Cassiodorus→Caelianus and Agapitus, Patricians|c. 522 AD|Cassiodorus|AI-assisted
friendshipimperial politics
King Theoderic to Caelianus and Agapitus, Most Distinguished Men, Patricians.
[1] It befits the care of the royal eminence to preserve the harmony of the whole community, since it redounds to the praise of the one who reigns if peace is loved by all. For what is there that proclaims us better than a tranquil people, a senate of one mind, and the whole commonwealth clothed in the honorable conduct of our times? [2] Hence it is that by the present order we decree that the magnificent and patrician men Festus and Symmachus shall set forth, in your court, against the illustrious and patrician Paulinus, whatever actions they say they hold against him. When these have been taken up according to the reason of the laws and, if the order of law allows, settled, then let the patrician Paulinus bring forth in like manner whatever he alleges he holds against the aforementioned magnificent men. Nor do we wish judgment to be delayed in his part either, since we desire that all matters between them be decided and that nothing else be left over, except what is owed to affection. [3] See, therefore, that you have been chosen as arbiters of so great a judgment: see that our expectation demands an even-handed justice: you who will reap the most abundant fruit of our favor if the present dispute proves those whom it has believed worthy to be not unequal to the task. For there must be especial care concerning such men, who can plainly give examples to their inferiors. For he who neglects to put an end to a lawsuit among the highest men, beyond doubt allows the rest to imitate this.
XXIII. CAELIANO ET AGAPITO VV. II. PATRICIIS THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Decet regalis apicis curam generalitatis custodire concordiam, quoniam ad laudem regnantis trahitur, si ab omnibus pax ametur. quid est enim, quod nos melius praedicet, quam quietus populus, concors senatus totaque res publica morum nostrorum honestate vestita? [2] Hinc est quod praesenti iussione decernimus, ut magnifici et patricii viri Festus atque Symmachus contra illustrem et patricium Paulinum in iudicio vestro, quas se habere dicunt, exerant actiones. quibus pro legum ratione susceptis et, si iuris ordo patitur, definitis tunc patricius Paulinus, quicquid adversum supra memoratos magnificos viros se habere causatur, pari sorte depromat. nec tardari volumus in eius quoque parte sententiam, dum velimus omnia inter eos esse decisa nihilque aliud relinqui, nisi quod debetur affectui. [3] Videte ergo tanti iudicii arbitros vos electos: videte expectationem nostram aequabilem flagitare iustitiam: relaturi gratiae uberrimum fructum si praesens disceptatio quos dignos credidit, non impares probet. esse debet enim de talibus viris cura praecipua, qui dare possunt minoribus evidenter exempla. nam qui inter summos viros litem neglegit abolendam, hoc imitari reliquos sine dubitatione permittit.
◆
King Theoderic to Caelianus and Agapitus, Most Distinguished Men, Patricians.
[1] It befits the care of the royal eminence to preserve the harmony of the whole community, since it redounds to the praise of the one who reigns if peace is loved by all. For what is there that proclaims us better than a tranquil people, a senate of one mind, and the whole commonwealth clothed in the honorable conduct of our times? [2] Hence it is that by the present order we decree that the magnificent and patrician men Festus and Symmachus shall set forth, in your court, against the illustrious and patrician Paulinus, whatever actions they say they hold against him. When these have been taken up according to the reason of the laws and, if the order of law allows, settled, then let the patrician Paulinus bring forth in like manner whatever he alleges he holds against the aforementioned magnificent men. Nor do we wish judgment to be delayed in his part either, since we desire that all matters between them be decided and that nothing else be left over, except what is owed to affection. [3] See, therefore, that you have been chosen as arbiters of so great a judgment: see that our expectation demands an even-handed justice: you who will reap the most abundant fruit of our favor if the present dispute proves those whom it has believed worthy to be not unequal to the task. For there must be especial care concerning such men, who can plainly give examples to their inferiors. For he who neglects to put an end to a lawsuit among the highest men, beyond doubt allows the rest to imitate this.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
XXIII. CAELIANO ET AGAPITO VV. II. PATRICIIS THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Decet regalis apicis curam generalitatis custodire concordiam, quoniam ad laudem regnantis trahitur, si ab omnibus pax ametur. quid est enim, quod nos melius praedicet, quam quietus populus, concors senatus totaque res publica morum nostrorum honestate vestita? [2] Hinc est quod praesenti iussione decernimus, ut magnifici et patricii viri Festus atque Symmachus contra illustrem et patricium Paulinum in iudicio vestro, quas se habere dicunt, exerant actiones. quibus pro legum ratione susceptis et, si iuris ordo patitur, definitis tunc patricius Paulinus, quicquid adversum supra memoratos magnificos viros se habere causatur, pari sorte depromat. nec tardari volumus in eius quoque parte sententiam, dum velimus omnia inter eos esse decisa nihilque aliud relinqui, nisi quod debetur affectui. [3] Videte ergo tanti iudicii arbitros vos electos: videte expectationem nostram aequabilem flagitare iustitiam: relaturi gratiae uberrimum fructum si praesens disceptatio quos dignos credidit, non impares probet. esse debet enim de talibus viris cura praecipua, qui dare possunt minoribus evidenter exempla. nam qui inter summos viros litem neglegit abolendam, hoc imitari reliquos sine dubitatione permittit.