but with his power made Leo against whom afterward he conspired And now fearing lest the victory of the Vandals might make him proud both to his particular and in the government he instructed Basiliscus at his departure to prolong the war Leo also sent Anthemius a Senator great in blood and estate to be Emperour of the West that he might be aiding to him in the Vandalick war And Genserick promised the Western Empire to Olybrius Placidia's husband to joyn with him upon which confidence he had higher thoughts and more vexed the Roman dominions * The Greek again In the mean time Marcellianus a friend of Aetius who after the murder of Aetius entred into action against Valentinian and got the dominion of Dalmatia none opposing Leo courted and gained and then sent him to the Iland of Sardinia subject to the Vandals whom Marcellianus presently drave out and got the Iland From Constantinople also was sent Heraclius into Tripolis in Africk who took all the Towns therein left his ships there and led his Army by land to Carthage These were the entrances into this war But Basiliscus arrived with his Army at a small Town 35 miles from Carthage called Mercurium from an ancient Temple of Mercury And if he had not treacherously dallied but marcht instantly to Carthage he had taken the Town instantly and made the Vandals his Captives So much afraid was Genserick of Leo seeing Tripolis and Sardinia taken and so brave a Navy as the Romans had not set out of a long time But this the Generals either cowardly or traiterous delay hindred But Genserick made this good use of Basiliscus his negligente He armed his Subjects manned most of his ships and made ready of the rest the swiftest of sail without men in them then sent Ambassadors to Basiliscus desiring a five days cessation that he might advise upon the means of doing the Emperours pleasure They say he sent him closely a great sum of money which bought this truce supposing which came to pass that he should get in that time a wind to bring his ships about And Basiliscus either to comply with his promise to Aspar or selling his opportunity or whether he thought it so best lay stil attending the enemies advantage But the Vandals the wind serving hoist sail against the enemy towing after the ships without men When they came near they put fire into the empty ships whose sails spreading to the wind they let them run upon the Roman Navy They falling in among a multitude of Vessels suddenly consumed with themselves those they fell foul with In the mean time the Roman fleet was in confusion with cries equalling the winds and the whizzing of the flames and with the Soldiers and Mariners calling and thrusting the fire-ships with long poles from their own pittifully perishing The Vandals also shot and sunk the rest taking the flying Soldiers with Arms and all Some in this over-throw did bravely specially John Lieutenant General to Basiliscus but not acquainted with his Treason His ship being boarded he slew many upon the deck and when he saw the ship taken by the enemy he leapt into the sea with all his Arms. Genson the son of Genserick wooed him and gave him his faith to save his life but he plunged into the sea using this word only That John should never come into the hands of dogs And this was the end of this war Heraclius returned home Marcellianus perisht by the Treason of one of his fellow-Commanders But Basiliscus in Constantinople took sanctuary in the great Church dedicated to Christ the Constantinopolitans call it the Church of St. Sophia holding the attribute of wisdom most becoming God and the Empress Verina obtained his pardon But the Empire he could not then get what he endeavoured for Leo shortly after killed Aspar and Ardaburius in his Palace suspecting them to conspire his death Anthemius also Emperour of the West was slain by Recimer who married his daughter And Olybrius succeeding him had not long after the same fate Leo deceasing in Constantinople Leo the son of Zeno and of Ariadne daughter to Leo received the Empire being very young And his father being chosen his partner in the Empire the child was quickly rid out of the way CHAP. VII THen Majorinus had the Western Empire a man worth the remembring as excelling in virtue all the Roman Emperours that ever were He could not with patience endure the disaster of Africk but raised a great Army in Liguria to go against the Vandals himself being industrious and very ventrous of his person He thought best first to discover the Vandals power and the humour of Genserick and how the Moors and Africans stood affected towards them And resolving to put this in execution himself he took his journey to Genserick with a feigned name and as an Ambassador from the Emperor And further to avoid mischief and the overthrow of his business by discovery he died his hair which was as yellow as the finest gold into a perfect blew for the time Genserick to fright him took him in a friendly way into his Armory where was much good Arms. They say the Arms then of themselves moved and clashed together that Genserick thought it an Earthquake but being without and upon enquiry finding no notice taken of any Earthquake he thought it a miracle not guessing the meaning Majorinus dispatcht to his desire returned into Liguria lead his Army over land purposing to cross the Straits at Hercules Pillars and so to march to Carthage Genserick informed thereof and how he was deceived by Majorinus was heartily afraid and made preparation for the war and the Romans from the virtues of Majorinus conceived hope of recovering Africk In the mean time Majorinus died of a dyssentery a man moderate to his Subjects and to his enemies terrible newly come to the Empire and living in it too short a time * An. dom 471. Glycerius succeeded him and had the 〈◊〉 fortune Then Augustulus received the Empire Other Emperors there were in the West whose names though I know I omit they living a very short time in the Government and so doing nothing worth mentioning But Basiliscus in Constantinople passionately in love with the Empire attempted to usurp and prevailed Zano with his Empress fled into Isauria his native Country And Basiliscus usurped a year and eight months generally hated by all men and by the very Guards of his Palace for his extream avarice Zeno therof advertised went against him with an Army to whom Basiliscus opposed another under Aâ—â—â—dius his General But being encamped near Armatus delivered his Army to Zeno upon condition he should make his son Basiliscus Caesar being very young and make him his successor Basiliscus forsken by all the world fled to the Church of St. Sophia but Acacius the Bishop of the City put him into Zeno's hands objecting against him impiety in much embroiling and innovating the Christian Doctrin as inclining to
him exceedingly and not according to the ordinary Humour for in States men have severall Inclinations and while things are as they would have them they are pleased with the present Government but if otherwise they are male-content CHAP. II. THeodorick having raigned thirty seven yeares died being growen terrible to his Enemyes and much beloved by his Subjects The manner of his Death was thus Symmachus and his Son in Law Boetius ancient noble men and chelfe of the Senate having been Consulls and both being Philosophers just men and great Relievers of the poore had many bitter envyers by whose false accusations Theodorick being perswaded that they plotted against him put them to Death and confiscated their Estates Not long after his Wayters set before him at Supper a great head of a Fish which seemed to him to be the Head of Symmachus lately murdered and with the teeth sticking out and fierce glaring eyes to threaten him Being frighted at it he became chill and presently went to bed commanding store of clothes to be layd on him And afterward he revealed all to Elpidius his Physitian lamenting the sinne he had done against Symmachus and Boetius and soone after dyed This was the first and last wrong he ever did his Subjects in pronouncing sentence thus against men without Examination †Atalarick Anno Domini 526. his Daughters Sonne succeeded being eight yeares of age and bred with his Mother Amalasuntha his Father being dead also Not long after Justinian received the Empire in Constantinople and Amalasuntha governed as her Sonnes Guardian being Wise Just and of a very manly nature She never during her Government layd corporall punishment or fine upon any Romane nor gave way to the Goths longing to do them Injuryes She restored to the Children of Symmachus and Boetius their Estates and shee desired to forme her Son in his manner of living like to the Roman Princes Shee caused him to frequent the Grammar Schoole and chose three discreet moderate men of the Gothick Nation to accompany him This the Goths misliked and desiring to wrong the Subjects would have him bred more according to the Barbarian way The Mother once taking her Sonne in some dis-order in the Bed-chamber strake him and he weeping went out into the great Chamber where some Goths seeing him made a great matter of it and rayled upon Amalasuntha that shee made haste to be rid of the youth and marrying some man with him to raigne over the Goths and Italians And their principall men assembling complained that their King was ill bred and not as was fit for him that Learning is opposite to Valour that this schooling by old men produces commonly cowardly and low spirits and that whosoever will prove daring and a man of Reputation must be removed from feare of Schoole Masters and imploy his Study in Armes Theodorick they sayd suffered not the Goths to send their Sonnes to the Grammer schoole alleadging that if they were seasoned once with the feare of a Feruler they would never despise a Sword nor a Lance. They besought the Queene to consider how Theodorcik gained large Provinces and a Kingdome to which he had no right and was dead without knowing his Letters and therefore to dismisse those Paedagogues and to give Atalarick Companions of his own Age who growing up with him might incite him to governe according to the Barbarian Lawes Amalasuntha approved not these reasons but fearing Treason shee seemed pleased with the discourse and yeilded to their demands The old men left Atalarick and Youths were bred up with him having some small advantage of yeares above him who when he was come to yeares provoking him to Drinke and Women made him extreamly ill-conditioned and so foolish as to be disobedient to his Mother nay to desert her in a Faction of Barbarians who impudently commanded her to retyre from Court But Amalasuntha feared not their Faction nor womanlike softned her Resolution but with the Majesty of a Prince shee pickt out three of most Account and most faulty and confined them single and far asunder to the remotest parts of Italy They were reported to be imployed in guarding the Marches against the Enemy but they continued still correspondence with their Freinds and Kinsmen and all men flockt to them and the conspiracy grow ripe Which shee not able to stand against shee senâ—â—o Justinian desiring him to be pleased that Amalasuntha the Daughter of Theodorick might repayre to him shee minding instantly to quit Italy The Emperour was glad of the news bade her come and directed the fayrest House in Epidamnus to be made ready for her to lodge in and having stayed there what time shee pleased to be convoyed to Constantinople When Amalasuntha understood this shee chose some Goths valiant and men most inward with her and sent them to kill those three cheifes of the Mutiny And shee put a board a ship †four hundred Centenaries of Gold and much other wealth A million and 260000 l. sterl under the charge of some of her most confidents whom shee commanded to sayle to Epidamnus and to lye at Anchor in the harbour without unshipping any thing till shee sent direction This shee did purposing if those three were Executed to stay and remand the ship fearing then no Enemyes but if any of them escaped to fly into the Emperours Dominions there being no sound hope at home Such was her Resolution And her Ministers with the Treasure came into Epidamnus observing her directions But she quickly those Executions being dispatcht called back the ship and remaining at Ravenna fortified her Government Among the Goths was one Theodatus Sonne unto Amalafrida the Sister of Theodorick a man in yeares and who had been conversant in Latine discourses and the Doctrines of Plato but unpractised in Warr and never aspiring to seats of Justice yet extreamly avaricious He was Lord of many Townes in Tuscany and by Oppression sought to spoyle the owners of those remaining it was an Affliction to Theodatus to have Neighbours Amalasuntha endeavoured to curbe this humour in him which made him very spitefull against her And he plotted to deliver Tuscany to the Emperour for a great summe of Money and to be made a Senatour and to remain at Constantinople In the mean time came Ambassadors from Constantinople to the Bishop of Rome Hypatius Bishop of Ephesus and Demetrius Bishop of Philippi in Macedonia about points which Christians of different opinions dispute among themselves The questions I know but will not recite To search what the nature of God is I hold to be a frantick arrogance humane things are not to man exactly comprehensible much lesse things pertayning to the nature of God Let me therefore be silent without danger onely by my not mis-beleiving that which in God is honoured For let Preists or private men speake as they are perswaded I can say no other thing concerning God but that he is absolutely good and hath all things in his power But
possession of the Caspian Gates and the Fort. But the Emperour who used not to doe things unadvisedly considering that it was not possible to maintaine a garrison in that place wanting all commodities and having no nation neer it subject to the Romans he thanckt the man much for his good will but would not meddle with the thing Ambazuces soone after died and Cabades forcing out his sonnes possessed himselfe of the Gates Anastasius also after the truce with Cabades at a place called Daras built a very strong City and named it then Anastasia being distant from Nisibis about twelve miles and from the Persian frontier three miles and a halfe at most This building the Persian desiring to hinder could not having his hands full with the Hunnes But having dispatcht that warre he expostulated with the Romans for this building so neer his confines and contrary to the Articles of Peace Anastasius partly threatning partly pretending friendship and with large presents put it off Another City also this Emperor built upon the frontier of Persarmema which had been before a village and from Theodosius his name was called Theodosia But Anastasius compassed it with a strong wall which no lesse then the other troubled the Persians being both as Rampires upon his Country Not long after Anastasius deceasing Justine succeeded in the Empire the others kindred being rejected though many of them very eminent men Cabades was also troubled fearing innovation upon his house after his decease For upon his Sonnes he could not transferre the Kingdom without some question His eldest Caoses the law invited but him he could not abide the fathers opinion therein overruling nature and the ancient Lawes His second Sonne Zames having lost an eye the Law excluded prohibiting to make a King having but one eye or any other maime But Chosroes borne of the sister of Aspevedes he chiefly affected But seeing the Persians admire the valour of Zames as being a good Souldier and a favourer of vertue he feared least taking armes against Chosroes they might ruine his house and Kingdom Hereupon he resolved to make a peace with the Romans by procuring his Son Chosroes to be adopted by the Emperour Justine which he conceaved the onely way to preserve the security of his Empire To this purpose he dispatcht Ambassadors to Constantinople with letters to Justine to this purpose Your selfe know that the Romans have done us wrongs which I am resolved not to urge knowing that those in reason ought to have the Victory He was Son of Vigilantia sister of Justine by a very obscure man one Sabatius and Illyrian This Quaestor or Assessor Imperatoris diclated all Laws and Edicts and subscribed them Which war warrant to the Praesectus Praetorio to publish them He judged a pâ—ales to the Emperours person and in summe had the care of the whole Empire committed to him vid. Notitiam utriusque Imperij who having the right on their side are yet willingly put to the worst to gratisie their friends But for this I must demand a favour which binding our selves and subjects by kindred and the consequent thereof good affection may for ever settle to us the blessings of peace It is that you would adopt my Son Chosroes who is to succeed me in my Kingdom for your Son Justine was glad at the proposition and so was Justinian his sisters son and successor designed urging the speedy perfection and drawing up of the adoption after the Roman forme But Proclus crost it who was assessor to the Emperor the Romans call this officer Quaestor and a knowne just man not to be bribed nor hastily passing Edicts or altring things setled He opposing it spake thus I use not to meddle with novelties which of all things I feare most knowing that they cannot possibly stand with safety But were I a very daring man I think I should shrinck and tremble at the storme that is to be expected from this Act. For I cannot conceave any thing now in consulation but with a faire pretence to betray our State to the Persians who in plaine words without disguising or modeslie pray us to let them take our Empire from us covering their grosse deceipt with simplicity and their impudent proposition with a pretended desire of quietnesse But you both had need to oppose this designe of the Barbarians to the utmost of your power you Sir I least you prove the last Roman Emperour and you the General least you block up your own way to the Empire Some tricks coverel with faire pretences need an interpreter to the common sort But this Ambassage bluntly at first dash will have this Chosroes heire to the Roman Emperour Consider it thus I pray By nature is due to children their fathers estates All Lawes though differing in other things do yet in this agree both among Romans and Barbarians that children are to inherit their fathers estates So that yeilding to this their first request the rest you must consequently grant The Emperour and his Nephew approved this speech consulting what was to be done In the meane time came other letters from Cabades to Justine to send to him men of experience for concluding of a peace and to signifie the forme that was to be observed in the adoption Upon this Proclus more eagerly opposed the Persians proposall and urged that they should rather adopt to themselves the Roman power and dominion declaring his opinion that it was fit they as speedily as might be should conclude a peace and withall that some chief men should be sent who being demanded by Cabades in what manner the adoption should be should answer as is fit for a Barbarian For the Barbarians adopt sons not by writings but by arming them Accordingly Ambassadors were sent by Justine and promise of some greater men to follow for consummating all touching the peace and Chosroes There were therefore shortly after sent Hypatius a patrician Nephew to the late Emperour Anastasius and Generall of the East and Rufinus sonne of Silvanus a principall patrician and one well knowne to Cabades From the Persians came Seoses their most powerfull man who had the chief power over all armies and offices and with him Mebodes who was Master of the Palace in Persia These meeting upon the frontier treated concerning an according of the differences and concluding a peace And Chosroes came down to the Tigris two dayes journy from Nisibis that the peace being concluded he might go to Constantinople Many discourses past about their differences and Seoses alledged that Colchis now called Lazica antiently belonged to the Persians and that the Romans held it from them unjustly The Romans took it very ill that their title to Lazica should be questioned But when they said that the Adoption must be performed in a form fit for a Barbarian the Persians thought this insufferable So both broke off and they severally went home And Chosroës returned to his father vowing to revenge this scorn upon the Romans Mebodes afterward
Empresses mind was terribly affraid suspecting every night in his bed some Barbarian should rush in to kill him and still peeping out and searching the entries that he could not sleep though he had about him some thousands of Lanciers and Targetiers a thing never used by any Praefect But no sooner day but again forgetting all fear of God or man he became a common destruction to all Romans frequenting Sorcerers and hearkning to impious South-sayings vainly foretelling to him the Imperiall dignity that one might see his thoughts in the air transported with hopes of the Empire And in his wicked course of life he bated nothing nor was God in any of his thoughts If he went to Church to pray or watch all night he observed not the Christian Rites but having on a course garment like a Heathen Priest he mumbled all the night some ungodly spels to captivate more the Emperours mind and to preserve himself from mischief In the mean time Belisarius after the conquest of Italy came to Constantinople with his wife Antonina to manage the war against the Persian being precious to all men and indeed deserving much estimation Yet this John was harsh to him and still plotting against him onely because himself was generally hated and Belisarius of all men the most renowned And the hope of the Romans being upon him again he made an expedition into Persia leaving his wife Antonina in Constantinople who being the ablest woman alive to effect things hard to be effected to gratifie the Empresse devised this John had a daughter his onely child named Euphemia whom he extreamely loued very modest but young and so easily caught This mayd Antonina by much soothing and assiduity at last gained to her lure not disdaining to impart her secrets to her And once having her above in a chamber she feigned to lament her own fortune That Belisarius after so much enlarging the Roman Empire and two Kings brought prisoners to Constantinople and so vast a wealth found Justinian ungratefull and in other things she accused the Government as unjust Euphemia overjoyed at this discourse being troubled too with the Government and fear of the Empress Truly dear Lady quoth she you are the causes who having power will not use it We are not able daughter replyed Antonina to stirre in the Camp if some in the Court concurre not in the action But if your Father would wee should easily being once in the business effect whatsoever it should please God Euphemia confidently promised that this should be done and departing related the matter to her father Who pleased with it and conceiving it to lead him the way to his Prophesies and the Empire without pausing upon it consented Willing his daughter to treat for a meeting the next day and that he might give her his oath Antonina knowing his mind and desirous to draw him from suspecting the truth To give him a meeting now quoth she will doe hurt it will cause suspition and hinder all But she was instantly to goe into the East to Belisarius being departed from Constantinople and in her house in the suburbs which is called Rufinianae a house of Belisarius there John should come to take leave and bring her on her way where they might conferre and give oath and take it John liked this and a day was assigned accordingly The Empresse informed of all from Antonina commended the plot and encouraged her in it And at the day appointed Antonina took leave of the Empress and came to Rufinianae and the next day was to begin her journey Thither at night came John to finish the agreement The Empresse had informed her husband of these attempts of John to usurp and so sent to Rufinianae Narses the Eunuch and Marcellus Commander of the Palatine guards with many souldiers and direction to search out the business and if they found John in any plot to kill him and come away They say the Emperour advertised of this proceeding sent one to John not to meet Antonina secretly Which advise John neglecting it being his fate to be ruined about midnight met Antonina near a hedge behind which she had placed Narses and Marcellus to hear what was said There did John consent in plain words to the conspiracy and confirmed it with most terrible oaths Then did Narses and Marcellus break in upon him But at the noise Johns Lanciers who were at hand came presently in One of them wounded Marcellus with his sword not knowing who it was whereby John with them escaped and ran to the City If he had had the heart to goe immediately to the Emperour he had had no hurt I verily think But by flying to the Temple he gave the Empresse full scope to advance her design against him So that of a Praefect made a private man and removed from that Church he was brought to another standing in a suburb of Cyzicum called Artâce and there made a Priest naming himself Peter He was not made a Bishop but a Priest Neither would he execute the function of a Priest lest it should hinder his promotion to greater offices For he would not lay down his hopes His estate being confiscate the Emperour remitted much of it being still inclined to spare him There had John the means secure from dangers and rich both by what he had collected himself and what he had by the Emperours grace to use his pleasures without controlement and with moderation to esteem his estate happy At which all men repined that being the wickedest devil in the world he should thus live happyer than he did before But God would not suffer his punishment to stay there but prepared this greater scourge for him Eusebius the bishop of Cyzicum was as harsh a man as John himself And him the Cyzicenians accused to the Emperour in a judiciall way but not prevailing Eusebius being too strong for them some young men laid wait and killed him in the Market-place of Cyzicum With this Eusebius John had great differences which cast a suspition of the fact upon him So that some Senators being sent to examine it first put him in the common prison setting him naked like a robber or some pilfering rogue one who had been so powerfull a Praefect enrolled among the Patricians and had sate in the Consuls chair then which dignity none is greater in the Roman state and tearing his back with many stripes they forced him to reveal his own life There was no great argument of his guilt of the murder but the justice of God exacted from him a revenge for abusing the whole world They took then all his estate from him and put him naked into a ship save with one course coat which cost not much His conductors wheresoever the ship put in made him beg his bread and small moneys for his subsistence And so begging all the way to Egypt he was brought to Antinoë and this is the third year of his being there a prisoner Yet in all this affliction he
into the ground The Herulians horse rushing mainly against it brake it which much troubled Sittas For an Armenian who knew him having his helmet off assured the rest it was Sittas Who hearing what the Armenian said and seeing his lance crackt upon the ground drew his sword and would have retreated over the vally The Enemy rode eagerly after him and one overtook him in the vally with a sword which cut off the crown of his head not hurting the scull Sittas spurr'd on but Artabanes the son of John of the race of the Arsacides kill'd him with a thrust of his lance behind Thus was Sittas lost impertinently and not sutably to his former actions A goodly man he was valiant and an excellent Commander inferiour to none of his time Some say one Solomon killed him an obscure fellow and not Artabanes Sittas being dead the Emperour sent Buzes against the Armenians Who being neer them promised to reconcile them desiring conference with some of their chief men None would give credit to Buzes nor hearken to his offers save John the father of Artabanes his friend of the race of the Arsacides who presuming upon Buzes as his friend came to him with his son in law Bassaces and some others These the next day lodged where they were to meet Buzes and perceaved themselves compass't with the Roman army Bassaces when he could not perswade John to flie rode back leaving him all alone whom Buzes kill'd The Armenians having no hope of reconciliation and unable to maintaine the warr under the conduct of Bassaces a valiant man betook themselves to the Persian King To whom some of their Chiefs being admitted spake thus There are amongst us Sir many Arsacides descendants of that Arsaces who no stranger to the Persian Empire when it was under the Parthians was a famous King in his time inferiour to none But we now stand before you become slaves and fugitives not willingly but forced in apparance by the Romans but indeed O King by your resolution For who gives power to the wrong doer justly beares the blame of the wrong To deduce it higher and through the severall occurrents Arsaces our last King quitted his Royalty it seemes willingly to Theodosius the Roman Emperour with condition for those of his blood to enjoy libertie and not to be subject to Tribute Which we preserved till your famous Peace or rather common calamitie For now not regarding friends nor enemies this friend of yours O King in words and enemy in deeds hath troubled all the world Which your selfe will know ere long when he hath subdued the Western Nations What thing prohibited hath he not done what well settled not stirred Hath he not taxed us with unusuall tributes made slaves of the Tzanians our borderers a free people set a Governour over the King of the wretched Lazians a thing not incident to the nature of things not to be exprest Hath he not with his Generalls unjustly surprized the Bosporites subjects of the Hunnes made league with the Ethiopians never heard of by the Romans added the Homerits red Sea and Country of Palme-trees to the Roman Empire not to speak of the Affricans and Italians The whole world not containing the man he searches gulfes beyond the Ocean and another world Why doe you delay O King respecting this wicked ruinous peace Is it after all the rest to be his last dish To know what man Justinian is to them that yeild to him you have us for a Precedent and the poore Lazians how he uses men unknown as well as them that wrong him consider the Vandales Goths and Moores But the maine of all studies he not during the peace to draw Alamundarus your servant to revolt from you to associate the Hunnes against you men unknown to him But a shrewder act then this was never Now he perceaves his Westerne conquests ready for conclusion he seeks to circumvent the East having none now to wrestle with left but the Persians So that himself hath broken the Perpetuall Peace They break peace not who arme first but who plot against their allies in time of peace and the crime is acted by him that goes about to do it though the success faile And not they who cause the warr but they who oppose them use to conquer Nor will the match be equall their best Souldiers being in the utmost parts of the world and of their two best Generalls we have lately slaine Sittas and Belisarius Justinian will not look on Which he slighting holds in his hands the dominion of Italy So that you will have none to oppose your invasion and us you shall have with our best affections and long experience of the Countrey the guides of your Army Chosroes liked these reasons and imparted to his trustiest subjects what Vitigis and the Armenians had said propounding in Counsell what was to be done where the conclusion was to make warr on the Romans in the beginning of the spring it being then Autumne Anno Domini 539. Anno 13. Justiniani and Justinian in the thirtenth yeare of his raigne the Romans the while not suspecting the breach of the Perpetuall Peace but hearing onely that Chosroes murmured against the Emperours successes in the West and charged him as I have mentioned CHAP. III. THen also appeared a Comet at first about the length of a tall man afterward much longer The taile was toward the East and the head to the West and being in Capricorne kept behind the Sun in Sagittary Some called it being long with a sharp head gladiata some barbata It was seen more then forty dayes The learned in these things made severall repugnant praedictions upon this starr But what hath fallen out since I will relate Immediatly a great army of Hunnes passing the river Ister overran all Europe a thing often done but never with so much mischief to people * From the Jonian gulfe to the suburbs of Constantinople they spoiled all in their way in Illyrium they took 32. Castles destroyed Cassandria anciently Potidaea having never that we know attempted before a walled Town and with much booty and some 120. thousand captives retired home meeting no opposition Afterward they did many mischiefs to the Romans in their inroads He calls the Jonian Gulfe that which is called the Adriatique Sea They assaulted the wall in Chersonesus and forcing the Guards and at full Sea being upon the Gulf called Melas getting over it entred within it fell suddainly upon the Roman inhabitants in Chersonesus slew many and made almost all the rest slaves Some cross't the Strait between Sestus and Abidus spoiled the towns of Asia Minor and then returning to Chersonesus went home with the rest of their army and their booty In another inroad having spoyled Illyrium and Thessaly they assaulted the wall at Thermopylae where the Garrison defending stoutly they unluckily found the path up the mountaine and so wasted all Greece save Peloponesus and then retired Not long after the
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
husbands especially for Vines Over this Countrey hang very high Mountaines thick with Wood and hard to be past extending almost to the Caucascan Mountaines Beyond them Eastward is Iberia reaching to Persarmenia Between these Mountaines descends the Phasis springing from Mount Caucasus and disimboguing into the middle of the sayd halfe Moon at the end of the Euxine whereupon some hold that it divides the two Continents having Asia on the left hand and Europe on the right On Europe side are the Lazians dwellings having on the other side no Towne nor Fortresse but Petra lately built by the Romans The Countrey people hold that the Golden Fleece was kept on Europe side but in my opinion they are mistaken For Jason had never gotten away with Medea and the golden Fleece unespyed by Aeetes if the Kings Pallace and Houses of the Colchians had not beene separated by the River from the place where the Fleece was kept which may appear also by the Poems written on that subject The Phasis as I have sayd thus enters into the further end of the Euxine and at one point of the sayd halfe Moone stands Petra on Asia side Over against which on Europe side is Apsilia a Countrey of the Lazians the people whereof are Christians as all the rest before mentioned CHAP. II. ABout Apsilia stands Mount Caucasus so high that neither Raines nor Snowes touch the top of it being higher then any Clouds From the midst to the foot it is perpetually covered with the Snow the foot of this Mountain being as high as the very ridges of other Mountaines Some parts of the said foot of Caucasus run out to the West and North-ward even to Illyrium and Thrace other parts of it to the East and South-ward reach to the two straits which let in the Hunnish Nations upon the Romans and Persians The one of the straits is called Tzur the other is called the Caspian Gates The Country extending from Mount Caucasus to the Caspian Gates the Alans hold subject to none but as Confederates they serve the Persians against the Romans and all the World Under Mount Caucasus dwell the Sabirian Hunnes and some other Hunnish Nations From hence they say issued the Amazons and made a Camp at Themiscyrus by the River of Thermodon neer where now stands the City of Amisus But now no Monument is left of any Amazons in the Countries about Mount Caucasus Strabo and some others have spent much discourse about them But they seem to speak most truly who think that there was never any such Mannish race of Women nor that Nature in Mount Caucasus only swerves from its sacred Lawes but that the Barbarians of those parts making an expedition against Asia brought their Wives with them whom they left in a Camp neer Thermodon And that themselves over-running much of Asia were encountred and so defeated that none escaped to the Camp and that there the Wives being put to it by the feare of the People adjoyning and by their want of Victuall put on mens faces and armed themselves with furniture left behind by their Husbands and with the same performed some commendable Actions compelled by necessity till they were all slain This is my Opinion and that the Amazons were Wives who went to War with their Husbands the experiment whereof hath happened in our time And commonly the addictions which descend to Posterity are the Images of those which were before For the Hunnes in their in-roads upon the Romans often coming to a Battell wherein some of them were slain and the Romans searching the dead bodies have found Women among them Other Armies of Women were never neither infesting Asia nor Europe Neither was it ever heard that the Caucasian Mountaines had all their men wasted at any time And so much touching the Amazons Beyond Apsilia and the other point of the aforesaid halfe Moon is Abasgia to the Caucasian Mountaines The Abasgians were formerly subject to the Lazians and had two Princes of their own Nation one seated in the West and the other towards the East They did worship till my time Groves and Woods and in a Barbarian simplicity esteemed Trees to be Gods But they suffered much from the covetousnesse of their Princes who took violently from the Parents such Children as were beautifull and made them Eunuchs and sold them to the Romans at great prices then killed the Fathers least they might revenge their Childrenâ— abusing and that they might not have suspected Subjects And thus the poor Wretches were ruined by the fatall handsomenesse of their Children And hereby most of the Eunuchs of the Imperiall Palace were Abasgians But in the now Raigne of Justinian all hath been changed for the Abasgians to the milder and more civill They have received the Christian Religion And the Emperour sent Euphratas his Eunuch expresly to admonish their Princes to force out no more the virility of humane nature with Iron and the Abasgians bold upon this injunction of the Emperour have opposed that course which made it formerly their greatest feare to be Fathers of handsome Sons The Emperour also built for them a Church dedicated to the Mother of God appointing them * Or Bishops Priests and causing them to be instructed in the Christian rites They also deposed both their Princes and became a free State Beyond the Abasgians towards Mount Caucasus are the Bruchians and the Alamans Towards the Sea Coast are the Zecchians to whom anciently the Roman Emperour gave their King but now in nothing they obey the Romans The Country of the Sagines is next wherein formerly the Romans built two Castles upon the Sea-coast Sebastopolis and Pityus distant from each other two daies journey and there put the first Garrison of Souldiers in those parts Before the Roman Cohoâ—ts were Garrison'd by the Sea-side from Trapezond to the Sagines but then held only these Castles where were Garrisons till my time But Chosroes King of Persia the Lazians having drawn him into Petra intended to send an Army to surprise those Castles and the Romans within them hearing it burnt them and threw down the Walls and fled to the opposite continent by Sea to Trapezond whereby they damnified indeed the Romans by demolishing those Castles but they prevented the Persians from being Masters of the Country who forth-with went back to Petra without doing any thing Beyond the Sagines are many Hunnish Nations in a Country called Eulysia possessed by those Barbarians in the Maritime and mid-land parts thereof to the Lake of Maeotis and River of Tanais which disembogues into the said Lake and the Lake into the Euxine Sea Anciently the Inhabitants were called Cimmerians but now Vturgurians Beyond whom to the North-ward are innumerable races of Antians where the Lake begins to disembogue are the Goths called Tetraxites observers of the Christian Religion no men more The Natives call this disembogure Tanais which reaches from Maeotis to the Euxine and running along 20. daies journey and they call the wind
betook themselves to a shameful and disorderly retreat having no remembrance either of resisting or of handesomly flying but being scattered among their Enemies they stood amazed Eleven ships got away the rest the Romans took or sunck with the men in them Giblas was taken Prisoner but Gundulse escaped in the eleven ships and the men being landed he set them on fire that they might not come into the Enemies hands Then they went a foot to Ancona where relating the accident to their companions they all retired from thence leaving their camp for the Romans and they ran tumultuously into Auximum The Romans came to the Goths camp before Ancona and took it then put provisions into the Castle and sailed away Valerianus to Ravenna and John to Salonae This overthrow much abated the power of Totilas In Sicily at the same time thus it was Liberius was sent for home to Constantinâ—ple and Artabanes by the Emperour was made sole Commander of the army in Sicily Who took in all the Castles from the few Goths left in the Iland after some sieges and overthrowes given them The Goths were terrified therewith and with the late defeat at Sea and their hearts with these losses were so dejected that if any succours should come to the Romans they had no thought of subsisting or of keeping their footing in Italy nor could they hope to obtain any thing from the Emperour For Totilas had sent many Ambassadours to the Emperour shewing how the Francks had seised upon a great share of Italy and how the rest was become wast That the Goths should quit to him Sicily and Dalmatia which only remained unspoyled and should pay tribute for the wasted Lands in Italy and serve the Emperour against all the World and in other things be obedient to him But the Emperour would take no notice of these overtures but still sent away the Ambassadours being distasted at the very name of Goths and purposing to chase them out of the Roman Empire CHAP. XV. NOT long before dyed Theodebert King of the Francks having unjustly made tributary some Townes in Liguria and the Cottian Alpes and a great part of Venetia The Francks thus getting without blowes what the two Antagonists were busily fighting for In Venetia the Goths had little the Sea-townes the Romans had and the Francks seised upon the rest while neither the Goths nor Romans had leisure to make new Enemies The Goths also came to this agreement with the Francks that during the War with the Emperour both should hold what they had and forbeare hostility If Totilas conquer that then the said acquisitions of the Francks be disposed as should be agreed between the parties But in the Kingdome of Theodebert succeeded Theudibald his Son to whom the Emperour sent Leontius a Senator and Son-in-law to Athanasius his Ambassadour to perswade a League against Totilas and to demand the Townes in Italy unjustly held by Theodebert and surprised during the Truce The Ambassadour spake thus to Theudibald Others Sir it may be have had Accidents which they expected not but no men I think such as the Romans have had from you The Emperour entred not into this VVar nay not into any expostulation with the Goths before the Francks had received great sums of money of him and had promised aides and the conjunction of their Forces VVhich Accord they have not only not performed but have done us injuries which none could imagine Your Father Theodebert hath intruded into a Province by the Emperour acquired with much toile and hazard and with the Francks consent But I come not to chide nor complain but to demand only and therewithall to give you this advise to establish the prosperity you have and to let the Romans have that which is theirs Some small thing often times unjustly gotten is the occasion of losing greate and powerfull acquisitions stable happinesse and injustice never meeting in one point I advise you likewise to joyn in this War according to your Fathers engagement to the Emperour Nothing becomes good Sonnes better then to rectifie their Fathers erroneous Proceedings and to ratifie what they have well done The wish of a wise man is that his Son may emulate his vertuous Actions and if he have done any thing amisse he wishes another may rather imitate it then his Son Indeed you should not have needed invitation to this War against the Goths originally your Enemies and false to you of old and ever in War with you without truce or quarter Now for feare of us they fawn upon you but being rid of us they will soon shew their intentions Wicked men change not their Natures with their Fortunes in adversities indeed they hide them especially when they have need of a Neighbour Consider this and renew your Amity with the Emperour and take a revenge against your ancient Enemies Theudibald answered this Speech in this manner It is not now just in you to demand our assistance against the Goths now in Amity with us If we prove unsure to them we shall not be trusty to you A bad disposition to Friends being once discovered puts a man for feare out of the right way Concerning the Townes you mention my Father Theodebert was no oppressour of his Neighbours nor intruder And it appeares so for I am not rich And he took not the Townes from the Emperour but got them fairely from Totilas the then owner of them which should please the Emperour to see one who wronged him disseised by another and thereby justly punished unlesse because he would have them himselfe and cannot get them he will envie him that can But let us refer the examination of these things to Arbitrators If it shall appeare that my Father hath taken any thing unjustly from the Romans there is reason we should give satisfaction And we will shortly send our Ambassadours to Constantinople touching the same With this he dismissed Leontius and sent Leudard a Franck his Ambassadour to Justinian with three others who at Constantinople effected what they came about Totilas desired to get the Islands belonging to Africk and he sent an Army to Corsica and Sardinia which he made tributary to him John the Generall of Africk sent presently to Sardinia some Forces who besieged the City of Carnalis blocking it up only but not able to assault it having a very sufficient Garrison of Goths within which sallied suddenly and routed the Romans who having lost many ran to their Ships and returned to Carthage where they wintered purposing in the Spring to renew the Voyage with greater preparations There growes an Herb in this Island of Sardinia which being tasted puts men into fatall Convulsions wherein they seem to laugh and quickly dye of it whence is called the Sardonian laughter Corsica was anciently named Cyrnus and in it as there is a Generation of Dwarfes so there are races of horses not much bigger then sheep A mighty troup at that time of Slavonians fel upon Illyrium committing mischeifs not to