ly suspended. But in the course of this war, an unforeseen event introduced the culture of silk into the Greek Emperor's own dominions. Two Persian Monks employed as Christian missionaries, having penetrated into the country of the Seres, or China, had occasion to observe the labours of the silk-worm, and the progress of fabricating its productions. Too pious to communicate their discoveries to their unbelieving countrymen, in the year 555, they repaired to Constantinople and explained them to the Emperor. They even undertook to bring silk-worms to his capital, which they afterwards accomplished, by secretly conveying the eggs of those insects, in canes hollowed for the purpose. These being afterwards hatched by the heat of dung, and fed with the leaves of the mulberrytree, grew into maturity, and speedily multiplied. Numbers of the insects were reared in different parts of Greece, particularly at Athens, Corinth, and various places in the Peloponnesus. From Greece they were carried into Sicily and Italy, and

In pro

subsequently into other countries. cess of time, considerable manufactures of silk were established in different parts of Europe. The importation of wrought silk from the East gradually declined, but owing to the great consumption of that article, as well as on account of the quality, considerable quantities of raw, or unspun silk continue to be brought both from India and China.

was

In 561 a treaty of peace for fifty years concluded between Justinian and Khosroes, in which some stipulations were made in regard to commerce.

Desirous of avoiding whatever may be foreign to our subject, we are nevertheless led to take notice of some circumstances, which must necessarily have had influence on the intercourse and commerce with India.

Justinian died at Constantinople the 14th of November, 565, in the eighty-third year of his age, and 38th of his reign. He was succeeded by his nephew Justin, whose history is a continued scene of disgrace and

losses abroad, of oppressions and vexations exercised at home. His power was confided to ministers whose conduct caused their master to be despised, and his government detested. In 572 he imprudently, and in violation of the treaty above mentioned, renewed the war with the Persians. Khosroes immediately put himself at the head of his armies, and laid siege to Dara in Mesopotamia; while his general, Adarman, ravaged the country as far as Antioch, and took and reduced to ashes the city of Apamea. Dara, which was considered of high importance to each party for the security of their respective frontiers in that quarter, surrendered after an obstinate defence, and the feeble Justin now trembled for his capital itself. The events of this war, and the discontents that prevailed, induced him to resign his sceptre into abler hands. His only son by his wife Sophia, had died in infancy. Setting aside his own kindred, he chose for his successor a distinguished officer named Tiberius, who commanded the Imperial guards. The ceremonial of abdi

cation and investiture was performed in the presence of the Senate, the Patriarch, and some of the principal clergy. Justin's speech on this occasion, as recorded by Theophylactus Simocatta, may serve as an instructive lesson to sovereigns in general.*

*The Emperor addressing himself to Tiberius, said: "You behold the ensigns of supreme power. You are "about to receive them not from my hand, but from the "hand of God. If you honour them, from them you will "derive honour. Respect the Empress your mother; 66 you are now her son; before, you were her servant. "Delight not in blood, abstain from revenge; avoid "those actions by which I have incurred the public "hatred, and consult the experience rather than the "example of your predecessor. As a man, I have sin"ned; as a sinner, I have, even in this life, been pu"nished: but these servants (pointing to his minis66 ters) who have abused my confidence, and encouraged 66 my passions, will appear with me before the tribunal "of Christ. I have been dazzled by the splendour of "the diadem: be thou wise and modest; remember what 66 you were-remember what you are. You see around "us your subjects and children; with the authority, assume the tenderness, of a parent. Love your people "like yourself; cultivate the affections, and maintain the "discipline of the army; protect the fortunes of the rich"relieve the necessities of the poor."

66

Theophylactus

The choice made by Justin of Tiberius was universally approved at the time, and justified by experience. To Justin he was an affectionate and grateful son; to his people, a just and protecting ruler. The virtues of the Byzantine prince were as conspicuously eminent as the vices of the Roman Emperor of that name, and which have rendered it proverbially odious.

Tiberius, soon after he mounted the throne, obtained a truce with the Persians for the term of three years. He began however actively to prepare for war. The army, which had been neglected during the late reign, was completed, and discipline restored. Khosroes when informed of the measures he was pursuing, resolved to anticipate his design. Dismissing the ambassadors of Tiberius, he again crossed the

Theophylactus, who wrote under Heraclius, about 32 years after the death of Justin, declares this speech to be exactly conformable with that pronounced by the Emperor. See Theophylactus, lib. iii. c. xi, Corpus Byz. Hist. Edition of the Royal printing Press, Paris, 1668.