Read the thirty-six political orations of Themistius.[362] Some are
addressed to the emperor Constantius, others to Valens, the younger
Valentinian, and Theodosius, and contain encomiums and panegyrics
of these emperors. The style is clear, free from redundancies, but
somewhat florid. The language is official,[363] with a tendency
to solemnity. Themistius flourished in the reign of Valens, as
is clear from his works. He was still a young man in the time of
Constantius, by whom he was elected a member of the senate, as is
evident from the letter addressed by the emperor himself to that body
on behalf of Themistius. His father, who was also a philosopher, was
named Eugenius. We have seen his commentaries on all the works of
Aristotle, and concise and useful paraphrases of the _Analytics_, the
_Soul_, the _Physics_, and similar works. He also did something for
the interpretation of Plato, and, in fact, was a lover and student of
philosophy.
Also read the sixteen speeches of Lesbonax.[364] This Lesbonax....