[Dahn ('Koenige der Germanen' iii. 277) remarks on this letter: 'But even the well-meaning Theodoric takes steps in the interests of substantial justice which from a juristic point of view it would be hard to justify.... Evidently here the King, in his consideration of what was practically just, has decided according to caprice, not according to right; for the Fiscus could strictly only be repaid its debt out of the property of the defaulter, and hold the Arcarius (Joannes) responsible for the balance' (for which Dahn thinks he had already made himself liable). I do not quite agree with this view. It seems to me that Thomas was hopelessly bankrupt (the debt was 10,000 solidi, not 1,000, as stated by Dahn), and the Fiscus virtually sells the bankrupt's estate to his son-in-law, for him to make of it what he can.] 8. KING THEODORIC TO ANASTASIUS THE CONSULAR. [Sidenote: Transport of marble from Faenza to Ravenna.] 'We rely upon your Sublimity's zeal and prudence to see that the required blocks of marble are forwarded from Faventia (Faenza) to Ravenna, without any extortion from private individuals; so that, on the one hand, our desire for the adornment of that city may be gratified, and on the other, there may be no cause for complaint on the part of our subjects.' 9. KING THEODORIC TO THE POSSESSORES OF FELTRIA. [Sidenote: New city to be built in district of Trient.] 'We have ordered the erection of a new city in the territory of Tridentum (Trient). As the work is great and the inhabitants few, we order you all to assist and build each your appointed length (pedatura) of wall, for which you will receive suitable pay.' [This use of the word _pedatura_ is found in Vegetius, 'Epitoma Rei Militaris' iii. 8, and is illustrated by the centurial stones on the two great Roman walls in Britain, recording the number of feet accomplished by each century of soldiers (See 'Archaeologia Aeliana,' vol. ix. p. 28; paper by Mr. Clayton).] 'None, not even the servants of the royal house (divina domus), are excepted from this order.' 10. KING THEODORIC TO THE SAJO VERANUS. 11. KING THEODORIC TO THE GEPIDAE, ON THEIR MARCH TO GAUL. [Sidenote: Payment to Gepidae on their march to Gaul.] 'We desire that our soldiers should always be well paid, and that they should never become the terror of the country which they are ordered to defend. Do you therefore, Sajo Veranus, cause the Gepid troops whom we have ordered to come to the defence of Gaul, to march in all peace and quietness through Venetia and Liguria. 'You Gepidae shall receive three solidi (L1 16s.) per week; and we trust that thus supplied you will everywhere buy your provisions, and not take them by force. 'We generally give the soldiers their pay in kind, but in this case, for obvious reasons, we think it better to pay them in money, and let them buy for themselves.