[246] Procopius (Anecd., 7, 10) is the authority for all these details. In every essential point he is corroborated by Evagrius, iv, 32.
[247] Evagrius, loc. cit.
[248] Both Procopius (Anecd., 17) and Evagrius (loc. cit.) mention the case of Callinicus, governor of Cilicia, who was impaled for vindicating the law by the execution of two murderers of the Blue Faction. Procopius (Anecd., 29) also recounts an émeute at Tarsus, in which the Blues were the principals. In both these cases the part of violent vengeance was played by Theodora. Evagrius lies under the suspicion of having read the Anecdotes of Procopius. If so, the fact that he makes no protest against the picture there given of the Empress proves his belief in its truth. In a parallel case he strongly defends Constantine against the strictures of Zosimus; iii, 40, 41. Zonaras also seems to be influenced by the work. Indeed it is difficult to see how he could have avoided knowing it since it was familiar to "Suidas" before his time.
[249] Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., 70; cf. Nov. xxiv, 2; xxv, 3; xxx, 9; cxxviii, praef.; cxlv, praef. Most fully in Nov. lxxx, e.g., "We find that the provinces are being gradually despoiled of their inhabitants; our great city here is populous with crowds of diverse men, chiefly farmers who have left their townships and lands." Also specified as men, women, clerics, monks, nuns, and advocates of outlying places.
[250] Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., 70; cf. ii, 29, 30; Nov. xiii, lxxx.
[251] Jn. Lydus, loc. cit., 70; Zonaras, xiv, 6.
[252] See p. 303.
[253] By a comparison of Jn. Malala (xviii, p. 473) and Theophanes (an. 6,024), the fact of the day being a Sunday can be determined.
[254] This taunt evidently means, "You are not fit to be Christians; abandon the Trinity and join the infidel monotheists."
[255] This dialogue exists only in Theophanes (an. cit.), but is alluded to in Chron. Paschal.; an. 532. I have only sampled it, as, beyond the animosity shown on each side, there is little pregnancy in it, and the whole would be merely tedious to the ordinary reader. It has often been translated at length, by Isambert, Hodgkin, Bury, Diehl, etc.