Anonymus Valesianus: Pars Posterior: Chronica Theodericiana

[7] Igitur imperante Zenone Augusto Constantinopoli, superveniens Nepos patricius ad Portum urbis Romae, deposuit de imperio Glycerium et factus est episcopus et Nepos factus imperator Romae. Mox veniens Ravennam; quem persequens Orestes patricius cum exercitu, metuens Nepos adventum Orestis, ascendens navem fugam petit ad Salonam et ibi mansit per annos quinque; postea vero a suis occiditur. Mox eo egresso factus imperator Augustulus.

[7] Therefore, with Zeno Augustus ruling at Constantinople, the patrician Nepos, arriving at the Port of the city of Rome, deposed Glycerius from imperial power, and he was made a bishop, and Nepos was made emperor at Rome. Soon coming to Ravenna; him being pursued by Orestes the patrician with an army, Nepos, fearing the advent of Orestes, boarding a ship sought flight to Salona and there remained for five years; afterwards, however, he is killed by his own men. Soon, with him gone, Augustulus was made emperor.

Augustulus imperavit annos X.

Augustulus ruled for 10 years.

[8] Augustulus, qui ante regnum Romulus a parentibus vocabatur, a patre Oreste patricio factus est imperator. Superveniens autem Odoachar cum gente Scirorum occidit Orestem patricium in Placentia et fratrem eius Paulum ad Pinetam foris Classem Ravennae. Ingrediens autem Ravennam deposuit Augustulum de regno, cuius infantiae misertus concessit ei sanguinem, et quia pulcher erat, etiam donans ei reditum sex milia solidos, misit eum intra Campaniam cum parentibus suis libere vivere.

[8] Augustulus, who before the reign was called Romulus by his parents, was made emperor by his father Orestes the patrician. However, Odoacer arriving with the nation of the Sciri killed Orestes the patrician in Piacenza, and his brother Paul at Pineta outside Classe of Ravenna. Then entering Ravenna he deposed Augustulus from the rule; pitying his infancy he spared his life, and because he was handsome, even granting him a revenue of six thousand solidi, he sent him into Campania to live freely with his parents.

Enim pater eius Orestes Pannonius, qui eo tempore quando Attila ad Italiam venit se illi iunxit et eius notarius factus fuerat. Unde profecit et usque ad patricatus dignitatem pervenerat.

For his father Orestes, a Pannonian, at that time when Attila came to Italy joined himself to him and had become his notary. Whence he advanced and had attained even to the dignity of the patriciate.

[9] Ergo postquam factus est imperator Zeno a filio suo Leone, qui natus fuerat de filia Leone Ariagne nomine, regnat cum filio suo anno uno, et merito Leonis regnum remansit apud Zenonem. Zeno vero cum filio iam regnans anno uno, imperavit annos XIIII , Isauriae nobilissimus, qui dignus esset filiam imperatoris accipere, exercitus in arma. Perhibent de eo, quia patellas in genucula non habuisset, sed mobiles fuissent, ut etiam cursum velocissimum ultra modum hominum haberet.

[9] Therefore, after Zeno was made emperor by his son Leo, who had been born from the daughter of Leo, by name Ariagne, he reigns with his son for one year, and by the merit of Leo the kingdom remained with Zeno. But Zeno, now reigning with his son for one year, ruled 14 years , a most noble man of Isauria, who was worthy to receive the emperor’s daughter, the army was in arms. They report about him that he did not have patellae in his knees, but that they were mobile, so that he even had a very swift course beyond the measure of men.

In re publica omnino providentissimus, favens genti suae.

Altogether most provident in the republic, favoring his own nation.

Huic insidiabatur Basiliscus, ipse primus senator; quo cognito, Zeno cum aliquantis divitiis petiit Isauriam. At ubi ille egressus est, mox Basiliscus, qui ei, ut dictum est, insidiabatur, arripuit imperium.

Against him Basiliscus was lying in wait, himself the first senator; when this was learned, Zeno, with some riches, sought Isauria. But when he had departed, soon Basiliscus, who, as has been said, was plotting against him, seized the imperium.

Basiliscus imperavit annos II. Zeno confortans Isauros intra provinciam, deinde misit ad civitatem Novam, ubi erat Theodericus dux Gothorum, filius Walamerici, et eum invitavit in solacium sibi adversus Basiliscum, obiectans militem, post biennium veniens, obsidens civitatem Constantinopolim. Sed quia senatus et populus Zenonem metuentes, nequid mali pateretur civitas, relicto Basilisco se illi omnes dederunt aperta civitate. Basiliscus fugiens ad ecclesiam, intra baptisterium cum uxore et filiis ingreditur.

Basiliscus ruled for 2 years. Zeno, strengthening the Isaurians within the province, then sent to the city Nova, where Theoderic, duke of the Goths, son of Walameric, was, and invited him as solace and support to himself against Basiliscus, proffering soldiery; coming after 2 years, he besieged the city Constantinople. But because the senate and the people, fearing Zeno, lest the city suffer anything evil, with Basiliscus abandoned, all of them gave themselves to him, the city being opened. Basiliscus, fleeing to the church, entered within the baptistery with his wife and sons.

Cui Zeno dato sacramento securum esse de sanguine, exiens, inclausus cum uxore et filiis intra cisternam siccam, ibidem frigore defecerunt. Zeno recordatus est amorem senatus et populi, munificus omnibus se ostendit, ita ut omnes ei gratias agerent. Senatum Romanum et populum tuitus est, ut etiam ei imagines per diversa loca in urbe Roma levarentur.

To whom Zeno, an oath having been given that he would be secure of blood, upon his coming out, he was shut in with his wife and children within a dry cistern, and there they perished from cold. Zeno remembered the love of the senate and the people; he showed himself munificent to all, so that all gave thanks to him. He protected the Roman senate and the people, so that even images of him were raised in various places in the city of Rome.

Cuius tempora pacifica fuerunt.

His times were peaceful.

[10] Odoacar vero, cuius supra fecimus mentionem, mox deposito Augustulo de imperio, factus est rex mansitque in regno annos XIII. Cuius pater Edico dictus, de quo ita invenitur in libris vitae Beati Severini monachi intra Pannoniam, qui eum admonuit, et praedixit regnum eius futurum. Ita reperis ad locum: Quidam barbari cum ad Italiam pergerent, promerendae benedictionis ad eum intuitu deverterunt, inter quos et Odoacar, qui postea regnavit Italiae, vilissimo habitu iuvenis statura procerus advenerat; qui dum se, ne humillimae tectum cellulae eius suo vertice contingeret, inclinasset, a viro dei gloriosum se fore cognovit.

[10] Odoacer indeed, of whom we made mention above, soon, Augustulus having been deposed from the empire, was made king and remained in the kingdom for 13 years. Whose father was called Edico, about whom thus it is found in the books of the life of Blessed Severinus, a monk within Pannonia, who admonished him and predicted that his reign would be in the future. Thus you find at the place: Certain barbarians, when they were proceeding to Italy, turned aside to him with a view to meriting a blessing, among whom also Odoacer, who afterwards ruled over Italy, a youth in most wretched garb, tall in stature, had arrived; who, when he had bent himself, lest he touch with his own head the roof of his most humble little cell, learned from the man of God that he would be glorious.

Cui etiam vale dicenti "vade," inquit, "ad Italiam, vade vilissimis nunc pellibus coopertus, sed multis cito plurima largiturus." Interim, ut dei famulus ei praedixerat, mox in Italiam ingressus est, regnum accepit. Eodem tempore Odoacar rex memor factus quod a viro sancto praedictum audierat, statim familiariter litteras ad eum " dirigens, siqua speranda duceret, dabat suppliciter optionem. Ergo vir dei tantis itaque eius alloquiis per litteras invitatus, Ambrosium quendam exsulantem rogat absolvi; cuius Odoacar gratulabundus paruit imperatis.

To him also, as he was saying farewell, “Go,” he said, “to Italy; go now covered with most vile pelts, but soon you will lavish very many things upon many.” Meanwhile, as the servant of God had foretold to him, he soon entered Italy and received the kingdom. At the same time Odoacer the king, made mindful of what he had heard foretold by the holy man, at once in a familiar way sending letters to him “ directing that, if he deemed there were any things to be hoped for, he humbly granted the choice. Therefore the man of God, invited by such great addresses of his through letters, asks that a certain Ambrosius, being in exile, be absolved; which Odoacer, rejoicing, obeyed as to the commands.

" Igitur Odoacar rex gessit bellum adversus Rugos, quos in secundo vicit, et funditus delevit. Nam dum ipse esset bonae voluntatis et Arrianae sectae favorem praeberet, " quodam tempore dum memoratum regem multi nobiles coram sancto viro humana, ut fieri solet, adulatione laudarent, interrogat quem regem tantis praeconiis praetulissent. Respondentibus 'Odoacrem,' 'Odoacar,' inquit, 'integer inter tredecim et quattuordecim annos'; annos videlicet integri eius regni significans."

"Therefore King Odoacer waged war against the Rugians, whom in the second he defeated, and he utterly destroyed them. For while he himself was of good will and was showing favor to the Arian sect, " at a certain time, while many nobles were praising the aforementioned king before the holy man with human, as usually happens, adulation, he asks which king they had set before others with such proclamations. When they answered 'Odoacer,' 'Odoacer,' he says, 'entire between thirteen and fourteen years'; namely signifying the entire years of his reign."

[11] Zeno itaque recompensans beneficiis Thodericum, quem fecit patricium et consulem, donans ei multum et mittens eum ad Italiam. Cui Theodericus pactuatus est, ut, si victus fuisset Odoacar, pro merito laborum suorum loco eius, dum adveniret, tantum praeregnaret. Ergo superveniente Theoderico patricio de civitate Nova cum gente Gothica, missus ab imperatore Zenone de partibus Orientis ad defendendam sibi Italiam.

[11] Thus Zeno, recompensing Theoderic with benefits—whom he made patrician and consul—granting him much and sending him to Italy. With him Theoderic made a pact, that, if Odoacer should have been conquered, in return for the merit of his labors he would, in his place, only pre-reign until he should arrive. Therefore, with the patrician Theoderic arriving from the city of Nova with the Gothic people, sent by Emperor Zeno from the regions of the East to defend Italy for himself.

Cui occurrit venienti Odoacar ad fluvium Sontium, et ibi pugnans cum eodem, victus fugit et abiit in Veronam et fixit fossatum in campo minore Veronense Vkalendas Octobres. Ibique persecutus est eum Theodericus, et pugna facta, ceciderunt populi ab utraque parte; tamen superatus Odoacar fugit Ravennam pridie kalendas Octobres.

Odoacer met him as he was coming at the river Sontius, and there, fighting with him, defeated he fled and went to Verona and fixed a fosse in the lesser Veronese plain on the 5 Kalends of October. And there Theoderic pursued him, and, a battle having been fought, men fell on both sides; nevertheless, overcome, Odoacer fled to Ravenna on the day before the Kalends of October.

Et perambulavit Theodericus patricius Mediolanum, et tradiderunt se illi maxima pars exercitus Odoacris, nec non et Tufa magister militum, quem ordinaverat Odoacar cum optimatibus suis kal. April. Eo anno missus est Tufa magister militum a Thoederico contra Odoacrem Ravennam.

And Theoderic the patrician marched through Milan, and the greatest part of Odoacer’s army surrendered themselves to him, and likewise Tufa, master of soldiers, whom Odoacer had appointed with his nobles on the Kalends of April. In that year Tufa, master of soldiers, was sent by Theoderic against Odoacer to Ravenna.

Veniens Faventiam, Tufa obsedit Odoacrem cum exercitu, cum quo directus fuerat; et exiit Odoacar de Ravenna, et venit Faventiam, et missi sunt in ferro, et adducti Ravennam.

Coming to Faenza, Tufa besieged Odoacer with the army with which he had been directed; and Odoacer went out from Ravenna, and came to Faenza, and they were sent in irons, and led to Ravenna.

Fausto et Longino. His consulibus Odoacar rex exiit de Cremona et ambulavit Mediolanum. Tunc venerunt Wisigothae in adiutorium Theoderici, et facta est pugna super fluvium Adduam, et ceciderunt populi ab utraque parte et occisus est Pierius comes domesticorum III idus Augustas, et fugit Odoacar Ravennam, et mox subsecutus est eum patricius Theodericus veniens in Pinetam et fixit fossatum, obsidens Odoacrem clausum per triennium Ravenna, et factum est usque ad sex solidos modius tritici.

Faustus and Longinus. These being consuls, King Odoacer went out from Cremona and marched to Milan. Then the Visigoths came in aid of Theoderic, and a battle was fought over the river Adda, and peoples fell on both sides, and Pierius, count of the domestics, was slain on the 3rd day before the Ides of August; and Odoacer fled to Ravenna, and straightway the patrician Theoderic, having followed him, coming into the Pineta, set a fosse, besieging Odoacer shut in Ravenna for three years, and it came to pass that a modius of wheat cost up to six solidi.

Et mittens legationem Theodericus, Festum, caput senati, ad Zenonem imperatorem, et ab eodem sperans vestem se induere regiam.

And Theoderic, sending a legation—Festus, the head of the senate—to the emperor Zeno, and hoping from him to don the royal vesture.

Olybrio V. C. Cons. Hoc consule exiit Odoacar rex de Ravenna nocte, cum Herulis ingressus in Pinetam in fossatum patrici Theoderici, et ceciderunt ab utraque parte exercitus, et fugiens Levila, magister militum Odoacris, occisus est in fluvioi Bedente; et victus Odoacar fugit Ravennam id. Iul. Igitur coactus Odoacar dedit filium suum Thelanem obsidem Theoderico, accepta fide securum se esse de sanguine.

Olybrius, a Most Distinguished Man, Consul. With this man as consul, King Odoacer went out from Ravenna by night, and, with the Heruli, entered the Pineta into the trench of the Patrician Theoderic, and armies fell on both sides; and Levila, Odoacer’s master of soldiers, fleeing, was killed in the river Bidente; and Odoacer, defeated, fled to Ravenna on the Ides of July (July 15). Therefore, compelled, Odoacer gave his son Thela as a hostage to Theoderic, having received a pledge to be secure as to blood.

Sic ingressus est Theodericus et post aliquot dies, dum ei Odoacer insidiaretur, detectus ante ab eo praeventus in palatio, manu sua Theodericus eum in Lauretum pervenientem gladio interemit. Cuius exercitus in eadem die iussu Theoderici omnes interfecti sunt, quivis ubi potuit reperiri, cum omni stirpe sua. Et moritur Constantinopolim Zeno imperator, et factus est imperator Anastasius.

Thus Theoderic entered, and after several days, while Odoacer was laying ambush for him, being detected beforehand by him he was forestalled in the palace; with his own hand Theoderic slew him with a sword as he was coming into the Lauretum. And his army on the same day, by the order of Theoderic, were all killed, each wherever he could be found, together with all his lineage. And the emperor Zeno died at Constantinople, and Anastasius was made emperor.

[12] Theodericus enim in legationem direxerat Faustum Nigrum ad Zenonem. At ubi cognita morte eius antequam legatio reverteretur, ut ingressus est Ravennam, et occidit Odoacrem, Gothi sibi confirmaverunt Theodericum regem, non exspectantes iussionem novi principis. Vir enim bellicosissimus, fortis, cuius pater Walamir dictus rex Gothorum, naturalis tamen eius fuit; mater, Ereriliva dicta Gothica, catholica quidem erat, quae in baptismo Eusebia dicta.

[12] For Theoderic had sent Faustus Niger on an embassy to Zeno. But when his death was learned before the embassy returned, as he entered Ravenna, he slew Odoacer, and the Goths confirmed Theoderic as king for themselves, not awaiting the injunction of the new prince. For he was a most warlike man, strong, whose father Walamir, called king of the Goths, was nevertheless his natural father; his mother, Ereriliva, called Gothica, was indeed Catholic, who in baptism was called Eusebia.

Ergo praeclarus et bonae voluntatis in omnibus, qui regnavit annos XXXIII. Cuius temporibus felicitas est secuta Italiam per annos triginta, ita ut etiam pax pergentibus esset. Nihil enim perperam gessit.

Therefore, illustrious and of good will in all things, who reigned 33 years. In whose times felicity followed Italy for thirty years, such that there was even peace for those journeying. For he did nothing amiss.

Sic gubernavit duas gentes in uno, Romanorum et Gothorum, dum ipse quidem Arrianae sectae esset, tamen nihil contra religionem catholicam temptans; exhibens ludos circensium et amphitheatrum, ut etiam a Romanis Traianus vel Valentinianus, quorum tempora sectatus est, appellaretur, et a Gothis secundum edictum suum, quo ius constituit, rex fortissimus in omnibus iudicaretur. Militiam Romanis sicut sub principes esse praecepit. Dona et annonas largitus quamquam aerarium publicum ex toto faeneum invenisset, suo labore recuperavit et opulentum fecit.

Thus he governed two peoples in one, the Romans and the Goths, while he himself indeed was of the Arian sect, yet attempting nothing against the Catholic religion; putting on games of the circus and the amphitheatre, so that even by the Romans he was called Trajan or Valentinian, whose times he followed, and by the Goths, in accordance with his edict by which he established law, he was judged a most mighty king in all things. He ordered that the military service for the Romans be as under the emperors. Having bestowed gifts and grain-allowances, although he had found the public treasury nothing but straw, by his own labor he recovered it and made it opulent.

Dum illitteratus esset, tantae sapientiae fuit, ut aliqua, quae locutus est, in vulgo usque nunc pro sententia habeantur; unde nos non piget aliqua de multis eius in commemoratione posuisse. Dixit "aurum et daemonem qui habet, non eum potest abscondere"; item "Romanus miser imitatur Gothum et utilis Gothus imitatur Romanum."

While he was illiterate, he was of such wisdom that some things which he spoke are held among the common folk even now as maxims; whence it does not displease us to have set some from many of his in commemoration. He said "gold and a demon—whoever has [one], cannot hide it"; likewise "the wretched Roman imitates the Goth and the useful Goth imitates the Roman."

Quidam defunctus est et reliquit uxorem et parvulum filium nescientem matrem. Ab aliquo sublatus est filius eius parvulus et ductus in aliam provinciam et educatus. Factus iuvenis quoquo modo revertitur ad matrem; mater enim iam spoponderat virum.

A certain man died and left a wife and a little son not knowing his mother. His little son was carried off by someone and led into another province and was brought up (educated). When he became a young man, somehow he returned to his mother; for the mother had already betrothed herself to a husband.

Cum vidisset mater, amplectit filium, benedicens deum se filium revidisse; et fecit cum ea dies triginta. Et ecce veniens sponsus matris, videns iuvenem, interrogavit quis esset. Quae respondit esse suum filium.

When the mother had seen him, she embraces her son, blessing God that she had seen her son again; and he spent thirty days with her. And behold, the mother’s bridegroom coming, seeing the young man, asked who he was. She replied that he was her son.

At ubi comperit esse filium eius, coepti repetere arras et dicere "aut nega filium tuum esse aut vero abscedo hinc." Mulier compellitur ab sponso, et coepit negare filium, quem ipsa ante confessa est, et dicere: "Vade, iuvenis, de domo mea, quia peregrinum te suscepi." Ille enim dicebat regressum se ad matrem in domum patris sui. Quid multa? Dum haec aguntur, filius rogavit regem adversus matrem, quam rex iussit in conspectu suo sisti.

But when he discovered that he was her son, he began to demand back the earnest-money and to say, "either deny that he is your son or else I depart from here." The woman is compelled by her fiancé, and began to deny the son whom she herself had previously confessed, and to say: "Go, young man, from my house, for as a stranger I received you." For he was saying that he had returned to his mother into his father’s house. What more? While these things are being done, the son petitioned the king against his mother, whom the king ordered to be made to stand in his presence.

Cui et dixit: "Mulier, filius tuus adversus te rogat; quid dicis? Est filius tuus an non?" Quae dixit: "Non est meus filius sed peregrinum eum suscepi." Et dum per ordinem omnia filius mulieris intimasset in auribus regis, dicit mulieri denuo: "Est filius tuus an non?" Quae dixit: "Non est filius meus." Dicit ei rex: "Et quae est facultas tua, mulier?" Quae respondit: "Usque ad mille solidos." Et dum maritum se rex non esse facturum sub iusiurando pollicitus est nisi ipsum, alium non acciperet maritum, tunc confusa est mulier et confessa est suum esse filium. Sunt eius et multa alia.

Cui and he said: “Woman, your son is bringing suit against you; what do you say? Is he your son or not?” She said: “He is not my son, but I received him as a peregrine.” And when the woman’s son had intimated everything in order in the ears of the king, he says to the woman anew: “Is he your son or not?” She said: “He is not my son.” The king says to her: “And what is your means, woman?” She answered: “Up to 1,000 solidi.” And when the king, under an oath, had promised that he would not make a husband for her—except himself—that she should not take another husband, then the woman was confounded and confessed that he was her son. There are also many other things of him.

Postea vero accepta uxore de Francis nomine Augofladam. Nam uxorem habuit ante regnum, de qua susceperat filias: unam dedit nomine Areaagni Alarico regi Wisigotharum in Gallias, et aliam filiam suam Theodegotham Sigismundo, filio Gundebadi regis. Facta pace cum Anastasio imperatore per Festum de praesumptione regni, et omnia ornamenta palatii, quae Odoacar Constantinopolim transmiserat, remittit.

Afterwards indeed, he took as wife from the Franks one named Augoflada. For he had a wife before the reign, from whom he had received daughters: one he gave, named Areaagni, to Alaric, king of the Visigoths in Gaul, and another, his daughter Theodegotha, to Sigismund, son of King Gundebad. Peace having been made with Emperor Anastasius through Festus concerning the assumption of the kingship, he remits all the ornaments of the palace which Odoacer had transmitted to Constantinople.

Eodem tempore contentio orta est in urbe Roma inter Symmachum et Laurentium; consecrati enim fuerant ambo. Ordinante deo, qui et dignus fuit, superavit Symmachus. Post facta pace in urbe ecclesiae ambulavit rex Theodericus Romam, et occurrit Beato Petro devotissimus ac si catholicus.

At the same time a contention arose in the city of Rome between Symmachus and Laurentius; for both had been consecrated. By God’s ordering, the one who was worthy prevailed—Symmachus. After peace had been made in the city, King Theoderic went to Rome, and he met Blessed Peter most devoutly, as if a Catholic.

Cui papa Symmachus et cunctus senatus vel populus Romanus cum omni gaudio extra urbem occurrentes. Deinde veniens ingressus urbem, venit ad senatum, et ad Palmam populo allocutus, se omnia, deo iuvante, quod retro principes Romani ordinaverunt inviolabiliter servaturum promittit.

To him Pope Symmachus and the whole senate and the Roman people, with all joy, met outside the city. Then, coming and entering the city, he went to the senate; and at the Palma, having addressed the people, he promises that, with God helping, he will inviolably observe all that the Roman emperors ordained in former times.

Per tricennalem triumphans populo ingressus palatium, exhibens Romanis ludos circensium. Donavit populo Romano et pauperibus annonas singulis annis, centum viginti milia modios, et ad restaurationem palatii, seu ad recuperationem moeniae civitatis singulis annis libras ducentas de arca vinaria dari praecepit. Item Amalafrigdam germanam suam in matrimonium tradens regi Wandalorum Transimundo.

Triumphing at the tricennial, he entered the palace before the people, exhibiting to the Romans the circus games. He bestowed upon the Roman people and the poor annonae (grain-doles) each year, 120,000 modii; and for the restoration of the palace, or for the recuperation of the city walls, he ordered that each year 200 pounds be given from the wine treasury. Likewise, handing over Amalafrigda his sister in marriage to Transimundus, king of the Vandals.

Liberium praefectum praetorii, quem fecerat in initio regni sui, fecit patricium, et dedit ei successorem. Successit itaque in administratione praefecturae Theodorus, filius Basili. Odoin comes eius insidiabatur ei. Dum haec cognovisset, in palatio quod appellatur Sessorium caput eius amputari praecepit.

He made Liberius, praetorian prefect—whom he had appointed at the beginning of his reign—a patrician, and he gave him a successor. Accordingly, Theodore, son of Basil, succeeded in the administration of the prefecture. Odoin, his count (comes), was plotting against him. When he had learned these things, in the palace which is called the Sessorium, he ordered his head to be cut off.

Verba enim promissionis eius, quae populo fuerat allocutus, rogante populo in tabula aenea iussit scribi et in publico poni.

For the words of his promise, which he had addressed to the people, at the people’s requesting he ordered to be written on a bronze tablet and to be set in public.

Deinde sexto mense revertens Ravennam, aliam germanam suam Amalabirgam tradens in matrimonio Herminifredo regi Turingorum et sic sibi per circuitum placavit omnes gentes. Erat enim amator fabricarum et restaurator civitatum. Hic aquae ductum Ravennae restauravit, quem princeps Traianus fecerat, et post multa tempora aquam introduxit.

Then, in the sixth month, returning to Ravenna, he gave another of his sisters, Amalabirga, in marriage to Herminifred, king of the Thuringians, and thus, for himself, by a circuit, he placated all the peoples. For he was a lover of works and a restorer of cities. He restored the aqueduct of Ravenna, which Princeps Trajan had made, and after much time he brought the water in.

Palatium usque ad perfectum fecit, quem non dedicavit. Portica circa palatium perfecit. Item Veronae thermas et palatium fecit et a porta usque ad palatium porticum addidit.

He made the palace up to completion, which he did not dedicate. He completed a portico around the palace. Likewise at Verona he made thermae (baths) and a palace, and from the gate up to the palace he added a portico.

Aquae ductum, quod per multa tempora destructum fuerat, renovavit et aquam intromisit. Muros alios novos circuit civitatem. Item Ticino palatium, thermas, amphitheatrum, et alios muros civitatis fecit.

He renovated the aqueduct, which had been destroyed for a long time, and introduced the water. He encircled the city with other new walls. Likewise at Ticinum he built a palace, baths, an amphitheater, and other city walls.

Sed et per alias civitates multa beneficia praestitit. Sic enim oblectavit vicinas gentes, ut se illi sub foedus darent aliae gentes, sibi eum regem sperantes. Negotiantes vero de diversis provinciis ad ipsum concurrebant.

But also through other cities he rendered many benefits. For thus he delighted the neighboring peoples, so that other peoples gave themselves to him under a treaty, hoping for him as king. Merchants indeed from diverse provinces converged upon him.

Tantae enim disciplinae fuit, ut, si quis voluit in agro suo argentum vel aurum dimittere, ac si intra muros civitatis esset ita existimaretur. Et hoc per totam Italiam tanto modo augurium habebat, ut nulli civitati portam fecerit: nec in civitate portae claudebantur: quivis quod opus habebat faciebat qua hora vellet, ac si in die. Sexaginta modios tritici in solidum ipsius tempore emerunt, et vinum triginta amphoras in solidum.

For he was of such discipline that, if anyone wished to leave silver or gold in his own field, it was regarded as if it were within the walls of the city. And he had this assurance throughout all Italy in such a mode, that he made a gate for no city: nor in the city were the gates closed: anyone did what business he had at whatever hour he wished, as if in the day. In his time they bought sixty modii of wheat for a solidus, and wine, thirty amphorae for a solidus.

[13] Eodem itaque tempore habebat Anastasius imperator tres nepotes, id est Pompeium, Probum et Hypatium; cogitans quem de ipsis faceret post se imperatorem, quodam die iussit eos secum prandere, et intra palatium post prandium meridiari, et singula lecta eis sterni. Et in uno lecto iussit ad capitem regium insigne poni, et quis de ipsis in eodem lecto elegisset dormire, in hoc se debere cognoscere cui regnum postea traderet. Unus quidem in uno lecto se iactavit, dum enim in alio, amore fraterno, se collocaverunt.

[13] At the same time, therefore, the emperor Anastasius had three nephews, that is, Pompeius, Probus, and Hypatius; thinking whom of them he should make emperor after himself, on a certain day he ordered them to dine with him, and within the palace after the meal to take a midday rest, and that individual beds be made for them. And on one bed he ordered the royal insignia to be placed at the head, and whoever of them should choose to sleep on that same bed, by this he ought to recognize the one to whom he would afterward hand over the kingdom. One indeed flung himself onto one bed, while, in another, out of fraternal love, they settled themselves.

Et ita contigit, ut in illo lecto ubi regium insigne positum erat nullus eorum dormiret. Dum haec vidisset, coepit cogitare intra se, et discens eo quod nullus eorum regnaret coepit orare deum, ut illi revelatio fieret, ut scire possit, dum adviveret, quis post occasum eius regnum susciperet. Haec eodem cogitante et orante cum ieiunio, quadam noctu vidit hominem, qui ita eum admonuit: "Crastinus qui tibi primus intra cubiculum nuntiatus fuerit, ipse accipiet post te regnum tuum." Ita factum est ut Iustinus, qui comes erat excubitorum, dum advenisset, ubi directus fuerat ab imperatore, renuntiaretur ipse ei primus per praepositum cubiculi.

And so it came to pass that in that bed where the royal insignia had been set, none of them slept. When he had seen these things, he began to think within himself, and, learning that none of them would reign, he began to pray to God that a revelation might be made to him, so that he could know, while he yet lived, who after his decease would take up his kingdom. As he was thinking these same things and praying with fasting, on a certain night he saw a man, who admonished him thus: "On the morrow, the one who is first announced to you within the bedchamber—he himself will receive your kingdom after you." And so it was done that Justin, who was count of the Excubitors, when he had arrived at the place where he had been directed by the emperor, was reported to him first by the praepositus of the bedchamber (the chamberlain).

Cumque haec cognovisset, coepit gratias deo referre, qui ei dignatus est revelare successorem.

And when he had come to know these things, he began to give thanks to God, who deigned to reveal his successor to him.

Cumque haec apud se tacite habuisset, quadam die procedens imperator, dum festinus Iustinus vellet a latere imperatoris transire, obsequium ordinare vellens, calcavit chlamydem imperatoris. Cui imperator hoc tantum dixit, "quid festinas?" Nam ultima vita regni sui temptans eum diabolus, vellens sectam Eunomianam sequi; quem populus fidelis repressit, ita ut ei in ecclesia clamaretur: "In trinitatem lanceolam non mittes." Non post multum temporis in lecto suo intra urbem Constantinopolim morbo tentus extremam clausit diem.

And when he had kept these things silently to himself, on a certain day as the emperor was proceeding, while the hurrying Justinus wished to pass from the emperor’s side, wanting to arrange the attendance, he trod upon the emperor’s chlamys. To him the emperor said only this: "why are you hurrying?" For at the last part of the life of his reign the devil was tempting him, wishing him to follow the Eunomian sect; but the faithful people restrained him, to such an extent that in the church it was shouted at him: "Into the Trinity you will not thrust a little lance." Not long after, in his bed within the city of Constantinople, afflicted by illness, he closed his last day.

[14] Igitur rex Theodericus illiteratus erat et sic obtuso sensu, ut in decem annos regni sui quattuor litteras subscriptionis edicti sui discere nullatenus potuisset. De qua re laminam auream iussit interrasilem fieri, quattuor litteras "legi" habentem; unde si subscribere voluisset, posita lamina super chartam, per eam pennam ducebat, ut subscriptio eius tantum videretur.

[14] Therefore King Theoderic was illiterate and of such an obtuse sense that in ten years of his reign he had by no means been able to learn the four letters of the subscription of his edict. De qua re he ordered a golden plate to be made interrasile (open‑worked), having the four letters “legi”; whence, if he wished to subscribe, the plate having been placed upon the parchment, he would draw the pen through it, so that only his subscription might appear.

Ergo Theodericus, dato consulatu Eutharico, Roma et Ravenna triumphavit qui Eutharicus nimis asper fuit et contra fidem catholicam inimicus. Post haec Theoderico Verona consistente propter metum gentium facta est lis inter Christianos et Iudaeos Ravennates. Quare Iudaei baptizatos nolentes, dum ludunt frequenter oblatam aquam in aquam fluminis iactaverunt.

Therefore Theoderic, the consulship having been given to Eutharic, triumphed at Rome and Ravenna—Eutharic, who was exceedingly harsh and an enemy against the catholic faith. After these things, with Theoderic staying at Verona because of fear of the peoples, a dispute arose between the Christians and the Jews of Ravenna. Wherefore the Jews, not wanting baptisms, while making sport, frequently threw the proffered water into the water of the river.

Dehinc accensus est populus non observantes neque regi neque Eutharico aut Petro, qui tunc episcopus erat, consurgentes ad synagogas, mox eas incenderunt. Quod et in Roma in re eadem similiter contigit.

Thereafter the people were incensed; not showing observance either to the king or to Eutharic or to Peter, who was then bishop, they rose up against the synagogues and soon set them ablaze. The same likewise happened in Rome in the same matter.

Mox Iudaei currentes Veronam, ubi rex erat, agente Triwane praeposito cubiculi, et ipse haereticus favens Iudaeis, insinuans regi factum adversus Christianos. Qui mox iussit propter praesumptionem incendii, ut omnis populus Romanus Ravennates synagogas, quas incendio concremaverunt, data pecunia restaurarent; qui vero non habuissent unde dare fustati per publicum sub voce praeconia ducerentur. Data praecepta ad Eutharicum, Cilligam, et Petrum episcopum secundum hunc tenorem et ita adimpletum.

Soon the Jews, running to Verona, where the king was, with Triwane, the praepositus of the bedchamber, taking the lead—he himself a heretic favoring the Jews—making known to the king the deed, against the Christians. He at once ordered, on account of the presumption of arson, that the entire Roman populace of Ravenna should restore, with money provided, the Ravennate synagogues which they had consumed by fire; but those who did not have whence to give, cudgelled, should be led through the public thoroughfare under the voice of a town-crier. Orders were given to Eutharic, Cilliga, and Bishop Peter according to this tenor, and thus it was fulfilled.

Ex eo enim invenit diabolus locum, quem ad modum hominem bene rem publicam sine querella gubernantem subriperet. Nam mox iussit ad fonticulos in proastio civitatis Veronensis oratorium Santi Stephani, id est altarium, subverti. Item ut nullus Romanus arma usque ad cultellum uteretur vetuit.

For from this the Devil found an opportunity, how he might undercut the man who was governing the commonwealth well and without complaint. For immediately he ordered that at the little fountains in the suburb of the city of Verona the oratory of Saint Stephen—that is, the altar—be overthrown. Likewise, he forbade that any Roman use arms even up to a knife.

Item mulier pauper de gente Gothica, iacens sub porticu non longe a palatio Ravennati, quattuor generavit dracones; duo de occidente in orientem ferri in nubibus a populo visi sunt et in mari praecipitari, duo portati sunt unum caput habentes. Stella cum facula apparuit, quae dicitur cometes, splendens per dies quindecim. Terrae mota frequenter fuerunt.

Likewise a poor woman of the Gothic nation, lying under a portico not far from the Ravennate palace, brought forth four dragons; two were seen by the people to be borne from the west into the east in the clouds and to be hurled into the sea, two were carried, having one head. A star with a torch appeared, which is called a comet, shining for fifteen days. Earthquakes were frequent.

Post haec coepit adversus Romanos rex subinde fremere inventa occasione. Cyprianus, qui tunc referendarius erat, postea comes sacrarum et magister, actus cupiditate insinuans de Albino patricio, eo quod litteras adversus regnum eius imperatori Iustino misisset; quod factum dum evocatus negaret, tunc Boethius patricius, qui magister officiorum erat, in conspectu regis dixit: "Falsa est insinuatio Cypriani; sed si Albinus fecit, et ego et cunctus senatus uno consilio fecimus; falsum est, domne rex." Tunc Cyprianus haesitans, non solum adversus Albinum, sed et adversus Boethium, eius defensorem, deducit falsos testes. Sed rex dolum Romanis tendebat et quaerebat quem ad modum eos interficeret; plus credidit falsis testibus quam senatoribus.

After these things the king began repeatedly to bristle against the Romans, an occasion having been found. Cyprianus, who then was referendary, afterwards Count of the Sacred Largesses and Master, driven by cupidity, insinuating against the patrician Albinus, on the ground that he had sent letters against his realm to Emperor Justin; and when, having been summoned, he denied the deed, then Boethius the patrician, who was Master of the Offices, said in the sight of the king: "The insinuation of Cyprianus is false; but if Albinus did it, both I and the whole senate did it with one counsel; it is false, lord king." Then Cyprianus, hesitating, brings forward false witnesses not only against Albinus, but also against Boethius, his defender. But the king was laying a snare for the Romans and was seeking how he might put them to death; he believed the false witnesses more than the senators.

Tunc Albinus et Boetius ducti in custodiam ad baptisterium ecclesiae. Rex vero vocavit Eusebium, praefectum urbis, Ticinum et inaudito Boethio protulit in eum sententiam. Quem mox in agro Calventiano, ubi in custodia habebatur, misere fecit occidi.

Then Albinus and Boethius were led into custody to the baptistery of the church. The king, however, called Eusebius, prefect of the city, to Ticinum, and with Boethius unheard he pronounced sentence against him. Whom soon, in the Calventian field, where he was being held in custody, he wretchedly caused to be killed.

Qui accepta chorda in fronte diutissime tortus, ita ut oculi eius creparent, sic sub tormenta ad ultimum cum fuste occiditur.

He, a cord having been applied to his forehead and twisted for a very long time, so that his eyes burst, thus under torment at the last is killed with a club.

[15] Rediens igitur rex Ravennam, tractans non ut dei amicus sed legi eius inimicus, immemor factus omnis eius beneficii et gratiae quam ei dederat, confidens in brachio suo, item credens quod eum pertimesceret Iustinus imperator, mittens et evocans Ravennam Iohannem, sedis apostolicae praesulem, et dicit ad eum: "Ambula Constantinopolim ad Iustinum imperatorem, et dic ei inter alia, ut reconciliatos in catholica restituat religione." Cui papa Iohannes ita respondit: "Quod facturus es, rex, facito citius; ecce in conspectu tuo adsto. Hoc tibi ego non promitto me facturum, nec illi dicturus sum. Nam in aliis causis, quas mihi iniunxeris, obtinere ab eodem, annuente deo, potero."

[15] Therefore the king, returning to Ravenna, conducting himself not as a friend of God but as an enemy to His law, having become forgetful of all His benefaction and grace which He had given to him, trusting in his own arm, likewise believing that the emperor Justin would be greatly afraid of him, sent and summoned to Ravenna John, the prelate of the apostolic see, and says to him: "Go to Constantinople to the emperor Justin, and say to him among other things, that he should restore the reconciled in the catholic religion." To whom Pope John thus replied: "What you are going to do, king, do it more quickly; behold, I stand in your sight. This I do not promise you that I will do, nor will I say it to him. For in other causes, which you shall enjoin upon me, I shall be able, with God assenting, to obtain from the same."

Iubet ergo rex iratus navem fabricari et super impositum eum cum aliis episcopis, id est Ecclesium Ravennatem et Eusebium Fanestrem, et Sabinum Campanum, et alios duos, simul et senatores Theodorum, Importunum, Agapitum, et alium Agapitum. Sed deus, qui fideles cultores suos non deserit, cum prosperitate perduxit. Cui Iustinus imperator venienti ita occurrit ac si Beato Petro; cui data legatione, ipsa repromisit facturum praeter reconciliatos, qui se fidei catholicae dederunt, Arrianis restitui nullatenus posse.

Therefore the king, angered, orders a ship to be fabricated, and him to be set upon it with other bishops, that is, Ecclesius the Ravennate and Eusebius of Fano, and Sabinus the Campanian, and two others, together with the senators Theodorus, Importunus, Agapitus, and another Agapitus. But God, who does not desert his faithful worshipers, led them through prosperously. Emperor Justin, meeting him as he came, received him as if he were Blessed Peter; and, the commission having been given, he himself promised to do it—except that the reconciled, who have given themselves to the catholic faith, could by no means be restored to the Arians.

Sed dum haec aguntur, Symmachus caput senati, cuius Boethius filiam habuit uxorem, deducitur de Roma Ravennam. Metuens servo rex ne dolore generi aliquid adversus regnum eius tractaret, obiecto crimine iussit interfici. Revertens Iohannes papa a Iustino, quem Theodericus cum dolo suscepit et in offensa sua eum esse iubet.

But while these things are being transacted, Symmachus, head of the senate, whose daughter Boethius had as wife, is conducted from Rome to Ravenna. The king, fearing lest, from grief for his son-in-law, he might contrive something against his realm, with a crime having been objected, ordered him to be put to death. Pope John, returning from Justin, Theoderic received with deceit and orders him to be in his displeasure.

Qui post paucos dies defunctus est. Ergo euntes populi ante corpusculum eius, subito unus de turba adeptus a daemonio cecidit, et dum pervenissent cum lectulo ubi latus erat usque ad hominem, subito sanus surrexit et praecedebat in exsequias. Quod videntes populi et senatores, coeperunt reliquias de veste eius tollere.

Who after a few days passed away. Therefore, as the people were going before his little body, suddenly one from the crowd, seized by a demon, fell; and when they had come with the little bier, on which he had been laid, up to the man, suddenly he rose up sound and went before in the obsequies. Seeing this, the people and the senators began to take relics from his garment.

Sic cum summo gaudio populi deductus est corpus eius foris civitatem.

Thus, with the utmost joy of the people, his body was conducted outside the city.

[16] Igitur Symmachus, scolasticus Iudaeus, iubente non rege sed tyranno, dictavit praecepta die quarta feria, septimo kalend. Septembr. indictione quarta, Olybrio consule, ut die dominico adveniente Arriani basilicas catholicas invaderent.

[16] Therefore Symmachus, a scholasticus Jew, by the command not of a king but of a tyrant, dictated precepts on the fourth weekday (Wednesday), on the 7th day before the Kalends of September, in the 4th indiction, in the consulship of Olybrius, so that, when the Lord’s day (Sunday) arrived, the Arians might invade the Catholic basilicas.

Sed qui non patitur fideles cultores suos ab alienigenis opprimi mox intulit in eum sententiam Arrii, auctoris religionis eius; fluxum ventris incurrit, et dum intra triduum evacuatus fuisset, eodem die, quo se gaudebat ecclesias invadere simul regnum et animam amisit. Ergo antequam exhalaret, nepotem suum Athalaricum in regnum constituit. Se autem vivo fecit sibi monimentum ex lapide quadrato, mirae magnitudinis opus, et saxum ingens quod superponeret inquisivit.

But he who does not permit his faithful worshipers to be oppressed by foreigners soon brought upon him the sentence of Arius, the author of his religion; he incurred a flux of the belly, and, when within three days he had been emptied out, on the same day on which he rejoiced to be invading the churches he lost at once his kingdom and his soul. Therefore, before he exhaled, he appointed his grandson Athalaric to the kingdom. Moreover, while alive he made for himself a monument of squared stone, a work of wondrous magnitude, and sought a huge rock to set atop it.