Letter 4048: King Theodoric to Eusebius, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious].

King Theodoric to Eusebius, Vir Illustris [Most Illustrious]. After the wearisome anxieties of a turbulent city and the oppressive burden of your responsibilities, Your Greatness longs to be refreshed by the pleasures of provincial life. You report that circumstances in the present times have given you heavy cares, and that once these are resolved, you desire to enjoy the sweetness of the countryside. Since true security is that which is granted by our commands: when your period of obligation has been completed, we grant you, by our authority, eight months' leave to withdraw to the pleasant retreats of Lucania [the mountainous region of southern Italy, modern Basilicata]. The time shall be counted from the day you depart the city, with God's favor. When that period is over, hasten back to your place in Rome -- you are owed to the gatherings of the nobility and to a way of life worthy of your character.

XLVIII. EUSEBIO V. I. THEODERICUS REX. [1] Post tumultuosae urbis sollicitudines taediosas et observationum molestias ingravantes magnitudo tua provinciali desiderat amoenitate recreari, asserens occupationum tibi causas praesentibus emersisse temporibus, quibus expeditis rurali desideras suavitate gaudere. [2] Et quia vere illa securitas est, quae nostris iussionibus datur, cum tempus tibi fuerit occupationis emensum, octo mensium indutias in Lucaniae dulces recessus nostra auctoritate concedimus, ut ex illo tempore supputentur, cum te egredi ex urbe divino favore contigerit. quibus peractis multorum desiderio ad Romanas sedes venire festina, conventui nobilium et digna tuis moribus conversatione reddendus.