Letter 870: Libanius asks Eusebius to protect a fellow sophist from illegal tax demands by the local council.

The sophist Eusebius - the son of Olympius and your namesake - has been exempted from public service [liturgies], yet certain members of the local council continue to harass him with demands for these very duties. They seem to care nothing for the many decrees granting him honors or the privileges bestowed by the imperial court. Even if they choose to undermine their own rules, or if they constantly change their minds like the shifting currents of the Euripus [a strait known for its unpredictable tides], it shouldn't matter. I'll leave the fact that I feel personally insulted by this aside; they have been practicing that for a long time. Our local court has already seen a spark of resistance regarding this treatment of the sophist. I suspect the rest of the embassy will make this a priority and try to secure the man's rights through an imperial verdict. To prevent this from escalating, they need to hear some well-chosen words from you. You don't need to threaten them; just make it clear that you will be displeased if they persist. They likely won't take your disapproval lightly.