Theodoric, who says that he will not suffer any such acts of treason against the Divine Majesty, and that it is not lawful for Christian times to deal in magical arts, orders the recapture of the offenders, who are to be handed over to a Quinque-viral Board, consisting of the Patricians Symmachus, Decius, Volusianus, and Caelianus, with the Illustrious Maximian, and by them examined; if guilty to be punished (probably with confiscation and exile); if innocent, of course to be discharged[344]. [Footnote 344: At the beginning of the first letter occurs the remarkable expression 'Abscedat ritus de medio jam profanus; conticescat _poenale murmur animarum_,' which the commentator interprets of the ventriloquistic sounds produced by soothsayers. Cf. Milton's Christmas Hymn: 'No voice or hideous hum Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving.'] [The association of the Quinque-viri with the Praefectus Urbis is a mark of the high rank of the accused. The Praefectus Urbis could not adjudicate on the crimes of Senators without five Assessors chosen by lot from that body. Arigern, who was entrusted (it is not quite clear in what capacity) with the 'Disciplina Romanae Civitatis,' is commissioned to bring the accused to trial. Baronius says that we do not hear whether they were ever re-captured.] 24. KING THEODORIC TO ELPIDIUS, DEACON [of Spoleto]. [Sidenote: Architectural restoration at Spoleto.] Gives leave to pull down a _porticus_ behind the Baths of Turasius at Spoleto, and to build some new edifice [perhaps a church] on its site and on the site of a yard (areola) adjoining it, on condition only that the building thus pulled down is of no public utility. Reflections on the duty of architectural restoration. 25. KING THEODORIC TO ARGOLICUS, VIR ILLUSTRIS, PRAEFECTUS URBIS. [It is to be borne in mind that the Praefectus Urbis was the Official President of the Senate.] [Sidenote: Petrus to be inscribed as Senator.] 'Ambition ennobles man, and he who has aimed when young at high honours is often stimulated to lead a worthy life by the fact of having obtained them. We therefore look favourably on the petition of Petrus, illustrious by descent, and in gravity of character already a Senator, to enter the Sacred Order (the Senate); and we authorise your Illustrious Magnificence to inscribe his name, according to ancient custom, in the album of that body.' [A Petrus, probably the same as the subject of this letter, was Consul in 516.] 26. KING THEODORIC TO ALL THE CITIZENS OF MARSEILLES[345]. [Footnote 345: 'Universis Massiliae constitutis.' A curious expression.] [Sidenote: Taxes remitted for a year.] Confirms all privileges and immunities granted by previous Princes, and remits the taxes (censum) for one year, a boon which they had not dared to ask for. 'For that is perfect _pietas_, which before it is bent by prayer, knows how to consider the weary ones.'