surnamed Barsyames. He had long sat at the copper money-changer's
counter, and had amassed large sums by his disgraceful malpractices.
He was exceedingly cunning at thieving obols, ever deceiving his
customers by the quickness of his fingers. He was very clever at
filching without ado what fell into his hands, and, when detected, he
swore that it was the fault of his hands, and made use of most
impudent language in order to conceal his guilt.

This Barsyames, having been enrolled in the praetorian guard, behaved
so outrageously that he approved himself beyond all others to
Theodora, and was selected by her to assist in carrying out those of
her nefarious schemes which required the most inventive genius. For
this reason Justinian and Theodora immediately deprived Theodotus of
the dignity bestowed upon him as the successor of the Cappadocian, and
appointed Peter in his stead, who in every respect acted in accordance
with their wishes.

He not only, without the least fear or shame, cheated the soldiers of
their pay, but offered commands and offices for sale to a greater
extent than before. Having thus degraded them, he sold them to persons
who were not ashamed to engage in this unholy traffic, giving express
permission to the purchasers to deal as they pleased with the lives
and properties of those who were subject to their authority; for
Barsyames claimed for himself and granted to anyone who had paid down
the price of a province the right of plundering and ravaging it at
pleasure. It was from the chief of the State that this traffic in
lives proceeded, and agreements were entered into for the ruin of the
cities. In the chief courts and in the public market-place the
legalised brigand went round about, who was called "collector" from
his duty of collecting the money paid for the purchase of dignities,