'Lebanese Phoenicia') with the goal of preventing further pro-Sassanid raids and invasions, the province was now ruled by two ducēs during the reign of Justinian I.

"[27] For Procopius, this measure appeared altogether impracticable and absurd, as it was not possible for the merchants, who had bought their wares at a much higher price, to sell it to customers at a lower rate.

They accordingly resolved to give up this business, and secretly and without delay disposed of their remaining wares to certain well-known persons, who "took delight in wasting their money upon such adornments".

He demanded that all the rest should carefully observe the law, and compelled those who were engaged in the silk factories to work for himself alone [...] Nearly the whole population of the cities which existed by such manufactories were reduced to begging.

"[29] The majority of the coins discovered in Berytus originate from Constantinople and date back to 498-518 AD, during the reign of Anastasius I.