Letter 3010: VARIAE, BOOK 3, LETTER 10

VARIAE, BOOK 3, LETTER 10 From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus To: Festus, Distinguished Patrician and Prefect of the City Date: ~507-511 AD Context: Theoderic instructs the urban prefect to cooperate with royal building projects, arguing that a nobleman's duty includes contributing to his city's splendor. [1] It is fitting that your prudence should cooperate with our plans for expanding the royal buildings, since it is the mark of a most noble citizen to think about the growth of his own city — especially when the improvements will add to the glory of the place where he himself holds rank. No one should consider it a burden to contribute to something that will outlast them both. Buildings endure when the men who built them are forgotten, and the city that grows more beautiful under your watch will honor your memory long after your other achievements have faded. [2] We have therefore assigned the work described in the accompanying specifications, and we expect it to proceed without unnecessary delay. Employ competent builders, use quality materials, and keep the costs within the bounds we have set. Lavishness is not the same as excellence — what we want is work that will stand for centuries, not facades that impress for a season.

X. FESTO V. I. PATRICIO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Decet prudentiam vestram in augendis fabricis regalibus obtemperare dispositis, quia nobilissimi civis est patriae suae augmenta cogitare, maxime cum sit studii nostri illa decernere, quibus cunctos notum est sine suis dispendiis oboedire. [2] Atque ideo magnitudini tuae praesenti ammonitione declaramus, ut marmora, quae de domo Pinciana constat esse deposita, ad Ravennatem urbem per catabolenses vestra ordinatione dirigantur. subvectum vero direximus de praesenti, ne aut mora nostris ordinationibus proveniret aut laborantes aliqua detrimenta sentirent.