Letter 11030: It is fitting that the fruit of their labors should follow the desires of the faithful, and that a higher rank...

From: Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect To: [Announcement] Date: ~533-537 AD Context: Joint appointment of two unit commanders — a glimpse of the layered bureaucratic hierarchy still functioning under Gothic rule. It is fitting that the fruit of their labors should follow the desires of the faithful, and that a higher rank should receive those whom the integrity of their proven record commends. For this reason I decree that Ursus shall be primicerius of the deputati [chief of the assigned staff] and Beatus shall be primicerius of the Augustales [chief of the imperial household unit] — so that those who are seen to have advanced to greater responsibilities may follow the praiseworthy examples of their predecessors.

XXX. DE PRIMICERIO DEPUTATORUM ET DE PRIMICERIO AUGUSTALIUM. [1] Dignum est ut sequatur vota fidelium fructus laborum et superior gradus excipiat, quos gestarum rerum integritas affectata commendat. hinc est quod Ursum primicerium deputatorum atque Beatum primicerium Augustalium esse censemus: ut qui ad maiora provecti videntur officia, praedicanda conscientiae sequantur exempla.