Letter 6022: VARIAE, BOOK 6, FORMULA 22

XXII. FORMULA OF THE COUNTSHIP OF SYRACUSE. [1] It belongs to royal foresight to choose such persons for the office of judge that those who happen to dwell in distant regions need have no necessity of coming to the court [comitatus, the royal court]. For there is no such business that could endure the great expenses of a journey to Sicily, since it would be more convenient to lose one's case than to have gained anything through such outlays. For we do not wish complaints to come from Sicily, but praises, since the conduct of the magistrate is held in disfavor with us if petitioners from so far away have been able to accuse him. For grievance is not believed to be false where the weariness of so great a labor is undergone. And therefore those matters must be handled with greater care from which ill will is more to be feared. [2] Accordingly, by that indiction we grant to you, with the divine favor, the countship of the city of Syracuse, so that you may strive to do all things in such a way as you know we have granted them to you. We attend to the prayers of those bringing suit from nearby; but from those parts we make inquiry of our own accord, from which we perceive that men can come to us only with difficulty. You have those things that ought to adorn you, provided, however, that you come there cleansed in conscience. [3] A number of soldiers serves you at our expense. You are rendered festive amid arms: your procession is adorned with military array. You make use of a peaceful army, and you do not undergo the perils of war, yet you are graced with the pomp of arms. But amid these things, bear in mind civil discipline. Do not permit the soldiers to be insolent toward the landowners. Let them receive their provisions [annonas] under moderation: let them not meddle in affairs that do not concern them. Let him who boasts that he is armed recognize that he was chosen for the security of all. We neither wish the privileges of your dignity to be diminished, nor do we order them to be exceeded. Let it suffice for you to administer as much as it is established that your predecessors reasonably accomplished.

XXII. FORMULA COMITIVAE SYRACUSANAE. [1] Regalis est providentiae tales iudicum personas eligere, ut ad comitatum necessitatem non habeant veniendi, quos in longinquis regionibus contigerit immorari. nullum enim tale negotium est, quod Siculi itineris tantas pati possit expensas, dum commodius sit causam perdere quam aliquid per talia dispendia conquisisse. non enim querelas de Sicilia volumus venire, sed laudes, quia gravatur apud nos actio praesulis, si eam tam longinqui potuerint accusare petitores. falsus enim dolor esse non creditur, ubi tanti laboris taedia subeuntur. et ideo maiore cura tractanda sunt, unde invidia plus timetur. [2] Proinde per indictionem illam comitivam tibi Syracusanae civitatis propitia divinitate concedimus, ut omnia sic agere nitaris, quemadmodum nos tibi praestitisse cognoscis. de proximis vota causantium sustinemus: inde autem ultro requirimus, unde ad nos difficile veniri posse sentimus. habes quae te decorare debeant, si tu tamen ibi conscientia defaecatus adveneris. [3] Militum tibi numerus nostris servit expensis. redderis inter arma geniatus: processio tua procinctualis ornatus est. exercitu uteris pacato, nec pericula belli subis et armorum pompa decoraris. verum inter haec civilem cogita disciplinam. non permittas milites esse possessoribus insolentes. annonas suas sub moderatione percipiant: causis non misceantur extraneis. pro securitate se omnium cognoscat electum, qui se gloriatur armatum. privilegia dignitatis tuae nec volumus minui nec iubemus excedi. sufficiat tibi tantum gerere, quantum decessores tuos constiterit rationabiliter effecisse.