Part 40 (1/2)

Confirms all privileges and immunities granted by previous Princes, and remits the taxes (censum) for one year, a boon which they had not dared to ask for. 'For that is perfect _pietas_, which before it is bent by prayer, knows how to consider the weary ones.'

[Here, as in many other pa.s.sages of Ca.s.siodorus, _pietas_ shows signs of pa.s.sing into the Italian _pieta_ (= pity).]

27. KING THEODORIC TO THE SAJO TEZUTZAT,

AND

28. KING THEODORIC TO DUDA, SENATOR AND COMES.

[Sidenote: Petrus a.s.saulted by the Sajo who was a.s.signed for his protection.]

[Duda was also a Sajo, as we see from Letter 32. Dahn ('Konige der Germanen' iv. 142, _n._ 3) thinks he was Comes Gothorum.]

Both letters relate to the affair of Petrus (a Vir Spectabilis, and probably the same whose admission to the Senate is ordered by iv. 25).

This Roman n.o.bleman, according to a usage common under Theodoric's government, has had the Gothic Sajo Amara a.s.signed to him as his Defensor. Amara, by an inversion of his functions, which the letter bitterly laments and upbraids, has turned upon his _protege_ and even used personal violence towards him. He has drawn a sword and wounded him in the hand; and nothing but the fact that Petrus was sheltered by a door saved him from losing his hand altogether.

Yet, notwithstanding this a.s.sault, Amara has had the audacity to claim from his victim 'commodi nomine,' the usual payment made by the defended to the defender.

The first letter decrees that this shall be refunded twofold, and a.s.signs Tezutzat instead of Amara to the office of Defender, warning him not to follow the evil example of his predecessor.

The second a.s.signs to Duda the task of enquiring into the alleged a.s.sault and punis.h.i.+ng it with the sword[346].

[Footnote 346: The story of this a.s.sault is a typical specimen of the style of Ca.s.siodorus, high-flown yet not really pictorial: 'Ita ut ictum gladii in se demersum, aliquatenus postium r.e.t.a.r.daret objectio: subjecta est vulneri ma.n.u.s, quae ut in totum truncata non caderet, januarum percussa robora praest.i.terunt: ubi la.s.sato impetu corusca ferri acies corporis extrema perstrinxit.']

29. KING THEODORIC TO ARGOLICUS, VIR ILl.u.s.tRIS, PRAEFECT OF THE CITY.

[Sidenote: Official tardiness rebuked.]

A sharp rebuke to him for having (if the _suggestio_ of the Clarissimus Armentarius be correct) so long delayed, it is to be feared with a corrupt motive, complying with the instructions of the King to do justice in some case (not described) in which the honour of the Senate is concerned. As head of the Senate he ought to have been eager to examine into it, without any prompting from his master.

30. KING THEODORIC TO ALBINUS, VIR ILl.u.s.tRIS AND PATRICIAN.

[Sidenote: Workshops may be erected above the Porticus Curba, by the Roman Forum.]

'Those whom the Republic has honoured should in their turn bring honour to the City. We are therefore gratified by receiving your supplication for leave to erect workshops[347] above the Porticus Curba, which being situated near the Domus Palmata, shuts in the Forum in comely fas.h.i.+on ”in modum areae.” We like the plan. The range of private dwellings will thereby be extended. A look of cheerful newness will be given to the old walls; and the presence of residents in the building will tend to preserve it from further decay. You have our permission and encouragement to proceed, if the proposed erections do not in any way interfere with public convenience or the beauty of the City.'

[Footnote 347: Fabricae.]

[The MSS. of Ca.s.siodorus waver between Curbae and Curiae in the above letter. Jordan ('Topographie der Stadt Rom.' i. 2. 258) inclines to the opinion that Porticus Curba denotes the Portico of the Secretarium of the Senate, on the site of the present Church of Sta. Martina. As the Curia immediately adjoined this building, there is practically but little difference between the two readings. In either case the fabricae were to be erected so as to overlook the north-west end of the Forum. It is admitted that the Domus Palmata was near the Arch of Septimius Severus.]

31. KING THEODORIC TO AEMILIa.n.u.s, VIR VENERABILIS, BISHOP.

[Sidenote: An aqueduct to be promptly finished.]

'Wise men should finish what they have begun, and not incur the reproach which attends half-done work.