Note to Cassiodorus, Variae XII, 24

The article offers an in depth focus on the famous letter XII, 24 of Cassiodorus, written in 537 AD to the “Tribuni maritimi” of the Venetiae. Starting from a new translation of the text and a grounded lexical analysis, the article emphasizes some important aspects related to the perspicuous characters of the Venice Lagoon: the legal role of the “Tribuni” in the control and management of the lagoons; the description of the landscape; the aspect of the buildings peculiar of the lagoon context, and the life in the islands; the solid government of the area based on the Roman administrative structure and jurisdiction. Thanks to this new interpretation, Cassiodorus’ testimony appears of great importance for reflecting on the Venetian lagoon in a crucial phase at the end of Antiquity and the beginning of Venetian rule over the territory.