Resultados25 letters/passages
synesius_cyrene · c. 411 · score 0.02
… gn to have him excommunicated and removed. It is addressed to Anastasius at the imperial court in Constantinople, in hopes that the central government will finally intervene. The letter reveals the desperate situation of a provincial bishop in a collapsing frontier zone — caught between barbarian raiders from outside, …
synesius_cyrene · c. 408 · score 0.02
To Pylaemenes. You are quite right to return to the capital. Even if good fortune had attended you in the mountains of Isauria, good fortune becomes unfortunate when it comes in the wrong place. Besides, I have a personal reason to want you prospering at court: as long as I have a friend near the throne, I have hope th …
synesius_cyrene · c. 399 · score 0.02
Against Andronicus [Letter 57]. [This is not a letter but a formal episcopal decree — the longest document in Synesius's correspondence. It is a devastating indictment of Andronicus, a corrupt governor of Pentapolis.] The malevolent forces in the universe fulfill the designs of Providence insofar as they punish the des …
synesius_cyrene · c. 409 · score 0.02
To Domitian the jurist. Righteous causes always need allies, and those who come to their rescue may count themselves fortunate — since they share in the merit of the cause they defend. Here is an opportunity to add to your already considerable store of merit. Act on it.
synesius_cyrene · c. 411 · score 0.02
To Theophilus. I act on your instructions because it is my desire — and a divine necessity compels me — to treat as law whatever your sacred throne ordains. For that reason, I forced my sick body into action, traveled through hostile territory as though it were safe, and arrived at Palaebisca and Hydrax — two villages …
synesius_cyrene · c. 413 · score 0.02
To the Philosopher [Hypatia]. I have produced two books this year. One was inspired by God himself; the other was provoked by the slander of men. Some of those who wear the white or dark robes [perhaps monks or philosophers of different schools] have attacked my work, and I felt compelled to respond. I am sending both …
synesius_cyrene · c. 410 · score 0.01
To the Elders. I was not strong enough, for all my resistance, to refuse the bishopric — despite everything I tried. But it was not your will that overcame me. It was a divine force that caused the delay then and has brought about my acceptance now. I would rather have died many times over than take on this religious o …
synesius_cyrene · c. 407 · score 0.01
To Troilus. If you have heard of the late Maximinianus — he spent a great deal of time at court — you are certainly aware that he was an honorable man. His son is my second cousin, and he will deliver this letter to you. Many others might defer to you out of self-interest, but I trust you for a better reason: your char …
synesius_cyrene · c. 411 · score 0.01
To Archbishop Theophilus. Most holy and wise prelate — may you enjoy a long and comfortable old age! The continuation of your life is a great blessing to us in many ways, but the greatest contribution to Christian teaching is this growing series of Paschal letters, which expands with each passing year. The one you sent …
synesius_cyrene · c. 403 · score 0.01
To Heliodorus. The power of love's spell only grows stronger in me as I age. The same is true for you — but if your countless responsibilities are such an obstacle that you can never spare a moment to honor with a letter those who deserve one, if you cannot snatch even a brief interval from affairs of state to write — …
synesius_cyrene · c. 409 · score 0.01
To Simplicius. When you asked Cerialis to bring me your congratulations, you did him an unintended favor — you kept me ignorant for five days of what a contemptible man he is. Our cities had some hope for anyone Simplicius deemed worth knowing. But he quickly disgraced not you — may your reputation never depend on any …
synesius_cyrene · c. 402 · score 0.01
To Pylaemenes. Here at last is that Anastasius [one of my dearest friends and an important courtier in Constantinople, tutor to the children of Emperor Arcadius] about whom I have spoken so often. If I were introducing you to him, I would praise you exactly as I am now praising him. You are both neighbors in my heart a …
synesius_cyrene · c. 412 · score 0.01
To Herculian. One of my slaves has run away. He is not one of those I inherited or who grew up with me — all those have received a free man's education. This one I bought recently, and he was unsuited to household service from the start. He is somewhere in your region. If he turns up, hold him until I can arrange to ha …
synesius_cyrene · c. 402 · score 0.01
To Anastasius [one of Synesius's closest friends and an important courtier in Constantinople, tutor to the children of Emperor Arcadius]. Some god or argument or spirit has persuaded Sosenas that certain places attract or repel divine blessings. Since things have not gone well for him in our part of the world, he has c …
synesius_cyrene · c. 409 · score 0.01
To my Brother. "Beware the asp and the toad, the snake and the Laodiceans. Beware the mad dog too — and again the Laodiceans." After the most cultured and amiable Pentadius, it is a Laodicean — Euthalius — who has obtained the governorship of Egypt. You know the youth: if I am not mistaken, he entered service around th …
synesius_cyrene · c. 409 · score 0.01
To Constans. If you hold the virtue of philosophy in esteem, you will honor it not only in the living but also in the dead. The divine Amyntianus, once among us for a time, has passed on to a better lot — absent in appearance, but I think still present in spirit. A close relative of his, his own kinsman, now needs your …
synesius_cyrene · c. 412 · score 0.01
To Joannes [a mutual friend who, after illness left him unfit for military service, entered a monastery]. I think you are a happier man than anyone could imagine. You have escaped the world's turmoil and found a harbor of peace. The monastic life suits you — not because you are weak, but because you are wise enough to …
synesius_cyrene · c. 413 · score 0.01
To the Philosopher [Hypatia]. Even if Fortune cannot take everything from me, she clearly wants to take everything she can. She has "bereft me of many excellent sons" [Homer, Iliad 22.44]. But she can never take from me the choice of what is best — and the best is you, and the friendship I share with you. I am sending …
synesius_cyrene · c. 410 · score 0.01
To Athanasius. Odysseus tried to persuade Polyphemus to let him out of the cave. "I am a wizard," he said. "I can help you win the heart of the sea-nymph you have been courting without success. I know enchantments and love spells that not even Galatea can resist. Just move this door — or rather this boulder, which look …
synesius_cyrene · c. 408 · score 0.01
To Olympius. I have neglected my duty to pay tribute, but what could I do? Not one of the Greeks settled in Libya is willing to send merchant ships to your waters. At the same time, I release you from your contribution — we are even. [The letter continues with reflections on the good life, the exchange of goods between …
synesius_cyrene · c. 407 · score 0.01
To Trypho. Whatever you did for Diogenes — and I know you are capable of doing much — will be nothing new. You will simply be adding another good deed to the long list of those you have already accomplished. He is from Cyrene, and that city owes its continued existence to you. Help him now, as you have helped our homel …
synesius_cyrene · c. 394 · score 0.01
To a Friend. I have hired a ship for you with a crew of capable sailors — men who trust skill more than luck in navigation. These Carpathian vessels [from the island of Carpathos] have a reputation for almost being intelligent, like the legendary ships of the Phaeacians [in Homer's Odyssey, which could navigate themsel …
synesius_cyrene · c. 411 · score 0.01
To an unknown correspondent [perhaps Olympius]. Your wise letter has arrived — so tasteful and so brief, yet so eloquent. It is the offspring of a noble mind. The olive oil you requested is being sent with this reply. May it season your food as agreeably as your words have seasoned my day.
synesius_cyrene · c. 412 · score 0.01
To Herculian. Phoebammon, who will give you this letter, is an honest man, a friend of mine, and a victim of injustice. For every reason, then, you are justified in helping him — for the sake of our friendship, for the sake of justice, and for the sake of a good man who deserves better than what he has received.
synesius_cyrene · c. 411 · score 0.01
To Troilus. Even if neither the people of Cyrene nor the neighboring towns give you the gratitude you deserve for the fact that the great Anastasius writes to them through your efforts — God's grace will be with you regardless, since you have played your part in forwarding good works. Be happy, most excellent of philos …