Cassiodorus→Rechared, of Visigoths|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus
barbarian invasion
VARIAE, BOOK 9, LETTER 9
From: King Athalaric, writing through Cassiodorus
To: All Goths and Romans throughout the Provinces
Date: ~526-534 AD
Context: A proclamation explaining the criteria for appointing provincial governors — they must be both militarily capable and devoted to justice.
[1] Throughout the provinces granted to us by God, we wish to send men who are both equipped with arms and distinguished by justice, so that violence may be kept far from you and the protection of law may stand close at hand. For a governor who is brave but unjust is merely a well-armed oppressor, and one who is just but weak cannot protect the justice he proclaims. We seek the combination: strength to defend and wisdom to govern.
[2] These officials come to you bearing our authority, but they are bound by our law. Whatever they command in our name, they must also justify by our standards. No governor may hide behind the king's name to pursue private gain, nor claim royal authority for personal vendettas. They serve the provinces — the provinces do not serve them.
[3] We ask you to cooperate with your appointed governors, report genuine abuses to our court, and recognize that good governance requires the active participation of the governed. A people that expects justice but refuses to support its enforcers will receive neither justice nor peace. Let there be partnership between the ruler and the ruled, for the health of the state depends on both.
VIIII.
UNIVERSIS GOTHIS SIVE ROMANIS ATHALARICUS REX.
[1] Per provincias nobis deo praestante concessas tales viros cupimus destinare, qui sunt armis praediti et iustitia gloriosi, ut absit a vobis et extranearum gentium metus et calumniosis non pateatis insidiis, quia non minus est malum bellicum vitasse quam saeva discussionis evadere. ipsa est enim vera securitas, quae de nulla iudicis iniquitate formidat. atque ideo, quod deo auspice dictum sit, illustrem comitem Osuin et palatio nostro clarum et provinciis longa conversatione notissimum Dalmatiis decrevimus praesidere. cui pro utilitate nostra iubenti parere procurate, quoniam tantam eius estis iustitiam frequenter experti, ut et sine regia iussione ei deberetis priorum memores oboedire. habet enim proprium ius ille qui iustus est: nam etsi terrore minime potestatis erigitur, aequitate tamen suadente semper auditur. [2] Simul etiam et virum illustrem Severinum ad vos aestimavimus dirigendum, ut compositi consona voluntate possint vobis laudanda praecipere. nam si disparibus calamis convenit unum melos edicere, multo magis viris prudentissimis aptum est iusta concordi voce suadere. [3] Verum ut primordia nostra a praestitis inchoarent clementissimumque dominum in ipso regni limine sentiretis, per quartam indictionem quod a vobis augmenti nomine quaerebatur, illustrem virum comitem patrimonii nostri nunc iussimus removere. [4] Hoc etiam insuper vobis concedentes, ut, cum deo propitio supra dictum virum ad nostra obsequia venire fecerimus, tales homines destinate, per quos possimus evidenter agnoscere, quemadmodum in futurum census doceatur impositus, ut, si gravatos vos esse cognoscimus, pro parte nobis qua visum fuerit considerata aequitate relevemus. ita fit ut habeatis spem et futuri beneficii, qui estis iam pro parte remedia consecuti. [5] Quapropter servire vos convenit utilitatibus nostris, quando ea quae magis sperare precibus potuistis, ultro contulit munificentia principalis. sic enim tradente clementissimo nobis auctore didicimus, ut a subiectorum beneficiis non vacemus. disciplina videlicet imperandi est amare quod multis expedit, quoniam res publica nimium soliditatis accipit, si tributariorum facultas inlaesa constiterit.
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VARIAE, BOOK 9, LETTER 9
From: King Athalaric, writing through Cassiodorus To: All Goths and Romans throughout the Provinces Date: ~526-534 AD Context: A proclamation explaining the criteria for appointing provincial governors — they must be both militarily capable and devoted to justice.
[1] Throughout the provinces granted to us by God, we wish to send men who are both equipped with arms and distinguished by justice, so that violence may be kept far from you and the protection of law may stand close at hand. For a governor who is brave but unjust is merely a well-armed oppressor, and one who is just but weak cannot protect the justice he proclaims. We seek the combination: strength to defend and wisdom to govern.
[2] These officials come to you bearing our authority, but they are bound by our law. Whatever they command in our name, they must also justify by our standards. No governor may hide behind the king's name to pursue private gain, nor claim royal authority for personal vendettas. They serve the provinces — the provinces do not serve them.
[3] We ask you to cooperate with your appointed governors, report genuine abuses to our court, and recognize that good governance requires the active participation of the governed. A people that expects justice but refuses to support its enforcers will receive neither justice nor peace. Let there be partnership between the ruler and the ruled, for the health of the state depends on both.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.