Letter 925: Libanius rebukes Elebichus for silence during attacks on him and Thalassius, while renewing the request now that opponents may be softening.

It was painful enough that such things were said about me in the middle of so great a council. Even if the men abusing my friend tried to leap over my name, their arrows were being shot at both of us, since we are friends. That was distressing; but worse was the fact that you were present, sitting there with them, with all the influence you deserve, and yet no word was spoken in my defense. I did not believe those who reported that you too had spoken against me. You are a good man and my friend, and while you were with me you saw no such fault. So you did not join them, but you did not come to my aid either; by your silence you did me wrong. If, as you well know how to do, you had helped me and Thalassius, the men now attacking us would have held back. As it was, nothing stopped them. Now some have written to say that those who were recently hostile have laid down their weapons. They do not praise what was done, but they would like to share in what they blocked and to appear as men who accept it. So we ask again for the same thing; and if we obtain it, we will say we have suffered nothing unpleasant.