Letter 4023: King Theodoric to Arigernus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Count.

King Theodoric to Arigernus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Count. Although you should uphold the discipline entrusted to you in the city of Rome in all matters, you must be especially diligent in those which our authority has specifically delegated to you -- so that your reputation grows through the justice you maintain, and you advance in our esteem, you who have pleased us thus far by your integrity. The Prefect of the City has informed us in his report that Basilius and Praetextatus, entangled in magical arts, are being accused by many. He reports that they have escaped through the negligence of their guards. We order you to find them wherever they may be and bring them before the five-man tribunal [the quinquevirale iudicium, a senatorial court of five members used for serious criminal cases] which our authority has appointed for this case. You are to sit with the tribunal, ensuring that any violent interference is removed, and that the case is heard and concluded according to law. If they are found guilty of the crime charged, let them suffer the sentence the law prescribes. But if their innocence is being attacked by hateful slander, do not allow them to be crushed on any account -- because in all cases, with divine consideration, we wish only that to be done which enhances the reputation of our mercy.

XXIII. ARIGERNO V. I. COMITI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Quamvis oporteat commissam tibi disciplinam Romanae civitatis in omnibus custodiri, tamen in eis maxime studiosior esse debes, quae nostra tibi auctoritate delegata cognoscis, ut circa te augeat gratiam custodita iustitia et augmenta sumas nostri iudicii, qui nobis hactenus de integritate placuisti. [2] Praefectus igitur urbis sua nobis relatione declaravit Basilium atque Praetextatum magicis artibus involutos impeti accusatione multorum: quos elapsos intimat mentis alienatione custodum. eos te praecipimus ubicumque repertos ad iudicium quinquevirale ducere, quod in praesenti negotio nostra delegavit auctoritas, ubi te residere censemus, ut violenta omnium defensione summota hanc causam discuti facias legibus et finiri. [3] Et si rei criminis, cuius impetuntur, fuerint approbati, sententiam subeant, quam iuris definita sanxerunt. si vero innocentia eorum detestabili pulsatur invidia, opprimi eos nulla ratione patiaris, quia in omnibus causis consideratione divina illud fieri volumus, quod opinionem nostrae pietatis accumulat.