King Theodoric to Abundantius, Praetorian Prefect.
[This remarkable letter orders the construction of a thousand warships -- an ambitious naval program reflecting Theodoric's desire to project Ostrogothic power across the Mediterranean.]
Although everything we decree is habitually useful to the state, and our commands should therefore be welcome to all since they serve the common good, we must still take care that the prince's wishes prove burdensome to no one. Even brilliantly conceived plans, if poorly executed, become unwelcome; only that which is praised for both its intent and its execution may be called truly accomplished.
A persistent concern has been weighing on our mind: Italy has no fleet of its own, though it possesses such an abundance of timber that it exports to other provinces on request. With God's inspiration, we have therefore resolved to begin the construction of one thousand warships [dromones], which can both transport the public grain supply and, if necessary, engage hostile vessels. We believe the execution of so great an enterprise should be entrusted to the diligence of Your Greatness.
Search throughout all Italy for timber suited to the work, sending craftsmen in every direction. Wherever you find cypress or pine near the coast, see that the owners receive a fair price. Only these valuable woods need be formally assessed -- the rest are too common to require appraisal.
To prevent our preparations from stalling partway through, we order you to begin recruiting an adequate number of sailors, with God's help, under the following terms. If a man selected for our needs is another's slave, either let his master lease him for naval service, or -- if the master prefers -- let him receive a fair price and cede ownership to the state. If the chosen man is free, he shall know that he will receive five solidi as a signing bonus and adequate provisions.
Those whose masters give them up are to be treated the same way, since serving the ruler is itself a form of freedom -- for men accustomed to harsh masters often prove the most enduring laborers. The above-named sailors, however, are to receive from your office an advance of two or three solidi each, according to individual quality, as earnest money -- so that each man, when summoned, may be found ready. Fishermen, however, we do not wish included in this levy, since it is painful to lose men who are kept for the procurement of delicacies. Theirs is a different skill -- to face raging winds and work the fish-rich shores.
XVI.
ABUNDANTIO PPO THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Quamvis utilia rei publicae nostra semper consuetudine censeamus et ob id omnibus possint esse gratissima quae iubemus, quia cunctis profutura noscuntur, tractandum tamen est, ut principis desiderium nulli existere debeat onerosum. nam et si praeclare cogitata non bene agantur, ingrata sunt: illud autem solum perfectum dicitur, quod de voluntate simul et actione laudatur. [2] Cum nostrum igitur animum frequens cura pulsaret naves Italiam non habere, ubi tanta lignorum copia suffragatur, ut aliis quoque provinciis expetita transmittat, deo nobis inspirante decrevimus mille interim dromones fabricandos assumere, qui et frumenta publica possint convehere et adversis navibus, si necesse fuerit, obviare. sed tantae rei quem desideramus effectum magnitudinis vestrae sollicitudine credimus esse procurandum. [3] Ideoque per cunctam Italiam directis artificibus apta operi ligna perquire, et sicubi cupressos aut pinos reppereris in vicinitate litoris, dato competenti pretio dominis consulatur. haec enim tantum sunt quae ad taxationem vocentur, cetera vilitate sui non indigent aestimari. [4] Sed ne provisio nostra in mediis conatibus deserta languescat, nautarum te iubemus sub hac moderatione iam nunc competentem numerum divinitate iuvante procurare. et si is qui nobis necessarius aestimatur servus fuerit alienus, aut conducat eum classibus serviturum aut, si hoc ipse magis elegerit, accepto pretio rationabili publico cedat sui iura dominii. si vero libertate gaudet electus, quinos solidos donativum et annonam se noverit accipere competentem. [5] Eo modo et illi tractandi sunt qui a suis dominis exuuntur, quando libertatis genus est servire rectori (frequenter enim laborum patientes existunt, quibus districti domini colla presserunt): ita tamen, ut supradicti nautae arrarum nomine pro hominum qualitate binos aut ternos solidos a vestra debeant sede percipere, quatenus unusquisque, cum fuerit ammonitus, paratus debeat inveniri. piscatores vero non iubemus in hac definitione concludi, quia dolenter amittitur, qui ad procurandas delicias possidetur, quando et altera consuetudo est ventis saevientibus occurrere et litora piscosa sulcare.
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King Theodoric to Abundantius, Praetorian Prefect.
[This remarkable letter orders the construction of a thousand warships -- an ambitious naval program reflecting Theodoric's desire to project Ostrogothic power across the Mediterranean.]
Although everything we decree is habitually useful to the state, and our commands should therefore be welcome to all since they serve the common good, we must still take care that the prince's wishes prove burdensome to no one. Even brilliantly conceived plans, if poorly executed, become unwelcome; only that which is praised for both its intent and its execution may be called truly accomplished.
A persistent concern has been weighing on our mind: Italy has no fleet of its own, though it possesses such an abundance of timber that it exports to other provinces on request. With God's inspiration, we have therefore resolved to begin the construction of one thousand warships [dromones], which can both transport the public grain supply and, if necessary, engage hostile vessels. We believe the execution of so great an enterprise should be entrusted to the diligence of Your Greatness.
Search throughout all Italy for timber suited to the work, sending craftsmen in every direction. Wherever you find cypress or pine near the coast, see that the owners receive a fair price. Only these valuable woods need be formally assessed -- the rest are too common to require appraisal.
To prevent our preparations from stalling partway through, we order you to begin recruiting an adequate number of sailors, with God's help, under the following terms. If a man selected for our needs is another's slave, either let his master lease him for naval service, or -- if the master prefers -- let him receive a fair price and cede ownership to the state. If the chosen man is free, he shall know that he will receive five solidi as a signing bonus and adequate provisions.
Those whose masters give them up are to be treated the same way, since serving the ruler is itself a form of freedom -- for men accustomed to harsh masters often prove the most enduring laborers. The above-named sailors, however, are to receive from your office an advance of two or three solidi each, according to individual quality, as earnest money -- so that each man, when summoned, may be found ready. Fishermen, however, we do not wish included in this levy, since it is painful to lose men who are kept for the procurement of delicacies. Theirs is a different skill -- to face raging winds and work the fish-rich shores.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.