the Palmyrenians and turned out the Garison So likewise a second time when the Palmyrenians rallied with fresh forces Probus who had mustered up a company of Egyptians and Africans not onely got the Victory but drove the Palmyrenians out of Egypt But as Probus lay upon a Mountain near Babylon and thereby intercepted the Enemies passage into Syria Timagenes who knew those parts very well went with two thousand men and got atop of the Mountain where he kill'd the Egyptians by surprize and Probus who was taken among the rest kill'd himself When therefore as Egypt was now reduced into the power of the Palmyrenians the Barbarians that were left alive after the fight at Naissus between Claudius and the Scythians defending themselves as it were with their Carriages which went before 'em march'd toward Macedonia but were so hard put to it for want of necessaries that both themselves and their Beasts perished for meer hunger And by the way too the Roman Horse met 'em who killing many of 'em forc'd the rest toward Haemus where being surrounded by the Roman Army they lost a vast number of their men But afterward when the Horse and Foot fell out among themselves the Emperor having a mind that the Foot should fight the Barbarians the Romans after a smart engagement were worsted and many of 'em slain though the Horse coming presently up to 'em made the miscarriage of the Foot seem so much the less This Battel being over the Scythians march'd forward and the Romans follow'd 'em whilst the Barbarians who cruised about Crete and Rhodes went back without doing any thing worth the speaking of and being seiz'd with a Plague in their way home some of 'em died in Thrace and some in Macedonia But all that escaped were either admitted into the Roman Legions or had Land given 'em to manure and so addicted themselves to Husbandry Nor did the Plague sweep away the Barbarians onely but began to be rife among the Romans also who many of 'em dy'd of it and among the rest Claudius a Person adorn'd with all Virtues whose death was a great loss to all his loving Subjects and he consequently very much miss'd among ' em Then Quintillus Claudius's Brother was declared Emperour who lived not many months nor did any thing worth ones taking notice of before Aurelianus was advanced to the Imperial Throne and some Writers say that Quintillus was advised by his Friends assoon as they heard that Aurelianus was made Emperor to make himself away and voluntarily give place to a man much more deserving which they report he did by opening a Vein and bleeding to death Aurelianus therefore having setled the Empire went from Rome to Aquileia and thence to Pannonia which the Scythians as he heard were ready to invade For which reason he sent the Inhabitants of that Countrey word by his Scouts that he would have 'em carry all the Corn and Cattel which they had and every thing else that might be of use to the Enemy into their Towns the more to afflict them with famine which was already very sharp upon them But when the Barbarians were got over the River into Pannonia they fought and came off pretty equal for the Night coming on no one could tell which side had the better on 't Yet the same Night the Barbarians cross'd the River and assoon as it was Day sent Embassadors or Heralds to treat for Peace And now the Emperour hearing that the Alemanes with their Neighbour Nations intended to over-run Italy he was as he had reason to be more concern'd for Rome and the adjacent places than any other wherefore having ordered a sufficient number of Guards to stay in Pannonia he march'd toward Italy but by the way upon the borders of that Countrey near the Ister kill'd many thousands of the Barbarians in one Battel At which time several of the Senate at Rome being accused of a Plot against the Emperour were put to death for it and Rome was Walled about which before had no Walls But though that Work was begun in Aurelianus's time it was finish'd by Probus At the same time also were Epitimius Vrbanus and Domitianus suspected for Innovators and being immediately apprehended were punish'd for it But whilst Affairs were thus managed in Italy and Pannonia the Emperour was a thinking to go with an Army against the Palmyrenians who had subdu'd all Egypt and the East as far as Ancyra in Galatia and would have gotten Bithynia even to Chalcedon if the People of that Countrey had not heard that Aurelianus was Emperour and so shook off the Palmyrenian yoke of Government Wherefore assoon as the Emperour was on his way thither Ancyra submitted to the Romans and after that Tyana with all the Cities betwixt that and Antioch Where finding Zenobia with a great Army ready prepared for Battel as he himself also was he as he was in honour bound met and engaged her But seeing the Palmyrenian Cavalry confided very much in their Armour which was heavy strong and secure being also much better Horsemen than his Soldiers he planted his Foot somewhere beyond the River Orontes in a place by themselves and gave the Roman Horse a charge not presently to engage with the vigorous Palmyrenian Cavalry but to stay till they made the first attaque and then pretend that they shew'd to fly and continue so to do till they were sensible they had tired both the men and their Horses through the excess of Heat and weight of their Armour so that they could pursue 'em no longer Which Project took effect and the Emperours Horse observ'd his order so that assoon as they saw the Enemy tired and that their Horses were hardly able to stand under 'em or they themselves to stir they reined in their Horses stopp'd their Career and turn'd wheel'd about set upon them and trod them under feet as they fell of themselves from their Horses back By which means the slaughter of 'em was promiscuous some being kill'd with their Swords and others partly by their own and partly by the Enemies Horses Upon this Defeat as many as could got into Antioch therefore Labdas who was Zenobias's General fearing lest the Antiochians should hear of it and mutiny pick'd out a Person somewhat hoary much like the Emperour and cloathing him in such a Garb as it was likely Aurelianus used to wear in time of War led him through the whole City as if he had taken the Emperour Captive With which contrivance he imposed upon the Antiochians stole out of the City by Night and took Zenobia with the remaining part of the Army along with him to Emisa In the mean time the Emperour minded his business and assoon as it was Day called the Foot-Souldiers about him again with a design to attaque the routed Enemy on both sides though hearing of Zenobias's escape he enter'd Antioch where the Citizens entertain'd him very kindly But finding many had left the City for fear they might suffer
But he was buried there upon the place very magnificently by the Army in token of the great Services that he had done and dangers that he had undergone for the good of the Publick After him Tacitus got the Empire in whose time the Scythians came over the Fenn of Meotis and made their incursions through Pontus even into Cilicia till Tacitus set upon 'em who partly in his own Person and partly by Florianus Prefect of the Court whom he left in Commission for that end kill'd and quite routed 'em all but went himself into Europe where he was circumvented and kill'd after this manner He had committed the Government of Syria to his Cousin Maximinus who treated the Nobility of the Countrey so roughly that he made 'em envy and fear him both together And that begot such an hatred in them that they at last conspiring with them who had murther'd Aurelianus assaulted Maximinus and having kill'd him slew Tacitus also as he was just decamping Now therefore all things revolv'd into a civil Disturbance whilst those of the East chose Probus Emperor and those at Rome Florianus Of whom the former was Governour of all Syria Phaenicia Palestine and Egypt but the latter had all the Countreys from Cilicia to Italy besides that to him likewise all the Nations beyond the Alpes the Gauls Spaniards Britains and Africans in general did homage Wherefore when they were both now ready for a War Florianus came to Tarsus and resolv'd to pitch his Camp there leaving his Victory against the Scythians at the Bosphorus unfinish'd whereby he gave them an opportunity to recover themselves and return to their own homes though he had block'd 'em up But Probus protracted the time because he came with less preparation for a War by which means it came to pass that the Weather in Summer-time being extream hot Florianus's Soldiers who were most of 'em Europaeans and consequently not used to such excessive heat died of a pestilent Distemper Which when Probus understood he thought it best to attaque the Enemy in time Whereupon Florianus's men attempting somewhat beyond their strength made certain light Skirmishes before the City but seeing there was nothing done worth the speaking of the Armies being divided some of Probus's Soldiers came and deposed Florianus Which when they had done he was kept in custody for a time till his own men said that was not done by Probus's order and so Florianus put on the Purple Robe again till they came back who were sent to know the truth of Probus's resolution in the matter who upon their return caused Florianus to be slain by his own Soldiers When Probus had thus gotten the Empire he marched forward and did indeed a very commendable act for the publick good as a prelude to what he afterward would do For he resolv'd to punish those that had murther'd Aurelianus and plotted against Tacitus though he did not put his design openly in execution for fear of an insurrection but planted a Company of men that he had confidence in at a convenient Post near which he invited the Murtherers to a Feast VVho when they came thither in expectation to be treated at the Emperors Table Probus went up into a kind of Gallery or Balcony from whence he might see the action 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and gave his men the signal when they should do the feat Which they no sooner receiv'd but they fell upon the Murtherers naked as they were and kill'd 'em all but one whom he afterward burnt alive as being a very dangerous Fellow Whilst Probus did these things Saturninus a Moor who was the Emperours most familiar friend and for that reason had the Government of Syria committed to him revolted from his Allegiance to the Emperor and turn'd Rebel Which when Probus heard he resolved to obviate his designs but that the Eastern Soldiers prevented him by destroying Saturninus with all his treacherous machinations He likewise suppressed another insurrection in Britain by the assistance of Victorinus a Moor who had persuaded him to make that Rebel Governour of Britain For having sent for Victorinus to him and reproved him for his advice he sent him to correct the miscarriage who going forthwith into Britain took off the Traytor by a wile Probus therefore having managed things according as I have related obtain'd several Victories against the Barbarians also in two several Wars the one of which he himself was present in but left the other to the conduct of his Lieutenant But because he saw it necessary to assist the Cities of Germany that lay upon the Rhine and were infested by the Barbarians he march'd with his Army toward the Rhine Where when the War began there was a grievous famine in all the Countrey thereabouts but a mighty shower fell at the same time of Rain and Corn together insomuch that in some places there were great heaps of it made by its own descent At which strange sight all People were so much astonish'd that at first they durst not touch the Corn to satisfie their hunger but being at last forc'd to it by necessity which is above all fear they made Bread of it which they ate and thereby not onely satisfied their hunger but got the Victory also with a great deal of ease through the Emperors good success He also put an end to many other Wars with little or no trouble and fought sharp Battels first against the Logiones a German Nation whom he conquer'd and took Semno their General with his Son Prisoners but pardon'd 'em upon submission though he took all their Captives and their plunder from 'em and so upon certain Terms dismissed not only common persons but even Semno and his Son Another Battel that he fought was against the Franks whom when he had bravely subdu'd by the good management of his Officers He made War upon the Burgundi and the Vandili But seeing his Forces were too weak he contriv'd how to single out and engage with some part onely of the Enemies forces And indeed Fortune favour'd his design for the Armies lying on both sides of the River the Romans challeng'd the Barbarians that were on the further side to fight At which they were so incensed that as many as could got over where they joyn'd Battel and fought till the Barbarians were partly slain and partly taken alive by the Romans except some few that were left who desired Peace upon condition to give up their Captives and their plunder which they obtain'd But because they did not restore all they had the Emperor was therefore so angry that he in justice fell upon 'em as they march'd away and killing many of them took their General Igillus Prisoner But as many of 'em as he took alive he sent into Britain where they inhabited the Island and were afterward very useful to the Emperor upon any Insurrection When he had in this manner perfected these Wars upon the Rhine the Isaurians did something about that time which
a Bridg over the Tiber which was not all of a piece from one side to the other but divided into two parts so that in the middle of the River that which fill'd up the middle of the Bridg was made to fasten with iron Buttons as it were which might be drawn back as oft as a man had a mind to disjoyn it And he gave the Workmen Order that as soon as ever they saw Constantine's Army upon the juncture of the Bridg that they should draw back the Buttons and dissolve the Bridg so that the Enemy who stood upon it might fall into the River And this Maxentius devised But Constantinus marching on with his Army to Rome he pitch'd his Camp in a field before the City that is broad and therefore convenient for Horsemen Whilst in the mean time Maxentius shut himself up within the Walls and sacrificed to the Gods besides that he consulted the Soothsayers and the Sibylline Oracles too about the event of the War And finding a Prediction that said Whoever Design'd any harm to the Romans should die a misetable Death he took it upon himself because he kept out those that came against Rome and would have fain taken it And indeed it prov'd true For when Maxentius brought forth his Army before Rome and was going over the Bridg that himself had made an infinite number of Owls flew down and cover'd the Wall Which when Constantinus saw he bad his men stand to their Arms. And as the two Armies stood one against the other Constantine sent in his Horse upon that of the Enemy who made such a brisk attaque that they routed ' em And when the sign was given to the Foot they likewise march'd in good order toward the Enemy And having engaged in a smart Battel the Romans themselves and their Allies out of Italy were very loth to hazard themselves because they wish'd to be deliver'd from that bitter Tyranny which they were then under though the other Soldiers were slain in great numbers being either trod to pieces by the Horse or kill'd by the Foot For though as long as the Horse stood their ground Maxentius had some hopes yet when they gave way he ran along with the rest over a Bridg into the City But the Rafters being not strong enough to bear so great a weight they broke so that Maxentius and all the others were carry'd by the stream down the River When the news of this Victory came into the City no man durst shew any joy for what was done because some thought the report was false But when Maxentius's head was brought in upon a Spear they turn'd their fear and dejection into all joy and pleasure And upon this occasion Constantinus punish'd but very few and they were some of Maxentius's best Friends but he took off all the Praetorian Soldiers and demolish'd the Forts where they used to keep At last when he had setled all things in the City he went toward Gallia Celtica But by the way he sent for Licinnius to Millain and gave him his Sister Constantia in marriage whom he had promised him formerly when he had a mind to make him joyn with him against Maxentius And when that Solemnity was over Constantine march'd on toward the Celtae Nor was it long before the Civil Wars broke out between Licinnius and Maximianus who had a sharp engagement in Illyricum wherein at first Licinnius seemed to have the worst of it but presently afterward he rallied again and put Maximianus to the run Who travelling through the East into Egypt in hopes to get men enough to renew the War he died at Tarsus The Empire being thus devolv'd upon Constantine and Licinnius they two in a little time fell out not that Licinnius gave any occasion for it but Constantine as he used to do shew'd himself unfaithful in what he had agreed to by his endeavour to alienate some Nations that belong'd to Licinnius's Dominions And by that means they broke out into an open quarrel and both prepared their Armies for a fight Licinnius made his Rendezvouz at Cibalis which is a City of Pannonia lying upon an Hill to which the way is steep and narrow and five furlongs in breadth In which Road or Avenue there is a deep Fenn that lies very near the greatest part of it and the rest of it is mountainous wherein there is an hillock upon which the City stands But from thence there is a spacious Plain which entertains the Eye with an infinite Prospect Now upon this did Licinnius encamp and spread the body of his Army all along under the Hill lest he should seem too weak for the Enemy in the Wings And Constantine in the mean time drew up his men near the Mountain placing the Horse in the Front For he thought that the best way lest the Enemy should fall upon the Foot who moved but slowly and hinder their marching forward When he had so done he presently made the attaque gave the signal and went against the Enemies And so the fight began which was the fiercest I had almost said that ever was For when each side had shot their Darts they fought a long time with Spears and Javelins and after they had fought from Morning to Night the right Wing which Constantine commanded had the better on 't And thereupon the Enemy being put to flight Licinnius's men when they saw him mounted and ready to run away durst not stay to eat their Suppers but left their Cattel and all their other provisions behind onely they took as much Victuals as would satisfie their hunger for one Night and so march'd along with Licinnius in all haste to Sirmium which is a City of Pannonia by which there runs a River on both sides of it and discharges it self into the Ister And as he passed this Town he broke down the Bridg over the River and so march'd on with an intention to raise men in Thrace When Constantinus had taken Cibalis and Sirmium and all the other Towns that Licinnius ran away from he sent five thousand men in pursuit of him But they being ignorant what way he took could not overtake him Yet Constantinus having re-built the Bridg over Saus which Licinnius had broken down was with his Army almost at his heels And when he was got over into Thrace he arrived at the Plain where Licinnius lay encamp'd Where the same Night that he came he marshall'd his Army and gave Orders that his Soldiers should be ready to fight as soon as it was Day But when it was light Licinnius seeing Constantinus with his Army put his men also in array having Valens whom he stiled Cesar for his Ally ever since he fled from Cibalis And when the two Armies engaged they first fought with Bows at a distance but when their Arrows were spent they fell on with Javelins and Ponyards So that the fight continued very fierce for a good while till those whom Constantinus had sent to pursue Licinnius
far as the Sea-port Towns he took a view of the remaining part of the Army And understanding that the men of those parts were frighted at the very name of Barbarians whilst those whom Constantius had sent along with him who were not above three hundred and sixty in number knew nothing more as he used to say than how to say their Prayers he listed as many more as he could and took in abundance of Voluntiers He also took care for Arms and found a parcel of old ones in a certain Town which he fitted up with all convenient speed and distributed among the Soldiers But when the Scouts brought him word that an infinite number of Barbarians had cross'd the River near the City of Argentoratum Strasburgh that stands upon the Rhine he no sooner heard of it than he went forth with his Army in all haste and engaging with the Enemy gain'd such a Victory as is above all expression for there were sixty thousand men kill'd upon the spot besides as many more that were tumbled into the River and drown'd So that if a man compares this Battel with that of Alexander against Darius he 'll find this Victory to be no way inferiour to that But we ought not silently to pass over that which Cesar did after he had gotten the Victory which was thus He had you must know a Regiment of six hundred Horse that were well disciplin'd men to whose strength and experience he so far trusted that he ventur'd a great part of his hopes upon their performances And indeed when the fight first began the whole Army fell upon the Enemy with all the briskness they could shew but some time after though the Roman Army had much the better on 't these were the onely men that ran away and left their station so dishonourably that when Cesar rode up to 'em with a small Party and called 'em back to share in the Victory he could not prevail with 'em by any means Upon which account Cesar was very angry with them that they as much as in them lay had betray'd their Countrymen to the Barbarians But yet he did not inflict upon them the legal and usual punishment For he put 'em in Womens Cloths and led 'em through the Camp toward another Province because he thought such a Penalty would be worse than Death to Soldiers that were Men. And truly this happen'd to prove very good both for him and them for in the second War against the Germans they remember'd the ignominy that was formerly laid upon them and were almost the onely men who behaved themselves bravely in that Action When Cesar had done thus he raised a great Army by degrees to make War upon the whole German Nation But the Barbarians opposed him in very vast numbers and therefore Cesar would not stay till they came up to him but cross'd the Rhine as judging it more advantageous that the Barbarians Country should be the Seat of War rather than that of the Romans for thereby the Cities would escape being pillaged by the Barbarians any more So therefore to it they fell and very briskly too insomuch that an infinite number of Barbarians were slain in the Battel whilst others fled whom Cesar pursu'd into the Hercynian Woods and kill'd a great many of 'em but took Vadomarius the Barbarian Generals Son alive and brought his Army home singing triumphant Songs and Praises to Cesar for his Exploits in the atchieving of those Victories But Julian sent Vadomarius unto Constantius believing that he owed the success of that Victory to his good Fortune In the mean time the Barbarians who were in very dangerous circumstances fearing upon the account of their Wives and Children lest Cesar should go into those places where they lived and quite destroy their whole Generation they sent Embassadours to treat of an Accommodation by which they would be bound never to fight against the Romans any more But Cesar told 'em He would not treat of Peace upon any terms unless he first receiv'd back the Captives whom they had formerly taken in the several Towns which they conquer'd To which seeing they consented and promised to deliver up all that were alive Cesar to make sure that no single Captive should remain among the Barbarians took this course He sent for all those that were fled out of each City and Village and requir'd 'em to tell him by their Names what Captives the Barbarians had taken from each of their Cities or Villages And when they had severally named the Persons whom they knew either upon the score of Kindred Neighbourhood Friendship or upon some other account he order'd the Imperial Notaries to take a Catalogue of them which they did so privately that the Embassadours knew nothing of it And then Cesar crossing the Rhine commanded them to bring back the Captives which in a short time they obey'd But because they said that those were all the Captives Cesar who was seated upon an high Throne and had planted the Notaries behind him he gave Order that the Barbarians should produce their Captives according to their Articles So when the Captives came before him one by one and told their names the Notaries that stood hard by Cesar look'd into their Papers to see whether they were right But afterward comparing those which they had taken down with those that appear'd before Cesar and finding that the Inhabitants of the several Cities and Villages had named many more than were there present they stood behind Cesar and told him of it Whereupon he threaten'd the Embassadours to make War against the Barbarians for not delivering all the Captives and by the suggestion of the Notaries named certain Persons of such and such Towns that were yet lacking Which the Barbarians hearing they presently imagined that Cesar had all the most abstruse and secret things in Nature revealed to him by some Divine Intelligence and therefore they promised to deliver up all that they found alive and bound their Promise with the accustomary Oaths of their Country Which when they had done and had restored as many Captives as it was probable might be taken out of forty Cities which they sack'd Cesar was at a loss what to do because he saw the Cities quite ruined and that the Land had been for a considerable time untilled which caused a great scarcity of provisions among those that were delivered up by the Barbarians For the neighbouring Cities could not supply 'em because they themselves had been very sensible of the Barbarian violence and consequently had no great plenty for their own use He therefore being in a doubt what to resolve on contrived it thus The Rhine discharges it self into the Atlantick Ocean at the utmost limits of Germany where some of the Galls live and from that shore the British Isle lies nine hundred furlongs distant For which reason he got Timber out of the Woods that lie upon the River and built eight hundred Vessels bigger than Skiffs which he
so licentiously to over-run whatever came in their way When he had thus order'd his Affairs at Carrae a Town that parts the Roman from the Assyrian Dominions he had a mind to view the Army from some more eminent place and admire the Foot Companies as well as the Troops of Horse which were in all full sixty five thousand men And therefore marching out of Carrae he presently pass'd the Castles between that and Callinicum from whence arriving at Circesium of which I told you before he cross'd the River Aboras and so sailed over Euphrates The Soldiers also follow'd him who had brought provisions along with them and they likewise took shipping who were enjoin'd so to do For by this time the Navy was arriv'd in which there was a great many ships that is to say six hundred made of Wood and five hundred made of Skins Besides which there were fifty ships of War and others also that follow'd along with 'em to make Bridges if occasion were for the Army to pass the Rivers on foot There were also a great number of other Ships or Vessels that follow'd which serv'd partly to carry provisions for the Army partly Timber to make Engines and partly battering Engines for a Siege that were ready made Now of all this Navy Lucilian and Constantius were Admirals And when the Army was thus disposed of the Emperor sate upon a Throne and from thence spake to 'em all that was requisite for him to say or them to do which when he had done he gave each of 'em an hundred and thirty pieces of Silver and so march'd toward Persia where Victor commanded the Foot but Hormisdas and Arintheus together the Horse Of that Hormisdas I told you before that he was a Persian and a Kings Son but persecuted by his Brother and fain to run away to the Emperor Constantine from whom his approved fidelity and friendship deserv'd the greatest honours and preferments When therefore the Emperor was come into Persia the Horse was placed in the left Wing and march'd along the bank of the River whilst part of the Foot attended upon the right and the rereguard of them was seventy furlongs off Between whom and the foremost march'd the Beasts of Burthen that carry'd the heavy Armour with other Provisions and Attendants that they also might be secure as being enclosed on every side by the Army And now having so contrived his march forward he thought fit to send one thousand five hundred of his men before him to scout and see whether any Enemy approached either in open view or by way of Ambuscade of whom he made Lucilianus Captain Then moving forward sixty furlongs he came into a place called Lautha and from thence to Dura where you might have seen the ruins of a City which was at that time deserted as likewise the Sepulchre of King Gordianus In which place also the Soldiers found a multitude of Deer which they shot and eat with great satisfaction From thence he went seven Days march to a place called Phathusae over against which there was an Island in the River whereon stood a Castle that had a great many men in it He therefore sent Lucilianus thither with a thousand of his Vanguard under his Command to besiege the Castle And though as long as it was dark the besiegers went undiscover'd yet as soon as it was Day being espied by one that came out of the Castle to fetch Water they put those that were within into a grievous fright Upon which immediately they all got up upon the Wall till the Emperor came over into the Island with his Engines and the other part of his Army and promised those that were within that if they would deliver up themselves and their Castle they should escape certain Death Accordingly they did surrender and the Emperor sent them Men Women and Children into the Roman Dominions with a Guard of Soldiers to conduct 'em and made Puseus their Captain not only a Tribune in his own Army but for his fidelity made him one of his familiars ever after Some distance from this he arrived at another Island in the same River where there was another very strong Castle which the Emperor attaqued but found it impregnable on every side and therefore demanded of 'em that they would surrender and not run the risque of being sack'd To which they reply'd That they would do as others did and so he went forward to other Castles which he pass'd by as being satisfied with the like promises For he did not think it worth his while to spend too much time about small things but look'd upon it as his best course to hasten and prepare for the main business of the War So then after some days march he came to Dacira which is a Town on the right hand as you sail along Euphrates Which when the Soldiers found forsaken of its Inhabitants they took away a great deal of Corn that was laid up there and no small quantity of other things And when they had kill'd all the Women that were left in it they razed the Walls so low that no one who saw the place would think there ever had been a Town there But to conclude the account of this place and the parts adjacent give me leave to tell you by the by That upon the opposite shoar there was a Fountain that flow'd with Pitch or Bitumen From thence he came to Sitha Megia and the City Zaragardia in which there was a lofty Throne made of Stone which the Inhabitants used to call Trajans Throne where when the Soldiers had easily plunder'd and burnt the City they spent that Day and the next in Recreations In the mean time the Emperor wonder'd that his Army had march'd so far and met no Persians either in Ambuscade or the open Field wherefore he sent Hormisdas with his Scouts to look out because he knew that Country best In which Expedition Hormisdas and his Soldiers had all been like to have perish'd if it had not been for one lucky accident that unexpectedly saved ' em For a Person called Surenas which is a Title of Honour among the Persians had planted an Ambuscade in a certain place expecting Hormisdas and his men to come that way and designing to surprize 'em as they pass'd by And indeed that hopes had taken effect if Euphrates had not broken out of its usual course and running between the Enemy and Hormisdas impeded the passage of him and his Soldiers And upon this account being forced to defer their Journey the next Day they discover'd Surenas and all his Accomplices in the Ambuscade with whom they wheeled about and engaged And having kill'd many of 'em they put some to flight but mingled the remaining part among their own Army From thence they went on to an Arm of Euphrates which reaches as far as Assyria and all along till you come to Tigris Where being the Soldiers met with a stiff Clay and marshy ground in which the
came down from a rising ground upon the Armies whilst they were at it But they wheeled about an Hill before they got to them because they thought it best to joyn their own Party from the higher ground and so begird the Enemy But Licinnius's men were aware of 'em and fought it out bravely against 'em all so that many thousands were slain on both sides and the Battel was equal till the sign was given for 'em both to draw off The next Day they made a Truce and thought fit to enter into League and Alliance one with the other upon Condition that Constantinus should have the Government of Illyricum and all the Nations beyond it and Licinnius should have Thrace the East and all beyond that but that Valens whom Licinnius had made Cesar should be put to Death because I suppose he was said to be the author of all the mischief which had happen'd Which when they had done and taken Oaths on both sides to observe those Conditions to make the Obligation of keeping their promises the stronger Constantinus made Crispus his Son by a Concubine called Minervina who was yet but a Youth and also Coustantinus who was born but a few days before at Arelatum Caesars And at the same time Licinnianus Son to Licinnius who was twenty years of Age was declared Caesar And this was the end of the second War But when Constantinus heard that the Sauromatae who lived upon the Fenn Meotis had pass'd the Isther in Boats and pillaged his Territories he led his Army against ' em And the Barbarians on the other hand met him with their King Rausimodus and first the Sauromatae attaqued a Town which had a sufficient Garison in it but the Wall of it was built partly of stone from the ground upward and partly toward the top of Wood. Wherefore the Sauromatae thought they might easily take the Town if they burnt all the wooden part of the Wall and to that end put fire to it whilst in the mean time they shot at those that stood upon the Walls But they that were upon the Walls threw Darts and stones down upon the Barbarians and kill'd 'em so that when Constantinus came and fell upon 'em from an higher ground he slew many of 'em took more alive and put the rest to flight Upon which occasion Rausimodus having lost most part of his Army took shipping and cross'd the Ister with an intention once more to plunder the Roman Dominions Which when Constantinus heard of he follow'd him over the Ister and set upon 'em in a thick Wood upon an Hill to which they were fled where he kill'd many of 'em among whom Rausimodus was one But he also took many alive and gave quarter to the rest that were willing to comply so that he return'd to the Head-quarters with a great number of Captives But he distributed them into the several Cities and then came to Thessalonica where having made a Port or Harbour for there never was one in that place before he made new preparations for a War against Licinnius In order whereunto he fitted out two hundred Ships or Galleys of War with thirty Oars apiece besides above two thousand Ships of burthen rais'd one hundred and twenty thousand Foot and of Horsemen and Seamen ten thousand Licinnius hearing that Constantinus was so well prepar'd sent Messengers into all Nations to command 'em to prepare a sufficient number of men for the Navy besides their Horse and Foot And thereupon the Egyptians immediately sent out eighty Galleys the Phaenicians as many more and the Jonians and Dorians of Asia sixty the Cyprians thirty the Carians twenty the Bythinians thirty and the Africans fifty And of Foot Soldiers he had near 150000. but of Horse onely 15000. which were sent him out of Phrygia and Cappadocia Now Constantine's Ships lay at Piraeeus and Licinnius's in the Hellespont And when they had both thus setled the Affairs of their Sea and their Land Forces Licinnius was encamp'd at Adrianople in Thrace whilst Constantinus sent for his Navy from Piraeeus which was built and man'd for the most part out of Greece And marching with his Foot Army from Thessalonica he encamped upon the bank of the River Hebrus which runs by Adrianople on the left hand And at the same time Licinnius set his men in Battalia from a Mountain which is above the Town the length of two hundred furlongs even to that place where another River joyns with the Hebrus and so the Armies continued one against another for many days But Constantinus observing where the River was narrowest he found out this contrivance He order'd his Soldiers to bring Trees from the Mountain and tie Ropes about 'em as if he design'd to make a Bridg upon the River whereby to get over his Army With which invention he out-witted his Enemies and going up into an Hill where there were thick Woods enough to hide any body that was in 'em he planted there of foot Bowmen five thousand and eight hundred Horse And having so done he took twelve Horsemen and with them marching over the Hebrus in the narrow place where it is most fordable he surprised the Enemy insomuch that some were kill'd and many fled as fast as they could whilst others who were amazed at his unexpected approach stood gaping with Wonder how he should come so suddenly over But in the mean time whilst the Horse and the rest of the Army pass'd the River for security there was a great slaughter among ' em For there fell near thirty four thousand men and about Sunset Constantine took their Camp whilst Licinnius with all his Forces that he could muster up hasten'd through Thrace to his Navy As soon as it was Day all Licinnius's Army or as many of 'em as had fled into the Mountain or the Valleys thereabout surrendered themselves to Constantinus together with those that Licinnius for haste had left behind him But when Licinnius was got to Bizantium Constantinus follow'd him and besieged the City when his Navy was now come from Piraeeus as I told you and lay in Macedonia Wherefore he sent to his Admirals and order'd that the Ships should sail into the Hellespont And when they came according to his command Constantinus's Sea Officers thought fit to engage with not above eighty of their best Sailers which were Galleys of thirty Oars apiece because the place was too narrow to receive a greater number But Abantus who was Licinnius's Admiral set out with two hundred Ships and despised the smalness of his Enemies number whom he thought he could easily surround But when the Signals were given on both sides and they came stem to stem Constantinus's Seamen did manage their Ships so as to engage in very good order But Abantus sailing without any method against the Enemy his Ships being in such a straight place fell foul upon one another and were exposed in some measure to the Enemy partly to be drown'd and partly to be
presumed he should certainly escape with life because Constantinus had sworn to his Wife that he should But Constantinus deliver'd Martinianus to the Guards for them to kill and sent Licinnius into Thessalonica as if he were to live there in security but not long after he broke his Oath which * If all be true that others say of Constantine then Zosimus has no reason to fix the Crime of Perjury upon him because he did not seem so much to break an Oath and Promise as to punish the breach of it in Licinnius who after so many Victories gain'd by Constantine when he was in a desperate low Condition let slip no occasion to recover that Empire which he was deprived of by the just sentence of Victory but contrived all ways he could to make ill returns for Euergetes kindness as Euseb says in his life of Constantine l. 1. c. 43. Theodor. l. 1. c. 7. To which you may add this also that Licinnius hated Christians as much as Constantine loved 'em and consequently could not endure to see them expos'd to injuries whom he favour'd Nor let any one Object that these Authors are not to be credited because they were partial because Zosimus himself cannot be excus'd in that Point as being a sworn Enemy to Christianity and a great bigot in the Heathenish Religion was an usual thing with Constantine and caus'd him to be hang'd But when the whole Empire was solely in Constantine's hands he no longer concealed his ill Nature and vicious inclinations but did what he pleas'd without controul But he used indeed his former Country way of Worship though not * Among the Imperial Laws or Edicts this is one which Euseb mentions l. 10. c. 5. That every one may apply himself to what way of Worship he thinks suitable to his own reason And therefore though he did not abolish the old Heathen Ceremonies of his Country at that time yet he favour'd the Christians most and gave 'em their liberty which almost all other Emperors before him had used to deprive 'em of out of honour or veneration so much as necessity And therefore he believed the Soothsayers who were expert in their Art as men that had told him truth concerning all the great Actions that ever he did But when he came to Rome he was full of Pride and Arrogance but thought fit to begin his impious pranks first at home For he kill'd his Son Crispus stiled as I told you Caesar upon suspicion that he lay with his Mother-in law Fausta without any consideration of natural Duty And when his Mother Helena express'd much sorrow for what he had done lamenting most bitterly the young mans Death Constantinus under pretence of comforting her made the Remedy worse than the Disease For having caused a Bath to be heated more than ordinary and shut Fausta up in it he in a while after took her out dead Of which being conscious to himself as also of breaking his Oath he went to the Priests to be purg'd from his Crimes But they told him there was no manner of Lustration or Purgation that was sufficient to clear him from such enormities and then a Spaniard called Aegyptius who was there at Rome very familiar with the Court Ladies coming to discourse with Constantine assur'd him that the Christian Doctrine would teach him how to cleanse himself from all his offences and would promise him that all wicked men who receiv'd it were immediately absolv'd from all their sins Which Constantine had no sooner heard but he easily believ'd what was told him and leaving his own Country Ceremonies receiv'd those that Aegyptius offer'd to him and for the first instance of his Impiety he suspected the truth of Divination For since a great many fortunate Chances were thereby foretold him and really came to pass according to the Prediction he was afraid lest that others might be told one thing or other that should fall out unluckily to him and for that reason apply'd himself toward the abolishing of all such things And upon an usual Feast-day when the Army was to go up into the Capitol he reproach'd that Solemnity of their going up very impudently and treading the holy Ceremonies as it were under his feet incurr'd the hatred of the Senate and People But being unable to endure the Curses of almost all the City he look'd out for another City as big as Rome where he might build himself a Palace and therefore when he was between Troas and old Ilium he found a place convenient to build a City in where he laid a foundation and made some part of a Wall to a pretty heighth which is to be seen to this Day by those that sail toward the Hellespont But afterward thinking better of it he left that Work unfinish'd and went to Byzantium where he admired the situation of the place and therefore resolv'd when he had enlarged it exceedingly to make it a fit Seat for an Emperor to live in For the City lies upon a rising ground which is part of that Isthmus which Ceras and Propontas two arms of the Sea on each side inclose And it formerly had a Gate just at the end of the Porticos which Severus the Emperor built after he was reconciled to the Byzantines who had provoked his anger by admitting his Enemy Niger into their City At which time also the Wall went down from the West side of the Hill as far as Venus's Temple even to the Sea side which is opposite to Chrysopolis And so on the North side of the Hill it went down after the same manner to the Port which they call the Dock and farther even to the Sea-side which lies directly against the passage that carries you into the Euxine Sea And this narrow neck of Land between that and Pontus is near three hundred furlongs in length And this was the bigness of the old City But Constantinus built a round Market-place where the old Gate was and encompassed it with double-roofed Porticoes making two great Arches of Praeconesian Marble one against another through which there was a passage into Severus's Porticoes and out of the old City But having a mind to make the City a great deal larger he made a Wall about it that was fifteen furlongs beyond the old one and took in all the Isthmus from Sea to Sea And when he had made the City in this manner much larger than before he built a Palace not much inferiour to that of Rome and made likewise the Hippodrome where the Horses ran very fine taking the Temple of Castor and Pollux into it whose Statues are now to be seen standing in the Porticoes of the Hippodrome or Horse Race Besides which he likewise placed the Tripos that belong'd to Apollo of Delphi in one part of the Hippodrome which had on it the Image of Apollo himself And because there was a very great Market-place at Bizantium consisting of four Porticoes at the end of one of them to
invited his Officers to a Feast at which all but Latinus and Thalassius were present but they were not there though they were the Emperors greatest favourites because they were taking care for Philip whom Magnentius detein'd notwithstanding he was an Embassador But whilst they were consulting about this Affair Titianus a person of the Senatorian Order at Rome came and brought a saucy Message from Magnentius For he used many absurd expressions against Constantine and his Children and charging the destruction of the Cities upon the Emperor's negligence he commanded Constantius to make way for Magnentius by quitting the Empire and be content to have his life saved But he onely desired the Gods and Fate to be the revengers of Constans's Death saying that he would fight with their assistance and so let Titianus go back again to Magnentius though Philip were still in his custody At which time Magnentius drew out his Army and taking Siscia upon the first attaque he razed it down to the ground And when he had over run all the Countrey near the Saus and carry'd away great spâ—â—â— he march'd toward Sirmium which he hoped likewise to take without bloodshed But failing of his attempt for he was beaten off by the Inhabitants and Soldiers that were set to guard the Town he went with all his Army to Mursa Where seeing those that were in the Town had shut the Gates against him and got upon the Walls he could not tell what to do in the case because he had no Engines nor any other way to get near the Wall For he was pelted with stones and Darts by those that stood and fought from the Battlements Besides which when Constantius heard the Town was besieged he came with all his Forces to relieve it having passed by Cibalis and all that Country through which the River Draus runs In the mean while Magnentius got nearer unto Mursa and set fire on the Gates thinking that if he could consume the Iron that cover'd the Wood which would soon yield to the slames he might make a passage wide enough for his Army to enter the City But this did not succeed as he would have had it because those men that were upon the Wall put out the fire with Water which they threw down in a great quantity When therefore he heard that Constantius was near Mursa he found out another stratagem which was this There was a certain Stadium or place of Exercise before the City assign'd formerly for those that used to fight Prizes which was all cover'd over with Woods in which he hid four Companies of Celtae and bad 'em that when Constantius came up and they were ready to engage before the City they should set upon the Enemies at unawares so as to encompass and kill 'em every man But this being discover'd by them that stood upon the Wall Constantius sent Scolidoas and Manadus two of his Captains immediately thither But first they pick'd out all the choice of their Soldiers as well such as wore heavy Armour as Bowmen out of all those that they commanded and taking them along with 'em shut up all the Doors belonging to the Stadium And then having possess'd themselves of the upper steps going up to the Stadium and enclosed the Soldiers that were in it on every side they threw Darts at ' em And seeing some of 'em put their Shields over their heads whilst they endeavour'd to break open the Doors they fell upon them too nor did they cease to throw Darts or cut 'em with their Swords till they had kill'd 'em every one And thus Magnentius's project being frustrated and falling out contrary to expectation the Armies met and fell to it in the Plain before Mursa where there was such a Battel fought as was not known before in the whole course of this War and many fell on both sides But Constantius considering that this being a Civil War even Victory it self would scarce be pleasant to him now that the Romans were so much weaken'd and not able to withstand the Barbarians that attaqued 'em on every side after so great a slaughter he began to think that this War might be ended by some Proposals of a Peace And whilst he was ruminating upon it the Armies were still engaged among whom the Magnentian party grew more furious than ever nor would they give over fighting though Night came upon 'em but even their Captains continu'd doing all that became common Soldiers and encouraging the Soldiers to stand up stoutly against the Enemy And so on the other side Constantius's Captains call'd to mind the ancient courage and glory of the Romans And so they fought on till it was dark Night nor did they give over for all that but wounded each other with Spears Swords or any thing else that came to their hands insomuch that neither the darkness nor any thing else that uses to cause some respit in War could make them cease to kill each other but they thought it the greatest happiness that could befall 'em to perish by one anothers sides And of the Captains who shew'd themselves very stout and brave in this Battel there fell among the rest Arcadius Captain of the Legion call'd Abulci and Menelaus who commanded the Horse Bowmen of Armenia Now it is worth ones while to tell you what they say of this Menelaus and 't is thus They say that he would have taken three Darts at one time and at one shot have hit not onely one but three mens bodies By which way of shooting he kill'd a great many of the Enemies and was himself almost the cause of their flight But he was kill'd by Romulus who was Generalissimo of all Magnentius's Army and Romulus also himself fell at the same time Who though he were wounded by a Dart that Menelaus shot at him yet he did not give over fighting after he had receiv'd the Wound till he had kill'd the man that gave it him And now that Constantius had the better on 't by reason that Magnentius's Army ran away there was a great slaughter of Men Horses and other Cattel Wherefore Magnentius who was destitute of all hopes and fear'd lest the remaining part of his Army should deliver him to Constantius thought best to leave Pannonia resolving to make an excursion into Italy and there raise men to try his fortune once more But when he heard that those of Rome were all of Constantius's side either out of hatred to him or because they had heard what had happen'd in the fight and concluded to go over the Alps and seek some sanctuary for himself among those Nations that live thereabouts But hearing that Constantius had obliged the Barbarians about the Rhine to be his Enemies by great Presents that he had made to 'em as likewise that there was no going into France by reason that some Officers had stopp'd his passage that way to gratifie Constantius nor could he go through Spain into the Moors Country because of those Roman Allies
immediately to the City where Surenas had surprised the Scouts he storm'd took and burnt it And as to the Captain of the Scouts because he left his Ensign with the Enemy preferring his safety before the bravery and honour of a Roman he took away his Girdle from him and look'd upon him as a scandalous pitiful Fellow as well as all the rest that ran away along with him But going forward over the River he came to a place near which there is a City called Tissenia about the Walls whereof there was a Ditch which though it were very deep the Persians fill'd with a great deal of Water which they derived into it out of the neighbouring River which is called the Kings River But they passed this City without any stay because there was nothing in it that had the face of hostility and went through a place where there was an arrificial Fenn made out of a fancy which the Persians conceiv'd that if they cut a Sluce for the River to come in it was impossible for an Army to pass that way Yet the Emperor running before as much as men use to do over such a wet ground the Army follow'd him though they were up to the knees For they could not for shame but do what they saw the Emperor did before ' em But when the Sun was set the Army rested hard by whilst the Emperor commanding some of his Soldiers and several Artificers to follow him cut down Trees and Wood wherewith he made a Bridg over the Sluces and throwing earth into the Fens fill'd up the deep places and in some measure widen'd the streight passages After which coming back he led his Army through with great facility till he came to a Town called Bithra in which there was a Palace and room enough to receive not onely the Emperor but his Army also But he departed thence too and with the same pains as before went before his men making the way thereby more tolerable to ' em And by this means he carry'd 'em all over with him till he came to a place where there was ne'r a House but onely a Grove of Palm-trees in which there were also Vines growing that ran up to the top of the Palm-trees and presented their Eyes with the sight of Palm-fruit mix'd with Grapes And when he had spent the ensuing Night in this place the next Morning he went forward But coming too near to a certain Castle he had like to have receiv'd his Deaths-wound For a Persian that came out of the Castle with his Sword in his Hand strook full at the Emperors Head which he foreseeing clap'd his Shield upon his Head and so broke the blow Upon which the Soldiers immediately fell aboard the Persian and kill'd him together with all his Companions except some few that by chance escaped through the Enemies and fled into the Castle And now the Emperor being extreamly enraged at this bold action walk'd round the Castle to see if it were any where pregnable But whilst he was busie about this Affair Surenas set upon the Soldiers that remain'd in the Palm-grove before they were aware of him as hoping by that means not only to get all their beasts of Burthen and Carriages but to divert the Emperor from besieging the Castle as soon as he heard of it though he was deceiv'd in both parts of his Project For the Emperour thought it a matter of great consequence to take the Castle because there was a City near it called Besuchis which was very populous besides a great many other Castles whose Inhabitants were fled away into that which the Emperor was a besieging because their own were not strong enough to protect 'em excepting some that fled to Ctesiphon or hid themselves in the thickest part of the Grove Upon this account the Emperor laid close Siege to it whilst in the mean time that part of the Army which was sent out to Scout or assist their own Party if any Enemy appear'd did not only defeat all those that opposed 'em but killed some and made others shamefully run for their lives insomuch that they secur'd the Emperor whilst the Siege lasted And because some of those that fled had gotten into the Fens that are in the Grove the Scouts did not spare even them neither but kill'd some and took the rest Prisoners whilst those that were besieged in the Castle kept off the Enemy with Darts of all sorts which they threw at ' em And because they had no Stones within they made Balls of Pitch which they set fire to and flung upon them nor was it hard to hit them they aimed at because they threw from above and at a great multitude together Yet notwithstanding the Roman Soldiers though they had the disadvantage of the lower ground omitted no kind of Warlike Policy or true Valour For they threw and shot great Stones and Darts at the Enemy not onely out of Bows but Engines also and those so contrived that they would hit not onely one but two three or more at a time But seeing the Castle stood upon an Hill and was fortified with two Walls sixteen great Towers and a deep Ditch about it which at one part of it brought in Water for them that were in the Castle to drink the Emperor bad the Soldiers get Earth enough and fill up the Ditch and then raise a Mound upon it as high as one of the Towers He likewise resolv'd to dig in another place through under the Wall toward the middle of the inner Wall with intention to surprise the Enemy out of a Mine But the Enemy hinder'd them that were to raise the Mound by continual flinging of Darts upon 'em and therefore the Emperor himself undertook the main Battery by several contrivances for defence against either Darts or Fire-balls but he left the care of the Mines and raising of the Mounds to Nevita and Dagalaiphus Then giving Victor the Command of so many Foot and so many Horse he order'd him to Scout out in all places betwixt that and Ctesiphon and if any Enemy appear'd with design to divert the Emperor from his Siege that he should frustrate any such attempt by the help of those he had with him and likewise that he should make the way from thence to Ctesiphon by Bridges and other Methods more easie for him and his Army Having thus given his Captains their several Charges he planted his Rams against a certain Gate which he did not onely shake but broke to pieces And seeing those that had the care of the Mines committed to them were lazy and did not mind their business he removed them by way of Disgrace for their remissness and substituted others in their places After which he brought a second Ram before another Gate which was not strong enough to bear the shock of it when at the same time there came a Messenger to tell him that they who were order'd to dig a Mine from the Ditch into the
Town had done their work and were just ready to spring in Now the men concern'd were three Companies that is to say the Mattiarii Laccinarii and the Victores But the Emperor kept a little in suspense whilst he commanded an Engine to be brought with all speed against another Gate where he planted all his Army to make the Enemy believe that on the morrow with that Engine he would take the Castle For his Design indeed was to keep the Persians from any thoughts of being surprised through a Mine And therefore all those that were in the Castle were wholly intent upon destroying that Engine whilst at the same time the Parties who had the care of the Mines having dug quite through even to the Surface of the Earth they came forth at mid-night in the middle of an House where there was a Woman a grinding Corn whom he that first appear'd immediately kill'd because she was a going to cry out His name that did so was Superantius a notable Soldier in the Regiment of the Victores and next to him came Magnus then Jovianus a Tribune in the Regiment of the Notarii with many more that follow'd ' em And when by degrees the passage was made wider they were all got presently into the middle of the Town From whence they ran to the Wall and surprised the Persians who were singing after their Country fashion in praise of their own King's Valour but condemning the Roman Emperors vain attempt for they said he might sooner take Jupiter's Palace than their Castle till the Romans came upon 'em and killing all they met with by tumbling 'em down from the Wall they pursu'd the rest and cut 'em off with all manner of Deaths nor did they spare either Women or Children except some few that they had a mind to make Slaves of But Anabdates the Governour of the Castle being taken as he ran through it together with all his Guards which were eighty in number was brought to the Emperor with his Hands bound Now the Castle being thus taken by force and all the People in it of what age soever slain except a few that were unexpectedly preserved the Soldiers fell to plundering and when they had taken all they could find they razed the Wall to the very ground with Engines which they planted against it Nor did they stop there but pull'd down and burn'd all the Houses in such a manner that no body could imagine there had been ever any there From hence he march'd on and pass'd by other Castles of no great Note till he came to an enclosed Place which they call the Kings Hunting Chase where there was a Wall containing within it a large space of ground planted with all sorts of Trees in which there were all kinds of wild Beasts which wanted no food because it was brought in to 'em and they were only kept for the King to Hunt when he pleased Which when Julian saw he order'd the Wall to be broken down in several places and by that means the Soldiers shot the Deer as they ran by ' em But besides this place he saw somewhere nigh unto it a Palace magnificently built after the Roman fashion which when he heard was erected by the Romans he left it and would not suffer the Tribunes to spoil any part of it out of respect to the Romans who were said to be the Founders of it From hence when the Army had pass'd by several Castles they came to a City of Armenia called Sabatha which is thirty furlongs from that which was formerly called Zochasa but is now Seleucia And whilst the Emperor tarried with most part of his Army in a place near to it the Scouts that went before had storm'd the Town The next Day the Emperor walking about the Walls of it he saw several Bodies hanging upon gibbets before the Gates whom the Natives said were the kinsmen of one that had been accused for betraying a Town of the Persians which the Emperor Carus had taken And that put the Emperor in mind to summon Anabdates the Governor of the Castle to his Trial who though he had often deceiv'd the Roman Army by his pretences to assist 'em in the War against Persia yet he had then a fresh Crime laid to his Charge for speaking scandalously of Hormisdas as calling him Traitor before a great many People and saying he was the cause of that Expedition against the Persians for which he was taken and put to death Soon after his Execution the Army marching on Arintheus search'd all the Fens and finding a great many men in 'em he took 'em Prisoners But it was here that the Persians first muster'd up their Forces and set upon the Scouts that went before the Army though they were soon routed and glad to save their lives by flying into a neighbouring City But the Persians on the other side the River attaquing the Servants that look'd to the Beasts of Burthen and others also as many as they found with 'em kill'd part of 'em and took the rest alive which was the first loss the Romans happen'd to have had and therefore put the Army in some kind of consternation From thence they removed to a certain Sluce or Channel which was very large and cut as the Country People say by Trajan when he made War against the Persians Into which the River Narmalaches runs and discharges it self into the Tigris This therefore the Emperor caused to be cleans'd and search'd to make way for his Vessels to pass into the Tigris and if possible to make Bridges for the carrying of his Army over And whilst these things were in agitation there a great Body of Persians upon the opposite Bank both Horse and Foot were got together to hinder their passage if any such thing were attempted Which preparation of the Enemy when the Emperor discover'd he was extreamly eager to be over with 'em and in a sury commanded his men to go aboard the Vessels But they seeing the other Bank somewhat higher than ordinary and besides that a kind of an Hedg along it which was formerly made for a fence to the King's Garden but at that time serv'd for a Wall they said they were affraid of the Darts and Fire-balls which were thrown down from it Whereupon the Emperor being very earnest with 'em two Ships full of Foot Soldiers went over which the Persians presently set on fire by throwing a great quantity of flaming Darts upon them At which the Army was so much more dismay'd that the Emperor was fain to tell a lye to hide his errour They says he are got safe over and have made themselves masters of the Bank I know it by the fire that is in their Ships which I order'd the Soldiers that went over to make in token of Victory Nor had he sooner told 'em so than just as they were they went into the Ships and over as fast as they could till they came where they could wade and then leaping
Maximillianus who fell into the hands of the Enemy was sold to his Father Marinianus for thirty thousand pieces of Gold For since the Emperour deferr'd the Peace and did not fulfill or perform what was agreed upon the Romans could not any longer pass freely out of the City Wherefore the Senate sent Embassadours a second time to the Emperour about the Peace along with whom the Bishop of Rome also went There were also some Barbarians in their Retinue sent by Alarichus to protect 'em from their Enemies who infested the several Roads But when these Embassadours were come to the Emperour Ataulphus whom Alarichus sent for as I told you before was come over the Alps that lie as you go from Pannonia to Venice Which when the Emperour heard and that he had no great Army with him he order'd all his Soldiers both Horse and Foot as many as were in the several Cities to go with their own Officers and meet him But to Olympius who was Captain of the Court-guards he gave the Hunns that were in Ravenna to the number of three hundred Who when they saw those that came Here is a Chasm or Balk which may be supply'd with these words were arrived at a City after the word came and then it runs thus Who wen they saw those that came were arrived at a City called Pisa they made an attaque and engaging with 'em kill'd eleven hundred Gotths and return'd safe to Ravenna with the loss of onely seventeen Men. But the Eunuchs about the Court made such informations to the Emperour against Olympius as the cause of all the ill accidents that had befallen the Commonwealth that they procur'd his removal out of his present Office Whereupon he fearing lest he might suffer some greater misfortune fled away into Dalmatia whilst in the mean time the Emperour sent Attalus Prefect of the City to Rome and being very solicitous that nothing belonging to the Treasury should be conceal'd he sent Demetrius also to assist Attalus and make a diligent enquiry into the publick Stock And when he had made many innovations as to the Magistracy and other matters also turning out those that were formerly in great Authority and conferring their Offices upon others he appointed Generidus likewise to be Commander of all the Forces in Dalmatia who was already Captain General of all the rest that were posted or engarrison'd in the upper Pannonia Noricum and Rhaetia even as far as the Alps. Now this Generidus though he were of a Barbarian extract was in his disposition inclined to all sorts of Virtues and the freest from covetousness of any Man living But whilst he adhered to ancient Rites and could not endure to relinquish the old way of worshipping the Gods there was a Law promulgated that prohibited all who were not Christians from wearing a Girdle in the Court. Which Law being establish'd Generidus who was a Military Officer at that time in Rome laid down his Girdle and kept at home in his own House And when the Emperour requir'd him as being enrolled among the Officers to come to Court in his due course He reply'd There was a Law that forbad him the use of a Girdle or that any one at all should be reckon'd among the Officers who did not reverence the Christian Religion To which when the Emperour answer'd That the Law he cited did indeed oblige all others excepting him alone who had undertaken such dangerous enterprises upon the score of the Common-wealth He made him this return That he could not suffer himself to accept of such an Honour that seemed to affront all the rest who upon the account of that Law had been put out of Commission Nor did he execute his Office till the Emperour being forced both by necessity and shame together had utterly abolish'd the Law and gave all people leave to enjoy their own Opinions in all Places or Offices whether they were Military or Civil Now Generidus having begun with this piece of Gallantry imploy'd and instructed the Soldiers with continual labours and exercises distributing Corn among 'em and suffering no body to take any thing of it away from them as they were formerly used to do besides that he himself out of his publick Allowance gave those that took most pains convenient encouragement Since therefore he appear'd so great he was not onely a Terrour to the adjacent Barbarians but a security also to all those Nations which he had under his care But when the Soldiers mutinied at Ravenna they took possession of the Port there crying out in a rude manner and demanding that the Emperour would come before ' em But he for fear of the insurrection being got into some private place one Jovius came out among 'em who was the Prefect of the Court and honour'd with the Dignity of a Patrician and making as if he knew not the reason why they mutinied although himself was said to be the cause of it together with Illebichus who was Captain of the Domestick Horse He ask'd them what ground they had to be so violent But as soon as he heard the Soldiers say that by all means they must have Turpillio and Vigilantius the two Generals with Terentius the Imperial Chamberlain and Arsacius next to him in Dignity deliver'd to 'em the Emperour fearing lest the Soldiers should revolt condemn'd the two Generals to perpetual Exile and they thereupon being put on board a Ship were kill'd by those that should have carry'd 'em to the place of Banishment For so indeed Jovius had commanded them to do as fearing lest if they ever came back again and discover'd the intrigue that was laid against 'em they might excite the Emperour to punish him for it But Terentius was sent into the East whilst Arsacius was order'd to live at Millain And when the Emperour had made Eusebius Chamberlain in the room of Terentius given Valens Turpillio's Command and chosen Ellebichus Prefect instead of Vigilatius he seemed in some measure to asswage the fury of the Soldiers But Jovius who was Prosect of the Court having transferr'd all the Power of managing the Emperour into his own hands resolv'd to send Embassadours to Alarichus to desire him to come even to Ravenna and to tell him that there they would conclude the Peace Whereupon Alarichus being persuaded by the Letters that he receiv'd both from the Emperour and Jovius too and being come as far as Ariminum thirty miles from Ravenna Jovius made haste thither also as having been Alarichus's Friend and familiar Acquaintance in Epirus to treat concerning the League Now Alarichus made these following Demands That he would have so much Gold every year and such a quantity of Corn as likewise that he and the Barbarians that were with him might inhabit both the Venetias Noricum and Dalmatia Which Demands of his when Jovius had written out in the presence of Alarichus he sent 'em to the Emperour with others Letters which he privately convey'd to him to advise him that he would
convenient Army into Africa and to Carthage thereby to depose Heraclianus from his Dignity lest he who was Honorius's Friend should obstruct their Designs Attalus would not hearken to his Admonitions but being possess'd with those hopes which the Soothsayers gave him and persuaded that he should conquer all Africa and Carthage too without fighting he would not send forth Drumas who with those Barbarians that he had with him might easily have turn'd Heraclianus out of his Office but neglecting Alarichus's Advice gave the Command of all the Soldiers in Africa to one Constantine yet sent no good fighting Men along with him But in the mean time whilst the Affairs of Africa were at an uncertainty he undertook an expedition against the Emperour who was at Ravenna Whereupon the Emperour was so troubled and frighted that he sent out Embassadours to desire that the Empire might be divided between them But Jovius whom Attalus had made Prefect of the Court said that Attalus should not leave Honorius so much as the Title of an Emperour no not a whole body for that he would send him to live in an Island and maim him in some part of his body At which haughty expressions all Men were affrighted and Honorius was just ready to take his flight but when for that purpose he had gotten together a vast number of Ships into the Port at Ravenna six Regiments of Auxiliary Soldiers arrived there which were expected whilst Stilico was alive but came not out of the East till that time being in number six thousand At whose arrival Honorius being awaked as it were out of a dead sleep he entrusted the keeping of the Walls to them that came out of the East and resolv'd to stay at Ravenna till he had better intelligence concerning the Affairs of Africa And if Heraclianus got the upper-hand that then when things were setled and secure in those parts he would make War with his whole Army against Alarichus and Attalus but if on the contrary those that he sent into Africa were worsted that then he would sail away into the East to Theodosius with those Ships which he had in readiness and relinquish the Western Empire And thus it was with Honorius But Jovius who was sent Embassadour to Honorius as I told you before began to think of treasonable Designs being corrupted by Honorius through other Men. He therefore told the Senate that he would be no longer an Embassadour and withal spoke some unhandsom words before them as that they ought since those whom they had sent into Africa had failed of good success to send Barbarians into the War against Heraclianus For since that Constantine was slain their hopes from that part of the World were in a wavering condition But Attalus being enraged and having employ'd others to give Orders what he would have done there were others sent with Money into Africa to assist in the present juncture there Which when Alarichus understood he was displeased at it and began to despair of Attalus's concerns who went about things so rashly as if he were a Fool without either reason or prospect of advantage And therefore when he had consider'd of these things he resolv'd to draw off from Ravenna although he formerly determin'd to prosecute the Siege till he took it For Jovius had persuaded him so to do who when he heard that the General sent by Attabus into Africa had utterly miss'd of his aim he apply'd himself wholly to the Affairs of Honorius and was always speaking ill of Attalus to Alarichus out of a Design that he had to make him believe that as soon as Attalus had secur'd the Empire into his own hands he would first contrive the death of Alarichus and all that were akin to him But whilst Alarichus continu'd constant to the Oath which he had given to Attalus Valens General of the Horse or Cavalry was taken off upon suspition of Treason and Alarichus in the mean time went with his Army to all the Cities of Aemilia that had deny'd very easily to receive Attalus as their Governour And some of them he quickly reduced but having besieged Bononia which held out many days without being able to take it he went toward Liguria to force that Countrey also into an acknowledgment of Attalus for their Emperour But Honorius having sent Letters to the Cities in Britain by way of advice for them to look to themselves and rewarded the Soldiers with the Money sent from Heraclianus he lived at all ease imaginable since he had contracted the love of the Soldiers in all places And Heraclianus having seized and guarded all the Ports in Africa with all security so that neither Corn nor Oil nor any other provision could be carry'd into the Port of Rome there fell a Famine upon the City more grievous than the former and the Market-men or those that sold things in the Market concealed all their goods Iâ—â—grâ—ssers Forestallers out of hopes to get all the Mony to themselves by setting what price they pleased upon their Commodities By which means the City was reduced to such extremities that those who hoped that Man's flesh would be eaten cry'd out in the Hippodrome or place for Horse-Races Lay a certain Rate upon Man's fâ—â—sh Upon which occasion Attalus went to Rome and call'd the Senate together who after some Debate were most of 'em of Opinion that the Barbarians and the Roman Soldiers ought to be sent into Africa and that Drumas should be their General as being a Person that had given great testimonies of his fidelity and good will already Onely Attalus and a few more did not agree in judgment with the majority of the House nor was he willing to send out any Barbarian as General of a Roman Army Now this was the first time that Alarichus had an Eye upon Attalus to take him off or depose him though Jovius had formerly by continual Calumnies and false Accusations instigated him thereunto Wherefore to put his Design in execution he brought Attalus out before the City Ariminum where he then lived and taking off his Diadem and stripping him of his Purple Rope he sent 'em to the Emperour Honorius But though he reduced Attalus to the condition of a private Person before all the People yet he kept him and his Son Ampelius at his own House till he had made Peace with Honorius and then he procur'd their Pardon Placida also the Emperour's Sister was with Alarichus in the nature of an Hostage but had all the Honour and Attendance belonging to the Quality of a Princess And this was the State of Italy whilst Constantine gave his Son Constans a Diadem and from a Caesar made him Emperour after he had depriv'd Apollinarius of his Office and made another Person Prefect of the Court in his room In the mean time Alarichus went to Ravenna to confirm the Peace with Honorius but Fortune found out another Obstacle beyond all expectation and pointed out as it were what should befal the Commonwealth For whilst that Sarus lay with a few Barbarians in Picenum and joyn'd neither with the Emperour nor Alarichus neither Ataulphus who had a grudg against him upon the score of some former difference came with his whole Army to that place where Sarus chanced to be But as soon as Sarus saw him coming he finding himself not able to fight him as having only three hundred Men resolved to fly to Honorius and be his Ally in the War against Alarichus A Supplement of those things that are wanting in Zosimus SOmething is wanting but Photius in his Bibliotheca says That the History of Zosimus ended with the taking of Rome by Alarichus Now seeing Zosimus is deficient in this Point and that no particular History of things relating to the Sacking of Rome is any where else to be found I thought fit to give you the following Account out of Baptista Egnatius Alarichus had besieged Rome for two years together nor had Honorius who then lay idle at Ravenna either Courage or Power to relieve it For being concerned for nothing less than for the safety of the City now Stilico was dead he had constituted no General over the Army to manage the War against the Gotths And that put the Gotths upon besieging the City seeing the Roman Soldiers were either run away or very slothful in their business But the Barbarian Enemy having in vain besieged it nor being able to take it by Storm was fain to make use of Stratagems and Policy They pretended a Journey into their own Country and therefore chose out three hundred young Fellows of great strength and courage whom they would bestow upon the Roman Nobility as a Present but instructed 'em beforehand to oblige their Masters with all observance imaginable and that upon a certain day prefix'd about Noon when the Nobility were either asleep or otherwise unmindful of business they should meet of a sudden at the Gate called Porta Avinaria where having surpriz'd and kill'd the Guards they should open the Gate for them who would be there at hand In the mean time the Gotths delay'd the time of returning home upon a pretence that they wanted one thing one or another still till the three hundred Youths making good use of their opportunity upon the day appointed open'd the Gate to their Countrymen and the Gotths when they were let in fell a plundering all the City though they did more dishonour than damage to the Citizens Now there are some who think the Gate was open'd by the contrivance of Proba a Woman of Quality and great Wealth who pitied the Roman People that died of the Famine and several Distempers like rotten Sheep But two things upon this occasion are worth our Observation the one That there was an Edict made by Alarichus that whosoever fled into the Churches of the Saints especially of Peter and Paul should have no violence offer'd to 'em which was accordingly observ'd with great care The other was That when the news was brought to Honorius at Ravenna that Roma i.e. Rome was destroy'd He thought they had meant a certain stout Gaul whose name was Roma and admired very much that he should be so soon gone with whom he had a little before so merrily diverted himself THE END
seem'd a stranger to Ambition did he give when Constantius married him to his Sister Helena and made him Cesar when he thought of nothing less For when by the Emperour's command the Purple Cloak was thrown over him willing to shew how little he esteem'd that Princely Garment he repeated this Verse of Homer Purpurei vis leti inexorabile fatum Occupat His gentleness and readiness to forgive Men was very often remarkable and then especially when the Antiochians had jested upon him more sharply and saucily than became Subjects to their Prince he was content with the revenge of a most witty Oration which though it were to their shame could not be read without delight to others His Chastity a Virtue so rare in great Princes he did ever so carefully prefer as not onely during the life of his Wife never to violate but even after her death in the very flower of his age refused to marry again yet ever abhorr'd all unlawful love nor contented to demonstrate by his practice how much he esteem'd this Virtue he had always in his mouth these Verses of Bacchilides an ancient Poet Vt quum de statuâ facies formosa revulsa est Non decus in reliquo corpore truncus habet Sic reliqui mores spreti sine honore jacebunt Ni sint ornati laude pudicitiae Who can be so brutish and disingenuous as not to admire and celebrate a Man so illustrious for endowments of mind and body as Julian in whom so excellent a Wit as appears from his Sayings so much Learning from his Writings such Skill in the Civil Law from his Rescripts so much Valour from his Actions so much Modesty from his Behaviour such Chastity from his Continence were so remarkable and conspicuous yet some there are such strangers to humanity who under the pretence onely of his defection from the Christian faith impudently deny him those praises which are due to his Virtues and are not ashamed to proclaim him for an unfortunate Prince and pernicious to the Commonwealth because say they he was unsuccessful against the Persians and being slain in the Enemies Country had like to have ruined the Empire Whereas indeed the Persians and the Germans two Nations so fatal and terrible to the Romans he reduced to such streights that the Germans broken with such dismal overthrows earnestly sought Peace and when they had obtain'd it from him they religiously observed it as long as he lived out of fear of so fortunate a young Man though at other times a People unquiet and impatient of rest and leisure and the Persians terrified with a series of Victories durst no more come fairly into the field nor fight upon equal terms but burning and destroying their own Country were forc'd to confess that they wanted but a little of a total subversion and whatever of terrour or damage was brought upon the Romans was owing to Jovian a Man of our own Religion who to the eternal reproach of the Roman name became almost a petitioner for Peace to an Enemy even conquered himself and appeased those by the surrender of I know not how many Provinces whom he ought to have made buy a Peace at the price of some of their own Territories What strange humour is this then that Men should take delight to lay those miscarriages upon other Men which are in truth to be charged upon our selves And now let us see with what weighty Arguments these Censurers undertake to demonstrate how the Christian Princes have been much juster and braver Persons than those that were Pagans and that the Commonwealth flourished more under them The Pagan Princes say they were most of them slain and plagued with Seditions whereas ours were neither murther'd by their Domesticks nor by forein Enemies and therefore the times wherein they reigned are to be accounted happier than the others I think we need not go very far to shew them how very forgetful or how infatuated they are with endeavouring to calumniate others Are not they I beseech you to be accounted Domesticks that are related to us by blood and after our Parents are not our Brethren next akin and will not our Cousin-germans succeed in course Let us see then what was acted between the Sons of Constantine who all profess'd the Christian Religion Constans the youngest of these having surprized his eldest Brother Constantine by a wile dreaming of no such matter barbarously murther'd him by a company of base Assassines Magnentius a Rebel slew this very Constans polluted with the blood of his Brother Constantius the onely surviver savagely hunting after the blood of his own Kinred so long till at length having destroyed the posterity of his Brother his own Family became extinct What sadder and more tragical Examples of Parricides than these can you expect but these our fine Historians never so much as thought of these which were indeed a stumbling-block to those who before having no great kindness for our Religion were confirmed in their abhorrence by this bloody and inhumane Scene But what Zosimus relates of the Immoralities of the Emperour Valens Evagrius takes not so ill because he was a defender of the Arian Heresie several of the Ancients among whom Paulus Varnefridus commonly called Diaconus and Jornandes complain of him as the Author of that wicked Law as they term it by which he restrain'd those vast numbers of those who under pretence of Religion affected Solitudes and took upon them a kind of Monkish life and that Persons fit for the management of Affairs and the support of the Commonwealth should be fetch'd out of those holes and forc'd according to their several capacities either to enter into the Wars or the discharge of civil Duties and truly for this very reason I think Valens undeservedly reprehended and some there are who think this Law brought into use for the raising provisions for the Army out of those allowances which went towards the maintenance of those Lubbards and that good Troops might be form'd out of them and paid without the charge of the Commonwealth by turning those Revenues that way which by the superstitions of their Predecessors had been bequeathed to the feeding the Bellies of a parcel of lazy Monks And here you see what it is Evagrius and Nicephorus make such ado about against Zosimus But their empty and trifling reasons for excusing Christian Princes their vanity in accusing Pagans their impudence in denying the truth and their ignorance in asserting falshoods I hope I have sufficiently exposed There remains Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople who charges Zosimus for barking like any Dog against the Godly but we have before shewn that there is no hurt in his barking nor any venom in his bite which that it may be evident in a few words We see through the whole History of Zosimus Constantine is reproved by him for the cruelty of his exactions his Parricides his Luxury his profuseness which Vices it seems even the Christian Religion could but little
who committed all his Affairs to the conduct of Libertines the Sons of those who had been Slaves that were Eunuchs and his Successors were then advanced to the Imperial Throne Of whom I resolve not to say one word because the World shall not know what monstrous and enormous actions they were guilty of But Vespasian and his Son Titus were much more moderate in their time as on the other hand Domitian surpass'd all others in cruelty luxury and avarice for which reason when he had been a plague to the Commonwealth for fifteen years together he was kill'd by Stephanus one of his Freemen and seemed to suffer justly for his wicked actions From this time good men succeeded in the Empire as Nerva Trajan and after him Adrian Antoninus Pius and that pair of Brothers called Verus and Lucius who corrected many Errours in the State and not onely recover'd what their Predecessors had lost but made likewise some new additions But after them when Commodus the Son of Marcus had been Emperour who was addicted not only to Tyranny but even prodigious Vices besides till Marcia his Concubine took manly courage and kill'd him the Empire was conferred upon Pertinax But the Court Guards being not able to endure his strict way of exercise and Discipline which made 'em mutinee and kill him also Rome had like to have been all in an uproar and confusion whilst the Pretorian Soldiers that were design'd to secure the Palace endeavour'd to extort out of the Senate hands the power of making a Sole-governour And now the Empire being set to Sale as it were one Didius Julianus by the instigation of his Wife and through more folly than Wisdom produced a sum of money wherewith he purchas'd the Empire and made such a Shew as the people ne'r saw in their lives before or any other legal Attendance besides the Soldiers who set him up and by violence gave him possession of the Palace with all the furniture that was in it But he was call'd in question and taken off too by those very men that raised him to his Hononr nor was his Life any more than a momentany golden Dream When he was removed the Senate sate in consultation who they should choose Emperour in his room and pitched upon Severus But Albinus and Niger pretending a right of Government at the same time there arose fierce civil Wars between 'em so that the Cities were divided some being for one side and some for the other Whereupon there were great commotions in the Eastern parts and in Egypt nor did the Bizantians who were Nigers friends and entertain'd him refuse any dangerous Attempt till Severus got the Victory and Niger was kill'd After whom Albinus also quitted the Empire and this World together so that the sole Power was now devolv'd upon Severus He therefore apply'd himself to rectifie those things that had been carried with such exorbitancy inflicting in the first place severe punishments upon the Souldiers that kill'd Pertinax and deliver'd up the Empire to Julianus Which having done and setled the Militia he went against the Persians and in the same expedition took Ctesiphon and Babylon over-ran the Arabians called Scenites from their living in Tents conquer'd Arabia in general and did many other great Exploits besides that he was inexorable to Delinquents and made a publick distribution of their goods who were guilty of any heinous Offence Having adorn'd a great many Cities with sumptuous Buildings he declared his Son Antoninus Emperour but being near his death left not only him but his other Son Geta also coheirs in the Government and made Papinianus a very just person and one that was more skill'd in the knowledg and interpretation of the Law than any Roman either before or since their Guardian or Protector But Antoninus not long after suspected this worthy Person who was Prefect of the Court for no other reason but because he did what he could to frustrate a Design that Antoninus had laid against his Brother Geta and Papinianus had discover'd He therefore resolved to remove this Obstacle and with the Soldiers contrived Papinianus's destruction After which when he had his hands at liberty he slew his Brother whom even his own Mother could not save though he sled to her for protection But not long after Antoninus paid for murthering his Brother nor was the person that slew him ever known And then the Souldiery at Rome chose Macrinus who was Prefect of the Court as Papinianus had been Emperour whilst those in the Eastern Countreys set up Emisenus who was a kin to Antoninus's Mother Now therefore both Armies were so tenacious of what they had done that there arose a civil broil between 'em and whilst Emisenus Antoninus's men were bringing him to Rome Macrinus's Army march'd out of Italy And when at Antioch in Syria the two Armies had engaged Macrinus was so totally defeated that he was forced to fly the Camp but between Byzantium and Chalcedon was taken and killed When Antoninus had gotten this Victory and punished all those that sided with Macrinus as Enemies he lived such a dissolute scandalous life conversing so much with Magicians and Juglers that the Romans not able to endure his excessive Luxury murther'd him tore his body in pieces and declared Alexander Emperour who came likewise of Severus's Family Who though he were but young yet he was a person of a good Nature and put all people in hopes that he would prove an easie Governour For he made Flavianus and Chrestus Prefects of his Court who were men not onely well vers'd in Military affairs but excellent also in the management of civil Business But Mamaea the Emperours Mother set Vlpianus as an Inspector or Overseer over them and indeed as a Partner in their Office because he was an incomparable Lawyer and one that knew not onely how to regulate the present Affairs but to provide with all prudence for the future at which the Souldiers were so offended that they privately contrived his ruin Which when Mamaea understood she prevented their Design by taking off the Conspiratours and making Vlpian the sole Prefect belonging to the Court But after that being suspected by the Army for what cause I cannot well tell since there are so many various reports concerning his inclinations he was murthered in a tumult nor could the Emperour himself save his life From this time forward the Souldiers who by degrees forgot their former kindness to Alexander seemed very unwilling to execute his Commands and lest they should be punish'd for their sloth made publick mutinies in which they promoted one Antoninus to the Empire But he not able to sustein the weight of that great Trust withdrew himself which made 'em chuse Vranius a man of mean and slavish condition who being presently brought before Alexander in his purple Robes their hatred to the Emperour was thereby the more augmented And hence it was that Alexander seeing himself inviron'd with so many difficulties was alter'd not
defend the Commonwealth but neglected all things without the Walls of Rome the Gotths the Borani the Vrugundi and the Carpi did once more plunder the Cities in Europe of all that was left in 'em whilst on the other hand the Persians invaded Asia wherein they possess'd themselves of Mesopotamia proceeded as far even as Antioch in Sysia took that City which is the Metropolis of all the East killing some of the Inhabitants and taking the rest away Captives and went back home with an infinite quantity of spoils when they had pull'd down all the private and publick Buildings in it without any resistance made against ' em And indeed the Persians were in a fair way to have gotten all Asia into their hands if they had not been so overjoy'd at their excessive Plunder as to be content to keep and carry home those things which they had taken In the mean time all the Scythians of Europe lived in great security were gone over into Asia and had spoil'd all the Coutrey as far as Cappadocia Pesinus and Ephesus till AEmilianus General of the Pannonian Legions endeavouring all he could to encourage his Soldiers who were disheartned nor durst withstand the prosperous success of the Barbarians and putting 'em in mind of the Roman Honour and Bravery surpriz'd the Barbarians which he found thereabout And when he had kill'd a great many of them put his men over into their Countrey remov'd whatever obstacle he met with and in fine had freed the Roman Subjects from their fury He was chosen Emperour by his own Soldiers Thereupon he muster'd up all the forces of that Countrey who were grown more couragious since his Victory against the Barbarians and so march'd for Italy with a design to fight Gallus who was yet unprepared to engage him For Gallus had never heard what had been done in the East and therefore made onely what accidental preparations he could whilst Valerianus went to fetch the Celtick and the German Legions But Aemilianus came with all speed into Italy and the Armies were very near one another when Gallus's Soldiers considering that he was much inferiour to the Enemy in numbers and strength as also that he was a careless slothful man kill'd him and his Son and then going over to Aemilianus's Party seemed to establish his Government But Valerianus brought a vast Army from beyond the Alpes into Italy with which he thought himself sure to Conquer Aemilianus and therefore Aemilianus's own Soldiers who saw him behave himself more like a private Sentinel than an Emperour took him off as a Person unfit for such a weighty Command By which means Valerianus was chosen Emperour with general approbation and made it his business to regulate all Affairs But by the excursions of the Scythians and besides them the Marcomanni who made an inrode upon all the bordering Countreys adjacent to the Roman Empire Thessalonica was in extream danger and though with much pains and difficulty the Siege was raised by the brave defence which those within made yet all Greece was in an uproar Then did the Athenians repair their Walls which had never been thought worth their care since Sylla pull'd 'em down and so likewise did the Peloponnesians fortifie the Isthmus insomuch that there was a common Guard upon all Greece set for their own security Valerianus understanding what danger the Roman Empire was in on all sides chose Gallienus his Son as Partner with him in the Government and seeing things every where in such disorder went into the East to oppose the Persians committing the care of the forces in Europe to his Son whom he engaged with that Army to withstand the Barbarians who came in upon him from all quarters Now therefore Gallienus since the Germans were more troublesom than any other Nation and more vexatious to the Gauls that lived upon the Rhine march'd against 'em in Person and commanded his Officers with what forces they had there to make a War against all others who were resolv'd to plunder all Italy Illyricum and Greece In pursuit of which design He kept and guarded the passages of the Rhine as well as he could and as at one time he stopp'd their going over so at another he fought 'em just as they cross'd it But being to resist a vast multitude with a small number he was at a loss and thought he might be more secure by making a League with one of the German Princes who not onely hinder'd the frequent passage of the other Barbarians over the Rhine but stopp'd the Career of new Auxiliaries And this was the condition of those who lived upon the Rhine In the mean time the Borani the Gotthi the Carpi and the Vrugundi which are Nations living upon the Ister left no part of Italy or Illyricum unpillaged but without any opposition made havock of all And indeed the Borani attempted to go over into Asia which they very easily effected by the help of them that lived upon the Bosphorus who more out of fear than any good will supply'd them with Ships and guided 'em in their passage For though as long as they had Kings of their own who succeeded one another by descent they always kept the Scythians out of Asia either for the love they bore the Romans or for the sake of their Trade and Commerce or in gratitude for the Presents sent 'em every year from their Kings yet afterward when the Royal Line was extinct and certain mean abject Persons had gotten the Power in their hands they were affraid of themselves and gave the Scythians free ingress into Asia nay carry'd them over and came back again in their own Ships But whilst the Scythians plunder'd all before 'em the People who inhabited upon the Sea-coast of Pontus removed into the midland fortified Towns and the Barbarians at the same time made the first attaque upon Pityus which is inclosed with a very strong Wall and has a very convenient Harbor But Sucessianus General of the Army there made such resistance with what forces he had that he routed the Barbarians and put them into a fear lest if the other Garisons should hear what was done they might join with those of Pityus and quite destroy 'em insomuch that they got as many Ships as they could and with great hazard return'd home though with the loss of many of their men who fell in the Battel at Pityus They therefore who lived near the Euxine Sea and were preserved by the conduct of Sucessianus as I have told you could never hope or rather fear that the Scythians who had been so repuls'd would come over to 'em any more But whilst Valerianus sent for Sucessianus made him Prefect of the Court and discours'd with him about the Affairs and the repairing of Antioch the Scythians got Ships of the Bosphorans and cross'd the Sea But the Inhabitants of the other side detein'd the Ships and would not suffer the Bosphorans to take 'em home again as they had done
whereupon they travail'd into the Countrey near Phasis where they say is the Temple of Diana called from the place Phasiana and the Palace of King Aeeta and having in vain attempted to take that Temple went streight to Pityus Where when they had taken the Castle and turn'd out all the Guards that were in it they went on forward and having a very numerous Navy whereinto they put all the Captives who knew how to handle an Oar they sailed in calm weather which continued almost all the Summer toward Trapezus which is a great and populous City and had in it some ten thousand men besides their usual Complement They therefore when they first laid Siege to it did not so much as dream they should take it because it was surrounded with two Walls but when they observed that the Soldiers were given up to sloth and drunkenness and did not continue upon the Wall but were always in pursuit of pleasures and debauchery they piled up Trees which they had prepared for the purpose against the Wall whereby to scale it and so getting their men up by degrees in the night-time they took the City whilst the Soldiers within were amazed at the sudden and unexpected invasion but made a shift to escape through several Gates of the City and the rest were destroy'd by the Enemy And when the City was thus taken the Barbarians got an unspeakable quantity of Money besides an infinite number of Slaves for almost all the Countrey people thereabout were fled into that City for refuge as being a well-fortified place They therefore having demolish'd all the Temples and Houses besides other things whatever they were that conduced either to the grandeur or beauty of the Place and over ran the adjacent Countrey too return'd home with a great number of Ships When the Scythians that were their Neighbours saw what a booty they had gotten they had a mind to do something in imitation of 'em and to that end prepared a Fleet which either their Captives or others that for want had mix'd themselves among them help'd 'em to build But they resolv'd not to set out as the Borani had done because it was tedious and difficult to sail that way and they must pass through places that were already plunder'd Wherefore they stay'd till Winter and then leaving the Euxine Sea on the left hand but Ister Tomes and Anchialus on the right whilst their Land-forces march'd by the shore as fast as they could they arrived at the Lake of Phileatina which lies to the Westward of Byzantium near Pontus But finding that the Fishermen of that Lake had hidden themselves and their Vessels in the Fenns adjacent to it they went and made an agreement with 'em put their Land-forces into the Fishermens Boats and so sailed forward in order to pass the streight that lies between Byzantium and Chalcedon And though there was a Guard from Chalcedon all along as far as the Temple which stands at the entrance into Pontus that was much too strong for the Barbarians who came against it yet some of the Soldiers march'd off under pretence of meeting a General that the Emperor had sent thither and others were in such a fright that they ran away as fast as they could when they first heard of it Whereupon the Barbarians cross'd over took Chalcedon without any opposition and made themselves masters of Mony Arms and other provisions in abundance From hence they march'd on to Nicomedia a great and wealthy City fam'd both for the riches and general affluence of it where though the Citizens had heard of their coming and were run away with all the Money they could carry the Barbarians notwithstanding admired at the vast quantity of things that they found there and pay'd Chrysogonus all Honour and service who had formerly advised 'em to Nicomedia And when they had over-ran Nicaea Cius Apamea and Prusa and done the same in those places they went toward Cysicus but the River Ryndacus was so mightily out by reason of the great Rains that had fallen they could not pass and so were forced to go back again Then they burnt Nicomedia and Nicaea and putting up or stowing their Spoils in Carts or Ships begain to think of going home again which put an end to their second incursion or inrode By this time Valerianus had heard of the disturbances in Bithynia but durst not trust any of his Captains with the defence of it he was so diffident Wherefore he sent Felix to look after Byzantium and went himself from Antioch as far as Cappadocia where having done some injury to every City as he passed along he returned homeward But then the Plague happen'd among his Army and destroy'd most of 'em at what time Sapores made an Attempt upon the East and reduced it all into his own Power In the mean time Valerianus was so effeminate and supine that he despair'd of ever recovering out of the present ill circumstances and would have put an end to the War by giving of Money but Sapores sent his Embassadors whom he sent about that Affair away without their Errand desiring that the Emperor would come and parley with him in Person concerning those things that he thought requisite To which he consented like an imprudent man as he was and going without any consideration to Sapores with a small Retinue to treat forsooth about a Peace was presently taken by the Enemy and so ended his days in the quality of a Slave among the Persians to the great dishonour of the Roman Name in all future times This being the State of the East all things at that time were in a confus'd helpless condition But the Scythians were unanimous and therefore mustering themselves into one body out of every Nation and Countrey within their Dominions they plunder'd Illyricum with some part of their Army wasting the Cities in those parts and march'd with the rest into Italy as far as Rome it self In the mean time Gallienus continu'd still beyond the Alpes intent upon the German Wars whilst the Senate seeing Rome in such extream danger arm'd all the Soldiers that were in the City besides the stronger sort of the Common People and gather'd up an Army which for number out did the Barbarians At which the Barbarians were so scar'd that they left Rome indeed but pillaged almost all Italy besides But then when Illyricum was in extream danger from the incursion of the Scythians and the whole Roman Empire in such a tottering condition that they knew not what to do there happen'd a Plague to break out very rise in several of their Towns the like was never known that did alleviate the Calamities which the Barbarians inflicted upon them making the sick esteem themselves happy and the Cities too that were already taken but by this means turn'd into Deserts Gallienus was disturb'd at all these things and therefore return'd to Rome to relieve Italy from that War which the Scythians had levied there when at the same
for being of Zenobias's side he set forth Edicts in all places to call 'em back and told 'em such things had happen'd more out of force and necessity than of his own inclination Which when the Fugitives saw they came in whole droves and were courteously receiv'd by the Emperour who having disposed of Affairs in that City went thence to Emisa Where when he found that a Party of the Palmyrenians had got possession of a certain Hill above the Suburbs of Daphne and thought by the steepness of it to stop the Enemies passage he commanded his Soldiers to march up with their Bucklers so near to one another and in so close an order as to keep off Darts and Stones if any were thrown down upon 'em by the meer contiguity of their Armour And so they did Nor were they sooner got up the Hill according to Command but being in all points equal to their Adversaries they put 'em to the run made 'em fly so that some of 'em were dash'd to pieces down from the precipices others kill'd in the pursuit by those that were upon the Hill and those that were a coming up But let the Enemy scape as they could when the Day was theirs they march'd on with great satisfaction that the Emperor made his way with such success whilst Apamea Larissa and Arethusa entertain'd him He therefore seeing the Palmyrenian Army drawn up before Emisa in a body of seventy thousand men consisting of Palmyrenes and their Allies he opposed 'em with the Dalmatian Cavalry the Mysians and Pannonians beside those of Noricum and Rhaetia which are Celtick Legions Nay more than that there were the best of all the Imperial Regiment pick'd out and chosen man by man the Morisco Horse the Tyaneans the Mesopotamians the Syrians the Phenicians and the Palestinians out of Asia all men of undoubted courage among whom the Palestinians besides their other Arms had Clubs and Quarter-staves Now when they fell to it the Roman Cavalry seemed a little to give way lest the Palmyrenes who were too many for 'em and better Horsemen should by some stratagem environ the Roman Army But in truth the Palmyrene Horse pursu'd 'em so hard though they broke their Ranks that the event was quite contrary to what the Roman Cavalry expected For they were pursu'd by an Enemy much too strong for them and therefore they were most of 'em slain but the fatigue of the Day lay chiefly as it happen'd upon the Foot For seeing the Palmyrenes had broken their Ranks when the Horse made their pursuit they wheeled about and set upon 'em whilst they were scatter'd and out of order Whereupon many were kill'd because the one side fought with usual Weapons but those of Palestine brought Clubs and Staves against Coats of Maile made of iron and brass And that in some sense was the chief cause of Victory because the Enemy was amazed to see 'em fight so strangely with Clubs The Palmyrenes therefore ran away as fast as they could and in their flight trod one another to pieces though they were kill'd by the Enemy also insomuch that the Field was full of dead Men and Horses whilst some that could get away made into the City Zenobia as you may suppose was not a little disturb'd at this defeat of hers and therefore consulted what was best to be done But all her friends were of Opinion that she had better relinquish the thoughts of any pretensions to Emisa because the Emisenes were disaffected to her and friends to the Romans But they advised her to keep within Palmyra and when they had secur'd themselves in that strong City they would deliberate about their grand Affairs at leisure Nor was this sooner said than done by the concurrence of the whole Assembly But Aurelianus when he heard that Zenobia was fled away went into Emisa where he was frankly entertain'd by the Citizens and having found a Treasure which Zenobia could not carry along with her he immediately march'd with his Army to Palmyra which he besieged quite round whilst the neighbouring Countreys supply'd his men with all kind of Provisions In the mean time the Palmyrenes jeered the Romans as if they thought it impossible for them to take the Town and one Fellow in particular spoke very undecent words concerning the Emperors own Person whereupon a certain Persian that stood by him said If you please Sir you shall see me kill that impudent Rascal To which the Emperor consented and soo the Persian presently planting himself behind some other mens backs that he might not be discover'd shot at him just as he was looking over the Battlements and hit him whilst he was yet uttering his insolent language so that he fell down from the Wall before the Soldiers and the Emperor Yet the besieged stood it out as hoping that the Enemy would draw off for want of Provisions and persisted in their resolutions till they found themselves want Necessaries Whereupon they called a Council in which it was determined that they would fly immediately to Euphrates and there desire aid of the Persians in order to some new action against the Romans Having so decreed they set Zenobia upon a She Camel which is the swiftest of that kind of Beasts and much fleeter than Horses are and so convey'd her out of the City Aurelianus was troubled at Zenobias's escape and therefore employ'd all his industry to send out Horsemen in pursuit of her And they indeed took her just as she was going over Euphrates out of the Boat and brought her to Aurelianus At which surprizing sight though he was very much rejoyced yet being naturally ambitious and considering that it would be no great honour to him in after-times to have conquer'd a Woman he seemed a little uneasie In the mean while some of the Palmyrenes that were shut up in the Town resolved bravely to expose themselves and run the risque of being taken in defence of their City against the Romans as on the other hand some of 'em used humble submissive gestures from off the Walls and begg'd pardon for what was past Which seeing the Emperour accepted and bad 'em be of good chear they came pouring out of the Town with Presents and Sacrifices in their hands Whereupon Aurelianus having pay'd all due respect to their Holy Things receiv'd their gifts and sent them away uninjur'd But when he was once made Master of this Town with all the Stores Money and Donaries in it he went back to Emisa where he called Zenobia and her Accomplices to account by way of publick Judicature Zenobia therefore coming into the Court pleaded much in excuse of her self and produced many Persons who seduced her as being a simple Woman and among the rest Longinus whose Writings are very beneficial to all Lovers of Learning upon whom being found guilty of the Crimes objected against him the Emperour immediately pass'd the sentence of Death which he bore with so much courage that he spoke comfortable words even to his
otherwise destroy'd In fine a great many men were thrown over-board till night came and put an end to the fight So the one Navy put in at Eleus in Thrace and the other at the Aeantian Harbour And the next Day whilst the Wind blew hard at North Abantus put forth from the Aeantian Port and made ready for a Sea fight But because those Galleys of fifty Oars apiece which lay in the mouth of the Hellespont were come to Eleus by Order of the Admirals Abantus was affrighted at the number of Ships and stood debating whether he should set Sail against the Enemy or no. But about Noon the North-Wind was allay'd and the South-Wind blew so violently that when Licinnius's Navy lay upon the Asian Coast it ran some on ground bilg'd some against the Rocks and sunk others men and all so that five thousand men were lost besides one hundred and thirty Ships full of men which Licinnius had sent out of Thrace into Asia with part of his Army because Bizantium was too little to contain all those who were besieged with Licinnius But when Licinnius was fled into Asia with four Ships and the Sea fight was thus at an end as also that the Ships were come into the Hellespont and had brought all sorts of Commodities and great store of provisions to Constantine's Officers they weigh'd Anchor with the whole Navy to go and join with those that besieged Bizantium and inclose the City even by Sea also But Licinnius's Foot were not able to endure so much as the very sight of such a Navy and therefore got 'em Ships and sailed away for Eleus In the mean time Constantine continu'd close at the Siege and made a Mound as high as the Wall upon which he planted Wooden Towers higher than the Wall from which his Soldiers shot those who defended the Wall that he might with more security bring Rams and other Engines of War near to it and by that means he thought sure enough to take the City At which Licinnius being startled and not knowing what to think he resolv'd to leave Bizantium and the weaker part of his Army in it and onely take along with him such men as were fit for service and had given him demonstrations of their love to him and so make what haste he could into Chalcedon in Bithynia For he believ'd he might raise an Army in Asia and try another Engagement with his Enemies Wherefore arriving at Chalcedon and having made Martinianus who was Captain of the Court Guards whom the Romans call Magister Officiorum his Accomplice and Partner in the dangerous Enterprise he declared him Caesar and sent him with an Army to Lampsacus to hinder the Enemies passage from Thrace into Hellespont whilst he himself posted his own men upon the Hills and Avenues about Chalcedon And whilst Licinnius was intent upon these matters Constantine who had a great number of Ships for burthen as well as War and had a mind with them to cross over and possess himself of the other shore fearing lest the Bithynian Coast might be inaccessible to Ships of burthen especially he immediatey built Skiffs and other Boats and with them he sailed to the holy Promontory as they call it which lies upon the mouth of Pontus two hundred furlongs from Chalcedon And there he landed his Army which when he had done he went upon certain Hills hard by to set 'em in Array At which time Licinnius though he saw that Bithynia was already in the Enemies hands yet was a man so harden'd by Danger that he sent for Martinianus from Lampsacus and to encourage his men to fight told 'em he himself would lead ' em And when he had said what he thought necessary to 'em he drew 'em into Battalia and marching out of the City he met the Enemy who were ready for him And after a sharpe Engagement between Chalcedon and the Holy Promontory Constantines side had much the better on 't for they fell upon the Enemy with such vigour and made such a slaughter of 'em that of an hundred and thirty thousand men scarce thirty thousand escaped Which when the Bizantines heard of immediately they threw open their Gates to receive Constantinus as the Chalcedonians also did But Licinnius having receiv'd this Overthrow went for Nicomedia with what Horse he had left him and some few Thousands of Foot Just at this time a certain Persian called Hormisdas of the Royal Family came over to Constantine for refuge upon this account His Father had been King of Persia and on a time was celebrating his own Birth-day after the Persian way when Hormisdas came into the Palace and brought with him a great deal of Venison But the Guests that were at the Feast not rising up and paying him the respect and honour due to him he was very angry and told 'em he would punish 'em with Marsyas's Death Which saying a great many of 'em did not understand because it related to a Forein Story but onely one Persian among 'em who had lived in Phrygia and heard the story of Marsyas explain'd the meaning of Hormisdas's Menace to 'em as they sate at Table Wherefore they laid up Hormisdas's Menace in their memories and when his Father happened to die they remember'd what he had threaten'd and so chose his younger Brother King though the elder should have had the preference according to Law above all the Kings Children Nor only that but they shackled Hormisdas and kept him upon a certain Hill which lies before the City But when some time had pass'd his Wife contrived his escape in this manner She got a great Fish and put a File into his belly and then solving him up again deliver'd it to the most faithful Eunuch that she had with a strict charge to tell Hormisdas he must eat that Fish when no body was by and use that which he found in his belly in order to his escape And when she had thus contrived it she sent out several Camels loaden with Wine and a deal of Provision to entertain her Husbands Keepers And whilst the Keepers were merry at the Feast which she made for 'em Hormisdas cut up the Fish and found the File with which when he had cut off the shackles that were upon his Legs he put on the Eunuchs Robe and went away through the middle of the Keepers who were by that time Drunk and taking one of the Eunuchs along with him he fled to the King of Armenia who was his Friend and Host And by this means he got away safe to Constantine who thought fit to shew him all the respect and kindness imaginable And so much for that But when Constantinus besieged Licinnius at Nicomedia also he knew not what to do because he was sensible he had not an Army fit to fight and therefore going out of the City he submitted himself to Constantine and brought him the Purple Robe proclaimed him Emperor and Lord and ask'd pardon for what was past For he
which there are a great many steps going up he built two Temples and in the one of 'em he put the Statue of the Mother of the Gods called Rhea which Jason's Mates had formerly set up in Mount Dindymus which lies about the City of Cyzicum But they say that through his neglect of Religion he had impair'd it by taking away the Lions on both sides and changing the figure of the Hands For whereas it formerly seemed to have a Lion in each hand it was now alter'd into a praying posture looking upon the City and observing as it were what men did In the other Temple he set up the Statue of Romes Fortune And after that he built convenient Houses for certain Senators that follow'd him from Rome But he engaged in no more War insomuch that when the Thaifalians which are a Scythian Nation came upon him with five hundred Horse he did not onely not lead forth his Army against 'em but when he had lost the greater part of his Soldiers and saw the Enemies plunder all before 'em even to their Trenches he was glad to save himself by flight But when he was deliver'd from the distractions of War he gave himself to voluptuousness but distributed a Dole of Corn among the people of Bizantium which is continu'd even to this Day And as he laid out the publick Treasure upon unnecessary and unprofitable Structures so he built some that in a short time were pull'd down again because they were erected in haste and consequently not like to last long He also made a great bustle and changed the ancient Magistracy For whereas before that time there had been two Prefects of the Court whose power was equal not only the Court-Soldiers were under their care and conduct but those also who had the charge of the City with them that lay in the out-parts For he that had the Office of Court-Prefect which was esteemed the greatest place of Honour next being Emperor gave out the Doles of Corn and corrected all Offences in point of military Discipline with what convenient Penalties he thought good But Constantine alter'd that good Constitution and out of one Office or Magistracy he made four of it For to one of those Prefects he committed all Egypt and Pentapolis in Libya besides all the East as far as Mesopotamia with Cilicia Cappadocia Armenia and all the Sea-coast from Pamphilia to Trapezus and the Castles near Phasis and to the same person was given all Thrace and Mysia which reaches as far as Hemus Rodope and the Town of Doberus He likewise added Cyprus and the Cyclades Islands onely Lemnos and Imbrus and Samothrace were excepted To another he gave Macedonia Thessaly Crete and Greece with the Islands thereabout both Epiruses the Illyrians the Dacians the Triballi and the Pannonians as far as Valeria besides the upper Mysia To the third Prefect he gave all Italy and Sicily with the adjacent Isles besides Sardinia and Corsica together with all Africa from the Syrtes or Quick-sands as far as Cyrene To the fourth he committed the Celtae who lived beyond the Alps as also the Spaniards and the British Island which is England And * Zosimus throws the envy of that insensible decay by which the Roman Empire fell to ruin upon Constantine but indeed he ought to have been more cautious in what he said if he would but have consider'd with himself how apt men are who have gain'd the greatest place next to their Sovereign to endeavour all they can to engage the Soldiers affections and out of hopes to be Emperors themselves to put all things out of order And indeed where the care of both the Military Discipline and distributing the publick money is committed to one single person 't is odds but he one time or other takes an occasion to possess himself of the Empire because he has every thing in his power that the fear of punishment or hopes of reward will induce the Soldiers to do Wherefore Constantine fortified himself with that political saying Divide and Rule having thus divided the Power of those Prefects he studied other ways also to lessen their Authority For whereas there used to be in all places Centurions Tribunes and Generals he made certain Officers called Magistri Militum one over the Horse and another over the Foot to whom he gave Authority to Discipline the Soldiers and punish those that offended whereby the power of the Prefects was in some measure diminish'd Now that this was a great damage to the publick Affairs both in Peace and War I 'll prove immediately For whilst the Prefects gather'd the Tributes in all places by their Ministers and laid them out in Warlike expences having the Soldiers also in subjection who suffer'd for offences according to their discretion it 's very probable the Soldiers who consider'd that the same person who gave 'em their pay inflicted their punishment too whenever they offended durst not do contrary to their Duty out of fear partly lest their allowance should be taken off and partly of present correction But now since one is Paymaster and another to look after the Discipline they do what they please not to say that the greatest part of the Corn or other provisions goes into the General 's or his Servants Pockets But besides this Constantine did another thing too that gave the Barbarians a free passage into the Roman Dominions For whereas the Roman Empire by the care of Diocletian was fortified as I told you in the most remote parts of it with Towns and Castles and Forts where the Soldiers lived and consequently it was impossible for the Barbarians to pass because there was always a sufficient number of Enemies to withstand 'em Constantine destroy'd that Security by removing the greater part of the Soldiers out of those Frontier Places and putting them in Towns that wanted no assistance For he strip'd them whom the Barbarians oppressed of all defence and plagu'd the Towns that were quiet with a multitude of Soldiers insomuch that some were quite forsaken of their Inhabitants He likewise caused his Soldiers to grow effeminate by giving themselves to publick Shows and Pleasures And to tell you plainly he was the first cause why things were brought into that miserable state they now are in But I must not omit to tell you that when he had given his Son Constantinus as likewise his other two Sons Constantius and Constans the Title of Caesars he encreased the City of Constantinople to such a vast bigness that many of the Emperors that have come after him and lived in it have drawn more men thither than are necessary who flock to it from all parts either as Soldiers or Merchants or something else Upon which account they have made the Walls about it more capacious than those that Constantine built and have permitted the buildings to be so contiguous that the Inhabitants whether at home or in the streets are streighten'd for room and walk in danger by reason of the
Magnentius on the contrary who thought fit to meet him with more Forces declared his kinsman Decentius who was to govern the Nations beyond the Alps Cesar But when the Armies met in Pannonia and came very near one another at a Town called Mursa Magnentius planted an Ambuscade in the avenues near Adrana and sent a Messenger to Constantius's Officers to retard their motion that they might march into Siscia because he intended to fight thereabout where the fields were open and spacious Which when Constantius heard he was very glad of it that he was to fight in a place where there was room enough for the Horse of which he had more than the Enemy and so led his Army toward Siscia But as they went along unarm'd and out of order not thinking what would happen the Troops who lay in Ambush fell upon 'em and stop'd their passage with stones which they threw upon 'em in such vast quantities as that they kill'd most part of ' em And now seeing many of his Enemies slain Magnentius was so proud of this Exploit that he muster'd up his Forces and would not suffer the War to be delay'd any longer but march'd immediately into Pannonia And when he came to the Plains before that which was formerly Cius through the middle of which the River Draus runs and passing by Noricum and Pannonia discharges it self into the Ister he led his men into Pannonia intending to engage near Sirmium But they say his Mother forbad him to go that way or over into Illyricum though he would not observe her directions notwithstanding that he knew she had prov'd a true Prophetess to him upon many former occasions In the mean while Magnentius deliberated whether he should cross the Saus by a Bridg of his own making or joyn his Boats together and so pass over and at the same time Constantius sent Philip who was one of the greatest Men about him as likewise a Person of extraordinary prudence with a pretence of treating concerning Peace and an Alliance but in reality to observe the state of Magnentius's Army and how they stood affected to fighting or which way they were like to move Who when he came near to the Camp met Marcellinus who was Magnentius's greatest Favourite and went along with him to Magnentius Where after the Army was drawn up Philip was desir'd to tell the reason of his coming Nor had he sooner receiv'd the Order than applying himself to the Soldiers he told 'em it was not fit for them who were Roman Subjects to wage War against Romans especially when Constantine's Son was Emperor with whom they had erected many Trophies against the Barbarians And as for Magnentius he ought to remember Constantine with all the kindness he had shewn to him and his Parents For it was Constantine that entertain'd him and promoted him to the greatest Dignities when he was in imminent danger And having so said he desired that Magnentius would depart out of Italy and be content to govern all the Nations beyond the Alps. This Speech of Philip had like to have made a mutiny through the whole Army and therefore Magnentius who was in a fright and had much ado to get the Soldiers to hear him speak told 'em he would willingly conclude a Peace too but said he would dismiss the Assembly for that present time till he had considered what to do and would tell 'em his Opinion the next day Whereupon the Assembly being dissolv'd Marcellinus entertain'd Philip like one that he had a mind to be obliged to by the Laws of Hospitality Whilst in the mean time Magnentius debated with himself whether he should send Philip away without the intended effect of his coming or keep him there contrary to the Law of Embassies And as he was in dispute about it he thought fit to invite all the Officers of his Army to sup with him and tell 'em his Opinion at Table Which when he had done and that it was Day-light he called the Army together once more and put 'em in mind what Constans had done against 'em when he was drunk and mad and that the Soldiers could not endure those Enormities wherewith he oppressed the Commonwealth against all Law and Justice but enclined to that which was most advantageous to the publick and when they had freed the Cities from such a savage beast they forced him to be Emperor Nor had he made an end of speaking before they all rose up and shew'd their readiness for carrying on the War by arming themselves immediately in order to pass the Saus Of whose approach the Sentinels that were upon the Watch in Siscia a Town that lies upon the Saus were aware and gave notice to the Garison who shot some of 'em as they were landing upon the bank of the River and others that were acoming over they stopp'd so that many of 'em were slain but more were trampled into the River either by one another or by the Enemy By which means there was a great slaughter made among 'em and whilst the one party fell off the Bridg as they endeavour'd to escape the other pursu'd with all speed so that Magnentius who was reduced to his last shift had onely this way to avoid the present danger He stuck a Spear in the ground and with his right Hand becken'd to the Enemy as if he had a mind to treat for a Peace Which when he saw they listen'd to He said he would not pass the Saus without the Emperor's leave Which he had no sooner said but Philip told him he must leave Italy and Noricum and go into Illyricum if he would treat of Peace And then Constantius having heard what they said commanded his Soldiers not to pursue 'em any longer and permitted Magnentius to bring his men over into the Plains between Noricum Pannonia Mysia and Dacia because he had a mind to get out of those rough cumbersom places and fight where his Horse might have room enough to shew themselves for he had more than the Enemy And his Design took effect so that he pitch'd upon Cibalis which he thought a convenient place for his business it being the same place where Constantine formerly conquer'd Licinnius For that Town having the above situation which I have told you in my Account of those times he kept part of his Army in it And when he had raised a Buâ—wark between the Hill where the City stands and the Plain where the River Saus runs he enclosed all that part of it which is not encompass'd by the River with a deep Ditch and a thick Mound And then he made a Bridg of Boats over all that part that was surrounded by the River which Bridg he could disjoin when he pleas'd and put it together again with as much ease And here he set up Tents for his Army and in the middle of all a Tent-Royal which was inferiour to none of the Towns thereabout either for bigness or Ornament But at that time the Emperor
sent into Britain for Corn and invented a way how to carry that Corn up the Rhine in Boats And this he did so often because the Voyage was but short that he abundantly supply'd them that were restored to their Cities so that they had meat enough Seed-corn and what they lacked between that and Harvest And these things he did when he was hardly enter'd into the five and twentieth year of his Age. But seeing the Soldiers loved him for his frugality at home and courage in the Wars and also for his Command that he had of himself in respect to Riches with his other Virtues wherein he excell'd I had almost said all the men of his Age Constantius was full of envy to see Julian do such great things and thought that Salustius who was one of those Counsellours that were allotted to him had been the Author of all that Policy which gained him so much Honour both in his Warlike and Civil Affairs Wherefore he sent for Salustius as if he would have made him Governour of the Eastern Countreys And Julian as readily dismiss'd him because he was resolv'd to be obedient unto Constantius in all points But though Salustius were now removed yet all that was committed to Julian's charge encreas'd every day as I may say in a great measure and the Soldiers were improved in military experience as well as augmented in their numbers whilst the Towns enjoy'd Peace and the fruits of it And now almost all the Barbarians thereabouts began to despair and expected little less than the utter ruine and destruction of all them that were lest alive when at the same time the Saxons who are the stoutest Barbarians in all those parts both for courage strength and hardiness in a Campagne sent out the Quadi who are a part of themselves into the Roman Dominions But they were hinder'd from passing the River by the Franks who lived upon their Confines and were affraid of giving Cesar a just occasion to make another inrode upon them and therefore built themselves a convenient number of Boats in which they sailed upon the Rhine beyond the French Territories and got into the Roman Empire And when they arrived at Batavia which the Rhine by being divided makes an Island much bigger than any River-Island besides they drove out the Salii who are a Nation descended from the Franks and turn'd out of their own Country into this Island by the Saxons For this Island though it had been formerly subject to none but the Romans yet it was now in possession of the Salii Which when Cesar knew he endeavour'd to countermine the Quadi but first commanded his Army to engage them briskly but kill ne'r an one of the Salii or hinder their passage into the Roman Countreys because they did not come as Enemies but were forced thither by the Quadi As soon as the Salii heard how kind Cesar was to 'em some of 'em went over out of the Island with their King into the Roman Confines and others fled to the utmost borders of the Country but all of 'em came and humbly committed both their lives and fortunes to Cesar's gracious protection But Cesar by this time observing that the Barbarians durst not fight with him any more they were so intent upon their secret incursions and sly Thieveries by which they did a great deal of damage to the Country he could not tell what to do till at the last he invented this Stratagem to baffle the Barbarians There was a man much bigger than any body else and one that had courage proportionable to his bulk Which Person being by Nation a Barbarian and having used to rob with the other Barbarians thought fit to leave his own Country and go into Gallia Celtica which was under the Romans But whilst he sojourn'd sometime at Treves which is the greatest City in all the Nations beyond the Alps and saw the Barbarians beyond the Rhine over-run the Cities that are situate upon this side of the River and pillage all places without controul which was before that Julian was made a Cesar he was resolving with himself to defend those Towns But because he durst not do that for want of Law to back him in it he at first went alone into the thickest part of the Woods and waited till the Barbarians made their incursions and so in the Night-time when they were Drunk and asleep he set upon 'em and cut off as many of their heads as he was able which he brought and shew'd to those that were in the Town And this he did continually insomuch that he rebated the keenness of the Barbarians who though they could not tell how it came to pass yet they were sensible of a prejudice done to 'em by the Armies decreasing almost every Day But after other Robbers had join'd with this same Person and of a great many single Persons had made a considerable Company then Charietto for that was the mans Name who first found out this way of Ambuscade against the Barbarians came to Cesar and told him all the story which few People knew before that time And thereupon Cesar who could not easily restrain the nocturnal and clandestine inrodes of the Barbarians for they robb'd in small Companies straggling from each other and when it was Day you could not see one man of 'em because they hid themselves in Woods adjacent to the fields and lived upon that which they had gotten by robbing Cesar therefore I say considering how difficult it was to subdue such an Enemy was forced to oppose these Thieves not with an Army of Soldiers onely but Moss-Troopers also For this reason he took Charietto and his men along with him besides a good many of the Salii which he added to 'em and sent 'em forth in the Night against the thievish Quadi who though they lived at that time upon what they stole yet might be less skill'd in the Art of Robbing which these men had studied And then in the Day-time he kept Guard in the open field and kill'd all that escaped his Robbers And thus he did for a great while together till the Quadi were reduced to such a streight and so small a number that they and their General surrendered themselves to Cesar who had taken a great many Prisoners in the former excursions and engagements had got among the rest the Kings Son whom Charietto took For that was the cause that when they made such miserable Petitions for Peace and Cesar demanded some of their Nobility for Hostages amongst whom he requir'd the King's Son should be one the General or King broke out into a most lamentable Complaint and swore with tears in in his Eyes that he had lost his Son too among the rest Which Cesar seeing he had compassion upon his sorrow and shew'd him his Son who was kept very nobly but told him withal that he would keep the Youth for an Hostage as well as others of the Nobility whom he had upon that account
Thrace and Scythia till it discharges it self into the Euxine Sea he built a company of Boats and with three thousand of his men went down the Ister commanding twenty thousand of 'em to go by Land to Sirmium And because they rowed continually with the stream besides that they had the benefit of the yearly Winds called Etesiae he arrived the eleventh day at Sirmiam Where when it was reported that the Emperor was come almost all People thought it had been Constantius that was meant but seeing it was Julian they all stood amazed as if they had taken him for an Apparition But not long after when his Army that follow'd him out of Celtica was come he wrote to the Roman Senate and to the Forces of Italy to have a care and keep their Cities since he was Emperor And whereas Taurus and Florentius the two Consuls for that year who were of Constantius's side left Rome as soon as they heard that Julian was got over the Alps into Pannonia he order'd them to be termed Fugitive Consuls in all publick Instruments But he behaved himself very obligingly to all the Towns that he pass'd by though in all haste and put 'em all in good hopes of him He likewise wrote to the Athenians the Lacedemonians and Corinthians to let 'em know the reason of his coming And when he was at Sirmium there came Embassadours out of almost all Greece to him to whom when he had given such answers as became him and granted 'em all that was their due he march'd forward with his Celtick Army and another which he raised both out of Sirmium and the Legions which lay in Pannonia and Mysia But when he came to Naisus he consulted the Soothsayers to know what he had best to do And seeing the Entrails signified that he must stay there some time he did so observing withal the time that was foretold to him in his Dream Which when it was come according to the motion of the Stars there arrived a party of Horse from Constantinople whilst 〈◊〉 was at Naisus who told him that Constantius was dead and that the Armies desired Julian should be Emperour Whereupon he accepted of what the Gods had bestow'd upon him and so went on his Journey forward But when he came to Byzantium the People all received him with joyful Acclamations calling him their Fellow-Citizen and their Darling because he was born and bred in that City and gave him all other kind of respect as a Person that was like to be the Author of very much good to Mankind And here whilst he took care both for the City and the Army he gave the City the priviledg to call a Senate like that in the City of Rame He also made a large Port to it to secure the Ships from the South-winds together with a Portico resembling the Letter Sigma more than a â—height figure which leads to the Port. 〈…〉 this he built a Library in 〈…〉 wherein he put all 〈…〉 he had and having so 〈…〉 prepared for the Persian War But when he had tarried ten months in Byzantium he made Hormisdas and Victor Generals to whom he committed the Tribunes and the Armies and so went to Antioch It is not necessary to tell you with what pleasure and zeal the Soldiers went this Journey For it is not likely that they should do any thing that was unseemly when they were under such an Emperors Conduct as Julian was So when he came to Antioch the People received him very kindly But being by nature great lovers of Shews and publick Sports and more addicted to pleasure than serious matters they did not very probably so well like the Emperors prudence and modesty in all sorts of things because he would refrain from coming into the publick Theatres nor would he often see Plays or when he did not sit at 'em all Day Upon which account they spoke very strange words of him that vex'd him But he was reveng'd upon 'em not by inflicting any real punishment but by composing a very gentile Oration upon them and the City which has so much of Satyr in it mix'd with Gall that it may serve for a Lampoon upon the Antiochians through the World But they were sorry for their faults and therefore the Emperor when he had done for the City as much as in equity he was able and granted to it a great number of Senators who should succeed in that Office by descent from Father to Son and likewise admitted those that were born of Senators Daughters to be of the same number which is a priviledg that few Cities have and done many other just and good Actions he prepared for the Persian War And when the Winter was over having muster'd his Forces together and sent 'em before him in the regular way of marching he went out of Antioch though he had no encouragement from the Oracle But what the reason of that was I can tell though I had rather hold my Tongue Now therefore when he was come to Hierapolis upon the fifth day where he had order'd all the Ships to meet both Men of War and those of Burthen too from Samosata and other places that used to sail in Euphrates and having made Hierius a Captain of Foot his Admiral he sent him before but stay'd himself three days and no more in Hierapolis After which time he went to Batnae a little Town in Osdroena where the Edesenes met him in whole Droves presenting him with a Crown and bidding him welcome into their City with joyful acclamations He accepted of their kindness and coming into the City made what Orders he thought good and so went on to Carrae But because from hence there were two ways the one through the River Tigris and the City of Nisibis till you come to the Provinces of Adiabene and the other by Euphrates and Circesium which is a Castle encompassed by the River Aboras and Euphrates it self and lies upon the Confines of Assyria the Emperor was at a stand which way to take and in the mean time news was brought that the Persians had made an incursion upon the Roman Dominions At which the Camp was somewhat disturb'd But the Emperor understood they were Robbers rather than any others who took what came next to their hands and went their way with it and therefore he resolv'd to leave a competent Guard upon the places near the River Tigris lest if all the Army should go along with him the other way through the Persian Territories the Persians should pillage Nisibis and all those parts without being discover'd especially when they found 'em destitute of all Defence He therefore thought fit to leave in that Country eighteen thousand men of whom Sebastianus and Procopius should be the Chief Commanders whilst he himself with the main Body of the Army went over Euphrates with his Forces divided into two Parties that they might be ready to resist the Enemy as soon as they saw 'em and not suffer 'em
Horses had the worst on 't nor could they themselves swim the River in their Armour or wade over either it was so deep and muddy they could not imagine what to do And that which made the danger greater was that they saw the Enemy on the other side who were ready to stop their passage with Darts and Stones which they threw out of Slings But when no body else could think of an Expedient to free them from those imminent dangers the Emperor himself who was a man of great sagacity in all things and very well vers'd in Military Affairs resolved to order Lucillianus and his fifteen hundred Scouts to go and attaque the Enemy behind thereby to give 'em a Diversion till he and his Army had pass'd the River To which end he sent forth Victor one of his Captains with a competent number of men who lest the Persians should see him set out began his Journey in the Night-time and when he had gone so far that the Enemies could not see what he did even in the Day he cross'd the Channel to seek Lucillianus and his Party And going on still forward but finding no Enemy by the way he call'd out to his Country-men not onely with a loud Voice but gave 'em notice also with Trumpets to come to him But indeed he met him according to his desire and Lucillianus who guess'd what his business was joining his with Victors Forces went and surprised the Enemy behind Who being taken so unprepared were either slain or made their escape which way soever they could By this means the Emperor seeing his stratagem succeeded pass'd over the River without any resistance And having got his Horse over in Boats that he light upon there and the Foot in other Vessels which he found in many parts of the River he continu'd his Journey forward without any dread of an Enemy till he came to a certain City called Bersabora whose bigness and Situation he took a view of For it was enclosed with two round Walls and in the middle of it there was a Castle with another Wall about it much like the Segment of a Circle to which there was a Way from the inner Wall of the City that one could hardly get up to And then upon the South and West side of this City there was a crooked winding way out whereas upon the North part they had made a broad Water-graff out of the River from whence they convey'd Water for the use of the Inhabitants And lastly upon the East side it was encompassed with a deep Ditch and a Mound born up with strong cross pieces of Timber about which Ditch great Towers stood which were built from the ground half way with Brick cemented by a kind of bituminous Loam but above the middle they were made of the same kind of Bricks and Plaister Now the Emperor having resolv'd to take this City he encouraged his Soldiers to the attempt who were so far from being backward that they obey'd his Order with all alacrity Whereupon the Citizens desired that the Emperor would please to receive 'em into his favour and friendship begging one while that he would send Hormisdas to treat of Peace with them and anon reviling the same Person as a Fugitive a Renegado and a betrayer of his Countrey At which the Emperor having good cause to be angry he commanded all his Men to mind their business and carry on the Siege with all their vigour Nor did they fail each one to do his part till the besieged seeing themselves unable to defend their Walls fled all into the Castle Which when the Emperor saw he sent his Soldiers into the City that was now bereft of its Inhabitants who pull'd down the Walls burnt the Houses and planted Engines upon the most opportune places from which they threw both Darts and Stones upon them that were got into the Castle But because the besieged from the Castle kept off the besiegers with Darts and Stones which they continually threw back insomuch that there was a great slaughter on both sides the Emperor either by his own ingenuity upon consideration how the place was Situated or out of his extraordinary experience made this kind of Engine He fasten'd great pieces of Timber together with Iron in form of a square Tower which he placed against the Castle Wall till by degrees it was made as high and into that same Tower he put Bowmen with Engineers that use to sling Darts and Stones So that the Persians who were pelted on all sides both by the besiegers and those that were upon the Engine were forced after a short resistance at last to promise they would surrender the Castle if the Emperor would offer any reasonable Terms And thereupon they agreed that the Persians every man of 'em which were within should pass through the middle of the Roman Army untouch'd and each of 'em have a certain sum of money besides a Coat upon their surrendering the Castle to the Emperor Which being perform'd there were about five thousand men dismiss'd besides what escaped in Long-Boats over the Water and among the rest their Captain Momosirus went out at the same time And when the Castle was thus taken the Soldiers who sought for what might probably be left in it found an immense quantity of Corn all kind of Arms and Engines together with Houshold furniture and other Provisions in abundance All which they disposed of as they thought fit only the greatest part of the Corn was put into the Ships to maintain the Soldiers and the rest they divided among them over and above their ordinary allowance And as for the Arms as many of 'em as were fit for the Roman use were distributed among the Army but those that were onely adapted to the Persian manner of fighting were partly burnt and partly thrown down the River From this Action did the Roman glory receive no small addition That so great a City even the greatest in Assyria next to Ctesiphon and so well fortified should be taken by storm in onely two days And for that reason the Emperor was very kind to his Soldiers as he shew'd by a laudatory Speech that he made in their commendation as much as it was convenient for him to say and by the hundred pieces of Silver which he gave to each one of ' em And so much for these Affairs whilst in the mean time Surenas coming with a great Army out of a Town in Assyria surprised the Roman Scouts that went before the rest of the Army kill'd one of the three Tribunes with some of his Soldiers and put the rest to flight so that he carry'd off an Ensign Military which was like a Dragon and such as the Romans use to carry in War Which when the Emperor knew of he was very much troubled and in a rage just as he was fell upon Surenas's men made 'em all run that could get away re-took the Ensign which the Enemy had taken away and coming
into the Water they engaged the Persians so briskly that they not onely got possession of the Bank but also retrieved those two Ships which came over before being now half burnt and saved all the men that were left in them And then the Armies fell upon each other so fiercely that the Battel continu'd from twelve a Clock at Night till twelve a Clock at noon next Day till at length the Persians gave way and fled as fast as their Legs would carry 'em their Captains being the first that began to run that is to say Pigraxes who was a Person of greatest Birth and Quality next to the King together with Anareus and Surenas himself But the Romans and the Goths ran after 'em and kill'd a great many from whom they took a deal of Gold and Silver besides all kind of Ornaments either for Men or Horses with Silver Beds and Tables whatever they found which the Officers had left upon the Rampires Now they reckon that in this Fight there fell of the Persians twenty five hundred and of the Romans not above seventy five But Captain Victor seemed in some measure to abate the Armies joy for their Victory by being wounded from an Engine The next Day the Emperor got his Army over the Tigris without any difficulty and the third Day after the fight both himself and his Guards went after ' em And coming to a certain place which the Persians call Abuzatha he stay'd there five days whilst he consulted concerning his Journey forward and found it was better to march farther into the Country than to lead his Army by the Rivers side because there was now no necessity of their going by Water And having consider'd of it he imparted his mind to the Army whom he commanded to burn the Ships and they accordingly were all consumed except eighteen Roman and four Persian Vessels which were carry'd along in Waggons to be made use of upon occasion And now their way lying a little above the River when they came to a place call'd Noorda they made an Halt where they kill'd and took a great number of Persians But from thence going forward to the River Durus they made a Bridg over it for their own passage and seeing the Persians had burnt up all the forrage of the Countrey so that the Roman Cattel were ready to starve for want of it as also that they were gathered into several Companies to wait for the Romans whom they imagined to be but few and then soon after drawn up into one Body they made toward the River Where whilst the Scouts that went before the Army engaged with a Party of the Persians one Macamaeus a stout brisk Blade got among 'em and kill'd four though they were naked But for that bold act they all fell upon him and slew him Which when his Brother Maurus saw he ventur'd to rescue at least his dead Body from amidst the Persians and kill'd the Man that gave him the first Wound nor did he give out though he were frequently shot at until he had brought his Brother off and deliver'd him to the Army yet alive Afterward when they came to the City Barrophtha they found the forage as before burnt up by the Barbarians and seeing a Party of Persians mix'd with Saracens who durst not so much as look upon the Roman Army but were immediately gone the Romans could not tell what to think of it till the Persians by gathering themselves into a considerable Body made the Romans believe they had a design upon their Cattel of Burthen Whereupon the Emperour was the first that putting on a Coat of Mail march'd toward 'em with more speed than all the rest of the Army But the Persians not able to endure the shock of his Charge thought best to fly into such places as they well knew And so the Emperour went on to a place called Symbra that lies between two Towns whose names are Nisbara and Nischanabe which are separated from each other by the Tigris though the Townsmen have frequent and easie intercourse by a Bridg over that River But that Bridg the Persians burn'd down lest the Romans by help of it should do 'em both as much injury as they pleased And here it was that the Scouts who went a foraging before the rest defeated the Persian forces as soon as they saw 'em whilst the Army finding great plenty of provisions 〈◊〉 the Town took what they had occasion for and destroy'd the rest From thence they march'd to a place between the Cities of Danabe and Synca where the Persians set upon the Rear of their Army and kill'd a great many but lost more and ran away as having the worst of it upon several accounts For in this fight one Daces a great Satrape a Nobleman of Persia was kill'd being the same Person that formerly had gone Embassador to the Emperor Constantius to treat of Peace and make an end of the War But when the Enemies saw that the Romans came near to a Town call'd Acceta they burn'd up the fruits of the Countrey till the Romans ran in and by quenching the fire saved what was left for their own use In their march from this place they came to a Town called Maronsa where the Persians again attaqued the Rere-guard of their Army and in the Engagement kill'd one Brettanio among the rest who was Captain of a Troop and fought bravely They also took several Ships which fell in their way by being a great deal behind the Army But from thence the Romans passing hastily along by certain Villages came to a place called Tummara where they all repented the burning of their Ships For the Cattel were not able to carry all their necessaries they were so tired with travelling in an Enemies Country and then the Persians got all the forage that they could and laid it up in their best fortified places that the Roman Army might not come at it And when they were in this condition they saw the Persian Army with whom they engaged and having much the better of it they kill'd a great many of the Persians But the day after about the time when it was full Change about noon the Persians drew up in a great Body and fell upon the Reer of the Roman Army once more who being at that time out of their Ranks were surprised and startled at the suddenness of the attaque but yet they made a very brisk defence whilst the Emperor went round about the Army as he used to do encouraging them to stand boldly to it And when by that means they were all engaged the Emperor who went one while to the Captains and Tribunes and another while was among the common Soldiers received a Wound with a Sword in the very heat of the Battel and being laid upon a Shield was carried to his Tent where he lived till Midnight and then died after he had almost ruined the Persian Empire Now whilst the Emperors death was conceal'd the Roman Army
had so much the better of it that fifty of the greatest Satrapes Persian Nobles were slain besides an infinite number of ordinary men But when the Emperors death was discover'd and the Soldiers came back to the Tent where his dead Body lay some few of the Romans indeed fought on and conquer'd their Enemies whilst certain Companies coming out of a Persian Garison engaged with them that were under the Command of Hormisdas And after a smart Battel Antonius fell who was Captain of the Court-Guards and call'd by the Romans Magister Officiorum And at the same time Salustius the Prefect of the Court who fell from his Horse had like to have been kill'd by the Enemies who were just upon him if one of his Servants had not alighted and made way for his escape With whom also those two Legions that were about the King and are called the Scutarii Shield-men gave way But out of those that turn'd their backs there were onely sixty Men who being concern'd for their own and their Countreys honour exposed themselves to death till they had taken that Castle from whence the Persians sallying out upon the Romans had seemed to have gotten the Day And though it was after besieged three days together by the Enemies yet those within were preserv'd by a considerable Party that set upon the besiegers But afterward there was an Assembly summon'd both of the Nobility and Soldiery to consult who ought to succeed in the Empire because it was impossible for 'em to avoid those dangers that might happen in the middle of an Enemies Country without a Governor Where they Voted that Jovianus should be Emperor who was the Son of Varronianus Tribune of the Domestici Forces Now all that was done till Julian's death is just as I have told you But when Jovian had put on the Purple and the Diadem he went homeward as fast as he could And when he came to the Castle of Suma the Persian Horse fell upon him not onely themselves but also with Elephants that they brought thither in great numbers and did a deal of hurt in the Right Wing of his Army where the Joviani and the Herculiani were posted Which two appellations of Joviani and Herculiani belong to two Legions that were so called from Diocletianus and Maximianus the one of whom surnamed himself Jove and the other Hercules And though at first they could not sustein the shock of the Elephants but were forced many of 'em to fly and fall by the way yet when the Persians came up against 'em with their Horse and Elephants together they happen'd to come into a rising ground where the Roman Carriages lay and those that look'd after 'em who being now made sharers in the danger assisted 'em by throwing Darts from above upon the Persians wherewith they wounded their Elephants Which when the Elephants felt immediately as their manner is they ran away roaring and put the Horse all out of order so that the Soldiers kill'd not onely the Elephants as they fled but many also of the Enemies died in the Conflict There died also of the Roman side three Tribunes who had fought bravely to wit Julianus Maximianus and Macrobius And when they had sought among the dead and found the body of Anatolius they gave him as honourable a Funeral as the time would then permit when the Enemy was round about ' em And having so done they march'd on four days being continually harass'd by the Enemy who follow'd 'em if they went forward but fled away if the Romans made any resistance till at length having got a good way from 'em they resolv'd to cross the Tigris To which purpose they tied bottles together in rows like Yokes and upon them went over And when they were most of 'em gotten upon the opposite Bank then the Captains came safe over with the rest Yet for all this the Persians would not leave 'em but follow'd close with a great Army wherever they went so that the Romans were in perpetual danger both from their ill circumstances of Place and Persons and also from their want of Provisions But though this were the state of the Roman Army yet the Persians were willing to treat for a Peace and sent Surenas with other Officers to the Roman Camp about it Which when Jovian heard of he sent Salustius Prefect of the Court together with Arinthaeus to 'em who after some mutual Discourses about the Affair made a Truce for thirty years But it was agreed between 'em both that the Romans should deliver up the Country of the Rabdiceni to the Persians as also that of the Cardueni Rhemeni and Zaleni beside fifteen Castles that were there with their Inhabitants Lands Cattel and all their Goods but that they should surrender Nisibis without its Inhabitants because they were to be transplanted into what Colony the Romans pleased But the Persians also took away from the Romans a great part of Armenia and left 'em but small share in it Now therefore when the Truce was made upon these terms and confirm'd by Instruments on both sides the Romans thereby had opportunity to return home in quiet so that the two Parties neither offer'd nor receiv'd any damage one to or from the other by open force or Ambuscade But now that I am come to this part of the History it puts me in mind of looking back into former Ages to enquire whether the Romans ever gave away any of their Dominions to other Nations or ever suffer'd any one to possess what they had once Conquer'd For when Luc. Lucullus had defeated Tigranes and Mithridates and had first made the whole Country even to the middle of Armenia and Nisibis it self an addition to the Roman Empire besides the adjacent Castles then Pompey the Great to Crown all his great Deeds establish'd and confirm'd the possession of them to the Romans by a Peace which he made And when upon another Commotion in Persia the Senate chose Crassus for their Plenipotentiary and General who by his ill Conduct has left a blot ever since upon the Roman Name because he was taken Prisoner and died in Persia Antonius was made the General but being in love with Cleopatra he was very remiss and careless in all Warlike Affairs insomuch that he also went off with some things charged upon him unworthy of the Roman Name And yet though the Romans had all these mischances and miscarriages they did not lose so much as one of those Provinces Nay when their Republick was turn'd into a Monarchy and Augustus made Tigris and Euphrates the limits of the Roman Empire even that did not deprive them of this Country But so far it was from that as on the contrary a great while after when Gordianus the Emperor fought against the Persians and was kill'd in the middle of the Enemies Country the Persians were not able even after that Victory to gain any thing upon the Roman Dominions no not when Philip was Emperor who made a
most dishonourable Peace with the Persians And not long after when the Persian Fire had enflamed all the East and that great City Antioch was taken so that the Persian Army march'd as far as Cilicia Valerianus the Emperor undertook an Expedition against 'em and though he were taken by 'em yet they durst not pretend to be Masters of these Countreys Onely the death of the Emperor Julian was cause enough for us to lose 'em and that so irrevocably that the Roman Emperors could never recover any part of 'em even to this day but by degrees have lost more and more still of which some have made themselves perfectly free others have surrender'd themselves to Barbarians and others have been almost quite deserted all which I will demonstrate in the progress of this History as they severally happened But to return from whence I have digress'd When this Peace was made with the Persians in the manner that I have told you Jovianus the Emperor and his Army were coming home securely but met with many difficulties through the roughness of the Way and want of Water besides his loss of many Men in the Enemies Country through which he pass'd wherefore he sent Mauricius a Tribune and commanded him to bring Provisions for his Army from Nisibis and meet 'em with it as far off as he could He also sent others into Italy to tell of Julian's death and how he himself was declared Emperor And when he was come with a great deal of pains and much ado near unto Nisibis he would not go into the Town because it was surrender'd to the Enemy but lay all night in a Piazza before the Gate and the next morning receiv'd the Crowns and Complements that were offer'd to him whilst all the Townsmen besought him that he would not forsake them and force 'em to degenerate into Barbarism who for so many Ages had lived under the Roman Laws Besides they told him it was a dishonour to him that Constantius who had been engaged in three Persian Wars and was defeated in every one of 'em had notwithstanding always protected Nisibis and even when it was besieged and in extream danger done all he could to save it and yet that he when there was no such necessity for it should give up the city to the Enemy and shew the Romans such a day as they had never seen before as being forced to suffer such a Town and such a Country to be surrender'd to an Enemy Which when the Emperor heard he excused his not complying with their desires by telling 'em what Articles he had enter'd into and then Sabinus who was the chief Man of their Council their Recorder went on with what the People had said before by way of Petition and told him farther That they wanted neither Mony to carry on a War against Persia nor any forein Aid but that they were able with their own Bodies and their own Purses to defend themselves from any War that should be waged against 'em and likewise assur'd him that whenever they were Victorious and had regain'd their Liberty they would again be subject to the Romans and obey their Commands as formerly they had done To which when the Emperor reply'd that he could not break his Covenants the Townsmen beg'd of him a thousand times that he would not deprive the Roman Empire of such a Bulwark as that was But all was in vain and away the Emperor went in a fury whilst the Persians desired to have possession of the Countreys Castles and of that City according to the Conditions agreed upon And thereupon the Inhabitants of some Countreys and Castles that could not privately escape let the Persians do with them what they pleased but the Nisibini having gained some time to prepare for their removal they went most of 'em to Amida though some few inhabited in other Towns But all places were full of lamentation and mourning because they thought themselves exposed to the incursions of the Persians now Nisibis was surrender'd to them And among others the Carreni were so sorry when they heard of Julian's death that they stoned him to death who brought the news and threw a great heap of Stones upon his Carcass so great an alteration of Affairs was one mans death then able to create But Jovianus therefore march'd through the Towns with all speed because they were so full of grief that they could not give him one pleasant look which is the custom and nature of those People and along with him as many Soldiers as belong'd to the Imperial Guard he went to Antioch whilst the whole Army attended upon Julian's Body which was carry'd into Cilicia and buried in a Royal Sepulchre in the Suburbs of Tarsus upon whose Tombstone there is this Inscription Julian has Tigris left and here he lies A Warlike Prince just valiant and wise And now Jovian being mindful of his Imperial Affairs disposed of other matters and among the rest sent Lucillianus his Father in law Procopius and Valentinian who was afterward Emperor to the Armies in Pannonia to tell 'em of Julian's Death and how that he was chosen Emperor But the Batavi that were at Sirmium and were left there for a Guard to it as soon as they heard the news they kill'd Lucillianus who brought 'em such ill tidings without any regard to that Relation which he had to the Emperor But they let Procopius go untouch'd out of the respect they bore to Julian's Kindred whilst Valentinian made his escape and deliver'd himself from that Death which they intended to inflict upon him But when Jovianus was going from Antioch toward Constantinople he was taken sick of a sudden at Dadastana in Bithynia and died after he had been Emperor onely eight months in which so short a time he was not able to do any signal Service to the publick And when he was dead there was a Consultation proposed concerning who should be his Successor which occasion'd a great variety of Discourse and of several Persons among the Soldiers as well as Officers till at length they all with one accord pitch'd upon Salustius Prefect of the Court But he pretending he was too old and therefore could not serve 'em in those their ill circumstances they desired his Son might be Emperor in his stead But he told 'em that his Son was young and upon that as well as other accounts unfit to undergo the weight of an Imperial Diadem so that they missed the choice of such a Man who was the best in that Age. Upon which reason they voted for Valentinian who was born at Cibalis in Pannonia and an excellent Souldier but no Scholar at all However they sent for him being then at some distance nor did the Common-wealth long want an Head And when he came to the Army at Nicea in Bithynia he there took upon him the Imperial Authority and march'd forward A New HISTORY Written by Count ZOSIMVS Sometime Advocate of the Treasury The Fourth Book HOW
and this was the foundation of his Design There was a certain Eunuch called Eugenius not long before turn'd out of the Court who had no great love for the Emperors Him therefore Procopius made his friend because he found him very Rich and told him who he was why he came thither and how things ought to be managed Whereupon the Eunuch having promised him to bear a part in all Attempts whatever and to lend him Money if he wanted it the first thing they undertook was with Money to corrupt the City-Guards which consisted of two Legions And then arming the Slaves and mustering up with ease a vast multitude of Men who were many of 'em Voluntiers they sent 'em in the Night into the City and made a general disturbance for that the people came every one out of their several Houses and gazed upon Procopius as if he had been a King made of a sudden in a Play But the City being all in an uproar and no Man in his right mind or that could tell what to do by reason of the surprise Procopius thought he was yet undiscover'd by a great many and that he might secure the Power to himself if the business were but so far unreveal'd Then having taken Cesarius whom the Emperors had made Prefect of the City and Nebridius to whom they had committed the Government of the Court after Salustius he forced 'em to write to the Subjects of the Empire whatever he pleased But he also kept 'em asunder that they might not advise with one another And when he had contrived things thus he went toward the Court in a splendid manner where getting up upon a Tribunal before the Gate he fill'd all people with hopes and large promises and then march'd into the Palace to take care for the remaining part of his Affairs And because the new Emperors had divided the Army between 'em Procopius thought it requisite to send certain persons to the Soldiers who were yet in Disorder and went by the Emperor's Command from place to place as they pleased to bring over as many as they could to his Party Nor did they fail with ease to accomplish their Design by giving Money to them and their Officers insomuch that they muster'd up a considerable number and made themselves ready openly to set upon the Enemy After which Procopius sent Marcellus with an Army into Bithynia to take Serenianus and the Imperial Horse that he had with him in hopes to destroy ' em But they flying to a Town called Cyzicum Marcellus took it as being too strong for 'em both by Sea and Land and having caught Serenianus who was fled into Lydia he put him to Death With which first lucky hit Procopius was so exalted that he raised more Men by degrees and was able in the Opinion of many people to fight the Emperors for both the Roman Legions and the Barbarian Forces flock'd to him And then besides the very honour of being akin to Julian and having been his Fellow-Soldier in all the Wars that he was ever engaged in drew people to his Party Nor was that all but he likewise sent certain Noblemen to the Prince of Scythia which lies beyond Ister who contributed ten thousand Men to fight in his service So also did the other Barbarous Nations send in their Quota to make themselves sharers in the Expedition But yet Procopius consider'd that it was not fit for him to engage with both the Emperors together and therefore thought it the best way to fight him first that was nearest and then consult farther what was to be done And thus was Procopius employ'd whilst the Emperor Valens who heard of this Rebellion at Galatia in Phrygia was frighted at the news and fill'd with consternation But Arbitio bad him have a good heart and then he made those Men that he had ready for the War and sent likewise to his Brother to let him know what Designs Procopius had in hand But Valentinian did not think fit to send Auxiliaries to him who was not able to defend that Empire which was committed to him So Valens was fain to prepare for a fight and made Arbitio General of his Army against Procopius But when the Armies were just ready to engage Arbitio circumvented Procopius by a stratagem and brought over a great number of his Men from whom he learn'd before-hand whatever Procopius design'd to do And when the Emperor and Procopius came toward each other the two Armies met near Thyatira where Procopius had like to have had the better on 't and made him sole Lord of all because Hormisdas which was his Father's name too seemed in the fight to be too many for the Enemy But Gomarius another of Procopius's Captains imparting his intention to all Procopius's Soldiers that loved the Emperor cry'd out in the midst of the fight Augustus with a shout and gave the signal for all the rest to do the same so that all Procopius's Men went over to Valens And he as soon as he had gotten the Victory march'd to Sardeis and thence into Phrygia where in a Town called Nacolia he found Procopius and there again one Naplo a Captain of Procopius having order'd every thing for the Emperors advantage Valens had much the better of him insomuch that he took the Traitor and not long after him Marcellus whom he put both to Death But finding an Imperial Robe in Marcellus's possession that was given him by Procopius he was so angry at it that he fell foul upon all and inquired after not onely those that were Actors in the Rebellion but those also that were Counsellers in it or so much as heard any thing of it which they did not presently discover By which means he was very severe upon all sorts of Men without any justice whilst all that either conspired or were but even kinsmen or friends of the Conspirators though otherwise altogether innocent were sacrificed to the Emperours fury Now this being the state of Affairs in that part of the Empire which was allotted to Valens the Emperor Valentinian who dwelt in the Countries beyond the Alps fell into very great and unexpected dangers For all Germany recollecting what they had suffer'd in those Days when Julian was a Cesar as soon as they heard of his Death shook off all fear from their Souls and resuming their natural audacity they went one and all and invaded the Countries that were subject to the Roman Empire Where when the Emperor met 'em they had a smart Battel in which the Barbarians won the Day and put the Roman Army to a shameful flight But Valentinian was resolv'd he would not run away to save his life and therefore bore the fortune of the fight with seeming satisfaction till he had found out who were the cause of their misfortune by beginning first to fly And having made strict enquiry so as at last to prove the Batavian Legion guilty of it he order'd all the Army to come together in
all their habiliments of War as if they had been to hear some Speech that might have been for their instruction in some matter of consequence And when they came he made such an Oration to 'em as brought perpetual shame upon them that began to fly and commanded that the Batavi should be strip'd of their Arms and sold for fugitive slaves to any publick Colony or Plantation Whereupon they all fell flat upon the ground and begg'd of him not to inflict so shameful a punishment upon his Soldiers promising that hereafter they would shew themselves men and worthy of the Roman Name To which he comply'd and bid 'em shew by their actions they meant what they said whilst they arose from the Earth and arming themselves as they ought to do they renew'd the fight and going without the Trench shew'd such alacrity and courage that of an infinite number of Barbarians there were but few went home again And thus the War against all Germany ended at that time But the Emperor Valens having put many men to death after Procopius's death and confiscated the goods of many more was hinder'd from his expedition into Persia by a party of Scythians that live beyond the Ister who infested the Roman Territories Against whom he sent out a competent number of men and stopp'd their progress nor onely so but forced 'em to surrender their Arms and sent 'em to inhabit in several Towns of his that lie upon the Ister with Orders that they should be kept in a Prison without Chains Now these were the Men that the Scythian Prince had sent Procopius as Auxiliaries to him and therefore when he desired of the Emperor that they might be dismiss'd because they were sent at the request of Embassadors from him who had then the power in his hands the Emperor Valens would by no means hearken to it For he said they were neither sent to him nor taken as friends but as Enemies which was the cause of the Scythian War But when the Emperor perceiv'd the Enemy had some thoughts of invading the Roman Dominions and that upon the same account they were muster'd up together with all speed he drew his Army up along the bank of Ister and lying himself at Marcianople which is the biggest City in all Thrace he took care both of his Armies being well exercised and also that they wanted no provisions At which time also he made Auxonius Prefect of the Court Salustius having leave to lay down his Commission by reason of his Age after he had been twice in that same Office Auxonius therefore though such a dangerous War was at hand was not onely just in collecting the Tributes and seeing that no Man was oppress'd beyond what was his right and due to pay but he likewise got a great many Ships of burthen wherein he carry'd the Soldiers provisions through the Euxine Sea as far as the mouth of the Ister and thence by Boats convey'd it to the several Towns upon the River-side so that the Army might easily be supply'd But after these things were thus transacted in the Winter-time the Emperor in the beginning of the Spring march'd out of Marcianople and going over into the Enemies Country with those Soldiers that were engarison'd about the Ister he attaqued the Barbarians But they not daring to fight a pitch'd Battel absconded themselves in the Fenns from whence they made secret sallies and therefore he ordered his Men to stand their ground whilst he muster'd up all the Servants about the Camp with all those that had the charge of the Carriages and promised to give that Man such a sum of Money who brought him the head of a Barbarian Whereupon they were all in hopes to get the Money and going into the Fenns and tge Woods kill'd all they met and bringing the heads of those that were slain receiv'd the Sum appointed By which means there were such a multitude destroy'd that the rest petition'd the Emperor for a Truce Nor did he reject their desire but a Peace was made between them which was no dishonour to the Roman Name For it was agreed that the Romans should enjoy with all security whatever they formerly had and the Barbarians were sorbid to pass the River or come at all into the Roman Dominions Having made this Peace he went to Constantinople where seeing the Prefect of the Court was dead he gave Modestus the Place and when he had so done made haste toward the War in Persia But whilst he was employ'd in his preparations for that the Emperor Valentinian having put the German Affairs into a good posture thought fit to make provision for the future security of the Celtick Countries To which end he raised a vast multitude of young Men both of the Barbarians near the Rhine and of the Husbandmen that lived in Countries subject to the Romans all whom he muster'd among the Legionary Soldiers and disciplin'd them so well that out of meer dread of that skill and experience in military Affairs there was not one of all those who live beyond the Rhine who durst attempt the Cities which were under the Romans for nine years together About which time one Valentinian was banish'd for some misdemeanours into the Island of Britain where whilst he endeavoured to make himself absolute he lost his hopes and his life together And Valentinian the Emperor also fell sick of a Distemper which had like to have cost him his life but yet he recover'd and then the Courtiers came about him desiring that he would declare who should be his Successor lest any thing should happen to befall him and thereby the Commonwealth be endamaged To whom the Emperor assented and declared his Son Gratianus Emperor and his Partner in the Government though he were young and not yet ripe of Age. But the Affairs of the West being in this condition the Emperor Valens prepared to go for the East against the Persians whither he was first bound And as he went gently onward he assisted the Towns that sent Embassadors to him as much as was convenient besides his doing many other good actions and easily granting their requests to all such as made just Demands And when he came to Antioch he order'd all matters relating to the War with great caution and security but having stay'd the Winter-season in the Palace there he went in the Spring to Hierapolis from whence he led his Army against the Persians and when Winter came again return'd to Antioch And thus was the War against the Persians protracted But whilst the Emperor was at Antioch there happen'd an unusual accident which was this There was one Theodorus among the rest of the Imperial Notaries a Person well born and bred but very young and easily drawn into Vice by the glavering delusions of dissembling Knaves as being in the heat and vigour of his Age. Him therefore did a parcel of such Fellows set upon and persuaded him that they were excellent Scholars particularly that by their
by little and little he bad adieu to all good hopes and taking along with him three hundred Horse fled with them to the Alps as fast as he could And finding those parts unguarded he went toward Rhetia Noricum Pannonia and the upper Mysia Which when Maximus understood he neglected not his opportunity but sent Andragathius General of the Horse who was born near the Euxine Sea and always seemed to be his Friend with the stoutest Horses that he had to pursue him And he accordingly follow'd him with such speed that he overtook him as he was just passing the Bridg at Sigidunus and kill'd him by which means he strengthen'd Maximus's Dominion Now it is worth while upon this occasion to tell you a Story not altogether forein from my present Narration Among the Romans the Pontifices were the persons who had the chief management of holy things whom we may term Gephyraei if we translate the word Pontifices which signifies Bridg-makers out of Latin into Greek and the reason of that appellation was this When men as yet knew not how to worship by Statues there were some Images of the Gods first made in Thessaly but because there were then no Temples for the use of them also was yet unknown they set up those Pictures of the Gods upon a Bridg that went cross the River Peneus and called those that sacrificed to the Gods Gephyraei Bridg Priests from the place where the Images were first set up From whence the Romans who take it from the Greeks called those that were the chief Priests Pontifices and made a Law that Kings for their Honours sake should be reckon'd among ' em Of whom Numa Pompilius was the first that ever enjoy'd this Dignity but after him all had it not onely that were called Kings but even Octavianus himself and those who succeeded him in the Roman Empire For when any one came to be Emperor the Pontifices chief Priests brought him the Priestly Habit and presently he was stiled Pontifex Maximus or chief Priest And indeed all other Emperors seemed very well pleased with the Honour and were willing to use the Appellation or Title yea even Constantine himself when he was Emperor admitted of it though he were perverted from the right way in regard to holy matters and embraced the Christian Faith So likewise after him did all the rest in order to Valentinian and Valens But when the Pontifices chief Priests brought the holy Robe to Gratian as it was the custom to do he rejected their offer as thinking it an unlawful Garb for a Christian to use And when the Robe was given back to the Priests that brought it they say the chief Person among 'em said If the Emperor will not be called Pontifex we 'll soon make one And thus did Gratian's Reign come to an end whilst Maximus who now opposed himself to have sure footing in the Empire sent an Embassy to the Emperor Theodosius not to beg pardon for what he had done against Gratian but rather to give a farther provocation In which Negotiation the Person sent was the Imperial Chamberlain yet no Eunuch for Maximus would not have an Eunuch to govern his Court but a grave Person that had been his familiar Acquaintance ever since he was a Child Now the business which he went about was to ask Theodosius if he would enter into a League be friends and make an Alliance against all common Enemies that should oppose the Romans and if he would not to declare against him open Hostility Whereupon the Emperor Theodosius admitted Maximus to be Emperor with him and to partake both of his Statues and his Imperial Title though at the same time privately he levied War and endeavour'd to circumvent him by all manner of flattery and observance insomuch that he commanded Cynegius Prefect of his Court whom he sent into Egypt to prohibit all worship of the Gods there and shut up their Temples that he should shew the Alexandrians Maximus's Image and set it up in some publick place and declare to the people that he was to be his Partner in the Empire In which Affair Cynegius did as he was commanded shutting up the Temple-door throughout the East all Egypt and Alexandria it self and prohibiting all their ancient sacrifices together with their customary Rites But now as to those things which from that time to this have befaln the Roman Empire a particular account from matter of fact will be a Demonstration About this time a cetain Nation of Scythians appear'd from beyond the Ister who were never before known to any of the inhabitants thereabout though the Barbarians of that Country called 'em Prothingi Who being a vast number of 'em furnish'd with all convenient Arms and very lusty men besides they easily over-ran the mid-land Barbarians came down as far as the banks of Ister and desired leave to cross over the River But Promotus the General of the Armies that lay there drew his men out in lenght as far as he could along the bank of the River and stopped the Barbarians passage And whilst he was so doing he found out also another way which was this He called together some of his own Soldiers who understood their Language and were such as he could trust in things of that nature and sent 'em to treat with these Barbarians about betraying their own Party But they that went demanded a large Reward to give up the Roman General with the whole Army into the Barbarians hands And when the Barbarians told 'em they were not able to give so much yet to create belief of what they had said they stood upon their first Proposals and would not abate one farthing of their price At last being both sides agreed of the Sum they made secret compacts concerning the Treachery in which it was conserted that part of the Money should be paid immediatey and the rest when the Victory was obtained But when they had order'd how the Signal should be given and the time when the Treason should be put in execution they told the whole story to the General how that in the Night-time the Barbarians were to go about the work and cross the River to attaque the Roman Army The Barbarians therefore putting all their best men into a great many Wherries commanded them to go over first and set upon the Soldiers whilst they were yet asleep And next to them they sent the midling sort to assist the first when they had begun the Attaque as likewise after them the useless multitude of all Ages who would be sure to brag of a Victory when others had gotten it But Promotus being inform'd of all this before-hand by those whom he sent to contrive this pretended Treachery was prepared against the Barbarians Designs and set his Ships with their Stems one against another no more than three deep but rang'd 'em as long as he could even to twenty furlongs upon the River-side By which means he not onely kept the Enemy from
Insurrection in which he so far prevailed as to appease the Emperor's anger which he had conceiv'd against the Antiochians and which was more than he expected made the Emperon who was now altogether reconciled to their City enjoyn him to make a second Oration upon the same Subject And Hilarius who was highly commended for his great Virtue was by the Emperor made Governour of all Palestine But whilst the Affairs of the East of Thrace and Illyricum were in this posture Maximus who thought things were not carry'd as he deserv'd who was onely Governour of those Countries which were formerly under Gratian contrived how to depose the young Valentinian from the Empire and that totally if he could but if he failed in the whole to make sure of some part at least as much as he could get And being overborn with this Resolution he prepared to pass the Alps and go into Italy But seeing that he must of necessity travel through a streight passage and over craggy pathless Mountains with Marshes and Fens beyond 'em which admit of no Passengers but such as travel very slowly much lefs of such an Army he deferr'd the enterprise till he had better Counsel in it But when Valentinian sent Embassadors from Aquileia to desire a farther security of Peace Maximus comply'd with his requests and pretended that he also was very well pleased with it Valentinian therefore sent Domninus upon that Negotiation who though he was a Syrian born yet he was the Emperor's very good Acquaintance and Friend For as he was the next Man to him in Power and Authority so he seemed to excell all others in fidelity and experience and besides what the Emperor had a mind to do without any other bodies knowledg he resolv'd to impart to this person onely When therefore Domninus came to Maximus and had told him the reasons of that Embassy he received him with all respect and kindness imaginable For he conferr'd such extraordinary honour upon him and gave him such a load of Presents that Domninus thought Valentinian would never have such an other friend Nay so far did Maximus proceed to cheat Domninus that he sent along with him some part of the Army which he had to help the Emperor against the Barbarians who oppress'd the Pannonians that were under his Dominion Thereupon Domninus took his leave and being well pleased not onely with the great quantity of Presents that he received but the company of those Allies who were sent along with him he like an unwise Man made the way over the Alps that led to his own home more pervious for Maximus Which that he would do being Maximus foresaw and therefore had prepared all things in a readiness he followed him with all his Forces and secretly sent out Guards before him who took all the care they could lest any one should pass by that way and tell Domninus's Retinue of Maximus's coming over into Italy And indeed this Guard upon the pass was very easie to be made for it was impossible that any one should go through the narrowest place upon the Alps but he must needs be seen When therefore he understood that Domninus and his Attendants had passed the streights of the Alps with all those invious Mountains besides the Fenny places beyond the Alps that are so difficult for an Army to march through and did not fear meeting any Enemy in those cumbersom places he immediately went into Italy without any resistance and marched to Aquileia At which Valentinian was so surprized and in such a desperate condition that his Courtiers were affraid lest Maximus should take him Prisoner and kill him for which reason he immediately took shipping and sailed to Thessalonica along with his Mother Justina who had been Wife as I told you before to Magnentius but after his decease was married to the Emperor Valentinian upon the account of her extraordinary beauty But she did not go alone without any other Woman for she carry'd her Daughter Galla along with her And when they had passed so many Seas and were arrived at Thessalonica they sent an Embassy to the Emperor Theodosius to beg of him that now at least he would revenge the insolent injuries done to all Valentinian's Family Which when he heard he was immediately astonished and began a little to forget his extravagancy laying some restraint upon his wild-inclination to pleasures and having advised about it 't was thought fit that He with some of the Senate should go to Thessalonica And so accordingly they did and there consulted again what was to be done till it was agreed as the unanimous consent of the Assembly that Maximus should be punish'd for his offences For they were of Opinion that such a Man ought not to live who had not onely kill'd Gratian and usurped his Empire but having succeeded in that had made some farther progress and deprived his Brother also of that Dominion which was left him But though Theodosius was very much displeased at these things yet through his natural effeminacy and the negligent manage of his former life he was loth to undertake a War and told 'em the inconveniences that arise from civil broils and how the Cowmonwealth must of necessity receive some fatal Wounds from both sides Wherefore he said it was best first to send an Embassy and if Maximus would deliver up the Empire to Valentinian and be quiet that the Empire should be divided amongst 'em all as it was before but if he would suffer himself to be overcome by covetousness they would fight him without any more ado Now ne'r a Man in the Senate durst speak a word against all this because it seemed advantageous to the publick In the mean while Justina who was a Person of good experience in things and knew how to conduct her Affairs to the best purpose understanding that Theodosius was very much inclined to Love brought her Daughter Galla who was a very beautiful Lady into his presence and clasping the Emperor about the knees most humbly beseeched him that he would not suffer either Gratian's Death who gave him that Empire to go unreveng'd nor let them lie neglected and destitute of all hopes And as she spake those words she shew'd him the Damsel who was all in tears bewailing her misfortunes When Theodosius had heard this supplication of hers and withal observ'd the beauty of the young Lady he discover'd by his eyes the Wound that she had made in his Heart but notwithstanding deferr'd that business till another time and in the mean while gave 'em some cause to hope the best But being more and more each day enflamed with a desire to the Damsel he went to Justina and requested of her that he might have her Daughter since Placilla his former Wife was Dead To which Demand of his she made answer That she would not let him have her unless he would levy War against Maximus to revenge Gratian's Death and restore Valentinian to his Father's Throne He therefore
resolving to get her consent by these means made it his whole business to prepare for a War And being incited by a Woman he not onely obliged the Soldiers by increasing their Allowances but he likewise corrected his own remissness in other cases since necessity forced him to it resolving to take care of some things that would want looking after when he was gone To which end seeing Cynegius the Prefect of the Court had happen'd to die by the way as he was coming back from Egypt he consulted who was fit to succeed him in that Office And having taken frequent views of many Men at length he found out one for his turn called Tatianus whom he sent for from Aquileia For this Tatianus had born other Offices under Valens and was a good Man in all respects wherefore Theodosius declared him Prefect of the Court all over the Countrey and sending him the Ensigns of Magistracy made his Son Proclus Praetor or Governour of the City And truly in this he did very well in committing the greatest Offices to such good Men who knew how to dispose of things very skilfully for the good of the Subjects when the Emperor was gone He likewise took a care for the Army and made Promotus General of the Horse and Timasius of the Foot But just when all things were ready fot his Journey he heard the Barbarians who were mix'd among the Roman Legions had been solicited by Maximus with promises of great Rewards if they would betray the Army But they perceiving that the Design was discover'd fled into the Fens and Bogs of Macedonia where they hid themselves in the Woods But being pursu'd and search'd for with all diligence they were most of them slain So that the Emperour being freed from this fright march'd with all resolution and his whole Army against Maximus having first put Justina with her Son and Daughter on Ship-board and committed 'em to the care of those who would see 'em safe at Rome For he believ'd that the Romans would receive 'em very gladly because they were disaffected to Maximus But he with his Army design'd to march through the upper Pannonia and over the Apennine Mountains to Aquileia that he might surprise the Enemy before they were prepared But whilst Theodosius was on his way it happen'd that Maximus having heard that Valentinian's Mother with her Children was like to cross the Ionian Bay got together a convenient number of swift Chase-ships and gave 'em to Andragathius whom he sent to hunt 'em out But Andragathius though he sailed to and fro to all places yet miss'd of his aim for they were passed the Ionian Streight before and therefore getting together a competent Navy he sailed to all the Coasts thereabout because he thought Theodosius would attaque 'em in a Sea-fight But whilst Andragathius was thus employ'd Theodosius having passed through Pannonia and the Streights of the Apennine Mountains set upon Maximus's Army before they expected or were provided for him And when some part of his Army who ran as fast as they could had got to the Walls of Aquileia and forced their passage through the Gates for the Guards or Sentinels were too few to resist 'em Maximus was pull'd down from his Imperial Throne whilst he was beginning to distribute Money among his Soldiers and being strip'd of his Imperial Robes was brought to Theodosius who having recounted some few of his Crimes against the Publick by way of Reproach deliver'd him to the common Hangman or Executioner to suffer due punishment Now this was the end of Maximus and his usurp'd Dominion who when he had craftily conquer'd Valentinian dream'd he should easily subdue the whole Roman Empire But then the Emperour Theodosius having heard that when Maximus came over the Alps he left his Son Victor there whom he had honour'd with the Title of Caesar he presently sent his General called Arbogastes who deprived the Youth not onely of his Dignity but his life too Which when it was told to Andragathius who was then a cruising in the Ionian Bay it made him so sensible of ten thousand dangers which were like to befal him that he never stay'd to expect the Enemies coming but was the Executioner of his own punishment for he threw himself into the Sea as chusing rather to trust the Waves than Men that were his greatest Enemies Then did Theodosius deliver to Valentinian as much of the Empire as ever his Father had which was indeed but what a Man ought to do to those that have deserv'd well of him And afterward having mingled all the choice of Maximus's Soldiers among his own he sent Valentinian away into Italy Celtica and other parts to order such things as concern'd his share in the Empire His Mother also went along with him to supply as much as in a Woman lay what prudence he through want of age might lack But going himself back to Thessalonica he found no small confusion in the Affairs of Macedonia For all the Barbarians who had hid themselves in the Fens and the Woods lying near the Lakes and had escaped the former incursion of the Romans having got an opportunity when Theodosius was engaged in the Civil War plunder'd all Macedonia and Thessaly without any opposition But when they heard of the late Victory and that the Emperour was coming back again they once more hid themselves in the Fens and from thence stealing out privately at break of Day they carry'd off all that came in their way and then they repaired to their usual places Insomuch that the Emperor thought at last that these whoever they were that sally'd out thus to pillage the Countrey were rather Devils than Men. Wherefore being very doubtful in his mind he told no body his Design but taking along with him five Horsemen whom he order'd each of 'em to lead three or four Horses that so if any Horse tired the Rider might have another to get upon and the Horses by that means be able to sustein the fatigue of that enterprise which he intended he gave no ground for suspicion that he was the Emperour but went about the Countrey like any ordinary person and if he or his Retinue at any time wanted meat he begg'd of the Country people At last he came to a small Inn where an old Woman lived and desired that she would let him into her House and give him some Drink both which she did and by that time she had entertain'd him very kindly with Wine and other things that she then by chance had in the House it was almost Night and so he desired her to let him lie there to which the old Woman likewise consented and the Emperour lay in a certain Room where he saw a Man that said ne'r a word but look'd as if he had not a mind to be known At which the Emperour wonder'd and calling the old Woman to him demanded of her who he was and whence he came To which she reply'd that she could
this Stilico was general of the whole Army out of which he selected all the strongest and most Warlike Soldiers whom he kept with him sending all the weaker part and the very refuse into the East Which when he had done being very angry with Rufinus who had a mind to be invested with a Power in the East that might ballance his in the West he resolv'd to go to Arcadius desiring to have the disposal of all his Affairs too according to his own will and pleasure For he said That when Theodosius was upon his Death bed he gave him charge to take a special care of all the Affairs belonging to both the Emperours Which when Rufinus understood he endeavour'd by all the art he could to hinder Stilico's expedition into the East as likewise to disperse and weaken the Military power of Arcadius And indeed whilst he was a contriving all this he found Men for his turn more wicked than he desired by whose assistance he was the cause of great calamities to the Romans As how I 'll tell you Musonius a Grecian who was an incomparable Scholar had three Sons whose names were Musonius Antiochus and Axiochus of whom Musonius and Axiochus endeavour'd to out do their Fathers Virtues both in their Learning and integrity But Antiochus was pleased with all the contrary courses being an instrument of wickedness onely Wherefore Rufinus finding him fit for his purpose made him Pro-Consul of Greece because he had a mind that the Barbarians when they came in should have no great trouble in laying of it waste and committed the Garison at Thermopylae to the care of Gerontius who would be serviceable in all his Designs against the Commonwealth And when Rufinus had devised these wicked projects seeing Alarichus grew seditious and disobedient to the Laws for he took it very ill that he was not made Captain of some other Military Forces besides those Barbarians which Theodosius gave him when he help'd to remove the Tyrant Eugenius he gave him private notice that he would have him bring forth his Barbarians and all other assistance of what Nation soever they were for that he might easily make himself Master of all that Countrey Whereupon Alarichus march'd out of Thrace into Macedonia and Thessaly destroying all things by the way But when he came near to Thermopylae he sent a private Message to Antiochus the Pro Consul and Gerontius the Governour of the Garison at Thermopylae to inform 'em of his approach Which news Gerontius no sooner heard but he and his Guards march'd off and left a free passage for the Barbarians into Greece Where when they were arrived they immediately fell to plunder the Country and sack all the Towns killing all the Men both young and old and carrying away all the Women and Children together with all the Money in whole ldroves In which expedition all Baeotia and whatsoever Greek Countries the Barbarians passed through after their entrance at Thermopylae were so depopulated that the ruins are to be seen even to this day excepting onely Thebes which was saved partly by its own strength and partly by the haste which Alarichus was in to go and take Athens and therefore would not stay to besiege this City Wherefore the Thebans having thus escaped him he went to Athens supposing he should easily take that City which by reason of its largeness could not well be defended nor being contiguous to the Pyraeeus could it long hold out for want of necessaries before it would surrender Thus did Alarichus hope but the Antiquity of the City even amidst all these impious designs was able to call forth the very Divine Providence to its aid and thereby preserve it Concerning which it is worth ones while to give you an account of the cause whereby the City was saved as being supernatural godlike and apt to excite all those that hear it to Devotion and thus it happen'd When Alarichus came with all his Forces to the City He saw Minerva their Tutelar Goddess walking about the Wall in that very shape that you may see her among the Statues of the Deities which is arm'd and ready to attaque all those that oppose her and before the Walls he saw Achilles standing in such an Heroick posture as Homer shew'd him to the Trojans when he fought against them so furiously to revenge the death of Patroclus Which Sight Alarichus being not able to endure desisted from all attempts upon the City and sent out Heralds to offer terms of peace which they receiving and having mutually given their Oaths to each other Alarichus enter'd Athens with a small number of Men. Where being entertain'd with all kind of civility he wash'd himself and was treated by the best of the City after which also he received certain Presents and went away leaving the City and all Attica unhurt untouch'd Now the City of Athens was the onely place which was saved in the Earthquake that happen'd under the Reign of Valens and shook all Greece as I told you in the precedent Book and escaped also at this time though it was in such extremity of danger Alarichus therefore having left all Attica unwasted for fear of the Apparitions which he saw pass'd on to Megaris which he took upon the first attempt and so went toward Peloponnesus having no body in his way that would resist him And when Gerontius had given him leave to pass over the Isthmus all the Towns beyond that were capable of being taken without the trouble of a fight because they were unwalled and confided onely in the security which they receiv'd from the Isthmus For which reason Corinth was first storm'd and immediately taken with the small Towns adjacent and after that Argos with all the places between that and Lacedaemon Nay even Sparta it self came in for a share in the common captivity of all Greece as being no longer fenced either with Arms or Warlike Men though the covetousness of the Romans but exposed to Magistrates who were treacherous and would readily serve their Governour 's voluptuous inclination in all things that conduced to publick ruin and destruction Rufinus when he heard of the calamities which had befallen Greece was still more desirous to be Emperour For now that the Commonwealth was in an uproar he thought there would be nothing in the way to hinder such an enterprise But Stilico having put a considerable number of Soldiers on board a convenient number of Ships made haste to assist the Achaians in their Affliction And being arrived at Peloponnesus he forced the Barbarians to fly into Pholoe where he had easily cut 'em all off for want of provisions had he not given himself to luxury mimickry and lewd Women and permitted his Soldiers not onely to plunder what the Barbarians left but thereby also to give the Enemy time to depart out of Peloponnesus and marching with all their Spoils into Epirus to pillage all the Towns in that Country Which when Stilico heard that they had done he
Guards so pelted Gaines's Men that they beat 'em off from coming into the City with every thing that fell in their way But when the City had thus escaped their danger the Barbarians being enclosed by those within and more than seven thousand got into a Church belonging to the Christians that stands near the Palace making that their Sanctuary to preserve 'em the Emperour commanded 'em to be slain even in that place nor would he let it be a sufficient refuge for 'em whereby to avoid the just penalty which was due to their bold actions But though the Emperour commanded it so to be yet no Man durst lay hands upon them to pull 'em out of the Sanctuaries for fear lest they should attempt to defend themselves They therefore thought it best to take off the roof of the Church over the Altar as they call it and that those who were appointed for the purpose should throw down fire-brands upon on 'em so long till they had burnt 'em every man to death And by this means were the Barbarians destroy'd which to some that were very zealous for Christianity seemed a most abominable crime to be committed in the midst of such a great City Now therefore when Gaines was disappointed in this his great Attempt he openly made preparation for a War against the Commonwealth But setting first upon the Countries in Thrace he found their Cities well fenced with Walls and guarded by the Magistrates and Inhabitants For they having been used to Wars and taught by former incursions how to take care of themselves were ready to fight with all their souls wherefore Gaines seeing nothing left without their Walls but Grass for they had gathered up all kind of Fruits Cattel and other provisions he resolv'd to leave Thrace and make haste into Cherronesus with an intention to return through the Streights of the Hellespont into Asia But whilst he was deliberating upon these matters the Emperour and Senate with one accord chose Fraiutus General for the War against Gaines who though he were a Barbarian born yet he was a Grecian in all other respects and that not onely in his manner of living but in his Mind and Religion And therefore to him who had been a famous Leader in many Wars and freed all the East from Cilicia to Phenice and Palestine from the plague of Robbers did they commit the conduct of their Army Which when he had receiv'd he opposed Gaines not suffering the Barbarians to pass over the Hellespont into Asia But whilst that Gaines was a preparing for their fight Fraiutus could not endure his Men should be idle and therefore kept 'em to continual exercise by which he made 'em so fit for service that instead of their former sloth and laziness they were discontented that Gaines delay'd the War so long Thus was Fraiutus employ'd in Asia viewing not onely his own Camp both Night and Day but observing also the motions of the Enemy Besides which he likewise took care of the shipping For he had a Fleet enough to maintain a Sea fight of Ships call'd Liburnae from a Town in Italy called Libarnia where that sort of Ships were-first built And these Ships seem'd to have been as swiftsailers as those with fifty Oars though they were much inferiour to them of three Oars to each bank and have not been built of a long time Yet Polybius the Historian seems to tell us the proportions of Six Oared Ships which the Romans and the Carthaginians seem to have used in their fights against one another But in the mean time Gaines having forced his way through the Long-Wall into Cherronesus had ranged his Men all along that rising shoar in Thrace that reaches from over against Parium as far as Lampsacus Abydus and those places that make that streight Sea Whilst on the other hand the Roman General sailed all about Asia both Night and Day to pry into the Enemies designs But Gaines for want of necessary provisions being troubled that the time was so protracted cut down a quantity of Timber Trees out of a Wood in Cherronesus which he fasten'd together very accurately and making them fit to receive both Men and Horses set his Men and their Horses upon them and so let 'em swim with the Stream or Tide For they could not be either managed with Oars or any otherwise admit of the Pilot's Skill being made so in haste without any Art at all by the rude contrivance of Barbarians But he himself staid upon the shoar in hopes that he should quickly get the Victory for that the Romans could not be any way strong enough to grapple with his Men in this engagement Nor was the wise Roman General unaware of that truth and therefore giving a guess what was to be done commanded his Ships to put a little off from the Land and seeing the Tumultuary Vessels of the Barbarians carry'd down with the stream wheresoever it drave them he first attaqued one that came in the foremost range of Timber and having a Ship with a brazen Stem was much too strong for it for he not onely bore hard upon it with his Ship but so pelted the Men that were upon it with Darts that he sunk both that and them together Which when the rest of his Ships Crews saw and imitated they kill'd some with Darts whilst some fell off the Timbers and were drown'd nor could any one of 'em hardly escape death At which great Overthrow Gaines being much concern'd and knowing not what to do since he had lost so many of his Fellow-Soldiers he removed a little out of Cherronesus into that part of Thrace that lies beyond it But Fraiutus at that time did not think fit to follow Gaines in his flight but muster'd up his Men in the same place and was content with the Victory that Fortune had bestow'd upon him And when almost all People accused Fraiutus for not pursuing Gaines but sparing him because Gaines and those that fled away with him were Fraiutus's Countrymen yet he who was conscious of no such thing return'd to the Emperour very proud of his Victory which he freely and boldly imputed to the favour of the Gods whom he worship'd For he was not ashamed even in the Emperour's presence to profess that he worship'd and honour'd the Gods after the â—â—â—ent way of his 〈…〉 not follow the vulâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 case So the Emperor receiv'd him very kindly and made him Consul But Gaine in the mean while having lost most part of his Army as I told you ran away with the rest to the River Ister where seeing Thrace laid waste by the former inroads into it he plunder'd every thing that came to his hand but fearing lest another Roman Army should follow him and attaque his Barbarians who were but few and besides that suspecting those Romans who went along with him he kill'd 'em every Man before they knew any thing of his intention and afterward with his Barbarians crossed the Ister with a
which means Stilico being hinder'd from his intended expedition against the Illyrians came to Rome to consult with others concerning the present State of Affairs But after Autumn when Winter was come on Bassus and Philippus being chosen Consuls the Emperour Honorius who had long lost his Wife Maria desired to have her Sister Thermantia But Stilico seemed not to approve of that Proposal though Serena promoted it as having a mind it should be a Match upon this score When Mary was to be married to Honorius her Mother seeing the Damsel too young for an Husband and yet being unwilling to defer the Marriage though she thought that to let a Man lie with such a tender Creature was to offer violence to Nature she got a certain Woman who knew how to manage such Affairs and by her means contrived it so that Maria should live with the Emperour and be his Bedfellow but that he neither should nor could do Family duty to her But in the mean time the Damsel died a pure Virgin and so Serena who you may well imagine was desirous to be Grandmother to a young Emperour or Emperess for fear of having her great Power lessen'd did what she could to marry her other Daughter to Honorius Which being brought to pass the Girl not long after died in the same manner as the former did And about the same time Stilico was informed that Alarichus having left Epirus and got through those Streights that obstruct the passage from Pannonia to Venice had pitch'd his Camp at a Town called Emo which lies between the upper Pannonia and Noricum Now it is worth while to remark what is observable concerning this same Town and how it came first to be built They say that the Argonautes being pursued by Aeetas arrived at the mouth of the Ister where it disembogues it self into the Pontus and thought it the best way for 'em to go up this River against the stream with the help of Oars and a convenient gale of Wind together till they came nearer to the Sea And when they had so done and were arrived at this Place they left a memorial of their coming to it which was the building of this Town and afterward putting their Ship the Argo upon Machines or Engines for the purpose they drew it four hundred furlongs off even to the Sea side and so arrived at the Thessalian shore as Pisander the Poet says who has comprehended almost the whole Story in a Poem called The Heroick marriages of the Gods But Alarichus having march'd out of Emo and crossing the River Aquilis got over the Apennine Mountains came into Noricum Now the Apennine Mountains lie just upon the borders of Pannonia and make the way to Noricum very narrow and therefore though the Pass be kept by a small Guard a great number must labour hard to get through it But notwithstanding the difficulty Alarichus marched through into Noricum and from thence an Embassy to Stilico to desire a supply of Money not only upon the account of his stay in Epirus which he said was made by the persuasions of Stilico but also to defray his Journey into Noricum and Italy But Stilico though he receiv'd the Embassy left the Embassadours at Ravenna and went himself to Rome with a design to consult the Emperour and the Senate in the Affair But when the Senate met at the Imperial Palace and proposed to debate whether they should proclaim a War or no they were most of 'em for fighting Onely Stilico and some few others who comply'd with him out of pure fear were of a contrary Opinion and voted for a Peace with Alarichus Now therefore when those that were for a War desired to know of Stilico why he was more for Peace than War nay to the dishonour of the Roman Name and glory would meanly purchase it with Money He reply'd Alarichus has stay'd thus long in Epirus that he may joyn with me in a War against the Emperour of the West and drawing the Illyrians from under that Dominion make them additional Subjects to Honorius And this had been done before that time he said if the Emperour Honorius's Letters had not come in the mean while and stop'd his Journey into the East in expectation whereof Alarichus had spent so much time in that Country And as Stilico said these words he produced an Epistle from the Emperour and said Serena was the cause of all as being minded to preserve an inviolable friendship between the two Emperours Since therefore they all thought Stilico spoke nothing but reason the Senate was pleas'd to order that Alarichus should have three thousand pounds upon the account of a Peace though most of 'em gave their Votes more out of fear to Stilico than their own judgment or inclination For that was the reason that Lampadius a Person of great Birth and Quality having utter'd this Latin Sentence Non est ista Pax sed Pactio Servitutis which in English is thus This is not the bond of Peace but of Slavery was fain as soon as the Senate was dismiss'd to fly into a neighbouring Church belonging to the Christians for fear of suffering for the freedom that he took in so saying When therefore Stilico had made the Peace with Alarichus after this manner he prepared himself very earnestly for his Journey to put his designs in execution But the Emperour said that he would go also from Rome to Ravenna to view and congratulate the Army especially since such and so great an Enemy was come into Italy though he did not say so of his own inclination but was persuaded to it by Serena For she had a mind to have him live in a securer City so that if Alarichus should break the Peace and invade Rome he might not take the Emperour too but she was the more zealous to preserve him since her own safety depended upon his But Stilico being much against the Emperours going to Ravenna contrived many Obstacles to hinder it To which seeing the Emperour for all that would not give way but was still intent upon his Journey one Sarus a Barbarian and Captain of a Company of Barbarians at Ravenna made a mutiny before the City at the instigation of Stilico not that he really design'd to put things into a confusion but to frighten the Emperour out of his intention of coming to Ravenna But seeing the Emperour persisted in his resolution Justinianus an excellent Lawyer at Rome whom Stilico made his Assistant and Counsellor through the sagacity of his judgment seemed to give a shrew'd guess at what the Design was upon which the Emperour took that Journey and that the Soldiers who were in Ticinum and disaffected to Stilico when the Emperour came thither would reduce him into very dangerous circumstances Wherefore he continually advised him to persuade the Emperour out of his present intentions But when he saw the Emperour would not hearken to Stilico's Counsel he went away from him lest he through his familiarity
therefore sent Embassadours and desired to purchase a Peace though with a small sum of Money as likewise to have Aetius and Jason the former Son to Jovius and the latter to Gaudentius for Hostages and therewithal told 'em that he would send them two under the like circumstances out of his Nobility and having made peace upon such terms would lead his Army out of Noricum into Pannonia But Alarichus demanding Peace upon these conditions the Emperour refus'd him his Request although he must have of necessity done one thing or other of two that were before him if he would have disposed of his Affairs the right way For he must either have deferr'd the War and procured a Peace for some small sum or if he would rather fight he ought to have muster'd up all the Legions that he could and posted them in the Enemies way to obstruct the Barbarians from coming any further on Besides which he should have chosen a fit Man to lead 'em and made Sarus General of the War who in his own person was sufficient to strike a terrour into the Enemies upon the account both of his courage and his experience in Warlike Affairs and had also a number of Barbarians under him enough to make a good defence But he on the contrary neither embracing the offers of Peace not making Sarus his Friend nor mustering up the Roman Army but placing all his hopes in the desires and wishes of Olympius was the cause of so many calamities to the Commonwealth For he made such Men Commanders as were contemptible in the esteem of the Enemy to wit Turpilio whom he made General of the Horse Varanes of the Foot Vigilantius of the Domesticks and so of all other things accordingly Upon which account all Men despaired and seemed to have the utter ruin of Italy even then before their Eyes Now seeing these things were thus order'd Alarichus began his expedition against Rome and laugh'd at the preparations made by Honorius And because he would not go about such a weighty business with onely equal but rather far greater Forces than his Enemy he sent for his Wifes Brother called Ataulphus out of the upper Pannonia to be his Partner in the Action as having a very considerable number of Gotths and Hunns to bring along with him Yet nevertheless he did not stay for his Brother-in law's coming but marching forward in haste passed by Aquileia and all the other Cities in order that lie beyond the River Po I mean Concordia Altinum and Cremona And when he had cross'd the River being as it were at some Festival and having no Enemy to stop him he came into a certain Castle of Bononia which they call Oecubaria From whence passing by all Aemilia and leaving Ravenna behind him he â—arne to Ariminum a great City of Flaâ—â—nia But moving by that also with â—â—eed as he did by all the rest that were in that Province he came into Picenum which is a Nation lying in the extremity of the Ionian Bay And from thence marching towards Rome he sack'd all the Castles and Towns that were in his way insomuch that if Arsacius and Tarentius the two Eunuchs had not made haste and so prevented the coming of the Barbarians into those parts as to bring Eucherius Stilico's Son before that time to Rome to die according to the Emperour's Order and executed what the Emperour commanded the Youth had certainly fallen into the hands of Alarichus and been saved But the Eunuchs having fulfilled what was enjoyn'd 'em upon that score and deliver'd Thermantia Honorius's Wife to her Mother they took shipping and went over to the Emperour in Gallia Celtica where he then lived because they could not go unto him the same way they came Now upon this account the Emperour thinking he should do good service to the Commonwealth if he rewarded these two Eunuchs for their great exploits in restoring Thermantia to her Mother and killing Eucherius he made Tarentius Imperial Chamberlain and gave Arsacius the next Place under him Then having taken oft Bathanarius who was Master of the Soldiers Militum Magister General in the greater Libya and Husband to Stilico's Sister he gave that Command to Heraclianus who was the Man that kill'd Stilico and receiv'd his Honour as the reward of that Action But when Alarichus was near Rome besieging those within the Senate suspected Serena for bringing the Barbarians against their City And therefore both the whole Senate and Placidia who was the Emperour's own Sister by the Mothers side thought fit that she should die for it as being the cause of all the present mischief For Alarichus said they when Serena is removed will draw off from the City because there will be no body left from whom he can hope to have the City betray'd into his hands But this suspicion was really salse for Serena never thought of any such thing However she suffer'd justly for her impieties toward the Gods as I am now agoing to tell you When Theodosius the Elder having defeated the Rebel Eugenius came to Rome and created in all people a Contempt or neglect of divine Worship denying to defray the charge of holy things out of the publick Stock the Priests of both Sexes were turn'd out and banish'd and the Temples bereft of all their Sacrifices Whereupon Serena scoffing at 'em would needs see the Temple dedicated to the Mother of the Gods In which when she saw certain Bracelets and attire about the neck of Rheas Statue suitable to the divine Worship which was paid to her She took it off of the Statue and put it about her own Neck And when a certain old Maid that was the onely person left of all the Vestal Virgins upbraided her with such a wicked Action even to her Teeth she not onely gave her very ill Language but commanded her Attendants to carry or drive her away But notwithstanding the old Woman as she was going from the place pray'd that whatsoever was due ro such impiety might fall upon Serena her Husband and Children But Serena took no notice of what she said and went out of the Temple well pleas'd with the Attire that she had gotten though afterward there often appear'd to her something not onely fantastick in a Dream but real when she was awake which did foretel her Death But others too besides her saw the like things and so far did that just Vengeance which uses to punish the wicked discharge its duty that though Serena knew what would happen she took no care of her self but submitted that Neck about which she had put the Goddesses Attire even to * What Death Serena died I cannot learn from those Authors that I have by me But I should wonder if Zosimus did not refer such accidents to these to a contempt of the Gods for there is no fitter defence for false worship than what is derived from Tables But it is indeed credible that Serena hang'd her self though upon far different occasions as the
frustration of her ambitious hopes and the unexpected diverce of her Daughter who being now sent home again Serena had no hopes left of being an Emperess nor any reason to cherish her exalted thoughts He likewise in the same Comma or paragraph tells you such an other Story of Stilico though we may easily demonstrate the cause of his Death For he had rais'd the Alemans Suevians Vandals and Burgundians to extort the Empire from his Son-in-law to his Son For he is noted with this Character in Paul Diac. l. 13. He gave the blood of all mankind to purchase a Purple Garment for one Boy an Halter It is likewise said that Stilico for another impiety not much unlike this of Serena did not escape the secret hand of Vengeance For he also is said to have commanded the Doors of the Capitol at Rome that were cover'd with a great quantity of of Gold to be uncased and that those who were employ'd in that Affair found upon some part of the Doors this Inscription These things are kept for a wretched Prince And so it prov'd even as the Inscription foretold for he died most wretchedly and most miserably too Yet notwithstanding Serenas death did not remove Alarichus from the Siege but he block'd up the Gates all round and having possess'd himself of the River Tiber obstructed the supply of necessaries from the Port to the City Which when the Romans saw they resolv'd yet still to persevere because they expected almost every day to have Auxiliaries sent 'em from Ravenna But when they found no body came and that they were disappointed of their hopes they thought good to retrench the measure of the allowance of Corn or other provisions and to order that there should not be dress'd or prepared for eating above one half of what was formerly for each day and afterward when their scarcity encreased upon them a third part onely And seeing there was no remedy for their Relief but that all their Belly timber Succours of the Belly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was spent a Plague as was probable it would succeeded their famine and all places were full of dead bodies And because the dead could not be buried without the City for the Enemies kept all the Passes or Avenues the City was their Sepulchre So that it was like to be dispeopled upon another account and though there had been no want of Victuals yet the very stench arising from the dead bodies was enough to infect and corrupt their bodies But Laeta Wife to Gratian who had been sometime Emperour and her Mother Pissamena supply'd a great many with necessary food for some time For since the Treasury allowed them the Provisions of an Imperial Table through the generosity of Theodosius who gave 'em that priviledg a great many receiv'd the kindness of those two Women and from their House got that which fortified 'em against a Famine But the malady was come to that extremity as that they were in danger to eat one another they try'd all ways which are abominable in the eyes of mankind and then resolv'd to send an Embassy to the Enemy and acquaint them that they were ready to accept of any reasonable conditions of Peace and at the same time more ready for War since the Roman People had taken up Arms and through their continual exercise in Military Affairs were grown very much inclinable to fight Now Basilius being chosen their Embassador who was a Spaniard and Governour of a Province Johnannes went out along with him who was the chief of the Imperial Notaries called Tribunes because he was acquainted with Alarichus and might be a means to reconcile them For the Romans did not certainly know whether Alarichus himself were come thither or no or whether it were he that besieged Rome For they were cheated with a former Report that it was another Person who had been Stilico's Friend and brought him to the City When therefore the Embassadors came to him they were ashamed of that ignorance in which the Romans had been so long kept but deliver'd the Senates Message Which when Alarichus heard and that the people having been used to Arms were ready for a War The thickest grass says he is more easily cut than the thinnest and having so said he laugh'd at the Embassadors most excessively But when they came to talk of Peace he used such expressions as were beyond all barbarous Arrogance or insolence For he said He would not relinquish the Siege upon any other Condition than that he should have all the Gold and Silver in the City together with all the Houshold goods in it besides the Barbarian Slaves Whereupon when one of the Embassadors said If you take all these things what will you leave for the Citizens He reply'd Their Souls So when the Embassadors had received this Answer they desired time to communicate it to the Citizens and advise with them what was to be done Which leave having obtain'd they related all the Discourse that had pass'd in that Embassy Whereupon the Romans being persuaded that it was really Alarichus who fought against 'em and despairing of all things that conduce to humane strength they call'd to mind that help which the City had formerly found in insurrections and that they by transgressing their ancient Ceremonies were left destitute of it But whilst they were considering of these things Pompeianus the Prefect of the City litt by chance upon some Men that came out of Tuscany to Rome and said That a certain Town called Neveia had freed it self from imminent dangers inasmuch as it had beaten off the Barbarians who beset it by Thunder and Lightning which was caus'd through their Devotion to the Gods in the ancient manner of Worship And therefore when he had discoursed with these Men he did what he well could do out of the Books belonging to the Chief Priests or Pontifies But when he remember'd what Opinion was then prevalent he resolv'd to go about his business with more security and proposed the whole matter to the Bishop of the City whose Name was Innocentius And he truly preferring the safety of the City before his own Opinion permitted 'em privately to do whatever they knew how to do But they pretending that what they could do would do no good unless the publick and usual Sacrifices were perform'd the Senate went up into the Capitol and there as also in the several Markets of the City did all that was to be perform'd but no body daring to communicate in their Religious ancient Worship they dismiss'd those Men who came out of Thuscany and apply'd themselves to reconcile the Barbarian as well as they could To which end they again sent Embassadours and after they had made long Speeches on both sides they agreed that the City should give five thousand pound of Gold and thirty thousand of Silver with four thousand Silk Coats three thousand Fleeces or Fells of a Scarlet die and three thousand pounds of Pepper But because
the City had no publick Stock there was a necessity for those Senators who had Estates to undertake the collection of it by way of Assessment Now Palladius being impower'd to rate every one according to his Estate but not able to make up the whole sum out of all either upon the account that some concealed part of their goods or because the City was otherwise impoverish'd through the continual covetousness and exactions of the Emperours Magistrates that wicked Daemon or Genius who at that time presided over mankind and stirr'd up the Persons employ'd in this Affair to the highest pitch of all wickedness For they resolv'd to supply what was wanting out of the Attire that was about the Statues of the Gods which was in effect no other than to render those Images that had been set up and dedicated to holy Rites and Ceremonies and were adorn'd with decent Attire for that they had kept the City in perpetual happiness when that ceremonious Worship should be in any degree diminished inanimate and inefficacious And because all things must then needs conspire to ruin the City they not onely robb'd the Statues of their Ornaments but also melted some of 'em down that were made of Gold and Silver among which was that of Fortitude or Valour which the Romans call Virtus Which being destroy'd all the Roman Valour and Courage that remained was quite extinguish'd according to that which Men who were conversant about holy Rites and ancient Ceremonies from that time foretold Now the Money being raised in this manner they thought fit to send an Embassy to the Emperour to confer with him about the ensuing Peace and to inform him that Alarichus did not require Money onely but certain Noblemens Sons likewise for Hostages upon which Condition also he would not onely make a Peace but enter into an Alliance with the Emperour and assist the Romans against all those who had a mind to oppose ' em Whereupon the Emperour resolving to conclude the Peace the Money was paid to the Barbarians Which being done Alarichus gave the Citizens the Freedom of a Market for three days together and leave to go securely out at certain Gates of the City as also to bring up their Corn from the Port. By which means when the Citizens had taken breath again by selling all the remaining part of their goods or exchanging one thing for another to buy them necessaries the Barbarians departed from Rome and pitch'd their Camp in certain places about Tuscany And then almost all the Slaves that were in Rome flying daily out of the City enrolled themselves among the Barbarians to the number of forty thousand But some of the Barbarians who were stragling up and down attaqued the Romans as they were going down to the Port and bringing up their provisions Which when Alarichus understood he used his utmost endeavour to hinder such proceedings as being done without his knowledg or consent And now they seemed to have some small respit from their misfortunes Whilst the Emperour Honorius at Ravenna was just entring upon the Consulship having had that Honour eight times and the Emperour Theodosius in the East three times At which juncture the Rebel Constantine sent Eunuchs to Honorius to beg his pardon for having receiv'd the Empire For he did not take it of his own choice but by compulsion from the Soldiers Which Petition of his when the Emperour heard and saw it was not easy for him since Alarichus and his Barbarians were so near to prepare for other Wars besides the care that he took of his Kinsmen who were in the Rebels custody as Verenianus and Didymius by name he not onely granted their Request but sent him also an Imperial Robe But indeed his care for his Kinsmen was all in vain and frustrate they being kill'd before this Embassy When therefore he had so done he sent the Eunuchs home But the Peace with Alarichus being not yet confirm'd because the Emperour had neither given him the Hostages nor fulfill'd all his desires there were Embassadours sent from the Senate to Ravenna whose names were Cecilianus Attalus and Maximianus Who though they lamented the sad misfortunes that had befallen Rome and tragically described the multitude of them that perish'd there yet they gained nothing by it by reason that Olympius confounded all Affairs and put a stop to those things that seemed to go in their due course Upon which account the Emperour dismissing the Embassadours without their Errand for which they came he turn'd out Theodorus from being Prefect of the City and gave the place to Cecicilianus commanding that Attalus should be Treasurer But seeing Olympius made it his whole business to search in all places for those that were reported to know any thing of Stilico's Affairs there were several Persons call'd in question upon that false Accusation as Marcellianus and Salonius two Brothers belonging to the Regiment of the Imperial Notaries And these two did Olympius deliver to the Prefect of the Court by whose Order though their bodies were beaten or drubb'd with all sorts of severities in that kind yet they discover'd no tittle of what Olympius would fain have known Now the Affairs of Rome being in no better a condition than before the Emperour thought fit to send for five Regiments of Soldiers out of Dalmatia from their own Quarters there to guard the City of Rome Which Regimenrs were made up of six thousand Men who for carriage and strength were the chief of all the Roman Army and their General 's Name was Valens a Person ready to attempt the greatest and most hazardous enterprise He therefore would not seem so much a Coward as to go that way which the Enemy did not guard so that Alarichus expecting till he came by and falling upon him with his whole Army subdu'd all those that were with him excepting only an hundred that with much ado escaped together with their Commander For he arrived safe at Rome along with Attalus who was sent by the Senate to the Emperour But seeing more mischiefs were still added to the present ones this Attalus when he came to Rome turn'd Heliocrates out of his Office which the Emperour had given him by the persuasions of Olympius For Heliocrates was employ'd to search into the Estates of them that were banish'd upon the account of their Acquaintance or Relation to Stilico and return 'em into the Treasury But he being a moderate good-natur'd Man look'd upon it as an impiety to insult upon the unfortunate and therefore did not make any strict enquiry into things but on the contrary sent many of the Parties notice by a private Messenger to hide what they could insomuch that being reckon'd a vile Fellow upon this score he was brought to Ravenna to suffer for his humanity toward those Men that were under such misfortunes And he had certainly died for it through the cruelty that then obtein'd if he had not got into a Church belonging to the Christians But