]) sell to the impoverished Ligurians the third part of
the grain warehoused at Ticinum and Dertona, at the rate of 25 modii
to the solidus[682]. Similarly distribute the third part of the stores
in the warehouses of Tarvisium and Tridentum to the Venetians, at the
same rate, that pitying Heaven, seeing men's bounty to one another,
may give us fruitful harvests. Take care that this distribution is so
managed that our indulgence shall reach those persons chiefly, who are
least able to depend on their own resources.'

[Footnote 681: 'Quorum dignitas ad hoc legitur instituta, ut de
repositis copiis populum saturare possetis.' Probably an allusion to
Joseph, whom Cassiodorus celebrates as the first Praefectus
Praetorio.]

[Footnote 682: Six bushels for twelve shillings, or sixteen shillings
a quarter.]

28. KING THEODAHAD TO SENATOR[683], PRAEFECTUS PRAETORIO.

[Footnote 683: Cassiodorus.]

[Sidenote: Grant of monopolies.]

'The King ought to confirm whatever has been wisely ordered by the
Judges, especially those who are known to be above suspicion of
bribery.

'Therefore we confirm in their offices[684] the stewards[685],
purveyors[686] of wheat, wine, and cheese, the meat sellers, vintners,
farmers of the revenue derived from granaries and taverns[687], hay
merchants, and general provision dealers[688], who belong to the City
of Rome or the royal residence of Ravenna[689]; also those who hold
public charges of this description along the river banks of Ticinum or
Placentia[690], or in any other places, whom we know to have been
appointed by you, whose judgments we willingly embrace and desire to
hold fast exactly as if they were our own; nor will we allow the
malice of any to prevail against those persons who by your choice have
assumed these public functions. If therefore they acquit themselves to
your satisfaction, they shall hold their office for five years without
fear of disturbance during that period. On account of the present
barrenness of the land you should cause them to fix such prices for
the different kinds of grain as shall seem reasonable to your
Eminence[691].

[Footnote 684: The sentence is so long that Cassiodorus seems to have
forgotten its construction, and these important words are in fact
omitted.]

[Footnote 685: 'Arcarios.']

[Footnote 686: 'Prorogatores.']

[Footnote 687: 'Capitularios horreariorum et tabernariorum.']

[Footnote 688: 'Cellaritas.']

[Footnote 689: 'Mansionem Ra