the State. You have
called our attention to the ruinous state of your walls, and ask leave
to use for its repair the stones of the amphitheatre, which have
fallen down from age and are now of no ornament to your town, in fact
only show disgraceful ruins. You have not only our permission to do
this, but our hearty approval. Let the stones, which can be of no use
while they lie there, rise again into the fabric of the walls; and
your improved defence will be our boast and confidence.'

[Some remains of the amphitheatre are still visible at Catania; not,
however, so important as those of the theatre.]

50. KING THEODORIC TO THE PROVINCIALS OF NORICUM.

[Sidenote: The Alamanni and Noricans to exchange their cattle.]

'It is an admirable arrangement when a favour can be conferred by
which giver and receiver are alike benefited.

'We therefore decree that you should exchange your oxen for those of
the Alamanni.

'Theirs is the finer and larger breed of cattle, but they are worn out
by the long journey. Thus will they get fresh beasts capable of doing
the work which is required of them, and you will permanently improve
your breed of cattle, and so be able to till your fields better. Thus,
what does not often happen, the same transaction will equally benefit
both parties to it.'

[Cf. ii. 41 as to these Alamannic exiles. Possibly this letter as well
as that refers to their expulsion by Clovis (cir. 504); but it seems
more probable, as von Schubert suggests (pp. 52-54), that we have here
to do with a removal of some of the Alamannic subjects of Theodoric
from Raetia to Noricum, in order to guard the north-east frontier of
the kingdom.]

51. KING THEODORIC TO FAUSTUS, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT.

[Sidenote: Stipend of Thomas the Charioteer. Description of the
Circus.]

'Constancy in actors is not a very common virtue, therefore with all
the more pleasure do we record the faithful allegiance of Thomas the
Charioteer, who came long ago from the East hither, and who, having
become champion charioteer, has chosen to attach himself to "the seat
of our Empire[309];" and we therefore decide that he shall be rewarded
by a monthly allowance. He embraced what was then the losing side in
the chariot races and carried it to victory--victory which he won so
often that envious rivals declared that he conquered by means of
witchcraft.

[Footnote 309: 'Nostri sedes delegit fovere _Imperii_.']

'The sight of a chariot-race (spectacu