The Letters of Cassiodorus
Nero was loitering over his dinner, and the populace, as usual, was
impatient for the spectacle to begin, he ordered the napkin which he
had used for wiping his fingers to be thrown out of window, as a
signal that he gave the required permission. Hence it became a custom
that the display of a napkin gave a certain promise of future
_circenses_.
'The _Circus_ is so called from "circuitus:" _circenses_ is, as it
were, _circu-enses_, because in the rude ages of antiquity, before an
elaborate building had been prepared for the purpose, the races were
exhibited on the green grass, and the multitude were protected by the
river on one side and the swords (_enses_) of the soldiers on the
other[315].
[Footnote 315: I can extract no other meaning than the above from this
extraordinary sentence: 'Circenses, quasi circu-enses: propterea quod
apud antiquitatem rudem, quae necdum spectacula in ornatum deduxerat
fabricarum, inter _enses_ et flumina locis virentibus agerentur.']
'We observe, too, that the rule of this contest is that it be decided
in twenty-four heats[316], an equal number to that of the hours of day
and night. Nor let it be accounted meaningless that the number of
circuits round the goals is expressed by the putting up of
_eggs_[317], since that emblem, pregnant as it is with many
superstitions[318], indicates that something is about to be born from
thence. And in truth we may well understand that the most fickle and
inconstant characters, well typified by the birds who have laid those
eggs, will spring from attendance on these spectacles[319]. It were
long to describe in detail all the other points of the Roman Circus,
since each appears to arise from some special cause. This only will we
remark upon as pre-eminently strange, that in these beyond all other
spectacles men's minds are hurried into excitement without any regard
to a fitting sobriety of character. The Green charioteer flashes by:
part of the people is in despair. The Blue gets a lead: a larger part
of the City is in misery. They cheer frantically when they have gained
nothing; they are cut to the heart when they have received no loss;
and they plunge with as much eagerness into these empty contests as if
the whole welfare of the imperilled fatherland were at stake.
[Footnote 316: _Missibus._ In a previous sentence Cassiodorus makes
the acc. plural _missos_.]
[Footnote 317: The number of times that the charioteers had rounded
the goal was indicated by large wooden _eggs_, which were posted up in
a conspicuous place on the spina. It seems that in a corresponding
place near the other end of the spina figures of _dolphins_ were used
for the same purpose. Upon the Cilurnum gem (figured on page 231) we
can perceive four eggs near one end of the spina, and four creatures
which may be dolphins near the other, indicating that four circuits
out of the seven which constitute a missus have been accomplished by
the quadrigae.]
[Footnote 318: Alluding probably to the story of Castor and Pollux.]
[Footnote 319: 'Et ideo datur intelligi, volitantes atque
inconstantissimos inde mores nasci, quos avium matribus aptaverunt.'
_Ovium_ would seem to give a better sense than _avium_.]
'No wonder that such a departure from all sensible dispositions should
be attributed to a superstitious origin. We are compelled to support
this institution by the necessity of humouring the majority of the
people, who are passionately fond of it; for it is always the few who
are led by reason, while the many crave excitement and oblivion of
their cares. Therefore, as we too must sometimes share the folly of
our people, we will freely provide for the expenses of the Circus,
however little our judgment approves of this institution.'
[Notwithstanding some absurdities, the above description of the Circus
Maximus (which I have attempted to translate in full) is of great
value, being, after that given by Dionysius of Halicarnassus, our
chief authority on the subject. The accompanying plan (taken, with
some slight variations, from Smith's 'Dictionary of Antiquities'),
will, I trust, render it intelligible.
It is well illustrated by the recently excavated 'Stadium of
Augustus,' on the Palatine; but perhaps even better by a beautifully
executed gem lately found at Chesters in Northumberland, on the site
of the Roman station at Cilurnum. By the kindness of the owner, Mr.
Clayton, I am able to give an enlarged copy of this gem, which is
described in the 'Archaeologia Aeliana,' vol. x. pp. 133-137.
The reader will easily discern the _Spina_ with one obelisk (not two,
as described by Cassiodorus) in the centre, the high tables supported
by pillars on which the Ova and Delphini are placed, the three
spindle-shaped columns which formed the _Meta_ at each end, and the
four quadrigae (four was the regular number for each missus) careering
in front.]
52. KING THEODORIC TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS CONSULARIS.
[Sidenote: On Roman land surveying.]
'We are sorry to hear that a dispute (which is on the point of being
settled by arms instead of by the law) has arisen between the
Spectabiles Leontius and Paschasius as to the boundaries of their
properties[320]. If they are so fierce against one another here in
Italy, where there are mountains and rivers and the "arcaturae"
[square turrets of the land surveyor] to mark the boundaries, what
would they have done in Egypt, where the yearly returning waters of
the Nile wash out all landmarks, and leave a deposit of mud over all?
[Footnote 320: 'Casarum.' Casa is evidently no longer a cottage;
perhaps the estate attached to a villa. There is probably still a
flavour of rusticity about it.]
'Geometry was discovered by the Chaldaeans, who perceived that its
principles lay at the root of Astronomy, Music, Mechanics,
Architecture, Medicine, Logic, and every science which deals with
generals. This science was eagerly welcomed by the Egyptians, who
perceived the advantage it would be to them in recovering the
boundaries of estates obliterated by the wished-for deluge[321] of the
Nile.
[Footnote 321: 'Votiva inundatione.']
'Therefore let your Greatness send an experienced land surveyor
(agrimensor) to settle this dispute by assigning fixed boundaries to
the two estates.
'Augustus made a complete survey of the whole "Orbis Romanus," in
order that each taxpayer should know exactly his resources and
obligations. The results of this survey were tabulated by the author
Hyrummetricus. The Professors of this Science [of land surveying] are
honoured with a more earnest attention than falls to the lot of any
other philosophers. Arithmetic, Theoretical Geometry, Astronomy, and
Music are discoursed upon to listless audiences, sometimes to empty
benches. But the land surveyor is like a judge; the deserted fields
become his forum, crowded with eager spectators. You would fancy him a
madman when you see him walking along the most devious paths. But in
truth he is seeking for the traces of lost facts in rough woods and
thickets[322]. He walks not as other men walk. His path is the book
from which he reads; he _shows_ what he is saying; he proves what he
hath learned; by his steps he divides the rights of hostile claimants;
and like a mighty river he takes away the fields of one side to bestow
them on the other.
[Footnote 322: An excellent description of an antiquary walking along
a Roman 'Limes Imperii.']
'Wherefore, acting on our instructions, choose such a land surveyor,
whose authority may be sufficient to settle this dispute, that the
litigants may henceforth cultivate their lands in peace.'
53. KING THEODORIC TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS APRONIANUS, COUNT OF THE PRIVATE
DOMAINS.
[Sidenote: On Water-finders.]
'Your Greatness tells us that a water-finder has come to Rome from
Africa, where, on account of the dryness of the soil, his art is
greatly in request.
'We are glad to hear it. It is a very useful art.
'Signs of the existence of water are the greenness of the grass, the
size of the trees, the nature of the plants, reeds, rushes, brambles,
willows, poplars, &c. Some discover water by putting out dry wool
under a bowl at night. So too, if you see at sunrise a cloud [or
gossamer, 'spissitudinem'] of very small flies. A mist rising like a
column shows water as deep below as the column rises high above.
'The water-finder will also predict the quality of the water, and so
prevent you from wasting labour on a brackish spring. This science was
ably treated of by ----[323], and by Marcellus among the Latins. They
tell us that waters which gush forth towards the east and south are
light and wholesome; that those which emerge towards the north and
west are too cold and heavy.
[Footnote 323: 'Apud Graecos _ille_.' Cassiodorus has left the name
blank, and has either forgotten or been unable to fill it up; like the
'ille et ille' in his State documents.]
'So then, if the testimonials of the aforesaid water-finder and the
results of his indications shall approve themselves to your wisdom,
you may pay his travelling expenses and relieve his wants: he having
to repay you by his future services. For though Rome itself is so
abundantly supplied with aqueducts, there are many suburban places in
which his help would be very useful. Associate with him also a
mechanician who can sink for and raise the water when he has pointed
it out. Rome ought not to lack anything which is an object of
desire.'
BOOK IV.
CONTAINING FIFTY-ONE LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF
THEODORIC.
1. KING THEODORIC TO HERMINAFRID, KING OF THE THURINGIANS.
[Sidenote: Marriage of Theodoric's niece to the King of the
Thuringians.]
'Desiring to unite you to ourselves by the bonds of kindred, we bestow
upon you our niece [Amalabirga, daughter of Theodoric's sister; see
'Anon. Valesii' Sec. 70], so that you, who descend from a Royal stock,
may now far more conspicuously shine by the splendour of Imperial
blood[324]'. [A remarkable passage, as showing that Theodoric did in a
sense consider himself to be filling the place of the Emperors of the
West.]
[Footnote 324: 'Nunc etiam longius claritate Imperialis sanguinis
fulgeatis.']
The virtues and intellectual accomplishments of the new Queen of the
Thuringians are described.
'We gladly acknowledge the price of a favour, in itself beyond price,
which, according to the custom of the nations, we have received from
your ambassadors: namely, a team of horses, silvery in colour, as
wedding-horses should be. Their chests and thighs are suitably adorned
with round surfaces of flesh. Their ribs are expanded to a certain
width. They are short in the belly. Their heads have a certain
resemblance to the stag, the swiftness of which animal they imitate.
These horses are gentle from their extreme plumpness; very swift
notwithstanding their great bulk; pleasant to look at, still better
to use. For they have gentle paces, not fatiguing their riders by
insane curvetings. To ride them is repose rather than toil; and being
broken-in to a delightful and steady pace, they can keep up their
speed, over long distances.
'We too are sending you some presents, but our niece is the fairest
present of all. May God bless you with children, so that our lines may
be allied in future.'
2. KING THEODORIC TO THE KING OF THE HERULI. [Adopting him as his son
by right of arms.]
[Sidenote: Herminafrid adopted as 'filius per arma' by Theodoric.]
'It has been always held amongst the nations a great honour to be
adopted as "filius per arma." Our children by nature often disappoint