Letter 4023: King Theodoric to Arigernus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Count.

XXIII. King Theoderic to Arigern, Vir Illustris and Count [Comes]. [1] Although it is fitting that the governance of the Roman city committed to you be observed in all matters, nevertheless you ought to be the more diligent especially in those things which you know to have been delegated to you by our authority, so that justice preserved may increase favor toward you, and you may take on advancements from our judgment, you who up to now have pleased us by your integrity. [2] The Prefect of the City, therefore, has declared to us by his report that Basilius and Praetextatus, entangled in the magic arts, are being assailed by the accusation of many; and he intimates that these men, through the negligence of their guards, have slipped away. We order you to bring them, wherever they are found, to the court of five men [quinquevirale judgment], which our authority has appointed for the present case, where we direct you to preside, so that, every violent defense being removed, you may cause this case to be examined by the laws and brought to an end. [3] And if they are proven guilty of the crime of which they are accused, let them undergo the sentence which the determinations of the law have ordained. But if their innocence is being struck by detestable ill-will, do not by any reasoning allow them to be oppressed, since in all cases, by divine consideration, we wish that to be done which augments the reputation of our piety.

XXIII. ARIGERNO V. I. COMITI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Quamvis oporteat commissam tibi disciplinam Romanae civitatis in omnibus custodiri, tamen in eis maxime studiosior esse debes, quae nostra tibi auctoritate delegata cognoscis, ut circa te augeat gratiam custodita iustitia et augmenta sumas nostri iudicii, qui nobis hactenus de integritate placuisti. [2] Praefectus igitur urbis sua nobis relatione declaravit Basilium atque Praetextatum magicis artibus involutos impeti accusatione multorum: quos elapsos intimat mentis alienatione custodum. eos te praecipimus ubicumque repertos ad iudicium quinquevirale ducere, quod in praesenti negotio nostra delegavit auctoritas, ubi te residere censemus, ut violenta omnium defensione summota hanc causam discuti facias legibus et finiri. [3] Et si rei criminis, cuius impetuntur, fuerint approbati, sententiam subeant, quam iuris definita sanxerunt. si vero innocentia eorum detestabili pulsatur invidia, opprimi eos nulla ratione patiaris, quia in omnibus causis consideratione divina illud fieri volumus, quod opinionem nostrae pietatis accumulat.