From: Athalaric (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To: Johannes, Referendarius
Date: ~527 AD
Context: Athalaric appoints Johannes to investigate property disputes, emphasizing that a king who gives generous gifts to his own people must be equally diligent in protecting the property of others.
It is most fitting to protect what belongs to others when we ourselves are bound to confer our own gifts. How could anyone doubt a king's munificence when we are also zealous in safeguarding what is not ours? Since you have earned our confidence through honest service, we assign you the task of investigating certain property claims that have been brought to our attention. Examine each case with care, hear both sides, and render judgment that is fair to all parties.
Remember that a referendarius [an official who presents cases to the king] bears special responsibility. You carry our voice to the litigants and their voice to us. Let neither side have reason to complain of partiality. If the powerful have encroached upon the humble, restore what was taken. If the humble have made false claims against the powerful, expose the fraud. In all things, let justice be your guide, knowing that we will reward faithful service and punish corruption with equal determination.
XXV.
IOHANNI V. S. REFERENDARIO ATHALARICUS REX.
[1] Valde dignum est in eis aliena servare, quibus nos oportet propria dona conferre. quid enim de illa munificentia possis ambigere, quando a nobis te intellegis mereri, quod a nostris decessoribus accepisti? profitemur itaque alterius quidem donum, sed nostrum esse iudicium et modernam principis mentem praevenisse tantum velocissimam largitatem. [2] Hinc est quod divae memoriae avum nostrae clementiae domum in castro Lucullano positam, obsequiorum tuorum sedulitate provocatum, constat voluisse largiri. cuius dispositionem secutus patricius Tuluin posteaquam illi nostra est liberalitate concessa, praefatam domum actu legitimo in tua optime iura transmisit. [3] Quapropter serenitas nostra vel inchoatae voluntatis desiderium vel Tuluin plenissimae donationis effectum praesenti auctoritate corroboramus, ut saepe dicta domus patriciae recordationis Agnelli in Lucullano castro posita cum omnibus ad se pertinentibus in tua vel heredum tuorum possessione permaneat, et quicquid de hac facere malueris, habebis liberam potestatem, cuiuslibet vel privati vel publici nominis posthac inquietudinem summoventes: ubi et si quid esset quolibet casu, qualibet inquisitione fortassis ambiguum, huius auctoritatis nostrae iudicio constat explosum. fruere iuvante deo rebus propriis ex nostra quoque auctoritate solidatis. alii enim tibi iura legitima praestiterunt, nos possessionis quietem et cunctis saeculis securam conferimus firmitatem. [4] Sed ne quis forsitan tam egregiae voluntatis nostrae invidus temerator existat, iubemus eum qui ex hac re quolibet tempore vel fisci nomine vel privati movere temptaverit aliquam quaestionem, dare tibi, vel ad quem pertinere volueris domum superius designatam, poenae nomine auri libras tot et frustratum suis ausibus infamatumque discedere. hunc enim voluntatis suae meretur invenire fructum, qui aliquid contra nostrum videtur quaesisse iudicium.
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From:Athalaric (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To:Johannes, Referendarius
Date:~527 AD
Context:Athalaric appoints Johannes to investigate property disputes, emphasizing that a king who gives generous gifts to his own people must be equally diligent in protecting the property of others.
It is most fitting to protect what belongs to others when we ourselves are bound to confer our own gifts. How could anyone doubt a king's munificence when we are also zealous in safeguarding what is not ours? Since you have earned our confidence through honest service, we assign you the task of investigating certain property claims that have been brought to our attention. Examine each case with care, hear both sides, and render judgment that is fair to all parties.
Remember that a referendarius [an official who presents cases to the king] bears special responsibility. You carry our voice to the litigants and their voice to us. Let neither side have reason to complain of partiality. If the powerful have encroached upon the humble, restore what was taken. If the humble have made false claims against the powerful, expose the fraud. In all things, let justice be your guide, knowing that we will reward faithful service and punish corruption with equal determination.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.