More about the sucking-fish on the evidence of Cassiodorus in his first book 1

THEODORIC, king of the Goths, censuring the delay caused by the supreme lethargy of those responsible for importing the grain supply, wrote to his praetorian prefect, Faustus, ² as follows: ‘This year, when 1117King of the Goths’ better about the sucking-fish excessive heat has hardened the earth’s bowels, the drought which normally ravages certain areas at specific seasons has produced premature crops or, to be more accurate, has thrust them up before their growth is complete. Now we must devote our energies all the more earnestly to procuring the same sufficiency of supplies which is usually achieved from the plentiful harvest. I am most deeply disturbed that the consignments of public corn which your commissioner has habitually sent during the summer from the coasts of Calabria and Apulia have not yet arrived in autumn, when the returning sun, controlled by methodical Nature, is passing through the southern constellations ³ and once more disturbs the air by raising violent tempests. This may be understood, too, from the months themselves, since they have taken suitable names from the number of rainstorms they are likely to bring. ⁴ Why then such a delay, when in the calmest of weather swift galleys have not yet been dispatched, when the heavens, bright with unsetting stars, prompt men quickly to unfurl their canvas, and the fair sky inspires such trust that it cannot frighten the hopes of the bustling mariners?