Dum haec in Oriente volubiles fatorum explicant sortes, Apronianus regens urbem aeternam, iudex integer et severus, inter curarum praecipua, quibus haec praefectura saepe sollicitatur, id primum opera curabat enixa, ut veneficos (qui tunc rariscebant) captos postque agitatas quaestiones nocuisse quibusdam apertissime confutatos, indicatis consciis morte multaret, atque ita paucorum discrimine reliquos (siqui laterent), formidine parium exturbaret.
While the events in the Orient were unfolding through the changing fates, Apronianus, the just and strict prefect of the eternal city, amidst the urgent cares that often burdened his office, made it his first priority to arrest the sorcerers, who were becoming scarce in number at that time. He ordered that those who were clearly convicted of harming someone, after being put to question and naming their accomplices, be punished with death. In doing so, he hoped to drive away any remaining sorcerers still in hiding out of fear of a similar fate, and to protect the rest through the punishment of a few.