despatch, having bribed him with the promise of great rewards if he
successfully carried out his instructions. This man, expecting either
preferment or large sums of money (for under such circumstances men
are not slow to commit an unjust murder), when he reached Italy, by
some arguments or other persuaded Theodatus to make away with
Amalasunta. After this, Peter was advanced to the dignity of "Master
of Offices," and attained to the highest influence, in spite of the
detestation with which he was universally regarded. Such was the end
of the unhappy Amalasunta.

Justinian had a secretary named Priscus, a Paphlagonian by birth, a
man distinguished in every kind of villainy, a likely person to please
the humour of his master, to whom he was exceedingly devoted, and from
whom he expected to receive similar consideration; and by these means,
in a short time, he unjustly amassed great wealth. Theodora, unable to
endure his insolence and opposition, accused him to the Emperor. At
first she was unsuccessful, but, shortly afterwards, she put him on
board a ship, sent him away to a place she had previously determined
upon, and having ordered him to be shaved, forced him to become a
priest. In the meantime, Justinian, pretending that he knew nothing of
what was going on, neither inquired to what part of the world Priscus
had been banished, nor ever thought of him again afterwards, but
remained silent, as if he had fallen into a state of lethargy.
However, he seized the small fortune that he had left behind him.

Theodora had become suspicious of one of her servants named
Areobindus, a barbarian by birth, but a youth of great comeliness,
whom she had appointed her steward. Wishing to purge the imagined
offence, (although, as was said) she was violently enamoured of him,
she caused him to be cruelly beaten with rods, for no apparent reason.