Letter 2041: We rejoice in the kinship of your glorious valor -- that you have stirred the Frankish nation, long settled in...
Cassiodorus→Clovis of Franks|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
barbarian invasiondiplomatic
From: Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To: Clovis [Luduin], King of the Franks
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Theoderic congratulates Clovis on his victory over the Alamanni while urging restraint toward the defeated survivors who have fled to Ostrogothic territory.
We rejoice in the kinship of your glorious valor -- that you have stirred the Frankish nation, long settled in ancient peace, into new battles, and that you have subdued the Alamannic peoples with your victorious hand, crushing their bravest warriors. But since excess in the founders of treachery always seems worthy of correction, and the punishable guilt of the leaders should not become the vengeance visited upon all, temper your fury toward the weary remnant. Those who you see have fled to the protection of your ancestors deserve to escape by the right of mercy. Be lenient toward those who cower in terror within our borders.
It is a memorable triumph that the fierce Alamanni were so terrified that you can force their king to beg you for his life. Let it suffice that he fell with the pride of his nation. Let it suffice that a countless people has been partly subjugated by the sword and partly by servitude. If you fight with the survivors, people will not yet believe you have conquered all. Accept the advice of one who has often been tested in such matters: the wars that have gone well for me were those that ended with moderation. The one who wins consistently is the one who knows how to temper everything, since pleasant fortune smiles most on those who do not stiffen with excessive severity. Yield graciously to our counsel, as kinship customarily yields to a common example. In this way, you will both appear to have satisfied my requests and need not worry about the people you know are under our care.
Therefore, greeting you with the honor and affection that is fitting, we have sent our envoys to your excellency with our customary affection. Through them we hope to receive word of your good health and the fulfillment of our hoped-for request. Certain matters concerning your interests that have come to our attention we have entrusted to the bearers of this letter to communicate to you verbally, so that, better informed, you may enjoy the desired victory with confidence. Your welfare is our glory, and we consider the kingdom of Italy to prosper whenever we learn happy news of you.
We have also sent you the skilled lyre player you requested, who with voice and hands in concert may delight your power with his singing -- one we believe you will find pleasing, since you judged him so important as to request his dispatch.
XLI. LUDUIN REGI FRANCORUM THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Gloriosa quidem vestrae virtutis affinitate gratulamur, quod gentem Francorum prisca aetate residem feliciter in nova proelia concitastis et Alamannicos populos caesis fortioribus inclinatos victrici dextera subdidistis. sed quoniam semper in auctoribus perfidiae resecabilis videtur excessus nec primariorum plectibilis culpa omnium debet esse vindicta, motus vestros in fessas reliquias temperate, quia iure gratiae merentur evadere, quos ad parentum vestrorum defensionem respicitis confugisse. estote illis remissi, qui nostris finibus celantur exterriti. [2] Memorabilis triumphus est Alamannum acerrimum sic expavisse, ut tibi eum cogas de vitae munere supplicare. sufficiat illum regem cum gentis cecidisse superbia: sufficiat innumerabilem nationem partim ferro, partim servitio subiugatam. nam si cum reliquis confligis, adhuc cunctos superasse non crederis. accipe in talibus causis frequenter expertum: illa mihi feliciter bella provenerunt, quae moderato fine peracta sunt. is enim vincit assidue qui novit omnia temperare, dum iucunda prosperitas illis potius blanditur, qui austeritate nimia non rigescunt. cede itaque suaviter genio nostro, quod sibi gentilitas communi remittere consuevit exemplo. sic enim fit, ut et meis petitionibus satisfecisse videamini nec sitis solliciti ex illa parte, quam ad nos cognoscitis pertinere. [3] Quocirca salutantes honore et affectione, qua dignum est, illum et illum legatos nostros ad excellentiam vestram consueta caritate direximus, per quos et sospitatis vestrae indicium et speratae petitionis consequamur effectum. quaedam vero, quae ad nos pro vestris utilitatibus pervenerunt, per harum portitores verbo vobis insinuanda commisimus, ut cautiores effecti optata possitis victoria constanter expleri. vestra siquidem salus nostra gloria est et totiens regnum Italiae proficere iudicamus, quotiens de vobis laeta cognoscimus. [4] Citharoedum etiam arte sua doctum pariter destinavimus expetitum, qui ore manibusque consona voce cantando gloriam vestrae potestatis oblectet: quem ideo fore credimus gratum, quia vos eum iudicastis magnopere dirigendum.
Cassiodorus
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From:Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To:Clovis [Luduin], King of the Franks
Date:~522 AD
Context:Theoderic congratulates Clovis on his victory over the Alamanni while urging restraint toward the defeated survivors who have fled to Ostrogothic territory.
We rejoice in the kinship of your glorious valor -- that you have stirred the Frankish nation, long settled in ancient peace, into new battles, and that you have subdued the Alamannic peoples with your victorious hand, crushing their bravest warriors. But since excess in the founders of treachery always seems worthy of correction, and the punishable guilt of the leaders should not become the vengeance visited upon all, temper your fury toward the weary remnant. Those who you see have fled to the protection of your ancestors deserve to escape by the right of mercy. Be lenient toward those who cower in terror within our borders.
It is a memorable triumph that the fierce Alamanni were so terrified that you can force their king to beg you for his life. Let it suffice that he fell with the pride of his nation. Let it suffice that a countless people has been partly subjugated by the sword and partly by servitude. If you fight with the survivors, people will not yet believe you have conquered all. Accept the advice of one who has often been tested in such matters: the wars that have gone well for me were those that ended with moderation. The one who wins consistently is the one who knows how to temper everything, since pleasant fortune smiles most on those who do not stiffen with excessive severity. Yield graciously to our counsel, as kinship customarily yields to a common example. In this way, you will both appear to have satisfied my requests and need not worry about the people you know are under our care.
Therefore, greeting you with the honor and affection that is fitting, we have sent our envoys to your excellency with our customary affection. Through them we hope to receive word of your good health and the fulfillment of our hoped-for request. Certain matters concerning your interests that have come to our attention we have entrusted to the bearers of this letter to communicate to you verbally, so that, better informed, you may enjoy the desired victory with confidence. Your welfare is our glory, and we consider the kingdom of Italy to prosper whenever we learn happy news of you.
We have also sent you the skilled lyre player you requested, who with voice and hands in concert may delight your power with his singing -- one we believe you will find pleasing, since you judged him so important as to request his dispatch.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.