(154)
Money was in the case; and this appeared by his comportment with the Venetes; which faction had always stood for him, and he had ever professed himself as cordially for it.
He made choice of Malthanes, Son in Law to Leo, the Referendary, and a Cilician, as he was, to send into that Countrey to appease the Seditions which had some times since been raised in those parts. This new Governor finding the power in his own hands, used several of the Cilicians very ill, caused them to suffer a thousand indignities, and of the Money which he extorted unjustly from that Province; part he transported into the Emperors Coffers, and the rest he kept himself to augment the great riches which he had gotten before. Some there were who swallowed their grievances without any complaint; but those of the faction of the Venetes who were in Tarsis, seeing themselves supported by their reputation and interest with the Empress, complained publickly of the proceedings of Malthanes, who was not then there to defend himself. The news of it coming to his ears, he got his Troops together, and marching to Tarsis in the night, by break of day he caused them to enter into the houses, with orders to spare no body. The Venetes supposing the Town was surprised by the Enemy, took Armes and stood upon their guard: Several Charges and Engagements hapned in the Town; in one of which, Damianus the Senator, who was cheif of the party of the Venetes in Tarsis, was slain with an Arrow.
