Page:The age of Justinian and Theodora (Volume 1).djvu/229

 the law as well as to the lawlessness of the Rector and his satellites. To their protection, in many instances, the lesser owners were impelled to consign themselves unconditionally, hoping to find with them a haven of refuge against merciless exaction. The patron implored readily accepted the trust, but the suppliant soon discovered that his condition was assimilated to that of a serf. The web of social order was strained or ruptured in every grade of life; traders joined the ranks of the clergy in order to abuse the facilities for commerce conceded to ministers of religion; the proceedings of the Irenarchs among the rustic population were so vexatious, that they were accounted disturbers, instead of guardians of the peace, and the simple pastor had to be denied the use of a horse, lest it should enable him to rob with too much security on the public highways.