17. In 680, Wamba was deposed by the intrigues of Erwig, who was supported by the clergy. Wamba abdicated, and withdrew to a convent. Erwig convoked the twelfth council of Toledo, at which Wamba's voluntary abdication was announced, and Erwig appointed his successor. The new monarch directed the council to revise and modify the laws of Wamba regarding military service, and the penalties to be imposed upon delinquents. A less severe legislation was the work of the twelfth and thirteenth councils of Toledo. {214} The Forum Judicum. 18. Erwig had given his daughter Cixilone in marriage to Egica, a near relation of Wamba. In 687, Egica succeeded Erwig. He charged the sixteenth council of Toledo to make a complete collection of the laws of the Visigoths; and this collection, under the name of the _Forum judicum_, or _Fuero juzgo_, long ruled the Spanish monarchy. 19. Egica had associated with himself his son Witiza, who succeeded him in 701. Witiza was tyrannical and dissolute. He allowed the priests to marry, recalled the Jews, entered into conflict with the Spanish clergy and the Pope; violently persecuted the principal lay lords, among others Theutfred and Favila, dukes of Cordova and Biscay, and sons of king Chindasuinth; and fell a victim, in 710, to a conspiracy formed against him by Roderic, son of Theutfred. Roderic, or Rodrigo, became king of the Visigoths, and his reign was the last of this monarchy. I shall not relate to you his wars with the Saracens, or the celebrated adventure of Count Julian and his daughter La Cava, who was violated by Roderic, or any of the last scenes of this history which have now become popular poetry. [Footnote 17] Political institutions are now the sole subject of our study. In my next lectures, I shall tell you of the _Forum judicum_, a very remarkable legislative work, which deserves our serious examination and attention. [Footnote 17: For the legend of Count Julian, and other information regarding this most interesting period of Spanish history, see Washington Irving's "Legends of the Conquest of Granada and Spain," in Bohn's edition of his works.] {215} Lecture XXV. Peculiar character of the legislation of the Visigoths. Different sorts of laws contained in the _Forum judicum_. It was a doctrine as well as a code. Principles of this doctrine on the origin and nature of power. Absence of practical guarantees. Preponderance of the clergy in the legislation of the Visigoths. True character of the election of the Visigothic kings. The Visigothic legislation characterized by a spirit of mildness and equity towards all classes of men, and especially towards the slaves. Philosophical and moral merits of this legislation. Character Of Visigothic Legislation.