'Some time ago we committed the government of our new Gaulish Provinces to Arigern, a member of your body, that he might by his firmness and prudence bring about a settlement in that agitated country. This he has accomplished to our entire satisfaction, and, practising the lessons which he learned in your midst, he has also brought back warlike trophies from thence. We now decide to bestow upon him the charge of the Roman order.
'He is to see that the laws are vigorously administered, and that private revenge has no place.
'Receive, O Conscript Fathers, your honoured and venerable member back into your bosom.'
[It seems probable that Arigern was not appointed 'Praefectus Urbis,' because in Letter [iv. 22] he is associated as Comes with Argolicus, 'Praefectus Urbis.' Was he 'Comes Urbis Romae?']
[17.] King Theodoric to [Ida], Vir Sublimis and Dux.
[Cf. the name of our own Northumbrian King.]
Possessions of the Church of Narbonne to be restored to it.
'We do not wish to disturb anything that has been well settled by a preceding King. Certain possessions of the Church of Narbonne, which were secured to it by grant of the late King Alaric of exalted memory, have been wrongfully wrested from it. Do you now restore these. As you are illustrious in war, so be also excellent in "civilitas." The wrong-doers will not dare to resist a man of your well-known bravery.'
[18.] King Theodoric to Annas, [Senator] and Comes.
A priestly Ghoul.