Letter 333: It is simply not right that the dependents of Tiberinus should suffer — a man excellent in every way, who introduces...

To Maximus. (357/58) It is simply not right that the dependents of Tiberinus should suffer — a man excellent in every way, who introduces the poets into the souls of the young. For even though he does his work here among us, he deserves to be honored not only here but also at home, since through his teaching he benefits people in this city, while through his reputation he brings distinction to his native one. But since certain men who sin against the cause of learning are shamelessly dragging off Archelaus, a dependent of Tiberinus, I ask you: show respect for the one, and come to the aid of the other. Do this first as a favor to the Muses, and second for the sake of both cities — ours and the one Tiberinus comes from. And if my own name is not entirely without weight, let that stand as a third reason.

Μαξίμῳ. (357/58) Ἀλλ’ οὐδὲ τοὺς Τιβερίνου μέντοι καλὼς ἔχει πάσχειν κακῶς, ἀνδρὸς τά τε ἄλλα ἀγαθοῦ καὶ τοὺς ποιητὰς εἱσάγον- τος εἰς τὰς τῶν νέων ψυχάς. εἰ γὰρ καὶ παρ’ ἡμῖν ἅνθρω- πος τὸ αὑτοῦ ποιεῖ, δίκαιός ἐστιν οὐ παρ’ ἡμῖν μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ οἴκοι τιμᾶσθαι τῇ συνουσίᾳ μὲν ὠφελῶν τοὺς τῇδε, τῇ δόξῃ δὲ κοσμῶν τὴν οἰκείαν. ἐπεὶ δὲ οἱ περὶ τὸ χρῆμα τῶν λόγων ἀσεβοῦντες ἕλκουσιν Ἀρχέλαον Τιβερῖνον οὐκ αἰσχυνόμενοι, σὺ τὸν μὲν αἰδέσθητι, τῷ δὲ βοήθησον πρῶτον μὶν ταῖς Μούσαις διδοὺς τὴν χάριν, δεύτερον δὲ ταῖς πόλεσι τῇ τε ἡμετέρᾳ καὶ ἐξ ἧς ἐστιν. εἰ δὲ οὐδὲ τοὐμὸν παντάπασιν ἄτιμον, κείσθω καὶ τοῦτο τρίτον.