Letter 1004: KING THEODERIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME.

IV. King Theoderic to the Senate of the City of Rome. [1] We desire indeed, Conscript Fathers, that your crown be painted with the flower of diverse magistracies [fasces, the insignia of office]; we desire that the Genius of Liberty may look upon a pleasing throng of the Senate. For an assembly of such men is the very dignity of those who rule, and whatever in you is regarded with festive congratulation is truly attached to our own praises. [2] Yet this we seek with the greatest longing: that lights of dignities may adorn your college, since those who have grown great through palace office fittingly render increase to their fatherland. Such men our purpose searches out; in these treasures of character we rejoice when they are found, in whom the clemency of our Serenity is expressed as though in the figured countenances of honors. [3] Hence it is that to Cassiodorus, an illustrious and magnificent man, most renowned in the commonwealth for his outstanding distinction, we have granted the patriciate as a recommended reward, so that the merits of one who serves might be declared by the honor of a great title. He did not, raised by a fragile good fortune, fly up to the summit of the magistracies by the sport of chance through sudden advancements, but, as virtues are wont to grow, he ascended to the pinnacle of public acclaim by the degrees of the dignities. [4] For first, as you know, his entry into administration was grounded upon the weighty office of the Count of the Private Estates [comitiva rerum privatarum], where he did not, faltering through the weakness of inexperience, even innocently err through the fault of novelty, but lived by imitating an example with the footstep of self-restraint made firm. Then, having soon afterward received the honor of the Sacred Largesses [comes sacrarum largitionum], he grew in the praise of his conduct as much as he had advanced in dignity. [5] Why should we recount the discipline restored to the provinces, the monuments of justice instilled into men of every kind? He lived with such continence that he both established equity by his admonitions and taught it by his examples. For an innocent judge is an easy persuader of the right, and under his praiseworthy conduct one is ashamed not to have commendable morals. For who would dare a crime when he sees in the magistrate's bosom an accomplice of his own? In vain does a greedy man assume the mask of feigned severity when he dissuades from the pursuit of money, when an unjust man judges that the laws must be obeyed. He has no genius for distributing justice to whom a free conscience does not supply authority, since misdeeds are then in dread when they are believed to displease the judges. [6] So, exercised in these schools under his preceding service, he came to our palace with merited praises. For you remember, and the memory of recent events is still supplied to you, with what moderation he proceeded once placed at the praetorian summit [the praetorian prefecture], and, raised on high, from there all the more looked down upon the vices that attend prosperity. [7] For in no way, as is the custom with very many, lifted up by the favor of fortune, did he raise himself onto the buskin [cothurnus, the high tragic boot, here a symbol of haughtiness] of great power, but, moderating all things by equity, he did not render our favor toward him hateful. He caused greater things to be wished for him, while he restrained great matters within the bounds of modesty. For this is the most welcome fruit of an approved conscience: that, although he could have attained the highest things, he is nevertheless judged by all to deserve still more. He joined our savings well with the joys of all, generous to the treasury and gracious to those who paid justly. [8] The commonwealth then perceived, from that assembly of Romulus, a man of innocence, who, though he made himself glorious by his moderation, yet conferred this greater thing: that he left behind an example of good action for those who follow. For he is ashamed to sin who seems able to have succeeded men who are praised. And so he was, as you know, revered by the soldiers, gentle to the provincials, eager to give, disdainful of receiving, a detester of crime, a lover of equity. This was not difficult for him to keep, who had resolved to abstain from the goods of others. For it is a sign of an unconquered spirit to love the advantage of one's reputation and rather to hate the profits of lawsuits. [9] But let those marvel at these things in him by right who have not known the most noble character of his father and grandfather. For fame celebrates the Cassiodori who came before. Although this name may seem to be borne by others, yet it is established as the proper possession of his family: an ancient lineage, a praised stock, distinguished among the men of the toga, eminent among brave men, since they flourished both in vigor of limb and in tallness of body. [10] For the father of our candidate honorably held, under the emperor Valentinian, the dignity of tribune and notary [tribunus et notarius]: an honor that was then given to outstanding men, since such persons are appointed to the imperial council in whom no fault of reproach can be found. [11] But, as spirits that are equals are always wont to choose one another, he was joined with great affection to the patrician Aetius for the aid of the commonwealth -- whom the lord of affairs then followed in every part of his counsel on account of his wisdom and his glorious labors in the commonwealth. To Attila, therefore, mighty in arms, he was sent on an embassy, not without effect, together with Carpilio, the son of the aforesaid man [Aetius]. Undaunted, he beheld the one whom the empire feared; relying on the truth, he despised those terrible and threatening looks, nor did he hesitate to oppose the disputes of one who, carried away by some madness, seemed to be seeking dominion over the world. [12] He found the king proud, but left him appeased, and demolished his slanderous claims with such truth that the king, to whom it was advantageous not to have hostility with so wealthy a kingdom, wished to seek his favor. His constancy raised up the fearful parties, nor were those believed unwarlike who appeared to be armed with such ambassadors. He brought back a peace that had been despaired of. What his embassy accomplished may be understood, since it was received with as much gratitude as it had also seemed to be desired. [13] Soon the equitable arbiter offered him the honor of the illustrious rank, soon the gift of revenues. But he, richest in his native moderation, while accepting the dignity, sought as a place of reward the leisurely and most pleasant land of the Bruttii. He who had rendered him secure from a savage enemy could not deny him the desired repose: he sadly released from his service one whom he knew to have been necessary to him. [14] For the grandfather Cassiodorus, distinguished with honor and girded -- a dignity that could not be denied to his lineage -- freed the Bruttii and Sicily from the incursion of the Vandals by the defense of arms, so that he deservedly held the first place in those provinces which he defended from so fierce and sudden an enemy. The commonwealth therefore owed it to his virtues that Geiseric did not invade those neighboring provinces -- Geiseric, whose savagery Rome afterward endured. [15] These men, moreover, also flourished in the regions of the East with the praise of their kindred. For Heliodorus, who in that commonwealth held the prefecture for twice nine years [eighteen years] with distinction, as we ourselves saw, was shown to be joined to their kinship. A family renowned in both worlds [East and West], which, fittingly suited to a twofold senate, shone as though endowed with eyes by two lights of the purest brightness. For to what point does any nobility extend itself further than this, which has earned to be illustrious in both worlds? [16] He too lived in his province with the honor of a judge and the security of a private man: superior to all those in nobility, he drew the spirits of all to himself, so that those who could not be made subject by the law of liberty seemed rather to be sweetly bound by his continual benefits. [17] He even gloried in such abundance of his patrimony that among his other goods he surpassed princes in herds of horses, and by giving he often did not incur envy. Hence it is that our candidate always arms the armies of the Goths, and, better through good institution, preserves with hereditary generosity what he received from his forebears. [18] These things our esteem has therefore run through in order, so that each one may understand that he too can restore the praises of his forebears with us, who chooses to live by illustrious institutions. And therefore, Conscript Fathers, since the honor of good men is advantageous to you and our judgment is accompanied by your assent, let his advancement be received under a prosperous omen -- the advancement of one who has made the favor of all lie open to himself. For it is rather a reciprocation than a reward, that those who have honored you by commendable action should rejoice with mutual favor.

IV. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODERICUS REX. [1] Optamus quidem, patres conscripti, coronam vestram diversorum fascium flore depingi: optamus, ut Libertatis genius gratam videat turbam senatus. conventus siquidem talium est dignitas imperantum, et quicquid in vobis festiva gratulatione respicitur, nostris vere laudibus applicatur. [2] Illud tamen maxime desideranter appetimus, ut collegium vestrum ornent lumina dignitatum, quando decenter augmenta patriae reddunt, qui aulica potestate creverunt. hos viros nostra perscrutatur intentio: his morum thesauris gaudemus inventis, in quibus velut figuratis honorum vultibus clementia nostrae serenitatis exprimitur. [3] Hinc est quod Cassiodoro illustri et magnifico viro praecipua in re publica claritate notissimo, patriciatus dedimus pro remuneratione suggestum: ut honore magni nominis declararentur merita servientis. qui non fragili felicitate provectus fortunae ludo ad apicem fascium repentinis successionibus evolavit, sed, ut crescere virtutes solent, ad praeconii fastigium conscendit gradibus dignitatum. [4] Primus enim, ut scitis, amministrationis introitus comitivae privatarum mole fundatus est, ubi non tirociniorum infirmitate titubans novitatis vitio vel innocenter erravit, sed abstinentiae firmato vestigio imitando vixit exemplo. qui mox deinde sacrarum largitionum honore suscepto crevit conversationis laude, quantum profecerat dignitate. [5] Quid provinciis redditam disciplinam, quid diverso generi hominum monimenta iustitiae infusa referamus? vixit tanta continentia, ut aequitatem et institueret monitis et doceret exemplis. facilis enim recti persuasor est innocens iudex, sub cuius praedicabili conversatione pudet mores probabiles non habere. quis enim vereatur scelus, cuius in suggestu gremii complicem videt? in cassum personam fictae severitatis inducit, cum avarus pecuniae ambitum dissuadet, cum legibus parendum censet iniustus. non habet distributionis genium, cui auctoritatem libera conscientia non ministrat, quoniam excessus tunc sunt in formidine, cum creduntur iudicibus displicere. [6] His itaque sub praecedenti roge gymnasiis exercitatus emeritis laudibus ad palatia nostra pervenit. meministis enim, et adhuc vobis recentium rerum memoria ministratur, qua moderatione praetoriano culmini locatus incederit et evectus in celsum inde magis despexerit vitia prosperorum. [7] Nullo quippe, ut plerisque moris est, elatus favore fortunae in cothurnum se magnae potestatis erexit, sed aequitate cuncta moderatus gratiam nostram in se non reddidit odiosam. maiora sibi fecit optari, dum intra modestiae terminos magna cohibuit. hinc est enim probatae conscientiae gratissimus fructus, ut, quamvis summa potuerit adipisci, iudicetur tamen ab omnibus plus mereri. iunxit bene cum universorum gaudiis nostra compendia, aerario munificus et iuste solventibus gratiosus. [8] Sensit tunc res publica ex illo coetu Romuleo innocentiae virum, qui licet se moderando gloriosum fecerit, hoc tamen maius contulit, quod bonae actionis exemplum sequentibus dereliquit. pudet enim eum peccare, qui laudatis videtur potuisse succedere. fuit itaque, ut scitis, militibus verendus, provincialibus mitis, dandi avidus, accipiendi fastidiosus, detestator criminis, amator aequitatis. quod non fuit illi custodire difficile, qui se a rebus alienis decreverat abstinere. est enim invicti animi signum famae diligere commodum et lucra potius odisse causarum. [9] Verum haec in illo iure mirentur, qui patris atque avi mores nobilissimos nesciverunt. Cassiodoros siquidem praecedentes fama concelebrat. quod vocabulum etsi per alios videatur currere, proprium tamen eius constat esse familiae. antique proles, laudata prosapies, cum togatis clari, inter viros fortes eximii, quando et valitudine membrorum et corporis proceritate floruerunt. [10] Pater enim candidati sub Valentiniano principe gessit tribuni et notarii laudabiliter dignitatem: honor qui tunc dabatur egregiis; dum ad imperiale secretum tales constet eligi, in quibus reprehensionis vitium nequeat inveniri. [11] Sed ut se pares animi solent semper eligere, patricio Aetio pro iuvanda re publica magna fuit caritate sociatus: quem tunc rerum dominus propter sapientiam sui et gloriosos in re publica labores in omni consilii parte sequebatur. ad Attilam igitur armorum potentem cum supra dicti filio Carpilione legationis est officio non irrite destinatus. vidit intrepidus quem timebat imperium; facies illas terribiles et minaces fretus veritate despexit nec dubitavit eius altercationibus obviare, qui furore nescio quo raptatus mundi dominatum videbatur expetere. [12] Invenit regem superbum, sed reliquit placatum et calumniosas eius allegationes tanta veritate destruxit, ut voluisset gratiam quaerere, cui expediebat pacem cum regno ditissimo non habere. erigebat constantia sua partes timentes, nec inbelles sunt crediti, qui legatis talibus videbantur armari. pacem retulit desperatam. cuius legatio quid profecerit, datur intellegi, quae tantum est gratanter excepta, quantum et videbatur optata. [13] Mox honorem illustratus, mox redituum dona aequus arbiter offerebat. sed ille potius nativa moderatione ditissimus dignitatem suscipiens otiosam in remunerationis locum expetiit amoenissima Bruttiorum. negare illi non potuit optatam quietem, qui eum reddiderat ab inmani hoste securum: tristis ab obsequio suo reliquit, quem sibi necessarium fuisse cognovit. [14] Avus enim Cassiodorus inlustratus honore praecinctus, qui eius generi non poterat abnegari, a VVandalorum incursione Bruttios Siciliamque armorum defensione liberavit, ut merito primatum in illis provinciis haberet, quas a tam saevo et repentino hoste defendit. debuit itaque virtutibus eius res publica, quod illas provincias tam vicinas Gensiricus non invasit, quem postea truculentum Roma sustinuit. [15] Hi autem et in partibus Orientis parentum laude viguerunt. Heliodorus enim, qui in illa re publica nobis videntibus praefecturam bis novenis annis gessit eximie, eorum consanguinitati probabatur adiungi. genus in utroque orbe praeclarum, quod gemino senatui decenter aptatum tamquam duobus luminibus oculatum purissima claritate radiavit. quo enim se quaevis nobilitas ultra distendit quam haec, quae in utroque orbe clara esse promeruit? [16] Vixit et ipse in provincia honore iudicis et securitate privati: cunctis illis nobilitate potior omnium ad se animos adtrahebat, ut qui libertatis iure non poterant subdi, viderentur magis continuis beneficiis suaviter obligari. [17] Tanta quin etiam patrimonii sui ubertate gloriatus est, ut inter reliqua bona equinis gregibus principes vinceret et donando saepius invidiam non haberet. hinc est, quod candidatus noster Gothorum semper armat exercitus et, bono instituto melior, quod a parentibus accepit hereditaria largitate custodit. [18] Quae ideo per ordinem nostra dignatio percucurrit, ut unusquisque intellegat et parentum suorum apud nos laudes posse reparare qui vivere praeclaris elegerit institutis. et ideo, patres conscripti, quia vobis est commodus honor bonorum et iudicium nostrum vester comitatur assensus, prospero auspicio suscipiator eius provectus, qui sibi fecit gratiam patere cunctorum. est enim potius vicissitudo quam praemium, ut qui vos probabili actione coluerunt, reciproco favore gratulentur.