The Letters of Symmachus: Book 1

This volume gives us the first book of the letters of Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, eloquent and energetic facilitator of gentlemanly colloquy and preferment in the last three decades of the fourth century. The first book is of especial interest because it is arguably—indeed, here argued to be—the only one of the ten surviving books of correspondence that Symmachus himself prepared for publication. Michele Salzman provides an introduction of some sixty pages dedicated largely to Symmachus’ biography, followed by briefer sections on the themes, publication history, and dating of individual letters in book 1. Further biographical material introduces each of the eight correspondents in their places; and almost every one of the 107 letters here has its own introduction and notes. The letters themselves are published in both the Latin text (from Seeck’s MGH edition, with corrections from Callu, unfortunately nowhere itemized) and a felicitous English translation that profits from the collaboration and oversight of Michael Roberts.