Libanius→Themistius, philosopher in Constantinople|libanius
From: Libanius, rhetorician in Antioch
To: Themistius, philosopher in Constantinople
Date: ~359 AD
Context: A letter about Celsus, who wants to move to Constantinople to be near the great philosopher -- and Libanius's mixed feelings about losing a close friend.
It seems you fill the senate [of Constantinople] with new members not only through your own efforts but even in your sleep -- like a fisherman's net that works on its own. Celsus, the best man among us here and worthy of second place only to you there, has of his own accord joined that fine assembly.
We did everything we could to keep him involved in affairs here. But he kept saying he was pursuing a city that Themistius had praised. I see through his ruse. While other men rush to the Bosporus because they long for its fish, Celsus doesn't care about any governorship -- he simply believes that if he becomes your fellow citizen, he'll get to live alongside you. And that means living in philosophy, which he tasted in good measure at Sicyon [where Themistius apparently once taught] and now expects to taste even more at your side.
For my part, things will go worse for me without the ally who used to rush to my defense. The man to whom I could unburden my troubles and feel lighter -- I'll grieve at not having him near. But let something good come to Celsus, and let my affairs go however they will. His success will be consolation enough for my losses.
For now, his mother and I and many others are holding him back, since it's still possible to give us the gift of his company before winter.
**To Themistius** (359)
So it seems you fill the senate with senators not only through your own exertions, but even while you sleep the net fills itself. For Celsus, the finest man among us here and deserving to be called second only to you among those there, comes of his own accord—a good man to a good council.
Every effort has been made on our part to have the man take charge of affairs here. But he kept saying he was pursuing a post that Themistius had praised. And I am not unaware of the real motive. For while others rush to Constantinople out of longing for the "fishy Bosporus," he cares nothing for the office itself—he simply believes that if he becomes a citizen of your city, he will live in your company. And that means living in wisdom, of which he had no small share at Sicyon and now expects to enjoy still more at your side.
For my part, then, my situation will be the worse for the absence of the man who came to my aid, and I shall grieve at not having near me the one to whom I used to pour out my troubles and so find relief. But let something good come to Celsus, and let my own affairs go however they will. After all, from his good fortune there will be some consolation for my sorrows.
For now, his mother and I and many others are keeping him here, since it is possible for him to do us this kindness before winter and still come to you in time. But this letter about him has gone ahead of him, and upon receiving it you will do what you customarily do—seeing to it that the expense is kept reasonable. For it seemed to us more graceful for him to arrive as one who has already been enrolled as a citizen rather than as one who is yet to become one.
Context:A letter about Celsus, who wants to move to Constantinople to be near the great philosopher -- and Libanius's mixed feelings about losing a close friend.
It seems you fill the senate [of Constantinople] with new members not only through your own efforts but even in your sleep -- like a fisherman's net that works on its own. Celsus, the best man among us here and worthy of second place only to you there, has of his own accord joined that fine assembly.
We did everything we could to keep him involved in affairs here. But he kept saying he was pursuing a city that Themistius had praised. I see through his ruse. While other men rush to the Bosporus because they long for its fish, Celsus doesn't care about any governorship -- he simply believes that if he becomes your fellow citizen, he'll get to live alongside you. And that means living in philosophy, which he tasted in good measure at Sicyon [where Themistius apparently once taught] and now expects to taste even more at your side.
For my part, things will go worse for me without the ally who used to rush to my defense. The man to whom I could unburden my troubles and feel lighter -- I'll grieve at not having him near. But let something good come to Celsus, and let my affairs go however they will. His success will be consolation enough for my losses.
For now, his mother and I and many others are holding him back, since it's still possible to give us the gift of his company before winter.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.