17. King Theodoric to all the Gothic and Roman Inhabitants of Dertona (Tortona).

Fortification of camp near Dertona.

'We have decided that the camp near you shall at once be fortified. It is expedient to execute works of this kind in peace rather than in war.

'The true meaning of expeditio shows that the leader of a military expedition should have an unencumbered mind.

'Do you therefore second our efforts by building good private houses, in which you will be sheltered, while the enemy (whenever he comes) will be in the worst possible quarters[228], and exposed to all the severity of the weather.'