Letter 148

To Priscianus. (359/60?) Theodotus and Charisius are brothers, and their profession is the same. I will add that their principles are the same too: they draft legal documents for people without valuing profit over truth. You have known and loved Theodotus, who has been with us for a long time. As for Charisius, who lived in the city, someone has surely praised him to you by now. But he has passed away, and his children need help. Their uncle begs through me the man who knows how to save. The noble Priscianus will grant this favor, heeding my request and out of regard for Theodotus. You will lighten the orphans' burden and show proper concern for his relatives in Cyrrhus.

**To Priscian** (359/60?) Theodotus and Charisius are brothers, and theirs is the same profession — I will add, the same principle too: to draft contracts for people without prizing profit above truth. Now Theodotus you have long known and loved as one of our circle. As for Charisius, who lived in the city, surely someone has already spoken well of him to you. But he is gone, and his little children need help. Their uncle, through me, makes his appeal to one who knows how to save. The noble Priscian will grant this favor, yielding to my request and holding Theodotus in regard. You will lighten the orphans' burden and see to it that his kinsmen in Cyrrhus receive your care.

Πρισκιανῷ. (359/60?) Θεόδοτος καὶ Χαρίσιος ἀδελφοί, τέχνη δὲ αὐτοῖν ἡ αὐ- τή, προσθήσω δέ, ὅτι καὶ γνώμη, τὰ περὶ τῶν συνθηκῶν γράμματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις γράφειν ἄνευ τοῦ κέρδος κατὰ τῆς ἀληθείας τιμᾶν. τὸν μὲν οὖν Θεόδοτον πάλαι μεθ’ ἡμῶν καὶ γινώσκεις καὶ φιλεῖς, Χαρίσιον δὲ τὴν πόλιν οἰκοῦντα πάντως πού τις ἐπῄνεσε πρὸς σὲ νῦν, ἀλλ’ ὁ μὲν οἴχεται, δεῖ δὲ βοηθῶν τοῖς ἐκείνου παιδίοις. ὁ θεῖος δὲ δι’ ἡμῶν ἱκε- τεύει τὸν εἰδότα σώζειν. δώσει δὲ ὁ γενναῖος Πρισκιανὸς τὴν χάριν ἡμῖν τε πειθόμενος καὶ Θεόδοτον ἐν λόγῳ ποιού- μενος. ἐκείνοις τε οὖν τὴν ὀρφανίαν κουφιεῖς καὶ φροντίδος ἀξιώσεις τοὺς ἐν Κύρῳ τούτου συγγενεῖς.