Letter 29: The sufferings of the people of Carthage would demand — and in their magnitude might exceed — the full power of...

To Apellion. The sufferings of the people of Carthage would demand — and in their magnitude might exceed — the full power of tragic language, even of an Aeschylus or a Sophocles. Carthage was in the old days taken by the Romans only after tremendous effort. Time and again she contended with Rome for mastery of the world and brought Rome to the brink of destruction. Now that same city has been destroyed as a casual byplay of barbarians. Men of dignity — once distinguished members of her famous senate — now wander the whole world, living on the generosity of strangers, moving all who see them to tears, teaching everyone who beholds them the uncertainty and instability of the human lot. I have seen many who have come from there, and I feel afraid; for I do not know, as Scripture says, what tomorrow will bring. None of them have I admired more than the excellent and most honorable Celestinianus, so bravely does he bear his misfortune, turning the loss of everything he had into an occasion for philosophy — praising the Governor of all, and holding to be good whatever God either decrees or permits to happen. He travels with his wife and children, and I ask your Excellency to receive him with the hospitality of Abraham. With full confidence in your generosity I have ventured to introduce him to you, and I am telling him how open your hand is to those in need.

Letter 29