The Letters of Cassiodorus: Being a Condensed Translation of the Variae Epistolae of Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator

By Senator Cassiodorus

The Letters of Cassiodorus is a collection of official correspondence written by Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator, a Roman statesman and scholar who served under the Ostrogothic kings of Italy. The letters cover various topics such as politics, administration, religion, culture and history, and provide valuable insights into the society and government of Italy in the sixth century.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Good Press
• Release date: Nov 19, 2019
• ISBN: 4057664148872

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Senator Cassiodorus

The Letters of Cassiodorus

Being a Condensed Translation of the Variae Epistolae of Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator

Published by Good Press, 2022

[e-mail]

EAN 4057664148872

Table of Contents

PREFACE.

INTRODUCTION.

ABSTRACT OF THE 'VARIAE.'

BOOK IV.

BOOK V.

BOOK VI.

BOOK VII.

BOOK VIII.

BOOK IX.

BOOK X.

BOOK XI.

BOOK XII.

ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.

INTRODUCTION.

CHAPTER I.

LIFE OF CASSIODORUS.

CHAPTER II.

THE ANECDOTON HOLDERI.

CHAPTER III.

THE GRADATIONS OF OFFICIAL RANK IN THE LATER EMPIRE.

CHAPTER IV.

ON THE OFFICIUM OF THE PRAEFECTUS PRAETORIO .

CHAPTER V.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

CHAPTER VI.

CHRONOLOGY.

Chronological Tables.

THE

LETTERS OF CASSIODORUS.

PREFACE [192] .

BOOK I.

CONTAINING FORTY-SIX LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

1. King Theodoric to Emperor Anastasius .

2. King Theodoric to Theon, Vir Sublimis .

3. King Theodoric to Cassiodorus, Vir Illustris and Patrician .

4. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

5. King Theodoric to Florianus, Vir Spectabilis .

6. King Theodoric to Agapitus, Praefectus Urbis .

7. King Theodoric to Felix, Vir Clarissimus .

8. King Theodoric to Amabilis, the Collector (Exsecutor) .

9. King Theodoric to Eustorgius, Bishop of Milan .

10. King Theodoric to Boetius , Vir Illustris and Patrician .

11. King Theodoric to Servatus, Duke of the Raetias .

12. King Theodoric to Eugenius (or Eugenites) , Vir Illustris, Magister Officiorum .

13. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

14. King Theodoric to Faustus, .

15. King Theodoric to Festus, Vir Illustris and Patrician .

16. King Theodoric to Julianus, Comes Patrimonii [probably 508].

17. King Theodoric to all the Gothic and Roman Inhabitants of Dertona (Tortona) .

18. King Theodoric to Domitianus and Wilias .

19. King Theodoric to Saturninus and Verbusius, Viri Sublimes .

20. King Theodoric to Albinus and Albienus, Viri Illustres and Patricians .

21. King Theodoric to Maximian, Vir Illustris; and Andreas, Vir Spectabilis .

22. King Theodoric to Marcellus, Vir Spectabilis, Advocatus Fisci .

23. King Theodoric to Coelianus and Agapitus, Viri Illustres and Patricians .

24. King Theodoric to all the Goths .

25. King Theodoric to Sabinianus, Vir Spectabilis .

26. King Theodoric to Faustus, .

27. King Theodoric to Speciosus .

28. King Theodoric to all the Goths and Romans .

29. King Theodoric to all the Lucristani (Lustriani?) on the River Sontius (Isonzo) .

30. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

31. King Theodoric to the Roman People .

32. King Theodoric to Agapitus, Vir Illustris, Praefectus Urbis .

33. King Theodoric to Agapitus, Vir Illustris, Praefectus Urbis .

34. King Theodoric to Faustus, .

35. King Theodoric to Faustus, .

36. King Theodoric to Theriolus, Vir Spectabilis .

37. King Theodoric to Crispianus .

38. King Theodoric to Baion, .

39. King Theodoric to Festus, Vir Illustris and Patrician .

40. King Theodoric to Assuin (or Assius) , Vir Illustris and Comes .

41. King Theodoric to Agapitus, Vir Illustris, Praefectus Urbis .

42. King Theodoric to Artemidorus, Vir Illustris and Patrician [509 or 524].

43. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

44. King Theodoric to the People of Rome .

45. King Theodoric to Boetius, Vir Illustris and Patrician .

46. King Theodoric to Gundibad [sic], King of the Burgundians .

BOOK II.

CONTAINING FORTY-ONE LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

1. King Theodoric to Anastasius, Most Pious Emperor. a.d. 511.

2. King Theodoric to Felix, Vir Illustris, Consul Ordinarius, a.d. 511 (4th of the Indiction) .

3. King Theodoric to the Senate. a.d. 511.

4. King Theodoric to Ecdicius (or Benedictus) , Vir Honestus .

5. King Theodoric to Faustus, .

6. King Theodoric to Agapitus, Illustris and Patrician .

7. King Theodoric to Sura (or Suna) , Illustris and Comes .

8. King Theodoric to Bishop Severus, Vir Venerabilis .

9. King Theodoric to Faustus, .

10. King Theodoric to Speciosus, Vir Devotus, Comitiacus [Officer of the Court] .

11. King Theodoric to Provinus (Probinus?) , Illustris and Patrician .

12. King Theodoric to the Count of the Siliquatarii (Customs Officers) , and to him who has the Care of the Harbour (of Portus?) .

13. King Theodoric to the Sajo Fruinarith .

14. King Theodoric to Symmachus, Patrician .

15. King Theodoric to Venantius, Vir Illustris .

16. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

17. To the Possessors, Defensors, and Curials of the City of Tridentum (Trient) .

18. King Theodoric to Bishop Gudila .

19. King Theodoric to all the Goths and Romans, and those who keep the Harbours and Mountain-Fortresses (Clusuras) .

20. King Theodoric to the Sajo (or Wiligis) .

21. King Theodoric to Joannes the Apparitor .

22. King Theodoric to Festus, Vir Illustris and Patrician .

23. King Theodoric to Ampelius, Despotius, and Theodulus, .

24. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

25. An Edict of King Theodoric .

26. King Theodoric to Faustus, Praetorian Praefect .

27. King Theodoric to all the Jews living in Genoa .

28. King Theodoric to Stephanus, ' , Comes Primi Ordinis, and ex-princeps of our Officium .'

29. King Theodoric to Adila, and Comes .

30. King Theodoric to Faustus, Praetorian Praefect .

31. King Theodoric to the Dromonarii [Rowers in Express-boats] .

32. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

33. King Theodoric to Decius, Illustris and Patrician .

34. King Theodoric to Artemidorus, Praefect of the City .

35. King Theodoric to Tancila, .

36. Edict about the Statue at Como .

37. King Theodoric to Faustus, Praetorian Praefect .

38. King Theodoric to Faustus, Praetorian Praefect .

39. King Theodoric to Aloisius the Architect .

40. King Theodoric to Boetius the Patrician .

41. King Theodoric to Luduin [Clovis], King of the Franks .

BOOK III.

CONTAINING FIFTY-THREE LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

1. King Theodoric to Alaric, King of the Visigoths .

2. King Theodoric to Gundibad, King of the Burgundians .

3. King Theodoric to the Kings of the Heruli, Warni (Guarni) , and Thuringians .

4. King Theodoric to Luduin (Ludwig, or Clovis) , King of the Franks .

5. King Theodoric to Importunus, Vir Illustris and Patrician .

6. King Theodoric to the Senate on Importunus' Accession to the Patriciate .

7. King Theodoric to the Venerable Januarius, Bishop of Salona .

8. King Theodoric to Venantius, , Corrector of Lucania and Bruttii .

9. King Theodoric to the Possessores, Defensores, and Curiales dwelling at Aestunae .

10. King Theodoric to the Illustrious Festus, Patrician .

11. King Theodoric to Argolicus, Vir Illustris [a.d. 510] .

12. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

13. King Theodoric to Sunhivad, .

14. King Theodoric to the Venerable Bishop Aurigenes .

15. King Theodoric to Theodahad, .

16. King Theodoric to Gemellus, (509-510) .

17. King Theodoric to all the Gaulish (510) .

18. King Theodoric to Gemellus .

19. King Theodoric to Daniel [a 'Commonitorium'] .

20. King Theodoric to the Sajo Grimoda and to the Apparitor Ferrocinctus .

21. King Theodoric to Faustus, Vir Illustris .

22. King Theodoric to Artemidorus, Vir Illustris .

23. King Theodoric to Colossaeus, Vir Illustris and Comes (cir. a.d. 505) .

24. King Theodoric to all the Barbarians and Romans settled in Pannonia .

25. King Theodoric to Simeon, Vir Illustris and Comes .

26. King Theodoric to Osun, Vir Illustris and Count .

27. King Theodoric to Joannes, , Consular of Campania .

28. King Theodoric to Cassiodorus, Vir Illustris and Patrician .

29. King Theodoric to Argolicus, Illustris and Praefect of the City .

30. King Theodoric to Argolicus, Illustris and Praefectus Urbis .

31. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

32. King Theodoric to Gemellus, . a.d. 511.

33. King Theodoric to Argolicus, Illustris, Praefect of the City .

34. King Theodoric to the Inhabitants of Massilia .

35. King Theodoric to Romulus .

36. King Theodoric to the Illustrious Count Arigern .

37. King Theodoric to Bishop Peter .

38. King Theodoric to Wandil [Vuandil ] .

39. King Theodoric to Felix, Illustris and Consul (a.d. 511) .

40. King Theodoric to all the Provincials settled in Gaul .

41. King Theodoric to Gemellus, [Governor of Gothic Gaul ].

42. King Theodoric to all the Provincials in Gaul .

43. King Theodoric to Unigis, the Sword-bearer [Spatarius] .

44. King Theodoric to all the Landowners [Possessores] of Arles .

45. King Theodoric to Arigern, Illustris and Count .

46. King Theodoric to Adeodatus .

47. King Theodoric to Faustus, Praetorian Praefect .

48. King Theodoric to all Goths and Romans living near the Fort of Verruca .

49. King Theodoric to the Honoured Possessores, Defensores, and Curiales of the City of Catana .

50. King Theodoric to the Provincials of Noricum .

51. King Theodoric to Faustus, Praetorian Praefect .

52. King Theodoric to the Illustrious Consularis .

53. King Theodoric to the Illustrious Apronianus, Count of the Private Domains .

BOOK IV.

CONTAINING FIFTY-ONE LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

1. King Theodoric to Herminafrid, King of the Thuringians .

2. King Theodoric to the King of the Heruli .

3. King Theodoric to Senarius, Vir Illustris, Comes .

4. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

5. King Theodoric to Amabilis, Vir Devotus and Comes .

6. King Theodoric to Symmachus, Vir Illustris, Patrician .

7. King Theodoric to Senarius, Vir Illustris, Comes Privatarum .

8. King Theodoric to the honoured Possessores and Curiales of Forum Livii (Forli) .

9. King Theodoric to Osuin, Vir Illustris and Comes .

10. King Theodoric to Joannes, and Consularis of Campania .

11. King Theodoric to Senarius, Vir Illustris and Comes .

12. King Theodoric to Marabad, Vir Illustris and Comes; and Gemellus, .

13. King Theodoric to Senarius, Vir Illustris, Comes Privatarum .

14. King Theodoric to the Sajo Gesila .

15. King Theodoric to Benenatus, .

16. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

17. King Theodoric to , Vir Sublimis and Dux .

18. King Theodoric to Annas, and Comes .

19. King Theodoric to Gemellus, .

20. King Theodoric to Geberich, .

21. King Theodoric to Gemellus, .

22. King Theodoric to Argolicus, Vir Illustris and Praefect of the City;

and

23. King Theodoric to Arigern, Vir Illustris and Comes .

24. King Theodoric to Elpidius, Deacon [of Spoleto].

25. King Theodoric to Argolicus, Vir Illustris, Praefectus Urbis .

26. King Theodoric to all the Citizens of Marseilles .

27. King Theodoric to the Sajo Tezutzat ,

and

28. King Theodoric to Duda, and Comes .

29. King Theodoric to Argolicus, Vir Illustris, Praefect of the City .

30. King Theodoric to Albinus, Vir Illustris and Patrician .

31. King Theodoric to Aemilianus, Vir Venerabilis, Bishop .

32. King Theodoric to Duda the Sajo .

33. King Theodoric to all the Jews of Genoa .

34. King Theodoric to Duda the Sajo .

35. King Theodoric to the Representatives (Actores) of Albinus .

36. King Theodoric to Faustus, Praetorian Praefect. a.d. 509-510.

37. King Theodoric to the Illustrious Woman Theodagunda .

38. King Theodoric to Faustus, Praetorian Praefect .

39. King Theodoric to Theodahad, Vir Illustris [and Nephew of the King] .

40. King Theodoric to the Representatives (Actores) of Probinus .

41. King Theodoric to Joannes, Arch-physician .

42. King Theodoric to Argolicus, Praefect of the City .

43. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

44. King Theodoric to the Venerable Antonius, Bishop of Pola .

45. King Theodoric to the Comites, Defensores, and Curiales of Ticinum (Pavia) .

46. King Theodoric to Marabad, Vir Illustris .

47. King Theodoric to Gudisal the Sajo .

48. King Theodoric to Eusebius, Vir Illustris .

49. King Theodoric to all the Provincials and the Long-haired Men , the Defensores and the Curiales residing in Suavia .

50. King Theodoric to Faustus, Praetorian Praefect .

51. King Theodoric to Symmachus, Patrician .

BOOK V.

CONTAINING FORTY-FOUR LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

1. King Theodoric to the King of the Vandals .

2. King Theodoric to the Haesti .

3. King Theodoric to Honoratus, Vir Illustris, Quaestor .

4. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

5. King Theodoric to the Sajo Mannila .

6. King Theodoric to Stabularius, Comitiacus .

7. King Theodoric to Joannes, Vir Clarissimus, Arcarius [Treasurer] .

8. King Theodoric to Anastasius the Consular .

9. King Theodoric to the Possessores of Feltria .

10. King Theodoric to the Sajo Veranus .

11. King Theodoric to the Gepidae, on their March to Gaul .

12. King Theodoric to Theodahad, Vir Illustris [Nephew of the King] .

13. King Theodoric to Eutropius and Acretius .

14. King Theodoric to Severi(a) nus , Vir Illustris (514-515) .

15. King Theodoric to all the Possessores in Suavia .

16. King Theodoric to Abundantius, Praetorian Praefect .

17. King Theodoric to Abundantius, Praetorian Praefect .

18. King Theodoric to Uvilias [Willias?], Vir Illustris and Count of the Patrimony .

19. King Theodoric to Gudinand, a Sajo .

20. King Theodoric to Avilf, a Sajo .

21. King Theodoric to Capuanus, .

22. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

23. King Theodoric to Abundantius, Praetorian Praefect .

24. King Theodoric to the Epiphanius, Consularis of Dalmatia .

25. King Theodoric to Bacauda , Vir Sublimis .

26. King Theodoric to all the Goths settled in Picenum and Samnium .

27. King Theodoric to Guduim, Sajo .

28. King Theodoric to Carinus, Vir Illustris .

29. King Theodoric to Neudes, Vir Illustris .

30. King Theodoric to Gudui[m], Vir Sublimis [and Dux] .

31. King Theodoric to , Vir Devotus (?) .

32. King Theodoric to Brandila (cir. 508-9) .

33. King Theodoric to Duke Wilitanch .

34. King Theodoric to Abundantius, Praetorian Praefect .

35. King Theodoric to Count Luvirit, and Ampelius .

36. King Theodoric to Starcedius, Vir Sublimis .

37. King Theodoric to the Jews of Milan .

38. King Theodoric to all Cultivators .

39. King Theodoric to Ampelius and Liveria .

40. King Theodoric to Cyprian, Count of the Sacred Largesses .

41. King Theodoric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

42. King Theodoric to Maximus, Vir Illustris, Consul .

43. King Theodoric to Transmund [Thrasamund], King of the Vandals (cir. 511) .

44. King Theodoric to Transmund [Thrasamund], King of the Vandals .

BOOK VI.

CONTAINING TWENTY-FIVE FORMULAE .

1. Formula of the Consulship .

2. Formula of the Patriciate .

3. Formula of the Praetorian Praefecture .

4. Formula of the Praefecture of the City .

5. Formula of the Quaestorship .

6. Formula of the Magisterial Dignity, and its Excellency (Magister Officiorum) .

7. Formula of the Office of Comes Sacrarum Largitionum .

8. Formula of the Office of Comes Privatarum, and its Excellency .

9. Formula of the Office of Count of the Patrimony, and its Excellency .

10. Formula by which Men are made Proceres per Codicillos Vacantes .

11. Formula by which the Rank of an Illustris and the Title of a Comes Domesticorum are Conferred, without Office .

12. Formula for the Bestowal of a Countship of the First Order, without Office .

13. Formula for Bestowing the [honorary] Rank of Master of the Bureau [Magister Scrinii] and Count of the First Order, on an Officer of the Courts (Comitiacus) in Active Service .

14. Formula Bestowing Rank as a Senator .

15. Formula of the Vicarius of the City of Rome .

16. Formula of the Notaries .

17. Formula of the Referendarii .

18. Formula of the Praefectus Annonae, and his Excellency .

19. Formula of the Count of the Chief Physicians .

20. Formula of the Office of a Consular, and its Excellency .

21. Formula of the Governor (Rector) of a Province .

22. Formula of the Count of the City of Syracuse .

23. Formula of the Count of Naples .

24. Formula addressed to the Gentlemen-Farmers (or the Titled Cultivators) and Common Councilmen of the City of Naples [and surrounding District] .

BOOK VII.

CONTAINING FORTY-SEVEN FORMULAE.

1. Formula of the Count of a Province .

2. Formula of a Praeses .

3. Formula of the Count of the Goths in the several Provinces .

4. Formula of the Duke of Raetia .

5. Formula of the Palace Architect .

6. Formula of the Count of the Aqueducts .

7. Formula of the Praefect of the Watch of the City of Rome .

8. Formula of the Praefect of the Watch of the City of Ravenna .

9. Formula of the Count of Portus .

10. Formula of the Tribunus Voluptatum .

11. Formula of the Defensor of any City .

12. Formula of the Curator of a City .

13. Formula of the Count of Rome .

14. Formula of the Count of Ravenna .

15. Formula addressed to the Praefect of the City on the Appointment of an Architect .

16. Formula of the Count of the Islands of Curritana and Celsina .

17. Formula concerning the President of the Lime-kilns .

18. Formula concerning Armourers .

19. Formula addressed to the Praetorian Praefect concerning the Armourers .

20 and 21. Formula as to the Collection of Bina and Terna

22. Formula of Exhortation addressed to the two Scriniarii referred to in Formula 21 .

23. Formula of the Vicarius of Portus .

24. Formula of the Princeps of Dalmatia .

25. Formula recommending the Principes to the Comes .

26. Formula of the Countship of the Second Rank in divers Cities .

27. Formula addressed to the Dignified Cultivators and Curiales .

28. Formula announcing the Appointment of a Comes to the Chief of his Staff .

29. Formula concerning the Guard at the Gates of a City .

30. Formula of the Tribunate in the Provinces .

31. Formula of the Princeps of the City of Rome .

32. Formula of the Master of the Mint .

33. Formula respecting the Ambassadors of Various Nations .

34. Formula of Summons to the King's Court (unsolicited) .

35. Formula of Summons to the Court (solicited) .

36. Formula granting temporary Leave of Absence .

37. Formula conferring the Rank of a Spectabilis .

38. Formula conferring the Rank of a Clarissimus .

39. Formula bestowing 'Police Protection.'

40. Formula for the Confirmation of Marriage and the Legitimation of Offspring .

41. Formula conferring the Rights of Full Age .

42. Formula of an Edict to the Quaestor ordering the Person who asks for the Protection of a Sajo to give Bail .

43. Formula approving the Appointment of a Clerk in the Record-Office .

44. Formula for the Grant of Public Property on Condition of Improvement .

45. Formula of Remission of Taxes where the Taxpayer has only one House, too heavily Assessed .

46. Formula legitimating Marriage with a First Cousin .

47. Formula addressed to the Praetorian Praefect directing the Sale of the Property of a Curialis .

BOOK VIII.

CONTAINING THIRTY-THREE LETTERS, ALL WRITTEN IN THE NAME OF ATHALARIC THE KING, EXCEPT THE ELEVENTH, WHICH IS WRITTEN IN THE NAME OF TULUM.

1. King Athalaric to the Emperor Justin (a.d. 526) .

2. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome on his Accession (a.d. 526) .

3. King Athalaric to the Roman People (a.d. 526) .

4. King Athalaric to all the Romans settled in Italy and the Dalmatias (a.d. 526) .

5. King Athalaric to all the Goths settled in Italy (a.d. 526) .

6. King Athalaric to Liberius, Praetorian Praefect of the Gauls (a.d. 526) .

7. King Athalaric to all the Provincials settled in Gaul (a.d. 526) .

8. King Athalaric to Victorinus, Vir Venerabilis and Bishop (a.d. 526) .

9. King Athalaric to Tulum, Patrician .

10. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

11. Tulum, Illustris and Patrician, to the Senate of the City of Rome .

12. King Athalaric to Arator, Vir Illustris .

13. King Athalaric to Ambrosius .

14. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

15. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

16. King Athalaric to Opilio, Count of the Sacred Largesses (527) .

17. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

18. King Athalaric to Felix, Quaestor (527) .

19. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

20. King Athalaric to Albienus, Vir Illustris and Praefectus Praetorio (527) .

21. King Athalaric to Cyprian, Patrician .

22. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

23. King Athalaric to Bergantinus, Vir Illustris and Comes Patrimonii .

24. King Athalaric to the Clergy of the Roman Church .

25. King Athalaric to Joannes, Vir Spectabilis, Referendarius .

26. King Athalaric To All The Inhabitants Of Reate And Nursia .

27. King Athalaric to Dumerit the Sajo, and to Florentinus, a zealous Officer of the Court .

28. King Athalaric to Cunigast, Vir Illustris .

29. King Athalaric to the Dignified Cultivators and Curials of the City of Parma .

30. King Athalaric to Genesius, Vir Spectabilis .

31. King Athalaric to Severus, Vir Spectabilis .

32. King Athalaric to Severus, Vir Spectabilis .

33. King Athalaric to Severus, Vir Spectabilis .

BOOK IX.

CONTAINING TWENTY-FIVE LETTERS, ALL WRITTEN IN THE NAME OF ATHALARIC THE KING.

1. King Athalaric to Hilderic, King of the Vandals (a.d. 527) .

2. Edict of King Athalaric .

3. King Athalaric to Bergantinus, Vir Illustris, Comes [Patrimonii], and Patrician .

4. King Athalaric to Abundantius, Praetorian Praefect .

5. King Athalaric to the Bishops and Functionaries of —— .

6. King Athalaric to ——, Primiscrinius .

7. King Athalaric to Reparatus, Praefect of the City .

8. King Athalaric to Count Osuin (or Osum) , Vir Illustris .

9. King Athalaric to all the Goths and Romans (in Dalmatia and Savia) .

10. King Athalaric to all the Provincials of the City of Syracuse .

11. King Athalaric to Gildias, Vir Spectabilis, Count of Syracuse .

12. King Athalaric to Victor and Witigisclus (or Wigisicla) , Viri Spectabiles, Censitores of Sicily .

13. King Athalaric to Willias, Vir Illustris, Comes Patrimonii .

14. King Athalaric to Gildias, Vie Spectabilis, Count of Syracuse .

15. King Athalaric to Pope John II () .

16. King Athalaric to Salvantius, Vir Illustris, Praefect of the City .

17. King Athalaric to the Same (between 532 and 534) .

18. The Edict of Athalaric .

19. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

20. King Athalaric to all the Judges of the Provinces .

21. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

22. King Athalaric to Paulinus, Vir Clarissimus and Consul (533) .

23. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome .

24. King Athalaric to Senator [Cassiodorus himself], Praetorian Praefect (Sept. 1, 533) .

25. King Athalaric to the Senate of the City of Rome (on the Promotion of Cassiodorus Senator to the Praetorian Praefecture) .

BOOK X.

CONTAINING THIRTY-FIVE LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS

FOUR IN THE NAME OF QUEEN AMALASUENTHA. TWENTY-TWO IN THAT OF KING THEODAHAD. FOUR IN THAT OF HIS WIFE GUDELINA. FIVE IN THAT OF KING WITIGIS.

1. Queen Amalasuentha to Justinian the Emperor (a.d. 534) .

2. Theodahad the King to Justinian the Emperor .

3. Queen Amalasuentha to the Senate of the City of Rome .

4. King Theodahad to the Senate of the City of Rome .

5. King Theodahad to his Man Theodosius .

6. King Theodahad to Patricius, Vir Illustris and Quaestor .

7. King Theodahad to the Senate of the City of Rome .

8. Queen Amalasuentha to Justinian, Augustus .

9. King Theodahad to Justinian, Augustus .

10. Queen Amalasuentha to Theodora, Augusta .

11. King Theodahad to Maximus , Vir Illustris and Domesticus .

12. King Theodahad to the Senate of the City of Rome .

13. King Theodahad to the Senate of the City of Rome .

14. King Theodahad to the Roman People .

15. King Theodahad to the Emperor Justinian .

16. King Theodahad to the Senate of the City of Rome .

17. King Theodahad to the Roman People .

18. King Theodahad to the Senate of the City of Rome .

19. King Theodahad to the Emperor Justinian .

20. Queen Gudelina to Theodora Augusta .

21. Queen Gudelina to Theodora, Augusta .

22. King Theodahad to the Emperor Justinian .

23. Queen Gudelina to Theodora, Augusta .

24. Queen Gudelina to the Emperor Justinian .

25. King Theodahad to the Emperor Justinian .

26. King Theodahad to the Emperor Justinian .

27. King Theodahad to Senator , Praefectus Praetorio .

28. King Theodahad to Senator , Praefectus Praetorio .

29. King Theodahad to Count Winusiad .

30. King Theodahad to Honorius, Praefect of the City .

31. King Witigis to all the Goths .

32. King Witigis to the Emperor Justinian .

33. King Witigis to the Master of the Offices [at Constantinople] .

34. King Witigis to his Bishops .

35. King Witigis to the Praefect of Thessalonica .

BOOK XI.

PREFACE.

BOOK XI.

CONTAINING THIRTY-NINE LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN HIS OWN NAME AS PRAEFECTUS PRAETORIO, AND ONE ON BEHALF OF THE ROMAN SENATE.

1. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Senate of the City of Rome (a.d. 534) .

2. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Pope John .

3. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to divers Bishops .

4. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to his Deputy Ambrosius, an Illustris .

5. The Same to the Same .

6. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Joannes, Cancellarius .

7. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to all the Judges of the Provinces .

8. Edict Published through the Provinces by Senator, Praetorian Praefect .

9. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Judges of the Provinces .

10. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Beatus, Vir Clarissimus and Cancellarius .

11. Edict concerning Prices to be Maintained at Ravenna .

12. Edict concerning Prices along the Flaminian Way .

13. The Senate of the City of Rome to the Emperor Justinian .

14. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Gaudiosus, Cancellarius of the Province of Liguria .

15. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Ligurians .

16. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Ligurians .

17. On the Promotions in the Official Staff of the Praetorian Praefect, made on Christmas Day .

36. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Anat(h) olius, Cancellarius of the Province of Samnium .

37. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Clarissimus Lucinus, Cancellarius of Campania .

38. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Joannes, Canonicarius of Thuscia .

39. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Clarissimus Vitalian, Cancellarius of Lucania and Bruttii .

40. An Indulgence [or Amnesty to Prisoners on some great Festival of the Church, probably Easter] .

BOOK XII.

CONTAINING TWENTY-EIGHT LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN HIS OWN NAME AS PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT.

1. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the various Cancellarii of the Several Provinces .

2. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to all the Judges of the Provinces (a.d. 534-535) .

3. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to all the Sajones who have been assigned to the Cancellarii .

4. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Canonicarius of the Venetiae .

5. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Valerian, Vir Sublimis .

6. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to all the Subordinate Governors of the Praefecture .

7. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Tax-Collector of the Venetian Province .

8. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Consularis of the Province of Liguria .

9. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Paschasius, Praefect of the Corn-Distributions .

10. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to divers Cancellarii in the Provinces .

11. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Peter, Vir Clarissimus, Distributor of Relishes .

12. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Anastasius, Cancellarius of Lucania and Bruttii .

13. An Edict .

14. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Anastasius, Cancellarius of Lucania and Bruttii .

15. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Maximus, Vir Clarissimus, Cancellarius of Lucania and Bruttii .

16. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to a Revenue Officer .

17. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to John, Siliquatarius of Ravenna .

18. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Constantian, Vir Experientissimus .

19. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Maximus, Vicarius of the City of Rome .

20. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Thomas and Peter, Viri Clarissimi and Arcarii .

21. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Deusdedit, a Scribe of Ravenna .

22. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Provincials of Istria .

23. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Laurentius, Vir Experientissimus .

24. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to the Tribunes of the Maritime Population .

25. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, To His Deputy Ambrosius, an Illustris .

26. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Paulus, Vir Strenuus .

27. Senator, Praetorian Praefect, to Datius , Bishop of Milan .

28. An Edict [addressed to the Ligurians] .

THE END.

INDEX OF PERSONS

TO WHOM THE LETTERS ARE ADDRESSED.

GENERAL INDEX.

PREFACE.

Table of Contents

The abstract of the 'Variae' of Cassiodorus which I now offer to the notice of historical students, belongs to that class of work which Professor Max Müller happily characterised when he entitled two of his volumes 'Chips from a German Workshop.' In the course of my preparatory reading, before beginning the composition of the third and fourth volumes of my book on 'Italy and Her Invaders,' I found it necessary to study very attentively the 'Various Letters' of Cassiodorus, our best and often our only source of information, for the character and the policy of the great Theodoric. The notes which in this process were accumulated upon my hands might, I hoped, be woven into one long chapter on the Ostrogothic government of Italy. When the materials were collected, however, they were so manifold, so perplexing, so full of curious and unexpected detail, that I quite despaired of ever succeeding in the attempt to group them into one harmonious and artistic picture. Frankly, therefore, renouncing a task which is beyond my powers, I offer my notes for the perusal of the few readers who may care to study the mutual reactions of the Roman and the Teutonic mind upon one another in the Sixth Century, and I ask these to accept the artist's assurance, 'The curtain is the picture.'

It will be seen that I only profess to give an abstract, not a full translation of the letters. There is so much repetition and such a lavish expenditure of words in the writings of Cassiodorus, that they lend themselves very readily to the work of the abbreviator. Of course the longer letters generally admit of greater relative reduction in quantity than the shorter ones, but I think it may be said that on an average the letters have lost at least half their bulk in my hands. On any important point the real student will of course refuse to accept my condensed rendering, and will go straight to the fountain-head. I hope, however, that even students may occasionally derive the same kind of assistance from my labours which an astronomer derives from the humble instrument called the 'finder' in a great observatory.

A few important letters have been translated, to the best of my ability, verbatim. In the not infrequent instances where I have been unable to extract any intelligible meaning, on grammatical principles, from the words of my author, I have put in the text the nearest approximation that I could discover to his meaning, and placed the unintelligible words in a note, hoping that my readers may be more fortunate in their interpretation than I have been.

With the usual ill-fortune of authors, just as my last sheet was passing through the press I received from Italy a number of the 'Atti e Memorie della R. Deputazione di Storia Patria per le Provincie di Romagna' (to which I am a subscriber), containing an elaborate and scholarlike article by S. Augusto Gaudenzi, entitled 'L'Opera di Cassiodorio a Ravenna.' It is a satisfaction to me to see that in several instances S. Gaudenzi and I have reached practically the same conclusions; but I cannot but regret that his paper reached me too late to prevent my benefiting from it more fully. A few of the more important points in which I think S. Gaudenzi throws useful light on our common subject are noticed in the 'Additions and Corrections,' to which I beg to draw my readers' attention.

I may perhaps be allowed to add that the Index, the preparation of which has cost me no small amount of labour, ought (if I have not altogether failed in my endeavour) to be of considerable assistance to the historical enquirer. For instance, if he will refer to the heading Sajo, and consult the passages there referred to, he will find, I believe, all that Cassiodorus has to tell us concerning these interesting personages, the Sajones, who were almost the only representatives of the intrusive Gothic element in the fabric of Roman administration.

From textual criticism and the discussion of the authority of different MSS. I have felt myself entirely relieved by the announcement of the forthcoming critical edition of the 'Variae,' under the superintendence of Professor Meyer. The task to which an eminent German scholar has devoted the labour of several years, it would be quite useless for me, without appliances and without special training, to approach as an amateur; and I therefore simply help myself to the best reading that I can get from the printed texts, leaving to Professor Meyer to say which reading possesses the highest diplomatic authority. Simply as a a matter of curiosity I have spent some days in examining the MSS. of Cassiodorus in the British Museum. If they are at all fair representatives (which probably they are not) of the MSS. which Professor Meyer has consulted, I should say that though the titles of the letters have often got into great confusion through careless and unintelligent copying, the main text is not likely to show any very important variations from the editions of Nivellius and Garet.

I now commend this volume with all its imperfections to the indulgent criticism of the small class of historical students who alone will care to peruse it. The man of affairs and the practical politician will of course not condescend to turn over its pages; yet the anxious and for a time successful efforts of Theodoric and his Minister to preserve to Italy the blessings of Civilitas might perhaps teach useful lessons even to a modern statesman.

THOS. HODGKIN.

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Footnote

Table of Contents

The following Note as to the MSS. at the British Museum may save a future enquirer a little trouble.

(1) 10 B. XV. is a MS. about 11 inches by 8, written in a fine bold hand, and fills 157 folios, of which 134 belong to the 'Variae' and 23 to the 'Institutiones Divinarum Litterarum.' There are also two folios at the end which I have not deciphered. The MS. is assigned to the Thirteenth Century. The title of the First Book is interesting, because it contains the description of Cassiodorus' official rank, 'Ex Magistri Officii,' which Mommsen seems to have looked for in the MSS. in vain. The MS. contains the first Three Books complete, but only 39 letters of the Fourth. Letters 40-51 of the Fourth Book, and the whole of the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Books, are missing. It then goes on to the Eighth Book (which it calls the Fifth), but omits the first five letters. The remaining 28 appear to be copied satisfactorily. The Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Books, which the transcriber calls the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth, seem to be on the whole correctly copied.

There seems to be a certain degree of correspondence between the readings of this MS. and those of the Leyden MS. of the Twelfth Century (formerly at Fulda) which are described by Ludwig Tross in his 'Symbolae Criticae' (Hammone, 1853).

(2) 8 B. XIX. is a MS. also of the Thirteenth Century, in a smaller hand than the foregoing. The margins are very large, but the Codex measures only 6-3/4 inches by 4-1/4. The rubricated titles are of somewhat later date than the body of the text. The initial letters are elaborately illuminated. This MS. contains, in a mutilated state and in a peculiar order, the books from the Eighth to the Twelfth. The following is the order in which the books are placed:

The amanuensis, who has evidently been a thoroughly dishonest worker, constantly omits whole letters, from which however he sometimes extracts a sentence or two, which he tacks on to the end of some preceding letter without regard to the sense. This process makes it exceedingly difficult to collate the MS. with the printed text. Owing to the Eighth Book being inserted after the Twelfth, it is erroneously labelled on the back, 'Cassiodori Senatoris Epistolae, Lib. X-XIII.'

(3) 10 B. IV. (also of the Thirteenth Century, and measuring 11 inches by 8) contains, in a tolerably complete state, the first Three Books of the 'Variae,' Book IV. 5-39, Book VIII. 1-12, and Books X-XII. The order, however, is transposed, Books IV. and VIII. coming after Book XII. These excerpts from Cassiodorus, which occupy folios 66 to 134 of the MS., are preceded by some collections relative to the Civil and Canon Law. The letters which are copied seem to be carefully and conscientiously done.

These three MSS. are all in the King's Library.

Besides these MSS. I have also glanced at No. 1,919 in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. Like those previously described it is, I believe, of the Thirteenth Century, and professes to contain the whole of the 'Variae;' but the letters are in an exceedingly mutilated form. On an average it seems to me that not more than one-third of each letter is copied. In this manner the 'Variae' are compressed into the otherwise impossible number of 33 folios (149-182).

All these MSS., even the best of them, give me the impression of being copied by very unintelligent scribes, who had but little idea of the meaning of the words which they were transcribing. In all, the superscription V.S. is expanded (wrongly, as I believe) into 'Viro Senatori;' for 'Praefecto Praetorio' we have the meaningless 'Praeposito;' and the Agapitus who is addressed in the 6th, 32nd, and 33rd letters of the First Book is turned, in defiance of chronology, into a Pope.

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NOTE.

ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.

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INTRODUCTION.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I.

LIFE OF CASSIODORUS.

CHAPTER II.

THE 'ANECDOTON HOLDERI.'

CHAPTER III.

THE GRADATIONS OF OFFICIAL RANK IN THE LOWER EMPIRE.

CHAPTER IV.

ON THE OFFICIUM OF THE PRAEFECTUS PRAETORIO.

CHAPTER V.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

CHAPTER VI.

CHRONOLOGY.

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ABSTRACT OF THE 'VARIAE.'

Table of Contents

BOOK I.

CONTAINING FORTY-SIX LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

BOOK II.

CONTAINING FORTY-ONE LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

BOOK III.

CONTAINING FIFTY-THREE LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

BOOK IV.

Table of Contents

CONTAINING FIFTY-ONE LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

BOOK V.

Table of Contents

CONTAINING FORTY-FOUR LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN THE NAME OF THEODORIC.

BOOK VI.

Table of Contents

CONTAINING TWENTY-FIVE FORMULAE.

BOOK VII.

Table of Contents

CONTAINING FORTY-SEVEN FORMULAE.