12-05-2007, 02:38 AM
I have put online Synesius' long speech On Imperial Rule. The first half is quite boring: Synesius presents himself as a philosopher who will offer the emperor (Arcadius) honest advise. In the second half, he presents several recommendations, including the suggestion to dismiss the Germanic troops. In 400, after the revolt of Gainas, this was probably not a very original advise, but still, it is a real recommendation, which is more than can be said about similar addresses to emperors, which are usually very topical.
