From: Libanius, rhetorician in Antioch
To: Domninus, law teacher
Date: ~359 AD
Context: A recommendation for a student leaving rhetoric for law school -- a common career path in the late Roman world.
Paeonius has decided to take up the study of law as well. I didn't try to stop him, and I showed him where the best legal training could be found. I owed him that much as a reward for his good character -- he never caused me the slightest trouble, and brought me much joy, both small and great.
I consider myself honored, too, by the fact that he shared his plans with me before leaving -- unlike those who tried to sneak away, committing a kind of offense in their fear that I'd try to stop them if they told me first. But Paeonius, wanting to be worthy of both his father and his grandfather, recognized my nature, revealed what he intended to do, and was honored with this letter.
You must treat the young man not merely as a student but as a friend, and show everyone around you that Paeonius has something extra in your regard.
**To Domninus** (359/60)
Paeonius has decided to take up the study of law as well, and I neither prevented him nor concealed from him where the laws may be learned. For indeed I owed him this reward for his good character, through which he caused me neither small nor great distress, but brought me much joy, both in small matters and in greater ones.
I believe he has also honored me in this: that he shared his intention with me before departing. For those who have attempted to slip away in secret committed an impiety by fearing that we would stand in their way if they told us in advance. But this young man, wishing to prove himself worthy of both his father and his grandfather, and having come to understand my nature, disclosed what he would do and has been graced with this letter of recommendation.
You must regard the young man not merely as a student but as a friend, and make clear to all those around you that Paeonius holds a special place in your regard.
Context:A recommendation for a student leaving rhetoric for law school -- a common career path in the late Roman world.
Paeonius has decided to take up the study of law as well. I didn't try to stop him, and I showed him where the best legal training could be found. I owed him that much as a reward for his good character -- he never caused me the slightest trouble, and brought me much joy, both small and great.
I consider myself honored, too, by the fact that he shared his plans with me before leaving -- unlike those who tried to sneak away, committing a kind of offense in their fear that I'd try to stop them if they told me first. But Paeonius, wanting to be worthy of both his father and his grandfather, recognized my nature, revealed what he intended to do, and was honored with this letter.
You must treat the young man not merely as a student but as a friend, and show everyone around you that Paeonius has something extra in your regard.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.