revenues to
himself. These men, having received their salary, shamelessly got
together from every country and carried off everything that they
could. The stipendiary commission went from one place to another,
plundering the subjects of the Empire in the name of their office.

Thus the Emperor exercised in every case the greatest care in the
selection of these agents of his, who were truly the greatest
scoundrels in the world; nor were his efforts and industry in this
detestable business unsuccessful. When he advanced the first of his
wicked agents to high offices, and the licence of authority revealed
their corruption, we were astounded to think how the nature of man
could be capable of such enormity. But when those who succeeded them
far outdid them, men were at a loss to understand how their
predecessors could have appeared the most wicked of mankind, since, in
comparison with their successors, who had surpassed them in
evil-doing, they might be considered good and honest men. But the
third set and their successors so far outstripped the second in every
kind of villainy, and in their cleverness in inventing new
accusations, that they secured for their predecessors a certain
reputation and a good name. As the misfortunes of the State increased,
all learned by experience that there is no limit to the innate
wickedness of man, and that, when it is supported by the knowledge of
precedents, and encouraged by the power in its hands to torment its
victims, no man can tell how far it will extend, but only the thoughts
of the oppressed are capable of estimating it. Such was the state of
affairs in regard to the magistrates.

The hostile armies of the Huns had often reduced to slavery and
plundered the inhabitants of the Empire. The Thracian and Illyrian
generals resolved to attack them on their retreat, but turned back
when they were shown letters from the Emperor forbidding them to
attack the barbarians, on pretence that their help was necessary to
the Romans against the Goths and other enemies of the Empire.

Making use of this opportunity, these barbarians plundered the country
like enemies, and carried away the inhabitants into slavery; and in
this manner these pretended friends and allies of the Romans returned
home with their plunder and a number of prisoners. Frequently, some of
the peasants in those parts, urged on by a longing for their wives and
children who had been carried away into slavery, formed themselves
i