Cover of The Letters of Cassiodorus Being a Condensed Translation of the Variae Epistolae of Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator — Reading Notes

The Letters of Cassiodorus Being a Condensed Translation of the Variae Epistolae of Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator — Reading Notes

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Authors: Cassiodorus, Senator, 487?-585?, Hodgkin, Thomas, 1831-1913 [Translator] Digital Source: Project Gutenberg Gutenberg Release Year: 2006 First Publication Year: Not confirmed

Key Word: Goths -- Italy; Italy -- History -- 476-1268 Target Reader: Readers of public-domain and historical texts

Book Edition: Project Gutenberg digital edition Book Language: en

Edition facts

Words 184,560

Reading time 803 min

Text sections 41

The Letters of Cassiodorus Being a Condensed Translation of the Variae Epistolae of Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator — Reading Notes can be approached with a clearer sense of reading commitment from its source measurements: 184,560 words, 13 hr 23 min estimated reading time, and 41 detected text sections.

The text analysis averages about 16.9 words per sentence, while the detected sections provide another way to judge how the source is divided.

Project Gutenberg metadata also associates the work with “Goths -- Italy,” connecting these edition facts with the source record’s subject description.

Source: Project Gutenberg record #18590

Thomas Hodgkin's condensed translation of Cassiodorus's Variae Epistolae offers a window into Ostrogothic Italy through official letters. The excerpts reveal administrative formulas, architectural concerns, and the interplay of Roman and Gothic cultures, with Hodgkin's preface framing the work as 'chips from a German workshop.'

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PAGE Historical position of Cassiodorus 1 His ancestry 3-4 His name 5-6 His birthplace 6-9 Date of his birth 9-12 His education 12 Consiliarius to his father 12 Quaestor 14-16 Composition of the 'Variae' 16 Their style 17-19 Policy of Theodoric 20 Date of composition of the 'Variae' 23 Consulship 25 Patriciate 27 Composition of the 'Chronicon' 27 " " Gothic History 29-35 Relation of the work of Jordanes to this History 34 Master of the Offices 36 Praetorian Praefect 39 Sketch of history during his Praefecture 42-50 End of official career 50 Edits the 'Variae' 51 His treatise 'De Animâ' 53 He retires to the cloister 54 His theological works 60-63 His literary works 64-66 His death 67 NOTE ON THE TOPOGRAPHY OF SQUILLACE 68-72

THE 'ANECDOTON HOLDERI.'

Content of the MS. 74-75 To whom addressed 76 Information as to life of Symmachus 77 " " " Boethius 79 Religious position of Boethius 81 Information as to life of Cassiodorus 84

THE GRADATIONS OF OFFICIAL RANK IN THE LOWER EMPIRE.

Nobilissimi 85 Illustres 86-90 Spectabiles 90-91 Clarissimi 91 Perfectissimi 92 Egregii 92

ON THE OFFICIUM OF THE PRAEFECTUS PRAETORIO.

Military character of the Roman Civil Service 93 Sources of information 95 Princeps 96 Cornicularius 97-102 Adjutor 103 Commentariensis 104 Ab Actis 106 Numerarii 108 Inferior Officers 109-114

Editions of the 'Variae' 115-118 Literature concerning the 'Variae' 118-121

Consular Fasti 122 Indictions 123 Chronological Tables 126-130

ABSTRACT OF THE 'VARIAE.'

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

1. TO EMPEROR ANASTASIUS. Persuasives to peace 141 2. " THEON. Manufacture of purple dye 143 3. " CASSIODORUS, father of the author. His praises 144 4. " SENATE. Great deeds of ancestors of Cassiodorus 145 5. " FLORIANUS. End of litigation 147 6. " AGAPITUS. Mosaics for Ravenna 147 7. " FELIX. Inheritance of Plutianus 148 8. " AMABILIS. Prodigality of Neotherius 149 9. " BISHOP EUSTORGIUS. Offences of Ecclesiastics 149 10. " BOETIUS. Frauds of moneyers 150 11. " SERVATUS. Violence of Breones 151 12. " EUGENIUS. Appointment as Magister Officium 151 13. " SENATE. On the same 152 14. " FAUSTUS. Collection of 'Tertiae' 152 15. " FESTUS. Interests of the absent 153 16. " JULIANUS. Remission of taxes 153 17. " GOTHIC AND ROMAN INHABITANTS OF DERTONA. Fortification of Camp 153 18. " DOMITIANUS AND WILIAS. Statute of Limitations, &c. 154 19. " SATURNINUS AND VERBUSIUS. Rights of the Fiscus 155 20. " ALBINUS AND ALBIENUS. Circus quarrels 155 21. " MAXIMIAN AND ANDREAS. Embellishment of Rome 156 22. " MARCELLUS. His promotion to rank of Advocatus Fisci 156 23. " COELIANUS AND AGAPITUS. Litigation between Senators 157 24. " ALL THE GOTHS. Call to arms 157 25. " SABINIANUS. Repair of the walls of Rome 158 26. " FAUSTUS. Immunity of certain Church property 159 27. " SPECIOSUS. Circus quarrels 159 28. " GOTHS AND ROMANS. Building of walls of Rome 160 29. " THE LUCRISTANI ON RIVER SONTIUS. Postal Service 160 30. " SENATE. Injury to public peace from Circus rivalries 161 31. " THE ROMAN PEOPLE. Same subject 161 32. " AGAPITUS. Same subject 162 33. " " Arrangements for Pantomime 162 34. " FAUSTUS. Exportation of corn 163 35. " " Unreasonable delays in transmission of corn 163 36. " THERIOLUS. Guardianship of sons of Benedictus 164 37. " CRISPIANUS. Justifiable homicide 164 38. " BAION. Hilarius to have possession of his property 165 39. " FESTUS. Nephews of Filagrius to be detained in Rome 165 40. " ASSUIN (or ASSIUS). Inhabitants of Salona to be drilled 166 41. " AGAPITUS. Enquiries into character of younger Faustus 166 42. " ARTEMIDORUS. Appointment as Praefect of the City 167 43. " SENATE. Promotion of Artemidorus 167 44. " THE PEOPLE OF ROME. Same subject 168 45. " BOETIUS. Water-clock and sundial for Burgundian King 168 46. " GUNDIBAD. Same subject 170

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

1. TO EMPEROR ANASTASIUS. Consulship of Felix 171 2. " FELIX. Same subject 172 3. " SENATE. Same subject 173 4. " ECDICIUS (or BENEDICTUS). Collection of _Siliquaticum_ 173 5. " FAUSTUS. Soldiers' arrears 173 6. " AGAPITUS. Embassy to Constantinople 174 7. " SURA (or SUNA). Embellishment of City 174 8. " BISHOP SEVERUS. Compensation for damage by troops 175 9. " FAUSTUS. Allowance to retired charioteer 175 10. " SPECIOSUS. Abduction of Agapita 175 11. " PROVINUS (PROBINUS?). Gift unduly obtained from Agapita 176 12. " THE COUNT OF THE SILIQUATARII, AND THE HARBOUR MASTER (OF PORTUS?). Prohibition of export of lard 177 13. " FRUINARITH. Dishonest conduct of Venantius 177 14. " SYMMACHUS. Romulus the parricide 178 15. " VENANTIUS. Appointment as Comes Domesticorum 178 16. " SENATE. Same subject. Panegyric on Liberius, father of Venantius 179 17. " POSSESSORS, DEFENSORS, AND CURIALS OF TRIDENTUM (TRIENT). Immunity from Tertiae enjoyed by lands granted by the King 180 18. " BISHOP GUDILA. Ecclesiastics as Curiales 181 19. " GOTHS AND ROMANS, AND KEEPERS OF HARBOURS AND MOUNTAIN FORTRESSES. Domestic treachery and murder 181 20. " UNILIGIS (or WILIGIS). Order for provision ships 182 21. " JOANNES. Drainage-concession too timidly acted upon 182 22. " FESTUS. Ecdicius to be buried by his sons 183 23. " AMPELIUS, DESPOTIUS, AND THEODULUS. Protection for owners of potteries 183 24. " SENATE. Arrears of taxation due from Senators 183 25. " SENATE. AN EDICT. Evasion of taxes by the rich 184 26. " FAUSTUS. Regulations for corn-traffic 185 27. " JEWS LIVING IN GENOA. Rebuilding of Synagogue 185 28. " STEPHANUS. Honours bestowed on retirement 186 29. " ADILA. Protection to dependents of the Church 186 30. " FAUSTUS. Privileges granted to Church of Milan 187 31. " THE DROMONARII [ROWERS IN EXPRESS-BOATS]. State Galleys on the Po 187 32. " SENATE. Drainage of marshes of Decennonium 188 33. " DECIUS. Same subject 189 34. " ARTEMIDORUS. Embezzlement of City building funds 189 35. " TANCILA. Theft of statue at Como 190 36. EDICT. Same subject 190 37. TO FAUSTUS. Largesse to citizens of Spoleto 190 38. " " Immunity from taxation 191 39. " ALOISIUS. Hot springs of Aponum 191 40. " BOETIUS. Harper for King of the Franks 193 41. " LUDUIN [CLOVIS]. Victories over the Alamanni 194

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

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Hodgkin's preface frames this collection as 'chips from a German workshop'—notes accumulated while preparing his history of Italy's invaders. He warns that the letters are condensed by at least half, urging serious students to consult the original Latin. The excerpts that follow reveal a bureaucratic world where formulas for appointing officials mix practical instructions with rhetorical flourishes.

The Translator's Candid Approach

Hodgkin openly admits that the letters' repetition and 'lavish expenditure of words' lend themselves to abbreviation. He describes his work as an abstract, not a full translation, and acknowledges that on 'any important point' readers must go to the fountain-head. This honesty sets the tone: the volume is a tool for historians, not a literary monument. The preface also reveals that the notes were originally intended for a single chapter on Ostrogothic government, but the material proved too 'manifold' and 'perplexing' to unify.

Formulas as Mirrors of Administration

The excerpts include formulaic appointments for officials like the Count of Ravenna and the President of the Lime-kilns. These are not personal letters but templates, revealing the concerns of Theodoric's court: efficient ship mobilization, fair treatment of merchants, and the maintenance of Rome's 'forest of walls and population of statues.' The language is often vivid—lime is called 'a dissolvable rock, a stony softness'—but the content is procedural. Readers see how the state codified its expectations for officeholders.

Rome's Statues as Living Guardians

One formula addresses the appointment of an architect for Rome, praising the city's statues as 'an artificial population almost equal to its natural one.' The text claims statues are 'not absolutely dumb,' as they 'ring' under a thief's blows to alert guardians. This personification of art underscores a Roman pride in civic monuments that the Gothic rulers sought to preserve. The architect is told to read ancient books but will 'find more in this City than in his books'—a striking claim that elevates Rome itself as a teacher.

Island Judges and the Reach of Gothic Rule

A formula for the Count of the Islands of Curritana and Celsina (likely Lipari) asserts that 'the presence of a ruler is necessary' even for isolated communities. The judge is to settle differences 'by fair reason,' and the inhabitants are commanded to obey. This brief entry illustrates how the Ostrogothic administration extended to remote territories, imposing discipline on people 'shut out from converse with the rest of their kind.' The islands' exact locations remain uncertain, but the formula shows a systematic approach to governance.

Hodgkin's condensed translation is best approached as a reference work. Readers interested in the full rhetorical texture of Cassiodorus's Latin should consult the original Variae. For those studying Ostrogothic Italy, these letters offer direct evidence of administrative priorities, from lime-kilns to statue guardians, filtered through a Victorian historian's pragmatic abridgment.

Whenever I set down Hodgkin’s Letters of Cassiodorus, I think of the weary traveler in Hints to Pilgrims — Reading Notes. Both whisper of roads taken slowly, of small comforts—a formula, a footfall—that steady the soul. There is a quiet kinship there, like two old friends nodding across a dusty shelf.