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 310 THE DECLINE AND FALL [Chap, xli or commanders in the convenient stations of Tripoli, Leptis, Cirta, Caesarea, and Sardinia, and to compute the military force of palatines or borderers that might be sufficient for the defence of Africa. The kingdom of the Vandals was not unworthy of the presence of a praetorian praefect ; and four consulars, three presidents, were appointed to administer the seven provinces under his civil jurisdiction. The number of their subordinate officers, clerks, messengers, or assistants, was minutely ex- pressed ; three hundred and ninety-six for the prsefect himself, fifty for each of his vicegerents ; and the rigid definition of their fees and salaries was more effectual to confirm the right than to prevent the abuse. These magistrates might be oppressive, but they were not idle ; and the subtle questions of justice and revenue were infinitely propagated under the new government, which professed to revive the freedom and equity of the Eoman republic. The conqueror was solicitous to extract a prompt and plentiful supply from his African subjects ; and he allowed them to claim, even in the third degree, and from the collateral line, the houses and lands of which their families had been unjustly despoiled by the Vandals. After the departure of Belisarius, who acted by an high and special commission, no ordinary pro- vision was made for a master-general of the forces ; but the office of Praetorian praefect was entrusted to a soldier ; the civil and military powers were united, according to the practice of Justinian, in the chief governor ; and the representative of the emperor in Africa, as well as in Italy, was soon distinguished by the appellation of Exarch. 35 Distress Yet the conquest of Africa was imperfect, till her former t£ity a of sovereign was delivered either alive or dead into the hands of a.d!™34- the Eomans. Doubtful of the event, Gelimer had given secret the spring or( j ers t na t a p^ f hj s treasure should be transported to Spain, where he hoped to find a secure refuge at the court of the king of the Visigoths. But these intentions were disappointed by accident, treachery, and the indefatigable pursuit of his enemies, who intercepted his flight from the sea-shore, and chased the unfortunate monarch, with some faithful followers, to the in- 35 The African laws of Justinian are illustrated by his German biographer (Cod. 1. i. tit. 27. Novel. 36, 37, 13, [8, 34, 132, 140, 160, 169, ed. Zacharia]. Vit. Justinian, p. 349-377). [Cp. Appendix 19.]