Lucian Piscator 19

PHILOSOPHY

Let us go up, then. But tell me, what is your name?

FRANKNESS

Mine? Frankness, son of Truthful, son of Renowned Investigator.

PHILOSOPHY

And your country?

FRANKNESS

I am a Syrian, Philosophy, from the banks of the Euphrates. But what of that? I know that some of my opponents here are just as foreign-born as I: but in their manners and culture they are not like men of Soli or Cyprus or Babylon or Stageira. ¹ Yet as far as you are concerned it would make no difference even if a man’s speech were foreign, if only his way of thinking were manifestly right and just.

Philosophy

Prisoner, your name?

Lucian

Parrhesiades, son of Alethion, son of Elenxicles. ¹

Philosophy

And your country?

Lucian

I am a Syrian from the Euphrates, my lady. But is the question relevant? Some of my accusers I know to be as much barbarians by blood as myself; but character and culture do not vary as a man comes from Soli or Cyprus, Babylon or Stagira. However, even one who could not talk Greek would be none the worse in your eyes, so long as his sentiments were right and just.

Philosophy

True, the question was unnecessary. But what is your profession? that at least is essential.