education alone you cannot !ut thin of )lermont "ith affection. [] I shall not recall to you theuni<ue charm of our land+1 the !road main of tillage "here the $rofita!le "aters flo" harmless through the cro$s

!ringing rich increase+ "here the more the 62 industrious man traffics the less he need fear shi$"rec+ the land"hich is easy to the traveller fertile to the cultivator to the hunter a $er$etual 0oy+ "here $astures cro"n the hill*to$s and vineyards clothe the slo$es "here villas rise on the lo"lands and castles on the rocs forests here andclearings there valleys "ith s$rings headlands "ashed !y rivers+ the land in short of "hich a single glim$sesuffices to mae many a stranger forget his o"n country. [@] =eed I remind you of the to"n "hich "as al"ays sodevoted to you that you ought to find no society more agreea!le than that of its no!ility5 :ou "ere received "itho$en arms and all "ere so delighted to have you "ith them that no one could ever see enough of you. =eed I s$eaof your o"n $ro$erty5 the more you visit it the !etter it "ill mae good your outlay. or the very e$enses of a

$ro$rietor cultivating his o"n land contri!ute to the increase of his income. I un!urden myself thus in the name ofall our citi?ens and certainly of the !est among them. %uch is the affection "hich they sho" so high the com$liment

im$lied in their desire that you may imagine the greater 0oy "hich "ill !e yours if you assent to their re<uest.are"ell.

$$!!.

To his friend LeoA.D. 477

[1] TH> magnificent Hes$erius $earl of friends and glory of letters informed me on his return from Toulouse notlong ago that you "ished me to !egin "riting history as soon as my volume of etters is 62C com$leted. I need nottell you "ith "hat res$ect and gratitude I receive an o$inion of such "eight and moreover so flattering to myself+for if you hold that I ought to a!andon the "or of smaller com$ass for the greater it must !e !ecause you thin mecom$etent. 3ut franly I find it easier to res$ect your 0udgement than to follo" your advice. ['] The tas indeed isone "hich is "orthy of your recommendation !ut it is no less "orthy of your o"n $ractice. Tacitus long ago gavesimilar advice to &liny and then antici$ated his friend !y follo"ing his o"n counsel. The $recedent !ears $erfectlyon your suggestion+ for I am a mere disci$le of &liny1 "hereas in the old historical style you ecel Tacitus. )ould hereturn to earth could he "itness your literary eminence and re$utation he "ould soon follo" the hint conveyed !yhis o"n name. [2] :ou therefore are the man to shoulder the !urden of your o"n $ro$osal+ you have an ecellentgift of elo<uence and to vast erudition you 0oin unrivalled o$$ortunities. or as adviser of a most $otent sovereign"hose $olicy is concerned "ith all the "orld you are admitted to the secrets of his !usiness and his la"s his "arsand treaties you understand their local significance their etent and their im$ortance. Who then more fit to girdhim for the tas than he "ho is !ehind the great scene of $u!lic affairs "ho no"s the movements of the $eo$les



the em!assies that $ass !et"een them the generals/ feats of arms the treaties of the $rinces "ho stands himself atsuch an altitude that he need neither su$$ress the truth nor !roider the fa!ric of a lie5

[4] Ho" different is my o"n condition afflicted "ith 64 the griefs of eile de$rived of the old facilities for study+ acleric s"orn to renounce am!ition and ee$ the middle $ath of his o!scurity. Jy trust is no longer in the gifts ofthis $resent "orld !ut in the ho$e of a "orld to come. Jy failing strength $lays me false and maes me delight in

idleness+ I care no more for the $raise of my o"n generation and as little for that of men "ho shall come after me.[] History is the last field in "hich I should no" $ursue fame+ "e churchmen are ill*advised to $u!lish our o"naffairs and rash to meddle "ith those of others+ "e record the $ast "ithout advantage to ourselves and the $resentfrom im$erfect no"ledge+ "e "rite "hat is untrue to our disgrace and "hat is true at our $eril. It is a "or orsu!0ect in "hich the mention even of the virtuous "ins a man scant credit and of the great un!ounded enmity.orth"ith some hue and flavour of satire invades the historian/s style and this is "holly incongruous "ith our vo"s.Historical "riting !egins in s$ite $roceeds in "eariness and ends in ill re$ute. [@] et a cleric once da!!le in it andall these "oes "ill fall u$on him+ forth"ith the vi$er/s tooth of envy is into us+ if our style !e straightfor"ard "e arecalled mad+ if $olished "e are $resuming !eyond our $lace.1 3ut you can enter u$on this $rovince "ith a light heart+your fame allo"s you to s$ring from strength to strength. :ou "ill tread the nec of the detractor or lightly lea$a!ove it. =one "ill have "ritten in a more ealted vein than you none so near the anti<ue manner even though your theme !e the story of our o"n times. or as you "ere trained long since in the art of letters and no" are no lessversed in that of 641 affairs you have left the venomed fang no hold "hatever on you. Therefore it is that in years tocome your "ors "ill !e consulted "ith advantage heard "ith delight and read "ith assurance of their authority.are"ell.

$$!!!.

To his friend roculusc. A.D. 47'

[1] :(GF son "hom I may almost call mine also has taen refuge "ith me full of sorro" for having left youover"helmed "ith shame and re$entance of his desertion. When I heard "hat he had done I re!ued him for thistruancy "ith shar$ "ords and threatening loos. The voice "as mine !ut I s$oe in your $lace+ I denounced him asone "hose $ro$er meed "as disinheritance1 the cross the sac and the other $enalties of $arricides. He flushed redin his confusion !ut made no !ra?en ecuses for his fault+ and "hen I convicted him on every $oint such floods of

streaming tears accom$anied his contrition that it "as im$ossi!le to dou!t his future amendment. ['] I entreat youtherefore to sho" mercy on one "ho no" sho"s none to himself+ imitate )hrist and do not condemn him "hoadmits that he deserves to !e condemned. :ou may $rove ineora!le+ you may su!0ect him to unheard*of

$unishments+ !ut no torture you can inflict "ill hurt him lie his o"n remorse. ree him from his des$airing fears+ 0ustify my confidence in you+ relieve yourself from the secret anguish you must feel 8if I no" aught of a father/sfeelings9 at the s$ectacle of 64' a son crushed !y undisguised affliction. I shall only have done him harm if you lift afinger against him "hich I trust you "ill not do unless you mean to remain as hard as roc and rigid as im$enetra!leadamant. [2] If I am right in e$ecting something !etter from your no"n character and "arm heart !e indulgentand forgive+ I $ledge myself that once reconciled he "ill hencefor"ard !e a loyal son. To a!solve him $rom$tly ofhis fault is to !ind me !y a ne" o!ligation. I earnestly !eg you to do more and grant him instant $ardon+ I "ant you"hen he returns not to o$en him your door alone !ut your heart as "ell. ;reat ;odK "hat a !right day "ill da"nfor you "hat 0oyous ne"s it "ill !e to me "hat gladness "ill fill his soul "hen he casts himself at his father/s feetand receives from those in0ured li$s those li$s of terri!le as$ect not re$roaches !ut a issK are"ell.

$$!#.

To his friend Turnus *A.D. 4@1*7

[1] TH> Jantuan/s lines suit $erfectly your name and your affair#



Turnus, what neer !od would dare

To &romise to his su&&liant2s &rayer,

Lo, here, the la&se of time has brought

%2en to your hands, unas0ed, unsought.1 642

:ou remem!er that a long time ago your father Tur$io 8he "as then of tri!une/s ran9 sought and o!tained a loan of

Jaimus an official of the &alatine %ervice+ he assigned nothing as security or guarantee either in money or land+there is only a document ensuring the creditor his t"elve $er cent.1 This interest had !een accumulating ten yearsand had dou!led the ca$ital sum. ['] When your father "as grievously ill and near his death the $u!lic authority $utserious $ressure on him for the $ayment of the de!t+ the !ailiffs too !ehaved in an intolera!ly !rutal manner. I "asthen setting out for Toulouse and the sic man in des$air "rote entreating me to intercede "ith his creditor for atleast a short delay. (f course I at once $romised to do "hat I could for Jaimus and I are something more thanac<uaintances and lined !y old ties of hos$itality. I therefore diverged from my route to $ay him a visit though hisestate lies some miles distant from the high"ay.

[2] (n my arrival he came out himself to meet me. 3ut ho" changed his "al from the old erect and ra$id gait+ ho"changed the old fran regard and hearty voiceK His dress his "al his humility his $allor his mode of s$eech****alldeclared the churchman. And then his hair "as short and his !eard long+ he had sim$le tri$od seats+ coarse )ilicianhangings covered his doors '+ the !eds "ere featherless the ta!les unadorned. His entertainment "as as $lain as it

"as indly "ith more vegeta!le than meat+ if any richer dish a$$eared it "as !rought not to him !ut to his guests.[4] When "e rose from ta!le I ased my neigh!ours <uietly to "hich of the three orders he !elonged+ 644 "as hemon cler or $enitent5 They told me he "as so $o$ular that his fello" citi?ens had thrust $riestly office u$on himagainst his inclination.1 When morning came and the servants and clients "ere !usy catching the animals I !eggeda $rivate intervie" "hich he at once granted. I !egan !y congratulations on his ne" dignity "hich he had note$ected !ut my $etition follo"ed close u$on them. [] I $referred the $rayer of our common friend Tur$io+ I urgedhis straits and his etremity+ I told ho" much harder it seemed to the sic man/s afflicted friends that his soul should

!e released from a !ody still held in the !ond of de!t. I im$lored him to remem!er his ne" calling and our ancientfello"shi$+ I entreated him at least to accord delay and so to moderate the !ar!arous im$ortunities of the collectors"ho "ere !aring lie dogs a!out a death*!ed+ I ased that if Tur$io died the heirs should !e granted the res$ite ofthe mourner/s year and that if as I ho$ed he recovered health he should !e left in $eace during the time ofconvalescence from so ehausting a sicness. [@] I had got thus far "ith my $etition "hen this charita!le soul !eganto "ee$ co$ious tears not for the delay in recovering his de!t !ut for the $eril of the de!tor and restraining his so!scried# /ar !e it from me a cleric to demand from a sic man "hat as an official I should hardly have !roughtmyself to as from a sound one. 3ut I am so attached to my friend/s children also that even should he die I shallre<uire of them not a $enny more than the la" of our friendshi$ sanctions. :ou shall "rite to them in their anietyenclosing a letter from me to confirm the authority of yours. Assure them 64 that "hatever !e the issue of our

!rother/s illness 8and may it $rove a ha$$y oneK9 I give them a "hole year/s res$ite+ I "ill also remit that half of thede!t re$resented !y the accumulated interest and content myself "ith the sim$le return of the loan./ (n this Irendered thans to ;od first and then to my host "ho so res$ected his good name and conscience+ I assured thisgood friend that he laid u$ as a treasure in advance for himself "hat I "as em$o"ered to remit to you and

$urchased a heavenly ingdom !y refusing to drive a hard !argain here on earth. It no" remains for you to use everyeffort for the re$ayment of the $rinci$al and to return him heartfelt thans in the name of your young !rother andsister "ho !y reason of their tender age can no" nothing of their o"n good fortune. There is no ecuse for you tosay /I am only a co*heir+ the estate has not yet !een divided+ it is common no"ledge that I have come off "orsethan the other t"o+ my !rother and sister are still minors+ a hus!and has yet to !e found for her a guardian for himand a surety for the guardian "hen a$$ointed./ %uch things are sometimes said "ith fairness to creditors !ut only to

the !ad ones. :ou are fortunate in having to deal "ith a $erson ready to remit half your de!t "hen he might eact the"hole. Do not ee$ him "aiting+ he "ould !e "ithin his right if he demanded once more in his resentment all thathis lenience had ecused. are"ell. 64@

* Translated !y Hodgin ii. 24.

$$#.



To his friend omnulus*

c. A.D. 47

[1] I )A==(T delay an hour in letting you no" of an event "hich must cause you the greatest $leasure aniousas you "ere to learn "hat success attended the $iety and firmness of our metro$olitan and father in )hrist &atiensu$on the occasion of his visit to )hRlon. He "ent to ordain a !isho$ for that to"n "here disci$line had !een

im$erilled after the retirement and su!se<uent death of the young !isho$ &aulus. %ome of the $rovincial !isho$sformed his escort+ others had $receded him. When the >$isco$al )ouncil met it found that the o$inion of theciti?ens "as not unanimous1 and that there eisted $rivate factions of the ind so ruinous to the $u!lic "elfare. ['] The $resence of three candidates aggravated these evils. The first had no moral <ualification "hatever !ut only the

$rivilege of ancient lineage of "hich he made the most. The second "as !rought in on the a$$lause of $arasites' !ri!ed to su$$ort him !y the free run of a gourmand/s ta!le. The third had a tacit understanding "ith his su$$ortersthat if he attained the o!0ect of his am!ition the $lundering of the )hurch estates should !e theirs. [2] %eeing thisthe holy &atiens and the holy >u$hronius determined that no 647 thought of odium or $o$ularity should move themfrom the firmness and severity of the saner 0udgement. They communicated their intention to their fello" !isho$s 1 insecret conclave assem!led !efore they made it $u!lic. Then "ith a com$lete disregard of the unruly cro"d theysuddenly 0oined their hands u$on the holy ,ohn a man cons$icuous for an honoura!le humane and gentle life and"ithout the faintest sus$icion of "hat they $ro$osed or the slightest desire for $referment. [4] This ,ohn "as first aFeader and had !een a server at the altar from his tender years. In course of time and strenuous duty he !ecamearchdeacon in "hich office or ran his efficiency e$t him !ac+ they "ould not give him $romotion !ecause theydid not "ish to relieve him of functions he $erformed so "ell. %uch "as the man a mem!er only of the secondorder on "hom they laid their hands to the $er$leity of the factions "hich had no acclamations ready for onenever even $ut for"ard for the office !ut dared not at the same time say anything against a man "hom his o"ncareer acclaimed. %o to the stu$efaction of the intriguers the rage of !ad citi?ens and the delight of good "ithoutone dissentient voice they t"o consecrated their ne" colleague. [] And no" unless the monasteries of the ,ura ' ee$ you "here you love to ascend as if in foretaste of a celestial ha!itation this letter ought to reach you !ringingthe ha$$y ne"s ho" these our fathers and $rotectors o$ined in accord or accorded in o$inion****"hichever you"ill. Fe0oice too in his name "hom >u$hronius and &atiens consecrated the one !y testimony the other !y layingon of hands the t"o together !y their concurring 64 0udgement+ in all "hich events >u$hronius acted as !eseemedhis age and the long tenure of his high office &atiens for "hom no $raise could ever !e too high as !efitted one"ho !y his ecclesiastical dignity is the first $erson in our city and !y the $riority of the city the first citi?en in allthe $rovince. are"ell.

E &artly translated !y ;ui?ot "ist, de la ciilisation en France, ed. 14@ i. 1*'.

BOO" #

!.

To his friend etroniusA.D. 47

[1] TH>: tell me you devote $atient !ut not un$leasant hours to the $erusal of my etters+ you "ho have achievedmastery in studies of "idest sco$e can yet notice the most insignificant "ritings of another. This is great and "ell

!ecomes the enthusiast for letters. 3ut you are re$aid for it !y the most $erfect ind of fame+ for he "ho is generousenough to $raise other men/s talent "ill not fail to find his o"n cons$icuously acno"ledged. ['] I commend to youmy friend Bindicius a man of $iety and admira!ly suited for the dignity of deacon "hich he has recently attained. Ihad no time to co$y "hat you "anted from my ta!lets as it "as incum!ent on me to do so I have entrusted him"ith these trifling lines 0ust to have something to send+ !ut such is your indness that you acce$t any letter of mineas if it "ere an eceeding great re"ard. [2] Jean"hile I commend to your notice the affair of this same !earer "hois taen to your neigh!ourhood !y a trou!lesome !usiness in "hich he finds himself involved. T"o $ossi!ilities lie

!efore him# he may either enter $eacefully u$on an inheritance or he may !e entangled in legal $roceedings. 6 His



$aternal uncle has died a !achelor and intestate and he is taing ste$s to inherit as net of in+ !ut factiouso$$osition may !ar his "ay. Against each and every difficulty "hich may !e raised you after )hrist are thesu$$liant/s !est ho$e+ I am confident that if he finds favour in your sight his cause "ill $rove victorious. are"ell.

!!.

To his friend 3ym&hidiusc. A.D. 47'

[1] )AGDIA=G% JAJ>FTG% the most accom$lished of our )hristian $hiloso$hers and the most learned manin the "orld "rote not long ago a nota!le "or in three volumes on the =ature of the %oul+ in its em!ellishment andfinal ela!oration he em$loyed the method of the dis$osition and logical arrangement of $rofane $hiloso$hydemonstrating that the nine Juses are not maidens at all !ut i!eral Arts. The attentive reader discovers in his

$ages the real $ersonified titles of the =ine "ho of themselves and for themselves create their $ro$er a$$ellations.or in this !oo ;rammar divides1 and Fhetoric declaims+ Arithmetic recons ;eometry metes+ Jusic !alancesogic dis$utes+ Astrology $redicts Architecture constructs+ &oetry attunes her measures. ['] &leased "ith thenovelty of a theory lie this and indled to enthusiasm !y so much ri$e "isdom you had hardly seen the !oo

!efore you ased to have it for a short time to eamine and co$y it and to mae etracts+ you $romised to return 61 it<uicly and your re<uest "as granted as soon as made. =o" it is far from fitting that I should !e deceived in this

little matter and that you should !e the deceiver. It is high time for you to send the !oo !ac+ if you lied it youmust have had enough of it !y no"+ if you dislie it more than enough. Whichever it !e you have no" to clear your re$utation. If you mean to delay the return of a volume for "hich I have to as you I shall thin that you care morefor the $archment than for the "or. are"ell.

!!!.

To [his 0insman] A&ollinarisA.D. 47'

[1] IT "as $erha$s only fair that you should retaliate on my lo<uacious ha!its !y a$$lying the cur! of taciturnity.3ut since in the echange of ind offices a $erfect friendshi$ should d"ell less on "hat it $ays than on "hat it maystill !e held to o"e I shall loosen the rein of scru$le and render you the im$udent homage of another letter# of

course the im$ro$riety of this is $roved !y the fact of your continued silence. Do I not deserve to !e informed of a !rother/s fortunes in time of "ar5 Are you really afraid of revealing your ho$es or a$$rehensions to a friend "ho isanious on your account5

['] :our motive in ee$ing your doings from me can only !e that you are not <uite sure of me and fear that I mightnot re0oice as I ought at ne"s of your good luc or $ro$erly lament your adverse fortunes. Jay such disloyalty findno $lace in gentle hearts+ may so misera!le a sus$icion !e no longer a !lot on 6' the candour of a true affectionK oras your )ris$us says / to desire and re0ect the same things that is the maing of firm friends./1

[2] I shall !e content if I can hear that you are in good case. Jy o"n mind has !een de$ressed !y the "eight of atrou!led conscience+ a violent fever !rought me almost to death/s door. As you no" the cares of an august

$rofession have !een im$osed on me un"orthy though I am of such an honour. And it has !een misery to me tohave to teach "hat I have never myself learned and to $reach goodness !efore $ractising it+ lie a !arren tree I !ear no fruit of good "ors !ut scatter idle "ords lie leaves.

[4] And no" $ray for me that my future life may $rove it to have !een "orth "hile to come !ac almost from theunder"orld+ for no" a continuance in $ast errors "ould mae this rene"al of life the !eginning of my soul/sdestruction. :ou see that I hide nothing from you and I may fairly as in return ho" things fare "ith you. I havedone the $art of friendshi$+ it remains for you to act as you thin right. 3ut remem!er that !y ;od/s grace "erecogni?e no end to a comradeshi$ "hich "e gave our hearts to !egin+ it must !e lie la"s of Attica graveneternally on !rass. are"ell.



!#.

To [his 0insman] im&licius

8=o indication of date9

[1] :(GF failure to ans"er my letter I im$ute to a friendshi$ not !eyond re$roach !ut in a greater 62 degree to an

uneasy conscience. or unless I do you an in0ustice your ans"er is "ithheld less from $erversity than from a senseof shame. 3ut if you continue to close and !olt your door against my communications I shall not !e sorry to o!ligeyou "ith the $eace "hich you desire. At the same time I must tell you $lainly that the instigators of the "rong thusdone me are to !e found among those nearest to you.

['] or it is no in0ustice to attri!ute all that is hateful in your silence to the s$oiled humours of your sons "hosecure in your affection su!mit "ith im$atience to my assiduity.1 It is incum!ent on you to admonish them !y your

$arental authority to !e more amia!le hencefor"ard in their !ehaviour and so s"eeten to me the !itterness of their $ast offence. are"ell.

#.

To his friend yagrius

8=o indication of date9

[1] TH(G;H you descend in the male line from an ancestor "ho "as not only consul****that is immaterial****!utalso 8and here is the real $oint9 a $oet from one "hose literary achievement "ould certainly have gained him thehonour of a statue had it not !een secured for him already !y his official honours****"itness the finished verse thathe has left us+ and though on this side of his activity his descendants have $roved themselves no "ise degenerate yethere "e find you $icing u$ a no"ledge of the ;erman tongue "ith the greatest of ease+ the feat fills me "ithindescri!a!le ama?ement.

['] I can recall the thoroughness of your education 64 in li!eral studies+ I no" "ith "hat a fervid elo<uence youused to declaim !efore the rhetor. With such a training ho" have you so <uicly mastered the accent of a foreigns$eech that after having your Birgil caned into you and a!sor!ing into your very system the o$ulent and flo"ingstyle of the varicose orator of Ar$inum1 you soar out lie a young falcon from the ancient eyrie '5

[2] :ou can hardly conceive ho" amused "e all are to hear that "hen you are !y not a !ar!arian !ut fears to $er$etrate a !ar!arism in his o"n language. (ld ;ermans !o"ed "ith age are said to stand astounded "hen they seeyou inter$reting their ;erman letters+ they actually choose you for ar!iter and mediator in their dis$utes. :ou are ane" %olon in the elucidation of 3urgundian la"+ lie a ne" Am$hion you attune a ne" lyre an instrument of !utthree strings. :ou are $o$ular on all sides+ you are sought after+ your society gives universal $leasure. :ou arechosen as adviser and 0udge+ as soon as you utter a decision it is received "ith res$ect. In !ody and mind alie these

$eo$le are as stiff as stocs and very hard to form+ yet they delight to find in you and e<ually delight to learn a3urgundian elo<uence and a Foman s$irit.

[4] et me end "ith a single caution to the cleverest of men. Do not allo" these talents of yours to $revent you fromdevoting "hatever time you can s$are to reading. et your critical taste determine you to $reserve a !alance !et"een

the t"o languages holding fast to the one to $revent us maing fun of you and $ractising the other that you mayhave the laugh of us. are"ell. 6

#!.

To [his 0insman] A&ollinarisA.D. 474*



[1] As soon as summer !egan to yield to autumn and the fears of my Arvernians "ere in some degree moderated !ythe a$$roach of "inter I "as a!le to mae a 0ourney to Bienne. There I found in great tri!ulation your !rotherThaumastus "ho alie !y virtue of his age and his descent ins$ires me "ith feelings of affection and res$ect.Afflicted already !y the recent loss of his "ife he "as no less trou!led on your account fearing that the gang of

!ar!arians and officers a!out the court might trum$ u$ some malicious charge against you.1

['] According to his re$ort venomous tongues have !een secretly at "or "his$ering in the ear of the ever*victorious )hil$eric our Jaster of the %oldiery' that your machinations are chiefly res$onsi!le for the attem$t to"in the to"n of Baison for the ne" >m$eror.2 If you are e$osed to any sus$icion on this score inform me at once

!y return that "e may not lose any $ossi!le advantage "hich might accrue from my $resence or the eertion of myinterest. If in your o$inion a real danger eists I shall mae it my s$ecial !usiness either !y conciliating the royalfavour to ensure your safety or !y discovering the etent of the ing/s anger to mae you see the need for greatercaution in future. are"ell. 6@

#!!.

To his [0insman] ThaumastusA.D. 474*

[1] AT last "e have discovered "ho the villains are "ho have accused your !rother !efore our tetrarch for siding"ith the $artisans of the ne" >m$eror****unless indeed the stealthy ste$s of the informers have deceived the $rovedsagacity of our friends. They are the "retches as you yourself have heard me say u$on the s$ot "hom ;aul endures"ith groans these many years and "ho mae the !ar!arians themselves seem merciful !y com$arison. They are thescoundrels "hom even the formida!le fear. These are the men "hose $eculiar $rovince it seems to !e to calumniateto denounce to intimidate and to $lunder.

['] These are they "ho in <uiet times mae $arade of their affairs in $eace of their am$le s$oils in "ar of theirevasions over their cu$s of their victories. These are the creatures "ho "ill s$in out a case if they are called in and

!loc its $rogress if they are e$t out+ "ho gro" offensive if reminded of their duty and if they once $ocet yourfee forget their o!ligation. These are the fello"s "ho !uy themselves a la"suit to sell their mediation+ "ho controlthe a$$ointment of ar!itrators dictate their sentence and tear it u$ "henever it suits them to do so+ "ho incitelitigants to sue and hold the hearing in sus$ense+ "ho hale off the convicted and force !ac into the court those

"ho "ould fain esca$e !y settlement. These are the men "ho ased a favour o$$osed !y none "ill $romise 67 "ithreluctance "hat shame for!ids them to refuse and moan if they have to ee$ their "ord.

[2] These are they at "hose a$$earance the "orld/s great scoundrels "ould confess themselves sur$assed =arcissusAsiaticus Jassa Jarcellus )arus &arthenius icinus &allas and all their $eers.1 These are they "ho grudge <uietfols their $eace the soldier his $ay the courier his fare the merchant his maret the am!assador his gifts thefarmer of tolls his dues the $rovincial his farm the munici$ality its flamen/s dignity the controllers of revenue their"eights the receivers their measures the registrars their salary the accountants their fees the !odyguards their

$resents' to"ns their truces tagatherers their taes the clergy the res$ect men $ay them the no!les their lineagesu$eriors their seats in council e<uals e<uality the official his 0urisdiction the e*official his distinctions scholarstheir schools masters their sti$ends and finished $u$ils their accom$lishments.

[4] These are the u$starts drunen "ith ne" "ealth 4 8I s$are you no sordid detail9 "ho !y their intem$erate use

!etray their unfamiliarity "ith riches. They lie to march under arms to a !an<uet they "ill attend a funeral in"hite and "ear mourning at a marriage festival+ they go to church in furs 2 and hear a litany in !eaver. =o race ofmen no ran no e$och is ever to their liing. In the maret they !ehave lie %cyths+ in the cham!er they are vi$ersat feasts !uffoons. While they are har$ies in eaction in conversation you might as "ell tal to statues or address a<uestion to !rute !easts. In negotiation slo" as snails they are shar$ as money*lenders at a contract. Incom$rehension 6 they are stones in 0udgement stocs+ s"ift as flame in anger hard as iron in forgiveness $ards infriendshi$ !ears in humour foes in deceit over!earing as !ulls fierce as Jinotaurs in destruction.



[] They !elieve in the unsettlement of affairs+ the more trou!led the time the firmer their faith in its advantage.)o"ardice and a !ad conscience destroy their nerves+ they are lions in the $alace and hares in cam$+ they dreadtreaties for fear of having to disgorge and "ar for fear of having to fight. et them !ut scent from afar a rusty $urseand you "ill see them fi on it the eyes of Argus 3riareus/ hands the %$hin/s cla"s+ they "ill !ring into $lay the

$er0uries of aomedon the su!tleties of Glysses %inon/s "iles+ they "ill stic to it "ith the staunchness of&olymestor and the loyalty of a &ygmalion.

[@] %uch are the morals "ith "hich they ho$e to crush a man !oth $o"erful and good. And "hat can one man doencom$assed on every side !y slanderers "hose venomous li$s distort each "ord he says5 What should he do "hennature meant him for honest com$any !ut fortune cast him among thieves "hose evil communications "ould mae&halaris more !loodthirsty Jidas more covetous Ancus vainer Tar<uin haughtier Ti!erius craftier ;aius moredangerous )laudius more slothful =ero more corru$t ;al!a more avaricious (tho more recless Bitellius more

$rodigal Domitian more ferocious5

[7] 3ut "e have one consolation in our trou!le+ fair Tana<uil restrains our ucumon#1 she "aits her chance and ridshis ears !y a fe" coaing "ords of all the $oison "ith "hich the "his$erers have filled them. 6C :ou ought to no"that "e o"e it to her interest if u$ till no" the mind of our common $atron has not !een $oisoned against our

!rothers !y these younger )i!yrates1+ ;od "illing it never "ill !e "hile the $resent $o"er holds yons for the;erman race and our $resent Agri$$ina eerts her moderating influence on her ;ermanicus'. are"ell.

#!!!.

To his friend ecundinusc. A.D. 477

[1] WHAT a long time it is since "e used to read your masterly heameters "ith outs$oen admirationK :our verse"as e<ually full of life "hether you "ere cele!rating a "edding or the fall of great !easts !efore the $ro"ess ofings. 3ut even you yourself "ould admit that you have never done anything !etter than your last $oem in tri$letrochaics constructed in hendecasylla!ic metre. ['] What fine malice I found in it+ "hat style "hat $ungentelo<uenceK it "as im$ossi!le for me to ee$ my enthusiasm to myself. As for your su!0ects you "ere fearless+ onlythe necessity for res$ecting $ersons seemed to chec some"hat the lightning of your genius and the free course ofyour irony. I thin the )onsul A!la!ius2 never thrust more !rilliantly at the family life of )onstantine "ith a cou$let

or gave more stinging $oint to the famous distich secretly a$$ended to the $alace gates#

/Who "ants !ac %aturn and his golden age5We have the diamond age****=eronian./ 6@

:ou remem!er that "hen this "as "ritten )onstantine had done to death his consort austa 1 in a hot !ath and hisson )ris$us "ith cold $oison. [2] I "ould not have you deterred !y anything from your !old and vivid use of satire.:ou "ill find the flourishing vices of our tyrant*ridden citi?ens ' a rich mine to e$loit. or the fol "hom "e setdo"n as fortunate according to the lights of our age or our locality com$ort themselves "ith such an arrogance thatthe future "ill not readily forget their names. The infamy of vice and the $raise of virtue are !oth alie eternal.are"ell.

!$.

To his friend A4uilinusc. A.D. 477

[1] I I=D it certainly to my advantage friend ca$a!le of every virtue and I trust you "ill feel the same that "eshould have as many ties to !ind us as "e have reasons for !eing united. %uch ties are hereditary in our families+ Ido !ut recall the e$erience of the $ast. et me summon as my "itnesses our grandfathers Fusticus and A$ollinaris2

"hom lie fortunes and aversions united in a no!le friendshi$. They had a similar taste in letters their characters"ere alie+ they had en0oyed similar dignities and undergone the same dangers. They "ere e<ually agreed in



detesting the inconstancy of )onstantine the irresolution of ,ovinus the $erfidy of ;erontius+ !oth singling out thefault $ro$er to each $erson and !oth finding in Dardanus the sum of all eisting vices.4 6@1

['] If "e come do"n to the years !et"een their time and our o"n "e find our fathers !rought u$ together from their tender youth until they came to manhood. In Honorius/ reign1 as tri!unes and secretaries they served a!roadtogether in such close comradeshi$ that among all the grounds of their agreement the fact that their o"n fathers had

!een friends a$$eared to !e the least. Gnder Balentinian one of the t"o ruled all ;aul the other only a region of it+even so they managed to !alance their dignities "ith a fraternal e<uili!rium+ the one "ho held the lo"er ran hadseniority in office. [2] And no" the old tradition comes do"n to us grandsons "hose dearest care it should !e to

$revent the affection of our $arents and our forefathers from suffering any diminution in our $ersons. 3ut there areties of all inds over and a!ove that of this hereditary friendshi$ "hich needs must !ring us close together+ "e arelined !y e<uality of years no less than !y identity of !irth$lace+ "e $layed and learned together shared the samedisci$line and relaation and "ere trained !y the same rule. [4] %o then for "hat remains of life no" that our yearstouch u$on the threshold of age let us under the $rovidence of ;od !e t"o $ersons "ith !ut a single mind+ and letus instil into our sons the same mutual regard# let us see that the o!0ects "hich they desire and refuse $ursue orshun are the same. It "ould indeed cro"n our vo"s if the !oys "ho !ear the honoured names of Fusticus andA$ollinaris rene"ed "ithin their !reasts the hearts of those illustrious ancestors. are"ell. 6@'

$.

To his friend a&audus8=o indication of date9

[1] AJ(=; all the virtues of the illustrious &ragmatius I $lace this first that his enthusiasm for letters ins$ires him"ith an ardent admiration for you. He finds in you the last traces of the anti<ue industry and accom$lishment+ and itis only right that he should sho" you favour since fe" men o"e a greater de!t to literature than he. ['] When he"as a young man his $ersuasive elo<uence "on such a$$lause in the schools of rhetoric that &riscus Balerianushimself re$uted for his oratorical sill made him his son*in*la" and ado$ted him into his $atrician family. 3esideshis youth his !irth and means &ragmatius had good loos and an engaging modesty "hich enlisted $eo$le/ssym$athy. >ven at that age he "as of a serious dis$osition and felt the shame of maing his "ay !y a handsome face"hen he "ould have !een !etter content to attract !y his <ualities of mind and character. And indeed a !eautifulnature is the !est ey to men/s hearts+ !odily charm is transient+ as years advance and life "anes it falls a"ay. When

&riscus Balerianus "as made &refect of the ;auls his o$inion of his ado$ted son remained unaltered indeed heclung to it "ith $ertinacity. He associated him "ith himself in council*cham!er and court resolved that theaccom$lishments "hich had !een admitted to share his family life should also share in the enhancement of hisdignity. [2] :our o"n style is so admira!le and lucid that far from sur$assing it the great orators "ith all their<ualities can 6@2 hardly attain its level****not the logical &alaemon the austere ;allic the o$ulent Del$hidius themethodical Agroecius the virile Alcimus the charming Adel$hius the rigid Jagnus the agreea!le Bictorius.1 It isfar from my desire to ca0ole or flatter you "ith this hy$er!olic list of rhetors !ut in my o$inion only Ouintilian inhis force and his intensity or &alladius "ith his s$lendid manner can fairly !e com$ared "ith you+ and even thatcom$arison I should not urge****I should merely yield it ac<uiescence. [4] If after you there shall !e any other ade$tof Foman elo<uence he "ill !e dee$ly grateful to that friendshi$ "ith Balerianus and if he is half a man "ill longto !e admitted as a third to your society. %uch a "ish could never $rove a source of annoyance to you since there areno" alasK so fe" "ho have any res$ect for $olite studies. And it is a defect rooted and fied in human nature tothin little of the artist "hen you no" nothing of the art. are"ell.

$!.

To his friend otentinus

c. A. D. 4@7

[1] I AJ your devoted friend and my devotion "as !orn neither of ca$rice nor error. 3efore I lined myself to youin close friendshi$ I $ondered "ell+ it is my ha!it to choose first and give my heart after"ards. /3ut "hat on earth /you "ill say /did you see to lie in me5/ ['] I "ill ans"er gladly and in t"o "ords# gladly for you are my friend+



!riefly !ecause my s$ace is small. What I res$ect in your career is this+ you 6@4 do so many things that everyreasona!le man "ould lie to imitate. :ou cultivate your estates as an e$ert+ you !uild "ith the utmost method youare an unerring hunter your hos$itality is $erfection your "it is of the first order your 0udgements are a!solutelyfair+ you are sincere in $ersuasion very slo" to "rath very <uicly a$$eased very loyal after reconciliation. [2] Ishall re0oice if "hen he gro"s u$ my young A$ollinaris co$ies these several <ualities+ it shall not !e for "ant ofurging on my $art if he fails. et )hrist !ut grant me success in my $lans for his training and instruction and it "illnot !e my least satisfaction to have !orro"ed from your character the chief ensam$le of life "hich I set !efore him.are"ell.

$!!.

To his friend CalminiusA. D. 474

[1] It is no foolish $ride of mine !ut this alien dominance "hich maes my letters so fe" and far !et"een+ do note$ect me to s$ea out+ your o"n fears similar to mine e$lain the need for silence. (ne thing ho"ever I mayfreely lament that sundered as "e are !y this "hirl"ind of "arring forces "e have $ractically no chance of meetingone another. AlasK your harassed country never sees you ece$t "hen the alien/s formida!le command !ids you hideyourself in armour "hile "e on our side are covered !y our ram$arts. At such time you are led against your native

land an un"illing ca$tive1

to em$ty your <uiver against 6@ us "hile your eyes fill "ith tears. We !ear you no ill"ill+ "e no" that your $rayers are other"ise directed than your missiles. ['] 3ut as from time to time "ithoutratification of any treaty some sem!lance of a truce o$ens for us a casement on our darness !right "ith ho$e ofli!eration I entreat you to let us hear from you as often as you can+ for !e sure that our !esieged citi?ens $reservethe indliest thoughts of you and manage to forget the hateful $art you $lay as their !esieger. are"ell.

$!!!.

To his friend annychius EA. D. 4@C

[1] HAB> you heard that %eronatus 1 is coming !ac from Toulouse5 If you have not 8and I hardly thin you have9learn it from these $resents. >vanthius is hurrying to )lausetia maing $assa!le the $arts of the road in the

contractor/s hands and clearing it "herever it is choed "ith fallen leaves. When he finds any $art of the surface fullof holes he rushes in a $anic "ith s$adefuls of soil and fills them "ith his o"n hands+ his !usiness is to conduct hismonster from the valley of the Tarn lie the $ilot*fish ' that leads the !uly "hale through shoals and rocy "aters.['] 3ut loK the monster s"ift to "rath and slo" to move !y reason of his !ul no sooner a$$ears lie a dragonuncoiling from his cave than he maes immediate descent u$on the $allid fol of ,avols "hose chees are $ale "ithfear. They had 6@@ scattered on all sides a!andoning their to"nshi$s+ and no" he drains them dry !y ne" andun$aralleled im$osts or taes them in the mesh of calumny+ even "hen they have $aid their annual tri!ute morethan once he refuses to let these unha$$y victims return to their homes. [2] The sure sign of his im$ending arrival inany district is the a$$earance of $risoners in troo$s dragging their chains along. The anguish of these men is 0oy tohim+ their hunger is his food+ and he finds his $eculiar $leasure in su!0ecting them to ignominy !efore theirsentence. He com$els the men to gro" long hair and off cuts the hair of the "omen. If here and there a $risonerreceives a $ardon it is through his vanity or his corru$tion and never through his mercy. =ot even the $rince oforators or the $rince of $oets could descri!e so dire a creature# Jarcus of Ar$inum and &u!lius of Jantua "ould !e

im$otent alie. This $est 8"hose treasons ;od confoundK9 is said to !e no" on his "ay+ antici$ate his onset !ysalutary $recautions+ if there is tal of suits com$ound "ith the litigious enemy+ $rovide yourself "ith guaranteesagainst ne" im$osts and $revent this "orst of men from com$romising the affairs of "orthy $eo$le !y his favour or ruining them !y his enmity. I "ill sum u$ in these "ords my o$inion of %eronatus# others fear some crushing !lo" atthe !rigand/s hands+ to me his very !enefits are sus$icious. are"ell. 6@7

E Translated !y Hodgin ii. 22+ and ertig i. $. '.

$!#.



To his friend A&er

A.D. 47'*2

[1] AF> you taing your ease in your sunny 3aiae1 "here the sul$hurous "ater rushes from hollo"s of the $orousroc and the !aths are so !eneficial to those "ho suffer either in the lungs or liver5 (r are you /cam$ed among themountain castles/' looing for a $lace of refuge and $erha$s em!arrassed !y the num!er of strongholds you find to

choose from5 Whatever the cause of your delay "hether you are maing holiday or going a!out your !usiness Ifeel sure that the thought of the forthcoming Fogations 2 "ill !ring you !ac to to"n. ['] It "as Jamertus our father in ;od and !isho$ "ho first designed arranged and introduced the ceremonial of these $rayers setting a $recedent"e should all revere and maing an e$eriment "hich has $roved of the utmost value. We had $u!lic $rayers of asort !efore !ut 8!e it said "ithout offence to the faithful9 they "ere lue"arm irregular $erfunctory and theirfervour "as destroyed !y fre<uent interru$tion for refreshment+ and as they "ere chiefly for rain or for fine "eatherto say the least of it the $otter and the maret*gardener could never decently attend togetherK 4 [2] 3ut in theFogations "hich our holy father has instituted and conferred u$on us "e fast "e $ray "ith tears "e chant the

$salms. To such a feast "here $enitential sighs are heard from all the congregation "here heads are hum!ly !o"edand forms fall $rostrate I invite you+ and if I rightly gauge your s$irit you "ill only 6@ res$ond the <uicer !ecauseyou are called in $lace of !an<uets to a festival of tears. are"ell.

$#.

To his friend $uricius8=o indication of date9

[1] TH> usual salutations over I at once urge u$on your notice the claims of our !ooseller !ecause I have madediscriminating and un!iased trial of the man $roving him to my com$lete satisfaction at once loyal in sentiment andalert in service to our common master****yourself. He !rings in $erson the manuscri$t of the He$tateuch all "rittenout !y his o"n hand "ith the utmost neatness and ra$idity though I read it through myself and made corrections.He also !rings a volume of the &ro$hets+ this "as edited !y him in my a!sence and "ith his o"n hand $urged ofcorru$t additions.1 The scholar "ho had $romised him assistance in reading out from another tet "as only a!le to

$erform his tas in $art+ I fancy illness $revented him from carrying out his undertaing. ['] It remains for you !yencouragement or $romise of your influence to sho" a$$ro$riate recognition of a servant "ho has done his !est tosatisfy and deserves to succeed+ and if this is in $ro$ortion to his arduous tas he "ill soon !egin to loo for his

re"ard. All that I as for the moment is your !enevolence to"ards him+ it is for you to decide "hat he deservesthough indeed I thin the good o$inion of his master is far nearer to his heart than any recom$ense. are"ell. 6@C

$#!.

To [his wife] a&ianilla*A. D. 474

[1] TH> moment the Ouaestor icinianus coming from Favenna had crossed the Al$s and set foot on ;aulish soilhe sent a message in advance to mae it no"n that he "as !earer of im$erial letters $atent conferring the title of&atrician on >cdicius.1 I no" that your !rother/s honours delight you no less than my o"n+ considering his years hehas attained this one very early+ considering his deserts very late. or he earned the dignity he is no" to receivelong ago !y service in the field and not !y $urchase+ and though only a $rivate citi?en $oured into the treasury no

mere contri!ution !ut sums lie s$oils of "ar. ['] ,ulius =e$os true >m$eror in character no less than $ro"ess hasdone no!ly in ee$ing the $ledged "ord of his $redecessor Anthemius that the la!ours of your !rother should !erecogni?ed+ his action is all the more lauda!le for the $rom$titude "ith "hich he has fulfilled a $romise reiterated sooften !y another. In future the !est men in the %tate "ill feel a!le nay rather "ill feel !ound to s$end their strength"ith the utmost ardour for the common"eal assured that even should the $rince "ho $romised die the >m$ire itself "ill !e res$onsi!le and $ay the de!t due to their devotion and self*sacrifice. [2] Lno"ing your affectionate 67 nature I am convinced that even in the very midst of our adversities this ne"s "ill !ring great consolation and thatnot even the imminent dread of siege "ill divert your mind from the $ath of a 0oy common to us all. or I am sureyou "ere never <uite so gratified !y any of my o"n honours in "hich you legally shared+ good "ife as you have



al"ays !een you are the !est sister that man ever had. That is "hy I have not lost an instant in sending my letter ofcongratulation on this enhancement of dignity "hich )hrist has $ermitted to your family. I satisfy alie yoursolicitude and your !rother/s modesty. He "ill !e sure to say nothing of this $romotion+ !ut even if you did not no"his unassuming nature you "ould not !lame him for lac of !rotherly feeling. [4] As far as I am concerned I derivegreat satisfaction from these ne" distinctions "hich you have a"aited "ith unconcealed im$atience+ !ut I derive agreater yet from the !rotherly union "hich eists !et"een >cdicius and myself. It is my ardent "ish that ourchildren and his may live in e<ual harmony+ and I $ray in our common name that 0ust as "e of this generation "ere

!orn into $refectorian families and have !een ena!led !y divine favour to elevate them to $atrician ran so they intheir turn may ealt the $atrician to the consular dignity. [] ittle Foscia our 0oint care1 sends you her love+ she hasthe rare advantage of !eing !rought u$ !y her grandmother and her aunts "ho tem$er their great indulgence "ithstrictness forming her character yet not asing too much of her tender years. are"ell. 671

E Translated !y Hodgin ii. 24@*.

$#!!.

To his friend %ri&hius EA. D. 4@1*7

[1] :ou are the same man still my dear >ri$hius+ the $leasures of the chase the amenities of to"n or country arenever allo"ed to lure you so far that in your hour the charm of letters "ill not "in you !ac. That devotion it is"hich !ids you tolerate even me "hom you are good enough to descri!e as redolent of the Juses. If you "ere in afrivolous mood "hen you "rote so you 0est at my e$ense+ if in so!er earnest your regard for me has !linded youreyes for it needs no demonstration to $rove your 0udgement at fault. Feally you go much too far "hen you use ofme e$ressions hardly a$$ro$riate to a Homer or a Birgil. ['] I leave these indly eaggerations and $ass to the

$ro$er su!0ect of my letter. :ou !id me send you the verses "hich I "as "ea enough to com$ose at the re<uest ofyour most distinguished father*in*la" "ho understands the art of so living "ith his fello"s as to command or o!ey"ith e<ual ease. 3lame yourself if "ords run a"ay "ith me and I relate an insignificant event at greater length thanit deserves+ you insist on a $icture of the scene and all that occurred since your illness $revented you from !eing"ith us. [2] We had assem!led at the tom! of %. ,ustus 1+ the annual $rocession !efore daylight "as over attended !ya vast cro"d of !oth sees "hich even that great church 67' could not hold "ith all its cincture of galleries. AfterBigils "ere ended chanted alternately !y the mons and clerics the congregation se$arated+ "e could not go far off

as "e had to !e at hand for the net service at Tierce "hen the $riests "ere to cele!rate the Jass. [4] We felto$$ressed !y the cro"ding in a confined s$ace and !y the great num!er of lights "hich had !een !rought in. It "asstill almost summer and the night "as so sultry that it suffocated us im$risoned as "e "ere in that steamingatmos$here+ only the first freshness of the autumn da"n !rought some "elcome relief. ;rou$s of the differentclasses dis$ersed in various directions the $rinci$al citi?ens assem!ling at the monument of %yagrius "hich ishardly a !o"shot from the church. %ome of us sat do"n under an old vine the stems of "hich "ere trained trellis*"ise and covered "ith leaves and droo$ing fronds+ others sat on the grass odorous "ith the scent of flo"ers. [] Thetal "as enlivened "ith amusing 0ests and $leasantries+ a!ove all 8and "hat a !lessed thing it "asK9 there "as not a"ord a!out officials or taes not an informer among us to !etray not a sylla!le "orth !etrayal. >very one "as freeto tell any story "orth relating and of a $ro$er tenor+ it "as a most a$$reciative audience+ the vein of gaiety "as notallo"ed to s$oil the distinct relation of each tale. After a time "e felt a certain slacness through ee$ing still solong and "e voted for some more active amusement. [@] We soon s$lit into t"o grou$s according to our ages# oneshouted for the !all the other for the !oard*game !oth of "hich "ere to !e had. I "as the leader of the !all*$layers+you no" that !oo and !all are my t"in com$anions. In the other 672 grou$ the chief figure "as our !rotherDomnicius that most engaging and attractive of men# there he "as rattling some dice "hich he had got hold of asif he sounded a trum$et*call to $lay. The rest of us had a great game "ith a $arty of students doing our !est at thehealthful eercise "ith lim!s "hich sedentary occu$ations made much too stiff for running. [7] And no" theillustrious ilimatius sturdily flung himself into the s<uadrons of the $layers lie Birgil/s hero /daring to set his handto the tas of youth/ 1+ he had !een a s$lendid $layer himself in his younger years. 3ut over and over again he "asforced from his $osition among the stationary $layers !y the shoc of some runner from the middle and driven intothe midfield "here the !all fle" $ast him or "as thro"n over his head+ and he failed to interce$t or $arry it.' Jorethan once he fell $rone and had to $ic himself u$ from such colla$ses as !est he could+ naturally he "as the first to"ithdra" from the stress of the game in a state of internal inflammation out of !reath from eercise and suffering



shar$ $ains in the side from the s"ollen fi!res of his liver. [] Thereu$on I left off too. It "as done from delicacy+ ifI sto$$ed at the same time my !rother "ould !e s$ared a feeling of mortification at !eing so soon ehausted. Well"hile "e "ere sitting do"n he found himself in such a $ers$iration that he called for "ater to !athe his face. They

!rought it "ith a shaggy to"el "hich had !een "ashed after yesterday/s use and had !een s"inging on a line"ored !y a $ulley near the doors of the $orter/s lodge. [C] As ilimatius "as leisurely drying his chees he said# /I"ish you "ould dictate a $air 674 of cou$lets in honour of a cloth "hich has done me such a no!le turn./ /Bery "ell/ Ire$lied. /3ut you must get my name in/ he re0oined. I said that there "ould !e no difficulty in that. /Dictate a"aythen./ I smiled+ /I "ould have you no"/ I said /that the Juses are u$set if I fre<uent their com$any !efore"itnesses./ At this he !urst out in his e$losive !ut delightful "ay 8you no" his ardent nature and "hat aninehausti!le flo" of "it he has9# /3e"are my lord %olliusK A$ollo may !e still more u$set if you tem$t his $u$ils tosecret intervie"s all alone./ :ou can imagine the a$$lause aroused !y a retort as neat as it "as instantaneous. [1] I"asted no more time !ut called u$ his secretary "ho "as at hand "ith his ta!lets and dictated the follo"inge$igram#

/At da"n or "hen the seething !ath invites or "hen the hot chase !eads the !ro" may goodly ilimatius "ith thiscloth cherish his face till all the $ers$iration flo"s into the thirsty fleece./

(ur good friend >$i$hanius the secretary had hardly taen do"n the lines "hen they came to tell us that our time"as u$ and that the !isho$ "as leaving his retreat+ "e therefore rose to go. [11] :ou must not !e too critical of

verses "ritten thus to order. It is another matter "ith the longer $oem "hich some time ago you t"o ased me to"rite in a hy$er!olical and figured style on the man "ho !ore good fortune ill.1 I shall send it off to*morro" for your $rivate revision. If you !oth a$$rove of it you can then $u!lish it under your aus$ices+ if you condemn you can tear it u$ and forgive me as !est you can. are"ell. 67

E The greater $art translated !y ;ui?ot "ist, de la ciilisation en France, ed. 14@ i. C*7+ and !y ertig &art ii $$. 2C*4.

$#!!!.

To his friend Attalus8=o indication of date9

[1] I WA% delighted to hear that you have consented to $reside over the destinies of Autun.1 I am glad for several

reasons+ first you are my friend+ second you are a 0ust man+ third you are not to !e trifled "ith+ fourth you "ill !e<uite near us. :ou "ill no" have not only the inclination to hel$ our $eo$le and further their affairs !ut the duty andthe $o"er of doing so. In my satisfaction at seeing an old ac<uaintance invested "ith ne" authority I am alreadylooing round for o!0ects on "hich you may eercise your !enevolence. or understand I feel so sure of it that if Ifail to find anything to as for I shall e$ect you to mae me a suggestion yourself. are"ell.

$!$.

To his friend udens

c. A. D. 47'

[1] TH> son of your nurse has elo$ed "ith the daughter of mine. It is a shameful action and one "hich "ould havedestroyed our friendly relations had I not learned at once that you ne" nothing of the man/s intention. 3ut thoughyou are thus ac<uitted in advance you yet do not scru$le to as that this crying offence should !e allo"ed to goun$unished. I can only agree on one condition# that you $romote the ravisher from his original servile state !ychanging your relation to him 67@ from that of master to that of $atron. ['] The "oman is already free+ !ut she "illonly !e regarded as a la"ful "ife instead of a mere concu!ine if our criminal "hose cause you es$ouse ceases to !eyour de$endant and !ecomes your client assuming the status of a freeman in $lace of that of a colonus.1 =othingshort of these terms or these amends "ill in the least condone the affront. I only yield to your re<uest and your

$rotestation of friendshi$ on condition that if as ravisher he is not to !e !ond to ,ustice i!erty shall mae him afree !ridegroom. are"ell.



$$.

To his friend astor

A. D. 4@1*7

[1] :(GF a!sence from yesterday/s !usiness of the Junici$al )ouncil ' is thought !y most to have !een intentional+

they sus$ect that you "ished to avoid the !urden of an em!assy "hich might !e laid u$on your shoulders. Icongratulate you on !eing so eligi!le a $erson as to live in constant fear of !eing elected. :our efficiency commandsmy a$$lause your $rudence my admiration your ha$$y fortune my congratulations+ ['] in fine I "ish no !etter lotthan yours to every friend I love as "ell. Jany men are $ossessed !y a detesta!le thirst for $o$ularity+ you see themtae the chief citi?ens !y the hand lead them aside from a meeting and em!race them in a corner $romising goodoffices for "hich no one ased+ you see them in the ho$e of nomination as $u!lic envoys refusing the usual 677

travelling*allo"ance1 and insisting on going at their o"n charges+ secretly canvassing every mem!er in turn so that"hen the council meets they may !e sure of a unanimous and $u!lic invitation. [2] The conse<uence is that though

$eo$le are $leased enough to !e served for nothing they find it in the long run $leasanter to choose a more modestre$resentative even at the cost of $aying all e$enses+ the self*assertion of the volunteer !ecomes too irsome eventhough his tenure of office thro"s no !urden on the to"n. %ince then the intentions of our !est citi?ens are no" nosecret to you ac<uiesce and meet their "ishes+ you have given $roof enough of modesty+ test the "arm feelings ofthose "ho invite you. :our failure to a$$ear "as $ut do"n to your discretion+ a re$etition of such conduct "ould

e$ose you to the charge of indifference. [4] Femem!er too that if you do go to Arles you "ill !e a!le to greetyour venera!le mother and your affectionate !rothers on the "ay+ you "ill greet the natal soil that returns love forlove and is dou!ly delightful "hen une$ectedly revisited. Then thin ho" convenient it "ill !e to see your agentand to get even a $assing glim$se of your o"n home your vines your olives your cornfields and the house itself.Though our envoy you "ill yet !e travelling for your o"n $leasure+ altogether this 0ourney on city !usiness shouldsuit you admira!ly and you "ill !e a!le to than the community for an ecellent chance of getting a sight of youro"n $eo$le. are"ell. 67

$$!.

To his friends acerdos and 5ustinus8=o indication of date9

:(GF uncle Bictorius "hose varied learning and eminence "e so revered al"ays "rote "ith $o"er es$ecially"hen he "rote verse. As you no" I too have !een the servant of the Juses from my youth u$. :ou are your uncle/sheirs no less in merit than in la". 3ut !y right of $oetry I am as much his in as you !y right of !lood+ "e ought allof us therefore to share in the succession according to our several affinities. %o ee$ the $ro$erty for yourselves

!ut hand the $oems over to me. are"ell.

BOO" #!

!.

To the Lord /isho& Lu&us*A. D. 47'

[1] 3>%%>D !e the Holy %$irit and ather of Almighty ;od that "e have you father of fathers !isho$ of !isho$sand the second ,ames of your age1 to loo do"n u$on every mem!er of the )hurch from the eminence of yourcharity as it "ere from another ,erusalem ealted high as the first+ you the consoler of all the fee!le the counsellorof all men "hose trust you so "ell deserve. And "hat ans"er can I mae to one thus venerated I "ho am as viledust foul "ith sin5 ['] %uffering dee$ need of your salutary converse yet standing in great a"e I am driven !y thememory of my guilty life to cry to you as once that great colleague of yours cried to the ord# /De$art from me+ forI am a sinful man ( ord./ ' 3ut if my dread is not tem$ered !y love I fear that I may !e a!andoned lie the;erasenes and that you may go forth from my !orders. Father for my greater $rofit "ill I see to !ind you "ith theconditional $rayer of that other le$er# /If thou "ilt thou canst mae me clean+/ 2 in "hich "ords he !oth declared his



need and $u!lished a!road his faith. [2] or though you are !eyond 6 all dou!t first of all !isho$s in the "ide"orld+ though even the throng of your colleagues su!mits to the $rerogative "hich you en0oy and trem!les at youradverse 0udgement+ though the hearts of the oldest among them are as the hearts of little children com$ared "ithyours+ though your hard vigils in the s$iritual "arfare at erins1 and the nine lustres $assed in your a$ostolic seehave made you a veteran honoured in the cam$s of the )hurch and the ca$tain of our vanguard "hom every soldieracclaims****yet you never hesitate to leave the first line a"hile and those "ho fight !efore it+ you do not des$isecam$*follo"er and servant !ut to the meanest of the !aggage*train "ho for their ignorant sim$licity still sit !esidethe loads of the flesh you carry the standard of the cross "hich you have !orne so long and to their stricen soulsetend the Word as it "ere a hand of rescue. [4] They say dear veteran leader that you gather to you even theenemy/s "ounded sounding the retreat from %in to )hrist after the manner of a consummate trum$eter and lie the%he$herd of the ;os$el feel more 0oy over those "ho a!andon the "ay of des$air than over those "ho have neverleft the $ath of safety. ( norm of all right conduct column of all virtues and 8if a sinful man may dare to $raise9fount of s"eetness truest !ecause most holy you did not shrin from touching "ith the finger of ehortation thesores of a most des$ica!le "orm+ you did not grudge the food of admonition to a soul frail and fasting or from thestore*house of your dee$ love refuse me the measure of the humility I am no" to $ursue. [] &ray for me that I mayno" at length ho" vast the !urden is that "eighs u$on my shoulders. Wretched man that I am !y the 61 continuance of my transgressions !rought to such a $ass that I must no" intercede for the sins of the $eo$le **** Ifor "hom their o"n su$$lications more innocent than mine should hardly o!tain the divine mercy. Ho" shall a sic man give others medicine5 Ho" shall one in a fever $resume to feel a $ulse that !eats more strongly than his o"n5What deserter has the right to sing the $raise of military science5 What lover of high living is fit to read a lecture to

the a!stemious5 :et I the un"orthiest of men must $reach "hat I cannot $ractise. )ondemned out of my o"nmouth "hen I do not fulfil my o"n in0unctions I must daily $ronounce sentence u$on myself. 3ut if lie a ne"Joses not less !ut of a later age you intercede !efore (ur ord "ith "hom you are daily crucified for all themultitude of my sins I shall not living descend further into hell nor longer inflamed !y the incentives of carnal sinlight alien flame on the altar of the ord. or one guilty as I there can !e no glory to "eigh do"n the scale+ ho"a!undantly shall I then re0oice if your $rayers avail to restore my in"ard man not indeed to $erfect health and itsre"ard !ut to the healing of the heart/s "ounds and $ardon. Deign to ee$ me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

E Translated !y )hai i. 44C+ and ;ermain $. 12 f.

!!.

To the Lord /isho& ragmatius

A. D. 47'

[1] TH> venera!le matron >utro$ia no"n to me as a "oman of the most eem$lary merit is in the greatesttrou!le. rugality and charity dis$ute her days+ her 6' fastings feed the $oor+ so "atchful is she in )hrist/s servicethat sin is all in her "hich she allo"s to slum!er. 3ut as if the sorro" of her "ido"hood "ere not enough she no"finds herself threatened "ith a la"suit. Her first instinct in her t"o*fold affliction is to o!tain the $erfect remedy ofyour consolation+ if you only see her she "ill !e e<ually grateful "hether you regard her coming as a short 0ourneyor as a lasting $roof of her res$ect. ['] =o" >utro$ia is !eing harassed !y the su!tleties to use no harsher "ord ofour venera!le !rother the $res!yter Agri$$inus. He is taing advantage of her "oman/s ine$erience andcontinually trou!ling the serene surface of her s$iritual nature !y "indy gusts of "orldliness. And all the "hile this

$oor "oman is !leeding from t"o fresh "ounds "hich time has added to the old dee$ "ound of "ido"hood+ for her son "as first taen from her and very soon after"ards her grandson also. [2] I did my !est to com$ose this matter+ afriendshi$ of long standing gave me an old claim to !e heard and my sacred calling a ne" one+ I let them no""hat I thought+ I used $ersuasion "here I could and entreaty at every turn. :ou may !e sur$rised to learn thatthroughout the "oman and not the man "as the first to acce$t suggestions for agreement. And though the father

!oasts that in his $aternal <uality he is in the !est $osition to serve his daughter/s interests the daughter herself $refers her mother*in*la"/s most generous $ro$osals.1 [4] The dis$ute only half a$$eased is no" to !e carried !efore you. &acify the adversaries !y your e$isco$al authority sho" their sus$icious souls the truth and !ring a!outa reconciliation. :ou 62 may tae my "ord for it that the holy >utro$ia "ill count it almost victory if even at the costof heavy sacrifices she can esca$e from litigation. Though t"o families are $arties to the <uarrel I fancy you "illsoon decide "hich of them deserves the name of <uarrelsome. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.



!!!.

To the Lord /isho& Leontius

A. D. 47'

[1] :ou have not yet seen fit to encourage my first ste$s in our sacred $rofession or to $our the rain of heavenly

doctrine on the drought of my "orldly ignorance+ !ut I do not so far forget myself as to e$ect an e<ui$oise in thecourtesies "hich "e render to each other. I am of small account+ you are easily a!ove me in years in seniority in the $recedence en0oyed !y your see1 in your "ide learning in the treasure of your righteousness+ if I e$ected you tonotice every letter I should deserve no notice at all. ['] I therefore mae no im$utation against your silence+ theselines merely introduce the !earer and give me the ecuse for sending them. If on this 0ourney he can only have theassurance of your $rom$t favour a !road har!our of safety "ill !e o$en to his affairs. His !usiness relates to a "ill.He does not no" the im$ortance of his o"n documents+ the o!0ect of his e$edition is to get the advice of silledcounsel. He "ill thin it the net !est thing to "inning his case if it is $roved to !e lost on its merits+ his one desireis to avoid the charge of negligence and of not sufficiently 64 $rotecting family interests. Jy re<uest on his !ehalfis sim$ly this that if the la"yers "ill not deign to give him $ro$er advice you should eert the authority of yoursacred office1 to etract it from them "ithout delay. Deign to ee$ me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

!#.

To the Lord /isho& Lu&us

c. A. D. 47'

[1] I F>=D>F you the o!servance al"ays due to the incom$ara!le eminence of your a$ostolic life still al"ays dueho"ever regularly $aid. 3ut I have a further o!0ect to commend to your notice a long*standing trou!le of the

!earers in "hose case I have recently !ecome interested. They have 0ourneyed a great distance into Auvergne at thisunfavoura!le season and the 0ourney has !een undertaen in vain. A female relative of theirs "as carried off duringa raid of the Bargi' as the local !andits are styled. They received trust"orthy information and follo"ing an old !utrelia!le clue discovered that some years ago she had !een !rought here !efore !eing removed else"here. ['] As amatter of fact the unfortunate "oman had !een sold in o$en maret !efore their arrival and is no" actually underthe roof and the control of my man of affairs. A certain &rudens rumoured to !e no" resident in Troyes had attestedthe contract for the vendors "hose names are unno"n to us+ his signature is to !e seen on the deed of $urchase as

that of a suita!le "itness of the transaction. 3y the fortunate fact of your $resence you 6 "ill !e a!le if you thinfit to see the $arties confronted and use your $ersonal influence to investigate the "hole course of the outrage. Igather from "hat the !earers say that the offence is aggravated !y the death of a man u$on the road as a se<uel tothe a!duction. [2] 3ut as the aggrieved $arties "ho "ish to !ring this scandalous affair to light are anious for theremedy of your 0udgement and for your neigh!ourly aid it seems to me that it "ould no less !ecome your characterthan your $osition to !ring a!out an e<uita!le arrangement thus affording the one side some comfort in afflictionand saving the other from an im$ending danger. %uch a <ualified decision "ould !e most !eneficial to all concerned+it "ould diminish the misery of one $arty and the guilt of the other "hile it "ould give !oth of them a greaterfeeling of security. (ther"ise in regions and times lie these of ours the last state of the dis$ute may "ell $rove no

!etter than the !eginning. Deign to ee$ me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

#.

To the Lord /isho& Theo&lastus8=o indication of date9

WH(>B>F !ears a letter of introduction from me to you unconsciously does my !usiness+ !y conveying my dutifulregards at the $ro$er moment he renders me a service at least as great as that "hich he considers himself to receive.This is the case "ith the venera!le Donidius "ho is deservedly to !e num!ered among the 6@ most admira!le ofmanind. I no" recommend to you his client and servants "ho have undertaen this 0ourney for the !enefit of their

$atron and master. &ray tae the "eary travellers under your $rotection+ do all you can to hel$ them !y your su$$ortyour hos$itality and your intercession. And if our good friend through ine$erience and unfamiliarity "ith $u!lic



affairs should in any matter !etray his inefficiency consider the cause of an a!sent man rather than the $ersonalityof his re$resentative. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

#!.

To the Lord /isho& %utro&ius

A. D. 47'

[1] As soon as I learned that the treaty*!reaing nation 1 had "ithdra"n "ithin its !orders and that travellers "ere inno further danger of insidious attac I held it a disgrace to delay the $resentation of my res$ects for fear yourfriendshi$ might gro" rusty from my neglect lie a s"ord "hich is not $ro$erly e$t !right. Jy sole o!0ect insending this letter is to satisfy my aniety as to your health and the success of your affairs+ it is my ho$e that neitherthe distance "hich divides us nor the long intervals !et"een our meetings may ever diminish the friendshi$ onceaccorded me+ it is the homes of men "hich the )reator confines "ithin narro" limits not their mutual affections. [']And no" I ho$e your 3eatitude "ill feed my starving ignorance "ith shar$ 67 and salutary discourse+ yourehortations have a "ay of causing mystic increase and s$iritual gro"th in the emaciated in"ard man. Deign to holdme in your remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

#!!.

To the Lord /isho& FonteiusA. D. 47'

[1] I a $revious friendshi$ !et"een the older mem!ers of t"o families hel$s the younger in their turn to no" eachother !etter then indeed !y virtue of such $reeisting ties I en0oy a great advantage in no" seeing your ordshi$/smore intimate ac<uaintance. I "ell remem!er ho" $o"erful a $atron in )hrist you al"ays "ere to my family so thatI regard myself less as maing a ne" ac<uaintance than as rene"ing an old one. I "ill add that the title of !isho$im$osed on my etreme un"orthiness1 com$els me to see the covert of your intercession that the ga$ing "oundsof a seared conscience may at least !e closed !y your healing $rayers. ['] While therefore I commend to youmyself and those "ho are dear to me at the same time a$ologi?ing for not "riting sooner I im$lore you to sustainmy first ste$s as a novice in this office !y those availing su$$lications for "hich you are so "idely reno"ned. %oshall I o"e all to your mediation if the immuta!le mercy of ;od deign !ut to change the "icedness of this heart of

mine. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 6

#!!!.

To the Lord /isho& !raecusc. A. D. 47'

[1] TH> !earer of this is one "ho ees out a !are living !y commerce+ he gains no $rofit or other advantage fromany handicraft or em$loyment nor does he mae anything from the cultivation of land. He has come to !efavoura!ly no"n as an agent and trader+ !ut a good name is all he gets+ the $ecuniary advantage goes to others.Though his means are small the general confidence in him is so great that if he "ants to raise money for the

$urchase of a cargo $eo$le are confiding enough to trust him on no greater security than their e$erience of his

good faith. It is true that I only learned these facts "hile actually "riting these lines !ut that does not mae mehesitate to assert them "ith some assurance for the sources of the information are common ac<uaintances of his andmine. I recommend him to you then on the ground of his youth and the arduous life he has led. As his name is no"entered in the roll as Feader you "ill see that I have had to give him in addition to an ordinary introduction asciti?en a canonical letter 1 as a cler. I thin I am right in looing for"ard to his !rilliant success as a merchant if heis <uic to tae advantage of your $atronage+ !ut he must definitely $refer the fount of commerce to the icy s$ringsof a munici$al career.E Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 6C

E The $assage is corru$t.



!$.

To the Lord /isho& Lu&us

c. A. D. 47'

[1] TH> !earer ;allus made an honest man !y returning at once to his "ife as he "as !idden conveys my greeting

in this letter and !y doing so $roves the efficacy of your o"n. or "hen I o$ened your missive in his $resence he"as sei?ed "ith instant com$unction and sa" in it not so much a communication for me as a condemnation ofhimself. The result "as that he immediately $romised to go !ac made his $re$arations at once and "as off "ithoutdelay. At sight of so ra$id a re$entance I could not confine myself altogether to re!ue+ I gave him a fe" "ords ofconsolation for so s$ontaneous an amendment is the net !est thing to un!roen innocence. ['] A man "ith a

$erfect conscience could hardly have done more al"ays su$$osing him to ee$ "ithin the range of youradmonishment+ for even such "ords of gentle censure as I read out to him are in themselves a most $o"erfulincentive to reform. What indeed could !e more valua!le than a re$rimand aiding the sic mind to discover "ithinitself a remedy "hich the shar$ re$roach of others could never find5 [2] It remains for me to as a $lace in thosefre<uent $rayers !y "hich you so mightily trium$h over every ind of vice+ that as the Wise Jen of the ;os$elreturned to their o"n country !y a different "ay so !y a ne" "ay of life you may lead me home to the land of the

!lessed. I had almost forgotten to mention the $oint "hich I 6C could least have afforded to omit. )onvey my thansto the res$ected Innocentius for so $rom$tly o!eying your in0unctions. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord

3isho$.

$.

To the Lord /isho& Censorius*

A.D. 472

TH> !earer is one $rivileged to hold the ran of deacon. lying "ith his family from the "hirl"ind of the ;othicdevastations he "as carried as it "ere !y the sheer momentum of his flight into your territory. Immigrant anddestitute as he "as he hurriedly so"ed a half*tilled $lot on )hurch lands in your holiness/s diocese and no" !egs

$ermission to tae the "hole harvest for himself. The $oor fello" is a stranger "hose means are as narro" as hisoutloo+ !ut if you treat him "ith the indulgence often granted to the hum!ler among the faithful that is if youremit him the gle!e dues1 he "ill thin he has done as "ell as if he "ere yet at "or u$on his native soil. If only you

sho" him the li!erality usually accorded to the faithful and a!andon your strictly la"ful claim on his most eiguouscro$ he "ill !e full of gratitude and set off home royally furnished for the road. %hould you tae the o$$ortunity ofhis return to send me one of your usual gracious letters all the !rethren and I myself "ill regard it almost as a letter fallen from heaven. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 6C1

E Translated !y Hodgin ii. 271.

$!.

To the Lord /isho& %leutheriusc. A.D. 47'

[1] I H>F>WITH commend a ,e" 1 to you not !ecause I a$$rove a sect $ernicious to those involved in its toils !ut !ecause "e ought to regard none of that creed as "holly lost so long as life remains to them. or "hile there is any $ossi!ility of converting them there is al"ays a ho$e of their redem$tion. ['] The nature of his !usiness "ill !e !este$lained !y himself "hen admitted to your $resence+ for it "ould !e im$rudent to allo" discursive tal to eceedthe !revity $ro$er to a letter. In the transactions and the dis$utes of this $resent "orld a ,e" has often as good acause as any one+ ho"ever much you may attac his heresy you can fairly defend him as a man. Deign to hold us inremem!rance my ord 3isho$.

$!!.



To the Lord /isho& atiens*

A.D. 474

[1] (=> man deems ha$$iness to consist in one thing a second in another+' my o"n !elief is that he lives most tohis o"n advantage "ho lives for others and does heaven/s "or on earth !y $itying the $overty and misfortune ofthe faithful. :ou may "onder at "hat I aim in these remars. At yourself most !lessed father for my sentiments

refer es$ecially to you 6C' "ho are not content to succour only the distress "hich lies "ithin your cogni?ance !ut $ush your in<uiries to the very frontiers of ;aul and "ithout res$ect of $ersons consider each case of "ant u$on itsmerits. ['] Does $overty or infirmity $revent a man from maing his "ay to you in $erson5 He loses nothing+ yourfree hand antici$ates the needs of those "hose feet are una!le to !ring them to you. :our "atchful eye ranges overother $rovinces than your o"n+ the s$reading tide of your !enevolence !ears consolation to the straitened ho"everfar a"ay. And so it ha$$ens that you often "i$e tears from eyes "hich you have never seen !ecause the reserve ofthe a!sent touches you no less than the $laints of those near at hand. [2] I say nothing of your daily la!our to relievethe need of your im$overished fello" countrymen of your unceasing vigils your $rayers your charity. I $ass overthe tact "ith "hich you com!ine the hos$ita!le and the ascetic virtues so that the ing1 is never tired of $raisingyour !reafasts and the <ueen your fasts. I omit your em!ellishment of the church committed to your care until thes$ectator hardly no"s "hich to admire most the ne" fa!ric "hich you erect or the old "hich you restore. [4] I donot mention the churches that rise in so many districts under your aus$ices or the rich additions to their ornaments. Idismiss the fact that under your administration the faithful are increased and multi$lied "hile heretics alonediminish. I shall not tell ho" your a$ostolic chase for souls involves the "ild &hotinians' in the s$iritual mesh ofhomily+ or ho" !ar!arians once converted !y your elo<uence $ursue your trac until lie a thrice*fortunate fisher of men you 6C2 dra" them u$ at last out of the $rofound gulfs of error. [] It may !e true that some of these good deedsare not $eculiar to you and are shared !y colleagues+ !ut there is one "hich is yours as la"yers say as a firstcharge and "hich even your modesty cannot deny+ it is this that "hen the ;othic ravages "ere over and the cro$s"ere all destroyed !y fire you distri!uted corn to the destitute throughout all the ruined land of ;aul at your o"ne$ense though it "ould have !een relief enough to our starving $eo$les if the grain had come to them not as a freegift !ut !y the usual $aths of commerce. We sa" the roads encum!ered "ith your grain*carts. Along the %aMne andFhone "e sa" more than one granary "hich you had entirely filled. [@] The legends of the heathen are ecli$sed+Tri$tolemus must yield his $ride of $lace "hom his fatherland of ;reece deified for his discovery of corn+ ;reecefamed for her architects her scul$tors and her artists "ho consecrated tem$les and fashioned statues and $aintedeffigies in his honour. A dou!tful story fa!les that this son of )eres came "andering among $eo$les savage andacorn*fed and that from t"o shi$s to "hich $oetry later assigned the form of dragons he distri!uted the unno"nseed. 3ut you !rought su$$lies from either Jediterranean shore and if need "ere you "ould have sought them

among the cities of the Tyrrhenian sea+ your granaries filled not t"o $altry shi$s !ut the !asins of t"o great rivers.[7] If you disa$$rove as unsuited to your $rofession a com$arison dra"n from the Achaean su$erstition of >leusisI "ill recall instead the historic $rescience of the $atriarch ,ose$h "ho !y his foresight $rovided a remedy for thefamine "hich had to follo" the seven lean years+ I omit 6C4 for the moment his mystic and ty$ical significance.1 3ut Ihold that man morally as great "ho co$es "ith a similar disaster "ithout any "arning in advance. [] I cannoteactly tell the sum of gratitude "hich all the $eo$le o"e you inha!itants of Arles and Fie? Avignon (rangeBiviers' Balence and Trois )hRteau 2+ it is !eyond my $o"er to count the total thans of men "ho "ere fed"ithout having to count out a $enny. 3ut for the city of )lermont I can s$ea and in its name I give you endlessthans+ all the more that your hel$ had no o!vious inducement+ "e did not !elong to your $rovince+ no convenient"ater"ay led to us "e had no money to offer. [C] Jeasureless gratitude I give you on their !ehalf+ they o"e it to thea!undant largess of your grain that they have no" their o"n sufficiency once more. If no" I have $ro$erly fulfilledthe duty entrusted to me I "ill cease to !e the mouth$iece of others and s$ea out of my o"n no"ledge. I "ouldhave you no" that your glory travels over all A<uitaine+ all $ray for your "elfare their hearts go out to you in love

and $raise in longing and loyal devotion. In these evil times you have $roved yourself a good $riest a good fatherand as good as a good year to men "ho "ould have deemed it "orth "hile to ris starvation if there had !een noother means of discovering the measure of your generosity. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

E &artly translated !y ertig &art ii $. '4.

BOO" #!!



!.

To the Lord /isho& (amertus

A.D. 474

[1] FGJ(GF has it that the ;oths have occu$ied Foman soil+ our unha$$y Auvergne is al"ays their gate"ay on

every such incursion. It is our fate to furnish fuel to the fire of a $eculiar hatred for !y )hrist/s aid "e are the soleo!stacle to the fulfilment of their am!ition to etend their frontiers to the Fhone and so hold all the country !et"eenthat river the Atlantic and the oire. Their menacing $o"er has long $ressed us hard+ it has already s"allo"ed u$"hole tracts of territory round us and threatens to s"allo" more. ['] We mean to resist "ith s$irit though "e no"our $eril and the riss "hich "e incur. 3ut our trust is not in our $oor "alls im$aired !y fire or in our rotting

$alisades or in our ram$arts "orn !y the !reasts of the sentries as they lean on them in continual "atch. (ur only $resent hel$ "e find in those Fogations1 "hich you introduced+ and this is the reason "hy the $eo$le of )lermontrefuse to recede though terrors surge a!out them on every side. 3y inauguration and institution of these $rayers "eare already ne" initiates+ and if so far "e have effected less than you have our hearts are affected e<ually "ithyours. [2] or it is not unno"n to us !y "hat $ortents and 6C@ alarms the city entrusted to you !y ;od "as laiddesolate at the time "hen first you ordained this form of $rayer. =o" it "as earth<uae shattering the outer $alace"alls "ith fre<uent shocs+ no" fire $iling mounds of glo"ing ash u$on $roud houses fallen in ruin+ no" ama?ings$ectacleK "ild deer gro"n ominously tame maing their lairs in the very forum. :ou sa" the city !eing em$tied of

its inha!itants rich and $oor taing to flight. 3ut you resorted in our latter day to the eam$le sho"n of old in =ineveh that you at least might not discredit the divine "arning !y the s$ectacle of your des$air. [4] And indeedyou of all men had !een least 0ustified in distrusting the $rovidence of ;od after the $roof of it vouchsafed to youro"n virtues. (nce in a sudden conflagration your faith !urned stronger than the flames. In full sight of thetrem!ling cro"d you stood forth all alone to stay them and loK the fire lea$t !ac !efore you a sinuous !eatenfugitive. It "as miracle a formida!le thing unseen !efore and uneam$led+ the element "hich naturally shrinsfrom nothing retired in a"e at your a$$roach. [] :ou therefore first en0oined a fast u$on a fe" mem!ers of oursacred order denouncing gross offences announcing $unishment $romising relief. :ou made it clear that if the

$enalty of sin "as nigh so also "as the $ardon+ you $roclaimed that !y fre<uent $rayer the menace of comingdesolation might !e removed. :ou taught that it "as !y "ater of tears rather than "ater of rivers that the o!stinateand raging fire could !est !e etinguished and !y firm faith the threatening shoc of earth<uae stayed. [@] Themultitude of the lo"ly forth"ith follo"ed your counsel and this 6C7 influenced $ersons of higher ran "ho had notscru$led to a!andon the to"n and no" "ere not ashamed to return to it. 3y this devotion ;od "as a$$eased "hosees into all hearts+ your fervent $rayers "ere counted to you for salvation+ they !ecame an ensam$le for your fello"citi?ens and a defence a!out you all for after those days there "ere neither $ortents to alarm nor visitations to !ringdisaster.

We of )lermont no" that all these ills !efell your $eo$le of Bienne !efore the Fogations and have not !efallenthem since+ and therefore it is that "e are eager to follo" the lead of so holy a guide !eseeching your 3eatitudefrom your o"n $ious li$s to give us the advocacy of those $rayers no" no"n to us !y the eam$les "hich youhave transmitted. [7] %ince the )onfessor Am!rose discovered the remains of ;ervasius and &rotasius it has !eengranted to you alone in the West to translate the relics of t"o martyrs****all the holy !ody of erreolus and the headof our martyr ,ulian "hich once the eecutioner/s gory hand !rought to the raging $ersecutor from the $lace oftestimony.1 It is only fair then in com$ensation for the loss of this hallo"ed relic that some $art of your $atronageshould come to us from Bienne since a $art of our $atronal saint has migrated thither. Deign to hold us inremem!rance my ord 3isho$. 6C

!!.

To the Lord /isho& !raecus*

c. A. D. 47'

[1] :ou over"helm me most consummate of all !isho$s !y the $raises sho"ered on any un$olished lines "hich Iha$$en to "rite. %hort though my first letter "as I "ish I could ac<uit myself of !lame for having told you a "holestring of things irreconcila!le "ith fact+ the truth is that a crafty traveller im$osed u$on my innocence.1 (stensi!ly atrader he $ersuaded me to give him a canonical letter ' as Feader+ and this ought certainly to have contained some



statement of his inde!tedness to others. or it a$$eared on su!se<uent in<uiry that !y the generosity of the $eo$leof Jarseilles he set out !etter e<ui$$ed than one so moderately favoured in !irth and fortune had reason to e$ect.['] It maes <uite a good story if I only "ielded a $en a!le to do 0ustice to its humours. 3ut as you have ased mefor a long and diverting letter $ermit me to relate the manner in "hich this messenger of ours e$loited thehos$itality of your city. It shall !e told in a light vein !ut I shall !e careful to say nothing to offend the severity ofyour ears. :ou "ill see that on this occasion I really do no" the man "hom I introduce to your notice for thesecond time. Gsage $ermits a "riter to find his su!0ect*matter "herever he can+ "hy then should I go far afield"hen the man "ho is to !ear my letter can himself $rovide the theme of it5 6CC

[2] The !earer then is a native of )lermont !orn of hum!le !ut free $arents $eo$le "ho made no $retence of socialstanding !ut "ere a!ove all fear of degradation to the servile state and satisfied "ith means moderate indeed !utunencum!ered and am$ly sufficient for their needs+ it "as a family "hich had chiefly held offices under the )hurchand had not entered the $u!lic service. The father "as a most estima!le man !ut not free*handed "ith his children+he $referred to serve his son/s advantage instead of ensuring him $leasant times in his youth. The result "as that the

$risoner esca$ed to you a little too lightly e<ui$$ed+ and this "as no small im$ediment at the outset of his adventurefor a light $urse is the heaviest encum!rance on a 0ourney. [4] =evertheless he made his first entry into your cityunder the most favoura!le aus$ices. :our $redecessor %t.>ustachius received him "ith a t"ofold !lessing in "ordand deed. He "anted a lodging+ one "as forthcoming "ithout difficulty on the $relate/s commendation. He rentedthe rooms in due form entering on his tenancy "ithout delay and at once set a!out maing the ac<uaintance of hisneigh!ours !y saluting them as often as $ossi!le and !eing civilly greeted in return. He treated all as !efitted theirseveral ages+ res$ectful to the old he "as al"ays o!liging those of his o"n years. [] He "as consistently tem$erateand moral sho"ing <ualities as admira!le as they are rare at his time of life. He "as assiduous in $aying court toyour chief $ersonages and even to the )ount of the city himself+ alive to every chance he !egan !y receiving nods"ent on to ac<uaintance and ended in intimacy. 3y this systematic cultivation of im$ortant friendshi$s he 61 ra$idly got on in the "orld+ the !est $eo$le com$eted for his com$any. >very one "ished him "ell+ there "ere

$lenty to offer him good advice. &rivate individuals made him $resents officials hel$ed him !y their influence. Inshort his $ros$ects and his resources rose !y lea$s and !ounds. [@] It chanced that near the house "here he lodgedthere resided a lady "hose dis$osition and income "ere all that he could have desired+ she had a daughter not <uitemarriagea!le !ut no longer a child. He !egan to attract the girl !y $leasant greetings and !y giving her 8as at herage he <uite $ro$erly could9 the various trifles and trinets "hich delight a maiden/s fancy+ !y such light lins hesucceeded in closely attaching her heart to his o"n. [7] Time $assed+ she reached the age of marriage. :ou alreadyguess "hat ha$$ened. This young man "ithout visi!le relations or su!stance a foreigner a minor "ho had lefthome "ithout his father/s leave or no"ledge demands the hand of a girl e<ual to himself in !irth and su$erior in

fortune. He demands and "hat is more he o!tains+ he is recogni?ed as suitor. or the !isho$ actively su$$orted hisFeader and the )ount encouraged his client+ the future mother*in*la" did not trou!le to investigate his means+ the

!ride a$$roved his $erson. The marriage contract "as eecuted and some little su!ur!an $lot or other at )lermont"as $ut into settlement and read out "ith much theatrical $arade. [] This legal tric and solemn s"indle once overthe $au$er lover carried off the "ealthy !ride. He $rom$tly "ent into all his "ife/s father/s affairs and got togethersome nice little $icings for himself aided all through the im$osture !y 611 the credulity of his easy*going and free*handed mother*in*la"+ then and not till then this incom$ara!le charlatan sounds the retreat and vanishes intoAuvergne. After he had gone the mother thought of !ringing an action against him for the a!surd eaggerations inthe contract. 3ut it "as rather late for her to !egin lamenting the eiguity of his settlement "hen she "as alreadyre0oicing at the $ros$ect of a "ealth of little grandchildren. It "as "ith the o!0ect of a$$easing her that ourHi$$olytus "ent to Jarseilles "hen he !rought you my first letter of introduction.

[C] That is the story of this accom$lished young man as good in its "ay as any out of Attic )omedy or Jilesian

fa!le. >cuse the ecessive length of my letter+ I have d"elt u$on every detail that you might !e fully informed inregard to the $erson "hom your generosity has made a citi?en of your to"n+ and !esides one naturally has a indlyfeeling for those in "hom one has taen active interest. :ou "ill $rove yourself in everything the "orthy successorof >ustachius if you e$end u$on his clients the $ersonal interest he "ould lie to have !een a!le to !e<ueath themas you have already $aid his relations the legacies mentioned in his "ill.

[1] And no" I have o!eyed your commands to the full and taled to the limit of my o!ligation+ remem!er that one"ho im$oses on a man of small descri$tive $o"ers a su!0ect calling for great detail must not com$lain if theres$onse !etrays the gossi$ rather than the silled narrator. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 61'



E The greater $art translated !y Hodgin ii. 2'*2. )f. BI viii a!ove

!!!.

To the Lord /isho& (egethius

After A.D. 47'

[1] I HAB> considered long and carefully "hether I ought to send you those short treatises of mine1 for "hich youas. It re<uired thought though my affectionate desire to $lease you strongly $rom$ted me at once to com$ly+ !ut atlast I have decided in your favour and for"ard "hat you "ant. Is not this a great $roof of docility5 great indeed+ !utof im$udence a yet greater. It is almost as !ad as !ringing "ater to a river or "ood to a forest+ as audacious asoffering a $encil to A$elles a chisel to &hidias or a mallet to &olyclitus. ['] I !eg you therefore venera!le friendyou "hose sanctity is only e<ualled !y your elo<uence to $ardon the $resum$tion "hich su!mits to your critical

0udgement these $roducts of an irre$ressi!le $en. I am al"ays "riting though I $u!lish very little+ much as a dog"ill ee$ on snarling though he may never !rea into an o$en !ar. Deign to ee$ me in remem!rance my ord3isho$.

!#.

To the Lord /isho& FonteiusAfter A.D. 47'

[1] I AJ getting <uite afraid of introducing $eo$le to you for "hereas I only give them "ords you give them $resents as if it "ere not already the height of $rivilege for a man to leave my sinful com$any for a conversation 6

12 so holy as yours. I cite in evidence my friend Bindicius "ho is so laden "ith your generous gifts that he hasreturned !y slo"er stages than he "ent $roclaiming every"here that high as your re$ute may !e su$reme as your

$osition your true title to $raise lies less in your high office than in the voluntary res$ect of men. ['] He dilatesu$on your $iety u$on the s"eetness and affa!le charm of a familiarity never too familiar+ he declares that youre$isco$al dignity in no "ay suffers and that in you the $riestly character lie a tall tree may !end !ut is never

!roen. After hearing all these eulogies I shall never !e <uite ha$$y until ;od suffers me to clas$ in my close $resum$tuous em!race a heart so "holly stayed u$on Him. [2] or I "ill mae you a small confession. I can admirea man of an austere nature and !ecause I am very conscious of my o"n "eaness can even tolerate harsh treatment

from him+ !ut I feel that one only su!mits to $eo$le of such tem$erament one cannot really lie them. In myo$inion the ml a "ho is al"ays stern to those a!out him had !est !e very sure that his conscience is good enough to

0ustify his $ride+ and for myself I $refer to tae as my model one "ho no"s ho" to attract the devotion even ofthose "ho live leagues a"ay. [4] ;reat as your other good deeds have !een nothing that I have heard delights memore than the ne"s that the stream of your e$isco$al favour flo"s "ith your unceasing $rayers to"ards the truelords of my heart %im$licius and A$ollinaris. If this !e true I $ray that your ind deeds may never have an end+ iffalse that they may have immediate !eginning. I commend the !earer to your notice. A trou!lesome !usiness has 6

14 arisen for him at Baison1 "hich the "eight of your revered authority can dou!tless !ring to a favoura!le issue.Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

#.

To the Lord /isho& Agroeclus

A. D. 47'

[1] A &G3I) resolution of the citi?ens has called me to 3ourges. The reason for the summons is the totteringcondition of the )hurch "hich has 0ust !een "ido"ed of her !isho$+ mem!ers of !oth orders have !een intriguingfor the vacant see 0ust as if some !ugle had sounded for the fray. The $eo$le are ecited and divided into factions+"hile only a fe" are ready to $ro$ose others there are many "ho do not so much $ro$ose as im$ose themselves. Toa man determined as far as in him lies to o!ey ;od and ee$ fast the truth everything here seems frivolousunsta!le and so$histicated+ one might say that the only genuine thing left is im$udence. ['] :ou may thin theselaments eaggerated+ !ut I scarcely hesitate to affirm that there are many here "ho har!our thoughts so rash and



ruinous that they are ready to offer ready money for this holy see and all its dignity+ the sale might !efore no" have !een effected in o$en maret if the greed of the "ould*!e $urchasers had found res$onse in vendors e<ual inaudacity. I entreat you therefore to cro"n my ho$es !y giving me the honour of your $resence under the same roofand lending my diffidence my 61 em!arrassment and my ine$erience the shelter of your high $rotection. [2] At atime of such $er$leity do not refuse your hel$ in healing the dissensions of the $eo$le of A<uitaine+ it is true thatyou are at the head of the %Nnonais !ut that is of small conse<uence+ though "e live in different $rovinces "e are

!ound !y a single religious !ond. 3esides )lermont is the last of all the cities in A<uitanica &rima 1 "hich thefortune of "ar has left to Fome+ the num!er of $rovincial !isho$s is therefore inade<uate to the election of a ne"

$relate at 3ourges unless "e have the su$$ort of the metro$olitans. [4] Fest assured that I have in no "ayencroached on your $rerogatives. As yet I have neither nominated summoned nor $referred a candidate+ I have leftthe matter a!solutely intact for your decision. All that I tae u$on myself is to invite you hither to a"ait your good

$leasure to ac<uiesce in your o$inion and "hen the throne is filled to render the $ro$er deference to yourcommands. . I do not for a moment sus$ect that any !ad adviser "ill dissuade you from acceding to this re<uest+

!ut should that $rove to !e the case you "ill hardly ac<uit yourself of !lame though it is easy to find reasona!leecuses for not undertaing so long a 0ourney. (n the other hand your coming "ill $rove that though there may !elimits to your diocese your !rotherly love is "ithout !ounds. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 61@

#!.

To the Lord /isho& /asilius

A.D. 47'*2

[1] ;(D has $ermitted us to give this generation a ne" eam$le of "hat old friendshi$ means+ ours indeed is anattachment of long duration and e<ual strength u$on !oth sides. 3ut our res$ective $ositions are !y no means e<ual#you are the $atron and I the client+ $erha$s indeed I $resume too far in saying even so much. or so great is myun"orthiness that even the $roven efficacy of your intercession can hardly mae good my !acsliding. ['] 3ecauseyou are dou!ly my lord and master firstly as my $rotector secondly as my friend+ !ecause I so "ell remem!er 8"asI not !y59 the flo" of your elo<uence s$ringing from that fervent ?eal of yours "hen you $ierced "ith the $oint ofyour s$iritual testimonies Jodaharius the ;oth as he !randished the darts of Arian heresy against you+ !ecause of allthis I need fear no charge of disres$ect to"ards other $ontiffs "hen I $our into your ears my grief at the ravages ofthe great "olf of our times "ho ranges a!out the ecclesiastical fold !attening u$on lost souls and !iting right andleft !y stealth and undetected. [2] or that old enemy !egins !y threatening the she$herds/ throats no"ing it the

!est "ay to ensure his trium$h over the !leating and a!andoned shee$. I am not so far o!livious of my o"n career asto ignore that I am one "hose conscience has yet to !e "ashed clean !y many tears+ !ut !y ;od/s grace my foulnessshall at last !e cleared a"ay 617 "ith the mystic rae of your intercession. 3ut since consideration for the $u!licsafety must come !efore everything even a man/s sense of his o"n un"orthiness I shall not hesitate to $roclaim thecause of truth disregarding all insinuations a!out my vanity or dou!ts as to the sincerity of my faith. [4] =either asaint lie you can fitly here discuss nor a sinner lie myself indict the action of >uric 1 the ;othic ing in !reaingand !earing do"n an ancient treaty to defend or rather etend !y armed force the frontiers of his ingdom. It is therule here !elo" for Dives to !e clothed in $ur$le and fine linen and for a?arus to !ear the lash of sores and

$overty. %o long as "e "al in this allegoric land of >gy$t it is the rule that &haraoh shall go "ith a diadem on hishead and the Israelite "ith the carrier/s !aset. It is the rule that "hile "e are !urned in the furnace of this sym!olic3a!ylon "e must sigh and groan lie ,eremiah for the s$iritual ,erusalem "hile Assur thunders in his royal $om$and treads the Holy of Holies !eneath his feet. [] :et "hen I com$are the transient 0oys of this "orld "ith those"hich are to come I find it easier to endure calamities "hich no mortal may esca$e. or firstly "hen I consider my

o"n demerits all $ossi!le trou!les seem lighter than those "hich I deserve+ and then no" "ell that the !est ofcures for the in"ard man is for the out"ard man to !e threshed !y the flails of suffering. [@] I must confess thatformida!le as the mighty ;oth may !e I dread him less as the assailant of our "alls than as the su!verter of our)hristian la"s. They say that the mere mention of the name of )atholic so em!itters his countenance and heart 61 that one might tae him for the chief $riest of his Arian sect rather than for the monarch of his nation. (mni$otent inarms een*"itted and in the full vigour of life he yet maes this single mistae****he attri!utes his success in hisdesigns and enter$rises to the orthodoy of his !elief "hereas the real cause lies in mere earthly fortune. [7] orthese reasons I "ould have you consider the secret malady of the )atholic )hurch that you may hasten to a$$ly ano$en remedy. 3ordeau &Nrigueu Fode? imoges ,avols >au?e 3a?as )omminges Auch and many another



city are all lie !odies "hich have lost their heads through the death of their res$ective !isho$s. =o successors have !een a$$ointed to fill their $laces and maintain the ministry in the lo"er orders of the )hurch+ the !oundaries ofs$iritual desolation are etended far and "ide. >very day the ruin s$reads !y the death of more fathers in ;od+ so

$itiful is her state that the very heresiarchs of former times to say nothing of contem$orary heretics might "ellhave looed "ith $ity on $eo$les or$haned of their $ontiffs and o$$ressed !y des$eration at this catastro$he of theirfaith. [] Diocese and $arish lie "aste "ithout ministers. :ou may see the rotten roofs of churches fallen in thedoors unhinged and !loced !y gro"ing !ram!les.1 Jore grievous still you may see the cattle not only lying in thehalf*ruined $orticoes !ut gra?ing !eside altars green "ith "eeds. And this desolation is not found in country

$arishes alone+ even the congregations of ur!an churches !egin to fall a"ay. [C] What comfort remains to thefaithful "hen not only the teaching of the clergy $erishes !ut their very memory 61C is lost out of mind5 When a

$riest de$arts this life not merely the holder of the sacred office dies !ut the office itself dies "ith him unless "ithhis failing !reath he gives his !lessing to a successor.1 What ho$e remains "hen the term of a man/s life im$lies theend of religion in his $arish5 If you eamine more closely the ills of the !ody s$iritual you "ill soon $erceive thatfor every !isho$ snatched from our midst the faith of a $o$ulation is im$erilled. I need not mention your colleagues)rocus and %im$licius removed alie from their thrones and suffering a common eile if different $unishments.or one of them laments that he cannot see "hither he is to return+ the other that he sees only too clearly "here he isto return no more. [1] :ou for your $art have a!out you the most holy !isho$s austus eontius and ;raecusenvironed !y the city your order and their fraternal love. To you these misera!le treaties are su!mitted the $acts andagreements of t"o ingdoms $ass through your hands. ' Do your !est as far as the royal condescension suffers youto o!tain for our !isho$s the right of ordination in those $arts of ;aul no" included "ithin the ;othic !oundaries

that if "e cannot ee$ them !y treaty for the Foman %tate "e may at least hold them !y religion for the Foman)hurch. Deign to !ear me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 611

#!!.

To the Lord /isho& !raecus*A.D. 474*

[1] H>F> is Amantius 1 the usual !earer of my trifles+ off once more to his Jarseilles to !ring home a little $rofitout of the city if he is fortunate in his !usiness at the $ort. I could use the o$$ortunity of his 0ourney to gossi$ gailyon if a mind that !ears a load of sorro" could at the same time thin of cheerful things. or the state of our unha$$yregion is misera!le indeed. >very one declares that things "ere !etter in "ar*time than they are no" after $eace has

!een concluded. ['] (ur enslavement "as made the $rice of security for a third $arty+ the enslavement ahK theshame of itK of those Arvernians "ho !y old tradition claimed !rotherhood "ith atium and descent from the sons of Troy+' "ho in our o"n time stood forth alone to stay the advance of the common enemy+ "ho even "hen closely

!eset so little feared the ;oth that they sallied out against his leaguer and $ut the fear of their valour into his heart.2 These are the men "hose common soldiers "ere as good as ca$tains !ut "ho never rea$ed the !enefit of theirvictories# that "as handed over for your consolation "hile all the crushing !urden of defeat they had to !earthemselves. These are the $atriots "ho did not fear to !ring to 0ustice the infamous %eronatus4 !etrayer of im$erial

$rovinces to the !ar!arian "hile the %tate for "hich they rised 6111so much had hardly the courage on hisconviction to carry out the ca$ital sentence. [2] And this is to !e our re"ard for !raving destitution fire s"ord and

$estilence for fleshing our s"ords in the enemy/s !lood and going ourselves starved into !attle. This then is thefamous $eace1 "e dreamed of "hen "e tore the grass from the crannies in the "alls to eat+ "hen in our ignorance"e often !y mistae ate $oisonous "eeds indiscriminately $lucing them "ith livid hands of starvation hardly lessgreen than they. or all these $roofs of our devotion it "ould seem that "e are to !e made a sacrifice. [4] If it !e somay you live to !lush for a $eace "ithout either honour or advantage. or you are the channel through "hichnegotiations are conducted. When the ing is a!sent you not only see the terms of $eace !ut ne" $ro$osals are

!rought !efore you. I as your $ardon for telling you hard truths+ my distress must tae all colour of a!use from"hat I say. :ou thin too little of the general good+ "hen you meet in council you are less concerned to relieve

$u!lic $erils than to advance $rivate fortunes. 3y the long re$etition of such acts you !egin to !e regarded as the lastinstead of the first among your fello" $rovincials.' [] 3ut ho" long are these feats of yours to last5 (ur ancestors"ill cease to glory in the name of Fome if they have no longer descendants to !ear their memory. (h !rea thisinfamous $eace at any cost+ there are $retets enough to your hand. We are ready if needs must to continue thestruggle and to undergo more sieges and starvations. 3ut if "e are to !e !etrayed "e "hom force failed to con<uer"e shall no" !eyond 611' a dou!t that a !ar!arous and co"ardly transaction "as ins$ired !y you.



[@] 3ut it little avails to give the rein to $assionate sorro"+ you must mae allo"ance for us in our affliction nor toonicely "eigh the language of des$air. The other con<uered regions have only servitude to e$ect+ Auvergne must

$re$are for $unishment. If you can hold out no hel$ in our etremity see to o!tain of Heaven !y your unceasing $rayers that though our li!erty !e doomed our race at least may live. &rovide land for the eile $re$are a ransomfor the ca$tive mae $rovision for the emigrant. If our o"n "alls must offer an o$en !reach to the enemy let yours

!e never shut against your friends. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

E &artly translated !y ertig &art ii $. 1@.

#!!!.

To the Lord /isho& %u&hroniusA. D. 47'

[1] I AJ no" held in the !onds of my clerical duty !ut I should regard my undistinguished $osition as a verita!le !lessing if only the "alls of our cities "ere as near as the !orders of their territories. If that might only !e I shouldconsult your holiness 1 on all things small and great+ my activities "ould flo" lie a $lacid and untrou!led streamcould they !ut rise from your converse as from a life*giving s$ring. They should never no" the froth of vainconceit or the tur!id course of $ride or the muddiness of a !ad conscience or the falls of headstrong youth+ if

defilement and corru$tion "ere found in them they should 6112 !e "ashed clean !y the clear vein of your counsel.['] 3ut alasK the distance that divides us $revents the fulfilment of these desires+ I therefore !eg you to send are$resentative to advise on a $er$leing <uestion "hich has arisen here. The inha!itants of 3ourges demand theconsecration of the admira!le %im$licius as their !isho$+ I "ant your decision in the matter. :our consideration forme and your authority over others are such that you need never $ress your vie"s+ you have sim$ly to indicate your"ill "hich is sure to coincide "ith 0ustice. [2] I must tell you that of %im$licius all good is s$oen and !y the !estmen in the city. At first I "as inclined to vie" this testimony "ith little favour+ it seemed to me to suggestfavouritism. 3ut "hen I o!served that his rivals could find nothing !etter to do than to hold their tongues es$eciallythose of the Arian $ersuasion+ "hen I sa" that no irregularity could !e alleged to his discredit though he is only acandidate and not yet in orders I came to the conclusion that a man against "hom the !ad citi?en could say nothingand on "hose !ehalf the good could never say enough must !e regarded as almost a $erfect character. [4] 3ut ho"foolish I am to mae these comments as if I "ere giving advice in $lace of asing itK The clergy "ill act inaccordance "ith the decision contained in your letter+ the $eo$le "ill acclaim it in the same s$irit. We are not

altogether irrational+ "e should not have decided to secure if $ossi!le your $resent aid or if not your adviceunless "e had made u$ our minds to follo" your counsel in all things. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord3isho$. 6114

!$.

To the Lord /isho& er&etuus*

A. D. 47'

[1] :(GF ardour for religious !oos has given you a most intimate ac<uaintance "ith everything "ritten for the)atholic faith "hether !y the )anonical authors or !y the controversialists. :ou are even curious a!out $roductionsun"orthy the honour of your attention+ for instance you no" "ish me to send a co$y of my $u!lic address deliveredin the church at 3ourges an oration "ithout the orthodo rhetorical divisions or em$hasis or figures of s$eech to

lend it a $ro$er style and dignity. ['] It has none of the <ualities of a finished elo<uence+ the "eight of historicalallusion the enrichment of $oetical <uotation the s$arling $oints of dialectic had all to !e a!andoned. I "asdistracted !y the rancorous intrigues of the various factions+ my mission occu$ied all my time+ the a!uses !efore myeyes "ere the one and only su!0ect for my $en. %o great "as the com$any of the com$etitors that t"o !enches"ould not have held the candidates for the single vacant throne. And every one of these "as as $leased "ith himselfas he "as critical of all his rivals. [2] If the $eo$le had not gro"n reasona!le and su!ordinated their 0udgement tothat of the !isho$s there "ould have !een little chance of effecting anything. As it "as one sa" small grou$s of

$riests "his$ering together in corners though not a "ord "as uttered 611 o$enly most of them !eing 0ust as afraidof their o"n order as of every other. The result "as that every one "as sus$icious of his neigh!our+ all "ere inducedto hear our $ro$osals "ithout too much difficulty and after"ards to e$lain them in their turn to others.



[4] Here then I a$$end the address. It "as "ritten in t"o vigils of a single summer night under no eyes !ut those of )hrist+ my haste is I fear too o!vious from internal evidence for you to need my assurance that it eisted.

ADDF>%%.E

[] %ecular history relates !eloved !rethren that a certain $hiloso$her 1 used to teach ne" $u$ils the disci$line of

ee$ing silence !efore the art of s$eaing. They had to sit through five mute years listening to the dis$utations oftheir fello" students echoing all round them and not even the <uicest !rains "ere allo"ed to antici$ate the $ro$erhour of recognition. When after that long re$ression these $u$ils s$oe at last the audience could not re$ressa$$lause+ for until the mind is stee$ed "ith no"ledge there is less credit in dis$laying "hat you no" than inholding your $eace on things of "hich you are ignorant. [@] ar other is the $osition of the indifferent orator "hono" addresses you. While he yet "aled among lamenta!le $itfalls and "allo"ing*$laces of sin the heavy charge of the sacred calling "as laid u$on him+ and "ithout ever having himself rendered a disci$le/s duty to a master ofre$ute he has himself to $lay the teacher of other men. That tas is in itself im$ossi!le enough+ it is made heavier !ythe diffidence 611@ "hich I feel at having !een selected !y your decretal letter 1 to choose you a !isho$ "hile all thetime I see !efore me a saintly $relate ' "orthy of the highest of $ontifical thrones one "ho stands at the head of his

$rovince and is my su$erior in everything in e$erience in training in elo<uence in $restige in seniority and inyears. %$eaing thus as a 0unior and $rovincial !isho$ !efore one metro$olitan on the election of another I amdou!ly em!arrassed !y my lac of <ualification and !y the odium of $resum$tion "hich I may "ell incur. [7] The

res$onsi!ility ho"ever rests on you since you have !een rash enough to im$ose u$on one deficient in "isdom thetas of finding you "ith ;od/s aid a !isho$ "iser than himself and com!ining in a single $erson a host of differentvirtues# you must !e "ell a"are that honoura!le though the tas may !e it is yet more clearly onerous. I "ould haveyou in the first instance reflect to "hat a crushing !urden of criticism you su!0ect me re<uiring a $erfected

0udgement from a !eginner and right guidance from one "ho hitherto has sho"n you nothing !ut his falli!ility.%ince ho"ever this has !een your "ill I entreat your $rayers that I may really !ecome all that you no" su$$oseme to !e and that if I am to !e ealted to the sies it may !e not !y your $laudits !ut !y your su$$lications.

[] 3ut first you ought to no" on "hat %cylla*rocs 2 of slander on "hat !aring mouths 8alasK that they should !ehuman9 I have !een driven !y the tem$estuous fury of those "ho see to !ring you into discredit. >vil manners havethis $o"er# they allo" the offences of the fe" to disfigure the innocence of the multitude 6117 "hereas the good aretoo rare to communicate their virtues to the many and so to $alliate their crimes.

[C] If I name a mon to you "ere his austerities to rival those of a &aul an Antony a Hilarion or a Jacarius myears "ill at once !e deafened !y the confused outcries of igno!le $ygmies "ho "ill o!0ect in these terms# /The manyou nominate is trained not for a !isho$/s !ut for an a!!ot/s "or and !etter fitted to intercede for souls !efore thecelestial ,udge than for their !odies !efore the 0udges of this "orld./ =o" "ho could ee$ his $atience hearingsingleness of heart !esmirched !y such im$utation of imaginary defects5 [1] If "e choose one distinguished forhumility he "ill !e called an a!0ect+ if on the other hand "e $ro$ose a man "ith self*res$ect he "ill !e set do"nas arrogant+ if our choice !e one of small learning his ignorance "ill mae him fair game+ if he !e erudite he "ill

!e declared conceited. If he is austere all "ill shrin from an inhuman creature+ if indulgent they "ill !lame hislenience. If he is sim$le he "ill !e an oaf+ if clever a sly fello". Is he diligent5 he must !e su$erstitious. Is he easy*going5 he stands convicted of negligence. Does he love a <uiet life5 he is a co"ard. If our candidate is a!stemioushe !ecomes a sinflint+ if charita!le "ith hos$itality a glutton+ if "ith fasting one vain of his austerities. [11] A freemanner "ill argue vice+ a modest one contem$ti!le rusticity. They mislie the stern man for his severity andde$reciate the affa!le for maing himself chea$. And so "hichever of t"o virtues may adorn his life he "ill !ecaught on the t"o*!ar!ed hoo of the malicious tongues "hose $oints $ierce all good <ualities. 3esides 611 all thisthe $eo$le in their $erversity and the clergy in their love of licence are e<ually averse from the idea of monasticdisci$line.

[1'] If instead of a mon I tae a mem!er of the secular clergy his 0uniors "ill !e consumed "ith a 0ealousy "hichhis seniors "ill o$enly e$ress. or among the clergy there are not a fe"****I may say this "ithout offence to therest****in "hose eyes seniority counts !efore merit+ they "ould lie us to consider age alone and disregardefficiency as if mere length of life "ere the one <ualification for the highest office in the $riesthood and the

$rerogative the amenity and charm of $ersonal accom$lishments "ere to count for nothing. (n this $rinci$le a fe"individuals strive to direct the )hurch though they are so old that they "ill soon need direction themselves****



$ersons remiss in ministration $rom$t in o!lo<uy indolent in affairs !usy in faction "ea in charity sturdy inintrigue steady in feud vacillating in 0udgement.

[12] >nough# I "ill not stigmati?e the many for the machinations of a fe"+ I only add this that I shall mention nonames. Whoever loos aggrieved $roclaims his o"n discomfiture. I may freely admit that the multitude surroundingme to*day includes many of e$isco$al a!ility. 3ut then all cannot !e !isho$s. >very man of them may !e satisfied

"ith his o"n $articular gifts !ut none has gifts to satisfy us all.

[14] %u$$ose I "ere to nominate one "ho had follo"ed an administrative career I can imagine the storm ofdisa$$roval# /%idonius "as transferred to the )hurch out of the great "orld and !ecause of this is reluctant to acce$ta cleric as metro$olitan+ he loos do"n on 611C every one from the height of his distinguished !irth and the greatoffices he has held+ he des$ises )hrist/s $oor./ [1] =o" therefore in fulfilment of the trust im$osed u$on me not somuch through the esteem of the "ell dis$osed as through the sus$icions of the slanderous 8Almighty ;od liveth theHoly %$irit "ho !y the voice of &eter condemned %imon Jagus 1 for thining to !uy for gold the glory of the

!lessing9 I testify that in the man "hom I have chosen as suited for your needs I have considered neither money nor influence+ I have "eighed to the last scru$le every circumstance affecting his o"n $erson+ the times in "hich "elive the res$ective needs of city and $rovince and I decide that the man most fitted for this office is he "hose career I shall no" !riefly relate.

[1@] He is %im$licius on "hom a !lessing already rests. Hitherto a mem!er of your order !ut henceforth of ours if;od a$$rove him through your voices he ans"ers !y conduct and $rofession so "ell satisfying the claims of !oththat the %tate "ill find in him one to admire and the )hurch one to love. [17] If !irth is still to command res$ect asthe >vangelist teaches 8for %t. ue !eginning his eulogy of %t. ,ohn' considers it of the highest moment that hes$rang from a line of $riestly tradition and ealts the im$ortance of his family !efore cele!rating the no!ility of hislife9 I "ill recall the fact that his relatives have $resided alie over the )hurch and the tri!unal. His family has !eendistinguished in either career !y many !isho$s and $refects+ it had !ecome almost their hereditary $rivilege toadminister the divine and human la"s. [1] If "e scrutini?e rather more narro"ly his $ersonal <ualifications "eshall 61' find him cons$icuous among the most res$ected. :ou may say that the illustrious >ucherius and&annychius stand higher+ they may have !een so regarded !ut on the $resent occasion they are ecluded !y thecanon !ecause each of them has married again. Turning to his age "e find that he has at once the vigour of youthand the caution of maturity+ com$aring his talents "ith his ac<uirements "e see nature and learning rivalling eachother. [1C] If "e as "hether he is given to hos$itality "e find him generous to a fault lavishing his su!stance on all

men small and great "hether they are clerics laymen or strangers and entertaining those most of all "ho are leastliely to return his indness. When an em!assy had to !e undertaen more than once he has re$resented his city !efore !ar!aric ings in furs or Foman em$erors in $ur$le. If you as from "hat master he learned the rudiments of the faith I "ill mae the $rover!ial res$onse# /the source of no"ledge flo"ed for him at home./1 ['] astly let usnot forget !eloved !rethren that this is he "hom the !ar!arians held in darness and duresse and for "hom ;odflung "ide the $rison gates "ith all their !olts and !ars. This is the man "hom if re$ort !e true you yourselves once"ith a single voice called to the $riesthood !efore his father*in*la" or father+ !ut he returned home covered "ithglory !ecause he $referred to !e honoured in his $arents/ dignity rather than in his o"n. ['1] I had almostoverlooed a $oint "hich should under no circumstances have !een omitted. In the days of old time as the &salmisttells' all Israel hea$ed offerings at the feet of 3e?aleel in the desert for the erection of the Ta!ernacle of the)ovenant. 61'1 After"ards %olomon to !uild his tem$le in ,erusalem ehausted the "hole strength of his $eo$lethough he had not merely the riches of &alestine and the tri!ute of surrounding ingdoms !ut in addition thetreasures of the Oueen of %he!a at his command. 3ut %im$licius !uilt a church alone out of his o"n slenderresources "hen he "as still a young official under $aternal control and already !urdened "ith the e$enses of afamily. =either consideration of his young children nor the steady o$$osition of his $arents could divert him fromthe fulfilment of his vo"+ it "as his "ay to do good "ors and hold his $eace a!out them. [''] or unless I misreadhis character he is one to "hom all $o$ularity is a!horrent+ he does not court every man/s good o$inion only that of the "orthiest+ it is not his custom to mae himself common !y undiscriminating familiarity !ut rather to enhance hisvalue !y according his friendshi$ only after the most careful thought. His is a manly nature "hich "ould rather hel$than $lease a rival com$ara!le in this to that of the stern father "ho thins more of his children/s real advantagethan of their $resent comfort. He is a man constant in adversity loyal in danger unassuming in $ros$erity+ of sim$letastes in dress affa!le in conversation never $utting himself for"ard among his friends !ut in discussion easily thefirst. A friendshi$ of "hich he no"s the "orth he "ill $ursue "ith ardour hold "ith constancy and never a!andon+



on the other hand a declared hostility he $ursues "ith honoura!le franness not !elieving in it till the last momentand laying it do"n at the earliest. >tremely accessi!le 0ust !ecause he sees nothing for 61'' himself he desired notso much to assume the $riest*hood as to $rove himself "orthy to hold it. ['2] 3ut some one "ill say# /Ho" did youlearn so much a!out him in so short a time5/ Jy ans"er is that I made ac<uaintance "ith men of 3ourges long

!efore I ne" their city. I have travelled "ith some and served "ith others+ many I have met in affairs of !usiness orin de!ate+ many "hen either they or I "ere a"ay from our several countries. Joreover a short cut to no"ledge ofa man is given !y the general o$inion a!out him since nature does not confine our re$utations "ithin such narro"limits as our a!odes. If then a city is to !e 0udged less !y the circumference of its "alls than !y the merit of itsinha!itants I could not fail to discover !efore your to"n "as no"n to me not only "hat manner of men you are

!ut "here you stand in the "orld as "ell.

['4] The "ife of %im$licius !elongs to the &alladian family "hich alie in the schools and in the )hurch hasoccu$ied the chief seats "ith the a$$ro!ation of its o"n order. To s$ea of a "oman/s life demands !oth delicacyand reticence+ I "ill only say here that this lady has sho"n herself "orthy of the ecclesiastical dignity en0oyed !yher t"o families !oth that in "hich she "as !orn and that into "hich she married. %he is associated "ith herhus!and in the education of their sons on sound and careful $rinci$les+ so that the father com$aring them "ithhimself is all the ha$$ier for the discovery that he is already !eing sur$assed.

['] :ou have s"orn to a!ide !y my hum!le advice in this election+ the s$oen !inds no less fast than the "ritten

"ord. I $ronounce then in the name of the 61'2 ather the %on and the Holy %$irit that %im$licius is the man "homyou are to choose as the head of the )hurch in your city and as Jetro$olitan of our $rovince. If you agree "ith thismy ne" $ronouncement give it the a$$lause "hich your old $romise demands.

E &artly translated !y ;ui?ot "istoire de la ciilisation en France, ed. 14@ $$. 4 ff.E Translated !y )hai ii. '@ ff.

$. 8SI9

To the Lord /isho& !raecusA.D. 474

[1] I >=B: the fortune of my ha!itual messenger "ho has the chance of seeing you so often. =or do I confine my

envy to Amantius+1

I am 0ealous of the very letters o$ened !y the hands and $erused !y the eyes "hich I so muchrevere. AlasK $enned as I am "ithin the narro" enclosure of half*!urned and ruinous "alls "ith the terror of "ar atthe gates I am never allo"ed to satisfy my longing to greet you again. Would that the state and $ros$ects of)lermont "ere such as to mae our ecuses for not meeting less ecusa!leK ['] It is the hardest stroe of all that thevery $unishment of our old la$ses from 0ustice should !ecome our 0ustification. Jy salutations rendered I no"earnestly !eg you to release me from my duty of $aying you a visit+ I must discharge the de!t as "ell as I can !yletter. If $eace ever maes the roads secure again your only fear need !e that I shall $resent myself so often as to

!ecome in future a mere nuisance. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 61'4

$!. 8S9

To the Lord /isho& Aus&iciusA.D. 472

[1] I the state of our country and our times allo"ed me freedom I should not ee$ u$ my friendshi$s !y the $oore$edient of corres$ondence. 3ut since the storms aroused !y the shoc of ingdoms confound all ho$es of fraternal

$eace and <uiet let us retain in se$aration that constant echange of letters so long ago devised for the solace ofa!sent friends and a$$roved !y the eam$le of anti<uity. :ou must forgive one "ho so reveres you the rarity of hisvisits+ !ut the un!roen en0oyment of your sainted converse is denied him !y the menace of formida!le neigh!oursand !y the delicacy of his relations "ith his o"n $rotectors.1 (n these $oints I need say no more# I have already saidtoo much. ['] This letter introduces to you the !earer &eter a man of tri!unician ran+ he $ersonally $ressed for theintroduction and "ill !e !etter a!le to e$lain his !usiness orally. I !eg that the sight of this $age from me may



secure him your su$$ort in so far as may !e consistent "ith 0ustice+ it is not my custom to urge even my friends/claims unfairly. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

$!!.

To his friend [Tonantius] Ferreolus

c. A.D. 47C

[1] I disregarding our friendshi$ and relations I had considered only your ran and $osition your name 61' "ouldhave taen its $ro$er $lace at the !eginning of this small "or and the dedication "ould have !een yours. Jy $enshould have recounted the curule chairs of your ancestors and the infulae of their $atrician dignity+ it should nothave omitted the t"ice re$eated $refecture or refused to herald "ith due $raise your great %yagrius for three timeschanging the heralds of his office. It should have $roceeded to cele!rate your father and your uncles "hom it "ereim$ossi!le indeed to $ass in silence+ ['] and ho"ever "orn !y transcri!ing the long roll of your ancestral trium$hsit should not have !een so s$ent !y the unfolding of your genealogy as to gro" too !lunt for the record of your o"nachievements. Why even if the recital of your ancestral glories had dulled it that of your great $ersonal <ualities"ould lend it a ne" $oint. In $lace of all this it is determined to $ay you here cons$icuous homage and leavingyour $ast career to s$ea for itself to consider rather "hat you are to*day. [2] It has $assed over your administrationof the ;auls "hen they "ere still at their greatest etent. It has !een silent on the efficacy of your measures against

Attila the enemy on the Fhine and Thorismond the guest of the Fhone and on your su$$ort of Aetius the i!eratorof the oire. It has not related the dragging of your chariot !y cheering $rovincials "hose fervent a$$lause $roclaimed their gratitude for the $rudence and the foresight "ith "hich you handled the reins of $o"er+ since youruled the ;auls "ith such "isdom that the ehausted $ro$rietor "as relieved from the un!eara!le yoe of taes. It

$assed over the address "ith "hich you influenced the savage ;othic ing 61'@ !y a language !lending grace "ithgravity and astuteness a language unfamiliar in his ears causing him to "ithdra" from the gates of Arles !y a

!an<uet "here Aetius could not have succeeded !y force of arms. [4] All this it for!ore to d"ell u$on !ecause it"as my ho$e that you might more fitly find a $lace among the !isho$s than the senators+ I deemed it morea$$ro$riate that your name should !e found among the $erfect of the ord than among the $refects of Balentinian.Jalice need not misconstrue your insertion among the $riests+ only great ignorance can hold that a man could loseran there!y. ,ust as at a $u!lic !an<uet the last guest at the first ta!le taes $recedence of the first guest at thesecond so in the o$inion of all reasona!le men the least of the religious is !eyond dis$ute a!ove the holder of thehighest office. I as your $rayers on my !ehalf.

$!!!.

To his friend ul&iciusc. A. D. 47

[1] :(GF son Himerius the $riest1 of "hom I had hitherto seen little !ut heard much his re$utation !eing "idecame to yons not long ago from Troyes and there I had a hurried o$$ortunity of forming an o$inion of him. Incharacter he reminds me of the sainted u$us the foremost of our ;allic !isho$s master of his sacred $rofessionand author of his ran "ithin it. ['] ,ust ;odK ho" charming is his "ay of enouncing his vie"s "hether he is urgingor de!ating any given course of actionK With "hat $oint he s$eas "hen 61'7 ased his advice "ith "hat s"eetness"hen he has resort to that of othersK He is an enthusiast for letters a!ove all for sacred literature in "hich he everavoids the froth of ver!iage and chooses the su!stantial marro". The end of his every action is )hrist/s service+ if he

accelerates or delays it is for that. It is a thing at once "onderful and admira!le that although he is al"ays tran<uilhe does nothing idle. [2] asts are a 0oy to him yet he does not a!0ure the social !oard+ the "ay of the cross ee$shim faithful to the first love of his ind inclines him sometimes to the last. In either case he uses the utmostmoderation+ "hen he dines he mortifies his a$$etite+ "hen he fasts it is "ithout vainglory. (n others he sho"ersfavours !ut is reluctant to acce$t theirs+ and "hen his turn to receive an e<uivalent comes $refers that the de!tshould remain un$aid. [4] It is his "ay to give his inferiors $recedence at ta!le or in council or "hen travelling+ thismaes his su$eriors in ran delight to follo" his eam$le and $lace themselves !elo" him "hen they can. Inintercourse "ith others he sho"s the utmost tact. The stranger is $ut at his ease+ the feelings of a friend are neverhurt. The over*credulous are not $laced in false $ositions nor are the curious re!uffed. %us$icion he meets "ithoutmalice+ he does not say hard things of no"ledge or treat ignorance "ith contem$t. In the )hurch he has the



sim$licity of the dove in the "orld the "isdom of the ser$ent. In his dealings "ith the good he has a name for $rudence "ith the !ad for caution+ !ut "ith neither does he resort to guile. [] >nough# he seemed to me yoursecond self re$roducing in the most charming manner all your moderation your $iety your 61' franness yourmodesty the su$reme $urity of a sensitive and delicate mind. %o that in future you can en0oy your $rivacy and retirefrom the "orld as much as ever you lie since my !rother Himerius "ith his grandsire/s name his father/s loosand the sage <ualities of !oth "ill al"ays !e at my dis$osal. are"ell.

$!#.

To his friend hilagrius

c. A. D. 47

[1] A %H(FT "hile since at a large gathering of the $rinci$al $ersons here some one mentioned your name. All"ere unanimous in sounding your $raises though one esteemed you for one <uality and a second for another. Thencertain individuals too on themselves to claim a more intimate ac<uaintance on the ground that they sa" youfre<uently. That made me flare u$+ I could not for a moment allo" it to !e said that one distinguished in all inds ofletters is !etter no"n !y his countrified neigh!ours than !y men of culture living a great distance a"ay. ['] Thediscussion "as carried further+ some $resent argued the $oint "ith o!stinacy for it is characteristic of stu$id $eo$lethat they are easily $roved "rong !ut very hard to silence. I stood my ground and maintained that it might indeed

!e trying for such a man/s cultured friends to !e de$rived of his society !ut that all the same it "as endura!le+ their !rains and their $ens gave them access to the remotest $rovince "here the need of )ulture "as felt "hile theunlettered fello" citi?en "as al"ays a stranger "ithin the gates. It "as matter 61'C of fre<uent e$erience I said formen of education se$arated !y "ide distances to conceive for each other an esteem as great as any "hich can !e

$roduced !y the most assiduous of $ersonal relations. That !eing so they had !etter leave off eaggerating the effectof unavoida!le se$arations for they only sho"ed that they thought more of face than character. [2] &eo$le mayargue if they lie that matter not mind maes the man 1 !ut I am at a loss to find anything to "onder at in thehuman race vie"ed cor$oreally for its limits are so narro" ho"ever "ide its range of action+ !y the conditions ofits !irth it is the most misera!le and hel$less of all that sees the light. The o has his hairy coat the !oar his !ristlesthe !ird its feathers+ and in addition these creatures have arms for offence and for defence in their horns and tussand cla"s. 3ut man/s lim!s are such $oor things that they seem to have !een flung at random into the "orld not

!rought into it !y intelligi!le la"s. or other animals !road*!osomed =ature lie a true mother $rovides all manner of $rotection+ the human !ody she 0ust casts forth to give it thencefor"ard the ste$mother/s indifferent usage. [4] To

me "ho hold that your mind is greater than your !ody the contrary su$$osition is untena!le+ it "ould !e ridiculouson that hy$othesis that man should !e differentiated !y $ossession of a reasoning mind from !easts una!le todistinguish the true from the false. I should lie to as those "ho so a!surdly 0udge friends !y a$$earances insteadof investigation "hat remains "hen they have even in the slightest degree im$aired the dignity of the human soul"hat after that they find so eminent and admira!le 612 in man5 [] Is it height5 that is often a <uality morea$$ro$riate in a !eam. Is it strength5 that reigns more mightily in the lion/s sine"y nec. ;race of feature5 the clayof the statue and the "a of the $ortrait 1 hold its im$ress !etter. Is it s$eed5 for that dogs are more 0ustly famed than"e. Bigilance5 for that $ri?e the o"l com$etes. Is it strength of voice5 the ass/s !ray is loudest. Industry5 therein onits tiny scale the ant fears no com$arison. [@] Do they allege eenness of sight5 ho" a!surdK as if the eagle/s vision"ere not far a!ove that of man. Leenness of hearing5 as if the coarse*sinned s"ine "ere not his rival. Leenness ofscent5 as if in that the vulture "ere not su$reme. Discernment of taste5 as if there "e "ere not far !ehind themoney. I need hardly trou!le to s$ea of touch our fifth sense+ the $hiloso$her shares it "ith the "orm. Why s$ea of the carnal a$$etites5 the man/s lust is satisfied in the same "ay as that of the !rute. [7] And this $oor thing is thehumanity $araded and triced out !y fools "ho give themselves airs and flout me !ecause they no" you more orless !y sightK 3ut I have al"ays !efore my eyes a &hilagrius other than theirs a &hilagrius "ho "ould not !e himself if I sa" him and he did not s$ea. The "hole argument recalls to me a certain "ell*no"n remar made on adifferent ind of occasion it is true !ut nevertheless to our $oint# /The son of Jarcus )icero "as s$eaing andFome did not even no" "ho he "as./ ' or accom$lishments of mind !ring "ith them dignity "orth and the $re*eminence recogni?ed !y universal consent and !y their means alone man gradually attains the heights of merit. [] irst you have the animal frame 6121 "hich !y virtue of its form ecels formless matter. A!ove that comes the !ody

$ossessing intelligence. And a!ove the intelligence of !easts rises the mind of man. or as mere flesh is !elo" lifeso mere life is !elo" reason of "hich the )reator has made our su!stance alone ca$a!le and not the su!stance ofanimals. :et ho" variously conditioned is the human mindK There are souls "hich are rational indeed !ut !y reason



of slo"ness and dull "its are s$urned !y others "hich see further and more clearly. In lie manner there are souls"hich having only a natural understanding acce$t the su$eriority of those more enlightened than themselves. [C] When I consider these gradations I al"ays have !efore my mind/s eye the &hilagrius "hom a similarity of tastes hasmade $otentially at least my friend. Ho"ever $o$ular you may !e "ith the "orthiest among us no man has aclearer insight into your inner nature than he "ho strives out"ardly to imitate you. And ho" closely I for my o"n

$art try to follo" you in your inclinations the rest of this letter shall reveal. [1] They say you lie <uiet $eo$le+ I gofurther and lie the idle. :ou shun !ar!arians !ecause of the !ad name they !ear+ I avoid them even "hen they !eara good one.1 :ou are ardent in study+ I do not suffer a natural indolence to hold me !ac. :ou act u$ to your religion+I only seem to do so. :ou do not covet your neigh!our/s goods+ I hold it sufficient gain not to lose my o"n. [11] :oulove the society of the learned+ to me the !igger the cro"d of the unlettered the vaster is the solitude. :ou are said to

!e of a cheerful countenance+ I hold that every tear shed on earth ece$t in $rayer is vain. :ou are re$orted to 612' !egiven to hos$itality+ my $oor ta!le lie the cave of &oly$hemus re0ects no $ossi!le guest. :ou are indulgent "ithyour servants+ it is no torture to me that mine are not tortured for each trivial fault committed. [1'] Is it your vie"that a man should fast on alternate days5 I am "ith you. That he should dine5 I am not ashamed to antici$ate youthere. If &rovidence "ould grant me a sight of you I should !e as delighted as only he can !e to "hom even yoursmaller traits are familiar+ "ith your greater <ualities I am of course thoroughly ac<uainted. %o that if I ever domanage to see you face to face I shall hardly no" you any !etter than I do no" though I may gain a ne" $leasurein eistence. are"ell.

$#.

To his friend alonius

c. A. D. 47

[1] >B>F: time I go to Bienne I "ould give a great deal if you and your !rother stayed more fre<uently in theto"n for "e three are all united not only !y the ties of friendshi$ !ut !y those of a common literary interest.1 3utyour !rother eludes my re$roaches !y $retending the visits he has constantly to mae to his su!ur!an $ro$erty sothat he is never $resent to stand on his o"n defence+ you in your turn find a similar ecuse as one $ossessed !y ane"ly*ac<uired $ossession. ['] 3e all this as it may come this time and I "ill let you go on condition that you !oth

$romise to come again either in turn or [together5] at some later time. :ou may live in the country and !e modelcultivators+ 6122 !ut not till you give more la!our yet to the )hurch "hich you love "ill you !ring increase to thetrue land of your souls. are"ell.

$#!.

To Abbot ChariobaudusA.D. 477

[1] I= alleviating !y a letter of condolence the trou!le of an a!sent friend ( my one $atron in )hrist you haveacted lie your !enevolent self. Jay your thoughts ever turn to me thus+ may this intermina!le chain of anieties"hich your ehortations have "orn do"n !e finally !roen !y your $rayers. ['] I thin your freedmen haveconcluded the !usiness on "hich you sent them and are on their "ay home+ they have done everything "ith suchenergy that they never re<uired any assistance. I send you !y them a co"l for night"ear though I admit that the endof "inter "ith summer in sight is not <uite the right time to send you "oollens. When you are ehausted !y longfasting it shall give you $ro$er $rotection as you $ass from your !ed to Bigils and !ac again. are"ell.

$#!!.

To his brother 'olusianusA.D. 477

[1] :ou as me my lord !rother !y the la" of friendshi$ "hich none may infringe to set my long inactive fingers tothe old forge. I am to "rite a sad funeral 6124 dirge for the sainted A!raham1 ne"ly de$arted this life. I shall not failto o!ey moved alie !y your authority and even more !y the devotion of the no!le )ount Bictorius my $atron



according to the "orld my son according to the )hurch "hom I honour as a client and love as a father. He gavea!undant $roof of his ardent solicitude for the servants of )hrist "hen !y the sic $riest/s couch he hum!led hisdignity and !ent his !ody lo" a!ove the dying his o"n face sym$athetically $aling "ith that already colourless !ythe a$$roach of death+ "hile his tears !etrayed his dee$ feeling for the friend he "as to lose. ['] He has insisted ontaing the funeral almost entirely u$on himself and defraying all the e$enses re<uired for the due o!se<uies of a

$riest+ to com$lete the honour due to the memory of the de$arted I can only contri!ute these fe" "ords confiningmy $en to a $lain testimony of a mutual affection.

E/A!raham "orthy to stand !eside the celestial $atrons "hom I shall not fear to call thy colleagues since they aregone !efore on the $ath "hich thou shalt follo"+ a share in the martyr/s glory gives a share in the ingdom ofheaven. 3orn !y >u$hrates for )hrist thou didst endure the $rison chains and hunger for five long years. rom thecruel Ling of %usa' thou didst fly esca$ing alone to the distant land of the West. Jarvels !orn of his holinessfollo"ed the ste$s of the confessor+ thyself a fugitive thou didst $ut to flight the s$irits of evil. Wherever thyfootste$s $assed the throng of emures cried surrender+ the eile/s voice !ade the demons go forth into !anishment.All sought 612 thee yet didst thou yield to no vain am!ition+ the honours acce$ta!le in thy sight "ere those that

!rought the heaviest !urdens. Thou didst shun the tumult of Fome and of 3y?antium and the "alls of the city that"arlie Titus !reached.1 =ot Aleandria held thee not Antioch+ thou s$urnedst 3yrsa the famed home of Dido. ' Thou didst contemn the $o$ulous lands of Favenna !y the marshes and the city named from the "oolly s"ine.2 3utthis corner of earth "as $leasing to thee this $oor retreat this hut roofed "ith reeds. Here didst thou rear a sacredhouse to ;od thou "hose o"n frame "as already itself His tem$le. Here ended thy "anderings here thy life/scourse+ no" thy la!ours are re"arded !y a t"ofold cro"n. =o" dost thou stand in &aradise amid the thousands ofthe %aints "ith A!raham for thy fello" "anderer. =o" art thou entered into thine o"n land from "hich Adam fell+no" lies thy "ay clear to the sources of thy native stream./4

[2] With these lines I have $aid as you desired the last o!servance due to him "ho is no" laid to rest. 3ut if it is theduty of those "ho yet live of !rothers friends and comrades to o!ey the commands of !rotherly affection I shallmae you a re<uest in my turn# I "ould !eg you to use the $rinci$les "ith "hich you are so eminently endo"ed forthe consolation of the dead man/s follo"ers confirm !y the disci$line of erins or of ;rigny the shaen rule of a

!rotherhood no" cast adrift "ithout a leader. If you find any insu!ordinate see to it in $erson that they are $unished+if any o!edient give them $raise from your o"n li$s. The holy Auanius is $resumed to !e their head+ !ut he as 612@

you "ell no" is too infirm of !ody and of too diffident a character and more fitted to o!ey than to command. Hehimself insists that you should !e called in that in succeeding to the headshi$ of the house he may have the su$$ortof your overheadshi$+ for if any of the younger mons should treat him "ith disres$ect as one lacing alie incourage and e$erience thans to you a 0oint rule "ould not !e slighted "ith im$unity. I say no more. If you "ouldhave my "ishes in a fe" "ords they are these+ I desire !rother Auanius to !e a!!ot over the rest and you yourselfto !e a!ove the a!!ot. are"ell.

E The verses are translated !y ertig &art ii $. 4.

$#!!!.


c. A. D. 47C

[1] /WITH you my "or !egan "ith you it shall end./1 I send the volume for "hich you ased !ut the choice of

letters has !een rather hurried. I could only find com$aratively fe"+ I had not $reserved any num!er never havingcontem$lated their a$$earance in this form. e" and trivial as they are I "as soon done "ith them+ though "hen Ihad once started I found the love of scri!!ling !y no means dead "ithin me and that I "as een to !alance anydeficiency in their num!er !y an addition to their length.

['] At the same time I thought that if it "as to attract so fine a critic the !oo "ould !e handier and need lessa$ology if you had a smaller "eight of $archment to deal "ith since in $arts there "as a certain 6127 lightness ofstyle and su!0ect "hich might give you cause of offence. I therefore su!mit to your 0udgement these manifoldemotions of my heart "ell a"are that a !oo as surely reflects a man/s mind as a mirror his face. A fe" of the letters

$reach a num!er congratulate+ some offer advice others consolation+ not a fe" are humorous.



[2] If here and there you find that I sho" une$ected heat I "ould have you no" that "hile )hrist is my defender I"ill never suffer my 0udgement to !e enslaved+ I no" as "ell as any one that "ith regard to this side of mycharacter there are t"o o$inions# the timid call me rash the resolute a lover of freedom+ I myself strongly feel thatthe man "ho has to hide his real o$inions cuts a very a!0ect figure. [4] To return to my original su!0ect. If you everallo" yourself a rest from your unending studies in religious literature these trivialities should afford you innocentdistraction. There is here no intermina!le theme to "eary you+ each su!0ect ends "ith its containing letter+ you cansee "here you are at a glance and have done !efore the inclination to read has died "ithin you. are"ell.

Sidonius Apollinaris, Letters. Tr. O.M. Dalton (1915) %ol. &. pp. 13'-15 ; Boo #!!!

BOO" #!!!

!.

To his friend etroniusc. A. D. 4

[1] A JA= "ho maes it a $rinci$le "henever he can to encourage his friends along the $ath of glory deserves thegratitude of all good men every"here# the $ractice is your honoura!le distinction+ !e true to it al"ays. To no othercause can I ascri!e this ne" re<uest that I should turn out my cases at )lermont in the search for further letters. Ishould have thought the eam$les already $u!lished "ould have satisfied you+ !ut I must needs o!ey though I shallmerely a$$end a fe" at the end to su$$lement the original series and cro"n the com$leted volume as it "ere !y amarginal addition. ['] I shall no" have fresh reason to !e on my guard against malignant critics for adding in this"ay to a !oo "hich has already seen the light. Ho" indeed could I ho$e to esca$e the edged tongues of thes$iteful*!orn "hen even a Demosthenes and a )icero for all their masterly $eriods and their $erfected elo<uence"ere not $ermitted to go free5 The first found his detractor in Demades the second in Antonius car$ers !oth "hosemalice "as as clear as their diction "as o!scure and "ho have come do"n to $osterity sim$ly through their hate of

ecellence. [2] 3ut since the command has gone forth I set my sail to the old "inds+ I have navigated oceans andshall I not cross this <uiet 612C "ater5 I have al"ays !een convinced that a man should give of his !est in anything he"rites and then tran<uilly face all criticism. There is no middle course+ one must either care no 0ot for "hat themalignant say or else hold one/s $eace altogether. are"ell.

!!.

To his friend 5ohannesA. D. 47

[1] I %H(GD hold myself guilty of something lie a crime against $olite learning most accom$lished of friends"ere I for a moment to defer congratulation on your o"n success in deferring the decease of iterature. (ne mightalmost s$ea of her as dead and !uried+ it is your glory to have revived su$$orted and cham$ioned her and in thistem$est of "ar "hich has "reced the Foman $o"er you are the sole master in ;aul "ho has !rought the atintongue safely into $ort. ['] (ur contem$oraries and our successors should all "ith one accord and fervent gratitudededicate statues or $ortraits to you as to a ne" Demosthenes or Tully+ !y your eam$le they "ere formed andeducated and they shall $reserve in the very midst of an invinci!le !ut alien race this evidence of their ancient

!irthright. %ince old grades of ran are no" a!olished "hich once distinguished the high from the lo" in futureculture must afford the sole criterion of no!ility. =one is more dee$ly inde!ted to your learning than I+ for lie allauthors $rofessed "ho "rite for $osterity I shall o"e to your school and your teaching the certainty of anunderstanding audience. are"ell. 614



!!!.

To his friend Leo

A. D. 47

[1] I %>=D you at your re<uest the Life of A&ollonius the ythagorean1 not in the transcri$tion !y =icomachus the

>lder from &hilostratus !ut in that from =icomachus himself !y Tascius Bictorianus. ' I "as so eager to fulfil your"ish that the result is a maeshift of a co$y o!scure and over*hurried and rough as any version could !e. 2 :et the"or too me longer than I e$ected and for this you must not !lame me for all the time I "as a ca$tive "ithin the"alls of ivia4 release from "hich I o"e net to )hrist to you. Jy mind "as sic "ith care and really una!le tofulfil my tas even in the most desultory manner+ all inds of hindrances $revented me****various o!ligations !yday my utter misery at night. ['] When the evening hour !rought me at last to my <uarters ready to dro$ "ithfatigue my heavy eyelids ne" small re$ose+ there "ere t"o old ;othic "omen esta!lished <uite close to the"indo" of my cham!er "ho at once !egan their chatter****<uarrelsome drunen and disgusting creatures "hoselie "ill not easily !e seen again. As soon as my restoration to my o"n home gave me a little leisure I dis$atchedthe !oo "ith all its faults u$on it uncorrected ill*digested as you might say an immature "ine+ in doing so Ithought more of your aniety to have it than of my o"n res$onsi!ilities. [2] =o" that your "ish is gratified forsaea"hile A$ollo/s !ays and the fount of Hi$$ocrene+ forget the measures of "hich you alone 6141 are a!solute masterand "hich in those "ho have only your learning "ithout your elo<uence seem not so much to rise from a "ell*

s$ring as to dri$ $ainfully from fevered !ro"s. %tay the reno"ned stream of an elo<uence $eculiar to your race andline "hich flo"ing from your ancestor the great ronto through successive generations has no" $assed in duecourse into your !reast. ay aside a"hile the universally a$$lauded s$eeches com$osed for the royal li$s thosefamed deliverances "ith "hich the glorious monarch from his ealted $lace stries terror into the hearts of tri!es

!eyond the seas or !inds a treaty on the necs of !ar!arians trem!ling !y the Waal1 or throughout his ne"lyetended realm cur!s force itself !y la" as once he cur!ed his foes !y force. [4] %hae off the !urden of yourendless cares and steal a little leisure from the affairs and agitations of the court. =ot till you surrender yourself"holly to this !oo and in imagination voyage "ith our Tyaneus to )aucasus and Ind among the ;ymnoso$hists of >thio$ia and the 3rahmins of Hindostan not till then shall you no" the story you desired in its right hour and as itshould !e no"n. [] Fead then the life of a man "ho !ut for his $aganism in many $oints resem!led you as one"ho did not $ursue riches !ut "as $ursued !y the rich+ "ho loved no"ledge and did not covet money+ "ho "asa!stemious among the feasters and "ent in coarse linen among $rinces ro!ed in $ur$le+ "ho "as grave amidluurious follies+ "hose hair "as matted "hose face "as rough and hirsute among smooth anointed $eo$les+ "ho"as cons$icuous in the dignity of his s<ualor among satra$s of cro"ned monarchs e<uisite in $erson 614' anddrenched "ith nard and myrrh+ "ho a!stained from animal flesh and "ould not clothe himself in "ool****for sucha!stinence indeed held more in honour than contem$t in the >astern ingdoms "hich he traversed. When royaltreasures "ere $laced at his dis$osal he ased only the gifts he lied to offer others and "ould not ee$ himself. [@] Why $ursue the su!0ect further5 Gnless I am much at fault it may !e dou!ted "hether our ancestors/ days $roduceda !iogra$her fit to "rite so great a life+ !ut of this there is no dou!t at all that in your $erson our o"n times have

$roduced a student "orthy to $eruse it. are"ell.

!#.

To his friend Consentiusc. A. D. 47

[1] WI &rovidence ever allo" us to meet once more honoured lord on your estate of (ctaviana****I call it yours !ut it seems really to !elong to your friends 0ust as much as to you. %ituated as it is near to"n and sea and river itoffers continual hos$itality to all comers and to yourself a regular succession of guests. Ho" charming too is itsfirst as$ect "ith its "alls so cleverly designed in $erfect architectural symmetryK ho" !rilliant is the gleam ofcha$el colonnade and !aths cons$icuous near and farK Then there is the amenity of its fields and "aters its vines andolives its a$$roach its !eauty of hill and $lain. Well stoced and furnished "ith a!undance it has also a large andco$ious li!rary+ 6142 "hen the master is there dividing his interests !et"een $en and $lough one might !e in dou!t"hether his mind or his estate en0oys the finer culture. ['] =o "onder this "as the chosen $lace 8unless my memorydeceives me9 "here you have $roduced the s"ift iam!ics the $ointed elegiacs the rounded hendecasylla!les and allthe other verses fragrant "ith thyme and flo"ers of $oesy to !e sung !y every one at 3N?iers and =ar!onneK These



$oems no less remara!le for s$eed of com$osition than for charm of style mae you !eloved of yourcontem$oraries and must increase your fame among those "ho shall come after us. I have al"ays !een convinced of it myself every time a ne" $oem of yours has !een !rought me as it "ere hot from the com$oser/s anvil and thoughI may !e an indifferent "riter I am no such des$ica!le critic. [2] Jy earlier life might not im$ro$erly find time forsuch $ursuits and in fact it did so. 3ut no" I only read and "rite of serious things for no" it is high time to thinrather of eternal life than of $osthumous reno"n and to remem!er that after death our good "ors and not ourliterary "or "ill !e "eighed in the !alance. [4] I am far from im$lying !y this that you do not ecel in !oth or thatthe lively style "hich you still affect is inconsistent "ith gravity of 0udgement+ !ut since !y )hrist/s grace you arealready a saint in secret I "ould have you o$enly su!mit to His salutary yoe a head and heart alie devoted to Hisservice your tongue un"earying in $rayer and $raise your mind filled "ith $ious thoughts your hand ever o$en in

!enefaction. >s$ecially "ould I insist u$on the o$en hand for all that you cast a!road 6144 among the churches isreally gathered in for yourself. et this reflection a!ove all incite you to the eercise of generosity that "hatever !eour o$$ortunities in res$ect of the things "hich the foolish call this "orld/s goods all that "e give in charity remainsour o"n all that "e ee$ is really lost to us. are"ell.

#.

To his friend Fortunalis

c. A. D. 4

[1] :ou too shall figure in my $ages dear ortunalis column of friendshi$ !right ornament of your %$anish country.:our o"n ac<uaintance "ith letters is not after all so slight as to de$rive you of any immortality "hich they canconfer. The glory of your name shall live+ yes it shall survive into after ages. ['] If my "ritings "in any favour orres$ect if they command any confidence among men I "ill have $osterity no" that none "ere more stout of heartthan you+ that none "ere goodlier to see or more e<uita!le in 0udgement none more $atient none "eightier incouncil gayer in com$any or more charming in conversation. ast and not least it shall learn that these $raiseshave !een enhanced !y your misfortunes. or it is more liely to hold you great as one $roved in the hard day ofadversity than as one "ho lay hidden in the !osom of ind fortune. are"ell. 614

#!.

To his friend 3amatius*

c. A. D. 4

[1] )AIG% ,GIG% )A>%AF re$uted the greatest master of strategy "ho ever lived "as a great reader and a great"riter also. Though he "as the first man of his age and the arts of "ar and rhetoric dis$uted his genius "ith e<uallyglorious results yet he never considered himself to have attained the summit in either !ranch of no"ledge untilyour orator of Ar$inum $roclaimed him "ithout a rival among men. ['] To com$are small things "ith great 1 it has

!een the same in my o"n case ho"ever vast my inferiority. =o one should no" this !etter than yourselfconcerned as you have al"ays !een for my success and for my modesty in !earing it. I learn that lavius =icetiusdistinguished a!ove all his countrymen !y his !irth his ran his merit his $rudence his "ise no"ledge of the"orld has accorded my small "or unlimited $raise. He has gone further and declared that "hile yet in the $rime of life I have sur$assed in the t"o fields of literature and "ar the great num!er of our young men and not a fe" of theolder among us. [2] If I may say it "ithout vanity I derive real satisfaction from the a$$roval of so eminent a 0udge.If he is right his "eight counts for much+ if $artial I have a fresh $roof of his friendshi$+ though no"adays every

man of us is !ut a sluggard in deed and in "ord an infant in com$arison "ith his 614@ forefathers. To the men ofearlier ages the ruler of all ages granted su$reme ecellence in these arts+ !ut no" the "orld "aes old the<uicening seed is ehausted the marro" lost+ and if in our time aught of admira!le or memora!le a$$ears it ismanifest in eceeding fe". [4] =icetius may lead all learning and all letters !ut I fear that our intimacy may haveled him to eaggerate my merit through the !ias natural to friendshi$. And "ere it so I "ill not deny that in the $astI used often to attend the delivery of his luminous s$eeches and ho"ever fleeting or im$erfect my memories I may

$ro$erly recall some of them in the $resent $lace even at the ris of !eing thought to 0oin a game of mutualadmiration.



[] I heard him s$ea "hen I "as gro"ing to manhood and had 0ust left !oyhood !ehind me+ at that time my father"as $raetorian $refect $residing over the tri!unals of ;aul and in his term of office Astyrius assumed the tra!ea andin a $ro$itious hour inaugurated his consulshi$.1 (n that day I hardly stirred from the curule chair+ my age gave meno right to a seat !ut my ran allo"ed me to ee$ in the foreground+ so I stood net to the censor/s men "ho in their official mantles stood nearest to the consul. As soon as the largess had !een distri!uted 8and that too little timethough it "as no little one9 as soon as the di$tychs had !een !esto"ed the re$resentative advocates of the $rovince"ho had come in from every district ased "ith one consent that the assum$tion of the consul/s office might !ecele!rated in a $anegyric. The ceremonies had antici$ated the day and there "as yet some time !efore the late da"n"hich other"ise "ould have !een $assed in 6147 silence. [@] All eyes turned at once to"ards =icetius the first men

$resent "ere the first to loo his "ay+ the assem!ly called u$on him not !y a voice here or there !ut !y generalacclamation+ he reddened and cast do"n his eyes giving us such an earnest of his modest nature as gained himhardly fe"er !ravos than the elo<uence he su!se<uently dis$layed. He s$oe "ith method "ith gravity "ith fire+ ifhis ardour "as great his fluency "as yet greater and his science greatest of all+ his coloured and golden languageseemed to enhance the s$lendour of the consul/s $alm*em!roidered ro!e stee$ed though it "as in %arranian dyesand rich "ith a$$lied stri$s that rustled at every movement of the "earer. [7] A!out that time 8to s$ea lie adecemvir9 "as $romulgated the statute of limitations1 "hich decreed in summary terms that all cases $rotracted tothirty years should automatically la$se. It "as our orator "ho first introduced this la" as yet unno"n in ;aul+ headvocated it at the tri!unal+ he e$ounded it to the various $arties+ and he finally sa" it added to the statute*!oo

!efore a great audience "hose mem!ers mostly e$t their feet in their ecitement and only interru$ted !y a$$lause.[] I had many other occasions of o!serving his intellectual ca$acity myself uno!served and therefore in the !est of

all $ositions to see the real man+ for though my father governed the $rovince it "as to =icetius that he "ent foradvice. It must suffice to say that I never heard of a single action of "hich I did not lie to hear and "hich I did notadmire.

[C] The union in his $erson of all these fine <ualities naturally maes me $roud to receive the suffrage of a critic sohigh in the $u!lic esteem. Whatever his 614 o$inion it must have great influence+ if rumour is true he is on my sideand I shall have 0ust as good reason to !e reassured as I should have had to feel uneasy had his vote gone the other"ay. In any case I am determined as soon as I no" for certain "hat he thins either to give silence a loose rein or cur! my facility according to the verdict. or if he su$$orts me I shall !e inclined to go on taling lie an Athenian+if he condemns no citi?en of Amyclae shall hold his tongue lie me.1

[1] 3ut no more of myself or of my friend# ho" does the "orld go "ith you5 I am every "hit as eager to hear yourne"s as to give you mine. Are you hunting or !uilding or $laying the country gentleman5 Are you indulging oneonly of these $ursuits or each in turn or all together5 As for Bitruvius and )olumella' you do "ell to study eitherone or !oth for you are com$etent to deal "ith either admira!ly as one "ho is e<ually at home in agriculture and in

!uilding. [11] With s$ort the case is different and I !eg you not to $lume yourself u$on your $ro"ess. It is useless toinvite the !oar to meet your s$ears so long as you tae the field alone "ith those eceedingly merciful hounds ofyours+ you 0ust rouse the <uarry !ut not enough to mae him run. It is ecusa!le enough that your dogs should dreadclose <uarters "ith such formida!le !easts as !oars+ !ut "hat a$ology can you mae "hen they hunt $oor hel$lessids and timid does head high and s$irits $rone stinting the $ace !ut $rodigal of music5 [1'] :ou "ill find it more

$rofita!le to net in the rough rocs and liely coverts and cry the dogs on from a chosen $ost+ if you have any self*res$ect left you "ill give u$ gallo$ing over the o$en country and lying in "ait for the leverets of (lNron. 614C Indeedit is hardly "orth "hile to "orry them on rare occasions !y unleashing the hounds in the o$en unless our goodA$ollinaris comes to hel$ you and your father and gives you a !etter run.

[12] 3ut 0oing a$art do let me no" ho" things go "ith you and your household. ,ust as I "as on the $oint ofending a letter "hich had ram!led on long enough lo and !eholdK a courier from %aintonges. I "hiled a"ay sometime taling "ith him a!out you+ and he "as very $ositive that you had "eighed anchor and in fulfilment of thosehalf military half naval duties of yours "ere coasting the "estern shores on the loo*out for curved shi$s+ the shi$sof the %aons1 in "hose every oarsman you thin to detect an arch*$irate. )a$tains and cre"s alie to a man theyteach or learn the art of !rigandage+ therefore let me urgently caution you to !e ever on the alert. [14] or the %aonis the most ferocious of all foes. He comes on you "ithout "arning+ "hen you e$ect his attac he maes a"ay.Fesistance only moves him to contem$t+ a rash o$$onent is soon do"n. If he $ursues he overtaes+ if he flieshimself he is never caught. %hi$"recs to him are no terror !ut only so much training. His is no mere ac<uaintance"ith the $erils of the sea+ he no"s them as he no"s himself. A storm $uts his enemies off their guard $reventing



his $re$arations from !eing seen+ the chance of taing the foe !y sur$rise maes him gladly face every ha?ard ofrough "aters and !roen rocs.

[1] Joreover "hen the %aons are setting sail from the continent and are a!out to drag their firm*holding anchorsfrom an enemy/s shore it is their usage 61 thus home"ard !ound to a!andon every tenth ca$tive to the slo" agonyof a "atery end casting lots "ith $erfect e<uity among the doomed cro"d in eecution of this ini<uitous sentence of

death. This custom is all the more de$lora!le in that it is $rom$ted !y honest su$erstition. These men are !ound !yvo"s "hich have to !e $aid in victims they conceive it a religious act to $er$etrate this horri!le slaughter and totae anguish from the $risoner in $lace of ransom+ this $olluting sacrilege is in their eyes an a!solving sacrifice. [1@]I am full of aniety and a$$rehension a!out these dangers though on the other hand there are factors "hichencourage me mightily. irstly the standards under "hich you sail are those of an ever*victorious nation. %econdlymen of $rudence among "hose num!er you may fairly !e included are not in the ha!it of leaving anything tochance. Thirdly very intimate friends "ho live far from each other are a$t to feel alarm "ithout due cause !ecauseit is natural to !e a$$rehensive of events at once incalcula!le and occurring very far a"ay. [17] :ou "ill $erha$sargue that the cause of my uneasiness need not !e taen so seriously. That may !e true+ !ut it is also true that "e aremost timid in regard to those "hom "e love !est. %o tae the first o$$ortunity of relieving the fears "hich yoursituation has aroused !y a good account of your fortunes. I am incorrigi!le on this head and shall al"ays fear the"orst for friends a!road until they contradict it themselves es$ecially those harassed !y the "atch"ord or the signalfor attac.

[1] In accordance "ith your re<uest I send you the Libri Logistorici of Barro and the )hronology of >use!ius.1 Ifthese models reach you safely and you find a little 611 leisure from the "atches and the duties of the cam$ you "ill

!e a!le your arms once fur!ished to a$$ly another ind of $olish to an elo<uence "hich must !e getting rusty.are"ell.

E The latter $art translated !y Hodgin 8ii. 2@@*9 "ho also refers to the e$isode of =icetius/ oration 8i!id. 2@*79.

#!!.

To his friend Auda+A. D. 474

[1] I WI%H you "ould tell me into "hat corner of the "orld the fol are cre$t "ho used to !e so $roud of "ealthamassed and hea$s of tarnished family $late.1 Where too are the men "ho on mere grounds of seniority thought toover!ear those "hose one sin it "as to !e younger5 Where are the $eo$le gone "hose real affinities come out innothing so clearly as in their ca$acity for hatred5 ['] As soon as ever merit found recognition as soon as ever "eightof character and not "eight of coin !egan to tell in the scales of im$erial o$inion these "orthies "ere left in thecold "ith their insolent claim to $recedence !y sim$le right of $ro$erty. 3rooding over their money*!ags and I mayadd their vices they "ant to !rand those "ho rise in the "orld as vain u$starts "hile they "ould !e shoced at thesuggestion that they o"e their o"n riches to greed. Athletes in this arena of defamation they ru! in the $oisonous

0uice of s$ite in $lace of oil and so reduce their "eight. [2] 3ut all hail to you "hose "ay is the o$$osite of theirs.:ou have no" the honour of $refectorian ran and though the $restige of high descent "as al"ays yours you haveif anything la!oured rather the more on that account to shed a ne" 61' lustre u$on your $osterity. To an enlightenedmind none seems no!ler than he "ho steadily devotes all his $o"er his intellect and his resources to the single endof ecelling his forefathers. [4] Well it shall !e my $rayer that your sons may e<ual you or even 8a !etter $rayer

still9 leave you !ehind+ and that if there is any envious soul "ho cannot !ear to see you advanced a!ove him he may 0ust endure the seething torment of his o"n s$ite and never having had the chance of $atroni?ing you have no" thefullest reason for his 0ealousy. It is only 0ustice that under a 0ust $rince he should come at the !ottom "ho is

$ersonally nothing and only im$ortant in $ersonalty+ a starveling s$irit and counting only for his money. are"ell.

#!!!.

To his friend yagriusA. D. 474 859



[1] T> me fine flo"er of our ;allic youth ho" much longer your ardour for country la!ours "ill !id you scornthe to"n5 Ho" long shall rustic im$lements unrightfully usur$ the hands only "orn !efore !y thro"ing dice5 Ho"much longer is your estate of Taionnacus to "eary your $atrician lim!s "ith a $easant/s toil5 Ho" much longer (cavalier turned $loughman "ill you go on !urying in the "inter fallo"s the s$oil of the "aving meado"s5 ho"much longer $ly your !lunt and heavy hoe along the intermina!le vine*ro"s5 ['] Why $rofessed rival of %erranusand )amillus1 do you guide the $lough yet renounce the em!roidered toga5 612 ;ive u$ this rustic folly+ cease todisgrace your !irth. Who cultivates in moderation is lord of his land "ho does too much is slave of it. Feturn toyour fatherland return to your father return to all the loyal friends "ho can 0ustly claim a $lace in your affections.(r if the life of )incinnatus the Dictator attracts you so first "ed a Facilia 1 to yoe your oen for you. [2] I don/tsuggest that a man of sense should neglect his domestic affairs+ !ut he should use moderation and thin not merelyof "hat he ought to have !ut "hat he ought to !e. If you renounce all higher interests if your one motive in life isthe increase of your $ro$erty then "hat can it avail you to descend from a line of consuls and see every day theirivory curule chairs "ith a$$lied ornament of gold and their calendars enriched "ith $ur$le5 :our $lodding ando!scure career "ill !ring you rather !urdens from the revenue officials than honour from the censor. are"ell.

!$.

To his friend Lam&ridius *A. D. 47

[1] (= my arrival at 3ordeau your messenger !rought me a letter from you full of nectar rich "ith !looms and $earls. :ou arraign my silence and as me for some of my $oems in a fe" of those verses of yours "hich yourcadenced voice so often sends echoing from your melodious $alate lie music $oured from 614 a flute of manysto$s. In this you tae mean advantage of your royal munificence+ you have sent your gift+ you feel im$regna!le.&erha$s you have forgotten one satirist/s remar a!out another#

/When Horace says ->vohe- he has $lenteously dined./1

['] >noughK :ou are right to send a command from your $lace of ease !idding me sing !ecause you are in the moodto dance. In any case I must o!ey+ and far from acno"ledging com$ulsion I yield of my o"n free "ill+ !ut s$areme if you can the criticism of your $roud )atonian !ro". :ou no" "ell enough "hat manner of thing a $oet/sgladness is+ his s$irit is entangled in grief as the fish in nets+ if sorro" or affliction comes his sensitive soul does not

so lightly "or free from the !onds of anguish# I am still unsuccessful in o!taining a decision a!out my mother*in*la"/s estate even $rovisionally though I have offered a third $art of it as ransom. ' [2] :ou must see "hether thetheme of my verses is such as to $lease you+ !ut my cares for!id me to live in one mood and "rite in another. It"ould !e unfair to me "ere you to institute a com$arison !et"een our t"o $oems. I am harassed+ you are ha$$y. Iam in eile+ 2 you en0oy your rights of citi?enshi$. I cannot attain your level+ I "ant of you verse lie my o"n !utreceive something infinitely !etter. [4] 3ut if !y any chance these trifles com$osed in the midst of much mentaltri!ulation o!tain indulgence at your hands I "ill let you $ersuade me that they are lie the s"an/s notes "hosesong is more harmonious 0ust !efore his death+ or that they are lie lyre*strings tensely dra"n "hich mae the 61 s"eeter music the tighter they are strained. 3ut if verses "ithout suggestion of gaiety or ease can never really $leaseyou "ill find nothing satisfactory in the enclosed. [] Do not forget moreover a second $oint "hich tells againstme namely that a $iece "hich you only read and cannot hear recited is ro!!ed of all the advantage "hich delivery

!y the author lends it. His manuscri$t once dis$atched the most musical of $oets has no further resource+ distancedoes not allo" him to do for himself "hat mimics do !y their accom$animent****mae !ad verse acce$ta!le !y dint

of fine delivery.

E /am$ridius glory of our Thalia "hy urge me no" to sing of )irrha1 or the 3oeotian Juses or Helicon/s $oeticstream called !y neighing &egasus to life at a stroe of his hoof5 Why "ould you mae me "rite as if I had receivedthe Del$hic insignia from your Delian god and myself a ne" A$ollo $ossessed the hangings and the tri$ods thelyre the <uivers the !o"s and gry$hons or tossed from my !ro" the laurel and the ivy5 :ou ( ha$$y Tityrushave "on your lands again+ you may "ander through the groves of $lane and myrtle and strie a lyre "ith "hichyour voice maes $erfect harmony. Wondrous is the music of string and tone and measure.



T"ice has the moon risen u$on me $risoned here+ ' and !ut once have I !een received into the $resence. or scantleisure has the Ling even for himself since all the su!0ugated earth a"aits his nod. We see in his courts the !lue*eyed %aon lord of the seas !ut 61@ a timid landsman here. The ra?or/s een !lade content no more to hold its usualcourse round the head/s etremity "ith clean stroes shearing to the sin drives the margin of the hair !ac from his

!ro" till the head loos smaller and the visage longer. We see thee aged %ygam!rian "arrior the !ac of thy headshaven in sign of thy defeat+ !ut no" thou guidest the ne"*gro"n locs to the old nec again. Here strolls theHerulian "ith his glaucous chees inha!itant of (cean/s furthest shore and of one com$leion "ith its "eedydee$s. Here the 3urgundian !ends his seven feet of stature on su$$liant nee im$loring $eace. Here the (strogothfinds a $o"erful $atron and crushing the Hun !eyond his !order trium$hs at home only through his homage to thismighty $atron. And here ( Foman thou also seeest thy $rotection+ if the ;reat 3ear menaces commotion and the%cythian hordes advance the strong arm of >uric is invoed that ;aronne dra"ing $o"er from the Jars "ho loveshis !ans may !ring defence to the d"indled stream of Ti!er. Here the &arthian Arsacid 1 himself ass grace to holda tri!utary his high hall of %usa. He $erceives in the regions of the 3os$horus dread "ar arise "ith all its enginerynor ho$es that &ersia dismayed at the mere sound of conflict shall avail to guard alone >u$hrates/ !an. He "ho

!oasts himself in "ith stars and near allied to &hoe!us even he !ecomes a sim$le mortal and descends to lo"lysu$$lication.

At such a court my days go !y in vain. 3ut do you ( Tityrus refrain nor invite me more to song. I envy thee nolonger+ I can !ut marvel at thy fortune. 617 or myself I effect nothing+ I utter fruitless $rayers and so !ecomeanother Jeli!oeus./1

[@] There is the $oem. Fead it at your leisure and lie a charioteer already cro"ned loo do"n from the !alcony tothe arena "here I struggle still in the s"eat and dust of contest. Do not e$ect me to do the lie again "hatever

$leasure you derive from this $resent effort until the ha$$y day arrives "hen I can turn my mind once more fromdar vaticinations to the service of the Juse. are"ell.

E The $oem $artly translated !y A. Thierry Lettres sur l2histoire de France, $. 12.E Translated into verse !y ertig &art ii $. '2+ and into $rose !y )hai ii. ''C.

$.

To his friend $uricius

A.D. 47C

[1] I AJ indeed delighted that you derive from letters at once a !enefit and a $leasure. 3ut I should !e freer to etolthe fire and fluency of your style "ere it not that "hile assiduously $raising me yourself you for!id me to return thecom$liment "ith interest. :our letter had all the s"eetness of affection all the grace of natural elo<uence all themastery of style+ it failed only in one res$ect****the choice of su!0ect and even there you have the credit of goodintention an error of 0udgement forms its only fault. :ou cover me "ith immense laudation. 3ut you should haves$ared my !lushes and recalled !etimes the saying of %ymmachus# /True $raise adorns false $raise lashes./' ['] 3utunless I mis0udge your genius you have not only sho"n sincere affection !ut also remara!le deterity. The reallyelo<uent love to 61 sho" the stuff they are made of !y choosing a su!0ect full of difficulty+ they drive theaccom$lished $en as if it "ere the $lough of fertile s$eech through matter sterile as dry and !arren soil. ife a!ounds"ith eam$les of sill similarly a$$lied. The ho$eless case $roves the great doctor the tem$est $roves thesteersman+ for !oth the $erils traversed enhance re$utation+ their talent "astes unseen until it finds a $ro$er sco$e.

[2] In the same manner the great orator $roves his am$le genius most effectively in strait $laces. Thus JarcusTullius "ho al"ays sur$assed his rivals in his s$eech for Aulus )luentius sur$assed even himself. Jarcus rontostood head and shoulders a!ove others in all his $leadings !ut in that against &elo$s he rose a!ove his o"n highlevel. ;aius &linius "on greater fame for his defence of Attia Biriola from the centumvirs/ tri!une than for the

$anegyric "hich almost matched the matchless Tra0an.1 [4] :ou have follo"ed these great eam$les+ confident inyour $o"ers you have not feared to tae so misera!le a su!0ect as myself. 3ut let me rather have the succour ofyour $rayers in my de$ression+ do not lure me "ith a co?ening elo<uence or crush my frail and ailing soul !y the"eight of an illusory reno"n. :our diction indeed is fine !ut your life finer+ and I thin you "ill serve me !etter !yyour orisons than !y your $erorations. are"ell. 61C



$!.

To his friend Lu&us*

c. A. D. 4

[1] T> me a!out your fol of &Nrigueu and Agen1 "hose com$eting claims u$on you are ever a source of $ious

emulation5 :ou are !ound to the $eo$le of the one $lace !y your o"n $ro$erty to those of the other !y your "ife/sfamily conneions+ your !irth tells in favour of the first your marriage s$eas for the second+ and the !est of it isthat each $lace has good ground for its contention. ;od has verily mared you for ha$$iness "hen the $rivilege ofsecuring you and ee$ing you longest !ecomes an o!0ect of am!ition to t"o rival communities. ['] :ou grant thefavour of your $resence to each in regular alternation restoring to one its Dre$anius to the other its Anthedius+ ifrhetoric !e the o!0ect of their desire neither need regret a &aulinus and an Alcimus as long as you are "ith them. ' Allthis maes me marvel more that you should care to as for any old $oems of mine "hen any day you lie you havethe rummaging of so re$resentative a li!rary as your o"n. I cannot refuse you though this is a time of mourningand the revival of the old 0ests is some"hat out of $lace.

[2] It is !ut recently that the ne"s reached me of am$ridius the rhetor/s murder. He "as my very dear friend+ andeven if no violent death had snatched him from our midst his end "ould have smitten me "ith $rofound affliction.In the days that are gone 61@ "e had our 0oes together as intimates "ill+ I "as &hoe!us he the (drysian !ard.1 %o

much it "as necessary to $remise or the use of these fanciful e$ithets "ould have o!scured the sense of thefollo"ing $oem. :ou must no" that once u$on a time "hen a!out to visit 3ordeau I "rote him a letter of in<uiryas to <uarters sent "ith the Juse in advance. %ad though the $resent occasion is I feel less constraint in sendingthese verses than if I had for"arded some mournful com$osition on our loss+ anything of that sort I should have"ritten ill "hile the su!0ect "ould have !een no less $ainful to yourself.

/(rders of &hoe!us to his o"n !eloved Thalia. Dear $u$il lay aside the lyre a"hile+ !ind u$ your flo"ing hair "ith averdant "reath and let a ?one of ivy gird the u$*!ound folds of your full*!osomed ro!e. %ee you $ut no soccus on

$lunge not the foot dee$ as your custom is in the loose cothurnus+ !ut !ind on such sandals as did Har$alyce' orshe "ho felled her "ooers "ith victorious s"ord. :ou shall go the s"ifter you shall lea$ and fly along if your toesare left uncovered to guide your sandalled feet "ith <uic firm ste$s and if the chain of laces "ith their convergingloo$s is !rought u$ through a great loo$ to the leg.2 %o e<ui$$ed for s$eed see that you find my (r$heus "ho daily

!y his s"eet and tuneful art softens rocs and trees aye and the hardest hearts+ my (r$heus "hose style the

sonorous tongue of the Ar$inate enriches and the $en of Jaro or thine Horace "hich gladdens the heart ofatium. As lyric !ard he ecels the great Alcaeus+ he is silled to indite the high strain of tragedy or the humours ofthe comic 61@1 Juse+ he can flame out in satire and arraign the raging tyrant "ith resounding voice. To this (r$heussay# -&hoe!us comes+ he has left the road his oars no" smite the !osom of ;aronne "hite "ith sails. He !ids youmeet him !ut first !e s"ift to $re$are him hos$ita!le "elcome.- And to eontius "hom ivia !are she of the old%enatorial line say this# -He is almost here.- Then go to Fusticus "hose "it !elies his name. 3ut if they say theyhave no room and that their houses are full go net to the !isho$/s gate+ iss the holy ;allicinus/ hand and as thefreedom of his lo"ly d"elling lest re0ected on all sides I am driven to turn sadly to some sodden tavern "here Ishould soon need to hold my nose and inveigh against the reeing itchen "ith its ruddy sausages "hich hang in t"oro"s ehaling odours from thymy $ots "hile 0ars and hissing $lates send u$ clouds of steam together. >ven there"hen the feast*day rouses the hoarse song and the $arasite in the ecstasy of his grum!ling maes the air resoundyes even there and even then my voice incited !y the muse of a thirsty host I "orse !ar!arian than all shall"his$er verses more "orthy of your $raise./

[4] Alas for the a!0ect necessity of !eing !orn alas for the misera!le necessity of living alas for the hardcom$ulsion of deathK to these things "e are !orne round on the volu!le "heel of human life. I lied the dead man"ell+ he had his failings "hich "ere venial enough !lending "ith his virtues <ualities of less "orth. The slightestcause "ould ecite him !ut his "rath "as also slight+ I al"ays tried to $ersuade his other friends that these "eredefects of tem$erament 61@' and no"ise due to malice+ I suggested other $oints in his favour as that his $assion "asa $hysical tyranny dominating his nature+ I tried to clear him of the !lot of cruelty !y lending it the colour of mereseverity. Though !efore his mind "as made u$ he "as "ea he "as most resolute "hen once convinced. ie allcredulous men he "as recless+ lie all those "ho mean no harm he sus$ected none in others. He hated no one



enough to a!use him and lied no one enough to resist the $leasure of sometimes !reaing out against him. Thougha very cons$icuous figure he "as not ready of access+ he had to !e !orne "ith !ut he "as !eara!le.

[] If one "ere to attem$t an estimate of him as orator one "ould say that he "as at once terse and co$ious conciseand am$le+ if as $oet that he had feeling that he "as a master of measure and a consummate literary craftsman. Hehad the gift of "riting verse of etreme finish and "onderfully varied alie in metre and in meta$hor. His

hendecasylla!les "ere easy and fluent his heameters stately and sonorous+ in elegiacs he could handle the /echoing/or the /recurrent/ line and could lin end "ith !eginning !y ingenious re$etitions.1 [@] He could ada$t his style to $erson $lace or occasion as the su!0ect re<uired and that too not "ith common$laces !ut !y chosen terms re$lete"ith dignity and !eauty. In controversy he "as a $o"er and "ielded a strong arm+ in satire alert and mordant. If hissu!0ect "as tragic he could command terror and $athos+ if comic he "as $olished and infinite in resource. Inescennines his diction "as of a vernal freshness and ardent in vo"s+ his !ucolics "ere terse alert and 61@2 musical.In georgics he could strie the $erfect rustic note though he had no touch of rusticity a!out him. [7] In e$igram heshunned diffuseness and aimed at $oint+ he "ould al"ays "rite at least t"o lines !ut never eceeded four+ there "asoften a sting in the "ords more often still some graceful turn and "ithout ece$tion "it. Horace "as his model inlyrics+ his iam!ics "ent "ith a s"ing his choriam!ics "ith a fine gravity+ his Alcaics had a su$$le grace and his%a$$hics "ere ins$ired. In short his "or "as so fine so accom$lished so ha$$y in e$ression that one mightfairly thin of him as a !ird of glorious "ing follo"ing net after the Horatian and &indaric s"ans.

[] His interest in different amusements "as very une<ual. Ha?ard "as a "eariness the !all game a delight. He liedto chaff his friends+ and it "as a nice feature in him that he lied !eing chaffed himself still !etter. He "rote a greatdeal !ut "as al"ays longing to "rite more. He read the ancients "ith $erseverance and reverent admiration themoderns "ithout 0ealousy+ he "ould give ungrudging $raise to talent $erha$s the most difficult form of generosityon earth. [C] Gnfortunately he had the indefensi!le I might say the fatal fault of su$erstition. He "as curious as tothe manner of his death and consulted those African astrologers "hose nature is as fiery as their native clime. Theyconsidered the $osition of the stars "hen he "as !orn and told him his climacteric year month and day****I use theastrological terms****as men to "hom the scheme of his nativity "as revealed in all its sinister conditions. It seemedthat in the year of his !irth all the $lanets "hich rose favoura!ly in the ?odiac san 61@4 "ith !lood*red fires+"hether it "as that Jercury made them !aleful asyndetic u$on the diameter or %aturn retrograde u$on the tetragonor Jars returning to his old $osition u$on the centre.1 [1] 3eliefs lie these "hatever their $recise form are falseand cannot !ut delude+ if "e are to discuss them o$enly and at length "e must "ait until "e meet for you too aredee$ in the science of num!ers and "ith your "onted diligence study Bertacus Thrasy!ulus and %aturninus fromend to end# yours is a mind al"ays intent on things lofty and arcane. It must !e admitted that in the $resent casethere "as neither a$$earance of mere con0ecture nor deli!erate am!iguity# death enmeshed our recless in<uirer intothe future eactly "hen and ho" it had !een foretold+ all his shifts to evade it "ere in vain. [11] He "as strangled !yhis o"n slaves in his o"n house+ choed and throttled he died the death of %ci$io of =umantia if not <uite that ofentulus ,ugurtha and %e0anus. The one relieving feature in the cruel !usiness "as the discovery of crime andcriminal as soon as the day !roe. The first sight of the !ody "as enough to sho" a fool or a !lind man that deathhad come !y violence. [1'] The livid hue the $rotruding eyes the distorted features "ith their loo of mingled furyand anguish all "ere so many $roofs of "hat had ha$$ened. The floor "as "et a!out his li$s !ecause thescoundrels had turned him "ith his face to the ground "hen the deed "as done as if to suggest that life had left him"ith a sudden haemorrhage. The source inciter and ringleader of the cons$iracy "as first ca$tured+ net hisaccom$lices "ere sei?ed and se$arately confined till the terror of torture dre" the 61@ truth from their un"illing

!reasts. [12] Would "e could say that our friend had not deserved his end !y his rash and ill*advised resort to vainadvisers. 3ut I fear that he "ho $resumes to $ro!e for!idden secrets sets himself !eyond the $ale of the )atholicfaith+ he deserves the lot of all "ho $ut unla"ful <uestions and receive re$lies that $oint to doom. His death "as

avenged it is true !ut only the survivors gain !y that for the eecution of a murderer cannot mend the mischief+ itonly affords a certain satisfaction of revenge.

[14] Jy attachment to the dead man has led me to "rite at too great length+ such a grief I could not vent in silence. I"ill end !y !egging you to give me any ne"s you can if only a line or t"o to relieve the !urden of my melancholy.or the relation of this sad story "ith all its horror has naturally trou!led me and filled my mind "ith mournfulthoughts+ indeed for the time !eing I can neither thin s$ea nor "rite on any other su!0ect. are"ell.

E An a!ridged translation is given !y Hodgin ii. 221 ff.



$!!.

To his friend Trygetius

A. D. 4@1*7

[1] HA% 3a?as !uilt on dust in $lace of good green earth such charms have lands sandy as %yrtes and moving soil

and dunes !andied !y retorting "inds such hold u$on you that neither earnest $rayers of invitation nor force offriendshi$s nor even the most succulent oysters of our $ools suffice to !ring you this trifling distance in to3ordeau "here "e have !een 61@@ e$ecting you all these days5 Is it that the hardshi$s of a "inter 0ourney deteryou5 those "ild "inds of 3igorre "ill often o!literate the soft tracs and $erha$s you dread a ind of shi$"recu$on land5 ['] If so your memory is short+ ho" long ago "as it that ;i!raltar "as con<uered !y your !old foot5 orthat your cam$ "as $itched on the uttermost shores of )adi?5 or the last goal of great "anderings reached commonto Hercules and to my Trygetius5 Are you gro"n such a traitor to your $ro$er nature as to a!andon yourself "hollyto sloth you "ho once ranged the lands of mystery and fa!le you "hose lim!s might fail !ut never yourindefatiga!le $ur$ose5 [2] :et "ith such a record you come do"n to angon har!our 1 cra"ling "ith no lessreluctance than one !ound for the Danu!e to resist the all*invading Jassagetae or for the dull flood of =ile "ith allits a"ful crocodiles. If a !are t"elve miles can so delay you "hat "ould you have done had you !een "ith Jarcus)ato on his marches through the deserts of e$tis5 '

[4] :ou shiver it seems at the mere name of the "inter months+ !ut I can assure you "e en0oy the gentlest mildestand clearest sies "here the lightest !ree?es serve as "inds+ so nominal a "inter season should less deter than thetem$erate reality attract. 3ut if my letter of invitation leaves you still o!durate you shall not resist the verses "hichin t"o days/ time shall go forth to the attac more insidious in $ersuasion yet I trust none the less strenuous agentsof my "ishes. [] Jy friend eontius first of all our A<uitanians "ith &aulinus "orthy son of "orthy sire are tomeet you "ith the falling tide on the ;aronne at the a$$ointed 61@7 $lace+ so that not only the !oats !ut the very river itself shall come out "ith them to greet you. The oarsmen at the th"arts the steersmen on the $oo$s shall tune theirchants to sing your $raises. They shall $ile high for you a couch of cushions there shall !e a !oard set "ith men oft"o colours1+ the dice shall a"ait you ready to !e thro"n and thro"n again from the ivory ste$s of the !oes. A

$ine*"ood grating shall !e fied across the !ottom of the !oat so that the !ilge flo"ing to and fro shall never "etyour dangling foot+ a "icer screen a!ove shall $rotect you from the treacherous "inter sun. [@] What more couldthe most $am$ered of the indolent e$ect than to find himself at his destination !efore he seemed "ell under "eigh5A truce to your o!0ections and delays+ I could s"ear that the snail "ith his house on his !ac "ould easily outstri$

you. And to thin that there is a store*room at your command crammed "ith $iles of the most e<uisite delicaciesand only "anting an enter$rise to do it 0usticeK [7] )ome then to !e entertained or to entertain+ or !est of all to do !oth+ come "ith all your armoury of Jediterranean fare to crush and su!0ugate the finely e<ui$$ed gourmets ofJNdoc.' (n our !attle*ground let us see the fish of Adour trium$h over the mullets of ;aronne and our coarse cre"of cra!s fall !ac !efore the lo!ster*armies of 3ayonne. ,oin !attle after this "ise "ith the rest of us+ !ut if you valuemy o$inion tae a veteran/s advice as a "ise man should and leave my senatorial host out of the contest+ if youonce come !eneath his hos$ita!le roof you "ill feast as if you en0oyed continual feasts or the !an<uets of a)leo$atra. His 61@ o"n and his country/s honour "ill !e involved in the com$etition+ and it is generally agreed thathe sur$asses all his rivals 0ust as far as his city leaves all other cities !ehind. are"ell.

$!!!.

To the Lord /isho& 3unechius

A.D. 47'*4

[1] =o one most !lessed father re0oices more than I over the num!er and variety of virtues "ith "hich you are sorichly endo"ed !y Heaven. :ou are descri!ed as a man of !irth "ho is never arrogant a man of influence "homaes a !lameless use of $o"er a man of $iety untouched !y su$erstition. :ou are $raised as one "ho is learned"ithout airs and serious "ithout fatuity+ one "hose "it is never rehearsed "ho is courteous !ut no"s his mindand socia!le "ithout any love of $o$ularity.



['] And not content "ith allo"ing you these <ualities ame cro"ns them "ith another of yet higher degree thesu$reme gift of charity****ame "ho ho"ever she may sing your $raises must leave the greater $art unsung. orthough she can e$lain to distant friends the aim of your good deeds their num!er is !eyond the $o"ers of herrelation. The tale of them fires me no" to mae you a first advance as a conscious inferior should. I therefore

$roceed to $ay my homage+ hitherto I might so 0ustly have !een accused of !ac"ardness that I have noa$$rehension no" of !eing considered for"ard.

[2] I commend to your indness the !earer &romotus 61@C "hom you already no" and "hom your $rayers haveno" made my fello" $enitent. Though !y !irth a ,e" he has $referred to !e num!ered "ith those chosen !y faithrather than !lood+ he has sought the franchise of the heavenly city+ !y grace of the %$irit "hich maes alive he hasre0ected the letter that ills. )onsidering on the one hand the re"ards laid u$ for the 0ust on the other the

$unishment endless as eternity a"aiting him "ho dares not desert the )ircumcision for the cam$ of )hrist he hasmade u$ his mind to !e accounted no longer a citi?en of the %olyma on earth !ut a son of the Holy ,erusalem "hichis a!ove. [4] Which thing $erceiving let no" the s$iritual %ara tae to her maternal arms the truer son of A!ram+ for he ceased to !elong to the handmaid Hagar "hen he echanged the servitude of conformity according to la" for thefreedom "hich comes of grace. The s$ecial reason for his 0ourney you "ill more conveniently learn from his o"nli$s. To me he "ill al"ays !e very dear for the cause a!ove related+ I have d"elled u$on it !ecause the mosteffective introduction of all is that "hich sim$ly sets forth a man/s indis$uta!le claim to !e "ell received. Deign tohold us in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

$!#.

To the Lord /isho& rinci&iusA. D. 47'*4

[1] TH(G;H I have never seen your face venera!le father for a long time I have seen the effect of your activities.The $raise of such saintliness as yours is "idely s$read+ 617 it overlea$s mere !ounds of s$ace+ and 0ust as theinfluence of a great character no"s no !ound so no term is set to the range of a no!le re$utation. ['] :ou "ill $utthis all do"n as my eaggeration unless I adduce in su$$ort of my statement some com$etent "itness. I thereforecite a revered mem!er of the famous !rotherhood at erins1 a contem$orary there "ith Jaimus and u$us one"ho "ent such lengths in renunciation that he might claim to rival the archimandrites6 of Jem$his or the Holyand. I mean 3isho$ Antiolus "ho "as the first to tell me a!out your father and !rothers and the high eam$le

"hich !oth of you set in the eercise of your ealted functions in the )hurch+ his account of you first indled in methe desire to no" a story familiarity "ith "hich has ever since !een my delight. [2] (ne might almost com$areyour father to Aaron the High &riest of old "hom his !rother the a"giver first anointed "ith the oil ofsanctification in the midst of the $eo$le in the "ilderness calling net his sons to the same sacred office. 3utAaron/s ha$$iness in Ithamar and >lea?ar "as marred "hen =ada! and A!ihu "ere destroyed !y lightning+ they"ere cut off and $unished in the flesh !ut "e may !elieve that in the s$irit they had a!solution. [4] I never heardthat you offer strange fire "hen you come to lay your hands u$on the altar+ rather "ith the censer of the heart you

!urn a glo"ing incense offering the sacrifices of chastity and love. As often as "ith the cords of ehortation you !ind the yoe of the la" u$on the necs of the $roud so often in s$irit do you sacrifice !ulls to the ord. As often as"ith the goad of your re!ue you drive sinners $olluted !y the ranness of 6171 sensual indulgence to the s"eetsavour of a modest life so often do you offer ran goats in the sight of )hrist. [] As often as your re!ue leads thesoul to sigh in $enance and com$unction over the committed fault "ho shall dou!t that you $resent in mysticsacrifice the $air of turtle*doves and the t"o young $igeons "hich !y their num!er and their $laints sym!oli?e thet"ofold nature of man5 As often as your "arning voice moves the glutton to $arch !y fire of fre<uent fastings hisgross !ody and heaving s"ollen stomach "ho shall dou!t that you consecrate as it "ere the finest flour in the $anof continence5 [@] >very time that you $ersuade a sinner to renounce the vanities of mis!elief to $rofess rightdoctrine to hold the faith to ee$ the "ay or to ho$e for eternal life "ho dou!ts that in the maing of a converttri$ly freed from heresy hy$ocrisy and schism you dedicate the $urest she"!read "ith the unleavened !read ofsincerity and truth5 [7] Who in fine is not a"are that the cor$oreal sacrifice slain as ty$e under the a" is morethan re$laced !y the s$iritual sacrifice "hich you offer under grace5 That is "hy I give a!undant thans to ;od foryour letter from "hich I $erceive that although the aforesaid $relate told me great things of you there "ere greaterthings "hich he left unsaid. I am $ersuaded that you "ho seem so admira!le in other men/s descri$tion and moreadmira!le yet in your o"n letter "ill $rove !est of all seen face to face.



[] The cler Jegethius "ho !rought your message has satisfactorily concluded his affairs and carries !ac myres$ects. I fear I may !e of little $ractical use to him !ut if good "ishes avail he has mine. Through 617' him Iurgently entreat your !rother and yourself fre<uently to <uench my thirst "ith a stream of your most literary lettersand you must "rite the oftener of the t"o. If the difficulties of the road and the distance !et"een us $rove ano!stacle to my desires at least $ray sometimes for those "ho as your $rayers. Honoured though I should !e !yyour regular corres$ondence your occasional $rayers $romise me something more than honours they $romise mesalvation. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

$#.

To the Lord /isho& ros&er A. D.47 859

[1] :ou "ished me to cele!rate the glory of the holy Annianus the greatest and most $erfect of $relates e<ual tou$us and no un"orthy rival of ;ermanus+ you "ould fain see graven on the hearts of all the faithful the memoryof a character so fine so eminent so richly endo"ed "ith so many virtues and so many merits to "hich I myselfshould lie to add this that he made "ay for such a successor as yourself. :ou eacted a $romise from me at thesame time that I "ould hand do"n for the !enefit of those "ho come after us the history of the "ar "ith Attila "iththe "hole tale of the siege and assault of (rleans "hen the city "as attaced and !reached !ut never laid in ruins

and the !isho$/s cele!rated $ro$hecy "as divinely ans"ered from a!ove.1

['] I actually set to "or u$on the !oo+ !ut "hen I gras$ed the etent of my undertaing I re$ented of 6172 having ever !egun+ I therefore suffered no oneelse to hear a "or "hich my o"n 0udgement already condemned. 3ut to the first $art of your re<uest I can return adifferent ans"er# your "ishes and the merit of that great !isho$ mae it my duty to enhance his fame "ithout delay

!y every means "ithin my $o"er. I only as you as a fair creditor to treat "ith lauda!le indulgence this $romise ofyour recless de!tor and in that other matter to refrain from asing "hat I must refrain from attem$ting to do. Deignto hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

$#!.


c. A. D. 47

[1] I &F(JI%>D the illustrious &etronius to conclude this little !oo in a fe" letters+ !ut in endeavouring to s$areyou I have !een very hard on him. He "as to have the drudgery of revision you the honour of the issue+ theres$onsi!ility of conveying the volume to you "as to !e his the $leasure of $aying the homage mine. I have carriedout my intention+ if you "ill cast your $ractised eye over the numerous su$erscri$tions I thin you "ill !e struc !ythe manner in "hich the $ages are filled. I have reached the very margins near the umbilicus as the %atirist says itis time to finish my (restes 1 even if I have to "rite on the other side of the $archment.

['] In this "or I have not !een classical or enlisted in my service a fa!ulous Ter$sichore nor have I led 6174 my $en !y de"y !ans and mossy rocs to the "ell*s$ring of Agani$$e. I only ho$e that "hat I have "ritten may not $roveram!ling $ointless stuff and full of trivial common$laces. or an accom$lished reader lie yourself can tae no

$leasure in an inverte!rate soft and enervated style+ "hat he re<uires is something nervous and masculine in theanti<ue manner. Those <ualities must !e left to a greater talent than mine+ enough for me if you forgive me foree$ing you "aiting so long.

[2] It is fortunate that our illustrious friend re<uested no further additions+ that "ould have involved me in longdelays for not a single ca!inet or case contains anything more "orth $roduction. This "ill sho" you that althoughmy time of silence is still to come I have certainly !egun to thin of it and that for t"o reasons. If I "in a$$roval Ishall give my readers $leasure at the smallest cost to themselves+ if on the other hand I am disa$$roved their"eariness "ill soon !e over. or my style has no $olished graces+ it is of a $ositively heathen !luntness. [4] Whatuse should I have indeed for an austere archaic manner or for far*fetched terms of %alii or %i!yls or the old %a!ine)ures51 %uch things the masters for the most $art avoid+ they are for some flamen to e$ound or some anti<uatedreader of the la"/s conundrums. Jy diction is dry and 0e0une+ mine is a voca!ulary of common "ords in too general



use to claim distinction too ready to every one/s hand to find acce$tance "ith the critical. [] If my "riting lacselo<uence and force I can confidently say that it contains nothing "hich is not genuine and a!solutely true to fact.Why should I insist u$on the $oint5 617 If my style $leases my friends it is good enough for me. I am content "itheither ind of verdict# they may either !e critical and tell me the truth or $artial and deceive themselves. All I shallas of &rovidence in future is that $osterity may 0udge or !e deceived in the same manner. are"ell.

BOO" !$

!.

To his friend FirminusAfter A. D. 4

[1] :ou insist my honoured %on that I should eceed the eisting limit of my collected letters+ that I shouldadventure further and refuse to content myself "ith the $resent total. :our reason in favour of adding a ninthvolume is that &liny in "hose ste$s you deem me to follo" in this "or assigns the same term to his o"n

collection.1

['] I may yield to your desire+ !ut all the same this friendly invitation raises difficulties and is far from $romising advantage to such $oor re$utation as I already $ossess. In the first $lace it is very late in the day toa$$end this ne" addition to the volume already issued. %econdly I do not no" the um$ire "ho "ould not hold itindecent in an author to give a single "or three su$$lements. [2] =or having definitely announced the "or doneshould I no" "hat ecuse to mae for not cur!ing my incorrigi!le lo<uacity unless indeed it "ere this that onecannot constrain one/s friendshi$s as one can limit one/s $age. or these reasons I thin you ought to stand on guard

!efore my re$utation and mae my motives clear to the in<uisitive+ I should lie you to send me regular intelligenceof the vie"s e$ressed !y those "hose o$inions I should value. [4] If 6177 after forcing me to chatter on you yourself

$ersevere in silence you "ill have no fair ground for com$laint if I $ay you out in your o"n coin. It is incum!ent onyou a!ove all others to !e lenient in 0udging my endeavour to fulfil the tas and o!ligation im$osed u$on me.Jean"hile I "ill at once insert in the margin of the eighth !oo any fresh letter "hich comes into my hands.

[] A$ollinaris all ardour in most $ursuits is utterly remiss in one+ study has !ut a faint attraction for him "hether

he reads !y his o"n choice or !y com$ulsion. At least that is ho" it a$$ears to me since I count myself one ofthose fathers "ho are so eager so am!itious and so a$$rehensive a!out the $rogress of their sons that they hardlyever find anything to commend or if they do are hardly ever satisfied. are"ell.

!!.

To the Lord /isho& %u&hroniusc. A. D. 47'

[1] TH> missive "ith your saintly greeting has !een delivered !y the $riest Al!iso and the evite1 &roculus "hom Imay acce$t as my masters in conduct since they have $roved themselves your "orthy $u$ils. The letter does me agreat honour !ut it im$oses a yet greater !urden. Although your !enediction delights me the accom$anyingin0unction fills me "ith dismay. Indeed I am so $ertur!ed that I cannot thin even of a $artial o!edience. :ou !id

me attem$t too intricate a tas and much too far !eyond my ca$acity. At a time "hen my $o"ers "ane to"ards their end I am to essay 617 a "or "hich I should !e mad to !egin and could never ho$e to finish. ['] If I no" yourloyal heart aright your real aim "as rather to give me $roof of your affection than to see my com$leted la!ours. 3utI shall tae good care that "hile from ,erome the master of eegesis Augustine the master of dialectic and (rigenthe master of allegory you rea$ full ears of s$iritual emotion and a harvest of saving doctrine that no dry stu!!leshall rustle in your ears from this $arched tongue of mine. As "ell !lend the hoarse cry of the goose "ith the s"an/smusic or the s$arro"/s im$udent chir$ "ith the tuneful $laint of nightingales. [2] %hould I not sho" a certaineffrontery and "ant of $ro$er feeling "ere I to a$$roach so formida!le a tas****I a novice in the )hurch !ut aveteran alasK in transgression****I light in learning !ut "eighed do"n !y a heavy conscience5 If I "ere to send



"hat I had "ritten to !e seen !y other eyes I should !ecome the laughing*stoc even of critics "ho never set eyeson me.

I entreat you therefore my ord 3isho$ not to insist on s$oiling a modesty "hich "ould fain avoid $u!licity ortem$t me into so rash an adventure. %uch is the envy of the !ac!iters that a mere !eginning is more sure of theircensure than a successful conclusion of their a$$lause. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 617C

!!!.

To the Lord /isho& Faustus

c. A.D. 477

[1] :(GF old loyalty to a friend and your old mastery of diction are !oth unchanged+ I admire e<ually theheartiness of your letters and the $erfect manner of their e$ression. 3ut I thin and I am sure that you "ill concur"ith me that at the $resent 0uncture "hen the roads are no longer secure o"ing to the movements of the $eo$lesthe only $rudent and safe course is to a!andon for the $resent any regular echange of messages+ "e must !e lessassiduous corres$ondents+ "e must learn the art of ee$ing silence. This is a !itter de$rivation and hard to !ear"hen a friendshi$ is as close as ours+ it is im$osed u$on us not !y casual circumstance !ut !y causes at oncedefinite inevita!le and diverse in their origin.

['] irst among them 1 must set the eamination of all letter*carriers u$on the high"ays. Jessengers may run small $ersonal ris since nothing can !e alleged against them+ !ut they have to $ut u$ "ith endless annoyance "hilesome vigilant official su!0ects them to an in<uisitorial search. At the first sign of faltering in re$ly to <uestions theyare sus$ected of carrying in their heads instructions "hich cannot !e found u$on their $ersons. The sender of a letter is thus $laced in an a""ard $osition and the !earer is lia!le to rough usage es$ecially at a time lie this "henfresh dis$utes !et"een rival nationalities have destroyed a treaty of long duration. [2] In the second $lace I set thesoreness of 61 my heart over my o"n $rivate trou!les for I "as taen from home "ith a sho" of greatconsideration !ut really removed !y com$ulsion to this distant s$ot "here I am !roen !y every ind of mentalanguish enduring all the hardshi$s of an eile and the losses of a $roscri$t. It is therefore !y no means the rightmoment to as me for finished letters and "ere I to attem$t them it "ould !e im$ertinence for the echange of alively or ela!orate corres$ondence should !e confined to ha$$y $eo$le+ to me it seems little less than a !ar!arism for a man to "rite gaily "hen his s$irit is veed "ithin him. [4] Ho" much !etter it "ould !e for you to give the !enefit

of your unremitting orisons to a soul conscious of its guilt and trem!ling as often as it recalls the de!ts of a sinfulcareerK or you are versed in the $rayers of the Island !rotherhood "hich you transferred from the "restling*$laceof the hermit congregation and from the assem!ly of the mons of erins1 to the city over "hose church you

$reside for all your e$isco$al ran an a!!ot still in s$irit and refusing to mae your ne" dignity a $retet for anyrelaation in the rigour of the ancient disci$line. (!tain for me then !y your most $otent intercession that my

$ortion may !e in the ord+ that enrolled from henceforth among the com$anies of my tri!esmen the evites I maycease to !e of the earth earthly I to "hom not a yard of earth remains+' and that I may !egin to estrange myself fromthe guilt of this "orld as I am already estranged from its riches.

[] In the third $lace and $erha$s this after all is the chief reason "hy I have given u$ "riting to you I have a !oundless admiration for your tro$ical figurative style and for that consummately varied and $erfected diction 611 of "hich your last letter affords such am$le evidence. Jany years ago I sat a hoarse demonstrative listener "henyou $reached either etem$ore or if occasion demanded after careful $re$aration. I es$ecially remem!er the

"ee/s festival of the dedication of the church at yons "hen you "ere called u$on !y the general desire of yourvenera!le colleagues to deliver an oration. (n that occasion you $roved yourself a master !oth of forensic andreligious elo<uence and held the !alance !et"een them "ith such $erfection that "e hung u$on your "ords "ithears strained and roused emotions+ you cared less to indulge our sim$le $redilections !ecause you ne" that you had"holly satisfied our reason.

[@] There you have the cause of my $resent and my future silence+ I could not refuse a fe" "ords "ithoutdiso!edience !ut hencefor"ard I shall hold my $eace and learn in silence. In future the "ord lies "ith you my ord3isho$. It is yours to devote yourself to the teaching of sound and $erfect doctrine in "ors destined to live+ for not



a man hears you in argument or e$osition "ho does not learn to deserve the $raise of others in deed no less than"ord. orgive my sim$le letter1 "hich has at least the virtue of conforming to your desires+ I have myself to admitthat !y com$arison "ith yours my style is inarticulate as a child/s. [7] 3ut there is little $oint in all this heavyre$etition+ the most foolish thing in the "orld is to !e al"ays de$recating one/s o"n follies. ,udgement rests "ithyou and if you $ut things to a thorough test you "ill find much to laugh at and even more to censure. I shall"elcome it if your notorious indness of heart allo"s you for once to a!andon your dislie of 61' !eing critical andcondemn such $oints as need correction. (nly if you strie out $assages here and there shall I have the satisfactionof feeling that you a$$rove "hat you leave intact. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

!#.

To the Lord /isho& !raecusA. D. 472 859

[1] (GF traveller and !earer of mutual salutations treads a $ath of "hich he no"s every yard from having totraverse over and over again the roads and tracts !et"een our several cities. We ourselves must ee$ to the ideal set

!efore us+ "e ought indeed to !e more intent on it than ever and redou!le our ?eal no" that so many messengersare constantly u$on the "ay and a!ove all Amantius. If "e fail in this it "ill loo as if "e corres$onded 0ust

!ecause he regularly calls for letters and not !ecause "e really "ish to "rite them. :ou must thin more often of the

friends among "hose num!er I venture to count myself+ all of us feel no less elated !y your good than de$ressed !yyour adverse fortune. ['] Were "e not moved to sym$athetic tears !y the mournful story of your anguish at the fateof certain !rethren5 lo"er of the $riesthood 0e"el among $ontiffs mighty in learning in righteousness mightieryet s$urn from you the threatening "aves of earthly storms for "e have often heard from your o"n li$s that the"ay to the $romised feasts of $atriarchs and the celestial nectar lies through the !itter cu$s of earthly 612 sorro"s.Whether he "ill or no each follo"er of the Jediator "ho endured the "orld/s contem$t must follo" his ord/seam$le. Whatever draughts of trou!le the affliction of this $resent life sets to our li$s "e shall $erceive ho" smallour !urden is if "e "ill !ut remem!er "hat He "ho calls us to His heaven once dran u$on the tree. Deign to holdme in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

#.

To the Lord /isho& 5ulianus

c. A.D. 477

[1] TH(G;H "e d"ell further a$art than either of us could "ish the distance dividing us has had less to do "iththe interru$tion of our intercourse than the fact that "e live under different la"s+ national disagreements !orn ofo$$osing interests have hindered our fre<uent corres$ondence. 3ut no" that a $eace has !een concluded1 and thet"o $eo$les are to !ecome trusty allies our letters "ill !e a!le to $ass in greater num!ers since they "ill arouse nomore sus$icion. ['] Gnite your $rayers then "ith those of your reverend !rothers that )hrist may deign to $ros$erour handi"or restraining the <uarrels of our $rinces maing their "ars to cease granting to them the gift of goodintention to us $eace and to all security. Deign to hold us in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 614

#!.

To the Lord /isho& Ambrose

After A. D. 47'

[1] :(GF holiness has interceded !efore )hrist "ith effect on !ehalf of our "ell*!eloved friend 8I "ill not mentionhis name****you "ill no" "hom I mean9 the laity of "hose youth you used sometimes to lament !efore a fe"chosen "itnesses of your sorro" sometimes to !emoan in silence and alone. or he has suddenly !roen off hisrelations "ith the shameless slave*girl to "hose lo" fascination he had utterly a!andoned his life+ !y this $rom$treformation he has taen a great ste$ in the interests of his estate of his descendants and of himself. ['] Hedissi$ated his inheritance until his coffers "ere em$ty+ !ut "hen he once !egan to consider his $osition andunderstood ho" much of his $atrimony the etravagance of his domestic )hary!dis had s"allo"ed u$ not a



moment too soon he too the !it in his teeth shoo his head and sto$$ing his ears as one might say "ith Glysses/"a he "as deaf to the voice of evil and esca$ed the shi$"rec that follo"s meretricious lures. He has led to thealtar a maid of high !irth and am$le fortune and for that "e must give him credit. [2] It "ould of course have !een agreater glory to have a!andoned the volu$tuous life "ithout taing to himself a "ife+ !ut fe" of those "ho forsaeerror at the call of virtue can !egin u$on the highest level and after indulging themselves in everything cut off allindulgence at one stroe. [4] It is no" your $art !y assiduous $rayer to o!tain for 61 the ne"ly married cou$le goodho$e of issue+ and then "hen they have one or t"o children 8$erha$s even in that "e concede too much9 to see to itthat this stealer of unla"ful 0oys shall a!stain thereafter even from la"ful $leasures. At $resent the conduct of this

!ride and !ridegroom is so seemly that to see them once together is enough to reveal the gulf !et"een thehonoura!le love of a "ife and the feigned endearments of the concu!ine. Deign to hold me in remem!rance myord 3isho$.

#!!.

To the Lord /isho& $emigiusA.D. 47'*4859

[1] (=> of our citi?ens of )lermont 8I no" the man !ut forget his !usiness "hich is immaterial9 "ent recently ona 0ourney to 3elgic ;aul and "hile at Fheims so "on your co$yist or your !ooseller !y the charms of his manner

or of his $urse that he "ormed out of him "ithout your consent a com$lete set of your eclamations. After histrium$hant return "ith such a s$lendid s$oil of volumes he insisted on $resenting the "hole series to us as hisfello" to"nsmen though "e "ere <uite ready to $urchase them****a rather graceful act. All of us here "ho aredevoted to literature "ere $ro$erly desirous of reading the !oos and "e at once !egan to transcri!e the "holecommitting to memory as much as "e "ere a!le. ['] It "as the universal o$inion that there "ere fe" men living"ho could "rite as you do. There are fe" or none "ho !efore even !eginning to "rite could arrange their su!0ectsso "ell so calculate the $osition of sylla!les or the 61@ 0uta$osition of consonant and vo"el+ and !esides there isnone "hose illustrations are so a$$osite "hose statements are so trust"orthy "hose e$ithets are so a$$ro$riate"hose allusions so full of charm "hose arguments are so sound "hose sentiments carry such "eight "hose dictionhas such a flo" "hose $eriods come to so fulminant a conclusion. [2] The frame"or is al"ays stout and firm

!ound "ith many a delightful transition and close caesura !ut "ithal <uite easy and smooth and rounded to $erfection+ it hel$s the reader/s tongue to $ass "ithout o!stacle so as never to !e trou!led !y rough divisions or rollin stammering accents on the $alate. All is fluent and ductile+ it is as "hen the finger glides lightly over a surface of

$olished crystal or ony "here there is not the slightest crac or fissure to stay its $assage. [4] I have said enough.There is no orator alive "hom your masterful sill "ould not ena!le you easily to sur$ass and leave far !ehind. Ialmost dare to sus$ect 8forgive my audacity9 that a flo" of elo<uence so co$ious and so far !eyond my $o"ers ofdescri$tion must sometimes mae you vain. 3ut do not thin that !ecause you shine "ith the t"ofold !rilliance ofyour holy life and your consummate style you can therefore disregard our o$inion+ remem!er that though ourauthorshi$ may !e "orth little our criticism may count for much. [] In future then cease to evade our 0udgementfrom "hich you have nothing either mordant or aggressive to fear. or I must "arn you that if you leave our

!arrenness unenriched !y the stream of your elo<uence "e shall tae our revenge !y engaging the services of !urglars "hose clever hands "ill soon des$oil your roll*cases 617 "ith our connivance and su$$ort. If you areim$ertur!a!le !efore a friendly re<uest to*day you "ill soon learn "hat $ertur!ation means to*morro" "hen thethieves have cleared your shelves. Deign to ee$ me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$.

#!!!.

To the Lord /isho& rinci&iusA.D. 47'*474

[1] I WA% longing for a line from you "hen <uite une$ectedly our old messenger !rought me your ans"er+ hisefficiency in the $resent case $roves him a fit and $ro$er $erson to !e entrusted "ith our further corres$ondence.:our second letter is a gift or rather !lessing "hich I re$ay "ith my further greetings# the account is no"numerically !ut far from <ualitatively e<ual. ['] And since "e live in s$iritual communion "hile our homes areremote so that "e are de!arred !y our situation from the $leasure of meeting $ray for me that I may !e releasedfrom the !urden and travail of this $resent life !y a holy death such as my heart desires and that "hen the day of



,udgement da"ns and the dead are raised I may 0oin your throng a servitor "ere it even on the terms of the;i!eonites 1. or in accordance "ith the divine $romise the sons of ;od shall come together from every nation andif $ardon !e given to my grievous sin ho"ever diverse my deserts I shall not !e se$arated far from the $lace "hereglory a"aits you among the saints. Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord 3isho$. 61

!$.

To the Lord /isho& FaustusAfter A. D. 47

[1] :ou have lamented our long silence venera!le father !ut "hile I recogni?e and a$$laud your desire that itshould at last !e !roen I cannot admit that any !lame attaches to me. When you !ade me some time !ac give youmy ne"s I "rote !efore receiving your last communication and my letter actually reached Fie?+ !ut though you"ere at A$t you a$tly esca$ed its $erusal.1 I "as most anious !oth to receive my due credit for having "ritten andto esca$e too severe a criticism "hen you read the missive. ['] 3ut on this $oint I need say no more at $resentes$ecially as you again as me for a letter and one as voluminous as I can mae it. I long to satisfy you+ thegood"ill is there !ut unfortunately I have no su!0ect for my $en. ;reetings should tae u$ little s$ace unless theyintroduce some matter of real interest+ to s$in them out "ith mere ver!iage is to deflect from the $ath defined !y%allust "hen he said that )atiline had "ords enough !ut little "isdom.' %o my ale "ill have to follo" my ae at an

eceedingly short interval. I !eseech your $rayers for me.

[2] What a stroe of lucK ,ust as I "as on the $oint of folding u$ my letter something has occurred for me to "ritea!out and if either the $leasure or the annoyance of the event delays my $rotest a single moment I "ill o"n myselfdeserving of the indignity to "hich I have !een e$osed. :ou have fallen into my hands ;reat Jaster 61C I do morethan trium$h+ I have you at my mercy and in my ca$tive I find one of no less stature than the antici$ations of yearshad led me to e$ect. I cannot say "hether you are caught against your "ill !ut it loos lie it. or if you did notmean your !oos to $ass me "ithout my no"ledge you certainly did nothing to $revent the $assage. It aggravatesthe offence that in traversing Auvergne they not merely "ent close under my "alls !ut almost gra?ed my $erson. [4] Were you afraid that I should !e 0ealous5 Than ;od I am less o$en to the charge of envy than any other+ and "ereit other"ise "ere I as guilty of this as of other defects the ho$elessness of a successful rivalry "ould !e enough to

$urge me of emulation. Did you fear the fro"n of so severe and difficult a critic as your servant5 What critic sos"ollen or so o$inionated as not to indle at your least ardent $assagesK [] Was it your lo" estimate of a 0unior that

led you to ignore and to disdain me5 I hardly thin it. Was it that you thought me ignorant5 I could $ut u$ "ith thatif you mean ignorant of the art of "riting not ignorant in a$$reciation. I must remind you that only those "ho havetaen $art in the games $resume to $ass 0udgement on the racing chariots. Was there any casual disagreement

!et"een us leading you to su$$ose that I might decry your "or5 Thans !e to ;od my "orst enemies cannotmae me out a lue"arm friend. Why "aste these "ords5 you as. [@] Well I "ill no" let you have the "hole storyof this secretiveness "hich so incensed me and of the discovery "hich has $ut me in such high s$irits again. I hadread those "ors of yours "hich Fiochatus the $riest and mon1 and 61C thus t"ice a stranger and $ilgrim in this"orld "as taing !ac for you to your 3retons+ for you "ho may "ell !e called austus to*day since you cannotgro" old since you "ill al"ays live in the mouths of men and after your !odily death attain immortality !y your"ors. The venera!le man made some stay in our city "aiting till the agitated main of $eo$les should calm do"nfor at that time the vast "hirl"ind of "ars rose dreadful against us on this side and on that. All your other good giftshe freely $roduced+ !ut managed to ee$ !ac al"ays "ith the most e<uisite courtesy the chief treasure heconveyed un"illing $erha$s to let me feel the contrast !et"een your roses and my !ram!les. [7] After rather morethan t"o months he hurriedly left us a rumour having got a!road that he and his com$any had "ith themmysterious things of great $rice carefully "ra$$ed u$ from vie". I "ent after him "ith horses s"ift enough easily tocancel the day/s start he had gained+ I came u$ "ith my felon I lea$t at his throat "ith a iss laughing lie a man

!ut $ouncing lie a "ild !east+ I resem!led a ro!!ed tigress that "ith "inged feet s$rings lie a flash u$on the necof the &arthian hunter to dash her stolen cu! from his gras$.1 [] To cut the story short I em!raced the nees of myca$tive friend+ I sto$$ed the horses tied the !ridles o$ened his !aggage discovered the volume I sought ' dragged itforth in trium$h and !egan reading a"ay and dismem!ering it !y maing lengthy ecer$ts from the im$ortantcha$ters. I dictated as fast as I could and the sill of my secretaries yet further a!!reviated my tas for they "erea!le to si$ letters "holesale using a system of su!stituted signs. The story of our $arting "ould !e 61C1 an overlongtale and after all of no great interest+ our chees "ere "et "ith tears+ "e em!raced and em!raced again hardly a!le



to tear ourselves a"ay. Jy eultation "as 0ustified !y my safe return laden "ith the s$oils of loving*indness andmaster of great riches for the soul.

[C] And no" for my o$inion of this !ooty. I should rather lie to hold it !ac in order to ee$ you in sus$ense+ 0udgement "ithheld "ere vengeance more com$lete. 3ut I des$air of taing do"n your $ride+ for you are consciousof so masterly an elo<uence that sheer delight in "hat they read "rings eulogy from your readers "hether they "ish

to "ithstand the charm or not. isten then to the sentence "hich an in0ured friend no" $asses on your !oo. [1] Itis a "or of the most fruitful la!our varied ardent su!lime ecellent in classification rich in a$t eam$les "ell !alanced !y its form as dialogue and !y the fourfold division of its su!0ect. There is much that is ins$iring muchthat is grand+ here I find sim$licity "ithout clumsiness there $oint not too far*fetched+ grave matters are handled"ith ri$e 0udgement dee$ matters "ith $ro$er caution+ on de!ata!le ground you tae firm stand+ in controversy your argument is al"ays ready. =o" $ersuasive no" severe al"ays intent to edify you "rite "ith elo<uence "ith forceand "ith e<uisite discrimination.

[11] ollo"ing you over the "hole "ide field traversed in so many manners I find you easily su$erior to all other"riters alie in conce$tion and in eecution. :ou must a$$reciate my sincerity in this the more "hen you remem!er that I $ronounce my o$inion under the smart 61C' of your affront. I thin your "or could only !e im$roved !y onething****your $resence in $erson to read it "hen something might yet !e added !y the author/s o"n voice hisgesture his restrained art of $hysical e$ression. [1'] >ndo"ed thus "ith all these intellectual and literary gifts you

have united yourself "ith a fair "oman according to the $rece$t of Deuteronomy.1

:ou sa" her among the hostiles<uadrons+ and then and there you loved her as she stood in the forefront of the adversary/s !attle+ through all theresistance of the foe you !ore her off in the strong arm of $assion. Her name is &hiloso$hy she it is "hom yousnatched !y force from among the im$ious arts+ and having shorn the locs !etoening a false faith "ith theeye!ro"s arched "ith $ride of earthly learning and cut a"ay the folds of her ancient vesture "hich are the folds ofsad dialectic veiling $erverse and unla"ful conversation you $urified her and 0oined her to you in a close andmystical em!race. [12] %he has !een your faithful follo"er from your early years+ she "as ever at your side "hether you $ractised your sill in the arena of the cro"ded city or su!dued the flesh in remote solitudes+ in the Athenaeumshe "as "ith you and in the monastery+ "ith you she a!0ured the "isdom of the "orld "ith you $roclaims that"hich is from a!ove. Whoever $rovoes you as her la"ful s$ouse shall soon $erceive the no!le range of your

$hiloso$hy and find himself confronted !y the &latonic Academy of the )hurch of )hrist. [14] He shall hear youfirst declare the ineffa!le omniscience of ;od and the eternity of the Holy %$irit. He shall not see you gro" longhair or flaunt the $allium or staff as insignia 61C2 of the $hiloso$hic state. He shall not see you $ride yourself in nicea$$arel indulging the e<uisite/s $retension or maing s<ualor your !oast. He shall not see you !etray your envy"hen in the gymnasia or the %chools of the Areo$agus+ %$eusi$$us is $ictured for admiring eyes "ith !o"ed headAratus "ith o$en countenance+ Qeno "ith contracted !ro"s >$icurus "ith un"rinled sin Diogenes "ith hirsute

!eard %ocrates "ith failing hair Aristotle "ith arm freed from the mantle Senocrates "ith his contracted legHeraclitus "ith his eyes closed !y tears Democritus "ith li$s $arted in a laugh )hrysi$$us counting "ith clenchedfingers >uclid measuring "ith o$en hands )leanthes !iting his nails over $ro!lems !oth of s$ace and num!er.1 [1]ar from all this "hoever challenges you shall see the %toic the )ynic the &eri$atetic the Heresiarch all !eaten"ith their o"n "ea$ons and crushed !y their o"n devices. Their follo"ers "ho dare resist )hristian faith anddogma to venture a !out "ith you shall soon !e !ound hand and foot and fall headlong into the toils of their o"nnets. The !ar!ed syllogisms of your logic shall hoo these volu!le tongues even "hile they see esca$e+ you shallnoose their sli$$ery $ro!lems in categoric coils after the fashion of the clever doctor "ho if need !e "ill $re$arehis antidote for $oison from the very venom of the ser$ent. [1@] I have said enough for the moment on your s$iritualinsight and on the soundness of your learning. or no one can follo" in your footste$s "ith an e<ual stride since tono other is it given to s$ea !etter than the masters "ho taught him and to mae his actions !etter than his "ords.

=ot "ithout reason shall you !e called !y those <ualified to 0udge 61C4 most !lessed a!ove all in our generation asone "ho in deed and "ord en0oys a great and t"ofold glory+ "ho after num!ering years to !e counted on the righthand1 after !eing the model of this century and the desire of every other shall die honoured for his ecellence inevery field leaving his $ossessions to his o"n fol and himself to the nations of the "orld. Deign to hold me inremem!rance my ord 3isho$.

$.



To the Lord /isho& A&runculus

After A.D. 47 859

[1] J: letter "as delivered to you !y a messenger "ho ought to have !rought me !ac a re$ly+ for our !rother)elestius on his return recently from 3N?iers etracted from me a document of surrender relating to my [cler]In0uriosus. I "rote it urged !y the com$elling force of your modesty rather than !y any inclination of my o"n+ the

least that I could do confronted "ith such an attitude "as to meet you half"ay u$on the s"ift feet of my res$ect. [']Fegard him then as yours !y my deli!erate act !ut use him "ith generosity+ indeed I am sure you $ro$osednothing !ut the solace of your indness. I have no further resentment against him and "rite this rather as anintroduction to you than as a formal dimissal for him. 3ut I should lie it to !e a condition that he is to render youo!edient service and assistance and that if he stays "ith you he shall !e regarded as neither yours nor mine+ !ut thatif he leaves you it shall !e o$en to !oth of us to treat him as a fugitive.' Deign to hold me in remem!rance my ord3isho$. 61C

$!.

To the Lord /isho& Lu&usA.D. 47 859

[1] THAT unfortunate !oo "hich you regard as sent not so much to you as through you has ins$ired a letter "hichI in my turn regard as "ritten not so much to me as against me.1 I cannot re$ly to your re$roaches "ith an elo<uencee<ual to yours+ I rely only on the 0ustice of my cause+ ho" indeed am I to $lead /not guilty/ "hen you im$ly theo$$osite5 At the very outset therefore I franly as your $ardon for my offence such as it is+ !ut I confess only toan error !orn of diffidence and !y no means of im$ro$er $ride. ['] The strictness of your 0udgement is no lessformida!le to me in literary than in moral <uestions !ut I must admit that "hen I o$ened the volume it "as thethought of the friendshi$ you $rofess for me "hich o$$ressed me most. And that I thin is natural+ for it is humannature for a friend "ho sus$ects an in0ury to !e severer than any one else. [2] It is true enough as you $oint out thatmy !oo is a medley $aced and $iled "ith multifarious su!0ects e$isodes and $ersonal facts+ it "ould have !eenoutrageous had I !een so infatuated "ith my "or as to imagine that no $art of it "ould dis$lease you. Whateveryour 0udgement might $rove to !e it "as evident that I should derogate from my loyalty if I failed to give you atleast the first sight of the volume even though I might not formally $resent it. If I "ere lucy enough to meet "ithyour a$$roval you could not accuse me of having arrogantly neglected you+ if on the 61C@ other hand I "ere less

fortunate you could not say that I had forced my "or u$on your notice. [4] =or did I e$ect to find it very difficultto ecuse the motive "hich saved me from $ossi!ly having to !lush for myself. I imagined you to !e as "ell a"areas I myself that modesty !ecomes the "riter of a ne" !oo !etter than assurance and that timidity is far more lielyto "in the vote of the severe critic than a $rovocative s$irit. (n the other hand if a man !oldly announces a volumeon a fresh su!0ect ho"ever much he may really have done to satisfy the legitimate e$ectation of the $u!lic he "illsoon find that he "ill !e e$ected to do more. Whatever strictures you may $ass on the tenor of this re$ly I $refer tomae a clean !reast of it rather than resort to disingenuous evasions. [] Any one !ut myself "ould $ro!a!ly haveargued some"hat after this "ise# /I never gave any one the advantage over you+ no one else had received a s$ecialletter from me. The man "hom you !elieved to !e $referred !efore you had to !e content "ith one letter to hiscredit and that too having no relation to the $resent matter. :ou on the other hand for all your com$laints at !eingoverlooed must have !een sim$ly ehausted !y the three garrulous sheets you received+ you must have !eensicened !y so long an immersion in em$ty and dull ver!iage. Joreover you may not have o!served that even soyour $osition and your high deserts have received am$le consideration+ your name a$$ears in the first su$erscri$tionof the !oo as !efits that of the $rimate among our !isho$s. His name on the contrary only occurs once in a letteraddressed to himself+ yours is so mentioned more than once and you are cited 61C7 !esides in letters addressed toother $ersons. [@] Femem!er too that "here there is a su!0ect liely to $lease you I have encouraged you to read it"hereas the $erson in <uestion can only do so !y your indness+ he is $ro!a!ly so em!arrassed !y your attitude tomy little gift that I should !e sur$rised if even no" he has had a real chance of $erusal "hile you long ago reachedthe stage of transcri!ing. I e$ect he "ill hardly regard as my hologra$h a co$y over "hich you have glanced+ for toan eam$le revised !y you he can never im$ute either ecess of !ar!arisms or defects in $unctuation. In fine itmight a$$ear that all rights in the !oo had !een handed over to you seeing that you have the use of it "hile you

$lease and can dis$ose of it for so long that you may !e said to ee$ it rather in your memory than in your !oocase./ [7] %uch arguments "ith more of the same ind might readily !e adduced. I ho"ever shall "aive them



all and $refer franly to see your $ardon instead of maing ecuses for a $ro!lematical offence. I mae even lessecuse for the carelessness of the $resent letter first !ecause I have no longer the art of fine "riting even if Iattem$t it+ second !ecause "hen one has got a !oo off one/s mind one is longing for a holiday and cannot !ringoneself to ela!orate "hat one does not care to mae $u!lic. [] 3ut as I rightly mae a $oint of giving "ay to you ineverything*****for "here indeed is your e<ual to !e found5****and as for ten "hole lustres1 as often as a com$arisonhas !een instituted you have !een $referred to all $riests that have ever !een "hether in our o"n time or !efore it I"ould have you understand that though your lamentations may shae the 61C stars though you call the glo"ingashes of your fathers to "itness my outrage to the la"s of friendshi$ yet if there is to !e any contest in mutualaffection my foot shall stand firm against yours "ere it for no other reason than that to !e !eaten in anything is !ad

!ut to !e van<uished in loyalty an a!omination. Whether you a$$rove or no I have right on my side in re$lying !ythis o$en declaration to re$roaches "hich for all their !itterness are yet more to me than all the honeyed flatteriesof others.

[C] I have given you as communicative a letter as you could desire. 3ut all my corres$ondence "ith you is that+ noletters of any "riter*could !e more so. or you have the gift of encouraging men to "rite "ith confidence. I say nomore of myself+ !ut there is not a literate ho"ever retiring "hom you do not no" ho" to dra" out 0ust as thesun/s rays !y their a!sor!ent $o"er etract the moisture hidden in the !o"els of the earth. %o shar$ are those raysthat they can $enetrate not the fine sand or surface soil alone !ut if there !e a concealed s$ring dee$ under somemassive mountain there too the ardent nature of the mysterious $o"ers of heaven reveals the secret of the li<uidelement. In lie manner venerated father your lucid elo<uence no"s admira!ly ho" to influence and dra" into thelight !y its su!tle address all the studious "ho from love of <uiet or from modesty lie in the o!scurity of darcorners their fame yet una"aened. [1] >nough# I come !ac to the $oint+ I have taled endlessly and at large !utsince I have surrendered and confessed my fault I entreat you to !e $laca!le and give me the !enefit of yourclemency and forgiveness. %uch are your holy cheerfulness and love of others that 61CC you "ill derive a greater

$leasure from this my "ritten a$ology than you "ould from any $ositive act of re$aration. Deign to hold me inremem!rance my ord 3isho$.

$!!.

To his friend 7resius

c. A. D. 44

[1] I HAB> 0ust received your letter "hich I may com$are to the salt mined in the hills of Tarragona. The readerfinds it shar$ and lucid yet none the less of a !land savour. The $hraseology is charming !ut the matter is also fullof $oint. Taing small account of my $resent state of life it ass me for a ne" $oem and this demand !rings me noless trou!le of mind than the admira!le diction delight. At the very outset of my religious career the art of versifying"as the first thing that I renounced+ gravity of deed "as no" my !usiness and if I occu$ied myself "ith suchfrivolous things as verses I might "ell !e accused of levity. ['] 3esides it is a matter of universal e$erience that a

$ursuit "hich has !een intermitted for any time is only resumed "ith difficulty. >very one no"s that !oth art andartist achieve their highest !y constant $ractice+ if the usual eercise !e forgone arm and intellect alie "ill gro"inert. The later or the more seldom the !o" is used the more refractory it is under the hand+ it is the same "ith theo under his yoe and the horse "ith his !ridle. Joreover disinclination is not my only motive+ it is accom$anied

!y a certain timidity. After three "hole (lym$iads of silence1 to 6' !egin rhyming again "ould !e no lessem!arrassing than irsome. [2] 3ut it seems almost a crime to refuse you even the most difficult things+ your "armheart is <uite unused to !e denied and it "ould !e a shame to deceive you of your confident ho$e. I shall thereforechoose a middle $ath# I "ill com$ose nothing ne"+ !ut if I can find any of my former letters containing $oems"ritten !efore the $ressure of my $resent duties you shall have them. I shall merely as you not to !e unfair and setme do"n as an incura!le $oetaster. I shall $ride myself 0ust as much on your good o$inion if you deign to thin ofme rather as a modest than as an accom$lished man. are"ell.

$!!!.

To his friend Tonantius

c. A. D. 41



[1] I JG%T admit that your 0udgement on my verses has long !een too flattering and a$$reciative# I must admit thatyou ran me among the elect of $oets and even a!ove many of their num!er. I might !e inclined to listen "ere notyour critical acumen influenced !y your friendshi$. &raises !orn of $artiality though uttered in $erfect good faithare really !ased on error. ['] :ou as me no" to send you some Ascle$iads forged on the Horatian anvil that youmay ee$ yourself in $ractice !y declaiming them at ta!le. I do so though never in my life have I !een so !usilyengaged in "riting $rose.

/ong time "ith hand "ell "orn !y the $en have I "ritten smooth hendecasylla!les "hich you might 6'1 sing moreeasily than choriam!ics dancing on lighter foot to freer measure. 3ut you "ill that our "ay should henceforth run

!y the )ala!rian road "here "ith reins of mighty music laccus guided his lyric steeds to the melody of &indar"hile the strings "ere struc to the ;lyconian rhythm to the Alcaic also and the &herecratian1 the es!ian and theana$aestic+ in the freshness of his varied song he "ent "ith "ords lie violets of diverse hue a!out him. Hard "as itfor !ards of old hard for me to*day to see that the tongue essaying the various music of verse tri$s not !y reason of too many "ritten letters and their male style "hich for!ids luuriant graces. Hardly may eo himself attem$t iting of the )astalian choir+ hardly he "ho most nearly follo"s him am$ridius though he $rofesses $rose andverse alie !efore his students of 3ordeau. :et this it is "hich I must try for you# s$are me then your 0ests. %ufferyour $oet to ee$ to the close his $ledge of modesty+ for nothing is less ecellent than this to end "ith laity "herethe !eginning "as "ith rigour./

[2] I should $ersonally much $refer that "hen you divert yourself at the !an<uet you should confine yourself to $ious histories+ recite them often among your friends and let an eager audience encourage their re$etition. And if8for you are yet young9 these salutary distractions !ut faintly a$$eal to you then !orro" from the &latonist ofJadaura' his formulae of festal <uestions+ and to master them more fully $ractise ans"ering them "hen others

$ro$ound or yourself $ro$ound them for solution+ mae this your study 6'' even in leisure. [4] 3ut as festiveoccasions have !een mentioned and you insist u$on a $oem even one com$osed on another theme and for another

$erson I cannot hesitate to $roduce one longer. Tae therefore "ith "hat grace you may one "ritten in Ja0orian/sreign "hen a num!er of us "ere invited to a !an<uet !y a common ac<uaintance and I had to $roduce somethingetem$ore on a !oo !y &etrus the em$eror/s secretary1 "hich "as 0ust out the master of the feast delaying the firstcourse a"hile for the occasion. Jy friends Domnulus %everianus and am$ridius summoned from their severalhomes to a single city' had also !een invited and had to "rite as I did. That sounds $resum$tuous+ they "rote ofcourse far !etter. [] We "ere only granted 0ust time for the allotting of the metres+ for "e had agreed ashonoura!le mem!ers of the $oetical fraternity that though the su!0ect should !e the same for all the verses of eachshould !e in a different measure so that the unsuccessful com$etitors might !e s$ared immediate mortification andsu!se<uent 0ealousy of the victor. or if all is com$osed in the same metre ine<uality of talent is much more easilydetected. I recommend the enclosed to your a$$roval $refera!ly at some hour of $erfect relaation. It "ould hardly

!e fair to su!0ect it to a severe criticism "hen your friend "as never a!le to give his "hole mind to the com$osition.

E /)ome flo"er of youth called ha$$ily together. The $lace the hour the festal !oard the theme !id you etol tothe sies the !oo "hich you no" hear 6'2 recited no" yourselves recite. It is the !oo of &etrus master alie of

$rose and verse. 3rothers let us cele!rate the $ious festival of letters. et all things ministering to delight usher outthe day "hich no" moves to its close fair cheer and "ine and the dance.

3ring out hangings of fine linen ruddy of hue+ !ring $ur$le stee$ed "ith Jeli!oean dye in !ra?en vessels to enrichthe fleece "ith $urest stain. et the fa!ric from a far land dis$lay the heights of )tesi$hon and of =i$hates1 and the"ild !easts racing over the field driven to madness !y "ounds silfully feigned in red from "hich a !lood "hich isno !lood seems to issue as though a real dart had $ierced their sides. There the &arthian fierce of mien and adroit inthe !ac"ard ga?e vanishes on s"ift steed and turns again to launch a second dart no" flying no" $utting in turnto flight the "ild !easts/ counterfeited forms.

et the round ta!le !e s$read "ith linen $urer than sno" and covered "ith laurel "ith ivy and the green gro"ths ofthe vine. &ile great !asets high "ith cytisus and crocus star"ort and cassia $rivet and marigold+ let side!oard andcouch !e gay "ith garlands of s"eet scent. et some hand $erfumed "ith !alsam smooth your disordered hair+ letfranincense of Ara!y smoe to the lofty roof. )ome the dar let many a light !e hung from the glittering ceilinghigh in the cham!er/s u$$er s$ace+ innocent of oil and clammy grease let each lam$/s !o"l yield flame from >astern

!alms alone.



et servitors !ear in on laden shoulders viands fit for ings their necs !o"ed under silver richly chased. 6'4 In $atera and !o"l and cauldron let nard mingle "ith alernian "ine+ let "reaths of roses cro"n tri$od and cu$. or "eshall tread "here garlands s"ay from many an unguent*vase+ in ma?y rounds our languid lim!s shall no" dis$ort+

!y ste$ !y gar! !y voice each shall $lay the <uivering Jaenad. rom her seat !et"een t"o seas let )orinth sendher $layers of the cithara trained in the !est of schools 1 to mimetic dance and song+ let their tuneful lingersaccom$any their melodious voices the $lectrum cast aside and deftly $ly the "ires that lea$ to life !eneath theirtouch.

;ive us too the !ron?e $i$e loved of the nude %atyr+ give us dee$*sounding flute*$layers for our chorus "ho fromcavernous mouth and full*!lo"n chee shall chant the loud "ind into the tu!es.

;ive us songs for the tragic !usin for the comic soccus songs+ give us elo<uence of rhetors and melody of $oets of each in his several $art the !est.

;ive us all these yet &etrus shall sur$ass them all. In our hands is his !oo "oven of $rose and verse faring s"iftover roughest $aths and la!yrinthine "ays. In every ind he maes essay in every ind a$$roved+ from this side andfrom that he !ears the $alm+ even learned li$s must cele!rate his $raise. A"ay "ith the "ell of Hi$$ocrene a"ay"ith Agani$$e/s fount+ avauntK A$ollo maer of s"eet song "ith all thy train of Juses+ avauntK Jinerva ar!itressof melody. A"ay "ith all the names of legend+ one ;od alone has do"ered him "ith these gifts.

When this man raised his voice all sat dum!****em$eror and senator "arrior night and all the fol 6' ofFomulus. And still their acclamations roll through forum tem$le cam$ and country "hile &o and iguria/s loyalcities add their loud $laudits to the chorus. ie greetings echo through the to"ns of Fhone even the "ild I!erianshall imitate the ;aul. =or shall the sound die in this region of earth+ it shall $ress on"ard to the lands "here >urusreigns+ Qe$hyr A<uilo and Auster shall !ear it on their "ings./

[@] %eeing a song for your li$s I have found one of my o"n. These trifles I drag into the light from the !ottom ofmy des "here for "ell*nigh t"enty years they have lain for the rats and mice to gna"# such verses as Glyssesmight have found "hen he came home from Troy. I $ray you give me gracious $ardon for this distraction of an idlehour+ it is surely neither false modesty nor im$udence "hich !egs you to !o" !efore the force of $recedent and

0udge my small $erformance in the s$irit "ith "hich I 0udged the "hole !oo of my friend. are"ell.

E The $oem is translated into ;erman rhymed decasylla!ics !y ertig i $. 12.

$!#.

To his friend /urgundio8=o indication of date9

[1] IT dou!les my o"n $ain to learn that you too are driven to ee$ your !ed. =o fate is so hard to !ear as these$aration of friends through sicness "hen they are <uite close to each other. Gnless they share one room theycannot echange a "ord of mutual comfort or offer a $rayer together. >ach has !urden of aniety 6'@ enough on hiso"n account !ut a greater for his friend. Ho"ever ill a man may !e his fears for himself vanish !efore theno"ledge of his friend/s danger. ['] 3ut ;od most affectionate son has relieved me of my "orst dis<uietude sinceyou !egin to regain strength. They say you even "ant to get u$ and "hat I long even more to hear that you arestrong enough to do so. I really thin you must !e or you "ould not have !egun to as my advice again and set meliterary $ro!lems "ith the ardour of one $erfectly recovered. Though you are only a convalescent you seem farmore inclined for some ethical discourse of %ocrates than any $hysical treatise of Hi$$ocrates. Berily you deserveif ever man did the encouragement of Fome/s a$$lauding hands the thunder of the Athenaeum hailing you mastertill the seats shae "ith the clamour through every tier. [2] And "ere !ut $eace ours and the roads free thesetrium$hs you "ould attain given the o$$ortunity of forming yourself in the society of our senatorial youth. (f suchfame and such distinction I 0udge you ca$a!le from the !ecoming s$eech you recently made+ you deliveredetem$ore the matter of a "ritten discourse "ith the result that the indly acclaimed you the su$erciliousmarvelled the most accom$lished had no fault to find. 3ut I ought not to em!arrass your modesty !y im$ertinent



ecess of $raise+ my eulogies are !etter made to third $ersons than to yourself. I "ill $roceed to the real su!0ect ofmy letter.

[4] The in<uiry "hich your messenger !rings is# "hat do I mean !y recurrent verses5 you "ant an immediateans"er "ith a concrete illustration. A recurrent verse is one "hich reads the same !ac"ards and for"ards 6'7 "ithout changing the $osition of a single letter or maing any alteration in the metre.1 Here is the classic eam$le#

$oma tibi subito motibus ibit amor.

[Here is another#

ole medere &ede, ede &erede melos.]

[] There is another ind in "hich though the metre is unchanged only the "ords are read !ac"ards not theseveral letters. A distich of my o"n shall illustrate the $oint though I am sure I have met "ith many others in thecourse of my reading. I amused myself !y com$osing it a!out a !roo "hich had !een filled !y sudden rain stormscrossing the high"ay "ith a noisy rush of "aters and overflo"ing all the tilled lands !elo".

[@] It "as merely a $assing flood s"ollen "ith transient rains and not sustained !y any $erennial flo" from s$ringa!ove. I ha$$ened to arrive !y the road and "hile I "aited for the !ans to rea$$ear for the moment giving u$ theford I amused myself !y "riting the follo"ing t"o verses on the feet of "hich if not on my o"n I crossed thefoaming torrent.

/&raeci$iti modo <uod decurrit tramite flumenTem$ore consum$tum iam cito deficiet./

:ou see that inverting the order you get the follo"ing#

/Deficiet cito iam consum$tum tem$ore flumenTramite decurrit <uod modo $raeci$iti./ 6'

(f course the merit all lies in the arrangement of the "ords+ elegance you must not e$ect for there is none. Theeam$le sufficiently e$lains I thin "hat you "anted to no". [7] It no" falls to you to o!lige me in a similar"ay !y follo"ing my lead and sending me something "hich I in my turn re<uest. An ideal chance is yours in thenear future of s$eaing in $u!lic on the most nota!le of su!0ects the glory of that ,ulius )aesar in $raise of "homyou have already "ritten. The theme is so great that even the most eu!erant of orators might dou!t his $o"er ofrising to the occasion. >ven if "e leave out of the account all that the historian of &adua1 has "ritten on the fame ofthe invinci!le dictator "ho could ho$e to challenge "ith the living "ord the "or of %uetonius or ,uventiusJartialis' or the %&hemerides of 3al!us5 3e the enter$rise reserved for your hand. [] Jy friendly care it shallrather !e to see that the !enches are "ell filled "ith auditors and to $re$are men/s ears for the coming !ursts ofa$$lause.2 While you ealt the virtues of another it shall !e my $art to cele!rate yours. Have no fear that I shall !ringan audience of ignorant or s$iteful )atos ready to cloa either defect under a $retence of critical severity. (ne canmae allo"ance for honest lac of culture !ut $eo$le sly enough to detect good "or and at the same time grudgeit credit are detected and discredited themselves !y every man of honour.

[C] Do not then !e a$$rehensive on this account+ every one "ill lend a favouring ear and a fostering su$$ort+ "eshall all en0oy together the refreshing $leasure "hich your recitation "ill give us. %ome "ill etol your fluencymore your talent all of us your freedom from conceit. 6'C or it is lauda!le indeed "hen a young man I mightalmost say a !oy can stand forth in the o$en arena and !e ad0udged the $ri?e on the dou!le ground of character andtalent. are"ell.

$#.



To his friend !elasius

c. A. D. 41

[1] :ou $rove my offence against you and I do not defend myself on the charge. In so far as no letter in thiscollection !ears your name I have indeed offended. 3ut you "rite that you "ill regard the fault as venial $rovided Isend you something for recital at ta!le lie the letter in $rose and verse "hich I sent not long ago to my friend

Tonantius for a similar $ur$ose. :ou conclude !y de$loring that "hen I dro$ into $oetry I never "rite anything !uthendecasylla!les $referring that in the $resent case I should su!stitute for this trochaic facility something com$osedin verses of si feet. I ac<uiesce only ho$ing that the enclosed "ill $lease you "hether you style it ode or eclogue.The com$osition "as hard "or for "hen one is out of $ractice in a given metre to "rite in it is far from easy. /:ou"ish dear friend the fierce iam!ic to echo through my $ages "ith im$etuous rhythm as hitherto the trochee+ thes$ondee "ith its t"o slo" feet and its time of four to hold the flighty dactyl in chec a"hile+ you "ish that others"iftest of all feet to resound "ith these named fitly from the &yrrhic dance and al"ays to !e $laced at theconclusion+ you "ish net the ana$aest to !ound the !eginning or the end of the verse 6'1 "hich only in strictnessdeserves its name "hen a third long sylla!le follo"s u$on t"o short.

An ordinary $oet****for such you no" your %ollius is****has not the sill to manage all these measures. Jy note isuncertain my "andering tongue has no art to unroll from echoing mouth the long*dra"n e$ic. That sill is rathereo/s or his "ho in atin song follo"s in eo/s ste$s and in the ;ree stands first "ho descends from the %ire of

the )onsentii+ "ho "ith lyre and tone and measure has sung men say !y the ford of &egasus in every form "eno" and in the ;ree tongue has held the high stars !y &indar/s side and ranged victorious the t"in*$eaed hillsecond to none among the caves of Del$hi. 3ut if either !ard forsae the Doric s$eech and sing to the $oet/s lyre aatian strain then laccus all too fee!ly shalt thou "ield the $lectrum of Benusia and thou ( van<uished s"an ofAufidus shalt !o" thy "hite and tuneful nec moaning to hear the music of the s"ans of Ata.

=or these alone are silled al!eit than the common silled more silful. or the rhetor %everianus had sung "ith amore transcending voice and Domnulus the su!tle !ard of Africa "ith more elegance and the learned &etrus "ithmore harmonious strength "hose love of "riting letters "ould never have stayed him from com$osing marvellousverse. And ever more masterly had !een the melodious music of &roculus him of igurian home and race sofinishing his graceful $oems as to mae his country rival in men/s love Jantua of the Benetian land and himselfarise the $eer of Homer in his glory or drive a!reast "ith Jaro/s car. 6'11

3ut I "hose thought and style merit contem$t ho" should I raise my !a!!ling voice among these even for your $leasure "ithout $roof of !a!!ling unashamed and achievement falling ever short of my am!ition5 :et if even thisshame suffice not to deter me ho" shall I deny you5 ove no"s not fear# /tis therefore I o!ey./

['] Do not no" !e critical "ith one "ho $ics u$ a lost thread+ all I as is some indulgence for an art I rarely $ractise. If in future you mae more such demands you "ill have to smooth the $ath of my o!edience !y giving meeither a su!0ect for my Juse or a dance to $ut me in the comic vein. are"ell.

$#!.

To his friend Firminus

c. A. D. 44

[1] :ou may remem!er honoured %on asing me to add a ninth !oo s$ecially com$osed for you to the eightalready issued# those addressed to )onstantius "hose great <ualities are no"n to you his eminent ca$acity hissanity in counsel his $re*eminent gift of elo<uence !y "hich in the discussion of $u!lic affairs he ecli$ses allother s$eaers on his o"n or on the o$$osite side. Here"ith I fulfil my $romise "ith $unctuality if not strictly as

$ro$osed. ['] or on my return after my diocesan visitation1 I !egan going through all my mouldering old $a$ers for any chance drafts of letters that might !e among them+ I "ored as fast and as hard as I could and then had them outand transcri!ed them "ith 6'1' all s$eed. I did not allo" the "intry season to interfere "ith my resolve of fulfillingyour desire though the co$yist "as hindered !y the cold "hich $revented the in drying on the $age+ the dro$s fro?eharder than the $en1 and as the hand $ressed the $oint on the $age they seemed to !rea from it rather than to flo".



I have done my !est to ac<uit my o!ligation !efore the mild avonian !ree?e !rings his natal sho"ers to fertili?e our t"elfth month "hich you call the month of =uma. [2] I must no" as you not to re<uire of me the t"o incom$ati!levirtues of $erfection and ra$idity+ for "hen a !oo is "ritten as it "ere to order the author may $erha$s e$ectcredit for $unctual delivery !ut hardly for the <uality of his "or.

As you $rofess delight "ith the iam!ics I recently sent to our very genial friend ;elasius you too shall have your

$resent in the sha$e of these little slaves of Jytilene.'

E /=o" has my !ar steered its !old course on the t"in seas of $rose and verse nor have I feared to $ly the tiller ontheir sundered tides. I have lo"ered the yards furled the great sails and laid do"n the oar+ my th"arts have runalongside I have lea$t ashore to iss the dear*loved sands.

The 0ealous chorus of my foes maes muttering+ they snarl lie furious dogs+ !ut o$enly they dare say nothing+ theyfear the $u!lic a$$roval "hich is mine. Hissings of evil tongues !eat u$on the $oo$ and shae the eel and toss thecurved sides of my !oat+ they fly a!out the mast. 6'12

or I having reced nought of the heaving storms "ith the steersman/s guardian art have held my $ro" straight andcome safe to $ort "inner of a t"ofold cro"n. (ne the Foman $eo$le granted and the $ur$le*ro!ed senate assignedand "ith a single voice the com$any of the lettered "hat time =erva Tra0an/s forum sa" arise a lasting statue to my

honour set u$ !et"een the founders of the t"o i!raries.1 The other "as mine "ellnigh t"o lustres after "hen Ireceived the honour of that high office "hich no" alone maintains the rights of $eo$le and of senate.'

Heroic verse I have "ritten and much have I "oven in lighter vein+ elegiacs in si feet I have turned "ith t"incaesura.

=o" trained to ride my course in lines of eleven sylla!les I have gloried in a s"ift "ay+ singing many a time in%a$$hic metre rarely in the im$etuous iam!ic.

=or can I no" call to mind all that once I "rote in the ardour of $ast youth+ "ould that the mass of it might !e !uried a"ay and "ithdra"n into silenceK

or as "e come to our last years and the goal of old age dra"s nearer the dee$er gro"s our shame remem!eringthe levities of our callo" youth.

In the dread of that remem!rance I transferred all my care to the e$istolary style that though guilty of foolishness insong I might !e innocent in deed+ nor !e esteemed one all dissolved in $retty $hrases filling my $age "ith tro$esand idle tra$$ings !y "hich the $oet/s em$ty fame might stain the austerity of the $riest.

Henceforth I $lunge no more into any ind of verse+ !e the measure light or grave I shall not readily !e dra"n to $roduce a song again+ 6'14

Gnless it !e to sing the trials of men $ersecuted for the faith and martyrs "orthy of heaven "ho have !ought !ydeath the re"ard of eternal life.

irst my chant should cele!rate the $relate "ho held the throne of Toulouse1 "hom they flung headlong do"n fromthe highest ste$s of the )a$itol.

Who denied ,ove and Jinerva and confessed the !lessing of )hrist/s cross and therefore "as !ound !y a ragingmo! to the "ild !ull/s !ac.

That "hen the !east "as driven to full s$eed over the height his rent !ody "as flung to earth and the roc reddened"ith the $ul$ of his reeing !rain.



And after %aturninus my lyre should sing all those other guardian saints "ho through many tri!ulations have $rovedmy hel$ers at need.

Their several names my $ious song may not rehearse+ !ut though they sound not from the strings they shall everfind echo in my heart./

[4] et me at the end dro$ verse for $rose and so conform to the scheme originally $ro$osed for my !oo. If Iclosed an unmetrical "or "ith rhyme I should !rea the rule of Horace' and turn out as common $ot "hat !eganas am$hora. are"ell.

E Translated into ;erman verse !y ertig &art iii $$. '2*4.

OT*S

The large reference figures are to the &age numbers, the smaller to the numbers inserted in the te+t. [i.e. .1 meansnote 1 on $age ]

The a!!reviation ). J. H. stands for the Cambridge (ediaeal "istory8 see $. clviii.

#OL+M* !

1. 1. 3oth &etrarch 8etters# $reface9 and &olitian 8etters I. i.9 imagined that in this $assage %idonius "asde$reciating )icero+ !ut modern commentators tae the more natural vie" that the greatest of Foman letter*"ritersis $laced among authors of su$reme ecellence and regarded as !eyond imitation. )f. %irmond =otes $. 7+;ermain i $. 1+ 3aret $$. 7@ 1.

The %ymmachus mentioned in the tet is O. Aurelius %ymmachus "ho flourished at the close of the fourth centuryand has left ten !oos of etters. An orator as "ell as a "riter and a $rominent %enator and one of the lastdistinguished defenders of $aganism he is remem!ered for his effort to secure the restoration of the altar of Bictoryto the %enate House.

,ulius Titianus an orator lived in the time of Jaimin I "ho chose him as tutor in rhetoric for his son+ during thelatter $art of his life he $resided over the %chools of yons and 3esancon. He "as the author of geogra$hicalagricultural "ors and of a !oo of fa!les. The /etters of amous Women/ "ere $laced in the mouths of heroinesafter the manner of the Heroides of (vid. )f. "istoire litteraire de la France, i $$. 41*4.

'. J. )ornelius ronto orator the distinguished master of Jarcus Aurelius "ho !esto"ed the consulshi$ on him in1@1. 6'1@

'. 1. The $oems of %idonius "ere $ro!a!ly $u!lished in 4@ several years !efore this first !oo of the etters. Thisdate is $ro!a!le !ecause the &anegyric of Anthemius !egins the !oo out of its chronological order a fact "hich

$oints to $u!lication during the reign of that em$eror.

2. 1. A corru$t $assage. The tet reads# Ceri+ non [sedet nodis] sed neris.

'. Feading# genis ut adhuc estici&ibus. Another reading is# genas ad us4ue forci&ibus, "hich "ould recall the useof the t"ee?ers so fre<uently found in Teutonic cemeteries.

2. This allusion to Theodoric/s Arian clergy and his mechanical out"ard conformity is $ro!a!ly intended toreconcile the orthodo ;allo*Fomans to a $ossi!le etension of the Bisigothic ing/s influence. %ee Introduction $.vi.



4. 1. The door"ay of the hall "as screened !y curtains outside "hich "as a !arrier+ the guards "ere $osted !et"eenthe t"o. %irmond <uotes )ori$$us 8III. ch. vi9 on the audience hall of ,ustin "here a similar arrangement $revailed.)f. also )assiodorus 9'ariae, S vii9.

'. %idonius uses the "ord toreuma here as in II. iii and IS. iii for toral or forale, the covering of a couch. In thishe follo"s &rudentius and %alvian 8%irmond =otes $. C9.

. 1. Tabula. The use of this "ord im$lies that the game "as $layed "ith a !oard "hile the mention of calculi a fe"lines !elo" sho"s that /men/ "ere $ro!a!ly used in addition to the dice. Barious suggestions as to the game hereintended have !een made+ the game of uodecim scri&ta, in "hich !oth /men/ and dice "ere used seems $ro!a!le.)f. Jar<uardt riatleben, $. 7.

'. The "ords are# ine motu eaditur, sine colludio eadit. The ver! may refer merely to the !reaing u$ of the $arty+ !ut the allusion may !e as Hodgin thought to the $rocess of getting the men out of one/s o$$onent/s /ta!le/.

@. 1. 7rgana hydraulica. )f. Bitruvius i. C and . 112. Hydraulic organs are said to have !een invented !y)tesi!ius of Aleandria in the time of &tolemy >uergetes 8'47*''' 3.).9. Hero of Aleandria 8 neumatica, ch. lvi9descri!es 6'17 one+ another descri$tion is given !y Bitruvius. Athenaeus Tertullian and )laudian all allude to suchorgans "hich "ere evidently very $o$ular in the Foman em$ire from the third century. An eam$le is re$resented

in a terra*cotta found at )arthage 8Darem!erg and %aglio ictionnaire des anti4uites grec4ues et romaines, iii $.21' and fig. 2C1C9.

7. 1. The )al$urnian la" $ermanently ecluded from the %enate and $unished !y a fine those convicted of $oliticalintrigue. The ,ulian la" ecluded for five years only. The em$erors "hen they nominated to magistracies attached

$enalties to this offence. %idonius s$eas retros$ectively "ithout $articular regard for the circumstances of his o"nday.

'. or the &alatine %ervice see )assiodorus 9'ariae, vi. @ ff.9. It is sometimes descri!ed as militia alatina, theformer "ord !earing no necessary relation to military service. )f. BI. i !elo".

2. ;audentius as tri!une of the $raetorium had occu$ied a lo"er ran than the Bicarii "ho re$resented the $refectin the several dioceses. ilimatius is urged to acce$t mem!ershi$ of the &refect/s )ouncil !ecause it conferredim$ortant $rivileges and a status a!ove those "ho had only served Bicarii in the same manner. or the advisory

!odies of high officials in the $rovinces see Feid in ). J. H. i $. 4.

4. The tet is# camnis tamen amicalibus de&utabuntur. The general sense a$$ears to !e that ;audentius "as of agenerous nature and caused the officials of his court to assign good $laces to his detractors. &/or the $osition of theBicarius cf. Feid in ). J. H. i $. 2'.

. 1. There is here a lacuna in the tet after "hich there a$$ears to !e a change of su!0ect.

C. 1. A $rivate $erson could only avail himself of the cursus &ublicus or im$erial $ost service !y land or "ater if hehad received an im$erial summons and "as furnished "ith an im$erial letter. 8)f. Theodoret ii 11+ %ymmachus

%&. ii @2.9 )assiodorus mentions the state galleys maintained on the &o in Theodoric/s time 9'ariae, II. i9. )f.

also Jar<uardt $omische taatserwaltung, i $$. ff. 6'1

1. 1. or the story of &haethon/s sisters "ho u$on his death mourned so !itterly that they "ere changed into $o$lars and their tears into am!er*coloured gum see (vid (etamor&hoses, ii.

'. Jany of the e$ithets a$$lied !y %idonius to these rivers are those used !y Birgil and )laudian.

2. Birgil >clogue i '#



(antua ae miserae nimium icina Cremonae.

4. or the frogs and the scarcity of drining*"ater in Favenna cf. Jartial %&igrams, iii r @. Favenna $ro$er)lassis its $ort and the su!ur! "hich gre" u$ along the road connecting the t"o really formed a single city.

11. 1. Ariminum "as the first city to $ass under )aesar/s $o"er "hen he had crossed the Fu!icon after his

/re!ellion/ against the %enate. anum received its name from the tem$le to ortune erected there in memory of thevictory of '7 3. c. "hen Hasdru!al "as slain on the Jetaurus.

'. )f. Horace at. i. . The Ata!ulus or %irocco derived its name from the ;ree "ords aKth and !all"+ as "emight say /death*dealing./

1'. 1. These e$ithets are again em$loyed !y earlier authors. )f. note 1. ' a!ove.

'. A&ostolorum liminibiis affusus. The !asilica of %t. &eter "as not included in the &omoerium until the time of eoIB the !uilder of the /eonine )ity/+ that of %t. &aul has al"ays !een "ithout the "alls. To reach either %idonius"ould have to mae a detour as the laminian Way entered Fome at the north "here the &ia??a del &o$olo no"stands at the to$ of the )orso.

2. or Ficimer see $$. i ff. The marriage "ith Anthemius/ daughter Aly$ia "as a $urely $olitical union+ seeIntroduction $$. v iii.

4. %houts of /Thalassio/ "ere raised at Foman "eddings "hen the !ride "as conducted to the !ridegroom/s house.The traditional e$lanation is that the "ord signifies the name of a Foman senator of the time of Fomulus. Duringthe ra$e of the %a!ine "omen a maid of ece$tional !eauty "as carried off for him the !earer shouting /forThalassius/ in order to $rotect himself from interference. 6'1C 8)f. Jar<uardt riatleben, $. 4.9 escennine versesof an outs$oen character "ere sung at marriage feasts. The $resent $assage seems to sho" that the )hristian"edding still admitted many $agan features in the year 4@7 though %idonius may !e "riting /classically/ "ith an eyerather to literary effect than to reality. The early )hristians disa$$roved of the usage of the garland at "eddings 8cf.Tertullian e Corona, iii9+ !ut the custom "as after"ards restored. or the corona in )hristian times see ,.%chri0nen La Couronne nu&tiale dans l2anti4uite chretienne, in (elanges d2archeologie et d2histoire, i $. 2C.

12. 1. (ilitiae alatinae. )f. note 7. ' a!ove.

14. 1. In 4ua unica totius orbis emitate soli barbari et seri &eregrinantur. The allusion is to the etension of Fomanciti?enshi$ !y )aracalla to the "hole em$ire after "hich all !ut aliens and slaves "ere /at home/ "ithin the "alls.With the $receding eulogy of the city cf. )assiodorus 'ar. i. 4C+ II. i+ . 7.

1. 1. Conatuum tuorum socius ad:utor &raeius &artice&s ero. )f. &liny %&. vi. C.

'. Casus Arandi. %ee Introduction $. .

1@. 1. Comite sacrarum largitionum. The functions of the /)ount of the %acred 8Im$erial9 argesses/ e$anded "iththe la$se of time and included multifarious duties. 3ut he "as essentially the great im$erial Jinister of inance. )f.

)assiodorus 'ar. vi. 7 c.+ %ymmachus %&. . 22. %ee also Jommsen Libri Theodosiani ;'I, vol. i $. 4+Hodgin Italy and her Inaders, i $$. '1@ '17 and Letters of Cassiodorus, $. + Feid in ).J.H. i $$. 42 47.

'. The gesta decretalia em!odied the $rovincial decree and formed the credentials of the envoys "ithout "hich theycould not !e heard. 8)ode Theod. e legatis.9 )f. agina decretalis, in BII. i. @.

2. or Tonantius erreolus &etronius and Thaumastus see ist of )orres$ondents. . Afranius %yagrius "as consulin the reign of ;ratian.



1. 1. The manuscri$ts have the "ord decemiris. An accused senator "as usually 0udged !y the &refect of the )ity 6

'' assisted !y a committee of five senators chosen !y lot. If decemiris is not a mistae for 4uin4ueiris, "e mustsu$$ose that the usage admitted of ece$tions. )f. )od. Theod. iii# e accusationibus, and )assiodorus 'ar. iv. '''2.

1C. 1. $es&ondere legati, 4uan4uam alde ne4uiter, constaret, 4uod i&se dictasset. A difficult $assage. Johr

8 raefafio, $. iii9 taes constaret as < iterum affirmaret, i.e. /let him re$eat the admission that he himself dictatedthe letter/.

'. 1. The island in the Ti!er "here a tem$le of Aescula$ius stood. The great tem$le of Aescula$ius "as at>$idaurus and the ser$ent "as his attri!ute as Healer.

'. The la" of Ti!erius only granted ten days/ re$rieve+ Theodosius etended the term to thirty.

'1. 1. The Fhone mists are still $rover!ial in the yons of modern times.

'. The clergy "ere for!idden to trade or to lend money at unfair usury. /Feaders/ ho"ever traded 8cf.BI. viii9 andclergy occasionally had money out at interest a $ractice "hich %idonius himself seems to sanction $rovided the rate"as fair 8cf. IB. iv9. The %yrians descri!ed !y ,erome as aarissimi mortalium, "ere the u!i<uitous traders of theearly )hristian centuries in the West.

'2. 1. %idonius had come to Fome as a mem!er of a mission from Auvergne. )f. Introduction $. vii.

'4. 1. The o&usculum is the &anegyric of Anthemius "hich is counted as Carmen ii in the $oems of %idonius.

'. 1. Thraso is the !om!astic soldier in the %unuchus of Terence+ &yrgo$olinices the (iles gloriosus of &lautus.

'. or the functions of the raefectus annonae in these late centuries cf. )assiodorus 'ar. IB. lviii+ %ymmachus %&. S. lviii. As in Tacitus/ day the theatre "as al"ays the $rinci$al scene of discontent if the corn su$$lies ranshort. The Bandal command of the Jediterranean "as the reason for %idonius/ aniety.

'@. 1. The <uotation is from Horace at. II. i. ' ff. and the allusion to the la" of the T"elve Ta!les against li!el.'7.1. The events here descri!ed occurred during Ja0orian/s 6''1 visit to Arles in 4@1 after his $acification ofAuvergne. %ee Introduction $. iii and cf. )hai i $$. 12' ff.

'. The es$ecial reference is to the setting u$ of =ero/s verses in gold letters on the )a$itol as related !y %uetonius.

'. 1. =ui genus) unde domo) Birgil Aeneid, viii. 114.

'. )hremes "as the avaricious father of comedy.

2. Coniuratio (arcelliana. The "ord in its eisting form can hardly !e correct 8Johr raefatio, $. v9 ifJarcellinus "as the hero of the re!ellion. %ee Introduction $. .

'C. 1. harsalia, v. 2''.

2. 1 . The couch "as the stibadium, often called sigma, from its resem!lance to the )*sha$ed form of that ;reeletter# "e might call it a /horse*shoe/ couch. The $laces of honour "ere at the end of the right and left /horns/+ in the

$resent case the em$eror "as at the right the consul at the left etremity.

21. 1. %idonius had $ro!a!ly !een given the ran of count !y Ja0orian. )onstantine used this older title as anhonorific designation for various officers and four of the highest mem!ers of the im$erial service !ore it. In course



of time it "as divorced from the )ourt and those "hom it designated "ere divided into grades the honour in somecases 8as $erha$s in that of %idonius9 !eing $urely honorary. 8Feid in ). J. H. i $$. 4@ 47.9

24. 1. The name eronatus is the o$$osite of Citonatus, /<uic !orn/ and intended to signify an easy delivery.%idonius gives it a meaning of his o"n and then cites it as an eam$le of anti$hrasis 8as >uine for an inhos$ita!lesea &arcaefor the im$laca!le ates c.9.

2. 1. 3ec dat &retia contemnens, nec acci&it instrumenta des&erans. ;regory of Tours 9"ist. Franc. IB. ii9 <uotesthis $hrase a$$lying it to the avaricious !isho$ )autinus. The sense in that $lace seems to $reclude the idea that the

!isho$ neglected to furnish himself "ith deeds !ecause in the se<uel he insists u$on having them. The $oint hereseems to !e that %eronatus mistrusted deeds as $ossi!le sources of evidence against him. )f. )hai i $. 277.

'. Leges Theudosianas calcans Theudoricianas4ue &ro&onens. &aronomasia is used to give effect to the charge that 6

''' %eronatus "as !ar!aro$hile for treasona!le $ur$oses of his o"n. His contem$orary >uric the successor ofTheodoric II issued a ne" code a!out 47@ im$roving u$on those of his $redecessors Theodoric I and II. Allincor$orated much from the Foman 8Theodosian9 )ode for "hich see Jommsen as tinder note 1@. I. %eronatus"ho though nominally a Foman official "as o$enly acting in the ;othic interest is de$icted as giving !ar!aric la"an unfair $reference. %ee Introduction.

2. i. e. !y the tonsure# they "ould enter the )hurch.

2@. 1. amia mihi mater fuit. Terence %unuchus, I. ii. '7 8179.

'. Aitaci sumus. The villa of Avitacum named from Avitus is the estate "hich %idonius received "ith his "ife&a$ianilla. auchet considered that it "as situated !y the lae of %orlieu then called A!itac and no" $erha$s (!ier 8 Anti4uites francaises, i $. 29. 3ut the $osition is uncertain+ another o$inion favours the lae of Aydat in &uy*de*Dome. In any case Avitacum "as not far from )lermont. The descri$tion is modelled on &liny/s $ictures of hiscountry*houses 8 %&. II. vii+ B. vi9. )f. )hai i $$. 14 ff.

27. 1. /alneum. or the arrangement of the Foman !ath see Darem!erg and %aglio ict. des anti4uites grec4ues et

romaines, s. v. /alnea, and Jar<uardt riatleben, $$. '7C ff. )f. also the t"o letters of &liny mentioned in the $receding note. The $rinci$al rooms "ere the te&idarium, or hot*air cham!er+ caldarium, or "arm !ath frigidarium,

or cold !ath. The destrictarium or unctorium, near the te&idarium, "as for ru!!ing*do"n and anointing+ thea&odyterium for undressing. The &iscina, cisterna, or ba&tisterium, "as in the frigidarium. The e+edra "as aconversation*room. The verses on the "alls of %idonius/ !aths /"hich $eo$le might read once and "ould not "ish toread again/ are $ro!a!ly those $reserved to us in Carm. viii and i.

2. 1. &hilistio "as a mimeogra$h of the Augustan age.

41. 1. )f. II. i+ III. iii+ IB. iv+ B. vii.

4'. 1. Agonem re&itanum Troianae su&erstitionis. The Arvernians claimed a Tro0an descent 8cf. BII. vii and $. '426''2 note 11. '9. The allusion is to the games instituted at Dre$anum !y Aeneas in honour of Anchises 8Birgil Aen.v9. 42. 1. The title "as $ro!a!ly that of &atrician. Jagnus eli "as never consul.

'. Tua felicitate. %uch $unning $lays u$on $ersonal names have a $eculiar attraction for %idonius. )f. II. iii Tuus (a+imus ma+ima . . . documento IB. ii 8!audentius9 gaudeat IS. i $lay on the name austus c. )f.Introduction $. ci.

2. The reference is to the rash action of ucius &a$irius )ursor in giving !attle in the a!sence of a!ius from thearmy. )f. ivy viii. 'C*2. %idonius says the same thing to )laudianus Jamertus. %ee IB. iii.



4. 1. Infortunatam fecunditatem. An echo of the $hrase of Tacitus# Infelici fecunditate fortunae totiens obno+ia

9Ann. ii. 79.

4C. 1. In:uste tibi :usta &ersoluta. )f. III. iv ii+ BII. vii+ and (vid (et. ii. @'7.

'. The situation of the villa of &rusianum is thought to coincide "ith 3resis on the ;arden lying on the main road

!et"een =imes and )lermont. )f. !elo" note 1. 2.

2. Aracynthus a mountain in Aetolia or Acarnania+ it is uncertain "hat Jt. =ysa is here intended.

. 1. &haeristarum contrastantium&aria. )f. note 41. 1.

'. This $assage is interesting as a descri$tion of the li!rary in a Foman villa !ut is tantali?ing !y its incom$letenesslie the allusions of )icero to the rooms "here he e$t his !oos 8 %&. IB. v+ BI. viii9.

We gather that there "ere high cases 9armaria> round the "alls as in the small li!rary discovered at Herculaneum"ith shelves on "hich rolls "ere laid hori?ontally "ith the umbilicus out"ards+ the armaria must also have hadhigher shelves for the !oos or codices, "hich "ere no" in common use. 3oethius in his Consolation of hiloso&hyindicates that in his time armaria "ere gla?ed and ornamented "ith ivory+ in addition to the !oo cases there aredess 8 &lutei9 on "hich !oos in use "ere laid. or the li!rary of )onsentius in the villa (ctaviana near =ar!onnecf. BIII. iv. %ee also ,ustus 6''4 i$sius e /ibliothecis, %ynt. i+ Jar<uardt riatleben, $. 11. The Athenaeum, atFome "here authors read or recited their com$ositions "as founded !y Hadrian+ !ut the $rovincial ca$ital had alsoits Athenaeum as for instance yons 8IB. viii+ IS. i9. In earlier times authors gave their readings in the houses of"ealthy men "ho indly lent a large a$artment for the $ur$ose+ the custom "hich "as a necessary $art of/$u!lication/ is fre<uently mentioned !y &liny and other authors.

1. 1. Turranius Fufinus !orn in the mid*fourth century and !a$ti?ed a!out 27'. He remained in the >ast fort"enty*si years and shared the admiration "hich ,erome at one time felt for (rigen. (n his return to Italy hetranslated into atin &am$hilus/ A$ology for (rigen and the latter/s !oos Peri\ a)rxw~n. He died in %icily c.

41. Adamantius "as a $erson in the Dialogue Peri\ th~j ei0j Qeo_n o)rqh~j pi/stewj held !y Fufinus to !ea "or of (rigen !ut no longer so regarded. )f. the edition !y Ban de %ande 3ahuy?en in the series# ie

christlichen chriftsteller der ersten drei:ahrhwtderte, ei$?ig 1C1.

'. Cle&sydrae. The "ater*clocs mentioned !y %idonius a$$ear to !elong to the class strictly descri!ed as /hydraulichorologia/. In the sim$ler forms of these instruments the "ater rose from one level to another and from mar tomar on the sides of the rece$tacle into "hich it $oured. In more ela!orate ty$es lines "ere engraved on a cylinderor column to "hich an indicator actuated !y rising "ater $ointed. )le$sydrae of this ind only !ecame common inthe early )hristian centuries. %ee Darem!erg and %aglio ict. des anti4uites grec4ues et romaines, iii $. '@1 f. )f.also Jar<uardt riatleben, $. '@.

2. 'orocingum ,.. rusianum. The first is the villa of A$ollinaris cousin of %idonius the second that of erreolus.The A!!e Tessier has $laced the latter near 3resis at the foot of the hill of %t. ;ermain on the right !an of the;arden and in the territory of Alais+ the first he sets on the other side of the river at 3eringueri under the hill of)ouillere. %ee also "ist. litt. de la France, iv $. 4@+ ;regoire and )ollom!et i $$. '' ff. 6''

'. 1. This $assage is curious as seeming to sho" that the country*houses of magnates lie Tonantius erreolus andA$ollinaris contained no s$are accommodation even for a siesta.

'. The etem$ori?ed va$our*!ath here descri!ed recalls the customs of eastern >uro$e Asia and $rimitive America.;regory of Tours relates the death of the daughter of the great Theodoric in a va$our*!ath. 8 "ist. Franc. iii $. 21.9The )ilician hangings "ere made of goats/ hair. )f. IB. iv and Jar<uardt riatleben, $. 12.



4. 1. This descri$tion of the church of &atiens at yons $resents several features of interest. It "as !uilt close to the 0unction of the Fhone and %aone near the road from yons to =ar!onne and re$laced the earlier church of theJacca!ees 8the first martyrs of yons "ere so called9 !uilt !y Qachariah successor of Irenaeus. After it receivedthe relics of %t. ,ustus it "as called !y his name and under this a$$ellation "as $ro!a!ly no"n to %idonius 8B.vii9+ it "as destroyed !y the Huguenots in 1@' 8ertig ii $. 279. Its dedication "as cele!rated !y a festival "hichlasted a "hole "ee and "as signali?ed !y an address from austus 3isho$ of Fie? 8IS. ii9 at "hich %idonius "as

$resent. The church seems to have !een a !asilica orientated and "ith an atrium of the usual ty$e. 8)f. H.Holt?inger ie altchristliche Archite0tur in systematischer arstellung, 1C $$. 2 7 17C+ )hai i $. 2''.9Jost commentators tae lines 1@*'1 of the $oem as referring to the "ealth of columns in the interior of the !uilding+

!ut it "ould seem that %ir Thomas ,acson is right in maing the "ords a$$ly to the atrium. 8 /y?antine and

$omanes4ue Architecture, ii $. 21.9 They run#

"uic est &orticus a&&licata tri&le+

fulmentis A4uitanicis su&erba,ad cu:us s&ecimen remotiora

claudunt atria &orticus secundae,

et cam&um medium &rocul locatas

estit sa+ea sila &er columnas.

Josaics covered the floor as "ell as the "alls soffits of the 6''@ "indo"s 859 and half*dome of the a$se 9camera, on"hich cf. Holt?inger as a!ove $. 7'9. or mosaics in other churches in ;aul cf. the church !uilt !y =amatius in thesame century "here the "alls "ere ornamented "ith mar!le and mosaic and that erected !y 3isho$ Agricola at)halon 8;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. B. lvi9.

. 1. This is a very difficult $assage. It seems to refer throughout to glass "all mosaics and not as is generallysu$$osed to "indo"s in the form of $ierced transennae "ith small inset $anes. )f. %ir T. ;. ,acson as a!ove ii

$. 21+ Holt?inger as a!ove.

. 1. Chironica magis institutum arte 4uam (achaonica. The 0oe de$ends on the dou!le use of the "ord /)hiron/as the name of a $hysician and as the com$arative of kako&j 8 xei/rwn U "orse9. )f. %irmond =otes $. 2.

C. 1. or %idonius/ delight in this ind of $un see Introduction $. ci+ note 42. ' c.

'. The cloc is the cle&sydra, on "hich see a!ove note 1. '.

@1. 1. $a&tis incubans o&ibus. )f. BIII. vii. A reminiscence of Birgil !eorg. ii. 7.

@'. 1. In &ago 'ialoscensi. %avaron and %irmond consider this $lace to have !een south*"est of Fiom near Bolvic.'. Tunicata 4uiete. In the country the Fomans dis$ensed "ith the toga. )f. ,uvenal iii. 17C+ Jartial %&igr. . 1.

@4. 1. The name /%e$timania/ first occurs in this $assage. It means the coast line from the &yrenees to the Fhone. )f.Jommsen Inde+ Locorum, s. v. and 3ury A$$endi to ;i!!on/s ecline and Fall, iii $. 2'.

@. 1. Feminiscent of &liny %&. vii. '.

@@. 1. Angustias mansionum. (ansiones "ere rest*houses for the night on the high roads in some degreecorres$onding to the /$u!lic !ungalo"s/ of India and the >ast. )f. Jar<uardt $omische taatserwaltung, $. @1.

@7. 1. or the influence of the )eltic dialect even among the educated in ;aul cf. Introduction $$. ciii*civ. '.;regory of Tours "ho also mentions this feat of 6''7 >cdicius $uts the num!er of his men at ten. 9"ist. Franc. ii.'4.9



7. 1. >cdicius "as $ro!a!ly at the court of one of the 3urgundian ings+ not al"ays a safe $lace of residence. )f. B.vii.

'. ro&ugnantum, i.e. the 3urgundians "ho $artly from 0ealousy of the Bisigoths $artly o"ing to the di$lomacy of>cdicius assisted the $rovincials at the time of >uric/s final advance. )f. Introduction $$. i l.

71. 1. %borolacensis. >!reuil no" a small to"n on the %ioule an affluent of the Allier and close to ;annat. 8)haii $. '7.9

7'. 1. Tractatus, i.e. the letter I. vi a!ove.

72. 1. Annum bonum, c. )f. BI. ii. C.

'. abini, abiniani. The eact $oint is o!scure.

74. 1. =uaestor Licinianus. %ee Introduction $. li. His office "as =uaestor acri alati, "hich after the time of)onstantine "as the highest legal dignity in the em$ire. 8Feid in ). J.H. i $. 27.9

7. 1. Ai. The $refect A$ollinaris on "hom see $. cli. '. Tam bustualibus faillis 4uam cadaeribus. This $assage"ith others in the etters seems to im$ly that cremation "as still $ractised in ;aul in %idonius/ time. %eeIntroduction $. civ. The cemetery here mentioned "as 0ust outside the church of %t. ,ust at yons 8see note 4. 1a!ove9 "hich itself lay on the edge of the to"n.

7C. 1. The "ords are# torsi latrones. Am$ere 9"ist. litt. de la France meridionale, ii $. '229 considered that %idoniushad the men su!0ected to torture at the grave*side+ in this he is follo"ed !y ;ermain. 3ut the sim$ler meaning seems

$refera!le though the la" certainly $rescri!ed torture 8Jommsen Theodosiani Libri ;'I, vol. I $t. ii $$. 4@2 ff.+II $. 1149.

'. The reference is $ro!a!ly to &atiens 3isho$ of yons for "hom see $. clv.

)hai suggests that as the grave*diggers "ere under the control of )hurch authorities %idonius felt !ound on

second thoughts to inform the !isho$ 8i. 172.9 6''

'. 1. ;natho is the $arasite of the %unuchus, "hom Terence has made a classical eam$le of the s$ecies. The $resent etter is one of those on "hich %idonius evidently e$ended great $ains+ !ut the realism of his descri$tion"ill $ro!a!ly seem to most readers ecessive. )f. )hai i $. 227.

2. 1. 'esicarum ru&tor fractor4ue ferularum. The close association of these t"o e$ithets seems to 0ustify %avaron/svie" that ested should !e taen literally and not meta$horically in the sense of /!om!ast/. His reference to %eneca

3at. =uaest. ii. '7 is to the $oint. Aliud genus est acre, 4uod cre&itum magis di+erim 4uam sonum, 4ualem audire solemus, cum su&er ca&ut alicuius diru&ta esica est.

'. ollinctor. The $ollinctores "ere assistants of the libitinarii, "hose duty it "as to anoint and $erfume the !odiesof the dead# they also too casts of the faces of the dead for the imagines $reserved !y survivors. The "ordscadaere rogali, immediately $receding suggest though they cannot alone !e taen to $rove the $ersistence ofcremation in the fifth century. )f. note 7. ' a!ove. or Foman funeral usage see Jar<uardt riatleben, 2' 24+and Darem!erg and %aglio ict. des anti4. grec4ues et romaines, i $$. 2@ ff.

4. 1. (orbo yllano, i.e. $hthiriasis.

'. Am&sancti. Am$sanctus no" e Jofete "as a valley in the territory of the Hir$ini !et"een )am$ania andA$ulia and in the middle of the $eninsula. It is descri!ed !y Birgil 8 Aen. vii. @2*719 "ho alludes to the $estiferousfumes of its cave.



. 1. ;reno!le# !ratiano&olis.

#OL+M* !!

2. 1. oror is here used for /cousin/. 8)f. BII. iii*v.9 &ro!us had married >ulalia cousin of %idonius. 8Carm. i. 2'C*24+ iv. C*C.9

4. 1. %usebianos lares. >use!ius "as $rofessor of $hiloso$hy at yons.

. 1. Claudianus. %ee $. cliii. This etter is the only one in the collection "hich is not "ritten !y %idonius 6''C himself. It is inserted in order to mae our author/s re$ly in the net letter more intelligi!le+ though %idonius

$ro!a!ly had in mind &liny/s inclusion of a letter of Tacitus among his o"n. '. The "or !y )laudianus Jamertus e statu animae, controverting the o$inions of austus as to the materiality of the soul. )f. Introduction $. li.

. 1. Jost of the names in this list are too familiar to re<uire comment. >u$hrates "as a %toic $hiloso$her a friendof the younger &liny and Hadrian. &erdi "hose name is variously given is the mythical ne$he" of Daedalus. The>ucherius mentioned a little lo"er do"n is %t. >ucher.

C. 1. According to ;ennadius the hymn referred to is that "hich !egins# ange @ingud gloriosi, c. )f. %irmond =otes $. 42.

1. 1. This is one of the $assages attesting the half*com$ulsory nature of %idonius/ election as !isho$.

'. After his entry into the )hurch %idonius "as in great re<uest as a "riter of elegies and )hurch inscri$tions. =ordid he altogether renounce the com$osition of secular verse. 8)f. IS. iii. to Tonantius.9

2. auci 4uos ae4uus amait. Birgil Aen. vi. 1'C.

11. 1. 3elo" and in the sith etter of this !oo austinus is descri!ed as antistes, "hich should mean /!isho$/ 8!utcf. note '2. '9. The "ord /frater/ as a$$lied to him is not to !e taen literally. %idonius uses it of various $ersons"ith "hom he "as on a footing of intimacy or of those "hom he regarded as his sons in )hrist.

1'. 1. !o?olas, a ,e". )f. III. iv. Gnder the rans ,e"s "ere e$elled or !a$ti?ed !y force. 8;regory "ist. Franc.B. i BI. vii+ cf. ;regory the ;reat %&. i. 4.9 It is interesting to note that )hil$eric had a ,e"ish furnisher ofo!0ects of art and luury "ho resisted conversion !y ;regory of Tours 9"ist. Franc, BI. v9. or the relations of the(strogoths "ith ,e"s cf. )assiodorus 'ariae, IB. liii B. vii. The $resent etter $erha$s alludes to the missionof the <uaestor icinianus sent from Fome to treat "ith the ;oths on the su!0ect of Auvergne. )f. III. vii.

12. 1. This etter $ro!a!ly refers to a $ilgrimage to the 6'2 shrine of the Arvernian martyr %t. ,ulian at 3rioude83rivas9. )f. )hai ii $. 117.

14. 1. Currentem mones. )f. &liny %&. I. viii III. vii+ and %ymmachus %&. I. lvi+ IS. vi.

1. i. A&icios e&ulones et /y?antinos chironomontas. There "ere three A$icii all notorious as gourmets and livingres$ectively in the times of %ulla Augustus and Tra0an. /3y?antine/ here is $ro!a!ly used to e$ress the etreme ofluury. (n the es<uire*carvers of "ealthy no!les and their regulated gestures cf. &etronius at. vi+ %eneca %&.lvii+ ,uvenal at. v. 1' ff.# Chironomonta olanti cultetto, c. The "ord chironomon is also used of a dancer !y,uvenal at. vi. @2.

1@. 1. $agnahild. Oueen of >uric "hose name "e learn from %idonius alone.

17. 1. /%uch a school/# literally Athenaeum, on "hich cf. $. ''2 note . ' a!ove.



1. 1. (onachum com&let, non sub &alliolo sed sub &aludamento. Jons lie $hiloso$hers "ore the &allium, a;ree mantle. 8)assian e habitu monachi, I. vii.9 An etra co"l or hood might !e used in cold "eather. 8BII. vi.9

1C. 1. The "ord /son/ is again used in the sense of /son in )hrist/. )f. $. ''C note 11. 1.

'. 1. atronus. %irmond con0ectures that this a$$lies to Bictorius )ount of Auvergne under >uric. )f. BII. vii.

''. 1. %t. Jamertus 3isho$ of Bienne.

'2. 1. %t erbi gladio secare sectas. >ven in an elegy %idonius uses a $lay u$on "ords.

'. Antistes fuit ordine in secundo. Antistes is usually em$loyed for !isho$s only though the rule does not seem to !einvaria!le. )f. $iochatus antistes 8IS. i. @9. If it stands for /!isho$/ here "e should follo" %irmond and understandthat though only a $res!yter in ran )laudianus $erformed so many duties for his !rother that he seemed a !isho$himself.

'4. 1. Gntil recently only a fe" lines of the %&itre&ontes "ere no"n !ut "ithin the last ten years a great $art of the $lay has !een discovered in >gy$t 8A. Lorte (enandrea e+ &a&yris et membranis etustissimis, Teu!ner 1C1' 6'21 $$. C*42+ ;. efe!vre Fragments d2un ms. de (enandre, )airo 1C7+ ;renfell and Hunt 7+yrhyncus a&yri, &t. no. 1'2@9.

'. 1. )antiliae 8)hantelle9 is mentioned in the &eutinger Ta!le.

or a similar $ortrait of a /young old man/ cf. %t. ,erome %&.+.

'@. 1. !aius Tacitus, The $assage here <uoted is derived from the "istory, v. '@# %rga 'es&asianum etus mihi

obserantia et cum &riatus esset, amici ocabamur. The "ords are $ut into the mouth of )laudius )ivilis the3atavian $rince.

'. Gl$ius "as one of the names of Tra0an.

'7. 1. Birgil Aen. ii. C.

As >*$refect of Fome and &atrician %idonius could fairly regard himself as the e<ual in official ran of &olemiusthe last &refect of a dismem!ered ;aul.

'. The $assage seems to indicate the $ractice of confession. )f. Furicius of imoges %&. I. viii. It may !e noted thatsomething lie a $u!lic confession is suggested in the case of ;ermanicus 8IB. iii9.

'. 1. Auvergne "as $erha$s at this time already under the dominion of >uric "hose hostility to )atholicism had $roved disastrous to the )atholic churches !ecause he e$t sees and $arishes vacant so that the fa!rics fell intodisre$air and ne" !uildings "ere not erected.

'C. 1. It "as a $rover! that $eo$le only "ent to Thes$iae to admire the >ros of &raiteles. 8)icero In 'errem, iv. 2+&liny 3at. "ist, vi.9

2. 1. %idonius "as $erha$s still detained in eile !y >uric. %ee Introduction $. lv.

2'. 1. The ca$ital of the second ugdunensis "as Fouen 8Fotomagus9.

22. 1. &er$etuus 3isho$ of Tours re!uilt in 47 the old church erected !y %t. 3rice over the remains of %t. Jartin.The ne" church "as not as dura!le as %idonius ho$ed and had to !e re!uilt !y ;regory of Tours. 8 "ist. Franc. II.



iv+ IB. + S. i.9 It had !een set on fire !y Wiliachair 6'2' and his "ife and the inscri$tion of %idonius $erishedin the flames. 8 "ist. Franc. IB. .9 ;regory descri!es the church as 1@ feet long !y @ feet !road the height /to thevault/ !eing 4 feet. It had 2' "indo"s in the nave and ' in the $res!ytery. The "hole !uilding had thus '"indo"s. It had 1' columns of "hich 41 "ere in the choir and doors of "hich "ere in the same $art of the

!uilding. This descri$tion !y ;regory long ago made it clear to archaeologists that the church of &er$etuus "as avaulted !uilding $art of "hich "as of the /central/ ty$e and allied to the memorial churches of the )hristian >ast8H. HV!sch ie altchristlichen irchen nach den /auden0malen, 1@' $. 1 and $late lviii figs. @*C+ ,.Ouicherat $eue archeologi4ue, 1@C*7 and (elanges d2arch. et d2histoire, 1@+ ;. Dehio and ;. von 3e?old

ie 0irchliche /au0unst des Abendlandes, i $. '@79# in these $eculiarities the church !uilt !y =amatius descri!ed !y ;regory in the same cha$ter must have shared. The ecavations carried out on the site of the old church of %t.Jartin during a series of years ending in 17 confirmed these antici$ations in a striing manner revealing around*ended choir "ith five $ro0ecting cha$els 8hemicycles9 concentric "ith an interior columned s$ace "hich musthave enclosed the shrine 8$lan in ;. Dehio/s article in 5ahrbuch der Bniglich reussischen unstsammlungen, +1C $$. 12ff.9. The dimensions "ere found to agree closely "ith those given !y ;regory+ and it !ecame certainthat the $lan "as ins$ired !y such memorial churches as those erected !y )onstantine in the Holy and thecom!ination of a !asilican nave "ith a choir on the /central/ system es$ecially recalling the arrangement of the

Anastasis, or church of the Holy %e$ulchre at ,erusalem. The choir of %t. Jartin/s "as in fact as Dehio o!servedhalf a / )entral*3au/. This analogy "ith the Anastasis and other >astern memorial ty$es together "ith thecorres$ondence of the remains "ith ;regory/s dimensions maes the $resum$tion very strong that "hether theactual fa!ric of the choir discovered is of &er$etuus/ time or a reconstruction of some centuries later 8as F. de

asteyrie (em. de l2Acad. des Inscri&tions, 6'22 iv $$. I ff. and L2architecture religieuse en France a l2e&o4ueromane, 1C1' $. 29 the lines of the original !uilding "ere very closely follo"ed. The salient $oints of interest are#8a9 that &er$etuus in A.D. 47 having to !uild a church to contain a shrine visited !y great num!ers of $ilgrimsado$ted a style of architecture a$$roved else"here as most suited for this $articular $ur$ose !ut hitherto unno"nin ;aul+ and 8!9 that the ty$e of choir thus introduced "as the $oint of de$arture from "hich the /chevet/ of renchFomanes<ue and ;othic architecture develo$ed 8Dehio as a!ove $$. '1 ff.9. The erection of &er$etuus/ church "astherefore no ordinary occurrence !ut an e$och*maing event in the history of Western architecture and as alreadyremared in the Introduction $. ciii it is curious that %idonius seems to have seen nothing very remara!le in it

!eyond its s$lendour. It "as vaulted throughout $ro!a!ly "ith !arrel*vaults 8Dehio $. '@ note 29+ !ut Hu!sch/scon0ecture that it had a central dome "ith numerous colonnettes "ould a$$ear to !e some"hat $ro!lematical. In anycase "ith the church !uilt !y =amatius it must have formed a com$lete contrast to the $lain !asilican ty$e "ith"ooden roof such as the church of &atiens at yons. 8=ote 4. 1.9 '. ;regory of Tours 8 "ist. SI. i9 descri!es&er$etuus as sith not after %t. Jartin !ut after %t. ;atien+ in "ist. II. iv he mentions him as fifth after %t. Jartin.

24. I. er&etuo . . . er&etui. 8)f. $. ''2 note 42. ' a!ove.9 The $un is of the usual ind.

2. 1. The arms and e<ui$ments "hich follo" suggest that this young $rince "as a ran rather than a 3urgundian.The sin garments of his suite may !e the rhenones, so called !ecause "orn !y $eo$les of the Fhine# securis missilismay !e the francisca, and lanceus uncatus the angon. )f. Introduction $. ciii. The descri$tion "hich has attractedthe notice of all historians of the fifth century gives a vivid $icture of the "ealth of the !ar!aric $rinces and thes$lendour of their attire. &rince %igismer "as to "ed a 3urgundian $rincess $erha$s the daughter of )hil$eric8%chmidt !eschichte, $. 29. 6'24

2@. 1. The Aeduans "ere the $eo$le of Autun )halon Jacon and =evers.

'. Aen. viii. 1. The $oint is that the >truscans re<uired a foreign leader against Je?entius+ &allas "as not eligi!le !ecause on the mother/s side he "as of Italic stoc and therefore not foreign.

27. 1. )f. the eulogy of Auvergne in the &anegyric on Avitus 12Cff.

2C. 1. )f. I. i+ and Introduction $. cvi.

4. 1. )f. Introduction $. civ.



41. 1. Abdication "as the renunciation of &atria &otestas !y a father "ho "ished to /cut off/ an undutiful son. Thecross considered the most degrading of all $unishments "as a$$ointed for $arricides "ho might also !e se"n inthe culeus, or leather !ag in com$any "ith a coc a ser$ent and a money and then thro"n into the sea. The other

$unishments "ere !urning and e$osure to "ild !easts.

4'. 1. Birgil Aen. i. @f. The translation given in the tet is )onington/s.

42. 1. Cauta centesima est foeneratori. This etter seems to $rove that it "as not regarded as im$ro$er for a cleric tohave money out at the ordinary rate of 1' $er cent. $rovided that the !orro"er "as "ell*to*do and ca$a!le ofre$aying the loan. Jaimus lent the money "hen a layman !ut as cleric he still considers himself entitled to !oth

$rinci$al and interest only remitting the latter "hen he hears that the !orro"er is mortally ill and in difficulties. Thetenor of the etter sho"s that %idonius considers his friend $erfectly 0ustified in his claims and that he regards anyremission as an act of grace.

'. Cilicum ela. )f. II. i. and $. '' note '. ' a!ove. These "ere made of goat/s hair.

44. 1. Jaimus a$$ears to have !een elected in much the same "ay as %idonius himself. )f. Introduction $. v.

4@. 1. or the election of !isho$s at this $eriod cf. Introduction $. lvii.

'. iterally A&icianis &lausibus. )f. $. '2 a!ove note 1. 1. In the net t"o lines %idonius maes t"o $lays 6'2 u$on "ords close u$on each other a&ice and A&icianis, &raedae and &raedia.

47. 1. We may com$are the case of the election at 3ourges. 8BII. i.9

'. (n these see . Q. )ollom!et 'ies des aints du diocese de Lyon, $. 1 f. )ondat "as founded in the fifthcentury. 83utler in ). J. H. i $. 24.9

. 1. !rammatica diidit. %ee )laudianus Jamertus/ dedication of his !oo to %idonius.

'. 1. Idem elle at4ue idem nolle ea demum firma amicitia est. %allust /ell. Cat. c. . 4. The sentiment is

fre<uently re$eated !y later "riters.

2. 1. Hodgin su$$oses that %idonius "as acting as tutor to the sons of %im$licius.

4. 1. 'aricosi Ar&inatis. %idonius refers to )icero more than once as /the Ar$inate/+ he is fond of descri!ing anauthor as of the city of his !irth or residence. 'aricosus is $resuma!ly a$$lied to )icero !ecause as an orator he "ascontinually standing and therefore su!0ect to varicose veins.

'. =uasi de harilao etere nous falco &rorum&as. or harilao, some manuscri$ts read hilario in either case the"ord must mean /nest/ or eyrie.

. 1. )f. Introduction $. lii and the contents of etter vii.

'. (agistro militum Chil&erico. %chmidt considers that the )hil$eric in <uestion can only !e )hil$erici I sole ingof the 3urgundians for he alone "ould !e <ualified to !ear this im$erial title# the "ord tetrarcha in the net etterhe regards as a mere literary e$ithet after %idonius/ manner. )hil$eric II ne$he" of )hil$eric I "as more strictly a/tetrarch/ for he shared sovereignty "ith three !rothers of "hom ;undo!ad as the eldest reigned at yons)hil$eric himself holding his court at Bienne. 8%chmidt !eschichte, $$. 27@ 2.9 or the office of magistermilitum, cf. Feid in ). J. H. i $. 4@.



2. The /ne" $rince/ is the >m$eror ,ulius =e$os "hom )hil$eric as re$resentative of ;lycerius refused torecogni?e. 6'2@

7. 1. icinus "as freedman of the >m$eror Augustus+ =arcissus and &allas "ere freedmen of )laudius+ JassaJarcellus and )arus of =ero+ Asiaticus stood in the same relation to Bitellius and &arthenius to Domitian.

'. This $assage maes mention of several minor offices+ civil or munici$al "hich in ;aul as in Italy the !ar!aricadministration had to retain. The munici$ium elected to the office of flamen from the rans of the decuriones, andthis $riesthood "as regarded as conferring dignity u$on electors and elected 8Jar<uardt $omische

taatserwaltung, $$. 172 2'@9. The $hrase munuscula legatis is $erha$s e$lained !y )assiodorus 'ariae, BII.iii "here the $resent 9humanitas> given to an am!assador is mentioned as a customary gift. (n minor offices inthe im$erial and munici$al service see Jar<uardt as a!ove i $$. C' ff.+ ii 'C ff.+ T. Hodgin The Letters ofCassiodorus, $. 1.

2. elliti ad ecclesias, castorinati ad litanias. )f. Am!rose e dign. sacerdot, cha$. iv. Castorinas 4uaerimus et

sericas estes, et ille se inter e&isco&os credit altiorem 4ui estem induerit clariorem. or &ellitus see Introduction $. cii.

. 1. %idonius alludes to )hil$eric and his <ueen as Tar<uin the >lder and his consort Tana<uil "ho is said to have

commanded in his household. 8)f. ,uvenal at. iii. @@.9 Tar<uin "as originally styled ucumo+ he "as the son ofDemaratus of Tar<uinii in >truria.

C. 1. The )i!yrates here mentioned are the t"o !rothers Tle$olemus and Hiero "ho assisted Berres to $lunder%icily.

'. !ermanicus . .. Agri&&ina. The allusion is again to )hil$eric and his consort.

2. A!la!ius or A!lavius "hose authorshi$ of the verses is only mentioned !y %idonius "as raefectus &raetorioA.D. 2'@*27. He "as a favourite of )onstantine "ho at one time gave him charge of his son )onstantius. The ne"em$eror ho"ever stri$$ed A!lavius of his dignities eiled him to 3ithynia and countenanced his assassination.The !lood*guiltiness here im$lied "ould seem at first sight to a$$ly "ith less force to )hil$eric I than to his ne$he"6'27 ;undo!ad "ho eiled !y his !rothers )hil$eric II and ;odomar finally re$ossessed himself of yons illing)hil$eric and murdering his <ueen and children. 3ut if the $receding etter refers to the first )hil$eric it seems

$ro!a!le that this does also. )f. note . ' a!ove.

@. 1. austa "ife of )onstantine accused )ris$us son of that em$eror !y Jinervina of a guilty $assion. Theem$eror sentenced )ris$us to death+ !ut on the discovery of his innocence austa "as herself $ut to death !ysuffocation in the va$our of a hot !ath. %idonius is the earliest authority for the statement that )ris$us died !y

$oison. It may !e noted that he does not tae the more favoura!le vie" of )onstantine/s character. )f. Introduction $. cv.

'. If the t"o $receding etters are concerned "ith the times of )hil$eric I it seems $ro!a!le that this too is of his $eriod and not that of his ne$he"s. )f. notes . ' C. 2.

2. A$ollinaris 8cf. III. ii9 grandfather of %idonius "as &refect of the ;auls. 8%ee Introduction $$. ii and cli.98Decimus9 Fusticus grandfather of A<uilinus held the same office in 41*11 trader the tyrant )onstantine 8III9.)a$tured !y the generals of Honorius Fusticus "as rudely handled. )f. ;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. II. i.

4. ,ovinus assumed the $ur$le in ;aul "hile the tyrant )onstantine "as still alive !ut "as illed at =ar!onne in41'. Dardanus "as &refect in ;aul under Honorius in 4C*1+ a more favoura!le vie" of his character than that of%idonius is taen !y ,erome and Augustine. or the inscri$tion commemorating the o$ening !y Dardanus of amountain road near %isteron cf. ). I. . ii. 1'4



;erontius general of the tyrant )onstantine in %$ain raised Jaimus to the $ur$le and !esieged )onstantine inArles+ on the a$$earance of )onstantius !efore that city and the desertion of his o"n troo$s he fled into %$ain"here he died.

@1. 1. The offices of tri!une and notarius "ere in lie manner !oth !orne !y the grandfather of )assiodorus in thereign of Balentinian III. The first "as military corres$onding to our /colonel/ the second "as secretarial involving 6

'2 confidential duties near the $erson of the em$eror. )f. )assiodorus 'ariae, I. iv BI. vi+ and Hodgin The Letters of Cassiodorus, $. 2.

@2. 1. >use!ius 8Chron. year 129 mentions &alaemon as living in Hadrian/s time+ %eneca 8&reface to 3at. =uaest.iv9 alludes to his !rother ;allio. Ausonius 8Carm. v and v9 refers to Del$hidius Tiro and Agroecius. ,eromes$eas of Jagnus as an orator of re$ute.

@4. 1. The enforced service of )alminius "as $ro!a!ly ece$tional+ for though ;allo*Fomans served in the3urgundian army it "as not the ha!it of the Bisigoths to admit them to their rans. 8. %chmidt !eschichte, $. 'C4.9

@. 1. %eronatus is here descri!ed as returning from one of his treasona!le visits to Toulouse. 8)f. Introduction $.viii.9 ,avols 8;a!ales9 is in the modern de$artment of o?ere.

'. )f. &liny 3at. "ist. i. + Aelian "ist. Anim. ii. 12+ )laudian In %utro&. ii. 4'+ ($$ian "alieut. v. 71 c.

@7. 1. Calentes /aiae. %irmond and %avaron identify these !aths "ith )haudesaigues on the !orders of Auvergneand Fouergue+ another con0ecture $laces them at Jont d/(r. )f. ;regoire and )ollom!et ii $. 7.

'. Birgil Aen. v. 44.

2. $ogationum. )f. $. '41 note C. 1 and Introduction $. li.

4. This is an unusual 0oe for a !isho$ as more than one commentator has remared.

@. 1. %ruderatum. The use of this "ord seems to sho" that the tet of the &ro$hets had !een corru$ted. 8Tillemont

(emoires, vi $. '[email protected]

@C. 1. )f. III. vii. '+ Introduction $. li.

7. 1. Foscia one of %idonius/ daughters. )f. Introduction $. iv.

71. 1. The church erected !y &atiens at yons. )f. II. . '.

;ui?ot and others here consider that %idonius "as already a !isho$ "hen this letter "as "ritten+ Tillemont held "ith6'2C more $ro!a!ility 8 (em. vi $. 1CC9 that he "as a com$aratively young man. )f. )hai ii $. 'C.

72. 1. )f. Birgil Aen. v. 4CC.

'. The descri$tion of the !all*$lay in this etter "ould !e more interesting if "e could form an idea of the rules ofthe game. rom the fact that a num!er of $layers are engaged and that violent collisions occur "e may ha?ard aguess that it is the "ar&astum 8a8r$aston9 in "hich one $layer thro"s the !all high in the air and the others runfor"ard to sei?e it !efore he can catch it again. )f. Jar<uardt riatleben, $. 4@.

74. 1. ies bonos male ferentem. &erha$s a $erson s$oiled !y good fortune.

7. 1. iterally /the Aeduan city/ 9"aeduae ciitati>.



7@. 1. This etter is interesting in relation to the status of coloni. %idonius demands that the ravisher shall !e raisedfrom the state of a colonus, or de$endent cultivator to that of a free $le!eian 8 &lebeiam &otius habere &ersonam

4uam colonariam9 in order that he may legally marry a "oman already free.

'. In Concilia. This $ro!a!ly refers to the Curia of yons+ the curial system continued under Bisigothic and3urgundian dominion. )f. %chmidt !eschichte, $. 'C'.

77. 1. %ectionem refundunt. %ectio "as the right to the free use of the cursus &ublicus, or $ost system. Here itseems to corres$ond to our $hrase / travelling e$enses/.

7C. 1. %&isco&us %&isco&orum. %t. )lement uses this $hrase at the !eginning of his first letter to %t. ,ames of,erusalem. The $resent is an ans"er to the indly letter of congratulation sent !y u$us to %idonius on hisassum$tion of his e$isco$al office and still $reserved. 8%ee ertig ii $$. 7*9.

'. ue v. .

2. ue v. 1'.

. 1. (ilitiae Lerinensis. )f. BIII. iv+ Carm. vi. 1*1@. or the monastery of erins founded !y Hilary see the $u!lications of H. Joris on the cartulary archives monuments c., issued in 12 1C2 and 1CC. )f. also Allie? "istoire du monastere de Lerins, 1@'+ "ist. litteraire 6'4 de la France, ii $$. 27 1C+ )hai i $. 41C+ and therecent "or !y Dr. )oo$er Jarsdin The "istory of the Islands of the Lerins, 1C12.

'. 1. The daughter of Agri$$inus had married the son of >utro$ia on "hose death she refused to return to herfather/s house $referring to remain "ith her mother*in*la" "hose generous treatment she $referred.

2. 1. eontius as !isho$ of the ca$ital 8Arles9 too $recedence of all the ;allican !isho$s.

4. 1. it. auctoritas coronae tuae. The clerical /cro"n/ is the tonsure and the "ord corona is used to designate a $riest as &ur&ura to signify an em$eror. )f. BII. viii. Also >nnodius %&, IB. ii+ Augustine %&. iii+ ;regory ofTours 'itae atrum, vii+ and ;regoire and )ollom!et/s note on this $assage.

'. 'argus, as "e gather from the Fi$uarian and %alic la"s of the rans 8cf. Le+ alica, iv add. and lv. '9literally meant in the Teutonic dialect one /outla"ed/ or eiled from his country. 8)f. %irmond =otes $. @.9 Thee$isode to "hich this letter relates is rather difficult to follo". Jost commentators have assumed that the "oman"as carried off from )lermont to Troyes. 3ut %idonius commonly uses iste for /this/ and istic for /here/ 8cf. BIII. i.1 line 17 of the $oem# nos istic &ositos, i.e. here at 3ordeau9+ it seems $ro!a!le therefore that "hen he says istodeductam . . . istic4ue distractam, he is referring to )lermont. The victim may have !een a!ducted from some other

$lace in or near Auvergne and taen to the maret at )lermont to !e sold after"ards $assing into the control of%idonius/ man of affairs 9negotiator noster> or of some man of !usiness "ith "hom he "as ac<uainted 8/our friend

the ban0er /----Hodgin9. The necessity for a visit !y the $arties to Troyes "ould on this theory arise sim$ly fromthe fact that &rudens "hose evidence "as essential had returned to his home in that city. The Bargi in manyres$ects resem!led the 3agaudae of a rather earlier time.

@. 1. The Bisigoths

7. 1. )f. Introduction $. vi. 6'41

. 1. %&istulam formatam. The /formal/ or canonical letter "as an attestation given !y the !isho$ to $riests andclers of his diocese "hen they travelled a!road+ "ithout it they "ere not admitted to the sacrament or toecclesiastical functions in the districts "hich they visited. The !isho$ himself had to o!tain a similar letter from themetro$olitan or $rimate "hen he travelled. %uch letters "ere a safeguard against dece$tion at a time "hen $rivilegeof clergy made im$osture $rofita!le and they "ere dra"n u$ "ith great care. The letters authori?ing tem$orary



a!sence "ere called Commendatitiae 8eirhniai sustatiai9+ those accorded "hen the a$$licant did not intend toreturn "ere styled dimissoriae 8a9$olutiai9. %ee %irmond =otes $. @@+ ;regoire and )ollom!et ii. 14@*7 "ith thereferences there given+ and ertig ii $. 2@.

C. 1. ebitum glebae canonem ---- the >m$hyteutic canon# Canonem &ro&rie di+it &ensionem 4uae debetur e+

&raedio em&hyteutico 8%irmond =otes $. @9.

C1. 1. )f. III. iv. i+ IB. v. i+ BIII. iii. 2. '. )f. &liny %&. IS. iii.

C'. 1. )hil$eric the 3urgundian no" ruling over yons.

'. hotinianorum. The &hotinians "ere heretics of the fourth century "ho maintained the tenets of &hotius 3isho$of %irmium in Hungary. They "ere in su!stantial agreement "ith the Arians.

C4. 1. ,ose$h "as a ty$e of )hrist.

'. Biviers U Albensis 8urbs9. Al!a Helviorum "as its ancient name.

2. Tricastina urbs.

C. 1. or the Fogations first instituted !y Jamertus of Bienne see ;regory of Tours "ist. Franc, II. iv+)aesarius of Arles "omilies, and irst )ouncil of (rleans )anon '7. or the Fogations instituted !y %t. ;allat a time of $estilence cf. ;reg. "ist. Franc. IB. v. )f. also B. iv BII. i and ertig ii $. 1.

C7. 1. %t. Am!rose had discovered the !odies of t"o saints ;ervasius and &rotasius. 8Am!rose %&. v+ ermon, ci+Augustine Conf. i. 7+ e Ci. et, ii. + 6'4' ;regory of Tours e gloria (artyrum, I. lvii+ Acta anctorum,,une 1C9.

C. 1. The crafty traveller 9callidus iator> is Amantius "ho fre<uently carried letters for %idonius. An analogouse$isode to that "hich forms the su!0ect of this etter is recorded !y ;regory of Tours 9"ist. Franc. III. v9. '. )f.note . 1.

1'. 1. Contestatiunculas. Contestatio signified a $reface to the Jass 8Ja!illon e Liturgia !allic. i. 2+ Tillemont (emoires, vi $. '779. ;regoire and )ollom!et suggest that the Contestatiunculae here mentioned may !e theJasses com$osed !y %idonius and $u!lished as a !oo "ith an added $reface !y ;regory of Tours. )f. "ist.

Franc. II. ii.

14. 1. Baison "as the ca$ital of the Bocontii "hose alliance Hanni!al sought against Fome. It "as no" in3urgundian territory.

1. 1. A4uitanicae &rimae. The $rovinces "ere su!divided !y different em$erors su!*divisions receiving the nameof &rima, secunda, c. !ut the e$ithet &rima "as given to that "hich contained the former metro$olis of theundivided $rovince+ e. g. ugdunensis &rima "as the division containing yons. 3ourges "as the ca$ital ofA<uitanica &rima 3ordeau of A<uitanica %ecunda.

17. 1. Here in the form >vari. or >uric/s cam$aigns resulting in the cession of Auvergne in 47 see Introduction $. vi. ;regory of Tours maes s$ecial reference to this etter 9"ist. Franc. II. v.9.

1. 1. It might !e su$$osed from the account given !y ;regory of Tours 9"ist. Franc. II. v9 that >uric only !arricaded the doors of the churches "ith !ram!les to $revent the entrance of "orshi$$ers+ !ut this is surely not"hat %idonius means.



1C. 1. i benedictione succidua non acci&iat dignitatis heredem. This seems to im$ly that the dying "ish of a $arish $riest influenced the choice of his successor.

'. This refers to the commission of the four !isho$s a$$ointed to negotiate terms of $eace !et"een the em$ire and>uric. )f. Introduction $. lii. 6'42

11. 1. )f. BI. viii. 1+ BII. ii. 1 . 1+ IS. iv. 1.

'. Audebant se 4uondam fratres Latio dicere. )f. $. ''' note 4'. I and ucan hars. i. 4'7# Arerni4ue ausi Latio se fingere fratres anguine ab Iliaco &o&uli.

2. The $eo$le of Auvergne had successfully sustained a siege of the Bisigoths "ho dre" off into "inter <uarters.

4. %ee $. ''1 note 24. 1.

111. 1. The $hrase is !itterly ironical. )f. Introduction $. liii.

'. It seems !est to tae this in a general sense. or other e$lanations "ith a more s$ecific reference cf. ;regoire

and )ollom!et ii $$. '7 ff.+ %irmond =otes $. 7. (ne o!0ection to these is that they assume the loss ofJarseilles to Fome at this $eriod a fact of "hich there seems to !e no sufficient evidence.

11'. 1. Corona tua. )f. note 4. I.

11. 1. i.e. &ythagoras.

11@. 1. aginae decretalis. )f. I. vii# gestis decretalibus. )redentials or authority from a $u!lic !ody.

'. Agroecius of %ens. )f. etter BII. v. a!ove.

2. )f. I. i. 4.

11C. 1. Acts viii. 1. '. ue i. .

1'. 1. omi habuit unde disceret. Terence Adel&hi, III. iii. C 8429.

'. >odus vi. i ff.

1'2. 1. %ee note 11. i a!ove.

1'4. 1. The /neigh!ours/ are the Bisigoths the /$rotectors /the 3urgundians. )f. Introduction $. vi.

1'. 1. Antistes. This "ord usually signifies a !isho$+ !ut the terms of the $resent letter hardly suggest that dignity

for Himerius. )laudianus Jamertus a sim$le $riest is else"here descri!ed as antistes ordine in secundo 8IB. i9+ itseems $ro!a!le that the "ord should also !e understood /of the second order/ in the $resent $lace and that Himerinshad not attained e$isco$al ran. 8%ee ;regoire and )ollom!et ii. '@C*7.9 In this case the "ords dignitatis auctorem"ould im$ly that he "as ordained !y u$us. 6'44 )f. IS. i. @ "here the "ord antistes is used of Fiochatus and viiof the $resent !oo "here it is a$$lied to A!raham an a!!ot.

1'C. 1. The $oint of the etter is that %idonius "ho has never seen his corres$ondent claims on the ground of acommon culture a greater intimacy "ith &hilagrius than any mere neigh!ours in "hom such culture "as lacing. Hereinforces his o$inion "hich he seems to hold "ith unnecessary em$hasis "ith some $arade of scientific argument.



The $hiloso$hical ideas here develo$ed are derived from &latonism 8cf. )hai i $. 2 f.9 !ut the manner isreminiscent of %eneca.

12. 1. The allusion is to encaustic $ainting in "hich the colour is mied "ith "a a$$lied in a molten state "ith as$atula. This method very $o$ular in late Foman times is most familiar to us from the mummy*$ortraits of theayum !ut "as $o$ular in >arly 3y?antine art. or references see Dalton /y?antine Art and Archaeology, $. 21@.

'. Filium (arci Ciceronis &o&ulus $omanus non agnoscebat lo4uentem8 !ecause he had not his father/s elo<uenceand this not any $hysical <uality "as the only thing to ensure his general recognition. The source of the <uotationa$$ears to !e unno"n.

121. 1. %idonius is here very fran in his e$ression of dislie for the !ar!arian. )f. Introduction $. cii.

12'. 1. The "ord used is &rofessio. >ither the ecclesiastical $rofession must !e meant or the common $ursuit of $oetry. If at the time of "riting %idonius "as already !isho$ he "ould not have occasion to mae fre<uent visits toBienne. =or is anything said to $rove that %alonius "as a cleric.

124. 1. The $oem sufficiently relates the chief events in A!raham/s life. He re$resents the ty$e of the oriental asceticsettled in the West. )f. Introduction $. li.

'. The %assanian :e?degerd "hose great $ersecution !egan in 4' and lasted thirty years. ;regory of Tours saysthat A!raham "as li!erated !y an angel. 9e itis atrum, iii.9 6'4

12. 1. i. e. ,erusalem ca$tured !y Titus.

'. )arthage.

2. %t 4uae lanigero de sue nomen habent, i. e. Jilan. 'ocatum (ediolanum ab eo 4uod ibi sus in media lanea

&erhibetur inenta. Isidore 7rig. SB. i.

Ad moenia !allis

Condita, lanigeri suis ostentantia &ellem.

)laudian . 12.

4. The >u$hrates !y "hich A!raham "as !orn "as also one of the rivers of &aradise.

. Lirinensium sie !rinincensium. or erins see note . 1. The ;rinincenses "ere a community d"elling at;rigny on the Fhone not far from Bienne. 8Tillemont (emoires, vi $. 'C.9 The community founded !yA!raham at )lermont !ecame the monastery of %t. )irgues.

12@. 1. A te &rinci&ium, tibi desinet. Birgil %cl. viii. ii. )f. I. i.

14. 1. A$ollonius of Tyana if not often o$enly attaced "as as a rule vie"ed "ith disfavour !y the )hurch andregarded as something of a charlatan. )f. ,. %. &hillimore hilostratus in honour of A&ollonius of Tyana, (ford1C1' Introduction $$. civ. ff.

'. =icomachus and Tascius Bictorianus "ere t"o scholars "ho corrected and revised current editions of ancientauthors 0ust as %idonius himself corrected the He$tateuch for Furicius 8B. v9.



2. Translatio. %irmond arguing from other occurrences of this "ord in %idonius 8e.g. IS. i vi9 considers that ithere means transcri$tion. It may ho"ever as ertig thins 8&art ii $. ''9 !ear its $ro$er sense+ if so the translationhas not survived.

4. The fortress or castle of ivia "here %idonius "as confined !y >uric "as !et"een )arcassonne and =ar!onne.)f. Introduction $. liv.

141. 1. The $eo$les !eyond the sea and on the Waal are the Bandals of Africa and the rans res$ectively.

14. 1. Birg. !eorg. iv. 17@+ %cl. i. '2. 6'4@

14@. 1. Turcius Fufius Astyrius or Asterius 8as his name is usually "ritten9 consul "ith &rotogenes in 44C. %ome of his /consular di$tychs/ are $reserved and the "ords dati4ue fasti may refer as %irmond suggests to the distri!utionof such di$tychs. The s&ortula might tae the form of silver !asets. )f. %ymmachus %&. ii. 1+ i. 1C.

147. 1. This "as a la" of Theodosius $romulgated in )onstantino$le t"enty*five years !efore the consulshi$ ofAsterius !ut not in force in ;aul until the latter date. )f. %irmond =otes $. + Th. Jommsen Theodosiani Libri

;'I, vol. I $t. ii $. 1C4.

14. 1. Amyclae situated on the coast of Italy !et"een ;aeta and Terracina 859 "as a colony of %$arta and may !eheld to have inherited a re$utation for aconism. Birgil 8 Aen. . @49 calls it tacitae, and %ervius in his)ommentary gives more than one con0ectural reason for the e$ithet in addition to that mentioned a!ove. 8)f.;regoire and )ollom!et ii. [email protected] 3ut the aconian Amyclae may !e intended. '. 'itruius . . . Columella. Well*no"n "riters the first on architecture the second on agriculture. Bitruvius lived in the time of ,ulius )aesar andAugustus )olumella in that of )laudius.

14C. 1. The statement that the %aons returned to their homes /de continenti/ rather suggests that they came fromislands "hich might either !e situated off the coast of %chles"ig or even !e themselves the 3ritish Isles. or theevidence as to %aon settlement in >ngland !efore the middle of the fifth century see 3ec in ). J. H. $$. 2' ff.

=amatius "as /admiral/ for >uric on the Atlantic sea!oard "ith the duty of !eating off $iratical attacs.

1. 1. J. Terentius Barro 811@*' 3.).9 a voluminous "riter "ho $roduced nearly !oos on historicalscientific and anti<uarian su!0ects. His Logistorics "ere $ro!a!ly dialogues lie those of )icero. >use!ius of)aesarea the chronogra$her 8A.D. '@*229 sought to confirm the data of the 3i!le. His "or is divided into t"o

$arts the Chronogra&hia containing the material for the synthetic treatment of the second $art or Canones, "hichgives the rulers of 6'47 the "orld in $arallel columns "ith notes "hile a se$arate column gives the years of the"orld/s age. The )anons "ere translated !y ,erome. )f. ,. 3. 3ury ;i!!on/s ecline and Fall, II A$$endi i+%te"art in ). J. H. i $. '.

11. 1. The >m$eror ,ulius =e$os !egan his reign !y an attem$t to render the civil and military services moreefficient.

1'. 1. %erranus and )amillus are <uoted as eam$les of illustrious Fomans of the Fe$u!lican $eriod devoted to

rural life. %erranus "as an agnomen of Fegulus "ho "as actually engaged in so"ing "hen his elevation to theconsulshi$ "as announced to him in '7 3.).

12. 1. Facilia "as the "ife of )incinnatus.

14. 1. atur est cum dicit "oratius %ohe. ,uvenal at. vii. @'. The $oet suggests that a "ell*nourished system isessential to the $roduction of good $oetry and that "hen Horace "rote 7d. ii. 1C he had dined "ell.



'. 3ecdum enim 4uid4uam de hereditate socruali el in usum tertiae sub &retio medietatis. (ne of the most difficult $assages in the etters. Jommsen 9raefatio, $. lvii9 su$$oses %idonius to have the usufruct of a third of the $ro$erty on condition that he is to !uy half of the estate from the heirs of "hom he is not one****a su$$osition"hich $resents various difficulties. ><ual difficulties attend the effort to re$resent the third $art as the tertia eactedfrom Foman lando"ners !y their Teutonic con<uerors. In the translation I have ado$ted a suggestion indly made

!y &rof. ,. %. Feid "ho ho"ever thins it rather daring for definite ado$tion !ecause there is no authority formedietas as anything !ut a half*share. I have taen the ris of another rendering !ecause %idonius em$loys severalatin "ords in an irregular and unclassical "ay and it seems <uite $ossi!le that he may here use medietas in thegeneral sense of /$ortion/ as /moiety/ is sometimes used in >nglish.

2. %idonius "as no" detained !y >uric at 3ordeau. %ee Introduction $. lv.

1. 1. A to"n in &hocis sacred to A$ollo. or the 3oeotian Juses 8 "yantiae Camenae9 cf. Carm. i. '.

'. Istic &ositos, i.e. at 3ordeau. The follo"ing lines 6'4 "ith their ethnogra$hical details are $erha$s the !estno"n in %idonius. 8)f. Introduction $. ciii.9 The /glaucous/ chees of the Herulians "ere $erha$s $ainted ratherthan tattooed. The tri!e "as settled on the o"er Fhine 8cf. )assiodorus 'ariae, III. iii9 and their re$resentatives"ere $ro!a!ly at 3ordeau !ecause >uric "as regarded as their $rotector against ranish aggression. 8%chmidt!eschichte, $$. '@*C note 9. Italy/s $rayer for aid in e$elling the !ar!arian may refer to the Foman desire for the

e$ulsion of (dovaar 8i!id.9.

1@. 1. Arsaces is here used for a monarch of the later %assanian dynasty****&ero? or iro?e at this time engaged inhostilities "ith the White Huns "ho "ere encouraged !y the >ast Foman >m$ire. 8&roco$ius e /ella ersico, I.iv+ Ta!ari !eschichte der erser and Araber, =oldee/s ed. $. 11C.9

17. 1. (eliboeus esse coe&i. The reference is to Birgil/s >clogue "here Jeli!oeus is the countryman dis$ossessedof his lands.

'. This maim does not occur in the "ritings of %ymmachus "hich have come do"n to us.

1. 1. )f. &liny %&. i ' and vi. 22. The most famous s$eech of each orator is <uoted.

1C. 1. Besunnici and =itio!roges.

'. Dre$anius author of a $anegyric on Theodosius. Anthedius a $oet mentioned else"here !y %idonius. &aulinus $erha$s a rhetor of &erigueu though there is more than one $erson of the name "ho might !e intended here.Alcimus orator and $oet "hose real name "as Alethius. (n these $ersonages see "ist. Litt. de la France, i $. 41C+ii $$. 12@* 4@C 27.

1@. 1. (r$heus.

'. A Thracian huntress*goddess /(r she/ c. The reference is to Atalanta.

2. The tet is#

i estigia fasceata nudi &er summum digiti regant citatis

firmi ingressibus at4ue inculorum 6'4C concurrentibus ansulis refle+a

ad crus &er cameram catena surgat.

&ossi!ly the com&agus may !e the ind of shoe descri!ed. )f. Jar<uardt riatleben, $. C.



1@'. 1. %choicos. %irmond <uotes the follo"ing lines of &entadius to illustrate the meaning of ersus echoici8 er

caa sa+a sonat &ecudum mugitibus %cho 'o+4ue re&ulsa iugis &er caa sa+a sonat. or the ersus recurrens, or $alindrome see note '7. 1.

/3y re$etitions/ 9&er anadi&losin>. Fe$etition is a $oetical artifice commonly em$loyed !y Birgil e.g.#

e4uitur &ulcherrimus Astur, Astur e4uo fidens, c.

1@4. 1. or a concise statement of the elements of astrological !elief in Foman times see Darem!erg and %aglioarticle iinatio, $. 2'. Also A. Jaury La magie et l2astrologie dans l2anti4uite, 1@'+ . enormant La diination

et la science des &resages che? les Chaldeens, 17+ A. Ha!ler Astrologie im Alterthum, 17C. (f the $ersonsmentioned in the net $aragra$h Bertacus Thrasy!ulus and %aturninus the first and third are named asmathematicians in the letter to eontius $receding Carm. ii.

1@@. 1. angon 8Alingo9 is on the left !an of the ;aronne south*east of 3ordeau.

'. Catonis in yrte. )ato "ith ten thousand men crossed the desert of e$tis in thirty days. The e$loit "hich !ecame almost legendary is recorded !y %tra!o and ucan.

1@7. 1. Tabula calculis strata bicoloribus. This mention of a !oard "ith men of t"o colours seems to confirm the !elief that the game $layed !y Theodoric "as something ain to !acgammon. )f. $. '1@ note . 1.

'. (edulicae su&ellectilis e&ulones. The oysters of Jedoc "ere famous even in Fome. )f. Ausonius %&. vii and i.

17. 1. )f. $. '2C note . 1.

'. Archimandritas. An archimandrite in the (rthodo >astern )hurch a$$roimately corres$onds to an a!!ot in theWest. 6'

17'. 1. The $ro$hecy of %t. Annianus 8Aignan9 is recorded !y ;regory of Tours 9"ist. Franc. ii. 79. (rleans "as

hard $ressed !y Attila and the !isho$ $romised succour from Aetius. That general arrived at the very moment "henthe "alls of the to"n "ere !reached and $revented the Huns from entering the city. The story is not acce$ted !ymodern historical criticism.

172. 1. ,uvenal at. i. *@.

174. 1. )f. %ymmachus %&. iii. to %i!urius <uoted !y %irmond# i tibi etustatis tantus est amor, &ari studio in

erba &risca redeamus, 4uibus alii canunt, c.

17@. 1. The tenth !oo of the younger &liny/s letters contains only the corres$ondence !et"een himself and Tra0anand %idonius does not count it as one of the collection.

177. 1. or Leites or Leita, signifying /deacon/ cf. ). H. Turner in ). J. H. i $. 17.

1. 1. )f. $. '2C note . i.

'. An allusion to the loss of %idonius/ estate. %irmond considers this letter to have !een "ritten "hen %idonius "as ineile at 3ordeau. )f. BIII. i.

11. 1. aginam rusticantem. )f. Introduction $. cvi. 12. 1. The treaty of $eace !et"een ,ulius =e$os and >uric.



17. 1. ,oshua i. The ;i!eonites "ere made he"ers of "ood and dra"ers of "ater for endeavouring to avoidservitude !y $retending that their city "as far off "hen it "as really near.

1. 1. A&tae fuistis, a&tissime defuistis. (ne of the "orst eam$les of %idonius/ delight in $uns and ver!al 0ugglery.'. atis elo4uentiae, sa&ientiae &arum. )f. %allust Cat . v. 4.

1C. 1. $iochatus antistes ac monachus, at4ue istius mundi bis &eregrinus. It seems uncertain "hether Fiochatas had !een made a !isho$ in 3rittany or "hether he "as a $riest /of the second order/. )f. note 1'@. 1.

1C. 1. (n %assanian tetiles and em!ossed silver dishes the hunter is sometimes de$icted holding a cu! in eachhand. )f. note '2. 1.

'. The !oo "as $ro!a!ly one of those in "hich austus esta!lished the divinity of the %on and the Holy ;hostagainst the Arians and not as Am$Xre suggested 6'1 8 "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. '9 his "or on ;race. 8)haiii $. 142.9

1C'. 1. Deut. i. 11*12.

1C2. 1. The list of $hiloso$hers is interesting in conneion "ith artistic 8scul$tural59 ty$es u$on "hich the severaldescri$tions a$$ear to !e !ased.

1C4. 1. Gnits "ere counted on the left hand hundreds on the right. 8&liny iv. 7+ ,uvenal at. . '4C.9 &ro!a!lyas %irmond suggests %idonius eaggerates the age of austus.

'. This letter is of interest for the status of a defaulting cler. In0uriosus ought to have !rought A$runculus adimissorial letter from %idonius. Without this his $osition "as irregular and he e$osed himself to $ossi!leretri!utive action on %idonius/ $art. )f. note . 1 and )hai ii $. 1'.

1C. 1. This difficult etter $erha$s refers to an e$isode in conneion "ith the issue of the second instalment of theetters. %idonius seems to have sent his manuscri$t to u$us !ut "ith the re<uest that the !isho$ after looing itthrough should $ass it on to some other $erson unnamed. This re<uest a$$ears to have offended u$us "ho "rote

to %idonius to air his grievance. )f. )hai ii $. '2.

1C7. 1. If u$us "as elected !isho$ in 4'7 the date of the $resent etter is 477. )f. Duchesne Fastes e&isco&au+, ii $. 44C.

1CC. 1. This $assage again suggests a date. Assuming %idonius to have !een elected !isho$ in 47' the year "hen he $resuma!ly a!andoned secular $oetry the $resent etter as 3aronius $ointed out "ould have !een "ritten in 44.

'1. 1. The $assage testifies to the lively interest of %idonius in metrical <uestions. orm "ith him "as of no lessim$ortance than matter.

'. i.e. A$uleius of Jadaura in Africa.

''. 1. (agistri %&istularum. &etrus "as secretary of Ja0orian. %ee $. clvi.

'. i.e. Arles. %idonius "as there "ith Ja0orian in 4@1. %ee Introduction $. iii.

'2. 1. %irmond <uotes Ammianus Jarcellinus 83. iv9 for the 3a!ylonian hangings used at the time of ,ulian/sso0ourn in )tesi$hon all re$resenting royal hunting scenes. 6'' The $resent $assage also recalls the "ell*no"n%assanian sil tetiles. 8)f. note 1C. 1 a!ove.9 =i$hates a mountain in Armenia here re$resents that country.



'4. 1. Te&idas ad officinas. The translation given is !ased on the suggestion of ertig 8i $. 219 "ho com$aresCarm. iii. 121# myrnaeae incude doctas officinae. The allusion "ould !e to the heat of a !usy forgemeta$horically re$resenting a thorough and efficient school of music dance and song. Thymele is the $latform on"hich the choregus stood in the middle of the orchestra+ &ale 8lit. /a $lace for "restling/9 might then !e the stage on"hich mimes a$$eared. 8)f. Carm. iii. 21 2'.9 Le&idas has !een suggested as an alternative to te&idas.

'7. 1. 'ersus recurrentes. )f. note 1@'. 1. The second of the t"o $alindrome verses in the tet is of unno"norigin and yields no o!vious sense 8orcellini Le+icon, s. v. &eredo9. (f the first as given here in isolation thesame might almost !e said+ !ut at some time it "as attached to a heameter so as to form a recurrent cou$let and

$laced in the mouth of %atan to enliven the descri$tion of a $ilgrimage to Fome !y a $ersonage variously given as%t. Jartin a canon of )om!remer c. The holy man changes the Devil into a !east of !urden and rides himto"ards his destination his im$atience arousing the follo"ing $rotest#

/igna te, signa temere me tangis et angis

$oma tibi subito motibus ibit amor.2

/)ross aye cross thyself+ /tis all for nought that thou striest and $laguest me since my $aces "ill soon !ring !eforethee Fome the goal of thy desire./ Whatever may !e the date of the first line the second is sho"n !y the terms of%idonius/ allusion 9illud anti4uum> to have !een "ell no"n in the second half of the fifth century. The invention of

recurrent verses "as commonly attri!uted to %otades a $oet of the third century 3.). The !est eam$le in ;ree isthe =IY(= A=(JHJA JH J(=A= (YI= inscri!ed on many mediaeval fonts 8in >ngland those of %and!achHarlo" Jelton Jo"!ray Hadley and others9 and traced to the time of the 6'2 3y?antine >m$eror eo BI 8eoAllatius %+cer&ta aria !raecorum o&histarum, c. $ 2C 1@41+ Anthol. !raec. %&igrammatum BI iii $. @2.>d. H. %te$h. ranfort 1@9.

'. 1. i.e. ivy. The $art of his history dealing "ith the career of ,ulius )aesar is no longer etant !ut it stillsurvived in the time of %idonius and %ymmachus "as ac<uainted "ith it 8 %&. IB. vii9.

'. %ome read# Biventius Jartialis. %irmond con0ectures that the $erson intended may !e ;argilius Jartialis authorof a life of )aesar cited !y Bo$iscus and am$ridius. . )ornelius 3al!us "ith ($$ius re$resented )aesar/sinterests at Fome during the )ivil War. =o diary of his is no" no"n.

2. The custom of !ringing a cla<ue to a$$laud the $u!lic reading of a friend "as very common during the Fomanem$ire. It is mentioned !y &liny ,uvenal and other "riters.

'11. 1. eragratis dioecesibus. ioecesis is used here in the sense of /$arish/. )f. %irmond =otes $. 11.

'1'. 1. Jme de %evigne "riting from ;rignan in 1@C com$lained that the instands "ere fro?en in the !itter coldof early e!ruary.

'. (ytilenaei o&&idi ernulas U %a$$hics %a$$ho !eing a native of Jytilene.

'12. 1. Cum meis &oni statuam . . . 3era Tra:anus titulis ideret. The allusion is to the statue erected in the reign ofAvitus after %idonius had delivered the $anegyric of that em$eror. %ee Introduction $. viii. The t"o li!raries are

those dedicated res$ectively to ;ree and atin literature. '. 1. e. the office of &refect of Fome carrying "ith it the $residency of the %enate conferred on %idonius !y Anthemius in 4@. )f. Introduction $. i.

'14. 1. %t. %aturninus first !isho$ of Toulouse martyred in the second half of the third century. 8)f. ;regory ofTours "ist. Franc. I. viii and see Acta anctorum, =ov. 'C.9 The /)a$itol/ from "hich he "as flung is that ofToulouse.

'. The regula Flacci is contained in the third and fourth verses of %&istle ii#



Am&hora coe&it

Institui, currente rota cur urceus e+it)

L!ST O O*S/OD*TS

A=D &>F%(=% J>=TI(=>D I= TH> >TT>F%

IJ&(FTA=T (F TH> )(=T>J&(FAF:HI%T(F: ( ;AG.

9Asteris0s indicate corres&ondents and the letters addressed to them.>

A0raa2. BII. vii. %aint. Ascetic from Jeso$otamia "ho flying from &ersian $ersecution settled in ;aul at)lermont "here he founded the )ommunity of %t. )irgues. Died in 477 8,une Ith9. or a miracle attri!uted to himon the occasion of a visit made !y %idonius and Bictorius cf. ;regory of Tours 'itae atrum, c. iii+ also "ist.

Franc. II. i. The relics of %t. A!raham "ere removed to the church of %t. >utro$ius in 14 8)hai ii $. ''49.

Atius. BII. ii. 2. The famous general "ho defeated Attila and "as murdered !y Balentinian III. Also mentionedin Carm. v vii and i.

EA4riola. EI. ii. EII. ii. 3rother*in*la" of %idonius+ son of the >m$eror Avitus+ !rother of >cdicius and &a$ianilla.Gnno"n ece$t for mention in %idonius.

A4rippinus. BI. ii. An unscru$ulous $riest.

EA4roeius. EBII. v. )f. BI i. @. 3isho$ of %ens. "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. @4.

Al0iso. IS. ii. 1. A $riest+ or $ossi!ly a !isho$ "hose see is unno"n. )f. )hai ii $. 7.

Aletius. II. vii. &arty in a dis$ute "ith &aulus "hich %idonius refers for settlement to >$licius.

A2antius. BII. vii + IS. iv. )f. also BI. viii+ BII. ii. A young reader "ho served as letter*carrier !et"een %idoniusand ;raecus. A native of )lermont he sought to !etter his fortunes at Jarseilles "ith the success related in BII. ii.)f. )hai ii $. 1 f. 6cli

6A20rosius. EIS. vi. A !isho$. )on0ectured !y %irmond to !e the same as a corres$ondent of Furicius. )f. )haiii $. C.

Annianus. BIII. v. %aint. 3isho$ of (rleans at the time of Attila/s invasion. )f. ;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. II.vii.

Ante2ius. !. iv v vii i+ II. i+ #. vi. A 3y?antine no!le son of &roco$ius. Had served on the Danu!e andelse"here and married >u$hemia daughter of the >m$eror Jarcian. =ominated >m$eror of the >ast !y eo in4@7 after the death of %everus. (n the occasion of his second consulshi$ in 4@ %idonius addressed a $anegyric to

him 8Carm. ii9 "hich hel$ed to secure for him the &refecture of Fome. Anthemius "as not a strong ruler thoughArvandus "as !rought to 0ustice in his reign. He gave his daughter Aly$ia in marriage to Ficimer 8I. v. 19 !utultimately <uarrelled "ith his son*in*la" and died in the same year 847'9. %idonius is the $rinci$al authority formany events in his life. )f. Carm. i+ ii 1C7 1CC ' ff. %ee ii2er.

Antiolus, or Antiolius. BIII. iv. A !isho$ "hose see is unno"n. Had lived "ith u$us at erins and $ractisedmonastic austerities. Also a friend of %t. Femi.

6Aper. EIB. i+ #.iv. riend. An Aeduan $ossessing influence in Auvergne. %ee ronto, Auspiia.



Apollinaris. III. 7ii; B. i. ;randfather of %idonius+ &refect of ;aul in 4 under the /tyrant/ )onstantine. Disgusted"ith the insta!ility of the usur$er he "ithdre" to his native city of yons "here he died. 8auriel "ist, de la !aule

mridionale, i $$. @7 CC.9

6Apollinaris. EIII. iii+ B. i. 2+ BIII. vi. 1'+ IS. i. . %on of %idonius. )f. Introduction $. iv.

6Apollinaris. EIB. vi+ EB. iii vi+ II. i. )ousin 859 of %idonius !rother of Thaumastus and a$$arently also of%im$licius to "hom 0ointly "ith himself EIB. iv ii are addressed. 8)f. also BII. iv. 4.9 >ndangered !y informersat the court of )hil$eric "hose machinations "ere th"arted !y %idonius.

Apollinaris. !!. i7. i. )onneion. Host of %idonius 6clii at the estate of Borocingus 8or Boroangus9 in the valley otthe ;ard not far from =Zmes. )f. Carm. iv. 2.

EAprunulus. EIS. . 3isho$ of angres. %us$ected of intriguing "ith the rans !y the 3urgundian ing;undo!ad he too refuge at )lermont "ith %idonius "hom he there succeeded. )f. ;regory of Tours "ist. Franc.II. iii+ Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, ii $. 1.

EA8uilinus. EB. i. %choolfello" and friend. ;randson of Fusticus the friend of %idonius/ grandfather A$ollinaris.His father "as Bicarius of a $rovince in ;aul under the father of %idonius.

EAr0o4ast. EIB. vii. riend. )ount and ;overnor of Trves. Descendant of an earlier Ar!ogast created count !ythe younger Balentinian and famous in the reign of Theodosius. &raised as a good )hristian !y %t. Aus$icius3isho$ of Toul. &ossi!ly the same man "ho !ecame 3isho$ of )hartres in 472 or 474. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii

$$. 47 4+ Tillemont (em. vi $$. ' 47 c.+ !allia Christiana, ii. 41.9

Ar%andus. I. vii. &refect of ;aul. The im$eachment of this governor in the reign of Anthemius "as one of the lastacts of authority eercised !y the %enate over ;aul. )f. Introduction $. .

Asellus, la%ius. I. vii. 4. Comes acrarum largitionum in 4@C. ;uard of Arvandus during his trial.

Astrius 8Asterius Asturius9 Turcius Fufius. BIII. vi. . )onsul 44C. Had commanded im$erial troo$s "ith success

in %$ain. 8Idatius. Ann. 4.9

Atenius. I. i. ;uest at the !an<uet of Ja0orian.

EAttalus. EB. viii. %irmond con0ectures that he is the )ount of Autun "ho "as uncle of ;regory of Tours. In hisyouth he had !een sent as hostage to )hilde!ert near Trves from "hom he esca$ed in an adventurous manner.8;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. iii. 1.9

Attila. BII. ii+ BIII. v. Ling of the Huns. )f. Carm. vii. 2'7.

EAuda7, )astalius Innocentais. EBIII. vii. riend. &refect of Fome under ,ulius =e$os 84749.

Auspiia. IB. i. ;randmother of A$er 94. .9. 6cliii

6Auspiius. EBII. i+ IB. vii. 2. 3isho$ of Toul. He en0oyed a high re$utation for learning and $iety. %ee "ist. litt,

de la France, ii $. 47+ )hai ii $. @.

Au7anius. BII. vii. %ucceeded %t. A!raham as a!!ot of the monastery of %t. )irgues near )lermont.

Au7anius. !. vii. :. A Foman "ho advised Arvandus on the occasion of his im$eachment.



A%ienus, ennadius. !. i. (f the family of the )orvini. An influential senator at Fome during the $eriod ot%idonius/ visit in the reign of Anthemius. He had !een chosen !y the %enate in 4' to accom$any &o$e eo "hen he"ent out to meet Attila. 8&ros$er of A<uitaine Chron. An. 4'.9 )olleague of Balentinian in his seventh consulate in4.

EA%itus. EIII. i. Linsman 8cousin59 of %idonius and ot a!out his age. He $ossessed influence "ith the Bisigoths

"hich he a$$ears to have used "ith some effect at %idonius/ re<uest in or a!out the year 474. )f. Carm. iv. 7"here his estate of )ottion 8)ottium9 is mentioned and )hai ii $. 147.

Basilius, aeina. I. i. '. )onsul 4@2. An influential senator at Fome of the Decian family "ho secured for%idonius the audierce at "hich he recited his &anegyric to Anthemius $re$aratory to his nomination as &refect of thecity. 3asilius "as at a later time treated "ith consideration !y (dovaar "ho summoned him to his )ourt. )f)hai ii $. 222.

6Basilius. EBII. vi. 3isho$ of Ai. (ne of the four !isho$s "ho "ere nominated to treat "ith >uric 8see raeus,

austus, Leontius). )f. ;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. II. v.

Bi4errus. I. i. 2. (f Arles. Associated "ith &aeonius in the e$isode of the anonymous satire.

6Bur4undio. EIS. iv. A young man of senatorial family in )lermont devoted to rhetoric and $oetry.

aelestius. IS.. i. riend. / Fraternoster,2 &ro!a!ly a cleric.

6al2inius. EB. ii. riend. %on of the senator >ucherius. )om$elled !y >uric to fight against Auvergne his nativecountry. )f. )hai ii $$. 'C'*2. 6cliv

a2illas. I. i. (f =ar!onne. =e$he" of Jagnus 94..>. )f. Carm. i 1. .

6a2panianus. EI. . riend.

6andidianus. EI. viii. riend. =ative of )esena settled in Favenna.

atullinus. I. i. 2 4. riend and comrade of %idonius at the time of the Coniuratio (arcell [in]iana. )f. Carm. ii.

6ensorius. EBI. . 3isho$ of Auerre. 8Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, ii $. 441.9

6ario0audus. EBII. vi. An a!!ot.

ilperi. B. vi. ' vii. i. (ne of the four ings 8/tetrarchs/9 of the 3urgundians. ather of )lotilda <ueen of )lovis.3ore the title of (agister militum.

laudianus, see Ma2ertus, laudianus.

onsentais. IS. v. i 8v. '' of the $oem9. Distinguished citi?en of =ar!onne. ("ner of the villa 7ctaiana !et"een =ar!onne and 3N?iers. A man of great intellectual gifts. )f. Carm. iii. 22 C 1@C 177.

6onsentius. EBIII. iv+ IS. v. 1 8v. '' of the $oem9. riend. %on of the $receding. &ossessed a great re$utation as $oet in ;ree and atin 8IS. v9. %ucceeded to the Billa (ctaviana. In earlier life entered the Im$erial service and"as entrusted !y Balentinian III "ith missions to )onstantino$le. &refect of the &alace under Avitus. 9Carm. iii 'C [email protected] "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. @2.

onstans. IB. ii. A lector, or anagnDstes.



onstantinus 8III9. B. i. i. /The tyrant/ 847*4119. A soldier $roclaimed em$eror in 3ritain. >sta!lished his $o"erin ;aul and "as recogni?ed !y Honorius. 3ut ;erontius 94. .>, his general in %$ain revolted+ and having slain hisson )onstans at Bienne !esieged the tyrant in Arles. The em$eror $rofiting !y this disunion sent against him hisgeneral )onstantius to "hom after a siege of four months he surrendered. He "as murdered near Jantua !y orderof Honorius "hile !eing taen to Favenna under a safe*conduct 84119. )f. reeman %nglish "istorical $eiew, i1@ $$. 2ff.

6onstantius. EI.i+ EIII.ii+ EBII. viii+ EBIII. vi+ II. 2+ 6clv IS. vi. 1. &riest. (f a no!le family in yons+ re$utedfor elo<uence 0udgement and love of letters. The $u!lication of %idonius/ etters "as suggested !y him and thefirst etter dedicates the !oo to him. The eighth !oo collected at the re<uest of &etronius "as to !e issued underhis aus$ices. )onstantius "rote little himself his $rinci$al "or !eing a ife of %t. ;ermain of Auerre com$osedat the re<uest of &atiens. His re$utation as a $oet led &atiens to as of him a metrical inscri$tion for his great churchat yons 8II. 9. The character of )onstantius "as a no!le one and his influence "ide. When the ca$ital of Auvergne"as laid desolate !y the Bisigothic siege %idonius sent for him and his arrival had the most salutary effect u$on thedes$erate $o$ulation 8III. ii9. He is su$$osed to have died at an advanced age a!out 4. )f. "ist. litt, de la France,

ii+ )hai ii $. '@.

rous. BII. vi. C. 3isho$. )onsidered !y %irmond to have occu$ied the see of =Zmes+ !ut the only recorded )rocuslived in the seventh century. 8Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, i $. 212.9

Dardanus. B. i. i. &refect of ;aul tem&. Honorius 4C*1. After his $refecture he a$$ears to have em!raced)hristianity. etters "ere addressed to him !y ,erome and Augustine. or an inscri$tion relating to him cf. note @.4 $. '27.

EDesideratus. EII. viii. riend# $erha$s an ancestor of %t. Desideratus 3isho$ of )lermont after %t. Avitus. His $oetical 0udgement "as highly valued in Auvergne and %everianus considered it an advantage to $u!lish a treatiseon rhetoric under his aus$ices. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $. [email protected]

EDo2itius. EII. ii. riend. &erha$s !orn at yons !ut teaching as a grammarian in the schools of Ameria. Jentionedin Carm. iv. 1*1@ as a severe critic and com$ared to the censorious $erson "ho had only laughed once in hislife.

6Do2niius. EIB. + B. vii. @. riend.

EDo2nulus. EIB. v+ IS. iii. 4 v. i. riend+ living at Arles. %erved as Ouaestor. &oet and $hiloso$her "ith aninterest in theology and a )hurchman. (ne of the four $oets "hom Ja0orian invited during his so0ourn in ;aul. 6

clvi &ro!a!ly still living as an old man in 42 or 44. )f. Carm. iv+ "ist. litt, de la France, ii $. 7.

6Donidius. EII. i+ III. v+ BI. v. riend. 'ir s&ectabilis. iving on his ancestral estate at >!orolacum 8>!reuil near;annat9 in the valley of the %ioule $art of "hich he lost during the distur!ances of 474.

E*diius. EII. i+ EIII. iii+ II. ii. 1+ B. vi. 1. %on of the em$eror Avitus+ !rother of &a$ianilla and !rother*in*la" of%idonius. &atrician. An athlete and $atriot "ho !ecame the cham$ion of his countrymen during the last resistance of Auvergne to >uric/s aggression. >cdicius continued the $olicy of his father Avitus in conciliating the !ar!aric

$rinces and his di$lomacy confirmed the 3urgundians in their su$$ort of the ;allo*Fomans against >uric+ !ut he"as also a defender of the $urity of the atin language against encroaching !ar!arism. During the misery "hichfollo"ed >uric/s invasion >cdicius rivalled &atiens in the generosity "ith "hich he relieved the starving. %omeconsider that he is the Isicius "ho succeeded Jamertus as 3isho$ of Bienne 8)hai ii $. 'C9. It is also thoughtthat he is the Decius "hom ,ornandes descri!es as leaving his country in disgust after its surrender to the ;oths9!et. lv9.

E*lapius. EIB. v. riend. Fesident in Fode? "here he !uilt a !a$tistery. &erha$s su!se<uently a !isho$.8Furicius %&. II. vii+ !allia Christiana, iii $. C2+ Tillemont (em. vi $. '@.9



E*leuterius. EBI. i. 3isho$. 8Tillemont (em. vi $. '2'.9

*2inentius. IB. vii. 1. riend of Ar!ogast.

*pipanius. B. vii. 1. criba or %ecretary either of ilimatius or %idonius.

E*rip0ius. EB. vii. riend+ of yons. %on*in*la" of ilimatius.

*uerius. IB. iii. 7. %t. >ucherius 3isho$ of yons $reviously mon at erins D. 44C. Author of various treatisesand homilies. )f. Carm. vi 1. 11+ "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. '7+ Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, ii $. 1@2.

E*uerius. EIII. via+ BII. i. 1. riend. 'ir illustris. 6clvii A man of integrity for "hom the decaying Fomanem$ire found no im$ortant $ost. %irmond con0ectures him to !e the same >ucherius "ho under )ount Bictorius"hen >uric had sei?ed Auvergne "as falsely accused and $ut to death. 8;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. II. +Tillemont (em. vi $. 22.9

E*upronius. EBII. viii+ EIS. ii+ IB. v. '. 3isho$ of Autun. His visit to )hRlon "ith &atiens descri!ed in IB. vmust have taen $lace a!out 47 "hen he "as advanced in years. (f his "ritings there remains only a letter "ritten

0ointly "ith u$us of Troyes to the 3isho$ of Angers on <uestions of ecclesiastical disci$line. He died at a great agea!out 47@. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 4@+ )hai ii $. 74+ Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, ii $. 117.9

*uri 8>oricus >vari9. BII. vi. 4+ BIII. iii i. . )f. I. vii. + II. i. 2+ IB. viii. 1+ BIII. i. 1. Ling of the Bisigoths.Jurderer and successor of his !rother Theodoric II. A !igoted Arian con<ueror and energetic ruler "ho etendedhis territory from %e$timania until !y the con<uest of Auvergne and 3erry and the cession !y (dovaar of the lastterritory $reserved to Fome in &rovence it em!raced the "hole of southern rance outside the 3urgundiandominions. >uric $ro!a!ly died in 44* in the nineteenth year of his reign 8,ornandes !etica, c. lvii9 thoughIsidore of %eville and ;regory of Tours give different dates. )f. )hai ii $. 22.

*use0ius. IB. i. 2. Teacher of $hiloso$hy at yons "here he taught %idonius and many of his friends.

*ustaius. BII. ii. 4 C. 3isho$ of Jarseilles.

*utropia. BI. ii. i 4. A $ious "ido"+ $ossi!ly the same cele!rated in the Foman martyrology among sainted"ido"s on %e$tem!er 1. 8Tillemont (em. vi ''7.9

E*utropius. EBI. vi. 3isho$ of (range. %ee Acta anctorum 8Jay '79 $. @CC+ "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 472+Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, i $. '@.

E*utropius. EI. vi+ EIII. vi. ifelong friend+ mem!er of a no!le family distinguished for its official honours.3ecame &refect of ;aul. )f. )hai ii $. 1C. 6clviii

*%antius. B. iii. i. An official of $u!lic "ors under %eronatus.

E*%odius. EIB. viii. &etitioner at the court of >uric to "hose <ueen Fagnahild he $resented a silver cu$.

E*7pliius. EII. vii. A 0urisconsult to "hom %idonius refers a dis$ute "hich his o"n efforts had failed to settle.

austmus. IB. iv. I+ vi. 1. riend of %idonius from his youth. >ntered the )hurch and $erha$s !ecame the successorof Hermentarius at Belay. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii. $. 1 + cf. )hai ii $$. 11@ 11.9

austus. 3orn in 3ritain. A!!ot of erins 8422*49 for t"enty*seven years "here he esta!lished a school.%u!se<uently 3isho$ of Fie? 84@'9. &reserved the ascetic ha!its of monastic life 8IS. iii9. )ele!rated for his learning



and elo<uence. (ne of the four !isho$s nominated to treat "ith >uric 8see Leontius, raeus, Basilius9. &reachedat the dedication of &atiens/ ne" church at yons 8IS. iii9. &u!lished a famous letter maintaining the materiality ofthe soul 8IB. iii+ ;ui?ot "ist. de la Ci. en France, v. 1@ f.9 "rote against the Arians for "hich he "as eiled !y>uric to the district of imoges "here he en0oyed the intercourse of Furicius+ li!erated in 44 and died at anadvanced age 9c. 4C9. His "ritings "hich give evidence of a modified &elagianism "ere regarded as heretical after his death !ut "ere not condemned in his lifetime. )f. Carm. vi. %ee "ist. litt. de la France, ii. 7+ (on. !erm.

"istorica, viii 8Auctorum Anti<uiss. $$. liv ff.9+ )hai i $$. '4*C+ ii $. 'C4+ Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, i $.'4.

eli7 see Ma4nus eli7.

erreolus. BII. i. 7. Jartyr# interred near Bienne.

erreolus see Tonantius erreolus.

ili2atia (/ili2atia). II. viii. Wife of >ri$hius and daughter of ilimatius 859.

6ili2atius 8&hilimatius &hilomathius9. EI. iii+ B. vii. 1. riend+ of yons. ather*in*la" of >ri$hius+ father ofilimatia 859+ mem!er of the &refect/s council. A man of vivacious tem$erament and $oetical tastes. )f. )hai ii $$.1@C 'C7. 6cli

6ir2inus. EIS. i vi. riend. A native of Arles. Incited %idonius to $u!lish the ninth !oo of the etters. >nnodiusof &avia $raises his learning and literary style 8 %&. I. viii9. He "as of a generous character and assisted %t. )aesariusin a time of trou!le. )f. "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. @4.

6lorentinus. EIB. i. riend.

6onteius. EBI. vii+ EBII. iv. 3isho$ of Baison from a!out A.D. 4. %idonius $raises his charming character. Heseems to have eerted over the 3urgundian $rinces an influence "hich ena!led him to !e of great service to the;allo*Fomans of his diocese. )f. )hai ii $. 1@+ Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, i $. '@'.

6ortunalis. EBIII. v. riend. ived in %$ain 8Tarra*gona9 and "itnessed the con<uest of I!eria !y the Bisigoths in47*.

ronto. IB. i. ;randfather of A$er 84. .9. &ossi!ly the )ount t"ice sent as am!assador to the %uevi in %$ain first !y Balentinian then !y Avitus.

alliinus. BIII. i. 2 8v. 2C of the $oem9. 3isho$.

allus. BI. i. A man living in the diocese of Troyes "hom %idonius $ersuaded to return to his. "ife. )f. )hai ii $. .

6audentius. EI. iv+ I. iii. '+ III. ii. 4. riend. (f tri!unician ran. 3ecame Bicarius of the %even &rovinces. )alledenerabilis in III. ii. 4.

6elasius. EIS. v+ IS. vi. i. riend.

er2anius. IB. iii. i. Fesident at or near )hanteile in the 3our!onnais and a neigh!our of Bectius. Descri!ed !y%idonius as a 0uvenile seagenarian. )f. )hai ii $. '4'.

er2anus. BIII. v. 1. 3isho$ of Auerre.



erontius. B. i. I. )ommander in %$ain under the /tyrant/ )onstantine 84. .9 !ut rose against )onstans the tyrant/sson "hom he drove from %$ain into ;aul and sle" at Bienne. He then !esieged )onstantine in Arles !ut on thearrival of Honorius/ general )onstantius "as a!andoned !y his men and flying to %$ain there $erished 84119. )f.;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. II. i.

o<olas. III. iv. i+ IB. v. i. A ,e". 6cl

Eraeus. EBI. viii+ EBII. ii vii i+ EIS. iv+ BII. vi. 1. 3isho$ of Jarseilles. )harged !y ,ulius =e$os to negotiate"ith >uric together "ith eontius of Arles 3asilius of Ai and austus of Fie?. )f. Introduction $. lii.

ratianensis. I. i. 112. 'ir illustris. ;uest at the !an<uet of Ja0orian.

=eliodorus. IB. . i. Jentioned as filius meus, !ut $ro!a!ly no relation of %idonius.

E=erenius 8Heronius9. EI. v i. riend+ of yons. A cultivated man interested in geogra$hical and historical<uestions and a $oet. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 427.9

E=esperius. EII. + IB. ii. 1. riend. Jan of letters+ also intimate "ith eo.

=i2erius. BII. iii. 1. A $riest or $ossi!ly !isho$. %on of %ul$icius and $u$il of u$us at Troyes. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 4C.9

E=patius. EIII. v. riend. A $erson "ith influence in the neigh!ourhood of \!reuil. )f. )hai ii $. 14C.

E!ndustrius. EIB. i. riend.

!n>uriosus. IS. . i. A de$endant 8cler59 "ho left %idonius for A$runculus !isho$ of angres.

!nnoentius. BI. i. 2. A ir s&ectabilis.

?oannes, II. v. i. A friend involved in legal difficulties+ introduced !y %idonius to the 0urisconsult &etronius.

?oannes. IB. v. 2. 3isho$ of )hRlon consecrated !y &atiens and >u$hronius. )f. Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+,ii $. 1C'.

E ?oannes. EBIII. ii. riend. ;rammarian teaching in A<uitaine under Bisigothic rule.

?o%inus. B. i. /Tyrant./ Assumed the $ur$le "hile )onstantine "as !eing !esieged !y )onstantius at Arles 84119.Defeated and slain at =ar!onne in 41' !y Ataulf the Bisigoth acting on !ehalf of Honorius. )f. Carm. SSIII. i. 172.

?ulianus. IS. v. 3isho$. &erha$s of some see in ;allia =ar!onensis. )f. )hai ii $. 14C.

?ulius epos. B. vi. )f. B. vi. ' vii. I+ BIII. vii. 4. >m$eror A. D. 474* in "hose reign Auvergne "as lost to theem$ire. )f. Introduction $. liii. 6cli

6?ustinus. EB. i. riend. 3rother of %acerdos. Their !rotherly affection "as cele!rated. )f. Carm. iv. '@ ff.

?ustus. B. vii. 2. %aint. 3isho$ of yons d. c. 2C. The church erected !y &atiens on the site of the old church ofthe Jacca!ees at yons "as no"n !y his name.

?ustus. II. ii. 2. A doctor attending %everiana.



6La2pridius. EBIII. i.+ BIII. i. 2+ IS. iii. ' 4. riend. &oet and orator of 3ordeau. A man of great versatility"hom ertig calls /the ;oethe of his age/. He ingratiated himself "ith >uric and "as $ro!a!ly thus ena!led to assist%idonius in regaining his li!erty. Jurdered !y his household slaves. )f. "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 4C4.

6Leo. EIB. ii+ EBIII. iii+ IS. iii. ' v. i. Jinister of >uric. A native of =ar!onne and descendant of the oratorronto "hose talent he inherited. He also !ore a high re$utation as $oet 9$e+ Castalii Chori, IS. iii9 $hiloso$her

orator and 0urist# A$$ius )laudius himself "ould !e silent "hen eo e$ounded the la" of the T"elve Ta!les9Carm. iii. 44@9. Though a )atholic he "as selected !y >uric as minister in "hich ca$acity he dou!tless madeeasier the lot of many of his co*religionists. While %idonius "as in !anishment eo encouraged him to occu$yhimself "ith the life of A$ollonius of Tyana+ and the intercession of the $o"erful minister must have contri!uted tohis release. eo "as still living a!out 42. )f. Carm. i. 214 SIB. iii. 44@ ff.+ "ist. litt. de la France, ii $$. @'7ff.

6Leontius. EBI. iii. 3isho$ of Arles and friend of &o$e Hilary "ho confirmed the $rivileges of his see as the first in;aul. riend of austus eli and Furicius 8cf. uriius, %&. I. v9. Arranged terms of $eace "ith >uric incom$any "ith 3asilius ;raecus and austus. )f. )hai ii $. 1C.

Leontius, see /ontius Leontius.

Liinianus. III. vii. '+ B. vi. i. Ouaestor+ envoy from ,ulius =e$os to ;aul at the time of >uric/s invasion ofAuvergne. 6clii

Li%ia. BIII. i. 2 81. 24 of the $oem9. Jother of &ontius eontius 94. .9.

ELuontius 8ucentius9. EIB. viii. riend.

ELupus %t. d. 47C. EBI. i iv i+ EBIII. i+ EIS. i+ IB. vii. 2+ BII. iii. i+ BIII. iv. ' v. i. %aint. 3orn at Toul.3isho$ of Troyes. In 41 he $ersuaded Attila to s$are the city. After se$arating from his "ife &imeniola sister of %t.Hilarius resided at erins first as a mon under Honoratus su!se<uently as a!!ot. 8)f. Carm. vi. 11.9 %ummonedto the see of Troyes in 4'@ or 4'7. ($$onent of &elagianism. (n %idonius/ election to )lermont u$us "rote him astill etant letter of congratulation the terms of "hich seem to im$ly a $revious intimacy in s$ite of their dis$arity inage. u$us "as no less eminent for his learning than for the austerity of his life. 8IB. vii.9 3ollandists Actaanctorum, ,uly 'C+ )hai i $. 44'# "ist. litt. de la France, ii $$. 4@ ff.+ Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, ii $. 44C.

ELupus. EBIII. i. riend. Fhetor residing at &Nrigueu or Agen the former !eing his native city. A man of literarytaste "ith a $redilection for science. )f. "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 2.

Ma4nus. I. i. 1. %enator of =ar!onne. )onsul in 4@. &refect of ;aul in 4@C. ather of &ro!us and Jagnus eli !oth of "hom "ere friends of %idonius. Gncle of )amillus. A great $ersonage in ;aul "here he "as "idelyres$ected for his integrity and $ractical "isdom. )f. !arni. SIB. iii. 4+ iv. C.

EMa4nus eli7. EII. iii+ EIII. iv vii+ EIB. v . riend. %on of Jagnus and !rother of &ro!us. /&atrician./ ived at =ar!onne. %choolfello" of %idonius to "hom the latter dedicated his $oems. )f. Carm. i. 22 iv. C1+ )hai ii $. 'C4.

Ma>orianus ,ulius Balerius. I. i. '+ IS. iii. 4. Foman >m$eror. Distinguished soldier and comrade of Atius andFicimer. Faised to the throne !y the latter in 47. &ardoned %idonius for his share in the insurrection of yons afterthe de$osition of Avitus and during his visit to 6cliii ;aul treated him "ith distinction. Ja0orian "as a "ise ruler"ho sought to stem the $rogress of im$erial decay+ he defeated the Bandals in Italy !ut his $re$arations for anattac u$on them in Africa "ere th"arted !y the !urning of his fleet and having incurred the enmity of Ficimer he"as assassinated !y his o"n troo$s at Tortona in 4@1. The &anegyric on Ja0orian is Carm. v. )f. Introduction $.i. Ma2ertus. EBII. i; IB. i. @+ B. iv. '+ %aint. 3isho$ of Bienne. 3rother of )laudianus Jamertus. Introducedat a time of $u!lic disaster the Fogations "hich "ere after"ards ado$ted !y %idonius at )lermont. Incurred the



dis$leasure of &o$e Hilary in conneion "ith the !isho$ric of Die. )f. )hai ii $. 11'+ Duchesne Fastes

&isco&au+, i $. '.

6Ma2ertus, laudianus. EIB. iii+ IB. i. i+ B. ii. i. Writer of IB. ii. &riest. 3rother of %t. Jamertus !isho$ ofBienne. earned in $hiloso$hy and author of a "ell*no"n treatise e 3atura Animae, in three !oos a re$ly to aletter of austus 3isho$ of Fie? 94. . 9 maintaining the material nature of the soul. riend of %alvian "ho

dedicated to him his "or on >cclesiastes. )f. ;ui?ot "ist. de la Ci. en France, i $$. 1@@ ff.+ )hai i $. 2@1.

Marellinus. II. iii. i. A 0urisconsult of =ar!onne descri!ed in Carm. iii 1. 4@ as of a fran outs$oencharacter !ut amia!le and a man of many friends among "hom "as %erranus 94. .>.

Marellinus. I. i. Distinguished soldier. %erved under Atius after "hose death he "ithdre" to Dalmatia andesta!lished a $ractically inde$endent state. (n the death of Avitus the diadem "as a$$arently offered him !y a $artyin ;aul to "hich %idonius !elonged and "hich "as su!dued !y Ja0orian. )f. Introduction $. .

EMaurusius. EII. iv. anded $ro$rietor and friend.

Ma7i2us. BIII. iv. '. A!!ot of erins and after"ards 3isho$ of Fie?. )f. Carm. vi 11. 11' 1'.

Ma7i2us. IB. iv. riend. ormerly in the &alatine service su!se<uently a cleric $ossi!ly !isho$ living nearToulouse. )f. )hai ii $. '2. 6cliv

EMe4etius. EBII. iii. 3isho$ $ossi!ly of 3elley. 8%irmond.9

Me4etius. BIII. iv. . )leric. Acting as messenger !et"een &rinci$ius and %idonius. )f. IS. viii. i.

Menstruanus. II. vi. i. riend of %idonius and &egasius.

Modaarius. BII. vi. '. A Bisigothic Arian confuted !y 3asilius.

EMontius. EI. i. riend.

a2atius. EBIII. vi. riend. /Admiral/ of >uric on the West )oast. He had a villa at %aintes and a$$arently an estatein (lNron. %tudied architecture. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $. [email protected]

ietius, lavius. BIII. vi. '. )f. III. i. 2+ BIII. vi. . Advocate of yons. )hosen !y common consent to deliver a $anegyric at the inauguration of the )onsul Astyrius at Arles in 44C. An admirer of %idonius/ "ritings. 9"ist. litt. de

la France, ii $. .9

Euneius. EBIII. iii. 3isho$ of =antes. He "as $resent at the )ouncil of Bannes in 4@.

E2pidius. EB. ii. riend. ;randfather of &olemius. )f. Carm. v. '.

Optantius. II. iv. ' 2. 'ir clarissimus. The deceased father of a girl demanded in marriage !y &roiectus to "hom%idonius gives a letter of introduction.

EOresius. EIS. ii. riend+ living in %$ain.

/aeonius. I. i. A $arvenu and am!itious demagogue. During the interregnum after the death of Avitus he usur$edthe $osition of &refect of ;aul. In this ca$acity he made himself essential to the young no!les "ho $artici$ated inthe /cons$iracy of Jarcellinus/. After his term of office he "as given senatorial ran !ut did not succeed lie



%idonius in conciliating the favour of Ja0orian+ to this cause $erha$s "as due the enmity "hich he dis$layed in theaffair of the anonymous satire. )f. Introduction $. ii.

E/annius. EB. iii+ BII. i. 1. riend. 'ir illustris. iving at 3ourges

E /apianilla. EB. vi. )f. II. ii. 2 ii. '+ B. vi. 2+ 6clv Carm. viii. 1. Wife. Daughter of Avitus and sister of

>cdicius 94. .>. )f. ;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. II. i and Introduction $. iii.

6/astor. EB. . riend.

/ate2inus. IB. vi. r. 3earer of a letter from Furicius.

6/atiens. EBI. ii.+ II. . '+ IB. v. i 2 . )f. III. ii. 2. %aint. Arch!isho$ of yons from !efore 47. A man ofgreat "ealth "hich he em$loyed in the !uilding and restoration of churches and in the relief of the needy in times of national distress. 8;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. II. iv.9 %idonius is our chief authority for &atiens. )f. Acta

anctorum, %e$tem!er 11+ "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 4+ )hai ii $. 24+ Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, ii $.1@2.

/aulus. IB. v. i. 3isho$ of )hRlon.

/aulus. I. i. i. (f $refectorian ran. Host of %idonius at Fome.

/aulus. II. vii. &arty to a dis$ute "ith Alethius "hich %idonius refers for settlement to >$licius.

6/e4asius. EI. vi. riend.

6/erpetuus. EBII. i.+ IB. viii. 4 c. 3isho$ of Tours. %oon after his accession he convened a council at Toursto regulate ecclesiastical disci$line and remedy a!use+ four years later he summoned another at Bannes. His devotionto the memory of %t. Jartin led him to erect the !asilica descri!ed !y %idonius in $lace of the earlier church. He "asan intimate friend of >u$hronius "hom he survived. )f. ;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. II. iv+ S. i+ "ist. litt. de

la France, ii $$. @1C ff.+ Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, ii $. 2.

6/etreius. EIB. i. riend. =e$he" of )laudianus Jamertus.

6/etronius. EII. v+ EB. i+ EBIII. i+ I. vii. 4+ BIII. vi. i. >minent 0urisconsult of Arles and lover of letters. Associated"ith Tonantius erreolus in the im$eachment of Arvandus. &ersuaded %idonius to $u!lish the eighth !oo of theetters. "ist. litt. de la France, ii $$. 1 ff. 6clvi

/etrus. IS. iii. 4+ v. i. 3orn in =orth Italy. %ecretary 9magister e&istolarum> of Ja0orian. %idonius in the&rologue to the &anegyric in honour of that >m$eror descri!es &etrus as his Jaecenas+ and it "as $ro!a!ly o"ingto the intercession of this friend that he made his $eace after the re!ellion at yons. 9Carm. v. @C*71+ i. 2.9&etrus had also gifts of elo<uence and style and "as no mean $oet. After the assassination of Ja0orian he devotedhimself to literary interests and is said to have died in 472 or 474. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 42C.9

/etrus. BI i. '. (f tri!unician ran.

6/ila4rius 8ilagrius9. EBII. iv. )f. II. iii. 1. Lno"n to %idonius !y re$utation only as a man of culture anderudition. )onnected "ith the families of Avitus and Jagnus eli. )f. Carm. vii. 1@ iv. C2+ "ist. litt. de la

France, ii $$. 41 7@.

6/laidus. EIII. iv. riend+ of ;reno!le. A man of literary tastes "ho a$$reciated the "ritings of %idonius.



6/ole2ius. EIB. iv. riend. Descendant of Tacitus. &refect of ;aul. (f $hiloso$hical tastes and a student of &lato.)f. Carm. iv 8an e$ithalamium for the marriage of &olemius and Araneola9. )f. also )hai i $. 247+ ii. '4+ "ist.

litt. de la France, ii $$. 14 ff.

/ontius Leontius. BIII. i. 2+ ii. . (f 3ordeau in the neigh!ourhood of "hich "as situated his fine villa3urgus. A $ersonage of great im$ortance in A<uitaine 9Facile &rimus A4uitanorum>. %idonius has cele!rated the

elegance and hos$itality of 3urgus in his t"enty*second $oem. )f. "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 4C.

/ontius /aulinus. BIII. ii. . %on of &ontius eontius. riend. =ative of A<uitaine. A $oet chiefly devotinghimself to religious su!0ects. )f. Carm. i. 24+ Tillemont (moires, vi $. 44+ "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 47.

6/otentinus. EB. i. riend. Fegarded !y %idonius as the model for his young son A$ollinaris.

6/ra42atius. EBI. ii. 3isho$. &ro!a!ly not &ragmatius of Antun. )f. )hai ii $. C7. 6clvii

/ra42atius. B. . I '. A man of elo<uence and $ersonal charm ado$ted as son*in*la" !y &riscus Balerianus. )f. "ist. litt. de la France, ii $$. 4CC .

6/rinipius. EBIII. iv+ EIS. viii. 3isho$ of %oissons. >lder !rother of %t. Femi. )f. "ist. litt. de la France, ii $.@@.

6/ro0us. EIB. i. riend from schooldays. Hus!and of >ulalia cousin of %idonius+ elder !rother of Jagnus eli 94.

.> and son of Jagnus. A man of literary taste and $recocious a!ility. )f. Carm. i. 2'C*24+ iv. C*+ "ist. litt. de

la France, ii $. @4C.

6/roulus. EIB. iii+ IS. v. riend. (f igurian origin+ $oet and man of letters 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 2.9

/roulus. IS. ii. 1. A deacon.

/roietus. II. iv. 1. 'ir clarissimus. 3etrothed to the daughter of ($tantius and introduced !y %idonius to his friend%agittarius 8or %yagrius9.

/ro2otus. BIII. iii. 2. A ,e".

6/rosper. EBIII. v. 3isho$ of (rleans. (nly no"n from this letter and from his mention !y 3ede. Invited%idonius at the time of his eile to "rite a history of Attila/s attac on (rleans. )f. Duchesne Fastes &isco&au+, ii

$. 4@.

/rudens. BI. iv. '. Witness to the sale of a slave.

E/udens. EB. i. riend.

a4naild. IB. viii. . Oueen of >uric. Her name is only no"n through %idonius.

6e2i4ius 8Femi9. EIS. vii. )f. BIII. iv. /A$ostle of the rans./ %aint. 3isho$ of Feims. 3orn c. 4 in or nearaon+ son of )ount >milius and )elinia and !rother of &rinci$ius. >lected at an early age to the see of Feims !y

$o$ular com$ulsion 9$a&tus &otius 4uam electusE Hincmar9. 3a$ti?ed )lovis in 4C@ using on this occasion thefamous "ords !idding the Ling adore "hat he had !urned and !urn "hat he had adored. Author of Addresses9eclamationes>, highly $raised !y %idonius !ut no longer etant. )f. "ist. litt. de la France, iii $. 1@+ )hai ii

$. .



ii2er. I. v. 1+ i. i. The famous /ing*maer/ 6clviii "ho raised em$erors to the throne 8Ja0orian %everus9 orde$osed them 8Avitus9 !ut never assumed the diadem himself. He "as the son of a %uevic father and a ;othicmother 8cf. Carm. ii. 2@1 ff.9 and comrade of Ja0orian 9Carm. v. '@79. He married the daughter of Anthemius 8I. v9

!ut <uarrelled "ith that >m$eror and a "ar ensuing died shortly after his antagonist. )f. Introduction $. i.

ioatus. IS. i. A $riest 8or !isho$9 and mon 9antistes ac monachus>, "ho visited )lermont !earing "ith him

"ors !y austus of Fie?.

Eiota2us. EIII. i. )ommander of the 3retons engaged to 0oin the >m$ire in resisting the advance of theBisigoths. He engaged >uric !efore Foman su$$ort could reach him and "as defeated !y that ing at 3ourg*de*DNols on the Indre "hereu$on he too refuge "ith the 3urgundians. )f. Introduction $. vi.

osia. B. vi. . Daughter of %idonius and &a$ianilla. )f. Introduction $. iv.

Euriius. EIB. vi+ EB. v+ EBIII. . riend. Jem!er of a $atrician family connected "ith the ;ens Anicia.Jarried !efore 47 I!eria daughter of the Arvernian (mmatius %idonius "riting their e$ithalamium 9Carm. i9.After some years he renounced the "orld for a life of $iety. In 44 he !ecame 3isho$ of imoges. Author of t"o

!oos of etters in "hich an imitation of %idonius is sometimes a$$arent. These mostly date from the time $reviousto his e$isco$ate and though eem$lary in their $iety and sho"ing an admira!le character contain little of interest

for the historian. (f them 3. I. i vi are addressed to %idonius. 8 "ist. litt. de la France, iii $$. 4C*@.9 %ee alsoLrusch (on. !erm. "istorica, viii 8Auctorum Anti<uissimorum $$. liiff.9.

Eustius Decimus. B. i. 1. %ucceeded his friend A$ollinaris as &refect of ;aul at the time of the tyrant)onstantine 84C9. )a$tured and slain in Auvergne !y the generals of Honorius a fe" years later. ;randfather ofA<uilinus. )f. ;regory of Tours "ist. Franc. II. c. i.

ustius. B. i. '. %on of the $receding. Tri!une and 6cli notary under Honorius "ith the father of %idonius andsu!se<uently a vicarius.

ustius. B. i. 4. %on of A<uilinus 859.

Eustius 8Fusticius9. EII. i+ BIII. i. 2 8v. 2@ of the $oem9. riend+ living near 3ordeau. 9"ist. litt. de la France,ii $. 4'.9

ESaerdos. EB. i. riend. 3rother of ,ustinus 94.>. )f. Carm. iv. '7.

ESa4ittarius 859. EII. iv. riend. The J%. ) gives the name of the reci$ient of this letter as %yagrius.

ESalonius. E BII. v. riend+ living at Bienne. %ome have considered him to !e the son of %t. >ucherius of the samename "ho "as a !isho$ "hen %idonius "as <uite young !ut this vie" is not universally acce$ted. 9"ist. litt. de la

France, ii $. 422+ Tillemont (moires, vi $. '7+ %irmond note to BII. v.9

ESapaudus. EB. . riend. Fhetor of Bienne. or his studies he received the advice of )laudianus Jamertus andsought to ins$ire himself from the earlier Foman "riters. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $. 4C.9

ESeundinus. EB. viii+ II. . 2+ B. viii. i. &oet of yons. Associated "ith )onstantius and %idonius in "riting metricalinscri$tions for the church erected !y &atiens. Wrote a satire e$osing the merciless cruelty of ;undo!ad one of the3urgundian /tetrarchs/ to his !rothers and their families. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $. '.9

ESeundus. EII. ii. =e$he" of %idonius or grandson of one of his uncles 8Jommsen raefatio, $. lvii9.



Seronatus. II. i. i+ B. iii. i 4+ BII. vii. '. &erha$s ;overnor of A<uitanica &rima 8cf. Introduction $. viii9. He"as guilty of more o$en treason and even "orse o$$ression than his $redecessor. The $eo$le of Auvergne !roughthim to 0ustice and he received the $enalty of death. )f. Tillemont "ist, des %m&ereurs, vi $. 2'+ )hai i $. 277.

ESerranus. EII. iii. riend+ living at =ar!onne. Adherent of the >m$eror &etronius Jaimus. riend ofJarcellinus.

Se%eriana. II. ii. Daughter 859 of %idonius. )f. Introduction $. iv. 6cl

Se%erianus. IS. iii. 4+ v. i. A $oet of re$ute in ;aul considered to ran "ith Domnulus am$ridius and %idonius.In his $rose "or he is com$ared !y the latter to Ouintilian. )f. Carm. i. 21'+ "ist. litt. de la France, ii $. C.

Se%erinus. I. i. 1 1@. )onsul of the year 4@1. ;uest at the !an<uet of Ja0orian.

Si4is2er. IB. . A young ranish 859 $rince. )f. Introduction $. ciii.

Si2pliius. BII. vi. C. A !isho$.

Si2pliius. BII. viii. ' 2+ i. 1@ '. %on of >ulogius and son*in*la" of &alladius !oth !isho$s of 3ourges. =ominated !y %idonius to the same see. 8)hai ii $. '.9

ESi2pliius. EB. iv+ III. i+ IB. iv vii ii+ BII. iv. &erha$s !rother of A$ollinaris 8 4. .9.

ESulpiius. EBII. iii. riend.

Sa4rius lavius Afranius 8I9. I. vii. 4+ B. vii. 4. )f. B. v. i+ BIII. viii. 2. (f yons. ;eneral of Balentinian+su!se<uently raefectus raetorio in ;auland consul in 2'. 3uried at yons "here his monument is mentioned !y%idonius 8as a!ove9. His daughter &a$ianilla "as the mother of Tonantius erreolus 94..>.

ESa4rius EB. v+ EBIII. viii. ;reat*grandson of the $receding. Jan of letters. At one $eriod living much at the3urgundian court+ at another on his estate of Taionnacus near Autun. It seems !est to follo" the 3enedictine

"istoire littraire de la France, ii $. @1 in regarding this $ersonage as distinct from %yagrius son of Aegidius of%oissons defeated !y )lovis in 4@. %irmond and others ho"ever regard B. v. at least if not !oth letters as "rittento that %yagrius. The o!0ection to this vie" is that the ruler of %oissons "ould hardly have !een a!le to live among3urgundians or in a country*house so far a"ay from his $ro$er s$here of interest.

S22aus @uintus Aurelius. I. i. i+ II. . + cf. BIII. . i. lourished in the second half of the fourth century.)onsul 2C1. amous as an orator though most of his s$eeches are lost. His Letters survive in ten !oos and are"ritten in a style "hich com$ared "ith that of %idonius is sim$le and 6cli direct. The !est no"n is that relating tothe $ro$osed restoration of the altar of Bictory in the %enate. )f. Carm. i. 24.

ETetradius. EIII. . riend. A 0urisconsult of Arles. )f. Carm. iv. *2+ "ist. litt. de la France, ii $$. 77*.

ETau2astus. EI. vii+ I. vii. 4+ B. vi. i. riend. 3rother of A$ollinaris. Associated "ith Tonantius erreolus in theim$eachment of Arvandus. )f. Carm. iv. .

Teodori !! 8Theudericus9. I. ii. i+ II. i. 2. Ling of the Bisigoths 842*@@9. %on of the Theodoric "ho fell in the !attle of Jaurica. %ucceeded in 42 after the assassination of his !rother Thorismond. %u$$orted the election ofAvitus as em$eror having !een ac<uainted "ith him in former years and on his de$osition and death o$$osedJa0orian !y "hom he "as defeated !efore Arles. After"ards once more reconciled to the >m$ire !ut assassinated

!y his !rother >uric in 4@@. )f. Carm. vii. '@' c.+ and see Introduction $. vi.



Teodorus. III. . i. 'ir clarissimus. Introduced !y %idonius to the 0urisconsult Tetradius.

ETeoplastus. EBI.v. 3isho$ of ;eneva 859. 8Duchesne Fastes &isco&aii+, i $. ''7.9

Toris2ond 8Thorismodus9. BII. ii. 2. Ling of the Bisigoths. %on of Theodoric I "ho died in the great !attle ofJaurica and !rother of Theodoric II !y "hom he "as assassinated in 42. 3esieged Arles soon after the defeat of

Attila !ut "as induced to "ithdra" through the $ractical di$lomacy of Tonantius erreolus 94. .9.

ETonantius erreolus. EBII. ii. i+ I. vii. 4+ II. i. i. ;randson of the )onsul Afranius %yagrius and through his^mother &a$ianilla connected "ith the Aviti. An im$ortant ;allo*Foman no!le son of a &refect of the ;aulshimself three times &refect and &atrician. With Avitus he "as instrumental in arranging the co*o$eration of theBisigoths "ith the Fomans "hich resulted in the defeat of Attila at Jaurica !y Atius. He "as gifted "ithdi$lomatic $o"ers "hich ena!led him to save the to"n of Arles "hen !esieged !y the ne" Bisigothic ingThorismond at the trifling cost of a dinner 8BII. ii9 !ut his <ualities as a strong and 0ust 6clii administrator led tohis selection after his official career as the $rinci$al accuser of Arvandus 8I. vii9. His tastes "ere cultivated+ cf. thedescri$tion "hich %idonius gives of his country*house &rusianum 8II. i9. 3orn a!out 4' he died a!out 4 and"as thus a lifelong contem$orary of his friend %idonius. )f. Carm. iv 1. 2@+ "ist. "it. de la France, iii $. 4.

ETonantius. EIS. iii+ IS. v. %on of Tonantius erreolus. )f. Carm. iv. 24.

ETr4etius. EBIII. ii. According to %irmond the same Trygetius sent on an em!assy to Attila "ith %t. eo andAvienus. At the time of %idonius/ visit to his friends at 3ordeau Trygetius "as living at his house at 3a?as. )f.)hai ii $$. ''*@.

ETurnus. EIB. iv. riend. %on of Tur$io.

Turpio. IB. iv. riend+ of tri!unician ran. (n his death*!ed re<uested %idonius to hel$ his family in the matter ofa de!t to Jaimus. %ee Turnus.

#alerianus &riscus. B. . '. &refect of ;aul and relative of the >m$eror Avitus. ather*in*la" of &ragmatius.)onsulted !y %idonius on the merits of his &anegyric of Avitus. )f. Carm. viii. %ee also "ist. litt. de la France, ii $.

2@+ )hai ii $. 12.

E#etius 8Bettius9. EIB. iii+ IB. i. i. riend. A no!le living in the "orld !ut $ractising austerities in secret. Hishome "as near )hanteile in the 3our!onnais. 8)hai ii $. '2C.9

#itorius. BII. vii. i. )f. IB. . '. A$$ointed )ount of Auvergne !y >uric after he o!tained $ossession of thatcountry in 47. &ro!a!ly the &atronus of IB. . '. ;regory of Tours "ho descri!es him as due gives him a much"orse character than %idonius 9"ist. Franc. II. . and e gloria Confessorum, c. iii9.

#itorius. B. i. Gncle of %acerdos and ,ustin. %irmond thins it $ro!a!le that the $erson to "hom this letter isaddressed is Bictorius of A<uitaine "ho in 47 under the )onsulate of )onstantine and Fufus com$osed the &aschal)ycle and had some re$ute as a $oet 8cf. B. 9. His 6cliii home "as among the hills of the ;a!alitani no" thedistrict of a o?Xre. 9"ist. litt. de la France, ii $$. 41C 4'4.9 The $oet and the author of the )ycle are

distinguished.

6#inentius. EI. vii. riend.

#indiius. B. i. '+ BII. iv. i. riend. A deacon of Auvergne "ho assisted %idonius in his literary "or.

6#olusianus. EBII. vii+ IB. viii. '. Intimate friend. At %idonius/ re<uest he assisted "ith advice and su$$ortAuanius 94. .9 successor of %t. A!raham as a!!ot of the monastery of %t. )irgnes near )lermont. (n the death of &er$etuus he !ecame !isho$ of Tours. 8)hai ii $$. ''' ''4.9



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Sidonius Apollinaris Letters

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