Letter 3023: It is a pleasure to entrust responsibilities to proven men, since the judgment of the one who chooses is vindicated...
Cassiodorus→Colosseus|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
barbarian invasiongrief death
From: Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To: Colosseus, Count
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Theoderic appoints Colosseus as governor of Pannonia Sirmiensis, the ancient seat of Gothic power, urging him to rule by justice rather than force.
It is a pleasure to entrust responsibilities to proven men, since the judgment of the one who chooses is vindicated by their selection, and what is committed to the approved rests on a secure foundation. Just as we hope to find men who please us, so we take care that those who please us may flourish. Therefore, setting out under favorable auspices, proceed to Sirmian Pannonia -- once the seat of the Goths -- invested with the dignity of the illustrious rank. Protect the province entrusted to you with arms, and govern it by law, so that it may joyfully receive its ancient defenders -- a land that knows it once happily obeyed our ancestors.
You know how you have commended yourself to us through the sincerity of your conduct. The only way to please us is to imitate what we do. Cherish fairness, defend innocence with the strength of your character, so that among nations with perverse customs you may demonstrate Gothic justice -- for the Goths have always stood at the intersection of praise, possessing both the wisdom of the Romans and the valor of the barbarians. Put an end to customs that have become abominably entrenched. Let disputes be settled there with words, not weapons. Let no one's legal case be confused with mortal danger. Let a thief surrender the stolen goods, not his life. Let civil litigation not consume more lives than war. Let shields be raised against enemies, not relatives.
And lest poverty seem to drive anyone toward death, make restitution on their behalf -- a glorious loss for you, for which you will receive from us the richest fruit of gratitude. It will truly befit our judges if a judge bears the loss so that a man facing death may keep his life. Let our customs be instilled in fierce minds, until savage spirits grow accustomed to living well.
XXIII. COLOSSEO V. I. COMITI THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Iuvat probatis ordinanda mandare, siquidem et de talibus iudicium gaudet eligentis et eorum secura substantia est, quae committitur approbatis. nam ut optamus esse qui placeat, ita curamus ut qui placuerit enitescat. [2] Proinde prosperis initiatus auspiciis ad Sirmiensem Pannoniam, quondam sedem Gothorum, proficiscere inlustris cinguli dignitate praecinctus commissamque tibi provinciam armis protege, iure compone, ut antiquos defensores recipere laeta possit, quae se nostris parentibus feliciter paruisse cognoscit. [3] Nosti qua te nobis conversationis sinceritate commendes. sola tibi placendi via est, si quae gerimus imiteris. aequitatem fove, innocentiam animi virtute defende, ut inter nationum consuetudinem perversam Gothorum possis demonstrare iustitiam: qui sic semper fuerunt in laudum medio constituti, ut et Romanorum prudentiam caperent et virtutem gentium possiderent. remove consuetudines abominanter inolitas: is verbis ibi potius, non armis causa tractetur: non sit coniunctum negotium perdere cum perire: abiurator alieni furtum, non animam reddat: ne plus intentio civilis rapiat quam bella consumant: scuta in hostes erigant, non parentes. [4] Et ne quem forte ad mortem videatur praecipitare paupertas, redde pro talibus gloriosum plane damnum, lecturus a nobis gratiae uberrimum fructum, si civile ibi potueris plantare propositum et nostris vere iudicibus dignum, si dispendium iudex subeat, ut vitam periturus adquirat. quapropter consuetudo nostra feris mentibus inseratur, donec truculentus animus belle vivere consuescat.
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From:Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To:Colosseus, Count
Date:~522 AD
Context:Theoderic appoints Colosseus as governor of Pannonia Sirmiensis, the ancient seat of Gothic power, urging him to rule by justice rather than force.
It is a pleasure to entrust responsibilities to proven men, since the judgment of the one who chooses is vindicated by their selection, and what is committed to the approved rests on a secure foundation. Just as we hope to find men who please us, so we take care that those who please us may flourish. Therefore, setting out under favorable auspices, proceed to Sirmian Pannonia -- once the seat of the Goths -- invested with the dignity of the illustrious rank. Protect the province entrusted to you with arms, and govern it by law, so that it may joyfully receive its ancient defenders -- a land that knows it once happily obeyed our ancestors.
You know how you have commended yourself to us through the sincerity of your conduct. The only way to please us is to imitate what we do. Cherish fairness, defend innocence with the strength of your character, so that among nations with perverse customs you may demonstrate Gothic justice -- for the Goths have always stood at the intersection of praise, possessing both the wisdom of the Romans and the valor of the barbarians. Put an end to customs that have become abominably entrenched. Let disputes be settled there with words, not weapons. Let no one's legal case be confused with mortal danger. Let a thief surrender the stolen goods, not his life. Let civil litigation not consume more lives than war. Let shields be raised against enemies, not relatives.
And lest poverty seem to drive anyone toward death, make restitution on their behalf -- a glorious loss for you, for which you will receive from us the richest fruit of gratitude. It will truly befit our judges if a judge bears the loss so that a man facing death may keep his life. Let our customs be instilled in fierce minds, until savage spirits grow accustomed to living well.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.