CHAPTER XII

Downfall and death of Zeno, grandson of Anthemius, Emperor of the West—­Robbery of Tatian, Demosthenes, 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 temperate manner of living—­His fondness for women—­Theodora’s intercourse with a spirit—­Reputation of Macedonia during Justin’s time—­Her prediction to Theodora—­Dream of her marriage with the Prince of the Demons.

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.

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.

CHAPTER XV

Cruelty of Theodora—­Her voluptuous life—­Her ambition—­Her character and Justinian’s compared—­Her harshness towards persons of rank—­Their servility—­Pretended 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.

CHAPTER XVI

Assassination of Amalasunta, Queen of the Goths, by Peter, Theodora’s agent—­The secretary, Priscus, obliged to 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.

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—­Disappearance of her natural son, John—­Corrupt morals of the ladies of the capital—­Theodora disposes of ecclesiastical dignities—­Takes upon herself the general superintendence of marriages—­Adventure of Saturninus—­Persecution of John of Cappadocia.

CHAPTER XVIII

Justinian, a devil in the form of a man, causes the destruction 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 persecution—­Divine anger—­Inundations, earthquakes, and the plague.