rth by experience we are now going to send you
to govern the Provinces of Gaul newly wrested [from Clovis], as Vicar
of the Praefects[290].

[Footnote 290: 'Vicarius Praefectorum.' Vicar of what Praefects? Why
the plural number? Had Theodoric a titular Praefect _of the Gauls_, to
whom this Vicarius was theoretically subject while practically obeying
the Praefect of Italy? Or, to prevent bickerings, did he give the
'Praefectus Italiae' and the 'Praefectus Urbis' conjoint authority
over the new conquests? There is some mystery here which would be
worth explaining.]

'Think what a high opinion we must have formed of you to delegate to
you the government of these Provinces, the conquest of which has added
so much to our glory, and the good opinion of whose inhabitants we so
particularly wish to acquire. Abhor turbulence; do not think of
avarice; show yourself in all things such a Governor as "Romanus
Princeps" ought to send, and let the Province feel such an improvement
in her lot that she may "rejoice to have been conquered."'

[This is so like the words put by Sidonius into the mouth of Lyons,
after Majorian's conquest of her, that I believe it to be
intentionally imitated.]

17. KING THEODORIC TO ALL THE GAULISH PROVINCES (510).

[Sidenote: Proclamation to the new Gaulish subjects.]

'Obey the Roman customs. You are now by God's blessing restored to
your ancient freedom; put off the barbarian; clothe yourselves with
the morals of the toga; unlearn cruelty, that you may not be unworthy
to be our subjects. We are sending you Spectabilis Gemellus as
Vicarius Praefectorum, a man of tried worth, who we trust will be
guilty of no crime, because he knows he would thereby seriously
displease us. Obey his commands therefore. Do not dislike the reign of
Law because it is new to you, after the aimless seethings of Barbarism
(Gentilitas).

'You may now bring out your long-hidden treasures; the rich and the
noble will again have a chance of suitable promotion. You may now
enjoy what till now you have only heard of--the triumph of Public
Right, the most certain solace of human life, the help of the weak,
the curb of the strong. You may now understand that men are exalted
not by their bodily strength, but by reason.'

[Some of these reflections on the past misgovernment of _Gentilitas_
hit the Visigoths, Theodoric's friends, harder than the Franks. If the
Gaulish nobles of the south-eastern Provinces (and these were all tha