Letter 81
To the Philosopher (Hypatia)
Even if Fortune is unable to take everything away from me, at
least she wants to take away everything that she can, she who has 'bereft me of many
excellent sons' (Iliad xxii.44). But she can never take away from me the choice of the
best, and the power to come to the help of the oppressed, for never may she prevail to
change my heart! I abhor iniquity: for one may, and I would fain prevent it, but this also
is one of those things which were taken from me; this went even before my children.
'Aforetime the Milesians were men of might' (Aristophanes, Plutus
10002). There was a tme when I , too, was of some use to my friends. You yourself called
me the providence of others. All respect which was accorded to me by the mighty of this
earth, I employed solely to help others. The great were merely my instruments. But now,
alas, I am deserted and abandoned by all, unless you have some power to help. I
account you as the only good thing that remains inviolate, along with virtue. You always
have power, and long may you have it and make good use of that power. I recommend to your
care Nicaeus and Philolaus, two excellent young men united by the bond of relationship. In
order that they may come again into possession of their own property, try to get support
for them from all your friends, whether private individuals or magistrates.