Letter 1017: KING THEODERIC TO ALL GOTHS AND ROMANS RESIDING AT DERTONA.

XVII. KING THEODERIC TO ALL THE GOTHS AND ROMANS RESIDING AT DERTONA. [1] Admonished by considerations of public utility, a care which has always gladly burdened us, we command that the fortress situated near you be fortified, since the business of battles is well arranged whenever it is dealt with in time of peace. For a fortification is then rendered exceedingly strong if it has been reinforced by long forethought. All things undertaken on the spur of the moment are proved to be unwary, and the construction of a site is sought too late, when dangers are already feared. [2] Add to this that the mind itself cannot be inclined toward boldness when it has been made anxious by manifold concern. Our forebears rightly named this an "expedition" [expeditio, from being "unencumbered"], because a mind devoted to battles ought not to be occupied with other thoughts. Therefore the matter is to be embraced which is enjoined out of regard for the common good, nor is it right to let delay overtake a command which is known to assist the devoted above all. [3] And so by the present authority we decree that you eagerly build houses for yourselves in the aforesaid fortress, rendering back to our spirit a reciprocity of benefits, so that, just as we judge what will be profitable to your advantages, so we may perceive that you adorn our times with the most beautiful buildings. For then it comes about that you may wish to gather suitable resources for your own household gods [penates, i.e. your homes] and that the dwelling may not be displeasing to you, which its own construction can commend. [4] What is it, I ask, to be in one's own home, while the enemy is compelled to endure the harshest of lodgings? Let him lie exposed to the rains, while roofs defend you; let famine consume him, while a stock of provisions restores you. Thus, when you are most safely established, your enemy will suffer the fate of one already lost before the outcome of the contest. For it is agreed that in time of necessity that man is proved most valiant who does not distract himself with many concerns. For who would think that he had had prudence, if he should then begin to busy himself with building or to store up provisions, when he ought to be conducting wars?

XVII. UNIVERSIS GOTHIS ET ROMANIS DERTONA CONSISTENTIBUS THEODERICUS REX. [1] Publicae utilitatis ratione commoniti, quae nos cura semper libenter oneravit, castrum iuxta vos positum praecipimus communiri, quia res proeliorum bene disponitur, quotiens in pace tractatur. munitio quippe tunc efficitur praevalida, si diutina fuerit excogitatione roborata. omnia subita probantur incauta et male constructio loci tunc quaeritur, quando iam pericula formidantur. [2] Adde quod animus ipse in audaciam non potest esse pronus, qui diversa cura fuerit sollicitus. hanc merito expeditionem nominavere maiores, quia mens devota proeliis non debet aliis cogitationibus occupari. quapropter amplectenda res est, quae generalitatis consideratione praecipitur, nec moram fas est incurrere iussionem, quae devotos maxime noscitur adiuvare. [3] Et ideo praesenti auctoritate decernimus, ut domos vobis in praedicto castello alacriter construatis, reddentes animo nostro vicissitudinem rerum, ut, sicut nos vestris utilitatibus profutura censemus, ita tempora nostra ornare vos pulcherrimis fabricis sentianius. tunc enim accidit, ut et sumptus competentes vestris iam penatibus congregare velitis et habitatio vobis non sit ingrata, quam propria potest commendare constructio. [4] Quale est, rogo, in laribus propriis esse, cum durissimas mansiones hostis cogitur sustinere? ille imbribus pateat, vos tecta defendant: illum inedia consumat, vos copia provisa reficiat. sic vobis tutissime constitutis hostis vester ante eventum certaminis fata patiebitur perditoris. constat enim tempore necessitatis illum probari fortissimum virum, qui se per multa non distrahit. nam quis eum habuisse prudentiam putet, si tunc coeperit fabricis operam dare aut penum condere, cum oporteat bella tractare?