177. Some precautions were taken (see Cod. Theod. 1. xi.
tit. ii. and Cod. Justinian. 1. x. tit. xxvii. leg. 1, 2, 3)
to restrain the magistrates from the abuse of their
authority, either in the exaction or in the purchase of
corn: but those who had learning enough to read the orations
of Cicero against Verres (iii. de Frumento) might instruct
themselves in all the various arts of oppression, with
regard to the weight, the price, the quality, and the
carriage. The avarice of an unlettered governor would supply
the ignorance of precept or precedent.