31. Valesius (ad Ammian. xiv. 6) has proved, from Chrysostom
and Augustin, that the senators were not allowed to lend
money at usury. Yet it appears from the Theodosian Code (see
Godefroy ad 1. ii. tit. xxxiii. tom. i. p. 230-239) that
they were permitted to take six per cent, or one-half of the
legal interest; and, what is more singular, this permission
was granted to the young senators.