disputatious,” remarked Theodora.
“So they are. There was a complete confusion of contradictory jurists’ opinions on record, and we have sorted and evaluated them.”
“Now we have a collection of the best to help us administer the laws consistently,” said Justinian. “And we have the Institutiones, which is a manual for students of law.”
“I am delighted, my love,” said Theodora. “It is a singular achievement. We are most grateful for your labours, Tribonian.”
“The Emperor’s mind encompassed all that was needful,” said Tribonian suavely, pocketing his bag of winnings. Doubtless, thought Theodora, there would be more than that: properties, most likely.
“And now all that remains is to overhaul the system of legal training,” said Justinian after Tribonian had bowed himself out.
“I might have known you wouldn’t be completely satisfied. There’ll always be something more you need to do,” said Theodora. Standing behind his chair, she put her arms around his shoulders, leaned down and planted a kiss on his wiry hair.
The siege of Gelimer’s mountain refuge by Pharas continued for three months, reported Procopius:
Then even the barley began to give out, and the Romans blocked fresh supplies of any kind from being brought in. Long denied any luxuries, the Vandals now lacked mere basic necessities and Pharas looked set to starve Gelimer out. At this stage, Pharas sent the Vandal king a letter, promising that if he surrendered, Belisarius would spare his life and Justinian would allow him and his family to live a life of comfort in Constantinople.
Gelimer replied that honour prevented him from yielding, for the war against his people was unjust. He prayed, he wrote, that God would punish Belisarius for the suffering he had brought upon the Vandals. He ended his letter thus: “As for me, I can write no more, so cast down am I by my misfortunes. Goodhearted Pharas, of your charity, send me a sponge and a single loaf of white bread.”
“Not much longer now,” Narses prophesied confidently when he heard this, and indeed, within a few weeks Gelimer had sent another letter, surrendering according to the terms previously proposed, providing Belisarius gave him an undertaking in writing. This Belisarius supplied, and so the Vandal king descended from the mountain and bowed at last to his Roman conqueror.
“I have received a denunciation of Belisarius,” Justinian told Theodora.
“What! Who would denounce the conqueror of the Vandals? The hero of Carthage? The paragon of Nature?”
“Cappadocian John.”
“Ah. Of course, he is jealous. What accusations has he thought up?”
“He claims to have dependable intelligence, from his secret agents in Africa.”
“Claiming what?”
“First, that Belisarius sits on the throne of Gelimer in Carthage, like a king, and seems determined to hold it for himself and his descendants in perpetuity; second, that after conquering the Vandals, he reviled his soldiers in a public denunciation; third, that he is making a secret treaty with the savage Moors; fourth, that he is treating his Vandal captives with suspicious leniency.”
“Serious accusations,” said Theodora. “This military triumph could become a political triumph also – for the conquering hero. He has tremendous support.”
“I know he does. We should test him. If he is deeply ambitious, he’ll probably be anxious to remain and rule in Africa, at least for now, to consolidate his power base.”
“And then, perhaps, turn on us. Yes, we should test him. See where his loyalty lies.”
Justinian sent a missive to Belisarius, commending him and his troops for the highly successful campaign. He did not order the general to come back to the capital, but told him he could either send the spoils and the Vandal prisoners to Constantinople under a suitable escort, while he remained in Africa, or he could bring them back himself. The choice was entirely up to him. Belisarius swiftly replied that he would definitely return. He would leave behind sufficient men to maintain order, with a levy of Roman Africans as garrison infantry headed by the eunuch Solomon, and set sail for home.
Within weeks the victorious General Belisarius and his wife sailed into harbour, accompanied by a fleet bearing Roman troops, rich booty, fifteen thousand prisoners, and the Vandal king. A tumultuous welcome awaited them at the docks, and a warm welcome at the palace. Justinian, having seen something of the stupendous treasure Belisarius had brought, placed an arm around his shoulder and declared: “You are our faithful benefactor! We are greatly pleased!”
Theodora took her friend off to a corner where they could sit comfortably. “You must tell me all about it,” she said. “Was it a long march to Carthage? How do you travel?”
“On horseback. It was a long, frightfully hot and exhausting ride. I’ve often been grateful that my father was a charioteer and later a stable-hand. And Belisarius just won’t accept any privileges of rank. He does exactly what he expects his men to do.”
“So you do, too. No regrets?”
“None. It’s an extraordinary experience, to see him lead his men. He maintains very strict discipline,” said Antonina. “Hanged two drunken Huns on the hill above Abydos for murdering one of their comrades. He wouldn’t let his men rape and plunder on his march across country from the coast. So the locals were supportive, and anyhow the towns were without fortifications.”
“What was it like, entering Carthage?” Compared to Antonina’s adventures, Theodora had begun to feel that her own life lacked spice and colour. “Was there no resistance at all?”
“No, none. The gates were wide open. It was a beautiful sight … it’s a lovely city, you know.”
“So I’m told.”
“Dusk was coming on, and the people had lit lamps in all their houses. The city glowed. All along the streets, they were cheering us on and throwing flowers.”
“And … what did you do then?”
“We went straight to the palace. And the battle had been won so quickly that we were in time to eat the meal that had been prepared for Gelimer.” Antonina laughed her husky, lilting laugh. “It was most amusing, to see all his domestics trotting around eager to serve us, bowing and scraping.”
“It sounds exciting,” said Theodora, somewhat wistfully.
So delighted was Justinian with the success of the North African campaign that he decided to reward Belisarius with a formal triumph. “It will be fitting,” he declared to Theodora. “These have been great and noteworthy victories.”
“I don’t think anyone has been awarded a triumph since Titus and Trajan,” said Narses. “It will be a spectacle such as the people of this city have never seen.”
Theodora, who was always aware of the power of grand spectacles, thought that it would be a potent demonstration of the Emperor’s might and glory. She invited Antonina to join the royal party in the Kathisma. The triumphal procession did not include wives, unless they were prisoners, in which case they would walk behind the victorious chariots in chains. The participants would line up at the house of Belisarius, which was close to the Golden Gate
