Cassiodorus→Livvirit and Ampelius, a Man|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
famine plagueillnessproperty economics
VARIAE, BOOK 5, LETTER 35
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus
To: Count Livvirit and Ampelius, a Distinguished Man
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Grain shipped from Spain to relieve famine in Rome was stolen en route by the ship captains, who sold it in Africa for profit. Theoderic demands repayment of 1,038 solidi.
[1] When famine, wearing a grim face, struck the dwellings of Rome in a time of uncertainty, and though rare, any hunger in so great a city seemed deeply shameful, we judged it right to provide grain supplies from Spain, so that Rome under our rule might once again receive the ancient tribute of plenty. The distinguished Marcianus carried out our orders with praiseworthy diligence, but the execution of what was so well arranged fell short. The men who had taken on the transport, unable to endure the tedium of delays, are said to have sold the designated grain in Africa for their own profit. [2] Although this should not have gone unpunished -- that private greed should keep so many people hungry -- nevertheless, since it is our nature to forgive offenses that we can correct through careful planning, we have decided to send the capable men Catellus and Servandus. The ship captains are reported to have received 280 solidi for wheat and 758 solidi for shipping costs. If you can confirm the facts, let the total of 1,038 solidi be collected from them, so that even though we have waived punishment, we do not suffer the financial loss. In this matter, let your Sublimity apply due diligence, so that both justice and the public interest are served.
XXXV.
LIVVIRIT COMITI ET AMPELIO V. I. THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Cum pro incerti temporis eventu Romanas aedes inopia facie castigata pulsaret et quamvis rare, tamen tam pulchrae civitati videretur esse foedissima, aequum iudicavimus Hispaniae triticeas illi copias exhibere, ut antiquum vectigal sub nobis felicior Roma reciperet. iussis quidem nostris viri spectabilis Marciani laude digna servivit industria: sed parum diligenter impleta sunt, quae constat optime fuisse procurata. ii enim, qui portanda susceperant, morarum taedia non ferentes destinatum frumentum in Africae partibus pro suo dicuntur vendidisse compendio. [2] Quod quamvis inultum minime transire debuisset, ut amor proprii commodi tot populorum ieiuna vota suspenderet, tamen quia nobis insitum est culpas remittere, quas possumus cauta ordinatione corrigere, Catellum et Servandum viros strenuos credidimus esse dirigendos, ut, quia naucleri ducentos octoginta solidos in triticum et in naulis septingentos quinquaginta octo solidos accepisse perhibentur, si apud vos facti veritas innotescit, in summam ratione collecta, ab eis mille triginta octo solidorum quantitas inferatur, ut, qui vindictam remisimus, damna minime sentiamus. in qua parte ita se sublimitas vestra diligenter impendat, ut et iustitiae et publicis utilitatibus satisfecisse videatur.
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VARIAE, BOOK 5, LETTER 35
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus To: Count Livvirit and Ampelius, a Distinguished Man Date: ~522 AD Context: Grain shipped from Spain to relieve famine in Rome was stolen en route by the ship captains, who sold it in Africa for profit. Theoderic demands repayment of 1,038 solidi.
[1] When famine, wearing a grim face, struck the dwellings of Rome in a time of uncertainty, and though rare, any hunger in so great a city seemed deeply shameful, we judged it right to provide grain supplies from Spain, so that Rome under our rule might once again receive the ancient tribute of plenty. The distinguished Marcianus carried out our orders with praiseworthy diligence, but the execution of what was so well arranged fell short. The men who had taken on the transport, unable to endure the tedium of delays, are said to have sold the designated grain in Africa for their own profit. [2] Although this should not have gone unpunished -- that private greed should keep so many people hungry -- nevertheless, since it is our nature to forgive offenses that we can correct through careful planning, we have decided to send the capable men Catellus and Servandus. The ship captains are reported to have received 280 solidi for wheat and 758 solidi for shipping costs. If you can confirm the facts, let the total of 1,038 solidi be collected from them, so that even though we have waived punishment, we do not suffer the financial loss. In this matter, let your Sublimity apply due diligence, so that both justice and the public interest are served.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.