Letter 10037: I remain, despite everything, convinced that the way of life we have built — the culture, the friendship, the...

You alone of all men are able, our lords and emperors [the three reigning Augusti], to rescue the expenditures of the eternal City from a failure of funds; for the powers that are subordinate to your majesty have strength enough to bring a remedy only to lesser matters, but they are overwhelmed by the burden of great affairs. To you, therefore, as to saving divinities, we hasten, and we implore generous relief for the treasury of the Roman people, since for a long time now the assigned province has contributed nothing [...] of the customary revenues; and for that reason the fear is justified that, with the subsidies failing, the necessities may be abandoned which up to now persons of slender means have, as they complain, sustained on borrowed money. On this matter the venerable order [the Senate] too, having been consulted, since by itself it could not remedy the afflicted situation, has prayed for the help of your perpetuity. An account has been drawn up of the revenues which the Spanish and the Alexandrian supply-shipments were obliged to bring in; the staff's care has also set out the proper headings of the expenditures: I ask that, once all the connected matters have been examined with goodwill, you may apply a swift remedy for the public benefit. For with the causes pressing, the customary contribution of the outlay cannot be refused. Therefore bring, as you are accustomed, your gracious aid; and you who in your pious minds confer new benefactions upon the Roman people, preserve also the ancient ones, and deign to grant to your City both what past omission has left in suspense and what future use awaits.