'The lamentable petition of Castorius sets forth that he has been unjustly deprived of his property by the magnificent Praetorian Praefect Faustus. [The same, no doubt, to whom are addressed [iii. 51], [i. 35], and the immediately succeeding letter ([iii. 21]).]
'If it be so, let the invader (pervasor) restore to Castorius his property, and hand over, besides, another property of equal value.
'If Faustus have employed any intermediate person in the act of violence, let him be brought to us in chains; and if that well-known author of ill [Faustus] tries any further to injure Castorius, he shall pay £2,000, besides having the misery of seeing his would-be victim unharmed.
'No Powers of any kind, be they Praetorian Praefects or what they may, shall be permitted to trample on the lowly.'
[21.] King Theodoric to Faustus, Vir Illustris.
Disgrace and temporary exile of Faustus.
'As all men require change, Faustus is allowed to absent himself from the sacred walls of Rome for four months, which he may spend at his own Penates. The King expects, however, that he will then return to the most famous (opinatissima) City, from which no Roman Senator can long be absent without grief.'
[Coupling this letter with its [immediate predecessor] it is difficult not to believe that Faustus is sent away in disgrace—notwithstanding the smooth words here used—for the act of injustice therein mentioned.
But why is he only addressed as Vir Illustris, and not also as Praefectus? Perhaps his term of office was expired; perhaps he was even dismissed from it.]