The most interesting but most puzzling sentence in this letter is that in which he says that 'the ancients wished that the _solidus_ should consist of 6,000 _denarii_, in order that the golden coin like a golden sun might represent the 6,000 years which are the appointed age of the world.' But how can we reconcile this with any known solidus or any known denarius? The solidus of Constantine (72 to the lb.) was worth about twelve shillings. The reduced denarius of Diocletian was probably worth one penny. At the very lowest (and most improbable) computation it was worth at least a farthing, and even thus one would only get 576 to a solidus. The earlier denarius, worth about eightpence, clearly will not do; and the matter is made more difficult by the fact that Cassiodorus is talking about the ancients (veteres), whereas the solidus was a comparatively modern coin. It seems that either Cassiodorus has some entirely wrong information as to the early currency of Rome, or else that we have not yet got the clue to his meaning. This passage is quoted by Finlay ('Greece under the Romans,' p. 536, ed. 1857), but the difficulty is not removed by his remarks. 11. KING THEODORIC TO SERVATUS, DUKE OF THE RAETIAS. [Sidenote: Violence of the Breones.] 'It is your duty to repress all violence and injustice in the Provinces over which you preside. Maniarius complains that his slaves (mancipia) have been without any cause taken away from him by the _Breones_ [a Raetian tribe dwelling near the pass of the Brenner], who are continuing in peace the habits and maxims of war. 'If this proves to be a true complaint, see that justice is done, and speedily.' 12. KING THEODORIC TO EUGENIUS (OR EUGENITES)[225], VIR ILLUSTRIS, MAGISTER OFFICIORUM. [Footnote 225: Perhaps the name really was Eugenes, -etis. See Var. viii. 19, and Ennodii, Epist. iv. 26.] [Sidenote: Bestowal of dignity of Magister Officiorum.] 'It is the glory of our reign to confer office on those who deserve it. 'You are a learned man, and arrived long ago at the dignity of the Quaestorship as a reward for your creditable exertions as an Advocate. 'One office leads to another: the tree of the fasces puts forth fresh fasces; and we therefore have great pleasure in calling you now to the dignity of Magister, bestowing upon you all the privileges which have belonged to your predecessors in that office. Justify our choice by your actions. You know, as one of our counsellors, what our standard of righteousness is. A sort of religious holiness is required from those who hold office under a righteous king[226].' [Footnote 226: 'Pio principi sub quodam sacerdotio serviatur.' Cf. Claudian, 'Nunquam libertas gratior exstat quam _sub rege pio_.'] 13. KING THEODORIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME. [Sidenote: On the same subject.]