Letter 271: Philastrius, a kinsman of Proaeresius -- the man who benefits the whole world through his eloquence -- is active in...

To Maximus. (361?) Philastrius, a kinsman of Proaeresius -- the man who benefits the whole world through his eloquence -- is active in public life at Cucusus. I would like him to enjoy your goodwill, both because he is a good man and so that you may be seen honoring the man who has bronze statues standing in both Rome and Athens [Proaeresius, the famous Armenian-born sophist]. The same act will bring some honor to me as the one who made the request. You will appear to be doing a favor for the man who did not even write, while having listened to me who did.

Μαξίμῳ. (361?) Τοῦ τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐκ λόγων εὖ ποιοῦντος Προαιρε- σίου συγγενὴς ἐν Κουκουσῷ Φιλάστριος πολιτεύεται. τοῦτον καὶ ὡς ἄνδρα ἀγαθὸν βουλοίμην ἂν τῆς παρὰ σοῦ τυγχάνειν εὐνοίας καὶ ὅπως φαίνοιο τιμῶν τὸν χαλκοῦν μὲν ἐν Ῥώμῃ, χαλκοῦν δὲ Ἀθήνησιν ἑστηκότα. τὸ δὲ αὐτὸ καὶ ἐμοί τινα τιμὴν οἴσει τῷ παρακεκληκότι καὶ δόξεις τῷ μὲν οὐδὲ γράψαντι χαρίζεσθαι, γράψαντι δὲ ἐμοὶ προσεσχηκέναι.