The Secret History · Chapter
XX: Debasing of the Quaestorship explained
This chapter details how Justinian systematically debased the office of Quaestor, appointing corrupt and unqualified men like Tribonian, Junilus, and Constantine, who sold decrees and plundered the state.
What happens
This chapter details how Justinian systematically debased the office of Quaestor, appointing corrupt and unqualified men like Tribonian, Junilus, and Constantine, who sold decrees and plundered the state. It also describes new magistracies and monopolies created to extort money from subjects, with Justinian sharing in the loot and encouraging officials to compete in destroying innocent people.
Themes in this chapter
Corruption and Tyranny
Justinian debases the Quaestorship by appointing ignorant and greedy officials who sell decrees and plunder the state, while creating new offices to extort money and destroy innocents.
Abuse of Power
Justinian uses his authority to appoint corrupt cronies, license monopolies, and encourage magistrates to compete in killing and confiscating property without trial.
Injustice and Lawlessness
Accused persons are put to death and their properties seized without due trial or examination; officials are told to act faster than each other to destroy people.
Characters to notice
- Justinian
Debases the Quaestorship by appointing corrupt officials, creates new magistracies and monopolies to plunder subjects, and encourages officials to compete in destroying people.
- Tribonian
First appointee to the debased Quaestorship; his actions are related elsewhere; Justinian seized part of his estate after his death.
- Junilus
A Libyan appointed Quaestor, ignorant of law and Greek, publicly sold imperial decrees for gold coins for seven years.
- Constantine
Succeeded Junilus as Quaestor; young, thievish, and pompous; Justinian's bosom friend who enabled the Emperor to steal and run the office.
Key passages
“For one gold coin he would hold out his palm to anybody without hesitation.”
Junilus would accept a single gold coin from anyone in exchange for an imperial decree.
Illustrates the blatant corruption of Junilus as Quaestor.
“Whichever of you acts faster than the rest.”
Justinian told his officials that the one who moved quickest would have jurisdiction over a case.
Shows Justinian's shameless encouragement of a race to destroy people.