Letter 8011: VARIAE, BOOK 8, LETTER 11

VARIAE, BOOK 8, LETTER 11 From: King Athalaric, writing through Cassiodorus To: The Senate of the City of Rome Date: ~526-534 AD Context: A letter to the Senate announcing a high-ranking appointment, arguing that the promotion reflects well on the entire senatorial order. [1] Take heart, Senators — all your energies should be directed toward giving thanks to an excellent ruler, since you now know that my promotion of this man was designed with your benefit in mind. When the king honors one senator, he honors the order itself, for every elevation from within your ranks is a testament to the quality of the body that produced him. [2] We have chosen a man whose virtues are known to you, whose service has been visible and consistent, and whose character under pressure has already been tested. We do not gamble with appointments — we reward demonstrated merit, and we make those rewards public so that others may aspire to the same recognition. [3] Welcome him with the enthusiasm his advancement deserves, and let his success inspire renewed dedication among all of you. The Senate is not a museum of inherited privilege — it is a working body, and its vitality depends on the continued emergence of capable men from within its own ranks.

XI. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Confide, patres conscripti, quod ad agendas optimo regi gratias omnium vestrum studia debeant concitari, quando provectum meum excogitatum noscitis pro utilitate cunctorum. atque ideo alacriter excipiendum est, quod necessarie fuisset optandum. omnibus quidem utile est iudicia principum sequi, sed ipse facit propria, qui gratanter susceperit aliena. [2] Retinetis me senatus semper fovisse coetum, sed nunc maxime, cum vestrum videor intrare collegium. assumptio dignitatis ordinis vestri nobis gratiam duplicavit, quando me inter eos esse sentio, a quibus me amari posse confide. accedit etiam illud animi vestri gratissimum pignus, quod patriciorum genius per nos constat erectus, quando nemo gentilium in vobis putabit abiectum, quod in me respicit honoratum. [3] In expetendis quoque honoribus apud gloriosae memoriae Theodericum principem regum mea vobis saepe vota coniunxi, ut quadam praesentia talia videar praemisisse, ad quos me cum gratia decebat intrare. confidentius enim illud expetitur, ubi post collata beneficia festinatur. saepe consules, saepe patricios, saepe praefectos habita intercessione promovi, vobis inpetrare contendens, quod mihi ardue potuissem optare. congaudete nunc, patres conscripti, meis auspiciis, qui vestris favi semper honoribus. [4] Vultis scire, qua vos affectione complectar? insertus stirpe regia vocabulum vobiscum volui habere commune. vivite deo propitio securi et, quod est felicissimum suavitatis genus, exultate cum liberis vestris. studete, sicut semper, praedicari moribus Romanis et bonorum actuum famam sub alta quiete perquirite. interest nostrae gloriae, ut, quorum numerum auximus, eos propitia divinitate tueamur.