Opera Omnia Vol. II: Vandal & Gothic Wars

The Emperor, pleased by the message, ordered the woman to come and commanded that the finest house in Epidamnus modern Durrës, Albania be prepared, so that when Amalasuntha arrived there, she might lodge in it and spend as much time as she wished before making her way to Byzantium. When Amalasuntha learned of this, she selected Goths who were active and most suitable for her purposes and sent them to kill the three men I just mentioned, since they had been the most responsible for the uprising against her. She herself, having placed money and four hundred centenaria of gold a massive sum; 40,000 pounds of gold on a single ship, and having put some of her most trusted men on board, ordered them to sail to Epidamnus. Upon arriving, they were to anchor in its harbor, but not to unload any of the cargo from the ship until she herself sent word. She did this so that, if she learned the three had been killed, she would remain there and recall the ship, having no further fear of her enemies. But if it happened that any of them survived, and no other good hope remained for her, she would sail with all speed and find safety in the land of the Emperor along with her wealth. With this intent, Amalasuntha sent the ship to Epidamnus, and when it reached the harbor of the Epidamnians, those in charge of the money did as they had been instructed. Shortly after, Amalasuntha, the murders having been carried out as she wished, her...