The Patrologia Latina · Volume XVIII
The Last Pagan of Rome
Volume 18 closes the fourth century from both sides of its great divide: the ten books of letters of Symmachus — the pagan senator who pleaded for the Altar of Victory — and Tyconius’ Book of Rules, the first Latin manual of biblical interpretation, by the Donatist who taught Augustine how to read. With them: a panegyric to Julian, a walking catalog of ancient Rome, and more. We are translating every one into English.
About this volume
Two men on opposite sides of the century
Quintus Aurelius Symmachus — proconsul, prefect of Rome, consul — was the finest orator of his day and the last great voice of the old religion. His plea for the Altar of Victory ("not by one path alone can we arrive at so great a mystery") met Ambrose’s reply, and lost. His ten books of letters, arranged by his son on Pliny’s model, are the fullest surviving picture of the Roman senatorial world in its final generation: recommendations and estate business, games and honors, friendship maintained across the religious divide.
Tyconius stood on the century’s other frontier: a lay theologian of the Donatist communion whose Book of Rules — seven keys for interpreting Scripture — is the first Latin treatise on hermeneutics. His own party censured him; Augustine studied him, summarized his rules in On Christian Doctrine, and carried his way of reading prophecy into the medieval West. Around these two stand Claudius Mamertinus’ speech of thanks to the emperor Julian, Publius Victor’s district-by-district description of the city of Rome, a Trinitarian confession under Martin of Tours’ name, and anonymous exhortations to monks and virgins.
As across the whole project, we translate the original works only, in fresh English, and give them away free to read.
Where to start
Three to begin with
The plea
Letters, Book 10: The State Papers
Epistolarum Liber X
The official relationes of the prefect of Rome — including the Altar of Victory plea that Ambrose answered.
Read →The keys
The Book of Rules
Liber de Septem Regulis
Seven rules for reading Scripture — the first Latin hermeneutics, written by a Donatist and adopted by Augustine.
Read →The city
A Description of the City of Rome
Descriptio Urbis Romae
Rome region by region — gates, baths, fora, and temples — as a fourth-century hand cataloged it.
Read →The contents
18 works
Each is a fresh English translation from the Latin, free to read online, in the order Migne printed them.
- 01
A Confession of the Holy Trinity Confessio S. Trinitatis
A brief profession of Trinitarian faith transmitted under the name of Martin of Tours, confessing one divinity in three persons.
2 min Read free → - 02
The Book of Rules Liber de Septem Regulis
The first Latin treatise on biblical interpretation, laying down seven rules for unlocking Scripture's hidden meanings.
14 ch. Read free → - 03
On Humility and Obedience, and the Treading Down of Pride Sententia de Humilitate et Obedientia et de Calcanda Superbia
A short monastic exhortation urging brothers to conquer inner pride through humility, obedience to their abbot, and charity toward one another.
9 min Read free → - 04
Exhortation to Monks Exhortatio ad Monachos
An anonymous father's letter of guidance to the monks he trained, on fasting, prayer, silence, humility, and guarding against scandal.
5 ch. Read free → - 05
Exhortation to a Bride of Christ Exhortatio ad Sponsam Christi
An anonymous letter urging a consecrated virgin to match her vow of chastity with a whole life of obedience, humility, and purity of heart.
19 ch. Read free → - 06
Three Sermons from the Sessorian Codex Sermones Tres ex Codice Sessoriano
Three sermons transmitted under Ambrose's name, urging the total renunciation of possessions and exalting charity above every other virtue.
3 ch. Read free → - 07
The Letters of Symmachus, Book I Epistolarum Liber I
The opening book of the pagan senator Symmachus's collected letters, addressed to his father and closest friends amid villa life, literary talk, and Roman civic duty.
107 ch. Read free → - 08
Letters, Book II Epistolarum Liber II
Ninety-one private letters from Symmachus to his brother Flavianus, ranging from family travel and patronage to Rome's grain crisis and games.
91 ch. Read free → - 09
The Letters of Symmachus, Book III Epistolarum Liber III
Ninety-one letters of greeting, gossip, and commendation from the pagan senator Symmachus to his circle of friends, clients, and fellow office-holders.
91 ch. Read free → - 10
The Letters of Symmachus, Book IV Epistolarum Liber IV
Seventy-four private letters of family news, book loans, and favors asked of friends and officials, including chariot-horse requests for his son's praetorian games.
74 ch. Read free → - 11
The Letters of Symmachus, Book V Epistolarum Liber V
Ninety-eight private letters of Rome's last great pagan senator to friends, in-laws, and officials, arranging games, favors, and family business.
98 ch. Read free → - 12
Letters, Book VI Epistolarum Liber VI
Eighty-one intimate letters from Symmachus to his daughter and son-in-law, tracing family illness, estate business, and Rome's grain crisis of the 380s and 390s AD.
81 ch. Read free → - 13
The Letters of Symmachus, Book VII Epistolarum Liber VII
A Roman senator's seventh book of private letters, chiefly to his son, threading paternal affection with the business of friendship and patronage.
131 ch. Read free → - 14
The Letters of Symmachus, Book VIII Epistolarum Liber VIII
Seventy-four short letters of friendship, travel, and family health from the pagan senator Symmachus's daily correspondence with Rome's elite.
74 ch. Read free → - 15
The Letters of Symmachus, Book IX Epistolarum Liber IX
The ninth book of Symmachus's private letters, a dense run of favors, family news, and courtesy notes from Rome's last great pagan senator.
134 ch. Read free → - 16
The Letters of Symmachus, Book X Epistolarum Liber X
The official dispatches of Rome's last great pagan prefect, including his famous plea to restore the Altar of Victory to the Senate.
83 ch. Read free → - 17
Mamertinus' Speech of Thanks to the Emperor Julian Mamertini Gratiarum actio Juliano Augusto
A Roman consul's speech of thanks to the emperor Julian, delivered on New Year's Day, 362 AD, praising his wars, reforms, and generosity.
32 ch. Read free → - 18
A Description of the City of Rome Descriptio urbis Romae
A region-by-region statistical inventory of ancient Rome's temples, baths, bridges, and monuments from the fourth-century Regionary Catalogues.
24 ch. Read free →
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