Letter 11001: Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect, to the Senate of the City of Rome.

Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect, to the Senate of the City of Rome. [Cassiodorus served as Praetorian Prefect under the Ostrogothic kings of Italy. The Variae are official state letters he drafted on behalf of the court.] Senators, you honor my appointment by making it clear that it was something you wished for. I believe that what so many distinguished men desired must have turned out well. Your hopes are a good omen for all, since no one can win the favor of such men unless God himself has willed his advancement. Return the goodwill, then, and I will repay it with service. It is natural to love a colleague. Indeed, you raise your own standing when you support the honor bestowed upon your fellow Senator. Let the concern of the Senate drive me urgently toward the public good, so that my achievements may be credited to your encouragement. My second priority, after the princes, is to commend myself to you -- because I am confident that what our rulers command, you also love. First, that we should consider useful only what is honorable; that justice should attend our every action like a faithful companion; and that what we have not purchased from our restrained prince, we should never sell dishonorably to anyone. You have heard, distinguished senators, the weight of responsibility I have taken on. The man praised for entering the heights of office is held to a standard beyond his own powers. I do not dare call these claims false, but I confess they are excessive -- for such a judgment does not find merit in a man but creates it. I do not boast of this, since I understand that our rulers wished to raise up the humble, so that they would not appear to have granted such great things to the undeserving. The blessings of our times seize our attention and, like travelers parched by a long drought, invite us to drink from the sweetest spring. What a fortunate age! Under a prince still at leisure, a mother's affection reigns, and through her everything is accomplished so that we all feel sheltered by a universal care. She renders glorious service to the one whom all things obey, and by a wonderful harmony of purpose, before the prince can govern his peoples, he has already begun to govern his own character. This is surely the most difficult kind of rule -- for a young man to exercise sovereignty over his own passions. It is a rare achievement for a ruler to triumph over his own nature, accomplishing in the flower of youth what even gray-haired moderation can scarcely reach. Let us rejoice, senators, and give thanks to the majesty on high with humble devotion. Our prince will never grow harsher with the passage of time, since he learned as a boy to serve compassion. But let us credit this miracle to the character of both mother and son -- for such is the mother's genius that even a foreign prince would rightly defer to her. Every kingdom justly reveres her. To see her is to feel reverence; to hear her speak is to witness something extraordinary. In what language is she not supremely accomplished? She is eloquent in the brilliance of Attic speech [Greek]; she shines in the splendor of Roman eloquence [Latin]; she glories in the richness of her native tongue [Gothic]. She surpasses everyone in their own language, while being equally admirable in all. If knowing one's native language well is the mark of a wise person, what can be said of a wisdom that commands so many forms of speech with unfailing mastery? From this comes an invaluable advantage for many nations: no one needs an interpreter before the ears of our most learned queen. No ambassador suffers delay, and no petitioner loses time waiting for a translator, since each is heard in his own words and answered in his own tongue. Add to all this, like a priceless crown, her knowledge of literature, through which the wisdom of the ancients is studied and royal dignity continually enhanced. Yet though she possesses such perfection in languages, in public affairs she is so discreet that you might think her idle. She resolves tangled disputes in a few words. She manages pressing conflicts in tranquility. The public good is advanced in silence. You do not hear announced what is plainly being accomplished -- and with wonderful restraint she carries out by seeming not to act what she knows must be done swiftly. What comparable achievement can all of honored antiquity produce? We know that Placidia [Galla Placidia, mother of Emperor Valentinian III], celebrated throughout the world and glorious in her line of princes, devoted herself to her purple-clad son -- yet while she managed his empire too loosely, it was shamefully diminished. She purchased a daughter-in-law at the cost of Illyricum, and a royal marriage became a division mourned by the provinces. She also let the army dissolve through excessive inactivity. The prince she protected suffered what he could scarcely have endured if left on his own. But under our queen -- who has as many kings in her lineage as she has ancestors -- our army, God willing, strikes fear into foreign enemies. Wisely managed, it is neither worn down by constant wars nor softened by prolonged peace. Even at the very beginning, when every new regime is tested, she made the Danube Roman again, against the wishes of the Eastern emperor [Constantinople]. What the invaders suffered is well known -- but I choose to pass over the details, lest the spirit of our allied prince be embarrassed by another's disgrace. How highly the East regarded our court can be understood from this: the Eastern emperor freely granted peace to those who had offended him, though he had refused it to others who begged for it. Moreover, he honored us with great embassies despite being rarely asked, and that singular power condescended to bow to us so that it might raise up Italian rulers. Even the Franks, so mighty from their victories over countless peoples -- how they were shaken by a great expedition! When provoked, they feared to engage our forces, though they have always been the first to leap headlong into battle against other nations. But though that proud nation avoided a pitched battle, they could not prevent the death of their own king. For that Theodoric [the Frankish king, not Theodoric the Great] -- long glorying in his powerful name -- fell in battle against our princes, overcome more by disease than by fighting. By divine providence, I believe, so that neither the blood of kinsmen would stain us nor the army, justly called to arms, lack its triumph. Hail to the expedition of the Goths, more joyful than any success -- you struck down a rival king while losing not even your humblest soldier. The Burgundians, too, became our loyal subjects in order to recover what they had lost, surrendering everything while receiving only a little. They chose to obey while still whole rather than to resist while diminished. They defended their kingdom more safely when they laid down their arms -- for they recovered through petition what they had lost on the battlefield. Blessed are you, my queen, with manifold praise: by divine favor, all need for war is removed from you, since you either defeat the enemies of the state through heavenly good fortune or bind them to your rule through their own willing submission. Rejoice together, Goths and Romans alike -- here is a wonder for all to proclaim! By God's grace, our blessed queen has fulfilled what is finest in both sexes: she has given us a glorious king and defended a vast empire through the strength of her spirit. These things touch on military affairs and are reported as best they can be. If we wished to enter the halls of her compassion, a hundred tongues and a hundred mouths could scarcely suffice. Her sense of justice and her good will are equally matched, yet her kindness exceeds even her power. Let me say a little about great things, a few words about many. You know how much good she has granted our order [the Senate] through heavenly generosity -- and where the Senate itself is witness, there can be no doubt. She restored the afflicted to a better state, elevated the unharmed with honors, and granted blessings to individuals while sheltering all under her universal protection. What I assert has already borne fruit. Consider the patrician Liberius, now also Prefect of the Gauls [Gallic provinces] -- a man of military distinction, most gracious in company, distinguished by merit, handsome in appearance, yet handsomer still for his battle scars -- who received rewards worthy of his labors. He did not lose the prefecture he had managed well, and a doubled honor adorned this exceptional man: the court confessed his merit, for a single reward was not enough. He also received an additional dignity in person, so that a man who had served the state so well would not be thought ungrateful through long absence. What admirable generosity from our rulers, who raised this man so high that, beyond granting him offices, they judged it fitting to add an estate to his patrimony! This was received so gratefully by all that everyone felt enriched by his reward, since whatever is given to a worthy man is, without doubt, felt as a gift to many. What, then, shall I say of the queen's strength of mind, which surpasses even the most celebrated philosophers? From her lips flows generous speech and promises held with unshakable security. These things I tell you, senators, are not unproven. A man who praises from experience is a true witness. You know what hostile designs were raised against me. Neither gold nor great entreaties prevailed. Everything was tried, so that the glorious constancy of our most wise queen might be tested. The occasion calls me to compare the pageantry of ancient empresses with the present. But how can feminine examples suffice for one before whom the praise of men universally yields? If that royal company of ancestors could behold her, they would see in her, as in a perfect mirror, the reflection of their own renown. Hamalus shone in good fortune, Ostrogotha in patience, Athala in gentleness, Wintarius in fairness, Unimundus in beauty, Thorismuth in chastity, Walamer in loyalty, Theudimer in devotion -- and, as you have already seen, her illustrious father [Theodoric the Great] in wisdom. Each ancestor would surely recognize his own virtue in her, yet would happily confess it surpassed, since the praise of one woman cannot justly be equaled by a crowd of virtues taken singly. Consider what joy such an heir would bring them -- one who could surpass the merits of all. You might ask separately about the prince's virtues: the one who praises his mother praises her offspring abundantly. And you will recall the memorable saying of the eloquent Symmachus: "I look with happy expectation upon the growth of his virtue, since I delay to praise its beginnings." Come to my aid, senators! By giving thanks to our common rulers on my behalf, let your gratitude discharge my debt -- for just as one man cannot satisfy the hopes of all, so many can fulfill what one has set in motion.

I. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE SENATOR PPO. [1] Commendatis mihi, patres conscripti, provectum meum, si vobis intellego fuisse votivum: credo enim evenisse prosperrime quod tot felices constat optasse. desideria quippe vestra bonorum omnium probantur auspicia, quando nemo potest talium favore suscipi, nisi quem divinitas praecepit augeri. mutuamini ergo gratiam, ut exigatis obsequium. natura rerum est amare collegam. laudes quin immo vestras extollitis, si honorem qui Senatori datus est erigatis. [2] Sollicitudo patrum ad publicas me utilitates instanter impellat, ut vestro magis imputetur praeconio, cum tali meruero placere solacio. secunda mihi est cura vobis me commendare post principes, quia illud vos amare confidimus, quod et rerum dominos iubere sentimus: primum, ut hoc putemus utile quod honestum, ut nostros actus quasi pedisequa semper iustitia comitetur et quod a continenti principe non emimus, nulli turpiter venditemus. [3] Audistis, principes viri, quae rerum pondera praedicatus exceperim. supra vires exigitur, qui dignitatis culmina laudatur ingressus. haec non audemus falsa dicere, sed confitemur esse potiora: nam talia iudicia non invenerunt merita, sed fecerunt: neque enim nos inde iactamus, qui intellegimus dominos nostros humilia voluisse sustollere, ne videantur inmeritis tam ingentia praestitisse. rapiunt nos praedicandi temporis bona et velut longa ariditate sitientes ad haustum dulcissimi saporis invitant. [4] O saeculi beata fortuna! sub principe feriato matris regnat affectio, per quam totum sic peragitur, ut generalis nos tegere caritas sentiatur. huic gloriosum praestat obsequium cui omnia serviunt et mirabili temperamento concordiae, antequam possit populos regere, suis iam coepit moribus imperare. hoc est profecto difficillimum regnandi genus exercere iuvenem in suis sensibus principatum. rarum omnino bonum est dominum triumphare de moribus et hoc consequi in florida aetate, ad quod vix creditur cana modestia pervenire. [5] Gaudeamus, patres conscripti, et supernae maiestati gratias supplici devotione referamus, quando nulla erit accessu temporis difficilis clementia nostro principi, qui in annis puerilibus didicit servire pietati. sed hoc miraculum utriusque moribus demus: nam tantus est genius maternus, cui etiam iure princeps servire debuisset extraneus. [6] Hanc enim dignissime omnia regna venerantur, quam videre reverentia est, loquentem audire miraculum. qua enim lingua non probatur esse doctissima? Atticae facundiae claritate diserta est: Romani eloquii pompa resplendet: nativi sermonis ubertate gloriatur: excellit cunctos in propriis, cum sit aequaliter ubique mirabilis. nam si vernaculam linguam bene nosse prudentis est, quid de tali sapientia poterit aestimari, quae tot genera eloquii inoffensa exercitatione custodit? [7] Hinc venit diversis nationibus necessarium magnumque praesidium, quod apud aures prudentissimae dominae nullus eget interprete. non enim aut legatus moram aut interpellans aliquam sustinet de mediatoris tarditate iacturam, quando uterque et genuinis verbis auditur et patriotica responsione componitur. iungitur his rebus quasi diadema eximium inpretiabilis notitia litterarum, per quam, dum veterum prudentia discitur, regalis dignitas semper augetur. [8] Sed cum tanta gaudeat perfectione linguarum, in actu publico sic tacita est, ut credatur otiosa. paucis litigia nodosa dissolvit: bella ferventia sub quiete disponit, silentiose geritur publicum bonum. non audis praedici quod palam videtur assumi et temperamento mirabili dissimulando peragit quod adcelerandum esse cognoscit. [9] Quid tale antiquitas honora promeruit? Placidiam mundi opinione celebratam, aliquorum principum prosapia gloriosam purpurato filio studuisse percepimus, cuius dum remisse administrat imperium, indecenter cognoscitur imminutum. nurum denique sibi amissione Illyrici comparavit factaque est coniunctio regnantis divisio dolenda provinciis. militem quoque nimia quiete dissolvit. pertulit a matre protectus quod vix pati potuit destitutus. [10] Sub hac autem domina, quae tot reges habuit quot parentes, iuvante deo, noster exercitus terret externos: qui provida dispositione libratus nec assiduis bellis adteritur nec iterum longa pace mollitur. in ipsis quoque primordiis, quando semper novitas incerta temptatur, contra Orientis principis votum Romanum fecit esse Danuvium. [11] Notum est quae pertulerint invasores: quae ideo praetermittenda diiudico, ne genius socialis principis verecundiam sustineat perditoris. quid enim de nostris partibus senserit, hinc datur intellegi, quando pacem contulit laesus, quam aliis concedere noluit exoratus. additur quod tantis nos legationibus tam raro requisitus ornavit et singularis illa potentia, ut Italicos dominos erigeret, reverentiam Eoi culminis inclinavit. [12] Franci etiam, tot barbarorum victoriis praepotentes, quam ingenti expeditione turbati sunt? lacessiti metuerunt cum nostris inire certamen qui praecipiti saltu proelia semper gentibus intulerunt. sed quamvis superba natio declinaverit conflictum, vitare tamen proprii regis nequivit interitum. nam Theodericus ille diu potenti nomine gloriatus in triumphum principum nostrorum langoris potius pugna superatus occubuit: ordinatione credo divina, ne nos aut affinium bella polluerent aut iuste productus exercitus vindictam aliquam non haberet. macte procinctus Gothorum omni felicitate iucundior, qui hostem regalem capite caedis et nobis nec unius ultimi fata subducis. [13] Burgundio quin etiam ut sua reciperet, devotus effectus est, reddens se totus, dum accepisset exiguum. elegit quippe integer oboedire quam imminutus obsistere: tutius tunc defendit regnum, quando arma deposuit. recuperavit enim prece quod amisit in acie. beatam te, domina, laude multiplici, cui divino beneficio necessitas tollitur cuncta certaminis, quando adversos rei publicae aut caelesti felicitate vincis aut tuis imperiis spontanea largitate coniungis. [14] Exultate, Gothi pariter ac Romani: dignum miraculum, quod omnes loquantur. ecce praestante deo felix domina quod habet eximium uterque sexus, implevit: nam et gloriosum regem nobis edidit et latissimum imperium animi fortitudine vindicavit. [15] Haec quantum ad arma pertinent, utcumque referuntur: nam si pietatis eius atria velimus intrare, vix nobis poterunt centum linguae centumque ora sufficere: cui par est quidem aequitas et voluntas, sed maior benignitas quam potestas. dicamus igitur parva de magnis, pauca de plurimis. scitis quanta bona nostro ordini caelesti benignitate largita est: nihil est dubium, ubi est testis senatus. afflictos statu meliore restituit, illaesos sublimavit honoribus et singillatim bona tribuit, quos sub universali munimine custodivit. [16] Ea quae asserimus iam creverunt. respicite namque patricium Liberium praefectum etiam Galliarum, exercitualem virum, communione gratissimum, meritis clarum, forma conspicuum, sed vulneribus pulchriorem, laborum suorum munera consecutum, ut nec praefecturam, quam bene gessit, amitteret et eximium virum honor geminatus ornaret: confessus meritum, cui solus non sufficit ad praemium. accepit enim et praesentaneam dignitatem, ne de re publica bene meritus diu absens putaretur ingratus. [17] O admiranda benivolentia dominorum, quae in tantum extulit praedictum virum, ut donatis fascibus et patrimonium iudicaret addendum: quod sic ab universis gratanter exceptum est, ut in munere eius cuncti se potius crederent esse ditatos, quando quicquid digno ceditur, hoc multis sine dubio collatum esse sentitur. quid ergo de animi firmitate loquar, quae vicit et philosophos valde praedicatos? procedit enim ex ore dominae beneficus sermo et manens sub securitate promissio. [18] Non sunt nobis, patres conscripti, minus probata quae loquimur: verus testis est, qui laudat expertus. cognovistis enim quae contra me vota conflixerunt: non aurum, non magnae valuere preces: temptata sunt universa, ut probaretur sapientissimae dominae gloriosa constantia. [19] Ordo flagitat dictionis Augustarum veterum pompam moderna comparatione excutere. sed quemadmodum illi sufficere poterunt exempla feminea, cui virorum laus cedit universa? hanc si parentum cohors illa regalis aspiceret, tamquam in speculum purissimum sua praeconia mox videret. enituit enim Hamalus felicitate, Ostrogotha patientia, Athala mansuetudine, VVinitarius aequitate, Unimundus forma, Thorismuth castitate, VValamer fide, Theudimer pietate, sapientia, ut iam vidistis, inclitus pater. cognoscerent hic profecto universi singillatim propria, sed feliciter faterentur esse superata, quando unius praeconium cum turba se iure non potest aequare virtutum. [20] Aestimate quale eis esset de tali herede gaudium, quae merita potuit transire cunctorum. quaeratis forsitan sequestratim principis bona: abunde praedicat subolem, qui eius laudat auctorem. deinde retinetis facundissimi Symmachi eximium dictum: 'specto feliciter virtutis eius augmenta, qui differo laudare principia'. subvenite, patres conscripti, et agendo pro me communibus dominis gratias debitum meum vestra satisfactione persolvite: nam sicut unus satiare non valet omnium vota, ita multi unius possunt complere disposita.