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

King Theoderic to Alaric, King of the Visigoths. 1. Although the innumerable multitude of your ancestors gives confidence to your valor, and although you may recall that the mighty Attila was brought low by the forces of the Visigoths, nevertheless, since the hearts of fierce peoples grow soft in a long peace, beware of suddenly casting into the hazard of battle those who are known to have had no military exercises for so long a time. 2. Conflict is terrible for men if it is not habitual, and unless confidence in fighting is gained through practice, the assurance to engage in combat is not suddenly acquired. Far be it from you that blind indignation should steal upon you. It is prudent moderation that preserves peoples; fury, on the other hand, usually hurls the hasty to ruin. It is useful to rush to arms only when justice can find no place with the adversary. 3. Therefore wait until we should send our envoys to the king of the Franks, so that the judgments of friends may put an end to your quarrel. For between two parties joined to us by kinship, we do not wish anything to happen whereby one might chance to be found diminished. The blood of your ancestors spilled does not inflame you; the seizure of a province does not grievously burn you; as yet the dispute is a small one about words. You will settle matters most easily if you do not inflame your passions through arms. Let us set against our kinsman, together with our allies, outstanding nations and that justice which makes kings stronger: he quickly changes his mind who perceives such forces armed against him. 4. And therefore, having first expressed the honor of our greeting, we have thought it fitting to send our envoys so-and-so to you, who will both adequately convey our instructions to you and hasten with your consent to our brother Gundobad and to other kings, lest you appear to be troubled by the instigation of those who maliciously rejoice in others' strife. May the divine powers avert that injustice should prevail against you. We judge an enemy of yours to be a common enemy. For he will rightly find me opposing him who strives to be your adversary.

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.