Letter 1039: We charged you on your departure, and remember to have afterwards enjoined on you by letter, to take care of the poor, and, if you should find any in those parts to be in want, to inform me by letter: and you have been at pains to do this with regard to very few. Now, I desire that, as soon as you have received this present order, you offer to P...

Pope Gregory the GreatAnthemius|c. 590 AD|Pope Gregory the Great|Human translated
barbarian invasionproperty economics
Barbarian peoples/invasions; Military conflict; Trade & commerce

Book I, Letter 39

To Anthemius, Subdeacon [Gregory's financial agent].

Gregory to Anthemius.

We instructed you before your departure, and later reminded you by letter, to look after the poor and to inform us by letter of anyone in need in your area. You have done this for very few.

Now, upon receiving this order, I want you to deliver the following: to Pateria, my father's sister, forty solidi [gold coins] for shoe money for her boys, plus four hundred modii [a large measure] of wheat; to the lady Palatina, widow of Urbicus, twenty solidi and three hundred modii of wheat; to the lady Viviana, widow of Felix, twenty solidi and three hundred modii of wheat.

Record all eighty solidi together in your accounts. Then bring the summary of your receipts here promptly and be here, with the Lord's help, by Easter Day.

Human translationNew Advent (NPNF / ANF series)

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