Letter 784: I count you among those now celebrating that the noble Modestus is recognized for who he truly is.

To Hyperechius. (362/63) I count you as one of those who are now celebrating that the noble Modestus [Domitius Modestus, Praetorian Prefect of the East] both is, and is recognized to be, what he is. For in the past you enjoyed the benefit of his power, having been enrolled among those whom you wished, and now I think that you will not be afraid of the heavyweights in the council, since he persuades some of them and compels others to abide by what is just. So I would not be surprised if you should even choose to share in his journey and to establish yourself in a position to become known to the people there. For those whom on another occasion you would have had to court, you will now be free to associate with on equal terms. And a matter that has begun from a fine beginning is wont to grow easily, just as those trees that are strongly rooted. And since these things are not small, expect still greater things from the friendship and good fortune of Modestus. For he will take care that you too become greater, partly by exerting himself, partly being prompted by me. And he will do me a favor even when I am dead by granting some favor to you, having learned through many deeds, through many words, and through not a few oaths, that for me your interests are not second to my own.

Ὑπερεχίῳ. (362/63) Ἕνα σε τίθεμαι τῶν νῦν ἑορταζόντων ἐπὶ τῷ τὸν γε ναῖον Μόδεστον ὅστις ἐστὶ καὶ νομίζεσθαι· πρότερόν τε γὰρ αὐτοῦ τῆς δυνάμεως ἀπήλαυσας ἐγγραφεὶς εἰς οὕσπερ ἐβούλου νῦν τε οἶμαί σε τοὺς ἐν τῇ βουλῇ βαρεῖς οὐ φοβήσεσθαι τού- του τοὺς μὲν πείθοντος, τοὺς δὲ ἀναγκάζοντος τοῖς δικαίοις ἐμμένειν. ὥστ’ οὐκ ἂν θαυμάσαιμι εἰ καὶ κοινωνεῖν αὐτῷ τῆς πορείας ἕλοιο καὶ καταστῆσαι σαυτὸν εἰς τὸ γνωρίζεσθαι τοῖς ἐκεῖ. οὓς γὰρ ἂν ἐν ἄλλῳ καιρῷ θεραπεύειν εἶχες ἀνάγ- κη τούτοις ἐξέσται σοι νῦν ἐλευθέρως ὁμιλῆσαι. πρᾶγμα δὲ ἀπὸ καλῆς ἀρξάμενον τῆς ἀρχῆς εἴωθεν αὔξεσθαι ῥᾳδίως καθάπερ τὰ τῶν δένδρων ἰσχυρῶς ἐρριζωμένα. ὄντων δὲ οὐδὲ τούτων μικρῶν ἔτι μείζω προσδόκα παρὰ τῆς Μοδέστου καὶ φιλίας καὶ τύχης. ἐπιμελήσεται γὰρ τοῦ κοὶ σὲ μείζω γε- νέσθαι τὰ μὲν αὑτὸν παρακαλῶν τὰ δὲ ὑπ’ ἐμοῦ κινούμενος. δώσει δέ μοι καὶ τεθνεῶτι χάριν τῷ σοί τι χαρίζεσθαι ποῖ λοῖς μὲν ἔργοις, πολλοῖς δὲ λόγοις, οὐκ ὀλίγοις δὲ ὅρκοις με- μαθηκὼς ὅτι μοι τὰ σὰ τῶν ἐμῶν οὐ δεύτερα.