Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Apellion|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
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To Apellion.
The sufferings of the people of Carthage would demand — and in their magnitude might exceed — the full power of tragic language, even of an Aeschylus or a Sophocles. Carthage was in the old days taken by the Romans only after tremendous effort. Time and again she contended with Rome for mastery of the world and brought Rome to the brink of destruction. Now that same city has been destroyed as a casual byplay of barbarians.
Men of dignity — once distinguished members of her famous senate — now wander the whole world, living on the generosity of strangers, moving all who see them to tears, teaching everyone who beholds them the uncertainty and instability of the human lot. I have seen many who have come from there, and I feel afraid; for I do not know, as Scripture says, what tomorrow will bring.
None of them have I admired more than the excellent and most honorable Celestinianus, so bravely does he bear his misfortune, turning the loss of everything he had into an occasion for philosophy — praising the Governor of all, and holding to be good whatever God either decrees or permits to happen. He travels with his wife and children, and I ask your Excellency to receive him with the hospitality of Abraham. With full confidence in your generosity I have ventured to introduce him to you, and I am telling him how open your hand is to those in need.
Letter 29
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To Apellion.
The sufferings of the Carthaginians would demand, and, in their greatness, perhaps out-task, the power of the tragic language of an Æschylus or a Sophocles. Carthage of old was with difficulty taken by the Romans. Again and again she contended with Rome for the mastery of the world, and brought Rome within danger of destruction. Now the ruin has been the mere byplay of barbarians. Now dignified members of her far-famed senate wander all over the world, getting means of existence from the bounty of kindly strangers, moving the tears of beholders, and teaching the uncertainty and instability of the lot of man.
I have seen many who have come thence, and I have felt afraid, for I know not, as the Scripture says, what the morrow will bring forth. Not least do I admire the admirable and most honourable Celestinianus, so bravely does he bear his misfortune, and makes the loss of his happiness an occasion for philosophy, praising the governor of all, and holding that to be good which God either ordains or suffers to be. For the wisdom of divine Providence is unspeakable. He is travelling with his wife and children, and I beg your excellency to treat him with an hospitality like that of Abraham. With perfect confidence in your benevolence I have undertaken to introduce him to you, and I am telling him how generous is your right hand.
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To Apellion.
The sufferings of the people of Carthage would demand — and in their magnitude might exceed — the full power of tragic language, even of an Aeschylus or a Sophocles. Carthage was in the old days taken by the Romans only after tremendous effort. Time and again she contended with Rome for mastery of the world and brought Rome to the brink of destruction. Now that same city has been destroyed as a casual byplay of barbarians.
Men of dignity — once distinguished members of her famous senate — now wander the whole world, living on the generosity of strangers, moving all who see them to tears, teaching everyone who beholds them the uncertainty and instability of the human lot. I have seen many who have come from there, and I feel afraid; for I do not know, as Scripture says, what tomorrow will bring.
None of them have I admired more than the excellent and most honorable Celestinianus, so bravely does he bear his misfortune, turning the loss of everything he had into an occasion for philosophy — praising the Governor of all, and holding to be good whatever God either decrees or permits to happen. He travels with his wife and children, and I ask your Excellency to receive him with the hospitality of Abraham. With full confidence in your generosity I have ventured to introduce him to you, and I am telling him how open your hand is to those in need.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.