To Clearchus. (359)
It seems we will always have trouble springing from Severus's character, and you will never be free of my letters on this subject. The man is a regular Hydra [the mythological monster]: cut off one head and he fights back with another; defeat that one and you will meet a third.
I believe he would even instruct his heirs on his deathbed to keep after Cleobulus, and they would not lack for funds. Even now, while Alexander [probably a legal agent] raises the hue and cry, it is Severus pulling the strings -- one man stitched the shoe, another is wearing it.
We would need the riches of Gyges [a legendary king of fabulous wealth] to satisfy everyone who wants to take something. There will always be another claimant: today Alexander makes his demand; tomorrow Antipater will come looking, and Parmenion after him. As for Cleobulus the teacher, he has just enough to keep him from doing anything shameful, but not enough to bear unjust penalties lightly.
So remind Severus, who has forgotten what he agreed with us, of his agreements -- and show him the prison at the same time, which he would richly deserve to inhabit if he does not keep his word.
**To Clearchus** (359 AD)
It seems that troubles are forever springing up for us from the behavior of Severus, and you will never be free of letters from us on this subject. For the man is quite simply a Hydra — cut off one head and you fight another, and should you prevail over that one, you will meet a third.
I believe that even on his deathbed he would urge his heirs to remember Cleobulus, assuring them they would never lack for money. For even now it is Alexander who raises the outcry, but it is Severus who set him in motion — one man stitched the shoe, but another put it on.
We would need the wealth of Gyges if we were to pay off every man who wants his share. For there will always be someone willing, and now it is Alexander who demands payment, but a little later Antipater will come seeking, and Parmenio after him. As for the teacher Cleobulus, he possesses just enough that nothing compels him to any base action, yet not enough to bear unjust losses lightly.
So remind Severus — who has conveniently forgotten the terms he agreed to with us — of his commitments, and show him the prison he would rightly inhabit if he does not abide by his agreements. For it would be absurd if people here have been persuaded by us that Clearchus possesses both the judgment to honor justice and the strength to enforce it, only for you then to neglect friends who have been wronged — summoned like Heracles as an ally, only to prove a defense made of fig wood.
It seems we will always have trouble springing from Severus's character, and you will never be free of my letters on this subject. The man is a regular Hydra [the mythological monster]: cut off one head and he fights back with another; defeat that one and you will meet a third.
I believe he would even instruct his heirs on his deathbed to keep after Cleobulus, and they would not lack for funds. Even now, while Alexander [probably a legal agent] raises the hue and cry, it is Severus pulling the strings -- one man stitched the shoe, another is wearing it.
We would need the riches of Gyges [a legendary king of fabulous wealth] to satisfy everyone who wants to take something. There will always be another claimant: today Alexander makes his demand; tomorrow Antipater will come looking, and Parmenion after him. As for Cleobulus the teacher, he has just enough to keep him from doing anything shameful, but not enough to bear unjust penalties lightly.
So remind Severus, who has forgotten what he agreed with us, of his agreements -- and show him the prison at the same time, which he would richly deserve to inhabit if he does not keep his word.
AI-assisted translation — This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.