n matters
of this kind custom creates a kind of debt.'

40. KING THEODORIC TO ALL THE PROVINCIALS SETTLED IN GAUL.

[Sidenote: Immunity from taxes for districts ravaged by war.]

'We wish promptly to relieve all the distresses of our subjects, and
we therefore at once announce to you that the districts ravaged by the
incursions of the enemy will not be called upon to pay tribute at the
fourth Indiction [Sept. 510, to Aug. 511]. For we have no pleasure in
receiving what is paid by a heavy-hearted contributor. The part of the
country, however, which has been untouched by the enemy will have to
contribute to the expense of our army. But a hungry defender is a weak
defender.'

41. KING THEODORIC TO GEMELLUS, SENATOR [Governor of Gothic
Gaul[302]].

[Footnote 302: See Letters iii. 16 and 32.]

[Sidenote: Corn for the garrisons on the Durance.]

'A burden borne in common is lightened, since only the edge as it were
of the whole rests on the shoulders of each individual. We have
ordered the corn for the army to be carried from the granaries of
Marseilles to the forts upon the Durance. Let all unite in this toil.
The willing labour of many brings a speedy end to the work.'

[This letter, as showing that at least one if not both banks of the
Durance were included in the Ostrogothic Monarchy in 511, has an
important bearing on the geographical extent of the Burgundian
Kingdom. See Exkurs vi. to Binding's 'Burgundisch-Romanische
Koenigreich.' He makes the northern bank of the Durance belong to
Burgundy, the southern to the Ostrogoths.]

42. KING THEODORIC TO ALL THE PROVINCIALS IN GAUL.

[Sidenote: No part of Gaul to be called on for military
contributions.]

'Because the generosity of the Prince should even outrun the petitions
of his subjects we repeal that part of a previous letter [iii. 40]
which says that the unravaged portion of the Province of Gaul must pay
the expenses of our soldiers. We will transmit to the Duces and
Praepositi sufficient money to provide "alimonia nostris Gothis."'

['Praebendae,' near the end of this letter, seems to be used in a
technical sense, almost equivalent to stipendia or annonae.]

43. KING THEODORIC TO UNIGIS, THE SWORD-BEARER [SPATARIUS].

[No doubt a high officer in the Royal household.]

[Sidenote: Runaway slaves to be restored to their owners.]

'We delight to live after the law of the Romans, whom we seek to
defend with our arms; and we are as much interested