Hadrian’s Reply

“To Minucius Fundanus. I have received a letter written to me by Serennius Granianus, a most distinguished man, whom you have succeeded. It does not seem right to me to leave the matter uninvestigated, so that people may not be troubled and informers may not be supplied with the means for villainy. [a] If, then, the people of the province can clearly support this petition against the Christians, so as to answer before the judgment seat, let them take this course alone, and not resort to petitions or mere shouting. For it is much more fitting, if anyone wishes to bring an accusation, that you should examine it. So if anyone accuses them and shows that they are doing anything against the laws, decide the case according to the seriousness of the offense. But, by Hercules, if anyone brings this forward for the sake of slander, deal with him for his villainy and see that you punish him.” Such are the contents of Hadrian’s reply. [b]