'But the petition of Stephanus sets forth that a property, which belonged to him before the time of your predecessor, has, within the last nine months, wrongfully, and in defiance of _civilitas_, been seized by the officers of your church. If this be so, we desire you, as a matter of justice, to correct what your familiars have done amiss, and restore it to him without delay. But if you dispute his title, send a properly instructed person to plead the cause in our Comitatus. 'You will be better off by having the matter enquired into and settled, than if the complaints of Stephanus had never come to a hearing[358].' [Footnote 358: There are some technical terms in this letter the meaning of which is not clear to me: 'Eam justitiae consideratione _momenti_ jure restituite supplicanti.... Veruntamen si partibus vestris in _causa_ possessionis _momentaria_ vel _principali_ justitiam adesse cognoscitis.'] 45. KING THEODORIC TO THE COMITES, DEFENSORES, AND CURIALES OF TICINUM (PAVIA). [Sidenote: The Heruli to be forwarded on their way to Ravenna.] [It is not easy to see why this order should be addressed to the inhabitants of Ticinum. Had the Heruli crossed the Alps by some pass near the modern Simplon?] 'We have ordered the Heruli, who are suppliants to us, to come to our Comitatus at Ravenna. 'Provide them promptly with ships of provisions for five days, that they may at once see the difference between Italy and their own hungry country[359].' [Footnote 359: It is probably to the same transaction that Marcellinus Comes refers when he says, s.a. 512: 'Gens Erulorum in terras atque civitates Romanorum jussu Anastasii Caesaris introducta.' The words 'jussu Anastasii Caesaris' represent this chronicler's tendency to refer everything that is done in Italy to the initiation of Byzantium.] 46. KING THEODORIC TO MARABAD, VIR ILLUSTRIS. [Sidenote: The case of the wife of Liberius to be reheard.] 'The Spectabilis Liberius[360] complains that his wife has had an unjust judgment given against her in your Court. Try the case over again, associating with yourself arbitrators chosen by both parties. If it cannot so be ended, let them appoint properly instructed persons to represent them at our Comitatus, if they cannot come themselves.' [Footnote 360: Possibly a son of the Praefect Liberius.] 47. KING THEODORIC TO GUDISAL THE SAJO. [Sidenote: Abuses of the Cursus Publicus.] 'If the public post-horses (veredi) are not allowed proper intervals of rest they will soon be worn out. 'We are informed by our _legati_ that these horses are constantly employed by persons who have no right to use them.