Letter 6009: A certain convention kept me from being the first to write — old custom requires that travelers initiate the...

My brother Censorinus is attempting to renew a complaint about the boundary of the Baian estates [praetorian properties near Baiae], a complaint which he has learned was long ago settled between me and the agents of my son Pompeianus. For inspectors were brought in to the wall that runs down from the top of the hill, and they declared that our properties were divided by it; and the new owner believes that their judgment can be overturned. I ask you therefore, with our friend Felix and Castor brought in, to deign to be the arbiter of the truth, and that by your holiness, speaking face to face, this empty challenge may be suppressed. Then, once the upholding of the previous judgment has given satisfaction to my brother Censorinus, let an addition of only ten feet beyond his own buildings be permitted for his work and his new constructions, in such a way that the boundaries of the parties be separated both by the agreed and accepted assent and by the structure set between them. Farewell. Book X, year 398.

15 Frater meus Censorinus de confinio Baianorum praetoriorum conquestionem temp- tat iterare, quam didicit inter me et actores filii mei Pompeiani dudum esse finitam. adhibiti namque inspectores muro, qui inter aedes a summo monte descendit, dividi loca nostra dixerunt; quorum iudicium novus possessor credit posse rescindi. quaeso igitur, adhibito Felice amico nostro et Castore veri arbiter esse digneris, et sanctitate 20 tua coram locuta inanis adtemptatio conprimatur. dehinc, cum fratri meo Censorino satisfecerit praeteritae iudicationis adsertio, tunc operi eius et molitionibus novis de- cem tantum pedum ultra aedificia sua permittatur adiectio, ita ut partium fines et placito conprehensus adsensus et constructio interiecta discriminet. vale. X a. 398.