rank, who, having purchased their positions for a larger sum, receive
better pay in proportion. These are called "Domestics" and
"Protectors." They have always been exempt from military service, and
are only reckoned members of the palace on account of their dignity
and rank. Some of them are constantly in Byzantium, while others have
long been established in Galatia or other provinces. Justinian
frightened these in the same manner into abandoning their salaries to
him. In conclusion, it was the custom that, every five years, the
Emperor should present each of the soldiers with a fixed sum in gold.
Accordingly, every five years, commissioners were despatched to all
parts of the Empire, to bestow five staters of gold upon every soldier
as a gift from the Emperor. This had long been an established and
inviolable practice. But, from the day that Justinian assumed the
management of affairs, he did nothing of the kind, and showed no
intention of doing so during the thirty-two years of his reign, so
that the custom was almost completely forgotten.




CHAPTER XXV


I will now proceed to mention another mode in which he plundered his
subjects. Those who, at Byzantium, serve the Emperor or magistrates,
either as secretaries, or in a military or any other capacity, are
placed last upon the list of officials. As time goes on, they are
gradually promoted to the place of those who have died or retired,
until they reach the highest rank and supreme dignity. Those who had
attained to this honour, in accordance with an ancient institution,