Letter 38

To Porphyrius. The library of George [the Arian Bishop of Alexandria, lynched by a pagan mob in 361] was very large and comprehensive — it contained philosophers of every school, many historians, and especially numerous works of every kind by the Galileans [Christians]. Search for the entire library without exception and take care to send it to Antioch. Be warned: you will incur the severest penalty if you do not track it down with complete diligence. Use every kind of inquiry, every kind of sworn testimony, and if necessary, torture the slaves to compel anyone suspected of stealing any of the books to produce them all. [Julian was an insatiable bibliophile. This letter probably followed up an earlier order to the prefect Ecdicius that had not yet produced the books.]

Julian the Apostate to Porphyrius 4 [362, after the middle of July. Antioch] The library of George was very large and complete and contained philosophers of every school and many historians, especially, among these, numerous books of all kinds by the Galilaeans. Do you therefore make a thorough search for the whole library without exception and take care to send it to Antioch. You may be sure that you will yourself incur the severest penalty if you do not trace it with all diligence, and do not by every kind of enquiry, by every kind of sworn testimony and, further, by torture of the slaves, compel, if you cannot persuade, those who are in any way suspected of having stolen any of the books to bring them all forth. Farewell.1 4 Perhaps this is George's secretary mentioned in the Letter to Ecdicius, p. 73. Geffcken thinks this letter was a Christian forgery because it seems to ignore the earlier order to Ecdicius. Probably the books had not arrived, and Julian became impatient. 1 Cumont thinks that a scribe added this inappropriate greeting.