Cassiodorus→Moyses and Maximus, and Rest of Confessors|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus|AI-assisted
education books
XI. King Theodahad to Maximus, Most Illustrious Man [vir illustris], Domesticus.
[1] If it is the glory of good princes to ennoble with honors persons hitherto unknown, since whatever is achieved by their subjects is credited to the praises of those who reign, how much more excellent is it for us to restore to a most noble family that which we know it to have merited even by the lot of its birth! For thus we follow justice, if we do not deny to the good heirs the rewards of their forebears. For it befits even those who have deserved to reach our own times to surpass their predecessors. [2] The ancient age indeed brought forth the Anicii, almost the equals of princes; the dignity of whose name, conducted down to you through the fountain of blood, has shone forth more brightly, restored with its strength gathered together. Who then would leave less honored among posterity those who are established to have been preeminent for so long? The ages would be accused, if such a family could have lain hidden. And would that a longer life had preserved for us the Marii or the Corvini! Scarcely would a prince's wish be satisfied, if it should fall to us to possess persons of such merits. How indeed should we now neglect what has been found, we who desire to possess things long past? [3] And therefore, in what may be happily proclaimed, from the fourteenth indiction we confer upon you the dignity of the primiceriate, which is also called the domesticate. You shall enjoy all the titles that pertain to its function. Although this honor may seem inferior to so great a lineage, yet it seems to be more fortunate than all your other offices: for in its time you have deserved to receive a wife of royal stock, whom in your curule chairs you would not even have presumed to wish for. [4] Come now, so that, as it is desired by you, so it may be rendered acceptable to us. Consider what you have merited, and you will conduct yourself in a manner worthy of our kinship. For he who is joined to a reigning family is placed in the bosom of praises. Now let greater effort be given to gentleness; now let kindly fellowship be offered to all, so that we may be shown to have chosen such a man as no prosperity can change. Conduct the affair of glory humbly, for praise is taken from modesty, while hatred is stirred up by arrogance. Envy is indeed undoubtedly nearest to advancements, but it is better overcome by forbearance, since it is always increased by contention. [5] Above all other virtues love patience, the friend of the wise: raised up by us, you will be praised rather for enduring than for avenging. Conquer anger; love kindly things; take care lest your good fortune seem greater than your character, but rather, you who are joined to our family, prove yourself nearest to glorious deeds. Your parents have indeed been praised up to now, but they were not adorned with so great a union. Your nobility has nowhere further to grow. Whatever you do in a manner worthy of public acclaim, you are judged most worthy by your own marriage.
XI.
MAXIMO V. I. DOMESTICO THEODAHADUS REX.
[1] Si gloria est bonorum principum incognitas honoribus clarificare personas, dum quicquid a subiectis proficitur regnantum laudibus applicatur, quanto nobis praestantius est nobilissimae familiae reddere, quod eam cognoscimus etiam nascendi sorte meruisse! sic enim iustitiam sequimur, si bonis heredibus parentum praemia non negemus. decet enim etiam priores suos vincere, qui ad nostra meruerunt tempora pervenire. [2] Anicios quidem paene principibus pares aetas prisca progenuit: quorum nominis dignitas ad te sanguinis fonte perducta collectis viribus hilarior instaurata rutilavit. quis ergo relinqueret in posteris minus honoros, quos tamdiu constat fuisse praecipuos? accusarentur saecula, si talis potuisset latere familia. atque utinam nobis Marios vel Corvinos annosior vita servasset! vix satiaretur principis votum, si nos contingeret personas illas talium possidere meritorum. quemadmodum nunc profecto neglegamus inventa, qui desideramus habere praeterita? [3] Atque ideo, quod feliciter dictum sit, primiceriatus, qui et domesticatus nominatur, ab indictione quarta decima tibi conferimus dignitatem. usurus es omnibus titulis qui ad eius pertinent actionem. hic honor quamvis tantis natalibus videatur inferior, cunctis tamen fascibus tuis videtur esse felicior: cuius tempore meruisti coniugem regiae stirpis accipere, quam in tuis curulibus nec praesumpsisses optare. [4] Age nunc, ut sicut tibi est votivus, ita nobis reddatur acceptus. considera quid merueris et dignum te nostra affinitate tractabis. nam qui familiae regnantis adiungitur, in laudum gremio collocatur. nunc maior opera mansuetudini detur: nunc omnibus communio benigna praebeatur, ut talem probemur elegisse, quem nulla possit prosperitas immutare. humilis age rem gloriae, quia de modestia laus sumitur, de elatione odium concitatur. provectibus quidem proxima est indubitanter invidia, sed tolerantia melius vincitur, quae contentione semper augetur. [5] Supra ceteras virtutes amicam sapientibus ama patientiam: erectus ex nobis sustinendo potius quam vindicando laudaberis. iram vince: benigna dilige: cave, ne maior videatur esse felicitas moribus tuis, sed qui nostro iungeris generi, proximus gloriosis actionibus comproberis. laudati sunt quidem hactenus parentes tui, sed tanta non sunt coniunctione decorati. nobilitas tua non est ultra quo crescat. quicquid praeconialiter egeris, proprio matrimonio dignissimus aestimaris.
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XI. King Theodahad to Maximus, Most Illustrious Man [vir illustris], Domesticus.
[1] If it is the glory of good princes to ennoble with honors persons hitherto unknown, since whatever is achieved by their subjects is credited to the praises of those who reign, how much more excellent is it for us to restore to a most noble family that which we know it to have merited even by the lot of its birth! For thus we follow justice, if we do not deny to the good heirs the rewards of their forebears. For it befits even those who have deserved to reach our own times to surpass their predecessors. [2] The ancient age indeed brought forth the Anicii, almost the equals of princes; the dignity of whose name, conducted down to you through the fountain of blood, has shone forth more brightly, restored with its strength gathered together. Who then would leave less honored among posterity those who are established to have been preeminent for so long? The ages would be accused, if such a family could have lain hidden. And would that a longer life had preserved for us the Marii or the Corvini! Scarcely would a prince's wish be satisfied, if it should fall to us to possess persons of such merits. How indeed should we now neglect what has been found, we who desire to possess things long past? [3] And therefore, in what may be happily proclaimed, from the fourteenth indiction we confer upon you the dignity of the primiceriate, which is also called the domesticate. You shall enjoy all the titles that pertain to its function. Although this honor may seem inferior to so great a lineage, yet it seems to be more fortunate than all your other offices: for in its time you have deserved to receive a wife of royal stock, whom in your curule chairs you would not even have presumed to wish for. [4] Come now, so that, as it is desired by you, so it may be rendered acceptable to us. Consider what you have merited, and you will conduct yourself in a manner worthy of our kinship. For he who is joined to a reigning family is placed in the bosom of praises. Now let greater effort be given to gentleness; now let kindly fellowship be offered to all, so that we may be shown to have chosen such a man as no prosperity can change. Conduct the affair of glory humbly, for praise is taken from modesty, while hatred is stirred up by arrogance. Envy is indeed undoubtedly nearest to advancements, but it is better overcome by forbearance, since it is always increased by contention. [5] Above all other virtues love patience, the friend of the wise: raised up by us, you will be praised rather for enduring than for avenging. Conquer anger; love kindly things; take care lest your good fortune seem greater than your character, but rather, you who are joined to our family, prove yourself nearest to glorious deeds. Your parents have indeed been praised up to now, but they were not adorned with so great a union. Your nobility has nowhere further to grow. Whatever you do in a manner worthy of public acclaim, you are judged most worthy by your own marriage.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
XI. MAXIMO V. I. DOMESTICO THEODAHADUS REX.
[1] Si gloria est bonorum principum incognitas honoribus clarificare personas, dum quicquid a subiectis proficitur regnantum laudibus applicatur, quanto nobis praestantius est nobilissimae familiae reddere, quod eam cognoscimus etiam nascendi sorte meruisse! sic enim iustitiam sequimur, si bonis heredibus parentum praemia non negemus. decet enim etiam priores suos vincere, qui ad nostra meruerunt tempora pervenire. [2] Anicios quidem paene principibus pares aetas prisca progenuit: quorum nominis dignitas ad te sanguinis fonte perducta collectis viribus hilarior instaurata rutilavit. quis ergo relinqueret in posteris minus honoros, quos tamdiu constat fuisse praecipuos? accusarentur saecula, si talis potuisset latere familia. atque utinam nobis Marios vel Corvinos annosior vita servasset! vix satiaretur principis votum, si nos contingeret personas illas talium possidere meritorum. quemadmodum nunc profecto neglegamus inventa, qui desideramus habere praeterita? [3] Atque ideo, quod feliciter dictum sit, primiceriatus, qui et domesticatus nominatur, ab indictione quarta decima tibi conferimus dignitatem. usurus es omnibus titulis qui ad eius pertinent actionem. hic honor quamvis tantis natalibus videatur inferior, cunctis tamen fascibus tuis videtur esse felicior: cuius tempore meruisti coniugem regiae stirpis accipere, quam in tuis curulibus nec praesumpsisses optare. [4] Age nunc, ut sicut tibi est votivus, ita nobis reddatur acceptus. considera quid merueris et dignum te nostra affinitate tractabis. nam qui familiae regnantis adiungitur, in laudum gremio collocatur. nunc maior opera mansuetudini detur: nunc omnibus communio benigna praebeatur, ut talem probemur elegisse, quem nulla possit prosperitas immutare. humilis age rem gloriae, quia de modestia laus sumitur, de elatione odium concitatur. provectibus quidem proxima est indubitanter invidia, sed tolerantia melius vincitur, quae contentione semper augetur. [5] Supra ceteras virtutes amicam sapientibus ama patientiam: erectus ex nobis sustinendo potius quam vindicando laudaberis. iram vince: benigna dilige: cave, ne maior videatur esse felicitas moribus tuis, sed qui nostro iungeris generi, proximus gloriosis actionibus comproberis. laudati sunt quidem hactenus parentes tui, sed tanta non sunt coniunctione decorati. nobilitas tua non est ultra quo crescat. quicquid praeconialiter egeris, proprio matrimonio dignissimus aestimaris.