Letter 3038: Although it is always the wish of our compassion that civil and moderate behavior prevail everywhere, we especially...
Cassiodorus→Wandil|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
barbarian invasion
From: Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To: Wandil
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Theoderic orders the Gothic military commander at Avignon to ensure that the army treats the Roman population with civility.
Although it is always the wish of our compassion that civil and moderate behavior prevail everywhere, we especially desire good conduct in the regions of Gaul, where a recent devastation makes further injury intolerable, and where the very beginnings of our rule should firmly establish the reputation of our name. A ruler's reputation is spread far and wide by the maintained security of his subjects, and where an army is sent, it should be understood as defending, not burdening, the people.
Therefore, by this authority we direct that in Avignon, where you reside, you permit no violence. Let our army live civilly alongside the Romans. Let the defense we have sent actually benefit them, and do not allow them to suffer anything from our soldiers -- these are people we are striving to liberate from enemy oppression.
XXXVIII. VVANDIL THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Quamvis pietatis nostrae constet esse votum, ut ubique civilia, ubique moderata peragantur, maxime tamen optamus bene geri in regionibus Gallicanis, ubi et recens vastatio non portat iniuriam et ipsa initia bene plantare debent nostri nominis famam. principis siquidem opinionem longe lateque disseminat subiectorum custodita securitas, et ubi exercitus dirigitur, non gravandi, sed defendendi potius existimentur. [2] Atque ideo praesenti auctoritate delegamus, ut in Avinione, qua resides, nulla fieri violenta patiaris. vivat noster exercitus civiliter cum Romanis: prosit eis destinata defensio nec aliquid illos a nostris sinatis pati, quos ab hostili nitimur oppressione liberari.
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From:Theoderic (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To:Wandil
Date:~522 AD
Context:Theoderic orders the Gothic military commander at Avignon to ensure that the army treats the Roman population with civility.
Although it is always the wish of our compassion that civil and moderate behavior prevail everywhere, we especially desire good conduct in the regions of Gaul, where a recent devastation makes further injury intolerable, and where the very beginnings of our rule should firmly establish the reputation of our name. A ruler's reputation is spread far and wide by the maintained security of his subjects, and where an army is sent, it should be understood as defending, not burdening, the people.
Therefore, by this authority we direct that in Avignon, where you reside, you permit no violence. Let our army live civilly alongside the Romans. Let the defense we have sent actually benefit them, and do not allow them to suffer anything from our soldiers -- these are people we are striving to liberate from enemy oppression.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.