ment of
Heaven on the offender.]

19. KING THEODORIC TO GEMELLUS, SENATOR.

[Sidenote: The Siliquaticum not to be levied on corn, wine, and oil.]

'The Prince should try to remedy the afflictions of his subjects.
Therefore, for the present time [probably on account of the scarcity
in Gaul], we decree that the tax of Siliquaticum, which Antiquity
ordained should be levied on all buyings and sellings, shall not be
levied on corn, wine, and oil. We hope thus to stimulate trade, and to
benefit not only the Provincials, who are our chief care, but also the
merchants. Let the ship that traverses the seas not fear our harbours.
Often the sailor dreads the rapacity of the collector of customs more
than the danger of shipwreck. It shall not be so now.'

20. KING THEODORIC TO GEBERICH, SENATOR.

[Sidenote: Land taken from the Church to be restored to it.]

'If we are willing to enrich the Church by our own liberality, _a
fortiori_ will we not allow it to be despoiled of the gifts received
from pious princes in the past.

'The supplication of the Venerable Bishop Constantius informs us that
a _jugum_ [= jugerum, about two-thirds of an English acre] of land so
bestowed on the "sacrosanct" Church has been taken away from her, and
is unlawfully held by the despoiler.

'See that right is done, and that the Church has her own restored to
her without any diminution.'

21. KING THEODORIC TO GEMELLUS, SENATOR.

[Sidenote: Promptness and integrity required.]

'Be prompt in the execution of our orders. No one should think our
commands harsh, since they are excused by the necessity of the times.
[Reject the thought of all unjustly acquired gains, for] you are sure
to receive from our favour all that you seem to lose by not yielding
to temptation.'

22. KING THEODORIC TO ARGOLICUS, VIR ILLUSTRIS AND PRAEFECT OF THE
CITY; AND

23. KING THEODORIC TO ARIGERN, VIR ILLUSTRIS AND COMES.

[Sidenote: Roman Senators accused of magic.]

These two letters relate to the affair of Basilius[343] and
Praetextatus, men of high rank in Rome. They are accused of practising
magical arts, and in the interval between the first and second letters
they escape from prison by taking advantage of the insanity of the
gaoler.

[Footnote 343: Basilius, the patron of Sidonius, was Consul in 463,
and another Basilius, perhaps the father of the accused, was Consul in
480. The person here spoken of _may_ be the same as the Basilius,
'olim regio