Resultados25 letters/passages
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
Through him, the hospitality shown to foreign nations is arranged for the credit of our state, and ambassadors depart unwillingly whom he received in their sorrow [i.e., they are treated so well they do not wish to leave]. Through him the arrival of ambassadors, however hurried, is announced to us. Through him the disp …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
… he most powerful officials in the late Roman/Ostrogothic state: controlling the imperial postal service, the palace guard (scholae), court ceremonies, and the reception of foreign ambassadors.] Whoever receives the title of Master assumes a revered honor, for this name always derives from expertise, and from the title …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
Consider too how glorious it is to be praised in the presence of so many senators — to receive the sovereign in such a way that everyone perceives nothing is lacking, and the lord himself arrives happy rather than troubled by any anxiety. It is an unexpected good when the man who bears the risk of failure instead procu …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
What can a horse do when it collapses under excessive weight? Anyone found carrying more than the specified limit shall be fined two ounces of gold. This sum, once collected, shall -- as already established by earlier edicts -- be paid through the office of the Master of Offices for the benefit of the postal service. I …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
A man who carries out his orders effectively earns trust for greater things, because tasks are entrusted without hesitation to one who is proven to perform well, and a good record in a second assignment is an honorable endorsement based on the evidence of the first. Accordingly, by the arrangement of the distinguished …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.02
The Master's deputy is also presented to us, so that by a shared turn of favor we may choose the assistance of one who provides us faithful support. We therefore commit this office to you -- distinguished by so many titles, rich in so many marks of honor -- for the coming indiction, to be governed with appropriate grav …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
The royal progress, just as it brings danger to the negligent, so it confers distinction on those who work energetically — for it is the reward of a lifetime to serve under the lord's own eye, from whom neither fault can be hidden nor merit concealed. How pleasant it is to travel the appointed road without any hindranc …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
If a position should be judged by its labors, and if praiseworthy attention to public business earns favor for the man who serves generously, then your office deserves the highest regard -- for its own demands are known to remove any delay from our orders. Everyone knows how quickly you arrange a vast fleet of ships at …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
[1] Although divine power makes those fit to rule whom it has raised to the highest position — since neither age hinders where heavenly power intervenes, nor inexperience impedes where God instructs — nevertheless, even kings require wise counselors to carry out what Providence has ordained. A throne without capable mi …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
The only real punishment for the wicked is when they feel that public opinion is against their character. There can be no such thing as discipline when discipline itself needs correcting. Strive together with me to give the provincials good governance while removing their hardship. Let the discussion be about remedies, …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Therefore, both these revenue streams, now converted to cash assessments, shall be administered by your diligence at the appointed installments — so that under my administration no one appears negligent who under other authorities served with praiseworthy integrity. For although I have taken care to assist other provin …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Formula of the Governorship. The ancients wisely ordained that the dignities of the provinces should be renewed by annual succession, so that no single man would grow insolent through prolonged power, and so that advancement could bring its joys to many. It is enough for any man to depart with his reputation intact, be …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Be ready to suggest good things to us and stand firm against the presumption of the wicked. Speak to our ears even what is entirely in our interest. A good ruler is one who permits justice to be spoken to him, and it is the mark of tyrannical savagery to refuse to hear the established decrees of ancient law. [5] We cer …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
[1] Rewarding merit reveals a ruler's just government, since under such a lord nothing that anyone has labored for can perish. If we bestow unexpected gifts, how can we deny what is owed? Every act of devotion banks its reward safely with us, and the man who has proven his obedience to us in any way reaps a double harv …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
The care of the city of Rome is always on our mind. What could be more worthy of our attention than to demand the restoration of what plainly constitutes the glory of our state? Therefore, your illustrious sublimity should know that we have sent the spectabilis Johannes to attend to the splendid sewers of Rome -- which …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Now procure what has been ordered. You make the soldier devoted when you willingly accept the command. The fair prices will be communicated to you at the next opportunity, once the bearer of this letter has reported to me the extent of the harvest. Nothing can be justly assessed until the abundance of the supply has be …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
[1] This is more a delightful posting than a laborious one — to exercise the dignity of count at the Port of Rome [Portus, at the mouth of the Tiber, the great harbor built by Claudius and expanded by Trajan]. There you will see the copious arrival of ships; there the billowing sails of vessels from many nations form a …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Not without reason is it called the Campania of Ravenna — the royal city's pantry, an exceedingly pleasant and delightful retreat. Advancing into the north, it enjoys an admirable climate. It also has — I would not speak improperly — its own version of Baiae [the famous Roman resort on the Bay of Naples]. There the und …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
[1] There is no doubt that the protection of the postal service serves the public good, since through it our orders are carried out with the greatest speed. Therefore all the more care must be taken over this vital service, so that the horses assigned to continuous relay duty do not waste away in shameful emaciation, l …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Those who have enrolled in military service must devote themselves to public duties. What is a man to do if he shirks his sworn obligation -- gaining neither private advantage nor the glory of a soldier's life? Therefore our authority has directed the Count of the Sacred Largesses to station you at Ostiglia, so that, r …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
I also entirely abolish the judge's travel tax [pulveratica, literally "dust-money"] and decree that governors shall receive only three days' rations in accordance with ancient regulations, with any additional transportation at their own expense. The laws intended administrators to be a remedy, not a burden. Therefore, …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Consider too that I am here to judge your performance firsthand: either I will gladly convey the lords' thanks to you, or angrily assign the ruler's displeasure. Act, therefore, so that your failings are not charged to me — for I am answerable for all of you to those whom your faults may offend. Let the entire army rat …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Even cranes, when crossing the sea, grasp small pebbles in their talons, so that their lightness is not swept away by strong winds nor their natural swiftness burdened by heavy loads. Cannot men chosen for public service learn from their example? Therefore, any courier -- or rather, carter -- who loads a pack-horse bey …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Knowing that those who had been diminished by past abuses might struggle to believe otherwise, since the human mind easily suspects from any new source the same treatment it has already endured, I published my intentions in the form of an edict — so that, with God's help, those I wish to feel secure would not be burden …
cassiodorus · c. 522 · score 0.01
Senator [Cassiodorus], Praetorian Prefect, to the Tax Collector of Venetia. The lavish provisions of the royal table are no small ornament to the state, for a ruler is believed to possess as much as the novelties on which he feasts. A private man has what his locality provides. But at a royal banquet, one ought to seek …