This letter advocates for the restoration and preservation of traditional Roman religious customs and institutions, emphasizing their importance for the stability and legitimacy of the state.
Symmachus argues that maintaining these ancient practices honors the memory of past emperors and urges the emperors to uphold the old religious rites, including the Altar of Victory, to ensure national prosperity and divine favor.
He also warns against altering or diminishing the privileges of religious officials and sacred sites, asserting that such actions have historically led to famine and disorder, and emphasizing that reverence for tradition strengthens the moral and political fabric of the empire.
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