Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/91

 into Italy, incited by the great hopes he had of riches or preferment (for men are not naturally prone to mischeif, without Foreign temptation) as soon as he was arrived, he obliged Theodat to kill Amalasontha, but I do not know upon what pretence.

After so great service, Peter was advanced to very great Offices, and enjoyed them with great authority, but with the hatred and detestation of the whole World: And this trick Theodora plaid the poor Amalasontha.

Justinian had a Secretary of his Closet, called Priscus, a Paphlagonian born, and a Man very eminent and exact in all kinds of villany; by his conduct and humor, he was a likely Man to insinuate with his Master; and he did it so effectually, he became the only favorite. The Emperor made no question, but the friendship had been mutual, insomuch, that in a short time he got together unjustly an incredible estate. The Empress not being able to brook his in­solence and pride, to ruine him, began to ac­cuse him to the Emperor, and charge him with crimes; but not succeeding in that, she caused him to be surprised and sent away suddenly in a ship, when he little thought of it; and having ordered him to be shaved, she forced him to turn Priest: In the mean time, the Emperor carried himself as he had been privy to the plot, and did not so much as inquire into what part of the World poor Priscus was gone, nay, I am perswaded he never thought of him after, un­less it was, when he seised a sum of Money of Rh