Letter 2007: King Theodoric to Suna, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Count.

King Theodoric to Suna, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious], Count. It is not fitting that what can enhance the beauty of a city should lie unused, for it is not the part of wisdom to neglect what can be beneficial. Therefore, let Your Illustrious Sublimity see to it that the cut marble blocks, which lie scattered and neglected where they have fallen, be assigned by the workers appointed for this task to the construction of the city walls -- so that the ancient stonework may be restored to public beauty, and stones lying amid ruins may once again serve an ornamental purpose. This is to be done, however, only when it can be demonstrated to you by clear evidence that the materials in question have fallen from public buildings, since just as we do not wish the beauty of any city to be violated by anyone's presumption, so we detest the infliction of false charges upon private property.

VII. SUNAE V. I. COMITI THEODERICUS REX. [1] Sine usu iacere non decet, quod potest ad decorem crescere civitatis, quia non est sapientiae profutura contemnere. et ideo illustris sublimitas tua marmorum quadratos, qui passim diruti negleguntur, quibus hoc opus videtur iniunctum in fabricam murorum faciat deputari, ut redeat in decorem publicum prisca constructio et ornent aliquid saxa iacentia post ruinas: ita tamen, ut metalla ipsa de locis publicis corruisse apud te manifesta ratione doceatur, quia sicut nolumus ornatum urbis cuiusquam praesumptione temerari, ita privatis compendiis calurnniam detestamur inferri.