Resultados16 letters/passages
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
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 0.02
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 0.02
King Theodoric to Duda, Vir Spectabilis [Most Respectable], Count. We approve the conscience of the man to whom we entrust a case for judgment, since the man who is worthy to hand down decisions for others to follow is one who has first imposed the rule of lawful conduct upon himself. The respectable Petrus alleges tha …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
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 0.02
King Theodoric to Argolicus, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Praefectus Urbis [Prefect of the City of Rome]. It is an intolerable offense to commit injury against the divine majesty and to pursue the cruelties of error while forgetting piety. What hope of pardon can a man expect who has shown contempt for the Creator …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
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. 522 · score 0.01
The man appointed to distribute the Emperor's generosity must be of proven conscience, so that no stain of greed may dry up what flows from such great liberality. Grasping hands alter any gift — and just as a spring's purity is corrupted by flowing through mud, so a good king's abundance is debased by greedy distributo …
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
It is the purpose of royal compassion to cut off the ground for unjust hatreds and to restrain the arrogance of armed power with the reverence of royal commands. The hostility of a superior is a fearsome thing for the humble, since it is considered praiseworthy when vengeance is extracted from the lowly. Therefore, aft …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
[1] When the drought of this year -- which customarily rages at certain times in particular places -- hardened the earth's innards with excessive heat and produced the miscarried offspring of the harvest, not so much bearing them as casting them forth in incomplete abundance, we must now search all the more diligently …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
King Theodahad to the Senate of the City of Rome. [Theodahad, Amalasuntha's cousin, became co-ruler in 534. This letter, drafted by Cassiodorus, expresses Theodahad's gratitude -- with deep irony, as Theodahad would soon betray and murder Amalasuntha.] Senators, we happily announce that divine blessings have come to yo …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
No one should become a Roman citizen by purchase who does not hold the rights of that city by birth. What gave its name to the nations must always be honored, since in human affairs, the thing from whose distinction some benefit is derived stands highest. These provisions belong to the Quirites [Roman citizens]. Let no …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
This was received so gratefully by all that everyone felt enriched by his reward, since whatever is given to a worthy man is, without doubt, felt as a gift to many. What, then, shall I say of the queen's strength of mind, which surpasses even the most celebrated philosophers? From her lips flows generous speech and pro …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Learn, citizens, with what firmness your prince has loved you: tried by harsh circumstances, he has refused to let you remain anxious. We were unwilling to defer your hopes any longer, since we always wish you to rejoice in the highest prosperity of the state. Your security is our glory, and we truly welcome it with gr …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
This is why her remarkable learning flows through many languages with great richness, and her intellect is found so ready for any sudden demand that you would think it more than human. In the Book of Kings [1 Kings 10], we read that the Queen of the South came to learn from Solomon's wisdom. Here let princes hear what …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
But among the many gifts that the divine power has granted me along with royal majesty, nothing pleases my heart more than this: that our most wise queen chose me after the most exacting deliberation. I first experienced her justice so that I might later arrive at the grace of her promotion. For as you know, she requir …