topAristeas #9
(275-300)

Chapter 9
Verses 275 to 300

275 Τῇ ἑβδόμῃ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν, πλείονος παρασκευῆς γενομένης, προσπαραγινομένων πλειόνων Ἑτέρων ἀπὸ τῶν πόλεων (ἦσαν γὰρ ἱκανοὶ πρέσβεις), ἐπηρώτησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς‎ καιροῦ γενομένου τὸν πρωτεύοντα τῶν ἀπολιπόντων τῆς ἐρωτήσεως Πῶς ἂν‎ ἀπαραλόγιστος {εἴη}; 275 On the seventh day much more extensive preparations were made, and many others were present from the different cities (among them a large number of ambassadors).

When an opportunity occurred, the king asked the first of those who had not yet been questioned How he could avoid being deceived by fallacious reasoning?
276 Ἐκεῖνος δὲ ἔφη Δοκιμάζων καὶ τὸν λέγοντα καὶ τὸ λεγόμενον καὶ περὶ τίνος λέγει, καὶ ἐν πλείονι χρόνῳ τὰ αὐτὰ‎ δι’ Ἑτέρων τρόπων ἐπερωτῶν.

τὸ‎ δὲ νοῦν‎ ἔχειν ὀξὺν καὶ δύνασθαι κρίνειν ἕκαστα θεοῦ δώρημα καλόν ἐστιν·

ὡς‎ σὺ τοῦτο κέκτησαι, βασιλεῦ. 		276 and he replied, “By noticing carefully the speaker, the thing spoken, and the subject under discussion, and by putting the same questions again after an interval in different forms.

But to possess an alert mind and to be able to form a sound judgment in every case is one of the good gifts of God, and you possess it, O King.”
277 Κρότῳ δὲ ἐπισημηνάμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς‎ ἕτερον ἐπηρώτα Διὰ τί τὴν ἀρετὴν οὐ‎ παραδέχονται τῶν ἀνθρώπων οἱ‎ πλείονες; Ὅτι φυσικῶς ἅπαντες, εἶπεν, ἀκρατεῖς καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς ἡδονὰς τρεπόμενοι γεγόνασιν·

ὧν χάριν ἀδικία πέφυκε καὶ τὸ τῆς πλεονεξίας χύμα. 		277 The king loudly applauded the answer and asked another, Why is it that the majority of men never become virtuous? “Because,” he replied, “all men are by nature intemperate and inclined to pleasure.

Hence, injustice springs up and a flood of avarice.
278 τὸ‎ δὲ τῆς ἀρετῆς κατάστημα κωλύει τοὺς ἐπιφερομένους ἐπὶ τὴν ἡδονοκρασίαν, ἐγκράτειαν δὲ κελεύει καὶ δικαιοσύνην προτιμᾷν.

ὁ‎ δὲ θεὸς πάντων ἡγεῖται τούτων. 		278 The habit of virtue is a hindrance to those who are devoted to a life of pleasure because it enjoins upon them the preference of temperance and righteousness.

For it is God who is the master of these things.”
279 Εὖ δὲ ἀποκεκρίσθαι τοῦτον εἰπὼν ὁ βασιλεὺς‎ ἠρώτα Τίσι δεῖ κατακολουθεῖν τοὺς βασιλεῖς; ὁ‎ δὲ ἔφη Τοῖς νόμοις, ἵνα‎ δικαιοπραγοῦντες ἀνακτῶνται τοὺς βίους τῶν ἀνθρώπων·

καθὼς σὺ τοῦτο πράσσων ἀένναον μνήμην καταβέβλησαι σεαυτοῦ, θείῳ προστάγματι κατακολουθῶν. 		279 The king said that he had answered well, and asked, What ought kings to obey? And he said, “The laws, in order that by righteous enactments they may restore the lives of men.

Even as you by such conduct in obedience to the Divine command have laid up in store for yourself a perpetual memorial.”
280 Εἰπὼν δὲ‎ καὶ τοῦτον καλῶς λέγειν τὸν ἐχόμενον ἠρώτα Τίνας δεῖ καθιστάνειν στρατηγούς; ὃς δὲ εἶπεν Ὅσοι μισοπονηρίαν ἔχουσι, καὶ τὴν ἀγωγὴν αὐτοῦ‎ μιμούμενοι, πρὸς τὸ διὰ παντὸς‎ εὐδοξίαν ἔχειν αὐτούς, τὰ δίκαια πράσσουσι·

καθὼς σὺ τοῦτο ἐπιτελεῖς, εἶπε, μέγιστε βασιλεῦ, θεοῦ σοι στέφανον δικαιοσύνης ἀποδεδωκότος. 		280 The king said that this man, too, had spoken well, and asked the next, Whom ought we to appoint as governors? And he replied, “All who hate wickedness, and imitating your own conduct act righteously that they may maintain a good reputation constantly.

For this is what you do, O mighty King,” he said, “and it is God who has bestowed upon you the crown of righteousness.”
281 ἀποδεξάμενος δὲ αὐτὸν‎ μετὰ‎ φωνῆς ἐπὶ τὸν ἐχόμενον ἐπιβλέψας εἶπε Τίνας δεῖ καθιστάνειν ἐπὶ τῶν δυνάμεων ἄρχοντας; ὁ‎ δὲ ἀπεφήνατο Τοὺς ἀνδρείᾳ διαφέροντας καὶ δικαιοσύνῃ, καὶ περὶ πολλοῦ‎ ποιουμένους τὸ σώζειν τοὺς ἄνδρας ἢ τὸ νικᾷν, τῷ θράσει {παραβάλλοντας} τὸ ζῇν.

ὡς‎ γὰρ ὁ θεὸς εὖ ἐργάζεται πᾶσι, καὶ σὺ τοῦτον μιμούμενος εὐεργετεῖς τοὺς ὑπὸ σεαυτόν. 		281 The king loudly acclaimed the answer and then looking at the next man said, Whom ought we to appoint as officers over the forces?” And he explained, “Those who excel in courage and righteousness and those who are more anxious about the safety of their men than to gain a victory by risking their lives through rashness.

For as God acts well towards all men, so too you in imitation of Him are the benefactor of all your subjects.”
282 Ὁ δὲ ἀποκεκρίσθαι φήσας αὐτὸν‎ εὖ, ἄλλον ἠρώτα Τίνα θαυμάζειν ἄξιόν ἐστιν ἄνθρωπον; ὁ‎ δὲ ἔφη Τὸν κεχορηγημένον δόξῃ καὶ πλούτῳ καὶ δυνάμει, καὶ ψυχὴν‎ ἴσον πᾶσιν ὄντα·

καθὼς σὺ τοῦτο ποιῶν ἀξιοθαύμαστος εἶ τοῦ θεοῦ σοι διδόντος εἰς ταῦτα‎ τὴν ἐπιμέλειαν. 		282 The king said that he had given a good answer and asked another, What man is worthy of admiration? And he replied, The man who is furnished with reputation and wealth and power and possesses a soul equal to it all.

You yourself show by your actions that you are most worthy of admiration through the help of God who makes you care for these things.”
283 ἐπιφωνήσας δὲ‎ καὶ τούτῳ πρὸς τὸν ἕτερον εἶπεν Ἐν τίσι δεῖ πράγμασι τοὺς βασιλεῖς τὸν πλείω χρόνον διάγειν; ὁ‎ δὲ εἶπεν Ἐν ταῖς ἀναγνώσεσι καὶ ἐν ταῖς τῶν πορειῶν ἀπογραφαῖς διατρίβειν, ὅσαι πρὸς τὰς βασιλείας ἀναγεγραμμέναι τυγχάνουσι πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν καὶ διαμονὴν ἀνθρώπων.

ὃ σὺ πράσσων ἀνέφικτον ἄλλοις δόξαν κέκτησιν θεοῦ σοι τὰ βουλήματα συντελοῦντος. 		283 The king expressed his approval and said to another “To what affairs ought kings to devote most time?” And he replied, “To reading and the study of the records of official journeys, which are written in reference to the various kingdoms, with a view to the reformation and preservation of the subjects.

And it is by such activity that you have attained to a glory which has never been approached by others, through the help of God who fulfils all your desires.”
284 Ἐνεργῶς δὲ‎ καὶ τοῦτον προσειπὼν ἕτερον ἠρώτα Τίνας δεῖ ποιεῖσθαι τὰς διαγωγὰς ἐν ταῖς ἀνέσεσι καὶ ῥᾳθυμίαις;

ὁ‎ δὲ ἔφη Θεωρεῖν ὅσα {παίζεται} μετὰ‎ περιστολῆς καὶ πρὸ ὀφθαλμῶν τιθέναι τὰ τοῦ βίου μετ’ εὐσχημοσύνης καὶ καταστολῆς γινόμενα { βίῳ συμφέρον καὶ καθῆκον}.

ἔνεστι γὰρ καὶ ἐν τούτοις‎ ἐπισκευή τις. 		284 The king spoke enthusiastically to the man and asked another How ought a man to occupy himself during his hours of relaxation and recreation? And he replied, “To watch those plays which can be acted with propriety and to set before one's eyes scenes taken from life and enacted with dignity and decency is profitable and appropriate.
285 πολλάκις γὰρ καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἐλαχίστων αἱρετόν τι δείκνυται.

σὺ δὲ πᾶσαν ἠσκηκὼς καταστολὴν διὰ τῶν ἐνεργεῖν φιλοσοφεῖς διὰ καλοκἀγαθίαν ὑπὸ θεοῦ τιμώμενος. 		285 For there is some edification to be found even in these amusements, for often some desirable lesson is taught by the most insignificant affairs of life.

But by practicing the utmost propriety in all your actions, you have shown that you are a philosopher and you are honoured by God on account of your virtue.”
286 Εὐαρεστήσας δὲ τοῖς προειρημένοις πρὸς τὸν ἔνατον εἶπε Πῶς δεῖ διὰ τῶν συμποσίων διεξάγειν; ὁ‎ δὲ ἔφησε Παραλαμβάνοντα τοὺς φιλομαθεῖς καὶ δυναμένους ὑπομιμνήσκειν τὰ {χρήσιμα τῇ βασιλείᾳ} καὶ τοῖς τῶν ἀρχομένων βίοις – ἐμμελέστερον ἢ μουσικώτερον οὐκ‎ ἂν‎ εὕροις τι τούτων·

286 The king, pleased with the words which had just been spoken, said to the ninth man, How ought a man to conduct himself at banquets? And he replied, “You should summon to your side men of learning and those who are able to give you useful hints with regard to the affairs of your kingdom and the lives of your subjects (for you could not find any theme more suitable or more educative than this)
287 οὗτοι γὰρ θεοφιλεῖς εἰσι πρὸς τὰ κάλλιστα‎ πεπαιδευκότες τὰς διανοίας – καθὼς καὶ σὺ τοῦτο πράσσεις, ὡς‎ ἂν‎ ὑπὸ θεοῦ σοι κατευθυνομένων ἅπαντων. 287 since such men are dear to God because they have trained their minds to contemplate the noblest themes – as you indeed are doing yourself, since all your actions are directed by God.”
288 Διαχυθεὶς δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς εἰρημένοις, ἐπυνθάνετο τοῦ μετέπειτα Τί κάλλιστόν ἐστι τοῖς ὄχλοις, Ἐξ ἰδιώτου βασιλέα κατασταθῆναι {ἐπ’} αὐτῶν, ἢ ἐκ βασιλέως βασιλέα; Ἐκεῖνος δὲ ἔφη Τὸ‎ ἄριστον τῇ φύσει. 288 Delighted with the reply, the king inquired of the next man, What is best for the people? That a private citizen should be made king over them or a member of the royal family? And he replied, He who is best by nature.
289 καὶ γὰρ ἐκ βασιλέων βασιλεῖς γινόμενοι πρὸς τοὺς ὑποτεταγμένους ἀνήμεροί τε καὶ σκληροὶ καθίστανται·

πολλῷ δὲ μᾶλλον καί τινες τῶν ἰδιωτῶν καὶ κακῶν πεπειραμένοι καὶ πενίας μετεσχηκότες ἄρξαντες ὄχλων χαλεπώτεροι τῶν ἀνοσίων τυράννων ἐξέβησαν. 		289 For kings who come of royal lineage are often harsh and severe towards their subjects.

And still more is this the case with some of those who have risen from the ranks of private citizens, who after having experienced evil and borne their share of poverty, when they rule over multitudes turn out to be more cruel than the godless tyrants.
290 ἀλλὰ ὡς‎ προεῖπον, ἦθος χρηστὸν καὶ παιδείας κεκοινωνηκὸς δυνατὸν ἄρχειν ἐστί‎·

καθὼς σὺ βασιλεὺς‎ μέγας ὑπάρχεις, οὐ‎ τοσοῦτον τῇ δόξῃ τῆς ἀρχῆς καὶ πλούτῳ προσχών, ὅσον ἐπιεικείᾳ καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ πάντας ἀνθρώπους ὑπερῆρκας τοῦ θεοῦ σοι δεδωρημένου ταῦτα‎. 		290 But, as I have said, a good nature which has been properly trained is capable of ruling, and you are a great king, not so much because you excel in the glory of your rule and your wealth but rather because you have surpassed all men in clemency and philanthropy, thanks to God who has endowed you with these qualities.”
291 Ἐπὶ πλείονα χρόνον καὶ τοῦτον ἐπαινέσας τὸν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν ἠρώτα Τί μέγιστόν ἐστι βασιλείας; πρὸς τοῦτο εἶπε Τὸ‎ διὰ παντὸς‎ ἐν εἰρήνῃ καθεστάναι τοὺς ὑποτεταγμένους, καὶ κομίζεσθαι τὸ δίκαιον ταχέως ἐν ταῖς διακρίσεσι. 291 The king spent some time in praising this man and then asked the last of all, What is the greatest achievement in ruling an empire? And he replied, “That the subjects should continually dwell in a state of peace, and that justice should be speedily administered in cases of dispute.
292 ταῦτα‎ δὲ γίνεται διὰ τὸν ἡγούμενον, ὅταν μισοπόνηρος ᾖ καὶ φιλάγαθος καὶ περὶ πολλοῦ‎ ποιούμενος ψυχὴν‎ ἀνθρώπου‎ σώζειν·

καθὼς καὶ σὺ μέγιστον κακὸν ἥγησαι τὴν ἀδικίαν, δικαίως δὲ πάντα‎ κυβερνῶν ἀένναον τὴν περὶ σεαυτὸν δόξαν κατεσκεύασας, τοῦ θεοῦ σοι διδόντος ἔχειν ἁγνὴν καὶ ἀμιγῆ παντὸς‎ κακοῦ τὴν διάνοιαν. 		292 These results are achieved through the influence of the ruler, when he is a man who hates evil and loves the good and devotes his energies to saving the lives of men, just as you consider injustice the worst form of evil and by your just administration have fashioned for yourself an undying reputation, since God bestows upon you a mind which is pure and untainted by any evil.”
293 Καταλήξαντος δὲ τούτου κατερράγη κρότος μετὰ‎ φωνῆς καὶ χαρᾶς ἐπὶ πλείονα χρόνον.

ὡς‎ δὲ ἐπαύσατο, ὁ βασιλεὺς‎ λαβὼν ποτήριον ἐπεχέατο καὶ τῶν παρόντων ἁπάντων καὶ τῶν εἰρημένων λόγων.

ἐπὶ πᾶσι δὲ εἶπε Τὰ μέγιστά μοι γέγονεν ἀγαθὰ παραγενηθέντων ὑμῶν·

293 And when he ceased, loud and joyful applause broke out for some considerable time.

When it stopped the king took a cup and gave a toast in honour of all his guests and the words which they had uttered.

Then in conclusion he said, “I have derived the greatest benefit from your presence.
294 πολλὰ γὰρ ὠφέλημαι, καταβεβλημένων ὑμῶν διδαχὴν ἐμοὶ πρὸς τὸ βασιλεύειν.

ἑκάστῳ δὲ τρία τάλαντα προσέταξεν ἀργυρίου δοθῆναι καὶ τὸν ἀποκαταστήσοντα παῖδα.

συνεπιφωνησάντων δὲ πάντων, χαρᾶς ἐπληρώθη τὸ συμπόσιον, ἀδιαλείπτως τοῦ βασιλέως εἰς εὐφροσύνην τραπέντος. 		294 I have profited much by the wise teaching which you have given me in reference to the art of ruling.” Then he ordered that three talents of silver should be presented to each of them, and appointed one of his slaves to deliver over the money.

All at once shouted their approval, and the banquet became a scene of joy, while the king gave himself up to a continuous round of festivity.
295 Ἐγὼ δὲ {εἰ πεπλεόνακα,} τούτοις‎, ὦ Φιλόκρατες, συγγνώμην ἔχειν.

τεθαυμακὼς γὰρ τοὺς ἄνδρας ὑπὲρ τὸ δέον, ὡς‎ ἐκ τοῦ καιροῦ τὰς ἀποκρίσεις ἐποιοῦντο πολλοῦ‎ χρόνου δεομένας, 		295 I have written at length and must crave your pardon, Philocrates.

I was astonished beyond measure at the men and the way in which on the spur of the moment they gave answers which really needed a long time to devise.
296 καὶ τοῦ μὲν ἐρωτῶντος μεμεριμνηκότος ἕκαστα, τῶν‎ δὲ ἀποκρινομένων καταλλήλως ἐχόντων τὰ πρὸς τὰς ἐρωτήσας, ἄξιοι θαυμασμοῦ κατεφαίνοντό μοι καὶ τοῖς παροῦσι, μάλιστα δὲ τοῖς φιλοσόφοις.

οἴομαι δὲ‎ καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς παραληψομένοις τὴν ἀναγραφὴν ἄπιστον φανεῖται. 		296 For though the questioner had given great thought to each particular question, those who replied one after the other had their answers to the questions ready at once and so they seemed to me and to all who were present and especially to the philosophers to be worthy of admiration.

And I suppose that the thing will seem incredible to those who will read my narrative in the future.
297 ψεύσασθαι μὲν οὖν οὐ‎ καθῆκόν ἐστι περὶ τῶν ἀναγραφομένων·

εἰ δὲ καί τι παραβαίην, οὐχ ὅσιον ἐν τούτοις‎·

ἀλλ’, ὡς‎ γέγονεν, οὕτως‎ διασαφοῦμεν ἀφοσιούμενοι πᾶν ἁμάρτημα.

διόπερ ἐπειράθην ἀποδεξάμενος αὐτῶν τὴν τοῦ λόγου δύναμιν παρὰ τῶν ἀναγραφομένων ἕκαστα τῶν γινομένων ἔν τε τοῖς χρηματισμοῖς τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ταῖς συμποσίαις μεταλαβεῖν. 		297 But it is unseemly to misrepresent facts which are recorded in the public archives.

And it would not be right for me to transgress in such a matter as this.

I tell the story just as it happened, conscientiously avoiding any error.

I was so impressed by the force of their utterances, that I made an effort to consult those whose business it was to make a record of all that happened at the royal audiences and banquets.
298 ἔθος γάρ ἐστι, καθὼς καὶ σὺ γινώσκεις, ἀφ’ ἧς ἂν‎ [ἡμέρας] ὁ βασιλεὺς‎ ἄρξηται χρηματίζειν, μέχρις οὗ κατακοιμηθῇ, πάντα‎ ἀναγράφεσθαι τὰ λεγόμενα καὶ πρασσόμενα, καλῶς γινομένου καὶ συμφερόντως. 298 For it is the custom, as you know, from the moment the king begins to transact business until the time when he retires to rest, for a record to be taken of all his sayings and doings – a most excellent and useful arrangement.
299 τῇ γὰρ ἐπιούσῃ τὰ τῇ πρότερον πεπραγμένα καὶ λελαλημένα πρὸ τοῦ χρηματισμοῦ παραναγινώσκεται, καί, εἴ τι μὴ‎ δεόντως γέγονε, διορθώσεως τυγχάνει τὸ πεπραγμένον. 299 For on the following day the minutes of the doings and sayings of the previous day are read over before business commences, and if there has been any irregularity, the matter is at once set right.
300 πάντ’ οὖν ἀκριβῶς {παρὰ τῶν} ἀναγεγραμμένων, ὡς‎ ἐλέχθη, μεταλαβόντες κατακεχωρίκαμεν, εἰδότες ἣν ἔχεις φιλομάθειαν εἰς τὰ χρήσιμα. 300 I obtained therefore, as has been said, accurate information from the public records, and I have set forth the facts in proper order since I know how eager you are to obtain useful information.