Resultados25 letters/passages
symmachus · c. 392 · score 0.02
Since our dear Sibidius returned to Rome and reported how badly my daughter is suffering physically, my own spirits have sunk as well. So I'm writing at once, anxiously asking, first, that she be helped back to health through medical care and avoiding whatever is harmful, and second, that a reliable report ease my worr …
symmachus · c. 372 · score 0.02
When I was surveying in writing the civil and military achievements of our lord Theodosius [Emperor Theodosius I, r. 379-395] -- I confess I touched on everything rather than doing justice to each -- I included his laws among the blessings of peace. I had known they had stripped the ancients of their claim to admiratio …
symmachus · c. 386 · score 0.02
Fortune often upsets the best-laid plans -- and that's exactly what happened to me. I'd planned to visit the Etruscan hot springs [in Tuscany] for my health but was held back by business in Rome. So I won't impose any delay on you. On the contrary, I urge and demand: hurry back to Rome and restore to us the joy of your …
symmachus · c. 370 · score 0.02
Is this really my luck — that everywhere I turn, there's something that needs rebuilding? Right now it's the restoration of the praetorium at Capua [the governor's residence] that's driving me into heavy expense. Part of it is falling apart from neglect; part was patched up so carelessly some time ago that it barely ho …
symmachus · c. 371 · score 0.02
Conflicting rumors slowed my journey. While I scouted safe routes and broke up the long distance with rest days, I finally reached Milan on the 24th of February, after a long detour through the territory of Ticinum [modern Pavia]. The emperor's gracious words have already soothed the weariness of my travels. I'm hopefu …
symmachus · c. 396 · score 0.02
We'd been away from the city only a few days when popular demand called us back for the theatrical games. Even now, though, I'm lingering at my suburban estate on the Via Ostiensis [road to Ostia], delaying my return a little so it doesn't look like I was waiting for the applause. If I'd followed your pious advice and …
symmachus · c. 391 · score 0.01
I wrote yesterday through my own man, struck with fear after you reported the bitter news about my daughter's health. I'm still in agony, waiting for a reply with no idea what to expect. I beg you: let me know what progress she's made toward recovery. I had resolved not to send you any news about current events, so tha …
symmachus · c. 374 · score 0.01
You used to recommend young lawyers to my tribunal when I presided over the courts. Now the roles are reversed, and I commend candidates for the bar to your instruction. You must follow my example in this: receive those I introduce with the same openness with which I always welcomed those you sent to me. I love devotee …
symmachus · c. 380 · score 0.01
Opportunities to send you greetings must be sought out when they're scarce and seized when they appear -- especially at a time when I'm worried about my daughter's health, which I believe has been further weakened by fasting. Put my fears to rest with news that she's improving. My own step is still unsteady, but if a r …
symmachus · c. 390 · score 0.01
Since a long exchange between us had fallen quiet, I could no longer put off the customary greeting. [The Latin manuscript tradition for this letter (Symmachus, Epistulae Book 7, Letter 54) is heavily corrupt or fragmentary. The above is a partial rendering based on the best available source.]
symmachus · c. 389 · score 0.01
You have confirmed my own longstanding judgment about the charm and amenity of the Formian coast [modern Formia, south of Rome]. What you praise, I have long admired. The climate is mild, the views are splendid, and the company -- when friends are present -- makes it perfect. I hope to visit again soon and to enjoy you …
symmachus · c. 389 · score 0.01
City business -- I have neither the time to learn about it nor the desire to write about it. My mind, occupied by bodily illness, can't spare attention for other people's affairs. One thing I do know: the reports of riots were lies. The rumors are so far from the truth that the prefecture has never been celebrated with …
symmachus · c. 387 · score 0.01
We tried to keep the crocodiles -- the ones displayed at the theater show -- alive for your visit. But they refused to eat, and after fifty days of fasting had wasted them away, they were finished off in the arena during the second round of games, in the usual style of staged combat. Two are still breathing, and we're …
symmachus · c. 367 · score 0.01
To Theodorus. How I fear that you will think I am flattering you! But this consulship of yours is such that it seems to have doubled my own. Now the height of my prayers has reached this point: that you may enjoy its title long and match the delay of your reward with length of life. For it is fitting that belated fulfi …
symmachus · c. 388 · score 0.01
On the third day before the Nones of October [October 5], I replied to your letter at first light. Given the distance that now separates us, you should have received it before midday. But as the letter delivered to me in the evening revealed, the slowness of the letter-carrier has delayed both my duty and your concern. …
symmachus · c. 390 · score 0.01
Good gods, how nothing is safe or certain for us mortals! You'd gone to Baiae to rest and recover. What evil eye cursed your planned retreat? So Paulina — our shared concern — had reached a dangerous point. Or is your fear for her so great that every minor ailment looks like mortal danger? Whatever the truth, I can eas …
symmachus · c. 371 · score 0.01
I count it a personal credit that you've announced your long-desired return. But I'm seriously worried that a shortage of housing might delay you — and I ask you to take what I'm about to say in good faith. I swear by the gods: the houses you asked about, one of which you requested, were already promised to guests some …
symmachus · c. 366 · score 0.01
Relax — take a break and enjoy your leisure. The honorable Antonius has informed me that the plan for the African delegation has stalled. This is confirmed by the fact that no recent letters from my friends have mentioned the matter. Is there anything else you need to know? In fact, I think this should have been the fi …
symmachus · c. 383 · score 0.01
As long as the rumors are still circulating and nothing is settled, stay calm and enjoy your leisure. If any news worth trusting comes my way, I won't hold back from passing it on -- or from giving you my advice. For now, take this one piece of counsel before the situation demands it: there is absolutely no way you can …
symmachus · c. 392 · score 0.01
To Longinianus. You previously deigned to embrace the friendship of my lord and son Flavianus, but now the time has come for you to show him proofs of true intimacy. For he has been summoned by the sacred letters of our lord Honorius, the most august emperor, to the office of the distinguished consul, and this will giv …
symmachus · c. 387 · score 0.01
It is true that rumor is swift, but I will not agree with the Mantuan poet [Virgil] beyond that point. He described Fame as a monster that grows by traveling -- I find that rumor often diminishes with distance, losing accuracy as it gains speed. Still, in your case the reports that have reached me are uniformly good, a …
symmachus · c. 392 · score 0.01
To Messala. You have always stood first in the brilliance of your life and learning, but now all good men share in the congratulation that a public honor has been bestowed upon you as well. I pray that you may enjoy the insignia of your office as you would wish, and that, advanced to the summit of glory, you may prove …
symmachus · c. 365 · score 0.01
I believe I've beaten the news to you — the report that you've been relieved not only of the honor but also of its burdens. If so, let me now be the one to confirm what you've long wished for. My health and my son's are solid, by the grace of God. As for you, may good health and a safe return attend you — our prayers a …
symmachus · c. 379 · score 0.01
Rumor had promised you'd be coming home to our shared city. I was already celebrating. But as the days passed and the report went cold, I realized my only consolation was to return to the habit of writing. So here is my greeting. I ask Your Excellency to give me your visit instead of a letter. There is, after all, a pa …
symmachus · c. 387 · score 0.01
I recently received a letter from Euscius reporting that our charioteers and some stage performers have been put aboard ship and sent to Campania, as I instructed. Please have your most reliable men go all the way to the coast at Salernum [modern Salerno] to meet them and escort them on to Naples -- or at least to trac …