Letter 9005: This letter contains multiple fragmentary sections heavily mixed with critical apparatus.

I keep to my custom and observe the dutiful practices toward friends. Therefore, having first paid the honor of a greeting, I ask of you a reply in turn; and if the memory of my charges to you is still vigorous, I urge you to deign to set me at ease about the provision for the praetorian office. For day by day my anxiety grows in me, since the staging of the games draws near, and I am surprised that nothing has been delivered concerning the garments and the animals which long ago, under your appraisal and specification, ought to have been bought up through my agents. And since I am pressed by the delay, I have sent my secretary, who, in compliance with your instructions and admonitions, may take charge of conveying everything; [...the apparatus notes the text is corrupt here, the editor supplying something to the effect that lack of money has kept our agents, in setting the prices you fix, from coming into your sight...]. Carry out, then, at last the duties of dutiful regard, so that by the example of your diligence we may be roused to a reciprocation of good offices. Farewell. [Book IX, letter] XVI, A.D. 399-401. To Saprorianus. Leontius, an agent in affairs [agens in rebus, an imperial courier-official], pleasing to all good men both by the honorableness of his life and by his practice in military service, has by his constant diligence called forth my judgment in his favor as well. He is therefore rightly counted among my friends and intimates. I hand him over into your charge, asking that you imitate the example of our affection toward him; which I confidently presume you will do with care. Meanwhile I do not cease to repeat my reminder about the animals to be prepared for the equipment of the games, [...] that I enter upon the engagement, since you have already rendered me free of that care. I have nevertheless entrusted to Leontius the office of monitor, to whom you will deign to lend an ear, if at any time, while you yourself are handling public and weightier matters, he should also bring forward this petition by a domestic suggestion. Farewell. XVII. To Venustus. You have set before my eyes the whole site of my praetorium and a certain picture, as it were, of the builder's work; so the layout, laid open, has marked out both the parts still rising and those already completed. I therefore forbear for the time being to accuse the sluggishness of my own people, who in those same constructions have stuck fast in the building, while I am soothed by the sweetness of your page. Yet I wish that, by re-reading [...the apparatus marks a lacuna here...] you may chastise [them]. Exercise on my behalf the office of my own gall, so that from your rebuke each one may infer how great a ruin, unless he sees to the things he has neglected, is to be feared from my indignation. XVIII, A.D. 399.

20 Consuetudinem meam servo et religiosa in amicos instituta custodio. quare sa- lutationis honore praefato mutuum de te posco responsum, et si memoria viget man- datorum meorum, ut securum me de apparatu praetoriae functionis facere digneris, exhortor. crescit enim per dies singulos cura apud me, quoniam propinquat editio, et nihil de vestibus atque animalibus, quae olim sub aestimatione ac definitione tua 25 per meos coemi debuerunt, miror exhibitum. et quoniam sollicitor tarditatis, nota- 2 rium meum misi, qui tuis praeceptis et monitis obsecutus devehenda cuncta suscipiat actoresque nostros ad pretia, quae statueris hactenus tuum declinasse conspectum. tandem igitur partes religionis exequere, ut exemplo diligentiae tuae in officiorum vidssitudinem provocemur. vale. 30 XVI a. 399-401. SAProiANO. Leontius agens in rebus et honestate vitae et militiae exercitatione bonis quibus- que placitus meum quoque iudicium adsidua diligentia provocavit. inter amicos igitur 4 expostnlatlouibus] luretus^ expostulantibus U 5 flne] /\ flde {U) 7 praetorius] luretuB, praetorios (/7), praeoonos F sparsim in] luretus, pars in {n)r egit retinet et ignotos] F, egit re- liquis omUah (/7), aupple: ludorumque expectatio retinet et ignotos vel simile quid 21 de te posco] {F), deposco (/7) 27 actoresque nostros ad pretia quae statueris «*» actenus tuum declinasse conspectum] F, om, (27), actoresqne nostros ad pretia, quae statueris soluenda inpeUat, ne peouniarum uideantur inopia bactenus tuum declinasse conspectum Scioppiuay vix recte 29 uicissitudine {U) 240 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE n ac familiares meos iure nuraeratur. hanc tibi in mannm trado petens. nt exemplnm nostrae circa eum adfectionis imiteris; quod te sednlo praesumo facturnm. interea de animalibns ludorum apparatui praeparandis admonitionem frequentare non desino, cnm ineam sponsionem. quod iam me istins curae yacuum reddidisti. mandavi tamen Leontio monitoris officium , cui aurem praebere dignaberis , si quando ipse publica et 5 maiora tractanti hanc quoque petitionem domestica insinuatione suggesserit. vale. xvn. AD VENVSTVM. Integrum mihi situm praetorii mei et picturam quandam fabrilis operis ante ocu- los conlocasti; ita adaperta distributio vel adhuc adsurgentia vel iam absoluta sig- 10 navit. dissimulo igitur meorum tantisper accusare s^gnitiem, qui in iisdem molitio- nibus fabricatione haeserunt, dum suavitate paginae tuae mulceor. volo tamen rele- gendo tione castiges. vicem mei fellis exerceas, ut de tua obiurgatione coniciat, quanta illi pemicies, nisi omissa curaverit, ex mea indignatione metuenda sit. i^ XVm a. 399.