Cassiodorus, as praetorian prefect, sends Lawrence to Istria to examine the harvests and prepare a report of the yields in order for the taxes to be determined.
Laurentio viro experientissimo senator praefectus praetorio.
Deliberacio iudicis probatos viros debet publicis actionibus adhibere, ut facile possit impleri quod sub sterilitate temporis videtur inquiri. In habundancia rerum quaelibet se potest expedire persona: electis opus est militibus, cum fuerit necessitatis impulsus. Atque ideo experientiam tuam frequentibus nobisque tali devocione gratissimam ad Histriam provinciam iubemus excurrere, ut in tot solidos vini, olei vel tritici species de tributario solido debeas procurare. In aliis vero tot solidis, quos a nostro archario percepisti, tam a negotiatoribus quam a possessoribus emere maturabis, sicut te a numerariis instruxit porrecta noticia.
Quapropter erige nunc animos ad parendum, qui tantis excubiis indiscreta sorte placuisti. Ammoneat te prioris conversacionis exemplum, quia nimis grave est emeritum delinquere, quem tyronem nullatenus constat errasse. Qualis autem supra dictarum specierum ubertas se optata laxaverit, veraci nobis, ut de te credimus, relacione significa, ut nos habito modo constituere debeamus quod nec provinciales ledat nec publicas gravare possit expensas.
The letter forms a part of the series of letters issued by Cassiodorus as praetorian prefect regarding the agricultural situation in Istria. See more here.
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The editor has subsequently inserted a red arrow on the folio to mark the parts of the manuscript that refer to the letter hereby edited.
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