Letter 1001: KING THEODERIC TO THE EMPEROR ANASTASIUS.

KING THEODERIC TO THE EMPEROR ANASTASIUS. [1] It befits us, most merciful Emperor, to seek peace, since we are known to have no causes for anger; for that man is already held bound by his own character who is caught unprepared for what is just. Indeed, tranquility ought to be desirable for every kingdom, in which both peoples thrive and the advantage of the nations is preserved. For this is the fair mother of the good arts; this it is that, multiplying the race of mortals by renewable succession, extends their resources and refines their manners: and he is recognized as ignorant of such great blessings who is perceived to have made no effort to seek it. [2] And therefore, most devout of princes, it accords with your power and your honor that we should be bound to seek your concord, by whose love we still profit. For you are the most beautiful ornament of all kingdoms, you are the saving protection of the whole world, whom all other rulers rightly look up to, because they recognize that there is something singular in you; we most of all, who by divine aid have learned within your commonwealth in what manner we may rule the Romans with fairness. [3] Our kingdom is an imitation of yours, a model of good purpose, the copy of a single empire: in so far as we follow you, so far do we surpass other nations. You frequently exhort me to love the Senate, to embrace gladly the laws of the princes, and to bring into harmony all the members of Italy. How can you divide from the peace of the Augustus the man whom you do not wish to differ from your own ways? There is added also the venerable affection for the city of Rome, from which those cannot be separated who have joined themselves by the unity of its name. [4] Accordingly, we have thought fit to dispatch such-and-such men in the office of an embassy to your most serene Piety, so that the sincerity of peace, which is known to have been impaired by emerging disputes, with those contentions wiped away, may henceforth remain restored in its firmness: for we do not believe that you would suffer any discord to persist between the two commonwealths, which under the ancient princes are declared always to have been one body. [5] These ought not only to be joined to one another by an unhindered affection, but it is also fitting that they be aided by mutual strength. Let there be one will of the Roman realm, ever one judgment. Whatever we too are able to do, let it be attached to your renown. [6] Wherefore, offering the courtesy of our salutation, we earnestly entreat with a willing mind that you not withhold the most glorious charity of your gentleness, which I had reason to hope for, even if to others it might not seem capable of being granted. The remaining matters, indeed, we have entrusted to be conveyed by word to your Piety through the bearers of this present letter, so that neither should the epistolary discourse be rendered too lengthy, nor should we seem to have omitted anything for the sake of our interests.

I. ANASTASIO IMPERATORI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Oportet nos, clementissime imperator, pacem quaerere, qui causas iracundiae cognoscimur non habere: quando ille moribus iam tenetur obnoxius, qui ad iusta deprehenditur imparatus. omni quippe regno desiderabilis debet esse tranquillitas, in qua et populi proficiunt et utilitas gentium custoditur. haec est enim bonarum artium decora mater, haec mortalium genus reparabili successione multiplicans facultates protendit, mores excolit: et tantarum rerum ignarus agnoscitur qui eam minime quaesisse sentitur. [2] Et ideo, piissime principum, potentiae vestrae convenit et honori, ut concordiam vestram quaerere debeamus, cuius adhuc amore proficimus. vos enim estis regnorum omnium pulcherrimum decus, vos totius orbis salutare praesidium, quos ceteri dominantes iure suspiciunt, quia in vobis singulare aliquid inesse cognoscunt, nos maxime, qui divino auxilio in re publica vestra didicimus, quemadmodum Romanis aequabiliter imperare possimus. [3] Regnum nostrum imitatio vestra est, forma boni propositi, unici exemplar imperii: qui quantum vos sequimur, tantum gentes alias anteimus. hortamini me frequenter, ut diligam senatum, leges principum gratanter amplectar, ut cuncta Italiae membra componam. quomodo potestis ab Augusta pace dividere, quem non optatis a vestris moribus discrepare? additur etiam veneranda Romanae urbis affectio, a qua segregari nequeunt quae se nominis unitate iunxerunt. [4] Proinde illum et illum legationis officio ad serenissimam pietatem vestram credidimus destinandos, ut sinceritas pacis, quae causis emergentibus cognoscitur fuisse vitiata, detersis contentionibus in sua deinceps firmitate restituta permaneat: quia pati vos non credimus inter utrasque res publicas, quarum semper unum corpus sub antiquis principibus fuisse declaratur, aliquid discordiae permanere. [5] Quas non solum oportet inter se otiosa dilectione coniungi, verum etiam decet mutuis viribus adiuvari. Romani regni unum velle, una semper opinio sit. quicquid et nos possumus, vestris praeconiis applicetur. [6] Quapropter salutationis honorificentiam praeferentes prona mente deposcimus, ne suspendatis mansuetudinis vestrae gloriosissimam caritatem, quam ego sperare debui, etiamsi aliis non videretur posse concedi. cetera vero per praesentium latores pietati vestrae verbo suggerenda commisimus, ut nec epistularis sermo redderetur extensior nec aliquid pro utilitatibus nostris praetermisisse videremur.