Page:The age of Justinian and Theodora (Volume 1).djvu/118

 image. For Masters of the Forces the codicils are illustrated with weapons of war or with the numerous designs, geometrical or pictorial, which distinguish the shields of the cohorts under their command. Dignitaries of civil rank, financial or secretarial, are suitably denoted on their diplomas by vessels loaded with coin, purses, writing-cases, and rolls of manuscript. In addition to those assigning administrative appointments honorary codicils are also issued, by which the prerogative or precedence only pertaining to various ranks is conferred. These documents are also called "nude," as they are not illustrated with those figures which indicate that the holder is in authority over particular districts. They are equivalent to patents of nobility, and are granted for service to the state, general esteem, and probably also by mere purchase. Among the throng at the Emperor's receptions are always a number of officers of a certain rank, who, on vacating their posts, have the privilege of waiting on the Emperor in order to adore or kiss his purple. In the absence of urgent business the audience closes at ten o'clock; at a sign from the Emperor the Janitor passes into the ante-*chamber with his keys, which he agitates noisily as a signal

difficulty; that of the Spectabiles is FeLiciter INTer ALLectos COMites ORDinis PRimi; Cod. Theod., VI, xiii; cf. Böcking's Notitia, F. ii, pp. 283, 515, 528.]
 * [Footnote: eyes. Godefroy expanded the legends to their full complement with no