Therefore, if it be true, as many writers affirm, that Cyrus the
king, and Simonides the lyric poet, and Hippias of Elis, the most acute
of the Sophists, excelled as they did in memory because they had
obtained that faculty through drinking a particular medicine, we must
also believe that Julian in his early manhood had drunk the whole cask
of memory, if such a thing could ever be found. And these are the
nocturnal signs of his chastity and virtue.

9. But as for the manner in which he passed his days, whether in
conversing with eloquence and wit, or in making preparations for war, or
in actual conflict of battle, or in his administration of affairs of the
state, correcting all defects with magnanimity and liberality, these
things shall all be set forth in their proper place.

10. When he was compelled, as being a prince, to apply himself to the
study of military discipline, having been previously confined to lessons
of philosophy, and when he was learning the art of marching in time
while the pipes were playing the Pyrrhic air, he often, calling upon the
name of Plato, ironically quoted that old proverb, "A pack-saddle is
placed on an ox; this is clearly a burden which does not belong to me."

11. On one occasion, when some secretaries were introduced into the
council-chamber, with solemn ceremony, to receive some gold, one of
their company did not, as is the usual custom, open his robe to receive
it, but took it in the hollow of both his hands joined together; on
which Julian said, secretaries only know how to seize things, not how to
accept them.

12. Having been approached by the parents of a virgin who had been
ravished, seeking for justice, he gave sentence that the ravisher, on
conviction, should be banished; and when the parents complained of this
sentence as unequal to the crime, because the criminal had not been
condemned to death, he replied, "Let the laws blame my clemency: but it
is fitting that an emperor of a most merciful disposition should be
superior to all other laws."

13. Once when he was about to set forth on an expedition, he was
interrupted by several people complaining of injuries which they had
received, whom he referred for a hearing to the governors of their
respective provinces. And after he had returned, he inquired what had
been done in each case, and with genuine clemency mitigated the
punishments which had been assigned to the offences.

14. Last of all, without here making any men