ght off, but the misuser must cease. If the diversion is of
less ancient date[298], it must of course be at once stopped without
compensation.

[Footnote 298: 'Si vero aliquid moderna praesumptione tentatum est.'
(Again 'modernus.')]

'(2) Slaves assigned by the forethought of previous rulers to the
service of the formae have passed under the sway of private masters.

'(3) Great weights of brass and lead (the latter very easy to steal,
from its softness) have been stripped off from the public buildings.
Now Ionos, King of Thessaly, is said to have first discovered lead,
and Midas, King of Phrygia, brass. How grievous that we should be
handed down to posterity as neglecting two metals which they were
immortalised by discovering!

'(4) Temples and other public buildings, which at the request of many
we have repaired, are handed over without a thought to spoliation and
ruin.

'We have appointed the Spectabilis John to enquire into and set
straight all these matters. _You_ ought to have brought the matter
before us yourselves: at least, now, support him with the necessary
"solatia."'

[See preceding letter as to the commission entrusted to John,
Theodoric's Clerk of the Works in Rome.]

32. KING THEODORIC TO GEMELLUS, SENATOR. A.D. 511.

[Appointed Governor of the Gaulish Province in Letter iii. 16.]

[Sidenote: Remission of taxes to citizens of Arles.]

'The men of Arles, who were reduced to penury in the glorious siege
which they endured on our behalf, are freed from the obligation of
taxes for the fourth Indiction [Sept. 1, 510, to Aug. 31, 511]. We ask
for these payments from men at peace, not from men besieged. How can
one claim taxes from the lord of a field when one knows he has not
been able to cultivate it? They have already rendered a most precious
tribute in their fidelity to us. After this year, however, the taxes
will be collected as usual.'

33. KING THEODORIC TO ARGOLICUS, ILLUSTRIS, PRAEFECT OF THE CITY.

[Sidenote: Promotion of Armentarius and Superbus to post of Referendi
Curiae.]

Armentarius (Clarissimus) and his son Superbus are to receive the
privilege of _Referendi Curiae_[299]. Thus will the profession of the
law be, as is most fitting, adorned with the honours of the Senate.

[Footnote 299: Possibly Referendi is the same as Referendarii. See
Var. vi. 17.]

Praises of Rhetoric. The man who has swayed the judges by his
eloquence is sure to have a favouring audience in the Senat