Letter 159: A fine set of rewards awaits governors, it seems -- if they are to wear themselves out, neglect their own interests...

To Modestus [praetorian prefect]. (359/60) Fine indeed are the prizes that await governors, if in fact they are to wear themselves out and make their own affairs the worse for attending to public business, while the recompense they receive is insult and condemnation and dishonor and dangers. For these things have now encircled Tryphonianus, a man who was in no way dishonored by you, and who has lived his life among us. For he was ready to set out for Chalcis, in order to compel the farmers there to do what was required; but as he stood at the starting-line a cloud surrounded him, raised up by the hands of Ursoualus [Ursulus]. For certain men, arriving from there, fell upon him and, entering boldly into the very place where he sleeps, demanded gold and shouted to him to pay down -- how much gold, do you suppose? And when no gold appeared, they set their seals everywhere, and there was a great uproar; and his wife was in a state of shock, and the infant nearly ran out of her womb before its time. We therefore are doing what lies within our own power -- we share our friend's distress; but you, with whom there is something more, share in grief along with us, but you alone bring aid, showing yourself kind and using your power. Let him know, first, that the favor consists in not taking the lodging [or: the resolution] in anger -- or rather, in transferring the anger so that it goes out against those who did not let go; and second, in the matter of the penalty that has been imposed. What we ask is not among things that flow away, for not even the things you do every day are among things that flow away, nor are they within the reach of every judgment, but of yours alone. Do not be surprised, then, if one who has long been teaching us that you are strong even in things that seem impossible should now demand from those who behold such deeds other deeds resembling them. But, having considered whence the condemnation came, and having found fault with the affair and with the magnitude of the penalty, and honoring us and helping a governor who is being driven utterly to ruin, do that which will bring you adornment, and to us good cheer, and to that man's people deliverance.

To Modestus (359/60) Fine rewards indeed await those who govern, if they are to wear themselves out and neglect their own affairs while tending to the public good, only to receive in return insult, condemnation, disgrace, and danger. For these are what now encircle Tryphonianus — a man whom you never treated with dishonor and who lived among us. He was prepared to set out for Chalcis to compel the farmers there to do their duty, but just as he stood at the starting line, a storm cloud raised by the hands of Ursualus engulfed him. For certain men came from that quarter and burst boldly into his bedchamber, demanding gold and shouting that he must pay — how much gold, do you think? When none was found, they put seals on everything, and there was a great uproar. His wife was thrown into a panic, and the child in her womb nearly came forth before its time. We, then, do what lies within our power: we grieve with our friend. But you, who have something more to give — grieve with us, yes, but also come to his aid alone, showing yourself a good man and putting your power to use. Let the first measure of your favor be this: not to take his remaining in office as cause for anger — or rather, to redirect that anger onto those who would not let him leave. The second: to lift the fine that has been imposed on him. What we ask is no trifling matter, nor indeed is what you accomplish every day a trifling matter — nor is it within the reach of just any man's judgment, but yours alone. Do not be surprised, then, if those of us who have long watched you teach us that you prevail even in impossible cases now demand of you further deeds to match those. Rather, consider whence this condemnation arose, condemn the injustice of the affair and the magnitude of the penalty, and — honoring us and coming to the rescue of a governor driven to utter ruin — do what will bring distinction to you, joy to us, and salvation to his family.

Μοδέστῳ. (359/60) Καλά γε περιμένει τοὺς ἄρχοντας τὰ ἆθλα, εἴγε ταλαι- πωρήσονται μὲν καὶ τὰ αὑτῶν χείρω ποιήσουσι τῶν κοινῶν ἐπιμελούμενοι, λήψονται δὲ ἀμοιβὰς ὕβριν καὶ καταδίκην καὶ ἀτιμίαν καὶ κινδύνους. ταῦτα γὰρ κεκύκλωκε νῦν τὸν ὑπὸ σοῦ μὲν οὐδὲν ἀτιμασθέντα, μεθ’ ἡμῶν δὲ βεβιωκότα Τρυφωνιανόν. ἦν μὲν γὰρ ἕτοιμος χωρεῖν ἐπὶ Χαλκίδος, ὅπως ἀναγκάζοι τὰ δέοντα ποιεῖν τοὺς αὐτόθι γεωργούς, ἑστηκότα δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς βαλβῖδος περιέσχε νέφος ἄρθεν ἐκ τῶν Οὐρσουάλου χειρῶν. προσπεσόντες γὰρ ἄνθρωποί τινες ἐκεῖθεν ἥκοντες καὶ θρασέως εἰσελθόντες οὗ καθεύδει χρυσόν τε ἐζήτουν καὶ καταβάλλειν ἐβόων πόσον, οἴει, χρυσόν; μὴ φαινομένου δὲ σήμαντρα πανταχοῦ, καὶ πολὺς ὁ θόρυβος, ἡ γυνὴ δὲ ἐν ἐκ- πλήξει καὶ τὸ βρέφος μικροῦ τῆς νηδύος οὐ κατὰ νόμον ἐξέ- δραμεν. ἡμεῖς μὲν οὖν οὗπέρ ἐσμεν κύριοι πληροῦμεν, συν- αχθόμεθα τῷ φίλῳ, σὺ δὲ παρ’ ᾧ τι πλέον μεθ’ ἡμῶν μὲν συνάλγησον, μόνος δὲ ἐπικούρησον χρηστός τε φαινόμενος καὶ τῇ δυνάμει χρώμενος. ἴστω δὲ πρῶτον μὲν τῆς χάριτος τὸ μὴ δι’ ὀργῆς λαβεῖν τὴν μονήν, μᾶλλον δὲ τὸ τὴν ὀργὴν ἐπὶ τοὺς οὐκ ἀφέντας ἐξελθεῖν μετενεγκεῖν· δεύτερον δὲ τὸ τὴν ἐπικειμένην ζημίαν. οὐκ ἔστι τῶν ῥεόντων ἃ ζητοῦμεν, οὐδὲ γὰρ ἃ πράττεις καθημέραν τῶν ῥεόντων ἐστίν, οὐδέ γε πάσης γνώμης, ἀλλὰ τῆς σῆς μόνης. μὴ οὖν θαυμάσῃς, εἰ πάλαι διδάσκων ἡμᾶς, ὡς κἀν τοῖς ἀμηχάνοις ἰσχύεις, ἀπαιτῇ παρὰ τῶν ἐκεῖνα ὁρώντων ἕτερα ἐκείνοις ἐοικότα. ἀλλ’ ἐννοήσας τε ὅθεν ἡ καταδίκη καὶ τὸ πρᾶγμα μεμψάμενος καὶ τὸ τῆς ζημίας μέγεθος καὶ τιμῶν ἡμᾶς καὶ βοηθῶν ἄρχοντι κατάκρας ἐλαυνομένῳ πρᾶξον, ὃ σοὶ μὲν οἴσει κόσμον ἡμῖν δὲ εὐθυμίαν, τοῖς δὲ ἐκείνου σωτηρίαν.