mself, but creating a vacancy which enables those below him to rise
also.'

[Footnote 771: 'Juxta matriculae seriem.']

[All the Letters from 18 to 35 are documents, for the most part very
short ones, relating to these promotions.

For an explanation of the terms used in these letters, and of the
whole subject of the staff of the Praetorian Praefect, see chapter iv.
of the Introduction.]

In Letter 18, Antianus, who is vacating the office of CORNICULARIUS,
receives the rank of _Spectabilis_, and has a place assigned him among
the Tribuni and Notarii, where he may 'adore the presence of his
Sovereign[772]'.

[Footnote 772: 'Inter Tribunos et Notarios ad adorandos aspectus
properet Principales.']

In Letter 19 the successor of Antianus in the office of CORNICULARIUS
receives his appointment.

In Letter 20 the retiring PRIMISCRINIUS also receives the rank of
_Spectabilis_, and takes his place among the Tribuni and Notarii, 'to
adore the Purple of Royalty.'

In Letter 21 Andreas is rewarded for his faithful service on the
Praetorian staff[773], by being promoted to the office of
PRIMISCRINIUS.

[Footnote 773: 'Qui Praetorianis fascibus inculpabiliter noscitur
obsecutus.']

In Letter 22 Catellus, who stands next in grade for this
promotion[774], obtains the post of SCRINIARIUS ACTORUM.

[Footnote 774: 'Quem matriculae series fecit accedere.']

In Letter 23 Constantinian, to whose virtues Cassiodorus himself bears
witness, receives the charge of letters relating to the collection of
Land-Tax (CURA EPISTOLARUM CANONICARUM).

In Letter 24 Lucillus is appointed a clerk in the War-Office
(SCRINIARIUS CURAE MILITARIS).

In Letter 25 Patricius is appointed chief of the shorthand writers
(PRIMICERIUS EXCEPTORUM).

In Letter 26 Justus obtains a place as member of the Sixth Schola
(SEXTUS SCHOLARIS[775]).

[Footnote 775: I am unable to suggest any explanation of this title.]

In Letter 27 Joannes, whom we saw in the Sixth Letter of this Book
entrusted with the duties of Cancellarius, is rewarded for his
faithful discharge of those duties by receiving the place of
PRAEROGATIVARIUS[776].

[Footnote 776: I have not found any explanation of this title, which
is apparently unknown to the Notitia, to Lydus, and to the Theodosian
Code.]

In Letter 28 Cheliodorus[777] is appointed to the place of
COMMENTARIENSIS (Magistrates' clerk).

[Footnote 777: Note the corrupt form of the name Heliodorus.]

In Letter 29 Ca