Letter 7008: VARIAE, BOOK 7, LETTER 8

[1] Although you are adorned at first glance by the dignity of a great title — since the wisdom of the ancients could not give the same name to the highest and lowest offices without polluting the splendor of the greater with the cheapness of the lesser — the intention of our forebears can be understood from this: they chose to call "prefects" those who patrol for the general peace. The security of fortunes, the beauty of the city, and the welfare of all have been entrusted to you — so that you might wage a peaceful war against domestic criminals, should you discover anyone threatening a citizen. [2] Guard the fortunes of all. Under your watch, people take their rest in safety, and no disturbance is felt. Stationed in peacetime, you win victories over the nighttime thief. Each morning, the city rejoices, defended by your laurels — and when it sees captured men, it recognizes how close it came to unseen enemies. You triumph daily if you keep proper watch. While the glory of military combat is rare, you earn continuous renown from every thief you catch. What a command, undertaken out of extraordinary devotion to your fellow citizens! You take on the pursuit of criminals whom an owner cannot find for himself, and you serve a double benefit: you either prevent future thefts or bring past ones to justice. [3] Is it not a kind of ineffable gift to the city for one man to take upon himself what he sees to be in everyone's interest? Rightly did wise antiquity assign you the glorious title of "prefect," because no one could perform this duty who did not love his fellow citizens more than his own comforts. Your staff, too, has been supported with no small compensation, since the rights of those who serve the security of the citizenry have been expanded. [4] Given all this, we grant you the prefecture of the night watch for the current indiction, pleased with your reputation, on condition that you carry out both the responsibilities and the privileges of this office in every respect. But although the universally hated name of thief meets with general condemnation, still — because human life is at stake — we order that nothing hasty or unconsidered be done. Pursue moderation, you who condemn audacity. Love restraint, you who punish theft. Let the accused be brought to a formal hearing and given the chance to speak in their own defense, since whatever is not properly examined cannot be called justice. But for those convicted and confessed, let the prescribed penalties be enforced — since nothing is cruel when it follows the law.

VIII. FORMULA PRAEFECTURAE VIGILUM URBIS RAVENNATIS. [1] Quamvis dignitate magni nominis prima fronte decoreris, quia non potuit antiquorum prudentia summa imaque simili appellatione censere, ne splendorem quem summis dabat alterius vilitate pollueret, tamen hinc intellegitur, quid sentire maiorum potuisset auctoritas, quando praefectos vigilibus appellare voluerunt qui pro generali quiete discurrunt. tibi enim commissa est fortunarum securitas, civitatis ornatus, utilitas omnium, scilicet ut contra domesticos grassatores bellum pacatum gereres, si quem civium laedendum esse sentires. [2] Custodi fortunas omnium. securus somnus te vigilante carpitur et molestia nulla sentitur. in pace positus sumis de nocturno fure victorias. tuis laureis mane civitas defensa laetatur, quae, dum captos respicit, tunc se occulto hoste caruisse cognoscit. cottidie triumphas, si bene vigilas, et cum rara sit gloria bellici certaminis, tibi iugiter latronibus famulatur inventis. o ducatum nimia civium affectione susceptum! assumes praedones inquirere, quos pro se dominus non valet invenire et duplici ratione beneficus aut futura furta prohibes aut admissa concludis. [3] Nonne ista quaedam est ineffabilis gratia civitatis unum in se suscipere, quod videt omnibus expedire? merito tibi gloriosum nomen praefecti prudens antiquitas deputavit, quia istud facere non poterat, nisi qui cives a suis commodis plus amabat. officium quoque tuum non parvo constat munere sublevatum, quando et ipsis momenti iura dilatata sunt, qui pro securitate civium militare noscuntur. [4] Quae cum ita sint, praefecturam tibi vigilibus per illam indictionem, delectati tua opinione, concedimus, ita ut et curam huius dignitatis et privilegia tibi competentia modis omnibus exsequaris. sed quamvis nomen odiosissimum furum generalis persequatur assensus, tamen quia de effusione humani sanguinis agitur, nihil subitum aut indeliberatum iubemus assumi. modestiam sequere, qui damnas audaciam: continentiam dilige, qui furta condemnas. ad gesta perducti audiantur aliquid pro salute dicturi, quoniam quicquid non discutitur, iustitia non putatur. convictis vero atque confessis quae sunt secreta serventur: quando crudele nihil efficit qui sequitur leges.