(hap. xuii] OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 435 master of the art of war, than in the season of his prosperity, when he presented two captive kings before the throne of Justin- ian. The valour of Belisarius was not chilled by age ; his pru- dence was matured by experience; but the moral virtues of humanity and justice seem to have yielded to the hard necessity of the times. The parsimony or poverty of the emperor com- pelled him to deviate from the rule of conduct which had deserved the love and confidence of the Italians. The war was maintained by the oppression of Eavenna, Sicily, and all the faithful subjects of the empire ; and the rigorous prosecution of Herodian provoked that injured or guilty officer to deliver Spoleto into the hands of the enemy. 40 The avarice of Antonina, which had been some- times diverted by love, now reigned without a rival in her breast. Belisarius himself had always understood that riches, in a corrupt age, are the support and ornament of personal merit. And it cannot be presumed that he should stain his honour for the public service, without applying a part of the spoil to his private emolument. The hero had escaped the sword of the barbarians, but the dagger of conspiracy 41 awaited his return. In the midst of wealth and honours, Artaban, who had chastised the African tyrant, complained of the ingratitude of courts. He aspired to Prsejecta, the emperor's niece, 42 who wished to reward her de- liverer ; but the impediment of his previous marriage was asserted by the piety of Theodora. The pride of royal descent was irri- tated by flattery ; and the service in which he gloried had proved him capable of bold and sanguinary deeds. The death of Justin- ian was resolved, but the conspirators delayed the execution till they could surprise Belisarius, disarmed and naked, in the palace of Constantinople. Not a hope could be entertained of shaking his long-tried fidelity ; and they justly dreaded the revenge, or rather justice, of the veteran general, who might speedily assemble an army in Thrace, to punish the assassins, and perhaps to en- joy the fruits of their crime. Delay afforded time for rash com- munications and honest confessions ; Artaban and his accomplices were condemned by the senate; but the extreme clemency of Justinian detained them in the gentle confinement of the palace, 40 [a.d. 545. It waa recovered a.d. 547 ; lost again ; and recovered ODee more a.d. 552.] 41 This conspiracy is related by Procopius (Gothic. 1. iii. c. 31, 32) with such freedom and candour that the liberty of the Anecdotes gives him nothing to add. 42 [Widow of Areobindus.]
