Letter 9

From: Libanius, rhetorician in Antioch To: Araxius, provincial governor Date: ~356 AD Context: A witty complaint about a friend who stopped writing after his promotion -- with an affectionate sting in the tail. When you were governing Palestine, you didn't neglect to write. Now that you govern many provinces, you've forgotten how. When you were far away, you remembered your friends; now that you're nearby, you forget them. What will you become, then, when you've gained still more power and can see your acquaintances face to face? Isn't it obvious that you'll pile on outright contempt, if your laziness grows in proportion to your promotions? Still, I'd rather see you raised to even higher office -- even if, once you got hold of me, you gave me a beating.

**To Araxius** (356 or 353/54?) When you were governing Palestine, you did not neglect to write. Now that you govern many provinces, you have forgotten to write. When you were far away, you remembered your friends; now that you are near, you forget them. What, then, will you become when you have gained still greater power and can see your acquaintances face to face? Is it not plain that you will add outright contempt, if your indolence advances in proportion to your promotions? Still, I would rather see you raised to yet higher honor — even if, once you had me in your grasp, you gave me a flogging.

Ἀραξίῳ. (356 vel 353/54?) Τῆς Παλαιστίνης ἄρχων οὐκ ἠμέλεις τοῦ γράφειν· νῦν πολλῶν ἄρχων ἐθνῶν ἐπελάθου τοῦ γράφειν. καὶ μακρὰν μὲν ὢν ἐμνημόνευσας τῶν φίλων, ἐγγὺς δὲ καταστὰς ἀμνημονεῖς. τίς ποτε οὖν ἔσῃ προσλαβὼν ἐξουσίαν καὶ τοὺς γνωρίμους ὁρῶν; ἡ δῆλον ὡς καὶ τὸ καταμελεῖν ἐπιθήσεις, εἴπερ κατὰ λόγον τῶν γεγενημένων <ἡ> ῥᾳθυμία χωροίη; ἀlλ’ ὅμως ἡμεῖς βουλοίμεθ’ ἄν σε τιμιώτερον ἰδεῖν, εἰ καὶ μαστιγώσαις λαβών.