Letter 10015: I have been asked to use my influence in a matter that touches your interest as well as mine; I raise it here...

Almost from the very founding of the City the custom of the New Year's gifts of March [strenae, gifts exchanged at the turn of the year] grew up, on the authority of King Tatius [Titus Tatius, the Sabine king who ruled jointly with Romulus], who first received sprigs from the fruitful tree out of the grove of Strenia [the goddess of the New Year's gift] as the auspices of the new year, our lords the emperors. The name itself is a token that these things befit vigorous men [a play on strenae and strenuus, "vigorous"] by their valor, and that for this reason a distinction of this kind is owed to you, whose divine spirit awaits a testimony of watchfulness rather than an omen. Take up, therefore, defenders of the public welfare, these solemn little gifts wrought in gold, not because you rejoice in the honor of a precious metal, but so that our devotion may bear witness to the opulence of a happy age. To good princes we offer the firstfruits of things well won. Receive from your magistrates these open marks of homage, you who condemn hidden bribes. With good reason we offer you the customary bowls together with five solidi apiece, as to deities of integrity, by which neither your sense of honor nor our means is burdened. May such a usage of this duty endure toward you for the ages, and may the unbroken returning course of the years renew the honor due to your clemency. Gladly will the prefecture perform the solemn New Year's gifts, which are to be presented to vigorous men. [Cod. Theod. XIV 2, 1.]

Ab exortu paene nrbis Martiae strenamm usns adolevit anctore Tatio rege, qui verbenas felicis arboris ex luco Streniae anni novi auspices primus accepit, ddd. imperatores. nomen indicio est, viris strenuis haec convenire virtute atque ideo vobis huinsmodi insigne deberi, quoram divinus animus magis testimonium vigilantiae quam omen expectat. sumite igitur, defensores publicae salutis, sollemniter auro ducta munuscula, non quia divitis metalli honore gaudetis, sed ut nostra devotio felicis saeculi testetur opulentiam. bonis principibus bene parta libamus. snscipite a iudicibus aperta obsequia, qui pretia occulta damnatis. merito vobis sollemnes pateras cum quinis solidis nt numinibns integritatis offerimns, quibus nec vester pudor nec noster census oneratur. maneat aevum talis circa vos usns officii et honorem clementiae vestrae interminus annorum recursns instanret. libenter strenis sollemnibus praefectura fungetur strenuis deferenda. Cod. Theod. XlIIl 2, 1.