Letter 3041: Any burden becomes tolerable when it is distributed fairly, because a shared load is certain not to crush those...

41. King Theodoric to Gemellus, Most Distinguished Man [vir spectabilis]. [1] Everything becomes bearable that is arranged by an equitable disposition, since a burden divided under shared participation is certain not to weigh down those who are subject to it: for the outermost share comes back to each individual man, while the sum total encloses everyone. [2] Accordingly, the quantity of wheat which our foresight has designated to come from Italy for the expenses of the army, so that the province might not be injured, already wearied, by the furnishing of this supply, it is established is to be carried from the granaries of Massilia [Marseille] to the fortified posts established above the Druentia [the river Durance]. [3] Therefore we order that the effort of conveying the aforesaid commodity be undertaken in common, so that what is seen to be taken up by the zeal of the whole community may be accomplished swiftly.

XLI. GEMELLO V. S. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Tolerabile fit omne quod aequabili ordinatione disponitur, quia divisum onus sub communione subiectos certum est non gravare: pars enim extrema ad unumquemque redit, cum summa universos incluserit. [2] Tritici itaque speciem, quam ob exercituales expensas nostra providentia de Italia destinavit, ne fatigata provincia huius praebitione laederetur, ad castella supra Druentiam constituta de Massiliensibus horreis constat esse portandam. [3] Quapropter iubemus ut studium devehendi supradictae speciei commune subeatur, quatenus celeriter possit fieri, quod universitatis studio videtur assumi.