Letter 7017: It is a glorious service through which Rome is known to be adorned, since a man advances with us in proportion to...

From: Cassiodorus, on behalf of the King To: The new Superintendent of Lime Production (formula) Date: ~522 AD Context: A formula for appointing the official in charge of lime production for Rome's construction projects -- one of Cassiodorus's characteristically detailed letters about practical crafts and trades. It is a glorious service through which Rome is known to be adorned, since a man advances with us in proportion to what he has contributed to the City through his own labor. There is no doubt that quickite -- white as snow and lighter than sponges -- is the most essential material of all construction. The more it is dissolved by the burning of fire, the more it strengthens the solidity of walls: a stone that dissolves, a soft rock, a sandy mineral that actually catches fire more intensely when drenched with enormous quantities of water. Without it, neither dressed stone is firm nor the fine grains of sand solidified. Therefore it deserves the greatest attention, since it is known to hold first place in Rome's buildings. Accordingly, our authority appoints your proven diligence to oversee the production and distribution of lime from the present tax year, so that it may be supplied in abundance for both public and private construction, and the spirits of all may be encouraged to build when they see that what they need is readily available. You will claim the privileges of your office in accordance with our orders, so that you may earn greater rewards if you carry out what has been entrusted to you well.

XVII. FORMULA DE PRAEPOSITO CALCIS. [1] Gloriosum opus est servienti unde Romana civitas probatur ornari, dum tantum quis apud nos proficit quantum pracdictae Urbi proprio labore contulerit. dubium non est coctilem calcem, quae est nivibus concolor, spongiis levior, instrumentum esse maximum fabricarum. haec quantum ignis adustione dissolvitur, tantum exinde parietum firmitas roboratur: petra solubilis, saxea mollities, harenacius lapis, qui tunc potius accenditur, quando aquis copiosissimis irrigatur: sine quo nec saxa fixa sunt nec harenarum minuta solidantur. et ideo maius studium meretur accipere, quod primum locum in Romanis moenibus noscitur optinere. [2] Quocirca industriam tuam multorum sermone celebratam ad coctionem distributionemque calcis ab indictione illa nostra praeponit auctoritas, ut tam publicis quam privatis fabricis abunde procurata sufficiat et ad aedificandum cunctorum animi concitentur, dum viderint paratum esse quod quaeritur. privilegia vero loci tui nostris iussionibus rationabiliter vindicabis, ut maiora mereri possis, si bene tibi delegata compleveris.