be
divided between the latter and the Emperor, 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.

CHAPTER XV

As for Theodora, her disposition was governed by the most hardened and
inveterate 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 carefully 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 patrimony; and, when he died, left it in turn 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 ablutions, 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 intemperance, 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 anyone with a commission
wi