This country also proved the tomb of numbers of Roman soldiers and of their auxiliaries from Byzantium.

Therefore, if one were to assert that five millions perished in that country, I do not feel sure that he would not under-estimate the number.

The reason of this was that Justinian, immediately after the defeat of the Vandals, did not take measures to strengthen his hold upon the country, and showed no anxiety to protect his interests by securing the goodwill of his subjects, but immediately recalled Belisarius on a charge of aspiring to royal power (which would by no means have suited him) in order that he might manage the affairs of the country at his own discretion, and ravage and plunder the whole of Libya.

He sent commissioners to value the province, and imposed new and most harsh taxes upon the inhabitants.

He seized the best and most fertile estates, and prohibited the Arians from exercising the rites of their religion.