About this time Belisarius underwent another disgrace.

The people of Byzantium were ravaged by the pestilence of which I have already spoken.

The Emperor Justinian was attacked by it so severely that it was reported that he had died.

Rumour spread these tidings abroad till they reached the Roman camp, whereupon some of the chief officers said that, if the Romans set up any other emperor in Byzantium, they would not acknowledge him.

Shortly after this, the Emperor recovered from his malady, whereupon the chiefs of the army accused one another of having used this language.