Amalasuintha, Queen of the Goths, to the Emperor Justinian.
Most merciful of princes, we have until now delayed informing you of the death of our son of glorious memory [Athalaric], so as not to wound a loving heart with sorrowful news. But now, with God's help — he who is accustomed to turning harsh misfortunes into blessings — we have chosen instead to bring to your attention those matters in which you can share our joy.
We have raised to the throne a man joined to us by close fraternal kinship [Theodahad], one who will sustain the royal dignity with us through our shared strength of counsel — so that he may shine in the purple glory of his ancestors, and his prudent companionship may lift our spirits. Join your good wishes to ours now, so that just as we earnestly desire all things to prosper under Your Piety's rule, we may in turn be assured of your goodwill toward us.
Having thus delivered news that we trust will please you, given your innate clemency, we add the service of a most welcome embassy. The peace that you always carry in your heart — the peace you have already granted specifically to me — we ask you to extend to our allies as well. For although concord between rulers is always fitting, your friendship ennobles me completely, since one who is joined to Your Glory in unanimity is rendered all the more exalted.
But since the brevity of a letter cannot adequately address everything, we greet you with all due reverence and have entrusted certain matters to our envoys to communicate to you in person. Please receive them in the spirit of your customary serenity, so that it may be clear to all that the confidence we place in your benevolence is justified. It is only right to trust in you without reservation — since we, for our part, have acted in the case of those you recommended exactly as we understood you to hope.
I.
IUSTINIANO IMPERATORI AMALASUINTHA REGINA.
[1] Adeo vobis, clementissime principum, distulimus hactenus indicare filii nostri gloriosae recordationis occasum, ne amantis laederemus animum per tristia nuntiorum: sed nunc iuvante deo, qui consuevit casus asperos in prospera commutare, illa magis elegimus in vestram deferre notitiam, de quibus nobiscum possitis participata exultatione gaudere: iuvat enim divina munera diligentibus confiteri. [2] Perduximus ad sceptra virum fraterna nobis proximitate coniunctum, qui regiam dignitatem communi nobiscum consilii robore sustineret, ut et ille avorum suorum purpureo decore fulgeret et animos nostros solacium prudentis erigeret. iungite nunc vota felicia, ut, sicut nos in imperio pietatis vestrae omnia fieri prospera desideranter expetimus, ita nobis favere vestram benivolentiam comprobemus. peracto itaque nuntio, quod vobis pro ingenita clementia credimus esse votivum, addimus etiam gratissimae legationis officium, ut pacem, quam mente semper geritis et iam mihi specialiter retinetis esse collatam, adiectione quoque meorum proteletis. nam licet concordia principum semper deceat, vestra tamen absolute me nobilitat, quando ille redditur amplius excelsus, qui vestrae gloriae fuerit unanimitate coniunctus. [3] Sed quoniam epistularum brevitate universa sufficienter nequeunt expediri, salutantes reverentia competenti quaedam legatis nostris verbo vobis insinuanda commisimus, quae consuetudine vestrae serenitatis libenter accipite, ut ab omnibus evidenter possit agnosci quod iuste nobis probamus de vestra mansuetudine polliceri. convenit enim de vobis indubitanter praesumi, quando et nos pro desiderio vestro in his quos commendastis talia facimus, qualia vos sperasse cognovimus.
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Amalasuintha, Queen of the Goths, to the Emperor Justinian.
Most merciful of princes, we have until now delayed informing you of the death of our son of glorious memory [Athalaric], so as not to wound a loving heart with sorrowful news. But now, with God's help — he who is accustomed to turning harsh misfortunes into blessings — we have chosen instead to bring to your attention those matters in which you can share our joy.
We have raised to the throne a man joined to us by close fraternal kinship [Theodahad], one who will sustain the royal dignity with us through our shared strength of counsel — so that he may shine in the purple glory of his ancestors, and his prudent companionship may lift our spirits. Join your good wishes to ours now, so that just as we earnestly desire all things to prosper under Your Piety's rule, we may in turn be assured of your goodwill toward us.
Having thus delivered news that we trust will please you, given your innate clemency, we add the service of a most welcome embassy. The peace that you always carry in your heart — the peace you have already granted specifically to me — we ask you to extend to our allies as well. For although concord between rulers is always fitting, your friendship ennobles me completely, since one who is joined to Your Glory in unanimity is rendered all the more exalted.
But since the brevity of a letter cannot adequately address everything, we greet you with all due reverence and have entrusted certain matters to our envoys to communicate to you in person. Please receive them in the spirit of your customary serenity, so that it may be clear to all that the confidence we place in your benevolence is justified. It is only right to trust in you without reservation — since we, for our part, have acted in the case of those you recommended exactly as we understood you to hope.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.