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80And now Caesar himself drove into the city, and he was conversing with Areius the philosopher, to whom he had given his right hand, in order that Areius might at once be conspicuous among the citizens, and be admired because of the marked honour shown him by Caesar. After he had entered the gymnasium and ascended a tribunal there made for him, the people were beside themselves with fear and prostrated themselves before him, but he bade them rise up, and said that he acquitted the people of all blame, first, because of Alexander, their founder; second, because he admired the great size and beauty of the city; and third, to gratify his companion, Areius. 2This honour Caesar bestowed upon Areius, and pardoned many other persons also at his request. Among these was Philostratus, a man more competent to speak extempore than any sophist that ever lived, but he improperly represented himself as belonging to the school of the Academy. Therefore Caesar, abominating his ways, would not listen to his entreaties. 3So Philostratus, having a long white beard and wearing a dark robe, would follow behind Areius, ever declaiming this verse:—
When Caesar learned of this, he pardoned him, wishing rather to free Areius from odium than Philostratus from fear.“A wise man will a wise man save, if wise he be.”[61]
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Notes
[61] An iambic trimeter from an unknown poet (Nauck, Trag. Graec. Frag.2 p. 921).