I. KING THEODERIC TO THE EMPEROR ANASTASIUS.
[1] It befits us, most merciful Emperor, to seek peace, since we are known to have no cause for anger — for he is already convicted by his own conduct who is found unprepared for what is just. Indeed, tranquility ought to be the desire of every kingdom, for under it peoples flourish and the welfare of nations is preserved. She is the fair mother of all worthy endeavors; she extends the resources of the mortal race by renewing its succession from generation to generation, and refines its manners. He who has failed to seek her is rightly judged ignorant of all these great things. [2] And therefore, most pious of princes, it befits both your power and your honor that we should seek concord with you, by whose goodwill we continue to prosper. For you are the fairest ornament of all kingdoms, the salutary guardian of the whole world, whom other rulers rightly look up to, because they recognize that there is something singular in you — and we above all, who with divine help have learned in your commonwealth how to govern Romans with equity. [3] Our kingdom is an imitation of yours, a model of good purpose, a copy of the one true Empire. Insofar as we follow you, so far do we surpass other nations. You frequently encourage me to cherish the Senate, to embrace gladly the laws of former emperors, and to bring all the parts of Italy into harmony. How can you separate from the Augustan peace one whom you do not wish to differ from your own ways? There is besides the venerable bond of affection for the city of Rome, from which those things that have been joined by unity of name cannot be severed. [4] We have therefore thought fit to send so-and-so and so-and-so on an embassy to your most serene piety, so that the sincerity of peace, which is known to have been impaired by emerging disputes, may henceforth — once the quarrels are wiped away — be restored and remain firm. For we do not believe that you would allow any discord to persist between the two commonwealths, which under the ancient emperors are declared to have always been one body. [5] These ought not only to be joined together in tranquil affection, but should also be aided by one another's strength. Let the Roman realm be of one mind, one purpose always. Whatever power we too possess, let it redound to your glory. [6] Wherefore, offering the honor of our greeting with willing mind, we earnestly request that you not withhold the most glorious affection of your clemency — which I ought to have expected even if it seemed beyond what could be granted to others. The remaining matters we have entrusted to the bearers of this letter to convey to your piety by word of mouth, so that the written message may not be drawn out too far, nor anything pertaining to our interests appear to have been overlooked.
I. ANASTASIO IMPERATORI THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Oportet nos, clementissime imperator, pacem quaerere, qui causas iracundiae cognoscimur non habere: quando ille moribus iam tenetur obnoxius, qui ad iusta deprehenditur imparatus. omni quippe regno desiderabilis debet esse tranquillitas, in qua et populi proficiunt et utilitas gentium custoditur. haec est enim bonarum artium decora mater, haec mortalium genus reparabili successione multiplicans facultates protendit, mores excolit: et tantarum rerum ignarus agnoscitur qui eam minime quaesisse sentitur. [2] Et ideo, piissime principum, potentiae vestrae convenit et honori, ut concordiam vestram quaerere debeamus, cuius adhuc amore proficimus. vos enim estis regnorum omnium pulcherrimum decus, vos totius orbis salutare praesidium, quos ceteri dominantes iure suspiciunt, quia in vobis singulare aliquid inesse cognoscunt, nos maxime, qui divino auxilio in re publica vestra didicimus, quemadmodum Romanis aequabiliter imperare possimus. [3] Regnum nostrum imitatio vestra est, forma boni propositi, unici exemplar imperii: qui quantum vos sequimur, tantum gentes alias anteimus. hortamini me frequenter, ut diligam senatum, leges principum gratanter amplectar, ut cuncta Italiae membra componam. quomodo potestis ab Augusta pace dividere, quem non optatis a vestris moribus discrepare? additur etiam veneranda Romanae urbis affectio, a qua segregari nequeunt quae se nominis unitate iunxerunt. [4] Proinde illum et illum legationis officio ad serenissimam pietatem vestram credidimus destinandos, ut sinceritas pacis, quae causis emergentibus cognoscitur fuisse vitiata, detersis contentionibus in sua deinceps firmitate restituta permaneat: quia pati vos non credimus inter utrasque res publicas, quarum semper unum corpus sub antiquis principibus fuisse declaratur, aliquid discordiae permanere. [5] Quas non solum oportet inter se otiosa dilectione coniungi, verum etiam decet mutuis viribus adiuvari. Romani regni unum velle, una semper opinio sit. quicquid et nos possumus, vestris praeconiis applicetur. [6] Quapropter salutationis honorificentiam praeferentes prona mente deposcimus, ne suspendatis mansuetudinis vestrae gloriosissimam caritatem, quam ego sperare debui, etiamsi aliis non videretur posse concedi. cetera vero per praesentium latores pietati vestrae verbo suggerenda commisimus, ut nec epistularis sermo redderetur extensior nec aliquid pro utilitatibus nostris praetermisisse videremur.
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I. KING THEODERIC TO THE EMPEROR ANASTASIUS.
[1] It befits us, most merciful Emperor, to seek peace, since we are known to have no cause for anger — for he is already convicted by his own conduct who is found unprepared for what is just. Indeed, tranquility ought to be the desire of every kingdom, for under it peoples flourish and the welfare of nations is preserved. She is the fair mother of all worthy endeavors; she extends the resources of the mortal race by renewing its succession from generation to generation, and refines its manners. He who has failed to seek her is rightly judged ignorant of all these great things. [2] And therefore, most pious of princes, it befits both your power and your honor that we should seek concord with you, by whose goodwill we continue to prosper. For you are the fairest ornament of all kingdoms, the salutary guardian of the whole world, whom other rulers rightly look up to, because they recognize that there is something singular in you — and we above all, who with divine help have learned in your commonwealth how to govern Romans with equity. [3] Our kingdom is an imitation of yours, a model of good purpose, a copy of the one true Empire. Insofar as we follow you, so far do we surpass other nations. You frequently encourage me to cherish the Senate, to embrace gladly the laws of former emperors, and to bring all the parts of Italy into harmony. How can you separate from the Augustan peace one whom you do not wish to differ from your own ways? There is besides the venerable bond of affection for the city of Rome, from which those things that have been joined by unity of name cannot be severed. [4] We have therefore thought fit to send so-and-so and so-and-so on an embassy to your most serene piety, so that the sincerity of peace, which is known to have been impaired by emerging disputes, may henceforth — once the quarrels are wiped away — be restored and remain firm. For we do not believe that you would allow any discord to persist between the two commonwealths, which under the ancient emperors are declared to have always been one body. [5] These ought not only to be joined together in tranquil affection, but should also be aided by one another's strength. Let the Roman realm be of one mind, one purpose always. Whatever power we too possess, let it redound to your glory. [6] Wherefore, offering the honor of our greeting with willing mind, we earnestly request that you not withhold the most glorious affection of your clemency — which I ought to have expected even if it seemed beyond what could be granted to others. The remaining matters we have entrusted to the bearers of this letter to convey to your piety by word of mouth, so that the written message may not be drawn out too far, nor anything pertaining to our interests appear to have been overlooked.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.