Letter 10023: When I received your ambassador, the most eloquent Peter — a man who, more honorably even than his official...
Cassiodorus→Theodora|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
imperial politics
From: King Theodahad of Italy
To: Empress Theodora in Constantinople
Date: ~536 AD
Context: Theodahad again courts Theodora's favor, treating her as a virtually independent diplomatic channel alongside Justinian.
When I received your ambassador, the most eloquent Peter — a man who, more honorably even than his official dignities, is devoted to your service — the welcome tokens of Augusta's favor shone upon me. Through him I learned that what has happened in this kingdom is pleasing to you. You have shown your love for everything that pertains to justice, since through divine providence, with all suspicion removed, the desired harmony can endure. Now more than ever, a firm promise and heartfelt concord should unite our kingdoms.
For this reason I have thought it right to send to you the venerable [name], a man truly worthy of your presence, as my personal ambassador — so that, with your support, the peace and favor of your most serene husband may be made firm, and so that everyone may clearly recognize that we have rightly come to the sweetness of alliance through such a bond of affection.
And since what has been well begun should never be suspended by any unfavorable circumstance — if there is anything that its difficulty makes it inappropriate to impose upon us, let it be softened by the moderation of your wisdom, so that the goodwill I have begun to feel toward your kingdom may grow through constant effort.
Therefore, summon up the strength of your wisdom and claim for yourself especially this prize of concord — so that, just as the most merciful Emperor's fame is celebrated in battle, your reputation may be praised with universal admiration for devotion to peace. Let the bearer of this letter see you often and familiarly, so that he may quickly achieve results, since he was sent in pursuit of your promised favor. I hope that just requests will not prove burdensome, though in truth nothing seems impossible when I know it is being advocated through such glory as yours.
XXIII.
THEODORAE AUGUSTAE THEODAHADUS REX.
[1] Suscipientes legatum vestrum virum eloquentissimum Petrum et, quod est ipsis dignitatibus honorabilius, vestris obsequiis inhaerentem, optata nobis Augustae gratiae monimenta fulserunt, ut per eum disceremus acceptum vobis esse, quod in hac re publica constat evenisse. ostendistis vos diligere quicquid ad iustitiam cognoscitur pertinere, quando per divinam providentiam omni suspicione detersa desiderabilis potest unanimitas permanere. nunc est potius quod regna coniungat promissio fixa et votiva concordia. [2] Et ideo illum virum venerabilem vestris conspectibus vere dignissimum legatum nostrum ad vos specialiter credidimus esse dirigendum, ut, vobis annitentibus, serenissimi iugalis vestri pacis gratia solidetur, quatenus generalitas evidenter agnoscat merito venisse nos ad suavitatem foederis per tale vinculum caritatis. [3] Et quia semel bene inita nulla debent contraria occasione suspendi, si quid est quod difficultate sui nobis non oportet imponi, sapientiae vestrae moderatione mitigetur, ut affectum, quem circa regnum vestrum habere coepimus, iugibus studiis augeamus. [4] Quapropter erigite vestrae sapientiae firmitatem et hanc vobis palmam concordiae specialiter vindicate, ut, sicut clementissimi imperatoris fama in proeliis inclita dicitur, ita in pacis studio opinio vestra cunctorum ammiratione laudetur. familiariter vos et frequenter videat harum portitor quem direxi, quatinus effectum possit celerem promereri, qui ad praesumptam gratiam visus est destinari. speramus enim iusta non gravia, cum tamen nihil videatur inpossibile, quod per talem gloriam cognoscimus allegare.
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From:King Theodahad of Italy
To:Empress Theodora in Constantinople
Date:~536 AD
Context:Theodahad again courts Theodora's favor, treating her as a virtually independent diplomatic channel alongside Justinian.
When I received your ambassador, the most eloquent Peter — a man who, more honorably even than his official dignities, is devoted to your service — the welcome tokens of Augusta's favor shone upon me. Through him I learned that what has happened in this kingdom is pleasing to you. You have shown your love for everything that pertains to justice, since through divine providence, with all suspicion removed, the desired harmony can endure. Now more than ever, a firm promise and heartfelt concord should unite our kingdoms.
For this reason I have thought it right to send to you the venerable [name], a man truly worthy of your presence, as my personal ambassador — so that, with your support, the peace and favor of your most serene husband may be made firm, and so that everyone may clearly recognize that we have rightly come to the sweetness of alliance through such a bond of affection.
And since what has been well begun should never be suspended by any unfavorable circumstance — if there is anything that its difficulty makes it inappropriate to impose upon us, let it be softened by the moderation of your wisdom, so that the goodwill I have begun to feel toward your kingdom may grow through constant effort.
Therefore, summon up the strength of your wisdom and claim for yourself especially this prize of concord — so that, just as the most merciful Emperor's fame is celebrated in battle, your reputation may be praised with universal admiration for devotion to peace. Let the bearer of this letter see you often and familiarly, so that he may quickly achieve results, since he was sent in pursuit of your promised favor. I hope that just requests will not prove burdensome, though in truth nothing seems impossible when I know it is being advocated through such glory as yours.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.