Letter 9017: If ancient emperors adorned Rome's walls for the joy of its people -- so that those uniquely distinguished citizens...

From: Cassiodorus, on behalf of King Athalaric To: Salventius, Prefect of the City of Rome Date: ~522 AD Context: Athalaric orders the release of Romans imprisoned on mere suspicion of sedition, noting that Pope John and leading officials have interceded on their behalf. If ancient emperors adorned Rome's walls for the joy of its people -- so that those uniquely distinguished citizens should have nothing in common with the rest of the world -- it would be a crime for them to endure prolonged grief amid so many delights. The joy of that city is a universal prayer: the rest of the world must rejoice whenever the head of the world is happy. We have learned from the report of the apostolic Pope John and our leading officials that certain Romans -- imprisoned on mere suspicion of sedition -- have been worn down by such prolonged custody that the entire city has contracted grief from their unending suffering. Neither the festivity of holidays nor the prestige of their own names -- which carries the greatest weight with us -- has come to their aid. This displeased us because of the harshness of the situation: men who are reported never to have been convicted at trial have endured the torments and sufferings reserved for the guilty. We therefore advise your greatness by the present orders to find them wherever they may be and release them without delay. Even if they are shown to have been entangled in some offense, we decree that through the intercession of the persons named above, they are now free from fear. If, however, they believe they have suffered torment while innocent, we grant their grievances...

XVII. SALVENTIO V. I. PRAEFECTO URBIS ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Si principes antiqui moenia Romana in populorum exquisivere laetitiam, ne cives illi merito singulares aliquid commune cum ceteris possiderent, nefas est inter tot rerum iucunda eos longam sustinere tristitiam, quia exultatio civitatis illius generale votum est, dum necesse est laetari reliqua, si mundi caput gaudere proveniat. [2] Apostolici siquidem papae Iohannis et procerum nostrorum relatione cognovimus illum atque illum Romanos pro sola suspicione seditionis tam longae custodiae poena maceratos, ut cuncta civitas maerorem de illorum continua calamitate contraxerit, ut eis nec dierum festivitas, nec ulla, quae apud nos est gratissima, nominis sui dignitas subveniret. quod nobis pro sui facti acerbitate displicuit, ut qui in iudicio convicti minime feruntur, debita malis tormenta cruciatusque pertulerint. [3] Et ideo magnitudinem tuam iussis praesentibus ammonemus, ut quocumque loci reperire potueris, eos absolvere non moreris. quos etiamsi aliquo reatu involutos esse claruit, intercessionibus supra dictis eos iam a metu liberos esse censemus. si vero innocentes se tormenta sustinuisse confidunt, damus querellis eorum liberam vocem, ut iustis legibus vindicent quod iniquis ausibus pertulerunt, quia nolumus innocentes a iudicibus deprimi, quos ad eorum praesidia constat elevari. [4] Revocent nunc ad laetitiam pristinam animos Romani nec nobis credant placere posse nisi qui eos eligunt modesta aequalitate tractare. intellegant parentes nostros pro sua quiete laboriosa subire pericula, nos autem multis expensis agere, ut illi debeant garrula exultatione gaudere. [5] Nam et si quid inique vel acerbe hactenus pertulerunt, non credant a nostra mansuetudine neglegendum, qui nec nobis otia damus, ut illi secura pace ac tranquilla laetitia perfruantur: cito sentiunt quia nos amare non possumus, quos illi pro suis excessibus horruerunt. nam quorum gratiam impetrare possunt, qui suis civibus displicere meruerunt et, dum tempus habuissent amoris publici, egerunt unde iuste debeant execrari?