CHAPTER XII
PRIVATE LIFE IN THE IMPERIAL CIRCLE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES
While the diplomacy of Justinian and the strategy
of Belisarius were apparently dictated only by
motives of state policy and military expediency, there were
private influences at work, which modified considerably the
execution of their projects. The feminine proclivities and
prejudices of Theodora and Antonina on more than one occasion
diverted both men from the course which their better
judgment inclined them to follow. Distinctive as were the
characters of the Emperor and his most renowned general,
in the quality of uxoriousness their similarity was complete.
In order that the power exercised by the women in question
over the destinies of the Empire at critical periods may be
realized, it is necessary to refer to some domestic incidents
which exemplify the extent of their conjugal gynarchy.
When Belisarius and his wife set out for Africa they were accompanied by a young Christian proselyte named Theodosius, whom they had affiliated as their adopted son. Of this youth Antonina became intensely enamoured, and succeeded in establishing an illicit intercourse with him, which was obvious to every member of the household except her too trusting husband. During their stay at Carthage Beli-
