Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum; , VI, 1724 (+p. 4743-4) (Q5444)

To Flavius Merobaudes, of spectabilis rank, member of the imperial council ( comes sacri consistori ). To Flavius Merobaudes, a man equal in power and learning, as excellent in doing praiseworthy things as he is in praising the deeds of others. (He is) experienced in administrative charges ( castra ), famous for his eloquence, exceeding in his studies those who have more leisure. From the cradle he had the same care for virtue and eloquence; born with a vocation to bravery and to learning alike, he exercised with both pen and sword. And, not allowing the strength of his mind to languish in the shadow and darkness of mere scholarly leisure, when under arms he fought using words, and sharpened a speech when [serving] in the Alps. Therefore he is grantedas a reward, not cheap foliage nor idle ivy as a Heliconian honour for [his] head, but a statue made of bronze, by which times of old used to honour men of rare example, who had been tested in military service, or were the best of poets. This [monument] Rome, together with the most august emperors, Theodosius and PlacidusValentinianus, lords of everything, set up in the forum of Trajan, rewarding in a man of ancient nobility and recent glory his military energy, as well as the poem by whose triumphant publication the glory of the empire grew. [on the side] Dedicated on the third day before the Kalends of August, when our lords Theodosius for the fifteenth time and Valentinian for the fourth time were consuls. (transl. Ulrich Gehn)