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.

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 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 consisted in letting the priest win his cause and leave the court in triumph with some plunder to which he had no right whatever; for, to him, justice meant the success of the priest’s cause. he himself, 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 impossible for his victims ever to recover their possessions. indeed, he committed numberless murders through his notion of piety; for, in his zeal to bring all men to agree in one form of christian doctrine, 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. 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 partisans, 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 untrustworthy in all things save cruelty and avarice, from which nothing could restrain him. whenever his wife could not persuade 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 afterwards 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 secure, no law continued in force, no action, no contract was binding. when he intrusted 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 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, 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 nourished exceedingly; but, as it was, he used his natural powers to work the ruin of the romans, and succeeded in thoroughly disorganizing the constitution. his constant wakefulness, his privations, and his labour were undergone 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.