Letter 8026: We have learned that a long-standing dispute has arisen between your cities over the boundaries of your territories...
Cassiodorus→citizens of Satala|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
barbarian invasionimperial politics
From: Athalaric (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To: All Citizens of Reate and Nursia
Date: ~527 AD
Context: Athalaric settles a territorial dispute between the cities of Reate (Rieti) and Nursia (Norcia) in central Italy.
We have learned that a long-standing dispute has arisen between your cities over the boundaries of your territories -- a quarrel that has produced more heat than light and more enmity than resolution. It is unbefitting for neighboring communities, which should be bound by the ties of proximity and mutual interest, to tear at each other over land when the law provides orderly means of settlement.
We therefore order that the boundaries in question be surveyed according to the ancient markers and established landmarks. Where the markers have been destroyed or obscured by time, let qualified surveyors determine the true lines based on the testimony of the oldest and most reliable witnesses, the configuration of the terrain, and whatever documentary evidence survives. Both cities shall accept the surveyor's findings as binding. Any party that resorts to violence or self-help after this ruling will face severe penalties. Neighbors should live in peace -- the prosperity of one city enriches the other, and their quarrel only weakens both.
XXVI.
UNIVERSIS REATINIS ET NURSINIS ATHALARICUS REX.
[1] Gloriosus domnus avus noster desideria vestra cognoscens Quidilanem Sibiae filium priorem vobis quidem facere disponebat: sed quia interveniente mortali condicione nequivit cogitata complere, necesse nobis est eius vota perficere, ne tantus vir de aliquo inaniter iudicaretur bona potuisse sentire. [2] Atque ideo praesenti auctoritate praecipimus, ut eum priorem feliciter habere debeatis et quae ordinaverit pro disciplina servanda, ubi nostra maxime utilitas continetur, in omnibus oboedire debeatis, quia sic domni avi nostri estis moribus instituti, ut et leges libenter audiatis et iudices. [3] Hoc est enim, quod nostrum comit imperium, quod opinionem vestram inter gentes amplificat, si talia geratis, quae et nobis accepta et divinitati possunt esse gratissima. robustius enim inimici nostri vincuntur moribus bonis, quia quos superna protegunt, felices adversarios habere non possunt. pugnatis enim efficaciter foris, dum in sedibus vestris iustitiam fovere contenditis. ita enim duo mutua se amplexatione consociant: qui aequitatem coluerit, fructum victoriae possidebit. [4] Nam quae necessitas ad iniusta compellat, cum vos et sortes alant propriae et munera nostra domino iuvante ditificent? nam et si cui aliquid expetendum est, speret de munificentia principis quam de praesumptione virtutis, quia vobis proficit, quod Romani quieti sunt, qui, dum aeraria nostra ditant, vestra donativa multiplicant.
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From:Athalaric (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To:All Citizens of Reate and Nursia
Date:~527 AD
Context:Athalaric settles a territorial dispute between the cities of Reate (Rieti) and Nursia (Norcia) in central Italy.
We have learned that a long-standing dispute has arisen between your cities over the boundaries of your territories -- a quarrel that has produced more heat than light and more enmity than resolution. It is unbefitting for neighboring communities, which should be bound by the ties of proximity and mutual interest, to tear at each other over land when the law provides orderly means of settlement.
We therefore order that the boundaries in question be surveyed according to the ancient markers and established landmarks. Where the markers have been destroyed or obscured by time, let qualified surveyors determine the true lines based on the testimony of the oldest and most reliable witnesses, the configuration of the terrain, and whatever documentary evidence survives. Both cities shall accept the surveyor's findings as binding. Any party that resorts to violence or self-help after this ruling will face severe penalties. Neighbors should live in peace -- the prosperity of one city enriches the other, and their quarrel only weakens both.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.