To Clearchus. (~361 AD)
This Julian is a possession worthy of you: first in Greek, first in the language of the rulers [Latin], steeped in law, formidable in speech, a friend without guile, one who knows what it means to be wounded while defending a friend. Such is the grace of his learning that he can capture as many people as he wishes — for however many hear him speak, that many he has won over.
Anyone who cares to may judge the man by this single fact: the person whom I consider the finest under the sun — and so does everyone who is not shamelessly contentious — you would find counts it a gain to live at Julian's side. Indeed, Salutius [praetorian prefect of the East] has made Julian his traveling companion, knowing that every hardship will be smoothed if he has this man at hand.
Olympius too would have written you the same things about the man as I have, and would have praised the efforts you make on his behalf, had he not been away in Apamea watching the Olympic games.
This Julian is a possession worthy of you: first in Greek, first in the language of the rulers [Latin], steeped in law, formidable in speech, a friend without guile, one who knows what it means to be wounded while defending a friend. Such is the grace of his learning that he can capture as many people as he wishes — for however many hear him speak, that many he has won over.
Anyone who cares to may judge the man by this single fact: the person whom I consider the finest under the sun — and so does everyone who is not shamelessly contentious — you would find counts it a gain to live at Julian's side. Indeed, Salutius [praetorian prefect of the East] has made Julian his traveling companion, knowing that every hardship will be smoothed if he has this man at hand.
Olympius too would have written you the same things about the man as I have, and would have praised the efforts you make on his behalf, had he not been away in Apamea watching the Olympic games.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.