Letter 10001: Amalasuintha, Queen of the Goths, to the Emperor Justinian.

I. QUEEN AMALASUNTHA TO THE EMPEROR JUSTINIAN. [1] Until now, most merciful of princes, we have so far put off informing you of the passing of our son of glorious memory, lest we should wound a loving heart with the sorrow of such tidings; but now, by the help of God, who is accustomed to change harsh misfortunes into prosperous outcomes, we have chosen rather to bring to your notice those things in which, our joy being shared, you may rejoice together with us: for it is a pleasure to acknowledge the gifts of God to those who love us. [2] We have led to the scepter a man joined to us by close fraternal kinship, who might uphold the royal dignity by the strength of counsel shared in common with us, so that he might both shine with the purple splendor of his ancestors and might raise up our spirits with the comfort of a prudent man. Join now your happy prayers, so that, just as we earnestly seek that all things may turn out prosperously within the empire of your piety, so we may prove that your benevolence favors us. And so, the announcement having been made, which we believe to be welcome to you on account of your inborn clemency, we add also the duty of a most agreeable embassy, so that the peace which you ever carry in your mind, and which I now hold to have been especially granted to me, you may extend further by the addition of my own people. For although concord among princes is always becoming, yet yours ennobles me without qualification, since he is rendered the more exalted who has been joined by harmony to your glory. [3] But since all matters cannot be sufficiently set forth within the brevity of a letter, greeting you with fitting reverence, we have entrusted certain things to our envoys to be conveyed to you by word of mouth, which receive graciously, after the custom of your serenity, so that it may be plainly recognized by all that we justly prove ourselves to have promised concerning your gentleness. For it is fitting that it should be presumed of you without doubt, since we too, in accordance with your desire, do such things for those whom you have commended as we have known you to have hoped for.

I. IUSTINIANO IMPERATORI AMALASUINTHA REGINA. [1] Adeo vobis, clementissime principum, distulimus hactenus indicare filii nostri gloriosae recordationis occasum, ne amantis laederemus animum per tristia nuntiorum: sed nunc iuvante deo, qui consuevit casus asperos in prospera commutare, illa magis elegimus in vestram deferre notitiam, de quibus nobiscum possitis participata exultatione gaudere: iuvat enim divina munera diligentibus confiteri. [2] Perduximus ad sceptra virum fraterna nobis proximitate coniunctum, qui regiam dignitatem communi nobiscum consilii robore sustineret, ut et ille avorum suorum purpureo decore fulgeret et animos nostros solacium prudentis erigeret. iungite nunc vota felicia, ut, sicut nos in imperio pietatis vestrae omnia fieri prospera desideranter expetimus, ita nobis favere vestram benivolentiam comprobemus. peracto itaque nuntio, quod vobis pro ingenita clementia credimus esse votivum, addimus etiam gratissimae legationis officium, ut pacem, quam mente semper geritis et iam mihi specialiter retinetis esse collatam, adiectione quoque meorum proteletis. nam licet concordia principum semper deceat, vestra tamen absolute me nobilitat, quando ille redditur amplius excelsus, qui vestrae gloriae fuerit unanimitate coniunctus. [3] Sed quoniam epistularum brevitate universa sufficienter nequeunt expediri, salutantes reverentia competenti quaedam legatis nostris verbo vobis insinuanda commisimus, quae consuetudine vestrae serenitatis libenter accipite, ut ab omnibus evidenter possit agnosci quod iuste nobis probamus de vestra mansuetudine polliceri. convenit enim de vobis indubitanter praesumi, quando et nos pro desiderio vestro in his quos commendastis talia facimus, qualia vos sperasse cognovimus.