Letter 4047: King Theodoric to Gudisalus, Saio [royal agent].

King Theodoric to Gudisalus, Saio [royal agent]. [The cursus publicus was the Roman imperial postal and transport system, using relay stations (mutationes) with fresh horses (veredi) along the major roads. By the Ostrogothic period, unauthorized use of these horses had become a chronic problem.] Things that are subject to constant use require constant attention. How can the relay of post-horses hold up to its necessary burden if it is allowed to be overused? Neglected oversight is itself an invitation to abuse. Our envoys have reported that the post-horses are being exhausted by unauthorized use, and that animals we wish reserved for public necessity are being taken for private convenience. We therefore order you to be stationed in Rome, under the direction of the Praetorian Prefect and the Master of Offices, for as long as the public interest requires. You are to allow no Goth or Roman to depart from the city using post-horses unless the deputies of the above-named officials have authorized it. As for what we are told has become a frequent abuse: if anyone takes a post-horse without the consent of those to whom this responsibility is entrusted, regardless of his nation or rank, he shall be fined one hundred solidi per horse. Not that a single animal's wear is worth that much, but because outrageous presumption must be restrained by a heavy penalty. Furthermore, allow no saio to make unauthorized journeys. Each may travel only for the specific mission to which he was assigned, one trip there and one back. The same fine applies to unauthorized trips. As for pack-horses: no one's load may exceed one hundred pounds. We want our messengers to travel light, not to migrate. The man who carries many things with him betrays his own sluggishness -- a man who prefers comfortable travel does not think about speed. Even cranes, when crossing the sea, grasp small pebbles in their talons, so that their lightness is not swept away by strong winds nor their natural swiftness burdened by heavy loads. Cannot men chosen for public service learn from their example? Therefore, any courier -- or rather, carter -- who loads a pack-horse beyond one hundred pounds shall incur a fine of fifty solidi. You are to report violations to the deputies of the above-named officials presiding in Rome, so that offenses they detect may be punished through your enforcement at the above-stated penalties. Any fines collected are to be applied, through the said deputies, to the keepers of the relay stations -- so that the postal service may find its remedy in the very source that has been causing its harm. In worldly affairs, prosperity often arises from adversity, and when men intend to do damage, they frequently bestow a benefit instead. Carry all this out so effectively and diligently that, encouraged by your good work, we may entrust you with greater responsibilities.

XLVII. GUDISAL SAIONI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Assidua sollicitudine refovenda sunt, quae continuis exercitiis subiacere noscuntur. quemadmodum enim subvectio veredorum necessario sufficiat labori, si permittatur excedi? incitamentum siquidem improbae praesumptionis est neglecta custodia. legatorum itaque nostrorum suggestione comperimus cursuales equos frequenti usurpatione fatigari et quos nos necessitatibus publicis cupimus custodiri, in usum cognovimus privatae voluntatis assumi. [2] Atque ideo in urbe Roma ordinatione praefecti praetorio et magistri officiorum, quousque utilitas publica suaserit, te residere censemus, ut nullum Gothorum vel Romanorum exinde egredi patiaris, nisi quos praedictarum dignitatum vices agentes forte dimiserint. [3] Et quod nobis frequenter usurpatum esse suggeritur, si quis invitis his quibus haec cura mandata est, veredos praesumere fortassis assumpserit, cuiuslibet nationis fuerit vel honoris, per unum equum centum solidos multae nomine cogatur inferre: non quod tanti aestimanda est unius iumenti laesio, sed quia grandi damno reprimenda est importuna praesumptio. [4] Nullum praeterea saionum discursus facere patiaris, sed ad causam, quam directus fuerit, uno tantum itinere permittatur accedere vel redire. quibus in superiorem multam cadat interdicta frequentia. [5] Parhipporum quin etiam onera centum librarum nullus excedat. expeditos enim properare mittendarios volumus, non migrare censemus. inertiam suam prodit quisquis secum multa portaverit, nec cogitat de celeritate qui delicata se maluerit conversatione tractare. grues denique pelagus transiturae parvos lapillos uncis pedibus amplectuntur, ut nec eorum levitas nimio vento rapiatur nec nativa celeritas iniquis ponderibus ingravetur. hoc imitarine queunt, qui se ad publicas necessitates electos esse cognoscunt? et ideo quinquaginta solidorum multam iam non veredarius, sed catabolensis incurrat, quisquis ultra centum libras parhippum crediderit onerandum. [6] His autem, qui supra scriptarum dignitatum vicibus in urbe praesunt, te observare praecipimus, quatenus excessus, qui ab illis detectus fuerit, exsecutione tua supra dicta condemnatione puniatur. si quos autem intemperans culpa perculerit, collectam quantitatem per vices agentes mancipibus mutationum volumus applicari, ut cursualis tractus inde habeat remedium, unde hactenus sumpsit incommodum. [7] Mundanis siquidem rebus frequenter nascitur de adversitate prosperitas et homines cum laedere cupiunt, beneficia frequenter impertiunt. sed omnia sic efficaciter ac diligenter implebis, ut provocati bonis actibus devotioni tuae maiora committere debeamus.