Letter 8015: We are most grateful that you have accepted our grandfather of glorious memory's judgment in the election of a bishop.

XV. KING ATHALARIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [1] We declare it most pleasing to our mind that you complied with the judgment of our glorious lord and grandfather [Theodoric] in the election of the bishop. For it was fitting to obey the decision of a good prince, who, weighing the matter with wise deliberation, even though it concerned another religion, was seen to have chosen such a pontiff that he ought deservedly to displease no one; so that you may recognize that he especially desired this: that through good priests the religion of all the churches might flourish. You have therefore received a man both laudably instituted by divine grace and commended by royal examination. [2] Let no one any longer be held by his former contention. He has no shame of one defeated whose wish happens to be overcome by the prince. Rather, that man makes the election his own who has loved the elected one in purity. For what cause of grief can there be, when in this man one finds the very thing that, led to the other side, one had wished for in another? These are civic struggles, a battle without iron, a quarrel without hatred: this matter is carried out with shouts, not with sorrows. For even if a person has been set aside, nothing is nevertheless lost by the faithful, since the desired priesthood is possessed. [3] Wherefore, on the return of your envoy, the illustrious man Publianus, we have judged it reasonable to send the marks of our greeting to your assembly. For we enjoy great delight whenever we exchange words with our nobles. And we have no doubt that this too will be most agreeable to you, if you recognize that what you did at his command is also pleasing to us.

XV. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Gratissimum nostro profitemur animo, quod gloriosi domni avi nostri respondistis in episcopatus electione iudicio. oportebat enim arbitrio boni principis oboediri, qui sapienti deliberatione pertractans, quamvis in aliena religione, talem visus est pontificem delegisse, ut nulli merito debeat displicere, ut agnoscatis illum hoc optasse praecipue, quatenus bonis sacerdotibus ecclesiarum omnium religio pullularet. recepistis itaque virum et divina gratia probabiliter institutum et regali examinatione laudatum. [2] Nullus adhuc pristina contentione teneatur. pudoren non habet victi, cuius votum contingit a principe superari. ille quim immo suum efficit, qui eum sub puritate dilexerit. nam quae sit causa doloris, quando hoc et in isto reperit, quod alteri in partem ductus optavit? civica sunt ista certamina, pugna sine ferro, rixa sine odio: clamoribus, non doloribus res ista peragitur. nam etsi persona summota sit, nihil tamen a fidelibus amittitur, cum optatum sacerdotium possidetur. [3] Quapropter redeunte legato vestro inlustri viro Publiano rationabile duximus ad coetum vestrum salutationis apices destinare. magna enim iucunditate perfruimur, quotiens cum nostris proceribus verba miscemus. et hoc quoque suavissimum vobis minime dubitamus, si quod illius fecistis imperio, nobis etiam cognoscitis esse gratiosum.