Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/139

 being enforced to sell accordingly, to re­imburse himself of what he was out; by these unlucky projects, Justinian found out a way to ruin all the Subjects which he had: and this was the face of affairs in those kind of things; But if think my self bound in this place to give a description of the Courses which Justinian and Theodora made use of to raise profit out of the Moneys. The Officers of the Mint used to make a certain coin of Gold of the value of two hundred and ten Obolas, which they cal­led ''Pholes. Justinian'' to make his advantage, caused them to be melted down, and new ones to be Coined, weighing but 180. so that he got a sixth part out of every piece to the great prejudice of his Subjects. Moreover ha­ving settled imposts upon all Merchandize (which could not be done without vast detri­ment to the Buyers) there was nothing exempt but Cloaths, which were not liable to Customs, but Justinian and Theodora found out a way to draw money out of them as well as the rest.

Formerly the Workmen and Merchants of Silk Stuffs, had their Factorys in Beryte, and Tyre, two Townes in Phoenicia, where they settled their Trade, and from whence after­wards it was propogated quite through the World: but in the Reign of Justinian those who lived in Constantinople, and other Towns under the Roman Dominion, raised the prices of their Silks, pretending they were dearer in Persia, be­sides the Dutyes which were required and Rh