The Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius Scholasticus - Coptic ...

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY: BOOK IV 233
Justinian as her companion in the criminal gain she transferred to herself
the entire wealth of the maliciously accused man. 86 But he was also
unstinting with his money: as a result he everywhere raised up magni¢cent
holy churches and other pious houses for the care of men and
women, both the very young [180] and very old, and those who were
troubled by various diseases; and he allocated great revenues, from
which these had to support themselves. And he did a myriad other
things which are pious and pleasing to God, provided that those who
accomplish these should carry them out from their own resources and
bring their actions to fruition in a pure manner. 87
31 And in the city of Constantine he also set up many shrines to the divinity
and to the saints which were beautifully elaborated. 88 But there was
one great and incomparable object that he built, such as has never
before been reported, the largest ecclesiastical sanctuary, impressive
and famous and surpassing the power of speech. I will attempt, as far as
is in my power, to delineate the precinct. 89 The shrine of the temple has
86 Justinian’s insatiable greed is one of the main themes of Procopius’ Secret History,
e.g. 8.9^11, 11.3^4, 11.40^12.13, 19.1^12 (robbery of subjects by various devices, with the
Nika Riot, in particular, being exploited against men of property); 13.21^3, 14.7^23 (manipulation
of laws); 20^2 (corrupt o⁄cials). There is no evidence, however, that Evagrius knew
the Secret History (contra Jeep, ‘Quellenuntersuchungen’ 161), and these allegations were
simply part of the common criticism of the Justinianic regime; cf. John Lydus, De Mag.
iii.68^70 for the unpopularity of John the Cappadocian’s exactions, which contributed to
the outbreak of the Nika Riot. Cf. the greed of Justin II (v.1, pp. 195:20^196:1), and contrast
the praise of the generosity of Marcian (ii.1, p. 38:10^13) and Tiberius (v.13, p. 209:14^26).
The rhetorical word-play in this chapter is characteristic of such analyses of imperial qualities
(cf. also iii.1 on Zeno’s faults).
87 Justinian’s construction of numerous churches and other religious buildings (e.g. the
Hospice of Samson at Constantinople) occupies a major part of Procopius’ panegyrical
Buildings. In the Secret History there is criticism of Justinian’s extravagance, but mainly
with regard to his generous payments to foreigners in the unrealized hope of maintaining
peace; expenditure on building works is only mentioned twice (11.3; 26.23), and on each
occasion the target is the cost of senseless buildings constructed over the sea. Evagrius acknowledges
Justinian’s achievements as a builder but also denies him full credit, especially
in the two-edged ¢nal sentence.
88 For descriptions, see Procopius, Buildings i.1.
89 The Church of S. Sophia had been one of the casualties of the Nika Riot, and Justinian
moved quickly to reconstruct it as a demonstration of his respect for God and the
security of his imperial power. The new building was dedicated in 537, but the dome was
cracked in the earthquake of 557 and partially collapsed in 558, while repairs were being
attempted; the dome was rebuilt to a slightly di¡erent design, being rather taller than the