All these Procopius knew and named, praising sparingly, but expressing his blame with great enjoyment, in biting but witty phrases.
They had just turned towards the quarters of Martinus, the peaceful town-burner, on the right, when Cethegus, standing still, asked:
"And whose is the silken tent there on the hill, with the golden stars and purple ensign? The guards carry golden shields!"
"There," said Procopius, "dwells his Invincible Daintiness, the Upper Purple-Snail Intendant of the Roman Empire, Prince Areobindos, whom may God enlighten!"
"The Emperor's nephew, is he not?"
"Yes; he married the Emperor's niece, Projecta; his highest and only merit. He was sent here with the Imperial Guard to vex us, and to take care that we do not win too easily. He has been made of equal rank with Belisarius, understands as little of warfare as Belisarius does of purple-snails, and is to be Governor of Italy."
"Indeed!" said Cethegus.
"When we encamped he insisted upon having his tent placed to the right of Belisarius. But we would not consent. Fortunately God, in His wisdom, had created that hill centuries ago for the solving of our dispute as to rank, and now the Prince is indeed placed to the left, but higher than Belisarius."
"And whose are the gay tents yonder, behind the quarters of Belisarius? Who dwells there?"
"There?" answered Procopius, with a sigh. "A very unhappy woman; Antonina, the wife of Belisarius."