To the Rulers of the Mytileneans

Isocrates, Vol. 3. Van Hook, Larue, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1945 (printing).

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This work is a petition letter addressed to the rulers of Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. The author earnestly entreats the rulers to revoke the banishment of Agenor, a distinguished music teacher of his step-grandchildren, and his family, allowing them to return home. In the letter, the author praises Agenor's character and his outstanding musical talents, arguing how beneficial it would be to welcome him back. Furthermore, he explains that protecting culture and arts, and valuing intellectual pioneers, directly contributes to the prosperity of the state and the enduring fame of its rulers. While taking the form of a personal appeal, the letter logically advocates for the importance of education and cultural preservation in society.