Letter 10007: VARIAE, BOOK 10, LETTER 7

VII. KING THEODAHAD TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [1] After the beginnings of our reign had been happily announced to you, a fitting occasion for an address has come to us, conscript fathers, so that you may know that we have chosen a judge whose eloquence may adorn us. For an eloquent quaestor is the glory of the commonwealth, one who may both seem to proclaim our wishes most excellently and to guard the laws of the ancients with firm counsel. [2] For this man is Patricius, already honored by his very name: for he enjoys perpetual praise whose honor lies in his name; whose abundant eloquence the Roman schools have produced; deservedly displaying his skill drawn from the dignity of the place. For he who was able to be steeped in learning there has earned to be praised everywhere: there the Latin tongue is refined; there are learned words shining with every brilliance. Let other regions send across living balsams and fragrant incense: Rome bestows eloquence, than which nothing sweeter is heard. Thus, instructed in the good arts, he was soon fitted for the watches of the forum, so that he displayed in like declamation the orators whom he had absorbed through long study. [3] It is well known too with how great moderation he contended with his colleagues. In his contests modesty was always present: carried away by the heat of speaking, he aimed at praiseworthy inventions, and did not, as most men do, give himself over to insults; he who so pleaded his cases in tranquility that he always asserted his own character. He was found indeed to have contended, not to have quarreled. For he made another's cause his own glory. For he was known to win in such a way that it was proven he had not wounded the spirit of his opponent. [4] And so it was not fitting that such a man should any longer seek justice, but rather teach it: for it is the judicial virtue to abound in the good things of the tongue and to keep the temperance of the mind. Know, conscript fathers, what we wish to be done, since in judges we first choose character, especially in that office which is accustomed to proclaim the laws. For in our times the quaestorship is not armed with regal power, but is proven to be composed of laws. [5] Our will is the wish of the ancient princes, whom we desire to imitate just so far as they followed justice. For that is the reverend authority of our predecessors which does not turn aside from the straight path. For he leaves to posterity the necessity of following who has mingled justice with his own enactments. And therefore, conscript fathers, through the thirteenth indiction we have conferred upon the illustrious Patricius the dignity of the quaestorship, so that he who is renowned in name may also be magnificent in honor. Favor our judgments concerning him: so that what we have bestowed may nonetheless be felt as pleasing to you.

VII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODAHADUS REX. [1] Post primordia nostri imperii vobis feliciter nuntiata congrua nobis contigit, patres conscripti, causa sermonis ut iudicem nos cognoscatis elegisse, cuius nos lingua possit ornare. quaestor enim eloquens rei publicae decus est, qui et vota nostra optime videatur edicere et antiquorum iura firmo consilio custodire. [2] Hic est enim Patricius suis iam vocabulis honoratus: nam perpetua fruitur laude, cui est honor in nomine: cuius affluentem facundiam studia Romana genuerunt: ostentans merito de loci dignitate peritiam. nam qui illic potuit imbui, meruit ubique laudari: ibi defaecatus sermo Latinus est: ibi discuntur verba toto nitore lucentia. aliae regiones viva balsama et olentia tura transmittant: Roma tradit eloquium, quo suavius nil sit auditum. sic bonis artibus eruditus mox est forensibus aptatus excubiis, ut oratores, quos longa meditatione perceperat, consimili declamatione monstraret. [3] Notum est etiam quanta cum collegis suis moderatione contendit. certaminibus eius modestia semper affuit: dicendi calore raptatus studuit laudabilibus inventis, non, quod plerique faciunt, vacavit iniuriis: qui sic peroravit causas sub tranquillitate, ut mores proprios semper assereret. contendisse siquidem, non litigasse repertus est. alienam enim causam faciebat suam gloriam. nam sic cognitus est vincere, ut probaretur contrarii animum non laesisse. [4] Talem itaque virum non decuit diutius iustitiam petere, sed docere: quia iudiciaria virtus est linguae bonis abundare et mentis temperantiam custodire. cognoscite, patres conscripti, quid fieri velimus, quando in iudicibus primum mores elegimus, in ea praesertim dignitate quae iura consuevit edicere. non enim temporibus nostris potestate regia est armata quaestura, sed legibus probatur esse composita. [5] Velle nostrum antiquorum principum est voluntas, quos in tantum desideramus imitari, quantum illi iustitiam sunt secuti. illa est enim reverenda priorum auctoritas, quae a recto tramite non declinat. sequendi enim necessitatem relinquit posteris, qui iustitiam suis miscuerit constitutis. et ideo, patres conscripti, per tertiam decimam indictionem illustri Patricio quaesturae contulimus dignitatem, ut qui est clarus nomine, magnificus etiam sit honore. fovete in eum nostra iudicia: ut quod nos praestitimus, vobis placitum nihilominus sentiatur.