The project to translate all the fragments of Philip of Side is still progressing. A bunch of these are in a 6th century fictional text depicting a religious debate at the court of the Sassanids. More or less by accident, I seem to have commissioned a translation of this text, although it is turning out to be very interesting indeed.
Another chunk arrived today, and I thought I would share with you the opening words, which struck me as truly splendid and brightened my morning considerably:
34. The following day, Oricatus the foremost of the enchanters came to him and said: “Master of everything under the sun, grant me glory, so that I may preside in this assembly, since I have three mighty acts to perform!”
Not many job interviews begin like that!