Letter 1011: KING THEODERIC TO SERVATUS, MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE RAETIAS.

King Theoderic to Servatus, Military Governor of the Raetias. [1] It befits you to show in your conduct the honor that you bear in your title, so that throughout the province over which you preside, you permit no act of violence, but compel everything to conform to justice — the source from which our power flourishes. [2] Therefore, moved by the petition of Moniarius, we address you by the present command: if you find that the Breones have unlawfully carried off his slaves, you are to compel the return of whatever was wrongfully taken, together with full compensation for the harm suffered. Let our protection extend to all who dwell under our rule.

XI. SERVATO DUCI RAETIARUM THEODERICUS REX. [1] Decet te honorem, quem geris nomine, moribus exhibere, ut per provinciam, cui praesides, nulla fieri violenta patiaris, sed totum cogatur ad iustum, unde nostrum floret imperium. [2] Quapropter Moniarii supplicatione commoti praesentibus te affamur oraculis, ut, si re vera mancipia eius Breones irrationabiliter cognoveris abstulisse, qui militaribus officiis assueti civilitatem premere dicuntur armati et ob hoc iustitiae parere despiciunt, quoniam ad bella Martia semper intendunt, dum nescio quo pacto assidue dimicantibus difficile est morum custodire mensuram. [3] Quapropter omni protervia remota, quae de praesumptione potest virtutis assumi, postulata facies sine intermissione restitui: ne per dilationis incommoda eorum videatur supplex odisse victoriam.