La moralización de la vida pública en los reinos bárbaros. El proyecto de Teodorico y Casiodoro

Abstract

In the first barbarian kingdoms of Occident appeared ancient imperial officials or roman education clerks who attempted to undertake the main questions which the new cohabitation raised. They did also a notable effort to rationalize and moralize public life and the exercise of power. One them was Casiodoro, in the Teodorico's Ostrogothic kingdom. His ambitious and short-lived project was basically directed to eliminate violence and the robbery of the public life. Both appeared like structural and personal evils of the new people and had to be faced with structures and behaviors as well: by the introduction of some civil institutions of the empire, the adoption of laws and Roman way of life, and the unification of Italy. To an eminently warlike society peace is proposed as a fundamental good. To achieve it with another nations there is agreement, an adequate matrimonial politics and mercy with the enemy; to achieve it inside there is justice and equity of the ruler in the application of a few clair, efficient and common laws (iura publica). For avoiding robbery and expoliation, Casiodoro proposes to restore an equitable fiscality that provides the necessary earnings to the State, without squeezing he citizenry. They, in their relations, will be ruled also by norms of justice and equity that will guarantee the security of lifes and properties.