Letter 7004: Formula for the Duchy of Raetia [the Alpine frontier province].

Formula for the Duchy of Raetia [the Alpine frontier province]. Although the honor of the rank of Spectabilis may appear uniform, and although nothing but seniority usually distinguishes one holder from another, nevertheless — weighing the nature of the responsibilities — a great deal more is entrusted to those assigned to frontier peoples. Dispensing justice in peaceful regions is not at all the same as holding your position among suspicious nations, where it is not merely vices but wars that must be watched for, and where it is not merely the herald's cry but the frequent blast of trumpets that sounds. The defenses of Raetia are the gates of Italy and the locks of the province — a name we judge was well chosen, since they are deployed against fierce and savage peoples like a barrier of hunting nets. There the onslaught of the barbarian is absorbed, and his reckless presumption is wounded by the missiles flung back. In this way, repelling the barbarian assault is your sport, and what you constantly and successfully practice is a kind of game. And so, hearing that you are strong in both mind and body, we grant you the Duchy of Raetia for the coming indiction. Govern the soldiers in peacetime and patrol our frontiers with them with the customary enthusiasm — for you can see that no small charge has been committed to you, since the tranquility of our kingdom is believed to rest upon your vigilance. This, however, with the understanding that the soldiers under your command shall live among the provincials under civil law, and that no man's spirit shall grow insolent because he feels himself armed. The shield of our army must provide peace for Romans, since these troops were stationed precisely so that a happier life within may be enjoyed in secure freedom. Therefore answer our trust, and prove yourself by loyalty and industry, so that you neither receive foreigners without examination nor allow our own people to pass out to the barbarians through carelessness. For recourse to arms comes more rarely when it is known that border intrusions can be guarded against. The privileges of your office you will claim under our orders.

IIII. FORMULA DUCATUS RAETIARUM. [1] Quamvis spectabilitatis honor unus esse videatur nec in his aliquid aliud nisi tempus soleat anteferri, tamen rerum qualitate perpensa multum his creditum videtur quibus confinales populi deputantur, quia non est tale pacatis regionibus ius dicere, quale suspectis gentibus assidere, ubi non tantum vitia quantum bella suspecta sunt nec solum vox praeconis insonat, sed tubarum crepitus frequenter insultat. [2] Raetiae namque munimina sunt Italiae et claustra provinciae: quae non immerito sic appellata esse iudicamus, quando contra feras et agrestissimas gentes velut quaedam plagarum obstacula disponuntur. ibi enim impetus gentilis excipitur et transmissis iaculis sauciatur furibunda praesumptio. sic gentilis impetus vestra venatio est et ludo geritis quod vos assidue feliciter egisse sentitis. [3] Ideoque validum te ingenio ac viribus audientes per illam indictionem ducatum tibi cedimus Raetiarum, ut milites et in pace regas et cum eis fines nostros sollemni alacritate circueas, quia non parvam rem tibi respicis fuisse commissam, quando tranquillitas regni nostri tua creditur sollicitudine custodiri. ita tamen, ut milites tibi commissi vivant cum provincialibus iure civili nec insolescat animus, qui se sentit armatum, quia clipeus ille exercitus nostri quietem debet praestare Romanis. quos ideo constat appositos, ut intus vita felicior secura libertate carpatur. [4] Quapropter responde nostro iudicio, fide nobis et industria placiturus, ut nec gentiles sine discussione suscipias nec nostros ad gentes sub incuriositate transmittas. ad necessitatem siquidem rarius venitur armorum, ubi suscepta surreptio custodiri posse sentitur. privilegia vero dignitatis tuae nostris tibi iussionibus vindicabis.