Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/168

 and for the Empress, the Men never made any compliments to her. But those who came to salute Justinian and Theodora, whether Senators, or of inferior degree, prostrated themselves up­on their face, stretched our their hands and their feet; kissed both his feet, one after another, and then retired. Theodora suffered the same houors to be done to her, receiving at her own Palace the Ambassadors from Persia, and other Foreign Nations, and (which was never practi­ced before, at least since History has presented us with the occurences of passed ages) giving them rich and magnificent presents, to let them see that she was absolute Mistress, and govern­ed the whole Empire. Formerly, when the Emperor was spoken of, he was called Caesar, and his Wife Augusta, and other Princes had their Titles according to their qualities: But when any Address was made to Theodora or Justinian, if they were called only Emperor and Empress, without the addition of Soveraign Lord, or Soveraign Princess; the person was not only looked upon as ill-bred, and a Clown, but he was sure to be ill received, and turned out as one that was guilty of some hainous offence. Formerly few persons went to Court, and those few who did go, went very rarely; but since the Government of Justinian and Theodora, all the Magistrates, and all other per­sons, were continuity in the Palace, and the rea­son of it was, because heretofore the Magistrates might freely administer Justice, and execute their