Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/59

 of Constantinople, and to have him sent to Jeru­salem, where having notice that there were plots against his life, he was forced to betake himself to a Monastery where he died: And these were the affairs of Theodotus.

The Factious after this, became the most moderate people in the World, for they made no use of the liberty they had at that time (more then ever before) of doing what mischeif they pleased; in short, a while after several assass­inations were committed, but none punished; for they who were appointed to make inquisiti­on, gave the criminals opportunity to escape, and by their illegal indulgence, left them at li­berty to illude and laugh at the Law.

Whilest the Empress Euphemia lived, Justi­nian by all the art he could use, could not ob­tain permission to marry Theodora; for the Em­press opposed his designs, though otherwise she indulged him in every thing. That Princess had no evil inclinations, but being (as is said before) of barbarous extraction, her manners were so ridiculous and dull, she continued as incapable as at first, and never understood any thing of matters of State. Moreover, she was not suffered (being Empress) to retain the name of Lupicina (which was infamous) but was cal­led Euphemia; and not long after Justinian was recovered, she died. The Emperor Justin was grown so old and superannuated, he had lost his judgment, and was exposed to the contempt and derision of his subjects; so that all people paid obedience to Justinian, who by his Rh