Letter 8026: We have learned that a long-standing dispute has arisen between your cities over the boundaries of your territories...

XXVI. KING ATHALARIC TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF REATE AND NURSIA. [1] Our glorious lord and grandfather [Theodoric], recognizing your wishes, was making arrangements to appoint Quidila, the son of Sibia, as your prior [chief magistrate]; but because, through the intervention of the mortal condition, he was unable to carry out what he had planned, it is necessary for us to fulfill his wishes, lest so great a man should be judged to have been mistaken in supposing that he could discern good qualities in anyone. [2] And therefore by the present authority we command that you ought to have him as your prior auspiciously, and that whatever he shall ordain for the maintenance of discipline, wherein our advantage is chiefly comprised, you ought in all things to obey, since you have been so trained in the customs of our lord and grandfather that you both gladly hear the laws and act as judges. [3] For this is what adorns our rule, what magnifies your reputation among the nations, if you conduct such affairs as can be both acceptable to us and most pleasing to the Divinity. For our enemies are more sturdily conquered by good morals, because those whom the powers above protect cannot have fortunate adversaries. For you fight effectively abroad while you strive to cherish justice in your own dwellings. For thus do two things join themselves together in a mutual embrace: he who has cultivated equity shall possess the fruit of victory. [4] For what necessity compels to unjust deeds, when both your own allotments nourish you and our gifts, with the Lord's help, enrich you? For even if anyone has something to seek for, let him hope for it from the munificence of the prince rather than from the presumption of force, because it profits you that the Romans are at peace, who, while they enrich our treasuries, multiply your donatives.

XXVI. UNIVERSIS REATINIS ET NURSINIS ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Gloriosus domnus avus noster desideria vestra cognoscens Quidilanem Sibiae filium priorem vobis quidem facere disponebat: sed quia interveniente mortali condicione nequivit cogitata complere, necesse nobis est eius vota perficere, ne tantus vir de aliquo inaniter iudicaretur bona potuisse sentire. [2] Atque ideo praesenti auctoritate praecipimus, ut eum priorem feliciter habere debeatis et quae ordinaverit pro disciplina servanda, ubi nostra maxime utilitas continetur, in omnibus oboedire debeatis, quia sic domni avi nostri estis moribus instituti, ut et leges libenter audiatis et iudices. [3] Hoc est enim, quod nostrum comit imperium, quod opinionem vestram inter gentes amplificat, si talia geratis, quae et nobis accepta et divinitati possunt esse gratissima. robustius enim inimici nostri vincuntur moribus bonis, quia quos superna protegunt, felices adversarios habere non possunt. pugnatis enim efficaciter foris, dum in sedibus vestris iustitiam fovere contenditis. ita enim duo mutua se amplexatione consociant: qui aequitatem coluerit, fructum victoriae possidebit. [4] Nam quae necessitas ad iniusta compellat, cum vos et sortes alant propriae et munera nostra domino iuvante ditificent? nam et si cui aliquid expetendum est, speret de munificentia principis quam de praesumptione virtutis, quia vobis proficit, quod Romani quieti sunt, qui, dum aeraria nostra ditant, vestra donativa multiplicant.