Synesius, Letter 047

Letter 47 is directed to Theotimus, an otherwise unknown poet living in Constantinople. From Synesius' letters, we learn that he was a friend of Anthemius,^note[One of the most powerful men in the eastern Empire: consul in 405 (with Stilicho), praetorian prefect, friend of John Chrysostom, prefect of Constantinople during the reign of Theodosius II] Olympius,^note[A wealthy Christian from Syria and a close friend of Synesius, who dedicated letters 98, 99, 97, 133, 148, 149, 96, and 45 to him] and Synesius. Theotimus is also the recipient of Letter 49.

This letter was probably written in 411 and is offered on this page in the translation by A. Fitzgerald.

Letter 47: A Recommendation

[1] To Theotimus

Regard Peter also as the scorn of Pentapolis, a fellow who sets about breaking its laws without method, and for my part I detest the man who proceeds about a thing in that way. God knows this, and Dioscurides as well. But this man is much more impudent than the latter, for he first seizes whatever possession he may desire, and makes them his own; then he goes to the law about it, and if the verdict is given against him, he takes them by force.

[2] This is how he behaved recently. He possessed himself a wine jar; someone summoned him before the court for this; he was condemned, but he refused to give up the object, and threatened the police agents with blows. As I am much annoyed about this, and I think that life would be insupportable in a city where some private persons have more powerful hands than the laws themselves, I have exhorted the most conspicuous men here to rally to the call, and to come to the help of the constitution. For if this man succeeded, in a little while we should see numerous Peters.

[3] The worthy Martyrius fully shares my indignation, and I am very grateful to him for this, and for assisting me more zealously than any one else. May some blessing come to him from God for this! I only hope that he will not encounter any evil at the hands of Anthemius, to whom Peter threatens to appeal. To prevent this, I beg of you, and I make this request, through you, to the renowned and wise Troilus^note[Born in Side, this man was a well-known rhetorician. Synesius dedicated several letters to him (112, 123, 118, 111, 73, 91, and 26).] - I beg you, I say, to make it impossible for such a sin-stained creature as this to use the law against the law.

[4] I have first the interests of Pentapolis at heart, and second, I should not like to be the cause of misfortune to a friend. How can the intrigues of this wretch be checked? It is not my province to find the answer, but rather yours, O most ingenious of all men in noble purposes.