Letter 4022: King Theodoric to Argolicus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Praefectus Urbis [Prefect of the City of Rome].

XXII. King Theoderic to Argolicus, Vir Illustris, Prefect of the City [of Rome]. [1] Intolerable is that transgression which courts injury against the supreme Majesty and, forgetful of piety, pursues the cruel deeds of error. For what place of pardon shall he hope for who has despised the Author who is to be revered? Let the now-profane rite withdraw from our midst; let the punishable muttering of souls fall silent. It is not permitted to engage in the magic arts in Christian times. [2] And so from the report of Your Magnitude we have learned that Basilius and Praetextatus, men long since polluted by the contagion of the sinister art, have been brought before your court for accusation at the instance of certain persons. On this matter you declare that you await our judgment, so that what the authority of our piety enjoins may be carried out with greater confidence. [3] But we, who know not how to depart from the laws, whose heart it is in all things to hold to moderate justice, by our present authority decree that, together with five senators -- that is, the magnificent and patrician men Symmachus, Decius, Volusianus, and Caelianus, and likewise the illustrious man Maximianus -- you shall weigh this case by lawful examination. And, the order of law being observed in all respects, if the crime that is charged shall have been proven, let it be punished by the severity of the laws themselves, so that, by this kind of vengeance, men hidden and secret may be restrained from such faults -- men whom uncertain knowledge cannot drag before the laws. [4] Concerning this matter we have directed our instructions to the illustrious man, Count Arigern, so that, all violent defense being set aside, if they conceal themselves, he may drag the accused forth to judgment, and, sitting with you in this case, may neither allow the innocent to be oppressed nor permit the guilty to escape the laws.

XXII. ARGOLICO V. I. P. U. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Intolerabilis excessus est, qui supernae maiestatis adfectat iniuriam et oblitus pietatis crudelia sectatur erroris. quem enim sperabit veniae locum, qui reverendum contempsit auctorem? abscedat ritus e medio iam profanus: conticeseat poenale murmur animarum. versari non licet in magicis artibus temporibus Christianis. [2] Magnitudinis itaque tuae relatione comperimus Basilium atque Praetextatum, artis sinistrae iam diu contagione pollutos, in accusationem tui examinis personarum intentione deductos. super qua re nostram te asseris spectare sententiam, ut confidentius fiat quod pietatis nostrae mandat auctoritas. [3] Sed nos, qui nescimus a legibus discrepare, quorum cordi est in omnibus moderatam tenere iustitiam, praesenti auctoritate decernimus, ut quinque senatoribus, id est magnificis et patriciis viris Symmacho Decio Volusiano atque Caeliano nec non illustri viro Maximiano, hanc causam legitima examinatione pensetis. et per omnia iuris ordine custodito, si crimen quod intenditur fuerit comprobatum, ipsarum quoque legum districtione plectatur, ut rei abditi atque secreti per hoc vindictae genus a culpis talibus arceantur, quos ad leges trahere non potest incerta notitia. [4] De qua re illustri viro comiti Arigerno praecepta direximus, ut omnium violenta defensione summota, si se occulunt, ad iudicium protrahat impetitos et vobiscum in hac causa residens nec opprimi faciat innoxios nec leges sinat evadere criminosos.