quantity_n the_o native_n in_o mauritania_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o they_o and_o they_o be_v all_o extirpated_a with_o their_o wife_n and_o child_n the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a army_n perish_v there_o likewise_o and_o with_o they_o all_o the_o auxilliary_a troop_n of_o their_o ally_n so_o that_o i_o be_o of_o opinion_n it_o may_v be_v affirm_v without_o extravagance_n that_o in_o that_o country_n alone_o he_o be_v the_o destruction_n of_o above_o a_o million_o and_o all_o because_o after_o he_o have_v defeat_v the_o vandal_n he_o take_v no_o care_n to_o establish_v his_o empire_n in_o those_o part_n and_o fortify_v his_o party_n by_o indulge_v the_o native_n but_o call_v away_o bellisarius_fw-la upon_o pretence_n that_o he_o design_v to_o make_v himself_o king_n a_o thing_n he_o never_o think_v of_o nor_o be_v it_o any_o way_n convenient_a for_o he_o but_o what_o ever_o he_o pretend_v the_o true_a cause_n be_v that_o he_o may_v have_v opportunity_n to_o pillage_v more_o free_o and_o ruin_n without_o obstruction_n the_o whole_a coast_n of_o africa_n and_o to_o speak_v truth_n the_o officer_n which_o he_o send_v acquit_v themselves_o very_o faithful_o of_o their_o commission_n from_o he_o for_o under_o the_o new_a name_n of_o impost_n and_o duty_n they_o seize_v upon_o the_o best_a and_o rich_a part_n of_o the_o country_n this_o emperor_n who_o can_v not_o contain_v himself_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o state_n and_o seem_v to_o be_v bear_v to_o put_v all_o thing_n in_o confusion_n forbid_v the_o arian_n the_o exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o defer_v always_o to_o send_v supply_n to_o his_o army_n till_o at_o length_n they_o begin_v to_o mutiny_v and_o so_o many_o sedition_n be_v ready_a to_o break_v out_o as_o will_v certain_o have_v endanger_v the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o whole_a government_n he_o dispeopled_a italy_n of_o its_o inhabitant_n much_o more_o than_o he_o have_v do_v the_o coast_n of_o africa_n which_o be_v three_o time_n of_o great_a extent_n from_o whence_o a_o probable_a computation_n may_v be_v make_v of_o the_o number_n which_o he_o occasional_o ruin_v for_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o speak_v of_o the_o original_n of_o his_o war_n in_o italy_n the_o same_o exaction_n that_o he_o use_v in_o africa_n he_o use_v likewise_o in_o italy_n have_v ravage_v all_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o certain_a receiver_n which_o he_o call_v logothetes_n before_o the_o war_n in_o italy_n the_o empire_n of_o the_o goth_n extend_v from_o gaul_n or_o france_n as_o far_o as_o the_o confine_n of_o dacia_n or_o the_o city_n of_o sirmium_n and_o when_o the_o roman_a troop_n be_v in_o italy_n the_o german_n possess_v the_o best_a part_n of_o gallia_n cisalpina_n and_o the_o country_n belong_v to_o venice_n sirmium_n and_o the_o country_n adjacent_a be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o gepide_n all_o this_o vast_a tract_n of_o ground_n be_v depopulate_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o emperor_n justinian_n partly_o by_o war_n partly_o by_o famine_n partly_o by_o the_o plague_n and_o by_o other_o evil_n that_o be_v inseparable_o concomitant_a with_o war._n illyrium_n thrace_n greece_n the_o chersoness_n and_o all_o the_o province_n from_o the_o entrance_n into_o the_o jonique_fw-la sea_n to_o the_o very_a wall_n of_o constantinople_n be_v cruel_o spoil_v under_o the_o dominion_n of_o justinian_n by_o the_o annual_a incursion_n of_o the_o huns_n the_o sclavonian_n and_o other_o i_o do_v very_o believe_v that_o in_o every_o of_o these_o inroad_n what_o of_o those_o who_o be_v leave_v behind_o and_o of_o those_o who_o be_v carry_v away_o prisoner_n there_o perish_v above_o two_o hundred_o thousand_o roman_n and_o this_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o in_o that_o country_n which_o before_o be_v the_o most_o populous_a in_o the_o world_n there_o be_v few_o people_n then_o in_o the_o uninhabited_a desert_n of_o scythia_n and_o this_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o war_n in_o europe_n and_o africa_n asia_n likewise_o be_v not_o without_o her_o suffering_n for_o the_o saracen_n during_o those_o war_n have_v extend_v their_o arm_n from_o egypt_n as_o far_o as_o the_o border_n of_o persia_n and_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o the_o province_n which_o be_v under_o the_o dominion_n of_o the_o roman_n so_o harass_v they_o with_o such_o constant_a cruelty_n that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o person_n to_o be_v see_v and_o the_o number_n which_o be_v kill_v or_o transplant_v be_v infinite_a the_o persian_a made_n three_o incursion_n into_o the_o land_n of_o the_o empire_n under_o the_o conduct_n of_o cosroes_n and_o where_o ever_o they_o come_v they_o ruin_v the_o town_n and_o country_n unpeople_v they_o of_o their_o inhabitant_n and_o carry_v the_o great_a part_n away_o with_o they_o prisoner_n they_o put_v the_o rest_n to_o the_o sword_n but_o be_v afterward_o get_v into_o colchis_n they_o make_v considerable_a devastation_n one_o after_o the_o other_o as_o it_o have_v be_v in_o imitation_n of_o what_o the_o laziens_n and_o rormans_n have_v do_v there_o before_o but_o neither_o the_o persian_n themsselve_n the_o huns_n the_o sclavonian_n nor_o other_o of_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n which_o invade_v the_o roman_a empire_n can_v ever_o carry_v back_o their_o army_n whole_a and_o entire_a they_o lose_v many_o man_n in_o their_o conquest_n in_o their_o rencounter_n sieges_n and_o pitch_a battle_n in_o which_o fortune_n be_v not_o always_o favourable_a to_o their_o side_n so_o as_o they_o become_v sensible_a of_o justinian_o fury_n as_o well_o as_o his_o own_o subject_n cosroes_n also_o as_o i_o have_v say_v elsewhere_o be_v a_o man_n of_o turbulent_a spirit_n yet_o justinian_n be_v always_o the_o aggressor_n and_o serve_v as_o a_o bontefeu_a to_o the_o conflagration_n which_o break_v out_o and_o in_o the_o consequence_n consume_v most_o of_o his_o country_n to_o be_v short_a in_o the_o affair_n which_o he_o manage_v he_o never_o conduct_v they_o according_a to_o the_o time_n and_o conjuncture_n but_o do_v every_o thing_n improper_o during_o the_o whole_a war_n and_o in_o time_n of_o peace_n or_o cessation_n his_o thought_n be_v whole_o take_v up_o in_o contrive_v which_o way_n he_o may_v trouble_v his_o neighbour_n he_o invade_v they_o blunt_o without_o declare_v of_o war_n but_o his_o preparation_n be_v always_o so_o backward_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o extreme_a covetousness_n he_o seldom_o succeed_v and_o instead_o of_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o prosecution_n of_o his_o design_n he_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n take_v up_o in_o metaphisical_a notion_n about_o the_o nature_n and_o existence_n of_o god_n nevertheless_o he_o keep_v his_o army_n constant_o on_o foot_n to_o execute_v his_o cruel_a and_o tyrannical_a command_n never_o suffer_v they_o to_o come_v to_o any_o engagement_n with_o their_o enemy_n his_o avarice_n not_o permit_v he_o to_o allow_v they_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o overcome_v come_v they_o so_o that_o in_o justinian_o reign_n the_o land_n be_v not_o only_o besprinkle_v but_o overflow_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o all_o other_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n these_o be_v evil_n which_o succeed_v upon_o the_o war_n at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n but_o we_o shall_v find_v as_o many_o murder_n commit_v in_o the_o city_n if_o we_o consider_v what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o factious_a who_o have_v their_o quarrel_n and_o combat_n quite_o through_o the_o empire_n and_o indeed_o how_o can_v it_o be_v otherwise_o see_v no_o man_n be_v punish_v as_o he_o deserve_v because_o one_o faction_n adhere_v to_o the_o emperor_n and_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o have_v patience_n to_o be_v at_o quiet_a one_o of_o they_o find_v themselves_o back_v and_o support_v by_o the_o emperor_n puff_v up_o with_o vanity_n believe_v they_o may_v hazard_v all_o secure_o the_o other_o know_v the_o emperor_n be_v their_o enemy_n grow_v desperate_a upon_o a_o opinion_n that_o they_o can_v be_v no_o worse_o because_o they_o have_v nothing_o leave_v already_o to_o loose_v hereupon_o they_o meet_v frequent_o in_o small_a party_n and_o fight_v several_a little_a battle_n sometime_o they_o meet_v in_o squadron_n to_o fight_v and_o sometime_o hand_n to_o hand_n in_o single_a duel_n sometime_o also_o they_o will_v lie_v in_o wait_n for_o one_o another_o and_o murder_v one_o another_o as_o they_o find_v opportunity_n there_o be_v not_o a_o day_n pass_v but_o a_o thousand_o cruelty_n be_v exercise_v on_o both_o side_n for_o two_o and_o thirty_o year_n together_o and_o continue_v without_o any_o intermission_n oftentimes_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o town_n will_v put_v some_o of_o they_o to_o death_n but_o for_o the_o most_o part_n his_o severity_n be_v exercise_v against_o the_o prasinian_n faction_n beside_o which_o so_o many_o samaritan_n and_o heretic_n be_v put_v to_o death_n that_o the_o whole_a
more_o grateful_a he_o be_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o people_n the_o more_o odious_a he_o become_v to_o justinian_n and_o theodora_n who_o no_o soon_o have_v notice_n of_o the_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n of_o their_o officer_n but_o they_o turn_v their_o thought_n whole_o upon_o way_n of_o remove_v they_o not_o be_v able_a to_o endure_v person_n so_o opposite_a to_o their_o own_o natural_a temper_n peter_n as_o i_o say_v before_o succeed_a john_n in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o treasury_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o thousand_o misery_n to_o particular_a person_n have_v embezzle_v the_o fund_z which_o of_o a_o long_a time_n have_v be_v raise_v by_o a_o ancient_a and_o laudable_a custom_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o several_a poor_a family_n send_v part_n of_o it_o to_o the_o emperor_n and_o keep_v the_o rest_n for_o himself_o whereby_o he_o acquire_v vast_a riches_n while_o they_o die_v with_o hunger_n who_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o maintain_v they_o but_o those_o annual_a contribution_n beside_o which_o he_o coin_a money_n of_o gold_n much_o less_o than_o the_o former_a and_o make_v it_o currant_n by_o proclamation_n these_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o justinian_n be_v the_o person_n who_o manage_v all_o the_o office_n and_o public_a employment_n i_o shall_v now_o speak_v of_o the_o method_n which_o he_o use_v to_o ruin_v all_o people_n of_o estate_n though_o to_o exhibit_v their_o misery_n there_o needs_o in_o strictness_n no_o more_o than_o what_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o governor_n of_o province_n and_o collector_n who_o have_v private_a and_o peremptory_a instruction_n to_o ruin_v all_o people_n who_o estate_n be_v in_o land_n the_o roman_a emperor_n be_v former_o accustom_v to_o remit_v to_o the_o people_n the_o arrear_n of_o such_o money_n as_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o exchequer_n that_o such_o of_o they_o as_o be_v unable_a to_o pay_v may_v not_o be_v in_o fear_n all_o their_o life_n long_o nor_o the_o treasurer_n have_v opportunity_n to_o raise_v money_n where_o many_o time_n it_o be_v not_o due_a but_o justinian_n in_o two_o and_o thirty_o year_n time_n be_v not_o guilty_a of_o one_o of_o those_o remission_n the_o poor_a people_n be_v force_v from_o their_o house_n and_o country_n without_o any_o hope_n of_o return_n while_o such_o as_o be_v honest_a be_v liable_a to_o calumniation_n and_o threaten_v perpetual_o to_o be_v complain_v of_o as_o not_o have_v pay_v what_o be_v due_a to_o the_o emperor_n for_o their_o tax_n upon_o their_o land_n insomuch_o that_o the_o unfortunate_a creature_n be_v constrain_v to_o pass_v away_o their_o land_n to_o the_o emperor_n or_o their_o persecutor_n not_o so_o much_o out_o of_o apprehension_n of_o new_a tax_n as_o for_o the_o impossibility_n which_o they_o find_v to_o support_v long_o the_o unjust_a exaction_n which_o for_o many_o year_n together_o they_o have_v be_v force_v to_o pay_v moreover_o though_o the_o great_a part_n of_o asia_n have_v be_v ruin_v by_o the_o arm_n of_o the_o saracen_n and_o persian_n and_o all_o europe_n harass_v and_o infest_a by_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o huns_n and_o sclavonian_n the_o war_n of_o the_o goth_n produce_v sack_v and_o burn_v of_o town_n and_o devastation_n of_o province_n though_o the_o inhabitant_n be_v carry_v away_o prisoner_n with_o all_o that_o they_o have_v and_o those_o few_o who_o escape_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o barbarian_n be_v glad_a to_o forsake_v their_o country_n and_o banish_v themselves_o yet_o none_o of_o these_o consideration_n can_v work_v upon_o justinian_n or_o prevail_v with_o he_o to_o remit_v one_o tribute_n or_o impost_n to_o any_o one_o town_n in_o the_o whole_a empire_n unless_o it_o be_v such_o as_o have_v be_v take_v by_o the_o enemy_n and_o in_o that_o case_n their_o exemption_n be_v but_o for_o a_o year_n whereas_o it_o he_o shall_v have_v excuse_v they_o for_o seven_o year_n together_o as_o his_o predecessor_n anastatius_fw-la have_v do_v it_o will_v have_v be_v no_o great_a matter_n consider_v the_o great_a misery_n to_o which_o they_o be_v reduce_v in_o short_a cabades_n invade_v the_o territory_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o return_v every_o way_n victorious_a but_o his_o son_n cosroes_n produce_v great_a consternation_n by_o burn_v and_o kill_v all_o where_n ever_o he_o pass_v with_o his_o army_n and_o yet_o those_o of_o the_o east_n who_o have_v be_v expose_v so_o often_o to_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o huns_n the_o persian_n and_o saracen_n and_o ruin_v by_o their_o army_n and_o the_o roman_n who_o be_v settle_v in_o several_a part_n of_o europe_n have_v many_o time_n feel_v the_o hostility_n of_o the_o barbarian_n those_o i_o say_v who_o have_v suffer_v so_o much_o for_o their_o affection_n to_o the_o state_n find_v more_o cruelty_n in_o justinian_n then_o among_o all_o the_o barbarian_n his_o edict_n and_o imposition_n complete_n that_o ruin_n which_o the_o enemy_n have_v but_o begin_v i_o shall_v now_o recite_v what_o be_v the_o content_n of_o those_o edict_n those_o who_o estate_n be_v in_o land_n be_v by_o they_o oblige_v to_o furnish_v a_o certain_a quantity_n of_o provision_n for_o the_o soldier_n at_o their_o own_o charge_n every_o man_n pay_v his_o part_n nor_o do_v they_o consider_v what_o be_v give_v according_a to_o the_o prize_n of_o thing_n but_o according_a to_o a_o former_a assessment_n make_v a_o long_a time_n before_o and_o if_o at_o any_o time_n they_o be_v so_o unfortunate_a not_o to_o have_v so_o much_o cattle_n or_o forage_v upon_o their_o land_n as_o will_v satisfy_v for_o their_o share_n they_o be_v constrain_v to_o buy_v they_o at_o any_o rate_n and_o convey_v they_o from_o the_o provincial_a magazine_n which_o be_v very_o far_o off_o to_o the_o place_n where_o the_o troop_n be_v in_o garrison_n and_o then_o deliver_v they_o in_o what_o quantity_n and_o at_o what_o rate_n the_o officer_n please_v and_o not_o according_a to_o what_o be_v reasonable_a and_o just_a this_o impost_n be_v call_v the_o impost_n of_o victual_n by_o which_o those_o who_o have_v land_n pay_v ten_o time_n great_a tribute_n then_o former_o so_o that_o real_o it_o be_v take_v from_o they_o so_o much_o blood_n out_o of_o their_o vein_n be_v oblige_v to_o carry_v their_o corn_n to_o constantinople_n after_o they_o have_v suffer_v so_o much_o by_o quarter_a the_o army_n these_o disorder_n and_o oppression_n the_o state_n owe_v to_o barzame_n and_o john_n de_fw-fr cappadocia_n who_o their_o successor_n imitate_v exact_o in_o the_o continuation_n of_o their_o crime_n and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o tax_n call_v the_o impost_n of_o victual_n the_o imposition_n be_v like_o a_o plague_n which_o come_v sudden_o upon_o those_o who_o estate_n be_v in_o land_n and_o take_v from_o they_o not_o only_o the_o hope_n of_o live_v tolerable_o well_o but_o the_o mean_n of_o continue_v their_o life_n as_o miserable_a as_o it_o be_v for_o though_o the_o land_n be_v all_o throw_v up_o and_o desert_v by_o the_o ruin_n or_o flight_n of_o the_o owner_n or_o their_o tenant_n who_o be_v either_o kill_v or_o fright_v out_o of_o their_o country_n or_o else_o hide_v themselves_o to_o avoid_v persecution_n justinian_n without_o any_o reluctance_n exact_v these_o imposition_n which_o be_v very_o frequent_a in_o his_o time_n i_o conclude_v in_o few_o word_n the_o tax_n call_v the_o description_n be_v impose_v to_o repair_v the_o loss_n which_o the_o city_n have_v bring_v upon_o such_o as_o be_v proprietor_n in_o the_o country_n but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o infinite_a trouble_n to_o undertake_v a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o evil_a effect_n which_o ensue_v upon_o these_o tax_n or_o the_o idle_a and_o trivial_a pretence_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v impose_v for_o the_o misery_n of_o the_o people_n increase_v daily_o and_o though_o the_o inhabitant_n in_o the_o country_n be_v most_o of_o they_o dead_a of_o the_o plague_n which_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v no_o less_o afflict_v at_o that_o time_n than_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o though_o the_o contagion_n be_v so_o universal_a the_o field_n and_o the_o farm_n lay_v uninhabited_a and_o untilled_a justinian_n never_o make_v the_o least_o abatement_n in_o his_o duty_n and_o impost_n that_o he_o have_v establish_v on_o the_o contrary_a he_o constrain_v with_o great_a severity_n those_o who_o be_v alive_a to_o pay_v the_o proportion_n of_o such_o of_o their_o neighbour_n as_o be_v dead_a of_o the_o infection_n in_o short_a their_o fine_a and_o rich_a apartment_n they_o give_v for_o quarter_n to_o the_o soldier_n treat_v they_o with_o all_o possible_a liberality_n and_o civility_n whilst_o they_o be_v glad_a to_o make_v shift_n with_o any_o by_o place_n or_o stink_a hole_n to_o lie_v in_o themselves_o in_o this_o manner_n thing_n pass_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o justinian_n and_o theodora_n who_o though_o they_o be_v but_o
life_n or_o fortune_n be_v in_o most_o imminent_a danger_n but_o for_o all_o these_o precaution_n photius_n believe_v he_o can_v not_o attempt_v any_o thing_n secure_o and_o therefore_o he_o conclude_v to_o expect_v till_o antonina_n be_v depart_v from_o constantinople_n and_o theodosius_n be_v return_v to_o ephesus_n at_o which_o time_n he_o think_v he_o may_v with_o more_o ease_n seize_v upon_o theodosius_n and_o all_o his_o vast_a treasure_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n bellisarius_fw-la with_o his_o whole_a army_n invade_v persia_n while_o several_a thing_n happen_v at_o constantinople_n which_o i_o have_v relate_v elsewhere_o as_o the_o loss_n of_o john_n de_fw-fr cappadocia_n etc._n etc._n i_o only_o omit_v on_o purpose_n to_o say_v that_o antonina_n betray_v both_o the_o say_v john_n and_o her_o daughter_n notwithstanding_o million_o of_o oath_n and_o imprecation_n to_o the_o contrary_n after_o this_o she_o send_v theodosius_n back_o again_o to_o ephesus_n rely_v extreme_o upon_o the_o kindness_n of_o the_o empress_n who_o without_o any_o apprehension_n remove_v into_o the_o east_n it_o be_v not_o long_o before_o bellisarius_fw-la have_v take_v the_o fort_n of_o sisauranum_n and_o news_n be_v bring_v he_o that_o his_o wife_n be_v at_o hand_n whereupon_o he_o cause_v his_o army_n to_o retreat_n and_o seem_v to_o prefer_v his_o own_o private_a interest_n before_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o empire_n true_a it_o be_v there_o be_v another_o reason_n which_o move_v he_o to_o discamp_v with_o his_o army_n and_o i_o have_v mention_v it_o in_o my_o other_o book_n but_o the_o arrival_n of_o antonina_n contribute_v much_o and_o this_o be_v one_o thing_n which_o i_o dare_v not_o communicate_v in_o the_o history_n which_o i_o publish_v as_o not_o think_v myself_o safe_a if_o i_o shall_v chance_v to_o be_v discover_v from_o that_o time_n bellisarius_fw-la lose_v much_o of_o his_o reputation_n both_o with_o the_o emperor_n and_o people_n for_o have_v prefer_v his_o own_o private_a to_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o public_a that_o which_o do_v principal_o induce_v he_o be_v that_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o his_o wise_a lie_v heavy_a at_o his_o heart_n he_o can_v not_o without_o some_o trouble_n resolve_v to_o quit_v the_o frontier_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n as_o know_v that_o the_o near_o he_o be_v with_o the_o more_o ease_n he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o revenge_v himself_o upon_o theodosius_n as_o soon_o as_o his_o wife_n be_v arrive_v in_o order_n thereunto_o he_o command_v arethas_n with_o part_n of_o his_o troop_n to_o cross_v the_o tiger_n but_o arethas_n not_o execute_v his_o order_n he_o return_v into_o his_o own_o country_n without_o the_o honour_n of_o have_v perform_v his_o duty_n bellisarius_fw-la resolution_n be_v to_o keep_v himself_o within_o a_o league_n of_o the_o frontier_n though_o the_o fort_n of_o sisuranum_n which_o i_o mention_v before_o be_v not_o above_o a_o day_n journey_n from_o the_o frontier_n by_o the_o way_n of_o nisibe_n and_o by_o any_o other_o way_n it_o be_v not_o half_a so_o far_o distant_a in_o short_a have_v he_o pass_v the_o tiger_n at_o first_o with_o his_o whole_a army_n i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o he_o have_v be_v master_n of_o all_o assyria_n and_o without_o any_o difficulty_n extend_v his_o conquest_n as_o far_o as_o the_o city_n of_o ctesiphont_n and_o before_o his_o return_n may_v have_v deliver_v the_o inhabitant_n of_o antioch_n and_o all_o the_o roman_n which_o be_v prisoner_n beside_o his_o unexpected_a departure_n favour_v the_o retreat_n of_o cofroes_n who_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n in_o colchis_n the_o case_n be_v thus_o cosroes_n king_n of_o persia_n and_o son_n of_o cabades_n have_v subdue_v petra_n and_o perform_v all_o the_o exploit_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v in_o my_o other_o history_n his_o army_n be_v much_o weaken_v and_o impoverish_v not_o only_o by_o its_o engagement_n and_o sieges_n but_o by_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o the_o way_n be_v over_o mountain_n and_o almost_o unpassable_a rock_n and_o by_o a_o contagion_n which_o carry_v off_o a_o great_a part_n of_o his_o army_n beside_o the_o want_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v necessary_a in_o this_o juncture_n of_o they_o news_n arrive_v out_o of_o persia_n that_o bellisarius_fw-la have_v vanquish_v nabades_n have_v take_v sisuranum_n and_o in_o it_o belesinach_v and_o eight_o hundred_o persian_a horse_n and_o be_v march_v with_o his_o army_n in_o good_a order_n direct_o towards_o nisibe_n with_o design_n to_o besiege_v it_o that_o another_o way_n he_o have_v send_v a_o strong_a party_n under_o the_o command_n of_o arethas_n the_o chief_n of_o the_o sarrarius_fw-la who_o have_v pass_v the_o river_n tiger_n so_o that_o the_o whole_a country_n of_o assyria_n which_o before_o have_v never_o be_v subject_n to_o the_o inroad_n of_o the_o enemy_n be_v at_o present_a infest_a and_o become_v a_o prey_n to_o any_o that_o will_v invade_v it_o moreover_o a_o body_n of_o huns_n which_o cosroes_n have_v send_v into_o armenia_n a_o province_n belong_v to_o the_o roman_a empire_n have_v unfortunate_o encounter_v with_o the_o troop_n of_o valerian_n and_o be_v almost_o utter_o cut_v off_o this_o news_n be_v bring_v to_o the_o persian_a camp_n which_o be_v already_o perplex_v with_o the_o incommodity_n which_o they_o have_v suffer_v a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o country_n of_o the_o larien_n cause_v they_o to_o apprehend_v that_o if_o the_o enemy_n shall_v cut_v off_o the_o passage_n after_o all_o the_o distress_n and_o calamity_n they_o have_v endure_v they_o shall_v again_o be_v reduce_v to_o a_o necessity_n of_o starve_v among_o the_o rock_n and_o desert_n and_o their_o ruin_n be_v attend_v by_o the_o destruction_n of_o their_o wife_n and_o their_o child_n and_o the_o inevitable_a conquest_n of_o their_o whole_a country_n especial_o at_o a_o time_n when_o their_o army_n be_v so_o afflict_v with_o disease_n hereupon_o they_o begin_v to_o mutiny_v against_o cosroes_n and_o to_o upbraid_v he_o for_o have_v break_v his_o oath_n and_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o nation_n which_o be_v sacred_a even_o among_o the_o barbarian_n they_o can_v not_o forgive_v he_o that_o after_o a_o solemn_a peace_n with_o the_o roman_n he_o have_v invade_v their_o territory_n undertake_v a_o unjust_a war_n against_o they_o and_o attack_v a_o empire_n not_o only_o the_o most_o ancient_a in_o the_o world_n but_o so_o powerful_a that_o they_o can_v not_o in_o reason_n hope_v to_o overcome_v it_o though_o their_o army_n be_v much_o more_o considerable_a than_o it_o be_v these_o discourse_n have_v so_o prepare_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o persian_n for_o sedition_n that_o it_o be_v ready_a to_o break_v out_o have_v not_o cosroes_n apply_v a_o remedy_n in_o time_n by_o read_v the_o letter_n which_o zabergane_n have_v receive_v from_o the_o empress_n almost_o in_o these_o very_a term_n zabergane_n you_o may_v easy_o perceive_v when_o you_o be_v ambassador_n with_o we_o how_o ready_a we_o be_v to_o oblige_v you_o and_o how_o little_a we_o dispute_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o your_o favour_n you_o have_v now_o a_o opportunity_n effectual_o to_o answer_v our_o good_a opinion_n of_o you_o and_o that_o be_v by_o prevail_v with_o king_n cosroes_n your_o master_n to_o continue_v that_o good_a intelligence_n with_o we_o that_o the_o peace_n do_v procure_v i_o do_v engage_v that_o the_o emperor_n my_o husband_n shall_v recompense_v any_o good_a office_n you_o shall_v do_v he_o to_o the_o full_a and_o let_v i_o tell_v you_o he_o do_v nothing_o now_o without_o my_o counsel_n and_o approbation_n when_o cosroes_n have_v read_v the_o letter_n he_o declare_v to_o the_o chief_n officer_n of_o his_o army_n that_o he_o can_v not_o but_o wonder_v the_o persian_n shall_v call_v that_o empire_n invincible_a which_o be_v govern_v by_o a_o woman_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o their_o mutiny_n nevertheless_o be_v still_o apprehensive_a lest_o bellisarius_fw-la shall_v possess_v himself_o of_o the_o pass_n he_o discamp_v immediate_o and_o find_v no_o opposition_n he_o return_v into_o his_o own_o country_n without_o any_o impediment_n bellisarius_fw-la be_v retreat_v into_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o empire_n find_v that_o antonina_n be_v arrive_v from_o constantinople_n and_o without_o the_o least_o token_n of_o kindness_n he_o cause_v she_o to_o be_v take_v into_o custody_n and_o a_o guard_n clap_v upon_o she_o many_o time_n it_o be_v in_o his_o thought_n to_o have_v put_v she_o to_o death_n but_o he_o can_v never_o determine_v i_o be_o of_o opinion_n his_o fondness_n be_v the_o cause_n though_o other_o affirm_v she_o use_v charm_n and_o enchantment_n to_o render_v he_o irresolute_a in_o the_o interim_n photius_n arrive_v in_o great_a fury_n at_o ephesus_n have_v bring_v along_o with_o he_o caligonus_n the_o eunuch_n who_o be_v antinonaes_n great_a confident_a and_o privy_a to_o