CHAPTER XIX

A dream relating to Justinian’s avarice—­The vast treasures of Anastasius squandered by Justinian—­He makes himself 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.

CHAPTER XX

Justinian impoverishes private individuals by “monopolies”—­Two new magistrates appointed at Constantinople—­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.

CHAPTER XXI

The impost called “Aerikon”—­Exactions authorised 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 barbarians, and then, in turn, take to plundering themselves.

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—­Discontent—­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.

CHAPTER XXIII

Ruin of private properties—­Abolition of the remission of arrears of taxes, even in the case of cities taken by the barbarians—­The imposts called Syn[=o]n[=e], Epibol[=e], and Diagraph[=e]—­Soldiers billeted in private houses.

CHAPTER XXIV

Oppression of the soldiers by the Logothetes—­Division of the soldiers into three classes—­Their promotion suspended—­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 Protectors—­Suppression of the quinquennial gratuity—­The imperial officers and dignitaries.

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—­Malversations of Peter Barsyames and his successors—­Tyranny of Theodora and avarice of Justinian.