The Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 2Julian, Emperor of Rome
Philosophy
The Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 2
Julian, Emperor of Rome
Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- Translations into English
(Then mighty Helios took up the tale and said, “When thou hast chosen thy
friends treat them as friends and do not regard them as thy servants and
attendants, but let thy conduct towards them be generous, candid, and
honourable: say not one thing about them while thou thinkest another. Thou
seest that it was treachery to his friends that destroyed this heir. Love
thy subjects even as we love thee. Prefer our worship to all other
blessings. For we are thy benefactors and friends and preservers.” At
these words the youth became calm and showed plainly that he was already
obedient in all things to the gods. “Come,” said Helios, “now depart with
good hope. For everywhere we shall be with thee, even I and Athene and
Hermes here, and with us all the gods that are on Olympus or in the air or
on earth and the whole race of gods everywhere, so long as thou art pious
towards us and loyal to thy friends, and humane towards thy subjects,
ruling them and guiding them to what is best. But never yield to thy own
passions or become the slave of theirs. Keep the armour that thou hast
brought hither, and depart, but first receive from me this torch so that
even on earth a great light may shine for thee and that thou mayst not
long for the things of earth. And from fair Athene here receive an aegis
and helmet. For as thou seest she has many, and she gives them to whom she
will. And Hermes too will give thee a golden wand. Go then thus adorned in
full armour over sea and land, steadfastly obeying our laws, and let no
man or woman or kinsman or foreigner persuade thee to neglect our
commands. For while thou dost abide by them thou wilt be loved and
honoured by us and respected by our good servants and formidable to the
wicked and impious. Know that a mortal frame was given to thee that thou
mightest discharge these duties. For we desire, out of respect for thy
ancestor to cleanse the house of thy forefathers. Remember therefore that
thou hast an immortal soul that is our offspring, and that if thou dost
follow us thou shalt be a god and with us shalt behold our father.”)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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