Quintus Aurelius Symmachus → destinatário desconhecido
Tradução moderna em inglês
I took Aurelianus — my protege, who now commands the urban cohorts — into my circle of friends at your suggestion. So I could hardly refuse him a letter of recommendation that he first earned through you.
And it shouldn't feel like a burden, since you're the one who started it. The young man's petition arises from his father-in-law's misfortune: he's not defending what the man did, but asking that his fall be cushioned.
Do as you always do — look at the petitioner's character. And if the case falls short of strict justice, make allowance for family devotion. Farewell.
Texto latino / grego
Anrelianum filinm meum, qni nnnc cohortes urbanas gnbemat, in amicitiam te iubente suscepi. unde factnm est , ut ei commendationem , quam prius de te memit, s non negarem. neque enim tibi videtnr oneri fore, quod ipse fecisti. petitio autem pudentissimi iuvenis de infortunio soceri sui nata est, cuius iste non factum tuetur, sed lapsum desiderat sublevari. facito, quod soles, rogantis intuitu, et si quid negotio iustitiae deest, remitte pietati. . vale. XV ante a. 395.