'Also that their accounts shall be promptly balanced, and that any overcharge that may be detected shall be at once repaid.
'Now then, your minds being freed from anxiety on this score, turn your attention to the supply of the wants of our most flourishing army, and show your zeal for the public good, since we have satisfied you that it is not for private and fraudulent gains that you are to pay your contributions.'
[17.] On the Promotions in the Official Staff of the Praetorian Praefect, made on Christmas Day[770].
Promotions in Officium of Praefectus Praetorio.
'On this day of general rejoicing, when by the kindness of Heaven the way of salvation was opened to all mankind, we wish that the members of our staff should also be glad. For to rejoice, ourselves, when those around us are mourning, is a kind of sacrilege. Hence some philosophers have held that the whole human race is one being, the various members of which are constrained to share one another's feelings of joy or sadness. Therefore let every official in our staff according to his grade[771] get promotion on this day, not only rising himself, but creating a vacancy which enables those below him to rise also.'
[All the Letters from [18] to [35] are documents, for the most part very short ones, relating to these promotions.
For an explanation of the terms used in these letters, and of the whole subject of the staff of the Praetorian Praefect, see [chapter iv.] of the Introduction.]
In [Letter 18], Antianus, who is vacating the office of Cornicularius, receives the rank of Spectabilis, and has a place assigned him among the Tribuni and Notarii, where he may 'adore the presence of his Sovereign[772]'.
In [Letter 19] the successor of Antianus in the office of Cornicularius receives his appointment.
In [Letter 20] the retiring Primiscrinius also receives the rank of Spectabilis, and takes his place among the Tribuni and Notarii, 'to adore the Purple of Royalty.'