Letter 712

LibaniusJulian of Antioch|c. 361 AD|libanius
diplomaticeducation booksfamine plaguehumorimperial politicswomen

However much I condemned that journey, fatiguing as it was , I no less, or rather more, condemned myself for returning so soon instead of going to the place appointed and there indulging my eyes the next morning at sun-rising, with the sight of his divine visage. And so unfortunate is the city that she could not afford me the least consolation. I style her unfortunate not on account of the dearth of provisions but because she has been and is adjudged wicked, invidious and ungrateful by him whose prudence surpasses his dominions, extensive as they are. While Alcimus was with me, I had one who would hear with indulgence my self-reproaches and my boasts of the distinction shown me by you. But after his departure, considering the ceiling as my only friend, I lookup up to it as I lay in my bed and said, "Now the emperor sent for me; now I entered and sat down (for that he allowed me); now I pleaded for the city, as I was permitted to intercede with him for those who had offended him. But he prevailed, so just was his charge and so powerful his elocution. And though I opposed him, I was neither disliked nor ejected." With this banquet I regale myself, and I entreat the gods, first that they will give you the superiority over your enemies, and secondly that they will render you as propitious to us as you were formerly. I have also a third petition which they have heard but I will not here mention. I ought not, however, even to have said that I will not mention it. For you are ingenious enough to conjecture this third article from my wishing to conceal what I wish. And, indeed, I apprehend that the contrary will be your choice. Now then pass the rivers; rush on the archers more impetuously than a torrent; and afterwards think on what you said you would think. But fail not to solace me in your absence as much as you can. I for my part will send letters to extort your answers from the midst of the battle, as I am convinced that you have a genius that can at once command an army, fight an enemy, and correspond with a friend. I am so inform that I am obliged to hear what I ought to see. Happy is Seleucus in this glorious sight, and in preferring the honour of serving such a prince to that which he derives from a good wife and a most beloved daughter! The journey is unknown. Perhaps it was to Mount Cassius (cf. the Misopogon, p. 282) where Jupiter had a temple, 15 miles (a day's journey) from Antioch, which, however, Julian performed several times during his residence in the city. For "from from there" says Ammianus (22.14) "at the second cock-crowing, is first seen the rising of the sun." Meaning Antioch, then afflicted with famine and exposed to the resentment of the emperor for disregarding his edict lowering the price of provisions and not abstaining from sarcasms on himself. This appears from the embassy that our author sent to Julian for the Antiochians, which is in the second volume of his works, p. 151, and also from his oration to the Antiochians de Imperatoris ira which, before unpublished, our learned Fabricius has inserted in his Bibliotheca Graeca, vol. 7, p 207. WOLFIUS. A native of Nicomedia and a man of learning, as appears from several letters addressed to him by Libanius. I should understand this of marriage, to which Julian was averse. WOLFIUS. The Persians. Mentioned above.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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