DXXIII (F XIII, 78)
TO AULUS ALLIENUS (IN SICILY)
Rome
Democritus of Sicyon is not only my guest-friend, but also
very intimate with me, as is not often the case with such
men,[1] especially if they are Greeks. For his honesty and
virtue are of the highest kind, and he is exceedingly liberal
and attentive to his guest-friends, and distinguishes me above
the rest by his respect, attentions, and affection. You must
regard him as the leading man not only of his fellow citizens,
but almost of all Achaia. For such a man I do no more
than open the door and pave the way to an acquaintance
with you: when you once know him, your natural disposition
is such that you will decide him to be worthy of your
friendship and society. What I ask of you, then, is that on
reading this letter you should accord him your patronage,
and promise to do everything for him for my sake. For the
rest, if, as I feel sure will be the case, you ascertain him to
be deserving of your friendship and society, I ask you to
receive him with open arms, to love him, and to regard him
as one of your own family. That will be a more than common
favour to me. Good-bye.
DXXIV (F XIII, 79)
TO AULUS ALLIENUS (IN SICILY)
Rome
I think, in the first place, that you know the value I have
for C. Avianius Flaccus, and, in the next place, I have heard
from himself—a most excellent and grateful man—with what*
- ↑ I.e., hospites, foreigners with whom a Roman had some agreement
