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iiiiiiJ|i|ii!ii:ii 

3433 



..jii 111' 1 1 11 III II 
08156445 



^4 

:bwi 



&\ V\)0>\ 



THE 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



DECLINE AND FALL 



or THE 



ROMAN EMPIRE. 

By EDWARD GIBBON, Esq. 

A NEJV EDITION, 
IN TWELVE VOLUMES. 

VOL. IV. 



LONDON: 



Printed for T. Cadell and W.Davies; F. C. and J. Rivlngton; Wiikteand 
Rublnfon; J. Walker; R. Lea; J. Cuthell; Clarke and Sons; J. Nunn; 
C. Law ; White and Cochrane ; Longman, Hurft, Bees, Orme^ and Brown ; 
JohnRichardfon; J. M. Richardfon-; E^Jefiery; B. Cro(by and Co. ; J. and 
A. Arch ; Black and Parry- .S. Bagfter; R. Eloyer; W. Stewart; J. Hatchardj 
W. Ginger; J. Mdwman ; R.Scholey; R.Baldwin; J. Afperne; J. Blackiock; 
T. Hamilton; J. Fauider; Craddock and Joy; Gale, Curtis^ and Fenner; 
J. Boho; J. Ebexsj John Miller; and R. Saundexa. 



r 



THEHBWTDRK 
PUBLIC LIBRABT 

683468A 

AVIOn, LBWCX AMO 
tUJbftK FOtJN9ATlOH« 






TABLE OF CONTENTS 

OF THS 

FOURTH VOLUME. 



CHAP. XXII. 

Julian Is declared Emperor by the Legions of Gaul. — ffis 
March and Succefs. — The Death of Qonffantius* --^ Civil 
jfdminjfiration of Julian* 

JU D. Page 

THE Jealoufy of Conftantius againft Julian ^ * i 
Fears and Envy of Conftantius • . ^ 

36o..Tbe Legions of Gaul are ordered to march into the 
Eaft - . 

Their Difcontents - • • 



They proclaim Julian Emperor • 

His Proteftations of Innocence • 

Hi» EmbafTy to Conftantius 
%6oj 361. His fourth and fifth Expeditions beyond the 

Rhine ... 

j6l. Fruitlefs Treaty and Declaration of War 

Julian prepares to attack Conftantius 

His march from the Ithine into lUyricum 

He juftifies his Caufe 

Hoftile Preparations » • 

561. Death of Conftantius 
56 1. Julian enters Conftantinople 
361* Is acknowledged by the whole Empire 

His civil Government and private Life 

Reformation of the Palace 

Chamber of Juftice 

Punifhment of the Inuocent and the Guilty 

Clemency of Julian 

His Love of Freedom and the Republic 

His Care of the Grecian Cities 

Julian, an Orator and a Judge • 

His Chara^er * • 



ib. 

7 
9 

13 

17 
19 
22 

39 
3« 
3+ 
36 
37 
ib. 

41 
45 
47 
50 
5» 
55 
51 
59 



€ 
4 



A » CHAP. 



Vf 



CONTENTS. 



CHAP. XXIII. 

Th Religion of Julian. — Univerfal Toleration. — He aitempii 

to reflore and reform the Pagan Worjblp — U rebuild the 

Temple of Jerufalem. — His artful Perfecution of the Chrlf" 

tiani. — Mutual Zeal and Jnjuftice* 

A.D. Page 

Religion of Julian - • • 6z 

35 1 • His Education and Apoftacy - - 64 

He embraces the Mythology of Paganifm - 67 

The Allegories - - • - 70 

Theological Syftcm of Julian - - 7* 

Fanaticifm of the Philofophers - "74 

• Initiation and Fanaticifm of Julian • - 75 

His religious Diffimilation - • • 7^ 

He writes againft Chriftianity • - 8 1 

361. Univerfal' Foleration « - - - 8a 

361 — 363. Zeal and De^tion of Julian in the Reftora* 

tion of Paganifm • - • 8^ 

RcformatioH of Paganifm - - - 87 

The Philofophers - - .91 

Converfions - - •94 

The Jews ' - - - - 97 

Defcription of Jerufalem - - • ' 99 

Pilgrimages . - - - - lOO 

363. Julian attempts to rebuild the Temple - 103 

The Enterprife is defeated - - 106 

Perhaps by a preternatural Event - * 107 

Partiality of Julian - - - 109 

He prohibits the Chriflians from teaching Schools in 

Difgrace and Oppreflion of the Chriftians - 113 

They are condemned to reftore the Pagan Temples 1 15 

The Temple and facred Grove of Daphne • 118 

Negleft and Prophanation of Daphne - - lao 

362. Removal of the dead Bodies, and Conflagration of 

♦ - the Temple - - - - 122 

Julian (huts the Cathedral of Antioch - - 123 

George of Cappadocia oppreffes Alexandria and 

Egypt - . . - 125 

36i.He is maffacredby the People - . 127 

He \» worfhipped as a Saint and Martyr - 129 

362. Reib- 



CONTENTS. 



A.D. JPagc 

362. R.eftoration of Athanafius - - • 131 

He 18 perfecuted and expeDed by Julian - 132 

361—363. Zeal and Imprudence of the Chriftians 13^ 

CHAP- XXIV. 
Rejtdence of Julian at jinftoch, — His fuccefsful Expedition 
agalnJI the Perjians, — Pajage of the Tigris. — The Retreat 
and Death of Julian. — EleSion of Jovian. — He favet the 
Roman Army hy a difgraceful Treaty* 
A.D. 

The Caefars of Julian 
362. He refolves to march againft the Perfians 

Julian proceeds from Conflantinople to Antioch 
Licentioua Manners of the People of Antioch 
Their Averfion to Julian 
Scarcity of Com, and public Difcontent 
Julian compofes a Satire againft Antioch 
344 — 390. The Sophiil Libanius 
363. March of Julian to the Euphrates 
His Defign of invading Perfia 
Difaife6lion of the King of Armenia 
Military Preparations - . 

Julian enters the Periian Territories 
His March over the Defert of Mefo|x)tamia 
His Succefs - - - 

Defcription of Aflyria 
363. Invafion of Aflyria • « 

Si^ge of Perifabor 
Siege of Maogamalcha • 

Perfonal Behaviour of Julian 
He tranfports his Fleet from the Euphrates to the 

Tigris - . - 

Pafiage of the Tigris, and Vifiory of the Romans 
Situation and Obiliaacy of Julian -^ 

He bums his Fleet 

Marches againft Sapor . « 

Retreat and Diftrefs of the Roman Armjr 
^ Julian is mortally wounded - - . 

363. Death of Julian • • 

Eledion of the Emperor Jovian « 

Danger and Difficulty of the Retreat 
Negociation and Treaty of Peace • 



P«8» 

139 
141 
144 

ib. 
145 

ib. 
149 

»5» 
153 
156 

J59 

i6i 

ib. 
164 
166 
169 

ib. 

171 

174 

178 

184 

187 

I9» 

»9S 

196? 

C99 

203 

io£ 



209 



CONTENTS. 

A. a Page 
The Weakoefs and Difgrace of Joyian * 211 
He continues his Retreat to Niiil^is - - 213 
Univerfal ClajKiour agaiAft the Treaty of Peace 216 
Jovian evacuates Nififcis, and teftprc^ the five Pro- 
vinces to the Perfians - • - 218 
Reflexions on the Death of Julian - - 221 
On his Funeral • - • - 223 

CHAP. XXV. 
The Government and Death of Jovian* — EleQion of Valenttm 
nsan^ who ajfociaiei his Brother Valens^ and makes his final 
Divifion of the Eqflern and Wefiern Empires. — Revolt of 
Procopius. — Civil and Ecclefiqflical Adminiftration. -^ Ger-* 
many. — Britain. — Africa. — The Eqft. — The Dannie* — 
Death of Valentinian. — His two Sons^ Gratian and Valen* 
tinian II. fucceed to the Wefiern Empire* 

A.p. Page 

^6^. State of the Church - • • 226 

Jovian proclaims univerfal Tolera^on - - 23b 

His progrefs fropi Antioch - - - 231 

56^. Jovian, with his infai\t Son, alTumes the Name and 

Eniigns pf the Qqnfi^jhip - - 232 

364. Death of Jovi^ . . • . 233 
Vacancy of the Throne . - . - 235 

3^. Eledion and Charader of Valentinian • 236 

He is acknojvledged by the Army • - 238 

Affociates his Brother Valens - - 240 

3^. The final Divifion pf the EAftern and Weftern 

Empires - - - - 241 

365. Revolt of Procopius * - • • 243 

366. His Defeat _and Death . . ^ 248 
373. Severe Inquifition into ,the Crime of Magjc at 

Rome and Antioch - - - 251 

3^4 — 375- The Cruelty of. Valentiniaji and Valens 255 

Their Laws and Government - - 259 

Valentinian maintains the Religious Toleration 26? 

3^7 — 378. Va\ens profefFes Arianifoa, and perfecutcs 

the Catholics - - - 265 

373. Death of ^thanafius - - - 267 

uft Idea of the Perfccu^jon of ValcRS - ib, 

170. Valcu- 



CONTENTS, 



vS 



A. D. Pag« 

370. Valehtinian reftralns the Avarice of the Clergy 270 
366 — 38^. Aihbitlon and Luxury of DartiaTus, Biihop 

of Rome - - - - 373 

jgij. — 3<7^. Foreign Wars ... 276 

365. 1. Germany. The Alemanni invade Gaul --. 27^ 

366. Their Defeat - - - 279 

368. Valentiniah pafles, and Fortifies, the Rhine - ^8 1 

371. The Burguridians - - - . 284 
The, Saxons - - - - ,286 
11. Britain. The Scots and Pi As - - 291 

343 — 3^^- Their Invafion of Britain - - 295 

367 — 370. Reftoration of Britain by I'heodofius - 298 

^66» III. Africa. Tyranny of Romanus - 301 

372. Revolt of Firmus - • - - 304. 

373. Theodoli us recovers Africa - - 305 
376I He is executed at Carthage - - 308 

State of Africa - - - ib. 

365—378. IV. The East. The Perfian War - 311 

384. The Treaty of Peace - - - 316 

Adventures of Para, Kin g of Armenia - ib. 

V. The Danube. Conquefts of Hermanric - 319 

366. The Caufeof the Gothic War - - 322 

367, 368, 369. Hoftilities and Peace - - 324 

374. War of the Quadi and Sarmatians - - 3^7 

375. The Expedition of Valentinian - - 53^ 
His Death - - - 333 
The Emperors Gratianand Valentinian II. • 334 

CHAP. XXVI. 

Manner's of the Pafiaral Nations. — Progtefs of the Huns, from 
China to Europe. — Might of the Goths. -^They pafs the Da- 
huhe. — Gothic War. — Defeat and Death of Valens. — Gr^f- 
Yian ittvefts Theodojius with the Eaftern Empire. — His Cho" 
ra8er arid Suckefs. — Peace ahd Settlement of the Goths. 

A.D. 

■365. Earthquakes - . . 

376. The Huns and Goths 
The paftoral lilanners tif the Scythians, or Tartars 
Ddet . . . - .- 
Habitations • • • . 
Exercifes • «^ • • 



Pag«' 
338 

341 
346 

349 

Govemmeat 



Vltt 



CONTENTS. 



Gmenmeot ... 3^1 

Situation and Extait of Scythia, or Tartary - 35^ 

Original Seat of the Huns • . - 359 

Their Conquefts in Scythia • • ib. 
iLC 

201. Their Wars with the Chinefe « • 362 

141--87* Decline and Fall of the Huns . - 364 
A.D. 

|00« Their Emigrations .... 367 

The White Huns of Sogdiana . - 368 

The Huns of the Volga - - - 362 

Their Conqueft of the Alani - - 37> 

375. Their Viftories over the Goths - • 374 

376* The Goths implore the Proteftion of Valens 376 
They are tranfported over the Danube into the 

Roman Empire • - - 381 

Their Diftrefs and Difcontent - - 384 

Revolt of the Goths in Maefia, and their firft vidories 387 

They penetrate into Thrace - - • 391 

377. Operations of the Gothic War - - 394 
Union of the Goths with the Huns, Alani, &c. 398 

378. Viftory of Gratian over the Alemanni - 400 
Valens marches againii the Goths - - 404 
Battle of Hadrianople - • • 408 
The Defeat of the Romans - - 409 

■^ Death of the Emperor Valens • - 410 

JFuneral Oration of Valens and his Army - 411 

The Goths befiege Hadrianople - - 413 

3781 379. They ravage the Roman Provinces - 416 

378. Maffacre of the Gothic Youth in Afia - 418 

379. The Emperor Gratian invefts Theodofius with 

the Empire of the Eaft . - - 42a 

Birth and Charader of Theodofius - - 42a 
379-^382. His prudent and fuccefaful ConduA of the 

Gothic War - - - - 4^^ 

Divifions, Defeat, and Submiffion, of the Goths 433 

381. Death and Funeral of Athanaric - - 452 

386. Invafion and Defeat of the Gruthungi, orOftrogoths 435 

J83— 395. Settlement of the Goths in Thrace and Afia 438 

Tlipir hoftile Sentiments - - 440 



^ 



THE 



HISTORY 

sue TWE 
PE€LINE AND FALL 

EOMAN EMPIRE. 



CHAP. XXII. 



JmUou .is dechfTfid JEmferor h^ th? Legions of 
Gml-^ms Marchxm4 ^yccef$. — Tie 1>eq,th 

^Cof^mtm^-rrKCml Ai^ afJuUm. 

WHILE the Roma»8 lattg^uifhed under ;tiie c H A F. 
ignomttiiotts 'fejwaftny of eumicfas aad ^'*^^°' 
iMfliepft, «tbe pFaifes of JuHmi wece repeated Thejea- 
wMi if ftnf^ort in evwy pait ^ the ^lapire, ^^^'^fy ^^ 
except in the palace of Conftantius. The tiuaagainil 
f|p,/tiafvins of <}ermen^ ^ad felt, and ftill J«i»n- 
4k^^t\i^Mm^ «t*ith? ^UOg.C^&T} ;l^sXpl- 
^^^Kefs were the iSon^anioM of *i« MiAcMy; ^the 
^f«ljti^ j^P^HMeiak.««j,<^ Jtlie (>l^%gs cff his 
iPei|»B ; 4>iit ti|(e 'fevoufitei, fi^4iafl'4^poledrhis 

jetev^tioMit weue j|fep4^ l\y ylijis .w:tm?*j ^nd 

they juftly confidered the friend of tlie pM|ale 
VOL. IV. , M as 



a • THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c HA P. as the enemy of the court. As long as the 
xxir. fame of Julian was doubtful, the buffoons of the 
palace, who were Ikilled in the language of 
fatire, tried the efficacy of thofe arts which they 
had fo often pra6lifed with fuccefs. They eafily 
difcovered, that his fimplicity was not exempt 
from afFe6lation : the ridiculous epithets of an 
hairy fa vage, of an ape invefted with the purple, 
were applied to the drefs and perfon of the phi- 
lofophic warrior ; and his modeft difpatches were 
ftigmatized as the vain and elaborate fi6lions of 
a loquacious Greek, a fpeculative foldier, who 
had ftudied the art of war amidft the groves of 
the academy'. The voice of malicious folly 
was at length filenced by the Ihouts of vi6lory ; 
the conqueror of the Franks and Alemanni could 
no longer be painted as an obje6l of contempt ; 
and the monarch himfelf was meanly ambitioifS 
of Healing from his lieutenant the honourable 
reward of his labours. In the letters crowned 

. with laurel, which, according to ancient cuftom, 

were addreffed to the provinces, the name of 
Julian was omitted. " Conftantius had made 
*' his difpofitions in perfon; Ae had fignalized 

' Omnes qui plus poterant in palatio, adulandi profeflbres jam 
do<Sli, re(5le confulta, profpereque completa vertebant in deridicu- 
lum: talia fine modo ftrepentes infulfe; in odium venit cum vie- 
toriis fuis; capella> non homo; ut hirfutum Julianum carpentry 
appellantefque loquacem talpam, et purpuratam fimiamy et litterio* 
nem Grsecum: et his congtuentia piurima atque vemacula principi 
refonantes) audire hsec taliaque geftientiy virtutes ejus obruere yep- 
bis inipudentibus conabantur, ut fegnem inceffentes et timidum et 
umbratilem^ geftaque fecus ' verbis comptibrit}U8 exomantem. 'Ax£- 
iiiianus> xviLii. 

12 "his 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 3 

** his valour in the foremoft ranks ; his military c H A P. 
" condu6l had fecured the vi^ory; and the . ^^^' 
*' captive King of the Barbarians was prefented 
*' to him on the field of battle/* from which he 
wa^ at that time diftant about forty days jour- 
ney*. So extravagant a fable was incapable, 
however, of deceiving the public credulity, or 
even of fatisfying the pride of the Emperor him- 
felf.- Secretly confcious that the applaufe and 
favour of the Romans accompanied the rifing 
fortunes of Julian, his difcontented mind was 
prepared to Teceive the fubtle poifon of thole 
artful iycophants, who coloured their mif- 
chievous defigns with the faireft appearances of 
truth and candour ^ Inftead of depreciating 
the merits of Julian, they acknowledged, and 
even exaggerated, his popular fame, fuperior 
talents, and important fervices. But they darkly 
infinuated, that the virtues of the Caefar might 
inftantly be converted into ,the moft dangerous 
crimes, if the inconftant multitude Ihould pre- 
fer their inclinations to their duty ; or if the 

* Ammian. xvi. 1%, The orator Themiftius (iv. p*569 57.) believed 
whatever was contained in the Imperial letters, which were addrefled 
to the fcnate of Conftantinople. Aurelius ViAor, who pul?lilhed 
his Abridgment in the laft year of Conftantius, afcribes the German 
vi^ories to the <wifiiom of the Emperor, and the fortune of the 
Caefar. Yet the hiftorian, foon afterwards, was indebted to the 
favour or eiteem of Julian for the honour of a brals iftatue ; and the 
important offices of confular of the fecond Pannooia, and prsefedl of 
the city. Ammian. xxi. 10. 

^ Callido nocendi artificio, accufatoriam diritatem laudum titulis 
peragebant. . . • Hse voces fiierunt ad inflamm^anda odia probris; 
omnibus potentiores. See Mamertin. in AdUone Gratiarum in Vet. 
Panegyr.3d.596* 

f B a general 




4 THE ^E>GC1.INE AND FALL 

CHAP, general of a viSfcorious «F£(Qr ibould .be ^Qi|M;6dl 
J'^^^ '^'^^^ ^ alkigtMce %y tbe hopes of ^eveqge^ 
aad indepefident tgreatoeia. The ipfirionaJ ^rt 
<)if CoilftaiiliuB were iatei|)(eted l>y JUs ^woil 
M^laudiible4iKxietyibrthftpublk:£^et|)r; whttft 
in jpii^^ate, and ^ptfhaps w b» lown 4oNreaft, i» 
diigttifed, wider the lefs odious appeUatien ^ 
£MFy 4he ienticaento of hatred and envf , which 
he had iecre% concoivad fi>r the ioimitabte 
virtues of ^uliaiL 
The le- T]ie*a|;par«at tFanqoilUty of Gaid, and ^beoui* 
Ga!d m ^^^ dagger of 4he eajbem piFavinoest^ ^Sn^ 
ordered to a^^eoiousrprBtence jfor tbedeUga whioh ^as 'mt^ 
^^^^ fully «)»certed by the iHjperialiaurift^ Th^ 
AJD.360. »e<fi>lved to di&,fm the Cas&r/j to recall thoie 
ApriL faithffd troc^ ^¥fao gutf ded liis ipaifon aod dig* 
mty4 «id to employ* in « difimt war tgaiail 
the ^rfian ^sMnarchiy the ha^dy ^oetaatiiB who 
had vackQUfihed, on the banks of the BhinQ, the 
fiefoeft oatioHs ^ Gertnai}y« While JuUan u&d 
the kborioiis houl^s of fals wiister^uartacs ^at 
Paris 'in 4;be •dmimftfation of po^er, wbi<fh,ift 
his hands, was the exercile of virtue, he was 
fiutpriibd by^the hudiy^mmval^of a tjobuais aftd a 
«6ti^,'v^ith^pofltite'oragrs^frdml3^ Effajperor, 
wluch iA^ imre dupe^d ^to <«xeciita, awl' Amria 
ebnihWttded'tiOt'to'tJppbfe. Cbttfhltititts %h!ftetl 
his tplealTuFe, ^that ^four -entiFe 'l^fions, the Geitm^ 
i^ "^tdlafifs, the "fiettili, «hd the 9»M i m$ ^ 
Ihotild he f^uurated frooa the'S^ndard oiPUbiiiao^ 
ttiileter 4iHii«h^tkeythad tteqoifi^ tteir fttil«e Wrti 
dtfcrpltne i &at m each of the femaimQg'bajodg^ 

14 three- 



GiT Tag KoftfAM mupmt. 5 

three hmnbetl of tke bntvsft ydttt1k» Aould be c » a 9i 
fefedkedi; and tbatthid nut^reus detachment, 
A^ ftrettg^k of the Oaffic imny, fiio^ild inilaiitdy 
1»9g«i th«ir maurcb, and eSOTt lAeip utmoft dili- 
^marto am?e, before the op^h^g of l^e canfH 
paign, €01 1d» freotierB edf Fetfla^ The Caefiei^ 
finrefirvi, nd kmoitted the eonfequeneee of this 
ISrtdir tDifliditffew Moft of the anxiMaries,' wha 
migagedt therr volimtary ferviee, had il%alafted, 
tiu* tbey iieuid never be obUged to paf^ the 
Alp9, IW pubiic fai«h df Rome, and the per« 
fenal faonoiir of Juliati^ had been pledged for 
the oblifvanoe cif this conditien. Such an a€t 
ef treachery and opprefflen would deftlroy the 
MHfidtiiee, and excite the rejfentment, of the 
indqieniient imr^iorfi^ of Germany, who eonfl« 
dered trath a§ the «oblell of their virtues, and 
fteedom as the meft vduable of their poffeffions. 
!nie legiooariei, who enjoyed the tide and pri- 
TtiegiaB cf Remans, were esnHiled for the genersd 
defence of tile republic i but thofe mercenary 
troops heard with cold indifference the anti-^ 
qnated names ef the repnblie ^nd of Rome; 
Attftriied, either from bir^ or long habit, to 
the eltflptate and manners ef Gaul, they loved 
aid admired Julian $ th«y def^iifed, and perhaps 
hated &e Emperor j tbey dreaded the laborious 

^ Th^ minute intervaly wU«h 1x1417 b^ interpplj^ be^i^^eii t}\% 
byenu aduhd and the primo fvtreot Anunknus (xx. i. 4.), infiead o£ 
a)l9«rii^ a fnQcient 4>a^ ^ ^ maveh oif Am* tfaou&ad niosy 
VFouH render the orders of CoaiUntiiis ^ extr^vAgju^ s^ th^ w«ce 
unjuft. The troops of Gaul could not have reached Syria till the 
ppA of «ttuniQ» Hie maoopf df Attiujiiias awft iuwe bttn k|ac* 
Qsnytf I lu^d his language incorred. 

B 3 march. 



6 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, march, the Perfian arrows, and the burning de- 
J^.' ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^* They claimed as their own the 
country which they had faved ; and excufed their 
want of fpirit,^ by pleading the facred and more 
immediate duty of prote6ling th^ir families and 
friends. The apprehenfions of the Gauls were . 
derived from the knowledge of the impending 
and inevitable danger. As foon as the provinces 
were exhaufted of their military ftrength, the 
Germans would violate a treaty which had. been 
impofed on their fears,; and notwithftanding the 
abilities and valoui; of Julian, the general. of a 
nominal army, to whom the public calamities 
would be imputed, mull find himfelf,. after a 
vain refinance, either a prifoner in the camp of 
the Barbarians, or a criminal in the palace of 
Confl^antius, If Julian complied with the orders 
which he had received, he fubfcribed his own 
defl:ru6lion, and that of a people who deferved 
his affe6lion. But a pofitive refufal was an a6fc 
of rebellion, and a declaration of war. The in- 
exorable jealoufy of the Emperor, the peremp- 
tory, and perhaps infidious, nature of his com- 
mands, left not any room for a fair apology, 
or candid interpretation; and the dependent 
ilation of the Caefar fcarcely allowed him to 
paufe or to deliberate. Solitude increafed the 
perplexity of Julian ; he could no longer apply 
to the faithful counfels of Sallufl:, who had been 
removed from his office by the judicious malice 
of the eunuchs : he could not even enforce his 
reprefentations by the concurrence of the mi- 

nifters. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 7 

nifters, who would have been afraid, or afliatned, chap. 
to approve the ruin of Gaul. The moment had. , J^^^'^ 
been chofen, when Lupicinus% the general of 
the cavalry, was difpatched into Britain, to re- 
pulfe the inroads of the Scots and Pi6is ; and 
Florentius was occupied at Vienna by the affeff- 
ment of the tribute. The latter, a crafty and 
corrupt ftatefman, declining to affume a refppn- 
fible part on this dangerous occalion, eluded the 
prefling and repeated invitations of Julian, who 
reprefented to him, that in every important mea- 
fure, the prefence of the praefefit was indifpen- 
fable in the council of the prince. In the mean 
while the Caefar was opprefTed by the rude and 
importunate felicitations of the Imperial meffen* 
gers, who prefumed to fuggeft, that if he ex- 
pe6led the return of his minifters, he would 
charge himfelf with the guilt of the delay, and 
referve for them the merit of the execution. 
Unable to refift, unwilling to comply, Julian 
expreffed in the mod ferious terms, his wifli, 
and even his intention, of refigning the purple, 
which he could not preferve with honour, but 
which he could not abdicate with fafety. 

After a painful confli6l, Julian was compelled Their dJf- 
tp acknowledge, that obedience was the virtue ^^^^^ 



^ Ammianu8» xx. i. The valour of LupicinuS) and his mili- 
tary ikiU> are acknowledged by the hiftorian^ who, in his aifedled' 
language^ accufes the general of exalting the horns of his pride^ 
bellowing in a tragic tone^ and exciting a doubt whether he was 
more cruel or avaricious. The danger from the Scots and Pidts was 
fo ferieus that Julian himfelf had fome thoughts of pafling over into 
the ifland. 

* B 4 of 



i Tftfe MeLI*rE AK6 FALL 

c ri A P. df tftf* iiioft eiriitieWt fobje^, and that tJift few* 
iJ?^ '_^ ^^^S^ ^^"^ ^^^ entitled to^ judge of the public 
'^felftcre. He iShed the ttecetfary orders for cat- 
tying itito exectition the commafids of Conftaiti- 
this } a pift of the troops began theit mttch for 
the Alps ; arid the detachments from the fever al 
gkfrtfons moved towards their refpedlive pfeces 
of affembly. They advanced with difficulty 
tlirough the trembling and afifirighted crowds of 
provincials ; who attempted to excite their pity 
by filent deipair, or loud lamentations ; while 
the wives of the foldiers, holding their infants 
in their arms, accufed the defertion of their huf- 
bafldS, in the mixed language of grief, of teh- 
demefe,, ?lnd of indignation. This fcene of ge- 
neral diltrefe affli^ed the humanity of the Ca^far ; 
he granted k filAcient number of poft-waggons 
to trarifport the Wives and families of the fol- 
dierg*, endejivoured to alleviate the hardfhips 
Which h? Was conftrained to inflift, and in- 
creaicd by the moll laudable arts, his own po- 
pularity, and the dilbontent of the eitiled troops. 
The grief of an armed multitude is foon con- 
verted inttJ rjtgfe; their licentious murmurs, 
Wliith eVety hour were communicated from tent 
tft tent With more boldnefs and effect, prepared 
their minds for the moll daring a6ls of fedition j 
and by the connivance of their tribunes^ ^ fea- 

HlttfiS. thlt^ putt-inii&hs ti^ oftttl mentidiied in the Cttdfe, iM 
im^ eil^Mi to iisAry fif^^d HttndM Jpbtiiids 1iv«ight. $iKs YUeti 
ad Ammlan. XX. 4* 

fonable 



OF THE KOKAS EMWXE. 9 

femableiaidiWMfe?cret1yA^cTfe<f,wHchpam^ CHAP. 
hi litefy colours, the difgr^ct of the C«&r, the ^^^ ^.^^ 
opprcfffiott of the Gfallic artny, and the feeble 
vices 6t the tyrunt of Afi^. The feivattts of 
Conftantms were aftcnnflied and darmed by the 
progrefs of this dangerous :^rit. They preflfed 
the Caefiir to haHen the departure of the troops; 
tmt they imprtidetitly rge6led the honeft and 
judicioos advice of Joliatt j who propofed that 
they ihould not march through Paris, and fug- 
gefted the danger and temptation 0f a laft 
fnterview. 

As foon as the approach of the troops was Theypro* 
announced, the C«far went out to meet them, t^^ 
and afcended his tribunal, which had been pmr, 
erefted in a plain before the gates of the city. 
After difiinguifliing the ofRcers and foldiers, 
who by their rank or merit deferved a peculiar 
attention, Julian addrefled himfelf in a ftudied 
oration to the fiirrounding niiiltftiidd : be eele* 
brated their exploits with gratefhl applaufe ; 
encouraged them to accept^ with alacrity, the 
honour of fervmg under the eyes of a powerfti! 
and liberal monarch ; and admonifiied the»9 
that the commands of Auguftus required an in- 
ilant and cheerful obedience. The foldiers, who 
were appreheniive of offending their general by 
an indecent clamour, or of belying their fenti« 
ments by falfe and venal acdamations, main« 
tained an obftinate filence; and afler a Ihori 
paufe, Were difinifled to their qifarter»« The 
principal officers were entertained by the Casfar, 

who 



lo THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, who profeffed, in the waTmeft language of friend- 
^ ^^' fliip, his defire and his inability to reward, ac- 
cording, to their deferts, the brave companiona 
of hi3,vi<9torie.s. "^hey retired from the feaft, 
fuH t)f grief and perplexity; and lamented the 
hardftiip of their fate, which tore them from 
their beloved general and their native country. 
The only expedient which could prevent their 
ieparation was boldly agitated and approved ; 
the popular refqntment was infenfibly moulded 
into a regular confpiracy ; their juft reafons of 
complaint were heightened by paflion, and their 
paffions were inflamed by wine; as on the eve 
of their departure, the troops were indulged in 
licentious feftivity. At the hour of midnight, 
the impetuous multitude, with fwords, anii 
bows, and torches, in their hands, rulhed into 
the fuburbs ; encompaffed the palace ^ ; and, 

'' Moft probably the palace of the baths (Thermarum)^ of which 
a folid and lofty hall ftill fubfifts in the rue de la Harpe. The build- 
ings covered a confiderable fpace of the modem quarter of the univo*- 
fity ; and the gardens, under the Merovingian kings, communicated 
with the abbey of St. Germain des Prez. By the injuries of time 
and the Normans, this ancient palace was reduced, in. the twelfth 
century, to a maze of ruins : whofe dark receiles were the fcene o£ 
licentious love. 

Explicat aula iinus montemque ample^tur alis ; 

Multiplici latebra fcelerum terfura ruborem. 

- • - - - - - pereuntis faepe pudoris 

Celatura nefas, Venerifqueaccommoday»r^/j. 
(Thefe lines are quoted from the Architrenius, l.iv, c. 8., a poetical 
work of John de HauteviUe, or Hanville, a monk of St. Alban's, 
about the year 1190. See Warton's Hiftory of Englifli Poetry, vol. i. 
dilFert. iL) Yet fuch thefts might be lefs pernicious to mankind thax\ 
the theological difputes of the Sorbonne, which have been fince 
agitated on the fame ground. • Bonamy, Mem. de I'Academie, 
tom. XV. p. 678 — 68a. 

carelefs 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. i j 

carelefs of future dangers, pronounced the fatal chap, 
•and irrevocable words, Julian Augustus ! - ^^^' . 
The prince, whofe anxious fufpenfe was inter- 
rupted by their diforderly acclamations, fecured 
the doors againft their intrufipn j and^ as long 
as it was in his pp^wer, fecladed his peribn .and ^ 
dignity from the accidents of a nocturnal tumult. 
At the. dawn of day, the foldiers, whofe zeal was 
irritated by oppofition, forcibly entered the pa- 
lace, feized, with relpe6lful violence, the objefl: 
of their choice, guarded Julian with drawn 
fwords through the ftreets of Paris, placed him 
on the tribunal, and with repeated Ihouts fa- 
luted him as their Emperor. Prudence as well 
as loyalty inculcated the propriety of refifting 
their treafonable defigns ; and of preparing, for 
his oppreffed virtue, the excufe of violence. 
Addreffing himfelf by turns to the multitude 
and to individuals, he fometimes implored their 
mercy, and fometimes expreffed his indignation; 
conjured them not to fiilly the fame of their im- 
mortal vi6lories; and ventured to promife, that 
if they would immediately return to their alle- 
giance, .he would undertake to obtain from the 
Emperor not only a free and gracious pardon, 
but even the revocation of the orders which had 
excited their refentment. But the foldiers, who 
were confcious of their guilt, chofe rather to 
depend on the gratitude of Julian, than on the 
clemency of the Emperor. Thei^ zeal was 
infenfibly turned into impatience, and their 
impatience into rage. The inflexible Caefar 

fuflained^ 



ti rtm i^Echmji Amp i^ail 

CHAP, fnftoined, till the tUid horn of the ^j, thmf 

^^^'^ pfayers, tlieir fie^omchci^, and tliw menaces? 

HOT did ha yield, ttD be had been tepeatedSy 

j^red^ tkftt if be wHhed to live, be muft e^n- 

ftfrt t<^ reign. He wad exs^ed on a ftield in the 

pfdence, and anridA the nnammcKis aeeiattia-^ 

tiem, of the f raopti ; a rich m&itmy eoAir, 

tt^cb was cffi^red by efaance,^ flfpfdied the want 

of a diadem'; the ceremony was eoncltidedl by 

tbe pfoniife of a moderate donative* ; and the 

»ew Emperor, orerwhehned with real or affe£te<i 

grief, retired iirto the moll fecret rtoelks of bia 

apartment **. 

His im). Tbe grief of Julian ccmld proceed only ftom 

^^^ Ms innocence J but his innocence mirfl appear 

cenie. cxtpemeiy donbtfol " in the eyes of tbofe who 

have learned to foi^eft the motives and the pro- 

* iBvea in tlb!< nmiuttuoos mofttenty J^ulian attended to tlie totOBi 
«flbpcraitiemccr«nKXny; and ofalHnJtrif idiiMtheiitttr]^cmi«^ 
of a female xiecklace» or a hoi^fe eoHar^ which the impatient foldien 
would have employed in the room of a diadem. 

^ Aneqii^pn^ortitnfif gddsadfllva^ a«« piece* ef the fbrmeiv 
one pound of the latter ; the whole amounting to iA)out five pounAi 
ten fluUings of pur money. 

'** Fdr the wiiote aaxtative of this realty ^m may appeal t& a«» 
thtntfc and «rigfinal natdtiala; Julian himfelf (ad S. P. ^ iythi- 
nienfem* p. aSsy aSj^ 2t4.)» Libanius (Orat. Parental, c. 44 — ^48. in 
ftMcine BIbKot; Qn^ torn. vii. p. ad^'-^-s^^.]^ AmmiaAvis (xx. 4.3^ 
and Zofimus (I, fii. p. 15X9 1529 X53.> wfao» hi the vmffi of Jviie% 
appears to follow the more refpe^ble authority of Bunapius. With 
ibch psSfdet we m^t negl^ die abbre^ton and eccleftaHical 



" £utropiu8> a veipedlable witneisf ufes a doubtful e3q>reffi«n9 
« eonfenfii milkum'' (x. 15.). Givgory Nazianzen, whofe ignorance 
nui^t excidb his tellieite dif«^ diargit the ipoftMs vtiA p^ 
fumption» madnefs^ and imyttus rebellbn* avQcAm 9anm» tunfiu^ 
Qfat-ilL p.157. 

feffions 



OF THE ROMAN EMH8£. j^ 

&&0m of ^dbcM. His U^ly a«ui adUve iiuq4 chap. 
«Ras&fc«|»tiUe<«f the vftriiws iin^ejQBooB of ^e J^'^ 
Mid ietr, of ^it»tito^ iKid ce^^eoge^ of duty And 
of ««kitioii, of lifae ioi^ of fame and of tiie &9r 
p£ mprrndL Bi*t k is aisfMriKkte for w to ^aJU 
«0ate ibe Y^^dloi^ im^^ 4iid e^i al(ia» of 
tibNife telBiMiits ; or <to f^ntsw Cte piuc^es 
i)£ 9^oti wUeh nigbt tefiraipe .th^e ob&xvjjtian^ 
vfafle Iih0f foided or nth« j^palled the ib^ 
0£JoiimJaamts^ TJsie difcotttent ^tba troqps 
SMS qmxluoed Jbj the matioe i^f Jus entraikis ; 
their tuioidd; wm the iH^nfiid teriSe^ of iot^sceft 
and «f paffion ; md if JuHan bad tri^d to cax^ 
oeai a idoep defij^n itnder :tbe appeacaacas wt 
chamsa, he muft ihaiw empi^iyed the fiftoft coo* 
fommateactjfice "mthwt »eoeiSty» ^ 
without fuccefs* Mt iblieflwly declare m tha 
pM&ttee .of Jspiter^ iof itbe ^uo, of Mar^^ of 
Mimmrei, and of aU 4^6 other 4ej;^e$» that^ 
ihe cdixre of the «mMag ^Ueh pra^ded his ola* 
vaikNB, rhfi ifv«a xdtaviy .ignomnt <^4be dai^^m oi* 
theifaUiefB '''; <«id A maiy&em mugen^dwrn to 
diftmift the faoQfiur erf* a Iicfq, aad the truth of 
a philofopher. Yet the fuperftitious confidence 
tiwt Co^mtrat was the ^Memy, jwd iJbttt he 
tumfelf was the favourite of the ^ods, T»ight 
psoffpt iitm ^ d^iia, :to iaiick, and ^even to 
haften the auli)iciousmQmeTit of his reign, AVfeicli 
^fmdeftmedjto^uftott .the attoiaat 7:;e%iQii^QF 



Btetetie(Tteide JtiKen^ p. X59.)i8 AlmoltiAdfaied h» rt^a <h& d^n— » 
protefUtions of a Pagan. 

mankind. 



XXII. 



14 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, maixkind. When Julian had received the ii^tel- 
ligence of the confpiracy, he refigned himlelf to 
a fliort flumber ; and afterwards related to his 
friends that he had feen the genius of the em- 
pire waiting with fome impatience at his door, 
prefling for admitta.nce, and reproaching his 
want of fpirit and ambition 'K Aftoniflied and 
perplexed, he addreffed his prayers to the great 
Jupiter ; who immediately fignified by a clear 
and manifeft omen, that he fhould fubmit to the 
will of heaven and of the army. The conduct 
which difclaims the ordinary maxims of reafon, 
excites our fufpicion and eludes our inquiry. 
Whenever the fpirit of fanaticifm, at once To 
credulous and fo crafty, has infinuated itfelf into 
a noble mind, it infenfibly corrodes the vital 
principles of virtue and veracity. 
His em- To moderate the zeal of his party, to prote6t 
c^an- *^® perfons of his enemies '% to defeat and to 
tiui. defpife the fecret enterptifes which were formed 

againft his life and dignity, were the cares which 
employed the firftdaysof the reign of the new Em- 
peror. Although he was firmly refolved to main- 

'^ Ammian. xx. 5. with the note of Lindenbrogius on the Genius 
of the empire. Julian himfelf, in a confidential letter to his friend 
and phyficiani Oribafius (Epifl. xvii. p. 384.), mentions another 
dream, to which, before the events he gave credit ; of a flately tree 
thrown to the ground, of a fmall plant fh-iking a deep root into the 
earth. Even in his fleep, the mind of Caefar nauil have been agitated 
by the hopes and fears of his fortune. Zofmius (1. iii- p. isS") relates 
a fubfequent dream. 

'-" The difficult fituation of the prince of a rebellious army is finely . 
defcribed by Tacitus (Hilt. i. 80 — 85.). But Otho had much more 
guilty and much lefs abilities^ than Julian. 

tain 



OF^THE ROMAN EMPIRE. i^ 

tain the ftation which he had aflumed, he was ftill chap. 
defirous of faving his country from the calamities ^ ^^' 
of civil war, of declining a conteft with the 
fuperior forces of Conftantius, and of preferving 
his own charaifter from the reproach of perfidy 
and ingratitude. Adorned with the enfigns of 
military and Imperial pomp, Julian ftiewed him- 
felf in the field of Mars to the foldiers, who 
"glowed with ardent enthufiafm in the caufe of 
their pupil, their leader, and their friend. H6 
recapitulated their vi6lories, lamented their fuf- 
ferings, applauded their refolution, animated 
their hopes, and checked their impetuofity ; nor 
did he difmifs the aflembly, till he had obtained 
a folemn promife from the troops, that if the Em- 
peror of the Eaft would fubfcribe an equitable 
treaty, they would renounce any views of con- 
quell, and fatisfy themfelves with the tranquil 
poffeffion of the Gallic provinces. On this foun- 
datien, he compofed, in his own name, and in 
that of the army, a fpecious and moderate 
epiftle '% which was delivered to Pentadius, his 
mailer of the offices, iand to his chamberlain 
Eutherius ; two ambafladors whom he appointed 
to receive the anfwer, and obferve the difpofi- 
tions of Conftantius. This epiftle is infcribed 
with the modeft appellation of Caefar ; but Ju- 
lian Iblicits in a peremptory, though Tefpeftful, 



'^ To this oftenfible epiftle he added^ fays Ammianus> private let- 
ten^ objurgatorias et mordaces, which the hiftorian had not feen, and 
wpuld not have publiihed. Perhaps they never exiiled. 

manner, 



i6 THE DECWNE AN© FAfcl. 

CHAP, mitfmer, thie .oonfirm^ian lof i^^ ikh iff Aor 
^; ^ guftusu He .aickjQpwJe^ge* the irfi^# W*ijty «aff &fc 
own ele&ioa, wJule b^ juflifie^, jjf» fyme i»^afuce» 
the refeKiUvieiit.ajid violm^e 9fiim ir^^ppiK^^ph 
}bfl4 e::(torted his xelu&ant ooqjQ^, He .«jyi<H¥$; 
Ijbe fupxemacy <Qf his hrptber Ccmftwd^^ :Mii 
engages to fend bim ^ wduaI jprefent ^f .Sf^f^ifti 
h^jrfea,. to recruit bis arj»jr with ^ fisls^: nttn*«r 
Df Barb^xian youtbs, oioA to .accept fip«i jIn^ 
xijoice a Px^aatprian praefeft of {proved difci^- 
tloo aad fidelity. But be x'eier^es for jbw^^tf* 
Ithe nomination •of his oAber <ivil a«d jwHta^ 
xjfficers, with the ti^opps, the re^wiAe, .mi ^ 
ibverejjgaty of the proyi»ces hejj^oiid Hibe iUfA- 
He adni^iiii]»es the ^j^eror to om&i^t tbe4iQ- 
iates of juilice ; to difkuJft the a^<is ^ thqfei^^»iii} 
flatterei:*, who fubiift oxdy by 4Jie >dtfcA»d uf 
j|u:in£^ ; and to ^inbiiaQee th^ ofi^r of ^ fair ^i^ 
hon4>urible treaty, equally «(dv,antogeQU^ ito ih^ 
j^public.and to the houfe of Coaftawtii^iie. Im 
this n^ociation Julian claim^^W) moire ^m h^ 
^eadj poffieffed. The^delegated autb0r.ky iv^i$^ 
lie had long ex^dSkd aver the pretviHoe^ t^^ 
^Gaid, ^paict, a^d Bdtaivi, wais ftiU ^be^ed widj^r 
a nfli»e inQi:e .mdispeodent iup^ aMgv^. 71^ 
ibldieis and iAue |)ecgple rejoiced in a ^rwoUrtio^ 
which was ^not ftain^d -ew* with thehloed ijf 
the guiltj. Borentiw was a ;f ugi*iv:e i X>»|Acir 
nus a prifoner. The perfons who were difaf- 
fe6led to the new govejcnmeut wer.e difanwed and 
&cui:ed4 ajid it^ VACMd; offices ^ivei^diftcijkited 
according to -the recoimnendation of merit, by a 

prince 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 17 

prince who defpifed the intrigues of the palace, CHAP, 
and the clatnours of the foidiers '\ , ^^ ;_. 

The negociations of peace were accompanied hu fourth 
and fupported by the moft vigorous preparations ^^ ^ 
for war. The army, which Julian held in rea- beyond the 
dinefs for immediate aftion, was recmifeed and ^^"«» 
augmented by the diforders of the times. The 36,/ ^ ^' 
cruel perfecution of the fa3:ion of Magnentius 
had filled Gaul with numerous bands of out- 
laws and robbers. They cheerfully accepted the 
c^r of a general pardon from a prince wliom 
they could truil, fubmitted to the Teibraints of 
military difcfpUne, and retained only their im- 
placable hatred to the perfon and government 
of Conftantius '^ As foon as the feafom of Ae 
year permitted Julian to take the field, he ap- 
peared at the head of his legions ; threw a bndge 
over the Rhine in die neighbourhood of Cleves ; 
and prepared to chaft^ the penfidy of the 
Attuarii, a tribe of Franks, who prefiuoaed tiiat 
they might ravage, with impunity, the lra«tiers 
of a divided empire. The difficu^y, as well as 
^ry, of this enteiprife, confided i^n a laborious 
inarch; aaad Je^lian had conquered, ^s £»» as 
be could penetrate into a cotwatry, which former 

'^ .See tdie &ft Jiran£uftidn6 of hie mga, in Julian »d S.P.Q. 
ikthen. p. 2&s* ^^« a&mmttinu«»^.xx. 5. 8. libaa. Qrat. Fluent. 
C.419, 51D. p.a7i5 — 875. ** 

*' Liban. Chat. Poieixt. -0.50. p.»75> ^76. A ftnuigie.<^Qrdbr» 
jfimse it (cmitamied aboiw fefven 'years. Jbi the fadUons of the Oreek 
sepiMaB, ithe exiles amountsd -to ao^ooo peribn9; fkad UoemiM 
mBaxoB JPhilioy ithat it wmAd be. e«Ger to raife an avmy fh>m the 
-vagabonds ihan from die pities. Sde iHmttefs £i&y^ itpin««. p. ^a^y , 

4»7- 

VOL. IV. c princes 



i8 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H A E princes had confidered as inacceffible. After 
^^' , he had given peace to the Barbarians, the Em- 
peror carefully vifiited the fortifications along 
the Rhine from Cleves to Bafil ; furveyed, with 
peculiar attention, the territories which he had 
recovered from , the hands of the Alemanni, 
paiTed through Befan9on '% which had feverely 
fuffered from their fury, and fixed his head- 
quarters at Vienna for the enfuing winter. The 
barrier of Gaul was improved and ftrengthened 
with additional fortifications ; and Juliap enter- 
tained fome hopes that the Germans, whom he 
had fo often vanquiihed, might, in his abfence, 
be reftrained by the terror. of his name. Vado- 
mair'^ was the only prince of the Alemanni, 
whom he efteemed or feared; and while the 
fubtle Barbarian affefted to obferve the faith of 
treaties, the progrefs of his arms threatened the 
date with an unfeafonable and dangerous war. 
The policy of Julian condefcended to furprife 
the prince of the Alemanni by hisown arts ; and 
Vadomair, who, in the chara6ler of a friend, 
had incautioufly accepted an invitation frpm the 
Roman governors, was feized in the midft of the 
entertainment, and fent away prifoner into the 

*^ Julian (Epifi. xxxviii. p. 414*) gives a ihort defcription of Ve- 
fontio, or Befsm^on ; a rocky peninfular almofl encircled by the river 
Doux ; once a magnificent city, filled with temples, &c. now reduced 
to a fimall town, emerging however from its ruins. 

'9 Vadomair lentered into the Roman fervice, and was promoted 
from a Barbarian kingdom to the military rank of Duke of Phaenicia. 
He ftill retained the fame artful chandler (Ammian, xxi. 4.} : buty 
under the reign of Valens^ he fignalifed his valour in the Armenian 
war (xxix. x.). 

1 2 heart 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 19 

heart of Spain. Before the Barbarians were re- c H A P. 
covered from their amazement, the Emperor ap- . /^^^^ 
peared in arms on the banks of the Rhine, and, 
once more crofl&ng the river, renewed the deep 
impreffions of terror and relpe^ which had been 
already made by four preceding expeditions ^. 

The ambaffadors of Julian had been inilrufted Pniitiefs 
to execute, with the utmoft diligence, their im- ^j^!" 
portantcommiflion. But, in their paflage through tion of 
Italy and lUyricum, they were detained by the !^| ' 
tedious and affected delays of the provincial 
governors ; they were conduced by flow jour- 
nies from Conftantinople to Caefarea in Cappa- 
docia ; and when at length they were admitted 
to the prefence of Conftantius, they found that 
he had already conceived, from the difpatches of 
his own officers, the mod unfavourable opinion 
of the conduft of Julian, and of the Gallic army. 
The letters were heard with impatience; the 
trembling meflengers were difmifled with indig- 
nation and contempt ; and the looks, the gef^ 
tures, the furious language of the monarch, ex- 
prefled the diforder of his foul. The domeftic 
connexion, which might have reconciled the 
brother and the hulband of Helena, was recently 
diflblved by the death of that princefs, whole 
pregnancy had been feveral times fruitlefs, and 
was at laft fatal to herfelf ". The Emprets 

Eufebia 

.. . , • *> 

^ Ainmian. 7CX. lo. xxi« 39 4* Zoiimus,,!. iii. p. 155., 
^' Her remains were fent to Rome» an/i interred near thofe gf 
lier fiiler Conflantinay in the fuburb of the Fia Nomentana* Am* 
mian. xxi. x. Libanius has compofed a very weak apology to juilify 

c » his 



ib THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c ri A p. EuM}4 Had prelerved, to th6 laft momeill of her 
xxir. ijj^^ ^1^^ wdrm knd even jealous affeaioti which 
ihfe had C'dnceivfed fbt JUliati; and her rtiild 
ifiBuen'cB might Havfe tnodferated the rerenttfal^hl 
*di a priH'cfe, Mb, iRtice her deiath, was abatidbhed 
to his d^h i^affionk, ahd to the ^Hs of his ell- 
fiiifchk. But the tetror of a for'i^igh ihvafion 
aWi^fed hiih lo fufpelid the puuifhmerit of a pH- 
Vite etieiiiy ; he cbiltinued his hlarch towards 
Ihe cttnfitilis of PtefTia, aiid thought it fufficieht 
lb fignify lh6 conditions which niight entitte 
Jiili'ah and his jgiiilty followers to the clemency 
df their offehded ibVeineign. He required, that 
the prejriimp'tubus Caefar ihouTd exprfeftly re- 
nburice the app^Udtitth ind rank of Auguftus, 
^hieh hie h^d kcc'^iited JVbih th6 f ehefe ; thAt fre 
ihbulcl deifcfehd td his fbrme'r ftali'dii of alittiited 
ind dependent ihihlfter; that he ttioiild veil 
'thfe pbv^feVs'of ttie illate and army Ih the iiands of 
Ihble o^c'eii wlvb Were appointed by the impe- 
rial c'otirt ; ihd that he fhotiJd trtift \\h fafety to 
"thfe Affiirances of pardon, which Were ai^hotiticed 
by fipiaetuS, a Gallic bilhbp, and btte bf thfe 
Arian ifav'bWrites of Cbiiitahtius. Sev'^'rM ift'btt^hs 
wfere We^6ltiiliy cbnfuiiied in A treaty Which was 
Wegb'ciited atthe^diftahce bfthr^^thbuaiid hiiles 

his hero from a Very abfurd charge ; of poifoning 'his wife^ and re- 
■warolng her p^yfician with his mother's jewels. (See the feventh 
^ fewnteen new orations, publiflied at Venice 1754, from a MS* 
in St. Mark's library, p. 117 — ia7.)* Elpidius, the Praetorian prae- 
fea of the Kfc to wh6fe evidence the ^ddifer of •Jtffeft 'aj^eals, is 
^ri^iied ty EibaCAhlj, '3J^*effmiHitte knd Mn^ftM-; yelt the reBgion 
•tjf Elplditisis'pi^1fedV"i!fer<ini<t<«kJi. p.a^43>> «h& his ffi^artiiy 
t^y 'AmirtHitltte (^Xi.*6'^ 

between 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. aj 

between Paris and Antioch ; and as foon as Ju- C H A P. 
lian perceived that his moderate and refpeftful ^^^^' 
behaviour ferved only to irritate the pride of an 
implacable adverfary,he.boldly refolvedto com- 
mit his life and fortune to the chance pf a ciyil 
war. He gave a public and military audience 
to thp quaeftor Leonas : the haughty epiille of 
Conftaritius was reacl tothe attentive multitqifje; 
and Julian prpteft.ed, with the moll ^attjering 
deference, that he was ready to refigp the title of 
Auguftus, if he could obtain the confent of thofe 
lyhom he acknowledged as the authors of ^is 
elevation. The faint prppofal was impetf^oufly 
filenced ; and the apclamations pf " Jijji?in Au- 
^' guftus, continue to reign, by the authority 
'^ of jthe army, of the people, pf the f^puijlic 
'' whicfc you have fayed," thundef^ ^ pace 
from every part of the field, and terrified the 
palie AHibaffador of Cpnft^ptius. A part of the 
letter was afterwards read, in whic)x the Enjpjerpr 
arraigned the ingratitjade of Julian, whom he 
had invjefted »rith tbe bWQurs pf the purple 3 
whom he had educated with fo much care and 
tendernefs ; whom he fead preferve^d ii]i l?is ^9- 
fancy, when he was left a helplels orphan ; f' an 
« orphan 1'* interrupted Julian, >^rho j,uftifiied hi? 
caufe by indulging his paflions ; " Does the ai^ 
<* faflin of my family reproach me that I was left 
*' an orphan ? He urges me to revenge thpfe 
" injuries which I have long ftudied to forget.'* 
The affembly was difmiffedj and Leonas, wl^o, 
with fome difliculty, had been prote6ted from the 
c 3 popular 



t2 THE DECLINE ANI> FALL 

CHAP, popular fury, was fent back to his mafter witlt 
^^^^^^^ an epiftle, in which Julian expreffed, in a ftrain 
of the moft vehement eloquence, the fentiment» 
of contempt, of hatred, and of refentment, which 
had been fupprefled and embittered by the dif- 
fimulation of twenty years. After this meffage, 
which might be confidered asafignal ofirrecon- 
cileable war, Julian, who fome weeks before had 
celebrated the Chriftian feftival of the Epi- 
phany ", made a public declaration that he com- 
mitted the care of hisfafety to the immortai* 
GODS ; and thus publicly renounced the religion, 
as well as the friendfhip, of Conftantius. 
JuKan pre- The fituation of Julian required a vigorous 
pares to and immediate refolution. He had difcovered 
ftju^ua.^"" ^^^"^ intercepted letters, that his adverfary, fa- 
crificing the intereft of the ftate to that of the 



" Feriarum die quern celebrantes menfe Januanoy ChriiHani 
Epiphania dt(5IItant, progreflus in eoram ecdeliamy foiemniter nu^ 
iiiine orato difceffit. Ammian. xxi. %. Zonaras obferves, that it 
was on Chrifhnas-dayj and his aflertion is not inconiiftent ; fince 
the churches of Egypt, Alia, and perhaps Gaul, celebrated on the 
fame day (the fixth of January) the nativity and the baptifm of their 
Saviour, The Romans, as ignorant as their brethren of the real date 
of hia birth, fixed the folemn feftival to the a^th of December, the 
Brumalich orvonter foiftice, when the Pagans annually celebrated the 
birth of the Sun. See Bingham's Antiquities of the Chriftian church, 
1. XX. c. 4. and Beaufobre Hift. Critique ^vl Manicheifme, torn. ii. 
p. 6^0 — 700. 

*^ The public and fecret negodations between Conftantius dnd Julian^ 
muft be extnuSled, with fome caution, irom Julian himfelf (Orat. ad 
S. P. Q. Athen. p. a 8 6.), Libanius (Orat. Parent, c. 51. p. 276.), 
Ammianus (xx. 9*), Zofimus (I. ill. p. I540> <ind eveii Zonaras (tom.ir. 
1. xiii. p. ao, a I, 22.)» who, on this occafioh, appears to have poflefied 
and ufed Ibme valuable materials. 

monarch. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 23 

monarch, had again excited the Barbarians to chap* 
invade the provinces of the Weft. The pofition ^^^• 
of two magazines, one of them colle6led on the 
banks of the lake of Conftance, the other formed 
at the foot of the Cottian Alps, feemed to indi- 
-cate the march of two armies ; and the lize of 
thofe magazines, each of which coniifted of fix 
hundred thoufand quarters of wheat, or rather 
flour ^% was a threatening evidence of the ftrength 
and numbers of the enemy, who prepared to 
furround him.. But the Imperial legions were 
ftill in their diftant quarters of Afia ; the Da- 
nube was feebly guarded ; and if Julian could 
occupy, by a fudden incurfion, the important 
provinces of Illyricum, he might expe6l that a 
people of foldiers would refort to his ftandard, 
and that the rich mines of gold and filver would 
contribute to the expences of the civil war. He 
propofed this bold enterprife to the aflembly of 
the foldiers; infpired them with ajuft confidence 
in their general, and in themlelves; and ex- 
horted them to maintain their reputation, of 
being terrible to the enemy, moderate to their fel- 
low-citizens, and obedient to their oflScers. His 
fpirited difcourfe was received with the loudeft 
acclamations, and the fame troops which had 
taken up arms againft Conftantius, when he fum- 
moned them to leave Gaul, now declared with 

^ Three hundred myriads^ or three millions c£ mcdimnif a com- 
meafure familiar to the Athenians^ and which contained ^ Roman 
modii. Julian explainsi like a foldier and a ftatefman, the danger of 
his fituation, and the neceffity and advantages of an ofienfive war 
(ad S. P. Q. Athen. p. 3t86. a?;.)- 

c 4 alacrity. 



24 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, alacrity, that they would follow Julian to the 
xxii. fartheft extremities of. Europe or Alia. The oath 
of fidelity was adminiftered ; and the foldiers, 
claftiing their fhields, and pointing their drawn 
fwords to their throats, devoted themfelves, with 
horrid imprecations, to the fervice of a leader 
whom tliey celebrated as the deliverer of Gaul, 
and the conqueror of the Germans *^ This 
folemn engagement, which feemed to be di6lated 
by affection rather than by duty, was fingly 
oppofed by Nebridius, who had been admitted 
to the office of Praetorian praife^. . That faith- 
ful minifter, alone and unaffifted, afferted the 
rights of Conftantius in the midft of an armed 
and angry multitude, to whofe fury he had almoft 
fallen an honourable, but ufelefs, facrifice. After 
lofing one of his hands by the ftroke of a fword, 
he embraced the knees of the prince whom he 
had offended. Julian covered the prsefeft with 
his Imperial mantle, and protecting him from 
the 2eal of his followers, difmifled him to his 
own houie, with lefs refpe6l than was perhaps 
due to the virtue of an enemy **. The high 
office of Nd^ridius was beftowed on Salluft ; and 
the provinces of Gaul, which were now delivered 
from the intolerable oppreffion of taxes, enjoyed 
the mild and equitable adminiilration of the friend 
of Julian, who was permitted to praSice thofe 

'^ See hnofationy and the behaviour of the troops^ in Aminlan. XXL5. 
. ** He ftemly refuied his hand to the (hppliant praefe<a, whom he 
imt into Tufeany (Amniian. xx«. 5.). LibaniuBy with favage fury^ 
ioMa Ndbridiusy applauds the foldiers, and almofi cenfures the hu- 
manity of Julian (G^t. Parent, c. 5:3. p. a; 8.}. 

virtues 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE- 25 

virtues which he had inftilled into the mind of c H a p. 
his pupil '■\ vJ^^ 

The hopes of Julian depended much lefs on His march 
the number of his troops, than on the celerity {^?'!"*^^ 

n M ' .• T 1 ^* /» 1 • Rhine mto 

of his motions. In the execution of a daring luyricum. 
enterprife, he availed himfelf of every precau** 
tion, as far as prudence could fuggeft ; and where 
prudence could no longer accompany his fteps, 
he trailed the event to valour and to fortune. 
In the neighbourhood of Bafil he aflembled and 
divided his army". One body, which confined 
of ten thoufand men, was directed, under the 
command of Nevitta, general of the cavalry, to 
advance through the midland parts of Rhaetia 
and Noricum. Aiimilar divifion of troops, under 
the orders of Jovius and Jovinus, prepared to 
follow the oblique courfe of the highways, 
through the Alps and the northern confines of 
Italy. The inftrudlions to tlje generals were 
conceived with energy and precifion : to haflen 
their march in clofe and compa6t columns, 
which, according to the difpofition of the 
ground, might readily be changed into any 
order of battle ; to fecure themfelves againft 
the furprifes of the night by ftrong pofts and 
vigilant guards ; to prevent refiftance by their 

^ Ammian. xxi. 8. In this promotion, Julian obeyed the law 
which he publicly impofed on himfelf. Neque civilis quifquam judex 
nee militaris re^or, alio quodam prxter merita fuffragante, ad po- 
tiorem veniat gradum (Ammian. xx. 5.). Abfence did not weaken 
his regard for Salluft^ with whofe name (A.D. 363.) he honoured the 
confuUhip. 

"^ Ammianus (xxi. 8.) afcribes the fame pra6lice> and the fame 
motive^ to Alexander the Great, and other Ikilful generals. 

unex- 



26 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c HAP. unexpe6ted arrival ; to elude examination by 
^^^^^' their fudden departure ; to fpread the opinion 
of their ilrength, and the terror of his name ; 
and to join their fovereign under the walls of 
Sirmium. For himfelf, Julian had referved a 
more difficult and extraordinary part. He fe- 
lefted three thoufand brave arid a^ve vohm- 
teers, refolved, like their leader, to call behind 
them every hope of a retreat: at the head of this 
faithful band, he fearlefsly plunged into the re- 
ceffes of the Marcian, or black foreft, which 
conceals the fources of the Danube *^ ; and, for 
many days, the fate of Julian was unknowrt to 
the world. The fecrecy of his march, his dili- 
gence, and vigour, furmounted every qbllacle ; 
he forced his way over mountains and moraffes, 
occupied the bridges or fwam the rivers, pur- 
fued his direct courfe ^% without refle6ling whe- 
ther he traverfed the territory of the Romans or 
of the Barbarians, and at length emerged, be- 
tween Ratifbon and Vienna, at the place where 
he defigned to embark his troops on the Damtbe. 
By a well-concerted ftratagem, he feized a fleet 

-5 This wood was a part of the great Hercynian foreft, which, in 
the time of Caefar, ftretched away from the country of the Rauraci 
(Bafil) into the boundlefs regions of the North. See Cluver, Ger- 
mania Antiqua, I. iii. c.47- 

^'^ Compare Libanius, Orat. Parent, c, 53. p. 278, 279, with Gre- 
gory Nazianzen, Orat. iii. p. 68. Even the faint admires the fpeed 
and fecrecy of this march. A modem divine might apply to the 
progrefs of Julian, the lines which were originally defigned for another 
apoftate : 

' So eagerly the fiend, 



O'er bog, or fteep, through ftrait, rough, denfe, or rare. 
With head, bands, wings, or feet, purfues his way. 
And fwims, or finks, or wades, or creeps, or flies. 



of 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. * 27 

of light brigantines ^\ as it lay at anchor ; fe- chap/ 
cured a fupply of coarfe provifions fufficient to •^^'^* 
fatisfy the indelicate, but voracious, appetite of 
a Gallic army; and boldly committed himfelf to 
the ftream of the Danube. The labours of his 
mariners, who plied their oars with inceffant 
diligence, and the fteady continuance of a fa- 
vourable wind, carried his fleet above feven hun- 
dred miles in eleven days ^*; and he had already 
difembarked his troops at Bononia, only nine- 
teen miles from Sirmium, before his enemies 
could receive any certain intelligence that he 
had left the banks of the Rhine. In the courfe 
of this long and rapid navigation, the mind of 
Julian was fixed on the obje6l of his enterprife ; 
and though he accepted the deputation of Ibme 
cities, which haftened to claim the merit of an 
early fubmiflion, he paffed before the hoftile fta- 
tions, which were placed along the river, with- 
out indulging the temptation of fignalizing an 
ufelefs and ill-timed valour. The banks of the 
Danube were crowded on either fide with fpec- 
tators, who gazed on the military pomp, antici- 
pated the importance of the event, and diffufed 
through the adjacent country the fame of a 
young hero, who advanced with more than 

^' In that interval the Notitia places two or three fleets, the Lau- 
riacenfis (at Lauriacum> or Lorch), the Arlapeniis, the Maginenfis ; 
and mentions five legions, or cohorts, of Libumarii, who ihould be a 
fort of marines. Se<5l« Iviii. edit« Labb. 

^* Zofimus alone (1. iii. p. 15 6,) has fpecified this interefting circum- 
ftance. Mamertinus (in Panegyr. Vet. xi. 6, 7, 8-), who accompanied 
Julian, as count of the facred largefles, defcribes this voyage in a 
florid and pidlurefque manner, challenges Triptolemus and the Argo- 
nauts of Greece, &c. 

mortal 



a8 .THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, mortal fpe^d at the head of the innumerable 
^^* , forces of the Weft. Lucilian, who, with the 
rank of general of the cavalry, commanded the 
military powers of lUyricum, was alarmed and 
perplexed by the doubtful reports, which he 
could neither rejefil nor believe. He had taken 
fome flow and irrefolute meafures for the purpofe 
of colle6ling his troops ; when he was furprifed 
by Dagalaiphus, an a6live officer, whom Julian, 
as foon as he landed at Qpnonia, had puflied 
forwards with fome light infantry. The Cj^ptiv^e 
general, uncertain of his life or death, was haftily 
thrown upon a horfe, and conduced to the pre- 
fence of Julian ; who kindly raifed him from the 
ground, and difpelled the terrpr ^pd aypazpment 
which feemed to ftupify bis fj^cuUies. !Bnt hur 
cilian had no fooner recovered hh fpirits, th^p 
he betrayed his want of difcretion, by pri^fufj^ing 
to admonifli his conqi^ieror, that he had r^ftily 
ventured, with a handful of men, to jexpoijb his 
perfon in the midft of bis enemies. " Referve 
*' for your miafter Con^l^ntius thefe timid rernop* 
" ftrances,'* repjiec} Julian, w^ith a fipile of cpn- 
tempt; " whep I gave you jpfiy purple to kify^ 
^' I received you not as a counfelJor, jbllt as ^ 
'^ fuppliant/' Confcious that fuccefs ^l^nex^pyld 
juftify his attempt, and that boldnefs only could 
command fuccefs, he inftantly advanced^ at the 
head of thrm iiiQufmd foldiiBrs, to ^^k the 
ftrongeft and moft popular city of the Hiyriati 
provinces. As he entered the ioi?g iuburb (4' 
Sirmium, he was received by the joyful accla- 
mations of the army and people ; who, crowded 

with 



Ot tHfc ROMAN EMPIRE. 25 

AVith (towers, attd holding lighted tapets in their ci H A P. 
hands, (C?6iidu6led their ackWowledgted fovereigti ^^^'^ 
ttd his Iftiperial refidtSric'ei ^Tw^d dfetys weti^ d^«. 
Votted to the publife py-, which was cd^rated 
by thfe g&mes of the Cireus ; but, ^aHy ot\ the 
irioVhing of the third day^ Julian marched to 
occupy the niarit)W pafs of Succi, in the defiles 
bf Wou^t Htenius ; \vhieh, almt>ft iti the mid* 
way b'etW^tt Si^niiUfti and Conftanlittttplej ifepia- 
mtes the p^bvirices bf Thfat:;^^ and Daeia, by ah 
abfiipt defeeht to'wtirds th^ fbrtner, ahd a j^entie 
declivfty oYl the fid^ of Ihie lattet^'. the de^ 
ffettte 'df this important fi^ wAs enttiiftfed to 
the fe^'Ave Nevitta ; Whb^ to Veil as the gfen^Jlals 
of the Italiata divifiott, fticed&fuUy executed ^^ 
plan of tfe^ WMc\\ and j%in6lfen which thei^- 
niafter h^d fo Ably coticeived ^\ 

The hoftWtge which Jalian "obtai^j^d, frbm tfefe He juftifie* 
fears br the ittclinAtidtt of tl>e p^pife-, exte^^d^d ^ ^"^^• 
ftr beybttd thfe itiimediAte eflfea of hfe Wms ^^ 
The pftefefikures of ItAly atld Illylrici^m were ad- 
mittiftered by Taui^us and flerentiufe, who united 
that iinp&ttaht office ^fth the vAita hbnburs of th^ 
conful&ip; attd as thofe ttagiftrateS fead retired 

^^ The defcription of Ammianusy which might be fupported by 
' collatersrr evidence^ afcestains the predfe littikti6n df 'the jlngUft'ue 
SueedrUnti, or pedlesof Suceu 'M. D'Anvitte^ from the trffliilg fefem- 
bkoide df iiam68> iias placed theih between Sar£ca axid Nxiflus. 
For ihy own jiiilification, I am obliged to mention Ae 'fitdy error 
which I have difcovefred in the mkp^ t)r writings of "tiiit admirable 
gedgrapher. 

^ WhatsBVifer circumlfances we -rimy boitow'^flfewhere) Axdmianitt. 
(xxi. 89 9) 10.) ftiil fupplies the feries df the barrative. 

^^ 'Atriftiian. x^. 9, 10. Libaniixs, 0rat. Parent c«5'4. ^*^^^> 
a%o, Zofimift, l.iii. ip. t^6, 15*7. 

with 



30 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



c HA P. with precipitation to the court of Afia, Julian^ 
^^^'^ who could not always reflrain the levity of his 
temper, ftigmatized their flight by adding, in all 
the Adls of the Year, the epithet of Jugitiw to 
the names of the two confuls. The provinces 
which had been deferted by their firfl; magifl^rates 
acknowledged the authority of an emperor, who, 
conciliating the qualities of a foldier witKthofe 
of a philofopher, was equally admired in the 
camps of the Danube, and in the cities of 
Greece. From his palace, or, more properly, 
from his head-quarters of Sirmium and Naiflus, 
he diflributed to the principal cities of the em- 
pire, a laboured apology for his own condu6l: ; 
publiflied the fecret difpatches of Conftantius ; 
and folicited the judgment of mankind between 
two competitors, the one of whom had expelled, 
and the other had invited, the Barbarians^^. 
Julian, whole mind was deeply wounded by the 
reproach of ingratitude, afpired to maintain, by 
argument as well as by arms, the fuperior merits 
of his caufe ; and to excel, not only in the arts 
of war, but in thofe of compofition. His epiille 
to the fenate and people of Athens ^^ feems to 

have 

^^ Julian (ad S.P. Q. Athen. p. a86.) pofiti^ely aflfertsy that he in- 
tercepted the letters of Conftantius to the Barbarians : and Libaniiis 
as pofidvely affirms* that he read them on his march to the troops 
and the cities. Yet Ammianus (xxi. 4.) exprefles himfelf with cool 
and candid heiitation, fi /amdt folius admittenda eft fides. He fpe- 
ciiiesy however, an intercepted letter from Vadomair to Conftantius, 
which fuppofes an intimate correfpondence between them : " Cxfar. 
« tuus difciplinam non habet." 

^^ ZoOmus mentions his epiftles to the Athenians^ the Corin- 
fiuansy and the Lacedsemonians. The fubftance was probably tht 

fiime, 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 31 

have been didlated by an elegant enthufiafm ; c H A P. 
which prompted hitn to fubmit his adlions and '^^^' 
his motives to the degenerate Athenians of his 
own times, with the fame humble deference, as 
if he had been pleading in the days of Ariftides, 
before the tribunal of the Areopagus. His ap- 
plication to the fenate of Rome, which was ftill 
permitted to beftow the titles of Imperial power, 
was agreeable to the forms of the expiring re- 
public. An affembly was fummoned by Tertul- 
lus, praefe6l of the city; the epiftle of Julian was 
read; and as he appeared to be mailer of Italy, 
his claims were admitted without a -diffenting 
voice. His oblique cenfure of the innovations 
of Conftantine, and his paffionate inve6live 
againil the vices of Conftantius, were heard 
with lefs fatisfadlion; and the fenate, as if Ju- 
lian had been prefent, unanimoufly exclaimed, 
*' Relpe6l, we befeech you, the author of your 
*' own fortune ^^" An artful expreffion, which, 
according to the chance of war, might be differ- 
ently explained; as a manly reproof of the 
ingratitude of the ufurper, or as a flattering 
confeflion, that a fingle a6l of fuch benefit to 
the ftate ought to atone for all the failings of 
Conftantius. 

hmsy though the addrefi was properly varied. The epiftle to the 
Athenians is ftill extant (p. a68 — *87.), and has afforded much 
valuable information. It deferves the praifes of the Abb€ de la 
Bleterie (Pref. a I'Hiftoire de Jovien^ p. 249 a^.)» *°^ ^ ®°® o^ ^^ 
heft manifeftos to be found in any language. 

^^ AuSori tuo reverentiam rogamus, Ammian. xxi. 10. It it 
amufing enough to obferve the fecret confli^s of the fenate between 
, flattery and fear. See Tacit. Hsft. i. 85. 

The 



32 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



tions. 



CHAP. The intelligence of the march and rapid pro- 
xxn.^ g^gfg ^f Julian was fi)eedily tranfmitted to his 
Hoftiie rival, who, by the retreat of Sapor, had obtained 
prepara- fotne rcfpite from the Perfian war. Diiguifing 
the anguifh of his foul under the femblance of 
contempt, Conftantius profefled his intention of 
returning into Europe, and of giving chace to 
Juh'an; for he never fpoke of this military expe- 
dition in any other light than that of a hunting 
party ^^. In the camp of HierapoUs, in Syria, 
he communicated this defign to his army; flightly 
mentioned th-e guilt and raftinefs of the Cseiar ; 
and ventured to affure them, that if the muti- 
neers of Gaul prefumed to meet them in the 
field, thiey would be unable to fuftain the fire of 
their eyes, and the irrefiftibte weight of their 
fliout of onfigt. The fpeech of the Emperor was 
received with military applauie, and Theodotus, 
the prefident of the council of Hierapolts, re- 
quefted, with tears of adulation, that his city 
mig^it be adorned with the head of the vanquiihed 
rebel *°. A chofen detachment was di^atched 
away in poft-waggons, to fecure, if it were yet 
pofliWe, the pafs of Succi; the recruits, the 
horfes, the arms, and the magazines which bad 
been prepared againft Sapor, were appropriaitcd 
to the fervi^e of the civil war ; and the domeftic 

^9 Ttoquam venaticisun pnaedaln caperet : hoc enim ad leniendum 
fuOrum metum fubinde prsedicalMt. Ammian. xxi. .7. 

^^ See the fpeech and .preparations in j&mmianus, xxi. 23. The 
vile Theodotus afterwards inoplored and obtained his pardon from 
the merciful conquerop> vrho fignified his vriih of diminiihing his 
£nemies9 and increafing the number of ius^iriends (xxii. J4.). 

1 3 vi6lories 



,OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 3.3 

•viftories of Ccaiftantius infpired his partifans CHAP, 
with the mod fanguine aflurances of fuccefe. ^^^' 
The notary Gaudentius had occupied in his name 
the prorinces of Africa ; the fubfiftence of Rome 
was intercepted; and the diftrefs of Julian was 
increafedbyan unexpeS^ed event, which might 
•have b^n prddu6live of fatal confequences. 
Julian had received the fubmiffion of two legions 
and a cohort of archers, who were ilationed at 
Sirmium; but hefufpedted, with reafon, the fide- 
lity of thofe troops, which had been diflin- 
guifhed by the Emperor ; and it was thought 
expedient, under the pretence of the expofed 
;fi;ate of the Gallic frontier, to difmifs them from 
the moft important fcene of a6i:ion. They ad- 
vanced, vrith relu6l;ance, as far as the confines 
of Italy ; but as they dreaded the length of the 
way, and the favage fierceneis of the Germans, 
they refplved^ by the inftigation of one of their 
tribunes, to halt at Aquileia, And to ere6l the 
banners of Conftantius on the walls of that im- 
pregnable city. The vigilance of Julian per- 
ceived at once the extent of the mifehief, and 
the neceffity of applying an immediate remedy. 
By his order, Jovinus led back a part of the army 
into Italy ; and the f^'*ge of Aquileia was formed 
.with diligence,, and profecuted With vigour. But 
the legionaries, who feemed to have rejected the 
Joke of difcipline, condu6ledthe defence of the 
|>iace with Ikill and perfeverance ; invited the 
yeft of Italy to4mitatethe example of their cou- 
rage and loyalty ; and threatened tlx^ retreat of 
- VOL. IV. ,D Julian, 



J4 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H A P. Julfan, if he ifaould be forced to yield to the 
, ^^'_f fuperior numbersr of the armies of the Eaft *'. 
and death But the' humanity of Julian was preferved 
crfConftan- f^^^j^j. thccruel alternative, which he pathetically 
A.I). 361,' laments, of deftroying, or of being himfelf de- 
Nov, a- flroyed: and the feafonable death of Conftantius 
delivered the Roman empire from the calamities 
©f a civil war. The approach of winter could not 
detain the monarch at Antioch }^ and hi» favou- 
rites durft not oppofe Ws' impatient defire of 
revenge. A flight fever, which was perhaps 
occafioned by the agitation of his fpirits, was 
encreafed by the fatigues of the journey ; and 
Conftantius was obliged to halt at the little town 
of Mopfucrerie, twelve miles beyond Tarfus^ 
where he expired, after a fliort illnefs^ in the 
ibrty-fifth year of his age, and the twenty-fourth 
of his reign ^*i His genuine chara6ler, which 
was compofed of pride and weaknefs, of fuper- 
ftition and cruelty, has been fully difplayed in 

^^ Ammian. xxi. 7, 11, i a. He feems to defcribe, \nth fupov 
((uous labour^ the operations of the liege of Aquileiai which, oft 
this occaiibn, maintained its impregnable fame. Gregory Nazianzen 
(Orat. iii. p. 68.) Scribes this accidental revolt to the wifdom of Con^ 
ftantius* whofe alTured vkSlory he announces with fome appearance of 
truth. Conilantio .^uem credebat procuidubio fore vi<Sloitem : nem<^ 
enim omnium tunc ab hac conflanti fententia difcrepebat.. Ammian. 
j(xi. 7. 

*^ His death and chara^er are faithfully delineated by Ammianut 
(xxi. 14, 15, 16.); and we are authorifed to defpife and detefl the 
fooliih calumny of Gregory (Orat. iii. p. 68.)^ who accufe« Julian of 
contriving the death of his benefador. The private repentance of 
the Emperor, that he had fpared and promoted Julian (p. 69. and 
Orat. xxi. p. 389.), is not improbable initfelf, nor incompatible with 
.the public verbal tefiament, which prudential conilderatlons might 
^Udate in the laft momeks of his life. 

the 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^5 

tiie preceding narrative of civil and ecclefiaflical c.H A P. 
events. The long abufe of power rendered him ^^^^' 
a confiderable obje6t in the eyes of his con- 
temporaries ; but as perfonal merit can alone 
deferye the notice of pofterity, the laft of the 
fons of Conilantine may be difmiifed from the 
world, with the remark, that he inherited the 
defe6ls, without the abilities, of his father, B©^ 
fore Conilantius expired, he is faid to have nanved 
Julian for his fuceefforj nor does it feem imprd- 
bable, that his anxious concern for the fate of 
a young and tender wife, whom he left witH 
child, may have prevailed, in his laft moments, 
over the harfher paffions of hatred and revenge- 
Eufebius, and his guilty aflbciates, made a faint 
attempt to prolong the reign, of the eunuchs, 
ty the election of another emperor ; but their 
intrigues were reje6led with difdain, by* an army 
which now abhorred the thought of civil dif- 
cord ; and two officers of rank were inftantly 
difpatched, to affure Julian, that every fword ia 
the empire would be drawn for his fervice. The 
military defigns of that prince, who had formed 
three different attacks againft Thrace, were pre- 
vented by this fortunate event. Without flied* 
ding the blood of his fellow-citizens, he efcaped 
the dangers of a doubtful confli6l, and acquired 
the advantages of a complete victory. Impa- 
tient to vifit the place of his birth, and the new ~ 
capital of the empire, he advanced from NaifTus 
through the mountains of Ha^mus, and the cities 
of Thrace. When he reached Heraclea, at the 
^ 2 diflance 



3(5 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, diftance of fixty miles, all Conftantinople was 
^y^' poured forth to receive him j and he made hid 
Julian en. triumphal entry amidil the dutiful acclamation^ 
ters Con- of the foidicrs, the people, and the fenate. An 
Decir ^' innumerable multitude preffed around him witk 
eager refpeft ; and were perhaps difappointed 
when they beheld the fmall ftature and fimple 
garb of a hero^ whofe unexperienced youth had 
vanquiftied the barbaiians of Germany, and who 
had now traverfed, in a fuccefsful career, th« 
whole continfent of Europe, from th^ fliores oi 
the Atlantic to thofe of the Bofphorus ^'^. A few 
days afterwards, When the remains of the de- 
ceafed Emperor were landed in the harbour, the 
fubje6ts of Julian applauded the real or affe6led 
Aunianity of their fovereign. On foot, without his 
diadem, and clothed in a mourning habit, he ac« 
cdmpanfed the funeral as far as the church of the 
Holy Apoftles, where the body was depofited: and 
if thefe marks of refpe6t may be interpreted as a 
felfifli tribute to the birth and dignity of his Im- 
perial kinfman, the tears of Julian profeffed to 
the world, that he had forgot the injuries, and 
remembered only the obligations which he had 
-i^eceived from Conftantius **. As fobn as the 

^ In defcribing the triutnph of Julian^ Amxniahus (xxii. i » %•) alTumes 
the lofty tone of an orator or poet ; while Libanius (Orat. Parent, c.56. 
*p. a8i.) finks to the grave fimplicity of an liiftorian. 

^- The ftinerai of Conftaatius is deicrib^ by Aranriianus (xxi. 16.), 
Gregory Nazianzen (Orat.iv* p. Ii9.)> Mamertinus (in Panegyr. Vet. 
'xi. ay.), Libaniu'8 (Orat. Parent, c. Ivi. p. 283.), and Philoftorgius 
.(1. vi. c. 6. with Godefroy's DilTertations, p. a65.}. Thefe writen^ 
and their followers, Pagans, Catholics, Arians, beheld with very dif- 
ferent eyes both the dead and the living emperor. 

• t ' : - legions 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 1^7 

legions of Aquileia were alTured of the death of c H A p; 
the Emperor, they opened the gates of the city, ^ ^1^'^ 
and, by the facrifice of their guilty leaders, ob- 
tained an eafy pardon from the prudence or lenity and is ac- 
of Julian ; who, in the thirty-fecond year of his ^^^"^^ j, 
age, acquired the undifputed pofleflion of the the whole 
Roman empire ^^ ""'p^^- 

Philofophy had inftrufted Julian *to compare His civU 
the advantages of a6lion and retirement;: but ^enlTtnd 
the elevation of his birth, and the accidents of private 
his life, never allowed him the freedom of choice*. ^" 
He might perhaps fincerely have preferred the- 
groves of the academy, and the fpciety of Athens^ 
but he was conftrained, at firfl by the will, and 
afterwards by the injuftice, of Conftantius, to 
expofe his perfon and fame to the dangers of 
Imperial greatnefs; and to make himfelfaccount*^ 
able to the world, and to pofterity, for the hap- 
pinefs of millions^. Julian recollefted with 
terror the obfervation of his matter Plato ^\ that 
the government of our flocks and herds is always 

^^ The day and year of the birth of Julian are not perfedUy af* 
certained. The day is probably the fixth of November, and the 
year muft be either 331 or 3ja, Tillemont, Hift. de« Empereursy 
torn; iv, p. 693. Ducangey Fanu Byzantin. p. 50. I have preferred 
the earlier date. 

^ Julian himfelf (p. 253—267.) has expreflH thefe philofophical 
ideas with much eloquence and fome aife<llationi in a very elabo- 
rate epiftle to ThemiiHus. The Abbe de la Bleterie (torn. ii. p. 146 
<^i93.)y who has given an elegant tranflation, is inclined to believe 
that it was the celebrated Themiftius, whofe orations are ftill extant* 

*' Julian ad Themift, p. 258. Petayius (not. p. 9?.) obferves that 
tius paflage is taken from the fourth book De Legibus ; but either 
Julian quoted from memory» or his MSS. were different from ours. 
Xenophon opens the Cyropsedia with a fimilar refledlioh, 

D 3 com* 



3* THE DECLINE AND FALt 

CHAP, committed to beings of a fuperior fpecies ; and 
that the condu^ of nations requires and deferves 
the celeftial powers of the Gods or of the Genii. 
From this principle he juftly concluded, that the 
man who prefumes to reign, fhould afpire to the 
perfection of the divine nature ; that he fhould 
purify his foul from her mortal and terreftrial 
part; thathelhould extinguifli his appetites, en- 
lighten his underftanding, regulate his pai&ons^ 
and fubdue the wild beaft, which, according to 
the lively metaphor of Ariftotle *% feldoih fails 
to afcend the throne of a defpot. The throne 
of Julian, which the death of Conilantius fixed 
on an independent bafis, was the feat of reafon, 
of virtue, and perhaps of vanity. He defpifed 
the honours, renounced the pleafures, and dif. 
charged with incefTant diligence the duties, of 
his exalted flation j and there were few among 
his fubje6ls who would have confented to relieve 
him from the weight of the diadem, had they 
been obliged to fubmit their time and their 
.a6lions to the rigorous laws which their philofo- 
phic Emperor impofed on himfelf. One of his 
moft intimate friends *', who had often fhared the 
frugal fimplicity of his table, has remarked, that 
his light and fparing diet (which was ufually of 

..*^ O ^E arOpawroy xiXewf afX"*» fffir*9«« »t«* ©ngw. Ariftot. ap, 
Julian, p. a6i. The MS. of Voffiui, unfatisfied with a (ingle bea^ 
aflTords the ftrongiesr reading of Qvfutf which the experience of defpoh 
^^fxn may warrant. 

-♦♦ libanius (Orat. Parentalis, c.lxxxiv. Ixxxv. p. 310, 311, 31a.) 
Jtutf given this interefting detail of the private life of Julian. Ht 
^imfelf (in Mifopogon, p. 350.) mentions his vegetable diet, and up? 
foai(}8 the grofs and fenfual appetite of the people of AntiocL 

M th# 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 



39 



the vegetable kind) left his mind and body always C H A 5, 
free and a6live, for the vUrious and important ^^'^' 
bufinefs of an author, 9 pontiff, a magiilrate, ^ 
general, and a prince. In one and the fame day, 
he gave audience to federal ambailadors, and 
wrote, or di6lated, a gre^t number of letters t(r 
his generals, his civil magaiftrates, his private 
friends, and the different cities of his doipinions. 
He liftened to the memorials which had been 
received;, coniidered the fubje6l of the petitions, 
and iignified his intentions more rapidly than 
they could be tajcen in fhort-hand by the dili* 
gence of his fecretarie3. J^e ppfleiTed fuch flexl.- 
bility of thought, and fuch^rnanpfs of attention, 
that he could employ ^lis hand to write, his ear 
to liften, and his voice to di6late; and purfue at 
once three feveral trains of ideas without hefita- 
tion, and without error;. While his miniilers 
repofed, the prince flew with agility from one 
labour to another, and, after a hafty dinner, 
retired into his library, till the public bufinefs, 
which he had appointed for the evening, fum- 
moned him to interrupt the profecution of his 
ftudies. The fupper of the Emperor was ftill 
lefs fubftantial than the former meal ; his deep 
was never clouded by the fumes of indigeftion ; 
and, except in the Ihort interval of a marriage, 
which was the effeft of policy rather than love, 
the chafte Julian never fhared his bed with a 
female companion *\ He was foon awakened 

by 

^ Le^lulus • • • VefUIium tons purior» is the praife whicji. 
M^mertmus (Pv^egyr. Vet. xi« 13.) addrelTes tQ Julian himfelf* 

D 4 libaniuf 



4^ THE DECLINE AND FALL 

chap: by the entrance of frefh fecretaries, who had 
^^' flept the preceding day ; and his iervants were 
obliged to wait alternate^, while their indefati* 
gable mafter allowed himfelf fcarcely any other 
refreftiment than the change of occupations. 
The predeceffors of Julian, his uncle, his bro- 
ther, and his coufin, indulged their puerile 
tafte for the games of the Circus, under the 
fpecious pretence of complying with the incli- 
nations of the people ; and they freq^uently re- 
mained the greateft part of the day, as idle 
^eftators, and as a part of the fplendid fpec- 
tacle, till the ordinary round of twenty-four 
races*' was completely finiihed. On folemn 
feftivals, Julian, who felt and profefled an un- 
faihionable diilike to thefe frivolous amufements, 
condefcended to appear in the Circus; and after 
beftowiiig a carelefs glance on iSve or fix of the 
faces, he haftily withdrew, with the impatience 

©fa philofopher, who confidered every moment. 

> . ' 

Libanius aJBrinsy in fober peremptory language, tliat JuMan never 
knew a woman before his marriage^ or after the death of his wife 
(Orat. Parent, clxxxviii. p. 3X3.). The chafiity of Jidian is con- 
firmed, by the impartial teftbnony of Ammianus (xxv. 4.), and the 
partial iilence of the Chriftians. Yet Julian ironically urges the 
reproach of. the people of Antioch, that he almojl ai<wajs (u^ svtvebVf 
jp. MifopQgon. p, 345.) lay alone. This fufpicioui ezpreflion is ex^ 
plained by the Abbe de la Bleterie (Hiil. de Jovien, tom. ii. p. 103 
-^109.) with candour and ingenuity. 

^* See Salmafius ad Sueton. in Claud, c. xxi. A twenty-fifUi race^ 
or miJftUf was added, to complete the number of one himdred cha- 
rjotsy four of which, the four colours, ilarted each heat. 

Centum quadrijugos agitabctad flumina currus. 
It appears, that they ran five or feven times round the Meta (Sueton. 
in Domitian. c. 4.) ; and (from the meafure of the Circus Maximus 
at Rome, the H^podrome at Conftantinople, ^C). it migbt be about 
a four»mile courfe. i 

14 ' as 



OF THE ROWAN EMPIRE; ^^ 

9S lofty that was not devoted to the advanl^ge chap, 
of the public, or the improvement of his own ^^^^ 
mind ^*. By this avarice of time, he feemed to 
protradl the fhort duration of his reign ; and if 
the dates were lefs fecurely a&ertained, we 
j(hould refufe to believe, that only iixteen months 
elapfed between the death of Conftantius and December, 
the departure of his fuccellbr for the Perfian ^'^^^'" 
war. The a6iions of Julian can only be pre-» A.D.363. 
ferved by the care of the hiftprian ; but the por? 
tion of his voluminous writings, which is ftiU 
extant, remains as a monument of the applica« 
tion, as well as of the genius, of the Emperor* 
The Mifopogon, the Caefars, feveral of his ora-* 
tions, and his elaborate work againft the Chril^ 
tian religion, were compofed in the long nights 
of the t\vo winters, the former of which he pafled 
at Conftantinople, and the latter at Antioch. 

The reformation of the Imperial court was Refomui. 
one of the firft and nwft neceffaiy adks of the ^^*^® 
government of Julian ^K Soon after his entrance 
into the palace of Conftantinople, he had occa^ 
fion for the fervice of a barber. An officer, mag* 
nificently dreffed, immediately preiented him- 
felf. " It is a barber," exclaimed the prince, 

'' Juli?^. vk Mifopogoiu p. 340. Julius CmSar had offended the 
Roman people by reading his difpatches during the a(^ual race. 
Aug^ftu^ indulged their tafie^ or his own, by his conffauit attention 
to the mpottaoit bufinefs of the Circus, for which he profefFed the 
warmeft ioclinatlon. Sueton. in Auguft c. i^Iv. 

^ The reformation of the palace is defcxibed by Ammianus 
(xxii.4.), Libanius (Orat. Parent, c. bdi. p. 288, &c.)b Mamertinus 
Qn Panegyr^ Vet. a(i< X:l*)i Socrates (1. iii. ex.), 9X^d Zonaras (tom.ii.' 
1^ xiii. p. a4-}* 

» with 



41 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, with affe^led furprife, " that I want, and not ^ 
XXII. « receiver^general of the finances ^^" HequeC- 
tioned the man concerning the profits, of, his 
employment ; and was informed, that befides a 
large ialary, and fome valuable perquifites, he 
enjoyed a daily allowance for twenty fervants, 
and as many horfes. A thoufand barbers, a 
thoufand cup-hearers, a thoufand cooks, were 
diftributed in the feveral offices of luxury ; and 
the number of eunuchs could be compared only 
with the infe6ls of a fummer's day ". The mo- 
narch who refigned to hisfubje&s the fuperiority 
of merit and virtue, was diftinguilhed by the 
oppreffive magnificence of his drefs, his table, 
his buildings, and his train^ The (lately palaces 
ere6ted by Coitftantine and his fons were decor 
rated with many coloured marbles, and orna^ 
ments of mafly gold. The mod exquifite dain» 
ties were procured, to gratify their pride, rather 
than their tafte ; birds of the mod diflant cli- 
mates, fifli from the moft remote feas, fruits out 
of their natural feafon, winter rofcs, and fummer 
fnows^^ The domefl^ic crowd of the palace 

furpaiTed 

'^ Ego non rationalem jufii fed tonforem acciri. Zonaras ufes 
the lefs natural image of a fenator* Yet an officer of the finances^ 
who was fatisfied with wealthy might deiire and obtain the honours 
< of the fenate. 

are the original words of Libanius, which I have faithfully quoted^ 
left I ihould be fufpedled of magnifying the abufes of the royal houfe- 
hdd. 

^ The expreffions of Mamertinus are lively and forcible. Quin 
etia^i prandiorum et csnarum laboratas magnitudines ' Romanus 

pqpuluft 



Ot THiE ROMAN EMPIRE. 4^ 

^arpafled the expence of the legions ; yet the CHAP, 
fmalleft part of this coftly multitude was fubfer* ^^^^' 
vient to the ufe, or even to the fplendour, of the 
throne. The monarch was difgraced, and the 
people was injured, by the creation and fale of 
an. infinite number of obfcure, and even titular 
employments ; and the moil Avorthlefs of man- 
kind might purchafe the privilege of being main- 
tained, without the neceffity of labour, from 
the public revenue. The wafte of an enormous 
houfehold, the increafe of fees and perquifites, 
which were foon claimed as a lawful debt, and 
the bribes which they extorted from thofe who 
feared their enmity, or folicited their favour, 
fuddenly enriched thefe haughty menials. They 
abufed their fortune, without confidering their 
paft, or their future, condition ; and their rapine 
and venality could be equalled only by the 
extravagance of their diffipations. Their filken 
robes were embroidered with gold, their tables 
were ferved with delicacy and profufion ; the 
houfes which they built for their own ufe, would 
have covered the farm of an ancient conful ; and 
the moil honourable citizens were obliged to 
difmount from their horfes, and refpe6lfully to 
falute an eunuch whom they met on the public 
highway. The luxury of the palace excited the 
contempt and indignation of Julian, who ufually 
flept on the ground, who yielded with reludlance 

populus fenfit ; cum qusefitiiUmx dapes non guilu fed difficultatibus 
aeftimarentur ; nuracula aviumy lon^qui maris plfce^, alieni temporis 
jpomay sftiirae nive8> hybemse rofse. 

to 



^4 I'HE DECLINE AND FAH 

CHAP, to the indifpenfable calls of nature ; and wh.^ 

^?*_' pl^c^d his vanity, not in emulating, but in de^ 

fpifing, the pomp of royalty. By the totf^l extir* 

pation of a mifchief which was magnified evea 

beyond its real extent, he was impatient to 

relieve the diftrefs, and to appeafe the murmurs^ 

of the people ; who fupport with lefs uneafineis 

the weight of taxes, if they are convinced thut 

the fruits of their induftry are appropriated to 

the fervice of the ftate. But in the execution of 

this falutary work, Julian is accufed of proceed- 

ing with too much hafte and inconfiderate feve* 

rity; By a fingle edift, he reduced the palace 

of Conflantinople toan immenfe defert, and diC- 

miiTed with ignominy the whole train of flavei^ 

and dependents ^% without providing any juft, 

or at leaft benevolent, exceptions, for the age, 

the fervices, or the poverty, of the faithful 

domeflics of the Imperial family. Such indeed 

was the temper of Julian, who feldom recollected 

the fundamental maxim of Ariflotle, that true 

virtue is placed at an equal diftance between the 

Oppofite vices. The fplendid and effeminate 

drefs of the Afiatics, the curls and paint, the 

collars and bracelets, which had appeared fo ridi-» 

culous in the perfon of Conftantine, were con- 

fiftently reje6led by his philofophic fucceffor* 

^7 Y«t Julian himftlf was accufed of beftowmg whole towni m 
the eunuchs (Orat. vii. againft Polydet. p. X17— 127«). Libaniua 
contents himfelf with a cold but pofitive denial of the fadl^ which 
ieems indeed to belong more properly to Confiantius, This chai^e^ 
however^ may allude to fome unknown circumftance. 

But 



m THE ROMAN EMPIRE- 45 

But with the fopperies, Jalian affected to re- c H a r 
iiounce the decencies, of drefs ; and Teemed to ^^^'^ 
value himfelf for his negle6l of the laws of clean- 
linefs. In a fatirical performance, which was 
defigned for the public eye, the Emperor de- 
fcatits with . pleafure, and even with pride, on 
the length of his nails, and the inky blacknef^ 
^f his hands; protefts, that although the greateft 
Jpart of his body was covered with hair, the ufe 
of the ra^or was confined to his head alone; and 
celebrates with vifible complacency, the ihaggy 
^nd populous ^^ beard, which he fondly cheriflied, 
iafter the example of the philofophers of Greece* 
Had Julian confulted the Ample di6tates of 
reafen, the firft magiftrate of the Romans would 
have fcorned the affe6tation of Diogenes, as well 
as that of Darius. 

But the work of public reformation would Chamber 
have remained imperfect, if Julian had only ^ •* ^** 
corre6ted the abufes, without punifhing the 
trimes, of his predeceffor*s reign. " We are 
** now delivered,** fays he, in a familiar letter 
to one of his intimate friends, " we are now 
*' furprifingly delivered from the voracious jaws 



^"^ In the Mifopogon (p. 338, 339.) he dra'vrs a very fingular 
pidture. of himfelf, and the foUotving words are ftrangely characfter- 
iltic ; Avt^ flr^o-EQsixa toy fizQvv raron wwyawot . . . T»vra. tot ■^la.Qiov* 
Vwv »>i)(ofjMt Twv^Qetpwv 0(r7rg| ly Xoxf^n tuv Qw^i'^y. The friend* of the 
Abbe de la Bleterie adjured him, in the name of tlie French nation^ 
hot to tranllate this palTage, fo offeniive tb their delicacy (Hift. d* 
Jovien, torn. ii. p. 94.), Like him, I have contented mylHf v?ith a 
tranlient alllilion ; but the little anim^, which Julian rtantes, is a 
beaft familiar to man, and-fignifies love. 

'"-' ' « of 



46 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H A P. " of the Hydra ". I do not mean to apply 
^^^ , " that epithet to my brother Conftantius. He 
" is no more ; m^y the earth lie light on his 
" head! But his artful and cruel favourites 
" ftudied to deceive and exafperate a prince, 
" whofe natural mildnefs cannot be praifed 
^< ivithout fome efforts of adulation. Jt is not, 
*• however, my intention, that even thofe men 
" fhould be oppreffed: they are accufed, and 
" they ihall enjoy the benefit of a fair and im- 
" partial trial." To condu6l this enquiry, 
Julian named fix judges of the highefl rank in 
the flate and army; and as he wifhed to efcape 
the reproach of condemning his perfonal ene- 
mies, he jSxed this extraordinary tribunal at 
Chalcedon, on the Afiatic fide of the Bofphorus; 
and transferred to the commiffioners an abfolute 
power to pronounce and execute their final 
fentence, without delay, and without appeal. 
The office of prefident was exercifed by the 
venerable praefe6l of the Eafl, a fecond Sal- 
lufl% whofe virtues conciliated the efleem of 
Greek fopbifls^ and of Chriflian bifhops. He 

'9 Julian^ epiil. xxiii. p. 389. He ufes the words 9roXvxf^X» 
\^^aii in writing to his friend Hermogenesy who, like hinifelf> WM 
•onverfant with the Greek poets. 

'^° The two Sallufts, the pr«fe<ft of Gaul, and the praefe^Sl of the 
Eaft, muft be carefully diilinguilhed (Hift. des Empereurs, torn. iv. 
p.696.)« I have ufed the fumame of Secundusj as a convenient 
fpithet. The fecond Salluft extorted the efteem of the Chriilians 
themfelyes ; and Gregory Nazianzen, who condemned his religion, 
•has celebrated his virtues (Orat. iii. p. 90.). See a curioua note of th^ 
Abbe de la Bleterie, Vie de Julien, p. 363. 

was 



Ot THE ROMAN EMPIRE- 47 

Was affifted by the eloquent Mamertinus*', one chap. 
of the confuls eledl, whofe merit is loudly cele- ,J^\. 
brated by the doubtful evidence of his Own 
applauie. But the civil wifdom of two magi- 
Urates was overbalanced by the ferocious vio- 
lence of four generals, Nevitta, Agilo, Jovinus, 
and Arbetio* Arbetio, whom the public would 
have feen with lefs furprife at the bar than on 
the bench, was fuppofed to poffefs the fecret of 
. the commifliori ; the armed and angry leaders of 
the Jovian and Herculian bands encompafled 
the tribunal ; and the judges w^re alternately 
fwayed by the laws of juftice, and by the cla- 
mours of fa6lion ^^ 

The chamberlain Eufebius, who had fo long PunHh- 
abufed the favour of Conltantius, expiated, by ^^}^^ 
ftn ignominious death, the infolence, the corrup- cent and 
tion, and cruelty of his fervile reign. The exe- ti»«g^^- 
cutions of Paul and Apodemius (the former of 
whom was burnt alive) were accepted as an in- 
adequate atonement by the widows and orphan^ 
of fo many hundred Romans, whom tfiofe legal 
tyrants had betrayed and murdered. But Juftice 
berfelf (if we may ufe the pathetic expreffion of 
Ammianus ^^) appeared to weep over the fate 

•' Mamertinu* praifes the Emperor (xi. i.) for bellowing the of- 
fices of Treafurer and PrsefeA on a man of wifdom, firmnefs, inte* 
^ty, &c. like himfelf. Yet Ammianus ranks him (xxi. i.) among 
the minifters of Julian, quorum merita norat et fidem. 

^* The proceedings of this chamber of juftice are related by Am- 
mianus (xxii. 3.), and praifed by Libanius (Orat. Parent, c, 74. 
p. 2999 3oo.> 

*^ Urfuii vero necem ipfa mihi videtur flefle juftitia. Libanius, 
who imputes his death to th« foldiers, attompts to criminate thp 
count of the Ivrgefles. 

of 



48 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

C HA P, of UrfuluB, the treaftirer of the empire; and his 
****"• blood accufed the ingratitude of Julian, whofe 
diftrefs had been feafonably relieved by the in- 
trepid liberality of that honed minifterk The 
rage of the foldierg) whom he had provoked hy 
his indiicretion, was tlie caufe and the excufe of 
his death; and the Emperor, deeply wounded by 
his own reproaches and thofe of the public, 
oftferedfome confolation to the family of Urfulus, 
by the reftitution of his confifcated fortunes. 
Before the end of the year in which they had 
been adorned with the enfigns of the prefefture 
And confulfliip *% Taurus and Florentius were 
reduced to implore the clemency of the inex- 
orable tribunal of Chalcedon. The former was 
baniihed to Vercelte in Italy, and a fentence of 
death was pronounced againft the latter. A 
wife prince ihould have rewarded the crime of 
Taurus: the faithful minifter, when he was iio 
longer able to oppofe the progrefs of a rebel, 
had taken refuge in the court of his benefafitor 
and his lawful fovereign. But the guilt of Flo- 
rentius juilified the feverity of the judges; and 
his efcape ferved to difplay the magnanimity of 
Julian ; who nobly checked the interefted dili- 
gence of an informer, and refufed to learn, what 
place concealed the wretched fugitive from his 



, *♦ Such refpedl was ftill entertained for the venerable names of the 
i>ommonwealtii, that the pubGc was furprtfed and fcandalized to hear 
Taurus fummoned as a criminal under the confulfliip of Taurus. The 
fuifimdkiB of hk colleague Florentiuv was probably delayed till the 
cdmmeacement of the enfuing year. . 



JQft 



OF THE kOMAN EMPIRE. 4^ 

juft refentment**. Some months after the tri- Chap: 
bunal of Chalcedon had been diflblved, the prae- ^^^ 
torian vicegierent of Africa, the notary Gauden* 
tius, and Artemius^ Duke of Egypt, were exe- 
cuted at Antioch* Artemius had reigned the 
cruel and corrupt tyrant of a grcfat province ; 
Gaudentius had long pra6fcifed the arts of 
calumny againll the innocent, the virtuous, and 
even the perfon of Julian himfelf. Yet the 
circumftances of their trial and condemnation 
were fo unikilfully managed, that thefe wicked 
men obtained, in the public opinion, the glory 
of fuffering for the obftinate loyalty with which 
they had fupported the caufe of Conftantius. 
The reft of his fervants were protedied by a 
general aft of oblivion ; and they were left to 
jenjoy with impunity the bribes which they had 
accepted, either to defend the opprefied, or to 
opprefi the friendlefs. Thi^ meafure, which, on 
the foundeft principles of policy, may deferve 
our approbation, was executed in a mannerwhich 
feemed to degrade the majefty of the throne. 
Julian w;as tormented by the importunities of a 
multitude, particularly of Egyptians, who loudly 
demanded the gifts which they had imprudently 

^ Ammian* xx. 7* 

^ For the guilt and punifhment of Artemius, fee Julian (Epift. x. 
P* 379-)> ^^ Ammianus (xxiL 6. and Valef. ad loc.}. The 
mept of Aitemiusy who demoUihed temples* and vrza put to df ath 
by an apoftiate* has tempted the Greek and Latin churches to ho* 
nour him as a martyr. But as ecclefiaftical hiftory attefts that he 
was not only a tyrut but an Aim* k 19 not alko&Aer $afy to 
jsftify this inditoet prpmotioo. TUleioont* Ec(;l«r. torn* vii. 
p.1319. 

VOL. iv« ' » or 



50 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, or illegally beftowed; he forefaw the endlefs 
^^^' profecution of vexatious fuits; and he engaged 
a promife, which ought always to have been 
facredy tliat if they would repair to Chalcedony 
he would meet them in perfon, to hear and 
determine their complaints. But as foon as they 
were landed, he iflued an abfolute order, which, 
prohibited the watermen from tranfporting any 
Egyptian to Conftantinople i and thus detained 
his di&ppointed clients on the Afiatic (hore, till 
their patienceand money being utterly exhaufted, 
they were obliged to return with indignant mur- 
murs to their native country*^ 
Oemency The numerous army of fpies, of agents, and 
of Julian. infQi.njgi.s^ enlifted by Conitantius to fecure the 
repofe of one man, and to interrupt that of 
millions, was immediately difbanded by his gene* 
4*ous fuccefibr. Julian was flow in his fufpicions, 
and gentle in his punifliments ; and his contempt 
of treafon was the refult of judgment, of vanity, 
and of courage. Confcious of fiiperior merit, 
he was perfuaded that few among his fubjedls 
would dare to meet him in the field, to attempt 
his life, or even to feat themfelves on his vacant 
throne. The philofopher could excufe the hafty 
fallies of difcontent ; and the hero could defpife 
the ambitious proje6ls which furpaffed the for- 
tune or the abilities of the ralh confpirators, A 
citizen of Ancyra had prepared for his own ufe 

^^See Ammian. xxii. 6. and Valef. ad locum; and the Codex 
Theodofianusy 1. ii. tit. xxxix. leg. i.s and Godefroy's Commen* 
Uiff torn. L p. ai8. ad locum. 

2 a purple 



Of the ROMAN EMPIRE. 51 

a purple garment; and this indifcreet a£iion, chap: 
which, under the reign of Conftantius, would .^^ 
have been confidered as a capital oflFence*% was 
reported to Julian by the officious importunity 
of a private enemy. The monarch, after mak- 
ing fome enquiry into the rank and charafiler of 
his rival, dilpatched the informer with a prefent 
of a pair of purple flippers, to complete the 
magnificence of his Imperial habit. A more 
ilangerous confpiracy was for«ied by ten of the 
dpmeilic guards who had refolved to aflaffinate 
Julian in the field of exercife near Antioch. 
Their intemperance revealed their guilt j and 
they were conduced in chains to the prefence 
of their injured fovereign, who after a lively re- 
prefentation of the wickednefs and folly of their 
enterprife, inftead of a death of torture, which 
they deferved and expe6bed, pronounced a fen- 
tence (^exile againft the two principal ofienders. 
The only inftance in which Julian feemed to 
depart from his accuftomed clemency, was the 
execution of a ralh youth, who, with afeeble hand, 
bad afpired to feize the reins of empire. But 
that youth was the fon of M arcellus, the general 
of cavalry, who in the firft campaign of the 



*' The prefident Montefquieu (Coi^dentions fur U Gr;uideur» 
&c« des Romainsy c. xiv. in his woricsy torn. iii. p. 44S9 449*): 
excofes this minute and abfurd tyranny* by fuppofing that adlions 
the moil indifferent in our eyes might excite* in a Roman mind», 
the idea of guih and danger. This ftrange apology is fupported. 
by a ifarange mifapprehenAon of the Engliih laws* ^ chez une na- 
tf tion.. • * ^ od it eft <lefendd de boit« k la fant6 d'ime certain* 
«• pedonne.'^ 

JB 2 Gallic 



^2 THE DECLINE AND FAtt 

<: H A P. H^rallic war, had deferted the ftandard of th« 
y^^j Caelar, and the republic. Without appearing to 
indulge his peribnal refentment, Julian might 
eafily confound the crime of the fbn and of the 
father ; but he was reconciled by the diilrefs bf 
Marcellus, and the liberality of the Emperor 
endeavoured to heal the wound which had been 
infli&ed by the hand of juftice^^. 
His love of Julian was not infenfible of the advantages of 
^^ freedom'^. From his ftudies he had imbibed 
npubtic, the ipirit of ancient fages and heroes : his life 
and fortunes had depended on the caprice of a 
tjrrant ; and when he afcended the throne, his 
pride was fometimes mortified by the refle€tion9 
that the flaves who would not dare to cenfure 
his defeats were not worthy to applaud his vir- 
tues''* He fincerely abhorred the iyftem of 
Oriental defpotifm, which Diocletian, Conflan« 
tine, and the patient habits of fourfcore years, 
had eftablifhed in the empire. A motive of fu- 
perftition prevented the execution of the defign 
which JuHan had frequently meditated, of re« 
l^eving his head from ihe weight of a coftly 



^ The clemency of Jtiluni» and the confpiney wUdi was formed 
againft hi| life at Antioch» are defcribed by Ammiamis (xzli. 91 
xo. and Valef. ad loc)» and libaniiu (Orat. Parent c. 99. p. 3»3«}* 

^ According to fome^ fays Ariftotle (as he is quoted by Julian 
ad Themift p. a6i.)» ^he form of abfolute govermnent» the wsm* 
ficimXtucy is contrary to nature. Both the prince and the phiipfophe^ 
diufe, howeyer> to mvolve this eternal truth in artful jmid Ubwxpi 
-obfcurity* 

7' That fentiment is exprefled alnoft ia the words of Julian him* 
fel£ Ammiaga xxix. xo« 

diadem: 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^y 

diadem ^* : but he abfolutely refufed the title of CM A R 
Domirms^ or Lord '\ a word which was grown fo ^ ^";^ 
familiar to the ears of the Romans, that they na 
longer remembered its fervile and humiliating 
origin. The office, or rather the name, of cfon- 
ful, was cheriflied by a prince who contemplated 
with reverence the ruins of the republic ; and 
the fame behaviour which had been aflumed by 
the prudence of Auguftus, was adopted by Julian 
from choice and inclination. On the calends of AJ>.363. 
January, at break of day, the new confuls. Ma- ^^^^ 
mertinus and Nevitta, haftened to the palace to 
falute the Emperor, As foon as he was infof Med 
of their approach, he leaped from his throiie, 
eagerly advanced to meet them, and compelled 
the blufliing magiflrates to receive the demo^ 
ilrations of his aifedted humSity. From the 
palace they proceeded to the (enate. The Em** 
peror, on foot, marched before their litter^ ; and 
the gazing multitude admired the image (^ dca^ 
cient times, or fecretly blamed a conduSr, wbi^h^ 
itt their eyes, degraded the raajefty of the 



* '* Libamus (Orat. Parent €.'95. p. 3»o.)> ^0 meAtioiM the wiih 
.and deUgn of Julian, infinuates, in myfterioos language (detvy i^» 
ywrrw .... fltXX' w a/xEiwv xtoXvwv)^ that the EmprcTOf WIS rt-» 
ftpsu^d bf fotne paitictdar revelatioii. 

7^ Julian in Mifopogon, p. 343. As He never aboliihed, by aosy 
public law» the proud appeUations €^ Dejpaty or DommiUy they are 
ftill extant on his medals (Ducange, Fam. Byzantin. 1^389 390 > 
and the private difpleaiure iivhich he afie^ed to expreCs^ only gav& 
a differexit tone to the fervility of the court. The Abbe de la Ble^ 
terie (Hift. de JoYien> tom.iL p. 99 — loa.) has curiouAy traced 
the origin and prQgre& of the word Dominuj under the Imperial 
goyenunent. 

E 3 purple. 



54 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, purple '*. But the behaviour of Julian Wste 
^^^^* uniformly fupported. During the games of the 
Circus, he had, imprudently or delignedly, per- 
formed the manumiffion of a flave in the pre- 
fence of the confuL The moment he was re- 
minded that he had trefpafled on the jurifdidlion 
of another magiftrate, he condemned himfelf to 
pay a fine often pounds of gold ; and embraced 
this public occafion of declaring to the world, 
that he was fubje£t, like the reft of his fellow- 
citizens, to the laws ^% and even to the forms, 
of the republic. The Q)irit of his adminiftra- 
tion, and his regard for the place of his nativity, 
induced Julian to confer on the fenate of Con- 
ftantinople, the fame honours, privileges, and 
authority, which were ftill enjoyed by the fenate 
of ancient Rome ^®. A legal fi6lion was intro- 
duced, and gradually eftablifhed, that one half 
of the national council had migrated into the 
Eaft: and the defpotic fucceflbrs of Julian, 
accepting the title of Senators, acknowledged 
themfelves the members of a refpe6lable body, 

^^ Ammian. xxiL 7. The conful Mamerdnus (in Panegyr. Vet* xL 
289 299 30.) celebrates the aufpicious daj^ like an eloquent fIaYe« 
aftomflied and intoxicated by the condefcenfion of his mafter. 

7' Perfonal fatire was condexnned by the laws of the twelve 
tables: . 

Si male condiderit in quern quis carmina^ jus eft 
Judiciumque — — 
Julian (in Mifopogon, p. 337.) owns himfelf fubjedt to the lawj 
and the Abbe de la Bleterie (Hift. de Jovien, torn. ii. p.92.) has 
eagerly embraced a declaration fo agreeable to his own fyftem> and 
indeed to the true fpirit, of the Imperial conftitution. 

7^ ZofimuS|l.iii. p.i5S* . . 

which 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 55 

which was permitted to reprefent the majefty-of chap.. 
the Roman name. From Conftantinople, the .^^'^ 
attention of the monarch was extended to the 
municipal fenates of the provinces. He abo- 
liihed, by repeated edifts, the unjull and perni- 
cious exemptions which bad withdrawn fo many 
idle citizens from the fervice of their country ; 
and by impofing an equal diilribution of public 
duties, he reflored the firength, the Iplendour, 
or, according to the glowing expredion of Liba- 
nius", the foul of the expiring cities of his 
empire. The venerable age of Greece excited Hit cm 
the moft tender compaffion in the mind of Ju- ^*^f 
lian ; which kindled into rapture when he recol- cities 
le^ed the gods; the heroes; and the men 
fuperior to heroes and to gods ; who had be* 
queathed to the lateft pofterity the monuments of 
their genius, or the example of their virtues. He 
relieved the diftrefs, and reftored the beauty, of 
the cities of EpjjTis and Peloponnefus '^ Athens 
acknowledged him for her benefa6tor; Argos, 
for her deliverer. The pride of Corinth, again 
riling from her ruins with the honours of a Ro- 

T' *H TiK fi^iini ufxy? 'i'^X^ V9kwi i^iv. See Libanlas f OnU:. Parent, 
c. 7X» p- i96.)i Ammianus (xxii. g.), and the Theodofian Code 
(Lxii. tit.i, leg. 5<y— 55.), with Godefiroy's Conunentaiy (tam.iy« 
p. 390— 40a.). Yet the whole fubjedl of the CurUf notwithltanding 
very ample materials^ iliil remains the moft obCcure in the legal hiftory 
of ihe empire. 

'^ (lax paulo ante arida et liti anhelantia viiebsmtury ea nunc 
perlui) mundariy' madere ; Fora> Deambulacra> Gymnafiay heds et 
gaudentibus populis frequentari ; dies feftos^ et celebrari veteres* e( 
novos in honorem principis confecrari (Mamertin. xi. 9.). He par* 
ticularly reftored the city of NicopoUst and the A^iac game^^ vhicH 
Imd been infiituted by Auguftus. 

E 4 man 



^6 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c ri A P. tdBn colony, exa^ed a tribute from the adjacent 
\J^'' republics, for the purpofe of defraying the games 
of the Iflhmus, which were celebrated in the 
amphitheatre with the hunting of bears and pan- 
thers. From this tribute the cities of Elis, of 
Delphi, and of Argos, which had inherited from 
their remote anceflors the facred office of per- 
petuating the Olympic, the F^thian, and the 
Nemean games, claimed a juft exemption. Tlie 
immunity of Elis and Delphi was refpedled by 
the Corinthians; but the poverty of Argos 
tempted the infolence of oppreflion ; and the 
feeble complaints of its deputies were filenced 
by the decree of a provincial magiftrate, who 
feems to have confulted only the intereft of the 
capital in which he refided. Seven years after, 
this fentence, Julian '* allowed the caufe to be 
referred to a fuperior tribunal ; and his eloquence 
was interpofed, mofl probably with fuccefs, in 
the defence of a city, which had been the royal 
feat of Agamemnon % and had given to Mace- 
donia a race of kings and conquerors'*. 

The 

^ JoliaAy Ej^ft^xxxv. p.407— 4IX- This epiftfe^ which ifluf- 
tfsit^s the. dediaing age df Gttectf k dmitted by the Abb^ de la 
Heterie ; 1^ firmgely disfigured by the Lathi ti^nflator, who^ by 
r«itdering ofttXiutt tributum^ and iiturnh f9pulusi dire^Uy C6ntradiiftt 
the fenfe «f the origifiaL 

** He reigned in Mycenae, at the diflance of fifty ftadia, or fix 
iniles, from Argos; but thofe cities, wl^ch alternately flouriihed» 
are confounded by the Greek poets. Strabo> LviiL p. 5 79. edit. 
Arttftel.1707. 

. "' MaHham, Canon* Chron. p.42Z. This pedigree from Te* 
menus and Hercules may be fufpicious ; yet it wa« aU6wed» aftwr 
a fciA mquiry by the Judges of the Olympic games (Herodot. 1. v. 

16 C. 41.), 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 57 

The laborious adminiftraticm of militaty and chap. 
civil affairs, which were multiplied ifl proportion . ^^'^ 
to the extent of the empire, exetcifed the abi*- juiian an 
lities of Julian ; but he frequently aflumed the <wftorand 
two characters of Orator ** and of Judge '% which 
are almoft unknown to the modern fovereigns of 
Europe, The arts of perfuafion, fo diligently 
cultivated by the firft Caefars, were negle6ted by 
the military ignorance and Afiatic pride of their 
fucceffors; and if they condefcended to harangue 
the foldiers, whom they feared, they treated 
with filent difdain the fenators whom they de- 
fpifed. The aflemblies of the fenate, which 
Conftantius had avoided, were confidered by 
Julian as the place where he could exhibit, with 
the moll propriety, the maxims of a republican. 



c. a2.)» at a time when the Macedonian kings were obfcure and 
unpopular in Greece. When the Achaean leagtie declared againil 
Philjp) it was thought decent that the deputies of Argo9 ihould retiire 
(T.Liv. xxxii. aa.)' 

" His eloquence is celebrated by Libanius (Orat. Parent, c. 75, 
76. p. 3oo» 301.) who diftindtiy mentions the o^ors of Homer. 
Socrates (l.iii. c. i.) has raihly ailerted that Julian was the only 
pnnre, fince Julius Cie(ar» who harangued the fenate. All the 
predeceflbrs of Nero (Tack. Anna!, xiii. $.}f and many of hit 
fucceffors) poflefled the faculty of fpeakii^ in public ; and it m%ht 
be proved by various examples* that they frequently exenrifed it in 
the fenate. 

^ Ammlanus (xxii. zo.) has impartially Hated the merits and de- 
fe^ of his judicial proceedings. Libanius (Orat. Parent c 909 9 1, 
p. 3i5> &c.) has feen only the fair fide> and his pi<Slur^ if it flatters 
the perfouy exprefles at leaft the duties, of the judge. Gregory Na- 
zianzen (Orat. iv. p. j%q.)% who fupprefles the virtues, and exaggerates 
even the venial faults of the ApoiUte^ triumphantly aiks, whether 
fuch a judge was fit to be ieated between Minos and Rhadamanthui» 
intheSlyfianiiddi? 

and 



^8 ' THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, and the talents of a rhetdrician. He alternately 
^^ ^ pra^tifed, as in a fchool of declamation, the 
feveral modes of praife, of cenfure, of exhorta- 
tion ; and his friend Libanius has remarked, that 
the ftudy of Homer taught him to imitate the 
limple, concife ftyle of Menelaus, the copioufnels 
of Neitor, whofe words defcended like the flakes 
of a winter's fnow, or the pathetic and forcible 
eloquence of Ulyfles. The functions of a judge, 
which are fometimes incompatible with thofe of 
a prince, were exercifed by Julian, not only as 
a duty, but as an amufement ; and although he 
might have trufted the integrity and difcernment 
of his Praetorian prefedts, he often placed himfelf 
by their fide on the feat of judgment. The 
acute penetration of his mind was agreeably oc- 
cupied in dete6ling and defeating the chicanery 
of the. advocates who laboured to di%uife thq 
truth of fa£ts, and to pervert the fenfe of the 
laws. He fometimes forgot the gravity of his 
ftation,afked indifcreet or unfeafonable queftions, 
and betrayed, by the loudnefs of* his voice, and 
the agitation of his body, the earned vehemence 
with whiqh he maintained his opinion againft the 
judges, the advocates, and their clients.* But 
his knowledge of his own temper prompted him 
to encourage, and even to folicit, the reproof 
of his friends and minifters ; and whenever they 
ventured to pppofe the irregular fallies of hi& 
paffions, the fpe6lators could obferve the fliame, 
as well as the gratitude, of their monarch. The 
decrees of Julian were almoft always founded on 

the 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 59 

the principles of juftice; and he had the firmnefi chap, 

■V— 



to refift the two moft dangerous temptations, ^^^°* 



which aflault the tribunal of a fovereign, under 
the fpecious forms of compaffion and equity. 
He decided the merits of the caufe without 
Weighing the circumflances of the parties ; and 
the poor, whom he wiflied to relieve, were con- 
demned to latisfy the juft demands of a noble 
and wealthy adverlary. He carefully diftin« 
guiflied the judge from the legiflator^^; and 
though he meditated a neceflary reformation of 
the Roman jurifprudence, he pronounced fen- 
tence according to the ftri6l and literal inter-^ 
pretation of thofe laws, which the magiflrates 
were bound to execute, and the fubje£ts to 
obey. 

The generality of princes, if they were ftripped Ks ch*. 
of their purple, and caft naked into the world, '*^*'* 
would immediately link to the lowed rank of, 
fociety, without a^hope of emerging from their 
obfcurity. But the perfonal merit of Julian was, 
in fome meafure, independent of his fortune. 
Whatever had been his choice of life j by th^ 
force of intrepid courage, lively wit, and intenfe 
application, he would have obtained, or at leafl 



^* Of the lavs which Julian enadled in a reign of lixteen inonth«> 
fifty.foitr have been admitted into the codes of Theodofius and Juf*. 
tinian. (Gotho^d. Chron. Legum^ p. 64—^7.) The Abb^ de la 
Bleterie (tQm.ii. p. 3*9 — 336.) has chofen on^ of thcfe laws to give 
an idea ^f Julian's Latin ilyle> which is forcible and elabotatei but left 
purct than his Xk^ek. 



he 



6o THE pECLINEAND PALL 

CHAP, he would have deferved, the higheft honours o£ 
^^i^j ^^' profeffion; and Julian might have raifed 
himfelf to the rank of minifter or general of 
the date in which he was born a private citizen. 
If the jealous caprice of power had difeppointed 
his expectations ; if he had prudently declined 
the paths of greatnefs, the employment of the 
fame talents in fludious folitude would have 
placed, beyond the reach of kings, his prefent 
happinefs and his immortal fame. When we 
infpeft, with minute^ or perhaps malevolent at- 
tention, the portrait of Julian, fomething feems 
wanting to the grace and perfe6lion of the whole 
figure. His genius was lefs powerful and fub- 
Kme than that of Ceafar ; nor did he poffefs the 
confiimmate prudence of Auguftus. The virtue* 
of Trajan appear more fteady and natural, and 
the philofbphy of Marcus is more fimple and 
confident. Yet Julian fuftained adverfity with 
firmnefs, and profperity with moderation. After 
an interval of one hundred and twenty years from 
the death of Alexander Severus, the Romans 
Ixeheld an emperor who made no diftin£tion be- 
tween his duties andhispleafures; who laboured 
to relieve the difl;refs and to revive the fpirit 
of his fubjefts ; and who endeavoured always to 
connect authority with merit, and happinefs with 
virtue. Even faCtion, and religious faction, was 
conftrained to acknowledge the fuperiority of hiH 
genius, in peace as well as in war, and to con- 
fefs, with a figh, that the apoftate Julian was a 

lover 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 6, 

lover of his country, and that he deferved the c H A R 
empire of the world ^K c^^ 

**'*... Du^or f<xtiffimus annis ; 

Conditor et legum celeberrimns ; ore mandqut 
Confultor patriae ; fed non confultor liabendae 
Religionis ; amans tercentdm millia DivOm. 
Peifidus Ule Deo^ fed non et perfidtis orbi. 

Prudent. Apotheofi$» 4509 ftc. 
The confcioufnefs of a generous fentiment feep^s to luve raifed thf 
Cfarifiian po«t abov« his ufua) mediocrity. 



6a THE DECLINE AND FALL 



CHAP. XXIIL 

The Religiori of Julian. — Univerfal Toleration. 
— He attempts to rejlore and reform the Pagan 
Worjhip — to rebuild the Temple qf Jerufalem. 
— His artjiil Perfecution qf the Chri/Hans. — 
Mutual Zeal and Injti/lice. 

CHAP. ']|[^HE charafter of Apoflate has injured the. 
> /^^'^ reputation of Julian ; and the enthufiafm 
Religion which clouded his virtues, has exaggerated the 
of Julian, ^eal and apparent magnitude of his faults. Our 
partial ignorance may reprefent him as a philo- 
fophic monarch, who ftudied to proteft, with an 
equal hand, the religious fa6lions of the empire; 
and to ^Uay the theological fever which had in- 
flamed the minds of the people, from the edifts 
of Diocletian to the exile of Athanafius. A 
more accurate view of the chara6ler and condu6l 
of Julian will remove this favourable prepoflef- 
fion for a prince who did not efcape the general 
contagion of the times. We enjoy the Angular 
advantage of comparing the pi6lures which have 
. been delineated by his fondeil admirers, and his 
implacable enemies. The actions of Julian are 
faithfully related by a judicious and candid hif- 
torian, the impartial fpedlator of his life and 
death. The unanimous evidence of his contem- 
poraries is confirmed by the public and private 
declarations of the Emperor himfelf ; and his 

various 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 6$ 

various writings exprefs the uniform tetior of his c H A P« 
religious fentiments, which policy would have ^^™^* 
prompted him to diffemble rather than to affeSt. 
A devout and fincere attachment for the gods of 
Athens and Rome conftituted the ruling paiBon 
of Julian ' ; the powers of an enlightened under- 
ftanding were betrayed and corrupted by the 
influence of fuperflitious prejudice ; and the 
phantoms which exifted only in the mind of the 
Emperor, had a real and pernicious effect on 
the government of the empire. The vehement 
zeal of the Chriftians, who defpifed the worfhip, 
and overturned the altars, of thofe fabulous 
deities, engaged their votary in a ftate of irre- 
concileable hofl:ility with a very numerous 
party of his fiibjefits ; and he was fbmetimes 
tempted, by the defire of vidlory, or the fh^me 
of a repulfe, to violate the laws of prudence, 
and even of jufl^ice. The triumph of the party, 
which he deferted and oppofed, has fixed a ftain 
of infamy on the name of Julian ; and the un- 
fiiccefsful apoflate has been overwhelmed with 
a torrent of pious inve6lives, of which the fignal 
was given by the fonorous trumpet* of Gregory 

Nazianzen. 

' I ih&Il tranfci^ fome of his own expreilions frpm a fhort relir 
gious difcourfe which the Imperial Pontiff comppfed to cenfure the 
bold imjuety of a C)*nic : Axx' o^m^ utu ^n ti t&; Qms ,.m(p^ixMf km 
^ikUf Kou aieW) xsu u^ofjMif kgu Trc&yd' avXfia^ r% TOiat/ra vma-X'^y ocnrt^ 

wfo? xviiyavA?, Orat. vii. p. 212. . The variety /and copioufnefs of 
the. Creek tongue feems inadequate to the fervour of his devotion. 

' The oratory with fome eloquence^ much enthuliafmy and more 
vanity^ addreffet his dlkfcourfe . to. heayen and earth) tg men and 

angels> 



64 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. Nazianzen'. The interefting nature of the 

^^^1 ^^ events which were crowded into the'fliort reiga 

of this active emperor, deferve a juft and cir- 

cumftantial narrative. His motives, his coun- 

fel$9 and his anions, as far as they are coaned:ed 

with the hiftory of religion, will be the fubjedt 

of the prefent chapter. 

His edu- The caufe of his ftrange and fatal apD(tac3r» 

^^^^eL^^ may be derived from the early period of his life, 

ap<w»cy:. ^j^^^ 1^^ ^^ j^^ ^^ orphp in the hands of the 

murderers of his family. The names of Chriil 
and of Conftantius, the ideas of ilavery and of 
religion, were foon aflbciated in a youthful ima- 
gination, which was fufceptible of the mod lively 
impreflions. The care of his infancy was en* 
trailed to Eufebius, Bifliop of Nicomedia \ who 
was related to him on the fide of his mother ; 
and till Julian reached the twentieth year of hisv 
3ge, he received from his Chriftian preceptors 

angels, to the li^ng and the dead ; and above all, to the great Cotf 
ftantius (u t»; cua^nm^i an odd Pagan expreffion). He concludes with 
t bold afiUraoce^ that he has eredled a moiuiment not leis durable^ 
and much more portable, than the columns of Hercules. See Greg. 
Nazianzen, Orat. iii. p. 50. iv. p. X34« 

^ S«e thiB long invedtive, wldch has been iojiidicioolly divided Into 
tw) orations in Gregory's Works, torn. i. p. 49 — 134. Parisi 1630. 
It was publiihed by Gregory and his friend Bafil (iv. p. 13 3.), about fix 
months after the death of Julian, when his remains had been carried 
toTaiius (iv. p.x»0')s but wlule Jovian was ftili on the throne 
(ill p. 54. iv. p. X X 7*)* I have derived much affiftanee firoa a French 
verfion and remarks, printed at Lyons 1735. 

* Nieomediss ah Euiebio edocatus Epifcopo, quern geaere longiua 
cMtmgcbat. (Ammian. xzii. 9.). Julian never exprefies any gratitude 
towards that, AHan prelate $ but he celebrates his preceptor, the eu^ 
nuch Mardonius, and delcribes his mode of education, which iniphmi 
his pupil with a paAonaite atoiin^tion for the gouusi sad perhaps the 
idigioBf of Homer* Mifopogpay p. 35x9 35a. 

the 



OF THE ROMAK EMl>mE. 65 

the education not of a hero, but of a feint. The c H A P. 
Emperor, lefe je^klous of a heavenly, tlian of an ^^^* 
earthly crown, contented himfelf with the im- 
perfe<a: character of a catechumen, while he 
beftowed the advantages of baptifmv on the 
nephews of Conftantine^ They were even ad- 
mitted to the inferior offices of the ecclefiaftical 
order ; and Julian publicly r^ad the Holy Scrip- 
tures in the church of Nicomedia. The ftudy 
of religion, which they aifiduoufly cultivated, 
appeared to produce the faireft fruits of faith and 
devotion ^ They prayed, they fafted, they dif- 
tributed alms to the poor, gifts to the clergy, 
and oblations to the tombs of the martyrs ; and 
the fplendid monument of St. Mamas, at Cae- 
farea, waserefted, or at lead was undertaken, 
by the )oint labour of Gallus and Julian ^ They 
refpe6lfully converfed with the bifliops who were 
eminent for fupefior fan6lity, and folicited the 
benediction of the monks and hermits, who had 
introduced into Cappadocia the voluntary hard-> 

' Oreg. Naz. iii. p. 70.^ He laboured to efface that holy mark- ia * 
the bloody perhaps of a Taurobolium, Baron. Annal. Ecclef. AX^., 
36x.N0. 3i4, 

^ Julian himfelf (Epiil. li. p. 454.) aiiures the Alexandrians that, 
he had been a Chriitian (he muft mean a flncere one) till the twentieth 
year of his age. 

, 7 See his Chriftian, and even ecclefiaftical education, in Gregory, 
(iii. p. 58.), Socrates (1. iii. c. i.), and Sozomen (I. v. c. ».). He 
eicaped very narrowly from^ being a bifhop, and perhaps a laint. 

^ The ihare of the work which had been allotted to Gallus, was 
profeeuted with vigour and fuccefs ; but the earth obftinately reje<Sled 
and iubverted the ftrudhires which were impofed by the facrilegious 
hand of Julian. Greg. iii. p. 59, 609 61. Such a partial earthquake* 
attdled by many living fpedlators, would form one of the cleareft 
miracles in eqclefiafiical ftory. 

VOL. IV. F Ihips 



f 



66 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, fliips of the afeetic life^ As the two ptkcei 
s .^^lu- advanced towards the years of aiaohood^ they 
di&o¥ered, in their ireligioiis fentitnentsv the dif- 
lef eiice of their characters. The dmll and obn 
ftiqate underflanding ef Gallus embraced witfa 
implicit zeeX the do^rinea of Chriftianity ^ whidi 
never inffuenced his eocidoCl, or moderated hia 
pai&<M)s« The mild difpofitioa of the younger 
b^Qiklheir was le& repugnant to the precepts* of the 
Golpeli ; and fais^ aftive curiofity ol^h t have beeflb 
gralifted by a thedlDgtcalfyfteiiH which expiatnsr 
tJli»^ myfterioua eflemce of the Deity; and opena 
V the heundleft profye£fc ef invifible and future 

wcHddSr But the independent ipirit of Julian 
leltifed t<» yield the paffive and unrefiftnag obe- 
dience w4iaeh was required^ in the nasie of reli- 
gieoi) by the haughty miniftera 0£ the churchi^ 
Thek fpectulalive opinions were, iaopofed a» 
pefitjji^e laws, and guarded by the terrors of 
eteimai punifhments*; bat while they pvefiscibedi 
tlte ]»gid>£iH?mulary of the thcMighis, the words^. 
and the a6tions of the young prince ; whilft they 
fHen^e^hi^ efege^om, and feverdy eheckedf the 
freedom of his enquiries, they fecretly prov^ed 
his invpatfent genkiw to dilklainv the atfrtlhOTJty of 
his eccrefiaftical guides. He was educated in 
the Le^p iyia, amidA the feandab of the Arian 



<£^ iMii Mimtft- fiUHkm (fetr TiUiHnonty. Mefli» Sotlki; tonn* mm 

and tormented by evil dtemons. 

cotttrO'- 



c^liftof eriy'^'i Th6 fierce tiontdti of the EafterA (! A K f 
Mftfop*, thehfcrffewtt dieratrdns'Df tHii* dreedfi ^^'^^ 
eild the profd.ffe motir^s which kppeiute& wm^ 
)^at€ their eond(i6fc^ tnfefifibly llreiigttileited the 
ptejudid^ df Juliaii, th^t thej neither mrdeHlXKM 
If or believed the religion fdr ^hich theyfo fiei'Celjf 
tiemt^ivdedj ItifteEd of liftening to the ffi'666 ef 
Ckriftj^nity with ihftt favourable dtteifCibn x^faieh 
*d<!fe wer^t tfi* the moft refjie^alrler evidenotf, 
H^ Ifetfrd wiih fu^ieionv and dfQitfted with ofin- 
himcf Md ^cdtehef^^ the do^rinesf for t^hich 
Ire ahtddy ettt^^iMd m imrifitible 8vdrfie#. 
Wheneyev the ymitg prific^ werd directed to 
c6n(lpofe dedattiatiof^S' on the' fuhje^ of the pri^ 
vdfii)]^^ ^ontro^lpfie^^ Jtttinn aiwfly? dechured him^ 
l^f the id^oetife df P^flinifin ; under the fpecioud 
teetrfe thdty itf t^ defti»ee of the ^eade^r caiaib^ 
ya UtittAng ktfd itigenuity iiiight ^6 thWe tsidvtai^ 
t^otifly exei^cii^d arifd^ dil^kyed* 

Ai foon as GsfHu^ «^M Imrefted Widf the h(y- He em. 
Aduts ot ih€ pft^pte, JoKotf Wtf«^ ]^rm*tted tti ^of* 
l^i^eijithif ^e t6t «f freedoMi of Kteratnre,* md df of PagiS?^ 
P^^hiftfif''; Tftre erowd of fbpHrfts, who #erff ^ 
dttrafted by th^ tifte nmJ Kfcteratty of theit* r^jyjii 
^t^}I^ teifd*fi»^med id ii^iai alliai^td htttween^ tfh^ 

"'' See Jafiatt amid .CynJ- ^^.•i'^, P; *?^* ^ ^ f*?/?*.,**?; 
^ xoii prblfebutei" fays be^ "thofe heroes wW do' not mourn tlic 

tumfelf a tolerable theologian ; but he maintains that the Chriftian 
Trinity is not ..derived from the doiftrine of Pisuly of Jefoty or of 



Sdit. Cooimelin* 

F 2, learning 



68 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, learning and the religion of Greece ; and the 
• poems of Homer, inftead of being admired as the 
original productions of human genius, were fe- 
rioufly afcribed to the heavenly infpiration of 
Apollo and the mules. The deities of Olympus, 
as they are painted by the immortal bard, im- 
print themfelves on the minds which are the leaft 
addi^ed to fuperftitious credulity. Our familiar 
knowledge of their names and characters, their 
' forms and attributes, feems to bellow on thofe 
airy beings a real and fubflantial exiflence ; and 
the pleaiing enchantment produces an imperfect 
and momentary affent of the imagination to 
thofe fables, which are the moft repugnant to 
our reafon and experience. In the age of Julian, 
every circumftance contributed to prolong and 
fortify the illution ; the magnificent temples of 
Greece and Afia ; the works of thofe aftifts who 
had expreffed, in painting or in fculpture, the 
divine conceptions of the poet ; the pomp of 
feftivals and iacrifices ; the fuccefsful arts of 
divination ; the popular traditions of oracles and 
prodigies ; and the ancient practice of two thou- 
land years. The weaknefs of polytheifm was, in 
fome meafure, excufed by the moderation of its 
claims; and the devotion of the Pagans was not 
incompatible with the moft licentious fcepticifm 'V 
Inftead of an indivifible and regular iyftem. 



" A modern philofopher has ingenioufly compared the difierent 
operation of theifin and polytheiihi» with regard U the doubt or con- 
yidtion whidi they produce in the human nund. See Hume's Eflkysy 
Tol. iL p. 444'— ■457* in Svo edit. 1777. 

which 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 69 

which occupies the whole extent of the believing chap, 
mind, the mythology of the Greeks was com- xxm. 
pofed of a thoufand loofe and flexible parts, and 
the fervant of the gods was at liberty to define 
the degree arrd meafure of his religious faith. 
The creed which Julian adopted for his* own ufe 
was of the largell dimenfions ; and, by a ftrange 
contradiftion, he difdained the falutary yoke of 
the Gofpel, whilfl he made a voluntary offer- 
ing of his reafon on the altars of Jupiter and 
Apollo. One of the orations of Julian is con* 
fecrated to the Tionour of Cybele, the mother ot 
the gods, who required from her effeminate 
priefts the bloody facrifice, fo raflily performed 
by the madnefs of the Phrygian boy. The pious 
Emperor condefcends to relate, without a bluih, 
and without a fmile, the voyage of the goddefs 
from the fliores of Pergamus to the mouth of 
the Tyber ; and the ftupendous miracle, which 
convinced the fenate and people of Rome that 
the lump of clay, which their ambafladors had 
tranfported over the feas, was endowed with life, 
and fentiment, and divine power '^ For the 
truth of this prodigy, he appeals to the public 
monuments of the city; and cenfures, with fome 
acrimony, the fickly and affected taile of thofe 

'^ The IcUean mother knded In Italy about the end of the i<^- 
cond Punic war. The miracle of Claudiay either virgin or matxipD» 
who cleared her fame by difgracing the graver modefty of the Roman 
ladiesy is attefted by a cloud of witnefles. Their evidence i& col- 
le<fted by Drakenborch (ad Silium Italicum, xviL 33.); but we may 
obferve that Livy (xxix. I40 ^^ over the tranfacaion with difcreet 
ambiguity. 

F 3 ? men^ 




c H 4 P. vfkpfit ^bP inipertiiieiitly 4eri4^d the facred tra- 
^^ ^ djtipni Qif tibejr s^pceftprs '^ 

But the devout phUofopher^ who fincerely em* 
brficed) and warmly encouraged, the fuperftition 
of the people, referved for himfelf the privilege 
of a liberal iptprpretatiopi and fileutly withdrew 
from the foot of the altars into the IkniStuary of 
the temple. The extravagance of the Grecian 
qiythology psoclainied with a clear and audiUe 
VPiP^9 ths^t the pious enquirer, indead of being 
ips^gd^li^^d or fatisfied with the literal fenfe^ 
ibould diligently explore the occult wifdom, 
whipls h8^d been difguifed, by the prudence of 
antiquity, under the malk of folly and of fable '^ 
The p)iik>fopbei>s of the Platonic fchool '% Plo- 
imv»9 Porphyry, and the divine Iamblichus,were 
lldmired as the ppft fkiliul mafters of this alle- 
gpiiical fcience, which laboured to foften and 
k^roxopize the deformed features of paganifin, 
Julian himfelf, who was dire&ed in die myfte- 
llOW purfttit by iEdefius, the venerable fuccefibr 

^ I c;^ot refi^n from trsyofcribtng tke q^iphatkal worda of Jntians 
luoi is )ox» rcui iroXio-t inrtvtiv /laXXoy rtc roiavTA) ii rovroM'tTot; xofd4^oiif 
¥i X9 ^^X*i^ Va^ /^''^ vyns ^ tii% h fiktanu Oi9t« -v. p. z4i. Jttlkui 
tOcewtfe df (^l?rct9 ^^ &m l^e^ef m ihp ancUiop % holy: ihf^ld^ wtifb 
oropt from heaven on the {^^irinal hill ; 2X^ {pities the firange blind* 
wff of the Cliciftiailsy who pfeferred the eirofi to thefe cd^t^ tro|Jiiet. 
Apud CyriL L vL p. Z94. 

'' See the {tfinciples of allegory, in J^ulis^i (Qnit. vii. p. ai^. »^».> 
His reaibning is lels s|briird than t)uit of fome i^odem theojodanSf 
who afleU Ihat an extravagant or contradi(£lor]^. do4jb;ine fftufiYx 
diinne ; imat no man alive coiikl have thou^kt of inyenting it. 

'^ Eunaptus has nude thefe fophifU th^ fut^^edt of a baitu^ ^ 
fanatical lufeory; and the, learned ]9^9ker ^Hi^ Phil^fopli. tom^ iL 
p. AIT— *303«) has employed nuich labour to 'UluQrate their ojbj^ure 
fivci, ind incompcefaenfible dodbrinet. ^ */«' 

14 of 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 7I 

of lamblichua, a%ired to the pofieffion of a c H ap. 
treafuf e whack he efteemed, if we may credit ^^|^j^ 
his lokflttin ajlevemtions, far aix>ve the empire of 
thewodd'^ It was indeed a treafiire, which 
denyed its value only from opinion; and every 
artift^ who flattered fadm&lf that he had extracted 
the predous ore from the furrouadiftg drofa, 
claimed an equal r^bt of ftamping the name 
and %we the moil agreeable to his peculiar 
£mcy . The faUe of Atys and Cybele had been 
already explained by Porphyry ^ but his labuvfs 
ferved only to animate the pious induftry of 
JuUan, who indented and pnbhihed bis own 
aUegory of tkat ancient and myftic tale* This 
freedom oi interpretation^ whirin mighrl gratify 
the prkle ^rf'the Pktooifts,. expoled the vanity e£ 
their art. Wiithout a tedious detaiJ^ tka modem 
seader eoutd not foftm a juA idea of the: ftraage 
aUufioQS). the {bsoed etymologies^, the fol^mil 
tirifling^ and the iinpieiiatraUe ob&urity of theie 
fBge&y who} projEeflbdi to reveal tiie fyftem of the 
univerfe.. Aa the traditions of Pagan my Aology 
weire varioitfly yelated^. the ihcred interpreteroi 
w«e ab Mberty to fele€b the.m^fl convenient eir« 
cumftances; and as they tranflated an arbitrary 
cypher^ they could extract from any fable anjf 
&nfib which was adapted! to< theiir fitveuviterfyftem 
of religion and pbitofophy. The tafbfviotrs fbrm 
of a naked Venus was tortured into the difco<i«3iy 

flrtiiMftrffk dntodoDi and tremblBi^ kfti he (hould betray too- mucll* 
of dMft hDhpwo£f&ahui^.\fhk^iimj^2m& mif^ dnidei^rilivaa' bah* 
pious Sardonic laugh. 

F 4 of 



7ft THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H A P. of fome moral precept, or fome phyfical truth j 
^xxm. and the caftration of Atys explained the revolu- 
tion of the fun between Uie tropics, or tbefepa- 
ration of the human foul from vice and error*'. 
Thcoiogi- The theological fyftem of Julian appears to 
^fj^n^^ have contained tlie fublime and important prin- 
ciples of natural religion. But as the faith, 
which is not founded on revelation, muft remain 
deilitute of any firm aflurance, the difciple of 
Plato imprudently relapfed into the habits of 
vulgar fuperftition ; and the popular and philo- 
ibphic notion of the Deity feems to have been 
confounded in the pra6licei the writings, and 
«ven in the mind of Julian '^. The. pious Empe- 
ror acknowledged and adored the Eternal Cauib 
of the univerfe, to whom he alcribed alL the 
perfections of an infinite nature^ invifible to the 
eyes,, and inacceflible to the underftanding, of 
feeble mortals. The Supreme Gad had created, 
or rather, in the Platonic language, had geiie* 
rated, the gradual fucceflion oFdependent fpirits, 
of gods, of dsemohsj of heroes, and of men ; and 
every being which' derived its exiftence imme- 
diately from the Firfl Caufe, received the inhe* 

'"^ See the fifth oration of Julian. But all the allegories which 
ever iflued from the' Platonic fchool are not worth the fliort poem 
(»f CatuUas on the fame ejctraordiiiary fubjed. The tranfitioii (ii 
Atyst from the wildeft enthufiafm to fober pathetic complaint* fior 
his irretrievable lofs* mu(l. infpire a man with pity, an eunuch with 
defpair. .< 

'^ The true religion of Julian may be deduced from the Caefars^ . 
pi 308. > with Spanheim's notes and iIlufirztioa|B»> ' from 'the • fragments 
i^i^ in Cyril» l»ii* p*57> 58. and efpecmlly from the. tJieological..ohKtiiMDr 

''X^^ in Solem Regem, p. i3o-«i58» addreffiid, in the confidence of friend- 

ihip, to the prsefe^ Salluft. 

rent 



^F THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 7 3 

reiit gift' of immartality. Thatfo precious an c H A p. 
advantage ndight not be laviflied upon uaworthy ^-^"' 
obje6bS) Xhe Creator had entruiled to the (kill 
and power of the inferior gods the office of 
foraning the human body; and of arranging the 
beautiful harmgny of the animal, the vegetable, 
and 'the mineral kingdoms. To the condu6l of 
thefe divine miniilers he delegated the temporal 
" government of this lower world ; but their im- 
perfeA adminiftration is not exempt from difcord 
or error. The earth, and its inhabitants, are 
divided among them, and the characters of Mars 
or Miuerva, of Mercury or Venus, may be dit 
tin^ly traced in the laws and manners of their 
peculiar votaries. As long as our immortal fouls 
are confined in a mortal prifou, it is- our intereft 
as well as our d;uty, to folicit the favour, and td 
deprecate the wrath, of the powers of heaven ; 
whofe pride is gratified by the devotion of man- 
kind ; and whofe grofTer parts may be fuppofdd 
to derive fome nourifhment firom the fumes of 
iacidfice *^. The inferior gods might fometimes 
condefcend to animate the flatues, and to inhabit 
the temples, which were dedicated to their ho- 
nour. They might occafionally vifit the earth, 
but the heavens were the proper throne and fym- 
bol of their glory. The invariable order of the 

^ Julian adopts this grofn conception^ by aicribing it to his 
favourite Marcus Antonintis (Csefares, p. -333.). The Stoics and 
Flatonifts hefitated between die analogy of bocKes and the purity 
•of fpirits ; yet the graveft philofophers inclined to the Vhimfical 
fancy of AtifiD|^«i8B and Lucian, that- an unMkfving age ihight 
ftarve the hnmortal godsb See-^Obfervatiohs de Spahheitay p. 484. 

444, &C. - -; 

fun^ 



74 THS DECLINE AND TAlX 

CHAP, fun, moon, and fiars, was haftily admitted by 

,J ™^ Julian, as a pr€>of of tkeir eternal duration $ and 

their eternity was a fiifficient evidence that they 

were the workmanfliip, not of an inferuK: deity, 

but of the Omnipotent King. In the fyfteot of 

the PlatoniAs, she vifible was a type of the 

invifible worid. The celeftial bodiea, aa they 

were infbrmed by a diviae fpirit, might be com 

fidered as the pbje^fcs the moft worthy of relif 

gieus woffliip. The Sun, wbo& genial iofitience 

pet v^des and fuftains the univerfe,3uftly.daimed 

the adoratioa of mankind, at thq bright vepre^ 

ftifttative of the Logos, the Uvitly, the laticMiat, 

the benefieent imago of the iateUeSbual Eathar "• 

Faniti- In wwy age, the ahfenco of gemitne infptniN 

^^^ tdoft is fiipplied by the fliong iUufiona of enthun 

phen. fiaifai^ ajnd the mimic acts of imfioftureu If» hi 

the time of Joliao^i Aefe arts had been pcaAifed 

ottiy by the pogsn pfi«fts» ftr the fiipport of an 

eixpiriivg caufe^ fi>mo ^ndtdgonoe might pcsrhapts 

be aUMMMed to> the intereft and habits of th* 

&cerdotal cb^wafter. But it may appear a fiih< 

jea of forprife aiid fcandal^ that the pUbibphers 

themfelves fboidd have contributed to abufe the 

foperftitioufr credulity of mankind^% and that the 

Gbrecian 

" HXiov Xiyv, TO ^m wyaiKfM neu e/ia^I^v;^^ wu mw, wu ayal^* 

Cyipl, lii. B* 49.)> bf call^ tbft 9m» G«4». Mwithe throne «£ OM^ 
^/^9fi, l^eiP^ t^|n^tpfi]ia;H^Trii%; ml qnlrUsMWil thi;Cbri& 

^ Th^ fogliife of Eumpiin. paEfom m tmmf piteclen a» Att 
fililiis. of Ae dd^; and ^ oid^ cveumftuii* iitj tUr fnoiir W 
that they are of a left gloomy complexioa. Infiead of devaHmyilh 

horns 



or THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 7^ 

Qrecian myflerie^ fhould have been fupporte4 Q fi A ?. 
by the inagic or theurgy of the mp^^rn Plato^ -^^^^ 
pii|s, Ti^ey ar^ogf^ntly pretended tq cpntrol 
t;h« ox^ev of nature, to explore the fecrets of 
futurity, \Q cQiumajid the fervice of the ipferior 
(jt^pions, \o e|\ioy the viev wd ^Qnyei-Cition of 
the fypqrior gp()s, ^nd^ by difeqg^ging the ibul 
from her mat^ris^l bw<l4s tPrerUnitpth^t iniinpr* 
tail particle with the Ipfinlte ^nd Divinp Spirjt. 

The devout and fearlefs curiosity of Jiiliaq initiatioii 
tempted the philofbphw^ with th? hPf«S pf an Sk^ 
eafy conqueft; whijph, ft-oin the fitui^tip« pf thew Julian. 
youqg profelyte, mgk% h? produ6|ive of the moft 
important confequencea^^ Julian imbibed th? 
firft rudiments of the Pl*t<)iniQ dp^rints frp(9 
the mouth of JSddfiu^ who had fisod at P«rg*r 
mus his wandering apd perfecuted fcfeo^, lot 
as the declining ftreogtb of that v^nerabl? %f 
was unequal to the ardoair^ tb« dMigeocQ» the 
irapid conception of his pupil, twp of his nwft 
learned difciples, Qfciyfentbes and Eufebiqs» 
fupplied, 9t bia own defire, the place pf their 
aged mafter* Tbefe phik>ibphers feem tp b^ve 
prepared and diftributed their refpe^ivp^ paiFta } 
and they artfully contrived, by dnk bivts,, w4 

horns and tailt» lamblichus evoked the genii of love^ Erot and An* 
terosy from two acyacent fountains. Two beautiful boys iifiied from 
the water» fondly embraced him as their fiither» and retired at his 
command^ P» a6» 47 • 

'3 The dexterous management of thde &philb» yA» pluyad 
th«r credulous pupil into each other's hands, is fairly told hf ]$utt»> 
pius (p. 69 — 76.> with unfufpedting fimplidty. The Abbe de la 
Bleterie underftands, and neatly defcribes, the whole comedy (Vie de 
Mien, p. 61 — 67.). 

aflfe£bed 



^6 THE DECLINE AND PALL 

CHAP. afFe6led difputes, to excite the impatient hopes 
of the qjphrant^ till they delivered him into the 
hands of their affociate, Maximus, the baldeft 
and moft fkilful mafter of the Theurgic fcience. 
By his hands, Julian was fecretly initiated at 
EphefuS, in the twentieth year of his age. His 
refidence at Athens confirmed this unnatural 
alliance of philofophy and fuperftition; He ob- 
tained the privilege of a (blemn initiation into 
the myfteries of Eleufis, which, amidft the ge- 
neral decay of the Grecian worfhip, ftill retained 
fome veftiges of their primaeval fanftity ; and 
fuch was the zeal of Julian, that he afterwards 
invited the Eleufian pontiff, to the court of 
Gaul, for the fole purpofe of confummating, by 
myftic rites and facrifices, the great work of his 
fandtification. As thefe ceremonies were per- 
formed in the depths of caverns, and in the filence 
of the night; and as the inviolable fecret of the 
myfteries was preferved by the difcretion of the 
initiated, I fliall not prefume to defcribe the 
horrid founds, and fiery apparitions, which were 
priefented to the fenfes, or the imagination, of 
'the credulous afpirant % till the vifions of com- 
fort and knowledge broke upon him in a. blaze of 
celeftial light ^^ In the caverns of Ephefus and 

Eleufis, 

*^ When Julian, in a momentary panic, made the fign. of the 
crois» the daemons inilantly difappeared (Greg. Naz. Orat. iii. p* 71.). 
Gregory fuppofes that they were frightened, but the priefts. declared 
that they were indignant. The reader^ according to the meaf\ire of 
his faith, will determine this profound queftion. 

^^ A dark and diftant view of the terrors and joys of initiation lis 
ftie^m by Dion^ Chryfoftom, Themiftius, Proclus, and Stobseus, The 

learned 
12 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 77 

Eleufis, the mind of Julian was penetrated with c hap. 
fincere, deep, and unalterable enthufiafm; though ^^ * 
he might fbmetimes exhibit the viciffitudes of 
pious fraud and hypocrily, which may be ob- 
ferved, or at leaft fufpe6led, in the ehara6lers 
of the moft confcientious fanatics. From that 
moment heconfecrated his life to the fervice of 
the gods ; and while the occupations of war, of 
government, and of ftudy, feemed to claim the 
whole meafure of his time, a ftated portion of 
the hours of the night was invariably referved 
for the exercife of private devotion. The tem- 
perance which adorned the fevere manners of the 
foldier and the philofopher, was connected with 
fome ftridl and frivolous rules of religious abfti- 
nence ; and it was in honour of Pan or Mercury, 
of Hecate or Ifis, that Julian, on particular 
days, denied himfelf the ufe of fome particular 
food, which might have been ofFenfive to his 
tutelar deities. By thefe voluntary fafts, he 
prepared hisfenfes and- his underftandingfbrthe 
frequent and familiar vifits with which he was 
honoured by the celeftial • powers. Notwith- 
Handing the modeft filence of Julian himfelf, we 
may learn from his faithful friend, the orator 
Ltbanius, that he lived in a perpetual intercourfe 
with the gods and goddeffes ; that they defcended 
upon earth, to enjoy the converfation of their 
favourite hero ; that they gently interrupted his 
flumbers, by touching his hand or his hair ; that 

learned autiior of the Divine Legation has exhibited their words (vol. i. 
p. 239. 2479 24S. 280. edit. I765>)i which he dexteroufly or forcibly 
applies to his qwa bypothefis. 

they 



yS THE DECLINE ANB FALL 

CHAP, they wwrned him of every impending danger, 
xxin^ ^jj^ conduced him, by their infallible wifdom, 
in every a6tion of his life ; and that he had ac- 
quired fuch nn intimate knowledge of his hea- 
venly guefts, as readily to diftinguifh the voice 
of Jupiter from that of Minerva, and the form 
of Apollo from the figure of Hercules *\ Thefe 
fleeping or walking viiions, the ordinary effects 
of abftinence and fanaticifm, would almoil de- 
grade the £mperor to the level of an Egyptian 
tnonk. But the ufelefs lives of Antony or P^cho- 
jxiius were coirfumed in thefe vain occupations. 
Julian could break from the dream of fuperfli- 
tion to arm himfelf lor battle ; and after van- 
qCiilhiiig' ki the field the enemies of Rome, he 
calmly retired iltte bis tent, to di£l;ate the wile 
and fa^h>tary laws of an empire, or to indulge his 
genius in the elegant purfuits of literature and 
pbilofophy. 
Ms reii- Th'e rmj^tant fecrefe ^f the apoftacy of Julian 
i^u8 diffi. ^3g eft trufted to fhe fidelity of the initkaed. with 
whom h* was rinfited by the faered ties of friend- 
fliip arid religion '\ The pleafing rumour was 
eautioi^Ay circulated amoA^ the adherents of the 
ancient worlhip } alud bis future greatn^s became 

'^ JulianV modeftf conlmed MVn t6 6bfci&r^ jtnd*occalioiAi Hints; 
but Libaniud exratiates with pleafure on the fafts and Viiions of the 
^Ifgibus KA-o (Ldgit. $d MsA. i.zsi. a«d^Onrt.PaarttAa!i <f. \JtAySSt. 

'7 Libanius^ Orat. Parent, c. x. p. %^j 134. Gallus had fome 
f ^oii to fulpc4 t'Ae koM apoftaty ot his' brbthw ; anrf ih' a* MASdft 
-which may be receired as genuine, he exhorts Julian to adhere to the 
iWigion dFthetf'^/ir^or// alfi ai-j^M^iit, ^itM, zi it ffoultf IgaH; 
1^ not fe^^^XOiiifn^ 8^e JiflMT, d^; f^ 454*^^1^ ^ SMxiS^ 
torn, vu p*i4x* 

the 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. j^ 

the ohjtiBb ai th^ hopes^ the prayers, and the c H A p^ 
prcdfe6itoii» of the Pagafts^ in every province of , ^^' 
the etiipire. Fi^m the zeal »nd virtueit of their 
nfAl pttjikljtey they fondly ex})e6l;ed the cufe (*f 
evwy eVil^ arid the r^ftdratton of eVery bkffing j 
and inftead of diftpproving of the ardour of their 
pious wilbesy Julittn ingeniotiily oohfeffed^ than 
h^ wa» an[ibitioii» to attain a fituation in which 
lie m%ht be tifeful to his coiSrntry and to his 
teligioh. Bitt this i^eligiott Was viewed with an 
hoftile eye by the fadceflbr <^ Conftantine^ whofe 
eaprici^s pdffioM alternately fiiVed and threat^ 
eiied the life dT Julian. The arti& of ntagie and 
divinatioB were ftri£)ily j^ohibited tinder a de^ 
fpotie goVerHirierit^ which eondcffeended to fe^ 
Ihem ; and if the Pagans were feludlantly in* 
doiged in ^he efxercife of their foperftition, the 
i^ank of Julian wotild have excepted him froiif 
the general tc^rMio^ The apoftate foon be-* 
tame the prefuBlptivef hei^ df the monarchy, al>d 
hisf death could alone" have app^s^dd the juft ap« 
prehenfidfis of the €hriftidn<s ^. But the young 
priaee^ who aQ>ired to* the glory of » heroy rather 
than of a martyr^ confuked hi» fafety by ^flem-* 
bling hiii^reUgio»<;' alid the eafy temper of poly<^ 
thei&fi penitiitted him to join in the puUic 
vroribip of a< it^ which he inwardly delpiied. 
Libtfiii»i» hds confideted the hypocriiy of his 
ffieiidva» a fubje£ly not of cenfure, but of praife* 

^ Grtmy (lii. p. 50t)» with mhuinan zeal» cenfures Conftantius for 
i^oring the infant apoftate (Kocxug auOtfra), His I^rench tranflator 
(p. 265.) cautioully obferve»> thtft Ib^h expt^ffions TtktSt im h6 jj^ftfes ^ 
Ulettre. 

*« As 

/ 



8o THE DECLINE AND KALL 

CHAP, "As the ftatues of the gods/'lays that orator^ 
/^™^' , " which have been defiled with filth, are again 
" placed in a magnificent temple ; fo the beauty 
*' of truth was feated in the mind of Julian, 
** after it had been purified from the errors and 
*« follies of his education. His fentiments were 
*« dianged, but as it would have been dangerous 
" to have avowed his fentiments, his conduS; 
" ftill continued the fame. Very dijBTerent 
" from the afs iij ^fop, who difguifed himfelf 
" with a lion's hide, our lion was obliged to 
" conceal himfelf under the Ikin of an afs ; and 
" while he embraced the didlates of reafon, to 
" obey the laws of prudence, and neceffity *^.** 
The diffimulation of Julian lafled abm^e ten 
years, from his fecret initiation at Ephefus to 
the beginning of the civil war; when he declared 
himfelf at once the implacable enemy of Chrift 
and of Confl:antius. This ftate of conftraint 
might contribute to ftrengthen his devotion ; and 
as foon as he had fatisfied the obligation of affift- 
ing, on folemn feftivals, at the aflemblies of the 
Chriftians, Julian returned, with the impatience 
of a lover, to burn his free and voluntary incenfe 
on the domefl;ic chapels of Jupiter and Mercury. 
But as every a6l of diffimulation mud be painful 
to an ingenuous fpirit, the profeffion of Chrifti- 
anity encreafed the averfion of Julian for a 
religion which opprefled the freedom ^ of his 
mind, and compelled him to bold a condu6fc 
repugnant to the nobleft attributes 6f liuman 
nature, fincerity and courage. 

'^ Libaniusy OnL P^rentaL cix. p. 233. 

The 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 8f 

The inclination of Julian might prefer the gods chap. 
of Homer, and of the Scipios, to the new faith, ^xiil^ 
which his uncle had eftablifhed in the Roman em- He writes 
pire; and in which he himfelf had been faridtified ^^ 
by the facrament of.baptifm. But, as a philofo- ity. 
pher, it was incumbent on him to juftify his dif- 
fent from Chriftianity, which was fupported by 
the number of its converts, by the chain of pro- 
phecy, the fplendor of miracles, and the weight 
of evidence. The elaborate work % which he 
compoled amidft the preparations of the Perfian 
war, contained the fubftance of thofe arguments 
which he had long revolved in his mind. Some 
fragments have been tranfcribed and preferved 
by his adverfary, the vehement Cyril of Alexan- 
dria ^' j and they exhibit a very fingular mixture 
of wit and learning, of fophiflry and fanaticifm. 
The elegance of the ftyle, and the rank of the 
author, recommended his writings to the public 
attention ^* ; and in the impious lift of the ene- 



^ Fabricius (Biblioth. Grac 1. v. c. viii. p. S8— 90. and Lard- 
ner (Heathen Teftimonies, vol. iv. p. 44 — 47.) have accurately com- 
piled all that can now be difcovered of Julian's work againft the 
Chrifiians. 

^' About feventy years after the death of Julian> he executed a talk 
which had been feebly attempted by Philip of Side, a prolix and con- 
temptible writer. Even the work of Cyril has not entirely iatisfied 
the moil favourable judges : and the Abbe de la Bleterie (Preface a 
I'Hift de Jovient p. 30. 32.) wiihes that fome tbeologien philofophe 
(a fbange centaur) would undertake the refutation of Julian. 

^* Libaniu8(Orat. Parental. clxxxviL p.3i3.) who has been fu^ 
pedled of aflifling his friend, prefers this divine vindication (Orat. ix« 
in necem Julian, p. 455. edit. Morel.) to the writings of Porphyry. 
His judgment may be arraigned (Socrates^ 1. iiL c. 23.), but Libaniui 
cannot be accufed of flattery to a dead prince* 

vol., IV. G . ' . mies 



^2 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, mies of Chriftianity, the celebrated nattie of Por- 
xxm.^ phyry was effaced by the fuperior merit or repu- 
tation of Julian. The minds of the faithful were 
either feduced, or fcandalized, or alarmed ; and 
the pagans, who fometimes prefumedto engage in 
the unequal difpute, derived from the popular 
work of their Imperialmiffionary,aninexhanftible 
fupply of fallacious objections. But in the affi- 
duous profecution of thefe theological ftudies, 
the Emperor of the Romans imbibed the illiberal 
prejudices and paflions of a polemic divine. H6 
contracted an irrevocable obligation to maintain 
and propagate his religious opinions; and whilft 
he fecretly applauded the ftrength and dexterity 
with which he wielded the weapons of contro- 
verfy, he was tempted to diftrufl the fincerity, or 
to defpife the underiftandings of his antagonifts, 
who could obftinately refill the force of reafon 
and eloquence. 
Umveriai The Chriftians, w^o beheld with horror and 
toleration, indignation the apoftacy of Julian, had much 
more to fear from his power than from his 
arguments. The pagans, who were confcious of 
his fervent zeal, expe6led, perhaps with impa- 
tience, that the flames of perfecution fhould be 
immediately kindled againft the enemies of the 
gods ; and that the ingenious malice of Julian 
would invent fome cruel refinements of death 
and torture, which had been unknown to the 
rude and inexperienced fuiy of his predeceffiors. 
But the hopes, as well as the fears, of the reli- 
gious fadlions were apparently difappointed, by 

the 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 83 

the prudent humanity of a prince ", who was CHAP, 
careful of his own fame, of the public peace, and ^-™^* 
of the rights of mankind. Inftru6led by hiftory 
and refledlion, Julian was perfnaded, that if the 
difeafes of the body may fometimes be cured by 
falutary violence, neither ileel nor fire can era- 
dicate the erroneous opinions of the mind. The 
relu6lant victim may be dragged to the foot of 
the altar ; but the heart ftill abhoi's and difclaims 
the facrilegious a6l of th^ hand* Religious obfti*- 
nacy is hardened and exafperated by oppreffion; 
and, as foon as tlie perfecution fubfides, thofe 
who have yielded, are reftored as penitents, and 
thofe'who have refifted are honoured as faints and 
martyrs. If Julian adopted the unfuccefsful 
cnielty of Diocletian and his colleagues, he was 
fenlible that he (hould (lain his memory with the 
name of tyrant, and add new glories to the Ca- 
tholic church, which had derived ftrength and 
increafe from the feverity of the pagan magif- 
trates. A6luated by thefe motives, and appre- 
henfive of difturbing the repofe of an unfettled 
reign, Julian furprifed the world by an edicSt, 
which was not unworthy of a ftatefman or a phi- 
iofopher. He extended to all the inhabitants of 
the Roman world, the benefits of a free and equal 
toleration ; and the only hardlhip which he in- 

^ Libanius (Orat. Parent, c. Iviii. p.a83» 484.) has eloquently ex- 
^^dned the tolerating principles and conduA of his Imperial friend. 
In a very remarkable epiftle to the people of Boftra» Julian him- 
ielf (epifi. lii.) profelTes his moderation, and betrays his zeal, which 
is acknowledged by Ammianus, and expofed by Gre^giory (Orat. iS» 

G 2 flidled 



84 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, fli^ed on the ChriftianSk was to deprive them of 

XXTTT 

• the power of tormenting th^ir fellow-fiibje6ls, 
whom they ftigmatifed with the odious titles of 
idolaters and heretics. The pagans received a 
gracious permiffion, or rather an exprefs order, 
to open Ai/L their temples ^^ j and they were at 
once delivered from the oppreflive laws, and ar- 
bitrary vexations, which they had fuftained under 
the reign of Conilantine and of his fons. At the 
fame time, the bifhops and clergy, who had been 
banilhed by the Arian monarch, were recalledfrom 
exile, and reftored to their refpefilive churches ; 
the Donatifts, the Novatians, the Macedonians, 
the Eunomians, and thofe who, with a moreprof- 
perous fortune, adhered to the do6lrine of the 
council of Nice. Julian, who underflood and 
derided their theological difputes, invited to the 
palace the leaders of tjie hoftile fe6ls, that he 
might enjoy the agreeable fpe^lacle of their fu- 
rious encounters. The clamour of controverfy 
fometimes provoked the Emperor to exclaim, 
" Hear me! the Franks have heard xne, and the 
" Alemanni ;" but he foon difcovered that he 
was now engaged with more obftinate and impla-^ 
cable enemies; and though he exerted the powers 
of oratory to perfuade them to live in concord, 
or at leaft in peace, he was perfe6tly fatisfied, 

3* In Greece the temples of Minerva were opened by his exprefs 
cdmmand, before the death of Conftantius (Liban. Orat. Parent, 
c. 55* ?• a8o.) and Julian declares himfelf a Pagan, in his public 
manifefto to the Athenians. This unqueftionable evidence may coi^ 
redl the hally aflertion of Ammianus, who feems to fuppofe C<m- 
ibintinople to be the place where he difcovered his attachment to the 
gods. 

before 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^ 

before he difmifled them from his prefence, c h A >^ 
that he had nothing to dread from the union of ^J^^™^ 
the Ghriftians. The impartial- Ammianus ha-s 
afcribed this affe6led clemency to the defire of 
fomenting the inteftine divifions of the church ; 
and the infidious defign of undermining thefoun- 
dationsof Chriftianity, was infeparably connefted 
with the- zeal which Julian profeffed to reftore 
th^ ancient religion of the empire ". 

As foon as he afcended the throne, he aflumed, Zeai and 
according to the cuftom of his predeceffors, the j^^^*'^ 
charadler of fupreme pontiff; not only as the thereftora- 
moft honourable title of Imperial greatnefs, but ^^^ **f. 

* ° paganiun« 

as a facred and important office, the duties of 
which he was refolved to execute with pious di- 
ligence. As the bufinefs of the ftate prevented 
the Emperor from joining every day in the public 
devotion of his fubjefl;s,he dedicated a domeilie 
chapel to his tutelar deity the Sun ; his gardens 
were filled with ftatues and altars of the gods ; 
and each apartment of the palace difplayed the 
appearance of a magnificent temple. Every 
morning hefaluted theparent of light with afacri- 
fice ; the blood of another vi6lim was ftied at the 
moment when the Sun funk below the horizon j 
and the Moon, the Stars, and the Genii of the 
night, received their refpe^live and feafbnable 

^' Ammianusy xxii. 5. Sozomen» 1. v. 0.5. Beftia moritur» tran- ' 
quillitas redit • • . • omnes epifcopi qui de propriis fedibus fuerant 
extenxunad per indulgentiam novi principis ad ecclelias redeunt. 
Jerom. advofus Luciferianos, torn. ii. p. 143* Optatus accufe9 the 
Donatiib for owing their fafety to an apoiUte (1. ii. c. x6. p* 369 37% 
edit. Pupin.). 

G 3 honours;, 



.g5 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, honours from the indefatigable devotion of Ju- 
^^^' ^ liian. On folemn feftivals, he regularly vifited 
the temple of the god or goddefs to whom the 
day was peculiarly contecrated , and endeavoured 
to excite the religion of the magift rates and people 
by the example of his own zeaL Inftead of main- 
taining the lofty ftate of a monarch, diftinguifhed 
by the fplendor of his purple, and encompafled 
by the golden fliields of his guards, Julian foli- 
cited, with refpedtful eagernefs, the meaneft of- 
fices which contributed to the worfhipof thegods. 
Amidft the facred but licentious crowd of priefts, 
of inferior minifters, and of female dancers, who 
were dedicated to the fervice of the temple, it 
was the bufinefs of the Emperor to bring the 
wood, to blow the fire, to handle the knife, to 
(laughter the vi6lim, and, thrufting his bloody 
hands into the bowek of the expiring animal, to 
draw forth the heart or liver, and to read, with 
the confummate Ikill of an harufpex, the imagi- 
nary figns of future events. The wifeft of the pa- 
ganscenfured this extravagant fuperftition, which 
afie£ted to defpife the reftraints of prudence wd 
decency. Under the reign of a prince, who prac- 
tifed the rigid maxims of oeconomy, the expence 
of religious worfhip confumed a very large por- 
tion of the revenue ; a conftant fupply of the 
fcarceft and moil beautiful birds was tranfported 
from diftant climates, to bleed on the altars of 
the gods ; an hundred oxen were frequently £a- 
crificed by Julian on one and the fame day j and 
it foon became a popular jeft, that if he (hould 

return 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE- 87 

return with conqueft from the Perfian war, the c H A P. 
breed of horned cattle mull infallibly be extin- ^ xxm>^ 
guifhed. Yet thisexpence may appear inconfider- 
able, when it is compared with the fplendid pre- 
fents which were offered, either by the hand, or 
by order of the Emperor, to all the celebrated^ 
places of devotion in the Roman world; and with 
the fums allotted to repair and decorate the 
ancient temples, which had fuffered the filent 
decay of time, or the recent injuries of Chriftian 
rapine. Encouraged by the example, the exhort- 
ations, the liberality, of their pious fovereign, the- 
cities and families refumed the pra6lice of their 
pegle6led ceremonies. ** Every part of the 
" world," exclaims Libanius, with devout tranf- 
port, " difplayed the triumph of religion ; and 
" the gratefpl profpe6l of flaming altars, bleed- 
*• ing vi6lims, the fmoke of incenfe, and a folemn 
" train of priefts and prophets, without fear and 
" without danger. The found of prayer and 
" of mufic was heard on the tops of the highefl 
<^ mountains ; and the fame ox afforded a facri- 
" fice for the gods, and a fupper for their joyoi^s 
^ votaries ^^'' 

But the genius and power of Julian were un-. Reforma- 
equal to the enterprife of reftoring a religion, ^^^f p»" 

^ The refbration of the Pagan worihip Is defcrlbed by Julian 
(Mifopogon) p.346«> libanms (Orat. Parent. c.6o. p.286» 287. 
and Orat. Confular. ad Julian, p. 2459 246. edit. Morel.), Am** 
mianus (xzii. |2.)b and Gregory Kazianzen (Orat. iv. p. i2i.)* 
Thefe writers agree in the efl^ntialy and even minute, fat^s ; but the 
different lights in which tfiey view the extreme devotion of Julian» 
are ezpreifive of the gradations of felf-applaufe> paJQionate admirationt 
mild reproof^ and partial invecSUve. 

G 4 whicU 



88 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, which was deftitute of theological principles, of 
^^^•^ moral precepts, and of ecclefiaftical difcipline j 
which rapidly haftened to decay and difFolutipn, 
and was not fufceptible of any folid or confident 
reformation. The jarifdi6lion of the lupreme 
pontiff, more efpecially after that office had been 
united with the Imperial dignity, comprehended 
the whole extent of the Roman empire. Julian 
named for his vicars, in the feveral provinces, 
the priefl:s and philofophers, whom he efteemed 
the bed qualified to co-operate in the execution 

'of his great defign ; and his pafl;oral letters", 
if we may ufe that name, ftill reprefent a very 
curious flcetch of his wifties and intentions. He 
directs, that in every city the facerdotal order 
fhould be compofed, without any diftindlion of 
birth or fortune, of thofe perfons who were the 

, moil confpicuous for their love of the gods, and 
of men. " If they are guilty,*' continues he, 
" of any fcandalous offence, they fhould be cen- 
" fured or degraded by the fuperior pontiff; 
^* but as long as they retain their rank, they 
** are entitled to the reQ)e6l of the magifi^rates 
" and people. Their humility may be fliewn in 
" the plainnefs of their domefl;ic garb; their 
*^ dignity in the pomp of holy veftments. When 
" they are fummoned in their turn to officiate 
" before the altar, they ought not, during the 

^ See Jolian. Epiftol. zlix. Ixii. Ixiii. and a long and curious frag* 
menty without beginning or end (p. 488 — 305.). The fupreme pon- 
fiif derides the Moikic hLftory and the ChriiHan difcipline, prefers the 
Greek poets to the Hebrew prophets, and palliates with the (kill of a 
Jefuiti the relative worihip of images. 

14 " appointed 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE- 8^ 

** appointed number of days, to depart from the CHAR 

^^ precin6ls of the temple ; nor fhould a fingle 

" day be fuffered to elapfe, without the prayers 

^' and the facrifice, which they are oWiged to 

^* offer for the profperity of the ftate, and of in- 

** dividuals. The exrt'cife of their facred func* 

** tions requires an immaculate purity both of 

** mind and body ; and even when they are dit 

** miffed from the temple to the occupations of 

** common life, it is incumbent on them to 

" excel in decency and virtue the reft of their 

*^ fellow-citizens. The prieft of the gods fliould 

'* never be feen in theatres or taverns. His 

" converfation Ihould be chafte, his diet tem- 

*^ perate, his friends of honourable reputation ; 

" and if he fometimes vifits the Forum or the 

" Palace, he fliould appear only as the advocate 

" of thofe who have vainly folicited either juftice 

" or mercy. His ftudies fliould be fuited to the 

" fanfility of his profeflion. Licentious tales, 

** or comedies, or fatires, muft be baniflied 

** from his library , which ought folely to confift 

^^ of hiftorical and philofophical writings ; of 

*^ hiftory which is founded in truth, and of phi- 

*' lofophy which i^^ connedted with religion. 

*^ The impious opinions of the Epicureans and 

" Sceptics deferve his abhorrence and con- 

*< tempt'^ J but he fliould diligently ftudy the 

^ The exultation of Julian (p. 301.)^ that thefe impious iedff and 
even their writings, are extinguifhedy may be confiftent enough with 
the facerdotal chara^er : but it h unworthy of a philofopher to wiih 
that any opinions and arguments the moft repugnant to his own| ftouhl 
he concealed from the knowledge of mankind* 

*« fyftems 



5Q THE DECLINE AND FALt 

CHAR" fyftems of Pythagoras, of Plato, and of the 
J^^^^ j[ ^ ** Stoics, which unanimoufly teach that there 
<« are gods ; that the world is governed by their 
" providence ; that their goodnefs is the fource 
*^ of every temporal bleffing ; and that they have 
" prepared for the human foul a future ftate erf 
** reward or punifliment/' The Imperial pontiff 
inculcates, in the ipofl perfuafive language, the 
duties of benevolence and hofpitality ; exhorts 
his inferior clergy to recommend the univerfal 
pradlice of thofe virtues j promifes to affift their 
indigence from the public treafury j and declares 
his refolution of eftabliftiing hofpitals in every 
city, where the poor fhould be received without 
any invidious diilin6l;ion of country or of reli- 
gion, Julian beheld with envy the wife and 
hucoane regulations of the church ; and he very 
frankly confefles his intention to deprive the 
Chriilians of the applaufe, as well as advantage, 
which they had acquired by the exclufive practice 
of charity and beneficence ^^ The fame fpirit 
of imitation might difpofe the Emperor to adopt 
feveral ecclefiaftical inftitutions^ the ufe and im«- 
portance of which were approved by the fucceis 
of his enemies. But if thefe inp^^inary plans of 
reformation h^d beeu re^Uzed, ih^ forced and 
imperfe6ifc copy would have been )efs hen^ial 

^ Yet lie iniinuatesy that ihe Chriftianst under the pretence of 
ch^^t inveigled children -from their reUgion ^ pjur^ntS) coaveyed 
them on flxipboardf »id d^TOted thojte vi^Urns to a life of poverty or 
Servitude in a remote country (p, ao50* ^^4 ^ charge been proved, 
it was hi« duty not to compUua> but to pmiiflu 

to 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 9 1 

to Paganifin, than honoarable to Chriftianity^* CHAP. 
The Gentiles, who peaceably followed the cut J^^ 
tools of their anceftors, were rather fUrprifed 
than pleafed with the introdu6lion of foreign 
manners ; and, in the fliort period of his reign, 
Julian had frequent occafions to complain of the 
want of fervour of his own party*'. 

The enthufiafm of Julian prompted him to Thephiio- 
embrace the friends of Jupiter as his perfonal ^**P^*^ 
friends and brethren ; and though he partially 
overlooked the merit of Chriftian conftancy, he 
admired and rewarded the noble perfeverance of 
thofe Gentiles who had preferred the favour of 
the gods to that of the Emperor •% If they cul* 
tivated the literature, as well as the religion, of 
the Greeks, they acquired an additional claim to 
the friendftiip o£ Julian, who ranked the Mufe» 
in the number of his tutelar deities. In the re- 
ligion which he had adopted, piety and learning 
were almoft fy nonimous " ; and a crowd of poets, 

^ Gregory Nazianzen is facetious, ingenious, and argumentative 
(Orat. iii. p. loi, zo«, &c.). He vidicules the folly of fuch vain imita* 
tion; and amufes himfelf with inquiring, what leflbost moral or th^o^ 
logical, could be extra<Sled from the Grecian fables. 

^^ He accufes one of his pontifis of a fecret confederacy with th« 
Chriftian bifhop$ and pre/by ters (£piii. lxii.)» Oprn yv 'aoKK'w /aei 
oXiya;ptay atrm. fi/xtv tt^s tdi de&g ; and again, ti/xia&s ^e aru po&du|u,a;;, &c. 
£pm. Ixiii. 

^' He praiies the fidelity of CiUixene, prieft^s of Ceres, who ha4 • 

been twice as conftant as Penelope, and rewards her with the prieft-r 
hood of the Phrygian goddefs at Peffinus (Julian. Epift. xxi,). He 
applauds the firmnefs of Sopaterof Hierapolis, who had been repeat- 
edb^ pctfied by Conftantius and Gallos to apofiatize (Epiih xxvii. 
p. 401.). 

"^ Q ^ pop^fl^y otlfX^ Xoyv^ re xfla ^lurt Mp». Orat. Parent, c. 77. 
p. 302. The fame fentiment is irequtady iiicuka|:«d by Juliaii» 
libaoius, and the reft of their party. 

of 



91 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, of rhetoricians, and of philofophers, hafteneil to 
^^^^' the Imperial court, to occupy the vacant places 
of the bifhops, who had feduced the credulity 
of Conflantius* His fuccefTor efteemed the ties 
of common initiation as far more facred than 
thofe of confanguinity : he chofe his favourites- 
among the fages, who were deeply (killed in the 
occult fciences of magic and divination ; and 
every impoftor, who pretended to reveal the 
fecrets of futurity, was aflured of enjoying the 
prefent hour in honour and affluence^. Among 
the philofophers, Maximus obtained the moft 
eminent rank in the friendlhip of his royal dit 
ciple, who communicated, with unreferved con- 
fidence, his a61;ions, his fentiments, and his re- 
ligious defigns, during the anxious fufpenfe of 
the civil war'^^ As foon as Julian had taken 
polTeffion of the palace of Conflantinople, he dif- 
patched an honourable and preffing invitation to 
Maximus ; who then refided at Sardes in Lydia, 
with Chryfanthius, the aflbciate of his art and 
fludies. The prudent and fuperflitious Chry- 
fanthius refufed to undertake a journey which 
ihewed itfelf, according to the rules of divina- 
tion, with the moft threatening and malignant 
afpe^: but his companion, whofe fanaticifm 
was of a bolder caft^ perfifted in his interroga- 
tions, till he had extorted from the gods a leem- 

'^ The curiofity and credulity of the £mperor» who tried eveiy 
mode of divination^ are iairly esqpofed by Anunianu8> xxii* za* 

*^ Julian. Epift* xxzviii. lliree other epiftles (xv« xvL xxxix.) 
in the fame ftyle of friciuiUhip and confidence^ are addcvfled to thft 
philofppher Maximus. 

ing 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. g^ 

iQg confent to his own wifhes, and thofc of the chap. 
Emperor. The journey of Maximus through xxin. 
the cities of Afia di^layed the triumph of phi- 
lofophic vanity ; and the magiftrates vied with 
each other in the honourable reception which 
they prepared for the friend of their fovereign. 
Julian was pronouncing an oration before the 
fenate, when he was informed of the arrival of 
Maximus. The Emperor iinmediately inter- 
rupted his difcourfe, advanced to meet him, 
and^ after a tender embrace, conducted. him by 
the hand into the midft of the affembly; where 
he publicly acknowledged the benefits which he 
had derived from the inftru6tions of the philo- 
fophen Maximus^, who foon acquired the 
confidence, and influenced the councils, of Ju- 
lian, wasinfenfibly corrupted by the temptations 
of a court. His drefs became more fplendid, 
his demeanour more lofly^ and he was expofed, 
under a fucceeding reign, to a difgraceful in- 
quiry into the means by which the difciple of 
Plato had accumulated, in the ihort duration 
of his favour, a very fcandalous proportion of 
wealth. Of the other philofophers and fophifts, 
who were invited to the Imperial refidence by 
the choice of Julian, or by the fuccefs of Maxi- 
mus, few were able to preferve their innocence, 

*^ Eunapitts (m Maximoy p. 77^ 789 799 and in Chrylanthioy 
p. 14 7> 148.) has minutely related thefe anecdotes, which he con- 
ceives tp be the molt important events of ijie age. Yet he fairly 
confefles the frailty of Maximus. His reception at Conilantinople is 
defcribed by L3>«uus (Orat. Parent, c. 86. p. 30 x.) and Ammianus 
{xxiL7.> 

' or 



^4 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

C H A P. or their reputation ^^ The liberal gifts of 
^,^^ ij nioney, lands^ and houfes, were infuflScient to 
fatiate their rapacious avarice ; and the indig- 
nation of the people was juftly excited by the 
remembrance of their abje6l poverty and difin- 
terefted profeffions. The penetration of Julian 
could not always be deceived: but he was un- 
willing to defpife the chara6lers of thofe men 
whofe talents deferved his efteem ; he defired 
to efcape the double reproach of imprudence 
and inconftancy; and he was apprehenfive of 
degrading, in the eyes of the profane, the honour 
of letters and of religion^'. 
Conyer. The favour of Julian was almoft equally 
Cons. divided between the Pagans, who had firmly 
adhered to the wbrfliip of their anceftors, and 
the Chriftians, who prudently embraced the reli- 
gion of their fovereign. The acquifition of new 
profelytes^^ gratified the ruling paflions of his 

*7 CInyCinthius, who had refufed to quit Lydia^ was created high- 
prieft of the province. His cautious and temperate ufe of power 
fecured him zher the revolution ; and he lived in peace ; while Maxi- 
mus, Prifcus, &c. were perfecuted by the Chriftian minifters. See 
the adventures of thofe fenatic fophifts^ coUedted by Brucker^ torn. ii. 
p.a8i — 293. 

^' See Libanius (Orat. Parent, c. loi, loa. p. 324, 325, 326.) 
and Eunapius (Vit.$ophift. in Ftoserefioy p. 126.). Some ihidents^ 
whofe expe^ations perhaps were groundlefsy or extravagant, retired in 
difguft (Greg. Naz. Orat.iv. p. lao.)- It is ftrange that we (houlfl 
not be able to contradidl the title of one of Tillemont's chapters 
(Hift. des Empereurs, torn. iv. p. 960.). ** La Cour de Julien eft 
« pleine de philofophes et de gens pcrdils." 

*9 Under the reign of Lewis XIV. his fubje^s of every rank af* 
. pired to the glorious title of ConvertiJeur9 expreffive of their zeal and 
fiiccefs in making profelytes. The word and the idea are growing 
obfolete in France; may they never be introduced into England ! 

15 foul. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 95 

Ibul, fuperftition and vanity; and he was heard chap. 
to declare with the etithufiafm of a miffionary, . ^^^' 
that if he could render each individual richer 
than Midas, and every city greater than Ba- 
bylon, he fliould not efteem himfelf the bene- 
faftor of mankind, unlefs, at the fame time, he 
could reclaim his fubjefils from their impious 
revolt againft the immortal gods 5^ A prince, 
who had ftudied human nature, and who pof. 
feffed the treafures of the Roman empire, could 
adapt his arguments, his promifes, and his re- 
wards, to every order of Chriftians^'; and the 
merit of a feafonable converfion was allowed td 
fupply the defeats of a candidate, or even to 
expiate the guilt of a criminal. As the army is 
the moil forcible engine of abfolute power, Julian 
applied himfelf, with peculiar diligence, to cor- 
rupt the religion of his troops, without whofe 
hearty concurrence every meafure muft be dan- 
gerous and unfuccefsful ; and the natural temper 
of foldiers iiiade this conqueft as eaiy as it was 
important. The legions of Gaul devoted them- 
felves to the faith, as well as to the fortunes, of 
their vidlorious leader ; and even before the 
death of Conftantius, he had the fatisfafilion of 
announcing to his friends, that they aflifted with 

^^ See the ftrong expreliions ef LibaniuSf which were probably 
thofe of Julian himfelf (Orat.- Parent, c. 59. p. 285.)* 

*' When Gregory Nazianzen (Orat, x. p. 167.) is deiirous to 
magnify the Chriftian firmnefs of his brother Csefariusy phyfician to 
the Imperial court» he owns that Caefarius difputed with a formid« 
able adverfaryy moXv* cv ottX^m^, k%1 fj^vy^v i¥ Xvyuif iumrtni* In hit 
inve<Slive8 he fcarcely allows any ihare of wit or courage to thd 
apoftate. 

fervent 



gS THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, fervent devotion, and voracious appetite, at the 
xxHL facrifices, which were repeatedly offered in his 
camp, of whole hecatombs of fat oxen ^\ The 
armies of the Eaft, which had been trained under 
the ilandard of the crofs, and of Conftantius, 
required a more artful and expenfive mode of 
perfuafion. On the days of folemn and public 
feftivals, the Emperor received the homage, and 
rewarded the merit, of the troops. His throne 
of ftate was encircled with the military enfigns 
of Rome and the republic ; the holy name of 
Chrift was erazed from the Labarvm; and the 
fymbols of war, of majefty, and of pagan fuper- 
ftition, were fo dexteroufly blended, that the 
faithful fubjeft incurred the guilt of idolatry, 
when he refpe6lfully faluted the perfon or image 
of his fovereign. The foldiers paffed fucceffively 
in review; and each of them, before he received 
from the hand of Julian a liberal donative, pro« 
portioned to his rank and fervices, was required 
to caft a few grains of incenfe into the flame 
which burnt upon the altar. Some Chriflian 
confefTors might refifl, and others might repent ; 
but the far greater number, allured by the pro- 
fpe6l of gold, and awed by the prefence of the 
Emperor, contra6led the criminal, engagement* 

** Julian» Epift. xxxviiL Ammianusy xxii. 12. Adeo ut in 
dies psene fingulos milites carnis diilentiore fagina vidtitantes incul* 
tiu89 potufque aviditate correptiy humeris impofiti tranfeuntium per 
plateasy ex publicis aedibus . • • . ad fua diverforia portarentur. 
The devout prince and the indignant hiftorian defcribe the iam« 
fcene; and in niyricum or Antioch, fimilar caufes muft have produced 
fimilar effeAs. 



Of -tat J^OMAN E!^PIRfi. ^f 

fttTiJ tiieir jRiture perleveraftcc in the worfhip of c H 4 J** 
the gods was ^nfdrcetf by every confideraf ion ot ,JF^^ JLy 
dntj and of intereft. By the frequent repetition 
ef th'effe arts, and a^t th^ expenee of fums whfcK 
x^buld have purchafed th^ fervice of Fialf tht 
nations 6f Scythia, Julian gradually acquired fof 
his' troops the imaginary prote6lion of the godsl, 
anfd for himfelf the fitita and effeftual fiipport of 
the Roman legions ". It is indeed more than 
jH'obable, that thereftoration and encouragement 
of Faganifm revealed a multitude of pretended 
fchi^fftians, who, from motives of temporal advan- 
tage, had aequiefced in the religion of the former 
i^eign; and who afterwards returned, with the 
iame ffexibility of confcience, to the faith which 
tfras profefled by the fucceflbrs of Julian. 

While the devout monarch inceffantly laboured The Jewu 
to reftore and propagate the religion of his an- 
ceftors, he embraced the extraordinary defign of 
rebuilding the temple of Jerufalem. In a public 
epiftle ^* to the nation or community of th6 
Jews, difperfed through the provinces, he piti6a 
their misfortunes, condemns their oppreiTord, 
praifes their conftancy, declares himfelf theif 

5i Gregoiy (Orat.iii. p. 74* 75- 83— W.) and Libaiiiusy (Ont. 
Parent, clxxxi^ Ixxxii. p. 3079 308.) Vf^t renniof my ennf^ntt ii)l 
a^ta fjtM, TrXuro9 dvfffiua^ fjayit»» The (bphift oymi and jufHfies th^ 
expence of thefe militaiy coaveHions. 

^* Julisln's epifUe (xxv.) is addrefled to the community of (h^ 
Jews. Aldus (Venet. Z499*) has branded it with an u yrfmo^ ; but 
this ftignia is jaftly removed by the fubfeque^t ecBtors^ ]Petavius 
and Spanheim. The epifUe is mentioned by Sozomen (I. v. c. 4a.); 
and tht purport of it u ccmfirmed by Gfegory (prat. iv. p. zzi.)^ 
and by Julian himfelfy Fragment^ p. 9fs^ 

VOL. vr^ M. gracious 



j5 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, gracious protestor, and exprefles a pious hope^ 
^^^ ^ that, after his return from the Perfian war, he 
may be permitted to pay his grateful vows to 
the Almighty in his holy city of Jerufalem. 
The blind fuperftition, and abje£t flavery, of 
thofe unfortunate exiles, mufl excite the con- 
tempt of a philofophic Emperor ; but they de- 
ferved the friendfliip of Julian, by their impla- 
cable hatred of the Chriftian name. The barren 
iynagogue abhorred and envied the fecundity of 
the rebellious church : the power of the Jews 
was not equal to their malice j but their graved 
rabbis approved the private murder of an apof- 
tate ^^ ; and their feditious clamours had often 
awakened the indolence of the Pagan magiflrates. 
Under the reign of Conftantine, the Jews be- 
came the fubje6ls of their revolted children, nor 
was it long before they experienced the bitterneis 
of doroeftic tyranny. The civil immunities 
which had been granted, or confirmed, by Se- 
verus, were gradually repealed by the Chriftian 
princes ; and a rath tumult excited by the Jews 
of Paleftine *% feemed to juftify the lucrative 
modes of oppreffion, which were invented by the 



" The Mifnah denounced death againft thofe who abandoned the 
foundation. The judgment of zeal is expla'ined by Marlham (Canon. 
(;h^on. p. x6i9 162. edit. fol. London* 167a.) and-Bafnage (Hift. 
des Juifsy tom.viii. p. izc). Conibuitine made a law to proteA 
Chriftian converts from Judaifm. Cod Theod. l.xvi. tit» viii, leg. i. 
Oodeftoy, tom.vi. p. a 15. 

. 5^ Et interea (d,urmg the civil war of Magnentius) Judaecrum 
feditio, qui Patricium nefarie in regni fpeciem fuftulenint, opprefla, 
Aurelius Vi(flor, in Conftantio, c.jcjii. See TiUeniont, Hift. de&£m- 
pereuw, tom.iv. p.379, in 440. 



. bi<li<>pg 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, 95 

bkhops and eunuchs of the court of Conftantius- chap. 
The Jewifli patriarch, who was ftill permitted ,^^'^ 
to exercife a precarious jurifdi6lion, held his refi- 
dence at Tiberias"; and the neighbouring cities 
of Paleftine were filled with the remains of a p^o^ 
pie, who fondly adhered to the promifed land. 
But the edi6t of Hadrian was renewed and en- 
forced ; and they viewed from afar the walls of 
the holy city, which were profaned in their eyes 
by the triumph of the crofs, and the * devotion 
of the Chriftians^'. 

In the midfi of a rocky and barren country,* JcnilkUnb 
the walls of Jerufalem " inclofed the two moun- 
tains of Sion and Acra, within an oval figure of 
about three Englifli miles *°. Towards the fouth, 
the upper town, and the fortrefs of David, were 
erected on the lofty afcent of Mount Sion : on 
the north fide, the buildings of the lower town 
covered the fpacious fummit of Mount Acra ; 
tind a part of the hill, diilinguifiied by the name 
of Moriah, and levelled by human iftduftry^ 
was crowned with the ftately temple of the Je wifh 



'7 Tke city and fj^agogue of Tiberias are curioufly defcribed by 
Keland. Paleftin. torn. y. p. 1036 — 1043. 

'' Baiiilge has fully illufirated the fiate of the Jews under Coi^ 
fttetine and his fuoceflbn (torn. viiL c.iv. p. izi— -153.)* 

*9 Reland (Paleftin. 1. i. p. 309, 390. 1. iii. p. 838.) defcribes, \^th 
learning and perfpicuity^ Jeruj&lemy and the face of the adjacent 
country. 

^ I have confulted a rare and cmions treatife of M, D'AnviIItf 
(fur Tancienne Jeruiklem, Pans^ 1747* p. 75.)' The circumference 
cf the ancient city (fiufeb. Preparat. Evangel. 1. ix.*c. 36.) was 
twenty^feveit liadia, or 2550 toifij, A plan, taken on the fpot, 
affigns no more than 1980 for the modem town. The circuit is' 
defined by natural land-i&arks, which cannot be miibJo&n or re^ 
moved. 

K 2 nation* 



683468A 



,^^ TKE DECLINE AW0 PAIX 

CH A K DStion. After thecal deftrudiottdf the temple^ 
^^y^'il^ by the arms of Titus> and Hadrian, a plough* 
ihare wai} drawn over the conli^rated ground, 
ais a fign of perpetual interdi6lion. Sion was 
deferted; and the vacant fpace oi the l^OM^ef city 
was filled with the pnblic and private edifice* 
of the -ffllian colony, which fpread themfelve* 
dver the adjacent hill ot Calvary. The holy 
places^ were polluted with monumaits of idola- 
try; and, either from defign or accident, a chapel 
was dedicated to Venus, on the fpot which had 
been ianflified by tlie death and re&rrefilioii of 
Qirift ^°. Almoft three hundred years after thofb 
stupendous events, the profiine chapel of Venu» 
was demolifbed by the order of Conftantine ; and 
the removal of the earth and ilones revealed the 
holy lepukhreto the eyes of mankind. A magni- 
ficent church was^ erased o^that myftic ground, 
by the firft Chriftian Emperor; and the ettbSts of 
bis pious munificence were extended to every Q)Ot 
which had been confecrated by the footfl:eps of 
patriarchs, of prophets, and of the Son of God •^ 
Pilgrim. Tha paffionate defire of contemplating the 
»««»• original monuments of tlie redemptron, attracted 
to Jerulalera afucceflive crowd of pilgrims, from 
the fhores of the A^smtic ocean^, and the moff 

^ See two curious paflages in Jerom (torn. i. p. zosy torn, ti* 
F^3S5*)> an4 the ample deti^ of Tilleraont (Hift. dee E mpeie ui 'Sy 
t^B. i* p» s^ torn* ii* p» 289. 994. 4to edition)^ 

^' Eufebiiiik in Vit. Conftantm. Liii. c. 2I5-—47. 51. — ^55. The^ 
Smperor Ukewife built churches, a^ BetUem, the Moimt of 01ivcs». 
Mid- the oak of Mambre. Thr htAf fepulchre isi deicribed by: Sandytr. 
(Travolsf pw rA5-*i33,)» and curioufiy delineated by Le hnifny 
(Voyage au Levant, p. a88 — 296.). 

diftant 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^p^ 

diflaat <5©wxitri€S of the Eaft *' ; and their piety cuak 
was autborifed by the example of the Emprefe ^^^ ^^ 
Helena, who appears to have united the credUi- 
lity of age with the warm feelings of a recent 
converfion. Sages and heroes, who have vifited 
die memorable fcenes of ancient wifdom or glory 
have confefled the infpiration of the genius of 
the place ^^ ; and the Chriftian, who knelt before 
the holy fepulchre, afcribed his lively faith, and 
his fervent devotion, to the more immediate in- 
fluence of the Divine fpirit. The zeal, perhaps 
the avarice, of the clergy at Jerufalem, cherilhed 
and multiplied thefe beneficial vifits. They 
fixed, by unqueftionable tradition, the fcene of 
each memorable event. They exhibited the 
inftruments which had been ufed in the paflion 
of Chrifl; the nails and the lance that had 
pierced his hands, his feet, and his fide; the 
crown of thorns that was planted on h)s head ; 
the pillar at which he was fcourged; and, above 
all, they fliewed the crofs on which he fuffered, 
and which was dug out of the earth in the reign 
of thofe princes, who inferted the fymbol of 
Chriftianity in the banners of the Roman le- 
gions ^^ Such miracles^ as feemed neceflary to 

account 

^' The itinerary from Bourdeaux to Jerufalem» was compofed in 
the year 333, for the ufe of pilgrims ; among whom Jerom (tom. i. 
p. za6.) mentions the Britons and the Indians. The caufes of this 
fuperilitious fafhion are difcuiled in the learned and judicious preface 
of Wefieling (Itinerar. p. 537 — 545.)- 

*^ Ctcero (de Finibus, v. i.) has beautifully expreiled the commoa 
ienie of mankind 

^'^ Baroniuft (AnnaL Ecdef. A.D. 396. N' 43-^50.) and Til- 
iemont (Mem. £ccle£ tom^vii. p«8 — 16.) are the hiikirians and 

H 3 cham- 



i 02 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H A p^ account for its extraordinary prefervation, and 
^^ feafonable difcovery, were gradually propagated 
without oppofition. The cuftody of the true 
crojs^ which on Estiler Sunday was fotemnly ex-? 
pofed to the people, was entruftedto the Bifliop 
of Jerufalem ; and he alone might gratify the 
curious devotion of the pilgrims, by the gift of 
fmall pieces, which they enchafed in gold or 
gems, and carried away in triumph to their re- 
fpe6live countries. But as this gainful branch of 
cpmmerce muft foon have been annihilated,itwa» 
found convenient to fuppofe, that the marvel- 
lous v/ood poffeffed a fecret power of vegetation ) 
and that its fubftance, though continually dimi- 
nifti6d, ftill remained entire and unimpaired**. 
It might perhaps have been expefted, that the 
influence of the place, and the belief of a per- 
petual miracle, fliould have produced fome falu- 
tary effefts on the morals, as well as on the 
faith of the people. Yet the moft refpe6table 
of the ecckliaflical writers have been obliged to 
cpnfefe, not only that the flireets of Jerufalem 



champions of the miraculous invention of the crofs^ under the reign 
of Conffantihe. ' Iflieir oldeft 'witnelfeff are I^lmus, SalpicTus Sc» 
yeru8> l^pfinus, Ambrofe, and perhaps Cyril of Jerufalem. The 
jfilence of Eufebius, and the Bourdeaux pilgrim, which fatisfies thofe 
who think, perplexes thofe who Lelieve. See Jortin's feniible re- 
inarks, vol.'ii. p. 338— 248^* '' 

*^ This multiplication is aiferted by Pkufinus (Epifl. xxxvli. See 
Bupin, Bibliot. JEcclelt torn. iij. p. 149I), who feems to have im- 
proved a rhetorical floiirifllof C)'til into a real fad. The fame fu- 
pernatural privilege muft have been cornmunicated to the "Virgin** 
milk (Erafmi Opera, tom. i. p. 778. I/Ugd, Batav. 170J. in Col- 
loq. de Peregrinat. Religionis ergo), faints' heads, &c. and other re- 
]ic&, whkh were repeated. in fcmany dilfb^eat dhorch^Sr 

werq 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 103 

^ere filled with the inceflant tumult of bufinefs chap, 
and pleafure*"*, but that every fpecies of vice, ^^ ^^ 
adulter}'', theft, idolatry, poifoning, murder, was 
familiar to the inhabitants of the holy city «7, 
The wealth and pre-eminence of the church of 
Jerufalem excited the ambition of Arian, as well 
as orthodox, candidates; and the virtues of 
Cyril, who, fince his death, has been honoured 
with the title of Saint, were difplayed in the 
exercife, rather than in the acquifition, of his 
epifcopal dignity ^. 

The vain and ambitious mind of Julian might #uKan au 
afpire to reftore the ancient glory of the temple 1^,,^^ *^ 
of Jerufalem *'. As the Chriftians were firmly temple. 
perfuaded that a fentence of everlafting deftruc- 
tion had been pronounced againft the whole fabric 
of the Mofaic law, the Imperial fophift would 



''^ Jerom (torn. 1. p. 103.), wfio refided in the neighbouring vil- 
]age of Bethleniy defcribes the vices of Jerulktem from Ills pei*fbnal 
experience. 

^ Gregor. Nyflen, apud Wefleling, p. 539. The whole epjftle, 
which condemns either the ufe or the abufe of religious pilgrimage^ 
is painful to the Catholic divinesy while it is dear and fannliar to our 
Broteiknt polemics. 

^ He renounced his orthodox ordination^ officiated as a deacon* 
and was re-ordained by the hands of the Arians. But Cyril after- 
wards changed with the times, ^ and prudently conformed to the 
Nicene faith. Tillemont (Mem. Ecclef. torn. Yiii.)^ who treats his 
memory with tendemefs and refp^^ has thrown his virtues into the 
text) and his faults into the notes, in decent obfcurity, at the end of . 
the volume. 

^'.Imperii fui memoriam magnitudine operum gefiiens propa- 
gare. Anxmian. xxiii. i. The temple of Jerufalem had been 
famous even among the Gentiles. TJ^ had many temples in egch 
city (at Sichem five, at Gaza eight, at Rome four hundred and 
twenty-four) ; but the wealth and reh'gibn of the Je\riih nation wat 
fentered in one fpot. 



M 4 hav^ 



to- THE DECLINE AND FAH 

CHAP, have converted the iucceis of his undertal^ng^ 
^*^' into a Q)ecious argument againil the faith of 
prophecy, and the truth of revelation ''. He- 
was difpleafed with the ipiritual worfbip of the 
fynagQgue ; but he approved the inftitutions of 
IVIofes, who had not difdained to adopt many of 
the rites and ceremonies <^ Egypt ^'. The lopal 
^d national deity of the Jews was fincerely 
adored by a polytheift, who defired on|y to muU 
tjply the numbier of the gods'*; ^,^d fuch was 
the appetite of Julian for bloody facritice, th^t 
, his emulation might be excited by the piety of 
Solomon, who had offered, at the feaft pf the 
Dedication, twentyrtwo thou&nd pxen, and one 
hundred and twenty thouiand f|leep'^ Thefe 
confiderations might influence his defigns ; but 
the prpfpe^i: of an immedifite ai^d important ad- 



"^ The fecret intentions of Jiillan zn Feye^^Ied by thf late Biiliop 
o^ GloucefteFy the learned and dogmatic Warburton ; wbOf with the 
authority of a theologian, prefcribes the motives and condu^ of the 
Supreme Being. The difcourfe intitled Julian (ad edition^ LondofD^ 
1751), is firongly marked wit]i all the peculiarities which a^ impu^d 
to the VP^arburtonian fchooL 

7' I ihelter myfelf behind Maimonidesy Marfliamt Spj^cery I^ 
Clerc» Warburton» &o. who have fairly derided the fears> the fbUyy 
and the falfehood of fbme fuperititious divines. See Divine X^^atioQt 
vol. iv. p. 25, &c. 

7^ Julian (Fragment, p. 295.) refpe^^lly ftyles him /xiya; Qtag^ 
and mentions him elfewhere (Epifl. Ixiii.) with ftill higher reverenci. 
He doubly condemns the ChrifUans : for believing* and for renounc* 
ing the religion of the Jews. 'Their Deity was a truey but not the 
ofifyi God. Apud Cyril. 1. ix. p. 305, 306. 

'^ I Kings, viii, 63. a Chronicles, vii. 5. Jof^ph. Andquitat. 
Ji^daic. 1. viii. c. 4. p. 431. edit. Havercamp* As the blood and 
fr^ol&e of fo many hecatombs might be inconvenient, Lightfoott the 
ChrSUan rabbi, removes them by a miracle. Le Clerc (ad loci^} is 
bpld enough to fufpe^l the fidelity of the numbers. 



vantage. 



OF Tflg ItOMAN EMPIllE- . 105 

vantdge, wpuid not t^ff^ tbf) ii^pattent mgmaxdh q h A p. 
to expeiSb thf remote aii4 iroqertein event of the .^^^ 
Ferfian war. H« reiblyed t© ereft, without delays 
^ the commmding ^oiwence of Moriah, a 
ftately tetnple^ wbioh might eclipfe the fplendor 
qf the church of the Refurreftion, on the adja^ 
cent hill of Calvary; to eftablifb an order of 
priefts, whofe interefted i^eal would deteft thQ 
^ts^ and refift the ambition of their Chriftian 
rivals; and to invite a numerous colony of Jews, 
vhofe ftern &naticifm would be always prepared 
tp fecond) and even to anticipate, the hoftilq 
ine^ures of the Pagan government. Among the 
friends of the Emperor (if the names of empe* 
ror and of friend are pot incompatible) the firfl 
place waj| afligned by Julian himfelf, to the vir^ 
tpous ^nd learned Alypius^^ The humanity of 
Alypius was tempered by fevere juftice, and 
mainly fortitude; and while he exercifed his 
abilities in the civil adminiftration of Britain, he 
im^^ted, in his poetical compofitions, the har« 
ipony ai^d fQftnefs of the odes of Sappho. This 
miniiler, to whom Julian communicated^ with- 
out r^lerv^ h\9 moft carele& levities, and his 
mod ferious counfels, received an extraordinary 
commiifion to reftore, in its prifline beauty, the 
temple of Jerufalem ; and the diligence of Aly- 
pius required and obtained the ftrenuous fupport 
of the governor of Paleftine. At the call of their 
great deliverer, the Jews, from all the provinces 
of the empire, aHfembled on the holy mountain 

7* «Rulian» epift. zzizt xxx. La BIfterie has Hegtodldd to tranllate 

of 



lo6 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, of their fathers; and their infolent triumpfa 
^^^' , alarmed and exaQ>erated the Chriftian inhabit- 
ants of Jeruialem • Hie defire of rebuilding the 
temple has, in every age, been the ruling pai&on 
of the children of Ifrael. In this propitious mo- 
ment the men forgot their avarice,and the women' 
their delicacy ; ipades and pickaxes of filver were 
provided by the vanity of the rich, and the rub- 
bi(h was tranlported in mantles of filk and 
purple. Every purfe was opened in liberal con- 
tributions, every hand claimed a (hare in the 
pious labour; and the commands of a great 
monarch were executed by the enthufiafin of a 
whole people ". 
The enter- Yet, ou this occafiou, the joint efforts of 
prifcisde- power and enthuiSafin were unfucceisful ; and 
' the ground of the Jewiih temple, which is now 
covered by a Mahometan mofque'% Hill con- 
tinued to exhibit the fame edifying ipedtade of 
ruin and defolation. Perhaps the abfence and 
death of the Emperor, and the nei;^ miaxims of a 
Chriftian reign, might explain the interruption' 
of an arduous work, which was attempted only 
in the laft fix months of the life of Julian "• 



^5 Sec the zesd and impatience of the Jews m Gregory Nazumzen 
(Orat. iv. p. 1 1 z.) and Theodoret (L Hi. c. 20.). 

"^ Built by Omar, the fecond Khalif, who died A. D. 644. Thifi 
great mofque covers the whole confecrated ground of the Jewiih tern- 
|rfe> and conftitutes afanoft a fqoare of 760 tvfest at one RamaQ mils 
in circnmference. See D'AnviUe Jeru£dem» p. 45. 

'" Ammianus records the confuls of the year ^6^9 before he pco* 
ceeds to mention the fbougbts of Julian* Temj^om ... inftanrare 
fumptibus cogitabat inunodicis. Warbiqton has a fecret wiih to anti* 
cipate the defign ; but he mnft have undeiftood^ from former examples* 
that the exQ^otion of fuch a work would have dnmandcd many yeacs* 

^ But 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. . ,07 

But the Chriftians entertained a natural and chap. 
pious expectation y that, in this memorable con- -^^^^ 
teft, the honour of religion would be vindicated 
by fome fignal miracle. An earthquake, a whirl- 
wind, and a fiefy eruption, which overturned 
and fcattered the new foundations of the temple-, 
are attefted, with fome variations, by contem- 
porary and reipeftable evidence '^ This public 
event is defcribed by Ambrofe'*, Bifhop of Mi- 
lan, in an epiftle to the Emperor Theodolius, 
which muft provoke the fevere animadverJBon of 
the Jews; by the eloquent Chryfoftom% who 
might appeal to the memory of the elder part of 
his congregation at Antioch ; and by Gregory 
Nazianzen^', who publiflied his account of the perhaps by 
miracle before the expiration of the fame year. ^^^!^' 
The laft of thefe writers has boldly declared, event, 
that this preternatural event was not diiputed by 
the infidels; and his affertion, ftrange as it may. 

'• The fubfequent wknefles, Socrates, Sozomen, Theodoret, Philo* 
ftorgiusy &c. add contradiiSlionsj rather than authorit)'. Cotapjipc 
the objedlions of Bafnage (Hiil. des Juifs, torn. viii. p. 157-;— 168.) 
with Warburton's anfwers (Julian, p. 174 — 258.). The bifhop has 
ingenioufl^ explained the miraculous erodes which appeared on the 
garments of the fpet^ators by a fimilar inilance, and the natural efieiSls 
of lightmii^y ^ 

^' Ambrof. torn. ii. epift. xl. p. 946. edit. Benedi(5lin. He ccmipoied 
this fanatic epiftle (A. £>. 388.) to juftify a bifhop, who had been con* 
demned by the civil magiftrate for burning a fynagogue. 

** Chryfoftom, torn. L p. 580. adverH Judaeos et Gentess toni.ii. 
p. 574. de S** fiabyla, edit. Montfaucon. I have followed tlie com- 
mon and natural fuppolition ; but the learned Benedidllnes who date% 
the compofition of thefe fermons in the year 3831.18 confident they 
were never pronounced from the pulpit. 

** Greg. Nazianzen, Orat. iv. p. 110—113. To h w wgfiffonTot 

feem,- 



,o8 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

gukv, feem, is confirmed by the unexceptimiable teftir 
1^^' ^ many of Ammianus Marcellinus'S The pbilo*' 
fophic foldier, who loved the virtues, without 
adopting the prejudices of his mailer, has re- 
corded, in his judicious and candid hiilory of 
his own times, the extraordinary obftacles which 
interrupted the reitoration of the temple of 
Jerufalem. ** Whilft Alypius, aififted by the 
** governor of the province, urged with vigour 
^^ and diligence the execution of the work, 
<^ horrible balls of fire breaking out near the 
<< foundations, with frequent and reiterated 
*^ attacks, rendered the place from time to time, 
<^ inaccefiible to the fcorched and blaftied work^ 
^^ men } and the vi6i;orious element continuing 
^^ in this manner, obftinately and refolutely bent, 
^^ as it were, to drive them to a diftance, the 
" omdertaking was abandoned.'' Such authority 
ihould. fatisfy a believing, and mutl aftonifli an 
incredulous, mind. Yet a philofopher may ilill 
require the original evidence of impartial and 
intelligent fpe6i;ators. At this important crifis, 
9.ny Angular accident of nature would aiTume the 
appearance, and produce the effefts, of a real 
prodigy. This glorious deliverance would be 

*' Ammian. xxili. z. Cum iuque rei fortittr inftaret A]ypini» jih 
V9retque provinciae reAor> metuendi globi flammarum prope .funda- 
i&enta crebris aiTultibus erumpentes fecere locum exuftis aliquoties 
operantibus inacceflum ; hocque modo elemento deftinatius repeUente^ 
teflavit mceptum. Warburton labours (p. 60^90.) to extort a con* 
fleffion of the miracle from the mouths of Julian and Libaniusf and to 
employ the evidence of a rabbi» who lived in the fifteenth centmy* 
Such witneifes can only be received by a vary fevourable judge. 

10 ipeedily 



OF THE ROHAN EMPIHE. xcg 

Ipeedfly improved and magnified by the |^i6uisr c rt a P. 
art of the clergy of Jerufalem, and the active .^^'^ 
credulity of the Chriftian world; and, at the 
diftance of twenty years, a Roman hiftoriany 
careiefs of thediogicai difputes, might adorn his; 
work with the fpecious and fplendid miracle''. 

The reftoration of the Jewiih temple was P^utiailty 
fecretly conne6led with the ruin of the Chriftian ^f J«K». 
church. Julian ftill continued to maintain the 
freedom (^religious worflrip) without diftingnifli. 
ing whether this univerfal toleration proceeded 
from his juftice, or his clemency. He affedled 
to pity the unhappy Chriftians, who were mif- 
taken in the moft important obje6l of their lives ; 
but his pity was degraded by contempt, his con- 
tempt was embittered by hatred ; and the fen- 
timents of Julian were expreffed in a ftyle of 
Ikrcaftic wity which inflidls a deep and deadly 
wound, whenever it iifues from the mouth of a 
ibvereign; As he was feniible that the Chriftians 
gloried in: the name of their Redeemer, he coun- 
tenanced, and perhaps enjoined, the ufe of the 
leis honourable appellation of GALiLi&ANs'\ 
He declared, that, by the folly of the Galilasans^ 

*^ Dr.LjBPdncry perhaps alone of the ChrifBan criticsy prefumes to 
doubt the truth of this famous miracle (Jewiih and Heathen Teftn 
monies^ vol. iv. p.47»-7i«)* The filence of Jerome would lead to 
a fu^idpn* that the fame ftory» which was celebrated at a diftance, 
ani^t be defpifcd on the fpot. 

**■ Greg. Naz. Orat. iii. p. 8i. And this law was confirmed 'by 
the invarbble pra6Uce of Julikn himfelf. Warburton has juftly oti* 
Ibrved (p. 35.)» that the Platonifts believed in 'the myfterious ^rtue of 
iroAb ; and Julian's diflflce for the name of Chrift might proceed from 
fuperftition» as well as from contempt. 

whom. 



J lo THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, whom he defcribes as a feft of fanatics, coti- 
K^^^nL/ temptible to. men, and odious to the gods, the 
eiripire had been reduced to the brink of de- 
ftruiSlion ; and he infinuates in a J)ublic ediiSl, 
that a frantic jpatient might fometimes be cured 
by falutary violence ^^ An ungenerous diftinc- 
tion was admitted into the mind and counfels of 
Julian, that, according to the difference of their 
religious fentiments, bnepart of his fubje6ts 
deferved his favour and friendfhip, while the 
other was entitled only to the common benefits 
that his juftice- could not refufe to an obedient 
people ^^ According to a principle, pregnant 
with mifchief and oppreffion, the Emperor trans- 
ferred to the pontiffs of his own religion, the 
management of the liberal allowances from the 
public revenue, which had been granted to the 
ehurch by the piety of Conftantine and his fons. 
The proud fyftem of clerical honours and immu- 
liities, which had been conftru6led with fo much 
art and labour, was levelled to the ground ; the 
hopes of teftamentary donations were intercepted^ 
by the rigour of the laws ;• and the priefts of the 

Chrillian ie6l were confounded with the fail and 

« 

^ Fragment. Julian, p. a 8 8. He derides the fAE^i» TecXiXaM 
(Epift. vii.)y and fo far lofes fight of the principles of toleration^ a 
to wifli (£pift. xlii.) u xovraj lourQui, . 

.''^ Ov yap jtxo* Qtfuq sr* >tO|ui»^6jut£» vt gXtaipsiu 

Thefe two lines, which Julian has changed and perverted in the true 
fpirit of a bigot (Epift. xlix.), are taken from the fpeech of JSohis» 
when he refufes to grant Ulyfles a frelh fupply of winds (OdyiK x. 
73,). Libanius (Orat. Parent, c. lix^ p. a 86.) attenapts to juftifjr this 
{xartial behaviour^ by an apok>gy> in which perfecution peeps through- 
the malk of candour. 

: molt 



OP THE ROMAN EMPIRE. i H 

moft ignominious cla& of the peo}de. Such of c H A p. 
thefe regulations as appeared neceffary to check ^J^^*^ 
the ambition and avarice of the ecclefiaftics, 
were foon afterwards imitated by the wifdom of 
an orthodox prince. The peculiar diilin£tions 
which policy has beflowed, or fuperftition has 
lavifhed, on the facerdotal order, rrmfi be con- 
fined to thofe priefts who profefe the religion of 
the ftate. But the will of the legiflator was not 
exempt from prejudice and paffion ; and it wa» 
the, obje6l of the infidious policy of Julian, 
to deprive the Chriftians of all the temporal 
honours and advantages which rendered them 
refpe^lable in the eyes of the world ^^ 
. A juft and fevere cenfure has been- iiiflidled He pro- 
on the law which prohibited the Chriftians fi;ora chriftian» 
teaching the arts of grammar and rhetoric '^ fromteach- 
The motives alleged by the Emperor to juftify ^^s^^«^* 
this partial and oppreffive meafure, might com- 
mand, during his life-time, the filence of flaves 
and the applaufe of flatterers. Julian abufes the 
ambiguous meaning of a word which might be 
indifferently applied to the language and the 
religion of the Greeks : he contemptuoiiily 
obferveB, that the men who exalt the merit of 
implicit faith are unfit to claim or to enjoy the 
advantages of fcience ; ^and he vainly contends, 

•^ Thefe laws which affeifted the clergy, may be found in the 
night hints of Julian himfelf (Epift. lii.), in the vague declan^ationi of 
Gregory (Orat. iiL p. 86, 87.), 'and in the pofitiye affertions of So- 
iomen {l.v. c-5.}. 

^ Inclement • •' p perenni obruendum iUei)tio. Animian. xzii. 
Z0« XXV. 5. . ' . . 

' that 



lit TRZ CEGLINK AM5 fALh 

e H A P. that if they refufe to adott th6 god« Af itdiitfr 
^°™^ and Decliofthenes, they ought to content them-* 
ielves with expounding Luk^ and Matthew in the 
churches of the Galila^ans^^* Iti all the cHies of 
the Roman worlds tb« edueatioh c^ th€f ycuVS 
waift entrufted to maiieii'd of graifamar^.todf rhe*- 
toric ; who were ele^ed by the n^iilrate^, 
maititained at thre |>ubKc expe^e, and diftii!N 
guiihed by many lucrative and hdnouFa:^^ pri* 
vileges. The edi6t rf Jnliafl appeals €6 have 
includ^ed the phyficiand^ and profeffors of all the 
fiberal arts ; and the Emperor, Who reserved to 
bimfelf the approbatioif of the candidate^, wad 
authorifed by the laws to corrupt, or to punilh^ 
the religious conftancy of the moft learned of the 
Chriftians^'. As foon as the relignatiorr of the 
more obftinat^^' teachers had eflablifbed the 
unrivalled dominion of the Pagan fophiflis, Julian 
^vited the rifing generation to refort with free- 
dom to the public fchools, in a jufl! confidence^ 

^ The edidl itfelf, which is ftill extant among the epiftles o£ Ju- 
fixn {itXu.)t itoay be compared with the loofe inireAives of Gregory 
(Ohit.iii. p. 96.). TiUemont (Mem.. Ecckf. tom.vlf. 1^.1291 — 
IJ194.) has colledled the feeming differences of ancients and moderns. 
They may be eafily reconciled. The Chriftians were direBlj forbid 
to teach, they were' i^^r^^^fc^rbid to leafn; fince they Vould nof 
frequent the fchools of the Pagans. . 

^'^ Codex Theodof. 1- xiii. tit. iii. de niedicis et profcnbribus; 
leg^5. (publiflied the 17th of June, received^ at Spolieto in Italy^ thtf 
»9th of July> A* D. 363) with Godefroy's Illufirationsy torn. y. 

P-3I- 

'* Orofhis celebrates their difinterefted refolution> ^icut a mat- 
joribtts nofiris compertutii habemus> omnes liblque propemoduxii 
• • • . officium <|uam fidem deferere nialoerunt» yii. 30. l^oaerefiust 
a Chriftian fophift, refufed to accept the partial favour of tfie Emperor* 
H ierony tAi. in ClttOti. jS. t%s» ^^^* ^^^igcK Evnapius in Proce* 
relioyp. z»6. 

that 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 



"3 



that their tender minds would recehre the im« c H A Ki 
preflBonsofliterataire and idolatry- Ifthegr^teft ^^^™^_^ 
part of the Chriftian yoath fliould be detevred 
by thdr own fcropl^Sy or by thofe of their |Mi- 
rents, from accepting this dangerous mode of 
inilru6tiom9 they miifty at the fame time, relim 
^aifli the beneiits of a liberal education. Julmn 
had reafon to expert that, in the fpace of a few 
years, the church Would idapfe iiiito rta prhMs- 
val fimplicity, and that th^e theologians^ wba 
poffefied an adequate fhaf e of tbd karning and 
ebquence of the ag^ would be foeceeded by a* 
generation of bSnd and ignorant fanatics,, inca^ 
pable of^ defending tbel^uth of theit own prin- 
ciples, or of expofing ihe various follies of 
Poiytheifin''*. 

It was undoubtedly the wi& and the de&gUi of Di%ace 
Jdaan to deprive the Chrillian&of the advanta^^ ib^^^' 
of wealth, of knowkdge, and of power ; bm^ tbei^ Chnfiiant. 
injisftice of excluding them from all officesi of 
truft and profit, feems to have been th^ refiik of 
his general policy, rather than tfae^ immediate 
i^nfequence of any positive laW^^ Superior 
merit might deferve^ and obtain^ fi>me extiraosv 

^' They had recoarib to the expedient ci compofiog books for 
Iheir own fchools. Within a few months Apollinaris produced hir 
Chriftiaa imttatimis of Homer (a &cred hi&jory in xxiv book»y 
Piiujary £iiripides>> and Menaader ; and Soaomea ir fatisfiedy that 
ihey equalled, or excelled) the originals. 

9^ It was the inftrudlion of Julian to his magifirates (£pift. vii.) 
^^onfjMffQiDU f4,a toi tc^ ^tonffui kch vow ^vijui $»y. Soxomen (\,vi 
^. i8.) and Socrates (U iii. c. 13.} muft be reduced to the fiandard 
of Gregory (Orat. iii. p. 95.) > not lefs prone to exaggeration, butmort 
^eftratnied by the a6iuid' knowledge of his centemponoy leaders. 

VOX. ly. I dinary* 



J 14 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, dinary exceptions j but the greater part of the 
^^y^' , Chriftian officers were gradually removed from 
theiremployments in the date, the army, and the 
provinces. The hopes of future candidate^ were 
extinguilhed by the declared partiality of a 
prince, who malicioufly reminded them, that it 
w^s* unlawful for a Chriftian to ufe the fword, 
eitlt^r of jtiftice, or of war; and who ftudi- 
dtrily guarded the camp and the tribunals with 
the enfigns of idolatry* The powers of govern- 
ment were entrufted to the Pagans, who pro- 
feffed an ardent zeal for the religion of their 
anceftors ; and as the choice of the Emperor was 
aften dire6led by the rules of divination, the 
favourites whom he preferred as the moft agree- 
able to the gods, did not always obtain the ap- 
probation of mankitid^*. Under the adminiftra- 
tion of their enemies, the Chriftians had much 
to fuffer, and more to apprehend. The temper 
of Julian was averfe to cruelty ; and the care of 
his reputation, which was expofed to the eyes of 
the univerfe, reftrained the philofophic monarch 
from violating the laws of juftice and toleration, 
which he himfelf had fo recently eftabliflied. 
But the provincial minifters of his authority were 
placed in a lefs confpicuous Itation. In the 
exercife of arbitrary power, they confulted the 
wifties, rather than the commands, of their fove- 
reign; and ventured to exercife a fecret and vex* 
atious tyranny againft the fetlaries, on whom they 

^ "ftijiu Gemv km hiiii Kou ij,n Skiui: Llbaoiusi Orat. Parent, c. 88.. 
p. 3x4. 

were 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.'^ , iig 

were not permitted to confer the honours of mar- c H A p- 
tyrdom. The Emperor, who difleraibled as long^ xxni. 
as poffible, his knowledge of the injuftice that 
was exercifed in his name, expreffed his real fenfe 
of the condu^ of his officers, by gentle reproofs 
and iubflantial rewards^/. 

The moft effectual inftrument of oppreffion. They m 
with which they were armed, was the law that IT^^ 
obliged the Chriftians to make full and ample the Pagan 
fatisfaiaion for the temples which they had de- ^^""P^"' 
ftroyed under the preceding reign. The zeal of 
the triumphant church had not always expe6ted 
the fan6tion of the public authority ; and the 
biihops, who were fecure of impunity, had often 
marched at the head of their congregations, to 
attack and demolifh the fortrefles of the prince 
of darknefs. The confecrated lands, which had 
increafed the -patrimony, of the fovereign or of 
the clergy, were clearly defined, and eafily re- 
ilored. But on thefe lands, and on the ruins of 
Pagan fuperftition, the Chriftians had frequently 
erefted their own religious edifices : and as it 
was neceflary to remove the church before the 
temple could be rebuilt, the juftice and piety of 
the Emperor were applauded by one party, while 
the other deplored and execrated his facrilegious 
violence^. After the ground was cleared, the 

. 9S Greg* Naz. Or9|. iiL p«74* .9X9 92- Socrates, l.iiL c.X4. 
Thepdoreti Liu. c 6* Sgaifi drawback may however be allowed 
for the violence of tifeir zeal, not leis partial than the zeal of Julian. ' v 
^ If we compare the gentle language of Libanius (Orat. Parent. 
c. 6o. p. 286.) with the paifionate exclamations of Gregory (Orat. iii. 
p.86> 87. )» we may fiiid it difficult to perTuade purfelvesy that the 
two oraton are really def6ibi]^g the Dune events. 

12 reftitution 



,^1^, TMl I>KCUNX AND TAtih 

c R A P. TcfttttttAcMt of thofe ftately ftrmftiiTM^ yihxeh bad 
L^^?!L J ^^^ lev©U«el ifith the duft ; and of thie precioi« 
oniamftftts^ wbidii hud bean coaYerted b» Cbtri^ 
tian ufes^ fweUed into m rwy^ bige. acfioimt 0C 
idAQU^w and ctebt The authow of the injiiry 
had neither the ability ijor the iinclmatton tQ dilK 
charfo tbk accumulated detnand : andr the im- 
partial wiaom of a legiflatof would have been 
di^^byed in baUocing l^e advetfe ckims md 
eemplaint^ by an equHaUe and tempiefaito ar** 
t^rafeioax But tbewhoie empire and paftkU'* 
lai^ly ti» Eaft, was thcown into confufian by^tJMk 
i^ edi^Sl^ of JuHmii ; and the P!»gan mi^giftratesi, 
Itemed by zeal and revenge^ abuifiNi the ci* 
g»w^ pivUe^ €kf ^e Eoman law, which full* 
ftitutcs, w the plaeft e^hia inadequate property, 
the pc^fim of^ the iAfolv^* debAon Undei? U» 
pfecidwy «eigo, Mark, BiAap of Arethi4f**% 
h%d laliiwred in tb^ eojaverfiott of hi^: people with 
maa^ raoce dSft&.mi than tiMe of perfuafio«*% 
Tka^ nuigiftrate^ ireqiiii^ the full value ei ^ tom^ 
pte which had. been ditftroyed by his^ int^leradatt 
7»sil ^ bit asi they were fatifified of his poverty^ 

^ B^ftajiy, or Aretbu&f att thf. equiJ difUnce of fixteen mU«6 ber 
tweenrEmeik ('Hilmj)> and Epipliania (Hamath)^ was founds, or 
aniMft nwttd^ l»f Si^ueuftKtcaloe.. fitc^pecwlut a(ni(kU3» ton tkr 
j^ of Rom«.^»i ; accor^ng to the i»«W«iq1! tljp city. Iii thekd«- 
d^ne oPthe Seleucides, Emefa and Arethuli were ufbrped by the Arab 
S^mpficeramusy whofe pofterity, the vaflals of Rome> were not exdn- 
l^nflied m thr reign^ of Ve^a&Hif Sbe^ &AsefS&x?% Map and Geq- 
g^he Ancieim^ torn. ii» pv it^ Weflllini** Itineraria, p. iM» 
and^Norif. j^och* Syro-Mscedbn* p^ ^. 4^) 48^* 

*• &WHn«>>. L. v.. c. ^Q,, It ii. (UrBiifujl^ ^^. Gregpny and Theo- 
4W!^ ibl>yl4. fijppcefs ai<i«!Q.Ui»ftiWfifo;wlwcJ, Uu tfeeir eyes, muft 6«rc 
enhanced the religiouei^infiri^ Qltti^oQqfjeilili:^ 

13 they 



Of THt JUMAH mXPtatU 11^ 

they 4«Ared only to hmd hlft i^eidMe ^tit to fl it a r 
tii« proraife of the fli^hteft <?ottipenfiitioft. Tb^y /^™P\ 
apprehmd^ the aged prelate^ tbey inhusilinly 
&ooiffed him> tbey tore hib benril; Md his 
MJced body, andifited \rith boi^y,wuMpefided, 
in a net) between heaven and earth, and ea^ 
poftd to the ftings of infers and the myi; ^ a 
Syrian fun*". From thi« toily ft^ion, Mark 
ftiU perfifted to glory in, bis erim^^ end to infult 
Ibe impotent rage of his perfecutxiyrs; He wafr 
et length t^fouel from their handS) and difmifl^d 
to ei^joy the honour of his divine triumph. The 
Arians celebrated the virtne of their pioud con^ 
hSbti the Catholics ambitiondy claimed hie 
aUiaoce''^; and the Fagans^ who might be M^ 
eeptible of fliame or remorfe, were deterred from 
the repetition of fuch unavailing cruelty "^^ 
Julian ij^ared his life t but if the Biihop of 

M The MTttinfi «id tooMmmy of Mftrk» ydAck Gitf^ hn h 
tngicaHly |>amted (Orat. iii. p. 88 — 9u)f are confirmed by the un- 
itteptibtuble and tehi^tMit evidehcft of Likmiuft. Ma^xo; (kuw^ 

tiiu$. fipift. 730. p. 350, 35 !• idft. W^. Amftel. 1738. 

*^ Tlt^i fjMxnr o^f certatim eum fibi (Chriftiaxii) vindicant. It is 
flHB Ufett Ln Occat attd W elUilit (iul IdcO b&t^ ei^pteined a Creek 
wordy whole trvit n^H^tiitiMi had be(A Miftakeh hf fbrtner iiiteN 
plvMrsy knd «t«n by Le Chttt (BSblkiitheque Aticiehne et Moderne» 
IOili.ui. p. 37t.) Y«t fiflenibtit is flrati^ly pti2zled to libderibfid 
(Mem. £ctle£ tMtt. vii PW1309.) ^&»w Grtgory atid Hieodoret tould 
tfrfMke A SefhRArian ^ifhbp !br t ftiiit. 

"*' See the probable advice of Salluft (Gffeg. Nazianzeft, Orat. lii. 

&9X.). libanitlS iftt^edes for a fimilar offender, left they fhould 
IMny Mafkj) ftt he sdlows, thit it Orion hid fecreted the con- 
ftented Wt alth, he ddi^SVed to fti^ the pU&ilhmeiit of Marfyas ; 
15 b« Jbytd a!iY« (£]^ 73d. p. 249— U '•. 

13 Arethufa 



J J g THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. Ar6thula had &ved the infancy of Julian "*^ 
xxm. pofterity will condemn the ingratitude, inftead 
of praifing the clemency, of the Emperor. 
Thettm- ^^ ^^ diftance of five miles from Antioch^ 
pie and la^ the Macedonian kings of Syria had confecrated 
of Dsmh^ to Apollo oue of the mod el^ant places of de- 
votion in the Pagan world *°^ A magnificent 
temple rofe in honour of the god of light ; and 
his coloflal figure ^''^ almoft filled the capacious 
ian6tuary, which was enriched with gold and 
gems, and adorned by the ikill of the Grecian 
artifts. The deity was reprefented in a bending 
attitude, with a golden cup in his hand, pour- 
ing out a libation on the earth ; as if he fuppli* 
cated the venerable mother to give to his arms 
the cold and beauteous Daphne : for the fpot 
was ennobled by fidtion } and the fancy of the 
Syrian poets had tranfported the amorous tale 
from the banks of the Feneus to thofe of the 
Orontes. Thie ancient rites of Greece were imi- 
tated by the royal colony of Antioch. A ftream 
of prophecy, which rivalled the truth and repu- 
tation of the Delphic oracle, flowed from the 

"^' Gregory (Orat. iii. p.9o.) is (atxsfied that* by ikvmg ^the apo- 
fiatey Mark bad defervedftill more than he had fufifered. 
^ 103 «p|je groye and temple of Daphne are deicribed by Strabo 
(I. xvL p. io89f 1090. edit. AmfieL xyoy.)^ Libanius (Naenia> p. 185* 
188. Antiochic. OnUxL p. 38o> 381.)^ and Sozomen (l.v. c. 19.). 
WefTeling (Itinerar. p. 581.) and Caiaubon (ad Hift. Auguit p. 64.) 
illuftrate this curious fubje^l. 

'^ Shnulacrum in eo Olympiad Jovis imitamenti aequiparaiiB 
magnitudinema Ammian.xxii« 13. The Olympic Jupiter was fizty 
feet high, and his bulk was confequently equal to that of a thouiand 
men. See a curious Membire of the Abbe Gedoyn (Academie des 
InlcriptioBs^ torn* ix« p. I98«). 

15 CqftaUan 



xxni. 



OF THE ROMAN ENflPIRE. uy 

CqftaUan fountain of Daphne ^K In the adja- c H. A l% 
cent fields a iladium was built by a ipecial pri- 
vilege *°*, which had been purchafed from Elis ; 
the Olympic games were celebrated at the 
expence of the city; and a revenue of thirty 
thouiand pounds ilerling was annually applied 
to the public pleafures '°'. The perpetual refprt 
of pilgrims and fpe6lators, infenfibly formed, in 
the neighbourhood of the temple, the ftately 
and populous village of Daphne, which emulated 
the iplendpr, without acquiring the title, of a 
provincial city. The temple and the village 
were deeply bofomed in a thick grove of laurels 
and cypreffes, which reached as far as a circum- 
ference of ten miles, and formed in the mod 
fultry fummers a cool and impenetrable fhade. 
A thoufand ftreams of the pured water, iffuing 
from every hill, preferved the verdure of the 



^ Hadrkn read the hiftoiy of his future fortunes on a leaf dipped 
in the Caiialian ftream; a tricky which, according to the phyfician 
Vandale (de Oraculis, p. %%iy i82*)» might be eadly performed by 
thymical preparations. The Emperor flopped the fource of fiich 
dangerous knowledge ; which was again opened by the devout curio* 
fity of Julian. 

"^ It was purchafed, A. D. 44, in the year 92 of the sra of 
Antioch (Norif. Epoch. Syro-Maced. p. 139—174.) for the term of 
lunety Olympiads. But the Olympic gapies of Antioch were not 
regularly celebrated till the reign of Commodus. See the curious 
details in the Chronicle of John Malala (torn. i. p. 193. 320. 37>— 
381.), a writer whofe merit and authority are confined within the " 
limits of his native city. 

^ Fifteen talents of gold, bequeathed by Sofibius^ who died in 
the reign of Auguftus. The theatrical merits of the Syrian cities, in 
the age of Confbuitine, are compared in. the Expoiitio totius Mundi» 
p. 6. (Hudfon, Geograph. Minor, torn. liL). . \ .. 



I 4 earthy 



f M THE DECLINE AND FAIX 

eHAB.eftith, and the temperature of the air; theiSsnies 

^"°^ were gratified widi haroioniofis fimiidB uul aro« 

matic odouiB ; and the peaoefiil grove was con«^ 

iecrated to health and joy, to luxury and lowe* 

Hie vigorous youth purfiied, like Apollo, the 

objeft of his defires; and the bluihing maid was 

warned, by the fate of Daphne, to fliun the folfy 

of unfeaCbnable coyneis. The fibldier »id tlm 

philolbpher wifdy avoided the temptation of diis 

ienfual paradife'"**; where pleafiire, afiuming the 

charafter (^religion, imperceptibly diflblved the 

^firmnels of manly virtue. But. the groves of 

DajAne continued for many ages to enjoy the 

veneration of natives and ftrangers ; the privit- 

leges o£ the holy ground w«*e enlarged by the 

munificence crf'fttcceeding emperors; and every 

gen^raticm added new ornaments to the ^endor 

of the temple '^. 

N^ed When Julian, on the day of the annual fei^ 

andpnoA^ ^y^j^ haftened to adore the Apollo of Daphne, 

Dj^hne. his devotion was raifed to the higfaeft pitch of 

eagemefi and impatience. His lively imaginar 

tion anticipated the grateful pomp of victims, of 

libations, and of incenfe; a long proceflion of 

youths and virgins, clothed in white robes, th^ 

"* AMo Caffio Synaeos legioiies dedi loxnrii diffiiientes et 
JktpbmcU QOfibiis. Thefe are &e words of tbft Emperor Marcus 
Antamnns, in an original letter preferved by hU biographer in HilL 
Ai^^iift. p. 41. Caflhis difinifled or pumflied every foldier wbo was 
ften at Daphne. 

"^ Afiqoantiim agramn Da^menAns dedit (Pwmpey)^ quo hicns 
Am fa tki fi or Seret; deleAatas amcenitate lod et aqoanim abim- 
daatou Eatropnisy tL 14* Seailns Rvfos, dc Brovincita^ c.x6. 

fymbol 



OF THE ROMAN lOSFTKE. Ht 

fymbol of their innocence ; and the tumultuoas c u A F. 
concoillrfe of an innumerable people* But the ^^ ' ^ 
seal of Antioch was diverted^ fince the reign of 
Chriftianity, into a different channeL Inftead of 
hecatombs of fat oxen iacrificied by the tribes of 
a wealthy oity to their tutelar deity, the Em** 
peror complains that he found only a fingle 
goofe, provided at the expence of a pneft, the 
pale and folitary inhabitant of this decayed 
temple "^ The altar was de&rted, Ihe oracle 
had been reduced to fiience, and the holy ground 
was pro&ned by the introdu&ion of Chriftian 
and funeral rites. AfterBabylas '" (a bifliop of 
Antioch, who died in prifon in the perlecution 
of Decins) had refted near a century in his 
grave, his body, by the order of theCsfal* Gal» 
lus, was tranfpOrted into the mid(l.6f the grove 
of Daphne. A msgnifieent church was ereded 
over his remains ; a portion of the iacred lands 
was ufurped for the maintenance of the clergy, 
and for the burial of the Chriftians of Antioch, 
who were ambitious of lying at the feet of their 
bifliop; andthepriefts of* Apollo retired, with 
their affrighted and indignant votaries. As foon 



"^ Julian (Miibpogoiiy p. 3619 362.) difcoren hif own dumber 
"With that naivetet tlut vsgoiiIcwim fimpUckyt wliich always confii* 
tutes |;enuine humoor. 

'" Babylaa u named by Eufeblus m the fucceffion of the bilhops of 
Antioch (Hift Ecdef. L vL c. 29. 39.). Hb triumph over two empe- 
tt>r8 (the firft fabulous^ the fecond hiftorical) is diffiifely celebrated 
by Chryfoftom (torn. ii. p. 536—5 79. edit. Mont£uicon ). TUlemont 
(Mem. EccleC tom.iiL partiL -p. 2S7 — 30a. 459-*-465.) becomes 
admoft a iceptic. • 

as 



124 THE DECLINE AND TALL 

c H A P. as another revolution feemed to reftore the for* 
v^^f^^ t**°® of Paganifm, the church of St.Babylas was 
demolifhed, and new buildings were added to 
the mouldering edifice which had beenVaifed by 
the piety of Syrian kings*. But the firft and 
moft ferious care of Julian was to deliver his 
opprefled deity from the odious prefence of the 
dead and living Chriilians, who had fo effectually 
fuppreffed the voice of fraud or enthufiafin "*. 
The fcene of infection was purified, according 
*«n»^ to the forms of ancient rituals ; the bodies were 
bodi«,and ^®^®^*^y r^moved ; and the minifters of the 
conflagra- church Were permitted to convey the remains of 
tenrfe.** StBabylas to their former habitation within the 
walls of Antioch. The modeil behaviour which 
might have affuaged the jealoufy of an hoftile 
government, was neglected on this occafion by 
the zeal of the Chriflians. The lofty car, that 
tranfported the relics of Babylas, was followed, 
and accompanied, and received, by aii innume- 
rable multitude ; who chanted, with thundering 
acclamations, the Pialms of David the moft ex- 
preflive of their contempt for idols and idolaters. 
The return of the faint was a triumph ; and the 
triumph was an infult on the religion of the 
Emperor, who exerted his pride to diffemble his 
refentment. During the night which terminated 

"' Ecdefiailical criticsy particularly thofe who love relics, exult in 
the confelSon of Mulian (Mifopogon, p. 361.) and Libanius (Naniia» 
p. i85.)» that Apollo was difhu-bed by the vicinity of one dead man. 
Yet Ammianus (xxii. 12.) clears and purifies the whole ground, accord« 
ing to thelites which the Athenians formerly pra£Ufed in the ifle of 
Ddos. 

this 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIltE. 123 

tWi^ iiidifcreet proceffion, the temple of Daphne c HA P. 
was in flames ; the ftatue of Apollo was con- 
fumed; and the walls of the edifice were left a 
naked and awful monument of ruin. The Chrit 
tians of Antioch afferted, with religious confi- 
dence, that the powerful interceffion of St.Ba- 
bylashad pointed the lightnings of heaven againft 
the devoted roof: but as Julian was reduced to 
the alternative of believing either a crime or a 
miracle, he chofe, without hefitation, without 
evidence, but with fome colour of probability, 
to impute the fire of Daphne to the revenge of' 
the Galilaeans "^ Their offence, had it been 
fufiiciently proved, might have juftified the re- 
taliation which was immediately executed by the 
order of Julian, of fhutting the doors, and con- ^*°^"*' 
fifcating the wealth of the cathedral of Antioch. draiof An- 
To difbover the criminals who were guilty of t*«^ 
the tumult, of the fire, or of fecreting the riches 
of the church, feveral ecclefiailics were tor- 
tured "^ J and a prelbyter, of the name of Theo- 
doret, was beheaded by thefentenceof the Count 
of the Eail. But this hafl^y bjA was blamed by 

"^ Julian (in Mifopogony p. 361.) rather inlinuates^ than affimui 
Uidr guilt. Ammianus (xxii. 13.) treats the imputation as kvijpmtu 
rumor, and relates the ftory with extraordinary candour. 

'^* Quo tarn atroci cafd repente confumptoy ad id ufque imperatoris 
ira prpvexity ut queftiones agitare juberet folito acriores (yet Julian 
blames the lenity of the magifirates of Antioch), et majorem eccle- 
fiam Antiochise claudi. This interdi<5lion was performed with fome 
circumftahces of indignity and profanation : and the feafonable death 
of the' principal adlor> Julian's uncle^ is related with much fuperfti- 
tioud complacency by the Abb^ de la JUeterie. Vie de JulieUf 
p. 36a — ^369. 

the 



124 THE DECLINfi AND PALL 

CHAP, the Emperor; wholatnented^^widi red<))r aflMMI 
^^, concern, that the impnident tealof histniniftiM 
would tarnifli his reign with the diigrace of per* 
fecution "^ 

The zeal of the nunifters of Julian wai m- 
ftantly checked by the frown of their foveretgn ; 
but when the father of his country dMlare^ hiin« 
felf the leader of a fa6t;ion, the licence of popular 
fury cannot eafily be reftrained, nor confiftently 
punilhed. Julian, in a public compofition, ap«» 
plauds the devotion and loyalty of the ht^ cities 
of Syria, whofe pious inhabitants bad deftroyed, 
at the firil fignal, the fepulchres ^ th# Oali^ 
laeans } and faintly complains, that they had re- 
venged the injuries of the gods with lefb Mode- 
ration than he fhould have recommended '*\ 
This imperfefi; and rdudtant confeffion may ap- 
pear to confirm the ecclefiaftical naniatives ; that 
in the cities of Gaza, Afcalon, Cffifaria, Helf<K 
polls, &c. the Pagans abufed, without prudence 
or remorfe, the moment of their pix)fperity. 
That the unhappy objefite of their cruelty were 
releafbd from torture only by death ; that as their 
mangled bodies were dragged through theflreets, 
they were pierced (fucli was the univerfal rage) 
by the fpits of cooks, and the diftaf& of enraged 
women ; and that the entrails of Chriftian priefts 
and virgins, afler they had been tailed by thofe 

"* BeGdes the ecdcfiaAkal liiftorianst wlio are more or left to be 
fufpe6ted» we may tU^ge the pafiion of St. Theodcre» m the AdU 
Sincera (rf Ruoiartf p» ^^u The complaint of JuUaa givct k aa on- 
^nal and authentic air. 

"* Julian Mifopogon^ p. 36x* 

bloodj 



01 THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ia5 

bbodjr &R«tici^ vere luuhxed vith barky, and chap. 
Contef»|>tt)oufl}r thrown to the uncleatt animals of ..^^^^^ 
the city "^ . Such fcencs of reUgiona naadaefa 
Qxhibtt th«:i»aft eontempti^te and odious piAwe 
o£ huomn mtwe y bvt the miuQacr^ of AlexajEi* 
dii% attraftii iliU moi^e attention, froi» the eer« 
tamty oi th« fa^» the rank of the vi^mSf and 
Ib^ 4>1^^ V ^ ^ eapitftl of Egypt. 

GWge"% from hi» parents or fais edticatiMfe» Geoi|;eof 
^awied the Cappadocjan, was born at Ept- cappido- 
p^bajM in Cilicia, in a. filer's ihopk From this 
ob&we and fervik ovigin he raifed hivofeU* by 
the tarleAts of a parafilte: and the patnMBc^ wbow 
h^ afiy Houfly fi«ttered». pcociired fi»r \hm wMthh 
k^ dcqpeiMtoit^. a hicialiye coinmkHon, m cosh 
tica^, to ^pflj the army with baieon. His enii* 
]^py»ieQl was mean ; he rendered it infamoms. 
ile ajecwwttlMed we^tb by tbe: bafeft asts of 
ffaad and cmrupttfin.;. bnvt km malr^erfiitioMr wet e 
^ ikfAormm^ tbat Geovge wa« eom^Ued ta 
^fca^e £iom tbe^ pwfuita of jyAis^it. After thia 
4iigract>. in* wbieh he appears tso hftve £n^ed 
.hM l^rtime aJL the oxpence of bis bonooiff, be 

"^ See. QregpgcQC Nazisuozen (-Qnt* iiL. p*>87'>}- Sozomen (L Vk 
c. 9.} may be confidered as an ariginaU ^ough not impartial» wit- 
nefs. He was a native of Gaza^ and had converfed with the con- 
USut'ZMno^.irkQt aftbiaiap of Muumay ]tRr«i:tii:the agpe o£a& hun- 
4ni4t (jl. «i* <& aift). Philiaihs*giiift (II viL e., 4. witk 6edtfrii|F^I 
ffi0ertaiU»»> {» flSlifi)) ndik fbmt taQo: cinminfiimces^ of C!hriftiaiw» 
wiii^iWKHt ^Mro/^' finnfiBedi afcthttalt^ 

'^^ THe lift; anl dsatfeoT dkoi^oB C;aiipa4kBia.aiftdBfoJMIili|i 
Aremlhwuft (Oexu. jbz*> Gf^gonj; NninuBRK (Qmb xsb. pk 3821^ ^!i$« 
dft9»« d90»> »<^ Ipiphunu* (H«eil Ixanfiti)). 'the inviBfti w •£ tht 
tMNb dnit^ vu^nt not dEdfcrw. muGiDonedity mdflis theyv wk soufianMl 
by the teftimony (^ thc^cndi auL liqadEylliafidfiL 

embraced. 



126 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

Q H A P. embraced,with real or affe6led zeal, theprofeffion 
. J?^"^ of Arianifin. From the love, or the oftentatioD, 
of learning, he colle6led a valuable library of 
hiftory, rhetoric, philofophy, and theology"*; 
and the choice of the prevailing fa6lion pro- 
moted George of Cappadocia to the throne of 
Athanafius. The entrance of the new archbiihop 
was that of a Barbarian conqueror ; and each 
moment of his reign was polluted by cruelty 
and avarice. The Catholics of Alexandria and 
Egypt were abandoned to a tyrant, qualified, by 
nature and education, to exercife the office of 
opprefles perfecutiou ; but he oppreffed with an impartial 
^^d ^and the various inhabitants of his exteniive 
Egypt. diocefe. The primate of Egypt afliimed the 
pomp and infolence of his lofty flation ; but he 
ilill betrayed the vices of his bafe and fer\ale 
extra6lion. The merchants of Alexandria were 
impoveriflied by the unjufl, and almoft univer- 
fal, monopoly, which he acquired, of nitre, fidt, 
paper, funerals, &c., and the fpiritual father of 
a great people condefcended to pra6tife the vile 
and pernicious arts of an informer. The Alex- 
andrians could never forget, nor forgive, the 
tax, which he fuggefted, on all the hoiifes of 

• "' After the maflacre of Gfeorge^ the- Emperor Julian repea.tedly 
lent orders to preferve the library for his own ufe, and to torture 
the flaves who might be fufpedted of fecreting any books. He 
praifes the merit of the colledtion» from whence he had borrowed 
and tranicribed feveral manufcripts while he purfued his fiudies in 
Cappadocia. He could wifli indeed that the works of the Galileans 
might perifli ; but he requires an exa6l account even of thofe theo- 
logical, volumes) left other treatifes more valuable ihould be con- 
founded in thdr lols. Jttlian. JEpft. iz« xxxri. 
^ X . .. the 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 12; 

the city ; under an obfolete claim, that the royal chap. 
founder had conveyed to his fucceflbrs, the Pto- XXUL 
lemies and the Ceefars, the perpetual property 
of the foil. The Pagans, who had been flat- 
tered with the hopes of freedom and toleration, 
excited his devout avarice ; and the rich temples 
of Alexandria were either pillaged or infulted by 
the haughty prelate, who exclaimed in a loud 
and threatening tone, " How long will thefe 
** fepulchres be permitted to ftand ?" Under the 
r-eign of Conftantius, he was expelled by the 
fury, or rather by the juftice of the people ; and 
it was not without a violent ilruggle, that the 
civil and military powers of the date could 
reftore his authority, and gratify his revenge. 
The meffenger who proclaimed at Alexandria 
the acceffion of Julian, announced thedqwnfal 
of the archbiihop. George, with two of his ob- AJ^.^eu 
fequious miniflers. Count Diodorus, and Dra*- ^°^' ^°* 
contius, mafler of the mint, were ignominioufly 
dragged in chains to the public prifon. At the He is maf- 
end of twenty-four days, the prifon was forced ^Trco^c 
open by the rage of a fuperflitious multitude, 
impatient of the tedious forms of judicial pro- 
ceedings. The enemies of gods and men ex- Dec. 34. 
pired under their cruel infults; thelifelefs bodies 
of the archbiihop and his aflbciates were carried 
in triumph through the ftreets on the back of a 
camel ; and the inadlivity of the Athanalian 
party'*** was efteemed a ihining example of 

'^ Philoftorgiu8» with cautiouft malicei iniinuates their guilt* 
xeu TO Al^pMVi yfOfAfvf rfotTnynvat rns »'p«{wfi 1. vii. c ». Godefroy, 
p- ad;. 

evange- 



128 THE DECLIKB AND FALL 

CHAP, evangelical patience. The remains 6E tfaefe guilt j 
^""^ ^ wretches were thrown into the fisa; and thepopu* 
lar leaders of die tamult dechu^ed their re&lution 
to diiappoint the devotion of the Chriftians, 
and to intercept the future honours of thefe imzr- 
tyrs^ -wko had been punilhed, like their predeee^ 
fors, by the enemies of their religion '". The 
&ars of the Pagana were juft, and their pre* 
cautions roefie£lual. The meritorious death of 
the archfaiihop obliterated the raemorj of his 
life. The rival of Athanafius was dear and &- 
cred to the Arians, and the feeming convetfion 
of tfaofe fe&aries introduced his worfliipinto the 
boibm of the Catholic church ^'^. The odiom 
ftranger, di%nifing every circumft^ice of tinte 
amd place^ afFumed themaflc of a martyr, a famt, 
and aChriftian hero'^^ ; and theinfamovs Gkorge 



'" Cineres pnjedt is mare^ M metnott ut ^bwabat^ ae^ txic 
ledts fepremisy ades iMis exfkroaneiit ; ut refiqniay lyvi 4em» a.«»- 
tigione compalfi, peitulerc crodabiles pceiias» adufque glorio&m 
mortiaii mtementst role jnrogreffiy ct mmc MAdRmu0 jppiiuHUiif* 
Ammian . vaL ii. EpipfhanniB pgeorcs to the Awanw^ tJftt: Gdoige 
waanot a maityr. 

™ Some Donatifis (Optatns BQev. p. 6o. 303. e£c» Ddpui^i 
and TUSuBoaty Mem. IcdeT. took yu p.. 713- >n 4ft>.) andLBoTdl- 
liaaifts (TiUenioBt^ Menu EcdeH torn. viiL p. 51 7. in 4to») have in 
like manner ufurped the honours of Catholic faints and martyrs. 

'^ The faints of Cappadoday Baffl and die Giegaries, were i^ 
nonnr of tiietr half conpaaMin* ftops (Sehfins (A. B. 4V^\ the 
firik Catholic who acknowledges- St. GeQige> places him among the 
martyrsy « qui Deo magis quam hominibuB noti fbnC." He njedtf 
hia Ads as the compoitiMi of hen^cs. Some, poriiaps nee ifeo 
oldcfty of the ^nrious Afis^ are fiill extant ; and* through a cloud 
o£ fi^oD» we may yet difti^guiih the combat which St. Geofge ol 
Cjqppadoda fiifiained in the prefence of Queen Alexamdruit againft 

. oS 



Of THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 1^9 

1i)f Cappadocia has been transformed"* into the c H A P- 
renowned St. George of England, the p8[tron\j™^ 
of arms, of chivalry, and of* the giarter'*^ 

About the fame time that Julian was informed and wor- 
of the tumult of Alexandria, he received intelli- ^??^ ^\ 

,^ ' ^ a iaint and 

gence from Edeffa, that the proud and wealthy martyr. 
fadtion of the Arians had infulted the weaknels 
of the Valentinians, and committed fuch difor- 
ders as ought not to be fuffered with impunity 
in a w^ell-regulated ftate. Without expedling 
the flow forms of juftice, the exafperated prince 
diredled his mandate to the magiftrates of 
Edefla"*, by which he confifcated the whole 
property of the church: the money was diftri- 
buted among the foldiers ; the lands were added 
to the domain ; and this a6t of oppreffion was 
aggravated by the mod ungenerous irony, " I 
*' fliew myfelf,'* fays Juliari, " the true friend 
" of the Galiteans. Their admirable law has 
** promifed the kingdom of heaven to the poor ; 
** and they will advance with more diligence in 
" the paths of virtue and lalvation, when they 
** are relieved by my affiftance from the load of 



'^ This transfcnrination is not given as abfolutely certain^ but 
as extremely probable. See the Longueruanay torn. i. p. 194. 

*** A curious hiftory of the worfliip. of St. George* from the 
fixth century (when he was already revered in iE^aldtine» in Armenia, 
at Rome* aiidVat' Treves in^Gaul), might be extra<fled from Dr« 
Heylin (Hiftory of St. George» ad edition^ London, 16339 in 4tQ> 
p. 429.)9 and the Bollandifts (Adl. SS. MenC April, torn. iii. 
p. 100—163.). His fame and popularity in Europe, and efpecially 
in England, proceeded from the Crufades. 

''^ Julian* Epift. xliii. 

vox. IV. K "temporal 



130 'i'HE DECLINE AND TAtL 

CHAP, "temporal poifeffions. *fake care," purfued 
,^ ^™^ the mdnardi, in a more ferious tone, " take 
** care how ybii provoke my psitience knd hu- 
" mahity. If thefe dlforders cbntinxxe, I will 
" revenge on the iiiiagiftrates the Crimes of the 
*' peopFe; and you will haVe realbti to dread, 
" not only confifcation and exile, but i5fe and 
" the iword." The tumults of Alexandria were 
dbiibtlefs of a more bloody atlH dangerous na- 
ture: biit a'.Chrlftian bilhop had fdllen by the 
hands of the Pagaiis ; and the pdblic epiftle 6f 
Julian affords a very lively proof of the partial 
fpirit of ' his ad tnihiftration. 'His repf oathes to 
the citizens of Alexandria are' mingled with ex- 
preffibris of efteetn and tendernrfs'; ahd he 

laments, that on this bcCafion they fhould hdVe 

'departed from the geritle and'generbtis ftiannefs 
which attefted their Grecian extraftion. He 
gravely cenfures the offence which they had 
committed againft the' laws of juflice and huma- 
nity; but he recapitulates, \vithvifib1e Compla- 
cency, the intolerable provocations wtiich they 
had fo long endured frbm the'impioas tyt&nny 
of George of Cappadocia. Julian admits the 
principle,, that a wife and vigorous govet^nment 
ihould chaflife the infolence of the people j yet, 
in confideration of their founder Alexai;ider, and 

• of Serapis their tutelar deity, he grants a free 
and. gracious pardon to the guilty city, for which 

^he again feels the aflfeftion of a brother "^ 

"^ Julian. Epift. z. He allowed his fneods to afluage his anger* 
Ammian. Ixii. xx. 

12 After 



Aifttrtba^ tumult ^f Alexandria' had fiibfided, C^fe A p. 
>Ad)aiiafiui$, amidft the public acclamations, , ^^^^ 
Seated ^bimifeif^n the throne from whencfe his ud- Refbra- 
cworthy^competitor hadi>een pr-ecipitated; and as ^^n of 
ctfee seal of Uie/archbifliop was tempered with dif- ^^^^ 
i€f^ion, the exercjfe of his authority tended not a.d.36», 
40 inflame, but 'to recondle, the minds of the 
-people. ^His paftoral labours were not confined 
to the TOiProw limits of 'Egypt. Theftate of the 
Clhriftian world was prefent to his aftive and 
^oapacious.mind; and the;age, the merit,. the 
reputation of Athanafius, enabled him to a.flume, 
4n a moment of danger, the office of Ecelefi- 
^ical^Diftator'^'. 'three years were iiot yet 
elapfed-fince- the majority of the bilhops of the 
Weft had ignorantly, or reluctantly, fubfcribed 
-the- Gonfeffion of Rimini. They repented, they 
'Relieved, but they dreaded the unfeaibnable 
irigo«r of their orthodox brethren ; and if their 
rpride^was ftronger than their faith j they might 
throw themfelves into the arms of the Arians, 
to efcape the indignity of a public penance, 
.iwjiich.jmijff {4«grft4e.:thepi. to the- condition .(pf 
obfcure laymen. * At the feme time, the domeftic 
diffprencips ponceruing tJje,Hi}4pn,and,difti»^oja 
-ef.tbe divine perCbns, were agitated with fonae 
heat among the Catholic, doctors; atid the .pfp- 
^ffrefik^f^this laetspfayfical controverfy feemed to 

-'^}ficerAt]iaiuif...adiRittfiiu toiiibU.:p.4(>t4Z«; and^Sn^. JNiik> 
'^*Sf— TV QntiiiiL. p. a95» $9^ ^o juft!y.:ftateft tke twn pe tar ejtal 
4is£i|kfi4»rimater-a;i'ii^iicli' more peritariotts dian his jwaym* hit^ifts, 
liis pe rfi !CTiti4>nfff Ac 

K a threaten 



132 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, threaten a public and lafting divifion of the Greek 

^^•W* and Latin churches* By the wifdom of a felefik 

fynod, to which the name andprefence of Atha^ 

nafius gave the authority of a general council, 

' the bifhops who had unwarily deviated into error, 

were admitted to the communion of the church, 

on the eafy condition of fubfcribing the Nicene 

Creed; without any formal acknowledginent of 

their pad fault, or any minute definition of their 

fcholaftic opinions. The advice of the primate of 

Egypt had already prepared the clergy of Gaul 

and Spain, of Italy and Greece, for the reception 

of this falutary meafure; and, notwithflanding 

the oppofition of fome ardent fpirits '^'', the fear 

of the common enemy promoted the peace an4 

harmony of the Chriftians '^'. 

He 18 per- The fkiU and diligence of the primate of Egypt 

fecuted y^^^^ improved the feafon of tranquillity, before 

peUed by it was interrupted by the hoilile edi£ls of the 

Juliany 
A.D. 3^ 



juiiMi, Emperor *^\ Julian, who defpifed the Chriftians, 

A»u* 36a> 



'^ I have not leifure to follow the blind obfiinaqr of Lucifer of 
Cagliari. See his' adventures in Tillemont (Mem. Ecdef. torn. yiL 
p. 900—926.) ; and obferve how the colour of the narrative inlenfi- 
bly changesy as the confeflbr becomes a fchifmatic, 

'^* AiTenfus eft huic fententiae Occidensy et^ per tarn neceflarium 
concilium, Satanse faudbus mundus ereptus. The lively and art- 
ful Dialogue of J^rom againft the Luciferians (torn. iL p. Z35<— 
155. exhibits an original picture of the eccleiiaftical policy of the 
times* ' « 

' '^ Tillemont, who fuppoff s diat Geoige was mailacred in An- 
guft, crowds the actions of Athanafiiis into a narrow Q>ace (Mem. 
EcdeC tom. viiL p. 360.). An original fragment, publifhed by 
the Maquis Mafia, from the old Chapter library of Ven»a(€)fler- 
▼azioni Littenune, torn. iii. p* 60—91.)^ affi)rds many important 
dates, which are authenticated by the computation of Egyptian 

10 honoured 



OF THE ROMAN empire; j^ 

honoured Athanafius with his fincere and pecu- chap. 
liar hatred. For his fake alone, he introduced xxnL 
an arbitrary di(lin6lion9 repugnant, at lead to 
1;he Q)irit, of his former declarations. He main- ' 
tained, that the Galilseans, whom he had recalled 
from exile, were not reftored, by that general 
indulgence, to the poffeffion of their refpe6tive 
churches: and he exprefTed his aflonifliment, 
that a criminal who had been repeatedly con- 
demned by the judgment of the Emperors, (hould 
dare to infult the majefty of the laws, and info- 
lently ufufp the archiepifcopal throne of Alex- 
andria, without expecting the orders of his fo- 
vereign. As a panifhment for the imaginary of- 
fence, he again banilhed Athanafius from the city; 
and he was pleafed to fuppofe, that this a6t of 
juilice would be highly agreeable to his pious 
fubje£ls. The preffingfolicitationsof the people 
foon convinced him, that the majority of the 
Alexandrians were Chriflians; and that the great- 
eft part of the Chriftians were firmly attached to 
the caufe of their opprefTed primate. But the 
knowledge of their fentiments,inftead of perfuad-f 
ing him to recall his decree, provoked him to ex- 
tend to all Egypt the term of the exile of Athana- 
fius. The zeal of the multitude rendered Julian 
fl;ill more inexorable: he was alarmed by the dan- 
ger of leaving at the head of a tumultuous city, 
a daring and popular leader ; and the language 
of his refentment diicovers the opinion which he 
entertained of the courage and abilities of Atha-. 
nafius. The execution of the fentence was ftill 
K 3 delayed. 



134 



THE ©BCLINE ANI> FALL 



c H A P. delayed; by the citotion dr negligence of Ecdiciua^ 
^^^™^' pt®f e6l of Egypt, who "Was at tength awakened 
from his lethargy by a fevere reprimand. " Thou^ 
** you negieft," fays Julian, to write tO' ilie oii 
^^ aHy other fubje6t, at lead it is your duty to kb- 
•* form me of your conduct towards Athanafius, 
*^ thfe enemy of the gods. My intentions haVe' 
" been long fince communicate to you. I 
" fwear by the great Serapis^, that aidefi, oii 
<* the calends of December, Athanafiui^ ha» de- 
^^ parted from Alexandria, nay from Egypt, the 
*^ officers of your government fliaH pay a fine of 
<^ One hundred pounds of gold. Yoii know my 
<^ temper : I am flow to condemci, but I am ftilL* 
** flower to forgtVe.'* This epiftfe was enforced 
By i ftiorU poftfcript, written with tihe Emperor'sr 
own hand. '' The contempt that ii^ fitewnlbr 
^* all the gods fillsf me with grief and indignation. 
*' There is nothing that I fliould fee, nothing 
<^ that I fhould hear,with more pleafnre, than the 
^ expulfion of Athanafius from all Egypt. The 
" abominable wretch ! Under my reign, the bqi- 
" tifin of ftvei-al Grecian ladies of the hijgheft 
•' rank has been the efieft of his perfecirtions *^*." 
The death erf* AthanaSus was not exprefsly com- 
manded ; but the praefe£l of Egypt ande^ftood, 
that it Was fafer for him to exceed, thanto n^e£l, 
the orders of an irritated matter. The Archbifliop 

0^/AMr ficcmuvu ^XM^«M. I have preferved the amtHguous feiife of 
l£e hSt wdrd, A^ ifx^iguity df i tyriAt wh6 wttCetH^ro flm!> or tor 

pru- 



QF THE K,OMAN :^IMPIBJ5. 135 

pru4sntlj retired totb^monafteries of the Defert: chap. 
eluded, with his ufual dexterity, the fnares of the xxm. 
ep.eipy; and liv^d to triumph over the aflies of a 
prince, who, in words of formidable import, had 
declared his wifh that the whole venom of the 
GalUaB^p fchool were contained in the fingle 
p^rfqn of Athaqaiius '^*. 

I h^v^. eodeavoured faithfully to reprefent the '2^ and 
artiEUjl iyftepi by which Julian propofed to obtain ^J^^f 
the eflTe^ls, without incvirring the guilt, or re- theChnf- 
pyoaich, of ^erfecution. But if the deadly fpirit **""' 
pjf fana^ticifnoi perverted the hej^rt and underftand- 
ing of 9 virtuous prince, it muft, at the fame 
time,, be confeffed, that the real fufFerings of 
the C^iriftians. were inflanxed ^n4 magnified by 
^uman paffions and religious enthufiafm. The 
ineieUn^fs and refignatipn which haddiftinguiflied 
the priitiitive difciples of the gofpel, was the 
object of the applaufe, rather than of the imi* 
t^tjon, of their fucceifors. The Chriftians, who 
b*d pay^ poffefled above forty years the ciyil 
and ecpieuaftical government of the empire, had 
qoptraQ:ed the iofoleijt vices of pofterity'", and 
thQ hal)it of believing that the faints alone were 
enfij;le(l tp r^figp Qver the earth. As foon as the 

*^f The three Epiftles of Julian^ wjiich explain his intentions 
and condu(5l with regard to Athanafius, ihould be difpofed in the 
following chronological order, xxvi. ic. vi. See likewife Greg. 
l^aziana^eny xxi. p* 3^3- Sozomen, l.v. c. 15. Socrates, I.iii. 
c. 14. Theodoret, 1. iii. c. 9. and Tillemonty Mem. Ecclef. 
tom.Yiii* p* 361 — 36S9 who has nfed' fome materials prepare4 by 
the Bblladdifts. 

'^ See the fair confeffion of Gregory (Orat.iii. p. 61, 6a.). 

K 4 enmity 



1.36 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, enmity of Julian deprived the clergy of the privi-^ 
^^' leges which had been conferred by the favour of 
Conftantine, they complained of the moft cruel 
oppreffion ; and the free toleration of idolaters 
and heretics was a fubje6l of grief and fcandal 
to the orthodox party '^^ The a6ls of violence, 
which were no longer countenanced by the magi- 
ftrates, were ftill committed by the zeal of the 
people. At Peffinus, the altar of Cybele was 
overturned almoft in the prefence of the Em- 
peror; and in the city of Caefarea in Cappadocia, 
the temple of Fortune, the fole place of worlhip 
which had been left to the Pagans, was deftroyed by 
the rage of a popular tumult. On thefe occafions, 
a prince, who felt for the honour of the gods, was 
notdifpofed to interrupt the courfe of juftice; and 
his mind was ftill more deeply exafperated, when 
he found, that the fanatics, who had deferved and 
fuffered the puniftiment of incendiaries, were re- 
warded with the honours of martyrdom '^^ The 
Chriftian fubje6ls of Julian were aflured of the 
hoftiledefigns of their fovereign; and, to their jea- 
lous apprehenfion, every circumftance of his go- 
vernment might afford fomegroundsof difcontent 
and fufpicion. In the ordinary admiiiiftration 

^^ Hear the furious and abfurd complaint of Optatus (dc Schii^ 
mat. Donatift. l.ii. c. 169 I7«)* 

137 Greg. Nazianzen, Orat.iii. p. 91. iv. p. 133. He praifes the 
rioters of Caeiarea» ttiruf h rw ixtya,Xo^a» xal df^fAuv ug Eva^uau 
See Sozomeny 1. vL 4. ii. Tillembnt (Mem. Eccleif, tom.vii, p. 6499 
650.) owns that their behaviour was noty dans I'ordr^ commun ; but 
he is perfedUy iatisfied» as the great St. Bafil always celebrated the 
feftiy^ of thefe bleiled martyrs. 

of 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. , 137 

of the laws, the Chriftians, who formed fo large chap. 
a part of the people^ muft frequently be con- ^*-^^^"* 
demned : but their indulgent brethren, without 
examining the merits of the caufe, prefumed 
their innocence, allowed their claims, and im- 
puted the feverity of their judge to the partial 
malice of religious perfecution '^^ Thefe pre- 
fent hardihips, intolerable as they might appear, 
were reprefented as a flight prelude of the im- 
pending calamities. The Chriftians confidered 
Julian as a cruel and crafty tyrant; who fuf- 
peiided the execution of his revenge, till he 
fliould return vi6lorious from the Perfian war. 
They expefted, that as foon as he had tri- 
umphed over the foreign enemies of Rome, he 
would lay afide the irkfome maflc of diffimula- 
tion ; that the amphitheatres would ftream with 
the blood of hermits and bifliops; and that the 
Chriftians, who ftill perfevered in the profeffion 
of the faith, would be deprived of the common 
benefits of nature and fociety'^^ Every ca- 
lumny '^ that could wound the reputation of the 

Apoftate, 

"^ Julian determined a law-fuit againft the new Chriftian city at 
Maiuma, the port of Gaza ; and his fentence, though it might be 
imputed to bigotry, was never reverfed by his fucceflbrs. Sozonien^ 
1. V. c. 3. Reland. Paleftin. tom. ii. p. 791. 

'» Gregory (Orat. iii. p. 93, 94* 95. Orat. iv. p. 114.) pretends 
to fpeak from the information of Julian's confidents, whom Orofius 
(vii. 30.) could not have feen. 

'^ Gregory (Orat. iii. p. 91.) charges the Apoftate with fecret 
facrifices of boys and girls ; and poiitively affirms, that the dead bodies 
were thrown into the Orontes. See Theodoret, 1. iii. c. a6, ay. ; 
and the equivocal candour of the Abbe de la Bleterie> Vie de Julien» 



i,3& THE DECLINE AN© FAtI, 

CHAP. A^o&^be^ was cr^duloufly embraced Uy. t,he fbfcii^ 
"; ^?' » ^^^ li^fered of his. adverfaci^rJi and theur indiir. 
Greet clangours provoked {[he UinP^c ^1^ ^ ^9>^, 
reigo, whom it was their c^tj to. re^eSf, ais^ 
their kAem&^ to ^t^r< Th^y Aill) pjpoteftei^,^ 
that prayers, and liears- were tl^eir o^y weapoi^ 
againft the impious tyrant, wlKufe bead they de-^ 
voted to the jy^tice of offended. Heaven. But 
they iofii^ufi^ed) with fulleix refojution, that tbei^ 
fixbmiffioii was no longer the efie^fc of >f eaknefs } 
^nd that) in the imperfe^ ftate of humsia virtue, 
iii^ patience, which is founded on principle, may 
be exhaufted by perfecution* It i^ imppfiKble 
to determine how £u the zeal of Ji^iaQ woulfl 
have prevailed Qver his g^^d ifinik, and IfWk^^, 
nityj but, if we ierioufly reflefil on the ftrei\gt^^ 
and fpirit of the churchy we {ball be convinced, 
that, before the Emperor could have extinguifhed 
the religion of Chrift, he mu(t h^ve involved bis 
country in the horrors of a civil war ' 



, HI 



P* 3Sh 35^* Yet contemforary malice could npt kapiie to JulUo 
jthe troops of martyrsy m(»« efpecially in the Weft* which Baronius fo 
grtcdity fi[|raflow8> and Tillemont fo faintly reje^ (Mem. Ecclef. 
torn. viL p. 1195—1315.). 

*^' The refignation of Gregory is truly edifying (Orat. iv. p. jg^> 
144.). Yet, when an officer of Julian attempted to feize the church 
of NazianzU8| he would have loft his Hfe, if he had not yielded to 
the zeal of the biihop and people (Or^t. xi?. p. 308.). See the re- 
fledtions of Chryfofiom^ as they are alleged by TiDlemont (Mem. 
SceM lom* vii. p. 575.) 



OF TH£: ROMA.N EMPIRE. 139. 



CHAF. XXIV. 

Befidence ^ JuMan at Antioch.-^His Jkcc^JiU 
MapedUimt cLgair^ the Perfim^ -^ Fqffkge 
qfthe Tigrisi-^The Retreat md Death of 
JMkm -^EleSionf ^ Jovian. — Hejiw^s the^ 
Maman Agnrnfi iy a di/^rac^^ Treaty. 

TTHE philofopliical fable which Julian com- chap, 

^ YYTV 

pofed under the name of the Cjs^ars\ ^-^ -j j 
is one of the moft agreeable and inftrufilive pro- The c»- 
du6fions of ancient wit*. During the freedom ^^"^^ ^ 
and equality of the days of the Saturnalia^ Ro- 
mulus prepared a feaft for the deities of Olym- 
puSy who had adopted him as^ a worthy aflbciate, 
and for the Roinan princes, who had reigned 
over his martial people, and the vanquifbed na- ^ 
tions of the earth. The immortals wer^ placed 
in juft order on their thrones of flate, and the 
table of the Caefkri^ was ^read below the Moon> 

' See this fable or fatire, p. 306 — 336. of ^e Leipfig edition of 
Julkm's ^it^rki. The French vescAon of the iearned Ezekid SpaBh^m 
(PariS) 1683.) is coarfei languid^ and corre^ ; aud his ootesi praois» 
iHuflrationsy &c. are piled on each other till they form a raafs of 557 
ckfe-printed qttatto pages. The Abbe da la BDiterie (Vie de JTovietiy 
tom.L p; 241 — 393O has more happily exprefled thefpirit* as wdl at 
the fenfey of the original^ which he iUufhrates with fome concife and 
curious notes. 

- Spanheim (in hit prefoee) hu inoft leamedfy difoufllMt the ety- 
mology» origin^ refemblance^ and difagreement of the Gt*eek Jhtj^i^ 
jt drancatic piecey which was a6M stf^ the tragedy } aad the Latin 
Jatires (ham Jte/urAr) a mi/csllanena eompofitioiiy thher in pof* 
or v«fe. But the Qsdtts of Julian am cf iudi an originiftt cafty that 
liie criKK 10 p«r|4gx8d t^ whioii datfi li« ibflu^ 

in 



^ 



140 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, in the upper region of the air. The tyrants, 
xxi\. ^Y\o would have difgraced the fociety of gods 
and men were thrown headlong, by the inex- 
orable Nemefis, into the Tartarean abyfs. The 
reft of the Caefars fucceffively advanced to their 
feats; and, as they paffed, the vices, the defedls, 
theblemiflies of their refpeftive charafters, were 
malicioufly noticed by old Silenus, a laughing 
moralift, who difguifed the wifdom of a philofo- 
pher under the malk of a Bacchanal \ As foon 
as the feaft was ended, the voice of Mercury 
proclaimed the will of Jupiter, that a celeftial 
crown Ihould be the reward of fuperior merit* 
Julius Caefar, Auguftus, Trajan, and Marcus 
Antoninus, were fele9;ed as the moft illuftrious 
candidates; the effeminate Conftantine * was not 
excluded from this honourable competition, and 
the great Alexander was invited to di(pute the 
prize of glory with the Roman heroes. Each of 
the candidates was allowed to dilplay the merit 
of his own exploits ; but, in the judgment of 
the gods, the modeft filence of Marcus pleaded 
more powerfully than the elaborate orations of 
his haughty rivals. When the judges of this 
awful conteft proceeded to exaipine the heart, 
and to fcrutinize the Iprings, of action ; the fu- 
periority of the Imperial Stoic appeared ftill 

^ This mixed charadler of Silenus is finely painted in the iixth 
eclogue of Vii^gil. 

^ Every impartial reader muit perceive and condemn the partia* 
lity of Julian againft his uncle Conftantine, and the Chriftian religion* 
On this occafion» the interpreters are compelled, by a more Sia^d 
intereft, to renounce their allegiance^ and to defert the caufe of their, 
author. 

more 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE- 141 

more deciflve and confpicuous ^ Alexander chap. 
and Caefar, Auguftus, Trajan, and Conftantine, ^^^ ^' ^ 
acknowledged, with a blufli, that fame, or power, 
or pleafure, had been the important obje6l of 
their labours : but the gods themfelves beheld, 
with reverence and love, a virtuous mortal, who 
had pradtifed on the throne the leffons of philo- 
fophy J and who, in a (late of human imperfec- 
tion, had afpired to imitate the moral attributes 
of the Deity, The value of this agreeable com- 
pofition (the Caefars of Julian) is enhanced by 
the rank of the author. A prince, who delineates, 
with freedom, the vices and virtues of his pre- 
deceflbrs, fubfcribes, in every line, the cenfure 
or approbation of his own condu6l. 

In the cool moments of refle6lion, Julian pre- Herefolvci 
. ferred the ufeful and benevolent virtues of An- *° "!^^ 
toninus ; but his ambitious fpirit was inflamed Perfians, 
by the glory of Alexander ; and he folicited, A* ^' 3^*' 
with equal ardour, the efteem of the wife, and 
the applaufe of the multitude. In the feafon of 
life, when the powers of the mind and body 
enjoy the mod afilive vigour, the Emperor, who 
was inftru6led by the experience, and animated 
by the fuccefs of the German war, refolved to 
fignalize his reign by fome more fplendid and 
memorable atchievement. The ambaffadors of 



• Julian was iecretly inclined to prefer a Greek to a Roman. But 
. when he ierioufly compared a hero with a philoibpher> he was feniible 
that mankind had much greater obligations. to Socrates than to Alex- 
ander (Orat* ad Themifiiumi p* a64.> 

the 



t4t 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



CHAP, the £a(l, from the continent (f£ Iifdia, and the 
^^^°^' ifle cff Ceylon Shad refpeafuUy feluted theiRo- 
man purple ^ The nations of tlieWed^fteesMd 
4and dreaded the perlbnal virtues of Jnliasi^'botii 
in peace and war. He deipifed' the 'trophies^ 
^Gothic vi^ry% and was l&tiisfied that the 
-rapacious Barbarians of the Danube ^wo^ld^be 
'pellrained from any ^future violation of fbe 
^fiiith of treaties by tibe terror of his name, and 
the additional fortifieations with whieh he 
ilrengthened the Thraeian andlUyriao frcmtiers. 
•The fucceflor of Oyr^isand iArtaxerxes was the 
•^nly rival w4iom he deemed worthy of his -arms ; 
^nd he refolved, by thetinal conquefiof Pe#Sa, 
to chailife the hftu^ty nation Whieb^had'ib long 

^'^Iiide Badonibus^ IimUcis eertatftn ctmi donis' tsptimates imtteii- 
^tJkuB • • • ^b tiTque Divis etSmndivis. Apimian. xx. 7. This 

iilandy to which the names of Taprobanai Serendiby and Ceylon^ 
''faave- been- fuceeffively applied, manifefts how imperfeflly ^e (kiLS 
* flMid laads to the eaftof o^pe Covonn were known to the^Ht^p^ps. 
, I. Under the Reign of Claudius, a freedmany who farmed the ouf- 

ibms of the'Ried'Sea, ^as accidentally driven by* the winds upon 
'v^dib^fira^ge and'UWlircoYer^d ooaft: he GOAveyixl fix months .with 

the natives, and die Kipg of Ceylon, who. h?ard» for the firft time» of 
*the power and juftice of Rome,- was. perfuaded to fend an embafly 
ji to thc^Brnperor (Piin* Hifi^ Nat. vi. 14.). a. The geographers .(and 

even Ptolemy) have xxvagnified, above fiftf ei^ time^,?the naX iize of .this 

new world, which they extended as far as the equator^ and the neigh- 
.^bott-faioodbf Chkuu 

7 ' Tliefe .es)biaffie» bad been iitnt tor Go&fiamuis. Aauauunis*, who 
unwarily deviates into grofs flattery, muft have foi?gotten the length 
of the way, and the Ihort duration of the reign of Julian. 

'^ Oddios Ibp&'ftdkK^s et p^dos ; hoftes- quserere ie mefioret 
niiabat: ittis «iiiiri -fifffieere^itiercatoFes Oftlatas ^r qoos nbique' fine 
•^caaditiottir diferittune^^eiittitidantur. ^WkhiB-iefs than fifteen yecrty 
tliefe Gothic flaves threat«iiedttritd>fiAd»ed'dieir mailers. 

refifted 



O'F THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 143 

-refifted- and infulted the majefty of Home ^ As c H A t>. 
•foon as the Perfian monarch was informedthat , ^^^• 
*^the throne of Coriftantius was filled by a prince 
' of a very diifferent character, he condefcended to 
make'fonie artful, or perhaps fincere, overtures, 
towards a negociation Tor peace. But the pride 
"of Sapor was aftonifhed by the firmnefs of Ju- 
lian ; vho fternly declared, that he would never 
corifent to holda peaceftil conference among the 
'flames anti ruins of' the cities of Mefopotamia ; 
*and'who^aiided, with a fmile of contempt, that 
'it was needlefs to 'treat by ambafladors, as he 
^him'felf had determined to vifit Ipeedily the court 
'of Perfia. The impatience of the Emperor urged 
^the diligence of the militai'y preparations. The 
•generals were named, a formidable army was 
'SeftiVied for thisimportafit fervice ; and 'Julian, 
4narching from Conftantitibpie through the pro- 
Winces 6f Afia 'Minor, arrived at Antioch about 
^^ight motlths after the death of his predeceffon 
'His ardent defire to march into the heart of 
'Perfla, was checked by the itidifpenfeble duty 
'of'regulatin^g the flate of the empire; by his 
2earto revive the worlhip of the gods ; and by 
Hhe adirfte of his wifefl: friends ; who reprefented 
*)Aie TieCetRty of allowing the Ikldtary interval of 
winter-quarters, to reftore the exhaufted ftrength 



' Alexander reminds his rival -Cm&rf ^o depreciated the falne 

- and m^t of an Afiatic vi^toryy that Cfailhs and Antony had felt the 

Ferfian arxxnws : and that the Rknnaiiey in a war of three himdred 

-ytass/faad not yet fubdued the Haigle -produce of Melbpfotaaiia br 

Ailyria (Cseiaresi p. 3214.) . ^ 

of 



144 '''HE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, of the legions of Gaul, and the difcipline an<J 
\L^'^ fpirit of the Eaftern troops. Julian was per- 
juiianpro- fuaded to fix, till the enfuing fpring, his^ refi- 
ceedsfrom dence at Antioch^ among a people malicioufly 
nopie to " difpofed to deride the hafte, and to cenfure the 
Antioch, delays, of their fovereign '°. 
Lkrad'ous ^^ Julian had flattered himfelf that his per- 
manners of fonal conne6tion with the capital of the Eaft 
rfA^ri^! would be productive of mutual fatisfaftion to 
the prince and people, he made a very falfe efti- 
mate of his own character, and of the manners 
of Antioch ". The warmth of the climate diC 
pofed the natives to the moll intemperate en- 
joyment of tranquillity and opulence ; and the 
lively licentioufnefi of the Greeks was blended 
with the hereditary foftnefs of the Syrians. 
Falhion was the only law, pleafure the only pur- 
fuit, and the fplendor of drefs and furniture 
was the only di(lin6tion of the citizens of An- 
tioch. The arts of luxury were honoured; the 
ferious and manly virtues were the fubje6l of 
ridicule ; and the contempt for female modefty 
* and reverent age, announced the univerfal cor- 
ruption of the capital of the Eaft. The love of 
fpe6lacles was the tafte,or rather paffion, of the 
Syrians : the moft Ikilful artifts were procured 

'° The deflgn of the Perfian war is declared by Ammiamis (xzii. 
7. 12.), Libanlus (Orat. Parent, c. 79* 80. p. 3059 3o6.)i Zofimus 
(L iii. p* i58.)» and Socrates (1. iii. c. 19,). 

*' The Satire of Julian, and the Homilies of St. Chryioftom, ex* 
hibit the fame pidkire of Antioch. The miniature which the Abb€ 
de la Bleterie has copied from thence (Vie de JuUeu> p» 33a*)^ is e&- 
gaat and corredl* 

from 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 14^ 

from the adjacent cities'*; a confiderable fliare chap, 
of the revenue was devoted to the public araufe- ^^ ^' 
ments ; and the magnificence of the games of 
the theatre and circus was confidered as the hap- 
piriefs, and as the glory of Antioch. The ruftic 
manners of a prince who difdained fuch glory, 
and was infenfible of fuch happirtefs, foon 
difgufted the delicacy of his fubje6ls ; and the 
effeminate Orientals could neither imitate, nor 
admire, the fevere fimplicity which Julian always 
n^aintained, and ibi:netimes affe6led. The days 
of.feftivity, confecrated by ancient cuftom to 
the honour of the gods, were the only occafions 
in which Julian relaxed his philolbphic feverity; 
and thofe feftivals were the only days in which 
the Syrians of Antioch could rejedl the allure- 
ments of pleafure. The majority of the people 
fupported the glory of the Chriftian name, which 
had been firft invented by their anceflors '^ ; they 
contented themfelves with difobeymg the moral 
precepts, but they were fcrupulbufly attached to 
the fpeculative do6lrines,.of their religion. The 
church of Antioch was diilra6led by herefy and 
fchifm J but the Arians and the Athanafians, the 



'* Laodicea furnilhed charioteers ; Tyre and Berjrtus, come- 
dians i Csfarea^ pantomimes ; Heliopolis^ fingers ; Gaza, gladi- 
ators;. Afcalon, wreftlers-; and Caftabala, rope-dancers. See th© 
Expofitio totius Mundiy p. 6* in the third tome of Hudfon's Minor 
Geographers. 

'^ X^rov ^6 ce/yavmrtu ^X^'^'^ vokuix^v OLrrt T« Aio?. ' The people of 
Antioch ingenioufly profefled |heir attachment to the CJin (Chrift^ 
and the Ka^a (Conftaotius). Julian in Mifopogon^ p. 357. 

voi.iv. L * followers 



146 THE DECLINE AND FALL , 

CHAP, followers of Meletius and thofe of Faulinus '% 
XXIV. ^ were actuated by the lame pious hatred of their 
common adverfary. 
Theiraver- The flrongeft prejudice was entertained againft 
fion to J^ the chara6ler of an apoftate, the enemy and fuc- 
ceflbr of a prince who had engaged the* affe6tions 
of a very numerous fe6t ; and the removal of 
St^Babylas excited an implacable oppofition to 
the perfon of Julian. His fnbjedts complained, 
with fuperilitious indignation, that famine had 
purfued the Emperor's fteps from Conftantinople 
to Antioch ; and the difcontent of a hungry 
people was exaiperated by the injudicious at* 
Scarcity of J tempt to relieve their diftrefs. The inclemency 
com, and of the fcafou had afFe6ted the harvefts of Syria ; 
contait. ^^^ *^^ price of bread *% in the markets of An- 
tioch, had naturally rifen in proportion to the 
fcarcity of corn. But the fair and reafonable 
proportion was foon violated by the rapacious 

'♦ The fchifm of Antioch, which lafted eighty-five years (A. D. 
330— 4I5.)> was inflamed, while Julian refided in that city, by the 
indifcreet ordination of Paulinus. See Tillemont, Mem. Ecclef. tom.yiL 
.p. 803. of the quarto edition (Parisy 170I9 8a:.), which henceforward 
I ihall quote. 

'' Julian dates three different proportions, of five, ten, or fifteen 
fnodii of wheats for one piece of goldy according to the degrees of 
plenty and fcarcity, (in Mifopogon^ p. 369.). From this fadl, and 
from fome collateral examples^ I conclude, that under the fucceflbrt 
of Conftantine, the moderate price of wheat was about thirty-twb 
ihiUings the Englifli quarter, which is equal to the average price of 
the fixty-four firft years of the prefent century. See Arbuthnot't 
Tables of Coins, Weights, and Meafures, p. 88, 89. Plin. Hift. 
Natur. xviii. 12. Mem. de 1' Academic des bifcriptions, torn. xxviiL 
p. 7 18 — 721. Smith's Inquiry into the Natiure and Caufes of the 
Wealth of Nations, vol. i. p. 246. This Uft I am proud to quotes 
as the work of a &ige and a friend. 

arts 



OP THE ROMAN EMPIRE* 147 

arts of ibonopdy. In this unequal conteft, in c 6 A P. 
which the produce of the land is claimed by one xxnr. 
party, as his exclufive property; is ufed by 
another as a lucrative object of trade ; and is 
required by a third for the daily and neceflary 
fupport of life j all the profits of the interme- 
diate agents are accumulated on the head of the 
defencelefs confumers. The hardfliipsi of their 
iituation were exaggerated and increafed by their 
own impatience and anxiety ; and the apprehen- 
fion of a fcaricity gradually produced the appear- 
ances of a famine. When the luxurious citizens 
of Antioch complained of the high price of poul- 
try and fi(h, Julian publicly declared, that a 
frugal city ought to be fatisfied with a regular 
fupply of wine, oil, and bread j but he acknow- 
ledged, that it was the duty of a fdvereign to 
provide for the fubfiftence of his people. With 
this ialutaiy view, the Emperor ventured on a 
very dangerous and doubtful ilep, of fixing, by 
legal authority, the value of com. He ena6t;ed, 
that, in a time of fcarcity, it fhould be fold at a 
pricie which had feldom been known in the moil 
plentiful years, and that his own example might 
ilrengthen his laws, he fent into the market four 
hundred and twenty-two thoufand^/ioe/Zf, or mea- 
fures, which were drawn by his order from the 
granaries of Hierapolis, of Chalcis, and even of 
Egypt. The confequences might have been 
forefeen, and were foon felt. The Imperial 
wheat was purchafed by the rich merchants ; the 
proprietors of land, or of corn, withheld from 
L 2 the 



148 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H*A P. the city the accuftomed fupply ; and the finall 
'L^^^ i f m^^^^^^^ t^at appeared in the market were 
fecretly fold at an advanced and illegal price. 
Julian ftill continued to applaud his own policy, 
treitted the complaints of the people as a vain 
and ungrateful murmur, and convinced Antioch 
that he had inherited the obftinacy, though not 
the cruelty, of his brother Gallus **. The re- 
monftrances of the municipal fenate ferved only 
to exalperate his inflexible mind. He was per- 
fuaded, perhaps with truth, that the fenators of 
Antioch who poflefled lands, or were concerned 
in trade, had themielves contributed to the 
calamities of their country ; and he imputed the 
difrefpeftful boldnefi which they affumed, to the 
fenfe, not of public duty, but of private intereft. 
The whole body, confifting of two hundred of 
the moil noble and wealthy citizens, were fent 
under a guard from the palace to the prifon ; 
and though they were permitted, before the clofe 
of evening, to jetum to their refpedtive houfes'% 
the Emperor himfelf could not obtain the for- 
givenels whiph he had fo eafily granted. The 
fame grievances wereilill the fubjedt of the lame 
<:omplaintsi, which were induil ioufly circulated 
by the wit and levity of the Syrian Greeks. 

'^ Kunqpma a propofito declinab«t» Galli fimills fratnt^ licet in- 
crucntus. Amxnian. xxii. 14. The ignorance of the moft enlightened 
princes niay claim feme excufe ; but we cannot be (atisfied with Ju- 
lian's own defence. (in Mifopogon, p. 368, 369.), <w the daborate apo- 
logy of Libanius (Qrat. Parental c xcvii. p. 3ai.)* 

'7 Their fhort and eafy confinement is gently touched by Libaniasi 
^Orat E^itatal. «. xcviiL p. $^%f$%^y 

Puring 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 



H9 



During the licentious days of the Saturnalia, the o rt a p; 
ftreets of the city refounded with infolent fongs, ^xxiv.^ 
which derided the laws, the religion, the per- 
fonal conduct, and even the beardj of the Empe- 
ror ; and the fpirit of Antioch was manifeited 
by the connivance of the magiftrates, and the 
applaufe of the multitude ^% The difciple of 
Socrates was too deeply affefifced by thefepopular 
iniiilts; but the monarch, endowed with quick 
feniibility, and poffeffed of abfolute power, re- 
fufed his paiSons the gratification of revenge. 
A tyrant might have profcribed, without diflinc- 
tion, the lives and fortunes of the citizens of 
Antioch ; and the unwarlike Syrians mufl have 
patiently fubmitted to the lufl, the rapacioofnefi, 
and the cruelty, of the faithful legions of GauL 
A milder fentence might have deprived the 
capital of the Eaft of its honours and privileges ; 
and the courtiers, perhaps the fubje6ls, of Julian, 
would have applauded an a6l of juftice, which 
aflerted the dignity of the fupreme magiftrate of 
the republic ''. But inftead of abufing, or ex- 
erting, the authority of the ftate, to revenge his 
perfonal injuries, Julian contented himfelf with ^^^^ 
an inoffenfive mode of retaliation, which it would ^Ttu^ 

againft 
'^Libanius (ad Antiochenos de Imperatoris ira, c. 17, i8> 199 ia AnUo»» 
Fabriciusy Bibliot. Grsec. tom.vii. p. 2%i — 22$»)» like a fkilful advo* 
cate, feverely cenfures the folly of the people, who fufFered for the 
crime of a few obfcure and drunken wretches. 

*^ Libanius (ad Antiochen, c. vii. p. 213.) reminds Antioch of 
the recent chaftif^ment of Csfkrea; and even Jnlian (in, Mifopogon, 
p. 355.) infinuates how feverely Tarentum had eicpiatcd the inihlt tp 
the Roului ambailadors. 

1-3 b^ 



ISO 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



. c 



CHAP, be in the power of few princes to employ. He 
'^^^^' had been infulted by latires and. libels; in his 
turn he compofed, under the title of the Enemy 
of the Beardj an ironical confeiBon of his own 
faults, and a fevere fatire of the licentious and 
effeminate manners of Antioch. This Imperial 
reply was publicly expofed before the gates of 
the palace; and the Misopogon^'' ilill remains 
a lingular monument of the refentment, the wit, 
the humanity, and the indifcretiou, of Julian. 
Though he affe6led to laugh, he could not 
forgive^'. His contempt was expreffed, and 
his revenge might be gratified, by the nomina-i 
tion of a governor" worthy only of fuch fub« 
je6t;s: and the Emperor,^ for ever renpundng 
the ungrateful city, proclaimed his refalution to 
pa& the enfuing winter at Tarfus in Cilicia^^ 

'^ On tbe Aibjedl of the Mifopogohy fee Ammianus (zxii. 14.)^ 
Libanius. (Orat. Parentalis, c. xcix. p. 323.), Gregory Nazianzen 
(OraLiv. p* X33*)» and the Chronicle of Antioch, by John Malela 
{tom. ii. p. I5> i6.), I have eflential obligations to the tranflation 
and notes of the Abbe de la Bleterie (Vie de Jovien, tom.ii. p. x— - 

138.)- 

'* Ammianus very jufUy remarks, Coa^lus diffimiUare pro tempore 
ira fufflabatur intemS. The elaborate irony of Julian at length buifb 
forth into ferious and diredt inventive. 

" Ip& autem Antiochiam egrefliirus, HeUopoliten quendam 
Alexandrum Syriacae jurifdidlioni praefecit, turbulentum et £evum ; 
dicebatque non ilium meruiffe, fed Antiochenfibus avaris et contu- 
meliofis hujufmodi judicem convenire. Ammian. zxiii. %, Liba- 
nius (Epift. 712. p. 3469 3470> ^^^ eonfefles to Julian himfdfy 
that he had ihared the general difcontent ; pretends that Alexander 
was an ufeful, though harfh, reformer of the manners and reli^on of 
Antioch. 

^ Julian, in Mifopogon, p. 364* Ammian. xxiii. o^ and Valefius 
ad. loc* Libanius, in a profefled oratioiif invites him to return to his 
loyal and pexutent city of Antioch. 

Yet 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 151 

Yet Antioch poffeffed one citizen, vrhofe ge- c H A K 
nius and virtues might atone, in the opinion of , ^^^*^ 
Julian, for the vice and folly of his country. Thcfe- 
Thie fophiil Libanius was born in the capital P^»^l-i- 
of the Eafl; he publicly profeffed the arts of a.d! 
rhetoric and declamation at Nice, Nicomedia, 314— 39<y 
Conftantinople, Athens, and, during the re- 
mainder of his life, at Antioch. His fchool was 
affiduoufly frequented by the Grecian youth 5 
his difciples, who fometimes exceeded the 
number of eighty, celebrated their incompa- 
rable mailer; and the jealoufy of his rivals, who 
perfecuted him from one city to another, con- 
firmed the favourable opinion which Libanius 
oftentatioufly difplayed of his fuperior merit. 
The praeceptors of Julian had extorted a ralh 
but folemn aflurance, that he would never 
attend thele£i:ures of their adverfary: the curio- 
fity of the royal youth was checked and inflamed: 
he fecretly procured the writings of this dan* 
gerous fophiil, and gradually furpafled, in the 
perfefil imitation of his ftyle, the moft laborious 
of his domeftic pupils ^\ When Julian afcended 
the throne, he declared his impatience to em« 
brace and reward the Syrian fophiil, who had 
preferved, in a degenerate age, the Grecian 
purity of taile, of manners, and of religion. 
The Emperor's prepofleffion was increafed and 
juilified by the difcreet pride of his favourite. 
Inflead of preffing, with the foremoft of the 

^ Ubaniusy Orat Parent, c* vii. p. a30> 931. 

!• 4 crowd. 



j^2 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, crowd, into the palace of Conftantinople, Liba- 
\^^L' ^^® calmly expedled his arrival at Antioch ; 
withdrew from court on the firft fymptoms of 
coldnefs and indifference; required a formal in- 
vitation for each vifit; and taught his fovereign 
an important leffon, that he might command the 
obedience of a fubje6t, but that he muft deferve 
the atta;cbment of a friend. The fophifts of 
every age, defpifing, or affe6ling to defpife, the 
accidental diftin6lions of birth and fortune *% 
referve their efteem for the fuperior qualities of 
the mind, with which they themfelves are fo 
plentifully endowed. Julian might difdain the 
• acclamations of a venal court, who adored the 
Imperial purple; but he was deeply flattered by 
the praife, the admonition, the freedom, and the 
envy of an independent philofopher, who re- 
fufed his favours, loved his perfon, celebrated 
bis fame, and protected his memory. The volu- 
minous writings of Libanius ftill exift; for the 
mofl part, they are the vain and idle compoli- 
tions of an orator, who cultivated the fcience of 
words ; the productions of a reclufe ftudent, whofe 
mind, regardlefs of his contemporaries, was in- 
ceffantly fixed on the Trojan war, and the Athe- 
nian commonwealth. Yet the fophift of Antioch 
fometimes defcended from this imaginary eleva- 
tion;, he entertained a various and elaborate 

*^ Eunapius reports, that Libanius rtfufed the honorary rank 
of Praetorian prsefedl, as lefs illuftrious than the tide of Sophift (in 
Vit. Sophift. p. 135.). The critics have obferved a iimilar fenti- 
ment in one of the epiftles (xviii. edit. Wolf.) of Libanius him- 
fclf. 

16 corre- 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. I^^ 

correfpondence *^ ; he praifed the virtues of his c H A pJ 
own times ; he boldly arraigned the abufes of ^cxiv. 
public and private life ; and he eloquently 
pleaded the caufe of Antioch againft the juft 
refentmefit of Julian and Tbeodofius. It is the 
common calamity of old age *% to lofe whatever 
might have rendered it defirable ; but Libanius 
experienced the peculiar misfortune of furviving 
the religion and the fciences, to which he had 
confecrated his genius. The friend of Julian 
was an indignant fpe6lator of the triumph of 
Chriftianity ; and his bigotry, which darkened 
the profpedl of the vifible world, did not inlpire 
Libanius with any lively hopes of celeftial glory 
andhappinefs*^ 

The martial. impatience of Julian urged him March of 
to take the field in the beginning of the fpring; ^^^ 
and he difmifled, with contempt and reproach, phrateJ, 
the fenate of Antioch, who accompanied the ^^' ^^^' 



^ Near two thoufand of his letters, a mode of compofition in 
which Libanius was thought to excel, are itill extant, aiid ah-eady 
publiih^d. The critics may praife their fubtle and elegant brevity; 
yet Dr. Bentley (Diflertation upon Phalaris, p. 487.) might juftly* 
thought quainliy, obferve, that « you feel by the emptinefs and 
<< deadnefs of them, that you converfe with fome dreaming pedant» 
« with his elbow on his deflt." 

^7 His birth is aifigned to the year 314. He mentions the feventy* 
fixth year of his age (A.D. 390.), and feems to allude to (bme 
events of a ftill later date. 

^ Libanius has compofed the vain, prolix, but curious narrative 
of his own life (torn. ii. p. 1—84. edit, Morell.), of which £una* 
pius (p. 1 30-— 135.) has left a concife and unfavourable account. 
Among the modems, Tillemont (Hift. des Empereurs^ torn, iv, 
p. 571 — 576.), Fabricius (Bibliot. Grsec. tom.vii. p, 376— 414 A 
and Lardner (Heathen Teftimonies, torn. iv. p. 117— 153. j^ hayg 
illttfinited the chara^er and writings of this famous fophift. 



Emperor 



1^4 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. Emperor beyond the limits of their own territory, 
^^^^' to which he was refolved never to return; After 
a laborious march of two days*% he halted on 
the third at Beraea, or Aleppo, where he had 
the mortification of finding a fenate almoft en- 
tirely Chrifliian ; who received with cold and 
formal demonftrations of refpedt, the eloquent 
fermon of the apofl^Ie of paganifm. The fon of 
one of the mofl: illuflrious citizens of Berasa, who 
had embraced, either from interefl or confcience, 
the religion of the Emperor, was difinherited by 
his angry parent. The father and the fon were 
invited to the Imperial table. Julian, placing 
himfelf between them, attempted, without fuc- 
cefs, to inculcate the leflbn and example of to- 
leration ; fupported, with affedted calmnefs, the 
indifcreet zeal of the aged Chriftian, who feemed 
to forget the fentiments of nature, and the duty 
of a fubjed: ; and at length turning towards the 
afflicted youth, " Since you have loft a father,'' 
faid he, " for my fake, it is incumbent on me 
" to fupply his place ^°." The Emperor was re- 
ceived in a manner much more agreeable to hi^ 
wilhes at Batnae, a fmall town pleafantly felted 

^ From Antioch to Litarbe^ on the territory of Oalast the roadi 
over hills and through moraifesy was extremely bad ; apd the loofe 
ftones were cemented only ivith land (Jullany epift» xxviL). It it 
lingular enough^ that the Romans ihould have negle£led die great 
communication between Antioch and the Euphrates. See Weflelii^. 
Itinerar. p. 190. Bergier, Hifl. des Grands Chemins^ tom. ii. p. loo* 

^ Julian alludes to this incident (epift. xxvu.)» which is more 
diftind^ly related by Theodoret (1. iii. c. 24.)^ The intolerant fpirit 
of the. father is applauded by Tillemont (HifL des Empereursy 
torn. iy. p. 534«)b and even by La Bleterie (Vie de Julien» p. 413*}- . 

ij in 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE; j^^ 

in a grove of cypreffes, about twenty miles from c H A P. 
the city of Hierapolis. The folemn rites of fa- , ^^* 
crifice were decently prepared by the inhabit' 
tants of Batnse, who feemed ftttached to the wor« 
fliip of their tutelar deities, ApoUo and Jupiter ; 
but the ferious piety of Julian was offended by 
the tumult of their applaufe ; and he too clejurly 
difcerned, that the fmoke which arofe from their 
altars was the incenfe of flattery, rather than of 
devotion. The ancient and magnificent temple, 
which had fan6lified, for €o many ages, the city 
of Hierapolis^', no longer fubiifted; and the 
confecrated wealth, which afforded a liberal 
maintenance to more than three hundred priefts, 
might haiten its downfaL Yer Julian enjoyed 
the fatisfa€tion of embracing a philofopher and 
a friend, whofe religious firmnefs had withftood 
tbe preffing and repeated felicitations of Con- 
ftantius and Gallus, as often as thofe princes 
lodged at his houfe, in their paffage through 
Hierapolis. In the hurry of military preparation, 
and the carelefs confidence of a familiar corre- 
ipondence, the zeal of Julian appears to have 
been lively and uniform. He had now underi. 
taken an important and difficult war: and the 
anxiety of the event rendered him ftill more 
attentive to obfervc and regifter the mofl: trifling 
prefages, from which, according to the rules of 
divination, any knowledge of futurity could be 

^ See tbe curious treadfe de DeS Syria^ in&rted among the work». 
of LucUn (tom.m« p. 451—490. edit. Reitz.). Tke iingular ap*^ 
peUation of Nintu vetus (Anuniao. xiy. 8.) might induce a fu^ciMii 
that Hierapolis bad been tbe royal &at of tbe AiTyrians* . 

derived^ 



156 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, derived ^*. He informed Libanius of his pro- 
t ^^' S^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ Hierapolis, by an elegant epiftle", 
which diQ>lays the facility of his genius, and his 
tender friendfliip for the fbphift of Antioch. 
His defign Hierapolis, fituate almoft on the banks of the, 
jng*P^ Euphrates '% had been appointed for the general 
rendezvous of the Roman troops, who invne- 
diately paffed the great river on a bridge of boats, 
which was previoufly conftrufibed". If the in- 
clinations of Julian had been fimilar to th'ofe of 
his predeceflTor, he might have wafted the a6l;ive 
and important feafon of the year in the circus 
ofSamofata, or in the churches of Edefla* But as 
the warlike Emperor, inftead of Conftantius, had 
chofen Alexander for his model, he advanced 
without delay to Carrhae^*, a very ancient city of 
Me(bpotamia, at the diftance of fourfcore miles 
from Hierapolis. The temple of the Moon at- 
tra£ted the devotion of Julian; but the halt of a 
few days was principally employed in completing 

^ Julian (epift. xxviii.) kept a regular account of all the fortu* 
nate omens; but Ke fupprefles the inaufpicious fignsy which Am- 
mianus (xxiii. %•) has carefully recorded. 

^^ Julian^ epift. xxvix. p. 399— 402* 

^ I take the earlieft opportunity of acknowlec^ing .my obliga- 
tions to M. d'Anville* for his recent geography of the Euphrates and 
Tigns (Paris, 1780, in 4to.), yrfiich particularly illuftrates the expe- 
dition of Julian. 

^' There are three paiTages within a few miles of each other ; 
I. Zeugma, celebrated by the ancients ; a. Bir, frequented by the 
modems; and, 3. The bridge of Menbigz, or Hierapolis, at the 
diftance of four parafangs from the city. 

^ Haran, or Carrhae, was the ancient reiidence of the Sabseans, 
and of Abraham. See the Index Oeographicus of Schultens (ad 
calcem Vit. Saladin.), a work from which I have obtained much' 
OrUntal knowledge, concerning the ancient and modem gtogn^y 
of S^ria and t]w adjacent countries. 

the 



Or xxxx* x\.K>j..^^ — — «^ Aiviit* X57 

the immenle preparations of the Perfian war. chap. 
The fecret of the expedition, had hitherto re- ^^^'^ ^ 
mained in his own breaft; but as Carrhas is the 
point of feparation of the two great roads, he 
could no longer conceal, whether it was his de- 
fign to attack the dominions of Sapor on the 
fide of the Tigris, or on that of the Euphrates.^ 
The Emperor detached an army of thirty thou- 
fand men, under the command of his kinfman 
Procopius, and of Sebaftian, who had been Duke 
of Egypt. They were ordered to direft their 
march towards Nifibis, and to fecure the frontier 
from the defultory incurfions of the enemy, be- 
fore they attempted the paflage of the Tigris. 
Their fubfequent operations were left to the diC> 
cretion' of the generals ; but Julian expefted, 
that after wafting with fire and fword the fertile 
diftri^s of Media and Adiabene, they might 
arrive under the walls of Ctefiphon about the 
fame time^ that he himfelf, s^dvancing with equal 
fteps along the banks of the Euphrates, ihould 
befiege the capital of the Perfian monarchy. The Diiafieo 
fuccefs of this well-concerted plan depended, in 1^"°^ 
a great meafure, on the powerftd and ready Armemau 
affiftance of the King of Armenia, who, with- 
out expofing the fafety of his own dominions,, 
might detach an army of fotir'thouiand horfe, 
and twenty thoufiind foot, to the affiftance 
of the Romans ^% put the feeble Arfaces Ti- 

^ See Xenophon. Cyropoed* 1. ill* p. zSq* edit. Hutchinfon* 
ArUTAfdes might have fupplied Blare Antony with x6yOOo horfcy 
onned and difdplined after the PMbijUi nujuer (Piutarchi in M* 
Aa\omOf torn. r. p. 1 17. }• 

^ ranus. 



1^8 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

C H A t. ranus'% King rf Armenia, had degenerated ftill 
XXIV. ^ more fliamefully than his father Chofroes, from 
the manly virtues of the great Tiridates ; and 
as the pufillanimous monarch was averfe to any 
enterprife of danger and glory, he could diiguife 
his timid indolence by the more decent excufes 
c^ religion and gratitude. He exprefled a pious 
attachment to the memory of Conftantius, from 
whofe hands he had received in marriage Olym- 
pias, the daughter of the praefeft Ablavius ; and 
the alliance of a female, who had been educated 
as the deftined wife of the Emperor Conftans, 
exalted the dignity of a Barbarian king'^. .Tira- 
nus profeffed the Chriftian religion;, he reigned 
over a nation of Chriftians; and he was reflrained, 
by every principle of confcience and intereft, 
from contributing to the viftory, which would 
confummate the ruin of the church. The alien* 
ated mind of Tiranus was exafperated by the 
indifcretion of Julian, who treated the King of 
Armenia as his flave, and as the enemy of the 
gods. The haughty and threatening ftyle of the 
Imperial mandates^ awakened the fecret indig- 

^ Mofes of Cluxnene (Ha&. Armenian 1. iiL c. ii. p. 44A«) fixes hit 
acceifion (A.D. 354*) to the x 7th year of Conibntius. 

^ Ammian. xx. 11. Athanafius (torn i. p* 856.} fays* in general 
termS) that Conftantius gave his brother^s .widow Tot$ fiotfiofo^^ 
9in expreifion more fuitaUe to a Roman than a Chriftian* 

^ Anunianus (xxiiL a.) ufeii a word much too foft for the oc- 
cafion> monueraU Muratori (Fabridusy BibCothec. Ghraec torn, vii* 
p. 86.) has publkhed an epiftle from Julian to the fatrap Ar&ces; 
fierce^ Tulgar^ and (though it m^ht deceive $ozomen> Lvi«c*5.)» 
moft probably fpurious. La Bleterie (Hift. de Joyien> tom» ii« p* 339«) 
tranilates and rejedts it. 

nation 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 159 

nation of a prince, who, in the humiliating ftate chap. 
of dependence, was ftill confcious of his royal ,^^*^ 
defcent from the Arlacides, the lords of the Eaft, 
and the rivals of the Roman power. 

The military difpofitions of Julian were (kil- Mitary 
fully contrived to deceive the fpies, and to divert P^"«P*»* 
the attention, of Sapor. The legions appeared 
to dire6t their march towards Nifibis and the 
Tigris. On a fudden they wheeled to the right ; 
traverfed the level and naked plain of Carrhae j 
and reached on the third day, the banks of the 
Euphrates, where the ftrong town of Nicepho- 
rium, or Callinicum, had been founded by the 
Macedonian kings. From thence the Emperor 
purfued his march, above ninety miles, along 
the winding ftream of the Euphrates, till, at 
length, about one month after his departure 
from Antioch, he difcovered the towers of Cir- 
cefium, the extreme limit of the Roman domi« 
nions. The army of Julian, the moft numerous 
that any of the Caefars had ever led againfk Per- 
fia, confifted of fixty-five thoufand effe6live and 
well-difciplined foldiers. The veteran bands of 
cavalry and infantry, of Romans and Barbarians, 
had been felefted from the different provinces j 
and a juft pre-eminence of loyalty and valour 
was claimed by the hardy Gauls, who guarded 
the throne and perfon of their beloved prince. 
A formidable body of Scythian* auxiliaries had 
been tranfported from another climate, and al- 
moft from another world, to invade a diilant 
country, of whofe name and fituation they were 
ignorant. The love of rapine and war allured 

to 



l6o THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H A P. to thd Imperial (landard feveral tribes of Sara-^ 
^^^* J cens, or roving Arabs, whofe fervice Julian had 
commanded, while he fternly refufed the pay- 
ment of the accuftomed fubfidies. The broad 
channel of the Euphrates** was crowded by a 
fleet of eleven hundred fhips, deilined to attend 
the motions, and to fatisfy the wants, of the 
Roman army. The military ftrength of the fleet 
was compofed of fifty armed gallies ; and theie 
were accompanied by an equal number of flat- 
bottomed boats, which might occafionally be 
connected into 4;he form of temporary bridges. 
The refl; of the fliips, partly conftru6led of tim- 
ber, and partly covered with raw hides, were 
laden with an almofl; inexhaufl:ible fupply of arms 
and engines, of utenfils and provifions. The 
vigilant humanity of Julian had embarked a very 
large magazine of vinegar and bifcuit for the 
ufe of the foldiers, but he prohibited the indul- 
gence of w^ne ; and rigoroufly fl^opped a long 
firing of fuperfluous camels that attempted to 
follow the rear of the army. The river Cha- 
. boras falls into the Euphrates at Circefium^^ ; 

^ Latiffimum flumen Euphraten axtabat. Aminian. xxlii. 3. Some- 
what higher, at the fords of Thapfacus, the river is four ftadia or 800 
yards, almoft half an Englifh mile broad (Xenophon Anabafis, 1. i. 
p. 41. ^dit. Hutchinfon, with Fofler's Obfervatioiis, p. 29* &c. in the 
%d volume of Spelman's tranflation). If the breadth of the Euphrates 
at Bir and Zeugma is no more than 130 yards (Voyages de Niebuluv 
tom. ii* p. 335>), the taormous difference muit chiefly arife from the 
d^pth of the channel. 

^^ Mbnumentum tutiffimum et fabr^ politum, cujus momia 
Abbra (the Orientals afpire Chaboras or Chabour) ft Euphrates 
jimbiunt fluminai velut fpatium infulare fingentes. Ammian^ 

and 



«W( n S^m *« 1^ tr^iRip^ ^^p t^e ggpal of (} H A F^ 
Wf% ^ ftQflP W paffed t:,f^ litde ftr^w which , .^^^ 
fi^*t€^ twp J,P^y w4 hp^^ .empire^. T^e Juiiaii en- 
^^^4f^ rof .ffiG^it difiyplinj^ reijuired a- military ^^^^ 
9ic^um: a^ ^ifli^j^r^oeAf^y^xy qj)pQrtuuiJ:)r ritorie^ 
ff 4)fy^^'^f^g hk 4w^^^' ^^ awi»ated the ^^^ ^^ 
iwijwatieflt .?ua4 p-ttentiye l^ons hy the jex,^fl>ple 
of l^e jipjflexi^]^ pOiMi^fge ^nd glorious |;i]i^mp|i? pf 
l^t^ ^oeftpr;^ JJe a^jccit^ f^lf ^efei^enj: J?jf . 
^ Jl^v^ly pi^fie of thp ioj^^^ljenae jc?f the ^Pei'ii^^^ 
^n^ b^ ^^ort^ .tif^SfX t9 jinpi^i^t^te b^ firfl;i ^riio^ 
l»^(^y eili^r ;t9 ^^^^9^ .t^t f|E{r<ijc}ipiU3fl^j^^ 
0r0 ^e>^o|^ bi$ ^^ ^ jth^ .caj;^ of Abpr^pw|?|ifi, 
J^ iel<)fltwepiee 9^\^p]h^, w^.jeai^jcei;! hy. a..4«.^ 
iM^ivp ^mp Jlw«df f4 f ?4 ^l^Mly pief^§ pf -filyffi 
tOrevery fplci^^r j :^4 1^. ^^^^ ^f ^^P Cb^qr?^ 
^ftSkin%ttjily^ #way, pf <?ofvifice t^e ll;rj3|9|^ 
%!t tlj/ey ii>i# j^a^ ,dieir ^pe^ of i^fety i» the 
lGi}c»c©ft. 9riF ithpi^' :ii^n¥^ Yet .the ^r^adenice of ;thj^ 
]^f ei;or^ii)4np^4 higi(toie€Uf<e airfso)o|:|3 fiopt^r^ 
9§f§ie$.\^y «^p9fe4 !;# the inrppdp -pf tl^e holtile 
M9^}^ 4 4?<iwiw€ait <?f foj,u: thpiM^ loeii 
Y!«9 ^©ft ft ^CiftTicefi^^ fi^hich completed, ,to tho 
Ik^iftfeef ,vlf ft?P itW>«%^(^^ t^e regular g^rifon o^ 
1^ ijpppf tgnt fort.r>€ife *\ 

From the moment that the Romans entered JEiis march 

and 



^^ The enterpriFe and armamsnt jci JbiUio ji«e .d0fi;ri]»e4 hy Im^ 
^ $El#» ,WfviS»> AipwaAU? MarcelUuijs (xxiil; a, 4^ j), 
^,^^^9 <jQr^. -P^i^t. rC. ^.3* 109. f). 33»> 33i3-> ZolGmus (l.iii. 
Rfiffr?^ if?>^^»«J^\^-?PW* 0- vj. 'c.^».^ aad J<^h Malela (tarruiu 

-»+ Bef<3re he enters PedUy ^W^iWUS copjoufly delcribes 0t3^$i..6. 
p. ^o6-r-4i9^ edk. Gronov. in 4to.) the eighteen ^reat fatrapies^ or 



Mefopota* 
mia. 



,6^ THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c HAP. and artful enemy, the order of march was difc 
^°^^* pofed in three columns ^K The ftrength of the 
infantry, and confequently of the whole army, 
was placed in the centre, under the peculiar 
command of their mafter-general Vi6lor. On the 
right, the brave Nevitta led a column of feveral 
legions along the banks of the Euphrates, and 
almoft always in fight of the fleet. The left 
flank of the army was^ protefted by the column 
of cavalry. HormifHas and Arinthaeus were ap- 
pointed generals of the horfe *, and the fingular 
adventures of Hormifdas ^ are not undeferving 
of our notice. He was a Perfian prince, of the 
royal race x)f the Safianides, who, in the troubles 
of the minority of Sapor, had efcaped from prifon 
to the hofpitable court of the great Conftantine. 
Hormifdas at firfl excited the compaflion, and 
at length acquired the efteem, of his new mai^ 
ters ; his valour and fidelity raifed him to the; 
military honours of the Roman fervice; and, 
though a Ohriilian, he might indulge the fecret 
iatisfa6tion of convincing his ungrateful country, 
that an oppreffed fubjeft may prove the moft 
dangerous enemy. Such was the difpofition of 
the three principal columns. ' The front and 

' provinces (as ^ as the Serici or Qunefe Matien), which were fiiB^ 
ie£t to the SafTinides. 

^' Ammianus (xxiy* I*) and Zofimus (I* iii« p* 162^ 163.) have ac- 
curately evpreiied the order of itiiarch. 

^ The adventures of Hormifdas are related with fome mixture of 
fable (Zoiimusf Lii. p.xoo — zot; Tillemont, Hift. des £mpereurs» 
torn. iv. p. 198.). It is almoft impoffible that he ihould be the brother 
(frater germanus) of an. flileji and fofibumou^ cliild ; nor do i recol« 
|e^ thjit Anmuaaus ever gives him that title;. 

flanksi 



OF TfaE ROMAN EMPIRE. 163 

flanks of the army were covered by Lucilianils chap.' 
with a flying detachment of fifteen hundred light- ^™^* 
armed foldier^ whofe a6tive vigilance obferved 
the mofl; diftant figns, and conveyed the earliell 
notice of any hoftile approach* Degalaiphiis, 
and SecundiniisDukeof Ofrhoene,x:^ndu^ed the 
troops of the rear-guard ; the baggage fecurely 
proceeded in the intervals of the columns ; and 
the ranks^ from a motive, either of (ife or otten- 
tation, were formed in fuch open order, that the 
whole line of march extended almoil ten miles. 
The ordinary poll of Julian was at the head of 
the centre column ; but as he preferred the du- 
ties of a general to the ftate of a monarch, he 
rapidly moved, with a fmall efcort of light ca- 
valry, to the front, the rear, the flanks, wherever 
his prefence could animate or protect the march 
of the Roman army. The country which they 
traverfed from the Chaboras to the cultivated 
lands of Aflyria, may be confidered as a part of 
the defert of Arabia, a dry and barren wafte» 
which could never be improved by the moft 
powerful arts of humain induftry. Julian marched 
over the fame ground which had been trod above 
feven hundred years beforie by the footfteps of 
the younger Cyrus, and which is defcribed by 
one of the companions of his expedition, the fage 
and heroic Xenophon *^ " The country was a 



^'^ See the firft book of the AaabaliSy p. 45, 46. This pleafing 
work 18 original and authentic. Yet Xenophon's memoryy perhaps 
many years after the expedition, has fometimes betrayed him; and tht 
diftances which he marks are often larger than either a foldier or a 
geographer will allow* 



M 2 « plaiA 



i|54 TW^ ©EeWNE ^B Ml,^ 

*^ .ftr x^wJs ^icw I* v^» »thejr Jw^ ^} 419 ^rosMl^ 

the wiia4 intp plp»4g pf ,^i^ i ^4 * ^i»|tt UMir 
b^r pf 4^ foWiens »flf ^i^iliarfi^, with *h^r t»m^ 
•were fi^d^^ly thfipii<?B >» ,the gr^n4 ^fcy ^ 4wv 

Hisfuccefs. The ftrttdy plaius >©f ;M0&]9pU9^ we^e t^jbin^ 
doiiQcJ ;tp 4;h.e .wtelc^^s fti\^ wild jMSfes ^ Ah^ 
dei^t.; J?ut,p Vftniflty 9f ^ojwal9jil&,tfW»P(HQil •^^'^ 
]f^g^^ weip fd»^afe»tly.ii^itwAedfP» 1^^ iQf Ui^ 

5uj)ihi!svk€^ ^i[Hi in tfh* iilajo4B iwlw.efe jwe jWch- 
fto^i^lly f^riaftejcl % dlMt a^iv^r. Tb.e -ffity of ^- 
t^«ih, ^r A^plJbo^% (the p^Uftl.reM^i^cp Qf.«> 
jim^ap M> j 4f5 ^couipgfecj qf jtwo -loiig jftne^^^ 
f^hifih. ji>cl^fe, wH^^ip la ^Hm"^ ffqrt^ftB^tion, j» 
fro«U ift?»^ in the luidft, m^ twp fruitful ^pjote 
99 ^itb^r fi^^ }CFf J(l>^ JSu|)hF0l^. Thp ^^r^g 
inh^hitaii^ Q^ .i^^athp 4hew^ ^a ^i^fit^op ftp 

confounds the antelope wi(b ^t)ie roe^uck^ and therwild afs v^ith thft 
vebnu * ' 

'•• Sec Voyages de Tavemiery parti. l.iii. p. 316. and more 
efpecyiy Vi^ggi. di Pietro djplla Valle, t^m.i. lett.^xxii. p. 674, .(8cc. 
He was ignoraxtt of the old najije and condition of Ahnah. .Our 
h^fiJ^ travellers fiUom poffels ^y previous knowledge of the coun- 
tries w^ch they vifit. Shzw ^nd ^oumefort defeiye^ honourable 
exception* 

' ftop 



OF 'SKEi ACSSSASP WtPWK rS^ 

fieptjm maceb e£ » Bmssm Empei^oF> tiM^ ttiefy e ]A a i*. 
we»fr€frrwt«dfrom.lachfetetpFeft^ ^^^ 

waii ejdibof tatiuiim of Fritiae Ho^mifda^y and tH« 

JftdcEiiiy wba tran^l^ssnted 1)1^ peofiie Ho att^ a^ 
▼iaitageotxsi fbtt^mMt iK^f Chald^ in Syi^ki^, 
Mfd. adfttttted Puimisy the: gf^er¥i<^TV ^ an h^ 
nomraUifc) caente ini hK&rvi^«r and frieikHhip^. B^ 
the HiipfegaBhIe fiDftt7ii& <Di'Th$uttha conid fe^}k 
tbe Hfienaee of sc^ Seg^ ; and tiici Eit^itdr wa^ 
dUfged f o cvfttent lomfelf widn an^ irrfotting' pro^ 
mife that;, when h& had fobdbKl the k€»»iot 
pvMineBS of Peirfia, Tbfhitha would no loUgcif 
cdfvfe t89 grawe the tYimnpfa: of the 4A9^4a^i»€¥; 
The iithadsatants of the opei^ liown^,^ una;hle^ Dd 
n^tfli, axrd mywftlmg to yidkl,. fted winlv pveei> 
fitailioQ ; sofiA their houfea^ filled with §pml and 
provifions^ were occupied by the foldiers of Ju- 
tian, who maflacredy wi^oiit remorfe;, and wkhr- 
out pvnsFftment, Ibifie defen«ePefs' wom'efi. Dur- 
ing the marcbv th^ Surenas^ or Perfian g^n^ra^ 
an«b Bfatek Rode&ces^, the renowned emir of the 
tribe of G'aiJatn ^y incetfantly hovered round the 
army v every ftiraggl^ wa» iirtercepted ; evwy 
detachnjent was attacked i and the valianf Hor^ 
flndfiiasi ^aped with fiMoae diffieialty ffet0 tbei? 



^ Vaiitofi>*oa!miis»]«(hr(H iaysF.Aminiiu«t8*|i an ^h •noomtitm for 
sBi ifaak TU (nb(r •£ O^i&n had fettled dn the edge e0 Sgivi^ 
^d( reigned (bmtf . Uine .'mDsamkM, indito a" d^AUdly o£ dwD^r^one 
loing^ or eoA^ ffoivi' the tmne ef Penney ta dttrtr 9^ tJUi Khaiif 
Qttar« B^HetobekN^ l^bUotJh^que Orientale^ p& 3160. l^oek^ 
SpBcimea. Htft^ ArsbibaB^ p> 7S-^7^ Tt^ bu^ of Rbdo&ees dbe^ 
not appe?u* in the lift. 

M 3 hands, 



iSe THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, bands. But the Barbarians were finally repulfed ; 

^j^^. the country became every day kfs favourable to 
the operations of cavalry; and when the Romans 
arrived, at Macepra€fca9 they perceived the ruins 
of the wall, which had been conftrufted by the 
ancient kings of Aflyria, to lecure their domi* 
llioiis from the incurfions of the Medes. Thefe 
preliminaries of the expedition of Julian appear 
tp have employed about fifteen days.; and we may 
compute near three hundred miles from the for« 
trefs of Circefium to the wall of Maceprad;a *'. 

t>efcrip. The fertile province of Aflyria**, which 

^^^ ftretcbed beyond the Tigris, as far as the moun* 
tains of Media ", extended about four hundred 
miles from the ancient wall of Macepra£ta to 
the territory of Bafra, where the united ftreams 
of the Euphrates and Tigris difcbarge themfelves 
into the Perfian Gulf**, The whole country 

'' SeQ Amm^inus (xxiv. |> 2.), Llbaniias (Or^t. Parental^ c. ||o» 
II f. p. 334.)» Zofimus (1. iii. p. 164 — 168.). 

^^The defcription of Ailyria. is furnifted by Herodotos (1.L 
t» 1929 &C.) who fometimes writes for chfldreiiy and fometimes for 
phflofopliers ; by Strabo (1. xvi. p. 1070^— 1082,)^ and by Ammi- 
anus (Lxxili. c.6.)i The moft ufefiil of the modern travellers are 
Tavernier (part i. 1. iL p. 226 — 258.), Otter (tocfi. ii. p. 35— ^9. 
and 189 — 224.)* and Niebuhr (tom.ii. p. 172 — 288.). Yet I much 
regret ths^ the IraJk Arabi of Abulfeda has not been tranilaXed. 

^^ Axnmianus remarks that the primitive Aflyriay which com- 
prehended Ninus (Nineveh)} and Arbela, had afTumed the more re<> 
cent and 'peculiar appellation of Adiabene: and he feems to fix Te^ 
redon> Vologefia^ and ApoUo^iiay as the extreme cities of the adhial 
province of Aflyi-ia. 

'^ The two rivers naite at Apamca^ or Coma (one hundred nulet 
from the Perfian Ou1f> into the broad ftream of the Pafit^risy or 
Shat-ul-Arab. The Euphrates formerly reached tlie fea by a fepa- 
rate channel^ which was obfirudled and diverted by the cidzeBS of 
Orchoey about twenty miles to the fou^-eaft of modem Bafim 
(D'Anvilley in the Memoires de I'Acad* des Infcriptions> tom.xauc« 
y. 170 — 19 1.). 

3 might: 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 167 

might have claimed the peculiar name of Mefo* chap. 
potaoiia.; as the two rivers, which are never xxnr. 
more diftant than fifty, approach, between Bag* 
dad and Babylon, within twenty-five miles of 
each other. A multitude of artificial canals, 
dug without much labour in a foft and yielding 
foil, conne6ted the rivers, and interfe£ted the 
plain of Ailyria. The ufe of thefe artificial 
canals were various and important. They ferved 
to difcharge the fuperfiuous waters from one 
river into the other, at the feafon of their refpec- 
tive inundations. Subdividing themfelves into 
fmalier and fmaller branches, they refreflied the 
dry lands and fupplied the deficiency of rain. 
They, facilitated the intercourfe of peace and 
commerce ;: and, as the dams could be fpe^dily 
broke down, they armed the defpair of the Afly- 
rians with the meatis of oppoiSng a fudden de« 
luge to the progrefs of an invading army. To 
the foil and climate of Aifyria^ nature had denied 
fome of her choicefi^ gifts, the vine, the olive, 
and the fig-tree ; but the food which fupports 
the life of man, and particularly wheat and bar* 
ley, were produced with inexhauilibJe fertility ; 
and the hufbandman, who committed his feed to 
the earth, was frequently rewarded with an in. 
creafeoftwo, or even of three; hundred,; The 
face of the country was interfperfed with groves 
of innumerable palm-trees ^^ ; and the diligent 
natives celebrated either in verfe or profe, the 

'^ The learned Ksempfer^ as a botanifti an antiquary^ and a tra<. 
veller» has exhaufted (AmGcnitat. £xoticsc^ Fardcul. iv* p.66o*— ■ 
764.) ^c whole fubje(fl of palm-trees, 

M 4 thre« 



i68 T'HK imchi}it Am #Ait 

CHAP, three Hundred aftd flxty ofefe t6 #hjeh tfe* i/tftf»i 
^^^' the branehes^ the lefarfes, fh^ jftic*, sted <M 
fruit, were fkilfuDy appflied.- Several ttmtifeftfr 
tures, efpeeiaHj^ thofe of leather and fenfe*,- ei^ 
ployed the iiiduftry df » nuttfereus people, *ttd 
afFot-ded valuable materials for foreigft trade* j 
which appears ho\<revet j to hare been totidtdte4 
hy the h^nds of ftrangers. Babylon had beefti 
converted into a roysll park j but ttea* the ruinsr 
of the ancient e^pital,^ new cities had faeceffiVeljr 
arifen, and the po^uipiiihei^ ef the country #asr 
fiifplayed in the lUultltud^ til toiirfls atfd villagesr^ 
which were built Of bfkks^ dried in thti futt, dnd 
ftrongly cemented with bitctfibeh $ the Alitutal 
dnd peculiar produ6lidri 4)f the Babylehi^n jbil« 
While the flidceffors of Cyrus feigned ever ^flS^ 
the province of Aflyrid aldiie ih^ntaihed, dUritig 
a third part df the yeflf^ thd IrixiiriouS plenty of 
the table and houfehold of the Great King. 
Four cdnfiderable village^ were affigned for the 
fubfiftenee of bis thdian degs ) eight hundred 
ftallions^ aiid fifteen thdUfatld itifires, ^ere cotf- 
flantly kept At the expdtitie df the eoutitry^ fdt 
the royal flablds; and as the! daily tribute j which 
was paid to the &trap, attiounted td ohe!^ngH(b 
buihel of filver, we inay doitiputfe the annua) 
revenue of AiTyria at more than twelve hundred 
fhoufand pounds fterling ^\ 

The 

'^ Aflyria yielded to the P^rfian fatrap an Artaba of filver eadi 
^ay. The well-known proportion of we^hts and meafuret ((ee 
Bifliop hooper's cldboratfe Inquiry), the fpeciiic gravity of water and. 
niV^j and the value of that xhetal, will a5brd> after a diort proceTst 
the annu^ revenue which I hslve (lilted. Y^ the Qreat King re* 

4 ceived 



Tfie fields of Affp» ^6t6 A&i/mU hy /ufiM e ti A ». 
to tb« calamhiw of wa# j add tlw pfea^fepSft . ^ ^ - ^^ 

l^taliat^ 00 d gQlltld^ pmpU fhlf ^ «f i»plnt Invanoa of 
T * « . - , *^- . «« A,D. 363, 

hmghty msiftielt ift tb«; Roimfi^ pfef^itte^^* Th« May. 
trc^nnlUing Aflyrtai^ ftilAfinoned fb€^ri\^m mtheii 

the rtiJn of tbdif coumrf ^ Tb^ i^oads Wet0 r««u 
der^ impra^tieabte ^ di flo^od of w«£e»i^ wsls 
Roared into tbe cmiip; afid, during fe v^f id days^ 
the troops of Julian Were obliged t^ ^ritmd 
whh tbe moil difdouragiUg bar dibips. Bdf evmy 
obftacle was furitiannted by tbe peiietef^c^ ^ 
tbe legidnaries, wbo^ Wete intit^d to foA) as w^Il 
as to danger, and who felt tbemfelv^s afiimat^d 
by tbe fpirit of tbeir liiadef. Tbe damage was 
gradually repaired j the Waters were I'eftor^d f6 
tbeir ptop&t ebannds i whole grotes^ of palfo^ 
trees were cut down, and placed i^lang fb« 
brdken parts, of tbe road ) and tb^ army pkS^ 
over the broad and deeper canals, on bridgeii^ of 
Boditing rafts, which were fupported by tbe b«?lp 
a£ bladders^ Two cities of Affyria prefUftied M 
refiil tbe arins of a Roman Etnpefror : and they 
both paid the fevere penalty of their raflineft*. 
At the diftance of fifty toiles from the royiil refl- siege of 
dence of Cteiiphon, Pertfabdi^y or Anbftr, held! Perifabor, 

ctived ho irlore than i&oo Enboic^ of Tynahy talents (a^t^odol.) 
from Aflyria. Tbe companfon of Iwo ptflaget in HetddoCiw (L u 
c. 19a. 1. lii c. 89 — 96.) feveals an important difference between the 
gfofii aadi tlie neti rfevfenue of Perfia ; tbe fortls padd by the provincc?«^ 
x^d the gdd er filrer depeftted in the royal treasure* l*he mottitlt 
might annually fave three millions fix hundred thovfand pounds* of- 
tht feyeiiteeh dr eighteen millions raifed opoa the pet^Ie; 

the 



ifo THE DECLINE ANl? FALL 

C HA P. ihe fecond rank in the province : a ciiy, large, 
^ ^^* , populous, and well fortified, furrounded with a 
double wall, almoft encompafled by a branch of 
the Euphrates, and defended by the valour of 
a numerous garrifon. The exhortations of Hor* 
mifdas were repulfed with contempt; and the 
ears of the Perfian prince were wounded by a 
jufl reproach, that, unmindful of his royal birth^ 
he condu£ted an. army of flrangers againft his 
king and country. The Aflyrians maintained 
their loyalty by a fkilful, as well as vigorous, 
defence ; till the lucky ftroke of a battering ram, 
having opened a large breach, by fliatteringone 
of the angles of the wall^ they haftily retired into 
the fortifications of the interior citadel. The 
foldiers of Julian rufhed impetuoufly into the 
town, and, after the full gratification of every 
military appetite, Perifabor was reduced to a{heS| 
and the engines which aflaulted the citadel were 
planted on the ruins of the fmoking houfes« 
The conteft was continued by an inceflant and 
mutual difcharge of milQle weapons ; and the 
fuperiority which the Romans might derive from 
the mechanical powers of their balifts and cata-* 
pultae was counterbalanced by the advantage of 
the ground on the fide of the befiegedi, But as 
£>on as an HelepoUs had been confl^ru3:e(l, which 
could engage on equal terms with the loftieft 
ramparts, the tremendous aipe^t of a moving 
turret, that would leave no hope of refifl:ance or 
of mercy, terrified the defenders of the citadel 
into an humble fubmiflion ; and the place wa9 
Airrendered only two days after . Julian firft 

appeared 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 171 

iqipeared under the walls of Perifabor. Two char, 
thoufand five hundred perfons, of both fexes, ^ ^^^ 
the feeble remnant of a flourifhing people^ were 
permitted to retire : the plentiful magazines of 
com, of arms, and of fplendid furniture, were 
partly diftributed among the troops, and partly 
referved for the public fervice : the ufelefs {lores 
were deftroyed by fire, or thrown into the ftream 
of the Euphrates ; and the fate of Amida was 
revenged by the total ruin of Perifabor. 
. The city, or rather fortrefs, of Maogamalcha, of Maog** 
which was defended by fixteen large towers, a '^^ 
deep ditch, and two ftrong and folid walls of 
brick and bitumen, appears to have been con« 
ilru6ted at the diftance of eleven miles, as the 
Safeguard of the capital of Perfia. The Em- 
peror, apprehenfive of leaving fuch an important 
fortrefs in his rear, immediately formed the fiege 
of Maogamalcha ; and the Roman army was di& 
tributed, for that purpofe, into three divifions. 
Viftor, at the head of the cavalry, and of a 
detachment of heavy-armed foot, was ordered to 
clear the country, as far as the banks of the 
Tigris, and the fuburbs of Ctefiphon. The con- 
du6); of the attack was aflumed by Julian him- 
felf, who feemed to place his whole dependence 
in the military engines which he eredted againft 
the walls ; while he fecretly contrived a more 
efficacious method of introducing his troops 
into the heart of the city. Under the dirediipn 
of Nevitta and Dagalaiphus, the trenches were 
opened at a confiderable diftance, and gradually 
prolonged as far as the edge of the ditch. The 

ditch 



172 rut i^teu&ti. iwo mlil. 

^^^^- ifkref^aiM h^tor c^ tte t«00p§V a tttifte \rai tfw; 

timber. Three ehofen cofedrUdi, «dv^r»cing^ma 
Snglel file, fil6Af)y expYm^d the ddrk and dfcsM^ 
gerons* p^a^e ; tiH tMr ivmrepid t^der wiii& 
pered back the mieilig^ru^^ that he vrs» niiAf 
to iSue from ¥i^ c6n#Aei»efit iiit0 tbe i^e^te ^ 
the hoftite city*. JteMan checked fbek ^<dMa", 
thafi he mtgbt eftftfre tbe& foc^f^ ;^ and irnme-. 
diaf efy diverted the a«teiitu>» d the ^tritmi 
by the f utnuk aifid claioour <yf a general afltote 
The Perfian&j who, ftom thew ^sih^ canUmp^ 
tttovdiy beheld the progre^ of an itt^ent 
attack, celebrated, with fongs of trtamphy^ the 
glory of Sapor; smd ventured! to Affute tiM 
Iknperor, that he nrigbt e^fcend the (tariiy m^ik^ 
^tm of Ormiifa, before &e could hope «$» <al« 
the jfflpr^gtfabl^ dty of Maoganialch^ "thi 
city was already taken. Hiftory hasp raCWded 
the name of a private foldief, th<( fM wh0 
^fcended ftom the mifie hMa a defertefd tdwer. 
The paflagc was widened by his coi^panmnis 
who preffed forwards with impat^Y^t vatoorl 
I^fteen hundred enemies were already in the 
midft of the city. The afionifhed garrjfon 
ibandoned the WaJfo, and their only bope of 
fafety; the gate^ were inftawlly bin*^ opeftj 
and the revenge of the fohiier, uiiflefe H were 
fufpended by litfl or avariee, wiis» faitiaterf by an 
nndrftingiiifhtng m-afecre. The govenioi^, wftd 
had yielded on a profftfife of m^rcy, was bi*nf 

alive. 



i^J^ ;« few 4^j:3^aftwK^j:d«t -pn^ obai^e ^f hay- c h a p^ 
ing uttered fome difrefpe6lful words ^ga-toft ihe ^^^^ 
hi^mouf Af Pxinc^ Horwifites. The fortifiq^tiwa 
W«r4B i-aped t«) tbje ^xagwd; wd POt .^ y^i^e 
^^ ieft, -tiwjt 4:he city «qf JMtoAgaw^cU^^ h3.d eyex 
(Wyfted. TJ?.e A«ghhQvrJb.opd of tbe p^^it9.1 of 
PedUi WW »dpj;ned witit three ftatejy pglaces^ 
ijJl>prriauJ(ly.45Arid;\ed 3^1^ 4jTa.t 

Widid g^^ify thie hi^^jury ajid pride.of an E^^erqi 
itKWiaiicjt^ Xh^ plwfttpt ifitwaJtiw of ibe prdeos 
a|a«g the jjwiks pf the Xigrw, was JUopjdv^^ 
c^QGordi^g to the i?i2rfian taftp, by »the fycametr^ 
of jaipweas, ftamtaiuso^wd ih^^dy walk?; ^r^dt^at 
(WW^ (jaj*s iif e^reinclofed Jfc^ fnepeptioa Qf th^ 
b^Ms, JtoQSf .and w^d bpar^ w,h^h weiie maiii- 
tpiivad . at^ icpj^fidierabAe je^xpeflpe rf<wr ,tJie ple^fur,e 
pf 4^ rr,(jjy^ lohaeiei^ The jtwk-w^Ua. w.er^ bf ok,e 
AowM>*h^:&«flige,g^m©w*? abaudpoedlpthgdart^ 
of >^ ^fpldiers, .«a4 the ^palaws pf S^^r were 
lPiiwQ¥4jU)<*flaje%Jt>y.the)eawiP*^ Roaw^a 

£4^.rt;^> Jj^iaop^oo jthis QCc;»fiQ»^ Aewed him* 
felf ignorant or carelefs, of the laws of civility^ 
jurfiich ifike jMisdeaoe or «£MnReat t^ j)p)^ed 
ftg^s JiiVjB ^e^abUjhed Jj^we^n hpftile princes. 
£et>tha& twanAw travjtges (^jsd opt expUe in our 
breails any ve?hement emotions of ^ity or f^ffeat^ 
iBMgL A iimpie, jnak.ed ft»tue, 4jaifli,ed by the 
iiand of a<jrrecian artift, is^mope genuise vaki« 
than jaU 4iiefe wdp <3*d .ppftl>y »op.unj^ei;its .of 
Sarbarie labour: and, 4f -we are more 4!ee^y 
aflfe^ed by the ruin of a palace, than by the con.- 
flagFflti^n of* a cottage, our humanity »uij^ jbav^a 

fontied 



^74 



Ttt£ DECLINE ANb If ALL 



CHAP, formed a very erroneous eftimate of the wiSsnei 

^^^ of human life^^ 

Fatooai Julian was an objeft of terror and hatred td 

tu«£^ the Perfians : and the painters of that nation 
reprefented the invader of their country undei" 
the emblem of a furious lion, who vomited from 
bis mouth a confuming fire'% To his friends and 
foldiers thephilofbphic hero appeared in a more 
amiable light ; and his virtues were never more 
confpicuoufly difplayed, than in the laft, and 
moft adtive, period of his life. He praftifed^ 
without effort, and almoft without merit, the 
habitual qualities of temperance and fobriety. 
According to the di6tates of that artificial wif* 
dom, which siflumes an abfolute dominion over 
the mind and body, he fternly refufed bimfelf 
the indulgence of the moil natural appetites ^\ 
In the warm climate of Aflyria, which folicited 
a luxurious people to the gratification of every 
fenfual defire % a youthful conqueror preferyed . 
his chaftity pure and inviolate : nor was Julian 

^7 The operatioDs of the AI^tuui war are drcumftantially relaled 
by Ammianus (xxiv. 2» 3» 4>5*)» Libanius (Orat* Parent, c. iia«- 
i»3« P-335 — 347-)» Zofimus (l-iiL p. i68 — i8o.)b and Gregory 
Kazianzen (Orat iv. p. izj. X44*)* The nuKtary criddims of the 
iaint are deroutly oopieii by Tillemonty his faithful fUve. 

^ LSbanius de ulcifcenda Julian! nece» c. 13. p. x6i« 

^ The Cunoos examples of Cyrusy Alexander, and ScipiOy were 
tidU of jufiice* Julian's chafiity vtiz voluntary^ and, in his opinioni 
meritorious. 

'^SaJluft (ap. Vet. Scholiaft. Juvenal, Satir. L Z04.) 6brerves» 
that nfliil cormpdus moribus. The matrons and virgins of Baby* 
Ion freely mingled with the men, in licentious banquets : and at 
diey felt the intoxication of wine and love, they gradually, and al* 
snoft completely, threw aiide the incumbrance of di«is ; ad ultimum 
ima corponim vekmeata projiciunt. Q. Curtuis, y. i. 

ever 



ey^r tempted, even by a motive of curiofity, to c ha k 
viilit his female captives of exquifite beauty % -^°°^- 
M^bo, inllead of refifting his power^^ould have 
difputed with each other the honour of his em- 
braces. With the fame firmnefs that he refifted 
the allurements of love, he fuilained the hard- 
ihips of war. When the Romans marched through 
the flat and flooded country, their fovereign, oa; 
foot, at the head of his legions, fhared their 
&tigues, and animated their diligence. In every 
ufeful labour, the hand of Julian was prompt: 
and ilrenuous : and the Imperial purple was wet 
and dirty, as the coarfe garment of the meaneft 
foldier. The two fieges allowed him ibme re- 
m^kable opportuhities of fignalizing his perfonal 
valour, which, in the improved ftate of th« 
military art, can feldom be exerted by a prudenfi 
general. The Emperor ftotod before the citadel 
of Perifabor, infenfible of his extreme danger^ 
and encouraged his troops to burft open thef 
gates of iron, till he was almoft overwhelmed 
under a cloud of miffile weapons, and huge 
ftones, that were directed againfl; his perfon^ 
As he examined the exterior fortifications of 
Maogamalcha, two Perfians, devoting themfelves- 
for their country, fuddenly ruflied upon him 
with drawn fcimitars : the Emperor dexteroufly 
received their blows on his uplifted fhield j and; 

' ' . -* 

^' £x vbrgixiibus autem^ quae fpeciofae funt captaci et in Perfidey 
iibi faeminarum pulchntudo excellit» nee contredltare aliquam voluit 
nee videre. Ammian. xxiv. 4, The native race of Perfians is Yixiall 
and ugly : but it has been improved> by the perpetual xnixtVFe ot 
Circailian bloo4 (Herodot. 1. iii. c. 97. Bitffon, Htft Natureile» 
tonugL p«42o.). 

with 




FiE;prfli» i$ it^ laobleft repofspenpe of d 4^ viiitf 
fjism^mv^fom^ #nerit^ «ffpb^4 him ^ nwi>vp 

hw^ur irf tfir.w iWflp3 («f fepifeii »^ho, in ?. Ifcif.* 

l»§ft Ji>J4i^fj jy^P )b*d a.ibeftd€id iptp the^rity of 
Mfiqgw9pWb#- Aft€|r. tUe fiqgp of Perifabor^, i^^ 
t^mnf^ «f f h? ^p€ir^r ^ws^ cj^c^emfed bj die ii;u 
^nt aiwi?e .of jthe ^rH[>y^ ^ho loudly, oom^ 
pWue^ tfi** ftfaeif :lprvpf»p weg:^ f^wprrded by ?i 
«^|i^ 4«i*^v« af p*e hiH94red piepps of filyeiv 
Pis Jwft w.4igfl^ipP was ^xprf<?flfed ip tlv? gijave 
««4 W#»iy ilftngu«gei?f ,?. . Jl^fflaq, " JRicbj^s law 
''^^i^f^cpf y<>»r ck^es;: tb^fe ricjiq$ syve u;^ 
^ j^ IftMftds *rf* tifee feqfiians; ^nd 4lie If oils ^JT 
" rtb^ IruMul ,i>QiMvtry ^re prppofed as the |)ri;zf 
^ *of y^ia^ vakwr .Mid difcipUne. Belieye, me^" 
*dfte4iJ^«tiw» ^' ^he ftoffl»n r^pubUq, wUif^h Jfof^ 
^ ineriy |)oirQfledfuob.iwtP^feir^afti>rep, isriio.v 
^^ Mducad to w^t i^nd ^yirrpt^biednefs j ^mge dm: 
*« prdijices tove .been pjerfi^qd^d, by weak awl 
*^ interefted minifters, to purchafe with gold the 

^'fObdfUonalib^ coronis donati. Amtni^iy ^xiv. 4. Either 
$^W^ cr jhis jKjftorwn wene uaOdlful antiquaries. I}e fiiould have 
S<XW 'f'Jfr^^ crowns. The obfidhmi'^^t the rew^d of a general who 
liad delivered a befieged city (Aulus Gelliust Kodl. Attic, v. ,6.) 

" tran- 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. . x^^ 

« tranquillity of the Barbarians. The revenue CHAP, 
** is exhaufled ; the cities are ruined ; the pro- ^^^"^ 
*' vinces are di(peop1ed. For myfelf, the only 
*' inheritance that I have received from my royal 
^^ anceftors is a foul incapable of fear; and as 
** long as I am convinced that every real advan« 
^^ tage is feated in the mind, I (hall not blufli to 
** acknowledge ati honourable poverty, which, 
** in the days of ancient virtue, was confidered 
** asthegloryofFabricius. That glory, and that 
" virtue may be your own, if you will liftea to 
** the voice of Heaven and of your leader. But 
** if you will raflily perfift, if you are determined 
** to renew the fliameful and mifchievous exam- 
^^ pies of old feditions, proceed — As it becomes 
** an emperor who has filled the firft rank among 
^^ men, I am prepared to die. Handing ; and to 
** defpife a precarious life, which, every hour, 
, *< may depend on an accidental fever. If I have! 
^^ been found unworthy of the command, there 
*« are now among you (I fpeak it with pride and 
*^ pleafure), there are many chiefs, whofe merit 
^« and experience are equal to the condu6): of 
** the moA important war. Such has been the ' 

** temper of my reign, that I can retire, with- 
•* but regret, and without apprehenfion, to the 
** obfcurity of a private ftatioi^ •'." The mo- 
deft refolution of Julian was anfwered by the 
unanimous applaufe and cheerful obedience of 
the Itoiiians, who declared their confidence of 

^^ I g^vp tiib fpeeeh as ori^nal and genuine. AmmianiM might 
]iear» could tranfcnb^ and wa3 incapable i^ inventingi it. I have i:&d 
Ibme flight fitedomti and conclude with the moft forcible ientence. 

VOL. rv» J8f vi6lory. 



the Tigrb. 



178 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP- vi6lorj, while they.fought under the banners, of 
(^^ 1- *^^^^ heroic pribce. Their courage waj^kindle4 
1-^ . by his frequent and familiar aileverations (fo^ 
fuch wiihes were the oaths of Julian), ". So may 
** I reduce the Perfians under the yoke !** " Thus 
•* may I reftore the ftrength and fplendor of the 
** republic!** The Ipye of feme was the ardeat^ 
paffion of his foul: but it was not before he, 
trampled on the ruins of Miabgamalcha, that he, 
allowed himfelf to fay, ** We have now provided^ 
" fome materials for the fophift of Antioch **.*' ^ 
He tranf. ' The fuccefeful vilour of Julian had triumphed^ 
fleeTf^ over all the obftacles that oppofed his march tq 
the Eu- the gates of Ctefiphon. But the redu6lion, 01; 
ffcJI^nL^ even the fiege, of the capital of Perfia, was ftiU^ 
kt a diftance: nor can the military condudl o^ 
the Emperor be clearly apprehended, without a^ 
knowledge of the country which was the theatre^ 
of his bold and Ikilful operations'^^ Twenty^ 
miles to the fouth of Bagdad, and on the eaftern^ 
bank of the Tigris, the curiofity of travellers has^ 
obferved fome ruins of the palaces of .Ctefiphoiij^ 
which,, in tlie time of Julian, was a great and^ 
populous city. The name and glory of the ad- 
jacent Seleucia were for ever extinguiflied ; and, 
the only remaining quarter of that Qreek colony^ 
had refume^, with the Aflyrian language and 
manners, the primitive appellation of Coche. 

' ^ Ainmian. xidy. 3. Llbaiiius» Ont« Furent. c* x»»»p, 346* 
. ^^ M. D'AnviUe (Mem. del'Academiedes Infcriptimi8» torn, xx^n^ 
p. 246—259.) has afcertained the true pofition and diftance of Babyloop' 
Seleucia, Ctefiphon> Bagdad^ &c The Roman tnveller» PSetro ddla 
yslUe,(tom- i. iett. zyH. p. 65o-^78b.> ftaas to be the moft intelli- 
geiA fpedhttor. of that famous province* He it a f^eattedun and al 
fcholar, hat infailcnihiy vain and ppcJiflu ... 

. .: Coche 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE/ 179 

Gbche' was fitiiate on the weftern fide of the c H A p.^ 
Tigris; but it was naturally confideried as a ^*^* 
iitburb of Ctefiphon, with which we may fuppofe 
it to have been conne6led, by a pennanent bridge * 
of boats. The united parts contributed to form ' 
Ijie common epithet of Al Modain, the cities, 
which the Orientals have bellowed on thfe Winter 
refidence of the Saflanides ; and the ^whole cir- 
cumference, of the Perfian capital' was flrohgly 
fortified by the waters of the river, by lofty walls, ^ 
and by impra^icable morafles. Near the ruins 
of Seleucia^ the camp of Julian was fixed, and 
fecuxed by a ditch and rampart, againll the fallies 
of the; numerous and enterprifing garrifon of 
Coche. In this fruitful and pleafant country, the 
Komans were plentifully fupplied with water 
and forage ; and feveral forts, which might have ' 
embarrafled the motions of the army, fubmitted, 
afteribme refifliance, to the eflbrts of their valoUr. , 
The fleet pafled from the Euphrates into an ar- 
tificial derivation of that river, which pours a 
copious and navigable ftream into the Tigris^ 
at.a fmall difi:ance behw the great city. If they 
had followed this royal canal, which bore the 
name of Nahar-Malcha^, the intermediate fitu- 
ation of Coche would have feparated the fleet- 
andarihy of Julian; and thie raih attempt of 
fleering againft the current of the Tigris^ and 

^ The royal canal fNaifar^MaickaJ might be fucceffivetyrcfiered) 
alteredy divided* &c. (Cellariusy Geograph. Antiq. torn. ii. p<453.):. 
and thdk changes may ferve to explain the feeming contradi<^ons of 
antiiquity. . In the time of Julian> it muft have fallen into the Euphrates 
lidio>ir Cte0phoa. 

' ' ' N 2 . forcing 



l8o THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, forcing their way through the midft of a hoilile 
3KI v>^ capital, muft have been attended with the total 
deflru3:ion of the Roman navy. The prudence 
of the Emperor forefai^r the danger, and pro- 
vided the remedy. As he had minutely ftudied 
the operations of Trajan in the feme country, 
he foon recolie6ted, that his warlike predeceflbr 
had dug a new and navigable canal, which, leav- 
ing Coche on the right hand^ conveyed the 
waters of the Nahar-Malcha' into the river 
Tigris, at Ibme diltance above the cities. From 
the information of the peafants^ Julian afcertained 
the veftiges of this ancient work, which were 
almoft obliterated by defign or accident. By the 
indefatigable labour of the foldiers^ a broad and 
deep channel was fpeedily prepared for the re- 
ception of the Euphrates. A ftrong dyke was 
conftru6ted to interrupt the ordinary current of 
th^ Nahar-Malcha: a flood of waters rufhed 
impetuoufly into their new bed; and the Roman 
fleet, fleering their triumphant courfe into the 
Tigris^ derided the vain and ineffe6tual barriers 
which the Perfians of Ctefiphon had erected to 
oppofe their paflage. 
Paflagc of ^8 it bccame neceflary to tranl^ort the Roman 
^d^a^J^ army over the Tigris, another labour prefented 
oTthcRo- itfelf^ of lefs toil, but of more danger, than the 
pjeceding expedition. The ftream was broad 
and rapid; the afcent fteep and difiicult ; and the 
intrenchments which had been formed on the 
ridge of the oppoflte bank, were lined with a' 
numerous army of heavy cuitafiSeis^ dexterous 

archers, ' 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE: ifff 

archers, and huge elephants ; who (according to c H A P^ 
the extravagant hyperbole of Libanius), could '^^^^• 
traraple, with the faine eafe, a field of corn, or 
a legion of Romans ^ In the prefence of fuch 
an enemy, the cohllruftion of a bridge was im» 
pra6licable; andtheintrepid prince, who inftantly 
feized the only poffible expedient, concealed his 
defign, till the moment of execution, from the 
knowledge of the Barbarians, of his own troops^ 
and even of his generals themfelves. Under the 
ipecious pretence of examining the date of the 
magazines, fourfcore veffels were gradually un- 
laden } and a fele6l detachment, apparently deC- 
lined for fome fecret expedition, was ordered to 
Hand to their arms on the fii*ft fignal. Julian 
diiguifed the filent anxiety of his own mind with 
fmiles of confidence and joy ; and amufed the 
hoflile nations with the Ipedlacle of military 
games, which he infultingly celebrated under the 
walls of Coche* The day was confecrated to 
pleafure ; but, as ibon as the hour of fupper was 
pafl, the Emperor fummoned the generals to his 
tent ; and acquainted them, that he had fixed 
that night for the paflage of the Tigris^ They 
flood in filent and refpe^ful afl:oni{hment; but, 
when the venerable Salluft aflumed the privilege 
of his age and experience, the reft of the chiefi^ 
fupported with freedom the weight of his pro* 

^en n'eft beau que le yral; a, maxim wliich fhcxuld be ioibribed on 
the^dc^ of everjr rketorician. 

» 5 dent 



XXIV. 



:i83 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

jc H A P. dent remonftrances ^ Julian contented himfelf 
with obferving, thatconqixeft and fafety depended 
on the attempt; that^ inftead of diminilhing, the 
Dumber of their enemies would be increafed, by 
fucceffive reinforcements; and that a longer 
delay would neither contrail the breadth of the 
.flream, nor level the height of the bank. Tlie 
lignal was . inftantly given, and obeyed : the 
mod impatient of the legionaries leaped into five 
veffels that l^y neareft to the bank ; and as they 
plied their oars with intrepid diligence, they were 
loft, after a few moments, in the darknels of the 
night. A flame arofe on the oppofite fide ; and 
Julian, who too clearly underftobd that his fore* 
jnoft veffels, in attempting to land, had been 
fired by the enemy, dexteroufly converted their 
extreme danger into a prefage of vifilory. * " Our 
** fellow-foldiers," he eagerly exclaimed, ** are 
** already matters of the bank ;; fee— they make 
" the appointed fignal ; let us haften to emulate 
" and affift their courage.*' The united and 
rapid motion of a great fleet broke the violence 
of the current, and they reached the eaftern illore 
of the Tigris with fufficient fpeed to extingitifh 
the flames, and refcue their advemurous com* 
panions. The difficulties of a fteep and lofty 
afcent were increafed by the weight of armour, 
and the darknefs of the night. A. fliower of 
ftones, darts, and fire, was inceflantly difcharged 

* ^ Libanius alludes -to the moft powerful of the generals. I have 
^iifeBred to name Sallujt. Ammianus (kysy of all the leaderS) qudd 
acri metii territi duces concordi precatd fin prohibere tentarent. 

on 



bF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.' 183 

6n the heads of the aflailants ; who, after an c s A P. 
arduous llruggle, climbed the bank, and ftood .^^ '^ 
vi6lorious upon the rampart. As foon as they 
poffeffed a more equal field, Julian, who, with, 
his light infanty, had led the attack^, . dartecj' 
through the. ranks a fkillful and expeiriericed 
6ye : his br^veft foldiers, according to the pre-' 
cepts of Homer % were diftributfea in the front. 
j3Lnd reai- ; and all the trumpets of the Imperial' 
airmy founded to battle. ' The Romans^ after 
fending up a military Ihout," advanced in mea^ 
lured fteps to the animating, notes of martial, 
rtiufic ; launched their formidable javelins ; and 
fuihed forwards with drawn fwords, to. deprive, 
the Barbarians, by a clofer onlet, of the a.d- 
vantage of their miffile weapons. The whole 
engagement lailed aboVe twelve hours j. till the 
gradual retreat of the Perfians was changed into 
,a dilbrderly flight, of which the fhameful ex- 
ample was given by ihe principal leaders, and 
the Surenas himfejf. They were purfued to the ^ . 
gates of Cteffphon ; and the conquerors might, , 
have entered the difmayed city^', if their gene- 
ral, Vi6lor, who was dangeroufly wounded with , 

^ Hinc Ifnpehitor* ." . . (fayt Amthianu^) ipfe cum levis arnu-*' 
tune auxiliis per prima pofbemaque dilcurrensy &c. Yet Zofimusy 
his fnendy does not allow him to pafs the river till two days after the 
battle. . r _ • 

^'' Secundum Homericam difpolitionem. A -finnlar difpofition is , 
afcribed to the wife Neftor, in the fourth book of the. Iliad ; and 
Homer was never abfent from tHe mind of Julian. . 
' ^' Perfas terrore fubito ^ mifcuerunt» verfifijue a^minibus totius 
gentby apertas Cteliphontis portas vi^or miles intraflet* ni major ~ 
praedaruih. occalio, fuiffety quam cura vi^orise (Sextus Kufut de, 
Provinciisy c. i8.)." Their avarice might diipofe them tt> hear the 
amities oF VidUr. 

N 4 an 



lg4 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, an arrow, had not conjured them to defift from a 
,^^^' . ralh attempt, which muft be fatal, if it were not 
fucCefiful. On their fide, the Romans acknow- 
ledged the lofi of only feventy-five men ; while 
they aflirmed, that the Barbarians had left on 
the field of battle two thoufand five hundred, or 
even fix thoufand, of their bravefl: foldiers. The 
i5)oil was fuch as might be expected from the 
riches and luxury of an oriental camp ; large 
quantities of filver and gold, fplendid arms and 
trappings, and beds and tables of mafly filver. 
The vidlorious Emperor difl:ributed as the re- 
wards of valour, fijme honourable gifts, civic, 
and mural, and naval, crowns ; which he, and 
perhaps he alone, efi:eemed more precious than 
the wealth of Afia. A folemn facrifice was 
offered to the god of war, but the appearances 
<^ the vi£bims threatened the mofi: inauQ>icious 
events ; and Julian foon difcovered, by lefs am- 
biguous figns, that he had now reached the term^ 
of his profperity^. 

On the fecond day after the battle, the do- 



"^^^ meftic guards, the Jovians and Herculians, and 

juUan, the remaining troops, which compofed near two- 

^^3^3« thirds of the whole army, were fecurely wafted 

over the Tigris ^^ While the Ferfians beheld 

from 

'^ The labour of the canal, the paHage of the Tigris,^ and the 
^nStoryt are defciibed by Aimnianus (xxiv.5, 6.)» libanius (Qrat. 
Parent, c. 114 — ia8. p. 347 — 353*)» Greg. Nazianzen (Orat. iv. 
p. ZX5.)» Zofimus (1. liL p. 181 — zSj}* and Sextus Rufus (de 
Frovinciisy c. 28.). . 

7^ The fleet and army were formed in three divifionsy of /which 
the &ft only had pafled diring the night (Ammiaiu »uy« 6.}» The 

TflWH 



OF THE RbMAN EMWRE. 185 

from the walls of Ctefiphon the defolation of the chap* 
adjacent country, Julian caft many an anxious x^^* 
look towards the North, in full expectation, that 
as he himfelf had vi6lorioufly penetrated to the 
capital of Sapor, the march and jun6tion of his 
lieutenants, Sebaflian and Procopius, would be 
executed with the fame courage and diligence* 
His expectations were difappointed by the tiea- 
chery of the Armenian king, who permitted, and 
Hioft probably direCted, the defertion of his auxi- 
liary troops from the camp of the Romans '* ; 
and by the diifenfions of the two generals, who 
were incapable of forming or executing any plan 
for the public fervice. When the Emperor had 
relinquiihed the hope of tliis important rein- 
forcement, he condefcended to hold a cpuxicii 
of war, and approved, after a full debate, the 
fentiment of tbofe generals, who difluaded the 
fiege of Ctefiphon,^ as a fruitlefs and perQici9U3 
undertaking. It is not eafy for us to conceive, 
by what arts of fortification, a city thrice b?- 
fieged and taken by the predeceflbrs of Julian^ 
could be rendered impregnable againft an.^rmy 
of fixty thoufand Romans, commanded by a 
brave and experienced general, and abundantly 

waen iofv^^uty whom Zolimus tranfpoits on the third day (Liii« 
pw z83-)^ might confift of the prote^orsy among whom the hifioriaa 
Ammianust and the future Emperor Jovian^ adlually ferved ; fdme 
Jcbools of the domefticst and perhaps the Jovians and HercuUansy who 
«Aea did duty as guards. 

''^ Mofes of Chorene (IM« Armen. L iii. c is* p. 246*) fupplies 
us with a national tradition, and' a fpurious letter. I have borrowed 
<mly the leading circumftance, which is confiAent \nth truth, proW 
bilityi and libanius (Orat* Parent* c 131. p. ^ss»y 

fupplied 



i86 THE DECLINE AND FALL^ 

c HAP. fiipplied with^fhipj^, ^ provifions, . battering en- 
X XIV. gines, irtcf hfiflifaj^ ftqres. ' But we ''may reft 
affure'd, from thfeloVe of glory, and contempt of 
dangler, whfch. foribed the chara6ler. of ^Julian, 
that he was tfot * &fcouraged by any trivial or 
imai^inary obftades ^^* At the.very^tiqae when 
he declined the fiege of Ctefiphdn,.Iie reje6led, 
with obftinacy and difdaiii, the' moil .flattering 
offers of a negociatidn of peace. . Sap6r,^who had 
been fo long accuftothed to the tardy "bftenta- 
tion of Conftiintiiis, was fufprifed by the intrepid 
diligehce of hisYudcfeflbi'. ! 'As far as the confines' 
of iiidik aiid Scythia, the fatmps of the diftant 
provinces were ordered to ittemble their troops, 
ahd to march, with($ut ^elay,*' to the afiiftance 
of their monarch. ' Buttheir'prepafations were 
dilatory, their tntotions'fl'owj and before Sapor 
cotild^ead an arihy'itito the field, he received 
the melancholy inteffl JgfeAce of the devailation of 
Ailyria,"th*e'rui'n *df his palaces, and the flaughter. 
of ^ hi^1).r^veft.irtfops, who defended the paffage 
of the 'Tigris. The pride of royalty was humbled 
ihtlife^^bft; he took bis repafts on the ground; 
dnd the diforder of his hair exprefled the grief, 
afnd anxiety of his mind. Perhaps he would iibt 
have refufed to j)urcbafe, with one half of his. 
kingdota, f the fafety of the remainder ; and he. 
I^ould h'ave gladly fubfcribed liimfelf, in a treaty 

, "^ Civitas. inexpugnabilby - facinu^- audax et importunum. Am- 
mianusf xxiv. 7. His fejlow-fcdidi^o EutrbpiuSf turns afide £rom: 
tjie difficulty) Affyi^amque . populatusy ca&xk apud Cteflphontem . 
ftativa aliquandiu hjihuit : .reinjeaiii/que vi^OT} &c. x. li. Zofimus it 
artful or ignorant^ and' Socrates inaccurate. 



.OF THE ROMAN ^EMPIRE, ,187 

of peace, the faithful and dependent ally of the c H A^ ^ 
Roman conqueror. Under the pretence of pri- ^ j^ ^- 
vate bufinefe, a minifter of rank and confidence 
was fecretly difpatcfaed to « embrace the knees of 
(Hormifdas, and taTequefl, inthe language of a 
fuppliant, that he might be introducedtinto the 
prefence of the Emperor. The Saffanian: prince, 
whether he liilened to the voice of -pride or 
humanity, whether he corifulted the fehtimtots 
of his birth, or the duties of his iituation, twas 
equally inclined to promote a ialutary meaful*ej 
which would termifaate the calamities of PeHia, 
and fecure the triumph of Rome. He was afto- 
niflied by the inflexible firmnefs. of a hero, who 
remembered, moil unfortunately for himfelf and 
for his country, that Alexander had uniformly 
reje6led the propolitions of Darius. '. But as 
Julian was ferifible.that the hope of a.fafe and 
lionoiirable peace might coolthe ardour lofJiis 
troops ; he earneftly requefted, that Hofmifdas 
would; privately difmifs the minifter of Sapor, 
and conceal this dangerous temptation from the 
knowledge of the camp '^ ^ 

. The honour, as well as intereft,:of Julian, Hebur» 
forbade him to corifume his time under the ^' ^*^» 
impregnablie w^lls of CteiiplK>n; and as. 6ften«as 
he defied the Barbarians, who defended the Git^,« 
to meet him on the open plain, they prudet^^* 

. "^ Libaniusy Otat. Parent, c. 130. p. 354* c. 139* p* 36%. Socrates^ 
L iii. c. 21. The ecclefiaftical hiftorian .imputes the refuial of peaqi- 
to the advice of Maximus. Such advice was unvorth^r of a philofo-. 
pher ; but the philofopher was likewife a qiagtcianf ytho flattered th» 
kopes and paffions of his mafter. 

.replied) 



i88 THE DECLINE AND TALlr 

CHAP, replied, that if he defired to exercife his valour, 
^^' , he might feek the army of the Great King. He 
felt the infult, and be accepted the advice. In- 
Head of confining his fervile march to the banks^ 
of the Euphrates and Tigris, he refolved to 
imitate the adventurous fpirit of Alexander, and 
boldly to advance into the inland provinces, till 
he forced his rival to contend with him, perhaps^ 
in the plains of Arbela, for the empire of Afia. 
The magnanimity of Julian was applauded and 
betrayed, by the arts of a noble Perfian, who^ 
in the caufe of his country, had generoufly fub-^ 
mitted to a6t a part full of danger, of falfehood, 
and of ihame "• With a train of faithful fol- 
lowers, he deferted to the Imperial camp ; <ex* 
pofed, in a fpecious tale, the injuries which he 
iad fullained ; exaggerated the cruelty of Sapor, 
the difcontent of the people, and the weakneis 
of the monarchy; and confidently offered himfelf 
as the hoftage and guide of the Roman march* 
The mofli rational grounds of fulpicion were 
urged, without effect, by the wifdom and expe- 
rience of Hormifdas; and the credulous Julian, 
receiving the traitor into his boibm, was per- 
fuaded to iflue an hafly order, which, in the opi- 
nion of mankind, appeared to arraign his pru- 
dence, and to endanger his fafety. He deftroyed, 
in a fingle hour, the whole navy, which had been 

^ The arts of this new Zopyrus (Greg. Nazianzeoy Oiat. iv* 
p« lis 9 ii6.)9 may derive Ibme credit from the teftimony of two 
abbreviaton (Sextus Rufus and ViAor)^ and the cafual hints of Li- 
banius (Orat. Parent. c« 134. p. 357.) and Ammianus (xxiv* 7.). 
The courfe of genuine hiftoiy is interrupted by a mc& lU^eafoiulble 
chafin in the teact of Ammianus. 

15 tran£- 



6F THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 189 

tranfported above five hundred miles, at fo great chap. 
an expence of toil, of trfeafure, and of blood. ^^'^ 
Twelvfe, or at the moll, twenty-two, fmall vef- 
fels were faved, to accompany, on carriages, the 
march of the army, and to form occasional 
bridges for the paffage of the rivers. A fupply 
of twenty days provifions was referved for the 
Ufe of the foldiers ; and the reft of the magazines, 
with a fleet of eleven hundred veffels, which 
rode at anchor in the Tigris, were abandoned tor 
the flames, by the abfolute command of the 
Emperor. The Chriftian bifliops, Gregory dnd 
Auguftin, infblt the madnefs 0f the apoftate, 
who executed, with his own hands, the fe;itence 
of divine juftice. Their authority, of lefs weight, 
perhaps, in a miUtaiy queftion, is confirmed by 
the cool judgment of an experienced foldier, 
who was himfelf ^efilator of the conflagration, 
and who could not difapprove the relu6lant mur- 
. murs of the troops". Yet there are not want- 
ing fome ^ecious, and perhaps folid, reafons, 
which might juftify the refolution of Julian* 
The navigation of the Euphrates never afcended 
above Babylon, nor that of the Tigris above 
Opis''. The diftance of the laft-mentioned city 
from the Roman camp was not very confiderable j 

r 

'' Sec Atnihianus (xxiv. ^.)s Libanius (Orat. Vvmoial&h c. 1339 
S3S* P*3569 357«)» Zofimus (j. iii. p. xSj.]^ Zonaras (tom.ii. l.ziu. 
p. 26.)» Gregory (O^t. iv. p. iz6^]|^ and Auguftin (de Civitate D^ 
Liv. c. 29. I. V. c. 2X. Of thefe Libanins alone attempts a faint • 
apology- for his hero ; whoy according to Ammianusy pronounced liia 
own condemnation) by a tardy and ineflfe^lual attempt to extingoilh 
th^ flames. • . 

T* Confult Herodotus (1. L c. X94.> Strabo (U xyu p. I074.j> and ' 
Tavernier (p.i. 1. ii. p. 15 a.). 

and 



XXIV., 



190 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

Q H A P. and Julian muft foon have renounced the vain 

and impraSticable attempt of forcing upwards 

a great fleet againil the dream of a rapid river ^% 

which in feveral places was embarrafled by natu-* 

ral or arti^qial catara6tsV. The power of laib 

or oars \yas infufficient j it became neceflary ta 

tow the fliips againft the current of the river ; the. 

flrengthof twenty thoufandfoldiers was exhaufted 

ip, this tedious and fervile labour ; and if the 

Romans continued to march along the banks of 

the Tigris, they could only expeft to return home 

without atchieving any enterprife worthy of the 

genius or fortune of their leader. If, on the. 

contrary, it was advifeable to advance into th<s/ 

inland country, the de(lru6tion of the fleet and^ 

i^a^zines was the only^meafure wbich could 

lave that valuable prize/from the hands of the 

numei:ous and active troops which might fud*.- 

^enly be -poured from the gates of Ctefiphon. : 

Had the arms ,of Julian been vi6torious, we : 

ihould now admire the condu£l, as well as.t^el 

courage, of a hero, who by depriving his fol- / 

diers of the hopes of a retreat, left them opfy 

the alternative of death or conqueft*\ ^ r 



,^ A celeritate Tigris incipit vocariy ka appeUant M«lt.iagittanu 
FCn. HiiL Natur. vi. 31. 

^' One of thefedykesy which j^uces an artificul cafcade or 
calaxidi; *'is defcribed by Tavernicr (parti. LiL p.aa6.} and^ 
Thcvenot (partii. l.i. p. 193.). The Perfiansy or Aflyrians* la- 
boured to mtenrupt th^ navigation of the river (Strabo> l,xv. 
p; X075V ' D^Anville, I'Euphrate et le Tigre^ p;' 98/99.}. 

^ ^^ 'ftecolledt the fuccefsful and applauded ralhnda of Aga.- 
thodes and Cortezy who burnt their flupt on the coafts of Africa and ^ 
^ezico. - . .* 

The' 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.; 19^; 

The cuflttberipme train ^o£ artHlei^jand wag^ c.B a p. 
gons, which retards the operations of a, modern, ^._^_;_j. 
army, were in a^^reat meafiir^ unkngwn in the and ^ 
camps of the Ropans^^ Yet, in every age^ the, ^^^ 
fubfiftence of fixty thpufai^ men muftjiave})een Sapor. 
one, of the moft impoft^t, cflxef pfji jpjudent 
general; and that fubfiftence could only; berdrawn; 
from his own or from the enemy's country. Had 
ft been poffible. for Julian to main^n^^ hndge^ 
of communication on the Tigris, and to. pfd^yci 
the conquered places of Aflyria, a defplated prp-j 
vince could not afford any large or regular fup- 
plies, in a feafon of the year when the lands were 
covered by the inundation of the Euphrates *%. 
and the unwholefome air was darkened with^ 
fwarms of innumerable infers ®^ The appear-, 
ance of the hoftile country was far more inviting. 
The extenfive region that lies between the river ; 
Tigris and the mountains of Media, was filled 
with villages and towns j and the fertile foil, for 
tbe moft part, was in a very improved ftate of 



*^ See the judicious refledtions of the Author of the EiTai fur la 
7ji£tique» torn, il^ P* 2 8 7-^35 5* and the learned remarks of M* 
Giiichardty Nouveaux^M^ohres lifllitairesy tom.i. p. 351— ^381. on 
the baggage and fubfiftence of; the Roman<amiie8« ' * '-''.: 

** The Tigris rifes to the fouth, the Euphrates to the north, of the . 
Armenian mountains. The former overflows in March, the latter in 
July. Thefe circumftances are well explained in the Geographical 
Difler^on of Fofter, inferted m Spelman's Expedition ^ Cyrusy 
t61. u; p. 26. 

'^ Ammi^nus (xxiv. 8.)- defcribes, as he had felt^ the incon- ' 
Teniency of the flood, the heat, and the inJTedts. The lands of 
Ailyria,-ppg|[efle||^|^.the Turits,. and ravaged by th$ Curds, or 
Arabs, yidd an .incijeafe of ten^ fifteen,. and twenty-fold, for the ' 
feed which is caft into^the ^ground by the wretched and unfldlful 
liuibandinea. Voyages de INlebuhci torn* ii* p» »79« %%$• 

12 ' ■ culti-' 



ipi THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, cultivation. Julian might expe6l,' that a con- 
^^' ^ queror, who pofleffed the two forcible inftrument^ 
ofperfuafion, fteel and gold, would eafily pro- 
cure a plentiful fubfillence from the fears or ava- 
rice of the natives. But on the appro£ich of the 
Romans, this rich and fmiling profpe6b was 
inftantly blafted. Wherever they moved, the 
inhabitants deferted the open villages, and took 
ihelter in the fortified towns ; the cattle was 
driven away ; the grafs and ripe Corn were con- 
fhmed with fire ; and, as foon as the flames had 
fubfided which interrupted the march of Julian^ 
he beheld the melancholy face of a fmoking and 
naked defbrt. This defperate but efie£lual me- 
thod of defence, can only be executed by the' 
enthufiafm of a people who prefer their inde« 
pendence to their property ; or by the rigour of 
an arbitrary government, which confolts the pub- 
lic fafety without fubmitting to their inclinations 
the liberty of choice. On the prefent occafion^ 
the zeal and obedience of the Perfians feconded 
the commands of Sapor; and the Emperor was 
foon reduced to the fcanty dock of provifions, 
which continually wafted in his hands. Befpre 
they were entirely Confumed, he might ftill have 
reached the wealthy and unwarlike cities of Ec- 
batana, or Sufa, by the effort of a rapid and well- 
direfled march** j but he was deprived of this 
laft refource by his ignorance of the roads, and by 

^ Ifidore of Charax (Manfion. Parthic. p. $9 6. in Hndfrniy' 
Geogniph. Mmor> torn, ii.) reckons Xft9 fchseni from Seleuciiy and 
Thevenot (parti. I.i.ii. p«i09 — 24s >)» 128 hours of march irom 
Bagdad to Ecbatsntf or Haraadam. Thefe ma&trn cannot exceed ' 
an ordinary pandangi or three Roman miles. 

the 



^ frtfi *diiA* «AiF5fcs: 



>m 



^tf p»tidiy (}f bis ^Uidt^s. llb€$ Romlinv Hatt- "C H ^A p. 
>4le]re4 fevertd *«ys in tfcre <?6ttwtt^ to the eiit- ;J ^^ ^ 
%aM «f®^d^) the Periinti'd^erteir, triiii^bad 
«ttMl)ried them 4mo the fn^re, efeaped fitotn 
tli«^ t^kntmmt^ mA his {bUowears^ ^ ihm^ ks 
^h ^ ^Me^^ put t0 tbe; toi^tfire^ confcffibd the fecret 
i<tf th^ edh^]ii«rt;y. ^1^ viiSofi^j ooliqueibiCif 
Hy^ca^l^ Atkiiliffia^ tt^idi had fe^lodg' ^^tnuT^d, 
:ik># to^ibdfirt^d, the mind of J4ili£tm QonM^m 
l^t his ^Vim iDipr«i^eviiCi3 \«^S'thf3 cisMpf^ <^* the 
^ihlie dlftrd*^, ^be «iy^ii<^% bftlftfl.0e»d( tbe^Uopee 

4bAcjfy a^f^^i-i, ^§h^i^ from ^^s or met>« At 
4^n(g«h^ ^m 4lke t^tily |)¥^ii£lidft^e ^eliftife^ be 
i«iftt^Mfed §be tieiblirtiotl "of (dUt^fting hh fte^ 
*^wa^ra» ^^^ba?fiFk6 ^ ^ Tigrh, t^jth dhe ^ejlgli 
<df 4(&¥)fig1lbe^l»y hf ^ iidjftj liGitfrdh t(» the.cofi^ 
^ij^ii of C€>r#ifei^^; & lettite and ftimXiy ^ro^ 
-^ifH^^ \(^hiefa ackna^dgQd tli*e fovereig)n(r)r of 
Hdtiiei l%e ddj^onditig tr^ps dbe^^ed tiie 
%iiftl ^ the retifefift;, oUfy ^ev:etity days aft^r thef 
l^ad^fleA the Dhabcttft^^ with «he fmg^tke ^ex^ June i^. 
fe&^^n (ctffabv^tifig4he tbf one df Perfk *^ 

As l^ag «s tti* Romans feetned to advatide Retreat 
Snl6 the ctouhtiy, tfeeir f^aroh ^v^asobferved hnd ^^ <^- 
•iuMted from a dIft*noe, by Ifeveral bodies of S^*^* 
^tiriJaf* 'cayafcy ; ^^bo, 4ie#ilig1he«i&lves fomei. army. 
4Sl)MS'iii lo(]fe, nAd fettietfme^ in dtoiet, order^ 

not clearly^ defcribed by Ammian«s (xxiv. 7, 8.)» J^ibf nius (Qiat. 
feutnt. c. t34, I)-357«> «6d Zbflrfius (U^fiL p. tS3.> ' Th6 tti^' 

i»ft iscmn igtemm ibat cJie^rcdmisMm mm ceti^atiDe ; .ai^^jtaiiiiw 

^^furdly confines him tp the banki of the Tigris. 

VOL, m Q faintly 



194 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP.. faintly (kirtniihed with the advanced guards. 
xxiv^ Thefe detachments were, however, fupported 
by a much greater force ; and the heads of the 
columns were no foober pointed towards the 
Tigris than a cloud of dull arofe on the plain. 
The Romans, who now afpired only to the per- 
miffion of a fafe and fpeedy retreat, endeavoured 
to perfuade themfelves that this formidable ap- 
pearance was occa^oned by a troop of wild afies, 
or. perhaps by the approach of fome fdendly 
Arabs. They halted, pitched their tents, forti- 
fied their camp, pafled the whole night in con-, 
tinual alarms, and difcovered, at the dawn of 
day, that they were furrounded by an army of 
PerliatiSk This army^ which might be confidered 
only as the Van of the Barbarians, was ibon fol- 
lowjed by the main body of cuiraffiers, archers,^ 
and elephants^ commanded by Meranes, a get- 
Eieral of rank and reputation. He was. accom- 
panied by two of the king's fons, and n^any of 
the principal fatraps ; and fame and e^p^Sta- 
tiQXi exaggerated the ftrength of the remaining 
powers, which flowly advanced under the con- 
4u6l of Sapor himfelf. As the Romans con- 
tiny^d their march, their long array, which was 
forced to bend or divide, according to the varie- 
ties of the ground, afforded frequent and favour- 
able, opportunities to their vigilant enemies. 
The Perfians repeatedly charged with fury; they 
were repeatedly repulfed with firmneis ; and the 
action at Maronga, which almoft deferved the 
«ame of a battle, was marked by a confiderable 

lofi 



.OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 195 

lofs of fatraps.and elephants, perhaps of equal ^^j^^" 
value in the eyes of their monarch. Thefe ^__ .^-/^ 
fpleridid advantages were not obtained without 
an adequate flaughter on the fide of the Romins: 
feveral officers c of diftinfilion were either killed 
or wounded ; and the Emperor himfelf^ who oti 
all occaiibns of danger infpired and guided the 
valour of his troops, was obliged to expofe his 
perfon^ and exert his abilities. The weight of 
oflfenfive and defenfive arms, which ftill cohfti* 
tutedlhe ftrength ^d fafety of the Romans, 
difahled them from making any l6ng or^ffefifcual 
purfuit ; and as the horfemen of the Eaft were 
trained to dart their javelins, and Ihoot their 
. arrows at full fpeed^ and in every poffible direc- 
tion ^y the cavalry of Perfia was never more for- 
mklable than in the moment of a rapid and dif* 
orderly flight. But the moft certain arid irre- 
parable I0& oi the Romans was that of time* 
T.he hardy veterans, accuftomed to the cold cli- 
njoite of Gaul and Germany, feinted under the 
fultry beat of an Afl}Tian fummer; their vigour 
was exhaufted by the inceiTant repetition of 
mairch and combat; and the progrefs of the 
army was fufpended by the precautions of a 
flow and dangerous retreat, in the prefence of 
an a6live enemy. Every day, every hour, as 
the fupply diminiflied, the value and price of 

^ Chardinj the moft judicious of modem travellerSy delcribet 
{torn. iii. p»S7* S^9 &c. edit, in 4to.) the education and dexterity of 
the Periian horfemen. Briflbnius (de Regno Peiiicoi p. 650. 46X9 &c. 
Ms coHe^ed the teftimoniet of antiquit)r. 

02 fub- 



jgS THE DBCJilNE AND FALL 

CHAFv ffJrbMence i&ereafisd tb thi Retnaft cimp H 

v^^lf JuU^, who always coritebtedhhnfelf with fiich 

food d9 a h^Bgfy foldier would have difdained^ 

diftributed fo^ thfe ufe of the troops, the prorii 

fions of the Impenal hotd^hdld, and whatever 

equld be fpared from thi futoi^ter-hddbs of the 

teibuneB and ge&eiuk. But this feeble reli^ 

^rved only to aggravate thp fenfe ef'the pdbJK« 

diftrefs ; aad the Rctt^ans began to entefiaiii 

the moft ^otay appdrehenfidn^ that^ before they 

could rceioh the frofitlierfc of the eai^TdyiAk^ 

fhoidd aU perifli^ eithex' hythxHine dr by ^^ 

fword of the Barbawan&«>\ 

Julian is While Julian ftruggled witk the almloil hifh- 

^M. P^^^^^ diiffi€ultie3 of his fitua<aott|, the filemt . 

boars of the night were ftfll devoted 'to ftudy 

Md contemplation. Whmiei^er he ddbfl hfe 

eyes hi ftiort an4 4i;^fe«i'rii|)ted flumbrirsi^ hk^miTid 

was agitata with painful rffijriety 9 'noir t^ak it be 

thou^tfuispnfiilg^ thi)fc the Qeniuai ef the ^ektpke 

flHmld'onc^ mot-6 appear bfefdre Him^ covering 

w^ith a fuAere^ veilv hiahr<^ad, snd hiB hdni'ixf 

ftbunddilcey aud^fldMyTetiridgifoJniibe IVn|>ertoft 

tent. TheHK^narch ffartedfFchohis cOQcb,Hin4 

HepfiBf;. ibfth to refi*elh'hi^ We»rted fpirits wv^ 

^ \ . /. . : , ' . 

^ tn Mai^ Antony's retreat^ an ^ticdiaenix fom for fifty drachmsBt 
d^j in'bfclWf -wdtcjy, 'V pGiiiiy'oflkitn-'fOt twelve or fourteen fluli^^ 
ftorjey bfeoi 4r3f. foi^fbrjts 'wil^hf iftitftU it is Itt^fiiblfe 'kf 
perufe the interefting narrative of Plutarch (tom.v. p. lox — ii6.)> 
- without perceiving ^ that . Mark Aj^tony- and 'Julian were- purfbed by 
tfft ftHffe'efleYHi^^,*ahd inVofved m.tne lam« diftrefs* 

^^ /Bfft!rifeif. afj^iv. ^. XXV. I. Zofiinus, 1. lii. p. i^4^^iS^5» i86t . 
tftebtt/iSf, CR^^.l^irefit. c.'i':f4, '135. p. 357>.358> 359- Thefophift 
«f Antioch appears ignorant t^t tie troops were hungry. 

I the 



t1|6 GOo)oei% <rf the midnight air, he beheld vl CHK9. 
%efyvo^teof^ which ftot athwart the &y, and ^ ^^" ^ 
foddenly vanned. Julian was convinced that 
he had &en the menaeing countenance pf th^ 
god of w^r^^} the cQuncil which he Aimmoned^ 
eiTvfe^fi Harufpiees'^^ unanimoufly pronounced 
that he ihould abftain fyom a^on: but, on 
this occafien, iieceflity and i>eafon we#e moire 
prevalent than (Uperftition ; and ti^ trumpetd 
founded at the break pf day. The army marked 
thMtigii a hilly country ; and tlie hills had beeiL- 
feer^tty oeeupied hy the Pepfians. Julian led 
the ^aib with the AliII aod attention of a con^ 
ftinimate gi^neral ; he was alarmed b^ the Intel* 
ligeiice that his rear was fiiddenly attacked* 
Thp heat of the weather had teippted him to 
lay afide bis ouira&$ but he fnatched a fhield 
from one of his attendants, and ha,ileneel, <\^th 
a AifScient reinfbrcement, to the relief of the 
xaar-gciard. A &miht danger recalled the -in- 
toepid prmce to the defence of the front ; and. 
^s he gallQpped between the columns, the centre 
etthe left was attacked, and almoft overpowered, 
by a furious charge Off the 'Pei'fian cavalry and 
elephan!^. This huge body was foon defeated, 

r 4iQinJ^. 3E?y:. n,. ;iyfy^ h^> ftspm to f pMw$ nimquaoi & 
Ms^ facra fa<5iunim (xxiv. 6^\ Si^ch whin^a} qif^rr^s were opt 
uncommon between the gods and their infdent votaries; and even the 
ffSiPP^ Agguftpfi ^!Sitv hi> Akt kid b^ntiripc Ih^wtecked, exchid^ 
Neptune from the honours of public proceilions. See Hume's philo* 
fophical Refle(5lions. Eflaysy vol. ii. p.4iS. 

^ tJPItty Jtill retained the monop<4y of the vaiiny but hicratlvey 
fdsaicef vikish )ia<lbMB' invented in'H^truria; and pixrflE^ied to derive 
their knowledge of figns and oiaensy from Ae aftciefit boa|:s of Tar^^ 

^- 03 ty 



198 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

C H A P. by the well-timed evolutioo of the light infantry^ 
^^^^ who aimed their weapons with dexterity and 
^ffe£t, againil the backs of the horfemen, and 
tlie legs of the elephants. The Barbarians fled ; 
and Julian, who was foremoft in every danger, 
animated the purfuit with his voice and geftures. 
His trembling guards, fcattered and opprefled 
by the diforderly throng of friends and enemies^ 
reminded their fearlels fovereign that he was 
without armour ; and conjured him to decline 
the fall of the impending ruin. As they ex- 
claimed ^% a cloud of* darts and arrows was dil^ 
charged from the flying fquadrons; and a javelin, 
after razing the fkin of his arm, tranfpierced the 
ribs, and fixed in the inferior part of the liven 
Julian attempted to draw the deadly weapon 
from his fide; but his fingers were cut by the 
fliarpnefs of the fl^eel, and he fell fenfelefs from 
bis horfe. His guards flew to his relief; and 
the wounded Emperor was gently raifed from the 
ground, and conveyed out of the tumult of the 
battle into an adjacent tent. The report of the 
inelancholy event pafied from rank to rank ; but 
the grief of the Romans infpired them with in- 
vincible valour, and the defire of revepge. The 
bloody and obfl;inate conflict was maintained by 
the two armies, till they were feparated by the 
total darknefs of the night. The Perfians de- 
rived fotne honour from the advantage M^ich 

*' Clamfiliant hioc inde eandidati (fee the note of V^efius) quos 
disjecerat tenor, tit fvgienium mol^m tanqi^m nunam male comi 
yoQti culminis declis^^. Ammiaii^ ^y, 3* 

they 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 199 

they obtained againft the left wing, where Ana- c M A p. 
tolius, mailer of the offices, was flain, and the prae- ._ ^ _'^ 
fe6b Salluft very narrowly efcaped. But the 
event of the day was adverfe to the Barbarians. 
They abandoned the field; their two generals, 
Merahes and Nohordates^*, fifty nobles or la- 
traps, and a multitude of their bravell foldiers : 
and the fuccefs of the Romans, if Julian had 
furvived, might have been improved into a 
decifive and ufeful victory. ' 

The firft words that Julian uttered, after his '^^^^ 
recovery from the fainting fit into which he had aj). 363', 
been thrown by lofs of blood, were expreffive of June»6. 
his martial fpirit. He called for his horlb and 
arms, and was impatient to rufli into the battle* 
His remaining llrength was exhaulted by the 
painful effort; and the furgeons wlio examined 
his wound, difcovered the lymptoms oi* ap- 
proaching death. He employed the awful mo- 
ments with the firm temper of a hero and a lage ; 
the philofophers who had accompanied him in 
this fatal expedition, compared the tent of Julian 
with the prifon of Socrates ; and the fpe6tators, 
whom duty, or friendlhip, or curiofity, had afi 
fembled round his couch, lillened with refpe6l- 
ful grief to the funeral oration of their dying 
Emperor '^ " Friends and fellow^foldiers, the 

" feafont 

^ Sapor himfelf declared to the Romans^ that it was his pradUc^ 
to comfort the families of ina deeeafed fatraps, by lending them^ as a 
prefent) the heads of the guards and officers who had not fallen by 
their mailer's fide. Libanius^ de nece Julian* ulcif. c. xiii. p. 163. 

^ The chara(5ler and fituation of Julian, might countenance the 
fufpiciony that he had previouily compofed the elaborate oration, 

o 4 whicH 



t^ Tfm WSChmt AND EAIX 

a H A F. ^^ fgaibfi^Ue p<9Fioi| of mj 4^j^MVi^(^ i^ «j^ 

*' of 9» f eady debtor, tb^ d^mapd^k of miwe. 1 
<^ Wve }earHe4 firom pj^fof^hy^ hov n>iikch (be 
^^ S^ i» noor? exe^Ieiit thaa th^ body; and that 
^^ tb@ &par^ti€>n ^f >he Qpbler iiifaf^wee ibfMOibl 
*> b(9 like fii%<5l ^ jpy, ratbpf Ihw pf tMi^tiw, 
^ I bave leiirnyed frofp faiigk)i>, tb^ ^ e^y 
^ d^ath hs^» of^n b«i^ |be rewai^d of pi^y^^i 
^^ and I accept, as .a iofvo^r ^ Ihie go^^ tbi^ 
^^ imtX^X ilir(^e tbftt ^cure^ |n^ fifiaailfai^ cU^lger^ 
^- 0f (M%f a^ing a ciiafj^ei^y Avbi^cb b^ l^^i^to 
<^ bQ«» ibf^ofbed by virtue 4n4 lii>Hitiii(i^« I 
^^ 4ie wi^hoMjt r^fijorfe, ^^a I h^^ve tive«d wkfaout 
^^ giiilt I am pAea^d to TeA^B on tbie ioao^ 
^^ cei>t;0 of my private lifi^^ i»nd I cdft a£irm 
♦« witb eoft^deiMJa, that thje fupr^me mihmAy^ 
<f that eiciav^Miw^ of tbe Dmni^ PowpF, has boeit 
*^ pmlbxv^d in niy bands pure and iin||iacufa#te^ 
^^ Beteftiog tbia earrupi and jdefttuiftivfi orMuana 
H «l'd^s^>fe»» I bavj^ cpa&cferi^d the happioefi 
^o^ the pteoplj^ aa tbe eiid €ff goverDitieah 
*« SiriJijwttiag my a^iiwi^ to the laws of pmdeocai 
*^ o^'jaftiiCjQ> aod of lO^MJi^ratiott, I bave truAed 
" tbe «v0nt to tb^ c$rp of PiOYidjsnoe. Peace 
^ w$^ %h^ Qbj^£l of my omfMt^ m ioKg aa peace 

which Aouivanus heard, and has tranfcribed. The verfion of the 
Ahbe de la Bletcrie is faithful and elegant. I have followed him i9 
ejq^efling the Platpnic idea of e^panfitionfy which is dacldy instated 
fii the driginaL 

^ Herodoti^s (1. i. c. 31.) ha? dtJ^layed th# do(5]lfine in an ag?:^p^ 
ible tale. Yet th6 Jupiter (ift the i6th boojc of tl^e Hiad), wW 
larteftts with tears of hlood the death of S^edon BJs foa^ ^ajd. a yery 
bhperfedi notion of h^pplAeft or jglory beyond i)ji^ gravQ. 

■:j " was ^ 



OF THE SOMAN EdCPtRfi. i#| 

i^ ntes con^c^ wdth the ptililic welfaFe ; but ^ilAl^ 

<^ whsn tUe impefious^voipe of niy country (Uih- ^ . '^ .^ 

^< moiied me to arm^, I expeibd my pei^n to 

."^^ tbe dangera of war, v^th the elear fore-kfiow* , 

^* ledge (which I had ^e^ked ftomtlte art of 

^< dirination) that i vm deMned t9> IkU by the 

^^ iWrd«, I n^w i®ifer ipy tt^ibiste of gratitutle 

^* ta the Etismai Beings w hd has not fofifererf mi^ 

^^ to per^ by the oymelty of a tyrant, by the 

♦^ fecret dagger of coufpkaey, or by the flow 

** tortwes <)f lingerhig diiba^. He has givefi 

^« me, in the midft of aahono»ra%k career, a 

^^ fptendid and glorious departure fNMvi this 

** world } and I hold it equally abfurd, equally 

^' bafe, to folicit, or to decline, the ftroke of 

*^ fjite.-r, — Thus much I have attempted to fay j 

<^ but my Hrength (kil^ me, and I feel the ap«> 

** proach of death. — I Ihail cautioufly reftam 

^* Irom any wprd that may tend to influewci 

4* your fuffiragtes in the ele^ion of an emperor, 

^ My choice might be imprudent or injudii 

*v cious ; and if it ibould not be wttifted by the 

'* c^&nt <?f the army, it might be fata! to the 

«< perfon whom I fliould recommend. I Ihall 

** only, as a good citizen, exprefs my hopes, 

«^ that th^ lUmam may be blefibd with the 

^^ government of a virtuous fovereign.** Afti^is 

this difcourfe, which Julian pronounced in a 

firm and gpntle tone of voice,, he (Jlftribat^d^ hg 

it mlitary t^&^vmni^^ the remains of bis private 

for Woe i 

^ The foldiers who nmde tfteir verbaU or nuncupatoiyy tefta- 
ipenCs) upon adtual iervice (in procin<5tu}> were exempted from the 

fonoalities 



toa THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, fortune ; and making fome inquiry why Ana-* 
^^^' tolius was not prefent, he underftood, from the 
anfwer of Salluft, that Anatolius was killed ; and 
bewailed, with amiable inconiiftency, the lo& of 
his friend. At the fame time he reproved the 
immoderategrief of the fpe£tators; and conjured 
them not to di%race, by unmanly tears^ the fate 
ofaprince, who in a few moments would be 
-united with heayen, and with the ftars'*. The 
ipe6lators were filent ; and Julian entered into 
a metaphyfical argument with the philofophers 
Prifcus and Maximus, on the nature of the foul. 
The efforts which he made, of mind as well as 
body, moft probably haftened his death. His 
wound began to bleed with freih violence ; his 
refpiration was embarraffed by the fwelling of 
the veins: he called for a draught of cold watery 
and, as foon as he had drank it, expired without 
pain, about the hour of midnight. Such was 
the end of that extraordinary man, in the thirty- 
lecond y^ar of his age, after a reign of one year 
and about eight months, from the death of Con- 
flantius. In his lad moments he displayed, per- 
haps with fome oftentation, the love of virtue 



ftmufities of the Roman hw* See Heineccius (Antiquit. Jur« 
Roman, torn. i. p. 504»)b and Montefquieu (£fprit des Loix> 
Lxxvii.). 

^ This union of the human foul with the divine aetherial iiib* 
Ibnce of the univerfe) is the ancient dodrine of Pythagoras and 
Flatos but it feems to ezdnde any perfimal or confcions immor- 
tality. See Waiburton's feamed and rational obfervatkvie. Divine 
L^gatiouy voU tt* p.i9y— ax6« 

4 and 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 



205 



and of fame, which had been the ruling paffions chap. 
of his life «• , ™' ^ 

The triumph of Chriftianity, and the cala- Ekaion 
mities of the empire, may, in fome meafure, be o^*heEm. 
afcribed to Julian himlelf, who had negle6bed to j^^, 
f^cure the future execution of his defigns, by the^^^* 363- 
timely and judicious .nomipation of an aflbciajte "** *^* 
and fuccefibr. But the royal race of Conflantius 
Chlorus was reduced to his own peribn ; and if 
he entertained any ferious thoughts of invefting 
with the purple the moll worthy among the Ro- 
mans, he was diverted from his refolution by the 
difficulty of the choice, the jealoufy of power, 
the fear of ingratitude, and the natural prefump- 
tion of health, of youth, and of pi:ofperity. His 
unexpe6led death left the empire without a 
mailer, and without an heir, in a Hate of per- 
plexity and danger, which, in the fpace of four- 
fcore yeai's, hadnever been experienced, iiiicethe 
election of Diocletian. In a government, which' 
had almoil forgotten the diilin£lion of pure and 
noble blood, the fuperiority of birth was of little 
moment ; the claims of official rank were acci- 
dental and precarious; and the candidates, who 
might afpire to afcend the vacant throne, could 
be fiipported only by the confcioufnefs of per. 
fonal m^rit, or by the hopes of popular favour. 
But the fituation of a famiflied army, ericom- 

5^ The whole relation of the death of Julian is given by Am-* 
mianus (xxv. 3.), an intelligent fpedlator. Libanius, who turns 
with horror from the fcene^ has fupplied fome circumilances (Orat. 
Parental, c. 136 — 140- p. 359 — 36a.). Hie calumnies of Gregory, 
and the legends of more ancient faints^ n^ay now be Jttently d?- 
fpifed. 

paffed 



2^ THE BECLINE ANB VALt 

c. H A P- piflyi pn all fidea hy an hcA o£ iMbariinis^ 
^y^* , fliortened the moments of grief and delibera- 
tioDu Iatbi&fc^{fte of termb and diftreft, the 
body of the (kcealed f^tuqe, discording to hi9 
own Ute^iaosj waft deisently efiolialmed; and, at- 
the dawt^ of dajT^ tfoe genei'aU oonvened a miii- 
taiyfbnate, at ii4iiak the commanders ojf the 
legions, and tbe ofli^rs, both of eaValiy and 
infkntry, were invited to affift. Three or §Q^tp 
ifontA of the night had not pajfed a/way witbont 
fiuBie feci^ cabals^ and K^ben the elation of an 
emparor was prope&(i, the l^ikit of foSaoni began 
t/) agitfitetbe aifeiiibly. Vi&or and AHothfieunp 
cotte^d iha remains of the couH of Conftas- 
tiua; th^ fri^ndq &i' Jiiiisvn att^obed tbemlblves 
t0 ijut Hhatiie ebicis, Dagalaiphiift and Nevkta $ 
aael the moft fatal confe^fuendes might be ap-^ 
piebended from the di&OFd^of two j^idtiaiia, ^ 
oppd&te ifi.theii' obaradber and interelt, io theii< 
mMin^ 4if genrennpent, and perhaps in theii> reli- 
gioaa pri^peiples. 1^ fupepior virtues of Sidli^ 
coiiLd ttleae veooneile their divifiona, and nnite 
theiirinffirage&; aind t^ venerable preefa^ would 
immediately haaize idieen ^eeiared ^he facdeibir ef 
Jiili8n,ifiie him&if^withifio^ereand modeA'firoi* 
neft| had not alleged his age a^^d infirmitiei^lb ^fi- 
equal to the M/^ght of tfie diadeo). The generals^ 
wfaowere^fiinprifbd and perp^x-edby his refu&), 
fliewed fome difpofitioh to adopt the falutary ad* 
vice of an inferior pfl^cerr, jrfjat tbey fhoul^ §^ 

'°° Hpiipi^t^ar sifyBi^ ^e^^ p^p9 Aapni^am l^io&lL ^Bm 
nK3i4e$ 9o4 i^cifm ^ma^ Mpx^ die feeas ^ tbe ^^^wtH M 
which he was undoubtedly prefqot (xxv. 5.). 

aa 



OF THE 1LOB»lN EMPIRE «o$ 

w tlate^ 'iivou}d ba^e aaed in the abftoce of tb^ c » A R 
itep^XKC) that th^ flK)illd lexert tfaeir abilities sto 
^tv'mate the aiimy &oin theilrelfeiitdiftrefs; mrd^ 
if tbeywet^fortaiiife'erioii^ tb rdaehthe eottflnes 
<^ Mefo|iotii]lai%tfaeyiho«ld pnotceed tril^b dfiited 
and ddibecadte coohfeis in &m eleftioti of a lutrftd 
ibverftiSD. White tfaey Aebdtdd^ a fbw vObm 
ikiatedJovitmsy #hb was ijo mare tfeiti jfej/?'^» 0F 
tiie d^flteftiea, with the tiftmto bf JSmpeA^^ ^f)d 
A^itgiiftmj > TfaetoMuMbiyftecAtfmittidn^«%si^^ 
4^tty.re']^ated by «ltf^>gia^i wbd^ -fiil^igifaTld^a 
tW tenfii and ipafied, in a ibW mittutf^ii, m ^'^kc 
ttemkieB of tfre^liiine^ THevn^wpfiftk^e^, eftoriiftt^ 
,\iHt:h ids owtk fohsme^ Svfts trafl^ il|«@ft^d iv1{& 

fidelity •from the generals^ i/vBdfeJfWdHf^d'plrtH- 
tea^ittorhe^ib lately iblkrits^« The ftimig^ 0«bbm- 
inorodatioi) of Jovian 'vt'd^ the imAt (>f Iflsifttb^i^ 
€biiQil?^atf#diiiiM!<, tth^-di^dy^ lA ^)Mli^ii»ft^Ii 
rrtireoieot^tlie fi^it of hi&^kWgikvideH. It^ Hit 
bblbvre fir^orh of a pvi^At^ H^i^ti^ %b6^A 
indQ^d Ihs tafte ^ U4ne ttttd ^Hifieii ; y^t hib 
ftrpjiortefl withcmdit^ the €hiii%6»ef bftt»0teift 
tiaq '"ifid^f<^dfer. Vfeth^rt bd«g^W%ieUbi* 

w . 

**•* The prltntUi or primiceriusj enjoyed the dignity of a lenator j 
and diough only a tribune, he ranked with the military dukes. Cod* 
Theodofiah,*!. vi. tit. xxTv, %efe privileges are J^erhaps more recent 
tl'ah ihetime of Jovian. ^ * 

"^ The eccleEaftical AlJlorians, feocfa^es (I. iii. c. a2.> Sownien 
{i.vi. c. 3.> Sind Theodotet (1. iv. c. iO> afcribe to Jov^ari the 
inerit of a confeflbr. imder the precfeding reign; and piouljy fspp^fe, 
ithat he refufed the purple, till the whole aftny utlanimouHy exclaihied 
£iiat tliey were fchriftlaiis. , Xmmiarlits, calmly puHuing his nanatiye, 
overthrows the legend by a fingle fentence. liofe pro Joviano extifi 
qiiij Mflpediis; pfonuntiatiim eft, Sec. xxv. 6. 

for 



620 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, for any of the ambitious qualifications which e%^ 
^ imv^^ ^£^^ ^]jg admiration and envy of mankind, the 
comely perfon of Jovian, his cheerful temper, 
and familiar wit, had gained the afie£tion of his 
fellow-foldiers; and the generals of both parties 
acquiefced in a popular eled;ion, which had not 
been conducted by the arts of their, enemies. 
The pride of this unexpe6i;ed elevation was mo* 
derated by the juft apprehenfion, that the lame 
day might terminate the Hfe and reign of the 
new Emperor. The preffing voice of necefflty 
was obeyed without delay ; and the firft orders 
iflued by Jovian, a few hours afker his predece^ 
fi>t had expired, were to profecute a march, 
which could alone extricate the Romans from ' 
their actual diftrefs "'^ 
Danger The efteem of an aiemy is moft fincerely ex* 
^^^' prefled by his fears ; and the degree of fear nwiy 
the retmt, be accurately meafured by the joy with which he 
June s7^ ^^jebratQS his deliverance. The welcome new* 

—July in* ' 

pf jthe death of Julian, which a deferter revealed 
to the camp of Sapor, infpired the defponding 
jnonarch with a fudden confidence of vi6fcory. 
He immediately detached the royal cavalry, per<- 
haps the ten thoufand Immortals '°% to fecond and 

><*3 Axmnianus (xxv. xo.) has drawn from the life an impartial 
|>ortrait of Jovian : to which the younger Vidlor has added fome re- 
markable firokes. The Abbe de la Bleterie (Hiiloire de Jovien» 
tom.L p. X — 238.) has compofed an elaborate hifiory of his Ihort 
reign ; a work remarkably diftinguifhed by elegance of fiyle^ critical 
difquiiitiony and religious jsrejudice. 

'-♦ Regius equitatus. It appears from Procopius» that the Im- 
Inortals, fo famous under Cyrus and his fucceflbrsy were reviyed^ if 
we may ulTe that improper word> by the Saflanides. Briilbn de Regno 
Fwiko^p. a689&€. 

fupport 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 20f 

iupport the purfuit ; and difchargod the whole CHAP, 
weight of his united forces on the rear-guard of , 
the Romans. The rear-guard was thrown into dit 
order; the renowned i^ions9 which derived their 
titles from Diocletian, and his warlike colleague^ 
were broke and trampled down by the eljsphants; 
and three tribunes loft their liv^s in attempting to 
ftop the flight of their foldiers. The battle wa^ 
at length reftored by the perfevering valour of 
the Romans; the Perfians were repulfed with a 
great daughter of men and elephants; and th^ 
army, after marching and fighting a Ipng fonv 
mer'sday, arrived, in the evening, at Samara^ on 
the banks of the Tigris, about one hundred mile& 
.above Ctefiphon '"'^ On the enfuiifg dayj/the 
Barbarians, inftead of harrafling the: march, at- 
tacked the camp of Jovian; which had^begn featf^ 
in a deep and fequeftered valley. From the hill^, 
the archers of Perfia infulted and annoyed the 
wearied legionaries ; and a body of cavalry, which 
hadpenetrat^d with defperatecouragetbroi^h the 
Ptsetorian gate, was cut in pieces, after a doubtr 
ful conflict, near the Imperial tent. In the fucr 
ceeding night, the camp of Carche wasprote£ted 
by the lofty dykes of the riv^ ; and the Roman 
aony, though inceffantly expofed to the vexation* 



'-^ The obfcure viUaget of the inland country are irrecoverably 
toft; nor can we name the field of battle where Julian fell: but M. 
D'Anville ha3 demonftrated the preoife fituation of Suniere> Carche* 
and Dunty along the banks of the Tigris (Geographie Ancienne^ 
torn. 11. p.a48* I'Euphrate et te Tiigre9-p*95. 97.). In the nintl^ 
century* Siunere» or Samaray becanoey with a (light change of aam^ 
the royal rafidetice of the Khalifa of the houfe of the Abbas. 

purfuit 






y.^^-. th^ ««tjr ©f Dfetti '*) fot»'^y» iiftfef »h* ^dratit «f 



Mi^. Th« Tlgfis 'ims ftiH <m their left > th^k 
fi&peB aM prmi&miB^fm'e>k)fttHfSk -ooHfiamied; ami 

iMt Ifi^ "rif^^ht %« fteft-fum^d «» hkOitd tli6 
jj^fllig^ 6f 4<h^ il^f . ^ttf the i«e(fitbneB off his 
^^k d!^ist^i-36>i^m «fldeairdiiri§d |«ii($iittGk their 
^flifi«<§fe; %y ^bfftidWtttiflg, thifi if «be7 i^^ffefibel 
-Ha^kifft' ikilt anH I'i^OUf «(» &eta th«s torrent of 
% 'd&ifiMAf^p^&'fiPsmi^ thi^y tMTttld only^lihw 
!t4»M)Mv&3 'i»^!!«^ fiiftd •die^noetoJS Ho ^b« iBakv 
t)^ial6»^ Who h«d d6;ilu|>}eti the oijildfite bsnks. 
¥le)&»g a^ krtgth M thdl^ e)st4Mttow« intfufitd- 
«(itiie», hie e^^K^eJd, \^i^ *eiVi§fimQ^ that fi«6 

thik 'Hlfbtiey i|<» ^e w'Meirs vf Hoe -Rftlfie tttid 
<&^«btj :fl4tM tt»«etV){)t thef iMld i£»dinsHMrrer, 
^}ii(:h Mi^H: tetve'eHh^ e6 ftti et}eo«ivag<6«ieftt^ 
Ct as i wathlhg, fer tlhte *eft «f the dfttiy. Ift 
the fil^rt^ of the>n;^t, they f#W(h thte I'^^y 
Itni^yK^d m ii%darded ^ft df lhe'«»6»^^>ilAg[ 
^f(|iflayed ett th« dawn (^ day i^e KgDkl ctf <&)eh- 
Wlbltitioti «ndfdi'tuhiBi tfhe fo<**efe ctftihistrM 
difpofed the Emperor to liilen to the promifes of 
hfe wdiftefitei 'iN*6'pfop6fed te eonftraft 4 float- 
liig Bridge of the ioHated &iDs ct Ihe^P) <3x^e<i^ 

^ ^>&iAyyai^ tmtt^ ^ in tfie HhM tf AiiBb£Mi< igfiUll 
'ftfc'tfeMsitf'Wte'dia -JriMterfii (Prii^bidsjL-T; t. 48. J*, .p- S4'*» Sn- 
tdit« Ca£ra0tni> iit'9vo«)> 

and 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^^ 

tind goats, covered with a floor of earth and faf- C HA P4 
cnes '°\ Two important days were fpent in the J^^ 
inejfle6t:ual labour; and the Romans, who already 
endured the ihiferies of famine, call a look of 
dieipair on the Tigris, and upon the Barbarians; 
lifrhofe numbers and obftinacy increafed with the 
diftrefs of the Imperial army '"^^ 

In this hopelefs fitaation, the fainting fpiritsof Negoda- 
the Romans were revived by the found of peace. ****" *°^ 
The transient prefumption of Sapor had vanifhed : peace. 
he obferved, with ferious concern, that, in the "^"^y* 
repetition of doubtful combats, he bad loft his 
moft faithful and intrepid nobles, his braveft 
troops, and the greateft part of his train of ele^ 
phants : and the experienced monarch feared to 
provoke the refiftance of defpair, the viciflituded 
of fortune, and the unexhaufted powers of the 
Roman empire ; which might foon advance to 
jrelieve, or to revenge, the fucceffor of Julian. 
The Surenas himfelf, accompanied by another 
fatrap, appeared in the camp of Jovian ^"^ ; and 
declared, that the clemency of his fovereign wai 

*^ A fimiiar expedient wat propofed to the leaden of the ten thou- 
'iandi and wifely reje<5led. Xenophon, Anabafis, 1. iii. p. %^^f 25^9 
^57. It appears from our modem travellers, that rafts floating on 
bladders performed the trade and navigation of the Tig^. 

"® The firft military a<5t8 of the reign of Jovian are related by 
Amnnanus (xxv. 6.)» Libanius (Orat. Parent, c. 146. p. 364«]» 
-alid Zofimus. (1. iii. p. 1899 1909 I9x0- Though we may di(|ru# 
the faimefs of Libanius^ the ocular teftimony of Eutropius (uno a 
Fbrfis atque altero proelio vi(5tu8» x. 17.) muft incline us to fufpedt^ 
that Ammianus has been too jealous of the honour of the Roman 
annt* 

^ Sextus Rufus (de Proviliciisy c. 99.) embraces a poor iubterfuge 
of national vanity. Tanta reverentia nominis Romaxu fui^ u( a Perns 
frimus de pace fermo haberatur. 

VOL. IV. p not 



21© THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, tiot averfe to fignify the conditions on which be 
^^^Lf ^^"'^ confent to fpare^nd to difmifs the Caefar 
with the relics of his captive army. The hopes 
of fafety fubdued the firmnefe of the Romans j 
the Emperor was compelled, by the advice of his 
council, and the cries of the foldiers, to embrace 
the offer of peace ; and the praefe^l Salluft was 
immediately fenf, with the general Arinthaeus, 
to underftand the pleafure of the Great King. 
The crafty Perfian delayed, under various pre- 
tences, the conclufion of the agreement ; ilarted 
difficulties, required explanations, fuggefl:ed ex- 
pedients, receded from his conceflSons, encreafed 
his demands, and wafted four days in the arts of 
negotiation, till he had confumed the ftock of 
provilions which yet remained in the camp of 
the Romans. Had Jovian been capable of exe- 
cuting a bold and prudent meafure, he would 
have continued his march, with unremitting di- 
ligence ; the progrefs of the treaty would have 
fufpended the attacks of the Barbarians; and, 
before the expiration of the fourth day, he might 
have fafely reached the fruitful province of 
Corduene, at the diftance only of one hundred 
miles ''°. The irrefolute Emperor, inftead of 
breaking through thetoilsof the enemy, expe6led 
his fate with patient relignation ; and accepted 
the humiliating conditions - of peace, which it 

"'' It is prefuraptnous to controvert the opinion of Ammianusy a 
foldier and a fpecSlator. Yet it is difficult to underftand botiv the moun- 
tains of Corduene could extend over the plain of Airyria> as low as the 
conflux of the Tigris and the great Zab : or bow an army of fixty 
thoufand men could march one hundred miles in four days. 

was 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 2 1 1 

\¥as no longer jn his power to refufe. The five chap. 
provinces beyond the Tigris, which had been . j^^^ 
ceded by the grandfather of Sapor, were reftored 
to the Perfian monarcliy. He acquired by a 
iingle article, the impregnable city of Nifibis ; 
which had fuftained, in three fucceflive fiegjBs, 
the effort of his arms. Singara, and the caftle of 
the Moors, one of the ftrongeft places of Mefo- 
potamia, were likewife difmembered from the 
empire. It was confidered as an indulgence that 
the inhabitants of thofe fortrefles were permitted 
to retire with their effects ; but the conqueror 
rigorpuily infifted, that the Romans fhould for 
ever abandon the king and kingdom of Armenia^ 
A peace, or rather a long truce of thirty years, 
was ftipulated between the hoftile nations ; the 
faith of the treaty was ratified by folemn oaths, 
and religious ceremonies ; and hofl;ages of dif- 
tinguifhed rank were reciprocally delivered to 
fecure the performance of the conditions "'. 

The fophift of Antioch, who faw >vith indig- The weak- 
nation the fceptre of his hero in the feeble hand ^^^^^^ 

* diigrace of 

of a Chriftian fucceffor, profeffes to adniire th^ javian. 
moderation of Sapor, in contenting hiitifelf with 
fo fmall a portion of the Eoman empire. If he . 
had ftretched as far as the Euphrates the claims 



"' The treaty of Dura i«~ recorded with grief- or indignation by 
Ammianus (xxv. 7.)^ Libanius (Orat. Parent, c. I43. p. 364.)^ 
^ofimus (1. iii. p. 1909 I9i.)» Gregory Nazianzen (Orat.iv. p.ii7f 
xiS. who imputes the dkbefs to Julian^ the defiverance to Joirian)^ 
•and Eutropus (x. 17.}. The laft-mentioned writer^ who was pref^nt 
In a military jGbititfni ftyfet tUs peace neceflariam quidem led igno- 

P 2 Qf 



1214 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, of his ambition, he might have been fecure, 
XXIV. fj^yg Libanius, of not 'meeting with a refufaL 
If he had fixed, as the boundary of Peiiia, the 
Orontes, the Cydnus, the Sangarius, or even the 
Thracian Bofphorus, flatterers would not have 
been wanting in the court of Jovian to convince 
the timid monarch, that his remaining provinces 
would ftill aflbrd the mod ample gratifications of 
power and luxury "\ Without adopting in its 
full force this malicious infinuation, we mud 
acknowledge, that the conclufion of id ignomi- 
nious a treaty was facilitated by the private aiSi^ 
bition of Jovian. The obfcure domedit^ exalted 
to the throne by fortune, father than by merit, 
was im.patient to efcape from the hands of the 
Ferfkns ; that he might prevent the defigns of 
Procopius, who comilnianded the army of Mefo^ 
potamia, and eftabliflved his doubtful reign ov^r 
the legions and province^; which wereftili ignorant 
of the hafty and tumultuous ch<Hce of the cam^ 
beyond the Tigris "K In the Neighbourhood of 
the fame river, at no very confidefable diftanc^ 
from the fatal ilation of Dura "% the ten thou^ 



'* I^ibanktsy Orat. Pirent. c. 145. p. 364) 365. 

**' Condidonibns . . • difpendiofil Romaiue mpoblicie iin|>ofitit 
.... quibus cupidior regni quam glorise Jovianus imperio rudis ad- 
«[uievit. Sextus Rufiis de Provinciisy c. 29. La Bleterie has ex- 
preiled in a long direct orationy thefe fpecious confiderations of public 
and private intereft (Hid. de JovieB^ torn. i. p. 39, &;c.). 

"^ The generals were murdered on the banks of the Zabatot 
(Anabaiisy 1. ii. p. 156. 1. iii. p. 2a6»)» or great Zab» a river ef 
*AiIyna»4oo feet broad, whibh ^Us Into the. Tigris fourteen houxt 
below MofuL The error of the Greeks beftowed on the great and 
leller Zab the names of the Woif (Lycus), and the Goat (CiqprOQ). 
They created thefe animals to attend the Tyger ^ the £aft. 

10 fand 



QF THR ROMAN EM?IR& . 213 

land Greeks, without general)}, or guides,: or pro^ chap, 
vifions, were abandoned, above twelve hundred , ^^ 
miles from their native country, to the refent- 
ment of a vi6fcoriou$ mona^rch. The difference * 
of their condu61: aad (iiccefs depended much 
more oa their charii^er than on their fituation. 
Inflead of tamely resigning themfelves to the 
fecret deliberations and private views of a fingle 
perfbn, the united councils of the Greeks were 
infpired by the generous enthufiafm of a popu-* 
lar affeiiibly ; where the mind of each citizen ia 
filled with the love of glory, the pride of free- 
dom, £^nd the contempt of death. Confcious 
of their fuperiority over the Barbarians in arms 
and difcipline, they difdained to yield, they re- 
fiifed to capitulate: every obllacle was fur- 
mounted by their patience, courage and military 
fldll; and the memorable retreat of the tjen thou- 
Ihnd^ expofed and infulited the weaknefs of the 
Perfian monarchy "^ 

As the price of his difgraceful conceffions. He conti- 
the Emperor might perhaps have ftipulated, '^"*^*^'*' 
that the camp of the hungry Romans Ihould be Nifibis. 
plentifully fupplied'*'' ; and that they Ihould be 
permitted to pafs the Tigris on the bridge 
which was conllrutSled by the hands of the Per- 



"' The Cyropadia is vague and languid ; the Anabafis circum* 
lUntial and animated. Such is the etental difierence between fidlioQ 
and truth. 

'* According to Rufinusy an immediate Tupply of provifions wai 
iUpuIated by the treaty ; ai d Theodoret affirms, that the obli£[atioQ 
was faithfully difcharged by the Perfians. Such a fa(5l is probable» 
but undoubtedly falit. See Tillemonty WSL des Empereursy torn. iv« 

p 3 fians. 



£14 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, fians. But, if Jovian prefumed to folicit tliofe 
^^^^' equitable terms, they were fternly refufed by 
the haughty tyrant of the Eaft; whofe cle- 
mency had pardoned the invaders of his country. 
The Saracens fometimes intercepted the ftrag- 
glers of the march ; but the generals and troops 
of Sapor refpe6led the ceffation of arms ; and 
Jovian was fuffered to explore the mod conve- 
nient place for the paffage of the river. The 
fmall veffels which had been faved from the con- 
flagration of the fleet, performed the mofl^ eflen- 
tial fervice. They firft conveyed the Emperor 
and his favourites ; and afterwards tranfported, 
in many fucceffive voyages, a great part of the 
army. But, as every man was anxious for his 
perfonal fafety, and apprehenfive of being left on 
the hoftile fliore, the foldiers, who were too impa-. 
tient to wait the flow returns of the boats, boldly 
ventured themfelves on light huMles, or inflated 
fliins ; and, drawing after them their horfes, at- 
tempted, with various fuccefs, to fwim acrofs 
the river.. Many of thefe daring adventurers 
were fwallowed by the waves ; many others, who 
w^ere carried along by the violence of the fl:ream, 
fell an eafy prey to the avarice or cruelty of the 
wild Arabs : and the lofs which the army fuf- 
tained in the paflage of the Tigris, was not in- 
ferior to the carnage of a day df battle. As foon 
as the Romans had landed on the wefl;ern bank, 
they were delivered from the hoft^ile purfuit 
of the Barbarians ; but, in a laborious march 
of two hundred miles over the plains of Me- 
fopotamia, they endured the lafl^ extremities 
.16 of 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 215 

of thirft and hunger. They were obliged to c H A P. 
traverfe a fandy defart, which, in the extent of ^^ * 
feyenty miles, did not afford a fingle blade of 
fweet grafs, nor a fingle fpring of frefti water ; 
and the reft of the inhofpitable wafte was un- 
trod by tlie footfteps either of friends or ene- 
mies. Whenever a fmall meafure of flour could 
be difcovered in the camp, twenty pounds 
weight were greedily purchafed with ten pieces 
of gold "7 : the beafts of burden were flaugh- 
t^red and devoured ; and the defert was ftrewed 
with the arms and baggage of the Roman fol- 
diers, wbofe tattered garraeots and meagre 
countenances difplayed their paft fufferings, 
and a6tual mifery. A fmall convoy of provi- 
fions advanced to meet the army as far as the 
caftle of Ur; and the fupply was the more* 
grateful, fince it declared the fidelity of Sebaf- 
tian and Procopius. At Thilfaphata"% the 
Emperor mpft gracioufly received the gene- 
rals of Mefopotamia ; and the remains of a 
once flourifliing army at length repofed them* 

"' We may recollciSl fome lines of Lucan (FharfaLiv. 95.)^ who 
defcribes a fimilar dlflrefs of Caefar'a army in Spain: 

Sarra fames aderat — ^— - 

Miles eget : toto cenfii non piodigus emit 

Exiguam Cererem. Proh lucri pallida tabes ! 

Kon deeil prolato jejunus venditur auro. 
See Guichardt (Noveaux Memoires MiHtaires, torn. i. p. 379— 
382.). His Analyfis of the two Campaigns in Spain and AfHci* 
is the nobleft monument that has ever been raifed to the fame of 
Csefar. 

"■ M.D'Anville (fee his maps, and I'Euphrate et le Tigre, p. 92* 
93.) traces their march, and affigns the true pofition of Hatra> Ur, 
and Thilfaphatia, which Ammianus has mentioned. He does not com- 
plain of the Samiely the deadly hot windy which Thevenot (Voyages> 
part ii. l.i. p. 19a.) fo much direaded. 

p 4 felve» 



21^ THE BEeLINE AN^ FALt 

CHAP, felves under the wall^ of Nifibis. Tb|e iftef. 
,^^^^ fengers of Jovian had already proclaimed, in 
the language (^ flattery^ his eled;ion, his treaty, 
and his return ; and the new prince had taken 
the niofl effe6tual meafures to fecure the alle« 
giance of the armies and provinces of Europe ; 
by placing the military command in the hands 
of tbofe officers, who, from motives of intereft, 
or inclination, would firmly fupport the caufe of 
their benefa6lor "^ 
UniverTai The friends of Julian had confidently an- 
^^^^^j^ nounced the fuccefs of his expedition. They 
treaty of entertained a fond perfuafi(Hi, that the templeft 
V^^^ of the gods would be enriched with the fpoils of 
the £aft ; that Ferfia would be reduced to the 
bumble ilate of a tributary province, governed 
by the laws and magiilrates of Rome ; that the 
Barbarians would adopt the dreft, and manners^ 
and language of their conquerors ; and that the 
youth of Kcbatana and Sufa, would ftudy the 
a^t of rhetoric under Grecian maders "^ The 
progrefs of the arms of Julian interrupted bis 
communication with the empire ; and from the 
Element that he paffed the Tigris, his affe£Hon« 
ate fubje6ls were ignorant of the^fate and for- 
tunes of their prince* Their contemplation of 
fancied triumphs was diflurbed by the melan- 
choly rumour of his death ; and they perfifted 
to doubt, after they could no longer deny, the 

"' The retreat of Jovian Is defcnbed by Awnuanus (zzv. 9.)» 
l^lbanius (OraU Parent, c. I4> p* 365.)^ and Zofimus (1* iit, 
p. I94.)' 

''^ Libamu8> Orat, Parent, c. 145. p»366» Such were the natural 
hopes and wifbes of a rhetoridao. 1 

truth 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^^^ 

truth of that fatal event"*. The mefiengers c h A p, 
of Jovian promulgated the fpecious tale of a xxiv, 
pfudeot and neceflary peac^: the voice of 
fame, louder and more fincere, revealed the 
difgrace of the Emperor, ox^^ the conditions 
of the ignominious treaty. The minds of the 
people were filled with aftonifliment and grief, 
with indignation and terror, when th^iy w^re 
informed, that the unworthy fuccefibr of Julian 
relinquiflied the five provinces, which had been 
acquired by the victory of Galeriua ; and that 
he fhamefuUy farrendered to the Barbarians 
the important city of Nifibis, the firmeft bul- 
wark of the provinces, of the Eaft'*% The 
deep and dangerous queftion how far the pub- 
lic faith fhould be obferved, when it becomes 
incompatible with the public fafietj^ was freely 
agitated in papular converfation ; and ibm^ 
hopes were entertained, that the Emperor would 
redeem his pufiUanimous behaviour by a ii)lendid 
aa of patriotic perfidy. The inflexible fpirit 
of the Roman fenate had always difclaimed the 
unequal conditions which were extorted from 
the diftrefs of her captive armies; and, if it 
were neceflary to latisfy the national honour, by 

"' The people of Carrhae, a city devoted to Psigamfin» buried 
the baurpicious meffenger under a pile of ftones (Zofimus, 1. iii.' 
p. 196-) Libaniusy when he received the fatal iiitelligexicey caft ld»> 
eye on his fword; but he recolIe<fted that Plato had condemnedi 
fuicide» and that he muft live to compole th^ panegyric of Julian 
(Libanius de Vki fu^) tom.ii. p. 45, 46«). 

»** Ammianus and Eutropius may be admitted as fair and ci^bte, 
vitnefles of the public language and opinions. The people of An- 
tioch reviled an ignominious peace» which expofed them to the Pfeiv 
fiani, on a naked and defenceleis frontier (Exceipt. Vakfianai p. 845. 
c« Johanne Antiocheno.)* 

delivering 



gl8. THE DECLINE AND FALL • 

CHAP, delivering the guilty general into the hands of 
^_^^^' . the Barbarians, the greateft part of the fubje6ts 

of Jovian would have cheerfully acquiefced in 

the precedent of ancient times "^ 
joviancva- But the Empe^or, wha1;ever might be the 
fibtl^^and liw^^ts of his conftitutional authority, was the 
reftores the abfolute mailer of the laws and arms of the 
five pro- {late; and the fame motives which had forced 

-vinces to ' 

the Per- him to fubfcribe, now prefled him to execute 
^^ ^ the treaty of peace. He was impatient to fe- 
cure an empire at the expence of a few pro- 
vinces f and the refpefibable names of religion 
and honour concealed the perfonal fears and 
the ambition of Jovian. Notwithftanding the 
dutiful folicitations of the inhabitants, decency, 
as well as prudence, forbade the Emperor to 
lodge in the palace of Nifibis ; but, the next 
morning after .his arrival, Binefes, the ambaC- 
fador of Perfia, entered the place, difplayed 
from the citadel the ftandard of the Great King, 
and proclaimed, in his name, the cruel alter* 
native of exile or fervitude. The principal 
citizens of Nifibis, who, till that fatal moment, 
bad confided in the prote6tion of their fove- 
reign, threw themfelves at his feet. They con- 
jured him not to abandon, or at lead not to 
deliver, a faithful colony to the rage of a Efar- 
barian tyrant, exafperated by the three fuc- 

"^ The AbW de la Bleterie (Hift. de Jbvieos toni,i. p. aia — 
a37*)» though a fevere cafuiiU has pronounced that Jovian was not 
bound to execute his promife ; fince he could not difmember the em- 
pire, nor alienatt^ without their confentt the allegiance of his people. 
I have never found much delight or infiru^on in fuch political me- 
upkyfics, 

ceffive 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 219 

c^ffive defeats, * which he had experienced 6 n Af. 
under the walls of Nifibis. They ftill poffeffed . ^xn^^ 
arms and courage to repel the invaders of 
their country : they requefted only the per- 
million of ufing them in their own defence ; 
and, as foon.as they had aflerted their inde- 
pendence, they (hould implore the favour of 
being^agaiti admitted into the rank of his fub- 
je6ls. Their arguments, their eloquence, their 
tears, were ineffedlual. Jovian alleged, with fome 
confufion, the fan6tity of oaths ; and, as* the re- 
luctance with which he accepted the prefent of a 
crown of gold, convinced the citizens of their 
hopelefs condition, the advocate Sylvanus v^^s 
provoked to exclaim, " O Emperor ! may yoii 
" thus be crowned by all the cities of your do- 
** minions !" Jovian, who in a few weeks had 
aflumed the habits of a prince '^, was difpleafed 
with freedom, and offended with truth : and as 
he reafonably fuppofed, that the difcontent of 
the people might incline them to fubmit to the 
Perfian government, he publiflied an edi6l, under 
- pain of death, that they ihould leave the city 
within the term of three days. Ammianus has 
delineated in lively colours the fcene of univerfal 
defpair, which he feems to have viewed with an 
eye of compaffion "^ Thj5 martial youth defert- 
ed, with indignant grief, the waUs which they 
had fo glorioufly defended : the difconfolate 

'"♦ At Nifibis he pexformed a royal adt. A brave officer* his 
name-fakey who had been thought worthy of the purple^ was dragged 
from fuppery thrown Into a welly atid fioned to deaths without any 
form of trtaly or evidence of guilt. Ammian* xxv S* 

*'^ See XiXY, 9* and Zofimus> I.iii. p. 1949 195, 

mourner 



aa^ TH* DECLINE AND FAtt 

(lyi A R mourner dropt a lad tear over the tomb, of a Hm 
^xiv. Qj. hulband, which muft foon hfi profaned by the 
rude hand of a barbarian mailer } ^nd the ag^ 
Qitizen kiiTed the threfliold, anc} clu^g to the^ 
doors, of the houfe^ where he had pafled the 
cheerful s^nd carelefe hours of infancy. The 
highways were crowded with a trembling mulr 
titude : th^ diitia6tions of rank, and fex, and 
age, were loft in the general calavnity. Every 
one ftrove to bear away fome fragment from the 
wreck of his fortunes ; and as they could not 
command the im^nediate fervice of an adequate 
pumber of horfes or waggons, they were obliged 
to leave behind them the greateft part pf their 
valuable ef&6ts. The lavage infenfibility of Jo- 
vian appears to have aggravated the hardQiips of 
thefe unhappy fugitives. They were feated, how. 
ever, in a new-built quarter of Amida;; and that 
rifing city, with the i^einfi^rcement of ^ very con- 
^eTQbi& colony, fpon recovered its foro^irer iplen- 
dour, and became the capital of MelEbpptamia'^. 
Similar ordjers were difpatched by the Emperor 
fyr the evacuatioa c^ ^g£^ra and the caftle of 
the Moors j and for the reftitution of the five 
provinces beyond the Tigris» Sa,por enjoyed thje 
glory and the fruits of his vi3:ory; and thi^ igno* 
minious peace has juft\y been confidered as a 
memorable asra in th^ decUnie and fsXk of the 
Roman empire. The predeqeiTors of Jovian had 
fometimes relinquilhed the dominion of diftant 
and unprofitable provinces ^^ but, fince the foun- 

"* ChroiL FikhaL p. 300. The epdefiafiical Notitist nuiy. be 
eonfultcd. 

dation 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE- i^ij 

datioti of the city, thie genius of Ro^e, ttre god G H a R 
Terminus, wlio guarded the boundaries of the xsi^-^ 
republic, had never retired before the fwdrd of 
a viiSlorious enemy "^• 

After Jovian had performed thofe engage- Refleaioos 
ments, which the voice of his people might have ^^j^ 
tempted him to violate^ he haftened away fr<MA 
the fcene of his dilgrace, and proceeded with his 
whole court to enjoy the luxury of Antioch '*^ 
Without confulting the dictates of feli^ous zeal, 
he was prompted, by humanity and gratitude, to 
beftow the lad honours oi) l^e remains of his 
deceaftd foyereign '^ : and Procopiiis^ who fin- . 
fcerely bewailed the lofs of his kinfman^ was 
l^moved from the command of the army, utider 
the decent pretence of conducing the funeral. 
The cxH^rfe 6f Julian was tranfj^orted from Nitibis 
to Tarfus, in a flow march of fifteen days ; and, 
as it pafled through the cities of the Eaft, was 
faluted by the hoftile fa^ions, with mournful 
lamentations and clamorous infults. The Pagans 
already placed their beloved hero in the rank of 
thofe gods whofe worlhip he had reftored ; while 
the inve6lives of the Chriftians purfued the foul 

'^ 2^iixnus9 !• ill. p. 1929 193. Sextus kufus de Pfovinciisy 
c. 29. Auguftia de CIvitat. Dei, 1. iv. c. 29. This general 'por- 
tion muft be applied and interpreted with fome caution. 

"* Ammianus* xxv 9. Zolimu8> l.iii. p. 196. He might be 
edaxy et vino Venerique indul^ens. But I agree with La Bleterie 
(torn. i. p. T48 — 154.} in rejecting the foolifh report of a Baccha- 
nalian riot (ap Suidam) celebrated at Antiochy by the Emperor, his 
wi/gf and a troop of concubines. 

*'» The Abbe de la Bletene (tom.i. p. 156 — 209.) handfomeljr 
expofes the brutal bigotry of Baronius, who would have throwu 
Julian to the dogs^ ne cefpititia quidem fepultur4 dignus. 

of 



a22 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c HA P. of the apoftate to hell, and his body, to the 
^""^* grave "^•. One party lamented the approaching 
ruin of their altars ; the other celebrated the 
marvellous deliverance c^ the church. The 
Cbriflians applauded, in lofty and ambiguous 
ftrains, the ftroke of divine vengeance, which 
had been fo long fulpended over the guilty head 
of Julian. They acknowledged, that the death 
of the tyrant, at the inftant he expired beyond 
the Tigris, Was revealed to the faints of Egypt, 
Syria and Cappadocia '^' ; and, inftead of fuf- 
fering him to fall by the Pel^an darts, their 
indifcretion afcribed the heroic deed to the ob- 
fcure hand of fome mortal 6r immortal champion 
of the faith '^*« Such imprudent declarations 
were eagerly adopted by the malice, or credulity, 
of their adverfaries '^^ ; who darkly insinuated, 

'^ Compare the fophlft and the faint (Libaniu8» Monod. torn. ii. 
p. 451. and Orat. Parent, c- 145. p. 367. c» 156. p. 377- with 
Gregory Nazianzen^ Orat. iy. p. Z15— -132.). The Chriftian ora- 
tor faintly matters fome exhortations to modefty and forgivenefs : 
but he is well fatisfiedy that the real fuiferings of Julian wiU far ex- 
ceed' the faiMilous torments of Ixion or Tantahis. 

'^' Tillemont (Hlft. des Empereurs^ torn. iv. p. 549.) has col- 
Ie<5ied th^e vifions. Some faint or angel was obferved to be abfent 
in the night cm a fecret expedition) &c. 

'^ Sozomen (1. vi. a.) applauds the Greek do^biae of tjrannp' 
cide ; but the whole paHage^ which a Jefuit might have tranflatedy is 
prudently fupprefled by the Prefident Coufin. 

>3J Immediately after the death of Julian^ an uncertain rumoin: 
was fcattered, telo cecidifTe Romano. It was carried, by fome de- 
ferters to the Perfian camp ; and the Romans were reproached as the 
aflaffins of the Emperor by Sapor and his fubje^s ( Ammian. xxv. 6. 
Libanius de ulcifcenda Juliani nece» c.xiii. p. 162, 163.). It was 
urged) as a decifive proof, that no Perfian iiad appeared to claim 
the promifed reward (Liban. Omt. Parent, c. X4i. p. 16:^. But the 
J9yirig horfeman, who darted the fatal javelin, might be ignorant of 
i(s effeiSl ; or he might be flain in the fame a^on. Ammianus 
neither feek nor infpires a fufpicion.- 

or 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 223 

or confidently afferted, that the governors of the c H A p. 
church had.iniligated and dire6ied the fanaticifm 
of a domeftic alTaflin '^*. Above fixteen years 
ai'ter the death of Julian, the charge was folemnly 
and vehemently urged, in a public oration, ad- 
drefled by Libanius to the Emperor Theodofius. 
His fufpicions are unfupported by fafit or argu- 
ment i and we can only efteem the generous zeal 
of the fophift of Antioch, for the cold and ne- 
gle6led aflies of his friend '"^ 

It was an ancient cuflom in the funerals, as and funeral 
well as in the triumphs, of the Romans, that the ^^ ^"^^ 
voice of praife fliould be corredled by that of 
fatire and ridicule ; and that, in the midlt of the 
fplendid pageants, which difplayed. the glory of 
the living or of the dead, their impcrfe£lions 
ihould not be concealed from the eyes of the 
world '3^ This cuftom was pra^ifcd in the fu- 
neral of Julan. The comedians, who refented 
his contempt and averfion for the theatre, ex- 
hibited, with the applaufe of a Chriftian audi- 
ence the lively and exaggerated representation 



*^ 0{ TK irroXiv vknpm tv a^m etvTun a^ypm. This dark and 
ambiguotw expreifion may point to Athanafius» the firftf without a 
rival, of the Chrlilian clergy (Libanius de ulcif. Jul. nece» c. 5. 
p. 149* La Bieterby Hift de Jovien, torn. i. p. X79«)* 

*^ 'The Orator (Fabricius, Bibliot. Qraec. torn. vii. p. 145 — 179.) 
fcatters fufpicions^ demands an inquiry, and infinuates, that proofs 
Might iUU be obtained. He afcribes the fuccels of the Huns to the 
eriminal negleA of revenging Julian's death. 

*^ At the funeral of Vefpafian, the comedian who perfonated that 
fhigal Emperor, anxioufly inquired, how much it coft ? — Fourfcore 
thouiand pounds (centies). — Give me the tenth part of the fum, and 
throw my body into the Tyber. Sueton. in Vefpafian, c.19. with 
the aobes of Cafauboa and Grosovius. 

or 



ibft4 



THE DECLINE AND tALL 



CHAP, of the faults and follies of the deceafed Emperof/ 
^^^^^* His various character and fingular manner^ 
afforded an attiple fcope for pleafantry and ridi-* 
cule '". In the exercife of his uncommon ta- 
lents, he often defcended below the majefty c£ 
his rank. Alexander was transformed into Dio- 
genes ; the philofopher was degraded into a prieft. 
I'he purity of his virtue was fullied by exceffive 
vanity ; his fuperflition difturbed the peace, and 
endangered the fafety, of a mighty empire ; and 
his irregular fallies were the lefs entitled to in- 
dulgence, as they appeared to be the laborious 
efforts of art, or even of affectation. The re- 
mains of Julian were interred at Tarfus in Cilicia; 
but his (lately tomb which arofe in that city, on 
the banks of the cold and lympid Cydnus "^•, was 
difpleafing to the faithful friends, who loved and 
revered the memory of that extraordinary man. 
The philofopher exprefled a veryreafonable wife, 
that the difciple of Plato might have repofed 
amidft the groves of the academy ''^ : while the 
foldier exclaimed in bolder accents, that the afees 
of Julian feould have been mingled with thofe of 
Csefar, in the field of Mars, and among the an- 



»37 Gregory (Oat. fv. p. ti^y i«o.) "Compares this inppafed ign<K 
fa]iny«id ridicule to iht fiineral honours of Cbnliantui8> whofe body 
^^n» duUinted over Mount Tauras by a choir of angels. 

'^"^ Q^ntus Curtiusy L ui. c. 4. Hie luxuriancy of his defcnp- 
tions has been often cenfured. Yet it was ahnoft the duty of the 
hifllenan to defcribe a river, whofe waters had nearly proived fatal to 
Alexander. 

'*• LibamuS) Orat. Parent, c. 1^6. p. 377. Yet he acknow- 
ledges with gratitude the fiberality of the two royal brothers in deco- 
rating the tomb of Julian (de ukif. Jtd. nece, c. 7. p. 15 s.}. ' 

cient 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 215 

cient monuments of Roman virtue **^. The chap 
hiftory of princes does not very frequently renew xxiv, 
the example of a^fimilar competition. 

'^ Cujus fUprema et cineresy fi qui tunc jufte confulerety non 
Cydnus videre deberet^ quamvis gratiflimus amnis et liquidus : fed ad 
perpetuandam gloriam re<Jle fadlorum prateriambere Tiberis, inter- 
fecans urbem setemami divorumque yeterum monumenta prffftringens. 
Anunian. xxv. lo* 



ToL. rr. 



ia6 THi; DECLINE AND FALL 



CHAP. XXV. 

The Government and Death qf Jovian. — JEfec- 
Hon qf Valentinian^ who qffbciates Ms Brother 
VaJenSj and makes the Jinal Divifion of the 
Eq/iem and Wejiem Empires. — Revolt of 
Procopitis. — Civil and Ecclejiq/iical Admi- 
niftration. — Germany. — Britain. — Africa. — 
The Eajl.—The Danube.— Death of Valentin 
nian. — His two SonSy Gratian and Valentin 
nian II., Jiicceed to the Weftem Empire. 

CHAP. npHE death of Julian had left the public affairs 
^-^^'^ of the empire in a very doubtful and dan- 

State of gerous fituation. The Roman army was faved 
A^D^T^* by an inglorious, perhaps a rieceffary, treaty' ; 
and the firft moments of peace were confecrated 
by the pious Jovian to rellore the domellic tran- 
quillity of the church and date. The indifcre- 
tion of his predeceffor, inftead of reconciling, 
had artfully fomented the religious war: and 
the balance which he affected to preferve be- 
tween the hoftile factions, ferved only to per- 
petuate the conteft, by the viciifitudes of hope 
and fear, by the rival claims of ancient poffet 
fion and actual favour. The Chriftians had for- 
gotten the fpirit of the Golpel ; and the Pagans 
had imbibed the fpirit of the church. In private 

' The medals of Jovian adorn- him with vidloriesf laurel crownsy 
and profttate captiyes. Ducange^ FamiL Byzantin. p.5». Flattery 
is a fooliih fuicide ; ihe deifax>y8 h^elf with her own hands. 

families^ 



01^ TilE ROlViAN EMPtRl!. ^^j 

families, the fentiments of nature were extin- chap* 
guifhed by the blind fury of zeal and revenge : ^ J^^^ 
the majefty of the laws was violated or abufed % 
the cities of the Eaft were ftained with blood j 
and the moll implacable enemies of the Ro^ 
mans were in the bofom of their country* 
Jovian was educated in the profeffion of Chrif- 
tianity; and ad he marched from Nifibis to 
Antioch, the banner of the Crofs, the Labarum 
of Conftantine, which was again dilplayed at 
the head of the legions, announced to the people 
the faith of their new Emperor* As foon as he 
afcended the throne, he tranfmitted a circular 
epiftle to all the governors of provinces : in 
Ivhich he confeffed the divine truth, and fecured 
the legal eftablifliment, of the Chriftian religion. 
The infidious edi6ls of Julian were aboliftied ; 
the ecclefiaftical immunities were reftored and 
enlarged j and Jovian condefcended to lament, 
that the diftrefs of the times obliged him to 
diminilh the meafure of charitable, diftribu* 
tions \ The Cliriftians were unanimous in the 
loud and fincere applaufe which they bellowed 
on the pious fucceflbr of Julian. But they were 
flill ignorant what creed, or what fynod, he 
would chufe for the ftandard of orthodoxy; and 

' Jovian refbred td the church t6v «|;;^aio» xcWjutoy ; a forcible and 
comprehenfive expreflion (Hiiloftorgius, I. viiL c. 5. with Godefroy't 
Diflcrtations, p. 329. Sozomen, 1. vi. c. 3.). The new law which 
condemned the rape or marriage of nuns (Cod. Theod. L ix. tit. xxir. 
leg- »•)> is exaggerated by Sozomen ; who fuppofes, that an amorous 
glancey the aduhery of the hearty was punifiied with death by th< 
evai^elic legiflator. 

a d the 



228 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, the peace of the church immediately revived 
^ ^Y_': I thofe eager difputes which had been fufpended 
during the feafon of perlecution. The epifcopal 
leaders of the contending fe6ls, convinced, from 
experience, how much their fate would depend 
on the earliell imprefSohs that were made on 
the mind of an untutored foldier, haftened to 
the court of Edefla, or Antioch. The highways 
of the Eaft were crowded with Homooufian, and 
Arian, and Semi-Arian, and Eunomian biihops, 
who ftruggled to outftrip each other in the holy 
race ; the apartments of the palace refounded 
with their clamours; and the ears of their prince 
were aflaulted, and perhaps aftonilhed, by the 
fingular mixture of metaphyseal argument and 
paffionate inve6live\ The moderation of Jovian, 
who liecommended concord and charity, and re- 
ferred the difputants to the fentence of a future 
council, \yas interpreted as a iymptom of indif- 
ference ; but his attachment to the Nicpne 
creed was at length difcovered and declared, 
by the reverence which he expreffed for the 
icekjlial^ virtues of the great Athanafius. The 
intrepid veteran of the faith, at the age of fe- 
venty, had iffued from his retreat on the firft 
intelligence of the tyrant's death. The accla- 

3 Compare Socrates, 1. iii. c. %$• and Philoftorgmsy 1. viii. c. 6. 
with Godefroy's Diflertations* p.330. 

^ The word caleftial faintly expreiles the impious and extravagant 
^ttery of the Emperor to the arcnbiihop, td? «7po$ rov Oioy tov oX«y 
ojiAo»fiycrf«ff. (See the original epiftle in Athanafius, torn. ii. p. 33-), 
Gregory Naziajazen (Oratixxi. p. 39a.) celebrates the friendlhip of 
Jovian and Athanafius, The primate's journey was advifed by the 
Egyptian monks (Tillemont, Mem. EccIeU tom.viii. p.9ai.> 

mations 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 22g 

mations of the people feated him once more on c H A F. 
the archi-epifcopal throne ; and h^ wifely ac- ^^X* ^ 
cepted, or anticipated, the invitation of Jovnan* 
The venerable figure of Athanafius, his calm 
courage, and .infinuating eloquence, fuftained 
the reputation which he had already acquired 
in the courts of four fucceffive princes K As 
foon as he had gained the confidence, and 
fecured the faith, of the Chriftian Emperor, he 
returned in triumph to his diocefe, and con- 
tinued, with mature counfets and undimihiftied 
vigour, to diredl, ten years longer % the eccTe- 
fiaftical government of Alexandria, Egypt, and 
the Catholic church. Before his departure from 
Antioch, he alTured Jovian that his orthodox 
devotion would be rewarded with a long and 
peaceful reign. Athanafius had reaifon to hope, 
that he Ihould be allowed either the merit of a; 
iuccefsful predi6lion, or the 6xcufe of a grate- 
ful, though ineffedlual, prayer ^ 

^ Adianaiius) at thexouvt of Antioch, is agrefeabl^ reprefented hy 
La Bleterie (Hift. de Jovieiiy torn. i. p. lax — 148*): he tranflates the 
fingular and original conferences of the Emperor, the primate of 
£gypt, and the Arian deputies.' The Abbe is not fatisfied with the 
coaofe pleafantry of Jovian ; but his partiality for Athanafius afliimes^ 
in his eyes, the chfuadler of jultice. 

. ^ The true sera of )ik death is perplexed with fome difficulties 
(Tillemont, Mem. Ecclef. torn. viii. p. 719 — 7*3.). But the date 
(A.D. 373, May a.), which feems the moft confiftent with hiftory 
and reafon, is ratified by his authentic life (Mailei Oifervazioni Let** 
teraire, tom.iiL p. 8i»). 

7 See the obfervations of Valefius and Jortin (Remarks on Eccle-,- 
fiafiical Hiftory, vol.iy. p.38.)j on the original letter of Athanafius ; 
which is preferved by Theodoret (L iv. c. 3.) In fome MSS. this. 
indifcreet promife is omitted; perhaps by th« Catholics, jealous of 
die prophetic fame of their leader. 

ft 3 The ' 



«3o 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 




CHAP. The flighteft force, when it is applied to affift 
^^^' and guide the natural defcent of its objed^ ope- 
rates with irrefiftible weight; and Jovian had the 
good fortune to embrace the religious opinions 
which were fupported by the fpirit of th^ times^ 
and the zeal and numbers of the mod powerful 
fe6l'. Under his reign, Chriftianity ohtsined 
an eaiy and lafling vi6lory; and as foon as the 
fmile of royal patronage was withdrawn, the ge* 
nius of Paganifra, which had been fondly raifed 
and cherilhed by the arts of Julian, funk irreco- 
verably in the dull. In many cities, the temples 
were (hut or deferted : the phUofophers, who 
had abufed their tranfient favour, thought it 
prudent to (have their beards, and dilguife their 
profelSon; and the Chriflians rejoiced, that they 
were nowin a condition to forgive, or to revenge, 
the injuries which they had fuffered under the 
preceding reign ^. The conflemation of the 
Pagan world was difpelled by a wife and gracious 
edi6l of toleration ; in which Jovian explicitly 
declared, that although be fliould ieverely 
punifh the facrilegious rites of magic, his fubi- 
je6ls might exercife, with freedom and iafety, 
the ceremonies of the ancient worfliip. The 
memory of this law has been prefeirved by the 

^ Atfaanafius (apud Theodorety l.iv. c.3.) magnifies the number of 
the orthodoxy who compoied the whole world, vapi^ tD^wt rut ta 
A^uii ^^o9btrwu This aHertion was verified in the (pace of thirty or 
forty years. 

■ * Socrates, 1. lii. c. 24- Grtgory Nazianzen (Orat. iv. p, 131.), 
and Libanius (Orat. Par^ntalis, c. 148. p. 369«}y exprefs the living 
fentiments of their refpe^ye factions. 

orator 



O* THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 2^1 

orator Themiftius, who was deputed by the chap. 
fenate of Conftantinople to expfefs their loyal ,^ ^* 
devotion for the new Emperor. Themiftius 
expatiates on the clemency of the Dirine Na- 
ture, the facility of human error, the rights of 
confcience, and the independence of the mind j 
and, with fome eloquence, inciilcates the prin- 
<;iples of philofophical toleration ; whofe aid 
Superftition herfelf, in the hoiir of her diftrefs, 
is not afliamed to implore. He juflly obferves, 
that, in the recent changes, both religions had 
been alternately difgraced by the feeming acqui- 
fition of worthlefs profelytes, of thofe votaries of 
thie reigning purple, who could pafs, without a 
reafon, and without a blufh, from the church ta 
the temple, and from the altars of Jupiter to the 
facred table of the Chriftians '^ 

In the fpace of feven months, the Roman Hbpio- 
troops, who were now returned to Antioch, had ?^?J^ 
performed a march of fifteen hundred miles; in a.d. 36$. 
which they had endured all the hardfliips of war, oaobcr. 
of famine, and of climate. Notwithftanding 
their fervices, their fatigues, and the approach 
of winter, the timid and impatient Jovian al- 
lowed only, to the men and horfes, a refpite of 
fix weeks. The Emperor could not fufi;ain the 
indiifcreet and malicious raillery of the people of , 

'** Theinifiiu8» Orat. v. p. 63 — 71. edit. Harduiiiy Pins, 1684. 
The Abb6 de la Bleterie judicioufly remarks (Hift. de Jovien^ torn. i. 
p. 199. ) 9 that Sozomen has forgot the general toleration; and The^ 
miftius the eftabliihment of the Catholic religion. E^ch of them 
turned away from the objedl which he difliked ; and wiihed to fup- 
prefs the part of the edidi the leaft honourable, in his opinion^ to the 

q, 4 Antioch* 



aja THE DECLINE AND FALL 

cifAP. Antioch". He was impatient to ^^offefs thd 
AJLv, palace of Conftantiaople ; and to prevent the 
ambition of fome competitor, who might oc- 
cupy the vacant allegiance of Europe. But he 
foon received the grateful intelligence, that his 
authority was acknowledged from the Thracian 
Bofphorus to the Atlantic ocean. By the firft 
letters which he dilpatched from the camp of 
Mefopotamia, he bad delegated the military 
command of Gaul and lUyricum to Malarich, a 
brave and faithful officer of the nation of the 
Franks; and to his father-inJaw, Count Lucil- 
lian, who had formerly diilinguiihed his courage 
and condu6t in the defence of Nifibis. Mala- 
rich had declined an office to which he thought 
himfelf unequal; and LuciUian was maflacred 
at Rheims, in an accidental mutiny of the Bata- 
vian cohorts". But the moderation of Jovinus, 
mailer-general of the cavalry, who forgave the 
intention of his difgrace, foon appeafed the tu- 
mult, and confirmed the uncertain minds of the 
foldiers. The oath of fideUty was adminiftered, 
and taken with loyal acclamations ; and the de- 
puties of the Weftern armies'^ fainted their new 
fovereign as he defcended from Mount Taurus 

" O* )i AfTiox^^i »X 'i^**'^ htxurro «7^ avroy : oXX' eveoxottov ^ 
avToy wiouf xal >metft^uuOf xxl tok xaXv^iyoK ^ftMPcmq (famofis 
UhellU)* Johan. Andochen. in Excerpt. V^efian. p. 845. The 
libels of Andoch may be admitted on very flight evidence. 

' " Compare Amnuanus (xxv. io.)» who omits the name of the 
Bataviansy with Zofimus (L iiu p. I97.)» who removes the Icene of 
action fincHn Rheims to Sinnium. 

'^^ Quos capita icholanim ordo caftrenfift appellat. .AtnmMiv 
XXV. 10. and Valef. ad locum* - 

16 to^ 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 2^3 

to the city of Tyana, in Cappadocia. From char 
Tyana he continued his hafty inarch to Ancyra, ^^^^^^ 
capital of the province of Galatia ; where Jovian 
aflumed, with his infant fon, the natne and en- 
figns of the confulihip '\ Dadaftana '% an ob- A.D. 364. 
fcure.town^ aimofl at an equal diftance between r^**^^**7 '• 
Ancyra and Nice, was marked for the fatal 
term of his journey and his life. After indulging 
himfelf with a plentiful,* perhaps an intemperate,' 
fupper, he retired to reft ; and the next morn- 
ing the Emperor Jovian was^fiHind dead in his 
bed. The caufe of this fudden- death Was vari- Death of 
oufly underftoad; By fome it was afcribed to the' ^°^* 
confe^uence^.of an indigeftion, occafionefd either* 
by the quantity of the wine, or the quality of 
the muihtobms, which he had fvvallowed in the 
evening. According to others, he was fuffocated 
in:his fleep by the vapour of charcoal, which^ 
extra^ed from the walls of the apartment the 
unwholefome iiK)ifture of the frefli plaft^r'*/ 
But the want of aregular inquiry.'into the dieath 

> Ccjps Vj^^ti^y pertibacftcr reladlantby ne in cunili fdli vehel*e« ^ 
tur ex jnorcy id. quod mox accidit protenclebat. Auguihu and hi^. 
luccellbrs refpedlfttlljr foKcited a difpfenfation of age for the fons or 
nephews whom they raffed to the confulihip. But. the cufule chair 
of the firft Brutus had never been diihonoured by an infant. 

'^ The Itinerary of Antoninus fixes Dadaftana 125 Roman miles 
from Nice J .117 from Ancyra (We£felingr Itinerar. p. 14a.)* The 
pilgrim of Bourdea^x> by omittbg fome fiages* reduces the whole 
fpace from 242 to 181 miles. Weireling, p. 574^ 

'* Sec Ammianus, (xxv. 10. )> Eutropius (x. i8.)> who might like- 
wife be prefent ; Jerom (tbm. i. p. 36. ad Heliodorum), OroHus 
(viL 3i.)» Sozomen (l.yi.c.6.)» Zofimus (l.iii. p. 1979 198.)) and 
Zonaras.(tom.ii* Lxiii. p. 289 29.). We cannot expedl a perfect 
agreement^ and w€ (hall not difcufs minute difierences. 

of 



234 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c HA P. of a prince whole reign and perfon were foon 
^"^^* , forgotten, appears to hive been the only circum- 
ilancewhichcwntenancedthe malicious whiQ)ers 
of poiipn anii domeftic guilt '^ The body of 
Jovian yfss fent to Conftantinople, to be interred 
with bis predeceflbrs,and.the.&d proceffion was 
met on the road by his wife Charito, the daugh- 
ter of Count Lucillian ; who ftill wept the recent 
death of her father, and was haftening to dry her 
tears in th^e embraces of an Imperial hufband. 
Her difi^>ointment and grief were embittered 
by the anxiety of maternal tendemefi. Six weeks 
before the death of Jovian, his infant ion had 
b^^ placed in the curule chair, adorned with 
Hie tide oi NobiUjUhmSy and the vain epfigns of 
the confuUhip. Unconfcious of his fortune, the 
royal youth, who, from his grand&ther, aflhmed 
tiie name of Varronian, was reminded only by 
the jealouiy of the government, that he was the 
fpn of an emperor. Sixteen years afterwards he 
Yas ftill alive, but he had already been deprived 
of an. eye; and his afflidted mother expected, 
every hour, that the innocent victim would be 
torn from her arms, to appeafe, with hisblood, the 
fiifpidons of the reigning prince '*. 

'7 Amnuaiiusy ummndfol of his ufiial candour and good £enle» 
compares the death of the harmlels Jovian to that of the fecond 
Africaaiuy who had eaccited the fiean and refentment of the popular 
faction. 

*' Chryibfiian» torn. L p.336* 344* edit. Mofit£uicon. The Chris- 
tian orator attempts to comfort a widow by the examples of illuftrious 
misfortunes ; and obfervesy that of nine emperors (including the Csefiur 
Gallus) who had reigned in his time* only two (Confiantine and Con- 
fiantius) died a natural death. Sudh vague conlblations have never 
wiped away a fingle tear. 

10 After 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 235 

After the death of Jovian, the throne of the c H A p. 
Roman world remained ten days'^ without a ^^^^^^ 
mafter. The minifters and generals ftill con* Vacancy of 
tinned to meet in council ; to exercife their re- ^^^^ 
lpe6livefun6tions; to maintain the public order; ^e. 
and peaceably to condu6t the army to the city 
of Nice in Bithynia, which was chofen for the 
place of the ele^ion *°. In a folemn affembly 
of the civil and military powers of the empire, 
the diadem was again unanimoufly offered to the 
praefe6l Salluft. He enjoyed the glory of a 
fecond refufal : and when the virtues of the fa^ 
ther were alledged in favour of his fon, the pras^ 
fe6t, with the firmnefs of a difinterefted patriot, 
declared to the electors, that the feeble age of 
the one, and the unexperienced youth of the 
other, were equally incapable of the laborious 
duties of government. Several candidates were 
propofed j and, after weighing the objedlions of 
chara6ler or lituation, they were fucceffively re- 
jected ; but, as foon as the name of Valentinian 
yas pronounced^ the merit of that officer united 

'' Ten days appeared fcarcely fufficlent for the march and election* 
But it may be obferved ; i. That the generals might command the 
expeditious ufe of the public pofts for themfelvesy their attendants, and 
meifengers. %* That the troops, for the eafe of the cities, marched in 
liiany divifions ; and that the head of the column might arrive at 
!Nice when the rear halted at Ancyra. 

*' Ammianus, xxvi. i. Zofimus, 1. iii. p. 198* Philoftorgius, « 
1. YiiL c. 8. and Godefix>y, Diflertat. p. 334. Philoftoi^gius, who ap- 
pears to have obtained fome curious and authentic intelligence, afcribes 
the choice of Valentinian to the prsefeA Salluft, the mafter-general 
Arintheus, Degalaiphus count of the domeftics, and the Patrician Da- 
tianus, whofe preffing recommendatioiiB from Aocyra had a weighty 
influence in the eleven. 

the 



236 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, the fufirages of the whole aflembly, and obtained 
t^^^ y tlie fincere approbation of SaUnft himfelf. Va- 
Eieaion lentinian *' was the Ion ofCount Gratian, a native 
andcharac- ^f Cibalis inPaiinonia, who.from an obfcure con- 

ter of Va- . , . , 

leatinian. dition, had raifed himfelf, by matchlefs ftrength 
and dexterity, to the military commands of Africa 
and Britain ; from which be retired with' an am- 
ple fortune and fufpi<;k)U9 integrity. The rank 
and fervices of Gratian contributed, however, to 
fmooth the firft fteps of the promotion of his 
fon ; and afforded him an early opportunity of 
difplaying thofe folid and ufeful qualifications, 
which raifed his charafter above tlie ordinary 
level of his fellow-foldiers. The perfon of Va- 
lentinian was tall, graceful, and majeftic. His 
manly countenance, deeply marked with the 
imprefBon of fenfe and fpirit, infpired his friends 
with awe, and his enemies with fear : and, to 
fecond the efforts of his undaunted courage, the 
fon of Gratian had inherited the advantages of 
a flrong and healthy conftitution. By the habits 
of cbaftity and temperance, which reflrain the 
appetites and invigorate the faculties, Valenti- 
nian preferved his own, and the public, efteem. 
The avocations of a military life had diverted 
his youth from the elegant purfuits of literature; 
he was ignorant of the Greek language, and the 
arts of rhetoric ; but as the mind of the orator 
was never difconcerted by timid perplexity, he 
was able, as often as the occafion prompted him, 

" Ammianus (xxx. 7. 9.)> and the younger Vidlor, have fumifhed 
the portrait of Valentinian, which naturally precedes and illullrates the 
hiflory of his reign. 

to 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^37 

to deliver his decided feptiments with bold and c H ap,^ 
ready elocution. The laws of martial difcipline ^^^' 
were the only laws that he had ftudied j and he 
was foon diftinguiChed by the laborious diligence, 
and inflexible feverity, with which he difcharged 
and inforced the duties of the camp. In the 
time of Julian he provoked the danger of dif- 
grace, by the contempt which he pubjicly ex- 
preffed for the. reigning religion " ; and it fliould 
feem, from his fubfequent condu6l, that the in- 
difcreet and unfeafonable freedom of Valentinian. 
was the eiFefil of military fpirit, rather than of 
Chriftian zeal. He was pardoned, how:€ver, 
and ftill employed by a prince who efteemed his 
merit ^^: and in the various events of the Perfian 
war, he improved the reputation which he had 
already acquired on the banks of the Rhine. 
The celerity and fuccefs with which he executed 
an important commiffion, recommended him to 
the favour of Jovian ; and to the honourable 
command of the fecoudjchool^ or company, of 
Targetteers, of the domeftic guards. In the 
march from Antioch, he had reached his quarter* 
at Ancyra, when he was unexpefiledly fummoned 
without guilt, and without intrigue, to aflume, 

'* At Antioch, where he was obliged to attend the Emperor to the 
temple, he ftruck a prieft, who had prefumed to purify him with luftral 
water (SQzomen,l.vi.<:.6.). Theodoret, 1. liL c. 15.) Such public 
defiance might become Valentinian ; but it could leave no room for 
the unworthy delation of the philofopher Maximus, which fuppofct 
ibme more private offence (Zolimus, Uiv. p»2oo, 20i.). 

^ Socrates, 1. iv. A previous exile to Melitene, or Thebais (the 
firft might be poffible)i is mterpofed by Sozomen (1. vi. c. 6.) and Phi- 
ioftorgiu* (1. vii. c. 7. with Go.d€froy*$ Diffectations, p. «93.)- 

in 



ft^S THE DECIINE Al^D PALt -. 

G H A P. in the forty-third year of his age, the abfolutef 
^ ^^' f government of the Roman empire. 
He is ac- The invitation of the minifters and generals 
knowiedg* q£ jjice was of little moment, unlefs it were 
army, ^ Confirmed by the voice of the army^ The aged 
-A. D. 364. Salluft, who had long obferved the- irregular 
flu6luations of popular aflemblies, propofed, un-* 
der pain of death, that none of thofe perfons, 
whofe rank in the fervice might excite a party in 
their favour, ihould appear in public, on the day 
of the inauguration* Yet fuch was the preva-* 
lence of ancient fuperftition, that a whole day 
was voluntarily added to this datigerous inter- 
val, becaufe it happened to be the intercalation 
of the Biffextile **. At length, when the hour 
was fuppofed to be propitious, Valentinianlhewed 
himfelf from a lofty tribunal : the judicious 
choice was applauded ; and the new prince was 
folemnly inverted with the diadem and the pur- 
ple, amidft the acclamations of the troops, who 
weredilpofed in martial order round the tribunal. 
But when he ftretched forth his hand to addrefs 
the armed multitude, at bufy whifper was acci- 
dentally darted in the ranks, and infenfibly 
f\«^elled into a loud and imperious clamour, that 
he (hould name, without delay, a colleague in the 

'^ Anunlanus, in a lon^, becaufe unfeafonable, digrefiion (xxvi. u 
and Valefius ad locum) rafhly fuppofes that he underftands an afiro- 
nomical quefiion^ of which his readers are ignorant. It is treated 
with more judgment and propriety by Cenforinus (de Die Natalia c. :»o.)» 
and Macrobius (Satumal. Li* c. z»— x6.). The ajf^llation of BiJ^ 
fextiie^ which marks the inaufpidous year (AuguftiU) ad Januariam» 
£pift. 119.) isderived from th6 r^^ifi9» of the/;r^i&day of thecalend» 
of March* 

empire^ 



OF THE ROHAN EMPIRE. ^^g 

empire. The intrepid calmhefs of Valentinian chap. 
obtained filence and commanded Yefpe6t ; and ^^^^' 
he thus addreffed the affembly : " A few mi- 
•* nUtes fince it was in your power, felIo\v.fol- 
" diers, to have left me in the obfcurity of a 
** private ftation. Judging fix>m the teftimony 
" of my pall life, that I deferved to reign^ you' 
f ' have placed nie on the throne. It is now mi/ 
" duty to confiilt the fafety and ihtereft of the^ 
** republic. The weight of the univerfe is mi* 
** doiibtedly too great for the hands of a feeble 
** mortal. I am confcious of the limits of my 
^^ abilities, and the uncertainty of my life : aind 
** far from declining, I am anxious to folicit, 
" the affiftance of a worthy colleague. But, 
" where difcord may be fatal, the choice of a 
•* faithful friend requires mature and leriotis 
*^ deliberation. That delibieration ih'all b© ^y 
*' care. Let i/6ur conduct be dutiful and con- 
*^ fiftent. Retire to your quarters ; refrelhyour 
** minds and bodies ; and expd6t the accu& 
*' tomed donative on the acceffion of a new 
** emperor **.*' The aftoniOied troops, with a 
mixture of pride^ of fatisfa6liori, and of terror, 
confeffed the voice of their mailer. Their angry 
qlamours fubfided into filent reverence: and 
Yalentinian, encompafled with the eagles of the 
legions, and the various banners of the cavalry 
and infantry, was conduced, in warlike pomp, 
to the palace of Nic6, As he was fenfible, how- 
ever, of the importance of preventing foBde rafli 

^^ Valentinian's firft fpeech is fall in AmmiailU9 (xxVi. 2.) ; concift 
and fententious in PhiloCioi^us (1« yiii. <:•&}». i . / 

decla^ 



24© "THE DECLINE AND FALL 

I 

CHAP, declaration of the £>Mters» he cbnfulted the a& 
■L^ ^'Lf ^^^^^y ^^ *^^ chiefs : abd their real lentiments 
were concifely.-exprefled by the generous freedom 
of Dagalaiphus. ^^ Mod excellent prince,'* fkid 
that officer, " if you confider only your family,* 
^' you have a brother ; if' you love the republic^ 
** look round for the mod deferving of the Ro- 
** mans **.** The Emperor, who fupprefled his 
difpleafure, without altering his intention, flowly 
proceeded from Nice to Nicomedia and Conflan- 
and aflbci. tinople. In one of the fuburbs of that capital *% 
tWVaien*, thirty days after his own elevation, he beflowed 
^D. 3d4. the title of Auguftus on his brother Valens ; 
^^*'*** and as the boldeft patriots were convinced, that 
their oppofition, without being ferviceaUe to 
their coantry, ^^ould be fatal to themfelves, the 
declaration of his abfolute will was received 
with filent fubmiifion. Valens was now in the 
thirty-fixth year of his age ; but his abilities had 
never been exerciied in any employment, mili- 
tary <h: civil ; and his character had not inlpired 
the world with any ianguine expedlations. He 
poflefled, however, one quality, ^hich recom- 
mended him to Valentinian, and preferved the 
domeftic peace of the empire ; a devout and 
grateful attachment to his bene&dlor, whole 
luperiority of genius^ as well as of authority, 

^ Si tuosy amasy Imperator optimey habes fratrem ; fi Rempub- 
ficamy quaere quern vdtias. Ammian. xxvi. 4. In the diviiion of' 
the empire^ ValieDtinian retamed that .fincere counfeUbr for himfelf 
(c.6.> 

'f In fubuii)ano, Ammian. xxvu 4^ The famous Hebdomterh or 
field of Many was diftant from Conftantinople either feyen ftadu^ or 
feven milesy See Valefius^ and his hrothery ad loc. and Ducange* 
Conft. 1. ii. p. I40> I4i» I7»> ^7Z- 

Valens 



of THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^41 

Valeas humbly and cheerfully acknowledged in c H A P4 
ftvetyaaioHof hislife*', <-S^ 

Before Valentinian divided the provinces^ he The fbiai 
reformed the adminiftration of the empire* All ^^"^ 
Clinks of.fubjefts^ who had been injured or op- Andwefiem 
^refied under the reign of Julian, were invited ?^^' 
to fu^ort their public accu&tions. The fil^nce junc ^ 
of mankind attefted the fpotl^s integrity cf the 
)>r8sfe£l; Salluft^^; and his own prefiing folicita*^ 
tions^ that he might be permitted to retire &om 
the bufinefs of the ftate, were rejefited by Valen- 
tinian with the moft honourable exprefficnis of 
friendihip and efteem. But among the favourites 
of the late Emperor, there were many who had 
^buled his credulity ot fuperftition ; and who 
could no longer hope to be prote6ted either^ 
by favour or juftice ^°. The greater part of the 
tninifters of the palace, and the governors of the 
provinces, were removed from their reipe6tive 
ftations ; yet the eminent merit of fome officers 
Was diftingiliflied from the obnoxious crowd ; 
, and^ notwithftanding the oppofite clamours of 
^zeil sind refentment^ the whole proceedings of 
this delicaite inquiry appear to have been con- 
dh^d with a reafonable fliare of wifdom and 



* Pjlttlcfpem cpiideia le^tnxmm pidtelUtis ; fed in modum ipj^ 
ritoHs mongerum^ ut pfQgredieiis aperiet textus* Airimian. xxvi. 4^ 

'^ Notwitliftandiog the evidence of 2^nara8» Suidas, and t|ie PaiV 
thai Chronicley M. de Tilleinent (Kilt, des £mpereuni» tom^v. 
p. ^71.) wijkej to diibelieve thefe fbries fi avantageufes k un payeii. 

^ Bimiphis celebrates emd exaggerates the fbfierings of Mazhntif 
(p. dzi Bi>) ; yet be allows^ that this fophift or xnagidan* the guilty 
fiuvourite of Julianf and the perfonal eneiny of Valentinian* was dif^ 
nii&d oil the psfdneat Of a fioall fiae. 




542 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

moderation ^\ The feftivity of a new reign re- 
ceived a fhort and fuipicious interruption from 
the fudden illnefs of the two princes: but as loon 
as their health was reftored, they left Conftan. 
tinople in the beginning of the fpring. In the 
callle, or palace, of Mediana, only three miles 
from Naiflus, they executed the folemn and final 
divifion of the Roman empire''. Valentinian 
beftowed on his brother the rich prasfe^ure of 
the Eq/i, from the Lower Danube to the con- 
fines of Perfia ; whilil he referved for his imme- 
diate government the warlike prsefe^lures of 
Illyricum^ Italy ^ and Gavl^ from the extremity 
of Greece to the Caledonian rampart; and from 
the rampart of Caledonia to the foot of Mount 
Atlas. The provincial adminiftration remained 
on its former bafis J but a double fupply of gene^ 
rals and magiftrates was required for two coun- 
cils, and two courts: the divifion was made with 
a juft regard to their peculiar merit and fituation, 
and feven mafter-generals were foon created, 
either of the cavalry or infantry. When this 
important bufinefs had been amicably tranfad;ed, 
Valentinian and Valens embraced for the laft 
time. The Emperor of the Weft eftabliflied his 
temporary refidence at Milan; and the Emperor 
of the Eaft returned to Conftantinople, to aflume 
the dominion of fifty provinies^ of whofe lan- 
guage he was totally ignorant "• 

The 

^* The loofe . aflertions of a general dHgrace (Zoliinusy I, iv, 
p. abi.) are detcdled and refuted by Tillemont (torn. v. p. 21-). 

^*Amrtiianii8, xx^.5. 

^' Anunianus faysy in general tenflsy fubagreft^s ingenii, nee bel. 
ilcis nee Jiheralibus fiadus eruditus* Ammian. xxxi. 14. The orator 

Themlftiui» 



OP THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^^^ 

The ti-anquUlity of the Eaft was foon difturbed e H A P^ 
by rebellion : and the throne of Valens was ^'^Y- 
threatened by the daring attempts of a rival, Revolt of 
whofe affinity to the Emperor Julian ^^ was his Procopius, 
fole merit, and had been his only crime. Pro- sept, as!^ 
copius had been haftily promoted from the ob* 
icure ftation of a tribune, and a notary, to the 
joint command of the army of Mefopotamia; the 
public opinion already pamed him as the fucceffor 
of a prince who was deftitute of natural heirs; 
and a vain rumour was propagated by his friends, 
or his enemies, that Julian, before the altar of 
the Moon, at Carrhae, had privately in veiled Pro- 
copius with the Imperial purple ^K He endea- 
voured, by his dutiful and fubmiffive behaviour, 
to difarm thejealoufy of Jovian ; refigned, with- 
out a contefl, his military command ; and re- 
tired, with his wife and family, to cultivate the 
ample patrimony which he pofleffed in the pro- 
vince of Cappadocia. Thefe ufeful and innocent 
occupations were interrupted by the appearance 
of an officer, with a band of foldiers, who, in the 



Themiftiusy with the genuine impertuienceof a Greek, wiflied for the 
firft time to fpeak the Latih language, the dialed of his fovereign^ 
Tnv ^ucXiKTQf KeamtroLv, Orat, vi. p. 7J, 

^ The uncertain degree of alliance, or confanguinity, is exprefled 
hf the words ani^togf cognatus, confobrinui (fee Valefius ad Am- 
mian. xxiiL 3.). The mother of IVocopius might be a filler of 
Bafilina, and Count Julian, the mother and uncle of the Apoflate. 
Ducange. Fam. Byzantin.-p; 49. 

' ^ Ammian. xxiii. 3. xxvi. 6. He mentions the report with much 
'liefiudon: fufurravit obfcurior fama ; nemo enim didti audtor exftitit 
^erus. It ferves, however, to remark, that Procopius was a Pagan. 

Yet his religion does not appear to have promoted, or okffaru(5led, his 

|)retenfions. 

R % name 



^44 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c ri A P. name of his new fovereigns, Valentinaan and Va- 
^^' lens, was difpatched to condiiA the unfortunate 
Procopius either to a perpetual prifon, or an 
ignominious death. His prefence of mind pro- 
cured him a longer refpite, and a more fplendkl 
fate. Without prefuming to difpute the royal 
mandate, he requefted the indulgence of a few 
moments to embrace his weeping family ; and, 
while the vigilance of his guards was relaxed by 
a plentiful entertainment, he dexteroufly efcaped 
to the fea-coaft of the Euxine, from whence he 
pafled over to the country of Bofphorus. In that 
fequeftered region he remained many montiis, 
expofed to the hardfliips of exile, of folitude, 
and of want ; his melancholy temper brooding 
over his misfortunes, and his mind agitated by 
the juft apprehenfion, that if any accident ihould 
difcover his name, the faithlefe Barbarians would 
violate, without much fcruple, the laws of ho^u 
tality. In a moment of impatience and defpair, 
Procopius embarked in a merchant veflel, which 
made fail for Conftantinoplej and boldly afpired 
to the rank of a fovereign, becaufe he was not 
allowed to enjoy the fecurity of a fhbje£t. At 
firft he lurked in the villages of Bithynia, con- 
tinually changing his habitation, and his dif- 
guife^^. By degrees he ventured into the capital, 
trufted his life and fortune to the fidelity of 

. .^' One of hi* letreaU 'was ..a countiy-houfe of £ujioiniu8» the he- 
retic* The mafter was abienty innocent* ignorant ; yet he narrowjy 
efcaped a ientence of death, and was banifhed into the remote 
parts of Manritania (Philoftox|;. JL iz. c. 5. 8« and Codefrof'^ JDiflbrt. 
p. 369— 378.}- 

twa 



or THE ROMAN EMPIRE* 



«45 



two firiends, a fei^tor and an eunuch, and con* c h A p^ 
ceived ibme hopes of £ucce&y from the intel- , *^^- 
l^^ce which he obtained o£ the a6tual ftate of 
public affairs. The body of the people was im 
ie^ed with afpirit <^ difcontent : they regretted 
the jaftice and the abilities of Salluft, who had . 
beisn ifnprndently difmifled from the praefe6turQ 
of the Eaft. They defpifed the chara6ter of 
Valiens^ which was rude without vigour, and 
feeble without miidnefs. They dreaded the in^ 
flaenca of his father-in-law, the Patrician Fe-i 
tronius, a cruel and rapacious minifter, who ri^ 
gorouily exa6led all the arrears of tribute that 
H%ht remain unpaid fince the i^ign of the Em<« 
Aui^elian, Tt^ circumftances were pro* 
ious to the defigns of an ufurper. The hoftib 
IMS of the Ferfians required the preience of 
Catena in Syria: from the Danube to the Eu^ 
irates the troops were in motion; and tha 
pital was occafionally filled with the foldiers 
paffed or repafled the Thracian Boiphorusi 
i cohorts of Gauls were perfuaded to^ liften 
! fecret propofals of the confpirators; which 
^recommended by the promiie of a liberal 
I J and, aa they ftill revered the memory 
ly tisey eafily cbnfented to fupport the 
ry dlaisB of* hu3 praferibed kiiifman« At 
of day tfiey were drawn up ilear thb 
[.naflafia ;. and Procbpius, clothed* in a 
it) more fuitable to a player than 
11^ appeared;, as if he rofe from tho 
midft! of Conilantinople* T|)e ioli 
» 3 di^rs^ 



?46 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, diers, who were prepared for his reception, 
y ^^^'^ faluted their trembling prince with fliouts of joy, 
and vows of fidelity. Their numbers were foou 
increafed by a fturdy baiid of peafants, collected 
from the adjacent country; and Procopius, 
ihielded by the arms of his adherents, was fuc- 
ceffively conducted to the tribunal, the ienate, 
and the palace. During the firll moments of his 
tumultuous reign, he was aflonifhed and terrified 
by the gloomy filence of the people ; who were 
either ignorant of the caufe, or appreheafive of 
the event. But his military ftrength was fuperior 
to any actual refiflance: the malecontents flocked 
to the ftandard of rebellion j the poor were ex- 
cited by the hopes, and the rich were intimidated 
by the fear, of a general pillage ; and the ob« 
ilinate credulity of the multitude was once more 
deceived by the promifed advantages of a revo- 
lution. The magiftrates were feized ; the prifons 
and arfenals broke open ; the gates, and the en-* 
trance of the harbour, were diligently occupied ; 
and, in a few hours, Procopius became the ab- 
foiute, though precarious, mafter of the Imperial 
city. The itfurper improved this unexpefted fuc- 
eefs with fome degree of courage and dexterity. 
He artfully propagated the rumours and opinions 
the moft favourable to his intereft ; while he 
deluded the populace by giving audience to the 
frequent, but imaginalry, ambaffadors of diftant 
nations. The large bodies «f troops flationed 
in the cities of Thrace, and the fortreffes of the 
Lower Danube, were gradually involved in the 
• . guilt 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 247 

guilt of rebellion : and the Gothic princes con- CHAP, 
fented to fupply the fovereign of Conftantinople 
with the formidable ftrength of feveral thoufand 
^xiliaries. His generals paffed the Bofphorus, 
and fubduedy without an effort, the unarmed, 
but wealthy, provinces of Bithynia and Alia. 
After an honourable defence, the city and ifland 
of Cyzicus yielded to his power ; the renowned 
legions of the Jovians and Herculians embraced 
the caufe of the ufurper, whom they were ordered 
to cruih ; and, as the veterans were continually 
augmented with new levies, he foon appeared at 
the head of an army, whofe valour, as well as 
numbers, were not unequal to the greatnefs of 
the conteft. The fon of Hormifdas '% a j outh of 
Ipirit and ability, condefcended to draw his fword 
againft the lawful Emperor of the Eaft } and the 
Perfian prince was immediately inverted with the 
ancient and extraordinary powers of a Roman 
Proconful. The alliance of Fauftina, the widow 
of the Emperor Conilantius, who entrufted her- 
felf and her daughter to the hands of the 
ufurper, added dignity and reputation to his 
cauie* The Princefs Conftantia^ who was then 
about five years of age, accompanied in a litter 



^7 Homufdae maturo juvem Honnifdse reg9li8 ilHus lilxoy potef- 
tatem Proconfulk detulit; et civilia, man vetenuny et bella» rec- 
turo. Ammian. xxvi. 8. The Perfian prince efcaped with honour 
and iafety> and was afterwards (A.D. 380) reftored to the iame 
ezt^^N:dinary oQce of proconful of Bithynui (TUlemonty Hift. des 
£mpereur8» Umuy. pr204«). I am ignorant whether the race of 
Saflan was proptgated. I find (A.D.514) a pope Hormlidas ; 
but he wu a natvrt •£ Frvfin^ in Italy (Pagi, Brev. Pontific, toCiU 



11 4 the 



248 THE DECLINE AND. FAUL 

C.E A V. tbe march of the arbiy. She was flievro to t&e 
^ '^ multitude in the arms, of her adopted fether; 
and as often as fbe pafied through the canks, the 
tendernefs of the;foldiers was iofknied into mar-* 
tial ftiiy^^ : they recoUefted the glories of th« 
hpttfe of Conilantine^ and they declared, with. 
Ipyal acclamatioii, tbajfe they would fhed the laflt 
d^op of their bicwd ia tha defence of the royal: 

l£s defeat In the meanwhile Yal^tinian was. alarmed 
^ D^^Sl ^®* Perplexed by tlie douhtful iuteHigence oi 
May2& tlpife revolt of the Eafl. Th^. difficulties o^ s^ 
Genoan war forced him ^o confine his immi6« 
djata care^tQ the iafety of his^ own (k>raimonsi^ 
and^ a& ev^ry cha^hnel of communicaldoii was 
iljopt or corrupted, ^ Iiftened,. with doublsfiil 
anxiety, tp the rumours which, wer^induftrioufly 
ffi^read, that the defeat and death, of Valens had 
left Procopius j(ble. mailer of the Eaftern pco^ 
vinces. Valenswas not dead: but, on the news- 
of the rebellion, which he received, at Cae&r^a, 
he bafely defpaired. of his life and fortune y pro^ 
pofed> to negociate with, the nfurper, and difco-. 
vered his fecret inclination' to. abdicate the Im- 
perial purple. The timid' monarch was ikved- 
from dilgrace and ruin by the firmnefs of his 
, miniftQis^ and ti>eir ^abilitieSI fopn decided in his 



.^ The> in£«it.ivM was. nftevwu^ thu tiofe. of^ tire .Emperor. Gza. 
tiant. but. ihe died youngs aad childkfa See Bncange, Baasu Byt* 

^ Sequhnini culminis liinnni profapi»n,, w^8 the langua^ of 
Procopius ; vrho afield to defpife thecWhire birtli, and fprtuitoiis 
tledlioni of the upitart Pannonian. Ayimian. xxv'u 7. 

' ^ favour 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^42 

favour the event of the civil war. In a leafo^n of c H A p. 
tranquillity, SaUuft had refigned without a mur- xxv. 
raiHT ; but as foon as the public &fety was at- 
tacked, he ambitioufly ibiicited the pre-eminence 
of toil and danger ^ and the reltoration: of that 
virtuous mimfter to the pra&fe6lure oi' the Eaft, 
was the firft ftep which indicated the repentance 
of Valens^ and fatis^d the minds of the people 
The reign of Procopius^ was apparently Ibpport- 
ed* by powerful armies^ and obedient provinces'. 
But many of the principal officers, military, as^* 
well as civil, had been urged, either by motives* 
of duty or intereft, to withdraw themfelves from 
the guilty fcene ; or to watch the momeht ef be- 
traying, and deferting,. the caufe of the uftirper. • 
Lupicinus advanced by hafty marches^ to bring* 
the legions of Syria to the aid of Valens. Arin- 
theus, who, in ftrength, beauty, and valour, ex-^ 
celled all the heroes of the age, attacked with a 
fmall- troop a fuperior body of the rebels. When 
he beheld the faces of the foldiers who had fervefd 
under his banner, he commanded them, with a 
loud voice, to feize . and deliver up their pre- 
tended leader ; and fuch was the afcendant oF 
^ his genius, that this extraordinary order was in- 
ftantly obeyed *^ Arbetio, a refpe^ble veteran. 

^ Et d^ignatus homincm fuperare certamme defpzcabneniy auo- 
toritatb et cdfi fiducia corporis, ipfis hoilibus judit, fuum vincife ' 
reyftorem: atqae ka turmarum . antelig<nanu» umbrfttitk comprenfliis 
ffionim manibus. The ftrength and beauty of Anntbeu% th& n#w» ' 
Hercules, are celebrated by 8t>BB(ii; who fuppoled that Ge^hh^i 
created bim as an mimkable moilet of the human (pecide* Tthte* 
painters and. fculptors could not. expjrefit hk iiguro< tlte ItilMaiift- 
appear;etd fabulous when they related his exploits (Amxnian. xxvL and 
ValeC ad loc.> 

I of 



250 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



CHAP, of the great Conftantine, who had been diftin* 
^^^' guifhed by the honours of the confullhip, was 
perfuaded to leave his retirement, and once more 
to condii6l an army into the field. In the heat 
of a6lion, calmly taking off his helmet, he fhewed 
his grey hairs, and venerable countenance ; fa- 
luted the foldiers of Procopius by the endearing 
names of children and companions, and exhorted 
them no longer to fupport the defperate caufe 
of a contemptible tyrant ; but to follow their old 
commander, who had fo often led them to honour 
sHid victory. In the two engagements of Thya- 
tira*' and Nacofia, the unfortunate Procopius 
was deferted by his troops, who were Teduqed by 
the inftru6tions and example of their perfidious 
ofiicers. After wandering fome time among the 
woods and mountains of Phrygia, he was betray- 
ed by his defponding followers, condu3;ed to the 
Imperial camp, and immediately beheaded. He 
fufiered the ordinary fate of an unfuccelsful 
ufurper j but the a6ts of cruelty which were ex- 
ercifed by the conqueror^ under the forms of 
legal juftice, excited the pity and indignation of 
mankind^. 

^' The fame field of battle is placed hf Ammianus in Lycia* and 
by Zofiixms at Tliyatlra ; which are at th« diftance of 150 miles from 
each other. But Thyatira alluitur Lyco (Plin. Hift. Natur. v. 31. 
Cellariu89 Geograph. Antiq. torn. ii. p. 79.) ; and the tranfcribers 
might eafily convert an obfcure river into a well-known province. 

^ The adventures, ufurpationt and fall of Procopiust are related^ 
in a regular feriesy by Ammianus (xxvi. 69 79 89 99 10.) aiid Zofi- 
mus (Liv. p. los-i- aio.). They c^ten iUulbratey and feldom con- 
tradidly each other. Themiftius (Orat.vii. p. 91* 93.) adds fome 
Ittfe panegyric ; and Eunapius (^. 839 84.) fome malicious fatire. 

Such 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. a^, 

Such indeed are the common and natural fruits chap. 
of deipotifm and rebellion. But the inquifition « ^^'^^ 
into the crime of magic, which, under the reign Severe m- * 
of the two brothers, was fo rigoroufly profecuted ^^J"^"^" 
both at Rome and Antioch, was interpreted crime of 
as the fatal fyraptom, either of the difpleafure ^^^ *' , 

/, , n t t . /» 1 • 1 Rome and 

oi heaven, or of the depravity of mankind *^ Antioch, 
Let us not hefitate to indulge ^ liberal pride, ^^- 373> 
that, in the prefent age, the enlightened part 
of Europe h^s aboliflied^^ a cruel and odious 
prejudice, which reigned in every climate of the 
globe, and adhered to every fyftem of religious 
opinions ^K i The nations, and the fe6ls, of the 
Roman world, admitted with equal credulity, 
and iimilar abhorrence, the reality of that infernal 
art^, which was able to controul the eternal 
order of the planets, and the voluntary opera- 
tions of the human mind. They dreaded the 



^3 Libanios de ulcifcend. Julian* nec^ c.ix. p. 1589 159. The 
fophift deplores the public frenzy, but he does not (alter their desths) 
fmpeach the juftice of the emperors. 

^ The French and Euglifh bwyersy. of the prefent age, allow 
the theorjr and deny the praSiee^ of witchcraft (Denifarty RecHeil 
de Decifions de Jurifprudence, au mbt Sorciersf torn. iv. p. 553. 
Blackftone's Commentariesy yoKiv. p. 6o.)* As private reafon alwayt 
prevents^ or outftripsy public wifdom, the Plrefident Montefquieu 
(Efprit des Loixy 1. xiL c.5> 6.)reje6ls the exiftence of magic. 

^' See Oeuvres de Bftyle» torn. iii. p« 567—589. Tlie fceptic'of 
Rotterdam exhibits, according to his cuftom, a ftrsuige medley of loof« 
knowledge^ and lively wit. 

^ The Pagans diftinguiihed between good and bad magic, the 
Theurgic and the Goetic (Hift. de 1' Academic, &c. tom. vii. p. %$.)m 
Bat they could not have defended this obfcure difUn<5tion againft the 
acute logic of Bayle* In the Jewiih and Chrii&ui fyftem, SU dae- 
mons .are infernal fpirits; and is// commerce with them is idolatry^ 
apcAafiy^y &c« which de&nres death aad damnation. 

myfterious 



9^2 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, myfterious power of fpells and incantations, of 
*^V. potent herbs, and execrable rites ; which could 
extinguiih or recal life, inflame the paffions of 
the foul, blail the works of creation, and extort 
from the reluftant daemons the (ecrets of ftiturity. 
They bdieved, with the wilddft inconfiflencj, 
that this pra&ternatural dominion of the air, of 
earth, and of hell, was exerdfed, from the vileft 
motives of malice or gain, by fome wrinkled 
hags, and itinerant ibrcerers, who pafled their 
obfcure lives ia penury and contempt *^ The 
arts of magic were equally condemned by tJie 
public option, and by the laws of Rome ; but 
as they tended to gratify the moft imperious pail 
fions of the heart of man, they were continually 
profcribed, and continually praSHfcd^* An 
imaginary caufe is capable of producing the moft; 
ferious and mifi:hievous efie£ts. The dait pre- 
di£tions of the death of an emperor, or the fuc- 
ceis of a conQ)iraey, were calculated only to fti- 
mulate the hopes of ambition, and to diflblve the 
ties of fidelity ; and the intentional guilt of ma- 
gic was aggravated by the a£tual crimes of trea- 

^ The CankEa of Honce (Ctnn. hr. Odig* widi D»cierV awt 
Sanadon'» IfiofkntioM) is a Yulgar -mtch. Tlie £ridli# of hmouk 
fBhariU. viJ 430—^0*) u tedioiu* dHgufting* but fonielnMa MIBmt^ 
She chides the ddayi of theFdnes; aa4 thfeitais^ with traneadeiie 
' oUcurityy to pnMXNince their real names ; to revnl the true iaferiMl 
countenance cf Hecate ; to invokeL the &cret peiwets that lie Seiow 
faeO>&c. 

^ Geitns h uM i iBMi pofetttlihiir hSdrnth i | )« m d hto falfcucy qood 
im civitate Boft^ et wtabitur ftnapar ct' relinehitar. TaefiL Hi&i* 
ia« See AugMm de Cl'rilateDei^ L yiak c. 19. md the Thesis 
flan Code> Lix. titi ien» wMi Oodefref'^ Cei9HBie9t»y«» 

fon 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 2^;^ 

Ion and facrilege*'. Such vain terrors difturbed c H'a P. 
the peace of fociety, and the happinefs of indi- 
viduals ; and the harmlefs flame which infenfibly 
melted a waxen image, might derive a powerful 
and pernicious energy from the affrighted iancy 
of the perfon whom it was maiicioufly defigned 
to reprefent *®. From the infufion of thofe herbs, 
which were fuppofed to poflefs a fupernatural in- 
fluence, it was an eafy ftep to the ufe of more 
fubftantial poifon; and the folly of mankind 
finnetimes became the inftrument, and the mafk, 
of the mofl; atrocious crimes. As foon as the 
zeal of informers was encouraged by the minifl;ers 
of Valens and Valentinian, they could not refufe 
to liften to another charge, too frequently min- 
gled in thefcenes of domeftic guilt; a charge of 
a fofter and leis malignant nature, for which the 
pious, though exceffive, rigour of Conitantine 
had recently decreed the puniihment of death ^'. 

** The perfecalion of Aatiocli was occaiiooed by a criminal coa- 
fultation. The twenty-four letters of the alphabet were arranged 
loand a magic tripod : and a dancing ring, which had been placed 
in the centre^ pointed to the four firft letters in the name of the fu- 
ture emperor^ 0. £• O. A. Theoddrus (perhaps with many others 
who owned the fatal fyllables) was executed. Theodofius fuc- 
ceeded. Lardner (Heathen Teftimonies, vol.iv. p» 353*^37%') has 
copioufly and fairly examined this dark tranfadlion of the reign of 
Valens. 

^^ Limus ut hie durefcity et haec ut cera liqudcit s 

Uno eodemque igni ; — , Virgil. Bucolic, viii. 8o« 

Devovit abfentes> fimulacraque cerea figit. 

Ovid, in Epift. Hypfil. ad Jafon. 91. 
Such vain incantations could afiedl the mindy and increafe the dilisafey 
of Germanicus. Tacit. Annal. ii. 69. 

^' See Heinecciiis Antiquitat. Juris Roman, tom.ii. p. 3539 &c. 
Cod. Theodofian. l.ix. tit..7. with Godefroy's Commentary, 

This 



254 "T^E DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. Tliis deadly and incoherent mixture of treaibtt 
^^^* and magic, of poifon and adultery, afforded in- 
finite gradations of guilt and innocence, of ex- 
cnfe and aggravatum^ which in thefe proceed- 
ings appear to have been confounded by the 
angry or corrupt paffions of the jqdges. They 
cafily difco\ ered, that the degree of their induftry 
and difcernment was eftimated by the Imperial 
court, according to the number of executions 
that were fumilhed from their relpe6tive tribu- 
nals. It was not without extreme reluctance that 
they pronounced a fentence of acquittal ; but 
they eagerly admitted fuch evidence as was ftain- 
ed with perjury, or procured by torture, to prove 
the moil improbable charges againil the moft 
refpeftable charafters. The progrefs of the en- 
quiry continually opened new fubje6ts of crimi- 
nal profecufion ; the audacious informer, whole 
falfehood was detected, retired with impunity ; 
but the wretched vi6lim, who difcovered his real, 
or pretended, accomplices, was feldom permitted 
to receive the price of his infamy. From the 
extremity of Italy and Afia, the young, and the 
aged, were dragged in chains to the tribunals of 
Rome and Antioch. Senators, matrons, and phi- 
lofophers, expired in ignominious and cruel tor- 
tures.. The foldiers, who were appointed to 
guard the prifons, declared, with a murmur of 
pity and indignation, that their numbejs were 
infufScient to pppofe the flight, or refiftance, of 
the multitude of captives. The wealthieft fami- 
lies were ruined by fines and iconfifcations ; the 

1 6 mod 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ii^S 

mod innocent citizens trembled for their fafety; c H A If, 
and we may form fome notion of the magnitude vJ^^^Il^ 
of the evil, from the extravagant aflertion of an 
ancient writer, that, in the obnoxious provinces, 
the prifoners,the exiles, and the fugitives, formed 
the greateft part of the inhabitants**. 

When Tacitus defcribes the deaths of the in- The am- 
nocent and illuftrious Romans, who were facri- ^^^r^f v^- 
ficed to the cruelty of the firft Caefars, the art of and v*. 
the hiftorian, or the merit of the fufFerers, excite ^^"^j^ 
in our breads the mod lively fenfations of ter- 364— 37^. 
ror, of admiration, and of pity. The coarfe and 
undiding:uiftiing pencil of Ammianus has deli- 
neated his bloody figures with tedious and dif- 
guding accuracy. But as our attention is no 
longer engaged by the contrad of freedom and 
fervitude, of recent greatnefs andof a6lualmifery, 
we fliould turn with horror from the frequent 
executions, which difgraced, both at Rome and 
Antiocb, the reign of the two brothers". Valens 
was of a timid *% and Valentinian of a choleric, 

difpo* 

'' The cruel perfecution of Rome and Antioch is defcribed* and 
inoft probably exaggerated* by Ammianus (xxvtii. i. xxix. i, %.) 
and Zofimus (L iv. p. ai6 — %i%.y The philofoi^er Maximu8» 
vrkh fome juftice^ was involved in the charge of magic (Eunapius in 
^t. SophifL p. 889 89.); ^d young Chryfoftom, who had acdden- . 
tally found one of the profcribed books* gave himfelf for loft (Tille- 
montt Hift. des £mpereur8» t<Hn* v. p. 54o«). 

'^ Coiifolt the fix laft books of Ammianus^ and mate paitiailariy 
the portraits of the two royal brothers (xxx. 8y o. xxxi. 14.). Tille- 
tnont has ccdle^ted (torn. v. p. xa— x8. p. 127—133.) %om all anti- 
quity their virtues and vices* 

^ The younger Vidlor aflerts, that he was valde timidus : yet he 

behaved) as almoft every man would doy with decent refolution at 

' the Jifead of an army. The fame hiftorian attempts to prove> that his 

angw 




THE DECLINE AND FAIX 

diipofition ^\ An anxious r€^;aTd to his pcrCbnd 
fafetj was the ruling principle of the adminiftni^ 
tioa of Valens. In the condition of a fubje^ he 
had kifled, with tnsmbling awe, the hand of the 
opp^eBor ; anl when he afcended the throne, he 
reafonably expe6ted, that the £ime fears, whidi 
bad fubdued his own.mind^ would fecure the pa- 
tient fubmiffion of his people. The favourites of 
Valens obtained, by the privilege of rapine and 
confifcation, the wealth which his oeconomy 
would have refufed ^\ They urged, with per- 
ioafive eloquence, ^uU^ in all caies of treaibn, 
fiifyicion is equivalent to proof $ ifiat the power, 

. fuppoles the intention of mifchief ; ^t the in- 
tention is not le& criminal than the aSt^ and 
that a fubjed: no longer deferves to live, if his 
life.may threaten the iafety, or diilurb the repofe, 
of his fovereign. The judgment of Yalentinian 
was ibmetimes' deceived, and his confidence 
abufed ;. but he would have filenced the informers 
witii a contemptuous fmile, had theysprefumed 

.to ^arm his fortitude by the found of danger. 
They praifed his inflexible love of juftice ; and 
in the purfuit of juftice, the Emperor was eafily 
tempted to confider clemency as a weakneft, and 
paffion as a virtue. As long as he wreftled with 

soger was barmlefs. AnmmoM ci h fefvM wkfa mtsn dUKlodr md 
jn(%fgBBt> iodfledtia oiniite ad trntbtaifittm vtl Irftm pnaafk 
.aiAt)litiidkieip tnthoBs* in (anguiaAiD fesviebst. 

^^ Cum «£[et ad acerbiutem patune calerp firopefifidr * « • pcenv 
per ignes augebat et gladios. Ammian. zjlx. 8« See jcxini* y» 

^ 1 have transfcnred the reproach of avariee from Valens to hi» 
iervants. Avarice more properly belongs to mimfiers than to kiAgt : 
in whom that palBon is commenly extingnifhed by abfoliite pofleffioiu 

his 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, 257- 

Iris equals, in the bold competition of an a6live chap. 
and ambitious life, Valentinian was feldom in- ^^^ 
jured, and never infulted, with impunity: if 
his prudence was arraigned, his fpirit was ap-* 
plauded j and the proudeft and moft powerful 
generals were apprehenfive of provoking the 
refentment of a fearlefs foldier. After he be*, 
came mafter of the world, he unfortunately for- 
got, that where no refiftance can be made, no 
courage can be exerted ; and inflead of confult- 
ing the di3:ates of realbn and magnanimity, he 
indulged the furious emotions of his temper, at 
a time when they were diigraceful to himfelf, and 
fatal to the defencelefs obje6bs of his difpleaiure. 
In the government of his houfehold, or of his 
empire, flight, or even imaginary, offences ; a 
hafly word, a cafual omiflion, an involuntary 
delay, werechaftifed by afentence of immediate 
death. The expreffions which iffiied the moft 
readily from the mouth of the Emperor of the 
Weft w^re, *' Strike off his head;** — '^ burn him 
** alive ;'* — ^^ let him be beaten with clubs till he 
*^ expires^' ;" and his moft favoured minifterg 
loon underftood, that, by a rafli attempt to 
difpute, or fufpend,v the execution of his fan- 
guinary cbmmands, they might involve them-, 
felves in the guilt and punilhment of difobe- 
dience. The repeated gratification of this 

'7 He fometimes exprefled a fentence of death with a tone of plea- 
fantry ; " Abi, Comes, et muta ei caput, qui fibi mutari provinciam 
** cupit." A boy, who had flipped too haftily a Spartan hound; an 
tfmourer, who had made a, poliiOied cuirafs that wanted feme grains 
of the legitimate weight, &c. were the victims of his fury. 

VOL. IV. s lavage 



XXV. 



258 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c HA P. favage juftice hardened the mind of Valentinia^n' 
againft pity and remorfe ; and the iaUies of pai^ 
fion were confirmed by the habit* of cruelty^'. 
He could behold with calm fatisfa^tion the con- 
vulfive agonies of torture and death : he re- 
ferved his friendfliip for thofe faithful, fervants 
Whofe temper was the moil congenial to his 
own. The merit of Maximin, who had flaugh- 
tered the noblefl families of Rome, was re« 
warded with the royal approbation, and the 
praefe6lure of Gaul. Two fierce and enormous 
bears, diilinguifhed by the appellations of Irmo* 
cence^ and Mica Aurea^ could alone deferye to 
(hare the favour of Maximin. The cages of 
thofe trufty guards were always placed near the 
bed-chamber of Valentinian, who frequently 
amufed his eyes with the grateful fpe6tacle of 
feeing them tear anii devour the bleeding limbs 
of the malefa£tors who were abandoned to their 
rage. Their diet and exercifes were c?irefully 
infpefted by the Roman Emperor ; and when 
Innocence had. earned her difcharge by a long 
courfe of meritorious fervice, the faithful animal 
was again reftored to the freedom of her native 
Woods ^\ 

^^ The innocents of A^sui were an agent and three apparitort» 
whom Valentinian condemned for fignifying a legal fummoas. Am- 
mianus (xxvii. 7.) ftrangely fuppofes^ that all who had been pnjidUy 
executed were worihipped as martyrs by the Chriftians. His im- 
partial iUence does, not allow us to believe^ that the great chamber- 
Iain Rhodanus was burnt alive for an a^ of opprefHon (Chron. Paf' 
thai, p. 30a-.). 

'^ Ut bene maritam in fylvas jdfiit aUre LtriMuam. Asammu 
3. and Yalefius. ad locum. 

But 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 



«S9 



But in the ealmer moments oi[' reflection, when c h a 9. 
the mind of Vdiens was not agitated by fear, or ^ ^^ '^ 
that of Vaientiuian by rage, the tyrant xeifiimed Their laws 
the fetttiments, or at leaft tlie coadud, of the fa- ^^^ ^^ 

vemmeiit* 

ther of his country* The dHpaflionate judgment 
of the Weftern Emperor could ciearly perceive, 
and accurately purfue, hts own xuad the public 
intereft ; and the foveraign of the Eafl, who 
imitated ^ith.eqitftl docility the various .esLamples 
Yfbick he recesA^sd fboaai id$ e]|dief brotber, yfm 
fbmetinves guidqd by tile Mfilom ^dP^d virtue of 
the pi^&6l; Sallufl. Botii princes invariably 
retained^ in <^e purple, the obalte and tempe- 
rate fimplicity which had adorned tbeir private 
]ife ; and, under tiieir reign, the pleafures of the 
court never co& the people a bluih or a j[igb« 
They gradusdly re&rmed many of the abufes of 
the tinies olConftantius ; judiciouily adopted aiid 
improved tlie deiigns of Julian and his fuocefTor; 
^d difplayed a ftyk and ipirit q£ legiflation 
which might in^ire pofterky .with the moft fa- 
vourable opinion of their charaCber and goveim- 
xnent. It is not from the mafter of Inmoceiice^ 
that we Ihould expeCt the tender r^ard for the 
welfare of his fubjeCls, which prompted Valen- 
tinian to condemn the expofition of new-born 
infants ^° j an^ to eflkblifli fourteen Ikilful phy- 

*'° See the Code of JufUnian, Lvlii. tit.liu'leg. »• Unufquifque 
£ib6lem fuatn nutriat. Qiiod fi espooendam .pulaverit anima^verfioni 
qnx con^uta eft fbbjacebit. For the prefent 1 fhoU not interfere in 
^tiie difpute between Noodt and Binkeriboek ;- how fyXi.^\koi^ lo9g> 
^is unqatural pradiice had been condnnned (M* ab^iihed :by )awy piu- 
-klbphyi and the more clTilffed ibte of focwty. 

s 2 ftcratts^ 



a6o THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, ficians, with ftipends and privileges, in the four- 
^^^' teen quarters of Rome* The good fenfe of an 
illiterate (bldier founded an ufeful and liberal in- 
ftitution for the education of youth, and thefup- 
port of declining fcience^'« It was his intention, 
that the arts of rhetoric and grammar fliould be 
taught in the Greek and Latin languages, in the 
metropolis of every province; and as the fize 
and dignity of the fchool was ufually propor- 
tioned to tlie importance of the city, the acade- 
mies of Rome and Conftantinople claimed a juft 
and Angular pre-eminence. The fragments of 
the literary edi3;s of Valentinian imperfeftly 
reprefent the fchool of Conftantinople, which was 
gradually improved by fufafequent regulations. 
That fchool confifted of thirty-one profeflbrs in 
difierent branches of learning. One philofopher, 
and two lawyers; five ibphifts, and ten gtam- 
marians for the Greek, and three orators, and 
ten grammarians for the Latin, tongue ; befides 
feven fcribes, or, as they were then ftyled, anti- 
quarians, whofe laborious pens fupplied the 
public library with fair and correct copies of the 
claffic writers. The rule of conduct, which was 
prefcribed to the ftudents, is the more curious, 
as it afibrds the firft outlines of the form and 
•difcipline of a modern univerf^ty. It was re- 
quired, that they fliould bring proper certificates 

^' The& ialutauy mftitutions are explained in the Theodafian Code^ 
l.xiti. tit. ill. De Profejforibiu <t MeMcisy and Lziv. tit.ix. De 
StudUs iiberalUna Urbis Roma. Befides our ufual guide (Gkxle- 
froy)i we may oonfult Gianone (Ifioria di Napoli, torn. i. p. Z05 — 
iix.)i who has treated the intereitii^ fubjedl with the zeal and curio- 
%tf of a man of lettersy who fiudies his domeiiic hifioiy. 

from 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE- 261 

from the magiftrates of their native province, chap. 
Their names, profeffions, and places of abode, ^^^' 
were regularly entered in a public regifter. The 
lludious youth were feverely prohibited from 
wafting their time in feafts, or in the theatre ; 
and the term of their education was limited to 
the age of twenty. The praefeft of the city was 
empowered to chaftife the idle and refra6lory 
by ftripes or expulfion ; and he was direfted to 
make an annual report to themafter of the offices, 
that the knowledge and abilities of the fcholars 
might be ufefiiUy applied to the public fervice. 
The inftitutions of Valentinian contributed to 
fecure the benefits of peace and plenty; and the 
cities were guarded by the eftabliihment of the 
De/en/brs^^i freely elefted as the tribunes and 
advocates of the people, to fupport their rights, 
and to expofe their grievances, before the tri- 
bunals of the civil magiftrates, oi- even at the 
foot of the Imperial throne. The finances were 
iiiligently adminiftered by two princes, who had 
been fo long accuftomed to the rigid ceconomy 
of a private fortune ; but in the receipt and ap> 
plication of the revenue, a difceming eye might 
obferve fome diiFerence between the government 
of the Eaft and of the Weft. VaJens was per- 
fuaded, that royal liberality can be fupplied only 
by public oppreffion, and his ambition never at 
pired to fecure, by their aftual diftrefs, the future 
ftrength and profperity of his people. Inftead 

^ Cod. Theodof. 1. L tit. xl. with Godefroy's Paratitlofti wluch 
"diligently gleans from the reft of the code, 

'S3 of 



^S2 THE J>IiCLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, of increafii^ the weight of tas;es, which, ie the 
,,^F^^ ipace of forty years, had been gradually doubled, 
he reduced, ia the firft years of his reign, one- 
fourth of the tribute of the Eaft *'• Valentinian 
appears to have been left attentive and lefe 
anxious to relieve the burthens of his pea{^. 
He might reform the abufes of the fifcal admi- 
niilration ; but he exacted, without fcruple, a 
very large Ihare of the private property j as he 
was convinced that the revenues, which fuf^- 
ported the luxury o£ individuals, would be much 
more advantageoufly employed for the defence 
and improvement of the ftate. The iill9e6ls 6f 
the Eaft, who enjoyed the prefent bei^efit^ ap- 
plauded the indidgence of their prince. The 
iblid, but lefs fplendid, merit of Valentinian 
was felt and acknowledged by the fubfequent 
generation \ 
Vaienti- But the moft honourable circumftance of the 
imn main- c^arafter of Valentinian, is the firm and tempe- 

tains the , , * 

religious rate impartiality which he uniformly preferved in 
**^^Td ^' an age of religious contention. His ftrong fe&fe, 
364-L3'7^. unenHghtened, but uncorrupted, by ftudy, de- 
clined, with refpe6tful indifference^ the fubtle 
queftions of theological debate. The govem- 

^^ Three fines from Ammianus (xxxl. 140 countemmcc a whole 
oration of Themiftias (viii. p^ioi — i2o.)^ fall of adttlatsoni piAuiirff 
and common-place moraUty. The eloquent M.Thoma» (toa^i. 
p. 366 — 396.) has amufed himfelf vith celebrating the vutue's and 
genius of Themi£^uS) who was not tmworthy of the age in whidt lie 
Jived. 

^* Zoiimusy 1. iv. p. %o%* Ammian. xxx. 9. His reformation of 
coftly abufes might entitle him to the pr^e of> in provindales admo- 
dum parcus, tributorum abique molliens farcinas. By [Qme> Us fru- 
gality was ftyied avarice (Jerom. Chrou. p. 186.). 

ment 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE; aSj 

m^nt of the Earth claimed his vigilance, and C H A P. 
iktisfied his aiiibition ; and while he remembered ^^^^' 
that he was the difciple of the church^he never 
forgot that he was the fovereign of the clergy^ 
Under the reign of an apoftate, he had fignalized 
his zeal for the honour of Chriftianity: he al- 
lowed to his fubje6ls the privilege which he had 
afiumed for himfelf ; and they might accept, 
with gratitude and confidence, the general tole* 
ration which was granted by a prince, addifted 
to paflion, but incapable of fear or of diiguife **. 
The Pagans, the J^ws, and all the various (e^s 
which acknowledged the divine authority of 
Chrift, were prote6led by the laws from arbitrary 
power or popular infult ; nor was any mode of 
worlhip prohibited by Valentinian, except thofe 
fecret and criminal pra^ices, which abufed the 
name of religion for the dark purpofes of vice 
and diforder. The art of magic, as it was more 
cruelly puniflied, was more ftri6lly pro&ribed : 
but the Emperor admitted a formal diftindlion to 
protect the ancient methods of divination, which 
were approved by the fenate, and exercii^d by 
the Tufcan Harufpices* He had condemned, 
with the confent o£ the moil rational Pagans, 
the licence of no6lurnal facrifices; but he imme*- 
diately admitted the petition of Praetextatus, pro* 

** Teftes funt leges a me in exorcfio Imperii me! data ; quibiw 
mittciiique quod animo imbiinflet cokadi iibem facuhos trlbuta dt» 
Cod. Theodof. L ix. tit.xvi. leg. 9. To this declaration pf Valeo*- 
tiniaiiy we may add the various teftimonies of Ammianus (xxx. 9.), 
Zofinius (I* It. p,ao4.)^ and Sozomen (Lvi* €.7.21.). Sarontis 
would naturaUy blame fuch ratioaal toleration • (AnaaL Ecclef. 
A. D. 370. N^.ia9 — ^3** A. D. 376. N*'3, 4.). ^ . 

s 4 conful 



264 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, conful of Achaia, who reprefented, that the Kfe 
^^^^, of the Greeks would become dreary and coiw^' 
fortlefs, if they were deprived of the invaluable 
blefling of the Eleufinian myfteries. Philofophy 
alone can boafl (and perhaps it is no more than 
the boaft of philofophy), that her gentle hand is 
able to eradicate from the human mind the latent 
and deadly principle of fanaticifm* But this truce 
of twelve years, which was enforced by the wife 
and vigorous government of Valentinian, by 
fuipending the repetition of mutual injuries^ 
contributed to foflen the manners, and abate 
the prejudices, of the religious fa6lions. 
Vakns The friend of toleration was unfortunately 

F^^ .placed at a diftance from the fcene of the fierceft 
and perfe- coutroverfies. As foon as' the Chriftians of the 
oiteste Weft had extricated themfelves from the fnares 
iLD^ of the creed of Rimini, they happily relapfed 
367—378- into the flumber of orthodoxy; and the fmall 
remains of the Arian party that ftill fubfifted at 
Sirmium or Milan, might be confidered, rather 
as obje£ts of contempt than of refentment. But 
in the provinces of the Eaft, from the Euxine 
to the extremity of Thebais, the ftrengtb and 
numbers of the hoftile factions were more equally 
b^anced ; and this equality, inftead of recom- 
mending the counfels of peace, ferved only to 
perpetuate the horrors of religious war. The 
monks and bifliops fupported their arguments 
by inve£lives j and their inveftives were fome- 
times followed by blows. Athanafius ftill reigned 
at Alexandria} the thrones of Conftantinople 

and 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 26^ 

and Antioch were occupied by Arian prelates, chap. 
and every epifcopal vacancy was the occafion of \^^j^ 
a popular tumult. The Homooufians were for- 
tified by the reconciliation of fifty-nine Mace- 
donian, or Semi- Arian, bifliops ; but their fecret 
xelu£tance to embrace the divinity of the Holy 
Ghoft, clouded the fplendor of the triumph : 
and the declaration of Valens, who, in the firft 
years of his reign, h^d imitated the impartial 
conduct of his brother, was an important victory 
on the fide of Arianifm. The two brothers 
had pafled their private life in the condition of 
catechumens ; but the piety of Valens prompted 
him to folicit the iacrament of baptifm, before 
he expofed his perfon to the dangers of a Gothic 
war. He naturally addreifed himfelf to Eu- 
doxus % Bifliop of the Imperial city ; and if the 
ignorant monarch was inftni£ted by that Arian 
paftor in the principles of heterodox theology, 
his misfortune, rather than his guilt, was the 
inevitable confequence of his erroneous choice. 
Whatever had been the determination of the 
Emperor, he mud have ofiended a numerous 
party of his Chrifl^ian fubje£i;9 ; as the leaders 
both of the Homooufians and of the Arians be«> 
lieved, that, if they were not fuffered to reign, 
they were moil cruelly injured and oppreffed, 

^ Eudoxiu was of a mild and dmid di^pofition. When hebaptized 
Valens (A. D. 367.)^ he muft have been extremely old ; fince he had 
ftudied theology fifty-fire years before, under Ludan, a learned and 
pious martyr. Fhiloftorg. l.li. c. 14 — x6. Kiv. c.4. with Oode* 
froyr p. 8a. 406* and TiUemontt Mem. EccleC torn. v. p.474-— 
480, &c. 

After 



266 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP* After he had taken this decifive ilep, it was 
^^' ^ extremdy difficult for him to preferve either the 
virtue^ or the reputation, of impartiality. He 
never afpired, like Conftantius, to the fame of a 
profound theologian; but, as he had received 
with iimplicity and TtipeGt the tenets of Eudoxus, 
Valens refigned his confcience to the direction 
of his ecclefiailical guides, and promoted, by the 
influence of his authority, the re-union of the 
Aihanajian heretics to the body of the catholic 
church. At firft, he pitied their blindnefs ; by 
degrees he was provoked at their obftinacy ; and 
he infenfibly hated thofe fe^iaries to whom he 
was an object of hatred*'. The feeble mind of 
Valens was always fwayed by the perfons with 
whom he familiarly converfed ; and the exile or 
imprifonment of a private citizen are the favours 
the moil readily granted in a defpotic court. 
Such punifliments were frequently infli£led on 
the leaders of the Hotnooufian p^rty \ and the 
misfortune of fourfcore eccleiiaftics of Conilaf^- 
tinople, who, perhaps accidentally, were burnt 
on fhipboard, was imputed to the cruel and pre- 
meditated malice df Uie Emperor, and his Arian 
miniflers. . In every conteft, the catholics (if we 
may anticipate that name) were obliged to pay 
the penalty of their own faults, and of thofe of 
their adverfaries. In every eleftion, the claims? 
of the Arian candidate obtained the preference ; 
and if they wa-e oppofed by the majority of the 

^' Gregeiy Naabuzn (Or»t» xi£v. p» 43ft.) la&lu tke ptrfecutins 
fpirit of the Ariansy as an infallible fymptom of error and herefy. 

people. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 267 

people^ he was ufually fupported by the authority chap. 
of the civil inagtftrate» or even by the terrors of ^^ ^' ^ 
a military force. The enemies of Athanafius 
attempted to diilurb the lail years of his vene- 
rable age} and his temporary retreat to his 
father's fepulchre .has been celebrated as a fifth 
exile. But the zeal of a great people, who in* 
ilantly j9ew to arms, intimidated the praefe^t ; 
and the archbifliop was permitted to end his life 
in peace and in glory, after a reign of forty-feven 
years. The death of Athanafius was the fignal ^^^^ ®^ 
of the perfecution of Egypt ; and the Pagan mi- fius, 
nifter of Valens, who forcibly feated the worth- aj>.373, 
lefs Lucius on the archiepifcopal throne, pur- ^ * 
chafed the favour of the reigning party, by the 
blood and fufferings of their Chriilian brethren. 
The free toleration of the heathen and Jewiih 
worihip, was bitterly lamented as a circumftance 
which aggravated the mifery of the catholics, and 
the guilt of the impious tyrant of the Eaft ^^ v 

The triumph of the orthodox party has left a Juftideaof 
deep fl^ain of perfecution on the memory of Va- ^^*^"' 
letis ; and the character of a prince who derived 
his virtues, as well as his vices, from a feeble 
underftanditig^ and a pufiUanimous temper^ 
ibarcely deferVes the labour of an apology. Yet 
candour may difcover fome reaibns to fuQ>eift 
that the ecclefiaftical minifl;ers of Valens often 
MLceeded the orders, or even the intentiotis, of 

^ Thk flfc«tell xA Hie eecldkdlfeal govtirmnent of TAlnte» Is ^b«vni 
IhMb Soarttes (!• m)> SozotBett (i. vi .> Theod0i«t (t. iv^)) am! 
t|k# uhitio^ eeifipilaikmd dF TMIemont (paHieukrl]^ toni. i^^ ^nli. 
and ix.). 

their 



^68 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

9 H A P. their mafter ; and that the real meafure of fa€ld 
^ ^* ^ has been very liberally magnified by the vehe- 
ment declamation, and eafy credulity of his an- 
tagoniils^^ I. The filence of Valentinian may 
fugged a probable argument, that the partial 
feverities which were exercifed in the name and 
provinces of his colleague, amounted only to 
fome obfcure and inconfiderable deviations from 
the eftabliflied fyftem of religious toleration : and 
the judicious hiftorian, who has praifed the equal 
temper of the elder brother, has not thought 
himfelf obliged to contrail the tranquillity of the 
Weft with the cruel perfecution of the Eaft'^ 
^. Whatever credit may be allowed to vague 
and diftant reports, the chara3:er, or at leaft the 
behaviour, of Valens may be moft diftin€lly feen 
in his perfonal tranfa^ions with the eloquent 
Bafil, Archbiihop of Ca&farea, who had iucceeded 
Athanafius in the management of the Trinitarian 
caufe ''• The circumflantial narrative has been 
Compoled by the friends and admirers of Bafil ; 

^ Dr. Jordn (Remarks oa Ecclefiaftical Htfioryy vol. iv. p. 78»} has 
already concaved and intimated the fame fufpidon« 

^ This reflection is fo obvious and forcible, that Orofin^ (I. vii. 
€• $%, 33«) delays the perfeciitioi|i tin after the death of Valortiniaiw 
Socratesy on the other hand» fuppofes (L iiL c. $%.), that it was ap- 
peafed by a phibfephical onition» which Themiftins pronounced in 
the year 374 (Qrai. xii. p. 154. in Latin only). Such contradiAiass 
dimmiih the evidence^ and ledooe the teroif of the pedecntioa of 
Valens. 

7' TiDemoDtf whom I ibilow and abi4gc^ has cxtraaed' (Memn. 
EccleU torn. vuL p. 153 — 167.) the moft authentic circumfiances 
from the Panegyrics of the two Ok t gvi in i the hrother» and the friend 
ofBafit The lettm of Bafflhimielf (Doping Bibli«theqw£cde^ 
iiafiiqiiey tonvS. p. X55— iSoi») do not preC»| the imagie of a very 
lively per&ciitioii. 

14 and 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 1269 

and as foon as we have dripped away a thick chap. 
coat of rhetoric and miracle, we fliall be afto- ^^^' 
niihed by the unexpe6led mildnefs of the Arian 
tyrant, who admired the firmnefs of his charac- 
ter, or was appreheniive, if he employed vio- 
lence, of a general revolt in the province of 
Cs^padocia, The archbifhop, who aflerted,with 
inflexible pride ^% the truth of his opinions, and 
the dignity of his rank, was left in the free pof- 
feffion of his confcience, and his throne. The 
Emperor devoutly affifted at the folemn fervice 
of the cathedral ; and, inilead of a fentence of 
baniibment, fubfcribed the donation of a valuable 
eilate ibr the ufe of an hofpital, which Balil had 
lately founded in the neighbourhood of Caeia- 
rea ". 3. I am not able to difcover, that any law 
(fuch as Theodofius afterwards enacted againft 
the Arians) was publilhed by Valens againfl: the 
Athanalian fe6taries ; and the edi£t which incited 
the raoft violent clamours, may not appear fo 
extremely reprehenfible. The Emperor had ob- 
fervedjthat feveral of his fubjedls, gratifyingtheir 
lazy difpoiition under the pretence of religion, 
had aflbciated themfelves with the monks of 
Egypt ; and he direfted the count of the Eaft 

^' Bafilius Csefarienlis epifcopus Cappadocise clams habetur .... 
qui multa continentise et ingenii bona uno fuperbise xnalo perdidit. 
This irreverent pailage is perfeAly in the ftyle and chara<5ler of 
St. Jerom. It does not appear in Scaliger's edition of his Chronicle ; 
but Haac Voflius found it in foihe old MSS. which had not been re- 
formed by the monks. 

7^ This noble and charitable foundation (almofl a new city) fur- 
paiTed in merit, if not in greatnefs, the pyramids^ or the walls of Ba- 
bylon. It was principally intended for the reception of lepert (Greg. 
2<lazianzen, Orat. xx. p. 4 3 9.). 

t6 



170 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, to drag them from their folitude; and to compel 
^^^' thofe deferters of fociety to accept the fair alter* 
native, of renouncing their temporal poiTeflSoes, 
or of difcharging the public duties of men and 
citizens 7^. The minifters of Valens feem to have 
extended the fenfe of this penal ftatute, fince 
they claimed the right of enlifting the young *nd 
able-bodied monks in the Imperial ari»4«s. A 
detachment of cavalry and infantry, confifting of 
three thoii&nd men, marehed from Alexandria 
into the adjacent defert of Nitria '% which was 
peopled by five thoufand monks. Th^ foldiers 
were condu6led by Arian priefts 5 aiid it is re- 
ported, that a confiderable daughter was made in 
the monalleries whi^h difobeyed the commands 
of their fevereign '^^* 
Vaientini- The ftridl regulations which have been framed 
£te1w *^y *^® wifdom of modem legiflators to reftrain 
of the the wealth and avarice of the clergy, may be 
AJD^Uo originally deduced from the example of the Em- 
peror VaJentinian^ His edift" addrefled to 

Damafus, 

^^ Cod. Theodof. I.xil. tit.u Ieg^63. Gbde^y (tom.iy. p. 409 
— 4i3.)performs the dutjr of a commentator and advocate. Tillemont 
(Mem. Ecclef. torn. "viii. p. %o%C)fupp9fts a fecond law to excule hk 
orthodox friends, who had miireprefented the ediA of Valens, and 
fupprelTed die liberty of choice. 

7' See D'Anviiley D^fcription de I'Kg7pt^p«74« Heregiketl fli^ 
confider the monaftic inftttitions. 

^^ Socrates, L iv« c^ %^^ #5. Oi?ofiiis, 1. tm. <:« 33» Jercwft in 
Chroa. p. 1899. and tOAif ii> p* %\%. The monk»of £gypt peflf<iniwd 
many miracles, which pf-ove the truth of their faith. IMs^tf lays Jor- 
tia (Remark vol. ir. p. 99*)^ but whM ptofes the ftMh of thofe 
isinuies? 

'7 Cod. Thepdcif. U jsyi. fk^iU. ieg« dQ4 Qodefiraqr (torn. vL p.49«> 

alter the example of Baronius, impartiaUy cottodU aH .tiUt tbo fathcrfe 

13 have 



AJ). 370. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 371 

Damafus, Biihop of Rome, was publicly read in c H A p. 
the churches of the city. He admonilhed the ^,^^ 
ecclefiaftics and monks not to frequent the houle9 
of widows and virgins ; and menaced their dif- 
obedience with the animadverfion of the civil, 
judge. The director was no longer permitted to 
receive any gift, or legacy, or inheritance from 
the liberality of his fpiritual daughter : eviery 
teilament contrary to this edi^ was declared nuU 
and void; and the illegal donation was confif^ 
catedfortheufeofthetreafory. By a fubfequent 
regulation, it Ihould feem, that the fame pro- 
vifions were extended to nuns and biihops 5 and 
tliat all perfons of the ecclefiaftical order were 
rendered incapable of receiving any teftamentary 
gifts, and ftri6lly confined to the natural and 
legal rights of inheritance. As the guardian of 
domeftic happinefe and virtue, Valentinian ap* 
plied this fevere remedy to the growing evil. 
In the capital of the empire, the females of noble 
and opulent houfes poffefled a very ample fliare 
of independent property : and many of thofe 
devout females had embraced the doctrines of 
Chriftianity, not only with^the cold aflent of the 
underilandiog, but with the warmth of affe^lion, 
and perhaps witli the eagernefs of fafhion. They 
facrificed the pleafures of drefs and luxury ; and 
renounced, for the praife of chaftity, the foft 
endearments of conjugal fociety* Some eccle- 

Inve faid on the lu^ecSl. oi this imparUnt law ; whoTe fpirit was 
toag a£terwwds re.Tided by the &nperor Fredeiic 11^ Edward I. of 
* Eaglaudiy and othtr Chra&iaa pniicw "^ho reigned after the twelfth 
century. 

fiallic, 



%yi THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c^^^p, fiaflic, of real or apparent fan6tity, was chofeil 
to dire6l their timorous confcience, and to amufe 
the vacant tendernefs of their heart ; and the un- 
bounded confidence,which they haftily beftowed, 
was often abufed by knaves and enthufiafts; who 
hallened from the extremities of the Eaft, to 
enjoy, on a fplendid theatre, the privileges of the 
monaflic profeffion. By their contempt of the 
world, they infenfibly acquired its mod defirable 
advantages ; the lively attachment, perhaps, of a 
young and beautiful woman, the delicate plenty 
of an opulent houfehold, and the refpe6):ful ho- 
mage of the flaves, thefreedmen, and the clients 
of a lenatorial family. The immenfe fortunes of 
the Roman ladies were gradually confumed in 
lavifii alms and expenfive pilgrimages ; and the 
artful monk, who had afligned himfelf the firft, 
or poffibly the fole place, in the teftament of his 
fpiritual daughter. Hill prefumed to declare, with 
the fmooth face of hypocrify, that he was only 
the inftrument of charity, and the fteward of the 
poor. The lucrative, but di%raceful, trade ^'j 
which was exercifed by the clergy to defraud the 
expe^ations of the natural heirs, had provoked 
the indignation of a fuperftitious age : and two 
of the moft refpedlable of the Latin fathers very 

. ^ The expreffions which I have ufed are temperate and feebley if 
compared whh the vehement inveiflives of Jerom (torn. i. p. 13. 45. 
X449 &€.)• In bis twm% he was reproached with the guOt which he 
Imputed to his brother monks : and the ScelerattUf the Fejjipellh^ was 
public]/ accufed as' the lover of the widow Fauk (tom.ii. p«363*)* 
He undoubtedly poflelTed the af&Aionsy both of the mother and the 
daughter ; but he declares that he never abufed his influencey to any 
idfifli or fenfual purpofe^ 

honefUy 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE* . ay$ 

honefUy confefs, that the ignominious edi6tof CHAP. 
Valentinian was juft and neceffary ; and that the ^^^^^ 
Chriftian priefts had deferved to lofe a privilege, 
which was ftiil enjoyed by comedians, charioteers, 
and the fniniflers of idols. But the wifdom and 
authority of the legiflator are feldom vi^odous 
in a conteil with a vigilant dexterity of private 
intereil: and Jerom, or Ambrofe, might patiently 
acquiefce in the jufticeof an ineffedtualor falutary 
law. If the ecclefiaflics were checked in the pur- 
fuit of perfonal emolument, they would exert a 
more laudable induftry to increafe the wealth of 
the church ; and dignify their covetoufnefs with 
the fpecious names of piety and patriotifm^^ 

Damafus, Bifhopof Rome, who was conftrained Ambitioa 
to ftigmatife the avarice of his clergy by the ^^j^^f"*^ 
publication of the law of Valentinian, had the mafus, 
good fenfe or the good fortune to engage in his ^^P ®^ 
fervice the zeal and abilities of the learned Je- a.d. 
rom; and the grateful laint has celebrated the 366— 184- ^ 
merit and purity of a very ambiguous character ®°, 
But the fplendid vices of the church of Rome, 
under the reign of Valentinian and Damafus, 
have been cuHoufly obferved by the hiftorian 
Ammianus, who delivers his impartial fenfe in 

"^ Pudet dicere, fkcerdotes idoloruixiy mimi et aiirigie> et fcortt* 
baereditates capiunt : iblis clericu ac monacbis hac lege prohibetur. 
£t non prohibetur a perfecutoribus, fed a principibus Chriftianis. 
Nee de lege queror ; fed doleo cur merutrimus banc legem. Jerom 
(torn. i. p. 13.) difcreetly iniinuates the fecret policy of his patron 
Damafus. 

®° Three words of Jerom^ fanSta memorta Damafus (torn. ii« 
p. zi9.)» walh away all his ftains, and blind the devout eyes of Tlllc* 
mont (Mem. Ecclef. torn* viiL p. 386—4^4. 

VOL. IV. T theft 









i;4 THE DECUmS ANB FAU- 

CH 4 P. tihefe expreffive words: *^ The pnBf66ture of 
n,^- ' ** Juventius was tccofiipwded with peace and 
{denty : but tbe tmiquiUky of his goveraoieat 
was fooQ diftuffoed by a tiloody ieditioa of the 
<^ dilka&ed people* The ardour of Dasiafiia 
^ aid Urfiaus, to fetze tbe epi&c^al feat, 1m* 
^ paffbd the ordinary meiaiUre of humaiEi andn- 
tiMu Tbey ciwteiided with die cage of party ; 
tbe quarrel was maiatained foy the wousds and 
^^ deafth of their follow/ers ; and the pfsefeft, no- 
^ able to r^efift or to appeafe the tumult, was 
^ eos^raiQed, by fuperior yideuce, to retu« 
^ iiito the fuburhs. Daoiafus prevailed: the 
^^ w.dl difputed yi&ory i^mauied on the fide of 
^ 1u& £i6tioo^ one hundred aad thirty-feven dead 
^ hodies^^ were found in ihe Bq/tlkm of Sieini* 
^^ nufl^^, where the Chriftians hold ftheir reli- 
^^ giotis affefiiblies ; and it was long before the 
^^ angry minds of the people refumed their ae- 
^ cuftooied tranquillity. When I consider the 
^< %]efidour of the capital, J am not aftoiiiih«d 
^^ tibatfo valuable a prize ihould kiflame the de« 

*' Jesoa hioftif is fbreed to aSoviry cruddUBinx Smiwfp^ifflMi 
d^yec^ feiids perpetratas (in Chron* p. i86.> Bpt an oi%ina} /JM 
or petition of two prefl)yterB of the adverfe party* has unaccountably 
efcaped. They afi&rm, that the doors of the Baiilica were burnt* 
a^ 4iat the xwff v^ unljled^ itm Oswffo manch^i at 4^ bead 
of bb 09^ clergy^ grav^-^iggerst ck^fioteisnf aqd.bised gladiaM^; 
tba^ ^E^one of Jb/rf party wene killedf bi^ A^ one bufli)^ aqd S^ 
4e;a4 bo^ iKere &ua4> TW vetitim w pubjiifl^ t>F ^^ P* S^ 
moffd, i^ the Gxfi, ^oJune lof hjji w^^ 

®' The Bafilica of Sicininu8» or Liberiusy is probably tbt AmA 
if SfW(£^ l^Ieiij^ M^ggip^ on^ £%ibve bjll, fturmw^* AJ>. 

p- 4^2. 

«« jlirei 



OF THE ROMAS «»ll>ntE. fej^j 

^« fire9craiii)iitkyustite»9«iid pttMliici^th^ fieft^ cnkP. 
« and iMft dbftinate ONatelfts. 1*6 fue^eftfel . ^• 
^ t^ndidate is fetmre tfattt be ml& be ^lidt&d 
*' by iht <Wfering8 df matroHB^*; tllafc, *B foc^ 
^ as his drefs is compofed i^rkh tot*omi«ig <^t3 
** and ctesgance, he may proceed^ m)iis feharittt, 
** througli the ftrcets erf' ilo«Ate«* ; a^d, tiiat th^. 
^^ finnptaoufiieft of the im|renal tablig t^ill Dot 
^ €qual the profofe and delicut^ f^niiertainlneiiti^ 
** providtd by the tafte, ^rrd ai the expefjcej dP 
^^ the Aovnan pontiffs. How fDtech mot^ ratios 
** nally (^oiitiilu«8 the hotieft Pagan) ym.M %hole 
«« pontifis confult their tr4j!e happinefs, if^ ihftead 
^ of allttgiiig tlM^ grMtnefs of the city k^ an ex- 
** cttfe for their manners^ they would imitate th* 
** exemplaty lift Df fome provindal bifliops, 
** wh^e teifipttan^ and (bbriety, whofe hieaft 
^^ appanel and downeaft lookd^ re<iomttiended. 
** their pure and modeft virtue to the Deity^ and 
*« his true irorfliippers'^*' The fchifiji of Da- 
mafud and Urfinus was extingtiiflied by the ekile 
of the latter j atid the wifdom of the pr^fe^ 
Fiiaetextatus'^ t^ftm^ the tFan<|uiility of the 

city. 

^^ The enemies of Damalu8%ledliim AurykaJpitu Matromtrum^ 
tke ladies ear^cratclier. 

^ Gc^KOy NanttuMOi (OniU lUuaL p.i26.) ^eferibei the pridte 
add kotsuiT: ^ Uift tireUt«8 Whe reigned k ditt Imperial cities^ ditir 
^It cftiv d&iy fteedift ninmrdM trik» &«• Tke trdwtl gtVe way jis 
i« AwildhMft* 

^ iMniMk jocvii.)^ I^R^Mo MmMb tidfl/^ ^uft ci^toribMr. 
The incomparable pliaHKf 4f a pdiyUwIft t 

^ Amadumn, wh* msAli t te fspm «f hfe pr«^(a!tt« (xxvii. ' 
^}, ftflM Ima fliKUm in*>Ul^ graVki«ii^e> f^titor (jbdi.7.aMi 

. T a recordsy 



2y6 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. city. Praetextatus was a philofbphic Pagan, a 
^^^' man of learning, of tafte, and politenefs ; who 
difgilifed a reproach in the form of a jeft, when 
he affured Damafus, that if he could ohtain the 
hiftiopric of Rome, he himfelf would immediately 
embrace the Chriftian religion*^ This lively 
pidlure of the wealth and luxury of the popes in 
the fourth century, becomes the more curious, 
as it reprefents the intermediate degree between 
the humble poverty of the apoftoHc filherman, 
and the royal Hate of a temporal prince, whofe 
dominions extend from the confines of Naples 
to the banks of the Po. 
Foreign When the fuflfrage of the generals and of the 

^^» army committed the fceptre of the Roman em- 
J64— 375. pire to the hands of Valentinian, his reputation 
in arms, his military &ill and experience, and 
his rigid attachment to the forms, as well as 
ipirit, of ancient difcipline, were the principal 
motives of their judicious choice. The eagernefs 
of the troops, who preffed him to nominate his 
colleague, was juilified by the dangerous fituation 
of public afiairs ; and Valentinian himfelf was 
confcious, that the abilities of the moft a6live 

recordsy in two columns, liis religious and civil honours. In one 
line he was Pontiff of the Sun, and of Vefta, Augur, Quindecemvir, 
Hierophant, &c. &c. In the other, i. Queftor candidatus, more 
probably titular, a. Ptetor. 3. Corredtor of Tufcany and Umbria. 
.4. Confiilar of Lufitania. 5.^ Proconful of Achaia. 6. 'Prus£e&. of 
Rome. . 7. Praetorian praefe^ of Italy. 8. Of Illyricum. 9. Con- 
ful eleA ; but he died before the beginning of the year 385. See 
Tillemont, HifL des Empereurs, torn. v. p. 241. 736. 

^7 Facite me Romanae urbis epifcopuro ; et ero protinus Chrifti- 
anus (Jerom, torn. ii. p. 165.). It is more than probable, that 
Damafus would not have pjarchafed his convcrfion at fiuJi.a price. 

- i2 mind 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 377 

mind were unequal to the defence of the diftant chap; 
frontiers of an invaded monarchy. As foon as ^ ^^^' 
the death of Jalian had reKeved the Barbarians 
from the terror of his name, the moft fanguine 
hopes of rapine and conqueft excited the nations 
6f the Eaft, of the North, and of the South. 
Their inroads* were often vexatious, and fome- '^• 
times formidable; but, during the twelve years .' 

.of the reign of Valentinian, his firmnefs and 
vigilance prote6led his own dominions ; and his. 
powerful genius feeraed to infpire and dire6l the. 
feeble counfels of his brother. Perhaps the me- 
thod of annals would more forcibly exprefs the. 
urgent and divided cares of the two Emperors; 
but the attention of the reader, likewife, would 
be diftradled by a tedious and defultory narrative. 
A feparate view of the five great theatres of war; 
I. Germany; II. Britain; III. Africa; IV. The 
Eaft ; and, V. The Danube ; will imprefs a more ^ 
diflin<^ image of the military date of the empire 
under the reigns of Valentinian and Valens. 

I. The ambafiadors of the Alemanni had been i. Geeu 
oflfended by the harlh and haughty behaviour of Jl^^g. 
Urfacius, mailer of the offices ^* ; who, by an manni m- 
a6l of unfeafonable parfiiptony, had diminiflied ^*^ ^^"^ 
the value, as well as the quantity, of the pre- '^ 
fents, to which they were entitled, either from 
cuftom or treaty, on the acceffion of a new em- 
peror. They expreffed, and they communicated 
to their countrymen, their ftrong fenfe of the 

^ Ammian. xxvi. 5. Valefius adds a long and good note on the 
mait^r of the Offices. 

T 3 national 



^;ft THE DECLINE AND PAIX 

Q D A P. mtiaaal affiroot. The irafciUe minds of the 
, _^-' J driefs were exa^raled by the fulpicion of cott^ 
tempi ; and the martial youth crowded to their 
jkmdani. B^reYaJ^tiniaacoii)dpafitheAl|i8» 
the villages of Gaul ivere in flames ; before his 
general Dagalaiphus could ^acouBter the Alew 
manni, they had fecured the cs^tives and the 
A.D. $66. fpoil in the forefl:s of Gcermany. In the begin- 
jamiaiy. ^^^^ ^ ^^ enfuing year^ the miKtary foree of 
t^e whole aatiou, in deep and iblid coImrnoSy 
bffoke through the barrier of the Rhine^ duiiiig 
the fevertty of a northern winter. Twa Roman 
eounta were d^leated and mortally^wounded; and 
the ftaqdspd of the HeruK and BataviansfeU iato 
the hand^of the coni}uerot?s, who'diiplayed, with 
infiiUiilftg fliouts and menaces^ the trophy of their 
^(Aory^ The ilandisuKl was reeovered ; but die 
Batayians bad not redeemed the Qiame of their 
di%mee an^ iight in^ the^ eyes of th^ fovero 
juc^e. It was the opinion of ValeiM^iniaii, that 
his fi^dievs muA leaPH- to fear their commander, 
befhve they could ceafe taftar the enemy. The 
tMopS' were ibjeomfy s^fbmhlt^^ ; and the tremi* 
bling Bakavians were incl^d within the circle of 
the Imperial^ army^, Valentinian then afcend^d 
hi& tribunal; and^ 09 if he difdained topun^ 
aowardice with death, he inflicted a ftaia of in- 
delible ignominy on the officers^ whofe mifcon. 
duA and pulUlaoimity were found to be the^ikft 
occafton of the defeat. The Batavians were de- 
graded from their rank, ftripped of their arms, 
and condemned to be fold for flayes to the 

higheft 



OP THE ROMAN EMPIRI. 



^n 



fiigbeft bidder. At this tremendous fentidiice the c h^ a p. 
troops fell profbtate on the ground) deprec^ed ,J ^^ 
the indignaftioti of^ their iS^^ereign, »nd prolefted» 
that ^ be would indulge them in another trial, 
thej^ wonkl approve themfelves not unworthy of 
the name of Romans, and of his foldiers. Valem*' 
tiniafn, with afie^ed reluctance, yielded to thmr 
entreaties : the Batavians refumed their ai%»; 
aind, with their arms, the invincible re^ucioi) of 
wiping* away their difgrace in the blood of tly^ 
Atemanni'^ The principal domniand ^M^di^^- 
cfined by I>sga}aiphus ; andthaC experietibed ^ 
neral; who had reprefented, perhstps, withi Co* 
much prudence, the extreme diffieulti^s of the' 
undertaking, had the mortification, before the ettdl 
df the canqmign, of feeing Hit rival JbVinU^ cotik 
li^eit thole difficulties^ iti«E> ^ decrfive' ddvatUttg^ 
over the featter^ forces of the Bttrbaarians; A* Th«^ ^ 
Ifte head of a wdtt-dlfciplined army of cavafry, ***** 
infantry, and^ lightf tro<^, Jovihus adv^mced^ 
with cautious and i^ipid fteps^ to Scarponna'**; 
in the territory of Metz, where he flirpri»ed> a 
large divifion of t^e Alemanni, before they hadf 
time to run tb1*eir anns ; and ffufiied his foldiers* 
with the confidence of an eafy and bloodlefe vicv 
tory. Another divifion, oH rather army, of tbe^ 

^ Ammbii. xxvii. i. ZofinAnf LiV. p. xtii'. T&«^ cfilj^tftctf* off 
the Batayiang is fuj^^refled by the amtemporaiy foldiery from a regai^l 
for military honour> which could not affedt a Ureek rhetorician of the 
aioceeduig age. 

^ See D'Anville, Notice de raocieime Gadie^ p. 587* Thie^ nune 
of the Mofellci which is not fpecified by Anunianus, is clearly under- 
ftbod' by Mafeou (Ififtof theanctent Genifan», vii. 9;}» 



T 4 enemy 



> 



28o THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, enemy, after the cruel and Wanton devaftatiofl df 
^^^' the adjacent country, repofed themfelves on the 
Ihady banks of the Mofelle. Jovinus, who had 
viewed the ground with the eye of a general, 
made his iilent approach through a deep and 
woody vale, till he could diftin6lly perceive the 
indolent fecurity of the Germans. Some were 
bathing their huge limbs in the river ; others 
were combing their long and flaxen hair ; others 
again were fwallowing large draughts of rich and 
delicious wine. On a fudden they heard the 
found of the Roman trumpet ; they faw the ene- 
my in their camp. Aftonifliment produced dit 
order J diforder was followed by flight and dit 
may ; and the confufed multitude of the braveft 
warriors was pierced by the fwords and javelins 
of the legionaries and auxiliaries. The fugitives 
efcaped to the third and mofl; confiderable 
camp, in the Catalaunian plains, near Chalons 
in Champagne : the fl^raggling detachments were 
haftily recalled to their ilandard ; and the Bar- 
barian chiefs, alarmed and admoniflied by the 
fate of their companions, prepared to encounter, 
in a decifive battle, the victorious forces of the 
lieutenant of Valentinian. The bloody and ob- 
ftinate confli6l lafl:ed a whole fummer's day, with 
equal valour and with alternate fuccefs. The 
Romans at length prevailed, with the lofs of 
about twelve hundi-ed men. Six thoufand of the 
Alemanniwereflain,fourthoufandwerewounded; 
and the brave Jovinus, after chacing the flying 
remnant of their ho(t as far as the banks 

of 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 281 

of the Rhine, returned to Paris, to receive the chap. 
applaufe of his fovereign, and the enfigns of the t J^^ ' ^ 
confulfhip for the enfuing year ^\ The triumph juiy. 
of the Romans was indeed fuUied by their treat- 
ment of the captive king, whom they hung on a 
gibbet, without the knowledge of their indignant 
general. This difgraceful a6t of cruelty, which 
might be imputed to the fury of the troops, was 
followed by the deliberate murder of Withicab, 
the fon of Vadomdir ; a German prince, of a 
weak and fickly conilitution,'but of a daring and 
formidable fpirit. The domeitic aflafQn was in- 
ftigated and protected by the Romans^'; and 
the violation of the lawsof humanity and juftice 
betrayed their fecret apprehenfion of the weak- 
nefs of the declining etnpire. The ufe of the 
dagger is feldom adopted in public Councils, as 
long as they retain any confidence in the power 
of the fword. 

Whilie the Alemanni appeared to be humbled Vaienti- 
by their recent calamities, the pride of Valen- ^^^ 
tinian was mortified by the unexpected furprifal fie« the 
of Moguntiactim, or Mentz, the principal city Jj^^^g^ 
of the Upper Germany. In the unfuQ)icious 
moment of a Chriftian feftival, Rando, a bold 
and artful chieftain, who had long meditated his 
attempt, fuddenly pafled the Rhine; entered the 
defencelefs town, and retired with a multitude of 



^' The battles are defcribed by Ammianus (xxvu. %.), and hj 
Zofimus (l.iv. p. 209.); who fuppolet Valentinian to have been , 
prefent. 

^' Studio folidtante nofiroraniy occubuit. Anuniaii. zrrii. xo. 

captiveft 




2»% THE DECLINE AND PALL 

captives of either fex. Videntiniaii rdTolved to 
execute fkwre vengeance on the whoie body of 
tlie nation. Conn* Sehaftian^ with the bandar o£ 
Italy asd Dlyrieum, was ovdered to invade their 
couQtij, moll probaUy on the fide of Rhartaa* 
The Enpecv in poden, accompanied hy hisr fi» 
6rat]an„ pafied the Rhine at the head of a for- 
nidahle army, which wm fapfMMrted on Hotib 
flanks hy Jovinua and Severua^ the two nuAoia- 
general of the cvraby and iatmMty of tho-WeA* 
The Alenanoi, nnabte tapcavoot the demiation 
of their TiUiag^^ixedi thcftr campion, altefty^nndl 
adtmoft inacceffible, maaatany in the^ nmokm 
dtehy of WiFtembergy and) r0fii>hitely' expefised 
theappPoachofflHeRomnas. The life ofi¥aieDu 
IhiisLVt was expofed to imminent dai^er hy lAie 
mtrepidf euric^ty with^Mdlkh' be^ parfifted to^ e9&» 
plore tome fkcneV and ungaaidod patb^ AtMOfft 
of Barbarians fuddenly rofe from thmr andniiu 
cade r and t}>e £mperor, who> T%(ir(»i% i^ired 
big horfe down a fteep and ilippevy d)dt;ei£by wa# 
obliged to leave behind him his^armoiur'^eaivtv 
and his helmet, magnificently enriched' willigoUb 
and precious ftones. At the fignal of the gene* 
ml aflault, the Roman troops encompafledt add 
idcended the mountain of Solicinium on l^isee 
diflerent fides. Every ftep* which* they gained 
increaibd their ardbur, andiabated the mfiftaaice 
of the enemy : and after their united forces had 
occupied the fumniit of the hyi^ they impetu- 
oufly urged the Barbarians down the northern 
defoentv vdiope Count SjdMiftian:.wnA. poAed to 

inter- 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^^ 

intei cept their ietcea4;. After tbis fi^nal viftory, c i( A p. 
VakmAiniaiii returned to his wtnter-^^artera at ^^^* 
Tieves ; where he iedulged the public jay hy 
tke eadiibitioa of i^lendid and trnin^kal ganittS!^. 
But the wife moi^a^h, inftead oi ^fpiring to the 
eooqueft of Germamyi, coBinecb bis attentioa im 
the impoitaait aiid Iskbevious defence of the Gdk 
fie frontier, againft aa enemy whofe flrength 
wa& renewed hy a ftream (^ daring volimteesrs, 
which inceffantly flowed from the mod diflaiit 
tribes of the North ^\ The banks of the Rhine, 
frott ite fource to the ftreigbtsof the oceuft, were 
elofeliy planted with ftroi^ caAles and c&swe^ 
nient toweps ; new works, and new arms, were 
loireDted by the istgecNut^y of apsinca wha was 
fiutfediin the loeehanicai arts;; a»d hianHmerboa 
leviea oi Stoman and Banbarian^ yoittk wesre fe« 
KM^ tratned m all tiie exe9C]ie& 9£ war; The 
progreftf of the work^ which was femetimes efu 
pofedhy »od^ pepre&ntationsy and IbmeHaim 
by hoAile atteBQ^ts^ fecured the tranquillity of 
Gaut daring the- nine fuh&quent years of the 
adtainiftratioa' of Vateatisiaii ^. 



^ The expeditjoo of' Valenttman I» related by Aminianns (xxviu 
lo.) ; and celebrated by Aufonius (Mofell. 421.. &c.)t. who foolr, 
iflily fuppof^y that the Romans were ignorant of the fources of the 
Danube. 

'^ ImmanUenim aatio» jam ind& ab.mcunahulis.primi& vadetate 
cafuum imminuta ; ita fsQiu&.adolefcitf. ut fuUI&lQngis ijiscuJis «0ir 
mel^ iiUiUfta* Aauniao* xxwii* 5* The Count de.Buat (Hifi. des 
]?euplefi.d£i rj^-unope^ torn, vi* p» 570.) afcnheai the &cuwlUy o£ the. 
Alenuouu to theii: eafy, adog^tion of fbrangecs. 

'^ A,inmia»» x^yuu.%^ Zofinuis^. Liy«, p*2i4^. The youogev 
Vi<5lor mentions the mechanical genius of Valentinian^ nova arma^ 
meditari ; iingere terra feu limo fimulacra. 

That 



284 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. That prudent Emperor, who diligently prafilifed 
y^^J^ I the wife maxims of Diocletian, was ftudious to 
The Bur- foment and excite the inteiline divifions of the 
gundians- tribcs of Germany.. About the middle of the 
*^^'* fourth century, the countries, perhaps of Lulace 
and Thuringia, on either fide of the Elbe, were 
occupied by the vague dominion of the Burgun- 
siANS i a warlike and numerous people of the 
Vandal race^^, whofe obfcure name infenfibly 
fwelled into a powerful kingdom, and has finally 
fettled on a. flourifiiing province. The moft 
remarkable circumfi:ance in the ancient manners 
of the Burgundians, appears to have been the 
difference of their civil and ecclefiafi;ical confii- 
tution. The appellation of Hendinos was given 
to the king or general, and the title of Sim/bis 
to the high-priefl; of the nation. The perfon of 
the priefl^ was lacred, and^his dignity perpetual ; 
but the temporal government was held by a very 
precarious tenure. If the events of war accufed 
the courage or conduct of the king, he was im- 
mediately depofed ; and the injufl;ice of his fub-- 
je6ls made him refponfible for the fertility of the 
earth, and the regularity of the feafons, which 
feemed to fall more properly within the facer- 
dotal department ^\ The difputed poffeflion of 

^ Bellicofos et pubis immenfse viribus affluentes ; et ideo metu- 
endos finitimis univeriis. Ammian. xxviii. 5. 

'7 I am always apt to fufpedl hiftorians and travellers of im- 
proving extraordinary fadls into general laws. Ammianus afcribes 
a iimilar cuftom to Egypt ; and the Chiiiefe have imputed it to the 
Tatfin, or Roman empire (de Guigne8> Hift des Hun8> torn. ii.. 
part i. p. 79.> 

fom& 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 185 

tome falt-pits ^' engaged the Alemanrii and the c H A ?• 
Burgundians in frequent contefts : the latter were ^^^^' 
eafily tempted, by the fecret foUcitations, and 
liberal offers, of the Emperor ; and their fabu- 
lous defcent from the Roman foldiers, who, had 
formerly been left to garrifon the fortreffes of 
Drufus, was admitted with mutual credulity, as 
it was conducive to mutual intereft*'. An army 
of fourfcore thoufand Burgundians foon appeared 
on the banks of the Rhine; and impatiently re-, 
quired the fupport and fubfidies which Valenti- 
nian had promifed: but they were amufed with 
excufes and delays, till at length, after a fruitlefs 
expedlation, they were compelled to retire. The 
arms and fortifications of the Gallic frontier 
checked the fury of their juft refentment ; and 
their maffacre of the captives ferved to embitter 
the hereditary feud of the Burgundians and the 
Alemanni. The inconftancy of a wife prince 
may, perhaps, be explained by fome alteration 
of circumftances ; and perhaps, it was the origi- 
nal defign of Valentinian to intimidate, rather 
than to deftroy, as the balance of power would 
have been equally overturned by the extirpation 

^ Salinarum finiumque causi Alemannis fsepe jurgabant. Am- 
aoian. xxviii. 5. Poilibly they difputed the poffeiHon of the Sala^ 
a river which produced iklt, and which had been the objedl of ancient 
ecmtention. Tacit. Annal. xiii. sjy ^d Lipfius ad loc. 

^ Jam inde temporibus prifcis fobolem fe effe Roxnanam Burgun- 
in fciunt : and the yague tradition gradually aflumed a more regular 
form (OroC L vii. c. 3 a. It is annihilated by the decifive autho- 
rity of Pliny, who compofed the Hiftory of Druiiis, and ferved in 
Crermany (Plin. Secund. Epift. iii. 5.), within fixt)-^ years after the 
death of that hero. Germanorum genera quinque; Vindili> quorum 
pars Burgundionej, &c. (Hift. Natur. iy. 28.). - 

of 



2,86 THE ftECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, af either of the GeritmH nations. Ainoqg th« 
v^^Lf princes of the Alemaoni, MsbcriaiMiB^ wlna^ with m 
Roman n^me^ haid «flkmed tke arts of a foldter 
and a ftatefrfuua, deferved his hatred and efteem* 
The EknpeFor himfeJf^ with a light and citlijicu4»i« 
bered band» c^ndefcended to pa& the Rhine^ 
marched fifty miles into the oouatry^ and woald 
infallibly have feized the obje^ <^ Jiis purfuit, 
if his judicious meafiiries had not been defeated 
by the impatience of the troops. Macrianus was 
afterwards admitted to the honour of a perfenal 
conference with the Emperor; and the favours 
which he received, fixed him, till the hour of 
his death, a fteady and fincere friend of the 
republic '*"'. 
The Sax- The kad was covered by the fortifications of 
ons. Vakntinian ; but the fea-coaft of Gaul and Bri* 
tain wasexpofed to the dfepredations of the Sax^ 
ons. That celebrated name, in which we have a 
dear and domeftic intereft, escaped the notice of 
Tacitus ; and in the maps of Ptolemy, it faintly 
miurks the narrow neck of the Cimbric peninfuia, 
and three fmall iflands towards the mouth of th^ 
iSbe '""^ Tliis contra^ed territory, the prefent 

"^ The wars and negociation^ relative to the Buigundiaas and 
Alemanniy are difim^y rela4:ed bf Ammlanbs Marceilisus (xxviii. 
5« judz. 4. xxx, 3*). Orofkis (L vlL c. $2.)^ and the Chroniclet 
of Jerom and CaiSodoriuty ^ Dome dates^ and add ^Bine eircum* 
fiances^ 

'°* Evk TQv eajx^M, vm Ki/x^^uk x^C^^^bvijjv 2a|oy€^ At the northern 
extrefiiity a£ the peninfula (the Cimbnc pnomontory o^ t^]tny» iv. 27.^ 
Ptolemy fixes the remnant oi the Cimbru He fills the interval iK^tweea 
the &IXCOS and the Cimbri wkh fix obicure tribes who Were united)» 
as early as the fixth century^ under the national appeUatioa at Jbaneu 
See CluVer* German. Andq. L iiL c» ai^ ftd» aj* 

4 Duchy 



OF TH£ ROMAN EMPIKE. IS7 

Dtaehy of SSefiRrigt fic pex^i^tt of Hriftdn^ was chap. 
iAGBpaUe iMf pouiwg finlh the iaieaclmiftibk , ^^* 
liraims of Saxom wliio reigimd oirer tbe oceif^ 
who filled the Britifli ifland witb tibeir iangaage, 
til>eir laws, and their colonies ; nvd who £0 kmg 
defended the liberty of the Noiih ai^Qil idie 
answ 0f Chaiienagne '^« The foltitioii of this 
diffculty is eafily derived from the fioiilar inao* 
ncrs, and ioofe conftitiition, of the tribes of Ger- 
many ; which were blended with each other by 
the flighted accidents of war or friendlhip. The 
fitiatation of the native Saxons diipofed tiaem to 
embrace the hazardous profeffiom of fifhermen 
and picates; and the fiiecefs of their firft adven* 
tares would natimlly excite the emnlation of their 
braveft countrymen, who were impatient of the 
gloomy fofitude of their woods and moantaias. 
Every tide might float down the Elbe whole 
fleets c^ canoes, iSUed with hardy and intrepid 
aiTocii^es^ whoaipired to behold the imboutided 
profpeS: of the ocean, and to tafle the wealth and 
luxury of unknown worlds. It ihould feem pro- 
bable, however, that the moft numerous auxili^ 
arias of the Saxons were furnifhed by the nations 
who dwelt along the (bores of the Baltic. They 
poflefled arms and fhips, the art of navigation, 
and the habits of naval war, but the difficulty of 
iffiiing through the northern columns of Her« 
cules, (which, during feveral months of the year, 

'°' M. O'AnviSfc (fitafefiflfcrnentf din Etitt de VEm^ See 
p. 29 — a6*) has xxaAEtA the extenfivt Ibnits of the ^xtutf of Char'* 
lemagae. 

are 



a88 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, are obftru6led with ice)'*"' confined their Ikill and 
XXV. courage within the limits of a fpacious lake. 
The rumour of the fuccefsful armaments which 
failed from the mouth of the Elbe, would foon 
provoke them to crofs the narrow -ifthmus of 
Slefwig, and to launch their veffels on the great 
fea. The various troops of pirates and adven- 
turers, who fought under the fame ftandard, were 
infenfibly united in a permanent fociety at firft 
of rapine, and afterwards of government. A mi- 
litary confederation was gradually moulded into 
a national body, by the gentle operation of mar- 
riage and conianguinity ; and the adjacent tribes, 
who folicitedthe alliance, accepted the name and 
laws of the Saxons. If the fa6t were not efta- 
blilhed by the mod unqueftionable evidence, we 
ihould appear to abufe the credulity of our read- 
ers, by the defcription of the vetfels in which 
the Saxon pirates ventured to fport in the waves 
of the German Ocean, the Britilh Channel, and 
the Bay of Bifcay. ' The keel of their large flat- 
bottomed boats was framed of light timber, 
but the fides and upper works confifted only 
of wicker, with a covering of ftrong hides '°^ 

In 

"^ The fleet of Drufus had failed in their attempt to pafe, or even 
to approach, the Sound (ftyled, from an obvious refemblance, the co- 
lunuis of Hercules); and the naval enterprize was never refumed 
(Tacit, de Moribus German, c.34.). The knowledge which the 
Romans acquired of the naval powers of the Baltic (c. 449 45.)» wa» 
obtained by their land journeys in fearch of amber. 
*^^ Quin et Aremoricus piratam Saxona tradtus , 
Sperabat ; cui pelle falum fulcare Britanhum 
Ludus; et aifuto glauciunf mare findere lembo. 

Sidon> in Panegyr. Avtt. 369. 

Thf 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 289 

In the courfe of their flow and diftaht navisa- chap. 
tions, they mull always have been expofed to 
the danger, and very frequently to the misfor- 
tunie of Ihipwreck ; and the naval annals of the 
Saxons were undoubtedly filled with the accounts 
of the loffes which they fuftained on the coafts 
of Britain and Gaul. But the daring fpirit of 
the pirates braved the perils both of the fea and 
of the Ihore : their Ikill was confirmed by the 
habits of entei'prize -, the meaned of their mari- 
ners was alike capable of handling an oar, of 
rearing a fail, or of conducing a veflel ; and the 
Saxons rejoiced in the appearance of a tempeft, 
which concealed their defign, and difperfed the 
fleets of the enemy '°^ After they had acquired 
an accurate knowledge of the maritime provinces 
of the Weft, they extended the fcene of their 
depredations, and the moft fequeftered places 
had no reafon to prefume on their fecurity. The 
Saxon boats drew fo little water, that they could 
eafily proceed fourfcore or an hundred miles up 
the great rivers j their weight was fo inconfider- 
able, that they were tranfported on waggons 
from one river to another ; and the pirates who 
had entered the mouth of the Seine, or of the 

The genius of Cacfar imitated, for a particular fervice, thefe rude, but 
lights veflels, which were likewife lifed by the natives of Britain (Com- 
ment, de Belh Civil, i. 51. and Guichardt, Noveaux Memoires Mi- 
litaires, tom.ii. p. 4i> 4%-)* The Britifli veffels would now aftonifli 
die genius of Csefar. 

'°^ The beft original account of the Saxon pirates may be found in 
Sidftaius ApoUinaris (l.viii. epift. 6. p. 22$. edit. Sirmond.), and the 
lieft commentary in the Abbe du Bos (Hift. Critique de la Monarchie 
Franyoife, &c. tom.i. hi. c. 16. p. 148 — 155. See likewife p. 77, 

vofc. IV. u Khine, 



290 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 




Rhine, might defcend, with the rapid ftream of 

the Rhone, into the Mediterranean. Under the 

Aj).37i. reign of Valentinian, the maritime provinces of 
Gaul were afflidted by the Saxons ; a military 
count was ftationed for the defence of the fea- 
coaft, or Arraorican limit ; and that officer, 
who found his ftrength, or his abilities unequal 
to the tafk, implored the afliflance of Severus, 
mailer-general of the infantry. The Saxons, 
furrounded and out-numbered, were forced to 
relinquifh their fpoil, and to yield a fele£t band 
of their tall and robuil youth to ferve in the 
Imperial armies. They ilipulated only a fafe and 
honourable retreat : and the condition was rea- 
dily granted by the Roman general ; who medi- 
tated an afii of perfidy *'*% imprudent as it was 
inhuman, while a Saxon remained alive, and in 
arms, to revenge the fate of his countrymen. 
The premature eagernefs of the infantry, who 
were fecretly pofted in a deep valley, betrayed 
the ambufcade ; and they would perhaps have 
fallen the victims of their own treachery, if a 
large body of cuiraffiers, alarmed by the noife 
of the combat, had not hadily advanced to ex* 
tricate their companions, and to overwhelm the 
undaunted valour of the Saxons. Some of the 
prifoners were laved from the edge of thefword, 
to fhed their blood in the amphitheatre : and the 
orator Symmachus complains, that twenty-niae 
of thofe defperate faviages, by ftrangling them- 

*^ Ammian. (xxviii. 5.) juftifies this breach of faith to pirates mod 
robbers ; and Orofius (1. vii. c. 3a.) more dearly exprdles their real 
^oilt ; virtute atque a^^tate tepibiles. 

felves 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 391 

felves with their own hands, had difappointed CHAP, 
the amufement of the public. Yet the polite ^^]^ 'j, 
andphilofophic citizens of Rome were imprefled 
with the deeped horror, when they were in- 
formed, that the Saxons confecrated to the gods 
the tythe of their human ipoil : and, that they 
afcertained by lot the objects of the barbarous 
iacrifice '^'. 

II. Th^ fabulous colonies of Egyptians and n. Bri- 
Trojans, of Scandinavians and Spaniards, which ^7^^, 
flattered the pride, and amufed the credulity, of and Pias. 
our rude anceftors, have infenfibly vanifiied in 
the light of fcience and philofophy "'. The pre- 
fent age is fatisfied with the fimple and rational 
opinion, that the iflands of Great Britain and 
Ireland were gradually peopled from tha at^a^ 
cent continent of Gaul. From the coaft of Kent, 
to the extremity of Caithnels and Ulfler, the 
memory of a Celtic origin wis diflin6ily pre- 
ferved, in the perpetual refemblance of language, 
of religion, and of manners: and the peculiar 
charadiers of the Britifti tribes might be naturally 
afcribed to the influence of accidental and local 

^ Symmachus (I*u« epift. 46.) ftiU prefumes to mention the facred 
names of Socrates and philofoph^r. Sidonius, Bifliop of Clermont, might 
condemn (l.vui. epift. 6.)i with Ufs inconfiftencyy the human facrifices 
of the Saxons. 

■°® In the beginnmg of the laft century, the learned Camden 
was obliged to undermine, vrith refpe(5lful fcepticifi^, the romance of 
Brutus the Trojan ; who is now buried in iilent oblivion, with 
ScotOf the daughter of Pharaoh, and her numerpus progeny. 'Yet I 
ajn informed, that fome champions of the Milefian colony may ftiQ 
be found among the^ original natives of Ireland. A people difiatisfied 
with their prefent condition* grafp at any viiions of their pafl or future 
^017. 

V 2 circum- 



ag2 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



CHAP, circumftances '°^ The Roman province was re- 
^^^' duced to the ftate of civilized and peaceful fer- 
vitude : the rights of favage freedom were con- 
tracted to the narrow limits of Caledonia. The 
inhabitants of that Yiorthern region were divided 
as early as the reign of Conftantine, between the 
two great tribes of the Scots and of the Picts"°, 
who have fince experienced a very different for- 
tune. The power, and almoft the memory, of 
the Pi6ls have been e:$(:tinguiihed by their fuc- 
cefsful rivals ; and the Scots, after maintaining 
for ages the dignity of an independent kingdom, 
have multiplied, by an equal and voluntary 
union, the honours of the Englilh name. The 
htijid of nature had contributed to mark the an* 
diilin6tion of the Scots and Pi6ls. The 



^^^ Tacitusy or rather his father-in-law Agricoiay might remark the 
German or Spaniih complexion of fome Britiih tribes. But it was 
their fober deliberate opinion : '* In unlverfum tamen eftimanti 
•< Gallos vicinum folum occupafle credibile eft. Eorum facra depre- 
<< hendas . . • fermo haud multum diverfua (in Vit« AgricoL c. xi.y 
Csefar had obferved their common religion (Comment, de BelL Gal- 
licoy vi. 13.); and in his time the emigration from the Belgic Gaul was 
a recent, or at leaft an hiftorical event (v. 10.). Camden> the Britiflt 
Straboy has modeftly afcertained our genuine antiquities (Britannia, 
Tol. i. Introduction, p. ii. — xxxi.). 

"^ In the dark and doubtful paths of Caledonian antiquity, I 
have chofen for my guides two learned and ingenious Highlanders, 
whom their birth and education had peculiarly qualified for. that 
office. See Critical DiiTertations en the Origin, Antiquities, &cJ 
of the Caledonians, by Dr. John Macpherfon, London, 1768, in 
4to. ; and, Introdudlion to the Hiftory of Great Britain and Ireland, 
by James Macpherfon, Efq, London, 1773, in 4to. third edit. 
Dr. Macpherfon was a minifter in the Ifle of Sky : and it is a circirai- 
ftance honourable for theprefent age, that a%ork, replete with erudition 
and criticifm>, fhould have beeacompofed in the moft remote of the 
Hebrides. / - 

former 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE^ .293 

former were the men of the hills, and the latter c ha ?• 
thofe ;of the plain. The eaftern coaft of Cale- .^I'^ 
donia may be confidered as a level and fertile 
country, which, even in a rude date of tillage, 
was capable of producing a confiderable quantity 
of corn ; aiid the epithet of ervitmch^ or wheat- 
eaters, expreffed the contempt, or eAvy, of the 
carnivorous Highlander. The cultivation of the 
earth might introduce a more accurate feparation 
of property, and the habits of a fedentary life; 
but the love of arms and rapine was flill the 
ruling pafilon of the Vi&,^ j and their warrijors^ 
who ilripped themfelves for a day of battle^ were 
diflinguiflied, in the eyes of the Romans, by the 
ftrange faihion of paintmg their naked bodies 
with gaudy colours and faatailic figures. The 
weftern part of Caledonia irregularly riles into 
wild and barren hills, which fcarcely repay the 
toil of the hufbandman, and are moil profitably 
ufed for the pafture of cattle. The Highlanders 
were condemned to the occupations of Ihepherds 
and hunters ; and as they feldom were fixed to 
any permanent habitation, they acquired the 
expreffive name of Scots, which, in the Celtic 
tongue, is laid to be equivalent to that of waiu 
dererSy or vagrants. The inhabitants of a barren 
land were urged to feek a frelh fupply of food in 
the waters. The deep lakes and bays which 
interfe£t their country are plentifully ftored with 
fifli ; and they gradually ventured to call their 
nets in the waves of the ocean. The vicinity of 
the Hebrides, fo profufely fcattered along the 
u 5 western 



594 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP* weftem coaft of Scotland, tempted their curiofity, 
^^^* and improved their (kill; and they acquired^ 
by flow degrees, the art, or rather the habit, of 
managing their boats in a tempefluous fea, and 
of fleering their no^lurnal courfe by the light of 
the well-known ftars. The two bold headlands 
of Caledonia almoil touch the fliores of a fpa* 
cious ifland, which obtained, from its luxuriant 
vegetation, the epithet of Green ; and has pre- 
ferved, with a flight alteration, the name of Erin^ 
or lerne, or Ireland. It is probable^ that in fome 
remote period of antiquity, the fertile plains of 
Ulfter received a colony of hungry Scots; and 
that the ftrangers of the North, who had dared 
to encounter the arms of the legions, fpread their 
conquefts over the lavage and unwarlike natives 
of a folitary ifland. It, h certain^ that, in the 
declining age of the Roman empire, Caledonia, 
Ireland, and the Ifle of Man, were inhabited by 
the Scots, and that the kindred tribes, who 
were often aflbciated in military enterprize, were 
deeply afie6i;ed by the various accidents of their 
mutual fortunes. They long cheriflied the lively 
tradition of their common name and origin ; 
and the miffionaries of the Ifle of Saints, who 
diffiifed the light of Chriflianity over North Bri* 
tain, efl:abliflied the vain opinion, that their Iriih 
countrymen were the natural as well as fpiritual 
fathers of the Scottifli race. The loofe and ob- 
Icure tradition has been preferved by the vene- 
rable Bede, whofcattered fome rays of light over 
the darknels of the eighth century. On this 

flight 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 595 

flight foundation, an huge fuperflru6lure of fp,ble chap. 
was gradually reared by the bards and the , J?^*^ 
inonks; two orders of men, who equally abufed 
the privilege of fi£tion. The Scottifli nation, 
with miftaken pride, adopted their Irilh genea- 
logy : and the annals of a long line of imaginary 
kings have been adorned by thefancyof Boethius, 
and the claffic elegance of Buchanan '*'. 

Six years after the death of Conftantine, the Tharm- 
deftruStive inroads of the Scots and Pi6ls required ^^^^ ^^ 
the prefence of his youngeft fon, who reigned "a.6. 
in the Weftern empire. Conftans vifited his 34$-^ 366* 
Britilh dominions : but we may form fome efti- 
mate of the importance of his atchievements, by 
the language of panegyric, which celebrates only 

"' The Irilh defcent of the Scots has been revived in the laft 
moments of its decay, and ftrenuoufly fuppOrted> by the Rev. Mr. 
VHiitaker (Hift. of Mancheiler, vol.i» p. 430,43 1.; and Gennine 
Hiftory of the Britons alTerted, &c. p. 154 — »93.). Yet he acknow- 
ledges, I. That the Scots of Ammianus Marcellinus (A. D. 340) 
were aheady fettled in Caledonia ; and that the Roman authors do 
not afford any hints of their emigration from another country. »• TJbat 
ail the accounts of fuch emigrations, which have been afTerted, 
cr received, by Irilh bards, Scotch hiftorians, or Englifh antiqua- 
liet (Buchanan, Cambden, Uiher, Stillingfleet, &c.)^ are totally • 

fabulous. 3. Tkat three of the Irifli tribes which are mentioned by 
Ptolemy (A. D. 150), were of Caledonian extradlion. 4. TJbat 
a younger brsnch of Caledoniao princes, of the houfe of Fingal» 
acquired and poifeired the monarchy of Ireland. After thefe con- 
celBons, the remaining difference between Mr. Whitaker and his 
adverfaries is minute and obfcure. The genuine bifiory which he 
produces of a Fei^gus, the couiin of Offian, who was tranfplanted - 
(A. D. 320) from Ireland to Caledonia, is built on a c6nje<^ural 
fupplement to the Erfe poetry ; and the feeble evidence of Richard of 
Cirenceiter, a monk of the fourteenth century. The lively fpirit of 
the learned and ingenious antiquarian has tempted him to forget the 
nature of a queftion, which he fo vehemently debates, and fo abfo' 
luUlj, decides. 

u 4 his 



XXV. 



296 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, his triumph over the elements, or, in othef 
words, the good fortune of a fafe and eafy paf- 
fage from the port of Boulogne to the harbour 
of Sandwich ''*. The calamities which the 
affli6ted provincials continued to . experience, 
from foreign war and domeilic tyranny, wei!e ag- 
gravated by the feeble and corrupt adminiftration 
of the eunuchs of Conftantius ; and the tranfient 
relief which they might obtain from the virtues 
of Julian, was foon loft by the abfence and death 
of their benefadtor. The fums of gold and iilver 
which had been painfully colle6bed, or liberally 
tranfmitted-for the payment of the troops, were 
intercepted by the avarice of the commanders ; 
difcharges, or at leaft exemptions, from the 
military fervice were publicly fold ; the diftrefs 
of the foldiers, who were injurioufly deprived 
of their legal and fcanty fubfiftence, provoked 
them to frequent defertion ; the nerves of dif- 
cipline werje relaxed, and the highways were 
infefted with robbers "\ The oppreffion of the 
good, and the impunity of the wicked, equally 
contributed to diffufe through the ifland a fpirit 
of difcontent and revolt ; and every ambitious 
fubje£t, every defperate exile, might entertain a 
reafonable hope of fubverting the weak and dif- 

"' Hyeme tuxnentes ac f^evientes undas calciftis Ocean! ftib remis 
Tefiris ; . « • infperatam imperatoris faciem Britannus expavit. Julius 
Firmlcus Matemus de Errore Profan. Relig. p. 464. edit. Gronov. 
ad calcem Minuc. Fsel. See Tillemont (Hiii. des Empereurs, torn. iv. 

"^ Iibaniu8» Orat. Parent, c. xxxix. p. 264. This curious paflagje 
bas efcaped the diligence of our Britilh antiquaries. 

14 trailed 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 297 

tracked government of Britain. The hoflile tribes C H A A 
of the North, who detefted the pride and power ^^'^ 
of the King of the World, fufpended their 
domellic feuds ; and the Barbarians of the land 
and fea, the Scots, the Pi6ls, and the Saxons, 
fpread themfelves, with rapid and irrefiftible 
fury, from the wall of Antoninus to the Ihores 
of Kent. Every produfition of art and nature, 
every obje6l of convenience or luxury, which 
they were incapable of creating by labour, or 
procuring by trade, was accumulated in the 
rich and fruitful province of Britain "♦. A phi- 
loibpher may deplore the eternal difcord of the 
human race, but he will confefs, that the defire 
of Ipoil is a more rational provocation than the 
vanity of conqueft. From the age of Conftan- 
tine to that of the Plantagenets, this rapacious 
fpirit continued to inftigate the poor and hardy 
Caledonians : but the fame people, whofe gene- 
rous humanity feems to infpire the fongs of 
Ofiian, was diigraced by a favage ignorance of 
the virtues of peace, and of the laws of war. 
Their fouthern neighbours have felt, and per- 
haps exaggerated, the cruel depredations of the 
Scots and Pi6ls "^ j and a valiant tribe of Cale- 

"^ The Caledonians praifed and coveted the gold, the fteeds* the 
lights, &c. of the granger* See Dr. Bbir^s DilTertation on OfHan, 
vol. ii. p*343* ; and Mr.Maq>herfon's Introdudtion, pi 244—286. 

"^ Lord Littleton has circumftantially related (Hiftory of Henry 11^ 
yoLu pwiSa.), and Sir David Dalrymple has flightly mentioned 
(Annab of Scotland, vol. i. p. 69.), a barbarous inroad of the Scots, 
at a time (A J). 11 37) when law, religion^ and fociety, mufi have 
ibftened their primitive manners. 

donia. 



agS THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, donia, the Attacotti "% the enemies, and after- 
.J^y* I wards the foldiers, of Valentinian, are accufed, 
by an eye-witnefs, of delighting in the taile of 
human flefli. When they hunted the woods for 
prey, it is faid, that they attacked the fhepherd 
rather than his flock ; and that they curioufly 
fele6i;ed the mod delicate and brawny parts, 
both of males and females, which they prepared 
for their horrid repafts "'. If, in the neighbour- 
hood of the commercial and literary town of 
Gla%ow, a race of cannibals has really e&ifted, 
we may contemplate, in the period of the Scot- 
ti{h hiftory, the oppofite extremes of favage and 
civilifed life. Such reflexions tend to enlarge 
the circle of ^'ir ideas; and to encourage the 
pleafing hope, that New Zealand may produce, 
in fome future age, the Hume of the Southern 
Hemifphere. 
Reftora- Every meflenger ^ho efcaped acrofs the Bri- 
tion of tifli channel, conveyed the mod melancholy and 
Theodo-^ alarming tidings to the ears of Valentinian ; and 
fius» the Emperor was fbon informed, that the two 
367— J70. ™i^it^*7 commanders of the province had been 
furprifed and cut ofi^ by the Barbarians. Severus, 

"^ Attacotti bellicofa kominum natio. Ammian. xxvii. S. 
Cambden (IntroduA. p. dii.) has reftored their true name in the 
text of Jerom. The bands of Attacotti» which Jerom had feen in 
Gaol, were afterwards Rationed in Italy and lUyricum (Notitiat 
S. viiL xTtxix. xl.). 

"7 Cum ipfe adolefcentulus in GaM viderim Attacottos (orScotos) 
gentem Britannicam humanis vefcf camibus ; et eum per filvas pro* 
corum gregesy et armentomm pecndumque reperianty paftoram nata 
et feminarum paptlUu (blere abfcindere; et has folas clborum deficiaf 
arbitrari. Such is the evidence of Jerom (torn. ii« p* 75.)> whole 
Teracity I find no reafon to queftioo. 

15 count 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, agg 

count of the domeftics, was haftily difpatched, chap. 
and as fuddenly recalled, by the court of Treves. 
The reprefentations of Jovinus ferved only to 
indicate the greatnefs of the evil ; and, after a 
long and ferious confultation, the defence, or 
rather the recovery, of Britain, was entrufted to 
the abilities of the brave Theodofius. The ex- 
ploits of that general, the father of a line of 
emperors, have been celebrated, with peculiar 
complacency, by the writers of the age: but his 
real merit deferved their applaufe ; and his no- 
mination was received, by the army and province, 
as a fure prefage of approaching vi6l:ory. He 
feized the favourable moment of navigation, and 
fecurely landed the numerous and veteran bands 
of the Heruli and Batavians, the Jovians and the 
Viftors. In his march from Sandwich to Lon« 
don, Theodofius defeated feveral parties of the 
Barbarians, releafed a multitude of captives, and, 
after diftributing to his foldiers a fmall portion 
of the fpoil, eftabliftied the fame of difinterefted 
juftice, by the reflitution of the remainder to the 
rightful proprietors. The citizens of London, 
who had almofl defpaired of their fafety, threw 
open their gates; and as foon as Theodofius had 
obtained from the court of Treves the important 
aid of a military lieutenant, and a civil governor, 
he executed, with wifdom and vigour, the labo- 
rious taflc of the deliverance of Britain. The 
vagrant foldiers were recalled to their ilandard j 
an edi6l of amnefl^y dilpelled the public appre- 
henfions J and his cheerful example alleviated the 

rigour 



300 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, rigour of martial difcipline. The feattered and 
^^^;^ defultory warfare of the Barbarians, who infefted 
the land and fea, deprived him of the glory of a 
iignal vidlory ; but the prudent fpirit, and con- 
AJ).368 fummate art, of the Roman general, were dif- 
and369, pj^yed in the operations of two campaigns, 
which fucceffively refcued every part of the pro- 
vince from the hands of a cruel and rapacious 
enemy. The fplendour of the cities, and the 
fecurity of the fortifications, were diligently 
reftored, by the paternal care of Theodofius : 
who with a ilrong hand confined the trembling 
Caledonians to the northern angle of the ifland ; 
and perpetuated, by the name and fettlement of 
the new province of Vakntia^ the glories of the 
reign of Valentinian "'. The voice of poetry and 
panegyric may add, perhaps with fome degree of 
truth, that the unknown regions of Thule were 
ftained with the blood of the Pi6ls ; that the 
oars of Theodofius dalhed the waves of the Hy- 
perborean ocean; and that the difl.ant Orkneys 
were the fcene of his naval vi6lory over th^ 
Saxon pirates "^ He left the province with a' 

fair, 

"* AmmSanus has concifely reprefented (xx. z. xxvL 4. xxviL %, 
xxviiL 3.) the whole (eries of the Britilh war. 

"' Horrefdt . . • • ratihus . • *, • impervia Thule. 
Ille .... nee falfo nomine Pidlos 
£doiniiit. Scotumque vago mucrone fecutus 
Fregit Hyperhoreas remis audacibus iindas. 

Clauduuiy in iii Conf. Honoriij ver. $^f &c» 
■ BAaduerunt Saxone fufo 

Orcades : incaluit Pidlorum fimguine Thule. 
Scotonim cumulos fievit glacialis lerne. 

In iv Cond Hon." ver. 3 1, &c. 

uce 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 301 

fair, as well as fplendid, reputation : and was CHAP, 
immediately promoted to the rank of mafter- ,J^^' , 
general of the cavalry, by a prince, who could 
applaud, without envy, the merit of his fervants. 
In the important flation of the Upper Danube, 
the conqueror of Britain checked and defeated 
the armies of the Alemanni, before he was chofen 
to fupprefs the revolt of Africa. 

III. The prince who refufes to be the judge, in. 
inilrufts his people to confider him as the accom- Tynnnr 
plice, of his minifters. The military command of Roma- 
of Africa had been long exercifed by Count ^^ 
Komanus, and his abilities were not inadequate &c. 
to his flation : but, as fordid intereft was the fole 
motive of his condu£t, he a6led, on mod occa*- 
fions, as if he had been the enemy of the pro- 
vince, and the friend of the Barbarians of the 
defert. The three flourifhing cities of Oea, 
Leptis, and Sabrata, which, under the name of 
Tripoli, had long conftituted a foederal union "% 
were obliged for the firft time, to Ihut their gates 
againfl a hoftile invafion ; leveral of their mod 
honourable citizens were furprifedandmaflacred ; 
the villages, and even the fuburbs, were pil- 

See fikewife Pacatus (in Panegyr* Vet.xii. 5.). But it is not eafy to 
appreciate the intrinfic value of flattery and metaphor. Compare the 
Britijh vidlories of Bolanus (Statius, Sily. v. %.) with his real cha- 
nuSker (Tacit, in Vit. Agricol. c. 16.). 

'^ Ammianus frequently mentions their concilium annuum> le- 
gitimom> &c. Leptis and Sabrata are long (ince ruined ; but the 
city of Oea^ the native country of ApuleiuSf ilill fiouriihes under the 
provincial denomination of Tripolu See Cellarius ( Geograph. Anti- 
quay tom.ii. part ii. p. 81.]^ D'Anville (Geographie Anciennei 
tofn.iii. p. 7I9 72.)» and Marmol (Afrique^ tom« ii. p. 564.). 

lagedj 



3oa THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, laged; and the vines and fruit-trees of that rich 
^^^" territory were extirpated by the malicious lavages 
of Getulia. The unhappy provincials implored 
the protection of Romanus; but they foon found 
that their military governor was not lefs cruel 
and rapacious than the Barbarians. As they 
were incapable of furniibing the four thoufaod 
camels, and the exorbitant prefent, which he 
required, before he would march to the affift- 
ance of Tripoli ; his demand was equivalent to 
a refufal, and he might juftly be accufed as the 
author of the public calamity. In the annual 
aflembly of the three cities, they nominated two 
deputies, to lay at the feet of Valentinian the 
cuftomary offering of a gold victory ; and to 
accompany this tribute, of duty, rather than of 
gratitude, with their humble complaint, that 
they were ruined by the enemy, and betrayed 
by their governor. If the feverity of Valenti- 
nian had been rightly dire6);ed, it would have 
fallen on the guilty head of Romanus. But the 
Count, long exercifed in the arts of corruption, 
had diipatched a fwift and trufty meflenger to 
fecufe the venal friendihip of Remigius, mafter 
of the offices. The wifdom of the Imperial 
council was deceived by artifice; and their 
boneil indignation was cooled by delay. At 
length, when the repetition of complaint had 
been juftified by the repetition of public misfor- 
tunes, the notary Palladius was fent from the 
court of Treves, to examine the ftate of Africa, 
and the cond\i€t of Romanus. The rigid im- 

partialit/ 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 303 

partiality of Palladius was eaflly difarmed : he c H A P. 
was tempted to referve for himfelf a part of the ^ ^^^* 
public treafure, which he brought with him for 
the payment of the troops; and from the moment 
that he was confcious of his own guilt, he could 
nolonger refufe to atteft the innocence and merit 
of the Count. The charge of the Tripolitans 
was declared to be falfe and frivolous ; and Pal- 
ladius himfelf was fent back from Treves to 
Africa, with a fpecial commiifion to difcover 
and profecute the authors of this impious con- 
fpiracy againft the reprefentati ves of the fo vereign • 
His enquiries were managed with fo much dex- 
terity and fuccefs, that he compelled the citizens 
of Leptis, who had fuftained a recent fiege of 
eight days, to contradi6l; the truth of their own 
decrees, and to cenfure the behaviour of their 
own deputies. A bloody fentence was pro- 
nounced, without hefitation, by theralh and 
headllrong cruelty of Valentinian. The Prefi- 
dent of Tripoli, who had prefumed to pity the 
diilrefs of the province, was publicly executed 
at Utica; four diftinguiihed citizens were put to 
death, as the accomplices of the imaginary fraud; 
and the tongues of two others were cut out, by 
the exprefs order of the Emperor. Romanus, 
elated by impunity, and irritated by refiftance, 
was (till continued in the military command; till 
the Africans were provoked by his avarice to join 
the rebellious flandard of Firmus, the Moor'". 

"' Aknmian. xviii. 6. Tillemont (Hill, des Empereura^ tom.v. 
p. ft5. 676.) hat difcufled the chronological di£Gicultiea of the hiltory 
9f Count Roxnanuf. '* 

His 



304 X THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAR His father Nabal was one of the richeft and 
^ ?X* . ^ °^oft powerful of the Moorilh princes, who ac- 
Revoit of knowjedged the fupremacy of Rome. But as he 
Finnu8» jgft^ either by his wives or concubines, a very 
numerous pofterity, the wealthy inheritance was 
eagerly difputed ; and Zamma, one of his fons, 
was flain in a domeftic quarrel by his brother 
Fu-mus. The implacable zeal with which Ro- 
manus profecuted the legal revenge of this 
murder, could be afcribed only to a motive of 
avarice, or perfonal hatred: but, on this occaiion, 
his claims were juft ; his influence was weighty ; 
and Firmus clearly underftood, that he mud 
either prefent his neck to the executioner, or 
appeal from the fentence of the Imperial confif- 
tory, to his fword, and to the people '". He was 
received as the deliverer of his country j and as 
foon as it appeared that Rom'anus was formid- 
able only to a fubmiffive province, the tyrant of 
Africa became the objedl of univerfal contempt. 
The ruin of Caefarea, ^which was plundered and 
burnt by the licentious Barbarians, convinced the 
refradloiy cities of the danger of refiflance ; the 
power of Firmus was eftabWhed, at leaft in the 
provinces of Mauritania and Numidia ; and it 
feemed to be his only doubt, whether he Ihould 
aflume the diadem of a Moorifli king, or the 
purple of a Roman emperor. But the imprudent 

*" The chronology of Ammianus is loofe and. obfcure : and 
OrofiuB (U yii. c.33. p. 55i« edit. Havercamp.) feems to place the 
revolt of Firmus after the deaths of Valentinian and Valens. Til- 
femont (Hiit. des £mp. torn. v. p. 691.) endeavours to pick his way. 
The patient and fure-footed mule of the Alps may be trufied in ih» 
noft ilippery paths. -.i 

- and 



OF^THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 305 

and unhappy Africans foon difcovered, that, in c H a P 
this rafli mfurrefl;ion, they had not fufBciently ^^^ 
confulted their own ftrengtb, or the abilities of 
their leaden Before he could procure any cer- 
tain intelligence, that the Emperor of the Weft 
had fixed the choice of a general, or that a fleet 
of tranfports was collected at the niijuth of the 
Rhone, he was fuddenly informed, that the great Thcodo- 
Theodofius, with a fmall band of veterans, had ^*"' ^^ 

' ^ ' vecsAin- 

landed near Igilgilis, or Gigeri, on the African ca, 
-coaft ; and the timid ufurper funk under the at ^^' ^^^' 
cendant of virtue and military genius. Though 
Pirmus poflefled arms and treafures, his dejfpair . 
of vifilory immediately reduced him to the ufe of 
thofe arts, which, in the fame country, and in a 
fimilar fituation, had formerly been praftifed by 
the crafly Jugurtha. He attempted to deceive, 
by an apparent fubmiffion, the vigilance of the 
Roman general ; to feduce the fidelity of his 
troops J and to protra6l th^e duration of the war, 
by fucceflively engaging the independent tribesi 
of Africa to efpoufe his quarrel, or to protect his 
flight. Theodofius imitated the example, and 
obtained the fuccefs, of his predeceffor Metel- 
lus. When Firm us, in the charadler of a fup- 
pliant, accufed his own raflinefs, and humbly 
folicited the clemency of the Emperor, the lieu* 
tenant of Valentinian received and difmi0ed him 
with a friendly embrace ; but he diligently rer 
quired the ufeful and fubllantial pledges of a 
fincere repentance ; nor coul4 he be perfu^diftd^ 
by the aflurances of peace, to fuipend^ for an 
VOL. IV. ;«: anilant^ 



3o6 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, inftant, the operations of an a6live war. A dart 
^^ , ^ coiifpiracy was dete6led by the penetration of 
Theodofius; and he fatisfied, without much re- 
lu6lance, the public indignation, which he had 
fecretly excited. Several of the guilty accom- 
plices of Firmus were abandoned, according to 
ancient cuftom, to the tumult of a military exe- 
cution J many more, by the amputation of both 
their hands, continued to exhibit an inftruftive 
lpe6lacle of horror ; the hatred of the rebels was 
accompanied with fear; and the fear of the Ro- 
man foldiers was mingled with refpe^tful admira- 
tion. Amidil the boundlefs plains of Getulia, 
and the innumerable vallies of mount Atlas, it 
was impoffible to prevent the efcape of Firmus : 
and if the ufurper could have tired tbepatience 
of his antagonift, he would have fecured his pcr- 
fon in the depth of fome remote folitude, and 
expefted the hopes of a future* revolution. He 
was fubdued by the perfeverance of Theodofius 5 
who bad formed an inflexible determination^ 
that the war fhould end only by the death of the 
tyrant ; and that every nation of Africa, which 
prefumed to fupport'his caufe,fliould be involved 
in his ruin. At the head of a fmall body of 
troops, which feldom exceeded three thouiand 
five hundred xnen^ the Roman general advanced 
with a fteady prudence, devoid of raihnels or of 
fear, into the heart of -a > country, where he was 
fometimes attacked by armies of twenty thou&nd 
Moors. The boldneis of his charge difinayed 
the irregular Barbarians; they were difconcerted 
4^y his feafonable and orderly retreats; they were 



OF THE ilOMA'N :£MPmE. 3^ 

i5ontinually baffled by the unknown refourcei^ of c H a p.. 
the military art j and they fqlt j^nd comfeir^d the ^^^' 
juft fuperiority which was aflumed by the leader 
of a civilifed nation. When Theodofius entered 
the extenfiye dpoiipioi^s of Jgmazen, King of the 
Ifaflenfes, the haughty fav^ge required, in words 
of de^ance, his name, and the pbje^ of his expe^ 
dition* " I am,*' replied the ftern and difdainful 
count, "I am tl^e general pf Valentinian,the loid 
** of the world} who has fent nje hither to pur-,? 
** fue [and puniih a 4e§>era.te robber* PeUver 
^^ him inflantly ^into n^yjhf^pds; and be aflured^ 
** that if thqu 4o(i npt pbey jihe comi^ai^ds of my 
** :inYipciblefQvereign,tl)pu, *nd the people over 
** y?hom thou rqgneft, ihjall ,ba ut|;eriy 6xtir* 
** pated.'* As fpqn as Igmaz^p jwjas j^tisfled, that 
his. enemy had ilrength and r0folution to, execute 
the fatal meqace, he conlented to purchafe a ne* 
ceflary P^aw by thefacrifice of a guilty fugitive* 
,Tbe guards that were p|aQed* to fecure the perfon 
pf JFirjtnus, deprived ;him of the hopes of ^efcape j 
and the .Moorifli tyrant, after wine had extin* 
guiflied the f^nfe pf danger, difappoipted the 
infultii^g triup\phs of |he Jlomans, by ftrangling 
himfelf in %\ie night. His dead body, the only 
jprefent which Igmazen could pffer to tjbe con.- 
queror, was carelefsly thrown upon .a camel ; 
and Theodofius, leading back his vii^oripus 
troops to Sitifi, was faluted by the wjtrmeft 
acclamations of joy and loyalty '^K 

"^Ammian. xxix. 5.' The text of this long chapter (fifteen 
quarto pag60) is broken and corrupted ; and the narrative is per- 
plexed by the want of chronological and geographical land-masks. 

X 2 ' Africa 



3c8 ^ THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. Africa had been loft by the vices of Romanus ; 
\ ^T'^ ^* ^^^ reftored by the virtues of Theodofius : 
Heuexe- and ouF curfofity may be ufefuUy directed to 
aited at ^he inquiry of the refpedlive treatment which 
juS^e. the two generals received from the Imperial 
court. The authority of Count Romanus had 
been fufpended by the mafter-general of the 
cavalry ; and he was committed to fafe and 
honourable cuftody till the end of the war. His 
crimes were proved by the moft authentic evi- 
dence; and the public expelled with fome im- 
^ patience the; decree of fevere juftice. But the 

partial and powerful favour of MeIIobaude& 
encouraged him to challenge his legal judges, to 
obtain repeated delays for the purpofe of pro- 
curing a crowd of friendly witneffes, and, finally, 
- to cover his guilty condu6l, by the additional 
guilt of fraud and forgery. About the fame 
time, the reftorer of Britain and Africa, on a 
vague fuipicion that his name and fervices were 
fuperior to the rank of a fubjeft, was ignomi- 
nioufly beheaded at Carthage. Valentinian no 
longer reigned; and the death of Theodofius, 
as well as the impunity of Romanus, may juftly 
be imputed to the arts of the minifters who 
abufed the confidence, and deceived the inex- 
perienced youth, of his fons "*. 
Sute of If the geographical accuracy of Ammianus had 
been fortunately beftowed on the Britifli exploits 
of Theodofius, we fliould have traced, with eager 

"♦ Ainmianu8» zxviiL 4. Oroiiuss L vii. c. $$. p. 551, ss^* 
Jerom. in Chron. p. 187. 

curiofity, 



Africa. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 309 

curiofity, the diftin6l and domeftlc footfteps of c H A P» 
his march. But the tedious enumeration of the ^^^ 
unknown and uninterefting tribes of Africa may 
be reduced to the general remark, that they were 
all of the fwaithy race of the Moors ; that they in- 
habited the back fettlements of the Mauritanian 
and Numidian provinces, the country, as they ^-i 

have fince been termed by the Arabs, of dates 
and of locufls "^ ; and that, as the Roman 
power declined in Africa, the boundary of civil-, 
^ed manners and cultivated land was infeniibly 
contra6ted. Beyond the utmofl limits of the 
Moors, the.vafl and inhofpitable defert of the 
South extends above a thoufand miles to the 
banks of the Niger. The ancients, who had a ' 
very faint and imperfect knowledge of the great 
penihfula of Africa, were fometimes tempted to 
believe, that the torrid zone muft ever remain 
deilitute of inhabitants "^ : and they Ibmetimes 
amufed their fancy by filling the vacant fpace 
with headleft men, or rather monflers "' j with 



"^ Leo Africanus (in the Viag^ di Ramufio» torn. L foL 7&— 
S3O lias traced a curious pi^ure 6E the people and the country s 
which are more minutely defcribed in die Afirique de Marmol. 
torn. iii. p. I— 54» 

'^ This uninhabitable zone was gradually reduced^ by the im* 
provements of ancient gcographyi fix>m forty4ive to twen^-foury or 
even fizteeui degrees of latitude. See a learned and judicious note of 
Dr. Robertfimy Hift. of America^ toI. I p. 446. 

'^ Intra» fi credere libet, vix jam homines et magis iemiferi . • • 
Blemmyesy Satyriy &c. Pomponius Melay i. 4. p. 26. edit. Vofld in 
gyo. Pliny pbtlofopbicaUj explains (vi. ^S") the irregularities of na* 
lure, which he had creduloujlj admitted (v. 8.) j 



X 3 horned 



5 1 o THE htitiM. And fall 

CHAP, horned tind clov6n-footed fatyrs "* ; with fabu- 
, J~^' , lous centaurs"' ; and* with hinnan pigmies, who' 
waged a bold and doubtfur warfare againft the 
craiies '^^ Carthage would have trembled at the 
ftrange intelligence, that the countries, on eithei^ 
fide df the equator, were filled with innumerable 
' tiations, who drffered only in their colouf fronci 
the 6rdinairy sippeararice of the human fpecles ; 
^nd the fubje6i!S of the Roman empire might have 
anxioufly ei^e6led that the fwarms of Bfii'ba- 
fitos, which ifihed from the North, would foon 
bfe encouMfefed from the South by new fwarms 
(tf Barbariafis, equally fiefrcfe, and equally for- 
Itildable. Theffe gloomy tetrdrs would irirffeed 
have fceen di^elled by A more intimate afcquaitft- 
ince with the charaaef of their African feneniifes. 
Thfe ina6li6h of the iiegrbes ddes tiot feem to be 

»^ If iU fetfr was tte Ourang-Outan^, the great Human ape 
(BuiFoir, Hift. Nat. toin.xiv, p. 43, &c.), one of that fpecies might 
a^ually be (hewn alive at Alexandria in the reign of Conftantine. 
I^et feme difficulty will flill remain aboot the converfation which 
St. Antony held with one of thefe pious favages in the defert of 
Thebais (Jerom. in Vit. Paul. Ereniit.tom. i.p. ^38.). 

*'9 Sft. Anthony llkewife met bne of tJbe/e mongers 5 wWe cx- 
2fteiic6 ^as ferioufly MTerted by the Emperor Claudius. 1* he pul)lic 
laughed; but tWs pr^fedl of Egypt had the addrefs to fend an autfiil 
preparation, the embahned corpfe of an Hippoceniaur ; which was 
preferved alipoft a century afterwards in thfc Itojjcfhil paiace. See 
Pliny (Hift. Natur. yii. 3.), aaid the jildicicms dbfervatibiM <rf Fr««C 
(Memoires de I'Acad. torn. vii. p. ^ai, &c.j. 

'^° The fable of the pygmies is as cfld iis Homk» (flli^.fii;^;> 
The pigmies of India and ^Ethiopia were (trifpithami) twenty-feven 
inchfes high, fiveiy fpring their cavalry (mounted on rams and 
goats) xttarched ih battle array, to deftroy the cranes* eggs, alitcn 
(fays Plifay) fiittfris ^egibiis noil refllli. Their houfes wfere built ot 
mud, feathers, and egg-lheUs; See 1^% (yL ^5. vH. %X and Strabo 
(I.u,p«x%i.). 

»o the 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 311 

the effe6l, either of their virtue, or of their pufil- chap. 
laniraity. They indulge, like the reft of man- ^^^' 
kind, their paffions and appetites; and the adja- 
cent tribes are engaged in frequent a6ls of hofti- 
Kty'^'. Biit their rude ignorance has never 
invented any effectual weapons of defence, or of 
deftru^lion ; they appear incapable of forming 
any extenfive plans of government, or conqueft; 
and the obvious inferiarity of their mental 
faculties has been difcovered and abufed by the 
nations of the temperate zone. Sixty thoufand 
blacks are annually embarked from the coaft of 
Guinea, never to return to their native country ; 
but tbey are embarked in chains '^^ : and this 
C€>Qftant emigration, which^ in the fpace of two 
centuries, might have furnilhed armies to over- 
jrun the globe, accufes the guilt of Europe, and 
the weaknefs of Africa. 

IV. The ignominious treaty which faved the rv. The 
army of Jovian, had been faithfully executed on Th^^per. 
the fide of the Romans: and as they had folemnly fiaa war, 
renounced the fovereignty and alliance of Ar- A^' 
menia and Iberis^, thofe tributary kingdoms were 
expofed without protection, to the arms of the 
Ferfian monarch '". Sapor entered the Arme-? 

*^' The third and fourth volumes of the valuable Hiftoire des 
Voyages defcribes the prefent fiate of the Negroes. The nations of 
the fea-coaft have been poliihed by European commerce ; and thofe of 
the inland country have been improved by Moorifli colonies. 

'^' Hiftoire Philofophique et Politique^ &c. tom. iv. p. 193. 

'^^ The evidence of Ammianus is original and decifive (xxvii. is.) 
AfoCs9 of Chqrene (Liii. c. 17. p. 249* and c. 34. p. 269.)* and 
Procopiue (de BelL Perfico^ Li. c. 5. p. 17. edit. Louvre)> have \>^^n 
confulted : but thofe hiftoriansy who confound diftin4i fadls^ repeat 
the lame eventsy and intvoduce ftrange ftories) muft be ufed with diffi- 
4bice and caution. 

X 4 nian 



jl2 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

G H A P. nian territories at the head of a formidable hoft 
^^^' of cuiraffiers, of archers, and of mercenary foot ; 
but it was the invariable practice of Sapor to mix 
war and negdciation, and to confider falfehood 
and peijury as the moft powerful inftruments of 
regal policy. He affected to praife the prudent 
and moderate condu6l of the King of Armenia ; 
and the unfufpicious Tiranus was perfuaded, by 
the repeated affurances of infidious friendfliip/to 
deliver his perfon into the hands of a faithlefs and 
cruel enemy. In the midfl of a iplendid enter- 
tainment, he was bound in chains of filver, as 
an honour due to the blood of the Ar(acides ; 
and, after a Ihort confinement in the Tower of 
Oblivion at Ecbatana, he was releafed from the 
miferies of life, either by his own dagger, or by 
that of an aflaffin. The kingdom of Armenia 
was reduced to the ftate of a Perfian province ; 
the adminiftration was ihared between a diftin- 
guiflied fatrap and a favourite eunuch ; and Sapor 
marched, without delay, to fubdue the mar- 
tial fpirit of. the Iberians. Sauromaces, who 
reigned in that country by the permiflion of the 
Emperors, was expelled by a fuperior force j and, 
as an infult on the majefty of Rome, the King 
of kings placed a diadem on the head of his ab- 
jeA vaflal Afpacuras. The city of Artogerafla'^* 
was the only place of Armenia which prefumed 



*^ Perhaps Artageniy or Ardis; under whofe walls CaioSf the 
grandfon of Auguftusy was wounded. This fortrefs was fituate 
above Ainida> near one of the fources of the Tigris. See D'Anvilley 
Gcographie Anckuney torn. ii. p. io6. 



14 to 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 31-j 

to refifl the efforts of his arms. The treafure chap. 
depofited in that ftrong fortrefs tempted the ^ ^^ 
avarice of Sapor ; but the danger of Olympias^ 
the wife, or widow, of the Armenian King, ex- 
cited the public compaffion, and animated the 
defperate valour of her fubjefts and foldiers. 
The Perfians were furprifed and repulfed under 
the walls of Artogeraffa, by a bold and well-con- 
certed fally of the befieged. But the forced of 
Sapor were continually renewed and increafed ; 
the hopelefs courage of the garrifon was ex- 
haufted ; the ftrength of the walls yielded to the' 
affault ; and the proud conqueror, after wafting 
the rebellious city with fire and fword, led away 
captive an unfortunate queen; who, in a n:iore 
aufpicious hour, had been the deftined bride of 
the fon of Conttantine'^^ Yet if Sapor already 
triumphed in the eafy conqueft of two dependent 
kingdoms^ he foon felt, that a country is unfub- 
dued, as long as the minds of the people are 
actuated by an hoftile and contumacious fpirit. 
The iatraps, whom he was obliged to truft^ 
embraced the firft opportunity of regaining the 
afie£lion of their countrymen, and of fignalizing, 
their immortal hatred to the Perfian name. Since 
the converfion of the Armenians and Iberians, 
thofe nations confidered the Chriflians as the fa- 
vourites, andtheMagiansastheadverfaries, of the 
Supreme Being ; the influence of the clergy, over 
a fuperftitious people, was uniformly exerted 

'^^ TiUemcmt (Hift. dee Empereurst torn. v. p. 701.) provefy from 
dffonologyy that Olympias muft have been the mother (^ Fiura. 

in 



314 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H A P. in the caufe of Rome ; and as long as the fuc- 
^^^* ceffors of Conftantine difputed with thofe of 
Artaxerxes the fovereignty of the intermediate 
provinces, the religious connexion always threw 
B decifive advantage into the fcal^ of the empire. 
A numerous and afilive party acknowledged 
Para, the fon of Tiranus, as the lawful fovereiga 
of Armenia, and his titk to the throne was 
deeply rooted in the hereditary fucceffioa of five 
hundred years. By the unanimous confent of 
the Iberians, the country was equally divided 
between the rival princes ; and Aipacuras, who 
owed his diadem to the choice of Sapor, was 
obliged to declare, that his regard for bis chil- 
dren, whoweredetained as hoiiages by the tyrant, 
was the only coniideration which prevented him 
from openly renouncing the alliance of Pei'fia. 
The Emperor Valens, who refpe6ted the obliga^i 
tions of the treaty, and who was apprehenfive 
of involving the Eaft in a dangerous war, ven- 
tured, with flow and cautious meafures, to fup. 
port the Roman party in the kingdoms of Iberia 
and Armenia. Twelve legions eftabliihed the 
authority of Sauromaces on the banks of the 
Cyrus. The Euphrates was protected by the 
valour of Arintheus. A powerful army, under 
the command of Count Trajan, and of Vadomair, 
King of the Alemanni, fixed their camp on the 
confines of Armenia. But they were ftri^^ly en- 
joined not to commit the firft boftilities, which 
might be underftood as a breach of the treaty : 
and fuch was the implicit obedi($n€« of the Ro* 

man 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, , * 315 

man general, that they retreated, with exemplary chap. 
patience, under a fhower of Perfian arrows, till ^J^^ 
they had clearly acquired a juft title to an ho- 
nourable and legitimate vi6lory. Yet thefe ap- 
pearances of war infenfibly fubfided in a vain and 
tedious negotiation. The contending parties 
Supported their claims by mutual reproaches- of 
perfidy and ambition j and it fhould feem, that 
the original treaty was expreffed in very obfcure 
ternfts, fince they were reduced to the neceffity 
of making their inconclufive appeal to the partial 
teftimony of the generals of the two nations, 
who had affifted at the negociatioBS'^^ The 
invafion of the Goths and Huns, which foon 
altef wards Ihook the foundations of the Roman 
eWipife, expofed the provinces of Afla to the 
arms of Sapor. But the declining age, and per- 
haps the infirmities, of the monarch, fuggefled 
new maxims of tranquillity and moderation. His 
death, which happened in the full maturity of a aj>. aSe* 
reign of fev^nty years, changed in a moment the 
(fdurt and councils of Perfia ; aiid their attention 
ykas moft probably engaged by domeftic troubles, ' 
atid the diftant efforts of a Carnlanian war ''^ 

'^ Ammknus (icxm is. xlix.7. xxx. i^a.) has defiiribed iht 
eweptSf without the d^tesy of the Perfian war. Mofes of Chorene 
(iiift. ArthttL 1. m. c. 98. p. %6t. c. 31. p. 266. c. 35. p. 271.) affords 
fome additional fafts s but it is eartremely diffictdt to fqwrate truth, 
from fable. 

*^^ ArtiikfehcgsiJiriS £116 ftieceflbr ini brother ftifd tmjin gefrHah) 
(if tke great SA))Or ; and the |;uaitlian of his ion Sipor til. (Agathiast 
1. iv. p. 136. edit. Louvre.) See the Univerfal Hiftory* vol. xi. p. 86. 
161. The authors of that unequal work have compiled the Saflanian 
dynafty with erudition and diligence ; but it is a prepofteroiis arrange* 
iheht to divide the Jldmali aUd Oriental ac'counti into tWo diftihA 
hiiloriet. 

The 



3i6 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. The remembrance of ancient iniuries was loft id 

\ XXV • • 

. -^ '_j the enjoyment of peace- The kingdoms of Ar- 
The treaty menia and Iberia were permitted, by the mutual, 
^^*^g* though tacit, confent of both empires, to refume 
their doubtful neutrality. In the firft years of 
the reign of Theodofius, a Perfian embafly ar- 
rived at Conftantinople, to excufe the unjuftifi- 
able meafures of the former reign 5 and to offer, 
as the tribute of friendftiip, or even of refpe6l, a 
iplendid prefent of gems, of filk, and of Indian 
elephants '^^ 
Advcn- In the general pifture of the affairs of the Eaft 

tares of under the reign of Valens, the adventures of Para 
ofAnn^^ form ouc of the mod ftriking and fingular ob- 
nia- je6ls. The noble youth, by the perfuafion of his 

mother Olympias, had efcaped through the Per- 
fian hod th^t befieged Artdgeraffa, and implored 
the proteftion of the Emperor of the Eaft. By 
his timid councils. Para was alternately fup- 
ported, and recalled, and reftored, and betrayed. 
The hopes of the Armenians were fometimes 
raifed by the prefence of their natural fovereign j 
and the minifters of Valens were fatisfied, that 
they preferved the integrity of the public faith^ 
if their vaffal was not fuffered to affume the dia- 
deni and title of King. But they loon repented 
. of their own ralhuefs. They were confounded 
by the reproaches and threats of the Perfian mo- 
narch. They found reafon to diftruft the cruel 
and inconflant temper of Para himfelf : who 

'^ P^atas in Panegyr. Vet. xii. %%f and Orofius^ L viL c. 34* 
Idlumque turn foedus efty quo univerfus Oriens ufque ad nunc 
(AD. 4x6.) tranquiniffim^ fruitur. 

facrificed. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 3,7 

facrificed, to the flighted fufpicions, the lives of c h A P» 
his moft faithful fervants ; and held a fecret and ^^^ 
difgraceful correlpondence with the affaflin of 
his father and the enemy of his country. Under 
the ipecious pretence of confulting with the Em- 
peror on the fubje6t of their common intereft. 
Para was perfuaded to defcend from the moun- 
tains of Armenia, where his party was in arms, 
and to trad his independence and fafety to the 
difcretion of a perfidious court. The King of 
Armenia, for fuch he appeared in his own eyes 
and in thofe of his nation, was received with 
due honours by the governors of the provinces 
through which he pafled ; but when he arrived 
at Tarfus in Cilicia, his progrefs was ftopped un- 
der various pretences j his motions were watched 
with relpe6lful vigilance, and he gradually dif- 
covered that he was a prifoner in the hands of 
the Romans. Para fupprefied his indignation, 
diflembled his feirs, and, after fecretly preparing 
his efcape, mounted on horfeback with three 
hundred of his faithful followers. The officer 
itationed at the door of his apartment, imme- 
diately communicated his flight to the confular 
of Cilicia, who overtook him in the fuburbs, 
and endeavoured, without fuccefs, to difluade 
him from profecuting his rafli and dangerous 
defign. A legion was ordered to purfue the royal 
fugitive; but the purfuit of infantry could not 
be very alarming to a body of light cavalry; and 
upon the firfl: cloud of arrows that was difcharged 
mto the air, they retreated with precipitation to 

the 




THE DECLINE AND FALJL 

the gates of Tarfus. After an inceflant march 
of two days and two nights. Para and his Anne^ 
nians reached the banks of the Euphrates ; but 
the paflage of the river, which they were obliged 
to fwim, was attended with fbme delay and finne 
lols. The country was alarmed.; and the two 
roads, which were only leparated by an interval 
of three miles, had been occupied by a thou&nd 
archers on horfeback, under the command of ^ 
count and a tribune. Para muft have yielded to 
fuperior force, if the accidental arrival of a friend- 
ly traveller had not revealed the danger and the 
means of efcape. A dark and almoft impervious 
path fecurely conveyed the Armenian troop 
through the thicket ; and Para had left. behind 
him the count and the tribune, while they pa* 
tiently expelled his approach along the public 
highways. They returned to the Imperial court 
to excufe their want of diligence or fucceis; and 
ferioufly alleged, that the King of Armenia, whp 
^was a ikilful magician, had transformed himfelf 
and his followers, and pafled before their eye© 
under a borrowed ihape. After his return to his 
native kingdom. Para ftill continued to profefe 
himfelf the friend and ally of the Bomans ; but 
the Romans had injured him too deeply ever to 
forgive, and the fecret fentence of his death was 
%ned in the council of Valens. The executioii 
of the bloody deed was committed to the fubtlfe 
prudence of Count Trajan j and he had the merit 
of infinuating himfelf into the confidence of tl|e 
credulous prince, that be might, find. an oppor* 

tunity 



or THE ROMAN EMPIRE.- 319 

tunity of ftabbing him to the heart. Para was CHAP, 
invited to a lloman banquet, which had been ^^J', 
prepared with all the pomp and fenfuality of the 
Eaft: the hall refounded with cheerful mufic, 
and the company was already heated with wine ; 
when the count retired for an inftatit, drew his 
fword, and gave the fignal of the murder. A 
robuft and deQxerate Barbarian inftantly rufhed 
on the King of Armenia : and though he bravely 
defended his life with the firft weapon that 
chance oiFered to his hand, the table of the 
Imperial general was llained with the royal ^•^* ^74» 
blood of a gueft, and an ally. Such were the 
weak and wicked maxims of a Roman adminif* 
tration, that, to attain a doiibtful objeft of poli- 
tical intereft, the laws of nations, and the 
facred rights of hofpitality, were inhumanly 
violated in the face of the world '2^. 

V. During a peaceful interval of thirty years, v. Ths 
the Romans fecured their frontiers,andthe Goths Con^^efti 
extended their dominions. The vidlories of the of Herman- 
greit Hermanric'% Kingof the Oftrogoths, and "^* 
the mdft noble of the race of the Amali, have 
be6n compared, by the enthufiafm of his coun- 
tryiiifeil,ito>the exploits of Alexander : with this 
fengukr and almoft incredible difference, that 

'^ See in Ammianus (xxx. i.) the adventures of Para. Mofes of 
Chorene calls him Tiridates : and tells a long» and not improbable^ 
ilory of his fon Gnelus ; who afterwards made himfelf popular in Ar- 
menia^ and provoked the jealoufy of the reigning king (1. iii. c. ax, ^. 

'♦° The concife account of the reign and conquefts of Hermanric> 
feems to be one of the valuable fragments which Jomandes (c. %Z*) 
borrowed from the Gothic hiilories of Ablavius> or Caliiodorus* 

the 




5^0 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

the martial fpirit of the Gothic hero, inftead of 
being fupported by the vigour of youth, was 
dilplayed with glory and fuccefs in the extreme 
period of human life, between the age of four- 
fcore and one hundred and ten years. The in- 
dependent tribes were perfuaded, or compelled, 
to acknowledge the King of the Oflrogoths as 
the fbvereign of the Gothic nation : the chiefs 
of the Vifigotbs, or Thervingi, renounced the 
royal title, and aflumed the more humble appel- 
lation of Judges \ and^ among thofe judges, 
Athanaric, Fritigern, and Alavivus, were the 
moil illuftrious by their perfonal merit, as well 
as by their vicinity to the Roman provinces. 
Thefe domeilic cotiquefts, which increafed the 
military power of Hermanric, enlarged his am- 
bitious defigns. He invaded the adjacent coun- 
tries of the North; and twelve confiderable 
nations, whofe names and limits cannot be ac- 
curately defined, fucceffively yielded to the fupe- 
riority of the Gothic arms *^'. The Heruli, who 
inhabited the marfliy lands near the lake Masotis, 
were renowned for their ftrength and agility ; 
and the aflSftance of their light infantry was 
eagerly folicited, and highly eileemed, in all the 
wars of the Barbarians. But the a6live fpirit of 
the Heruli was fubdued by the flow and fteady 

'♦' M. de Btiat.(Hift.de8 Peuples de I'Surope, tom-vL p. 311 — 3^9.) 
jnvelligates, with more indufiry than fuccefs, the nations fubdued by 
the arms of Hermanric. He denies the exigence of the Fafimbronc^f 
on account of the immoderate length of their name. . Yet the French 
envoy to Ratifbon, or Drefden> muft have traverfed the country of the 
MediomatrkL 

perfe- 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 321^ 

perfevefance of the Goths ; and, after a bloody C H A P. 
aftion, in which the King was flain, the remains . ^^'^ 
of that warlike tribe became an ufeful acceflion 
to the camp of Hermknric. He then marched 
againft the Venedi; unikilled in the ufe of arms, 
and formidable only by their numbers, which 
filled the wide extent of the plains of modern 
Poland. The viftorious Goths, who were not 
inferior in numbers, prevailed in the conteft, by 
the decifive advantages of exercife and difcipline. 
After thefubmiffion of the Venedi, the conqueror 
advanced, without refiftance, as far as the con- 
fines of the JEftii •** ; an ancient people, whofe 
n^me is ftill prelferved in the provirice of Eftho- 
ula. Thofe diftant inhabitants of the Baltic 
coafl were fupported by the labours of agricul- 
ture, enriched by the trade of amber, and con- 
fecratfed by the peculiar worfliip of the Mother of 
the Gods. But the fcarcity of iron obliged the 
^(tian warriors to content themfelves with 
wooden clubs; and the redu6lion of that wealthy 
countiy is afcribed to the prudence', rather than 
to the arnis, of Hermanric. His dominions, 
wtiich extended from the Danube to the Baltic, 
included 'the native fekts, and the recent acqui- 
fitions, of' the Goths ; and he reigned over the 
gireateft pUrt of Germany and.Scythia with the 
authority of a conqueror, and fometimes with 
thecru^lty^of a tyraW. But he reigned over a 

***TKe'ecBi9cJii of OrtSiltis (Jomandfea, p. 644.) exhibits the name 
^pt^M' Btit''redbA'^ari(i'*the'Ambrofian MS. have reftorect the' 
.^g$90,'' whofe mann^ 'aiM .^liKiaiion' are exprsITed by the pencil of' 
Tacitus (Gennitxuai c. 45.). 

vbt. IV. Y part 



32ft THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c HA p« part of the globe inc^able of peqietuating and 
5^^^*^ adorning the glory of its heroes. The name of 
Hermanric is almoft buried in oblivion; his ex- 
ploits are imperfectly known ; and the Romans 
themfelves appeared unconfciousof the progreis 
of an afpiring power, which threatened the liberty 
of the North, and the peace of the empire '*\ 
The canfe The Goths had contrafted an hereditary at^ 
tiiic war, tachmcnt for the Imperial houfe of Conflantine, 
AJ). 366. of whofe power and liberality they had received 
fo many lignal proofs. They reipeCted the pub- 
lic peace : and if an hoftile band fometimes pre- 
fumed to pais the Roman limit, their irregular 
condu^ was candidly afcribed to the ungovern- 
able (pint of the Barbarian youth* Their con- 
tempt for two new and obfcure princes, who had 
been raifed to the throne by a popular election, 
infpired the Goths with bolder hopes; and, while 
they agitated fome defign of marching their con- 
federate force under the national ftandard"^, 
they were eafily tempted to embrace the party 
of Procopius ; and to foment, by their danger- 
ous aid, the civil difcord of the Romans. The 
public treaty might ftipulate no more than ten 
thoufand auxiliaries ; but the defign was fo zeal- 
oufly adopted by the chiefs of the Vifigoths, that 
the army which pafled the Danube amounted to 

'^ Arnmiaiwiii (zxxL 3.) obferve8» in g^aaenl teniu: Ennenridi! 
• ^ . • nobiliffimi Regisy et- per mnhar variaque fortsber fa£b» inpnis 
gendbus formidady &c« 

^ Valens • • • . docetur relationibut Dnatoiy gentem GoduH 
rtiin» tk tempefiate inta6bm ideoque Icviffiinamy'^ amfpirantem in 
mmmf ad pervadfndaift panui coQifliitia ThrAcianmi* Ammiaiu 
jxvL 6* 

the 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 323 

the number of thirty thoufand men '*^ They c hap, 
marched with the proud confidence, that their • 
invincible valour would decide the fate. of the 
Roman empire; and the provinces of Thrace 
groaned under the weight of the Barbarians, who 
difplayed the infolence of mafters, and the licen- 
tioufnels of enemies. But the intemperance, 
which gratified their appetites, retarded their 
progrefs ; and before the Goths could receive 
any certain intelligence of the defeat and death 
of Procopius, they perceived, by the hoftile ftate 
of the country, that the civil and military powers 
were refumed by his fuccefsful rival. A chain 
of polls and fortifications, flcilfuUy difpofed by 
Valens, or the generals of Valens, refilled their 
march, prevented their retreat, and intercepted 
their fubfiftence. The fiercenefs of the Barba* 
rians was tamed and fufpended by hunger j they 
indignantly threw down their arms at the feet of 
the conqueror, who offered them food and chains: 
the numerous captives were diftributed in all the 
cities of the Eaftj and the provincials, who were 
foon familiarized with their favage appearance, 
ventured, by degrees, to meafure their own 
ftrength with thefe formidable adverfaries, whofe 
name had fo long been the obje6l of their terror. 
The King of Scythia(and Hermanric alone could 
defer ve fo lofty a title) was grieved and ^xaf- 

'-♦* M, de Buat (Hift. des Peuples de I'Europey tom«yi« p.334.} 
has curiouily afcertained the real number of thefe auxiliaries. The 
3«ooo of Ammianus, and the xoiooo of ZtoGmuh were only the firft 
(dlvifioDS ^ the Gothic army. 

T 2 perated 



324 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, perated by this national calamity. His ambaC- 
%J^*^ ladors loudly complained at the court of Valens 
of the infradtion of the ancient and folemn alli- 
ance, which had fo long fubfifted between the 
Romans and the Goths. They alleged that 
they had fulfilled the duty of allies, by affifUng 
the kinfman and fucceffor of the Emperor Ju- 
lian; they required the immediate reftitution of 
the noble captives ; and they urged a very An- 
gular claim, that the Gothic generals, marching 
in arms, and in hollile array, were entitled to 
the facred chara6ter and privileges of ambajGTar 
dors. The decent, but peremptory, refufal of 
thefe extravagant demands, was fignified to the 
Barbarians by Vi6lor, mafter-general of the ca- 
valry ; who expreffed, with force and dignity, the 
juft complaints of the Emperor of the Eaft '^. 
The negociation was interrupted} and the 
qianly exhortations of Valentinian eiijcouraged 
his timid brother to vindicate the infolted ma- 
jefty of the empire '^^ 
fiofiiiities The fplendour and magnitude of this Gothic 
AJ)^^ war are celebrated by a . contemporjary hifto- 



s^^f 369- 



y The marchy and fubfequent negociation^ art deicribed in fh* 
Fn^gmenU, of Eunapius (Excerpt. Legat. p. i8. ed2t« Louvxe). 
The provincials^ who afterwards became fan^ar "wth the Bart>a7 
riansy found that their firength was more apparent than real. Thejr, 
were tall of fiature; but their legs were^dumfy^ and their iboukkn 
were nairow, 

'^^ Valens enim, ut confulto placuerat fratriy cujus regebator 
arbitrioy ^anna concuffit in Gothos rapone. jujSi permotus^ Ammt- 
anus (xxvii. 4.) then proceeds to defcribei . not the counbfjr of the, 
Goths, but the peacefii! and obedient promce of Thrace^ wl^ch waa 
>«ot4iffeaedby'thewarl* " " " ' ^ 

xian: 



Of THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 3^5 

rian '^ : but the events fcarcely deferve the at- c H A P. 
tention of pofterity, except as the preliminary ^^^* 
fteps of the approaching decline and fall of the 
empire. Inftead of leading the nations of Ger- 
many and Scythia to the banks of the Danube^ 
or even to the gates of Conftantinople, the aged 
monarch of the Goths refigned to the brave 
Athanaric the danger and glory of a defenfive 
war, againft ah enemy, who wielded with a feeble 
hand the powers of a mighty ftate. A bridge of 
boats was eftabliftied upoii the Danube; the 
prefence of Valens animated his troops ; and his 
ignorance of the art of war was coihpenfated by 
perfonal bravery, and a wife deference to the 
advice of Viftor and Arintheus, his mailers-ge- 
neral of the cavaliy and infantry. The opera- 
tions of the campaign were condu6led by their 
fldll and experience ; but they found it im- 
poflible to drive the Vifigoths from their ftrorig 
J)ofts in the mountains : and the devaftatioh of 
the plains obliged the Romans themfelves to 
repals the Danube on the approach of winter. 
The inceflant rains which fwelled the waters of 
the river, produced a tacit fulpenfion of arms, 
and confined the Emperot Valens, during the 
whole courfe of the enfuing fummer, to his camp 
of Marcianapolis, The third year of the war was 
more favourable to the Romans, arid niore per- 
nicious to the Goths. The interruption 6f trade 
deprived the fiarbarians of the objefiis of luxury, 

*^ £unapitt8> m Excerpt. Legat. p. 1S9 19. Tfl6 Ore^ fophifl:^ 
muft have confidered as on^ and the fame war> ihe whde feries of 
Gothic hiftory till the victories andpeact of Theodoiiuit 

^ 3 which 



326 *rHE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, which they already confounded with the nece£> 
\ ^^^' lanes of life ; and the defolation of a very ex- 
teniive tra^ of country threatened them with 
the horrors of famine. Athanaric was provoked, 
or compelled, to rifk a battle, which he loft, in 
the plafns ; and the purfuit was rendered more 
bloody by the cruel precaution of the victorious 
generals, who had promifed a large reward for 
the head of every Goth that was brought into 
the Imperial camp. The fubmiflion of the Bar- 
barians appeafed the refentment of Valens and 
his council ; the Emperor liftened with fatisfac- 
tion to the flattering and eloquent remonftrance 
of the fenate of Conftantinfople, which aflumed, 
for the firft time, a Ihare in the public delibera- 
tions ; and the fame generals, Vi6lor and Arin- 
theus, who had fuccefsfully directed the conduct 
of the war, were empowered to regulate the 
conditions of peace. The freedom of trade, 
which the Goths had hitherto enjoyed, was re- 
ftri6led to two cities on the Danube ; the rafli- 
nefs of their leaders was feverely punifbed by 
the fuppreffion of their penfions and fubfidies ; 
and the exception, which was ftipulated in favour 
of Athanaric alone, was more advantageous 
than honourable to the Judge of the Vifigoths. 
Athanaric, who, on this occafion, appears to 
have confulted his private intereft, without ex- 
pefiting the orders of his fpvereign, fupported 
his own dignity, and that of his tribe, in the 
perfonal interview which was propofed by the 
miniflers of V^^lens. He perfifted in his de- 
claration, that it was impoffible for him, without 

incur- 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. j^^j 

incurring the guilt of peijury, ever to fet his c H A Pi 
foot on the territory of the empire; and it is * J^^X] ^ 
more than probable, tnat his regard for the fanc- 
tity of an oath was confirmed by the recent and 
fatal examples of Roman treachery. The Da- 
nube, which feparated the dominions of the two 
independent nations, was chofen for the fcene \ 
of the conference. The Emperor of the Eaft, 
and the Judge of the Vifigoths, accompanied by 
an equal number of armed followers, advanced 
in their refpe6tive barges to the middle of th^ 
ftream. After the ratification of the treaty, and , 

the delivery of hoftages, Valens returned in tri- 
umph to Conftantinople ; and the Goths re- 
mained in a ftate of tranquillity about fix years ; 
till they were violently impelled againft the 
Roman empire by an innumerable hofl: of 
Scythians, who appeared to iffu'e from the frozen 
regions of the North'*®. 

The Emperor of the Wefl:, who had refigned WaroftE* 
to his brother the com.mand of the Lower Da- ^*^ ^^^ 

Sdunxuip 

nube,referved for his immediate care the defence tians, 
of the Rhaetian smd IHyrian provinces, which AJ). 374. 
Ipread fo many hundred miles along the greateft 
of the European rivers. The a6live policy of 
Valentinian was continually employed in adding 
new fortifications to the fecurity of the frqntier: 

'^ The Oothk war i» deicribed by Ammianus (xxvii. 5.), Zofi- 
mu8 (l.iv. p. an — »I4«)>. and Themiftius (Orat. x. p. 129 — 141.). 
The orator Themiftius was fent from the fenate of Confbntinople to 
congratulate the YiAoHovs Emperor; and his fervile eloquence cono- 
pares Valens on the Danubei to Achilles in the Scamander. Jorw 
nandes forgets a war peculiar to the fT^-Gothsy and inglorious to thie 
Gothic name (Mafixm's Hift, of the Genoa&Sy viL %,y 

T 4 but 



3a9 THE DECLime AND FALL 

CHAP, but the abufe of this policy provoked the jiifl 
^^ ^ refentment of the Barbarians. The QuacU com- 
plained, that the ground for an intended fortrej^ 
hfid been marked out on their territories ; and 
their complaints were urged with fo much reafon 
and moderation, that Equitius, mailer-general 
of lUj^cum, confented to fufpend the profecu- 
tion of the work, till he Ihould be more clearly 
inforn^ed of the will of hi3 fovereign. This fair 
occajj^on of injuring a rival, and of advancing the 
fQi^tune of his fon, was eagerly embraced by the 
inhuman Maximin, the pra^e^, or rather tyrant^ 
of Qaul. The paffions of Vdentinian were 
impatient of controul ; and he creduloufly liC- 
tene4 to the afibrances of his favourite, that if 
the gpyprnment of Valeria, and the direftion of 
the wofk, i^ere entrufted to the zeal of his fon 
Marcellipus, t^ Emperor Ihould no longer be 
importuned with the audacious remonftrances of 
^he Barbarians. The fiibjedts of Rome, and the 
Iiativ^ of Germapy, were infulted by the arro- 
gance of a young and wortl)le& minifter, who 
ppi^fidered his rapid elevation as the proof and 
reward of his fuperior fperit. He affisi^ed, how- 
ever, to receive the modeft application of Gabi- 
nius, King of the Quadi, with fome attention and 
regard: but this artful civility concealed a dark 
and bloody defign, and the credulous prince was 
perfuaded to accept the preffing invitation of 
Marcelliqus. I am ^t a lofs bow to vary the 
narrative of iimilar crimes ; or how to relate, 
that in th^ courfe of tl^e fame year, but in 
remote parts of ^ empire, the inho2|4taHe table 

of 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ,3^ 

4tf two Imperial generals was ftalned with the c h a F. 
royal blood of two guefts and allies, inhumanly ^^^ 
piurdered by their order, and in their pre&nce. 
Tibe&te of Gabinius^ and of Para, was the fame: 
but the cruel death of their fovereign was re- 
footed in a wry diSerent mwner by the fervile 
temper of the Armenians, and the free and 
daring ipirit of the Germans. The Quadi were 
much declined from that formidable power, 
^hiph, in the time of Marcus Antoninus, had 
fpread terror to the gates of Rome. But they 
flUl poiTefled arms and courage ; their courage 
W»^ animated by defpair, and they obtained the 
lifual miB&xcfame^t' o£ the cavalry of their Sar* 
matinn lallies. So improvi4pnt was the aflailia 
Marcellinus, that h^ chofe the moment when the 
braveil veterans bad been drawn away, to fup- 
prefs the revolt of Firmus ; and the whole pro- 
vince was expofed, with a very feeble defence, to 
the T%ge of the exafperated Barbarians. They 
invaded Pannonia in the feafon of harveft ; un- 
mercifully deftroyed every obje^ of plunder 
whiph they could not eafily tranfport; and either 
difregarded, or demolilhed, the empty fortifica- 
tions. The Princefs Conflantia, the daughter of 
the Emperor Conftantius^ and the grand-daughter 
Qf the great Couftantine, very narrowly efcaped* 
That royal maid, who had innocently fupported 
the revoH of Procopius, was now the deftined 
wife of the heir of the Weftern empire. She 
traverfed the peaceful province with a fplendid 
^nd unarmed train. Her perfoQ wa9 iaved from 

danger. 



330 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, danger, and the republic from difgrace, by the 
r ^^' a6live zeal of Meffala, governor of the provinces. 
Asfoon as he was informed that the village, 
where flie ftopped only to dine, was almoft en- 
compafled by the Barbarians, he haftily placed 
her in his own chariot, and drove full fpeed till 
he reached the gates of Sirmiuni, which were at 
the diftance of fix-and-twenty miles. Even Sir- 
mium might not have been fecure, if the Quad! 
and Sarmatians had diligently advanced during 
the general confternation of the magiilrates and 
people. Their delay allowed Probus, the Prae- 
torian praefedt, fuflScient time to recover his own 
Ipirits, and to revive the courage of the citizens. 
He Ikilfully dire6led their ftrenuous efforts to 
repair and ftrengthen the decayed fortifications; 
iand procured the feafonable and effe£lual aflifl- 
ance of a company of archers, to proteft the 
capital of the lUyrian provincesi Difappointed 
in their attempts againfl the walls of Sirmium, 
the indignant Barbarians turned their arms againfl 
the mafler-general of the frontier, to whom they 
unjuftly attributed the murder of their King. 
Equitius could bring into the field no more than 
two legions; but they contained the veteran 
flrength of the Maefian and Pannonian bands. 
The obflinacy with which they difputed the vain 
honours of rank and precedency, was the caufe 
of their deftru6Hon; and while they adled with 
feparate forces and divided councils, they were 
furprifed and flaughtered by the aftive vigour of 
the Sarmatian horfe.. The fuccefs of this inva-^ 

1 2 fion 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 33 « 

lion provoked the emulation of the bordering chap. 
tribes ; and the province of Maefia would infaU .j^j^'^ 
liby have been loft, if young Theodofius, the 
duke, or military commander of the frontier, 
had not fignalized, in the defeat of the public 
enemy, an intrepid genius, worthy of his illut 
trious father, and of his future greatnefs '^°. 

The mind of Valeritinian,.who then refidedat '^h® «*?*• 
.Treves, was deeply afie€ted by the calamities of °^ 
Dlyricum; but the latenefs of the feafon Aif- 
pended the execution of bis defigns till the en» 
fuing fpring. He marched in perfbn, with a a*d. 375- 
confiderable part of the forces of Gaiul, from the 
banks of the Mofelle: and to the fuppliant a,m« 
bafladors of the Sarmatians, who met him on the 
way, be returned a doubtfui anfyver, that a$ foon 
SLS he reached the fcene of a3:ion, he, Ihould 
€samine, and pronounce. . When he arrived at 
^irmium, he gave audience to the deputies of the 
lUyrian provinces ; who loudly congratulated 
their own felicity under the aufpicious govern- 
ment of Probus, his Praetorian praefeft '*'. Va- 

. . lentinian, 

^^ Amimanuf (xxix. 6.) and Zqiimiis (1. iv^. p. 2199 220.) 
carefully mark the origin and progrefs of the Quadic and Sarmatian 
war. 

'^' Afflnuantis (xxx. $•)» who acknowledges the itterit, has cen- 
fured, with becoming afperity) the oppreflive adminiftratioin of Pe- 
tronius Probus. When Jerom tranflated, and continued^ the Chro» 
nicle of Eufebius (A. I). 380. See Tillemont> Mem. Ecclef. torn. 
33i. p. S3' 626.)9 he exprefled the trUthy or at leaft the public opi- 
nion of his coantry, in the following words: «• Probus P. P. Illy- 
"<< rici iniquii&nus tributonim exa^onibus, ante pro^dncias quas re* 
<* gebaty quam a Barbaris vaftarentur* erafitP (Chron. e(ht. Sea- 
^ger, p. 187. Animadverf. p. 259.) The Saint afterwards formed 



^^2 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, lentinian, who was flattered by thefe demonftran 
^^' ^ tions (rftiieir loyalty and gratitude, imprudently 
aiked the deputy of E^rus, a Cynic philofopher 
of intrepid fincerity '^\ whether he wa« freely 
fent by the wHhes of the province ? ** With 
<^ tears and groans am I fent (relied Iphides) 
** by a relufilant pe<^le." TbeEmpwor j)aafBd: 
but th^ impunity of his mtniilers eftabliihed the 
pernicious maxim « that th^y might opprefe his 
fubjefts, without injuring his fervice. A ftrift 
inquiry into their cobdu6l; vmAd have relieved 
the public difeontent. The fevere oondetnnation 
tof the murder of Gabkiius^ was the only mea- 
ii^e which could r^itore the confidence of die 
OerMans, and vindicate the honour of the Ro- 
man name. But the haughty monarch was in- 
capaMe of the magnanimity whi^h dares to ac- 
knowledge a fhult. He forgot the provdic^ation, 
remembered only the injury^ and advancefd into 
the country of the Quadi with an infatiate thirft 
of blood And revenge. The extreme devaftation, 
and promifcaoliB teaflkcire^ of a faVage war, were 
juftifiedj in the eyes of the Emperor, and per- 
haps in thofe %f the world, by the cruel equity 
of retaliation'": and fuch was the difcipline of 

an iotimatt and tender ftkod&ut^ wi& the widow of ^robns ; and 
the name of Count £quitiu8» with lefs propriety^ but without much 
icjuilice» ha» been. fuUiituted ul the text* 

''' Jidian (Omt. ^ p« 199.) reprefents hia friend Ijrfikles as a man 
6f virtue and merit* who had made hiniielf ridiculoaa and uohai^f » 
by adoirking thft CKtravagant ditfs and manners of the Cynics. 

'" Arainian* xmx* $• Jmcmt who enggeratea the tnisfortune 
«f Vakntiniani refufes him tvtB this laft eonfolatton of revenge. 
GenitaU vaQuo ftht ei multam patiiam deteUDquess (tooui* 

16 the 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 335 

the Romans, and the conflernation of the enemy i c h A P^ 
that Valentiman repafled the Danube without .J^ l*^ 
the lofs of a fingle man. Aa he had refolved to 
cowplate the; deftru^tioi^ of the Quadi by a fecond 
campaign^ he fixed his winter*quarters at Bre-^ 
getio, oo^the Danube, near the Hungarian city 
of Prefburgh. While the operations of war: 
were! fuQ)eaded by the fe verity, of the weather,, 
the Qfis^di made an humble attempt to deprecate 
the wrath, of their.conqueror ; and, atitlie earneft. 
perfu^^pn of Equitius, their ambalTadors were 
introduced into the Imperial council. Xhey.^ 
approached the throne with bended bodies^. and. 
deje^ed cQuntenances; and, without daring to^ 
con^plain of the murder of their King> they af«^ 
firmed^ witbiolemn oaths, that the late invafion. 
was the crime, of foine irregular rabbers, which, 
the pubHc council of the nation condemned and. 
abhorred* The anfwer of the Emperor left them , 
but little to hc^e from his clemency or com« 
pjaffion. He revil^, in the mod intemperate 
l^^ua^e, their bafep^fs, their ingratitude, thein 
indolence. — His eyes^ his vmce» his colour, hia- 
geftures,expreired the violence of his ungoverned 
fury ; and, while his whole frame was ^ agitated 
with convulfive paffion, a large blood-veflel fud- 
dealy. burftr in his; body; and. Valentinian fell 
ipeechlels into the arms of his attendants* TTieir 
pious carei immediately concealed his fituation 
4rom the crowd : but, in a few minutes, the 
£0ip^r4»rH<:iff the Weft expiredinjai).^gony c^f pain, and deaths 
retaining his fenfes till the laftj and ftruggUng, ^^ 

without 



224 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, without fuccefs, to declare his intentions to the 

^^v. generals and minifters, who furrounded the royal 

A.D. 375. couch. Valentinian was' about fifty-four years 

Nov. 1 7th. of age ; and he wanted only one hundred days 

to accomplifh the twelve years of his reign ^^\ 

The Em- The polygamy of Valentinian is ferioufly at- 

O^ tefted byan ecclefiaftical hiftorian'^^ « The' 

andVaienl " Emprefs Severa (I relate the fable) admitted 

tinian fi. « {j^^q jjgr familiar fociety the lovely Juftina, 

" the daughtier of ah Italian governor: her ad- 

" miration of thofe naked charms, which Ihe 

" had often feen in the bath, was expreffed with 

** fuch lavifh and imprudent praife, that the 

" Emperor was tempted to introduce a fecond 

" wife into his bedj and his public edift ex- 

*^ tended to all the fubjefts of the empire, the 

" fame domeftic privilege, which he had affumed 

" for himfelf/* But we may be affured, from 

the evidence of reafon, as well as hiftory, that 

the tw > marriages of Valentinian, with Sef^ra, 

and with Juftina, wereJucce/Jivelt/coiitTSLAed f and 

that he ufed the ancient permiffion of divorce, 

which was ftill allowed by the laws, though it 

■^ Secy on the death of Valentiniaiiy Amioiamis (xxx. &). Zo- 
fimus (1. iv. p. 221.)^ Vi^or (in EpitQm.^^ Socrates (Liv. c. 31.^ 
and Jerom (in Chron. p. 1879 and torn. i. p. 26. ad Heliodor.). 
There is much variety of circumilances ainong them ; and Amaii* 
anus is fo eloquent^ that he writes nonfenfe. 

"^ Socrates (Liv. c.3i.) is the only original witnefs of this 
fooliih ftory, fo repugnant to the laws and manners of the Romans^ 
that it (barcely deferves the formal and elaborate diflertation of 
M. Bonamy (Mem. de 1' Academies tom. xxx. p. 394—405.). Yet I 
would preferve the natural circumilan<ie of the bath; inflead of fol- 
lowing Zofimuty^ho reyrefeats Juftina as an old woman* the widow 
of M^gncntius. 

was 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 335 

/was condemned by the church. Severa was the chap, 
mother of Gratian, who feemed to unite every 
claim which could -entitle him to the undoubted 
fucceffion of the Weftern empire. He was the 
eldeft fon of a monarch, whofe glorious reign had 
confirmed the free and honourable choice of his 
fellow-foldiers. Before he had attained the ninth 
year of his age, the royal youth received from 
the hands of his indulgent father the purple robe 
and diadem, with the title of Auguftus : the 
election was folemnly ratified by the confent and 
applaufe of the armies of Gaul *^^ ; and the name 
of Gratian was added to the names of Valentinian 
and Valens, in all the legal tranfa6tions of the 
Roman government. By his marriage with the 
grand-daughter of Conftantine, the Ton of Valen- 
tinian acquired all the hereditary rights of the 
Flavian family; which, in a feries of three Im- 
perial generations, were fan6tified by time, reli- 
gion^ and the reverence of the people. At the 
death of his father, the royal youth was in the 
feventeenth year of his age ; and his virtues al- 
ready juflified the favourable opinion of the army 
and people. But Gratian refided, without ap- 
prehenfion, in the palace of Treves; whilft, at 
the diftance of many hundred miles, Valeiitinian 
fuddenly expired in the camp of Bregetio. The 
paffions, which had been fo long fupprefled by 
the. prefence of a mailer, immediately revived 
the Imperial council; and the ambitious defign 

*'^ Ammianus (xx^i. 6.) 'defcribes the form of this military 
ehC^k ), and augujl inveftiture. Valentinian does not appear to have 
cojUi?K^d, or eveoi infoxsuedi the iemite of Rome. 

of 



336 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, of reigning in the name of an infant, was artfiiUy'^ 
^^^ executed by Mellobaudes and Equitius^ who 
commanded the attachment of the Ulyrian and 
Italian bands. They contrived' the moft honour- 
able pretences to remove the pc^tilar leaders, 
and the troops of Gaul, who might have afferted 
the claims of the lawful fucceffor : they fuggefted 
the neceffity of extinguifhing the hopes of foreign 
and domeitic enemies, by a bold and- decifive 
meafure* The Emprefs Juftina, who bad been 
left in a palace about one hundred miles- from 
Bregetio, was repeftfuUy invited to appear in the 
camp, with the fon of the deceafed Empisror. 
On the fixth day after the death of Yalentinian, 
the in£int prince (^the fame iiame, who was only 
fQur years old, was fliewn in the arms of his 
mother, to the legions; and folemnly in^efted, 
by military acdamatien, with the titles and ^ en- 
figns of fuprem^ power* l^e impending dan-^ 
gers of a civil war were feafonably prevented by 
the wife and moderate conduct of the Emperor 
Gratian. He* cheerfully accepted the ciisoice of 
the army; dedared, that be ffaould always con^ 
fider the fon ofJuftina^as a brother, not as a 
rhaU and advifed the Emprefs, with'ber^fbtf 
Valentiniatt^ to fix; their: refidence at Milatf, in 
the fkir and ])eaceful provimce of^Italy; while he 
aflhmed the morearduiousconittiand of the cOUn-^ 
tries beyond the Mps*^ G^atian diflembled bid^ 
refentment till he could fafely puniib, or dSt 
grace, the authors of the conlpiracy ; and though 
he uniformly btehkved with tendernefs and regard* 
%o his infant coUea^e^^h^grii^aU^ ccmfouttdi^'^ 

in 



b]^ THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 33^ 

in the adminiftration of the Weftern empire, the c H A J. 
oflBce of a guardian with the authority of a fove- 
reign. The government of the Roman world 
was exercifed in the united names of Valens and 
his two nephew's; but the feeble Emperor of the 
Eaft, who fucceeded to the rank of his elder 
brother, never obtained any weight or influence 
in the councils of the Weft'". 

''^ Ammianus, xxx» 10. ZofiimiSy L iv. p. a»i, %%$* lUlemdiit 
bas proved (Hifl, des Emp^ursy torn. v. p. 707 — 709.)^ that Gratian 
reigned in Italy, Africa, and Illyricum. I have endeavoured to e»* 
prefs his authority Oyer his brDther's doduxuon^ as he tiled i^ in aa 
jimbiguoiss fiylej 



VOL. IV. 



338 THE DECLINE AND FALL 



CHAP. XXVI. 

Manners of the Pq/lorat Nations. — Progrefs 
[ of the Huns^Jrom China to Europe. — Flight 
of the Goths. — Thej/ pqjfs the Danube. — Go- 
thic War. — Defeat and Death of Valens.-r- 
Gratian invejis Theodojius mth the Eaflem 
Empire. — His Charader and Succe/s. — 
'. Peace and Settlement of the Goths. 

CHAP. JN' the fecond year of the reign of Valentinian 
^ xxyi. ^ ' and Valens, on the morning of the twenty- 
Earth- firft day of July, the greateft part of the Roman 
quakes, world was Ihaken by a violent and deftru6live 
July aiih earthquake. The impreffion was communicated 
to the waters ; the fhores of the Mediterranean 
were left dry, by the fudden retreat of the fea ; 
great quantities of fifti were caught with the hand; 
large veffels were ilranded on the mud ; and a 
curious fpeftator ' amufed his eye, or rather his 
fancy, by contemplating the various appearance 
of vallies and mountains, which had never, fince 
the formation of the globe, been expofed to the 
fun. But the tide foon returned, with the weight 
of an immenfe and irrefiftible deluge, which was 
feverely felt on the coafts of Sicily, of Dalmatia, 
of Greece, and of Egypt : large boats were tranf- 
ported, and lodged on the roofs of hdtifes, or 

' Such is the bad tafie of Ammianus (zxvi. lo.)^ that it is ndt 
eafy to diitinguiih his fadls from his metaphors. Yet he pofitivdj 
affirms, that he faw the rotten carcafe of a Ihipi zd/fomdum hpuUm^ 
at Methone, or Modon^ in Pelopoxmefua. 

3 <^t 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 33^ 

at the diftance of two miles from the Ihore; the CHAP, 
people, with their habitations, were fwept away ^^^• 
by the waters ; and the city of Alexandria an- 
nually commemorated the fatal day, on which 
fifty thoufand perfons had loft their lives in the 
inundation. This calamity, the report of which 
was magnified from one province to another, 
aftonifhed and terrified the fubjefils of Rome ; 
and their affrighted imagination enlarged tlie 
real extent of a momentary evil. They recol- 
lefted the preceding earthquakes, which had fub- 
verted the cities of Paleftine and Bithynia : they 
confidered thefe alarming ftrokes as the prelude 
only of ftill more dreadful calamities, and their 
fearful vanity was difpofed to confound the fymp- 
toms of a declining empire, and a finking world % 
It was the fafliion of the times, to attribute 
every remarkable event to the particular will of 
the Deity ; the alterations of nature were con- 
ne6led, by ap invifible chain^ with the moral and 
metaphyfical opinions of the human mind j and 
%he moft fagacious divines could diftinguifli, 
according to the colour of their refpedliye pre? 
judices, that the eftabliihment of herefy tended 
to produce an earthquake; or that a deluge was 

' The earthquakes and inundations are varioufly defcribed by 
Jibanius (Orat. de ulciicendi Juliani nece, c. x. in Fabricius, Bibl. 
GrsBC. torn. vii. p. 158. with a learned note of Olearius), Zolimus 
(1. iv. p. 2ax«)9 Sozomen (I. vi. c. a.), Cedrenus (p. 310. 314.)^ 
99d Jerom (in Chron. p« z86. and torn. i. p. 250. in Vit. Hilarion.). 
JSpidaurus moft have been overwhelmed^ had not the prudedt citizens 
|>laced St. Hilafiony an Egyptian monk, \>n the beach. - He made 
the fign of the crofs: the mountain-wave iUpped, bowedi and 
returned. 

z 2 ' the 



340 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, ^e inevitable confequ4&rice of the progrefs of fin 
-^^Lf ^°^ error. Without prefumiilg to difcufs the 
truth or propriety of thefe lofty fpeculations, the 
hiftorian may content himfelf with an obferva- 
tion, which feems to be juftified by experience, 
that man has much more to fear from the paf- 
lions of his fellow-creatures, than from the con- 
Vulfions of the elements ^ The mifchievons 
effe6ts of an earthquake, or deluge, a hurricane^ 
or the eruption of a volcano, bear a very incon- 
iiderable proportion to the ordinary calamities of 
war ; as they are now moderated by the prudence 
or humanity of the princes of Europe, who amufe 
their own leifure, and exercife the courage of 
their fubje6ls, in the practice of the military art. 
But the laws and manners of modern nations 
prote6l the fafety and freedom of the vanquifhed 
foldier ; and the peaceful citizen has feldom rea* 
ion to complain, that his life, or even his fortune, 
is expofed to the rage of war. In the diiaftrous 
period of the fall of the Roman empire, which 
may juftly be dated from the reign of Valens, the 
happinefs and fecurity of each individual were 
perfonally attacked ; arid the arts and labours of 
ages were rudely defaced by the Barbarians of 
The Huns Scythia and Germany. The invafion of the 
*^^^***^^' Huns precipitated on the provinces of the Weft 
the Gothic nation, which advanced, in lefs than 
forty years, from the Danube to the Atlantic^ 
and opened a way, by the fuccefs of their arms, 

!..,,.■ 
^ Dicaearchus, the Peripatetic, compofed a formal trieafife, to prove 

this obvious truth ; which is not the moft honourable to the human 

^fye^ies (CicerO) de Officiis> ir. 5)1 

is 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 341 

to the inroads of fo many hoftile tribes, more c h A K 
favage than themfelves. The original principle J^^^'^ 
of raotjQn was concealed in the remote countries 
of the North ; and the curious obfervation qf the . 
paftoral life of the Scythians % or Tartars % will 
iiluftrate the latent caufe of thefe deftru^ive 
emigrations. 

The different chai:a6lers that mark the civilized The pafto- 
nations of the globe, may be afcribed to the ufe, ners^of^thr 
and the abufe, of reafon ; which fo varioufly ScythUns, 
ibapes, and fo artificially compofes, the manners ^^ *^*"* 
and opinions of an European, or a Chinefe. 
But the operation of inftin6l is more fure and 
fimple than that of reafon : it is much eafier to 
afcertain the appetites of a quadruped, than the 
ipeculations of a philofopherj and the favage- 
tribes of mankind, as they approach nearer to 
the ccHidition of animals, preferve a ftronger 
refemblance to themfelves and to each other. 
The uniform ftability of their manners is the 
natural confequence of the imperfe6tion of their 
faculties. Reduced to a fimilar fituation, their 

♦ The origiiial Scythians of Herodotus (I. iv. c. 47 — 57*99— 
SOI.) were confined by the Danube und the Palus Mseotis, within v 
fquare of 4000 ibdia (400 Roman miles.) See D'Anville (Mem. de^ 
r Academies torn. xxxv. p. 573— 59i0' Diodorus Siculus (tom. i* 
t. ii. pr 155. edit. Wefleling) ha« marked the gradual progrefs of the 
7iam< and nation. 

* The Tatars^ or Tartars* were a primitive tribei the rivals, and 
at lei^;th the fubje^h, of the Moguls. In the vidlorious armies of 
Zinghis IChan^ and his fucceflbrs, the Tartars formed the vanguard ;; 

' and the name» which firft reached the ears of foreigners^ was applied 
ta the whole nation (Freret» in the Hlft. de I'Academie, torn. xviiL 
p. 60.). In ipeaking of all, or any, of the northern fhephepds of 
Europe^ or Alia, I iiidifferently ufe thie appellations of ScytbiatUf or 
Tartars^ 

z J wants^ 



34^ 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



c HA P. wa^nts, their defires, their enjoyments. Hill con- 
^^^^* ^ tinue the fame: and the influence of food or 
climate, which, in a more improved ftate of 
fociety, is fulpended, or fubdued, by fo many 
moral caufes,moft powerfully contributes to form, 
and to maintain, the national chara6ler of Bar- 
barians. , In every age, the immenfe plains of 
Scythia, or Tartary, hiave been inhabited by 
vagrant tribes of hunters and fliepherds, whofe 
indolence refufes to cultivate the earth, and 
whofe refl:lefs fpirit difdains the confinement of 
a fedentary life. In every age, the Scythians, and 
Tartars, have been renowned for their invincible 
courage, and rapid conquefts. The thrones of 
Afia have been repeatedly overturned by the 
fliepherds of the North : and their arms have 
Ipread terror and devaftatlon over the moft fer- 
tile and warlike countries of Europe ^ On this 
occation, as well as on many others, the fober 
hiftorian is forcibly awakened from a pleafing 
vifionj and is compelled, with fome relu6tance, 
to confefs, that the paftoral manners, which have 
been adorned with the faireft attributes of peace 
and innocence, are much better adapted to the 
fierce and cruel habits of a military life. To 
illuftrate this oblervation, I fliall now proceed to 
confider a nation of fliepherds and of warriors, 

^ Imperium Aiiae ter qiueiivere : ipii perpetuo dh ^eno Imperio> 
aut inudlii aut invidli» manfere. Since the time of Jufiin (n.%)» 
they have multiplied this account. Voltaire^ in a few words (torn, x* 
p. 64. Hift. Generaley c. 15 6*) has abridged the Tartar conqueAs. 
pft oV the trembling nations from afar^ 
H^ Scythia breath'd the living cloud of war. 

' in 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 343^ 

in the three important articles of, I. Their diet] c H ,4 ?• 
II. Their habitations; and. III. Their exercifes. , J?I^ *j 
The narratives of antiquity are juftified by the 
experience of modern times ' : and the banks of 
the Boryfthenes, of the Volga, or of the Selinga, 
will indifferently prefent the Ihme uniform Ipec- 
tacle of fimilar and native manners^ 

I. The corn, or even the rice, which conftil Diet, 
tutes the ordinary and wholefome food of a civil- 
ifed people, can be obtained only by the patient 
toil of the hufbandman. Some of the happy 
lavages, who dwell between the tropics, are 
plentifully nouriflied by the liberality of nature; 
but in the climates of the North, a natron of 
fliepherds is reduced to their flocks and herds. 
The (kilful pra6titioners of the medical art will 
determine (if they are able to determine) how 
far the temper of the human mind maybe dffeGted 
by the ufe of animal, or of vegetable, food ; and 
whether the common affociation of carnivorous 
and cruel, deferves to be confidered in any 

7 The fourth book of Herodotus affords a curious^ though im- 
perfe6^» portrait of the ScylhUns. Among the modems, who de^ 
fcribe the uniform fcene, the Khan of KhowarefiSy Abulghazi Ba- 
hadur, exprefles his native feelings ; and his Genealogical Hiilory of 
the Tatarj has been copioufly illufbrated by the French and Englifh 
editors. Carpin, Afcelin, and Rubniquis (in the Hiil. des Voyages, 
torn, vii.), reprefent the Moguls of the fourteenth century. To thefe 
guides I hare added Gerbillon, and the other jefults (Defcription de 
la Chine, par Du Halde, tom. iv.), who accurately furveyed the Chinefe 
Tartary ; and that honeft and intelligent traveller. Bell, of Antermony 
(two volumes in 4to. Glafgow, 1763.) 

® The Uzbecks are the moft altered from their primitive manners ; 
X. by the prbfeilion of the Maliometan religion; and, a. by the 
pofieifion of the cities and harvefts of the great Bucharia* 

z 4 other 



344 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. Other light tban that of an innocent, perhaps a 
^^^' falutary, prejudice of humanity ^ Yet if it be 
true, that the fentiment of compailion is impei^ 
ceptibly weakened by the fight and pra6lice of 
domeftic cruelty, we may obferve that the hor- 
rid objects which are di%uifed by the arts of 
European refinement, are exhibited in their naked 
and moil diigufling fimplicity, in the tent of a 
Tartarian jQiepherd. The ox, or th^ ibeep, are 
flaughtered by the fame hand from which they 
were accuftomed to receive their daily food; and 
the bleeding limbs are ferved, with very little 
preparation, on the table of their unfeeling mur- 
derer. In the military profeifion, and efpecially 
in the condu6t of a numerous army, the excluQve 
ufe of animal food appears to be produ£liye of 
the mod folid advantages. Corn is a bulky and 
perifliable commodity ; and the large magazines, 
which are indifpeniaUy neceflary for the fuhfift* 
ence of our troops, muft be flowly tran^orted by 
the labour of men or horfes. But the flocks 
and herds, which accompany the march of the 
Tartars, afford a fure and increafing fupply of 
flefh and milk: in the far greater part of the 
uncultivated wafte, the vegetation of the grafs is 
qui(^k and luxuriant; and there are few places 

' n eft certain que Ie< gnifids mangeun de Tunde font en general 
enieb et feroces plus que les autres hommes. Cette ohfervadon eft 
de touts les lieuz> et de touts les terns : la barbare Angloiie eft 
connue» &c. Emile de Rouileauy torn. i. 4>. z74« Whatever we 
nay think of the general obfervationy we (hall not eafily allow the 
truth of his example. The good-natured complaints of Plutaxchf 
and. the pathetic lamentatioxis cf Oyidy feduce our leaibn^ by exciting 
our fenfibility* 



OF THE ROMAN BM?1*E. 545 

fo extremely barren, that the hardy cattle of the q h A p. 
North cannot find fowe tolerable pafture. The ^^^' 
fupply is multiplied aad prolonged* by the un- 
diilinguiihing appetite, and pati^qt abftinence^ 
of the Tartars. They indifferently feed on the 
flefh of thofe animals that have been killed for 
the table, or have died of difeafe. Horfe-flelh$ 
which in every age and country has been pro- 
fcribed by the civilifed nations of Europe ftnd 
Afia, they devour with peculiar greedinefs ; and 
this fingular tafte facilitates the fuccefs of their 
military operations. The a6live cavalry of Scy- 
thia is always followed, in their moft diilant and 
rapid incurfions, by an adequate number of fpare 
horfes, who may be occafionally ufed, either to 
redouble the fpeed, or to fatisfy the hunger, of 
the Barbarians. Many are the refources of cou* 
rage and poverty. Whep tlie forage round a. 
capip of Tartars is almoll confumed, they ilaugh« 
ter the greateft part of their cattle, and preferve 
the flefh, either fmoaked, or dried in the fun4 
On the fudden emergency of a hafly march, they 
provide themfelves with a fuffiqient quantity of 
little balls of cheefe, or rather of hard curd, 
which they occafionally difTolve in water; and 
this unfubflantial diet will fupport, for many 
days, the life, and even the fpirits, of the patieni 
warrior. But this extraordinary abflinence, 
which the Stoic would approve, and the hermit 
might envy, is commonly fucceeded by the mofl 
voracious indulgence of appetite. The wines of 
a happier climate are the mofl grateful prefent, 

or 



345 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. orUhe moft valual^le commodity, that can be 
^^^" offered to the Tartars ; and the only example of 
their induftry feems to confift in the art of ex- 
tra6i:ing from mare's milk, a fermented liquor, 
ivhich poffeffes a very ftrong power of intoxica- 
tion. Like the animals of prey, the favages, 
both of the old and new world, experience the 
alternate viciifitudes of famine and plenty; and 
their ftomach is inured to fuftain, without much 
inconvenience, the oppofite extremes of hunger 
and of intemperance* 
Habha- II. In the ages of ruftic and martial fimplicity, 

^^"^ a people of foldiers and hufbandmen are difperfed 
over the face of an extenfive and cultivated 
country ; and fome time mull elapfe before the 
warlike youth of Greece or Italy could be aflem- 
bled under the fame ftandard, either to defend 
their own confines, or to invade the territories of 
the adjacent tribes. The progrefs of manufac- 
tures and commerce infenfibly coUefils^ a large 
multitude within the walls of a city : but thefe 
citizens are no longer foldiers ; and the arts which ' 
adorn and improve the ftate of civil fociety^ cor- 
rupt the habits of the military life. The pafto- 
ral manners of the Scythians feem to unite the 
different advantages of fimplicity and refinement. 
The individuals of the fame tribe are conilantly 
affembled, but they are affembled in a camp ; 
and the native fpirit of thefe dauntlefs fliepherds 
is animated by mutual fupport and emulation. 
The houfes of the Tartars are no more than fmall 
tents, of an oval form^ which afford a cold and 

dirty 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 347 

dirty habitation, for the promifcuous youth of C H A pj 
both fexes. The palaces of the rich confift of .^^ j 
wooden huts, of fiich a fize that they may be 
conveniently fixed on large waggons, and drawn 
by a team perhaps, of twenty or thirty oxen. 
The flocks and herds, after grazing all day in the 
adjacent paftures, retire, on the approach of 
night, within the protection of the camp. The 
neceffity of preventing the moft mifchievous con- 
fufion, in fuch a perpetual concourfe of men sfnd 
animals, mud gradually introduce, in the diilri- 
bution, the order, and the guard, of the encamp- 
ment, the rudiments of the military art. As foon 
as the forage of a certain diHrift is confumed, 
the tribe, or rather army, of fliepherds, makes a 
regular march to fome frefli paftures ; and thus 
acquires, in the ordinary occupations of the paf- 
toral life, the pra6lical knowledge of one of the 
moft important and difficult operations of war. 
The choice of ftations is regulated by the differ- 
ence of the feafons : in the fummer, the Tartars 
advance towards the North, and pitch their tents 
on the banks of a river, or, at leaft, in the 
neighbourhood of a running ftream. But in the 
winter they return to the South, and flielter their 
camp behind fome convenient eminence, againft 
the winds, which are chilled in their paffage over 
the bleak and icy regions of Siberia. Thefe 
manners are admirably adapted to diffufe, among 
the wandering tribes, the fpirit of emigration and 
conqueft. The conne6lion between the people 
and their territory is of fo frail a texture, that 1% 

may 



^4? TH5 DECLINE AND FALL 

c? n A P. may be brojcea by the fligbteft accident* The 
^^ camp, and not the foil, is the native country of 
the genuine Tartar. Within the precinfta of that 
camp, his family, bis companions, bis property^ 
are always included j and in the mod diftant 
marches, he is ftill furrounded by the obje6l» 
which are dear, or valuable, or familiar in his 
eyes. The thirft of rapine, the fefir, or the rcr 
fentment of injury, the impatience of fervitude, 
have, in every age, been fuflScient caufes to urge 
the tribes of Soythia boldly to advance into fome 
unknown countries, where they might hope to 
find a more plentiful fubfiftence, or a lefs for^ 
midable enemy. The revolutions of the North 
have frequently determined the fate of the South > 
and in the conflidt of hoflile nations, the vidlor 
and the vanquilhed have alternately drove, and 
been driven, from the confines of China to thofe 
of Gerjnany '°. Thefe great emigrations, which 
have been fometimes executed with almoft incre- 
dible diligence, were rendered more eaiy by the 
peculiar nature of the climate* It is well known^ 
that the cold of Tartary is much more fevere 
than in the midil of the temperate zone might 
realbnably be expe6led ; this uncommon rigour 
is attributed to the height of the plains, whict> 
rife^ efpecially towards the £ail, more than half 
a mile above the level of the fea : and to the 
quantity of faltpetre, with which the foil is deeply 

'^ Thefe Tartar emigrations have been diicovered by M. de 
Guignes (Hiftoire des Huns^ torn. L ii.)^ a ikilful and laborious m- 
terpveter of the Chinefe language; who has thus laid open new and 
Important icenes in the hiftory of mankind. 

15 impregr 



OF THE ROMAN EWPtki. 349 

impregnated". In the \vinter-feafon, the broad c li A fc 
and rapid rivers, that difeharge their waters into ,^?J ^ ^ 
the Euxine, the Cafpian, or the Icy Sea, are 
ftrongly frozen ; the fields are covered with a 
bed of fnow ; and the fugitive, or vi6torious, 
tribes may fecurely traverfe, with their families, 
their waggons, and their cattle, the fmooth and 
hard furface of an immenfe plain. 

III. The paftoral life, compared with the la- Exerdfefc 
hours of agriculture and manufa6lures, is un- 
doubtedly a life of idlenefs ; and as the moft 
honourable iliepherds of the Tartar race devolve 
on their captives the domeftic management of the 
cattle, their own leifure is feldom difturbed by 
any fervile and affiduous cares. But this leifure, 
inftead of being devoted to the fojft enjoyments 
of love and harmony, is ufefuUy Ipent in the vio- 
lent and fanguinary exercife of the chace. The 
plains of Tartary are filled with a ftrong and fei'- 
viceable breed of horfes, which are eafily trained 
for the purpofes of war and hunting. The Scy- 
thians of every age have been celebrated as bold 
and Ikilful riders : and conftant pra6lice had 
feated them fo firmly on horfeback, that they 
were fuppofed by ftrangers to perform the ordi- 
nary duties of civil life, to eat, to drink, and, 
even to fleep, without difmounting from their 

" A plain in the Chinefe Tartary, only eighty leagues from the 
great ,W2l11» was found by the milfionaries to be three thoufand^eo- 
metrical paces above the level of the fea. Montefquieu, who has 
ufedy and abufed, the relations of travellers, deduces the revolutions 
of Afia from this important circumftance, that heat and cold, weak« 
nefs and ftreangth, touch each other without any temjierate zone 
(E^rit dc« Loix, 1. xvii. c. 3.). ' , '' 

fteedfi. 



350 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



CHAP, fteeds. They excel in the dexterous manageipent 
^^^^' of the lance : the long Tartar bow is drawn with 
a nervous arm ; and the weighty arrow is direfil- 
ed to its obje€l with unerring aim, and irrefift- 
ible force. Thefe arrows are often pointed againft 
the harmlefs animals of the defert, which increafe 
and multiply in the abfence of their moll formid- 
able enemy ; the hare, the goat, the roebuck, 
the fallow-deer, the flag, the elk, and the ante- 
lope. The vigour and patience both of the men 
and horfes are continually exercifed by the fa- 
tigues of the chace ; and the plentiful fupply of 
game contributes to the fubfiftence, and even 
luxur}^, of a Tartar camp. But the exploits of 
the hunters of Scythia are not confined to the 
deflru6lion of timid or innoxious beafls ; they 
boldly encQunter the angry wild-boar, when he 
turns againfl his purfuefs, excite the fluggilh 
courage of the bear, and provoke the fury of the 
tyger, as he flumbers in the thicket. Where 
there is danger, there may be glory : and the 
mode of hunting, which opens the fairefl field 
to the exertions of valour, .may juftly be con- 
fidered as the image, and as the fcliool, of war. 
The general hunting-matches, the pride and 
delight of the Tartar princes, corapofe an in- 
.llruStive exercife for their numerous cavalry. 
A circle is drawn, of many miles in circumfe- 
rence, to encompais the game of an extenfive 
diftri^l ; and the troops that foi'm the circle re- 
gularly advance towards a common centre; 
where the captive animals, furrounded on every 

fide. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 3^1 

fide, are abandoned to the darts of the hunters, chap. 
In this march, which frequently continues many J^^ 
days, the cavalry are obliged to clinib the hills, 
to fwirn the rivers, and to wind through the val- 
lies, without interrupting the prefcribed order 
of their gradual progrefs. They acquire the 
habit of directing their eye, and their fteps, to a 
remote objedl ; of preferving their intervals j of 
fufpending, or accelerating, their pace, according 
to the motions of the troops on their right and 
leil ; and of watching and repeating the fignals 
of their leaders. Their leaders ftudy, in this 
jpradtical fchool, the moft important leffon of the 
.military art ; the prompt and accurate judgment 
of ground, of dillance, and of time. To employ 
againft a human enemy the fame patience and 
valour, the fkttie {kill and difcipline, is the only 
alteration which is required in real war ; and the 
amufements of the chace ferve as a prelude to the 
conqueft of an empire ". 

The political fociety of the ancient Germans Govern- 
has the appearance of a voluntary alliance of in- "****• ^ 
dependent warriors. The tribes of Scythia, dif- 
tinguifhed by the modern appellation, of Hords^ 
. a^ume the form of a numerous and increaling 
family j which, in the courfe of fucceffive gene- 

" Petit de U Croix (Vie de Gengiicany L liL c. 7.) reprefentf 
the full gkwy and extent of the Mogul chace. The Jefuits Ger- 
billon and Verbieft followed the Emperor Kamhi when he hunted in 
Tartary (Duhalde> Defcription de la Chine, torn. iv. p. 81. 290>&c. 
folio edit.). His grandfon, Kienlong, who unites the Tartar dif- 
cipline with the laws and learning of Chinat defcribes (Eloge de 

' Moukden» p. 273—185.)^ as a poet* the pleafures which he had 

^xAtn enjoved a» a Iportlxnan. 

rations. 




THE DECLll^E AND tAtt 

rations, has been prbpagated from the fame ori- 
ginal ftock. The meaneft, and moft ignorant, 
of the Tartars, preferve, with confcious pride, 
the ineftimable treafure of their genealogy ; and 
whatever diftin6lions of rank may have been in- 
troduced, by the unequal diftribution of paftoral 
wealth, they mutually refpeft themfelves, and 
' each other, as the defcendants of the firft founder 
of the tribe. The cuftom, which flill prevaik, 
of adopting the braveft and moft faithful of the 
captives, may countenance the very probable 
fufpicion, that this extenfive confanguinity is, in 
a great meafure, legal and fictitious. But tte 
ufeful prejudice, which has obtained the fan^ion 
of time and opinion, produces the efFe6ls of 
truth J the haughty Barbarians yield a cheerful 
and voluntary obedience to the head of their 
blood ; and their chief, or mur/hy as the repre- 
fentative of their great father, exercifes the au- 
thority of a judge, in peace, and of a leader, in 
war. In the original ftate of the paftoral world, 
each of the murfas (if we, may continue to ufe a 
modern appellation) adled as the independent 
chief of a large and feparate family j and the 
limits of their peculiar territories were gradually 
fixed, by fuperior force, or mutual confefit* But 
the conftant operation of various and permanent 
caufes contributed to unite the vagrant Hords 
into national communities, under the command 
of 2s fupreme head. The weak were defirous of 
fupport, and the ftrong were ambitious of domi- 
nion ; the power, which is the refult of union, 
oppreffed and colle6led the divided forces of the 

adjacent 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 353 

adjacent tribes ; and, as the vanquilhed were chap. 
freely admitted to fliare the advantages of vie- , ^^^^ 
tory, the moft valiant chiefs haftened to range 
themfelves and their followers under the formi- 
dable flandard of a confederate nation. The 
moft fuccefsful of the Tartar princes aflumed the 
military command, to which he was entitled by 
the fuperiority, either of merit, or of power. He 
was raifed to the throne by the acclamations of 
his equals ; arid the title of Khan exprefles, in 
4;he language of the North of Afia, the full ex- 
tent of the regal dignity. The right of heredi- 
tary fucceffion was long confined to the blood of 
the founder of the monarchy ; and at this mo- 
ment all the Khans, who reign from Crimea to 
the wall of China, are the lineal defcendants 
of the renowned Zingis ^K But, as it is the 
indtfpenfable duty of a Tartar fovereign to lead 
his warlike fubje^s into the field, the claims of 
an infapt are often difregarded; and fome royal 
kinfman, diftinguilhed by his age and valour, is 
entrufted with the fword and fceptre of hiis 
predeceffor. Two diftin6l and regular taxes 
are levied on the tribes, to fupport the dignity 
of their national monarch, and of their peculiar 
chief; and each of thofe contributions amounts 



^' " See the fccond volume of the Genealogical Hiftory of the Tar- 
tars ; and the lift of the Khans, at the end of the life of Gengis^ 
or Zingis. Under the reign of Timur^ or Tamerlane^ one of his 
fubje^Sy a defcendant of Zingisy ftill bore the regal appellation of 
Khian : and the conqueror of Afia contented hunfelf with the title of 

, £mlrr or Sultan. Abulghazi, part v. c. 4. D'Herbeiot> Biblio- 
theqi^ Orientaley p. 878. 

VOL. IV. A A to 



354 THE DFCJLINE ANO fAhh 

C H A P. to the tythe, both of their property, Jvn4 of their 
^Y^' , ipoil. A Tartar fovereign enjoys the tenth part 
of thp wealth of his people; and a^ his own do- 
meftiq riches of flocks and hercjs ipcreiife in a 
much larger proportion, be is able plentifully to 
m^iptain the ruftic fplendour of his coqrt, to re- 
ward the mod deferving, or th^ moft favQured, 
of hi? followers, and to obtain,; from the gentle 
influence of corruption, the obedience which 
might be fometimes refufed to the ftern man- 
dates of authority. The inannerspf his fubje^s, 
accuftomed, like himfelf, to blood and rapipe, 
might qxcufe, in their ^yes, fuch partial afts of 
tyranny, ^s would excite the horror of ^ civilized 
people J but the pow^r of a defpot has never bepn 
ai^kpQwledged in . the deferts pf Scy thia. The 
immediate jurifdi£iion of the Khan is confined 
within the limits of bis own trib^ ; and the e^er- 
cife of his roy^l prerogative h^s bpen mpd^ratpd 
by tb§ ancient inftitution of a national council* 
Thq Cproultai 'S or Diet, pf thp T^rt^r^, was 
regularly held in the fpring and autumn, in the 
midft of a plain j where the princes pf the rpign- 
ingfamily,and the murfas of the relpe^ivp tribes, 
may conveniently aflemblp on hprfeh^ck, witb 
their martial and numerous trains ; ^p4 the fin)- 
bitious monarchjwho reviewed the ftrength, muft 
confult the inclination, of an arm^d people* The 

*♦ Sc^ the Diets of the ancient Huns (de Guignes, torn. ii. p. »6.), 
an(J a curipus defcriptipn of thofe of Zingis (Vie de Grengifcan, 
I. i. c. 6. 1. iv. c. II.). Such aflemblies are frequently mentioned in 
tiie Perfian hiftory of Timur ; though they ferved only to coi^nteaai^ce 
the refolutions of their mailer. 



©F THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 355^ 

rudiments of a feudal government may be dif- C ^ A p. 
covered in the conftitution of the Scythian or u^^IIj 
Tartar nations j but the perpetual confli6t of 
thefe hoilile nations has fometimes terminated in 
the eftablifliment ofa powerful and defpotic em- 
pire. The vi6lor, enriched by the tribute, and 
fortified by the arras, of dependent kings, has 
fpread his conquefts over Europe or Afia : the 
fuccefsful Ihepherds of the North have fubmitted 
to the confinement of arts, of Jaws, and of cities j 
i^nd the ihtrodu6lion of luxury, aller deftfoying 
the freedom of the people, has undermined the 
fqundations of the throne '^ 

The memory of p^ft events cannot long be Situation 
preferved, in the frequent and remote emigra^ ©f Sc^hu 
tions of illiterate Barbarians. The modern Tar- orTartary. 
tars are ignorant of the conquefts of their an- 
ceftors '^ J and our knowledge of the hiftory of 
the Scythians is derived from their intercourfe 
with the learned and civilized nations of th^ 
South, the Greeks, the Perfians, and the Chi- 
nefe* The Greeks, who navigated the Euxine, 
and planted their colonies along the fea-coaft, 
made the gradual and imperfe6l difcovery of 
Scythia ; from the Danube, and the confines of 
Thrace, as far as the frozen Maeotis, the feat of 

'^ Montefquleu labours to explain a dlfferencey which has not 
exiftedy between the liberty of the Arabs, and the perpetual fla- 
very of the Tartars (Efprit de Loix, 1. xvii. c. s* !• xviii^ c. 19, 

^ Abulghazi Khan, in the two iirft parts of his Genealogical 
Hiftory, relates the miferable fables and traditions of the tfzbek Tar-' 
tars concerning the times which preceded the reign of Zingis, 

A A a . eternal 



356 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, eternal winter, and Mount Caiicafus, which, in 
^^^^^' thelanguage of poetry, was defcribed as the utmoft 
boundary of the earth. They cielebrated, with 
iimple credulity, the virtues of the paftoral life'! : 
they entertained a more rational apprehenfion of 
the ftrength and numbers of the warlike Barba- 
rians '% who contemptuoufly baffled the immenfe 
armament of Darius, the fon of Hyftafpes '^ The 
Perfian monarchs had extended their weftem con- 
quefts to the banks of the Danube, and the limits 
of European Scythia. The eaftern provinces of 
their empire were expofed to the Scythians of 
Afia; the wild inhabitants of the plains beyondthe 
Oxus and the Jaxartes, two mighty rivers, which 
dire6l their courfe towards the Cafpian Sea. The 
long and memorableiquarrel of Iran andTouranis 
Aill the theme of liiftory or romance; the famous, 
perhaps the fabulous, valour of the Perfian heroes, 
'Ruftan and Asfendiar, was fignalized, in the de- 
fence of their country againft the Afrafiabs of 
•the North *°; and the invincible fpirit of the fame 

!' In the. thirtecntli book of the Iliad, Jupiter turns away his eyes 
from the bloody fields of Troy, to the plains of Thrace and Scythia. 
He would not, by changing the profpedl, behold a more peaceful or 
innocent fcene. 

** Thucydides, l.ii. c. 97, 

*' See the fourth book of Herodotus, When Dariut advanced 
intb^ the Moldavian defert, between the Danube and the Niefier^ the 
King c^the Scythians fent him a' itioi^ei a frog, a birdy and fivi^ aiy 
rows ; a tremendoiis allegor)' I 

^ Thefe wars and heroes may be found under thdr iti^^Uve 
titlejy in the Bibliotheque Orientale of D'Herbelot. They have been 
, celebrlted in an -epic poem of fixty thoufiind rhymed couplets, by 
Ferdufi, the Homer of Perfia, See the Hiftory of Nader Shaw, 
p. 145. 165. 7he public mufl laments Uiat Mr. Jones has fufpen^ed 
the purfuit of Oriental learning. 

-: \ ■ Barba- 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE* 



357 



Barbarians refilled, oathe fame ground, the vie- CH A P. 
torious arms of Cyrus and Alexander *^. In the J^) ^;^ 
eyes of the Greeks and Perfians, the real geo- 
graphy of Scythia was bounded, on the Eaft, by 
the mountains of Imaus, or Caf j and their diftant 
profpe6l of the extreme and inacceflible parts of 
Afia was clouded by ignorance, or perplexed by 
fidlion. But thofe inacceflible regions are the 
anclc^nt relidence of a powerful and civilized 
nation ", which afcends, by a probable tradition, 
above forty centuries*^; and which is able to 
verify a feries of near two thoufand years, by the 
perpetual teftimony of accurate and contenspo- 



" The CaTpuui fea* with its rivew, and adjacent tribes, are labo 
rioufly illulb-ated in the Examen Critique des Hiftoriens d' Alex- 
andre, which compares the true geography, and the errors produced 
by the vanity or ignorance of the Greeks. 

** The original feat of the nation appears to have been in thf 
North-weft of China, in the provinces of Chenfi and ChanO. Under 
the two firft dynafties, the principal town was ftill a moveable 
caunp ; the villages were thinly fi:attered ; more land was employed 
in pafture than in tillage ; the exercife of hunting was ordained to 
clear the country from wild beafts ; Petcheli (where Pekin ftands) 
was a defert ; and the Southern provinces were peopled with Indian 
favages. The dynafty of the Han (before Chrift 206) gave the 
empire its adlual form and extent. 

" The ara of the Chinefe monarchy has been varionlly^ fixed 
from 2952 to ai3Z years before Chrift; and the year 2637 has beent 
chofen for the lawful epoch, by the authority of the pr^fent £mpe« 
ror. The dift^fence arifes firom the uncertain duration of the two 
firft dynafties ; and the vacant fpace that lies beyond them, as far as 
the real) or fabulous, times of Fohi, or HoangtL fiematfien dates hit 
authentic chronology from the year 841 : the thirty- fix edipfes of 
Confucius (thirty-one of which have been verified) were obferved 
between the years 722 and 480 before Chrift. The biftorical ftrtod 
mi Chxtt do^s not ^feend above the Greek Olympiads* 

A A 3 rary 



35^ THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, rary hillorians**. The annals of China** iIIhC 
^y^' ^ tratc the ftate and revolutions of the paftotal 
tribes, which may ftill be diftinguifhed by the 
vague appellation of Scythians, or Tartars ; the 
vaflals, the enemies, and fometimes the con- 
querors, of a great empire ; whofe poHcy has 
uniformly oppofed the blind and impetuous va- 
lour of the Barbarians of the North. From the 
mouth of the Danube to the fea of Japan, the 
whole longitude of Scythia is about one hundred 
and ten degrees, which, in that parallel, are 
equal to more than five thoufand miles. The 
latitude of thefe extenfive deferts cannot be lb 
eafilj^ or fo accurately, meafured ; but, from 
the fortieth degree, which touches the wall of 
China, we may fecurely advance above a thou-^ 

^ After feVeral ages of anarchy and defpodfiny the dynaity cf 
the Han (before Chrift to6) was the aera of the revival 'of iearDing. 
The fragments of ancknt literatare were reflored ; the charad^m 
-were improved and fixed ; and the fiituie prefervatioh of books Wsl» 
Secured by the ufeful inventions of ink, papier, and the art of printiii^. 
Ninety-feven years before Chrifl, Sematlien publlihed the firfl hiftor^ 
of China. His labours were illilftrated, and continoedy by a reries of 
tme hundred and eighty hiitorians. The fubfiance of thdr work* is 
Itill extant ; and the moft confiderable of them are now depofitied iU 
the King of prance's library. 

's China has betii illufkjLted by the labouis of the French ; of 
the miffiotutries at Peking and Meflrs. Freret and De Guignes at 
Paris. The fubilance of the three preceding notes is extraiSbd fraia 
the Cbou^kingi with the preface and notes of M. de Guigoe^ Pui% 
X770. The Tong-Kien Kang-Mw^ tranilated by the P. de MaiOa, 
under the name of Hiii. Generate de la Chtoey tom.i. p.xlix.^^cc. 1 
the Memoires fur la Chine» Paris^ 177^ &c. ttmui. p. t — %%^. 
hmuiL p. '5-— '364 : the Hifloire des Huns» torn. i. p. x — X3i. tcttB.1r» 
i>-345 — 36a. s and the Memoires de TAcademie des Ii^Rx^tiaQfl^ 
torn. z. p. 377 — ^4o»i torn. XV. p. 495-^5 6a|« toot. XYiii, P.X78— 
395. tonuxxxvL p.i64«-a38. 



OF THE ROMAU EMPIRE. 35^ 

fand miles to the northward, till our progfefs iS <; ft A R 
flopped by the exceffive cold of Siberia. In that? ^^^^* 
dreary climate, inftead of the animated pi^Ure 
of a Tartar camp, the fmoke which iffues from 
the earthj or rather from the fnow, betrayiS^ the 
fubterraneous dwellings of the TongoufeS) and 
the Samoides : the want of horfes and oxen is 
imperfedlly fupplied by the iiffe of reiri-dfeer^ and 
of large dogs j and the conquerors of the earth 
infenfibly degenerate into a race of deformed 
and dimihutive favages, who tretl^ble at the found 
of arms *\ 

The Huns, who under the reign of Valens original 
threatened the empire of Rome, had been for* ^'J^ ^^ 
midable, in ^ much earlier period, to the empire 
of China -^ Their ancient, perhaps their origi- 
nal, feat, was an extenfive^ though dry and bar- 
ten, tra6t; of country, immediately on the north 1 
fide of the great wall. Their place is at prefent 
occtipited by the forty-nine Hords or Banners of 
the Mongousi apaftoral nation, Which confifts of 
^bout two hundred thoufand families **. But the 
valbul: of the Huns had extended the narrowlimits 
of tlifeir dominions ; and their ruftic chiefs, who Their coiv 
aflUtoed the appellation of Tanjxmy gmdually ^i^^^. "^ 
became the conquerors, and the fovereigns, of a ^ '** ' 

^ See the Hlfteire Omerale dee Voyag<sS| toimJtyia. and the 
GenealoglcsU Hiftoiy, vol. si. p. 690*-»66«« 

^ M. de Guignes (t9!n.n< p.ti — 24^) hits g^vm the origftiU 
hiftory of the ancient Hiong-nou> or Huns. The Chinefe gtegiupiiy 
9f their TouUfciy (torn* k paH iu p. Iv.^^Udii.)^ Ibcans to cdibptife a, 
part of thdir^coilqueftf. 

'* See ^DtthaIde(tom.iK {kx 8^-^65.) a circundbntiaii de&rip-^ 
. tioili vrith a cgrr^^ m^p^ of the country of the Mongoitti 

' . A A 4 formidahlo 



360 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP* fbfmidable empire. Towards the Eaft, iheir viC" 
^^^ ^ iorious arms were (lopped only by the ocean j and 
the tribes which are thinly fcattered between the 
Amppr and the extreme peninfida of Corea^ ad^^^ 
hered, widi relu6lance, to the ftandard of the 
.Huns. On the Weft, near the head of the Irtifli, 
and in the valleys of Imaus, they found a more 
ample ipace, and more numerous enemies. One 
of the lieutenants of the Tanjou fubdued in a fin- 
gle expedition twenty-fix nations ; the Igours% 
diftinguifiied above the Tartar race by the ufe o^ 
letters, were in the number of his vafials ; and, 
by the ftrange connexion of human events, the 
flight of one of thofe vagrant tribes recalled 
the vidtorious Parthians from the invafion <^ 
Syria*'- On the fide of the North, the ocean 
was aifigned as the limit of the power c^the Huns. 
Without enemies to refift their progrefs, or wit- 
nefles to contradi6t their vanity, they might fe- 
curely atchieve a real, or imaginary, conqueft of 
the frozen regions of Siberia. The Northern Sea 
was fixed as the remote boundary of their empire. 
But the name of that fea, on whole fiiores the pa- 
triot Sovou embraced the life of a fliepherd and 
an exile ^', may be transferred with much more 

'^ The Igoursy or Vtgoursy were divided into tbree branches ; 
hantersy ihepherds, and hnibandmen ; and the laft dafs was ^^i^^ 
'- by the two former. See Abcdghazit part iL c* 7. 

^ Memoires de rAcadnuie des Inlci^tioiiBy toau xzr. p. ij^.^^^, 
' The comprehenfire view of M. de Gu^aes has caaxpsaxd thde diA 
tant events- 

^' The fame of Sovon» or So-oa^ his merity and his finguhr ad- 
ventures, are fiill celebrated in China. See the Bloge de ^miVA^t^^ 
p. ao. and notes, p»a4<-^2i47M and Memoires fur la Chine, tooLiii. 

proba* 



PF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, 3^1. 

probability, to the Baikal, a capacious bafon,^ OcH A P^ 
above three hundred miles in length, which dif- y^^^^ 
dains the modeft appellation of a lake^% and .,,.•; 
Itvhich adlually communicates with the feas of the 
North, by the long courfeof the Angara, the 
Tongulka, and the Jeniffea. The fubmiffion of 
fo many diftant nations might flatter the pride o£ 
the Tanjou ; but the valour of the Huns could 
be rewarded only by the enjoyment of the wealth 
and luxury of the empire of the South. In the 
third century before the Chriftian aera, a wall of 
fifteen hundred miles in length was conftru6ted, 
to defend the frontiers of China againft the in- 
roads of the Huns ^^ ; but this ftupendous work, 
which holds a confpicuous place in the map of 
the world, has never contributed to the fafety of 
an un warlike people. The cavalry of the Tanjou 
frequently confifted of two or three hundred 
thoufand men, formidable by the matchlefs dex- 
terity with which they managed th^^ir. bows and 
their borfes ; by their hardy patience in fupport- 
ing the inclemency of the weather ; and by the 
incredible fpeed of their march, which was fel- 
dem checked by torrents, or precipices, by the 
deepeft rivers, or by the moft lofty mountains. 



»* See Ifbrand Ives, In Hams*» Collection) voLiL p. 931 • BeD's 
Travels^ voLi. p. 24 7 — 254; and Gmelin, in the Hift. 'Generale 
iies Voyages, torn, xviii. p. 283—329. They all remark the vulgar 
opinion, that the holyfea grows angry and tempeftuous, if any one 
tprefume^io call it a lake. This grammatical nicety often excites 2 
difpute, betMreen the abfurd fuperftition of the mariners» and the 
abfurd obfiinacy of travellers. 

^ The conftni^ion of the wall of China is mentioned by DuhaMe 
Xtom.ii. p. 45*) *>*<^ ^^e Guignes (torn, ii^ P'590» 

They 



36« ^HE DECLIKE AND FALL 

e H A F. They fpi-ead themfelves at Once over the face of 
i_. ^.Lf the country; and their rapid impetuolity fur- 
Theirwars prifed, aftoniflied, atid difconcerted the grave and 
Chtefe! elaborate taftibs of a Chinefe army. The Em^ 
antchrift, peror Kaoti ^% a foldier of fortune, whofe per- 
^°^* ibnal merit had raifed him to the throne, march* 
€d againll the Huns with thofe veterati troops 
which had been trained in the civil Wars of 
China. But he was fooii furrounded by the Bar^^ 
barians ; and after a liege of feven days, the 
monarch, hopelefs of relief, was reduced to pur- 
chafe his deliverance by an ignominious capitu- 
lation. The fucceffors of Kaotij whofe lives 
were dedicated to the arts of peace, or the lux- 
ury of the palace, fubmitted to a rtiore permanent 
dilgrace. They too haftily confefled the infuf- 
ficiency of arms and fortifications. They wer* 
too eafily convinced, that while the bla^itag fig- 
nals announced on every fide the approach of the 
Huns, the Chinefe troops, who flept With the 
helmet on their head, and the cuirafs ott their 
back, were deftroyed by the inceflant labour of 
ineffefilual marches ^^ A regular payment of 
money^ and filk, was fl;ipulated as the condttion 



^* See the Life of Lleoupang, or Kaotiy in the Hift. de la Chines 
imbKfhed at Pads, 1777? &c. tom.i. p. 44 2-^-5 2 ». This volumiaout 
V^ork is the tmnflation (by the P. de Mailla) of the Tong^Kien Kan^ 
Moth the celelHated abrid^pnent of the great Hifiory of Semakouang 
(A. D. 1084O aod hie continuators. 

^ See a fiieie and ample mtmoriah pi'efentM by a Mandarin to the 
Emperor Venti (befotie Chrift 180—157.) in Diihalde {tom.ii. p. 41a. 
—426.); from a coUedion of State papers, marked with the red' 
pencil by Kamhi himfelf (p. 384^-612.). Another memorial from 
the miniiier of war (Kang Aitm, torn. ii. I>»455») fuppliei fome 
curious circuxnUances of the manners of the HunSi, 



' OF THiE AOMAN feJ^fPIRJii 36^ 

of a temporary and precarious peace ; aiid the c H A A 
V^retched expedient of di%uifing a real tribute, ^X^* 
under the names of a gift or a fubfidy, was prac- 
tifed by the emperors of China, as well as by 
thofe of Rome. But there ftill remained a more 
difgraceful article of tribute, which violated the 
fecred feelings of humanity and nature. The 
hardlhips of the favage life, which deftroy iti 
their infancy the children who are born with a 
lels healthy and robuft conftitution, introduce a 
remglrkable difj)roportion between the numbers 
of the two fexes. The Tartars are an ugly and 
even deformed race ; and, while they confider 
their own women as the inftruiiients of domeftic 
labour, their defires, or rather their appetites, 
are direflied to thie enjoyment of more elegdnt 
beauty. A fele6l battd of the faired maidfenis of 
China was annually deVoted to the rude embraced 
of the Huns ^^ ; and the alliance of the haughty 
Tanjous was fecured by their marriage With the 
getauine, or adopted, daughters of the Imperial 
family, which vainly attempted to efcape the 
ficrilegious pollution. The fituatipti of thelb 
Titihappy vi6lims is defcribed in thie verfes of i 
Chinefe princefs, who laments that flie had beeri 
cottdemned by her parents to a difttot exile, 
under la Barbarian hulband; who complaitis that 
fotir milk was her only drink, rawflefhher only 
food, a tent her only palace ; dnd who e^preiTes, 
in a llrain of pathetic fimplicity, the natural wifh, 

^ A fupplf of women is meatumed as a cnftomaky article of 
txvaty and tribute (Hiil. de la Conquete de la Chine, pax te$ 'TaxiSWH 
Mu^tc^eom^i toni. L p. |$6> ^87. with the note of the editor). 

that 



XXVL 



and ^of 
the Huns. 



3^4 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H A P> that die were transformed into a bird, to fly back 
to her dear country ; the obje6t of her tender 
and perpetual regret". 

Decline Tlie conquefl^of China has been twice atchieve J 

by the paftoral tribes of the North : the forces 
of the Huns were not inferior to thofe of the 
Moguls, or of the Mantcheoux ; and their am- 
bition might entertain the moll languine hopes of 
fuccefs. But their pride was humbled, and their 
progrefs was checked, by the arms and policy of 
Vouti ^% the fifth Emperor of the powerful dy- 

Ant. nafty of the Han, In his long reign of fifty-four 

i4tlJ8-r. years, the Barbarians of the fouthem provinces 
fubmitted to the laws and manners of China : 
and the ancient limits of the monarchy were 
enlarged, from the great river of Kiang, to the 
port of Canton. Inilead of confining himfelf to 
the timid operations of a defenfive war, his lieu- 
tenants penetrated many hundred miles into the 
country of the Huns. In thofe boundlefs deferts, 
where it is impoflible to form magazines, and 
difiicult to tranfport a fuflBcient fupply of pro- 
vifions, the armies of .Vouti were repeatedly 
expofed to intolerable hardfhips: and, of one hun- 
dred and forty thpuland foldiers, who marched 
againft the Barbarians, thirty thoufand only 
returned in fafety to the feet of their mailer. 
Thefe loffes, however, were compenfated by 
iplendid and decifive fuccefs. The Chineie 

^ De Guignesy HlfL des Huns) torn. ii. p. 6%. 

^^ See the ragn of the Emperor Vouti> in the Kang-Mouy torn. ill. 
p. I — 9S. His various and inconfiftent chanuSler feems to be im- 
partially drawn. 

generals 



t)F THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 365 

genefals improved the fnperiority which they chap. 
derived from the temper of their arms, their ^^^ ^j 
chariots of M^ar, and the fervice of their Tartar 
tiuxiliaries. The campof theTanjouwasfurprifed 
in the midft of fleep and intermperance : and, 
though the monarch of the Huns bravely cut his 
way through the ranks of the enemy, he left above 
"fifteen thoufand of his fubjeds on the field of 
battle. Yet this fignal vi6lory, which was pre- 
ceded and followed by many bloody engagements, 
contributed much lefs to the deftru6lion of the ♦ 

power of the Huns, than the eife^ual policy 
which was employed to detach the tributary 
nations from their obedience. Intimidated by Ant. . 
the arms, or allured by the ^romifes, ofVouti ^^"^'^o; 
and his fucceflbrs, the moft confitlerable tribes, 
T)ath-of theEaftand of the Weft, (iifclaimed the 
'authority of the Tanjou. While fome acknow- 
ledged themfelves the allies or vaflals of the 
empire, they^al! became the implacable enemies 
of the Huns : and^the numbers of that haughty 
■people, as foon as 'they were reduced to their 
'native ftrength, itiii^ht, perhaps, have feeeri'con- 
'tained within the walls of ^ one of the great and 
populous cities of China ^^ 'The '^defertiiri of 
'his fubjedls; and the perplexity oF a civil 
^war, at length compelled the Tarijoii'hirihffdf to 
f renounce the dignity of an independehtfavereigti, 
'^ and the freedom of a warlike and high-fpiritiSl 

, • *?. This expreflion is ufed in the meinorial to the Emperor ;Venti 

^ {Duhalde» ,toip. ii. p. 417.). Without adopting the exaggerations 

^ of MarcchPcAo and Ifaac VolEus, we may rationally allow for. Peking 

two minions of inhabitants. The cities of the Souths which contain 

the mauufadlures of China^ are lUIl more populous* / 

^ - nation*: 



366 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, nation. He was received at Sigan» the capital 
v^-ilf ^^ '^® monarchy, hy the troops, the Mandarins, 
Ant. ^nd the Emperor himfelf, with all the honours 
Chrift, 51. that could s^dorq and dilguife the triumph of 
Chinefe vanity ^\ -4 magnificent palace was pre- 
pared for his reception ; his place was affigned 
above all the princes of the royal family ; and 
the patience of the Barbarian king was exhaufted 
by the ceremonies of a banquet, which confided 
of eight courfes of meat, and of nine folema 
pieces of mufic. But he performed, on his knees, 
the duty of a refpedlful homage to the Emperor 
of China ; pronounced, in his own name, and in 
the name of his fucceflTors, a perpetual oath of 
fidelity ; and gra^fuUy accepted a feal, which 
was befl:owed as the emblem of his regal depend- 
ance. After this humiliating fubmiffion, the 
Tanjous fometimes departed from their allegi- 
ance, and feized the favourable moments of war 
and rapine ; but the monarch of the Huns gra- 
dually declined, till it was broken, by ci\il 
diffenfion, into two hoftile and feparate king- 
A.D. 48. doms. One of the princes of the nation was 
urged, by fear and ambition, to retire towards 
the South with eight hords, which compofed 
between forty and fifty thouland families. He 
obtained, with the title of Tanjou, a convenient 
territory on the verge of the Chinefe provinces ; 
' apd his confl:ant attachment to the fervices of the 



^ See the Kang-Mouy torn. iii. p. Z50.9 and the rubfequest events 
binder the proper years* This memorable feftival is celebrated 
in the Eloge de Monkden^ and explained m a note 1^ the P. Oaubily 
p*89i 90* 



empire 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE- ^g^ 

empire was fecured by weaknefs, and the defire c H a P, 
of revenge. From the time of this fatal fchifm, ?^ y^' ^ 
the Huns of the North continued to languilh ' 
aboqt fifty years ; till they were opprefled on 
every fide by their foreign and domeilic enemies. 
The proud infcription *' of a column, erected on 
A Ipfty mountain, announced to pollerity, that ^ 
Chin^fe army had marched feven hundred miles 
into the heart pf their country. The Sieppi **, 
a tribe of Oriental Tartars, retaliated the injuries 
wluph they had formerly fufl^ained; rwd the 
power of the Tanjous, after a reign of thirteen A. D. 93. 
hundred years, was utterly deftroyed before the 
end of the firft century of the Chriilian aer^ ^K 

The fate of the vanquifhed Huns was diver- Their €mi. 
fified by the various influence of chara6ler and ^'^d' 
fituaition ^*. iVbove one hundred thoufand per- 100, &c, 
foqs, the pooreft, indeed, and the mo(l pufil- 
lanifnous, of the people, were contented to remain 
in their native country, to renounce their peculiar 
n^me and origin, and to mingle with the vic- 
toirious nation of the Sienpi. Fifty-eight hords, 
about two hundred thoufand men, ambitious of a 

*' This infcription was compofed on the fpoj: hj Pankouy PreCdent 
of the Tribunal of Hiftory (Kang-Mou^ torn. iii. p. 39 a.). Similar 
monuments have been difcovered in many parts of Tartary (Uiiloire 
d^Hunsy torn. ii. p. laz.). 

^' M. de Guignes (torn. i. p. 189.} has inferted a ihort account of 
the Sienpi. 

*' The «ra of the Huns is placed» by the Chinefe, laio years be- 
fore Chrift. But the feries of their kings ^oes not cQi^ineiice till 
the year 230. (Hift. desHuns* torn. ii. p. %im ia3.). 

^ The various accidents of the downfal and flight of the Huos 
are related in the Kang-Mou, torn, iii- p. 88. 91. 95, 139, &ۥ 
The fmall numbers of each hord may be aicribed tQ t^^ir Iqifet and 
4ivi(ipns« 

more 



36S THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, more honourable fervitude, retired towards the 
xxvi>^ South ; implored the protefilion of the emperors 
of China ; and were permitted to inhabit, and 
to guard, the extreme frontiers of the province 
6f Chanfi and the territory of Ortous. But the 
moft warlike and powerful tribes of the Huns 
maintained, in their adverfe fortune, the un- 
daunted fpirit of their anceftors. The Weftern 
world was open to their valour ; and they refolv- 
ed, under the condu6l of their hereditary chief- 
tains, to difcover and fubdue fome remote coun- 
try, which was ftill inacceflible to the arms of the 
Sienpi, and to the laws of China *^ The courfe 
of their emigration foon carried them beyond the 
mountains of Imaus, and the limits of the Chinefe 
geography ; but "we are able to diftinguiflr the 
two great divifions of thefe formidable exiles, 
which dire6led their march towards the Oxus, 
The {white and towards the Volga, The firft of thefe colo- 
Hum of -jjjgg eftablifhed their dominion in the fruitful 
and extenfive plains of Sogdiana, on the eaftern 
fide of the Cafpian : where they preferved the 
name of Huns, with^ the epithet of Euthalites, 
or Nepthalites. Their manners were foftened, 
and even their features were infenfibly improved, 
by the mildnefs of the clicnate, and their long re- 
. fidehce itl a flouriihitxg provihce ^% which might 

'\--:/'-:'"^";-;-'-';^"- :-•■•-••■• -^ . ftm 

' ^ M.de Guij;nes has ikilfuHy traced the footfteps of theH^ins 
through the vaft deferts of Tartary (torn. ii. p* I23, a77> &c. 

'345. &c.). 

^^ Mohandmedy, Sultan of Carizme, reigned. in Sogdiana* when It 

*wa9 invaded (A,D. iai8.) -by Zingig and his moguls. The 
Qrientja hiftoriaos (fee D'Herbelot, Petit de la Croix, ^.) cele- 



*)| TH2 apMAN EMPIRE* 3^1 

ftlli TetaiA a faint impraffioa of tke afts of c N a r 
Qreece ^^ The white Huois, a name whkk they ,^;^^ ^; ^ 
derive^ &om the x^h^i^ge ef their complexions, 
focm ab^ndo^ed the paitpral life ofScythk^, 
^orge, whichji ^nder the appellation of Cari^me^ 
has &!€£ enjoyed a temporary fplendonr, wa9 
Ittie refidepce ql^the king, who exercifed a legal 
autbGUrity over asv obedient people* Their Ijujif 
tiry wfM? fnaiHtained by the laboiar of th^ Sogt 
d^n$.} ^p^^tbe only veftige of their aneie«t bar* 
b^r|fm) waft the cuftgnfi which obliged alt th^ 
qqaf^papiQiaSi p^Fb^ps tjo the number of twenty* 
^ho h^4 fliare(} tb^? liberality of a wealthy lord^ 
t^ bQ b^iifid s^live in the fame grave '^^ Th$ 
vJQmty of th^ Huns to the provinceiB of Perfi^ 
j^nvolyed tihem in freqMent and bloody contefts 
with the. power of that monarchy. 3ut thej 
r^%e^ed, in peace, the faith of treati^^ in war* 
t^^e di^^tes of humanity ) ^ind thetr mf^aoor^fbli^ 
vi^oiy ov^F P^sofei*, or Firuz^ difplayed the 
|iu>d6ratio£i„ aa wdU as the valour,, of thie B&u^- 
jjspiaBja. Tbej^fiwrfdivifiooief their co4ffi rf*tiiJ^"°* 

jkhe: Hime^ who gjKadufldly advawc^ towards th« Voiga* 

brttte th^ ^pul«ti8 dties which he ruined^^ and th&fruitful countra 
which he deflated. In the next century, the fame provinces of 
^has£aisLi anj MMvnhwIr "vere: defcribed by^ Afaidfeda (Hud(bii,i 
Geograph. Minor, torn. iiL). Their, a(5tual mifery may be feen in 
^ Genealq^cal Hiftory of the Tartars, p. 4^3^ — 469* 

^^- Juftin (xM. 6.) has left: a fllort abridgment of the Greek king^ 
of Ba^triana. To their indnffary I fhouid alcribe the new and extrar 
Qcdlnary tradey which'tnMifpDCted the merchandizes of India into 
Europe, by the Oxus, the Cafpian, the Gyrus, the FhaHs, and the ; 
Euzine. The other ways, both of the land and fca, were poflfefled 
h^ iis» Seleucixle» and' the* Rdextnei^^ See I'Efprft^ det Lobi^ 

^ Brocopins de Bell. Perfico> L L c 3. p; 9* 

¥ot. IV. B B North- 



yjt THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. North-weft, were exercifed by the hardfhips of 
x xyi. ^ col(Jer climate, and a more laborious march: 
Neceffity compelled them to exi^hange the filkd 
of China; for the furs of Siberia ; the imperfe6t 
rudiments of civilized life were obliterate ; and^ 
the native fiercenefs of the Huns was exafperated 
by their intercourfe with the favage tribes, who 
were compared, with fome propriety, to the wild 
beails of the defert. Their independent fpirit 
foon rejefted the hereditary fucceffion of the 
Tanjous ; and while each hord was governed by 
its peculiar Murfa, their tumultuary council 
directed the public meafures of the whole natiom 
As late as the thirteenth century, their trandent 
I'efidence on the eaftern banks of the Volga, was 
attefted by the name of Great Hungary ^. In 
the winter, they defcended with their flocks and 
herds towards the mouth of that mighty river ; 
and their fummer exctirlions reached as high as 
the latitude of Saratoff, or perhaps the conflux of 
the Kama. Such at leaft were the tecent limits 
of the black CalmUcks ^^, who remained about a 
century under the protection of Ruffia; and who 
have fince returned to their native feats on the 
frontiers of' the Chinefe empire. The march, 
and the return, of thofe wandering Tartars, 

^ In the thirtewth pentury, the monk Rubruquls (who travefed 

the immenfe plain of Kipzak^ in his journey to the court of the 

Great Khan) obferved the reniarkable name of Hungaryy with the 

« traces of a common language and origin (Hifi, 4es Voyages, tom. yii. 

p. 269.). 

^^ Bell (vol. i« p* 29 — ZA»)f ^uid the editors of the Genealogical 
Hiftory (p. 559.)> have defcribed the Calmucks of the Volga in the 
beginning of the (ffefent century. 

- whofc 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 



371 



whofe united camp confifts of fifty thoufand CHAP, 
tents or families, Uluftrate the diftant emigra- ^ ^^^*^ 
tibns of the ancient Huns ^\ 

It is impoffible to fill the dark interval ^f ^^^^* 
time, which elapfed, after the Huns of the Volga ^^ 
were loft in the eyes of the Chinefe ; andbefoi'e 
they fbewed themfelves to thofe of the Romans. 
There is fome reafon, however, to apprehend, 
that the fame force which had ^fiven them from 
their native feats, ftill continued to impel their 
march towards the frontiers of Europe. The 
power of the Sienpi, their implacable enemies, 
which extended above three thoufand miles 
from Eaft to Weft ^% muft have gradually op- 
prefled them by the weight and terror of a 
formidable neighbourhood : and the flight of the 
tribes of Scythia would inevitably tend to increafa 
the ftrength, or to contrafil the territories, of the 
Huns. The harlh and obfcure appellations of 
thofe tribes would offend the ear,without inform- 

5 ■ This great trahfmigration of 300,000 Caln^ucks, or Toi^outSy 
happened in the year 1771. The original narrative, of Kien-long, 
the reigning Emperor of China^ which -was intended for the infcrip- 
tion of a <:olumn, has heen tranflated by the miifionaries of Pekia 
(Memoire fur la Chine, tonuL p. 401 — 4i8.)» The Emperor 
9ffe6is the imooth and fpadons language of the Son of Heaven^ and 
the Father of his People. 

^' The Kang-Mou (tom. iii. p*4470 afcribes to their conqueib 
a fpace of 14,000 lis. According to the prefent ftandard, 200 /ij (or 
aaore accurately 193^ are equal to one degree of latitude ; and one 
Engliih mile confequently exceeds three miles of China. But there 
axe firong reafons to believe that the ancient //' fcarcely equalled one- 
half of the modern. See the elaborate refearches of M.. d'Anville, a 
geographer, yrho is not a ihanger in any age, or climate, of the globe 
(Menioires de I'Acad. tom. ii. p. 125 — 50;*. Mefures Itineraires^ 
p. 154— x67-> 

BB 2 ing 



c H A P, ki^ tbe und^iAandiag^ of the reader ; but I ran* 
^^^^^^ sot fapprefs the very natuvat fi^ickm, tAutf the 
Huns of the North derived a coiifiderable rein«* 
fbrcemeitt from the rtu^i of* the dynafty of the 
Soirth, which in tfaecourfe of the third centttry^ 
ftiJ^itted to the draiiiiiattc^ Chinft; ^»tike 
braveil waii^iors marched* away iii feavcb ^'th^ 
£ree and adventurous countrymen : o^^thait, as 
they had been divided ^ prof^erity, they were 
eafily re-united by the eommon- h^rdlhips of 
their advei^ fortune^; The Huns^ with th^ 
flocks^ and herds, their wives and children, tbeit 
dependents and allies, w^e traniported to the 
Woft of the Volga, and«hey boldly advanced to 
invade the countoy of the Alani,.a paftoral people 
who occupied, or wafted^ an extenfive tra^ isS 
the deftrts of Scythia. The plains between the 
y^lga and^ the Tisuiais were covered witii the 
tents of the Alani, but their Mme and manners 
wese (Mbibdovei^ the wide extent of their con- 
quefts; and the painted tribes of the Agathyrfi 
and^Qeltmiwe^ confounded among theiJ« vaflaJs^ 
Tpward?. the Nortli ^^y pen^tr^d;ed ii^to: thft 
&oeen regions of Siberia, among the favages 
wJjo were accuftotned, i» t^if rage or hunger 
to the tafte of human flefli : and' their Southeni^ 
inroadis were pujhed as far a^ the confines of 
F^lli^ and lodia^^ The lai^ture o^ Sarimlic aud 

^ See the Hifioire des Huns, torn, ii; {>• l%s — 144* The iiibi^ 
^ent hiftoiy (p. 145 — 177.) of thi«e or four Hunnic dynafliei 
evidently, provesy t^at tbeir mardal fpliit was not impaired by a kun^ 
lefidence^in Chi&a* 

German 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 3^3 

German blood had ccmtiibuted to improve the « h A9. 
features of th€ Alatii, to wbitea their iWarthy ,. ^^* , 
^om^exionS) and to tiage t^r hmr wi^h a y^- 
lowijQi caft^ which is ieldeitt found in the Tartar 
race* They were Ids deibroied in tbeir ^eribafi, 
iefi bmti^ in their maanerfli, tiiao the Huos ; 
but they did not yield to thofe fbrimdable Bw- 
bamns in their martial and indejpeikkeBt fpirit; 
,m the love of freedom which rejeded even the 
vdk of doifiLeftic flaves ; and in the love of ^yf'm^, 
which confidered war and rapiae as ^ pkafare 
tod the glory of mankind, A naked iqyinetar, 
&&0d Ib the ground, was the <Hify obje^ of their 
religious worfliip ; the fcdps of their enemies 
^med the softly trapping's of their lierfes ; ^nd 
they viewed^ with pity and conten^pt^ the |>«ifil- 
lanimoHS warriors, who patiently ei^pefted the 
infirmitieB of age, and the torti^res of lii^ntig 
^ifeafe ^\ On the banks of the Tanaid^ tbe miU* 
tary f>owet cff the Hiuafs and the Alani eneowi* 
. Aered ^ch <ether with equal valour, biit with 
unequal fucce&. The Hnns prevailed >n the 
bloody coBteft : the King of the Alani was -flain ; 
and the remains of the vanqniflied ^iiation w^e 
difpeitfed by the ordinary alters^ative of flight or 
fubmifiion ^K A cokmy of exiles Ibwid a fecnre 

^ tJtqae hominibus quietis et pUddis otium eft voluptabilcy ita illos 
pericula juvant et bella. Judicatur ibi beatus qui in praelio profuderit 
stakaua : feMceai^ft etiam et foitultis HKMftibus nMmdo 'd^fro8» ut 
'degwiera «t igm^ f^onividk atrodbitt iriftaafttttr. We ¥nuft ^tihk 
H^tiif ^fhe cotupmcot^ o{/u0b men. 

*^ On iht fttbje^ ef \ht ALitl, fee Anunknut (xitki. «.)^ Jor- 

toHl.& p. ft7^> arid «lie Oenesdogicii li^rjr of iS^ Tartan 
(tom.ii*p«6z7.)b 

B B 3. refuge 



374 ^^'^ iifiCLlNfi AtfD FALL 

c H A ^. refuge in the mountainsof Caucafus, between tfe^ 
■L^^ ^ -L f ^"^^^6 ^^d the Gafpian ; where they ftill preferve 
their name and their independence. Another 
colony advanced with more intrepid courage, 
towards the fliores of the Baltic ; affoeiated 
themfelves with the Northern tribes of German/; 
and fhared the ipoil of the Roitiari provinces of 
Gaul and Spain^ But the greateft part of the- 
nation of the Alani embraced the offers of an 
honourable and advantageous union ; and the 
Huns, who elleemed the valour of their left 
fortunate enemies, proceeded, with an increafe 
of numbers and confidence, to invade the limits 
of the Gothic empire^ 
Hetfvic- The great Hermanric,. whofe dominions ex- 

!h^ gS *®^d^d ^^^^ *^ B^^t^^ *^ *h^ Euxine, enjoyed, 
A.D. 375. in the full maturity of age and reputation, the 
fruit of his viftories, when he was alarmed by 
the formidable approach of an hoft of unknown 
enemies ^% on whom his barbarous fubje6ls might, 
without injuftice, beftow the epithet of Barba- 
rians. The numbers, the ftrength, the ra'pid 
motions, and the implacable cruelty of the Huns, 
were felt^ and dreaded, and magnified, by the 
aft oniflied Goths ; who beheld their fields and 
villages confumed with flames, and deluged with 
indifcriminate flaughter. To thefe real terrors, 

^^ As we are 'poflefTec! of the authentic Klftoqr of the Huns* it 
would be impertinent to repeat, or to refute, the fables, which nuf- 
reprefent their origin and progrels, their paiF^ge of the mud or Water 
of the Msotis, in< purfuit of an ox or ftag, les Indes quails avoient 
decouvertes, &C. (Zofimps, Liy.p. ai4« Sozotnen, Lvi. c, 37. 
IVocopius, Hifi. Mifcell. c. 5. Joroandesy c. ft4. Graadeur et 
Decadence} &c« des Romains, c. i;.)^ 

the/ 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 375 

tliey added, the furprife and abhorrence whicli c H A P^ 
were excited by the Ihrill voice, the uncouth ^^^' 
geftures, and the ftrange deformity, of the Huns. 
Thefe favages of Scythiawere compared (and the 
pi6lure had fome refemblance) to the animals 
who walk very awkwardly on two legs> and to 
the mitflrapen figures, the Terminiy which were 
often placed on the bridges of antiqjiity. They 
were diftinguifhed from the reft of the human 
fpecies by their broad fboulders, flat nofes, and 
fmall black eyes, deeply buried in the head j; and 
as they were almoft deftitwte of beards, they never 
enjoyed either the manly graces of youth, or the 
venerable a{pe6l of age ^\ A fabulous origin 
was affigned worthy of their form and manners; 
that the witches of Scythia, who, for their foul 
and' deadly pradtices, had been driven from 
fociety, had copulated in the defert with infernal 
fpirits ; and that the Huns were the offspring of 
this execrable conjun6tion ^^, The tale, fo full 
of horror and abfurdity, was greedily embraced 
by the credulous hatred of the Goths ; but, while 
it gratified their hatred, it increafed their fear; 
fince the pofterity of daemons and witches might 
be fuppofed to inherit fome Ihare of the prseter- 



'7 Prodigi<^sa6 f^rmsey et pandi ; ut bipedes exiilimes beftias ; vel 
quales in commarginandis pontibus^ effigiatl ftipites dolantur Incompti. 
Ammian. xxxi. i. : Jornandes (c. 24.) draws a flrong caricature 
of a CalmUck face. Species pavenda nigredine .... quaedam 
. defomus oiCiy non facies ; habenfque xnagis pundU quaxa lumina* See 
Buffbn, Hift. Naturelle» tom- iii* p* 380. 

^^ This execrable origin^ which Jotnandes (c» 7,/^*), defcribes- with 
the rancour of a Goth^ might be originaUy derived from a. more 
pfeafing fable of the Greeks (Herodot 1. iv. c. 9> &c.), . 

B B 4 natural 



376 THE DECLINE ANfi tkt.L 

CHAP, naturifd poWetB^ as well as of the toaligMM itSh* 
^^^^* per of their parents, Againfl thefe efiemies, 
Hermanric prepared to exert the united forceli 
of the Gothic ftate; but he icon diibo^ered that 
his vaffiil tribes, provoked by oppreffion, were 
much more inclined toiecond, than to repd, the 
invafion of the Huns, One of the chiefs of the 
Roxolani'^* had formerly defelrted the ftandard of 
Hermanric, and the cruel tyrant had condemned 
the innocent wife of the traitor to be torn afim« 
der by wild horfes. Tlie brothers of that uhfor* 
tunate woman feized the favourable moment of 
tevenge. The aged King of the Ooths languiflied 
ibme time after the dangerous woubd which 
he received from their daggers } but the conduift 
of the war was retarded by his infirmiti^h; axid 
the public councils of the isation were diftra^ed 
by a fpirit of jealouiy and diftroird. His death, 
which has been imputed to his own deQ)air, Iteft 
Ihe reins of govemmeiit in the hands of Within 
taer, who, with the doubtful aid of fome Scythiail 
Mercenaries, maintained the unequal conteft 
againft the arms of the Huns and the Alani,till he 
was defeated andilain, in a decifive battle. The 
Oftrogoths fubmitted to their fate : and the royal 
race of the Amali will hereafter be found among 
the fubjefts of the haughty Attiia. But the per* 
fon of Witheric, the infant king, waa faved by 

*' The Roxohmi may be flie fethew 6f (ht !»»)?, t!» Ibtfims 
(d'AnvUle, Empire de Ruffie, p. i — io.)»^ofc refidettce (A. D. Ma,) 
about Novogrod Veliki camiot be very remote frtm that which the 
Ceographer of Ravema (i. !%• W. 4. 46* T« «9. 30.) afllgxtt to tfale 
RoxoUni (A. D. 886.> 

the 



OF THE ROMAN £Mt>mi:. y^ 

tliedi%eBce(^Akdrew3ai)dSap}ii^^ tw^'mx^^ C«AR 
fiwra of ap|m>ved vulottr and :fideiity j ^ho^ by > J^^*j 
cautious marches, conduifted the ind^ependent 
]:«aiains d the nation of the O^mgofbB towardl 
the Danaftus, or Nrefter ; a coniiderable river, 
ln^faich now feparates the Tuikiih dominions &ottl 
Ihe '^npire of Auffik. On the banks of the Ni«» 
^fter^ the prudent Atfaanartc^ more attentive to 
his own than to the general fiufety, had fiited the 
camp of the Vifigoths ; with the firm refelatioft 
bf oppofing the victorious BatbariaiKs^ whom tie 
diottght it left adviiabie to pn^voke« The ordi>- 
ciarylpeed of the Han$ was checked by the weight 
''f baggage^ and the «hcumtoance df captives; 
hat their military ikill deceivied^ ^md almoft de^ 
ftroyed, the army of Athanaric* While the jiidge 
tifthe¥i%oths defended the batiksoftheNiefler, 
lie wM encompafied and attacked by a numerous 
detachment of cavalry, who, by the light of the 
moon^ bad pafled the river in a fordable place; 
and, it was not without the ntmoft efforts of CDtt- 
«ige and conduct, that he was able to effedt his 
.xeteeat towards die hilly country. The undaunt- 
^ general had akeady formed a new and judi* 
«iou6 plan of defenfive war ; and the ilrot^ lines, 
ivhich he was preparing to conllru^ between the 
«i<HiBtainS| the Prut^ and the Danube^ would 
^ave fecured the extenfive and fertile territory 
iliat bears the modern name of Walac^a, from 
the deftru^live inroads of the Huns ^. j^tthe 

^ Tlie ttxt bf jUmtnia&ud l^ems t6 ht imperJFed or comipt ; 
Ifttt tSie nature of &e gtotooA ^Mob, knd almoft dtfines, the Go- 
lifeic ramtoxt. Meioiim de rAcadettde* &ct tonu xxvuL p. 444-^ 

hopes 



J7$ THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP* hope? and meafiires of the judge of the Vifigothi^ 
^^?^*,f ^^^^ ^^^^ difappointed, by the trembling impa- 
tience of his difitiayed countrymen ; who were per- 
fuaded by their fears, that the interpofition (rf'the 
Dailubd was the only barrier that could fave them 
from the rapid purfuit, and invincible valour, of 
the Barbarians of Scythia. Under the command 
of Fritigern, and Alavivus*', the body of the na- 
tion haftily advanced to the banks of the great 
river, and implored the prote6lion of the Roman 
Emperor of the Eaft* Athanaric bifnfelf, lliH 
anxious to avoid the guilt of perjury, retired with 
a band of faithful followers, into the mountainous 
country of Caucaland ; which appears to have 
been guarded^ and almoft concealed, by the im- 
penetrable forefts of Tranlylvania***. 
^Gotht After Valens had terminated the Gothic war 
^fpZ- ^^'^ ^^"^^ appearance of glory aitd fuccefs, he 
teaion of made a progrefs through his^ dominions of Afi^, 
a!1d '' 6 ^^^ ^' length fixed his refidetice in the capital of 
' Syria, The five years*' which he fpent at An- 
tioch were employed to wMch, from a fecure 
diftance, the hoflile defigns of the Perfian mo- 
narch ; to check the depredations of the Saracens 
and Ifaurians*^^ ; to enforce, by arguments more 

^' M. de Buat (Hid. des Petiples de TEurope, torn, vi, p. 407*) 
has conceived a ftnmge idea^ that Alavivu$ was the iame^ribn as 
UlpHilas the Gothic biihop : and that Ulphilasy the grandfon of % 
Cappadocian captive) became a temporal prince of the Goths. 

.^' Ammianus (xxxi. 3.) and Jomandes (de Rebus Getieisy c a4«} 
dcicribe the fubverfion of the Gothic empire by the Hunr. 

*^ Th6 chronology of Ammianus is obfcure and impeifeft. Til- 
lemont has laboured to clear and fettle the Annals of Valens. 

^ Zofimil8> 1. iv. p. 223. Sozomen» I. vL p. 38. The Ilauriansy 
each winter, infefted the roads of Afia Minor, as far as the neigh- 
bourhood of Coiifbuitinople. Bafil^ Epifi. ceL apud Tilliemont, Hift. 
des Smpereursy torn, v* p. xo6« 

pr«valei^ 



6F the ROMAl^ BMPIRi;- 375 

pfeV^ent than thofe of reafon and eloquence, the chap* 
• 'belief of the Arian theology ; and to fatisfy his ^_; ^_^y^*^ 
anxious fufpidons by the promifcucrus execution 
of the innocent and the guilty; But the atten- 
tion of the Emperor was moft ferioufly engaged, 
by the important intelligence which he received 
from the civil and military officers who were ' 

entrufted with the defence of the Danube, He 
was informed, that the North was agitated by a 
funous tempeft j that the irruption of the Huns, 
an unknown and mohilrous race of favages, had 
fubverted the power of the Goths j and that the 
fuppliant multitudes of that warlike nation, whofe 
-pride was now humbled in the dull, covered a 
fpace of many miles along the banks of the river. 
With out-ftretched arms, and pathetic lamenta- 
tions, they loudly deplored their pad misfor- 
tunes and their prefent danger ; acknowledged, 
. that their only hope of fafety was in the clemency 
of the Roman government ; and moft folemnly 
protefted, that if the giacious liberality of the 
. Emperor would permitthem to cultivate the wafte 
. lands of Thrace, they fhould ever hold themfelves 
c bound, by the ftrongeft obligations of duty and 
gratitude, to obey the laws, and to gUard tlje 
limits of the republic* Thefe affurances were 
confirmed by the ambafTadors of the Goths, who 
impatiently expelled from the mouth of Valens, 
an arifwer that miift finally determine the fate of 
their unhappy countrymen. The Emperor of the 
Eaft was no longer guided by the wifdom and 
authority of his elder brother, whofe death hap- A.D/3^// 
pened towards the end of th^ preceding year : °^' ^'' 

and 



5«to THE DECLINE AND FALL 

O&AP. ftlidnthediftre&fiil fituftti<m^tb6 0<^8 re- 
^^?^* . quired an inftant and {>^t>ei»ptoiky detifi^m, hb 
was deprived of the £ivourit6 refburee x)£ £deb}e 
and timid minds ; who confider the nfe of dilate^ 
4nd ambigttous meafiires as the moft adfmrable 
i^ffiyrtsof cbnfiMnmatepnidence. Aslongastfafe 
fine paffions a(nd interefts fiftbfiib amon^ matt- 
icind, the qu^ftiions of wair and pedce, of|<iftice 
9tnd policy^ wbich were debated iik the coiineils 
^f antiquity, will frequently prefait tbeaiftlveB 
aus the fubje£t of modem ddl&eratioo. But the 
moft eltperienced ft&tdftnan of £nrope has neVer 
t)eeAifummoned lo confidfer the propriety; <>r ihe 
danger, of ^witeitting, or receding, an kiftMse^ 
4tible multitude dT Barbarjians, who are driven bjr 
*dd^air ^and hiuiger to foUcit a iHtlement oti the 
territories of a civilisoed oMion. Whet thatiia- 
portant propoiition, fo ^fienticdfy tofmisifted mtb 
the public &fety, was lefistred to the inmifterB t)f 
Val^s, they WiBre peiplexed andtliviAed; but 
they foon acquiefoed in the fluttering lialUiiment 
Which feemed the moft favourable to the prtde, 
the indolence, and the aviarioe of their foveneqg*. 
The Saves, who were decorated with the rtidis 
df prdBfefts and genentib, diflembled or tliiregftrd- 
$d the terrons of this natioa^ emigration ^ £> 
extremely di&rent from the partial and aeci. 
dental colonies, whidi had been receive on «he 
extreme Mmiis of the empore. Buttiieyapplauded 
the liberality of Ibrtnne, which had cftadnSed, 
from the moft diftaUt countries of the globe, a 
numerous and invinciUe army of ftrangerb, to 
defend the tto^^ of Valiois; nrfao might now add 

to 



OJ THE. ROZCAJA EMFfRS^ 38 1 

1)^ tbevoyal treafitres^ the iminence ftms of gold char 
liippltfid by the {HX^viiieiah to. comfidB&tt Urns ,^J^ 
smiual proportiont q£ recrvdts. The pt ayers of 
Ito Goths were granted, and theic &rvice was , 
wcepted by the Imperiial court : and oiders were 
lounediateLy di%atched to the civil and military 
gmemM& of die Thracian daocefe, to m^e the 
Bsceflaiy preparations for the paflage and fbb- 
fiftence of a great people, till a proper and fa£- 
ficieait territory could be dotted for their future 
sefidence. The liberality of the Emperor was 
accompanied, however, with> two barih and n- 
gOFQua eonditions, which prudence might juftily 
en the fide of the Romans; but which diftrefd 
abne could extort from the ifidignant Gotbs. 
Befose th^ pafled the Danube, they were re* 
quiji^ed to:ddiver their arm$ : and it was infifted, 
that their children ibould be taken from them, 
and difper£bd through the prorinces o€ Afia } 
where they might be civilized by the arts of edu- 
ration, and ferve as hoftages to fecuve the fidelity 
of their paKXKts. 

Burittg this firfpenie of a doubtful and diftant T^ ^ 
negociation, the impatient Goths made fome edow** ^ 
iwik attiempt3 to pafs t^ D^iidi>e» without the the Djh 
permiffion of the government, whojfe prote6fcion ^J'r^i 
they bad implored^ Their, oiotions were ilri£ily emi»re. 
d^ftrved by the vigilance ef the troops wliich; 
were ftationed along the river j and their fore- 
moft detachments were defeated with confidera^ 
IdfeifliMightAr : yet inch wene^the timid councils of 
the reign of Valens, that the brave oflScers who 

had 



jgl THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, had ferved their country in the execution of tbehr 
^^^' duty, were puniflied by the lofe of thieir employ- 
mente, and narrowly efcaped the lois of their 
heads. The Imperial mandate was at length 
received for tranQ>orting over the Danube the 
whole body of the Gothic nation** ; but the ex- 
ecution of this order was a tafk of labour and 
diflSculty. The flream of the Danube, which in 
thofe parts is above a mile broad^, had been 
fwelied by inceflant rains ; and, in this tumultu- 
ous paflage,many were fwept away, anddrowned, 
by the rapid violence of the current. A large 
fleet of veflels, of boats, and of canoes, was pro- 
vided : many days and nights they pafled and 
repafied with indefatigable toil ; and ttie moft 
ftrenuous diligence was exerted by the officers of 
Yalens, that not a fingle Barbarian, of thofe who 
were referved to fubvertthefoundationsof Rome, 
jhould be left on the oppofite fhore. It was 
thought expedient that an accurateaccountfhould 
be taken of their numbers ; but the perfons who 
were employed foon defifted, with amazement 
and difmay, from the proiecution of the endlefi 

^^ 'f he paflkge of the Danube is expofed by Ammianus (xxxL 
3, 4.), Zofimus (1. iy. p. 2339 a»4*)^ Eunapius in Excerpt* Legat. 
(p. I9> 2o.)» and Jornandes (c. 25* a6.). Ammianus declares (c. S')f 
that he means only^ ipias rerum digeren /ummitatesm But he often 
takes a falfe meafuce of their importance ; and his fuperfluous proHxtty 
IS difAgreeably balanced by his unfeafonable brevity. 

^ ChiihulU a curious travellery has remarked the breadth of thi 
Danube, which he palled to the fouth of Bucharefty near the coDr. 
flux of the Aigiih (p. yj.). He admires the beauty and fpontaneous 
plenty of Mssiiat or Bulgaria. 

15 and 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, 383^ 

and i.isipra6Ucableta{k^': and' the principal hit CHAP. 

XXVL 

tori^n of the age mod feriouily affirms, that the 
prodigious armies of Darius and Xerxes, which 
had fo long been confidered as the fables of vain 
and credulous antiquity, were now juftified, in 
the eyes of mankind, by the evidence of fa6l and 
experience. A probable teftimony has fixfed the 
number of the Gothic warriors at two hundred 
thoufandmen ; and if we can venture to add the 
juft proportion of women, of children, and of 
Haves, the whole ma& of people which compofed 
this formidable emigration, mud have amounted 
to near a million of perfons, of both fexes, and of 
all ages. The children of the Goths, thofe at 
leaft.of a diftinguifhed rank, were Separated from 
the multitude. They were condufiled, without 
delays to the diflant feats affigned for their refi- 
<lence and education ; and as the numerous train 
of hoilages or captives pafled through the cities,, 
their gay and fplendid apparel, ^their robuft and 
martial figure, excited the furprife and envy of 
the provincials. But the ftipulation, the mod 
oflfenfive to the Goths, and the mod important 
to the Romans, was fliamefuUy eluded. The 
Barbarians, who confidered their arms as the en«. 
£gns of honour, and the pledges of fafety, were 
difpo&d to oifer a price which the lud or avarice 
of the Imperial officers was eafily tempted to 

*^ Quern (i fcire velit, Libyci velit squoris idem 
Scire quam multae Zephyro trudimtur hareme. 
Ammianus has inferted^ in his profcy thefe lines of Virgil (Geor* 
gie. \»n,)i originaHy deiigned by the poet to expreis the impof- 
dbSlfty of miinbenng the different Torts of tiaes. See Plin. Hift* 
Natwr. L xir; 

accept. 



3^4 tHs OBcbmc Atm sAtt 

c H A F. accept* To prefarve theiir tvm^ tte haugb^ 
^-^^^^ warriors conSkwAed^ with fome relttftaDce^ tor 
proftitute tlfteir wives o? ttkir dajL^htovs,} dici 
chavma of a beAutaous tnaid^ or a cottely bof ^ 
&cured the eonn^WKfCa e£ the ia^eActrs } wko 
ibinetiaie$« e^ an eye of ciMretoiiAie& on tiie 
£niig«^ caipetar MdUnen gamfMnts of their ne# 
alHes ^% or wfao^ facrificed their duty to the tnewm 
confidieifatioiiof fiUtng their iamahwith eaittle, and 
tbetr houfes with flave&< The Gctth^ with armsi 
in their hands, were permitted taentw the hoats;^ 
and when their ftrength waa eofieAed on the 
other fide of the livvr, the kamuBmStcmap wkicb 
was. %Hread over the plains and the hills ctf t&e^ 
Lower Ma^a^ afEimied a threatening and evea 
beAilfi afpe^ii. The leaders of the Oftrogotbs, 
Alathfins and Sapfarax, the guardians of their 
infaitf king» appeared fibion aftevwards on tbc* 
^bl^hecn banks of the Daiiids^e^ andinsaifidi»keip 
(^lafe^^ their anhaflkdors to^ the eourt of Ajb^ 
tioch» to fidicit, with the fame profeffiims of alk^ 
giaace and gratitude^ the fania favour whseii Inub 
beengprantedtothefupiiliant Vifigothe. T&sab*' 
fehite rofii&I of Ya&9iaiaQ>e0ded their pro^effiv 
and diibivefed the: repestance^ the hit^^etQUBr 
and the. fears, of the Impeinal ooxtncil^ 
Their dif- Aft ifodi&ipliiifid and imfettled nation of Bar^ 
du^ntent. I'lviaas tetfuirod thft fiiane^ temper, and thr 

' moil dexterous management. The daily fab- 

» 

wtaUbiaiidliupaiTu Y^ it louft hm foofiupodr ttwyt 4)rjr wwv ^ 
mMiirfa^bii|». of thf. jf^ormicui, wlik;h.the Biu1ftanaiii.]Niii 9cqfmt- 
as the fpoilt of war ; or as the ^£bh <** merchandize of ymp^ 

lo Silence 



6r l^HE ROMAN EMPIRE; 385 

fiftence of near a million of extraordinary fubjefiis g H A P. 
could be fupplied only by conftant and ikilful , ^^^' 
diligence, and might continually be interrupted 
by miftake or acddent. The infolence, or the 
indignation of the Goths, if they conceived them- 
felves to be the objedbs, either of. fear, or of 
contempt, might urge them to the mofldefperate 
extremities ; and the fortune of the ftate feemed 
to depend on the prudence, as well as the inte- 
grity, of the generals of Valens; At this im- 
portant crifis, the military government of Thrace ' 
was exercifed by Lupicinus and Maximus^ in 
whofe venal minds the flightefl hope of private 
emolument outweighed every confideration of 
public advantage ; and whofe guilt was only alle- 
viated by their incapacity of difcerning the per- 
liicious effects of their raih and criminal admini-^ 
llration» Inftead of obeying the orders of their 
Sovereign, and fatisfying, with decent liberality^ 
the demands of the Goths, they levied an unge- 
nerous and oppreffivetax on the wants of the 
hungry Barbarians. The vileft food was fold at 
an eiitravagant price ; and, in the room of whole- 
feme and fubllantial provifions, the markets were 
filled with the flelh of dogs, and of unclean ani- 
mals, who had died of difeafe. To obtain the 
valuable acquifition of a pound of bread, the 
Goths tefigned the poffeffion of an expenfive^ 
though ferviceable, flavej andafmall quantity 
of meat was greedily purchafed with ten pounds 
of a preqiouSj but ufelefs, metal^ When their 

property 

^ Decern iibras; the wdrd^/vrr muft be underftood. Jomandes 

betrays the, paffiops and prejudices of a Goth. The fervile Greeks^ 

vol,. IV, cc ' Eunapiu* 



386 THE DECLINE. AND FALl . 

CHAP, property was exhouftedv tbey contdnued this ne- 
^^^^ eeflTiry traffic by the fale of their finis and daiigl»^ 
fers ; and hotwithftahdxng the love of freedooiy 
which ammated every Gothic breaft, they firf>- 
iattted to the htrmiUaitiQ^ maxim^ that it was 
Ibetter jfor their children to be mainltaiBed in a 
fervile ceiiditiMfy than to per^ ia a iibate of 
Ivretched aiid helplefs indiqiendence. The nuyft 
lively ri^entment is eaceited by the tyranny of 
pretfflided bene£iD9!ors, who flernly exa£b the debt 
of gratitude which they fa^ve cancelled fay fub-^ 
jfequent injuries : a ^irit of difconlient infeofibljr 
xofk in the eaiiipof the Baf^barians^ who pleaded, 
witfaoat fticcefi, the merit of their patient aad 
dutiful behaviour; and loudly eompkined of 
the.inhoQiitable treatment which they bad re* 
eeived irom.their newallie^4 They bdield around 
t&em the wealth and pdeniy of » fei^tiie province, 
in the midftof whieh theyfoffisi^ed the intolerafali^ 
hsrdfliipB of aElificial faming. But the means of 
relief aotd evai df revenge^ were in thsic hands*; 
fince the mpaciDnfiie&: ctf their tyraiitft had lef%^ 
to; ah injufied:peaple9 the piaffeffion and the ufe 
of arms. Tlie clainauTjsicif a multitude, un*. 
taught todifgu^e their fetithnents^ announisedilie 
fidft iymptom^ of refiftancd^ and alarmed the 
timid and guilty minds of Lupicinua and Maa&- 
inuisu Thofe craify miniftexs^ tyho ibbflituted 



Eimaphis^nd ic/flmu§, difgtiift tRfe' Homatt oppreflkm^ arid e*ecrat« 
the perfidy of tQe Barb^ians. Aithnianus) 3 patric^ luftbiiany Gl^hAj^ 
and reluiftantly, touches on the odious fubjedt. * Jerom, wh6 wrote 
alraofl .on tbe fpoty is fair, though concife. Per avaritiam Maximi 
dncisy^idrebeUionem fame toa&i Amt (in Chron.}.. 

2 the 



OF THE ROMAK EMPIIIH.^ 3«; 

the eunmogfi)iF temporary eixpedtei^ts to l^Q^rtfe ch a v. » 
aod falotery cotmeil^of giw>OTal pfllicy^jittefspted . J^^,, 
to r^^move the Goths from th w daogepops ilfttmri 
on the irontiers of the empire ; and to difp^rfe^ 
th#min'fep»rateqoj|Ptertof piifitoftirieftts thrpugh 
the ii>twor pr avince^r A» tti^^y l^^re UQnfcim^ ^ 

bow ill they h^d dffe^yed themliiefik, or coon 
fidefice, ol* the Barbarizing they diJigeBtly col- « 
l^eii, from every fide, * miUSa4?y force, that * 
might urge the tardy and relujftg&nt march of a 
p#c^)e, whQ had not yet reBoancJed^ the^ title, or 
the dttti«j, of Kemai) iUhj^su Bdt the geaer*l$ 
of ValeOT, white their attention wa* folely di* 
rej^ed to the difcontentedVi6goth^„ imprudently 
dfifermed the fljips and the fortific^ion$ which 
coniftitttted the defence of the D»»ube* The 
fptal jQTer&ght was obferyed^ #iid improYed^ by 
Alatbetws asid Sapbrax,' who anxioofiy watehftft: 
thefavouambte moment of eib^ping from thepwr^ 
fiiit of tine Hun9. By the hielp of iiach raft9 alad 
veflfeb a3 coukl be haftily procured^ th^e leader^) ' 
of the Oftregotks tran^orted, without pppofi-* 
tioa, their King mid their army ; ? a»d bi^dly 
fixed; an hoftiie and independent camp on thi^> 
territories of tlie empire ^"^i i . 

Uader tfce name ^f^j^dgesi, Alavivus aad: Fri-) Revolt of 
tigern were the h^d&rsof the Vifigofehs in pem& Z^M^tl 
and war ;-andr the authority which they derived and their 
firiom ibecr birth, was ratified by the free confent ^^"^'^^ 

tones* 

of the natioBu In a feaibn of traia^iHityy their 
ponr^r might have ^en equal, a(S weii as thdir 

'' Ammiauus, xxxi. 4, 5. 

c c 2 rank 5 



388 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, rank ; but, as foon as their countrymen were 
exasperated by hunger and oppreffion, the fupe- 
rior abilities of Fritigem afliimed the military 
command, which he was qualified to exercife 
for the public welfare. He reftrained the impa- 
tient fpirit of the Vifigoths, till the injuries and 
the infults of their tyrants Ihould juftiiy their 
refiftance in the opinion of mankind : but he was 
not difpofed to iacrifice any folid advantages for 
the empty praife of juilice and moderation. 
Senfible of the benefits which would refult from 
the unioh of the Gothic powers under the fame 
flandard, he iecretly cultivated the friendlhip of 
the Oftrogoths ; and while he profefled an im- 
plicit obedience to the orders of the Roman 
generals, he proceeded by flow marches towards 
Marcianopolis, the capital of the Lower Msfia, 
about fevenjty miles from the banks of the Da- 
nube. On that fatal fpot, the flames of difcord 
and mutual hatred burfl forth into a dreadful 
conflagration. Lupicinus had invited the Gothic 
chiefs to a fpendid entertainment; and their 
martial train remained under armsat the entrance 
of the palace. But the gates of the city were 
fl;ri£l;ly guarded, and the Barbarians were fliernly 
excluded from the uie of a plentiful market, to 
which they afiTerted their equal claim of fubje& 
and allies. Their humble prayers were reje6ted 
with infolence and derifion; and as their pa- 
tience was now exhaufted, the townfmen, the 
fbldiers, and the Goths, were foon involved in a 
confli^ of paffionate altercation and angry re- 

i proacbesr 



or THE ROMAN EMPIRE- 389 

'prdaches. A blow was impradently given ; a c h A p^ 
fword was haftily drawn j and the firft blood that J^^]^ 
was fpilt in this accidental quarrel, became the 
iignal of a long and deftru£idye war. In the 
midft of noife and brutal intemperance, Lupi- 
cinus was informed, by a fecret meflenger, that . 
many of his foldiers were flain and defpoiled of 
their arms ; and as he was already inflamed by 
wine, and opprefled by deep, he iflUeda rafli 
command, that their death fliould be revenged 
by the maflacre of the guards of Fritigem and 
Alavivus^ The clamorous Ihouts and dying 
groans apprifed Fritigern of his extreme danger; 
and, as he poflefled the calm and intrepid fpirit 
of a hero, he &w that he was loft if he allowed a 
moment of deliberation to the man who had fo 
deeply injured him, ** A trifling difpute,*^ iaid 
the Gothic leader, with a firm but gentle tone 
of voice, ** appears to have arifen between the 
*^ two nations ; but it may be productive of the 
^ moft dangerous confequences, unlefs the tu- 
^^ mult is immediately pacified by the aflurance 
** of our fafety, and the authority of our pre- 
" fence.'* At thefe words, Fritigem and his 
companions drew their fwords, opened their paf* 
lage through the'unrefifting crowd, which filled 
the palace, the ftreets, and the gates, of Marcia- 
nopolis, and, mounting their horfes, haftily va« 
niflied from the eyes of the aftonifhed 'Romans. 
The generals of the Goths were faluted by the 
fierce and joyful iicclamations of the camp ; war 
Wai? infl^ntly r^folyed, and the refolution was 
c c 3 executed 



(390 THE HBCXniE AND.TAUL 

c li A P. cxsecoted without delay : ihe faailileitf of tte nttion 
^^ , ^ere di^ay^d stccxxduig to the cuftow oCtheir 
xDcefbors ; and the air rdbiM^^dednaritb thebsaxOi 
Avd mburnfial ontlic of the fiarlwrian.tmittpct^*. 
Tbe w^^ Btid g^Hty Lupicmnx^ ^iho hid dared 
!to provokfi, who ha^ ne^e6bed to dieftroyy and 
vflhy ftiil plrefiimedtb dcfpile faiBibiDudable ffiw^ 
«ny^ jQ^^daed a^aloft >the GotliB, at :1^e bead of 
fiKh m tniiliitary force «iil ooUld be trolk&ed qb this 
Sadden fiiMt^Dcy;. The Baiklri^ilt^^s^nei^fa^ 
Japproacb about tube miles froia MarciaiH^pDlisi; 
^d ton tUs occafloB the tdients df th^ gene&ai 
.were &vmi to. be eif oaore ^evaUihg efficaey ikam 
the weapons latid ^dnfibtplkiB <if ithe troops. Tibe 
.frakur 16^' the Goths was fd ably dinoSted by tlue 
gjjeaim of iFritagern, tdiat they teoke, by la clofe 
and Tig^oms attibck^ th6 ranlos ^ the Rofmsn 
legiom* Lupicinus loA fads acaisaiAd ftandaods^ 
Us tribitdea and iushraveft fotdiars, on the ifieki 
offcidtie^ atid theit tir0ie(s i3ixiirage ieriied cinly 
to pcoteft the igfXMDanious dBigfetof I^Mdir leaden 
^ ISiat iuceefB&iI day pot an end to the daftref^ 
^ of the Barbarians, and the fecarsby of the Ho- 
1^^ mans : from that day, theOotiis, rehouBaoing 
^^ tfaepreoariooQconditii^nofftrangcFsabdcncdesi^ 
f^ affumed the chara^ler ^citizens axid maibeix^ 
f^ daiflidd an abfolmte doninnioai* lovertlie poC- 
^^ fefibrs of land, and hdd, in l^eir own ngbt, 
** t&e noitfaern pixivnices of tiie empire, iMcb 
^ are bounded by the Dannbe.'^ Such are the 

words 

^' VexiIIb de more fublatis, audftifque trifle famimttbus clajficts. 
AnukikliL XXXI. 5. Thefe are tfte ^ii^a comua of Claudian (in Rufiiu 



OF THE TIOMAN EMPIRE- I91 

words of the Gothic hiftorian'*, who celebrates, CHAP, 
with rude eloquence, the glory of his <:ouirtry- .^7^^ > 
inwi. But the dominion of the Barbarians was 
exercifed only for the purpofes of rapine and de- 
ftru6tion. As they had been deprived, by *l>e 
miniflers of the Emperor, of the common benefits 
of nature, and the iair int-ercourfe of focial life, 
they retaliated the injuttice on the fubje6lsof the 
empire ; and the crimes of Lupicinus were ex- Th^ype. 
piated hy the ruin of the peaceful huibandmen of xhrace. 
Thrace, the itronflagration of their villages, and 
the maffacre, or captivity, of their innocent fami- 
lies. Ttke report of the Gothic vifllory was foon 
diffufed over the adjacent country ; and while it 
filled tlie minds of the Romans with terror and 
difmay, their own hafty imprudence contributed 
to increale the forces of Fritigern, and the cala* 
mities of the province. Some time before the 
great emigration, a niKnerous body of Goths, 
»nder the icommaadctf* Suerid and Cdli^s, had 
been 'i^ceived into the pfotedtibn and fervice of 



5i. 57.), the large horns of the 'Uri, or vrild bull ; fuch as have been 
atptc jptcevtfy nfed by the iSwiis Cantons of Uri iind Und«rwaid 
(fiimler de Republica Helvet I. iL p. aai. edit. Fuf^lin; Tigur. 
1734). The military horn is finely, though perhaps cafually, 
introduced in an original nasrative of the battle xl£ Kancy (A*D. 
1477). "Attendant le combat le dit corfut come par trois £oi^ 
« tant que le vent du fouffleur pouvoit durer : ce qui efbahit fort 
^ Moilfieur de iBourgoigne ; ear deja h Marat Pofvoit ouyP (Soe 
the Pieces Juftificatives in the 4to edition of Philippe de Cominesy 
torn. iii. p«4930* 

'* Jom^des de Rebus Geticis, c. a 6. p. 648. .edit. Grot. Thefe 
JpUndidi fanni (they are comparatively fuch) are undoubtedly tran- 
fcribed from the larger hiftories of Prifcus, Ablavius, or -Caflip- 
dorius. 

c c 4 , the 



j^2 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, the erripire". They were encamped under the 
xxvL ^ walls of Hadrianople: biittheminiftersofValens 
were Anxious to remove them beyond the Hdf 
leQ)ont9 at a diftance from the dangerous temp? 
tation which might fo eafily be communicated by 
the neighbourhood, and the fuccefs, of their 
countrymen. The refpe^fcful fubmiffion with 
which they yielded to the order of their march, 
,might be confidered as a proof of their fidelity ; 
and their moderate requell of a fufficient allow-* 
ance of provifions, and of a delay of only two 
days, was exprefled in the moil dutiful terms; 
But the firfl magiftrate of Hadrianople, incenfed 
f>y fome diforders which had been committed at 
his country-houfe, refufed this indulgence ; and 
arming againft them the inhabitants and manu« 
fai6turers of a populous city, he urged, with hot 
tile threats, their inftant departure. The Bar- 
barians flood filent and amazed, till they were 
exafperated by the infuHing clamours, and miffile 
weapons, of the populace : but when patience or 
contempt was fatigued, they cruflied the undifr 
piplined multitude, ipfii&ed many a fhameful 
wound on the backs of their flying enemies, and 
defpoiled them of the fplendid armour '% which 
they were unworthy to bear. The refemblance 
of their fufferings and their adlions foon united 
this vidlorious detachment to the nation of the 



?^ Cum populis fills longe ante fufceptl. We are ignorant of the 
precife date and circumflances of the tranfmigration. 

'♦ An Imperial manufacture of flilelds, &c. was eflablifhed at 
Hadrianople ; and the populace were headed by the FabricenfeSf or 
>vorkmen (Valef. ad Aminian. xxxi. 6.). 

Vifigothsj 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE- ^g^ 

Vifigoths ; the troops of Colias and Suerid ex- chap. 
pe£ted the approachof thegreatFritigern^ranged ^ ^^i* 
theitifelves under hisftandard,andiignalized their 
ardour in the ficge of Hadrianople. But the re- 
fiftance of the garrifon informed the Barbarians, 
that, in the attack of regular fortifications, the 
efibrts of unlkilful courage are feldom efIe6l;uaL 
Their general acknowledged his error, raifed the 
fiege, declared that ^^ he was at peace with 
^« ftone walls '%" and revenged his diiappoint- 
ment on the adjacent country. He accepted, 
with pleafure, the ufeful reinforcement of hardy 
workmen, who laboured in the gold mines of 
Thrace'% for the emolument, and under the 
lafli, of an unfeeling mailer " : and thefe new 
aflbciates condu6l;ed the Barbarians, through the 
fecret paths, to the mod fequeftered places, which 
had been cho&n to fecure the inhabitants, the 
cattle, and the magazines of corn. With the 
affiftance of fuch guides, nothing could remain 
impervious or inacceffible : refiftance was fatal ; 
flight was impradiicable i and the patient fub- 

'* Pacem fibi efle cum parietlbus memonins. Atnmian. xxxi. 7. 

'* Thefe mines were in the country of the Befli, in the ridge of 
mountainsy the Rhodope» that runs between Phillippi and Phillippo- 
polls ; two Macedonian cities^ which derived their name and origin 
from the father of Alexander. From the mines of Thrace he annually- 
received the value» not the weighty of a thoufand talents (aooyoool.); 
a revenue which paid the phalanx, and corrupted the orators of 
Greece. See Diodor. Siculus, tom.ii. 1. xvi. p. 88. edit. Wefleling. 
podefroy's Commentary on the Theodofian Code, torn. iii. p. 496* 
Cellarius, Geograph. Antiq. tom. i. p. 676* 857. D'Anville, Geogra- 
phie Ancienne, tom.i.. p.. 336. , . 

^ As thofe unhappy workmen often ran away, Valens had ena<5lecl 
fevere laws to drag Uiem from their hiding-placeg. Cod. Theodofian* 
|.x. tit^xix. leg. 5. 7. 

miffioii 



394 'THE DECLINE AKD FA14- 

C H A p« miffion tif helpte&innocence feUbm found mercj 
t ^?^^ * . frow^ theBarharumctmqiiietoQn » In the couc&.of 
thefe di^edatiottfiy a ^eat nuinber of the .chil« 
dren of the GofQis^ who had been fold into c^- 
tivity, were reftored to the embraces of ikeii 
affli^ed parents ; hut thefe tender interviews, 
which might have revived and chetifbed in their 
minds fi>mefentiments of humamty, tended only 
to flinmlate their native fierceneft by the d^&fire 
of rwenge. They liftened with eager attention 
to the oompl^nts of their captive children, wbo 
had ibffered the moft criiel i^idig^ities from the 
hiiftful JOT angry pafBons x>f their mafters ; and the 
fime 'crnfilties^ the &me iod^nities, weare Se- 
verely retaltated on the fom and daugbters of 
the flUimans '^. 
Operaticms TbeimpTudenceof Valensandhismimftershad 
2iic^.^ introducediinto Idle heart of 4iie emsqpnre a nation 
A.D.377. of enemies J but iiie Vifigoths might even yet 
have been xeconciled^ by the manly confeflion of* 
pail errcMTs, and the fincere performance of fiw- 
mer engagements. Thele healing and temperate 
meafures feemed to concur with the timorous 
difpofition of the foverelgax of the £aft : bnt, on 
this occafion tAonei Vakns was brave ; and his 
un£eafonable bravery was fatal to himfelf and to 
his fubjeSfcs. He declared his inte»tion of raarch- 
ing from Antioch to Conflantinople^ to fubdue 
this dangerous rebellion : and, as be was hot 

^ See AiQiniaiHis, xxxi. Sf 6. The hiftorian of the Gotluc war 
lofes time and fpace, by an imfealAnablB recs^pitulatlon of the andent 
inroads of the Barbarians. 

ignorant 



OF THE ROMAN EMHRE. ^^ 

igaorant of the difficulties tif the eaterprife, he C H Ay . 
£2dicited die afflftanoe of his nephew^ the fimpe- '^*^** 
atu* Gratiftn, who commanded all the forces of the 
WieSL The v^sran feroops were haftily recalled 
from the defence of Armenia; that importmnt 
fh^Mier was abandoned to the difcr^tion of Sa- 
p^ ; and the immediate coudo6t of the Gothic 
war was<0nttufted,dudng the abfence of Valens, 
to his lieutenants IVajan and Profuturus, two 
^n^als who indulged fhemfeives in a very falfe 
mid fatiourable opinion of their own abrlittee. 
Oti their arriral in llirace, they- were joined fciy 
Richomer, Gisa^mtof thedomeftios^ and liie auxi- 
liaries of the Wc^, that marched under his baiw 
ner, were compofed of tSie Gallic legions, reduced 
indeed hy a fpiritofdi^ertion, to theTaim appear^ 
anoes olt* ftp^ngth and^umbers. I« a counc^ <>f 
w«f, which was influenced by pride, rather thm 
by -i^eafot), it was refelved to ieek 4md to e»^ 
counter the Batbai^a«is ; wlio lay encamped in 
ti^ Ipaciorus and fertile meadows, near the moft 
Ibuthei^ ^f ike Ak mouths of the Danube '^ 
Their camp was ibrrounded by the ufiial fort^ 
jgMbion ^f wagons ^ ; and the Barbadians, leoore 

^ The Itmcnry' ti Antaninm (]». 9)69 397- 'edit W€llfeljng)3iuribi 
the iituadoa-(^ this place about fixty rnUes north of Tom^ Ovid'« 
exile : and the name of Salices (the willows) exprefles the nature of 
the foil. 

^ This drcle of wa^gons^ the drra^ci^-was^the ufual fortificatioa 
of fhe Barbanans (Vegetius de Re A^tari, \, iii. c. 10. Valelius ad 
Ammian. xxxi.: 7.)^ The praiflice and the jiame were preferved by 
their defcendants, as late as the fifteenth century. The ttbarroy^ 
which furrounded the Ofty is a word familiar to the readers of f roiilardy 
or Comines. 

within 



396 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

x H A P. -within the vaft circle of the inclofiire, enjoyed 
^^^" the fruits of their valour, and the fpoils of the 
province. In the midft of riotous intemperance, 
the watchful Fritigern obferved the motions, 
and penetrated the defigns of the Romans. He 
perceived, that the numbers of the enemy were 
continually increafing; and, as he underftood 
their intention of attacking his rear, as ibon as 
the fcarcity of forage (hould oblige him to remove 
his camp ; he recalled to their (landard his pre- 
datory detachments, which covered the adjacent 
country. As foon as they defcried the flaming 
beacons ", they obeyed, with incredible fpeed, 
the fignal of their leader ; the camp was filled 
with the martial crowd of Barbarians ; their im-^ 
patiient clamours demanded the battle, and their 
tumultuous zeal was approved and animated by 
the ipirit of their chiefs. The evening was al- 
ready far advanced ; and the two armies prepared 
themfelves for the approaqhing combat, which 
was deferred only till the dawn of day. While 
the trumpets founded to arms, the undaunted 
courage of the Goths was confirmed by the 
mutual obligation of a folemn oath) and as they 
advanced to meet the enemy, the rude ibngs, 
which celebrated the glory of their forefathers, 
were mingled with their fierce and diflbnant out- 



'* Statiin ut accenfi malleoG. I have ufed the literal ienie of rea] 
torches or beacons : but I almoft fufpetSly that it is only one of thofe 
turgid meuphorBy thofe falfe onumentS} that perpetually disfigure the 
pylt of Anuni^uif 

cries J 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 397 

eries ; and oppofed to the artificial harmony of c H A P. 
the Roman {hout« Some military &ill was dif- , J^^'^ 
played by Fritigern to gain the advantage of a 
commanding eminence ; but the bloody conflidb, 
which began and ended with the light, was 
maintained, on either fide, by the perfonal and 
obftinate efforts of ftrength, valbur, and agility. 
The legions of Armenia fupported their fame in 
arms ; but they were oppreffed by the irrefiftible 
weight of the hoilile multitude : the left wing of 
the Romans was thrown into diforder, and the 
field was fl^rewed with their mangled carcafles. 
This partial defeat was balanced, however, by 
partial fuccefs ; and when the two armies, at a 
late hour of the evenings retreated to their re- 
fpe6live camps, neither of them could claim the 
honours, or the effe6ls, of a decifive vi6tory. 
The real lofe was more feverely felt by the Ro- 
mans, in proportion to the fmallnefs of their 
numbers ; but the Goths were fo deeply con-, 
founded and difmayed by this vigorous, and per- 
haps unexpected, refiftslnce, that they remained 
feven days within tiie circle of their fortifications. 
&ich funeral rites, as the circumftances of time 
and place would admit, were piouily difcharged 
to fome ofiicers of diftinguifhed rank ; but the 
jndifcriminate vulgar was left unburied on the 
plain. Their flefli was greedily devoured by the 
birds of prey, who, in that age, enjoyed very 
frequept and delicious feafts; and feveral years 
afterwards, the white and naked bones, which 
covered the wide extent of the fields, prefented 

to 



39» THE DECLINE AND FAiJ. 

e H A F« ta the eyes of Amrnkmus^ a dreadful monumeai 
J^^ of the battle of Salices ^ 
Union of The progrefi of the Goth^ had beei» checked 
^thS^ by the doubtful eveot of. that Woody day ; and. 
Huns, the Imperial generals, whoife ajriny would . ha^e 
Aiam, &c. j^een confumed by the repetition of fuoh a eoo-i 
tfifty embraced the more rational pkiQ> of deftroy^ 
iog the Barbarians, by the wants and pcefiUre of 
their own multitudes. They pr^pstred to oon* 
fine the Vifigoths in the narrow angle of land^ 
between the Danube, the defert of Scythia, and 
the mountains of Hasmus, till their ftreogth and 
%ririt ihould be infeniibly wafted by the inevi- 
table operation o£ famine. The defign was 
profecuted witli fome conduA and fuccefi ; the 
Barbariasis had almoft. exhaufted their owQ ma« 
gazines, and the harvefts of the country ; and the 
diligence of Saturninus, themafter-general of the 
cavairyy was employed to improve the ilrength^ 
and to contract the extent, of the Roman for* 
tifications. His labours were interrupted by the 
alarming intelligenoe, that new fwarms of Bsif t 
barians had pafTed the unguai*ded Danube, either 
to fupport the cauie, or to imitate the example; 
of Fritigern. The juft appreheni&m,^ that he 
himfelf n91gbt.be fucroiinded and overwbelnied^ 
by the arms of.lioftile and unknown nations, 

^' Indicant nunc ufque albentes ofliBus campi. Amraian. xxxi. 7. 
-^The kiftorian might have tiew«d thefs plams, ,-eifhtr a« « fUdier, 
or a» a travelier. But hi& modeftjr has Ibpprefled the adventures oi 
his own life fubfequent to the Perfian wars of Conftaiitius and jii* 
lian. We are ignorant of the time vrhta he quitted^ die fervice and 
retined to Rame^ where he, ap^an to haje; (^utyM has Hi^iy ^ 
his Own Times. 

com* 



OP THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^^j 

compelled Saturninu^ to relinquifli the fie^e of c H a p« 
the Gothic camp ; and the indignaut Vifigotba, ^^^ ^ 
breaking: from their confinement, fatiated their 
hunger and revet^e by the repeated devaftation 
df thefruitful cfoiintry, which extends above three 
haniked jml€» from the bank^ of the Danube to 
the ftreightB erf the Helle^ont ^\ The fagaciou9 
Fritigem had fucGe&fuUy appealed to the pai^ 
fioBSy as well as to the intereft, of bis Barbartati 
allies ; and the lave of rapine, and the hatred 
of Rome, feconded, or even prevented, the do- 
qaence of bia ambafladors. He cemented a flri£t 
and ufefal alliance with the great body of his 
countrymen, who obeyed Alathcus and Saphrax 
as the guardians of their infant king : the long 
animofity of rival tribes was fiifpended by the 
&nfe of their common intereft ; th^ independent 
part of the nation was afibdated under one fland-! 
ard ; and the chiefs of the Oilrogoths appear to 
hstvc yielded tb the fuperior genius of the general 
0f the Viiigoths. He obtained the formidable 
aid of the Taifalse, whofe military renown was 
difgraced and polluted by the public in:l^my 06' 
their domeftic manners. . Every youth, on his 
entrance into the world, was united by the ties 
of honourable friendship, and brutal love, to fome 
warrior of the tribe ; nor could he hope to be 
releafed from this unnatural conne3;ion, till he 
had approved his manhood, by flaying, in fingle 
combat, a huge bear, or a wild boar of the 

*^ Aramiaih xxxi. t. 

foreft. 



400 THE DECLmE AND FALL 

CHAP, foreft ^^ But the moft powerful au^iaries of 
^^^ the Goths were drawn from the camp of thofe 
enemies who had expelled them from their native 
feats. The loofe fubordination, and extenfive 
pofTeffions of the Huns and the Alani, ddayed 
the conquefts, and dillra£ted the councils, of that 
victorious people. Several of the hords were 
allured by the liberal promifes of Fritigern ; and 
the rapid cavalry of Scythia added weight and 
energy to the fleady and ftrenuous efforts of the 
Gothic infantry. The Sarmatians, who covid 
• never forgive the fucceffor of Valentinian, en- 
joyed and increafed the general cohfuiion ; and 
a feafonable irrtiption of the Alemanni, into the 
provinces of Gaul, engaged the attention, and 
diverted the forces of the Emperor of the Weft*^ 
Tiaoiy of One of the moft dangerous inconveniences of 
ov&^t *^® introdufition of the Barbarians into the army 
Alemanni, and the palacc, was fenfibly felt in their cor- 
^- 378» refpondence with their hoftile countrymen ; to 
whom they imprudently, or malicioufly, revealed 
the weaknefs of the Roman empire. A foldier, 
of the life-guards of Gratian, was of the nation 

^ Hanc Taifalorum gentem turpemy et obfcense vitse flagltiis it^ 
accipimus merfam ; ut apud eo8 nefandi concubit^s foedere copulentur 
iBares puberes^ statis viriditatem in eorum poUutis ufibus confump^ 
ttiri. Porro, fi qui jam adultus aprum exceperit folusy vel interemit 
urfum immanem> colluvione liberatur inceiti. Ammian. xxxu 9. 
Among the preeks likewifej more efpecially among the Cretans,^ 
the holy bands of friendlhip were confirmed^ and fullied> by unnatural 
love, 

** Ammian. xxxi. 8» 9. Jerora^ (torn. i. p. a6.) enumerates the 
nations^ and marks a calamitous period of twenty years. This epiftie 
to Heliodorus was compofed in the year 397 (Tiilemont, Mem. ScdeCr 
tom. xii. p,6450» 

of 



May. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 4qX 

of the Alemanni, and of the tribe of^ihe Ljen- afi a R 
tienfes, who dwelt beyond the lake of Conftance. ^ ^^\ 
3ome dome.ftic bufinefs obliged hiip to requeft a 
leave of abfence. In a fliort vifit to his family 
and friendg, he was exppfed to theircurious in- 
quiries ; and the vanity of the loquacious foldier 
tempted him to difpUy his intimate acquaint- 
ance with the fecrets of the ftate, and the defigns 
of his mafter. The intelligence, that Gratian 
was preparing to lead the military force of Gaul, 
and of the Weft, to the affiftance of his uucIq 
Valens, pointed out to the reftlefs fpirit of the 
Alemanni, the moment, and the mode, of a fuc- 
cefsful inyafion. Th^ enterprife of fome light 
detachments, who, in the month of February^ 
paiTed the Rhine upon the ice, was the prelude 
of a more important war. The boldeft hopes of 
rapine, perhaps of conqueft, outweighed the con- 
iiderations of timid prudence, or national faith. 
Every foreft, and every village, poured forth 
a band of hardy adventurers ; and the great 
army of the Alemanni, which, oq their approach, 
was eftimated at forty thpufand men by the fears 
of the people, was afterwards magnified to the 
number of feventy thoufand, by the vain and 
credulous flattery of the Imperial court. The 
legions, which had been ordered to march into 
Pannonia,wereimmediatelyrecalled,ordetained, 
for the defence of Gaul ; the military command 
was divided between Nanienus and Mellobaudes j 
and the youthful Emperor, though he refpe6led 
the long experienije and fober wifdom of the for- 
VOL. IV. D D nier. 



40* THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, mer, was much more inclined to admire, and to 
^^^^\ follow, the martial ardour of his colleague ; who 
was allowed to unite the incompatible charafters 
of count of the domeftrcs, and of king of the 
Franks. His rival Priarius, King df the Ale- 
manni, was guided, or rather impelled, by the 
fame lieadftrong valour ;. and as their troops were 
animated by the fpirit of their leadei's, they met, 
they faw, they encountered, each other, near the 
town bf Argentaria, or Colmar*^, in the plains 
of Alface. The glory of the day was juftlj^ 
afcribed to the miffile weapons, and well-prac- 
tifed evolutions, of the Roman foldiers : the Ale- 
manni, who long maintained their ground, were 
flaughtered with unrelenting fury : five thoufand 
only of the Barbarians efcaped to the woods and 
mountains ; and the glorious death of their king 
on th^ field af battle, faved him from the re* 
proaches of the people, who are always difpofed 
to accufe the juflice, or policy, of an unfuccefs- 
ful war. After this fignal victory, which fecured 
the peace of Gaul, and afferted the honour of the 
Roman arms, the Emperor Gratian appeared to 
proceed without delay on his Eaftern expedition; 
but as he approached the confines of the Ale- 
manni, he fuddenly inclined to the left, furprifed 
them by his unexpected pafl^ge of the Rhine, and 
boldly advanced into the heart of their country. 

^ The field of battle^ Argentariay or Arg^ntovaria^ is accurately 
fixed by M. d'Anville (Notice de I'Anciciine Gaul, p, 96— 99O 
at twenty-three Gallic leagues, or thirty-four and a half Roman 
mileei^ to the South of Strjiiburffr From its ruini the adjacent tova 
of Qolmarhsa arifen. 

the 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 405. 

The Blrbarians oppofed to his progrefs the ob- c H A P. 
Aacles of nature and of courage ; and ftill con- 
tinued to retreat from one hill to another, till 
they were fatisfied, by repeated trials, of the 
power and perfeverance of their enemies. Their 
fubmifiion was accepted, as a proof, not indeed 
of their fiqcere repentance, but of their aftual 
diftrefi ; and a feleft number of their brave and 
robull youth was exacted from the faithlefs na- 
tion, as the mod fubilantial pledge of their future 
moderation. The fubjefts of the empire, who 
had fo often experienced that the Alemanni 
could neither be fubdued by arms, nor reftrained 
by treaties, might not promife themfelves any 
folid or lading tranquillity: but they difcovered, 
in the virtues of their young fovereign, the prot 
pe6l of a long and aufpidous reign. When the 
legions climbed the mountains, and fcaled the 
fortifications, of the Barbarians, the valour of 
Gratian was dillinguiflied in the foremoll ranks ; 
and the gilt and variegated armour of his guards 
was pierced and ihattered by the blows, which 
they had received in their conilant attachment 
to the perfon of their f6vereign« At the age of 
nineteen, the fon of Valentinian feemed to poll 
fefs the talents of peace and war : and his per- 
fonalfuccefe againil the Alemanni was interpreted 
as a fure prefage of his Gothic triumphs '^ 



^ The full and impartial narrative of Ammianat (x^xi. xo.) 
may derive fome additional light from the Epitome of Vidtor, the 
Chronicle of Jerom» aad the Hiftoiy of Or<9fiu« (U vii. c. 33. p. 55a* 
edit.). Havercamp. 

D D a While 



404 • THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. While Gratian deferved and enjoyed tfe ap- 
'J^^^' plaufe of his fubje£fcs, the £mperor Valens, who, 
Vaiens at length, had removed his court and army from 
^^d^^die Atttioch j was received by the people of Conftan- 
Goths, tinople as the author of the public calamity; 
^D.378- Before he had repofed himfelf ten days in the 
June XX. capital, he was urged by the licentious clamours 
of the Hippodrome, to march againft the Bar^ 
barians, whom he had invited into his dominions : 
and the citizens, who are always brave at a dis- 
tance from any real danger, declared, with 
confidence, that, if they were fupplied with arms, 
they alone would undertake to deliver the pro- 
vince from the ravages of an infulting foe'*. 
The vain reproaches of an ignorant multitude 
haflened the downfall of the Roman empire; tbey 
provoked the deiperate raihneis of Valens j who 
did not find, either in his reputation, or in his 
mind, any motives to fupport with firmneis the 
public contempt. He was &on perfuaded, by 
the fuccefiful achievements of his lieutenants, 
to defpife the power of the Godis, who, by the 
diligence of Fritigern, were now coUefted in the 
neighbourhood of Hadrianople. The march of 
the Taifalae had been intetcepted by the vdiant 
Frigerid; the King of thofe licentious Baibsi- 
^ians was flain in battle; and the fuppiiant capu 
tives were fent into diftant exile to cultivate tte 
lands of Italy, which were affigned for their fet- 
tlement, in the vacant territories of Modena and 

^ Morsitus pauciffimos Swy fecBtkme popularinni lei^um paUtK. 
Ammian. xxxi. ii. Socrat)^ (I. iv. c. 38.) fupplies the dates sod 
4bm6 ^ircumfiances. 

Parma. 



OF THE ROMAN MtfPIRE. 405 

Panna'». The exploite of Sebaftian»", who was chap. 
recently engaged in the fervice of Valens, and "^ ' 
{promoted to the rank of mafler-general of the 
infantry, were Hill more honourable to hiqtifelf, 
and ufeful to the republic. He obtained th$ 
permifiionof fele^tingthreehundred foldiers from 
«ach of* the l^ions; and this feparate detach^ 
ment foon acquired the fpirit of difcipline, and 
the exercife of arms, which were almoft forgot- 
ten under the reign of Valens. By the vigour 
and Gondu6t of Seb^ftian, a large body of the 
Goths was furprifed in their camp : and the im- 
menfe fpoil, which was recovered from their 
bands, filled the city of Hadrianople, and the ad- 
jacent plain. The fplendid narratives, which the 
general tranfmitted of his own e;Kploits, alarmed 
th^ Imperial court by the appearance of fuperior 
merit ; and though he cautioufly in$i|ed on the 
difficulties of the Gothic war, his valour was 
jidraifed, his advice was rejefiled; and Valens^ 
.who liftened with pride and pleafure to the flat- 
t^ing fuggeilioQs of the eunuchs of the palace, 
was impatient to feize the glory of an eafy and 

^ Vivofqiae omnes drca Matiiuuny Regi^ioquei et Parmam> Jtalica 

oppfida> xuro culturoe extermiiiayit. Ammianusy xxxi. 9. Thoie 

cities and difl^idls) about ten years after the colony of the Taifalae^ 

appear in a very* deiblate ftate. 9pe Muratoriy Diflertazioni fopra lie 

. Antichit^ Italiana» torn. i. Diilertat. zzi. p'. 354* 

' 9** Anunlan. xxxi. 11. Zofimus, 1. iv. p. 228—130. The latter 
«<patiateB on the defultory exploits of Sebaftian» and difpatchesy 
in a few lines* ^e in^rtant battle of Hadrianople. According 
to the eccleliafiical critics, who hate Sebailian, the praife of Zofimus 
*|8 cUfgrace (Tillemonty Hift. des £mpereurs» torn, v* p. 121.). His 
^pre)U(tice and ignorance undoubtedly render him a very queftionable 
iu3ge of merit. 

. D D 3 affured 



406 TtfE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, aflured conqueft. His army was ilrengthened 
^^^'_f by a numerous reinforcement of veterans; and 
his march from Conftantinople to Hadrianople 
was condufted with fo much military Ikill, that 
he prevented the a6tivity of the Barbarians, who 
defigned to occupy the intermediate defiles, and 
to intercept either the troops themfelves, or their 
convoys of provifions. The camp of Valens, 
which he pitched under the walls of Hadrianople, 
was fortified, according to the praftice of the 
Romans, with a ditch and rampart ; and a mofl; 
important council was fummoned, to decide the 
fate of the Emperor and of the empire. The 
party of reafon andof delay was ilrenuoufly mam- 
tained by Vi6lor, who had corre6led, by the let 
fons of experience, the native fiercenefs of the 
l^armatian character ; while Sebaftian, with the 
flexible and obfequious eloquence of a courtier, 
reprefented everyprecaution, and ever}^ meafure, 
that implied a doubt of immediate vi6lory, as 
iinwprthy of the courage and majefty of their in- 
vincible monarch. The ruin of Valens was pre- 
cipitated by the deceitful arts of Fritigern, and 
' the prudent admonitions of the Emperor of the 

Weft. The advantages of negotiating in the 
midft of war, were perfe6lly underftood by the 
general of the Barbarians; and a Chriftian eccle- 
fiaftic was difpatched, as the holy minifter of 
peace, to penetrate, and to perplex, the councils 
of the enemy. The'misfortunes, as well as the 
provocations, of the Gothic nation, were forcibly 
and truly defcribed by their ambaflador; who 
15 protefted, 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIAEr 407^ 

protefted, in the name of Fritigern, that- he was c H A P*. 
Hill difpofed to lay down his arms, or to employ ^^^• 
them only in the defence of the empire; if he 
could fecure, ftir his wandering countrymen, a 
tranquil fettlement on the waile lands of Thrace, 
and a fufficient allowance of corn and cattle* 
But he added, in a whifper of confidential friend- 
fhip, that the exafperated Barbarians were avecfe 
to thefe reaionable conditions ; and,, that Fritir 
gern was doubtful whether he could accomplifU 
the conclulion of the treaty, unlefi he found him- 
.felf fupported by tlie prefence, and terrors, of an 
Imperial army* About the fame time, Count 
Kichomer returned from the Weft, to announce 
the defeat and fubmiflion of the Alemanni, t<^ 
inform Valens, that his nephew advanced by 
.rapid marches at the head of the veteran and 
vi&orious legions of Gaul ; and to requeft, in 
the name of Gratian and of the republic, that 
every dangerous and decifive meafure might be 
fuQ)ended, till the jun6lion of the two emperors 
ihould enfure the fuccpfs of the Gothic war* But 
the feeble fovereign of the Eaft was a6liiated only 
by the fatal illufions of pride and jealoufy^ He 
difdained the importunate advice ; he reje3:ed 
the humiliating aid ; he fecretly compared the 
ignominious, or at leaft the inglorious, period of 
his own reign ) with the fame of a beardlefs 3n3uth ; 
and Valens rufhed into the field, to ereft his ima- 
ginary trophy, before the diligence of his col- 
league could ufurp an J fhare of the triumphs of 
the day. 

D D 4 Oft 



4o8 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. On the ninth df Auguft, a day which has de- 
1 ?!^ fcrved to be marked among the moft ihaulpicious 
Battle of of the Roman Calendar*', the Emperor Valens, 
Hadriano- leaving, Under a ftrong guard, his baggage and 
Ai>.3^g. military treafure, marched from Hadrianople to 
Aug. 9th. attack the Goths, who were encamped about 
twelve miles from the city*'. By Ibme miftake 
of the orders, or fome ignorance of the ground, 
the right wing, or column of cavalry, arrived m 
iig'ht of the enemy, whilft the left was ftill at a 
coniiderable diftance ; the foldiers were com- 
pelled, in the fiiltr}'^ heat of fummer, to precis 
pitate their pace j and the line of battle was 
formed with tedious cbnfufion, and irregular 
delay. The Gothic cavalry had been detached 
to forage in the adjacent country ; and Fritigem 
llill continued to practice his cuftomary arts. 
JJe difpatched meffengers of peace, made pro* 
pofals, required hoftages, and wafted the hours, 
till the Romans, expofed without flielter to the 
burning rays of the fun, were exhaufted by thirft, 
hunger, and intolerable fatigue. The Emperor 
was perfuaded to fend an ambaflador to the Go* 
tbic camp ; the zeal of Richomer, who alone had 
courage to accept the dangerous commiffion, 



'•"Ammianus (xxxi. li, 13.) almoft alone clefcribes the councils 

. and adtions which were terminated by the fatal battle of HaAuoapk^ 

We might cenfure the vices of his ftyle, the diforder and perplexity of 

his narratiye i but we muft now tal?e leave of this impartial hiftorian 5 

and reproach is filenced by our regret for iych an irreparable lofi. 

'' The difference of the eight miles of Ammlanus, and the twelve 
pf Idatius, can only embarra^ thofe critics (Valefius ad loc.), who 
fnppofe a great army to be a mathematical pointy without fpace 'or 
^ipienfions. 

was 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 40^ 

was applauded: and the count of the domeflics, chap. 
adorned with the fplendid eniigns of his dignity, ^^^^' ^ 
had proceeded fome way in the fpace between 
the two armies, when he was fuddenly recalled 
by the alarm 6f battle. The hafty and imprudent 
attack was made by Bacurius the Iberian, who 
commanded a body of archers and targetteers ; 
and as they advanced with raflinefs, they re- 
treated with lofi and diigrace. In the fame 
moment, the flying fquadrohs of Alatheus and 
Saphrax, whofe return was anxioufly expe6ted by 
the general of the Goths, defcended like a whirl- 
wind from the hills, fwept acrofs the plain, and 
added new terrors to the tumultuous, but irre- 
fifl;ible, charge of the Barbarian hoft. The event 
of the battle of Hadrianople, fo fatal to Valens 
and to the empire^ may be defcribed in a few 
words: the Roman cavalry fled; the infantry The defeat 
was abandoned, furrounded, and cut in pieces, maw!^*^ 
The mofli Ikilful evolutions, the flrmefl: courage, 
are fcarcely fufficient to extricate a body of 
foot, encompafled on an open plain by fupericyr 
liunibers of horle : but the troops of Valens, 
orpprefled by the weight oif the enemy and their 
own fears, were crowded into a narrow Ipace, 
M'here it was impoffible for them to Extend their 
ranks, or even to ufe, with effect, their fwords 
and javelins. In the midft of tumult, of flaugh- 
tter, and of difmay, the Emperor, deferted by his 
guards, arid wounded, as it was fuppofed, with 
an arrow, fought prote6lion among the Lancearii 
?tnd the Mattiarii, who ftill maintained their 

ground 



4i<? THE DECLINE AND TAhh 

CHAP, ground with fomfe appearance of order and firm^ 
^XXVL^ jj^j.g^ jj.j^ faithful generals, Trajan and Victor, 
who perceived his danger, loudly exclaimed, that 
all was loft, unlefs the perfon of the Emperor 
could be laved. Some troops^ animated by their 
, exhortation, advanced to his relief: they found 
onlya bloody fpot, covered with a heap of broken 
arms and mangled bodies, without behig.able to 
difcover their unfortunate prince, either among 
the living, or the dead. Their fearch could not 
indeed be fuccefsful, if there is any truth in the 
circuraftances with which fome hiftorians have 
Death of related the death of the Emperor* By the care 
^v"?^ of his attendants, Valens was removed from the 
field 01 battle to a neighbouring cottage, where 
they attempted to drefs his wound, and to pro* 
vide for his future fafety* But this humble re- 
treat was inftantly furrounded by the enemy: 
they tried to force the door j they were provoked 
by a difcharge of arrows from the roof, till at 
length, impatient of delay, they fet fire to a pile 
of dry faggots, and confumed the cottage with 
the Roman Emperor and his train* Valens 
perifhed in the flames ; and a youth, who dropt 
from the window, alone efcaped, to attefl the 
melancholy tale, and to inform the Goths of the 
ineftimable prize which they had loft by their 
own raftmefs. A great number of brave and 
diftinguifhed officers perifhed in the battle of 
Hadrianople, which equalled, in the a6lual lofs, 
and far furpafled, in the fatal confequences, the 
misfortune which Rome had formerly fufl^ned 

ift 



OP THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 411 

in the fields of Cannae ^K Two mafter-generals char 
of the cavalry and infantry, two great officers of .^^ [j 
the palace, and thkty-five tribunes, were found 
among the flain; and the death of Sebaftian 
might fatisfy the world, that he was the viftim', 
as well as the author, of the public calamity. 
Above two thirds of the Roman army were 
deftroyed : and the darknefs of the night was 
-efteemed a very favourable circumftance ; as it 
ferved to conceal the flight of the multitude, and 
to protect the more orderly retreat of Victor 
-and Richomef, who alone, amidil the general 
conflernation, maintained the advantage of calm 
courage, and. regular difcipline '*• 

While the impreffions of grief and terror were Funeral 
ilill recent in the minds of men, the moll cele- ^^„g ^^j 
brated rhetorician of the age compofed the fu- Ms army. 
neral oration of a vanquiflied army, and of an 
unpopular prince, whofe throne was already 
occupied by a ftranger. " There are not want- 
** ing,** fays the candid Libanius, " thofe who 

'^ Nee uUa, annallbus} prseter Cannenrem pugnam ita ad inter* 
necionem res legitur geila. Ammian. xxxi. 13.. According to the 
grave Polybiusy no more than 370 horfe^ and 39000 footy escaped 
from the field of Cannae: 109O00 were made prifoners; and the 
number of the flain amounted to 5,630 horfe, and 70,000 foot (Po- 
lyb. LiiL p. 371. edit. Cafaubon^ in 8vo.). Livy (xxii. 49.) is 
fomewhat lefs bloody: he flaughters only a, 700 horfe, and 40,000 
foot. The Roman army was fuppofed to confift of 87,200 efFe<Slive 
men (xxii. 36.). 

^* We have gained fome faint light from Jerom (tom. i. p. 26* 
and in Chron. p. 188.),' Vi<Sfcor (in Epitome), Orofius (1. vii. c. 33. 
p-554»)» Jbmandes (c. 17.), Zofimus (1. iv. p. 230.), Socrates (l.iv. 
c. 38.), Sozomen (l.vi« C.4D.). Idatius (in Chron.). But their 
united evidence) if weighed againft Ammianu» alone, is light and 
litifubibntial. 

" arraign 



414 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



c ttA P. " arraign the prudence of the Emperor, or who 
^^^^ " impute the public misfortune to the want of 
^ courage and difcipline in the troops. For my 
** own part, I reverence the memory of their 
** former exploits: I reverence the glorious 
^* death, whidi they bravely received, ftanding, 
^* and fitting in their ranks : 1 reverence the 
*« field of battle, ftainedwith their blood, and 
** the blood of the Barbarians. Thofe honour- 
^^ able marks have been already wafhed away 
** by the rains j but the lofty monuments of 
^ their bones, the bones of generals, ofcentu- 
^^ rions, and of valiant warriors, claim a longer 
^ period of duration. The King himfelf fought 
^' and fell in the foremoft ranks of the battle. 
^ His attendants prefented him with the fleeteft 
*• horfes of the Imperial flable, that would Ibon 
^* have carried him beyond the purfuit of the 
^* enemy. They vainly preffed him to referve 
^* his important life for the future fervice of the 
'*^ republic. He ftill declared that he was un- 
** worthy to furvive fo many of the braveft and 
^ moil faithful of his fubje^s; and the monarch 
** was nobly buried under a mountain of the 
*' flain. Let none, therefore, prefume to afcribe 
** the viftory of the Barbarians to the fear, the 
** weaknefs, or the imprudence, of thie iRoman 
** troops. The chiefs and the foldiers were ani- 
" mated by the virtue of their anceilors, whom 
** they equalled in difcipline, and the arts of 
** war. Theirgenerous emulation was fupported 
" by the love of glory, which prompted them to 
3 " contend 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^13 

** contend at the fame time with heat and thirft^ chap* 
" with fire and the fword; and cheerfully to » ^^^^_f 
*^ embrace an honourable deaths as their refuge 
^^ againft flight and infamy. The indignation of 
*• the gods has been the only caufe of the fuccefs 
«« of our enemies.** Thetruthof hiftorymaydit 
claim fome parts of this panegyric, which cannot 
ftriStly be reconciled with thecharafllsr ofValens^ 
OF the circumftances of the battle: but the faireft 
commendation is due to the eloquence, and ftill 
more to the generofity, of the fophift of Antioch^** 

The pride of the Goths was elated by this TheGotht 
memorable vidlory; but their avarice was dif- ^^^?^" 
appointed by the mortifying difcovery, that the - ^ 
richeft part of the Imperial tj^oil had been within 
the walls of Hadrianople. They haftened to po& 
fy& the reward of their valour j but they were 
encountered by the remainsof avanquiibed army, 
with an intrepid refolution, which was the effe^ 
(ot their defpair, and the only hope of their fafety« 
The walls of the city, and the ramparts of the 
adjacent camp, Vere lined with military engines^ 
that threw ftones of an enormous weight; and 
d^ftoniflied the ignorant Barbarians by the noiie^ 
and velocity, ftill more than by the real efre£i;s^ 
of the difcharge. The foldiers, the citizens, the 
provincials, the domeftics of the palace, were 
united in the dangser, and in the defence: the 
luriotis affault of the Goths was repuUed ; theiir 
{ktacet arts of treachery and treafon were difco* 

9' Libanius de ulcifcend. Julian. Nece, c*3.. in Fabricius, Bib- 
iiot. Graec. torn. vii. p. 146 — 148. 

vered j 



414 ' ^THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, vered ; and, after an obftinate conflift cf many 
^^^' . bpurs, they retired to their tents ^ convinced, by 
experience, that it would be far more advifable 
to obferve the treaty, which their fagacious leader 
had tacitly ilipulated with the fortifications of 
great and populous cities. After the hafty and 
impolitic maifacre of three hundred deferters, an 
aft of juflice. extremely ufeful to the difcipline of 
the Roman armies, the Groths indignantly raifed 
the fiege of Hadrianople. The fcene of war and 
tumult was inftantly converted into a filent foli* 
tude : the multitude fuddenly difappeared ; the 
fecret paths of the woods and mountains were 
marked with the fbotfteps of the trembling fugi- 
tives, who fought a refuge in the diftant.cities 
of Ulyricum and Macedonia : and the faithful 
officers of the houfehold, and the treafury, cau« 
tioufly proceeded in fearch of the Emperor, of 
whofe death they were ftill ignorant. The tide 
of the Gothic inundation rolled from the walls 
of Hadrianople to the fuburbs of Conilantinople. 
The Barbarians were furprifed with the iplendid 
appearance of the capital of the Eaft, the height 
and extent of the walls, the myriads of wealthy 
and affrighted citizens who crowded the ram- 
parts, and the various profpe6t of the fea and 
land. While they gazed with hopelefs defire on 
the inacceffible beauties of Conftantinople, a lally 
was made from one of the gates by a party of 
Saracens^^, who had been fortunately engaged 

in 

^ Valena had gained^ or rather purchafedf the friendihip of the 
SaraceASi whofe vexatious iaroadt were felt oa the borders of Fha* 

nicia^ 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 41^ 

in the fervice of Valens. The cavalry of Scythia c H A J*, 
was forced toyield to the admirable fwiftnefs and xxvi. 
^irit of the Arabian horfes; their riders were 
&illed in the evolutions of irregular war; and 
the Northern Barbarians were ailonifhed, and 
difmayed, by the inhuman ferocity of the Bar- 
barians of the South. A Gothic foldier was flain 
by the dagger of an Arab; and the hairy, naked 
lavage, applying his Hps to the wouhd, expreffed 
a horrid delight, while he fucked the blood of 
his vanquiflied enemy'^ The army of the Goths, 
laden with the fpoils of the wealthy fuburbs, and 
the adjacent territory, flowly moved, from the 
Bofphorus, to the mountains which form the 
weftern boundary "of Thrace. The important 
pafs of Succi was betrayed by the fear, or the 
mifcondudl, of Maurus; and the Barbarians, who 
no longer had any reiiflance to apprehend from 
the fcattered and vanquifhed troops of the Eaft„ 
Qiread themfelves over the face of a fertile and 
cultivated country, as far as the confines of Italy, 
and the Hadriatic Sea ^\ 

nlciay Paleftinfiy and Egypt. Hie Chrifiian faith had been lately in- 
troduced among a people^ refervedy in a future age^ to propagate 
another religion (Tillemonty HiiL des Emperenrs, torn. v. p. xo4, io6. 
X4I. Mem. Ecclef. torn. viL p. 593*)* 

9' Crinitus quidam, nuduft omnia pneter pubem^ fubraucum et 
lugubre ftrepens. Ammian. xxzi. i6f, and Valef. ad loc. The 
Arabs often fought naked ; a cuitom which may be afcribed to their 
ftdtry dimat^y and ofientatious bravery. The defcription of this un» 
known lavage is the lively portrait of Derar» a name fo dreadful to 
the Chriftians of Syria. See Ockley's Hift. of the Saracens, vol. i. 
p. 7». 84* 87. 

^ The feries of events may. ftill be traced in the laft pages of 
Ammianus (xxxi. 15, x6.). Zofimns (l.iv. p. 227. 23Z.)» whom we 
are now reduced to cherifh, mifplaces the ially oJF the Arabs before 
the tleath of Valens. Eunapius (m Excerpt. Legation^ p. 20.} praiiie» 
the fertility of Thrace; Macedooiai &c 

The 




4i6 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. The Romans, who fo coolly, aod fo cond&ly^ 
^^ , mention the a^ ofjufHce which were exercifed 
by the legions ^, referve their compaifion, and 
their eloquence, for their own fufferings, when 
provmces, the provinces were invaded, and defolated, by 
AD. 3789 %\xe arms of the fuccelsful Barbarians. The fim- 
^^^ pie circumflantial narrative (did fuch a narrative 
exift) of the ruin of a fingle town, of the mif-* 
fortunes of a fingle family'"*^, might exhibit an 
intereiling and inftru£tive piffcure of human man- 
ners : but the tedious repetition of vague and 
declamatory complaints would fatigue the atten- 
tion of the moil patient reader. The fame cen- 
fure may be applied, though not perhaps in an 
equal degree, to the prophane, and the eccle- 
fiaflical, writers of this unhappy period ; that 
tbeir minds were inflamed by popular and reli- 
gious animofity; and, that the true fize and 
colour of every objeS; is falfiiied by the exag- 
gerations of their corrupt eloquence. , The vehe- 
ment Jerom '''' might juftly deplore the calamities 

^ Obferve with how much indifference Caefar relates^ in the Com- 
mentaries of the Gallic war ; that he put to death the whole fenate of 
the Veneti» who had yielded to his mercy (iiL i6») ; that he laboured 
to extirpate the whole nation of the Eburones (vi- 31.) ; tJbat forty 
thouiand perfons were maffacred at fiourg^es by the juft revenge of 
his foldiersy who fpared neither age nor £ex (viL a;.), &c. 

"^ Such are the accounts of the lack of Magdeburgh» by the eccle- 
ftaftic and the fiflierman which Mr. Harte has traaicribed (Hift of 
Guftavus Adoiphusy voL i. p. 313 — 320.)^ with fiime apptehenfion of 
. violating the dignity of hifiory. 

"* £t vaftatis urbibusy bomimbufque interfe^> folitudinem et 
raritatem hejliarum quoque fieri, et volatiliumj pi/ciumque : tefb's 
lUyricum eft» tefiis ThraciaKtefiis in qno ortus fum folum (Pannonia); 
ubi pneter coblum et terram, et crefcentes vepresy et condenfa fylva« 
mm cunSa perierunt. Tonu vii. p. ajo* ad z* Cap. Sophonias ; 
and torn. i. p.,26* 

iiiflifted 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 417. 

t Aflkted by the Goths, and their barbarous allies, chap. 
on his native country of Pannonia, and the wide ^ ^Y^^ 
extent of the provinces, from the walls of Con* 
ftantinople to the foot of the Julian Alps ; the 
rapes, the maflacres, the conflagrations ; and, 
above all, the profanation of the churches, that 
were turned into ftables, and the contemptuous 
treatment of the relics of holy martyrs. But the 
Saint is furely tranfported beyond the limits of 
nature and hiilory, when he affirms, *^ that, in 
** thofe defert countries nothing was left except 
** the Iky and the earth ; that, after the deftruc- 
** tion of the cities, and the extirpation of the 
** human race, the land was overgrown with 
" thick forefts, and inextricable brambles; and ^ 
** that the univerfal defolation announced by the 
" prophet Zephaniah, was accomplifhed, in the 
" fcarcity of the faeafts, the birds, and even of 
" the fifh." Thefe complaints were pronounced 
about twenty years after the death of Valens; and 
the lUyrian provinces, which were conflantly 
expofed to tlie invafipn and paffage of the Barba- 
rians, ilill continued, after a calamitous period 
often centauries, to fupply new materials for ra- 
pine and deftru6lion. Could it even be fuppofed,. 
that a large tradl of country had been left with- 
out cultivation and without inhabitants, the 
confequences might not have been fo fatal to the 
inferior produflions of animated nature. Th« 
ufeful and feeble animals, which are nouriflied by 
the hand of man, might fuffer and perifh, if they 
were deprived of his protefilion j but the beads 

VOL. IV. E E of 



4ig THB BECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, of the foreft, his enemies, or bis viftims, would 
. ^ ^^^ , multiply in the free and undifturbed pofleffion oi 
their folitary domain. The various tribes that 
people the air^m* the waters, are flilllefs conne&ed 
with the fate of the human fpecies ; and it is 
highly probable, that the fifli of the Danubo 
would have felt more terror and diftrefe, from 
the approach of a voracious pik^, than from tba 
hoftile inroad of a Gothic army. 
Maflacic Whatever may have been the juft meafure of 
a^'t^ the calamities of Europe, there was reafon to 
in Aiu, fear that the fame calamities would foon extend 
A.D.37^ to the peaceful countries of Alia. Thefonsofthe 
Goths had been judicioufly diftributed througK 
the cities of the Eaft ; and the arts of education 
were employed to polifli, and fubdue, the native 
fiercenefi of their temper. In the fpace of about 
twdtve years, their numbers had continually 
increafed ; ^nd the children, who. In the firft 
emigration, were fent over the HeUeQ)ont, had 
attained, with rapid growth, the ftrength and 
fpiri4> of perfe^ manliood '"'% It was impoffible 
to conceM from their knowledge the events of 
the Gothic war ; atid^ as thofe daring youthe had 
not ftudied the language^of diffimulation, they 
betrayed their wi(h, their defire, perhaps their 
iifitontion, to emulate the glorious example of 
their Others. The dangep of the times feemed to- 

*"=* Sui^plus (ctk, BxceqiL I^gal. p. ao.) fooKfiiiy fijppofes. a. 
P R ^ffrn a tpra i; growih, of tli^ yxxmg Qothsi that he^m^ iolrocluce. 
Cadmus't armed men, who fp^ung ^^ the dragon's teeth^ &c. 
SlicU was Uie Gredt etoquence «f the .tiincs. 

juiiify 



OF "friE kokAsr eMpiiIe. 41^^ 

jiifli^ tlt6 jedFoiisf ll/fj/iciorf^ 6f iii6 provinciats ; c H A P. 
arrd thefffe firfpictons Wfete admitted as unqueltioh. ^ ^^ f' 
^We evidence, £h^t the' Goths of Afia had formed 
a fecret afld dangerous fcdnfpiracy againffi tlie 
fnrblic Cifety. ;th'6 death of Valens had left 
the Eaft without a fovereign ; and Julius, who 
fitted the iftiportant ftation of maftef-general of 
the troojps^, ^ith a high reputaltion of difigerice 
aind ability, thduglit it his (Juty to confult the 
fenate of Conftantinople j whicft he cohfidered, 
during the' t^ac^ncy of the ttirone, as the f epre- 
Iferitatit^e' coudiiir of the naiion. As foon as he 
had o'btarined tlie difcretionary p'ower of acting as 
fire fltoirfd judge iriofl expedient for tlie good of 
tlie republic, he aflerhbled the principal officers ; 
awd privately concerted effe^iuatmeafures for the 
execution of his blopdy defigri. An oirder was 
immediately' promulgated, t&at,on aitated day, 
tlie Gothic yoiith ihould aflemble in the capital 
cities* of their t'eipefilive provinces; anrf as a 
report was indultrioirflycirculated,that ttey were 
fntnmoned to receive a liberal gift of lands and' 
iKoney, the pleafing hope allayed the fury of 
their refentmeiit, and perhaps fufpended the mo- 
tions of the confpiracy. On the appointed day, 
the unarmed drowd of the Gothic youth was 
carefully collected in the fquare, or Forum : the 
ftreets and avenues were occupied by thei Roman 
troops; and the roofsof the houfes were covered 
with archers and flingers. At the fame hour, in 
all die cities of the Eaft, the flgtiai Was gitrefl of 
indiftjriiniriate daughter ; and the provinces ot 



^2o THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. Afia were delivered, by the cruel prudence of 
^^y^' I Julius, from a domeftic enemy, who, in a few 
months, might have carried fire and fword from 
the Hellefpont to the Euphrates ^°\ The urgent 
confideration of the public lafety may undoubt- 
edly authorife the violation of every pofitive law- 
How far that, or any other confideration, may 
operate, to diffolve the natural obligations of 
humanity and juftice, is a do6lrine of which I 
The Em- ftiH defire to remain ignorant. 
ti^invX 1*^^ Emperor Gratian was far advanced on his 
Theodo- march towards the plains of Hadrianople, when 
the empire ^® ^^ informed, at firft by the confided voice 
of theEaft, of fame, and afterwards by the more accurate 
^^o79' reports of Vi6lor and Richomer, that his impa- 
tient colleague had been ilain in battle, and that 
two-thirds of the Roman army were exterminated 
by the fword of the victorious Goths. Whatever 
refentment the rafh and jealous vanity of his 
uncle might deferve, the refentment of a gene- 
rous mind is eafily fubdued by the fofter emotions 
of grief and compaffion : and even the fenfe of 
pity was foon loft in the ferious and alariping 
confideration oftheftateof the republic. Gratian 
was too late to affift, he was too weak to revenge, 
his unfortunate colleague ; and the valiant and 
modeft youth felt himfelf unequal to the fupport 
of a finking world. A formidable tempeft of the 
Barbarians of Germany feemed ready to burft 

"^ .Ammiamis evidently approves this execution, efiBcacia velox 
et falutarisy which concludes his work (zxxi. z6.)* Zofimus, who is 
curious and copious (I. iv. p. 133 — 236.), miftakes the date, said 
labour^ to find the reafon why Julius did not confult the Emperor 
Thegdofiusj who had net yet afgended the throne of the £aft« 

over 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, 421 

over the provinces of Gaul ; and the mind of c H A P. 
Gratian was oppreffed and diftradled b}'' the ^^^^' 
adminiftration of the Weftern empire. In this 
important crifis, the government of the Eaft, and 
the condu6l of the Gothic war, required the 
undivided attention of a hero and a ftatefman. 
A fubjeft invefted with fuch ample command 
would not long have preferved his fidelity to a 
diftant benefa6lor ; and the Imperial council 
embraced the wife and manly refolution, of con- 
ferring an obligation, rather than of yielding to 
an infult. It was the wifli of Gratian to bellow 
the purple as the reward of virtue; but, at the 
age of nineteen, it is not eafy for a prince, edu* 
cated in the fupreme rank, to underftand the 
true chara6lers of his minifters and generals. He 
attempted to weigh, with an impartial hand, 
their various merits and defe6ls ; and, whilft he 
checked the rafti confidence of ambition, he diC 
trufted the cautious wifdom, which defpaired of 
the republic. As each moment of delay dimi- 
nilhed fomething of the power and refources of 
the future fovereign of the Eaft, the fituation of 
the times would not allow a tedious debate. Th^ 
' choice of Gratian was foon declared in favour of 
an exile, whofe father, only three years before, 
had fuffered, under the fan^ion of his authority, 
an unjuft and ignominious death. The great 
Theodofius, a name celebrated in hiftory, and 
dear to the Catholic churchy was fummoned 

to 

'°* A life of Theodofius the Great was compofed in the laft 
^•ntury (Paris* 16799 in 4to ; z68oi in iamo)» to inflame the mind 

££3 of 



02 THP DECUNE ANP VAhh 

CHAP, to the Imperial court, which bjid gr^4ff9Uy rer 
^J^_^'^ treated frpjn the confine^ of Thri^ce tO the more 
fecure ftatiop of Sirmium, Five mqrith^ after 
the death of Valens, the Jlippprqr QrsAis^ pro- 
duced beforie the ^flemW^d tf opps, Ai> pql)e?igqfe 
and their maftpr ; ^ho, aft^r ^ modpil, p^rhap;; » 
fincere, refifti^nce, W9S compelled to f^pcept, 
^tnidil the general acclamations, (he diadeo^, \\kf 
purple, and the ei^ual title of Augu^us'^^ 
The provinces of Thrapfy Afi^, apd Egypt, pvpr 
which Val^ni^ ha4 reignpd, lyefP rp%ned tp the 
^^qf^iniftra^ipp qf the ppw ^lippeirorj but, ^ bf 
wag fpepi^Hy entfufteji with ^hp ?9fldua qft^f 
Qothic \y^f ,'the IlljTian pf apfefti^f e w^s 4ift^em; 
j?pre4 i wd the two gre^f; rtifl^efei^ of I^^* 
an^ MftcedQpift were a44P^ t^ the 49?PiRipns of 
the Eaftern empire '°^ 
Birth and xhp f^me proyince, aqd, p^l^apj?, the lam© 
of The^^ city "°% which had given to the thfone ^V? virtues 

dofius. 

of the young Dauphin with Catholic zeal. The authpr, Flechiery 
aften^ard$ biihop of Ifiime$9 was a celebrated preacher ; and kn 
hiiiory is adorned, or t^iintedi wit^ p^lpiti^f^oqiieoc^ ; l^ut ^e (al^^ V^ 
learning from Baronius^ and his principles from $t. Ambrof^ and 
St. Augttftin. 

'°* Thq birthj^ ?hanv:t^, ^d elmtiqo rf Tl^e9^^q%8, are t^9dfi^ 
in Pacatus (in ?a^egyr. Vet, xii. ;p, ii, ia.> Thep^us (Qrat. 
xiv. p.iS2.)9 Zofimus (1.1V. p.43i.)9 Auguitin (de Ciyitat. Dei, 
v.a5.)j Orofiiis (1. vii- c, $a.\ Sozfio^tn,' (I i]u c,a.), fcgrattt 
(t. V. c. ».), l*h^Odoret (1. v. c, 5.), Philoftqi^i^ (1. ix. c. 17, 
\fith Godelroy, p. 393.)> the Epitome of Vidlor, and the Chroniclea 
of ProiJ)er, Id^tius, ^ii^ Iferceljinus, i^ tl^e Tl^gfcyni^ Teinponsn 
ofScaligen 

'°* Till^onty Hift. de« Empereurs, torn. v. p. 716, &c. 

•°^ I^aHcq^ {bunded l^y Si:ipio Airkranus for Iw w(8inded veteEana 
of Italy, The ruins ftUl appear, about a league above Seville, bu^ 
on the oppofite bank of the river. See the Hiipania lUuArata of 
T<^pnius, ^ ftort, thQU|^ ^Mah^ tj^^fe 9\ ^vi^ Ph HrT(i'h ' 

q£ 



or THI ROMAN EMPlftE. 423 

of Trajan^ and the talejate of Hadrian'^ was thfe fc k A p. 
ori^nail feat of another family of Spaniard*, .^^ ^ j 
who, in a leb fortunate age, poffeiTed, near four- 
fcore years, the declining empire of Rome **^* 
They emerged from the obfburity of municipal 
honours by the a6tive fpirit of the elder Theo- 
doras, a general, whoie expldts in Britain and 
Africa have formed one of the moft^fplendid 
parts of the annals of Valentinian. Thefon of 
that general, who likewife bore the name of 
Theodofius, was educated, by fkilful preceptor^ 
in the liberal ftudies of youth j but he waiB 
inftru^ted in the art dTwar by the tander care and 
fevere dftfcipEne of his father '°*. Under th^ 
ftandard of fudb a leader, young Tbe^<lfiw 
ibugbt glory and knowledge, in the moft diftiml 
fcenes of miUtary aflion; inured his conftkutioh 
to the difference of feafons and cliiimtdB; diftitt^ 
guiflied his valour by fea and land -, and obfetved 
the various warfare of the Scots, the Saxons^ and 
tbe Moors. His own merit, and the rec^m* 
mendation of tbe conqueror of Africa, foon raifed 
him to a feparate command : and, in the ftation 
of Duke of Manila, he vanquiftied an army of 

'^ I a^jree with TlHemont (Hift. des Empefeurs, torn* t. p. ya^) ' 
in fulpec^in^ the royj^ pedi^eey which remained a fecret till the pro* 
motion of Theodofius. Even after that event> the fUeoce of Pacatua 
outweighs the v^nal evidence of Themlftiusy Vid!or« and C]aiidUn» 
who connedl the family of Theodofius with the blood of l^r^an aad 
Hadrian. 

'^ Pacatus compare$> and coofequently prefe^ tie yoath of 
Theodoiius, to the military education of Alesiandery Hannibal and 
the fecond Africanus ; who^ like him^ had ferved under their fathers- 
(xii.g.> 

E E 4 Sarma- 



424 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. Sarmatians ; laved the province ; deferved tbe 
love of the fbldiers ; and provoked the envy of 
the court"*'. His riling fortunes were foon 
blalled by the difgrace and execution of his illuf- 
trious father ; and Theodolius obtained, as a 
favour, the permiffion of retiring to a private 
life in his native province of Spain. He dif- 
played a firm and temperate charafiter in the eafe 
with which he adapted himfelf to this new fitua- 
tion. His time was almoil equally divided be- 
tween the town and country : the fpirit, which 
had animated his public conduct, was fliewn in 
the afilive and affectionate performance of every 
focial duty ; and the diligence of the foldier was 
profitably converted to the improvement of his 
ample patrimony '", . which lay between Valla- 
dolid and Segovia, in the midft of a fruitful dif- 
tridi. Hill famous for a mod exquilite breed of 
Iheep "^. From the innocent, but humble, la- 
bours of his farm, Theodofius was tranlported, 
in lefs than four months, to the throne of the 
Saltern empire : and the whole period of the 
hiilory of the world will not perhaps afford a 

"° Ammianus (zxix. 6.) mentions thu vidloiy of Theodofius 
Junior Dux Maefiae* prima etiam turn lanugine juvenisy princeps 
poftea perfpedtiffimus. The fame fa(5l is attefted by Themiilius and 
Zofimus ; but Theodoret (1. v. c. 5.), who adds fome curious cinnun- 
ftances, ftrangely applies it to the time of the interregnum. 

'" Pacatus (in Panegyr. Vet. xii. 9.) prefers the ruitic life of 
Theodofius to that of Cincinnatus ; the one was the effect of choice* 
the other of poverty. 

'" M. d'Anville (Geographie Ancienne, tom. i. p. 25.) has fixed 
the fituation of Caucha, or Coca, in the old province of Gallicia, 
where Zofimus and Idsitius have placed the birthy or patrimony, of 
Theodofius. 

. firailar 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 425 

fimilar example,, of an elevation, at the fame chap. 
time, fo pure, and fo honourable. The princes ; ^Y^' 
who peaceably inherit the fceptre of their fathers, 
claim and enjoy a legal right, the more fecure, 
as it is abfolutely diftin^l from the merits of their 
perfonal characters. The fubjeCls, who, in a 
monarchy, or a popular eilate, acquire the pot 
feffion of fupreme power, may have raifed them- 
felves, by the fuperiority either of genius or virtue, 
above the heads of their equals: but their virtue 
is feldom exempt from ambition; and thecaufe 
of the fuccefsful candidate is frequently ftaiiied 
by the guilt of confpiracy, or civil war. Even 
in thofe governments which allow the reigning 
monarch to declare a colleague, or a fucceflbr, 
his partial choice, which may be influenced by 
the blindeft paffions, is often dire6led to an un- 
worthy objeS:. But the moft fufpicious malignity 
cannot afcribe to Theodofius, in his obfcure foli- 
tude of Caucha, the arts, the defires, or even the 
hopes, of an ambitious ftatefman; and the name 
of the Exile would long fince have been forgot- 
ten, if his genuine and diftihguilhed virtues, had 
not left a deep impreffion in the Imperial coirt*t. 
During the feafon of profperity, he had been ne- 
glected ; but, in the public diftrefs, his fuperior 
merit was univerfally felt and acknowledged. 
What confidence muft have been repofed in his 
integrity, fince Gratian could trufl;, that a pious 
fon would forgive, for the fake of the republic, 
the murder of his father! What expectations muft 
have been formed of his abilities, to encourage 
the hope, that a fingle man could fave, and 

reftore. 



426 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, reftore, the empire of the Eaft ! Theodofius was 

f^^^l' invefted with the purple in the thirty-third year 

of his age. The vulgar gazed with admiratioii 

on the manly beauty of his face, and the graceful 

majefty of bis perfoB, which they were pleafed to 

compare with the pi^ures and medals of the 

£mperor Tri^aD ; whilft intelligent djfervers d£ 

covered, in the qualities of his heart and under^i 

ilanding) a more impoortant refemblance to the 

beft and greateft of the Roman princes. 

His pni- It is not without the moft iincere regret, that 

^^°' ^"^, J muft now take leave of an accurate and faithfu} 

fuccelsiul 

condua of guide, who has compofed the biftory of ht& own 

the Gothic tjm^g^ vithbut indulging the pregudioes and pafc 

A.D. fions, which ufUally afie£l the mind of a con- 

379— 38a. temporary. Ammianus MarceUinus, who ter^ 

minates his uMuI work with the defeat and dealb 

of Yalena, recommends the more glorious fiibjeA 

of the enfuing reign to the youth&l vigour and 

eloquence of the rifing generation"'; The rABg 

generation was not difpofed to accept his advice, 

or to imitate bia example"^ ; and, in the Audy 

"^ Let V8 hear Amtnianus himfdf^ H«c» Qt Qiiles quoodaxB, et, 
©raecus, a principatu Caefaris Nervse exorfusj adufque Valentis 
iotfritmxw pro. -viviuia expKcutvi menfucS: xranquam^ ut atiMlMc^ 
fciens, fil^ntip. axifut coinuiDperei xel ncuendat^io. Scribant ic%9^ 
potiores aetate, dotflrinilque florentes, Qhos i(J, fi libucrit> aggref- 
furosy. prooudtft lin^iias ad maj^ns mooM ItHos, Amnuaxk lae^ 
i6> T^e firft thirteen books,^ a, fi^evl^ial epiitqiae of iwothivi^r^ 
and fifty-feven yearsjt are np\jr loft : the laft eighteen, whfch contaia 
no moie than tii'-oiife^iiwe yeesesj Gkft preserve the copiottr aoiil aiN 

"^ Ammianus was the laj^ 6il]^<^ of RpiTie who, cmq^fed ^ 
profane hiflory in the Latin language. The Eaft, in the next ccih 
turT» ppodtMfd &«ie. rhetoical hiiWtiau* Zofiniu^ Ofympiodkorwir 
Mi|J[chus> Cai^di^>. ^c. See Yoflli^ de Hii(oi»:i8 Qc^ci^ L if^ 
c. xSf. de Hiftoiicis Latim$> U u. c. io> &c* 

of 



pf TIfP HOMAN EMPIRE. 427 

of the ipjgn ftf Thep4ofius9, wp ?tre r^uxjed to C H A P, 
illuftratp the p^rti^} ngrrat^iy^ fif ZJofiipfius, by the 1 J^?' . 
o]l>lb)|Fe hints of ifagpients ap{l cbrpiiicles^ by the 
figqratiye ftylp of ppetry or pftnegyi'ic, and by 
the preparippB ^lUftaqee pf the eccl^fi^ftipal wri- 
tiers, whp, ip the he^it pf r^^igip^s f^6tion, are 
apt to defpife the profane virtues of fincerity apd 
nioderation, Confcious of thpfe difac^vantages, 
w^ic}^ will continue tp ^^yolve a poiifiderable 
poft^pn of the decline and f*ll of the Rom^^n 
empire, I fliall pfoeeed with dou^)tful f^pd timoi- 
rous ftpps. Yet I m^y bpldly pronpypce, th^t 
the battl? pf Hafjrianople was never revenged by 
any fignal or decisive vi6lor^ of Theodpfius qver 
the BftrJ]iaria^s ; a^^(l t^e expreffive fijen^ of his ' 
Ye«a;l pratprft Way txe ^fi^ftfii^^d by t^^p obferv^T 
t^oi^:^ of tt^e condition ^n4 pirp^milan^es pf tb^ 
times. The fjihv^P pjf A w^ghty jlate, whi^h ha^ 
teen T^wed by ik^ iftbPWfs of fviccefl[ive agesi^ 
cwW nat be overturned ^ the misfortune of n 
Aflglp 4ayi» if the fat^l ppw^ pf tH iwaginatip^ 
did na^ e^aggev^te t<hpr«l m^ftfe^e of tb^ qaljiu 

i»ity* The lofs pf fpfty tb^PHfapd l^pfflft^lSi^ who 
fell ip the phm pf Ha^r^anp^lfe mifitit havp. 
been fppft recrwted in the pqpv\ipni^pr^vinpc4^ of 

tfee K^, ^bipk 9pnt*ine4 f« w^ny jwllions, of 
iftb^bitot*. The cftur«ge pf % fp^^^r i^ fpund 

to be the cheapeft, and moft common, quality of 
human nature j and fuiKcieii4' ikitt to encounter 

a^ ftudifeipUftp^ #>^ "Vg^ tj?^v,p beeft i|>eediJiy 
taught hy the oare of the furviving eeoturiana^ 
Jf the Barbarians \xei;e «\p\ipt^ed on th^ horffes. 



^28 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, and equipped with thearmour, of theirvanqQifhoI 
^^' , enemies, die numerous ftuds of Cappadocia and 
Spain would have fupplied new (quadrons of ca- 
valry; the thirty-four arienals of the empire were 
plentifully ftored with magazines of oflfenfive and 
defenfive arms ; and the wealth of Afia might 
ftill have yielded an ample fund for the expences 
of the war. But the eflfefts which were produced 
by the battle of Hadrianople on the minds of the 
Barbarians, and of the Romans, extended the 
viftory of the former, and the defeat of the lat- 
ter, far beyond the limits of a fingle day. A 
Gothic chief was heard to declare, with infblent 
moderation, that, for his own part, he was fa- 
tigued with flaughter; but that he was aftoniflied 
bow a people, who fled before him like a flock 
of (beep, could fl;ill prefume to difpute the pof- 
feflion of their treafures and provinces "^. The 
£ime terrors, which the name of the Huns had 
ipread among the Gothic tribes, were inipired, 
by the formidable name of the Goths, among the 
fiibje6ts and fbldiers.of the Roman empire "^ 
If Theodofius, hafl^ily colledting his fcattered 
forces, had led them into the field to encounter 
a victorious enemy, his army would have been 
vanquiflied by their own fears; and his raflinefs 
could not have been excuied by the chance of 

"s Chryfoftomy torn. L p. 344* ^^ Mont&uoon. I hxvt venfiedf 
and eramiiiedy this pallage : but I fhould never, ^nthout tbe aid of 
TillcmoBt (HUL des Emp. tbm. ▼. p. 159^) have detetelankiftark^ 
anecdote* in a Urai^. medley i»f nenland myftic eshortademy ad- 
drefled, by the preacher of Antiochy to a young widow. 
' ''^ Ennapinsy in Excerpt. Legation, p. %j. 

. fuccefe. 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 



429 



fuccefs. But the great Theodofius/an epithet chap. 
which he honourably deferved on this momen- 
tous occafion, condu6led himfelf as the firm and 
faithful guardian of the republic. He fixed his 
head-quarters at Theflalonica, the capital of the 
Macedonian diocefe"^; from whence he could 
watch the irregular motions of the Barbarians, 
and direct the operations of his lieutenants, from 
the gates of Conftantinople to the fhores of the 
Hadriatic. The fortifications and garrifons of 
the cities were ftrengthened ; and the troops, 
among whom a fenfe of order and difcipline was 
revived, were infenfibly emboldened by the con-, 
fidence of their own fafety. From thefe fecure 
llations, they were encouraged to make frequent 
fallies on the Barbarians, who infefted the adja- 
cent country ; and, as they were feldom allowed 
to engage, without fome decifive fuperiority, 
either of ground or of numbers, their enterprifes 
were, for the moft part, fuccefsful ; and they 
were foon convinced, by their own experience, 
of the poffibility of vanquilhing their invincible 
enemies. The detachments of thefe feparate 
garrifons were gradually united into fmall armies; 
the fame cautious meafures were purfued, accord- 
ing to an extenfive and well-concerted plan of 
operations; the events of each day added ftrength 
and fpirit to the Roman arms ; and the artful 
diligence of the Emperor, whocirculated the moft 
favourable reports of the fuccefs of the war^ 

"7 See Godefroy's Chronology of the Laws. Codex Theodof. 
tovxt- u Prolejfomen. p. xcix. — civ. 

contri- 



43^ 



TfiE DECLINE A^l> FALL 



CHAP, cotitrilnited to fubdue the pride of the Bslrlla- 
^J^^[j rians, and to arfimate the hopes aifd courage of 
his fubjedls. If, inftead of this faint and imper- 
feft outline, we could accurately repreftint the 
counfels a»d a6tion8 of Theodofius, in four fiic- 
ceffive campaigns, there is reafon to believe, that 
bis confiimmate Ikilf would deferve the applaufe 
of every military reader. The republic had for- 
merly been: faved by the delays of Falbius ; and, 
while the Ipfendtd trophies of Scipio, in the field 
of Zama, attrafik the eyes (rfpofterity, the camps 
and marches of the diftator among the hills of 
Campania, ntay claim a j after proportion of th6 
foKd and independent fame, which the genera! 
is not compelled to fhare, eitlier with fortune or 
with his troops. Such was' likewife the merit of 
Theodofins; and the infirmifies- of hisr body, 
which mod uiifeafonably kngiiifhed under a long 
and dangerous difeafe, could not opprefs the 
vigour df hrs mind, or divert his attention from 
the public fei^vice "^ 
Divifions, The deliverance and peace of the Rotnan pro- 
^^^^ vinces"* was the work of prudence, rather than 
fion, of the of valour : the prudence of Theodofius was fe- 

Goths, 

A.D. . . 

^jo-^^Zz. "^ ^" yktker^ infift on tlie illnefiy and long npcffe, of Theodo- 
fivsy at Tbeffitloilica : Zofimus, to diminiili his glory; Joroandesy 
to favour the Goths ; and the ecclefiaftical writers, to introduce hii 

"' CotHp^t Themiflius (Orat. xiv. p. i8 t.)r ^^^ 2^fimt]9i (1« i^- 
41. *s%*)f J<lmandes (c. xxvii. p. 649*> and the proUx Commen- 
taiy of M. dc ,Buat (Hift. des Peuples, &c. torn. vi. p. 477 — SS^')* 
The Chronicles of Idatius and Marcelliiius allude, in general termst 
tcf magna certami^, ma^a muhaque pr3elia% The two epithets are 
not eaiily reconciled. 

4 conded 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 43 1 

c.anded by fortune: and the Emperor never failed chap. 
to &ize» and to improve, every favourable cir- ^^^' 
cumftance. As long as the fuperior genius of 
Friiigern preferved the union, and direfted the 
HK^ions of the Barbarians, their power was not 
inadequate to the conqueft of a great empire. 
The death of that hero, the predeceffor and 
mailer of the renowned Alaric, relieved an im- 
patient multitude from the intolerable yoke of 
4i&iplii>e and difcretion. The Barbarians, who 
had been reftrained by his authority, abandoned 
tfaemielves to the diftates of their paffions; and 
til^ir paffions were ifeldom uniform or conMent. 
An army of conquerpre was broken into many 
difprderly bands of iavage robbei's •, and their 
blind and irregular fury was not lefi pernicious 
to themfelves, than to their enemies. Their 
mifchievous difpofition. was fhewn in the deilruc- 
ticm di every objefl;, which they wanted ftrengtfc 
to remove, or taile to enjoys and they often 
confiimed, with imp^oividdnt rage^ the Wvefts, 
oc the granaries, which loon afterwards became 
needTary for their own^ fubfiftence. A fpirit erf 
difeord arofe among the independent tribes audi 
nations, which had been united only by the band^ 
of a lopfe and voluntary alliance* The troopsr 
of the Huna a0d the Alani would naturally up-- 
braid the flight of the Goths j who were* not 4i£ 
pofed to ufe with mod^ation the advantages of 
their foirtune;: the ancientjealouiy Pf the Oflro- 
goths and the Vifigoths could not long be fuH 
peoded^ahd the haughty chie& Oreoiiisiabere^ 

the 



432 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, the infults and injuries, which they had recipro* 
^^J^' , cally offered, or fuftained, while the nation was 
feated in the countries beyond the Danube. The 
progrefs of domeftic fa6lion abated the more 
diffufive fentiment of national animofity ^ and 
the officers of Theodofius were inftrufted to pur- 
chafe with liberal gifts and promifes, the retreat, 
or fervice, of the difcontented party. The ac- 
quifition of Modar, a prince of the royal blood 
of the Aniali, gave a bold and faithful champion 
to the caufe of Rome. The illuftrious deferter 
foon obtained the rank of mafter-general, with 
nn important command ; furprifed an army of 
his countrymen, who were immerfed in wine and 
fleep i and after a cruel flaughter of the aflonifh- 
ed Goths, returned with an immenfe fpoil, and 
four thoufand waggons, to the Imperial camp"^ 
In the hands of a ikilful politician, the moft 
different means may he fucceffively applied to 
the fame endsj and the peace of the empire, 
which had been forwarded by the divifions, was 
accomplifhed by the re-union, of the Gothic 
Both and nation. Ath^naric, who had been a patient 
At^l^. ^pc^ator of thefe extraordinary events, was at 
AD. 381. length driven, by the chance of arms, from the 
J»-»5- dark receffes of the woods of Caucaland. He 
no longer hefitated to pafs the Danube ; and a 
very confiderable part of the fubje6ls of Fritigern, 
who already felt the inconveniences of anarchy, 
were eafily perfuaded to acknowledge for their 

■** Zofimus (1. iv. p. »3».) ftyles him a Scythian^ a name which 
the ndore riceat Greeks feem to have appropriated to the Goths. 

14 king 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 433 

king, a Gothic judge, whofe birth they re- cji^ap. 



ipe6led, and whofe abilities they had frequently ^^^^' 



experienced. But age had chilled the daring 
fpirit of Athanaric ; and, inftead of leading his 
people to the field of battle and vidlory, he wifely 
liilened to the fair propofal of an honourable and 
advantageous treaty. Theodofius, who was ac- 
quainted with the merit and power of his new 
ally, condefcended to meet him at the diftance 
of feveral miles from Conftantinople ; and enter- 
tained him in the Imperial city, with the con- 
fidence of a friend, and the magnificence of a ^ 
monarch. " The Barbarian prince obferved, 
** with curious attention, the variety of objects 
" which attracted his notice, and at lafti broke 
** out into a fincere and paffionate exclamation of 
*' wonder. I now behold (faid he) what I never 
** could believe, the glories of this flupendous 
** capital ! and as he cafl; his eyes around, he 
^^ viewed, and he admired, the commanding fitu* 
** ation of the city, the fl;rength and beauty of 
^^ the walls and public edifices, the capacious 
** harbour^ crowded with innumerable veffels, 
** the perpetual concourfe of difl^ant nations, and 
** the arms and difcipline of the troops. Indeed, 
** (coi]itinued Athanaric,) the Emperor of the Ro- 
^* mans is a god upon earth ; and the prefump- 
** tuous man, who dares to lift his hand againft 
** him, is guilty of his own blood*".** The 

Gothic 

"' The reader will not be difpleafed to fee the original words of 
Jornandes, or the author whom he tranfcribed. Regiam uibem in- 
greifus eft) miranfque> £n> inquity cerno quod faepe incredulus 

VOL. IV. P F audiebam. 



434 TH^ DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP* Grothic king did not long enjoy this Ijpl^ndid and 
^°^^ hooourable reception ; and as temperance wa* 
not the virtue of his nation, it 0iay juftly be fufr 
pe6led, that his mortal di&afe wafi conti'a3:ed 
amidft the pleafiires of the Impi^ial banquets. 
But the policy of Tbeqdofius derived more folid 
benefit from the death, than he couid havie e%- 
peeled from the mod faithful fervices, of his 
ally. The fimecal of Atiianaric was performed 
with foleoi^ rites in the capital of the Eaft; a 
ftately monument was ere^d to hi§ naemory; 
and his whole army, won by the liberal courtefy, 
and decent grief, of Theodo0us, enliiled under 
the ftandard of the Romaia empire '*^ The &b- 
miflSon of fo great a body of the Vifigoths was 
produ3;iveof the raoftfalutary coii&queoces; and 
the mixed injfluence of force, ofreafoD^ asdof 
corruptioii^ became every day more powerful, 
and more exteniive. Each indepeiKlent chitiftaiii 
ha&eoed to obtain a feparate treaty, from tlie 
appreheniion that an dl>?iinatedelay might expofe 
him^ alone and uDprote6ied, to the revenge, or 
juflice of the conqueror* The general, or rather 

aucHebamy famam videlicet tantae urbis. Et hoc iUuc oculus vol^ 
yensf nunc fitum urbis commeatumque navium, nunc mccnia clara 
profpeAans, miratur; poptdofque diverfarum gentium, quafi fonte 
ia Uflo e diverfia partibus (caturieate unda^ fie quoque nvslitem ordi- 
Wtum afpiciens. Dens, inqult, eft fine dubio terrenus Imperator, 
ct quiliquis adverfus eum manum movent, ipfe fui fanguinis reus 
«^iilit. Jbrnante (cxxviiu p. 650.) pEOceede to memion his death 
and funeral. 

'" Jomandes, c. xxviii. p. 650. Even Zofimus (1. iv. p. 246-) 
is compelted to approve ^ geoeroiity of TheodofniB^ ^ honourable 
t» lutMfj aad io beneicial to the piMc 

the 



OF TH£ ROMAN SMPIRE. 435 

t1»e final, capitulation of the Goths, may be dated c h A K 
four years, ooe month, a»d twenty-five days, , /^^^^ 
:^er the defeat and death of the £iii|»eror ajd. s^z. 
Vaiens'3». oa.3. 

The provinces of the Danube had been sdready invafion 
relieved from the oppreffive weight of the Gru- *^"/'*^ 
thungi, or Oftrogoths, by the voluntary retreat Gmthun- 
of Alatheus and Saphrax j whofe reftlefi fpirit ^^ ^^"' 
had prompted them to foek new fcenes of rapine a.d. 386. 
md glory* Their deftna^tive courfe was pointed o^o^er. 
towards the Weft ; but we muft be fati^ed witli 
a very oblcure and imperfe3; knowledge of their 
various adventures. The Oftrogoths impelled 
feveral of the German tribes on the provinces of 
Gaul ; concluded, and foon violated, a treaty 
with the Emptor Gratian ; advanced into th« 
unknown countries x)f the North ; Mtd, after aft 
interval of more than tarn years, returned, with 
accumulated force, to the banks of the Low«r 
Danube. Their troops were recruited with the 
fieroeft warriors of Germany and Scythia j and 
tke ibldiers, ix at leaft the hiftorians, of the eau 
fwre, no longer r^cognifed the name and couti^ 
tenanoes of their former enemies'**. The gene- 
ral, who commanded the military and navai 
fxywers of the Tbracian frontier, foon perceived 
that his fuperiority would be difadvantageous to 
the public fervice^ and that the Barbax'Ians, awed 

^^ The iWty bat authentic* hints in 4he Fafti df Uafiilis (Chron. 
Scaliger, p. 5 a.) are ftained with contemporary paflion. The iouiP* 
teenth Oration of TheaufiTus is a coaoifjliment to Peace* and the confui 
Satuminus (A.D. bSj*). 

'"^ £dyo$ 70 £»vGm0v mtc^tv m/ywr^. Zofimns^ i« iv* p. 253* 

f F « by 



436 THE DECLINE AND FALL 

c H A P- by the prefence of his fleet and legions^ would 
XXVI. probably defer the paflkge of the river till the 
approaching winter. The dexterity of the fpies, 
whom he fent into the Gothic camp, allured the 
Barbarians into a fatal fnare. They were per- 
fuaded, that by a bold attempt, they might fur- 
prife, in the filence and darknefs of the night, the 
fleeping army of the Romans ; and the whole 
multitude was haftily embai:ked in a fleet of three 
thouland canoes "^ The braveft; of the Oftro- 
goths led the van ; the main body confided of 
the remainder of their fubje6ts and foldiers; and 
the, women and children fecurely followed in the 
rear. One of the nights without a moon had 
been fele^ted for the execution of their defign ; 
and they had almoil reached the fouthern bank 
of the Danube, in the firm confidence that they 
ihould find an eafy landing, and an unguarded 
camp. But the progrefs of the Barbarians was 
iuddenly fl:opped by an unexpected obdacle ; a 
triple line of veflels, fl:rongly connected with each 
other, and which formed an impenetrable chain 
of two miles and a half along the river. While 
they fl:ruggled to force their way in the unequal 
conflidl, their right flank was overwhelmed by 
the irrefifl:ible attack of a fleet of gallies, which 
were urged down the fl:ream by the united im- 

"* I am juftified, by reafon and example, in applying this Indian 
name to the jLtoyo|i/Xa of the Barbarians, the fingle trees hollowed 
into the ihape of a boat, irXn^u juovof^Xftw e^iBouram^. Zoiimusi 
I. W. p. »53. 

Aufi Danubium quondam tranare Gruthungi 
In lintres fregere nemus : ter mille ruebant 
Per fluvium plenie cuneis immanibus ahii. 

Claudian, in iv. Conf. Hon. 623. 

pulfe 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE* 437 

pulfe of oars and of the tide. The weight and c H A P- 
velocity of thofe fliips of war broke, and funk, ^^^^• 
and difperfed, the rude and feeble canoes of the 
Barbarians: their valdur was inefie6lual; and 
Alatheus, the king, or general, of the Oftro- 
goths, perifhed with his braveft troops, either 
by the fword of the Romans, or in the waves of 
the Dan ube. The laft divifion of this unfortunate 
fleet might regain the oppofite fliore ; but the 
diftrefs and diforder of the multitude rendered 
them alike incapable, either of a6lion or coimfel ; 
and they foon implored the clemency of the vic- 
torious enemy. On this occafion, as well as on 
many others, it is a difficult talk to reconcile the 
paffions and prejudices of the writers of the age 
of Theodofius. The partial and malignant hif- 
torian, who mifreprefents every a6lion of his 
reign, affirms that the Emperor did not appear 
in the field of battle till the Barbarians had been 
vanquifhed by the valour and condudl of his 
lieutenant Promotus"*. The flattering poet, 
who celebrated, in the court of Honorius, the 
glory of the father and of the fon, afcribes the 
vi6lory to the perfonal prowefs of Theodofius ; 
and almofl infinuates, that the King of the Oftro- 
goths was flain by the hand of the Emperor "^ 

'^* Zofimus, Liv. p. 45 4 — 2SS» He too frequently betrays his 
poverty of judgment, by difgracing the moft ferious narratives with 
trifling and incredible circumftances. 

127 , , Odothgi Re^s opima, 

Retulit — Ver. 6^ 3. 

The opima were the rp(Mls which a Roman general could only win 
from the king, or general, of the enemy, whom he had flain with 
his own hands : and no more than three fuch examples are celebrated 
in the vidlorious ages of Rome. 

E F 3 The 



43$ THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP. The truth of hillory might perhaps be found in 
, ^^^' . ^ j^ mediuia betweea thefe extreme and con- 

tradi£tory alfertioaa. 
Settlement The original treaty which fixed the fettlement 
G thsin ^^ *^® Goths^ afccrtaincd their privileges, and 
Thrace ftipulated their obligations, would Sluftrate the 
"^Ajf' ^ift^^ ^ Theodofius and his fucceflbrs. The 
383—395. feries of their hiftory has Hnperfc6lly prcferved 
the fpirit and fubftance of this fingular agree- 
ment"^ The ravages of war and tyranny hsd 
provided many large tracts of fertile but uncnl-* 
tivafted land fbr the nfe of thole Barbarians, who 
might not difdain the pra6lice of agriculture. A 
numerous colony of the Yifigoths was feated in 
Thrace: the remains of the Oftrogotbs were 
planted in Phrygia and Lydia ; their immediate 
wants were fuppUed by a diftribution of corn and 
cattle } and their future induftry was eneouraged 
by am exemption from trijkit^ during a certam 
term of years* The Barharians would have de- 
ferved to feel the cruel and perfidious policy oi 
the Imperial court, if they had fuflered thero- 
felves to be difperfed through the provinces. 
They required, and they obtained, the fo)e pof- 
ieffionof the villages and diltri^s affignedfor 
their refidenee j they ftill cheriflied and propa-^ 
gated their native manners and language ; aflert- 
eda in the boibm of defpotifm, the freedom of 

"^ See ThemifliuSf Orat. xyL p.axx. CkiidiaiL (in £utiFep« 
1. ii. 15a.) mentions die Phrygian colony: 

Oflrogotliis colkor nuilif(|Uft Gimthuiigia^ 

Fhryxagec 

ioA t&en proceeds to nams the mere of Lydniy tlie Pat^iut asS 
Hermus. 

. : their 



or THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 435 

thehr domeflic government ; and acknowledged char 
the fovereignty of the Emperor, without fubmit- , ^^^' 
ting to the inferior jurifdidlion of the laws and 
magiilrates of Rome. The hereditary chiefs of 
the tribes and families were llitl permitted to 
command their followers in peace and war ; but 
the royal dignity was aboliihed ; and the generals 
erf the Goths were appointed and removed at the 
pleafure of the Emperor. An arn>y of forty thou- 
&md Goths was maintsvined for the perpetual fer^^ 
vice of the etnjMre of the Eaft ; and thofe haughty 
troops, who affumed the title of Feederati^ or 
allies, were diftinguilbed by their gold collars, 
liberal pay, and licentious privileges. Their n»* 
live courage was improved by the ufe of arms, 
and the knowledge of difciplifte ; and, while thcf 
republic was guarded j or threatened, by the doubt- 
ful fword of the Barbarians, the laft %fcrks of 
the military flame were finally extinguifhed in the 
minds of the Ronoans "^^ Theodofius had the ad- 
drefs to perfuade hk allies, that the conditions of 
^eace which bad been extorted ftom him by pru- 
dence and neceflSty, were the voluntary exprdP* 
lions of his fincere friendfhip for the Gothic na- 
tion '^°. A different mode of vindication or apo- 

'"^ Compapc Jornafldes (c, xx. ay.)? wiio marks the condition aiHf 
number of the Gothic Feederati, with Zofiraw (UW, p, ajS.^ wko 
mentions their golden collars ; and Pacatus (in Panegyr. Vet. xi^^^ 
^7.), who applauds, with faJfe or focilifli joy> their brayery aad dif- 
cipline. 

'^** Aniaitor pacis generiftiue Gothorum, k the pntiie befhywwt 
by the Gothie hiitorian (c. xxex.)> who represents his natioif at 
innocent^ peaceable men, (low to anger, and patient of ihjurier. 
According to Livy, the Romans conquered the world Jjji their owif 
db&iice* 



440 



THE DECLINE AND FALL 



CHAP, logy was oppofed to the complaints of the people ; 

r^^'r ^^^ loudly cenfured thefe Ihameful and dange- 
rous conceffions*^'. The calamities of the war 
were painted in the moft lively colours; and the 
firft fymptoms of the return of order, of plenty, 
and fecurity, were diligently exaggerated. The 
advocates of Theodofius could affirm, with fome 
appearance of truth and reafon, that it was im- 
poffible to extirpate fo many warlike tribes, who 
were rendered defperate by the lofs of their na- 
tive country ; and that the exhaufted provinces 
would be revived by a frefli fupply of foldiers and 
hufbandmen. The Barbarians ftill wore an angry 
and hoftile aipe£t ; but the experience of paft 
times might encourage the hope, that they would 
acquire the habits ofinduftry and obedience; 
that their manners would be polifhed by time, 
education, and the influence of Chriilianity ; and 
that their pofterity would infenfibly blend with 
the great body of the Roman people'^*. 

Their hof- N6twithfl;anding thefefpecious arguments, and 

menu. " thefe fanguine expedlations, it was apparent to 
every difcerning eye, that the Goths would long 

'^' Befides the partial invecStives of Zofimus (always difcontented 
with -the Chriftian reigns), fee the grave reprefentations which Sy- 
nefius addreifes to the Emperor Arcadius (de Regno, p. a5> 26. 
edit< Petav.). The philofophic Bifliop of Cyrene was near enough to 
judge ; and he was fufiiciently removed from the temptation of' fear 
or flattery* 

'^' Themifiius (Orat. xvi. p. ail, a 12.) compofes an elaborate 
and rational apology, which is net, however, exempt from the pue« 
rilities of Grtek rhetoric. Orpheus could only charm the wild 
beads of Thrace ; but Theodofius enchanted the men and women^ 
whofe predeceiTori in the fame .country had torn Orpheus in pieces^ 

remain 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. ^^ 

remain the enemies, and might foon become the chap. 
conquerors, of the Roman empire/ Their rude ^ xx^ 
and infolent behaviour exprefled their contempt of 
the citizens and provincials, whom they infidted 
with impunity '". To the zeal and valour of the 
Barbarians, Theodoflus was indebted for the fuc- 
cefs of his arras : but their affiflance was preca- 
rious; and they were fometimes feduced by a 
treacherous and inconftant difpofition, to aban- 
don his ftandard, at the moment when their fer- 
vice was the moft effential. During the civil war 
againft Maximus, a great number of Gothic de- 
ferters retired into the moraffes of Macedoiiia, 
wafted the adjacent provinces, and obliged the 
intrepid monarch to expofe his perfon, and exert 
his power, to fupprefs the rifing flame of rebel- 
lion '^\ The public apprehenfions were fortified 
by the fl^rong fufpicion, that thefe tumults were 
not the effedl of accidental paffion, but the refult 
of deep and premeditated defign. Itwas generally 
believed, that the Goths had figned the treaty 
of peace with an hoftile and infidious fpirit; and 
that their chiefs had previoufly bound themfelves, 
by a folemn and fecret oath, never to keep faith 
with the Romans ; to maintain the faireft fliew 
of loyalty and friendfliip, and to watch the fa- 

*" Conftantinople was deprived, half a day, of the public allow- 
ance of bread, to expiate the murder of a Gothic foldier : ouvanzs ro 
ZAvdixoy was the guUt of the people. Libanius, Orat. xii. p. 394. 
edit. Morel. 

'^ Zofimus, L iv. p. 467 — a 71. He tells a long and ridiculous 
fkory of the adventurous prince, who roved the country with only 
five horfemen, of a fpy whom they dete<5ted> whippedi and killed in 
an old woman's cottage, &c. 

vourable 



^^ THE DECLINE AND FALL 

CHAP, voursble moment of raprm^, of cofMjueft, miid ef 
XXVI. revenge* Biit^ as the minds ot^ the Barbarians 
were not infenfible to the power tof gratitude, 
feveral of the Gothic leaders fincerely devoted 
themfelves to the fervice of the empire, or, at 
leaft, of the Emperor : the whdie nation was in- 
fenfibly divided into two oppofite fafitions, and 
much fophiftry was employed in conv^rfation 
and dispute, to compare the obligations of their 
firft, and fecond, engagements. The Goths, who 
confidered themfelves as the friends of peace, of 
juftice, and of RomC) were directed by the an* 
thority of Fravitta, a valiant and honourable 
youth, diftinguilhed above the reft of his coun- 
trymen, by the politenefs of his fnanners, the 
liberality of his fentiments, and the mild virtues 
of focial life. But the more numerous fa6lion 
adhered to the fierce and faithlefs Priulf, who in* 
flamed the paffion^^ and afierted the independ- 
ence cf his warlike foBowers. On one of the 
fbleom feftivals, when the chiefs of both parties 
were invited to the Imperial table, they were in- 
ienfibiy heated by wine, till they forgot the ufual 
reftraints (rfdifcretion and refpeft ; and betrayed, 
in the prefence of Theodofius, the fiital fecret of 
tbei^r domeftic difputes. The Emperor, who had 
been the reluiSlant witnefs of this extraordinary 
controverfy, di£fembled his &ars and refentoaeut, 
and foon difinifled the tuna ultuous affembly . Ff a- 
vitta^ alarmed and exafperated by the infolfflce 
of his rival, whofe departure from the palace 
might have been the fignal of a civil war, boldly 
I followe(i 



OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 443 

followed him ; and, drawing his fword, laid Priulf chap. 
dead at his feet. Their companions flew to arms; ^^^ 
and the faithful champion of Rome would have 
been opprefled by fuperior numbers, if he had 
not been protedled by tlie feafonable interpofition 
of the Imperial guards '". Such were the fcenes 
of Barbaric rage, which diigraced the palace 
and table of the Roman Emperor; and, as the 
impatient Goths could only be reftrained by the 
firm and temperate chara6ter of Theodofius, the 
public fafety feemed to depend on the life and 
abilities of a fingle man '^^ 

'^* Compare Eunapius (in Excerpt. Legat. p. ai, a».) with Zofi- 
jmus (1. iv. p. a 7 9.). The difference of circumftances and names 
muft undoubtedly be applied to the fame ftory. Fravitta, or Tra- 
vitta, was afterwards conful (A.D. 401), and ftill continued his 
faithful fervices to the eldeft fon of Theodofius (Tillemont, Hift. 
des Empereurs, torn. v. p. 467.). 

^^^ Les Goths ravagerent tput depuis le Danube jufqu'au Bof- 
phore; exterminerent Valens et fon armee; et ne repafferent le 
Danube^ que pour abandonner Taffreufe folitude qu'Us avoient 
faite (Oeuvres de Montefquieu, torn. iii. p. 479. ; Confiderations fur 
les Caufes de la Grandeur et de la Decadence des Romains, c. xvii.). 
The prefident Montefquieu feems ignorant, that the Goths, after 
the defeat of Valens, never abandoned the Roman territory. It is 
now thirty years, fays Claudian (de Bello Getico, 166, &c. A.D. 
494.> . 

Ex quo jam patrios gens haec oblita Triones, 

Atque Iftrum tranfve(Sla femel, viitigia^'fixit 

Threicio funefta folo 
The error is inexcufable ; fince it difguifes the principal and imme-? 
^iate caufe of the fall of the Weftem Empire of Rome. 



END OF THE FOURTH VOLUME. 



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