Letter 2020: Everyone should gladly contribute what they see can serve the public good, since the limbs must feel what affects...

From: Cassiodorus, on behalf of King Theoderic To: Wiligis, Saio (royal agent) Date: ~522 AD Context: An order to requisition grain barges from Ravenna to supply the royal court in Liguria -- a practical snapshot of late antique logistics and food supply. Everyone should gladly contribute what they see can serve the public good, since the limbs must feel what affects the whole body. We therefore decree by the present order that you are to find as many grain barges as you can in the city of Ravenna, load them with state grain, and bring them to us, so that the public food supply, relieved by this provision, need not suffer the hardship of shortage. Let Ravenna return the abundance to Liguria that it has been accustomed to receive from it. For the city that hosts our presence ought to find relief from many quarters. Our court draws crowds of attendants, and as people rush to receive our favors, the supply that the populace needs is stretched.

XX. VVILIGIS SAIONI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Omnes decet gratanter impendere quod publicas videt utilitates posse respicere, quando necesse est hoc membra sentire, quod corporis summa sentitur. atque ideo praesenti decernimus iussione, ut quantas in Ravennati urbe exculcatorias potueris reperire, frumentis fiscalibus oneratas ad nos usque perducas, quatenus alimonia publica tali provisione relevata necessitatem inopiae non debeant sustinere. reddat Ravenna copiam Liguriae, quam ex ipsa consuevit accipere. nam quae praesentiam nostram sustinet, multorum debet solacia reperire. trahit enim comitatus noster observantium catervas et, dum ad beneficia praestanda curritur, necessaria populis copia postulatur.