P. 247, dele the last two lines. (The Peter who was Consul in 516 was an official of the Eastern Empire, the same who came on an embassy to Theodahad in 535.) P. 253. l. 9, for '408' read '508.' P. 255, ll. 9, 14, and in margin, for 'Agapeta' read 'Agapita.' P. 256, ll. 16, 26, and in margin, for 'Velusian' read 'Volusian.' P. 256, title of Letter 43. S. Gaudenzi thinks this letter was really addressed to Argolicus, Praefectus Urbis. P. 269, l. 20, dele 'possibly Stabularius.' P. 282, Letter 31 of Book V. (to Decoratus). As Decoratus is described in V. 3 and 4 as already dead, it is clear that the letters are not arranged in chronological order. P. 282, l. 27, for 'upon' read 'before.' P. 288, l. 25, for 'extortions' read 'extra horses.' P. 291, l. 6, for 'Anomymus' read 'Anonymus.' P. 308, l. 7. This is an important passage, as illustrating the nature of the office which Cassiodorus held as Consiliarius to his father. P. 333, second marginal note, for 'aguntur' read 'agantur' (twice). P. 398, title of Letter 15, for '532' read '533-535.' P. 400, title of Letter 17, for 'between 532 and 534' read 'between 533 and 535.' P. 450, l. 8. Probably, as suggested by S. Gaudenzi, Felix was Consiliarius to Cassiodorus. INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. LIFE OF CASSIODORUS. The interest of the life of Cassiodorus is derived from his position rather than from his character. He was a statesman of considerable sagacity and of unblemished honour, a well-read scholar, and a devout Christian; but he was apt to crouch before the possessors of power however unworthy, and in the whole of his long and eventful life we never find him playing a part which can be called heroic. [Sidenote: Position of Cassiodorus on the confines of the Ancient and the Modern.]