by nature tyrannical and bloodthirsty, although he was unable to
overcome his enemies, since his meanness prevented him from making the
necessary preparations. Thus, during the reign of this prince, the
whole world was deluged with the blood of nearly all the Romans and
barbarians.

Such were the events that took place, during the wars abroad,
throughout the whole of the Roman Empire; but the disturbances in
Byzantium and every other city caused equal bloodshed; for, since no
regard was had to justice or impartiality in meting out punishment for
offences, each faction being eager to gain the favour of the Emperor,
neither party was able to keep quiet. They alternately abandoned
themselves to the madness of despair or presumptuous vanity, according
as they failed or succeeded in ingratiating themselves with him.
Sometimes they attacked one another _en masse_, sometimes in small
bands, sometimes in single combat, or set ambuscades for each other at
every opportunity. For thirty-two years without intermission they
inflicted horrible cruelties upon one another. They were frequently
put to death by the Praefect of the city, although punishment for
offences fell most heavily upon the Green faction. The punishment of
the Samaritans also, and other so-called heretics, deluged the Roman
Empire with blood. Let it suffice, on the present occasion, to recall
briefly what I have already narrated in greater detail. These
calamities, which afflicted the whole world, took place during the
reign of this demon in the form of a man, for which he himself, when
Emperor, was responsible. I will now proceed to relate the evils he
wrought by some hidden force and demoniacal power.

During his control of the Empire, numerous disasters of various kinds
occurred, which some attributed to the presence and artifices of his