Letter 2035: It is deeply painful that the works of our ancestors should be diminished in our time, when we strive every day to...

From: Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths To: Tancila Date: ~522 AD Context: Theoderic orders an investigation into the theft of a bronze statue from the city of Como, offering a reward for information. It is deeply painful that the works of our ancestors should be diminished in our time, when we strive every day to increase the beauty of our cities. Therefore we instruct you to search with all determination for the bronze statue from the city of Como that has reportedly been stolen. We are also offering a reward of one hundred gold pieces to anyone willing to expose this sacrilegious theft, so that our promise may encourage the fearful toward confession -- as the edict we have sent you also proclaims. But once you have published these orders, if the crime still lies hidden, have the local craftsmen assembled after the holy day and question them under threat of punishment as to whose hand committed the deed. Unskilled men could not have easily toppled a statue unless expert knowledge had attempted to move it from its place.

XXXV. TANCILAE V. S. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Acerbum nimis est nostris temporibus antiquorum facta decrescere, qui ornatum urbium cottidie desideramus augere. quocirca praesentibus te iussionibus ammonemus, ut de Comensi civitate aeneam statuam quae perisse suggeritur, omni animositate perquiras: spondens etiam centum aureos, si quis haec sacrilega prodere furta maluerit, quatenus promissio nostrae serenitatis trepidos ad spem confessionis invitet, quod etiam ad te destinata edicta proloquuntur. sed cum haec tamen iussa promulgaveris, si adhuc facinus secreta velaverint, post diem venerabilem locorum artifices facias congregari: a quibus sub terrore perquire quo ministro fuerit perpetratum. ab imperitis enim harum rerum statuae facilis eversio non fuisset, nisi eam temptasset movere loco magistra praesumptio.