Letter 3013: VARIAE, BOOK 3, LETTER 13

XIII. KING THEODERIC TO SUNHIVAD, MAN OF DISTINCTION [Vir Spectabilis]. [1] The long service of your labors and the many proofs of your tested fidelity bring us to this judgment: that you who have governed your own spirit should now be preferred over the conduct of others and should furnish discipline to a province, you who as a private man loved self-restraint. For he is able to rule others well who has striven to govern himself with propriety. Moved therefore by the entreaty of the Samnites, we have believed that we may come to the aid of those in distress with this remedy, if we command Your Distinction [Spectability] to set out to put an end to their disputes. [2] Wherefore now exert yourself, so that you may answer such good judgment with praiseworthy conduct, and show yourself suited to our commands, you who hitherto have been pleasing of your own accord. Within the province of Samnium, therefore, if any matter arises of a Roman with the Goths, or any dispute has emerged of a Goth with the Romans, you shall settle it by consideration of the laws; nor do we permit those whom we wish to defend with a single resolve to live under a divided law. You shall therefore judge in common those things which are friendly to justice, because he knows not how to regard persons who considers pure equity.

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.