Letter 2009: Both my respect for you and my sense of duty would make any occasion for writing worth seizing — let alone one as...
Both my respect for you and my sense of duty would make any occasion for writing worth seizing — let alone one as good as this, presented by a fellow citizen. You'll recognize him: a man from the seven hills [i.e., Rome], known at home for the distinction of his family and abroad for his years of military service.
There's no need for me to say much on his behalf. Recommendations are meant for strangers; for him, it's enough to win your favor that he's both a Roman and a friend.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
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This letter contains multiple sections interspersed with critical apparatus.
(Shortly after the events described above, Basil determined to strengthen his own hands by creating a number of new Bishoprics in the disputed Province, to one of which, Sasima, he consecrated Gregory, very much against the will of the latter, who felt that he had been hardly used, and did not attempt to disguise his reluctance. See Gen. Prolegg.