Cassiodorus→Caelianus and Agapitus, Patricians|c. 522 AD|cassiodorus
VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 23
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus
To: Caelianus and Agapitus, Distinguished Patricians
Date: ~507-511 AD
Context: Theoderic orders the patricians Festus, Symmachus, and Paulinus to submit their mutual disputes to formal arbitration, insisting that discord among the leading men of the state must not be tolerated.
[1] It befits a sovereign's care to preserve the harmony of all, since peace beloved by all redounds to the ruler's praise. What speaks better of us than a quiet people, a united Senate, and a whole commonwealth clothed in the honor of our standards? [2] Therefore by this order we decree that the magnificent patricians Festus and Symmachus shall bring whatever claims they say they hold against the illustrious patrician Paulinus before your court. Once these claims have been received and, as the law permits, decided, then Paulinus in turn shall present whatever grievances he claims to have against the aforementioned men, on equal terms. We do not wish delay in his case either, since we want everything between them settled, leaving nothing unresolved except what belongs to mutual affection. [3] See that you have been chosen as arbitrators of so important a case; see that our expectation demands impartial justice. You will reap the richest reward of gratitude if this hearing proves the men we believed worthy to be no less capable. For when it comes to such important men, the greatest care must be taken, since they set a clear example for lesser men. Whoever neglects to abolish a quarrel among the foremost citizens thereby permits the rest to imitate it without hesitation.
XXIII. CAELIANO ET AGAPITO VV. II. PATRICIIS THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Decet regalis apicis curam generalitatis custodire concordiam, quoniam ad laudem regnantis trahitur, si ab omnibus pax ametur. quid est enim, quod nos melius praedicet, quam quietus populus, concors senatus totaque res publica morum nostrorum honestate vestita? [2] Hinc est quod praesenti iussione decernimus, ut magnifici et patricii viri Festus atque Symmachus contra illustrem et patricium Paulinum in iudicio vestro, quas se habere dicunt, exerant actiones. quibus pro legum ratione susceptis et, si iuris ordo patitur, definitis tunc patricius Paulinus, quicquid adversum supra memoratos magnificos viros se habere causatur, pari sorte depromat. nec tardari volumus in eius quoque parte sententiam, dum velimus omnia inter eos esse decisa nihilque aliud relinqui, nisi quod debetur affectui. [3] Videte ergo tanti iudicii arbitros vos electos: videte expectationem nostram aequabilem flagitare iustitiam: relaturi gratiae uberrimum fructum si praesens disceptatio quos dignos credidit, non impares probet. esse debet enim de talibus viris cura praecipua, qui dare possunt minoribus evidenter exempla. nam qui inter summos viros litem neglegit abolendam, hoc imitari reliquos sine dubitatione permittit.
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VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 23
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus To: Caelianus and Agapitus, Distinguished Patricians Date: ~507-511 AD Context: Theoderic orders the patricians Festus, Symmachus, and Paulinus to submit their mutual disputes to formal arbitration, insisting that discord among the leading men of the state must not be tolerated.
[1] It befits a sovereign's care to preserve the harmony of all, since peace beloved by all redounds to the ruler's praise. What speaks better of us than a quiet people, a united Senate, and a whole commonwealth clothed in the honor of our standards? [2] Therefore by this order we decree that the magnificent patricians Festus and Symmachus shall bring whatever claims they say they hold against the illustrious patrician Paulinus before your court. Once these claims have been received and, as the law permits, decided, then Paulinus in turn shall present whatever grievances he claims to have against the aforementioned men, on equal terms. We do not wish delay in his case either, since we want everything between them settled, leaving nothing unresolved except what belongs to mutual affection. [3] See that you have been chosen as arbitrators of so important a case; see that our expectation demands impartial justice. You will reap the richest reward of gratitude if this hearing proves the men we believed worthy to be no less capable. For when it comes to such important men, the greatest care must be taken, since they set a clear example for lesser men. Whoever neglects to abolish a quarrel among the foremost citizens thereby permits the rest to imitate it without hesitation.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.