Letter 4006: King Theodoric to Symmachus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Patrician.

KING THEODERIC TO SYMMACHUS, MAN OF ILLUSTRIOUS RANK, PATRICIAN. [1] We gladly embrace the reasonable petitions of suppliants, we who, even when unasked, ponder what is just. For what is more worthy that we should turn over by day and night in constant deliberation, than that fairness, kept inviolate, should guard our commonwealth just as arms protect it? And so the honorable Valerianus, residing in the city of Syracuse, has petitioned that he be allowed to return to his own household, he who for the sake of their studies brought his children to the city of Rome. [2] Let your illustrious magnificence, restraining them in accordance with our command, cause them to remain in the aforesaid city: and let it not be permitted them to depart beforehand, unless our own utterance should pronounce it. For in this way both an advancement in their studies is gained for them, and reverence for our command is preserved. [3] Let him not therefore suppose that something has been imposed upon him, which ought to have been a matter of desire. To no one let Rome be unwelcome, which cannot be called a foreign place, that fruitful mother of eloquence, that most spacious temple of all the virtues. Let it plainly be felt, what is well known: he is not believed to be without favor, to whom so great a dwelling-place is granted.

VI. SYMMACHO V. I. PATRICIO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Rationales petitiones supplicum libenter amplectimur, qui etiam non rogati iusta cogitamus. quid est enim dignius quod die noctuque assidua deliberatione volvamus, nisi ut rem publicam nostram sicut arma protegunt, aequitas inviolata custodiat? spectabilis itaque Valerianus in Syracusana civitate consistens reverti se ad lares proprios supplicavit, qui studiorum causa liberos suos ad Romanam civitatem deduxit. [2] Quos illustris magnificentia tua ex nostra continens iussione in supra dicta urbe faciat commorari: nec illis liceat ante discedere, nisi hoc noster proloquatur affatus. ita enim et illis studiorum provectus adquiritur et nostrae iussionis reverentia custoditur. [3] Non ergo sibi putet impositum, quod debuit esse votivum. nulli sit ingrata Roma, quae dici non potest aliena, illa eloquentiae fecunda mater, illa virtutum omnium latissimum templum. sentiatur plane, quod clarum est: non sine gratia esse creditur, cui habitatio tanta praestatur.