Letter 12018: The royal progress, just as it brings danger to the negligent, so it confers distinction on those who work...
Cassiodorus→Constantianus, a man of proven experience|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
barbarian invasiontravel mobility
From: Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect
To: Constantianus, a man of proven experience
Date: ~533-537 AD
Context: Cassiodorus orders the preparation of the Via Flaminia for a royal progress — roads repaired, bridges secured, provisions gathered, all without burdening the provincials.
The royal progress, just as it brings danger to the negligent, so it confers distinction on those who work energetically — for it is the reward of a lifetime to serve under the lord's own eye, from whom neither fault can be hidden nor merit concealed. How pleasant it is to travel the appointed road without any hindrance — to see evidence of careful preparation, to cross uncertain passages without fear, to climb mountain roads with an easy step, to pass over bridges without trembling at the movement of the timbers, and to complete the journey with everything proving agreeable to the spirit! You surpass the duties of your office if you can please the lord of the realm. For the one I myself strive to obey, it is a great advancement if you earn the right to come before his gracious gaze.
Therefore, repair the Via Flaminia where it has been furrowed by cutting streams. Bridge the gaping riverbanks with the broadest spans. Strip the overgrown margins of the highway of their dense and rough thickets. Ensure that the assigned number of requisitioned horses is provided, with the quality of their build carefully selected. Gather the designated supply of rations without any loss to the landowners — for you make everything welcome only if you are faultless in every respect. One thing lacking spoils the whole, and everything is believed to be missing when even the smallest complaint stirs up trouble.
Furthermore, search out with complete diligence the provisions that are prepared for the royal table. For what good does it do to satisfy the army if you happen to fail in the feeding of the sovereign himself? Let the provincials comply when notified; let each city supply what the schedules specify. Whenever a happy ruler is met, benefits are effectively requested. Consider too that I am here to judge your performance firsthand: either I will gladly convey the lords' thanks to you, or angrily assign the ruler's displeasure. Act, therefore, so that your failings are not charged to me — for I am answerable for all of you to those whom your faults may offend. Let the entire army rather owe me its gratitude. It will be great glory for you both to set my mind at ease and to have earned the good opinion of so many.
XVIII.
CONSTANTINIANO VIRO EXPERIENTISSIMO SENATOR PPO.
[1] Regius apparatus sicut neglegentibus affert periculum, sic strenue laborantibus praestat ornatum, quia praemium est vitae domino vidente servire, cui nec culpa celari nec bonum possit abscondi. quam gratum est sine offensione aliqua iter agere destinatum, videre indicia diligentiae, dubia sine timore transire, gressu facili montuosa conscendere, in pontibus cum trabium mobilitate non tremere viamque sic conficere, ut omnia probentur animo convenisse! militiam vestram transcenditis, si rerum domino placere possitis. nam cui nos parere contendimus, magnus provectus est si mereamini ad eius placidos venire conspectus. [2] Quocirca iter Flaminiae rivis sulcantibus exaratum, hiantes ripas latissima pontium interiectione coniungite, oppressas margines platearum asperrimis silvis enudate. paraveredorum adscriptus numerus procuretur cum electa qualitate membrorum: annonarum designatarum copia sine aliquo possessorum dispendio congregetur, quia sic omnia grata redditis, si in nulla parte peccetis. res una subtracta cuncta deformat et totum deesse creditur, ubi vel minima querela asperitas commovetur. [3] Species praeterea, quae mensis regiis apparantur, exactas tota sedulitate perquirite. nam quid proderit exercitui satisfacere, si vos contigerit in ipsa dominorum pastione peccare? pareant provinciales ammoniti: civitates singulae declarata brevibus subministrent. nam quotiens laeto principi occurritur, efficaciter beneficia postulantur. cogitate etiam, quod praesens facta vestra diiudico: aut gratias vobis domini gaudens reddo aut commotionem principis iratus attribuo. agite ergo, ne mihi imputetur vester excessus, quia cunctis de vobis satisfacio, quos culpis vestris offendero. persolvat mihi potius gratiam universus exercitus. magna vobis erit gloria et me securum reddere et tantorum bona iudicia meruisse.
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From:Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect
To:Constantianus, a man of proven experience
Date:~533-537 AD
Context:Cassiodorus orders the preparation of the Via Flaminia for a royal progress — roads repaired, bridges secured, provisions gathered, all without burdening the provincials.
The royal progress, just as it brings danger to the negligent, so it confers distinction on those who work energetically — for it is the reward of a lifetime to serve under the lord's own eye, from whom neither fault can be hidden nor merit concealed. How pleasant it is to travel the appointed road without any hindrance — to see evidence of careful preparation, to cross uncertain passages without fear, to climb mountain roads with an easy step, to pass over bridges without trembling at the movement of the timbers, and to complete the journey with everything proving agreeable to the spirit! You surpass the duties of your office if you can please the lord of the realm. For the one I myself strive to obey, it is a great advancement if you earn the right to come before his gracious gaze.
Therefore, repair the Via Flaminia where it has been furrowed by cutting streams. Bridge the gaping riverbanks with the broadest spans. Strip the overgrown margins of the highway of their dense and rough thickets. Ensure that the assigned number of requisitioned horses is provided, with the quality of their build carefully selected. Gather the designated supply of rations without any loss to the landowners — for you make everything welcome only if you are faultless in every respect. One thing lacking spoils the whole, and everything is believed to be missing when even the smallest complaint stirs up trouble.
Furthermore, search out with complete diligence the provisions that are prepared for the royal table. For what good does it do to satisfy the army if you happen to fail in the feeding of the sovereign himself? Let the provincials comply when notified; let each city supply what the schedules specify. Whenever a happy ruler is met, benefits are effectively requested. Consider too that I am here to judge your performance firsthand: either I will gladly convey the lords' thanks to you, or angrily assign the ruler's displeasure. Act, therefore, so that your failings are not charged to me — for I am answerable for all of you to those whom your faults may offend. Let the entire army rather owe me its gratitude. It will be great glory for you both to set my mind at ease and to have earned the good opinion of so many.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.