Letter 7013: VARIAE, BOOK 7, LETTER 13

VARIAE, BOOK 7, LETTER 13 From: The Royal Chancery (Cassiodorus), on behalf of the King To: [Appointee to the Count of Rome] Date: ~523-527 AD Context: The appointment formula for the Count of Rome — the official responsible for protecting the city's statues, monuments, and public buildings from theft and vandalism. A remarkable window into Rome's monumental heritage in the 6th century. [1] If criminal desire is accustomed to lurk even around locked and fortified houses, how much more must it be attracted in the city of Rome, where one finds precious objects worth stealing right in the streets? For there is a kind of vast populace of statues, and herds upon herds of horses [bronze equestrian statues], which require guarding with the same vigilance that was used to install them. In a world where human beings had any sense, the beauty of Rome would need no night watchmen — reverence alone should be its guardian. [2] What shall we say of the marbles, already precious before they were set with metal? If someone had the opportunity to strip them, rare is the hand that could resist. Here, exposed for all to see, stands what the wealth of the whole world could create — and among such treasures, who could be indifferent? Who, in such a situation, allows himself to be bribed, when incalculable damage can be done to a beauty that is utterly unique? [3] For this reason, we grant you the dignity of the Count of Rome for the current indiction, with its privileges and just compensations. With faithful zeal and great effort, seek out criminal hands and those who scheme against either private fortunes or the public monuments. Bring them before your tribunal, and once the truth has been established, let them suffer the appropriate penalty under the law. Public indignation rightly pursues those who disfigure the beauty of the ancients by hacking off their limbs, committing on public monuments what only the condemned ought to suffer. [4] Compel your staff and the assigned soldiers to keep watch especially at night — for in daylight, the city guards itself, since a watchful populace needs no outside help. Thieves strike in darkness; and then the criminal is easily caught when the guard is not heard approaching. The statues are not entirely mute, either — when struck by thieves, their ringing seems to alert the guards. Show us your diligence with commendable devotion, so that we who now assign you a laborious post may later confer a more comfortable honor.

XIII. FORMULA COMITIVAE ROMANAE. [1] Si clausis domibus ac munitis insidiari solet nequissimum votum, quanto magis in Romana civitate videtur illici, qui in plateis pretiosum reperit quod possit auferri? nam quidam populus copiosissimus statuarum, greges etiam abundantissimi equorum, tali sunt cautela servandi, quali et cura videntur affixi, ubi, si esset humanis rebus ulla consideratio, Romanam pulchritudinem non vigiliae, sed sola deberet reverentia custodire. [2] Quid dicamus marmora metallis et ante pretiosa? quae si vacet eripere, rara manus est quae possit a talibus abstinere. ubi sunt exposita, quae facere potuerunt divitiae generales et labor mundi, quem inter ista deceat esse neglegentem? quis in causa tali patitur esse venalis, quando gravissimum damnum potest fieri in pulchritudine singulari? [3] Qua de re per illam indictionem comitivae Romanae cum privilegiis et iustis commodis suis tibi concedimus dignitatem, ut fideli studio magnoque nisu quaeras improbas manus et insidiantes aut privatorum fortunis aut moenibus ad tuum facias venire iudicium et rei veritate discussa congruam subeant de legibus ultionem, quia iuste tales persequitur publicus dolor, qui decorem veterum foedant detruncatione membrorum faciuntque illa in monumentis publicis, quae debent pati. [4] Officium tuum et milites consuetos noctibus potius invigilare compelle: in die autem civitas se ipsa custodit: vigilans enim studio non indiget alieno. furta quidem persuadent: sed tunc praesumptus facile capitur, cum custos minime supervenire sentitur. statuae nec in toto mutae sunt, quando a furibus percussae custodes videntur tinnitibus ammonere. proinde diligentiam tuam devotione laudabili sentiamus, ut cui nunc laboriosos fasces iniungimus, securos honores postea conferamus.