Letter 3035: Our generosity must stand firm, because a ruler's decision must be unshakeable and cannot be overturned by the...

From: Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths To: Romulus Date: ~522 AD Context: A brief letter confirming that a land grant made by the patrician Liberius to Romulus and his mother on Theoderic's authority remains valid and cannot be challenged. Our generosity must stand firm, because a ruler's decision must be unshakeable and cannot be overturned by the schemes of the malicious when it was confirmed by our own command. Therefore, by this order we decree that whatever the patrician Liberius assigned to you and your mother by written warrant on our authority shall remain in full force. You need not fear any unreasonable challenge, since you hold what our beneficence has secured.

XXXV. ROMULO THEODERICUS REX. [1] Liberalitatem nostram firmam decet tenere constantiam, quia inconcussum esse debet principis votum nec pro studio malignorum convelli, quod nostra noscitur praeceptione firmari. atque ideo praesenti iussione censemus, ut, quicquid ex nostra ordinatione patricium Liberium tibi matrique tuae per pittacium constiterit deputasse, in suo robore debeat permanere, nec a quoquam metuas irrationabilem quaestionem, qui nostri beneficii possides firmitatem.