Letter 8002: KING ATHALARIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME
Cassiodorus→Senate of City of Rome|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
barbarian invasionimperial politics
KING ATHALARIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME
[1] It is the greatest of joys, Conscript Fathers, to learn of the rise of a new ruler — to hear that the man believed capable of protecting everyone has indeed reached the summit of his kingdom. The measure of our rejoicing matches the magnitude of the news, and the heart's gladness rises in proportion to the importance of what has happened. [2] For if the reported welfare of a friend can lift a wise man's spirits, if word that a companion is safe brings relief, with what exultation should we receive the news that the ruler of all the earth has come to power in good fortune? He was not thrust up by a turbulent revolt, not born of raging wars, not purchased at the price of damage to the state; rather, he came to power in tranquility, as befits one who is the very author of civilization. It is a remarkable stroke of good fortune to obtain supreme power without struggle, and to become a young lord in a state where so many men of mature character are to be found — for no generation can lack for wise counsel where so many fathers of the commonwealth are available. [3] Our hope has therefore been preferred above all others' deserts, and it was more certain to rely upon us than upon what could have been expected of others — rightly so, since every family of distinction yields precedence to the Amal line; and just as a man born of your order is called a senator by birth, so one who comes from this house is acknowledged most worthy to reign. What we say has been confirmed by the present event. [4] For when the most cherished memory of our lord and grandfather pressed upon us with the weight of his countless benefactions as he lay dying, he transferred the greatness of his dominion to us so swiftly that one would have thought it not a kingdom but a garment that was changed. So many great nobles, glorious in counsel and in arms, raised not a murmur, as is usual on such occasions, but followed their king's judgment with such joy that one could only recognize the divine will shining through their accord. We have therefore thought it necessary to inform you, with God's favor, of the establishment of our kingdom; for the empire seems extended rather than altered when it passes to an heir — it is as though the ancestor himself lives on, whose offspring you know to be your ruler. [5] Such was your prayer, such was his settled intention: to leave as heir of his benefits one who could increase them for you. It was discovered out of love for princes that loyalty to a likeness could be preserved in bronze statues, so that descendants might behold the man who had bound the state to himself by his many benefits. But how much truer is the man who lives on in his descendants, through whom both the bodily form and the vigor of the spirit are often carried forward! [6] You must therefore show the loyalty of your distinguished order with greater zeal than before, so that past gifts may be seen to have been bestowed upon those who deserved them, and that we may bestow future benefits without hesitation upon those whom we have not found forgetful of what they received. [7] Know also that by divine providence it was arranged that the unanimous consent of Goths and Romans alike should come to us, and that they confirmed with the solemnity of an oath the will they offered from sincere hearts. [8] We have no doubt that you will follow their lead — a matter of timing rather than of affection, since you might yourselves have begun what you now follow, overtaken as you were by others' promptness. Distinguished fathers may be expected to love all the more, in proportion as they are seen to have received greater honors than the other orders. [9] But so that you may perceive the beginnings of our benevolence toward you — for it is fitting to enter your Senate chamber with gifts — we have had our Illustrious Count Sigismer take the oath before you together with those who have been sent, since we desire to keep inviolate what we promise on public authority. [10] If you believe there is anything to ask of us that might multiply the guarantees of your security, petition us without hesitation — we ourselves seem to urge you to present your requests. What we offer is a promise no less than a summons, for whoever commands the venerable Senate to petition him has thereby committed himself to granting what may be obtained. Now it is for you to hope for what can increase the common commonwealth.
II.
SENATUI URBIS ROMAE ATHALARICUS REX.
[1] Plenissimum gaudium constat esse, patres conscripti, cognoscere dominantis exortum, ut qui creditur universos posse protegere, audiatur ad regni culmina pervenisse. mensura laetitiae de magnitudine nuntii venit et tanta fit alacritas animi, quanta fuerit et consideratio rei. [2] Nam si prudentes viros erigunt commoda praedicta sodalium, si amicorum relevat sospitas nuntiata, quanta exultatione suscipi debet omnium rectorem feliciter provenisse terrarum, quem non protulit commota seditio, non bella ferventia pepererunt, non rei publicae damna lucrata sunt, sed sic factus est per quietem, quemadmodum venire decuit civilitatis auctorem! magnum profecto felicitatis genus optinere sine contentionibus principatum et in illa re publica adulescentem dominum fieri, ubi multos constat maturis moribus inveniri. non enim potest cuilibet aetati deesse consilium, ubi tot parentes publicos constat inventos. [3] Praelata est ergo spes nostra cunctorum meritis et certius fuit de nobis credi quam quod de aliis potuit approbari: non iniuria, quoniam quaevis claritas generis Hamalis cedit et sicut ex vobis qui nascitur, origo senatoria nuncupatur, ita qui ex hac familia progreditur, regno dignissimus approbatur. probata sunt praesenti facto quae loquimur. [4] Nam cum domni avi nostri pro beneficiorum quantitate dulcissima nobis recordatio urgeretur extremis, magnitudinem dominationis suae tanta in nos celeritate transfudit, ut non tam regnum quam vestem crederes esse mutatam. tot proceres manu consilioque gloriosi nullum murmur, ut assolet, miscuerunt: sed ita cum magno gaudio secuti sunt principis sui iudicia, ut voluntatem ibi potius agnosceres conluxisse divinam. quapropter necessarium duximus propitio deo de ortu regni nostri vos facere certiores, quia dilatatum quam mutatum videtur imperium, cum transit ad posteros: nam quodammodo ipse putatur vivere, cuius vobis progenies cognoscitur imperare. [5] Hoc habuerunt vestra vota, haec illius fuit indubitata sententia, ut heredem bonorum suorum relinqueret qui beneficia eius in vobis possit augere. amore principum constat inventum, ut simulacris aeneis fides servaretur imaginis, quatenus ventura progenies auctorem videret, qui sibi rem publicam multis beneficiis obligasset. sed quanto verior est qui vivit in posteris, per quos plerumque et forma corporis redditur et vigor animi protelatur! [6] Et ideo nobilitatis vestrae fidem maiore nunc studio debetis ostendere, quatenus et priora munera meritis videantur esse collata et futura indubitanter eis praestemus, quos praeteritorum immemores fuisse minime senserimus. [7] Noveritis etiam divina providentia fuisse dispositum, ut Gothorum Romanorumque nobis generalis consensus accederet et voluntatem suam, quam puris pectoribus offerebant, iuris etiam iurandi relligione firmarent. [8] Quod vos secuturos esse minime dubitamus tempore, non amore: nam a vobis potuit inchoari quod praeventi longinquitate sequimini. constat enim excellentissimos patres tanto amplius posse diligere, quanto maiores honores ceteris ordinibus visi sunt accepisse. [9] Sed ut primordia nostra et circa vos benignitatis possitis agnoscere, quia decet curiam vestram beneficiis introire, illustrem Sigismerem comitem nostrum vobis cum his qui directi sunt fecimus sacramenta praestare, quia inviolabiliter servare cupimus quae publica auctoritate promittimus. [10] Si qua autem a nobis creditis postulanda, quae vestrae securitatis incrementa multiplicent, indubitanter petite commoniti, quos ad fundendas preces nos etiam videmur hortari. promissio enim est ista quam commonitio: nam qui reverendum senatum supplicare praecipit, quod impetrare possit nihilominus compromisit. nunc vestrum est tale aliquid sperare, quod communem rem publicam possit augere.
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KING ATHALARIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME
[1] It is the greatest of joys, Conscript Fathers, to learn of the rise of a new ruler — to hear that the man believed capable of protecting everyone has indeed reached the summit of his kingdom. The measure of our rejoicing matches the magnitude of the news, and the heart's gladness rises in proportion to the importance of what has happened. [2] For if the reported welfare of a friend can lift a wise man's spirits, if word that a companion is safe brings relief, with what exultation should we receive the news that the ruler of all the earth has come to power in good fortune? He was not thrust up by a turbulent revolt, not born of raging wars, not purchased at the price of damage to the state; rather, he came to power in tranquility, as befits one who is the very author of civilization. It is a remarkable stroke of good fortune to obtain supreme power without struggle, and to become a young lord in a state where so many men of mature character are to be found — for no generation can lack for wise counsel where so many fathers of the commonwealth are available. [3] Our hope has therefore been preferred above all others' deserts, and it was more certain to rely upon us than upon what could have been expected of others — rightly so, since every family of distinction yields precedence to the Amal line; and just as a man born of your order is called a senator by birth, so one who comes from this house is acknowledged most worthy to reign. What we say has been confirmed by the present event. [4] For when the most cherished memory of our lord and grandfather pressed upon us with the weight of his countless benefactions as he lay dying, he transferred the greatness of his dominion to us so swiftly that one would have thought it not a kingdom but a garment that was changed. So many great nobles, glorious in counsel and in arms, raised not a murmur, as is usual on such occasions, but followed their king's judgment with such joy that one could only recognize the divine will shining through their accord. We have therefore thought it necessary to inform you, with God's favor, of the establishment of our kingdom; for the empire seems extended rather than altered when it passes to an heir — it is as though the ancestor himself lives on, whose offspring you know to be your ruler. [5] Such was your prayer, such was his settled intention: to leave as heir of his benefits one who could increase them for you. It was discovered out of love for princes that loyalty to a likeness could be preserved in bronze statues, so that descendants might behold the man who had bound the state to himself by his many benefits. But how much truer is the man who lives on in his descendants, through whom both the bodily form and the vigor of the spirit are often carried forward! [6] You must therefore show the loyalty of your distinguished order with greater zeal than before, so that past gifts may be seen to have been bestowed upon those who deserved them, and that we may bestow future benefits without hesitation upon those whom we have not found forgetful of what they received. [7] Know also that by divine providence it was arranged that the unanimous consent of Goths and Romans alike should come to us, and that they confirmed with the solemnity of an oath the will they offered from sincere hearts. [8] We have no doubt that you will follow their lead — a matter of timing rather than of affection, since you might yourselves have begun what you now follow, overtaken as you were by others' promptness. Distinguished fathers may be expected to love all the more, in proportion as they are seen to have received greater honors than the other orders. [9] But so that you may perceive the beginnings of our benevolence toward you — for it is fitting to enter your Senate chamber with gifts — we have had our Illustrious Count Sigismer take the oath before you together with those who have been sent, since we desire to keep inviolate what we promise on public authority. [10] If you believe there is anything to ask of us that might multiply the guarantees of your security, petition us without hesitation — we ourselves seem to urge you to present your requests. What we offer is a promise no less than a summons, for whoever commands the venerable Senate to petition him has thereby committed himself to granting what may be obtained. Now it is for you to hope for what can increase the common commonwealth.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.