Letter 797: Sufficient reward for me is that Hyperechius is the sort of man to be declared, while you are still living, master...

To Maximus. (363) Sufficient reward for me is that Hyperechius is the sort of man to be declared, while you are still living, master of the share of your estate that was rightfully his. He is an ornament to you and a refuge to his brothers — bearing their boldness gently and helping them through the honor of his nature. He has extracted the youngest brother from military service and its hardships and is bringing him back. For the boy must go to the Great City [Constantinople] and enjoy the opportunity its greatness affords. As for rewards from here, he would have had them if he had arrived sooner; but after the victory there is hope — and to grant both is in god's power. As for marriage: if Hyperechius himself avoids it, let him be persuaded by you not to flee it. If he pursues it but your family does not agree, change your minds.

Μαξίμῳ. (363) Ἀρκῶν ἐμοὶ μισθὸς Ὑπερέχιος τοιοῦτος ὤν, ὥσθ᾿ ὑμῶν ἔτι ζώντων ἀποδειχθῆναι δεσπότης οὗπερ ἦν δίκαιον τῶν ὄντων μέρους. ἔστι γὰρ ὑμῖν τε κόσμος τοῖς τε ἀδελφοῖς καταφυγὴ φέρων μὲν τὴν θρασύτητα πρᾴως, τιμῇ δὲ τῆς φύ- σεως βοηθῶν. τὸν γοῦν νεώτατον στρατείας καὶ πόνων ἐξελόμενος ἐπανήκει. δεῖ γὰρ αὐτὸν πρὸς τὴν Μεγάλην πόλιν δραμεῖν καὶ πρὸς μέγεθος ἀπολαῦσαι τοῦ καιροῦ. τὰ δὲ ἐν- τεῦθεν εἶχε μὲν ἄν, εἰ θᾶττον ἀφῖκτο· ἔζει δὲ μετὰ τὴν νίκην δοῦναι δὲ ἄμφω θεοῦ. γάμον δὲ εἰ μὲν αὐτὸς φεύγει, πειθέσθω παρ’ ὑμῶν μὴ φεύγειν· εἰ ὁ ὁ μὲν διώκει, τὸ δ᾿ ὑμέτερον οὐ συμπνεῖ, μετάθεσθε.