From: Libanius, rhetorician in Antioch
To: Euchrostius
Date: ~357 AD
Context: A request on behalf of Boethus, who manages Libanius's own affairs -- a glimpse at the practical side of the rhetorician's life.
The son of Boethus -- also named Boethus -- manages my affairs, and his father, through our willingness to help however we can, has always been well served by us. I'd be ashamed if the father were more useful to my household than I was to his, even if another person were to help the old man on my account.
Now this younger Boethus needs my hand -- or rather, my voice. He's confident that by carrying a letter of mine, he won't be overlooked. And perhaps he's right: not many people rank ahead of us in your estimation.
As for the injustice he's suffered and from whom, he'll explain it himself. Whether it needs to be resolved through arbitration or through the courts, show him that Boethus from Phoenicia will get no less than Phoenix himself. And in the same act, you'll be doing me a favor and appearing to remember Zenobius, to whom this man is related.
**To Euchrostius** (357)
The son of Boethus here — himself also named Boethus — attends to my affairs, while his father, through us, readily receives whatever assistance we can offer. For I should be ashamed if that man proved more useful to my interests than I to his, even should someone else lend the old man a hand on my behalf.
Now then, this young man needs my hand — or rather, my voice. For he trusts that by carrying a letter of mine he will not be overlooked, and perhaps with good reason: not many stand higher in your regard than I do.
The wrongs he has suffered, and at whose hands, he will recount himself. But whether the matter calls for arbitration or for the courts, show him that in Phoenicia, Boethus shall have no less than he would from Phoenix himself. And by the same act you will both do me a favor and be seen to honor the memory of Zenobius, to whom this man is related.
Context:A request on behalf of Boethus, who manages Libanius's own affairs -- a glimpse at the practical side of the rhetorician's life.
The son of Boethus -- also named Boethus -- manages my affairs, and his father, through our willingness to help however we can, has always been well served by us. I'd be ashamed if the father were more useful to my household than I was to his, even if another person were to help the old man on my account.
Now this younger Boethus needs my hand -- or rather, my voice. He's confident that by carrying a letter of mine, he won't be overlooked. And perhaps he's right: not many people rank ahead of us in your estimation.
As for the injustice he's suffered and from whom, he'll explain it himself. Whether it needs to be resolved through arbitration or through the courts, show him that Boethus from Phoenicia will get no less than Phoenix himself. And in the same act, you'll be doing me a favor and appearing to remember Zenobius, to whom this man is related.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.