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both of them, at least they could not so easily come at them, for the Dearness of the one, and the Scarceness of the other, the Bread by reason of the Emperors Impositions, and the Water by his Cruelty or Negligence; Nor was this confined only to Constantinople, but alass, he persecuted the Poor in all places, and by all the Arts he could use, some of which I shall mention in short.
After that Theodorick King of the Goths had made himself Master of Italy, to leave some markes behind him of the Ancient Dignity of this Roman Commonwealth, he permitted the Pretorian Bands to continue in their former condition, and ordered them the same Allowance, which by long Custom they had had every day. These Souldiers were very numerous, and comprehended under that Name, The Troops of Silence, the Domesticks, and several others. Though this priviledge of Conservation could not make them rich, yet by that means they remained still as Souldiers upon the Rolls, and had a comfortable subsistance thereby, though what they received, was scarce sufficient alone; and besides this, Theodorick condescended, that their Children, and Grandchildren should inherite their Estates. To the poor, who were retired about the Churches of St. Peter, he ordered a yearly Distribution of 3000 Vessels of Corn, to be paid out of the publick Stores. These Gifts were continued both to the one and the other, till the arrival of Alexander Forficula in Italy, who quickly abolished those
