Letter 7039: It might seem unnecessary to specifically request protection from a ruler whose very purpose is to defend everyone.
Cassiodorus→Unknown|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
imperial politics
From: Cassiodorus (formula template)
To: [Recipient of royal protection -- tuitio]
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Template granting royal protection to a person harassed by powerful enemies, effectively placing them under the king's personal shield.
It might seem unnecessary to specifically request protection from a ruler whose very purpose is to defend everyone. But since the execrable recklessness of certain violent men disturbs your security, we are not reluctant to extend our compassion to the complaints of the suffering, granting to a petitioner in particular what we wish to provide to all. Therefore, wounded as you are by the losses inflicted by various persons, we mercifully receive you within the fortress of our defense. You will contend with your adversaries not, as before, in open-field combat, but with the protection of our walls. The result is that you, pressed by savage force, are made equal by the aid of your king.
We therefore grant you, by our authority, the protection of our name as a mighty tower against uncivil attacks and litigation losses. However, you must not let this protection make you insolent -- refusing to give a civil answer in legal proceedings, or trampling on public rights yourself, when previously it was detestable aggression that was trampling on you. Since our orders must have effective agents, and it is unbecoming for a ruler to speak what cannot be fulfilled, the loyalty and diligence of our designated officials will easily protect you. No one labors to defend what he fears may be harmed, since a generous lord is feared when he is made ungrateful. Enjoy our clemency, therefore, and rejoice in the benefit you have received. If anyone still dares to trouble you with incivility, your own wishes regarding your enemies will be fulfilled instead.
XXXVIIII.
FORMULA TUITIONIS.
[1] Superfluum quidem videtur tuitionem specialiter a principe petere, cuius est propositi universos communiter vindicare. sed quia securitatem tuam quorundam violentorum exsecranda temeritas inquietat, non piget dolentium querelis ad hanc partem pietatis adduci, ut quod omnibus praestare cupimus, supplicanti potissimum conferamus. atque ideo diversorum te, quemadmodum quereris, dispendiis sauciatum in castra defensionis nostrae clementer excipimus, ut cum adversariis tuis non, ut hactenus, campestri certamine, sed murali videaris protectione contendere. ita fit ut, truculentis viribus pressus, reddaris auxiliis regalibus exaequatus. [2] Quapropter tuitionem tibi nostri nominis quasi validissimam turrem contra inciviles impetus et conventionalia detrimenta nostra concedit auctoritas: ita tamen, ne, his praesumptionibus sublevatus, civile despicias praebere responsum et tu videaris insolens calcare iura publica, quem primitus detestanda premebat audacia. et quia ministros efficaces nostra debet habere praeceptio nec decet principem loqui quod non videatur posse compleri, praesentis beneficii iussione, adversus Gothos illa, adversus Romanos illa, facile te fides et diligentia custodivit: quia nemo laborat defendere quod timetur offendi, dum praestans dominus fieri formidatur ingratus. fruere igitur nostra clementia: beneficio laetare suscepto. nam si ulterius a quoquam sub incivilitate temptaris, tua de inimicis potius vota complebis.
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From:Cassiodorus (formula template)
To:[Recipient of royal protection -- tuitio]
Date:~522 AD
Context:Template granting royal protection to a person harassed by powerful enemies, effectively placing them under the king's personal shield.
It might seem unnecessary to specifically request protection from a ruler whose very purpose is to defend everyone. But since the execrable recklessness of certain violent men disturbs your security, we are not reluctant to extend our compassion to the complaints of the suffering, granting to a petitioner in particular what we wish to provide to all. Therefore, wounded as you are by the losses inflicted by various persons, we mercifully receive you within the fortress of our defense. You will contend with your adversaries not, as before, in open-field combat, but with the protection of our walls. The result is that you, pressed by savage force, are made equal by the aid of your king.
We therefore grant you, by our authority, the protection of our name as a mighty tower against uncivil attacks and litigation losses. However, you must not let this protection make you insolent -- refusing to give a civil answer in legal proceedings, or trampling on public rights yourself, when previously it was detestable aggression that was trampling on you. Since our orders must have effective agents, and it is unbecoming for a ruler to speak what cannot be fulfilled, the loyalty and diligence of our designated officials will easily protect you. No one labors to defend what he fears may be harmed, since a generous lord is feared when he is made ungrateful. Enjoy our clemency, therefore, and rejoice in the benefit you have received. If anyone still dares to trouble you with incivility, your own wishes regarding your enemies will be fulfilled instead.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.