Letter 8004: King Athalaric to the Romans of Italy and Dalmatia.

IV. KING ATHALARIC TO THE VARIOUS ROMANS ESTABLISHED THROUGHOUT ITALY AND THE DALMATIAS. [1] We believe it honorable to announce that which by report you were able to learn from a witness. For he will rightly judge that he is well esteemed concerning himself who deserves a royal address, since it is a mark of dignity for a subject to have earned the speech of one who rules, especially in that matter in which the hearts of all seem to be so anxious that, if they do not perceive a prosperous outcome, they always believe an adverse one. For he who hears that there has been a change nonetheless dreads a new reign. And in truth, one is believed to be contemplating something grim who delays, in his beginnings, to promise kindly things. [2] Wherefore, cutting away all occasion for sinister thoughts, we do not suffer ourselves to be believed otherwise than what could be reckoned of our forebears. And therefore, what has been said with the divine power favoring us, our glorious lord and grandfather happily ordaining it, for the safeguard of both the Goths and the Romans here present, we have undertaken the oaths of the kingship we have obtained. We judge most gladly that you too will do this, so that you who stood faithful to our forebears may obey us also with like devotion. [3] For he loves an heir more sweetly who remembers the author of benefits. But that the integrity of our good will may now at once become known to you, we have caused it to be promised to you under the religious obligation of an oath, which may both declare our intention and ought to strengthen the hope of all.

IIII. DIVERSIS ROMANIS PER ITALIAM ET DALMATIAS CONSTITUTIS ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Honorabile credimus indicare quod fama potuistis teste cognoscere. iure siquidem de se bene arbitrabitur aestimatum, qui regium meretur alloquium, quia dignitas est subiecti affatus meruisse dominantis, in ea praesertim causa, in qua omnium corda sic videntur esse sollicita, ut, si non cognoscant prosperum, credant semper adversum. nam qui audit mutatum, novum nihilominus formidat imperium. et re vera nescio quid triste creditur cogitare, qui tardat inter initia benigna promittere. [2] Quapropter locum sinistris cogitationibus amputantes aliter de nobis non patimur credi, quam quod de nostris parentibus potuit aestimari. et ideo, quod divinitate propitia dictum sit, glorioso domno avo nostro feliciter ordinante, tam Gothorum quam Romanorum praesentium pro munimine, indepti regni sacramenta suscepimus. quod vos quoque facturos esse libentissime iudicamus, ut, qui fideles parentibus nostris extitistis, nobis quoque simili devotione pareatis. [3] Suavius enim diligit heredem, qui beneficiorum recordatur auctorem. sed ut vobis benivolentiae nostrae iam nunc integritas innotescat, iuris iurandi vobis fecimus relligione promitti, quod et nostrum possit declarare propositum et spem debeat munire cunctorum.