Letter 2070: Just as I cannot remain silent whenever an occasion invites my pen, so too, when there is no subject for a longer...

From: Quintus Aurelius Symmachus To: [Unnamed correspondent] Date: ~396 AD Context: A brief letter explaining that without a particular reason to write at length, a short greeting must suffice. Just as I cannot remain silent whenever an occasion invites my pen, so too, when there is no subject for a longer letter, I must make do with a brief greeting. Do not judge the warmth of my feelings by the length of this letter. I write today only to assure you that all is well and that I think of you as always.

Vt silere non possum, quotiens stilum invitat occasio, ita si desit causa longioris adloquii, seriem paginae stringo conpendio. loqnax enim copia est, quae in re usi- tata atque sollemni verbomm rednndat eluvie. have igitur dico et vicissim peto, ut me prosperorum tuorum indicio munereris. tai ego \9 om. F ^ ^8 haue] banc {^0) 64 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE LXX (LXVIin) ante a. 395.