Letter 2021

From: Gregory the Great, Pope, in Rome To: Jovinus, prefect of Illyricum Date: ~592 AD Context: Gregory rejoices that a province devastated by barbarians is being restored under Jovinus's governance, and commends a patrician to him. Gregory to Jovinus, prefect of Illyricum. Word has reached me that a province which had been devastated by barbarian ravages is being restored and rebuilt under your governance. This news brings me genuine joy — not merely because the province is important, but because it suggests that the qualities of a good administrator are still capable of making a real difference even in very difficult circumstances. The recovery of devastated territory is one of the most difficult tasks a governor faces: the physical damage is only part of it; there is also the displacement of people, the breakdown of local order, the disruption of economic life. That you are making progress on all these fronts speaks well of your administration. I also commend to your attention the patrician whose case I have described separately. He deserves your support, and I trust that your Excellence's justice and generosity will be equal to what his situation requires. May God continue to prosper your work. Gregory

AD JOBINUM ILLYRICI PREFECTUM. V estatam a harbaris provinciam ejus regimine recreari gaudet, Patrimonii rectorem commendat. Natali ep1sco0po ne opem contra justitiam ſerat hortatur. Gregorius * Jobino pr:cſecto lilyrici Lic et ad reddenda paternze charitatis officia, ho- xlilitate vineribus oceupatis, raritas portitorum im- pediat, quoties tamen occasio inciderit, excellen- tiam vestram non desistimns scriptis discurrentibus visitare, quatenus quorum aspectum pr:xsentium videre non possnmns, eos aliquatenus $criptis valea- mus alternantibns intneri. Gandemus itaque quod eminentie vesire regimine affliete Dominus voluit provincie eonsulere, ut quam ex una parte flagello barbaricz vastationis ulcerat, -hanc ex alia per emi- nentiam vestram, quasi per $uperductam salutem curet. Largitam ergo vobis dignitatem ex 80lo mu- nere donanlis altendite, et ex ipsa concessi regimi- nis administratione Conditorem vestrum erga Vos placabiliorem facile; Sg quatenus cur ipse quod largitus est meritis honorum operum, ad snam vide- rit gloriam revocari, et in hac vos vita clariores ef- liciat, et premia vohis regni cclestis concedat. Presentium igitur Jatorem, quem iltne pro ipsa exi- gui palrimonioli administratione direximns, vestre _ excellentize commendamus. Nos enim charitatis ve- $ire connexi vinculo Dominum petimus, quo sic actus vestros in hac. vita dirigat, ut ipsorum merito ad zxterna vos regna perducat. Natali antem fratri et coe;\i$cOPO nosIiro in nullo Gloria vestra opem Ccon- ira juslitiam ferat, Þ quia tanto necesse est ut cano- nicat ultjonis vindictam sentiat, quanto et jpsam re- gulam canonicam ignorat.