Letter 2

From: Pope Gregory the Great To: Agilulf, King of the Lombards Date: ~593 AD Context: Gregory writes directly to the pagan/Arian Lombard king trying to negotiate peace and, gently, to encourage his movement toward Catholicism. Gregory, bishop, to the most excellent Lord Agilulf, king of the Lombards. I write to you as a man who has a genuine interest in the welfare of your kingdom and of the people in it — your people and mine, since the diocese of Rome is surrounded by the territory you govern, and what happens to your kingdom affects what happens to the people under my pastoral care. The war between your forces and the imperial forces in Italy has produced suffering on a scale that, I believe, neither of us would choose to continue if genuine alternatives were available. The harvest is disrupted. People who have nothing to do with military matters are dying. The infrastructure on which ordinary life depends is being destroyed. I want to propose that we begin conversations toward a peace, even a temporary one. Not because the imperial side is weak — I am not in a position to speak for the imperial position — but because the human cost of continued fighting is something that any ruler of conscience should weigh carefully. I have also been asked by many of my flock to tell you what they have observed of your personal character: that you are a man of your word, that you deal fairly with those who deal fairly with you, that you are capable of the long view. These are the qualities of a great ruler. The question of whether you will also be a just ruler — just in the deeper sense that the Christian tradition means — is one that only you can answer. With respect, Gregory, bishop of Rome