Letter 83

From: Libanius, rhetorician in Antioch To: Domnion Date: ~359 AD Context: A brief, warm note about a former student turned lawyer -- a success story that reflects well on both teacher and student. Your student Silvanus has been enrolled among the advocates [barristers at the imperial court], with Modestus receiving him very graciously. He'll demonstrate his knowledge of the law when he argues his cases; his virtue of character he has already shown us for some time. It seems to me that in this respect too he has proven himself your student, having absorbed no small share of those qualities that earn you more praise than your knowledge of the law itself. And since he loves you, as is natural for a student, he loves me too -- knowing that in doing so he pleases you.

**To Domnio** (359) Silvanus, your pupil, has been enrolled among the advocates, Modestus having received him with great kindness. His knowledge of the law he will demonstrate when he pleads in court, but the excellence of his character he has long since made plain to us. And it seems to me that in this respect too he has proven himself your pupil, having acquired no small share of your own character — for which you are praised more than for your knowledge of the law. And since he loves you, as one naturally loves a teacher, he loves me as well, knowing that in this way he gratifies you.

Δομνίωνι. (359) Σιλβανὸς ὁ μαθητής σου τοῖς συνηγόροις ἐγγέγραπται μάλα ἡμέρως αὐτὸν προσεμένου Μοδέστου. τὴν μὲν οὖν τῶν νόμων ἐπιστήμην, ὅταν ἀγωνίζηται, δείξει, τὴν δὲ τῶν τρό- πων ἀρετὴν πάλαι δεδήλωκεν ἡμῖν. καί μοι δοκεῖ καὶ κατὰ τοῦτο μαθητής σου γεγονέναι τῶν σῶν οὐκ ὀλίγον μεταλαβὼν τρόπων, δι’ οὓς ἐπαινῇ πλέον ἢ τοὺς νόμους. φιλῶν δὲ σέ, ὥσπερ εἰκὸς διδάσκαλον, ἐμὲ φιλεῖ διότι σοι ταύτῃ χαρι- ζόμενος οἶδεν.