Letter 3030: The care of the city of Rome is always on our mind.

XXX. King Theoderic to Argolicus, Most Illustrious, Prefect of the City. [1] Care for the city of Rome ever keeps watch in our thoughts. For what is more worthy that we ought to attend to than to demand the restoration of that which is established to hold together the adornment of our commonwealth? Accordingly, let your illustrious eminence know that we have dispatched the respectable man John on account of the splendid sewers of the city of Rome, which bestow such astonishment upon those who behold them that they can surpass the marvels of other cities. [2] There you may see rivers, as it were, enclosed within hollow mountains, running down through enormous channels of waterproof masonry; you may see men navigating through the rushing waters in constructed boats, and with no small anxiety, lest amid the headlong torrent they should suffer maritime shipwrecks. From this, Rome, how great is the singular magnitude that is in you may be gathered. For what among cities would dare to vie with your summits, when not even your depths can find a likeness? And therefore we resolve that you provide the comforts of your office to the aforesaid John, since we wish public persons to fulfill our ordinances, removing private hands, which more boldly plunge into things unlawful.

XXX. ARGOLICO V. I. PRAEFECTO URBIS THEODERICUS REX. [1] Romanae civitatis cura nostris sensibus semper invigilat. quid est enim dignius, quod tractare debeamus, quam eius reparationem exigere, quae ornatum constat nostrae rei publicae continere? proinde illustris sublimitas tua spectabilem virum Iohannem nos direxisse cognoscat propter splendidas Romanae cloacas civitatis, quae tantum visentibus conferunt stuporem, ut aliarum civitatum possint miracula superare. [2] Videas illic fluvios quasi montibus concavis clausos per ingentia signina decurrere: videas structis navibus per aquas rapidas non minima sollicitudine navigari, ne praecipitato torrenti marina possint naufragia sustinere. hinc, Roma, singularis quanta in te sit potest colligi magnitudo. quae enim urbium audeat tuis culminibus contendere, quando nec ima tua possunt similitudinem reperire? et ideo supra dicto Iohanni officii vestri solacia vos praebere censemus, quoniam ordinationes nostras publicas volumus implere personas, privatas manus amoventes, quae audacius merguntur illicitis.