From: Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To: Faustus, Praetorian Prefect
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Theoderic orders additional funding for the public baths of Spoleto, citing his duty to expand generosity as the kingdom prospers.
The generosity of our reign should keep pace with our growth, relaxing its gifts in proportion to the state's increasing success. We cannot maintain a praiseworthy balance unless we stir our purposes to match our circumstances. With so many daily successes by God's favor, it would be the vice of miserliness to be content with narrow generosity. Therefore, your illustrious magnificence should know by this authority that we are assigning an additional one thousand solidi for the citizens of Spoleto for the maintenance of their baths, beyond the customary allowance. We are eager to spend on things we know contribute to the health of our citizens, because the celebrated joys of the people are the praise of our times.
XXXVII. FAUSTO PPO THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Provectum regni nostri benignitas debet aemulari, ut tnatum humanitas relaxet dona, quantum res publica suscepit augmenta. non enim aliter laudatum modum possumus custodire, nisi ad considerationem rerum nostrum debeamus excitare propositum. inter tot enim cottidie deo propitiante successus tenacitatis esset vitium angusta largitate contentum. atque ideo illustris magnificentia tua praesenti auctoritate cognoscat Spoletinis civibus ad exhibitionem thermarum supra consuetudinem aliam millenam esse deputandam. cupimus enim libenter impendere quae ad salubritatem novimus civium pertinere, quia laudes sunt nostrorum temporum celebrata gaudia populorum.
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From:Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To:Faustus, Praetorian Prefect
Date:~522 AD
Context:Theoderic orders additional funding for the public baths of Spoleto, citing his duty to expand generosity as the kingdom prospers.
The generosity of our reign should keep pace with our growth, relaxing its gifts in proportion to the state's increasing success. We cannot maintain a praiseworthy balance unless we stir our purposes to match our circumstances. With so many daily successes by God's favor, it would be the vice of miserliness to be content with narrow generosity. Therefore, your illustrious magnificence should know by this authority that we are assigning an additional one thousand solidi for the citizens of Spoleto for the maintenance of their baths, beyond the customary allowance. We are eager to spend on things we know contribute to the health of our citizens, because the celebrated joys of the people are the praise of our times.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.