lling their surplus corn and
fruit every year to the state for the support of the horses and
grooms, they gained considerable revenue. By this means the state
received, without interruption, the tribute due from each, and, in
turn, reimbursed those who furnished it, and thus everything was to
the advantage of the state. Such was the old system. But Justinian,
having commenced by suppressing the post between Chalcedon and
Dakibiza, compelled the couriers to carry all despatches from
Byzantium to Helenopolis by sea. They unwillingly obeyed; for, being
obliged to embark upon small skiffs, such as were generally used for
crossing the strait, they ran great risk of being shipwrecked, if they
met with stormy weather. For, since great speed was enjoined upon
them, they were unable to wait for a favourable opportunity for
putting out to sea, when the weather was calm. It is true that he
maintained the primitive system on the road to Persia, but for the
rest of the East, as far as Egypt, he reduced the number of posts to
one, for a day's journey, and substituted a few asses for the horses,
so that the report of what was taking place in each district only
reached Byzantium with difficulty and long after the events had
occurred, when it was too late to apply any remedy; and, on the other
hand, the owners of estates found no benefit from their products,
which were either spoilt or lay idle.

The spies were organized in the following manner:--A number of men
used to be supported at the state's expense, whose business it was to
visit hostile countries, especially the court of Persia, on pretence
of business or some other excuse, and to observe accurately what was
going on; and by this means, on their return, they were able to report
to the Emperors all the secret plans of their enemies, and the former,
being warned in advance, took precautions and were never surprised.
This system had long been in vogue amongst the Medes. Chosroes, by
giving larger salaries to his spies, none of whom were born Romans,
reaped great benefit from this precaution. Justinian, having
discontinued this practice, lost considerable territory, especially
the country of the Lazes, which was taken by the enemy, since the
Romans had no information where the King and his army were. The state
also formerly kept a large number of camels, which carried the baggage
on the occasion of an expedition into an hostile country. By this
means the peasants were relieved from