Letter 7030: Fairness demands that each person, after completing their term of service, should arrive at the fruit of their...

From: Cassiodorus (formula template) To: [Tribune of the Provinces] Date: ~522 AD Context: Template for appointing a tribune who has risen through the ranks by seniority. Fairness demands that each person, after completing their term of service, should arrive at the fruit of their military career and receive a reward proportional to their merits. Since ancient custom requires that we designate those who deserve to serve as your tribune, we decree by this authority that the person whose turn has come shall preside over you in the aforementioned honor. When the appointed time arrives, let him enjoy the honor he has earned. These are divine judgments, not human ones -- the one whom heaven has willed to reach his proper time is rightly seen as having received the rewards of his labor. Let him therefore enjoy the privileges appropriate to his service. We have no desire to cheat anyone of their customary benefits when we know they have reached seniority without fault. Therefore, obey him in all things he arranges for the public good, since senior officers share in the judge's authority -- they are the ones called upon if any of you step out of line.

XXX. FORMULA TRIBUNATUS PROVINCIARUM. [1] Aequitati convenit ut unus quisque ad fructum militiae emenso tempore debeat pervenire et laboris recipiat praemium pro compensatione meritorum. unde quia priscae consuetudinis ratio persuadet, ut a nobis debeat designari, qui vobis tribunus esse mereatur, ideoque hac auctoritate censemus, ut ille, quem locus videtur exposcere, vobis in supradicto honore praesideat, quatenus, cum ad tempus venerit constitutum, optato honore potiatur. divina sunt ista iudicia, non humana, ut quem superna ad debitum tempus voluerunt perducere, merito videatur et laboris sui praemia suscepisse. [2] Excubiarum suarum igitur competentia privilegia consequatur, quia nullum emolumento consueto fraudari desideramus, quem sine culpis ad primatum venisse cognoscimus. quapropter illi pro utilitate publica disponenti modis omnibus oboedite, quoniam partem iudicis habent priores, quando ab ipsis requiritur, si quid a vobis insolentius excedatur.