Letter 3031: Although we wish to devote unflagging care to our entire state and, with God's favor, to restore all things to their...

31. KING THEODERIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [1] Although we desire to devote untiring care to our whole commonwealth, and, with God's favor, strive to recall all things to their former condition, nevertheless the more pressing improvements of the Roman state lay their claim upon us, for there whatever is spent upon adornment is displayed for the joy of all. It has therefore come to our knowledge, by the report of many, which cannot conceal crimes so depraved, that detestable usurpers are arrogating to themselves many things to the prejudice of the city of Rome, so that the very city to which we desire to apply our utmost zeal suffers an unjust deceit. [2] Wherefore we cause our ordinances to be brought to your notice, by which we believe the losses of your city will be all the more displeasing. It is said, then, that out of concern for private advantage the water of the conduits, which it would be fitting to safeguard with the highest care, has been diverted to drive water-mills and to irrigate gardens: shameful and pitiable that this should be done in that city, which would scarcely be becoming to allow even out in the fields. [3] And because we cannot correct the nature of what has been committed beyond the bounds of the laws -- lest, while we wish to benefit our buildings, we should destroy the supremacy of the laws -- if the owner of this most abominable matter is protected by the prescription of thirty years, let him, upon receiving a suitable price, sell his error, so that what inflicts injury upon the public buildings be not presumed upon any further; lest what we now correct under our liberality, we afterward avenge most severely. [4] But if any such thing has been attempted by recent presumption, let it be removed without hesitation. For the general utility ought to be preferred to the desire of a single individual -- a utility which can rarely be opposed even in just causes. The slaves, moreover, assigned to the service of the conduits by the provision of the emperors, we have learned to have passed into the ownership of private persons. Furthermore, bronze, of no small weight, and -- what is most easily plundered -- the very soft lead, are reported to have been carried off from the ornamentation of the walls, those metals which consecrated their discoverers to the ages. For Ionos, king of Thessaly, discovered bronze, and Midas, ruler of Phrygia, discovered lead. And how wretched it is, that from the very thing by which others have won a reputation for foresight, we should be seen to have incurred a reputation for negligence! The temples too, and the public places, which we have granted to many petitioners for repair, are reported to have been delivered over rather to demolition. [5] And since the correction of evil deeds delights us, lest license seem to be granted through our silence, we have directed John, a man of spectable rank [a senatorial title], chosen by our justice, to investigate these matters which we have recounted above, so that all of it, examined in its proper order, may be made clear to us through the service of a report, to the end that we may determine, after the manner of our justice, what ought to be done concerning each of these matters or concerning those who have presumed upon them. Apply now your zeal, furnish your aid, so that the inquiry which you ought yourselves to have requested you may be seen to fulfill with a grateful mind.

XXXI. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODERICUS REX. [1] Quamvis universae rei publicae nostrae infatigabilem curam desideremus impendere et deo favente ad statum studeamus pristinum cuncta revocare, tamen Romanae civitatis sollicitiora nos augmenta constringunt, ubi quicquid decoris impenditur, generalibus gaudiis exhibetur. pervenit itaque ad nostram conscientiam suggestione multorum, quae prava non potest dissimulare commissa, plura in praeiudicio urbis Romanae detestabiles praesumptores assumere, ut cui nos summum adhibere desideramus studium, dolum patiatur iniustum. [2] Quapropter ordinationes nostras ad vestram facimus notitiam pervenire, quibus amplius credimus civitatis vestrae dispendia displicere. dicitur ergo commodi cura privati aquam formarum, quam summo deceret studio communiri, ad aquae molas exercendas vel hortos rigandos fuisse derivatam: turpe et miserabile hoc in illa urbe fieri, quod per agros vix deceret assumi. [3] Et quia non possumus admissi qualitatem ultra iura corrigere, ne, dum fabricis prodesse volumus, legum culmina destruamus, si huius nefandissimae rei dominus tricennii praescriptione munitur, accepto pretio competenti suum vendat errorem, ut, quod laesionem publicis praestat fabricis, non praesumatur ulterius, ne quod nunc sub largitate corrigimus, postea severissime vindicemus. [4] Si vero tale aliquid moderna praesumptione temptatum est, sine dubitatione tollatur. unius enim desiderio prava generalis debet utilitas anteferri, cui vel in causis iustis raro poterit obviari. mancipia vero formarum servitio principum provisione deputata in privatorum cognovimus transisse dominium. aes praeterea, non minimum pondus, et quod est facillimum direptioni, mollissimum plumbum, de ornatu moenium referuntur esse sublata, quae auctores suos saeculis consecrarunt. aes enim Ionos Thessaliae rex, plumbum Mida regnator Phrygiae reppererunt. et quam miserum est, ut unde famam providentiae alii susceperunt, nos opinionem neglegentiae incurrisse videamur? templa etiam et loca publica, quae petentibus multis ad reparationem contulimus, subversioni fuisse potius mancipata. [5] Et quoniam malarum rerum emendatio nos delectat, ne concessa videatur ex taciturnitate licentia, Iohannem virum spectabilem electum nostra iustitia ad haec, quae supra memoravimus, direximus inquirenda, ut cuncta suo ordine discussa nobis relationis obsequio lucidentur, quatenus, quid de singulis rebus aut de praesumptoribus earum fieri oporteat, more nostrae iustitiae censeamus. adhibete nunc studia, praestate solacia, ut inquisitionem, quam debueratis petere, grata videamini mente complere.