Resultados25 letters/passages
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
It seems an entirely honorable and necessary undertaking to petition a pious Emperor for the security of the Roman state, since it is fitting to seek from you what can benefit our liberty. For among all the blessings God has uniquely granted you, nothing is more glorious than the knowledge that you have the power to gi …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
Although your own good judgment should be enough to provide assistance to those assigned to public duty, our reminder adds to the assurance. We have sent Simeonius, a distinguished man whose loyalty and devotion have long been known to us, to administer the siliquaticum tax and the iron mines in the province of Dalmati …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
If we owe honor even to priests we have never met, how much more to those we have known and revered with affection! We seek out a familiar face differently than we address a stranger. The bond with those we have seen is always stronger, since we hold most dear those joined to us through constant and pleasant conversati …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
In sending our ambassadors to the most serene Emperor, it was fitting to dispatch greetings to Your Magnitude through them — so that in every quarter they might earn your goodwill while carrying the warmth of our conversation. Therefore, offering the courtesy of correspondence that your merits deserve, I hope that your …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
King Theoderic to Senarius, Illustrious Count of the Private Estates. [1] The administration of the royal estates is a matter of particular importance, since their revenues support not only the household of the king but many of the essential services of the state. A count who manages these estates well does the state a …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
Let us enter your thoughts as well, we who have inherited the royal succession. To have so great and powerful a protector on my side — that, for me, surpasses dominion itself. May the early days of my reign earn the support of a long-reigning emperor. May my youth receive the protection of your favor, so that I am not …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
My Senate grows in honors, increases ceaselessly in wealth. "Do not through discord scatter what you ought to defend through war. I have had many kings, but never one so learned. I have had wise men, but none so distinguished in both learning and devotion. I love this son of the Amal line [Witigis], nursed at my breast …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
You will recall, wisest of Emperors, that both through our ambassadors and through the very eloquent Peter, whom Your Piety recently sent to us, we have shown how earnestly we desire harmony with your August Serenity. Now again, through the same most holy man, I thought it right to repeat these appeals — so that you ma …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Moderation is rarely imposed in happy times; it belongs more naturally to adversity. And alongside these astonishing merits, the brilliance of his birth shines with equal luster, so that you would be hard pressed to say which makes him richer — since he possesses both in abundance. Qualities that would earn praise indi …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
King Theoderic to the Senate of the City of Rome. [1] We desire, Conscript Fathers, that your assembly be adorned with the bloom of various honors, since it is our delight to cultivate those whose dignity reflects upon us. Therefore we have resolved to honor the excellent man Ambrosius with the belt of the illustrious …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
The blessings of our times seize our attention and, like travelers parched by a long drought, invite us to drink from the sweetest spring. What a fortunate age! Under a prince still at leisure, a mother's affection reigns, and through her everything is accomplished so that we all feel sheltered by a universal care. She …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect, to the Senate of the City of Rome. [Cassiodorus served as Praetorian Prefect under the Ostrogothic kings of Italy. The Variae are official state letters he drafted on behalf of the court.] Senators, you honor my appointment by making it clear that it was something you wished f …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Rejoice together, Goths and Romans alike -- here is a wonder for all to proclaim! By God's grace, our blessed queen has fulfilled what is finest in both sexes: she has given us a glorious king and defended a vast empire through the strength of her spirit. These things touch on military affairs and are reported as best …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Certain matters concerning your interests that have come to our attention we have entrusted to the bearers of this letter to communicate to you verbally, so that, better informed, you may enjoy the desired victory with confidence. Your welfare is our glory, and we consider the kingdom of Italy to prosper whenever we le …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
King Theoderic to the Emperor Anastasius. [1] It befits us, most merciful Emperor, to seek peace, since we are known to have no cause for anger — for that man is already bound by his own conduct who is found unprepared for what is just. In every kingdom, tranquility ought to be desired, in which both peoples flourish a …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
From this comes an invaluable advantage for many nations: no one needs an interpreter before the ears of our most learned queen. No ambassador suffers delay, and no petitioner loses time waiting for a translator, since each is heard in his own words and answered in his own tongue. Add to all this, like a priceless crow …
cassiodorus · c. 506 · score 0.01
All the more reason why Eucharistus should have hastened here with confidence, to convict Faustus himself of fabricating falsehoods, as has often been alleged, just as he convicted Faustus's relatives. For it was not Faustus's relatives who brought a complaint against Eucharistus before us; it is Faustus himself, prese …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Senator (Cassiodorus), Praetorian Prefect, to Pope John, Most Blessed Father. [1] It is not only by the authority of secular administration that I address you, most holy Father, but also by the bonds of that shared Christian faith which unites all the servants of God, whatever their earthly station. The praetorian pref …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome. It is indeed a credit to us, Conscript Fathers, to bestow honors freely. But it is more praiseworthy to grant what is fitting to those who have truly earned it, because whatever we give to such men we give for the general good. The advancement of a man who holds firmly …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Pope Gelasius to King Theodoric. It is well known to Your Magnanimity that a bishop is compelled by the very nature of his office to intercede on behalf of anyone who asks. Trusting in the Christian piety of your mind, I have thought it right to commend to you by this letter the distinguished Constantius — since it is …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
King Theodahad to the Emperor Justinian. [1] The close relationship between the kingdoms of the East and West, which my predecessors Theoderic and Athalaric cultivated with such care, is one that I am eager to maintain and strengthen. The peace of the world depends upon the harmony between our two great powers, and I a …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Athalaric, King of the Goths, to the Emperor Justin. Most merciful of princes, I could rightly be criticized if I pursued peace with you halfheartedly — peace that my forebears, as everyone knows, sought with the greatest ardor. What kind of heir would I be if I fell short of their achievement in so great a glory? It i …
cassiodorus · c. 506 · score 0.01
Pope Gelasius to King Theoderic. It is well established before your Magnanimity that a bishop is bound by the nature of his ministry to intercede on behalf of anyone. Trusting in the piety of your Christian mind, I have thought it right to commend to you by this letter the distinguished Constantius, inasmuch as I am ca …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
What the invaders suffered is well known -- but I choose to pass over the details, lest the spirit of our allied prince be embarrassed by another's disgrace. How highly the East regarded our court can be understood from this: the Eastern emperor freely granted peace to those who had offended him, though he had refused …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Most merciful Emperor, how deeply I desire the sweetness of your favor can be understood from this alone: that after so many grievous injuries, after so much bloodshed, I still seek your peace as though no one on your side had ever harmed us. We have endured things that could offend even those who inflicted them — pros …