Julian the Apostate→Eustathius Philosopher|julian emperor
education booksgrief deathillness
To Eustathius.
"Entreat kindly the guest in your house, but speed him when he would be going" [Homer, Odyssey 15.74]. So decreed wise Homer. But the friendship between us two is stronger than that between guest and host, because it is founded on the best education and on our shared devotion to the gods. No one could fairly have accused me of breaking Homer's rule if I had insisted you stay longer.
But I see that your frail health needs more care than my company can provide, so I have given you permission to go home. Travel by whatever conveyance you prefer — the imperial post is at your disposal. May the gods preserve you in health and bring you back to us soon.
To Eustathius 2
[362, Antioch]
"Entreat kindly the guest in your house, but speed him when he would be gone." 3
Thus did wise Homer decree. But the friendship that exists between us two is stronger than that between guest and host, because it is inspired by the best education attainable and by our pious devotion to the gods. So that no one could have fairly indicted me for transgressing the law of Homer if
I had insisted that you should remain still longer with us. But I see that your feeble frame needs more care, and I have therefore given you permission to go to your own country,1 and have provided for your comfort on the journey. That is to say, you are allowed to use a state carriage, and may Asclepius and all the gods escort you on your way and grant that we may see you again!2
2 Hertlein, following an error in the editions of Martin and
Estienne, makes Julian address this letter to Maximus. For the answer of Eustathius see p. 291.
3 Odyssey 15. 74; this had become a proverb, cf. Libanius, Letter 130.
1 Cappadocia.
2 The premature death of Julian prevented the fulfilment of this wish.
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To Eustathius.
"Entreat kindly the guest in your house, but speed him when he would be going" [Homer, Odyssey 15.74]. So decreed wise Homer. But the friendship between us two is stronger than that between guest and host, because it is founded on the best education and on our shared devotion to the gods. No one could fairly have accused me of breaking Homer's rule if I had insisted you stay longer.
But I see that your frail health needs more care than my company can provide, so I have given you permission to go home. Travel by whatever conveyance you prefer — the imperial post is at your disposal. May the gods preserve you in health and bring you back to us soon.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.