Letter 1001: KING THEODERIC TO THE EMPEROR ANASTASIUS.

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 that man is already bound by his own conduct who is found unprepared for what is just. In every kingdom, tranquility ought to be desired, in which both peoples flourish and the welfare of nations is preserved. For peace is the fair mother of all the arts; she multiplies the race of mortals through replenishing succession, extends resources, and refines customs. [2] And therefore, most pious of rulers, it befits your power and honor that we should seek your friendship, in whose love we still make progress. For you are the fairest ornament of all kingdoms, you are the healthful defence of the whole world: all other rulers rightly revere you by a kind of natural bond, since they sense there is in you something which surpasses all others. Our kingdom is an imitation of yours — the model of the unique Empire — because we follow you alone, who lead all others. [3] We hereby send to your Serenity our ambassadors, the excellent men Albinus and Faustus, men of fullest learning and deep experience in public affairs, so that under God the necessary negotiations may be conducted in a manner worthy of both parties. We ask that your Divinity receive them with the clemency that is characteristic of you, so that peace, once restored, may bind together both great empires in concord.

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.