Letter 152: This Auxentius is not technically my student, but he is far more devoted than many who are.

To Andronicus. This Auxentius here is not a pupil of mine, but far more well-disposed toward me than many pupils are, having grieved with us in our worse circumstances and rejoiced with us in our better ones. And you know that, when you were departing from us, I presented the young man to you and said that he too would soon come to Phoenicia, and I asked that he be reckoned one of your friends, and you assented. He has indeed come; so fulfill your promises, looking gladly upon him while he is present, and sending him off with a letter from you. For if he were a Phoenician, we would be demanding a service of you; but as it is, since the man comes from the neighboring country, you yourself demand a service of him: the worthy Hypatius in your letters.

**To Andronicus** (359/60) This man Auxentius is not a student of mine, yet he is far more devoted than many of my students, having shared in my sorrows during hard times and in my joys during better ones. You recall that when you were leaving us, I pointed out the young man and said he would soon be coming to Phoenicia, and I asked that he be counted among your friends — and you nodded your assent. Well, he has arrived. Now fulfill your promises: receive him warmly while he is there, and send him off with a letter from you. For if he were a Phoenician, I would be asking you for a deed; but as it is, since the man comes from the neighboring country, ask that good fellow Hypatius for a deed — in letters.

Ἀνδρονίκῳ. (359/60) Αὐξέντιος οὑτοσὶ φοιτητὴς μὲν οὐκ ἔστιν ἐμός, πολλῷ 15 δὲ πολλῶν φοιτητῶν εὐνούστερος συναλγήσας τε ἡμῖν ἐν τοῖς χείροσι καὶ συνησθεὶς ἐπὶ τοῖς ἀμείνοσιν. οἶσθα δέ, ὅτι παρ’ ἡμῶν ἐξιόντι τὸν νεανίσκον ἐπιδείξας ἥξειν τε αὐτὸν ἔφην εἰς Φοινίκην αὐτίκα καὶ τῶν σῶν φίλων ἠξίουν ἔνα νο- μισθῆναι, σὺ δὲ ἔνευσας. ἥκει δὴ καὶ πλήρου τὰς ὑπο- σχέσεις παρόντα μὲν ἡδέως ὁρῶν, ἐκπέμπων δὲ μετὰ σῶν γραμμάτων. εἰ μὲν γὰρ ἦν Φοῖνιξ, ἔργον ἂν σὲ ἀπῃτοῦμεν· νῦν δέ, ἐκ γὰρ τῆς ὁμόρου χώρας ἁνήρ, αὐτὸς ἔργον ἀπαίτει τὸν χρηστὸν Ὑπάτιον ἐν ἐπιστολαῖς.