Letter 5028: VARIAE, BOOK 5, LETTER 28

VARIAE, BOOK 5, LETTER 28 From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus To: Carinus, a Distinguished Man Date: ~522 AD Context: A brief summons to court: Theoderic calls a proven man of good character to appear, since such talent should not be left idle. [1] It is the glorious hallmark of worthy individuals that they are not allowed to stagnate in idleness when their good deeds have made them known. Therefore, to satisfy both your own desire and our belief that you are needed, we summon you by this present order, so that our court may be graced by the attendance of distinguished men, and so that we may accomplish through you what we believe will be useful to the realm.

XXVIII. CARINO V. I. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Habent hoc gloriosum praeiudicium bonarum merita personarum, ut otio torpescere non sinantur qui probis actionibus innotescunt: et ideo tam desiderio vestro satisfacientes, quam quod vos necessarios esse credidimus, iussis praesentibus evocamus, quatenus et viris nobilibus obsequia nostra decorentur et quae utilia nobis credimus, per te expedire possimus.