Letter 6001: FORMULA OF THE CONSULSHIP

I. FORMULA OF THE CONSULSHIP. [1] What sort of thing the consulship is may be wholly understood from the judgment of the ancients, since among the choice dignities of the world it alone deserved to possess the palm-embroidered robes, which good fortune bestowed: the rewards of victors, the name of the years; the one recompense to which all things were owed. The right hand of a brave man guarded the standing of the Roman commonwealth, and his counsels vindicated the fortunes and the children of every citizen: and for so many great debts the sole repayment was this dignity, devised as an ornament of liberty, invented for the joy of all. [2] Through it, assuredly, the condition of the empire grew continually, and ever-fortunate Rome embraced it. Deservedly was it long held to be a kind of imperial power: deservedly could he prevail over all the citizens, who delivered his fatherland from the enemy. Disposing the public interests under equity, he pronounced judgment even upon a man's head: but the power of putting to death was safely entrusted to him who had been the author of safety. [3] Hence it is that even the fasces and the axes were ordered to be bound up before so great a power, so that, when they were unbound more slowly, they might impose a delay for deliberation, if he had decided anything concerning the slaying or death of a man: thus, while all things were handed over to his judgment, lest he should grow insolent in spirit, he was called consul from "taking counsel" [consulere]. [4] Hence flowed forth such great liberality, that the right hand which had abundantly shed the blood of enemies might pour out, like a watered field, the aid of life to the citizens. Thus those whom he had made fortunate through wars, he filled up with his zeal for generosity. As a proof also of his public glory, he freed slaves from the servile yoke, he who had given liberty to so great a city. [5] But now you take up these things more happily, since we have the labors of consuls and you have the joys of the dignities. For your palm-embroidered robes are proven to be our victories, and by the outcome of a most prosperous condition you grant in peace the rank of free birth to your servants, while we, through wars, give security to the Romans. And therefore, for that indiction, we adorn you with the insignia of the consulship. [6] Paint your broad shoulders with the varied color of the palmate robe, ennoble your strong hand with the staff of victory, go forth from your own household even shod in gilded shoes, mount the curule chair, striving up many steps in keeping with its grandeur, so that, seated at ease, you may deserve that which we, after the greatest labors, take up as rulers. [7] You conduct the business of victories, you who know nothing of wars: we, with God's help, govern, we take counsel, and your name designates the year. You have surpassed princes in good fortune, you who both bear the highest honors and do not have the wearinesses of dominion. Wherefore raise up the confidence of your mind: it befits consuls to be great-souled. Do not be anxious about private wealth, you who have resolved to win public favor by giving. [8] For hence it is that we promote other judges even when they do not ask, but we advance consuls only when they hope for it, so that you alone may come to these expenditures who know yourselves to be equal to such great costs. Otherwise they would be burdens rather than honors, if we imposed something beyond their strength upon the unwilling. Enjoy, therefore, becomingly the things you have desired. This is the kind of ambition that is approved. Be illustrious to the world, most prosperous to yourself, and to be happily imitated by your descendants.

I. FORMULA CONSULATUS. [1] Priscorum iudicio qualis sit consulatus, hinc omnino datur intellegi, quando inter mundi dignitates eximias solus meruit habere palmatas vestes, quas felicitas dabat: praemia vincentium, nomen annorum: compensatio sola cui debebantur omnia. statum rei publicae Romanae viri fortis dextera tuebatur, fortunas omnium ac liberos civis consilia vindicabant: et tot magnis debitis sola erat huius retributio dignitatis, reperta in libertatis ornatum, inventa ad generale gaudium. [2] Per illam nimirum status imperii iugiter crevit, illam semper felix Roma suscepit. merito pridem genus habebatur imperii: merito supra omnes cives poterat, qui ab hoste patriam vindicabat. utilitates publicas sub aequitate disponens ius dicebat etiam capiti: sed tuto illi commissa est potestas necis, qui fuerat auctor salutis. [3] Hinc est quod etiam fasces atque secures tantae potestati praeceptae sunt inligari, ut, cum tardius solverentur, moram deliberationis acciperent, si de caede aut nece hominis aliquid censuissent: ita cum omnia eius traderentur arbitrio, ne insolesceret animo, consul dictus est a consulendo. [4] Hinc tanta largitas profluebat, ut illa dextera, quae sanguinem copiose fuderat hostium, vitae auxilium civibus manaret irriguum. sic quos felices per bella fecerat, studio largitatis explebat. in argumentum etiam publicae gloriae solvebat famulos iugo servili, qui libertatem tantae dederat civitati. [5] Sed nunc sumitis ista felicius, quando nos habemus labores consulum et vos gaudia dignitatum. palmatae siquidem vestrae nostrae probantur esse victoriae et prosperrimae condicionis eventu vos in pace ingenuitatem ceditis famulis, cum nos securitatem demus per bella Romanis. atque ideo per illam indictionem consulatus te decoramus insignibus. [6] Pinge vastos umeros vario colora palmatae, validam manum victoriali scipione nobilita, lares proprios etiam calceis auratus egredere, sellam curulem pro sua magnitudine multis gradibus enisus ascende, ut in otio subiectus merearis, quod nos post maximos labores assumimus imperantes. [7] Rem victoriarum agitis, qui bella nescitis: nos iuvante deo regimus, nos consulimus et vestrum nomen annum designat. vicistis felicitate principes, qui et honores summos geritis et dominationis taedia non habetis. quapropter erige confidentiam mentis tuae: consules esse magnanimos decet. opes privatas non cogites, qui gratiam publicam donando habere decrevisti. [8] Hinc est enim, quod alios iudices etiam non rogantes evehimus, consules autem sperantes tantummodo promovemus, ut soli ad has largitates veniatis, qui vos pares tantis expensis esse cognoscitis. alioquin onera essent potius, non honores, si supra vires aliquid inponeremus invitis. fruere igitur decenter optatis. hic est ambitus qui probatur. esto mundo clarus, tibi prosperrimus, tuis autem posteris feliciter imitandus.