37. KING THEODORIC TO FAUSTUS, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT.

[Sidenote: Largesse to citizens of Spoleto.]

'As our Kingdom and revenues prosper, we wish to increase our
liberality. Let your Magnificence therefore give to the citizens of
Spoletium another "millena" for extraordinary gratuitous admissions to
the baths[269]. We wish to pay freely for anything that tends to the
health of our citizens, because the praise of our times is the
celebration of the joys of the people.'

[Footnote 269: 'Ad exhibitionem thermarum supra consuetudinem.']

[The 'millena' probably means 1,000 solidi, or £600.]


38. KING THEODORIC TO FAUSTUS, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT.

[Sidenote: Immunity from taxation. Hostile ravages.]

'We have no pleasure in gains which are acquired by the misery of our
subjects. We are informed that the merchants of the city of Sipontum
[in Apulia] have been grievously despoiled by hostile incursions
[probably by the Byzantine fleet in 508]. Let your Magnificence
therefore see to it that they are for two years not vexed by any
claims for purveyance (coemptio) on the part of our Treasury. But
their other creditors must give them the same indulgence.'