itionum and Magister Officiorum. His father never stained the
dignity of 'Comes Privatarum' by cruelty, and was free from ill-gotten
gains in an age when avarice was not accounted a crime[288].

[Footnote 288: Tillemont understands this of the times of Odovacar,
vi. 438.]

'We may hope that the son will follow the example of such
distinguished ancestors.'

13. KING THEODORIC TO SUNHIVAD, SENATOR.

[Sidenote: Sunhivad, Governor of Samnium.]

[Notice again the Roman title and Gothic name.]

'You who have ruled your own life in a long career so well should make
a good governor of others. I therefore send you to Samnium as
Governor, in reply to the complaints which reach me from that
Province. Settle according to the law of justice the disputes which
have arisen there between the Romans and the Goths.'

14. KING THEODORIC TO THE VENERABLE BISHOP AURIGENES.

[Sidenote: Accusations against the servants of a Bishop.]

'You as a Bishop will be especially grieved to hear of any offences
against the sanctity of the married state. Julianus complains that his
wife has been outraged and his goods wasted by some of your servants
[probably slaves].

'Do you enquire into the matter, and if the complaint appears to be
just, deal promptly and severely with the offenders.'

[Cf. Dahn, 'Koenige der Germanen' iii. 193, on this letter. He shows
that it has been improperly appealed to as proving the immunity of all
ecclesiastical persons from a secular tribunal. What Theodoric really
intended was to give the Bishop a chance of settling the affair
himself, and so to prevent the scandal of its appearing in the secular
Courts, which it assuredly would do if the Bishop were apathetic. But
one sees how easily this would glide into something like immunity from
secular tribunals.]

15. KING THEODORIC TO THEODAHAD, SENATOR[289].

[Footnote 289: This is no doubt the nephew of Theodoric.]

[Sidenote: A contumacious person handed over to Theodahad.]

'It is the extreme of insolence in anyone not to execute our "sacred
orders." A certain person whom we commanded to attend before the
judgment-seat of the Illustrious Sona, has with inveterate cunning
withdrawn himself therefrom. We therefore hand him over to you, that
your fame may grow by your skilful management of a difficult case like
this.'

16. KING THEODORIC TO GEMELLUS, SENATOR (509-510).

[Sidenote: Appointment of Gemellus as Governor of Gaul.]

'Having proved your wo