Letter 7003: Formula for the Count of the Goths in Individual Cities.

III. FORM OF THE COUNTSHIP OF THE GOTHS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CITIES. [1] Since by God's help we know that the Goths dwell intermingled among you, lest, as commonly happens, any breach of discipline should arise between those who share a common life, we have judged it necessary to appoint to you as count that exalted man, who has hitherto been approved by us for his good character, who according to our edicts is to cut short any lawsuit between two Goths; and if perhaps some matter of business should arise even between a Goth and a Roman, he may, with a prudent Roman called in to assist him, settle the dispute by an even-handed procedure. But between two Romans let the Romans be heard by those judges whom we dispatch through the provinces, so that to each man his own laws may be preserved, and under a diversity of judges one justice may embrace all alike. [2] Thus, with God favorable, let both nations enjoy sweet leisure in a common peace. Know, moreover, that our affection toward all is equally distributed in every respect: but that man will be able to commend himself more fully to our heart who has loved the laws with a temperate will. We love nothing uncivil: we detest wicked arrogance together with its authors. Our piety abhors the violent. In a case let the laws prevail, not the arms. For why should those choose to seek violent means who are proved to have courts ready at hand? For this reason indeed we give emoluments to the judges, for this reason we maintain so many officials by various largesses, that we may not allow to grow up among you anything that could lead to hatred. [3] Let one resolve of living embrace you all, for whom it is established that there is one empire. Let each people hear what we love. Let the Romans, just as they are your neighbors in possessions, be likewise joined to you in affection. And you, Romans, ought with great zeal to cherish the Goths, who both in peace make your peoples numerous and in wars defend the whole commonwealth. Therefore it is fitting that you obey the judge appointed by us, so that whatever he shall have decreed for the preservation of the laws, you may fulfill it in every way, in so far as you may be seen to have satisfied both our rule and your own advantage.

III. FORMULA COMITIVAE GOTHORUM PER SINGULAS CIVITATES. [1] Cum deo iuvante sciamus Gothos vobiscum habitare permixtos, ne qua inter consortes, ut assolet, indisciplinatio nasceretur, necessarium duximus illum sublimem virum, bonis nobis moribus hactenus comprobatum, ad vos comitem destinare, qui secundum edicta nostra inter duos Gothos litem debeat amputare, si quod etiam inter Gothum et Romanum natum fuerit fortasse negotium, adhibito sibi prudente Romano certamen possit aequabili ratione discingere. inter duos autem Romanos Romani audiant quos per provincias dirigimus cognitores, ut unicuique sua iura serventur et sub diversitate iudicum una iustitia complectatur universos. [2] Sic pace communi utraeque nationes divinitate propitia dulci otio perfruantur. scitote autem unam nobis in omnibus aequabiliter esse caritatem: sed ille se animo nostro amplius commendare poterit, qui leges moderata voluntate dilexerit. non amamus aliquid incivile: scelestam superbiam cum suis detestamur auctoribus. violentos nostra pietas execratur. in causa possint iura, non brachia. nam cur eligant quaerere violenta, qui praesentia probantur habere iudicia? ideo enim emolumenta iudicibus damus, ideo tot officia diversis largitatibus continemus, ut inter vos non sinamus crescere quod possit ad odium pertinere. [3] Unum vos amplectatur vivendi votum, quibus unum esse constat imperium. audiat uterque populus quod amamus. Romani vobis sicut sunt possessionibus vicini, ita sint et caritate coniuncti. vos autem, Romani, magno studio Gothos diligere debetis, qui et in pace numerosos vobis populos faciunt et universam rem publicam per bella defendunt. itaque destinato a nobis iudici vos convenit oboedire, ut quicquid pro conservandis legibus censuerit, modis omnibus impleatis, quatenus et nostro imperio et vestrae utilitati satisfecisse videamini.