Letter 534

LibaniusOlympius|libanius

To Olympius.

I wrote to you before urging you not to dishonor your homeland, and I urge the same now: admire Rome, but live in your own city. A place is ready for you here, along with a chorus of young students and an honorary decree -- everything is prepared.

My affairs need your voice. If our associates are to prevail in the courts -- and that is impossible against the other tongue [Latin, the language of Roman law courts, versus the Greek rhetoric Libanius taught] -- how can you not be here to help tend the flock?

Come, my good friend, become a teacher at last, since you were such an excellent student. Come in person, and bring your books.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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