[19] [1911] From these various materials, I shall now proceed to describe the reign of Justinian, which will deserve and occupy an ample space.

The present chapter will explain the elevation and character of Theodora, the factions of the circus, and the peaceful administration of the sovereign of the East.

In the three succeeding chapters, I shall relate the wars of Justinian, which achieved the conquest of Africa and Italy; and I shall follow the victories of Belisarius and Narses, without disguising the vanity of their triumphs, or the hostile virtue of the Persian and Gothic heroes.

The series of this and the following volume will embrace the jurisprudence and theology of the emperor; the controversies and sects which still divide the Oriental church; the reformation of the Roman law which is obeyed or respected by the nations of modern Europe.
[Footnote 12: See the characters of Procopius and Agathias in La Mothe le Vayer, (tom.viii.p.

144--174,) Vossius, (de Historicis Graecis, l.ii.c.