Letter 3001: KING THEODERIC TO ALARIC, KING OF THE VISIGOTHS

KING THEODERIC TO ALARIC, KING OF THE VISIGOTHS [1] Though your courage is emboldened by the countless multitude of your ancestors, and though you recall how Attila the Mighty was brought low by the strength of the Visigoths, yet take care — because the hearts of fierce peoples grow soft in long peace — against suddenly casting into the hazard those who are agreed to have had no experience of military exercises for so many years. [2] Encounter in battle is terrible to men if it is not habitual; and unless confidence in fighting is acquired through practice, the sudden resolution to fight is not to be had. God forbid that blind anger should steal something from you. Wise moderation is what preserves nations; but fury generally precipitates at the very moment of pressure, and it is useful to resort to arms only when justice can find no place with one's adversary. [3] Wait, therefore, until we must send our ambassadors to the King of the Franks, so that the judgment of friends may cut short your dispute. Between two who are joined to us by kinship, we do not wish anything of such a kind to happen as might result in finding one of them lessened. You are not inflamed by the spilled blood of your ancestors, you are not burning grievously over a province that has been seized — as yet there is only a small dispute over words. You will settle matters most easily if you do not inflame your spirits through arms. Let us set before our kinsman, together with our allied nations, the exemplary nations and justice — which makes kings stronger: it quickly turns the minds of those who feel that such forces are ranged against them. [4] And therefore, having first tendered the honor of our salutation, we have entrusted our ambassadors, this man and that man, to proceed to you and to convey our instructions to you fully and then to hasten with your consent to our brother Gundobad or to the other kings, lest you appear to be suffering from the machinations of those who maliciously rejoice in another's conflict. May the divine powers avert it from happening that that iniquity prevail over you. We count your enemy the common enemy. For the man who strives to be your adversary will justly find me opposed to him as well.

I. ALARICO REGI VVISIGOTHARUM THEODERICUS REX. [1] Quamvis fortitudini vestrae confidentiam tribuat parentum vestrorum innumerabilis multitudo, quamvis Attilam potentem reminiscamini VVisigotharum viribus inclinatum, tamen quia populorum ferocium corda longa pace mollescunt, cavete subito in aleam mittere quos constat tantis temporibus exercitia non habere. [2] Terribilis est hominibus conflictus, si non sit assiduus et nisi usu praesumatur, concertandi subito fiducia non habetur. absit ut vobis aliquid indignatio caeca subripiat. moderatio provida est, quae gentes servat: furor autem instantia plerumque praecipitat et tunc utile solum est ad arma concurrere, cum locum apud adversarium iustitia non potest invenire. [3] Quapropter sustinete, donec ad Francorum regem legatos nostros dirigere debeamus, ut litem vestram amicorum debeant amputare iudicia. inter duos enim nobis affinitate coniunctos non optamus aliquid tale fieri, unde unum minorem contingat forsitan inveniri. non vos parentum fusus sanguis inflammat, non graviter urit occupata provincia: adhuc de verbis parva contentio est: facillime transigitis, si non per arma vestros animos irritetis. obiciamus quamvis cognato cum nostris coniuratis eximias gentes iustitiamque, quae reges efficit fortiores: cito convertit animos, qui contra se tales sentit armatos. [4] Et ideo salutationis honorificentiam praelocuti legatos nostros illum atque illum ad vos credidimus esse dirigendos, qui vobis et mandata nostra sufficienter insinuent et usque ad fratrem nostrum Gundibadum vel alios reges cum vestra voluntate deproperent, ne videamini eorum inmissione laborare, qui maligne gaudent alieno certamine. avertant enim divina, ut supra vos iniquitas illa praevaleat. commune malum vestrum iudicamus inimicum. nam ille me iure sustinebit adversum, qui vobis nititur esse contrarius.