SOURCE: “Zeitgeist,” in Rome in Involution: Cassiodorus's “Variae” in Their Literary and Historical Setting, Poznan, 1989, pp. 151–63.

In the essay below, Macpherson comments on the historical accuracy of the Variae and analyzes the language and style of the work, stating that its tone suited the tastes of the upper classes.

I. Through the Prism

In the Variae Cassiodorus depicts the exemplary character of the brother-courtiers Cyprian and Opilio: they appear with a symmetric perfection which reflects their moral perfection:

He, Opilio, allied and joined himself to his brother's virtues in such a manner that it is uncertain … as to who should derive more praise from the other. One honours his friendships with true faith, but a great trustworthiness belongs to promises made by the other. One is also devoid of greed, while the other is proven to be alien to cupidity. Hence they know how to be loyal to...