Page 218 - Envoys and Political Communication in the Late Antique West 411 - 533

Envoys and Political Communication,411–533

conveyed illustrious rank and full membership of the Senate on its in-
cumbent, and consequently the king commends their new member to
the patres conscripti. Though the two letters appear similar in tone and
sequence of topic, close examination reveals a tactful tailoring of each to
its recipient. The letter to Senarius emphasises the court’s patronage of
its servants and Senarius’ personal qualities. The Senate’s letter, however,
dwells on Senarius’ entry into the ranks of that body, and his obligations,
in office, to the public good.
The promotion of virtuous servants, according to the letter to Senarius,
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redounds to the glory of their ruler. For the officer, the acquisition of
dignities is a reward for efficient and loyal service; even when commenc-
ing a new office, the promise of further advancement is held out as a
51
spur to loyalty. The ‘good deeds’ to which Senarius is exhorted are to
serve the interests of the court, rather than those of the public in general,
which receive scant attention. 52
By contrast, the theme of reward for service is absent from the letter to
the Senate. Instead, the second document states that the king’s advance-
ment of deserving servants benefits the public at large, rather than the
ruler’s glory or the individual, for ‘whatever we give to such persons, we
bestow rather for the general good’. 53 Theoderic vouches that Senarius
will not abuse the authority of his office for personal profit, a concern
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not explicit in the letter to Senarius. While the letter to Senarius does
not even mention his entry to the Senate, his elevation in rank is clearly
expected to be the main concern of the Senate. His career is briefly re-
lated in the second letter as evidence of his personal virtue, displaying his
constancy, wisdom, administrative talents, and humility. 55 Cassiodorus
mentions, with perhaps suspicious brevity, Senarius’ equally meritorious
family background (again unmentioned in the letter to the subject him-
self), and concludes with an exhortation to the Senate to welcome their
new member, notto resenthis advancement. 56
The letter to Senarius reflects the background of court service and
patronage within which officials pursued their careers, while that to the
Senate echoes the traditional etiquette governing relations between the
ancient body of the Roman aristocracy and the imperial court. Though
the Senate was nurtured by Theoderic in the early part of his reign, the

50
Cass., Variae iv, 3.1, lines 16–19.
51
Efficiency: Cass., Variae iv, 3.2, line 23: disposita laudabili assumptione complebes; further advance-
ment: 4, lines 4–5: tanto studiosus gratiam quaere,quantum te locum beneficiis respicis invenisse.
52
Bona: Cass., Variae iv, 3.4, lines 5–7; public: 1, lines 19–20.
53
Cass., Variae iv, 4.1, lines 10–11: Quicquid enim talibus tribuimus,pro generali potius utilitate largimur.
54 55 56
Cass., Variae iv, 4.2. Cass., Variae iv, 4.3–4. Cass., Variae iv, 4.5.
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