The Letters of Cassiodorus Part 22

26. KING THEODORIC TO FAUSTUS, PRAEPOSITUS.

[Sidenote: Immunity of Church property from taxation.]

In the time of Ca.s.siodorus the Patrician (a man of tried integrity and pure fidelity[234]), a grant of freedom from taxation[235] was made to the Church of Vercelli. Since that time other property has been conveyed to the same Church, apparently by a soldier. An attempt is made to represent this after-acquired property as also tax-free. 'No,'

says the King. 'It would be very wrong in us to recall our gift; but it is equally wrong in you to try to stretch it to something which it never included. Private persons must not make grants to the injury of our treasury. Tribute belongs to the purple, not to the military cloak[236]. Your newly acquired possessions must pay taxes along with those of other owners.'

[Footnote 234: This is evidently the writer's father.]

[Footnote 235: 'Onera indictorum t.i.tulorum.']

[Footnote 236: 'Tributa sunt purpurae, non lacernae.']

27. KING THEODORIC TO SPECIOSUS.

[Sidenote: Circus quarrels.]

'If we are moderating under our laws the character of foreign nations, if the Roman law is supreme over all that is in alliance with Italy, how much more doth it become the Senate of the seat of civilisation itself to have a surpa.s.sing reverence for law, that by the example of their moderation the beauty of their dignities may s.h.i.+ne forth more eminently. For where shall we look for moderation, if violence stains Patricians? The Green party complain that they have been truculently a.s.saulted by the Patrician Theodoric and the "Ill.u.s.tris and Consul Importunus," and that one life has been lost in the fray. We wish the matter to be at once brought before the Ill.u.s.tres Coelia.n.u.s and Agapitus and examined into by them[237].

[Footnote 237: See i. 23, from which it appears that these two men had special jurisdiction in cases affecting Patricians.]

'As to their counter-complaints of rudeness against the mob, you must distinguish between deliberate insolence and the licence of the theatre. Who expects seriousness of character at the spectacles? It is not exactly a congregation of Catos that comes together at the circus.

The place excuses some excesses. And besides, it is the _beaten_ party which vents its rage in insulting cries. Do not let the Patricians complain of clamour that is really the result of a victory for their own side, which they greatly desired.'

[The mention of 'the Patrician Theodoric' is a difficulty, as we know of no namesake of the King among the Roman n.o.bility. Perhaps we ought to read (with the Remensian MS.) 'Theodoro,' as we know from 'Anon.

Valesii' 68 that there was a Theodorus, son of Basilius, who perhaps succeeded Liberius, Praef. Praetorio.]

28. KING THEODORIC TO ALL THE GOTHS AND ROMANS.

[Sidenote: The walls of Rome.]

'Most worthy of Royal attention is the rebuilding of ancient cities, an adornment in time of peace, a precaution for time of war.

'Therefore, if anyone have in his fields stones suitable for the building of the walls, let him cheerfully and promptly produce them.

Even though he should be paid at a low rate, he will have his reward as a member of the community, which will benefit thereby.'

29. KING THEODORIC TO ALL THE LUCRISTANI (l.u.s.tRIANI?) ON THE RIVER SONTIUS (ISONZO).

[Sidenote: The Postal Service.]

'The post (_Cursus Publicus_) is evidently an inst.i.tution of great public utility, tending to the rapid promulgation of our decrees.

'Care must therefore be taken that the horses are not allowed to get out of condition, lest they break down under their work, and lest the journey, which should be rapid, become tediously slow.

'Also any lands formerly appropriated to the _mutationes_ [places for changing horses] which have fallen into private hands must be reclaimed for the public service, the owners being sufficiently indemnified for their loss.'

30. KING THEODORIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME.

[Sidenote: On the injury to public peace arising from the Circus rivalries.]

The Senators are exhorted not to allow their menials to embroil themselves with the populace, and thus bring their good name into disgrace. Any slave accused of the murder of a free-born citizen is to be at once given up, under penalty of a fine of 10 lbs. of gold (400), and the King's severe displeasure for the master who disobeys this command.

'And do not you, oh Senators, be too severe in marking every idle word which the mob may utter amidst the general rejoicing. If there is any insult which requires notice, bring it before the "Praefectus Urbis"--a far better and safer course than taking the law into your own hands.'

[This letter, a very interesting and sensible one, is somewhat spoilt by a characteristic Ca.s.siodorian sentence at the end:--

'Men in old time used always to fight with their fists, whence the word _pugna_, "a pugnis." Afterwards iron was introduced by King Belus, and hence came _bellum_, "a Belo."']

31. KING THEODORIC TO THE ROMAN PEOPLE.

[Sidenote: On the same subject.]

Gives similar good advice to that contained in the previous letter to the Senate.

'The Circus, in which the King spends so much money, is meant to be for public delight, not for stirring up wrath. Instead of uttering howls and insults like other nations [the populace of Byzantium?], whom they have despised for doing so, let them tune their voices, so that their applause shall sound like the notes of some vast organ, and even the brute creation delight to hear it.

'Anyone uttering outrageous reproaches against any Senator will be dealt with by the Praefectus Urbis.'

32. KING THEODORIC TO AGAPITUS, VIR ILl.u.s.tRIS, PRAEFECTUS URBIS.

[Sidenote: On the same subject.]

'The ruler of the city ought to keep the peace, and justify my choice of him. Your highest praise is a quiet people.

'We have issued our "oracles" to the "amplissimus ordo" (Senate) and to the people, that the custom of insulting persons in the Circus is to be put under some restraint; on the other hand, any Senator who shall be provoked to kill a free-born person shall pay a fine. The games are meant to make people happy, not to stir them up to deadly rage. h.e.l.ladius[238] is to come forth into the midst and afford the people pleasure [as a pantomimist], and he is to receive his monthly allowance (menstruum) with the other actors of the Green Faction. His partisans are to be allowed to sit where they please.'

[Footnote 238: See Letter i. 20.]

[Was there not some division in the Green Faction itself concerning the merits of h.e.l.ladius and his rival Theodorus?]

33. KING THEODORIC TO AGAPITUS, VIR ILl.u.s.tRIS, PRAEFECTUS URBIS.

[Sidenote: Arrangements for the Pantomime.]

'Our Serenity is not going to change the arrangements which we have once made for the public good. We told Albinus and Albienus[239] to choose the most fitting person they could find as Pantomimist of the Greens. They have done so [choosing probably h.e.l.ladius]. He shall have his monthly allowance, and let there be peace.'

[Footnote 239: Ibid.]

34. KING THEODORIC TO FAUSTUS, PRAEPOSITUS.