The Letters of Cassiodorus
to you as Count, A B, a sublime person, a man already proved to be of
high character, in order that he may terminate (amputare) any contests
arising between two Goths according to our edicts; but that, if any
matter should arise between a Goth and a born Roman, he may, after
associating with himself a Roman jurisconsult[465], decide the strife
by fair reason[466]. As between two Romans, let the decision rest with
the Roman examiners (cognitores), whom we appoint in the various
Provinces; that thus each may keep his own laws, and with various
Judges one Justice may embrace the whole realm. Thus, sharing one
common peace, may both nations, if God favour us, enjoy the sweets of
tranquillity.
[Footnote 465: 'Adhibito sibi prudente Romano.']
[Footnote 466: 'Aequabili ratione.']
'Know, however, that we view all [our subjects] with one impartial
love; but he may commend himself more abundantly to our favour who
subdues his own will into loving submission to the law[467]. We like
nothing that is disorderly[468]; we detest wicked arrogance and all
who have anything to do with it. Our principles lead us to execrate
violent men[469]. In a dispute let laws decide, not the strong arm.
Why should men seek by choice violent remedies, when they know that
the Courts of Justice are open to them? It is for this cause that we
pay the Judges their salaries, for this that we maintain such large
official staffs with all their privileges, that we may not allow
anything to grow up among you which may tend towards hatred. Since you
see that one lordship (imperium) is over you, let there be also one
desire in your hearts, to live in harmony.
[Footnote 467: 'Qui leges moderata voluntate dilexerit.' To translate
this literally might give a wrong idea, because with us 'to love the
law' means to be litigious.]
[Footnote 468: 'Non amamus aliquid incivile.']
[Footnote 469: 'Violentos nostra pietas execratur.']
'Let both nations hear what we have at heart. You [oh Goths!] have the
Romans as neighbours to your lands: even so let them be joined to you
in affection. You too, oh Romans! ought dearly to love the Goths, who
in peace swell the numbers of your people and in war defend the whole
Republic[470]. It is fitting therefore that you obey the Judge whom we
have appointed for you, that you may by all means accomplish all that
he may ordain for the preservation of the laws; and thus you will be
found to have promoted your own interests while obeying our command.'
[Footnote 470: 'Vos autem, Romani, magno studio Gothos diligere
debetis, qui et in pace numerosos vobis populos faciunt, et universam
Rempublicam per bella defendunt.']
4. FORMULA OF THE DUKE OF RAETIA.
[Sidenote: Ducatus Raetiarum.]
'Although promotion among the _Spectabiles_ goes solely by seniority,
it is impossible to deny that those who are employed in the border
Provinces have a more arduous, and therefore in a sense more
honourable, office than those who command in the peaceful districts of
Italy. The former have to deal with war, the latter only with the
repression of crime. The former hear the trumpet's clang, the latter
the voice of the crier.
'The Provinces of Raetia are the bars and bolts of Italy. Wild and
cruel nations ramp outside of them, and they, like nets, whence their
name[471], catch the Barbarian in their toils and hold him there till
the hurled arrow can chastise his mad presumption.
[Footnote 471: Raetia, from _rete_, a net.]
'Receive then for this Indiction the _Ducatus Raetiarum_. Let your
soldiers live on friendly terms with the Provincials, avoiding all
lawless presumption; and at the same time let them be constantly on
their guard against the Barbarians outside. Even bloodshed is often
prevented by seasonable vigilance.'
5. FORMULA OF THE PALACE ARCHITECT.
[Sidenote: Cura Palatii.]
'Much do we delight in seeing the greatness of our Kingdom imaged
forth in the splendour of our palace.
'Thus do the ambassadors of foreign nations admire our power, for at
first sight one naturally believes that as is the house so is the
inhabitant.
'The Cyclopes invented the art of working in metal, which then passed
over from Sicily to Italy.
'Take then for this Indiction the care of our palace, thus receiving
the power of transmitting your fame to a remote posterity which shall
admire your workmanship. See that your new work harmonises well with
the old. Study Euclid--get his diagrams well into your mind; study
Archimedes and Metrobius.
'When we are thinking of rebuilding a city, or of founding a fort or a
general's quarters, we shall rely upon you to express our thoughts on
paper [in an architect's design]. The builder of walls, the carver of
marbles, the caster of brass, the vaulter of arches[472], the
plasterer, the worker in mosaic, all come to you for orders, and you
are expected to have a wise answer for each. But, then, if you direct
them rightly, while theirs is the work yours is all the glory.
[Footnote 472: 'Camerarum rotator.']
'Above all things, dispense honestly what we give you for the
workmen's wages; for the labourer who is at ease about his victuals
works all the better.
'As a mark of your high dignity you bear a golden wand, and amidst the
numerous throng of servants walk first before the royal footsteps
[i.e. last in the procession and immediately before the King], that
even by your nearness to our person it may be seen that you are the
man to whom we have entrusted the care of our palaces.'
6. FORMULA OF THE COUNT OF THE AQUEDUCTS.
[Sidenote: Comitiva Formarum Urbis.]
'Though all the buildings of Rome are wonderful, and one can scarce
for this reason say which are the chief among them, we think a
distinction may be drawn between those which are reared only for the
sake of ornament and those which also serve a useful purpose. Thus,
however often one sees the Forum of Trajan, it always seems a
wonder[473]. To stand on the lofty Capitol is to see all other works
of the human intellect surpassed. And yet neither of these great works
touches human life, nor ministers to health or enjoyment. But in the
Aqueducts of Rome we note both the marvel of their construction and
the rare wholesomeness of their waters. When you look at those rivers,
led as it were over piled up mountains, you would think that their
solid stony beds were natural channels, through so many ages have they
borne the rush of such mighty waters. And yet even mountains are
frequently undermined, and let out the torrents which have excavated
them; while these artificial channels, the work of the ancients, never
perish, if reasonable care be taken of their preservation.
[Footnote 473: 'Trajani Forum vel sub assiduitate videre miraculum
est.']
'Let us consider how much that wealth of waters adds to the adornment
of the City of Rome. Where would be the beauty of our _Thermae_, if
those softest waters were not supplied to them?
'Purest and most delightful of all streams glides along the _Aqua
Virgo_, so named because no defilement ever stains it. For while all
the others, after heavy rain show some contaminating mixture of
earth, this alone by its ever pure stream would cheat us into
believing that the sky was always blue above us. Ah! how express these
things in words worthy of them? The _Aqua Claudia_ is led along on the
top of such a lofty pile that, when it reaches Mount Aventine, it
falls from above upon that lofty summit as if it were watering some
lowly valley. It is true that the Egyptian Nile, rising at certain
seasons, brings its flood of waters over the land under a cloudless
sky; but how much fairer a sight is it to see the Roman Claudia
flowing with a never-failing stream over all those thirsty mountain
tops, and bringing purest water through a multitude of pipes to so
many baths and houses. When Nile retreats he leaves mud behind him;
when he comes unexpectedly he brings a deluge. Shall we not then
boldly say that our Aqueducts surpass the famous Nile, which is so
often a terror to the dwellers on his banks either by what he brings
or by what he leaves behind him? It is in no spirit of pride that we
enumerate these particulars, but in order that you may consider how
great diligence should be shown by you to whom such splendid works are
entrusted.
'Wherefore, after careful consideration, we entrust you for this
Indiction with the _Comitiva Formarum_, that you may zealously strive
to accomplish what the maintenance of such noble structures requires.
Especially as to the hurtful trees which are the ruin of buildings,
[inserting their roots between the stones and] demolishing them with
the destructiveness of a battering-ram: we wish them to be pulled up
by the roots, since it is no use dealing with an evil of this kind
except in its origin. If any part is falling into decay through age,
let it be repaired at once: the first expense is the least. The
strengthening of the Aqueducts will constitute your best claim on our
favour, and will be the surest means of establishing your own
fortune. Act with skill and honesty, and let there be no corrupt
practices in reference to the distribution of the water.'
7. FORMULA OF THE PRAEFECT OF THE WATCH OF THE CITY OF ROME.
[Sidenote: Praefectus Vigilum Urbis Romae.]
'Your office, exercised as it is in the City itself, and under the
eyes of Patricians and Consuls, is sure to bring you renown if you
discharge its duties with diligence. You have full power to catch
thieves, though the law reserves the right of punishing them for
another official, apparently because it would remember that even these
detestable plunderers are yet Roman citizens. Take then for this
Indiction the _Praefectura Vigilum_. You will be the safety of
sleepers, the bulwark of houses, the defence of bolts and bars, an
unseen scrutineer, a silent judge, one whose right it is to entrap the
plotters and whose glory to deceive them. Your occupation is a nightly
hunting, most feared when it is not seen. You rob the robbers, and
strive to circumvent the men who make a mock at all other citizens. It
is only by a sort of sleight of hand that you can throw your nets
around robbers; for it is easier to guess the riddles of the Sphinx
than to detect the whereabouts of a flying thief. He looks round him
on all sides, ready to start off at the sound of an advancing
footstep, trembling at the thought of a possible ambush. How can one
catch him who, like the wind, tarries never in one place? Go forth,
then, under the starry skies; watch diligently with all the birds of
night, and as they seek their food in the darkness so do you therein
hunt for fame.
'Let there be no corruption, no deeds of darkness which the day need
blush for. Do this, and you will have our support in upholding the
rightful privileges of yourself and your staff.'
8. FORMULA OF THE PRAEFECT OF THE WATCH OF THE CITY OF RAVENNA.
[Sidenote: Praefectus Vigilum Urbis Ravennatis.]
Contains the same topics as the preceding formula, rather less
forcibly urged, and with no special reference to the City of Ravenna.
An exhortation at the end not to be too hasty, nor to shed blood
needlessly, even when dealing with thieves.
9. FORMULA OF THE COUNT OF PORTUS.
[Sidenote: Comitiva Portus Urbis Romae.]
'It is a service of pleasure rather than of toil to hold the dignity
of Comes in the harbour of the City of Rome, to look forth upon the
wide sail-traversed main, to see the commerce of all the Provinces
tending towards Rome, and to welcome travellers arriving with the joy
of ended peril. Excellent thought of the men of old to provide two
channels by which strangers might enter the Tiber, and to adorn them
with those two stately cities [Portus and Ostia], which shine like
lights upon the watery way!