[206] Procopius, De Bel. Pers., i, 24.
[207] Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., 57.
[208] Ibid. He quotes a current epigram to the effect that "Cappadocians were always bad, worse in office, worst in love of money, and worse than worst if mounted in a grand official chariot." The Praetorian Praefect wore a purple robe which only differed from that of the Emperor by being cut short at the knees. His office was adorned with a golden inkstand, weighing a hundred pounds; Ibid., ii, 13, 14.
[209] Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., iii, 62; Procopius, loc. cit.
[210] Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., 66-69; cf. Procopius, Evagrius, and Zonaras, loc. cit. Owing to his ignorance of Latin he worked for the abolition of that language in governmental documents. Under Theodosius II, one Cyrus, an Egyptian, being similarly ignorant, attempted the same, but lost the praefecture by it. There was an oracle that fortune would desert the Romans should they forget their native tongue; Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., ii, 12; iii, 42.
[211] Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., 70.
[212] Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., 57. Lydus says that he himself saw an old man of his acquaintance, who was suspected of having a private hoard, hung up by the hands with stiff ropes until he expired.
[213] Ibid., 58. As an instance Lydus describes the conduct of another Cappadocian, nicknamed Maxilloplumacius ("Puffy-Cheeks"), from his peculiar aspect, who raided Asia for the fisc. He began at Philadelphia, the native town of Lydus, where he established himself in great state, and indulged himself in unbounded luxury, licentiousness, and cruelty. One Petronius, a man of rank and culture in the town, being possessed of some handsome jewels as heirlooms, was ordered to deliver them up. On his refusal he was loaded with chains, beaten with rods, and shut up in a stable. The Philadelphians were deeply grieved and the Bishop was moved to intercede on his behalf. Bible in hand, at the head of several of his inferior clergy, he appeared before the tyrant, but was at once assailed with foul and abusive language. He retired in dismay, but Petronius, at last reduced to despair, promised everything, and, on being let out, took his jewels and other valuables to the Praetorium, where he threw them in a heap in the vestibule. In another case an old soldier was racked for twenty solidi which he could not pay, but, anxious to be released at any cost, finally asserted that he had them in concealment. Being accompanied to his dwelling, and allowed to search apart, after some delay he was found to have hanged himself. The body was then kicked into the street, and the wretched premises gutted by the apparitors.
[214] Ibid., 66, 67.
[215] Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., 62. Procopius, De Bel. Pers., i, 24.