History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4Gibbon, Edward
History
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4
Gibbon, Edward
Byzantine Empire -- History -- To 527; Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-476 A.D.
91 (return) [ One of these, Anatolius, perished in an
earthquake—doubtless a judgment! The complaints and clamors of
the people in Agathias (l. v. p. 146, 147) are almost an echo of
the anecdote. The aliena pecunia reddenda of Corippus (l. ii.
381, &c.,) is not very honorable to Justinian’s memory.]
92 (return) [ See the history and character of John of Cappadocia
in Procopius. (Persic, l. i. c. 35, 25, l. ii. c. 30. Vandal. l.
i. c. 13. Anecdot. c. 2, 17, 22.) The agreement of the history
and anecdotes is a mortal wound to the reputation of the
praefct.]
921 (return) [ This view, particularly of the cruelty of John of
Cappadocia, is confirmed by the testimony of Joannes Lydus, who
was in the office of the præfect, and eye-witness of the tortures
inflicted by his command on the miserable debtors, or supposed
debtors, of the state. He mentions one horrible instance of a
respectable old man, with whom he was personally acquainted, who,
being suspected of possessing money, was hung up by the hands
till he was dead. Lydus de Magist. lib. iii. c. 57, p. 254.—M.]
93 (return) [ A forcible expression.]
931 (return) [ Joannes Lydus is diffuse on this subject, lib.
iii. c. 65, p. 268. But the indignant virtue of Lydus seems
greatly stimulated by the loss of his official fees, which he
ascribes to the innovations of the minister.—M.]
932 (return) [ According to Lydus, Theodora disclosed the crimes
and unpopularity of the minister to Justinian, but the emperor
had not the courage to remove, and was unable to replace, a
servant, under whom his finances seemed to prosper. He attributes
the sedition and conflagration to the popular resentment against
the tyranny of John, lib. iii. c 70, p. 278. Unfortunately there
is a large gap in his work just at this period.—M.]
94 (return) [ The chronology of Procopius is loose and obscure;
but with the aid of Pagi I can discern that John was appointed
Praetorian præfect of the East in the year 530—that he was
removed in January, 532—restored before June, 533—banished in
541—and recalled between June, 548, and April 1, 549. Aleman. (p.
96, 97) gives the list of his ten successors—a rapid series in a
part of a single reign. * Note: Lydus gives a high character of
Phocas, his successor tom. iii. c. 78 p. 288.—M.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account