Letter 1014: KING THEODERIC TO FAUSTUS, PRAETORIAN PREFECT.
King Theoderic to Faustus, Praetorian Prefect.
[1] It is the mark of good administration to ensure that the imperial revenues are collected justly and without oppression. We have received complaints that certain tax collectors are harassing the provincials beyond what is lawful. This we cannot permit: the burdens of the state should fall upon all in proportion, and no man should be squeezed beyond his proper due.
[2] We therefore command your Illustrious Magnificence to investigate these complaints and to see that all tax collection is conducted in accordance with the law. Abuses are to be corrected, those responsible are to be punished, and the provincials are to be relieved of unjust impositions.
AI-assisted translation — This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
XIIII. FAUSTO PPO THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Libentes omnimodis praebemus assensum, quotiens vox est iusta poscentium, quia nec decet esse difficile beneficium, quod non patitur largitate detrimentum. [2] Et ideo praecelsa magnificentia tua, quod a Cataliensibus inferebatur genere tertiarum, faciat annis singulis in tributaria summa persolvi, nec post super hac parte patiantur supplices aliquam quaestionem. quid enim interest, quo nomine possessor inferat, dummodo sine imminutione quod debetur exsolvat? ita et illis suspectum tertiarum nomen auferimus et a nostra mansuetudine importunitates competentium summovemus.
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