From: Cassiodorus, on behalf of King Theoderic
To: Faustus, Vir Illustris
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Theoderic grants the distinguished senator Faustus a four-month leave of absence from Rome to attend to his provincial estates, but urges him to return promptly -- reflecting the policy of keeping senators resident in Rome.
It is human custom that people enjoy variety more, and even though they possess exceptional things, anything that satiates eventually breeds boredom. Therefore, since you have been dwelling continuously within the sacred walls, you ask that a leave of absence be granted for the purpose of managing your own affairs. Not that so splendid a residence wearies you, but so that the return may be all the sweeter when renewed.
Accordingly, our devotion grants your illustrious greatness a leave of four months to retire to the province. But see to it that once those months are completed, you hasten back to your proper home. We do not wish Rome's habitation -- which we want to fill with an abundant gathering -- to grow thin by the departure of its residents from the most distinguished city in the world. We judge this to be most fitting for you as well, since a Roman senator can only feel pained by being detained elsewhere. For where is that bond with your ancestors? Where is the...
XXI. FAUSTO V. I. THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Humanae consuetudinis mos est, ut variata plus capiant et quamvis in usum habeantur eximia, fastidium praestet omne quod satiat. proinde sacris moenibus iugiter immoranti disponendae utilitatis propriae causa indutias tibi postulas debere concedi, non quod habitatio tam clara pertaedeat, sed quo dulcior fiat renovata regressio. atque ideo illustri magnitudini tuae secedendi ad provinciam quattuor mensium indutias pietas nostra largitur: ita ut expletis eisdem ad penates proprios redire festines, quatenus habitatio Romana, quam multiplici volumus densare conventu, subtractis incolis terrarum opinatissima non rarescat. hoc etiam et vobis iudicamus aptissimum, quando senator Romanus alibi possit dolere tardatus. ubi enim illa gratia parentum? ubi tanta moenium possit respici pulchritudo? piaculi genus est absentem sibi Romam diutius facere, qui in ea possunt constitutis laribus habitare.
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From:Cassiodorus, on behalf of King Theoderic
To:Faustus, Vir Illustris
Date:~522 AD
Context:Theoderic grants the distinguished senator Faustus a four-month leave of absence from Rome to attend to his provincial estates, but urges him to return promptly -- reflecting the policy of keeping senators resident in Rome.
It is human custom that people enjoy variety more, and even though they possess exceptional things, anything that satiates eventually breeds boredom. Therefore, since you have been dwelling continuously within the sacred walls, you ask that a leave of absence be granted for the purpose of managing your own affairs. Not that so splendid a residence wearies you, but so that the return may be all the sweeter when renewed.
Accordingly, our devotion grants your illustrious greatness a leave of four months to retire to the province. But see to it that once those months are completed, you hasten back to your proper home. We do not wish Rome's habitation -- which we want to fill with an abundant gathering -- to grow thin by the departure of its residents from the most distinguished city in the world. We judge this to be most fitting for you as well, since a Roman senator can only feel pained by being detained elsewhere. For where is that bond with your ancestors? Where is the...
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.