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
[1] It is fitting, most wise Emperor, that you should gladly grant us those things which, if we were negligent in seeking them, your own clemency would rightly urge us to request. For the harmony between our realms serves not merely our interests but the peace of the civilized world. When the powers that guard its west …
ambrose_milan · c. 388 · score 0.02
Ambrose, Bishop, to the most merciful prince and most blessed Emperor Theodosius. I am constantly burdened with cares, most blessed Emperor, but I have never been in such distress as now. I see that I must take every precaution against anything that might be charged to me as approaching sacrilege. I beg you: hear me wi …
epistulae_austrasicae · c. 585 · score 0.02
To the most pious and mighty Emperor Maurice, from Brunhild, queen of the Franks, greetings in Christ, I address you in my own name, as the mother of King Childebert and as the guardian of his kingdom during the years when his age requires that those around him bear the weight of governance. I am aware that some may fi …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
Our desire is fulfilled whenever we have the opportunity to send a salutary letter to your piety, because the man who speaks with you in sincere spirit is always filled with joyful happiness. And so, greeting your clemency with fitting honor, I commend to you the bearer of this letter, who comes on business of the chur …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
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 …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the Emperor Theodosius — written in my own hand, for your eyes alone. I write this privately because the matter requires delicacy, and I have no desire to humiliate you in public. But I must be honest with you, and honesty in this case is painful. At Thessalonica, by your order, thousands were kille …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
3. What, then, could I do? Should I not hear? But I could not close my ears with the wax of ancient fables. Should I speak what I heard? But I was forced to guard my words against the very thing I feared from your commands — that some act of bloodshed would be carried out. Should I keep silent? But then my conscience w …
ambrose_milan · c. 388 · score 0.01
Punish the rioters if justice demands it — but do not compel a Christian bishop to build a synagogue. That is not justice. That is a triumph of those who deny Christ over those who confess him. If you will not hear me as a counselor, hear me at least as an intercessor. I would rather owe you gratitude for mercy than be …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.01
Ambrose to the Emperor Theodosius. Your Clemency has done what I asked: you have shown mercy to the defeated supporters of Eugenius. For this, all Italy gives thanks — and more importantly, God gives thanks, for mercy is the virtue most like himself. I have heard that you spared even those who fought against you willin …
ambrose_milan · c. 385 · score 0.01
Ambrose, Bishop, to the Emperor Theodosius. I explain my absence from Milan when your Clemency arrived after your great victory. I was not avoiding you — though I understand how it might appear. The truth is simpler: I was unwell, and the roads were difficult. But I also wished to write first what I might not say easil …
epistulae_austrasicae · c. 541 · score 0.01
To the most glorious Emperor Justinian, from his friend Theudebert, king of the Franks, The negotiations our ambassadors have conducted have been valuable but have not yet produced the resolution that both sides need. I write to you directly to clarify our position. The Frankish claim to the territories in question res …
epistulae_austrasicae · c. 539 · score 0.01
To the ever-victorious Emperor Justinian, from Theudebert, by God's grace king of the Franks, I write to inform you of operations undertaken by Frankish forces in the Italian theater, and to forestall any misrepresentation of our actions by those who have reason to put the worst construction on them. The situation in n …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
For the one is a sign of humility, the other of contempt. For the Word of God Himself tells us that He prefers obedience to His commandments over the offering of sacrifice. God proclaims this, Moses declares it to the people, Paul preaches it to the Gentiles. Do what you understand to be most beneficial for the present …
epistulae_austrasicae · c. 586 · score 0.01
To the most pious Emperor Maurice, from his friend Childebert, king of the Franks, The campaign season is approaching and my forces are being assembled. I write to press on the question of the subsidy your letter promised, because the assembly and maintenance of an army requires resources that must be arranged in advan …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
… hing is hidden that will not be made known" (Luke 8:17). So I complied with the imperial will as respectfully as I could, taking care that you would have no reason for displeasure when I arranged that nothing of the imperial decrees would be reported to me. When present, I would either fail to hear — because everyone e …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
I dare not offer the sacrifice [the Eucharist] if you intend to be present. Is what is not permitted after shedding the blood of one innocent person, permitted after shedding the blood of many? I do not think so. 14. Finally, I am writing with my own hand what only you may read. As I hope that the Lord will deliver me …
ambrose_milan · c. 388 · score 0.01
… is called the will of God. When Jews suffer, it is called an outrage requiring imperial intervention. Consider Julian the Apostate. He ordered the Jews to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem. What happened? Fire burst from the foundations and consumed the workers. Even the elements refused to cooperate. Shall a Christia …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
And David too, when he held the kingdom and heard that innocent Abner had been killed by Joab, his army commander, said: "I am guiltless, and my kingdom is guiltless from this day forward of the blood of Abner, son of Ner," and he fasted in grief. 11. I have written this not to humiliate you, but so that the examples o …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
But the science which you have is superior to every kind of storm — the power of a philosophic soul— which is stronger than ten thousand armies, more powerful than arms, and more secure than towers and bulwarks. For the arms, and bulwarks, and towers which soldiers have, are serviceable for the security of the body onl …
epistulae_austrasicae · c. 535 · score 0.01
To the most pious and victorious Emperor Justinian, king Theudebert sends greetings, Your campaign to restore Italy to Roman rule has been followed here in Austrasia with great attention and, I will say it plainly, considerable admiration. The speed and discipline of your forces under Belisarius has impressed those who …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
To Olympias Do not be anxious on my behalf, nor rack yourself with solicitude, on account of the severity of the winter, and the weakness of my digestion, and the incursions of the Isaurians. For the winter is only what it is wont to be in Armenia; nothing more need be said about it; and it does not very seriously inju …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
Isaiah 40:6 2. Nevertheless, you will say, adversity is a terrible thing and grievous to be borne. Yet look at it again compared with another image and then also learn to despise it. For the railings, and insults, and reproaches, and gibes inflicted by enemies, and their plots are compared to a worn-out garment, and mo …
chrysostom · c. 405 · score 0.01
For since he had been an enemy and adversary what he wrote was above suspicion even in the opinion of enemies. 3. Do you see the abundance of resource belonging to God? His wisdom, His extraordinary power, His loving-kindness and care? Be not therefore dismayed or troubled but continue to give thanks to God for all thi …
ambrose_milan · c. 393 · score 0.01
Yet I would rather have died than not wait two or three days for your arrival. But it was not possible for me to do so. 6. What was done in the city of Thessalonica [the massacre of approximately 7,000 people in the hippodrome in retaliation for the murder of the Gothic military commander Butheric] has no parallel in r …