Plutarch's Romane Questions · Plutarch
62.
_What is the cause that among those priests whom they name_ Fæciales, _signifying as much as in greeke εἰρηνοποῖοι, that is to say, Officers going between to make treatie of peace; or σπονδοφόροι, that is to say, Agents for truce and leagues, he whom they call_ Pater Patratus _is esteemed the chiefest? Now_ Pater Patratus _is he, whose father is yet living, who hath children of his owne: and in truth this chiefe Fæcial or Herault hath still at this day a certain prerogative, & special credit above the rest. For the emperours themselves, and generall captains, if they have any persons about them who in regard of the prime of youth, or of their beautifull bodies had need of a faithfull, diligent, and trustie guard, commit them ordinarily into the hands of such as these, for safe custodie._ IS it not, for that these _Patres Patrati_, for reverent feare of their fathers of one side, and for modest shames to scandalize or offend their children on the other side, are enforced to be wise and discreet? Or may it not be, in regard of that cause which their verie denomination doth minister and declare: for this word PATRATUS signifieth as much as compleat, entire and accomplished, as if he were one more perfect and absolute every way than the rest, as being so happie, as to have his owne father living, and be a father also himselfe. Or is it not, for that the man who hath the superintendence of treaties of peace, and of othes, ought to see as _Homer_ saith, ἅμα πρόσω και ἐπίσω, that is to say, before and behind. And in all reason such an one is he like to be, who hath a child for whom, and a father with whom he may consult.
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