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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 Excerpt:...whom they love. Justinian.--Who is it? Endemon.--Calchas! Theodora.--The chariot-driver! Endemon.--The favourite of the Blues. It was he that struck the merchant with the fatal blow. Justinian.--The brute! Endemon.--But, Sire, the situation is like this. We have arrested seven culprits, of whom three are Blues, accomplices in both the murders, and four are Greens, who are the incendiaries. If you release all--Blues and Greens--you will goad the people to madness, for they are tired of these excesses. Think, Sire! We have had twenty-seven murders in the last week! Justinian.--Then you think that they should be punished? Endemon.--As an example. Justinian.--Both parties? Endemon.--There should be no distinction. Justinian (to Belisarius).--What is your opinion, illustrious sir? Belisarius.--The same, your majesty. Justinian.--So be it, then! These Blues,'too, have for a long time past annoyed me with their insolence. We have a great many enemies to contend with. How stand our troops? Endemon.--That is a delicate point. We will not mention the cohorts of the town, who always favour riots more or less. Belisarius.--Nor the scholaric guard, who are but soldiers of parade; they would betray us at the first defeat. Justinian.--All that I see is the Palace guard, commanded by Narses, fifteen hundred, or at the most two thousand. Belisarius.--Your strength does not lie there, Sire. You must rely on your barbarian allies! You have in Constantino's barracks half a legion of Goths, cavalry and armed infantry; men of iron, who have served under me, and of whose courage I am sure. At the forum of Julian there is another half legion. Then there are the Herules of Mundus, who are but light infantry, but martial men, and valuable for these street battles. There are in all a...