Letter 2016: It is our policy, conscript fathers, to grant rewards to upright character and to kindle men of good promise toward...

XVI. KING THEODERIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [1] It is part of our zeal, conscript fathers, to confer reward upon right purpose and to kindle men of good character toward better practices by the fruit of generous expenditure. For examples of rewards nourish the virtues, and there is no one who does not strive to ascend to the summit of good conduct, since that which is praised with conscience as witness is not left unrewarded. [2] Hence it is that we have raised the illustrious Venantius, distinguished as much by his own merits as by his father's, to the dignity of the vacant Count of the Domestics, so that the splendor inborn in his birth might be rendered more adorned by the honors bestowed. For you recall, conscript fathers, that the patrician Liberius was praiseworthy even in our adversity, who obeyed Odovacar with such utterly faithful service that he afterward proved most worthy of our affection, though he had seemed to act as an enemy against us in many things. For he did not come over to us in the most contemptible condition of a deserter, nor did he feign hatred of his own lord in order to procure for himself the favor of another: untouched, he awaited the divine judgments and did not allow himself to seek a king unless he had first lost his ruler. [3] Whence it came about that we gladly gave him a reward, because he faithfully aided our enemy. By the patronage of an opposing chance he was rendered the more acceptable to us, in proportion as he could then be recognized as undevoted to us. When his lord was already almost overthrown, he was bowed by no terrors: he bore unmoved the ruin of his own prince: nor could the novelty disturb him which even the ferocity of the heathen dreaded. Prudently he followed the common fortunes, so that, while he steadfastly endures the divine judgments, he might be found more commended in human favor. [4] We have proved the man's faith: he passed over to our jurisdiction in sorrow, who, once overcome, turned his spirit, yet did not bring it about that he should be conquered. As soon as we granted him the dignity of the praetorian prefecture, he administered what was entrusted to him with such great integrity that one might marvel that he was so straightforwardly devoted, whom he had known to have been so cleverly an adversary. He therefore, with untiring care -- which is the most difficult kind of virtue -- under the favor of the general welfare is seen to have managed public economies, extending the revenue not by adding to it but by conserving it, while he with provident industry gathered well those things which had been accustomed to be badly scattered. We have perceived the levies increased; you know of no added tributes. Thus both were accomplished to our admiration, so that the treasury grew and private advantage suffered no losses. [5] It delights us to relate how, in the allotment of the thirds between Goths and Romans, he joined both their estates and their hearts. For although men are accustomed to clash with one another over neighborhood, to these the common ownership of farms seems to have furnished a cause of concord: for so it happened that both nations, while they live in common, came together into one will. Behold a new and altogether praiseworthy deed: the goodwill of the lords was joined by the division of the soil; friendships among the peoples grew through losses, and by a portion of the field a defender was acquired, so that the security of property might be preserved intact. One law and an equal discipline embrace them. For it is necessary that a pleasant affection grow among those who continually preserve the established boundaries. The Roman commonwealth therefore owes its own tranquility also to the aforesaid Liberius, who handed over to nations so renowned the pursuits of charity. [6] Weigh, conscript fathers, whether we ought to have left this offspring unrewarded, whose author we recall to have done so many excellent things. May the heavens favor our dispositions, so that, just as we invite the virtues by conferring benefits, so we may approve that consciences honored have increased in merits.

XVI. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODERICUS REX. [1] Studii nostri est, patres conscripti, remunerationem recto conferre proposito et bonae indolis viros ad instituta meliora fructu impensae benignitatis accendere. nutriunt enim praemiorum exempla virtutes nec quisquam est, qui non ad morum summa nitatur ascendere, quando inremuneratum non relinquitur quod conscientia teste laudatur. [2] Hinc est quod illustrem Venantium, tam suis quam paternis meritis elucentem, comitivae domesticorum vacantis dignitate subveximus, ut natalium splendor insitus ornatior collatis redderetur honoribus. retinetis enim, patres conscripti, patricium Liberium et in adversitate nostra fuisse laudabilem, qui sic Odovacris integerrimis parebat obsequiis, ut nostra post fuerit dilectione dignissimus, contra quos multa fecisse videbatur inimicus. non enim ad nos vilissima transfugae condicione migravit nec proprii domini finxit odium, ut alterius sibi procuraret affectum: expectavit integer divina iudicia nec passus est sibi regem quaerere, nisi rectorem primitus perdidisset. [3] Unde sic factum est, ut ei libenter daremus praemium, quia nostrum fideliter iuvit inimicum. qui casu patrocinante contrario tantum nobis reddebatur acceptus, quantum tunc cognosci poterat indevotus. flexo iam paene domino nullis est terroribus inclinatus: sustinuit immobilis ruinam principis sui: nec novitas illum turbare potuit, quam etiam ferocitas gentilis expavit. prudenter secutus est communes casus, ut, cum divina iudicia fixe sustinet, humanam gratiam commendatior inveniret. [4] Probavimus hominis fidem: tristis ad nostra iura transivit, qui superatus animum convertit, non autem, ut vinceretur, effecit. cui mox ut praefecturae praetorianae concessimus dignitatem, credita sibi tanta integritate disposuit, ut miraretur aliquis sic simpliciter devotum, quem tam callide noverat fuisse contrarium. is igitur infatigabili cura, quod difficillinum virtutis genus est, sub generalitatis gratia publica videtur procurasse compendia, censum non addendo, sed conservando protendens, dum illa, quae consueverant male dispergi, bene industria providente collegit. sensimus auctas illationes, vos addita tributa nescitis. ita utrumque sub ammiratione perfectum est, ut et fiscus crcsceret et privata utilitas damna nulla perferret. [5] Iuvat nos referre quemadmodum in tertiarum deputatione Gothorum Romanorumque et possessiones iunxit et animos. nam cum se homines soleant de vicinitate collidere, istis praediorum communio causam videtur praestitisse concordiae: sic enim contigit, ut utraque natio, dum communiter vivit, ad unum velle convenerit. en factum novum et omnino laudabile: gratia dominorum de cespitis divisione coniuncta est; amicitiae populis per damna creverunt et parte agri defensor adquisitus est, ut substantiae securitas integra servaretur. una lex illos et aequabilis disciplina complectitur. necesse est enim, ut inter eos suavis crescat affectus, qui servant iugiter terminos constitutos. debet ergo Romana res publica et memorato Liberio tranquillitatem suam, qui nationibus tam praeclaris tradidit studia caritatis. [6] Perpendite, patres conscripti, si hanc subolem inremuneratam relinquere debuimus, cuius auctorem tot eximia fecisse retinemus. faveant superna dispositis, ut, sicut nos virtutes collatis beneficiis invitamus, ita crevisse meritis honoratas conscientias approbemus.