es, all of which he protected
from injury, as if each had been his own house; devoting singular care
to the lessening the burdens of the state, and never permitting any
increase of taxation. He was very moderate in the exaction of debts due
to the state, but a vehement and implacable foe to all thieves, and to
every one convicted of peculations; nor in affairs of this kind was the
East, by its own confession, ever better treated under any other
emperor.

3. Besides all this, he was liberal with due regard to moderation, of
which quality there are many examples, one of which it will be
sufficient to mention here:--As in palaces there are always some persons
covetous of the possessions of others, if any one petitioned for lapsed
property, or anything else which it was usual to apply for, he made a
proper distinction between just and unjust claims, and when he gave it
to the petitioner, while reserving full liberty to any one to raise
objections, he often associated the successful candidate with three or
four partners, in order that those covetous suitors might conduct
themselves with more moderation, when they saw the profits for which
they were so eager diminished by this device.

4. Of the edifices, which in the different cities and towns he either
repaired or built from their foundations, I will say nothing (to avoid
prolixity), allowing those things to speak for themselves. These
qualities, in my opinion, deserve the imitation of all good men. Now let
us enumerate his vices.

5. He was an immoderate coveter of great wealth; impatient of labour, he
affected an extreme severity, and was too much inclined to cruelty; his
behaviour was rude and rough; and he was little imbued with skill either
in war or in the liberal arts. He willingly sought profit and advantage
in the miseries of others, and was more than ever intolerable in
straining ordinary offences into sedition or treason; he cruelly
encompassed the death or ruin of wealthy nobles.

6. This also was unendurable, that while he wished to have it appear
that all actions and suits were decided according to the law, and while
the investigation of such affairs was delegated to judges especially
selected as the most proper to decide them, he still would not allow any
decision to be given which was contrary to his own pleasure. He was also
insulting, passionate, and always willing to listen to all informers,
without the least distinction as to whether the charges whic