Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/114

 Son living, and several Nephews) and gave his place to Junilus Apher, a man not at all versed in the Laws, nor who had conversed among the Lawyers; he had indeed some knowledge in Latine, but had never studied Greek; and his tongue was so little adapted to speak it, that sometimes when he ventured, he made all laugh that were present. He was so transcendently covetous, and so much beyond all reason ad­dicted to gain, he made no difficulty to sell Pla­ces or Orders publickly, and was not ashamed to receive bribes from any body, which desired any thing of him.

This infamous Questor executed that place seven years together, to the great prejudice and dishonor of the Empire. Upon his death, the Emperor put in Constantine, who had indeed some notion of the Law, but was so young, he never had pleaded; besides which, he was the greatest and most impudent Theif in nature. Justinian loved him better then he had loved any before, if (to speak truth) he ever loved any body: So that he made him superintendant in those affairs, and cheif minister of all his In­justice and Tyranny. With these advantages Constantine in a short time got a vast estate, but his insolence was insupportable; for he affront­ed any man, who came to him without some considerable present; and when any bribe was given to have their business dispatched, they were obliged to intrust it in the hands of his servants; for none was suffered to come near, or speak with him, but when he was with the Emperor