Letter 10026: I understand that your Serenity's favor is richer than any gift, since you urge me to do things that can only...
Cassiodorus→Justinian I|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
imperial politicsproperty economics
From: King Theodahad of Italy
To: Emperor Justinian in Constantinople
Date: ~536 AD
Context: Theodahad reports on actions taken at Justinian's request — tax relief for a convent and a legal case — and makes a striking statement about religious freedom.
I understand that your Serenity's favor is richer than any gift, since you urge me to do things that can only benefit my own soul. Such is always the wish of one who loves — that you want us to perform acts of mercy that commend us to divine power.
Therefore I report to Your Glory that the convent of God's handmaids, which was brought to your attention as suffering under a heavy tax burden — its land having become barren from excessive flooding — I have issued instructions to the eminent Senator [Cassiodorus himself], Praetorian Prefect, that through his careful management a diligent inspector should visit the property in question. After examining the situation with measured inquiry, whatever burden the estate suffers should be reasonably removed, so that a fair and sufficient profit remains for the owners. For I truly consider it our most precious gain when we make concessions at the request of your gentle spirit.
As for the case of Ranilda, about which Your Serenity saw fit to remind me — although it occurred long ago under our ancestors' reign, I nevertheless found it necessary to settle the matter from my own generosity, so that her change of religion should not become a source of regret.
On matters of faith, however, I do not presume to judge where I have received no specific mandate. For since God permits diverse religions to exist, I would not dare to impose a single one. I recall reading that sacrifice must be offered to the Lord voluntarily, not at anyone's command — and whoever attempts otherwise clearly defies the will of heaven. Your Piety therefore rightly invites us to such actions as the divine commandments themselves prescribe.
XXVI.
IUSTINIANO IMPERATORI THEODAHADUS REX.
[1] Intellegimus serenitatis vestrae gratiam muneribus omnibus ditiorem, quando illa nos hortamini facere, quae ad mercedem nostram possint omnimodis pertinere. tale siquidem votum semper amantis est, ut causas nos misericordiae velitis agere, quae nos divinae possint commendare potentiae. [2] Et ideo significamus gloriae vestrae monasterium famularum dei, quod vobis insinuatum est tributorum gravi sorte laborare, eo quod ager eius nimia inundatione perfusus sterilitatis vitia de inimica humectatione contraxerit: ad virum eminentissimum Senatorem praefectum praetorio dedisse nos nihilominus iussionem, ut eius ordinatione provida ad praedium, de quo querella est, diligens inspector accedat et, rebus moderata inquisitione trutinatis, quicquid gravaminis potest habere possessio, rationabiliter abrogetur, ita ut competens atque sufficiens dominis remanere possit utilitas, quia vere nobis lucrum pretiosissimum iudicamus, quod pro mansuetudinis vestrae voluntate concedimus. [3] De Ranildae quoque causa, unde vestra serenitas me commonere dignata est, quamvis ante longum tempus sub parentum nostrorum regno contigerit, tamen necesse nobis fuit negotium de propria largitate componere, ut tali facto eam non paeniteret mutata religio. [4] Earum siquidem rerum iudicium non praesumimus, unde mandatum specialiter non habemus. nam cum divinitas patiatur diversas religiones esse, nos unam non audemus imponere. retinemus enim legisse nos voluntarie sacrificandum esse domino, non cuiusquam cogentis imperio: quod qui aliter facere temptaverit, evidenter caelestibus iussionibus obviavit. merito ergo pietas vestra invitat nos ad talia quae nobis praecipiunt divina mandata.
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From:King Theodahad of Italy
To:Emperor Justinian in Constantinople
Date:~536 AD
Context:Theodahad reports on actions taken at Justinian's request — tax relief for a convent and a legal case — and makes a striking statement about religious freedom.
I understand that your Serenity's favor is richer than any gift, since you urge me to do things that can only benefit my own soul. Such is always the wish of one who loves — that you want us to perform acts of mercy that commend us to divine power.
Therefore I report to Your Glory that the convent of God's handmaids, which was brought to your attention as suffering under a heavy tax burden — its land having become barren from excessive flooding — I have issued instructions to the eminent Senator [Cassiodorus himself], Praetorian Prefect, that through his careful management a diligent inspector should visit the property in question. After examining the situation with measured inquiry, whatever burden the estate suffers should be reasonably removed, so that a fair and sufficient profit remains for the owners. For I truly consider it our most precious gain when we make concessions at the request of your gentle spirit.
As for the case of Ranilda, about which Your Serenity saw fit to remind me — although it occurred long ago under our ancestors' reign, I nevertheless found it necessary to settle the matter from my own generosity, so that her change of religion should not become a source of regret.
On matters of faith, however, I do not presume to judge where I have received no specific mandate. For since God permits diverse religions to exist, I would not dare to impose a single one. I recall reading that sacrifice must be offered to the Lord voluntarily, not at anyone's command — and whoever attempts otherwise clearly defies the will of heaven. Your Piety therefore rightly invites us to such actions as the divine commandments themselves prescribe.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.