Letter 7003: Formula for the Count of the Goths in Individual Cities.

Formula for the Count of the Goths in Individual Cities. Since, with God's help, we know that the Goths live among you in a mixed community, we have judged it necessary — so that no disorder may arise among neighbors, as tends to happen — to send the distinguished man [name], whose good character has long been proven to us, to serve as your Count. According to our edicts, he shall settle disputes between two Goths. If a case happens to arise between a Goth and a Roman, he shall associate a prudent Roman with himself and resolve the matter with balanced judgment. Cases between two Romans, however, shall be heard by the Roman judges we assign to the provinces — so that each people's rights are preserved and, under different judges, a single justice embraces everyone. In this way, under a common peace and with God's favor, both nations may enjoy sweet tranquility. Know that our affection is equal toward all without distinction. But the man who will most commend himself to our heart is the one who embraces the laws with a willing spirit. We have no love for anything uncivilized. We detest criminal arrogance along with its perpetrators. Our piety abhors the violent. In legal disputes, let rights prevail, not fists. Why would men choose to pursue their aims through violence when lawful courts are available to them? This is precisely why we pay judges their salaries and maintain so many offices with generous provisions: so that we do not allow anything to grow among you that could lead to hatred. Let one desire for living together embrace you both, since you share a single government. Let both peoples hear what we love. Romans, just as they are your neighbors in property, so let them be joined to you in affection. And you, Romans, ought to love the Goths deeply — for in peace they swell your numbers, and in war they defend the entire commonwealth. Therefore obey the judge we have sent, and carry out in full whatever he decrees for the preservation of the laws — so that you may be seen to have satisfied both our authority and your own welfare.

III. FORMULA COMITIVAE GOTHORUM PER SINGULAS CIVITATES. [1] Cum deo iuvante sciamus Gothos vobiscum habitare permixtos, ne qua inter consortes, ut assolet, indisciplinatio nasceretur, necessarium duximus illum sublimem virum, bonis nobis moribus hactenus comprobatum, ad vos comitem destinare, qui secundum edicta nostra inter duos Gothos litem debeat amputare, si quod etiam inter Gothum et Romanum natum fuerit fortasse negotium, adhibito sibi prudente Romano certamen possit aequabili ratione discingere. inter duos autem Romanos Romani audiant quos per provincias dirigimus cognitores, ut unicuique sua iura serventur et sub diversitate iudicum una iustitia complectatur universos. [2] Sic pace communi utraeque nationes divinitate propitia dulci otio perfruantur. scitote autem unam nobis in omnibus aequabiliter esse caritatem: sed ille se animo nostro amplius commendare poterit, qui leges moderata voluntate dilexerit. non amamus aliquid incivile: scelestam superbiam cum suis detestamur auctoribus. violentos nostra pietas execratur. in causa possint iura, non brachia. nam cur eligant quaerere violenta, qui praesentia probantur habere iudicia? ideo enim emolumenta iudicibus damus, ideo tot officia diversis largitatibus continemus, ut inter vos non sinamus crescere quod possit ad odium pertinere. [3] Unum vos amplectatur vivendi votum, quibus unum esse constat imperium. audiat uterque populus quod amamus. Romani vobis sicut sunt possessionibus vicini, ita sint et caritate coniuncti. vos autem, Romani, magno studio Gothos diligere debetis, qui et in pace numerosos vobis populos faciunt et universam rem publicam per bella defendunt. itaque destinato a nobis iudici vos convenit oboedire, ut quicquid pro conservandis legibus censuerit, modis omnibus impleatis, quatenus et nostro imperio et vestrae utilitati satisfecisse videamini.