1When I was summoning the jurors, sir, about to open the assizes, Flavius Archippus began to claim exemption as a philosopher. 2There were some who said that he should not be freed from the duty of serving as a juror, but removed from the roll of jurors altogether and returned to the punishment which he had escaped by breaking his chains. 3The sentence of Velius Paulus as proconsul was read out, by which it was shown that Archippus had been condemned to the mines on a charge of forgery: he produced nothing to show that he had been restored; 3he did, however, put forward in support of his restoration both a petition he had given to Domitian and letters of Domitian's relating to his honour, and a decree of the people of Prusa.
3To these he added a letter you had written to him, and he added too an edict and a letter of your father's, in which he had confirmed the favours granted by Domitian. 4And so, although charges of this kind were laid against the same man, I thought that nothing should be decided until I had consulted you about a matter which seemed to me worthy of your ruling. 4I have appended to this letter the documents which were read out on both sides. 4LETTER OF DOMITIAN TO TERENTIUS MAXIMUS. Flavius Archippus the philosopher has obtained from me that I should order land up to the value of a hundred thousand sesterces to be bought for him near Prusias, his native town, from the income of which he might support his family.
5I wish this to be provided for him. 5You will charge the full expense to my generosity. 5LETTER OF THE SAME TO LAPPIUS MAXIMUS. I should like you, my dear Maximus, to regard as commended to you the philosopher Archippus, a good man whose character matches his profession, and to show him your full kindness in the things he modestly asks of you. 6EDICT OF THE DEIFIED NERVA. Some things, citizens, are beyond doubt proclaimed by the very happiness of the times, and a good emperor need not be waited for in matters in which it is enough for him to be understood, since even without being reminded my citizens' confidence can assure itself of this, that I have preferred the security of all to my own ease, so that I might both confer new favours and preserve those granted before me.
8Yet so that neither the misgiving of those who have obtained favours nor the memory of him who granted them may bring any hesitation to the public rejoicing, I have thought it both necessary and pleasant to go to meet those who doubt with my indulgence. 9I do not want anyone to think that what he has obtained, either privately or publicly, under another emperor will be annulled by me, if only so that he may owe it to me instead. 9Let those things be valid and secure, and let no one on whom the fortune of the empire has looked with a kindlier face need renewed petitions to secure his rejoicing.
9Let them allow me to be free for new favours, and let them know that only those things must be asked for which they do not have. 9LETTER OF THE SAME TO TULLIUS JUSTUS. Since the arrangement of all matters which were begun and completed in earlier times is to be observed, so too must we abide by the letters of Domitian.