Letter 10018: The remedy we have devised for you, conscript fathers, with a devoted heart, we will not allow to be turned against...
Cassiodorus→Roman Senate|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
barbarian invasionfriendship
From: Cassiodorus, on behalf of King Theodahad
To: The Roman Senate
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Theodahad explains to the Senate that Gothic troops have been sent to Rome for its protection, not as a threat, and that provisions have been arranged at market prices so the garrison does not burden the citizens.
The remedy we have devised for you, conscript fathers, with a devoted heart, we will not allow to be turned against you by bitter suspicion -- because it amounts to an injury to help in secret while appearing to intend something else. Know, therefore, that our arms have been deployed for your safety, so that whoever dares to attack you will face the hands of the Goths, with divine help.
If a diligent shepherd repels threats to his flock, if a careful head of household blocks opportunities for those who would deceive, with what precaution must we defend Rome -- which is known to have no equal in the world? The greatest things must not be left to chance, because a man who neglects to plan for adversity proves he loves too little.
But so that even the defense itself should not weigh on you in any way, we have arranged for provisions to be purchased for the assigned army at market prices under the supervision of the official named, so that the soldiers have no need to transgress and you have no cause for loss. We have also placed over them our major domus Vuaccen, who by the quality of his character...
XVIII.
SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODAHADUS REX.
[1] Remedium, quod pro vobis, patres conscripti, pia mente tractavimus, non sinimus vobis fieri acerba suspicione contrarium, quia laesionis instar est occulte consulere et aliud velle monstrare. cognoscite itaque arma nostra pro salute vestra potius destinata, ut qui vos temptaverit appetere, divino auxilio Gothorum manus ei debeat obviare. nam si insidias gregis strenuus pastor excludit, si pater familias diligens decipientibus locum subreptionis intercipit, qua nos convenit cautela Romam defendere, quam constat in mundo simile nihil habere? summa non mittuntur in casu, quia probatur minus diligere, qui neglegit adversa tractare. [2] Sed ne in aliquo vobis gravis existeret vel ipsa defensio, exercitui destinato ordinante illo annonas fecimus secundum forum rerum venalium comparari, ut et illis tolleretur necessitas excedendi et vobis auferretur causa dispendii. his etiam praefecimus maiorem domus nostrae Vuaccenem, qui pro suarum qualitate virtutum bellatoribus esset iure reverendus, cuius exemplo et excessus vitarent et fortitudinis instrumenta perquirerent. [3] Quos tamen locis aptis praecepimus immorari, ut foris sit armata defensio, intus vobis tranquilla civilitas. intellegite quid excogitaverit consolatorium principis pro vobis ingenium: defensio vos obsidet, ne manus inimica circumdet et a periculis excipimus quos nostrorum sanguine vindicamus. absit enim ut nostris temporibus urbs illa muris videatur protegi, quam constat gentibus vel sola opinione fuisse terrori. ita enim de divino speramus auxilio, ut quae semper fuit libera, nullius inclusionis decoloretur iniuria.
◆
From:Cassiodorus, on behalf of King Theodahad
To:The Roman Senate
Date:~522 AD
Context:Theodahad explains to the Senate that Gothic troops have been sent to Rome for its protection, not as a threat, and that provisions have been arranged at market prices so the garrison does not burden the citizens.
The remedy we have devised for you, conscript fathers, with a devoted heart, we will not allow to be turned against you by bitter suspicion -- because it amounts to an injury to help in secret while appearing to intend something else. Know, therefore, that our arms have been deployed for your safety, so that whoever dares to attack you will face the hands of the Goths, with divine help.
If a diligent shepherd repels threats to his flock, if a careful head of household blocks opportunities for those who would deceive, with what precaution must we defend Rome -- which is known to have no equal in the world? The greatest things must not be left to chance, because a man who neglects to plan for adversity proves he loves too little.
But so that even the defense itself should not weigh on you in any way, we have arranged for provisions to be purchased for the assigned army at market prices under the supervision of the official named, so that the soldiers have no need to transgress and you have no cause for loss. We have also placed over them our major domus Vuaccen, who by the quality of his character...
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.