Cassiodorus→Rechared, of Visigoths|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
barbarian invasion
VARIAE, BOOK 5, LETTER 26
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus
To: All Goths Settled in Picenum and Samnium
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Theoderic summons his Gothic warriors to appear before him on a set date to receive their annual royal gifts, warning them to maintain strict discipline on the march.
[1] Although our generosity is welcomed everywhere by all, we believe that gifts conferred in our personal presence are far more valued, since people receive more from seeing their sovereign than from the mere distribution of largesse. A man unknown to his ruler is practically dead -- he lives without any mark of honor unless the king's notice shields him. [2] And so by this order we command you to present yourselves before us on the eighth day before the Ides of June [June 6], with God's help. Those of you who receive the royal gifts in the customary ceremony will receive them, provided you make haste to appear. We particularly remind you that no misconduct by those traveling is to occur: do not devastate the crops or meadows of landowners. Instead, proceed with complete restraint, so that your disciplined approach may earn our approval. This is precisely why we gladly bear military expenses -- so that the armed forces may preserve civilian order untouched.
XXVI.
UNIVERSIS GOTHIS PER PICENUM ET SAMNIUM CONSTITUTIS THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Quamvis munificentia nostra sit omnibus ubique gratissima, multo tamen acceptiora credimus quae nostri praesentia conferuntur, quia maiora de conspectu principis populi sumunt, quam de largitate beneficia consequuntur. nam paene similis est mortuo, qui a suo dominante nescitur nec sub aliquo honore vivit, quem regis sui notitia non defendit. [2] Et ideo praesenti iussione mandamus, ut octavo iduum Iuniarum die deo auxiliante ad praesentiam nostram venire debeatis: qui sollemniter regalia dona suscipitis, si venire protinus festinatis. illud tamen necessario commonentes, ut venientium nullus provenire possit excessus, ne possessorum segetes aut prata vastetis, sed sub omni continentia properantes de custodita disciplina grata nobis esse vestra possit occursio, quia ideo exercituales gratanter subimus expensas, ut ab armatis custodiatur intacta civilitas.
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VARIAE, BOOK 5, LETTER 26
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus To: All Goths Settled in Picenum and Samnium Date: ~522 AD Context: Theoderic summons his Gothic warriors to appear before him on a set date to receive their annual royal gifts, warning them to maintain strict discipline on the march.
[1] Although our generosity is welcomed everywhere by all, we believe that gifts conferred in our personal presence are far more valued, since people receive more from seeing their sovereign than from the mere distribution of largesse. A man unknown to his ruler is practically dead -- he lives without any mark of honor unless the king's notice shields him. [2] And so by this order we command you to present yourselves before us on the eighth day before the Ides of June [June 6], with God's help. Those of you who receive the royal gifts in the customary ceremony will receive them, provided you make haste to appear. We particularly remind you that no misconduct by those traveling is to occur: do not devastate the crops or meadows of landowners. Instead, proceed with complete restraint, so that your disciplined approach may earn our approval. This is precisely why we gladly bear military expenses -- so that the armed forces may preserve civilian order untouched.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.