Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 5 (1897).djvu/24

 2 THE DECLINE AND FALL awakened by an importunate crowd, who thundered at his door, and obtained admittance by revealing themselves to be the principal members of the senate. These welcome deputies announced the recent and momentous secret of the emperor's decease ; reported, or perhaps invented, his dying choice of the best beloved and most deserving of his nephews ; and conjured Justin to })revent the disorders of the multitude, if they should perceive, with the return of light, that they were left with- out a master. After composing his countenance to surprise, sorrow, and decent modesty, Justin, by the advice of his wife Sophia, submitted to the authority of the senate. He was conducted with speed and silence to the ])alace ; the guards saluted their new sovereign ; and the martial and religious rites of his coronation were diligently accomplished. By the hands of the proper officers he was invested with the Imperial garments, the red buskins, white tunic, and })urple robe. A fortunate soldier, whom he instantly promoted to the rank of tribune, encircled his neck with a military collar ; four robust youths exalted him on a shield ; he stood firm and erect to receive the adoration of his subjects ; and their choice was sanctified by the benediction of the patriarch, who imposed the Keignof diadem on the head of an orthodox prince. The hippodrome the younger, was already filled with innumerable multitudes ; and no sooner ifi [i*]— AD.' did the emperor appear on his throne than the voices of the S74. T^flpflTB^^^ 111 blue and the green factions were confounded in the same loyal acclamations. In the speeches which Justin addressed to the senate and people, he promised to correct the abuses which had disgraced the age of his predecessor, displayed the maxims HUconstti- of a just and beneficent government, and declared that, on the 566, January approaching calends of January,-^ he would revive in his own person the name and liberality of a Roman consul. The im- mediate discharge of his uncle's debts exhibited a solid pledge of his faith and generosity : a train of porters laden with bags of gold advanced into the midst of the hippodrome, and the hopeless creditors of Justinian accepted this equitable payment as a voluntary gift. Before the end of three years his example was imitated and surpassed by the empress Sophia, who de- livered many indigent citizens from the weight of debt and usury : an act of benevolence the best entitled to gratitude, 3 It is surprising how Pagi (Critica in Annal. Baron, torn. ii. p. 639) could be tempted by any chronicles to contradict the plain and decisive text of Corippus (vicina dona, 1. ii. 354, vicina dies, 1. iv. i.), and to postpone, till ..D. 567, the consulship of Justin.