Letter 9011: VARIAE, BOOK 9, LETTER 11

King Athalaric to Gildila, sublime man, count of the city of Syracuse. [1] We have directed our instructions to Victor and Witigisclus, men of distinction, assessors of the province of Sicily, that whatever appears to have lately been added by them to the landholders in the way of the tributary obligation, they should not exact it as part of the fourth indiction, since the imposition of that charge is grievous when its justice is not yet proven. [2] But concerning their assessments we have had instructions brought to us, so that, if the matter has been arranged with equality according to an estimate of resources, the moderate apportionment ought to remain in force; but if it is established that anyone has been overburdened contrary to reason, let him be relieved by our judgment-yet in such a way that, if anything is proven to have been levied through the fourth indiction, it shall be returned to the landholders without any reduction, because a burden imposed ought to be undertaken without complaint, seeing that it is established that it must be borne for long periods of time. [3] Now, as for what remains, it befits you to admonish the provincials, so that in those to whom we have granted benefits we may perceive their devotion in all things, and that what is owed to the prince may be seen to be paid with a grateful spirit.

XI. GILDILAE VIRO SUBLIMI COMITI SYRACUSANAE CIVITATIS ATHALARICUS REX. [1] Ad Victorem et VVitigisclum spectabiles viros Siciliae provinciae censitores praecepta nostra direximus, ut quicquid possessoribus tributariae functionis per eos nuper videtur adiectum, de quarta indictione non exigant, quia gravis est eius rei illatio, cuius adhuc iustitia non probatur. [2] De ordinationibus vero eorum nobis fecimus instructiones deferri, ut, si aestimatis viribus sub aequalitate sit dispositum, debeat permanere moderatum, sin vero aliquem contra rationem constat esse praegravatum, nostro relevetur arbitrio, ita tamen ut, si aliquid per quartam indictionem probatur illatum, possessoribus sine aliqua imminutione reddatur, quia sine querella suscipi debet onus impositum, quod longis temporibus constat esse portandum. [3] Nunc quod restat, provinciales vos convenit admonere, ut quibus beneficia dedimus, eorum devotionem per omnia sentiamus et quod debetur principi, grato animo videatur exsolvi.