The Letters of Cassiodorus
driven forth from the kingdom, that the serenity of our Commonwealth
may not be troubled with any such dark spots.'
[Theodoric crossed the Isonzo, August, 489, and as I understand this
letter, it was written somewhere about 518, and he therefore lays down
a convenient practical rule: 'No dispossession which occurred before
I crossed the Isonzo shall be enquired into; any which have happened
since, may.' But the letter is a very difficult one, and I am bound to
say that Dahn's interpretation ('Koenige der Germanen' iii. 11, 12)
does not agree with mine.]
19. KING THEODORIC TO SATURNINUS AND VERBUSIUS, VIRI SUBLIMES.
[Sidenote: The rights of the Fiscus.]
'The _Fiscus_ is to have its rights, but we do not wish to oppress our
people. Let moderation be observed in all things.
'When you receive the petition of the Curiales of Adriana, if anyone
who is able to pay, stubbornly and impudently refuses to contribute to
the _Fiscus Gothorum_, you are to compel him to do so. But let off the
really poor man who is unable to contribute.'
20. KING THEODORIC TO ALBINUS AND ALBIENUS, VIRI ILLUSTRES AND
PATRICIANS.
[Sidenote: Circus quarrels. Patronage of the Greens. Rivalry between
Helladius and Theodorus.]
'Notwithstanding our greater cares for the Republic, we are willing to
provide also for the amusement of our subjects. For it is the
strongest possible proof of the success of our labours that the
multitude knows itself to be again at leisure[230].
[Footnote 230: 'Illud enim, propitiante Deo, labores nostros asserit
quod se _otiosam_ generalitas esse cognoscit.']
'The petition of the Green party in the circus informs us that they
are oppressed, and that the factions of the circus are fatal to public
tranquillity. We therefore order you to assume the patronage of the
Green party, which our father of glorious memory paid for[231]. So
let the spectators be assembled, and let them choose between Helladius
and Theodorus which is fittest to be Pantomimist of the Greens, whose
salary we will pay.'
[Footnote 231: 'Quapropter illustris magnitudo vestra praesenti
jussione commonita, patrocinium partis Prasini, quod gloriosae
recordationis pater noster impendit, dignanter assumat.' This passage
probably alludes to Theodoric's adoption by Zeno. But one reading is
'pater _vester_.']
Then follows a digression on pantomimes.
21. KING THEODORIC TO MAXIMIAN, VIR ILLUSTRIS; AND ANDREAS, VIR
SPECTABILIS.
[Sidenote: Embellishment of Rome.]
'If the people of Rome will beautify their City we will help them.
'Institute a strict audit (of which no one need be ashamed) of the
money given by us to the different workmen for the beautification of
the City. See that we are receiving money's worth for the money spent.
If there is embezzlement anywhere, cause the funds so embezzled to be
disgorged. We expect the Romans to help from their own resources in
this patriotic work, and certainly not to intercept our contributions
for the purpose.
'The wandering birds love their own nests; the beasts haste to their
own lodgings in the brake; the voluptuous fish, roaming the fields of
ocean, returns to its own well-known cavern. How much more should Rome
be loved by her children!'
22. KING THEODORIC TO MARCELLUS, VIR SPECTABILIS, ADVOCATUS FISCI.
[Sidenote: Promotion of Marcellus.]
After some rather vapid praise of the eloquence and good qualities of
Marcellus, Theodoric promotes him from the rank of a Private Advocate
to that of an _Advocatus Fisci_, and gives him some excellent counsels
about not pressing the claims of the Crown too far. 'We shall not
enquire how many causes you have gained, but how you have gained them.
Let there sometimes be a bad cause for the Fiscus, that the Sovereign
may be seen to be good.'
23. KING THEODORIC TO COELIANUS AND AGAPITUS, VIRI ILLUSTRES AND
PATRICIANS.
[Sidenote: Litigation between Senators.]
'The concord and harmony of subjects redound to the praise of their
prince.
'We desire that Festus and Symmachus (Patricians and Magnifici) should
prosecute the causes for action which they say they have against
Paulinus (Illustris and Patrician) in your Court. Let Paulinus bring
before you any counter-claim which he may assert himself to possess.
Let justice be rendered speedily. Show yourselves worthy of this high
trust. It is a matter of great moment to end lawsuits between men of
such eminence in the State as these.'
24. KING THEODORIC TO ALL THE GOTHS.
[Sidenote: A call to arms for the invasion of Gaul.]
'To the Goths a hint of war rather than persuasion to the strife is
needed, since a warlike race such as ours delights to prove its
courage. In truth, he shuns no labour who hungers for the renown of
valour. Therefore with the help of God, whose blessing alone brings
prosperity, we design to send our army to the Gauls for the common
benefit of all, that you may have an opportunity of promotion, and we
the power of testing your merits; for in time of peace the courage
which we admire lies hidden, and when men have no chance of showing
what is in them, their relative merits are concealed. We have
therefore given our Sajo[232], Nandius, instructions to warn you that,
on the eighth day before the kalends of next July, you move forward to
the campaign in the name of God, sufficiently equipped, according to
your old custom, with horses, arms, and every requisite for war. Thus
will ye at the same time show that the old valour of your sires yet
dwells in your hearts, and also successfully perform your King's
command. Bring forth your young men for the discipline of Mars. Let
them see you do deeds which they may love to tell of to their
children. For an art not learned in youth is an art missing in our
riper years. The very hawk, whose food is plunder, thrusts her still
weak and tender young ones out of the nest, that they may not become
accustomed to soft repose. She strikes the lingerers with her wings;
she forces her callow young to fly, that they may prove to be such in
the future as her maternal fondness can be proud of. Do you therefore,
lofty by nature, and stimulated yet more by the love of fame, study to
leave such sons behind you as your fathers have left in leaving you.'
[Footnote 232: See for the office of the Sajo, note on ii. 13.]
[We can hardly be wrong in referring this stirring proclamation to the
year 508, when Theodoric sent troops into Gaul to save the remnants of
the Visigothic Monarchy from the grasp of Clovis. The first sentence
recalls the expression 'certaminis gaudia,' which Jordanes no doubt
borrowed from Cassiodorus. For the simile at the end of the letter,
cf. Deuteronomy xxxii. 11, 'As an eagle stirreth up her nest'.]
25. KING THEODORIC TO SABINIANUS, VIR SPECTABILIS.
[Sidenote: Repair of the walls of Rome.]
'It is important to preserve as well as to create. We are earnestly
anxious to keep the walls of Rome in good repair, and have therefore
ordered the Lucrine port[233] to furnish 25,000 tiles annually for
this purpose. See that this is done, that the cavities which have been
formed by the fall of stones may be roofed over with tiles, and so
preserved, and that thus we may deserve the thanks of ancient kings,
to whose works we have given immortal youth.'
[Footnote 233: I presume that 'portum Lucini' is an error for the
Lucrine harbour; but there is an allusion which I do not understand in
the following passage: 'Simul etiam portubus junctis, qui ad illa loca
antiquitus pertinebant, et nunc diversorum usurpatione suggeruntur
invasi?']
26. KING THEODORIC TO FAUSTUS, PRAEPOSITUS.
[Sidenote: Immunity of Church property from taxation.]
In the time of Cassiodorus the Patrician (a man of tried integrity and
pure fidelity[234]), a grant of freedom from taxation[235] was made to
the Church of Vercelli. Since that time other property has been
conveyed to the same Church, apparently by a soldier. An attempt is
made to represent this after-acquired property as also tax-free. 'No,'
says the King. 'It would be very wrong in us to recall our gift; but
it is equally wrong in you to try to stretch it to something which it
never included. Private persons must not make grants to the injury of
our treasury. Tribute belongs to the purple, not to the military
cloak[236]. Your newly acquired possessions must pay taxes along with
those of other owners.'
[Footnote 234: This is evidently the writer's father.]
[Footnote 235: 'Onera indictorum titulorum.']
[Footnote 236: 'Tributa sunt purpurae, non lacernae.']
27. KING THEODORIC TO SPECIOSUS.
[Sidenote: Circus quarrels.]
'If we are moderating under our laws the character of foreign nations,
if the Roman law is supreme over all that is in alliance with Italy,
how much more doth it become the Senate of the seat of civilisation
itself to have a surpassing reverence for law, that by the example of
their moderation the beauty of their dignities may shine forth more
eminently. For where shall we look for moderation, if violence stains
Patricians? The Green party complain that they have been truculently
assaulted by the Patrician Theodoric and the "Illustris and Consul
Importunus," and that one life has been lost in the fray. We wish the
matter to be at once brought before the Illustres Coelianus and
Agapitus and examined into by them[237].
[Footnote 237: See i. 23, from which it appears that these two men had
special jurisdiction in cases affecting Patricians.]
'As to their counter-complaints of rudeness against the mob, you must
distinguish between deliberate insolence and the licence of the
theatre. Who expects seriousness of character at the spectacles? It is
not exactly a congregation of Catos that comes together at the circus.
The place excuses some excesses. And besides, it is the _beaten_ party
which vents its rage in insulting cries. Do not let the Patricians
complain of clamour that is really the result of a victory for their
own side, which they greatly desired.'
[The mention of 'the Patrician Theodoric' is a difficulty, as we know
of no namesake of the King among the Roman nobility. Perhaps we ought
to read (with the Remensian MS.) 'Theodoro,' as we know from 'Anon.
Valesii' 68 that there was a Theodorus, son of Basilius, who perhaps
succeeded Liberius, Praef. Praetorio.]
28. KING THEODORIC TO ALL THE GOTHS AND ROMANS.
[Sidenote: The walls of Rome.]
'Most worthy of Royal attention is the rebuilding of ancient cities,
an adornment in time of peace, a precaution for time of war.
'Therefore, if anyone have in his fields stones suitable for the
building of the walls, let him cheerfully and promptly produce them.
Even though he should be paid at a low rate, he will have his reward
as a member of the community, which will benefit thereby.'
29. KING THEODORIC TO ALL THE LUCRISTANI (LUSTRIANI?) ON THE RIVER
SONTIUS (ISONZO).
[Sidenote: The Postal Service.]
'The post (_Cursus Publicus_) is evidently an institution of great
public utility, tending to the rapid promulgation of our decrees.
'Care must therefore be taken that the horses are not allowed to get
out of condition, lest they break down under their work, and lest the
journey, which should be rapid, become tediously slow.
'Also any lands formerly appropriated to the _mutationes_ [places for
changing horses] which have fallen into private hands must be
reclaimed for the public service, the owners being sufficiently
indemnified for their loss.'
30. KING THEODORIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME.
[Sidenote: On the injury to public peace arising from the Circus
rivalries.]
The Senators are exhorted not to allow their menials to embroil
themselves with the populace, and thus bring their good name into
disgrace. Any slave accused of the murder of a free-born citizen is to