One of these was Phocas, of whom I have spoken in my previous writings--a man in the highest degree observant of integrity and honesty; who, during his tenure of office, was free from all suspicion of illegal gain.

The other was Bassus, who was appointed later.

Neither of them enjoyed their dignity for a year.

At the end of a few months they were deprived of it as being incapable and unsuited to the times.

But, not to go into details in every case, which would be endless, I will merely say that it was the same with all the other magistrates of Byzantium.
In all the cities throughout the Empire, Justinian selected for the highest offices the most abandoned persons he could find, and sold to them for vast sums the positions which they degraded.