Letter 1006: KING THEODERIC TO AGAPITUS, A MAN OF ILLUSTRIOUS RANK AND PREFECT OF THE CITY.

VI. King Theoderic to Agapitus, Illustrious Man and Prefect of the City. [1] It befits a prince to show care that looks to the increase of the commonwealth, and it is truly worthy of a king to adorn his palaces with fine buildings. For far be it from us to yield in adornment to the ancients, we who are not their inferiors in the blessedness of our own age. [2] Therefore, having undertaken the great work of the Basilica of Hercules in the city of Ravenna -- to whose name antiquity fittingly attributed whatever it founded in any hall worthy of admiring praise -- we most eagerly entrust to Your Magnitude that, according to the short schedule appended below, you send us from the City [Rome] the most skilled marble-workers, who may join together pieces that have been finely divided, so that, bound with veins playing in concert, they may laudably counterfeit the natural surface. Let what surpasses nature come forth from art: let slabs of marble of varied colors be woven together into a most pleasing variety of pictures, for that is always held precious which has been sought out for the sake of beauty. [4] You will furnish these men their expenses and transport: let our command burden none of us, since in it we wish to have regard for the advantage of each individual.

VI. AGAPITO V. I. P. U. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Decet principem cura quae ad rem publicam spectat augendam, et vere dignum est regem aedificiis palatia decorare. absit enim ut ornatui cedamus veterum, qui inpares non sumus beatitudine saeculorum. [2] Quapropter in Ravennati urbe basilicae Herculis amplum opus aggressi, cuius nomini antiquitas congrue tribuit, quicquid in aula praedicabili ammiratione fundavit, magnitudini tuae studiosissime delegamus, ut secundum brevem subter annexum de urbe nobis marmorarios peritissimos destinetis, qui eximie divisa coniungant, ut venis colludentibus illigata naturalem faciem laudabiliter mentiantur. de arte veniat quod vincat naturam: discolorea crusta marmorum gratissima picturarum varietate texantur, quia illud est semper in pretium, quod ad decorem fuerit exquisitum. [4] His sumptus subvectionesque praestabis: ne quemquam nostrum gravet imperium, quod ad utilitatem volumus respicere singulorum.