Introduction

Summary

Sidonius begs Explicius to decide the case of Alethius and Paulus, because his verdicts are accepted by winners and losers. To flatter Explicius, Sidonius compares his work with three venerable offices of the Roman Republic (censor, decemviri, pontifices).

Addressee

Explicius is described in Sidon. Ep. 2.7 as a highly sought after arbitrator with great legal experience; Loyen (1970a) 219 n. 28, PLRE 2, 447, PCBE 4, 726, Mathisen (2020a) 94. PLRE 2, 447 suggests that Explicius is a bishop, whereas Kaufmann (1995) 304 convincingly notes that both Sidonius’ typical formulaic address for bishops (domino papae) as well as the closure (memor nostri esse dignare, domine papa) are missing; see also Liebs (2002) 46–7.

Date

There is no evidence for the date of this letter; see the Introduction, ‘2. The date and order of letters in Book 2’.

Major themes and further reading

Sidonius frequently intercedes for his friends and acquaintances. Like Ep. 2.4, Ep. 2.7 is also about legal advice; see the introduction to Ep. 2.4. Other letters in which Sidonius tries to settle (legal) conflicts are Ep. 4.6, 4.23, 4.24, 6.2; Amherdt (2001) 196. Various legal matters are also often the subject of Pliny's letters; see the Introduction, p. xvii.

Commentary

Section 1

Sidonius Explicio suo salutem: For the simple greeting formula, see the commentary on Ep. 2.1.1 Sidonius Ecdicio suo salutem. For the addressee, Explicius, see the introduction to this letter.

Quia iustitia vestra iure fit universitati per conplura recti experimenta venerabilis: Sidonius emphasises the legal subject matter of the letter, referring to the justice (iustitia) of the addressee, and adds as a pun that this is rightly (iure) appreciated by all. For universitas, see the commentary on Ep. 2.3.2 sic invidiam … universitatis amore Germanicus. For an instance of experimentum, ‘proof ‘, ‘test’, ‘trial’ (TLL 5.2, 1656.69–7.7), with the genitive objectivus referring to a state of mind, see Sidon. Ep. 1.11.6 propter experimenta felicis audaciae (‘thanks to the experienced lucky audacity’). The adjective venerabilis, ‘venerable’, ‘august’ (OLD 2027, 1a), is regularly used of persons. Here it is applied to Explicius’ justice. For adjectives ending in -bilis, see the commentary on Ep. 2.2.16 Is quidem … vestigio inspectoris inadibilis.