La relazione epistolare tra Simmaco e Ausonio

The epistolary relationship between Symmachus and Ausonius · The bond between Symmachus and Ausonius as can be reconstructed from their epistolary relationship has different nuances, but an underlying familiarity, even in its asymmetry due to the age and roles of the two members: one a young senator on his way to a brilliant career, the other an imperial teacher and a high central officer. Thanks to his adherence to Ausonius, Simmachus thus carves out the role of mediator between the Roman curia and Gratian’s Trier court. The contents of the letters follow the topical pattern of correspondence exchanged between ‘public’ figures: recommendations, requests for favours, exchanges of books and writings, but also mockery, irony and levity. These betray a more familiar relationship, dictated not only by utilitarian reasons and power. However, these certainly counted in the end of the correspondence, which fell silent from 380, when Ausonius left Trier and retired to his native Bordeaux.