Themistius and his Discourses

[Philhellene]

Does anybody have English translation of Themistius` Discourses? I need to translate Or., VII, 86B-C: εν υπογραφεως αει μοιρα διαβιους εκ του μελανος και της καλαμιδος.

[griffin]

Why do you need a translation of Themistius?
I will take a look into the Greek, but I need to find my Lexicon...

[griffin]

found my lexicon, but my translation is pretty rough. Any idea what the context is for this Greek?

"εν υπογραφεως αει μοιρα διαβιους εκ του μελανος και της καλαμιδος."

In the (writings) of the secretary, fate always has survived by the ink(lit. black) and by the reed(i.e. a reed pen).

"μοιρα" can mean a lot more than just fate. It's one due portion, one's alottment in life. From that it can come to mean life, or it can mean death.
The word for writings is not present, but I think my translation makes more sense with it, so I added it.

I hope this helps. Thanks for posting the Greek.

[Philhellene]

Thanks, griffin, that`s exactly what I was looking for. Themistius wrote about Procopius` fate, Procopius was a notarius under Constantius II and he was supposed to live his whole life with ink and reed pen.

[hoplite14gr]

THE SECRETARY'S FATE IS TO LIVE FROM INK AND PEN.


YPOGRAFEAS = secretary

Michael, your translation and presentation was exellent! Laudes

Kind regards

[griffin]

Thanks. I 'm glad I can help with Ancient Greek.