Letter 1044: VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 44

44. KING THEODERIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [1] You can recognize from this very solicitude that we hold a special affection for you, on whose behalf we appear to be so concerned that we suffer no admonition to be omitted. For caution betrays affection, and the things we love more zealously we guard with greater good will. [2] Hence it is that to the illustrious man Artemidorus, long schooled in our service, we have given the fasces of the urban prefecture to administer, so that, because civil order was being disturbed by the unlawful seditions of certain men, the innocent might have a most upright witness, and the erring might suffer a most just avenger. And this, since we delight in the guiltless, we have judged should be brought to the notice of all, lest anyone presume to transgress in his customary manner through an unexpected severity. [3] Therefore know that we have delegated such powers to the aforesaid man that, if anyone shows himself uncivil, he shall at once incur the severity of our command. And although the laws have granted this power to the urban prefecture, we have nonetheless delegated it specially, so that what a twofold authority had permitted might be done with greater confidence. [4] He will therefore dare to strike down the seditious and those who deviate from public discipline by our authority. Let the fervor of contending spirits be still. The blessings of peace, which by God's favor you have earned through our labor, why are they defiled by unlawful seditions? Never have morals been imperiled by greater loss than when Roman gravity is found at fault. Let the honorable city therefore restore its own moderation. It is a disgrace to have degenerated from your forebears, especially at a time when you know that you have such a prince as may grant rewards to the deserving and vengeance upon the restless.

XLIIII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODERICUS REX. [1] Caritatem vestri praecipuam nos habere ex ipsa cura potestis agnoscere, pro quibus ita videmur esse solliciti, ut nihil ammonitionis patiamur omitti. cautela siquidem prodit affectum et quae studiosius diligimus, maiori gratia custodimus. [2] Hinc est quod viro illustri Artemidoro, diu nostris obsequiis erudito, praefecturae urbanae dedimus fasces regendos, ut, quia quorundam illicitis seditionibus civilitas turbabatur, haberent et innoxii purissimum testem et errantes iustissimum paterentur ultorem. quod nos, qui delectamur insontibus, in cunctorum notitiam duximus perferendum, ne quis inopinata districtione solite praesumat excedere. [3] Quocirca talia nos praefato viro delegasse noveritis, ut, si quispiam incivilis extiterit, districtionem ilico nostrae iussionis incurrat. et quamquam praefecturae urbanae hanc potestatem dederint leges, nos tamen specialiter delegavimus, ut confidentius fieret, quod duplex permisisset auctoritas. [4] Audebit ergo seditiosos et a disciplina publica deviantes nostra auctoritate percellere. quiescat concertantium fervor animorum. bona pacis, quae deo propitio nostro labore meruistis, cur seditionibus foedantur illicitis? numquam maiori damno periclitati sunt mores, quam cum gravitas Romana culpatur. reparet itaque honesta civitas moderationem suam. pudor est degenerasse prioribus, eo praesertim tempore, cum talem principem cognoscitis vos habere, qui praemia bene meritis, ultionem tribuat inquietis.