The father of Nicolaus the Damascene, the historian, who had to wife Stratonice, the mother of Nicolaus; they were famous in Damascus for both moderation and other distinctions. For they were both very preeminent in wealth yet put on airs because of it as little as possible, and they assigned prime importance to good repute while not considering this something to be spoken of at length. And Antipater was preeminent in shrewdness of reason and did not harm anyone at all, but he helped thousands, not only those of his household, but also many of the townspeople. For if anyone practiced justice, he did: numerous were the disputes in which he adjudicated, both within the citizen-body and between his city and the surrounding dynasts; and he was esteemed by all on account of this. He was entrusted with many diplomatic missions and [similar] tasks, and he passed through the normal career offices; and at the end of his life he gave his son Nicolaus and his [Nicolaus'] brother Ptolemy a single instruction, to prepare for Zeus a censer which he himself had beforehand promised to the god when he should die - showing, I think, that even those who are dying and not anticipating further enjoyment in life should protect what is holy to the gods.