Letter 2003: We informed your Glory some time ago that soldiers had been prepared to come to your parts; but, inasmuch as your letter had signified to us that the enemy were collected and were marching hitherward, we for this reason have detained them here. But now it appears to be advantageous that a certain number of soldiers should be sent to you, whom le...

Book II, Letter 3 To Velox, Magister Militum [a senior military commander]. Gregory to Velox. We informed Your Glory some time ago that soldiers were ready to be sent to your area. However, since your letter warned us that the enemy had assembled and was marching toward us, we held them back. Now it seems beneficial to send a certain number of soldiers to you. Make sure to encourage and prepare them for hard work. When you find the opportunity, confer with our distinguished sons Maurilius and Vitalianus [other military commanders], and carry out whatever they, with God's help, direct you to do for the advantage of the state. If you learn that the despicable Ariulph [Duke of Spoleto, a Lombard military commander who frequently raided territory near Rome] is launching an attack toward us or toward Ravenna, strike at his rear, as brave men should, so that your reputation may, by God's help, grow even greater through the quality of your efforts. Above all, we urge you to release without any delay or excuse the families of Maloin, Adobin, Vigild, and Grussing [Germanic soldiers or officers], who are known to be with the distinguished Magister Militum Maurilius. When Maurilius's men come to your area, they must be able to march with their families without hindrance.

Book II, Letter 3 To Velox, Magister Militium. Gregory to Velox, etc. We informed your Glory some time ago that soldiers had been prepared to come to your parts; but, inasmuch as your letter had signified to us that the enemy were collected and were marching hitherward, we for this reason have detained them here. But now it appears to be advantageous that a certain number of soldiers should be sent to you, whom let your Glory be careful to admonish and exhort to be prepared for toil. And, when you find an opportunity, confer with our glorious sons Maurilius and Vitalianus, and do whatever, with the help of God, they may appoint you to do for the advantage of the republic. And, should you ascertain that the unspeakable Ariulph is making an incursion hitherward or to the parts about Ravenna, do you labour in his rear, as becomes brave men, to the end that your renown may by God's help advance still more in the republic from the quality of your labour. This, however, before all, we admonish you to do: to release without any delay or excuse the family of Maloin and Adobin, Vigild and Grussing , who are known to be with the glorious Magister militum Maurilius, to the end that the men of the aforesaid Maurilius, when they come to your parts, may without any impediment march along with them. [In Colbert. and Paul. diac., Die. V. Kal. Oct. Indict. 10.]