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Document Details : Title: The Purgatus Senator Subtitle: Reading the Second Book of Letters of Quintus Aurelius Symmachus Author(s): ZOETER, Matthijs Journal: Latomus Volume: 84 Issue: 3 Date: 2025 Pages: 494-520 DOI: 10.2143/LAT.84.3.3295228 Abstract : This article offers a new way of reading the second book of the letter collection of the Roman senator Quintus Aurelius Symmachus (ca. AD 340-402), containing his correspondence with Virius Flavianus Nicomachus. By taking Book II as a whole, this article argues that three important themes run through the book: firstly, the rehabilitation of Symmachus by Emperor Theodosius after his support of the usurper Magnus Maximus; secondly, Flavianus’ fate after the battle of the Frigidus. Lastly, the ongoing friendship between the Symmachi and Nicomachi families. These themes are carefully introduced in the first and last letters of the book, which can be interpreted as two programmatic letters and serve as a key to reading the second book. |
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