On Phoenician Letters

posterity will know that the Royal letters, being holy before all others, survive in Gaul original: "Gallia"; here referring to France, that distinguished authors are purchased for the Royal Library, that the traditions of ancient Gaul accord with the standards of truth, and that the restoration of religion is being assiduously pursued. In sum, whatever pertains to matters of piety and religion, as well as to literature and scholarship, is held in the highest esteem by the Most Christian King. And rightly so. For just as letters require those who perform deeds full of brilliance and worthy of imitation, and who would consecrate them to posterity, so too do the distinguished authors of great deeds require letters, by whose work and benefit their accomplishments are consecrated to longevity. Otherwise, as that poet said, "What would become of the son of Ilia and Mars, if envious silence were to hinder the merits of Romulus?" A reference to Horace, Odes 4.9, concerning the necessity of poetry to preserve the memory of heroes. But why have I written, as if having slipped out thoughtlessly, about the affairs of Gaul? These things were written with the goal of my own treatise in mind. For when