great sum of money for their ransom In a word he was the sharpest enemy the Romans had The reason was because onely Alamundarus had command of the Saracens under the Persians with authority and title of a King whereby he could invade the Romans when and where he pleased Neither were the Roman Captains called Duces Limitanei nor the Phylarchi or chieftains of the Saracen-tribes in league with the Romans able to oppose him being too weak to fight with him single in their severall countries Whereupon the Emperour Justinian put many of those Tribes under Arethas the sonne of Gabâlas chieftain of the Saracens in Arabia giving him the title of a King a thing not used by the Romans But Alamundarus rather more ruined the Romans Arethas in the inroads or fights either having ill fortune or betraying the business we have no certainty of him And so Alamundarus none opposing forraged the East furthest of any and longest being a very old man and Cabades liking his counsell sent 15000 men under the command of Azarethes as I have said whom Alamundarus was to guide the way CHAP. XIV THese passing the Euphrates into Comagena unlookt for and being the first Persians that ever invaded us that way that we can learn it amazed the Romans and at first perplexed Belisarius when he heard it But he soon resolved upon resistance and having left competent garrisons in the places of Mesopotamia that Cabades with the rest of his army might not find them unguarded he went with speed against the Enemy compassing the Euphrates and having about 20000 horse and foot 2000 of them Isaurians The Captains of horse were the same that fought at Daras with Mirranes Of the Infantery was Peter commander a Lancier of the guard to Justinian and of the Isaurians Longinus and Stephanacius At the City of Colchis they encamped hearing the Enemy were at Gabbula a place almost fourteen miles from it Alamundarus and Azarethes hearing thereof stayd their journey resolving to march homeward fearing to hazard and they retired keeping the Euphrates to their left hand The Roman army followed and where the Enemy lodged sate down the night after Belisarius purposely not suffering the Army to march greater journeys having no mind to fight and thinking it sufficient if Alamundarus and the Persians retired home without effect The army at this murmured at him both Commanders and Souldiers but not yet to his face The Persians at last lodged upon the shore of Euphrates opposite to the City of Callinicum resolving from thence to march through a desert country and so out of Roman ground and not as before by the rivers side The Romans from the City Sura where they lodg'd rose and overtook the Enemy trussing up their baggage The Feast of Easter was to be the next day which Christians observe above all others the day before it and much of the night abstaining from all meats and drinks And Belisarius seeing them eager upon the enemy and willing to withdraw them from the opinion Hermogenes being of the same mind sent newly Ambassador from the Emperour he called them together and spake thus Whether are you transported fellow souldiers to chuse thus a needless danger That onely is pure victory that comes off without damage from the Enemy and that now fortune and the fear of us amazing them gives us which advantage it is better to enjoy having it than to seek it when it is gone The Persians invited with hopes invaded us and now failing run away If we force them to change their course and fight overcoming we gain nothing but to rout an enemy flying already But having the worst we lose our present victory not forced from it but giving it away and leave the Emperours land to the spoil of the Enemy with none to defend it Consider also that God doth cooperate with mens necessary not wilfull actions how men stopt from flying will fight though unwillingly and how many disadvantages there are to us for a battell many being marcht hither afoot and all of us fasting and some of us not yet come up The Army reproached Belisarius for this speech not muttering now but with open clamour to his face calling him faint-hearted man and a discourager of them And this errour some Commanders ran into with the souldier onely to shew their valour Belisarius amazed at this impudence turned his discourse to encourage them and to order them to the encounter saying that he knew not their alacrity before but now he took courage and went against the enemy with more hopes So he set his Batallion in front and his foot in the left wing towards the river and to the right hand where there was a steep peece of ground Arethas with his Saracens himself with the horse stood in the middle Azarethes seeing the Romans embattell'd and ready for the encounter said to his men That being Persians certainly they will never change their honour for life if they might have the choice But that now if they would they could make no such choice They who can by running from a danger live dishonourable if they can so resolve chuse yet instead of the best the most pleasant thing But they who must die either honourably by an enemy or basely by a superiour dradg'd to execution are mad if they chuse not the best condition instead of the basest He bad them therefore not thinking onely upon the enemy but upon their Lord and Master so to fight that day Having exhorted them he placed his Batallion opposite to the Enemy and gave the right wing to the Persians and the lest to the Saracens The battell then joyned and was stifly fought The arrows flew thick from both sides and killed many Some single encounters were between the Battallions with much valour performed The Persians fell more by the shot though they shot thicker and are almost all Archers and the most dextrous living but from weak bowes little beut the shaft lighting upon the Romans corslet head-peece or sheild crackt without hurt doing The Romans shot is slower being from stiff bowes much bent and hardly but coming from stronger men than Persians they speed where they light no armour resisting the force Two thirds of the day were past and the fight yet equall When the Persians best men combining charged the right wing where was Arethas and his Saracens They opened their Battallion and not abiding the charge ranne away suspected that day to betray the Romans The Persians thus breaking through the ranks had the backs of the Romans horse who weary with their journey and toyl in fight being fasting too and prest both wayes by the enemy gave it over and ran into small Ilands in the river near them Some staid and did bravely among whom Ascas having slain many chief Persians was with much adoe cut in pieces leaving a noble story to his enemies and with him eight hundred more fell good men and all the Isaurians with their Commanders using no
All the Counsel easily consented to this and rose forthwith landing the Army three months after their departure from Constantinople The General chose by the sea-side a place which both soldiers and mariners fortified with trench and rampire and by multitude of hands concurring and the General urging it was finished the same day Digging the earth they came to much water a thing never before seen in Byzacium a dry Country which supplyed men and beasts Procopius congratulated with the General not so much as he said for the water as for the presage of an easie victory which proved so indeed That night the Army lodged in the Camp set their watches and did all as is usual Only aboard every ship Belisarius appointed five Archers and the light Gallies to lie round about them to prevent sodain mischief CHAP. XIII THe next day some soldiers went up into the Country and stole their ripe fruits whom the General severely chastised and calling the Army together spake thus To feed upon other mens goods by violence is at all times wicked because unjust But now setting the consideration of justice aside though that were hard it is so aboundantly inconvenient that we must fear the danger we are here put ashore with this only confidence that the Africans being anciently Romans are unsure and ill affected to the Vandals From this I did hope for supply of necessaries and to avoid mischief from the enemy But now your intemperance hath changed all to the contrary You have reconciled the Africans to the Vandals and turn'd their hatred upon your selves for wrong'd men naturally hate them that do them the present violence and so you have for a little gain now sold your future safety and plenty By buying what you needed you might have avoided the imputation of injustice and made the owners your friends Now you must have the war with Africans and Vandals too nay with God himself whose assistance no man can invoke doing wrong But give over this sharking and quit your hands of a gain so full of hazard The proper time now being when sobriety must preserve us and disorder will bring certain death If you be carefull of these things God will be propitious the people of Africk well affected and the Vandals easie to be dealt with After this speech Belisarius sent Boraides one of his life-guard with some of his Targetiers to Syllectus a sea-town in the way to Carthage and a days journey from the Camp whose Inhabitants he heard instead of their demolished walls to have fortified each man his own house to keep off the Moors and so to have made a kind of Town wall Boraides he instructed to attempt the Town and taking it to do no hurt but with representing many conveniences and how they come to set them at liberty to get entrance for the Army They about candles lighting getting near the Town past the night in a deep bottom there and the next morning overtaking some Peasants they slipt into the Town with them and possest it then without tumult called the Bishop and principal of the Town told them their Generals instructions and immediately receiving the keys from them sent the same to the General The same day the Master of the Kings Posts revolted and gave up all his horses The General also took one of those that ride with the Kings Packets which they call Veredarii and did him no hurt but took his oath to deliver Justinians Letters written to the Vandals into the hands of the Governours Which signified thus We make no war upon the Vandals nor infring the Treaty with Genserick But we endeavour to free you from an usurper who disrespecting the Testament of Genserick keeps your King in prison and hath begun to destroy such of his bloud whom he hated and of the rest hath put out their eyes and imprisoned them not suffering them to end their sorrows by death Assist us therefore to free you from so wicked Tyranny that you may enjoy peace and liberty which to observe to you we make oath here to God The man that took these Letters from Belisarius durst not shew them but to some privat friends and did nothing material CHAP. XIV BUt Belisarius marcht in order for a battel towards Carthage He gave 3â—0 of his Targetiers to John who was the Steward of his houshold whom the Romans call Optio being an Armenian and eminent for valour and discretion Him he directed to march some two miles and a half before the Army and to give warning if they see an enemy that the Army may prepare for fight And to the left hand of the Army he directed the Massagetes to march And himself was in the rear with his best men looking for Gelimer to come shortly from Hermione To the right hand was no fear being to march by the sea-shore and the seamen he commanded to keep them company by letting down all their sails but their sprit sail in case of a strong gale and in a calm to force their way with oars When they came to Syllectus Belisarius had his soldiers most sober not striking nor using any disorder And the Africans he so gained with his gentleness that he marcht as in his own Country the people not withdrawing themselves nor goods but giving free market and being very serviceable to the soldier They marcht ten miles a day till they came to Carthage lodging still in a Town or safely in their Camp We came by Lepta and Adrymettum to Grassa about 43 miles from Carthage where was a Palace of the Vandal Governor and the fairest Gardens we ever saw aboundantly watered with fountains and with a large grove of trees loaded with ripe fruit whereof the soldiers took their fill without any miss every man setting his cabbin under a fruit-tree But Gelimer hearing the enemies arrival wrote from Hermione to Carthage to his brother Ammatas to kill Ilderick and the other prisoners of his bloud and otherwise appertaining to him and himself to arm the Vandals and such forces as he had in the City and at the narrow passage near a town called Decimum to charge the enemy on both sides and so to catch him as in a net Ammatas accordingly killed Ilderick and his cousin Evagees Hoamer was dead before He armed also the Vandals to sally in the due time Gelimer followed us close and one night only as we lodged in Grassa he gave us an alarm upon some skirmishing of our scouts with theirs by whose returning to the Camp we understood the enemy to be near From hence marching we lost sight of our ships being put to go about some high rocks there and a Promontory under which stands Mercurium Belisarius sent word to Archelaus the Commissary not to put in at Carthage but to stay 25 miles short till he send for them From Grassa the fourth day we came to Decimum about 8 miles from Carthage This day Gelimer sent his Nephew Gibamumdus before with 2000 Vandals
to march to our left hand that so Ammatas from Carthage himself in our rear and Gibamundus at our left hand charging together might compass us CHAP. XV. FOr my part I could not but wonder in this battel to see how God knowing the event draws out the model thereof to his own will and how men are ignorant whether they mistake or whether they be upon a right counsel that a way so may be made to the success before determined If Belisarius had not commanded John to advance before the Army and the Massagetes to march at our left hand we could not have escaped the Vandals And for all this the Vandals could not have been so ruined if Ammatas had not come to Decimum about noon three hours sooner then his time we being then farr short of it and the Vandals Army also And this was not all his fault He came with a few and those not of his best to encounter John leaving the main body in Carthage with direction to come after to Decimum He killed 12 good men of ours in the head of Johns troops but himself fell having shewn much valour and being fallen the rest were routed and running away turned the whole body marching from Carthage who being in no order to fight but in small parties of thirty and twenty together and seeing Ammatas troops running and imagining multitudes pursuing ran back for company Whom Johns Troops killed up to the gates of Carthage And so great was the execution of that 8 miles that one would have guest it the work of 20000 men at least Gibamundus at the same time and his 2000 men came to the Salt plains five miles from Decimum on the left hand of the way to Carthage a place without men or trees or ought else the saltness of the water hindring the grouth of any thing but salt here falling upon the Massagetes they perisht every man Among the Massagetes was a man valiant and strong but Captain of a few who had a priviledge from his ancestors in all encounters to charge first and no Massagete to shoot or strike till he began the fight This man rode up close to the Vandals Army who either amazed with his daring or suspecting some plot of the enemy stirred not so much as to shoot at him fearing it may be to venture hearing the Massagetes to be a warlick Nation and having never seen their manner of fighting But he returning told his Countrymen that God had sent them those strangers ready drest So they gave on furiously and the Vandals breaking their ranks and not resisting basely perisht every man We without hearing these accidents marcht towards Decimum And Belisarius in a convenient place some four miles from Decimum fortified an entrenchment and placed his foot in it and then made this speech to the Army Now fellow Soldiers is come the time of our tryal Our enemies I hear are marching towards us and our ships by the scituation of the place are severed from us and now our only hope of safety is in our swords having neither Town nor Fortress to be bold upon If we now do valiantly we shall in likelyhood subdue our enemies but if we faint nothing remains but to be beaten and perish by the enemy Advantages for victory we have First We fight for the possession of that which in right is ours then do the Vandals hate their own usurping Tyrant and commonly God assists the rightfull cause and the soldier ill affected to his Prince never fights valiantly for him Besides we have spent our time against Persians and Scythians but the Vandals since their Conquest of Africa have seen no enemy but naked Moors Now in every Trade practise breeds skill and disusage ignorance Our Entrenchment from whence we are to make the war is finished where leaving our arms which we cannot carry and baggage we may sallie and retiring find what we need I entreat therefore every man to think upon his reputation and the pledges he hath left at home and so undanted to encounter the enemy CHAP. XVI BElisarius having thus spoken and said a prayer leaving the guard of his wife and the Camp to the foot he sallied with his horse He thought not good to hazard with the whole Army but first to skirmish with his horse and try the enemy then to give battel with the main so he sent the Confederates before and followed with the rest and with his own Lanciers and Targetiers The Confederates being come to Decimum found the bodies of the 12 companions of John and close by them the body of Ammatas and some other Vandals Being in doubt and not knowing whether to go further and from a hil discovering round they saw a dust and soon after a great troop of Vandals They sent to Belisarius to come speedily the enemy being upon them and the Commanders some urged to charge the enemy others alleadged their forces not sufficient While they were disputing the Barbarians came up close with Gelimer in the head of them having passed between the way where Belisarius went and that where the Massagetes who had fought with Gibamundus but the hilly ground between hindred their sight of Belisarius or his entrenchment and of the defeat of Gibamundus Being near each contended to possess the highest down which seemed apt for an entrenchment The Vandals running hard gained the down and grown terrible routed the enemy The Romans fan away to a Town less then a mile from Decimum where was Vliaris one of Belisarius his life-guard and 800 of his Targetiers The Vandals staid their course thinking that Vliaris would stand them but his troops so soon as the other began to charge fled amain to Belisarius It was strange that Gelimer having thus the victory in his hands should voluntarily quit it But God when he wil have a mischief befall a man infects his reason not suffering the most expedient things to come into his mind If he had followed the execution Belisarius himself had not stood him but we had al been absolutely ruined so great seemed the number of the Vandals and the Romans fear Or if he had rode on to Carthage he had killed the troops of John every man who were carelesly scattered and rifling the dead bodies and had saved the City and been Master of our ships and cut off all our hope either of victory or return home But he did neither but riding softly down the hill and in the plain finding his brothers dead body he spent the time in lamentations and about the funeral and thus lost his opportunity which he could never recover Belisarius stopt his flying men chiding them and hearing of the death of Ammatas and the brave execution of John and informed sufficiently of the place and the enemy he marched against Gelimer and the Vandals who being in disorder and unprepared ran away amain with the loss of many the execution lasting till night and fled not to Carthage nor Byzacium from whence
hearing the Francks to be vanquished to go no further but understanding them to be victorious to march on speedily They did so And the Francks in a Battail with the Burgundians stifly fought with much slaughter routed the Enemie and drave them into the uttermost borders of their country where they had many strong places and subdued the rest The Goths hearing it were speedily with them and being blamed by their Confederates they alledged the ill wayes and paying their Fine divided the Countrey with the Conquerours And thus Theodorick shewed his great providence by gaining thus halfe the Countrey with a little money and without losse of his Subjects Thus the Goths and Francks held part of Gaule Afterward the Francks power encreasing without any feare of Theodorick they led an Army against Alarick and the Visigoths Alarick sent for Theodorick who marcht with a great Army to his ayde In the meane time the Visigoths hearing how the Francks besieged Carcasona encamped themselves neer to oppose them The siege continuing and their countrey being spoyled by the Enemy they murmured and put scorns upon Alarick rayling at the delay of his Kinsman and affirming themselves strong enough without company to beate the Francks Alarick thus constrained to hazard a Battaile before the Goths could come was therein slaine and many of his people by the Francks who thus got the greatest part of Gaule They straightly besieged Carcasona hearing there was much treasure in it which Alarick the Elder had pillaged when he tooke Rome There were the jewels of King Solomon goodly pieces by reason of a green stone in many of them and long agoe taken by the Romans out of Jerusalem The Visigoths remaining made Giselick their Prince a base sonne of Alarick Amalarick his Daughters sonne being a child But Theodorick coming with the Goths Army the Francks raised their siege and returning from thence Note Beyond the Rhone in respect of Italy held the parts of Gaule beyond the Rhone to the Ocean from which Theodorick could not drive them and so let them keep it and recovered the rest of Gaule Giselick also being dead he made Amalarick his Daughters son Prince of the Visigoths and himselfe protector of the Child and out of Carcasona he took the Treasures and returned to Ravenna His ayme was to make the Dominion of Spaine and Gaule his owne for ever sending Forces thither and Governors whom he appointed to send the tributes to him which not to appear avaricious he gave as a yearly donative to his Armies of Goths and Visigoths who upon this occasion of having one Prince and the same Country marryed with one another and mingled their races And afterwards Theudis a Goth whom Theodorick sent to command the Army marryed a Wife of a rich Family of the Spaniards no Visigoth but very wealthy and Lady of a great countrey He had 2000. Souldiers and a strong guard of Lanciers and was in shew as Theodoricks Governour of the Visigoths but in effect an usurper Theodorick grown now an absolute wise man fearing least while he had a Warr with his owne servant the Francks might assaile him and the Visigoths rebell he discharged not Theudis of his command but still upon any Warr directed him to lead the Army Only he got some principall Goths to write to him that he should do both justly and as a wise man to goe to Ravenna and salute Theodorick He continued obedient to Theodoricks command and failed not in the annuall tribute but to Ravenna he would neither goe nor promise it Theodorick being dead the Francks invaded the Thuringians killed their Prince Hermenfridus and held them in subjection Hermenfridus his Widow fled to Theodatus her Brother then King of the Goths Afterward the Francks vanquished the remaining Burgundians in a Battaile and kept their Prince close prisoner in a Castle they used them as men conquered in Warre made them serve in their Armies and their Countrey tributary which they dwelt in before Amalarick Prince of the Visigoths From the Poe and Gallia Cis-Alpina to the Rhone being at mans estate and fearing the Francks greatnesse married the Sister of their King Theudibert And Gaule he gave to Atalarick his cozen german King of the Goths So that Gaule on this side the Rhone the Goths had and that beyond it was subject to the Visigoths Namely Gallia Narbonersis or rather some part of it And they agreed to suppresse the tribute imposed by Theodorick And the said Atalarick fairly restored to Amalarick the treasures taken out of Carcassona by Theodorick The two Nations being joyned thus in allyance who had married any Wife of the other might either goe with his Wife or bring her home to his owne kindred And some as they pleased brought home their Wives others followed them Amalarick afterward offended his Wives brother and was ruined He was an Arrian and permitted not his Wife being orthodoxall to use her country fashions nor religion but for her not applying her selfe to his customes hee used her with much dis-respect The Lady acquainted her Brother with her grievance which put the Francks and Visigoths into a War and in a Battaile long and stoutly fought Amalarick was vanquisht with losse of many and of his own life Theudibert received his Sister with all her goods and so much of Gaule as the Visigoths held The survivors with their Wives and Children went into Spaine to Theudis who now openly usurped So then all Gaule was held by the Francks and Goths But Theodatus King of the Goths hearing of Belisarius landing in Sicily made an accord with the Francks That they should command in the Warr and have the Goths part of Gaule and twenty Centenaries of gold to assist them in this War But before this treaty was finished he dyed as hath been told CHAP. XII AND many of the Goths best men under Marcias were Garrison'd in that part of Gaule These Vitigis could not safely raise from thence but thought them rather too weake for the Francks who would certainly over-run that part of Gaule and Italy if he with his Army went to Rome So he called to him those Goths he trusted most and said I call you here to impart an advice not pleasing perhaps but necessary and you must heare patiently and in the present case counsell what becomes you Whose affaires are not according to their mind such must obey necessity and fortune and so manage the occasions presented We are excellent well prepared for this War save only that the Francks stand in our way our ancient Enemies with whom hitherto though with the hazard of our lives and fortunes we make our party good But now another Enemie appearing against whom we must march it behoves us to make peace with them If they continue Enemies certainely they will come with Belisarius A common Enemy ever combines men in amity and mutuall ayde And if we encounter them severally we shall be beaten by both So that it is better by loosing
overthrow very great by pressing and crowding to passe the Bridge that they suffered extraordinary losse being killed by Enemies and one another Many fell into the Tiber and were drowned in their Armes and having lost most of their men the rest ever-took those formerly past over Longinus the Isaurian and Mundilas two of Belisarius his Life-guard did extraordinarily in this Battell Mundilas killed foure Barbarians and came off but Longinus having been the greatest cause of the Enemies overthrow fell upon the place much lamented by the whole Army Vitigis in his march toward Ravenna with the remainder of his Army fortified the defensible places with strong Garrisons leaving in Clusium a City in Tuscany a 1000. men under Gelimer and as many in Vrbiventum under Albilas a Goth and in Tudera Vligisalus with 400. In Picenia he continued the 400. formerly lodged in the Castle of Petra In Auximum the greatest City there he left 4000. selected Goths and Visandus a valiant Commander And in Vrbinum 2000. under Tomoras In Caesina and Monteferetrum other Castles there he Garrison'd 500. men in each Himselfe marcht with the rest to beseige Ariminum Belisarius when the Seige was raised sent Ildeger and Martinus with a 1000. Horse to get before the Enemy into Ariminum taking sōe other way and to cause John and his Troops to rise from thence placing in their stead other sufficient numbers to guard the Town and to be taken out of Ancona standing upon the Jonian Gulfe two daies journey from Ariminum which he had taken in before sending Conon with an Army of Thracians and Isaurians He hoped that there being only Foot in Ariminum and no Commanders of Note the Goths would not imploy their powers to beseige it but despise it and march on to Ravenna and if they should beseige it that Provisions would last longer for Foot only and that the 2000. Horse with John would infest the Enemy and force them to raise their Seige Ildeger and Martinus with these Instructions took their Journey by Via Flaminia and by much prevented the Goths who by reason of their multitudes marcht slowly and were forced to go about for want of Provisions neither would they come neer the strong places upon Via Flaminia the Romans as hath been said holding Narnia Spoletum and Perusia CHAP. IX BUT those Romans finding Petra in their way attempted the Castle as a by-businesse a fortresse not made by men but by the nature of the place where is a craggy way and to the right hand a swift running river unfordable on the left hand a steep rock so high that men on the top seem below like little birds Anciently there was no passage through but in time a way was dig'd through it a gate made the other entrance was walled save so much as was left for a gate there and so of it self the place became of fortification and was named †Petra * it is called afterward Petra Pertusa because of the passage cut through the Rock the Rock Martinus and Ildiger assaulted one of the Gates but did no good with their shot though the Goths within made no defence And last behinde they forced their way up the crag and threw stones upon the Enemies heads they ran into the houses and there kept close The Romans when they could not reach them with stones cut great peices out of the Rock and with many hands tossed them down aiming at the houses such as they light on tottered and so frighted the Goths that they held up their hands to those at the Gate and yeilded upon composition to have no hurt but to be servants to the Emperour and obedient to Belisarius Martinus and Ildiger removed the most of them leaving some few with their wives children placing a Garrison of Romans Then they went to Ancona from whence they took many foot companies brought them the third day to Arnum declaring Belisarius his direction But John refused to go with them and detained Damianus with his 400 men so that leaving the foot companies they went away with the Lanciers and Targetiers of Belisarius Soon after Vitigis with his whole army sate downe before Ariminum He made a woodden tower higher then the walis and upon wheels brought it where the same were most assaultable They drew it not on with oxen least they should speed as they did at Rome but men covered within it shoved it on within it was a great broad scaling ladder for the common souldier to mount the battlements they not doubting but to get up with ease so soon as their tower was set to the walls so was the figure thereof contrived Being come neer the walls with it they lay still because it grew dark set their sentinells about it and took their rest dreaming of no opposition there being but a small trench only to hinder their approach The Romans past the night in fear expecting the next day to be ruined But John neither despairing nor fearing about midnight left the rest upon their Guards and himself with his Isaurians carrying Mattocks and other instruments got secretly without the walls and caused them to dig in the trench and to cast up the Earth to the town-ward which served for a rampire and in a small time the Enemy being fast a sleep they made the Trench of reasonable depth and breadth where the walls were weakest and the Goths were to approach with their tower who the night being far spent perceived it and ran to beat them off but they the trench being compleated got within the walls Vitigis was extreamly vexed at in the morning put to death some sentinells and being as eager as ever commanded to fill up the ditch with Faggots and so to draw the tower on They did his commands with alacrity though mightily opposed from the walls But the faggots with the weight of the Tower sunk that they could not get it forward the Ground growing still steeper where the Earth was cast up as I sayd So that fearing the night approaching and the Enemies sallying to burn their Engin they drew it back John to hinder them put the Souldiers in Armes and used this Exhortation Fellow souldiers and my partners in this danger he that would live and see those he hath left at home let him know that he holds this hope by his sword only When Belisarius sent us out the hope and Love of many things made us cheerfull in the businesse We suspected not so neer the sea the Romans being masters of the sea to be besieged nor imagined that the Emperours army could so much neglect us Then the occasion of shewing our affection to the state and of getting Glory incouraged us now but by our valour we cannot so much as live and for life were there nothing else we must of necessity undergo this hazard And who pretends to valour also hath a fair opportunity this day to get Glory by it which is gotten not by overcoming inferiours
Spirits sayd to be in Fountaines and Rivers They are perpetually sacrificing and pacifying with blood and their fairest Victime is a Man before taken Prisoner whom they sacrifice to Mars esteemed their greatest God And they doe it not by cutting his throat onely but hanging him on a tree and throwing him among Bryers and other kinds of death Among these Thulites the Herulian wanderers planted themselves and those who continued among the Romans having murdered their King sent some chiefe men to the Island of Thule to bring home one of the blood royall if they could finde any there They found many and made choice of one whom they liked best and tooke him with them But being come neer home he dyed of a sicknesse and the men went againe to Thule and brought another named Todasius accompanied with his Brother Aordus and two hundred Herulians of the Island Who being long upon their journey the Herulians about Singedon conceiving it might be inconvenient to introduce a King from Thule without the Emperour Justinians consent to Constaneinople to the Emperour to give them what King he pleased He sent them Suartuas an Herulian who had long continued in Constantiople whom the Herulians at first received joyfully adored him as King and obeyed him in the usuall directions But within few daies they had newes how the Ambassadours from Thule were neer Suartuas commanded them to go out and kill them and the Herulians followed him with a seeming approbation but being within a daies journey of them they revolted from him by night to the new commers and himselfe alone fled to Constantinople the Emperour was studious to restore him and the Herulians fearing the Romans betook themselves to the Gepaedes And this was the cause of their Revolt CHAP. XVIII THE Armies of Belisarius and Narses joyned at Firma a City standing neer the Jonian Gulfe a daies journey from Auximum They held a Counsell of War where to oppose the Enemy with best advantage If they go to releive Auximum they doubted the Enemy from Auximum might at their backs infest them and spoile the Romans inhabiting those parts And likewise of the beseiged in Ariminum they were affraid they might be distressed for want of Victuall Most of the Captaines offended with John charged him in their speeches for running into that danger rashly and to get money and for crossing contrary to order the Counsels of Belisarius concerning the War But Narses who loved John above all men fearing least Belisarius upon the Captaines speeches might put Ariminum in the second place spake thus Fellow Commanders you discourse in things not to be discoursed of and consult where none reasonably can be of two Opinions but where he who never knew the War may chuse upon the sudden When the danger appeares equall and the damage alike in mistaking aboundant consultation and much discourse is fit and so to determine the matters propounded But we deferring to attempt Auximum now shall receive no important hurt for what so soon can alter our case Whereas if we receive a blow at Ariminum as can no otherwise be we shall ruine a harsh word our whole power in Italy If John have contemned your Commands excellent Belisarius you have it now in your power to punish him by saving the Offender or abandoning him to the Enemy But take heed you do not punish the Emperour and us for an unwitting Offence of John If the Goths take Ariminum they will make Captive a valiant Generall with his Army and a City of the Emperours obedience Neither will the mischiefe stop there but even constitute the whole fortune of the War For the Enemy have now much advantage in numbers but by being often beaten are become Cowards their ill Fortune having taken their confidence from them But if in this designe they prosper they will soon recover their Spirits and them dispute the War with more then equall Courage Such as escape difficulties being commonly wiser then they who never had misfortunes Thus Narses spake But a Souldier from Ariminum brought Letters to Belisarius from John which were thus Know that our Victuall hath long failed us and we can no longer answer the People nor resist the Enemy but within seven daies must sore against our wills yeild the city and our selves We can no longer strive against our necessities which will sufficiently apologize for us if we shall do any thing not so honorable Belisarius at this was troubled and full of irresolution He was afraid of the besieged and he doubted that the Enemy in Auximum would fly abroad and burn the towns thereabout without controule and by watching advantages distresse his own army especially if there should be a battell In the end he left Aratius with a thousand men to incamp by the Sea side 25 miles from Auximum and not to stir nor give fight to the Enemy but in their own Defence By this he hoped that Enemy would lye quiet in Auximum and not infest his army having a camp of Romans so neer them He sent also forces by Sea commanded by Herodian Vliaris and Narses Brother to Aratius and the whole in cheif by Ildeger Whom Belisarius directed to sail directly for Ariminum and to land not far off from the foot which should march by the Sea shore commanded by Martinus and appointed to wait upon the Fleet whom he directed being neer the Enemy to light many fires not proportionable to their small army so to give the Enemy apprehension of greater numbers Himself with Narses and the rest of the army marcht by Vrbisalia far from the Sea coast a city so ruined by Alaricus that nothing remained of the former beauty but some reliques of one Gate and of the pavement Here I met with this adventure When Jo came with his army into P. the peple were in much confusion and the women some suddenly fled where they could others were carried away captives In this place some woman newly delivered of a Child had left it in swathing clouts upon the Ground whether she ran away or were taken from it by the Enemy she never did return being likely either gone out of Italy or the World The child lying in that Desart cryed and a shee Goat perceiving it pittied it and having also lately brought forth young came to it and gave it her Teate guarding the child that no Dog nor wild beast might hurt it The troubles lasting long in the country this Infant had long the benefit of this Teat But the Picenians finding the Emperours army was come against the Goths only and not to hurt the Romans returned to their severall homes And into Vrbisalia the women with their husbands coming and seeing the child could not imagin what it was and wondred how it lived such women as were sit offered their breasts but the child would not take womans milk neither would the Goat leave it but importunatly bleated and seemed to be greived at the womens troubling it and in a word pretended to
it her own So that the women let it alone and the Goat nursed it for which the people called the child Aegisthus I travelling that way they brought me to it and anger'd it to make it cry the Goat hearing it being a stones cast off ran to it bleating and stood over it that none might hurt it and this is the story of Aegisthus CHAP. XV. BUT Belisarius marcht by the mountaines resolving not to come to a direct battell being much inferiour in numbers and the Goths desperate with their mis-fortunes But he thought that when they heard of Forces invading on every side they would not resist but run away and the guest as it fell out For being upon the Mountaines a dayes journey from Ariminum he lighted upon Goths travelling about businesse who being suddenly surprized could not turne out of the way but were some slain by the Romans and the rest wounded ran up and hid them in the rocks from whence seeing the Romans marching many together in narrow passages they judged them far more then they were and perceiving the Ensign of Belisarius they knew that he led them The night overtaking the Romans flayed there and the Goths hurt men run to Vitigis Camp whether being arrived about noon the next day they shewed their wounds and reported Belisarius to be at hand with an innumerable army Hereupon they prepared to fight marching to the North of Ariminum which way they thought the Enemy would come and still looking to the mountain tops At night having put off their armes and taking their rest they saw fires some seven miles from the City Eastward kindled by Martinus They fell into terrible fear apprehending in the morning to be surrounded by the Enemy and so lay still that night in that fear And by Sun rising they saw a great fleet coming which even struck them dumb that with tumult and clamouring they truâ—s'd up harkning to no commands nor thinking upon any thing but how to get quit of the camp and within the walls of Ravenna If the besieged had had any strength or courage left they had cut the Enemy in peices and made an end of the war but they were heartlesse with their miseries and feeble with want of food The Goths in that confusion left much of their baggage behind and ran amain to Ravenna Ildiger with his forces first seized the Enemies trenches tooke the baggage they left there and some sick men At noon Belisarius came with the army and seeing John and his company pale and greivously nasty he said he must give thanks to Ildiger glancing at his unadvised presumption He answered that he acknowledged none to Ildiger but to Narses the Emperours Treasurer intimating that Belisarius did not willingly releive him but perswaded by Narses both these were ever after jealous of each other That Narses friends would not let him march with Belisarius suâ—gesting how poor it was for him who communicated of the Emperours secrets not to be an absolute commander but to obey one that was but a Generall and that Belisarius would never indure to command with him in Equality but that if he would himself lead an army he should have more Souldiers better captaines to follow him the Herulians and his own Lanciers and Targetiers and the troops under Justinus and John himself with those of Narses and Aratius being not lesse in all then 10000 valiant men and able Souldiers That they would not have the conquest of Italy wholly attributed to Belisarius but Narses to share in it who had not left his attendance on the Emperours person to establish with his own dangers the Glory of Belisarius but by shewing his own valour and wisdome to grow famous in the world and that Belisarius without him could do nothing most of the army commanded by him being dispersed in the places he had taken All which they reckoned up from Sicily to Picenia Narses was much pleased with these discourses and could not contain himself within his present condition but Belisarius directing him any businesse still he flew to some excuse rejecting his commands Which Belisarius observing he assembled the Commanders and spake thus Fellow commanders I find not my self to be of the same opinion with you concerning this War You despise the Enemy as absolutely subdued but I thinke this confidence will bring you into danger knowing that the Goths have not been beaten through their cowardice or want of men but overstratagem'd with counsell and foresight and so routed And you in like sort I fear from some false opinion may receive a blow which may undo your selves and the Roman affaires They are more easily undone who are insolent with successes and conceit of victory then such as having lost some honour do for the time to come use feare and caution towards their Enemies Carelesnesse hath ruined many well setled and a solicitous labour releived men after mis-fortunes the powers of the negligent lessening of themselves but care naturally adding powers Consider that Vitigis is in Ravenna with many thousands That Vraas besieges Millar and holds all Liguria That in Auximum is a great and gallant army and that there are other garrisons of Goths able to fight with us all along to Vrbiventum which is a neighbour to Rome That if we should now be compassed by the Enemy our danger were more then ever The Francks also are said to be in armes in Liguria which every Roman ought to consider and apprehend My opinion therefore is that part of the army be sent into Liguria and Millan and all the rest to march against Auximum and undertake as God shall enable and as shall seem best and most advantagious To this speech of Belisarius Narses replied Noble Generall in all the rest being nothing but truth none can contradict you but that all the rest of the Emperours army should be confined to Auximum and Millan I hold it inconvenient for you to lead such of the army as you please for those purposes is good reason In the mean time we will get †Lombard Ciâ—padana from the city of Ast to Parma vid. Leanurum Emilia for the Emperour a Province most set by by the Goths and we will give such alarmes to Ravenna that you shall bring the Enemy on your part to what tearmes you please being excluded from hope of succours I fear if we sit down before Auximum together the Goths will set on us from Ravenna and we shall be charged on both sides and wanting Victuall perish upon the place Belisarius fearing least by dividing the Forces the Emperours Affaires might fall asunder and ruine by the disorder arising from thence produced the Emperours Letters directed to the Commanders in these words We have sent Narses our Treasurer into Italy not to command the Army it being our pleasure that Belisarius alone shall have the leading thereof whethersoever himselfe thinks best and it behoves you all to follow him for the good of our State Narses took hold
Totilas suspecting some great Forces aboard rode away with his Army and so they escaped with much joy to the ships Varazes put into Tarentum whither soone after came John The emperour had written to Belisarius of a great Army sent with which he was to joyn in Calabria and to give Battaâ—le to the Enemy Valâ—rianus also was come neer the Jonian gulfe but would not passe over fearing that the Souldiers and their Horses would want provisions now towards the Winter tropick He sent unto John 300. of his men and promised in the beginning of the Spring to be with him But Belisarius upon perusall of the Emperours letters chose of his best men 700. Horse and 200. Foot And leaving the Guard of the places about Rome to the rest under Conon he made for Sicily thence purposing to put in at Tarentum He left at his left hand the place called Scyllâ—um where the Poets say that Scylla did abide Not that any such savage Woman was as they tell it But in that part are of old many small rocks like whelps and they are to this day called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 little Dogs At first names were given thus to signifie the things Then fame spreading them among men ignorant of the truth caused many false conceits And time at length became the powerfull Author of some fable suborning for Witnesses of things that are not Poets by licence of their art So anciently the Natives of Corcyra have called their Easterâ— promontory Cynocephale the head of a Dog Whereupon others would have the Islanders headed like Dogs Some Pisidians are called Lycocranites not because they have heads like Wolves but because the mountaines there are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the head of a Wolfe But to return from whence I digressed Belisarius endeavoured to make directly for Tarentum There is a coast in form like a halfe moon the Sea embaying it selfe farre into the land the compasse whereof being 125. miles neer to the mouth of the Bay are Croton to the East-ward and Thurium to the West And about the middle of it is Tarentum A storm being in their teeth and the wind blowing high and the waves being great being unable to saile on they cast Anchor in the Haven of Croton Where Belisarius finding no Fortresse neere nor how to supply the Army with provisions staid with his Wife and all the Foot intending to send for Johns Army His Horse he commanded to march higher and to quarter themselves upon the entrances of the Countrey giving them for Commanders Pharas the Iberian and Barbation one of his Life-guard Thinking that so they might best get provisions for themselves and their Horses and keep off the Enemy in fastnesses For there the mountaines of Lucania reaching into Bruttia and meeting at a strait make two narrow passages the one called in Latine Petra sanguinis the bloody rock the other Labulla or Lambula Here by the Sea side stands Ruscia where the Thurians ships ride Seven miles and a halfe above this the ancient Romans built a strong Castle which John had long possessed and placed a Garrison in it CHAP. XV. THE Horse sent by Belisarius met Forces of the Enemy sent by Totilas to attempt that Castle With these they fought and though much inferiour in numbers they routed them and killed above 200. The rest ran away to Totilas with the newes The Romans encamped in the place and being ill governed and victorious lived carelesly neither lying together in one body nor keeping guards upon the two passages but lodging too securely farr asunder and all the day stragling for Provisions without sending out Scouts or advising upon any course of safety Totilas being thereof advertised went against them with 3000. chosen Horsemen And coming unlooked for upon them being in no order to fight but stragling he amazed and routed them Pharas encountred the Enemy and did valiantly whereby some escaped but himselfe and his company were slain This the Romans took grievously having their hopes in these being extraordinary good men Barbation of the Life-guard to Belisarius ran away to Croton with the newes reporting that the Goths would be instantly there Belisarius exceedingly grieved ran to his Ships weighed anchor and with a faire wind came the same day before Messina in Sicily distant from Croton 87. miles being right over against Rhegium About this time an Army of Slavonians passed the River Ister and did infinite mischiefe in Illyrium even to Epidamnus killing and captivating all and of all ages they found and taking the spoile They took many strong Castles none to defend them and ranged about every where without controule The Commanders of Illyrium waited upon them with 15000. men but never durst come neer them In that Winter were many terrible Earth-quakes in Constantinople and else-where all in the night that the Inhabitants feared to be over-whelmed but no hurt was done The Nile also swelled 18. cubits drowning all Egypt In the Coâ—trey of Thebais and the up-lands the waters abated in the seasonable time and gave the people meanes to sow and husband the ground as was usuall But they retired not from the lower grounds at all but covered them all the seed-season which never happened so before To some grounds the water returned again and rotted all the seed put into the ground during the abatement So that the people were much troubled with the strangenesse of it and most of their cattle perished for want of food The great Whale was then also taken which the Constantinopoliâ—ans called the Porphyrion It had troubled them and the Townes about them above fifty years at times drowning Ships and catching men from aboard and carrying them away Justinian could by no endeavour get this Monster taken But now a great number of Daulphins coming upon the mouth of the Euxine Sea and espying the whale fled from him the most of them to the mouth of Sangaris where the Whale overtook some of them and devoured them But either hunger or anger provoking him to pursue neer the shore he fell into the mud where tumbling and striving hee was more engaged and the Inhabitants hearing of it ran downe and hewed him with their Axes but not being able to kill him they drew him ashore with great ropes laying him upon Waynes and found him thirty cubits long and ten broad They cut him in pieces and some presently eate them others pickled them up The newes of the over-flowing of Nile and this Whale added to the Earth-quake which they had felt filled the Constantinopolitans with prophesies of strange events Men using still in present perplexities and disturbances to make groundlesse conjectures of things to come But leaving sooth-sayings and the interpretation of prodigies doubtlesse the flood lying so long upon Egypt caused for the present much calamity and the killing of the Whale was the riddance of a great mischiefe But some say it was not the Porphyrion but some other Whale But to return to my matter Totilas
John Guzes killed him with his Lance and then the Romans took the Camp Many Persians there perished the rest returned home as they could This was the successe of that Persian invasion of Lazica Another army also came and victualled the Garrison in Petra and then retired home CHAP. V. IN the mean time the Lazians at Constantinople accused Dagisthaeus of Treachery and favouring the Persians and that by the perswasions of the Persians he forbare to assault that part of the Walls of Petra which fell down and that the while the Enemy fortified the breach with sack-fuls of Sand laid one upon another And that for money or negligently he lost his opportunity by putting of the assault which he could never after recover The Emperour upon this confined Dagisthaeus to his house and made Bessas lately come out of Italy Generall of Armenia whom he directed also to command the Army in Lazica sent thither before under Venilus Brother to Buzes and Odonachus and Babas the Thracian and Vligangus an Herulian Nabedes also came into Lazica with an Army but effected nothing worth the mentioning save only a defection of the Abasgians from the Romans and Lazians and upon the occasion of being there with an Army the taking of sixty Sons of their principall men for Hostages and the taking Prisoner in his way Theodora in Apsilia the Widow of Opsites late Uncle to Gubazes and King of Lazica She was by birth a Roman the Kings of Lazica having long used by the Emperours consent to take Wives in Constantinople and to make allyances with sundry Senators And Gubazes himselfe was the Son of a Roman Lady The reason moving the Abasgians to revolt was this After they had as I said before deposed their Kings some Roman Garrisons were by the Emperour laid upon the Country who sought to reduce it under the Roman Dominion and exacted new things using violent waies which discontented the Abasgians And least they should be brought into slavery to the Romans they set up Kings again Opsites of the Eastern part of the Country and Scaparnas of the Western They were grown desperate of any good and so chose rather to resume their former condition though bad then to retain the worse which succeeded and fearing the Romans power revolted secretly to the Persian But the Emperour perceiving it commanded Bessas to march against them who sent some choice numbers of his Army under Vligangus and John Guzes One of the new Kings of Abasgia had been lately sent for into Persia by Chosroes where he then was The other drew the Abasgians together and opposed the Roman invasion Upon the confines of Apsilia and way to Abasgia is a high Mountain beginning at Caucasus and by degrees growing lower till it ends in the Euxine Sea At the foot of this Mountain the Abasgians have an ancient Castle of a considerable bignesse where they beat off any Enemy invading the place being a great fastnesse not possible to force It hath one passage only leading to this Castle and into Abasgia not passable but by one man at once a foot Under the said foot-path is a deep Vally reaching to the Sea and very stony which hath gotten a name sutable for the roughnesse being called Trachea The Roman Fleet came to the confines of Abasgia and Apsilia where John and Vligangus landed their Forces leaving the Sea-men to waite on them neer the Shore They marcht afoot unto Trachea and seeing the Abasgians in Armes and guarding the foot path they were troubled In the end John left there Vligangus with halfe the Army and himselfe with the rest went aboard the Barkes and compassed the Trachea so that he got the Backes of the Enemy With Ensignes displayed he marcht against them who perceiving themselves charged on both sides resisted not but retyred in confusion so hamperd with their feare and amazement that they hardly found their owne Countrey wayes nor easily got cleer of them The Romans on both sides had the execution and killed many and came running to the Castle where they found the Guards shutting the Gates but not able to put them to and so still receiving in the pursued and Pursuers pell-mell and not discerning Abasgians from Enemies and by reason of the croud being not able to close the Gates the Abasgians who were so glad to get within the walls were taken with the castle Yet the Romans when they thought themselves masters of the Enemy found a difficulty for the houses standing close to one another the Abasgians mounted the same and shot down upon their heads and defended themselves stoutly out of fear and pitty of their wives and children till the Romans set the houses on fire and so became absolute victors Opsites King of the Abasgians fled with some few to the neighbouring Hunnes and to mount Caucasus The rest were consumed to ashes or made prisoners The Romans took both the Kings wives and all their children demolisht the Castle and almost emptied the country This was the successe of the Abasgians revolt But the Apsilians being anciently subject to the Lazians have in their country a strong Castle called Tzibulum which Terdites Master of the Palace in Lazica having offended the King and being discontented agreed to betray to the Persians and getting some Persian forces ready he went into Apsilia Being neer the Castle he rode afore with his company of Lazians and got in the Garrison not distrusting a principall Officer of Lazica And thus Terdites so soon as the Persian forces came up received them into the Castle and the Persians now held themselves Masters not only of Lazica but of Apsilia also while the Romans being busie about Petra and to incounter the Persian army had no meanes to send succours But the Governour of that Castle had a fair wife by birth an Apsilian with whom the commander of the Persian forces fell fondly in love and when with his temptations he could not gain her he attempted to force her which so inraged her husband that he killed him and sacrificed also his Company to their commanders lust and took the Castle to himself Hereupon the Apsilians took occasion to revolt from the Lazians charging them for not coming to their succours against the Persians Gubazes sent against them a thousand Romans and John Guzes who with fair words brought them back to their former obedience to the Lazians And thus was it concerning the Apsilians and the castle of Tzibulum CHAP. VI. ABOUT the same time the cruelty of Chosroes toucht even upon his own blood His eldest Son Anatozadus which in the Persian language signifies Immortall had much offended him with his lewd courses making no scruple to lye with his Fathers Wives At first Chosroes chastised him with Banishment and confined him to the City of Lapato seven dayes journey from Ctesiphon in a Province of Persia called Vazaine a very good country and soon after fell sick so dangerously that he was reported to be dead being of a
mischiefe and knowing that certainly they would be all consumed and having no hope by resisting to escape yet would not come into their Enemies hands but perisht all with the Cittadell the Romans wondring at it How serious a businesse Chosroes held Lazica to be appeared by this his putting into Petra the choice and the bravest of his men and by storing the same with so great a proportion of armes that to every Roman souldiers share upon the pillage fell five mens furnitures besides much burnt in the Cittadell There was also found corn and other salted provisions for five years siege Wine there was none but some Beveridge and store of beans The Romans wondred to find water coming from the Aquaeduct till they understood the mystery For Chosroes having taken Petra and placed a Garrison in it foreseeing the siege and that doubtlesse the Romans would attempt the Aquaeduct divided the water brought from it to the City into three parts by making a deep Sewer and by building three severall Aquaeducts the one at the bottome of the Sewer up to the middle of it covered with stones and Earth above that a second covered also and a third above Ground and visible The Romans not understanding those close conveiances spoiled the uppermost at the beginning of the siege not working downward to the other thinking the water did fail the City by what they had done and from their loathnesse to work their wits failed them The siege continuing the Romans understood by some prisoners that the besieged had water from the Aquaeduct still whereupon digging they found the second Conduit and cut it and in their second Errour were not admonished by their first But now the city being taken and finding the water still coming in and from their Prisoners hearing how it was done they saw too late their Enemies providence and their own negligence The Prisoners Bessas sent all to the Emperour and threw down the Walls of Petra that the Enemy might put them to no more businesse about it which the Emperour approved commended him both for his valour and this wise counsell of his Thus Bessas by his good fortune and the great valour shewed in this action grew into a great reputation again when he commanded Rome there was great hope of him having done very valiantly in former imployments After his ill fortune at Rome the same being sackt by the Goths and the whole strength of the Romans there being well nigh destroyed yet at his return to Constantinople the Emperour made him Generall against the Persians though the world flouted the Emperours resolution herein in committing the Persian war to an old man allmost in his Grave and one who had been so grosly beaten by the Goths but notwithstanding this generall opinion Bessas used the valour and found the good fortune I have said So are humane affaires determined not as men imagine but as God swayes the Ballance And this men call Fortune finding accidentall things to succeed in a way by them not discerned and so attributing a name of Fortune to things above their own reason CHAP. VIII IN the mean time Mermeroes afraid of Petra was coming with his army thither so soon as the winter was done and the season was sit but hearing what was become of it he staid his journey knowing how on that side of the Phasis the Lazians had no Town but Petra So that he marcht homeward having pre-possest the passages in Lazica from Iberia and he past over the Phasis where he found it fordable and over another River called Reon Having now the Phasis to his right hand be led his army to Archaeopolis the cheif city of Lazica being most horse and with eight Elephants which the Persians use as a Tower to stand upon and shoot upon the Enemies heads The Persians industry also is worthy admiration having made the way between Iberia and Lazica which was unpassable for rocky places covered with thick woods and bushes that there was no going for a man a foot now so plain and easie that not only their Horses but their Elephants may passe There came also 12000 Sabirian Hunnes to Mermeroes who fearing least their multitude would not obey him but might do him some mischeif rather he kept 4000 of them and sent the rest home with good store of mony The Roman army â—ounted in all to 12000 whereof Odonachus and Babas two expert Commanders had 3000. and the rest incamped neer the Phasis with intention to succour any place where the Enemy should fall on commanded by Bonilus Vligangus there was also Varazes the Persamenian with them wholate came out of Italy followed by 800 Tzanians Bessas was retired into Pontus and Armenia his Government meaning to toil no more but to get what he could by his place and by his avariciousnesse he again ruined the Roman affaires After his victory at Petra if he had made haste to fortifie the passages into Lazica from Iberia the Persians had not entred Lazica which he even as good as delivered to the Enemy by his neglect and carelesnesse of the Emperours indignation Who indeed used much to connive at the Errours of his cheif Ministers and they from thence committed many both in the courses of their lives and in their Governments The two Castles of Scanda and Sarapanis in Lazica about the frontier of Iberia standing upon two passages very hard to get through the Lazians had demolisht These Castles Justinian in the beginning of the War guarded with Romans taking out the Lazians formerly in it but the Romans wanting victuall and being not able like the Lazians to live long upon Elymus a kind of pulse like mill-seed the Lazians also being weary of bringing Provision upon their backs there being no passage for horses the Romans there abandoned them and the Persians took them but upon the truce restored them to Justinian for the Forts of Bolum and Pharangium as I have said before But the Lazians having demolisht them now the Persians repaired Scanda and held it at this coming of Mermeroes into Lazica And entring the same from Iberia the first Towne you meet with in the Plaine is Rodopolis very assaultable whereupon the Lazians demolisht it fearing the Persian Invasion so that now Mermeroes marcht on to Archaeopolis But he would not sit downe before it fearing the Romans Army at his back encamping neer the Phasis Towards them he went first and passing by Archaeopolis told them That he meant to make a visit to the Romans upon the Phasis and that done would come to them againe They answered him bravely and bade him go and that if he spake once with the Romans there he would never come back to them But the Commanders of the Roman Army hearing the newes and finding themselves too weak went aboard their Darks carrying with them what they could and throwing the rest into the River Soon after came Mermeroes and was very melancholly to see the Romans Camp with not a
accident encountred and killed him and a Roman knowing him brought his head to Narses which filled them with courage to see God fight for them and the Goths having a plot upon their Generall to lose their owne Commander suddenly not by any humane designe or providence But Narses medled not with Ariminum though Vsdrilas were slaine nor with any other Enemy-towne that he might not retard his maine designe nor distract it by any by-businesse And the Enemy in Ariminum having lost their Commander gave no impediment to him in the making a Bridge by which he past the River at his ease He left Via Flaminia and took the left hand way for the Enemy had taken the strong Rock of Petra pertusa described by me before and all other pieces upon Via Flaminia which made it unpassable for the Romans and therefore he left the shorter and went the quieter way CHAP. XVIII TOTILAS hearing what had happened in Venetia stayd for the Army with Teias about Rome Who being all come up save two thousand Horse without staying longer for them he martcht away with the rest purposing to fight with the Romans at his best conveniency In his way hearing the news of Vsdrilas and how the Enemy was past the River at Ariminum he marcht through Tuscany to the Appennine and in a Village there called Tagiâ—â— encamped Afterward came Narses and sate downe upon the Apennine also in an even peice of ground twelve miles and a halfe from the Enemy About the place were many little round Hills being the Tombs of the Gaules slaine by Camillus and the Romans and they are to this day called Busta Gallorum Busta in Latine being the remainders and reliques of a funerall Pile Narses sent some unto Totilas to desire him to to lay aside Hostility and to entertaine at last peaceable counsells representing how impossible it was for him having under him but few men and them not held together by any Law to contend long with the whole Roman Empire And he directed his Ambassadors if they saw Totilas resolved upon War to bid him instantly appoint a day for a pitcht Battell They did acccordingly and Totilas with a brave countenance told them that by any means they must have Warr. Noble Sir then quoth they what time appoint you for the Battell Eight dayes hence quoth he we will meet you Narses hearing this report from the Embassadors suspecting some cunning in Totilas prepared as to fight the next day And he was in the right for the next day Totilas came with his whole Army And they lay one against the other about a flight shot off Both parts had a minde to possesse a little Hill to gaine advantage of upper ground to shoot downe on the Enemy and there being also no beaten way to the Roman Campe but by that Hill the Campe being compassed by those round Hills I mentioned they esteemed it an important place for the Goths to gaule the Romans every way and for the Romans to prevent that inconvenience Narses in the night time sent fifty choice men who surprized the place none opposing Before the Hill and neer the beaten way opposite to the Goths Quarters runs a Brook by this the fifty Romans stood close body to body putting themselves into a square forme In the morning Totilas perceiving them sent a Troop of Horse to beat them away who rode against them furiously and with clamour as if they would drive them away at the first onset But they stood thick and firme and fenced close with their Sheilds which clashing together and charging their Lances in sit time all at once in order they bravely resisted the Goths hot assault frighting their Horses with the noise of their Sheilds and the men with the points of their Lances The Horses flew back having space enough to retire and the men crying aloud to them could not be heard but were thus beaten off They came on againe and found the same entertainment and went off and failing often in the end they gave it over Totilas commanded out another Troop of Horse who sped as the former and so did others after that and Totilas having tryed many Troops and doing no good in the end quitted the businesse whereby these fifty men got much reputation but especially Paul and Ausilas who drawing their Cimiters layd them before them then made many shots upon the Enemy which killed many both men and Horses and their Quivers being empty they took up their Swords and Sheilds and alone opposed the assailants cutting off with their Swords their Lances heads And Paul having bowed his Sword with cutting the Lances he threw it away and snatcht from the Enemy four Lances and by his valour was the greatest cause of their despairing Narses for this service made him one of his Targeteirs In the meane time both parts prepared for the Battell Narses spake thus to his Souldiers When a Battell is to be with equall powers happily it is necessary with encouragements to get some advantage of the Enemy for the Victory But you fellow Souldiers being to fight with men inferiour in valour numbers all kinde of preparations need no more but with Gods propitious to begin this Battell Ever then with your prayers making him your assistant march on with a noble scorn against these theeves the ancient Slaves of our Emperour and now Fugitives though for a time they have troubled us having gotten to themselves a Tyrant pickt out of their multitude Indeed reasoning probably it is most strange that these men should so much as stand in ranck against us They are weary of living and like brutes and mad men run upon a manifest death and from that reasonlesse resolution as they can have no hopes so they care not what befalls them being men brought hither by God to be punished for their ill government When men have a sentence against them above they run themselves into their just chastisement You do likewise hazard in this Battell for a lawfull State but they are Rebels and struggle against the Lawes They thinke not to leave their estates to their Posterity and therefore live in momentany comforts which they know will be lost with their owne breath So that they are to be despised Men without Law and Government all good hopes faile and Victory abandons which uses not to forsake the good cause Totilas also seeing his Troops apprehensive of the Roman Army used this exhortation I am now fellow Souldiers to make to you my last Speech we shall need no more after this day which certainly will conclude the fortune of the Warr. Both our selves and the Emperour are even so spent with toyles fights and other necessities that he that beats his Enemy shall have need to fight no more and he that is beaten will have a faire excuse to be quiet When men reap from their affaires miserable fruits they dare no more returne to them but even in occasions vehemently pressing their judgements start back upon the
THE HISTORY of the WARRES of the Emperour IVSTINIAN in VIII Bookes Of the Persian II Vandall II Gothicke IV Written in Greeke by PROCOPIVS OF CAESAREA Englished by HEN HOLCROFT KT. THE HISTORY OF THE VVARRES Of the Emperour JUSTINIAN IN EIGHT BOOKS Of the Persian II. Vandall II. Gothicke IV. Written in Greek by PROCOPIVS OF CAESAREA AND Englished by Henry Holcroft Knight LONDON Printed for Humphrey Moseley and are to be sold at his shop at the Prince's Armes in St Pauls Church-yard 1653. The Preface AMidst the throng of Historians we have very few who were personally concerned in the actions they write of few having like Caesar wrote their own Commentaries Nay the greatest part were not then in being and so their Reports are but Conjectures and their Books transmitted to Posterity are their Divination rather than their History And alass those few who were Contemporary to their own story how biased are their Traditions how are they commonly so faction'd and sided that their Relations are but their Interests delivering downwards not what they knew but what they inclined to And if any one amongst them be so unbiased that he have no partial bent of his own yet the awe which Princes or Generals have upon him makes him many times fear that his Truth shall be his Gaol or Exile all which considering the wary Author writes not a History but his own Safety But Procopius as every one knows was not onely alive in the times which he wrote of but did for many yeares survive not onely the finishing of his History but the publication also and was a very material concerned Agent in all these Wars And for his Impartial writing take first his own word for it where he saies about the beginning of all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. He conceived indeed that Eloquence was decent in an Oratour and that Poets might be excused for their Fables but an Historian must vent nothing but Truth And then he goes on Wherefore he hath not spared his dearest friends and be their faults committed upon what terms they will he fails not to charge them home with them But if his own assertion will not serve the turn goe but along with him in his History and thou shalt see that while Agathias and Epiphanensis two learned Writers about the same time with Procopius who if they chance to let any thing fall to the discredit of Justinian or the Senators they do it with exceeding great temper and caution were yet fain to conceal their Commentaries with Mauritius the Emperour Procopius freely layes about him sweetens no mans vices cloaks no mans miscarriage but impartially discoursing of Justinian and the great ones doth as much arraign as relate them to posterity He severely indites John the Pretorian Prosect of flat impiety Tribomanus the Questor of grating avarice Arethas the General for his deceitfull and faithless wit and then he recounts the particular Bands of Souldiers the several Garrisons and Cities which became either a prey to the enemy or were utterly destroyed by the base and unworthy demeanour of Bessas Acacius and the other Questor He solemnly rebukes Verus for his intemperance Sergius for his haughty disdain and effeminacy Maximinus for his sloth and his general ignorance in Martial affairs And which is yet much more than all the rest the gallant Belisarius whose wise and valiant conduct to omit his many other glorious atchievements did reduce two Kings and brought them captives to Constantinople and to whose fame and renown the whole History seems to be one entire Sacrifice did but once manage his affairs amiss and he hears sharply of it from Procopius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Belisarius then returned to Constantinople with disrepute for during five whole years together he could gain no footing in Italy but in all that time was forced to waft himself by stealth from one Port-town to another whereupon the enemy did subdue both Rome her self all other places with greater security And as for Perusia a chief City in Tuscany he left it straitly besieged and it was afterwards taken by the enemy whilst he marcht for Constantinople Nor doth Justinian himself escape his chastisement for he often inculcates his unworthy deteining the Souldiers pay his sleepy neglect of Military preparations and his profuse reception of the vilest Barbarian Isdigunas the Persian Ambassadour How he handles his vices elsewhere concerns not our present purpose but evident it is that all the countenance and indulgence all the promotions and advancements hereafter mentioned bestowed upon him by the Emperour were looked upon by Procopius as encouragements to serve not slatter his Prince and as the rewards of his Loyalty not the bribes of his Secresie And all this did Procopius publish the parties themselves being then alive Which severity of his as it cannot chuse but reconcile a great opinion and commendation of his veracity so is it no emergency of hatred or calumny but of clear dealing and integrity not his Satyr against the Persons but his just remorse for the Vices But though Procopius did publish this History in his own life time yet it hath since been the fate of this as Nicolaus Alemannus observes not of this onely but of all the other writings of this worthy Author to be exposed maime and mangled to the world For though it was at first presented to Justinian the Roman Emperour by Procopius himself and by him also dispersed in its native integrity whereby it became the delight and darling of the whole Empire Yet this happiness befell it for many hundred years before Printing was known For the first man that committed it to the Press was Leonardus Aretinus who published that part of it which doth relate to the Gothick Wars and in that also he put a trick upon the World much misbeseeming so learned a man for he quite suppressed the Greek copy and concealing the right Authors name set forth a Latine Translation of his own pretending it to be a Collection compiled by himself out of several Writers and stiling it De Bello Italico A Tract concerning the Wars of Italy Now the Greek Copy of this Translation of Aretinus doth Blondus Flavius recount to have been by his industry first brought into Italy But he for his part since his copy wants some passages of which we are now provided and seeing he inveighs against some things which we find to be currante and justifiable in those Editions which are abroad was either deluded by the old Manuscript which he had by him or else by the person who translated it for him For he might very wel have forborn his censure seeing he confesses himself to be altogether ignorant in the Greek Tongue Christophorus Persona resenting the injury done to Procopius by that Addition of Leonardus did indeed restore him to his right again calling the Book by his name and translating it out of the Original Greek And yet his Edition also is lame and
cannot want or by divine Inspiration For by his Testament he declared his Son his Successor and Isdegerdes K. of Persia his Protector whom he besought with his whole power and providence to preserve both his Empire and Son And thus Arcadius having disposed of the Empire and his private Affairs * Anno Domini 398. died Isdegerdes before renowned for Nobleness now shewed it more than ever to deserve wonder and praise For not neglecting the Injunctions of Arcadius he kept perfect peace with the Romans and preserved the Empire to Theodosius by his Letters to the Roman Senate accepting the Protectorship and threatning War against any that should rise against Theodosius Who grown a man and Isdegerdes dead * Vararanes begin 〈◊〉 in Anno Dom. 423. Vararanes King of Persia invaded the Roman Territories with a great Army but did no hurt returning in this manner Anatolius was sent the Emperors Ambassador to the Persian who being come near the Army leaped from his Horse and alone and afoot went towards Vararanes who demanded of the company who this was they said it was the Roman General The King amazed at the excessive honour turned his horse and rode away and after him his Army Being in his Country he entertained the Ambassador with much curtesie and yeelded to the terms of peace he desired That neither should erect any new Fortification near the others boders which if it were done gave either side opportunity of doing what they pleased Afterwards Perozes King of Persia * Perozes began in Anno 457. with a great Army warred against the Ephthalites a Nation of Hunnes called white Hunnes about their Boundaries These Ephthalites are a Hunnish Nation but not mingled with other Hunnes having no part of their Country bordering upon them their dwelling being to the North of Persia where is a City called Gorgo and some skirmishing about bounds they have being no * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called because they have no fixt habitation but move from place to place carrying their families in waggons and driving their flocks heards before them as the need of fresh pasture requires Creaghters as other Hunnes but are seated in a good Land Neither make they any Inroads into the Roman Territories but onely with the Persian Armies These onely Hunnes have white bodies and visages not uncomely and their course of life is not as of the rest brutish being under one King in a lawfull government and dealing justly with themselves and neighbours no less than the Romans or any other people Their Rich men have each twenty or more companions to be their perpetual Camerades and to partake in a community of their goods When any Principals die the Retainers use to be put into the same grave with them Perozes invading these Ephthalites Eusebius then Ambassador from the Emperor Zeno was with him The Ephthalites made shew to be much affraid and betook themselves to flight and with much hast ran into a place compassed with steep mountains and covered with thickets between the mountains is a broad way reaching far with no way out but still continuing in the same circle Perozes suspecting no fraud nor considering he went in a strange Country pursued without looking afore him some few of them flying before him but the most hiding themselves in the Fastnesses who now had the back of the Enemy and would not yet appear that the Persians might be so far engaged within their Ambushes and the Mountains that they should not be able to retreat Which the Persians apprehending the danger now beginning to appear were silent for fear of Perozes but they desired Eusebius to admonish the King who saw not the ill terms he was come to rather to advise upon some way to escape than to hazard thus impertinently Eusebius told not Perozes the danger but this tale That a Lion once spyed a Goat bleating and tyed upon a bank and ran to make his dinner of him but fell into a deep hole which had in it a round narrow path without any way out framed purposely by the owners of the Goat which they set over it to bait the Lion into a snare Perozes at this tale grew affraid lest the Persians pursued their own mischief and so went no further but called a Council what to doe The Hunnes now in sight had guarded the entrance that none might goe out The Persians then cleerly seeing the disaster lamented no hope appearing to avoid the danger The King of the Ephthalites sent to reproach Perozes for his sensless rashness in thus foolishly ruining himself and his people but promised the Hunnes should grant them their lives if Perozes would adore him being now his Lord and swear his Country oath that the Persians should no more invade the Ephthalites Perozes consulted with the Magi whether these conditions were to be yeelded to Who answered that for the Oath he might doe what he pleased but in the other he should delude the Enemy by a trick They had a custom each morning to adore the rising Sun that he observing duly the hour should meet the King of the Ephthalites with his face to the rising Sun and so adore avoyding by this the disgrace Perozes accordingly swore the peace and adored his Enemy and then went home with his Army CHAP. III. BUt not long after Perozes neglecting his Oath resolved to revenge this scorn and assembling from all his Dominions both Persians and Confederates he went against these Hunnes of his thirty Sons leaving onely Cabades behind him then grown a man The Ephthalites hearing of it and grieving to be so deceived reviled their King for betraying their Affairs to the Persians He smiling demanded what Affairs he had betrayed whether their Country or Arms or Goods They replyed Nothing but our opportunity upon which all other things depend urging him presently to goe meet the Enemy But the refused the Invasion being yet not certain and the Persians still in their own Country and staying where he was he did this Upon a Plain through which the Persians were to enter his Country he digg'd in a great space of ground a deep pit extreme broad leaving in the middle a narrow passage for ten Horse a breast over the pit he laid Reeds and upon the Reeds Turfs which concealed the superficies And he directed his people running from the Enemy to keep close and few in rank upon the firm ground and to beware of the pit On his Royal Palace also he hung out his Halas or Gods by whom Perozes swore and breaking his Oath invaded now the Hunnes While the Enemy were in their own Country he stirred not but hearing by his Scouts they were come to Gorgo being in the utmost border of Persia and marching toward him himself with most of his Army stayd short of the pit sending out some to shew themselves upon the Plain at a good distance and no sooner seen by the Enemy but to retreat amain remembring the pit They did so
not every day but fasting sometimes a good while together Some Ephthalites scouring the Country espyed this James offered to shoot at him but their hands suddainly benummed could not draw their bows Cabades hearing the report of it in the Camp would be an eye-witness of the miracle and seeing it was astonisht and all the Persians with him he humbly therefore besought James to remit his mens offence which he doing at the first word they were instantly freed of their fears Cabades then bade him demand something thinking he would have askt some great sum But he prayed him only to bestow on him such men as in this war should come to him for protection Which Cabades granted and left him Letters for their assurance And it being divulged many from all parts came and were preserved But Cabades with his Rams battered Amida on every side the defendants avoyding the stroak of the Engine with cross beams And he gave not over till he found the wall that way impregnable as not falling nor so much as shaking at so many stroaks So strong their buildings were in ancient times Failing therefore this way he raised a Mount so high that it commanded the wall To which the defendants drew a Mine from the Town and by carrying out the earth from within the Mount made it hollow the outside keeping the form it had giving no suspition of any thing to the Enemy The Persians mounted it thinking as upon firm ground to shoot into the Town But company pressing in the Mount sunk and almost all perisht Cabades at this despairing resolved to raise the siege commanding the Army the next day to retire But the Townsmen now secure flouted the Barbarians from their walls and some common women drew up their clothes shewing Cabades the parts which should not be seen by men Upon this the Magi forbade his retreat assuring the King that ere long the Amidenses would shew him all their secret and hidden things So the Camp lay still Some dayes after a Persian found near one of the Turrets the mouth of an old Vault onely with a few small stones covering it He entered it a lone in the night and got within the wall and when 't was day came and told it Cabades who the next night went with some of his Army and scaling ladders to the place where he had a favourable chance The said Turret was guarded by Monks the strictest kind of Christians who that day observed an Annual Feast and at night wearied in their solemn assembly having taken a greater proportion of meat and drink than usuall they perceived not the Enemy who entring the Town by few at a time ascended the Turret and killed the Monks being fast asleep Then Cabades set scaling ladders to the wall next the Turret and day appearing the Amidenses who guarded the next Turret perceiving their danger came hastily to the rescue Where after a hot conflict on both sides at last they got the better killed many of the men already come up kept off those upon the ladders and were very near quit of the danger But Cabades drawing his Cimeter forced his men up the ladders threatning death to the comers down And so having much the advantage in numbers they got the better and took the Town after eighty dayes siege Much slaughter was done till Cabades riding into the Town an old Priest of Amida came to him and told him That it was not Kingly to kill men that were at his mercy Cabades yet angry answered Why then would they stand out against me Because Sir replyed the Priest God would give you Amida not by our wills but your own valour Cabades pleased with this reply suffered no more execution to be done but bad the Persians sack the City and take prisoners selecting the principall for himself Then leaving a thousand Persians in garrison under one Glones and some few wretched Citizens to serve them in their necessaries with the rest of his army and prisoners he went home To these prisoners Cabades used a princely courtesie he let them all goe home free and gave out they ran away The Emperour Anastasius also dealt liberally with them remitting the Citties tribute for seven years and destowing many benefits upon their City in publique and on particular men so that they soon forgot their miseries But this was afterwards CHAP. VI. BUt Anastasius hearing of the siege of Amida immediately sent forth an Army against the Enemy In which besides the Commanders of companies were Generals Areobindus who married the daughter of Olybrius late Emperour of the West Generall of the East and Celer Commander of the Palatine Cohorts called by the Romans Magister and the two Generals of the Legions in Constantinople Patritius the Phrygian and Hypatius the Emperours Sisters Son These were the four Generals and with them went also Justine who was Emperour after Anastasius and Patriciolus with Vitalianus his son who afterward rebelled against Anastasius Paresmanes of Colchis an excellent good souldier with Godidasclus and Sbesas Goths who followed not Theodorick into Italy out of Thrace both gallant men and expert Souldiers others followed of the best So brave an Army went not against the Persians before it nor since They marcht not together Every General led his own forces The Praefect or Commissary of Provision for the Army was Appion an Egyptian a principal Patrician and valiant whom the Emperour declared his partner in the Empire by a Patent that he might have absolute authority in the expense of the army which being long in levying marching but slowly found the Persians after this cursory invasion gone home with their spoils The Generals would not besiege Amida hearing it to be abundantly provided with all necessaries but were earnest to make an impression into the Enemies Country And they marcht not in one body but encamped severally Cabades being near and knowing this entred the Roman borders They not informed of his being there with his whole army supposed it to be some small party Areobindus encamped in a town called Arzaméne being distant two dayes journey from the City of Constantina And Patricius and Hypatius in a town called Siphris about 44 miles distant from Amida Celer was not yet come up to them But Areobindus heaâ—ing Cabades came with his whole army quitted his camp and ran to Constantina The Author reckons by furlongs and sayes here 350 furlongs An Italian mile contains 8 furlongs The Enemy took the camp and baggage but no men in it and from thence with speed marcht to the other But Patricius and Hypatius having met eight hundred Ephthalites marching before the Persian army had killed them all and not dreaming of the army with Cabades were passing their time merrily like Conquerors laying down their arms and preparing for dinner And they were washing their meat in the brook there and some troubled with heat were bathing which made the water run foul Cabades having heard the fortune of his Ephthalites
of them named Dagaris the other got away and brought newes to the Generalls Who instantly armed their Forces and suddainely set upon the enemies campe who frighted with the suddaineness ran away without striking stroak The Romans killed many and rifled their Camp and then rode back againâ— But not long after Mermeroes with his Army entred the Roman territory and finding the enemy neer the City of Sattala he encamped in a village called Octabe seven miles from Sattala Sittas behind a hill whereof are many about that City though scituate in a plaine with 1000. men lay close directing Dorotheus with the rest to keep within their trenches seing they were not able to stand the enemy being 30000. strong and themselves not half the number But the next day the Barbarians came to their trenches and were compassing them when suddainly seing Sittas coming down from the hill and not being able to judge the number because of the dust then great in the Summer time they thought them more then they were and so left compassing and made hast to draw together into lesse ground which Sittas to prevent divided his men into two Troupes and charged them coming from the trenches Which the Romans therein perceaving took courage and sallyed all upon the gallop and charged the enemy also and having them thus in the midst of their Troupes they routed them But the enemy exceeding them in numbers made head and the fight was fierce and at handy stroakes and some short chases upon one another being all Horsemen Then Florentius a Thracian Captain of a Troupe of Horse rusht into the midst of the enemy and took away the Generalls ensigne and throwing it down to the ground gallopt back but was over-taken and cut in pieces in the place and so was the greatest canse of the Romans victory For the Barbarians losing sight of the chiefe Ensigne fell into feare and disorder and retired within their Camp having lost many in the fight The next day they march't home and none followed them The Romans thinking it much first to beat so many of them in their own Country and now when they invaded them to send them home vanquisht by a lesse number and with nothing done The Romans then also took in some townes of the Persians in Persarmenia and two Forts called Bolus and Pharangium where the King hath a revenue out of gold mines A little before also they had subdued the Tzanians who lived formerly within the Roman land a free people Concerning all which thus it was In the way out of Armenia into Persarmenia to the right hand is Mount Taurus reaching to Iberia and the nations before named To the left hand the way is steep with ragged Mountaines over head covered with perpetuall clouds and snow whence the Phasis springing runns into Lasica Here anciently have dwelt these Tzanians subject to none formerly called Sani using to robb the neighbouring Romans and living hardly and upon what they could steale their own Country bringing forth nothing good to feed on The Emperour therefore gave them a pension in gold not to robb those parts For which they tooke their Country Oath and broke it coming still unlookt for and mischieving the Armenians and other Romans beyond them even to the sea They made short inroads going quickly home and if they met a Roman Army were beaten but impossible to be taken by reason of their strong Country But Sittas before this warre overcoming them in fight and using many allurements both by words and deeds gained them absolutely that they became Civill men and were enrolled in Roman bands and marcht with their Armies and turned Christians also Beyond these Tzanians Country a deep rockie vally runns as farr as Mount Cauâ—asus wherein are populous villages and vines and other fruits in abundance For three dayes journy it is tributary to the Romans but further begin the marches of Persarmenia where is that mine of gold by Cabades committed to the charge of one Simeones Who seing the King in the heat of a warre cosened him of the revenue thus He yeilded himself and the Fort of Pharangium to the Romans who demanded not the gold of the Mine being contented if the Persian lost the benefit and the Persians could not force away the Romans the Country was so fast and strong About the same time also Narses and Aratius who had some blowes with Sittas and Belisarius as I said before revolted to the Romans with their Mother whom Narses the Emperours peculiar Treasurer entertained being also a Persarmenian and gave them great gifts Which Isaac their yonger brother hearing got secret conference with the Romans and delivered them the Fort of Bolus standing not farr from Theodosiopolis by causing them to hide Souldiers neer whom he in the night time closely let into the Fort by a Posterne and thus he came to Constantinople too CHAP. XII IN the meane time the Persians overthrown by Belisarius at Daras Anno Domini 530. Justiniani 4. kept together about those parts till Rusinus coming to Cabades told him That Justinian his brother had sent him to him with a just complaint against the Persians for entring his Country in Armes That it would become so great a King and so prudent rather to procure peace then a troublesome war to himself and his neighbours In which hope he said he was come to him that for the futurâ— both of them might enjoy the benefit of peace Cabades replied O Son of Silvanus Doe not recriminate knowing no man better that you Romans are the chief cause of these troubles Wee for the common benefit of us both took the Caspian Gates forcing thence the Barbarians The Emperour Anastasius you know might have purchased them but would not least he should be put to a great expense for us both by maintaining there forces continually And from that time we have lodged a Garrison there and maintained it and you thereby have dwelt in your own Country unspoiled by Barbarians on that side and possessing quietly your estates But as if this were nothing you have fortified at Daras and made it a great City and a rampier against Persia a thing expresly prohibited in the treaty with Anatolius And hereby our affaires have been ruined with toyles ana the expense of two Armies the one to hinder the Massagetes from forraging both our Countries the other to restraine your incursions wee complaining hereof and demanding either your joint Forces at the Caspian Gates or Daras to be dismantell'd you have slighted it nay advanced your desigue with a greâ—ter injury if I remember your fortisieing at Mindon So that the Romans may chase peace and they may chuse warre either by righting us or proceeding in the contrary For the Persians shall not lay down their armes till the Romans as they ought either joyne in the Guard of the Caspian Gates or dismantle Daras Cabades having thus said dismiss't the Ambassadour intimating to him that for a summe of mony he
Iland of the Nile neer Elephantina built a strong Castle with Temples and Altars for the Romans and these people appointing Priests of each Nation and thinking by a participation in the same devotions to make a sure amity between them And upon this he called the place Philae Both the Blemmyes and the Nobates worship the Gods esteemed by the Graecians and Isis and Osiris and Priapus too and the Blemmyes sacrifice men to the Sunne The Temples in Philae these Barbarians held to my time but by direction of the Emperour Justinian Narses the Persarmenian who revolted to the Romans as I said commanding the forces in those parts demolished them keeping the Priests in restraint and sending the Images to Constantinople CHAP. XVI BUt during this warre with Persia Hellisthaeus King of Ethiopia a very devout Christian hearing how the said Homerites of the opposite continent were many of them Jewes and many Heathen and laid excessive burdens upon the Christians he sent out a Navy and Army against them and fighting with them routed them and slew their King and much people And having made Esimiphaeus King of them a Homerite and a Christian and imposed a tribute upon them he went home In the Ethiopian Army were many both slaves and leud persons that would not follow the King home but staid with the Homerites being in love with the Country as being very good land But not long after the people imprisoned Esimiphaeus and made one Abramus their King a Christian who had been a slave to a Roman Merchant residing for his traffique in the Ethiopian City of Adulis Hellisthaus to punish Abramus and his complices for the wrong done to Esimiphaeus sent against them under the command of a kinsman 3000. men These also desiring to remaine in that good land liad secret conference with Abramus unknown to their Commander and in the battell kill'd him and joyned with the enemies and continued there Hellisthaeus angry sent another Army which coming to a battell returned with much losse and then afraid to meddle any more with Abramus he forbare warr But he being dead Abramus was content to pay the tribute to his successour and so confirmed his governement These things happened afterward But then during the raignes of Hellisthaeus and Esimiphaeus Justinian sent his Ambassadour Julian to desire their confederacie against the Persians the Romans and they consenting in one religion and that the Ethiopians would make themselves masters of a rich trade by dealing with the Indians for their silke and selling it to the Romans who should have this onely advantage therein that they should carry out their mony to their enemies for it Of this silke are made the anciently called Persian now Serick or silke garments The Homerites were prayed also to make chiefetaine of the Maadeni Saracens one Caisus a banisht man who having kill'd a kinsman of Esimiphaeus was fled into a wilderness being of the race of the Phylarchi and a very good Souldier and that together with those Saracens they would invade the Persians Both dimist the Ambassador with promise to effect the Emperours desires but neither performed the Ethiopians not being able to buy the silke because the Persian Merchants ever come first to the havens where the Indians unlade being their next borderers and buy up all And the Homerites thought it hard to travell through a desert many dayes journy to fight with a people more warlike then themselves Afterward Abramus having setled his Kingdome promised oft to Justinian but onely once began the journey and turned home againe Thus the Romans spedd with these people In the meane time Hermogenes came to Cabades in Ambassage after the battell of Euphrates but could not effect the peace finding him much enraged and so came away Belisarius also the Emperour sent for discharging him of that command to make warre upon the Vandales and Sittas was sent to guard the East The Persian Army led by Chanaranges Aspevedes and Mermeroes againe entred Mesopotamia and none encountring them sate downe before Martyropolis where were garrison'd Buzes and Bessas It stands in the Province of Sophanene thirty miles to the North of Amida upon the river of Nymphius which bounds the Roman and Persian territories The Persians assaulted and were valiantly receaved by the besieged who could not thinke long to hold out the walls being very assaultable and easie for the Persians works and they having neither provisions nor engines nor any other thing within of importance to defend Sittas with the Roman army came to Attachas twelve miles from Martyropolis where he encamped not daring to march further with him was Hermogenes in another Ambassage In the meane time this happened The Romans and Persians have anciently had spies defrayed at the publique charge who secretly passe among the enemy informing themselves of all occurrences and advertising their owne Princes Many of these as affectionate Patriots doe their best some betray their Countries secrets to the enemy One of the Persian spies then discovered to Justinian much of their affaires and how a Nation of Massagetes was coming into Persia and from thence were to invade the Romans with the Persian army The Emperour had experience of the mans truth and persuades him with mony to goe and report to the Persians before Martyropolis that these Massagetes were hired by the Emperour and instantly to come against them Who according went to the Persian Camp and told them that an armie of Hunnes their enemies were coming to ayde the Romans which made them afraid and doubtfull what to doe CHAP. XVII IN the meane time Cabades fell mortally sicke and calling to him Mebodes a Persian his chief favourite opened his resolution concerning Chosroes and the Kingdom and that he feared the Persians would seek to frustrate it Mebodes prayed him to leave his resolution in writing and to assure himself the Persians would not disrespect it Cabades thereupon declared Chosroes King by his testament written by Mebodes himself and soon after died His usuall funerall ceremonies being performed Caoses presuming upon the Law took upon him the dignity Mebodes forbad him alledging that none of himself might take the Kingdome but by the votes of the principall Persians Caoses referred to the great Officers the cognisance of the matter not suspecting opposition from thence So the principall Persians being assembled and set down Mebodes by reading the testament manifested the determination of Cabades Anno Domini 531. Justiniani 5. whose great vertues they all remembring forthwith declared Chosroes King of Persia And thus Chosroes got the Kingdom But Sittas and Hermogenes having no meanes to relieve Martyropolis sent to the enemies Generalls to tell them That they were hinderanoes to the King their master to the blessings of peace and to both their common-wealths That Ambassadors are sent from the Emperour to their King to end all differences and to make a truce That therefore they should quit the Roman territory and give the Ambassadours leave
for a trophy upon one of the turrets and laught and brag'd but durst sally no more out of their fortifications Belisarius considering Nisibis strongly scituated and having no hope to take it urged to rise thence and to march where they might suddainly spoyl the enemy So after a dayes march he came to a castle of the Persians called Sisibranum full of inhabitants and eight hundred of the best Persian horsmen to guard it commanded by Blechames a principal man The Romans encamped before the Castle and assaulting were repulsed with losse of many the walls being strong and the Barbarians opposing obstinately Belisarius then called his fellow Commanders and told them How experience of many wars taught them to foresee the event in actions doubtful and before disasters to chuse the better way That they knew their disadvantage now marching in an enemies country full of strong Garrisons If they goe on it is likely that from Nisibis the enemy will follow them and infest them with ambushes And if another army meet them they will be forced to a battail with both and may be undone Then if they be routed they have no means of retreat into Roman land They should not therefore crush themselves with inconsiderate industry nor with ambition to winne hurt the Roman affairs An ignorant daring brings to destruction and a sober delaying laying preserves men That themselves therefore should sit down before the Castle and that Arethas with his Saracens men unapt for assaults but excellent plunderers should enter Assyria and with them some of their best souldiers These if no opposition appear to take the spoyl and the enemy opposing to retire to this army Which if it take the Castle may passe the Tigris fearing no mischief behind and informed in what state the Assyrians are They all approved this advise of Belisarius Who accordingly commanded Arethas to go against the Assyrians and sent with him 1200 souldiers most of his own Targettiers commanded by two of his Lanciers Trajanus and John sirnamed Phagas and directed to be obedient to Arethas whom he instructed to forrage the countries and coming back to the camp to report what forces the Assyrians had These past the Tigris into Assyria found the country rich and without guard and so ransackt many towns and got much wealth Belisarius in the mean time understood from Persian prisoners That the Castle not using as Daras and Nisibis to lay in yearly provisions and then prevented by an enemy and having brought in none and many suddainly resorting thither for refuge wanted provisions He sent therefore George a wise man and trusted with his secrets to try if the place might be had by composition Who with his reasons and fair words prevailed with them to take assurances for their safety and to render themselves and the Castle to the Romans Belisarius did no harm to the Inhabitants being Christians and antiently Romans The Persians with Blechames he sent to Constantinople and threw down the walls of the Castle These Persians and Blechames the Emperour sent into Italy against the Goths But Arethas fearing the Romans might take away his booty would return no more to the camp And he commanded some scoutes sent out purposely by him to report a great army of enemies to be at the passage of the river upon which he advised John and Trajan to return some other way into the Roman Territories So they went not to Belisarius but keeping the Euphrates on their right hand came to Theodosiopolis standing upon the river of Aborras The Roman army with Belisarius hearing nothing of these forces were troubled and affraid And the said siege having being long in the Persian Mesopotamia infinitely hot the men being not used to heats specially those of Thrace and stirring much in them and lodging in close cabbins in the summer the third part of them lay half dead with Feavers and all were earnest to be gone home specially Requithancus and Theoctistus Captaines of Phoenicia Libani Who importuned Belisarius the Saracens consecrated time being past protesting to stay there to no purpose and in the mean time to abandon the towns of Libanus and Syria to Alamundarus Belisarius hereupon called a counsell where John the sonne of Nicetas first rose and spake thus Excellent Belisarius I think the world hath not had neither for time nor valour a Captain like your self This opinion prevailes not onely with Romans but with all Barbarians And certainly hereby you will preserve this glory firm if you bring us alive into the Roman dominions as we now are our expectations are not fair Our Saracens and best men are come over the Tigris and gone into our upper Provinces so fast as not to send us so much as a messenger Requithancus and Theoctistus will be instantly gone supposing Alamundarus forraging Phoenicia and of the rest we have more sick then sound men to bring them into the Roman dominions Such as if an enemy light on us here or upon our retreat not a man will be left to report our disaster to the Romans at Daras To march up higher I think it not possible in reason Whilst therefore some hope is left 't is good counsell to make a faire retreat and madness for men in our danger not to advise upon safety but designes on an enemy All approved this speech of John and cryed out for a speedy retreat So Belisarius put his sick into waggons and led home the army where he heard what Arethas had done but could have no right of him being not yet come to him Chosroes in the mean time having taken Petra had the newes of Belisarius invasion of the battaile by Nisibis the taking of Sisabranum and what the forces which with Arethas past the Tigris had done So leaving a Garrison in Petra he went into Persia with the rest of his army and Roman captives These were the occurrents of Chosroes's second invasion And Belisarius was by the Emperour sent for to Constantinople where he spent his Winter CHAP. XIV IN the beginning of the Spring Chosroës third Invasion in An. Dom. 542. Justiniani 16. Chosroes invaded the Roman territorie the third time with a great army keeping the Euphrates to his right hand Candidus Bishop of Sergiopolis having not kept his day with Chosroes was afraid and came to the Persian Camp where he besought Chosroes not to be offended with him That he never had money nor ever thought of ransoming the Surenians himselfe he had been a sutor to the Emperour but got no good But Chosroes put him in prison and bitterly tortured him and bad him procure double the summe formerly agreed He prayed him to send to Sergiopolis to receave the treasures of the Church which Chosroes did and Candidus sent some with his messengers to whom the Sergiopolitans gave many of those treasures protesting to have nothing left But Chosroes said those should not suffice he must have more and he sent some in pretence to make privy search for their
wealth but indeed to surprize the city But Sergiopolis was not then to be taken For a Saracen under Alamundarus being a Christian named Ambrus came under the wall by night revealed the plot and bad them receave no Persians into their town So Chosroes seeing his men returne without effect in a great rage sent six thousand men to force the town Who assaulted and the Sergiopolitans at first defended bravely But grown weary and affraid they advised to render the city having but two hundred Souldiers within But Ambrus came againe by night and told them that within two dayes the Persians would raise their siege their water absolutely failing Whereupon they refused to parly and the enemy afflicted with third rose and returned to Chosroes Who would not dismiss Candidus It behoved I think that having broke his oath he should no more be a Priest But when Chosroes came into Comagena called Euphratesia he would not forrage nor take townes as having spoiled all in Syria formerly in his way and either sackt or ransom'd them as hath been said But his intent was to march directly into Palestine and there to take the spoile especially of the Treasures at Jerusalem hearing the Province was fertile and richly inhabited The Romans both Commanders and Souldiers had no mind to meet the enemy to stay his passage but thought it enough within their fortifications to preserve them and themselves Justinian advertised of this invasion againe sent Belisarius who taking Post-horses arrived with great speed having no Souldiers with him in Comagena Justus the Emperors brothers son with Buzes and some other were gotten into Hierapolis and hearing Belisarius to be neer wrote this letter to him Chosroes as your self know hath againe invaded the Romans with a much greater army then formerly Whither he intends he yet makes no shew onely we heare he is very neer and hurts no town in his way still marching forward Come therefore speedily unto us if possibly you can slip by the enemy that you may be preserved for the Emperour and guard here Hierapolis with us Belisarius liked not this letter but went to Europus a town upon the Euphrates from whence he sent and levyed an army which encamped there and to the commanders he returned this answer If Chosroes goe against other people and not Romans you have fallen upon a most safe counsell They who by lying still can avoid the mischief are madd to run into a needless danger But you being quit of the Barbarian he will fall upon some other country the best he can find and without garrisons Know then that a valiant death is better then such a preservation or rather treason Come you therefore speedily to Europus where assembling our whole forces we shall effect upon our enemies what God shall grant us The Commanders took heart at this letter and leaving Justus with some to guard Hierapolis the rest went to Europus CHAP. XV. WHen Chosroes heard Belisarius to be at Europus he march't no further but sent to him one of his Secretaries named Abandanes a very discreet man This is supplied by the Latin Translation to complaine that Justinian had not sent his Ambassadors to ratifie the treaty Of whose coming Belisarius understanding he chose six thousand the goodliest of his men as if he would send them out to hunt He commanded also Diogenes one of his Lanciers and Adolius the son of Acacius and Armenian one of those who attend in the Emperours Palace to keep off noise whom the Romans call Silentarij and now Captaine of the forces in Armenia to skirt along the shore of Euphrates with a thousand horse and at times to make shew to passe the river to invade their countrey Himself hearing the Ambassador to be at hand retired to his pavillion which uses to be made with boards that he might seeme to the Ambassador to be in a poore town without provisions His souldiers he thus disposed On the one side of his pavillion were the Thracians and Illyrians and behind them the Goths and next the Herulians then the Vandales and Moores They took up much space not standing still but walking at distance and looking carelesly and confidently upon the Ambassador None had his mantle on but linnen coates like women girt about them and in their hands a Horsemans-whip For armes some had swords some battle axes others bowes onely looking like hunters in all hast omitting all to be pursueing the wild beasts Abandanes the Ambassador coming to Belisarius said That it was a foule indignity that Cesar so the Persians call the Roman Emperour had not sent Ambassadors about the Articles which had constrained his master to enter the Roman territory in armes Belisarius not fearing their great army and without any trouble in his mind or countenance smiled and with a cheerfull look answered him Men doe not censure the actions of Chosroes by the same reasons he does them by other men demanding ought of their neighbours send Ambassadors first and if they get not right then they make warr But he being in armes in the heart of our provinces shamelesly now talks of peace Having thus said he dismissed the Ambassador Who coming back to Chosroes perswaded him to lay down armes telling him That he lighted upon a captaine the stoutest and the wisest in the world and upon such souldiers as he never beheld the like whose order he extreamely admired Then was the match between them unequall He overcoming should onely vanquish a slave of Cesars but being overcome should get infinit dishonour to him and his house The Romans also being beaten may escape into their fortresses and in their own countrey But if other then well happen to his army there will be no messenger left to report the calamity in Persia Chosroes upon these reasons had a mind to goe home but was troubled knowing the passages of the river to be guarded by the enemy * Here the Greek begins againe and march the same way againe through a wilderness he could not the provisions they brought with them failing In conclusion he thought it best though with hazarding a battaile to get to the land on the other side the river and so to march through a plentifull countrey Belisarius knew well that not 100000. men could hinder his passage the river being passable by boats and his army stronger then to be barred their way by few enemies Having also as I said commanded Diogenes and Adolius with a considerable party to the shore to amaze the enemy with suddainess and to put him in disorder Now he feared least by frighting him he might interrupt his quitting the Roman territory thinking it a matter of much importance to drive him away without hazarding with a very small army heartily affraid of the Persians against so many thousands Wherefore he bad Diogenes and Adolius stay And Chosroes speedily making a bridge pass'd with his army over the Euphrates Which was done with ease the Persians having in their
they understood it not the Phrensie taking away their senses Some Physitians upon these symptomes conceaving the head of the disease to be in those plague sores searcht the dead bodyes and opening the sores found a huge carbuncle growing inward Some died forthwith some after many dayes Such whose bodies were spotted with black pimples the bigness of a lentile lived not a day Many a voluntary vomiting of bloud seizing died This I can say that many famous Physicians judged some instantly would dye who unexpectedly grew well and confidently affirmed the recovery of others who were vpon the point of death So that no cause of this sickness was reach't by mans reason some event happening to all whereof no reason could be rendred Some bathing helped others it hurt Many dyed for want of cure and many scaped without it it proving both wayes to those that used it In a word no way was found of preservation neither by preventing the disease nor mastering it no cause appearing neither of their falling sick nor recovering Women with child taken with it certainly dyed some miscarrying some fairely deliver'd and perishing with their children Yet they say that three women were delivered who grew well their children dying and one dyed whose child had the happ to live Such as had their sore great and running with putrefaction escaped the same asswaging the violence of the carbuncle and this was commonly a certaine signe of health But whose plague-sore stay'd as it first rose such had the miserable accidents I mentioned Some had their thigh withered the sore rising upon it and not running Some escaped with imperfect tongues and lived stammering o◠speaking sounds without sence In Constantinople this sickness lasted foure months and was three months in extremity At first few dyed more then usually Then it grew hotter then died five thousand every day then 10000 and more In the beginning men took care to bury each his own dead casting some into other mens Monuments either unseen or by force But in the end all was in confusion Servants were without Masters and rich men wanted servants to attend them being sick or dead and many houses were empty So that divers for want of acquaintance lay long unburied The Greek fails here and it is supplied from the Latine translation * The Emperour as was reason made it his own care and committed the oversight to Theodorus whose office was to subscribe the Emperours answers to Petitions the Latines call him Referendarius To them that wanted and to the poor multitude he gave reliefs in mony out of the Treasury And now in the afflicted City were no trades nor shops to be seen Many for fear leaving their bad courses consecrated themselves to God and many when the danger was past fell to their old despising of God again CHAP. XVII BUt to return to my former discourse Chosroes marcht Northward to Ardabigara a town in Assyria Anno Domini 543. Justiniani 17. purposing from thence to invade the Romans again Here is a great Pyraeum which the Persians adore above all Gods where the Magi keep a perpetuall fire and offer much sacrifice and in their greatest affairs use it for an Oracle it is the fire which anciently the Romans called Vestall Here Chosroes had news of two Ambassadors from Constantinople about the Peace Constantianus an Illyrian and Sergius an Edessenian both Orators and able men Chosroes expecting their comming forbare hostility But Constantianus fell sick upon the way and the Plague at last came into Persia But Nabedes Governour of Persarmenia by the Kings command sent Eudulius Prelate of the Christians there unto Valerianus Commander of the forces in Armenia to complaine of the slownesse of the Ambassadors and to exhort the Romans to peace He came into Armenia with his brother and told Valerianus that he heartily affected the Romans being Christians as himself and would so perswade Chosroes that the Ambassadors should find no impediment of concluding a peace to their own desire But the Prelates brother getting privately to Valerianus told him That Chosroes in great distresse desired a peace his sonne conspiring against him and his army being full of the Plague Valerianus upon this sent away the Prelate promising the Ambassadors should shortly come to Chosroes and the said advertisement he wrote to Justinian Who thereupon directed him and the Army to invade the Persians for he saw not that any enemy would oppose them willing all the forces to joyn and enter into Persarmenia The Captains upon these Letters rode with their troopes into Persarmenia Chosroes was newly gone from Ardabigara for fear of the Plague with his army to a part of Assyria where the sicknesse was not yet come Valerianus with his forces encamped at Theodosiopolis to whom joyned Narses with some Armenians and Herulians But Martinus Generall of the East with Ildiger and Theoctistus encamped at Citharizum a Castle four dayes journey from Theodosiopolis whether came Peter shortly after and Adolius with some other Captaines Isaac also * brother of Narses was there Here begins the Greek again and Philemuth and Verus with the Herulians under their command came to Arzanéne not far from the camp of Martinus Justus also the Emperours Nephew and Peranius and John the son of Nicetas with Domentiolus and John Phagas encamped at Phison a Castle near unto Martyropolis Thus were these Commanders quartered with their severall troops amounting in the whole to thirty thousand These joyned not nor communicated save when the Generals sent to one another to know news of the Persians Peter upon a sudden motion without acquainting the rest invaded the enemies country And the next day Philemuth and Verus with their Herulians followed Martinus and Valerianus hearing thereof marcht likewise to the Invasion Shortly all joyned in the enemies country save Iustus who was quartered far off but hearing though late that his fellow Commanders were entred the enemyes land he marcht thither also but could not unite his troopes with theirs Those Generalls marcht directly to Dubis neither forraging nor otherwise hurting the country Dubis is a Territory eight dayes journey from Theodosiopolis of good land wel scituated for air and water being fair champians full of populous villages close together and inhabited by Merchants who traffique with the Indians and neighbouring Iberians and with all the Persian Nations and some Romans The Bishop of the Christians the Greeks call Catholicus who hath the charge of all the country Some fifteene miles from Dubis to the right hand comming from the Roman Territories stands a ragged mountain hardly to be passed and in a very narrow passage a village called Anglon where Nabedes hearing of the enemies comming kept fast confident of the strength of the place The village is at the furthest end of the mountain where upon a steep rock stands a Castle of the same name Nabedes fortified the passage to the village with stones and waggons and drew a trench before and lodged his
army in the said village and in old houses without it layed ambushes of foot The Persians amounted in all to four thousand men The Romans came to a place distant a dayes journey from Anglon and took a scout of the enemies who told them that Nabedes was retired from Anglon Narses at this chafed reproaching his fellow Commanders for their tardinesse The same others did likewise taunting one another And now carelesse of fighting and fearlesse of dangers they attended pillaging onely They marcht confusedly without discipline without watch-word as is usuall in such actions or distinction by any kind of order The souldiers were mingled with the attendants upon the baggage and marcht as to some great booty ready drest for them Being near Anglon they sent out scoutes who brought them word that the army was inbattail array The Commanders were amazed with the suddainnesse yet thought it base and cowardly to turn their backs with so great an army So ordering the army as well as in that case they could they marcht against the enemy Peter having the right hand wing Valerianus the left and Martinus the battell Being come near the enemy they stood still in their ranks confusedly by reason of the ragged ground and their being newly put in order The Barbarians also drew close together and stood viewing the enemies powers Nabedes had commanded none to strike the first blow but the enemy giving on to resist him Narses with his Herulians and some Romans gave on upon the Persians and them he routed who ran away up to the Castle Much mischief was done between them in the narrow passage and Narses pressed upon the enemy and encouraged his men and the rest fell to work But suddainly the Ambushes issuing from the old houses into the narrow lanes killed some Herulians and wounded Narses in the head mortally whom his brother Isaac carried off but he dyed quickly having in this fight done bravely The Romans upon this growing to confusion Nabedes drew out all his army which in those narrow lanes shooting at a multitude killed them at ease and most the Herulians being the most part unarmed and in fight never using head-piece corslet or other defensive armour save a shield and a thick coat girt about them Their slaves fight without shields which their masters permit them to weare when they have shewed themselves good souldiers But the Romans not enduring the enemy longer fled amain remembring neither valour shame nor ought that good is The Persians suspecting that they could not fall to so shamelesse a running away but had some ambushes drave them out of the fastnesses and then turn'd bridle not daring with a few to encounter so many in a plain But the Romans specially the Commanders thinking the enemy still pursuing ran without intermission urging their horses with whip and voice throwing away their arms in haste as having no courage to fight with a Persian over-taking but all their hope of safety in their horses feet In a word it was such a running away as scarce a horse over-lived it but instantly dyed the course ended So great a disaster the Romans have not formerly had Many were slain more made slaves to the enemy who took so great a quantity of arms and baggage that the rich state of Persia appeared much richer by this victory Adolius in this retreat passing by a Castle in Persarmenia was slain by a wound in his head of a stone thrown by one of the Inhabitants Justus and Peranius having a little plundered the country of Taraunia returned home CHAP. XVIII BUt the next year Chosroes invaded the Romans the fourth time Chosroës 4th Invasion in An. Dom. 544. Justiniani 18. with his army into Mesopotamia And this expedition he made not against the Emperour Justinian nor any mortall man indeed but even against God whom onely the Christians adore For in his first Invasion missing Edessa and retiring so he and his Magi were much discontented to be overcome by the Christians God Wherefore he threatned to make the Edessenians slaves and to turn their City to a Sheep-pasture Being come before Edessa with his army he sent some Hunnes to the walls over against the Circus to steal the sheep kept near the walls by shepheards presuming upon the strength and steepnesse of the place But the Barbarians got to the sheep and the shepheards stoutly resisted but with the aid of some Persians they got away one flock which ran back again while some Romans sallying fought with them Where a Hunne fighting in the front and most troubling the Romans a country fellow hit him with a sling-stone on his right knee and down he fell headlong which encouraged the Romans The fight lasted from morning till noon and both thinking they had the better parted the Romans to their walls and the Barbarians to pitch their tents a mile from the City where they encamped Chosroes either upon some dream or the apprehension of disgrace to misse Edissa twice thought of selling his retreat to the Edessenians for money Paul the Interpreter therefore the next day under the town-walls advised the Romans to send men of quality to Chosroes They chose four eminent men whom Zaberganes met in the camp by the Kings direction and with threatning words asked them which they would rather have a Peace or a War They confessing to chuse peace before dangers Then must you buy it quoth Zaberganes with a great summe They sayd they would give as much as formerly when he came thither after the sack of Antioch Zaberganes laught and bade them consult seriously for their lives and come back again Shortly after Chosroes sent for them and recited the Roman towns he had led into captivity threatning to them also the terriblest usage if they gave him not all their money within their walls upon which onely he would raise his siege The Ambassadours acknowledged that they would buy their peace if he enjoyned possibilites But the conclusion of a danger they said no living man could know before the combat war being not upon articles of agreement between the parties Upon this Chosroes commanded them in anger to get them gone The eighth day of the Siege he beganne to raise a mount against the walls making without arrow-shot a square work of trees cut down with leaves on spreading over them much earth and over all a quantity of rude unwrought stones his onely care being to raise the Mount speedily putting between the earth and stones long timbers which fastned the work that growing high it should not be weak But Peter the Roman Generall being in the town with Martinus and Peranius sent out Hunnes against the workmen who falling on suddainly killed many One of his Lanciers named Arger killed above seven and twenty But the Barbarians kept better guard afterward and none sallyed on the workmen Who being come within arrow-shot the Romans from the walls stoutly employed their slings and bows Before their labourers in this Aggestus so is
and well esteemed by the Emperour This John the Persians encountred and so he retired wanting seconds Then Mirranes commander of the garrison willed the Persians to attend their guards and went being afraid of the towne to Dagisthaeus gave him faire words promised to render the town shortly and so amused him that he did not as he should have done presently march into the town In the meane time Mermeroes was encountred at the Passage by the two hundred Romans who valiantly kept off the assailants But the Persians persisting and being still supplied with new men for their slaine having lost more then 1000. The Romans weary with killing and overprest with numbers ran up to the mountaines Dagisthaeus hereof advertised presently raised the siege and without giving any direction to the army away he gallopt towards the Phasis and all the Romans followed leaving their baggage in the camp Which the Persians seeing sallyed fell among their Cabbins and were rifling the camp But the Tzanians who followed not Dagisthaeus came to the rescue routed the enemy who ran into the town after the losse of many and ransackt the Roman camp themselves Then went to Rhizaeum and from thence home by Athens and Trapezond The ninth day after Dagisthaeus his retreat Mermeroes with his army came thither where he found remaining of the Persian Garrison 350. men whereof 150 sound the rest wounded and unserviceable The dead bodies the survivors never threw from the walls but endured almost stifling with the stench that the enemy seing so many lost might not be the more encouraged to assault Mermeroes said scoffingly that the Romans affaires were to be lamented being fallen into so weak a condition as not to be able with all their endeavour to force 150. Persians that had no walls to defend them But the walls he carefully repaired and wanting lime and other materialls he filled with sand the linnen wallets wherein the Persians brought their provisions and laid them insteed of stones and this served for walling In the town he left 3000 chosen men with a proportion of victuall for no long time and direction to repaire the walls Himself with the rest of his army returned homeward And because if he marcht the same way he came he would find no provisions having left what he brought out of Iberia in Petra he went over the mountains which he heard were inhabited that by forraging he might make his army live But one Fubelius a noble man of Lazica conducting Dagisthaeus and 1000. Romans surprized the Persians where they lodged and having stolne some horses at pasture and killed some who kept them retired and Mermeroes rose from thence But Gubazes not affrighted with what happened to the Romans quitted not the Passage on his side supposing there to be the maine of his hopes For though the Persians forced through the Passage beyond the Phasis and got to Petra yet he could not incommode Lazica being not able to cross the Phasis without shipps the river is so deep and broad and so swift that it enters the Sea a good way unmingled with salt water out of it passengers take in fresh water And with shipps the many Fortresses on this side will make an enemies landing unsafe Justinian also at last sent the monyes for the Sabirians and other for Gubazes and the Lazians Long before he had sent a good army thither commanded by Recithangus the Thracian a wise man and a good souldier but it was not yet arrived Mermeroes having gotten to the mountaines would have provided victuall for Petra knowing that that he had left would not serve a Garrison of 3000. men But what he could light on in the country hardly sufficing his own army of 30000. he could send nothing to Petra worth the speaking So he resolved with the most of his army to quit Lazica and leave some few who of the provisions they could get were to transport most to Petra and to live upon the rest And so 5000. chosen men he left with Fabrizus and three other commanders He thought a greater army not needfull there being no enemies With the residue he went into Persarmenia and lay quiet in the townes of Dubis The 5000. upon the furthest confines of Lazica encamped by the river Phasis stragling to plunder thereabout Gubazes observing it sent to Dagisthaeus to come up to him as having it in his power to doe the enemy a notable mischief He did so marching with the river Phasis to his left hand till he came where on the other side encamped the Lazians and where the river was fordable This neither the Romans nor Persians knew not knowing the countrey but the Lazians knew it and there passed the river and joyned with the Romans The Persians sent out 1000 chosen men to prevent an enemies infesting their camp And two of these advancing to discover fell into the enemies hands and discovered all to them So the Romans suddainely set upon the 1000. men of whom none escaped but were most slaine and the rest taken Gubazes learnt the number of the Persian army how farr off they were and in what estate They march't therefore towards them computing to fall on them farr within the night They were in number fourteen thousand The Persians without thought of an enemy slept securely They thought the river not fordable and their 1000. men farr upon their way without encountring any So that the Romans unexpected charging them after midnight found some asleep some newly awake and naked upon their pallets not a man with a thought of fighting But most of them thus surprized were slaine Some they tooke among whom a principall commander Some few escaped in the darke The camp the Romans and Lazians took with all their Ensignes and had the booty of much armes and goods and of Horses and Mules a great number They followed the execution farr into Iberia where lighting upon other Persian troopes they killed many The Romans and Lazians also found there a quantity of meale and other provision and burnt it which the Persians were conducting out of Iberia to Petra So they left at the Passage some numbers of Lazians that no provisions to Petra might passe that way and then returned with all their booty and captives And thus ended the fourth yeare of the Persian affaires being the three and twentieth of Justinian's raigne The yeare before Anno Dom. 548. 23. Justiniani was the fourth yeare of the truce where Agathias begins John the Cappadocian was sent for by the Emperour to Constantinople for the Empress Theodora died in that yeare Yet could he not recover any of his offices The honour of Priesthood he held against his will He had also apparitions promising the Empire For the Devilluses to display before unsetled judgements with some great hopes that which they naturally love and so was this John deluded by some Juglers who told him he should weare the habit of Augustus And in Constantinople was a Priest who kept
the heresie of Eâ—â—yches And so it was indeed Zeno resuming the Empire to comply somewhat with his oath to Armatus adopted his son Basiliscus but soon after deprived him of that honour and killed Armatus Basiliscus with his wife and children he sent into Cappadocia in the winter season commanding them to be left without meat or apparel or any other conveniencies Where pincht with cold and hunger and â—lying to one another for succour embracing them own dear bodies they all died Such punishment had Basiliscus of his ill Government But these things hapned afterward Genserick having now either with force or artifices shaken off his enomies â—aâ—â—ied the Roman Provinces more then ever till Zeno came to a Treaty with him and perpetual peace was concluded That the Vandals should commit no acts of hostility against the Romans nor from them receive any THis Treaty was observed all the time of Zeno and Anastasius his successor and during the reigne of Justin whose sisters son Justinian succeeding in his time this war was which I purpose to relate CHAP. VIII BUt Genserick shortly after died a very old man charging the Vandals by his Testament that the Kingdom should descend ever to such male descendent of Genserick as was eldest in years Genserick having reigned over the Vandals from his taking of Carthage 39 years * An. dom 479. Zenonis septimo Honoricus his eldest son succeeded Genson being dead In the reigne of Honoricus the Vandals had war only with the Moors who being rid of Genserick who kept them in awe did the Vandals many mischiefs and suffered many This Honoricus was most cruel and unjust to the Christians of Africa forcing them to turn Arrians or for refusing burning and in several sorts destroying them From many he cut out their tongues by the roots who to my time lived in Constantinople speaking perfectly and feeling no manner of inconvenience from that torture Two of these medling with light women after it lost their speech He reigned 8 years and died in his bed The Moors inhabiting the mountain Aurasium being revolted already from the Vandals and not to be reduced by reason the Vandals could not come to fight with them in that sleep unpassable mountain which stands in Numidia 〈◊〉 days journey to the Southward of Carthage After Honoricus * An. dom 488. Zenonis 15. the Dominion of the Vandals come to Gundamund the son of Genson the son of Genserick having the advantage of year above any of Gensericks race Gundamund had many battels with the Mâ—ors 〈◊〉 the Christians more then the other An. Dom. 500. Anastasii 7. and died in the middle of the 12th year of his reign * His brother Trasamund succeeded a goodly man wise and magnanimous But he constrained the Christians to change not by tortures as his Predecessors but courting them with honours and offices and with large gifts taking no notice of such as would not submit If he found a man in a great crime he offered him impunity to change his religion His wife being dead without children and he desirous to establish his government with succession demanded to wife Amalafrida the sister of Theodorick King of the Goths whose husband was lately dead He sent him his sister with a guard of 1000 selected Goths attended with 5000 more fighting men and he gave her Lilybaeum one of the Promontories of Sicily So Trasamund of all the Princes of the Vandals seemed the most powerful Yet in his reign the Vandals had a great overthrow from the Moors Cabaon Prince of the Moors about Tripolis a man experienced in many wars and very witty hearing that the Vandals would make war upon him first enjoyned his Subjects to forbear unjust dealings delicious foods and specially the company of women Then he made two Entrenchments in the one himself lodged and his men in the other he shut up the women making it death for any man to go into the womens Entrenchment Then he sent Spies to Carthage with this direction to mark what scorns the Vandals upon their march did to the Christians Churches and when they were gone from the place themselves to doe the quite contrary And they say he used this speech That 't is true he was ignorant of the God whom the Christians worship But it was likely if he were so powerful as they say he is that he will punish those that scorn him and defend those that honour him The Spies having markt the Vandals preparations at Carthage followed their Army in a poor disguise toward Tripolis The Vandals at their first dayes march lodged in the Christians Churches put in their horses and other beasts and spared no kind of scorn They practised therein all lewdness and beat and whipt the Priests they found commanding them services which they imposed on their meanest slaves So soon as they were gone the Spies of Cabaon according to his order made the Churches clean again took away the dirt and such like profanely left in them lighted the Lamps did lowly reverence to the Priests and used them courteously and to many poor about those Churches gave money and then followed the Vandals Army Thus in all the journey they mended herein what the Vandals offended And being come neer went before to Cabaon and told him how far the enemy was and what was done to the Christians Churches He presently put in order to fight The field where he would entrench he took in with a circle about and placed his Camels side-long in a round to fence his Camp making the Front 12 Camels deep The women and children unable men and baggage he put in the middle and his fighting men between the legs of those beasts with shields to ward with The Vandals knew not what to do to this kind of batallion being neither Archers nor Darters nor good Infantry but most Hors-men using the Lance and the Sword and not able to hurt an enemy afar off and their horses not enduring the sight of the Camels would not approach the enemy who darting at multitudes from a safe place killed them and their horses that they ran away The Moors followed the execution and killed and took them so that few came home This fortune had Trasamund with the Moors and after 27 years reign dyed An Dom. 527. Justini 9. It was Justiniani 1. who began to reign with Justin on good Friday of that year 5 Ap. and alone in August following CHAP. IX ILderick succeeded him the son of Honoricus the son of Genserick A Prince mild to his subjects and not harsh to Christians nor to any but faint-hearted not enduring to hear of war In such expeditions at the Vandals had Hoamer was Generall his nephew a good Souldier whom they called the Achilles of the Vandals In his reign the Vandals lost a battel against the Moors of Byzacium commanded by Antallas and fell out with Theodorick and the Goths in Italy For they kept in prison Amalafrida and
put all the Goths to death who attended her charging them with practise against their King and State Of this Theodorick had no revenge wanting a Navy to make war upon Africk and Ilderick was an ancient friend of Justinian who governed absolutely then his Uncle Justin being very old and not skill'd in affairs of State and they courted each other with Presents There was of the race of Genserick one Gelimer the son of Gelgris the son of Genson of ripe years and so expected immediately to succeed Ilderick In war he was thought one of the best of his time but wicked and skilful in mutinies and rapines Perceiving his Reign coming slowly though he had taken the government by the yieldingness of Ilderick he could not keep his thoughts in that condition but made a party and perswaded the best men to depose Ilderick as a Coward beaten by the Moors and betraying the State to the Emperour Justin to keep the Kingdom from him who was of the other house which he said was the intent of the late Ambassage to Constantinople They did so upon these perswasions * An. dom 530. Justiniani quarto And Gelimer getting the Kingdom kept Ilderick in prison after seven years reign with Hoamer and his brother Evagees Justinian hereof advertised being now Emperour sent Ambassadors and wrote thus to Gelimer You doe not religiously nor as is due to the testament of Genserick to keep in prison an old man of your blood and your King if Genserick's wise constitutions be worth ought and to force from him a Kingdom which shortly you will have by law Proceed not in evil nor change the title of a King to that of an Vsurper for a little advantage of time But let him carry the image of Royalty to his grave whereinto he is stepping yourself having the execution of it already and having the substance attend upon the Law of Genserick for the name If you doe thus you will find God propitious and Vs your friend But Gelimer sent away the Ambassadors unsatisfied put out Hoamers eyes and kept Ilderick and Evagees in straiter prison accusing them to have attempted an escape to Constantinople Upon this Justinian sent other Ambassadors and wrote thus We did not think you would have done the quite contrary to our advices But seeing it pleases you to get a Kingdom thus take what fortune gives you But send to us Ilderick and blind Hoamer and his brother to get such comfort whereof men are capable who have lost Kingdoms and eye-sights If you refuse this we will not endure it The hope they had in our friendship induces us and the Treaties with Genserick cannot stop us being not to make war upon but to vindicate his Successor To this Gelimer made this answer King Gelimer to the Emperour Justinian I have neither taken the Kingdom by force nor committed impiety against mine own blood The Vandals deposed Ilderick for practising against the house of Genserick And me time hath called to the Kingdom giving me my right of eldership according to the law 'T is good for a man to govern the State he hath and not to encroach upon other mens cares and 't is just in you who have a Kingdom of your own not to be thus medling If you break the Treaties and invade us we shall oppose you to our power calling to witness the oath sworn by Zeno whose successor you are Justinian was angry before but these letters more set him upon a revenge And being an acute deviser and nimble in execution he resolved to conclude the Persian war speedily and then to invade Africk Belisarius General of the East was then at Court sent for but with no word of leading an Army into Africk It was given out that he was discharged of his government And * An. dom 533. Justiniani septimo the Persian perpetual Truce was newly made Iustinian all being wel at home and with Persia at a consultation acquainted the great Officers that he would levy an Army against Gelimer and the Vandals The most of them were discontented at it remembring the overthrow of Basiliscus and that great Fleet of the Emperour Leo the Souldiers lost and the huge debt made by the State Above all the Prefect of the Palace whom the Romans call Praetor was netled at it and the Lord High-Treasurer and all Collectors of tributes both belonging to the Treasury and the Emperour considering how they must supply the necessities of the war infinitely and not be admitted to excuse or delay And every Generall doubting the employment apprehended the greatness of the hazard after escaping the sea to encamp in an enemies country and upon their landing to fight with a great and potent Kingdom The Souldiers newly returned from a long and difficult war scarce having tasted of their home-contentments were troubled to be led now to a Sea-fight a thing they had never heard of and to be sent from the East to the West to hazard against Vandals and Moors All others as is the manner of multitudes meant to be spectators of new businesses with other mens danger None durst cross the voyage save Iohn the Cappadocian Prefect of the Palace being the boldest and smartest man of his time He while others mourned in silence spake thus to the Emperour Sir The security of conversing with you gives me confidence to speak things expedient for your service though not pleasing Your wisdom hath so temper'd power justice in you that you judg not him absolutely a friend to your affairs who seconds you nor are offended with opposing you weighing things by the sincere meaning which makes it safe to differ from your counsels Hereby induced Sir I shall advise happily what for the present may offend but hereafter I shall make my affection apparant and call you for a witness If you shall begin a war with the Vandals and then find it grow into length my counsel will then appear good If your confidence arise from assurance of victory no marvail you venture men spend money and engage the toyls of such combats for victory gotten covers these afflictions of war But seeing this is in the hands of God and that looking upon foregoing presidents we cannot but fear the event of this war certainly to content our selves with quietness is better then the hazards of battels You will send an Army against Carthage whither by land it must march 140 dayes journy or sail the â—ength of the great sea to the utmost bounds of it So that the news of the occurrents will be a year in coming to you And if you vanquish your enemies yet you cannot be master of Africk Sicily and Italy being in other hands But if you be overthrown the Peace being broken you will draw the war upon your own country In a word it will not be in your power to enjoy the victory and if fortune be cross it will ruine the affairs well setled Before action consultation is profitable when
Theudis was at a Town far from the sea When they caâ—e to him he feasted them with much courtesie and askt them at the feast how things were with Gelimer and the Vandals He had heard all before the Ambassadors coming slowly from a Merchants ship which parted from Carthage the same day the Romans entred it and with a fair wind arrived in Spain And he had forbidden the Merchants to divulge it But now when Gotthaeus and his fellows answered him that all was well he demanded about what they came They propounding a League Theudis bad them go to the sea-side and there you shall know certainly your affairs at home The Ambassadors taking it for the idle speech of a man in drink replyed not But the next day again propounding the League and again Theudis using the same words they thought there was some alteration in Africk but not imagining any thing of Carthage they sailed thither and landing near it fell among the soldiers and yielded and were brought to the General and told him their business and had no hurt from him CHAP. XX. CYRILLVS also came to Sardinia but hearing what was become of Godas he sailed to Carthage where he found Belâ—sarius and the Roman Army victorious Solomon was sent to the Emperour to relate the successes Gelimer in the Plains of Bule near the Frontier of Numidia four days journey from Carthage gathered together the Vandals and such Moors as were his friends being few and without Government For the Rulers of the Moors of Mauritania Numidia and Byzacium sent Ambassadors to Belisarius to profess their service to the Emperour and to promise to joyn with him Some of them sent their sons for hostages and desired him to send them their Ensignes of Principality according to the ancient custom which was that none might rule Moors before he had those Ensignes sent by the Emperour though he were an enemy to the Romans And having them now from the Vandals they thought not their Government firm The Ensignes are a silver Rod gilt a silver Cap not covering the whole head but like a Garland and kept upright with silver wire round about A white Mantle also fastened with a golden Clasp over the right shoulder in the manner of a Thessalian Mantle A white Robe embroidered and a gilt shoe Belisarius sent all these unto them and mony also but they did not joyn with him nor yet durst stand for the Vandals but kept aloof watching the event of the war Gelimer also sent a Vandal into Sardinia with a Letter to his brother Tzazon containing this It was not Godas surely but some mischief from heaven upon us that put that Island into rebellion which thereby deprived us of you and our best Vandals and in sum swept away the prosperity of Gensericks house You went not from hence to recover that Island but that Justinian might be Lord of Africk We understand by the events what Fortune then determined Belisarius came upon us but with a small Army But the Vandals valour presently ran away with our good fortune Ammatas and â—ibamundus are lost by the Vandals cowardise Our horses ships all Africk nay Carthage it self are in our enemies hands while the Vandals sit down with the loss of their wives and children and estates having fought poorly We have nothing left but the Plains of Bule where the hope we have in you hath put us and still keeps us So that leaving any farther to usurp and quitting Sardinia and those cares come speedily unto us with your whole fâ—et It is inconvenient for men in hazard for the main to quillet about the rest And combating our enemies together we shall either recover our former fortune or gain this not to suffer without one another Tzazon when he had perused this Letter and imparted it to the Vandals they howled and lamented concealing it from the Islanders but between themselves bewailing in silence their present estate And forthwith disposing the businesses at random they went all to sea with the whole fleet and the third day landed in Africk upon the Frontiers of Numidia and Mauritania Thence they marcht a foot to the Plains of Bule and joyned to the rest of the Army There were many sad rencontres then among the Vandals not to be exprest and such as an enemy would have pittied to look on and see the condition of mankind Gelimer and Tzazon fallen on each others neck could not let go They said nothing but grasping each others hand howled The like did the others embracing those who came from Sardinia and a long time they enjoyed that contentment And were so amazed at the present fortune that what was important before was not now thought upon Gelimer not enquiring concerning Godas nor Tzazon of the passages in Africk Which he might conjecture by the place they were now in Neither was there speech of wives or children they perceiving well that what was not here was certainly dead or a prisoner with the enemy THE HISTORY OF THE WARS Of the Emperour IV STINIAN BOOK II. Of the War with the Vandals CHAP. I. BUT Gelimer conducted the Army of Vandals being now all come together against Carthage where he cut off the Cities Aquaeduct encamped a while and no enemy sallying retired They quartered themselves in the neighbouring Towns and thought to block up the City so setting guards upon the high-ways They used no spoyl nor pillage assuming the Country as their own and expecting some Treason by the Carthaginians and such Roman soldiers as were Arrians With large promises also they invited the Commanders of the Hunns to be their friends and confederates They who were disaffected to the Romans alleadging that Peter the Roman General had brought them to Constantinople against their wills and contrary to his express oath So they entertained the motion and agreed in the battel to turn their powers against the Romans Of all this Belisarius had some suspition by relation of some fugitives and the walls being not wholly finished he would not sally but accommodated all things within He crucified one Laurus a Carthaginian for Treason upon a hillock before the City convinced by his own Secretary which frighted the rest from the like attempts The Massagetes courting with gifts and invitations to his table and other complements at last he got out of them what Gelimer had promised them to turn cowards in the battel and indeed that they had no mind to fight fearing that the Vandals being overthrown the Romans would not dismiss them to their own Country but wear them out in Africk and besides take their booty from them Belisarius sware to them that they should be sent home so soon as the Vandals were absolutely overthrown with all their booty and bound them by oath to aid us with all alacrity Then all things being well prepared he spake thus to the Army To use exhortations of courage to you may seem needless fellow-soldiers who have already so vanquisht the enemy that
conquest to the Romans And if we do valiantly now we shall be Masters of these men also This exhortation ended the battel begun At first the Romans were put into confusion by their horses skittishness at the sight and cry of the Camels throwing their riders and running away and by the Moors incursions darting the Javelins they had so that being frighted and in tumult they neither defended nor kept their ranks Which Solomon seeing leapt from his horse and commanded the rest to do the like and to stand still warding with their shields against the enemies Javelins and to keep their orders Himself with 500 men gave on upon the Round directing to kill the Camels The Moors there ran away and some 200 Camels were killed Which being done the Round was to be entred and the Romans pierced into the midst of it where the Moors wives were The Barbarians all amazed ran up the mountain whom the Romans pursuing killed some 10000 of them flying in confusion The Camels surviving were taken and the Romans marcht to Carthage to keep their Feast of Victory The Barbarians grown angry made an universal invasion leaving none behind First they overran Byzacium sparing no age they could catch Solomon was newly come to Carthage when this news was told him So that he marcht against them with the whole Army and at the mountain of Burgaon upon which the Moors encamped he sate down expecting the Moors descent that he might give them battel upon plain ground But seeing them not come down he put the Army in a fair order to fight But they watched their occasions in the mountain being heartily afraid of the Romans and having no mind to fight in a champian Burgaon is most of it very ragged and to the East inaccessible but to the West passable and rising gently and between two rocks is a deep woody Valley The top of the mountain where they expected no enemy they left without men and they quitted the foot of it which was easie of access and encamped in the middle to have the shooting of the enemies heads from above And they had horses either to run away with or to chase if they got the day Solomon seeing the Moors would not yet come to the even ground and the Roman Army weary in that desert place made haste to fight But finding the soldier dismayed atheir enemies multitude much greater then in the former battel he spake thus to them The enemies fear of you needs no accuser nor witness it convinces it self So many thousands not daring to encounter you upon even ground and having no confidence in themselves but making this fastness their refuge So that exhortations in words are needless to you whom the things themselves and your enemies weakness animates Only let me put you in mind that by the prosperous conclusion of this day you will instantly enjoy all the wealth of Africk the Vandals being overcome and the Moors reduced and no enemy left to think of And that the enemies may not shoot down upon our heads nor we suffer harm from the nature of the place shall be my care Solomon having thus said commanded Theodorus the Scout-Master to draw out 1000 foot with their Ensignes about the evening and closely to get up at the East side of Burgaon where the mountain is most difficult and being come to the top to pass the night without noise and with Sun-rising to shew themselves to the enemy displaying their Ensignes and to shoot at them He did accordingly and at mid-night passing up a ragged way near the rock was neither discerned by Moors nor Romans being said to be sent to ly abroad to prevent mischief to the Camp Before break of day Solomon went to the skirt of the hill toward the enemy and the soldiers when the day grew bright seeing the top of the mountain full of men displaying Roman Ensignes were amazed When they on the top began the fight the Romans perceived them to be their own and the Barbarians finding themselves shot on both sides and without means to drive off the enemy they despaired and ran away But daring to fly neither to the top nor bottom of the hill being both possessed by the enemy they ran amain to the woody Valley some on horse-back some afoot And being a multitude and in fear and tumult they killed one another and falling in to the Valley very deep the foremost were slain and not discerned by them that followed But when the Valley was full of horses and dead bodies the residue were saved passing over the bodies from Burgaon to the other rock The survivers affirmed 50 thousand Moors to have been slain in this overthrow The Romans lost not a man nor so much as received a wound from the enemy nor other accident but all enjoyed the victory untoucht The Barbarians Princes escaped all save Isdilasas who upon promise of life yielded himself prisoner Their booty of women and children was so great that they sold a Moorish boy for the price of a sheep The Moors remaining then remembred the womens Prophesie That their Nation should perish by a man without a beard CHAP. IX THe Roman Army with their booty and Jsdilasas returned to Carthage But the Barbarians surviving would not continue in Byzacium being few and fearing to be opprest by the neighbouring Africans but fled to to Jabdas An. Dom. 535. Just 9. Prince of the Moors of Aurasium in Numidia In Byzacium such of them only remained as were subject to Antalas who kept his faith to the Romans and had no harm done to his Sujects In the mean time the said Jabdas forraged Numidia with 3â—000 men and made slaves of many Africans Althias then had the command of a Castle thereabout who having a mind to rescue some of those captives drew out 70 Hunns of his Garison but not conceiving it possible with such a number to stand the multitude of the Moors he would have possest some narrow passage where the enemy marching he might have seized upon the captives But finding all open champian about the Towns there he resolved to possess a great well standing in Tigisis an unwalled City but in a great fastness thinking that the enemy being thirsty would certainly come thither no other water being near The great odds in numbers caused his conceit herein to savour of madness The Moors having toiled in the summer heats and being extream thirsty ran to the well imagining no opposition But finding the place possest by the enemy they stood amazed being faint and longing for water Jabdas therefore came to a parly with Althias and offered the third part of his booty that his Moors might drink which he refused but offered to fight a single combat with him Which Jabdas accepted and it was agreed that if he vanquisht Althias the Moors should drink Who were glad and confident seeing Althias a lean man not tall whereas Jabdas was the goodliest and valiantest of all the Moors They were on horseback
is not so grievous to grow old and die in slavery as after freedom to return to it again the interim of ease making the calamity taste more sowre You may consider therefore how in the overthrow of the Vandals you had your part in the toil and others now possess the spoils and how being soldiers you are engaged to a life of hazarding either for the Emperour if you serve him again or for your selves if you keep your liberty And the better of these two you may now chuse by resolving in this action to fight without fainting Consider also that you have taken arms and if you now be subdued you will not find the Romans gentle masters but shall suffer extremities with the addition of being justly ruined So you see our death will be honorable if we die and if we be victorious our life will be free and happie but bitter if we be beaten when our only hope must be in our enemies mercy And in the battel the enemy hath much the disadvantage in numbers and hath no great mind to charge us wishing it seems their part in our liberty Thus spake Stotzas and the Armies came to the encounter But a strong wind blew in the mutiners faces who fearing the disadvantage of fighing where the wind would carry the enemies arrows violently on them and abate the force of theirs they wheeled about thinking the enemy not to have their backs open would turn about too and so have the wind in their faces But Belisarius seeing them open their ranks and straggle disorderly bad begin the fight which Stotzas men not looking for fell into confusion and ran away into Numidia where they rallied again Belisarius followed no execution thinking it enough with so small an Army to beat the enemy and send him going To the soldiers lie gave the enemies camp to pillage who found not a man in it but much wealth and many Vandal women for whose sake this war was Then Belisarius marcht back to Carthage where hearing that his Army in Sicily mutinied too and would undoe all if himself in person did not prevent he took order for Africk and committing Carthage to Ildiger and Theodorus he went into Sicily The Commanders in Numidia hearing of Stotzas being there and gathering head prepared to fight with him Marcellus and Cyrillus commanded the Confederates Barbatus the horse and Terentius and Sarapis the foot Marcellus commanded in chief being Governor of Numidia Who hearing of Stotzas being with a few at Gazophyli a Towne two dayes journey from Constantina marcht with speed to prevent the coming of the other mutiners The Armies being near and the fight ready to begin Stotzas came alone into the midst and spake thus to the enemy Fellow soldiers It is unjust in you to take arms against your kinsmen and companions who have undertaken this war with the Emperour being grieved to see your miseries and wrongs Do you not remember how long your pay hath been due and still is detained from you how the spoyls of the enemy your prizes appointed by the law of arms are taken from you The fruits of your victory others must riot upon while you follow as their servants If I offend you use your anger against this body presently for I hate to fly to others for refuge If you have no exception to me come and use your arms for your selves The soldiers embraced this motion of Stotzas and affectionately saluted him and their Commanders seeing it retired into a Church in Gazophyli Stotzas joyned the Armies against them gave them his faith for their coming out and then killed them all CHAP. XII THe Emperour hearing these things sent Germanus his brothers son a Patrician accompanied with Symmachus as Praefect of the Camp to manage the expence of the Army An. Dom. 537. Just 11. and Domnicus to be Commanders of the foot upon the decease of John his predecessor Germanus being landed at Carthage mustered the forces and by the Check Roll of the soldiers names he found a third part of them to be in Carthage and other Cities and the rest joyned with the Rebels Wherefore he would begin no fight but took care of the Army and finding the soldiers in Carthage to be kinsmen and comrades of the enemies he courted them and said the Emperour had sent him expresly into Africk to vindicate the soldiers and to chastise such as had wrong'd them Which the mutiners hearing came in by few at a time whom Germanus received courteously gave them his faith and held them in good account paying them their full dues for the time they had been in rebellion The report whereof drew them in troops from the enemy And then Germanus hoping to match the Rebels in numbers prepared for a battel Stotzas also perceiving the mischief and fearing more defection of his men made haste to try his fortune He had some hope too if he could get near the soldiers in Carthage to get them to run away to him And with this hope he chiefly confirmed his Army and speedily marcht to Carthage and encamped near the sea about four miles from the City Germanus armed and put in order his soldiers and having heard what hopes Stotzas had he spake thus Fellow soldiers you have no just complaint against the Emperours usage of you Who in Constantinople took you to him newly come out of the Country with a knap-sack and one poor coat and hath now made you so great that the Roman State is committed to you But how he hath been scorned by you and suffered the greatest extremities you cannot be ignorant Whereof the remembrance indeed he would have you retain but the prosecution he clearly remits expecting this only satisfaction from you to be ashamed of what you have done and thereupon to learn a new lesson of fidelity and to repair your former ingratitude The timely repentance of erring men obtains their pardon and a seasonable service done may take the name of ungratefull men from you Nay if at this time you appear well affected to the Emperour know this that no memory will remain of what is past The actions of men have their names from the conclusion and errors done no ages can undoe but being repaired by better deeds they get a handsome silence and commonly are forgotten If now you neglect your duties against these rogues your many battels hereafter for the Romans and victories of our enemies will not by the Emperour be thought a recompence The bravest apology is to get honour in the very things men have erred in Thus you are to think concerning the Emperour And I who never wrong'd you but to my power have shewed my affection to you entreat this only of you in this danger That no man will march against the enemy contrary to his mind but if he desire to joyn with their Army to pass over to them immediately doing us this only favour not to abuse us secretly but in an open way Which is the reason
I move this here between the Armies and not in Carthage not to hinder any that will run away but to leave it in every mans power to shew his affection to the State Every man upon this speech bustled to shew himself to his General and to swear the good affection he had to the Emperour And some days they were thus encamped against each other At length the mutiners seeing none come to them whom Stotzas told them of being afraid as failing in their hope they disbanded and went into Numidia where were their wives and booty Germanus shortly after with his Army well prepared and with store of waggons for it came thither also and overtaking the enemy at a Town called Scalae Veteres he prepared to fight setting the waggons in front and the foot by them commanded by Domnicus to secureing their backs The best horsemen and such as came from Constantinople himself had at the left hand of the foot The rest he set at the right wing in three Troops commanded by Ildiger and Theodorus the Cappadocian and the biggest by John the brother of Pappus the fourth by himself The Mutiners stood opposite to them not in much order but scatter'd like Barbarians Not far behind came many thousand Moors led by Jabdas and Orthaeas not all true to Stotzas many having sent to Germanus and promised in the fight to turn against the enemy Germanus could not much trust them being a people so false to all men And they joyned not with the mutiners but kept aloof behind waiting the event and with the conquerours to pursue the vanquished Stotzas approaching the enemy and seeing the Generals Ensigne call'd to his men and marcht towards him But the Herulian mutiners stopt him saying that the powers of Germanus they knew not but they knew that the enemy in the right wing would not stand So that charging them and they running away they are likely to put the enemies whole Army in disorder whereas if Germanus beat them all will be lost Stotzas approving the advice left the rest to fight with Germanus and himself with his best men gave on upon John and his troops who not abiding them ran away in confusion The mutiners took their Ensignes and pursued them Some turn'd upon the foot who began to disband When Germanus drawing his sword and calling upon his troop to do the like with much adoe he routed the enemy on his side and gallopt up to Stotzas with the troops of Ildiger and Theodorus And all was so mingled that the mutiners chasing some of their enemies fell among others and were slain The confusion grew great and Germanus his troops coming on neerer behind them they were afraid and thought no more of fighting Both sides using the same language and arms and differing not in shape habit nor any thing could not be distinguished till Germanus directed the Emperours Army to ask any they took what he was if he said he was a soldier of Germanus to bid him give the watch-word which if he could not to kill him Germanus had his horse killed in the fight and himself being down and in danger his life-guard rescued and remounted him Stotzas in the tumult with some few escaped and Germanus marcht against the enemies camp where the mutiners who had the guard of the Trenches opposed him and there was a stiff fight the mutiners being very near beating them back But some sent by Germanus to attempt the camp in another place got into the entrenchment with ease which the mutiners seeing ran away and Germanus with the Army entred the camp The soldiers fell to pillage neither thinking of the enemy nor hearkning to their Generals directions Who fearing the enemy might rally and charge them stood in the camp gate crying and complaining for discipline to men that heard him not The Moors followed the execution upon the mutiners and pillaged the camp with the Army Stotzas at first trusting to the Moors rode up to them to renew the fight But finding what they were doing he made a shift to escape with 100 men Many made head with him and tryed to fight again but being repulsed they all submitted to Germanus only Stotzas with a few Vandals retired into Mauritania and there marrying a daughter of one of their Princes remained And so ended this mutiny CHAP. XIII BUt Maximinus a Lancier of Theodorus the Cappadorian had gotten many of those mutiners with a design to usurp and drew stil more revealing his intent among others to one Asclepiades a Palestinian a great favorite of Theodorus who discovered the plot to Theodorus and he to Germanus Germanus would not stirr new business in a state unsetled but thought to gain the man by fair usage rather then to punish him The life-guard of any great Roman officer use at their admittance to swear fidelity to him and the Emperour He sent therefore for Maximinus and extolling his valour took him for one of his own guard and he glad of the honour and means hereby to facilitate his designe took the Oath but neglected the same and persisted more then ever in his Treason The City keeping a publick festival many of Maximinus mutiners came at dinner time to the Palace as Germanus was feasting his friends with Maximinus behind him One whispered Germanus that many soldiers stood tumultuously at the Court gate complaining of their pay for a long time unsatisfied Germanus commanded some of the trustiest of his life-guard to make sure of Maximinus without letting him perceive any thing Those mutiners with threatnings and tumult ran to the Circus and such other conspirators as knew their intent ran thither by one and one If they had been all assembled it had been hard to suppress them But most of them being yet behind Germanus sent instantly such as affected the Emperour and himself and they came to a fight with the mutiners who expected not such a thing from the soldiers but missing Maximinus to conduct them and wanting the numbers they lookt for gave it over and disorderly ran away many of them were killed and many taken and brought to Germanus Such as came not to the Circus shewed as if they had not been in the conspiracy and Germanus would not make any search after them He examined if Maximinus had since his Oath proceeded in his Treason and being convicted to have been more forward in it since his being of the life-guard he caused him to be crucified under the walls of Carthage And so absolutely dispersed the mutiny CHAP. XIV BUt the Emperour called home Germanus with Domnicus and Symmachus and again made Solomon Governor of Africk being now in the thirteenth year of his reigne An Dâ—m 539 Just 13. giving him another Army and Commanders in it Rufinus and Leontius the son of Zannas the son of Pharesmanes and John the son of Sisiniolus Martinus and Valerianus being formerly sent for to Constantinople Solomon being come to Carthage and free from the mutiny governed Africk
brothers son of Solomon The Moors angry for having so easily let goe such a pawn besieged Laribum to take Solomon The besieged were afraid wanting provisions and offered the Moors money to raise their siege which they accepted finding they should not force the Town being not used to assaults and not knowing the wants within So the Leucathians went home But Antalas made head again in Byzacium having besides his Moors Stotzas with some few Romans and Vandals John the son of Sisinniolus at the Africans opportunity raised Forces and went against them and he appointed Himerius the Thracian Commander of the forces in Byzacium to draw out his troops and to joyn with him at Menephesis in Byzacium But heating the enemy to be there encamped he wrote of it to Himerius and to joyn with him in another place that they might with joynt forces encounter the enemy The bearers of the Letters going another way met not Himerius who with his troops fell into the enemies hands only Severianus a young man the son of Asiaticus a Phaenician with his troop of horse being 50. fought with the enemy and held out till pressed with multitude they ran to a Castle upon a hill which was of no strength and there yielded upon composition to the enemy who killed him not nor any of the soldiers but they took Himerius prisoner and bestowed all the soldiers on Stotzas upon their promise to serve against the Romans Himerius they threatned to kill if he performed not his promise which was to deliver to them the City of Adramettus and upon the protestation of his true meaning they went thither with him being not far off Him they sent before with some soldiers of Stotzas dragging after them Moors bound Themselves followed They directed Himerius to tell the guards that John was victorious and would forthwith come with a multitude of Moors his prisoners and that the gates being open he should get in with his company They did thus and the Adramettians were deceived and let them in not mistrusting one who commanded the whole forces in Byzacium They that entred with him staid the guards from shutting the gates and received all the Moors into the City which they sackt and leaving a small Garison departed Some prisoners afterward escaped to Carthage among whom was Himerius and Severianus it being no hard matter to run from Moors Many staid willingly with Stotzas Shortly after one Paul a Priest such as oversee the sick told some principal men of Adramettus that he would go to Carthage and hoped to return with an Army shortly which he bad them be ready to receive in They let him down the wall by cords and â—e finding at sea-side a fishing Busse perswaded the owners with mony and sailed to Carthage Where he acquainted Sergius with the matter and desired some forces to recover Adramettus Sergius liked it not having not many soldiers in Carthage He desired him to give him some few and getting but 80. he put them aboard a number of ships and boats with many Manners and Africans wearing soldiers coats and with this fleet sailed to Adramettus and being near it sent word secretly to some chief Citizens that Germanus the Emperours Nephew was newly come to Carthage and had sent a good Army to the Adramettians in the confidence of which he bad them open one of their gates They did so and Paul with his company got in killed the enemy and recovered thus Adramettus The report of Germanus spread as far as Carthage and the Moors and Stotzas followers at first ran to the utmost marches of Africk but hearing the truth it vexed them to be used thus by the Adramettians whom they had spared so that every where they committed cruelties upon the Africans sparing no age the Country became waste the Provincials that were left flying some to the Citiâ—â— some into Sicily and other Islands and the chief of them to Constantinople among whom was Paul who recovered Adramettus The Moors in the mean time none opposing ransackt all without controll and with them was Stotzas grown powerfull and many Roman soldiers followed him some voluntaries some taken prisoners at first but now staying willingly John also whom the Moors did somewhat respect being in disgrace with Sergius lay still CHAP. XVIII IN the mean time the Emperour sent into Africk with some soldiers another General Areobindus a Senator and a gallant man but no soldier With him for Prefect of the Camp he sent Athanasius lately come out of Italy and some Armenians commanded by Artabanes and John the sons of John of the race of the Arsacides These with the Armenians with them lately revolted from the Persians to the Romans With Areobindus was his sister and his wife Projecta daughter to Vigilantia the Emperours sister Justinian did not call home Sergius but divided the Generalship the Province and the Cohorts between Areobindus and him And him he directed to make the war in Numidia and Areobindus in Byzacium who arriving at Carthage Sergius with his Army went into Numidia And Areobindus hearing that Antalas and Stotzas were encamped at Sicavenerea three days journey from Carthage sent John the son of Sisinniolus against them with the choice of his Army and wrote to Sergius to joyn with John and in one body to encounter the enemy Sergius slighted the direction and the business so that John with a small power was forced to combat with innumerable enemies Between him and Stotzas was an everlasting hatred Their wish had been to kill one another and so die This batâ—el being ready to joyn they both rode out against each other John shot Stotzas in the groine on the right side who having his deaths wound fell upon the place but died not instantly His own men and the Moors set him against a tree ready to expire and then they furiously charged the Romans and exceeding them so much in numbers easily routed them They say John then said that he should die a pleasant death seeing his wish upon Stotzas accomplised and then his horse stumbling down a hill threw him and the enemy killed him striving to get up again A man great in reputation and valor Stotzas being told of it said this only word and died that now he died with delight John the Armenian was also slain having done very bravely The Emperour advertised of the death of John and troubled for the great worth of the man finding it also inconvenient to have two Generals recalled Sergius and sent him with forces into Italy and committed Africk wholly to Areobindus Two months after Sergius departure Gontharis attempted to usurp being Commander of the Cohorts in Numidia and there residing He dealt secretly with the Moors that they should invade Carthage and they suddenly with an Army levied out of Numidia and Byzacium marcht thitherward the Numidians led by Cutzinas and Jabdas and the Byzacians by Antalas With them was John who was made General in the room of Stotzas by the Roman mutiners
spared despising his age The next day Gontharis sent Areobindus his head to Antalas but kept his goods and the 1500 soldiers At which Antalas chased and it troubled him to see how Gontharis had forswore himself to Areobindus his friend so that he could not think he should ever keep faith to himself or any After much debate he resolved to submit to the Emperour and so marcht away He then sent to Marcentius Commander of the Horse in Byzacium who was fled into an Island acquainted him with the business and upon assurances got him to come to him So Marcentius was with Antalas and the soldiers of Byzacium true to the Emperour guarded Adramettus The mutiners of Stotzas about 1000 men were led by John to Gontharis who gladly received them Of them were 500 Romans and 80. Hunnes the rest were Vandals Artabanes upon assurances came to the Palace with his Armenians professing his service to the usurper But closely he plotted his death consulting with Gregorius his Nephew and Artasiris one of his guard Gregorius to egge him on told him That he had now the means to gain the glory of Belisarius nay to exceed it He with a gallant Army a huge treasure with many Commanders and Counsellors with a Fleet of ships the like whereof this age had not heard of with store of horse and arms and with a preparation fitting the Roman Empire had recovered Africk All which was now so cast away as if none of it had ever been and that the Romans from Belisarius his victory were fallen to be abused in their persons and robbed of their goods But that it was onely in his spirit wit and sword now to recover all this to the Emperour He bad him consider how he was of the race of the Arsacides and think how men nobly born must be every where valiant Being a youth he slew Acacius Governour of Armenia and Sittas the Generall and thereby was made known to King Chosroes and made war for him against the Romans that being such a person he ought not now to abandon the Roman Empire thus to a drunken dog but to make it appear that his former actions proceeded from true nobleness and valour that himself and Artasiris would serve his commands therein Thus Gregorius incensed Artabanes against the Tyrant CHAP. XX. WHo in the mean time removed the wife and sister of Areobindus from the Castle to a house where they had competent provisions and had no dishonour honour nor constraint used to them save onely that Projecta was made to write to the Emperour her Uncle That Gontharis used her with all due respect and was clear of her husbands murther committed by Vlitheus without his allowance Gontharis did this upon the advise of Pasiphilus a chief mutiner in Byzacium and his principall assistant in this usurpation who alleadged that by thus doing the Emperour might give him the Lady to wife which would bring him much wealth Gontharis also commanded Artabanes to lead the Army against Antalas and the Moors of Byzacium Cutzinas was fallen from Antalas and joyned with Gontharis and had given him his mother and children for hostages Artabanes marcht directly against Antalas with John Captain of Stotzas mutiners and Vlitheus with the Moors under Cutzinas They past by Adramettus whereabout they found the enemy and encamped a little distant The next day John and Vlitheus staid with part of the Army and Artabanes and Cutzinas with the rest drew out against the enemy But Antalas and his Moors stood them not but ran away And Artabanes with a willing cowardize turned about his ensign suddainly and rode back whom Vlitheus would have killed at his coming but he excused it upon his fear lest Marcentius with aids from Adramettus might distresse them and that it were â—it that Gontharis should oppose the enemy with his whole Army Artabanes hereupon thought first to joyn with the Emperours Army at Adramettus but upon better advise he resolved to kill Gontharis and so rid the Emperour and Africk from trouble Returning therefore to Carthage he told the Tyrant the necessity of a greater Army who after consulting with Pasiphilus armed the whole forces and purposed to lead them himself leaving a garrison in Carthage And every day he killed some upon causelesse jealousies He instructed Pasiphilus to whom he left the guard of Carthage to murder all the Greeks and having set all in order he thought good to feast his friends being the next day to depart His feast was in a room where three couches stood ever ready upon the uppermost himself sate with Athanasius and Artabanes and some of Gontharis favourites and Peter a Thracian formerly of the guard to Solomon At both the other couches were the best men of the Vandals John the captain of Stotzas mutiners was feasted by Pasiphilus and the rest severally by Gontharis friends Artabanes when he was invited resolved it for a sit opportunity to kill the Tyrant and to execute his designe He acquainted Gregorius and Artasiris therewith and three other of his guard these he directed to get in with their swords the fashion being while the Commanders feast for their guard to stand behind them and when they see their time to fall to work suddainly and Artasiris to begin Gregorius he instructed to bring many of their valiantest Armenians to the Palace onely with swords it not being lawfull to attend their Commanders in a City with other weapons and leaving them in the utter Court to go in with the guard And they to pretend themselves jealous lest Gontharis had invited Artabanes for no good and to desire to stand among Gontharis guards to guard their Captain And then in sport to eatch the others shields and to tosse them and play with them and when they heard the cry within to put on the shields and run in This direction of Artabanes Gregorius put in execution and Artasiris had this devise also He cut arrowes in two and the pieces he thrust in round about his left arm to his elbow tying them with whip-cord and covering all with the sleeve of his coat that he might take any blow made at him upon his arme and so cause it to glaunce down the wood of the arrowes from off the body To Artabanes also he spake thus I will undertake this without the least fear and I hope with this sword to pierce Gontharis The successe I know not whither God offended with the Tyrant will assist me or to punish my sins crosse me If you see him not mortally wounded kill me with this sword instantly lest by torture I should discover you and so basely perish my self and be forced to ruine you too Having thus said he went with Gregorius and one of the guard and stood behind Artabanes The rest staid with the guards without and did as they were directed Artasiris at the beginning of the feast would have done it and had his hand upon his cimiter But Gregorius stopt him saying in the Armenian
greater Forces hee meant to assault he marched toward Porta Praenestina to that part which is called Vivarium or the Park where the Walls are most assaultable having other Engines of Rammes Towers and scaling Ladders The Goths also made another assault against Porta Aurelia without which stands Adrians Tomb a stones cast from the wals worth the sight It is made of Parian stone close joyned without any other matter within It hath four equall squares each being neer a stones cast broad and is higher then the City walls On the top are Statues of the same stone of men and horses of admirable worke This tombe the Citizens have anciently joyned to the walls by two Flanckers from the same that it shews as a turret defending the gate there The Fortification being very sufficient Belisarius gave the command of it to Constantianus directing him to take care of the wall adjoyning which had but a small guard For the wall being there strong the river running under it he look't not for an assault that way and so put no important guard at it distributing his maine Forces which were but few to the most necessary places For the Emperours Army at the beginning of this siege amounted but to five thousand men in Rome Constantianus perceiving the Enemy to attempt a passage over the Tiber and fearing the Flancker there himselfe went to the succour with a few directing the rest to guard the Gate and Adrians tomb Where the Goths gave on holding before them their leather Bucklers like Persian Targets and having no engines of Batteries but store of scaling Ladders and Archery thinking quickly to perplex the Enemy and master the Garrison being few Their opposites saw them not till they came very neer being covered by the Porticus which reaches to Saint Peters Church Then suddenly the Goths shewing themselves began and the Romans were not able to use their Balistas which can shoot but right forward nor with their Archery to annoy them the shot doing no good by reason of those Bucklers The Goths prest hard and shot thick at the Battlements and were ready to se their Ladders to the Flanckers having almost encompassed the tomb and when the Romans came on still wheeling about at their backs The Romans were troubled seeing no hope of holding out till they agreed to take down the Statues being great and the stones huge which they threw down upon the Enemies heads Who being hurt gave ground by little and little and the Romans grew bold and repelled them with their Bowes and stones and falling to their Engines put them into feare so that their assault was not long And Constantianus appearing frighted those who attempted to passe the River not finding the Flancker there without guard as they imagined Thus the Aurelian gate was in safety and all about it The Enemy also attempted Porta Pancratiana upon the River but did no good upon the place being strong and the walls not easily assaultable there standing on steep ground Paulus with his Foot company guarded there Neither attempted they Porta Flaminia scituate upon craggy ground not easie of accesse and guarded by a Foot-company of Rhegians commanded by Vrsicinus Between this gate and Porta Pinciana next it on the right hand part of the wall had been long broken halfe way down from the top It fell not but panch't on both sides part appearing inward and part outward whence the Romans call it the broken wall Belisarius at his first coming going about to repair it the Romans hindered him alleadging that the Apostle Peter had promised to guard the place whom above all they reverence And it succeeded according to their expectation For neither that day nor during all the siege of Rome the Enemy ever approacht it not was the least trouble about it And we wondered in all the time that the place never came into the Enemies thoughts having made so many assaults and attempts by night No man since hath been so bold as to repaire it but still the wall remains broken At Porta Salaria in the meane time a tall goodly man valiant and of good quality among the Goths being armed with Corslet and Morion left his ranke and standing on a tree threw a rope up to the Battlements whom an arrow from a Balista piercing through his body halfe way into the tree nailed him dead to the same This frighted the Goths from coming within arrow-shot and kept them in their ranks from infesting any more those upon the walls CHAP. XIX IN the meane time Bessas and Peranius whom Vitigis hotly charged in the Vivarium sent for Belisarius And he speedily came to their reliefe fearing the weaknesse of the wall in that part and leaving at Porta Salaria one of his retinew He encouraged the Souldiers in the Park frighted with the assault and the Enemies multitude Anciently the Romans finding the ground flat and fit for invasion and the bricks of the wall there grown loose scarce sticking together compassed the same with a Flancker not so much for safety for it had no Battlements nor other Fortification upon it to resist an Enemy but for pleasure to keep in it Lions and other wild Beasts whereupon it was named Vivarium the Park Vitigis made ready his Engines against the wall there and commanded the Goths to get through the Flancker into the Park and then he knew he should be easily master of the Town-walls being weake Belisarius seeing the Enemy digging through into the Park and in many parts assaulting the walls suffered not his men to defend nor stay upon the Battlements but held them with their swords and Armour ready neer unto the Gate there The Goths having now cut through the wall and entred the Park he sent out Cyprianus with his company to begin the fight who killed them all falling downe for feare and spoiled by one another running out at their narrow breach the whole Enemy being amazed with the suddennesse and out of their orders and some carried one way some another Belisarius instantly opened the Gate and sallied with the whole Army And the Goths having no mind to fight ranne away every man whom the Romans followed and killed them with ease and had a long execution the Goths having assaulted there far from their Entrenchments Belisarius commanded to burn the Enemies Engines which with the flame being high more astonished them At Porta Salaria also they sallied at the same time unexpectedly killed the Enemy running away without resistance and burnt their Engines The flame rose above the walls which put them all to a generall retreat the Romans from the walls shouting to encourage the pursuers and the others from the Entrenchments wailing the disaster Thirty thousand Goths were slain that day as their Commanders affirmed and more wounded For from the Battlements shooting at multitudes they seldome mist and they who sallied slew heaps of amazed flying men and the businesse lasted from morning to evening At night they retreated the
them stand this multitude of Barbarians hoping to do something as God shall give us Grace Belisarius at first would not grant this Motion loving the men whom he knew valiant and unwilling to put the Foot being few to the hazard at last importuned with their forwardnesse he placed some few Foot at the Gates and upon the Battlements with the common People and about the Engines the rest he commanded to stand in order behind him under Principius and Tarmutus that they might not by apprehending danger put the rest of the Army in confusion and if any Horse were routed they might not run far but flying to the Foot with them resist the Pursuers CHAP. XXIII VITIGIS also put the Goths in armes not leaving any in the Trenches but unserviceable men The troopes under Marcias hee commanded to stand still in Neros feilds attending the Guard of the bridge that the Enemy might not come that way and assembling the Army he spake thus Some may thinke me fearfull of the losse of my Kingdome and from thence grown kind and to speak now what may move you to courage and it is no strange conceit for ill naturâ—d men use to be curteous to meaner people when they need them and to be churlish to those whose service they have no use of For me I care neither for losse of life nor Kingdome I could wish this day to put off this purple robe if a Goth were to put it on and I think the death of Theodatus to have been very happy loosing his life and Government at once by the hands of his own Nation A private disaster not ruining the whole race is not without comfort to a wise man When I consider the miseries of the Vandales and the end of Gelimer I can think nothing tollerable Me thinks I see the Goths with their children made slaves and their wives doing the basest services to their greatest foes and my self with this Daughter of Theodoricks daughter led away whether it pleases our Enemies I would have you with the fear of these things to enter into this fight for so will you rather chuse death upon the place then safety after an overthrow Generous men judge of mis-fortunes by one rule only namely to be vanquisht by their Enemies Besides a quick Death makes men happy before miserable And it is evident that these our choice men disputing this battell will easily overcome the Enemy a few Greeks or no better then Greeks and chastise them for the wrongs and scorns they have done us Certainly we hold our selves their betters in valour numbers and every thing and their boldnesse is grown out of our mis-fortunes nothing sustains them but our negligence it is their prospering beyond their deserts that feeds their confidence Vitigis having used this Exhortation marshalled his army He placed his bataillion of foot between the wings of horse very neer their intrenchments that having routed the Enemy they might overtake them the better and have the Execution in a great way of Ground For by reason the Enemies army was much inferiour in powers he hoped that the battell coming to Sword and Lance they would not be able to stand them They began on both sides early in the morning Vitigis and Belisarius incouraging their men in their Reares At first the Romans had the better and the Goths fell thick by the shot but there was no rout the Goths with their great numbers easily supplying the slain that the losse was not seen and the Romans being few thought it enough to be at this point to continue the fight up to the entrenchments and having killed many to return to the city with the first faire pretence In this Encounter three Romans did best Athenodorus an Isaurian one of the life Guard to Belisarius of good reputation and Theodoret and George Cappadocians and of the Life Guard to Martinus who still sallied out of their bataillion and kept off the Barbarians In Nero's feilds both sides stood still a long time onely the Moores made excursions darting their Javelins and infested the Goths who would not charge them for fear of the common people whom they tooke to be Souldiers and to stand there with some design to get their backs and by shooting them both waies to ruine them About noon suddenly the Romans there gave on and routed the Goths amazed with the suddennesse who could not fly to their quarter but got up to some hill and there stood The Romans though many were most an unarmed multitude many mariners and Servants being mingled with Souldiers and the main army being else where yet terrifying the Goths with their numbers they thus routed them but by their disorder undid themselves For the Souldiers being so mingled fell into confusion and were deaf to all the directions of Valentinus their Commander They not so much as followed the Enemy nor killed any but â—ave them leave quietly upon the hills to view what they did Neither came it into their minds to cut the bridge which had excluded the Enemy from beyond the Tiber and from besieging Rome on both sides nor by passing the bridge did they charge the Enemies backs fighting with Belisarius Troops which had put the Enemy to flight doubtlesse without resisting any longer but they turn'd to pillage the Enemies quarter and carryed away much silver vessell and other Goods The Barbarians where they were stood still a while to see what they did At last all together shouting and with much fury they charged them and finding them pillaging and in confusion they killed many and drave away the rest who threw away their pillage and ran away Whilst this was doing in Nero's feilds the other Goths neere their quarters fencing with their sheilds resisted the Enemy and killed many men and more horses The Romans some wounded some having lost their Horses left their rancks and then in the army small before the fewnesse was more apparant and their great disproportion to the Goths multitude which the Barbarian horse perceiving from the left wing gallopt toward the Enemy next them They not abiding the Goths Lances fled to their bataillion of foot who stood not the charge neither but ran away together with the horse and presently the whole army retired with the Enemy at their heeles and it was an absolute route But Principius and Tarmutus with some few foot did things worthy their valour and made a stand fighting and not induring to be routed and the Goths admiring their resolution By their means the foot and most of the horse escaped with more ease Principius with his body hewen in peices fell upon the place and neer him two and forty of the foot But Tarmutus with an Isaurian Javeling in either hand kept off the assailants and being spent with perpetuall knocks his Brother came to his succour with some horse which revived him that with full speed he ran to the walls full of sweat and wounds and having still both his Javelins Being a
strong man and swift hee got cleer though in that case as far as to Porta Pinciana where he fell downe His companions thinking him dead brought him in upon a sheild He survived onely two dayes and then dyed leaving a great name behind him in the whole Army The Romans within were terrified guarded the walls and tumultuously shut the gates against the flying souldiers fearing the Enemy might enter with them pell mell Such Souldiers as had not gotten within the walls already leapt over the ditch and with their backs to the walls stood trembling unable to keep off the Goths ready to leap over the Ditch to them in regard their Lances were broken and their bowes they could not use standing so close to one another While few were on the battlements the Goths prest on to cut them in peices and all that were left behind but when they saw numbers of Souldiers and common people upon the battlements ready to resist they rode back despairing thereof after some railing words And thus the fight which began at the Goths Trenches ended at the ditch and city Wall THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND BOOK Of the GOTHJCK VVarre Chap. I. SKIRMISHES by Bessas Peranius Constantianus wherein the Goths are routed A Roman and a Goth being both fallen into a pit agree as freinds to get out The valour rashness and death of Chorsomantis Chap. II. Treasure arrives from Constantinople Many brave Skirmishes divert the Goths from hindring the entry thereof into Rome Cutilas Buchas bravely end their lives Arzes strange recovery of a hurt Chap. III. The Goths block up Rome which causes a Famin and a plague Belisarius refuses to fight at the peoples importunity and sends Procopius and Antonina to Naples and also sends out parties to cut off the Goths forragers Chap. IV. The Goths by garrisons abroad are brought to Famine and Pestilence Mount Vesuvius bellowed New forces from Constantinople Belisarius issues out at Porta Flaminia and puts the enemy into despair Chap. V. The Goths despaire and send an Ambassage of peace Their â—offer of Sicily Campania Naples is refused They have leave to send to the Emperour Chap. VI. Acessation Provisions are brought into Rome and new forces Portus Centumcellae and Alba surprised by the Romans The Goths long to break the cessation Belisarius sends out John with strong forces .. Chap. VII Vpon a quarrell between Belisarius and Valerianus the later looses his life the Goths tryed to enter the City by an Aquaeduct but failed as in another design and in an assault Chap. VIII John prospers takes Ariminum which made the Goths raise their seige of Rome who in their retreat receive a great overthrow Ildiger and Martinus are sent to John and Vitigis puts garrisons in the strongest places Chap. IX Ildiger and Martinus take Petra-pertusa Vitigis besieges Ariminum is beaten off with his tower and resolves to famish it Chap. X. Mundilas overthrowes the Goths and seizes upon Millane Vitigis comes with his army and an aid of an 10000 Burgundians sent by Theodibert K. of the Francks Millane is besieged by the Goths and Ancona which is assaulted but preserved by two of Belisarius his Life-guard Chap. XI A digression touching the Herulians who being overthrown by the Lombards some of them come into Illyrium and make league with the Emperour Anastasius others went to the Island of Thule Chap. XII The description of Thule The Scritifini The Herulians neer Illyrium send thither for a King to their kinsmen already planted there They sent one but before they had demanded of Justinian one Suartuas their countryman whom they expelled and took him that came from Thule upon this occasion they revolt from the Romans Chap. XIII Belisarius by the opinion of Narses is brought to releive John in Ariminum A strange child nursed by a shee-goat Chap. XIV The siege of Ariminum raised by a stratagem of Belisarius Narses raises a faction against him Chap. XV. Urbinum despaired of by Narses but taken by Belisarius upon composition with halfe the army John takes in Emilia Belisarius besieges Urbiventum Chap. XVI A digression concerning a generall famine wasting Italy Millane in danger is not releived as it should by Martinus and Uliaris nor by John Chap. XVII Millane for want of releiving is miserably destroyed and 300000 men slain the rest made slaves John attending Narses direction and not joyning with Martinus by Belisarius's command caused this ruine Chap. XVIII Narses is sent from home The Herulians abandon the army Vitigis sends Ambassadors to Chosroes to provoke him against Justinian Belisarius sends out forces to favour his intended siege of Auximum and Ravenna Chap. XIX Belisarius blocks up Auximum The Romans are beaten by an Ambush for want of knowing the use of Trumpets Vitigis promises to releive the Town but only sends Uraias who lyes close by the Romans neither having a mind to fight Chap. XX. The Francks cr Germans come into Italy with 50000 men against both parts and route 2 armies of each But are ruined with sicknesses and retire having lost a third part of their army Chap. XXI The Goths in Auximum endure much convey letters to Vitigis by Burcentius a Roman souldier which practise is discovered by the stealing of a Goth by a Slavonian and is punished by burning Burcentius alive Chap. XXII In a fight about breaking of a cisterne the Goths are routed by the valour cheifly of 7 Armenians Fesula is yeilded to Cyprian by composition and Auximum to Belisarius after much induring Chap. XXIII The Poe strangely is so low that the Goths provisions are intercepted The Goths refuse the Francks motion to divide Italy Belisarius hires one to burn the magazins of Ravenna Castles upon Alpes Cottiae are taken in by the Romans Chap. XXIV The Emperour offers a peace Belisarius mislikes the conditions though the Commanders approved it The Goths offer him the kingdome which hee seems to accept and thereby takes Vitigis and the principall Goths and Ravenna with their own consents Chap. XXV Belisarius is sent for home Uraias refuses to be King of the Goths They chuse Ildebad and by his advice importune Belisarius to take the Kingdome He constantly refuses and goes towards Constantinople THE HISTORY OF THE WARRS of the Emperour JUSTINIAN Of the GOTHJCK VVarre the second BOOK CHAP. I. THE Romans durst no more hazard their whole Army with the Goths but skirmished with the Goths as before with their Horse Both of them were lined with Foot marching at their Horses sides and ever the Romans had the better of the Barbarians Bessas in one Encounter charging the Enemy with his Lance killed three of their best Horse-men and made the rest run away Constantianus at another time led the Hunnes into Neros Feilds about the Evening and finding himselfe over-matcht in numbers he did thus Upon a great old Stadium standing there where formerly the Fencers used to combat are many houses built and consequently divers narrow Lanes Constantianus not able to Encounter the
Goths multitude nor yet safely to run from them caused the Hunnes to alight from their Horses and with them made a stand in a narrow Lane and shooting the Enemy from a secure place killed many The Goths a while stood their shot hoping when the Hunnes Quivers were empty to take them all Prisoners good cheap But they being good Archers and shooting at a multitude almost at every shot killed an Enemy that halfe their number appeared to be lost And being about Sun-set and having no place to be safe in they ran away and the Hunnes pursuing them close and being excellent to shoot upon the full speed killed them as fast as before and at night came back to Rome with Constantianus Some daies after Peranius fallied at Porta Salaria with Romans and routed the Gothes The over-throw being suddain and about Sun-set a Roman Foot-man in the tumult fell into a Pit there being many anciently made in that place to lay up Corn in He durst not cry out so neer the Enemies Camp and he could not get up so there he staied all night the next day the Barbariaus being again routed a Goth fell into the same Pit They here grew acquainted necessity making them Friends and they sware to procure each others safety and then both roared as loud as they could The Goths ran to the Pit and askt who made that crying The Roman by agreement between them was silent and the other prayed them in their Language to let down a Rope to lift him up they threw in a Rope which the Roman first catcht and said that he being up the Goths would not leave their Companion behind but would make no account to save him being an Enemy and so got up The Goths when they saw him wondred but hearing the Story took up the other who went along with them and the Roman was permitted to go to the City without harm Some Bravadoes there were often between small parties of Horse as if they would fight but still the Quarrell ended in a Duell wherein the Romans ever had the Victory At an Encounter in Nero's Feilds there being many Chases on both sides by the Horse Chorsomantis of the Life-guard to Belisarius by Birth a Hunne pursued with some others 70. Goths who being gon far the rest rode back only Chorsomantis followed still the Goths turn'd about at him and he killed on of their best men and routed the rest They fearing that they were seen from their Trenches and ashamed charging him again and again after the losse of another of their best men were made to run away as fast as before and Chorsomantis chased them up to the Trenches and then returned all alone Not long after at another Fight he was shot into the left leg to the bone and lying for the cure unserviceable he chafed being a Barbarian and threatned to be even with the Goths for the wrong they had done his leg When he was well and had drunk store of Wine at his Dinner out he went towards the Enemy to be revenged for his leg he told the Sentinels at Porta pinciana that Belisarius sent him to the Enemies Camp who not mistrusting one of the Generals Guard opened the Gate and let him go out The Enemy seeing him took him for a Fugitive but when he was come neer and fell to use his Bow some twenty came upon him whom he shook off and retired a foot pace more came on yet he would not run away and still resisting though more still charging him The Romans from the Turrets seeing it thought him some mad man not knowing it to be Chorsomantis who did there brave things and highly to be commended but at last being compassed by the Enemy he paid the penalty of his fool-hardinesse Belisarius and the Army when they knew who it was mourned for him as if all their hopes had perished with him CHAP. II. BUT about Midsommer Euthalius arrived at Taracina with Monies from Constantinople owing to the Army who fearing the Enemy and his Money wrote to Belisarius to conduct him safe into Rome who sent out a 100. of his Targetiers with two of his Lanciers to Taracina to convoy the Treasure and himselfe made a shew of giving Battell to the whole Army to amuse the Enemy from going out upon occasion of Forraging The nex day hearing Euthalius with his convoy would arrive he ordered his Army for a Fight and knowing Enthalius would enter by night he stood all the morning neer the Gates in Armes and at Noon he commanded the Army to dine the Goths did likewise thinking that he put off the Battell till the next day Then he sent Martinus and Valerianus to Nero's Feilds to give Alarmes to the Enemy there And at Porta Pinciana he sent out 600. Horse against the Trenches led by three of his Life-guard Artacines a Persian Buchas a Hunne and Cutilas a Thracian The Enemy encountred them with many and a good while they spent in charges and retirings only without coming up to the Sword and Lance seeming willing so to weare out the day At last they grew angry and the Fight being hot many and of the best fell and seconds came in from the City and the Camp from whence the Skirmish growing more and more the shouts filled the Combatants with Courage In conclusion the Romans routed them Cutilas was hit into the head with a Dart which sticking therein he followed the Execution and that being done he rode with the rest into the City with the Dart dangling on his head a strang Sight Arxes a Targetier of Belisarius was shot between the nose and the right eye the Arrowes head peircing to his neck but not appearing throughâ— and the Shaft as he rode shaked upon his Fore-head The Romans wondered to see him and Cutilas ride so little sensible of such hurts This was the Successe here but in Nero's Feilds the Goths had the better Martinus and Valerianus sustaining their great numbers with much difficulty and danger Belisarius commanded Buchas who was come off untoucht to ride up to Nero's Feilds to succour there who falling on suddenly and in the Evening defeated them but charging himselfe too far he was compast by twelve Enemies with Lances which troubled him not his Corselet holding good against the pushes thereof till a Goth thrust him behind under his right arme-hole which Wound was not mortall but another thrust him into the left thigh and cut the Muscle acrosse Valerianus and Martinus rode speedily to his rescue and beat off the Enemy then led him into the City taking his Horse by the Bridle Night being come Euthalius entred the City with the Treasure and all being within they lookt to their hurt men the Surgeons desired to take the Arrow out of Arzes Face but demurred not in respect of the eye which they had no thought to save but least by tearing the Membranes and Nerves there-about they might kill one of the bravest men of Belisarius retinew One
by this the City might be lesse vexed with wants and the Goths might be beseiged more then It. He sent Martinus and Traianus with a 1000. men to convoy his Wife Antonina to Taracina and from thence to give her a convoy to Naples where she was to expect the Event in a safe place And he sent Magnus and Sinthues one of his Life-guard with 500. men to the Castle of Tibur standing about 17. miles from Rome To the small City of Alba standing so many miles also from Rome upon Via Appia he had before sent Gontharis with some Herulians whom the Enemy beat out from thence a while after There stands a Church of the Apostle Saint Paul a mile and three quarters from the walls of Rome upon the Tiber. It is not fortified but a Porticus reaches to it from the City which with the buildings upon it make the place not easily to be invaded The Goths also so much reverence those two Apostles that during the siege no hurt was done to either of these Temples but the preists celebrated divine Service in them as formerly In this place Belisarius commanded Valerianus with all the Hunnes to intrench upon the bancks of Tiber thereby to favour the pasturing of their own Horse and to restrain the Goths from coming out so far at their pleasure Valerianus encamped the Hunns accordingly and then returned to the City And Belisarius having setled these things lay still resolving to begin no fight but to defend only the walls from harm and to some of the Commons he distributed corne CHAP. IV. BUT Martinus and Trajanus past in the night by the Enemies camps came to Taracina and sent Antonina with a convoy into Campania themselves seised the fortresses there about from whence issuing and charging ever suddenly they restrained the Goths inroads that way Magnus also and Synthues repaired the decayes of the castle of Tibur and from a safe place infested the Enemy and a fortification they had not far off frighting with unlook't for charges their convoys of provisions Untill Synthues by a hurt of a Lance upon his right hand was disabled his sinews being cut asunder The Hunnes also quarter'd neer there about did the Goths as much hurt that the Famine vexed them having not provisions brought so freely and the plague killed many especially in the camp neer Via Appia where the few that escaped ran to the other intrenchments The Hunnes also suffered the like and went back to Rome Procopius in Campania got together 500 souldiers and ships freighted with corn and when Antonina came she took care with him to set out the fleet Vesuvius then bellowed but did not cast up which was expected and the inhabitants were terribly frighted This mountain stands eight miles three quarters from Naples northward steep and thick with wood below and above craggy and very wild At the top is a deep cave seeming to reach to the bottom of the mountaine and if you peep in you may see fire which ordinarily keeps in not troubling the people But when the mountain bellowes like an Oxe soon after it casts out far away a huge quantity of cynders which catching a man upon the way he hath no means to save his life if it fall upon houses they fall with the weight if the wind blow stiff it rises up past ones sight and is carryed by the wind to very farr countryes They say it fell once in Constantinople which so frighted the Citizens that to this day they have yearly publick supplications to appease God and that another time it fell in Tripolis Formerly this bellowing came every 100 yeares or more but since oftner When the Vesuvius casts out cynders they are confident of a plentifull year the aire about it is pure and none more healthy that the Physitians send thither men far gone in Consumptions But from Constantinople arrived at Naples 3000 Isaurians commanded by Paulus and Conon and at Otranto 800 horse Thracians led by John Sisters Son of that Vitalianus who formerly rebelled against the Emperour With them were a 1000 more horsemen commanded by Alexander and Marcentius and others Zeno with 300 horse was already come to Rome through Samnium and by Via Latina John and the rest coming into Campania with many waggons out of Calabria and joyning the 500 levied as I said in Campania marcht by the Sea shore with their waggons which they were to fortifie with in case of an Enemies assault Paulus Conon they sent by sea with their troops to joyn with them at Ostia having put corn sufficient in their waggons fraighted the ships therewith with wine and other provisions They thought to find Martinus Trajanus about Taracina but they were newly sent for and gone to Rome Belisarius fearing the Enemy with multitudes might cut off the troopes marching with John and having at the beginning of the warre ram'd up Porta Flaminia with stones that the Enemy encamping neer it might not there force the city neither was there ever any fight there nor did the Barbarians looke for any Enemy thence from this gate he took away the stones secretly and put there in armes the greatest part of his army and at day-break he sent out Diogenes and Trajanus by Porta Pinciana with a thousand horse to shoot into the Enemies quarters and when they came out to run away upon the full speed to the town walls They accordingly provoked the Goths who from all their quarters encountred them and both parts came upon the speed towards the walls the one flying the other pursuing When Belisarius saw the Enemy upon the chase he opened Porta Flaminia and drew out the army unexpected Neer the high way there was one of their camps and before it a narrow lane craggy and hard to passe where a Barbarian gallant and well armed seeing the Enemy coming ran and preposessed the said passage calling to his companions to help to maintain it but Mundilas overtook him and killed him not suffering any of the rest to come to the Lane So they went through without opposition to the Enemies quarter which some attempted but could not take it though few were within by reason the ditch was deep and the Earth cast up inward and was raised to a kind of a wall and the stakes were very well pitcht and thick wherein the Goths trusting resisted valiantly Aquilinus a Targetier of Belisarius and very valiant leapt into the quarter drawing his horse by the bridle after and some he killed but they darted thick at him and killed his horse himself escaped strangely through the Enemy and went towards Porta Pinciana with his fellowes who overtook the Goths yet pursuing and killed them shooting them behind Trajanus with his troopes seeing it their horse there also seconding gallopt against the pursuing Goths who surprized between the Enemy thus were slain in confusion and the slaughter was great and few recovered their Quarters Which they were all afraid of kept in and fortified expecting
were skilfull in two tunes one composed to incourage the Souldiers to fight the other to sound a retreat when the Generall saw his time Who by this means signified his pleasure and the Souldiers put it in Execution For in a battell to doe it by shouting is impossible the fright of it amazing and the clashing of armes overcoming the noise But now rudenesse hath berest us of this skill and we cannot signifie both with one Trumpet wherefore do you thus Let the horsemens trumpets incourage the Souldiers to fight and let those of the foot call them to the retreat they cannot but distinguish the sound the one being made of Leather and very thin wood and the other of a thick peice of Brasse Belisarius liked Procopius advise and calling the army spake thus Courage and forwardnesse is expedient and commendable so far as it is moderate and hurts not them who use it all things becoming ever worse with Excesse Commit therefore no more of these Errors through vain ambition to fly sometime is no shame and who unadvisedly runs into evident mischeif if he chance to escape yet is he guilty of Folly The gallant man is he that fights valiantly in time of need The Goths now unable to fight with you indeavour to ruin you with ambushes and you are more to be blamed for standing the danger then if you had run out of their ambush nothing being baser then to serve an Enemies Counsells I will be carefull to prevent your falling into ambushes and you when I give the signall presently retire which shall be done by the sound of the foot Trumpets The Souldiers after this speech seeing the Enemy at the Grasse went towards them and at first killed some A Moore espying one of them with Gold Ornaments ook him by the hair and drew him aside to strip him but a Goth hit him through both the calves of his legs with a dart and so fettered them both together yet still he drew the dead body holding it by the Hair In this instant the Goths rose from their ambush and immediatly Belisarius seeing all from the camp caused the foot Trumpets to sound which the Romans hearing retired gently taking up the Moore with the Dart through his leggs The Goths durst not follow them but retired too Afterward the Goths considered how they might advertise Vitigis of their wants which grew great and none adventuring to go as thinking it impossible to slip by the Enemy they observed a night without moon light and preparing their men with Letters to Vitigis when the night was far spent they made great cries upon the walls as if they were in some terrible confusion prest by Enemies and their town suddenly taken The Romans could not imagine the cause and kept within their quarters by Belisarius's direction fearing a surprize from the Town and from some army from Ravenna which might be come to the Enemies succour and so thought better to lye still in a safe place then in a dark night to run into danger Whereby the Goths sent out their men unespied to Ravenna who the third day without meeting Enemy delivered the Letters to Vitigis to this Effect When your Majesty placed us in Auximum you said that in our hands you left the keyes of Ravenna and of your Kingdom and you therefore summoned our uttermost power to conserve the dominion of the Goths and if we needed it you promised to come to us unsent for with your whole army We have fought with Famin and Belisarius and been faithfull Guards of your Kingdome but you have not thought meet to succour us at all Think if the Romans take Auximum and the keyes which lye here by you forgotten whether they will be kept out of any thing you have Vitigis upon perusall hereof promised forthwith to succour Auximum with his whole forces and difmist the men But upon better consideration he lay still doubting least the troops with John might fall upon his back and before him fearing a great power of resolute men with Belisarius but principally want of victuall troubled him not knowing from whence to furnish his army in regard the Romans were masters of the Sea and transporting their provisions from Sicily and Calabria to the Castle of Ancona from thence had it brought with case in the due season but the Goths in Picenia should have no means of supply But the Messengers came safe to Auximum with Vitigis promise which raised them with vain hope And Belisarius hearing thereof caused the Guards to be more strictly kept In the mean time Cyprian and Justinus besieging Faesulae could not approach to assault the place and the Goths willing rather to end it by fights then to indure the want of victuall sallied often At first the fights were equall in the end the Romans being too hard for them shut them within their walls keeping exact watch that none might get out In Auximum the Goths perplexed with their wants sent out again to Vitigis for succour as unable to hold out any longer He directed Vraeas with the army in Liguria to march into Picenia promising also to come to the besieged with his whole power Vraeas went into Picenia accordingly with the army with him pass't the Poe and came neer the Romans Camp and sate down about 7 miles distant from them They began no fights the Romans thinking it enough to keep them from joyning with the besieged And the Goths were afraid to fight considering if they should lose the battell they should ruin all being to have no more means of joyning with Vitigis and with him of opposing the Enemy with there counsells they both lay still CHAP. XX. IN the mean time the Francks hearing how both the Goths and Romans were wasted with this war conceived it easy to get a good share of Italy and repined to sit idle thus and look upon others disputing a province so neer neighbouring So that forgetting their late oathes and accords both with Romans and Goths for this nation of all men is the most slippery of Faith with an army of 50000 men under the leading of Theodebert they invaded Italy They had some few horse men Lancâ—ers to attend their King The rest were foot men without bowes or Lances only wearing a sword a sheild and a battell axe the iron whereof was broad and sharp on both sides and the handle very short This upon a signall at the first charge they throw from them to break the Enemies sheilds and kill them Thus the Francks passing the Alpes which divide Gaule and Italy came into Liguria The Goths were before angry for their not accepting their offers of a large country and great summes to aid them but now hearing Theodebert was come with a mighty army they rejoyced and hoped to beat their Enemy now without striking stroake And the Francks while they were in Liguria hurt not the Goths that they might find no impediment in their passage over the Poe and at a
whom Belisarius brought to Constantinople with Blischames after his taking the Castle of Sisaurium He settled a 100. men of the Army and late in the night got neer to the Town The Watch-man opened the Gate some stood still and sent for the Army others mounted the Walls and slew the Sentinels coming unexpected And the Goths perceiving the mischiefe ran out at another Gate and retired to a high Hill over against Verona from whence one may discern all done in the City and number the men in the Streets and it hath a large Prospect into the Champian and here they stayed all night The Romans being within five miles of the City would go no further the Generals disputing about the Booty of it and while they were thus brabling for the spoiles the day grew bright The Goths from the Hill discovering the Enemy in the Town and how great a way the Army was from it ran in at the same Gate they ran out the Romans within being not able to possesse it who advising together fled to the Battlements where the Goths in multitudes assailed and they stoutly defended and did wonders especially Artabazes The Roman Commanders when they had disposed the Wealth of Verona among themselves marcht against the Town with the Army But finding the Gates shut and the Enemy strongly opposing they forthwith ran away though they saw their Companions upon the Walls fighting and calling to them to stay for them So that Artabazes and the rest being opprest with multitudes and despairing of Succour leapt from the Walls and himselfe with such as lighted upon smooth ground came safe to the Camp but they that fell upon stony ground perisht all The Roman Army past the Poe and came to Faventia which is a City of Emilia standing 15. miles from it Totilas when he heard what had happened at Verona sent for most of that Garrison and with his whole Army being 50000. he marcht against the Enemy The Roman Commanders hereof advertised held a Counsell where Artabazes spake thus Fellow Commanders let us not despise the Enemy as inferiour in numbers nor as being to fight with men cowed by Belisarius go on with resolution False conceits have deceived and undone many and their unseasonable despising an Enemy dissolved their Forces The former ill successe of these men invites them to some better Fortune Fortune by making men desperate brings them to an excesse of daring I speak not this by guesâ—e I have learnt their Courage by mine own late danger And let none be offended with me for extolling their power having been with a few with me beaten by them Mens Valour is seen as well when they are more as when they are fewer then those they fight with My Opinion therefore is to guard the passage of the River and when the Goths are halfe past over to fight with them rather then now with their whole body And let no man think that there is no honour in such a Victory Honour and disgrace receive their names from the Event Men commend the Victors not searching into the manner of the Victory Artabazes so spake But the Commanders contradicting one another did nothing they should do but there staid and did nothing The Goths came neer and being ready to passe the River Totilas spake thus unto them Friends and Country-men other Battells begin upon the shew of equality in the Armies to fight but we now stand to fight having a Fortune most unequall If they be beaten they have meanes to fight with us again having numbers of Souldiers in their Garrisons all Italy over and expecting forthwith the seconds of another Army from Constantinople But if the same befall us the hopes and name of our Nation is lost being already from 200000. reduced to 50000. yet is it sit that you be put in mind that when you took Armes with Ildebad against the Emperour you had but 1000. men together and no place left but the Town of Picenum But no sooner were you Conquerours but your Armies and Townes augmented And if you now do bravely I hope the War proceeding probably we shall vanquish the Enemy It is the Fortune of Conquerours ever to grow in numbers and power So that resolve to meet the Enemy chearfully and stoutly knowing that if you get not the honour of this day you can never possibly fight again Moreover our Enemies Injustice is to embolden us in this Battell The Italians subject to them they have so opprest that they need no other punishment for their Treason against the Goths So in a word have they found all manner of mischiefes from their new Guests Now what is more easily caught then an Enemy who stands not sound with God Their feare of us also may encourage us we going against no other men then those who being in the midst of Verona quitted it without reason and ran away shamefully none pursuing them Totilas having used this encouragement commanded 300. men to passe the River two miles and a halfe off and to get behind the Enemy and the Fight being begun to shoot at their backs and being in confusion to gall them Himselfe with the rest past there the River and went against the Enemy The Romans encountred them and both marching faire and softly and being neer each other Valiaris a Goth tall and of a stern Countenance and very Valiant rode out from the rest between the Armies armed with Corslet and Helmet and challenged any Roman to fight with him Artabazes accepted the Combate Both rode against each other and charged their Lances Artabazes preventing ran Valiaris into the left side who having his mortal wound and sincking backward his Lance resting upon the ground and at a great stone kept him from falling Artabazes with eagernesse thrust his Lance into his belly not thinking he had his deaths wound already and the head of Valiaris Lance standing upright lighted upon the Corslet of Artabazes and gliding over it peirced his neck and cut one of the Arteries He bled instantly in abundance but feeling no pain gallopt to the Roman Camp and left Valiaris dead upon the place The blood could not be stancht so that the third day he dyed and stagger'd all the hopes of the Romans for his being not able to fight in that Battell was an extream ruine to them He attending the cure of his Wound without Arrow-shot the Armies joyned Battell in the heat whereof the 300. Goths at the Romans backs suddenly appeared the Romans thinking them to be great numbers were affraid and ran away in confusion with the Enemy at their heels who took many Prisoners and all their Ensignes a thing never before happened to the Romans The Commanders with some few ran into severall Townes for safety and guarded the same CHAP. III. TOtilas forthwith sent forces against Florence commanded by Bledas Rodericus and Valiaris who sate down before it Justinus within it having laid in no provisions sent to Ravenna praying the Commanders to come to his
succour The messenger by night slipt by the Enemy and reported their Estate to the Roman Commanders in Ravenna whereupon an army of good importance under Bessas Cyprianus and John Vitalianus his Sisters Son marcht to Florence The newes of them raised the Goths siege who retired to Micale a Town standing a dayes journey from Florence The Roman army left with Justinus some few men and went against the Enemy Upon the way they advised to make choise of one of the Commanders of most account suddenly to set upon the Enemy and the rest to march after fair and softly they cast lots and fortune gave it to John but the commanders would not stand to the agreement so that John with his own troops only went against the enemy The Goths understanding their coming left the champian and in fear and tumult ran up to a high hill Johns Troops ran up also and began the fight The Goths valiantly opposed and many brave men fell on both sides Then John furiously giving upon the Enemy with a great shout one of his life guard was slain by a dart whereupon the Romans retired beaten back Then came up the rest of the Roman army and in the plain put themselves in batallion and made an halte if they had set upon the flying Troops of John and with them set upon the Enemy they had gotten the day and had them almost all at their mercy but an unlucky rumor was spred that John was slain in the fight by one of his owne Life-Guard so that they would stay no longer but made a shamefull retreate not retiring in a whole body nor yet in Troops but every man ran away as he could Many of them perished and they who escaped ran on for many dayes none pursuing them and at last every man as he could got into strong places reporting to all they met that John was slain From thence forward they joyned not nor had thought of making head but every one kept within his walls expecting a siege Totilas gained his prisoners with his much humanity to serve him willingly against the Romans and then ended the winter and the seventh year of this warr written by Procopius Totilas then took in the Castles of Cesina and Petra Incipit An. 8. bel Goth 6. Justiniani Anno domini 542. came into Tuscany and the Towns there not yeilding to him he past the Tiber but would not touch upon the Territories of Rome but went into Campania and Samnium and tooke without labour the strong Town of Beneventum and layd the walls flat with the Ground that the Romans coming from Constantinople might not from a fortified place infest the Goths Naples refusing to receive him notwithstanding his fair words having Conon within with a thousand Romans and Isaurians he incamped before it with the most part of his army and sent out some forces who took in Cuma and other fortresses from whence he raised great sums of mony The wives of some Senators he found in the fame who had no incivility used to them but were dismist with much curtesie from whence he got a great fame of the Romans of discretion and humanity He still sent out small parties no Enemy appearing against him and did things of good importance taking Bruttia and Lucania Apulia and Calabria He took up the Tributes and from the land-holders received the rents disposing all things as absolute Master of Italy The Roman army hereby received no entertainments and the Emperour owed it huge summs and the Italians mourned being reduced to so great danger The Souldiers also grew more disobedient to their Commanders and were glad to lye still in their Garrisons Constantianus held Ravenna John Rome Ressas Spoletum Justinus Florence and Cyprianus Perusia every one the place he had fled to The Emperour hereof advertised and esteeming it a great calamity Praefectus praetorio per Italiam forthwith made Maximinus * Praefect of the Palace for Italy that he might be over the Commanders and to furnish provisions to the Souldiers With him he sent a navy having aboard an army consisting of Thracians under Herodian and of Armenians under Phazas an Iberian sisters Son of Peranius and some few Huns they had with them Maximinus from Constantinople with his Fleet came upon the coast of Epirus where he spent the time to no purpose being no Souldier a coward and an extream delayer Afterward the Emperour sent Demetrius Generall who had formerly commanded a company of Foot under Belisarius He arriving in Sicily and hearing how Conon was besieged in Naples and in great want of victuall had a mind to succour him speedily but with so small an army being not able be freighted a number of ships which he got together from all parts of Sicily with corn and other provisions making the Enemy beleive that he had a great army abroad who indeed hearing of a huge navy coming from Sicily expected a great army with it If Demetrius had made directly for Naples he had frighted away the Enemy and saved the city But he was afraid to put in there and sailed on to the port of Rome imploying himself there to gather together the Souldiers Who being already beaten by the Goths and extreamly afraid of them refused to follow him against Totilas So that with those only he brought from Constantinople he went towards Naples Another Demetrius a Cephalenian an ancient marriner very skilfull when he sailed with Belisarius into Affrica and Italy grew famous for his skill and the Emperour made him Procurator of Naples In the beginning of the Goths seige there being a man of a foul intemperate tongue he used many disgracefull words against Totilas the Famin there growing and the mortality still increasing with Conons consent he adventured in a small bark alone to go secretly to Demetrius and hardly escaping he met with Demetrius and incouraging him drew him to undertake the businesse Totilas hearing of the Fleet coming back prepared many Pinnaces swift of sail and the enemy being upon the coast neer Naples he set on them suddenly amazed them and put them to flight killing many and taking more They only escaped who at first leapt into the cock-boats among whom was Demetrius the Generall The shipps the Goths took with all their men and Lading and there sound Demetrius the Procurator of Naples whose Tongue they cut out and so let him go whether he would such was the punishment of Demetrius for his intemperate language Afterward came Maximinus with his Fleet upon the coast of Sicily where he sate still in Syracuse afraid of the war The Roman commanders and especially Conon from Naples whom all provisions now failed sent to him to come to their succours He wore out the season in this cowardly fear but at last fearing the Emperours menaces and wearied with the revilings of all men he staied himself but sent the army to Naples under Demetrius Herodian and Phazas in the sharpest of the winter The Fleet being neer
as bought Corn and Branne as aforesaid when their money was spent brought their Houshold-stuff to the Market-place and exchanged it for a little daily food In the end the Souldiers Corn being consumed save some small quantity which Bessas had and the Romans money spent they all fell to Nettles which food not sufficing Nature and there being of it not enough to fill their bellies their flesh pined away their colour grew wanne and they lookt like so many Ghosts Many walking with their teeth chewing Nettles fell suddainly dead They did eat also one anothers dung and many when they could find no more Dogs nor Rats to feed on killed themselves One having five Children hanging importunately upon him for meat made no shew to lament but restraining his passion he willed the Children to follow him and they should have meat When he came to the Bridge over the Tiber tying his Cloak about his face and eyes he leapt into the River his Children and many more looking on Afterward the Commanders for money suffered such as would to go out of the City some few staid the rest fled whether they could the most of whom were so weak that they dyed a Ship-board or upon the high waies Many the Enemy caught and kill'd To this was reduced the Fortune of the People and Senate of Rome Isaac and John being joyned with Belisarius at Epidamnus John advised to crosse the Jonian Gulfe and with the whole Army to try their Fortune by Land But Belisarius liked it not for more time would be spent and some impediment might encounter them by Land He would have John march through Calabria and those Countries to expell the Goths being few there and having subdued all on this side the Gulfe to joyne with him about Rome where himselfe purposed to land with the rest of the Army He considered how the least delay would ruine all at Rome and that in five daies with a wind they might land at Portus whereas from Otranto thither would cost the Army 40. daies march So he hoist Saile with a strong gale and came before Otranto The Goths seeing them instantly raised their Seige and went to Brundusium standing upon the Gulfe a daies journey from Otranto with no Walls about it They advertised Totilas of it thinking that Belisarius would instantly passe the straits there who prepared to encounter him and directed the Goths in Calabria to guard the Passage there But the wind coming faire Belisarius left Otranto and the Goths were secure and quiet in Calabria Totilas before Rome guarded the Avenues more stictly to keep out Provisions He made choice of a place about eleven miles below Rome upon the Tiber where it is narrowest and there laid a Bridge of Plancks reaching from one Banck to the other At either end he built Towers of Wood and put good Garrisons into them to impede the passage of Barks from Portus to Rome In the mean time Belisarius landed at Portus and attended Johns Army John past over into Calabria undiscerned by the Goths who were all at Brundusium He took two Scouts of the Enemy upon the high way and having killed the one the other took him about the knees and besought him for mercy promising to be usefull to him John demanded wherein he said he would bring him upon the Goths unlookt for John told him he should not then faile in his request but bad him first shew him where were any Horse-pastures The Goth promising that also went along with him And first surprising the Enemies Horses at their Pasture such as were a foot leapt on them being many of the best men Then they gallopt to the Enemies Camp who being unarmed unprepared and amazed with the suddennesse were most of them cut off using no resistence Some few escaped to Totilas John then animated the Calabrians and reconciled their affections to the Emperour with faire promises of many advantages He staid not in Brundusium but surprised Canusium a Town in the middle of Apulia five daies journey to the Westward of Brundusium in the way to Rome About three miles from this Town is Cannae where Hanniball gave that great overthrow to the Romans Here Tullianus the Son of Venantius a Roman of great power in Bruttia and Lucania complained to John of what the Army had done formerly against the Italians and promised if moderation were used hereafter to reduce his Country-men to obedience and payment of Tribute who revolted unwillingly to Barbarians and Arrians forced by them and extreamly wronged by the Emperours Army John promised all favour from the Emperour to the Italians and Tullianus went along with him whence the Italians were no more jealous of the Souldiers and the most part of the Country on this side the Jonian Gulfe became Friends to them and obedient to the Emperour Totilas upon the newes hereof sent 300. Goths to Capua whom he directed when they saw Johns Army march towards Rome closely to follow it Himselfe would take care of the rest This stopt John fearing to be encompast by the Enemy from marching further towards Belisarius and he went into Bruttia and Lucania Recimund an eminent Goth was placed by Totilas with some Goths fugitive Romans and Moores to guard Bruttia and the straits of Scylla and the Coast thereabout and to hinder the landing of Boats from Sicily the pasting over thither John suddenly fell upon this Army between Rhegiam and Bivona and routed them using no resistance They fled towards a Mountain hard of accesse and craggy But John ran up with them and before they could be settled in the fastnesses killed most of the Moores and Roman Souldiers stoutly defending themselves and took Recimund and the Goths upon composition And having thus done staid in the Country while Belisarius lay still attending his coming and blaming him for not adventuring to passe by a Garrison of 300. men in Capua having with him the choice of the Roman Army But John despaired of getting by and lay quiet at Cervarium a place in Apulia CHAP. X. SO that Belisarius fearing some desperate resolution of the starving Romans studyed meanes to Victuall the City Forces he wanted to fight with the Enemy but he did thus He tyed two Barks together upon which he built a Tower of wood higher then those which the Enemy had at the Bridge having by some Souldiers pretending to run away taken the exact measure of them He lancht into the Tiber also 200. Pinnaces having Walls made of boards full of loop-holes to shoot at the Enemy Aboard the Prinnaces he put Corn and other Provisions and towards the Rivers mouth in places of advantage he laid Horse and Foot by either Banck who were to impede the Enemy if he set upon Portus which he committed to the Guard of Isaac with his Wife and what he had there directing him not to stir though he heard Belisarius were slain but to keep close to his Guard that upon any mischance there might be a place of
retreat for other Fortresses there was none all the Country thereabout being their Enemy Himselfe aboard one of the Pinnaces led the rest and caused the two Barks with the Tower to be towed after Upon the top of the Tower he put a Cock-boat full of Pitch Rozin Brimstone and other combustible matter upon the Banck where is the way from Portus to Rome stood the Foot He had sent the day before to Bessas to make a generall Sally and to alarm the Enemies Camp The like he had directed him often before but neither before nor now would he perform his directions for he had Corn yet for his own use left sent formerly by the Governours of Sicily sufficient both for the Souldier and the People Of this he gave little to the People but took most of it upon the account of the Army and kept it to himselfe selling it at huge rates to the Senators So that he had no mind to have the Seige raised But Belisarius rowed up the River with a strong stream against him The Goths lying quiet in their Trenches Neer the Bridge they came to a Guard of Enemies and found an Iron Chaine fastned from Banck to Banck which Totilas had put there to hinder the passage to the Bridge They shot and killed some and frighted away the rest then took up the Chain and rowed on to the Bridge where they fell to work The Goths valiantly defending from their Towers and many running in from the Camp Then Belisarius brought his two Barks with the Tower on them close to the Enemies Tower which stood into the water by the way from Portus He caused them to fire the Cock-boat and to shoove it down just upon the Enemies Tower which instantly fell afire and burnt with it selfe 200. Goths within it and their Commander one of the valiantest of the Nation Mean while the Romans shot so thick upon the seconds which came from the Camp that being also amazed at the Accident they ran all away The Romans laid hands on the Bridge and had suddenly pulled it down and gotten into Rome none opposing But Fortune was not so pleased Some envious Daemon plotted that which ruined the Romans Affaires The Armies being thus employed the report to the Romans mischiefe came to Portus how Belisarius had taken up the Chain and killed the Goths there Isaac could not hold but would have his share in the honour and fogetting Belisarius Commands he went hastily to the other side of the River where Ostia stands and with a 100. Horse of the men left him by Belisarius he charged the Enemies quarter commanded by Roderick a skilfull Souldier And coming suddenly he wounded many and Roderick himselfe and the Goths quitted their Quarter either suspecting more to be coming after Isaac or deceiving him to surprise his Troops which happened For Isaac entring the Enemies Trenches and falling to pillage the Goths returned killed many and took himselfe and others Prisoners Some Horse-men gallopt to Belisarius and reported that Isaac was taken by the Enemy Who astonisht with the newes and not enquiring the manner but thinking Portus and his Wife to be lost and all ruined and how no Fortresse was now left for the Army to retire to he had not a word to say a thing never happening to him before And immediately he drew back his Forces meaning to charge the Enemy unprepared and by all meanes to recover the place And thus the Romans retired without doing any thing But Belisarius when at Portus he found the rashnesse of Isaac and perceived his own Counsell perturbation the vexation of it and at the crosse Fortune put him into a Feaver which afflicted him long and brought him to deaths door Two daies after Roderick dyed which so grieved Totilas that he put Isaac to death But Bessas stil trading with his Corn grew rich hunger and necessity setting the prises for him His whole thoughts were upon it neglecting the Guard of the Walls or any thing tending to preservation and the Souldiers might be as negligent as they pleased Upon the Walls were small Guards and those not attended The Sentinels might sleep securely none ever visiting them to call them to an account nor going the round as is usuall And the Citizens being few left and they almost starved would not keep any Watch. At last foure Isaurians who stood Sentinels neer Porta Asinaria at the time of night when their turn came to watch and their fellowes to sleep slipt down the Walls by Ropes tyed to the Battlements and came to Totilas undertaking to receive his Army into the City with ease Totilas promised many Favours and to make them rich if they performed it and sent two Souldiers with them to view the place where they said the City might be entred They came to the Wall mounted the Battlements by the Ropes not a man speaking nor taking notice Being there the Isaurians shewed them how nothing would oppose their coming up nor encounter them being up which they bad them to report to Totilas who though he was glad of the report yet he could not trust them being Isaurians Not many daies after they came again urging him upon the same businesse and he sent two others who examined all exactly and made their report agreeing with the former In the meane time some Roman Scouts met ten Goths neer the City upon the high-way whom they took and brought to Bessas Who by enquiry learnt of them that Totilas hope was to have the City betrayed to him by Isaurians Bessas and Conon made slight of the advertisement and the Isaurians coming the third time to Totilas and he sending others and one of his own Kinred with them and they reporting still the same he resolved the enterprize CHAP. XI THE same night he silently armed his forces and led them to Porta Asinaria willing four Goths valiant and strong to mount the Battlements with the Isaurians at the houre when they were to watch and the rest were to go to bed in their turns They being gotten into the Towne went to Porta Asinaria without meeting any and with their Battleaxes cut in two the Timber posts upon which the Gates on each side hung and wrench'd off the iron worke where-into the Watch-men put their keyes to open and shut then And so having set them open they received in Totilas and the Army Totilas drew all to one place not suffering them to scatter affraid of some ambush from the Enemy The City suddenly was full of tumult and most of the Roman Souldiers fled with their Commanders out at another gate Some took Sanctuary with other Romans in Churches Of the Patricians Decius Basilius and some others fled out with Bessas having Horses but Maximus Olybrius Orestes and others fled into St. Peters Church Of the commons remained but 500. men who took Sanctuary also the rest were all gone away or starved Totilas being told in the night that Bessas and the Enemy were running away sayd they
dull men not ashamed to leave to posterity such a mark of their disposition And of all Cities under the Sun Rome is confest to be the greatest and most famous being not the work of one mans virtue nor arrived to this beauty and bignesse in a small time Many Emperours and excellent men length of time and excesse of wealth have drawn together materialls from all countries and rare artificers and having so by little and little built the City as you now see it they have filled it with monuments of all their virtues and the violence done to the same is an injury committed against all mankind taking from our progenitors the memorialls of their worth and from posterity the sight of such goodly works Know then that one of the two must be either you will be vanquisht by the Emperour or get the better If you be victorious by having destroyed Rome you have ruined Great Sir not anothers but your own by preserving which you will be rich in the goodliest possession in the world But if you draw the loosing lot having preserved Rome you have reserved abundant thanks from the conquerour But by destroying it bereft your self of all pretence to favour And you will get nothing by it but a fame in the world sutable to such a proceeding which attends your Resolution herein either way Whatsoever the actions of Princes be such are necessarily the name they must bear from them Totilas upon often reading this Letter and pondring the advise forbare further harme to Rome and signifying to Belisarius his determination he dismist the Ambassadors He encamped most of his army at Algidum 15 miles from Rome to the Westward to ly there and keep Belisarius fast in Portus and himself and the rest went against John and the Lucanians Some Roman Senators he led with him and the rest with their wives and children he sent to Campania leaving not a man in Rome John hearing of Totilas coming would stay no longer in Apulia but ran into Otranto The Patricians confined in Campania sent commands by Totilas direction to their husbandmen of Lucania to leave John and to manure their Lands as formerly which were declared to belong to their Landlords Whereupon they forsook John and went and lived peaceably at home Tullianus also ran away and his 300 Antians retired to Johns army So all on this side the Jonian Gulfe save Otranto became again subject to Totilas and the Goths grown bold stragled about in small parties John sent forces out and kill'd many of them which caused Totilas to unite his army about mount Gargarus almost in the middle of Apulia where he encamped in Hanniballs Entrenchment In the mean time Martianus a Constantinopolitan born one of the souldiers that escaped out of Rome with Conon when it was taken desired Belisarius that he might go to the Enemy pretending himself a run-away and he would do good service Belisarius approving it Martianus went to Totilas who was glad of him having heard much of the young man and seen him do bravely in some single combats Presently he restored to him his wife a captive and one of his children there being two but reserved the other for a hostage and he sent them with some others to Spoletum whereof the Goths had demolisht the walls after their taking it by Herodians Treason and put a Garrison there of Goths and Romans fugitives into the place used for the hunting of wild beasts called the Amphitheater which they had fortified Martianus got some Associates whom he perswaded to do some remarkable service and so to return to the Roman army and to the Roman Commander in Perusia he sent for forces discovering his designe to him Oldâ—gandon a Hunne the commander there Cyprianus Being murder'd by one of his own life-Guard as aforesaid marcht with some forces to Spoletum whom Martianus seeing with the 15 Souldiers he had got to joyn with him he killed the Captaine of the Goths Garrison and received the Romans into the Fort they kill'd most of the Enemies and brought the rest to Belisarius Who resolved thereupon to enter Rome and with a thousand Souldiers he marcht to it The Enemy at Algedon was advertized hereof by a Roman and layed an Ambush neer Rome which seeing Belisarius set upon his troops and a hot fight being the Romans valour routed the Enemy who after the killing of most of them retired to Portus Upon the sea-coast of Calabria stands Tarentum two daies journy from Otranto in the way to Thurium and Rhegium John invited by the Tarentines went thither with some few leaving the rest in Otranto the city he found great unfortified conceived it impossible to man it But finding to the northward of the City the sea to embay it self on both sides the Land and to make it an Isthmus between of two miles and a half broad he cut the said Isthmus from the city with a wall and a deep ditch and put in it the Tarentines and the inhabitants of some other Townes with a good Garrison The Calabrians having gotten this refuge thought of revolting from the Goths In the mean time Totilas surprized Acherontis a strong Castle in Lucania upon the confines of Calabria and put into it a Garrison of 400 men Then himself with his army went toward Ravenna leaving some Goths in Campania to Guard the Senators there confined CHAP. XIII BUt Belisarius undertook a design provident and bold which seemed a kinde of madnesse at first but proved a gallant work He left a small Garrison in Portus and with the rest of his army he went into Rome with a resolution to hold it He could not in so short a time repaire the walls demolished by Totilas but he heaped stones one upon another rudely without lime or the like between only to give it the form of a wall without it he pitcht good store of stakes And a ditch he had formerly made round about as I said before The whole army working cheerfully in five and twenty daies the breaches were filled up The Romans from the townes about flocked thither aswell desiring to dwell in Rome again as to be supplyed with Victuall which they wanted and found there in abundance imported by Belisarius up the River Totilas at the newes went instantly thitherward Belisarius having not yet set up the Gates which Totilas had broken down and he for want of Artificers could not build them again The Barbarian Army encamped by the River of Tiber and there lodged that night the next morning they marcht furiously to the City-walls Belisarius placed where the Gates had stood some of his best men and commanded the rest from the Walls to maintain fight against the Assailants and it was hotly fought For the Goths who hoped to take the Town at the first on-set finding the businesse prove tough and the Romans powerfully defending grew angry and their anger made them more ventrous The Romans also held out beyond expectation the danger inducing them
of the place they who besiege it are afflicted with much want of water So that Chosroes failing in this attempt thought of taking some other Roman Towne but farr within the Roman Territories to sit downe before any City leaving so many strong places at his back he thought it impossible For this reason he layd Antioch flat with the ground and quitted the Roman-Territories so that his thoughts mounted after hopes further off and full of difficulty For hearing how the Barbarians seated on the left hand of the Euxine Sea about the Lake of Maeotis doe without controule over-run the Roman Provinces he thought also by having Lazica to passe unto Constantinople it selfe without crossing the Sea as well as those Barbarians And for this cause the Persians strive to get Lazica But to returne from whence I digressed Corianes with the Persian army encamped by the River of Hippis and against them Gubazes King of Lazica and Dagisthaeus commander of the Roman army led their forces of Romans and Lazians They past the said River and being there incamped they consulted whether they should stay there or receive the Enemy marching them or should march against the Enemy and by giving demonstration of the courage and by beginning the fight charge them with lesse apprehension of danger themselves and abate the Enemies spirits This counsell prevailed that they should charge them and on they went But the Lazians refused to joyne with the Roman Troops who they sayd were not to fight for their Countrey and dearest pledges themselves adventuring for Wives and Children and their native soyle So that being overcome they should be ashamed to look upon their Wives by which necessity valour in case they had none would grow in them And they would have the first charge least the Romans who could not have an equall eagernesse to theirs should in the fight break their orders Gubazes being glad to see his Lazians so gallant called them together at some distance from the Romans and spake thus Countrey-men I know nor whether it be sit to use exhortations to courage your forwardnesse provoked by necessity not neâ—ding any The danger is about Wives and Children and your Countrey and for 〈◊〉 which the Persians now invade you And none will willingly suffer others to take their estates from them by force nature compelling men to contend for their right You know how nothing will stop the Persians avarice if once they get power They will not now rule over you onely and lay tributes and in other things make you subject but ruine and transplant you if they have the better in this Warr. We cannot forget what Chosroes lately attempted against us And let me not so much as mention the tryall of the Persians in that kind nor let ever the name of the Lazâ—ans be extinguished Our fight with them will not be difficult we have often fought with them and vanquisht them And there is no hardnesse in things we have been used to the toilsomenesse thereof being spent in our former practise So that we must not apprehend an Enemy often beaten as being now not so valiant as they were before and a spirit once dejected commonly neve rising again With these considerations therefore encounter the Enemy with courage Having thus said he led them on The army was thus ordered The Lazian horse were set in the front and a good distance behind them came on the Roman horse commanded by Philegagus a Gepaede a valiant man and by John the Armenian sirnamed Guzes formerly spoken of by me an extraordinary good souldier In the rear came Gubazes and the King of the Lazians and Dagisthaeus the Roman Generall with their foot that if the horse were routed they might escape unto them Corianes on the other side sent a thousand choice men well arm'd to discover himself marching after them and leaving only some few to guard the camp The Lazians being foremost and coming to the businesse gave the lye to their former confidence For lighting suddenly upon the Enemies Avant-coureurs they being unable to withstand them came gallopping all back in confusion and mingled with the Roman Horse glad to fly to those with whom before they made scruple to be ranckt Both the Cavalleries being neer they joyned not battell but each when the Enemy came on gave back and set on them retiring and so spent much time in renewing charges and in quick turns and returnes In the Roman army was one Artabanes a Persarmenian revolted lately to the Roman army having secured his faith by the killing of a hundred and twenty Persian Souldiers He got accesse to Valerianus then Generall of Armenia and desired of him fifty Romans with whom he went to a Castle in Persarmenia guarded by a hundred and twenty Persians who received him with his men not knowing of his revolt This Garrison they killed and returned to Valerianus and Artabanes appearing by this sure and firm to the Romans served them in their warrs In this incounter he put himself between the armies accompanied with two Romans against them came some Enemies whom Artabanes charging killed a Persian valiant and of a strong body and threw him from his Horse to the ground A Barbarian standing next strake Artabanes with his Sword upon the head but no mortall blow One of Artabanes two Companions a Goth while the Persians hand was yet over the head of Artabanes thrust him into the left flanck and killed him The thousand that were sent out at this retired and stayd for Corianes and the rest of the Army of Persians and Alans and soon after they joyned Then came up the Infantry both of Gubazes and Dagisthaeus to the Horse and the fight came to handy blowes Philegagus and John finding themselves too weak for the Enemies horse and having seen what the Lazians could do lighted and caused the Romans and Lazians to do the like and with the foot they stood in a deep battallion opposite to the Enemy and charging with their Lances The Persians being not able to charge the Enemy being on foot nor to break their Battallion and their Horses flying back troubled with the heads of the Lances and noise of the sheilds they trusted with the multitude of their arrowes to break them The Romans also and the Lazians let fly their arrowes and they coming thick many were slain on both sides The Persians and Alans discharged oftner but the arrowes for the most part rebounded from the Romans sheilds Corianes the Persian Generall was shot into the neck ' by whom it was not known of which he dyed instantly and his death swayed the victory to the Romans side For the falling from his horse forthwith the Persians ran away to their camp The Romans pursued killed many and hoped to take the Enemies camp at first assault But an Alan a strong man very expert to shoot backward and forward put himself into the narrowest entrance into the Trenches and stopt the invaders a long time untill
sired and threw upon the Romans Rams which failed little to be all set on fire and were saved by the men having the long Poles who cleered away the fire still but long they could not think so to hold out the fire being such that where it toucht it instantly burnt if not instantly cast off CHAP. VII BUT Bessas putting his Forces in Armes caused scaling Ladders to be set to that part of the Wall which was sunck And himselfe using no other exhortation but the example of his own Valour being an old man above 70. yeares of age he first mounted the Ladder Here was a Fight so valiantly performed by both Romans and Persians as the like hath not been seen The Persians amounted to about 2300 men and the Romans were some 6000. On both sides almost all were hurt that were not slaine the Romans forced their ascent with all their power and the Persians with much toile and after the killing of many on both sides were very neer to have quite beaten off the danger Many Romans were slain at the tops of the Ladders the Enemy standing above them and Bessas himselfe fell from the Ladder whereat a great shout was made the Persians from all parts shooting at him and his Lanciers standing all close about him covering him having their Murrions and Corselets on and with their Shields making the form of a Roofe over him and keeping off the Arrowes which clasht upon their Armour and snapt asunder And all was full of clamour panting and toile The Romans eager to bring off their Generall shot thick at the Walls and represt the Enemy Bessas could not get up for the Shields that were hold over him and being an old man fat and unweildly Yet he lost not his Spirits but in that great danger suddenly advised that which preserved himselfe and the Romans Affaires He directed his Lanciers to drag him off by the legs which they did and went off with him holding their Shields over one another and drawing him away so far at once only as not to be subject to the Enemies shot Bessas so soon as he was in a safe place rose and encouraging his Souldiers gave on again mounting again the Ladder himselfe and the Romans following him did very valiantly The Persians hereupon demanded time to quit the place and to yeild it But Bessas suspecting it to be cunning in the mean time to fortifie the Walls said that he could not stay the Fight but he pointed to another part of the Walls whether they might go with him and parly while the Armies fought They not entertaining the motion the Fight was hotly pursued Which continuing equall another part of the Wall where the Romans had formerly min'd suddenly fell down Many of both parts ran thither The Romans though divided exceeded the Enemy in numbers and prest hard upon them And the Persians being charged in both places and their fewnesse by being divided appearing did not equally indure the charge While the Armies were toyling and the Persians unable to repell the eagernesse of the Romans and the Romans absolutely to force their entry John Guzes left them fighting upon the ruined Wall and with some Armenians his Country-men mounted the Rock where the City was esteemed impregnable and forcing upon the Guards there killed with his Lance one of the gallantest Persians and made the place accessible In the mean time the Persians in the wooden Tower kindled many Fire-vessels by flinging the same thick to burn the Engines and men in them notwithstanding their long Poles But a strong Southern wind blew against them and withall let afire one of the boards of the Tower They within it being overtoyled and full of tumult and disorder perceived not the Accident soon enough their businesse taking from them their senses and the flame kindling by little and little and with the Medean Oyle and the other materials burnt all the Tower and the Persians in it who consumed into Coales fell down some within the Town some among the Roman Engines At the ruined Wall also the Enemy grew faint and gave back and the Romans entred and then was Petra absolutely taken only some 500. Persians retired to the Cittadell The rest the Romans took being 730 men of whom 18. only were unhurt in the Fight Many Romans also fell brave men and among them John Guzes valiantly entring the Town was killed with a stone The next morning the Romans besieged the Persians in the Cittadell and propounded offers of safety unto them and to give assurances for the same But they rejected them and resolved to oppose though they had no thought of subsisting long but they chose to dye bravely Bessas was desirous to draw them from this Opinion and to perswade them to live He commanded a Roman Souldier to speak to them to that purpose as hee dictated it unto him who being neer said thus Valiant Persians what mean you thus to pull on your own destruction using a sencelesse endeavour to dye and shaming the profession of Valour which never opposes unresistible necessities but wisely yeilds to the Conquerour It is not dishonourable to obey your Fortune and Live Necessity having left no hope excuses the dishonour although one be put to the poorest Actions pardon ever attending that which cannot be avoided Insoevident a danger affect not therefore pride nor sacrifice your lives for a little vaine-glory Think how men once dead revive not again but that the living may in time recompose themselves Consult therefore your last consultation and study your own good Those Counsels are ever best wherein the advisers have left it in their power to repent We pitty this your strugling under the Yoake and spare you so fond to dye And while you are wanton and foolish in a case of life wee as Romans and Christians commiserate you If you live the worst that shall befall you will be to change your Common-wealth for a better and to have Justinian your Lord instead of Chosroes and for this we give you our Faith Murther not therefore your selves having meanes to live It is not excusable thus to no purpose to be in love with dismall things which is not to be valiant but to be weary of life The valiant man endures while from his sufferings he expects advantage Men commend a willing death when some gallant hope is built upon it But a precipitate end is a rash and uselesse folly and a vaine-glorious dying foolish Wise men condemning such a fond pretext of brave spirit Consider moreover if herein you be not unthankfull to God who if he Would have you destroyed would not have delivered you to men who desire your preservation Thus it is and doe you advise whether you be worthy to live or no. The Persians would not so much as afford attention to this Counsell as men willingly deafe By the Generals direction therefore the Romans threw fire into the Cittadell thinking so to bring them to yeild But they though beholding the
and at the pit going few in rank came clear to the Army The Persians not imagining the plot pursued furiously upon full speed it being in an open Plain and so fell into the pit not onely the foremost of them but the rear also for pursuing furiously they perceived not the mischief of those in the front but falling on them with Horses and Lances killed them and were destroyed for company Among whom was Perozes and all his Sons They say being ready to fall into this pit he took a Pearl hanging at his ear a most fair one and of infinite value and cast it away that none might hereafter wear so beautifull a Piece as no King was ever master of the like but to me the report seems not probable for one in such a suddain distress to have his mind upon ought else I rather think his car was cut off and the Pearl conveighed away The Roman Emperor endeavoured to buy it of the Ephthalites but they could not find it though they took much pains in the search Some say they found it and sold another to Cabades for it The Persians story of this Pearl is remarkable and not altogether incredible They report that this Pearl lying in a Scallop-fish not far from the Sea-shore in Persia both the shels opened and in the midst lay the Pearl a most goodly spectacle No where was found any thing to resemble it in bigness or beauty since the world was Upon this beauty doted a huge fierce Dog-fish following without quitting it day or night Being to seek his food he would hunt for it and having found it snatch it up and hastily devour it then to his Scallop-fish again to fill himself with that beloved sight Which a Fisherman once observing but fearing the Fish he durst not venture on it but made the relation to King Perozes who thereupon long'd to have the Pearl importuning the Fisherman with fair words and great hopes and he yeelding to the requests of his Lord is reported to have sayd to him O my Liege 't is true Wealth is desirable and life more but above all a mans children are precious for whose sake nature forces a man to do any thing I will venture upon this fish and hope to make you master of this Peal If I come off victorious 't is likely I shall be ranked among the happy men of the time Doubtless you being a King of Kings will bestow great wealth on me And should I get no reward it is enough I have been my Prince's benefactor If I be devoured be it your part Sir to recompence my children for their fathers death So shall I have my reward in those nearest to me and your glory will be greater doing good to me in my children for which I cannot give you thanks That onely is pure gratitude which is shewen to the dead Having thus said he departed Being at the place where the Scallop used to swim and the Dog-fish to follow he sate upon a Rock watching to get the Pearl alone from her Lover At last the Dog-fish finding a fish for his repast fell aboard The Fisherman left those who attended him and making after the Scallop caught it and hasted to shore which the Dog-fish perceiving came to the rescue The Fisherman though not far from shore finding he should be surprised threw the Scallop on land and presently was caught and devoured His attendants ashore took the Pearl and brought it to the King relating what happened Thus the Persians report of this Pearl But to return to my former discourse Perozes and his Army thus overthrown for who escaped the pit fell into the enemies hand the Persians made a Law Not to follow the chase upon the full speed though the enemy run away in that kind As for the rest that went not in this expedition they chose for their King * Cabades began in Anno Domini 486. Cabades the yonggest Son of Perozes onely surviving And they were under the Ephthalites two yeares and paid them tribute untill Cabades more confirmed in his kingdome refused it who afterwards governed Tyrannically and made many Alterations and a Law That the Persians should have their women in common which the Commons misliked and taking arns deposed him and kept him in prison and chose Blasses King the brother of Perozes all his other Sons being dead For of a private race the Persians might not chuse a King if the blood Royal were not quite extinct Blasses succeeding assembled the chief men of Persia and propounded in counsell touching Cabades whom the multitude would not endure to be put to death Many severall opinions being spoken Gusanastades a principall man and by Office a Chanaranges which with them is a Generall who had his government bordering upon the Ephthalites shewing his knife such as the Persians use to pare their nails with as long as a mans finger and the third part of an inch thick See this knife said he a very short one yet can it doe that now which within a while twenty thousand armed men will not be able Intimating that if they did not kill Cabades now he would get abroad and trouble them again But they thought it not fit to kill one of the blood Royall but rather to keep him in the Tower of Oblivion where if a man be imprisoned it is not lawfull to mention him once to name him is death from whence the Persians gave it that name CHAP. IV. THe Armenian Histories report that once this Law of the Tower of Oblivion was broken thus There was a cruel War between the Persians and Armenians for thirty two years in the Reigns of Pacurius King of Persia and Arsaces King of Armenia of the race of the Arsacides This war continuing both were brought low especially the Armenians But being both distrustfull neither sent Heralds to his adversary In the mean time the Persians fell into a war with other Barbarians inhabiting near the Armenians who to make demonstration of their affections to a peace invaded those people acquainting the Persians therewith and coming unexpected slew most of their men Pacurius pleased with the proceeding sent to invite Arsaces giving him his faith And being come he entertained him with much curtesie and as a brother used him with all terms of equality and having mutually sworn amity and confederacy between the Persians and Armenians he dismist him A while after Arsaces was accused to attempt innovations and Pacurius beleeving it again sent for him to communicate of their common affairs He without delay went and with him the gallantest Armenians and Basicius his chief Captain and Counsellor eminent for valour and wisdom Pacurius reproached them both for forgetting their Oath and plotting a revolt They denyed constantly with oaths never to have any such thought At first Pacurius put them in hold with disgrace but after demanded of the Magi what was to be done They thought it not fit to condemn men denying and not evidently convinced
marcht apace toward the Enemy and by the thickning of the brook guest at the matter and that the enemy was unprepared So commanding to drive on with full speed suddainly he surprised them at dinner and unarmed The Romans not able to abide their charge ran away without striking stroak Some were overtaken and slain others fled to the Mountain there and for fear leapt down the rocks not one of them escaping Bat Cabades fearing his enemies the Hunnes who now invaded his country went home with his whole Army and had a long war with them on the Northern borders thereof In the mean time the other Roman army came but did nothing having no Commander in chief and the Generals with their equality of power ever crossing one anothers opinions Celer past the river Nymphius and invaded Arzaméne This river runs by Martyropolis and is distant from Amida thirty five miles and having forraged the country soon went home Areobindus the Emperour sent for to Constantinople and the others sate down before Amida in the winter Who failing in their endeavours to force the place resolved to take it by famine And the besieged then wanted provisions but the Generals not knowing it and seeing the souldier weary of a winter siege imagining also the Persian army would ere long come against them they made hast in some way to rise from thence And the Persians also doubtful in these difficulties though they concealed their wants and made shew of plenty yet gladly they would make a handsome retreat In the end a capitulation was made for the Persians to have a * Are ten Centenaries of gold If there be but ten ounces and a half to tâ—e Roman pound then is a Centenary 3150. l. sterling And 10 Centenaries here 31500. l. sterling thousand pound weight of Gold and so to render the City The articles were performed and the Son of Glones receiving the money gave up Amida For Glones himself was slain in this manner The Romans being not yet set down before Amida but not far from it a peasant who frequented the City and used secretly to sell to Glones at great rates poultery bread and ripe fruits promised the Generall Patricius for reward to put Glones and two hundred Persians into his hands He promised him his demand and sent him away The man rent his garments and came weeping into the town went to Glones and tearing his hair My Lord quoth he I was bringing you of my best provisions but I was met beaten and had all taken from me by these rogues whose custome it is to rob the poor peasants being old Roman souldiers rambling in small parties and who fly before the Persians and robb the poore Countryman Thinck Sir I how you may avenge us and the Persians It is but hunting without the suburbes and you will find good game For they go prolling about not above foure of five in a company Glones askt how many would suffice for the business He said fifty was enough being to meet not above five together but whatsoever should happen it would be good to have 100. and if it were 200. 't were the better Store hurts no man Glones chose 200. horse and bad the man guide them But he said 't was better to send him before to discover these Roman free booters and to bring the Persians word who then might take their best orportunity Glones approved of his counsell and then he went to the Generall Patricius and acquainted him with all the proceedings who sent 1000. Souldiers and two of his own Life-guard with him These he laid in ambush neer a village called Thialasamum five miles from Amida within a vally of coppices and bushes Then he ran and told Glones his game was ready and guided him and his 200. men into the enemies ambush Being past a good space within it unseen by Glones or his Company he ran and called up the Romans ambush and shewed them the enemy The Persians seing them were amazed at the suddain accident Retire they could not the enemy having their backs nor being in an enemies Country knew any other way to runne As they could therefore they put in order to receave the assailants but overmatcht in numbers were broken and all killed with Glones which vexed his Son that he could not stay to revenge his Fathers death so that he burnt the Church of St. Simeon where he lodged Other buildings neither Glones nor Cabades nor any Persian destroyed nor defaced in Amida nor without it But to returne to my former discourse Thus the Romans recovered Amida for mony two yeares after the taking Being within it their own negligence appeared and the Persians abstemiousness finding by comparing the quantitity of the victuall left and the Barbarians that went out not above seven dayes provision remaining though Glones his son had long issued it out to the Persians more scarcely then need could well endure and to the Romans in the Town nothing from the beginning of the siege So that they were forced to eat unusuall food and abominable and at last one another The Generalls finding themselves thus deceaved by the Barbarians reproached the Souldiers intemperance and disobedience who having it in their power to take the Town with all the Persians in it at mercy had dishonorably transported the Roman treasure to Barbarians and gotten Amida as a merchandize for mony Afterward the Persians their warre with the Hunnes growing long made a Truce with the Romans for seven yeares concluded by Celer the Roman Generall and Aspevedes for the Persian Thus I have told the beginning and conclusion of these warrs with the Persians CHAP. VII BUt what happened concerning the Caspian Gates I will now relate Mount Taurus of Cilicia passes first by Cappadocia then Armenia and Persarmenia and then Albania and Iberia and the other nations that way free or subject to the Persians extending thus through many Countryes and the further it goes growing to a greater bredth and height Beyond Iberie you come to a narrow way reaching some six miles and ending at a steep place unpassable where for the way out nature hath built a kind of Gate anciently called the Caspian gates or streights Beyond which are faire champions well watred and large plaines for horse pastures where are seated the nations of the Hunnes and extend to the Lake of Maeotis who passing by the streights in their inroads into Roman or Persian provinces come with their horses lustie going not about nor nor being engaged in ragged Countries save onely those six miles into Iberia whereas by other passages they arrive with much toile and cannot make use of the same horses having been forced to many circuits and craggie wayes which Alaâ—â—nder the great considering built Gates indeed there and by them a Fort which through many owners at last came to Ambazuces a Hunne a friend of the Emperor Anastasius This man growne old and neer his end offered Anastasius for mony to put the Romans in
a deep trench with many passages through it not dig'd in a right line but thus In the midst was a short Line on either end whereof went out two streight horn-works and from both ends of the horn-works the trenches ran in right lines a great space of ground The Persians soon after came with their army and encamped at Amodis a Village two miles and a half from Daras where were Pituazes and Baresmanas with one eye and other Commanders the Generall of the whole Army being Perozes by office a Mirranes so called in Persia who sent to command Belisarius to make ready the bath for the next day he meant to bathe in Daras The Romans upon this provided strongly for the encounter as being the next day to fight The Sun up and seeing the enemy come on they put in order of battell thus The farthest point of their left-hand Line which ran from the horn-work there to a hillock Buzes possest with store of Horse and Pharas the Herulian with three hundred of his Countrymen To the right hand of these on the outside of the trench in the Angle made by the Line and the horn-work stood Sunicaâ— and Augan by birth Massagets with 600 Horse that if Buzes and Pharas should be routed they wheeling about and getting the backs of the enemy might readily second the Romans on that side On the other hand they were embattel'd in the same manner The point of the Line that way was made good with store of Horse commanded by John the son of Nicetas Cyrillus Marcellus Germanus and Dorotheus at the right hand angle were placed 600 Horse commanded by Simas and Ascan Massagetes who were likewise if John should be routed to fall on from thence upon the backs of the enemy All about the trench stood the rest of the Horse and the Infantery behind whom toward the middle stood Belisarius and Hermogenes Thus were the Romans ordered amounting to 25000 the Persian being 40000 Horse and Foot They stood both in rank their Fronts against each other striving to make it as deep as might be Neither began the fight but the Persians seemed to wonder at the Romans order musing what they would doe Towards evening some Horse from their right wing charged the Troupes of Buzes and Pharas who retreating fair and softly the Persians did not pursue them but stood still fearing to be compast by the Enemy The retiring Romans then of a suddain charged them who staid it not but gallopt home to the Batallion and Buzes and Pharas put themselves into the same place and order again Seven Persians in this encounter were slain whose bodies the Romans carryed off As their battels stood thus a young man a Persian spurred up to the Roman army challenging any to fight with him No man daring to undertake him one Andrew a follower of Buzes no souldier nor trained to the wars but the master of a Wrestling school in Constantinople and following the army to attend Buzes in the bath being a Constantinopolitan born without provocation by Buzes or any other adventured the combat And the Barbarian looking about him which way to assault him Andrew prevented and with his Lance hit him on the right pap so strong a blow that the Persian fell from his horse and Andrew as he lay with a short knife cut his throat At which from the Town-wall and the Roman army was a huge shout But the Persians being grieved at it sent out another horsman valiant and very tall no youth but with some gray hairs Who approaching the Romans and slashing with his whip often made his challenge also None presenting themselves Andrew though prohibited by Hermogenes stole into the field and both with their Lances made a furious charge Their Lances broke upon their Corslets and their horses heads meeting down they fell with their riders both falling neer each other And striving to rise the Persians heavy body could not so easily But Andrew by the advantage of his practise in the Wrestling school first got up and struck the other as he was upon one knee and having him down killed him Upon which a greater shout than before was made from the town and Roman army and the Persians loosing their bataillion retired within their trenches it growing dark The next day came 10000 men from Nisibis to the Persians But Belisarius and Hermogenes wrote this Letter to Mirranes All men confess peace to be the chiefest of blessings and consequently a Peace-breaker to be guilty of his own and other mens mischiefs So that that Generall is best who is apt to end awar in a peace whereas you bring a causless war upon us while all stands well between the Persians and us and our Princes are consulting upon terms of peace and our Ambassadors near at hand to accord all differences if some desperate effect of this your invasion choak not our hopes Draw home your Army therefore and be not an obstacle to so great a blessing least you prove authour of the mischiefs likely to fall on your own Nation To these Letters Mirranes returned this answer I should be perswaded by your letters to doe what you desire if it were not a Letter from Romans who can easily promise but their performance is not to be hoped though you confirme your agreements with oath So that tired with your deceipts we are forced to come armed and expect nothing my deare Romans now but war with us For here will we die or grow gray till you have done us right Belisarius wrote againe unto him Good Mirranes you must not humour your own arrogance nor lay false imputations upon others we have said it and truly that Rufinus is coming in Ambassage and not farre hence Which shortly your selfe will know But since you desire warre with Gods help we shall oppose you who will assist our peaceableness against your arrogance who being by us invited to peace reject it The Letters we have written both we shall hang up upon our Ensignes in the battell Mirranes to this replies againe Neither are we entred into this warr without Gods but with them shall come upon you who we hope to morrow will put us in possession of Daras Let there be made ready therefore for me the best bath in the town Belisarius then prepared for the battell CHAP. X. ANd the next day Mirranes about Sun rising calling his Souldiers made a speech to them That he knew Persians in dangers not to take their courage from their Captains orations but from their own vertue and awe of one another But seing them dispute how the Romans not using without tumult and disorder to come to fight receaved the Persians now with an order so little belonging to them Least upon a false conceipt they should commit error he warned them not to suppose the Romans upon the suddaine grown more valiant and expert Souldiers but rather cowards more then ever being so affraid of Persians that they dare not embattle without making a
trench to defend them nor with it begin a fight but are glad and thinck their business spedd above their hopes if they are able to retire to their walls the Persians not charging them Hence were they in no disorder not coming to the hazard of a battell But if the fight come to handy blows then their cowardize and want of experience will put them into their wonted disorder And for themselves he bad them have their thoughts upon the judgement of their King of Kings expecting a base punishment if they doe not now fight as becomes the valour of Persians Mirranes having thus encouraged his Souldiers led on against the enemy Belisarius also and Hermogenes drawing out their troupes from their trench exhorted them to consider by the former fight that the Persians are not invincible nor immortall and that they were beaten by them formerly through their own disobedience to their commanders not by any advantage of valour or strong bodies in the enemy Which fault they may easily amend Indeed the crosses of fortune no industry can cure but of a mans faults his own will may be the Physician So that if they resolve to obey directions the day will be theirs and the enemy failing in their onely confidence the Romans disorder will goe off as they did in the former encounter And for the enemies nombers their greatesh scare-crow he bad them despise it Seing their foot was nothing els but a multitude of miserable peasants who come to the warre onely to sappe a wall or riffle a dead body and other things to serve the Souldier having no armes to trouble much an enemy and their bucklers no bigger then to ward a shot onely So that if they fight bravely this day they will both vanquish the Persians now and restraine their insolence from invading the Romans Belisarius and Hermogenes having made this exhortation and seing the Persians coming on ordred the Army as before The Persians stood opposite in front Mirranes not placing so the whole Army but the one halle onely the other shood behind him to receave men from the fight and to give on fresh and so in their turnes to come all to fight The band onely named Immortall he commanded to stand still till himself gave the signall Who stood in the front giving the command of the right wing to Pityazes and of the left to Baresmanas The Armies being thus embattell'd Charas came to Belisarius and Hermogenes and said thus I see no great service I can doe upon the enemy staying here with my Herulians But if covering our selves under yonder rising ground when the fight is begun we shall suddainly from the hillock charge shooting the enemies backs in likelyhood we shall ruine them Belâ—sarius approved it and accordingly it was done Neither side began the fight till noone which being past the Persians gave on Who put it off to that time of the day because themselves use to eat about evening and the Romans at noone and if they charged them fasting they thought they would not endure the fight so well At first the arrowes slew from both sides and with their multitude made a kind of duskiness a long time and slew many The Persians arrowes came much thicker by reason of their fresh men still renewing which the Romans did not marke Who notwithstanding had not the worse a strong wind blowing upon the Persians and not suffering their shot to do much effect The Arrowes being spent they used their Lances on both sides and came up closer The Romans left wing was in most distress where the Cadisens with Pityazes charging suddamely and furiously routed them kill'd many in the execution Which Sunicas and Algas perceaving gallopt amaine to them But first the three hundred Herulians under Pharas came down from the hill upon the enemies backs and did wonders specially upon the Cadisens who when they saw Sunicas too giving on upon their flanck ran away And there the overthrow being cleer the Romans on that side joining made a great slaughter among the Barbarians so that of their right wing they lost about 3000. The residue escaped hardly to the Bataillion and the Romans chasing no farther both parts stood still in their orders And such was the successe on that side But Mirranes sent the Immortall band and many others closely to the left side which Belisarius and Hermogenes perceaving sent Sunicas and Algas with their six hundred horse to the angle of their right hand line where Simas and Ascas stood and behind them many troupers of Belisarius The Persians left wing commanded by Baresmanas with the Immortalls charged the Romans with full career who not abiding it fled Then from the Angle the Romans and those behind them gave on hotly upon the Barbarians slâ—nck as they pursued and cut their Army in two leaving the most to their right hand the rest to the left among whom was the Ensigne-bearer of Baresmana whom Sunicas with his lance wounded The Persians who pursued foremost seing their ill case turned about and leaving the chase rode against these and so came to be charged both wayes by the Romans For they that fledd knowing what happened turned head The Immortall band and the other Persians there seing the great Ensigne taken down and lying upon the ground they with Beresmanas presently charged the Romans who receaved them and first Sunicas kill'd Baresmanas and threw him from his horse Then the Barbarians struck with feare thought no more of fighting but ran away in confusion The Romans compassing them as they could kill'd about 5000. So the Armies moved the Persians to their retreat the Romans to the pursuit The Persians foot in the overthrow threw away their bucklers and surprized in confusion were cut in pieces The chafe lasted not long Belisarius and Hermogenes not suffering them to follow further least the Persians might turn head and rout them pursueing without order They thought it enough to keep the victory entire For before that day t' was long since the Persians were overthrown by the Romans Thus they parted then nor would the Persians come to any more battells Some skirmishings there were upon inroads wherein the Romans had not the worst And this was the success of the Armies in Mesopotamia CHAP. XI BUt Cabades sent another Army into the Roman Armenia consisting of Persarmenians Anno Domini 529. Justiniani 3. and Sunites who border upon the Alans and three thousand Sabirian Hunnes a very warlike Nation The Generall was Mermeroes a Persian who encamped in Persarmenia three dayes journey from Theodosiopolis preparing for the invasion Dorotheus was then Generall of Armenia a wise man and who had seen many warrs but Sittas Generall of the Forces in Constantinople commanded the Armenian Army in cheif These hearing of Forces levyed in Pâ—rsarmenia sent two Lanciers to discover the enemies power To whose Army they came and having observed all and returning met in a village some of the enemies Hunnes who took one
the Kings presence who told him he could not go the expedition appointed with his legg in that case but bad him at some Castle there get the help of Surgeons And so he sent him the way to his death and after him men to kill him An invincible Generall and so reputed by the Persians having subdued twelve Nations to Cabades Being dead his son Varames was made Generall Long afterward Cabades the son of Zames or one usurping his name came to Constantinople He was in his face like King Cabades and Justinian used him honourably as the grandchild of that King Mebodes also Chosroes killed upon this ground Being upon earnest businesse he bad Zaberganes call Mebodes to him who found him training his Souldiers and told him the King called him in hast He said he would come presently when he had dispatcht the businesse he was about The other hating him reported to the King that Mebodes would not come as yet alledging business The King enraged sent one to him to command him to the Tripos or three-footed table Which is thus An iron three footed table stands ever at the Court-gate and when any Persian understands the King to be offended with him he may not fly to Temple or elsewhere but sitting by this table must expect the Kings sentence none being to guard him Here Mebodes sate many dayes in a pittifull habit till one by the command of Chosroes took him away and killed him To this came the good services he had done Chosroes CHAP. XIX ABout the same time happened in Constantinople a suddaine mutiny which grew high and ended in much mischief both to the Senate and people The Commons of every City anciently have been divided into the Veneti and Prasini the Blews and the Greens But it is not long since about these names and clours wherein they stand to see sights they consume their estates abandon their bodies to tortures and refuse not the most shamefull death They run the danger of fighting with their opposites being sure should they get the better to be haled to prison and after extreame torturing to be put to death There growes in them a hatred without ground and lasts undeterminable not yeilding to allyance kinred or any law of friendship be it brother or son that dotes upon the contrary Colour Nothing human or divine they regard in comparison of the victory in these be it impietie against God or violation of lawes or of the Commonwealth by subjects or enemies nay themselves wanting necessaries and their Country receaving injury in the most important things they are not sensible of it so this their portion may prosper So they call their fellow Factionists Nay the very women partake in this abomination not onely as their husbands followers but often their opposites though they never goe to the Theaters nor have other inducements That I know not what to say but that it is a meer disease of the mind and thus it is in every City and Corporation But at that time * Praefectus Uâ—bi next in dignity to the Prefect Praetorio The Authour in his old age held this office the Governour of the Citizens of Constantinople led some Factionists to execution Both parties then making peace and conspiring first took away the men led to punishment then let out of prison all who lay either for sedition or any other crime and without respect slew the said Governours ministers The Citizens who were of neither faction fled to the opposite continent and the City as if under an enemy was set afire The Temple of Saint Sophie and the Bath of Zeuxippus and the Emperours Court from the porch to the Temple of Mars was consumed Moreover the great Portions reaching to Constantines market place and many great means houses end much wealth The Emperour and Empress with some Senators shut themselves up in the Palace without stirring The peoples word to one another was Nica overcome From whence to this day that Mutiny is called Nica. John the Cappadocian was then * Praefectus Praetorio of the Orient There was another of Illyrium both belonging to the Easterne Empire Prefect of the Court and Tribonianus a Pamphylian Assessor to the Emperour by the Romans called Quaestor John was a man vnbred in any liberall science having learn't at the Grammar Schoole onely poore letters to write as poorely but in naturall abilities the most powerfull man we ever knew both to discerne fit things and in doubtfull to find a resolution but the wickedest man alive wherein he employed the strength of his nature without respect of God or men for gaine studying the ruine of mens estates and of whole Cities Quickly growing to a great wealth he fell into boundless gluttony preying upon the subject till dinner time and the rest of the day spending in drunkennesse and wanton abusing his body eating till he vomited A man ready to catch mony and more ready to lavish it Such was John the Cappadocian But Tribonianus beside a great naturall ability had attained to an excellence in learning inferiour to no man of his time But in the wayes of Covetousness most industrious and ever ready to sell right for gaine making and repealing Edicts every day ever selling them to any who had occasion to use them During the peoples quarrells about those names and colours there was little speech of these mens misgovernements But when they consented and were now formed into a mutiny openly in the City they rail'd upon them and sought occasions to kill them The Emperour to reconcile the people put them both out of their places and made Phocas a Patrician Prefect of the Palace a wise man and naturally addicted to justice and Basilides a Patrician he made Quaestor a famous honest man But the mutiny raged nothing lesse The fift day of the same about evening the Emperour commanded Hypatius and Pompeius Nephewes of the late Emperour Anastasius to retire to their houses either suspecting some attempt of theirs upon his person or afraid that they were driven thereto by destiny They fearing what came to passe that the people would force them to the Empire said that it was not honest to leave their Emperour in so great danger Justinian at this was more suspitious and bad them instantly be gone home They went and it being night were quiet but the Sun no sooner up but it was divulged how these Lords were retired from the palace and all the multitude ran to them and saluteâ— Hypatius Emperour and conducted him to the market place to take the affaires upon him Maria his wife a wise and sober Matrone crying and lamenting and protesting to her friends that the people were leading her husband to his death and hanging upon him to stay him till the people forced him from her And when he was unwillingly come to Constantines market-place they proclaimed him Emperour of the Romans binding about his head a golden wreath for Diademe they had none nor other thing usuall to
Persians neither having included him Indeed in no treaties was any mention of the Saracens being comprehended in the names of the Romans and Persians The Country these Saracens disputed is called Strata and lies to the South of the City of Palmyra Trees nor Corne it hath none being parcht with Sun onely it affoards some flocks of Sheep Arethas claimed it for the Romans from the name it had Strata in Latin being a paved way and producing testimonies of ancient men But Alamundarus would not dispute about names alledging the owners to have anciently paid him rent for the pasturage Justinian committed the arbitration of these differences to Strategius a Patrician superintendent of his treasures a wise man and nobly born and to Summus late Captain of the Forces in Palestine and brother to Julian who was Ambassador to the Ethiopians and Homerits who thought it not sit the Romans should quit the Country But Strategius prayed the Emperour not to give the Persians now quarrelling occasion for a warr about such a poore barren Country Who consulted about it and much time was spent in the Arbitration But Chosroes said the peace was broken in that Justinian during the same had manifested a great designe upon his house by endeavouring to gaine from him Alamundarus Summus at the Arbitration having importuned him with great offers of money to revolt Chosroes also produced the Emperours letters written to Alamundarus And he alledged that he had also written to the Hunnes to invade and forrage the Persians and that the Hunnes had sent him the Letters Chosroes with these objections true or false I know not resolved to break the peace Then also Vitigis King of the Goths brought low with the warr there sent two Ambassadours to him to persuade his invading the Romans being not Goths for feare of spoiling the business being discovered but Ligurian priests won to this negotiation by large gifts He that seemed the better man and called himself a Bishop went for the Ambassadour and the other for his servant Being come into Thrace they took in an Interpreter for the Syrian and Greek tongues and so came into Persia undiscovered the Romans keeping no exact guards because of the peace And having accesse to Chosroes they spake thus Other men O King employ Ambassadors for ends of their own But Vitigis King of the Goths and Italians having sent us to advise you concerning your Empire thinck him as present to say thus In a word O King you abandon your owne Empire and all men besides to Justinian who being naturally pragmaticall ambitious and restlesse hath strong desires to conquer every Land and Dominion But finding himself unable to deale singly with the Persians nor during their opposition to assaile others he resolved to blind you with a Peace and to compell others to joyne their powers to his against your Dominions The Vandales and Moores he hath already ruined by removing us out of his way with a title of friendship And now fully stored with money and men he invades us shewing that if he can subdue the Goths with us and the slaves he hath already made he will bring his Army upon the Persians respecting no name of friendship nor his Oath So that while there is yet hope doe us no more hurt nor suffer any your selfe but in our misfortunes see what may happen to the Persians Thinck the Romans never your friends but once above you in power that they will consummate their hatred Use your power in the due time least you seek it when 't is gone The point of opportunity once blunted never recovers 'T is better to prevent and be safe then coming short of the opportunity to suffer the basest things from an Enemy Chosroes esteemed this Counsell of Vitigis to be good and studied more the breaking the peace in his envy of Justinian not considering these discourses to come from the Emperours Enemies He had a mind to it and so like a willing fugitive he yeilded himself which happened also to him upon the discourses of the Armenians and Lazians afterward They imputed to Justinian that which is the high praise of a generous Emperour the making his Empire greater and more glorious which they might aswell object to Cyrus the Persian or Alexander the Macedonian But envious men know no right And thus Chorsroes resolved to breake the peace CHAP. II. BUt in the meane time this happened Simeones who gave up Pharangium to the Romans in the heat of the warr obtained of Justinian some Armenian villages and having them he was slaine by some of the ancient possessors the murtherers being two brothers the sons of Perozes fled into â—ersia and the Emperour Justinian gave the villages to Amazaspes sisters son to Simeones and made him governour of Armenia After this a follower of Justinian one Acacius accused Amazaspes of confederacy and plotting to deliver Theodosiopolis to the Persian and other Townes and by the Emperours direction put him to death treacherously and was made Governour of Amenia He was a wicked man and so appeared and most cruell to the Armenians by unreasonable rapines 12600 li. slerl and by taxing them with a new tribute of foure Centenaries The Armenians not able to endure him longer conspired and killed him then seized upon Pharangium Against whom the Emperour sent Sittas from Constantinople where he had remained ever since the peace He at first made a slow warr striving to appease and reduce them to their former affections promising to get their new tribute remitted But the Emperour at the instigation of Adolius the son of Acacius reproach't him for dallying Then he prepared to give battell endeavouring with faire promises to joyne some to have the rest better cheape The Apetians a great and populous people willing to submit sent to him for assurance that turning to the Roman Army from their own Countrey-men they should enjoy their own estates free from grievance He gladly made an Instrument of their assurances and sent it them signed and confident upon this to winne the battell without striking stroke he marcht to the Oenochalaces where the Armenians encamped But the bearers of the Instrument could not meet the Apetians and part of the Roman Army not knowing of the accord killed some few of them they met And Sittas finding some children and women in a cave angry for the Apetians not joining according to promise or not knowing them killed them So they stood in battell with the rest offended with all this The fight could not be in one place but was scattered in ragged ground and precipices and bottomes of hills So that Sittas not with many and some few Armenians came neer each other with a deep vally between them being both sides horse-men Sittas past the vally and charged the enemy who retiring stood still and Sittas stopt there too By chance an Herulian of the Roman army came back in fury from the chase of an enemy passing by Sittas who had struck his lance
Persians breaking the peace did much infest the Romans of the East Belisarius having newly subdued Vitigis and brought him to Constantinople Before the Persian invasion Justinian who saw Chosroes as I have said quarrelling sent a remonstrance to him by Anastasius a prudent man who lately had suppressed the Rebellion at Daras and wrote letters to this effect Wise men who know God strive to root up the occasions of warr especially with their best friends But men unadvised and rashly affecting even God for their enemy contrive causes which are no causes of sights and troubles To break a peace and run into a warr is an easie matter The nature of things makes the worst courses easiest to worthless men But to finish a warr to ones mind and to get peace againe is not so easie You complaine of letters which by me were written with no all purpose but by you are interpreted with a sense such as conduces to the execution of your own counsells with some pretence But we can alledge your Alamundarus his forraging our countryes and acting desperate things during the peace sucking our Towns ransacking killing enslaving our people so that you are not to complaine but to excuse The complaints of wrong doers are proved by actions not discourses And we notwithstanding all this resolved to observe the peace while you seek warr and coine complaints which concerne not us Men seriously embracing quiet shake off complaints against friends though they presse hard But such whom the articles of their friendship displease study for pretexts A thing not becoming ordinary men much lesse Kings Lay then these things by and consider the multitudes to perish in this warr and who shall beare the blame of what shall happen in it Consider the oath you took when you receaved your money which you slight now but can with no sophistry evade God is of a more excellent nature then to be cosened by all the men living Chosroes would not answer any thing to this Letter nor dismisse Anastasius But in the end of the Winter and of the * Chosroes first Invasion thirteenth yeare of Justinians raigne Chosroes entred the Roman territories with a great army and so cleerly brake the Perpetuall Peace He marcht not through the midland * Justinians reigne ended with the Winter almost For he was declared Emperour with his Vncle the third day before Easter See Secret History So this first Invasion of Chosroes was Anno Iustimani 14. Anno Dom. 540. but with the Euphrates to his right hand Beyond the river stands Circesium the furthest castle the Romans have and a very strong one The river Aborras being great meetes the Euphrates there and the castle stands in the neck of land between the two rivers and a long wall from each river taking in the ground without the castle makes it a triangle Chosroes would not attempt so strong a place nor passe the river his designe being for Syria and Cilicia so he marcht on and being gone so much way as would amount to about three ordinary dayes journey by the bancks of Euphrates he came to Zenobia a City built by Zenobia the wife of Odenatus who anciently being a Prince of the Saracens and in amity with the Romans recovered for them the Easterne Empire subdued by the Persians This Zenobia Chosroes considering to be no place of importance and the Countrey about it desert and barren not to take time from his greater affaires he attempted to get it by composition and not prevailing march't on as much way more and came to the City of the Surenians upon the Euphrates Staying before it the horse he rode on neighed and pawed with his foot from which Omen the Magi pronounced the Town would be taken So he encamped and from his Camp drew his Army to assault where an Armenian one Arsaces who was Captain of the Garrison brought his men up to the battlements and after a brave fight and many enemies slaine was kill'd by a shot and the Persians it being late retired to their Camp meaning the next day to renew the assault But the Romans despairing upon the death of their Commander sent out the next day the Bishop of their City to supplicate Chosroes for the sparing themselves the Town Who with some attending him and a present of fowle wine and fine manchets cast himselfe downe before Chosroes weeping and beseeching hâ—m to spare miserable men and a City of little estimation with the Romans or Persians hitherto and promising to pay reasonable ransome for their persons and city Chosroes was offended with the Surenians the first Roman subjects in his way and refusing to receave him nay taking armes and killing many principall Persians but he hid his anger under a faire countenance that by these mens chastisement he might terrify all in his way and bring them to yeild without fighting So he took up the Bishop very courteously receaved his present and pretended to communicate with some chief men about the ransome and then to satisfie his request and so sent him away without the least jealousie of his designe With him he sent a convoy of Persians whom he instructed to go to the Town comforting the Bishop with hopes that himself and company might be seen by the Townsmen cheerfull without feare and when the guards opened the gate for him to cast a stone or piece of wood between and himder their shutting it awhile presently his army should follow which he presently made ready with command to ride full speed to the town upon signall given The Persians came close to the town and took leave of the Bishop whom the Surenians seeing over-joyed and honourably conducted by the enemy apprehended no mischief but set their gate wide open and caught the bishop in their arms applauding him Being in the Guards thrust the gate to shut it but the Persians having thrown a stone between they could not get it together and they durst not open it again perceiving it possest by the enemy Some report that it was not a stone but a piece of wood that the Persians threw down But before the townsmen could perceive it Chosroës came with the army and quickly forced open the gate and entred the town and being in a fury ransackt the houses kill'd most of the men and making the rest slaves burnt the City to the ground and then he sent away Anastasius willing him to carry the news to Justinian in what part of the world he left Chosroës the sonne of Cabades But either for covetousnesse or kindnesse to Euphemia whom being one of these captives and very beautifull he made his wife and infinitely doted on her he was pleased to doe the poor Surenians some good He sent to Sergiopolis a Roman City bearing the name of Sergius a famous Saint and distant from this ruined City fifteen miles to the Southward in the Barbarian plains and directed that Candidus the bishop thereof should ransome them being twelve thousand captives for
two Centenaries But he not having the money refused it Chosroës willed him to send him a bond to pay it hereafter 6300. l. sterl which is but 10. s a man and so with a small summe to redeeme a multitude of Captives Candidus did so promising to pay the money within a year confirming it by oath and upon penalty if it were not payd by the day to pay it double and to be no more a Priest for breaking his oath This was drawn up in writing and so he had the Surenians delivered to him of whom the most part not enduring the misery fallen on them perished CHAP. IV. CHosroës this done marcht forward The Generall-ship of the East the Emperour had so divided as that all to the Euphrates was left to Belisarius who formerly had the whole command and from thence to the Persian frontier all was under Buzes and till Belisarius should returne out of Italy he had the charge of the whole East who first lay at Hierapolis with all the army But understanding what happened to the Surenians he called to him the chief men of Hierapolis and told them That when the match is equall there is reason to fight quickly with an enemy invading but to men much weaker than their enemy it is more expedient to circumvent him with stratagems then to run into an evident danger What forces Chosroës hath they have heard That if they make the war from the walls the Persians will block them up and furnish themselves with provisions out of their country none opposing while they want within and that the siege lasting their walls cannot hold out being very assaultable nor can the Romans but fall into some desperate estate But that guarding the City with part of the army and lodging the rest in the bottoms of the mountaines near the City infesting the enemies camp and his forragers with suddain courses they will force him to raise his siege unable to make his assaults at his ease nor to provide food for so great an army The advise of Euzes seemed pertinent but he did nothing but went away with the choicest men of the army and in what part of the world he was neither the Romans in Hierapolis nor the enemy could learn Justinian hearing of the invasion dispatcht Germanus his brothers sonne in much haste with three hundred men promising to send a great army soon after Who came to Antioch visited the walls and found much of them of good strength the plain ground was compast by the river Orontes and the hill was steep craggy and unapproachable onely at the top of mount Casius he found the wall very assaultable from a rock stretching far in bredth and as high as the wall He directed therefore either to cut the rock from the wall that none from it might get up or else to joyn it to the wall by a tower upon it But workmen found both these impossible in so short time with an enemy so near and to beginne and not perfect it would but shew the enemy where to make their war Germanus failing in this and after long time seeing no army from the Emperour nor likelyhood of any fearing Chosroës might make it his chiefe business to take Antioch hearing the Emperours Nephew to be within it and the Antiochians having the same thoughts resolved all in counsell to buy their safety with money And to Chosroës they sent Megas Bishop of Berrhoea a prudent man who finding the Persians not far from Hierapolis and being admitted to Chosroës besought him to pitty men who never offended him nor were in case to resist him That it is not fit for a King to use violence against yeelding men nor generous to give the Emperour no time to consult either for rectifying the peace or for preparations to war by a mutuall consent and to invade thus without warning their Emperour not knowing in what case they are The rude nature of Chosroës could not be put in tune by discreet words they rather more swell'd him with pride and folly threatning to destroy all the Syrians and Cilicians and he bade Megas follow him Then he encamped before Hierapolis which finding strong and a good garrison within he sent Paul his interpreter to demand money of them Paul was bred up in the Roman Territory and went to a Grammar-school in Antioch and was thought to be descended of Romans The citizens fearing their walls which embraced a great circuit to the mountaine and willing to save their country from spoyling agreed to give two thousand pound weight of silver 5250. l' sterl And Megas obtained of Chosroës with much intreating 31500. l' sterl to accept * ten Centenaries of gold for all the Easterne provinces and so to leave them Megas returned to Antioch and Chosroës having his money for Hierapolis marcht to Berrhoea standing between Antioch and Hierapolis from either two dayes journey But the fourth day Megas with few in company came to Antioch and the Persian army to the suburbs of Berrhoea Chosroës urged the Berrhoeans by Paul the interpreter for twice as much money as Hierapolis gave because their walls were weak nor could they trust to them They yeelded to his demand paying down 2000 l. weight of silver but the other 2000 l. alledging they could not pay down and he urging them they fled by night to the Castle in the high town The next day they that came from him to receive the rest of the money found the gates shut and could speak with none The King understanding it by his command they entred the Citie with scaling ladders none resisting and opening the gates let in all the army Chosroës in a rage would have burnt the City but first he would take in the Castle where some Roman souldiers defended valiantly and killed some enemies But the Berrhoeans flying to the castle with all their horses and cattell by that niggardly trick were undone for there being but one spring and all the cattell suffred improvidently to drink up the water the spring became dry and in such estate they were CHAP. V. BUt Megas could not perswade the Antiochians to the agreement he had made with Chosroës For the Emperour had sent to him Ambassadours who then abode at Antioch Iohn the sonne of Rufinus and Iulian his Secretary which Iulian forbade expresly to give money to the enemy or to buy â—hus the Emperours towns They accused also Ephraim the Bishop of Antioch to Germanus of attempting to betray the City to Chosroës So Megas departed nothing done and the Bishop of Antioch fearing the Persians coming went into Cilicia whether soon after came Germanus with some few leaving there most of his company But Megas arrived at Berrhoea and much afflicted with what happened complained to Chosroes for this perfideous usage to send him to Antioch about truce and in the mean time to ransack his countrymen who never wrong'd him to block them up thus in the Castle and burn and ruin their
Merchants to import Salt or other provisions to the Lazians nor to buy ought of them but setting up a Monopoly at Petra himself was both retailer and sole master of the sayd trade and sold to the Lazians not at usuall prizes but as he list The people also were displeased at the Roman army lying upon their country not formerly used and not enduring it resolved to revolt to the Persians And unknown to the Romans they sent Ambassadors to negotiate the same with Chosroes with instructions to take assurance from Chosroes not to leave the Lazians to the Romans without their consent and so to come home with an army of Persians These Ambassadors in Persia geting private accesse to Chosroes spake thus Great King if ever fortune did gladly reduce men revolted foolishly from their friends to strangers such think us the Lazians to be We were ancient allyes of the Persians and did and received many good turns the monuments whereof remaine to this day both among our Records and in your royall Palace But in succeeding times our ancestors either neglected by you or upon some other ground entred into league with the Romans And now both we and our King present to the Persians our selves and country praying you to consider of us thus If upon no hard measure from the Romans but of meer ill nature we come to you reject us as not likely to be faithfull to you The manner of breaking friendship is a detection of that made with others But being to the Romans friends in words onely but in effect trusty slaves and suffering most unrighteous tyranny receive us for your servants formerly your friends detest a bitter tyranny risen so near you and doe things worthy the justice naturall to the Persians He is not just who does no wrong himself if he rescue not men oppressed by others being able To speak some of the things practised by these accursed Romans To our King they have left the only outside of Royalty themselves have usurped the authority The King in the condition of a minister stands in aw of a Generall directing him They have laid an army upon us not to guard our country for none molest us but themselves but to lock us up in prison while themselves are masters of what is ours Nay see Sir a more expedite devise of theirs to rob us Their own superfluities they compell us to buy and they buy what Lazica affords for their use but so as the price in both is set down as our conquerours please And thus they rob us of our necessary commodities and our mony too under the specious name of Trade being indeed a meer oppression Over us is a Governour a retailer with his authority making a trade upon our wants This being the cause of our revolt it hath the justice of it in it self But as to the commodity resulting to you by accepting the Lazians you shall add unto the Persian Empire an ancient Kingdom and therein enlarge your glory Then shall you by our Countrey have the conveniencie of using to Roman Seas Wherein building shipps the very Palace of Constantinople will be accessible unto you with ease nothing being between to stop you Adde also that it will be in your power for the bordering Barbarians to spoile the Romans every yeare Lazica as you know being now their only rampier against the mountaines of Caucasus So that right leading and profit following not to admit our proposition is certainely no good counsell Chosroes was pleased with this discourse and agreed to aide the Lazians Demanding of the Ambassadors if it were possible for a great army to march into Lazica which he heard to be scarce passable for a traveller being mountainous and for a long way entangled with thick woods They told him that by cutting the trees and throwing them into the ill passages there would be easie way for his whole army and they promised to be his guides and to work in the head of the army Chosroes encouraged herewith gathered a great army and prepared for the voyage not discovering his intent but to his most secret Counsellors and charging the Ambassadors not to reveale their negociation His pretence was a journey into Iberia to settle things there where a nation of Hunnes was reported to invade the Persian dominion In the meane time Belisarius gather'd together the army in Mesopotamia and sent some into Persia to discover intending to encounter the enemy there if he invade againe and he mustred and furnished his Souldiers being naked and unarm'd and afraid of the name of a Persian The espialls returning assured him there would bee no invasion Chosroes being engaged in a warr with the Hunnes Belisarius upon this resolved to enter the enemies land with his army Arethas came up to him with an army of Saracens And the Emperour wrote to him to invade the enemies countrey immediately So that calling to him the Commanders at Daras he ' spake thus Fellow Commanders I know you experienced in many warrs and I call you not now by remembrances or exhortations to provoke your resolution against the enemy I doe not thinck you need discourses to make you valiant but that by consulting we may chuse the best for the Emperours affaires For the warr more then any thing affects the directions of good counsell And those who counsell must be free from awe and feare For feare amazing suffers not the judgement to make choice of the best things And awe clouding better determinations carries the judgement commonly to the worse If therefore the Emperour or my self be thought to have made any resolution already believe it not For he being farr distant from the affaires cannot fit proceedings to new occasions and so there is no feare if by crossing him you effect what is most expedient for his affaires And me being but a man and after a long time come from the West something cannot but passe unseen So that without standing in awe of my opinion you are to speak boldly what is best for your selves and the Emperour At first we came hither to restraine the enemy from invading our countrey But now things succeeding above our hopes we may consult concerning his countrey For which purpose being now assembled it is fit for every man to speak freely what he holds most expedient Belisarius spake thus and Peter and Buzes bad lead on the army without delay into the enemies countrey whose vote all the Assembly followed Requithancus and Theoctistus commanders of the forces in Phoenicia Libani said they approved the invasion also but feared in their absence Alamundarus would forrage Phoenicia and Syria and that the Emperour might be offended for their not guarding the country under their charge So they refused to accompany the army Belisarius said they imagined that which was not For being now Summer two moneths of this season the Saracens consecrate to their God and make no inroads And so promising to dismisse them and their troopes within two moneths
he commanded them to goe along and with much diligence prepared for the Invasion CHAP. XII BUt Chosroes and the Persian army being come through Iberia to the confines of Lazica guided by the Ambassadors cut the treeâ— which they found thick and entangled and threw them into the steep and ragged wayes and so past easily none encountring them When they were come into the midst of Lazica where the Poets fain to have been acted the fortunes of Jason and Medea Gubazes King of the Lazians came and adored Chosroes as his master rendring himself with his Royall Palaces and all Lazica Petra stands in Lazica upon the Euxine Sea formerly a meane town but by Justinian furnished with walls and other ornaments and made a strong famous place Chosroes understanding the Roman Forces with John Tzibus to be there sent an army and Aniavedes Generall thereof to surprize it But John knowing their coming directed no man to sally nor to be seen upon the battlements and he placed his forces in armes close to the gates commanding them not to utter the least sound or voice The Persian being come before the walls and seeing no man supposed the city wast and abandoned by the enemy So he approach't to set up scaling ladders expecting none to defend because he saw nor heard no enemy and he sent to Chosroes to let him know what they found He sending the most of his army commanded a generall assault and one of the Commanders to make use of the Ramme neer the gates and from the neerest hill to the city himself was a spectator of the business When suddainly the Romans opened the gates and falling upon the enemy unaware killed most of them specially those about the Ramme The rest with their Generall ran away and escaped Chosroës in anger crucified Aniavedes for being over-stragem'd by John a retailer and no souldier Some say he crucified not Aniavedes but the commander who attended the Ramme Then himself with his whole army encamped before the town and perceaving upon view the fortifications not very tenable he brought on his forces commanding to shoot at the battlements The Romans defending with their engines and shot at first the Persians though they shot thick hurt little but suffred much being shot from high Afterward for Petra was to be taken by Chosroës John being shot into the neck died Then the Romans became careless and it growing dark the Barbarians retired The next day they drew a mine to the town which for steepe rocks about it is not accessible nor yet to the sea-ward but by one narrow entrance only upon plaine ground with high clifts on each side There the builders of the city foreseeing the walls easie to be forced made from each clift a long wall a crosse the entrance and at each end two turrets wrought with great stones not hollow in the middle but whole from the ground and very high and the stones so joyned as not to be shaken with Ramme or other engine The Persians closely with their mine were come under one of these turrets whence carrying out the stones they set up timbers and put fire to them Which encreasing by degrees crumbled and brake the firme ess of the stones and so loosening the Turret down it came suddainly The Romans in it perceaved it just so much before as not to fall with the Turret and to get within the city walls Then the Enemy could easily force their entrance upon even ground But the Romans affrighted came to a parly and receaving Chosroës oath for their persons and goods yeilded themselves and the city by composition Chosroes finding in Petra much wealth belonging to John took it but of any other himself nor the Persians toucht nothing And the Romans having every man his own mingled with the Persian army CHAP. XIII BElisarius heard nothing from these parts but marcht with the army toward Nisibis and being half way thither kept his right hand way where were store of springs and a spacious champian to encampe But some had no mind to goe on so that Belisarius made this speech to the Commanders I did not mean to publish my determination For a word vented in a camp spreds at last even to the enemy But I see every man will be an absolute Commander therefore I shall impart what I thought to conceale with this preamble that when in an army many will be absolute nothing can be well done Certainly Chosroes invading others hath not left his own country without guard especially this City being the first therof and a rampire to the rest wherein I know he hath lodged a garrison so strong and of so good men as will be able to oppose our assaults A demonstration thereof is Nabedes their Commander who next to Chosroes is the prime man for reputation in Persia Who doubtlesse will set upon us and we shall not be rid of him without vanquishing him in fight If we fight near the city the Persians will have the advantage backt with their fortification to follow their execution securely if they overcome and if they be overcome to be presently within their walls which you see well defended and inexpugnable On the other side if we rout them we may enter the town pell-â—ell with the enemy or thrust between them and force them to fly to some other region and so get Nisibis having none to defend it Upon this speech of Belisarius the rest obeyed and kept within the camp Onely Peter General of Armenia stood still with a good part of the army under his command a mile and a quarter from Nisibis Belisarius put in order of battail the troupes with himself and sent direction to Peter to stand in readinesse till he gave the signall and to observe at noon that the Barbarians will sally because themselves dine in the evening and the Romans at noon But Peters men slighted his commands and being faint with the sunne for that city is extremely hot layd down their arms and disorderly fell to gather figs without apprehension of an enemy Which Nabedes observing gallopt up to them with his army They seeing them issue out of the gates being in an open champian sent to Belisarius to succour them and themselves tumultuously and in confusion encountred Belisarius before the messenger came saw the enemies motion by the dust raised and with his troupes rode amain to their succour But in the mean time the Persians charged them which they not enduring ran away The enemy pursuing took Peters Ensign and slew fifty of them Doubtless they had dyed every man if Belisarius had not received them into his troups much distressed Where first the Goths presenting their long thick Lances the Persians stood them not but fell to running and the Romans and Goths pursuing killed a hundred fifty of them The chase was not long So the enemy got within their walls and the Romans returned to their camp The next day the Persians set the Ensign of Peter
marches ever ready great iron hooks wherewith they fasten long timbers together and make a bridge suddainly Being upon the other side he sent to tell Belisarius that he had gratified the Romans with his retreate but expected Ambassadors from them immediatly Belisarius also passed the Euphrates and sent some to Chosroes to commend him for retiring to promise Ambassadors forthwith from the Emperour to finish the articles accorded and to desire him in his passage through the Roman subjects to use them as friends Which he promised so he might have some principall man for hostage of performance of what they undertook Belisarius hearing what he said sent him from Edessa John the son of Basilius an unwilling hostage being the chief man in the city for birth and estate But the Romans much extolled Belisarius who in this action seemed to gaine more reputation then when he brought Gelimer and Vitigis prisoners to Constantinople The truth is it deserved highly to be valued when the Romans were terrified and hid in their fortresses and Chosroes with a mighty army in the midst of their country for a Generall coming post from Constantinople to encamp with a few in the face of Chosroes to stop him and then either frighting him with his fortune and valour or deceaving him with art to make him in effect run away and in words desire a peace But Chosroes neglected his agreement and took Callinicum none being to guard it Their walls being decayed they were ever taking down to rebuild them and then they had opened a piece and not made it up When they heard the enemy to be neer the richer sort carried out their goods and retired to other strong places The residue with a number of peasants flock't thither continued in the town without any garrison These Chosroes made slaves and laid the town even with the ground Shortly after he receaved John the hostage and retired into his country The Armenians also who revolted to Chosroes took assurances from the Romans and went with Bassaces to Constantinople Belisarius also went to Constantinople sent for by the Emperour to be immediatly dispatcht into Italy where things were very ill CHAP. XVI ABout the same time was a Plague which almost consumed mankind Of all blowes from heaven bold and subtile men will talk of a cause amazing us with reasons and physiologies above our apprehension knowing nothing to be sound they say but contented if they may perswade with their cosenages such as frequent them But of this to find any other cause is not possible but God himself For it came not upon one part of the world nor in one season of the yeare from whence subtile wits might coyne a cause But it vexed the whole world and all conditions of men though differing often even to contrariety sparing no constitution nor age Mens differing in their places of dwelling diets complexions addictions or any thing else in this disease did no good It took some in the summer some in the Winter others at other seasons So that let Sophisters and discoursers of Meteors shew their learning I will onely relate where it began to rage and in what manner it destroyed It began among the Egyptians of Pelusium and spread to Alexandria and the rest of Egypt one way and the other to that Palestine which borders upon Egypt From thence it travelled through the world as by set journeyes and stages removing as by appointed gistes and staying in each countrey a certaine time and making destruction its onely business and spreding on both sides to the utmost bounds of the world as if affraid least any odd hole of the earth should escape it It spared neither Iland nor cave nor top of mountaine which had men dwelling in it If it skipt a countrey by not touching it at all or but here and there yet returning afterward it struck no more the neighbouring people formerly visited but from that country it removed not the sore before it had justly made up the full measure of the dead according to the lot of their perisht neighbours It began still at the sea-coast and from thence went to the uplands In the second yeare of it it came to Constantinople about the middle of the Spring where it was my fortune then to reside And it was in this sort Apparitions of Spirits in all shapes humane were seen by many who thought the man they met struck them in some part of the body and so soon as they saw the Spirit they were taken with the disease At first men meeting such blessed themselves repeating the most divine names and using other ceremonies but did no good For many who fled into Churches perisht Afterwards they would not heare their friends calling but lockt up in their chambers stopt their eares though the dores were even broken open fearing the Sprite called on them Some in their dreames suffred that which others from those that met them or heard a voice that they were enrolled in the appointed to dy But most without warning by dreames or waking visions suddainly became feaverish some newly waking some walking others doing other things Their body changed not colour nor was hot as in a feaver no inflammation being but the feaver so remisse in the beginning and so till evening that neither the sick nor the physician feeling his pulse apprehended danger But to some the same day to some the next or many after there rose a Bubo not onely in the groyne which part is called Bubo but in the armeholes under the eare and in other parts These things came alike to all but the symptomes afterward I cannot say whether the difference of bodies made or the onely will of him that sent the sickness Some had a deep slumbring others a sharp distraction both suffering what was proper to the disease These slumberers forgot all they were formerly used to seeming perpetually to sleep If they were look't to they would eate sometimes and some neglected starved Those taken with madness were troubled for want of sleep and with many apparitions thinking men assaulted them to kill them crying out and running away Their keepers vexed with endless toyle were pittied as much as themselves Not for being infected for no Physician nor other caught the disease by touching sicke or dead bodies many strangely continuing free though they buryed and tended such as were nothing to them and many catching it they knew not how and dying instantly but they pittied their perpetuall toyle in raising them tumbling upon the ground and in strugling with them when they would throw themselves out of windowes Such as could leaped into the water not for thirst but caused by their phrensie for many leap't into the Sea Much toyle they had also to get them to eat and many for want of keepers were starved or brake their necks Some without slumbring or madness had their Bubo gangrened and they dyed with extreame paine Which doubtless happened to the rest but being not themselves
it called in Latine the Barbarians hung upon long poles hair-cloths of Goats hair thick and long that no fiery darts nor arrows could pierce through but there fell dead Then the Romans affraid sent Ambassadours to Chosroes and with them Stephanus a famous Physitian who had cured King Cabades of a disease and got a great estate by him He with the rest coming to Chosroës spake thus Men have ever held humanity the marke of a good King So that mighty Sir if you kill and lead into captivity you may perchance obtaine some other titles but shall never be thought a good man And of all cities Edessa should least have a misfortune from you Where I was borne who not foreseeing what would come to passe fostered you and by counselling your father to appoint you his successor have been to you a principall cause of the Empire of Persia and to my country of these miseries Thus men are themselves the authors of most of their own misfortunes But if you have any remembrance of this service you will doe us no more hurt bestowing this retribution on me by which O King you will have the fortune not to be esteemed a most cruell man But Chosroës professed not to rise from thence till the Romans delivered him Peter and Peranius his fathers slaves presuming to beare armes against him If they refused this they must either pay * 1575000. l' sterl five hundred Centenaries of gold or admit his ministers to search the city and to bring him all the gold and silver within it and upon this they might keep the rest of their goods This Chosroës spake at randome expecting with ease to take the city And the Ambassadors finding his propositions impossible returned much troubled And reporting the demands filled the city with noise and lamentations CHAP. XIX BUt the mount rose to a great height and went on apace The Romans in perplexity sent againe Ambassadors who were sutors for the same things but were not regarded but driven out of the Persian camp with scorn houting Then they began to raise their walls higher toward the mount But the Persians worke farr overtopping that also they gave it over And desired Martinus to procure a capitulation as he would himself He got as neer as he could to the camp and spake with some Persian commanders who to amuse him said Their King desired peace but could not perswade the Emperour to leave quarrelling He could not deny Belisarius to be above Martinus in power and place who perswaded the King to retire from the midst of the Roman Provinces with promises of Ambassadors to perfect the Treatie of peace but he could not performe being not able to force the Emperours will In the mean time the Romans drew a mine to the enemies work and commanded not to leave working till they were under the middle of the Mount Where being the Persians above heard the noise and finding what they did cross-mined on both sides to catch them in the middle They perceaving it stopt up their mine there with earth and from underneath the part of the Mount next the town carryed out the timber stones and earth and made a little hollow roome where they laid dry loggs steep't in Cedar oyle and Assyrian pitch During this preparation the Persian commanders in many meetings with Martinus discoursed to the effect aforesaid seeming to entertaine a parley for Peace But their mount being brought to perfection and raised farr above the walls they sent away Martinus refusing any composition and fell to work * Here againe the Latin translation fills up a great gap The Romans then set the dry loggs a fire which burnt part of the Mount but not spreading to the whole and being burnt out they brought more into the hollow roome Then appeared the smoake from the Mount at night and the Romans to prevent the discovery shot small vessells filled with burning coales and fire darts thick over the mount and the Persians thinking the smoake came from them ran to quench them But the fire prevailed and the Barbarians pittifully crying were shot and killed from the walls At Sun-rising Chosroes came with some of his army went upon the Mount and first found the mischief shewing how the smoake came not from that darted from the enemy but from fire below and he willed the army to shout The Romans grew confident and flouted them They all cast on some earth others water which abated the smoake there but presently it burst out in another part more vehemently The water also added force to the sulfur and Assyrian pitch and spread the fire more and within the fire prevailed above the water and about evening the smoke was so high that it was seen at Carr◠and other neighbouring parts There were fights also upon the Mount wherein the Romans overcame And now the flame rose cleerly when the Persians abandoned the work Six dayes after they assaulted something before day-light the Romans being dead asleep And they set to their ladders and were mounting But a peasant awaking called up the Romans They fought and the Persians were beaten to their camp leaving their ladders which the Romans drew up About midnight Chosroës sent a great part of his army to force the great Gate The Romans not onely Souldiers but peasants and people stood them had the better and routed them As they were running Paul the Interpreter put himself among the Romans and told them that Recimer was newly come from Constantinople an Ambassador about peace So they parted Recimer came to the Barbarians camp some dayes before which they concealed from the Romans expecting the event of their works if those prosper'd they resolved to come to no treatie if they were beaten as they now are they might come to it fairely the Romans having invited them When Recimer was neer the city gate the Persians demanded some to be sent out to treat an accord with Chosroës They answered they would within three dayes send Martinus who now was sicke Chosroës suspecting the answer not to be sincere prepared for warr commanding store of bricks to be laid upon the Mount Two dayes after he approached the walls with his whole army and applyed his ladders and engines and begirt the town placing squadrons at every gate Saracens behind them who when the town was taken were to lay hold on run-awayes The fight began in the morning and at first the Persians had the better being many against few for the Romans were not aware of the assault The fight proceeding the city was full of tumult the women and little children went to the walls and the men resisted valiantly Many peasants did bravely The women and children with the old men brought stones to the combatants Some threw down boyling oyle Then the Persians refused to fight any longer telling the King plainely they would not give on Chosroës in a rage threatning and urging them brought them all on And againe with shouts they applied
their ladders and engines as if they would instantly enter But the Romans defending in great numbers the enemy fledd and the Romans hiss't at Chosroes daring him to the assault Onely Azarethes with his troupes continued fighting about the gate of Soëna and from a place called Tripugia the valiantest of the Romans sallied Other Persians assaulting an outwork prest hard upon the defendants till Peranius with many souldiers and some Edessenians having routed Azarethes rode up to these So that Chosroes beginning the assault in the morning gave it over late at night Both passed the night unquietly the Persians affraid of their trenches the Romans providing stones and other things against another assault the next morning when the Barbarians came not on But the day after a part of the army animated by Chosroes set upon the gate of Barlaim but were beaten back to their camp Then Paul the Interpreter called up to the walls for Martinus to treat an accord Which he did and Chosroës receaving * 39062. l' 10. s' sterl 50000. gold Staters from the Edessenians subscribed the articles promising no more to infest the Romans In conclusion setting his palissadoes and others works on fire he went home with his army About this time died two Roman commanders Justus Justinians nephew and Peranius the Iberian the first by sickness the other by a fall from his horse in hunting In whose roomes the Emperour placed Marcellus his sisters sonne a youth and Constantianus afterward Ambassador to Chosroes about the treatie These had audience in Assyria where stand Seleucia and Ctesiphon faire cities built by the Macedonians who after Alexander the great raigned in Persia Of which cities the Tigris bounds their territories no other countrey being between them Here finding the King they demanded restitution of the places in Lazica and ratification of the articles of peace But Chosroes said that a peace would hardly be without a truce first for a time during which by mutuall concourse and communication they might more firmely determine the Perpetuall Peace and that the Romans to get it must give him money and they must send him one Tribunus with whom by a day certain he would conclude the businesse This Tribunus a Physitian had cured Chosroes of a great sicknesse The Quinquennial Cessation An. Justin 19. Anno Dommi 545. for which he was his friend and very gratefull Justinian forthwith sent him Tribunus and of the money twenty thousand Staters And so a Truce was concluded for five years in the nineteenth year of Justinians reigne Shortly after Alamundarus and Arethas had a war without any ayds of Persians or Romans on either side Alamundarus in an Inroade took a son of Arethas prisoner and sacrificed him to Venus From him was discovered how Arethas sold the affairs of the Romans to the Persians Afterward they came to a battel with their whole forces wherein Arethas got the better and routed the enemy and killed many A while after he had the pursuit of two sons of Alamundarus but could not take them CHAP. XX. But in Lazica Chosroes had a design to kill Gubazes their King Here the Greek continues * and to transplant the Nation into some other part of his dominions and to plant Persians in their room For he thought it a matter of much importance firmly to possesse Lazica being of manifold use to the Persians First by holding more securely the Iberians who would have none to fly to in case of revolt For the principall Iberians with their King Gurgenes revolting as I said before the Persians suffered not the nation to chuse their King any more neither were they willing subjects to the Persians but both were suspicious of each other and the Iberians discontented and ready to stir upon fit opportunity He considered also that not onely the Persian dominions would hereby be for ever free from the devastation of the Hunnes bordering upon Lazica but that himself having a mind might send them against the Romans there being no rampire against the Barbarians of Mount Caucasus but only Lazica But principally Lazica would advantage the Persians by issuing from thence to infest by land and sea the places upon the Euxine sea to subdue Cappadocia Galatia and Bithynia and to surprise Constantinople there being none to stop their course Upon these considerations Chosroes would have Lazica but could not be confident in the Nation For after the Romans were retired from thence the common people were discontented at the Persians Government who of all men have least variety in their humours their manner of life being extreamly strict their laws hard of disgestion and their commands intollerable And in reference to the Lazians the difference infinitely appeared both in Religion and conversation the Lazians being Christians none more and the Persians quite contrary Besides no Salt being in Lazica nor Wine nor other native commodity all is imported from the sea coasts of the Romans not giving money to the Merchants but skins and slaves and other things with them abounding From which being now barred they were discontented And Chosroes perceiving it consulted upon some safe prevention before they should stirre for an alteration and thought it most expedient to rid away Gubazes their King and to transport the Nation and to plant Persians and others in their country He sent also to Constantinople Isdigunas under pretext of an Ambassage and with him five hundred chosen Persians directing them to get into Daras and lodging in severall houses to set them afire and while the Romans were busie to quench the fire to open the gates and receive in the rest of the Persian army the Governour of Nisibis being commanded to be in readynesse with forces concealed thereabout Thus Chosroes thought without labour to have the killing of the Romans in Daras and to be master of the City But a Roman fugitive in Persia having knowledge of it went to Daras and there revealed it to George who formerly perswaded the Persians besieged in Sisibranum to yeeld to the Romans George went out to meet the Ambassador and told him this was not like not Ambassage and that Persians in so great numbers use not to lodge in Roman Cities he should do well to leave the rest in a town called Amudis and with a few in his company to enter Daras Isdigunas chased and took this for a great affront being an Ambassadour sent to the Emperour But George without respect to his storming preserved the City to the Romans receiving him in with onely twenty of his train He failing in his plot went to Constantinople with his Wife and two Daughters the pretence of his extraordinary company Where having accesse to the Emperour of businesse great or small he had nothing to say though he had been six moneths in the Roman dominions but he delivered usuall presents to the Emperour and letters to know if he were in good health This Isdigunas Justinian entertained with the most grace and honour
that we ever saw him use to any Ambassadour feasting him and Braduâ—ionas his Interpreter and setting them upon the same couch with himself a thing never done before No man ever saw an Interpreter sit at table with the meanest Governour much lesse the Emperour And this Ambassadour without businesse he entertained and dimissed more honourably than ever any 31500 l. sterl His charges and presents came to more than ten Centenaries of gold CHAP. XXI BUt into Lazica Chosroes first sent much ship-timber giving out it was for engines to stand upon the walls of Petra Then he sent Fabrizus with three hundred chosen Persians instructing him closely to kill Gubazes and of the sequele he would take care The timbers in Lazica were all consumed by lightening But Fabrizus being there and practising to execute his instructions concerning Gubazes sent for a Nobleman of the country named Pharsanses whom he understood to be in disgrace with Gubazes for some offence not daring to come in his fight and to him revealed the matter and advised with him how to attempt it The conclusion was that Fabrizus should goe to Petra and send for Gubazes to acquaint him with the great Kings resolution touching Lazica But Pharsanses secretly discovered the plot to Gubazes Who thereupon refused to come to Fabrizus and prepared for an open revolt Fabrizus committed the guard of Petra to the other Persians to prepare all things safe against a siege and so went home having done nothing Gubazes reported to Justinian the present estate besought his pardon for things past and his present ayd to shake off the Persian Government The Emperour was glad of the news and sent him seven thousand men commanded by Dagisthaeus and a thousand Tzanians Who joyned with Gubazes and the natives and besieged Petra The Persians within defended it valiantly and much time was spent in the siege they having laid in store of victuall in the town Chosroes was troubled at it and sent against them a great army of horse and foot under the command of Mermeroes Whereof Gubazes being advertised and upon advise with Dagisthaeus did thus The River of Boas springs near the confines of Tzanica about Pharangium in Armenia First it runnes a good way to the Northward and is small and fortable till it comes where it hath the Marches of Iberia to the North and the utmost ridge of Mount Caucasus to the South Hereabout inhabit the Alans and the Abasgians in antient amitie with the Romans and they are Christians the Zecchians also and Sabirian Hunnes From the Marches of Iberia and Caucasus this River is supplyed with other waters grows greater and instead of Boas is called Phasis is navigable and disembogues into the Euxine sea On both sides of it is Lazica To the right hand the country is well inhabited to the borders of Iberia on that side the river are their villages and some small cities antiently built as Archaeopolis a strong place Sebastopolis and the Castle of Pityuntium and towards Iberia Scanda and Sarapâ—nis Other strong Cities there are as Rhodopolis and Muchrisiis But to the Southward are the Marches of Lazica for a dayes journey a country uninhabited upon which border the Ponticke Romans In the desert marches of Lazica Justinian built Petra in my time where as I said John Tzibus set up the monopoly which caused the Lazians defection From Petra Southward the Roman borders begin where are populous towns as Rhizaeum Athens and others unto Trapezond The Lazians when they brought Chosroes into the countrey past the Boas and came to Petra leaving Phasis then so called to his right hand pretending to avoyd the delay and toyle of ferrying over the river Phasis but in truth not willing to shew the Persians their dwellings And Lazica on both sides the river is full of bad wayes having rocks on either side the countrey which make long narrow glinnes The Romans as the Grecians call such wayes Clausurae But then Lazica being unguarded the Persians guided by the natives came with ease to Petra But now Gubazes being informed of the Persians coming wrote to Dagisthaeus to send forces to guard the passage beyond the Phasis and not to raise the siege before Petra were taken Himself with his own army march't to the utmost borders of Lazica to guard the Passage there He had sometime before gotten some troopes of Alans 9450 l. sterl and Sabirians who agreed for three Centenaries to help to guard his countrey and so depopulate Iberia that the Persians should not be able to come in that way and the money the Emperor was to pay whom Gubazes praid to send the same and some Donative to the Lazians now in much distress alledging himself also to be behind for ten yeares being enrolled a Silentiary of the Imperiall Palace and having receaved no pay from the time Chosroës entred Lazica Justinian meant to performe his request but greater business diverting him he sent not the money in the due time But Dagisthaeus being a young man and unable to manage a Persian warr made no advantage of the opportunities offered him Whereas he should have sent to the Passage the most of his army and been himself at the action he sent as to some slight business onely two hundred men And he did nothing upon Petra with all his forces The enemy within at first were not 1500. men who continually being shot and slaine at the assaults after as much valour as ever men shewed were reduced to a very few and dispairing and unable lay still The Romans drew a mine under the wall and the wall falling with a house joyning to it fell all into the Ruine securing the town as much as the wall This troubled not the Romans who saw hope by mining in another part to take the town and Dagisthaeus wrote of it to the Emperour urging for rewards of victory and appointing what he and his brother should have for they would take Petra presently But the Persians receaved the assaults bravely and beyong expectation their troopes being much decayed Wherein the Romans prevailing not they mined againe and came on with their work so that the foundation of the wall had no ground to beare it and the wall was in the aire suddainly to fall And if Dagisthaeus had presently put fire to the supporters the town had been taken But he with his hopes from the Emperour dallying did nothing CHAP. XXII IN the meane time Mermeroes with a Persian army past the marches of Iberia and avoyding the townes of Lazica for feare of stopp kept the Phasis to his right hand his care being to save Petra and the Persians in it Where the piece of the wall which tottered as I said fell suddainely at which fifty Romans entred and cryed out aloud The Victorious Emperour Justinian They were led by John a young Armenian son of that Thomas sirnamed Guzes who by the Emperours direction built many fortresses in Lazica commanding the army there
conjectured fortune conferred that curse CHAP. XI BUt in the seaventh year of Justinians reign about the Summer Tropick the Army was embarqued and Belisarius the General commanded the Praetorian ship to ride under the Emperours Palace Thither came Epiphanius Archbishop of the City and having prayed as was fitting he put aboard a Souldier newly baptized * Being supplied out of the beginning of the Secret History Whose Godfather and Godmother were Belisarius and Antonina being one of their houshold and named Theodosius and much valued by them And thus the said General and his wife put to sea With them was Procopius the Writer of this History who at the first was afraid of this Voyage but a dream he had encouraged him and made him eager upon it He dreamt he was in Belisarius his house whom a servant told that one had brought him presents that Belisarius bad himself go look upon them and he in the inner Court saw men carrying flowers growing with their earth which he commanded them to lay down in the Porch That then Belisarius came with his Life-Guard sate down upon that earth and eat of the flowers willing the rest to do the like who fell to and seemed much pleased with the dainties Thus was the dream But the fleet followed the Praetorian ship and at Perinthus now called Heraclia staid five days where the Emperour gave the General almost all his horses of his pastures in Thrace From thence they came before Abydus where being becalmed four days it fell out that two Massagetes in their drink the Massagetes being all great drunkards killed one of their Countreymen whom Belisarius crucified upon a hillock near Abydus The rest especially the kinsmen of the men murmured That they came not to aid the Romans upon terms of subjection to their Laws and by their own Laws murders had no such punishments Some Roman Soldiers murmured too such as would not be punished for their offences Whereupon Belisarius spake thus to the Army To men that never saw wars I should need a long speech to perswade how great a preparation for victory it is to be just But you by often vanquishing enemies not inferiour in bodies and very valiant and by often having the contrary success have learnt that men fight in both the Armies but God determines the victory as himself pleases So that we must make less account of good bodies of arms and warlick preparations then of justice and duty to God For men in need are to honour that most which is most able to do them good Now the principal mark of justice is the punishment of murderers For if we must judge of right and wrong by what men do to one another certainly to a man nothing is so precious as life If any Barbarian killing his Countryman in drink upon that pleads impunity I conceive his excuse aggravates his crime For a man must not be so drunk as to kill his best friends specially in an Army nay drunkenness it self without murder deserves punishment And then to wrong ones own Nation appears more heinous to any man of understanding then a stranger The example and event of such doings you may all yonder behold And you must not begin quarrels nor take away ought which is other mens Neither will I endure that man or esteem him a souldier of mine who cannot employ innocent hands against our enemies No valour will get the victory which is not rankt with justice The Army upon this speech and seeing the crucified men and expecting the danger of committing unlawfull acts grew afraid and resolved to live soberly Then that the whole Army might sail and lie at anchor together in a great fleet many ships necessarily being cast behind specially if the wind blow high and the ship-masters know not what leader to follow he painted the masts of his own ship and two others where his train was from the top about a third part with red and in their sterns setting up high poles hung up lanterns that the Generals ships might be seen both by night and day And to these he commanded the ship-masters to hold their course which thus leading the whole fleet not one ship was cast behind And at weighing anchor from any harbour the Trumpets ever sounded the warnings From Abydus a stiff wind brought them to Sigaeum from whence being becalmed they came late to Malea There the calm stood them instead for the want of sea-room for so great a fleet and in the night troubled and endangered the same The Mariners did bravely calling out and thrusting with their long poles and skilfully keeping their distances but if the wind had risen strong and against them they had with much adoe saved the ships But getting by they reached Taenarus now called Caenopolis From thence they came before Methône where they found Valerianus and Martinus arrived a little before and the wind not serving Belisarius landed the whole Army There he distributed the Commands and ordered the Soldiers and being therein busie and the wind not serving many of the Army died of a sickness thus occasioned John the Cappadocian a bad man was ingenuous to find projects for money to the treasury with the ruine of men a man beyond my power to describe and in my former History I have spoken of him but now he destroyed these soldiers thus The bread for the Army to make it laste and not corrupt too soon is to be twice baked and so of necessity must weigh less and the soldiers in the giving it out must have a fourth part less in weight John that he might spend less wood and wages upon bakers by gain the weight brought the loaves unbaked to the publick bath and put the same into the stove there under which the fire is made and being thus sorrily baked sent it in bags to the fleet which being at Methone the bisket turn'd to dough and that mouldy corrupt and â—usty and the Officers distributed it thus to the soldiers by pecks and sometimes by bushels Who feeding upon it in the Summer and a place of extream heats grew sick and above 500 died and more had if Belisarius had not provided bread of the Country to help them He acquainted the Emperour therewith who commended him for it but he could not get John punished as then CHAP. XII FRom Methòne they came to the Port of Zante Here they took in fresh water and other necessaries to pass the Adriatique sea Thus the Author calls constantly that sea which others call Mare Ionium through which with a scant wind they came in sixteen days to a desert coast of Sicily near Mount Aetna In this lingring passage their waters corrupted all save what was drank at the table of Belisarius which his wife devised to keep untainted in six vessels of glass covered thick with sand in a little cabbin in the hold where the Sun could not come Belisarius landed there and was much troubled in his thoughts not knowing
what soldiers the Vandals were nor how nor from whence to make the war upon them The soldiers also troubled him fearfull of a sea-fight and not ashamed to tell him that on land they will do their best but if the enemies ships come they will fly not able to fight with them and waters too In this perplexity he sent Procopius his Assessor to Syracuse to enquire if the enemy way-laid their passage in the Island or main Land what part of Africk was best to land in and from whence to make the war and this done to meet him at Caucana about 27 miles from Syracuse where the fleet should ride at anchor It was given out he was sent to buy victual of the Goths For Amalasuntha the mother of Aâ—â—lâ—ricus had agreed with Justinian to give his Army free market Aralaricius was under years bred by his mother and was King of the Goths and Italians upon whom after the death of Theodoricus the Kingdom descended being son to his daughter Amalasuntha by a man deceased also Amalasuntha to make Justinian her friend had yielded to this free market among other his commands and now performed it But Procopius found at Syracuse a Countryman and friend of his from a boy residing there about his Traffique at Sea of whom he learnt all his demands For a servant of his who had returned within three days from Carthage told him that there was no fear of the Vandals way-laying the fleet there being there no news of an Army coming and their valiantest men being newly sent against Godas and that Gelimer having no thought of an enemy neglected Carthage and the sea-towns and made his abode at Hermione near Byzacium 4 days journy from any sea so that they might sail on securely and put in where the wind and weather should invite Procopius hearing this took the servant by the hand to the Port and was inquisitive of many particulars til being aboâ—rd he commanded to hoist sail for Caucana The Master of the fellow stood upon the shore wondring at his man 's not returning But Procopius called out to him not to take it unkindly for his servant must speak with the General and guide the Army into Africk and then should be returned to him to Syracuse with a rich reward But arrived in the Army he found them all mourning the death of Dorotheus General of Armenia a man much desired by the Army Belisarius when he heard the news from the man rejoyced extreamly and much commending Procopius commanded the Trumpets to give warning for weighing anchor And so they came to the Isles of Gaulus and Malta dividing the Adriatique and Tyrrhenâ— seas and thence with an Easterly wind they came the second day upon the coast of Africk five dayes journey from Carthage Being near the shore Belisarius commanded to cast anchor and assembling the Commanders consulted of their landing After some diversity of opinions Archelaus spake thus Our General is to be commended highly who having the advantage of wisdom experience and power yet consults and commands us to speak our opinions of landing though knowing by his own observations what must and may be done And I cannot but admire you the Commanders for so readily perswading our landing who know that to exhort men to an imminent danger brings no advantage to the adviser but laies him open to an accusation For men when things succeed to their desire are pleased and that 's all but when otherwise they accuse the author of the advice though it be unjust that a man for his counsel in publick deliberations should be questioned But resolving thus to land in an enemies Country in what Port will you leave your ships What fortification or walled Town expect you The coast from Lecca to Carthage you hear is nine days journey open to all winds and without any harbour And in all Africk by Genserick his command no walled Towns are standing but Carthage And the Country I am told is destitute of waters And if in the midst of these incommodities we meet with an enemy what shall we resolve then shall we not think such counsels infused rather by some unlucky Damon then humane reason Our ships also when we are landed and a storm comes must either be scattered infinitely or else perish upon this shore Then for your necessary support what supply expect you Let no man look upon me the Commissary for Provisions Then there are no servants for you the soldiers must supply that Office To conclude where will you put your spare arms and baggage and when you need such whence will you be furnished My opinion is to sail directly for Carthage where there is a haven four miles and a half from it called the Pool unguarded and capable of a great fleet from whence you may make the war and easily take Carthage And then having vanquisht the enemy far from thence nothing will be difficult nor dangerous to Conquerours For naturally the head once gon the rest fals of it self These things you are to consider and chuse the best After this speech Belisarius began thus ' Let none fellow Commanders think me to sit here a judge of what hath been spoken nor to speak last supposing my sentence necessarily to be followed I have heard your opinions and my part is to propound what I conceive and together with you to chuse the best One thing you must remember that the soldiers even profess to fear a sea-fight and if the enemy come to turn their backs to them And in that case it is foolish to pray to God for success being afraid and our selves procuring the contrary event If then we sail to Carthage and encounter an enemies Navy and our men fly from them our counsel will be followed with repentance and complaints A fatal error admits some excuse but this none And if a Tempest happen which is most urged to fright us and not well and our ships be â—â—attered as they say or perish upon this coast I pray which is less hurt to have our ships cast away alone or with them all the rest of us to fall by the enemy Besides falling upon the enemy unprovided and not looking for us we may subdue him but when he is armed and prepared we shall hazard a war upon equal terms Concerning the provision of necessaries and how we shall put ashore it is not now time to consult nor enquire Shall we stay for a temipest to fall upon our Navy in a fight as often happens and then begin to learn what to do I think we ought forthwith to land taking with us our horses arms and other needfull things and presently to entrench our selves within a good Rampire which will defend us as the strongest wall and from thence make the war And think not to want any thing if we fight valiantly Who vanquish their enemies all they have is theirs Victory brings all to that side it enclines to In your swords therefore consists your safety and aboundance
they came but toward the plains of Bule and the way to Numidia About evening John and the Massagets also came to us and relating and hearing the several adventures lodged with us that night in Decimum CHAP. XVII THe next day our foot coming up with Belisarius his wife we marcht toward Carthage and arriving within night lodged abroad near the City No man would have opposed our entrance the Carthaginians opening their gates and the City shining all night with lights and bonfires and the Vandals remaining were fled into the Churches But Belisarius feared in the night some ambush and the soldiers disorder lest in the dark they might fall to pillage The same day also the fleet came up to the Promontory and the Carthaginians had opened the iron Chain of Mandracium their haven to let it in In the Palace is a dark prison called Ancon or the Elbow for such as the Tyrant was offended with Here at that time were many Eastern Merchants whom the Tyrant accused to sollicite the Emperour to invade him and the same day that Ammatas was slain in Decimum he had given order for their execution The keeper of the prison hearing the accident at Decimum and seeing the fleet within the Promontory went to the men who had heard nothing but sate in the dark expecting death and askt them what they would give to be saved from thence They promising to pay any thing he said he would none of their money but prayed them to swear if they escaped and he came into danger to assist him to their power they did so And he taking out a board shewed them the fleet sailing in and then set them lose and went along with them The fleet first doubted hearing nothing then sending to Mercurium they were advertised of all and with great joy sailed on with a strong gale Which bringing them within 18 miles of Carthage Archelaus and the land-men commanded to cast anchor according to the Generals instructions But the Mariners alleadged the coast to be without harbour and that there was likelyhood of a storm which kind of storms the natives call Cypriana which falling in that place they should not be able to save a ship And so it was indeed Wherefore striking sail and consulting they thought not fit to attempt the haven of Mandracium fearing to break Belisarius's direction and suspecting Mandracium to be chained up and besides not able to hold the whole fleet but they thought the Pool to be for their purpose being but five miles from Carthage and capable of the whole fleet and to find there no stop So coming thither about evening they cast anchor all save Calonymus with some mariners who not regarding the General put into Mandracium and there robbed some Merchants strangers and Carthaginians dwelling upon the sea-side The next day Belisarius commanded the men a ship-board to land and with the Army in order of battel rode towards Carthage fearing the enemies ambushes Here he put the soldiers in mind of their good fortunes since their moderation to the Africans admonishing them to continue their good order especially in Carthage That the Africans were formerly Roman subjects and unwillingly brought under the Vandals from whom they had suffered abominable things That for this the Emperour made war with the Vandals and that it were impious now to abuse them whose liberty was the cause of this expedition Then he entred Carthage none opposing went to the Palace and sate down in Gelimers Throne Here the Merchants and the other Carthaginians who dwelt upon the sea came in a multitude and with clamour to Belisarius complaining that Mariners the last night had robbed them of all they had He made Calonymus swear to produce the goods but he neglecting his oath went away with the goods then but afterward at Constantinople by a terrible judgement he fell mad bit out his own tongue and died Belisarius then commanded his dinner to be where Gelimer used to feast his great men The Romans from the Greeks call the place Delphica from a three-footed Table standing in the Palace at Rome upon which the Emperours Cup-bearers set the cups which they call Delphica a three-footed table and first used at Delphos and so in Constantinople and wheresoever the Emperours Table stands they call the room Delphica The Emperours house also they call Palatium of one Pallas a Grecian who dwelt in that place before the sack of Troy and built in it a good handsome house where Augustus having got the Empire first lodged and thence they called the Emperours house the Palace Thus Belisarius dined in the Delphica and with him the Commanders of the Army The day before a dinner was provided for Gelimer and we feasted upon the meats Gelimers servants brought in our dinner filled our wine and in all things else attended us Here a man might see fortune in her bravery shewing all things to be hers and that none can call any thing his own And that day Belisarius attained a glory which never happened in his own time nor to any of the ancients For the soldiers using not to enter no not into any Roman City and but 500 together without some disorder specially upon the sodain This General had his men in such order that there was not the least insolence or menace used There was no interruption of Trade but in a City newly taken in a state changed and upon the alteration of their King not an Officer of Justice had his house shut up The publick notaries dispatcht their writings at the Courts and took the soldiers home with them as is the manner and the soldiers bought what they liked in the market place using no unquietness CHAP. XVIII THen Belisarius gave assurances to the Vandals fled into the Churches and took care of the walls of Carthage which had been so neglected that in many places they were easily to be mounted and a great part was quite faln down which the Carthaginians told us caused Gelimer not to stay in the City as not able in so short a time to secure the walls We heard also of an old Prophesie that had been among the boys in Carthage That Gamma should expell Beta and again Beta should expell Gamma It was then acounted as an idle riddle among sporting boys but now it was clear for Genserick expelled Bonifacius and now Belisarius Gelimer Then also the meaning of a dream was manifested which many had dreamt and often not guessing at the event The Carthaginians above all reverence St. Cyprian and by the sea-side have dedicated a Church to him close to the City where they use many devotions and yearly celebrate a feast which they call Cypriana and from thence those storms I mentioned are named which happened about that feastival This Church in the reign of Honoricus the Vandals got forcing out the Christians and their Priests with much indignity and officiating there themselves as now appertaining to the Arrians The Africans being much grieved at
Carthage and all Africk is the purchase of your valour and Victors never have faint hearts But it is not unseasonable to put you in mind that fighting bravely now the Vandals will have an end of their hopes and we of fighting You ought then chearfully and with pleasure to enter into this combat being to be the period of your labours And let none speak of the Vandals multitude which uses not to determine wars but mens valour Let the most powerfull thing among men a sense of reputation upon your former actions affect you it being a shame for men in their wits to grow worse and to lessen their own virtue The enemy their fear and remembrance of misfortunes will make cowards the one frighting with things past the other expelling hope of victory ill fortune ever instantly dejecting mens spirirs Besides our combat is for greater things If the former fight had succeeded ill our danger had been not to conquer anothers Country But now we lose that which is our own if we be not victorious So that our fear is so much the greater as it is less to purchaâ—e nothing then to lose what one hath Formerly we got a victory without our Foot but now with our whole Army I hope we shal get the enemies Camp men and all they have You have in your hands the conclusion of this war if you neglect it and put off opportunity you will seek it when 't is gone Fortune despised stops especially if the judgements be improved of those she favoured not before That Goddess hates such as squander away their prosperity And if any man imagine that the fight of the enemies wives and children and most precious things will make them dare even beyond power he errs Anger about things so dear weakens minds excessively affected and suffers them not to make due use of occasions All which taking into our consideration let us undaunted march against the enemy Having thus encouraged them he sent out all his horse that day save 500. and to John the Armenian he gave his own Targetiers and Ensigne which the Romans call Bandum commanding him to skirmish upon occasion Himself with the foot and â—oo horse followed The Hunns were determined to keep their accords with Gelimer and Belisarius too and to begin no fight for the Romans nor before it to turn to the Vandals but upon the victory of either to follow the execution upon the vanquished The Roman Army found the Vandals encamped at Tricamazus about 17 miles from Carthage and lodged not far from them Where about midnight fires were seen upon the Romans spears and the heads thereof red hot and the few who saw this Prodigie were amazed not knowing what the event would be But the same happening long afterward in Italy they took it upon experience for a signe of victory But then it happening first they were troubled and past the night in fear CHAP. II. THe next day Gelimer placed the Vandals wives and children and all their wealth in the midst of the Trench though unfortified and calling them together spake thus We strive not now dear Countrymen about loss of honor or Empire as if by cowardly abandoning these we might live quietly at home and hold our estates Fortune hath turn'd us now to this point either to conquer our enemies or to leave them masters of our wives and children Country and all our wealth and the only advantage of our escaping will be to be slaves and beholders of these things But if we vanquish we shall live in prosperity and after an honorable death leave our Families happy and preserve the Vandals name and Empire If ever men fought a battel for all they have and for the hopes of all men we are they Our fear and danger now is not to die but not to vanquish our enemies which failing only death is good for us Let none of you therefore faint but couragiously abandon his person affecting death rather then the base miseries of a defeâ—t He that is ashamed to be base fears no dangers Think not upon the former fight wherein not our cowardise but some cross fortune tript us whose stream holds not always the same course but changes every day In valour we presume to have the advantage and in numbers we exceed our enemies by ten times as many men Then have we many and great provocations to valour The glory of our ancestors ashamed of our degenerating and the Empire they left us protesting to forsake us if unworthy Then to see the howlings of these women and these weeping children even stops my speech with the extream grief so that I will only say this That these our dearest pledges we shall never more see if we vanquish not our enemies Consider it and be valiant and do not deface the glory of Gensâ—rich Having thus said he commanded his brother Tzazon particularly to animate his soldiers that came from Sardinia who assembling them some space from the camp spake thus ' Fellow soldiers The generality of Vandals are to combat for what you have heard from the King but you are moreover to strive with your own selves Lately fighting for dominion and to recover the Island you overcame Now you hazard in the greatest things you have and must use your greatest courage Who fight for dominion and are vanquished are not ruined in the main But fighting for all their lives depend upon the conclusion of the battel And if you be valiant to day the deposition of Godas will clearly appear an effect of your valour but if now you faint you will lose the reputation also of that action And we have the advantage over the rest terrified with their former defeat we being unvanquisht and fighting with a courage untainted Then will the greatest part of the garland of victory be yours you will be called the Preservers of the Vandal Nation for by winning in company of men formerly unfortunate you will appropriate to your selves the better fortune Upon these considerations you may do well to stint the howling of your women and children and calling God to your assistance to march boldly against the enemy in the head of your Countrymen Gelimer and Tzazon after these exhortations drew them out and about noon came on the Romans being preparing their dinners and stood in order upon the banks of the brook there On the other bank the Romans put also in order thus The left wing Martinus Valerianus John Cyprian Althias and Marcellus had and the other Commanders of Confederates The right wing Pappus Barbatus and Aigan and the Captains of the Legionary horse In the midst stood John with the Generals Lanciers and Ensigne and thither in the due season came Belisarius himself leaving the foot behind marching fair and softly The Hunns who used before not to mingle their ranks with the Roman Army then stood aloof with the intention I have said The Vandals order was to distribute each wing among the Colonels of thousands every one
and Jabdas threw first his Javelin which Althias caught flying at him in his right hand which amazed his enemy and with his left hand bent his bow being both-handed and killed Jabdas horse The Moors brought their Prince another horse upon which he leaped up and ran away the Moors following in disorder Althias recovered the captives and booty and got a great name in Africk for this act But Solomon after a short stay in Carthage led the Army against Jabdas to mount Aurasium for sacking the Towns of Numidia while the Roman Army was busie in Byzacium The other Moorish Princes also incensed Solomon against him as Massonas being enemy to Jabdas who killed Mephanias his father treacherously though he had married his daughter And Orthaeus because he had plotted with Mastinas Prince of the Barbarians in Mauritania to expell him and the Moors his subjects from their antient habitation So the Army under Solomon and their Moorish aides encamped by the river of Amigas which runs by Aurasium Jabdas thought the champian disadvantageous for him to fight in so he made Aurasium as difficult as he could in the fit places for an assault This mountain is 13 days journey from Carthage and the greatest we know the circuit being three days journey It is difficult to get up but being up and on even ground are fields fountains rivers and many admirable gardens the wheat there and all that grows is twice as big as in any other part of Africk Some neglected Castles also there are the Inhabitants finding no use of them who never were put into any fear since the Moors took Aurasium from the Vandals Nay they demolished Tamugadis a populous City to the Eastward of the mountain upon the very entrance of the plain that enemies might not lodg there and for the Cities sake approach the mountain The Country to the west of Aurasium being large and good the Moors had likewise beyond whom are other Moors subject to Ortaeus who aided Solomon I have heard that man say that beyond his Country is a Wilderness and beyond that men not black like Moors but with white bodies and yellow hair Solomon distributed monies amongst his Auxiliaries encouraged them and with his whole Army ascended mount Aurasium in order of battel thinking that day to try his fortune against the enemy so that the souldier had brought but little fodder for their horses They went six miles and a quarter in very bad way and lay all that night in the fields And the seaventh day going every day as much they came to an old Castle by a river called by the Latines Mons-scuti Here they had been told the enemy was encamped but none encountring themselves encamped there preparing to fight they spent there three days But seeing the enemy absolutely gone and necessaries failing Solomon and the whole Army doubted some plot of their Auxiliary Moors Who knowing perfectly the ways of Aurasium and in likelyhood the enemies designes by riding to them secretly and often being sent by the Romans to discover yet they never spake a true word So they thought it best to be gone before some blow and to return with greater provisions and better furnished in other things Now they were afraid and suspected treason from their Auxiliaries whom they knew naturally false and especially when they aid the Romans or any against the Moors Upon all these considerations and the famine pinching they went down immediately and made an entrenchment in the champian But the winter being come Solomon marcht to Carthage where he prepared for another journey in the beginning of the spring to Aurasium without any auxiliary Moors if it might be and he appointed forces and a fleet against the Moors in Sardinia being a rich Island and as big as two third parts of Sicily the circumference of it is twenty days journey and is in the mid-way between Rome and Carthage and much vexed with Moors who were confined and planted there with their wives and children by the Vandals There possest the mountains near Carnalis and at first committed petty stealths upon the natives but being grown to a number of 3000 men they made open inroads and ransackt all the places near them being by the natives called Barbaracini Against these Moors Solomon prepared a fleet thâ— winter CHAP. X. BUt at the same time Belisarius being sent into Italy by the Emperour against Theodatus and the Goths landed first in Sicily and took the Island the manner whereof I refer to my ensuing History of the affairs of Italy When I have written the occurrences of Africk I will come to the Relation of Italy and the Goths This winter Belisarius spent in Syracuse and Solomon in Carthage And all this year the Sun had a fearfull and prodigious light without beams like that of the Moon and for the most part it was as eclipsed without the clear and usual lustre And during the same famine war and all kind of mortality did infest mankind It was in the tenth year of Justinians reign In the beginning of the spring the Christians celebrating their Easter An. Dom. 536. Just 10. the soldiers mutinyed in Africk upon this occasion The Roman soldiers having vanquisht the Vandals married their wives and daughters Who drew their husbands to challenge the possessions formerly theirs as being unjust having enjoyed the same by the Vandals to be deprived of them now being married to their Conquerors The soldiers having this put into their heads thought they ought not to yield those possessions to Solomon who intended to annex the same to the Treasury and the Emperours house not refusing the slaves and moveables for spoils to the soldier but the Lands he alleadged to belong to the Emperour and State which fed them and gave them the quality of soldiers not to conquer for themselves the Lands taken by Barbarians from the Empire but to recover them to the Treasury from whence they and the other Armies had their entertainments Another party also there was which troubled Africk as much or more In the Army were some thousand Arrian soldiers most Herulians These were provoked by the Vandal Priests being not allowed their accustomed divine service but barred from all both Sacraments and Churches For Justinian permitted not any Christian not Orthodoxal to have the benefit of Baptism or any other Sacrament Especially they were troubled the Feast of Easter approaching wherein they might not baptize their children in the holy Laver nor do what belong'd to the Feast And Fortune heaped to this another mischief upon the Romans by adding a supply to these Mutiners The Emperour had made five horse troops of the Vandals brought to Constantinople by Belisarius to lye perpetually in Cities of the East under the title of Vandalici The most of these went by sea into the East and made up the appointed troops till this day serving against the Persians But 400 of them from Lesbos forcing the Mariners came upon the coast of Peloponesus and from
moderately and kept it safe disciplining the Army and sending the suspicious men to Constantinople and to Belisarius supplying their rooms with new and banishing the remains of the Vandals and all their women He compassed the Cities with walls and observing the Laws exactly preserved the State that Africk in his Government was rich and happie Things being setled he made war upon Jabdas and the Moors of Aurasium and sent out before with forces Gontharis one of his life-guard a good soldier who encamped by Bagais a desert Town upon the River of Abigas and there he was overthrown in a fight by the enemy and retiring to his camp was straitly besieged Solomon afterward encamped with the whole Army seven miles and a half from Gontharis entrenchment and hearing how he had sped he sent him part of his Army and bad him be of good courage and fight again The River Abigas comes from Aurasium and being in the plain below waters the land as the Inhabitants will by drawing the stream to their uses For it enters through several breaches under ground into the plain where it rises again gathering a stream And the Inhabitants by damming up the breaches or opening them make what use they please of the waters The Moors then opened the breaches and let in all the River about the Romans camp which made a marish not to be past for deepness The Romans were distracted at it but Solomon bearing thereof marcht thither whom the Barbarians fearing retired and in Babosâ—s at the foot of the mountain encamped Solomon came thither too and in fight beat them and made them run away The Moors thought it disadvantageous to have fights upon equal terms thus being not able to stand them but trusting to the fastnesses of Aurasium and hoping that the Romans would be weary of the toil as formerly and be gone many of them went away into Mauritaniâ— and to the Barbarians to the southward of mount Aurasium But Jabdas with 20000 Moors went to Zerbule a Castle built by him in Aurasium and there lay still Solomon not to spend time in besieging and hearing how the Country of Tamugadas had store of ripe wheat he conducted his Army thither took the spoil and burnt the rest and then returned to Zerbule In the mean time Jabdas leaving a sufficient guard for the Castle was gone up to the top of Aurasium fearing to be blockt up in the Castle and reduced to wants And at Tumaz a place rising with cliffs round about and fenced with broken rocks he rested The Romans three days assaulted Zerbule and the walls being low shot many Moors and chanced to kill all their Commanders The third day at night the Romans hearing nothing of those Commanders death consulted to rise Solomon thinking it best to go against Jabdas and the main body of the Moors who being subdued Zorbule would quickly yield But the Barbarians their Leaders being slain would hold no longer but silently ran away and abandoned the Castle undiscovered by the enemy The Romans at day break were trusting baggage but wondred to see no enemy upon the wall And doubting what it should mean and compassing the Castle they find the gate open where the Moors ran way They entred and took the booty but would not pursue the enemy being men apparelled lightly and skilfull in all the passages Having sackt the Castle and left a Garison in it they went on all afoot And at Tumaz where the enemy was they encamped in a fastness having water and other necessaries very scarcely A long time was spent and the Moors sallied not so that being more besieged then the enemy they fretted chiefly for the want of water Here the Latine Translation which Solomon put a guard upon giving out but a cup full to a man every day But seeing them impatient and unable to endure longer this hard diet he resolved to stay no longer but to draw the men to fight near this Castle and thus exhorted his men CHAP. XV. HAving by Gods favour beaten the Moors out of Zerbule a thing seeming difficult and uncredible to such as have not seen our former actions we must not now neglect the gift of God but with our accustomed valour boldly undergoe this hazard and from our former good fortune presage a future victory And the advantages of all actions standing in the due use of occasions if any man now slothfully neglect the offer of fortune let him not accuse her but himself being abandoned through his own default You see the Moors weakness and this Castle wherein they shelter themselves destitute of provisions And you must with a patient siege expect the enemies surrender or by neglecting that neglect with danger a victory ready for us How much better and less dangerous is it to try your fortune against men not likely to fight with you being wasted with famine Confider these things seriously and obey directions Solomon spake thus and then studying how and where to assault all being round about a rock fortune shewed him his way One Geson a Lieutenant of foot whom the Romans call Optio either in sport or earnest or by divine impulsion mounted alone and presently other souldiers admiring his courage followed him Three Moors ran to oppose him and the place being narrow came single The first by chance falling the Roman used his advantage and killed him The souldier who followed him seeing it ran up with a shout and the whole Army neither expecting leader nor sound of trumpet nor observing order but crying and encouraging one another gave on where Rufinus and Leontius the son of Zanâ—as did so bravely upon the enemy that terrified at it and seeing their guards cut in pieces they all ran away and the most overtaken in narrow passages were slain Jabdas though woudned by a dart in his thigh escaped and fled into Mauritania The Romans pillaged the enemies camp and Solomon caused them to stay in Aurasium and repair the Castle and left a garrison to hinder the Moors recourse thither in their rebellions In Aurasium is an ancient Tower standing upon a rock called Geminians Rock safe and difficult of accesse Here Jabdas had lately put his wealth with his women and never thinking that an enemy could get thither or force the Tower he left one old Moore onely to take charge of his treasure But the Romans through all the difficulties got thither and one of the souldiers as in sport began to climb up to the Tower whom the old man and the women laught at for a mad man But he scrambled up with his hands and feet and being got up drew his sword and cut off the old mans head The rest of the souldiers boldly and with alacrity helpt one another up took the women and a great treasure with which Solomon re-edified the walls of many cities in Africk The Moors being beaten out of Numidia fled into Zebe a Country of Mauritania beyond mount Aurasium whose metropolis is Sitiphis tributary to the
Empire Caesarea is head of the other Mauritania tributary likewise except the City it self exempted by Belisarius for a landing place for Romans there being no good passage to it by land So in Zebe the Moors sate down whereby the Affricans continued in obedience and a setled peace without thought of hostility and were very happy under Solomon a prudent and moderate Governour CHAP. XVI IN the fourth year after all this prosperity changed into miseries It was Justinians fourteenth year of his reign An. Dom. 540. Just 14. when Cyrus and Sergius the sons of Baccus Solomons brother were sent to govern in Africk the elder Pentapolis and the younger Tripolis To these the Leucathian Moors came with an Army as farre as Leptis Magna giving out it was to give them presents and to establish a peace Sergius by the perswasions of Pudentius the Tripolitan who made the first war against the Vandals for the Emperour received into the City 70. Moors whom be invited courteously to a feast promising to grant their demands and the rest he willed to stay in the suburbs They say they came with a treacherous intent to kill Sergius and that one of them in speech with him expostulated the Romans unjust spoiling their corns and Towns and other wrongs which Sergius slighting and rising from his seat and going away one of them caught him by the mantle and would have staid him Hereupon the rest rose and tumultuously stood about Sergius and one of his Lifeguard drew his sword and killed the Moore that held him by the mantle whereupon all being in an uproar the Lifeguard of Sergius kill'd all the Moores save one who seeing his fellowes slain Here again the Greek begins stole out of the roome and got to his countrymen telling them what happened who ran to their camp and with the rest came in Armes against the Romans Neer Leptis Magna Sergius and Pudentius with their whole forces met them The fight came presently to handy blowes and the Romans were victorious and flew many sack't their camp and got a great booty and abundance of women and children Afterward Pudentius was slain by his own rash adventuring and Sergius retired with the Army into Leptis Magna it being grown dark Shortly after the Lâ—ucathians came with a greater preparation against the Romans Sergius went to Solomon his Uncle to desire that he would come back against these with a great Army where he found Cyrus his brother The Moors the while over ran Bizacium and sack't most of the towns Antalas also formerly ever faithfull to the Romans and therefore having the Government of the Moors in Bizacium was now turned enemy to Solomon who had taken from him those allowances the Emperour had assigned him and killed his brother for making a commotion in Beracium So he willingly joyned in a league with these Barbarians and led them to Carthage against Solomon who advertized thereof marcht towards them and finding them at Tebeste a City six dayes journey from Carthage he encamped his Army together with Cyrus and Sergius and Solomon the yonger all sons of Bacchus He sent to the chiefes of the Leucathians being afraid of their multitude complaining of their taking arms and invading being yet in league with the Romans demanding a ratification of the peace and promising to take the strongest oathes to abolish the memory of what they had done They laugh at these overtures and said That doubtlesse they would swear the Christians oath which they call the Gospels which Sergius having sworn and then killed those who trusted him they meant now to try by a battel what power those oracles have against men that forswear them that so being confident in them they may come to a treaty Solomon hearing this prepared to fight and the next day meeting some enemies driving a great prey he defeated them and took it from them The souldiers murmured because he kept it to himself not giving them the spoiles of War But he bad them stay till the War was ended and then every man should have his share according to his desert The Barbarians again urged to give battel But of the Romans some were absent others went on with no heart yet at first the fight was equall afterward the Moors surmounting much in numbers the Romans ran away Solomon with his company endured their shot a while then being over prest fled and at a torrent his horse stumbling he fell His Lifeguard set him up again but being in pain not able to hold his bridle the Barbarians overtook and killed him and many of his guard Solomon being dead thus the Emperour gave the Government of Africk to Sergius who proved the destruction of the Province All were discontented the commander at his youth indiscretion and insolence and the impertinent affronts he did them wherein he imployed his power wealth and the authority of his place The souldiers because he was a coward And the provincials for all this and moreover for his unsatiable love of their wives and Estates Above all John the son of Sisinniolus being an able souldier and of great reputation was offended with his greatness and extream ingratitude to himself So that neither he nor a man among them would draw their swords against the enemy Almost all the Moors followed Antalas who had sent for Stotzas out of Mauritania And Antalas then wrote this letter to the Emperour That I am the servant of your Empire I deny not But the Moors have been forced to take arms upon the base injuries done by Solomon not to rise up in arms against you but to resist an enemy especially I from whom he was not contented onely to take away my allowances designed by Belisarius and by you given me but he hath killed my brother guiltlesse we have now righted our selves upon him that wrong'd us and if you will have the Moors obsequious servants of your Empire as formerly command Sergius the Nephew of Solomon to leave Africk and send some other Generall you cannot want men far worthier then Sergius So long as he commands your Army there can be no peace between the Romans and Moors The Emperour notwithstanding this letter and though he knew the Generall hatred of Sergius yet in respect of Solomons worth and manner of death he would not remove him CHAP. XVII THe brother of Sergius yong Solomon was thought to have perisht with his Uncle and was not lookt after so much as by his brother But he was taken prisoner by the Moors and being askt who he was he said he was a Vandal and slave to Solomon and that he had a friend at Laribum a Town thereabout named Pegasus a Physitian who would pay his ransome The Moors under the Town-walls called for Pegasus and shewing him Solomon askt if he would redeem him 38 l. 15 â— and for 50 gold staters they delivered him to him Being within he slouted the Moors for being cosened by a boy and told them how he was the
Areobindus informed hereof sent for Gontharis and other Captains to Carthage Artabanes also came to him with his Armenians Gontharis being commanded by Areobindus to march in the van and promising much forwardness sent to the enemies camp a Moor his cook to pretend himself a runaway but to Antalas privatly to say that Gontharis would share with him in the dominion of Africk The cook performed accordingly and Antalas though glad at the motion yet answered him That men do not execute great matters by cooks Gontharis hearing this sent to him Vlitheus one of his guard whom he most trusted to entreat him to come as near Carthage as he could and promising to kill Areobindus And Vlitheus without the knowledge of the rest of the Moors agrees that Antalas shall have the dominion of Byzacium and half Areobindus wealth and 1500 Roman soldiers and that Gontharis shall retain the title of Emperour Carthage and the rest of Africk Having negotiated this Gontharis returned to the camp the Romans being quartered before the walls to guard the several gates of Carthage The Barbarians made haste thither encamped at Decimum and the next day marcht forward Some Romans fought with them unlookt for and killed many whom Gontharis called in rating them for putting the State into evident danger by unadvised adventuring In the mean time Areobindus practised also on that side with Cutzinas who promised him in the battel to turn against Antalas and the Moors of Byzacium thus the Moors observe no faith to others nor among themselves Ariobindus revealed the plot to Gontharis who desirous to dash it advised him not to trust Cutzinas without his sons for hostages But Areobindus and Cutzinas proceeded closely in their designe and Gontharis secretly sending Vlitheus acquainted Antalas with the designe who neither charged Cutzinas nor made shew to have heard of his Treason nor yet revealed the plot between him and Gontharis They both hated one another yet with these bad intents fought in company together each against his own friend CHAP. XIX BUt Gontharis his intent was to kill Areobindus secretly in the battel that he might not seem to intrude into the Empire but rather that the soldiers thinking the treason to be acted by others might constrain him to usurp the dominion of Africk To circumvent Areobindus he counsels him to lead the whole Army the next day by sun-rising against the enemy who was now come near to Carthage But Areobindus being backward and raw in such businesses delayed and spent most of the day in fitting his arms about him and other things for the fight which he thus put off till the next day Gontharis suspected him purposely to dally as senting the plot and resolved openly to murder him and so to make himself King of Africk His plot was to set open the gate whereof he had the guard and to hinder the shutting of it again by great stones put between and then to place armed men upon the battlements himself standing in the gate with his corselet on This he invented not for the Moors reception into the City who being false themselves suspect all men else and good reason that a faithless man should trust none weighing others disposition by his own So that he did not hope that the Moors would trust him and come within the walls but that Areobindus being frighted might run away to Constantinople and he lighted upon a right conceit if a sudden storm had not slaid Areobindus who being informed of the plot sent for Athanasius and other principal men Artabanes with two others came to him and advised him not to shrink at this presumption of Gontharis but instantly to sally and fall to work before further mischief But Areobindas first sent Phredas one of his favorites to Gontharis to feel his resolution Who brought him back word that Gontharis avowed the usurpation Then he resolved to go out and fight with him Gontharis in the mean time accused Areobindus to the soldiers for a coward and that to detain their pay from them his intent â—as to sail away out at the Port of Mandracium with Athanasius and to leave the soldiers to perish by famine and the Moors He therefore demanded if it were their pleasure to seize upon them both His hope herein was that either Areobindus would run away at the tumult or be taken and killed by the soldiers and himself undertook to satisfie their arrears They embraced the counsel And Areobindus with Artabanes and their troops coming up to them there was a fight at the battlemeâ—ts and the gate where Gontharis stood The soldiers well affected to the Emperour making head from several quarters the most part continuing â—ound and not corrupted by Gontharis had absolutely routed the mutiners but Areobindus astonisht to see men killed a sight he was not used to cowardly ran away Within the walls of Carthage by the sea-side is a Church of Monks men who precisely exercise duties to God This Church Solomon lately had repaired walled and made a strong Castle of it And hither Areobindus fled and sent for his wife and sister Artabanes retired also and the rest and Gontharis having an absolute victory seized upon the Palace with his soldiers and put guards upon the City gates and the Haven He sent first for Athanasius who soothed him and seemed to like the action wonderous well Then he sent the Bishop of the City to will Areobindus to come to the Palace upon assurances of safety threatning if he refused to pull him out and kill him The Bishop named Reparatus went and by Gontharis his direction offered to swear that he should have no hurt and told him what he threatned upon his refusall Areobindus was afraid and promised if the Bishop at the celebration of the holy Baptisme would in Gontharis his name by oath assure his security that he would go with him This the Bishop did and Areobindus without more scruple went with him having on a garment called in Latine Casula not sit for a Generall nor a common soldier but for a slave rather At the Palace he took the Bible from the Bishop and being brought to Gontharis he fell upon his face and lay so a long time holding out his supplication and the Bible and his little son newly made partaker of the holy Baptisme at which the Bishop had sworn his safety Gontharis raised him with much adoe he conjuring him by all that is holy to tell him if his life were safe Gontharis bad him be of courage for the next day he should go from Carthage safe with his wife and goods Then he dismissed the Bishop and invited Areobindus and Athanasius to sup with him in the Palace At supper he honoured Areobindus placing him on his right hand upon the couch After supper he would not let him go forcing him to lie in a Chamber alone whither he sent Vlitheus and some others who after his much crying and wailing and words to move pitty killed him Athanasius they
tongue that Gontharis was yet himself not having drunk much wine ' O the brave spirit in me you suppresse now quoth Artasiris The drink proceeding and Gontharis being well drencht and grown bountifull gave of his meats to the guard which they went out to eat leaving Vlitheus and two other of the guard by Gontharis Artasiris went out for company and having a conceit that something might hinder the drawing his Cimiter being without he slipt off his scabbard and with his sword naked under his mantle he stept suddenly to Gontharis as to say something in private Artabanes seeing him his heart boyled and falling into a deep musing he shaked his head and changed his colour seeming wrapt with the greatness of the action Peter markt it and perceived the business but loving the Emperour he liked it well and so made no discovery Artasiris being come near to Gontharis one of the waiters thrust him off and perceiving his naked sword cryed out what 's this my friends Gontharis crossing his hand over his own right shoulder turned about to look at him In the doing whereof Artasiris struck him with his sword and cut off part of his head and his fingers Peter cryed out to Artasiris to kill the wickedest of all men Artabanes seeing the Tyrant down and sitting next him with a broad knife he had hanging at his side thrust him into the left side up to the haft and there left it Gontharis strove to rise but fell the wound being mortal Vlitheus made a blow to have cleft Artasiris head but he held up his left arm and had the benefit of his own wit at his most need For the sword losing the vigour upon those arrows about his arm he had no hurt but he killed Vlitheus Peter and Artabanes took up the swords of Gontharis and Vlitheus and killed the other two of the guard The Armenians who stood without with the guards hearing the crie and tumult snatcht up the shields according to their plot and ran to the other couches where they slew the Vandals and Gontharis favorites Artabanes charged Athanasius openly to look to the treasures of the Palace all being there Which Areobindus left The guards without hearing of the Tyrants death joyned presently with the Armenians having been most of Areobindus retinue And with one voice they all cryed Emperour Justinian victorious which growing very loud from such a multitude reacht to most parts of the City Such as were well affected to the Emperour brake into the mutiners lodgings and killed them being asleep or eating or amazed with the terror of it and among them Pasiphilus John the mutiner and some Vandals fled to the Church whom Artabanes took out upon assurances and sent them to Constantinople and having recovered the City for the Emperour he made it safe This killing of the Tyrant was the 35 day of his usurpation in the 19 year of Justinians reign And for this service Artabanes got a great renown Projecta Areobindus widow An. dâ—m 545. Just 19. gave him a great present and the Emperour made him General of Africk Not long after at the entreaty of Artabanes he sent for him home and made John the brother of Pappus General Who immediately fought with Antalas and the Moors of Byzacium and defeated them killing many and recovering all the Ensignes taken at the killing of Solomon which he sent to the Emperour All other Moors he drave as far as he could from the Roman dominion But afterward the Leucathians coming from Tripolis into Byzacium with a great Army and joyning with Antalas John met them and was beaten with the loss of many and fled to Laribum The enemy then over-ran Africk and did much mischief even to the gates of Carthage John quickly rallied the soldiers remaining and drew Cutzinas and other Moors to his aid and in a battel with the enemy overthrew them beyond expectation and killed numbers of them in the execution as they fled in confusion The rest escaped to the uttermost marches of Africk And so at length the Africans who were left being few and very poor with much adoe obtained some quietness THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST BOOK Of the GOTHICK Warre Chap. I. OF Augustulus and his Father Orestes Odoacer Tyrant of Italy whom Theodorick overthrew and beseiges Ravenna three yeares and is King of Italy Chap. II. Theodoricks strange death after killing Symmachus and Boetius by a fishes head Amalasunâ—ha for her Sonne Atalarick governes the Goths mislike their Kings civill breeding conspire against her Shee seemes to flye to Constantinople Theodatus plots revolt to Justinian Chap. III. Justinian quarrells with Amalasuntha in shew Hath offers from her and Theodatus of Italy Atalarick dyes She unwisely invites Theodatus to the Kingdome Chap. IV. Amalasuntha is imprisoned Justinian would ayde her but before shee is murdered He enters into war with the Goths Anno 9. of his Raigne Belisarius is sent with 7000 men who finishes the subduing of Sicily on the last day of his Consulship Theodatus agrees to share Italy with the Emperour Chap. V. Theodatus agrees to resigne Italy to Justinian for Lands worth 12 Centenaries per annum Mundus and his Sonne are killed by the Goths in Dalmatia which causes Theodatus to refuse the agreement Discourse concerning Ambassadors Chap. VI Constantianus subdues Dalmatia and Liburnia Belisarius besieges Naples and tryes to get it by Composition Chap. VII Pastor and Asclepiodotus hinder the surrendring of Naples The Augury of Hogs frights Theodatus Belisarius is rising from Naples but Chap. VIII He takes the City the great Aquaeduct and restores to the Neapolitans their women children and other Prisoners after much slaughter Chap. IX The deaths of Pastor and Asclepiodotus Theodatus deposed Vitigis is chosen King Theodatus is slaine by Optaris whose Love he had taken from him and marryed to another Chap. X. Vitigis leaves Rome his reasons he marryes Amalasunth's Daughter A digression of the Franks coming into Gaule with the Arborychi and a remnant of Romane souldiers Theodorick allyes himselfe with them Chap. XI The Franks and Theodorick share the Burgundians countrey They beat the Visigoths Theudis a Goth usurpes Spaine The Francks conquer Thuringia utterly expel the Visigoths who fled into Spaine and divide all Gaule with the Goths Chap. XII The Goths give the French their part of Gaule and 20. Centenaries of gold to joyne with them Via Appiâ— Belisarius enters Rome repaires the walls and prepares against a siege Chap. XIII Halfe Samnium Calabria and Apulia submit to the Emperour Diomedes and the Boares teeth The Palladium A description of Italy and the countryes about it Tuscany taken wars in Dalmatia Chap. XIV Vitigis marches towards Rome passes the Tiber where Belisarius with a few hazards his person in the first rancks Chap. XV. Belisarius enters Rome with difficulty Visandus found among the dead bodyes A false alarme Vacis is sent to railâ— Belisarius is confident of victory Chap. XVI The manner of the Goths
Theodatus meeting privately with these Ambassadors gave them order to acquaint the Emperour with the plot I mentioned before CHAP. III. IN the mean time Atalarick fell into a Consumption with his excessive gluttony which much distracted Amalasuntha who had no confidence in her Sonne being runne into so much folly nor if he dyed could shee thinke her life safe having offended the principall Goths So shee resolved to deliver the Dominion of the Goths and Italians to Justinian and to save her selfe With Hypatius and Demetrius came one Alexander a Senator whom the Emperour hearing of Amalasuntha's ship in the harbour of Epidamnus and that shee came not much time being spent sent to view and report concerning her in pretence as an Ambassador to treate about Lilyboeum and about ten Hunnes who were run from the Campe in Affrick into Campania and entertained by Vliaris Captaine of Naples without Amalasunthaâ—s consent And the Goths warring with the Gepaedes about Sirmium had used hostitility upon Gratiana a City in the marches of Illyrium All which the Empeperour charged Amalasuntha with and wrote his Letter to her by Alexander who left the Bishops at Rome to negotiate their affaires and repayring to Ravenna had accesse to Amalasuntha whom privately he acquainted with the Emperours propositions and openly presented the Letter which was thus You detaine from us our Castle of Lilyboeum you have entertayned our fugitive Souldiers and do not yet send them back you have also used our City of Gratiana with extreamity without cause from all which you are to judge what the conclusion is likely to be Amalasuntha to this Letter returned this answer It were more fit for a great Emperour and one who pretends to virtue to assist an Orphan ignorant of these passages then upon no ground to quarrell with him no victory bringing credit when the opposition is not equall You expostulate for Lilyboeum and ten fugitives and an Errour of Souldiers marching against their Enemyes unwittingly committed upon a City in Amity with us Do not thus O Emperour But thinke how in your invasion of the Vandales wee gave you no impediment nay gave you quiet passage and free market freindly of what you needed cheifely of Horses in such abundance as with them principally you vanquisht your Enemyes Not onely he who sends his neighbour aydes is a freind and an Associate but he also who readily furnishes him for the warr with necessaryes Consider how then your Navy had no place to put into but Sicily nor could go into Affrick without what was there bought So that the principall cause of your Victory is from us who releiving you in time of need may lay a clayme to the good successe and what greater contentment O! Emperour could you have then to subdue your Enemyes nay it is a great wrong to us not to receive according to the Law of War our share in the spoyles Whereas you seek to take Lilyboeum from us long appertaining to the Goths and a poor Rock not worth the money in case it did belong to your Empire which in reason you ought to recompence Atalarick with for assisting you in your greatest needs Thus Amalasuntha wrote publickly but in private promised to deliver Italy to the Emperour to whom the Ambassadors at their Return to Constantinople related all Alexander concerning Amalasuntha's Resolution and Demetrius and Hypatius what they had in trust from Theodutus and how having great power in Tuscany and being Lord of a large Countrey he could easily performe his promises The Emperour being over joyed with it sent forthwith into Italy Peter an Illyrian by Race but borne in Thessalonica and an Oratour in Constantinople a wife milde man and of great ability to perswade In the mean time the Tuscans accused Theodatus to Amalasuntha for his oppressions and for intruding not onely into the Lands of common persons but into the Royall domeans called Patrimonium Amalasuntha called him to his answer and upon expresse conviction compelled him to restore his unlawfull Intrusions which infinitely offended Theodatus and made him her Enemy being vexed that hee could not use his sinne of oppression About the same time Atalarick dyed of his consumption having raigned eight years And Amalasuntha ordayned for a mischeife without considering Theodatus nature nor her late proceeding against him imagined by some extraordinary good Turne to oblige him from hurting her She sent for him and to appease him told him That she had long foreseene her Sonnes end by the dayly wasting of his Body and the opinion of the Physitians that she found the Goths and Italians inclined to him being of Theodoricks blood That shee endeavored therefore to purge him of aspersions which might hinder his calling to the Kingdome that shee was also troubled in the point of Justice if men wrong'd should complayne to have none to make their cases knowne to but to have their Adversary their Lord. But now being clear shee invited him to the Kingdom But they must binde themselves by solemne oathes for him to continue the name of King and her selfe to continue her former power Theodatus swore what shee pleased with a false Intent remembring how shee had used him formerly Thus Amalasuntha deceaved by her owne Counsells †placed Theodatus in the government Anno Demini 534. Justiniani 8. and sent some Goths to Constantinople to acquaint Justinian with her proceedings CHAP. IV. THeodatus being in possession of the Kingdome did quite contrary to her hopes and his own Ingagements He drew to him many principall Goths kinsmen to such as shee had put to death some of Amalasuntha's party he suddenly killed and put her selfe in safe custody in a strong castle in an Island upon the Lake of Vulsinus in Tuscany But fearing that the Emperour might be offended at it as indeed he was he sent Liberius and Opilio two Senators of Rome and others to make his Excuses and to assure the Emperour that Amalasuntha had no harme though shee had done him extreame Injury formerly This he wrote to the Emperour and made Amalasuntha write as much The Emperour in the meane time had instructed Peter to get private speech with Theodatus and to give his Oath to conceal the negotiation and so to make Tuscany sure to deale likewise with Amalasuntha and to conclude for all Italy but publickly to pretend his Ambassage for Lilyboeum and the rest before mentioned For of the death of Atalarick or succession of Theodatus or of the Fortune of Amalasuntha the Emperour had not yet heard Peter upon the way met Amalasuntha's Ambassadors and heard of the Succession of Theodatus Shortly after at Appollonia upon the Jonian gulfe he met with Liberius and Opilìo and was informed of all the passages He advertised the Emperour and stayed there Who thereupon intending to imbroyle Theodatus and the Goths wrote Letters to Amalasuntha of his Resolution to take her part and sent instructions to Peter to professe the same openly to Theodatus and
that we without danger or Treason might follow the Conquerour Having thus said they produced Jewes who assured the town should want nothing and the Goths promised to guard them safely Wherewith perswaded they defied Belisarius who fell to assault and was often repulsed with losie of many and even of his valiantest men For the walls what by reason of the sea and for the steepe ground were unaccessible and not to be approacht by an enemy And the cutting of the Aquaeduct by Belisarius troubled not the Napolitans much their wells within supplying their uses And they sent to Theodatus to Rome to send them succours Theodatus being a coward as I have said made little preparation for a warre and he had an accident they say but not credibly to my conceit which put him into great fear Theodatus was acquainted ever with men thar pretend to foretell things to come and being now perplexed with the present affaires when men use most to runne after prophesies he askt an Hebrew famous for such things what would be the event of the War He directed him to shut up three halfe scores of Hoggs severally and to each ten to give severall names of Goths Romans and the Emperours Souldiers and so for a certain number of dayes to let them alone Theodatus at the appointed day went to the sties to see the Hoggs Those which were called Goths he found all dead save two Those called the Emperours Souldiers were allmost all alive And those who bare the name of Romans were halfe living and all with their haires fallen off Theodatus by this divined the successe of the war and was affraid perceiving that one halfe of the Romans should perish and all loose their Estates that the Goths should be vanquisht and reduced to a small remnant and that the Emperour should get the victory with the losse of few Upon this he was affraid to fight with Belisarius who besieging Naples was troubled not thinking it would yeild and being not able to force the difficulty of the place and his losse to time vexed him fearing to be put to set upon Theodatus and Rome in the winter But having directed the army to rise and being thus perplexed he had this fortune CHAP. VIII AN Isaurian curious to see the structure of the Aquaeduct and how it brought water to the City entred it far from the city where Belisarius had cut it which had made it dry and being come in neer to the town-wall he met with a Rock to which the Aquaeduct was joyned and through it was cut a vault not sufficient for a man to enter but only to let through the water so that there the Aquaeduct was not passable especially by a man armed with sheild and corslet The Isaurian observing it conceived that by widening the vault forces might enter and being himself an obscure man unknown to the Commanders he revealed it to Paucaris a Targettier of the guard to Belisarius who told it to Belisarius and he revived with the newes promised the man mony and perswaded him to take some Isaurians and with speed and secrecy to cut the rock wider Paucaris with some choice Isaurians fit to worke entred silently the Aquaeduct and being come to the Rock and narrow Vault they wrought not cutting it with hatchets and axes lest the noise should discover them but paring and filing it with instruments of iron and in short time there was roome for a man with his sheild and corslet on to go through All being ready Belisarius considered how the army entring by force there would be slaughter and such things as befall places forced by Enemies He sent therefore for Stephanus and sayd to him thus I have been at the taking of many Cities and and am acquainted with the usuall accidents therein They kill the men of all ages the women they vouchsafe not to kill though they beg it but lead them away for base and pitifull uses The children without other Education must learne to serve their greatest enemies whose hands are stained with their Fathers bloud I speake not of the fire which wil consume your goods and the beauty of your city Beholding as in a glasse in other ruined cities the miseries of Naples I pity it For my engins are ready wherewith I shall not faile to take it And while I am Generall I would not have an ancient city long inhabited with Christians and Romans come to this fortune the rather having in the army Barbarians enraged for the losse of brothers and kindred whom I shall not be able to restraine if they enter by hostility So that chuse the best for your selves while you may and avoyd this calamity which happening as it will blame not fortune but your owne Counsells Stephanus weeping reported to the People this Speech of Belisarius But they whose Subjection to the Emperour was to be accompanied with their mischiefe feared not nor thought of yeilding Then did Belisarius about Evening chuse out 400. men and gave the Command of them to Magnus a Captaine of Horse and Ennes Commander of the Isaurians whom he directed to stand ready with their Corselets on and with Swords and Shields till he should give the Signall And he sent for Bessas to advise with him of some things of Importance Far within night he told Magnus and Ennes the businesse shewed them the place where he had cut the Aquaeduct and commanded affright the Towne and to signifie to him what they did Himselfe had many scaling Ladders in readinesse They entred the Aquaeduct and went towards the Town and himselfe with Bessas and Photius staid in the place directing the Army to stand with their Armes ready and keeping many of the Valiantest men about himselfe More then the one halfe who were to enter apprehending the danger came back to the Generall and Magnus with them after much exhorting them to go on but not prevailing Belisarius rated them and gave Magnus 200. other of his owne Retinew whom Photius would have led and first entred the vault but Belisarius forbad him The Run-awaies ashamed at the reprehensions of Belisarius took hart and followed the rest Belisarius least the Enemies sentinels upon the Turret next the Aquaeduct should discover them went thither and bad Bessas talke with the Goths in their owne Language that they might not heare the clashing of the Armes Bessas aloud called to them to yeild promising many Advantages And they flouted him with scornefull Speeches against Belisarius and the Emperour The Aquaeduct is not onely covered without the Walls but so continues with a high Arch of Brick a great way within that Magnus and Ennes being within the City could not imagine where-about they were nor finde where to get up till their fore-most men came where they found the Roofe uncovered and where stood a Cottage and in it dwelt a Woman alone and very poore and at the top of the Aquaeduct grew an Olive Tree The men perceiving the Skie and themselves in the
unto them Great Actions fellow Souldiers prosper not commonly by suddaine Opportunities but by solid Counsels seasonable delaying often doing good and many undoing their hopes by undue hast For men unprovided though equall in numbers are more easily beaten in Fight then though inferiour in Powers yet well prepared Let us not therefore provoked with the present honour hurt our selves incurably It is better with a short disgrace to preserve a perperuall Reputation then avoding it for a moment to be ever confounded with Ignominy * Leander cals this Venetia Marca Trivigiana Our maine numbers and our magazines are in Gaule and Venetia and other remote Parts We have also a War with the Francks which before we have setled to enter into another is folly Who stands between two Enemies and hath not his eye upon one at once is commonly ruined by both I say then that we ought to go to Ravenna and having agreed the War with the Francks and disposed our businesse then to fight with Belisarius Let none be ashamed or feare that this Retraite will be called a running away A seasonable Imputation of Cowardize hath crowned many a man with Successe And the name of Valour gotten by some before the time hath ended in a Defeat Let us not affect Names but reall Advantages Actions in their conclusions not beginnings shew the worth of men They run not away who returne upon the Enemy with greater preparations but who hide themselves as if they would keep their Bodies ever alive And of this City be not affraid If the Romans be well affected to us they will secure it for us being to indure no extremity in the short time before we returne If they be unsure they will hurt us lesse by receiving the Enemy into their City it being ever best to Encounter men that hate us in an open way But this also I shall prevent leaving in it a strong Garrison and an able Commander and that being so setled we can have no hurt by this Retrait The Goths approved this advise of Vitigis and prepared for the Journey Then Vitigis using many Exhortations to Liberius the Bishop of Rome the Senate and People to think of Theodoricks Reigne and to continue their affections to the Gothish Nation he bound them in strong Oathes And leaving to guard Rome 4000. men under Leuderis a man ancient and much esteemed for his Wisedome he marcht to Ravenna with the rest of his Army taking the most part of the Roman Senators with him in the quality of Hostages There he married perforce Mattasuntha a Beautifull Virgin the Daughter of Amalasuntha that by alliance with the Blood of Theodorick he might make his Reigne firme Then he assembled the Goths from all parts and ranckt them in order distributing Horses and Armes to them Those onely lying in Gaule for feare of the Francks he sent not for The Francks were formerly called Germans where they first inhabited and how they incroached upon Gaule and then fell out with the Goths I will tell you I said before how from Calis and the Ocean into the Mediterranean the left hand continent is called Europe and that against it Africk and further on Asia The Countries beyond Africk I can say nothing of being not inhabited whereby the Spring of Nile is unknowne which they say comes from those Parts But Europe at the first is like Peloponesus having the Sea on both sides The first Province from the Ocean is named Spaine unto the Alpes which are in the Pyrenaean Mountaines the Natives calling narrow passages Alpes From thence Gaule reaches to Liguria where other Alpes divide the Gaules and Ligurians Gaule is broader then Spaine for Europe begins narrow and proceeds to a great breadth by degrees and it hath the Ocean on the North side and on the South the Tyrhene Sea Among other Rivers it hath the Rhone and the Rhine having contrary courses the Rhone into the Tyrrhene Sea but into the Ocean the Rhine Here Lakes also are where-about anciently these Germans did inhabit now called Francks a Barbarian Nation and at first not considerable Beyond them dwelt the †They inhabit some say Belgia about Brabant Arborychi subject formerly to the Romans as all the rest of Gaule and Spaine Augustus planted the Thuringians to the East of the Arborychi not far from whom to the South inhabited the Burgundians and beyond the Thuringians the Suevians and Almans Potent Nations All these were free States and from all Antiquity seated there In processe of time the Visigoths oppressing the Roman Empire subdued Spaine and Gaule to the River of Poe and made them tributary The Arborychi were then become Roman Souldiers whom the Germans or Francks to bring them in Subjection being their Borderers and for having abandoned their former Common-wealth pillaged and made a generall War upon them In this War the Arborychi shewed much Valour and Affection to the Romans And the Germans not able to force them offer'd to make them their Confederates which they willingly embraced both being Christians and being joyned into one people they grew into a great power Other Roman Souldiers also Garrison'd in the Confines of Gaule being not able to returne to Rome nor willing to mingle with the Goths their Enemies and Arrians yeilded themselves their Ensignes and the Country under their Guard to the Arborychi and Germans which they have left to their Posterity and preserved the Roman Customes which to my time they religiously observe They still are inrolled in the same Bands they anciently served in have their proper Ensignes in Fights and use the Roman Lawes and Habit and especially the Fashion of their Diadems The Roman State flourishing Gaule on this side the Poe was the Emperours But Odoacer usurping the same by the Tyrants cession the Visigoths had all Gallia Cisalpina to †The Author calls the Pyrean and the Apennine by the name of Alpes those Alpes which sever Gaule and Liguria Odoacer being slaine the Thuringians and Visigoths fearing the Germans power who were grown a strong multitude subduing all in their way sought allyance with the Goths And Theodorick afterward gladly contracted affinities with them Theudichusa his Daughter a young Virgin he betroathed to Alarick the younger Prince of the Visigoths and Amaloberga the Daughter of his sister Amalafrida he affianced to Hermenefridus Prince of the Thuringians And the Francks fearing Theodorick forbare to force the Visigoths and Thuringians but made Warr upon the Burgundians CHAP. XI AFterwards the Francks and Goths made a league against the Burgundians upon conditions to ruine the race of them and to subdue their Countrey and that the Conquerours shall have a Fine from the part not joyning in the War but the Country to be a common conquest of both The Francks accordingly went with a great Army against the Burgundians Theodorick made preparations in shew but delayed the expedition expecting the event At last he sent his Army which he bade march faire and softly and
five miles broad And the Gulph Melas from the Hellespont makes another of the same breadth in Chersonesus Whereas from Ravenna where ends the Jonian Gulph to the Tyrrhene Sea is eight days journey over land by reason the current of that Sea is carried out farre to the South-ward The first Towne on this side the Jonian Gulph is Otranto in Apulia To the North of that Town is part of Calabria and Samaium Next to which is Picenia reaching to Ravenna On the other side of that Town is the rest of Calabria then Bruttia and Lucania Next to which is Campania to the City of Taracina To them adjoynes the Territory of Rome These Nations hold both the shores of the Mediterranean and all the Mid-lands that way Here is that which was formerly called Magna Graecia In Bruttia are seated the Epizephyrian Locrians Crotonians and Thurians On the other side of the Jonian Gulph first are the Graecians of Epirus to Epidamnus which stands upon the Sea Bordering thereunto is the Province of Precalis Beyond which it is called Dalmatia accompted of the western Empire and all beyond it as Liburnia Istria and Venetia reaching to Ravenna Above these up into the Land are the Siscians and the Suevians not those subject to the Francks and the Carnians and Norioi beyond them To the right hand of whom are the Dacians and Pannonians holding Singidon Sirmium and other places extending to the river Ister The Nations on that side the Jonian gulph the Goths at the beginning of this war ruled Beyond Ravenna to the left hand and by North of the Poe are the Ligurians and beyond them North-ward the Albanians in an excellent Countrey called Languvilla To the West of these Nations are the Gauls and then the Spaniards To the South of the Poe is Aemilia and Tuscany which reaches to the Territory of Rome But Belisarius took all the said territory of Rome to the Tiber and fortified it round about which being in good estate he directed Constantianus with a band of his owne Targetiers and with Zanter Chorsomanus and Aeschmanus Hunnes and some of his Life-guard and other Forces to march into Tuscany and take in the Towns there And he gave order to Bessas to take Narnia a strong place in Tuscany Bessas was of the race of the Goths formerly inhabiting Thrace but followed not Theodorick into Italy He was valiant a skilfull Souldier and an excellent Captain and very dextrous in his own person He got Narnia by the Inhabitants good will and Constantianus as easily took Spoletum and Perusia and some other Towns in Tuscany the Tuscans willingly receiving him He placed a Garrison in Spoletum and himselfe with his Forces lodged in Perusia the cheife Citie in Tuscany Vitigis sent an Army against him under Vnilas and Pitzas whom Constantinus encountred in the Suburbs of Perusia At first the Barbarians having advantage in numbers the battaile was equall but at last the Romans by their valour routed them and killed them almost all Their Commanders they sent prisoners to Belisarius Vitigis upon this would stay no more at Ravenna where he attended Marcias and his Troops First he sent an Army under Asinarius and Vligisalus to recover Dalmatia to the Goths directing them to get Barbarians out of Suavia to joyne with them and so to march directly to Salonae Which to besiege by Sea also he sent along many Pinnaces Then himself prepared to go against Belisarius and Rome with no lesse then 150000. Horse and Foot the most of them armed horses and Men. Asinarius raised an Army of Suevians and Vligisalus led the Goths alone into Liburnia where he fought with the Romans at a place called Scardon was beaten and retired to the City of Burnus where he staid for Asinarius Constantianus hearing of Asinarius his preparations and fearing Salonae drew together the Souldiers garrison'd thereabout made a Ditch about the City walls and provided against a siege Asinarius with a great levy of Barbarians came to Burnus and joyning with Vligisalus march'd to Salonae They compast the Walls with their Trenches and manning their Pinnaces with souldiers blockt Salonae to the Sea-ward and so besieged it by Sea and Land But the Romans set sodainly upon their Pinnaces scattered them and sunck many with the men aboard and took many the men being gone Yet the Goths raised not their siege but were rather more eager upon the Romans within CHAP. XIV IN the meane time Vitigis hearing of the smalnesse of Belisarius his Army it repented him for retiring from Rome so not enduring longer where he was in much anger he marcht thitherward Upon the way he met a Roman Preist of whom they say he ask'd earnestly if Belisarius were yet at Rome as fearing not to catch him before his running away He bad him apprehend no such thing undertaking that Belisarius would not fly but stay upon the place Which made him hast the more openly praying to see Rome before Belisarius were run out of it Who hearing the whole Nation of Goths thus coming upon him was troubled For though his Army were very small he would not leave destitute Constantinus and Bessas nor abandon the places in Tuscany least with them the Goths should block up Rome So upon advice he sent to Constantinus and Bessas to leave competent Garrisons in the most important places and with the rest to come to Rome Constantinus accordingly placing Garrisons in Spoletum and Perusia came with the rest to Rome But Bessas staying to settle Narnia the Enemy passed that way and the Feilds and Suburbs were full of them being Avant-coureurs whom Bessas charged and defeated them and killed many but prest with their numbers he retired into Narnia where he left a Garrison and coming to Rome brought newes that the Enemie would speedily be with them Narnia stands almost 44. miles from Rome Vitigis would not spend time upon Perusia and Spoletum being strong places His desire was to find Belisarius in Rome before he was run away And Narnia possest by the Enemy and a place steep and hard of accesse he would not stir neither it stands on a high hill at the foot whereof is the River of Narnus giving the name to the City and it hath two ascents on the East and West sides the one narrow with ragged rocks to the other is no coming but over the bridge upon the River which is an ancient building of Augustus Caesar admirable to see and with the highest arches we know Vitigis not to spend time speedily went thence with his whole Army toward Rome marching through the Sabins Countrey Being within a mile and three quarters thereof he came to a bridg upon the Tiber where Belisarius had built a Tower and Gates and placed a Garrison The Tiber was every where passable by Boats and other Bridges but this he did to put the Enemy to more delay expecting from the Emperour more Forces and that the Romans might have the more time to bring in
your self against the Lord of the Goths and Italians How absurd is it for you shut up thus and affraid of your Enemies to lodge in Rome while her King lives in a trench acting the mischeifes of a war upon his own Subjects Yet will wee grant to you and your troopes a free retreat and leave to carry away your goods holding it not religious nor manly to insult upon men who have learnt to be sober again But we would willingly aske these Romans wherewith they can charge the Goths that they thus have betrayed both us and themselves having hitherto enjoyed our moderation and now finding what your aides are Belisarius to this speech made this answer Our season for fighting shall not be at your disposing men use not to make war by the advise of their Enemies whose Law is for every man to order his owne businesse to his owne liking The time will come when you would hide your heads in bushes and shall not be able We having taken Rome possesse nothing that is anothers You usurped it formerly being not yours and now have restored it to the ancient owners And who ever of you hopes to enter Rome without fighting he is mistaken It is impossible Belisarius should live and so much degenerate Thus spake Belisarius But the Romans for fear sate mute not daring to contradict the Ambassadors though reproached thus with treason Onely Fidelius was bold to reprove them being Prefect of the pallace made by Belisarius and most affected to the Emperours Service The Ambassadors were reconducted to the campe whom Vitigis askt what manner of man Belisarius was and how resolving touching his retreat They answered that the Goths hoped an impossibility if they thought to fright Belisarius whereupon Vitigis resolved to assault the City for which he was thus prepared He made Towers of wood equall with the walls having the just measure of them by often numbring the stones at the Bases and corners of the towers were wheeles which with ease were moved and turned about as the assailants pleased and drawn by oxen He fitted also many Ladders and made four Rammes which Engin is made first setting up four woodden pillars equall and opposite to each other into which are mortessed eight crosse beams four above and four into the Bases making the form of a little house four square This instead of roofe and walls was covered with Skins that it might be light to draw and they within secure from shot Within about the Engin aloft hangs another crosse beam with loose chains the top whereof is made sharpe and over it a great quantity of iron layd as on the head end of an arrow where the said iron is made four square like an anvill The Engin is raised upon four wheeles fastned to the four pillars and within fifty men at least move it who having set it to the walls draw the said loose beam backward with a pully then let it go with violence at the walls and by often shooting it thus it shakes and makes a breach where it hits hence the Engin hath the name the point of the said beam putting forth and pushing like a ram The Goths also had quantity of fagots of wood and reed ready to make the ground and the City ditch even for their Engins to passe without rubb Belisarius upon the other side placed upon the Towers engins called Balistae These have the form of a bow with a hollow horne sticking out beneath and hanging loose but lying upon a strait peice of Iron when they are to shoote they bend the two peices of wood making the two ends of the bow with cord and put the arrow upon the hollow horne being halfe so long as common arrowes and four times as thick It mounts not with feathers but instead thereof hath thinn peices of wood mortess'd in and it is in shape wholly like common arrowes having a head of iron proportionable to its thicknesse men at both ends bend the bow with pullyes and the hollow horne going forward at last falls off and out flies the arrow with such force that it reaches twice as far as an arrow from a bow and lighting upon tree or stone cleaves it asunder It is called Balistae because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shootes very far Other Engins were set upon the battlements proper for slinging stones and are like slings and are called wild Asses At the Gates they set up wolves These wolves were something like Potteulisses made thus They set two beams from the ground reaching to the battlements and laying Chequer wise peices of Timber wrought some upright and some a crosse they joynt them so that the mortessing holes meete one another And before each joynt sticks out a pointed peice of wood like a thick spurr and fastning the crosse timbers to another beam which from the top reaches half way down they lay the beams flat-long upon the Gates an Enemy approaching men above lay hold of the higher ends of the beams and thrust them down which falling suddenly among the Assailants with those wooden points sticking out kill all they light on Belisarius having these preparations the Goths conducted by Vitigis himself the eighteenth day of the siege about sun rising marcht to the assault The Towers and Rams in the head of them astonisht the Romans not used to such sights But Belisarius seeing the Enemies order with their Engins fell into a laughing and bade the Souldiers stand and begin no fight till he gave the Signall He imparted not the reason of his laughing but afterward it was known The Romans thinking he jeer'd them railed at him and called him an impudent man and extreamly murmured that he did not stop the Enemy coming neer or still Who being approacht the town ditch the Generall bent his bow and shot an armed man leading the rest into the neck and the wound being mortall the man fell downe with his face upward All the people of Rome upon the Battlements taking it for an excellent presage made a huge shout Belisarius shot again with the like fortune and againe there was a greater shout from the walls that the Romans within thought the Enemy had been vanquisht Then Belisarius gave the signall to the whole Army to shoot and commanded those about himselfe to employ all their Arrows against the Oxen which soone fell all and so the Enemy could neither bring on their Towers nor invent any remedy being puzzel'd in the midst of their business Then was known Belisarius providence not to stop them afar off and that he laughed at their sottishnesse in hoping to bring their Oxen to their Enemies walls so unadvisedly These things were about Porta Belisaria CHAP. XVIII BUT Vitigis being there repulsed left a good part of the Army ordered in a deep Batallion and directing the Commanders not to assaile the walls but to stand in their orders and ply the Battlements with shot to divert Belisarius from succouring another part which with
Romans singing their Paeans upon the walls extolling Belisarius with acclamations and some stripping the dead bodies and the Goths curing their wounded and mourning for their dead Belisarius also wrote to the Emperour this letter We are come into Italy according to your commands and have gained a great part of the Country and taken Rome expelling the Goths whose Commander Leuderis we send Belisarius defended Rome with 5000 against 150000. Goths But in the strong places of Sicily and Italy which we took by siege we have left the greatest part of our Armie that it is now reduced to 5000 men the Enemie assailing us with 150000. First going out to discover the Enemy neer the Tiber we were put to fight beyond our determination and were almost overwhelmed with the multitude of their Lances Afterward they made a generall assault with men and Engines on all sides and failed little of taking Rome at the first assault if fortune had not rescued us Hitherto what hath been done by fortune or valour hath succeeded well But now I must entreat what may conduce to your future service I will never conceale what it behoves me to say and you to do I know affaires goe as God guides them but the Governours of them get blame or commendation by the actions they perform So that Armes must be sent us and such numbers of Men as that we may encounter the Enemy with aequivalent powers We must not ever trust to fortune which runs not always one way And consider O Emperour That if the Goths now beat us we shall loose Italy now yours and our Army too besides the disgrace for our ill carriage of the businesse And we shall also undoe the Romans who have preferred their faith to your Empire before their safety and so will our prosperity prove the occasion of our calamity For if we had been repulsed from Italy or before from Sicily the lightest of misfortunes would have troubled us only not to be rich with other mens goods You are to consider also that Rome was never before kept so long with many thousands it compasses so much ground and being not upon the Sea it is excluded from necessaries The Romans yet are well affected to us but the prolongation of their miseries will make them choose the best for themselves New freinds to any men keep faith not when they suffer but when they prosper by them Besides the Romans will by famine be forced to do things they would not I know I owe my death to your Majesty so that none shall ever pull me out of this place alive But think what glory such a death of Belisarius will bring you The Emperour upon this letter gathered an Army and Ships and sent direction to Valerianus and Martinus who were dispatch'd with an Army about the Winter Solstice to saile for Italy with all speed but not able to keep the Sea further went on Land and wintred in Aetolia and Aâ—arnania The Emperour advertised Belisarius thereof which much comforted him and the Romans In the mean time in Naples this happened The Image of Theodorick King of the Goths stood in the Market-place made of small peeble stones dyed into all colours In his life time the stones of the head of this Image peeled and shed off and presently after he dyed Eight years after the peebles forming the Images belly dropt off and instantly Atalarick dyed Theodoricks daughters son soon after fell off the pebles upon the privities and then his daughter Amalasuntha was murthered And now the Goths besieging Rome the limbs down to the Images feet were in the same manner spoiled and the whole out-side defaced and the Romans divining upon it were confident of the Emperours prevailing in this Warr taking Theodoricks feete for his Subjects the people of the Goths In Rome also some Patricians produced Oracles of Sibylla that the Cities danger would last but till July when the Romans should have a King through whom they should no more feare Geticke Nations And the Goths they say are a Nation of Getes In the Oracle it is the fifth moneth which they interpreted July some because the siege began in the beginning of March from which July is the fifth others because before Numa March was the first moneth there being but ten in all whence July was called Quintilis But this was mistaken all For the Romans had no such King and the siege was raised after that time and another siege was under Totilas King of the Goths as shall be said hereafter I conceive the Prophesie to intend not this but some other invasion of Barbarians happened already or to come And to find the meaning of Sibylla's Oracles before the event is not possible for a cause I shall tell you having read them all over Sibylla utters not things in order nor with any congruity Having said a few words of the calamities of Africa instantly she leaps into Persia Then talks of the Romans then comes to the Assyrians Then having prophesied again of the Romans she fore-tels the miseries of the Brittons that it is not possible to understand her before the event of her Oracles when time having made the tryall proves the only exact Interpreter thereof But to return to my matter CHAP. XX. THE Goths were thus repulsed and both parts past that night as I have sayd The next day Belisarius commanded the Romans to send away their Wives and Children to Naples and such servants as were not usefull for defence of the City to save victuals and he willed the Souldiers to send away their women servants telling them he should not be able to feed such but must be constrained to put themselves to half victuals every day to take the remainder of their entertainments in money They did so and multitudes went into Campania some getting shipping at the Port of Rome and the rest going by Via Appia by Land And neither that way nor to the Port feared they danger the Enemie being not able to encompasse Rome with their Entrenchments nor daring in small parties to be far from their Camp for feare of the Romans excursions That the besieged had meanes enough for a time to remove out of the Citie and to bring in provisions especially by night For the Goths were affraid and attending their Guards kept in and the Moores often sallyed and finding them either asleep or in small companies upon the wayes to pasture their Cattell or to get necessaries for themselves as is usuall in great Armes they killed and stript them and if they saw numbers of Enemies charging them they ran home being naturally swift of foot lightly apparelled and beginning to fly in time Thus the uselesse multititude got away out of Rome some into Campania some into Sicily or whether they could with most ease But the Souldiers being few and not sufficient for so great a circuit of wall and some being to take their rest while others guarded and the common people being poor handi-crafts men
the difference between training men to their Armes in Camps and an experimentall perfectnesse in the Actions of War though by charging also with small Forces to indamage the Enemy And so he sent 500. Horse to approach the Walls and what they had suffered from a few to act upon the Enemies whole Army These got to a rising ground neere the City onely out of Arrow shot and there stood Belisarius commanded Bessas with a 1000. selected men to charge them These made a compasse and shooting the Enemies backs killed many and forced the rest to come downe to the plaine ground where the Fight being with Sword and Lance and with unequall powers the Goths were most cut in peices and the rest retired with difficulty to their Campe whom Vitigis reviled as beaten through want of Valour Three daies after he sent out 500. selected out of all the Quarters and bad them do as became their Valour and Reputation Belisarius seeing them approach sent against them Martinus and Valerianns with their 1500. Horse who exceeding the Enemy so much in numbers with ease routed them and killed almost every man The Enemy thought it strang ill Fortune to be beaten before being many by a few and now being few to be cut in peices CHAP. XXII BUT the Romans extolled Belisarius for his Wisdome admiring him as they had reason One of his Favourites askt him what Argument he saw that day wherein he escaped the Enemy to be so full of the hope of Victory He answered that beginning to fight with them with a few in his Company he found the difference of either Army such as if he make his Fights proportionable to his Powers the Enemies multitude shall not ruine his small numbers The difference was that the Romans almost all and the auxiliary Hunnes were Archers on Horseback a matter not practised by the Goths whose Horse-men have only Lances and Swords and all their Archers fight on foot covered with their armed men so that the Horse-men unlesse the Fight be at handy blowes having nothing to resist with are easily shot and ruined by the Enemy using Bowes and their Foot cannot make excursions against Horse These he alleadged to be the reasons of their being beaten in the former Encounters But the Goths finding how strangly things fell out would no more ride up to the Walls in small Parties nor pursue the Enemy infesting but so much only as to drive them from their Trenches The Romans exalted with these Prosperities longed to come to a generall Battell and would have the War made in an open brave way but Belisarius seeing the great odds against him was fearfull to hazard his whole Army at last wearied with the railings of the Army and Roman Citizens he resolved to give Battell but to begin with Excursions Often he was repulsed attempting and forced to put it off till the next day But at last finding the Enemy advertised by Fugitives what would be and beyond his Expectation in readinesse he determined to fight in the open way which the Goths gladly entertained And both Parties being Imbattelled Belisarius made this Speech to his Army Fellow Souldiers I have been backward to come to a Battell with the Enemy not condemning you of faintnesse nor fearing their Powers but because in this way of Excursions we have prospered and I thought it best to ply the cause of our prospering holding it inconvenient for men setled in a course to their mind to be altered by others But seeing now your forwardnesse to hazard I hope well and will be no further a stop to your Courage knowing that in War the Resolutions of those that fight contribute the greatest part of the Successe and that most things are acted by their Alacrity And your selves know not by heare-say but by your daily experience that few well ordered with Valour can conquer multitudes It is now in your power not to blemish the glory of my former Stratagems nor my hope in this your Alacrity All we have acted in this War must be judged by the Successe of this day The present opportunity is for us and in likely-hood will subdue the Enemy to us their Courage being dejected by what is past and the Resolutions of men often unfortunate seldome performing valiantly Let none therefore spare his Horse or Bow what is spoiled in Fight shall instantly be supplied by me Belisarius having thus said led out the Army at Porta Pinciana and Salaria Valentinus a Captain of Horse he sent out at Porta Aurelia to Nero's Feilds with not many whom he directed not to begin any Fight nor to approach the Enemies Campe but still to make countenance of charging thereby to keep the Enemy there from passing †the Bridge * Pons Milvius which stood something distant from the City to succour the other Quarters For he held it enough to cut off those in Nero's Feilds being many from succouring the rest of the Enemy The Commons of Rome being Voluntaries he would not mingle with the Souldiers in the Battell fearing least being handicrafts men unexperienced in War they might upon apprehension of the danger disorder the Army So he commanded them to stand in a Battallion without Porta Pancratiana beyond the Tiber till he gave the Signall imagining that which fell out that the Enemy in Nero's Feilds who were in great numbers seeing them and Valentinus Troopes would not venter out of their quarter to joyne with the rest of the Gothish Army and to keep them divided he took to be a matter of great Importance He resolved also that day to fight with Horse onely for most of the Foot having stolne Horse from the Enemy and being skilfull Riders were turned Horse-men And so his Foot being few not able to make a Batallion of any Importance nor daring to fight but in case to run away at the first charge he thought it safest to place them not far from the City and caused them to stand still close to the City Ditch to receive the Horse if they were beaten back and being fresh to help to resist the Enemy But Principius one of his Guard a Pisidian and an approved Souldier and Tarmutus an Isaurian Brother to Ennes Collonell of the Isaurians came to Belisarius and said this Excellent Generall suffer not your small Army encountring so many thousands to want your Battallion of Foot nor put not a disgrace upon the Roman Infantry by which the Empire of the ancient Romans arrived to so much greatnesse If in this War they have done little Service it is no Argument of their Cowardise but their Commanders are to beare the blame for serving on Horse-back and not esteeming the Fortune of the War common to all nay often running away before the Fight Now you see our Foot Commanders all Horse-men not contented to serve with those under their Conduct And keep them Sr. with the other Horse in this Battel but suffer us to lead on the Foot and we alighting on foot will with
of them named Theoctistus pressing with his hand behind upon the neck askt if it pained him he answering that it did then quoth the Surgeon your life is safe and your Sight unhurt This his confidence was because he found the head of the Arrow not far from the Skin such of the Shaft which stuck out he cut off and threw away then opened the Fibres or small Strings where his pain was most and drew out the Arrow head with the rest of the Shaft that way with ease So Arzes was not only unmaimed but had not so much as a Skar left in his Face But the Dart being pulled violently out of Cutilas head where it stuck deep and fast he swounded then the Meninges inflaming he fell into a Phrensie and died quickly Buchas thigh fell into such a bleeding by reason the Muscle was cut crosse-way that he died within three daies The Romans mourned that night for these mis-fortunes and from the Goths Trenches heard extream Lamentations They wondred at it not supposing the Enemy to have received any notable losse but to have had much more in former Skirmishes which troubled them not by reason of their multitudes Incipit Annus 3. bel Goth. 11. Reg. Justinian An. Dom. 537. The next day they knew that it was for many of the bravest men they had slain in Buchas first Encounter in Nero's Feilds Many petty Skirmishes there were which I mention not In all there were during the Seige 67. the two last shall be related in their due place And then ended the Winter and the second yeare of this War written by Procopius CHAP. III. SOone after the middle of the Summer the City was visited with Famine and Pestilence and the Souldier also was in want of Corn but of no other Provision But the Citizens besides that want were sorely prest with the Famine and Pestilence The Goths found it and resolved to hazard no more Fights but with Garrisons to hinder the importing Provisions to the Enemy Two Aquaeducts between Via Latina and Via Appia high built with goodly Arches meet at a place about six miles from Rome then that which took the right-hand way before goes to the left crossing one another and again they meet and sever again inclosing the ground in the middle and the Goths damming up the Arches with Stone and Earth made it as a Castle and lodged in it a Garrison of 7000. men to cut of the Roman Forragers The Romans then grew hopelesse compassed with every species of misery While the Corn was some Souldiers the most daring rode out in the night and cut off the Eares and brought them in unseen by the Enemy upon spare Horses and sould them to the Rich for great Sums The rest lived upon Grasse growing within and neer the Walls The Feilds about Rome being green with Grasse Summer and Winter which served the Army for their Horses Some made Saussages of Mules flesh which died in the Towne and sould them secretly But the Corn being gone and the Citizens in extremity they flockt about Belisarius urging him to end all in one Battell and promising that not a Citizen should be absent from it He was much troubled and the Commons still importuned saying that their present Condition had over-taken them suddenly and that their hopes ended in the quite contrary having gotten what they longed for and yet now being in this Calamity And their former Opinion of doing well in affecting the Emperours Protection being now their folly and the ground of their misery which now necessitated them to a daring and again to put on Armes against the Enemy They craved Pardon though sawcy with Belisarius A hungry belly knowes no modesty and their fool-hardinesse to fight Fortune must excuse seeing life prolonged in misery is of all the most grievous That he saw their case their Farmes in the Country in the Enemies hands and their City blockt up the Citizens lying dead without earth to cover them and the Survivers wishing their Carkasses lying by them all mischiefes being made tolerable by the Plague and forgotten when that appeares it making all other Deaths but from it selfe a kind of pleasure They prayed leave to try their Fortune in Fight before the sicknesse had utterly subdued them either they should conquer or be rid of their troubles Men who have hope in delaying are unwise to hazard all with forwardnesse but in such as find their match the worse by deferring a little delay is more to be blamed then instant rashnesse To this Speech Belisarius made this answer This is no more then I expected from you I know what an inconsiderate thing a common People is who neither can beare the present nor provide for the future only it can attempt Impossibilities and ruine it selfe unadvisedly But let me never willingly destroy you and the Emperours Affaires by your negligence The War prospers not by bruitish eagernesse but by weighing the Opportunities wisely and with consultation You thinking you are at Dice will throw at all but it is my manner not to chuse hasty but profitable counsels You promise to fight with the Enemy in our Company since when have you been trained to your Armes and were you perfect therein who knowes not that a Battell is not proper to try Masteries in In the Fight the Enemy will not give you leave to practise and learn I commend therefore your forwardnesse and pardon this Tumult But why it is not seasonable and why we use a provident backwardnesse I will tell you The Emperour hath sent a mighty Army gathered out of all Lands and a Fleet the like whereof the Romans never had covering the shores of Campania and much of the Jonian Gulfe These Forces are coming to us and will deliver you from your feares and over-whelme the Barbarians with their Arrowes and I defer our fighting till their Arrivall to get rather a secure Victory then by adventring without reason to abandon our safety and I will take order they shall be with us without delay Belisarius with this quieted the Commons and dismist them And it being reported that the Emperour would send Forces to Naples he dispatcht Procopius thither the Writer of his History with Instructions to freight Ships with Corn and to assemble the Souldiers come from Constantinople and the Horse-men quartred in those Countries and marching then into Campania to take also some out of every Garrison and to convoy the Corn to Ostia Procopius went out at Saint Pauls Gate with Mundilas one of the Life-guard and some Horse-men and were not seen by the Enemy quartered by Via Appia When Mundilas at his return reported how Procopius was by that time in Campania without meeting a Goth who went not out of their Camp in the night they all took hart And Belisarius grown bolder sent store of Horse to the next Fortresses from thence to charge the Enemies Forragers and to lay Ambushes to cut of their bringing Provisions to the Camp that
So that taking the Cock-boats of the greater Ships and walling them round with boards to guard the men from shot they put aboard those Boats a proportion of Archers and Marriners and stowing as much as they could carry in them and getting a wind they sailed up the Tiber a part of the Army winging them on the right hand shore And they left a strong guard of Isaurians in the Ships Their sailes they tooke from the Enemy and went up with ease Only where the Stream with an eddy went side-long their sails had no wind for them and the Marriners rowed and with much toyle forced up The Barbarians interrupted them not either fearing to hazard or not thinking provisions could be imported that way And they held it inconvenient to crosse the Cessation promised upon a slight occasion In Portus also the Goths medled not with them as they sayled by them wondring what their intent was Having in this manner sailing to and fro imported their ladings the Marriners went away with the Ships it being now toward the Winter Tropick The rest of the Army entred Rome save Paulus who staid in Ostia with some Isaurians Afterward they gave Hostages for observing the Cessation the Romans Zeno and the Goths Vlias a man of quality Neither to invade the other for three moneths till the Ambassadors should bring the Emperours resolution And if any should begin to wrong the other yet the Ambassadors should be returned home safe The Goths Ambassadors were convoyed by the Romans to Constantinople and Ildiger who married Antonina's daughter came from Africk to Rome with a faire troop of Horse The Goths in the Castle of Portus wanting provisions quitted it and came to the camp by Vitigis direction The place Paulus with his Isaurians from Ostia surprized It was the Romans being Masters of the Sea which caused these wants of Victuall permitting no Provisions to come to the Barbarians Upon the like scarcity they quitted then also Centumcellae a Sea Towne of much importance great and populous and standing in Tuscany 35. miles to the West of Rome The taking of it much strengthened the Romans and of Alba likewise standing to the East of Rome and abandoned by the Enemy for the same reason So that the Romans compassed them round which made the Goths eager to breake the Accord and to do them mischiefe They sent Ambassadors to Belisarius complaining that Vitigis having upon some occasion sent for the Goths from the Castle of Portus Paulus without any reason had surprized it and pretending the like for Alba and Centumcellae with menaces if they had not restitution Belisarius sent them away laughing at their pretext all men knowing why they quitted those places From hence forward they were suspicious of each other Belisarius seeing then Rome strong with Souldiers sent out many parties of Horse to places neer Rome And Vitalianus Johns Nephew to winter about Alba in Picenia with his own 800. Horse and 400. of the Troopes of Valerianus whose Sisters Son Damianus commanded them and 800. of his own Targetiers extraordinary good men led by two of his Life-guard Sutas and Abigis These he directed to follow John withersoever and him while the Enemy kept the Truce to be quiet but if they broke it suddenly to fall upon Picenia to visit the Townes before they had newes of his coming few men being left in the Country but almost all before Rome and their Wives Children and Goods being in every Town some and to carry away Captive and pillage all he found taking care not to hurt the Roman Inhabitants lighting upon any Town Fortified and Garrison'd to attempt it and if he took it to march forward but if were too tough for him to come back or stay For going on with a strong Town at his back it would be dangerous and he could hardly be succoured if distressed by an Enemy that he should keep all the Booty to be distributed to the Army Then smiling he added this word That it is not just for some to toile to kill the Droanes and others at their ease to eat the Honey Belisarius with these Instructions sent away John and those Forces ABout that time Datius Bishop of Millane with some chiefe Citizens came to Rome and intreated of Belisarius some Souldiers with whom they undertook not only to draw Millane from the Goths to the Emperour but all Liguria This City is in †Liguria * This Author cals much more Liguria then now is Leander sates there was a Liguria Cisappeninna anciently The Liguria now he names Transappennina in the mid way between Ravenna and the Alpes which are upon the Frontier of Gaule standing eight daies Journey from either Next to Rome it was the greatest of the Western Cities and the most populous and rich Belisarius promised as they desired and kept them there the Winter but Fortune grew envious at the Romans Prosperity and meant to temper it with some ill putting a quarrell between Belisarius and Constantianus upon a slight ground Persidius a Roman Citizen of quality who dwelt at Ravenna having offended the Goths when Vitigis was upon leading his Army to Rome under a pretence with some few Servants to go a hunting ran away communicating his Designe to none nor carrying money nor money-worth save two short Swords with Scabberds set with much Gold and precious Stones Being come to Spoletum he lodged in a Church without the Walls which Constantianus then there understanding sent Maxentiolus one of his Targetiers and took the Cimiters from him who being grieved at the wrong went to Rome to Belisarius whether soon after came Constantianus also the Goths Army being reported to be neer While the Romans were in trouble and danger Persidius was silent but they having the better and the Goths Embassadours being dispatched to the Empetour he acquainted Belisarius with the Injury praying his assistance in his just Cause who in Person and by others reproved Constantianus and advised him to wash his hands of so foule an Imputation But Constantianus who was to have a mischiefe put off the advise with a Jest and flouted the man he had wronged Who meeting Belisarius riding through the Market place took his Horse by the Bridle and clamouring aloud askt if it were the Emperours Law that when a poor Suppliant comes for refuge from Barbarians any man may take from him what he hath about him The Company threatned him and bad him let go the Bridle which he would not do before Belisarius promised to give him the Swords The next day he called Constantianus and many Commanders to a Room in the Palace putting him in mind of the Accident the day before and though late to restore the Cimiters He said he would sooner throw them into the Tiber Belisarius grew angry and askt if he took not himselfe to be under his command In other things he professed to obey him since it was the Emperours pleasure but that which he now commanded he
would never do Belisarius then had his Guard to come in is it to kill me quoth Constantianus no said Belisarius but to compell your Targetier Maxentiolus to restore to the man his Swords which he took from him by violence and brought them to you Constantianus supposing yet it was to kill him thought first to do some brave Act and drawing a short Sword made a thrust suddently at the Belly of Belisarius who amazed stept back and embracing Bessâ—us who stood next him avoided the danger Constantianus yet in rage made at him but Ildeger taking him by the right hand and Valerianus by the left drew him back Then came in the Guard who wrested his Sword from him and snatcht him away Then they hurt him not respecting the Commanders present but they led him to another Room and there by Belisarius Command killed him This was the only †impious Act ever done by Belisarius * This History is supplied in the secret History where it appeares to be impious indeed not conformable to the much moderation he had still used to all men But as I said Constantianus was to have a mischiefe Shortly after the Goths had a designe upon Rome They let down some men into an Aquaeduct whose water they had cut off in the beginning of the Seige these with Lamps and Torches searched for an entrance into the City Not far from Porta Pinciana an Arch of this Aquaeduct had a breach in it out of which a Centinell saw light and told it his fellowes they said it was a Wolfe there being no Land to be seen over the building of the Acquaeduct they took it to be a Wolfes eyes shewing like fire The Goths in the Aquaeduct came into the midst of the City where had been an ascent into the Palace and found there a Building made by Belisarius providently in the beginning of the Seige which hindred their further passage or ascent So they took a small Stone out of it and returned to Vitigis shewing him the Stone and relating the particulars who held a Counsell about it The next day the Romans upon the Guard at Porta Pinciana had speech of their suspition about the Wolfe which being spred and coming to the wise Generall he did not slightly give eare to it but instantly let down into the Aquaeduct Diogenes one of his Life-guard with some choice men to search who found scattered Lamps of the Enemy and droppings of Torches and saw where they had taken out the Stone and reported all to Belisarius whereupon he kept a strong Guard upon the Aquaeduct which the Goths perceiving forbare the attempt But they prepared to give an open Assault and at dinner time with scaling Ladders and fire they came unlookt for to Porta Pinciana hoping to take the City so by a sudden on-set few Souldiers being left within it Ildeger then kept the Watch with his Company every man being appointed to guard by turnes Seeing the Enemy approach disorderly he charged them not ranckt for a Fight but marching in confusion and he routed and killed them At the noise the Romans ran up to the Walls and the Goths without doing any thing retired Vitigis then had another designe the Walls are very assaultable by the Tibers Banck the Ancients having built the Wall carelesly there and low without Towers trusting to the Fortification of the River Here he hoped to take the City there being no considerable guard He corrupted two Romans dwelling about Saint Peters Church to repaire to the Sentinels there with a Vessell of Wine about the Evening and with some colour of kindnesse to bestow the Wine on them to sit drinking with them till midnight and to throw into their Cups a sleepie Drug which he gave them He prepared Boats upon the opposite Shore in which the Goths upon a Signall the Sentinels being asleep were to passe over and assault and he put the whole Army in readinesse to force the City But one of the men hired for the Service Rome being not to be taken by that Army of Goths revealed the Plot to Belisarius and discovered his fellow who upon torture opened all and shewed the Drug given by Vitigis Belisarius cut of his Nose and Eares and sent him upon an Asse into the Enemies Camp who seeing him saw God preventing their Counsels and therefore the City by them not to be taken CHAP. VIII IN the mean time Belisarius wrote of John to attend close his businesse And he with 2000. Horse forraged Picenia taking all in his way Women and Children Captives And he overthrew Vlithius Vitigis his Uncle killing him and almost his whole Army †Auximum is now called Osano in Marca Anconitanna subiect to the Pope that none durst encounter him †At Auximum he heard there was but a weak Garrison of Goths but finding the place strong and hard to take he would not beseige it but marcht forward He left also Vrbinum and marcht toward Ariminum and daies Journey from Ravenna whether some Romans invited him The Goths being jealous of the Townes-men when they heard of the Roman Army coming toward them ran all away So John got Ariminum and left at his back Garrisons in Auximum and Vrbinum not forgetting Belisarius Instructions nor upon any ungrounded temerity being one who had Discretion mixt with Valour but considering what came to passe that when the Goths heard a Roman Army to be neer Ravenna they would instantly raise their Seige affraid of the place And he lighted upon a right conceit for Vitigis and the Goths understanding Ariminum to be in his Possession and extreamly fearing Ravenna made a direct Retreat without any further consideration for which John got a great Reputation being before generally famous a daring man laborious in his own Person and fearlesse in dangers He used a hard Diet and in toiles was inferiour to no Barbarian or common Souldier Mattasuntha Vitigis Wife offended with her Husband who at first attained her Bed by violence and hearing John to be in Ariminum was glad of it and secretly treated with him touching a Marriage and a plot of Treason This they negotiated by Messages unknown to any And the Goths having the newes of Ariminum and their Provisions failing and the three Months being expired made their Retreat though they heard nothing of their Ambassadours successe About the Summer Tropick having spent one yeare and nine daies in this Seige they burnt up their Hutts and by day-break began their Journey The Romans seeing them doubted what to do their main body of Horse being not present but sent out severall waies as I have said and conceiving themselves not able to fight with such multitudes Yet Belisarius armed his Horse and Foot and more then halfe the Enemies being past over the Bridge he sallied at Porta Pinciana The Fight came to the Sword and Lance and the Goths first stifly sustaining the Enemy many fell on both sides But afterward the Goths being routed made their
of the last words of this Letter and said that Belisarius did now advise against the good of the State and therefore they were not bound to follow him CHAP. XV. BElisarius upon this sent Peranius with an Army to beseige Vrbiventum Himselfe led the rest to Vrbinum a strong Town a daies journey from Ariminum which had a good Garrison of Goths within it Narses and John followed him but before the Town they encamped severally at the foot of the Hill Belisarius on the East side Narses on the West Vrbinum stands upon a round high Hill not craggy but unsafe to mount only for the steepnesse and neernesse to the City Towards the North is an entrance upon plain ground Belisarius the Army being thus quartered sent Ambassadours to the Goths hoping to bring them being affraid to a composition and promising many advantages by their submission to the Emperour The Ambassadours at the Gates being not admitted into the Town used many allurements but the Goths presuming upon the strength of the place and their aboundance of Provisions rejected them and their motions Belisarius upon this caused the Army to gather Poles and with them to make a Gallery for men to approach the Gates and Walls under this covert Some Friends of Narses told him that Belisarius laboured in vain John having attempted the place when the Garrison was small and found it impregnable therefore he should take in the Emperours Townes in Emilia Narses upon this advise rose that night though much wooed by Belisarius to stay and help to take Vrbinum and went to Ariminum with the rest of the Army Morras and the Goths under him in the morning seeing halfe the Army gone flouted from their Walls at those that staid behind But Belisarius with them resolved to assault and consulting about it he had strange Successe The only Fountain in Vrbinum which watred all the Inhabitants grew dry of it selfe and in three daies so failed that the Goths drunk the water with mud whereupon they determined to yeild whereof Belisarius not knowing put the Army in readinesse to assault round about the Hill and commanded to bring on the wooden Gallery upon the even ground The men within unseen by the Enemy brought the same on at which the Goths held out their hands crying for peace The Romans knowing nothing of the Fountain conceived that it was the Fight they feared which they gladly forbare And the Goths rendred themselves and Town to Belisarius upon composition of indemnity they becoming Subjects to the Emperour serving in the Army with equall conditions Narses wondred to heare the Newes and took it for a misfortune He lay still in Ariminum but commanded John with the Army to lead out against Cesina They approach the Castle with their scaling Ladders upon their backs assaulted But the Goths defended stoutly and Phanotheus Leader of the Herulians was slain and many more so that John would attempt it no more seeming impregnable but marcht on with Justinus and the rest of the Army and took an ancient City named Forum Corneliâ— by surprise And he recovered all Emilia the Goths avoiding still to fight with him Belisarius also having taken in Vrbinum thought it not expedient being at the Winter Tropick to go against Auximum expecting a long Seige of it the place being strong and impossible to be forced by reason the Goths within it were many and of the best who having forraged much Country had brought in great quantity of Provisions so that he appointed Aratius to winter in Firmum and to restrain the Goths incursions and to spoile the Country and himselfe marcht against Vrbiventum perswaded by Peranius who had learnt of run awaies that the Goths within wanted Victuall and that it was thought they would yeild upon sight of Belisarius Army which came so to passe Belisarius quartered his Army before it and himselfe went round and viewed the Town and found it not possible to be taken by force but he thought by some plot it might be faisable Vrbiventum is built upon a Hill standing alone in a Valley and being plain at the top and towards the bottome craggy About it a stones cast off are many Rocks and the Town hath no Walls nor other Fortification Nature having made it impregnable in regard there is but one way to it between those Rocks which being guarded the Townes-men feare no invasion at any other part And where the way into the Town is a large River unfordable takes up all the space between the Hill and those Rocks So that there is only a small Fortification at the said passage and a Gate to it which the Goths guarded CHAP. XVI BUT Belisarius begirt the Town with his Army hoping to incommode the Enemy from the River and to take them by Famine The Goths for a while were in no absolute wants and though furnished very barely yet they indured beyond expectation having not Food to satisfie but to keep alive only and their Provisions being failed they fed upon Hides and Skins soaked in water and upon vain hopes which Albilas their Commander gave them a man of great Reputation with the Goths The Summer being come the Corn in all those parts grew of it selfe but not in such quantity as formerly being not covered under Furrowes by the Plow and Harrow but lying upon the Face of the Land which could yeild so but small Crop And none being to reap it much shed and never grew again The same happened in Emilia that the Inhabitants went all into Picenia which being upon the Sea they thought the Famine not to be so much there Which seised also upon Tuscany but there the Mountainers grinded Acornes and made bread which bred all kind of Diseases in many but some recovered and lived But in Picenia 50000. Roman Husbandmen at least perished and more on this side the Jonian Gulfe I have seen their Countenances and manner of deaths They grew lanck and pale the Flesh wanting Food according to the old saying feeding on it selfe Choler prevailing spred a wan Complexion over their Bodies And as the Disease grew all moisture forsook them the Skin was hard like a tanned Hide and lookt as if it cleft to the bones afterwards they became black-coloured and like Lincks much burnt Their Countenance were hideous like mad-men and as most dyed for want of Sustenance so some with greedy feeding whose heat being quenched within if they were nourished to satisfaction and not by little and little like Babes new born being not able to digest the meat they dyed Some forced by the Famine fed upon one another Two Women in a Village beyond Ariminum were reported to have eaten 17. men they onely were left alive in the place and so Passengers lodged in their Cottage whom they killed sleeping and eat them As they were attempting the like upon the 18. he waked and finding out the truth killed them both Many being pincht with this Famine went where there was Grasse and stooping
to gather it but being not strong enough to pull it up they fell upon their hands and dyed with the Grasse in their mouths None buried any nor had the least thought of Funeralls The very ravenous Fowles that feed on dead bodies would not touch them there being no flesh left to allure them which the Famine had consumed all So grievous was that Famine But Belisarius sent Martinus and Vliaris with an Army against Vrbias and the Goths whom he heard to besiege Millan They encamped and stayd upon the Poe a dayes journey from Millan and spent much time in consulting about their passage over the River Which Mundilas understanding sent one Paulus a Roman to them who slipt by the Enemy and finding no Boats upon the Poe stript himselfe and in great danger swam over the River Coming to the Roman Campe he told the Commanders Martinus and Vliaris that they did unjustly and not befitting their reputations to come there in pretence to serve the Emperour but in effect to augment the Goths power That Millan the cheife of the Italian Cities for bignesse wealth and populousnesse being a Bulwark for the whole Roman Empire against the Germans and other Barbarians is now in perill with Mundilas and the Emperours Forces and yet by them neglected The wrong they did the Emperour he would forbeare to aggravate time not allowing many words but demanding speedy succour whilst yet some hope is left That therefore they must instantly releive Millan if they delayed it Our fortunes quoth he will be after the bitterest sufferings to perish and yours to betray the Emperours Souldiers to the Enemy .. Seeing such are justly sayd to betray not onely who open their Gates to an Enemy but who having meanes to rescue their best Freinds beseiged by preferring a backward security before hazarding abandon them to the Enemy Paulus spake in that sort and Martinus and Vliaris promised him to follow immediately and so sent him away who entred Millan by night revived the Souldiers and other Romans and made them yet more cheerfull in their Faith to the Emperour CHAP. XVII BUT still the Troops with Martinus were backward and lay still and so continued long Martinus to put the blame from himselfe wrote thus to Belisarius You sent us out to releive our distressed Freinds in Millan we have used our best diligence and are as farr as the River of Poe which the Army feares to passe hearing that in Liguria is a great Army of Goths and a multitude of Burgundians with whom we conceive our selves not able to fight Command therefore John and Justinus who are our neighbours in Emilia to joyne their Troops with us in this adventure whereby we shall be safe our selves and doe some hurt to the Enemy Belisarius upon receite of this Letter commanded John and Justinus immediately to joyne with Martinus for Millan They refused unlesse Narses directed them whereupon Belisarius wrote thus to Narses Consider how the Emperours Army is one body If as members in bodies you be not all of a minde but will be doing one without anothers concurrence in the end having done nothing you should you will all perish Wherefore leave Emilia which hath no strong place in it and for 〈◊〉 present is not of any importance to us and command John and Justinus immediately to march with Martinus against the Enemy before Millan whose Troops are neer the same and well furnisht to vanquish the Barbarians From hence it is not convenient to send Forces thither much time will be spent in the march that they will come after the season and being come they will not be able to use their Horses in a fight after so long a journey But those and Martinus and Vliaris marching to Millan in likely hood will beat the Goths and then againe subdue Emilia none being to oppose them Narses after perusall of this Letter wrote to John and Justinus to march to Millan accordingly John afterwards was sent to the Sea-coast to get Barks for transporting the Army over the Poe but a sicknesse hindred his businesse In the mean time of this backwardnesse of Martinus Troops and Johns staying for Narses his Orders the Besieged became infinitely distressed with Famine The extremity constrained them to feed on Dogs Rats Mice and such uncouth creatures The Goths sent to Mundilas to render the City offering Indempnity to himselfe and the Souldiers He accepted so they would give assurances of performance and not use hard measure to the Inhabitants When the Enemy had given assurances to Mundilas and the Souldiers but being angry with the Ligurians appeared resolved to destroy them he called the Souldiers and spake thus If ever men have chosen to dye honourably when they might have lived basely such would I have you now to be and not for love of breath to live in disgrace the rather being of the Schoole of Belisarius where you have learnt so plentifully that it were impious not to be generous and extreamly daring To all men that come into this light one fate is appointed in their due time to dye But in the manner of their deaths men are distinguished Cowards first becoming the scorn and laughter of their Foes fulfill their destiny too in their defined times But generous men suffer the same with Virtue and an advantage of Honour If by becoming Slaves to the Barbarians we could preserve this People our base preservation would have an excuse but for us to behold so many Romans destroyed by the Enemy is more bitter then any death for we shall seem even to have helpt the Goths to act this Calamity Whilst therefore we are yet Masters of our selves and can beare necessity with Virtue let us make this our hard Fortune our Glory My Opinion is to arme our selves compleatly and to sally upon the Enemy not looking for us We shall gain one of these two either Fortune to do something for us or else an honourable riddance of our miseries by a happy death beyond our hopes The Souldiers for all these words of Mundilas would not hazard but yeilded themselves and the City upon the Conditions offered Them the Goths hurt not but made Prisoners with Mundilas but the City they demolisht to the Ground killing men of all ages 300000. at least The Women they made Slaves and gave to the Burgundians to gratifie their joyning with them Finding there Reparatus Praefect of the Palace they cut him in peeces and threw them to the Dogs Vergentinus who was then in Millan went into Dalmatia with his Troops through †Venetia * This is now Marca Trivigiana saith Leander and other Countries and from thence brought the newes to the Emperour of the Romans Disaster at Millan The Goths also took other Townes by composition from the Roman Garrisons and quickly subdued all Liguria And Martinus and Vliaris returned towards Rome with their Army CHAP. XVIII BElisarius heard nothing of these Occurrents in Liguria but the Winter being ended he marcht with his Army
Town in Picenia where was an ancient bridge over the River the Garrison supplyed them and let them at their pleasure passe the Poe. But the Francks being masters of the Bridge such women and children as they found they sacrificed and threw into the River as the first spoiles of the War †It seems they had Almans with them yet Heathen See Agathias lib. 1. cap. 3. retaining yet though Christians much of the old religion using sacrifices and other ungodly Rites in making their predictions The Goths seeing it in a great fear fled into the town and the Francks being past marcht towards the Goths Camp Who at first seeing them in small troops were glad of their coming thinking it to be to aid them But when numbers came on and fell to the businesse and darting their Battle axes hurt many they turn'd about and ran away by the Romans camp into Ravenna The Romans seeing them flye thought that Belisarius had vanquisht them in fight and taken their camp from them and they took armes thinking to joyne with him in the pursuit but they found an Enemy unlook't for and unwillingly they fought till being beaten and not able to return to their camp they fled into Tuscany and sent Newes of the accident to Belisarius The Francks having conquered both parts and taken their Camps without any men in them there then found their provisions But in a while they had nothing to feed on in a wasted Country but Oxen and water of the Poe no bread at all and being not able to disgest the flesh and abundance of water they fel into fluxes and dysenteries which they could not get cured for want of things convenient So that a third part of them are said to have so perisht and being not able to march on they staid there Belisarius hearing of this army of Francks and how the troops of John and Martinus were routed he was afraid of his army especially of those before Faesulae who were neerest the Barbarians and he wrote this Letter to Theodebert Noble Theodebert for one pretending to virtue and especially being a King of so great a Nation not to be true of his word is not Princely but to violate oaths and accords reduced into writing is not fit for the meanest man Herein you know your self a Transgressor having lately agreed to joyne with us against the Goths now not so much as continuing neutrall but advisedly having taken armes and set upon us Put not this affront upon the Emperour Good Sr. who will revenge it in the highest kind It is better for a man to hold his own securely then by medling with what belongs not to him to run a danger in that which most concernes him Theodebert upon this Letter and being troubled with his present Estate and reviled by the Germans for letting them dy thus in a desart country to no purpose rose with the Francks surviving and made haste home CHAP. XXI NEverthelesse Martinus and John came back with their Troops least the Enemy should set upon the Army before Auximum Where the Goths hearing nothing of the Franks retreat but despairing at the delayes from Ravenna thought once more to importune Vitigis but could not get by the Enemy Seeing at noon one Burcensius a Bessian by birth and a Souldier of Narses the Armenian standing Sentinell to keepe off the Towne from cutting Grasse some came to parley with him and agreed to give him a great Summe in hand to carry a Letter to Ravenna and more at his returne with Letters from Vitigis The man for the Money undertook the service and presently put it in execution He brought the Letters sealed up to Vitigis with all speed which were thus You will perceive our estate by enquiring who is the bearer of this Letter there being no meanes for a Goth to get out of the Towne walls and our best supply of Victuall is the Grasse that growes about them which we cannot touch without fighting and losse of men To what conclusion this will bring us you and the Goths in Ravenna are seriously to consider Vitigis returned this answer My best Freinds in the World think not I am so dejected nor come to that degree of basenesse as through sloth to abandon the Goths affaires my owne journey was in readinesse and Vraeas by my direction was coming from Millan with his Army but an unexpected invasion of Franks stopt our preparations whereof I am not to beare the blame For things above humane power bestow this favour on the unfortunate to make him unblameable Fortune taking the whole imputation upon her selfe But Theodebert being now gone as we heare we will shortly God willing be with you with our whole Army And you must beare your Fortune valiantly and suitably to the necessity Thinke upon the vertue for which we made choice of you to guard Auximum and respect that generall opinion held of you by all the Goths which set you there a Bulwark of Ravenna and of their whole safety Vitigis with this Letter and good store of Money dispatcht the man Who coming before Auximum pretended to his Companions a sudden sicknesse which caused him to goe to a Church neer there for cure and standing Sentinell where he was wont he delivered the Letters unseene by the Romans The reading whereof so raised their Spirits though opprest with the Famine that they would not yeild albeit Belisarius much woed them to it But having no newes of any Army from Ravenna and being in extream want of Victuall againe they sent Burcensius writing onely That they were able to struggle with the Famine five dayes and no more who brought them againe a Letter from Vitigis holding them in suspence with like hopes The Romans also were weary of this long Siege in a barren desert Countrey and troubled to see the Goths not to yeild though in so much misery Belisarius therefore sought to take some Enemy alive from whom he might learne the ground of this obstinacy of the Goths Valerianus promised to serve him therein who had in his Troops Slavonians that used to lye under some Stone or Bush and to steale Enemies a thing ordinarily practised by them by the River Ister where their dwellings are both upon Romans and Barbarians Belisarius liking his way and committing it to his care he chose out a Slavonian a tall lusty fellow and valiant and assured him a good reward from Belisarius to get an Enemy alive and told him That at the Grasse plat which the Goths used to eat for want of food he might doe it with ease The Slavonian before day-breake put himselfe neer the Towne walls concealed in a Bush and gathering up his feet close about him By day-light a Goth came out to gather Grasse suspecting nothing from the Bush but had his eye upon the Camp least any enemy might come from thence The Slavonian stealing behinde him snatcht him up fast between his armes delivered him to Valerianus who enquiring
Ambassadours to dispute it with the Francks and among others Theodosius the Steward of his house The Francks Ambassadours were first heard and spake thus The Kings of the Francks have sent us hither sorry to heare that you are distressed by Belisarius and ready according to their League to avenge you There is an Army passed the Alpes of 500000. men who at their very first Encounter will over-whelme the Roman Army with their battle Axes Hearken not therefore to their Counsell who would make you Slaves but to theirs rather who in their Affection to you embrace the hazards of a War And the rather because joyning with us the Romans cannot hope to match both our powers but we shall with ease have the Victory Whereas if you joyne with the Romans yet shall they not be able to stand against the Francks the Battell even then being not to be with equall powers and you will be vanquished in the company of your greatest Foes To run therefore into so evident mischiefe having meanes to be preserved without hazard is extreamest folly The Romans are not faithfull to any Barbarians but naturally Enemies to them But we if you like it will share with you the Dominion of Italy and divide the Country as we shall both think best Make choice therefore of what is most expedient for you The Francks having done the Ambassadours of Belisarius spake thus That the Francks multitudes shall not hurt the Emperours Army as these men would fright us what needs a long Speech to you whose experience hath learnt all the moments of War and that Valour is not vanquisht with multitudes The Emperour can more then any if he please exceed his Enemy in numbers The faithfulnesse of these men to all Barbarians we know and themselves have shewed it to the Thuringians Burgundians and to you their Allies So that we would gladly ask by what God they mean to sweare for the pledge of their Faith How they have respected him by whom they have already sworn you know who coming as Friends to aide you did not only not joyne in the danger but impudently took Armes against you if you remember what they did at the Poe. What need we by repeating things past convince the Francks impiety Can any thing be more detestable then this their Ambassage as if they had forgotten former Treaties now they pretend their aides to be better then other mens but if they obtain the Goths to mingle with their Armies once what will be the period or their insatiable desires were good to consider Belisarius Ambassadours having thus spoken Vitigis after long conference with the principall Goths chose an Accord with the Emperour and dismist the Francks with denyall From hence forward the Romans and Goths sent Ambassadours to each other But still Belisarius set Guards to hinder importation of Provisions and he employed Vitalius to take in Townes in Venetia and himselfe with Ildeger guarded both sides of the Poe to draw thus the Goths to yeild to him upon his own tearmes for want of Victuall Hearing how there was much Corn in the publick Magazines of Ravenna he won a Citizen with money to set them all on fire which losse some say happened by Mattasuntha's advise the Wife of Vitigis It was so suddenly done that some thought it was by lightning as others by designe and Vitigis and the Goths taking it in either kind fell into more irresolution neither trusting one another and thinking God himselfe made War against them In the Alpes also which divide Gaule and Liguria called Alpes Cottiae are many Castles whereof many principall Goths have the Guard having long dwelt there with their wives and children Belisarius desirous to reduce them sent Thomas thither one of his retinue with some few to give Faith and receive the Goths upon composition whom Sisigis commander of all those Garrisons received into a Castle and with himself brought in all the rest In the mean time Vraeas with 4000 choice men out of Liguria and those Castles was marching to succour Ravenna These hearing what Sisigis had done and afraid of their own Estates with Vraeas went first to these Cottian Alpes and besieged Sisigis and Thomas John Vitalianus hearing of it and Martinus being then about the Poe came to their succour with their forces and some of the Castles they surprized and made the Inhabitants slaves and among them many wives and Children of Vraeas souldiers who from those Castles had followed him but hearing now how their own Estates were ransack'd they suddenly ran from the Goths Camp to John whereby Vraeas could do nothing there nor yet releive Ravenna but went into Liguria with some few and lay still CHAP. XXIV IN the mean time Belisarius shut up in Ravenna Vitigis and the cheife of the Goths and the Emperours Ambassadors arrived Domnicus and Maximinus both Senators with commission to make peace upon Tearms that Vitigis should have half the Revenues of the Crown and the Dominion of the country beyond the Poe the other half of the Revenues to be the Emperours and the rest of Italy to be subject to him and to pay him Tribute The Ambassadors shewed the Emperours instructions to Belisarius and were conducted into Ravenna And Vitigis and the Goths gladly agreed to conclude the treaty upon those condition This discontented Belisarius as an ill service to hinder him from the absolute conquest and his bringing Vitigis to Constantinople prisoner having it in his power and at the Ambassadors return he refused to signe the Treaty upon which the Goths were jealous of the Romans that they fraudulently propounded a peace and protested to conclude nothing without the signature and oath of Belisarius Who hearing that some Commanders taxed him with a design against the Emperours service to prolong the War he called them all and in the presence of Domnicus and Maximinus spake thus The fortune of the war I and you know stands not upon firm Ground many in hope of an instant victory have been overthrown and an Enemy in appearance ruined hath beyond imagination subsisted So that men consulting of peace are not to fancy the best for themselves only but to consider the event both waies in possibility and so to resolve And I now assemble you my fellow Commanders and the Emperours Ambassadors that chusing with all freedome what you think most expedient for the Emperour you may not after the businesse done lay imputations upon me it being most unreasonable when you may chuse the best to be silent and when you see the Event then to coyn accusations The Emperours resolution and Vitigis mind for concluding the war you know which if you conceive to be expedient say so but if you thinke your selves able to recover Italy and to subdue the Enemy there is no danger boldly to say it Belisarius having spoken they all said plainly that the Emperours instructions were best and that they were not able to do more then they had done The opinion
to a great height All the Commanders sate still but Vitalius who had with him in Venetia many Herulians and some other numbers of the Army he would fight with Ildebad fearing what afterward came to passe that his growing power might not so easily be restrained The Battaile was valiantly fought neer the City of Tarvisium but Vitalius had the worst and suffering the losse of most of his men with a few escaped by flight Many Herulians fell and Visandus their Leader Theudimund the Son of Mauricius the Son of Mundus a young man was in much danger of being lost but escaped with Vitalius This Battell made Ildebad famous with the Emperour and all men But afterward Vraeas fell foule with him upon this occasion Vraas had a Wife for Wealth and Beauty the chiefe of her Nation She went once to the publick Bath bravely drest and with a goodly Traine where seeing Ildehads Wife in a mean Habit she bowed not to her as to the Kings Consort but slighted and scoff'd at her for as yet her Husband was in a low Condition as having not been Master of any Kingly Revenue But the Queen vexed with this grosse Affront came weeping to her Husband desiring him to right her having suffered from Vraeas Wife things not to be endured Whereupon Ildebad first accused Vraeas to the Goths of purposing a Revolt and afterward killed him treacherously and was hated for it by the Goths who liked not this killing of Vraas without Examination and they gathered together and railed upon Ildebad for this foule Act yet none of them were willing he should suffer for it One among them named Vilas by race a Gepaede and a Lancier of the Guard to the Emperour was a Suiter to a very faire Woman and infinitely doted upon his love But being sent upon some Service Ildebad the mean while gave his Mistresse to another in marriage either ignorantly or upon some motive Which Vilas hearing at his coming from the Army and being naturally impatient could not beare the disgrace but resolved to kill Ildebad wherein he thought too to gratifie all the Goths He observed his time as the King feasted the chiefe men when many use to stand by him especially his Guards The King reaching his hand to a dish and bowing with his face upon the Couch Vilas suddenly strook him with his Sword upon the neck that the meat being between his fingers the head fell off and amased all the Company Thus was the Murther of Vraeas revenged upon Ildebad and the Winter ended and the sixth * Incipit Annus 7. Bell. Goth in anno 15. Justiniani yeare of this War written by Procopius CHAP. II. AMong the Goths was one Erarick a Rogian by Nation but he had gained a great power with the Goths The Rogians are a Gothish Nation formerly a free People but Theoderick made them and some other Nations his Confederates and mingled them all together and used them joyntly against the Enemy But these taking no Wives of any other Nation preserved their Name in a Posterity of the whole blood And the State being in trouble upon the Murther of Ildebad they proclaimed Erarick King which the Goths misliked whose hearts were now quite down and their hopes frustrated For Ildebad was a man able enough to have recovered the Dominion of Italy but Erarick did nothing to purpose and having reigned five Months he was slain in this manner Totilas Nephew to Ildebad a wise and a Valourous man and in much Estimation with the Goths commanded then the Goths in Tarvisâ—um and hearing how Ildebad was slain sent to Ravenna to Constantianus offering upon assurances of indemnity to deliver up Tarvisium and the Goths under his Command Constantianus most gladly gave Oath as Totilas desired and a day was appointed for receiving into the Town men sent by Constantianus and to put the Gothish Garrison into their hands All the Goths were weary of Eraricks Government finding him not capable to make a War with the Romans and they railed on him as a hinderer of many good Designes they were ready to act when they killed Ildebad In conclusion by common consent they sent to Tarvisium exhorting Totilus to the Government They felt the misse of Ildebad and turned their hope of Victory upon Totilus his Kinsman hoping therein what they desired He told them plainly his accord with the Romans and that if they shall kill Erarick before his day of Assignment with the Romans he will follow them and do as they desire him The Goths upon this resolved the ruine of Erarick In the mean time the Roman Army secure and enjoying their Enemies troubles neither drew together nor had any designe upon them But Erarick assembling the Goths propounded the sending Ambassadours to Justinian for such a peace as was once resolved to be made with Vitigis namely that the Goths holding all beyond the Poe should quit the rest of Italy The Goths all approved the Motion and he sent Caballarius and some other of his Friends Ambassadours who were to pretend the negotiation as aforesaid but he gave them secret Instructions to treat only with the Emperour to give him a good Sum of money and to make him a Patritian upon condition of his delivering up all Italy and his laying down the Royall Habit. The Ambassadours coming to Constantinople did according to his directions In the mean time the Goths kill Erarick by treachery and Totilas takes the Government as was agreed Justinian advertised hereof both of the accident of Erarick and that Totilas was made King he could no longer contain from sharply reproving the Commanders whereupon John Vitalianus Sisters Son Bessas Vitalius the rest leaving Garrisons in the Townes drew together at Ravenna where were Constantianus and Alexander They resolved in Counsell to lead the Army first against Verona which is in Venetia and having taken the same to go against Totilas and Picenum The Army was gotten together 12000. men under eleven Commanders and Constantianus and Alexander in chiefe Being come within seven miles of Verona they encamped before it the City being compassed with faire Champians reaching as far as Mantua which is a daies journey from Verona In Venetia one Marcianus a principall man dwelling in a Castle not far from Verona and well affected to the Emperour sought meanes of delivering the City to the Romans He was acquainted with one of the Watchmen to whom he sent a Friend and perswaded him for money to receive in the Emperours Army The Watch-man promised and Marcianus sent some to the Roman Commanders to negotiate and to let them know the Agreement and to enter the Town by night with them The Commanders thought it best to send one of themselves before with a few if the Watch-man openâ—d the Gate to make it good and then the rest to bring the Army in without hazarding All refusing the danger Artabazes an Armenian chearfully undertook it a very gallant Souldier who was Captain of those Persians
bad lives The cheif Goths upon this speech of Totilas ceased to intercede for the offender and left him to him who soon after put him to death and bestowed his Estate upon the ravished maid In this mean time the Roman army preyed upon the Subjects leaving no insolence unacted Their commanders in their Garrisons with their Mistresses lived riotously having the Souldiers disobedient and full of all kind of disorders between both the armies the Italians suffered the hardest measures the Enemy took their lands from them and the Emperours army their goods they were basely beaten for nothing and perished for want of food The Souldiers could not defend them from the Enemy and were so far from blushing to see their miseries that by their wrongs they made the Barbarians dear unto them Constianus troubled at this wrote to Justinian professing his disability to incounter the Goths and the Commanders signed the Letter being a confession of their base fear to fight Totilas also sent this Letter to the Roman Senat. When men ignorantly or upon forgetfullnesse do wrong the wronged are to be easie to grant pardon The cause of the offence concurring in such excuseth the heaviest of the accusation But a man that does wrong upon malice is not to be admitted so much as to plead seeing he is to bear the blame not only of his fact but of his intent Which being so what can you apologize for your actions against the Goths Can you be ignorant of the favours of Theoderick and Amalasuntha or can time wear them out of your remembrance neither is possible The benefits have not been mean nor are of an ancient date but in the most important things and lately done For the Greeks Goodnesse to their subjects your selves have heard of it and you have had triall of it and you have known how the Goths and Italians have sped under them What Guests and freinds they have been to you the Audits of Alexander may inform you to say nothing of their Souldiers and Captaines you have injoyed their noble usage by which their affaires are come into this case now Think not this to be the reproaches of an insolent young man nor the vaunts of a Barbarian Prince I say not that our subduing of these men is a work of my valour but that due vengeance for the injuries done to you hath overtaken them And how absurdly it shewes that God should punish them for you and yet you adhere to their folly and refuse deliverance from the miseries arising from thence Make therefore some introduction of an apologie and of our pardoning you which will be if while you have some hope though a poor one you chuse what is best for you and repaire what you have done amisse against us Totilas gave this letter to some prisoners to deliver to the Senators in Rome which they did but John forbade them to answer it Totilas wrote many other Letters to them wherein were strong oathes that no Roman should receive hurt from the Goths I cannot say who were the Messengers all of them were in the night set up in the most publick places of the City and discovered in the morning The Roman Commanders suspected the Arian priests and put them out of Rome Totilas hereupon sent part of his army into Calabria to summon the Castle of Otranto and the Garrison refusing to yeild to besiege it Himself with his main forces went against the towns about Rome CHAP. V. THE newes of these things troubled the Emperour and though the Persian War lay heavily upon him he was constrained to send Belisarius against Totilas and the Winter ended and the ninth yeare of this War written by Procopius when Belisarius went the second time into Italy †Incipit Annus 10. Bell. Goth. in anno 18. reg Justiniani Anno Dom. 544. Having but few Souldiers as being not able to withdraw his own Forces from the Army in Persia he levied with his own money Voluntaries in Thrace being assisted by the Emperours direction with Vitalius Generall of Illyrium lately returned from Italy where he had left the Illyrian Cohorts they both raised 4000. men and came to Salona determining to go to Ravenna and thence to make the War For about Rome they found they could not land unespyed the Enemy being in Campania and Calabria nor yet force their landing being inferiour in powers In the mean time the Garrison in Otranto the Victuall being absolutely failed capitulated about the surrender of the Castle by a day assigned Belisarius put a yeares Victuall aboard Ships and commanded Valentinus to transport it to Otranto and to take out the former Garrison pined with Sicknesse and Famine and put in the Souldiers he had with him aboard being fresh and well supplyed Valentinus with a faire wind got to Otranto four daies before the time assigned and finding the Harbour unguarded was Master of it and entred the Castle without resistance The Goths being carelesse and lying still under their confidence in the Capitulation and imagining no opposition and then seeing the Fleet enter ran away in feare and encamped themselves some distance from the Town and advertised Totilas of what happened Some Troops of Valentinus from Otranto made in-roads into the Country and meeting the Enemy upon the Sea shoare they fought were beaten and most of them fled into the Sea where having lost 170. men the rest retired into the Castle But Valentinus as Belisarius commanded took out the old Garrison being men halfe dead and leaving fresh men with a yeares Victuall he went to Salonae with the rest Belisarius from thence came with the Fleet before Pola where he staid and ordered the Army Totilas hearing of his coming and being desirous to know his Forces he wrote Letters to him in the name of one Bonus Nephew to one John and Commander of the Garrison in Genoa entreating his speedy repaire to him as being in much distresse and danger This Letter he delivered to five witty fellowes directing them to spy what Forces Belisarius had and to give out that they came from Bonus Belisarius used the men courteously as his manner was perused the Letter and bad them tell Bonus that he would be with him with his Army They having spyed into every thing returned to the Camp to Totilas assuring him that Belisarius powers were not considerable In the mean time Totilas took Tibur which had in it a Garrison of Isaurians Some of the Townes-men guarding the Gates with the Isaurians fell into an idle brable with them and upon that ground drew in the Enemy by night The Isaurians rallyed themselves seeing the Town taken and almost all got away but of the Townes-men the Goths spared not a man and killed the Bishop of the Town in a fashion which I will conceale not to leave to Posterity Monuments of Inhumanity And one Catellus a man much esteemed in Italy perisht also Thus the Goths having Tibur the Roman Citizens could no more import Provisions
out of Tuscany by the River of Tiber the Town being upon the River 15. miles above Rome and commanding the passage thither Then came Belisarius to Ravennae with his Fleet and calling to him the Goths there and the Roman Souldiers he spake thus It is not now only that Vice hath ruined what hath been built by Virtue from the beginning it hath been so in humane Affaires The lewdnesse of bad men hath been still able to demolish the Actions of the good This hath overturned the Emperours Affaires who to repaire the Errour hath made lesse account of subduing the Persians then of it and hath sent me to cure the Faults committed by either Captaines Souldiers or Goths It is above humane condition not to erre but it becomes the Emperour to repaire the Errours of those whom from his Soule he loves whereby you shall be also eased of your grievances and both perceive and feele his good affection towards you then which what Wealth is more valuable My coming therefore being to this purpose it behoves you to endeavour the obtaining of that Fruit which will arise from thence If any of you have Friends or Kinsmen with Totilas the Usurper let him send for them acquainting them with the Emperours intention Thus you may find good both from a peace and the Emperours Favour for me I come not to pick Quarrels nor to be an Enemy to the Emperours Subjects by my good will But if some will still make slight the chusing their own good and others take Armes against us we must though most unwillingly use such as Enemies Belisarius spake thus but no Goth nor Roman came into him so he sent Therimuth one of his Life-guard with some of his own Retinew and Vitalius with the Illyrian Cohorts into Emilia to attempt the Townes there Vitalius came to Bononia and after the taking of some Castles by composition lay still there Soon after the Illyrians retired home upon the suddain having suffered nothing nor so much as heard any ill They sent Agents to the Emperour for pardon of this Retreat in regard they had long served in Italy and received no pay and much was due to them from the Treasury They heard besides of an Army of Hunnes which in Illyrium made Captives their Wives and Children which caused them wanting necessaries also to go home all in one Troop The Emperour was troubled at the proceeding but at last pardoned them Totilas hearing of the Illyrians Retreat sent Forces to drive Vitalius and his Troops out of Bononia who with Therimuth laid an Ambush for them killed many and routed the rest where Nazares an Illyrian Captain of good quality did Miracles upon the Enemy Therimuth then returned to Belisarius who sent him Nicetas and Sabinianus with 1000. men to Auximum to re-enforce Magnus there beseiged They by night got into the Town unseen by Totilas and the Enemies Camp The next day at noon they sallied to encounter a party of Enemies they had notice of sending before avantcoureurs to discover their Forces that they might not blindly set on them Ricilas of the Life-Guard to Belisarius being in drink would himselfe go upon the discovery and gallopt on alone In a rough stony way he met three Goths and made a stand as to fight with them being very Valiant but when he saw more coming in from all sides he ran away His Horse in the rough ground came over and over with him at which the Enemy gave a great shout and darted all their Javelins at him the Romans perceiving it went to his rescue but he was covered with Javelins and dyed upon the place Therimuth took up his dead body and carryed it into Auximum having met with a conclusion of life not sutable to the Valour of the man CHAP. VI. SAbinianus and Therimuth upon conference with Magnus and consideration of the inconvenience of their longer stay being so far under-matcht to the Enemy and by consuming the Townes Provision making it more ready to be lost they prepared to be gone and to begin their journey in the night But a Souldier ran out to the Enemies Camp closely and revealed the designe Totilas chose out 1000. good men and laid them concealed three miles and three quarters from Auximum These perceiving the Enemy at midnight upon the way fell to work with their Swords and killed 200. but being dark Sabinianus and Therimuth got away to Ariminum all the Baggage Armes and Apparell the Goths took Between Auximum and Ariminum are two small Townes Pisaurus and Phanus upon the Jonian Gulfe Vitigis in the beginning of the War had burnt the houses and broken down halfe their Walls that the Romans surprising them might not infest the Goths Pisaurus Belisarius resolved to seise as a place fit for Horse-pastures he sent some in the night to take the exact measure of the Dimension of each Gate then framed Gates lined with Iron and sent them thither by Sea commanding Sabinianus and Therimuth to set them up and to stay in the Town and being secure to repaire the Walls with stones and earth as they could This they did and Totilas upon the news came against them with a great Army But failing to take the Towne after much time spent in the attempt hee retired to his Camp before Auximum Where the Romans sallied no more but kept close within their walls Belisarius sent Artasiras a Persian and Barbation a Thracian two of his Life-guard to guard Rome with Bessas being there already directing them not to sally at all But Totilas finding Belisarius not able to fight with him fell upon the strong Townes in Picenia he block'd up Firmum and Asculum and so ended the Winter and the tenth yeare of this War written by Procopius When Belisarius Incipit annus 11. Bell. Goth. in Anno 19. having no meanes to releive the besieged Townes sent John to Constantinople Justiniani Ann. Dom. 545. making him sweare to return speedily and to importune the Emperour for an Army and money horses and armes the Souldiers being few and refusing to fight because of their wants the Treasury owing them much money And he wrote of these particulars to the Emperour in these words Most mighty Emperour We are come into Italy wanting men horses arms and money And without a competent preparation of these no man can make Warre Our Thracians and Illyrians we behold here few wretched and stragling without Arms and unexercised for any fight The rest deficient fearfull of the Enemy with spirits dejected by their often beating and not simple running away only but quitting their Horses and throwing down their Armes To raise contribution in Italy is not possible it being possest by the Enemy And being behind with the Souldiers for their Pay we cannot lay commands on them the debt taking away our confidence And the most of those that served your Majestie are run to the Enemy If nothing therefore needed but the sending Belisarius into Italy the Warr is excellently prepared
for I am in the midst of Italy But if you meane to vanquish your Enemies there must be other preparations No Generall can subsist without men to follow him Above all things it behoves therefore that you send me mine owne Lanciers and Targettiers and store of Hunnes and other Barbarians who must have present money Thus wrote Belisarius But John staying long at Constantinople effected nothing for what he came thither but marryed the Daughter of Germanus brothers sonne to the Emperour In the meane time Totilas tooke Firmum and Asculum by composition and in Tuscany besieged Spoletum and Assisium Herodian commanded the Garrison in Spoletum and that of Assisium Sisiphris a Goth but well affected to the Romans Herodian agreed to render the Towne with himselfe and Souldiers within thirty days if no succour came and gave his sonne for Hostage And the day presixed being come and no Romans appearing Herodian and the Souldiers yielded themselves and the Town to Totilas Some say that Herodian did this upon hatred to Belisarius who threatned to question him for his rapines and oppression Sisiphris in Assisium made some sallies and in the end most of his men and himselfe were slaine whereat the Towns-men despairing rendred the Towne Totilas also sent to Perusia threatning Cyprianus there if he would not yeeld the Town to him and promising him money to do it Not prevailing with him he practised with Vliphus one of his Life-guard for money to murder him who watch'd him when he was alone and having killed him ran to Totilas Yet the Garrison kept the Towne for the Emperor and the Goths retired from it Then went Totilas to Rome and besieged it To the Husbandmen of Italy he did no damage letting them securely manure their Land paying to him the rents and tributes reserved to the Treasury or the Owners At Rome some Goths approaching the walls Artasiras and Barbation against the opinion of Bessas sallyed with some Troops and killed many routing the rest whom pursuing too far they fell into the Enemies Ambushes where they lost most of their men and escaped narrowly themselves and afterward for bare to charge the Enemy though they prest upon them Hence the Famine grew sore in Rome no Victuall coming in by Land and being shut from the Sea For the Goths after they had Naples kept a kind of a Fleet of small Barques about the Islands of Aeolus and other Islands in that Sea which guarded exactly the passage of ships that all from Sicily sailing to the Port of Rome fell among them Totilas sent also an Army into Emilia to take Placentia by force or composition being the chiefe City of that Province and well fortified and standing upon the Poe and only remaining obedient to the Romans This Army summoned the Garrison to yeild upon composition and not prevailing fell to besiege it finding they wanted provisions And at the same time the Commanders in Rome were jealous of Cethegus a Patrician that he betrayed them who thereupon fled to Centumcellae Belisarius fearing the losse of Rome and of all the rest and from Ravenna and with so small an Army to releive them being not able he resolved to rise from thence and to surprize some places neer Rome from whence he might aide it in distresse He repented his coming to Ravenna upon the perswasions of Vitalius disadvantageously for the Emperours service For being shut up there he gave the Enemy free scope to advance their affairs Either Belisarius chose the worst that the Romans might have a mischiefe or he chose the best but God crost it purposing to favour Totilas and the Goths and turning Belisarias good counsells to the quite contrary So when Fortune blows a faire gale mens worst counsells meete no disaster being wasted by the higher power to all advantages Unfortunate men either advise nothing well their fate hiding from them all knowledge and right apprehension of things Or advising well fortune with a crosse wind turns their good advises to bad events But Belisarius left Ravenna committing the guard of it to Justinus and through Dalmatia came to Epidamnus where he staid expecting an Army from Constantinople and by his letters acquainting the Emperour with his condition Who sent him an Army of Barbarians and Roman Souldiers under John the Nephew of Vitalianus and Isaac the Armenian Brother to Aratius and Narses who coming to Epidamnus joyned with Belisarius He sent also Narses the Eunuch to the Herulian Princes to obtaine aides of them for Italy Many Herulians came along with him under Philimuth and others to the confines of Thrace there to Winter and at the beginning of the Spring to be sent to Belisarius With them was John Phagas In this journey they did the Romans a great service by chance A multitude of Slavonians had passed the River Ister and sack'd the Towns thereabout and taken abundance of Roman Captives The Herulians fought with them and though inferiour in numbers beate them and killed many and freed the captives and sent them home CHAP. VII AT that time Narses discovered the imposture of one naming himselfe Chilbudius who had been a famous Generall of the Romans This Chilbudius was first of Iustinian's Retinew a valiant Souldier and so great a despiser of wealth that it was his greatest riches to possesse nothing Justinian in the fourth yeare of his Reign made him Generall of Thrace and gave him the guard of the River Ister to hinder the passage of Barbarians the Hunnes formerly Antians and Slavonians having come over and done much mischiefe to the Romans Chilbudius grew so terrible there that in his three years continuance in that charge not a Barbarian durst passe the River and the Romans under Chilbudius invaded the other side and killed and took many Captives After three yeares he passed over the River with a small Army the Slavonians in a Battaile stifly fought killed many Romans and Chilbudins the Generall From thence forward the Barbarians came over at pleasure and the Provinces lay open to them all the Roman Empire in this not countervailing the valour of one man After this the Antians and Slavonians fell out and in a Battaile the Antians were vanquisht Wherein a Slavonian took a youth of the Enemy named Chilbudius and led him home This man in time became very affectionate to his Master and valiant against the Enemy having often fought singularly well hazarding for his Master and so getting a great reputation About the same time the Antians entred Thrace which they pillaged and took many Captives one of whom Fortune brought to a gentle Master But the fellow being a knave and cunning to deceive and desirous withall to return to his owne Countrey came once to his Master and commended his humanity which God he said would reward and himselfe would not be ungratefull to so kind a Master but if he would follow his advice he would make him a rich man For among the Slavonians was one Chilbudius the Roman Generall unknown and
bounty got a great fame being famous before through all Italy The Romans having suffered under the famin incredibly sent this Pelagius to Tetilas to obtain some few dayes of cessation conditionally that if during the same no succours came from Constantinople to render themselves upon a Composition Pelagius accordingly came to Totilas who saluted him with much reverence and curtesie and first spake to him thus Almost all Barbarians reverence Ambassadors but I besides have from my youth honored vertuous men like your self And I know that the honouring or disgracing an Ambassador is discerned not by fair countenances and hollow-hearted complements but by true and reall dealing he is most honored who hath the plain truth told him and is so dismist and he most affronted who carries home nothing but fained deceitfull words So that Pelagius there are three things which if you ask not you shall obtain all the rest and it is good you should not mention them least being the cause of your own effecting nothing you lay the blame on us the not asking things sutable to the condition of affaires producing commonly want of successe This then I say move not for any Sicilian nor for sparing the walls of Rome nor for restitution of your fugitive servants For it cannot be that the Goths should favour a Sicilian that these walls should stand or that our Souldiers should return again to be slaves to their Masters And I will tell you my reasons of these propositions that they may not seem to proceed from a willfullnesse Sicily hath been ever happy rich and most fruitfull not supplying only the Inhabitants but transporting also to you of Rome yearly sufficient for your uses whereupon you besought Thâ—odâ—rick not to place Garrisons in it least it might decay in the Liberties and happinesse thereof Things being thus upon the coming of a Fleet of Enemies upon the Coast not comparable to our powers the Sicilians neither advertized the Goths nor shut their Gates nor opposed them in any sort but with all alacrity received them with open armes like persidious slaves who long had watcht an opportunity to run from their old masters to strangers Hence the Enemy issued and got all Italy surprizing Rome and maintaining it against more then a yeares siege with the abundance of corne brought out of Sicily Thus it stands with the Sicilians whom the Goths cannot pardon the hainousnesse of their crimes making them incapable of mercy These walls when the Enemy had once got into they could never be drawn to a battell in open feild with stratagems and circumventions they cluded our powers and became strangely Lords of all we had And now we must prevent the like hereafter Men ignorantly undone to fall again into the same ruin whereof they had experience before is not to be attributed to the crosnesse of Fortune but to their own grosse Folly Besides the demolishing your walls is your own advantage Neither part hereafter being to be shut within them and starved by the besieging adversary So that both will put it to the fortune of a battell and you without incurring danger will be the prize of the victor Touching your fugitive slaves who have fought for us and have our promise not to abandon them to their former Masters if we should now betray them even your selves will never trust us it being impossible that he that neglects his Engagements to men of all the most to be pityed should be constant to any It will be a Character of his falsehood to all that meet him To this Speech of Totilas Pelagius thus answered Great Sir having intimated your respect of my Person and of the quality of an Ambassadour yet have you ranckt both in the basest condition I conceive him to affront more his Friend and an Ambassadour who resolves to send him away without his businesse then he that strikes or otherwise abuses him Ambassadours come not to receive honours from those who admit them but to get dispatches for their good that sent them It is better they were affronted at first and at last effect that they come for then after many Caresses to return without their hopes So that to what purpose should I supplicate you in these things or importune one that denies us before he heare us Only this I must say that you shew what mercy you mean to use to the Romans who have taken Armes against you who resolve an irreconcileable hatred against the Sicilians who never did it But forbearing Supplications to you I lift them up to God who takes vengeance of men that despise Supplications Pelagius having thus said went his way CHAP. IX THE Romans seeing Pelagius come back without effecting any thing were much troubled The Famine grew sore albeit the Souldiers Victuall was not yet all spent But the People in multitudes came about Bessas and Conon weeping and howling and said thus Our Fortune O Generals is such that if we could do you any mischiefe it were a Crime we could not be blamed for our extream necessity being our excuse But being not able to take revenge we come to bewaile our Calamity And heare patiently our bold expression weighing it by our sharp Sufferings They who must despaire of safety cannot observe their duty in words nor deeds Think us not Romans nor your Kins-men nor conformable to your State nor to have chearfully received the Emperours Army but ancient Enemies and to have taken Armes against you and to be vanquisht in fight and made your Prisoners by the Law of War Yet furnish your Captives with Food not sufficient for our need but so much as may keep us alive to do you Service If you please not to do this yet vouchsafe to manumit us and free your selves from the trouble of burying your Slaves If this neither may be afforded kill us deprive us not of an honest end envie not to us the sweetest of all deaths but with one Act deliver us from a thousand miseries Bessas and Conon told them that to supply them with Victuall was not possible to kill them was impious and to let them go unsafe But they comforted them with an assurance of Belisarius and an Army from Constantinople and so dismist them The Famine still grew and destroyed suggesting strange unnaturall Food At first Bessas and Conon who had laid up in store a great quantity of Corn for the Souldier retranched their own allowances and sold Corn to the richer sort at huge rates a bushel of Wheat for seven Gold Staters Such whose Meanes could not attain to so costly feeding paid a fourth part of the price and had the bushell fill'd up with Branne which their hunger made dainty food An Oxe such as Bessas Targetiers could get out and take they sold for 50. Gold Staters He was happy that could get a dead Horse to feed on The poor multitude fed on Nettles growing neer the Town Walls and among the rubbish in the City first seething them to avoid stinging Such
a good nature that having lately attempted great Fortunes and now failed in a small matter is so poorly dejected This is plainly to renounce your selves to be men for never to slip is peculiar to God alone So that setting by these things I say that you are to go to Perusia and to encounter the Enemy If you conquer them Fortune will cleare up again No age can make that undone which hath happened to us but the memory of ill Fortunes is aswaged by the arrivall of good The getting Perusia will cost little labour Cyprianus the Commander Fortune and our Counsels have removed and a multitude without a Governour and without Victuals too are no fit men to fight valiantly None shall infest your backs I having beaten down the Bridges to prevent any sudden incursions Belisarius likewise and John are jealous of one another as may appeare by their Actions which ever convince the disagreement of minds they to this day having never joyned their Forces by reason of their mutuall jealousie And that Guest whosoever hath may be sure of hatred and envie in the same lodging which being intermingled nothing can possibly be done that should be Having thus spoken he led the Army towards Perusia and there fate down before it preparing for a Siege CHAP. XIIII IN the mean time John besieged the Castle of Acherontis and finding that he could do no good upon it he fell upon a bold resolution which preserved some Roman Senators and got much reputation to himselfe While Totilas was busie before Rome he took to himselfe a party of choice Horse-men and concealing his intent made a journey into Campania where Totilas had confined the Senators resting neither day nor night that coming suddenly he might rescue the Senators the Townes being altogether unfortified Totilas before fearing this and that by some Enemy he might lose his Prisoners had sent into Campania some Forces of Horse who being come to the City of Minturnae thought it best to stay there and to rest their Horses being weary with the journey Some others Totilas had directed being men in much account with him and about 400. to view in what Estate Capua was and the Townes about it And the journey thither was but 37. miles and the Horses of these and themselves were fresh and lusty It happened that these 400 and John arrived at the same day and houre at Capua not knowing of one anothers coming Suddenly a gallant fight was performed both parties falling to it at first sight wherein the Romans had the absolute Victory and killed many some few of them got away and gallopt to Minturnae whom the others there seeing all bloody and some with Arrowes sticking in them others not so much as telling them what had befallen them so earnest they were to get away and bewraying the feare they were in they also leapt upon their Horses and ran with them for company And coming to Totilas they told him of innumerable Enemies to save the shame of their running away Seventy Roman Souldiers then came into John who were quartered in Campania And some few Senators he found there but almost all their Wives For most of the men at the taking of Rome were fled into Portus with the Souldiers but all the Women were taken Prisoners One Clementinus a Patritian fled into a Church not accompanying the Roman Army because having betrayed a Castle neer unto Naples to Totilas he feared the Emperours indignation Orestes also who had been Consull staid at his house for want of Horses to carry him away John sent the Senators he found and the 70. Souldiers into Sicily But Totilas was vexed at this newes and eager to have his revenge upon John And he marcht against him leaving only some of his Troops to guard the Camp before Perusia John had encamped his 100. men in Lucania and sent out some to discover upon all the waies that the Enemy might not surprise him And Totilas guesting as much and that John would not lye in his Camp without his Scouts abroad left the ordinary wayes and marcht over the Mountaines which were many high and craggy and thought unpassable that none would suspect his coming that way Johns Scouts found the Enemy was thereabout but no certainty they could learn and fearing what came to passe they rode back to their Camp and with them arrived there the Goths in the night Totilas being in a rage and so not well advised had the fruit of his impertinet anger His Army was ten times greater then his Enemies and it is evidently best for a stronger Army to make an open fight so that he should have charged the Enemy in the morning to take from them the benefit of the dark to hide themselves and so he had taken them all as in a net But he giving way to his anger set on them in the dark night They used no resistance being taken most of them asleep yet the Goths killed not many they having the means in the dark to slip away unseen leaving their camp and running up to the next mountains John escaped amongst the rest and Arusus Captaine of the Herulians Almost 100. Romans were slaine There was with John one Gilacius an Armenian commanding some few of his Countrey-men who spake neither Greeke Latine nor Gothish but Armenian only some Goths lighting upon him ask'd him who he was They forbare to kill any in the dark lest they might kill their owne He could make no other answer but that he was Generall Gilacius having learnt the title of his place in Greek by hearing it often named The Goths finding him an Enemy took him Prisoner and soon after killed him John and Arusus with their troops gallop't amain to Otranto And the Goths afterward pillaging the Romans Camp retired Things being thus in Italy the Emperour upon the importunate letters of Belisarius thought good to send more Forces thither First he sent Bacurius the sonne of Peranius and Sergius Solomons sisters sonne who with some few came to the rest of the Army Afterward he sent â—â—rus with 300. Herulians and Varazes an Armenian with 80. Roman Souldiers He caused also Valerianus Generall of Armenia from thence to goe into â—â—â—ly with his guard of Lanciers and l'argettiers being above a thousand men 〈◊〉 first arrived at Otranto where leaving his Ships and not joyning with Johns Army he rode forward with his men He was no serious man but an excessive Drinker and consequently rash and unadvised He encamped neer to Brundusium Which Totilas hearing Either quoth he Verus is very strong or very foolish Let us go to him either to make tryall of his power or to make him sensible of his folly Accordingly he went against him with a great Army But the Herulians seeing them fled into a Wood where the Enemy compassed them and slew above 200. Verus and the rest were ready to be caught but it chanced that Varazes and the Armenians came suddenly to an Anchor upon that shore and
where then he resided Germanus was ambitious to get the honour of vanquishing the Goths and the good fortune to recover both Affrick and Italy to the Empire In Africa where Stotzas had usurped he overcame him and the mutiners unexpectedly and reduced the Province as it is in my former relations And Italy being now reduced to the Estate I have described he desired the Glory of recovering that also His wife Passara being long since deceased he married Mattasuntha Daughter of Amalasuntha the daughter of Theoderick her former husband Vitigis being lately dead He hoped that the Goths would be ashamed to lift their armes against this Lady remembring the Reignes of Theoderick and Atalarick Moreover freely disbursing the Emperours mony and his own more he levied quickly and unexpectedly a very gallant army The best Roman Souldiers left their ordinary commanders whose Lanciers and Targettiers they were and followed Germanus together with many Constantinopolitans Thracians and Illyrians wherein Justinus and Justinianus his Sons used much care and diligence He pickt the best out of the horse Troops garrison'd in Thrace and many Barbarians about the Ister were drawn by the same of Germanus and brought much mony with them and joyned with the Roman army The Prince of the Lombards promised to send him a thousand men well armed Report as in all human things made all this in Italy much more and the Goths were afraid and troubled withall to make war now against the posterity of Theoderick And the Roman souldiers there sent to signifie to Germanus that so soon as they saw him in Italy and his army intrenched they would immediatly joine with him The remainder also of the Emperours army in Ravenna and some other Towns took courage and resolved to guard their Towns firmly for the Emperour Nay those who had been beaten with Verus and others and went now stragling hearing that Germanus was upon his way they rallied themselves in Istria and staid for the said army Totilas then at the day assigned sent to Diogenes to surrender Centumcellae according to the capitulation Diogenes answered that he had no power now Germanus being declared absolute Generall and not far off with his army and he desired him to send him his hostages and he would restore those given by the Goths and so he dismist the messenger and carefully guarded the town expecting Germanus and his army And thus the winter ended the 15 year of this war written by Procopius While Germanus was drawing his army together and exercising his Troops at Sardice Incipit annus 16 bell Goth. in an 24 Juniani ann dom 550. a City in Illyrium and making a powerfull preparation for this warr a Troop of Slavonians greater then ever formerly past the Ister into the Roman territory and came to Naysum The Romans took some few straglers of them bound them and askt them upon what design these Slavonians were come over the River They said it was to sack Thessalonica and the Towns about it The Emperour upon this advertizement wrote to Germanus to defer his Journy into Italy and to defend Thessalonica and to beat away the Slavonians who grew afraid when they heard from their prisoners that Germanus upon this staid still at Sardice whose fame was great among all the Barbarians upon this occasion During the Raign of Justine his great Uncle the Antians who inhabite next unto the Slavonians past the Ister and invaded the Roman territories with a great army Germanus was lately made Generall of Thrace and in a battell with these Enemies killed them almost all which got him a great reputation especially among these people So that fearing him now and supposing him to have a very great army as being sent against the Goths they forbare their intents against Thessalonica and went over the mountaines of Illyrium into Dalmatia not daring to appear in the Champian And Germanus despising them directed his army to be in readinesse within three daies to begin the journy into Italy but he suddenly fell into a sicknesse which made an end of him And so was Germanus quickly lost a vertuous man and very valiant both an excellent Generall and a daring Souldier In peace and prosperity a constant observer of Lawes and good Government He was a most upright Judge and to men in need he lent great Sums without so much as talking of any Interest In the Palace and in the Forum severe and stern but at home and at his Table pleasant free and gracious where he had power he prevented the Errours and innovations of the Emperours Court And he never consented nor conversed with the mutinous Veneti and Prasini Constantinople though many great men ran into that absurdity The Emperour was much grieved at this sudden Accident and commanded John Vitalianus his Sisters Son with Justinianus one of the Sons of Germanus to lead the Army into Italy They went into Dalmatia meaning to winter at Salonae it being not possible in that season to compasse the Jonian Gulfe into Italy and they wanted Ships to crosse it CHAP. XXII LIBERIVS who heard nothing of these alterations put in at Syracuse besieged by the Enemy He forced his way into the Haven and put his Army into the City Artabanes also at Cephalenia hearing how the Fleet with Liberius was gone for Sicily crost the Adriatique Sea thither-ward and neer the Coast of Calabria met with a great storm full in his teeth which so scattered the Fleet that he thought most of his Ships to be cast upon that Coast and in the hands of the Enemy But a strong gale turn'd them back into Peloponesus and some were cast away others escaped The Ship wherein Artabanes was lost her main Mast and being abandoned to the Tide and Waves and in much danger put in at the Island of Malta and by this meanes he was unexpectedly preserved But Liberius being not in case to sally nor fight with the Enemy and the Victuall in Syracuse failing stole from thence into Panormus Totilas in the mean time ransackt all Sicily carryed away great quantities of Corn Horses and Cattell and putting the same aboard his Ships and the whole wealth of the Island returned suddainly into Italy upon this motive He had made one Spinus of Spoletum his Assessor who residing in Catana an unfortified Town was taken by the Romans Totilas desirous to ransome him offer'd for him an eminent Roman Lady but they refused to take a woman in exchange for a man holding the Dignity of Quaestor Spinus fearing to perish among the Romans promised them for his liberty to perswade Totilas to leave Sicily and to transport his Army into Italy They upon his Oath for true performance restored him to the Goths and accepted of the Lady He being come to Totilas said That the Goths further stay in Sicily was to no purpose having already pillaged the Island That he understood for certain among the Enemy that Germanus was dead and that John his Son-in-Law and
man in it he burnt the same and in much anger led his Army back to Archaeopolis This City stands upon a kind of Rock and by it runs a River descending from the next Mountaines The Low Gate opens neer the foot of the Rock and the ground to it from the Plaine rises onely but makes no difficulty of accesse The Gate opening toward the Rock is very hard to approach having also for a great way thereabout great Thickets The towne Walls were built up to the River that they may draw up their water having none within the Towne Mermcroes was eager to assault and finding it rising ground not to be medled with by ordinary Rams he caused his Sabirians to make Rams portable on mens shoulders using the advantage of his Enemies experiment thereof at Petra which he had heard of And these Sabirians made such Rams as their Countrey-men in league with the Romans made then Mermeroes set against the rocky part of the City the Delomites a people dwelling in the midst of Persia among unaccessable Mountaines and so not subject to the Persian but free and in the Persians wars they serve them for pay being all foot men with sword and sheild and two Javelins and are nimble to climbe rocks and to runne along the sides of mountaines as upon plain Ground These being there ordered Mermeroes with the rest of his army assaulted at the lower gate and with his new Rams and his Elephants Where the Persians and Sabirians galled the Romans with their shot making them almost to quit the Battlements and the Delomites did as much on their side with their Javelins that the Romans were in much extremity Odonachus and Babas were it to shew their own or try the Romans resolution or by some instinct leaving some few upon the Battlements drew together the rest and sayd thus to them Fellow Souldiers you see our danger but neverthelesse you must nor yeild to it Nothing preserves men despairing of life but not to be in love with life which sond love is commonly attended with destruction Consider how in such a difficulty as this it is not safe to resist an Enemy from the Battlements of a Towne We may do it bravely but the distance of place will not permit us to use our valour The best we can get is to get off and retyre But if we fight body to body courage is it gets the better there and the Victory goes with valour They who get the better from a Wall gaine not much for the next day the danger renues as fresh as ever and so they perish by little and little and loose at last their defended Fortresses But who overcome in a standing fight are ever after secure Taking this into our thoughts let us make a brave sally trusting in Gods assistance and hoping well even from the despaire wee are in God preserves those most who have no hope left in themselves CHAP. IX ODONACHVS and Babas having thus fayd led out the Army Some they left behinde having suspition of one of the cheife Inhabitants of the City a Lazian who had been treated with by Mermeroes in the heat of the assault to set the City-Magazines on fire Mermeroes by this thought either to enter the Towne with lesse opposition the Romans being busie to quench the fire or if being eager to defend the Towne they neglected the fire he should deprive them of their stores and so easily in time get the Towne by Famine The Lazian according to his promise to Mermeroes when he saw the assault at the hottest fired the Store-houses The Romans left behinde seeing the flame rise ran to it and with much toyle and some hurt put it out Those who sallyed frighted the Enemy with the suddennesse and killed them without resistance For the Persians suspected no sally from so few Defendants and were scatterd and in disorder as upon an assault Some with the Ramms upon their shoulders and without their armes others could do no Execution with their bowes the Romans at the first running up close unto them who slasht with their Swords on all sides and cut them in peices One of their Elephants also either wounded or otherwise starting flew back and cast his riders breaking the rancks and driving the Persians backward whise the Romans securely cut off all in their way It may seem strange that the Romans knowing so well the means of resisting Elephants did nothing now confounded it seems with the present businesse The means is that which was practised upon Chosroes at Edessa an Elephant there was brought close to the walls with many of the gallantest Persians upon it and appearing like a Tower and the shot from it being made directly upon the Defendants heads the taking of the town was certainly expected when the Romans escaped this danger only by hanging out a Hog from the Bulwark which with his squeaking scared the Elephant so that he turned about and retired fair and softly home This now was omitted by the Romans but their good fortune supplied their negligence Having mentioned here Edessa let me tell a strange prodigy which happened in that City a little before the breaking of the Perpetuall Peace which was the delivering of a woman with a child having two heads the events since have made the meaning manifest For the East and much of the Roman Empire besides have been disputed by two Emperours but to return to the fight The Persians being thus disordered and they in the rear seeing the confusion in the van and not knowing the matter ran away in fear The Dolomites also who were upon high Ground and saw all ran away shamefully and the overthrow was cleer Four thousand Persians were slain and three principall commanders and four Ensignes were taken which were sent to Constantinople They lost 20000 horses not all in fight but being spent with running away and not getting a belly full of meat in Lazica they dyed with famine and weaknesse Mermeroes having failed at Archaeopolis was neverthelesse master of the feild in Lazica and led his army into Muchirisis a country distant from Archaeopolis a daies journey having many populous villages and the best land of Lazica full of vines and other fruits through which runs the River of Reon upon which anciently the Lazians had a Castle but they demolisht it because standing in a plain it was easie to be taken The Castle was called by the Grecians Cotyaeum but now by the Lazians Cotaesis as Arrianus in his history Others say it was anciently a City named Coitaeum where Aeaetes was born whom the Poets call Coitaeensis and Lazica Coytaitis This Castle Mermerces was desirous to re-edifie and wanting materialls he staid till the winter was past purposing to repaire it with Timber Neer unto Cotaesis stands Vchimerium a strong Castle guarded by Lazians with some Roman souldiers intermingled Hereabout Mermeroes lay with his army possessing the best land of Lazica and cutting off the Romans from bringing victuall to
be medled with but famine and other misery made them weary of their lives Mermeroâ—s in the meane time built Store-houses in the Villages of Muchirisis and furnisht the same with Victuall and by sending Fugitives to the foot of the Mountaines and promising conditions of safety he drew many downe supplyed them plentifully with what they most wanted and used them as his owne people In all things else he ruled the Countrey at his pleasure and to Gubazes wrote this Letter Power and wisedome are the two composers of humane affaires and they who in power excell others live as they list and bring the weaker to what termes they please who being slaves to the stronger cure their want of power with wisedome and by soothing their Conquerours hold that with comfort whereof their infirmity deprives them This is generally in all Nations and is fixed in the nature of men So that gentle Gubazes if you thinke you can vanquish the Persians delay not your owne good but come to Battell you shall finde us in what part of Lazica you please ready to fight with you for the Countrey With us you may now try your power who can never thinke afterward to oppose the whole power of Persia Or you may take the second course which is to know your selfe and to adore Chosroes as your Master King and Conquerour by supplications you may be rid of your present miseries I undertake that the King will be gracious to you and will give you of the best Hostages in Persia for the perpetuall assurance of your life and Kingdome If neither of these please suffer the Lazians made miserable by your bad counsels to raise themselves from the difficulties that presse them and see them not crusht with an endlesse ruine while you trust to the slippery hopes of Roman Succours who can vindicate you no more then hitherto they have done Gubazes was not perswaded by this Letter but still stayd upon the Mountaines his hatred of Chosroes not suffering him to despaire in the Roman Succours Mens judgements ever thus tune to that which pleases their wills admitting all reasons of that side without examination of the soundnesse of them and obstinately not crediting nor weighing the arguments which crosse their desires About this time certaine Monks came out of India and getting accesse to the Emperour promised to effect his long desire that the Romans should no more buy the Metaxa or Raw-silke from the Persians their Enemies nor any other Nations For having remained long in those Countries they had learnt the way how the same might be had in the Roman Provinces They told him that certaine Wormes taught by nature did spin this Raw-silke to bring the Wormes alive that it was not possible but easie to get their Bags wherein were innumerable Eggs which being covered in Dung and thereby heated produced the Wormes The Emperour promised them a great reward to bring their undertaking to effect who returned into India brought those Eggs to Constartinaple and being by the meanes aforesayd growne to Wormes fed them with Mulbery leaves and so caused the making of Raw-silke in the Roman Territories The Winter being ended Isdigunas came to Chosroes with the Money and the Treaty agreed upon who sealed the same and took the Money wherewith levying agreat Army of Hunnes he sent them to Mermeroes resolving not to quit Lazica Mermeroes with these Hunnes and his Persians and Elephants marcht against the Townes of Lazica whom the Romans encountred not but under the command of Martinus fortified themselves about the mouth of the Phasis and lay quiet in the company of King Gubazes Mermeroes led the Army first against a Castle where he understood the Sister of Gubazes to be but the Garrison and the strength of the place beat him from thence and caused him to retyre without doing any hurt in that journey either to Romans or Lazians Marching into Abasgia he found the narrow and rocky passage into the same possest by a Roman Garrison who opposed his entrance So that he drew back and went against Archaecpolis and not prevailing there neither he retyred with his Army which the Romans followed and in that fast Countrey intercepted many and killed the cheif Commander of the Sabirian Hunnes But fighting about the dead body the Persians forced away the Enemy and retyred to Coitaisis in Mucheirisis Such were the successes of the Armies in Lazica CHAP. XI IN Asrica all things proceeded fairly for the Romans by the incredible successes of John the Generall who had drawn to his party Cutzinas a Prince of Numidia then vanquisht all the other Numidians in a battell and soon after brought Antalas and Jabdas who were Princes of Moores in Byzacium and Numidia to follow him in the quality of slaves So that in Africa the Romans had no Enemies and not many subjects whom the former wars and mutinies had almost wasted In the mean time in Europe the Gepades who as I said formerly made a truce with the Lombards not ending their differences resolved upon a war again which grew as hot as ever The Gepades being led by Thorisin and the Lombards by Anauin followed by great multitudes on both sides They came neer but the armies discerned not one another when a sudden Panick fear without any cause appearing frighted both the armies so that they ran away leaving their Commanders with some few only behind who neither with fair words nor threates could stopp them Auduin not knowing the Enemy was in the same case sent an Embassage to the Enemy for truce The Ambassadors finding the Gepades to have had the same fortune with themselves demanded of Thorisin whether his people were gone they are fled quoth Thorisin none pursuing and so are the Lombards sayd they since you deal truly with us we will conceal nothing from you And since God is pleased that these nations shal not perish and hath cast on us both this saving fear let us concur with that gracious sentence and make an end of the war Be it so quoth Thorisin and so a Cessation was concluded for two years and in the mean time to send their Heralds mutually and fully to compose the differences but not being able to end the same they fell again to the way of hostility The Gepados feared that the Romans would joyne with the Lombards and therefore they sent to the Cuturgurians Hunnes inhabiting on this side the Lake of Maeotis to assist them in this war against the Lombards They sent them twelve thousand men commanded by Chinialus an experienced Souldier But one year of the Cessation being yet to come and the Gepaedes having no occasion to use such a multitude perswaded them in the interim as upon the by to invade the Romans who keeping no exact Guards upon the Ister into Illyrium and Thrace the Gepaedes transported the Hunnes into the Empire who spoiled the country and sackt the Towns The Emperour hereupon sent to the Vfurgurians Hunnes planted beyond the
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here Agamemnon plac'd this black-pitcht Barke Of the Greeks Army now at Sea a Mark. And the Inscription thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tenichus built This to Diana Bolosia For so anciently they called Eileithuia or Lucina terming the Throwes and pangs of Childbirth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But I returne from whence I digressed CHAP. XIV THE Goths with their fleet came to Corcyra and forraged the Island and the Ilands also of Syntae They landed also upon the main land of Epirus and pillaged the townes about Dodona and Nicopolis it selfe and Anchialus where Anchises the Father of Aenaeas sayling from Troy dyed and gave the name to the Towne They tooke upon the coast also many Greeke shippes and some transporting Provisions to Narses Army Totilas likewise sent an army into Picenia to take Ancona commanded by Skipuar and Giblas and Gundulse called by some Indulfe formerly of the life-guard to Belisarius He gave them forty seven gallies to block up the Castle by sea also The Seige lasting long and the besieged wanting victuall Valerianus being at Ravenna and unable alone to succour it wrote this Letter to John Vitalianus his Sisters Son at Salonae Ancona you know is only left us within the Jonian Gulfe if it be left us it is so sharply besieged that I fear our succours will come too late and we shall use our indeavour after our opportunity I forbear to write more the necessity of the besieged claimes all our time and their danger permits not a long Epistle requiring succour swifter then speech John though the Emperour had forbidden him to stir adventured to go conceiving the necessity whereinto fortune had cast them to dispence with the Emperours instructions He chose his best souldiers and put them aboard forty Gallies swift of Sail and well built for a Sea fight and having furnished them with all necessaries came with them before Ancona Whether soon after came Valerianus with twelve ships Upon conference together they rose from thence and Anchor'd at a place called Senogallia not far from Ancona The Goths Generall also manned forty seven ships with their choice men leaving the rest to block up the Castle and sailed against the Romans Skipuar commanded the men left behinde and Giblas and Gundulfe those in the Ships The Fleets being neer each drew their ships as close together as might be and exhorted their men John and Valerianus spake thus Think not fellow Souldiers that you are to fight now only for the Castle of Ancona and the Romans in it but that the main of the war depends upon this battell and that the conclusion of our fortune is to be drawn in the same Lot with it Consider how the cheif moment of war consists in the expences of it and that they who want supplies are of necessity to be beaten in the End Valour and hunger cannot dwell long together nature not induring to pine with famine and to fight bravely too And other fortresse we have none between Otranto and Ravenna where we can lay in any provisions for our selves or our Horses And the Enemy being Master of the Country we have no place our freind from whence to furnish any small proportion of victuall In Ancona is our only hope where such as come from the opposite land may put in and ride safely So that if we win this battell and thereby assure Ancona we may hope well of all the rest of this war but if we be defeated I will not speak any thing that is harsh God grant unto the Romans the perpetuall Dominion of Italy And consider too that if you speed ill now you cannot so much as run away the Enemy possessing all the land and being also absolute master of the Sea Our only hope of living now is in our armes and depends upon our actions in this fight Fight bravely therefore having this in your minds that if you now be beaten it will be your last beating if you conquer you will be rancked with honour among the most happy Thus Iohn and Valerianus and the Goths Commander spake thus These wretched men expulsed out of Italy and long hid in some corners of the Sea and Land seeing now they dare to sight with us again it is our parts to check their unadvised presumption least it grow higher being let alone Folly not restrained in the beginning proceeds to endlesse daring and at last ruines those it incounters Shew them then quickly that they are Greeks and naturally cowards and now grown desperate with being beaten Take heed least they prosper upon this Experiment Cowardize despised becomes bold and fool-hardinesse in the end may grow to be incapable of fear And if you do valiantly thinke not that they can stand long A spirit not measured out proportionably to the power of him that uses it commonly rises before the businesse but when the battell is begun it suckes Remember therefore the often tryals this Enemy hath made of your valour from their then successe argue that they are not now suddenly become better men but have rashly undertaken as then and will go off with the like fortune After these exhortations the battell began and was stoutly sought and something like a land fight They stood with all their ships in front against each other and plied their Bowes The forwardest grapled and fought from the decks with Javelin and sword as in a feild But the Goths unexperienced in Sea-sights maintained the incounter with much disorder Some stood aloofe whereby the Romans set on them single Some came on so thick that they fell foule with their fellowes for want of Roome Their ships stood jumbled together like so many baskets that they could neither shoot at the Enemy nor manage their Javelins nor swords but were perpetually imployed in getting cleer of one another with loud clamours and confused pushing off with their long poles intangling their front for want of roome and then getting aloofe and both to their own mischeise their cries and hollowings were not against the Enemy but to their own men to keep off and thus puzzelling one another they were the cheifest cause of the Enemies victory Who in their close fights did valiantly and in their Sea fights skillfully keeping their ships in front not too far asunder nor more close then was convenient And still joyning and severing in good proportion when they saw an Enemies ship scatter'd they struck at her and with ease sunck her and where they saw the Enemy in confusion thither they sent clouds of arrowes then seeing them wearied with the toyle of their disorder they fell on them and cut them in peices The Goths desponding did neither consider their crosse fortune nor their own Errours and being not able either to use their ships nor to fight from their decks they left fighting and fell to a dangerous quietnesse committing themselves to fortune and then
be exprest Justinian sent against them an army commanded by the Sonnes of Germanus and others Who being much fewer then the Enemy durst not fight but infested their Reare and cut off some sent of them some prisoners to the Emperour These Barbarians did infinite hurt long pillaging the Country and strewing the high wayes with dead bodies and then went home with innumerable prisoners and all their booty none incountring them The Romans could not infest them in their passage over the Ister because the Gaepedes transported them and had for every head a gold stater for their fare This troubled the Emperour having no means to restrain their passage over the River Ister to spoile the Empire nor their sudden retreat which made him resolve to make a League with the Gaepedes who were then again quarrelling with the Lombards and fearing the power of the Romans who had lately sworn a league with the Lombards they endeavoured to be admitted freinds and Auxiliaries They sent Ambassadors accordingly and the Emperour swore a league with them also and upon the demand of the Ambassadors twelve Senatots sware it likewise Shortly after the Emperour sent an army to aide the Lombards against the Gaepedes whom he charged since the League to have transported Slavonians over the River Ister against the Romans The Army was commanded by Iustine Iustinian the Sons of Germanus Aratius and Swartwall formerly made Prince of the Herulians by the Emperor but banished as I said before by the Herulians of Thule and returning to Constantinople made Generall of the Cohorts there There was likewise Amalafridas a Goth the Daughters Son of Amalafridas who was Sister to Theoderick by Hermenifrid Prince of the Thuringians who being brought to Constantinople by Belisarius with Vitigis the Emperour made him Commander of Roman troops and betrothed his Sister to Auduin Prince of the Lombards Of the aforesaid army only that Amalafridas with his troops came to the Lombards the rest by the Emperours direction staid about the City of Vlpiana in Illyrium where was a mutiny among the inhabitants about things wherein Christians contend among themselves as shall be set down in my relations concerning the same The Lombards with Amalafridas invaded the Gaepedes and in a battell defeated them and killed many And Auduin their King sent the good newes to the Emperour of his victory but complained of the not coming up of the Emperours army according to the League so great numbers of Lombards having been so lately sent by him to aid Narses against Totilas CHAP. XVI GReat Earthquakes at that time happened in Boeotia and Achaia and other parts of Greece about the Gulfe of Crisaeum overthrowing many Cities as Chaeronea Corone Patra and Naupactus Many men perished and in many places by the renting of the Earth were made bottomlesse holes some whereof closed again afterward some continue still so that the people are to compasse much Ground to come to one another The arme of the Sea between Thessaly and Boeotia flowed up into the land about the City of Echinae Scarphia in Boeotia overwhelmed all the Towns there The waters lay long men went into the Iland lying upon that arm of the Sea on dry land while the Sea leaving her ancient current covered the firm land even to the mountaines Afterward it returned to the channels again leaving the fishes upon the land a strange prodigious accident For some tried to seeth and eat them but no sooner heated but they turned to a slymy matter extreamly putrified In one town where the greatest breach was the people being assembled at a great festivall more men perisht then in all Greece beside But in Italy the Crotonians and the Garrison commanded by Palladius being sharpely besieged by the Goths and wanting food had sent to Artabanes in Sicily protesting if they were not instantly succoured to yeild the Town and themselves too But no succour was sent and so ended the winter and the seventeenth year of this war written by Procopius The Emperour commanded the Garrison at Thermopylae in Greece Incipit Annus 18. Bell. Goth. in an 26. Justiniani Et An. Dom. 552. to sail for Italy and to releive Crotona Who getting a faire wind came unexpected into the Haven of Crotona The Goths upon sight of the fleet rose from their siege in much fear and tumult and fled some by sea to Tarentum others ran from their trenches up to the mountain of Scyllaeum These things much deiected the Goths And Ragnaris Commander of the Garrison in Tarentum and Morras of that in Archerontia two principall Goths with their Souldiers assent had a treaty with Bacurius the Sonne of Peranius Commander of the Romans in Otranto for receiving assurances from the Emperour and thereupon to deliver up the townes in their Guard the Capitulation Bacurius took with him to Constantinople And now Narses marcht from Salonae against Totilas with a very gallant army having received much treasure from the Emperor to levy furnish the same above al to pay to the Souldiers in Italy their arreares which were grown great being due for many years He was with this mony also to invite the revolted to return again from the Goths to the Romans The Emperor in the beginning of this war made it very carelesly but now his preparations were very great for Narses seeing him eager to have him to lead the army into Italy did like a brave Generall protesting herein not to serve the Emperours commands unlesse he might have competent forces and by this resolution he procured mony men and armes befitting the Roman Empire Then with much alacrity he made up gallant companies out of the Constantinopolitan Guards and Garrisons of Thrace and many he raised in Illyrium With him went John with his own Troops and those left him by Germanus his Father in Law Auduin also prince of the Lombards in accomplishment of the league and for great summes given him by the Emperour sent five and twenty hundred selected men for auxlliaries accompanied with a retinue of above three thousand men Narses had also three thousand Herulians all horsemen commanded by Philimuth and others and he had many Hunnes Dagistthaeus also was with him with his troops being discharged of his imprisonment for the same purpose Cabades went also with many Persian fugitives who was the Son of Zames and Grand-child of King Cabades and long ago came into the Empire having by the practice of Chanaranges escaped his uncle Chosroes and a young Gepaede very valiant named Asbadas with four hundred Gepaedes good Souldiers And Aruth an Herulian from a child bred among the Romans and married to the widow of Mauricius the Son of Mundus a gallant man and accompanied with many old Souldiers of his Nation Iohn Phagas also commanding many Romans good Souldiers Narses was a man liberall and most forward in releiving men in want using his disposition the more easily by reason of his great power with the Emperour so
memory of their former misfortunes So that now it is you must fight reserve nor your valour for any other time and endure now the labour not preserving your bodies for another hazard and spare not Armes nor Horses as things that will no more be usefull to you Fortune having ruined all the rest hath left us this day as the utmost of our hopes Use now your courage venture boldly our hopes hanging upon such a haire we must not be remisse for the least moment of time The point of opportunity being past the greatest endeavours afterward faile the nature of these affaires not admitting stale valour all must be unseasonable that comes after the occasion So that let us doe effectually now that we may finde the benefit of what we doe and assure our selves that running away is most ruinous Men leave their rancks and flye that they may live but when flying brings certaine destruction he that stands the danger is safer then he that flyes And let us despise our Enemies a mingled multitude of many Nations Such Auxiliaries are neither faithfull nor powerfull As they are of severall Nations they have severall intentions also and thinke not that the Hunnes Herulians and Lombards will hazard to the death or esteeme their lives at a lesse rate then the Romans Money They make a countenance of fighting but will turne cowards when they please either after receite of their payes or upon their Commanders direction The most agreeable things not done freely but upon the necessity either of compulsion or hire please not but become greivous at last Consider all this and fight with alacrity The Battells were thus put in order they stood both in front as deepe and as long as they could make it The left wing of the Romans Narses and John had neer the Hill with the choicest men of the Army being both followed with many Lanciers and Targettiers and excellent Hunnes besides their Souldiers on the List In the right wing were Valerianus John Phagas and Dagisthaeus with the rest of the Roman Souldiers The Battalion was of eight thousand foot and the Archers of the List and between the same and both the wings were placed the Lombards Herulians and other Barbarians all whom Narses caused to alight from their Horses and to serve as footmen that if they should turne willing Cowards they might flye but slowly The left wing he put into the forme of a Wedge and he set there fifteen hundred Horse-men whereof five hundred were to relieve the Romans in case they should be put to the worst and the other thousand in the fight to get the backs of the Enemies foot and to gaul them Totilas placed his Army in like manner and rode about with his countenance and words animating his Souldiers Narses did the like holding out to them gilt Chaines and Bridles as the Prizes of their valour that day CHAP. XIX BOth the Armies a while stood still expecting each their Enemies assault Then a Goth named Cocas much esteemed for valour rode up to the Roman Army challenging any to fight with him He had been a Roman Souldier and revolted to Totilas to whom Anzalas an Armenian and Lancier to Narses rode out Cocas spurd on to give the first blow with his Lance ayming at his belly Anzalas turn'd his Horse aside and avoyded the blow then thrust his Lance into his left side at which the Goth fell downe dead and the Romans shouted Then Totilas put himselfe between the Armies not to fight a Duell but to dally out the time understanding the two thousand Horse to be at hand untill whose coming he would put off the Battell He concealed who he was wearing a Gilt Armour and from his Headpeice and Lance hung downe streamers of purple and he was a gallant sigh being bravely horst He acted his feats of Armes skilfully winding his Horse round in a circle then turning short and making many such circular passages He tost his Lance into the ayre in his full carriere then caught it as it came downe againe and removing it skilfully from one hand to another he took much pride in his dexterity therein lying upon his back and putting himselfe upon his Buttocks and bowing this way and that way like a Youth exactly taught all the tricks of a Dancing schoole He spent a great part of the afternoone in these exercises then to gaine more time sent to the Roman Army offering a Parley Narses sayd he juggled being before all for Warr and now making Propositions when the Battells were to joyne In the meane time came the two thousand Horse which when Totilas understood and it being Dinner time he caused the Army to draw off and he went to his Tent where in his owne quarter he found the two thousand Horse He commanded his Troops to dine and himselfe put on another Armour then led out suddenly against the Enemy thinking to surprize them unprepared But Narses fearing what happened forbade his men to retyre to their Dinner or afternoons repose or to put off their Corslets or to unbridle their Horses commanding them in their rancks with their Armour on to take a bit and to have a perpetuall eye upon the Enemies returne They stood in the same order still saving that Narses put both the wings with an addition of four thousand Foot into the forme of a halfe moone The Goths Infantry stood behinde their Horse to receive them being routed within their rancks and joyntly to renue the charge Totilas commanded his men not to use their Arrows but their Lances which senslesse stratagem ruined him making hereby his Army inferiour in their offensive weapons as in all things else For the Romans used according to the occasion their Arrows and Lances and came up to the Sword and did all which the present occasion required either charging on Horseback or on foot to their best advantage and sometimes compassing the Enemy sometimes standing his charges But the Goths Horse without their Foot came on with unadvised fury trusting onely to their Lances and being in the midst of the Romans they found their errour being ingaged among eight thousand Foot By whom being gaulled on all sides they despaired Our Archers drawing home the two ends of their Bowes even to their foreheads and round like a halfe moon so that the Goths before they could touch the Romans Horse had lost many men and Horses And after much mischeife sustained they came late up to the Romans Battalion of Horse where the Romans and Auxiliaries strove with equall valour each one receiving the Enemy bravely and repelling them Then the Evening coming on the Goths began to retyre and the Romans to pursue the Goths being not able to stand after their first furious charge but turning about in confusion daunted with the Romans numbers and good order And they gave over fighting thinking that some Spirits fell upon them and that Heaven it selfe fought against them When they came to their Foot there their mischeife
encreased for they came not in any orderly retreat as to take breath for a new charge or for any other point of Warr but ran in among them so confusedly spoyling many that they opened not their rancks to receive them but ran away with them for company and it growing darke they destroyed one another The Romans killed them in this feare sparing none and none daring to look them in the faces who exposing themselves to their Enemies were pursued with terrours and mastered with cowardise Six thousand were slaine and many taken Prisoners and not long after put to the Sword Among them perished many Roman Souldiers who had revolted to Totilas And now the darknesse concluded the fight Totilas fled in the darke with five men of whom Skipuar was one he was pursued by some Romans who knew him not among whom was Asbades a Gepaede who had overtaken him and was making a blow at him but a Gothish Boy following his flying Master cryed out Thou Dog Doest thou run after thine owne Master to kill him But Asbades thrust his Lance forcibly into Totilas and was himselfe hurt in the foot by Skipuar that he could follow no further Skipuar also being wounded stood still And the foure men with Asbades followed no further but carryed off Asbades Those who accompanyed Totilas rode on amaine thinking the Enemy pursued still and drew him after them mortally wounded and ready to expire Having run about ten miles they came to a Towne called Caprae there they rested and dressed the wound of Totilas who soon after gave up the ghost There they buryed him and went away Such a conclusion of his life and raigne had Totilas having been King of the Goths eleven yeares an end not suitable to his former actions and successes Fortune in him insulted upon the fraile condition of man shewing her strange proceeding and absolute will Shee had without any apparent merit bestowed on Totilas a long time of happinesse and now upon the sudden she hurryed him at her owne pleasure into cowardise and an ignoble death These are things to men incomprehensible but in all ages have been discoursed of according to mens conceits and fancies to comfort their ignorance with some seeming probabilities But the Romans knew not of the death of Totilas till a Gothish woman told it and shewed his Grave who distrusting the report opened the Grave digged up the Coffin and took out the body and finding it to be Totilas they put him into the ground againe and reported all to Narses Some report this overthrow otherwise that the Goths did not make that unadvised retreat but that in the first skirmishing with the Romans suddenly an Arrow and by chance lighted upon Totilas For being armed like a common Souldier and rancked among them in the Battalion to conceale himselfe he could not be knowne nor purposely shot at But that being mortally wounded in great paine he gallopt away with some few with him to Caprae and after much misery and languishing dyed under the cure And that the Goths amazed to see their King thus mortally wounded and gone off being otherwise too weak then became wholly out of heart and fell into that astonishment and shamefull running away CHAP. XX. BUT howsoever this fell out Narses rejoycing at the successe took the True course to attribute all unto God And he took order in the present occasions and first to be rid of his unrulely Lombards who were infinitely disorderly and burned houses and ravished Women that fled into Churches He bestowed store of money on them for their Service and sent them home commanding Valerianus and Damianus his Sisters Son with their Troops to conduct them out of the Roman Confines that they might do no mischiefe in their way home-ward And so soon as these were out of the Roman Territories Valerianus besieged Verona and the Garrison in it came to some Capitulation with him for rendring the Town But the Francks Garrison'd in the Townes of Venetia hindred it seeking with all their endeavour to get the whole Country to themselves whereupon Valerianus retired without effecting any thing The Goths who fled from the overthrow went over the River Poe and put themselves into the City of Picenum and other Townes about it and made Teias their King He with the Treasures left by Totilas in Picenum sought to draw the Francks to his aide and governed the Goths as he could in that Estate assembling them together Narses advertised thereof commanded Valerianus to keep his Troops about the River Poe to make the Goths rallying difficult Himselfe with the rest of the Army marcht towards Rome In Tuscany he took in Narnia and put a Garrison into Spoletum with direction to reedifie the Walls demolished by the Goths He sent Troops also to attempt Perusia commanded by two Fugitive Romans Meligedius and Vlithus who being one of the Life-guard to Cyprianus was wonne by the allurements of Totilas to murther him Commander of the Roman Garrison there Melegedius accepted the offers of Narses and consulted with his own Followers to yeild the Town which Vlithus with his Friends openly opposing was slain in the Fight and the Town was rendred to the Romans Thus by Gods just Vengeance was Vlithus slain in the very place where he had murthered his Commander Cyprianus The Goths Garrison'd in Rome hearing of the approach of Narses put in readinesse to encounter him as they could At his first taking Rome Totilas had burnt most of the Buildings of the City and then considering how the Goths had not men enough left to Guard the whole Circuit of it he took in with a lesser Wall a small part thereof about Adrians Tomb joyn'd it to the City Walls and so made it as a Castle wherein the Goths laid their things of Value and guarded it carefully neglecting the rest of the Walls Yet then desirous to try the Enemy they left a few to guard that Castle and put themselves upon the Battlements The Circuite of Rome so vast neither could the Romans encompasse nor the Goths guard so that the assaults and defences were accidentally in severall places as the occasions were Narses charged one part with multitudes of Archers in another John Sisters Son to Vitalianus fell on with his Troops Another part Philimuth and his Herulians infested and they were far distant from one another the Goths bravely resisting their Charges and being assembled all where the Romans fell on the rest of the Walls were empty Dagisthaeus with Narses consent took some Troopes with the Ensignes of Narses and John and scaling Ladders and set upon a part quite destitute of Guards and at his ease he mounted by his Ladders none resisting and then set upon the Gates the Goths seeing this left their Guards and ran all away some to their new Castle others to Portus Writing this it comes into my thoughts how Fortune plaies with poor men changing her looks with the times and places and varying suddenly not only her
own humour but even the value and worth of the men Bessas formerly lost Rome unworthily and afterward recovered Petra in Lazica very bravely And on the contrary Dagisthaeus poorly ran away from Petra and now soon after recovers Rome it selfe to the Emperour These things have been done from the beginning and will be while there is Fortune among men Narses then marcht against the new Castle But the Goths yeilded it and themselves Anno 26. Just Rome now had been taken five times in his Raigne upon assurances for their Persons Justinian being now in the 26th yeare of his Reigne Thus was Rome taken five times in his Reigne and Narses sent the Keyes of it to the Emperour To the Roman Senate and People this Victory proved an extream ruine So to men that must have a mischiefe even their seeming good Fortunes turn to their destruction that having had a faire course they both lose it and undo themselves For the Goths now despairing of the Dominion of Italy in their flight killed all the Romans they found And the Barbarians of the Roman Army also at their entring the City used them all as Enemies Many Senators also confined by Totilas in Campania and now repairing to Rome when they heard it to be in the Emperours possession the Goths quartered in the Townes of those parts killed and left not one Patritian alive Maximus was then slain whom I have mentioned formerly Totilas also going against Narses called for all the Sons of the principall Romans and choosing out 300. of the goodliest of them pretending to breed them but indeed holding them for Hostages And he sent them beyond the River Poe whom Teias now finding there killed them all Moreover Ragnaris a Goth who commanded in Tarentum and had compounded with Bacurius as I have said to yield the City to the Emperour and given six Goths for Hostages Now hearing of the Election of Teias and that the Francks were desired to aide him and he immediately to march against the Romans he refused to perform the composition and to get his Hostages again he sent one to Bacurius for a convoy of Souldiers to Otranto from whence he said he would go to Constantinople Bacurius not suspecting his plot sent him 50. men whom Ragnaris imprisoned and sent word to Bacurius that if he meant to have his Soulders he must restore to him his Gothish Hostages Bacurius led out his Forces against him leaving some few to guard Otranto Upon this Ragnaris killed the 50. Souldiers and sallied out against the Romans and in fight was defeated lost many men and ran away into Acherontia Tarentum being blockt up by the Romans The Romans soon after took Portus by composition and Nepa in Tuscany and Petra Pertusa Teias finding his Goths too weak for the Romans sent to Theudebald King of the Francks importuning him with the offer of great sums of Money to joyne with him But the Francks took the resolution best for themselves not to bestow their lives upon Goths nor Romans but to adventure them onely in the Conquest of Italy for themselves CHAP. XXI BUT Narses hearing how Totilas had layed the most part of his Treasures in the Castle of Cuma in Campania with a strong Garrison under his owne Brother Herodian sent to besiege the sayd Castle staying himselfe at Rome to repaire the ruines and sent others to besiege Centumcellae Teias fearing the losse of this Castle and the Treasures and having no hope from the Francks commanded his Troops to be ready for a Battell with the Romans Narses finding his intention commanded John and Philemuth to martch with their Forces into Tuscany to stop the Enemies passage into Campania and to assist in the taking of Cuma But Teias left his neerer way which was to the right hand and made a huge compasse passing along the Sea coast of the Jonian Gulfe into Campania Narses thereof advertised remanded John and Philemuth and sent for Valerianus who besieged Petra-Pertusa and with his whole Army in order to fight martcht into Campania Mount Vesuvius in Campania as I have sayd before often sends out a noise like the lowing of Oxen which is ever accompanied with a vomiting out of huge quantity of Cynders Besides as Mount Aetna in Sicily in the middle it hath made it selfe hollow from the top to the bottome and below the fire burnes perpetually The fire is so deep that peeping in from the top you cannot easily discerne it When the Mountaine vomits the flame forces off peices of rocks from the highest ridges of it shooting up the smaller pieces farr above the Mountaine and scattering the greater round about From the top also of this Mountain runs a Torrent of fire to the foot of it and something further as in Mount Aetna This fiery stream on either side makes high bancks undermining the ground below and when the flame comes upon it it lookes like a flood of water set on fire So soon as the flame is quencht the stream stops its course and the Sediment or Lees of that fiery substance looks like dry Mud and heaps of Cynders At the foot of the Mountaine are wholesome Springs from which comes the River Draco close to the City of Nuceria On either side of this River both Armies encamped it hath a small stream but not to be past being deep as having worne out the ground under the bancks very low The Bridge which is upon it the Goths had gotten and being encamped neer it they had made upon it wooden Towers and many Engines and set up Balistas to shoot downe upon the Enemy This River being such there was no possibility for a close standing Battell So that each part got as neer as they durst to the banks and plyed one another with Arrows Some Duels there were also sometimes Romans and sometimes Goths pasting over the Bridge and challenging all comers Two moneths were thus consumed and while the Goths were Masters of the Sea their Campe being neer the Sea was supplyed with provisions But after the Romans had gotten their Shipps by the Treason of the Commander of them a Goth and were re-enforced also with many other Ships out of Sicily and other Roman Dominions and that Narses had set up wooden Towers upon the Rivers bank the Goths hearts were absolutely dejected and for feare and famine were faine to flye up to a Mountaine neer there called Mons Lactis The Romans for the fastnesses could not come at them But the Goths being there in more want and having no way to get any provision for themselves or their Horses repenting their coming up and choosing rather to dye by fight then to starve came suddenly upon the Romans who stood against them as they could being taken unexpectedly not being embattailed nor under their severall Captaines not any way in order nor at all observing what was commanded them The Goths quitted their Horses and stood in a deep Battalion the Romans left their Horses and stood in