From: Athalaric (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To: The Honorati, Landowners, and Curiales of Parma
Date: ~527 AD
Context: Athalaric addresses the citizens of Parma regarding the administration of their city.
We wish you to know that the welfare of your city is always in our thoughts. The prosperity of each community strengthens the kingdom as a whole, just as the health of each limb sustains the body. We have appointed the designated official to oversee your affairs for the coming indiction. Receive him with the goodwill that loyal subjects owe to their rulers, and cooperate with him in all matters pertaining to the public good.
If you have grievances, present them through proper channels -- our ears are always open to legitimate complaints. But maintain order and civic harmony, for a city divided against itself cannot prosper. The strength of Parma lies in the unity of its citizens, and we expect you to demonstrate the devotion that has always characterized your community.
XXVIIII.
HONORATIS POSSESSORIBUS ET CURIALIBUS PARMENSIS CIVITATIS ATHALARICUS REX.
[1] Dignum est, ut libenti animo faciatis quae iuberi pro urbis vestrae utilitate cognoscitis: nam quod proprio sumptu decuit aggredi, compendiose vobis constat offerri. civitatem siquidem vestram diutina siccitate laborantem iuvante deo domnus avus noster saluberrima unda rigavit. [2] Cui nunc studio vestro cloacarum ora pandantur, ne, sordium obiectione tardata, reciprocans unda vestris aedibus illidatur et quas debuit abluere, easdem vobis cogatur inferre. cui operi, quamquam vos urgere debeat civicus amor, virum spectabilem Genesium praecipimus imminere, ut nos ad meliora provocetis, si quae iussimus gratanter efficitis.
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From:Athalaric (through Cassiodorus), King of the Ostrogoths
To:The Honorati, Landowners, and Curiales of Parma
Date:~527 AD
Context:Athalaric addresses the citizens of Parma regarding the administration of their city.
We wish you to know that the welfare of your city is always in our thoughts. The prosperity of each community strengthens the kingdom as a whole, just as the health of each limb sustains the body. We have appointed the designated official to oversee your affairs for the coming indiction. Receive him with the goodwill that loyal subjects owe to their rulers, and cooperate with him in all matters pertaining to the public good.
If you have grievances, present them through proper channels -- our ears are always open to legitimate complaints. But maintain order and civic harmony, for a city divided against itself cannot prosper. The strength of Parma lies in the unity of its citizens, and we expect you to demonstrate the devotion that has always characterized your community.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.