Letter 11039: The enormous population of Rome makes it clear that even provisions brought from distant regions could barely...

39. Senator, Praetorian Prefect, to Vitalian, Most Distinguished Man, Chancellor of Lucania and Bruttium. [1] It is evident how great the population in the city of Rome once was, since a supply provided even from far-distant regions was needed to satisfy it, and the surrounding provinces barely sufficed for the sustenance of foreigners, while the abundance brought in kept itself for them. For how small in number could those have been who held the governance of the world! [2] The crowds of citizens are attested by the most ample circuits of the walls, by the stretched embrace of the places of spectacle, by the marvelous size of the baths, and by that great number of mills, which it is established were specially allotted for sustenance. For unless this instrument were in common use, it would not be reckoned necessary, since it can neither serve for ornament nor suit any other purpose. In short, these things, like costly garments upon bodies, are the indicators of cities, since no one consents to make superfluous the things which he knows he can set forth at great prices. [3] Hence it came about that mountainous Lucania furnished swine, and hence that the Bruttii supplied native cattle from their abundance. Both were truly remarkable: that provinces should suffice for so great a city, and that the great city, by their benefits, should have no lack of provisions. It was indeed a glorious thing for them to feed Rome; but at how great an expense did it seem possible to stand, to bring over so many journeys the things that were given by weight, since no one could charge to account the things that were observed to diminish! [4] It has been reduced to a money payment, where they could not suffer loss, which is neither diminished by journeys nor wounded by labors. Let the provinces understand their own goods. For if their men of old were devoted to expenditures, why should these men not be munificent in paying out for their advantages? And therefore your diligence shall see to it, by appointed payments, that both these tax-titles, now converted into public coin, are rendered, lest in my times those should appear negligent who, with praiseworthy integrity, obeyed under the dignities of others. [5] For although I have striven to restore other provinces as well, yet nothing was done in them that I should wish to claim as my own. They felt me to be their judge, and those over whom I presided as a private man, descended from grandfathers and great-grandfathers, I have striven more vigorously to assist under my own rods of office, so that they might recognize that I retain the affection of a native land for those whom I perceived to rejoice with eager exultation at my advancements. Let them therefore obey, not by any compulsion, but out of love, since I have also diminished for them this sum which used to be offered. For whereas twelve hundred solidi were paid in annual contributions, I have, by royal bounty, brought them back to one thousand, so that they might exult with increases of joys at the lightening of their burdens.

XXXVIIII. VITALIANO V. C. CANCELLARIO LUCANIAE ET BRUTTIORUM SENATOR PPO. [1] Apparet, quantus in Romana civitate fuerit populus, ut eum etiam de longinquis regionibus copia provisa satiaret, quatenus circumiectae provinciae peregrinorum victui sufficerent, cum illi se ubertas advecta servaret. nam quam brevi numero esse poterat, qui mundi regimina possidebat! [2] Testantur enim turbas civium amplissima spatia murorum, spectaculorum distensus amplexus, mirabilis magnitudo thermarum et illa numerositas molarum, quam specialiter contributam constat ad victum. hoc enim instrumentum nisi fuerit usuale, necessarium non habetur, quando nec ornatui potest proficere nec parti aliae convenire. denique haec quasi vestimenta pretiosa corporum ita sunt indicia civitatum, dum nullus adquiescit superflua facere, quae se novit magnis pretiis explicare. [3] Hinc enim fuit, ut montuosa Lucania sues penderet, hinc ut Bruttii boum pecus indigena ubertate praestarent. fuit nimirum utrumque mirabile, ut et provinciae tantae civitati sufficerent et sic ampla civitas earum beneficiis victualium indigentiam non haberet. erat quidem illis gloriosum Romam pascere: sed quanto dispendio videbatur posse constare adducere tam multis itineribus quae darentur ad pondus, dum quae probabantur decrescere nullus poterat imputare! [4] Redactum est ad pretium, ubi pati non poterant detrimentum, quod nec itineribus imminuitur nec laboribus sauciatur. intellegant provinciae bona sua. nam si antiqui eorum fuerunt ad dispendia devoti, cur isti non sint ad compendia solvenda munifici? et ideo ambos titulos in assem publicum iam redactos diligentia tua statutis illationibus procurabit, ne meis temporibus neglegentes esse videantur qui alienis dignitatibus laudabili integritate paruerunt. [5] Nam licet et alias provincias studuerim reficere, nihil tamen in illis actum est quod voluerim vindicare. senserunt me iudicem suum et quibus privatus ab avis atavisque praefui, vivacius nisus sum in meis fascibus adiuvare, ut me agnoscerent retinere affectum patriae, quos in meis provectibus sentiebam propensa exultatione gaudere. pareant ergo non compulsione aliqua, sed amore, quando et hanc summam illis imminui, quae solebat offerri. nam cum mille ducenti solidi annuis praestationibus solverentur, ad mille eos regia largitate revocavi, ut exultarent gaudiorum crementis de oneribus imminutis.