Letter 7037: We wish our subjects, with God's help, to glory in the varied prerogatives of rank.

From: Cassiodorus (formula template) To: [Recipient of the rank of spectabilis] Date: ~522 AD Context: Template for conferring the rank of spectabilis, the middle grade of senatorial dignity. We wish our subjects, with God's help, to glory in the varied prerogatives of rank. We desire to adorn worthy people with the mark of distinction, so that each person may live more commendably knowing he has received an honor worthy of respect. In this way, the path to virtue is properly ascended, and good citizens love the state all the more. Therefore, we adorn you with the splendor of spectabilis rank, so that you may know your opinion is to be "regarded" [spectanda] in public assemblies when you sit honored among nobles. If you maintain this by praiseworthy conduct, you will be raised to better rewards in the future.

XXXVII. FORMULA SPECTABILITATIS. [1] Optamus nobis deo auxiliante subiectos varia dignitatum praerogativa gloriari: desideramus probabile genus hominum inpressa gratia dignitatis ornare, ut laudabilius unus quisque possit vivere, cum se honores reverendos cognoverit accepisse. sic enim et ad virtutis studia decenter ascenditur et a bonis civibus res publica plus amatur. atque ideo te spectabilitatis nitore decoramus, ut sententiam tuam in conventibus publicis spectandam esse cognoscas, cum inter nobiles decorus assederis, ut, si haec praedicabili conversatione tractaveris, in futurum praemiis melioribus augearis.