Here then, four centuries before Otho's decree, we have Comacina as a place of refuge in troublous times, chosen because, being a free city, it was considered more safe than other towns. We need not then consider it improbable, if in the dark centuries when the Roman Empire was dying out, and its glorious temples and streets falling into ruin under the successive inroads of half-savage despoilers; when the arts and sciences were falling into disuse or being enslaved; and when no place was safe from persecution and warfare, the guild of the Architects should fly for safety to almost the only free spot in Italy; and here, though they could no longer practise their craft, they preserved the legendary knowledge and precepts which, as history implies, came down to them through Vitruvius from older sources, some say from Solomon's builders themselves. Among the treasures must have been works of Greek and Roman art, that kept alive the old spirit among the guild of builders gathered there; but alas! after the long generations when art was decaying, and uncalled for, their hands lost their skill, they could no longer reproduce the perfect works. It was here the Longobards found them, and in their new Christian zeal soon furnished them with work enough. LONGOBARD KINGS 568. Alboin conquers Italy; he was poisoned by his wife Rosamund for compelling her to drink out of her father's skull. 573. Cleoph (assassinated). 575. Autharis (poisoned). 591. Agilulf. 615. Adaloald. He was poisoned. 625. Ariold. 636. Rotharis. He married Ariold's widow, and published a code of laws. 652. Rodoald (son), assassinated. 653. Aribert (uncle). 661. Bertharis and Godebert (sons); dethroned by-- 662. Grimoald, Duke of Beneventum. 671. Bertharis (re-established). 686. Cunibert (son). 700. Luitbert; dethroned by-- 701. Ragimbert. 701. Aribert II. (son). 712. Ansprand elected. 712. Luitprand (son); a great prince, favourite of the Church. 744. Hildebrand (nephew), deposed. 744. Ratchis, Duke of Friuli, elected, but afterwards became a monk. 749. Astolfo (brother). 756. Desiderius, quarrelled with Pope Adrian, who invited Charlemagne to Italy. He defeated and dethroned Desiderius, and put an end to the Lombard kingdom. FOOTNOTES: [2] "Si Magister Comacinus, cum collegis suis, domum ad restaurandum, vel fabricandum super se placito finito de mercede susceperit, et contigerit aliquem per ipsam domum aut materiam, aut lapide lapso moti, aut quodlibet damnum fieri, non requiratur domino, cuius domus fuerit, nisi Magister Comacinus cum consortibus suis ipsum homicidium aut damnum componat, qui postquam fabulam firmatam de mercede pro suo lucro susciperit, non immerito sustinet damnum."