The history of the warres of the Emperour Justinian in eight books : of the Persian, II, Vandall, II, Gothicke, IV / written in Greek by Procopivs of Caesarea ; and Englished by Henry Holcroft, Knight.

CHAP. XIX.

ABout the same time happened in Constantinople a suddaine mutiny, which grew high, and ended in much mischief, both to the Senate, and peo∣ple. The Commons of every City anciently have been divided into the Veneti and Prasini, the Blews, and the Greens. But it is not long, since about these names and clours, (wherein they stand to see sights) they consume their estates, abandon their bodies to tortures, and refuse not the most shamefull death. They run the danger of fighting with their opposites, being sure, (should they get the better) to be haled to prison, and after extreame torturing, to be put to death. There growes in them a hatred without ground, and lasts un∣determinable, not yeilding to allyance, kinred, or any law of friendship; be

it brother, or son, that dotes upon the contrary Colour. Nothing human, or divine they regard, in comparison of the victory in these, be it impietie a∣gainst God, or violation of lawes, or of the Commonwealth by subjects or enemies: nay themselves wanting necessaries, and their Country receaving in∣jury in the most important things, they are not sensible of it, so this their por∣tion may prosper: So they call their fellow Factionists. Nay the very wo∣men partake in this abomination, not onely as their husbands followers, but often their opposites; though they never goe to the Theaters, nor have other inducements. That I know not what to say, but that it is a meer disease of the mind: and thus it is in every City, and Corporation. But at that time* 1.1 the Governour of the Citizens of Constantinople, led some Factionists to execution. Both parties then making peace, and conspir∣ing, first took away the men led to punishment, then let out of prison all who lay either for sedition, or any other crime; and without respect, slew the said Governours ministers. The Citizens who were of neither faction fled to the opposite continent; and the City, (as if under an enemy) was set afire. The Temple of Saint Sophie, and the Bath of Zeuxippus, and the Emperours Court from the porch to the Temple of Mars was consumed. Moreover the great Portions, reaching to Constantines market place; and many great means houses, end much wealth. The Emperour and Empress with some Senators shut them∣selves up in the Palace, without stirring. The peoples word to one another was, Nica, overcome; From whence to this day that Mutiny is called Nica. John the Cappadocian was then* 1.2 Prefect of the Court; and Tribonianus, a Pam∣phylian, Assessor to the Emperour, by the Romans called Quaestor. John was a man vnbred in any liberall science (having learn't at the Grammar Schoole onely poore letters, to write as poorely) but in naturall abilities, the most powerfull man we ever knew, both to discerne fit things, and in doubtfull to find a resolution; but the wickedest man alive: wherein he employed the strength of his nature, without respect of God or men; for gaine studying the ruine of mens estates, and of whole Cities. Quickly growing to a great wealth, he fell into boundless gluttony, preying upon the subject till dinner time, and the rest of the day spending in drunkennesse, and wanton abusing his bo∣dy, eating till he vomited. A man ready to catch mony, and more ready to la∣vish it. Such was John the Cappadocian. But Tribonianus, beside a great naturall ability, had attained to an excellence in learning, inferiour to no man of his time: But in the wayes of Covetousness most industrious, and ever ready to sell right for gaine; making, and repealing Edicts every day, ever selling them to any who had occasion to use them. During the peoples quarrells about those names, and colours, there was little speech of these mens misgoverne∣ments. But when they consented, and were now formed into a mutiny; open∣ly in the City they rail'd upon them, and sought occasions to kill them. The Emperour to reconcile the people, put them both out of their places, and made Phocas a Patrician, Prefect of the Palace; a wise man, and naturally ad∣dicted to justice, and Basilides a Patrician he made Quaestor, a famous honest man. But the mutiny raged nothing lesse. The fift day of the same, about evening, the Emperour commanded Hypatius and Pompeius, Nephewes of the late Emperour Anastasius, to retire to their houses; either suspecting some attempt of theirs upon his person, or afraid that they were driven thereto by destiny. They fearing what came to passe, that the people would force them to the Empire, said, that it was not honest to leave their Emperour in so great danger. Justinian at this was more suspitious, and bad them instantly be gone home. They went, and it being night, were quiet; but the Sun no sooner up, but it was divulged, how these Lords were retired from the palace: and all the multitude ran to them, and salute•• Hypatius Emperour, and con∣ducted him to the market place, to take the affaires upon him; Maria his wife, a wise and sober Matrone, crying, and lamenting, and protesting to her friends, that the people were leading her husband to his death; and hanging upon him to stay him, till the people forced him from her. And when he was un∣willingly come to Constantines market-place, they proclaimed him Emperour

of the Romans, binding about his head a golden wreath, for Diademe they had none, nor other thing usuall to invest the Emperour. The Senators, as many as were not in the Palace, joyned; and the opinions of many were, to try their fortune at the Palace. But Origen a Senator admonished them; That indeed the case they were in, could not be decided without warr, and that warr and Empire are confest the greatest things among men. But great actions are not managed in an instant, but with advises and labours, which must have longer time for their exe∣cution. That if they march now to the Enemy, their affaires will be upon the edge of a razour; and in a little plece of time they shall adventure all, and then for what happens, either adore or revile Fortune; into whose hands the hastiest businesses com∣monly fall. But that if they carry it leysurely, they shall not take Justinian in the Palace, if they would; who will thinck it well, if he may run away. Soveraignty des∣pised, totters downeward, the strength of it daily consuming: That there are other Palaces, Placillianae, and that of Helena, from whence this Emperour may issue, and manage the warr, and other matters. The multitude embraced this advice, and Hypatius, (who was to have a mischief) bad them lead on to the Circus. Some say he went thither purposely, being well affected to the Emperour: Who held a Counsell, whether he should stay, or fly by Sea: Many discourses were; but the Empress Theodora spake thus. I suppose this no time to enquire, whether a woman should be bold among men, or may be valiant, when they are afraid. They, whose affaires are come into extreamest perill, must attend nothing, but how to settle best, that which lyes before them. I hold flying (if ever, certainely now, though it would preserve us) not expedient. For a man born into this light, not to dy, is im∣possible: But for one that hath been an Emperour, to become a Exile, is not to be en∣dured: For let me never come to be without this purple robe, nor live that day, in which they that speak to me, call me not their Lady and Mistress. If Sir! you have a mind to escape, 'tis no hard matter. We have store of money; and there's the sea; and yonder are shipps: But consider, whether you may not have cause, most willingly to exchange your safety, for death. For me, I like the old saying; How breave a Se∣pulcher a Kingdom is! At this speech they took courage to stand it out, and consulted of meanes of opposition, if any should set upon them.

All the Souldiers, both quartered about the Emperours Palace and else∣where, neither affected the Emperour, nor durst openly joyne in this action, but expected the event. But Justinians whole hope was in Belisarius and Mun∣dus. The first newly come from the Persian warr, had brought a strong reti∣nue with him, of Lanciers and Targettiers, and others, all old Souldiers. And Mundus, being* 1.3 Generall of Illyrium, chanced, being sent for to Constantinople, to bring with him a Troop of Herulians. But Hypatius in the Circus, went up directly, and sate him down in the Emperours Seat, where he uses to see the horse races and other exercises. Then out of the Palace came Mundus, by the gate called Cochlea, from the round forme like a shell-snaile. But Belisarius went first toward Hypatius, and the Imperiall Seat, and at a hall where uses to be a guard of Souldiers, he called, willing the Souldiers to open the doores for him to goe against the Usurper. The Souldiers resolving to stand for nei∣ther, till one were cleerly the Conquerour, made as if they heard him not. Belisarius returning to the Emperour, affirmed they were all undone; the Soul∣diers revolting, who guarded the Palace. The Emperour bad him goe in by the Brazen gate, and the portall there; and he passing with much danger and toile, through rubbish, and places halfe burn't, got to the Circus. Being come to the Gallery of the Veneti, which is to the right hand of the Emperours Seat, he was thinking to set upon Hypatius; but the gate there was narrow, and he feared the people, seing him pestred in a narrow passage, might cut in pieces himselfe and his company, and then easily set upon the Emperour. So re∣solving to give on upon the innumerable multitude, which stood confusedly and crowded in the Circus, he drew his sword, and bad the rest doe the like, and ran upon them, with a great shout. The people being crouded together, and seing corselets, and Souldiers of approved valour and experience, unmer∣cifully hewing them with their swords, fell to running away. A fearfull cry was made, and Mundus standing neer, and desirous to have his share in the

action (being a daring man) when he saw Belisarius in fight, he rusht into the Circus also at the gate called Necra. And so the Mutineers between them both were cut in peeces. And the overthrow being clear, and much slaughter of the Commons, Boraides and Justus, the Emperours Nephews, pulled Hypatius out of his seat (none resisting) and led him with Pompeius to the Emperour; (of the common people there being slain that day more than 30000.) The Emperour commanded them to prison; and Pompeius wept, being a man little versed in business; but Hypatius chid him, saying, That none ought to lament for men perishing unjustly; forced at the first by the people, and then coming to the Circus for no hurt to the Emperour: But the next day the souldiers killed them both, and threw their bodies into the sea. The Emperour confisca∣ted their estates, and of all the other Senators of their faction; but afterward restored to them, and to the sonnes of Hypatius, and Pompeius, their former dignities, and so much of their estates, as he had not* 1.4 given away. And thus the mutiny ended.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Praefectus U••bi, next in dignity to the Prefect: Prae∣torio. The Au∣thour in his old age held this of∣fice.
• * 1.2

  Praefectus Praetorio of the Orient; There was another of Illyrium, both belonging to the Easterne Em∣pire.
• * 1.3

  There was another cal'd Generall of all of the Orient; and two Gene∣ralls of the Le∣gions in Byzan∣tium: In La∣tin their name was Magistri militum.
• * 1.4

  But he gave away all their best lands and goods first. See the Secr. Hist.