Letter 2011: VARIAE, BOOK 2, LETTER 11

VARIAE, BOOK 2, LETTER 11 From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus To: Probinus, Distinguished Patrician Date: ~507-511 AD Context: A letter on a marriage dispute, with Theoderic reflecting on the importance of conjugal affection and the sanctity of the marriage bond. [1] Among all the burdens of the human condition, marital affection claims a special and rightful place. And rightly so, because what deserves to be honored more than the institution through which the human race itself is renewed? Marriage is not merely a private arrangement between two people — it is the foundation of the household, and the household is the foundation of the state. Whatever undermines marriage ultimately undermines everything built upon it. [2] We have therefore examined the case that has been brought before us, and we direct that it be resolved according to the principles of equity and ancient law. The rights of both parties must be respected, the obligations of the marriage bond must be enforced where they remain binding, and whatever provisions the law makes for the innocent party must be applied without favoritism. [3] Let it be known that in our kingdom, the marriage bond is sacred — not merely as a matter of religious conviction, but as a matter of public policy. A state that does not protect marriages will soon find that it has nothing else worth protecting.

XI. PROBINO V. I. PATRICIO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Inter cetera humani generis pondera coniugalis affectus curam sibi praecipuam vindicavit: non inmerito, quia in honore esse meretur, unde reparatio posteritatis adquiritur. omne facinus auctores solos insequitur: error matris transit ad filios et novo infelicitatis eventu fit dedecus proprium scelus alienum. ideo enim iura vel divina vel publica nexum coniugii tanta cautela praecipiunt custodiri, ut crimen sit magnum conscientiae alienos affectus in reverentiam non habere. [2] Basilius siquidem vir spectabilis datis precibus intimavit Agapitam coniugem suam de propriis penatibus a quibusdam vitio sollicitationis abductam, dum sexus ille femineus ad mutabilitatis vitia patet: quod etiam oblata nobis supra memoratae coniugis suae petitione firmavit: adiciens eam, cum in sacrosanctae ecclesiae saepta refugisset, ignorante marito magnitudini tuae casam Arcinatinam ratione postposita contulisse. unde nunc resipiens deplorat ingestam sibimet gravissimam nuditatem, factum suum ipsa condemnans, quippe ut pauper diviti, casto lubrica, prudenti viro donaret insipiens. [3] Nunc abicite lucra, quae honestam non videntur commendare personam, quia illud vos potius decet adquirere, quod et famam vestram possit augere. hinc etiam prius praecepta dederamus et nunc iterata iussione repetimus, ut supra scriptam rem sine aliqua dubitatione reddatis. alienatio enim rerum solidum desiderat habere iudicium, et certe in his versata rebus, firmum docetur perdidisse consilium. quid enim facere potuit probum, quae nullis culpis extantibus reliquit maritum?