These excesses took place not only in Byzantium, but in every city of the Empire: for these disorders were like bodily diseases, and spread from thence over the whole Roman Empire.

But the Emperor cared not at all for what was going on, although he daily beheld what took place in the hippodrome, for he was exceedingly stupid, very much like a dull-witted ass, which follows whoever holds its bridle, shaking its ears the while.

This behaviour on the part of Justinian ruined everything.
As soon as he found himself the head of his uncle's empire, he at once did his utmost to squander the public treasure over which he now had control.

For he lavished wealth extravagantly upon the Huns who from time to time came across and, ever afterwards, the Roman provinces were subjected to constant incursions; for these barbarians, having once tasted our wealth, could not tear themselves away from the road which led to it.

Justinian also threw away great sums upon the construction of large moles, as if he thought to restrain the force of the never-resting waves.