From: King Athalaricus of Italy
To: Johannes, Superintendent of Fortifications at Ravenna
Date: ~526-534 AD
Context: An order to seal unauthorized pathways near city walls — revealing anxieties about security and espionage even within Ostrogothic Italy.
The fortification of cities is the sure hope of all, since in peacetime foreign peoples learn from it what they should truly fear in war. Cities are full of diverse kinds of people. Who knows which nation he may have to fight? Therefore, everyone should be aware of things that future enemies would not be glad to hear.
Accordingly, by my command you will instruct the landowners that near Mount Caprarius and the surrounding areas, the enormous mouths of ditches be opened in the walls, and that such a gap be created there that no unauthorized entrance remains. Why, you wicked men, do you investigate illicit approaches when you are freely permitted to enter through the gates? You seem to be hiding something, since you do not wish to enter openly.
A clear conscience keeps to the public roads, rejoices in conversation with those it meets, and is not burdened by the trouble of the journey when it gladly encounters different people. It is the friend of crime to want to go unnoticed — and the man who conceals his routes betrays his conscience. Therefore, let the old pathways be restored to general use, lest those who seek a shortcut in their journey suffer the loss of their lives. The man who strives to breach the defenses of a city is rightly to be considered an enemy.
XVII.
IOHANNI LIQUATARIO RAVENNATI ATHALARICUS REX.
[1] Munitio civitatum spes est certa cunctorum, quando in pace ab exteris gentibus discitur, quod veraciter in certamine timeatur. plena est enim diversis generibus hominum habitatio urbium singularum. quis novit cum qua gente confligat? ideoque omnes debent agnoscere quod futuris hostibus gratum non sit audire. quapropter ex nostra iussione possessores ammonere curabis, ut iuxta montem Caprarium et loca circumiecta muris fovearum ingentia ora pandantur talisque ibi pateat hiatus, ut nullus ibi relinquatur introitus. cur, nefandi homines, perscrutamini accessus inlicitos, quibus portarum permittitur licenter ingressus? nescio quid videmini tegere, qui palam non desideratis intrare. [2] Conscientia recta vias publicas tenet, obviorum collocutione gratulatur et cum diversos gratanter inquirit, laboris taedio non gravatur. amicum est autem crimini velle nesciri et qui vias suas occulit, conscientiam prodit. proinde in usus generales itinera prisca revocentur, ne, dum compendium laboris quaerunt, vitae dispendia patiantur. ille enim iure habendus est hostis, qui munimina nititur violare civitatis.
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From:King Athalaricus of Italy
To:Johannes, Superintendent of Fortifications at Ravenna
Date:~526-534 AD
Context:An order to seal unauthorized pathways near city walls — revealing anxieties about security and espionage even within Ostrogothic Italy.
The fortification of cities is the sure hope of all, since in peacetime foreign peoples learn from it what they should truly fear in war. Cities are full of diverse kinds of people. Who knows which nation he may have to fight? Therefore, everyone should be aware of things that future enemies would not be glad to hear.
Accordingly, by my command you will instruct the landowners that near Mount Caprarius and the surrounding areas, the enormous mouths of ditches be opened in the walls, and that such a gap be created there that no unauthorized entrance remains. Why, you wicked men, do you investigate illicit approaches when you are freely permitted to enter through the gates? You seem to be hiding something, since you do not wish to enter openly.
A clear conscience keeps to the public roads, rejoices in conversation with those it meets, and is not burdened by the trouble of the journey when it gladly encounters different people. It is the friend of crime to want to go unnoticed — and the man who conceals his routes betrays his conscience. Therefore, let the old pathways be restored to general use, lest those who seek a shortcut in their journey suffer the loss of their lives. The man who strives to breach the defenses of a city is rightly to be considered an enemy.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.