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PREFACE 
 
 Procopius, the most important of the 
 Byzantine historians, was born at Caesarea 
 in Palestine towards the beginning of the 
 sixth century of the Christian era. After 
 having for some time practised as a " Rhe- 
 torician," that is, advocate or jurist, in his 
 native land, he seems to have migrated 
 early to Byzantium or Constantinople. There 
 he gave lessons in elocution, and acted as 
 counsel in several law -cases. His talents 
 soon attracted attention, and he was pro- 
 moted to official duties in the service of the 
 State. He was commissioned to accompany 
 the famous Belisarius during his com- 
 mand of the army in the East, in the 
 capacity of Counsellor or Assessor: it is not 
 easy to define exactly the meaning of the 
 Greek term, and the functions it embraced. 
 The term " Judge- Advocate " has been sug- 
 gested, 1 a legal adviser who had a measure 
 
 1 By Mr. Hodgkin, " Italy and her Invaders," 
 vol. iii., p. 638. 
 
 b 
 
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PREFACE 
 
 of judicial as well as administrative power. 
 From his vivid description of the early years 
 of Justinian's reign, we may conclude that 
 he spent some considerable time at the 
 Byzantine court before setting out for the 
 East, at any rate, until the year 532, when 
 Belisarius returned to the capital : he would 
 thus have been an eye - witness of the 
 " Nika " sedition, which, had it not been 
 for the courage and firmness displayed by 
 Theodora, would probably have resulted in 
 the flight of Justinian, and a change of 
 dynasty. 
 
 In 533 he accompanied Belisarius on his 
 expedition to Africa. On the way, he was 
 intrusted with an important mission to Sicily. 
 He appears to have returned to Byzantium 
 with Belisarius in 535. He is heard of 
 again, in 536, as charged with another 
 mission in the neighbourhood of Rome, 
 which shows that, at the end of 535, he 
 had accompanied Belisarius, who had been 
 despatched to Italy and Sicily to conquer 
 the territory in the occupation of the Goths. 
 This expedition terminated successfully by 
 the surrender of Vitiges and his captivity at 
 Byzantium in 540. 
 
 As the reward of his services, Justinian 
 
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PREFACE VH 
 
 bestowed upon him the title of "Illustrious" 
 (Illustris), given to the highest class of 
 public officials, raised him to the rank of a 
 Senator, and, finally, appointed him Praefect 
 of Byzantium in 562. He does not, how- 
 ever, seem to have been altogether satisfied: 
 he complains of having been ill-paid for his 
 labours ; for several years he was even 
 without employment. This is all that is 
 known of his life. He died shortly before 
 or after the end of the reign of Justinian 
 (565), when he would have been over sixty 
 years of age. 
 
 His career seems to have been as satis- 
 factory as could be reasonably expected, all 
 things being taken into consideration ; but 
 the violent hatred displayed by him against 
 Justinian in the " Anecdota " or " Secret 
 History " — if the work be really his 1 — 
 appears to show that he must have had 
 some real or imaginary grounds of com- 
 plaint ; but history throws no light upon 
 these incidents of his political career. 
 
 Another question which has been much 
 discussed by the commentators is : " What 
 were the religious opinions of Procopius ? " 
 
 1 The best modern authorities are agreed that he 
 was ready the author. 
 
 b— 2 
 
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Vlll PREFACE 
 
 His own writings do not decide the question ; 
 he seems to shew a leaning towards heathenism 
 and Christianity alternately. The truth seems 
 to be that, being of a sceptical turn of mind, 
 he was indifferent ; but that, living under an 
 orthodox Emperor, he affected the forms and 
 language of Christianity. Had he been an 
 open and avowed adherent of Paganism, he 
 would scarcely have been admitted to the 
 Senate or appointed to the important official 
 position of Praefect of Byzantium. His de- 
 scription of the plague of 543, which is 
 exceedingly minute in its details, has given 
 rise to the idea that he was a physician, but 
 there is no proof of this. The same thing 
 might have been with equal justice said of 
 Thucydides ; or we might assert that Procopius 
 was an architect, on the strength of his having 
 written the " Buildings." 
 
 Procopius, holding a position in a period of 
 transition between classical Greek and Byzan- 
 tine literature, is the first and most talented of 
 Byzantine historians. His writings are charac- 
 terized by an energetic combination of the Attic 
 models of the affected, but often picturesque 
 style employed by the Byzantine writers. 
 Although he is not free from errors of taste, 
 he expresses his ideas with great vigour, and 
 
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PREFACE IX 
 
 his thoughts are often worthy of a better 
 age. The information which he has given 
 us is exceedingly valuable. He had ample 
 opportunities of observation, and his works 
 present us with the best picture of the reign 
 of Justinian, so important in Greco-Roman 
 annals. 
 
 His chief work is the " Histories," in eight 
 books : two on the Persian wars (408-553), 
 two on the Vandal wars (395-545), and four 1 
 on the Gothic wars, bringing down the nar- 
 rative to the beginning of 559. The whole 
 work is very interesting ; the descriptions are 
 excellent : in the matter of ethnographical 
 details, Procopius may be said to be without 
 a rival among ancient historians. 
 
 He shews equal descriptive talent in his 
 work on the " Buildings " of Justinian, a 
 curious and useful work, but spoiled by ex- 
 cessive adulation of the Emperor. Gibbon 
 is of opinion that it was written with the 
 object of conciliating Justinian, who had been 
 dissatisfied with the too independent judg- 
 ment of the " Histories." If this be the 
 case, we can understand why the historian 
 avenged himself in the " Secret History," 
 
 1 Or, rather, three, the fourth being only a kind 
 of supplement. 
 
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X PREFACE 
 
 which is a veritable chronique scandaleuse of 
 the Byzantine Court from 549-562. Justinian 
 and Theodora, Belisarius and his wife 
 Antonina, are painted in the blackest colours. 
 Belisarius, who is treated with the least 
 severity, is nevertheless represented as weak 
 and avaricious, capable of any meanness in 
 order to retain the favour of the Court and 
 his military commands, which afforded him 
 the opportunity of amassing enormous wealth. 
 As for Antonina and Theodora, the revelations 
 of the " Secret History " exhibit a mixture of 
 crime and debauchery not less hideous than 
 that displayed by Messalina. Justinian is 
 represented as a monstrous tyrant, at once 
 cunning and stupid, " like an ass," in the 
 the words of the historian, and as the 
 wickedest man that ever lived. The author 
 declares that he and his wife are spirits or 
 demons, who have assumed the form of human 
 beings in order to inflict the greatest possible 
 evils upon mankind. These accusations seem 
 to be founded sometimes upon fact, sometimes 
 upon vague rumours and blind gossip. Gene- 
 rally speaking, the author of the " Secret 
 History " seems sincere, but at the same time 
 he shows a narrowness by confounding all 
 Justinian's acts in one sweeping censure, and 
 
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PREFACE XI 
 
 in attributing to him the most incredible re- 
 finements of political perversity. Critics have 
 asked the question whether the author of such 
 a work can be Procopius of Caesarea, the im- 
 partial historian of the wars. Direct proofs of 
 authenticity are wanting, since the most ancient 
 authors who attribute it to him — Suidas and 
 Nicephorus Callistus — lived centuries later. 1 
 But it is easy to understand that a work of 
 this kind could not be acknowledged by its 
 author, or published during the lifetime of 
 Justinian. In later times, it circulated pri- 
 vately, until the lapse of time had rendered 
 the Byzantine Court indifferent to the hideous 
 
 1 As internal evidence in favour of the identity of 
 the author of the "Secret History," and the "Wars" 
 and " Buildings," the few following points, amongst 
 many, may be noticed. The reference in the preface to 
 the " History of the Wars," that the author was born at 
 Caesarea, is more closely denned by the statement in 
 the "Secret History" that he was from Caesarea in 
 Palestine ; in both works an account of the relations of 
 Justinian to the Church is promised, but the promise is 
 not fulfilled. The "Secret History" refers to the 
 extravagant " building " mania of the Emperor. In all 
 three works we meet with a constant recurrence of the 
 same ideas, the same outspoken language, greatly em- 
 bittered in the " Secret History," the same fanatical 
 pragmatism, the same association of luck, destiny, and 
 divinity, of guilt and expiation, the same superstition in 
 the forms of demonology, belief in dreams and miracles, 
 and lastly the same commonplaces, expressions, and 
 isolated words. 
 
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XH PREFACE 
 
 picture of the vices of a previous age. The 
 work is evidently that of a contemporary of 
 Justinian ; it can only have been written by a 
 functionary familiar with the ins and outs of 
 Court intrigue, who had private grievances of 
 his own to avenge. It is true that it sheds 
 little lustre upon the character of Procopius, 
 since it exhibits him as defaming the cha- 
 racter of the masters whom he had formerly 
 served and flattered. But this kind of in- 
 consistency is not uncommon in writers of 
 memoirs, who often revenge themselves post- 
 humously by blackening the reputation of 
 their former masters. Although the author 
 writes under the influence of the most violent 
 resentment, there seems no reason to doubt 
 that, although details may be exaggerated, the 
 work on the whole gives a faithful picture 
 of the Byzantine Court of the period. 
 
 The following sketch of the " Character 
 and Histories of Procopius" from Gibbon, 1 
 although modern authorities have taken ex- 
 ception to it in certain points, will be read 
 with interest : " The events of Justinian's 
 reign, which excite our curious attention by 
 their number, variety, and importance, are 
 
 1 "Decline and Fall," chap. xl. 
 
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PREFACE 
 
 diligently related by the secretary of Beli- 
 sarius, a rhetorician, whom eloquence had 
 promoted to the rank of senator and praefect 
 of Constantinople. According to the vicissi- 
 tudes of courage or servitude, of favour or 
 disgrace, Procopius successively composed the 
 history, the panegyric, and the satire of his 
 own times. The eight books of the Persian, 
 Vandalic, and Gothic wars, which are con- 
 tinued in the five books of Agathias, deserve 
 our esteem as a laborious and successful imi- 
 tation of the Attic, or at least of the Asiatic, 
 writers of ancient Greece. His facts are 
 collected from the personal experience and 
 free conversations of a soldier, a statesman, 
 and a traveller ; his style continually aspires, 
 and often attains, to the merit of strength and 
 elegance; his reflections, more especially in 
 the speeches which he too frequently inserts, 
 contain a rich fund of political knowledge ; 
 and the historian, excited by the generous 
 ambition of pleasing and instructing posterity, 
 appears to disdain the prejudices of the people 
 and the flattery of courts. The writings of 
 Procopius were read and applauded by his 
 contemporaries; but, although he respectfully 
 laid them at the foot of the throne, the pride 
 of Justinian must have been wounded by the 
 
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PREFACE 
 
 praise of an hero who perpetually eclipses 
 the glory of his inactive sovereign. The con- 
 scious dignity of independence was subdued 
 by the hopes and fears of a slave, and the 
 secretary of Belisarius laboured for pardon 
 and reward in the six books of imperial 
 edifices. 1 He had dexterously chosen a sub- 
 ject of apparent splendour, in which he could 
 loudly celebrate the genius, the magnificence, 
 and the piety of a prince, who, both as a 
 conqueror and legislator, had surpassed the 
 puerile virtues of Cyrus and Themistocles. 
 Disappointment might urge the flatterer to 
 secret revenge, and the first glance of favour 
 might again tempt him to suspend and sup- 
 press a libel, in which the Roman Cyrus is 
 degraded into an odious and contemptible 
 tyrant, in which both the Emperor and his 
 consort Theodora are seriously represented as 
 two demons, who had assumed a human form 
 for the destruction of mankind. Such base 
 inconsistency must doubtless sully the repu- 
 tation and detract from the credit of Pro- 
 copius ; yet, after the venom of his malignity 
 has been suffered to exhale, the residue of 
 the ' Anecdotes,' even the most disgraceful 
 facts, some of which had been tenderly hinted 
 1 The iEdificia, or " Buildings," of Justinian. 
 
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PREFACE XV 
 
 in his public history, are established by their 
 internal evidence, or the authentic monuments 
 of the times." x It remains to add that in 
 some passages, owing to imperfections in the 
 text or the involved nature of the sentences, 
 it is difficult to feel sure as to the meaning. 
 In these the translator can only hope to have 
 given a rendering which harmonises with the 
 context and is generally intelligible, even if 
 the Greek does not seem to have been strictly 
 followed. 
 
 For a clear and succinct account of the 
 reign of Justinian, the four chapters in Gibbon 
 (xl.-xliv.), which are generally admitted to be 
 the most successful in his great work, should 
 be read. 
 
 1 The article on Procopius in the " Encyclopaedia 
 Britannica " (gth edition) by Professor Bryce should 
 also be consulted. 
 
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CONTENTS 
 
 Introduction 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Arrangement of the work — The manner in which it has 
 been drawn up — The causes of events omitted in 
 previous writings — The duty of the historian towards 
 posterity — Lessons necessary to tyrants — Semiramis, 
 Sardanapalus, and Nero — Facts relating to Belisarius, 
 v Justinian, and Theodora . i 
 
 Chapter I 
 
 Birth and character of Antonina — Her marriage with 
 Belisarius — Her adulterous amours — Services rendered 
 by her to the Empress Theodora — Her passion for the 
 Thracian Theodosius — Adoption of the latter — The 
 lovers surprised by Belisarius — His weakness — Revela- 
 tion made by the slave Macedonia — Flight of Theodosius 
 — Vengeance of Antonina upon Macedonia, and upon 
 Constantine, who had spoken insultingly of her — Theo- 
 dosius refuses to return to her until the departure of 
 her son Photius — Retirement of Photius — Demands of 
 Theodosius — His return — Infatuation of Belisarius — His 
 return to Byzantium — Theodosius enters a cloister at 
 Ephesus — Despair of Antonina — She causes him to be 
 recalled — His resistance — His secret return 5 
 
 Chapter II 
 
 Departure of Belisarius, accompanied by the "consular" 
 Photius, for the war against Chosroes, King of Persia 
 
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 PAGE 
 
 — Antonina remains at Byzantium — Her intrigues 
 against Photius— The latter denounces her adulterous 
 intimacy with Theodosius— Indignation of Belisarius— 
 His agreement with Photius — His vengeance postponed 
 —Entry of the Roman army into Persia— Downfall of 
 John the Cappadocian — Antonina's perjuries — She sets 
 out for the army — Theodosius sent back to Ephesus — 
 Capture of Sisauranum — Arrival of Antonina — Retire- 
 ment of Belisarius — Arethas and the Saracens — Colchis 
 or Lazica invaded by Chosroes — Capture of Petra — 
 Reverse sustained by Chosroes — The Huns defeated by 
 Valerian — Insurrectionist movement amongst the Per- 
 sians — Letter of Theodora to Zaberganes — Return of 
 Chosroes to Persia 13 
 
 Chapter III 
 
 Arrest of Antonina — Hesitation of Belisarius — Photius re- 
 pairs to Ephesus, and extorts from Calligonus a con- 
 fession of his mistress's secrets — Theodosius, having 
 taken refuge in a temple, is given up by Andreas the 
 Bishop — Intervention of Theodora — Photius removes 
 Theodosius, and puts him away in Cilicia — The latter 
 and Calligonus set free — The Empress hands over 
 Antonina's enemies to her — Her vengeance — Punish- 
 ment of the senator Theodosius — Forced reconciliation 
 between Belisarius and his wife — Arrest of Photius : his 
 firmness under torture — Calligonus restored to Antonina 
 — Theodosius restored to her arms — The Empress's 
 favours — She promises him a high military command 
 — His death from dysentery — Long imprisonment of 
 Photius — Sacred asylums violated — Weakness displayed 
 by the priests — Deliverance of Photius, who enters a 
 convent at Jerusalem — Perjury of Belisarius — His 
 punishment — Failure of the third expedition against 
 Chosroes — Capture of Callinikus — Roman prisoners — 
 Belisarius accused of treachery and cowardice . . 23 
 
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CONTENTS XIX 
 
 Chapter IV 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Illness of Justinian — Resolutions of the army consequent 
 upon his supposed death — Peter and John the Glutton 
 denounce Belisarius and Buzes — The latter put away 
 and tortured — Disgrace of Belisarius — He is superseded 
 by Martin in the command of the army of the East — 
 His treasures carried away by Theodora — His friendship 
 for Antonina — His letter to Belisarius — Submission of 
 the latter to his wife — Division of his fortune — Betrothal 
 of Joannina, his daughter, to Anastasius, grandson of 
 Theodora — Belisarius appointed Count of the Royal 
 Stable and again commander of the army in Italy — 
 Comparison of the two expeditions . . . .31 
 
 Chapter V 
 
 Conduct of Belisarius in Italy — His greed — Defection of 
 Herodianus — Loss of Spoletum — Success of Totila and 
 his Goths — Rupture with John — Betrothal of the latter 
 to Justina, daughter of Germanus — Recall of Belisarius 
 — Perusia taken by the Goths — The marriage between 
 Joannina and Anastasius consummated by a trick on the 
 part of the dying Empress — Return of Antonina, who 
 separates the young pair — Belisarius despised for his 
 weakness — Sergius causes the loss of the Roman army 
 in Africa — Murder of Pegasius by Solomon — The 
 vengeance of Heaven 41 
 
 Chapter VI 
 
 History of Justin and his two brothers, poor Illyrian hus- 
 bandmen — Their enrolment in the army — Their ad- 
 mission into the Palace Guards, in the reign of Leo — 
 Justin condemned to death, during the reign of 
 Anastasius, by the General John Kyrtus, for some 
 breach of discipline — His escape by divine intervention 
 — He becomes praefect of the Praetorian guards — In 
 spite of his ignorance, he is proclaimed Emperor — The 
 
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 way in which he was assisted to sign imperial docu- 
 ments — The Empress Lupicina-Euphemia — Justinian, 
 the nephew of Justin, the real master of the Empire— 
 His cruelty, his avarice, his inconsistency in regard 
 to the laws — He oppresses Italy, Africa, and the rest of 
 the Empire — Amantius condemned, to avenge an out- 
 rage upon the bishop John — Perjury towards Vitalianus 50 
 
 Chapter VII 
 
 Byzantium divided between two factions : the Blues and the 
 Greens — Justinian puts himself at the head of the former 
 — The Empire entirely upset by the quarrels between 
 these factions — The Blues dress their hair after the 
 manner of the Huns — Their general attire — Their ex- 
 cesses — Behaviour of the Greens — Corruption of the 
 morals of young men — Murder committed with im- 
 punity — Inaction on the part of the authorities — Acts 
 of violence committed upon both sexes— A woman 
 throws herself into the sea to save her virtue — Culpa- 
 bility of Justinian — His partiality for the oppressors, 
 upon whom he bestows favours and dignities . 56 
 
 Chapter VIII 
 
 Calamities in the provinces — Justinian's apathy — Waste of 
 the public money during his reign — Useless presents 
 of money made to the Huns — Extravagance in buildings 
 on the sea-shore — Attack upon the fortunes of private 
 individuals — Description of Justinian's personal appear- 
 ance — His resemblance to Domitian — Domitian's wife 
 — Alterations in established institutions 65 
 
 Chapter IX 
 
 The bear-keeper Acacius, Theodora's father — His widow 
 loses her place in the amphitheatre of the Greens and 
 takes another in that of the Blues — Her daughters — 
 The beginning of Theodora's career — Her precocious 
 
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CONTENTS XXI 
 
 PAGE 
 
 immorality — Her accomplishments — Her debaucheries 
 —Her intercourse with Hecebolus, governor of Pen- 
 tapolis — Her return from the East — Justinian, ena- 
 moured of her, wishes to marry her — Assassination of 
 Hypatius — The Praefect Theodotus Colocynthius — 
 Punishment of malefactors — His exile and death . . 73 
 
 t 
 Chapter X 
 
 The Empress Euphemia — Her opposition to the marriage of 
 Justinian and Theodora — Justin repeals the law pro- 
 hibiting the marriage of a patrician with a stage- 
 performer — Justinian and Theodora colleagues on the 
 throne— Death of Justin— Effect of the marriage — 
 Adulation of the senate, clergy, people, and army — 
 General feeling of discouragement — Personal advan- 
 tages of Theodora — Pretended antagonism between 
 her and Justinian — Theodora deceives the Christians 
 and the factions — Consolidation of despotism . . 84 
 
 Chapter XI 
 
 Legislative innovations — Avarice and cruelty of Justinian — 
 Barbarian invasions provoked — Exorbitant subsidies 
 to the chiefs of the Huns and Chosroes King of Persia, 
 followed by disturbances and violation of truce — 
 Saracens, Slavs, Antes, and other barbarous peoples — 
 Desolation of the provinces — Religious persecutions 
 and confiscation of Church property — Montanists, 
 Sabbatians, Arians, and Samaritans — Pretended con- 
 versions — Manicheans and Polytheists — Caesarea, the 
 author's birthplace — Revolt of the peasants under 
 Julian — Hellenism — Law against paederasty — Persecu- 
 tion of astrologers — Continuous emigration 91 
 
 Chapter XII 
 
 Downfall- and death of Zeno, grandson of Anthemius, Em- 
 peror of the West— Robbery of Tatian, Demosthenes, 
 
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XX11 CONTENTS 
 
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 the wealthy Hilara, Dionysus of Libanus and John 
 of Edessa— Forged wills— Theodora and Justinian evil 
 spirits, not simple human beings— Justinian the putative 
 son of Sabbatius — His mother's intimate relations with 
 a spirit — The adventure of a monk — Justinian's tem- 
 perate manner of living— His fondness for women- 
 Theodora's intercourse with a spirit —Reputation of t 
 Macedonia during Justin's time — Her prediction to 
 Theodora — Dream of her marriage with the Prince 
 of the Demons 100 
 
 Chapter XIII 
 
 Justinian's qualities — His accessibility — His partiality for 
 the clergy — His gifts to the churches — His passion for 
 blood and money, shared by him with Theodora — 
 Flattery of Tribonianus — Justinian's fickleness and 
 ill-faith — Venality of justice — Corruption of officials — 
 Justinian's fasting and temperate mode of life . . 109 
 
 Chapter XIV 
 Abolition of various old customs — The attributes of the 
 quaestor and imperial secretaries — The senate a mere 
 cipher — Corruption of the "Referendaries" — Guilty 
 conduct of Zeno, the Cilician . . . . 116 
 
 Chapter XV 
 
 Cruelty of Theodora — Her voluptuous life — Her ambition 
 — Her character and Justinian's compared — Her harsh- 
 ness towards persons of rank — Their servility — Pre- 
 tended mildness of Justinian — Theodora's eagerness for 
 vengeance — Her partiality — The. insult offered by her 
 to a patrician — Her stay at Heraeum, on the sea-shore 122 
 
 Chapter XVI 
 
 Assassination of Amalasunta, Queen of the Goths, by Peter, 
 Theodora's agent — The secretary, Priscus, obliged to 
 
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CONTENTS XX111 
 
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 enter a cloister — Justinian's hypocrisy — Disgrace of 
 Areobindus, Theodora's lover — Her way of getting rid 
 of persons of rank — Punishment of Basianus — False 
 accusation against Diogenes, a member of the municipal 
 council— Suborning of witnesses— Theodora's courage . 130 
 
 Chapter XVII 
 
 Murder of Callinicus, governor of Cilicia — His property 
 confiscated by Justinian — Theodora's severe measures 
 against prostitutes — She compels two girls of noble 
 birth to marry — Her frequent abortions — Disappear- 
 ance of her natural son, John — Corrupt morals of the 
 ladies of the capital — Theodora disposes of ecclesiastical 
 dignities — Takes upon herself the general superintend- 
 ence of marriages— Adventure of Saturninus — Persecu- 
 tion of John of Cappadocia 138 
 
 Chapter XVIII 
 
 Justinian, a devil in the form of a man, causes the destruc- 
 tion of millions of men — His policy towards the 
 Vandals, Goths, and other barbarians— Chosroes and 
 the Persians — Invasion of the Huns, Saracens, and 
 others — Justinian's theological studies — Religious per- 
 secution — Divine anger — Inundations, earthquakes, and 
 the plague 149 
 
 Chapter XIX 
 
 A dream relating to Justinian's avarice — The vast treasures 
 of Anastasius squandered by Justinian — He makes him- 
 self master of the fortunes of private individuals by 
 false accusations, and squanders them in presents of 
 money to the barbarians, who plunder the Empire — 
 Fulfilment of the dream . . . 159 
 
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CONTENTS 
 
 Chapter XX 
 
 Justinian impoverishes private individuals by "monopolies" 
 — Two new magistrates appointed at Constantinople — 
 A Praetor of the People to judge cases of robbery- 
 Legislation in regard to paederasty and female morality 
 — Establishment of an inquisition against heretics — 
 Condemnations and confiscations — Degradation of the 
 quaestorship in the hands of Junilus and Constantine 
 — Their venality 164 
 
 Chapter XXI 
 The impost called "Aerikon" — Exactions authorised 1 by 
 Justinian — The property of John the Cappadocian 
 confiscated — The farming of the taxes entrusted to 
 salaried commissioners — Increased spoliation — Oath 
 taken against venality — Increasing corruption of 
 officials — The Thracians and Illyrians at first check 
 the depredations of the Huns, Goths, and other bar- 
 barians, and then, in turn, take to plundering them- 
 selves 171 
 
 Chapter XXII 
 
 John of Cappadocia replaced by Theodotus, and Theodotus 
 by Peter Barsyames, the Syrian, an old usurer — His 
 greed — He suppresses the gratuities to the soldiers — 
 Traffic in every kind of employment — Speculation in 
 wheat — Scarcity of provisions at Byzantium — Discon- 
 tent — Barsyames upheld by Theodora and his own 
 sorceries — His connection with the Manicheans — Their 
 influence over Justinian — Barsyames supersedes John 
 of Palestine as treasury minister — He abolishes the 
 assistance rendered to the unfortunate . . . 179 
 
 Chapter XXIII 
 
 Ruin of private properties — Abolition of the remission of 
 arrears of taxes, even in the case of cities taken by 
 
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CONTENTS XXV 
 
 PAGE 
 
 the barbarians — The imposts called Synone, Epibole, 
 and Diagraphe — Soldiers billeted in private houses . 188 
 
 Chapter XXIV 
 
 Oppression of the soldiers by the Logothetes— Division of 
 the soldiers into three classes — Their promotion sus- 
 pended — Their pay diverted to other purposes — The 
 diminishing army — Praetorian soldiers disbanded — 
 Alexander the Logothete in Italy — The general's 
 aides-de-camp — The frontier garrisons abandoned — 
 Palace guards, Scholares, and supernumeraries — 
 Armenians — Peter, the Master of Offices, the murderer 
 of Amalasunta — Palace officials, Domestics, and Pro- 
 tectors — Suppression of the quinquennial gratuity — 
 The imperial officers and dignitaries . . . 195 
 
 Chapter XXV 
 
 Unjust treatment of merchants, mariners, and artisans — 
 The straits of the Bosphorus and the Hellespont 
 burdened with custom-house dues — Enormous dues 
 levied by Addeus in the port of Byzantium — Change 
 in the silver coinage : its depreciation — Monopoly of 
 the silk trade — Ruin of Berytus and Tyre — Malversa- 
 tions of Peter Barsyames and his successors — Tyranny 
 of Theodora and avarice of Justinian . . 202 
 
 Chapter XXVI 
 
 Destruction of city decorations and ornaments — Advocates 
 deprived of their fees by the institution of arbitrators 
 — Physicians and professors deprived of their pensions 
 — Public spectacles discontinued — The consulship sup- 
 pressed — Scarcity of corn and water at Byzantium, 
 Rome, and Alexandria — Generosity of Theodoric, the 
 conqueror of Italy — Greed of Alexander Forficula — 
 
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XXVI CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Disbanding of the garrison of Thermopylae — Spolia- 
 tion of Athens and other Greek cities— Hephaestus 
 and Diocletian ... 210 
 
 Chapter XXVII 
 
 Conduct of Justinian and Theodora in regard to the clergy 
 and council of Chalcedon — Arsenius the Samaritan per- 
 secutes the Christians of Scythopolis with impunity — 
 Paul, archbishop of Alexandria, has the deacon Psoes 
 put to death — Rhodon, the governor, by his orders, 
 tortures him : but he is dismissed, and then put to 
 death, together with Arsenius, through the influence of. 
 Theodora — Liberius, the new governor, and Pelagius, 
 legate of Pope Vigilius at Alexandria, depose Paul, 
 who buys back the favour of Justinian — Resistance of 
 Vigilius — Faustinus, governor of Palestine, denounced 
 by the Christians as a. Samaritan — His condemnation 
 by the Senate — The sentence annulled by Justinian — 
 Outrages upon the Christians .... 221 
 
 Chapter XXVIII 
 
 Laws changed for money considerations — Affair of the 
 church of Emesa — Priscus the forger — A hundred 
 years' prescription granted to the churches — Mission 
 of Longinus — Persecution of the Jews at the Passover 
 —Justinian's intolerance 228 
 
 Chapter XXIX 
 
 Justinian's hypocrisy — Letters sent to both Liberius and 
 John Laxarion, confirming them as governors of Egypt 
 — Intervention of Pelagius and Eudaemon — Murder of 
 John — Liberius acquitted by the Senate — Fine inflicted 
 by Justinian — Confiscation of the inheritances of Eudae- 
 mon, Euphratas, and Irenaeus — New law as to the 
 inheritances of municipal councillors — Spoliation of 
 
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CONTENTS XXV11 
 
 PAGE 
 
 the daughter of Anatolia and Ascalon, the widow of 
 Mamilianus — Affair of Tarsus — Malthanes and the Blues 
 of Cilicia — Unpunished assassinations — Justinian's 
 corruptness — Leo the Referendary . . . 232 
 
 Chapter XXX 
 
 The "posts" and "spies" — Rapidity of the imperial couriers 
 — Their chief routes — Superiority of the Persians — Re- 
 verses of the Romans in Lazica at the hands of Chosroes 
 — The army commissariat — Spoliation of the lawyer 
 Evangelius — Justinian's sarcasm— He and Theodora re- 
 quired their feet to be kissed by those who had audience 
 of them — Their titles of "master" and "mistress" — 
 The palace crowded by applicants for audiences — The 
 death of Justinian alone will show how the vast wealth 
 of the Empire has been spent 240 
 
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THE SECRET HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 COURT OF JUSTINIAN 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 IIPOOIMION. 
 
 a. "Oaa pXv oZv 'Pa/iaiav T&5 yevei ev 
 re iro7y£fioi<! d^pi Sevpo %vvr)vkyQi\ yevkadai, 
 TrjSi fioi SeSwyyijTat, fjwep Bvvarbv iyeyovei, 
 r&v irpd^ecov ras SrjXdxreis airaera?, iirl km- 
 pS>v re Kal ywp'imv eTrirrjSeiav apfioaafievtp' 
 ra 8e evOivSe, ovk en fioi rpotrw t§5 elprjfiiva 
 tjDyKeltreTai, en-el ivravda yeypanfrerai iravra, 
 OTroaa Sfj TerijffjKe yeveadai iravra^oQb Tr}$ 
 'Pmfiaitov ap'xf}^. dlnov SI, on Sr} ovft dlov 
 re rpi, irepwvrcov en t£>v avrcb elpyaiTfiivtov, 
 otw Set avaypd<f>ecrdac rpoTro). oSre yap Sia- 
 XaOeiv irK^drj KaraaKoirmv olov re qv, oijre 
 <f>a>pa6evra p.r) airo\a)\ivai Oavdrm otKTtarp* 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
THE 
 
 SECRET HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 COURT OF JUSTINIAN 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 I have thus described the fortunes of 
 the Romans in their wars up to the 
 present day, as far as possible assigning 
 the description of events to their proper 
 times and places. What follows will not 
 be arranged with the same exactness, but 
 everything shall be written down as it 
 took place throughout the whole extent of 
 the Roman empire. My reason for this is, 
 that it would not have been expedient for 
 me to describe these events fully while 
 those who were their authors were still 
 alive; for, had I done so, I could neither 
 have escaped the notice of the multitude 
 of spies, nor, had I been detected, could I 
 
 i — 2 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
2 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 oiSe yap em t&v avyyevSrv, Tot? ye ouceiora- 
 Tots to Qappeiv eiyov' aWa /cat, iroWtov, tcov 
 iv Toll e/nrpoaOev \070ts elprj/ievav, airo- 
 /cpir^rao-0ai Ta<s aiTia? ijvayKdo-Qi\v. 
 
 /8\ Ta tots S' ovv retas apprjTa pelvavra, 
 Kal t&v e/jjirpoo-Qev SeSr/Xwfiivoov, ivTavOd poi 
 tov Xoyov ras amas ar\p/r\vai Zer\aei. 'AXXd 
 fiot el<s dydtviaw eTepav Iovti, vaXeirqv Tiva 
 Kal SetvaK ap,avpv, t&v 'lovaTiviavig Te Kal 
 OeoSmpa Pefiicouivcov, /3a/i(3aiveiv Te Kal ava- 
 iroSi^eiv, em irXelaTov ixeivo SiapiOpov/ievai 
 tjvfiftaivei, oti Sij pot, Tavra iv t<£ irapovTt 
 yeypdtyeTai, to, yaryre mcrTa, pyfjre eiKOTa 
 ^avqaofieva tor omaOev yevq<rop,evoi<s, clfWw? 
 re oTTTjvUa im p,eya pevo-a<s 6 vpovos, vaXaio- 
 Tepav tt]v aKorjv airepydaeTai' SiSoiKa, pr) 
 Kal p,v0oXoyia<s diroio-op.ai $6!;av, mv tor 
 Tpay<pSo8i8ao-Kd\oi<} TeTaffopai. 
 
 y'. 'ExeLvtp fievroi to Oappetv eyav, ovk 
 airoSetXido-m tov oyKov tov epyov, ws fioi ovk 
 d/iapTvprjTO? o Xoyo? eaTiv. ol yap vvv av- 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 2 
 
 have avoided a most horrible death; for 
 I could not even have relied upon my 
 nearest relatives with confidence. Indeed, 
 I have been forced to conceal the real 
 causes of many of the events recounted in 
 my former books. It will now be my duty, 
 in this part of my history, to tell what 
 has hitherto remained untold, and to 
 state the real motives and origin of the 
 actions which I have already recounted. 
 But, when undertaking this new task, 
 how painful and hard will it be, to be 
 obliged to falter and contradict myself as 
 to what I have said about the lives of 
 Justinian and Theodora : and particularly 
 so, when I reflect that what I am about 
 to write will not appear to future genera- 
 tions either credible or probable, especially 
 when a long lapse of years shall have 
 made them old stories; for which reason 
 I fear that I may be looked upon as 
 a romancer, and reckoned among play- 
 wrights. However, I shall have the 
 courage not to shrink from this import- 
 ant work, because my story will not lack 
 witnesses ; for the men of to-day, who 
 
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3 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Bptimbi, SarjfiovedrraTOi pdpTvpes T&v wpdl-ewv 
 oVres, afjiaxpem irapdirofnroi e? top eireira 
 vpovov Trjs virep avT&v 7tio"t60)? effovTM. icai- 
 toi pe Kal aXKo ti e? Xoyov rovSe opy&vra } 
 ■rroWdicis em irKelo-TOV avexalrio-e xpovov. 
 
 8'. 'ESo^aa-a yap, toI? e? to eireira yevrj- - 
 aofiivais ajijvf&ifropov eaeaOat tovto ye } etrei 
 t&v epywv tA irovrjpoTaTa fiaKuna Qvvoiaei 
 ayixotrra ypovea tw varTepm eivai,- r) Tots 
 Tvpawovi 6? aKoijv TjKOvra, QqkwTa ylve&vai. 
 ran yap KparovvTwv &el tow wXeiarot? en- 
 Tropes inrb d(iadia<i, r\ e? t&v irpoyeyevijfievmv 
 to. Kaica filfirja-ii, Kal irpbi t« ^fiapTrjfieva 
 Tots TraXatorepQis paov re xal ceirovcbrepov, e's 
 del Tpeirovrai, 
 
 e . 'A\\d fie ftaTepov, e? T&vSe t&v epyav 
 Trjv iGToplav tovto r/veyKev, oti Sj) toI<s e? to 
 eiretra Tvpavvf\aov<Tiv evSrpwv earai, <b? 
 (jtdXicrTa fiev, Kal ttjv tLctiv avtoi)<i T&V 
 dfiapTavo/iivcov irepieXBelv ovk direiKOS eft), 
 ovep Kal Toto-Se Tots dvdpmirovi %uvr\ver)(Qi\ 
 iradelv' eirena he Kal dvdypairToi axn&v at 
 irpd^eiM, Kal ol Tpoiroi e? del eaovTai, an 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 3 
 
 are the best informed witnesses of these 
 facts, will hand on trustworthy testimony 
 of their truth to posterity. Yet, when I 
 was about to undertake this work, another 
 objection often presented itself to my 
 mind, and for a long time held me in 
 suspense. 
 
 I doubted whether it would be right 
 to hand down these events to posterity; 
 for the wickedest actions had better re- 
 main unknown to future times than come 
 to the ears of tyrants, and be imitated 
 by them. For most rulers are easily led 
 by lack of knowledge into imitating the 
 evil deeds of their predecessors, and find 
 it their easiest plan to walk in the evil 
 ways of their forefathers. 
 
 Later, however, I was urged to record 
 these matters, by the reflection that 
 those who hereafter may wish to play 
 the tyrant will clearly see, in the first 
 place, that it is probable that retribution 
 will fall upon them for the evil that they 
 may do, seeing that this was what befell 
 these people ; and, secondly, that their 
 actions and habits of life will be pub- 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
4 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 avTov T£ I'ffw? oKvrjporepov irapavofnjaowrcv. 
 
 6'. TV? yap av top "S/e/npafiiSo 1 ; clko- 
 Xocttov (iLov, r) rr/v 'SiapSava'jraWov ical 
 Nepwvos fiavlav, t&v ivnyevo/ievtov dvBpdywwv 
 eyvw, el fir) Tot? Tore yeypatpocri t« fivr/fiela 
 ravr e\e\et7TTo ; aWca? re na\ tois to- Sfiota 
 ireurofievoi^, av ovtco tv^oi, wpo? t&v rvpdwcav 
 ovk a>cep$r)<i avTT] •Kavrdtraaiv r) atcorj earai' 
 •jrapapvOelaOai yap ol 8v<rrv)(pvvTe<; ehitdatn, 
 TftS fir) fiovot? \7<f>lai, rd Seivd ^vfiirecrelv. 
 
 f . Aid roi Tavra irpmra p.ev, oera 
 BeXiaapiai fio^dripd e'lpyacrrat,, ipeov epxpfiar 
 vcrrepov Se /cat oera 'Iovcrnvtavw /cat 6eoSa>pa 
 fio^dr/pd elpyacrrai, iyeb SrjXeaaeo. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 4 
 
 lished abroad for all time, and therefore 
 they will perhaps be less ready to trans- 
 gress. Who, among posterity, would have 
 known of the licentious life of Semiramis, 
 or of the madness of Sardanapalus or 
 Nero, if no memorials of them had been 
 left to us by contemporary writers ? The 
 description of such things, too, will not 
 be entirely without value to such as 
 hereafter may be so treated by tyrants ; 
 for unhappy people are wont to console 
 themselves by the thought that they are 
 not the only persons who have so suffered. 
 For these reasons, I shall first give 
 a description of the evil wrought by 
 Belisarius, and afterwards I shall de- 
 scribe the misdeeds of Justinian and 
 Theodora. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION A'. 
 
 a. *Hv TaJ BeXiaapltp yvvrj, ij? 817 iv 
 Tot? •e/nrpoerdev Xoyots ifivrjo-dyv, nrdwirov 
 /lev KaX •jrwrpb's f\vur)(wv, ev re Bv^avrlqt koI 
 Oeaeakoviicr} to epyov tovto IvSeifjafiivcov, 
 fii)Tpb<} Se twv twos iv &v/ji£\r) ireiropvevfievasv. 
 avTr) tA irporepa (id'%Kov nva fiuocraaa ftiov, 
 km. tov rpcnrov igeppwyvia, <papfmicevo-( re 
 irarptyois iroWh mfiikrj/cvui, koX Tqv fidOijiriv 
 t£>v ol avayKalmv Troirjo-afiivrj, iyyvrjTt) varepov 
 BeXiaapico yvvf) yeyove, pvffrr]p rfirj iraihoov 
 yevofievrj iroW&v. 
 
 y3'. EvBvs (lev oZv r)%lov /juovxevrpia to 
 eg apxv$ elvai, ijvyieakvTrTetv fievrot, Tovpyov 
 tovto iv o-TrovSrj el^ev, iy/caTaSvo/iivr) rot? 
 olKeloK i7riTr)8evfiao~iv, ovSi ts irpbi tov 
 gvvoucovvTO 1 } Seifiaivovaa 8io<s, (ovre yap al$5> 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 The wife of Belisarius, whom I have 
 spoken of in my previous writings, was the 
 daughter and grand-daughter of chariot- 
 drivers, men who had practised their art 
 in the circus at Byzantium and at 
 Thessalonica. Her mother was one of 
 the prostitutes of the theatre. She her- 
 self at first lived a lewd life, giving 
 herself up to unbridled debauchery; besides 
 this, she devoted herself to the study of 
 the drugs which had long been used in 
 her family, and learned the properties of 
 those which were essential for carrying 
 out her plans. At last she was betrothed 
 and married to Belisarius, although she 
 had already borne many children. 
 
 She formed adulterous connections as 
 soon as she was married, but took pains 
 to conceal the fact, by making use of 
 familiar artifices, not out of any respect 
 for her husband (for she never felt any 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
6 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Ttva epyov orovovv eXa0e irooirore, Kav top 
 avBpa payyavelai? iroXKafc KaTe(\r)<f>ev) , dWa 
 tt]v Ik Trjs /3aaik£8o<s viroiTTevovo-a Tunv. 
 Tdav yap e<s avrrjv f} QeoZmpa 977 pialve.ro re, 
 Kal iffeo-qpei. eVel 8e avTrjv ev Tot? ol 
 dvayKaiOTaTOK virovpyijffacra yeipor\Qi) ire- 
 •jroltjTai, trpmra (lev HiXfiepiov Sta^p^ffa/iei/ij 
 rpoirw, qirep ev rot? oiriaQev \6yow elpv\- 
 aerai,, varrepov Se , lmdvvt]V Karepyaaa/ievr) 
 top KavTraBoKTjv, <oo-7rep fioi ev Tots ep,- 
 trpoo'dev \6yois ipptfdr/, ivravda Srj ahekarepov 
 re, Kal ovk ert airoKptrirrop.evq, airavra 
 iijap,apTdveiv oi>8ap,f} airijfjlov. 
 
 y. *Hv Se Tt? veaviai e« @paKi)<s ev ry 
 BeXiaapiov oIkl<z, @eo86crio<; rovvofia, S6gr/$ 
 76701/0)? 6« irwrkpwv Evvofiiavwv KaXovpivwy' 
 tovtov, TjviKa es AiJ3vr)v a/iroirKelv epeXXev, 
 e\ovo~e p,ev 6 Be\io~dpio<; to Oetov \ovrpov, 
 Kal xepo-lv dve\6fievo<; ivdevSe oiKeiais, elo~- 
 iroir/Tov eirovrjaaro £iiv tj} yvvaiicl iralSa' 
 yirep eio-iroieio~6ai XpiaTiavols v6/i,o<s' Kal 
 air avTov J7 ' AvTtavlva, top @eo8do~iov, are 
 iralSa ovra iepa> Xoyw, rpydira tb to? to elms, 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 6 
 
 shame at any crime whatever, and hood- 
 winked him by enchantments), but because 
 she dreaded the vengeance of the Empress ; 
 for Theodora was very bitter against her, 
 and had already shown her teeth. But, 
 after she had made Theodora her humble 
 friend by helping her when in the greatest 
 difficulties, first of all by making away 
 with Silverius, as shall be told here- 
 after, and afterwards by ruining John of 
 Cappadocia, as I have already described, 
 she became less timid, and, scorning all 
 concealment, shrank from no kind of 
 wickedness. 
 
 There was a Thracian youth, named 
 Theodosius, in the household of Belisarius, 
 who by descent was of the Eunomian 
 faith. On the eve of his departure for 
 Libya, Belisarius held the youth over the 
 font, received him into his arms after 
 baptism, and thenceforth made him a 
 member of his household, with the consent 
 of his wife, according to the Christian 
 rite of adoption. Antonina therefore re- 
 ceived Theodosius as a son consecrated 
 by religion, and in consequence loved 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
7 npOKOniOY ANBKAOTA 
 
 Kav roh fiaXitrra eVt/ieXo/tein^ v<$>' avrrjv 
 elyev' eW vorepov ainov ipaaBeiaa e«Tow«»?, 
 iv rai Sia-ifkw tqvtu>, kclL /cara/copi]? yeyovvta 
 t& nrddet,, aireaelffaro fiev deloav re km 
 avOpanrLvwv, irpcvyf&dTav Seo? re ical alSm 
 gvjiiratrav' i/itr/vvro Si avrm ra fiev irpmra 
 iv Trapa^iffret), reXevr&aa Sh, k<u oIkstoov 
 ical depa/irawiZwv irapovrmv. Karo^o? yap rfiri 
 t<£ irodcj) tovtoj yeyevqfievr), kcl\ 8ia<pav3)s 
 epwTokri'jrros ovaa, ovBev en rov epyov koo- 
 \vfia e/Skeve. 
 
 8'. Kal irore o Be\iadpio<i iif avro- 
 (pwpro ttjv irpa^iv Tuafiwv iv KapfflSdvi, 
 iS-TjTrdTTjTO 77-pds t??? yvvaucbs eicdtv ye elvcu. 
 6 (iev yap afMpto iv StofiaTicp Karayelq) 
 eiipmv i/iefiijvei,' f] Se ovre diro$ei\id- 
 aacra, ovre KaraSvtrafievr] tg> epyat roinq, 
 '' 'T&vravda, e^yy, t&v \a<j>vpeov t« rifiubrara 
 avv r& veavia npirtyovaa ffkdov, co? p,i) es 
 fiaaiXsa eKirvara yevrjrai." 'H fiev oZv ravra 
 <ricr}irTO/j.4vr) ehrev 6 Se 3t,vaireia0fjvai Sofas 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 7 
 
 him, paid him especial attention, and 
 obtained, complete dominion over him. 
 Afterwards, during this voyage, she be- 
 came madly enamoured of him, and, being 
 beside herself with passion, cast away 
 all fear of everything human or divine, 
 together with all traces of modesty, and 
 enjoyed him at first in secret, afterwards 
 even in the presence of her servants 
 and handmaidens; for she was by this 
 time so mad with lust, that she dis- 
 regarded everything ' that stood in the 
 way of her passion. 
 
 Once, when they were at Carthage, 
 Belisarius caught her in the act, but per- 
 mitted himself to be deceived by his wife. 
 He found them both together in an under- 
 ground chamber, and was furiously en- 
 raged at the sight ; but she showed no 
 sign of fear or a desire to avoid him, and 
 Said, " I came to this place with this, 
 youth, to hide the most precious part of 
 our plunder, that the Emperor might not 
 come to know of it." This she said by 
 way of an excuse, and he, pretending to 
 be convinced, let it pass, although he saw 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
8 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 d$i)«e, icavrrep t& @eoBo<rlm i/c\e\vnevov tov 
 ifxavTa opmv, tov dp,<f>i ra alBoia Ta? avaf-v- 
 piSaf IjwBeovra. epcori yap rrji dvdpmrov 
 avayKao-Qelf, ifiovXero ol ty)v t£>v olice'uov 
 6(p0a\fi&v 0eav <&? fjtcurra a\.7]6i£e<r8ai. 
 
 e. Ttj? Be //,aj(\ocrvvt}<i det •irpo'iovarjs e? 
 kclkov a<f>a,Tov } ol fiev aX\oi deco/ievot ra 
 vrpaTTOfieva, iv aiwirfj el^ov' SovXrj Be Tt?, 
 MarteBovla ovofia, iv Supa/covo-ais, fjviica 
 2 i/ceXlas eicpaTqae BeXitrdpio?, opKoi<s Beivo- 
 TaTots top BecriroTTjv KaTakafiovaa, fir) irore 
 avrrjv t{) KeKT7]fiivr} KaTairporjaeo-dai, iravra 
 clvtw \oyov ilfrjveyice, Svo iraiSdpia 71730s 
 fiaprvpiav irapaa^ofiivrj, oh Br) to, ap,<pl 
 top KoiTcova virrjperelv eirifieXe? r)v. 
 
 ?\ Tavra fiaOobv BeXiadpw;, tStv ol 
 ivofiivcov ran tov QeoBoaiov ineXevae But- 
 yeipiaacrdai. 6 Be irpo/jLadrnv eh "Efa&ov 
 tpevyei. t&v yap eiro/j,evcov ol •trXeiaroi, to> 
 aj3e(3aim rrj<s tov dvOpmirov yvmfJW)<! r/y/jLevot,, 
 apiaiceiv tt)v yvvaiica fiaWov iv airovBy 
 € hc ov ' % r V "-vBpl Bo/ceiv ewowcco? e^eiv, 
 01 ye Kal to, afyiaw eiriKelfieva Tore ap.$> 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 8 
 
 that the belt which held Theodosius's 
 drawers over his private parts was un- 
 done; for he was so overpowered by his 
 love for the creature that he preferred 
 not to believe his own eyes. However, 
 Antonina's debauchery went on from bad 
 to worse, till it reached a shameful pitch. 
 All who beheld it were silent, except 
 one slave woman, named Macedonia, who, 
 when Belisarius was at Syracuse after 
 the conquest of Sicily, first made her 
 master swear the most solemn oaths that 
 he never would betray her to her mis- 
 tress, and then told him the whole story, 
 bringing as her witnesses two boys who 
 attended on Antonina's bed-chamber. 
 
 When Belisarius heard this, he told 
 some of his guards to make away with 
 Theodosius, but the latter, being warned 
 in time, fled to Ephesus : for the greater 
 part of Belisarius's followers, influenced 
 by the natural weakness of his character, 
 were at more pains to please his wife 
 than to show their devotion to him ; 
 and this was why they disclosed to her 
 the orders they had received concerning 
 
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9 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 avr& irpoijSotrav. Kwv&ravrivos Se, Be\t- 
 crdpiov opcov irepuoSvvov yeyovora rot? l-v/i- 
 ireaovai, rd re aWa £vvifi\r/ei, ical rovro 
 eireurrev, £><?"" Eyonye Qaaaov b\v ttjv yvvat/ea 
 ij rbv veavlav Kareipyacrdp.7]v." "Oirep '"Avra- 
 viva fia9ovaa, Ke/cpv/jL/Aeveo 1 } avr& eyjaXenraivev, 
 07rws ey/cora ivSeifjrjrai, rb et? axrrbv e%0os. 
 ?iv yap <TKopirid)hr}$ re, ical bpyrjv (TKoreivq.- 
 
 f . Ov iroXkQ Se varepov, i) fiayyavev- 
 traaa, fj doairevaaaa, rreldei, rbv avZpa, co? 
 ov% vyies to icarrjyoprj/Ma rb ravrr)? yevoiro' 
 km, 8s Qeohoaiov fiev peWrfaei ovSe/xia pere- 
 Tre/i^aTO" MaxeSoviav Be ical rcb iraiSia rg 
 yvvaiKi iichovvat virkcrri]. ol»s Sf) <vrravra<{ 
 irpana ras yXmrrai, &<nrep ~keyov<nv, diro- 
 refiovaa, etra Kara- fipa%v Kpeovpyqaaaa, ical 
 dvkaitloit; ifi(3ej3Xr)(j,evr}, es ttjv OdXarrav 
 intvr\aei ovhefiia, e'ppt,\jre, r&v rivos olxermv 
 Evyeviov ovojxa virovpy^aavro's oi e? S/irav rb 
 ayos" m 8^ Kal rb e? SiXfiepiov etpyaarai, 
 fiiaa/ta. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN g 
 
 Theodosius. When Constantine saw Beli- 
 sarius's sorrow at what had befallen him, 
 he sympathized with him, but was so 
 imprudent as to add : " For my own 
 part, I would have killed the woman 
 rather than the youth." 
 
 This having been reported to Antonina, 
 she conceived a secret hatred for him, 
 until she could make him feel the weight 
 of her resentment ; for she was like a scor- 
 pion, and knew how to hide her venom. 
 
 Not long afterwards, either by en- 
 chantments or by caresses, she persuaded 
 her husband that the accusation brought 
 against her was false ; whereupon, without 
 any hesitation, he sent for Theodosius, 
 and promised to deliver up to his wife 
 Macedonia and the boys, which he after- 
 wards did. It is said that she first cut 
 out their tongues, and then ordered them 
 to be hewn in pieces, put into sacks and 
 thrown into the sea. In this bloody 
 deed she was assisted by one of her 
 slaves named Eugenius, who had also 
 been one of those who perpetrated the 
 outrage on Silverius. 
 
 2 — 2 
 
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io nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rj ' . Kal Kxovo-tuvtIvov Be ov ttoWoJ 
 vcrepov, BeKiaapios rfj yvvaiKl dvaireio-deR 
 KTelvei. Ta 'yap a/A(f>\ rat UpaicriBiw Kal tor 
 f-i<piSlotS TrjviKaSe fjwyvix&i] yevecdai, airep 
 fioi iv tor epyirpoaOev \6yoR BeBrjXeoTai. 
 MeWovTos ydp tov avdpdmov a<p(ea0ai, ov 
 irpoTepov avrjKev r) ' AvTwviva, ea>? airbv tov 
 \6yov eTicraTo, oxnrep iya> apTiwi iftvriaBijv. 
 Kal air' avTov e%0os fieya TrepieftaWero 6 
 Bekio-apio<s, etc T6 /Sao-tXetu?, Kal t&v iv 
 PtofiaioR \oyifimv dirdvTWV. 
 
 & ' . TavTa fiep ovv TjjBe Keyd>pr\Ke. 6eo- 
 Soaioq Be ovk e<f>r) es , Ira\iav axplijeadai olos 
 ts elvai, tva Br) tote BiaTpLJSrjV etypv Be\i- 
 ffaptos T6 xal 'AvToovlva, r)v firj 3>amos iKiroBwv 
 yevr/rai. 'O jap $a)Tto? trpo^eipo^ /j,ev <f>vo~ei 
 e? to BaKvecOat. r)v' r)v tr avrov trap' 
 OTmovv SvvTjTai fiaXKov' iv fievrot tor afMJil 
 ®eoBoaia>, Kal SiKauos dwoTrviyeodai oi £vv£- 
 fiaivev' oti S17 auTO? fiev, KaLtrep vli><s wv, 
 iv ovBevl iyiyveTo Xoya>' 6 Be Bwdfxei re 
 iroWf) kyjpr)TO, Kal %prj/j,aTa ixeyaKa irepi,- 
 e/3dXKero. Aeyovcri yap avTov ex Kap%r)B6vo<; 
 Te Kal 'Pafievvr/s, es ixaTOv KevTrjvdpia, i% 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 10 
 
 Shortly afterwards, Belisarius was per- 
 suaded by his wife to kill Constantine. 
 What I have already recounted about 
 Praesidius and his daggers belongs to 
 this period. Belisarius would have let 
 him go, but Antonina would not rest 
 until she had exacted vengeance for the 
 words which I have just repeated. This 
 murder stirred up a great hatred against 
 Belisarius on the part of the Emperor 
 and of the chief nobles of the Empire. 
 
 Such was the course of events. Mean- 
 while, Theodosius refused to return to 
 Italy, where Belisarius and Antonina 
 were then staying, unless Photius were 
 sent out of the way ; for Photius was 
 naturally disposed to show his spite 
 against anyone who supplanted him in 
 another's good graces ; but he was quite 
 right in feeling jealous of Theodosius, 
 because he himself, although Antonina's 
 son, was quite neglected, whereas the 
 other was exceedingly powerful and had 
 amassed great riches. They say that he 
 had taken treasure amounting to a hun- 
 dred centenars of gold [about £400,000] 
 from the treasure-houses of the two cities 
 
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ii nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ajx^oiv iraXaTbow ovktfaavra e%eiv. eVei Kal 
 fiovto /car igovcriav Sta^etpto-ot ravra gwefir}. 
 
 J. 'H Se 'AvToovlva, eirel rrjv &eo8o<rlov 
 yvcofvrjv 'ifiaOev, oil irpbrepov avrjicev, eve- 
 Spevovo-d re rbv iralSa, Kal ^oviovs rialv 
 e7rt/8ov\at? avrbv p,eTiovo~a, !it»9 Karairpd- 
 %aa8ai to-xyaev avrbv fiev ivOdSe dwaWayevra 
 6? Bv^dvTiov 6S<u levai, ov/eeri, fyipew ras 
 eviSpas olov re ovra' rbv Se ©eoBoaiov e? 
 rrjv 'IraXlav Trap avrr/v rjiceiv. Ov Sjj, icara- 
 Kopm<s tt}? T6 tov ipa>fiivov SiaTpi&rjs, icah 
 •n}? tov dvSpb<: evrj6e(a<: dirovapevT}, "xpovqi 
 vcnepav fjiiv dfufiolv es Bv^dvnov fjicev. 
 "Evda $r) &eoB6eriov eSeStVaero to aweihevai, 
 Kal ecrrpefev avTov ttjv Sidvoiav. Atfcreiv 
 yap e's to iravreXe^, ovSa/j,f) tpero' eirel rrjv 
 yvvalxa ku>pa, ovtceTi to irdOo? iyicpv(pid%eiv 
 o'iav Te o&aav, ovoe KeKpvfjL/iiva)'} effeppayyevai, 
 dX\d hiapprj&qv fioi^aXtBa, elvai re Kal ovofid- 
 £eo-0ai a>? riKtara dira%iovo-av. 
 
 ia'. Aib Si) a$8i<; es ttjv "E^ieaov d<ja- 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN II 
 
 of Carthage and Ravenna, since he had 
 obtained sole and absolute control of the 
 management of them. 
 
 When Antonina heard this determina- 
 tion of Theodosius, she never ceased to 
 lay traps for her son and to concoct 
 unnatural plots against him, until she 
 made him see that he must leave her 
 and retire to Byzantium ; for he could no 
 longer endure the designs against his life. 
 At the same time she made Theodosius 
 return to Italy, where she enjoyed to the 
 full the society of her lover, thanks to 
 the easy good-nature of her husband. 
 Later on, she returned to Byzantium in 
 company with both of them. It was 
 there that Theodosius became alarmed 
 lest their intimacy should become known, 
 and was greatly embarrassed, not know- 
 ing what to do. That it could remain 
 undetected to the end he felt was impos- 
 sible, for he saw that the woman was no 
 longer able to conceal her passion, and 
 indulge it in secret, but was an open 
 and avowed adulteress, and did not blush 
 to be called so. 
 
 For this reason he returned to 
 
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12 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KOfievos, ical airo6pi,^dfievo<i ffrrep eWio-Tai, 
 eveypa^Jrev et? Toi? Movaj(pv<i ica\ovp,evov<; 
 avrov. Tore Sr) tear axpa<; ifidvq, ical ttjv 
 io-drjra giiv ry hiatry i<s rpoirov iieTafSaXovaa 
 tov Trevdijiov, irepirjet av^va Kara ttjv oliclav 
 KcoKvovaa, oKoXvyf) T6 Keypijfievr}, dAotpvpero 
 ovk diro\e\et,fi[ievov Tavhpbs, birolov avrrj 
 aya6bv mXmkei, <bs iriarbv, to? ev)(apiv, to? 
 evvo'iicbv, <os Spaarrfpiov. Tekevr&cra he, ical 
 rbv dvSpa e? ravras hrj enayayo\ikvi) Ta? 
 6\ocpvpo~ei<;, iicd&icrev. "Eicafie yovv 6 raXat- 
 irwpo';, tov irodeivbv avaxaK&v QeoSoaioV 
 varepov ical e's fiaaiKea e\0a>v, avrov re ical 
 rrjv j3ao-i\lSa itcerevaiv, aviireicre ®eoS6o~iov 
 fierairep/^aadai, are clvayicatov avTm Kara 
 tt]v oliclav ovra T6 ical ecrofievov. 
 
 tyS 7 . 'jlUd ©eohocno? direhre /iTjEa/irj 
 ivOevhe ievai, &>s ao-<pa\io~TaTa ifnreSdoaeiv 
 la'Xypio-dfievoi; to t&v fiova'X&v eTnrrjheviia. 
 ''Hv he apa 6 \6709 KardirkaaTOi, 07ro)? 
 iirethav Ta^iara Be\Lo~dpio<; etc Bv^avriov 
 aTTo8i]p,OLr), aiirb<s arapa ttjv 'AvTwvlvav d<f>l- 
 Kiyrai \6Spa' oirep ovv ical iyevero. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 12 
 
 Ephesus, and after having submitted to 
 the tonsure, joined the monastic order. 
 At this Antonina entirely lost her reason, 
 showed her distress by putting on 
 mourning and by her general behaviour, 
 and roamed about the house, wailing 
 and lamenting (even in the presence of 
 her husband) the good friend she had 
 lost — so faithful, so pleasant, so tender 
 a companion, so prompt in action. At 
 last she even won over her husband, who 
 began to utter the same lamentations. 
 The poor fool kept calling for the return 
 of his well-beloved Theodosius, and after- 
 wards went to the Emperor and besought 
 him and the Empress, till he prevailed 
 upon them to send for Theodosius, as 
 a man whose services always had been 
 and always would be indispensable in the 
 household. Theodosius, however, refused 
 to obey, declaring that it was his fixed 
 determination to remain in the cloister 
 and embrace the monastic life. But this 
 language was by no means sincere, for 
 it was his intention, as soon as Belisarius 
 left the country, to rejoin Antonina by 
 stealth at Byzantium, as, in fact, he did. 
 
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13 IIPOKOTIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KEQAAAION B'. 
 
 a. AvrUa Be\tcrdpu><; /iev, to? Xoo-poy 
 Trokefitfaoov, %vv to $a>Twp icrreWero' 'Av- 
 rcoviva Be airov e/ietvev, ovk elmdbs avrfj 
 rrporepov rovro ye. Tov yap fit) Kara fiovat 
 rov dvdpanrov Kadurrduevov iv avrm re 
 yeviadai, ical rcov e/cet'wjs fiayyavev/idrcov 
 okiywpovvra, cppovfjoal t» afi<p' avrfj rS>v 
 Beovrav, nravraypae rrjs yrj<! I;vv airtp crrek- 
 Xecrdai ivifieXe^ oi iyevero. "Oirco? Be ical 
 ati0K 0eo8o<n«j> irapa 'Avrmvivav eairrjrh 
 eir], $d>Tiov eiciroSdiv oi yeveaSab ev ffovXfj 
 eiroielro. JJeidei roivvv rmv BekMrapitp 
 eirofikvwv riva$, ipea-j^ekeZv re avrbv es 
 ael, ical rrpoirrfXaKi^eiv, oiiBeva avtevra? Kai- 
 pdv' avrri re yap, ypd<povaa e's r/fJ-epav 
 cr^eBov Tt eKaa-TTjVj SteySaWe re BirjveKes, 
 ical eiri t«3 rraiZl rrdvra ixivei. 01$ cfy 
 6 veavias avayKacrdels, Siafioka? kyvu> ry 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 13 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 Shortly afterwards Belisarius was sent 
 by the Emperor to conduct the war against 
 Chosroes, and Photius accompanied him. 
 Antonina remained behind, contrary to 
 her usual custom ; for, before this, she had 
 always desired to accompany her husband 
 on all his travels wherever he went, for 
 fear that, when he was by himself, he 
 might return to his senses, and, despising 
 her enchantments, form a true estimate 
 of her character. But now, in order that 
 Theodosius might have free access to 
 her, Antonina began to intrigue in order 
 to get Photius out of her way. She 
 induced some of Belisarius's suite to lose 
 no opportunity of provoking and insulting 
 him, while she herself wrote letters almost 
 every day, in which she continually slan- 
 dered her son and set every one against 
 him. Driven to bay, the young man 
 was forced to accuse his mother, and, 
 
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14 nPOKOIlIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fiTjrpi yjpr\o-Qai' rjKovrd re nva e« Bu^avriov, 
 os St) airrjyyeXe 0eoS6criov Xddpa %vv 'Av- 
 Twvivr) SiarpifirjV e^eiv, irapa BeXiadpiov 
 ev8ii<i elcrayei, <ppd%eiv eirio'retXa's rov irdvra 
 Xoyov. 
 
 ft'. " Arrep irrel 6 BeXto-dpioi eyvw, 
 d%i> 0vp.(oOe\<i vTrepqbv&s, rrapa rov <Pa)Tiov 
 7ro'Sa? eirl crrofia irl/irrei, /ecu avrov iSeiro 
 Tifiwpeiv avroi, rrdo-yovri v§ &v jjkmtto, 
 "Xprpi dvbo-ia epya, " 9 J2 iral " Xeymv " yXv- 
 " Kvrare nrarepa ftev rov gov, Sort? irore 
 " rjv, ovSa/xrj olerda, ewel ere vtto rirOov rpe- 
 " <f)6p,evov ert KaraXmmv, ^vvs/Merp^aaro rov 
 " eavrov ftiov ov fifjv ovBe rov rStv avrov 
 " Mvrjo-at' r\v yap ra e? rrjv ovaiav ov 
 "Xlav evSal/Muv. 'Tif e/Mol Se, Kalirep ovn 
 " irarpaxp, rpafeh, rr\v re rjKticiav rrjXtKooSe 
 " PK]i <*"> a ° v elvai dpuvveiu dSiKOV/iivcp fioi 
 " es ra fidXiara, Is T6 virdrav d^iafia 
 " r\K,ei<i, Kal rrXovrov irepi^e^Xrjo-ai roaovSe 
 " Xpflpa, ware rrarrjp re Kal fi^rrjp, Kal rb 
 " l-vyyeve? drrav, eycoye KaXot/MjV av, & 
 " yevvaie, nal eXijv Si/caiw;. Ovft aifiari 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 14 
 
 when a witness arrived from Byzantium 
 who told him of Theodosius's secret com- 
 merce with Antonina, ■ Photius led him 
 straightway into the presence of Belisarius 
 and ordered him to reveal the whole story. 
 When Belisarius learned this, he flew 
 into a furious rage, fell at Photius's feet, 
 and besought him to avenge him for the 
 cruel wrongs which he had received at 
 the hands of those who should have been 
 the last to treat him in such a manner. 
 " My dearest boy," he exclaimed, " you 
 have never known your father, whoever 
 he may have been, for he ended his life 
 while you were still in your nurse's arms ; , 
 his property has been of little or no assis- 
 tance to you, for he was by no means 
 wealthy. Bred under my care, though I 
 was but your stepfather, you have now 
 reached an age when you are capable 
 of assisting me to avenge the wrongs 
 from which I suffer. I have raised you 
 to the consulship, and have heaped riches 
 upon you, so that I may justly be re- 
 garded by you as your father, your 
 mother, and your whole family; for it is 
 
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15 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 " yhp, aXXa Tot? epyoK eld>0a<ri Sijra otclO- 
 " fiaaOai,, t))v e? aX\rjKov<s aropytjv, avOpmiroi. 
 ""ilpa croi Toivvv, fJ-rj irepuSeiv ifie p.ev, 
 " trphf rfj T)}? ol/CLas Sia<j)6opa } km XPV- 
 " /Mareov io-Tepr/fievov ttXtj^os to<tovt(ov' ttjv 
 ,c 8e firjTepa rf)v <rr]v alo"Xp<; avaSovfiivrjv, 
 " ovrto $r/ fiiya vpb<s irdvrwv avOpmireov. 
 " 'Evdvfiov re, a>s ai tQiv ywaiK&v afiaprdSes, 
 " ovk iirl robs avSpa? levrai fiovov, aXka 
 " Kal iralZwv airrovrat fiaXXov, ou? 7c Kal 
 " 86£av Tiva <f>epeo~0ai ex rov eirl irXeiffrov 
 " o , vfij3j]<reTcu > to? <j>vaet, rov tpdtrov rai<s yet- 
 " va/ievai? eoiicaaiv. Ovrcotri re Xoyi^ov 
 " irepl e/jLOV 3 co? iya> ttju yvvaiica tt/v 
 *' ifiavrov irdw fiev ^>t\w" Kal tfv fu>t 
 " rUraaQai, tov 8ia<p0opia t?}? oIkUls ii-fjv, 
 " ovBev avTr)v epydaofiat <pav\ov irepiovro? 
 " 8£ Qeo8oo~lov, ravry to eyKXt]fia eiriyw- 
 " pelv ovk av 8vvalft,T]v." 
 
 y . Tavra dicouaas 6 $d)Ttos, vTrypeTq- 
 aeiv p.ev wfioXoyei e? airavra' SeSievat Si 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 15 
 
 not by the ties of blood but by deeds 
 that men are accustomed to measure 
 their attachment to each other. The 
 hour has now come when you must not 
 remain an indifferent spectator of the 
 ruin of my house and of the loss with 
 which I am threatened, of so large a 
 sum of money, nor of the immeasurable 
 shame which your mother has incurred 
 in the sight of all men. Remember that 
 the sins of women reflect disgrace not 
 only on their husbands, but also upon 
 their children, whose honour suffers all 
 the more because of their natural like- 
 ness to their mothers. 
 
 " Be well assured that, for my own 
 part, I love my wife with all my heart ; 
 and should it be granted to me to punish 
 the dishonourer of my house, I will do 
 her no hurt; but, as long as Theodosius 
 remains alive, I cannot condone her mis- 
 conduct." 
 
 On hearing these words Photius re- 
 plied that he would do all that he could 
 to aid his stepfather, but, at the same 
 time, he feared that he himself might 
 
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1 6 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 p.i) ti \d/3oi ivdevBe kclkov' to Bapaelv eirl 
 T(j> afiefiatm rrj<! BeXiaapiov yvmp.r}<; rd ye 
 e? ttjv ywaiica ov a<f>6Spa e^tov' ak~ka re yhp 
 avrbv vroXka, /ecu to MatceSovtas Bvo-mirelv 
 irdOoi;. Alb Br), afi<f>a> airavTw; dWrfkois 
 a>/Moo-dT7]v, otroj Br) iv Xpio~Tiavol<; SeivoraTot, 
 op koi elo~i Te km ovofia^ovTai, pvrynore dWtj- 
 \wv KaTaTrporfo-eaOcu, a%pi t&v e? tov okedpov 
 (pepovroov KivBvvcav. 
 
 h". 'Ev p,ev ovv tw irapovri, tw epym 
 ey^eipetv eBo%e o-§low dtjvfMpopov eivcu' 
 oirrjv'uca Be "Avrwviva eic Bv&vtiov cupUijTai, 
 I? Be tt)v "E<peo~ov ©eoSoo-jos Xoi, TyvuedBe 
 tov xpovov $(otu)V, ev t{j 'Etpeaep yevop,evov, 
 OeoBoaiov Te kcu ra %pr]p,aTa, oiSevl irovfp 
 yeipwaao-Bai. — ToTe p-ev ovv, avToi re tt\v 
 iofiokrjv mavrl T&5 arpaTm es ttjv Hepo-LBa 
 ire , 7roi7jVTat ^mpav' ap<fio Te ^Iwdving tu> 
 KairirahoKri ev BvfavTLQ ^vvt]veyBi) yeveadai, 
 airep p,ob iv to?s epvirpocrdev \6yoi<; SeSipwncu. 
 "Ei>0a Brj tovto pot tw Biei aeamirriTai, 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 16 
 
 come to some harm by so doing; for he 
 was unable to feel any confidence in 
 Belisarius, because of his weakness of 
 character, especially where his wife was 
 concerned. He dreaded the fate of Mace- 
 donia, and of many other victims. For 
 this reason he insisted that Belisarius 
 should swear fidelity to him by the most 
 sacred oaths known to Christians, and 
 they bound themselves never to abandon 
 each other, even at the cost of their 
 lives. 
 
 For the present, they both agreed that 
 it would be unwise to make any attempt ; 
 and they resolved to wait until Antonina 
 had left Byzantium to join them, and 
 Theodosius had returned to Ephesus, 
 which would give Photius the opportunity 
 of going thither and easily disposing of 
 both Theodosius and his fortune. They 
 had just invaded the Persian territory with 
 all their forces, and during this time the 
 ruin of John of Cappadocia was accom- 
 plished at Byzantium, as I have told in 
 the former books of my history. I have 
 there only been silent, through fear, on 
 
 3 
 
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17 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fiovov, on ye ovk eiKT) rov ye 'Imdvvrjv Kal 
 Trjjv avrov ircuSa 17 'Avrtoviva etyyirarriKei, 
 aX\' opKojv avrovs irXrjdet, r&vrrep ovSev 
 fofSepwrepov ev ye XpianavoR elvai Boku, 
 •KioTooffa/ievr}, p/qheptia SoXepa yum/iy J? 
 avToiis xpijo-Oai,. 
 
 e'. Tavrd re SiairerrpaypjivT], Kal iroXKat 
 en /mSXTmv errl rfj 777? /Sa<rt\i'8o? ffappovcra 
 <pi\ia, &eo86o~K>v fiev e? "E<peaov areWei, 
 aiirr) Se pjqb'ev vrroroird^ovaa ivavria>p,a, eirl 
 r^v ea> KOfic&Tcu. "Apri he BeXurapiep to 
 £ laavpdvwv cppovpiov eXovrc, 6Bw lovaa irpos 
 tov dvayyiXKerai. Kal o?, raXka irdvra ev 
 oiSevi Aoya> ireTroirjuevos, biriato inrfjye to 
 arpdrevfia. HwtiveyBi) yap, yirep p.01 ra, 
 •trporepa hehirjyrjrai, Kal erepa drra ev r& 
 arparorrehm yeveadai, direp avrov i<s rr\v 
 dva'xcoprjaiv &ppa. Tovro p,evroi iroWm en 
 6ao~o~ov evravBa dvrjyev. AW orrep rovSe 
 rov "Koyov dp^o/ievo? elirov, ov fioi dicivhvvov 
 rrjviKaBe rov %p6vov eSogev elvai, ra<s atria? 
 r&v TTerrpaypbevav dirdaa? elirelv. 
 
 ?'. v Eyic\r]p,d re air avrov iyevero 
 BeXurapiat rrpb<s rrdvrmv 'Paptaiav on 8^ 
 rrj? iroXireia's r& Kaipubrara aiirbs, irepl 
 e\dao-ovo<; rrpaypArmv r&v Kara rrjv olniav, 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 17 
 
 one point, that it was not by mere hazard 
 that Antonina succeeded in deceiving John 
 and his daughter, but by numerous oaths, 
 sworn on all that Christians deem most 
 holy, she made them believe that she in- 
 tended to do them no harm. 
 
 After this, having risen greatly in 
 favour with the Empress, she sent Theo- 
 dosius to Ephesus, and herself, foreseeing 
 no trouble, set out for the East. 
 
 Belisarius had just captured the for- 
 tress of Sisauranum, when he was told 
 of his wife's arrival ; whereupon he 
 immediately ordered his army to turn 
 back, disregarding the interests of the 
 Empire for the sake of his private feelings. 
 Certain matters had indeed happened, as 
 I have already set forth, which made a 
 retreat advisable, but his wife's presence 
 hastened it considerably. But, as I said 
 at the beginning, I did not then think 
 it safe to describe the real motives of 
 men's actions. 
 
 Belisarius was reproached by all the 
 Romans for having sacrificed the interests 
 of his country to his domestic affairs. 
 
 3—2 
 
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1 8 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 •ttetrov^rai. Apyrp> fiev yap tw t»)? yvvaiicbs 
 waOei i^ofievoi, a>? diraTaTto yevioSai yfft 
 tt)? 'Pa>/j,ata>v ovSafirj r)6e\ev, ottw?, eireiBav 
 To^tffTO irvdrjTai tt)v yvvalxa iic Bv^avriov 
 rjKeiv, avatrTpiifra<}, avrUa Sr) fiaXa tca/rct- 
 Xafieiv re, Kal Ttaaadat olos re evq. 
 
 £'. A 1,0 Si) tov? fiev a/j,<f>l 'ApiBav 
 Tlr/piv •ROTap.bv Biaffaiveiv eiceKevaev' o'C ye 
 oiSev o ri Kal \6yov afyov hiaireirpayfievoi, 
 eif o'lkov aireKO/j,iadi]erap\ airo? Be oiBe 
 &pai 68a> aTro\e\el<f)6ai optov tSsv 'Pcopaiav 
 ev o-ttovSt) elye. Gfpovpiov yap to "Siaavpdvwv, 
 BiA fiev 7rdAea>s NtcijStSos wvn, (ov) irXeov 
 6Sc3 rjfiepas evtptvtp dvBpi t&v 'Pafia'ix&v 
 opitov Bie^ei. 'Erepadi Be tovtov Stj tov 
 /jLerpov, i-vfiftalvei to p.era%v elvai. Kairoi, 
 el iravTi tS aTparo) Tiyptv voTa/ibv Sia- 
 /3f)vai kut' ap^a*} rjdeXev, oljxai, av avrov 
 f;vjjt,ira,VTa XrjiaacrOai ra eirl Aaavpia<; %<up/a" 
 Kal fJ-expis e? K.Tr)o-i<j>a>vTa irokiv, ovhevbs to 
 irapdtrav avno-Ta,TOvvTo<; <r<pio-iv, a$b)(d<u' 
 Kai Tovi re ' 'AvTiO'xeav ai%p,a\d>Tov<}, oaoi re 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN l8 
 
 The reason was that, in his first trans- 
 port of passion against his wife, he could 
 not bring himself to go far away from 
 Roman territory ; for he felt that the 
 nearer he was, the easier it would be 
 for him to take vengeance upon Theo- 
 dosius, as soon as he heard of the 
 arrival of Antonina. 
 
 He therefore ordered Arethas and his 
 people to cross the river Tigris, and they 
 returned home, without having performed 
 anything worthy of record, while he him- 
 self took care not to retire more than an 
 hour's journey from the Roman frontier. 
 The fortress of Sisauranum, indeed, for an 
 active man, is not more than a day's 
 journey from the frontier by way of 
 Nisibis, and only half that distance if 
 one goes by another route. But had 
 he chosen to cross the river Tigris at 
 first with all his host, I have no doubt 
 that he would have been able to carry 
 off all the riches of Assyria, and extend 
 his conquests as far as the city of 
 Ctesiphon, without meeting with any 
 opposition. He might even have secured 
 the release of the Antiochians, and all 
 
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ig nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ■ 
 'Pco/iaimv dXKoi evravda 6We? irvy^avov, 
 Siatrucrdfjuevov iiravtjicetv e? to, irdrpia rjdrj. 
 
 if. "Eireira Be Kal Xocrpoi) amooTaTo? 
 yiyovep, dBeeo-repov eif oikov diro/cofil^eaOai 
 eK tt}? KokxiSos. "Ovnva Be rpoirop tstv- 
 XV k€ i tovto avTiita BifKcoaai/ii. 'Hvikcl Xoff- 
 poris 6 KafSaBov, eis yijv ejifiaXcbv ttjv 
 KoKxlBa, rd re aXXa Sieirpd^aro, airep fioi 
 efnrpooSev BeBnjyrjTai) Kal Uerpav etKe, 
 TToWoiif tov M.rjhmv arparov Bie<]>6dpdai 
 ^wefti], Tp re irohA/Mta km rat? BvayapiaK. 
 AvcroBos re yap, &airep fioi e'iprjrai, rj AwCf,Kr\ 
 eari Kal 6'Xws Kpij/ivcoBrji;. Kal p,ijv Kal 
 Xoi/iov hwremivTOS #<f>t<ri, to tfKelaTOv tov 
 orpaTov diroXwKevai %wetteae' ttoXXovs Be 
 avT&v Kal t&v dvayicaiwv rrj diropia Bte<ji- 
 Odpdat, gvvefii}. 'Ev tovtio Be Kal Tive<s etc 
 yfjs tj?? Uepa-lBo*; evravda eTrt^wpiafozres, 
 rjyyeWov, tos Na^Brjv p,ev BeXiadptoi dficpi 
 irokiv Niaifiiv fid^jl viKyaws, irpoaa ^a>pow;' 
 7ro\top/«'a Be to Siaavpdviov e\a>v <f>povpiov, 
 B\i)o-%dfW)V re Kal Hepamv 'wirels oKTaKO- 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 19 
 
 the other Romans who were there in 
 captivity, before returning home. 
 
 Furthermore, he was chiefly to blame 
 for the extreme ease with which Chosroes 
 led his army home from Colchis. I will 
 now relate how this came to pass. 
 When Chosroes, the son of Cabades, 
 invaded Colchis, with the result which I 
 have recounted elsewhere, and took Petra, 
 the Medes nevertheless sustained severe 
 losses, both in battle and owing to the 
 difficulties of the country; for, as I have 
 said already, Lazica is a country almost in- 
 accessible, owing to its rocks and precipices. 
 They had at the same time been attacked 
 by pestilence, which carried off the greater 
 part of the troops, and many died from 
 want of food and necessaries. It was at 
 this crisis of affairs that certain men 
 from Persia came into that country, 
 bringing the news that Belisarius had 
 beaten Nabedes in a battle near the city 
 of Nisibis, and was pressing forward ; 
 that he had taken the fortress of Sisau- 
 ranum, and had made prisoners of 
 Bleschames and eight hundred Persian 
 
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2o nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 <tIov<; BopvdXanovs ireiroCqrai, (rrpdrevfia Be 
 aXKo 'Ptofiaiav %vv ye ApeOa, tw SapaKtjv&v 
 apxpvrt, irep^eiev, oirep Siaftav irorafibv 
 Tiypiv, ^vpyiravra XerjXaTtfo-ei ra i/celinj 
 ■^apia, irpoTepov dBycora ovra. 
 
 ff . 'Ervy^ave Be Kal arpdrevfia Ovvveov, 
 iirl 'ApfievLOVS, tovs 'Pmfiaiwv Karrjicoous, 6 
 Xoapoijs oret'Xa?, oVws, rfj es outou? dff^oKta, 
 fii)Be/Mia tor toutq 'Pa>fiaioi<s tS>v ev Aa%ucr) 
 irpao~aop,eva>v aiadrfcri<s yevrjTai. Tovrous re 
 tovi ftapftdpovs aTrrjyyeXkov erepoi, Bd\e- 
 piavio ical ' Pcofialow viravTidaacriv e? %etpas 
 ekQavrax, irapd voKii avr&v yaar/8evTa<; tj) 
 ^"OiV) ** T °v e ""' trXeitrrov aTroXtoXevai. 
 ' Attep ol Hepaai dKov<raine<; > Kal KaKoiradeiq 
 fiev rf/ ev Aa'Cpls KeicaKoofievoi, BeBtores Be 
 pJ\ tivi ev rfj diropia eWu^oWes iroKe/iieov 
 arpwrm, ev Kpr\p.vovi Kal yapi/OR Xo)(j/uo- 
 Beaiv, aTravres ovBevl Koaptp Bia(f>dapeiev, 
 TrepiBeeR d/i<f>i re iraial Kal yvvatfjl Kal ry 
 TrarptBi yeyevrj/ievoi, ei n Kadapbv fjv ev t& 
 MtfBwv <7Tpar&, Xoapoy eXoiBopovvro, eiriKa- 
 Xouj/Te?, a>s 6? re tows opKovs rjae^r)KU)<s, Kal 
 ra. xotvd v6p.ifia nrdwtwv avBpunrmv eafiakoi 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 20 
 
 lancers ; that another corps of Romans 
 under Arethas, the chief of the Saracens, 
 had been detached to cross the Tigris, 
 and ravage the land to the east of that 
 river, which up to that time had re- 
 mained free from invasion. 
 
 It happened also that the army of 
 Huns, whom Chosroes had sent into 
 Roman Armenia, in order, by this diver- 
 sion, to prevent the Romans from hinder- 
 ing his expedition against the Lazi, had 
 fallen in with and been defeated by 
 Valerian, at the head of a Roman army, 
 and almost annihilated. When this news 
 was brought to the Persians, having 
 been reduced to desperate straits by 
 their ill success at Lazica, they feared 
 that, if an army should cut them off in 
 their critical position, they might all die 
 of hunger amidst the crags and precipices 
 of that inaccessible country. They feared, 
 too, for their children, their wives and 
 their country; and all the flower of 
 Chosroes' army railed bitterly at him for 
 having broken his plighted word and 
 violated the common law of nations, by 
 
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21 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOXA 
 
 fiev, ev <nrovSat<;, e? 'Pajxalmv ttjv yrjv 
 oi/Bevl Trp'oarJKOV' aSt/eovt} Be TToXuretav apyaiav 
 re Kal a^uordrrjv iraamv fiaKiara, ^? t$ 
 irokefMp irepielvai oiik av Bvvairo. E/xeXXov 
 Be vetorepoK iy^eipelv irpdy/xaffiv. Ol<s Sj) 6 
 Xoapor]<; gvvrapax&eh, evpero tov kcikov Xaaiv 
 rrjvBe. Tpd/tfjutra yap avrois dveXegaro, direp 
 evcvyxp? f) fiacrikh rS> Zafiepydvy irvy^ave 
 ypd^fraaa. 
 
 i'. 'JESjjXou Se 17 ypa<j>rj rdSe' ""Oirco^ 
 ae, 3) Zafiepydvi], Bid <77rou8^? e^m, 
 evvovv <re olofievr] rots ^fierepoti vpdyfia- 
 uw elvai, olcrOa hr\ irpeajSeLq oil iroXXm 
 irporepov i<s ^/*ds d^>iyfiho<s. Ovkovv 
 [7rpaTTOt?] dv elic6[ra rfj] Boj-rj, fjv em, 
 <ro\ e^w, e'o ye fiaerikea Xoaporjv elpt}v\aia\ 
 ireidoi<s es irdKireiav ttjv ^fierepav j3ov\ea6ai. 
 Ovto) yap aoi dyadd /ieydXa 7rpo? avBpbt 
 dvaBixpfuiL rovfiov eaeaQar 6's 76 ovBev 
 av ri koX dvev yvdafit]'; ttj? i/ir}? irpd^eiev." 
 Tavra 6 Xoerpoj;? dvaXeljdfievos, oveiBlaa? 
 re Uepawv toZ? \oyioi<s el -rroKneuw o'iovrat 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 21 
 
 invading a Roman State in a most un- 
 warrantable manner, in time of peace, and 
 for having insulted an ancient and most 
 powerful State which he would not be 
 able to conquer in war. The soldiers 
 were on the point of breaking out into 
 revolt, had not Chosroes, alarmed at the 
 state of affairs, discovered a remedy for 
 it. He read to them a letter which the 
 Empress had just written to Zaberganes, 
 in the following terms : 
 
 " You must know, O Zaberganes, since 
 you were ambassador at our Court not 
 long ago, that we are well disposed to- 
 wards you, and that we do not doubt that 
 you have our interests at heart. You 
 will easily realise the good opinion which 
 I have formed of you, if you will persuade 
 King Chosroes to maintain peaceful re- 
 lations with our empire. I promise you, 
 in that case, the fullest recompense on 
 the part of my husband, who never does 
 anything without my advice." 
 
 When Chosroes had read this, he re- 
 proachfully asked the spokesmen of the 
 Persians whether they thought that that 
 
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22 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 elvai, f/v 7WJ7 BiouceiTCu, tt/v t&v avBpeov 
 opfirjv avcurreWetv ea^ev. 'AWa ical &? 
 i-i/v Seei, •jroXK& evOevhe forget, TOV9 af/.<pl 
 BeXiadpiov olofievot <r<pt<riv ifjurohmv tTTrj-' 
 aeaQat. Ov$evb<s Be ol t&v iroXefimv inravTtd- 
 o-avTOS, aafievo'i e? 7^1/ rijv olxeiav foreKOjilaGr), 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 22 
 
 was an Empire which was managed by a 
 woman, and thus managed to quell their 
 impetuosity; but, nevertheless, he retired 
 from his position in alarm, expecting that 
 his retreat would be cut off by Belisarius 
 and his forces; but, as he found himself 
 unopposed on his march, he gladly made 
 his way home. 
 
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23 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE$AAAION T 1 . 
 
 a'. Tev6/ievo<i Se 6 BeXto-dpioi es yrjv 
 ttjv 'Pafiaimv, evplaicei rr)v ywcuica iie 
 Bv^avTiov d<piKop,evr]V. Kal avrrjv p.ev iv 
 (VTifiia i<f>vkacro-e' 7ro\\a/a? re hiaj(eipi- 
 aaadai avrrjv iyxeiprjcrai, iftak8aic(a6r), efiol 
 /xev Bo/cei epwro? t)a-<77}0eh Siairvpov T«/ds. 
 $aal Se avrbv Kal fia<yyavetai,<s irpbs tj)s 
 ywat/cbs Karaka/Jifiavofievov, ev t§5 trapav- 
 rlica iicXveadai. 
 
 j3>. $coTtos Se «aTo^o? e? tt)v "E<j>e<rov 
 areWeTai, t&v two, evvov'^cov KaWvyovov 
 ovofia, Trpoaycoybv T975 KeKTrjfievrj^ 8vra, 
 Seaytewra? re Kal l-vv avrm e^cov' oairep 
 avrw alKitpfievos h> Ty 68q> ravrr}, a/iravra 
 ifjijveyKe tA atroppij-ra. Kal ©eoSocrw? pAv 
 rrpofiadmv, &} rb lepbv 'Iwdvvov Karafevyet 
 rod dirouToKov' oirep evravda dyicorarov re 
 e7rtet«ws Kal evriftou eariv, 'AvZpkas Be, 6 
 t»)s 'E<peaov apxiepevs, ^p-qpaalv oi ava- 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 23 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 When Belisarius entered Roman terri- 
 tory, he found that his wife had arrived 
 from Byzantium. He kept her in custody 
 in disgrace, and was frequently minded to 
 put her to death, but had not the heart 
 to do so, being overpowered, I believe, 
 by the ardour of his love. Others, how- 
 ever, say that his mind and resolution 
 were destroyed by the enchantments which 
 his wife employed against him. 
 
 Meanwhile, Photius arrived in a state 
 of fury at Ephesus, having taken with 
 him in chains Calligonus, a eunuch and 
 pander of Antonina, whom, by frequently 
 flogging him during the journey, he 
 forced to tell all his mistress's secrets. 
 Theodosius, however, was warned in time, 
 and took sanctuary in the temple of 
 St. John the Apostle, which is revered 
 in that town as a most sacred spot ; 
 but Andrew, the bishop of Ephesus, was 
 
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24 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 « 
 
 •7rei<T0el$, tov avOpairov eve^eipiarev. 'Ev 
 tovtq) r) 6eo8a>pa afupl t% AvTiovivy Bei- 
 fiaivovaa, (rj/etjicoei, yap oaa Br) airy l-vve- 
 ■jreirTwicec') BeXiadpiov l-vv ainfj es Bv^dv- 
 nov fteraTrefiireTai. $(1)tw<; Be ravra a/cov- 
 <ra$, QeoBoinov fiev e? KOu/ca? irifiiret, ov 
 Br/ oi Sopv<f>6pot, re ical VTraairiaraX Bia- 
 ^et/*afoj/T6? ervxpv, rot<s Trapairo/nroK inri- 
 <7Tet'\o?, XaOpaiorara fiev tov avBpa tovtov 
 SiaKOfti^etv' e? KlXitcas Se d<piKop,evous (k€- 
 Kpvfip,ev<o<s) 6S ra fidKurra ev <pv\a/cji 
 e%eiv, firjBevl aiadr/o-iv irape^ofievovi, ottoi 
 yrj<; eirj. Avto? Be, tjvv re KaWiyovu icai 
 tow OeoBoalov xpq/iaaiv dBpoli tutiv oiaiv, 
 e? Bv^dvriov r)\6ev. 
 
 y'. 'EvravBa r) /3a<n\i? eirlBeiljiv ire- 
 irolrfrai e? irdvtas dvdpdnrov<s, on Br) ^dpiTa? 
 fyoviovs elBeinj, fieitpai re teal fn.ap(orepoi<; 
 dpdfieaOai BdipoR. 'AvTcoviva fiev yap, era 
 oi evar/)(p<s tov KaTTiraSoierjv tydpov ive- 
 Spevaaaa, irpovSwicev ainr) Be, tfKr]8oi} ixeivp 
 eyxeipixraaa dvBp&v, &veyic\rJTeo$ dvr\pr\K.e. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 24 
 
 bribed into delivering him up into the 
 hands of Photius. 
 
 Meanwhile, Theodora was very anxious 
 about Antonina, when she heard what 
 had befallen her. She summoned both 
 Belisarius and his wife to Byzantium: 
 on hearing this, Photius sent Theodosius 
 away to Cilicia, where his own spearmen 
 were in winter quarters, giving orders to 
 his escort to take the man thither as 
 secretly as possible, and, when they 
 arrived at Cilicia, to guard him with 
 exceeding strictness, and not to let 
 anyone know in what part of the world 
 he was. He himself, with Calligonus and 
 Theodosius's treasures, which were very 
 considerable, repaired to Byzantium. 
 
 At that juncture, the Empress clearly 
 proved to all that she knew how to recom- 
 pense the murderous services which An- 
 tonina had rendered her, by even greater 
 crimes committed to further her plans. 
 Indeed, Antonina had only betrayed one 
 man to her by her wiles, her enemy John 
 of Cappadocia, but the Empress caused the 
 death of a large number of innocent per- 
 
 4 
 
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25 IJPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 T&v yap Bekiaaplm km ^torlu eirvnfiehov, 
 riv&v fiev Tii aa/iara aliciaa/ievr)' • («ot 
 tovto fxovov iiTUcakicracra, oti> e? to> avope 
 tovt(o evvoiic&s e^otev, ovtco Stedero' ware 
 avroK e? o rl irore r/ Tvyi] ireXevra, 
 ovttw vvv Itrfiev') aXkovs Se tpvyfj ifyj/jLiaae, 
 Tavro tovto iweveyKovca. 
 
 8'. "Eva fl&VTOl TOIV $&>TWj) 65 TTJV 
 
 "E<j>eo-ov eirunro/ieviov, QeoSoawv ovofia, /caivep 
 e's atjlcofia y3ou\^s r\KovTa, tvjv ovalav a<pe\o- 
 p.evr), ev ha>p,aTuti Karayeup ts Kal o\&>? 
 %o(j>d)8et,, eo~T7)<7ev iirl <pa.Tvr}<; twos, fipoxpv 
 ol tov TpafflXov avayjrafievT) el<s TocovSe 
 fipayyv, wore avTm Sr) ivTeratrdai,, Kal 
 yaXapbv p,7]8ap,fj elvai. 'EaTr/Ka^ afieXei 
 Svrjveicev iirl Tavrrjs Sf) Tr}$ <f>a,Tvris, 6 TaXas 
 r\adik Te Kal vrrvov ypeiTO, Kal tcl? aWat 
 f)vvev airdo-wi t^s <f>vaea<s ^oet'as' aWo ts 
 ol oiSev e? to Tot? 8vot<; eUd^eo-Bat, o ti 
 pJr) /3pa>naadai, ikikeunro. Xpovoi Se tcj! 
 avffptoirw oi% r\aawv fj fiTjv&v Teaadpfov ev 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 25 
 
 sons, whom she sacrificed to the vengeance 
 of Antonina. The intimates of Belisarius 
 and Photius were some of them flogged, 
 although the only charge against them 
 was their friendship for these two per- 
 sons ; and no one, to the present day, 
 knows what afterwards became of them ; 
 while she sent others into exile, who 
 were accused of the same crime — friend- 
 ship for Photius and Belisarius. One 
 of those who accompanied Photius to 
 Ephesus, Theodosius by name, although 
 he had attained the rank of senator, was 
 deprived of all his property, and im- 
 prisoned by Theodora in an underground 
 dungeon, where she kept him fastened 
 to a kind of manger by a rope round his 
 neck, which was so short that it was 
 always quite tense and never slack. The 
 wretched man was always forced to 
 stand upright at this manger, and 
 there to eat and sleep, and do all his 
 other needs ; there was no difference 
 between him and an ass, save that he 
 did not bray. No less than four months 
 were passed by him in this condition, 
 
 4—2 
 
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26 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ravry Ty Biahy irpifir], ea>? yweXay^oX/a? 
 voaa> d\oii<i, fiavek re eKTOirws, «al o&reo 
 Stj TO,VTr)$ t»}? eipKTrjs acpedels, eira airedavev. 
 
 e . Kal BeXiadpiov ov ti eKOvaiov 
 'AvTcovtvy rfj yvvaiKi KaraXKcvyrjvai rjvdyxacre. 
 $d>Tiov Be alKi<Tfioi<s re aWoi<s dvBpatroBdt- 
 Beo~i Trepifidkovara, Kal %dvaaa Kara re 
 tov vcorov Kal t5)v &(uov woWas, eKkiyetv 
 exeXevev, oiroi irore 7?}? ©eoSoaios re xal 
 6 -irpoayajyo? e'ir/. '0 Be, Kavrtep viro tj/? 
 fiacrdvov KaraTeiv6fievo<s, rd d/iwfioapeva ifiire- 
 Bovv eyvca, dvfjp voffdoBrji fiev Kal dvetfievos 
 yeyova><: -rrporepov' e<s Be ttjv dfMpl to auifia 
 depatrelav eairovBaKiu'i' vf3ped)<i re yevo/xevos 
 $1 TaXanrwpla'i two? aireipo?. OiBev yovv 
 avrbs t&v BeXitrapiov Ke/cpv/ifiivcov i^etirev. 
 
 <s'. "Tarepov fievroi airavra, rd Tew? 
 dvropprjTa, e? <£<3? iKrjKvdei,. Kal KaWi- 
 yovov fiev rjB' h/Tavda evpovaa, rfjBe irape- 
 Baxe' tov Be QeoBoaiov fieraKaXeo-aaa e? 
 Bv^dvTtov, eireiBi} dcpiKero, evOw; fiev Kp&rrTet 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 26 
 
 until he was seized with melancholy and 
 became violently mad, upon which he 
 was released from his prison and soon 
 afterwards died. 
 
 As for Belisarius, she forced him 
 against his will to become reconciled 
 to his wife Antonina. Photius, by her 
 orders, was tortured like a slave, and 
 was beaten with rods upon the back and 
 shoulders, and ordered to disclose where 
 Theodosius and the pander eunuch were. 
 But he, although cruelly tortured, kept 
 the oath which he had sworn inviolate ; 
 and although he was naturally weak and 
 delicate, and had always been forced to 
 take care of his health, and had never 
 had any experience of ill-treatment or 
 discomfort of any kind, yet he never 
 revealed any of Belisarius's secrets. 
 
 But afterwards all that had hitherto 
 been kept secret came to light. Theodora 
 discovered the whereabouts of Calligonus, 
 and restored him to Antonina. She also 
 found where Theodosius was, and had 
 him conveyed to Byzantium, and, on his 
 arrival, concealed him straightway in the 
 
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27 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ev iraXaTi'o)' rfj Be vaTepaiq fi€Ta7re/jLyfra/ievri 
 'Avrcovivav, "*{2 <j)ikTa,TT) irarpiKia" etfnj, 
 " fidpyapov e? ^eipaf t«? ifids 777 irpoTepalq 
 " ifnriTTTWicev, otov ov&efa iror' dvOpcovav 
 " elSev. Kal aot, fSovXofievrj ovk av (pdovq- 
 " craip.1 tov dedfJMTO? tovtov, att' emBeii-w." 
 Kal f) fiev, ov ^vvieiaa tov 7rpaaao/jievov, 
 to fidpyapov ol eiriBel^ai, iroXXa iXnrdpei. 
 'H Be, tov &eo86o~iov e£ oIkiBLov t5>v twos 
 evvovxoov i^ayayovo-a, iireBet^ev. 'AvTCOviva 
 Be, to, fiiv irpSiTa. nrepij(ap^^ ayav yeyovvia 
 v(f>' q8ovf}<; } d%avr)<; efieive' ^apiTa? re 01 
 BeBpaKevai ojfioXjiyet, iroWa*;, aoyreipdv re Kal 
 evepyeriv diroKaXovaa, Kal Beoirowav ovrws. 
 Tovtov Be tov QeoB6o~iov r] /3ao~iXl<: itaTa- 
 aj(pvo-a ev TraXaTltp, Tpv<fn]<: re Kal t^s aWi}? 
 evwaOela? rj};iov' aTparrjydv Te rjveiXrjae 
 'Pmfialots avTov ovk ei<s p.aicpav KaTaatrj- 
 o~eo~6ai. 'AXXd Tt? 7rpoTeptfo~ao~a S(kt), voatp 
 dXovra Svo~evTepla<;, it; dvOpmircov avTov 
 cupavi^ei. 
 
 £'. ''Hv Be oIkIBiu Trj QeoBwpq, diroKpv(pa 
 /j.ev Kal oXcos XeXrjdoTa, tpfymBt) re Kal 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 27 
 
 palace. On the morrow she sent for 
 Antonina, and said to her, " Dearest lady, 
 a pearl fell into my hands yesterday, so 
 beautiful that I think no one has ever 
 seen its like. If you would like to see 
 it, I will not grudge you the sight of it, 
 but wijl gladly show it to you." 
 
 Antonina, who did not understand 
 what was going on, begged eagerly to be 
 shown the pearl, whereupon Theodora 
 led Theodosius by the hand out of the 
 chamber of one of her eunuchs and dis- 
 played him to her. Antonina was at first 
 speechless through excess of joy, and 
 when she had recovered herself, warmly 
 protested her gratitude to Theodora, 
 whom she called her saviour, her bene- 
 factress, and truly her mistress. Theo- 
 dora kept Theodosius in her palace, 
 treated him with every luxury, and even 
 boasted that, before long, she would 
 appoint him generalissimo of the Roman 
 armies. But divine justice, which carried 
 him off through dysentery, prevented this. 
 
 Theodora had at her disposal secret 
 and absolutely secluded dungeons, so 
 
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28 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 dyefoova, ivda 8t) oiire vvkto<s ovre f/fLepa? 
 BrfXeaais yivercu. 'Evravda rbv $wriov eVi 
 ypovov fif}ico<; KaBeip^acra ir-qpei. 'Odev Si) 
 avrrn Jzwefii) Tts tvxv> °^X &' n ' a Z p-bvov, 
 aXXa kol S2? StcMpvyovra diraXKay^vai. Kal 
 ra fiev irpmra, /caracpuyav ets rbv vaov ttjs 
 ©sotokov, os irapa Bv^avTiois ar/icoTa/ros iari 
 re Kal aavofidcrdr), irapa Tr)v lepav rpdire^av 
 l/eerr)? KaOrja-ro. 'EvrevOev re avrbv dvatnr\- 
 <ra<ra, fiiq rfj irdari, Ka6elp%ev a30t?. To 
 Se Bij Sevrepov, is t?}? Sofia's to iepbv rjKiov, 
 e? avTrfv irov ttjv deiav Sej-afievrjv e^airivaims 
 eKadiaeV tjvirep fidXiara -jrdvTav vevofiUacri 
 XpuTTiavoi crefiew. 'AXKa. icavOevSev i<pi\- 
 Keiv aiirov 17 yvvrj tayyaev. Xmpiov yap 
 a/3e(3ri\ov ircoTrore avecpaTrrov avrrj ovSev 
 yeyovev' aXX' avrf) ftid^eadai ra, iepd f i3/a- 
 iravra, ovSev irparfp,a ehoicei elvai. Kal f-iiv 
 tS> Stj/Atp, 01 twv Xpianavwv iepels Kara- 
 TreirXrjy/ievoi ra> Seei, e^Laravro' Kal eW^a>- 
 povv avry diravra, Tpi&v fiev o5i' avrm 
 evtavT&v ypovos iv Tavrj} rfj biairy erpifiri' 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 28 
 
 solitary and so dark that it was im- 
 possible to distinguish between night and 
 day. In one of these she kept Photius 
 imprisoned for a long time. He managed, 
 however, to escape, not only once, but 
 twice. The first time he took sanctuary 
 in the Church of the Mother of God, 
 which is one of the most sacred and 
 famous churches in Byzantium, wherein 
 he sat as a suppliant at the holy table ; 
 but she ordered him to be removed by 
 main force and again imprisoned. The 
 second time he fled to the Church of 
 St. Sophia, and suddenly took refuge in 
 the holy font, which is held in reverence 
 by Christians above all other places ; but 
 the woman was able to drag him even 
 from thence, for to her no place ever was 
 sacred or unassailable; and she thought 
 nothing of violating the holiest of sanc- 
 tuaries. The Christian priests and people 
 were struck with horror at her impiety, 
 but nevertheless yielded and submitted to 
 her in everything. 
 
 Photius had lived in this condition 
 for nearly three years, when the prophet 
 
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29 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 varepov Se, 6 irpo(piJT7]<s avTtp Zayapum 
 eTrt<TTa<s ovap, SpieoK, (paalv, iicekeve cpevyeiv 
 (TvXK^yjreardai ol iv rm epyrn rcuSe ofioXo- 
 ytfaas. Tamr/ re rfj oyjrei, avaireio-Qels, 
 aveaTt) re ivdivSe, /cat, Sta\a0a>v, ei? rh 
 'lepoaokvfia rjkde' fivplmv fiev avrbv Sie- 
 pevvcofievtov avBpdnrwv, ovSevbs Se top veavlav, 
 Kaivep ivTV%pvTa, op&vro^. 05 Srj a-rro- 
 8pt,%ap,ev6<; re, ical t&v Mova%a>v icaXovfievasv 
 to ayfiiw. 7repij3aX\6iJ.evos, ttjv bk QeoBrnpas 
 KoKacnv Siacpvyeiv e<rj(e. 
 
 r]'. BeXiadplo? 8e~, to, 6fia>ft,ocr/j,eva rjko- 
 yr)K<o<;, Ti/Mopelv re ovSapbi] tovtw eXofievos 
 irda'XpvTi, &<nrep epprjOr), dvbaut epya. 'jE? 
 irav-ra ol Xoiirbv to, iirtT7]Bevp,aTa iroKefiia, 
 Ttit, irpb<; rov &eov, to? to el/cbs, eiipev' evOvs 
 yap hrl re MV70W? koX Xoerporjv araXels, 
 to Tpvrov ear{3a\6vTa<} i<s ' Pcofiaicov ri]v yr\v, 
 KaKorrjra a>cf)\e. Kalroi iSoicet, ti \6yov 
 ajjiov hiaireirpa/^Oai, tov iroXe/Mov iv0ev$e 
 airoo-eia-aiAevos. 'A)OC eVet Xoo-pdij? Ev- 
 <ppdri)v $iafta<; vora/ibv, KaXXlviKov troXiv 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 20. 
 
 Zacharias appeared to him in a dream, 
 commanded him to escape, and promised 
 his assistance. Relying upon this vision, 
 he rose, escaped from his prison, and 
 made his way to Jerusalem in disguise; 
 though tens of thousands must have seen 
 the youth, yet none recognised him. 
 There he shaved off all his hair, assumed 
 the monastic habit, and in this manner 
 escaped the tortures which Theodora 
 would have inflicted upon him. 
 
 Belisarius took no account of the oaths 
 which he had sworn, and made no effort 
 to avenge Photius's sufferings, in spite 
 of the solemn vows which he had made 
 to do so. Hereafter, probably by God's 
 will, all his warlike enterprises failed. 
 Some time afterwards he was dispatched 
 against the Medes and Chosroes, who 
 had for the third time invaded the 
 Roman Empire, and fell under suspi- 
 cion of treachery, although he was con- 
 sidered to have performed a notable 
 achievement in driving the enemy away 
 from the frontier ; but when Chosroes, after 
 crossing the Euphrates, took the populous 
 
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30 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 woKvavOpanrov ovSevbs &fj,wo/j,evov elXe, /iv- 
 pidSas rjvSpaTroSi&e 'Pwfiaiav TroWd? BeXt,- 
 <rapto? Be, [o?] oiiSe oaov hrunrk<r6ai roil 
 7roXe/j.ioi<! iv airovBf) eaj^e, Sofjav dir^vejKev 
 cos Svoiv ddrepov, rj iOekoicaicrjo-as, rj atro- 
 SecXidaas, axiTov efieivev. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 30 
 
 city of Callinikus without a blow, and 
 made slaves of tens of thousands of 
 Romans, Belisarius remained quiet, and 
 never so much as offered to attack the 
 enemy, whereby he incurred the reproach 
 of either treachery or cowardice. 
 
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31 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION A'. 
 
 a. 'Tiro tovtop rbv ypovov, Kai ti 
 erepov avra> eiriirecreiv ^vvqvkyQr) roiovSe. 
 'O fiev \oifib<s, oimep iv rot? epnrpoo-dev 
 \670t? ep.vr)aQi)v, iirevefiero tov<} iv Bv^avrim 
 avdpmirowi. BaaiXei Se 'Iovo~nviav<p ya- 
 XeircoTara vocrfjaai ^vvefir), &are xal iXeyeTo 
 on, aTraikcokei. Tovtov Si rbv \6yov irapa- 
 yayovaa r/ (frrffiii, Sie/eo/iitrev a\pi e? to 
 'Peofiaicov arpaTO-jreSov. 'EvravOa e\eyov 
 tS>v apytivrcov tiw, wg, fjv /3aai\ea 'Pco- 
 fialoi erepov riva iv BuZavrltp Karao-Ty- 
 aavTcu o-<fruriv, ov firjirore avrol i'jriTpeyjrcoo'lv. 
 'OXi7G) Se va-repov fiaaikel /xev pataai 
 i-wefti), tok Be t&v 'Papalcov o-Tparov 
 apypvai Sta06\oi<s eif dXktfXoK yeveadai. 
 Herpo<; re yap 6 arpaTtjybs, /cal 'Ia>aw?s, 
 ovirep i-TrlKkrjo'iv $ayav iicdXovv, Bekiaapiov 
 re icai Bov^ov eiceiva \ey6vrmv, lo-yvpl^ovro 
 aicrfKoevai, airep p,ot apruot; SeSijXmrat. 
 
 /8'. Tavrd ye 17 /3aen\i? <9eo8a>pa, 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 31 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 About this time Belisarius underwent 
 another disgrace. The people of By- 
 zantium were ravaged by the pestilence 
 of which I have already spoken. The 
 Emperor Justinian was attacked by it so 
 severely that it was reported that he had 
 died. Rumour spread these tidings 
 abroad till they reached the Roman 
 camp, whereupon some of the chief 
 officers said that, if the Romans set up 
 any other emperor in Byzantium, they 
 would not acknowledge him. Shortly after 
 this, the Emperor recovered from his mal- 
 ady, whereupon the chiefs of the army 
 accused one another of having used this 
 language. The General Peter, and John, 
 surnamed " The Glutton," declared that 
 Belisarius and Buzes had used the 
 words which I have just quoted. The 
 Empress Theodora, thinking that these 
 
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32 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 eTTLKaXeaaaa e<fi eainy, tok dvSpdyrroi^ elprj- 
 a-Qai, fietrrrj {Bvfiov) eyeyovei. "Airavra<; ovv 
 ev6v<; fiera/caKeo-acra e? Bv^dvnov, fyyvqalv 
 re tov \6yov tovtov iroirjaa^evT), tov Bovfyjv 
 fieTeire/iAjraTO ek rrjv yvvaiKcoviTiv eifairivaiax;, 
 <os ti avTm Kotvokoyri&ofievr) t&v dyav 
 airovhaimv. "*Hv Se ri o1,K7jfia ev iraka/rita 
 Kardyeiov, do-<pa\e<s re teal \a/3vpiv6a>8e<;, 
 Kal oiov Taprdpw elfcd%eo~dai, Xva 877 tovs 
 irpocriceicpovicoTcviy a>? ra iroXKa Kadeipt-aaa, 
 evTqprj. Kal Bovty)<* ovv e? to fidpadpov 
 tovto efi/3e/3\7)Tai" ivravdd re avrjp, ii; 
 {nrdreov yevop,evo<;, ayv<oaro<s del tov <irapovTO<s 
 Katpov efieivev. Ovre ydp avTos, ev v/corp 
 Ka6r\fi,evo^, Siayivma-Keiv ot6$ re eyeyovei, 
 Trorepov r/fiepa r\ vvicTcop ellrj, owe aXka ra> 
 hnvjfelv ei^ev. "Av&pwwo<i yap, oairep oi e? 
 rjfiepav eK.dari)v rd avria epplirrei, uarrep ti 
 dvjpiov 6r)pi<o d(j)a>vo<! depebvoi mfiiKei. Kal 
 mao~i \iiev TeTeKevrr/Kevai ei8v<s eSoj-e' \6yov 
 fievrot rj fivrip,ijv iroieiaBai airrov ovSeh 
 [eroX/iaj. 'Eviavrolv Se Svolv varepov irpbs 
 fvrjoi ricraapo-iv oltcTtoraftevr), rbv dvSpa 
 d<pr)Ke. Kal 8? &o~rrep dvafiefiuoicofrs airaaiv 
 iafyOi). 3we/3?7 re t«j! av6pa>TT<p evQevhe del 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 32 
 
 words applied to herself, was greatly en- 
 raged. She straightway summoned all 
 the commanders to Byzantium to make 
 an inquiry into the matter, and suddenly 
 sent for Buzes to come into her private 
 apartments, on the pretext of discussing 
 important matters of business with him. 
 There was in the palace an underground 
 building, which was securely fastened, 
 and as complicated as a labyrinth, and 
 which might be compared to the nether 
 world, wherein she kept imprisoned most 
 of those who had offended her. Into this 
 pit she cast Buzes ; and although he was 
 of a consular family, nothing was known 
 for certain concerning him ; as he sat in 
 the darkness, he could not tell day from 
 night ; nor could he ask, for he who 
 flung him his daily food never spoke, but 
 acted like one dumb beast with another. 
 All thought him dead, but none dared 
 to mention him or allude to him. Two 
 years and four months afterwards, Theo- 
 dora relented and released him, and he 
 appeared in the world like one raised 
 from the dead ; but ever afterwards he 
 
 5 
 
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33 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 afipXvwTTeiv re, koI to aWo acofia voaaihei 
 elvai. Ta p.ev oSv a/u]n t& Bovty rySe 
 
 y' . BeXiffdpiov Be fiaaikeii?, Kaiirep 
 ovBevb<s t&v Karrjyopovfievaiv aKovra, eyicei- 
 fievnt tij? fiaaiklBos, irapa\vaa<s ij? ei%ev 
 ap^rfi, Maprlvov avr' avrov t»)? eww} 
 arpaTrjyov Karear^aaro' rovf re Bekiaapiov 
 $opv<f>6pov<; re Kal mraairiaraM, Kal r5>v 
 oIkbtwv e'l rt iv troXifiw Boki/iov r/v, rS>v re 
 dpypvrwv, nal t&v iv Trdkaricp evvoir^tov 
 rialv, iirevreiXe BtaSdaaaOat. 01 Be tcXr/pov^ 
 eir' ifceivoi<; i/AfiefiXrifievoi, airoft oitXok 
 airavras iv atplcriv avrois Bievei/iavro, &airep 
 Kwrmvyelv etcdaTa avve/3r). Kal rS>v <f>l\a>v 
 Be, Kal aXkax; avrw rd irporepa inrovpyt)- 
 Korav 7roX\o£S, direhrov trapd Be\urapia> 
 fii)Keri ievai. Kal 7repirjp^ero irucpov dea/M, 
 xal ainarro<; cnjrts, BekMrdpwi iBuorrjt; iv 
 Bv^avria, a^eSov ri fiovos, avvvovs del Kal 
 aKvdpanrb'i, Kal rbv ii- iiri^ovX^ oppaS&v 
 Odvarov. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 33 
 
 was short-sighted and diseased in body. 
 Such was the fate of Buzes. 
 
 Belisarius, although none of the charges 
 brought against him could be proved, was 
 removed by the Emperor, at the instance 
 of Theodora, from the command of the 
 army in the East, which was given to 
 Martinus. The command of the Dory- 
 phori 1 and Hypaspitae 2 of Belisarius, and 
 of those of his servants who had distin- 
 guished themselves in war, was by his 
 orders divided amongst the generals and 
 certain of the palace eunuchs. They cast 
 lots for these soldiers, together with their 
 arms, and divided them amongst them- 
 selves as the lot fell. As for his friends 
 and the many people who had before 
 served under him, Justinian forbade them 
 to visit him. Thus was seen in the city 
 a piteous spectacle which men could 
 scarce believe to be real, that of Belisa- 
 rius simply a private individual, almost 
 alone, gloomy and thoughtful, ever dread- 
 ing to be set upon and assassinated. 
 
 1 Spearmen, lancers. 
 
 2 Shield-bearers. 
 
 5— 2 
 
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34 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 8'. MaQoixra Se fj /3acnXt?, itoXka oi 
 etrl t»)? em ^pr^iaia elvai, ire/j.-^racra t&v iv 
 7raXaTLco evvovywv Tivh, Ke/cofiicrTai irdvra. 
 'Ervyyave Se , Avrooviva, w? fioi eiprjTai, tm 
 fiev dvSpl Sid<j>opo<; yeyevrjixevq, rfj Se fiaai- 
 Xt'St (piKraTrj km avcvyKMOTaTT) rvyydvovaa 
 iv T04? /MaXiara, are 'Icodvv7)v evayxps 
 Karepyaaafievr] tov KairiraSoKrjv. Alb Srj 
 'Xapio-aaOai, r) /Sao-tXis Trj 'AvTwvlwr) /3ov\ev- 
 trafiivr), airavra eirpaTTev, 6Va>s e^airrjaairBai 
 re tov avSpa f) yvvr), teal diro fjv(i<f>op£>v 
 T7]\iK&vSe pvo-aaOai Sdfjete' Tavrrj re oi 
 jxovov ra Ta\a,nrd>pq> es to 7ravre\e<: KaraX- 
 Xayrjvat, avfi^r\aerai, dXKa Kal Siapp^St/v 
 airbv, are trpbs avTrjs Siao-eacoo-fievov, al'X/ia- 
 Xoarov dvapTrda-acrOai. 'Eyevero Se &Se. 
 
 e\ *.HX0e fiev iroTe Be\io-dpio<i irpwi e's 
 •KaXdriov, fjirep elcodei, fjvv dvdpwirots oitCTpols 
 re Kal oX^yot? tutLv. Ovk eifiev&v Se ireipa- 
 crdfievo'; /8a<rtXe<BS re Kal tj)? /3ao-i\iSo<;, dXKa 
 Kal irepiv/Spiafievos ivravOa, far dvSp&v 
 p,o'x6rjp&v re Kal dyekauov, o'UaSe dfi<f>l 
 SelXrjv enfriav dirubv m^ero' avyyd re irepir- 
 o-rp€(p6fievo<} iv rfi avajfaaprjo-et, rayrri, Kal 
 iravTaxpae irepio-KOTrovfievos, oiroOev irore 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 34 
 
 When the Empress learned that he 
 had amassed much treasure in the East, 
 she sent one of the palace eunuchs to 
 fetch it away to the Court. Antonina, 
 as I have already said, was now at 
 variance with her husband, and the 
 nearest and dearest friend of the Em- 
 press, because she had just destroyed 
 John of Cappadocia. To please Antonina, 
 the Empress arranged everything in such 
 a fashion that she appeared to have 
 pleaded for her husband's pardon, and 
 to have saved him from these great 
 disasters ; whereby the unhappy man 
 not only became finally reconciled to 
 her, but her absolute slave, as though 
 he had been preserved by her from death. 
 This was brought about as follows : 
 
 One day Belisarius came early to the 
 palace as usual, accompanied by a small 
 and miserable retinue. He was ungra- 
 ciously received by the Emperor and 
 Empress, and even insulted in their pre- 
 sence by low-born villains. He went 
 home towards evening, often turning him- 
 self about, and looking in every direction 
 
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35 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 irpoaiovrcu; airiS tow aTroWvvTa? iSoi. Bw 
 
 rainy T6 t!) oppaSia, et? to Swfiariov ava- 
 
 /Sas, iirl tj}? ortySaSo? ica6rjo~TO p.6voi' 
 
 yevvalov fiev oiSev evvo&v, ovSe on avrjp 
 
 iyeyovei, iv (tvy/Ay e^toz/" ISp&v Se del ical 
 
 iXvyyiwv, real 1-in> rpo/im TroXKm airopovfieW 
 
 (f>6/3oa t£ avSpairoSmSeo-i, teal fiepi/ivaK enro- 
 
 Kvaiofievo? (p'tXoifrv'XpK re ical o\a>? avdvSpois. 
 
 'AvrcovLva Se, are ovre to irpatrcrofieva oA,o>? 
 
 iTriarafievri, ovre ti t£>v eao/xivoov icapaSo- 
 
 Kovcra, irepnraTovs ivravda iiroieiTO au^i/oii?, 
 
 ojjvpey/ilav o-K.jyirTop.kvif en yap «s aW^Xou? 
 
 w7ro7TT6)? ety(pv. Meraijii Se ti? . etc iraXarlov, 
 
 KovaSparo*; ovofia, fjicev i]Sr) SeSvKoro? fyu'ov, 
 
 tt\v re aij\eiov virep^ai, e^ainvalxoi irapa 
 
 tip dvSpavinSa earrj dvpav, 4>daica)v 7rpo? 
 
 tjjs j3a<ri\lSo<; evravda itrrdkffcu. "Oirep 
 
 iirel Bekiadpto? tftcovae, j^etpas ical iroSai; 
 
 eirl o-Tt/8a8o? k\nv<ra<;, vtttios eicevro, 7rpo? 
 
 rrfV avaipetriv erot/ioTaTOS" oi/tw? omav avrov 
 to dppevmirov aireXeXot'irei. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 35 
 
 for those whom he expected to set upon 
 him. In this state of dread, he went 
 up to his chamber, and sat down alone 
 upon his couch, without a brave man's 
 spirit, and scarce remembering that he 
 had ever been a man, but bathed with 
 sweat, his head dizzy, trembling and de- 
 spairing, racked by slavish fears and 
 utterly unmanly thoughts. Antonina, who 
 knew nothing of what was going on, 
 and was far from expecting what was 
 about to come to pass, kept walking 
 up and down the hall, on pretence of 
 suffering from heartburn ; for they still 
 regarded each other with suspicion. 
 Meanwhile, an officer of the palace, 
 named Quadratus, came just after sunset, 
 passed through the court, and suddenly 
 appeared at the door of the men's apart- 
 ments, saying that he brought a message 
 from the Empress. 
 
 Belisarius, on hearing him approach, 
 drew up his hands and feet on to the 
 bed, and lay on his back in the readiest 
 posture to receive the final stroke, so 
 completely had he lost his courage. 
 
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36 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 <s'. Ovtco roivvv 6 KovaSpa,TO<s irap 
 avrbv elaeXdrnv, ypdfifiard ol tjj? ftaeriXlBos 
 eireBeigev. 'EBrjXov Be fj ypa<j>r) rdSe' " A A 
 " /iep elpydam 17/iia?, ft) /3eXTiCTe, olada. 
 " 'Eyw Be to, iroXXa 6<f>ei\ovtra tj} ay yvvaud. 
 " Tainy Br/ to, iyKX^fiard aot acfielvai ^vprnavra 
 " eyvtoKa, etcelvr} rrjv o~r)v Bcopovfievrj ifrv^/jv. 
 " To fj.ev oh/ evOev aoi to Oapaetv inrep re rf}$ 
 " o-oiTijjota? Kal rwv yp-qp^drav irepieariv 
 " ottojos Be (ri> 7rpb<; avrrjv ear], Bid rav 
 " trpay6i]o-o^ivaiv elaofieda." Tama eirel 
 BeXi,crdpio<; v dveXefjaro, dfia jiev v<j>' 97801^? 
 hfl fieya dpdeis, afia Be Kal too irapovri, 
 eiriheil-iiV iOeXwv voieladai rfjs yvm/Arjs, dva- 
 ora? eidvs irapd roix; ywaiicas iroBas em 
 arofia iriirrei. Kal %etpl fiev eKarepa irepi,- 
 Xa/3a>v avT7]<i cifufico rds Kvr)p.a$, rrjv Be 
 yX&aaav del r$>v rapamv rr}<; yvvaiKo 1 ; fiera- 
 fiifid^wv, rov /lev f3wv Kal t% o-oJTr/jOi'a? 
 airiav exaXei' dvBpdiroBov Be avTrjs to 
 ivdivBe ttio-tov (hfioXoyei, Kal ovk dvrjp 
 eaeadai. 
 
 f . Kal r&v •^p'qp.drwv Be r) /SaaiXU e's 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 36 
 
 Quadratus, before entering, showed 
 him the Empress' letter. It ran as 
 follows : 
 
 " You are not ignorant, my good sir, 
 of all your offences against me; but I 
 owe so much to your wife, that I have 
 determined to pardon all your offences 
 for her sake, and I make her a present 
 of your life. For the future you may 
 be of good cheer as regards your life 
 and fortune : we shall know by your 
 future conduct what sort of husband you 
 will be to your wife ! " 
 
 When Belisarius read this, he was 
 greatly excited with joy, and, as he wished 
 at the same time to give some present 
 proof of his gratitude, he straightway rose, 
 and fell on his face at his wife's feet. He 
 embraced her legs with either hand, and 
 kissed the woman's ankles and the soles 
 of her feet, declaring that it was to her 
 that he owed his life and safety, and 
 that hereafter he would be her faithful 
 slave, and no longer her husband. 
 
 The Empress divided Belisarius's for- 
 tune into two parts ; she gave thirty 
 
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37 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rptaicovTa ypvaov reevTrji'dpia r$ fiaaiXel 
 Sovtra, raXXa Be\iaraplo> drreBoro. Ta fiiv 
 ovv a/j.(j)l BeXicrapim t«5 o-rparr\y& TiJSe 
 Kej(wprjKei, anrep r/ rvyr) ov iraiKXw rrporepov 
 reXifiepd re Kal Ovirrirfiv SopvaKmrov; 
 TrapeSeSwicet. 'Etc trakaiov hk , Iovaraiiav6v 
 re Kal &eo8d)pav 7t\o£)tos 6 toiovtov rov 
 dvhpb<s aKpi/3(b<s etcvi&v, virepoyKo<s re oiv Kal 
 8aeri\iKr}$ avX.% aifto?. "Etpatricov re, ta? 
 rmv 8r)p,oaia>v ^prj/idriov reXlfiepoi re Kal 
 OviTTiytSo*; to irXeitrrov dTrokpv r *d/ievo<: 
 \ddpa erv^e, fioipav he aiir&v (3paj(eidv re 
 riva Kal ovBafifj dijioXoyov fiaaiKet eSaxe. 
 Uovows he Toils rov avdpwrov, Kal rmv 
 e^mOev rrjv /3\ao~<pr)fiLav, hiapidfiovjievot, a/ia 
 he Kal (TKry^riv d^ioj^pemv eV airrq) ovhefiiav 
 Ketcopuafievoi, r)o-vxfj ep-evov. Tore Si r) 
 fiaaikh avrov \aj3ofj,evr], Karappwhr)K6ro<i re 
 Kal aTroSeikidcavros, oKw<; irpd^ei fua hie- 
 Trpd^aro !jv(nrdo~i)s avrov t^? oiatas Kvpla 
 yeveaOai. 
 
 r)'. '22s Krjho? yap a/\.X?;X,o«? ^vvrfKdeTqv 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 37 
 
 centenars of gold to the Emperor, and 
 allowed Belisarius to keep the rest. Such 
 was the fortune of the General Belisarius, 
 into whose hands Fate had not long 
 before given Gelimer and Vitiges as 
 prisoners of war. The man's wealth had 
 for a long time excited the jealousy of 
 Justinian and Theodora, who considered 
 it too great, and fit only for a king. 
 They declared that he had secretly 
 embezzled most of the property of 
 Gelimer and Vitiges, which belonged to 
 the State, and that he had restored a 
 small part alone, and one hardly worthy 
 of an Emperor's acceptance. But, when 
 they thought of what great things the 
 man had done, and how they would 
 raise unpopular clamour against them- 
 selves, especially as they had no ground 
 whatever for accusing him of peculation, 
 they desisted ; but, on this occasion, the 
 Empress, having surprised him at a time 
 when he was quite unmanned by fear, 
 managed at one stroke to become mis- 
 tress of his entire fortune; for she 
 straightway established a relationship 
 
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38 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 evdvs, 'Iwavvtva re f) BeXiaapiov 0vydrrip, 
 r}a7rep fiovt]<s iyeyovei irarrjp, Avaaraaiq) to3 
 ttj<! /8acrt\i'So9 dvyarpiSm fivrjart) yeyove. 
 BeXio-dpioi fiev oiiv apyr\v re diroXafieiv ttjv 
 ol/ceiav i)%iov, km arparriyos t?)s ecoas diro- 
 Bei^Beh, irdXiv eVt Xoo-porjv ical M^Soi/s 
 e^rf/riaeaOai. tw 'Pa/iaUov o-rparw. 'Avtw- 
 viva Be ovSap>&<} eta' Trepivfiplcrffai iv to?? 
 eKeivjj xcopiois Trpbi avrov efyaaricev, avep 
 oviceTi to Xonrbv SyJrea'Oai. 
 
 ff. Aib Brj Be\tcrdpio<s, dp^mv t&v /3a- 
 atXiKow KataaTOM iinroKOfitov, e? rr)V , Ira\iau 
 to Bevrepov io-rdXr), 6/40X077? o-as fiao-iXei, m 
 <f>acn, ^pijfiara firjirore avrbv iv rwBe rm 
 TToXkfiU) alTtjaeiv, ahXd ^uyinraaav avrbs ttjv 
 tov iroXifiov trapacrKevfjv xprffiao-w oliceioi'i 
 Troirjo-acrdai. Havre? //,ev ovv vTreroira^ov rd 
 re dficf>i tjj ryvvaiKi ravTrj, fjirep ippr\Qt\, 
 BeXiaapiov 8ioiicrjo~ao~dcu } ical /3ao~i\el ravra 
 6/ioXoyrjo-ai d/x<f>l to iroXifup, diraXXa^euniTa 
 ■n}? iv Bv^avritp 8iaTpi/3fj$' iveiSdv re 
 idyiaTa tov t»j? irokeoas irepiftbXov i/cros 
 'yevqrat,, dpirdaaaBai re avrixa rd mrXa, ical 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 38 
 
 between them, betrothing Joannina, 
 Belisarius's only daughter, to her grand- 
 son Anastasius. 
 
 Belisarius now asked to be restored 
 to his command, and to be nominated 
 general of the army of the East, in order 
 to conduct the war against Chosroes and 
 the Medes, but Antonina would not per- 
 mit this ; she declared that she had 
 been insulted by her husband in those 
 countries, and never wished to see them 
 again. 
 
 For this reason Belisarius was ap- 
 pointed Constable, 1 and was sent for a 
 second time into Italy, with the under- 
 standing, they say, with the Emperor, 
 that he should not ask for any money 
 to defray the cost of this war, but 
 should pay all its expenses out of his 
 own private purse. Everyone imagined 
 that Belisarius made these arrangements 
 with his wife and with the Emperor in 
 order that he might get away from 
 Byzantium, and, as soon as he was out- 
 side the city walls, straightway take up 
 
 ' Or " Count," Master of the royal stables. 
 
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39 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ti yevvalov Kal avSpl irpkirov, iiri T6 tj} 
 yvvaixl Kal tos? j3taaa/j,evoi<; <ppovr)crai. Avrb? 
 &e irdvTa ra ^vfiir&ffovra iv akoyiq ire- 
 we^roiTjfiivo';, opiccov re r&v 4>am'ft> Kal to?? 
 aWois iiriTt)heioi<! 6ficofio<rp,eva>v iv Xjjflj? re 
 •nroWfj Kal oKiywpia, yev6p,evo<;, efarero rf) 
 yi/vaiKi, KarcuTTas i/CTOirms ew avTrjv ipoa- 
 toKtjtttos, Kal ravra e^Kovra rjSt) yeyo- 
 vvlav err). 
 
 i. 'EireiSr) fievToi iv 'IraXiq. iyevero, ets 
 Tj/Mepav eKa<TT7)v cnr' ivavrla? avrm ra irpdy- 
 fiara i^mpei' i-irel ol Siapprf&rjv rh sk 6eov 
 iroXi/ua %v. Hp&Tov fiev ye, ra, rw arparrjym 
 tovt<p iv Tot? gv/ATrlTTTOvcriv iiri re ®evSd- 
 tov Kal OvLTTiyiv ftovkevo/xeva, tcalnep ovk 
 etrinijSelw? rot? Trpao-aofievoi? SoKovvra e^eiv, 
 e? i;vp,<p'opov eVe rod eVl ir\et<fTov eTeXevra 
 reXo*;' iv Se rip varepm, 861-av fiev airtfveyKev, 
 on Sf/ ra /ScXtioj fieftovXevrai' are Kal rotv 
 Kara, tov irokepLOV TovSe Trpayfidray yeyovax 
 euTreipo<;, aX\' iv rot? a7roj3aivovo~t kciko- 
 Tvxpvvri, ra TrdXXa e? afiovklas 86/crjcriv 
 avTtp anreKpLOr). Oinm<i apa, ovk avQpmirwv 
 fiovXais, aXXa rrj e« 6eov pawy irpyraveverai 
 ra avdpdmeta' b 8r} Tuyr\v etddaai KaXelv 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 39 
 
 arms and do some brave and manly 
 deed against his wife and his oppressors. 
 But he made light of all that had passed, 
 forgot the oaths which he had sworn to 
 Photius and his other intimates, and fol- 
 lowed his wife in a strange ecstasy of 
 passion for her, though she was already 
 sixty years of age. 
 
 When he arrived in Italy, things 
 went wrong with him daily, for he had 
 clearly incurred the enmity of heaven. 
 In his former campaign against Theo- 
 datus and Vitiges, the tactics which he 
 had adopted as general, though they 
 were not thought to be suitable to the 
 circumstances, yet, as a rule, turned out 
 prosperously : in this second campaign, 
 he gained the credit of having laid his 
 plans better, as was to be expected from 
 his greater experience in the art of war ; 
 but, as matters for the most part turned 
 out ill, people began to have a poor 
 opinion of him and his judgment. So 
 true it is that human affairs are guided, 
 not by men's counsel, but by the in- 
 fluence of heaven, which we commonly 
 
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40 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 avdpuyiroi' ovk elSore? otov 8r) eveica ravrij 
 irpoeicn ra ^vfi^aivovra, yirep avroiv ev8r)\a 
 ylverai. Tq> yap akoym Sokovvti elvai (f>i\el 
 to t»)s TV'xrji ovofia ■7rpoo"xwpeiv. 'AWa, 
 Tavra /xev, w? irq eicctorai (f>i\ov, Tamrj 
 hoKe'na). 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 40 
 
 call fortune, because we see how events 
 happen, but know not the cause which de- 
 termines them. Therefore, to that which 
 seems to come to pass without reason 
 is given the name of " chance." But 
 this is a subject upon which everyone 
 must form his own opinion. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
4i nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION E'. 
 
 a. Be\iadpto<s Be to Bevrepov iv 'IraXia 
 yevoflevos, aXa-^taTa ivdevBe atrrjXKa^e' Trfc 
 fiev yhp 7^? e? TrevTaere? eiriftrjvai owe 
 Xa^yaev, mairep fiot iv tois e/nrpoadev \oyots 
 ippr/ffr)' on fir) ivOdBe oxypcofia r)v' vavnX- 
 Xo'/iei/o? Be iravra tovtov tov ypovov, ra 
 iiri6aXdcr<7ia [irepvge£\. TwrlKas Be Xvacr&v 
 r)v ai/Tov efjco ret^ou? XajSeiv, ov fievToi edpev' 
 iirel oppcoolq iroWjj avros re ical ^v/j,ira<i 6 
 'Pmfiaiav ffxparos e'i^ero. Aib Br) ovre t&v 
 airokaiXoTcov n dveacoaaro, aXka ical 'Pw/vqv 
 •npotrairdiKeo-e, ical raXka &>? eltrelv airavra. 
 'EyeveTO Be <^CKoj(prifiaTO<s iv tovt<p T(p ")(p6v(p 
 Trdvrcov fiaKiara, ical K&pBow} alaxpov 4m- 
 fiekr)Tr)t; aKpifiecrTaTO*;, are ovBev etc fiacriX&oK 
 KeKOfiicrfievois, MYaXovs a/iekei cr^eBbv Travra?, 
 o'lirep wkovvto ivl 'PajSevvr)<i ical SuceXias, 
 ical ei rov aXkov KaraTV)(elv iv i^ovcrla ecr^ev, 
 ekijtaaTO, ovBevl icoaficp Xoyicrfioi"; BrjOev tuv 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 41 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 At the end of Belisarius's second ex- 
 pedition to Italy, he was obliged to retire 
 in disgrace ; for, as I have told already, 
 he was unable for a space of five years 
 to effect a landing on the continent, be- 
 cause he had no stronghold there, but 
 spent the whole time in hovering off the 
 coast. Totila was very eager to meet him 
 in the open field, but never found an oppor- 
 tunity, for both the Roman general and all 
 the army were afraid to fight. For this 
 reason he recovered nothing of all that 
 had been lost, but even lost Rome as 
 well, and pretty nearly everything else. 
 During this time he became exceedingly 
 avaricious and greedy for ignoble gain. 
 Because he had received no funds from 
 the Emperor, he plundered all the Italian 
 peoples of Ravenna and Sicily, and the 
 rest of Italy without mercy, by way of 
 exacting vengeance for irregularities in 
 their past lives. Thus he fell upon 
 
 6—2 
 
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4 2 
 
 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fieftuofievwv KaTairpaTTOfievoi. Ovrea yovv, Kal 
 'HpwBiavov fieria>v %ptf[iaTa yret, airavra ] 
 TtS dvOpdnrm eiravaaeicov. Oti Br/ iieeivos 
 a%66f/,evo<;, airerd^aro fiev T<p 'Pcofiaimv 
 arpaTm, avrbv Be evOix}, ijvv re tok eTTOfi&poi? 
 ical Tig [£wo\€Tto>], TwTika Kal TotBois 
 eveBa>Kev. 
 
 jS'. "Oirio<s Be avrm re Kal 'It&dvvr}, tu> 
 BiraXiavov aSe\<piB&, Bi^oaTarrjaai avveftr), 
 oirep t« 'Pa>fiala>v irpdyp,aTa fiaKurra eo-fprjXev, 
 avTL/ca SrjXmaa). \E? tovto wire)(9eui$ Tep- 
 ixavat 17 /8aert\ts rjkdev, iiriSrpioraTov re aircun 
 to 6%6o<s eiroiei, &are avT& K7)8eveiv, Kaiirep 
 /3a<7(X.£<u¥ dveyjriw ovti, eTokfia ovBek' avvfMpol 
 Te clvt$ ol iraiSet yeyova&i, p>ij(pK avTt) eftiov. 
 "H Te 6vyaTi)p aiiTm 'IovaTiva, iirl 6kt<o- 
 KalSexa eVij rifiijcratra, en dvv/jLevaio<s %v. 
 Aid too tovto, rjviica 'IcodvvT]?, 7rpos BeXiaa- 
 piov ara\et?, acpl/ceTo e's Bv^dvTinv, e? \670us 
 avT& KaTao~T7}vai 6 Tepfiavb'i, d/Mpl Trj KijBela 
 7)vdyicaaTa, Kal ravTa Xiav diro Trji afta? 
 Trj<; aiiTov ovti. 'Eirel Te to irpdyfia rjpeaicev 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 42 
 
 Herodianus, and asked him for money 
 with the most dreadful threats ; where- 
 upon he, in his rage, threw off his 
 allegiance to Rome and went over with 
 his troops to Totila and the Goths, 
 and handed over to them the town of 
 Spoletum. 
 
 I will now tell how Belisarius fell out 
 with John, the nephew of Vitalianus, a 
 matter which was exceedingly prejudicial 
 to the interests of Rome. The Empress 
 was so violently incensed against Ger- 
 manus, and showed her dislike of him 
 so plainly, that no one dared to connect 
 himself with him by marriage, although 
 he was the Emperor's nephew, and his 
 children remained unmarried as long as 
 she lived, while his daughter Justina 
 was also without a husband at the age 
 of eighteen. For this reason, when John 
 was sent by Belisarius on a mission to 
 Byzantium, Germanus was forced to 
 enter upon negotiations with him with 
 a view to marriage with his daughter, 
 although such an alliance was far be- 
 neath him. When both had settled the 
 
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43 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ci/j,(JHo, opfcoi? aWifikoiR eyvaurav SeivoTaroc? 
 KaraXa/3eiv, »? p-qv to Krj8o<s eirifeXeaeiv 
 Svvdfiet, t{) TTaay iireX avrolv e/caTepos to 
 dapaelv iirl daTepq* a>? r\Kio~Ta &"){&>' 6 pAv 
 t^j £vvei8evai, on 8r) t&v xiirep ttjv afjcav 
 opeyobTO, 6 8e KrjSecrTov aTropovfievo*;. 
 
 y. 'H Be, ovk e^ovaa Tt? yevrjrai, Bia 
 irdo , r}<; 68ov lovaa, e/caTepov fieTievai /Ar/yapr) 
 7rcio-j7 ovk dirq^lov, 07ra>? av to. irpaTTOfieva 
 /Mij-^avfj tt) trday 8ia/ca>\voi. 'Eirel Be axnolv 
 icaforep TroWa BeSi^afievrj avcnreiOeiv oiSeTe- 
 pov ecr^e, Siappj]Br]v diro\e?v tov 'Icodvwjv 
 ^TreiXrjae. Kai air' avrov, 'Ia>dvvr)$ av9t<s e? 
 'iTaKiav CTaXel?, ov8ap/i) l-v/i/ii^ai Be\io~apl(p 
 eToX/Arjo-e, ttjv ei; 'AvTcovlvrjs eTTi^ovkrjv Setcras, 
 as)? , AvTwviva e? Bv^dvTiov ?j\de. . Ttfv Te 
 yap /SautAiSa Tavrrj iirurretKat tov axiTOV 
 (povop, ovk airo tov euedros av rt? {nrcoirTevire' 
 km tov ' AvTa>vivr)<s o-Ta6fia>fiivq> Tpoirov ditavrd 
 Te BeXio-dpiov ivBiBovat, Ty ywaiici eVjora- 
 fievcp, Seo? eyivero fteya, teal tov \_'Ia>dvvr}v\ 
 iayei. 
 
 8 . Tovto yovv 'Poofiaiois to, irpdy- 
 fiara, ical irporepov eirl daTepov trxekovs 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 43 
 
 matter to their satisfaction, they bound 
 each other by the most solemn oaths to 
 use their best endeavours to bring about 
 this alliance ; for neither of them trusted 
 the other, as John knew that he was 
 seeking an alliance above his station, and 
 Germanus despaired of finding another 
 husband for his daughter. The Empress 
 was beside herself at this, and en- 
 deavoured to thwart them in every 
 possible way ; but as her threats had 
 no effect upon either, she openly threat- 
 ened to put John to death. After this, 
 John was ordered to return to Italy, 
 and, fearing Antonina's designs upon him, 
 held no further communication with Beli- 
 sarius until her departure for Byzantium ; 
 for he had good reason to suspect that 
 the Empress had sent instructions to 
 Antonina to have him murdered ; and 
 when he considered the character of An- 
 tonina and Belisarius's infatuation for his 
 wife, which made him yield to her in 
 everything, he was greatly alarmed. 
 
 From this time forth the power of 
 Rome, which had long been unstable, 
 
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44 riPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ecrT&Ta, irpoo-ovhl^ei %afiai. Bekurapup fiev 
 o3i> 6 roT0iKo<; TroXe/J.o'; rfjSe e^mp^aev. 
 'Airoyvovs §e, j3ao-iXk<D<: iBeiro, 6Va>s 01 i^fj 
 ivdevSe oti rd^KTra airaXXayrjvai. Kal 
 eirel evieypfievov BaaCkea ir\v Birjcnv eyva), 
 aafievos evdix; airUiov ai^ero, ^aipew iroKXa 
 to" re 'Pco/iaieov arparS Kal 'IraXoh (frpdaar 
 ical tcl fj,ev ifXelara inro^eiput roll 7ro\e/ii'ot? 
 dwoXnrcbv' Uepvaiav he ircKporara iroKiopKiq 
 irie^ofievTjv, tfwep, en avrov ohm I&vto?, /car' 
 aicpa<; dXovcra, e? irdcrav ica/cov Iheav ?iXdev } 
 rjirep fioi irporepov SeStrfyrjTai. 
 
 e'. '£vvT)ve'x07j he, Kal Kara ttjv olxiav, 
 TVffls ivavriafia ljv/j,ireaeu> roidvhe. &eoha>pa 
 y\ /Sao-tXt?, tjJ? BeXicraplov iratSo? e^epyd^eo-- 
 6ai ttjv eyyvrjV iireiyofiivt] tw Bvyarpthfi, 
 <TV)(ya ypdcfiouoa, toii? yeiva/ievov? rrjv Koprjv 
 r)vay)(ket,. 01 he to /cr}ho<; dvahvofievoi, diren- 
 Qevro (lev e? irapova'uw rr/v aferepav rbv 
 yd/nov' fj,6Tairefi7rofievTi<; he avrovs e? Bv^dv- 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 44 
 
 utterly fell to the ground for want of 
 capable support. Such were the fortunes 
 of Belisarius in the Gothic war. After 
 this, despairing of success, he begged the 
 Emperor to allow him to leave Italy 
 with all speed. When he heard that his 
 prayer had been granted, he joyfully re- 
 tired, bidding a long farewell to the 
 Roman army and the Italians. He left 
 the greater part of Italy in the enemy's 
 power and Perusia in the last agonies 
 of a terrible siege : while he was on his 
 road home, it was taken, and endured all 
 the miseries of a city taken by assault, 
 as I have already related. In addition 
 to his ill-success abroad, he also had to 
 submit to a domestic misfortune, which 
 came about as follows : — The Empress 
 Theodora was eager to bring about the 
 marriage of her grandson, Anastasius, 
 with Belisarius's daughter, and wearied her 
 parents with frequent letters on the sub- 
 ject ; but they, not being desirous of 
 contracting this alliance, put off the 
 marriage until they could appear in per- 
 son at Byzantium, and when the Em- 
 
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45 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 tiov tj)? /3a(ri\l8os, aZvvaroi etvat (vtraXKaa- 
 aecrOai, tclvvv e£ 'IraXta? iffK^irrovTO. H Se 
 yXi^o/Mevrj p,ev Kvpiov tov OuyarpiSovv tov 
 Be\io~aplov Karaa-Tijaeadat ttXovtov, rjSei yap 
 eiriicXTjpov eGOfievr/v tt]V iralBa, ovk ovtos 
 Bekiaap'up irepov tov yovov, eVl p,ivToi tt} 
 ' 'AvtcovLvtjs yvtofiy 9apo~elv ovBafirj i^ovtra' 
 Seipaivovcrd re, fir} fiera tt]v tov fiiov ica- 
 taaipo^yqv ov fyaveiaa iriaTi) e? tov a&Trj<; 
 oikov, Kaiirep airrj't ovtw <pi\avdpcoirov ev 
 Tots avay/caioTcirois rv^pvo-a, StaaTrdarjTM ra, 
 Sfvyicelfieva, epyd^erai dv6o~iov epyov. 
 
 s'. Tm yap fjLeipaKLco ttjv TraiBiaKrjv 
 fjwoiicl^ei, oiBevl vofim. $aa\ Se ws ical 
 trXrjaido-at ovti e/covatav r\vdyitaae KpvfiBrjv' 
 ovtco re BicnreTrapdevevfievr), tov v/ievaiov Trj 
 K °PV &o-Trjvai, tov /j-tj ftaaikea ra irpatt- 
 erofieva SiaKcoXvaai. Tov fievroi epyov iljeip- 
 yao-fievov, epcoTi aWtfXoiv Siairvptp rail, o 
 re ' ' Avao~Tao-io<} ical f) iraui e'i'XpvTo' ical 
 %povo<; a$Lo~iv ovy^ tfaraoov fj o/ctcd fiijvuv, ev 
 Tavrr) SiaiTjj irpl^rj. 'Hvlku Be 'AvTwviva 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 45 
 
 press sent for them, made the excuse 
 that they could not leave Italy. But she 
 persisted in her determination to make 
 her grandson master of Belisarius's for- 
 tune, for she knew that the girl would 
 be his heiress, as he had no other 
 children. She did not, however, trust 
 Antonina's character, and feared lest, 
 after her own death, Antonina might 
 prove unfaithful to her house, although 
 she had found her so helpful in emer- 
 gencies, and might break the compact. 
 These considerations prompted her to a 
 most abominable act. She made the boy 
 and girl live together without any 
 marriage ceremony, in violation of the 
 laws. It is said that the girl was un- 
 willing to cohabit with him, and that 
 the Empress had her secretly forced to 
 do so, that the marriage might be con- 
 summated by the dishonour of the bride, 
 and so the Emperor might not be able 
 to oppose it. After this had taken place, 
 Anastasius and the girl fell passionately 
 in love with each other, and lived to- 
 gether in this manner for eight months. 
 
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46 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 t?}? /3ao~i,\i8o<; a/iroyevo/ievr)? e? Bv^dvriov 
 ?l~K8ev, errekdOero p,ev e6e\ovo~ia wv iiceivi] 
 eWy^o? e? airrjv e'lpyaaro' «>? r\Kiara Se 
 vwoXoyicra/jbivr], to? r)V rat ereptp r) irais avrfj 
 ijvvoncl%oiTO, TreTropvevfievtj ra. irporepa earai, 
 tov QeoScopas enyovov KrfiearrjV arifid^ei, rijv 
 re 7rcuSa ax; [idXtara dxovaiav, fiiacrafievr], 
 dvBpbs rov ipwfievov drrearrjo-e. 
 
 %• Meyd\r)v re dyva>(ioo-vvr)$ eic rov 
 epyov rovrov drrr)veyKaro 861-av ere trdvrai 
 dvOpmirov^' rjicovrd re ovoevl rrbva dvaveWet 
 rov avhpa, rov ayous avrfj fieraXaxeiv rovSe' 
 ware SiapptjSrjv rr)vued8e 6 rov dvdpmirov rpo- 
 7T05 ekrjkeyicrai. Kairoi Siofioodfievo 1 } QonrLw 
 re Kal r£>v hnrrfielav rial rrpbrepov, ical ra 
 ofimfioafieva ovhaprj epnrehcoaas, avyyvm/J.rj's 
 irvyXave rrpbs iravrtav dvdpmircw. AXriov 
 yap rov drriarov rdv$pb<; ov rr)v yvvaiKOKpd- 
 reiav, dXKa rb etc tjj? 0aai\l8o<; vrrdmrevov 
 elvai. 'Errel Be &eo8d>pa<; d7royevofiivtj<s, wairep 
 fioi etprjrai,, ovre $arlov oiire fiXkov rov 
 rS)v o[ dvayaalwv \byos yeyivrjro' aXK' avrm 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 46 
 
 Immediately after the Empress's death, 
 Antonina came to Byzantium. She found 
 it easy to ignore the outrage which 
 Theodora had committed upon her, and, 
 without considering that, if she united 
 the girl to another, she would be no 
 better than a harlot, she drove away 
 Theodora's grandson with insults, and 
 forcibly separated her daughter from the 
 man whom she loved. 
 
 This action caused her to be regarded 
 as one of the most heartless women upon 
 earth, but nevertheless the mother ob- 
 tained, without any difficulty, Belisarius's 
 approval of her conduct, on his return 
 home. Thus did this man's true character 
 reveal itself. Although he had sworn a 
 solemn oath to Photius and to several 
 of his intimates and broken it, yet all 
 men readily forgave him, because they 
 suspected that the reason of his faith- 
 lessness was not the dominion of his wife 
 over him, but his fear of Theodora ; but 
 now that Theodora was dead, as I have 
 told you, he thought nothing about 
 Photius or any of his intimates, but en- 
 
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47 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Beairoiva fiev f) yvvrj ecfxtivero abaa' /cvpios 
 Be KaXXiyovos 6 irpoaytoyo? r)v' rore Br) 
 aTroyvovre? cwtov airavreg, ej(Xeva#>v re 
 BiaOpvXXovvre'i, koX are avoiav d(p\iaricdvovTt, 
 eXoiBopovvro. Ta fiev ofiv rjfiapTrjfiiva BeXt- 
 aapiw d-irapaKaXwrTa)? elirelv ravrrj irq ej(ei. 
 
 7)'. Th Be Hfepytq), rip Baw^ou iratBl, 
 em Aiftwfi r]fiaprrjfi.eva, BiapKws fiev iv 
 Xb'yots /J>oi tow iiriTr)8eiots BeBrjXcoTctL' os Br) 
 atTttoTaros yiyove 'PcofJ-aiois evravda Bia- 
 <p9aprjvai ra irpdyiAa/ra, r& re 71736? Aevdda<s 
 ai>Ta> irpb<s rwv evayyeXlmv dficofioo-fieva ev 
 aXoyla TreTroir)/j,epo<;' km tow oyBorjKovra 
 Trpea^eit oiBevl Xoyq Bia%pr)(rd/j,evo<;' rotrovrov 
 Be /iot, ravvv evriOevai ra> Xoyq Setfaei, eb? 
 oire vy BoXepiu oi avBpes oiitoi irapa Sepyiov 
 rjXOov, ovre ruva aKrytyiv 6 'Xepyio'i viroyfrlas 
 irepi avTovi ei%ev, dXXa SuofioTOs iirl Oolvqv 
 KaXeo-tn;, tow? avBpa? Bieytfrjo-aTO ovBevl 
 
 KOO-flW. 
 
 6'. 'A<p' ov Br} IloXoficovt, Kctl tw 'Pwfiaiwv 
 <rTparw, Kal Alfivat iraat, 8i,e<p0dp0ai ^vvefyr). 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 47 
 
 tirely submitted to the sway of his wife, 
 and her pander Calligonus. Then at last 
 all men ceased to believe in him, scorned 
 and flouted him, and railed at him for 
 an idiot. Such were the offences of Beli- 
 sarius, about which I have been obliged 
 to speak freely in this place. 
 
 In its proper place, I have said 
 enough about the shortcomings of Ser- 
 gius, the son of Bacchus, in Libya. I 
 have told how he was the chief cause 
 of the ruin of the Roman power in that 
 country, how he broke the oath which 
 he swore to the Levathae on the Gospels, 
 and how he, without excuse, put to 
 death the eighty ambassadors. I need 
 only add in this place, that these men 
 did not come to Sergius with any 
 treacherous intent, and that Sergius had 
 not the slightest reason for suspecting 
 them, but having invited them to a 
 banquet and taken an oath not to harm 
 them, he cruelly butchered them. 
 
 Solomon, the Roman army, and all 
 the Libyans were lost owing to this 
 crime ; for, in consequence of what he 
 
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48 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 AC avrbv yap, aXXw? re ual 2o\6/j.covo<; 
 TereXevTrj kotos, wairep fioi e'lprjTat, oUre Tts 
 apycov, ovre Tt? ffrpoTKBTij?, 69 iroXifiov 
 KivSvvov levai Tfeusv. Md\io~ra Se irdvTwv 
 'Iadvvrjs, 6 2!io-ivvt,6Xov, riy e? avrbv eyBei 
 diro/iaxps % v > &»s ' ApeofiivSos e? AifSw\v acjti- 
 K6TO. *Hi> yap 6 Hipyio<; fia\0aicbs p,ev ical 
 airoXe/jLO?' to Se rjdo<t ical ttjv rjXuciav tcofiiSfj 
 vea$, <j>86vip T£ Kai aka^oveia es virep^oKrfv 
 ej(pfievo<} e? TravTas avOpairovs, redpvfifievo? re 
 tt\v Siairav ical ra? yvdOovs <fivo~£>v. 'AW' 
 eirel t?J? 'AvTiavivr)?, tt)? BeTuo-aptov yvvaiicb<s, 
 eyyovqs ervyxave (ivi)o-Tr)p ytyovws, tUtw Tiva 
 es avrbv r) /3afft\i? el-eveyicelv rj irapaXveiv 
 Tr}<} &PXVS ovSa/ir) tfdeXe, icalirep e'vSeXe^cr- 
 rara Sia$0eipOfj,evr)v Aiftvrjv op&aa, eirel 
 ical SoXofiwva, rbv Sepyiov dSe\tpbv } rov 
 Ilyyaalov fyovov, avrr\ re ical fiao-ikevt;, 
 d8<Zov atprjieev. "O ri Se rovr eariv, airUa 
 SrjXmaa). 
 
 t . 'EireiSr) 6 Ilrjydo'io'; tov SoXo/icava 
 Trpos t&v Aeva0&v ottWiaaro, ical 01 /3dp/3apoi 
 inr' oXkov aveicoixlad'qaav, o fiev SoXo/mcov, 
 ffvv re Hrjyaalcp tc3 icovr/fieixa, ical arpa- 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 48 
 
 had done, especially after Solomon's 
 death, no officer or soldier would expose 
 himself to the dangers of war. John, the 
 son of Sisinniolus, was especially averse 
 to taking the field, out of the hatred 
 vyhich he bore to Sergius, until Areo- 
 bindus arrived in Libya. 
 
 Sergius was effeminate and unwarlike, 
 very young both in years and in mind, 
 excessively jealous and insolent to all 
 men, luxurious in his habits, and inflated 
 with pride. However, after he had be- 
 come the accepted husband of the niece 
 of Antonina, Belisarius's wife, the Empress 
 would not permit him to be punished in 
 any way or removed from his office, 
 although she saw distinctly that the state 
 of affairs in Libya threatened its utter 
 ruin; and she even induced the Emperor 
 to pardon Solomon, Sergius's brother, for 
 the murder of Pegasius. How this came 
 to pass I will now explain. 
 
 After Pegasius had ransomed Solomon 
 from captivity among the Levathae, and 
 the barbarians had returned home, Solo- 
 mon and Pegasius, who had ransomed 
 
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49 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rid>rai<: okiyois rialv, ei? Kap^r/Bova eare\- 
 Xero' iv Be rfj bBm ravrrj Xaftcbv o U^ao-jo? 
 o rt 8rj dBtKovvra 2o\6fJ.a>va •xprjvai ol 
 eqbao~Kev iv fJ>v>']/j,r) elvat, ws avrov evayypi; 
 Ik rmv iraiKefilav 6 #eo? pvaano. 'O Be 
 •Xakeirrjvat;, on Br) ol are Bopva\a>ra> wvetSice, 
 rbv Ilriydcnov ev9i>s etcretve" ravrd re autarpa 
 riZ avOpayirco direBmiiev. 'EireiBi] re 6 5o\o- 
 /jlccv es Bv^dvriov rj\6e, icaGapbv avrov /3a- 
 <Ti\.ei>s rod (povov errolei, are TrpoBorijv dve- 
 \6vra rr)<; 'Pwfiaitov ap%fj<:. Tpd/ifiard re 
 avrw iBlBov, rrjv inrep rovrcov dcabdXeiav 
 Trapeypfievo^. Kal 6 /xev %o\6/j,cov, ovrw rrjv 
 riatv Bia<pvymv, eirl r?)v eqjav aa/itvo<s (flfet), 
 rtfv re irarpiSa xal yevo<; rb Kara, rrjv ol/ciav 
 OTfrofievos. 'H Be dirb rov deov rio~v;, iv 
 ravry rfj 6SS nara\a[3ovo~a, ijj dvBpwirmv 
 avrov dfyavi^ei. Ta fiev oiv dfupX SoXo/icovl 
 re Kal TL^yan'm rfjSe i^coprjo'ev. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 49 
 
 him, set out, accompanied by a few sol- 
 diers, to Carthage. On the way Pegasius 
 reproached Solomon with the wrong he 
 had done, and bade him remember that 
 Heaven had only just rescued him from 
 the enemy. Solomon, enraged at being 
 taunted with his captivity, straightway 
 slew Pegasius, and thus requited him for 
 having ransomed him. But when Solo- 
 mon reached Byzantium, the Emperor 
 absolved him from the guilt of murder, 
 on the pretext that he had slain a traitor 
 to the Roman Empire, and gave him 
 letters of acquittal. Solomon, having 
 thus escaped all punishment for his 
 crime, departed gladly for the East, to 
 visit his own country and his family; but 
 the vengeance of God fell upon him on 
 the way, and removed him from amongst 
 mankind. This is what happened in 
 regard to Solomon and Pegasius. 
 
 7—2 
 
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50 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KEQAAAION S". 
 
 a'. O'Crives hi dvOpanrm 'IovcxTtvtavoi re 
 teal ©eoBcbpa r\o~Ti)v, rpoirm re otiji Sieawd- 
 aavro to. 'Pwfiaiwv Trpdyfiara, epmv ep^ofiai. 
 AeovTO<s iv Bv^avrliJ trfv avTotcpdropa apfflv 
 expvros, yempyol veaviai rpet?, 'iWvpiol 
 yevo<;, Zifiapj(o<i re ical Atrvfiio-Tos, ical 
 'IovcttIvo? 6 ex Beheptavr)<i, irpdy/jLacriv iv- 
 ZeKe)(k(7Tara Tot? dirb rrj<i Trevia? o'Uoi 
 paxpfievoi, tovtiov Te dTraXKageiovres, em 
 tuj aTpareueaBai wpfirjaav. Kal ire^rj @a8l- 
 &VTe<; e? Bv^dvrtov ijecrav, aicrvpas iwl t&v 
 &fi<ov avrol (jjipovre 1 ;, iv ah St)' aUo ovSiv 
 on /xr) Bnrvpovs apTov? o'luoOev ififiefihrj- 
 fievot, atyiicovTO' TayJ)ivTa<; re iv tor 
 arTpancoTUcols Kara~\ayoi,<; j8a<ri\ev? avrov? 
 69 tov iraXariov tt)V $vkaicr)v e7re!je\el-aro. 
 KaXKiaroi yap a-iravres ret adbfiaTa rjcrav. 
 
 /8'. Xpovoi Si varepov, ^AvaaTaaUf rr)v 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 50 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 I now come to the description of the 
 private life and character of Justinian 
 and Theodora, and of the manner in 
 which they rent the Roman Empire 
 asunder. 
 
 At the time when Leo occupied the 
 imperial throne, three young husband- 
 men, of Illyrian birth, named Zimarchus, 
 Ditybistus, and Justin of Bederiane, in 
 order to escape from their utter poverty 
 at home, determined to enlist in the 
 army. They made their way to Byzan- 
 tium on foot, with knapsacks of goat's-hair 
 on their shoulders, containing nothing 
 but a few biscuits which they had 
 brought from home. On their arrival 
 they were enrolled in the army, and 
 chosen by the Emperor amongst the 
 palace guards, being all three very hand- 
 some young men. 
 
 Afterwards, when Anastasius succeeded 
 
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5 i nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 jSaaikelav irapaXaftovri, 7ro'\e/to? wpos rb 
 'laavptov e8vo<; oirka eV avrbv dpa/ievovs 
 (ieaTe<TTT})' arparidv re \6yov d%£av in' av- 
 t<w? eirepstyev, fjcnrep 'Icodvvrj<s r/yelro, e-rri- 
 kXijctiv Kvpros. Ovtos 'Iwdvvrji; rov 'lova- 
 rlvov, duaprdBo? two? eveica, ev Beo-fiairr)pltg 
 KaOelp^ev' yfiepa re rfj erriovo-ri e'f avQpmtwv 
 avrbv d<j>avtelv e/ieWev, el firj ri<s p^era^ii 
 iirvyevofiivr) 6'ijris ovelpov i/ernkvaev. "E<f>r) 
 yap oi ev bvelpy 6 arparriybs, ivrv^eiv rwa 
 Trap,fieye07] re rb amfia, Kal raWa Kpeiaao) 
 rj avOpanrifi eiKa^eadai. Kal rbv p,ev oi 
 eincrKrii^raL fiedeivat rbv avBpa, ovirep ica- 
 deipgas eiceivr) rfj yfiepa ervyxjavev" avrbv he, 
 rov virvov e^avaardvra, ev akoylq rfjv rov 
 ovelpov o-yjriv irouqaaaQai. , Ein'Ka^ovar]ii Be 
 Kal eripa<; vvkto<; iSoicei fiev ev to oveipto 
 Kal av6i<i t&v Twyiov dicoveiv &vtrep tj/ajKoet 
 rb irporepov, emreXeq-ai Be ra iTrirerayp,eva 
 oiB' £>? @ej3ov\f}a8ai. Tplrov re oi eiriora- 
 aav rrjv rov ovelpov otjtiv a.TreiXrjo'ai p,h> ra 
 dvtJKeara, rjv p,r) ra iTrr)yye\p.eva rroioir), 
 eirenrelv re &>? avrov re rov avSpatirov Kal 
 t»)s ijuyyevelas ^pe'o? oi pueya 6pyio-0T)o-op,ivq 
 e? "Xpovov rbv oiturOev e'lrj. Tore fiev ovv 
 ovrtof 'Iovo-rlvtp rrepieivai l-wefti}. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 51 
 
 to the throne, war broke out with the 
 Isaurians who had rebelled against him. 
 He sent a considerable army against 
 them, under the command of John, 
 surnamed " The Hunchback." This 
 John arrested Justin for some offence 
 and imprisoned him, and on the follow- 
 ing day would have put him to death, 
 had not a vision which he beheld in 
 his sleep prevented him. He said that, 
 in his dream, a man of great stature, and 
 in every way more than human, bade 
 him release the man whom he had that 
 day cast into prison. When he awoke, 
 he made light of this vision ; and, 
 although he saw again the same vision 
 and heard the same words on the follow- 
 ing night, not even then would he obey 
 the command. But the vision appeared 
 for the third time, and threatened him 
 terribly if he did not do what he was 
 commanded, and warned him that he 
 would thereafter stand in great need of 
 this man and his family when his wrath 
 should fall upon him. Thus did Justin 
 escape death. 
 
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52 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 y. IIpolovTOS Be rov ypovov, e? fiiya 
 Svvd/iem ovtos 'Iot/o-TM>o? ij(aipr}crev. "Ap^pvra 
 yetp avTov 'Avacrrdo-ws Baaikeii? KaTeaTr]- 
 aaro t&v ev vaXaTtt^ <j)v\dKa>p. 'EiretB^ re 
 6 fiaatXevs il; avOpdtirmv r/tfidviaTo, avrb? 
 rfi tj)? dpXW Bvvdpei ttjv (Haaikelav TrapeXafSe, 
 Tvpfioyepeov ftev yeyovms rjBrj, dp.ddjjTO'i Be 
 ypa/ifiaTwv dirdvTtov, ical to Br} Xeybfievov 
 dvakfydfirjTOS <bv" ov yeyovbs iv 'PaifialoR 
 Trporepov tovto ye. ElOur/ievov Be ypdjjbjjLara 
 oUeia Tot? ftiftXlov; evnOevai rov ftacnXea, 
 ocra av iirayyeWovTOi avrov yivoiTo, airbs 
 jikvjoi oiire eirijyyeWev, oiire rots vpao~aop.e- 
 vois %vveirLo~Taa6ai olo? re r\v. 
 
 B'. ,N 0? Be nrapeBpevetv aiirm e\a%ev 
 dpyr\v rip tov KdXovfiivov Koiaio-ropoi;, Hpoic- 
 \o<s ovofia, avTos Br] avrovofim yvcofirj wnavra 
 eTrpaairev. "Oirwi Be fiapTVpiav rrjt fiaat- 
 \«os xeipbs expiei>, [ot?] eir'uceiTtu to epyov 
 tovto, eTrevorjdri TaBe. SuXt.j eipyacfievi^ 
 fipayel ep/Ko\d^avre<; fjLop<j>r]v Tiva ypafifiaTaw 
 TeTTapwv, S/rrep dvayv&vcu Trj AcltIvohv (ficovrj 
 Bvvarai, ypacfrlBa Te fiacfiji /3diJra,vTe<; 3 y fiatn- 
 Xe« ypd<f>ew euodaaiv, ive^eipi^ovTO T(j> jUa&ikel 
 Tourtf). Kal to £vXov, ovirep i/MvrjffOrjv, tw 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 52 
 
 As time went on, this Justin rose to 
 great power. The Emperor Anastasius 
 appointed him commander of the palace 
 guard, and when that prince died, he, 
 by the influence of his position, seized 
 the throne. He was by this time an 
 old man with one foot in the grave, so 
 utterly ignorant of letters, that one may 
 say that he did not know the alphabet 
 — a thing which had never happened be- 
 fore amongst the Romans. It had been 
 customary for the Emperor to sign the 
 decrees which were issued by him with 
 his own hand, whereas he neither made 
 decrees,- nor was capable of conducting 
 affairs ; but Proclus, who acted as his 
 quaestor and colleague, arranged every- 
 thing at his own pleasure. However, in 
 order that the Emperor's signature might 
 appear in public documents, his officers 
 invented the following device. They had 
 the shapes of four Latin letters cut in a 
 thin piece of wood, and then, having 
 dipped the pen in the imperial ink used 
 by the Emperors in writing, they put it 
 in the Emperor's hand, and laying the 
 
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53 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 f3i/3\t'q ivdifievoi, \a/36fievol re t»)? (3ao-i- 
 Xeco? %eipbs, -irepiryyov fiev %i)v rrj ypaipt&t 
 e? t&v Terrapav ypa/ifidTCOV tov tvttov, e? 
 7racras T6 ra? tov gv\ov aiirrjv irepieXi^avTei 
 h>TOfia<;, ovtco Srj airrffCKdaaovTo, roiavTa 
 {3ao~i\ea><; ypdfifiara <£epoz/re?. Ta fiev afMJn 
 to) 'Iovo-Tivty Tavrr] 'PcojJMiois elye. 
 
 e. Twaiicl Ze ovop,a AowririKivr) l-vva.- 
 Kei. Avrrj Se Sovki) re Kal fidpftapoi o$o~a, 
 tov irpoadev avrrjv ecovrjfievov TraXkaier) yeyove. 
 Kal avTr) fikv %vv 'IovaTivt^ em fitov 8vo~- 
 p.<u<} ttjv ftaaCkeiav eayev. 'Iovo-rivo? piv 
 ovv ovre Tt irovripbv tou? VTrrfKoovf epyd- 
 tpcrdab ovre dyadbv la^vev. ILvrjdeiq yap 
 iroXKfj el'^ero, ayXwTTos re TravTatraaw aw, Kal 
 dypoiKiXpfievos /idXiara. 
 
 *•'. 'A8e\<pi8ovs 8e avrm 'IowTiviavbs, 
 veo<s wv en, 8iq>iceiTo T-qv dpyfiv \-vfnrao~av, 
 Kal yeyove 'Pcofialois %vfi<pop5iv a'lnos, otai re 
 Kal ocra? es tov avavra ai&va obBefc ttov 
 trpoTepov aKofj ekajSev. "E<! Te yap dvdpdnrav 
 dSiKOV (povov, Kal %pr)p,dTC0V aTrayrjv dWorpudv,* 
 paara eywpei, Kal oiBev r)v avrai fivpLaSai 
 7ro\Xa? dvOpcoTTtov d$avio~6r\vai, fcalirep aiirS 
 aiTiav ovSe/Aiav Trapao-^pfievcDV. Kal <pv\do~- 
 aeiv fiev r&v KaOecrafiivav ovhev rj^loV 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 53 
 
 piece of wood on the paper to be signed, 
 they guided the Emperor's hand and pen 
 round the outline of the four letters, 
 making it follow all the convolutions cut 
 in the wood, and then retired with the 
 result as the Emperor's signature. This 
 was how the affairs of the Empire were 
 managed under Justin. His wife was 
 named Lupicina ; she was a slave and a 
 barbarian, whom he had bought for his 
 mistress, and at the close of his life she 
 ascended the throne with him. Justin 
 was not strong enough to do his subjects 
 either good or harm ; he was utterly 
 simple, a very poor speaker, and a com- 
 plete boor. Justinian was his sister's 
 son, who, when quite a young man, 
 practically governed the State, and 
 brought more woe upon the Romans 
 than anyone we have ever heard of 
 before. He was ever ready to commit un- 
 righteous murders and rob men of their 
 estates, and thought nothing of making 
 away with tens of thousands of men 
 who had given him no cause for doing 
 so. He had no respect for established 
 
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54 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 airavra Be veojQiovv e? del ijdeXe, ical, to 
 ^ifitrav elirelv, pAyi<jro<s Br) oi>to<; 8ia<fi0opei><i 
 r&v e5 KadecT&Tcov. Tbv fiev oiiv Xoi/wv, 
 oerwep fioi ev rots e/wrpocrOev Xoyots ipp^Orj, 
 Kalirep iiriancrjtyavTa eh ttjv yrjv ^vfiiraaav, 
 Bii<pvyov avOpcoiToi, ou% ijcraovs »y oaom 8ia(p0a- 
 prjvai Teriyp-jicev, rj ovBa/ir) ry voaip aXdvres, rj 
 [vyiatyftevoi,] eiretBr) afylaiv dX&vai l-weftr;. 
 'AvBpa Be tovtov Btacpuyeiv avOpanrq ye 
 ovti tcov irdvTcov 'Puf&altov ovSevl ^wtpeyBt], 
 dXX' &<nrep ti aXXo ef ovpavov irados, 
 o\ft> tw yevei i-rreiaiTecrbv, avhrafyov oi/Seva 
 7rav~eXS)<} eiaae. Tovq /j,ev yap etcrewev 
 ovBevl Xoyq' toi>s Be irevia [iaj(piie.vov<i d$eis, 
 d6\uoTepov<} rcov TeTeXevTrjKorcov elpyd^ero, 
 ev'xpfievov'i to, irapovra er<pl(Ti BiaXvarai Bawdry 
 
 OUCTUTTqi. TlV&V flkvTOl, ^W TOLf Xptf/jLaffl 
 
 KaL ra? ^rv^a? el\ev. 
 
 f . 'Eiret Be ovBiv r)v ainSt ykovrp KaraXv- 
 crat Ttjv Pm/iaiiov dp%r)v, Aiftvr)? re icai 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 54 
 
 institutions, but loved innovations in 
 everything, and was, in short, the 
 greatest destroyer of all the best of his 
 country's institutions. As for the plague, 
 of which I have made mention in the 
 former books of my history, although it 
 ravaged the whole earth, yet as many 
 men escaped it as perished by it, some 
 of them never taking the contagion, and 
 others recovering from it. But no human 
 being in all the Roman Empire could 
 escape from this man, for he was like 
 some second plague sent down from 
 heaven to prey upon the whole human 
 race, which left no man untouched. Some 
 he slew without cause, others he reduced 
 to a struggle with poverty, so that their 
 case was more piteous than that of the 
 dead, and they prayed daily to be relieved 
 from their misery even by the most cruel 
 death, while he robbed others of their 
 lives and their property at the same 
 time. 
 
 Not content with ruining the Roman 
 Empire, he carried out the conquest of 
 Italy and Africa, merely that he might 
 
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55 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 'JraXta? ovk aWov tov eveica irewoirjadat, 
 ttjv eTTiKpdrrjffiv iayyaev rj wore %i>v Tot? 
 irpoTepov i(j> avr& oval Ziokeaat, toik; ravrr/ 
 avdpmirovs. Ovireo yovv BeKarah'i et? ttjv 
 Zvvap.iv yeyovwi, 'AfidvTiov t&v ev 7ra\aTUf> 
 evvov%a)v apj(pVTa %vv irepoR thtIv if; air [at 
 ovSe/Atas eiereivev, abSKo ovSev t& dvBpoenriy 
 eireveyxav, TtXrjv ye Br) on 69 'Iwdvvrjv, tov 
 tj)? 7roA,6ft>? dp%iepia, \6yov riva irpoTrerr] 
 eiiroi. Kal air avrov <f>oj3epd)TaTo<; yeyovev 
 dvOpooTTCov diravrcov. 
 
 rj '. AvriKa Be Kal BiraXiavbv tov rvpav- 
 vov p,6TeTrip.yjraTO, &> Br) to, irio-ra irporepov 
 vitep T)j? da-<pa\eia<i Trapkoyero, ciaXaypv 
 avjw Kal r<av ev Xpia-Tiavois p.vo~Tr)pmv. 
 'OXiyq ts varepov, eg viro^ta? air a> izpoa- 
 KSKpovKOTa, \vv toIs eiriTr/BeloR ev 7ra\aTMj> 
 Xoyijg ovSevl Btexprjo-aTO, irio~Tei<; ovtco Seivo- 
 Taras einrehmaat, ovBafir) dljtd)o~a$. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 55 
 
 treat them in the same way, and destroy 
 the inhabitants, together with those who 
 were already his subjects. He had not 
 been in authority ten days before he put 
 to death Amantius, the chief of the palace 
 eunuchs, with several others. He had 
 no complaint whatever against the man 
 beyond that he had said something 
 offensive about John the archbishop of 
 the city. Owing to this, he became the 
 most dreaded of all men in the world. 
 
 Immediately afterwards he sent for 
 the usurper Vitalianus, to whom he had 
 given the most solemn pledges for his 
 safety, and had partaken of the Christian 
 sacrament with him. Shortly afterwards, 
 he conceived some suspicion of him, and 
 made away with him and his companions 
 in the palace, for no reason whatever, 
 thus showing that he scorned to ob- 
 serve even the most solemn oaths. 
 
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56 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION Z'. 
 
 a. Tov Se Srjfiov e/c iraXcuov e? fiolpa<s 
 Bvo Steo-TTjKOTOS, WCT7T6/) flOl h> tow ep,irpoo-0eu 
 
 Xo'yot? ipprj6r), fiiav auTos ttjv Bevirav 
 eTaipitrdfievoi, rj ol /cat to irporepov Kare- 
 o-irovSao-fiivr) iTvytfave, ^vyyeiv tc teal <rvv- 
 rapafjai airavra Xffyycre. Kal air' avTOv e? 
 yovv i\6etv 'PeifiafoK ttjv irokneiav trerroirfKev. 
 Ov% aTravres Se ol Biveroi evia-jreo-dai rfj 
 rovSe avSpbs yvcofir/ eyvmerav, dXK' otroi 
 a-raart&Tai ovre<s eTvy^avov. Kal clvtoI fiev- 
 toi, irpoiovTOf tfSr) tov Setvov, <rot(ppovio , TaToi 
 eSoljav elvat dvBpwtrmv dirdvTav. 'EvBeear- 
 repws ydp fj KaTCL ttjv e%ovalav rjfidpTavov. 
 Ov firjv ovBe TWf Upao~Lvwv ol oracrtwrat 
 fovXV e^evov' d"KKd Kal avTol eirpaff<rov del 
 to, h/KkrifiaTa, e? oaov o~<f>lo-i SvvaTa iyeyovei, 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 56 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 In the former part of my history I 
 have explained how the people had long 
 been divided into two factions. Justinian 
 associated himself with one of these, the 
 Blues, which had previously favoured 
 him, and was thus enabled to upset 
 everything and throw all into disorder. 
 Thereby the Roman constitution was 
 beaten to its knees. However, all the 
 Blues did not agree to follow his views, 
 but only those who were inclined to 
 revolutionary measures. Yet, as the evil 
 spread, these very men came to be re- 
 garded as the most moderate of mankind, 
 for they used their opportunities of doing 
 wrong less than they might have done. 
 Nor did the revolutionists of the Green 
 faction remain idle, but they also, as 
 far as they were able, continually perpe- 
 trated all kinds of excesses, although in- 
 
 8 
 
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57 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Kavrrep Kara /jlopcis 8vr)veice<; KoKa^o/ievoi. 
 "Oirep aiiTov<! e? to OpacrvveaBai iroXKm en 
 fiaWov e? del rjyev. 'ASiKovfievoi yap elmOa- 
 crw e? asirovoiav TpeireaOai dvOpcoiroi. 
 
 13'. Tore ovv, t<w Beverow; ainov piiri- 
 £ovto<; T£ Kal 8ca<f>avm ipeBl&vrov, cnraaa 
 kwt 3 aitpas f] 'Pcofiaccov ap^V eKivqffrj, &<nrep 
 aeiafiov r) KaraKKva/xov eirnreaovTO*;, fj irokems 
 eiedcrT7)5 Trpo? rSiv irdXe/xicov oKovot)?. Tldvra 
 yap ev airaai %vveTapdydr\, Kal ovBev v<$> 
 eavrov to Xonrbv efieivev' aW' o'i ts vofioi, 
 Kal 6 Trjs "TrtiKiTeias koct/aos, l-vyxyaewi em- 
 yevofievrj';, e? irdv tovvovtiov eya>pi\aav. Kal 
 •jrp&ra fiev tois aTao~id)Tai<; to, es ttjv KOfirjv 
 €? vemrepov -nva fieTej3e/3\r)TO rpoirov. 'Aire- 
 Keipovro yap axnrjv, ovBev ofioiws rots aX\oi,<t 
 'Pw/xalois. Tov ixev yap fivaTaKO? Kal rov 
 yeveiov ovSap,fj fjirrovTO' dXX' avTOis Kara- 
 KOfiav eirl nXeitnov, &<nrep qi Uepaai, es 
 del ij9e\ov. Tcov Be ev jfj KecpaXfj rpL^oov ra 
 e/J-irpoaBev &%pi es tou? KpoTa<f>ov<s dwoTe- 
 fiofievoi, ra otriaBev diroKpefiacrQai a<f>icnv eirl 
 fiaKporarov Xoyt^ oiiSevl e'iwv, &cnrep oi 
 Macro-ayerai. Aib Bfj Kal Ovvvikov to toiov- 
 tov elBo<; eicdkovv. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 57 
 
 dividuals of their number were continually 
 being punished. This only made them 
 bolder, for men, when they are treated 
 harshly, usually become desperate. 
 
 At this time Justinian, by openly en- 
 couraging and provoking the Blue faction, 
 shook the Roman Empire to its founda- 
 tion, like an earthquake or a flood, or 
 as though each city had been taken by 
 the enemy. Everything was everywhere 
 thrown into disorder ; nothing was left 
 alone. The laws and the whole fabric 
 of the State were altogether upset, and 
 became the very opposite of what they 
 had been. First of all, the revolutionists 
 altered the fashion of wearing the hair, 
 for they cut it short, in a manner quite 
 different to that of the rest of the Romans. 
 They never touched the moustache and 
 beard, but let them grow like the Persians : 
 but they shaved the hair off the front part 
 of their heads as far as the temples, and 
 let it hang down long and in disorder 
 behind, like the Massagetae. Wherefore 
 they called this the Hunnic fashion of 
 wearing the hair. 
 
 8—2 
 
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58 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 y'. "EireiTa Se ra es ra Ifidna einrdpvr 
 4>oi r)%lovv elvat, airavTe<i, KOfnrcoSeaTepav r) 
 Kcurh tt)v e/cda-Tov afjiav ivStSva/copevoi, ttjv 
 eaOrjTa. Kratrdfii yap avrol? ra roiavra eij 
 oil rrpocrrjKOVTmv iraprjv. Tov Se ^tTWj/o? to 
 afitftl Ttb xetjoe fiepov es tov Kapirbv fjvvrjei 
 o~<j)l<riv ev o-reva p,d\iaTa. Ta Se evOevSe ajipi 
 e? 3)[lov etedrepov es a<f>aTov n evpovs Sie- 
 k£j(vto -)(jpr)p,a. 'Oadici'} re fj %elp airois 
 osiono, dvaftocotnv ev Tois 6edrpoi<s re kcu 
 hriroSpop.ioi';, fy eyice7i£vop,evoi,s, flirep elmOei, 
 es v\jro<i avTOis tovto to fiepo<s aTej^vwi 
 jipero, aXer8rjo-iv irape^o/ievov Tois ai/ojfrots, 
 OTi Sfj clvtoIs ovTto koKov Te to awfia Kal 
 dSpbv etr) av, wore Seiv ye avTol<s tt/oos t&v 
 ToiovToav Ifxajiaiv KaXivTeaBai, ovk evvoovaiv 
 oti Sri avTols t<j! t?)s e<r8fJTo<: r/paia>/j,evw Te Kal 
 
 K6VCO TToWm CTt flfiWoV TO TOW 0"<B/MlTO? 
 
 et-iTrjkov Siehey)(8eir). Ai eVw/u'Ses Se Kal 
 dvafjvplSei}, Kal twv viroSr)p.dra>v Ta Tckeuna, 
 e's t&v Ovvvwv to Te ovo/xa Kal tov rpdirov 
 diretcmpiTO acpicriv. 
 
 S'. 'Eo-iSr)po<p6povv Se vvKTwp (lev Ta 
 irp&Ta e« tow efi<pavov<s airavTe? a^eSov ' ev Se 
 ye fi/iepq, %t<piSia irepl tov firjpbv Slarop-a biro 
 tS> iftariip aTroKpuTJrdfievor ^vviaTafievoi Te 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 58 
 
 In the next place they all chose to wear 
 richly - embroidered dresses, far finer than 
 became their several stations in life, but 
 they were able to pay for them out of their 
 illicit gains. The sleeves of their tunics 
 were made as tight as possible at the wrists, 
 but from thence to the shoulder were of 
 an astounding width, and whenever they 
 moved their hands, in applauding in the 
 theatre or the hippodrome, or encouraging 
 the competitors, this part of the tunic was 
 waved aloft, to convey to the ignorant 
 the impression that they were so beauti- 
 fully made and so strong that they were 
 obliged to wear such robes as these to 
 cover their muscles. They did not per- 
 ceive that the empty width of their sleeves 
 only made their bodies appear even more 
 stunted than they were. The cloaks, 
 drawers and shoes which they mostly 
 affected were called after the Huns, and 
 made in their fashion. 
 
 At first they almost all openly went 
 about armed at night, but by day hid 
 short two-edged swords upon their thighs 
 under their cloaks. They gathered to- 
 
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59 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Kara avfifioplas, e7reiBdv avcricord^oi, eXairo- 
 Bvtovv tovs iwiei/ce<TTepov<;, ev re oXp dyopa 
 Kav roi<s aTevmrols, atpaipoufievoi, roil? irapa- 
 TreTrrcoKora^ rd re ifiaTia fybva,? re Kal "irepova? 
 Xpvcras, Kal el n dXXo ev %epa\v e^oiev. 
 Tivas Be 7rpb<; TJj dpirayfj Kal terelveiv r)^lovv, 
 oVo? firjSevl ra tjvfwreaovTa trcpicriv dvayyelXa)- 
 aiv. Oh Br) asiravTe'i, Kal t£>v Beverav oi 
 fir) <TTa<nasrai fidXiara rj^Oovro. '.Eirel Be 
 ovBe avrol aTradus efievov, Kal air' avTov 
 ^oXwat? to Xonrbv £a>ra« re Kal irepovaK Kal 
 IfiarloK 7roWfi3 iXaaoSvas t) Kara rrjv dl-iav 
 e>? "rrXelo-TOi i%pa)VTO, 07rw? Si) p,r) rip <j>i\o- 
 KaXtp dirbXwvrai' Kal 'ovttco SeSv/coTo? rjXtov, 
 els ra? olKia<i dva^wpovvTes, eKpvTTTovro. 
 MrjKvvofievov Be tov kUkov, koI ovBe/iid's em- 
 a-rpo(j)f)<; e? row rjfiapvrjKOTa? vrpbs t^? tw 
 Br)jj,(p e^ecrrcoo"?/? dpyrfi yivofievr/s, eirl fieya to 
 t&v dvBpmv dpdaos es del rjpero. 'A/xapTia 
 yap, Trapprjo-las afjicoS f ela a, ev' a-rreipov 
 <f>vpeo~0ai ireipvKev' eTrel Kal KoXa^ofteva to. 
 eyKXi]p,aTa <f>iXel oi/K ii rb 7ravTeXe$ diroKoir- 
 TeaQai. $vcrei yap oi TrXelo~TOi e? to dfiap- 
 Taveiv evireT&s Tpeirovrai. Td fiev oiv r&v 
 Bevermv eobepeTO TtjBe. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 59 
 
 gether in gangs as soon as it became 
 dusk, and robbed respectable people in 
 the market-place and in the narrow lanes, 
 knocking men down and taking their 
 cloaks, belts, gold buckles, and anything 
 else that they had in their hands. Some 
 they murdered as well as robbed, that 
 they might not tell others what had 
 befallen them. These acts roused the 
 indignation of all men, even the least 
 disaffected members of the Blue faction ; 
 but as they began not to spare even these, 
 the greater part began to wear brazen 
 belts and buckles and much smaller cloaks 
 than became their station, lest their fine 
 clothes should be their death, and, before 
 the sun set, they went home and hid them- 
 selves. But the evil spread, and as the 
 authorities in charge of the people did 
 nothing to punish the criminals, these 
 men became very daring ; for crime, when 
 encouraged to manifest itself openly, 
 always increases enormously, seeing that 
 even when punished it cannot be entirely 
 suppressed. Indeed, most men are natur- 
 ally inclined to evil-doing. Such was the 
 behaviour of the Blues. 
 
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60 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 e'. T&v Be avTio-TaauoT&v oi fiev eh rtjv 
 eKeivwv aureickivov fioipav, hndvfilq tov ^vva- 
 fiaprdvovro<; Brjfiov Sovvai rrjv Blktjv' ol Be 
 (pvyj) ij(pfievoi, e? erepa<; riva<i ekdvdavov 
 j(wpa<;' troWol Be Kal avrov KaraXap,/3av6- 
 fievoi, Bie<f>9e(povTO Trpb? rSsv ivavrlmv r) 717309 
 ttjs apxfj? KoKatpfievoi. K.al aXKoi Be veavlai 
 iroWol e? ravTqv Br) rr/v eraipelav ijvv'eppeov, 
 ovSeirwTroTe irporepov irepl Tavra eaTrovSaKores, 
 aXXa Bvvdftews re Kal vftpea><i i^ovala evravBa 
 rjyfievoi. Oil yap eariv ovBev fiiaa/na inrb 
 dvQpwTtmv mvofiao-fievov, oirep oi% r)p.apTr\Qi\ 
 re iv rovrcp rm xpovw, Kal TipuopuR etcTO? 
 epeive. 
 
 ?'. IIp5>Tov fiev oiv, <r(f>&v roils avn- 
 <naaiwra<i Sii<p6etpov' irpo'iovTe 1 ; Be Kal tovs 
 ovBev TrpoaKeKpovKoras avTols 8ie<pdeipov. 
 IIoXKol Be Kal yprffiaaw avToix; avaireicravre';, 
 aireBeiKwov roil? v^erepovi eftdpov?, oicnrep 
 e/ceivoi Biexp&vro eiiOtis' ovo/ia fiev TLpaaivwv 
 avToii eireveyKovrei, ayva>Ta<; Be a<f>iat irav- 
 rairatriv ovra*}. Kal Tavra ovk iv (tkoto) 
 f)Br) r) iv Trapafiva-Ta iyevero, a\\' iv airaai 
 fiev rrj<! rjfiepa? Kaipols' ev eK&GTtn Be t»)? 
 7ro\e<»? X^PV dvBpdffi tois XoyificoTdroK 
 t&v ttpaaaofikvwv, av ovreo Tvypi, iv 6<p0aX- 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 60 
 
 As for the opposite faction, some of 
 them joined the bands of their opponents, 
 hoping thus to be able to avenge them- 
 selves upon the party which had ill-used 
 them ; some fled secretly to other lands, 
 while many were caught on the spot and 
 killed by their adversaries, or by order of 
 the government. A number of young men 
 also joined this party without having pre- 
 viously taken any interest in such matters, 
 being attracted by the power and the 
 licence which it gave them to do evil. 
 Indeed, there was no sort of villany 
 known amongst men which was not 
 committed at this time unpunished. 
 
 In the beginning men put away their 
 own opponents, but, as time went on, they 
 murdered men who had done them no 
 hurt. Many bribed the Blues to kill their 
 personal enemies, whom they straightway 
 slew, and declared that they were Greens, 
 though they might never have seen them 
 before. And these things were not done 
 in the dark or by stealth, but at all hours 
 of the day and in every part of the city, 
 before the eyes, as it might be, of the 
 
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6 1 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fiois ovtcov. OvSev yap eirucaXvirieiv eheovro 
 Ta iyicXtf/iaTa, eirei toi avrol<s ovk hreicuTO 
 KoXdcretos Seo?" aXka Tt? irpoarjv ical <f>ikoTi- 
 fiias afwofft?, la-'yvoi re ical dvSpeta? efiiroiov- 
 /j.evoi'i eirlSeigiv, otl Srj ir\r)yf) /.ua tmv riva 
 irapaireirTWKOTtov yvfivbv eKTeivov. 
 
 £'. 'EXirk T6 oiiSevl rov en fiiwcrecrBai 
 ev ra rrjs Sialrir; o~<f>a\epw efieve. UaWe? 
 yap eyicelcrOai <r<j>io~i tov Bdvarov rq> irepiSeei? 
 elvai virdnrrevov' ical oiBe toVo? tj? <r)(vpb<; ) 
 ovSe tempos e^kyyvos tivi es ttjv aarr\plav 
 eSo^ev elvai, eirei icdv rols tusv iepwv n/iuoTa- 
 rot?, kov rats iravrjyvpecn, A07M oiiSevl Bie(j>- 
 BeipovTO. IIlan<s Te ovSe/ila irpos re twv 
 <$l\<av ical t&v ^U77ei/wj' ere ekekeiirro. 
 IIo\koi yap nal ry t&v ol/ceioTdreov eirifiovhfj 
 e&vi)(rKov. Zr\Ti\cn% fiivTOt, oiihe/xla t&v ire- 
 irpayfievmv eylvero, aXka, to. irdOrj dirpoo-86icr}Ta 
 iracnv eiriirre, ical to?? ireirnoicocnv ovSeh 
 tf/AVve. No/juov Be tivo<{ r\ avpfioXaiov Bvva/ik 
 Tt? eV rm /3e/8ai^> tjj? Taffew? ov/eeri eXekeiWTO, 
 dXX' inl to fiiaioTepov diravTa TeTpa/a/Meva 
 ^vpeTapdy^dr}' TvpavvlBi Te fy iroXiTeia e/i<f>epri<; 
 fidXurra, ov KaOeaTCoarj fievTOi ye, aXka lead' 
 etcdcrTrjv Te dfielfio/ievr) ical del apxp/Aevy. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 6l 
 
 chief men of the State ; for they no longer 
 needed to conceal their crimes, because 
 they had no fear of punishment; but to 
 kill an unarmed passer-by with one blow 
 was a sort of claim to public esteem, and 
 a means of proving one's strength and 
 courage. 
 
 Life became so uncertain that people 
 lost all expectation of security, for every- 
 one continually had death before his eyes, 
 and no place or time seemed to offer any 
 hope of safety, seeing that men were slain 
 indiscriminately in the holiest churches, 
 and even during divine service. No one 
 could trust friends or relations, for many 
 were slain at the instance of their nearest 
 of kin. No inquiry took place into such 
 occurrences, but these blows fell unex- 
 pectedly upon everyone, and no one helped 
 the fallen. Laws and contracts, which 
 were considered confirmed, had no longer 
 any force ; everything was thrown into 
 confusion and settled by violence. The 
 government resembled a despotism, not 
 a securely established one, but one which 
 was changed almost daily, and was ever 
 
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62 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Twv re dpyovrwv ai yv&pai Sairep i/CTreir- 
 Xijyfievan ea>Keaav, evb<s dvBpb<} <f>6/3t>) BeSovXa- 
 fievai to (ppovrjfta, o'i re BtKa^ovre<i Tas i/Trep 
 r&v dvn\eyop,evtov nroiovfievoi yvcofia? ra? 
 yjrrj<]>ovs eBlBoaav, ov% ytrep avrols e&oxei 
 SiKaid re Kal vofii/ia elvai, dX)C matrep rSiv 
 Sta<j>6po/Meveov e/caarft) rd ex rmv arao-ucrmv 
 Bvafievr) re Kal <f>l\a irvy^avev ovra. AiKacrry 
 [yap] wktywprjKOTi tj}? eiceivmv rrpoppr]aewi 
 6dvaro<; i) fyjfiia e/ce/cpiro. Kal 7ro\\ol p,ev 
 Baveiaral rd ypa/i/iareia tok dxpXrjKoai %i)v 
 ftia TroXkfi ovBev rov 6<j>\r)fiaro<; KeKop,io-p,evoi 
 direBovro, rtoWol Be ovn eKovctoi e\ev9epov<; 
 Toil's olKera<s cupy/cav. 
 
 if. $aal Be Kal yvvaiicds rtva<s iroWd 
 &v ovk kfioiikovro tow avr&v 8ou\oi? dvay- 
 Kaa6r\vai. "HBr) Be Kal TratSe? ovk dtpavwv 
 dvBpwv, toutoj? Br) Tot? veavlaK dvafii- 
 yQkvjes, robs irarepas rjvdyKa'Qov dXXa re 
 iroXKd ovrt, eOeXovo-Lows rroielv, Kal rd %ptf- 
 fiara a<piert irpoteaOai. HoWol Be Kal cucov- 
 aioi 7raiSes Tot? orao-ia>rai<> e? KolrrjV dvoalav 
 ovk dyvoovvrcov r)vayKa<r6r)arav r£>v rrarepav 
 i\6elv. Kal yweufjl fievrot, dvBpdai ^vvoi- 
 Kovaais, ravrbv rovro f-vvedr) rrafielv. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 62 
 
 beginning afresh. The minds of the 
 chief magistrates seemed stricken with 
 consternation, and their spirits cowed by 
 fear of one single man. The judges gave 
 sentence on disputed points not according 
 to what they thought to be lawful and 
 right, but according as each of the litigants 
 was a friend or an enemy of the ruling 
 faction ; for any judge who disregarded 
 their instructions was punished with death. 
 Many creditors also were compelled by 
 main force to restore their bills to their 
 debtors without having received anything 
 of what was owing them, and many, 
 against their will, had to bestow freedom 
 upon their slaves. 
 
 It is said that some ladies were 
 forced to submit to the embraces of 
 their own slaves ; and the sons of leading 
 men who had been mixed up with these 
 youths, forced their fathers to hand over 
 their property to them, and to do many 
 other things against their will. Many 
 boys, with their fathers' knowledge, were 
 forced to undergo dishonour at the hands 
 of the Blues, and women living with 
 
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63 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 & '. Kal XeyeTai yvvrj fir] Koa/wv irepi- 
 j3ef3Xr]/j.evr] ttoXvv, nrXelv fihi avv rS dvBpl enl 
 to irpodareiov, to ev rfj avTiiripa's rfirelpy- 
 hnvypvrwv Be crtplatv ev rm BtaTrXtp tovtw 
 t&v CTCuritoT&v, Kal rod fiev avSpb^ avrrpi 
 %iiv aireikfi dtpatpov/ievaiv, 69 Be axarov Tr]v 
 oUeiav efi^i^aaavrmv' eareXdelv fiev 69 ttjv 
 aicarov j;vv 7*049 veavlais' eyKeXevaafievqv t£ 
 dvBpl XdOpa aXXa bapcrtiv re, Kal firjBev eV 
 axnfj BeBievai (pavXov ' " oil yap roi gvfifiij- 
 aeadaii, e? to coii/ia airf) v/3pio~6r}vtu' " eVt 
 Be tov dvBpb<s %iiv irevOel fieyaXw es airrjv 
 ySXeVoi'To?, es re ttjv ddXaao-av KaOeivai to 
 am/ia, Kal avriica fidXa ef dvOpwntmi dfyavia- 
 Orjvai. Toiavra fiev rjv, to, tovtoi? Br) Tore 
 rofc aTao-uoTai*; ev BvfavTico TeToXfirjfieva. 
 
 i. T T3.o-o~ov Be Tavra tovs irapaireirTm- 
 KOTas rjvia, rj to, 7Tjo6s 'IovaTtviavov e? ttjv 
 iroXneiav dfiapTTjdhiTa' iirel rot? vrapa t&v 
 KUKovpyoiivTcov iretrovQoo'i, to, ^aXeirtoTaTa, 
 fiepoi d<paipHTai to irXelo'TOv t?}s StOTa^ew? 
 ififSdaT}'} dvia<;, to TrpoaBoKav del ttjv irpb? 
 t&v vofitov tb Kal Trj<s dp^rfi Tiaiv. 'Ev yap 
 tS> 7Tjoo? to. fiiWovra eveXiriSes elvai pabv 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 63 
 
 their own husbands were forced to submit 
 to the like treatment. 
 
 We are told that a woman, who was 
 not over-well dressed, was sailing with 
 her husband in a boat towards the 
 suburb across the strait ; they met on their 
 way some men of this faction, who took 
 her away from her husband with threats, 
 and placed her in their own boat. When 
 she entered the boat together with these 
 young men, she secretly told her husband 
 to take courage, and not to fear any evil 
 for her. "Never," said she, "will I per- 
 mit myself to be outraged ; " and while 
 her husband was gazing on her with the 
 greatest sorrow, she sprang into the sea, 
 and was never seen again. Such were 
 the outrages which the people of this 
 faction dared to commit in Byzantium. 
 
 Yet all this did not so much gall the 
 victims as Justinian's offences against the 
 State ; for those who suffer most cruelly 
 from evil-doers are in great part consoled 
 by the expectation that the law and the 
 authorities will avenge them. If they have 
 any hope for the future, men bear their 
 
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64 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 re teal dirovcoTepov ra irapovra o~<f>l<ri tjtepov- 
 aiv &p9pa)Troi' /3ia%6fievoi, Se irpb<s t?}? ttj 
 "jroKireia i<peaTa>o~7)i; dp%fj<i, rots re i-v/ine- 
 aovtriv eVt p,8Xkov, «£>? to elicbs, irepiaXr/ova-t, 
 Kal i<s rqv aTroyvaxnv rm avpoa'SoarjTiii t?}? 
 n/impla? e? del rpeirovrai. 'Hjidprave Se, 
 oi>x on fiovov irpo<nroiel<jdai Toil's Ka/covfie- 
 vov<i rfKKrra tfdekev, o\\' on •jrpo<TTdr , q<i twv 
 araauormv e'« tov ifi^avov 1 ; KadiaraaOai 
 ovSa/jLrj dirrj^lov' 'xpq/iard re fieydXa roi<s 
 veaviait tovtois vpotero, Kal ttoWov? piv 
 d/ui(f> avTov el^e' Ttms Se avrwv es Te ra<i 
 dp%a<} Kal ra aXKa d^icofiara Kakeiv iSucalov. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 64 
 
 present sufferings with a much lighter 
 heart ; but when they are outraged by 
 the established government, they are 
 naturally much more hurt by the evil 
 which befalls them, and the improbability 
 of redress drives them to despair. Jus- 
 tinian's fault was, not only that he 
 turned a deaf ear to the complaints of 
 the injured, but did not even disdain 
 to behave himself as the avowed chief of 
 this party ; that he gave great sums of 
 money to these youths, and kept many 
 of them in his own retinue ; that he even 
 went so far as to appoint some of them 
 to governments and other official posts. 
 
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65 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION H'. 
 
 a. Tavra fj.lv ovv ev re Bv%avTiq> 
 iirpaTTero, ical iroKei, e/cdaTr/t "flairep yap 
 aWo rt v6ar}/j,a, kvOivSe dp^dfievov to Kaicbv 
 TravTCf)(pv iirecriCTjyfre rrj<! 'Pcofiatmv d/3^?. 
 BcuriXei Se tS>v ■Kpaa-aop.evav rj/atrra epeXev, 
 eirel ovSe Tt? aurBrjais to> dvOpdaira iyevero, 
 Kaiirep avTO |Vtj?] tcov Spafiivmv ev rots 
 'nnrohpo plot's del <yivofieva>. 'HXidcos re yap 
 inrepcpv&s rjv, ical vcodel oi>(p e/i^e/3?}? fidXio-ra, 
 /oil olo? tS tov xaXtvov eXicovTi hreadai, 
 ovyya ol aetofievmv t&v &twv. 'IovcrTiviav6<i 
 ravrd re eirpaacre, ical gv/j/iravra raXka 
 eicvica. 
 
 /3'. "Oairep iiretSr] TayiaTa eireXd^eTo 
 rrj<! tov deiov «/>%»}?, %prf[iaTa, fiev Ta Srj/jLOffia 
 eidii'} Kavravakovv «6oyt&> ovSevl ev aTrov&j) 
 el'xev, are air&v icvpio? yeyovd><;. Ovvvav 
 yap tok del TrpoaTvy^dvovai •RkeuTTa iwl 
 rfj "iroXiTeia irpotero' eg ov Brj e<p68oi<} diro- 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 65 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 These excesses took place not only 
 in Byzantium, but in every city of the 
 Empire : for these disorders were like 
 bodily diseases, and spread from thence 
 over the whole Roman Empire. But the 
 Emperor cared not at all for what was 
 going on, although he daily beheld what 
 took place in the hippodrome, for he 
 was exceedingly stupid, very much like 
 a dull-witted ass, which follows whoever, 
 holds its bridle, shaking its ears the 
 while. This behaviour on the part of 
 Justinian ruined everything. 
 
 As soon as he found himself the head 
 of his uncle's empire, he at once did 
 his utmost to squander the public treasure 
 over which he now had control. For he 
 lavished wealth extravagantly upon the 
 Huns who from time to time came across 
 him ; and, ever afterwards, the Roman 
 
 9—2 
 
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66 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 icela-dat, avxycfo i;vve@at,ve 'Paifialav ttjv yi)v. 
 'Airoyevadfievoi yap ol fidpfiapoi oibroi 'Pa>- 
 fialov ifKovrov, [LeOLea-Qcu ovKkri Tjvevxpvro 
 tj}? evravOa fepovar)? 680O. UoXka Se 
 pittreiv ical e? daXarriovi olieoSofila? riva? 
 r)^iov, /3ia%ofievos to twv kv/j,o.toiv e? del 
 poOiov. 'Ek yap tt}<} r/iovos Tats r&v \ldu>v 
 eViySoXats enlnrpoaQev 'iei <j)ikoveiic5)<i rat's Ik 
 tov irovrov iirippoatf, Kal KaBditep eijovcrlq 
 
 liKoVTOV, 7T/309 TT/V Tj}? BaXaTTT}? OVTKplkoTl- 
 
 fiovfievos Bvvafjbip. 
 
 y. Td<s re r&v 'Peo/jMiav t'Sta? i/cdarav 
 overlap &k Trdo-r}? yf}<: e? avrbv rjyeipe' tok 
 fiev ti 8r) eyKKrjjxa ov% dfiaprrjOev km- 
 Kakkcra'i' r&v Se Kal rr)v yvm/MrjV, are avrbv 
 8e8cDpr}fievcoi>, reparevvdpevos. II0W0I Se 
 (povoov re Kal aXKcov iyKXrj/idrav roiovrav 
 akovres, elra ifyard/ievot, avr& rmv irdvrwv 
 'Xprjp.drav, $ii<f>vyov 5>v r)/j,aprov fir) Bovvai 
 ttjv SUrjv' erepot, Se yapla>v, ov Seov, tok 
 ireXas rtvoav, av ovrrn Tirxpi, dfi^KT^TjTovvrei, 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 66 
 
 provinces were subjected to constant in- 
 cursions ; for these barbarians, having 
 once tasted our wealth, could not tear 
 themselves away from the road which 
 led to it. Justinian also threw away 
 great sums upon the construction of 
 large moles, as if he thought to restrain 
 the force of the never-resting waves. 
 He ran out stone breakwaters from the 
 beach far into the water to divert the 
 currents of the ocean, and, as it were, 
 to match his wealth against the power 
 of the sea. 
 
 As for the private fortunes of individual 
 Romans, he confiscated them for his own 
 use in all parts of the empire, either by 
 accusing their possessors of some crime 
 of which they were innocent, or by 
 distorting their words into a free gift 
 of their property to him. Many were 
 convicted on these charges of murder 
 and other crimes, and in order to escape 
 paying the penalty for them, gave him all 
 that they had. Some who were engaged 
 in making frivolous claims to land be- 
 longing to their neighbours, when they 
 
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67 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 eirel KaTaZianri<Tao-6ai t&v dvTiBiKwv ovBapir) 
 elxpv tov vofiov <r$t<Tiv avnaraTOVVTo<s' ol 
 Be tovtois Br) rots dvrikeyofievoi'} avTov 
 BoopTja-d/jfEVot, diTTJWda aovro' airrol fiev jfapuri 
 d^/Mup KepSdvavre? to <yva>pifioi yeyovevai 
 t& dvSpl tovto)' rpotrio Be irapavoficcndTai 
 KaraBiKaaaaOat r&v dvTiSUiov layyaavref. 
 
 B\ Ovk oltto Be Katpov r/yovfiat, elvat, 
 Kal to elBoi tovtov Br) tov dvOpdrnov arjiirjvai. 
 To /j,ev ovv acb/aa, ovre p.aicpb$, oiire ko\oj36$ 
 dyav, dWd fj,erpio<s rjv' ov fievTOi uTjgibs, 
 dXka Kara ^pa^ii evo-apKOi, ttjv Be Br) ityiv 
 o-Tpoyyu\o<; te, Kal ovk ajiopcpos' enrvppia 
 yap, Kal Bvotv r/fiepaiv aTrocrtTO? &v. "Otto? 
 Be airav avrov to eZSos avXkrj^Br]v ari/vqvio, 
 AofieTiava, rm Oveo-iraaiavov iraiSl, eK tov 
 iirl irkelcrTov ififapio-repos r)v' ovirep 'Pa>- 
 fialoi tjj? KaKOTpoirla<; e's ToaovBe aTrcbvavTo, 
 &oTe oxiBe, Kpeovpyrjo-avTes oKov, eKkvaai tvjv 
 e? clvtov bpyr)v eyvcoaav' dXKa Boyfia eyeyovei 
 tt)<s avyK\i]TOv fiovkr)?, /i,r)8e ovofia tov $a- 
 crtXea)? tovtov iv ypdfipbacnv elvai, p,r)B' 
 eiKOva rjVTivaovv avTov Siaccb^eaOcu. To re 
 yovv ovofia tovto, iravTaypae eiti tS>v t»)s 
 'PcbfjuT]? ypa/j,/j,aTajv, Kal el irov aWy tovto 
 yeypd<pOac ^vvefir) eKKeKoXafifievov, ISelv jtie- 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 67 
 
 found that they had no chance of win- 
 ning their cause, as the law was against 
 them, would make him a present of the 
 land in dispute, and so get out of the 
 difficulty. Thus they gained his favour 
 by a gift that cost them nothing, and 
 got the better of their adversaries by 
 the most illegal means. 
 
 It will not be out of place, I think, to 
 describe his personal appearance. He 
 was neither tall nor too short, but of a 
 medium height, not thin, but inclined to 
 be fat. His face was round and not ill- 
 favoured, and showed colour, even after a 
 two days' fast. In a word, he greatly 
 resembled Domitian, Vespasian's son, 
 more than anybody else. This was the 
 Emperor whom the Romans detested so 
 much that they could not slake their hatred 
 for him, even when they had torn him to 
 pieces, but a decree of the Senate was 
 passed to remove his name from all docu- 
 ments, and that all statues of him should 
 be destroyed; wherefore his name has 
 been erased from every inscription at 
 Rome and everywhere else, except where 
 
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68 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ra^i) t&v dWcov ttdpeaTi fiovov' nai ti? 
 a\)Tu> eiKmv ovBafirj <paiverai oScra tjJs 'Pw- 
 /xauov apxfy) ort, fir) ^aXtfj) fila ef atV/'a? 
 TotaffSe. 
 
 e'. *Hi» t<# Ao/jLenavu) yvvf) iXevdepios, 
 Kal a\Xa>? Koafiia' Kal ovSe a\)Ti\ kclkov tl 
 ovBiva elpydcraro trdmoTe t&v irdvrav dvdpm- 
 ttwv ovBe n<s airrj twv tov oi/Spo? irpdl-etav 
 rjpeaite. Aioirep aiirrjv ayav dyairafievrjv 17 
 Bov\r) totb fieTaire/j,^a/j,evr}, alrelcrBat, 6 ti 
 dv airy fiovXofiivrj el'97, eicekevev. 'H Be 
 tovto fiovov iKereve, to T6 Aofienavov oStfia 
 \a/3ov<7a Bdyfrai, Kal fiiav airy dvaOelvat, 
 eiKova xakicfjv, oiroi dv idiKoi. Kal r\ fiev 
 /3ov\t) ^vve)(cbpet ravra' fj Be yvvrj, tjjs 
 dirav8 pair las t&v tov dvBpa KpeovpyrjffdvTwv 
 diraXeh^ai ftovkofievr) fivr)p,ela tu> oiriaBev 
 Xpovm, vvevoei TaBe. Td Aofieriavov avK- 
 Xe^a/jLevr] Kpea, %vvdeio~d Te aiirk e? to 
 d/tpt/Se?, Kal ivapfioaafievrj es aKkrjha, «wr- 
 eppaijre /J,ev to a&fia 6\ov' to?? Be Tr\do~Tai$ 
 ivBei^afiivrj iv sIkovi ^oCKKy to <jrddo<s diro- 
 p,ifiela0ai tovto eKeXevev. 01 fiev ovv Teyyl- 
 Tai ttjv elxova ebdixs eTtolovv. Aafiovaa Be 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 68 
 
 it occurs in a list together with other 
 emperors, and no statue of him is to be 
 found in the Roman Empire, save one 
 only, the history of which is as follows : 
 Domitian had married a lady of noble 
 birth and admirable conduct, who never 
 harmed anyone, and always disapproved 
 of her husband's evil deeds. As she was 
 so much beloved, the Senate sent for her, 
 after the death of Domitian, and bade her 
 ask whatever favour she pleased. All that 
 she asked was to receive Domitian's body 
 for burial, and permission to erect a 
 bronze statue to him in whatever place 
 she might choose. The Senate consented, 
 and Domitian's wife, not wishing to leave 
 to posterity a memorial of the brutality 
 of those who had butchered her husband, 
 adopted the following plan. She collected 
 the pieces of his body, pieced them accu- 
 rately together, joined them properly, and 
 sewed the body together again. She then 
 sent for the statuaries, and bade them 
 reproduce this pitiable object in a brazen 
 statue. The workmen straightway made 
 the statue, and his wife, having received 
 
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69 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 r) <yvvrj e&Trjarev iirl t^? ek to KcnriTcoXbov 
 (f>epovo*ri$ avoBov, ev Be£ia eic t»J? ayopiis 
 evTavOa lovri, etSo? re to Aofieriavov Kal 
 to 7ra#o? Brfkovaav, e? ToBe tov ypovov. 
 EUdaeiev av tk to tc aWo 'IovaTiviavov 
 aaifia, Kal rrjv oifnv a&Trjv, Kal to, tov 
 Trpoo-wTrov airavTa rjdrj, ev TavTQ t») bIkovi 
 8ut<f>av&<; elvai. 
 
 ?•'. To fiev oftv elBo^ toiouto? ti? r\v' 
 tov Be Tponov es fiev to d«/3i/3e9 ovk av 
 <f>pdo-at,p.i. *Hv 'yap oiitos avrjp Kaicovpy<s6 
 Te Kal evTrapdywyos, bv Br, [icopoKaKotfOri 
 Ka~kovo-iV oine avTo? a\rj9t,%6fievo<i to?? ev- 
 T\jyvavovo~iv } aXka, va> Bo\ep& diravTa Is ael 
 Kal "keyuiv Kal TTpaTTWv, Kal toi? e^airaTav 
 eOekovo-iv inroKebfievo? oiiBevl tt6vu>. Kai ti? 
 dr)6r\<i Kpa<Ti% ev avrw eire^VKei, eie re avoias 
 Kal KaxoTpoTTias %vyKeKpap,evT). Kai Taya 
 tovto rjV) oirep ev Tot? avm %p6voR twv ti? 
 e« tov TrepmaTov ^CKoao^xav a/7re<f>9iyi;aT0' 
 a>? Kal to. evavTicoTaTa ev avOpdjwov fyvcrei 
 tjvfifialvei elvai, mcirep ev tuv yj>ap,dTmv t?) 
 fillet. Tpafyw fxevToi, &v fioi icfrticeadai 
 BvvaTov yiyovev. 
 
 £'. *Hv Toivvv 6 /3acu\ei><} ovros e'iptov, 
 SoXepo?, KaTaifkaaTOs, okotios 6pyr)v } SwrXoi/s, 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 69 
 
 it from them, set it up in the street which 
 leads up to the Capitol from the Forum, 
 on the right hand side, where to this 
 day one may see Domitian's statue, 
 showing the marks of his tragic end. 
 One may say that the whole of Jus- 
 tinian's person, his expression, and all 
 his features can be traced in this statue. 
 
 Such was his portrait ; but it would 
 be exceedingly difficult to give an accu- 
 rate estimate of his character ; he was an 
 evil-doer, and yet easily led by the nose, 
 being, in common parlance, a fool as 
 well as a knave. He never was truthful 
 with anyone, but always spoke and acted 
 cunningly, yet any who chose could easily 
 outwit him. His character was a sorry 
 mixture of folly and bad principles. One 
 may say of him what one of the Peri- 
 patetic philosophers of old said long ago, 
 that in men, as in the mixing of colours, 
 the most opposite qualities combine. I 
 will therefore only describe his disposition 
 as far as I have been able to fathom it. 
 
 This prince was deceitful, fond of 
 crooked ways, artificial, given to hiding 
 
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70 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 dvBpayiro'i Sewo?, xncoKplvaadai yvwpyqv Te\ed>- 
 t«to?j Kal Ed/cpva oxr% v(f)' 17801/7)? two's 77 
 •irddovs e/ccpepaav, dXKa T&yyatfav eirl icaipov 
 Kara to tt)? xpeiai irapbv, ■yjrevSofievoi I? 
 del, ovk elicr} fievToi, dWd Kal ypdpfiara, 
 Kal opKovi SeivordTov; iirl rot? fuy/eet/neiws 
 ireiroi , qp,kvo<i ) Kal ravra 777309 tow? Karrjieoovs 
 Toil's avTov. 'Ave^wpei Se t&v t€ w/j,6\oyr)- 
 fievmv Kal 6/la)/j,oo-(JLevmv ei>Oi><;, &airep toiv 
 dvSpairoSav to, %elpiaTa, Beei t&v eyKei/x,eva>v 
 ar<f>icrt, fiao-avaiv, Swa/iora eh ttjv bp,o~koyiav 
 rjy/ieva. <&l\o<i a/3e/3<uo?, e^9pb<; affiroviot, 
 fyovwv T6 Kal j(pr)iiaT(ov hioyrrvpos ipao-Trj'S, 
 Svaepfc re Kal vecoTepoiroib 1 ;, fidTuaTa e? p,ev 
 to, kukcl evwapdycoyo';, e? Be to, dyada ovSe- 
 fiia %vp,(3ov\y rjKWV eirtvorjcrat fiev to, cpavka 
 Kal eirnekeaat bt-vs, t&v he Bfj dya85>v Kal 
 avTrp) itov tt)v aKor/v dXfivpdv elvai ol6/J,evo<;. 
 77'. JTw9 dv Tt9 t&v 'Iovo-Tiviavov Tpo- 
 vtov i<j>iKecr6ai t<Z> \6yco SvvaTos e'lr) ; Taind 
 Te Kal iroWd ert, fiel^w Ka/cd ov KaTa dv- 
 Bpwirov 'iywv e<paiveTo, dWd irdaav r\ <j)vo~ts 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 70 
 
 his wrath, double-faced, and cruel, ex- 
 ceedingly clever in concealing his thoughts, 
 and never moved to tears either by joy 
 or grief, but capable of weeping if the 
 occasion required it. He was always a 
 liar, not merely on the spur of the 
 moment; he drew up documents and 
 swore the most solemn oaths to respect 
 the covenants which he made with his 
 subjects ; then he would straightway 
 break his plighted word and his oath, 
 like the vilest of slaves, who perjure 
 themselves and are only driven to con- 
 fess through fear of torture. He was a 
 faithless friend, an inexorable foe, and 
 mad for murder and plunder ; quarrel- 
 some and revolutionary, easily led to do 
 evil, never persuaded to act rightly, he 
 was quick to contrive and carry out 
 what was evil, but loathed even to hear 
 of good actions. 
 
 How could any man fully describe 
 Justinian's character ? He had all these 
 vices and other even greater ones, in 
 larger proportion than any man ; indeed, 
 Nature seemed to have taken away all 
 
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7r nPOKOIIIOY ANBKAOTA 
 
 iSoKei ttjv KaKorpovtav d(pe\o/j,evr) rod? aX- 
 \ovi avdpcoTrovi, iv rfj tovSs tov dvSpbs 
 Ka/raOecrOab i^v^r). *Hv Se irpb<! TOt5 aWois 
 e's ij.Iv Tctt 8ia/3o\a<; evico\o$ ayav, e? Si 
 Tas Tifiaiplas 6£v?. Ov yap ti irmrore Sie- 
 pevvrjo-dfievo? eicpivev, aXka a/covcra? rod Sia~ 
 /3dXkovro<s ttjv yv&aw ev0ii<i iijeveyaeiv eyvat. 
 "Eypacpe re ypdfifiaTa ovSepia ■ otcvqaei, 
 ywpiav T6 aku>aei%, ical trokewv ifnrprjo'fiov'i, 
 koX okmv idvaiv av$paTra$io~fLov<;, eg atVta? 
 ovSefiid<s expvTCT wore, e'l tk dvcodev a-rravra 
 to 'Pa/idlot,? gvvevexdevTa a-Tadfico/Mevos dv- 
 narjKovv avrd rovrot? i6e\et, So«et /not av 
 TrXe/w <j)6vov eiipeo-Qai dvQpamwv •wpo'i tov 
 dvSpo? TovSe gvfiPdvra, •?) iv t& ak\m iravrl 
 al&vi yeyevrjo-6ai Tervyr\Ke. 
 
 ff . T&v Se dXhxov ■xprj/idrcov e? (lev 
 rrjv dvaiaQiyrov tcrrjcriv clokv6twto<; 7)v' ovhl 
 ydp oiiSe aKrjyjnv r)%iov rtva irapaTrirao-fia 
 rov SiKalov TrepifiefiXrjfiivos, t&v ov irpoai\- 
 kovtcov eTrificiTeveiv' yevofievmv Se olnemv, 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 71 
 
 other men's vices and to have implanted 
 them all in this man's breast. Besides 
 all this, he was ever disposed to give ear 
 to accusations, and quick to punish. He 
 never tried a case before deciding it, but 
 as soon as he had heard the plaintiff 
 he straightway pronounced his judgment 
 upon it. He wrote decrees, without 
 the slightest hesitation, for the capture 
 of fortresses, the burning of cities, the 
 enslaving of whole races of men for no 
 crime whatever, so that, if anyone were 
 to reckon all the calamities of this 
 nature which have befallen the Roman 
 people before his time, and weigh them 
 against those which were brought about 
 by him, I imagine that it would be 
 found that this man was guilty of far 
 more bloodshed than any ruler of previous 
 times. 
 
 He had no hesitation in coolly appro- 
 priating people's property, and did not even 
 trouble himself to put forward any pre- 
 text or colourable legal ground for taking 
 another man's goods ; and, when he had 
 got it, he was quite ready to squander it 
 
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72 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 irot/WTaro^ f/v akwyiartp <j)i\oTtft(a irepi^po- 
 velv re ical rot? fiapftdpoR irpoteaOai ovBevl 
 \6ycp. Kal to gv/xirav elweiv, j(p^/j,ara oike 
 avrbs elyev, oiire aSXav nva e^eiv r&v 
 airavTiov e'la' wairep ov 0t\o^jO?;/*aTt'as i\aam- 
 fievo<s, aXKa tf)96va> e? roil? ravra ice/err]- 
 fievoiK i)(pfievo<s. 'El-oueuras o5i> pqara tow 
 ttSjovtov e« ' Pa/xaiav tj)s 7J79, vev(a<! &j- 
 [iiovpybs avao-i yeyovev. 'Iovariviavfi fiev 
 oZv to, 69 rbv rpoirov, oaa ye jj/jS? hvvaadai 
 fypaarai, rfjBe tttj el%ev. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 72 
 
 in foolish munificence or to spend it in 
 unreasonable largesses to the barbarians. 
 In fine, he neither had any property 
 himself, nor would he suffer anyone else 
 of all his subjects to have any ; so that 
 he did not seem to be so much governed 
 by avarice as by jealousy of those who 
 possessed wealth. He carelessly drove all 
 the wealth of the Romans out of the 
 country, and was the cause of general 
 impoverishment. Such was the character 
 of Justinian, as far as I am able to 
 describe it. 
 
 10 
 
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73 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KEQAAAION 0'. 
 
 a. "Eyr/pe Be yuvatxa, f) ovriva rpoirov 
 yevofievr} re Kal rpa<pelaa, Kal raJSe rp 
 avQpwwa e? ydfiov %vva<\>6el<ra, irpoppitpv 
 'Pco/imok rr)v irokvrelav itjeTpi'tyev, iya> 
 Sr)\a>cro>. 
 
 'Akukio<; %)v t/s ev Bv£avriq>, 9r]pt,o>c6jj.o$ 
 rmv ev Kvvvyeaiep dr/piav, p.oipa<; Upaaivwv, 
 ovtrep 'ApKrorpocpov koKovglv. Ovtos 6 avrjp, 
 , Avacna(TLOV Tr/v avroKparopa apyr)v e^ovro 1 ;, 
 ireXevTrjcre voo~(j>, iralBcov ol aTro\e\eip,/ieva>v 
 rpi&v 6i]\eo<} yevovt, Kofiirovi Te Kal @eo- 
 Bibpa? real ^AvaGTaala? &v f) irpeafivTarr) 
 ovirto einaeTT)<i yeyovvla ervy)(avev. 'H Be 
 yvvrj eKTrecrov<ra erepa dvBpl e? koittjv ?j\8ev, 
 os &) %vv avrfj t£>v re Kara, tr\v oiKiav Kal 
 tov epyov tovtov eTri[ie\rf<re<r0ai to Xonrbv 
 efieWei/. 'O Se tS>v Upaaivtov op^rjcrTfj^, 
 'AcrTepios ovop.a, j(prjp,aai irpof erepov ava- 
 Trei!T6el<;, tovtovs p,ev Trj<s np,i]<; ravrrji 
 direa-rrjae, tov Be oi ra j^prjuara Bovra e? 
 aiirrjv avriKaTeaTtjo-ev ovBevl ttovcci. Tol<s yap 
 opxyo-raZs to, roiavra e^ijv Bioitceladai xar' 
 e%ovalav rj fiovKoiVTO. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 73 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 As for Justinian's wife, I shall now 
 describe her birth, how she was brought 
 up, how she. married him, and how in 
 conjunction with him she utterly ruined 
 the Roman Empire. 
 
 There was one Acacius at Byzantium, 
 of the Green faction, who was keeper of 
 the wild beasts used in the amphitheatre, 
 and was called the Bear-keeper. This 
 man died of some malady during the 
 reign of Anastasius, and left three 
 daughters, Comito, Theodora and Anas- 
 tasia, the eldest of whom was not yet 
 seven years of age. His widow married 
 her husband's successor in his house and 
 profession ; but the chief dancer of the 
 Green faction, named Asterius, was easily 
 bribed into taking away the office from 
 this man and giving it to one who paid 
 • him for it: for the dancers had the 
 
 10 — 2 
 
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74 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 /3\ 'Eirel Be rov Sfjpov ^vptravra r) 
 <yvvr) iv KvvqyeaLw dyT/yepp-evov elBe, arifi- 
 fiara rats •rnauriv k'v re Ke<f>a\fi ical apfo- 
 repaid reus X 6 P (TI ' V evOe/ievri, e? rr)v iKereiav 
 eKaOicnv. ]AW' ol Updaivoi /iev irpo<rtea9ai 
 rrjv l/cereiav ovBapr) eyvaxrav. Bevenoi Be 
 avrd? eVl ravrrft Sri Karearr)<ravro 777? 
 rtfir)*!' eirel 6 ^/Jto/co/iO? irere\evrrjicei ml 
 avTol'; evayxps. 'JS7r« Be ra iraiBia ravra 
 e? tffiqv r)\0e, KaOrjicev avra eirl rrjv ivravBa 
 aieip/rfi avrUa r) p,rjrr)p, eVel ev7rpeirei<; rr)v 
 otyiv rjaav, ov fievrot xnro %p6vov rov avrbv 
 omaaas, aAA &>? eicacnr) eoo^ev 01 e? to 
 epyov rovro mpala elvai. 'H fiev ofiv irpcorti 
 Kop.no> rjBr} iv Tats itad' avrr)v iraipais 
 Xapirpa iyeyovei. 
 
 7'. OeoBmpa Be 17 per' eKelvqv, xira- 
 viaKov yeipiSwTov ap/ire^ppevr], SovKtp iraiSl 
 trperrovra, rd re aWa VTrr/perovaa, e'tirero, 
 Kid to /3d6pov eVt twd &p*ov del efepev, e<£' 
 oinrep eKeivTj iv roll i-vXKoyots icadfjirBai 
 emOei. Tew? fiiv ovv dcopot abaa, r) Qeo- 
 Batpa it Koirijv dvBpl jjvvievai ovSapfj eV)(ev 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 74 
 
 power to manage these matters as they 
 pleased. 
 
 When Theodora's mother saw the 
 whole populace assembled in the amphi- 
 theatre to see the show of the wild 
 beasts, she placed fillets on her daughters' 
 heads and hands, and made them sit in 
 the attitude of suppliants. The Greens 
 regarded their appeal with indifference, 
 but the Blues, who had lately lost their 
 own bear-keeper, bestowed the office upon 
 them. As the children grew up, their 
 mother straightway sent them on the 
 stage, for they were handsome girls. She 
 did not send them on all at once, but as 
 each one arrived at a fit age so to do. 
 The eldest girl, Comito, had already 
 become one of the most celebrated prosti- 
 tutes of her time. 
 
 Theodora, the next eldest, was dressed 
 in a little sleeved tunic, such as a slave- 
 girl would wear, and waited on her 
 sister, carrying on her shoulders the 
 stool in which she was wont to sit 
 in public. Theodora was still too young 
 to have intercourse with a man after the 
 
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75 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ovSe old ywr) fiiyvvo-BaC »; he to:? KaxoBai- 
 fiovovaiv dvhpiav riva fj,io-rjTrjv avefilayero, 
 /cal TavTCt, SoiiKois, 0(701 TOl? Ke/CTTjiiivois 
 kirofievoi e? to diarpov irdpepyov Tr}? over)? 
 ainoZs evicaiplas tov oKedpov tovtov elpyd- 
 ipvTO' ev re puaaTpwrreiw tro\vv riva ypovov 
 eirl ravrrj St) tj) irapa <bvo~iv epyaaiq tov 
 o-wfiarof BuiTpiftrjP el^ev. 
 
 8'. 'EveiSr] Se rd^iara e? re ttjv tfftrjv 
 d^iKero, Kal mpala y\v 7/8)7, et? to? eirl 
 o~ierivfj<; KaOrjicev avrrjv, eraipa re ei>0v<; eye- 
 yovei, o'iavtrep ol irdXai avOpanroi iiedXow 
 Ue^v. Oil yap avkqrpia, ovSe TJrdXTpia r/i/' 
 oil fir/v oiSe rd e? ttjv opfflo'Tpav amy 
 rjo-KrjTO, dWa ttjv &pav tois del Trepimir- 
 rovaiv aTreSlBoTO /xovov, etc iravrb'i epya- 
 tpp,evr\ tov o-cbfJiaTos. EiTa to« /jlI/ior ra 
 e? to dearpov Trdvra d>p,i\et' Kal Tmv ivravOa 
 iiriTr]SeviJ.dro}V [ierei%ev ai/Tols, yeKwroiroioK 
 Tiai f3oD(io\o%iai<; inr^peTOvaa. v Hu yap 
 dareia SiafapovTco*;, Kal cKcbwrpia' diro- 
 /3\67tto? re eK tov epyov eiiOvi iyeyovei. 
 Oil yap two? alBovi rfj dvdpdma /Aerijv, rj 
 SiaTpaireladv Tt? aiiTTjv irwiroTe elSev' d\X' 
 e? dvaiayyvTovs iirovpyias oiiSefiia OKvyo-ei 
 exdypei. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 75 
 
 manner of women, but she satisfied the 
 unnatural passions of certain wretches, 
 even the vilest slaves, who followed their 
 masters to the theatre and amused their 
 leisure by this infamy. She remained for 
 some time also in a brothel, where she 
 practised this hateful form of vice. 
 
 As soon, however, as she reached the 
 age of puberty, as she was handsome, her 
 mother sent her into the theatrical troupe, 
 and she straightway became a simple 
 harlot, as old-fashioned people called it ; 
 for she was neither a musician nor a 
 dancer, but merely prostituted herself 
 to everyone whom she met, giving up 
 every part of her body to debauchery. 
 She associated chiefly with the theatrical 
 "pantomimes," and took part in their 
 performances, playing in comic scenes, 
 for she was exceedingly witty and 
 amusing ; so that she soon became well 
 known by her acting. She had no 
 shame whatever, and no one ever saw 
 her put out of countenance, but she lent 
 herself to scandalous purposes without 
 the least hesitation. 
 
 Digitized by Microsoft® 
 
76 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 e . Kal roiavrrj rt? rjv, o'ta pam&fievi) 
 fikv re Kal Kara Kopprj? rraraatroiievr), 
 yapievrl^eiv re Kal fieyiara avaKay)(a%eiv, 
 airoBvcrafievrj re rd re rrpocrco Kal ra orriaw 
 tok evrvyj(avovai yvfiva, emhel^ai, a rot? 
 dvBpdcri 9ep.t,<i dBrjKd re Kal d<j>avrj elvai. 
 'E<; Be roi/<; epao-rds i^Xeva^i re fiXaKevovo-a, 
 Kal veooTepai*} del rmv filf-ewv evBiadpvtr- 
 rofievij hnreyy>)oe<Ti,, rrapavr^araadai Ta? 
 rmv aKoXdarav ^ri/^a? e? del 'iay^yev' errel 
 ovBe rreipauQai rrpos rov r5>v evrvy)(av6vrwv 
 r/^lov, dXX' dvdrraXiv aurrj yeXoid&vad re 
 Kal ftmp.oko'xws la^id^ovtra, row rraparrerr- 
 t«o«6to? avavra%, o\\ais re Kal dyevelovs 
 6Was eireipa, 
 
 <s'. "Haawv ydp Tt? ijSowjs ovrw? dird- 
 (7?j9 ovSafifj yeyovev, errel Kal e? ^vvaymyi/iov 
 Belrrvov rroWaKK eXdovcra l;vv veavlam Be/ca, 
 i) rovrcav irXei'oaiv, iV^vi' re <rwfiaros dxpA- 
 tpvai \'iav, Kal ro Xayveveiv rrerroi/rffievoK 
 epyov, i-weKoird£ero fiev rrjv vwra oXtjv 
 roi<; (TvuSelrrvoK arraaiv' irreiBdv Be Trpo? to 
 epyov rovro rrdvre^ drreliroiev, rjBe rrapa roiis 
 eKeivcov otKeras lovcra, rpiaKovra ovras, av 
 ovrm tv%oi, ^vveSvd^ero fiev rovrmv .e*aoT6>" 
 Kopov Be ovBe w? ravrr]$ p,kv rrj? p,iai)ruK 
 ekdfiftave. Kai rrore i<s r&v rivos imfyavwv 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 76 
 
 She excelled in raising a laugh by 
 being slapped on her puffed-out cheeks, 
 and used to uncover herself so far as to 
 show the spectators everything before 
 and behind which decency forbids to be 
 shown to men. She stimulated her 
 lovers by lascivious jests, and continually 
 invented new postures of coition, by 
 which means she completely won the 
 hearts of all libertines ; for she did not 
 wait to be solicited by anyone whom 
 she met, but herself, with joke and 
 gestures, invited everyone whom she fell 
 in with, especially beardless boys. 
 
 She never succumbed to these trans- 
 ports ; for she often went to a supper at 
 which each one paid his share, with ten 
 or more young men, in the full vigour 
 of their age and practised in debauchery, 
 and would pass the whole night with all 
 of them. When they were all exhausted, 
 she would go to their servants, thirty in 
 number, it may be, and fornicate with 
 each one of them ; and yet not even so 
 did she quench her lust. Once she went 
 to the house of some great man, and 
 
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77 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 olniav eXdovaa, fierafjv rov ttotov Bewfiivtev 
 avrrjv, w? cpaai, rS)v ^v/uttotcov d-navrmv, es 
 to irpovypv dvafSdaa tj?? Kk'ivrj?, a/ubl ra 
 wpos rroBSsv dvaavpaad re rd ludrl d, ovBevl 
 Kocfiai, evravda ovk airrj^waffe rr/v aKoXatriav 
 evBeUvvaffai. 'H Be kolk ratv rpimv rpvirrj- 
 fidrcov epyatppevi), evexaXet, rfj tfivaret, Svtrcjx)- 
 povfiejrr) on Br) firj Kal tov? nr8ov<; airy 
 evpvrepov rj vvv elai rpvncpr), 6V«o? Kal aWrjv 
 evravda fiifjiv errvreyyaaQai Bvvarr) eirj. 
 
 £". Kal avxya jjuev e/ei/et* irdvra Be 
 a^eSbv teyyaXfivaa, i^afif3\io-/eeiv »L(r)(ye. 
 TloKKaKm Be Kav rq> Oedrptp vnb deary Trawl 
 Tou Brffup dnreBixraTO re Kal yv/ivrj Bid peaov 
 eyevero, dfi<f>l rd alBola Kal toii? f3ovf3S>va<; 
 8id%co/ia e%ovo~a fiovov, oii% on /xevroi yoyi- 
 vero xal raxira r£ Brj/Atp BeiKvvvai, dW' 
 on evravda iravrd-iraai, irapievai ovBevl eije- 
 anv, on firj rw dfid>l row /3ovj3wva<; fiovov 
 Bidfyofia ey(ovn. Ovrco fikvroi rov afflparos 
 exovva, dvaireirruncvld re iv ra> iSd^ei, 
 virria eKeiro. 0»)t6? Be nve<s, ol<s Br/ rb 
 epyov roBe evexetro, KpiOds airy virepdev 
 rmv alBouov eppmrovv, a? Br) oi ■xfjves, ot e? 
 rovro rrapeo-Kevaa/Mevoi, ervyxavov, toi? oto- 
 fiaatv ivffivBe Kara fii'av dve\6fievoi, rjadiov. 
 
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COURT OF JUSTINIAN 77 
 
 while the guests were drinking pulled up 
 her clothes on the edge of the couch and 
 did not blush to exhibit her wantonness 
 without reserve. Though she received 
 the male in three orifices she nevertheless 
 complained of Nature for not having made 
 the passage of her breasts wider, that she 
 might contrive a new form of coition 
 in that part of her person also. 
 
 She frequently became pregnant, but 
 as she employed all known remedies 
 without delay, she promptly procured 
 abortion. Often, even on the stage, she 
 stripped before the eyes of all the people, 
 and stood naked in their midst, wearing 
 only a girdle about her private parts and 
 groin ; not because she had any modesty 
 about showing that also to the people, 
 but because no one was allowed to go on 
 the stage without a girdle about those 
 parts. In this attitude she would throw 
 herself down on the floor, and lie on her 
 back. Slaves, whose duty it was, would 
 then pour grains of barley upon her 
 girdle, which trained geese would then 
 pick up with their beaks one by one and 
 
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78 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 'H Be ovj^ on ovk ipvdpi&o-a i^avlararo, 
 a\\a Kal <f>i\orifiovfievy iirl ravrrj Si) ry 
 irpdl-ei ittifcet. 9 Hv yap ovk dvaio~j(yvro$ 
 fiovov, d\\d Kal dvai<r)(vvro'!roib<s rrdvrwv 
 fid\urra. UoKKaKif Be Kal diroBvaaaew] fjvv 
 tois fii/iOK iv (ie<r<p elajrjKei XopBovfievrj re 
 Kal rei orrlaa drroKovr&o-a, roll re hidireipav 
 avrfji eypvai, Kal rots ovira> ireifSjrjGiaKoai 
 to. 4k traXaiaTpa<! tt}? airy elaQv'uK ftpev- 
 Ovofiivi). 
 
 if. Oiirco Be aKo\d<rTW$ eh to acofia to 
 airr}? vfip^ev, Stare rrjv al8& ovk iv rfj rrfs 
 <f>vo~ea><: X^PI' Kara, ravrd Tot? aWais 
 ywaifjlv, aXKa iv Tp TrpoecoTrfp e^eiv iBoKei. 
 01 fiev ovv airy ir\yaid^ovre<; ev8rj\ot, eiBin 
 air' avTov f/aav, on By ov Kara rbv vojxov 
 ■ri}? <^v<7e«9 ras /nt^et? rrotovvrai' oaoi Be 
 airy iv dyopa rmv erneiKearepwv ivrv^piev, 
 a7TOKKiv6fievoi arrovBy vire^mpovv, fiy tow 
 rmv Ifiaricov tjjs dvOptoirov dtydfievoi, fiera- 
 \a%eiv rov fiido-p,aro<i rovrov Bof-eiav. *Hv 
 ydp rots opwaiv a\\a>; re Kal dp^o/iivy*; 
 r/fiepas (3\da<j>r)/j,o<; olavos. \E? fievroi ran 
 avv6earpia<s dypimrara elmQei es del OKop- 
 •/rialveaffai' fiaaKaviq yap rroWy e'lyero. 
 
 ff. 'EKyfiok<p Be varepov, Tvpiq dvBpi 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 78 
 
 eat. She did not blush or rise up, but 
 appeared to glory in this performance ; for 
 she was not only without shame, but 
 especially fond of encouraging others to 
 be shameless, and often would strip naked 
 in the midst of the actors, and swing 
 herself backwards and forwards, explain- 
 ing to those who had already enjoyed her 
 and those who had not, the peculiar ex- 
 cellences of that exercise. 
 
 She proceeded to such extremities of 
 abuse as to make her face become what 
 most women's private parts are : where- 
 fore her lovers became known at once by 
 their unnatural tastes, and any respectable 
 man who met her in the public streets 
 turned away, and made haste to avoid 
 her, lest his clothes should be soiled by 
 contact with such an abandoned creature, 
 for she was a bird of ill -omen, especially 
 for those who saw her early in the day. 
 As for her fellow-actresses, she always 
 abused them most savagely, for she was 
 exceedingly jealous. 
 
 Afterwards she accompanied Hece- 
 bolus, who had received the appointment 
 
79 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 tt)v apxh" irapaKetfiovTi HevTwrroXew:, e? ra 
 aXay^ara VTrr)peT7]vovo~a ehrero, dWd n rco 
 avdpdyirai irpoaKexpovicvia, evdevSe on Ta^tara 
 atrrjkavveTO' Sib Srj avrj) diropetaBai rmv 
 dvayitalmv tyvkireaev, omep to Xoiirbv i-nopl- 
 t,ero ttjv e? acbfia irapavofiiav, yirep effliaro, 
 epya£o/i£vT]. \E? fiev oiv 'AXel-dvSpeiav to. 
 irp&ra rj/cev. "Eiretra Se nraadv tt]v em 
 7repie\0ovaa, e? Bv^dvriov evavrJKev, ipyacia 
 ypasp,ev7) ev irokei exdarri, rjv ye ovofidtflVTi, 
 olp,ai, dvOpcomo, ovk dv Troje t\e&>? 6 6eb$ 
 etrf oxrirep ovk dve^o/j,ivov rov 8al/iovo$ 
 yy>pov rtva t?}? QeoScopas axoXaaiav dyvatra 
 elvai. Ovrto p.iv Tere^Oai, je TjySe rfj yvvatnl 
 Kal rerpdtpdai gvvifit), km, virep Srjfioalov<i 
 TroWa? hiaftoriTtp yeyevfjo~8at e? iravTas dv- 
 Opdmow. 
 
 i . \E7rel Be dspi/cero e<s Bv^dvriov avdis, 
 ijpdo-Gr] aiiTT)<! 'Iovo-rivtavbs, epana e^aiaiov 
 dlov' kui ra TrpSna iir\iio~la%ev eo? ipoo/iivy, 
 Kavrrep avTtjv dvayaymv e? to t&v TrarpiKimv 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 79 
 
 of Governor of Pentapolis, to that 
 country, to serve his basest passions, 
 but quarrelled with him, and was 
 straightway sent out of the country. In 
 consequence of this she fell into want 
 of common necessaries, with which she 
 hereafter provided herself by prostitution, 
 as she had been accustomed to do. She 
 first went to Alexandria, and afterwards 
 wandered all through the East, until she 
 reached Byzantium, plying her trade in 
 every city on her way — a trade which, I 
 imagine, Heaven will not pardon a man 
 for calling by its right name — as if 
 the powers of evil would not allow any 
 place on earth to be free from the de- 
 baucheries of Theodora. Such was the 
 birth, and such the training of this 
 woman, and her name became better 
 known than that of any other prostitute 
 of her time. 
 
 On her return to Byzantium, Justinian 
 became excessively enamoured of her. 
 At first he had intercourse with her 
 merely as her lover, although he raised 
 her to the position of a patrician. By 
 
80 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 d^lafxa. Avvap.iv roivvv i^aiaiuv rwa, xal 
 Xpijpara imeiK&<; peydka irepifiakkadai f] 
 ©eoSmpa ev6i>? tayyae, Ildvreov yap rjSurrov 
 ra> dvdpdma i<palvero' b Si) !jvp,/3aiveiv rots 
 eKToVtB? ipSxri (pi\ei, -)(dpird<i re irdaa^ kcu 
 XptffiaTa irdvra rfj ipa/ievy ^api^eaOai. 'Eyi- 
 vero re f) iro\vre\eia rov eptoros rovSe 
 virmicavna. Hw airy roivvv iroWfi en 
 fiaWov rbv Stj/jlov Sie^deipev, oi/c ivravda 
 fiovov, aU' dva rraaav rrjv 'Peofiaiav dp%qv. 
 '!A/j,<fca> yap fioipas rfj<; Bevertov etc iraXatov 
 ovres, iv iroXXfj if-ovaia rovroii Srj tor araaim- 
 rat? ra e's rrjv iroKireiav eOevro irpdyfiara. 
 Xpovtp Be ttoWu) varepov to rrXeiaTov roxi 
 kcikov ekeXuHfrrjKei rpoira rotaSe. 
 
 id '. 'Iovarivtavm iv r/fiepait TroWais voar\- 
 aai tjvvefir)' iv Si rfj voata ravrrj i<s roaov 
 kivSvvov dtpUero, mare icai i\i)(dr) on Si) 
 drroBdvot, - oi fxevroi araai&rai ravra, direp 
 ipprjBr), rjfxdpravov, &al nva 'Tirdnov, ovk 
 cMpavrj dvSpa, St' TJfiipas iv t<(J t»}? 2o<f>la<> 
 lepu> Sie^prjo-avro. ' Ej-eipyao-fievov Se rov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 80 
 
 this means Theodora was straightway 
 enabled to gain very great influence and 
 to amass considerable sums of money. 
 She charmed Justinian beyond all the 
 world, and, like most infatuated lovers, 
 he delighted to show her all the favour 
 and give her all the money that he 
 could. This lavishness added fuel to 
 the flame of passion. In concert with 
 her he plundered the people more than 
 ever, not only in the capital, but through- 
 out the Roman Empire ; for, as both of 
 them had for a long time been members 
 of the Blue faction, they had placed 
 unlimited power in its hands, although 
 the evil was subsequently somewhat 
 checked, in the manner which I will 
 now relate. 
 
 Justinian had for some time suffered 
 from a dangerous illness ; in fact, it was 
 even reported that he was dead. The 
 Blue faction were committing the crimes 
 of which I have spoken, and slew Hypatius, 
 a person of consequence, in the Church 
 of St. Sophia, in broad daylight. When 
 the murderer had accomplished his work, 
 
8 1 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KaicovpyovvTtx; epyov, rapayr) e? fiaaikea ?j\6e' 
 rmv re afi<f> ainbv eVaoro?, iirel rrj<s 'Iovitti- 
 viavov airov(7ia<! ekdfiero, rr)v rStv ireTrpay/iivav 
 droitiav eirl fieya a'ipeiv ev airovBfj erroielro, 
 KaraXeycav e£ ap^rji avavra, oaa Br) yeveoQai 
 reTVxV Ke - Tore Br) 6 /3a<riXeu<s Tip t>j? v6\em 
 eirdp^rp erreareWe r&v "rreirpayfieviov dirdvrwv 
 iroteladai ra<s Tt'ffet?. v Hi> Be ovto? 6 avrjp 
 6e68oros ovo/ia, ovrrep Ko\okvv0iov evUXijiriv 
 eicaKovv. Kal S? Biepevvm/ievoi; arravra, iro\- 
 Xovs fi^v r&v Kaxovpymv e\elv re Kal Bia^pr)- 
 aacrdai vo/xa> tayyae' iroWol Be Kal StakaBov- 
 T6? eadndrjaav. Meraljv yap eTriairo\e<r0ai 
 avrov? wpdyfiacri 'Peofialeov eSei. 
 
 tjS'. '0 Se rrapdBol-ov Siao-a>6el<; awrrfplay, 
 Kal rbv OeoSorov tcretvai, are <pap/iaicea Kal 
 fidyov, ev9i/$ eve^elpei. 'ETrel Be ovk eT^ei/ 
 orq> rrore xpcb/xevos rbv avdptoirov Bia<p9elpeie, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 8l 
 
 a clamour was raised which reached the 
 Emperor's ears, and all bis courtiers 
 seized upon the opportunity of pointing 
 out the outrageous character of the 
 offence which, owing to Justinian's 
 absence from public affairs, the mur- 
 derer had been enabled to perpetrate, 
 and enumerated all the crimes that had 
 been committed from the outset. Here- 
 upon the Emperor gave orders to the 
 prefect of the city to punish these crimes. 
 This man was named Theodotus, nick- 
 named Colocynthius. ' He instituted an 
 inquiry into the whole matter, and had 
 the courage to seize and put to death, 
 according to the law, many of the 
 malefactors, several of whom, however, 
 hid themselves and so escaped, being 
 destined to perish afterwards together 
 with the Roman Empire. Justinian, 
 who miraculously recovered, straightway 
 began to plan the destruction of Theo- 
 dotus, on the pretext that he was a 
 magician and used philtres. However, 
 as he found no proofs on which the man 
 1 Pumpkin. 
 
 II — 2 
 
82 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 twi> oi hriTrj&ewv rivd<s irvcpoTara aliciad- 
 /tevo?, rpidyKafy Xoyovt, w? ^Kio~ra vyieii;, eV 
 avThj <j)9eyyecr9ai. Tldvrtov 8e oi eKiroZiov 
 iffrafiivtov, ical (Ticoirf} ttjv e? rbv OeoSorov 
 oSvpo/jbivtov iiriftovXrjv, fiovo? 6 Ujoo/tXo?, ttjv 
 tov /caXov/tevov Koiala-ropos e^tov dp-^v, 
 KaOapov airifyawe tov ey/cX^/iaTO? elvai rbv 
 dvdpwwov, itai davi'iTov oiBa/irj d^iov. Am 
 8r) &6o8oto<; e? rd 'Iepoo~6\v/ia /3a<n\e<»? ko/i!- 
 £erai yvm/jirj. rVoii9 8e r/Keiv Ttva? evTavOa, 
 o'Lirep airbv 8iacf>0elpovo~iv, ev tw iepS> fy 
 tf/jtOTTo/jevos rbv atravra ^povov, ovra> re 
 8ia0ioii<! irekevTrjae. Tcb fiev ovv dp,<pl &eo~ 
 Sotov rainy rry ea^ev. 
 
 iy. Oi Be o-raaiwrai awfypoveararoi rb 
 evrevdev iyevovro dvBpdmasv dirdvrav. Oil 
 yap ert rd roiavra i^afiaprdveiv rjveij(pvTO, 
 Kafarep o-<plo-i irapbv dSeivrepov rfj e? rrp 
 Biairav rrapavofila j(prja0ai. Teiefiqpiov 8e" 
 6\iya>v yap nvav varepov rokfiav rr/v 6/ioiav 
 evBeif-afievcov, Tun? ovSe/.cia e? auTous yer/ovev. 
 Oi yap rov K6\d£ew rrjv ii-ovalav del e^owsy, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 82 
 
 could be condemned, he flogged and 
 tortured some of his intimates until he 
 forced them to make most unfounded 
 accusations against him. When no one 
 dared to oppose Justinian, but silently 
 bewailed the plot against Theodotus, Pro- 
 clus, the Quaestor, alone declared that the 
 man was innocent and did not deserve 
 to die. Theodotus was therefore sen- 
 tenced by the Emperor to banishment 
 to Jerusalem. But, learning that certain 
 men had been sent thither to assassinate 
 him, he took sanctuary in the temple, 
 where he spent the rest of his life in 
 concealment until he died. Such was 
 the end of Theodotus. 
 
 From this time forth, however, the 
 Blue party behaved with the greatest 
 moderation ; they did not venture to 
 perpetrate such crimes, although they 
 had it in their power to abuse their 
 authority more outrageously and with 
 greater impunity than before. Here is 
 a proof of this ; when a few of them 
 afterwards showed the same audacity in 
 evil-doing, they were not punished in 
 
83 ETPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ■napprjaiav tov 8ta\av6dveiv rots to Suva 
 elpyaafiivoR irapei^ovro, rainrj avroii<i 7/7 
 j-vyxaprjo-ei e? to toi? vofiois ive/jL^alveiv 
 ivdyovTes. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 83 
 
 any way ; for those who had the power 
 to punish always gave malefactors an 
 opportunity to escape, and by this in- 
 dulgence encouraged them to trample 
 upon the laws. 
 
84 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION I'. 
 
 a. Ems fiev o$v r) fiaaikls irepirjv en, 
 yvvaiica iyyvrjTrjv 'Iovcmviavbs ttjv QeoBcopav 
 •iroirjaaadai ovBepia (trjxavfj el%ev. 'Ev rovrw 
 yap fiovov air' ivavTia? aiiTw e^capei, icalirep 
 avTMTTaTovaa rS>v aXXmv ovBev. Ilovripias 
 fiev yap r) yvvfj d^andrm oiaa eruy)(avev' 
 aypoiicos Be ?)V KOftiBfj koI fidpftapos yevo<s, 
 wcrirep fioi elpijrau 'AvriXafieadai Be apeTtfi 
 ov8afj,fj 'to"xycrev, aW aireipordrr) ovaa Biare- 
 re\e>ce t£>v Kara Trjv TroXtreiav irpayfidrmv ^ 
 ye ouBe £vv tgu ovofiart rm avTrjs IBup, are 
 KarayeXdarcp ovti, e<s iraXdnov ■qkOev, d\\' 
 EiHprjfila i7riic\7]0ei<ra. Xpovm Be varepov ry 
 ftaaikiBi fiev diroyevecrdai Zvvhreaev. 
 
 /S'. 'O Be ['Iovotwo?], r)\i9iafyov re /cat 
 KOfiiSrj eaj^aroyeputv yevo(ievo<i, irpm t&v 
 dp'xpp.evwv yeXcora &(f>\ev' bXiywpia re iroKKy 
 e? avrov i'xpp.evoi airavref, are toiv irpaaao- 
 p-kvmv ov f-vvievTOs irrrepeapasV ' 'Iovar mavov 
 Be %vv Sea 7ro\\c3 eOepdirevov. Kvk&v yap 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 84 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 As long as the Empress Euphemia was 
 alive, Justinian could not contrive to marry 
 Theodora. Though she did not oppose 
 him on any other point, she obstinately 
 refused her consent to this one thing. 
 She was altogether free from vice, although 
 she was a homely person and of barbarian 
 descent, as I have already said. She never 
 cultivated any active virtues, but remained 
 utterly ignorant of State affairs. She did 
 not bear her own name, which was a 
 ridiculous one, when she came to the 
 palace, but was re-named Euphemia. 
 Soon afterwards, however, she died. 
 
 Justin was in his second childhood and 
 so sunk in senility that he was the laugh- 
 ing-stock of his subjects. All despised 
 him utterly, and disregarded him because 
 he was incompetent to control State affairs, 
 but they paid their court to Justinian with 
 
85 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 del Kai fjvvTapdaoav aveaofiet, e#e|?)s airavrwi. 
 y. Tore Br) ttjv eyyw)v trpb% rrjv 0eoBo>- 
 pav eveyeipei iroieiv. 'ABvvarov Be ov avBpa, 
 e? a^t'co/ia ySowX^s r\Kovra, eralpq yvvawl 
 gwouclQcrdai, vofioiM dvcoOev rol<s TraXaiordroK 
 airopprjdev, \v<ral re roil? vo/iov^ rov ftaariXea 
 vofiw erepqi fivdyicatre, Kai rovvBevBe are 
 ya/ieTy rfj &eoSd>pa ^wqiK^ae, Kai rots aXXot? 
 airaoi ftdaifiov Karearrjaaro rr)v wpo? eralpas 
 eyyvrjV rvpaw&v re avrUa itreftdreve rfjs 
 rod avroKpdropoi rifir)?, irpoo-^rifiari avpfireir- 
 \acrp,evq> t»)? Trpdl;e<os eiriKaXvirrav to fiiaiov. 
 ""Avehrov yap avrbv BaaiXia l;i>v t<$ Beioi r&v 
 'Pto/ialoav, e'i ri BoKifiov ?jv, Seifidroav irepiovaiq 
 eVi ravTTjv yyfiivoi ri)v yfrri<pov. 
 
 B'. Hapekafiov roivvv rrjv @affi\e(av 
 *Iovo~riviav6<; re Kai QeoBcopa, vporepov 77)9 
 eoprfjs r)p.epai$ rpialv, ore Brj oiire do-irdaaadai 
 
 riva , oiire elpr/vaia irpoaeirrelv e^eanv. 
 
 'Hfiipai? Be ov ttoWok varepov, 'Iovarlvos 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 85 
 
 awe, for he terrified them all by his love 
 of disturbance and reckless innovations. 
 
 He then resolved to bring about his 
 marriage with Theodora. It was forbidden 
 by the most ancient laws of the State 
 that anyone of the senatorial order should 
 marry a courtesan ; so he prevailed upon 
 the Emperor to repeal the existing law 
 and introduce a new one, whereby he was 
 allowed to live with Theodora as his 
 legitimate wife, and it became possible 
 for anyone else to marry a courtesan. 
 He also straightway assumed the de- 
 meanour of absolute despot, veiling his 
 forcible seizure of power under the pretext 
 of reasons of State. He was proclaimed 
 Emperor of the Romans, as his uncle's 
 colleague. Whether this was legal or 
 not may be doubted, since he owed his 
 election to the terror with which he 
 inspired those who gave him their votes. 
 
 So Justinian and Theodora ascended 
 the Imperial throne three days before 
 Easter, at a time when it is forbidden to 
 make visits or even to greet one's friends. 
 A few days later Justin was carried off 
 
86 lTPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fiev ireXeiirijae voaw, rij dpxf) eVtjStow? itrf 
 evvea' fiovo<; 8e 'lovarrcviavb? %vv ry QeoSmpa 
 ttjv fiaaiXeiav eayev. 
 
 e . (Ke<f>. I' ancien.) Oiira> yovv 17 
 &eo8d>pa, aunrep eppijOr], reyOelo-d re Kal 
 redpa/ifjuevr} Kal TraiSevdetaa, e? j3aan\eta<i 
 agiayfta, rpoira> oiSevl epmohiadelo-a, ffXdev. 
 OvBe yap ra> yrjp.avri vBpems Tts otrjm? 
 yeyovep, elf ol irapbv ex rrdat)? diroXe^a/iiva 
 rrj<; 'Pa>fia£a>v apyrfS ya/ierr/v yvvaiKa vovf)aaa- 
 0ai, ttjp iracruv yvvaiKoyv fidXiara eft Te 
 yeyovvlav, Kal rpo<prj<; Kopvtpalov fieraXayov- 
 aav, rov re alBeladai ovk dueXerrjTov yeyevv 
 /livifv, Kal (ratppoervvr) \-vvaKiap.evi\v, 7rpo? Se 
 ra> KaXXei VTrep<pvd, kui rrapOevov riva, Kal to 
 8^ Xeyofievov opOorlrdiov ovaav. '0 Se rb 
 kolvov 070? airdvrayv dvQpdmwv aiirov iSwv 
 rreTroifj<r8ai ovk dirrfeiov, err' ovSevl raiv irpo- 
 8e8rj\a>fieva)V KaraBv6p.evo<; 1 Kal yvvaiKi irXtjaid- 
 few dXXd re rroXXd rrepifBeftXriiievri fieydXa 
 fiidafiara, Kal iraiSoKrovia 1 ! woXXd? edeXov- 
 aloov d/ifiXwaeoov. "AXXo re fioi ivSelv rjdovs 
 rrepi fivijfiovevaai rovBe rov uvdpunrov ouS' 
 onovv olfiai. "Airavra yap avrov rd rfj<; 
 yjrvyf}<: rcddr) owto? dva^iayjpew: ydpos 
 ai)/j,rjvai 8iapK&<; el'17, ep/irjvevs re Kal fidprvs 
 rov rpoirov Kal Xo7oypa^os yivo/ievo<s. 'Eirel 
 6'(7Tt? dXoyrjo-a$ rrjv vrrep rmv weirpayp,evo>v 
 alayvvrjv, ovk dira^iol rots evrvyydvovai ySSeXv- 
 pos <$>aiveo-8ai' rovrw St) ov&e/xia rrapavo/ilas 
 arapTrb<i o/3aros' aXXd n)v avaiSeiav ael rov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 86 
 
 by disease, after a reign of nine years, 
 and Justinian and Theodora reigned 
 alone. 
 
 Thus did Theodora, as I have told 
 you, in spite of her birth and bringing- 
 up, reach the throne without finding any 
 obstacle in her way. Justinian felt no 
 shame at having wedded her, although he 
 might have chosen the best born, the best 
 educated, the most modest and virtuously 
 nurtured virgin in all the Roman Empire, 
 with outstanding breasts, as the saying is; 
 whereas he preferred to take to himself 
 the common refuse of all mankind, and 
 without a thought of all that has been 
 told, married a woman stained with the 
 shame of many abortions and many other 
 crimes. Nothing more, I conceive, need 
 be said about this creature's character, 
 for all the vices of his heart are thoroughly 
 displayed in the fact of so unworthy a 
 marriage. When a man feels no shame 
 at an act of this kind, and braves the 
 loathing of the world, there is thereafter 
 no path of wickedness which may not be 
 trodden by him, but, with a face incapable 
 
87 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 p,erwrrov irpoftefiXripevos, pcard re Kal oiSevl 
 rrovw, e? rSsv trpd^ecav rat fiLapwrdrat 
 j(mpet. 
 
 ?'. Ov fir/v ovBi tj? ex rrj? (tit/kX^tov 
 jSovX?}?, to altrxps rovro dvaSovp,evr)v rijp 
 TroXireiav bpSiv, BvafyopeiaOai re Kal rrjv 
 7rpa!;iv diretTretv eyvto, tcamep airr/v a/rravres 
 tea 8e& wpoaKvvr\aovre<i' 'AW oi/Be Tit 
 lepei><;, BeivorraBSiv evSij\.o<; 76701/6 xal ravra 
 Aeairoivav avrf)u trpoaepelv fieXXovres. Kal 6 
 rcporepov avrrj<s 0eari)<; 8rjp.o<; BovXos ev9u$ 
 ovSevl k6g[L(o avrrj 1 ! elval re Kal ovopdtpaQai 
 inrriaK iSucalov ^epaiv. Oi/Be Tt? arpaTti&rifi 
 fjypuoro, el tov<! ev to?? <rrparoiriBoi$ KivBivows 
 irrrep r&v t?)? @eoBd>pas irpar/fidrav vQiaraa- 
 dai fieXXoi, ovSi n<s airy a\Xo? dirqvrrjffe 
 r&v airdvrwv dvdpamav. 
 
 f. 'AXXa irdvres, olfiai, t<£ ravra ovto>? 
 SeBoaBac /ceteXrifievoi, dveya>p7)irav ovpvrrepaLvea- 
 6ai to fJLiaap,a rovro' &airep t>}? tv^t/? eW- 
 Bei^iv tij? Svvd/iecos ireiroirip,kv7]<i tfBr) airavra 
 irpvravevovar)? ra dvQptoireia, w? fj/aara (ii\Xer 
 ovre o7ra)s &v ra irparrdfieva el/cora e'irj, ov$e 
 07ra)9 TauTa Kara Xoyov Tot? dvOpunrois 
 <yeyevf)tT0ai Boxy. 'ETratpei yovv riva iljairi- 
 vaiai'i aXoylartp rivl ijjouaia e? {hjrof fieya, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 87 
 
 of blushing, he plunges, utterly devoid of 
 scruple, into the deepest baseness. 
 
 However, no one in the Senate had 
 the courage to show dissatisfaction at 
 seeing the State fasten this disgrace upon 
 itself, but all were ready to worship 
 Theodora as if she had been a goddess. 
 Neither did any of the clergy show any 
 indignation, but bestowed upon her the 
 title of " Lady." The people who had 
 formerly seen her upon the stage now 
 declared themselves, with uplifted hands, 
 to be her slaves, and made no secret of 
 the name. None of the army showed 
 irritation at having to face the dangers 
 of war in the service of Theodora, nor 
 did anyone of all mankind offer her the 
 least opposition. All, I suppose, yielded 
 to circumstances, and suffered this dis- 
 graceful act to take place, as though 
 Fortune had wished to display her power 
 by disposing human affairs so that events 
 came about in utter defiance of reason, 
 and human counsel seemed to have no 
 share in directing them. Fortune does 
 thus raise men suddenly to great heights 
 
88 riPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 amep ivavTidifiaTa fiev iroWa fjvtnreir\e)(0cu 
 Boxel, avTiorarel Si irapd ti epyov t&v irdvTwv 
 oiSev, dW ayerai fit]X av V "^darj oTrt] vrore 
 avrfj SiareraKrai, dirdvrmv eToifiw} i^KTra/ii- 
 vtov re Kal inro^mpovvrav irpoiov<ry ry Tv^y. 
 'AXKa lavra ftev 07177 t£ 9e& (piXov, ravTij 
 e^eTft) re Kal XeyeaBto. 
 
 7). 'H Be QeoSdtpa evTrpoacoiro? /xev fjv, 
 Kal eii^a/H? a\\w?' «o\o/3o? Be, Kal mpaKi&aa 
 oil iravrairaai /lev, dW oaov V7r6^Xw/30? 
 elvai, yopyov re Kal awearpa/jL/iivov del /8\e- 
 irovaa. TSsv Be Brj avrlj j3e{3iwfj,evwv iv rfj 
 6vfie\r] to, ftev TrKelara \eyovrt, ovk dv 6 
 wa? alobv eirapKeay, oXiya Be drra iv to«? 
 efvrrpoadev Xoyot,<s diroXel;d/jtevo<;, tov t?Js yv- 
 vaiKO<! rpoirov rot? itnyevrjaofievon oXtjv av 
 Treiroirjadai rfjv BrjXaxnv ixavbs e'itjv. 
 
 ff. Nvv Be avrfj? Kal rdvBpbs rd ireirpay- 
 (leva iv oXtym S^Xariov ypZv, iirel ovSe re 
 dXXijXoiv X */ 3 ' 5 * ? T *) v ^tavrav eirpa^dTrpi. 
 Xpovov /iev yap iroXiiv eBogav diraai Tali 
 yvcofiait del Kal tor e-rriTriSeviiaai KaravriKpu 
 dXXrjXotv levaf va-repov pAvroi efsTTtTJjSe? 
 ovtoIv f-v[MreTrXdo~()ai rj S6kt]<tr avTt) eyvdxrdr], 
 Tov ftrj l;v(A<ppovi]o~avTa$ ton? KaTTjKoavs a<j>i(riv 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 88 
 
 of power, by means in which reason has 
 no share, in spite of all obstacles that 
 may bar the way, for nothing can check 
 her course, but she proceeds straight on 
 towards her goal, and everything makes 
 way for her. But let all this be, and be 
 represented as it pleases God. 
 
 Theodora was at this time handsome 
 and of a graceful figure, but she was 
 short, without much colour, but rather 
 of a pale complexion, and with brilliant 
 and piercing eyes. It would take a life- 
 time to tell of all her adventures during 
 her theatrical life, but I think what little 
 I have selected above will be sufficient 
 to give an indication of her character. 
 We must now briefly set forth what she 
 and her husband did, for during their 
 married life neither ever did anything 
 without the other. For a long time they 
 appeared to all to be at variance both 
 in their characters and in their actions ; 
 but afterwards this disagreement was 
 seen to have been purposely arranged 
 between them, in order that their subjects 
 might not come to an agreement and rise 
 
 12 
 
89 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 hrava<rrijvai, dWa Bieardvai rd? yvm/iai iir' 
 airovs inraai. 
 
 i\ Hp&ra /lev ovv roix; XpiarTtavovi 
 ZiavaaTrja-avT£<!, Kal tt)v evavrlav ev ye rot? 
 avriXeyo/ievon antyirro/ievu) dWr/Xoiv levai, 
 Sieairdo-avro ovtgj? 'drravras, &<rirep \iot \e\e- 
 gerai ov rroKXm vo-repov, eireira Be roii? ara- 
 (7t(»Ta? BielXovro. Kal r) fiev Swdfiet rfj 
 ird(TTj /lerarroietadai rav Beveroav eirXda-aero, 
 /cal ttjv i^ovcriav avrolf eirl tovs dvriara- 
 ffiWTa? avaTreraaaara eveSlBov Koo~/im ev ovSevl 
 d/iaprdveiv re nal (3id£ea0ai rd dvr/Keara. 
 '0 Be, &<rrrep dyavaKrovvrt p,ev Kal diroaicv- 
 %ovn \ddpa ecpxei, KeXeva , e<o<; Be rfj yvvattcl 
 dvriararelv ov% o'icp re ovri' ttoXXuku Be ml 
 fieTa/JLTTicr^o/ievoi rr)v rov BvvaaBai So^av a<j>{- 
 ariv avrolt; rrjv evavrlav. 'O /lev yap roiit 
 Beverovs ola ega/iaprdvovras KoXd^eiv ^(ov, 
 r) Be, tw Xoyiy yaXeiraivovaa, eBvir<j>ope2ro on 
 Srj ov% movaa ravSpbt r)aar/delrj. TS>v /levroi 
 Bevercov ol o-racnSnai, axnrep fiot etpr/rai, 
 aaxjjpovecrTaTOi eBofjav elvat,. Toil? yap 7reXa? 
 f3id£,ecdai ocra igrjv ovBapr/ eBiKalovv. 
 
 m'. "Ev re rai? vepl rd? BiKas <j>i\ovei- 
 Kiats iSoKei /lev eKarepos evl tS>v Sia<j>opa>y 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 89 
 
 against them, but might all be divided 
 in their opinion. First, they split up the 
 Christians into two parties and brought 
 them to ruin, as I shall tell you here- 
 after, by this plan of pretending to take 
 different sides. Next they created divi- 
 sions amongst the State factions. Theo- 
 dora feigned to be an eager partisan of 
 the Blues, and gave them permission to 
 commit the -greatest atrocities and deeds 
 of violence against the opposite faction, 
 while Justinian pretended to be grieved 
 and annoyed in his secret soul, as though 
 he could not oppose his wife's orders ; 
 and often they would pretend to act in 
 opposition. The one would declare that 
 the Blues must be punished because they 
 were evil-doers, while the other pretended 
 to be enraged, and angrily declared that 
 she was overruled by her husband against 
 her will. Yet, as I have said, the Blue 
 faction seemed wondrously quiet, for they 
 did not outrage their neighbours as much 
 as they might have done. 
 
 In legal disputes, each of them would 
 pretend to favour one of the litigants, 
 
 12 — 2 
 
go nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 dfivveiv, vikcLv SI avrolv rbv \6ya> tw dSixw 
 f-vvMrrdfievov eTrdvar/Kei r\v ovtco Se to 
 irXeiara ^ptjjj.drmv avrovs t&v dvTikeyofievwv 
 \r)t£eadai,, 
 
 ty8\ IloWovi /lev oZv oSe 6 avroKpdrap, 
 ev to« avToy KaraXeyo&v iTTiTijSeiois, es ttjv 
 ii-ova-lav dve@lfia%e, rov fiidllpaQa.l re, km et? 
 ttjv iroktreiav ejjafiaprdveiv a fioiiXoivro' 
 iireiSdv Se irkovrov ti xprjua 7repi/3e/3\7]/j,evoi 
 (pavetev, evOvs ri irpoa/ceKpovKOTes rfj yvvaiicl, 
 Sidtpopot rj<rav. *flv Br} tear dp^ai fierairoielcr- 
 dab ntdarf irpodvfila ovSafirj aTrrjijiov, varepov 
 Se tt/v e? tov? dvOpdnrovs fiedel? evvoiav, to 6? 
 Tt}v airovSfjv rdpaxps £k rov aupviSiov iyivero. 
 Kal i] (iev avTiKa elpyd^ero ai)Toi>s dvqKeara 
 epya' 6 Se, Sfjdev ovk iiraiadavop.evo'i twv 
 irpaTTOfievav, av/ATraaav avrmv rijv ovviav 
 KTt\<rei dvaiayyvTui rjaTrdt/ero. Tovtoim re del 
 •rot? firjj(a,vrjp.aaiv ev a<piai fiev avroK %vp.- 
 (ppovovvTes, eg Se to ifupavks GTa<ndt,eiv iroiov- 
 fievoi, StaffTr)<ra<?0a£ re tov? vttijkoovs km 
 tt)v TvpavvlSa fieftaiorara KparvveaOai e<r)(pv. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 90 
 
 and of necessity made the man with the 
 worse case win ; by this means they 
 plundered both the parties of most of 
 the disputed property. The Emperor 
 received many persons into his intimacy, 
 and gave them appointments with liberty 
 to do what they pleased in the way of 
 violent injustice and fraud against the 
 State ; but when they were seen to 
 have amassed a considerable amount of 
 wealth, they straightway fell into disgrace 
 for having offended the Empress. At 
 first Justinian would take upon himself 
 to inquire kindly into their case, but 
 soon he would drop the pretence of good- 
 will, and his zeal on their behalf would 
 throw the whole matter into confusion. 
 Upon this, Theodora would treat them 
 in the most shameful way, while he, pre- 
 tending not to understand what was 
 going on, would shamelessly confiscate 
 their entire property. They used to carry 
 on these machinations by appearing to 
 be at variance, while really playing into 
 each- other's hands, and were thus able 
 to set their subjects by their ears and 
 firmly establish their own power. 
 
9 1 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION IA'. 
 
 a. 'Eireihr) oiiv ^lovormavos rr\v fiaoi- 
 Xeiav 7rapi\a/3e, avyyav airavra ev6v$ t'o^u- 
 aev. *A yap efirrpoaOev vo/j,^ diropprjdevra 
 ervy^avev, e? rrp> iroXireiav elarjye, rd re 
 ovra Kal ffvveidio-ueva KadeXmv avp/rravra' 
 &o~irep iirl rovrw KeKoo~/irj[ievo<; to t»/? fiacn- 
 Xelat ff'xfjfia, i<f> a> airavra fietaXkdaaoi i<j> 
 erepov o-^rjfia. 'Ap^ds re yap twj p,lv ovaat 
 dvrjpei' ret? Be ovk ovaas i<f>i<rrr) rot's irpdy- 
 fiao-i' rovs re vofiows Kal r&v arparmr&v 
 toi/? KaraKoyov;, ravrb rovro eVotet' ov t$ 
 Sucaim e'tiecov, ovSe ro> t-vjifyopw i<s rovro 
 rjy/iivos, dXfC oVcw Bi] airavra vemrepd re 
 Kal airov iiroivvjia e'lrj. *Hv Be n Kal fiera~ 
 j3a\elv iv rm irapavrUa JjKio-ra toytHrev, 
 aXXa rovra ye rrp> iiruvvfilav rrjv airov 
 edero. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 91 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 When Justinian came to the throne, 
 he straightway succeeded in upsetting 
 everything. What had previously been 
 forbidden by the laws he introduced, 
 while he abolished all existing institu- 
 tions, as though he had assumed the 
 imperial robe for no other purpose than 
 to alter completely the form of govern- 
 ment. He did away with existing offices, 
 and established other new ones for the 
 management of affairs. He acted in the 
 same manner in regard to the laws and 
 the army ; not that he was led to do 
 so by any love of justice or the public 
 advantage, but merely in order that all 
 institutions might be new and might 
 bear his name ; if there was any institu- 
 tion that he was unable to abolish at 
 once, he gave it his name, that at least 
 it might appear new. He could never 
 
92 IJPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ft'. Xprifidrwv Be dpTrayrjs, rj (povou 
 dvBpwirav, Kopov avrov ouSet? e\a/3e irmirors' 
 dW' oi/a'a; fiev irafi7r\r}del<i \i]tadfj,evo<s ev- 
 Baifiovav dvBpSsv erkpaS ifyfrret' irpoe/ievos 
 ev6ii<; t&v f3a,p(3dpa>v Tialv rj dvorjToi<; oIko- 
 Sofilais Xei'a? t?7? Trporepas ra XptffiaTa. 
 Kara fj,vpiov<> Be l'<r<»? X075) ovBevl dveXwv, 
 69 irXewvtov dXXmv einftovKrjv ainlaa p,d\a 
 Kadiararo. 
 
 7'. Elptfvrji; Totvvv 'Pa/idiot's ovarji; e? 
 TrdvTas dvdpcbirovs, ovk e^av Sort? yevrjrai, 
 t&v <j)6va>v i-!ri0v/J,lq irdvvwi fiapfidpow; irp6<; 
 T6 aW^Xov? fjvveicpovf t&v Be Ovvvmv tow 
 r/yovfievovs e£ alrias ovBefiid? fieraKaK&v, 
 yjp-qfiara fieydXa afyloiv droirfp <f>i\oTi/iiq 
 irpoieTO, <f>i\ia<i ivi^vpa Brjdev rm \6yft) 
 Tavra Troioufievos' oirep airbv ippijdi) ml 
 vtto rbv xpovov Ttjs 'lovdrivov ftamXelai 
 TreTTOirjicevai. 01 Be rd ^prj^ara Kenopia- 
 fievot; t&v ^vvapypvTwv nvd<s %vv toi<s kiro- 
 fievois Tot? aiiTcbv eire/virov, KaraBeeiv e| 
 eVtS/ao/Mjs yrjv Tt)v /3aai\ea><; KeXevovres, oVws 
 km aiiTol rr/v eipr\vi\v dnrefiiroXelv t& Tavrqv 
 wveurdai Xoytp ovBevl fiovXo/ievcp Bvvarol 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 92 
 
 satisfy his insatiable desire, either of 
 money or blood ; but after he had 
 plundered one wealthy house, he would 
 seek for another to rob, and straightway 
 squander the plunder upon subsidies to 
 barbarians, or senseless extravagance in 
 building. After he had destroyed his 
 victims by tens of thousands, he imme- 
 diately began to lay plots against even 
 greater numbers. As the Roman Empire 
 was at peace with foreign nations, his 
 impatience of quiet led him, out of un- 
 controllable love of bloodshed, to set the 
 barbarians fighting with one another. 
 Sending for the chieftains of the Huns 
 for no reason whatever, he took a pride 
 in lavishing great sums of money upon 
 them, under the pretext of securing their 
 friendship, just as he did in the time of 
 the Emperor Justin, as I have already 
 told you. These Huns, when they had 
 got the money, sent to some of their 
 fellow-chieftains with their retainers, and 
 bade them make inroads into the Em- 
 peror's territory, that they also might 
 make a bargain with him for the peace 
 
93 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 elev. Kal oi fiev avrlica rjvBpairoBiipv re 
 Tr)v 'Papauav apyyv, Kal ovBev ti fjaaov 
 6fi/j,L(70oi 7rpo? tov ftaaikitos iyivovro' eTspoi 
 Be fier ixeivow evdvs e? to \r/i£eo-0ai robs 
 raXaiircbpow; ' Pa/xaiovi KaGlaravro, Kal fiera 
 ttjv \eiav a,0\a rrjs i(j>6Sov ttjv /3ao-fAia>? 
 (piKoTi/iiav iSixovro. Ovrto re atravresl |i/X- 
 XijfiSriv ehretv, oiiSeva dvievref Kaipbv, ex 
 irepiTpotrfj'i fyyov re km e<pepov afTra^diravra. 
 , Apy6vTtov yap elat toi<; fiap/SdpoR tovtois 
 S-v/Afioptai -jroWal, Kal irepirjp^TO iroX^fiov 
 ttjv p,ev alrlav e/c $iXoTip,La<; akoyunov 
 \a/3mv, to Be Trepa<; evpiaOai ovBafif) e^cov 
 ti\\' e<f>' eavrbv avaKv^kovfievos tov irdvra 
 al&va. Aib Brj ^<5/do? fiev tr, fj 6'po?, fj 
 <nrtf\.cuov, fj aXKo ti ttj? 'Pea/iaicov yrj'S, vwb 
 tov ftpovov tovtov, dByeorov ovBa/ifj efieive, 
 ycopais Be TroWat? irXeov rj irevraKi*} aku>vai 
 o-vvefir). 
 
 B'. Kal TavTa fievTOi, Kal oaa irpos Mtj- 
 oW tc Kal Sapaxrjv&v, Kal '2,K\a/3r)v&v ) Kal 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 93 
 
 which he was so ready to purchase. 
 These men straightway subjugated the 
 Empire, and nevertheless remained in 
 the Emperor's pay ; and, following their 
 examples, others straightway began to 
 harass the wretched Romans, and, after 
 they had secured their booty, were 
 graciously rewarded by the Emperor for 
 their invasion. Thus the whole Hunnish 
 nation, one tribe after another, never 
 ceased at any time to lay waste and 
 plunder the Empire ; for these barbarians 
 are under several independent chieftains, 
 and the war, having once begun through 
 his foolish generosity, never came to an 
 end, but always kept beginning anew ; so 
 so that, during this time, there was no 
 mountain, no cave, no spot whatever in 
 the Roman Empire that remained un- 
 ravaged, and many countries were harried 
 and plundered by the enemy more than 
 five several times. 
 
 These calamities, and those which 
 were brought upon the Empire by the 
 Medes, the Saracens, the Sclavonians, 
 
94 nPOKGIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 IAvt&v, Kal iw aWcov ftapfjapcov, ^vvtjve^dt] 
 yeviadat, iv Tot? 'ifmrpoaOkv fioi BeBirjyrjTai 
 \6yoK' aW oirep TovBe apxpfievos tov \6yov 
 virehrov, rijv alriav twv f-vixireTTTWKOTtov iv- 
 ravdd fioi r)v avayicaiov ebrrelv. Kal Xoa'pot) 
 (lev KevTrjvaplmv 7r\rjdo<i virep ri}? elptfvrjs 
 irpoifievo 1 }, avToyvcafiovtfaati Be oiiBevl \6ya>, 
 atTtayraTO'i tov \e\vo~dai t<x? <nrovBa<s yi- 
 yovev, 'AXafiovvBapov re ical Ovvvov; tov<s 
 Hepcat,? ivairovBowi GirovBatfov "re Kal Bia- 
 rewofievos kraipi^eaQai, ovep fioi iv Xdyot? 
 rot? birip avr&v ovk cnrapaKaXimTOi'; eiprj- 
 cdai Boxel. 
 
 e. 'Ev u> Be to, £k twv aTaaemv re ical 
 iroXifitov Kaita 'Pafiat'oi? avqyeipe Kal ipplr 
 •m%ev, %v tovto /3ov\evo~dfievo<; > aifiaro<; av- 
 dptotreiov tt)v yfjv 7ro\\at? /iij^avot? efiirXewv 
 yiveaOat,, Kal ■xpy]/iara Xrjt^eadai, 7r\ciiiB, 
 §6vov Kal aXKov rtov vtttjkowv iirevoei tto\vv 
 rpoirij) rbimSe. Xpio~Tiav5>v So^ai a7rd/8X,i?T0t 
 iroWai elaiv iv iraay tjj 'Pm/iaitov apyri, 
 aairep alpeaei<; icaXelv vevoiiUaat,, Movrav&v 
 T6 Kal SaBftaTiavav, Kal oaai<; &Wai<s ifka- 
 vaaBai al t&v dvBpameov euitdaoi yvStfiai. 
 Tovtov<! wiravTas Bo^av rijv iraXatav e«e- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 94 
 
 the Antes, and other barbarians, I have 
 described in the previous books of my 
 history; but, as I have said at the be- 
 ginning of this story, I was here obliged 
 to explain the causes which led thereto. 
 
 Justinian paid Chosroes many cen- 
 tenars in order to secure peace, and 
 then, with unreasonable arbitrariness, did 
 more than anyone to break the truce, 
 by employing every effort to bring Ala- 
 mundur and his Huns over to his own 
 side, as I have already set forth in plain 
 terms in my history. 
 
 While he was stirring up all this 
 strife and war to plague the Romans, 
 he also endeavoured, by various devices, 
 to drench the earth in human blood, to 
 carry off more riches for himself, and to 
 murder many of his subjects. He pro- 
 ceeded as follows. There prevail in the 
 Roman Empire many Christian doctrines 
 which are known as heresies, such as 
 those of the Montanists and Sabbatians 
 and all the others by which men's minds 
 are led astray. Justinian ordered all these 
 beliefs to be abandoned in favour of the 
 
95 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 \eve fierarideerdat,, aWa re dvetXtja-ai direi- 
 6ov<rt troWa, ical rd<; overlap es t<w? iralSai 
 rj i-vyyeveis (irjiciri rrapairk[nreiv olov re elvai. 
 Tovtwv Se rd lepa rfav alperiK&v koXou- 
 fiivav, ical Sia&epovTW olcrirep 17 tou 'Apsiov 
 jj<ricr]TO Solja, ir\ovrov riva el)(ev dicorjs 
 KpetTTio. Ovre ydp 17 <rvyic\r]7os @ov\)) Sjvp,- 
 iracra, ovre ni aWij fieyla-rri fiolpa tj)s 
 'Pa/iaicov apj(f)<i, rd ye «? rr/v ovalav elxa- 
 %eadai tovtois Srj tot<s iepol<; ea^e. KeifirfKid 
 re yap avrols 'xpvaa re ical dpyvpd, ical 
 j-vyxec/ieva iic XiOtav evrifimv, dixvOtjrd re 
 ical dvapiBfMjra r)v' olictat, re ical tcco/icu 
 Tra/J.ir\i)dei<;, ical %to/ja rroWrj rravraypQi, rip 
 7)79, teal oat] aXki\ rrXovrov iZea eari re ical 
 bvofid^erai iv rraartv dvOpdnrois. 
 
 ?'. "Are ovSevb? avra r&v irmtrore 
 ftefiacikevicoTmv a)(\rj<Tavro<;, iraiWoi re av- 
 dparrroi, ical ravra So^rji ovre? dpBrjt;, ry 
 rutv atperepaiv eTrirt]Bev^,dr<ov rrpoepdaei ev- 
 OevSe del rov /Stow rd<: d<popfia.i} el^pv. Tov- 
 rcov (lev ovv rotv iepwv rrptarov to? owria? 
 Srj/Moa-ia)aa<i , Iovariviavo<; /SatrtXews, d(pet\ero 
 e^amvaiwi rd yprtfiara irdvra, ef o5 roK 
 itoWok drrotceickeladai to Xoirrbv toO fttov 
 avvefir]. II0XK0I Se e&8iis irara^oae ire- 
 piidvrei, So'fg? T17? irarpiov roiis iraparriv- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 95 
 
 old religion, and threatened the recusants 
 with legal disability to transmit their pro- 
 perty to their wives and children by will. 
 The churches of these so-called heretics 
 — especially those belonging to the Arian 
 heresy — were rich beyond belief. Neither 
 the whole of the Senate, or any other of 
 the greatest corporations in the Roman 
 Empire, could be compared with these 
 churches in wealth. They had gold and 
 silver plate and jewels more than any man 
 could count or describe ; they owned many 
 mansions and villages, and large estates 
 everywhere, and everything else which is 
 reckoned and called wealth among men. 
 
 As none of the previous Emperors had 
 interfered with them, many people, even 
 of the orthodox faith, procured, through 
 this wealth, work and the means of live- 
 lihood. But the Emperor Justinian first 
 of all sequestrated all the property of 
 these churches, and suddenly took away 
 all that they possessed, by which many 
 people lost the means of subsistence. 
 Many agents were straightway sent out 
 to all parts of the Empire to force whom- 
 
96 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rovra<; rjvar/icatyv nerafidXKeadai. "Airep 
 evet dvOpdnrois aypolicois ofy oaia eSoljev 
 elvai, toZs ravra eirayyeWovatv dvrtcrrareiv 
 airavre? eyvwaav. IIoXKol fiev o5i/ 77730? 
 raw ara<na>ro>v 8ie<p0etpoi>ro' 7roWol 8e teal 
 afyas ai/Toiif Ste^pijcrai/TO, evaefielv fiaKitrra 
 {nrb aj3e\Tepia<; owfievoi' ical avr&v 6 p,ev 
 ir\ei<rro<s op,i\os, 7?/? rfjs irarpdwi eftCTO/te- 
 voi, etpevyow Movravol Be, 0? iv $pvyla 
 Karqucqvro, a"<£as avrovs ev tepols rots <r<pere- 
 pot? Kadeip^avref, tovtov<} re robs vew<s 
 avrUa ifiirprjGavre'i, £vv8ie<p0dpi)<rav oiSevl 
 \6yij)' rraxrd re air avrov 17 'Pafiauov apvfj 
 ipovov re ?w ical <pvyr)$ eftirXem. 
 
 £' ' . Nofiov Se tov roiovrov ical ap,<pl 
 roiis 2ap,apeira<} avrlica reBevrot, rapa^ 
 aicpiTOs rrjv IlaXaiirTLvrjv icari\a/3ev. v Oaoi 
 fiev ovv ev re Kaurapeia rfj e/ti} icav ton 
 aKKais 7roXe<Tiv to/cow, irapa fyavkov 17717- 
 adfievoi KatorrdBeidv riva wrep dvarjrov 
 QepeaBai SoypMros, ovop.a Xptariavmv rod 
 ar<pi(ri, irapovTos, avraWal-dpxvoi Tg> irpo- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 96 
 
 soever they met to change the faith of 
 his forefathers. These homely people, con- 
 sidering this an act of impiety, decided to 
 oppose the Emperor's agents. Hereupon 
 many were put to death by the persecuting 
 faction, and many made an end of them- 
 selves, thinking, in their superstitious 
 folly, that this course best satisfied the 
 claims of religion ; but the greater part 
 of them voluntarily quitted the land of 
 their forefathers, and went into exile. 
 The Montanists, who were settled in 
 Phrygia, shut themselves up in their 
 churches, set them on fire, and perished in 
 the flames; and, from this time forth, 
 nothing was to be seen in the Roman 
 Empire except massacres and flight. 
 
 Justinian straightway passed a simi- 
 lar law with regard to the Samaritans, 
 which produced a riot in Palestine. In 
 my own city of Caesarea and other cities, 
 the people, thinking that it was a fool- 
 ish thing to suffer for a mere sense- 
 less dogma, adopted, in place of the 
 name which they had hitherto borne, 
 the appellation of " Christians," and so 
 
 J 3 
 
97 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 aryfiiiaTi rovTif), tov e« tov v6fiov diroaei- 
 aacrOcu kivSvvov tayyaav. Kal avr&v ocrois 
 fiiv ri Xoyurfiov Kal eirteucelas fierrjv,, iriarol 
 elvai rh 3? So^av rtfvSe ovSafirj dirrjf-iovv oi 
 fiivroi ir\el<TTOL wcnrep dyavanTovvTe<;, Sri Sr) 
 oi>x etcouaioi,, aSXa t$ v6p,ty ijvayKacr/.isvoi, 
 S6y/ia to Trdrptov fierefidWovTO, avrUa Sr) 
 /jLaKa eirl re Mapiyaiov; Kal tov? koXov- 
 fjuivovi IIo\vdiov$ aireKkwav. 
 
 7}'. 01 Se yeoapyol %v\iiravTe<i ad 'poo i 
 yeyevqfikvoi, oifka avraipeiv f3aai\ei eyvwaav, 
 f3ao~Ckia acpicn t5>v Tuva Xtjo-tSiv irpofiefiiXri- 
 ixkvai, 'Iovkiavbv ovo/xa, 'ZajSapov vlov. Kal 
 •yjpovov n&v nva rots aTpaTUorai<i e? %etpa? 
 i\dopT€<;, avrelypv' eirena Si ^TTrjdevTei t§ 
 pdyrj, SietpOdp-qaav %iw ti£ rjyefiovi. Kal 
 Xeyovrai fivpidBe? dvOpcotrmv Sexa iv rw 
 ■troviig toutjj) diroKakivai' Kal x®P a % irao-i)*} 
 7^? dyadt) fidXiara, epr)//,o<; yea>py5>v air' 
 avrov yeyove. Tot? re ran yu>plu>v Kvp'wvt 
 Xpianavol's oi<n to irpayfia tovto e? p.eya 
 Kaicov ireXeiiTTja-ev. 'AvayKalov yap yeyove 
 trtpbrcv oiSev ivdevSe /xeTaKo/Mt^ofiivoK, <f>opov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 97 
 
 avoided the danger with which they were 
 threatened by this law. Such of them 
 as had any claims to reason and who 
 belonged to the better class, thought it 
 their duty to remain stedfast to their new 
 faith ; but the greater part, as though 
 out of pique at having been forced 
 against their will by the law to aban- 
 don the faith of their fathers, adopted 
 the belief of the Manicheans, or what is 
 known as Polytheism. 
 
 But all the country people met to- 
 gether in a body and determined to take 
 up arms against the Emperor. They 
 chose a leader of their own, named 
 Julian, the son of Sabarus, and for some 
 time held their own in the struggle with 
 the Imperial troops, but were at last de- 
 feated and cut to pieces, together with 
 their leader. It is said that one hundred 
 thousand men fell in this engagement, 
 and the most fertile country on the 
 earth has ever since been without culti- 
 vators. This did great harm to the 
 Christian landowners in that country, 
 for, although they received nothing from 
 
 13—2 
 
98 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 top iirireiov, dSpov Tipa optu, e? top aireuna 
 alciypa fiaaiXel <pepeip, iirel ovSe/iia fyetooi r) 
 tov epyov tovtov eirnpotrij yiyovev. 
 
 8'. 'Evrevdev iirl tov? "Uttfas m- 
 Xovfiipows rrjp Sico^ip rjyev, al/city/ievo'} ts ra 
 awfiara Kal Ta yjp-^funa \r)i£6fievo<;. 'AWa 
 Kal avT&p oaot, tov Xpiariap&v oVo/jotov 
 Srjdep tS \07qj fteTaXa'xeiP eyvaxrav, Kaipbv 
 top irapovTa afyurtv iictcpovopTes, ovroi 8J7 ov 
 •7roXK(p varepop iirl Tali cnrovZai? Kal 6v- 
 alais xal aWois ov^ oalois epyois 4k tov 
 einirXelo-TOP rfKiaKOVTO. Ta yap dp,<f>l to?s 
 Xpto-napoti elpyao-fiepa h> rot? oiriadep jioi 
 \6yois XeXeferat. 
 
 1. M.6Td Si Kal to iratSepaa-Teip vo/Mf 
 aireipyep, ov to, fieTa top po/iop Biepevvm- 
 /jbevos, dXkd Toil 1 } iraKai ttots Tavry St) tj; 
 poo-y d\6vTa<s. 'Eyiper6 re f) e's avTov? 
 aTroo~Tpo(f>r) oiSepi Koo-fii^' eirel Kal KaTrjyopov 
 ^6)/0(9 iirpdaaeTO ■>] e's avToi><; Tt'ffW ew>s re 
 avBobf fj watSo? \6yo<;, Kal tovtov BovXov, 
 av ovtw tvx oi > Ka ^ blkovo-Iov fiaprvpelv eirl 
 top KeKTTjfievov dpayKao-QkpTo<!, eSoljep elvai 
 aKpifi-qs M\ey)(p<;. Tovs Te outcu? akiaKopi- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 98 
 
 their property, yet they were forced to 
 pay heavy taxes yearly to the Emperor 
 for the rest of their lives, and no abate- 
 ment or relief from this burden was 
 granted to them. 
 
 After this he began to persecute those 
 who were called Gentiles, torturing their 
 persons and plundering their property. 
 All of these people, who decided to adopt 
 the Christian faith nominally, saved them- 
 selves for the time, but not long after- 
 wards most of them were caught offering 
 libations and sacrifices and performing 
 other unholy rites. How he treated the 
 Christians I will subsequently relate. 
 
 Next he forbade paederasty by law, and 
 he made this law apply not only to those 
 who transgressed it after it had been 
 passed, but even to those who had prac- 
 tised this wickedness long before. The 
 law was applied to these persons in the 
 loosest fashion, the testimony of one 
 man or boy, who possibly might be a 
 slave unwilling to bear witness against 
 his master, was held to be sound evi- 
 dence. Those who were convicted were 
 
99 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 vow; t« alSoia irepiyprifievovs iiro/nrevev. Ovk 
 e? irdvras /livrot to kclkov kot apyfoi rjyeTo, 
 d\\' ocroi rj Hpaxnvoi elvai, i) fieydka irept- 
 /3e/3\r}a6ai XPVf J,aTa eSofjav, rj aXXo ti wpo- 
 a/ceKpovKOTe<s irvyxavov. 
 
 id. Kal fir)v teal rot? fierewpokoyoK 
 XaXeirmi el^ev. Aib Br) avroiis Kal 17 eirl 
 Tot? K\e7TTat? Teray/ievr) apXV yicl£er6 re 
 air' oiSe/jbia? aXXr)<s alrta?, Kal t-aivovaa 
 Kara vwtov 7ro\Xa?, eirl Kap,ij\av <pepo/ievov<s 
 itropmevev dva nratrav rt]V -nokiv, yipovrd 1 } 
 re Kal aWeos eTrieiKel<; ovrat, aXXo avrot? 
 iiriKaXeiv oiSev eypvaa, irKr/v ye Br) oti 
 crocpoi t« "irepl tov? curTepas iv TOiovrip 
 X^PV efioiikovTO elvai. 
 
 t/S 7 . "E(pevyov rolvvv avdpwirav Bir)veicr)<; 
 ofiiXos 7ro\,ii<i ovk e? papfidpov? fiovov, aXka 
 Kal 6? rou? fiaKpav qKiafievovs 'Pcofiaiwv' 
 
 rjv t€ IBelv iv X^P a Te ° e ' Ka ^ """o^- 61 
 eKao-TT) tov? TrXeioTov? f-evovs. Tov yap 
 BiaXaOeiv evexa, 7J79 t»}? irarpmaf Tr)v 
 aWoTpiav rfKXd^avTO einreT&<s eKOO-roi, aawep 
 T7)s 7raT/3t'8os aiiroK vtto 7ro\efiwv a\ovar)S. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 99 
 
 carried through the city, after having had 
 their genitals cut off. This cruelty was 
 not at first practised against any except 
 those who belonged to the Green faction 
 or were thought to be very rich, or had 
 otherwise offended. 
 
 Justinian and Theodora also dealt 
 very harshly with the astrologers, so that 
 the officers appointed to punish thieves 
 proceeded against these men for no other 
 cause than that they were astrologers, dealt 
 many stripes on their backs, and paraded 
 them on camels through the city ; yet 
 they were old and respectable men, 
 against whom no reproach could be 
 brought except that they dwelt in Byzan- 
 tium and were learned about the stars. 
 
 There was a continual stream of emi- 
 gration, not only to the lands of the 
 barbarians, but also to the nations most 
 remote from Rome; and one saw a very 
 great number of foreigners both in the 
 country and in each city of the Empire, 
 for men lightly exchanged their native 
 land for another, as though their own 
 country had been captured by an enemy. 
 
ioo nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION IB'. 
 
 . a. Tbv fiev otiv ifkovrov t$>v evhai- 
 fiovav etvat SoKovvrtov iv BvtywrLg km, iroXei 
 eicdo-Trj, fierd ye roiis e/c rfj? avyKkrjTov 
 /3ov\r]<! ) Tpoirot*} oltrirep eiprjTat, IovaTiviavo<i 
 re km, OeoBcopa Xrjtxrd/ievot, e<Jj(ov. "Ovto<! 
 Se Kal tous eV fiovKfjs dfyatpeladai ra ypr\- 
 fiara irdvra 'Layyaav, aiirUa SrjXxoaco. 
 
 (Ke<f>. tfi' ancien.) *Hi> rt? iv Bv^avrlq 
 Zrjvwv ovofia, ineivov Avde/iiov vtWo?, oairep 
 iv Tfi eavepia ttjv fiaaikeiav ra irporepa 
 ea^ev. Tovtov Stj ige'irtTfj&es apypvia iv 
 AirfuitTov KaTa<TTr)ad[ievoi eareWov. 'AW 
 6 [lev, 'XprjfiaTOiv to ifKotov t&v TCfiuoTaTtav 
 ifiir\rjirdfJievo<s, ra I? ttjv dvaymyrjV SiereiveTO' 
 rjaav yap airy o~Ta8/Jto<; re dpyvpov ova- 
 pidfjLfjTOis, Kal xpvo-dtfiaTa fiapydpoK re Kal 
 afiapdySois KdSXayinaBeina, Kal Xidois aXhoR 
 TOiovrois ivri/Moi^' ol he, riva? dvaireiaavTes 
 t&v ol TnaroraToyv etvat, hoKoivrtov, ta fiev 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN IOO 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 Those who were considered the weal- 
 thiest persons in Byzantium and the 
 other cities of the Empire, next after 
 members of the Senate, were robbed of 
 their wealth by Justinian and Theodora 
 in the manner which I have described 
 above. I shall now describe how they 
 managed to take away all the property 
 of members of the Senate. 
 
 There was at Constantinople one Zeno, 
 the grandson of that Anthemius who 
 formerly had been Emperor of the West. 
 They sent this man to Egypt as go- 
 vernor. He delayed his departure, while 
 he loaded his ship with precious valu- 
 ables ; for he had silver beyond any man's 
 counting, and gold plate set with pearls 
 and emeralds, and with other like pre- 
 cious stones. But Justinian and Theodora 
 bribed some of those who passed for his 
 
ioi nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ypr\iwsra ivdevBe on rar^uira i/cfoprjo-avTes, 
 •jrvp he iv KoiXy vrfi ififieffXrjpivoi, to) Zfywi 
 airayyeXXeiv eiceXevov airb ravTOfidrov rrjv 
 re (fiXoya iv t<£ ttKouq %vvr}vkyB<u ical 
 BioXtoXivai ra ftpy/iara. Xpovip Si vajepov, 
 Zrfvavi (iev i^airivaia><; airoyeveadai Ijvvi- 
 ireo-ev, aiirol Se Kvpiot rfj<; owrias ev6v<s, aje 
 KXrjpovopbOi, yeyovacri. AiaO^Krjv yap Tive$ 
 vpovcp'epov, rjvirep ov nap' iicetvov f-vyitelaBai 
 SuiTedpvXXriTai,. 
 
 {¥. Kal Tariavov re Kal A-qiwaOevovi 
 Kal tj)? 'IXapas Tpovq tq5 ofiouy cr<j)a<; 
 awrov? KXripovopov? TreTroirjvTai, o'hrep to, re 
 dXXa Kal to a^iwfia Trpmroi ev ye 'Pcofiaiav 
 tt} fiovXfj Tjaav. Tiv&v he ov SiaOqicas, aXX' 
 iiTKTToXa'i Sieo'Kevao'fievot tr]v overiav eff^ov. 
 Ovtco yap A tower [ov re KXr/povofioi yeyo- 
 vaatv, of iv Aiffdvw micei, Kal 'Iadvvov rov 
 BaaiXeiov vatSo^, Ss iirityavearaTOS M^" 
 'ESeo-o-rjvebv iyeyovei iravrutv, 8la Se ?r/)o? 
 BeXiaapiov iv ofitfpcov Xoyq iicSiSoTai rot? 
 Uepaaix, &airep (ioi iv tor e/iirpoadev XoyoK 
 ippijOr]. Tovrov yap tov 'Iwdvvrjv 6 /lev 
 Xoo-pori<! ovk&ti rjifjlet, iiriKaXwv 'PeopaioR 
 rjXoyqKevaii ra ^vyKelfieva iravra, e<$> oh 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN IOI 
 
 most faithful servants, to take everything 
 out of the ship as fast as they could, 
 set it on fire in the hold, and then go 
 and tell Zeno that his ship had taken 
 fire of its own accord, and that all his 
 property was lost. Some time after this ' 
 Zeno died suddenly, and they took pos- 
 session of his property as his heirs, 
 producing a will which, it is currently 
 reported, was never made by him. 
 
 In like manner they made themselves 
 the heirs of Tatian, of Demosthenes, and 
 of Hilara, persons who at that time 
 held the first rank in the Roman Senate. 
 They obtained other persons' fortunes by 
 the production, not of formal wills, but 
 of counterfeit conveyances. This was 
 how they became the heirs of Dionysius, 
 who dwelt in Libanus, and of John the 
 son of Basil, who was the leading man 
 in Edessa, and had been delivered up to 
 the Persians as a hostage against his will 
 by Belisarius, as I have told already. 
 Chosroes kept this John a prisoner, and 
 refused to let him go, declaring that the 
 Romans had not performed all the terms 
 
102 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 avra> irpbt BeXiaapiov Sodels irvy^avev' 
 dtroSlSoaOai fievroi are SopvdXarov yeyovora 
 r)%iov. 'H Se tov avSpb? fidnfit] (irepiovaa 
 yap irvyxavev en), ra Xvrpa irape-^ofiem), 
 oi>X ^aaov r) Siaj(tXia<} Xlrpas dpyvpov, tov 
 vliovov wvtfo-eadai iirlSofjo? r)v. 'AXX* eVei 
 to, Xvrpa ravra e<s Adpas r)X0e, fiadwv o 
 /3curi\ev$ rb o~vfi/36Xatov yeveadai ovk e'la' 
 <bs fir) e? tov? fiapfidpow;, efarmv, o 'Ptofiatcov 
 Kofiltyjrai rrXovTo*;. Ov iroXXm Se varepov, 
 rat (lev 'Icodvvrj voar]o-avn l-wePt) el; dv- 
 Bpdyjrmv d<pavio-0fjvai' 6 Be rr)v ttoXiv em- 
 rporcevwv iirio-To\r)v dvarrXdaas nvd, e<j>r) 
 7TjOO? avrbv are (J>iXov ov ttoXXw ep/irpoa-Qev 
 tov ""lmdvvtfv typdifrat, <3? oi avrm fiovXo/xevq 
 eir), el<! rbv ftao-iXea ri)v avrov ovalav 
 eXOelv. 
 
 7'. IldvTccv Se tS>v dXXtov rd bvdfiara 
 KaraXeyetv ovk av Svvalp/qv mvrrep avro- 
 fiaroi KXrjpovofioi yeyevr/vTai. 'AXXd fie%pi 
 fiev ovv f] tov Nltea KaXov/ievrj aTcLats 
 eyevero, Kara filav SiaXeyeadac » ra? tooi 
 evSai/iovoov overlap rjglovv' eVei Se Tavnjv, 
 waTrep fioi ev toZs 'efnrpoaffev Xoyois eppijdr), 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 102 
 
 of the treaty for which John had been 
 given in pledge by Belisarius, but he was 
 prepared to let him be ransomed as a 
 prisoner of war. His grandmother, who 
 was still alive, got together the money 
 for his ransom, not less than two thou- 
 sand pounds of silver, and would have 
 ransomed her grandson ; but when this 
 money arrived at Dara, the Emperor 
 heard of the transaction and forbade it, 
 that the wealth of Romans might not 
 be conveyed to barbarians. Not long 
 after this John fell ill and died ; where- 
 upon the governor of the city forged a 
 letter which he said John had written 
 to him as a friend not long before, to 
 the effect that he desired the Emperor 
 to succeed to his property. 
 
 I could not give the list of all the 
 other people whose heirs Justinian and 
 Theodora became by the free will of the 
 testators. However, up to the time of 
 the insurrection called Nike, they only 
 plundered rich men of their property one 
 by one ; but when this broke out, as I 
 have described in my former works, they 
 
103 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 yeviedat, I-vviftr), rore Br) A0p6a<s ehreiv 
 fffteSov ji airdvT(ov T&v diro tjJ? avyKX^Tov 
 f3ov\r)<; rat ovo~ia$ Sr/fioari&o-avTes, ra /lev 
 eirtirKa iravja, km t&v ^W/OtW oaa icak- 
 Xto-ra r)v, rjirep ifiovXovro Sie-xelprjaav diro- 
 Xefjavre? S« ra (popou iriKpov re Kal fiapv- 
 twtov vTTOTe\rj ovra, <f>i\av6pcoma<} irpoa^pMrti 
 Tot? TraXai KeKTrj/ievoR direBovTO. Aw St) 
 w/od? Te t&v (popoXoyav ayxpf&evoi Kal cvrro- 
 /cvMOfievot, tokoi<; o^Kruidrmv aeippvrois Tial 
 BvaiOavarovvTes atcovaioi Biefilmaav. 
 
 8'. Alb Br) ifioC tb Kal tois iroXXol's 
 r)fi&v ovSeiranrore eBofjav oinoi dvOprntroi 
 elvai, aSXa Balfioves Traka/Avaiol rives, Kal 
 acr-Trep ol iroirjTal "keyovai, j3poTo\oiya> r)artfv, 
 ot Br) eiri KOivrfs ftovXev&dfievoi, oira><; airavra 
 avdpojTreta ykvt\ re teal epya (is pacrra Kal 
 Tayia-Ta 8ia<p0e(peiv licavol etev, avdpdyireiov 
 re r)fiireo"XpvTO o~&/j,a xal dvdpanroSal/xove<; 
 yeyevrj/ievoi, . t$ rpoirip tovtio ^vfiiraaav ttjv 
 olKOVfievrjv Kareo-uaav. TeKfur/picoo-ai 8' av 
 t*? to toiovto ttoXXok re km dXXois Kal 
 ttj t&v Treirpar/fiivwv Bwd/iei. 
 
 e'. Ta yap Baifiovia r&v avdpanreliov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN IO3 
 
 then sequestrated nearly all the property 
 of the Senate. They laid their hands 
 upon all movables and the finest parts 
 of the estates, but set apart such lands 
 as were burdened with grievous imposts, 
 and, under pretence of kindness, restored 
 them to their former possessors. So these 
 people, oppressed by the tax-gatherers, and 
 tormented by the never-ceasing interest to 
 be paid upon their debts, became weary 
 of their lives. 
 
 For the reasons which I have stated, 
 I, and many of my position, never be- 
 lieved that they were really two human 
 beings, but evil demons, and what the 
 poets call scourges of mankind, who 
 laid their heads together to see how they 
 could fastest and most easily destroy the 
 race and the works of man, but who had 
 assumed human forms, and become some- 
 thing between men and demons, and 
 thus convulsed the whole world. One 
 can find proofs of this theory more 
 particularly in the superhuman power 
 with which they acted. 
 
 There is a wide distinction between 
 
104 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Evfifictivei ttoXXA tm oiaKXaccrovTi, ounce k- 
 plaBai. IIoXX&v d/ieXei yeyovoTwv iic tov 
 7roj/Tos aluvos avdpmircav, Tvyjg f\ <pvaei 
 (pofiep&v 6? tu (idXio-Ta, ol /juev troKei's, ol 
 Se ympa<;, fj aXXo ri roioiho icaff ai/Toiis 
 etrcjyrjKav, oXeOpov Se %vpjTrdvTU>v avdpdnrav 
 !jv/A<popd$ T6 7?)? tj}? oi/cow/tewj? aircurr)? 
 oi&el<;, on, firj ovtoi avOpamoi, ipyd^eadal 
 Ifcavm eaxov &v hrj ical r) Tvyi) irrrovpyei 
 rfj yvw/J/p ffvyKarepya^ofiivr} t&v dvdpumtav 
 Sia<f)dopdv. Heto-fioi 1 } re yap real XoifioK, 
 Kai vSdrmv iroTajilav eirippoaU, wo tov 
 Xpovov rovrov, rrXelaTa hioXaiXevat, Tervyriicev, 
 w? fioi avrtKa XeXel-eTai. Ovtcos ovk dvdpco- 
 ire'up, aU' eripeft adevet ra Seiva eirpacraov. 
 
 •s'. Aiyovcri Se avrav Kai tt}V p,r]Tepa 
 cpdvav t&v itriT7)8euov tmtiv, to? oi 2a/3/3a- 
 riov, tov avTrjs dv8pb<s, oiBe dvdpdmav twos 
 ww? evq. 'Hvltca yap avTov Kveiv efieXXev, 
 eiricpoiTav aiiTy Batfiovtov ov% opmfievov, dXX' 
 a'io~8rjcrLv Tiva, ot* 877 irdpeo-Ttv, amy irapa- 
 o"x,6v, a/re dvSpa yvvaiici trXrjatdo'avTa, koBo.- 
 irep iv bveipn d<pavio~6r}vai. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 104 
 
 the human and the supernatural. Many 
 men have been born in every age who, 
 either by circumstances or their own 
 character, have shown themselves terrible 
 beings, who became the ruin of cities, 
 countries, and whatever else fell into 
 their hands ; but to destroy all men 
 and to ruin the whole earth has been 
 granted to none save these two, who have 
 been helped by Fortune in their schemes 
 to destroy the whole human race. For, 
 about this time, much ruin was caused 
 by earthquakes, pestilences and inunda- 
 tions of rivers, as I shall immediately tell 
 you. Thus it was not by mere human 
 power, but by something greater, that 
 they were enabled to work their evil will. 
 It is said that Justinian's mother told 
 some of her intimates that Justinian was 
 not the son of Sabbatius, her husband, 
 or of any human being; but that, at the 
 time when she became pregnant, an un- 
 seen demon companied with her, whom 
 she only felt as when a man has con- 
 nection with a woman, and who then 
 vanished away as in a dream. 
 
 H 
 
105 nPOKOniOY ANBKAOTA 
 
 f . Tw6? Be t&v avra irapbvrwv, Te 
 iroppa tcov t&v vvkt&v, km f-vyyivo/ievav , 
 iv iraKaTlty Brjkovdn, olairep ev icaOapm fj 
 yfrv%r) Tjv, (fxivracrfid ri deacraaOat, Bat/ioviov 
 arjOe? G(pl<riv avr' avrov eBo^av. '0 pAv 
 yap ecpaaicev, acpvw fiev avrbv dpovov rov 
 ftaaiXeiov e%ava<navTa irepiiraTOVS evTavda 
 •jroteiv' avjfvbv yap KaOrjadat, ovBafir) eWurTO' 
 tjj? Be iceifiaXfjs ev t& irapavriKa t& 'Iovar- 
 Tiviavm a<pavio k del<rr)<} > to aWo oi cru/xa 
 tovtows Br) toik BiavKov<s iToielv Boieeiv, ai/Tov 
 re, are oi t5>v o/i/idrav irepl ti)v Qkav 6><s 
 fy/ciara vyiaivovratv, aaj^aXKovra ical But- 
 •iropov/j.evou iirl irXelarov eo-rdvat. "Ttnepov 
 fiei/TOi, tjj? K€<pa\r)<i rm awfiart eiravqicovaii<! ) 
 ts reo)? Xetirofieva o'leadai irapa S6!-av ava- 
 iri/j.irKdvcu. ''AWo? Be irapeo-rdvai oi Ka8i)- 
 fievrp eiprf iic Be rod al<f>vi8iov to irpoaoairov 
 oi Kpeari do-rjp,^ ISeiv ificpepes yeyovo? ovre 
 yap oippvs, ovre 6<j>6a\p,ov<; eirl %a>pa<i T»)s 
 avrwv ovras, ovre aWo ti to irapdirav e<j>epe 
 yvrnpia/JM' -)(pbvov fievTOt avTat to ayripa T»j? 
 oyjreav eiravrjicov IBelv. Tavra ovtc ainoi 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 105 
 
 Some who- have been in Justinian's 
 company in the palace very late at night, 
 men with a clear conscience, have thought 
 that in his place they have beheld a 
 strange and devilish form. One of them 
 said that Justinian suddenly arose from 
 his royal throne and walked about (al- 
 though, indeed, he never could sit still 
 for long), and that at that moment his 
 head disappeared, while the rest of his 
 body still seemed to move to and fro. 
 The man who beheld this stood trembling 
 and troubled in mind, not knowing how 
 to believe his eyes. Afterwards the head 
 joined the body again, and united itself 
 to the parts from which it had so strangely 
 been severed. 
 
 Another declared that he stood beside 
 Justinian as he sat, and of a sudden his 
 face turned into a shapeless mass of 
 flesh, without either eyebrows or eyes in 
 their proper places, or anything else 
 which makes a man recognisable ; but 
 after a while he saw the form of his face 
 come back again. What I write here I 
 did not see myself, but I heard it told 
 
 14—2 
 
io6 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 6eaadfjL6uo<} ypatfios, aWa rtov tots Oedaaa- 
 6ai la^vpi^o/ievoiv aicovaas. 
 
 if. Aeyovat, Be teal jiova^ov tivcl tgD 
 ©ee3 6? ra fiaKiara (pi\ov, Trpos rav clvtm 
 yrjv Tt)V eprjfiov J-vvovkovvtgsv avaireiadevra, 
 ardkrjvai f&ev es BvfcdvTiov, rots ay%iaTa 
 afylaiv iv^Krj/j,evoi<; iira/ivvovvra, /3ta£op,evot<i 
 T£ zeal a&iicovfievois avuTroiara,' evravOa Be 
 afyucofievov aiiriKa elaoBov t»}? irapa tou 
 fiaaikea TV%eiv' peWovra Be etato trap avrov 
 yeveaOai, d/nelyjrai (lev tov eicelae ovBbv Oarepa 
 T(» jroBe, ei;aTnvaia}<; Be dvairoBi^ovra oiziam 
 levai. Evvov)(pv /J,ev ovv tov elaaycoyea, ical 
 toih; TjjBe irapovrat;, iroXkd tov avdpanrov 
 Xnrapeiv e-rriirpoadev fialveiv. Tov Be oi/Bev 
 ti aTTOKpivdjievov, dXXa Kal irapa,ifkr)yi eoucora 
 e? to B(o/j,aTiov, ov Br) Kosiekve, yeyovoTa' 
 tS)v re 01 eirop,kv(ov dvavrrvvbavopAvtav, otov 
 eveica Tavra irowvrf tfcdvai \eyovatv avrbv 
 dvTixpvs, «os t£>v Baipkovav tov dpj^ovTa iv 
 t<£ 7ra\aTit[) eirl tov dpovov KadrjpLevov XBoi, 
 q> Br) l-vyyeveo-6ai r) tl trap avrov aheladai 
 ovk av d^ioirj. ILS? Be ovk efieWev oBe o 
 dvr)p SaifJLtov ti? aXiT^pto? elvai, o<s ye ttotov, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 106 
 
 by men who were positive that they had 
 seen it. 
 
 They say, too, that a certain monk, 
 highly in favour with God, was sent 
 to Byzantium by those who dwelt with 
 him in the desert, to beg that favour 
 might be shown to their neighbours, who 
 had been wronged and outraged beyond 
 endurance. When he arrived at Byzan- 
 tium, he straightway obtained an audience 
 of the Emperor ; but just as he was 
 about to enter his apartment, he started 
 back, and, turning round, suddenly with- 
 drew. The eunuch, who was escorting 
 him, and also the bystanders, besought 
 him earnestly to go forward, but he made 
 no answer, but like one who has had a 
 stroke of the palsy, made his way back 
 to his lodging. When those who had 
 come with him asked why he acted thus, 
 they say that he distinctly stated that 
 he saw the chief of the devils sitting on 
 his throne in the midst of the palace, 
 and he would not meet him or ask 
 anything of him. How can one believe 
 this man to have been anything but an 
 
107 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 r) airltov, Tj iforvov eh icopov ovSiirore fp\6ev 
 d\\' anwo-ykira)<; t&v •traparedeimov airoyev- 
 o~dp,evo<;, dwpl vvxTiop irepvrjp^ero to, j3a<ri\ua } 
 Kahrep e's ra acppoSiaia Satpovla? e<nrov8aicd>$, 
 
 & '. Aeyovat, Se ical t&v ©eo&opa? ipa- 
 o~r&v Tive<s, fjviica etri Trji a/c^w)? %v, vvKTwp 
 Tt ainoh eiriaKrjtyav Sai/iovtov i%e\do~at tov 
 Scofiariov, "va Sr/ avv avry evvKrepeveV ' dp- 
 j(7)<Trp\<i Si n$, MaiceSovia ovo/ia, eyeyovei 
 Tot? ev 'AvTio^evai BeveTOK, Svvap.iv 7rept- 
 fie/3\r}(ievr] TroWtfv. rpdfifiara yap 'Iov- 
 anvuivw ypdcpovaa eri 'Iovcttwov Sumcov- 
 fievov rijv fiaaikeiav, o&? av fiovXoiTO t&v 
 ev Tots eeoot? Xoyipwv dvypet, oiSevl irowji, 
 teal avT&v to, %prffuiTa eirolei avdypairra es 
 to 8r)p,6aiov yiveadai. 
 
 i. Tavrrjv tt/v MaiceSovlav ipcuriv «(■ 
 AlyvTTTov teal Aifivrj? irore r\mvaav Tip) 
 QeoSmpav aa'iraaop.evrp), etceiSr) \iav Svff^o- 
 povp,evrjV T6 avTr)v Kai d&xdWovo-av el&ev 
 oh Sr) irepivfipiGTO T6 wpo? tow 'Ekij^oXiou 
 Ka\ t£> XprfpaTa, ol ev tj/ 6Sa> Tavrg awo- 
 XtoX&vai, iroWa iraprf/opelv re km irapaQpa- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 107 
 
 evil demon, who never took his fill of 
 drink, food, or sleep, but snatched at 
 the meals which were set before him 
 anyhow, and roamed about the palace at 
 untimely hours of the night, and yet was 
 so passionately addicted to venery. 
 
 Some of Theodora's lovers, when she 
 was still on the stage, declare that a demon 
 had fallen upon them and driven them 
 out of her bedchamber that it might 
 pass the night with her. There was a 
 dancer named Macedonia, who belonged 
 to the Blue faction at Antioch, and had 
 very great influence with Justinian. This 
 woman used to write letters to him while 
 Justin was still on the throne, and thus 
 easily made away with any great man 
 in the East whom she chose, and caused 
 their property to be confiscated for the 
 public use. They say that this Macedonia 
 once greeted Theodora, when she saw her 
 very much troubled and cast down at 
 the ill-treatment which she had received 
 at the hands of Hecebolius, and at the 
 loss of her money on her journey, and 
 encouraged and cheered her, bidding her 
 
108 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 avveiv rr/v dvdpeoTTOP) are tjjs tu^s otos re 
 ovar)<; ical avdis airy ypp-qyov yeviadai xpt]- 
 /jAt<ov ju,eyaXa)V. Tore XeyoVeri, ttjv QeoSmpav 
 ehrelv, a>s ical ovap avrfj einaicrjy^av rqv 
 vvkto, iieetvTjv, ttKovtov i'vexa, firjhefiiav «e- 
 Xevcrai iroieladai (ppovrlSa. 'EneiBav yap e? 
 Bv^cLptiov ikoito, tg> 7&v Baifiovmv apxpvTi 
 e's evvtjv rfeuv' tovt($ re are yaperijv yvvalica 
 ^vvoiKqaeadai firj'xavy iraay' ical air ainov 
 Kvpiav avTTjv iravxmv yjyqiiatav yevtfcrecrOai. 
 AXXa ravra p,ev ovrw Si) SoS-i}? rots ir\ei- 
 cttor eljfev. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 108 
 
 remember the fickleness of fortune, which 
 might again grant her great possessions. 
 They say that Theodora used to tell how, 
 that night, she had a dream which bade 
 her take no thought about money, for that, 
 when she came to Byzantium, she would 
 share the bed of the chief of the demons ; 
 that she must manage by all means to 
 become his wedded wife, and that after- 
 wards she would have all the wealth of 
 the world at her disposal. 
 
 This was the common report in regard 
 to these matters. 
 
log nPOKOIlIOY ANBKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION IT'. 
 
 a. 'Iovanviavos Be tojoCtos fiev to 
 aWo $160$, olo<; BeB^KtoTaf empocrnov Be 
 7rapel\ev avrbv, ical irpaov tois evTvyyavovffiV 
 ovBevi Te t&v iravTwv atroKeicS.ela6ai t»js eh 
 avrbv elaoBov avvifSaivev' aXKa Kal rot? ovk 
 iv Koa^Ltsj trap ainov iar&atv, fj <p0eyyo- 
 fievoi<;, ovBeirore ^oXe7rros ecry^ev. Ov fievroi 
 rjpvdpia Tiva t&v 71730? avrov airoKovfievav. 
 Ov fiijv oiBe dpyfjs •Kumork ti r\ aitpoyphlafi 
 virotpaivcov e? toii? •jrpoaiceicpovKOTa'S evBrj\o? 
 <yeyovev, aSXa Trpao<; fiev t& irpoaarm^, kcl- 
 Oeifievais Be rats hfypvcriv, iKpeifievy Be rfj ■ 
 (pcovf), iice\eve fivpidBa? fiev Siacpdaprjvai fil\- 
 Bev rjBiKrjKOTcov avOpdnrwv, TroXet? Be Ka6e\elv, 
 yjpr\iJMTa re avarfpcnrra e? to Brjfioatov irdvra 
 TToieia-dat. E'lKaaev av Tt?, eie rovBe rov 
 ijOow, irpofSaTiov yvcb/xrjv tov avQpumov eyew. 
 *~Hv fievToi Tt? avrov ikeovfievos, tov? irapa- 
 ireTTTCOKOTai; i/ceo-lois \vraK irapaireladai 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN log 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 Although Justinian's character was 
 such as I have already explained, he was 
 easy of access, and affable to those whom 
 he met. No one was ever denied an 
 audience, and he never was angry even 
 with those who did not behave or speak 
 properly in his presence. But, on the 
 other hand, he never felt ashamed of any 
 of the murders which he committed. 
 However, he never displayed any anger 
 or pettishness against those who offended 
 him, but preserved a mild countenance 
 and an unruffled brow, and with a gentle 
 voice would order tens of thousands of 
 innocent men to be put to death, cities 
 to be taken by storm', and property to 
 be confiscated. One would think, from 
 his manner, that he had the character 
 of a sheep ; but if anyone, pitying his 
 victims, were to endeavour, by prayers 
 
no nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ireipwTO, evravda rjypuofiivos re Kal crear)pm<i 
 /jbeaToiiffdai iSoieei, dXXa Kal tovto em <}>06pm 
 r&v Karr/Kocov. 
 
 j3' . Tois T£ yap iepevavv aBeeoTepov 
 roiis ire\a<s cvvey^mpet /3iu£ea8ai, Kal Xrjity- 
 fMevois to. t&v 6p.6pmv avvi)(aipev, evcrefiuv 
 ravry dfj,<f>i to Oehv olofievo's. ALkus ts 
 ToiavTa% SiKa^wv, ra Sena iroteiv aero, rjv 
 Ti? lepatv \oya> rcov TV ov TrpocrTjKovrtav 
 apirdaa<i veviKtjKoo<i re onriebv w^ero. To yap 
 BUaiov iv t§5 irepielvai tov<s lepea<s twv 
 ivavTimv otero eivai. Kal ai/Tos Be KTWfievos 
 eg ov irpoarfKovrmv ra<; t&v vepiovTWV fj 
 TeTe~KevTr)KOT(ov ovaia<i, Kal Tavras t&v twi 
 veeov evdvs avaridels, tq> tjJs evere/Seias 
 etpikoTipelTO irapaireTdaixarir a>? fit) es tow 
 fitaadevTas r) tovto.iv avdft eiravioi KTrjvR. 
 AWa Kal epoveov apiQ/iov axpiTov Bid Taxna 
 eipya^eTO, 2Si? fiiav yap dfj,<f>l to> Xpio-Tui 
 Bof-av avvayayelv amavTa% ev tnrovBfi e^tnv, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN IIO 
 
 and supplications, to make him relent, he 
 would straightway become savage, show 
 his teeth, and vent his rage upon his 
 subjects. As for the priests, he let them 
 override their neighbours with impunity, 
 and delighted to see them plunder those 
 round about them, thinking that in this 
 manner he was showing piety. Whenever 
 he had to decide any lawsuit of this sort, 
 he thought that righteous judgment con- 
 sisted in letting the priest win his cause 
 and leave the court in triumph with some 
 plunder to which he had no right what- 
 ever; for, to him, justice meant the 
 success of the priest's cause. He him- 
 self, when by malpractices he had obtained 
 possession of the property of people, alive 
 or dead, would straightway present his 
 plunder to one of the churches, by which 
 means he would hide his rapacity under 
 the cloak of piety, and render it impos- 
 sible for his victims ever to recover their 
 possessions. Indeed, he committed num- 
 berless murders through his notion of 
 piety ; for, in his zeal to bring all men 
 to agree in one form of Christian doctrine, 
 
in pPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 X07Q) oiBevl tow? aWou? avQpwtrovs ' 8te- 
 (pdeipe, /cat ravra iv rat rrj'} eiaeftelas irpo- 
 o~yr\iiari rrpdaarwv' oi yap oi iSoxei cf>ovos 
 avOpamcov elvai, r)v ye fir) rr)<f avrov ho^rjt 
 oi re\evTu>vre<; Tvxpiev 6vre<s. 
 
 y'. Owtco? r)v /ca.Teo'irovSaa/j.evo'; ol r&v 
 apOpayjreov io~ael <j)66po<;' hrivoSiv re j-iiv rjj 
 yafierrj, owrore dvlei to? eh rovrov <f>epovtra<: 
 atria*;. "AfuJHo yap rmSe ra> dvdpdnrco ra? 
 eiridviiias etc rov etmrkelaTOv d8eX</>A? elyov 
 oil 8e avroti ical BiaWdcrcreiv rov rpoirov 
 Ji/Mj3i)' irovqpbs fiev eicdrepos ffv, ra, fiivroi 
 evavrtwrara evSeitcvv/ievoi, t<w? vtrrjKoovi 
 8ie<j)0eipov. 'O (lev yap Kovioprov ra e<s rrjv 
 yvd)fi7jv Kovif>6repo<i fy, VTroneifievot tok del 
 rrapdyeiv, oirot iror e&oicei, j3ov\ofievoi<; av- 
 rov, r)v fifj ro irpayfta es (pCkavOpayniav fj 
 dnephiav ayoi' OSiirds re \6yovi ivSeXe^ea- 
 rara rrpoo-iefievo?. "EireiOov ykp avrov oi 
 /cdXatcevovre? ovSevl irovcp, Sri fiereapos dp- 
 deii) ical aepofiarotT). Kat, irore avr& ira- 
 peSpevcov Tpt,@caviavb<; ecprj irepiSer)i areata? 
 eivai, p.r) irore outo? vtto eicrefieias e? rov 
 ovpavbv ava~Ki)$Qe\t} XdOot. Towvrov<s Se roiis 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN III 
 
 he recklessly murdered all who dissented 
 therefrom, under the pretext of piety, for 
 he did not think that it was murder, if 
 those whom he slew were not of the same 
 belief as himself. Thus, his thoughts were 
 always fixed upon slaughter, and, together 
 with his wife, he neglected no excuse 
 which could bring it about; for both of 
 these beings had for the most part the 
 same passions, but sometimes they played 
 a part which was not natural to them ; for 
 each of them was thoroughly wicked, and 
 by their pretended differences of opinion, 
 brought their subjects to ruin. Justinian's 
 character was weaker than water, and 
 anyone could lead him whither he would, 
 provided it was not to commit any act of 
 kindness or incur the loss of money. He 
 especially delighted in flattery, so that his 
 flatterers could easily make him believe 
 that he should soar aloft and tread upon 
 the clouds. Once indeed, Tribonianus, 
 when sitting by him, declared that he was 
 afraid that some day Justinian would be 
 caught up into heaven because of his 
 righteousness, and would be lost to men. 
 
112 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 hraivow V T01 cricwfifiara ev ra> t»}? Siavoiai 
 eiroieiro fiefialq). 
 
 B'. 'AXXa Kal tov 6av/j,d<ra<;, hv ovrat 
 rv^oi, rrjV aperrjv, oXiya varepov are irovrjpif 
 eXoiSopelro' Kal tcaiclaas rS>v riva virrjKotov, 
 at>di<s avrov eiraiv&rqs iylvero ovSevl Xoya, 
 e£ ovSefiia? (leTafiefiXrj/jievo'i alrias. Ta yap 
 ttJ? yvdo/irj'; aiirrn ii; evavria<s yet, &v re 
 avrbs eXeye teal eftovXero ev&rjko<s elvai. 
 "Oira><; fiivroi 6 rpoiro<s avrS ra £? rpiklav 
 re Kal ej(6o<; el^eVf inrehrov rfir), tor rm 
 avdpdyirtg e« rav iirnrXelarov elpyao-fievoii 
 TeKfirjpiaxra^. 'E^Opbt fiev yap aa<paXri<; re 
 Kal arpeTTTO<! r/v, e? Se Toy? (piXov; ayav 
 a/8e/3ato?. "Hare afieXei rS>v fiev ol io-irov- 
 Saa-fievcov Kareipydaaro rrXeiarov; , (plXos Si 
 ra>v TrcoTTore /Murovfievcov ovSevl yeyovev. OS? 
 Se /idXiara yvaspifioui Kal eiriTijSeiovs eSotjev 
 %X eiv t tovtov? ry bfio^vyi v aX\a> orcpovv 
 %api£6fievo<;, airoXovixevovi obx e? paKpav 
 irpovScoKe, Kalrrep e5 etSa)?, on 8rj e? avrov 
 ebvoias eveKa reOvrjt-ovrai /i6vr)<;. ''Attio-to<; 
 yap ev rraai rrXrjv ye Stj rfjs re airavffpa- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 112 
 
 Such praises, or rather sneers, as these 
 he constantly bore in mind; yet, if he 
 admired any man for his goodness, he 
 would shortly afterwards upbraid him for 
 a villain, and after having railed at one 
 of his subjects without any cause, he 
 would suddenly take to praising him, 
 having changed his mind on no grounds 
 whatever ; for what he really thought was 
 always the opposite of what he said, and 
 wished to appear to think. How he was 
 affected by emotions of love or hate I 
 think I have sufficiently indicated by what 
 I have said concerning his actions. As 
 an enemy, he was obstinate and relentless ; 
 as a friend, inconstant ; for he made 
 away with many of his strongest par- 
 tisans, but never became the friend of 
 anyone whom he had once disliked. 
 Those whom he appeared to consider his 
 nearest and dearest friends he would in 
 a short time deliver up to ruin to please 
 his wife or anyone else, although he 
 knew well that they died only because 
 of devotion for him; for he was untrust- 
 worthy in all things save cruelty and 
 
 J 5 
 
113 HPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Trias km (piXoxprip.aTla$ 8ia<£ai>jj? 971/. Tav- 
 Tt]<i yap avrbv anro<nr\aai Svvarbv ovSevl 
 yeyovev. 
 
 e. 'AWa, tcai e? a ireiOeiv avrbv f\ 
 yapxrr) ovk el%e, XP r H J,< * ,Ta>v a ^ T V p>eydXcoi> 
 e\7rtSa? e« rod epyov icroftivcov ip.fiaXop.evrj, 
 eh ttjv irpa%bv rjvirep kftovXero, own £6eknv<nov 
 top avSpa e^elXxe. Kep&ovt yap ovk einrpe- 
 irov<; evexa, Kal vo/iov<s ndivai, Kal au irdXiv 
 avroix; icadeXelv, ov$ap,r) airrjgiov. 'ESUa^e 
 re ov Kara roiii vo/iow, ovs avrbs eypa^ev 
 aX\' ev0a av avrbv fieifov re bcpOeiaa, Kal 
 fieyaXonperrearepa r) r&v yprip.drcav virbo-^eavi 
 ayot. Kal Kara fuicpbv yap KXerrrovrt a$at- 
 pelaOai to.? r&v virrjKoav ovo-'uh;, alayvvrpi 
 avra> (pepeiv rivd oi)8ap,r) afero" r)vUa Si) 0x1% 
 arral-diravra a<f>e\icrdai \6yij> rivl el^ev $ 
 eyic\7]pM e7reveyKa>v aTrpoaSoKrjTOP, rj hiad-qai}^ 
 ov yeyevqp.evq'i •wpoayr\p,ari. 
 
 4. "E/xeivi re, avrov 'Pafiaiav apxovroi, 
 ov ttiVtis rrpbs Oebv da^iaXrjs, rj 861-a, ov 
 vofios b^ypos, ov trpa^K /3e/3ai'a, ov avpfto- 
 Xaiov ovSev. SreXXofievcov Be rrpbs avrov 
 r&v oi hmrrfielatv rives, eirl nva rrpcri-iv, el , 
 fiev 8r) airois drroXaiXeKevai, ^wefti), r&v 
 a(pio~i •jrapaTreirrco/coruv rroXXovi ical j(p7)p,a- 
 roov Tt Xr)Urao-8ai, rrXrjdos, o\>roi 8rj ev8bup.oi, 
 rS avro/cpdropi iSoKovv re elvai Kal bvopa- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN II3 
 
 avarice, from which nothing could restrain 
 him. Whenever his wife could not per- 
 suade him to do a thing, she used to 
 suggest that great gain was likely to result 
 from it, and this enabled her to lead him 
 into any course of action against his will. 
 He did not blush to make laws and after- 
 wards repeal them, that he might make 
 some infamous profit thereby. Nor did 
 he give judgment according to the laws 
 which he himself had made, but in favour 
 of the side which promised him the 
 biggest and most splendid bribe. He 
 thought it no disgrace to steal away the 
 property of his subjects, little by little, 
 in cases where he had no grounds for 
 taking it away all at one swoop, either by 
 some unexpected charge or a forged will. 
 While he was Emperor of the Romans 
 neither faith in God nor religion was se- 
 cure, no law continued in force, no action, 
 no contract was binding. When he in- 
 trusted any business to his officials, if 
 they put to death numbers of those who 
 fell into their hands and carried off great 
 wealth as plunder, they were looked upon 
 
 I 5— 2 
 
ii4 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 £e<r6ai, are Brj a/rravTa e? to a/cpi/3e<; to 
 e<7rrjyye\.fieva iiriTeXiaavre's' el Be (peiSol Ttw 
 e? avdpdnrows xprjcrdtJ.evoi, Trap airov ikoivto, 
 Bvavowi re avrol<; to ~konrbv Kal iroXe/iioi 
 rjv. , ATroyvov<s T6 mairep ap^aiorponrov Tiva 
 
 TTjV TUiV CivhpSiV (pVITIV, £5 T7)V inrovpyiav 
 
 ovneri ixaXei. ' flaTe Kal TroWot, iv airovhij 
 eirotovvro evheiKWcrOai. avTty, a>? irovqpol 
 elev, icanrep a<piffi. twv eiriTr)Savp,dT(i)v oi 
 TavTj) eypvTav. 'Tiroa^ofievoi Si ticti iroX- 
 XaKi<;, Kal opxto i] ypdp,p.a<n ttjv virbayeaw 
 hyvptojipav Treirovrjtievo';, ev6v$ edekovaios h 
 XtjOrjv atfriKTo, 8of>7? ti (pepeiv avrS) to 
 epyov tovto olofievoi. Kal ravra 'IovcrTwia- 
 i>6? ov fiovov es tovs iirijKOOV'; iirpda-a-eTO, 
 akXa Kal e? to>v iroXefilcov ttoWov 1 ;, Sicnrep 
 fiot ecprjTai epvirpooBev. 
 
 £'. ""Hv re aoicvos tb km, avirvo?, em- 
 ifkeicnov ehrelv, Kal crtTJOt? /xkv fj irorm 
 KaTaKopfiv ovBafirj yeyovev, dWd oyehov n 
 aKpm SaKTVTtp diroyev(rdp.evo<i amjWdffffeTO' 
 aairep yap ti avrQ irdpepyov t>}s <pvo~em<i 
 dyyapevocvqt; to, ToiavTa ecpalvero elvtu' 
 eirel Kal dirocnro'; r/pepas Te Kal vvKTat hvo 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 114 
 
 as faithful servants of the Emperor, and 
 were spoken of as men who had accurately 
 carried out his instructions; but, if they 
 came back after having shown any mercy, 
 he took a dislike to them and was their 
 enemy for life, and never again would 
 employ them, being disgusted with their 
 old-fashioned ways. For this reason many 
 men were anxious to prove to him that 
 they were villains, although they really 
 were not such. He would often make 
 men repeated promises, and confirm his 
 promise by an oath or by writing, and 
 then purposely forget all about it, and 
 think that such an action did him credit. 
 Justinian behaved in this manner not 
 only towards his own subjects, but also 
 towards many of his enemies, as I have 
 already told. As a rule he dispensed 
 with both rest and sleep, and never took 
 his fill of either food or drink, but merely 
 picked up a morsel to taste with the tips 
 of his fingers, and then left his dinner, 
 as if eating had been a bye-work imposed 
 upon him by nature. He would often go 
 without food for two days and nights, 
 
115 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ra iroWa e/ievev, aUi»? re r)viKa 6 irpo tj)? 
 7TO(7^oXtas /caXov/j.evT)'} eoprr)<; xpovos evravBa 
 ayoi. Tore yap 7ro\\a«t? fjfiepaiv Bvolv, 
 wtnrep e'tprjrai, yeyovw? aertTo? vSarl re 
 ^pa^el diro%r)v eieifeiau, Kal fiordvaii; ayplav; 
 Tialv, oipav re, av ovrca rvftoi, , KarahpaOwv 
 fiiav, eira rrepirrdrow; del Troiovp,evo$ rbv 
 aXXov Kaferpbfie ypovov. 
 
 rj . Kairot, el rovrov avrbv naipov e? 
 •npa^eii Sairavav dyadds rjdeXev, eirl jieya av 
 ri evhaifiovias exe^apijKei ra rrpdyfiara. 
 Nvv Be rfi (frvaecos lax™ ^' 7rl T '? 'Pa>fiaia>v 
 TTOPT/ptp xpcbfievos, ffv/Mwaaav avr&v rr)v iroXi- 
 relay e<s rb eSa<f>o<s xade\eiv 'layyaev. 'Ey- 
 prjyopevat re yap Biyveice 1 ; Kal rdkanrupuv 
 km, iroveurdai ovk ak\ov rov eve/ca epyov 
 rreirovr\rai rj ware Ko/xircoBea-repa^ del koB' 
 eKaarrrjv rot? vTryKoot,*; emre^vaadai rat 
 <rv(i<fiopd<s. *Hv yap, orrep e'lprjrai, Sutfe- 
 povrcos ofv? emvofjaal re Kal ra%iis diro- 
 reXeaai dvoaia epya, &are avrm Kal ra 
 rrj<i <pv<re<o<; dyaOa eirl \vfirj r&v inrrjKow 
 dvoKeKplaOcu f-vve/3atue. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 115 
 
 especially when fasting was enjoined on 
 the eve of the feast of Easter, when he 
 would often fast for two days, taking no 
 sustenance beyond a little water and a 
 few wild herbs, and sleeping, as it might 
 be, for one hour only, passing the rest of 
 the time in walking to and fro. Had he 
 spent all this time in useful works, the 
 State would have flourished exceedingly; 
 but, as it was, he used his natural powers 
 to work the ruin of the Romans, and suc- 
 ceeded in thoroughly disorganizing the 
 constitution. His constant wakefulness, 
 his privations, and his labour were under- 
 gone for no other purpose than to make 
 the sufferings of his subjects every day 
 more grievous ; for, as I have said before, 
 he was especially quick in devising crimes, 
 and swift to carry them out, so that even 
 his good qualities seemed to have been so 
 largely bestowed upon him merely for the 
 affliction of his people. 
 
u6 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION I A'. 
 
 a'. npary/jMrav yap fjv Utopia iroWij, 
 Kal r&v elwOorcov ovSev efieivev, &vrrep ftoi 
 aiklr/mv virofivrjaBevTi, <ri(owrj Boreov to. Xonra, 
 a>? /i»7 fioi, 6 \6yo<; direpavro<s eii}. 
 Ilp&ra fiev yap ovBev e's ftaaikucbv d^tw/ia 
 iiriTriSelms e'xpv, otire avro<: elj(ev, oike 
 %vp.<$>vkdo~aet,v rj^lov ak\a rrp) re yXairrav 
 Kal to ayrfpM Kal rrjv Bidvoiav ej3ap/3dpi%ev. 
 "Ocra re ypd<pea6ai 7rpos avrov ftovXoiro, ov 
 
 T& T7]V K.Olai<TTO)pO<i HftOVTl TipJT]V, flTTGp 
 
 eld>6ei, iireareXKev rrpoteadai' dW airo? re 
 to, irkeiara, Kahrep ovra> rfj<: ykwrrrjs eyav, 
 eKtfcepeiv rj^iov Kal r£>v rraparvxovrwv rrokvs 
 SfiiKos, ware toii? ivOevBe ^BiKfj/ievov^ ovk 
 ex eiv ° 7( P eiriKakolev. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN Il6 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 Everything was done at the wrong 
 time, and nothing that was established 
 was allowed to continue. To prevent 
 my narrative being interminable, I will 
 merely mention a few instances, and 
 pass over the remainder in silence. In 
 the first place, Justinian neither possessed 
 in himself the appearance of Imperial 
 dignity, nor demanded that it should be 
 respected by others, but imitated the 
 barbarians in language, appearance, and 
 ideas. When he had to issue an Im- 
 perial decree, he did not intrust it to 
 the Quaestor in the usual way, but for 
 the most part delivered it himself by 
 word of mouth, although he spoke his 
 own language like a foreigner; or else he 
 left it in the hands of one of those by 
 whom he was surrounded, so that those 
 who had been injured by such resolutions 
 
ii7 nPOKOniGY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ft. Tois 8e 'A<T7)KpfJTi<; KaXovfievois 
 ovk aireiceicptTO to dgiapa e? to to, /SaenXiois 
 diropprjra ypdfyeiv, e<j> wvwep to aveica6ev 
 ereraywro dWd t& re aXKa eypatfiev outo? 
 co? ehrelv airavra' koi eX irov hiaraaauv 
 tous Sicut&vtck; iv iroKei Setfaeiev, rpyvoovv 
 otroi -rrore auTOts ra es rr)V yvwaiv Iriov 
 eti). Ov ydp e'ia riva ev ye Tjj 'Papatwv 
 apxfj yvcbfii) avTovofitp ras yjrrf<pov<i BiSovar 
 dXka av6aSia^6/ievo<; akoyitntp rivi irapprjalq, 
 Kpurei<i re avTo<s rd? ecropevas eppvdpi^ev, 
 a/coijs \6yov irpos rov t&v Stafapopevw 
 \a/3wv, fcai dvdhuca eidix; rd SeSi/cacrpeva 
 eiroiei, ov vopm rtvl rj hucaiw rjypevos, d\\' 
 aTrapaKakvTTTas alo-'^poKepSeia rjao-wpevo*;. 
 AcopohoK&v yap 6 ^SaertXeii? ovk rjayyvero, 
 irdaav uvtov rr\v alBS) tjj? awX.T/erTMJ? 
 d(peKop,evr)<s. 
 
 y'. UoKkdicK Se rd avyKkyrm ftovKji 
 teal tw avTOKpa-Topi SeSoKtpaapeva e« 
 erepav riva ereXevrrjae tcpioiv. 'H pev yap 
 &ovkr) mairep ev el/covi eKadrjTO, oiSe T»)? 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 117 
 
 did not know to whom to apply. Those 
 who were called A Secretis, 1 and had from 
 very ancient times fulfilled the duty of 
 writing the secret dispatches of the Em- 
 peror, were no longer allowed to retain 
 their privileges ; for he himself wrote 
 them nearly all, even the sentences of the 
 municipal magistrates, no one throughout 
 the Roman world being permitted to 
 administer justice with a free hand. He 
 took everything upon himself with un- 
 reasoning arrogance, and so managed 
 cases that were to be decided, that, after 
 he had heard one of the litigants, he 
 immediately pronounced his verdict and 
 obliged them to submit to it, acting in 
 accordance with no law or principle of 
 justice, but being evidently overpowered 
 by shameful greed. For the Emperor 
 was not ashamed to take bribes, since 
 his avarice had deprived him of all feel- 
 ings of shame. It frequently happened 
 that the decrees of the Senate and the 
 edicts of the Emperor were opposed to 
 each other ; for the Senate was as it 
 were but an empty shadow, without the 
 1 Private secretaries. 
 
n8 nPOKOfflOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ■tyrjfyov oiBi rov Ka\ov tcvpia o5<ra" o^/witos 
 Be fiovov Kal vofxov gweiKey/Aevr) irakaiov 
 eveica' iwel ouBe (pcovrjv atpelval riva ortoovv 
 rtov evravOa gvveiXeyfievwv rb rrapdirav 
 e%rjv, dXX' o re /SatnXeu? Kal 17 ervvomos ex 
 rav errmKelarov Siakwyxaveiv fihi aWrjkoiv 
 r&v Bia<f>epofieva>v eo-Krfirrov' ivUa Be ra ev 
 cr<plo-iv airois virep rovrav fjvy/ceL/j,eva. *Hv 
 Be to) Botjeiev ovk da<pa\e<i elvai irapavevo- 
 /j/rjicoTi veviKijKevai, oSe Kal aWo ri ^pvaiov 
 rw [iaaikel rovrto irpoefievof, vofiov evdvs 
 Bierrparrero air' evavrlas airavrav ekOovra 
 t&v irpoade /ceiftevwv. "Hv Be Kal ti? ere/jo? 
 rovrov Br) rov vo/xov rov diroXaXora eVtfj/- 
 TOit], avdis aiirov fieraKaXelv re Kal dvriKa- 
 Giardvai avroKpdrmp oiiBa/J,rj drrrfelov. 
 
 B'. OyBev re ev t<£ ttj? Svvd/j,eco<; fieftaiq. 
 earr^Kei, dXX errXava.ro rravra"j(pae rrepi- 
 (pepofievrj r) rf}<; St mis porrri, orrrj av avrrjv 
 fiapr)oa% 6 trXeltev j^pvabs dvOeXKeiv lo-)(yoi. 
 "Exeiro re ev T&l Br)p,oo-it^ rr)<; ayopai, km 
 ravra ck rrakariov, Kal rrpovridero ov SiKa- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN Il8 
 
 power of giving its vote or of keeping up 
 its dignity ; it was assembled merely for 
 form's sake and in order to keep up an 
 ancient custom, for none of its members 
 were allowed to utter a single word. But 
 the Emperor and his consort took upon 
 themselves the consideration of questions 
 that were to be discussed, and whatever 
 resolutions they came to between them- 
 selves prevailed. If he whose cause had 
 been victorious had any doubt as to the 
 legality of his success, all he had to do 
 was to make a present of gold to the 
 Emperor, who immediately promulgated 
 a law contrary to all those formerly in 
 force. If, again, anyone else desired the 
 revival of the law that had been repealed, 
 the autocrat did not disdain to revoke 
 the existing order of things and to re- 
 establish it. There was nothing stable in 
 his authority, but the balance of justice 
 inclined to one side or the other, accord- 
 ing to the weight of gold in either scale. 
 In the market-place there were buildings 
 under the management of palace officials, 
 where traffic was carried on, not only in 
 
I ig nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 otiot}? /j.6pov, aXKa Kal vo/iodervefji im- 
 XrjTrjpia. 
 
 e. Toil? Be 'Pai<j>epevSap£ov<s KaXov- 
 fievov; ov/ceri airixpv aveveynelv e? tov 
 ftaatXea ras t&v 1/ceTevovTcov BerjffeK, e? Si 
 Ta? ap^as avayyelXai fiovov, yirep eld>9ei, o 
 n av avTig ap,(pl t& CKerrj Sokt}, aXKa 
 %v/A<popi]<ravTe$ e'« iravrav avdpanraiv tov 
 aBiicov \6yov, <f>eva/c<,o-/j,oi<; fiev tov 'Iov- 
 ffTiviavbv koI irapayayyais Tiaiv e^rjirdrav, 
 rot? ravra iiriTTiSevovcnv inroieelfievov <pV(rei. 
 "Ego) Be avrlxa yevo/juevoi, Kal rmv o-tptcnv 
 dafiihTjKOTasv tov? ovtiBUov; KadelpijavTes, 
 ■Xprj/JUTa ovBevb<s ajiwofievov (avetjekeyicTWs) 
 iirpaaaovro oaa av ai/TOt? Siap/cfj eirj. 
 
 s . Kal oTpaTieoTat, ol ttjv iv nakaTiw 
 (ppovpav e^oj/re?, iv t{j fiaoikelui <noa irapa 
 Toil's Bbavroivrat yevo/Mevoi, fiiaiq %eipl Tax 
 StVas io-rjyov. HavTe<; re mi elireiv ttjv 
 avT&v etcKmovTei rdfjiv, 6Bov? to'tc kut 
 etjovalav i/3d8i£ov diropov 1 } re Kal doTi^r)- 
 TOU9 ff(f>io-i to, wpoTepa ovaas' Kal to, irpay- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN Iig 
 
 judicial, but also in legislative decisions. 
 The officers called " Referendars " (or 
 mediators) found it difficult to present 
 the requests of petitioners to the Em- 
 peror, and still more difficult to bring 
 before the council in the usual manner 
 the answer proper to be made to each 
 of them ; but, gathering together from all 
 quarters worthless and false testimony, 
 they deceived Justinian, who was natu- 
 rally a fit subject for deception, by 
 fallacious reports and misleading state- 
 ments. Then, immediately going out to 
 the contending parties, without acquaint- 
 ing them with the conversation that had 
 taken place, they extorted from them as 
 much money as they required, without 
 anyone venturing to oppose them. 
 
 Even the soldiers of the Praetorian 
 guard, whose duty it was to attend the 
 judges in the court of the palace, forced 
 from them whatsoever judgments they 
 pleased. All, so to speak, abandoned 
 their own sphere of duty, and followed 
 the paths that pleased them, however 
 difficult or untrodden they had previously 
 
120 HPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ftara wX^/i/teXw? irdvra icfrepero, ov8& ovo- 
 fiar6<s 7W0? IBiov iieraXa^ovTa' ecpicet re jj 
 TroXnela /Sao-jX/St irai^ovTcov iraiBiwv. 'A\\a 
 raXka /j-ol irapnkov, wairep rovBe dpj(pp.evo's 
 tov Xoyov VTrelirov. 
 
 £. AeXi^eTUi Be 6'ort? dvr)p irp&TO? 
 Slxd^ovTa BcopoSoKelv tov j3a<ji\ea tovtov 
 dveireio'e. Aicov r\v t«, Kikif; fj,ev ykvo<s, e? 
 Be ^Cko^prjiMnLav Baifiovlcos eairovBaKai. 
 OvTOt o Aeav Kpamaro'; eyivero koKclkwv 
 dvavTcov, Kal 0I0? Tat? twv dfiadebv Biavolam 
 (to) Sotjav vTro(Ba~Kea8ai. Uei8<x> yap o'i riva 
 ^vvaipop.evt}v e? tov Tvpdvvov iqv dfieXTTjplav 
 iirl 4>&6pio t5>v avdpcoTTav et^ev. Ovtos (o) 
 dvrjp irpS)To<s 'lovaTiviavov dvaireldu dire/i- 
 iroXav xpTjfAaTav t«? BUas. 
 
 if. 'Eiruhrj re KkfarTeiv oBe 6 dvrjp 
 Tpoirai TtS elprifievtp eyva, ovtteTi avfei, dW 
 68w nrpolov to kclkov tovto IttL fieya e^copei, 
 ogtis Te SIktjv \a%elv dBlKOV TOiV TWt 
 eineucGiv iv airovBf) el^ev, evdv<; irapa tov 
 Aiovra jjet,, Kal fioipav t&v dvTiXeyofiiiwv 
 Tivd op.oXoy'qaa'i t£ re Tvpdvvw Kal avT<o 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 120 
 
 been. Everything was out of gear ; offices 
 were degraded, not even their names being 
 preserved. In a word, the Empire resem- 
 bled a queen over boys at play. But I 
 must pass over the rest, as I hinted at 
 the , commencement of this work. 
 
 I will now say something about the 
 man who first taught the Emperor to 
 traffic in the administration of justice. 
 His name was Leo ; he was a native of 
 Cilicia, and passionately eager to enrich 
 himself. He was the most utterly shame- 
 less of flatterers, and most apt in ingra- 
 tiating himself with the ignorant, and 
 with the Emperor, whose folly he made 
 use of in order to ruin his subjects. It 
 was this Leo who first persuaded Justinian 
 to barter justice for money. When this 
 man had once discovered these means 
 of plunder, he never stopped. The evil 
 spread and reached such a height that, if 
 anyone desired to come off victorious in 
 an unjust cause against an honest man, 
 he immediately repaired to Leo, and, 
 promising to give half of his claim to be 
 divided between the latter and the Era- 
 
 16 
 
121 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Kei&EaOai, avriKa vevua}Ka><i, ov Siov, amjK- 
 XdacreTo e'« rov iraXarlov. Kal Akwv plev 
 Xpripwa ivdevSe -irepifiaXecrdai p,eyd\a ko- 
 fitBrj Xayyae, x<bpa$ re iroWij<s Kvpio? yeyove, 
 'Pafiaiois Se rrjv iroKneiav alncoraroi ye- 
 yovev e? yovv e\0elv. 
 
 & . ''Hv re ovSev tois ^vfifieftrjKacnv 
 6^vpco/j,a, ov vo/ios, ov% op/cos, ov ypdfi/jiara, 
 oi iroivfj Huyicei/Jievri, ovk aWo tSjv dwavrmv 
 ovBev, on firj Aeovri koI ftaaiXel %pi}fia,Ta 
 mpokaQai. Oil p/qv ovSe rovro iv rw fieftai® 
 t^s yva>fi7)$ T9j9 tov Aeovros efievev, dXKa 
 fiiaBapvelv km 71700? r&v ivavritov tj^iov. 
 KXeirroov yap det Kal i<j> exdrepa r£>v eV 
 avrm •jrpoo-TedapprjicoTmv oKiycopeiv re Kal 
 air ivavrCai; levcu ovSa/irj ala-yyvt\v wrdm- 
 revev elrcu. OvSev yap aia^pbv, el fiovov to 
 KepSaiveiv rrpoafi, iSo^a^iv oi avrm irrafi^o- 
 repi^ovn eaeadai. 'O fiev ovv 'Iovariviavm 
 roiovrd<s t«c 771/. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 121 
 
 peror, left the palace, having already 
 gained his cause, contrary to all principles 
 of right and justice. In this manner 
 Leo acquired a vast fortune, and a great 
 quantity of land, and became the chief 
 cause of the ruin of the State. There 
 was no longer any security in contracts, 
 in law, in oaths, in written documents, 
 in any penalty agreed upon, or in any 
 other security, unless money had been 
 previously given to Leo and the Emperor. 
 Nor was even this method certain, for 
 Justinian would accept bribes from 
 both parties ; and, after having drained 
 the pockets of both of those who had 
 put confidence in him, he was not 
 ashamed to cheat one or other of them 
 (no matter which), for, in his eyes, there 
 was nothing disgraceful in playing a 
 double part, provided only that it turned 
 out profitable for him. 
 
 Such a man was Justinian. 
 
 1 6 — 2 
 
122 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION IE'. 
 
 a. QeoScopa S& iv tw /3e/3aiq> rij? airav- 
 OpcoTrtas evSe\e)(iaTaTa eTreTriyyei rrjv yvmp^jv, 
 "AWa> fiev yap dvcnrei<r9elaa, rj avayica&delcra 
 elpyd^ero qi/Sev irdrtroTe' aiirr) Be to, So^ama 
 eTrere'Kei, avdaSta^ofievr/ Svvdp,ei rfj irdoy, 
 ouSevo? egaiTeicQai, tov irapaiteirratKOTa 
 ToKp,mvTO^. Oi/Se yap j^povov fifjiccx;, ov 
 ico\,d<re(D<; -ifKrjGiiovr), ovj^ wereta? firj^avij, ov 
 Oavdrov awetKij, OTt Srj iff ovpavov ireaelTai 
 rw iravri yevei eTrtSotjos oiuaa, KaraOeadai 
 avTrp Tt rrj<; opyrji etreide. Kal (rvWyftSyv 
 QeoScopav tw Trpocrtceicpov/coTt. KaTaWayeio~a.v 
 ouSei? wore elSev, fj £o>vti, r\ eg avOpanrav 
 d.<j}avi(rdevTt,' a\Xa tov TeTe\evTr)icoTo<; o trak 
 SiaSe^dfievot to TJ79 /3aaY?u'8os t%0o?, axrnep 
 aXXo Tt tov TraTepos, e? Tpiyovlav irapeTrep/nev, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 As for Theodora, her disposition was 
 governed by the most hardened and in- 
 veterate cruelty. She never did anything 
 either under persuasion or compulsion, 
 but employed all her self-willed efforts to 
 carry out her resolutions, and no one 
 ventured to intercede in favour of those 
 who fell in her way. Neither length of 
 time, nor fulness of punishment, nor care- 
 fully drawn-up prayers, nor the fear of 
 death, nor the vengeance of Heaven, by 
 awe of which the whole human race is 
 impressed, could persuade her to abate 
 her wrath. In a word, no one ever saw 
 Theodora reconciled to one who had 
 offended her, either during his lifetime 
 or after his death ; for the children of the 
 deceased father inherited the hatred of the 
 Empress, as if it were part of his patri- 
 mony ; and, when he died, left it in turn 
 
123 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 'O yap Ov/mos amy KivelaBai fiev ek avBpumwv 
 tjidopav eTOifioraroi; rjv, h Be to Xaxfafjaat 
 a/tfyavos. f 
 
 $'. To [throe (r&fjLa iBepdtreve p,ei%6vm 
 /lev fj Kara ttjv jypelav, eXaao-ovco? Be f/ Kara 
 ttjv avTrj? eTriOvftlav. TayvTara p,ev yap e's 
 to ftdkavelov eurrjei, o-^iairaTa Be airaWa- 
 yetaa km KaraXovo-afievq e? to axparl^crOai 
 evdevBe e^wpei,. 'AKpariaap.evq he r^avyiav. 
 r\yev. 'AptcrTtoffa fievroi Kal Behrvov alpovpAvr} 
 e's iraaav IBeav iBmBifiav re ical irormv fipj(ero' 
 virvoi, re airr}? ael fiaKporaroi avTe\afij3d- 
 vovto, yp,epwol fiev a^pt irpmronv vvkt&v, 
 WKTepivol Be a,%pt<s rfKiov avio-ypvTO<i. Eli 
 itaaav re ovrais aKpaalas enireTnaKvia rpifiov 
 e? too-ov fifiepa? Kaipov airaa-av Biouteladai 
 rj^tou ttjv 'Pmfiaimv apj(fjv. 
 
 y . Kal rjv T<p etriareiXeie irpal-iv tiva 
 6 {iao-ikev<s ovk airr^ yvco/ty, e? touto tu^ij? 
 irepieio-TrjiceL rovrtp Brj t&> avdpdyjrqt to, irpdy- 
 fiara, wore ov iroXKai varepov tj}s tc Tifirji 
 •7rapaX.v6i]vai arvv v/3pei fieyaky, Kal a/iroX(o- 
 \evai, 6avdra> aio-yiatw. 
 
 B' . Tw fiev 'IovaTiviavm anravra irpaa- 
 treiv paBiov rjV ov% oaov Tij> t»}? Biavoiai 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 123 
 
 to his sons. Her mind was ever most 
 readily stirred to the destruction of men, 
 and was incapable of being checked. She 
 bestowed upon her person greater care 
 than necessity demanded, but less than 
 her desire prompted her to. She entered 
 the bath very early in the morning; and, 
 having spent a long time over her ablu- 
 tions, went to breakfast, and afterwards 
 again retired to rest. At dinner and 
 supper she partook of every kind of food 
 and drink. She slept a great deal : during 
 the day, till nightfall, and, during the 
 night, till sunrise. And, although she 
 thus abandoned herself to every intem- 
 perance, she considered that the little 
 time she had left was sufficient for the 
 conduct of the affairs of the Roman 
 Empire. If the Emperor intrusted any- 
 one with a commission without having 
 previously consulted Theodora, the unfor- 
 tunate man soon found himself deprived 
 of his office, in the deepest disgrace, and 
 perished by a most dishonourable death. 
 Justinian was speedy in the conduct 
 of business of all kinds, not only owing 
 
124 nPOKOIIIOY ANBKAOTA 
 
 evieoXto, aW otl Kal avwos iirmkeiarov, 
 axnrep eiprjrat, kcu evTrpooo&os travrtav pA- 
 \urTa. IIoWt) yap avdpwirow el-ovcrla iylvero, 
 icaiToi aS6^oi<; re Kal cupaveai iravTairaabv 
 otic IV ov% otl evTv^etv tw Tvpavva rovrqi, 
 aWa Kal KOivo\oyeio~0ai Kal if; diropp^Twv 
 avyy iveaBai. 
 
 e. Uapa Se ttjv ficurtXlb'a ovSe rmv 
 apypvTmv nvl ort /J,}} ")(p6va> re iroWai km 
 ttovw eiairrjTa ?\v, aXKa irpoarfipevov fiev aei 
 arravT&s, dvSpa7roSa>Sr] nvti wpoaeSpiav iv 
 SwfictTLG) arevai re Kal irviyqpw top airavra 
 Xpovov. KlvSvvos yap aTro\e\ei<f>dat t&v 
 dp'XpvTccv Ttvb avinroiaTos r/v. "Iaravro Be 
 Birjveices eV dicpcov BaKTvXcov, tcadvireprepov 
 eKaaro<; t&v 7re\o? Siareivo/ievos to irpoawirov 
 e%eiv, 07tg>s avTov 'ivBodev it;i6vTe<i evvovxoi 
 opwev. 'EicaXovvTO Be avT&v Tive<; poXis re 
 ical rip,epai<; "iroWalt; vaTepov eVtwre? Be irap 
 avTrjv i;i>v Beei iroWai, on rdyiara dirrfKKda- 
 aovTO, TrpoatKVvq(TavT6<; povov, Kal Tapcrov 
 eKaTepov ttoSo? a,Kpa> ^eiXeL atyapevoi. $6ey- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 124 
 
 to his continual sleeplessness (as has been 
 mentioned before), but also by reason of 
 his easiness of temper, and, above all, 
 his affability. For he allowed people to 
 approach him, although they were al- 
 together obscure and unknown ; and the 
 interview was not limited to mere ad- 
 mission to the presence of the Emperor, 
 but he permitted them to converse and 
 associate with him on confidential terms. 
 With the Empress the case was different ; 
 even the highest officials were not ad- 
 mitted until they had waited a long time, 
 and after a great deal of trouble. They 
 all waited patiently every day, like so 
 many slaves, in a body, in a narrow and 
 stifling room ; for the risk they ran if 
 they absented themselves was most serious. 
 There they remained standing all the time 
 on tip-toe, each trying to keep his face 
 above his fellow's, that the eunuchs, as 
 they came out, might see them. Some 
 were invited to her presence, but rarely, 
 and after several days of attendance ; when 
 at last they were admitted, they merely 
 did obeisance to her, kissed both her 
 
125 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 yeadai yap rj alreiadai ti, firf e«et'wj? iyiceXevo- 
 fievt]<}, ovSe/jLta irapprjaia eyiveio. 
 
 <s'. \E? hovkoirpeireiav yap r) iroKnela 
 rfKde, SovkoSiSda Kakov avrffv e)(pvo~a. Oir<o 
 re 'Pm/mloii} to irpayimra Sie^deipero, tov 
 pev rvpdvvov t& ayav evtfdei Sokovvti ehai, 
 &eo8d>pa<: Be tS> j(akeir$ ical Xiav Bvcncoktp. 
 'Ev pev yap ra evrjdei to afiiftaiov -qv' ev 
 Be t& hvcncoktp to ifarpaKTOV. 'Ev roh pev 
 oZv t^js T6 yvd>p,r)<s avrol<s ical tt?? Siam?? to 
 BwiKkdo~o~ov icjjaivero' Koiva. he rp> avrolfs fj 
 Te tf>L\oxpVf iaT ^ a > * a ' V r ^ >v 'poveov iiridvpia, 
 ical to fjLT/Sevl d\r]6i^ea6ai. "Afujxo yap 
 en-iT^Se/to? €? tci fiaXto-ra yjrevBeadai efyov. 
 
 f . Kal r)v pAv ti% t&v OeoBdpa irpoo- 
 KeicpovKOTwv apapTaveiv \eyotTo rt /Spa^u 
 Te Kal \6yov ovBaprj ai-iov, ahta? ev6v<: 
 avaifK.dcro'ovaa r«p dvQpdma ovSev vpoerijKov- 
 o-as, es fieya ti kukov to irpaypa ypev. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 125 
 
 feet, and then hastily retired in great 
 awe ; for they were not allowed to 
 address her or to prefer any request 
 except at her bidding ; so slavishly had 
 the spirit of Roman society degenerated 
 under the instruction of Theodora, and 
 to such a state of decay had the affairs 
 of the Empire sunk, partly in consequence 
 of the too great apparent easiness of the 
 Emperor, partly owing to the harsh and 
 peevish nature of Theodora ; for the 
 easiness of the one was uncertain, while 
 the peevishness of the other hindered the 
 transaction of public business. 
 
 There was this difference in their 
 disposition and manner of life ; but, in 
 their love of money, thirst of blood, and 
 aversion to truth, they were in perfect 
 accord. They were, both of them, ex- 
 ceedingly clever inventors of falsehoods; 
 if any one of those who had incurred 
 the displeasure of Theodora was accused 
 of any offence, however trivial and un- 
 important, she immediately trumped up 
 against him charges with which he 
 was in no way concerned, and greatly 
 
126 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 , E<yic\riiJ.dTwv re rj/covero TfkrjOos, tca\ Kara- 
 \i5<7et»? irepi twv KarrjKocov \r)i£e<r8ai Btica- 
 orijpiov r)v' Kal hiica<TTai' j;we\iyovTo irpb<; 
 avTrj<; dyeip6/j,evoi, ot Br) ejieWov Biafia- 
 ykoaadai, trpo% aWijKovs, oirrts av ai/T&v 
 fiaXKov t&v aWtev apko~Keiv rrj e? rrjv yvmaiv 
 airavdpa>Triq t{} fiaaikiSi to @ov\,r)p,a wcai/os 
 yevoi.ro. Ovroa tc rov irapaireirTrnKOTof Tr)v 
 fiev ovaiav avTiica e? to Brjpioaiov avaypannov 
 eiroiei' TrixpoTara Be avrbv altciaafievT], Kaiwep 
 IVto? evTraTplBrjv to aveicadev ovTa, rj <pwyfj 
 fyjfiiovv r) davdrcp ovBafir) dirrj^Lov. 
 
 rj '. Hv Be ye t&v ainfj ia7rovBaap,ev(ov 
 Tivl eirl <f>ovot<s aBuKoii, r/ eTepa> to> t£>v 
 fieyioTwv dSiKrjfiaTwv akwvai ^vfifialvr/, 
 Biaavpovaa nai , %kevdt ) ovo~a rrjv t£>v koti)- 
 yopmv opfif/v aianrav to irpoaireo-ovTa oxm 
 i6e\ovaiovi r)vdyKa%ev, i4\\a Kal t5>v irpay- 
 fidrcov to, an ovBatOTara eh yeXcoToirou'av 
 fieTafiaXkew, orav avTrj Boicfj, aawep ev aKijvy 
 Kal 6eaTpu> epyov Treiroir/Tat. 
 
 & . Kal 7TOT6 tis t5>v TraTpiKiwv yepav 
 re Kal yjpovov ttoKvv ev dpyr) yeyovios {oitrep 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 126 
 
 aggravated the matter. A number of 
 accusations were heard, and a court was 
 immediately appointed to put down and 
 plunder the subjects ; judges were called 
 together by her, who would compete 
 amongst themselves to see which of 
 them might best be able to accommodate 
 his decision to the cruelty of Theodora. 
 The property of the accused was im- 
 mediately confiscated, after he had first 
 been cruelly flogged • by her orders (al- 
 though he might be descended from an 
 illustrious family), nor had she any 
 scruples about banishing, or even putting 
 him to death. On the other hand, if any 
 of her favourites were found guilty of 
 murder or any other great crime, she 
 pulled to pieces and scoffed at the efforts 
 of the accusers, and forced them, against 
 their will, to abandon proceedings. When- 
 ever it pleased her, she turned affairs of 
 the greatest importance into ridicule, as 
 if they were taking place upon the stage 
 of the theatre. A certain patrician, of ad- 
 vanced age, and who had for a long time 
 held office (whose name is known to me, 
 
127 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 eya> to ovofia efe7ncrra/*ej>o? &>? rjKiara em- 
 (ivrjaonai, <&? fir) cnrepavTOv rrjv e? axnov 
 vftpw Troirja-w/jLtzt), rS>v avrfj VTrr/perouvruv 
 Tiva, 6<pet'Xovrd ol xprjuara fieyaXa elairpa- 
 gacrdai oix olo? re &v, iarjXde Trap airrjv, 
 rov re avfifiaXovra alriaaofievo? Kal Berfdrjao- 
 fievo? avrat j3or)0rj<Tai ra, Sircaia. "Oirep ij 
 QeoBwpa irpofiadovcraj rot? evvovxpi? eVe- 
 ffreXXev, eTr'eiBav 6 7rarpUio<s wpo? airrjv 
 'Ikoi/to, Kv/eXcbo-aaOai fiev aiirov cnravTa,';, 
 erraKovew Bi avrfj (pBeyyofievrj, vrrenrovffa o 
 Tt aiiTov<s avTitftdiyyeadcu Bei. 'Eirel Be 6 
 rrarplKio^ 69 rr)v ywaiKcovlrtv elarjXOe, irpoa- 
 e/cvvrjire fiev &<rirep airrjv irpoaKvveiv eWwrro, 
 BeBaicpv/ievto Be eot/cco?' 
 
 (', " r f2 Beairoiva," e^rj, " %aXeirbv ira- 
 " rpiKitp avBpl xprj/idTOiv Beladai. "A yap rol<s 
 " aXXoit crvyyvcofirjv re Kal eXeov (pipei, ravra 
 " e? vfipiv raiBe %v/i/3abvet t<£ af-icbfiari diro- 
 " KeKpio-0ai. 'AXXtp fiev yap otuovv dvo- 
 " povfievm ra, eo")(a,ra rrdpecrriv ainb rovro 
 " ehrovri rot? yjprjarav; o%Xov rov evdevSe 
 " eiidtx; anTrjKKayBai' narptKio^ Be dvrfp, ovk 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I27 
 
 although I will not disclose it, in order 
 to avoid bringing infinite disgrace upon 
 him), being unable to recover a large sum 
 of money which was owing to him from 
 one of Theodora's attendants, applied to 
 her, intending to press his claim against 
 the debtor, and to beg her to assist him 
 in obtaining his rights. Having heard of 
 this beforehand, Theodora ordered her 
 eunuchs to surround the patrician in a 
 body on his arrival, and to listen to 
 what was said by her, so that they might 
 reply in a set form of words previously 
 suggested by her. When the patrician 
 entered her chamber, he prostrated him- 
 self at her feet in the usual manner, and, 
 with tears in his eyes, thus addressed her : 
 " O sovereign lady ! it is hard for a 
 patrician to be in want of money ; for 
 that which in the case of others excites 
 pity and compassion, becomes, in the 
 case of a person of rank, a calamity and 
 a disgrace. When any ordinary individual 
 is in great straits, and informs his credi- 
 tors, this immediately affords him relief 
 from his trouble ; but a patrician, when 
 
i 2 8 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 " ej(<ov oOev av ixrlaat Tots XptfcrTais ra, 
 " ocpXrj/xara iKavo<s etrj, fiaXitrra fiev rovro 
 " av ehrelv aio"xyv0eir}' elirwv Be ovk av 
 " rrore irelcrp, a>? ov% otov re bv rwBe rreviav 
 " ra ra.yp.art, ^vvoHci^eaBai. *Hv Be ye Kal 
 " ireiarj, ra rravrmv avrw diayio-ra. re Kal 
 " dviaporara rreitovQevai ^Vfiftrjo-erai. 01- 
 " kovv, 3) SeaTTOiva, elai [lot, xprjcrrcu, oi p,ev 
 " SavelcravTe? ra o-<f>erepa avrcisv, oi ■ Be trap 
 " ep,ov BeBaveio-fievoi. Kal tov? fiev Bavei- 
 " aavras evBeXe^effTara eyKeipbevov; ov% olo<; 
 " re elfii alBoi rod af;ia)fuiros arroKpovo-aadatf 
 " oi he ye ocpetXovre';, oil yap Trarpitcioi 
 " Tvyxavovcnv ovres, ets o-tcrftyei? rivets airav- 
 " Opcinrow; ^copovcriv. 'AvrifioXw roivvv Kal 
 " iKerevco Kal Beofiai /3orj8r)o-al re p,oi ra 
 " BiKata, xal ra>v rrapovroiv diraXXd^ai 
 " KaKOiv" 'O fiev ravra elrrev. 'H S£ yvvr) 
 ameKplvaro ififieXaxs' " HarpiKie, 6 Beiva' " 
 Kal 6 rS>v evvov^cov xopos viroXafiwv dvre- 
 (pdiy^aro, " /j,eydXrjv KrjXrjv eyei?." AvBk 
 Be rov dvOpcoTrov iKerevaavros re xal pr\aiv 
 nva ificpeprj rots e/j,Trpoo-0ev elpr)fi,evot<; 
 elTTOvros, Kara, ravra, rraXiv r) re yvvr) 
 direKpivaro, Kal 6 %opos dvre<p0eyi;aro, em 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 128 
 
 unable to pay his creditors, would, in the 
 first place, be ashamed to own it ; and, 
 if he did so, he would never make them 
 believe it, since the world is firmly con- 
 vinced that poverty can never be asso- 
 ciated with our class; even if he should 
 persuade them to believe it, it would be 
 the greatest blow to his dignity and repu- 
 tation that could happen. Well, my lady, 
 I owe money to some, while others owe 
 money to me. Out of respect for my 
 rank, I cannot cheat my creditors, who are 
 pressing me sorely, whereas my debtors, 
 not being patricians, have recourse to 
 cruel subterfuges. Wherefore, I beg and 
 entreat and implore your majesty to 
 assist me to gain my rights, and to de- 
 liver me from my present misfortunes ! " 
 Such were his words. Theodora then 
 commenced to sing, " O patrician," and 
 the eunuchs took up her words and joined 
 in chorus, " you have a large tumour." 
 When he again entreated her, and added 
 a few words to the same effect as before, 
 her only answer was the same refrain, 
 which was taken up by the chorus of 
 
 17 
 
129 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 zv airenrthv 6 TaKafarotpos irpocreicvvrjcTe re 
 fjirep elcodei, ical airitov ou^ero oHicaSe. 
 
 id. 'Ep irpoaaTeCoi<; Se to?? eiridaXaT- 
 Tt'ot? to Trkeiarov tov 6tov<s ical ov% r\Ki<ira 
 iv rep KokovfjAvw 'Hpaiat SiarpifirjV el-^e, ical 
 avrov t&v eTro/iiveov 6 7ro\v? ofiiKos teaico- 
 iraOeiq iroXkr) el'^ero. TStv re yap dvayxamv 
 iairdvi^ov, ical OaXarrioi'} dafi'iXow kivSvvok;, 
 a\\o); re ical %etfia>vo<;, av ovtco ruypi,. 
 iinTrecTovTO'!, fi tov Kirovs ivravdd iroi 
 hno~Kry<3p<xvTOS. 'AXK airol ra irdvTuv 
 dvQpwnrwv Katca, oi/Sev irpwyfia wovto ehai, 
 ocrov rjv ye fiovov avrols Tpvcpav iljelr). 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I2g 
 
 eunuchs. At length the unhappy man, 
 tired of the whole affair, did reverence 
 to the Empress in the usual manner, and 
 returned home. 
 
 During the greater part of the year, 
 Theodora resided in the suburbs on the 
 coast, chiefly in the Heraeum, where her 
 numerous retinue and attendants suffered 
 great inconvenience, for they were short 
 of the necessaries of life, and were ex- 
 posed to the perils of the sea, of sudden 
 storms, or the attacks of sea-monsters. 
 However, they regarded the greatest mis- 
 fortunes as of no importance, if only they 
 had the means of enjoying the pleasures 
 of the court. 
 
 17 — 2 
 
1 3 o ITPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION IS". 
 
 a . 'OttoIos Se o QeoSaypai rpoiro? 
 7T/J0? roils ■jrpocr/ceKpov/coTa'; e^aivero, avrUa 
 SrjXmcra), oKiyeov SrfKovon iirLiAvqaQels, a>? 
 firj areXevT-qra irovelv So^aifiL. 'Hvlica, 
 'A/jLa\aaovv6a ,tt5? iv T6t6oi<; airaXXa^eiovaa 
 SiaTpiftfjs /jjeTa/jLTrla-^eaOM rbv /3lov eyvco, 
 ical rrjv iirl to Bv^dvnov Sievoeno iropeve&Bai, 
 &<rrrep /moi iv toi? e/XTrpoadev \6yoi<; eppijOt], 
 Xoyurafievr] 17 ®eoSajpa, a>? einraTpL&r)<; re 17 
 yvv-q /cat (SatriXi? e'ir), KaX ISeiv f/,ei> einrpeTr^i 
 ayav, eirivoetv 8e 6 ti av /3ov\ono yopyb 1 ; 
 fiaXiara, Uttotttov Se amr)? Troiijaafievr] to 
 re fieyaXoTrpsires Kai 8ta<pep6vTa><; appevmtrov, 
 ajxa 8e /cat to tov avSpo? i\a<f)pbv SetVaya, 
 ovk e7rl fiiKpoK ttjv tyjXoTVTTiav i^veyicev, 
 ott' eveBpeveiv rfjv yvvaiica, ^.e^joi? i<s Odvarov, 
 iv @ov\rj ecr^ev. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 130 
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 I will now relate how Theodora treated 
 those who had offended her, merely giving 
 a few details, that I may not seem to have 
 undertaken a task without end. 
 
 When Amalasunta, as I have narrated 
 in the earlier books, desiring to abandon 
 her connection with the affairs of the 
 Goths, resolved to change her manner of 
 life, and to retire to Byzantium, Theo- 
 dora, considering that she was of illus- 
 trious descent and a princess, that she 
 was of singular beauty, and exceedingly 
 active in forming plans to carry out her 
 wishes, was seized with suspicion of her 
 distinguished qualities and eminent cour- 
 age, and at the same time with appre- 
 hensions on account of her husband's 
 fickleness. This made her exceedingly 
 jealous ; and she determined to compass 
 the death of her rival by intrigue. 
 
131 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 /3'. AvtIko. roivvv avaireiBei rov avhpa, 
 Uerpov fiovov avrbv are TrpeafievaovTa, e'? 
 'IraXiav irkfi^ai. HI Br) areWofiiva /SocrtXeus 
 fiev eireareWev, direp fioi ev rol<s iyicalpoK 
 BeBirfyrjTai Xoyois, iva Br) fioi t&v ireirpayfikvmv 
 enirixnovs iroielaOai Ta? aX.r)6eia<i Beet, 1% 
 ftaciXlSos aSvvara r)v. Ami) he tovto eirr)y- 
 <ye~KKe fiovov, on rd^iara rr)v yvvaltca ii; 
 avdpdmav d<f>avielv, eV e"K,7ri8o<s o^elaBai 
 fieydkwv aya65>v, rjv ra eirrfyyekfieva iroion// 
 Ka,Tao~Tr)o~a/j,evr) rov dvGpumov. Kal o$ ev 
 'JraXt'a yevofievos (ov yap elBev dvBpmirov 
 (pvo-is oKvripms e? aBiieov fpovov levai, apxyq 
 Ttvo? l'(7<a? fj xprj/jbaTav iv eXiriat Keifikvw 
 /leydXtov), ovk olSa r\vnva &evBdr<p irapaiveaiv 
 iroirjadfx.evo'i, Bia%prjo~ac6aL ttjv AfiaKa- 
 aovvdav dveireio-e. Kal air amov e? Te 
 to rov fiay£o~Tpov dijuo/ia r)\9e, icai em 
 ifkelcTov Bwd/iew;, Kal /idXiaTa irairmv 
 i'XPpmv. Ta fiev ovv Kara ttjv Afia\aaovv6av 
 e's tovto ireXema. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 131 
 
 She immediately persuaded the Em- 
 peror to send a man named Peter, by 
 himself, to Italy, as ambassador to her. 
 On his setting out, the Emperor gave 
 him the instructions which I have men- 
 tioned in the proper place, where it was 
 impossible for me to inform my readers 
 of the truth, for fear of the Empress. 
 The only order she gave the ambassa- 
 dor was to compass the death of Amala- 
 sunta with all possible despatch, having 
 bribed him with the promise of great 
 rewards if he successfully carried out 
 his instructions. This man, expecting 
 either preferment or large sums of money 
 (for under such circumstances men are 
 not slow to commit an unjust murder), 
 when he reached Italy, by some argu- 
 ments or other persuaded Theodatus to 
 make away with Amalasunta. After this, 
 Peter was advanced to the dignity of 
 " Master of Offices," and attained to the 
 highest influence, in spite of the detes- 
 tation with which he was universally re- 
 garded. Such was the end of the unhappy 
 Amalasunta. 
 
132 nPOKOIlIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 y. ^Hv Be Tt? 'Iovariviavtp ewio~To\o- 
 iypdcj)o<!, ILpiaKOs bvo/iaTi, ar/av ttomjjOO? fiev 
 Kal Ilacpkaiywv, Kal irpeirwv rov Trpoo-Tarov 
 rbv rpdrrov apeaneiv' Xlav Be 717)0? avrov 
 evvoiK&'i exwv, Kal 77736s avrov rvy%dveiv rSav 
 o/iobwv oi6p,evo<;' Bib Br) koI xprj/ndroov fieyd- 
 \mv &v Kvpio<s inrr)p%e ovk ev Sl/ey rd^iara 
 ykyove. Tovtov Br) are 6<f>pvd%ovrd re Kal 
 oi dvrireivew rreipojfievov 17 OeoBwpa e? rbv 
 avBpa BiefiaXe. Kai rd fi,ev rrpaira oiiev 
 rjvvaev ov iroXKcp he varepov avrr) fiev rbv 
 avOpwirov ek vavv £(il3i,f3do-ao~a ) oirrj ifiovXero 
 erre/i'tye, Kal drroBpi^ao-a iepia ovri eKovoiov 
 r)vdyKaaev elvai. Avrbs Be Boktjo-lv irape^o- 
 fievos, on Br) rmv rroiovpievaiv ovBev eiBeir/, 
 UploKOV p,ev oi Bfr/pevvdro ottt) yr)<; evt}, ouSe 
 ev P'Vijjj.r) to Xonrbv el^ev, dXkd o-wrrfi &o~irep 
 \r)6dpyq> d\ovs Ka6r)oro, rd /Aevroi ^pijfiara 
 oXlycov oi diroXeXeip.p.evccv ekr)!,o~aro irdvra. 
 B' . 'T-rro'tyia<; Be epyireo~ovo~rj<; aiirf) cts 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I32 
 
 Justinian had a secretary named Pris- 
 cus, a Paphlagonian by birth, a man 
 distinguished in every kind of villainy, 
 a likely person to please the humour of 
 his master, to whom he was exceedingly 
 devoted, and from whom he expected to 
 receive similar consideration ; and by 
 these means, in a short time, he unjustly 
 amassed great wealth. Theodora, un- 
 able to endure his insolence and oppo- 
 sition, accused him to the Emperor. At 
 first she was unsuccessful, but, shortly 
 afterwards, she put him on board a ship, 
 sent him away to a place she had 
 previously determined upon, and having 
 ordered him to be shaved, forced him to 
 become a priest. In the meantime, Jus- 
 tinian, pretending that he knew nothing 
 of what was going on, neither inquired 
 to what part of the world Priscus had 
 been banished, nor ever thought of him 
 again afterwards, but remained silent, as 
 if he had fallen into a state of lethargy. 
 However, he seized the small fortune 
 that he had left behind him. 
 
 Theodora had become suspicious of 
 
133 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 r&v oliceTwv eva, 'ApeofilvSov ovofia, fidpfia-, 
 pov (lev yevo<s, evTrperrrj Se Kal veavlav, ovwep 
 rafiiav avrrj Karaarrjcrafievrj ervyyavev, airo- 
 \vaaa6ai ^ovKofievq rb eyKKrjfia, Kaiirep, &<i 
 <paai, rov dvdpdmov Sai/j,ovia>s iposcra, iv p,tv 
 T«3 irapbvTL rriKporara avrbv uif ov8e/ua<; 
 alrca<; alici%e<r6ai eyvto' rb Se "KotTrbv oiiSev 
 rt dfup' aiirS eyvm/iev' ovBe Tt? avrbv a%pi 
 vvv elSev. *Hv yap ri rmv irpacrao/ievav 
 drrOKpvTrreadai abrr) fiovkofiewy sir), rovro Srj 
 appvyrov re Kal dfivrj/iovevrov awaaiv epeive, 
 Kal oiire ra emarafievcp dyyelXai rwv rail 
 ovayKauov e^fjv, oiire rw fiavOdvew fiov\op,evm 
 rrwddveadai, kciv rrdvv t<? Trepiepyoi fy. 
 
 e. Toiovro yap Seo?, ef ov yeyovaaiv 
 avBpwiroi, eK rvpdvveov oiSevbs yeyovev' end 
 oiSe \a6elv rt rbv irpoaKeKpovKora olov re 
 %)V. H\r\Qo<i yap KaraaKoirwv airfj ra \ey6- 
 (leva Kal 7rpaao-6/ieva ev re rfj dyopa Kal 
 rais oiKiais io-rjyye\\ov. 'HvUa roivvv rov 
 rraparreiTraiKbro'i rr]v Kokaaiv iK<f>epeo-0ai ov- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 133 
 
 one of her servants named Areobindus, 
 a barbarian by birth, but a youth of 
 great comeliness, whom she had ap- 
 pointed her steward. Wishing to purge 
 the imagined offence, (although, as was 
 said) she was violently enamoured of him, 
 she caused him to be cruelly beaten with 
 rods, for no apparent reason. What be- 
 came of him afterwards we do not know; 
 nor has anyone seen him up to the present 
 day. For when Theodora desired to keep 
 any of her actions secret, she took care 
 to prevent their being talked about 
 or remembered. None of those who 
 were privy to them were permitted to 
 disclose them even to their nearest rela- 
 tions, or to any who desired to obtain in- 
 formation on the subject, however curious 
 they might be. No tyrant had ever yet 
 inspired such fear, since it was impossible 
 for any word or deed of her opponents to 
 pass unnoticed. For she had a number 
 of spies in her employ who informed her 
 of everything that was said and done in 
 public places and private houses. When 
 she desired to punish anyone who had 
 
134 UPOKOmOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Ba/jirj rjOektv, i-rroiei rdBe. Tov avOpanrov 
 /MeraKaXeaafievrj, yv Tt? to>v Xoyi/iwv irvy- 
 yavev wv, fiovrj re avTr) r&v VTrovpyovvTwv rivl 
 vapaBovcra fiovqi, iirrjyyeWev eh ras e'cr^a- 
 Tta? avrbv fieraKofilcrcu tt)? 'Pto/ialav apyrj^. 
 Kal o? dwpl rwv vvkt&v KaTaKexaXv^/Jievov 
 avrbv Kal BeOevTa eh vavv l^/3t/8affa?, Kal 
 criv avrw yeyovax;, ov oi -irpos tt)? yvvaiicos 
 eTreriraKTO, ivTavda TrapeSiBov XaOpaiorepov 
 t£ e? rawrjv rrjv virovpyiav iKav£)<; e%ovTi, 
 <$>vXaaaeiv Te a>? aa^aXearaia eVtoretXa? 
 tov avOpanrov, Kal eireimmv (ir)Bevl (ppd^eiv, 
 eco? av rj tov TaXalirwpov 17 /SacuXt? oueri- 
 ty)Tai, r) yjpovov iroXvv rfj evTavda KaKovadela 
 &vo-6avaTijo-as Te Kal Karafiapavdeh TeXev- 
 TrfaeieV) dirrjXXdo~o~eTO. 
 
 <s' . Kal Bacriavbv Be Tiva Updaivov, 
 ovk a<pavr) vkov ovra, avrri BiaXoiSoprjadfievov 
 oV 0/3777? *o~X e - ^ l0 ^ o Bao~iavb$ (011 yap 
 dvrjKoo<i TavTrji Br) T77? 0/3797? iyeyovet), e? 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 134 
 
 offended her, she adopted the following 
 plan. If he were a patrician, she sent 
 for him privately, and handed him over 
 to one of her confidential attendants, with 
 instructions to carry him to the furthest 
 boundaries of the empire. In the dead 
 of night, her agent, having bound the 
 unfortunate man and muffled his face, 
 put him on board a ship, and, having 
 accompanied him to the place whither 
 he had been instructed to convey him, de- 
 parted, having first delivered him secretly 
 to another who was experienced in this 
 kind of service, with orders that he was 
 to be kept under the strictest watch, and 
 that no one should be informed of it, 
 until either the Empress took pity upon 
 the unfortunate man, or, worn out by his 
 sufferings, he at length succumbed and 
 died a miserable death. 
 
 A youth of distinguished family, be- 
 longing to the Green faction, named 
 Basianus, had incurred the Empress's 
 displeasure by speaking of her in sar- 
 castic terms. Hearing that she was 
 incensed against him, he fled for refuge 
 
i 3 5 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 tov 'Apxayyekov top veoav (pevyei. 'H Be ol 
 iirearqa-ev avrUa rr)v rm Stffiip efacnoxrav 
 apyrp, ovSev pevroi XoiSoplas eiriieaXeiv eiray- 
 yelXa<ra, on Be iraiBepacrTovri eireveyKOvaa. 
 Kal r/ fiev dp^i) ex tov iepov tov avdpwrrov 
 avaaTriaaaa, iJ/a'feTO dwirolaTtp ry KoXaaeC 
 6 Be Brj/xo'; aTrai, eVet ev toiclvtuls %vp,j>o- 
 pal<s elSe crw/xa ekevdipiov re km dveip,evrj 
 avtoOev BiaiTrj evrpatpev, airrfSffqcre re to 
 irddo<i evdw, Kal aw olficoyfj dvexpayov oiipd- 
 vlov oaov e%anovp.evoi, rbv ueaviav. 'H Be 
 ai/Tov en p,ak\ov Kokduaaa, Kal to alBolov 
 airoTep,op,evr) Sie<pdeipev ave^eXeyKTWs, Kal ttjv 
 ovaiav es to Bt)p.bo-iov dveypdifraro. Outw?, 
 qviKa bpymr] to yvvaiov tovto, ovre lepbv 
 ojfvpbv iyeyovei, ovre vofiov tov dTrcvyopevtrR, 
 oiiTe 7ro\ea)S dvTifiokrjo-v; igeXeadai tov irapa- 
 7re7TTft)*OTa iKavf) e<palvero oScra, ovre aXko 
 avrjj dirrpna to>v dirdvTwv ovBkv. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 135 
 
 to the church of St. Michael the Arch- 
 angel. Theodora immediately sent the 
 Praetor of the people to seize him, bid- 
 ding him charge him, however, not with 
 insolence towards herself, but with the 
 crime of sodomy. The magistrate, having 
 dragged him from the church, subjected 
 him to such intolerable torments, that 
 the whole assembled people, deeply 
 moved at seeing a person of such noble 
 mien, and one who had been so deli- 
 cately brought up, exposed to such 
 shameful treatment, immediately com- 
 miserated his sufferings, and cried out 
 with loud lamentations that reached the 
 heavens, imploring pardon for the young 
 man. But Theodora persisted in her 
 work of punishment, and caused his 
 death by ordering him to be castrated, 
 although he had been neither tried nor 
 condemned. His property was confiscated 
 by the Emperor. Thus this woman, when 
 infuriated, respected neither the sanctuary 
 of the church, nor the prohibitive author- 
 ity of the laws, nor the intercession of 
 the people, nor any other obstacle what- 
 
136 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 £*. Kal AioyevTjv Se rtva ola Hpaxnvov 
 Svra Si 6/3777? e%ova-a, avhpa a<nelov Kal 
 irodetvbv airaal re Kal avrm tgu fiaaikel, 
 ovSev Tt ?\(raov yd/xcov dvSpelav iv cnrovSi) 
 <Tv/co<pavTelv stye. Avo yovv avairelaaaa t&v 
 avTov olkstcov Karr)yopov<s re ical p.dpTvpa<; 
 t£ tce/cTr)p,iva> iirearriae. Tov Be ov Kpv{38riv 
 igeTa£op,evov Kal XaOpaiw;, rjirep euodet,. d\\' 
 iv Srjfioaitj), BiKacrrcbv f/prj/Asvcav woW&v re 
 Kal oiiK aBotjcov, Sia rr)v Atoyevov<s Boljav, 
 evel ovk iBoKOvv dKpii3o\o<yovjj,evoi<; tois Si- 
 /caffTat? oi twv oik6t5>v \6yot, afybypeoi e? 
 rtjv xpiaiv elvat,, a\\a>? re Kal iratBapLav 
 Svrav, 
 
 rj'. OeoBcopov t&v Aioyevet, dvayKaimv 
 Tiva hv Tols eimdoaw oIkiBIor KaOeipfjev. 
 'EvTavda -iroXKals p,ev dmireuiis, iroXKoh Be 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I36 
 
 soever. Nothing was able to save from 
 her vengeance anyone who had given her 
 offence. She conceived a hatred, on the 
 ground of his belonging to the Green 
 faction, for a certain Diogenes, a native 
 of Constantinople, an agreeable per- 
 son, who was liked by the Emperor and 
 everyone else. In her wrath, she ac- 
 cused him, in like manner, of sodomy, 
 and, having suborned two of his ser- 
 vants, put them up to give evidence 
 against and to accuse their master. But, 
 as he was not tried secretly and in 
 private, as was the usual custom, but in 
 public, owing to the reputation he en- 
 joyed, a number of distinguished persons 
 were selected as judges, and they, scru- 
 pulous in the discharge of their duties, 
 rejected the testimony of his servants 
 as insufficient, especially on the ground 
 of their not being of legal age. The 
 Empress thereupon caused one of the 
 intimate friends of Diogenes, named 
 Theodorus, to be shut up in one of 
 her ordinary prisons, and endeavoured to 
 win him over, at one time by flattery, 
 
137 HPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 top avdpatirov awaoywi? irepirp<£ev. 'Eirei T€ 
 ol ovSev Trpoixwpei, vevpav fioelav e« rov 
 av0pd>irov rr)V KetpaXrjv dfi<pl ra v&ra wepi- 
 eXli-avTes, rrjv vevpav arpefeiv re Kal o-<j>trf- 
 ryeiv itceXeue. Kal roil? fiev ol ocpdakfioii? 
 Qeohwpa i/c7re'7ri)8r)Kivai ttjv oltcelav Xiir6v7a<; 
 •ywpav VTidrtnevev, ovSev p,4vT0i t&v ov yeyo- 
 vormv airayyeXXeiv eyvco. Aib Si) ol /lev 
 hiKaaral are ap,apTvpijrov 81/079 aireyvoxrav' 
 f) he iroXii eoprrjv air' airov wavSqfiel fy/ev. 
 'AXXh tovto fiev TjjSe e^mprjaev. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I37 
 
 at another by ill-treatment. When none 
 of these measures proved successful, she 
 ordered a cord of ox-hide to be bound 
 round his head, over his forehead and 
 ears, and then to be twisted and tightened. 
 She expected that, under this treatment, 
 his eyes would have started from their 
 sockets, and that he would have lost his 
 sight. But Theodorus refused to tell a 
 lie. The judges, for want of proof, ac- 
 quitted him ; and his acquittal was made 
 the occasion of public rejoicing. 
 
 Such was the manner in which Theo- 
 dorus was treated. 
 
 18- 
 
138 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION IZ'. 
 
 a. 'EppqOr) $£ apxpfievw /xoi rovSe rov 
 \6yov, Kal oaa BeXiardpiov re, Kal $<btiov, 
 Kal Bovtyjv, avTrj ipyao-Oelrj. Urao-iwrai Se 
 Beveroi hio, Kt'XtKe? yivos, KaXktvuap t& 
 KiXiKias SevTepa<s ap^ovri, o~vv Oopvfia nroWm 
 hruiTavTes, xeipibv aSltccov en - ' avrbv rjp^av 
 tov re avrov vrnroKOfiov arfyiara rrov karma, 
 Kal afivvew rq> Ke/CT7)fiev<p rreipmp,evov, exreir 
 vav, tov re ap-^ovro'; Kal rov hrjfjbov Bewjievov 
 Travros. Kal 6 /lev roii<; o-rao~ubra<; aXXav 
 re iroXKaiv Kal rovBe ahovras rov (povov, eV 
 Sl/cg aveVkev' r\ he p,a6ovaa, on Kal row; 
 Beverovs irpoo-Troielrai, ivSeiKW/iiprj, en av- 
 rbv rijv apyrjv e^ovra ev ra> r&v govern 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 138 
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 As for the manner in which she 
 treated Belisarius, Photius, and Buzes, I 
 have already spoken of it at the com- 
 mencement of this work. 
 
 Two Cilicians, belonging to the Blue 
 faction, during a mutiny, laid violent 
 hands upon Callinicus, governor of the 
 second Cilicia, and slew his groom, who 
 was standing near him, and endeavoured 
 to defend his master, in the presence of 
 the governor and all the people. Calli- 
 nicus condemned them to death, since 
 they had been convicted of several other 
 murders besides this. When Theodora 
 heard of this, in order to show her de- 
 votion to the party of the Blues, she 
 ordered that the governor, while he still 
 held office, should be crucified in the 
 place where the two offenders had been 
 
139 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Td<pw iveaKoXoiriaev ovSevl Xoyco. Baaikew; 
 . Se Kkaeiv re xal oBvpeaOai, tov aTroXuXora 
 aKrjTTTo/jbevo'!, icadfjaTO ypvXXltyov' iroXXd re 
 tois e? rrjv wpd^iv inrovpyrjKocriv avaTeiva- 
 jj,evo<s, oiSev ehpaae ra fievroi xprffiara tov 
 reTeXevrrjKOTO'i Xrj!^ea6ai «o? r\Kio~Ta wirtj- 
 fficDcrev' dXXa ical virep d/iaprdSmv t£>v e? 
 to acbfia KoXdaei? rfj &eo8d>pq iirivoeiv eVt- 
 
 f3. Hbpva% dfiiXei, irXiov r) irevraKoaia<s 
 dyeipaaa iv dyopa fiecrrj e's rpiebfioXov, oaov 
 diro^qv fiio-6apvovtra<i e's re ttjv avmrepw;, 
 ijireipov areiXaaa, iv ra> KaXo\)fieva> (Mera-' 
 voLa<i) /iovao-TT)pim KaOelplje tov fiiov fie- 
 Tap,<pi60~ao~6aL dvajKa^oixra. r flv 877 we? 
 ippiTTTOw avTa<; d(f> ir^rijXov vv/crwp, Tavry 
 Te Trj's aKovalov fieTaBoXfj? airrikXao-aovro, 
 
 y. Avo 8e Kopat iv Bv£avTL<p dSeXtycu 
 •qTrjv, ovk eK iraTpoi re Kal Tpvyovla<i vitcnw 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 139 
 
 executed, although he had committed no 
 crime. The Emperor, pretending that 
 he bitterly lamented his loss, remained 
 at home, grumbling and threatening all 
 kinds of vengeance upon the perpetrators 
 of the deed. He did nothing, however ; 
 but, without scruple, appropriated the 
 property of the dead man to his own 
 use. Theodora likewise devoted her at- 
 tention to punishing those women who 
 prostituted their persons. She collected 
 more than five hundred harlots, who sold 
 themselves for three obols in the market- 
 place, thereby securing a bare subsistence, 
 and transported them to the other side 
 of the Bosphorus, where she shut them 
 up in the Monastery of Repentance, with 
 the object of forcing them to change 
 their manner of life. Some of them, 
 however, threw themselves from the walls 
 during the night, and in this manner 
 escaped a change of life so contrary to 
 their inclinations. 
 
 There were at Byzantium two young 
 sisters, illustrious not only by the con- 
 sulships of their father and grandfather, 
 
140 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fiovov, a\\' avexaOev a"fiaro<; tov irpwTov 
 ev ye tjJ avyK\r}T(p ftovkfi yeyovvlac. Tainan 
 ffZrj e's ydfiov i\dovaai<; diroXcokoTcov rmv 
 dvSp&v jfflpeus yeyovivai ^vveireaev. Avtiko, 
 Se avBpai; r\ Qeohmpa Svo ayeXaiov; re Kal 
 j38e\vpoii<i cnroke^aady fjvvoiKelv avraU ev 
 awovhfi efyev, iiriicaXovaa fir) aco<pp6vw<; (Slow. 
 "Oirep "va pfj yevryrai,, Seiaaaat e's to rrj'i 
 2o<pla<; lepbv tpevyovaiV e's re rbv Belov 
 XovTpwva ekdovcrai, tt}s evravOa /eoXvfif3tfdpa<; 
 airpll; e'lypvTO. 'A\\h rocramrfv ainah 
 dvdyicrjv re Kal teaicoTrddeiav -rrpoaeTpbtyaTO 
 •q f3a<TiXiiG0~a, ware airai<; dTraX>\a!;ewva'M5 
 tSjv evSevZe kcikwv tov yd/iov avT&v dvraX- 
 ~kd%ao-6ai ev o-TrovZy yeyovev. OtJrtos avrfi 
 a%pavT0<; oufieis rj ao~v~ko<; pep,evr}ice ^wpo?. 
 Avrai p,ev ovv dvhpdai tttw)(oI<; re km 
 aTreppip,fjLevoi'i ttoXXw dtrb Trjs o-<peTep<K 
 d^ia<s aKovaiai, gwcpKio-B'Tjo-av Kafarep evira- 
 TpiS&v o-cj>LO-i irapovTcov pLVrjo-T^pcov. 'H Se 
 (iqT'rjp avTais, xW a Ka1, a ^ T V yeyovvia, ovre 
 dvoip&ljai, ovt6 diroKkavaai To\p.S>o~a to 
 irddo^, irapr\v rfj iyyvr], "TaTepov fie amo- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I40 
 
 but by a long descent of nobility, and 
 belonging to one of the chief families of 
 the Senate. They had married early and 
 lost their husbands. Theodora, charging 
 them with living an immoral life, selected 
 two debauchees from the common people 
 and designed to make them their hus- 
 bands. The young widows, fearing that 
 they might be forced to obey, took refuge 
 in the church of St. Sophia, and, ap- 
 proaching the sacred bath, clung closely to 
 the font. But the Empress inflicted such 
 privations and cruel treatment upon them, 
 that they preferred marriage in order to 
 escape from their immediate distress. In 
 this manner Theodora showed that she 
 regarded no sanctuary as inviolable, no 
 spot as sacred. Although suitors of noble 
 birth were ready to espouse these ladies, 
 they were married against their will to 
 two men, poor and outcast, and far 
 below them in rank. Their mother, who 
 was a widow like themselves, was present 
 at the marriage, but did not venture to 
 cry out or express her sorrow at this 
 atrocious act. Afterwards, Theodora, re- 
 
141 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 aeiofievr) r] OeoScopa to /xiaafia, 8r][ioalcu<; 
 avTa<s Traprjryoprjcrai %vp,<l>opai<s 'iyvco. "Ap- 
 ypvra yap hcdrepov KaTe<ntf<raTo. Kal rats 
 p,ev Kopavi 7rapaylrv)(r) ovS 1 ws yeyove' irafii\ 
 Se dvqiceo-Ta Kal avvTrottrra Tot? vtttjkook 
 a%e86p amaai tt/OOS t&v dvSpwv tovtuv 
 ^vvrjvi'xO'r] Tradelv' airep fioi iv rot? epmpooQev 
 \6yoi? Ae\e£eTai. QeoSdtpq yap ome apyffi 
 oiire 7roXtT6i'a? a%i<oo~iss, oine ri aXKo im/ieXh 
 r\v, el to fiovhrj/Mi vepaveirat, p,6vov. 
 
 8'. 'Ervyxave Se vtto tov /cvrfaacra toiv 
 ipacrrmv, rjvUa ert hr\ o-Krjvrjs tfv" tov Se 
 KaKov oyjre tov /caipov alaBopAvr), irdvTa p.ev 
 e? to ap,f3\v<nceLV, wairep elwdei, errovet,' atopov 
 Se ditoKTivvvvai to {Spinas oiSe/xia pyrjyavrj 
 el^ev, eVet ov ttoWu aireXeXenrTO to dv6pa>- 
 •7roei8e<; yivos yeyovevai. Aio St] eVet oiSev 
 •jrpoixtbpei, ttj<s Treipas cupefievrj, tIkt€IV qvdy- 
 xaaTO. 'Op&v Se amffv 6 tov Te%0evTO<s TraTfjp 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 141 
 
 penting of what she had done, endeavoured 
 to console them by promoting their hus- 
 bands to high offices to the public detri- 
 ment. But even this was no consolation 
 to these young women, for their husbands 
 inflicted incurable and insupportable woes 
 upon almost all their subjects, as I will 
 describe later ; for Theodora paid no heed 
 to the dignity of the office, the interests 
 of the State, or any other consideration, 
 provided only she could accomplish her 
 wishes. 
 
 While still on the stage, she became 
 with child by one of her friends, but did 
 not perceive her misfortune until it was 
 too late. She tried all the means she 
 had formerly employed to procure abor- 
 tion, but she was unable prematurely to 
 destroy the living creature by any means 
 whatsoever, since it had nearly assumed 
 the form of a human being. Therefore, 
 finding her remedies unsuccessful, she 
 abandoned the attempt, and was obliged 
 to bring forth the child. Its father, 
 seeing that Theodora was at a loss what 
 to do, and was indignant because, now 
 
142 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 aTropov/jiivriv re Kal aaydXKovaav, on fiijrrjp 
 yevo/Aevr) r<p o~<bp,ari 6/Wa>? epyd^eadai ovKeri 
 Swart) eirj, irrel Kal a\i?6ws St) viryadero, 
 to? Sta^pjjffeTat t<5 rratZiov, dvetXero re Kal 
 'Iwdvvrjv irrovop.daa';, iirel apaev r\v, Is ttjv 
 'Apafilav, e's rpirrep wppyrjTO, dmwv m^ero. 
 'Eirel Se avrb? p.ev reXevrav efieWev, 'Iadwrj? 
 re rjhrj /neipd/ciov ?jv, rbv rrdvra \ayav avrw 
 dfitpl rjj (iijTpl o warrip e<f>pacre. Kal o? Trdvra 
 iirl rw rrarepi to, vofii/ia iroiijcras e£ dvdpwiratv 
 dtyaviadevri, XP° vt P rivl varepov e's Bv^dvriov 
 ?j\de, Kal Tot? wept rrjv fiijrepa t^s eiVoSous 
 del Trotovfievoi<! rb rrpdy/Ma dyyeWei. 01 he 
 ovSev dvb rov dvdpanreiov rpbrrov avrrjv 
 \oyieio~6at, imoro'iTr)<ravre<; 3 eirayyeWovai ry 
 fiyrpl, on &r) avrrjs 'Iwdvvr}<; 6 i/tos rjKol. 
 Aeiaao-a Se yvvrj, fir) e's rbv dvBpa eieirvaros 
 6 Xoyos yevqrai, rbv rralb'd 01 es oyfriv exeXevev 
 rfKetv. 'Eiret re elSe rrapayevdp,evov } r&v 
 oliceiwv Tivl eve^eiptaev, qrrep del to, roiavra 
 eTTiareWeiv elwdei. Kal rpoTrqy jxev orta 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I42 
 
 that she had become a mother, she was 
 no longer able to traffic with her person 
 as before, and being with good reason in 
 fear for the child's life, took it up, named 
 it John, and carried it away with him to 
 Arabia, whither he had resolved to retire. 
 The father, just before his death, gave 
 John, who was now grown up, full infor- 
 mation concerning his mother. 
 
 John, having performed the last offices 
 for his dead father, some time afterwards 
 repaired to Byzantium, and explained the 
 state of affairs to those who were charged 
 with the duty of arranging admission to 
 an ' audience with the Empress. They, 
 not suspecting that she would conceive 
 any inhuman designs against him, an- 
 nounced to the mother the arrival of 
 her son. She, fearing that the report 
 might reach the ears of the Emperor, 
 ordered her son to be brought to her. 
 When she saw him approaching, she 
 went to meet him and handed him over 
 to one of her confidants, whom she 
 always intrusted with commissions of 
 this kind. In what manner the unfor- 
 
143 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Ta\aiira>po<! e'f dvOpuyrrcov rj<j>avtoTcu, ovie e^to 
 elirelv, ovBel<} Be avrbv ou)(pi> Bevpo IBelv ovBe 
 airoyevo/ievT]? rr}<; fiaaiKtSo*; eaj^ev. 
 
 e. Tore kclL rah yvvatl-i a-^eSov ti 
 dirdo-aii rov rpoirov 8ie<p6dpdat l-weBi). 
 ^E^rifiaprov yap e? toii? avSpas igovatq rfj 
 iraarf, ov <pepovro<s avraZs kLvBvvov riva fj 
 ftXdfirjv rov epyov' iirel Kal oaai fioi^eta^ 
 aXoiev, avral /j,ev kclkosv airaBei*} efievov, 
 irapa Be rr/v ftcMriXiSa avr'iKa lovcrai, dvrur- 
 rpo<poi re yevo/ievai, Kal Blktjv ov yeyovormv 
 eyKK/qpjdr(ov dvriXa%ovcrai, robs dvBpat VTrrjyov. 
 Ilepirjv re avTOi<; avefjeXeyxrois overt, rrjv pev 
 irpoiiea ev BnfKacrii^ airorivvvvai' pe/iacrTiya)- 
 /xevois Be eic rov ewLirXela-rov e? to SecrfMOT^piov 
 d'?ra'x6rjvai,' Kal av rraXiv ra<s /loi^evrpm 
 hnBelv, KeKoptyevfievas re Kal ttjoo? rS>v pot^&v 
 aBeeo-repov \ayvevo/j,eva<s. Tcov Be /Mijf&v 
 iroXKol air aiirov rov epyov Kal rifif) 1 } ervyov. 
 Aiorrep ol rrkelaroi rb Xoiirbv trdo-^ovre'i 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 143 
 
 tunate youth disappeared I cannot say. 
 He has never been seen to this day — 
 not even after his mother's death. 
 
 At that time the morals of women 
 were almost without exception corrupt. 
 They were faithless to their husbands 
 with absolute licence, since the crime of 
 adultery brought neither danger nor harm 
 upon them. When convicted of the 
 offence, they escaped punishment, thanks 
 to the Empress, to whom they im- 
 mediately applied. Then, getting the 
 verdict quashed on the ground that the 
 charges were not proved, they in turn 
 accused their husbands, who, although 
 not convicted, were condemned to refund 
 twice the amount of the dower, and, 
 for the most part, were flogged and led 
 away to prison, where they were per- 
 mitted to look upon their adulterous 
 wives again, decked out in fine garments 
 and in the act of committing adultery 
 without the slightest shame with their 
 lovers, many of whom, by way of recom- 
 pense, received offices and rewards. This 
 was the reason why most husbands after- 
 
144 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 777305 t&v <yvvattca>v avoaia epya, acr/JLeveajara 
 afiaaTtywTot, cnwirj} e/ievov, ttjv vapprjaiav 
 avTai<s, Tea /irj ire<j>(H)pacrOai, Soiceiv, evStSoWe?. 
 
 ■?'. Avtt) airavra trpvTaveveiv avro<yva>- 
 fiopovcra ra iv ry trokireia r/lfiov. Td<i T6 <yap 
 ap^as Kal lepaavvas ixeiporovei, iieeivo p,6vov 
 Biepevvcofievrj Kal (pvkao-o-ophri ivZeke^effrara, 
 fifj «a\o? icar/ados Tt? 6 to dtjlcofia p,enwv 
 eorj, Kal ov% olo<s re 01 icrofievos i<s ra iiray- 
 yeWofieva virovpyrjo-eiv. 
 
 £'. Kal roll's yd flow; airavTa? ry deia 
 igovo-lq rivl hupKelro, to re ya/ieiv irp&rov 
 oiSefiiav dvQpaynoi iyyvrjv eKovaiav ■trewoLi)VTM. 
 Tvvr) eKaara e^atnvaia)^ eyivero, ov^ on h)j 
 avrbv ripeaicev, oirep kolv rott /3ap(3dpoi<; elcoBei, 
 aKX' OTt fiovXopevy rfj QeoScopa e'er). "Oirep 
 aii Kal rat? yapou/ievai? dvdiraXw l-vvi/3aive 
 irda-^eip, avhpao-i ^wiivai ovSafirj eOekovauu 
 rjvayicd^ovTO. TIoWcikk &e ical ttjv vvfifaiv 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 144 
 
 wards put up with unholy outrages on 
 the part of their wives, and gladly en- 
 dured them in silence in order to escape 
 the lash. They even afforded them every 
 opportunity to avoid being surprised. 
 
 Theodora claimed complete control of 
 the State at her sole discretion. She 
 appointed magistrates and ecclesiastical 
 dignitaries. Her only care and anxiety 
 was — and as to this she made the most 
 careful investigation — to prevent any office 
 being given to a good and honourable 
 man, who might be prevented by his 
 conscience from assisting her in her ne- 
 farious designs. 
 
 She ordered all marriages as it were 
 by a kind of divine authority ; men 
 never made a voluntary agreement before 
 marriage. A wife was found for each 
 without" any previous notice, not because 
 she pleased him (as is generally the case 
 even amongst the barbarians) but because 
 Theodora so desired it. Brides also had 
 to put up with the same treatment, and 
 were obliged to marry husbands whom 
 they did not desire. She often turned the 
 
 19 
 
145 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 e« t»J? 7ra<7TaSo? airofHifiaaaaa, \oyw oi/Sevl 
 avv/xevaiov tov vvp,<piov acprJKe, rovro fiovov 
 %irv aKpoj(pXia ehrovaa, on Sr] avrrjv aira- 
 peanei. "O-irep aWovs re 7ro\\oii? eSpcure 
 koI AeovTiov, oa-nep pai(pepevSdpio<! rpi ttjv 
 Tifirjv, Kal Saropvivov, tov 'Epfioyevovs tov 
 fiwyioTpov yey ovoto<s eVl fivrjaTy. 
 
 rj , TovTtp yap t& 'XaTopvivip rp> ti<s 
 aveyJriaSrj irap0evo<s puv^air], ekevBipios Kal 
 icoo-fita, fjwirep ol KvpiX\o<; 6 irarrip ttarrjy- 
 yvTjo-ev, 'Epfioyivov? tov /St'ou 17817 airoXvdevro's. 
 ireiTTjyvia's ts avTOK Trji 7racrTaSo?, tov vvufyiov 
 Kadeip^ev, o? e's ttjv erepav iracrTaBa J/^ft?" 
 eyr]fj,e Te kcokvwv Kal olfico^mv oo-ov ttjv 
 Xpvo~ofiaWov<i iraiSa. XpvaofiaWm 8e avrrj 
 •jraXat fiev op^rjo-Tph eyeyovei, Kal avdti 
 eraipa' tot6 Se %iw erkpa, XpvaofiaWoc «at 
 'IvSapoi iv iraXaTuo Biavrav el)(6v. ^Aml 
 yap tov (j>aX\ov Kal tj}? iv Be&Tptp But- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 145 
 
 bride out of bed herself, and, without any 
 reason, dismissed the bridegroom before 
 the marriage had been consummated, 
 merely saying, in great anger, that she 
 disapproved of her. Amongst others 
 whom she treated in this manner was 
 Leontius the "referendary," and Satur- 
 ninus, the son of Hermogenes the late 
 Master of Offices, whom she deprived 
 of their wives. This Saturninus had a 
 young maiden cousin of an age to marry, 
 free-born and modest, whom Cyrillus, her 
 father, had betrothed to him after the 
 death of Hermogenes. After the bridal 
 chamber had been made ready and every- 
 thing prepared, Theodora imprisoned the 
 youthful bridegroom, who was afterwards 
 conducted to another chamber, and forced, 
 in spite of his violent lamentations and 
 tears, to wed the daughter of Chrysomallo. 
 This Chrysomallo had formerly been a 
 dancer and a common prostitute, and at 
 that time lived with another woman like 
 her, and with Indaro, in the palace, where, 
 instead of devoting themselves to phallic 
 worship and theatrical amusements, they 
 
 19 — 2 
 
146 nPOKOHIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rpififjs rfjSe SipicovvTo ra irpdyfiara. Hwy- 
 KaraBapdwv Se 6 Saropvivoi rfj vvfMJyg, ical 
 8taire7rapdevevfjLevi]v evpmv, es riva rmv eVi- 
 rrjBeUov igqveyicev, on Srj ovk drpryrov yrjfioi. 
 "Oirep eirel h QeoBwpav rfkde, tows wrTjperai 
 iicekevev, are airoaefivvvofievov ical opKwOevra 
 ovSev avrui rrpoafficov, fiericcpov aipeiv, ola 
 ra £5 ypa/i/iariarov <f>oir5>vra iratSia, %al- 
 vovad re Kara rmv vcorcav iroWai, airehrev 
 avrm fir/ tfiKvapa elvai. 
 
 ff. Ota fievroi ical 'Ieodvvrjv rbv Kair- 
 TraSoKTjv eipyaaaro, iv t<h$ e/j/irpoadev X07W5 
 epprjOi), drrep avrjj BunreTrpaicTai ra> dvOpdnrm 
 'XaKeiratvovtrr], oi% inrep 3>v e? ttjv rroKireiav 
 tjfidprave {reK/J,tjpiov Be' r&v jap varepov 
 Seivorepa i<s tov? xmrjKoovi ipyaaafievmv ov- 
 oeva rovro TreTrolrjrab') aX\' on rd re aXKa, 
 rfj yvvaiKi icaravrticpv eroKfia le'vat, ical avrrjv 
 e? rbv fiaaikea SiefiaXkev, mare avrfj ical rbv 
 dvBpa ifCJretro\e/j,madai Trap' 6\iyov ekOelv. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I46 
 
 occupied themselves with affairs of State 
 together with Theodora. 
 
 Saturninus, having lain with his new 
 wife and discovered that she had already 
 lost her maidenhead, informed one of 
 his friends that his wife was no virgin. 
 When this reached the ears of Theodora, 
 she ordered the servants to hoist him up, 
 like a boy at school, upbraiding him with 
 having behaved too saucily and having 
 taken an unbecoming oath. She then 
 had him severely flogged on the bare 
 back, and advised him to restrain his 
 talkative tongue for the future. 
 
 In my former writings I have already 
 related her treatment of John of Cappa- 
 docia, which was due to a desire to 
 avenge personal injuries, not to punish 
 him for offences against the State, as is 
 proved by the fact that she did nothing 
 of the kind in the case of those who 
 committed far greater cruelties against 
 their Subjects. The real cause of her 
 hatred was, that he ventured to oppose 
 her designs and accused her to the Em- 
 peror, so that they nearly came to open 
 
147 nPOKOIlIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Ttbv yap aln&v, oirep virehrov, ivTavOd /ioi 
 /u,d\i<TTa Ta<i akrjBeoTaTa'i avayicaiov ehrelv. 
 'HvUa t£ ainov ew' Alyvmov KaOeip^e, ire- 
 •7rov66ra acra fioi afi<p' avrQ irpoBeBrjkobTai, 
 oiB' w? two, ekafte t?)s tov avOpmirav KoXd- 
 <76«b? Kopov, aXka tyevBop,dpTVpa<; eV ixelvo) 
 Biepewoifievri, ovBeiroTe aviei. Terpaai Be evir- 
 avroK varepov Upaalvovs evpeaOai Bio, t&v 
 ev Kv^Lkw arcuncoTcbv, Xayyaev, ohrep twv t$ 
 iiriaKoira) eiravaaraVTrnv eXeyovTO elvai. Kal 
 avToii<i 6(oireiai<; re Kal \6701s Kal direiKaK 
 KaToppaSrjaas, Kal ral<s ekirlcnv iirapOeh, rb 
 p,iaa-fj,a tov fyovov e? , Imdvvt]v dvr]veyicev. '0 
 Be Br) eVepos tjjs aki)6e£a<i anrevavTias e\6eiv 
 ovBafir) eyvoi, Kaiirep oi/tw? ex Tr)<; fiao-dvov 
 KaraTa6el<s, &are on Br) Kal Tedvrj^eTai av- 
 riKa fidXa iiriSo^o<! r)v. Acb Br) tov p.ev 
 'Icodvvrjv tovtw Br) t& irapaireTaa/iaTi Bia- 
 ■)(prq<Tao-Qat, oiSe/jLia fMj^avfj e'ff^e, 'toiv Be 
 veaviauv tovtoiv j(etpa<; Ta? Bejjias ere/ie' tov 
 (lev, oti yJrevBofiapTvpelv oiiSafir) r)6e\e' tov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 147 
 
 hostilities. I mention this here because, 
 as I have already stated, in this work I am 
 bound to state the real causes of events. 
 When, after having inflicted upon him 
 the sufferings I have related, she had 
 confined him in Egypt, she was not even 
 then satisfied with his punishment, but 
 was incessantly on the look out to find 
 false witnesses against him. Four years 
 afterwards, she succeeded in finding two 
 of the Green faction who had taken part 
 in the sedition at Cyzicus, and were 
 accused of having been accessory to the 
 assault upon the Bishop. These she 
 attacked with flattery, promises, and 
 threats. One of them, alarmed and in- 
 veigled by her promises, accused John of 
 the foul crime of murder, but the other 
 refused to utter falsehoods, although he 
 was so cruelly tortured that he seemed 
 likely to die on the spot. She was, 
 therefore, unable to compass the death 
 of John on this pretext, but she caused 
 the young men's right hands to be 
 chopped off — that of the one because he 
 refused to bear false witness ; that of the 
 
148 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Se, oVaJS /xfj i , 7rifj>avr]'i 17 eTn^ovKrj is to ttuv 
 yevrjTai,. Tovtow Be ovtcos ev tg> Brjfiocria) 
 irpcKrao/ievcov rrjs dyopa,'}, eiroieiTO t&v irpac- 
 aofievwv firjSiva to •jrapdirav ffwelvai. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I48 
 
 other, to prevent her intrigue becoming 
 universally known, for she endeavoured 
 to keep secret from others those things 
 which were done in the open market- 
 place. 
 
149 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION IB.'. 
 
 a. "On Se ovk avdpwiro';, aXKa Saifioiv 
 •U9, &<rirep eXpryrai, dv0pa>Tr6[iop<f)o<; ?jv, T6Kp.r)- 
 pubaano av Tt? Tea fieykQei trTa8p,d>fievo$ mv 
 els tows avdpcoirov! kclkwv eSpaxrev. 'Ev yap 
 tc3 inrepfidWovri t5>v Treirpaypkvwv koI y tov 
 SeSpaicoTOs Bvva/ii? eV8»?X,o? ylverai. To fiev 
 o3v fierpov e? to a/cpiftes r&v vir' avrov 
 dvyprj/ieveov elirelv ovk av irore poi Soxel 
 tS>v iravrwv rivl ft Tto 6ew SvvarcL elvai. 
 Qaaaov yap rt?, oI/mu, rr/v Tracrav yfrdp,p,ov 
 e^apiO/xriaeiev, rj ocrou? /3a<rtA.ev9 o&tos dvpprjice. 
 Trjv Be -)(wpav eirnrKelo-TOV Butpidfiov/Aevo?, 
 rjvTrep eprjfiov t&v ivoi/tovvTWV i-vprn-etrrwicev 
 elvai, [ivpidBa? fivpidBiov fivpias (prjfu diro- 
 XwXemvai. Ai/3vtjv p,ev yap, e's tocovtov Bitj- 
 Kovaav p,6Tpov, ovrco dirdkwKeKev, wore bBbv 
 lovri vroWrjv, dvBpl ivTvxetv j(aKerrov ts kui 
 \6yov aijiov elvai. Kairoi BavBi\wv fiev ra>v 
 oifXa dpyvpiovftevav evravda fivpidBe<; oktw 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 149 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 That Justinian was not a man, but a 
 demon in human shape, as I have already 
 said, may be abundantly proved by con- 
 sidering the enormity of the evils which 
 he inflicted upon mankind, for the power 
 of the acting cause is manifested in the 
 excessive atrocity of his actions. I think 
 that God alone could accurately reckon 
 the number of those who were destroyed 
 by him, and it would be easier for a 
 man to count the grains of sand on the 
 sea-shore than the number of his victims. 
 Considering generally the extent of country 
 which was depopulated by him, I assert 
 that more than two millions of people 
 perished. He so devastated the vast tract 
 of Libya that a traveller, during a long 
 journey, considered it a remarkable thing 
 to meet a single man ; and yet there 
 were eighty thousand Vandals who bore 
 
150 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 irvyxavov ovaai' yvvaiwv Si ical iraiBaprnv 
 Kal depairovrmv avr&v, ri<; av eltcdaeie fierpov ; 
 Aifivav Be r&v ev reus rroXeatv u>Kr)p,eva>v ra 
 rrporepa, Kal yrjv yeoapyovvroav, epyaalav re 
 rrjv Kara OaXaaaav epya^o/xevav, oirep fioi 
 avroTTTy hrfifKeiarov yeyovevai rervj^Ke, 7ra)$ 
 av tj? to ifkrj6o<; BiapiBfieladat r&v rrdvrwv 
 avOpdyirav licavos eh) ; rovreov Be iroWQ en 
 Tr\eiov<s Mavpov<noi ^aav ivravOa, oh Brj 
 arraai jjvv re yvvat^l Kal yovip 8iecp0dp9ai 
 %vve/3t). IloXKov'} Be a5 Kal 'Pwfiaiav arpa- 
 riwr&v, Kal r&v avrois e/e Bv^avriov hnoiro- 
 fievwv, 17 yrj eKpirtyev" ware et tr p,vpiABa/} 
 avdpwTrcov ev re Aiftvr) rrevraKoaia<i layypt- 
 %erai aTroXcoXevai, ovk av wore r& Trpaypwn, 
 oljxai, BtapKws elVoi. 
 
 /8\ Atriov Be on BavBiXaiv evOvs r)<t- 
 arjfievwv, ov% oirco<} Kparvvono rr\v TJ7? X a> P a<i 
 eTriKpdrr]<Tiv hrifte\e<; 01 eyivero, ovB' 07r&>s" 
 01 f) r&v ayad&v (pvXaKt) ev ra aafyakel, 
 evvolq r&v KarrjKocov, etr/, irpovvorjaev, aXKa 
 BeXiadpiov avrUa (leWrfaet ovBe/iua pvereweii- 
 7T£to, rvpavvlBa 01 ovBafiodev irpoarjKOVcrav 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 150 
 
 arms, besides women, children and ser- 
 vants without number. In addition to 
 these, who amongst men could enumerate 
 the ancient inhabitants who dwelt in the 
 cities, tilled the land, and traded on the 
 coast, of whom I myself have seen vast 
 numbers with my own eyes ? The na- 
 tives of Mauretania were even still more 
 numerous, and they were all exterminated, 
 together with their wives and children. 
 This country also proved the tomb of 
 numbers of Roman soldiers and of their 
 auxiliaries from Byzantium. Therefore, 
 if one were to assert that five millions 
 perished in that country, I do not feel 
 sure that he would not under-estimate the 
 number. The reason of this was that 
 Justinian, immediately after the defeat of 
 the Vandals, did not take measures to 
 strengthen his hold upon the country, 
 and showed no anxiety to protect his 
 interests by securing the goodwill of his 
 subjects, but immediately recalled Beli- 
 sarius on a charge of aspiring to royal 
 power (which would by no means have 
 suited him) in order that he might 
 
151 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 iireyKa\eaa<}, 6V<us to ivOevhe SioiKov/xevo<; 
 kot i^ovcriav Aiflvrjv Karairioov o\tjv \t)£- 
 typai, Ti/n)Ta<; dfiekei TJ)? 7% e7re/wre ical 
 (f>6pov<s iireTiOei ■niKpoTdrovi rtvas, ov •npo- 
 repov oWa?. Kot r&v ftapuov irpoaeiroieiTO, 
 et Tt, apwrov %v, koX 'Apeiavoift; t&v iv 
 <T<pl<riv avroK fivcTTrjplwv elpye. Kdv rats 
 aTparimTLKaii Svvdfieatv inrepi]iiepo<s rjv, «at 
 aX,Xea? toi? (TTparidiraK iyeyovei (3apv<;, e| 
 mv ai crrdaeif fyvofievai TeTeXevrrjicacriv «? 
 okeOpov fieyav. Ov yap fieve.lv iv rots icaBe- 
 a-T&ai 7T076 iayvev, dWa ijvy)(etv re ical 
 avaOokovv ivecpvKet, irdvra. 
 
 y. 'IraXla he ov% ?\acrov rj TpvrfKaaia 
 Aifivi]<! ovcra, eprjfuy; avdptbirmv ttoWw fiaX- 
 \ov fj en ixelvrj TravTaypdi yeyevTjrai' ware 
 8r) fierpov t&v KavravOa dvrjprj/jLevcov ij hrjkw- 
 <n<S etrrai' (ft re) yap atria rcov iv 'IraXia 
 (jv(MreirT<OKOT<ov rj§r) fioi e/nrpocr0ev SeSiijyt)- 
 rai. "Airavra yap ocra iv Aiftvy, KavravOa 
 airy r/fiapTijdri re, ical tovs KaXov/ievovs 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 151 
 
 manage the affairs of the country at his 
 own discretion, and ravage and plunder 
 the whole of Libya. He sent commis- 
 sioners to value the province, and im- 
 posed new and most harsh taxes upon 
 the inhabitants. He seized the best and 
 most fertile estates, and prohibited the 
 Arians from exercising the rites of their 
 religion. He was dilatory in keeping his 
 army well supplied and in an effective 
 condition, while in other respects he was 
 a severe martinet, so that disturbances 
 arose which ended in great loss. He 
 was unable to abide by what was estab- 
 lished, but was by nature prone to throw 
 everything into a state of confusion and 
 disturbance. 
 
 Italy, which was three times larger 
 than Libya, was depopulated far more 
 than the latter throughout its whole ex- 
 tent, whence a computation may be made 
 of the number of those who perished 
 there, for I have already spoken of the 
 origin of the events that took place in 
 Italy. All his crimes in Africa were 
 repeated in Italy ; having despatched 
 
152 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 AoyoOira? ■irpoaeTrnrep.'tyas, dve^aincre re ical 
 8ii<p0eipev ev8i><s drravra. 
 
 8'. Karereive Be fj Tordwv dpyr\ wpb 
 rovSe rov iroXifiov eic rdWtov tj)s yr)<; aypi 
 r&v Aaicla<s opUov' ov Srj wokis to Slpfiiov 
 eari. TaWias fiev oiv Kal Beveriav yfjv ttjv 
 •jroWrjv Tep/iavoi etrypv, eireiSi] cupiKero e? 
 , IraXiav 6 'Pcofialtov <rrpar6<i. Sip/iiov Be 
 Kal ra, eiceivrj ireBia r^iraiBei Kare^pvatv' 
 'drravra fievroi, avWtfftSrjv elireiv, avdpdyirwv 
 rravreXw ep-qfia. Tov<} p,lv yap 6 7ro\e/io?, 
 rovi Be i/ocro? re Kal \t/xo? Bie^p^aavro, a 
 Br) rm rroXe/Mp eireaOai rrecpVKev. 'IWvpiovi; 
 Be ical ®pqici\v oXrjv, et-q 8' av iic koXttov 
 rov 'Iovtov fieXP 1 ^ T * Bvffcvrloav irpodoreta, 
 ev tow 'EWd<i re Kal Xeppoprjairaiv r) j(mpa 
 earlv, 0\>woi re Kal SicXafiijval ical "Avrai 
 aj(eB6v n dvd rrav Karadeovres eVo?, il; oh 
 'Iovoriviavos rrapeXafie rijv 'Paifiaimv apyrpi, 
 dvrjKeara epya eipydcravro roiii ravry avQpw- 
 Trovi. ILk&ov yap ev eKdarig ififioXj) olfiai 
 rj Kara, fivpidBa? e'iicoaiv etvai r&v re dv\\pt\- 
 fievcov xal rjvBpairoBio-fievcov evravda 'Pco- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 152 
 
 Logothetae to this country also, he imme- 
 diately overthrew and ruined everything. 
 
 Before the Italian war, the Empire of 
 the Goths extended from the territory 
 of the Gauls to the boundaries of Dacia, 
 and the city of Sirmium ; but, when the 
 Roman army arrived in Italy, the greater 
 part of Cisalpine Gaul and of the territory 
 of the Venetians was in the occupation of 
 the Germans. Sirmium and the adjacent 
 country was in the hands of the Gepidae. 
 The entire tract of country, however, was 
 utterly depopulated ; war and its attendant 
 evils, disease and famine, had exterminated 
 the inhabitants. | Illyria and the whole of 
 Thrace, that is to say, the countries 
 between the Ionian Gulf and the suburbs 
 of Byzantium, including Hellas and the 
 Chersonese, were overrun nearly every 
 year after the accession of Justinian by 
 the Huns, Slavs and Antes, who inflicted 
 intolerable sufferings upon the inhabitants. 
 I believe that, on the occasion of each 
 of these inroads, more than two hundred 
 thousand Romans were either slain or 
 carried away into slavery, so that the 
 
 20 
 
153 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fiaiav, ware rfjv 2kv9&v iptjfiiav dfiekei 
 Tavrr/i iravTaxpcre -n)? 717? tjvfifialvew. 
 
 e'. Ta fiev ovv iv AifiiiiQ re km Ev- 
 panry Kara rbv iroXefiov i;vveve%6evTa roiama 
 ian. %apaK7)vol Se roil? icpovs 'Pufialovs, 
 i/e 717? Ahywrrov p-e^pi t&v JJepaiBoi; opiav, 
 nrdvTa<s tovtov tov ypovov SujveK&s kclto- 
 deovreis, ovrat Brj ivSeKey^eaTaTa icaTetpydtravTO, 
 wore oKtyavBpayiroTara ijvp.'jravTa eyeyovei to 
 eKeivy jfwpia, Kal ov (irjirore av6panr<$, dt/uu, 
 Svvara earai to fierpov t&v ovrtos airoXa- 
 \6roav hiepevvcofiAv^ evpiaOai. Hepaai re 
 Kal Xo<rp6r]t; rpU fiev ififi&WovTe? e? rrpi 
 aXhrjv 'Pwfiaiwv apyrpt, ras Te 7ro\et? «a- 
 Beikov, Kal Toil? avOpdnrovs ou? av Xdftoiev 
 ev re TroXetri rat? aXuricofievais Kal %a>pa 
 eKdcrTij, tov? ftev Krelvovref, Toi)<i he l-iiv 
 avTol<; eTrayofievot,, eprjfiov rrjv yrjv icarearrj- 
 cravTO t&v evoiKovvrmv, yirep avToi>$ eiruncrj- 
 tfrai ^weireaev. 'jE£ ov he Kal eh yffv t^j> 
 K6\%l8a elcrrfkaaav, avTol<i re Kal Aatpk 
 Kal 'Pcofiaioi? hia<p6etpeo~6at, ^XP L ^P° 
 gvfifialvei. 
 
 <s'. Ov fievTot oiihe UepaaK, r) Xapam\- 
 voi<s, jf Ovvvois, fj tw 2 'nXajS-qv&v yevei, r\ 
 t&v akXcov fiapftdpcov tutiv, aKpaifyvkaw en 
 'Ptofiaitov tj)? 7^? gvvrjvexdt] diraXKayfivai. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 153 
 
 solitude of Scythia overspread these 
 provinces. 
 
 Such were the results of the wars in 
 Libya and Europe. During all this time, 
 the Saracens also made perpetual inroads 
 upon the Eastern Romans, from Egypt 
 to the Persian frontiers, and harassed 
 them so persistently, that those districts 
 gradually became depopulated. I believe 
 it would be impossible for anyone to 
 estimate correctly the number of men 
 who perished there. 
 
 The Persians under Chosroes thrice 
 invaded the rest of the Roman territory, 
 destroyed the cities, slew or carried off 
 those whom they found in the captured 
 towns in each district, and depopulated 
 the country wherever they attacked it. 
 From the time they entered Colchis, the 
 losses were divided between themselves, 
 the Lazes, and the Romans, as up to the 
 present day. 
 
 However, neither Persians, Saracens, 
 Huns, Slavs, nor any other barbarians 
 were themselves able to evacuate Roman 
 territory without considerable loss, for, 
 
 20 — 2 
 
154 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 "Ev T€ yhp Tats e^oSot?, ical iroXXtfi en 
 fiaXXov ev T6 iroXiopiciaK ical £17480X04?, 
 evavTioifJiaai iroKKoi,<s TrpoaeinaiicoTes, ovSev 
 n fjaaov i;vv&ie<p0dpr]<rav. Ob yhp 'Papaioi 
 jxovov, dXkd ical fidpftapoi a^ehov ti Trdvres, 
 tt) 'Iovariviavov fiicu<povta airmvavro. *Hv 
 fiev yap toi ical Xoapoijs avrot re irovripos 
 to rj6o<i ical, &<s fun ev Xdyow elpryrai Tot? 
 Kadr)Kov<Ti, to? pAv amas air<p tov iroXepAiv 
 SSe irapelj(ero irdcra<}. Ov yap rjfjtov tow 
 Kaipolf ivapfio^eiv to? irpd^ei<s, dXX' dirb 
 icaipov irdvra eipyd^ero, ev p,iv elprjvri ical 
 o-irovSais i!-apT(!>fievo<i del, vq> BoXepy, em 
 Tois weXas irdXipjOV alrlas, ev 8e to3 iro\ep,if 
 dvaweTTTaicms re ovSevl \6ytp ical ttjv t&v 
 epyeov irapacricevrjv oKvrjpm dyav, Bid <piko- 
 'Xprjp.ariav, iroiovfievov, dvri re <nrov8j}f rf}<: 
 irepl ravra irepiaicoit&v fiev to p,erea>pa, 
 irepUpyot Se dp,<pl ry tov Oeov <pvcret, yivo- 
 fievos, Kal ovWe tov iro\ep,ov fiedteU, f£ 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 154 
 
 in their inroads, and still more in their 
 sieges and engagements, they often met 
 with numerous reyerses which inflicted 
 equal disasters upon them. Thus not 
 only the Romans, but almost all the 
 barbarians, felt the bloodthirstiness of 
 Justinian. Chosroes (as I have stated 
 in the proper place) was certainly a 
 man of depraved character, but it was 
 Justinian who always took the initiative 
 in bringing about war with this prince, 
 for he took no care to adapt his policy 
 to circumstances, but did everything at 
 the wrong moment. In time of peace 
 or truce, his thoughts were ever craftily 
 engaged in endeavouring to find pretexts 
 for war against his neighbours. In war, 
 he lost heart without reason, and, owing 
 to his meanness, he never made his pre- 
 parations in good time ; and, instead of 
 devoting his earnest attention to such 
 matters, he busied himself with the in- 
 vestigation of heavenly phenomena and 
 with curious researches into the nature 
 of God. Nevertheless, he would not 
 abandon war, being by nature tyrannical 
 
155 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fitattpovoi Tt? Kal Tvpavviicbs elvai, oirre ire- 
 pielvai rcbv iroXep,la>v ol6$ re o>v, rm p,i) ra 
 Seovra virb afWCpoKoylas irepiepyd^eo-Oat,. 
 
 % . Tavrjj re airov @ao~iXevovro<; f) <yr} 
 Iju/jLTracra efnrXecos aifiaros dvdpameiov e« 
 re 'PcofiaUov Kal ftapfidpwv a^eSov n irdv- 
 rcov Siapic&s yeyove. Tavra fievrot Kara rbv 
 iroXep,ov TravTwxpdi, rfjs 'Ptopauov, l-uXXqftSijv 
 ehrelv, virb tovtov tov -)(p6vov %\w)vey&r\ 
 yeveo-Oau Ta Se Kara trrdaw ev re Bv- 
 £aprli# Kal iroXei eKao-rg ^vvevej^devra Sui- ■ 
 pidfiov/ievos, ovk eXdo~aa> dvOpanrcov <j)6vov 
 ravry ^vfi^rjvai ^ Kara rbv iroXefiov olojxai. 
 Tov yap Bixaiov Kal ttj? ofioi'a? eirio-rpoffis 
 iirl rols dfiapravofiivois <o? v)Kurra ovrw, 
 dXXa KarecnrovBaerfiepov rq> 8a<rCkel darepov 
 rolv fiepolv fidXiara, ^av^iav oiSe Odrepoi 
 7]yov' d\\' ol fiev rip eXa<ro~ovo-6ai, ol 8e r$ 
 Bapcreiv, et? diroyvcccrlv re Kal dirovoiav del 
 e/3Xeirov' Kal tttj pAv ddpuoi eif dXXrjXovi 
 lovres, irrj Be Kar oXlrjov% p&ypp,evoi } fj Kal 
 Kar dvhpa eva rd<s iviSpas, av ovrco Tvypb, 
 Troiovfievoi, e? Bvo Kal rpiaKOvra eviavrovs 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 155 
 
 and bloodthirsty, although he was unable 
 to overcome his enemies, since his mean- 
 ness prevented him from making the 
 necessary preparations. Thus, during the 
 reign of this prince, the whole world was 
 deluged with the blood of nearly all the 
 Romans and barbarians. 
 
 Such were the events that took place, 
 during the wars abroad, throughout the 
 whole of the Roman Empire ; but the 
 disturbances in Byzantium and every 
 other city caused equal bloodshed ; for, 
 sinqe no regard was had to justice or 
 impartiality in meting out punishment 
 for offences, each faction being eager to 
 gain the favour of the Emperor, neither 
 party was able to keep quiet. They 
 alternately abandoned themselves to the 
 madness of despair or presumptuous 
 vanity, according as they failed or suc- 
 ceeded in ingratiating themselves with 
 him. Sometimes they attacked one 
 another en masse, sometimes in small 
 bands, sometimes in single combat, or set 
 ambuscades for each other at every oppor- 
 tunity. For thirty-two years without in- 
 
156 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 oiiBeva aviivres Kcupbv, airol re elpyd^ovro 
 a\\i]\ov<; avrjKeo-ra epya,iieai npoi t% rw 
 By/up i^earrwa^ dpXH 1 * ® ? T ^ iroXKa 
 Bie<p6etpovro. 'H fievroi rtcrt? r&v d/xapra- 
 vofxevwv etc rov etnifKeurrov 6i? tous Hpa&i- 
 vovs eyivero. 
 
 7)'. "En firjv zeal •q e's Toil's Sa/iapeha^ 
 /cat rovg /caXovfievovs Alperueovs Kokaam 
 (fiovov £verfkr)ae ttjv 'Pafiauov &PXV V - Tavra 
 Be fioi oaov iv Ke<pa\aup elprjadai aTrofivrjiio- 
 veveaOoa ravvv, iirel fioi licav&s oKlyip e/t- 
 rrpoodev BeBirjyqrat,. Tavra fiev Kara rbv 
 iv acofian yevo/ievov Salfiova TeTV^rjice yevea- 
 8ai es rrdvra<; dvdpwrrovs, wvirep rd? atrial 
 airo?, are j3a<rt\ei><; icaraoTas, eScoiceV oca 
 fievrot KaraKeKpv/ifievrj Svvdfiei ical (f>vaei 
 Baifioviq Bmpydcraro dvdpayirovi icaica, iy<h 
 BrfKcaato' 
 
 ff. Tovrig yap 'Pmp,aia>v BwucovpAvq, 
 rd 7rpdyfiara rroXkd Ka\ aXka 7rd6rj j-vvr)- 
 veyQ^l yeveadai) direp oi p,ev rfj rov irovrjpov 
 Baljiovos rfjBe rrapovcria, layvpCCpvro kcu pji)- 
 X av V ^vfifiijvat,, oi Be avrov rb Oelov rd spy a 
 fiio-rjaav dnroarpafyev re drrb t??s 'Pw/taUw 
 dpxw, ')(a>P av Baifioo-i roll rra\a/jivaioi<: iv- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 156 
 
 termission they inflicted horrible cruelties 
 upon one another. They were frequently 
 put to death by the Praefect of the city, 
 although punishment for offences fell most 
 heavily upon the Green faction. The 
 punishment of the Samaritans also, and 
 other so-called heretics, deluged the 
 Roman Empire with blood. Let it 
 suffice, on the present occasion, to recall 
 briefly what I have already narrated in 
 greater detail. These calamities, which 
 afflicted the whole world, took place 
 during the reign of this demon in the 
 form of a man, for which he himself, 
 when Emperor, was responsible. I will 
 now proceed to relate the evils he 
 wrought by some hidden force and de- 
 moniacal power. 
 
 During his control of the Empire, 
 numerous disasters of various kinds oc- 
 curred, which some attributed to the 
 presence and artifices of his evil genius, 
 while others declared that the Divinity, 
 in detestation of his works, having turned 
 away in disgust from the Roman Empire, 
 had given permission to the avenging 
 
157 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 BeBcoKevai, ravra Stairpdf-aadat, rj/Se. "ESea- 
 aav fiev yap 2jKipTO<; eirucKitras o iroTapJbs, 
 fivpicov Sr)[iiovpyb<i toii eiceivr) avdpwnrovs 
 av/jupop&v yeyovev, w? fioi ev rot? e/nrpoa-dev 
 TuoyoR yiypairrai. NeZXos Be avafias fiev 
 fjirep elwdei, ypovoii Be ovk airofihs rot? 
 KaQr/KOVai, Seiva Toi)<t (pKrjpAvowi elpydaaro 
 epya, airep fioi Kal irporepov BeSi^yrjTai. 
 KvSvos Be Tapo~bv irept.fSaWo/ievo'; , o-^eBov 
 ti iraaav rj fie pas re ainijv eiriickvaa<; 7ro\Xo?, 
 oil irporepov dtvkaTi] rj a>? avTr)v avtfieeoTa 
 Kaica, eBpaae. 
 
 i. Seiafiol Be 'Avrio^eidv re KadelXov 
 ttjv tj)? eooo? irpmrrjv, real HeXevfceiav, fyrep 
 avrr)<; e/c yeirovcov olfcelrat, Kal tt)i/ ev Kl\i- 
 %iv evt(f>aveaTdTrjv 'Avd^apf3ov. 'Ev ah t&v 
 dwoXcoKoTav to fierpov Tt's av BiapiOfieladai 
 Swaros efoj ; TrpoaOeirf Be av Tt? rd re "I/Swpa, 
 Kal 'Afjbdaeiav, r) irpcorrj ev H6vra> irvyxavev 
 oiaa, UoXvfioTov re ttjv ev $pvyiq, Kal ip> 
 HiaLBai $t\o/irjBriv KaXoval, AvyviBav re ttjv 
 ev 'HireipaiTaisi, Kal Kopivdov, a'i Br] tto\v- 
 avOpasiroTarai iie ira\aiov r)aav. Tawais 
 yap diraj;aTrdo-ai<; inrb tovtov tov ypovov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I57 
 
 deities to inflict these misfortunes. The 
 river Scirtus overflowed Edessa, and 
 brought the most grievous calamities 
 upon the inhabitants of the district, as 
 I have already related. The Nile, having 
 overflown its banks as usual, did not 
 subside at the ordinary time, and 
 caused great suffering among the people. 
 The Cydnus was swollen, and nearly 
 the whole of Tarsus lay for several days 
 under water; and it did not subside until 
 it had wrought irreparable damage to 
 the city. 
 
 Several cities were destroyed by earth- 
 quake — Antioch, the chief city of the East, 
 Seleucia, and Anazarbus, the most famous 
 town in Cilicia. Who could calculate 
 the numbers of those who were thereby 
 destroyed ? To these cities we may add 
 I bora, Amasea (the chief city of Pontus), 
 Polybotus in Phrygia (called Polymede 
 by the Pisidians), Lychnidus in Epirus, 
 and Corinth, cities which from ancient 
 times had been thickly populated. All 
 these cities were overthrown at that time 
 by an earthquake, during which nearly 
 
158 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 crewfim re Karaireaelv, Kal rots axij/ievoK 
 (T'XeBov ti iraai, l;vv8to\<o\ivai jeTir^icev. 
 ' Einyevofievcy; Se Kal 6 Xoifibs, ov irpoadev 
 ifivqadijv, rr/v rjfiiaeiav fiaXtara tw Trepuyi- 
 vofiivcov avQpdyiruv dtrijveyKe fiolpav. Toaov- 
 Tiov fiev dvOpmirmv iyiveTo tpBopos, 'lot/ort- 
 viavov trporepov 'Pa/xaioa Sioucov/iipov ttjv 
 iroXireiav, Kal varepov ttjv avTO/cpdropa aptffjv 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 158 
 
 all their inhabitants perished. Afterwards 
 the plague (which I have spoken of be- 
 fore) began to rage, and swept away 
 nearly half the survivors. Such were the 
 disasters that afflicted mankind, from the 
 day when Justinian first commenced to 
 manage the affairs of the kingdom to 
 the time, and after he had ascended the 
 Imperial throne. 
 
159 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION I&. 
 
 a. "07TQ)? Be Kal ra yjpr\ybwra afatkero 
 aira^diravra, ep&p epyppai, oifriv ovelpov vrrei- 
 ttcov trporepov, rjvirep icar ap^a? tj)? 'Iouct- 
 riviavov fSaaikeia,'; t£>p tivi e7ri(j)avS)v ISeiv 
 i;vw)vey07). "E<fyi) yap oi Boxelp iv tu> ovelpm 
 ioTavat, flip ttov iv Bv^avTito irapa ttjv tt}? 
 6aXaar<7ri<i y)lova, f) Br) XakicrjSovo 1 } KaravTiKpv 
 iariv, opav Be tovtop Kara top hueivr) iropd- 
 /mop earara fieaop. Kal vpStrop fievroc to 
 vBtop rfj<; 6a\daar)$ ainbv emnelp o\ov, wore 
 oXeadai to \onrbv ai/Tov em tj)s rjirelpov ea- 
 Tavai, ovksti tov iropdfiov Tavry eiriovToy 
 eireiTa vScop aWo pxnrov re ttoWov Kal <\>m- 
 pvTOv yefiov ftpvaav e'£ vtrovofitop etcaTepw- 
 0ep optwp evTavda yepeadaf km avTO [lev 
 tovtop eKirieip a/j,a, yvfivop re av8t<s eijepyd- 
 aaadai tov TropQfxov j(&pop. 'H p,ep tov 
 ovelpov Styis iBtfXov Toiavra. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 159 
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 I will now relate the manner in 
 which he got possession of the wealth of 
 the world, after I have first mentioned a 
 vision which was seen in a dream by a 
 person of distinction at the commence- 
 ment of his reign. He thought he was 
 standing on the coast at Byzantium, 
 opposite Chalcedon, and saw Justinian 
 standing in the midst of the channel. 
 The latter drank up all the water of the 
 sea, so that it seemed as if he were 
 standing on dry land, since the water no 
 longer filled the strait. After this, other 
 streams of water, full of filth and rubbish, 
 flowing in from the underground sewers 
 on either side, covered the dry land. 
 Justinian again swallowed these, and the 
 bed of the channel again became dry. 
 Such was the vision this person beheld 
 in his dream. 
 
160 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 /3'. , IovaTWiavo<! Se oiho<s, rjviica ol o 
 0elo<! 'Iovotm/o? rt)v fiacriXelav irapeXafie, 
 <Xpj]fid.TOyv Sr)/j,oaia>v efiirXetov ttjv irdkneiav 
 eiipev. ' ' Avaardcru)^ yap, TrpovorjTiKcbraTos re 
 dfia Kai olKovofi7]TiKWTaTO<{ trdvTWV airoKpa- 
 ropcov yev6(ievo<;, Set'o-a?, oirep iyevero, pj\ ol 
 6 rrjv fiaaCKelav eicBelzofievos, xprifidTWV xmo- 
 airavi^tov, iaa><; roixs KarriKoow; \i}lfy)Tai, xpvo-ov 
 tow 6t]cravpov<s airavras Kcnaicopm i/mkn- 
 aatievos, rbv ftt'ov ifwefieTpqaaro. Ovovrep 
 cLttcivtck; , Iov<TTCViavb<i to? rd^KTra BieffirdaaTO, 
 irol fiev 8aXaaerioi<; ol/coSofiiai? \6yov owe 
 iXpvaaR, Trot Se rr) es tow? fiapfidpow; <pb\6- 
 
 TifTi' KaiTOb dnrjdr) [ ] av Tt? 
 
 airb PaaiKei es dyav acrcoToj iao/ievy ir&v 
 e/carbv eirapickaeiv, 'Iaj^vpi^ovro yap ol to« 
 BrjaavpoR re Kai dXkoii onraat to« /8a<»\{- 
 k.oI<s xptffiaoiv i<j>ear5>Tes, 'Avacrraaiov p,ev 
 'Peofiatcav err) ir\eov rj eirra km, eoKoaiv apijav- 
 to?, Siaicdaia Kai TpiaylXia %pvo-ov Kevrqvdpia 
 e<s ttjv ftacriXeCav eurKOfiiaOrjvab oiSevl irovq, 
 Kai rovrmv diravrtov ov8' otlovv diro\e\el<f>dat, 
 dW\ en irepi6vTo<s 'lovarivov, trpm ToOSe 
 tov dvQpdnrov SeSawavfja'dai, forty fiot iv tow 
 ejiirpoadev Xoyot? eipr/rai,. 
 
 y . "Airep yap ovt6<s iv tw iravrl ypova 
 a-^erepi^eadal re ov Seov Kai dvaXovv la^vaev, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 160 
 
 This Justinian, when his uncle Justin 
 succeeded to the throne, found the 
 treasury well filled, for Anastasius, the 
 most provident and economical of all 
 the Emperors, fearing (what actually 
 happened) that his successor, if he found 
 himself in want of money, would probably 
 plunder his subjects, filled the treasure- 
 houses with vast stores of gold before his 
 death. Justinian exhausted all this wealth 
 in a very short time, partly by senseless 
 buildings on the coast, partly by presents 
 to the barbarians, although one would 
 have imagined that a successor, however 
 profligate and extravagant, would have 
 been unable to have spent it in a hun- 
 dred years ; for the superintendents of 
 the treasures and other royal possessions 
 asserted that Anastasius, during his reign 
 of more than twenty-seven years, had with- 
 out any difficulty accumulated 320,000 
 centenars, of which absolutely nothing 
 remained, it having all been spent by 
 this man during the lifetime of his uncle, 
 as I have related above. It is impossible 
 to describe or estimate the vast sums 
 
 21 
 
i6i nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 oiS' av Tiva \6yov fj "Koyurpov rj pxrpov 
 (pavr/vat, firj^av^ Ti<i ovSefiia eariv. "flairep 
 yap Tt? •jrora/ib': aevvaos, es rffiepav eicdarqv 
 eic8r]t,ov[ievo<; iea,TeKr]i%6TO tous V7r7)ic6ov<!' eirep- 
 pet, Se atravTa tos? fiapfidpom evdfc. 
 
 8'. IIXovtov ovrto top Srjfioaiov ev6v$ 
 eKCpoprjcras, em tov<s /canjKOOvs to ft\efip,a fjye' 
 wXet'o-Tou? re avrlica ras overlap d<j>el\eTO, 
 apTrdfyov re ical fiia^o/ievo? ovSevl Xoytp, t&v 
 eyK\r)/j,aro)v re ovSajir} yeyovortov, inrdr/tov Toil's 
 evBaifiovas ev re Bv^avTip ical w6\ei emery 
 BoKovvras eivai. 
 
 e . Kal Tots fiev iroKvOe'iav, rot? he 86^? 
 hi Xpiariavois ovk bp6fj<; aipeaiv, Tots Se irat- 
 hepaoTia<} ) erepois lep&v yvvam&v epa>ra<s, fj 
 aXka? twos ov delink? /tw'fety, aXXoii crrda-eas 
 d(])op/iT]v, fj fiipov<i JJpaa-lvov aropyrfv, % is 
 avrbv vftpifysw, fj ovofia ortovv aXKo iireveyicwv, 
 f) ic\r)pov6[ios avTOfiaTO<; tojs rereXevTrfKoatv, y 
 ical •nepiovaiv, av ovrco rv^oi, yevofievos. At 
 yap Si] aefivorarat, r&v irpdifeav avrm rotavrai 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN l6l 
 
 which he appropriated to himself during 
 his lifetime by illegal means and wasted 
 in extravagance; for he swallowed up the 
 fortunes of his subjects like an ever- 
 flowing river, daily absorbing them in 
 order to disgorge them amongst the 
 barbarians. Having thus squandered the 
 wealth of the State, he cast his eyes 
 upon his private subjects. Most of them 
 he immediately deprived of their posses- 
 sions with unbounded rapacity and vio- 
 lence, at the same time bringing against 
 the wealthy inhabitants of Byzantium, 
 and those of other cities who were re- 
 puted to be so, charges utterly without 
 foundation. Some were accused of poly- 
 theism, others of heresy ; some of sodomy, 
 others of amours with holy women ; some 
 of unlawful intercourse, others of attempts 
 at sedition ; some of favouring the Green 
 faction, others of high treason, or any 
 other charge that could be brought 
 against them. On his own responsibility 
 he made himself heir not only of the 
 dead, but also of the living, as oppor- 
 tunity offered. In such matters he showed 
 
 21 — 2 
 
1 62 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rjaav. "Oirai<s Be Kal ri}v yevo/j,evr}v hr' airbv 
 crrdaiv, fjv Niica eicdXovv, 8ioiKT)adfj,evo<s, Tract, 
 Kkrjpovop.o 1 ; rots e« fiovXrjs evdiis yeyovev, rjStj 
 fioi, evayxp? BeBirjyrjTai,' Kal 07T<b?, rrji CTweea? 
 ovk 6\iyq irporepov, avTO? IBtq. kicaaTov ttjv 
 ovalav dipeCkeTO. 
 
 s '• Tovs Be fiapftdpovs airama?, ovSeva 
 aviels Kaipbv, ^p^fiaaiv iStopelro fteydXoii;, 
 ecoous re Kal eaireplvows, irpoi re apxrov Kal 
 lAearj/tfiplav, d'xpu e? tovs ev BperTavwu? wki)~ 
 fievovi, Kal yfjs iravTaypdi tj)s olKoufievr)*;, 
 winrep ra Wvi) ovBe Saov aKoy irpoTepov etp^o- 
 fiev, dXKa Trpmrov ISovres elra rov yevov<s 
 ovofia eyvccfiev. Avroi re yap wvvdavo/ievot, 
 to rov avSpb<s %6o<;, eir' aiirov 8t) e/c irdaifi 
 7?)? I;weppeov es Bv^dvriov. Kal os ovBefua 
 OKWqcrei, dXX' vjrepr)86[ievo<s rw epyq rovroj, icai 
 Tt Kal epfiaiov elvai olofievo? rov [lev ' Pfo/iaiwv 
 el-avrXeiv ifKovrov, fiapftdpoK Be dv6pa>Trofi, rj 
 pc6loi<i Ttcrl OaXarrioii trpoteadai,, del ko6' 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 162 
 
 himself an accomplished diplomatist. I have 
 already mentioned above how he profited 
 by the sedition named Nika which was 
 directed against him, and immediately 
 made himself heir of all the members of 
 the Senate, and how, shortly before the 
 sedition broke out, he obtained possession 
 of the fortunes of private individuals. On 
 every occasion he bestowed handsome 
 presents upon all the barbarians alike, 
 those of East and West, and North and 
 South, as far as the inhabitants of the 
 British Islands and of the whole world, 
 nations of whom we had not even heard 
 before, and whose names we did not 
 know, until we became acquainted with 
 them through their ambassadors. When 
 these nations found out Justinian's dis- 
 position, they flocked to Byzantium from 
 all parts of the world to present them- 
 selves to him. He, without any hesita- 
 tion, overjoyed at the occurrence, and 
 regarding it as a great piece of good luck 
 to be able to drain the Roman treasury 
 and fling its wealth to barbarians or the 
 waves of the sea, dismissed them every 
 
163 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 eKaa-'rrjv axnmv etcaaTOv %iiv aSpol? y(p^pM,aiv 
 airewefinrero. 
 
 f . Tavry re 01 fidpfiapoi onravTes icvpm 
 tov 'Pw/JLaioiv iravra/rraai yeyivrjvTat ttXovtov, 
 fj ra yptffuiTa Trpos tov /ScurtXem? KeKop.i(ffiivoi, 
 ■q \r)i£6fievot, -rrjv t&v 'Pafiawv dpyjrp), rj tow 
 ai^/iiaXwTOWS dirohiZofievoi, rj ttjv eKe^etpiav 
 direfiiroXovvTe^' rr]P re tov ovelpov o^Jriv, ^s 
 apTi ifivijo-0r)v, i<s tovto t& ISovri, dvoKeKplaOai 
 
 T€TVJ(7)Kf. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 163 
 
 day loaded with handsome presents. In 
 this manner the barbarians became abso- 
 lute masters of the wealth of the Romans, 
 either by the donations which they re- 
 ceived from the Emperor, their pillaging 
 of the Empire, the ransom of their 
 prisoners, or their trafficking in truces. 
 This was the signification of the dream 
 which I have mentioned above. 
 
1 64 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAA10N K'. 
 
 a'. Kal a\Xou? fievroi eKnej(yr)(Taa6ai 
 ■77]% t&v KaTrjKOQiv \er]\aaia<; Tpoirou? loyyaev, 
 ovirep, 6? oaov Suwro? av eiijv, ai/riica fidka 
 \e\ei;ovTai, Bi wv ovk adpoax;, aXXa Kara 
 fipavv t<z? irdvTtov ovaLas Xrji'%e<r6ai Siap/cms 
 e<r%e. Upana to BrjfjLm (ot) eirap^ov e« tov 
 hri irXelcrTov i<f>iaTTj' os Br) efieXXe tok to, 
 TTwXTfrrjpia e%ovai iropov tvov ev0ivBe BiaXay- 
 %ava>v es tt)v i^ovaiav avToi)<{ i(ij3il3d%eiv tov 
 to, &via, oirr] /3ovXoivto, airoBLBo<r8ai. Kai 
 Trepiei(7TT]ieei toI<s rfjSe avQpamovi d)vet<r6ai t« 
 eViTJjSeta TpnrXaalova p,ev KaTafiaXXofievoi*; 
 TbfirjfiaTa' oto> Be av Bia ravra emicaXoiev, 
 ovBaprj e'Xpvai. Meya re to amb tov epyov 
 ftXdfio? r)yetpero. Mepos yap rfj<; /3ao-iXtia<s 
 TovBe (pepofievrj^ tov iropov irXovreiv air avTOV 
 ■f] tw irpdyfiaTi i(j>eo-Two-a dpxv tfOeXe. To Be 
 evOevSe, o'i ts t»}? "■PXV^ virriperai, 777? awr^pa? 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 164 
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 Besides this, Justinian found other 
 means of contriving to plunder his sub- 
 jects, not en masse and at once, but by 
 degrees and individually. These methods 
 I will now proceed to describe as well 
 as I am able. First of all he appointed 
 a new magistrate, who had the right of 
 conferring upon all those who kept shops 
 the privilege of selling their wares at 
 whatever price they pleased, on payment 
 of a yearly rent to the Emperor. The 
 citizens were compelled to make their 
 purchases in the market, where they paid 
 three times as much as elsewhere ; nor, 
 although he suffered severe loss, was the 
 purchaser allowed to claim damages from 
 anyone, for part of the profit went to the 
 Emperor, and part to increase the salary 
 of these officials. Purchasers were equally 
 
165 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Tavrrys vTrovpyias eiretXijfifievoi,, Kal oi ra 
 7TQ)\ijTJjpta e^oire? Trj's tov irapavo/ieiv efjowrias 
 Bpa^d/jbevot, avrjiceoTa, epya Toil's Tore wvelaOai 
 heofiivows elpyd&VTO, ov% oaov, a>? elptjTai, 
 -iroXKaTfkaaia to, Tifirffiara KOfii^ofievoi, dX\a 
 Kal 8o\d>o~ei<s eV Tots wpiok /J,r]^avmfievoi dfw- 
 8r)Tov<s Tivds. 
 
 /8'. "Eireira Se iroWa KaTaa-Trjo-d/iev&s 
 to, KaXovfieva fiovoircoXia, Tt\v re KaTrjKoav 
 iXevdeplav direpmoXriarafs toI<s to 070? tovto 
 evepyoXafieiv dfyovaiv, avros fiev n'fMjfia tou 
 epyov tovtov dvTMJiopTio-dfiei/ot;, dvr)Wdao~eTo' 
 rot? Se avT& %vp,f3e/3'XriK6o-t, irapel^eTO ttjv 
 epyaffiav y ftovXoiVTO 8ioiicrfo , ao~6ai' birep 
 dirapaica\\nrTW<; r/paprdveTO ndv Tail a\Xat? 
 dirdaaes appals. BaartXeats yap dei fioipav 
 Tiva oh iroXKfju tS>v (pmpi'mv KOfii^ofievov, ai 
 re apx a i dm aiiTov Kal ol irpdyfian e'^eorwTes 
 e/eaffTtj) dSeiaTepov Toil's <r<j>lo-i, •trapairvtrrovTas 
 ekri'liflVTO. 
 
 y. "flcnrep Se oi ovx inavSiv e<s tovto 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 165 
 
 cheated by the magistrates' servants, who 
 took part in these disgraceful transactions, 
 while the shopkeepers, who were allowed 
 to put themselves beyond reach of the 
 law, inflicted great hardships upon their 
 customers — not merely by raising their 
 prices many times over, but by being 
 guilty of unheard-of frauds in regard to 
 their wares. Afterwards, Justinian insti- 
 tuted several " monopolies," as they were 
 called, and sold the liberty of the subject 
 to any who were willing to undertake 
 this disgraceful traffic, after having settled 
 with them the price that was to be paid. 
 This done, he allowed those with whom 
 he had made the bargain to carry out 
 the management of the affair in whatever 
 way they thought fit. He made these 
 disgraceful arrangements, without any 
 attempt at concealment, with all the 
 other magistrates, who plundered their 
 subjects with less apprehension, either 
 themselves or through their agents, since 
 some part of the profits of the plunder 
 always fell to the share of the Emperor. 
 Under the pretence that the former 
 
1 66 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 oiia&v t&v iraKai Siarerw//j,eveav apx&v, ire- 
 pas Buo hrl rfj rrokireia errereyyr\aaro' /calroi 
 airavra p,eryei wporepov rd eyKXrjp.ara r) r$ 
 8r)/j,q> i<f>e<fT&(Ta 'Apyfi. 'AW' oVm? del TrXei- 
 ou? re ol ovKofydvrai eiev, Kal TroXXtg ert, 0da- 
 aov t&v ovSev eirraiKOTav rd acofiara aliel- 
 %olto, tclvtck; hr) rd<; dp^as emvoelv kyvai. 
 Kal avralv rr)v iripav piev to« «Ae7rra« Brj- 
 6ev Tqj \6<ya) eirearrjaev, ovopa rainy emOeh 
 Tlpavrmpa Srffiov" rrj 8e St) eripa tovs re 
 irai8epao~TovvTas e? del rivvvaBai Kal ywai^lv 
 oil vofUfia puyvvp.ivovs iwrjyyeXXe, Kal e'i rq> 
 rd es to Qelov ovk opQm ^a-Krjrai,, ovopa ravry 
 ewi0eK Koiaiarmpa. 
 
 8'. 'O (lev o$v npalrayp, e'i riva ev tor 
 <j>iopioi<i Xoyov ttoXXov a^ta evpe, ravra Br) r$ 
 aiiroKpdropt, diroq^epeiv rjHiou, fydaicav oiSapr) 
 cpaiveadai roils tovtwv tcvpiovs. Tavrrj re 
 %prip,a,T(Ov del rcov ripuwrdrav BiaXayyavew o 
 fiaaiXevs elyev. 'O Se Sr) Koiaiarwp naXov- 
 p-evos, tov? irapaireTrrmKoras Karepyatypevos, 
 a pev /3ovXoiro e<f>epev' aiiroi Se oiiSev rjcro-ov 
 itrXovrei tow dXXorploi? oiiSevl vopag. Oi yap 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN l66 
 
 magistrates were insufficient to carry 
 out these arrangements (although the 
 city prefect had previously been able to 
 deal with all criminal charges) he created 
 two new ones. His object in this was, 
 that he might have at his disposal a 
 larger number of informers, and that he 
 might the more easily inflict punishment 
 and torture upon the innocent. One of 
 these was called Praetor of the People, 
 whose nominal duty it was to deal with 
 thieves ; the second was called the Com- 
 missioner, whose function it was to punish 
 all cases of paederasty, buggery, super- 
 stition and heresy. If the Praetor found 
 any articles of value amongst stolen 
 goods, he handed them over to the Em- 
 peror, declaring that no owner could be 
 found for them, and in this manner 
 Justinian every day got possession of some- 
 thing of very great value. The Commis- 
 sioner, after he had condemned offenders, 
 confiscated what he pleased out of their 
 estates and bestowed it upon the Emperor, 
 who thus, in defiance of the law, enriched 
 himself out of the fortunes of others; for 
 
167 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 8r/ tovtcdv rcbv dp^Sav vvrfpiraL oiire tear' 
 ap%a<} Kar7f/6pov<i i-n-^yovro, oiire fidprvpwi 
 t&v ireirparyfiivav irapeij(pvTO' aWa Su]ve/ce<; 
 iravra tovtop top j(p6vov aKar^opTfToi re Kal 
 avei-eXeyKTOt, w? Xadpaiorara, eWu^ovre?, eic- 
 tsivovto re Kal acfrgpovvro ra yjp7\p,ara. 
 
 e. "Tarepov Be 6 Trd\a/ivaio<i oStoi rav- 
 Tat? T6 ical rfj ra 8tf[iq> i^ecrrmay ap^r} trdv- 
 ru>v ofioi<o<i iiriixekeiaOai r5>v iyKXrjfiaTav eVe- 
 trrekXev, ipi^eiv afyiaoi 7rpb<s aWrfKow; ehrmv, 
 Sorts avT&v ifkeioiR T6 Kal daooov Bta<j)0eipetv 
 ucavb? e'lr). Kal a&T&v eva p,£v avrbv evOi/t; 
 ipeadai <paotv' fjv e? tov9 rpet<i tI<s wore Sia- 
 fidWoiTO, tivo<s av avr&v ^ rov irpafy/utros 
 SuvyvaxrR eit]' rov Be vTrdXafiovra fydvat, Sorts 
 av avr&v irporeprfoas tows aXhov? (pOdvot. 
 
 <s\ 'AWa Kal rrjv rov KoialaTatpos 
 KaXovfievrjv apjfiv Bte0ero oiSevl KO&pqi, fjoirep 
 8t,acf>ep6vTa><; eirefieX&vro oi irporepov fiefia- 
 o-ikevKores, cos eliretv, airavTe<s, o7rcos t« t€ 
 aXKa ep/netpoi Kal aocpol, Kal t& es tow? 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 167 
 
 the servants of these magistrates did not 
 even take the trouble at the commence- 
 ment of the trial to bring forward ac- 
 cusers or to produce any witnesses to the 
 offences, but, during the whole of this 
 period, without intermission, unexamined 
 and unconvicted, the accused were se- 
 cretly punished by death and the confis- 
 cation of their property by the Emperor. 
 
 Afterwards, this accursed wretch or- 
 dered both these magistrates and the city 
 prefect to deal with all criminal affairs 
 indifferently, bidding them enter into 
 rivalry to see which of them could 
 destroy the greatest number of citizens 
 in the shortest time. It is said that, 
 when one of them asked him which of 
 them should have the decision if anyone 
 was accused before all three, he replied, 
 " Whichever of you has anticipated the 
 others." 
 
 He debased the office of Quaestor, 
 which almost all the preceding Emperors 
 had held in especial regard, so that it 
 was only filled by men of wisdom and 
 experience, who above all were learned 
 
1 68 UPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 v6ft,ov<} nakuna elev ol Tavrrjv Siaj(eipl<ravTe<;, 
 ical xprjfidTwv ButfyavG) 1 ? dBapoTaTOi, <u? ovk 
 avev fieydXov okeOpov tovtov ye ttj iro\neia 
 yevqaofievov, ecvep ol ravrr/v rrjv dp^f/p 
 exovres rj dvetpla tiv\ eypiVTO rj fyikoxpr]- 
 fiaria e<f>elvro. 
 
 f. 'O Be fi^trtkeW oStos trp&rov (lev 
 eirl Tavri}<; Tpifiwviavbv Karea-TrjaaTO, oJmep 
 rd iTriTrjSevfiara iv roif e/iirpoaOev \070t? 
 SiapKw e'iprjTat. 'Etrel Be o Tpifiwviavos e'f 
 dvdpcbirasv r)<j>dvio-TO, fioipav fiev ovtov irp 
 ovaiwi d<j>et\eTO, kclLtoi ttmBos re ol d"Ko\e- 
 XeifjbfjLepov ical ir\rj6ov<; i/cyovmW eireyeveTO t&» 
 dvOpctiirq r) reXeioi r/fiepa rod y3tW. 'Iovvi- 
 \ov Be, Aiftvv 761/0?, hn tj)s Tifir}<; KaTea-rr]- 
 awro TavTf]<;, vo/iov Be ovBe o>? dicor)v e)(pvra, 
 iirel ovBe t&v prjropcov Tt? r)v, ypd/ifiara Be 
 Aarlva p,ev e^e'TTto'Tdp.evov, EiKKrjvtKoiv /leinoi. 
 eveica ovBe TrerfyoirijicoTa 7rpo? ypafi/iaTiaTOv 
 irdnroTe, ovBe rr)v yXarrav avrijv eWqvitpiv 
 Bvvdfievov. UoWdiu<; dfiekei (fxovijv 'E\- 
 \7}ViBa Trpo6vfirj8el<s dcj>eivai, 77730? r&v wrrjpe- 
 tovvtidv yeXwra &<$\e' e? Be tt)v alo-%poic&p- 
 Seiav Saifiovuos iairovoaKora, 0? ye ypafifMara 
 p,ev rd /SafftXetB? iv BrjfioaUg direp,iro'KStv w? 
 riKiara KareSeero. 'Ev6<; Be o-Tarr)po<! ypvaov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN l68 
 
 in the law and free from all suspicion of 
 corruptibility, for it was felt that it would 
 unavoidably be disastrous to the State if 
 it were to be filled by men without 
 experience or who were the slaves of 
 avarice. This Emperor first bestowed it 
 upon Tribonianus, whose character and 
 misdeeds I have sufficiently described 
 elsewhere. After his death, Justinian 
 seized part of his estate, although he had 
 left a son and several relatives who sur- 
 vived him. He then appointed Junilus 
 (a Libyan by birth), a man who had not 
 so much as a hearsay knowledge of law, 
 for he had not even studied it in the 
 public schools. Although he had a know- 
 ledge of Latin, he had never had any 
 tuition in Greek, and was unable to 
 speak the language. Frequently, when 
 he attempted to say a few words in 
 Greek, he was laughed at by his own 
 servants. He was so mad after filthy 
 lucre, that he had not the least scruple 
 in publicly selling letters of office signed 
 by the Emperor, and was never ashamed 
 to stretch out his hand to those who 
 
 22 
 
i6g nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 evexa ttjv X e W a °P e y elv TOl, > evTvyyavovatv 
 ovBa/xr) MKvet. Ou% i)aaop re rj eirrd iviav- 
 t&v xpovav toutov r) iroKi/reia tov yeXtoTa 
 &cj>Xev. 
 
 8'. 'Eirel Be ical 'IovviXos es to fierpov 
 tov filov aty/cero, KtovcrravTivov iirl TovBe 
 tov a^iaifiaroi Kwrearqaato, vo/mcov ftev ovra 
 ovk ufiekkTqrov, veov Be icofuBr), ical ovrrai 
 dymvia<; SiKavucffc els iretpav ekdovra, icKetr- 
 tiotcltov Be ical dXa^ovuceorarov dvQpmirutv 
 dirdvTCOV. Ovto? 'Iovcmviavai iroOetvoTaro^ 
 re cvyav ical <j>1\to,to<; iv rot? ndXitrra eye- 
 yovei, eVet teal Bi avrov Kkeirreiv re ical 
 8iicd£ew 6 fiacriXevs oStoi; del oiBafir) dirrj^iov. 
 A 16 Br) xprj/AaTa fieydXa, %pdvov oXiyov, 
 KcovaTavrlvos eo"%e, ical virepcpvel nvi icopma 
 £%PV T0 > depofiartav re ical irdvras dvdpdnrovs 
 trepKppov&v' Kav fiev Tive<s ainm iroXXa jiov- 
 Xoivto xprj/iara trpoecrdai, Tavra Br) icara- 
 TidevTes t&v ol inajoTdrmv rial, to, at\>itnv 
 icnrovBacrfjLeva learopdovv %o~yyov. AvTq fiev- 
 toi evrvj(elv rj £vyyevicrdai t&v irdvrwv 
 ovSevl yeyove Bvvarbv, oti fir) e? fjacnXea 
 Bpofico lovrt, r) dwaWacrcrofievm evdevBe, ov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 169 
 
 had to do with him for a stater of gold. 
 For no less than seven years the State 
 endured the shame and ridicule brought 
 upon it by this officer. 
 
 On the death of Junilus, Justinian 
 elevated to this office Constantine, who 
 was not unacquainted with law, but was 
 very young and had never yet taken part 
 in a trial ; besides which, he was the 
 most abandoned thief and braggart in the 
 world. Justinian entertained the highest 
 regard for him and showed him very great 
 favour, condescending to make him the 
 chief instrument of his extortion and sole 
 arbiter in legal decisions. By this means 
 Constantine in a short time amassed 
 great wealth, but his insolence was out- 
 rageous, and his pride led him to treat 
 everyone with contempt. Even those 
 who were desirous of making him con- 
 siderable presents were obliged to intrust 
 them to those who seemed to be most 
 in his confidence, for no one was per- 
 mitted to approach or converse with him, 
 except when he was hurrying to or re- 
 turning from the Emperor. Even then 
 
 22 — 2 
 
170 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fidSrjv, aWa aTravhrj re teal rd^ei nroXKm, 
 tov fif] Tivd ol a/cepSf} ddj^okLav roii? irpoa- 
 i6vra<i irpoarplfteadaL. Tama p,ev odv rrjSe 
 fiaaiXel r&Se elyev. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 170 
 
 he did not slacken his pace, but walked 
 on hastily, for fear that those who 
 approached him might waste his time 
 without paying for it. Such was the 
 manner in which Justinian dealt with 
 the Quaestorship. 
 
171 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION KA'. 
 
 a'. Ujoo? Be tov tS>v Upairwpmv ht- 
 dpX 0V dud trav ero? ifKeov ri rptaKovra KevTtj- 
 vapia TT/Oo? roll 8r]p,o<riois iirpdaaero <popob<;, 
 oh 8rj ovojxa to depuchv eiriTedeinev, iiceivo, 
 olfiai, TrapaBrfK&v, otl Btj ov rerayfievr] tr, 
 oiiBe ^vv6odia/j,€vrj ovo~a r\ <popd irvyxavev 
 avrr], dWd rv^rj rivl wairep el- aepos del 
 avTTjv (pepopevqv ikdfi&ave, Beov t?)? irovqpia<i 
 t?7? avrov Tavra kiriKaXelv epya. T flv Brj rm 
 ovofiart 01 ivl T77? dp%f}<; rerayiieyoi dSeetr- 
 repov del rat? e? roi/s /earrjicoovs X^oreiats 
 i%p&VTO. Kal ravra p,ev ra avTO/cpdropi 
 aTrocpepeiv r/^iovv avTol he ifKomov (BaaiKiicov 
 irepieftdXKovTO oiSevl irovq>. *SlvTrep lov- 
 (TTbviavo'i eino-Tpo(pijv oi/Be/iiav iBi/catov iroietr 
 a6ai, icaipo<pv\.aK&v 07rc»?, iireLSdv ra^tora 
 ttXovtov Tt fiiya TrepifidWovrai ^ptjiia, n 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 171 
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 The Praefect of the supreme tribunals, 
 besides the public tax, annually paid to 
 the Emperor more than thirty centenars 
 of gold. This sum was called the " aerial 
 tribute," doubtless because it was no 
 regular or usual one, but seemed to have 
 fallen as it were by chance from Heaven, 
 whereas it ought rather to have been 
 called "the impost of his wickedness," 
 for it served as a pretext to those func- 
 tionaries, who were invested with high 
 power, to plunder their subjects inces- 
 santly without fear of punishment. They 
 pretended that they had to hand over the 
 tribute to the Emperor, and they them- 
 selves, without any difficulty, acquired 
 sufficient sums to secure regal affluence 
 for themselves. Justinian allowed them 
 to go on unchecked and unheeded, wait- 
 ing until they had amassed great wealth, 
 
172 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Srj ourot? iireveyicoov aitpofyaaunov, aBpbov 
 avTovi a<j>aipeccrdai ttjv oiaiav licavbs e'it), 
 oirep 'Icodvvrjv tov KcnriraSoicrjv elpydaaro. 
 
 /3'. "A-KavTe<; ovv apekei, oaot, t?)s Ti/tfp 
 vtto tov xpovov tovtov i\dp/3avov, nfkovaioi 
 itjairivaiw? oiBevl yeyevqVTM fieTpq' Svolv 
 fikmoi j^mpls, <?<B«a re, ovwep iv tois efiwpo- 
 trOev \6yois i/ivrjcrdrjv, (are tov BiKai'ov e? to 
 aicpoTaTov eTTi/jLeXrjTov yeyovoros' xepSovs yap 
 otovovv ovtos o dvr/p ev t<J» a^wp,ajL KdBapm 
 efieiue)' ical Bdaaov, o? Br) iv XP° V V T ? 
 vcrreptg tt)v apXV v eXafiev. TlvTtep oi/Serepo? 
 iviavTOV SiacrdxrcurBai ttjv Ti/irjV eayev, aW 
 axpeiol re icai tov /eaipov to irapdirav 
 dXKoicoTOb p,7]V&v trov oXeyoov tov a|«a/iaTO? 
 ef«B yeyevrjvTai. "Iva Be fir), to Kao eKaffTov 
 /MM StTiyovfiivip, oreXevTT/TO? 6 \670s 4t\, 
 TavTa kov rat? aWats hrpdaaero t<m? iv 
 BvtytvTiq appals. 
 
 y. HavTaypQi fievrou t?j? 'Pa/iamv 
 yr}$ 6 , Iovo~Tiviavb<i eVoiet rdSe. Tovs wow/- 
 poTarov^ t£>v dvdpdmav drroXe^dfievoi, 8ie<j)- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 172 
 
 when it was his practice to bring against 
 them some charge from which they could 
 not readily clear themselves, and to con- 
 fiscate the whole of their property, as he 
 had treated John of Cappadocia. All 
 those who held this office during his 
 reign became wealthy to an extraordinary 
 degree, and suddenly, with two excep- 
 tions. One of these was Phocas, of 
 whom I have spoken in my previous 
 writings — a man in the highest degree 
 observant of integrity and honesty ; who, 
 during his tenure of office, was free from 
 all suspicion of illegal gain. The other 
 was Bassus, who was appointed later. 
 Neither of them enjoyed their dignity for 
 a year. At the end of a few months they 
 were deprived of it as being incapable 
 and unsuited to the times. But, not to 
 go into details in every case, which 
 would be endless, I will merely say that 
 it was the same with all the other magis- 
 trates of Byzantium. 
 
 In all the cities throughout the Em- 
 pire, Justinian selected for the highest 
 offices the most abandoned persons he 
 
173 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Odpdat aireBiSoTO ras dp%a$ afylcn %pi)fidTttw 
 fieya\a>v. JHd>i}>povt, yebp avSpl, rj t-vvkaem 
 oiraHTTiovv fieraKaj^ovn, evvoia oiSe/iia eye- 
 vero 'xprux.wra olieeia irpoteadat, i<j> $ 857 
 Toil? ovSev rjhucqtcbTW; Xrj'tfyjTCU. Tovto re 
 to ypvaiov 7Tpo? t&v %V(t/3aW6vTa)v KeKOfiia- 
 /ievos, e? Trjv i%ovo~lav avToi/<s eVe/St/Safe tov 
 roiit KaTqKoov; nrdvra ipyd^eoSai. 'Atf? <bv 
 efieXKov Tas X^P 11 ^ a vTol<} dvdpa>voi<! diro- 
 \ovvTe<s dTrdaai irXoutrioi to Xonrbv eaeadai 
 avToi, 01 Se Ta<; t&v iroKeoav Ti/ta? iirl 
 tokok dSpol? Tiaiv dirb t»}s Tpairety]? Se- 
 Saveia/ievoi, Kal t& diroSeSo/iivm dirapiOit/rj- 
 aapT6<}, iTreiSr) iyevoi/TO ev Tats iroXetri, 
 iraoav Kanov ISeav es roil? dp%piiivov<; del 
 ivSei/cvvfievoi, ovk aXKov tov ev iiri/j,e\e(a 
 KaQLoTavTO, rj 6Vg>? tois ^a^orais rd wjw- 
 "Koyrj/jjiva TeXeaeiau, Kal avrol to \onrov ev 
 
 TOK TrXovO-ltOTaTOl? TBTal-OVTai, ovk e'xpvro's 
 
 avTol<s KivSvvov nva rj vftpiv tov epyov' 
 (pepovTOi Se Tt Kal 86ijr)<i fidXKov, bff<p km 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 173 
 
 could find, and sold to them for vast 
 sums the positions which they degraded. 
 In fact, no honest man, possessed of the 
 least common sense, would ever have 
 thought of risking his own fortune in 
 order to plunder those who had com- 
 mitted no offence. When Justinian had 
 received the money from those with whom 
 he made the bargain, he gave them full 
 authority to deal with their subjects as 
 they pleased, so that, by the destruction 
 of provinces and populations, they might 
 enrich themselves in the future ; for, since 
 they had borrowed* large sums from the 
 bankers at heavy rates of interest to pur- 
 chase their magistracies, and had paid 
 the sum due to him who sold them, when 
 they arrived in the cities, they treated 
 their subjects with every kind of tyranny, 
 paying heed to nothing save how they 
 might fulfil their engagements with their 
 creditors and lay up great wealth for 
 themselves. They had no apprehension 
 that their conduct would bring upon 
 them the risk of punishment ; on the 
 contrary, they expected that the greater 
 
174 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 irkelow rmv afylai •trapaireirrmKormv oiBevl 
 Xoym airoKrelvavres Xrit^eadai 'la^fvov. To 
 yap rov fyovkms T6 Kal Xrjarov ovo/ia e? to 
 rov Bpcurrriplov auTot? aironeicpiaOai, %vve- 
 ftcuvev. "Oaovs fievroi rmv krx&vrwv dp^a? 
 fjadero irXovrm dK(iaKpvra<;, rovrovs Be aKrj- 
 ■yfreert o-ayr)vevaa$, evOvs airavra o-vXXq^Bjjv 
 atjyypeiTO ra yj^jiara. 
 
 B'. Mera Be vojjlov tows ra<s dp^a? 
 eypaifre fieriovras dfivvvai, »; fir/v KaOapovs 
 atrb •jrd<T7)<; «\o7rr)s <7<£a? airoiii etre&Otu, 
 Kal fi-qre ri Bataetv tt}? Q-PXV'* eveita, pjryre 
 Xipfreffdai' upas re Trdcras eTrefiaXev, oaai 
 7T/0OS rmv iraXaiordrwv mvo/Mo-/JLevai elaiv, 
 %)v Tt? rmv yey pa/i/jbivrnv eKJUauq. 'AXXa 
 rov vofwv redevro^ ovttco eviavrov, avros 
 fj.ev rmv yeypafi/ievmv Kal Karrjpafievmv oXiya- 
 prjaas Kal t»}s virep rovrmv ahrj(ivr)<s aBeecr- 
 repov ra rifirj/iara rmv apymv, ovk ev 
 rrapafivarm, a\\' e? rb Brj/wa-iov rfji dyopax, 
 eirparrev. Oi Be ra? ap^as rnvrj/iivtii, Sim- 
 fiorot, fiaXXov $i irporepov, irdvra iavXmv. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 174 
 
 the number of those whom they plundered 
 or put to death without cause, the greater 
 the reputation they would attain, for the 
 name of murderer and robber was re- 
 garded as a proof of activity. But when 
 Justinian learned that they had amassed 
 considerable wealth during office, he en- 
 tangled them in his net, and on some 
 pretence or other deprived them of all 
 their riches in a moment. 
 
 He had published an edict that can- 
 didates for offices should swear that they 
 would keep themselves free from extortion, 
 that they would neither give nor receive 
 anything for their offices, and uttered 
 against those who transgressed the law 
 the most violent curses of ancient times. 
 The law had not been in force a year 
 when, forgetting its terms and the 
 malediction which had been pronounced, 
 he shamelessly put up these offices for 
 sale, not secretly, but publicly in the 
 market-place, and those who purchased 
 them, in spite of their oaths to the con- 
 trary, plundered and ravaged with greater 
 audacity than before. 
 
175 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 e. "Tarepov he Kal aX\o tv etreTe^vrj- 
 craro, d/cofjt} Kpelaaov. Tmv ' dpx&v, aairep 
 a^uoTa,Ta<i ev re Bv^avrlco ical irokeai -rah 
 aWais oiero elvai, ovneri direpjjrdkelv eryvu 
 rpirep ra trporepa, (imtBcotov*; Be Btepevpmfievos, 
 e-xeipoTovet,' rd^a<i avrol<s o ti Br) fiicrOapvovv- 
 ra? atro^epeiv avr& ra %(op^a iravra. 01 Be 
 rr)v /jbia-Bcotriv Keicofiio-fiivot, dBeearepov j-vp,- 
 <f>opi]<ravre<; Ik. irdai\<i yrji airavra e<f>epov, kcu 
 TrepirfpyeTO fxiaBofyopos igovffla, ra t»j? dp^rj'S 
 ovo/iari, Ka,Ta\i)i%op,ev7} tovs u7tjjkooii?. 
 
 •s . Oiha<s 6 /3acrikei>$ dKpi>/3o\oyovp£vo<i 
 top airavra xpovop, eieelvovs etyiaTi) Tot? irpdy- 
 fiaatv, ot Br/ irdvTwv Kara rbv aXrjdfj \6yov 
 Hiapwraroi fyaav, dei re to icaicbv tovto lyvr)- 
 Xarmv Karervyxavev. 'HvUa oiv d/ieXet tow 
 TTpuiTovs irovijpov? iirl rrji dpxf)<i KarecrT'qaaTO, 
 e's (pas re avT&v r) tjjs Bvvdp.ea>s e^ovaia rrjV 
 KaKorpoiriav el-tfveyicev, i6avnd%op,ev ye otrm<; 
 Br) KaKOTrjra roaavTTjv dvdpumov <j>uo-R 
 ej((oprjaev. 'Eirel Be avroiis oi XP^ V V T ?' 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 175 
 
 He afterwards thought of another con- 
 trivance, which may seem incredible. He 
 resolved no longer to put up for sale, as 
 before, the offices which he believed to be 
 of greatest repute in Byzantium and other 
 cities, but sought out a number of hired 
 persons, whom he appointed at a fixed 
 salary, and ordered to bring all the 
 revenues to himself. These men, having 
 received their salary, shamelessly got to- 
 gether from every country and carried off 
 everything that they could. The stipen- 
 diary commission went from one place 
 to another, plundering the subjects of the 
 Empire in the name of their office. 
 
 Thus the Emperor exercised in every 
 case the greatest care in the selection of 
 these agents of his, who were truly the 
 greatest scoundrels in the world; nor 
 were his efforts and industry in this de- 
 testable business unsuccessful. When he 
 advanced the first of his wicked agents 
 to high offices, and the licence of authority 
 revealed their corruption, we were as- 
 tounded to think how the nature of man 
 could be capable of such enormity. But 
 
176 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ap^as iicSeljdfievoi ttoXKw tc3 irepiovri 
 •trapekav ta^vaav, SirjiropovvTO irpb? aXktf\ov$ 
 01 avOpcoiroi, ovriva rpoirov ol irpoadev 
 •KovTjpOTaToi Bofjavres TocrovTiij) TrapaXoytp, 
 are avTol Kakol Kai dyadol yeyovorei iv 
 tok ff^fiTepot? eTnTrjBevfiaai trpb<s rmv eiri- 
 jey evrj/jiivcov fjdarjdrjaav, avdk re oi Tpvroi 
 tou? Bevrepovi vrreprjKOVTiaav vovrjpia rfj 
 Tracy, Kai psr e/cet'wws erepoi, rol<; r&v 
 eyKkrj/jLdraiv Kaivoro/iijfiaa-iv, ovofia xprjo-Tov 
 Tot? <f>dd<ra(n "irpoaeTptyavro. MrjKWOfiivov 
 Be rov KaKOv, iraaiv e/cfiefiaOriKevai tg> epya 
 %vvej3t), on Br) -rots dvOpmiroK eir atreipov 
 fjtev r) TTOvrjpia <f>ve(?dai e'imde, ixadr]aet Se 
 rSsv 7rpoyeyevr)fj,iva>v eKrpe<pop,ivr), ical rfj 
 rr)<; irapovaiw; ei-ovalq e<s rb Xv/iatveadai 
 tok irapaTrLirrovatv e^ayo/ievrj, es rocrovSe 
 del el-iKveio-Bai SoKel, e? oaov Bwarat 17 twv 
 /3\a7rTO/j,ivriov araB/iacrffai Bo^a. Pa>/iaiot$ 
 flip otiv rd ye d/u.<pl rots apxovai ravrri 
 ir<q etye. 
 
 %' '. UoXXa/tt? Be Kai Ovvvmv troKe/iiaiv 
 arpara dvSpairoSlaacri re Kai \i)urap,evoK 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 176 
 
 when those who succeeded them far out- 
 did them, men were at a loss to under- 
 stand how their predecessors could have 
 appeared the most wicked of mankind, 
 since, in comparison with their successors, 
 who had surpassed them in evil-doing, 
 they might be considered good and honest 
 men. But the third set and their succes- 
 sors so far outstripped the second in every 
 kind of villainy, and in their cleverness 
 in inventing new accusations, that they 
 secured for their predecessors a certain 
 reputation and a good name. As the 
 misfortunes of the State increased, all 
 learned by experience 'that there is no 
 limit to the innate wickedness of man, 
 and that, when it is supported by the 
 knowledge of precedents, and encouraged 
 by the power in its hands to torment its 
 victims, no man can tell how far it will 
 extend, but only the thoughts of the 
 oppressed are capable of estimating it. 
 Such was the state of affairs in regard to 
 the magistrates. 
 
 The hostile armies of the Huns had 
 often reduced to slavery and plundered 
 
 23 
 
177 nPOKOTIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rrjv 'PafialtDV apyrjv ol @paicfi>v re km 
 'IXXvpi&v a-Tparrijol, fiefiovXev/iivoi ava^oi- 
 povaiv iiridrfaecrdai, dveir^B^o-av, evel ftaoc- 
 Xeco? , Iov<TTiviavov ypdfifiara elSov, arr'epovvfa 
 <r<f>lari rrjp es toii? fiapfidpovs irrtOeaiv, dvay- 
 icaltov avr&v es fjvfj,[La%uiv ' Pa/uttoi*; ovrmv 
 irrt TotBovs taas ^ iirl aXXovs iroXe/jtuov 
 Tivd$. 
 
 7/ '. Kai air avrov ol fidpftapoi (nrroi 
 e\,7]t%0VT0 /lev ft>? m-oXepnoi, Kal rjvSpairoSl%opro 
 Toil? rfjSe 'Pmfialov;' gvv Se rfj aXXy Xeia 
 Kal rot? al)QiaXwToi,<s ) are <f>tXoi Kal \"vp,p>aypi 
 'PcofiaLoi? ovre<i, err olkov anreKap,iCpvro. 
 HoWa«i? Be Kal yempymv tS>v evravdd rwes, 
 rralSav re a<peTepa)v Kal yvvaiK&v iroda 
 e^rjvSpairoBia-jj.ivav rjyfievot, ddpooc re yeye- 
 vrjfiivoi, dva^apovai rroXXoii'} Kreiuavre<s, ml 
 airmv roil? irrwovs %o")(y<jav %vv irdar) 
 a<f>eXea0ai rfj Xeia' rrpa/y/idrav (tevroi e? 
 rretpav fiXdov ivdevSe SvaKoXwv. 'JEk Bv~ 
 £avriov yap Tti/e? earaXfievoi, alKi^eadat re 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 177 
 
 the inhabitants of the Empire. The 
 Thracian and Illyrian generals resolved to 
 attack them on their retreat, but turned 
 back, when they were shown letters 
 from the Emperor forbidding them to 
 attack the barbarians, on pretence that 
 their help was necessary to the Romans 
 against the Goths and other enemies of 
 the Empire. 
 
 Making use of this opportunity, these 
 barbarians plundered the country like 
 enemies, and carried away the inhabitants 
 into slavery; and in this manner these 
 pretended friends and allies of the Romans 
 returned home with their plunder and a 
 number of prisoners. Frequently, some 
 of the peasants in those parts, urged on 
 by a longing for their wives and children 
 who had been carried away into slavery, 
 formed themselves into bands, marched 
 against the barbarians, slew a number of 
 them, and succeeded in capturing their 
 horses together with their plunder. This 
 success, however, proved very unfortunate 
 for them ; for agents were sent from By- 
 zantium, who had no hesitation in beating 
 
 23—2 
 
178 UPOKOmOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 avr&v Kal Xwfiaadai ra am/iara, km xptf/iatri 
 fylfiiovv ovSe/jua OKV^aet, rj^iovv, em? tow? 
 17T7TO?;? airavTa? Zolev, oi5<nrep to^s ftapfidpow; 
 a<f>ei\ovTO. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 178 
 
 and wounding them and seizing their 
 property, until they had restored all the 
 horses that they had taken from the 
 barbarians. 
 
179 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION KB'. 
 
 a. 'HvUcl Se I3aaikeu<: re km Qeohapa 
 top KcnrwaSoicrjv 'Ieodvvrjv dveiXov, avnica- 
 dicrrdvai pev e's ti/xtjv ttjv avrov ijOekov, 
 avSpa Se riva •wovqporepov evpelv iirl KOLvris 
 iiroiovvTo" •wepiaKOirovp.e.voi re to toiovto tj)? 
 rvpavvlSos opyavov Kal airaaa? Siepevvavrei 
 ray t&v avdpwTTmv yvdofia*}, oiru<; en, dcuraov 
 tous virqicoow airoKelv Svvwvrai. 'Ev p,ev 
 oSf rip irapavTiKa QeoSorov avr ai/rov em 
 Trjs cipxfj<i Karkarrjo-av, avSpa oil mXotfdri 
 p.h>, oil a<p6Spa Se dpeaaeiv aiiroi<; i/cavbv 
 yeyovora. "Tcrrepov Se airav Siepevvwpevoi 
 ireptrip'^ovro. Evpov Se irapa S6l-av dpyvpd- 
 p,oi/36v riva tlerpov ovo/ian, Svpov yevm, 
 6Wep ivi/cKr/cnv Bapavdpbrjv iicaKovv, 8? 
 iraXai p,ev eVt rrj<i rod xakieov rpcnretyfi 
 Kddijtievos, icipSr) ala^porara en tovti;? Br) 
 eiropl^ero rfj? ipyacrias, ttjv irepl robs o/SoXous 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 179 
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 After the Emperor and Empress had 
 destroyed John of Cappadocia, they were 
 desirous of appointing someone else to 
 his office, and agreed to search for a man 
 even more vicious than he. They looked 
 around to find this instrument of tyranny, 
 and examined the dispositions of all, in 
 order that they might the more speedily 
 be able to ruin their subjects. They 
 temporarily conferred the office upon 
 Theodotus, who, though certainly not 
 an honourable man, was not sufficiently 
 wicked to satisfy them. They continued 
 their search in all directions, and at last 
 by accident found a banker named Peter, 
 a Syrian by birth, surnamed Barsyames. 
 He had long sat at the copper money- 
 changer's counter, and had amassed large 
 sums by his disgraceful malpractices. He 
 
180 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 kXotttjv e5 fidXa reyydfyav ical row aiirw 
 %v/i/3dX\ovTCK del t<£ t&v ZaicrvKmv rdyei 
 itcKpovmv. Ae^cb<s yap ?jv KXe^rai. /lev ra 
 t&v airy TrepnreirTtoKOTow avai8r)v, d\oii$ 8e 
 6(i6o~at, ical r&v xeip&v rb dfidprrifia t£> tt}s 
 yXdyrrrj? rrepucaXvtyai dpdcrei. 
 
 ft. 'Ev 8e Tois r&v inrdp^cav arpa- 
 Tuoravi KaTa\e , )(6eX<s, es roaovrov oTouta? 
 e\?;\a«6i'j &are ©eoScopa dpeoicew re iv ton 
 /idXtara, ical , eic r&v dSUtov avrfj ^ovKrj/idrav 
 paara virovpyeiv to, dp-rf^ava. Alb Sr) ©eo- 
 Sotov filv, ovirep fierd rbv K.atrirahoKqv 
 Ka.TacrT7]ard/AevoL erv^pv, rfp tj/mjs avrUa 
 irapeKvcrav, Tlerpov he rainy hirearr}(iav, 
 oairep avroiv hieirpd^aro Kara vow diravra. 
 Tow re yap a-rparevofiivovs dirocrrep&v tos 
 gvvrdf;ei<! dirdaas, oine alo-xyv6eh oiiTe 
 Se/aas rrmtTore m<p0Tj, dXXa ical wviovs to? 
 dpj(a<i en fiaXKov rj rrporepoy rrpovdtjicev, 
 drifioTepas re avras Karaarijo-dfievo<: aire- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN l8o 
 
 was exceedingly cunning at thieving obols, 
 ever deceiving his customers by the quick- 
 ness of his fingers. He was very clever 
 at filching without ado what fell into his 
 hands, and, when detected, he swore that 
 it was the fault of his hands, and made 
 use of most impudent language in order to 
 conceal his guilt. 
 
 This Barsyames, having been enrolled 
 in the praetorian guard, behaved so out- 
 rageously that he approved himself beyond 
 all others to Theodora, and was selected 
 by her to assist in carrying out those of 
 her nefarious schemes which required the 
 most inventive genius. For this reason 
 Justinian and Theodora immediately de- 
 prived Theodotus of the dignity bestowed 
 upon him as the successor of the Cappa- 
 docian, and appointed Peter in his stead, 
 who in every respect acted in accordance 
 with their wishes. 
 
 He not only, without the least fear or 
 shame, cheated the soldiers of their pay, 
 but offered commands and offices for sale 
 to a greater extent than before. Having 
 thus degraded them, he sold them to 
 
181 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 SiSoro tow ravTTjv 8r) ovk diroKvovai -rip 
 dvoaiav epyiropi^eaOat, irpagiv, i<piel<s 8utpprj8r]v 
 tow ras «p%as wvijaa/iivow Tak t&v dpyp- 
 jxkvwv •tyvycfifi re Kal oiariaK y fiovkotvTo 
 ■Xptfaacrdac. Avrd\ re yap eMii? Kal t«£ rrj<s 
 ^to/aa? KaTaj3ej3\i)K6ri to rififnia r) tov 
 trvKav re Kal aWm dpirdfeiv itjovaia l-vvi- 
 Ketro. 
 
 7'. Kal irpoyet fiev e« tov KecpaXaiov 
 t»)s TroXtTet'a? f) t&v filcov mvrf hrpaTTero T6 
 to avfifioKawv ttjs t&v irokewv 8ia(p9opas, 
 ev T6 t&v hucaarripUov toI<s Trpovypvo-i ml 
 t&> Synodal tjj? dyopas ireptr\pyero X^or^? 
 evvofios, Svo/ia Ty irpd^ei Tiflets ttjv av\- 
 \oyrjv t&v eVi Tots Tifirffiact tjj? dp)(f)5 
 icaTa/3e/3\7)fi,evcov xprjpidTeov ovk e^oi/ffijs 
 Twa 6\ir/Sa tj)? tow d/J,apTavofiiva>v hna- 
 Tpo<fy!)<;. , Ek tt&vtmv 8e t&v tj) dpxf) vwrjpe- 
 
 TOVVTCOV, TToXk&V T6 Kal So/CLflOiV OVTWV, TOW 
 
 irovrjpovt; del e? avTov el\«e. 
 
 S'. Tovto 8e ovk auTOS e^fiapre pAvot, 
 dXka Kal oo-oi ravTqv irpoTepov Te Kal voTepov 
 ttjv Ti/irjv eaypv. 'HpapTaveTo 8e toiovto 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN l8l 
 
 persons who were not ashamed to engage 
 in this unholy traffic, giving express per- 
 mission to the purchasers to deal as they 
 pleased with the lives and properties of 
 those who were subject to their authority ; 
 for Barsyames claimed for himself and 
 granted to anyone who had paid down 
 the price of a province the right of 
 plundering and ravaging it at pleasure. 
 It was from the chief of the State that 
 this traffic in lives proceeded, and agree- 
 ments were entered into for the ruin of 
 the cities. In the chief courts and in 
 the public market-place the legalised 
 brigand went round about, who was 
 called "collector" from his duty of col- 
 lecting the money paid for the purchase 
 of dignities, which they exacted from the 
 oppressed, who had no hope of redress. 
 Of all those who were promoted to his 
 service, although several were men of re- 
 pute, Barsyames always preferred such 
 as were of depraved character. 
 
 He was not the only offender in this 
 respect ; all his predecessors and suc- 
 cessors were equally guilty. The " Master 
 
1 82 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Kav rfj tov Mwyiarpov KaXovfievr] ap%rj, 
 Kav toI<s Uakarivois, o$ Srj a/u,<f>i re tov? 
 Oyoavpovs Kal ra irpi/3aTa Kakovfieva, to 
 Te TraTpifioviov iirireXeiv del tt/v virovpytav 
 elmdaaw, iv irdaaK re, avW^Srjv ehrelv, 
 Tats iv Bv£avTiq> Kal iroXes-i t<xis a\Xat9 
 Teray/iivai'; ap^ats. 'Eg ov yap oSe 6 
 Tvpavvos ret irpdy/iUTa SuprnfiaaTO, iv ap^r) 
 eKauTTy toii? to« vwrjpeTOvo-i, irpoayKOVTa? 
 Tropovf, "TTT) fiev avTO<s, "n-fj Se 6 ttjv Tip,rjv 
 eywv, trpoaeiroiovvTO oiiSevl \6yq>' o'L re 
 avrovi imT&TTov&iv virovpyovVTei, Trevo/Aevoi 
 to, ea^ara iravra tovtov tov j^povov, SovXo- 
 irpeirecrTara iirovpyelv rjvayKa^ovTO. 
 
 e'. SItov Se 7ro\\ou KOfiiSrj e's Bv^dv- 
 riov KeKOfuo-fiivov, iaearjiret fiev 6 7r\etoTo? 
 ijBrj' avrbs Se tovtov iroXeo-i Tats email 
 e7re/3a\\e kutcl Xoyov eKaffTy, Kalirep ovtt 
 e'XpvTa iitLTTfSebWi ets fipmaiv dvdpwmwv' 
 67T£j8aX\e Te oiij^ yirep aTroSiSoadai tov 
 koXKio-tov aiTOv eldadet, aKXa Kal iroXKai 
 dguoTepov' %v re tois <hvov[ievoi<! iiravayKes 
 J(prjfiaTa fieyaKa irpoefievoii; itrl Ttpy^/iao-i 
 ^>opTiK(»TaTots, etra to oltov es ttjv ddkaa- 
 aav, rj es Tiva vSpoyoav diroppi/trTeiv. 'Enel 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 182 
 
 of Offices" did the same, likewise the 
 officials of the imperial treasury, and those 
 who had the duty of superintending the 
 Emperor's private and personal estate — 
 in a word, all who held public appoint- 
 ments in Byzantium and other cities. 
 In fact, from the time that this tyrant 
 had the management of affairs, either he 
 or his minister claimed the subsidies 
 suitable to each office, and those who 
 served their superiors, suffering extreme 
 poverty, were compelled to submit to be 
 treated as if they were the most worth- 
 less slaves. 
 
 The greater part of the corn that had 
 been imported to Byzantium was kept 
 until it rotted ; but, although it was not 
 fit for human consumption, he forced the 
 cities of the East to purchase it in pro- 
 portion to their importance, and he de- 
 manded payment, not at the price paid 
 even for the best corn, but at a far 
 higher rate; and the poor people, who 
 had been forced to purchase it at an 
 outrageously heavy price, were compelled 
 to throw it into the sea or the drains. 
 
1 83 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Se Kai cirov aKpau&vom re km oxmrn aeo~i\- 
 ■jtotos fiiya ri wA/j}0os evravda direKeuo, 
 Kai rovro •7rKe(<nai<} r&v rrokeurv rat? airov 
 vmoatravitpiaaK drrepmoXeiv ejvco. Tai/vy 
 yap SnrXdaria ra %prf[iara iirolei tfrnp 
 toI<! vtroTeKeai to 8r)prio~iov virep tovtovi 
 rov airov to, rrporepa eKe\6yurro. 
 
 <s'. !4\\' iirel es veana omen, opoia 
 rj t&v Kapir&v tpopa rjKpa^ev, evSeeo-ripcoi 
 Se ^ Kara rrjv xpelav e? Bv^dvnov 6 
 o-n-aywyo? <tto\os a^Uero, ITer/jo? rols 
 irapovcri Sunropovpevos, e'« r&v ev re Bi6v- 
 via Kai $pvyta Kai QpaKy ^copimv irpiaa- 
 dai peya Ti ypYlp-a airov fj^iov. *Hv re 
 avayKalov rot? ravry oikovci MXP 1, P 1 *" e ' ? 
 rrjv 0dXao-<xav v6vq> TroWm ra <f>opria 
 (fiepeiv, 69 BvtpvTiov 8e %irv KtvSvvtp avra 
 eo-Kopl^ea6ai, Kai fipayea fiev riprjpara 
 hrjdev r& \6yut 77730? avrov iftepeaBai, rip) 
 tflfiiav fie airol<s es roo~6v8e peyeBovi KaBla- 
 rao-Qai, ware dyarrav, rp} Tt? airoii's em/ 
 rov re airov rm 8r)p,o<riq> yapitpadai Kai 
 ripyqpa erepov vrrep avrov xarariOevai. Tour* 
 eari ro a^Oo?, oirep KaXeiv avvwvrjv vevo- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 183 
 
 That which was sound and not yet 
 spoilt, of which there was great abun- 
 dance in the capital, the Emperor de- 
 termined to sell to those cities which 
 were scantily supplied. In this manner 
 he realised twice the amount that had 
 formerly been obtained by the receivers 
 of the public tribute in the provinces. 
 The next year the supply of corn was 
 not so abundant, and the transports did 
 not bring a sufficient quantity to supply 
 the needs of the capital. Peter, discon- 
 certed at the state of affairs, conceived 
 the idea of buying up a great quantity 
 of corn from Bithynia, Phrygia and 
 Thrace. The inhabitants of those pro- 
 vinces were forced to bring it down to 
 the coasts themselves (a work of great 
 labour), and to convey it at considerable 
 risk to Byzantium, where they had to be 
 satisfied with an absurdly low price. 
 Their losses were so considerable, that 
 they would have preferred to have given 
 the corn gratuitously to the public 
 granaries, and even to have paid twice 
 as much. This burdensome duty was 
 
1 84 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fiiicacrw. Eirel Se oiiS' &? atro<i ev Bv^avrlco 
 Kara ttjv ypeiav lieavos iyeyovei, ttoWoI to 
 irpayfia e? ftacriKea SiefiaXKov. "Ajia Se Kal 
 oi arparevofievoi trj^eSov ti airavTes, are Tas 
 elwOvim ov KSKOfitafievoi fjuvrdfjeK, 6opvj3a> 
 re ava ttjv iroKiv real rapa^y nroXKfi e'ij(pvTO. 
 Baari\ev<; jiev ofiv 97897 re avrw ^a\e7ro)? 
 eyeiv eSof-e km irapaXveiv ainbv tt}? dp%r)<; 
 fjBeke, Sid t£ ravra, aiiep eppr)6r], kclI oti 
 Xptffiara Saip,ovico<; /MeydXa rjKtjKoei avr& 
 awoK€Kpv(j>dai, airep in rov Srmoaiov o~eo~v\q- 
 iwos erv^e. Kal ?\v Se oStcos. 
 
 f . ©eoScbpa Se rov dvSpa ovk eXa' 
 e/eroVeo? yap rov Bapcrvd/iTjv rjydira. 'JE/ioi 
 Se SoKei rrj<i re •7rovrjp(a<! eveKa Kal tov 
 to?? KaTTjKooi'; SiafepovTa)? \vfiatvecr0ai. Airy 
 Te yap wfiordrri ?jv, Kal airavdpwiriwi 
 aTe^ixS? e/jLirXeoos, Kal Toil's virovpyovvra? 
 rj^iov ra e? tov Tpbirov avT?) a>s p,d\taTa 
 iirvnjSeias e%ew. $aal Se avrrjv Ka\ Kara- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 184 
 
 called Synone, or provisioning the capital 
 with corn from the provinces. But, as 
 even then the supply of corn was not 
 sufficient for the needs of the city, many 
 complaints were made to the Emperor. 
 At the same time the soldiers, hardly any 
 of whom had as yet received their pay, 
 assembled and created a great disturb- 
 ance in the city. The Emperor appeared 
 greatly irritated against Peter, and re- 
 solved to deprive him of his office, both 
 for the reasons stated and also because 
 it was reported to him that he had 
 amassed extraordinary wealth, which he 
 kept hidden away, by robbing the public 
 treasury ; and this in fact was the case. 
 But Theodora opposed her husband's 
 intention, being exceedingly enamoured 
 of Barsyames, apparently on account of 
 his evil character and the remarkable 
 cruelty with which he treated his sub- 
 jects ; for, being herself exceedingly cruel 
 and utterly inhuman, she was anxious 
 that the character of her agents should 
 be in conformity with her own. It is 
 also said that Theodora, against her will, 
 
 24 
 
1 85 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fiayevdelcrav irpo<s rov Herpov aKovaiov ain& 
 eiivoifc&s e^eiv. Uepi re yap tow? <pap/i,a- 
 «ea? Kal ra Baifiovta rrepiepym'i iairovSd/cei 
 6 Bapavd/j,ri<; ovros, km tou? Kakov/jLevovs 
 Mavij(aiow eredr^irei re Kal avrStv irpoa- 
 raretv e« rov efi<pavov<! ovZapfj dir^iov. 
 Kairoi Kal ravra 17 ySa<ri\£? aicovaaaa, oil 
 fieOfjice rrfli e? rov dvOpatirov evvoiav, aXKa 
 p.al}JKov ert. Bid ravra •7repio~reK\eiv re Kal 
 dyatrdv eyvas. M.dyoi's re yap Kal (papfia- 
 Kevac Kal avri] ojiiXijeaaa ex iraiBbs, are 
 rwv eiriT7]SevfMdrasv airrjv e? rovro dydvrav, 
 Sie/3la) marevovad re rm irpdyfiari rovrw 
 Kal avrw ro Oapaelv e? del e^ovaa. 
 
 t). Aeyov&i Be Kal rov 'Iovcrrmavbv 
 oi roaovrov dwirevovaa ^eiporjdr) rroir\aaa- 
 Qai, ocrov rfj eK rwv Bai/ioviav dvdyKTj. Oil 
 yap Tt? ?iv evfypwv ^ BiKawi SSe dvrjp, rj 
 e? rb dyaBov (SefiaW ware Kpelaaav irore 
 T?J? roiavrT]<s e7ri|Spi>\j}? etvai, d\\d fyovwv 
 /j,ev xal yjn)pArwv epa>ro<s 8ia<f>av& 1 } Tjao-atv, 
 toi? Be avrbv e^airar&ai Kal KoXaKevovatv 
 oi ^aXeTrfls eiKtov, ev re -n-pd^ecri, Tat? 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 185 
 
 had been forced by the enchantments of 
 Barsyames to become his friend ; for this 
 man had devoted great attention to sor- 
 cerers and supernatural beings, admired 
 the Manichaeans, and was not ashamed 
 openly to profess himself their supporter. 
 Although the Empress was not ignorant 
 of this, she did not withdraw her favour, 
 but resolved on this account to show 
 even greater interest and regard for him 
 than before, for she herself also, from her 
 earliest years, had associated with sor- 
 cerers and magicians, since her character 
 and pursuits inclined her towards them. 
 She had great faith in their arts, and 
 placed the greatest confidence in them. 
 It is even said that she did not render 
 Justinian susceptible to her influence so 
 much by her flatteries as by the irre- 
 sistible power of evil spirits ; for Justinian 
 was not sufficiently kindly, or just, or 
 persistent in well-doing to be superior to 
 such secret influence, but was manifestly 
 dominated by a thirst for blood and 
 riches, and fell an easy prey to those 
 who deceived and flattered him. In 
 
 24 — 1 
 
1 86 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fidXiffrd oi ea-irovBaafiivai,^ /xers^dWeTO re 
 ovSevl \6yi^ Kal Kopioprm ev8e\e%eirrara 
 e/M<pepr]<; iyeyovei. Tavrd roi oi8e ri<s rwv 
 avrov £vyyeva>v fj aUsi; yvtoplficov e\irl8a 
 rivd irore atr<pd\.r] eV' airiZ e&xev, o.\\a 
 fj,eravaardo-eis avra e's del tj}? e? rd 
 67nrr)8ev(iara eylvovro ypd>/.i,T]<i. Ovreo re Kal 
 rot? <pap//,aKevo~iv, oirep eppr)di\, eie<po8o$ 
 tov, Kal rfj ©eoBcbpq irovw oiiSevl inro^eipio^ 
 iyeyovei, Kal air avrov p,d\ia-ra r/ (3ao~L\\<; 
 are airovBaiov rd roi,avra Herpov ovra 
 vireprfydrra. 
 
 6'. 'Apj(ij$ /lev ofiv, 17? rd irporepa 
 el^e, fiao-iXev? avrov trapeXvae /ioXk, ©eoSce- 
 pa? re ey/cei/iivi]?, oi rroXKm varepov ap^ovra 
 rmv Otjaavpav avrov Kareo~rr\aaro, 'Iadvvijv 
 Trapakvcra<i ravrr)^ 8r/ rrj<; Tt/tii)?, oairep 
 avrijv TrapeiKr)<pa)<{ firfcrC irov oXuyois vpo- 
 repov erv\ev. *Hv Be ovroi 6 dvrjp yew? 
 fiev IlakaiarZvo?, irpaot; 8e Kal dyaObt 
 ayav, ical ovSe iropl^eaOai xprjfidrwv 18ik&v 
 iropovi £(8o)?, ov8e T«.» XvfiijvdfAevo? rrdiiroTe 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN l86 
 
 undertakings which needed the greatest 
 attention, he changed his plans without 
 any reason and showed himself as light 
 as the dust swept before the wind. Thus 
 none of his kinsmen or friends had the 
 least confidence in his stability, but, in 
 the execution of his purpose, his opinion 
 perpetually changed with the greatest 
 rapidity. Being, as I have said, an easy 
 object of attack for the sorcerers, he in 
 like manner readily fell a victim to 
 Theodora, who, for this reason, enter- 
 tained the highest affection for Peter as 
 one devoted to the study of these arts. 
 
 The Emperor only succeeded with 
 great difficulty in depriving him of his 
 office, and, at the pressing entreaty of 
 Theodora, soon afterwards appointed him 
 chief of the treasury, and deprived John 
 of these functions, although he had only 
 been invested with them a few months 
 previously. This John was a native of 
 Palestine, a good and gentle man, who 
 did not even know how to find out the 
 means of increasing his private fortune, 
 and had never done injury to a single 
 
187 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 t&v irdvTWv dvQpamwv. 'A/ieXei Kal Sia- 
 <pepovTo><; rjydirwv avrbv 6 Xecbs atra$. Aid 
 rot, tovto 'Iovcrrtviavov T6 Kal TTjV OfioQjya 
 ovSafiij ripeaicev' o'Cirep iireihrj ra>v afyiaiv 
 virovpyovvTmv koXov re Kal dyaObv irapa 
 So^av Tiva ISoiev, iXiyyi&VTe<! Kal Svo~- 
 (popov/ievot e's to /AaXiara itdo-fl fi^avfj 
 aiirbv on rd^iara Suodelardai iv awovBrj 
 
 eTTOlOVVTO. 
 
 i'. Ovtcd yovv Kal tovtov to 'Itodv- 
 vr)v 6 Herpos €KSe^d/j,evo l i, Oiqaavpwv re twv 
 ^aaCXiKwv irpovo'TT], Kal avfupop&v aZOis 
 fieydXav alruoTaTOS 'axiaai yiyovev. 'Atto- 
 refivofievos yap t&v j^prjfiaTmv to irXelo-Tov 
 fiepoi, airep iv TTapa^vj^rif \o7«j» iroXXol? 
 Xpprjyelo-dai dva irav eVo? irpb*} fiatriXeon 
 eK iraXaiov hiareraKrai, avrb'; (lev toi<: 
 Stj/ioo-ioi,^ oil Beov ivXovrei, Kal fiolpav 
 ivOevSe fiaariXei dvi<pepev. 01 Be to, 'yprjp.aTa 
 irepirjprjfiivoi, iv irevdei fieydXtp vepieKa- 
 drjvro, iirel Kal to yjpvaavv vo/iio-fia ov% 
 f/Trep elw6ei iK(f>epeiv rfeiov, aXX' eXao-aov 
 civto Karao-TTjo-dfievo';, wpay^a ovSeTrtoiroTe 
 76701/0? Trporepov. Ta /xev d/A<f>l Tot? apxpvai 
 fiaoiXel ravTT] tti] elyev. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 187 
 
 individual. The more decided the affec- 
 tion of the people for him, the less he 
 met with the approval of Justinian and 
 his partner, who, as soon as they found 
 amongst their agents, contrary to expecta- 
 tion, a good and honourable man, were 
 quite dumbfounded, showed their indig- 
 nation, and endeavoured by every possible 
 means to get rid of him with the least 
 delay. Thus Peter succeeded John as 
 chief of the royal treasury, and was 
 one of the chief causes of great misery 
 to all the inhabitants of the Empire. 
 He embezzled the greater part of the 
 fund, which, in accordance with an 
 ancient custom, was annually distributed 
 by the Emperor to a number of families 
 by way of assisting them. Part of this 
 public money he sent to the Emperor, 
 and kept part for himself, whereby he 
 acquired illgotten wealth. Those who 
 were thus deprived of this money lived 
 in a pitiable state. He did not even coin 
 the same amount of gold as before, but 
 less — a thing which had never been done 
 before. Such was the manner in which 
 Justinian dealt with the magistracies. 
 
188 IlPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION K.r'. 
 
 a. "07T<us Se tovs ra x a P la *e*Ti;/ie- 
 vovi iravraxpv in) 8te<p8eipev, epwv ep^o/tat. 
 'A'rre.xpr] (ikv ovv rjfiiv eliretv r&v es ra? 
 7rd\et? airaaas o-reWofieviov apxpvrav eirifi- 
 vqardelaiv ov vroWqj rrporepov km rovrtov 
 Stj tSjv avBpamwv arjfifjvai ra irddi}. Upm- 
 rov<s yap oi avOpcutroi ovrot rovf rmv 
 Xpypimv Kvplowi fiiatyfievoi ekrjt^ovro km 
 w? Be raWa a e'ipqrai irdvra. 
 
 0'. Upcora fiev eWiap,evov bv e* ira- 
 \aiov, eKacnov rrjv 'Pmfialeov apxyv e^ovra, 
 ov% airat; fiovov, aX\a ical rroWaKis rot? 
 r&v Srjfioalwv 6<p\i)iJ,dr(ov Xei^dvoK roiis 
 Karr}Koov<s SapelaOat TTavras, rod /iijre row 
 arropovfiivowi re ical 68ev av ixrivoiev ra 
 Xetyava ravra ovSa/j.rj ej(pvra<i SirjveKef 
 airoTrv'vyeaBai, firjre rol<; $op0~k6 r yoi<; o-KrjtyeR 
 irape\£o-0ai, avKo<j)avreiv e'7^etpov<7i r&v rov 
 <fiopou vvoreX&v roii<s oi/Biv 6tf>ei\ovras, 
 ovtos e? Bvo ical rpiuKovra ermv ^povov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN l88 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 I will now relate how he everywhere 
 ruined the possessors of estates, although, 
 to show their misery, it would really be 
 sufficient to refer to what has been said, 
 just before this, concerning the governors 
 dispatched to all the provinces and cities, 
 for it was they who plundered those who 
 possessed landed estates, as before related. 
 
 It had long been an established custom 
 that the Roman Emperor should, not only 
 once, but on several occasions, remit to 
 his subjects all the arrears that were 
 owing to the treasury, so that those who 
 were in difficulties and had no means of 
 settling these arrears might not be con- 
 tinually pressed, and that the tax col- 
 lectors might not have an excuse for 
 vexatiously attempting to exact money 
 from those liable to tribute, where in 
 many cases it was not due. Justinian, 
 
1 8g IIPOKOmOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ovBev towvto e? tovs KaTrjKoovf elpydaaro' 
 Kal a7r' avTOV Tot? /iev diropovfievoit dvay- 
 Kalov r\v diroBpaval re yrjv, Kal firjieeTi 
 eiravievai. Kal ol o-VKo<f>dvrai roiis emei- 
 Kecrrepov? direxvaiov KaTqyopiav eiravatrelov- 
 Te?, aVe to Te\o? kvSeeoTepms £k iraXaiov 
 KaTafidWovTd? tj)s iyKeifievt)<s rw x&>pwo 
 <f>opd<;. Ov yap oaov 01 raXalirtopot rf)v 
 Kaivrjv tov tfjqpov diraycoyr]V iSeSiecrav, dXXd 
 Kai xpovcov ToaovTcov to irXfjBos ovBev 
 irpoa-r\icov fiapvveadai <j)6poi<;. IlaikXol yovv 
 d/Meket, ra o-<pirepa avrcov tok avtccxpdv- 
 rai? rj rqj Brnaofflat irpoe/ievoi, dtrriWda- 
 ctovto. 
 
 y . "Eveira Be MrjBwv p.ev Kai Sapa- 
 Krjvmv rr\% 'Atrias yfjv rr/v ttoXXtjv, t&v Be 
 Si) Ovvvoov Kal I! tcXaftTjvcov %v\nraaav Evpdo- 
 irrjv Xrjlaaiikvcov, Kal t&v iro\eav Ta? fj.lv 
 KadekovTtov eh eSacf)o<;, tA? Be dpyvpo\o- 
 yr/advTwv €? to aKpifies fiakiaTa, tov<; Be 
 dvdpdyiroui iS-avBpairoBicdvToov £w xpqpMat 
 ttcutlv, eprj/xov re t&v olKtjToptov Kara- 
 ffTijaafievwv X'* > P av eKaarr/v Tat? Kad' 
 ijfiepav iTriBpofials, (popov fiev ovBevi to>v 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 189 
 
 however, for thirty-two years made no 
 concession of the kind to his subjects, 
 the result of which was that the poor 
 people were forced to quit the country 
 without any hope of return. The more 
 honest were perpetually harassed by these 
 false accusers, who threatened to charge 
 them with having paid less than the 
 amount at which they were rated. These 
 unhappy individuals were less afraid of the 
 imposition of new taxes than of the in- 
 supportable weight of the unjust exactions 
 which for many years they had been com- 
 pelled to pay, whereupon many of them 
 abandoned their property to their accusers 
 or to the fisc. 
 
 The Medes and Saracens had ravaged 
 the greater part of Asia, and the Huns 
 and Slavs had plundered the whole of 
 Europe. Cities had been razed to the 
 ground or subjected to severe exactions ; 
 the inhabitants had been carried away 
 into slavery with all they possessed, and 
 every district had been deserted by its 
 inhabitants in consequence of the daily 
 inroads. Justinian, however, remitted no 
 
igo nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 drrdvrwv dtprJKe, rrXrjv ye Sr) baov eviavrov 
 rat? dXovtrais rwv irdXeav fiovov. Kairoi 
 el KaBdtrep 'Avaardaios BaoiXem errrderei 
 rah dXovaais rd riXi] eVt%a»/oeiv eyva>, 
 olfiai 8' dv ouS' o)<; aiirov rrerroirjavai rd 
 8eovra. 
 
 8'. 'Evel Ka^aSr/5 fiev rait oikoSo- 
 fiiais o>? ijKiora Xvfirjvd/jLevos dwiwv t^eTO" 
 Xoarp6r)$ Se arravra irvprroXrjtTa'; icadelXev 
 els eScKpos, fieitm re rrpoaerpv^raro rol<s irepi- 
 irerrrtoKoai rd iraQi). Kal TOVTOt? fiev tok 
 dvdpmiroK, ola-rrep rb yeXoi&8e<; rovro rov 
 (popov aKprjice, Kal roi<i aXXois airaai, rroX- 
 Xdieis fiev he^ap.evoi'i rbv Mrfiasv arpa- 
 rov, 8i7]veKe<} Se Ovvvav re ko.1 /3apj3dpwv 
 Sapaxrjv&v yr\v rrjv 'Eaav Xrjtaa/ieveov, 
 ou&ev 8e r\a<rov Kal irrl rfjs Evpd>rr7)<; fiap- 
 fidpwv ravra epyatpfievwv del Kal Ka& 
 eKaarrjv rov<s exeivr; 'Papalovs, fiaoiXeix; 
 outo? ^«Xe7rcoT6po? ev6v<i yeyove fiapfidpwv 
 dtidvrmv. Swoovals re yap ical t«u? xaXov- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I90 
 
 tax or impost to any one of them, except 
 in the case of cities that had been taken 
 by the enemy, and then only for a year, 
 although, had he granted them exemption 
 for seven years, as the Emperor Anasta- 
 sius had done, I do not think that even 
 then he would have done enough : for 
 Cabades retired after having inflicted 
 but little damage upon the buildings, 
 but Chosroes, by ravaging the country 
 with fire and sword and razing all its 
 dwellings to the ground, brought greater 
 calamities upon the inhabitants. Justin- 
 ian only granted this absurd remission of 
 tribute to these people and to others who 
 had several times submitted to an in- 
 vasion of the Medes and the continuous 
 depredations of the Huns and Saracen 
 barbarians in the East, while the Romans, 
 settled in the different parts of Europe, 
 who had equally suffered by the attacks 
 of the barbarians, found Justinian more 
 cruel than any of their foreign foes ; for, 
 immediately after the enemy withdrew, 
 the proprietors of estates found them- 
 selves overwhelmed with requisitions for 
 
igi nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 /j,ivcu<; e7rt/So\ats re ical Siaypacpais oi to>v 
 'Xapleov Kvpioi, t&v iroXefiitov avcucexcoprjico- 
 rcov, avrUa p,dXa ffkiatcovro. 
 
 e. "O n Se to, ovo/iaTa earl re ical 
 fiovKeTai Tama, eyia 8r)\d>o~a>. Toils ra 
 ^ajpt'a iceKT7]/j,evovs dvayicd£ovcn rbv 'Pmp,ala>v 
 eicrpeipeuv arparbv, Kara to fierpov ti}? 
 /cet/Mwj? eicdo~T(p <popa$ Ti/JL7]fiaTa)v tcaTaftdk- 
 Tuofiivw, ov-% yrep £<f>iT)aiv o irapmv rfj 
 %pet'a Kaipb<!, d\\' fjirep e^ecm ical Sim- 
 pitrrai. Oi Siepewwfievoi Se, e'lirep avroh 
 imrtfSeia ev ry X^Pf jjvfifiaivei, irepiicrTrjice 
 re Tou? Sei\a(ov<} tovtovs avdy/crj, ra p,ev 
 e7riTt]Seia arpaTMOTaf? re ical iitttok icrico- 
 fil^eadai, irdvra mvovnevovs aina ti fit) p,drmv 
 •rroW&v e? dyav dt-uoTeputv, ical Tama e'« 
 ^oopa? fxaKpdv irov overt)?, av omto tv^oi, 
 e's to ^wptW diroKOfii^eiv, ov Br/ to crrparo- 
 ireSov l-v/ifiaipei elvai, /ieTpetv ts tor tSiv 
 GTpaTiWT&v XoptfyoK, ov KaBdirep iracriv 
 dv8po)Troi<! vop.05, dW' fjirep eiceivoK av 
 /8ouXo/iewK e'ir]. Kal tovt' eari to irpayp,a, 
 oirep Svvcovrj KaXeiTai, e'£ ov Stj airatnv 
 eicvevevplo-Qai tok t&v ^oipitov Kvpiois ijvp.- 
 fialvei. $opov yap air avrov tov eirerewv 
 oi>x r\cro~ova r) SetcairXacrlova KaTaridevai 
 crcjucriv iiravayices, ot? ye ov fxovov to! 
 aTparu ^opjjyew', dXKa ical clrov if Bv 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN igi 
 
 provisions, 1 impositions, 2 and edicts 8 of 
 various kinds, the meaning of which I 
 will now explain. Those who possessed 
 landed property were obliged to furnish 
 provisions for the soldiers in proportion 
 to the amount imposed upon each, and 
 these dues , were fixed, not in considera- 
 tion of the necessities of the moment, but 
 according to an authorised imperial assess- 
 ment ; and, if at any time they had not a 
 sufficient supply upon their lands for the 
 needs of the horses and soldiers, these 
 unhappy persons were forced to purchase 
 them even at a price far above their 
 proper value, and to convey them in 
 many cases from a considerable dis- 
 tance to the place where the troops were 
 encamped, and to distribute them to the 
 adjutants in what quantity and at what 
 rate the latter pleased, not at a fair and 
 reasonable price. This import was called 
 " the import of victualling," which, as it 
 were, cut the sinews of all the landed 
 proprietors ; for they had to pay an annual 
 tribute ten times greater than before, and 
 were obliged not only to furnish supplies 
 
 1 Synone. Epibole. ' Diagraphe. 
 
192 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 %dvTiov 7ro\\a*ts SiaxofitXeiv ravra nreirov- 
 86a i ^vvetreaev' eirel ovy^ 6 Bapo-vapiyi 
 Kcikoi>iieva<; fiovos to toiovto ayo? e^a/iap- 
 rdpecv Ter6\jL7)Kev, aU^ Kal wporepov fiev 
 6 KaTriraSoKT)!;, varepov 8& ol fiera tov 
 Bapavd/j.t]P tovto Sr/ to t»7? «P/CT ? vapa- 
 Xay3oi»T£5 a%ia>p,a. Ta p,ev oZv tj}? Svvavrjs 
 TavTj} wq l%«. 
 
 s. To Se rrj<s '.E7rty3o\»7? ovofia o\e- 
 dpos rk ianv dirpoorrTOS, i^airivamt rot? 
 Ta X m P^ a ^CfTij/ievot? eirvyevofievoi;, irpoppi- 
 tpv re avTot? i/cTpificov ttjv tov filov 
 eXiriSa. Xapieav yap to Te\o$ tSsv eptffuov 
 re Kal diropav yeyevrj/iivav, &v Si] rot? re 
 KVplott Kal tow yeapyol? rjStj TeTV)(r)Kev ^ 
 fravrd-rraaw diroXaXivai, ^ yrjv Trarptaav 
 aTroXiirova-i tois iy/ceifievoif crfyiai 8ia Tavra 
 Kanols npimTeodai, ovtc dira^iovaw eVt^e- 
 peiv Tot? ovto Sie<f>6ap/j,ivot<i iravrdwao-i. 
 Toiovto fiev Kal rb ttj? 'JEirt/SoXJ}? ovofid 
 io~Ti,v } eirvrtoXdaav w? to etxo? 67rt r6v 
 Xpovov fidXiara tovtov. 
 
 f . Ta Be r&v Aiaypatywv to? avvro- 
 fid>rara fypdaavri, dirriXXd^dai jfjZe irji 
 ep^et. Zr)fiiai<i woWat?, a\Xw? Te Kal wo 
 Toi>$ xpovoiK tovtovs, irepiftaXio-dai Ta? 
 TroXet? fy> avdyxTj, cbvnep Ta? T£ iMpop/ias 
 Kal tovs Tpoirovs dcphj/ii \e<yetz> ev Tf5 
 irapovn, cu? ^ /uo< o \0709 aTrepavfos 
 eirj. Tavrag ol t« ^apia ifypvTes Karon- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I92 
 
 for the soldiers, but on several occasions 
 to convey corn to Byzantium. Barsyames 
 was not the only man who had the au- 
 dacity to introduce this cursed exaction. 
 John of Cappadocia had set the example, 
 and the successors of Barsyames in his 
 office followed it. Such was the nature 
 of the Synone, as it was called. 
 
 The "Epibole" was a kind of un- 
 foreseen ruin, which suddenly attacked 
 the landed proprietors and utterly deprived 
 them of the hope of subsistence ; for, in the 
 case of estates that were deserted and un- 
 productive, the owners or tenants of which 
 had either died or abandoned their country 
 and hidden themselves after the misfor- 
 tunes they had undergone, Justinian did 
 not hesitate to impose a tax. Such were 
 these "impositions," which were of fre- 
 quent occurrence during that time. 
 
 A few words will suffice for the impost 
 called "Diagraphe." At this time es- 
 pecially, the cities were afflicted with 
 heavy losses, the causes and extent of 
 which I will say nothing about, for it 
 would be an endless tale. These losses 
 
 25 
 
193 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 0evT6<s, Kara \6yov tij? eyxei/uepq? eKacTm 
 4>opai, ovk axpt Be tovtwv avTols to icaxbv 
 etmi, dWd ical tov \oi/j,ov. fjvfiira&av 7T£j0t- 
 \a/36vTo<; rr\v re aWijv oiKOVfievrjv ical 
 ov% r\K,KTTCL rfjv twv 'Pco/j,aicav dpj(r)v, t£>v 
 re yeoapymv dfyavla-avros fiepoi to ir\e?crTov, 
 ical air avrov epr\p,wv cos to ei/co? yeyevq- 
 fievcav t5>v ^capLcov, ovBefiia cpeiBoi l^prjaaTO 
 e? Toii<; tovtcov Kvptovi. $6pov yap TOV 
 eireTeiov ov tots dviei irpaTToiievo'i, ov% 
 ytrep e/cdaTu) ' eTreftaWe fiovov, aXXa, ical 
 yetTovcav rmv diroXttikoTCOv rf/v fiolpav. 
 Ilpocrrjv Be ai)Tol<s ical TaXKa ravra Stvirep 
 e)ivr\aQt\v apricot, are toi? tuv ^wplmv 
 BeBvarirxycocri tt\v tcTr\aiv del iyiceifievaiV 
 en p,kvjoi ical Tots fiev cnpaTiwTais dva 
 tcl KaXKicrrd re ical Ti/iimrara Bcofiartwv 
 t&v crcfceTepcov (AicT]p,evQi$ iirrjpeTelv, avTot? 
 Be iravra tovtov tov 'xpovov ev rofc cf>avXo- 
 TaTOft re ical dirt)fie\r)fievoi<i iron oIkiB'uov 
 Bianav e^eiv. 
 
 if. "Airep diravra iiiro ttjv 'Iovcmvia- 
 vov Te ical 6eoBd>pa<s jSaaikeiav tok dv9pd>- 
 tto(? del ylvecrOai f-vveftrj, ivel ovre voXe/AW 
 ovre ti SXKo t&v fieyiaTcov icaic&v, ev 
 Tovrq> Brj tS> xpovtp, \e\co$>r)K6vai rerv^Kev. 
 'Eirel Be SatfiaTtcov ifivrfcrdijv, ovSe tovto 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 193 
 
 had to be repaired by the landed pro- 
 prietors in proportion to the rate at which 
 they were assessed. Their misery, how- 
 ever, did not stop there, but, although 
 pestilence had attacked the whole world, 
 and, especially, the Roman Empire ; 
 although most of the farmers had fallen 
 victims, and their properties had become 
 deserted, Justinian did not show the least 
 clemency towards the owners. He con- 
 tinued to exact the yearly tribute from 
 them, not only their own proportion, but 
 that of their neighbours who had died of 
 the plague. 1 Further, they were obliged 
 to treat the soldiers with the greatest 
 civility, and to allow them to take up 
 their quarters in their finest and richest 
 apartments, while they themselves all the 
 time had to content themselves with the 
 poorest and meanest rooms. Such were 
 the calamities that without intermission 
 befell mankind during the reign of Jus- 
 tinian and Theodora, for there was no 
 cessation of war or any other most terrible 
 calamities. Since I have mentioned the 
 word " quarters," I must not forget to 
 
 1 Here the text is corrupt. 
 
 25—2 
 
194 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 irapireov r)fiiv, on Br/ 01 KeicTijfievoi to? 
 iv Bv&unkp ot/a'aT, y3a/3/8apot? ivravda 
 Kd/raXveiv "jrape^o/ievoi, hnaKUTfivpiois pA- 
 \i<TTa o\i<tw, ov% 07TW9 T&v afaripav ovi- 
 vaaBai ovSa/Mrj evxpv, aWa /cat irpoaerpl,- 
 j3ovro iW/ed\oi? erepoit;. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I94 
 
 say that at one time there were 70,000 
 barbarians at Constantinople, whom house 
 owners were obliged to quarter, being thus 
 shut out from all enjoyment of their own, 
 and in many other ways inconvenienced. 
 
195 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION KA'. 
 
 a. Ou fj,t)v ovSe ra e? tov<; arpa- 
 TicoTas avrq elpyaafieva o-iwiry Boreov' oh 
 Si) tovtow; hvk(ni\aev, avQpwrwv a-wavTwv 
 ■Xprffiara (7<£a? on TrXeiora guWiyew 
 ivOivSe KeKevaat;, e5 etSoVa? w? fiolpa toiv 
 TropiadTjtrofiivtov r/ StoSeKarrj aiiTOK Keiaerai. 
 "Ovofia Be AoyoOera? auTot? eOero. 01 Be 
 ava irav eVo? eirevoovv rdSe. Ta<: trrpa- 
 Tta)Tt«a? ffwTttfei? ov)£ o/Wa>; vo/ios ypPV' 
 yeiadai e<be!jr)s onracriv, aXKa veoi? fiev en 
 avTol<! oi<n, ical arpaTevcrafievois aprim, 
 eXdaamv 6 7ro/W TrevovqKoai he ical 
 fiecroR ttov i]Br) KaraXoyov yeyevqixevois, eiri 
 fiet^ov x<opel. Teyr)paic6<n /xevrot, km fiiX- 
 Xovat tj}s (TTpareia<i afyieaOat, ttoXXw en 
 tcofnrcoSeoTepa j; o-vvTaj-ti, 6V<0? avrol ts 
 to Xoivbv IBiq fiiovvres, e? to aTro^rjv 
 Stup/caxj expievj ical etreihdv air ails ijufifie- 
 Tprfaao~6ai rbv j3iov %v[i[3avri, irapa^jrv^ijv 
 Tiva Ttov oliceiuv airohnrelv Tot? Kara rrjv 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I95 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 I must not, however, omit to men- 
 tion the manner in which Justinian treated 
 the soldiers. He appointed commis- 
 sioners, called Logothetae, 1 with directions 
 to squeeze as much money as they could 
 out of them, a twelfth part of the sum 
 thus obtained being assured to them. 
 The following was their mode of opera- 
 tion every year. It was an established 
 custom that the soldiers should not all 
 have the same pay. Those who were 
 young, and had just joined, received less 
 than those who had undergone hardships 
 in the field and were already half-way up 
 the list; while the veterans, whose term 
 of service was all but over, received a 
 more considerable sum, that they might 
 have sufficient to live upon as private in- 
 dividuals, and, after their death, might be 
 able to leave a small inheritance by way 
 1 Chancellors, or, Commissioners. 
 
1 96 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 olicLav BvvaTol etev. 'O toivw xpovos t&v 
 (TTpariwTSiV tov<; /caraSeeo-Tepowi e? t&v 
 TeTeXetrrj/tfOTGw, fy tjJ? arpaTeiwi afe/ievcov 
 tovs /3a0/iov<; del dva/3ij3d£o)v, irpvTavevei 
 Kara irpeafiela to? iic tov Snj/ioaiov trvvrd- 
 £et? etcdoTty. 'AW* oi \oyo6erai KaXovfievot 
 ovk eiwv oe t&v KcnaXoymv d<paipelo~0ai 
 ra t&v TereXevTtjKOTwv ovofiara, /caiirep 
 6p,ou Sia<p0eipofieva>v, a\\m<s re Kal Kara 
 Toiif 7ro\e/toi»s avj(yov<i ytvojievovi t&v 
 TrXeiaToyv. Ov firjv ovSe tovs KaTaKoyov; 
 eTi eifkrjpovv, Kal Tavra ^povov avxyov. 
 
 j8'. Kal air aiiTOv irepteiaTi^Kei, tj) 
 fiev irokiTelq tov t&v o-rpaTevojikvwv dpiQ- 
 fibv evheeaTepov del elvai, t&v aTpariwT&v 
 tow trepiovai -rrpos t&v irdXai TeTeKevTrjico- 
 t&v 8ub0ov(ievoi<;, iirl fioipai irapa ti\v 
 d^lav rfj<! tca,Ta8ee<TTepa<i diro\e\el<p0ai, ra? 
 Te ^WTa^eK ehaaaovwi rj kcito, tt)V irpocri]- 
 Kovaav KOfil£ear6ai Ta^iv, tor Se \oyo0eVai? 
 8ia\ayj(dveiv 'IovaTivtava t&v GTpaTiWTut&v 
 Xpr)p.aTa>v iravra tovtov tov %povov. "Etv 
 /iivTOt, ical aWats tyifii&v (Seat? 7ro\\afc 
 tov<s arpaTUUTas dtreicvcuov, &o-trep d/ieifio- 
 fievoi t&v iv to?? 7ro\e/iot? teivSvvwv, eiri- 
 KakovvTes tois fiev to? TpaiKot elev, marrep 
 ovk i^ov t&v dtrb t»)s to Trapdirav tw\ 
 yevvaiip yevkaOat, toi? he a>? ovk iirne- 
 Taypevov 7r/>o? /3acriXew? o-<picri, arpaTevec- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I96 
 
 of consolation to their families. Thus, in 
 course of time, the soldiers gradually rose 
 in rank, according as their comrades died 
 or retired from the service, and their pay 
 from the public funds was regulated in 
 accordance with their seniority. But 
 these commissioners would not allow the 
 names of those who had died or fallen 
 in battle to be struck out, or the va- 
 cancies to be filled, until a long interval 
 had elapsed. The result was, that the 
 army was short of men, and the survivors, 
 after the death of the veterans, were kept 
 in a position far inferior to their merits, 
 and received less pay than they ought to 
 have done, while in the meantime the 
 commissioners handed over to Justinian 
 the money they thus purloined from the 
 soldiers. In addition, they harassed the 
 soldiers with several other kinds of in- 
 justices, by way of recompense for the 
 dangers they had undergone in the field ; 
 they were taunted with the name of 
 Greeks, as if Greece could never produce 
 a brave soldier ; others were cashiered, 
 as not having been ordered by the 
 
197 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 6cu, icaiirep dp,<j>i tout® ypdp,para fiacriXean; 
 ivSeucvv/AevoR, onrep oi \oyo8erai 8ia/3dX\eiv 
 ovSefiia o/cvrjcrei eroXfimv, oXKok Be, oti 
 Br) twv kraipuv r)fiepa<; a^turiv cnro\e\ei<p8ai 
 Tiva<i %vfil3ai)). 
 
 y. "Tarepov ical t&v ev •ndXaTiw 
 (fiuXdicwv rives, dvd iraaav areWofievoi rr/v 
 'Pcofiaiav apyfav, Bi7)pevva>vro BrjOev t«5 
 Xoyw ev toi? KarakoyoK tous e? to crrpa- 
 reiieadai einrrfieiovi ovrat <a? r\Kiara, ical 
 avr&v rivets p-ev, are d%pebov$ ovras ical 
 yeyrjpa/coTas, chpaipelaOat ras %u>va<; eroX- 
 p,a>v, o'irrep to Xonrbv e'« ran evcrefiaiivTwv 
 ev rm 8r)pjOO~la> t»J? dyopd<; TrpoaaiTovvres 
 Tpo<f>r)V, SaKpvwv re ical o\o<f>vpaea<s del 
 7rpo(f>dcrei<s rots evrvy^dvovcriv eyivovro iracn, 
 tov<; Bk \omovs, 07tg>? Br) pr/ ravra ical 
 avrol TreiarwvTai, y_pr)pMra p,eyd\a eirpur- 
 rero * &crre irdvrav roils arparuoras, are 
 rpoirois eicvevevptcrp,6vov<; rroWois, •Krco^ore- 
 povs re yeyovevai, kcu ovSapfj e? to woXe- 
 fielv Trpo6v/j,ela8ai gvveftr). 
 
 b". " OBev ' P(op.aloi$ ical to ev , Ira\ia 
 TrpdyfiaTa \e\vo~0ai %vveireaev, oi Bfj 
 AXe^avSpos 6 Xoyodirrji; oraXel's, Tot? pev 
 crrparuorais ravra emieaXelv ovBepia OKvr\aei 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 197 
 
 Emperor to serve, although they showed 
 their commissions, the genuineness of 
 which the Logothetae did not hesitate to 
 call in question ; others, again, were dis- 
 banded for having absented themselves 
 a short time from their quarters. After- 
 wards, some of the Palace Guards .were 
 sent into every part of the Empire to 
 take an exact inventory of the soldiers 
 who were or were not fit for service. 
 Some were deprived of their belts, as 
 being useless and too old, and for the 
 future were obliged to solicit alms from 
 the charitable in the open market-place 
 — a sad and melancholy spectacle to all 
 beholders. The rest were reduced to 
 such a state of terror that, in order to 
 avoid similar treatment, they offered large 
 sums of money to buy themselves out, so 
 that the soldiers, being thus rendered 
 destitute and in many ways enfeebled, 
 conceived an utter aversion to the service. 
 This endangered the authority of the 
 Romans, especially in Italy. Alexander, 
 who was sent thither as commissioner, 
 unhesitatingly reproached the soldiers for 
 
198 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 iddppei' rovf Se 'IraXov'i j(pr)fiara etrparrev, 
 rmv i<s QevSepvvov ical Tordovt ireiroKirev- 
 fikvwv duvveadat (pdcricmv. Ov fiovot Se ol 
 (TTpaTiS>Tai trevla re ical diropLa irpo% r&v 
 Xoyofferaiv emk^oVTo, dXKa ical ol izaaiv 
 vTTTjpeTovvres Tots ffT/jarijyots TrafnfK.rjdel'i re 
 ical Soj-r) p&y&kg Ta irporepa oWes, Xtfico 
 ical irevia Seivf/ fyOovro. Ov yap elyav odev 
 nra elmOora cnplcrt iroplcrovrai . 
 
 e. npocOtfcrco Se it, tovtois ical erepov, 
 eirel p.e 6 r&v o~Tpano)T&v \670s e? tovto ayet. 
 Ol 'Pcofiaiav fiefiamXevKorei; ev toIs avw 
 Xp6voi,<} iravra^ocre tuv t»)s iroXnela? icrya- 
 TiStv irdfiiroKv Ka-Teo-rqaavro crrparicorav ifKr)- 
 6o%, iirl (pvKaicfi rStv bpicov ttjs 'P<o/xalwv 
 upX*)?) Kai icara rrjv emav fidXicrra /lolpav 
 Tairrj Ta? hcpoSovs Ilepcrmv re ical Sapa- 
 ktjvwv owMTTeWoj/Te?, ovoirep Ai/iiTavaiovs 
 iicdXovv. Tovtois 6 fiacrikeiii tear' dp^af fieu 
 omw St] irapepym re ical (pavXw; e^prjro, 
 ware recrcrdpwv r) irevte avrol<s iviavr&v Tew 
 (Twrd^ewv row ypprpyoiK vireprffiepovs elvaf 
 ical eireiSav ' Pcofiaiois re ical Heparan eipi'jvri 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN I98 
 
 this. He also exacted large sums of 
 money from the Italians, under the pre- 
 tence of punishing them for their nego- 
 tiations with Theoderic and the Goths. 
 The soldiers were not the only persons 
 who were reduced to poverty and pri- 
 vation by the commissioners ; but those 
 who had accompanied the generals in 
 different capacities and had formerly en- 
 joyed a high reputation, found themselves 
 in great distress, as they had no means 
 of procuring the ordinary necessaries. 
 Since I am speaking of the soldiers, I 
 will give a few additional details. Pre- 
 ceding Emperors had, for a very long 
 time past, carefully posted upon all the 
 frontiers of the Empire a large military 
 force to protect its boundaries, and par- 
 ticularly, in the Eastern provinces, in 
 order to repel the inroads of the Per- 
 sians and Saracens, they had established 
 garrisons called " frontier troops." Jus- 
 tinian at first treated these troops with 
 such shameful neglect that their pay 
 was four, or even five years in arrear ; 
 and, when peace was concluded between 
 
igg riPOKOIIIOY ANBKAOTA 
 
 yevoiro, i)va<yKa£pvTO ol TaXaiircopoi ovtoi, 
 are tcaX avTol t&v e« t?}? elprjvqs aya0£>v 
 airoXavffovTes, %p6vov prjTOv Ta$ 6<pei\ofievas 
 afy'uri avvTa^eit tu> 8r]fj.o<Ti(p j(api£eo~9ai' vcne- 
 pov Se Kal ainb rf}$ crTpareLas; ovop.a avrovs 
 acpelXero ovSevl \6yip. To \onrbv ra fiev 
 opia Trji 'P(Ofiai(ov a.pyfj'i q^vkaicT-qplayv i/croi 
 efieive, ol Se arpartSnai ifjaTrivala)? efikeirov 
 eh toiv eba-ejUeiv eltoOormv ras j(eZpa<i. 
 
 ?•'. "Erepoi arpaTitoTat, ov% rjcrcrow; rj 
 irevTatcoaioi leal rpiff^tKioi, ra if; ap^»y? iirl 
 (f>v\aKjj tov iraXariov KarearijtravTo, ovarirep 
 SjfoKaptovi Kakovaiv. Kal aiiTOi<i avvTiif-eR 
 aveicaOev, ifkelovs rj roh a\\oi<s a-rraai, to 
 Sf}/j.6aiov del yopnyelv eioode. Tovtovs ol irpd- 
 repov fiev dpiffTivSrjv diroXe^ai'Te? e£ 'Ap/ie- 
 viwv, e? ravTTjv Bfj tt}v n/xrjv ryyoV ef ov Se 
 Zrivmv ttjp 0acn\eiav trapekafie, iracriv e%ov- 
 cria iyevero, Kal dvdvSpois Kal d,7ro\i/j.oi<i 
 ovat iravTcnraat, tovtov Btj tov 6v6fiaTO<; eVt- 
 /3a,Teveiv. UpoiovTos Be tov %p6vov, Kal dvSpd- 
 iroSa KaTaTidevre<; Tlprj/xa tt)v arpaTeiav 
 (ovovvro TavTrjv. Hvi/ea toivvv 'Jovcth'o? 
 tt]v fiaoCkeLav irapekafiev, ovto<s 'lovaTtwa- 
 vbs iroWovs eh Trjv Tiprjv KaTeanjo-aTO Tav- 
 Ttjv, 'XfiriixaTa fieydXa TrepifiaWofievos. 'Eirel 
 Se tovtois KaraXoyoit ovSeva ivSetv to Xonrbv 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 199 
 
 Rome and Persia, these unhappy indi- 
 viduals, who expected to enjoy the advan- 
 tages of peace, were obliged to make a 
 present to the treasury of the money due 
 to them ; and the Emperor finally dis- 
 banded them most unjustly. Thus the 
 frontiers of the Roman Empire remained 
 ungarrisoned, and the troops had nothing 
 to subsist upon except the benevolence of 
 the charitable. 
 
 There was a certain body of soldiers, 
 about 3,500 in number, called " Scholares," 
 who had been originally appointed as an 
 imperial palace-guard, and received a 
 larger pay from the imperial treasury 
 than the rest of the army. They were 
 first chosen according to merit from the 
 Armenians ; but, from the reign of. Zeno, 
 anyone, however cowardly and unwar- 
 like, was allowed to enter this body. In 
 course of time, even slaves, on payment 
 of a sum of money, were admitted to 
 their ranks. When Justin succeeded to 
 the throne, Justinian enrolled a large 
 number on payment of considerable sums 
 of money. When the list was filled up, 
 
26o nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 f/trdeTO, erepovt avrois e? Sia-^tkiovt eWe#et- 
 Kev, ovavep 'TirepapiOfiovi enaKovv. 'EweiSrj 
 Se ai>TO<; rr)v j3aat\tiav eayev, tovtow} Si) 
 tow 'Tirepapldfiovs arreaeUraTO avrUa paka, 
 rStv jy}T)/j.d.T(Dv ovS oriovv diroSove <r<j>iaiv. 
 
 £' '. '.E? fievroi tov? eWos tow tS>v 2x°~ 
 Xapiuv aptdfwv 6Wa? iirevoei -rdSe. 'HviKa 
 a-rpdjevfjia eirl Ai^vrjv i) 'IrakLav $ eirl 
 Ilepaav cos arakijo-eTat, imSofjov ?]v, Kal ai- 
 Tot? oj? ^uarrpaTevaovcriv iir^yyeKKs ava- 
 Kevd^eadai, Kaiirep e%eiri<nd[ievo'i ifftTrjSews 
 avToii<; e? to aTparevetrOai ws tfici<rTa e^etv' 
 ol Se, tovto iva fii) yevrjrai Seuravre?, %p6vov 
 ol pj)Tov Tat avvTot^ws dtpleaav. Tama fiep 
 Tot? 2xp\apiot$ nroXkdtCK %wqve)(6r) iraOelv. 
 
 Kal ZTeVpo? Be, tov diravTa xpovov 
 rfliiita tt)v rov MaylffTpov KaXovfievov el^ev 
 dpyrp, del Kaff. rj/xepav avTov? K\oTral<; dp.v- 
 drjTois dire/cvaie. Ilpaos fiev yap ?\v, Kal <us 
 rJKuna vJ3pl£eiv elSais, tfXeTm'oTOTOS Se avQpw- 
 itwv anravTom, Kal pvirov ala^pov dre^vw 
 e/U7r\e<B?. Tovtov tov Herpov kov tok ep,- 
 trpoadev \670ts ifivtfa-dijv, are tov 'AfiaXa- 
 aovv6f\<i <f)6vop, t»}? &evSepl%ov 7raioo?, elpyaa- 
 fievov. 
 
 i\ . Elal Se Kal hrepot, twv iv iraXarim 
 iro\v d^iwrepoi' eVet Kal irXeta) to Srifj.6ai.ov 
 avroK xopijyeiv elmdev, are Kal fieifo kotu- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 200 
 
 he added about 2,000 more who were 
 
 called " Supernumeraries," but disbanded 
 
 them, when he himself came to the 
 
 throne, without any reimbursement. In 
 
 regard to these " Scholares," he invented 
 
 the following plan : Whenever it was 
 
 probable that an expedition would be 
 
 despatched to Italy, Libya, or Persia, he 
 
 ordered them to make ready to take part 
 
 in the campaign, although he knew that 
 
 they were utterly unfit for war; and they, 
 
 being afraid of this, surrendered their 
 
 salaries to the Emperor. This was a 
 
 frequent occurrence. When Peter was 
 
 " Master of Offices," he daily harassed 
 
 them with monstrous thefts. This man, 
 
 although he was of a mild and by no 
 
 means overbearing disposition, was the 
 
 greatest thief in the world and an absolute 
 
 slave to sordid avarice. He it was who 
 
 (as I have related) contrived the murder 
 
 of Amalasunta, the daughter of Theodoric. 
 
 There are in the imperial household 
 
 other officers of much higher rank, who, 
 
 having purchased their positions for a 
 
 larger sum, receive better pay in pro- 
 
 26 
 
201 nPOKOHIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ridelm tov tj)? <7Tpa.Tela<; dvo/xaros ra Tip,tf- 
 fiaia, 01 St) Aap,ko~Ti,Koi re km U port] kto pes 
 einicaXowTat, Kal dveKaBev dp,e\eTrjToi elai 
 iroKefxiaiv epycov. Taverns yap Kal irpoamirov 
 eve/en fiovov iv TraXama) eidodaai KaTaXkyea- 
 Qai. Kal clvtwv 01 p,ev iv Bv&vrlcp, ol Be 
 eVi re TaXarlas e« -iraKaiov Kal 'xeapmv 
 eT&ptov iSpvvrai. 'AXkd Kal tovtovs 'Iovan- 
 vtavbs, TpoTTto del 8e8io~<r6p,evo<; too elprjp.eva, 
 p,edleo~6ai r/vdyKa^e twv Trpoo~riKovo~5)v atpiat 
 awrdf-eav. 
 
 6'. 'Ev Ke<paXaiw Be tovto eip^a-erau 
 No/ios fjv dvd TrevTaeT^ptBa kitdaTr\v tov 
 fiacriXea t£>v orpaTiatrSiv (skocttov Bmpeiadai 
 ■XpvaLto TaKTU). Ue/A7roi'Te9 Be dva irevTaeres 
 TravTwypo-e rrjs 'Pmpaucv dp^rj'i, irape'v)(OVT0 
 araTrjpav 'xpvaow ffTparuoTj] e/eacrft) irevre. 
 Kai tovto ov% olov Te r\v p/r) irpda-o~eaQa\, aet 
 firj^avfj vdarj. 'E^ otov Be dvrjp oBe Biat- 
 Kr\araTO ttjv iroXiTelav, toiovto ovBev ovre 
 Bieirpd^aro, ovre ip,iXKr)<re, Kalirep j^povov Bvo 
 Kal TpidicovTa iviavribv TpifievTO<s fjBr), ware 
 Kal \t]6t}u tov epyov tovtov toi<; dvBpdmofi 
 yeveadai. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 201 
 
 portion. These are called " Domestics " 
 and " Protectors." They have always 
 been exempt from military service, and 
 are only reckoned members of the palace 
 on account of their dignity and rank. 
 Some of them are constantly in Byzan- 
 tium, while others have long been esta- 
 blished in Galatia or other provinces. 
 Justinian frightened these in the same 
 manner into abandoning their salaries to 
 him. In conclusion, it was the custom 
 that, every five years, the Emperor should 
 present each of the soldiers with a fixed 
 sum in gold. Accordingly, every five 
 years, commissioners were despatched to 
 all parts of the Empire, to bestow five 
 staters of gold upon every soldier as 
 a gift from the Emperor. This had 
 long been an established and inviolable 
 practice. But, from the day that Jus- 
 tinian assumed the management of affairs, 
 he did nothing of the kind, and showed 
 no intention of doing so during the 
 thirty-two years of his reign, so that the 
 custom was almost completely forgotten. 
 
 26 — 2 
 
202 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION KE'. 
 
 a'. Tivcl rpoirov Se Kal aXkov rrj<s e? 
 row KaTTjKoows \erjka(rla<} ipSsv ep^o/iai. 01 
 f3aai\ei re Kal Tat? appals iv Bv&VTitp, ^ 
 OTrXi^ofievoi, rj ypafi/xara Sta^eipi^ovTet, rj 
 aWo otiovv vTrrjpeTOVVTe?, rcuraovTai pkv iv 
 rots /caraXoyois dpyyv ecryaroi. Hpo'iovTo<; 
 Se tov xpovov dvaftaivovres del e? t&v diro- 
 lyivofievmv rj inreljiovTWV rrjv j^copav, rdijem 
 e/cacTTOi Tr)<s war' avrovs e? roSe ympovcnv, em 
 av ris fiaOfiov e7rij6e/S)7«a>? tov irpcorov, 77817 
 it to rfjt Tifirji; d<f)iKrjTai irepat. 
 
 Kal roit it tovto d^icofiarot \\kovo~i, 
 Xpr)/j.aTa iic iraKaiov SiariraKTai roa-avra to 
 TrXrjdot, ware ifkeov dva irav erot rj it eicarov 
 'Xpvaov dyeipecrBai, KevTqvdpia rovroit, (iced) 
 avrovt Te yt]poKop,elcr8ai Kal t&v aXKav iroX- 
 Xoit /ieTe^eiv avTois dxpeXeiat e« tov iifi 
 trKelaTov rots evOev %vve/3aive, rr)t Te 7ro\tTe/as 
 rci irpdyfmTa iirl fieya eviroplat del rainy 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 202 
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 
 I will now proceed to mention 
 another mode in which he plundered 
 his subjects. Those who, at Byzantium, 
 serve the Emperor or magistrates, either 
 as secretaries, or in a military or any 
 other capacity, are placed last upon the 
 list of officials. As time goes on, they 
 are gradually promoted to the place of 
 those who have died or retired, until they 
 reach the highest rank and supreme 
 dignity. Those who had attained to this 
 honour, in accordance with an ancient 
 institution, had the right to the enjoy- 
 ment of a fund of not less than ioo 
 centenars of gold yearly, so that they 
 might have a comfortable means of sub- 
 sistence for their old age, and might be 
 able to assist others as much as possible; 
 and this was of great influence in bringing 
 about a successful administration of the 
 
203 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 e)(wpei. 'AWa /SacrtXev? oBe, tovtmv avTOiii; 
 aTroo-Tepj]<Tas o-)(eB6v Tt airavTWV, avroK re icai 
 roU a\\ot,<; dvdpcoTTOK rca/ca tfvey/cev. 'Atyapkvrj 
 yap aiiT&v rj irevia, irpwrov, elra Kal Bia rwv 
 aXKuv e^mpei, oh n Kal irpoTepov d)<j>e\eia<} 
 fMerrjv. Kal rjv Tt? t^i» ^vpsireirraKvlav avroh 
 evdevBe ^qfiiav i<s eTr] Bvo Kal rpidicovTa Bia- 
 piOfwiTO, evprjaet to fiirpop, &virep at/Toil? 
 airoo-T€pe?o~6ai %weireo~e. Toil's fiev arparevo- 
 fievovs ovtod<s 6 rvpavvo<i Biexptjo-aro. 
 
 /3'. "Airep Be am i^eh e/wrdpoi/? re Kal 
 vavrw; Kal fiavavo-ovs Kal dyopaiovs dv6pd>- 
 7rou5, St' avr&v re Kal e? tovi aWou? fmavTa? 
 etpyeurrai, tppdcrcov epxppai. Hopdp.w Bvo 
 eKaTepasdev Bv^avrlov iarov, erepo? fiev e<j> 
 'EXKmjaTTovTov a/Jb(]>l 1,r)o-r6v re Kal "AfSvBov, 
 6 Be Bf] erepo? iirl tov o-r6p,aro<i tov Evl-eivov 
 KaKovfievov Ilovrov, ov to 'Iepbv ovofid^erai. 
 , Ev /lev ovv tS 'EXKrjo-irovrov irop6fiij> Te\u>- 
 velov /jiiv iv Brjfioo-lm a>? r/Kio-Ta rjv. "Apywv 
 Be rt? eK fiaa-ikias erreWo/tei/o? iv 'AfivBq 
 Kadrjo-TO, Biepevvd>nevo<i fiev, ffv raw? oirXa 
 fyipovaa e's Bv^dvTiov oi /3a<n\«»? lot yvatfiri, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 203 
 
 affairs of state. But Justinian deprived 
 them of all their privileges, and did great 
 harm, not only to them, but to many 
 others besides, for the poverty which 
 attacked them extended to all those who 
 formerly shared their prosperity. If any- 
 one were to calculate the sums of which 
 they were thus deprived during these 
 thirty-two years, he would find that the 
 amount was very considerable. Such was 
 the shameful manner in which the tyrant 
 treated his soldiers. 
 
 I will now relate how he behaved 
 towards merchants, mariners, artisans, 
 shopkeepers and others. There are two 
 narrow straits on either side of Byzan- 
 tium, the one in the Hellespont, between 
 Sestos and Abydos, the other at the 
 mouth of the Euxine Sea, close to the 
 chapel of the Holy Mother. In the strait 
 upon the Hellespont, there was no public 
 custom-house, but an officer was sent by 
 the Emperor to Abydos, to see that no 
 ship loaded with arms should pass on 
 the way to Byzantium without the Em- 
 peror's leave, and also that no person 
 
204 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Kal f)v Tt? eK Bv^avrwv avaryoiro, ov <pepo- 
 /j.evo<s ypappara t&v dvBpSiv Kal crrjfieia, oh 
 eiriiceiTaL rj rifir) avrij' (ov yap 6ejii<s two. 
 eic Bv^avriov dvayeo-dai ovk d<j>eifievov iTjOo? 
 r&v dvBpwv, oi tj7 rov Mayiarpov KaXov/iivov 
 dpj^y virovpyovcrf) 7rpaTTo/J.evo<; Be roil*} r&v 
 rrXolmv Kvpiovi, reXos ovBevl a'lo-drjaiv irape- 
 yppevov iXdfiftavev" 6 Be iirl irop0/iov rov 
 erepov o-TeX\6/i,evo$ fiio-66v del 7rpo? j3ao-t\ia<i 
 KeKop,iafievo<i %v, Kal Stepevva>fievo<} e? to cucpi- 
 /3e? tavra, airep fioi e'lp-qrai, Kal rjv n e? rov? 
 ftapfidpov? KO/ii^otTO, ot irapd rov Evifewov 
 'IBpvvrai rrovrov, &vrrep ov 6e/u<; ex 'Pa/Malav 
 rfjs yfjs es rovs 7ro\ejiit'ou? KOfii^eadar oiBev 
 p,evToi egfjv tw dvBpl tovtw irpbs r&v rijBe 
 vavTiKKop,evwv rvpoaieaQai. 
 
 y'. 'Ef ov Be 'Iovo-Tiviavb? ttjv /6a<7t- 
 Xelav nrapehafte, reXutvelov re Br)[ioo~i,ov Karea- 
 rrjo-aro ev rropd/j,^ eKarepw, Kal fiio-doipopovf 
 dpj(ovra<i Bvo es del wepvimv, p.io-Quo'iv p>ev 
 axiTOK •jrapeix^ T V V i;vyKei[ievr]v, eirtfyyeXke 
 Be xptf/iard ol ort, rfkelara evdevBe drrotpepeiv 
 Bwdfiei rfj rrdarj. Oi Be aX\o ovBev rj evvoiav 
 ttjv eV avrbv evBeUvvaBai ev airovBrj ej(pvTe<;, 
 drrat-diravra 7rpb<; r&v rfkeovrcov r& r&v <f>op- 
 TtW Ti/M^fiara \r]L^6/jbevoi,, drrrfSXdao'ovro. 'Ev 
 p,ev ovv iropBfiS eKarepa) ravra eiroiei. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 204 
 
 should put out to sea from Byzantium 
 without letters of licence signed by the 
 proper official, no ship being allowed to 
 leave the city without the permission of 
 the secretaries of the Master of Offices. 
 The amount which the praetor exacted 
 from the shipmasters under the name of 
 toll was so insignificant that it was dis- 
 regarded. A praetor was also sent to 
 the other strait, who received his salary 
 regularly from the Emperor, and whose 
 duties were the same — to take care that 
 no one transported to the barbarians on 
 the Euxine any wares, the export of 
 which to hostile countries was forbidden ; 
 but he was not allowed to exact any 
 duties from these navigators. But, from 
 the day that Justinian succeeded to the 
 government of affairs, he established a 
 custom-house on both straits, and sent 
 thither two officials to collect the dues 
 at a fixed salary, who were ordered to 
 get in as much money as they could. 
 These officials, who desired nothing better 
 than to- show their devotion to him, ex- 
 torted duty upon all kinds of merchandise 
 
205 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 B'. 'Ev Be Bv£avTiq> eirevoei rdSe. T&v 
 Tivd ol eTTiTr}Semv irpovcrTijo-aro, Svpov fiiv 
 yevo<s, ovofia Be ''ABBeov, a> Br) iirtfyeXKev ex 
 vrj&v t&v ivravOa icaTaipova&v ovqalv Tivd ol 
 iropi%eo~6ai. 'O Be ifKota airavra ra Karai- 
 povra e's tov Bv^dvTiov \ip,iva ovKeri r)(plei, 
 aXka roii<; vavKXijpows r) tok Ti/Mjfiao'iv efyifilov 
 vrj&v t&v o~(]>eTepa>v, r) dvatpopeiv es re Aij3vr]v 
 Kal 'ItoXiciv TjvdjKa^e. Kal avr&v ol fiev 
 owe dvTi<popTi%eo-dai ovre OaXaTTOvpyelv eri 
 rj6e\ov, dX\a KavaavTes to o-fyerepa irXota, 
 evOvs ao-p,evoi dvrjkXdo-o-ovTO. "Oaoii fievToi 
 errrdvayKe<i t)v etc Tawr/? Bf) Trjs ipyacrias tov 
 fiiov iroieiadai, ovtoi TpnfKacriav irph<; t&v 
 epnropmi ttjv fiiadmo'iv iceicofiicrfievoi,, to Xovrrbv 
 iq^opn^ovTo, rofc re ifiiropoii irepieiaT^Kei rav- 
 T7}v atplffiv aiiTolt ttjv fyj/Miav Trpos t&v to, 
 <popria wvovfievatv IdaaoBcu, ovtw re Xifio/cro- 
 velo-Qai trdcr/ p.rj^avfj toi)? 'Pm/jLaiovi !-vvi- 
 fiaivev. 
 
 e . 'AXkd Tavra fiev TrjBe Kara, ttjv 
 iroXneiav eabepeTo. ')A Be Kal e? to, nepjiaTa 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 205 
 
 In regard to the port of Byzantium, he 
 made the following arrangement : — He 
 put it in charge of one of his confidants, 
 a Syrian by birth, named Addeus, whom 
 he ordered to exact duty from all vessels 
 which put in there. This Addeus would 
 not allow those ships which had been 
 any length of time in the harbour to 
 leave it, until the masters had paid a sum 
 of money to free them, or else he com- 
 pelled them to take on board a freight 
 for Libya or Italy. Some, resolved not 
 to take in a return cargo or to remain 
 at sea any longer, burned their ships and 
 thus escaped all anxiety, to their great 
 rejoicing. But all those who were obliged 
 to continue their profession in order to 
 live, for the future demanded three times 
 the usual amount from merchants for the 
 hire of the ships, and thus the merchants 
 had no means of covering their losses 
 except by requiring a higher price from 
 purchasers ; and thus, by every possible 
 contrivance, the Romans were reduced to 
 the danger of starvation. Such was the 
 general state of affairs. I must not, how- 
 
206 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rots /3a&i\evviv e'lpyaerrai, ov [iol iraptreov 
 ocofiat elvai. Tav yap dpyvpa/jioifimv rrpore- 
 pov Select, Kal 8mko<t£ov<; o^SoXoi?, ofis <pokei<; 
 koXovctiv, inrep evb<; trrarrfpo'; ftpvaov rrpot- 
 eaOat rols ijvfifiaXKovo-iv eiwdorcav, avroi em- 
 re'xywfievoi, KepSrj oiKeia, oySo^Kovra eicarbv 
 p,6vov<; iirrep rov ararrjpo<s SlSotrdai tous ofto- 
 Xovs SierdljavTO. Tavrrjv Se vo/iio-fiaTo? e/cda-- 
 rov xpvaov etcrrpi drrerepov fiolpav irdvreov 
 dvOpdmwv. 
 
 f . 'Eirel Se oi ^SaffiXets oSroi, raiv wv'uav 
 ra ifKelara et? ra /caXovfteva rrepia , rria , avre<s 
 fiovoTTcokia, row ri mvr\aa<j6ai /3ov\o/iivov<} 
 del Ka6' £KacrT7]v dnrerrvvyov fxova Se avroi? 
 dvetyairra ra rf}<i eadrjTo? eKekeiirro rrm- 
 \r\rr\pia, pjty^avwvrai Kal dficp' avroK rdSe. 
 '1/j.dria to, eK fierd^rj<!, ev Bi)pvra> fiev Kal 
 Tvpm TToKecn, rah em $oivUr)<;, epyd^eaOai 
 eK rraXaiov elcoOei. O'L re rovrmv efmropol 
 re ical imSrfpiovpyol Kal rej(ylrai, evravda 
 rb dveKadev wkovv, ivde'vSe re i$ yrjv aira- 
 aav (pepeadai to ifiiroKijfia rovro %vve[Saivev. 
 'EttI Se 'Iovo-rtviavov /3acri\evovTO<:, oi eirl 
 ravrr) rfj epyao-ia. ev re Bv&vrim ical tro- 
 Xeert rah aXXats ovre<i, afjiarepav direSiSovro 
 rrjv io-6rjra ravrrjv, alriob/jLevoi fieVjav fiev 
 rj rrporepov ev xpovq rw rtapdvn inrep avrrj? 
 KaraftaKkeadai rb ripyrjfia IHp&ais, irKeim 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 206 
 
 ever, omit to state the manner in which 
 the rulers dealt with the small coinage. 
 The money-changers had formerly been 
 accustomed to give 210 obols (called 
 Pholes) for a single gold stater. Justi- 
 nian and Theodora, for their own private 
 gain, ordered that only 180 obols should 
 be given for the stater, and by this means 
 deprived the public of a sixth part of 
 each piece of gold. Having established 
 "monopolies" upon most wares, they in- 
 cessantly harassed would-be purchasers. 
 The only thing left free from duty was 
 clothes, but, in regard to these also, the 
 imperial pair contrived to extort money. 
 Silken garments had for a long time been 
 made in Berytus and Tyre, cities of 
 Phoenicia. The merchants and workmen 
 connected with the trade had been settled 
 there from very early times, and from 
 thence the business had spread through- 
 out the world. During the reign of Jus- 
 tinian, those who lived in Byzantium and 
 other cities raised the price of their silks, 
 on the plea that at the present time 
 they were dearer in Persia, and that the 
 
207 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Be vvv ra ZeiavrevTripia elvai iv yfj rf} 'Pa>- 
 fiaicov, Boicqcnv airaariv o avTOKparoap irape- 
 'XPfievos, on Srj inrl tovtm ayavaKToLr), vojup 
 airacriv direiire, fir) ir\eov r) 6/cto) %pvo~S>v 
 tj)? T0iavT7]<; iaOrJTO? rrjv \irpav etvat. Kal 
 irpoo-rifj^qfut eiceiTo rot? irapafir/o-Ofievois top 
 vofiou, w virap'XpvTmv arepeiadai, %p7}fid- 
 twv. Tavra avOpdnrois dfiry^avd re Kal cnropa 
 iBoicev Travrdvaariv elvai. Ov yap olov re r)v 
 tows i/j/rropowi, fietfyvos Tifir)s ra (popria ieavq- 
 fievovs, eKaaaovo's Tififjs rot? fjvfifiaWovaiv 
 diroBCBoadai. A to Br) ravrrjv fiev ttjv i/iiro- 
 piav epyo\aj3eiv ovieeri r/glovv, iirucXowwTepov 
 Be (popriav t&v afyiaiv aTroXeXei/ifievav iiroi- 
 ovvro Kara ^pa^i) ras irpdaeK, SjjXovoti rfitv 
 yvmpifioav Tio~iv, olairep Ta roiavra KaXXwwi- 
 %ew ra ctpeTep' airaiv irpoiefiivoK iv r/Bovj) rjv, 
 rj Tp6irq> rq> avayicalov eyivero. 
 
 7)'. Tlv Br\ r) fiacnXh itrty^idvpi^ovrav 
 Ttvav aladofievt), Kalirep ov fiaaavlaacra tcl 
 dpvkoiifieva, ^v/nravja evdv<; ra popria tow 
 dvOpayjrovs dtpelXero, Kal ypvalov avroiit e's 
 KevTTjvdpLov iiriTifiriaafievr}. "Apj^et Si rav- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 207 
 
 import tithes were higher. The Emperor 
 pretended to be exceedingly indignant 
 at this, and subsequently published an 
 edict forbidding a pound of silk to be 
 sold for more than eight gold pieces ; 
 anyone who disobeyed the edict was to 
 be punished by the confiscation of his 
 property. This measure appeared alto- 
 gether impracticable and absurd. For it 
 was not possible for the merchants, who 
 had bought their wares at a much higher 
 price, to sell it to customers at a lower 
 rate. They accordingly resolved to give 
 up this business, and secretly and without 
 delay disposed of their remaining wares to 
 certain well-known persons, who took de- 
 light in wasting their money upon such 
 adornments, and to whom it had become 
 in a manner an absolute necessity. Theo- 
 dora heard of this from certain persons 
 who whispered it confidentially, and, 
 without taking the trouble to verify the 
 report, she immediately deprived these 
 persons of their wares, and, in addition, 
 inflicted upon them a fine of a centenar 
 of gold. At the present time, the imperial 
 
208 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Tt)<; ev ye 'Pco/mioi? t?)? epyavia? 6 tois 
 l3acri\iKOi<; i(f>eaTm<s drjo-avpoli. Uk-rpov o& 
 tov Bapo-vdfirjv eirbKkrjaiv em ramtp Kara- 
 aTTjcrdfievoi tt)<s Tifirjs, oil iroXKu> varepov 
 eirey^copovv avrw irpdaaeiv dvoaia epya. Tow; 
 p£v a Wot/? airavTw; tov vbfiov e? to a«/H/8es 
 iSiKalov Trjpetv, roii? Se tov epyov tovtov 
 reyyira's airy vofitg dvay/cd%av epyd^eadai 
 iireSlSoTO, ov/cert, iTritepvirTOfievo 1 ;, dW ev r& 
 STjfioaia) tPjs dyopas, /3a<f>r}<: fiev tjj? irpocr- 
 TV%pv<xr)<; rfjv ovyiciav ov% fjo-ffov rj Kara e£ 
 j(pva&v, /3d/Afia,TO<s oe tov @a<n\iKOV, oirep 
 KaXeiv oXofirjpov vevoftitcacn, irkeov rj Teao-dpwv 
 koX e'hKocri ypvawv. 
 
 0'. Kal fiao-ikei ftev ivOevSe fieydka 
 %prjp,a.Ta e<pepev auTo? Se •jrepiftaWopevoi 
 ifkeim ekdvdavev, oirep air' avrov apjjdpevov 
 es del efieive. M6vo<s yap e? ToSe tov %pbvov 
 efiirop6<! Te dirapaKaXvirTw; Kal K.dirrjko<s tov 
 i/j,Tro\rj/jLaTO<; TOvSe Ka6Lo~TaTai. "Efnropoi nev 
 ovv oaot, irpoTepov tt)v epyacriav Tainrjv fiery- 
 ecrav, ev ts Bv^avTi'(f) KanroXet, eicdcrTr), 6aKaT- 
 Tovpyoi re Kal eyyeiot, icpipovTO, a>? to el/cb<s, 
 to, eK Tr)<s epyacrui<s KaKa. 'Ev Se irokecnv 
 6 S^/tios cr^eSw Tt o\o<s Tafc elpr]p.evai<; irpou- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 208 
 
 treasurer is charged with the superintend- 
 ence of this trade. When Peter Barsy- 
 ames held the office, they soon allowed 
 him all manner of licence in carrying out 
 his nefarious practices. He demanded 
 that all the rest should carefully observe 
 the law, and compelled those who were 
 engaged in the silk factories to work for 
 himself alone. Without taking any trouble 
 to conceal it, he sold an ounce of any 
 ordinary coloured silk in the public 
 market-place for six pieces of gold, but 
 if it was of the royal dye, called Holovere, 
 he asked more than four-and-twenty for 
 it. In this manner he procured vast 
 sums of money for the Emperor, and even 
 larger sums, which he kept privately for 
 himself; and this practice, begun by him, 
 continued. The grand treasurer is at this 
 moment avowedly the only silk merchant 
 and sole controller of the market. All 
 those who formerly carried on this busi- 
 ness, either in Byzantium or any other 
 city, workers on sea or land, felt the loss 
 severely. Nearly the whole population 
 of the cities which existed by such manu- 
 
 27 
 
2og iiPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 aiTT)Trj<; e£a7rwai&>? iyevero. Bdvavcroi ydp 
 dvOpmirot ical j^eipwvaKTai, Xifiw iraXaietv, &>? 
 to eiic6<;, 7}var]KajCpvT0' itoXKoi re o7r' avrov ttjv 
 iroKireiav fiera/3aX\,6fievoi, (pevyovres ifyovro 
 e? rd JJepa&v r\Qt\. Movos Be del 6 t&v 
 8rj(ravpS)v ap^cov, evepyoKafiwv to i/j,7r6\r]pa, 
 tovto, fiotpav /lev ffacrihei, acnrep eoprjTai, 
 iropmv r&v evdevBe aTroipepeiv qfjlov dvrb<s Be 
 rd irXeia <$>eponevo<s, Brmoaiaif avfi<popal<; 
 iirXovrei. Tavra fiev oiv rrjBe Ke^mprjKev. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 20g 
 
 factories were reduced to begging. Arti- 
 sans and mechanics were forced to 
 struggle against hunger, and many of 
 them, quitting their country, fled to 
 Persia. None but the chief treasurer 
 was allowed to have anything to do with 
 that branch of industry, and, while he 
 handed over part of his gains to the 
 Emperor, he kept the greater part for 
 himself, and thus grew wealthy at the 
 expense of the unfortunate public. 
 
 27 — 2 
 
2io nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION KS". 
 
 a'. "Ovriva Be rpoirov twv iroXewv tow? 
 k6<t/ji,ov<; Kal to, iyKaWeoiricrfiara irdvra, ev re 
 Bv&VTttp Kal 7ro\e4 eicdcrTr}, KadeXeiv layyaev, 
 avrixa epovfiev. 
 
 IIpS>Ta [lev tcaraXveiv rb r&v pr/ropcov 
 d^ioo/Ma eyvco. Td re yap eira8Xa a<pei\ero 
 avrovs aTravra, olcnrep rpvipav re ra trporepa 
 Kal iyKaXK(0Trl%eo-8ai t»?? avvqyopias afeifiivoi 
 elcoOaai, Kal SioofioTovs a-vviaraadai roiii Sia- 
 (pepo/xevov; eKeXevae, Kal cm avrov Trepiv(Spur- 
 ixkvoi ev iraKkr) darjfila eyevovro. 'Eirel Be 
 t&v re dirb t>j? avyKXtfrov /3ovXrj<; Kal ra>v 
 aXXcov evSai/xovcov Sokovvtcov elvai ev re Bv- 
 t,avri(p Kai iraarj ry ' Pco/ialwv ap^fj rrdaas, 
 wcnrep eppr^Qt], ra<; ovtrta? &<f>eiXero, dpyeiv rb 
 Xonrbv t& iirtrriBevpiari rovng eXeXecrrro. Ov 
 yap el%ov avdpooiroL Xoyov otovovv ovBev al-iov, 
 oinrep av a/j,<l>t,cr/37]Toiev aXXyXois. AvrUa 
 roivvv eK ttoXK&v p,ev oXlyoi, ii; evBoljoav he 
 Xiav Kopihrj aBol-oi, rravrayjiQi yeyovore? t>)s 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 2IO 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI 
 
 I must now relate how he robbed 
 Byzantium and other cities of their orna- 
 ments. In the first place he resolved to 
 humiliate the lawyers. He deprived them 
 of all the fees, which, after they had 
 finished their case, were considerable, 
 and enriched them and increased their 
 distinction. He ordered that litigants 
 should come to an agreement upon oath, 
 which brought the lawyers into contempt 
 and insignificance. After he had seized 
 the estates of the Senators and other 
 families reputed wealthy, in Byzantium 
 and throughout the Empire, the pro- 
 fession had little to do, for the citizens no 
 longer possessed property worth disputing 
 about. Thus, of the numerous and famous 
 orators who once composed this order 
 there remained only a few, who were 
 everywhere despised and lived in the 
 
211 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 yrjs, Treuiq fiev, t»s to eweo?, TroWy efyovro, 
 fiovrjv Be vfipiv tt)V airo tov epyov (pepo/ievoi 
 airrjXKdacrovTO. 
 
 /8'. '.4\Xa Kal roils laT poll's re ical BtBaaxd- 
 \ot>? twv iXevBepwv twv avayicaimv <TTepeio-0ai 
 ireirolr)Ke. Tas re yap o-iTr)0-eis } as ol vpinepov 
 /Se/SacrtXeuKore? e'« tov Brjfiofriov j(opr)yeio-0ai 
 Touxot? Brj tok iTTiTTjBev/iaaiv era^av, Tavras 
 Si) ovtos d<pel\ero irdaaf. 
 
 y. Kal fir/v Kal oaovi ol Tas 7ro\«s oIkovv- 
 Tes airaaas ttoXltik&v aqblaiv fj Oecopr/TiKcbv 
 o'Uodev ■jreTroirjvrai iropov?, Kal tovtovs nera- 
 yaya>v (jbo'poi? avafiijjai t<hs Srj/Aoalois eToKjj^ae. 
 Kal ovre laTpwv Tts rj SiSaaKaKoiv to \onrov 
 eylvero \070s, ome 8rj/j,oo~las tis en oiKoBopia? 
 irpovoelv Xoyyoev, ome Xv^va Tats iro\e<nv 
 ev Brj/jLoai^) eK&o~Ty, ome Tts tfv aWi) irapa^v^V 
 rots Tavra<; oIkovo-l. Ta te yap OeaTpa Kal 
 linroSpo/ioi Kal KWrfjkaia eK tov iirfirXeioTOV 
 cnravTa rjpyei, ov Brj ol T-qv yvvalKa T€Te%0at 
 T6 Kal TeTpd<j>6at, Kal ireiratBevcrOat %vvej3aivev. 
 "TaTepov Be Tama Brj dpyelv ev Bv^avrii^ 
 iKekevae to, Oedfiara, tov fir) to, elcoOora 
 %opriyelv to Srnxoaiov, iroXkol<; Te Kal a^sBov 
 Tt dvapiO/ioi's ovo-iv, oh evdivBe 6 /8mk" r)v ts 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 211 
 
 greatest poverty, finding that their pro- 
 fession brought them nothing but insult. 
 He also caused physicians and professors 
 of the liberal arts to be deprived of the 
 necessaries of life. He cut off from them 
 all the supplies which former emperors 
 had attached to these professions, and 
 which were paid out of the State funds. 
 Further, he had no scruple about trans- 
 ferring to the public funds all the re- 
 venues which the inhabitants of the cities 
 had devoted either to public purposes or 
 for providing entertainments. From that 
 time no attention was paid to physicians 
 or professors; no one ventured to trouble 
 himself about the public buildings ; there 
 were no public lights in the cities, or 
 any enjoyments for the inhabitants ; the 
 performances in the theatres and hippo- 
 dromes and the combats of wild beasts, 
 in which Theodora had been bred and 
 brought up, were entirely discontinued. 
 He afterwards suppressed public exhibi- 
 tions in Byzantium, to save the usual 
 State contribution, to the ruin of an 
 almost countless multitude who found 
 
212 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ISla re Kal Koivfj Xvrrr) re Kal Karijfaia, &arrep 
 aXXo n Twv drf ovpavov ernaitrj-tyaaBai rrdBos, 
 Kal (810? rraaiv ayiXao'TO'}. "AXXo re to 
 rrapdrrav ovBev i<pepero Tots av9pd>Troi$ ev 
 Birjyrjfj,acnv, oltcoi re oBai Kal dyopdtpvai, Kav 
 rot? UpoK BiarpLfiovauv, fj av/Kpopal re Kal 
 rrddt) Kal Kaivorepcav drv^fidrav vrrep^oXtj. 
 Tavra fikv ovrat rat? rroXecyiv etyev. 
 
 8' . A Be rip Xoym Xeirrerai, rovro ehrelv 
 ai-iov. "Trraroi, 'Poafiaimv dva, rrav eVos 
 eyivecrOrjv Bvo, arepo<; /j,ev ev 'PdfiT/, 6 Be Btj 
 ere/so? ev Bv^avrloa. "Oaris Bi et? rrjv rifirjv 
 eKaXeiro ravrrfv, rrXeov rj Kevrvfvdpia j(pvaov 
 e'Uoa-iv es rrju rroXireiav dvaXovv e/ieXXev, 
 oXiya [lev oiKela, ra Be •trXelara irpb<s fiaeriXem 
 KeKO[ii(rp,evo<;. Tavra Te ra, xprffiara e? re 
 roil? dXXovi, wvrrep ifivijffOTjv, Kal m rov em 
 irXelarov £? rcov /SiW roii<s drropcorepovi $epo- 
 fieva Kal 8ia<pep6vra)$ e<s roil? errl <rKr)vr}s, 
 arravra ra irpdypjara e's del rfj rroXei aviary. 
 'El; oil Si 'Iovo-Tiviavb'; rrjv fiacnXeiav irap- 
 eXafiev, ovKert, KaipoK rols KaQr\Kovai Tavra 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 212 
 
 their means of support in these enter- 
 tainments. Their life, both in public and 
 private, became sad and dejected and 
 utterly joyless, as if some misfortune had 
 fallen upon them from Heaven. Nothing 
 was spoken of in conversation at home, 
 in the streets, or in the churches, except 
 misfortune and suffering. Such was the 
 state of the cities. 
 
 I have still something important to 
 mention. Every year two consuls were 
 appointed — one at Rome, the other at 
 Byzantium. Whoever was advanced to 
 that dignity was expected to expend more 
 than twenty centenars of gold upon the 
 public. This sum was to a small extent 
 furnished by the consuls themselves, 
 while the greater part was due to the 
 liberality of the Emperor. This money 
 was distributed amongst those whom I 
 have^mentioned, above all to the most 
 necessitous, and principally to those em- 
 ployed upon the stage, which materially 
 increased the comfort of the citizens. 
 But, since the accession of Justinian, the 
 elections never took place at the proper 
 
213 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 irrpdaaero, aWore p.ev rroXXov 'PoofiatOK 
 ijiraro? leaOiaTaro j(p6vov, reXevr&vre? Se 
 ovSe ovap to rrpayfia ewptov' it; ov 8rj rrevia 
 rivl ivSeXe%icrrara icnpiyyero rd avOpdnreia, 
 rd /lev euodora ovk£ti rot? virrj/eooK rrape^o- 
 fievov, ra Se vrrdp-xpvra rporroft airaai rravra- 
 Xpdev a<f>aipovfj,evov. 
 
 e. '{2$ pev oZv rd Srjfioaia Karairuov 
 t-v/jLiravra ^ptjfiara, roii<s e'/c tt}? crvyKXqrov 
 fiovXrjs o Xv/ieobv ovtos etccurrov re IBia ml 
 Kowy %vpnravra% to? ovaias a<f>rjpr]Tai, BtapK&s 
 SeScrjyrjaOai, olpai. 72? he Kal roi><s aUou?, 
 evSalpova? hoKovvras elvai, avKO(j>avTM rrepiubv 
 acpaipeladai rd yjpr\para tayvaev, iKavcbrard 
 fioi elprjaOai vopifyo. , Ev pevroi orpantBTat? 
 re Kal apypvai rtaaiv virr/perovvraj, Kal tous 
 iv rraXaru^ arparevojievow}, yewpyous re km 
 yapwv KTriTopas Kal Kvptovs, km ol? iv Xdyot? 
 rd imn)hevp,ard iariv, dXXd pity ipiwopov% 
 re Kal vavKXrjpov; Kal vavras, fiavavaovs re 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 213 
 
 time ; sometimes one consul remained in 
 office for several years, and at last people 
 never even dreamed of a fresh appoint- 
 ment. This reduced all to the greatest 
 distress ; since the Emperor no longer 
 granted the usual assistance to his sub- 
 jects, and at the same time deprived 
 them of what they had by every means 
 in his power. 
 
 I think I have given a sufficient 
 account of the manner in which this 
 destroyer swallowed up the property of 
 the members of the Senate and deprived 
 them all of their substance, whether 
 publicly or privately. I also think that 
 I have said enough concerning the 
 fraudulent accusations which he made 
 use of, in order to get possession of the 
 property of other families which were 
 reputed to be wealthy. Lastly, I have 
 described the wrongs he inflicted upon 
 the soldiers and servants of those in 
 authority and the militia in the palace ; 
 upon countrymen, the possessors and pro- 
 prietors of estates, and professors of the 
 arts and sciences; upon merchants, ship- 
 
214 nPOKOIlIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Kal veipoavaKTWi, Kal dyopalow, Kai ol? airb 
 t&v iwl rr)<; crici)vrj<; inriTrjSeVfianov 6 /3to?, 
 Kal /j,rjv Kal roil? ahXow; a>? eVrrelv airavTai, e? 
 oSs 8uicveicr6ai /3\dj3o*i to e? TouaBe a-vfifiatvei. 
 Ola Be tov<s re irpo<rat.TriTa<; Kal dyeXaiovs 
 avBpdmovi, Kal in(oj(pw re Kal Xwfir) irday 
 e^o/ievovs elpydaaro, avriKa ipov/ieit' to. yap 
 dfMpl Tots lepevo-iv avra) Treirpayfieva iv to« 
 OTriaOev \6yois KeXeljeTai. Tlp&ra fiev, oirep 
 eiptjTai, airavTa •jrepifie/SXrjfiivo'i ra Trcok-qTripui, 
 Kal eovicov twv avayKaiorarmv ret Xeyofieva 
 Karaarrjcrdfievo'; iJLOvoirdiXia, irXeov f) TptmXdaia 
 TifirfTaTa 7rdvra<; dv8pd>irovi eirpdneTO. Kal 
 rd fiev aWa; enei dvdpidfid fioi "eBoljev elvai, 
 ovk av eycoye Xoyq aT6\evTrJT<p Karakeyeiv 
 fyikoveiKovqv. 
 
 s-'. 'Atto Be t&v Toil? apTovs wvovfievaiv 
 TThKpoTaTa es irdvra tov alaiva ecrvXei, oil's 
 Br) Kal xeipwvaKTas, Kal tttw^oii?, Kal irda-y 
 Xcofty £%pfievovs dvd pdwrovs (fir)) ovk wveladai 
 dBvvaTov. Avto<s p,ev yap e's Tpia Kevvrjvdpia 
 (j>epecr6ai, dva irav eVos r/^iov ivBevBe, 6Vw? 
 ol dpToi &o-i Kal o-TToBov epmXeoi' ovBe yap 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 214 
 
 masters and sailors ; mechanics, artisans, 
 and retail dealers ; those who gained their 
 livelihood by performing upon the stage; 
 in a word, upon all who were affected by 
 the misery of these. I must now speak 
 of his treatment of the poor, the lower 
 classes, the indigent, and the sick and 
 infirm. I will then go on to speak of 
 his treatment of the priests. 
 
 At first, as has been said, he got all 
 the shops into his own hands, and having 
 established monopolies of all the most 
 necessary articles of life, exacted from 
 his subjects more than three times their 
 value. But if I were to enter into the 
 
 4 
 
 details of all these monopolies, I should 
 never finish my narrative, for they are 
 innumerable. 
 
 He imposed a perpetual and most 
 severe tax upon bread, which the artisans, 
 the poor, and infirm were compelled to 
 purchase. He demanded from this com- 
 modity a revenue of three centenars of 
 gold every year, and those poor wretches 
 were obliged to support themselves upon 
 bread full of dust, for the Emperor did 
 
2i5 npoKomoY anekAota 
 
 e's tovto Br) to alo")(poKepBia<s daefirjfia & 
 /Sao-tXeus oinos OKvqpbs fjei' ravrrj Be t!j 
 aicrj^ei oliceia KepBrj eTriTexvebfjbevoi, oh eire/ceiTO 
 r) Tipt) avrr), airol fiev paara e? ttXovtov 
 nva irepd'aTavTO fieyav, \ip,bv Be toi? irroy^oh 
 XeipowoirjTov, iv evdi)vovcrL j^poVoi?, del iraph 
 Boljav elpyd£ovro' en-el ovBe olrov erepa>6iv 
 nvi el<7KOfii^ea0ai to irapdirav e^rjv, ak\a 
 avayicaiov r)v airaai tovtovs Br) d>vovfiivov<} 
 aprovi eadieiv. 
 
 £'. Tbv Be T^? TToXecas o^erbv Bieppayora 
 re op&vres, Kal iioilpav HBarot ovk okvyrjv 
 nva i<s rr)v iroXtv eladyovra, inrepempwv re 
 koI ovS' otiovv avro) vrpoeadai r)9e\ov, icahrep 
 ofiiXov ael dfMpl t«? Kpr\va% diroTrvvyopAvov 
 ttoXKov, Kal t&v f3a\aveta)v diroiteKkeianevt&v 
 dirdvrmv' xanoi e? olxoSofiias 0a\acyalov<; 
 re Kal dvoryrow; sUn; jieyedo 1 ; j^prjfidTav 
 oiBevi Xo7»j) irpotero, iravra^oOi t&v irpoatT- 
 reicov eTriTe)(vd)fievoi, &<nrep t&v fiao-ikeiav 
 avToiis oi yapovvrwv, iv oh Br) airaVTes oi 
 irporepov /3ej3ao~i\evic6Te<; Siafitovv e? del 
 T)8e\ov. Oi/tw? ov xprjfidrcov <j>ei8ol, dWd 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 215 
 
 not blush to carry his avarice to this 
 extent. Seizing upon this as an excuse, 
 the superintendents of the markets, eager 
 to fill their own pockets, in a short 
 time acquired great wealth, and, in spite 
 of the cheapness of food, reduced the 
 poor to a state of artificial and unexpected 
 famine; for they were not allowed to im- 
 port corn from any other parts, but were 
 obliged to eat bread purchased in the city. 
 One of the city aqueducts had broken, 
 and a considerable portion of the water 
 destined for the use of the inhabitants 
 was lost. Justinian, however, took no 
 notice of it, being unwilling to incur any 
 expense for repairs, although a great 
 crowd continually thronged round the 
 fountains, and all the baths had been 
 shut. Nevertheless, he expended vast 
 sums without any reason or sense upon 
 buildings on the seashore, and also built 
 everywhere throughout the suburbs, as if 
 the palaces, in which their predecessors 
 had always been content to live, were no 
 longer suitable for himself and Theodora; 
 so that it was not merely parsimony, but 
 
216 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 <j>66pov dvdpcoTTaiv eveica, tt)s rov o^erov 
 oi/coSoytii'ci? 6\iya>pelv eyvco' eirel ovSel$ in 
 tov 7TCWTO? 'xpovov 'lovarwiavov rovSe eroi- 
 fiorepos yeyovev avOpdnrav dtrdvrav ^prf/mra 
 irpoairoielaOai icaicm, Kal ravra ^apoi/w? 
 avrlica Br) fiaXa irpoeadai. Avolv roivvv 
 airoXekeifinivoiv ev re -iroTm Kal (tok) eScoSl- 
 /jlor, Tot? (re) rd eoyara TrevopevoiR Kal 
 7TT6)%ot9 ovcriv, i/Sosto? Kal dprov, oV dfi$oiv 
 avToiis, &arrep \ioi SeBvfffiyrai, j3ao-i\eii<; oSe 
 efiXatfre, to (lev diropov crtycri, top Se iroWw 
 d^uorepov ipyaadjievos. 
 
 t) . Ov p,6vov Be tov? ev Bv£avruo irpo- 
 aairrird<s, aKKa, Kal rwv erepmdi, qKrjfiivcov 
 rivds eSpacre ravra, Sxrrrep fiot avrina \e\i- 
 gerai. 'IraXiav yap @etioe/3^os eXcbv, row 
 ev ra> 'Pw(ir]<; iraXarloy arrparevofievovj avroif! 
 e'iacrev, ovrnt ri Siacrw^oiro "jroTureias rfjs 
 iraXaias if^vo?, filav dirokvtrwv avvra^iv e's 
 rjfiepav l/raoTiji. *Haav Se ovroi Tra/^TrXij^ew 
 dyav. O'i re yap IZiXevridpioi leaXovfievoi, 
 Kal Aop,io-TiKoi Kal X^oXdpiot ev avroi<s rjcrav, 
 oh Sr) dWo ovSev vTre\iX,enrro fj to t>}? <rrpa- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 2l6 
 
 a desire for the destruction of human 
 life, that prevented him from repairing 
 the aqueduct, for no one, from most 
 ancient times, had ever shown himself 
 more eager than Justinian to amass 
 wealth, and at the same time to spend 
 it in a most wasteful and extravagant 
 manner. Thus this Emperor struck at 
 the poorest and most miserable of his 
 subjects through two most necessary 
 articles of food — bread and water, by 
 making the one difficult to procure, and 
 the other too dear for them to buy. 
 
 It was not only the poor of Byzan- 
 tium, however, that he harassed in this 
 manner, but, as I will presently mention, 
 the inhabitants of several other cities. 
 When Theodoric had made himself 
 master of Italy, in order to preserve some 
 trace of the old constitution, he per- 
 mitted the praetorian guards to remain 
 in the palace and continued their daily 
 allowance. These soldiers were very 
 numerous. There were the Silentiarii, 
 the Domestici, and the Scholares, about 
 whom there was nothing military except 
 
 28 
 
217 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rela<s ovojxa fxovov, Kal f) avvra^K avTr) e? to 
 dirotjrjv atroyjpwaa, fio\c<; atnoli, tnrep e? re 
 TralSas km arroyovov? 0evBepij(ps ai/rovs irapa- 
 -Tre/A-ireiv iKeXevo-e. Tol<s re trpoaai/rriraZ<i, ot 
 irapa tov IHrpov tov aTroaroXov vewv Slairav 
 elypv, Tpia^iKtovt airov fieSifivovs x°P r n e ^ v 
 del to Srjfioaiov ava irav eVo? Subpiaev' airep 
 airavrei; oiroi Siayeyovao-i KOfii^o/tevoi, eas 
 'AXegavSpos 6 WaXlSio? e? tt\v 'Irdklav a<j)l- 
 
 K6TO. 
 
 8'. Udvra yap ei)6i>s o5to? 6 dvqp 
 0Kvr\aei ovBe/jLia, irepieXeiv eyvco. Tavra 
 fiaOcbv 'IovcTTiviavoi 'Pa>/iauov avroKpaTtop, 
 ttjv T6 irpafyv irpoarfieaTO Tavrrjv, Kal rbv 
 'AXejjavb'pov en, fiaXXov fj trpoTepov Bia Ti/ifj$ 
 ecryev. 'Ev rainrj 'AXe^avSpo<s rfj iropelq km 
 tov? "EXXrjva? elpydaaro TaSe. Tov iv 0ep- 
 poirvkaK <J3v\aKT7]piou ol to, e/celvy yewpyovvres 
 %a>pia ek iraXaiov eire/AeXovvTo, e« irepvrpoirrfi 
 tc to ivravda Tet^os i<f>vXao-o-ov, rpiuca Srj 
 etjioSos fiiapftapmv riv&p a>s eiruriapjrei e? rtjv 
 Hekoirovvqo-ov iiriBo^o<; fjv. 
 
 t. AXX* ivravda yevofiepos Tore AXeljav- 
 S/oos o\>To<i, irpovoetv IleXoiTovvrjaiiov aK^irro- 
 fievoi, oiiK ecjyrj yeoopyoK to ravrg (pvXaKTypiov 
 eTrtTphjreiv. Srparubras oiv ivravda eh hur- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 217 
 
 the name, and their salary was hardly 
 sufficient to live upon. Theodoric also 
 ordered that their children and descend- 
 ants should have the reversion of this. 
 To the poor, who lived near the church 
 of Peter the Apostle, he distributed every 
 year 3,000 bushels of corn out of the 
 public stores. All continued to receive 
 these donations until the arrival of Alex- 
 ander Forficula 1 in Italy. He resolved to 
 deprive them of it immediately ; and, when 
 the Emperor was informed of this, he 
 approved of his conduct, and treated Alex- 
 ander with still greater honour. During 
 his journey, Alexander treated the Greeks 
 in the following manner : — The peasants 
 of the district near the pass of Ther- 
 mopylae had long manned the fortress, 
 and, each in turn, mounted guard over 
 the wall which blocks the pass, when- 
 ever there seemed any likelihood of an 
 invasion of the barbarians. But Alex- 
 ander, on his arrival, pretended that it 
 was to the interest of the Peloponnesians 
 not to leave the protection of the pass 
 to the peasants. He established a garri- 
 
 1 Shears, scissors. 
 
 28—2 
 
218 nPOKOfflOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 %iXiov$ KaTCMTTrjadfievos, ovk e/e rov S^/iOfft'ou 
 ■Xpprjyeladat a(picri rd<} crvvTajjeR Bimpiaev, 
 dXXd r&v ev rfj 'EXXdBi iraawv rroXeaiv, rd 
 re iroXmKa, ical dewprjTiKa ^vfirravra e? to 
 Btj/jmo-iov eVi rq> rrpoayrffiari rovrtg nerrj- 
 veyicev, i<j> <j> evdevBe ol a-rpari&rai ovroi 
 airt^oivro, km air avrov ev re rfj aXXr/ -iraar) 
 'EXXdBi, Ka\ ov% TjKiaTa ev , AQr\vai% avrak 
 
 oiire tk ev Brj^oa-loj oiicoSofiia oihe 
 
 aXXo dyaObv yeveaQai (^vve0rj). 'Iovo-Tiviavb? 
 fievroi to, rfjBe Sc^Kfj/jieva rq> WaXiBiq ovSe/iia 
 /MeXXija-ei, eveppcoae. Tavra p,ev ovv rjjhe 
 Ke'XpoprjKev. 
 
 id. 'Iriov Be Kal ek tov? ev 'AXeljavBpeiq 
 7tto)^ou?. "H<paio-r6s ti? ev raits evravda 
 prjropatv iyeyovei, oa-rrep irapaXa^mv rrjv 
 AXeljavBpecov apyfiv, rov fiev Brjfiov rov ara- 
 aiaC,eiv Karhravo-e, 0o/3epo? tok o~rao-uorai<; 
 fyavels, eayara, Be eaydrasv Kaica rots T»)8e 
 wK7)/Aevoi<} evBeBencrai iraai. Udvra yhp evOvs 
 rd t?5? 7ro\eo)? irmXrfTripia e's rb icaXovfievov 
 /jIOVottcoXiov KaTaarrjo-dfievof, aXXcov pev 
 efnroptov oi/Biva ravrrjv Btj rr/v epyaaiav 
 epyd^/eaOai e'iaae, jmvo? Be dirdvrav a\rro% 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 2l8 
 
 son of about 2,000 soldiers, who were 
 not paid out of the public funds, but by 
 each of the cities in Greece. On this 
 pretext, he transferred to the public 
 treasury all the revenues of these towns 
 which were intended for public purposes 
 or to cover the expenses of shows and 
 entertainments. He pretended that it 
 was to be employed for the support of 
 the soldiers, and in consequence, from 
 that time, no public buildings or other 
 objects of utility were erected or pro- 
 moted either in Athens or throughout 
 Greece. Justinian, however, hastened to 
 give his sanction to all the acts of 
 Forficula. 
 
 We must now speak of the poor of 
 Alexandria. Amongst the lawyers of that 
 city was one Hephaestus, who, having 
 been appointed governor, suppressed popu- 
 lar disturbances by the terror he inspired, 
 but at the same time reduced the citizens 
 to the greatest distress. He immediately 
 established a monopoly of all wares, which 
 he forbade other merchants to sell. He 
 reserved everything for himself alone, sold 
 
2ig nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 76701/0)? KairrjXos' irapeBLBoTo rh &via iravra' 
 SrjXovori Ta? tovtuv Ttfias -ry t»)? dp^f}? 
 e%owiq o-Tadfim(ievo<;. Aireirvlr/eTO re ttj t&v 
 avar/Kalwv trirdvet, 17 t&v 'AXefjavSpicov nroXi?, 
 ov Br) Kal rot? Ta ea^arra irevojikvov! to 
 Trporepa evwva StaptcoK; iyeyovei irdvTa' fid- 
 Xutto, Be aiiTOVs dficjil t& apTtg eWefe. Tov 
 yap criTQv awto? ef Alyvirjiwv wvelro fiovo? 
 ovSe oaov e? fieSi/nvov eva erepa BiZoii<s irpia- 
 cfOm, ravTj) re rov<s apTovs Kal rh t&v aptwv 
 Tifirffiara BieriBeTO yirep iftovXero. UXovtov 
 Toivvv («ai) a/ivdrjTov auTo? re St' okvyov 
 TreptefidXkeTO, Kal {3ao~i\ei ttjv d/ncf>l rovrt/ 
 iiridvfiiav hveirkrjaaTO. Kal t&v /jlev AXe^av- 
 Bpeeov 6 Sr)/j,o<s Beet tov 'H<f>al<7Tov ra irapovra 
 <rj)L<nv rjcvxr) efepev 6 Be avroKpaTcop alBol 
 t&v 01 e's del eo-KOfii^ofieveov yjp^fiaTOiV ev roll 
 fidkuTTa virepr)ydira tov dvOpwirov. 
 
 i/3'. BovXevaa<; Be "H(f>ai<rTO<; ovto<s, 
 07T&)? ttjv fiaari\em$ Bidvoiav iroXXio en fia\- 
 Xov igeXeiv BvvrjTai, irpoo-eireTexvr]o-aTO TaSe, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 2IQ 
 
 everything himself, and fixed the price 
 by the capricious exercise of his authority. 
 Consequently, the city was in the greatest 
 distress from want of provisions; the poor 
 no longer had a sufficient supply of what 
 was formerly sold at a low rate, and 
 especially felt the difficulty of obtaining 
 bread ; for the governor alone bought up 
 all the corn that came from Egypt, and 
 did not allow anyone else to purchase 
 even so much as a bushel ; and in this 
 manner, he taxed the loaves and put 
 upon them what price he pleased. By 
 this means he amassed an enormous 
 fortune, and was likewise careful to satisfy 
 the greed of the Emperor. So great was 
 the terror inspired by Hephaestus, that 
 the people of Alexandria endured their 
 ill-treatment in silence ; and the Em- 
 peror, out of gratitude for the money 
 which flowed into his exchequer from 
 that quarter, conceived a great affection 
 for Hephaestus. The latter, in order to 
 secure in a still greater degree the favour 
 of the Emperor, carried out the following 
 plan. When Diocletian became Emperor 
 
220 HPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 AioicKriTiavos 'PajiaUav yeyovm? avTotcpdrmp, 
 <rirov p,eya ti xprj/ia SiSocrdai irapa rod Stf/iov 
 tSiv ' A\e!jav8pea>v tois Seojievois ava irav eVo? 
 Suopicre. Tavra 6 Srjp,o<; TTjviicdSe SiaSi/caad- 
 fievoi iv a<j>i<riv abTois e? diroyovowi tovs 
 (ie%pi Sevpo irapiireiA-ty-av. 'AW* "H^ataro? 
 ivOivSe ixvptaZai e'<? BiaKocria<; iwerelovs /u.e- 
 Sifivav Toii<; t5>v dvayicalwv vTroenravi^ovra^ 
 a^eXo/ievo*;, toj 8i]fiocr(q> ivredsvice' ftaarikei 
 ypdtyas, a>? ov Sucaia>9, ovBe rj gv/Atfiipei Tot? 
 irpdy/Acun, l^k-ftpi vvv Tavra oi avSpei oIitoi, 
 KOfil&ivTo. Kal air avrov ySafftXeus p.ev 
 t'jii7reotucra? tt\v irpafjtv, 8ia <rirov8rj<; avrov 
 lxelfyvo<i eayev. ' ' AXe^avhpewv he ocroi ravTTjv 
 eTxpv tov fSLov ttjv iXiriBa, tout??? S»; iv Tot? 
 avayicai,OTaTOi<; t?j? diravdpayrrlas airmvavro. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 220 
 
 of the Romans, he ordered a yearly dis- 
 tribution of corn to be made to the 
 necessitous poor of Alexandria; and the 
 people, settling its distribution amongst 
 themselves, transmitted the right to their 
 descendants. Hephaestus deprived the 
 necessitous of 2,000,000 bushels yearly, 
 and deposited it in the imperial granaries, 
 declaring, in his despatch to the Emperor, 
 that this grant of corn had previously 
 been made in a manner that was neither 
 just nor in conformity with the interests 
 of the state. The Emperor approved of 
 his conduct and became more attached 
 to him than ever. The Alexandrians, 
 whose hopes of existence depended upon 
 this distribution, felt the cruelty bitterly, 
 especially at the time of their distress. 
 
221 HPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION KZ\ 
 
 a. Ta [lev 'IovoTiviava elpyacr/xeva 
 Toaavrd iariv, to? fiijSe tov iravra alwva t<$ 
 •trsp\ avT&v Ao'yfji eirapKetv Bvvaa-dai. 'OXvya 
 Be fioi arm iic nrdvTtov airdkegafievtp awo- 
 ^prjtret elireiv, Bi mv avrov evBrjKov recti to?? 
 oiritrOev yevr)<TOfj.evot<; to Jjflo? airav Biatpavm 
 ecrrai, kcu a>? e'iptov re jjV, km ovre Oeov, oine 
 iepeav, ovre vofxwv avrm efieXev, obBe Brj/iov 
 KcneoTrovBaaixevov airrw Bokovvtos elvaC ov 
 pjfjv ovre twos to irapdirav alBovs, f) tov rrp 
 7ro\tT6ta? IjvfMpopov, 17 otov ti irpovpiyov e? 
 aiiTrjv yevotTO' ^ ottw? ffKi^eto? tiw to. 
 irpaaaoyteva TV^eiv Bvvcuto, ovre aKKo w 
 avTov eo-rjei, oti fir) fiovrj d^alpeait t&v ev 
 irday yfj Keiftevav yjyqfiaTWV. ''Ap^o/iat Be 
 evOevBe. 
 
 /S'. 'ApxiGpea Ka.TeaTrio~a.TO , AT\£%av- 
 Bpevaiv avro?, UavKov ovofia. ^Tvy^ave Be 
 'PoBcav Tt?, $oivtI; 761/0?, e\mv TrjviKaBe tt)» 
 ' A\ej~avBpeiai; dpyftv. Til Brj iireaTeWev e? 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 221 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII 
 
 The evil deeds of Justinian were so 
 numerous, that time would fail me if I 
 were to attempt to relate them all. It 
 will therefore be sufficient, if I select some 
 of those which will exhibit his whole 
 character to posterity, and which clearly 
 show his dissimulation, his neglect of 
 God, the priesthood, the laws, and the 
 people which showed itself devoted to 
 him. He was utterly without shame ; 
 he had no care for the interests or ad- 
 vantage of the state, and did not trouble 
 himself about excusing his misdeeds, or, 
 in fact, about anything else but how he 
 might plunder and appropriate the wealth 
 of the whole world. 
 
 To begin with, he appointed Paul 
 bishop of Alexandria, at the time when 
 Rhodon, a Phoenician by birth, was go- 
 vernor of the city. He ordered him to 
 
222 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 airavra Uavkm vrrrfperelv •n-podvfiia ry rtdai), 
 oVa)? Bf) drekevrrjrov fievoi rap rrpbi avrov 
 eirayyeXkofiiviov firqhev. Tavrr) yap roiv 'A\e- 
 %avhpia>v rovg (tepet?) eraipl^eodai, avrbv e's 
 rr/v ev K.aX'fflhovi avvohov wero Svvarbv 
 eae&dat. 
 
 y'. "'Hv he tLi 'Apaevio<s, IlaKaio-rlvofs 
 761/05, oorrep ©eohdopa fiaatkthi ev rot? fid- 
 \iara dvayKaiordroi<; eVmJSeto? yeyovoiK, /cal 
 air avrov hvvafilv re rroWriv, ical fieydXa 
 Trepif3a\\6fievo<; xprffiara, e? fSov'X.r)'} ajjiw/ia 
 rfkde, Kalirep fiiapmraro'i civ. Outos 'Sa/.ta- 
 pe(rr)<i fiev f)v, rov he fir) rf)v brrdpypvaav 
 •npoeaQai Svvafiiv, ovdfiaros avrikafieadai rov 
 Xptariav&v eyvto. 'O fievroi rrartfp re km, 
 d8e\<j>o$, rfj rovrov Swdfiet 6appovvre<s, hia- 
 yeyovacn fiev ev ^KvdorroXet, ■jrepicrreXkovrei; 
 rrjv rrdrptov Sofjav' yvw/irj he avrov dvrjKeara 
 Tov? Xpt,ffTiavoii<s elpyd^ovTo irdvTa<s. Aib hi) 01 
 iroKiTai arcpiaiv iTravaaravrei, dficfxo enreivav 
 davdrty olierurnp. Ka/cd re iroXXa ^vwqvkyQi) 
 TlaXaiarivovi evBevhe yeveaOai. Tore fiev ovv 
 avrbv ovre 'lovariviavos ovre /3a<7t\t? tea/cov 
 rt, ehpaaav, Kairrep alrimrarov yeyovora 8vo~- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 222 
 
 show the greatest deference to the bishop, 
 and to execute all his instructions ; for 
 by this means he hoped to prevail upon 
 the chief persons of the city to support 
 the council of Chalcedon. There was 
 also a certain Arsenius, a native of Pales- 
 tine, who had made himself most neces- 
 sary to the Empress, and, in consequence 
 of her favour and the great wealth he had 
 amassed, had attained the rank of a 
 senator, although he was a man of most 
 abandoned character. He belonged to 
 the Samaritan sect, but, in order to pre- 
 serve his authority, he assumed the name 
 of Christian. His father and brother, 
 who lived in Scythopolis, relying upon 
 his authority and following his advice, 
 bitterly persecuted the Christians in that 
 city. Whereupon the citizens rose up 
 against them, and put them to death 
 most cruelly, which afterwards proved 
 the cause of much misery to the inhabit- 
 ants of Palestine. On that occasion 
 neither Justinian nor the Empress inflicted 
 any punishment upon Arsenius, although 
 he was the principal cause of all those 
 
223 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 koKwv airdvTtoV direhrov Se airp i<s •naXamov 
 pyqKen levai' eVSeXe^earaTa 7<*P tovtov Si) 
 eve/ca irpb<s Xpicrriavcov rjvm^ovvro. 
 
 S'. Ovtos 'Apo-ivios fiacrikei xapteurdai 
 olo/Aevos, ov 7roX\f3 varepov £iiv t<5 IlavXtp e's 
 Tt]v 'AXeljdvSpetav ariWerai, eo? Brj to, re 
 aX\a xnr'qperriawv, ical ri}v e? Toil's 'AXe^av- 
 Spels ireiOat o~vyicaT6pyaab[ievo<i avT<o Svvd/xei 
 ttj Traari. , Ia i xypi^eTO yap iirb top <xpbvov 
 tovtov, fjvUa oi tov iraXaTiov aTro/ceicXeiadai 
 ^vviireo-e, t&v iv Xpio-TiavoR ovk ap^XeTrjTov 
 yeyovevat Soyfidreav dtrdvTtov. "Oirep ttjv 
 8eo8a>pav rjvlaae' ttjv ivavriav yelp eamfprrero 
 tw ftaaiXel e'? tovto levai, w? fioi iv toi<s 
 oirurOev Xbyoi<; eiprjrai. 
 
 e. \E7rel oiv (iv) 'AXsgavSpevo-iv iyevovro, 
 Scdicovbv Tiva Wotjv ovo/jta 'PbB(ovi ilavXo? 
 irapeScojce Te6vr]^6/J,evov, tpdatcav Si) airbv 
 fiovov ol avrat ip/iroSatv io~rao~0ai, tov /mj to, 
 fiaaiXel SeBoyfieva viroTeXeaai. Toil Se 
 /SactXetu? ypdfifiacri, 'PoScov r)yfievo<;, o-irxyoc<; 
 ts oiai Kal Xlav o-irovhaCoi<i, alnl%£0~9ai tov 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 223 
 
 troubles. They contented themselves with 
 forbidding him to appear at court, in 
 order to satisfy the continued complaints 
 that were preferred against him by the 
 Christians. 
 
 This Arsenius, thinking to gratify the 
 Emperor, set out with Paul to Alexandria 
 to assist him generally, and, above all, to 
 do his utmost to aid him in securing the 
 favour of the inhabitants ; for, during the 
 time of his exclusion from the palace, he 
 affirmed that he had made himself 
 thoroughly acquainted with all the doc- 
 trines of Christianity. This displeased 
 Theodora, who pretended to hold a 
 different opinion to the Emperor in re- 
 ligious matters, as I have already stated. 
 
 When they arrived at Alexandria, Paul 
 delivered over the deacon Psoes to the 
 governor to be put to death, asserting 
 that he was the only obstacle in the way 
 of the realisation of the Emperor's desires. 
 The governor, urged on by despatches 
 from the Emperor, which frequently 
 arrived and were couched in pressing 
 terms, ordered Psoes to be flogged, and 
 
224 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 avQpunrov eyvco, 05, inrb t^? fiacrdvov /cara- 
 reivopevos, avTiica Bvrjo-Ket,. 
 
 <s'. "Avep eirel es /3acrt[X.ax rjkOev], eyicii- 
 likvrj<i la^vporara tij? ftaaiklSos, airavra 6 
 /SafftXeus eVt Uavkto re /cat 'P6Bo)vi tcai 
 'Apcrevlii) ev6ii$ eKivei, &o~irep ra>v 7rpo? ainov 
 tovtois Br/ tois dv0pdnroi<! eTrqyye\/j,evaiv 
 eTTi\e\r]cr(A6vo<i amdvTwv. Atfiepiov ovv, tov 
 etc 'Papyri? avBpa irarpiKiov, KaracrTijad/ievo'; 
 enl ttjs AXe^avBpicov apxfjs, Kal to>v Bo/clfAcov 
 lepeatv Tiva<i e? rr)v ' AXe^avBpewv earei\e, tr\v 
 tov irpa/yfiaTOf vroirjo-ofievov; Suvyvaxriv, iv 
 oh KaX 6 'Pw/ir]<s ap%iBidKovo? IleXdyiois fjv, 
 to BuyiXlov tov dp%iepeco<; inroBvs irpoaanov, 
 iirneTayiievov 01 tovto ye irpb? tov BtyiXiov. 
 
 f . Tov t« qbovov eXijXeynevov, IlavXov 
 t»)? iep(co-uvt]<s ev6v<; icaOeTXov' (pvyovra Be 
 'PoBmva e? Bv^dvTiov Tr\v re KetpaXr/v d<pe(Xero 
 6 /3ao-i\ei>$, Kal to, xprfpaTa es to Brj/ioo-ipv 
 dvdypatrra eirovr\o-cuTO, Kaiirep Tpio-KaiBeica 
 eiriarToXas tov dvdpwirov ivBeii-afievov, aairep 
 avrfi) /3a<7t\eu? eypaifre aTrovBdtyov re Kal 
 BiaTeivofievo? dyav, iirayyeXXcov re airavra 
 ra> HavXai vwr/peTeiv iviraTTOvn, Kal p/qB' 
 otiovv dvTLTeivetv, oVojs eirl rfj Bogy iwiTeXiffai 
 to, BoljavTa Bwarcxs eirj. 'Apaeviov Te Aifte- 
 pLo? yvwp/rj QeoBcopas dveaKoXoirure, Kal ainov 
 to. 'xptjp.aTa 8j]fioo-(,ovv /Sao-tXevs eyvto, Katirep 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 224 
 
 he died under the torture. When the 
 news of this reached the Emperor, at 
 the earnest entreaty of Theodora, he 
 expressed great indignation against Paul, 
 Rhodon, and Arsenius, as if he had for- 
 gotten the orders he himself had given 
 them. He appointed Liberius, a Roman 
 patrician, governor of Alexandria, and 
 sent some priests of high repute to in- 
 vestigate the matter. Amongst them was 
 Pelagius, archdeacon of Rome, who was 
 commissioned by Pope Vigilius to act as 
 his agent. Paul, being convicted of 
 murder, was deprived of his bishopric; 
 Rhodon, who had fled to Byzantium, 
 was executed by order of Justinian, and 
 his estate confiscated, although he pro- 
 duced thirteen despatches, in which the 
 Emperor expressly ordered and insisted 
 that he should in everything act in accord- 
 ance with Paul's orders, and never oppose 
 him, that he might have liberty to act 
 as he pleased in matters of religion. 
 Arsenius was crucified by Liberius, in 
 accordance with instructions from Theo- 
 dora; his estate was confiscated by the 
 
 29 
 
225 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ovSev am& iirejKaXelv 'iywv, f) oti %vv ra 
 Havkm hianav ely^e. Tama fiev otv efoe 
 6p0&<;, e'ire aXky tttj avrm eipyaorai, ovk e^co 
 ehreiv' otov Se Srj evma ravrd fioi e'lpr/Tai, 
 avTMa SrjXdxrco. 
 
 r]'. 'O IIav\o<s 'Xpovtp rivl varepov e? 
 Bvfcdvriov rficav, kirra. re %pvaov icevTTjvdpia, 
 T<p ftaatXei rovrm irpoifievos, rj^lov ttjv Upa>- 
 o~vvr\v aTrdXafieiv, are avTrjv ovOevl vofia 
 a<pypr)fAevo<}. 'Iowmviavos Se rd re ^p^fjuiTa 
 iSe^aro Trpdtos, ical tov avdpanrov ev rifirj 
 ea~j(ev, dp%iepea re w/jbdkoyrjaev 'AXefjavSpevo-iv 
 avrbv KaTaaTrjtretrdat, avTiica hi) (idXa, Kahrep 
 erepov tijv Tifirjv ej^ovTo^, &o~irep ovk elhw, 
 on Sr) row avr$ ^vvoiKrjo-avrd<; re ical virovp- 
 •yeli) TeroXfMjKOTai etereive re avTos teal to? 
 ovala<; d<pei\ero. 
 
 6'. 'O fiev o5v S'e/Sao'TO? e? ayav hiavuvo- 
 fMevoi to irpar/fia ev o-irovhfj iiroietTO' Ilavkos 
 he SiapprjSrjv iirlSogo? fyv ttjv lepao-vvrjv 
 dTro\rjtyeo~9ai /xtf^avfj tt} irdarj. 'AWa, Bvyl- 
 \to? TrjViKaSe irapcbv, e'licetv fta<riKeZ tw tolov- 
 tov iiriTaTTovTi, ovSafiy eywa. "Ecpao-Ke yap 
 oi>x olo<s Te elvao ijrrjtpov ttjv oliceiav avrd's 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 225 
 
 Emperor, although he had no cause of 
 complaint against him except his intimacy 
 with Paul. Whether in this he acted 
 justly or not, I cannot say; but I will 
 afterwards state the reason why I have 
 mentioned this affair. 
 
 Some time afterwards Paul went to 
 Byzantium, and, by the offer of seven 
 centenars of gold, endeavoured to per- 
 suade the Emperor to reinstate him in 
 his office, of which he said he had been 
 unjustly deprived. Justinian received the 
 money affably, treated him with respect, 
 and promised to reinstate him as soon 
 as possible, although another at present 
 held the office, as if he did not know 
 that he himself had put to death two of 
 his best friends and supporters, and con- 
 fiscated their estates. The Emperor 
 exerted all his efforts in this direction, 
 and there did not appear to be the least 
 doubt that Paul would be reinstated. 
 But Vigilius, who at the time was in 
 Byzantium, resolved not to submit to 
 the Emperor's orders in this matter, and 
 declared that it was impossible for him 
 
 29 — 2 
 
226 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 avdSiKov 8ieipyda , 8at > tt/v IleXayiov Trapa&ij- 
 \a»v yvmaiv. Ovtws dXKov ovSevb? tg> fiatrikei 
 tovt(6, on fit) xprjfidTcav ajxupeaem, del 
 efiekev. 
 
 i. Elprjaerai Be Kal aKXo ToiovBe. <f>ava- 
 tZvo<s v)v ti<s, HaXauTTlvo'; 761/09, Sapkapehrj^ 
 fiev yeyovcos dvcodev, ovofiaToi Se tov Xpi<r- 
 Tiav&v dvTi\a/j,/3av6fievos, avdyKy tov vo/xov. 
 05x05 6 $avo-Tivo<s e? /8oi>\»)? dl;£a>fia rj\9e, 
 Kal t^? X < ^P a<i T V l> &PXV V ear^ev ?)<rirep 
 avTov irapaXvdivTa ov woWw vo-repov, e's te 
 to Bv^dvTiov rjKovra, tkv rcve<s lepetov Ste- 
 fiaXKov, eireveyKdnevoi to? Safiapeirwv vo/Aifia 
 irepiareXkei, Kal XpiaTiavov? Spdaeie tow? ev 
 UaXaiaTbvri wKqpevovs dvoaia epya. , lov<xti- 
 viavos Be dypiaiveadai re Kal Beivd iroielv 
 Sid ravra iSoxei, oti Brj, aiiT0v Tfjv 'Pmfialmv 
 dpxv v expvros, to tov XpiaTOV ovopa v$' 
 
 OTWVOVV SlCMTVpOlTO. 
 
 ia'. 01 p,ev ovv ttj<s crvyKkqTov fiov\f)<: tt\v 
 Bidyveoatv ireTroii}p,evoi tov irpdyfiaTOf, <f>vyfj 
 tov t $avo-Tivov etyifiuoaav, /8ao-t\e'<»s eyicei- 
 fievov afyiai. BaaiKeiis Se 717309 avTov xpfj- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 226 
 
 to annul by his own decision a sentence 
 which Pelagius had given in his name. 
 So that, in everything, Justinian's only 
 object was to get money by any means 
 whatsoever. 
 
 The following is a similar case. There 
 was a Samaritan by birth, a native of 
 Palestine, who, having been compelled by 
 the law to change his religion, had be- 
 come a Christian and taken the name 
 of Faustinus. This Faustinus became a 
 member of the senate and governor of 
 Palestine ; and when his time of office 
 had expired, on his return to Byzantium 
 he was accused by certain priests of 
 favouring the religion and customs of the 
 Samaritans and of having been guilty of 
 great cruelties towards the Christians in 
 Palestine. Justinian appeared to be very 
 angry and expressed his indignation that, 
 during his *eign, anyone should have the 
 audacity to insult the name of Christian. 
 The members of the senate met to 
 examine into the matter, and, at the 
 instance of the Emperor, Faustinus was 
 banished. But Justinian, having received 
 
227 nPOKOHIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 fiara baa .e/SovXero Keicofiurfievos, civdSiica, 
 eu6i><; ra, SeSuccuTfieva eiroiijae. 0avo-rivo<; 
 Se addts to trporepov aijiatfia, eywv, ficurikel 
 re wfj.l\ei, iiriTpoiros re KaraaTas t£>v e« 
 IIa\aicrrivr]<; -re na\ <&obviicr)<s ftaaCkitcmv 
 'XwpLoov, dBeearep'ov airavra KaTetpyd^ero, baa 
 ol avrm BovXofievio etrj. "Ovriva p,ev olv 
 , IovaTiviavb<i rpoirov ra XpiaTiav&v Siicaui)- 
 pMTa TreptareXKeiv rj^iov, icahrep ov "iroXkwv 
 elprjfievwv fjiuv, aXk' m T&vSe, /3pa%ia)v ovrtav, 
 reKfiripiovv mtw. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 227 
 
 large presents of money from him, imme- 
 diately annulled the sentence. Faustinus, 
 restored to his former authority and the 
 confidence of the Emperor, was appointed 
 steward of the imperial domains in Pales- 
 tine and Phoenicia, and was allowed to 
 act in every respect exactly as he pleased. 
 These few instances are sufficient to 
 show how Justinian protected the Chris- 
 tian ordinances. 
 
228 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION KH'. 
 
 a. "Oirm<i Se ical roii<s vo/aov? ovSe/xia 
 0Kvr]aei Kareaete xptjftdTiov iceifievcav /3pa- 
 yvrarw SrjXwdrfo-eTat \6yq>. 
 
 TlplaKo<; rts ev rfj , E/J,ea , 7jvuv eyeven 
 •jroKet, oairep aWorpta ypdfifiara fiifteicrOat, 
 ev^uw? e%r)iriaTcvro, Te%viTi;s re ?jv irepl to 
 kcikov tovto Seffto? ayav. 'Ervy^ave Se jj twc 
 'E/jLe<rr)va>v eKKKrjo-la tSiv tivos itTKJ)av&v 
 KKf)pov6/ioi yeyevij/juevr) j^poVots ricrl woWah 
 e/iirpoo-dev. 
 
 *Hv Se Tt? avr/p ira,Tplicio<; ftev to d^uo/m, 
 Mafifiiapb? Se ovofxa, yevei Xafiirpot ical 
 irepiovata xprjfidrcov. 'Em Se 'Iovcrnviavov 
 (JaaiXevovTOS, 6 IIpurKos Siepevvrjo-dfievo<i iro- 
 Xew? tjJs eipr)iievrj<! rds oikUl<s •n , do~a<;, et Ttras 
 evpe re ttKovti^ diep:a%ovaa<: ) km, 77730s fyjfiiav 
 XprifidTuv fieydXmv Siapic5j<; e^ovaws, rovroov 
 Siepevw]o-d/j,evoi i<s to a/cpt/Se? to«5 irpoird- 
 ropa<;, ypd/j,/j,aaip aiirmu Tra\aiol<; evTV)(a)v, 
 /3t,/3\i£ia iroWd a>? Trap' etceivatv yeypa^/xeva 
 ireTrdlrjTai, ofioXoyovvrtop 7ro\\A yprmara tw 
 Ma/jL/JLiavqi airoSmaeiv, are TrapcucaradriKris 
 Xo7<j> ravra Trpo? ktcetvov KEKO[uo~[iivcov. 
 
 /3'. To re tofioXoyrj/jLevov iv tovtocs Sr/ 
 to« KaTatr\do-TOi<i ypa/ifiaTioi<s ypvaiov t-WT/ei 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 228 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII 
 
 I must now briefly relate how he 
 unhesitatingly abolished the laws when 
 money was in question. There was in 
 Emesa a man named Priscus, who was an 
 expert forger and very clever in his art. 
 The church of Emesa, many years before, 
 had been instituted sole heir to the property 
 of one of the most distinguished inhabi- 
 tants named Mammianus, a patrician of 
 noble birth and of great wealth. During 
 the reign of Justinian, Priscus made a 
 list of all the families of the town, taking 
 care to notice which were wealthy and 
 able to disburse large sums. He carefully 
 hunted up the names of their ancestors, 
 and, having found some old documents 
 in their handwriting, forged a number of 
 acknowledgments, in which they con- 
 fessed that they were largely indebted to 
 Mammianus in sums of money which 
 had been left with them by him as a 
 deposit. The amount of these forged 
 acknowledgments was no less than a 
 
229 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ov% fjaaov rj i<s etcaTov Kevrrjvdpia. Kal dvSpb? 
 Si twos, oarrep ivl rrji dyopd<s rqviKaSe rod 
 %povou Ka6rip,eva<i, rjvtica o Mafi/itavos rrepirjv, 
 S6t;av re TroXKfjv hrl re dXrjddq Kal rfj aWrj 
 apery eymv, arravra irreriXet, rd rwv wokir&v 
 ypap,fiareia, e/caarov oIkbiok ernafypayitpiv 
 avrb<s ypdfi/Aaaiv, ovirep rafieWlava koXovcti 
 'Pwfiatoi, rd ypdfifiara Saifiovlais [up/rjcrdfievo?, 
 rots SioiKovfievois rd rrpdyfiara rrj<! 'E/teai}- 
 vSiV ixicXrialas rrapiStoKev, c&fioKoyrjKoai fiolpav 
 avr& riva Keladai r&v ivdivSe TropiaOrjtro/ievav 
 Xptlftdrmv. 
 
 7'. 'Eirel Si 6 vo/ios e/ATroSwv "araro, 
 rds p,ev aX\a; Si'/cas aireurtK I? rpia/covrovriv 
 rrapaypa<$ir]V dymv, o\vya$ Se arras Kal ras 
 vTTodrjKapia'i Kakovfievas reacrapaKOvra ivtav- 
 rS>v firjKei eKKpovcov, fir/j^avrnvrai roidSe. '£? 
 Bv^dvnou dfyiKOfievoi, Kal yjprniara fieydka ru> 
 fiaaikel rovrm rrpoe/ievoi, iSeovro a(f>i<n rbv 
 rwv irdXir&v oKeOpov ovSeu auj^XijKoratv j-wy- 
 Karepyd^eaffai. 'O Se rd xprfftara KeKop,ur- 
 p,evo<; > fteWqaet ovSep,ia vofiov eypayfrev, ov 
 "XpovoK Tas e/McX^fftas TO?? KadrjKovaiv, dXlC 
 iviavrwv eKarov rf\ri6et Sikuv r&v avrali 
 rrpoarjKOvaSjv diroKexKeiadai' Kal ravra ovk 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 22Q 
 
 hundred centenars of gold. He also 
 imitated in a marvellous manner the 
 handwriting of a public notary, a man 
 of conspicuous honesty and virtue, who 
 during the lifetime of Mammianus used 
 to draw up all their documents for the 
 citizens, sealing them with his own hand, 
 and delivered these forged documents to 
 those who managed the ecclesiastical 
 affairs of Emesa, on condition that he 
 should receive part of the money which 
 might be obtained in this manner. 
 
 But, since there was a law which 
 limited all legal processes to a period of 
 thirty years, except in cases of mortgage 
 and certain others, in which the prescrip- 
 tion extended to forty years, they resolved 
 to go to Byzantium and, offering a large 
 sum of money to the Emperor, to beg 
 him to assist them in their project of 
 ruining their fellow-citizens. 
 
 The Emperor accepted the money, 
 and immediately published a decree which 
 ordained that affairs relating to the 
 Church should not be restricted to the 
 ordinary prescription, but that anything 
 might be recovered, if claimed within a 
 
230 
 
 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ev 'Efieag fwvov tcvpia etvat, aXKa Kal ava 
 iraaav rrjv 'Peofialcov dpyfjv. 
 
 B' . 'Efieaqvofc re to Trpar/fia tovto 
 Biavrav erage Aoyylvov Tiva, Bpaorrjpiov re 
 dvBpa Kal to o-eb/jua uryvpibv ayav, 09 Kal Trp> 
 tov hrjfiov ap%r}v ev Bv£avTia> vcrrepov eayev. 
 01 Be tjj? eKic\7]o-ia<s to. Trpdy/iaTa SioiKOVfievoi, 
 tA fiev TTp&TO, twv tlvi ttoXit&v Siktjv Kev- 
 rt)vapioiv etc fitfiXttov t£>v elprjfievmv Xa^oi/re? 
 Svotv, KwreBucaaavTo toik; avBpanrovt; evdv<s, 
 ti Kal airoXoyrjo-auiTO ovSa/irj e^ovra?, Bid Te 
 ■%p6vov ToaovSe firJKOs, Kal dyvoiav twv tots 
 Treirpayfievav. 'Ev irevOet Be fieydkm eKaOrjVTO 
 o'i Te dXKot f v/Mravres avOpwrroi, a>/j,&<i t<w 
 cvKocpavTais eKKeifievoi, Kal irdvTWV p.d\urra 
 ol t&v 'EfjLeo-rjv&v \0yuuTaT01. 
 
 e'. Tov Be kukov e? tov<! TrXetarou? 77817 
 t&v ttoXit&v eirippeovTos, irpo/jLrjdeidv Tiva 
 tov 6eov %vvi}vex0T) yeveaOai, ToidvBe. HpiaKov 
 6 Aoyylvos, Tbv tovto Btj to aKaicoprjfia epya- 
 adfievov, anravTa 6/jiov Ko/jii£eiv ol Td ypdfifiara 
 eicekevaev, dvaBv6/jiev6v Te ttjv irpdj;iv eppdiriae 
 Bvvd/Aei, tj} Tracy. 'O Be dvSpb? layvpov \iav 
 ttjv TrKrjyijv oiSa/Mrj eveyicwv, etreo-ev wrrios, 
 Tpe/icov Be 77817 Kal TrepiBer)<; yeyova><i, 6\w Te 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 230 
 
 hundred years : which regulation was to 
 be observed not only in Emesa, but 
 throughout the whole of the Roman Em- 
 pire. In order to see that the new rule 
 was put into execution, he sent Longinus 
 to Emesa, a man of great vigour and 
 bodily strength, who was afterwards made 
 praefect of Byzantium. Those who had 
 the management of the affairs of the 
 church of Emesa, acting upon the forged 
 documents, sued some of the citizens for 
 two centenars of gold, which they were 
 condemned to pay, being unable to raise 
 any objection,, by reason of the length 
 of time elapsed and their ignorance of 
 the facts. All the inhabitants, and 
 especially the principal citizens, were in 
 great distress and highly incensed against 
 their accusers. When ruin already threat- 
 ened the majority of the citizens, Provi- 
 dence came to their assistance in a most 
 unexpected manner. Longinus ordered 
 Priscus, the contriver of this detestable 
 invention, to bring him all the acknow- 
 ledgments; and, when he showed himself 
 unwilling to do so, he dealt him a violent 
 blow in the face. Priscus, unable to 
 
231 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Aoyyivov yadfjadai rh, veTrpar/fiiva \yirovomv 
 ii-JcofidXoyei, ovTca re t^? cncauaplas airdarj'} 
 ej <$>£><} ivej(9ei<TTji, ttjv arvicoipavTiav ireiravtrOac 
 ^vviftr). TavTa 8e ov fiovov es rows vo/jlovs del 
 teal tcaff €Ka.(TT7jV elpyd^ero tov? 'Payfiaiav, 
 
 s'. '-4\\ai ical oils 'Effpahi rifiaxri, /cara- 
 Xveiv oSe /SatrtXeu? iv a-irovSfj evxev. *Hv yap 
 irore avTois iiraviibv 6 %p6vo<i tt)v •7rao™xakiav 
 eoprr)v irpb twv Xpio-Tiavwv dyayebv ruyoi, 
 ovk da ravTrjv roiif 'IovSalov? icaipoi<s roii 
 tcadrjKova-iv ayeiv, ovSi ri iv TavTy 8ejjioi>o-0ac 
 tuj &ea, fi itriTekeiv t&v iv a<j)io~iv avTofc 
 vofiifiav. IIoXKovs Te air&v ol im t&v dpy&v 
 TeTay/jievot, are nrpo^areuov Kpe&v iv tovti^ 
 yeva-afiivow; r& xpovcp, tjjs e? Ttjv iroknelav 
 Trapavofilas virdyovres, yjpr\iia<iiv ityipiovv 
 7roX\ots. "Epya fiev oiv ical dX\a TOtavra 
 , IovaTiviavov avdpiBfia iijemaTd/ievo*; ovk av 
 ti evdevqv, itrel 7ripa<s hojeov t& \6y<p. 'Airo- 
 Xprjaei yap ical Si avr&v to tov dvBpamov 
 ?j6o<i arjpjjvai,. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 23I 
 
 resist the blow dealt by a man of such 
 bodily strength, fell backwards upon the 
 ground, trembling and affrighted. Be- 
 lieving that Longinus had discovered the 
 whole affair, he confessed ; and, the whole 
 trick being thus brought to light, the 
 suits were stopped. 
 
 Justinian, not content with subverting 
 the laws of the Roman Empire every 
 day, exerted himself in like manner to 
 do away with those of the Jews ; for, if 
 Easter came sooner in their calendar 
 than in that of the Christians, he did 
 not allow them to celebrate the Passover 
 on their own proper day or to make their 
 offerings to God, or to perform any of 
 their usual solemnities. The magistrates 
 even inflicted heavy fines upon several of 
 them, upon information that they had 
 eaten the paschal lamb during that time, 
 as if it were an infraction of the laws 
 of the state. Although I could mention 
 countless acts of this nature committed 
 by Justinian, I will not do so, for I must 
 draw my narrative to a close. What I 
 have said will be sufficient to indicate the 
 character of the man. 
 
232 IIPOKOmOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KEQAAAION K@ . 
 
 a. "Oti Bi e'ipiov re km KardifKatrrot; fjv, 
 avTiKa 8r]Xd><T(D. Tbv Aifiepiov tovtov, oimep 
 envri<T6r)v apriccs, irapaXvaa? iy? e<>X ev "PX%> 
 'Iadvvrjv din avrov KareaT^aaro, Alyvwriov 
 yivos, iTrlfcKrjaiv Aa%apla>va. "Oirep iirel He- 
 \a7t0? eyvea, Aifiepim <plXo<; e? rd itdXtora 
 wv, rov avTO/cpaTopos dveirvvOdveTO, elirep 
 dfi<f)l Aaijapiava \070s a\r)8r)<s euq. Kal 0? 
 evdiis airripifqaaTO, (iijBev ireirpaykvai roiovro 
 a/Kbayvpiadnevos, ypafi/iard re avT$ irpos 
 Aiftipiov ive^elpia-ev, eweXhopevos fiefiaiorara 
 tt}<s dpxfjs ex<ear9cu, Kal pyqBevl avrfji rpoiry 
 fieOUaBai" ov yap TauTTj? idiXeiv ev Tip 
 irapovri avTov irapaXvaai. 
 
 /3'. *Hv Be Tts t«j! 'Imdvvg iv Bvtyaniy 
 0eto9, EvBaifiwv ovofia, e? re to twv inarm 
 dl-ieapa ijkcov, Kal ypr\pMTa 7re/»/8e/3\i?/ievos 
 TroWa, eiriTpoTro? Tew? T77? ftaatXia? ovciai 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 232 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX 
 
 I will, however, mention two in- 
 stances of his falsehood and hypocrisy. 
 
 After having deprived Liberius (of 
 whom I have, spoken above) of his office, 
 he put in his place John, an Egyptian 
 by birth, surnamed Laxarion. When 
 Pelagius, who was a particular friend of 
 Liberius, heard of this, he inquired of 
 Justinian whether what he had heard was 
 true. The Emperor immediately denied 
 it, and protested that he had done nothing 
 of the kind. He then gave Pelagius a 
 letter in which Liberius was ordered to 
 hold fast to his government and by no 
 means to give it up, and added that he had 
 no present intention of removing Liberius. 
 At that time there resided in Byzantium 
 an uncle of John named Eudaemon, a 
 man of consular rank and great wealth, 
 who had the management of the imperial 
 
 30 
 
233 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 t£ta?. 05to? EvSafatov, eVetSq ravr' rj/cqicoei, 
 airep ipprjdrj, Kai avTos j3ao~ike<o<i aveirvvdavero 
 el eV /3e/3at(j> to3 aSeXi^Sw to. t?}? apx>)? e 'V 
 '0 Se 6Va oi 7rpo? Atfiepwv iyeypavTO dpvrj- 
 crdp.evo<;, ttjOO? tov , I(odwqv ypdfifjbara ypdifrai}, 
 avri\a0e<rdai tt}? "/»%»)? Svvdfiei Ttj iraari 
 iire&TeWev. ' OvSe yap ovS avT& vecorepov 
 d/J-(j> avrfi /3e/3ov\ev<rdai. Otirep 6 'IwdvvrjS 
 dvaireiaOel 1 ?, Atftepiov dvay^copelv tov ttj? dp%fj<; 
 Karayaylov are avrrj<! irapaXeXv/iivov e«e- 
 \evev. AifiipLO? Se airiy irei,6eadai ovSap,i] 
 e&HKTKzv, 977/^61/0? StjXovoti rot? /3aa-tXe'<»? Kai 
 avrbs ypd/Mfiatriv. 'O fiev ofiv , Imdvvr)<; ) tov<s 
 oi kirofievov; oir\iaa<i, iirl rbv Aifiepiov rjef 6 
 Se %vv toI<s dn<p avTov et? dvTiaraaiv elSe. 
 Md'x^'i T£ yevo/j.evrj'i, aXkot, re iroWol irlir- 
 Tovai Kai 'Ia>dvv7]<; airo? 6 ttjv dpfflv e%S>v. 
 
 y . EvSat/ioj/o? ofiv Icr^vporara eyicei- 
 fievov, fieTdirep/irTO'; evdi><! e? Bv^dvrwv 6 
 Aij3epto<i r\V rj re o~uytc\r)TO<; fiovkrj rrjv 
 Sidyvacrtv troiovpAvr) rosv -Kerr pay pevwv, dwe- 
 yfrrj(picraTO tov dvOpwirov, iirel avTov ovk 
 £\86vTO<:, aXX' d/j,vvofievov to fiiaafia j-vvr]- 
 veyQi) yeveadav. JBacuXev? fievTOi oxi irpoTepov 
 aTretrTi], eeo? avTov etflp,m<re yjpr\u,aTa \ddpa. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 233 
 
 estates. Having been informed of what 
 had taken place, he also inquired of the 
 Emperor whether his nephew was assured 
 in his government. Justinian, saying 
 nothing about his letter to Liberius, sent 
 John positive orders to hold fast to his 
 government, since his views were still the 
 same concerning it. Trusting to this, 
 John ordered Liberius to quit the go- 
 vernor's palace, as having been deprived 
 of his office. Liberius refused, placing 
 equal reliance in the Emperor's despatch. 
 John, having armed his followers, marched 
 against Liberius, who defended himself 
 with his guards. An engagement took 
 place, in which several were slain, and 
 amongst them John, the new governor. 
 
 At the earnest entreaty of Eudaemon, 
 Liberius was immediately summoned to 
 Byzantium. The matter was investigated 
 before the senate, and Liberius was ac- 
 quitted, as being only guilty of justifiable 
 homicide in self-defence. Justinian, how- 
 ever, did not let him escape, until he had 
 forced him to give him a considerable 
 sum of money privately. Such was the 
 
 30 — 2 
 
234 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Ovtw fiev oZv 'lovcnivuwbs akr)6l£ea6ai re 
 rprioTtxTO, ical evdiiyKax7t70<! r/v. 
 
 8'. 'Eym Se irdpepyov Tt rovSe tov \6yov 
 elireiv ovk airb tov icaipov oto/xai elvcu. '0 
 fiev yap Evhai/imv o5to? ereKevTrjatv ov iroXkm 
 varepov, £vyyeva>v fiev ol dnokekufifievwv 
 iroW&v, oine Biad^Krjv Tiva Blade fievoi, ovre 
 ti aKKo to irapairav elnwv. 'Tiro xpovov Te 
 tov avTov Kal ti? apyoov yeyovat? t&v iv 
 TraKaTim eivovj(wv, ovofia EinppaTas, aireKvdr] 
 tov f3iov, a.8e\<f>i8ovv fiev wrroKnrwv, oiBev 8e 
 eVi T7J ovalq Biade/ievo? Trj avrov iroXKfi e's 
 ayav ovay. 'Aficpeo Be f3acri\ev<; t<x? ovaicm 
 acpeiXeTo, ic\r)pov6fio<} yeyevr}fievo<; avTOfiaToi;,. 
 koI oiBe Tpid>/3o7v6v tivl t&v vo/iificov ickrjpovQ- 
 fiav irpoefievo^. ToaavTr] alBol e's Te tov? 
 vofiovs Kal t&v eiriTTjheiwv tov<s %vyyevei<; 6 
 j8acrt\eu? ovto? e^paTO. Outws koI to. Elprj- 
 valov, iroXXm epxrpoadev TeXevTrjaavTOS, 8b- 
 Kaia>fj,a ovb° otiovv iir' avTolt er^wv, aipelXeTO. 
 
 e '. Tovtcov fie to i%6fievov virb %p6vov 
 te tov avTov yeyovbi oi/c av o-uoirdyqv. 'Ava- 
 toXio? t{? r\v, iv 'Ao-koXcovit&v XevxcbfiaTi to, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 234 
 
 great respect Justinian showed for the 
 truth, and such was the faithfulness with 
 which he kept his promises. I will here 
 permit myself a brief digression, which 
 may not be irrelevant. This Eudaemon 
 died shortly afterwards, leaving behind 
 him a large number of relatives, but no 
 will, either written or verbal. About the 
 same time, the chief eunuch of the court, 
 named Euphratas, also died intestate; he 
 left behind him a nephew, who would 
 naturally have succeeded to his property, 
 which was considerable. The Emperor 
 took possession of both fortunes, appoint- 
 ing himself sole heir, not even leaving so 
 much as a three-obol piece to the legal 
 inheritors. Such was the respect Justi- 
 nian showed for the laws and the kins- 
 men of his intimate friends. In the same 
 manner, without having the least claim 
 to it, he seized the fortune of Irenaeus, 
 who had died some time before. 
 
 Another event which took place about 
 this time I cannot omit. There lived at 
 Ascalon a man named Anatolius, the most 
 distinguished member of the senate. His 
 
235 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Trpmrela eyoav. Tovtov ttjv TralSa ya/j,err)p 
 yvvalica twv ti? Kaiaapemv Treirolrjrat, Ma/u- 
 Xiavb<; ovofta, owa'a? i"iri<pavov<; ayav. *Hv Be 
 i] Kopr) iirUXr/po^, eVel fiovr]? avrf}? 'Avarokios 
 eyeyovei war-rip. JVo/ttp Be avmOev Buopio-fievov, 
 iireiBav ftovKevrty t&v two? iroXemv, ovk 
 airdXeXeififiivcov ol iraiBeov yovov appevoi, el- 
 avOpwwcov dfyaviaQehq, t&v diro\e\ei/j./ieva)V 
 virb tovtov ^pTj/idrcov to /lev TeTaprq/j,6ptov 
 BiBoaOai r£> Trj<s 7roXe&>? ftovkevTqpLm, iravrmv 
 Be t&v aX\mv tous KXrjpovo/iov? tov TereKevrr}- 
 koto<s airovao-Oai, yvrnpia/ia tfOovs tov oUetov 
 KavTavda 6 avroicpaTwp evBeucvvfievos, vofiov 
 eWy^os ervyyave ypdifrcv;, e/Airakiv rh tov 
 TrpdyfiaTOS Biotxovfievov, ottw; Br/, iireiSctv 
 /3ov\evTT)<; airat<i tsXsvt&v yovov appevos T?)? 
 ovo-ias ol [lev /ekijpovo/Jioi to Teraprov eyoiev, 
 TaWa Be itdvTa to Te Brj/Aocnov ical to tjj? 
 •7r6\ea)<s \evica>fia (pepoivro. Kairoi ovBeira>- 
 7tot€ hrifioffiov rj ftaaikevs, a<ji oil yeyovaaiv 
 avdpanoi, xprj/Adrmv (SovkevTiic&v fieTaa'^eiv 
 
 s-'. Tovtov tolvw Keifievov tov vopov, 
 !4i/aTo\/&) fiev eireyevero rj reXeto? rj/iepa tov 
 /Stow' 17 Be tovtov 7rats rbv tovtov ickrjpov 
 irpos Te to Brjfioatov ical to Trj<s 7r6Xea>? 
 ftovkevTijpiov Kara tov vo/iov eveifiaTo, ical 
 avrfj ypdfifiaTa ficwikev<; Te auros ical 'Aaica- 
 Xwvitwv ol tov Xevicd>iia.TO<s eypcvtyav, tt)<! 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 235 
 
 daughter, his only child and heiress, was 
 married to a citizen of Caesarea, named 
 Mamilianus, a man of distinguished 
 family. There was an ancient statute 
 which provided that, whenever a senator 
 died without male issue, the fourth part 
 of his estate should go to the senate of 
 the town, and the rest to the heirs-at- 
 law. On this occasion Justinian gave a 
 striking proof of his character. He had 
 recently made a law which reversed this, 
 — that, when a senator died without male 
 issue, the fourth part only should go to the 
 heirs, the three other parts being divided 
 between the senate and the public 
 treasury, although it had never happened 
 before that the estate of any senator had 
 been shared between the public treasury 
 and the Emperor. 
 
 Anatolius died while this law was in 
 force. His daughter was preparing to 
 divide her inheritance with the public 
 treasury and the senate of the town in 
 accordance with the law, when she re- 
 ceived letters from the senate of Ascalon 
 and from the Emperor himself, in which 
 
236 IIPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 irepl tovtov avrrjv cupievres avriKoyias, are 
 rd <T<j>i<ri TrpovqKovra KeKOfiicrfievoi 6p9$><s ical 
 hucaiw;. 
 
 £'. "Tarepov real MapiKiavos direXudi) 
 tov filov, ocnrep 'AvaroXltp icqheo-Tr]<s iyeyove'i, 
 7ratS6? oi d'jroXeXeififievr]'; /Mas, yprep icai ttjv 
 tov irarpbt oialav, a>s to eweo?, eo'jfe. Merit 
 Se (ical) avrrj, irepiovo-r)<; en oi tj)? iMfrphf, 
 acpl/cero e<s to fierpov tov fitov, dvSpl /lev 
 %vvouaa0eiaa t&v Xoylficov Tivl, fi^Ttjp Be 
 ovre 0»;\eo5 ovre apo~evo$ yevofievv} yovov. 
 'AW' 'Iovo-Tiviavb*} ttcivtwv aveXafiero twv 
 %pr] iidrav evdvs, eicelvo a,Tro(p8eyf;dfievo<; to 
 8av/j,daiov, &>? rrjv 'AvaroXiov irdlSa, yvvalica 
 ypavv ovaav, rot? re tov warpo? ical tok tov 
 dvBpb? rrXovreiv j(prifiaaiv o&% oaiov e'ii). 
 "07ra)5 Be f) yvvr) fir) ev rot? 7rpoo-<UTit}Tals} to 
 evdevBe Terd^erai, aTarrjpa ^pvaovv e'9 f]p.epav 
 eKdcrTTjv ttjv yvvalica cpepeadai ravrr/v Bubpioev, 
 «a? av irepifi, tovto 6ep,evo<; ev Toi? ypdfi/iaai, 
 Bo wv rd XptffiaTa i\r)io~aTo ravra' " w? tov 
 " GTarripa irpoelTai t?J? evo~ej3eut<} eveica tovtov 
 "■eOo<! ydp fioi tu Te ocria ical evaefir} Trpdrreiv." 
 'AWci irepl tovtchv drro^prj Xeyeiv, oVo)? firj 
 X070S KaTa/copw? <?Xpl, eirel oi/Bi airdvTWV 
 dvdpdyirip ye ovti Bvvarbv dno/j.vi]fiovevaai,. 
 
 t) . "Otl Be oi BeveTwv, t&v oi iairovBaff- 
 fievcov SoicovvTiov eivat., \6yov two, trerrovrirai, 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 236 
 
 they resigned all claim to the money, as if 
 they had received their due. Afterwards 
 Mamilianus (the son-in-law of Anatolius) 
 died, leaving one daughter, the legal heiress 
 to his estate. The daughter soon after- 
 wards died, during her mother's lifetime, 
 after having been married to a person of 
 distinction, by whom, however, she had 
 no issue, either male or female. Justinian 
 then immediately seized the whole estate, 
 giving utterance to the strange opinion, 
 that it would be a monstrous thing that 
 the daughter of Anatolius, in her old age, 
 should be enriched by the property of 
 both her husband and father. However, 
 to keep her from want, he ordered that 
 she should receive a stater of gold a day, 
 as long as she lived ; and, in the decree 
 whereby he deprived her of all her pro- 
 perty, he declared that he bestowed this 
 stater upon her for the sake of religion, 
 seeing that he was always in the habit of 
 acting with piety and virtue. 
 
 I will now show that he cared nothing 
 even for the Blue faction, which showed 
 itself devoted to him, when it was a 
 
237 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Xpr)fmTa)v irapbvTOiv, etyu SrfKaxra). MaXOavt)? 
 Tt? eyeyovei ev KiXt^t, Aiovro? exeivov ya/jbfipbs, 
 <k irepieiTrev. &o-nrep fioi e'lprjTcu, ti)v tov 
 KaXovftevov paupepevSapiov rifitfv. Tovtov 
 /Skis avaa-reWeiv iireo-TeWe ra<; ev KiXi^i. 
 TavTrjs re t»}? cr«»7^reG>s 6 MakOavr/s X,a/So- 
 fievos, avrjKeaTa KaKa KiKl/ewv tow -irXelo-Tovs 
 elpyd^STO, Kal to. xprffiaTO, \r}t,%6(ievos, ra fjiev 
 tw TVpdvvo) eirefiire, t<m? Be avTO<; iSucalov 
 •rrkovTelv. 
 
 & . 01 fj,ev oiv aXKot to. o-cpiai Trapbvra 
 crwirfj eabepov Tapaecov Se oaoi Beverot, fjaav, 
 Ttj 6K ftaaiktSo? Trappr)<riq OapaovvTes, ev tw 
 Srjfioaup rfjs ayopas es tov Makddvqv, ov 
 wapovra afyiai, iroXXa vfipiCpv. "Ovep eirel 
 6 MaX6dvr]<} eyvw, tr\r)6o<; arparuDTcav eirayo- 
 fievo<s, e's Tapabv ev0i>$ afyUeTO vviereta' 
 vepnrifnroov re tows aTpaTuoTw; e? to? oIkUs, 
 opdpov fiadeo 1 ; KaTaKveiv i/ceXevev. "E(f>o8ov 
 Se olofievot TavTTjv ol BiveTOi elvai, e'« tS>v 
 Trapovrav rjjivvovTO. 13,vve/3T) toLvvv aXXa re 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 237 
 
 question of money. There was amongst 
 the Cilicians a certain Malthanes, the 
 son-in-law of that Leo who had held the 
 office of " Referendary," whom Justinian 
 commissioned to put down seditious 
 movements in the country. On this pre- 
 text, Malthanes treated most of the in- 
 habitants with great cruelty. He robbed 
 them of their wealth, sent part to the 
 Emperor, and claimed the rest for him- 
 self. Some endured their grievances in 
 silence ; but the inhabitants of Tarsus 
 who belonged to the Blue faction, con- 
 fident of the protection of the Empress, 
 assembled in the market-place and abused 
 Malthanes, who at the time was not 
 present. When he heard of it, he 
 immediately set out with a body of 
 soldiers, reached Tarsus by night, sent 
 his soldiers into the houses at daybreak, 
 and ordered them to put the inhabitants 
 to death. The Blues, imagining that it 
 was an attack from a foreign foe, defended 
 themselves as best they could. During 
 the dark, amongst other misfortunes, Da- 
 mianus, a member of the senate and 
 
238 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Kaica ev <tk6t<d yeveadai, Kal Aa/iiavbv, avSpa 
 e« /3ov\r}<s, rogev/iari fikrjdevra ireaelv. 
 
 1. *Hv Se 6 Aafuavbs o5tos r&v rfjSe 
 Bevertov rrpoardrrjii. "Oirep eirel es Bv^dvriov 
 rfkdev, o" re Beveroi Bv<r<popov/ievoi, 0opv/3tp 
 ava rr/v iroKiv 7ro\\<£ ei^ovro, Kal fiacriXea 
 fiev afi(pl r<p irpdy/j,ari ^Xow ar/av, Aeovra 
 Be Kal rbv MaXBdvqv Beivordrait aireiXah 
 iroWa, i8vo-(ptffiow. Kal avroKpdrmp ovBev 
 ri v\ao~ov aypialveadai iwl tow ireirpayiikvois 
 iancijirrero. Tpdfi/ia fiev ovv evdvi eypayfre, 
 ^qrrjaiv re Kal rlaiv rwv rw MaXOdvy irerro- 
 Xirevfiivcov KeXevav yeveadai. 'AXXa Aeoiv 
 avrw ftpvaiov Trpoe/ievo? rrkrjdos, rov re /iw/iov 
 avriKa, Kal rfj<! ets tow Beverovs aropyrjs 
 eirav<76. 
 
 id '. Tov re irpdyfiaro 1 ; dvefjerdarov 
 fie/ievrjKOTos, MaXddvrjv /3ao-tA,ev? e? Bv^dvriov, 
 •trap avrbv tjkovto i-uv re iroWfj <fu\o(j>poavvri 
 elSe Kal ev ri/ifj ea-^ev. 'E^iovra Be 01 Beveroi 
 Ik /8a<7t\ea>? rypTjo-avrei, ir\i}ya<; avrm irpoa- 
 erptyavro ev rrdkaricp. (Kal) Bia'Xprjo-aoBai 
 e/AeWov, el firj rwv rive? BieKaikvaav, 01 ye 
 irp6<; Aeovro<i ypr\p.ara 17877 KeKOfiur/iivoi XdBpa 
 ervy^avov. Kalroi rh ovk av ravrr)V rr\v 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 238 
 
 president of the Blues in Tarsus, was slain 
 by an arrow. 
 
 When the news reached Byzantium, 
 the Blues assembled in the streets with 
 loud murmurs of indignation, and bitterly 
 complained to the Emperor of the affair, 
 uttering the most violent threats against 
 Leo and Malthanes. The Emperor pre- 
 tended to be as enraged as they were, 
 and immediately ordered an inquiry to be 
 made into the conduct of the latter. 
 But Leo, by the present of a considerable 
 sum of money, appeased him, so that the 
 process was stopped, and the Emperor 
 ceased to show favour to the Blues. 
 Although the affair remained uninvesti- 
 gated, the Emperor received Malthanes, 
 who came to Byzantium to pay his 
 respects, with great kindness and treated 
 him with honour. But, as he was leaving 
 the Emperor's presence, the Blues, who 
 had been on the watch, attacked him in 
 the palace, and would certainly have slain 
 him, had not some of their own party, 
 bribed by Leo, prevented them. Who 
 would not consider that state to be in 
 
239 HPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 •rroKirelav eKeeivoTa,T7jV Kakolrj, iv y /3a<Ti\eii<; 
 fj,ev BapoBoKijcrw}, dve^eraara KareXei-tye to, 
 iyKXijfiaTa' araa-L&rai Be, /3aatKia)<s ev ira- 
 \<nla> ovro<;, iTravaarrjvat rmv rcvi apxpvTw 
 ov8e/Ma oicvrjaei iroXfirjaav, dBi/ctov re -^upwv 
 eV ainbv ap^at ; rlais fievrob rovrav Br) 
 eveica ovBe/Jbia ovre eh top MaXddvrjv eyivero, 
 ovre eh Toil? avrm eiravaaravTa'}. '22* tovtodv 
 Be, el' Tt? fiovXoiro, to , Iovanviavov TOV ftacn- 
 
 \€<U? reK/JLT)plOVff6cO r}0o<!. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 239 
 
 a most pitiable condition, in which the 
 sovereign allows himself to be bribed to 
 leave charges uninvestigated, and in which 
 malcontents venture without hesitation to 
 attack one of the magistrates within the 
 precincts of the palace, and to lay violent 
 hands upon him ? However, no punish- 
 ment was inflicted either upon Malthanes 
 or his assailants, which is a sufficient 
 proof of the character of Justinian. 
 
240 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 KE&AAAION A'. 
 
 a. El Be Tiva ical tov tjj? •jroXiTeias 
 gvficpopov TroieiTai \6yov, tol e? Bpofiov re 
 avrm tov Srjfi6<riov km, tow KaraaKoirovs 
 elpyao~/j,eva SrjXuxrei. 01 fiev yap ' Ponjxamv 
 avTOKparopes ev rot? avm ypovois yeyevrj/ievoi, 
 irpovat]aavT&i 07re»? airavrd re <r<f>i<riv iiray- 
 yeWoivTO Tdyiara ical p/ijBefiia SiBi^ro /j,e\- 
 Xrjirei, to, re irpb 1 } t&v iroKe/iitou ev ycopa 
 eKaa-TTj j-vfATrlirTOvra, teal rot? iroKeai /card 
 ardcrcv ff aWo ti airpooirrov avfij3alvovTa 
 7ra#os, to, re 7roos rmv dp^ovTrnv ical rSsv 
 dWmv airdvTWv iravra^odt it pacraofieva tj)? 
 'Pco/iaiav apxVS) ott(o<i re ol tow cj)6pov<; 
 irapairefiiTOVTe'; tow eVeTetow 8iacrd>%oi,VTQ 
 ftpaSvTrjros re ical kivBvvov ^w/sl?, Sij/ioo'iov 
 o^vv riva TravTaypare TcetroLrfVTai Spo/xov rpoirm 
 roimSe. 'E<s ij/xepa? 6B6v ei£a>v<p dvSpl arad- 
 fioiii KareaTrjaavTO, irr) uev okto), irr/ Be tovtuv 
 eXdaarovi, ov fievroi fjcrcrov etc tov eirl irXelaTOV 
 rj /card irevre. "Ittttoi, Se 'laravro e? Teaaapd- 
 Kovra ev o-jadp-St eicdoTm. 'IimoKOfiot Be 
 Kara \6yov tov tuv lititcov jxerpov eTeTayaro 
 ev vaai a-rad/ioli. Sv)(vai<s Be Xinrcov BoKijito- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 240 
 
 CHAPTER XXX 
 
 His regulations as to the public "posts" 
 and "spies" will show how much he cared 
 for the interests of the state. The earlier 
 Emperors, in order to gain the most 
 speedy information concerning the move- 
 ments of the enemy in each territory, 
 seditions or unforeseen accidents in indi- 
 vidual towns, and the actions of the go- 
 vernors and other officials in all parts of 
 the Empire, and also in order that those 
 who conveyed the yearly tribute might 
 do so without danger or delay, had 
 established a rapid service of public 
 couriers according to the following sys- 
 tem : — As a day's journey for an active 
 man, they settled eight stages, sometimes 
 fewer, but never less than five. There 
 were forty horses in each stage and a 
 number of grooms in proportion. The 
 couriers who were intrusted with this 
 
 3 1 
 
24i nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 rdrcov ovrtov BiaBoj^als eXavvovres del olcyirep 
 errUevrat, to epyov rovro, Be/ca re, av oxnw 
 Tirxpi, oBbv fjfiep&v a/j,ei/3ovre$ iv rjiiepa /ua 
 'iirpaaaov cnravra 6<ra fioi dpricai BeBrfXwrai, 
 7T/30? Be teal oi ra>v ympimv mavrayr] tcvpioi, 
 aXka)*} re teal iv fieaoyetoi? rd ywpla ravra 
 irvyyavev, ^Satfioveararoi eV avrols iv rols 
 /idkicrra rjaav. Toils yap ovra? etc rod ire- 
 
 plOVTOS <T(f>lCrt, KapTTOlKi, ITTTTCOV KOI VKITOKOpm) 
 
 Tpofyryi evetca, ra> Sij/xoaloi ava rrdv era's 
 diroBtBo/ievot, xptffiara fteydXa i<f>ipovro. 
 Svveftaive re Bid ravra r(p Bi)/J,ocriq> Beyeadai 
 (lev del roils iytceifievov? endari^ (j)6pom, dvn- 
 rrapeyeo-Qai, he avroiii rots eotcofii£ovo~iv avritca 
 Br/ fxuka, teal 7rpoarjv ro yeyevfjo-Bai ry iroXireia 
 rd Beovra. Td fiev ovv irporepa ravrri irr) 
 efyev. 
 
 '/8'. 'O Be avroKpdrap oxiros rrpSna p,ev 
 rbv etc KaX^SoVo? aypi e? Aatclfti^av icadeKxmi 
 Bpofiov, r/vdyteao-e rravras itc Bv&vrlov ev6ii$ 
 ayjpi e<s rr)v ' EXevovnoXiv ovri ideXovatovs 
 vavriXXeadai. TlXeovres ovv iv dtcdroK /Sjoa- 
 yeiais rt,alv, o'uus BiarropQfieveaOat, rrjie 
 eld>6ao~i } ^et/tawo?, av ovrto rvypi, iwiwe- 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 241 
 
 duty, by making use of relays of excellent 
 horses, frequently covered as much ground 
 in one day by this means as they would 
 otherwise have covered in ten, when carry- 
 ing out the above commissions. In addi- 
 tion, the landed proprietors in each 
 country, especially those whose estates 
 were in the interior, reaped great benefit 
 from these posts ; for, by selling their 
 surplus corn and fruit every year to the 
 state for the support of the horses and 
 grooms, they gained considerable revenue. 
 By this means the state received, without 
 interruption, the tribute due from each, 
 and, in turn, reimbursed those who fur- 
 nished it, and thus everything was to the 
 advantage of the state. Such was the 
 old system. But Justinian, having com- 
 menced by suppressing the post between 
 Chalcedon and Dakibiza, compelled the 
 couriers to carry all despatches from By- 
 zantium to Helenopolis by sea. They 
 unwillingly obeyed ; for, being obliged to 
 embark upon small skiffs, such as were 
 generally used for crossing the strait, they 
 ran great risk of being shipwrecked, if 
 
 31—2 
 
242 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 aovTOf, iirl /Aer/a kivSvvov ywpovo-i. Trjf yap 
 dvayieaiov (nrovBrji iy/cei/j,ev7)? cr(f>lcri, icaipo- 
 (pvXaKelv re /ecu TrpooBe)(eo~8ai fieXKovaav 
 rrjv yaXrjvrjv aBvvard ianv. "Erreira Bi Kara, 
 p,ev rrjv irrl Hepo-a? 6Bbv <f>epovcrav tov Bpo/iov 
 eVf ff^yitaros tov rrpoadev otJrws e'laaev ehai, 
 es Be rrjv XoiTrijv fjv/nracrav eiw fii^pi e? 
 A'iyvrrrov iv r)p,ipa<i 6B& Kwrdaradfiov era 
 KaTe<rrrjaaTO fiovov, ov% Xmrwv fievroi, aX\' 
 ovwv oklr/mv. A to Br) ra Hvfifialvovra iv x^P a 
 eicaaTT) /io\i<} re xal otye rod icaipov ical 
 OTrlaco t5>v rrpayfidrmv elaayyeWopeva iiri- 
 /covplas ovSepbias rvyj(dveiv elic6$, ol Be tow? 
 dypov<: KeKjrjfievoi KaprrStv tcov <r<perepa>v aear)- 
 irorcav re /cat eucrj Keip,evmv dvovr/rot, e? del 
 yivovrat. 
 
 y'. To, Be r&v KaraaicoTruv roiavrd 
 iariv. 'AvBpes TroWol iv Sij/xocruo to dvixadev 
 icnrltyvro, o'i Br) 69 row; -jroke/iiovv tovre's, ev 
 re rol<; HepaSiv fiaatketoi? ytvo/ievoi, ipnropias 
 ovo/ian, r) rporri^ erepi^, e? re rb d/cpi/lh 
 Biepevvfo/xevoi exao-ra, ivavrjKOvre<! e? 'Pmpalw 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 242 
 
 they met with stormy weather. For, 
 since great speed was enjoined upon 
 them, they were unable to wait for a 
 favourable opportunity for putting out to 
 sea, when the weather was calm. It is 
 true that he maintained the primitive 
 system on the road to Persia, but for the 
 rest of the East, as far as Egypt, he re- 
 duced the number of posts to one, for a 
 day's journey, and substituted a few asses 
 for the horses, so that the report of what 
 was taking place in each district only 
 reached Byzantium with difficulty and 
 long after the events had occurred, when 
 it was too late to apply any remedy ; 
 and, on the other hand, the owners of 
 estates found no benefit from their pro- 
 ducts, which were either spoilt or lay idle. 
 The spies were organized in the follow- 
 ing manner : — A number of men used 
 to be supported at the state's expense, 
 whose business it was to visit hostile 
 countries, especially the court of Persia, 
 on pretence of business or some other 
 excuse, and to observe accurately what 
 was going on ; and by this means, on 
 
243 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 Tt]v yrjv, irdvra tow apxpuaw eTrayyiWeiv 
 rfivvavTO to, twv iroXe/AUOv airopprjra. 01 6e 
 7rpovfia0ov i^vXaaaov re Kal ompootnov ov&ev 
 ^vviirfTTTe a<f>icri. Tovto Se to XPW a K ^v 
 rots MrjSoi*} sk irakavov ***. Xoa-poqs fiev 
 ofo /iet'fou?, &<77rep (f>aal, ire-irovrnAkvos to? 
 7T/30? twv KCLTacricoirmv (TWTd^ei<s, vpofi^Oeias 
 Tij? iv9evSe airrjhavcrev. OvSev yap avrb? -rmv 
 KaTaatcoTTaiv ovofia igerpiijrev e« 'Pw/iauov 
 t>)s 7^5, £% ov $r] a\\a re iroWa rj/xapTridr) 
 Kal Aa\jncr) Trpos t&v •jrokep.imv eaXw, 'Pa- 
 fiaimv ovSafirj •nreTrvo'fiivcov oiroi troTe 7?)? 
 Uepamv f3aai\evs f iiv rm crrparq) eir). 
 
 S'. 'AWa xal Ka/j,rf\ou<; Ttapsifkridev; to 
 Srjfiocnov £k iraXaiov rpi^eiv elcoOei, at Srj T(J 
 'PcofiaCav crrpaTa eVt Tro\efiiov<s lovri airavra 
 (f>epovcrat, to, eirvrqhua e'hrovTO. Kal ovre 
 toIs yempyoti tots ayyapo<f>opelv eiravayitei 
 tjv, ovre ti ivSetv toi<s a-rpaTiciiTat,'; tSsv avay- 
 Kauov f-vvefiaivev, aXXa, Kal Tamas irepneikev 
 'Iovariviavbs aj(ehov ti dirdcra';. Aib Brj em 
 tow irokefiiov; Iovtos to, vvv tov 'Pafiauov 
 arparov yeyevrjadal ti, to>v Ssovtoov ciSvvaTov. 
 Ta fiev oSv tnrovSaioTaTa Ttj irdKiTeia eire- 
 fyepero TtjSe. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 243 
 
 their return, they were able to report to 
 the Emperors all the secret plans of their 
 enemies, and the former, being warned in 
 advance, took precautions and were never 
 surprised. This system had long been in 
 vogue amongst the Medes. Chosroes, by 
 giving larger salaries to his spies, none of 
 whom were born Romans, reaped great 
 benefit from this precaution. Justinian, 
 having discontinued this practice, lost con- 
 siderable territory, especially the country 
 of the Lazes, which was taken by the 
 enemy, since the Romans had no informa- 
 tion where the King and his army were. 
 The state also formerly kept a large 
 number of camels, which carried the 
 baggage on the occasion of an expedition 
 into an hostile country. By this means 
 the peasants were relieved from the 
 necessity of carrying burdens, and the 
 soldiers were well supplied with neces- 
 saries. Justinian, however, did away with 
 nearly all the camels, so that, when the 
 army is marching against an enemy, 
 everything is in an unsatisfactory con- 
 dition. Such was the care he took of 
 
244 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 e'. OvSev 8e olov KaL two? amov t&v 
 yeXoiwv im/ivrjcrOrjvai. Tav iv Katcrapeia 
 piyropmv EvayyeXio? Tts r/v, ovk a'ff^/ios avqp, 
 ocnrep eirifyopov tov tt)? tw^tj? irvevfiaTo? 
 yevofievov, ^prjfiaTtov re aWwv ical ^cipas 
 7roX\Jj9 Kvpios yeyovev. "ToTepov he ical kw/mjv 
 eiriQaXao-crlav, ILopcpvpewva ovo/ia, rpiwu 
 Xpvcruov icevTr)vapia>v ewplaro. Tama fia6a>v 
 'IovaTiviavo*; /3a<rikeii<; afaiKero am& to 
 ympLov evffii?, ohvyrjv Tiva tov Ttfi/qparw 
 7rpoe/j,evo<; fiolpav, ical tovto cv7ro<pdey!;dfi,evo$, 
 &>? EiayyeXitp pi]Topi ovti oi firjiroTe evirpeTre<; 
 eir) tcwfjM}? TOiavri)<; tcvpuo elvai. 'A\\a irepl 
 fiev tovtuv d/iyyewy avrwv iwifivrjcrdevTes 
 iravaofieda Xeyeiv. 
 
 ?'. Tmv he Trpoi Te 'lovcniviavov ical 
 @eohmpa<i veo^xjirjOivrav teal Tama ecni. 
 Tlcikai fiev fj avyickTjTOS f3ov\r) trapa ffacnXel 
 lovcra TpoTTty Toitphe irpocrKweiv rjfiovkoVTO, 
 IlaTpiKios fiev ti? avrjp irapd fia^ov amov 
 irpoaeicvvei tov Segwv. BacriXev<; he amov 
 KaTacpiXijo-as ttjv /cecpaXr/v, i^yef ol he \oi7rot 
 a.TravTe<s yovv icktvavTe? fiacriXei to he^iov, 
 airrflCKaoaovTO. Bacr/XiSa fievToi irpocrKweiv 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 244 
 
 the most important state institutions. It 
 will not be out of place to mention one 
 of his ridiculous acts. There was at 
 Caesarea a lawyer named Evangelius, a 
 person of distinction, who, by the favour 
 of fortune, had amassed great riches 
 and considerable landed estates. He 
 afterwards purchased, for three centenars 
 of gold, a village on the coast named 
 Porphyreon. When Justinian heard of 
 this, he immediately took it from him, 
 only returning him a small portion of the 
 price he had paid for it, at the same 
 time declaring that it was unseemly that 
 such a village should belong to Evange- 
 lius the lawyer. But enough of this. It 
 remains to speak of certain innovations 
 introduced by Justinian and Theodora. 
 Formerly, when the senate had audience 
 of the Emperor, it paid him homage in 
 the following manner : — Every patrician 
 kissed him on the right breast, and the 
 Emperor, having kissed him on the head, 
 dismissed him ; all the rest bent the 
 right knee before the Emperor and re- 
 tired. As for the Empress, it was not 
 
245 IIPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 ouSajif) eWurro. Tlapd Be 'lovariviavov re 
 ical @eoSa>pav ras eltroBov; Troiov/j,evoi, } o'i re 
 aXXoi airame<i } kcli boot, to nrarpiiuaiv df-ia>fia 
 el'xpv, emirTOV fiev eis to eBa(po$ ev8i>s km 
 o-TOfia, yeip&v Be teal iroBSjv es ayav Teravva- 
 fiivav, to5 ^elXei TroBbf e/carepov dtyd/ievoi, 
 il-avto-TavTO. OvSe yap r\ QeoBmpa Ttjv 
 ai;iwcnv dveBvero TavTt\V r\ Be Kal ton? irpea- 
 /8et? irpoteo-6ai IIepa-&v re Kal t&v aXXav 
 ftapfidptov, -xprjiiacrL Te avrovs Bwpeladai, 
 &airep V7r' ai>rfj Keifievr)? rrji 'PcofMioov dp^t, 
 ovBapr) dirqljiov, irparyfia ov ircotroTe 76701/05 
 e'/e tov iravTos %p6vov. 
 
 f . Kal iraXai fiev ol t5> (3a<ri\el l;vy- 
 yevo/ievoi avrov re ftacriXia Kal ttjv ywalica 
 fiacnXLBa enaKovv, dp^oyjwv Be t&v Xoiirmv 
 eieaaTOV, orirr) avrm d£ui)/j,aTO<; irepl rdBe e%«. 
 *Hv Be Tt? tovtwu 07rorepip i<s \070v9 avfip,bl;a<; ) 
 /3ao-i\ea>>: rj fiaaiklBos eTnpxvjadelrj, oXX' ov 
 BeairoTtjv re diroKakolrj Kal Beoirouvav, rj Kal 
 fir/ BouXovs Tmv two? dp%6vTa>v ireip&ro bvo- 
 jidtfciv, roaovrov oBe dfiadrjv ical rf/v <yk5)aaav 
 aKoXaaro? e'So/cet eivai, ical are f)p,apTi)Km^ to 
 iriKpoTaia Kal v/3ptWs e? 0&9 rjiuara exprjv, 
 evdevBe dirge t. 
 
 rj'. Kal tci irpoTepa fiev oKvyoc Te Kal 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 245 
 
 customary to do homage to her. But 
 those who were admitted to the presence 
 of this royal pair, even those of patrician 
 rank, were obliged to prostrate them- 
 selves upon their face, with hands and 
 feet stretched out ; and, after having 
 kissed both his feet, they rose up and 
 withdrew. Nor did Theodora refuse this 
 honour. She received the ambassadors of 
 the Persians and other barbarian nations 
 and (a thing which had never been done 
 before) bestowed magnificent presents upon 
 them, as if she had been absolute mistress 
 of the Empire. Formerly, those who 
 associated with the Emperor called him 
 Imperator and the Empress Imperatrix, 
 and the other officials according to their 
 rank. But if anyone addressed either 
 Justinian or Theodora without the addi- 
 tion of the title Sovereign Lord or 
 Sovereign Lady, or without calling him- 
 self their slave, he was looked upon as 
 ignorant and insolent in his language, 
 and, as if he had committed a very grave 
 offence and insulted those whom it least 
 became him, he was dismissed. Formerly, 
 
246 nPOKOIIIOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 (jloXk iv j8ao"t\etot? iyivovro' if; otov Be ovtoi 
 Trjv @acri\elav vrapeXafiov, apypmes Ofiov Kal 
 Xot-irol tjv/j.TravTe'} iv TraXarlq ivBeXe^io-Tara 
 BiaTpifirjv el^pv. A'itiov Si, on irdXai fiev 
 Tat? appals rd Te BtKaia Kal vopifia Trpdaaew 
 yvrnp/rj airovopq if-fjv. 01 Te ovv apxpvre*; 
 BioiKov/Mevoi to, elwdora, iv rots KaraywyloK 
 toZs ai/T&v e/ievov, o'l re apypfievoi filaiov 
 oiBev ovre 6pavTe<;, oiire atcovovres, /3aaiXei, 
 a>9 to etKo?, oXuya rjvdy)(Xovv. Ovtoi Be 8/iravTa 
 iwl TTOvrjpq) twv KarrjKowv icf> eavToii? e? del 
 eXKovres, dtravra<s o~<frlffi BovXoTrpemeaTaTa 
 irpoaeSpeveiv 7\vdyK.aXpv. ^Hv Be ISeiv et? 
 ■qpApav cr'xeBov ri kiedo-Tr\v ra ph> BtKaaTijpia 
 TrdvTa eK rrji iTri/irXelarov dvBpfav eprjfia, iv 
 Be Tjj tov j3ao , iXico<; aiiXfj oj^Xov re Kal Sfiptv, 
 ical a>6tap,bv ixeyav, Kal BovXoTTpeTreiav e's del 
 %vfnracrav. 
 
 6'. O'l Te aiiTolv iiriTTjBeiob Bo/cowres, 
 rfv re fjfj-epav Sir)veK&<s ttdaav Kal ttj<s vvktos 
 e's del ttoXXijv Ttva fiolpav ivravda ecrwTe?, 
 dvirvol re Kal dirbavrot, irapd Kaipovs Toiit 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 246 
 
 only a few were granted admission to the 
 palace, and that with difficulty ; but, from 
 the time of the accession of Justinian and 
 Theodora, the magistrates and all other 
 persons were continually in the palace. 
 The reason was, that formerly the magis- 
 trates freely administered justice and laws 
 independently, and executed the customary 
 sentences at their own residences, and the 
 subjects, seeing and hearing that no in- 
 justice would be done to them, had little 
 reason to trouble the Emperor. But this 
 pair, taking control of all business to them- 
 selves in order that they might ruin their 
 subjects, forced them to humiliate them- 
 selves before them in a most servile manner. 
 Thus the courts of justice were empty 
 nearly every day, and hardly a person was 
 to be seen in them, while in the palace 
 there were crowds of men pushing and 
 abusing one another, all endeavouring to 
 be foremost in showing their servility. 
 Those who were on the most intimate 
 terms with the Imperial pair remained 
 the whole day and a great part of the 
 night, without food or sleep, until they 
 
247 nPOKOniOY ANEKAOTA 
 
 eladoTai yevo/tevoi 8ie<pdelpovTO, e? tovto re 
 amofc tt]p SoKovaav evBai/ioviav aTroteeicpiadai 
 t-vv&rreare. Tovtwv fievroi a<peifiivoi rravrwi, 
 8i6fid%ovTO irpb<s aAAijXous i-vdpwrroi, oiroi 
 Trore 'Pmfiaiav ra yp^fiara ewj. 01 fiiv yap 
 layypltpvro iv fiapfidpoK arravra elvai' ol he 
 fiaaiXea e<j)acncov ev oikktkok 7roWois Kadeip- 
 %avTa e^eiz\ 'Owrivlica oiv v) avOpanros aw 
 , Iova , Tuviavb<s drrekdri tov filov, ^ are t&v 
 Satftovoev apxow diroKvarj rov @lov, ocroi rrjvi- 
 KaSe 7repi6vre<s rvywat,, rdXrjOes e'laovTM. 
 
COURT OF JUSTINIAN 247 
 
 were worn out, and this apparent good 
 fortune was their only reward. Others, 
 who were free from all these cares and 
 anxieties, were puzzled to think what had 
 become of the wealth and treasures of 
 the Empire. Some declared that it had 
 all fallen into the hands of the barbarians, 
 while others asserted that the Emperor 
 kept it locked up in secret hiding-places 
 of his own. When Justinian — whether he 
 be man or devil — shall have departed this 
 life, those who are then living will be able 
 to learn the truth.