himself out of the fortunes of others; for the servants
of these magistrates did not even take the trouble at the commencement
of the trial to bring forward accusers or to produce any witnesses to
the offences, but, during the whole of this period, without
intermission, unexamined and unconvicted, the accused were secretly
punished by death and the confiscation of their property by the
Emperor.

Afterwards, this accursed wretch ordered both these magistrates and
the city prefect to deal with all criminal affairs indifferently,
bidding them enter into rivalry to see which of them could destroy the
greatest number of citizens in the shortest time. It is said that,
when one of them asked him which of them should have the decision if
anyone was accused before all three, he replied, "Whichever of you has
anticipated the others."

He debased the office of Quaestor, which almost all the preceding
Emperors had held in especial regard, so that it was only filled by
men of wisdom and experience, who above all were learned in the law
and free from all suspicion of corruptibility, for it was felt that it
would unavoidably be disastrous to the State if it were to be filled
by men without experience or who were the slaves of avarice. This
Emperor first bestowed it upon Tribonianus, whose character and
misdeeds I have sufficiently described elsewhere. After his death,
Justinian seized part of his estate, although he had left a son and
several relatives who survived him. He then appointed Junilus (a
Libyan by birth), a man who had not so much as a hearsay knowledge of
law, for he had not even studied it in the public schools. Although he
had a knowledge of Latin, he had never had any tuition in Greek, and
was unable to speak the language. Frequently, when he attempted to say
a few words in Greek, he was laughed at by his own servants. He was so
mad after filthy lucre, that he had not the least scruple in publicly
selling letters of office signed by the Emperor, and was never ashamed
to stretch out his hand to those who had to do with him for a stater
of gold. For no less than seven years the State dured the shame and
ridicule brought upon it by this officer.

On the death of Junilus, Justinian elevated to this office
Constantine, who was not unacquainted with law, but was very young and
had never yet taken part in a trial; besides which, he was the most
abandoned thief and braggart in the world. Justinian entertained the
highest re