o cruel subterfuges. Wherefore, I
beg and entreat and implore your majesty to assist me to gain my
rights, and to deliver 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 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 exposed to the perils of the sea, of
sudden storms, or the attacks of sea-monsters. However, they regarded
the greatest misfortunes as of no importance, if only they had the
means of enjoying the pleasures of the court.

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, Theodora,
considering that she was of illustrious 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 courage, and at the same time with apprehensions
on account of her husband's fickleness. This made her exceedingly
jealous; and she determined to compass the death of her rival by
intrigue. She immediately persuaded the Emperor 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 mentioned 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
ambassador was to compass the death of Amalasunta 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