Letter 5022: We ought to help our friends when they ask for what's just — especially our friend Alexander, whom we approve in...

We ought to be of service to our friends when they desire what is just, and above all to our brother Alexander, whom we approve by our judgment and embrace with affection. Although you may know that he is not moved by any longing for honors, our shared sense of propriety nevertheless does not allow him to be without a testimonial of his military service, since our lord Valentinianus Augustus of his own accord conferred upon him the rank of tribune and notary before the tyrant's invasion. I ask, therefore, that with your help he may earn the privilege of a sacred testimonial. For it is an easy thing that, under so devout a governor of the commonwealth, human kindness should overcome the misfortunes of the men of this age. [...]

Amicis nostris iusta cupientibus usui esse debemus, praecipue fratri nostro Alexan- dro, quem iudicio probamus et amore conplectimur. hunc licet noveris honorum de- t.^ siderio non moveri, communis tamen verecundia non sinit testimonio carere militiae, cum illi tribuni ac notarii dignitatem d. n. Valentinianus Augustus ante inruptionem tyrannicam sponte detulerit. quaeso igitur, ut praerogativam sacri testimonii te adni- tente mereatur. facile est enim, ut sub tam pio gubematore rei p. infortunia homi- num saeculi vincat humanitas. 20 XXXX (XXX VIU).