InthetimeofConstantinePorphyrogenitus，theyhadacquiredthenameofMainotes，underwhichtheydishonortheclaimoflibertybytheinhumanpillageofallthatisshipwreckedontheirrockyshores。Theirterritory，barrenofcorn，butfruitfulofolives，extendedtotheCapeofMalea:theyacceptedachieforprincefromtheByzantinepraetor，andalighttributeoffourhundredpiecesofgoldwasthebadgeoftheirimmunity，ratherthanoftheirdependence。ThefreemenofLaconiaassumedthecharacterofRomans，andlongadheredtothereligionoftheGreeks。BythezealoftheemperorBasil，theywerebaptizedinthefaithofChrist:butthealtarsofVenusandNeptunehadbeencrownedbytheserusticvotariesfivehundredyearsaftertheywereproscribedintheRomanworld。InthethemeofPeloponnesus，^17
fortycitieswerestillnumbered，andthedecliningstateofSparta，Argos，andCorinth，maybesuspendedinthetenthcentury，atanequaldistance，perhaps，betweentheirantiquesplendorandtheirpresentdesolation。Thedutyofmilitaryservice，eitherinpersonorbysubstitute，wasimposedonthelandsorbeneficesoftheprovince；asumoffivepiecesofgoldwasassessedoneachofthesubstantialtenants；andthesamecapitationwassharedamongseveralheadsofinferiorvalue。OntheproclamationofanItalianwar，thePeloponnesiansexcusedthemselvesbyavoluntaryoblationofonehundredpoundsofgold，fourthousandpoundssterling，andathousandhorseswiththeirarmsandtrappings。Thechurchesandmonasteriesfurnishedtheircontingent；asacrilegiousprofitwasextortedfromthesaleofecclesiasticalhonors；andtheindigentbishopofLeucadia^18
wasmaderesponsibleforapensionofonehundredpiecesofgold。
^19
[Footnote15:SaysConstantine，Thematibus，l。ii。c。vi。p。