Justinian and Theodora, for their own private gain, ordered that only 180 obols should be given for the stater, and by this means deprived the public of a sixth part of each piece of gold.

Having established "monopolies" upon most wares, they incessantly harassed would-be purchasers.

The only thing left free from duty was clothes, but, in regard to these also, the imperial pair contrived to extort money.

Silken garments had for a long time been made in Berytus and Tyre, cities of Phoenicia.
The merchants and workmen connected with the trade had been settled there from very early times, and from thence the business had spread throughout the world.

During the reign of Justinian, those who lived in Byzantium and other cities raised the price of their silks, on the plea that at the present time they were dearer in Persia, and that the import tithes were higher.