The Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 1Julian, Emperor of Rome
Religion
The Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 1
Julian, Emperor of Rome
Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- Translations into English
(But seeing that my argument has, of its own accord, once reached this
point and is describing the affection that the Emperor inspires in the
common people, the magistrates, and the garrisons who aid him to protect
the empire and repulse its enemies, are you willing that I should relate
to you a signal proof of this, which happened, one may say, yesterday or
the day before? A certain man(475) who had been given the command of the
garrisons in Galatia—you probably know his name and character—left his son
behind him as a hostage for his friendship and loyalty to the Emperor,
though not at the Emperor’s request. Then he proved to be more treacherous
than “lions who have no faithful covenants with man,”(476) as the poet
says, and plundered the cities of their wealth and distributed it among
the invading barbarians, paying it down as a sort of ransom, though he was
well able to take measures to win security by the sword rather than by
money. But he tried to win them over to friendliness by means of money.
And finally he took from the women’s apartments a purple dress, and showed
himself truly a tyrant and tragical indeed. Then the soldiers, resenting
his treachery, would not tolerate the sight of him thus dressed up in
women’s garb,(477) and they set on the miserable wretch and tore him limb
from limb,(478) nor would they endure either that the crescent moon(479)
should rule over them. Now it was the affection of his garrison that gave
the Emperor this guerdon, a wonderful recompense for his just and
blameless rule. But you are eager to hear how he behaved after this. This
too, however, you cannot fail to know, that he chose neither to be harsh
towards that man’s son(480) nor suspicious and formidable to his friends,
but in the highest possible degree he was merciful and kindly to them all,
though many desired to bring false accusations(481) and had raised their
stings to strike the innocent. But though many were perhaps really
involved in the crimes of which they were suspected, he was merciful to
all alike, provided they had not been convicted or proved to be partners
in the usurper’s monstrous and abominable schemes. And shall we not
declare that the forbearance shown by him towards the son of one who had
broken the laws and trampled on loyalty and sworn covenants was truly
royal and godlike; or shall we rather approve Agamemnon, who vented his
rage and cruelty not only on those Trojans who had accompanied Paris and
had outraged the hearth of Menelaus, but even on those who were yet
unborn, and whose mothers even were perhaps not yet born when Paris
plotted the rape? Anyone therefore who thinks that cruelty and harshness
and inhumanity ill become a king, and that mercy and goodness and human
kindness befit one who takes no pleasure in acts of vengeance, but grieves
at the misfortunes of his subjects, however they may arise, whether from
their own wickedness and ignorance or aimed at them from without by fate,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account