145. Athanasius (tom. i. p. 811) complains in general of
this practice, which he afterwards exemplifies (p. 861 [tom.
i. p. 307, ed. Bened.]) in the pretended election of Felix.
Three eunuchs represented the Roman people, and three
prelates, who followed the court, assumed the functions of
the bishops of the Suburbicarian provinces.