VARIAE, BOOK 3, LETTER 13
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus
To: Sunhivadus, Distinguished Man
Date: ~507-511 AD
Context: Theoderic appoints a trusted Gothic official to resolve disputes between Romans and Goths in the province of Samnium — a key example of how the Ostrogothic dual legal system worked in practice.
[1] The long service of your labors and the many proofs of your tested loyalty have led us to this judgment: that you who have governed your own conduct should now be set over others, bringing to the province the discipline that you loved as a private citizen. The man who has learned to manage himself well is the one who can govern others well. Moved by the petition of the Samnites, we have decided to send you to their aid by commissioning Your Respectability to go and settle their disputes.
[2] Now exert yourself, so that you may respond to so good an appointment with praiseworthy conduct. Make yourself ready for our commands — you who have already pleased us of your own accord. Within the province of Samnium, whatever case a Roman has against Goths, or a Goth has against Romans, you shall decide with due consideration of the law. We do not permit those whom we wish to defend with a single purpose to live under separate justice. You shall therefore judge for all alike whatever accords with justice, because the man who thinks only of pure equity does not regard persons.
XIII. SUNHIVADO V. S. THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Laborum tuorum longa servitia et exploratae fidei multa documenta hoc nobis iudicium tradunt, ut qui tuos animos moderatus es, nunc alienis moribus praeferaris et praestes provinciae disciplinam, qui privatus amasti continentiam. is enim potest alios bene regere, qui se studuit sub decore tractare. Samnitarum itaque supplicatione permoti hoc remedio laborantibus credidimus subvenire, si spectabilitatem tuam iuberemus ad finienda iurgia proficisci. [2] Unde nunc enitere, ut tam bono iudicio laudabili respondeas instituto, aptumque te nostris praebe mandatis, qui hactenus propria sponte placuisti. intra provinciam itaque Samnii si quod negotium Romano cum Gothis est aut Gotho emersit aliquod cum Romanis, legum consideratione definies, nec permittimus discreto iure vivere quos uno voto volumus vindicare. censebis ergo in commune, quae sunt amica iustitiae, quia nescit personas respicere qui meram cogitat aequitatem.
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VARIAE, BOOK 3, LETTER 13
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus To: Sunhivadus, Distinguished Man Date: ~507-511 AD Context: Theoderic appoints a trusted Gothic official to resolve disputes between Romans and Goths in the province of Samnium — a key example of how the Ostrogothic dual legal system worked in practice.
[1] The long service of your labors and the many proofs of your tested loyalty have led us to this judgment: that you who have governed your own conduct should now be set over others, bringing to the province the discipline that you loved as a private citizen. The man who has learned to manage himself well is the one who can govern others well. Moved by the petition of the Samnites, we have decided to send you to their aid by commissioning Your Respectability to go and settle their disputes.
[2] Now exert yourself, so that you may respond to so good an appointment with praiseworthy conduct. Make yourself ready for our commands — you who have already pleased us of your own accord. Within the province of Samnium, whatever case a Roman has against Goths, or a Goth has against Romans, you shall decide with due consideration of the law. We do not permit those whom we wish to defend with a single purpose to live under separate justice. You shall therefore judge for all alike whatever accords with justice, because the man who thinks only of pure equity does not regard persons.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.