and their own hungry
country[359].'

[Footnote 359: It is probably to the same transaction that Marcellinus
Comes refers when he says, s.a. 512: 'Gens Erulorum in terras atque
civitates Romanorum jussu Anastasii Caesaris introducta.' The words
'jussu Anastasii Caesaris' represent this chronicler's tendency to
refer everything that is done in Italy to the initiation of
Byzantium.]

46. KING THEODORIC TO MARABAD, VIR ILLUSTRIS.

[Sidenote: The case of the wife of Liberius to be reheard.]

'The Spectabilis Liberius[360] complains that his wife has had an
unjust judgment given against her in your Court. Try the case over
again, associating with yourself arbitrators chosen by both parties.
If it cannot so be ended, let them appoint properly instructed
persons to represent them at our Comitatus, if they cannot come
themselves.'

[Footnote 360: Possibly a son of the Praefect Liberius.]

47. KING THEODORIC TO GUDISAL THE SAJO.

[Sidenote: Abuses of the Cursus Publicus.]

'If the public post-horses (veredi) are not allowed proper intervals
of rest they will soon be worn out.

'We are informed by our _legati_ that these horses are constantly
employed by persons who have no right to use them.

'You are therefore to reside in Rome, and to put yourself in constant
communication with the officers of the Praefectus Praetorio and the
Magister Officiorum, so as not to allow any to leave the City using
the horses of the _Cursus Publicus_ except the regularly commissioned
agents of those two functionaries. Anyone transgressing is to pay a
fine of 100 solidi (L60) per horse; not that the injury to the animal
is represented by so high a figure, but in order to punish his
impertinence. Our Sajones, when sent with a commission, are to go
straight to the mark and return, not to make pleasure-tours at the
public expense; and if they disobey this order, they are to pay the
same fine as that just mentioned.

'Moreover, the extra horses (parhippi) are not to be weighted with a
load of more than 100 lbs. For we wish our messengers[361] to travel
in light marching order, not to make of their journey a regular
domestic migration.

[Footnote 361: 'Mittendarii.' A 'Scrinium Mittendariorum' formed part
of the staff of the Count of Sacred Largesses. See Theodosian Code vi.
30. 7.]

'Cranes, when they are going to cross the sea, clasp little pebbles
with their claws, in order to steady without overweighting themselves.
Why cannot th