<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN>
<h1>HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE</h1>
<h2>Edward Gibbon, Esq.</h2>
<h2>With notes by the Rev. H. H. Milman</h2>
<h3>Vol. 3</h3>
<h4>1782 (Written), 1845 (Revised)</h4>
<hr />
<h2>Contents</h2>
<p><SPAN href="#chap27.1">Chapter XXVII: Civil Wars, Reign Of Theodosius.—Part
I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Death Of Gratian.—Ruin Of Arianism.—St. Ambrose.—First
Civil War, Against Maximus.—Character, Administration, And
Penance Of Theodosius.—Death Of Valentinian II.—Second
Civil War, Against Eugenius.—Death Of Theodosius.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap27.2">Chapter XXVII: Civil Wars, Reign Of Theodosius.—Part
II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap27.3">Chapter XXVII: Civil Wars, Reign Of Theodosius.—Part
III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap27.4">Chapter XXVII: Civil Wars, Reign Of Theodosius.—Part
IV. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap27.5">Chapter XXVII: Civil Wars, Reign Of Theodosius.—Part
V. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap28.1">Chapter XXVIII: Destruction Of Paganism.—Part
I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Final Destruction Of Paganism.—Introduction Of The Worship
Of Saints, And Relics, Among The Christians.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap28.2">Chapter XXVIII: Destruction Of Paganism.—Part
II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap28.3">Chapter XXVIII: Destruction Of Paganism.—Part
III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap29.1">Chapter XXIX: Division Of Roman Empire
Between Sons Of Theodosius.—Part I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Final Division Of The Roman Empire Between The Sons Of
Theodosius.—Reign Of Arcadius And Honorius—Administration
Of Rufinus And Stilicho.—Revolt And Defeat Of Gildo In
Africa.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap29.2">Chapter XXIX: Division Of Roman Empire
Between Sons Of Theodosius.—Part II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap30.1">Chapter XXX: Revolt Of The Goths.—Part
I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Revolt Of The Goths.—They Plunder Greece.—Two Great
Invasions Of Italy By Alaric And Radagaisus.—They Are
Repulsed By Stilicho.—The Germans Overrun Gaul.—Usurpation
Of Constantine In The West.—Disgrace And Death Of Stilicho.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap30.2">Chapter XXX: Revolt Of The Goths.—Part
II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap30.3">Chapter XXX: Revolt Of The Goths.—Part
III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap30.4">Chapter XXX: Revolt Of The Goths.—Part
IV. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap30.5">Chapter XXX: Revolt Of The Goths.—Part
V. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap31.1">Chapter XXXI: Invasion Of Italy, Occupation
Of Territories By Barbarians.—Part I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Invasion Of Italy By Alaric.—Manners Of The Roman Senate
And People.—Rome Is Thrice Besieged, And At Length
Pillaged, By The Goths.—Death Of Alaric.—The Goths
Evacuate Italy.—Fall Of Constantine.—Gaul And Spain Are
Occupied By The Barbarians. —Independence Of Britain.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap31.2">Chapter XXXI: Invasion Of Italy, Occupation
Of Territories By Barbarians.—Part II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap31.3">Chapter XXXI: Invasion Of Italy, Occupation
Of Territories By Barbarians.—Part III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap31.4">Chapter XXXI: Invasion Of Italy, Occupation
Of Territories By Barbarians.—Part IV. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap31.5">Chapter XXXI: Invasion Of Italy, Occupation
Of Territories By Barbarians.—Part V. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap31.6">Chapter XXXI: Invasion Of Italy, Occupation
Of Territories By Barbarians.—Part VI. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap31.7">Chapter XXXI: Invasion Of Italy, Occupation
Of Territories By Barbarians.—Part VII. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap32.1">Chapter XXXII: Emperors Arcadius, Eutropius,
Theodosius II.—Part I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Arcadius Emperor Of The East.—Administration And Disgrace
Of Eutropius.—Revolt Of Gainas.—Persecution Of St. John
Chrysostom.—Theodosius II. Emperor Of The East.—His Sister
Pulcheria.—His Wife Eudocia.—The Persian War, And Division
Of Armenia.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap32.2">Chapter XXXII: Emperors Arcadius, Eutropius,
Theodosius II.—Part II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap32.3">Chapter XXXII: Emperors Arcadius, Eutropius,
Theodosius II.—Part III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap33.1">Chapter XXXIII: Conquest Of Africa By The
Vandals.—Part I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Death Of Honorius.—Valentinian III.—Emperor Of The East.
—Administration Of His Mother Placidia—Ætius And
Boniface.—Conquest Of Africa By The Vandals.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap33.2">Chapter XXXIII: Conquest Of Africa By The
Vandals.—Part II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap34.1">Chapter XXXIV: Attila.—Part I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
The Character, Conquests, And Court Of Attila, King Of The
Huns.—Death Of Theodosius The Younger.—Elevation Of
Marcian To The Empire Of The East.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap34.2">Chapter XXXIV: Attila.—Part II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap34.3">Chapter XXXIV: Attila.—Part III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap35.1">Chapter XXXV: Invasion By Attila.—Part
I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Invasion Of Gaul By Attila.—He Is Repulsed By Ætius And
The Visigoths.—Attila Invades And Evacuates Italy.—The
Deaths Of Attila, Ætius, And Valentinian The Third.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap35.2">Chapter XXXV: Invasion By Attila.—Part
II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap35.3">Chapter XXXV: Invasion By Attila.—Part
III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap36.1">Chapter XXXVI: Total Extinction Of The
Western Empire.—Part I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Sack Of Rome By Genseric, King Of The Vandals.—His Naval
Depredations.—Succession Of The Last Emperors Of The West,
Maximus, Avitus, Majorian, Severus, Anthemius, Olybrius,
Glycerius, Nepos, Augustulus.—Total Extinction Of The
Western Empire.—Reign Of Odoacer, The First Barbarian King
Of Italy.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap36.2">Chapter XXXVI: Total Extinction Of The
Western Empire.—Part II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap36.3">Chapter XXXVI: Total Extinction Of The
Western Empire.—Part III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap36.4">Chapter XXXVI: Total Extinction Of The
Western Empire.—Part IV. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap36.5">Chapter XXXVI: Total Extinction Of The
Western Empire.—Part V. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap37.1">Chapter XXXVII: Conversion Of The Barbarians
To Christianity.—Part I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Origin Progress, And Effects Of The Monastic Life.—
Conversion Of The Barbarians To Christianity And Arianism.—
Persecution Of The Vandals In Africa.—Extinction Of
Arianism Among The Barbarians.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap37.2">Chapter XXXVII: Conversion Of The Barbarians
To Christianity.—Part II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap37.3">Chapter XXXVII: Conversion Of The Barbarians
To Christianity.—Part III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap37.4">Chapter XXXVII: Conversion Of The Barbarians
To Christianity.—Part IV. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap38.1">Chapter XXXVIII: Reign Of Clovis.—Part
I. </SPAN></p>
<p class="letter">
Reign And Conversion Of Clovis.—His Victories Over The
Alemanni, Burgundians, And Visigoths.—Establishment Of The
French Monarchy In Gaul.—Laws Of The Barbarians.—State Of
The Romans.—The Visigoths Of Spain.—Conquest Of Britain By
The Saxons.</p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap38.2">Chapter XXXVIII: Reign Of Clovis.—Part
II. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap38.3">Chapter XXXVIII: Reign Of Clovis.—Part
III. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap38.4">Chapter XXXVIII: Reign Of Clovis.—Part
IV. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap38.5">Chapter XXXVIII: Reign Of Clovis.—Part
V. </SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN href="#chap38.6">Chapter XXXVIII: Reign Of Clovis.—Part
VI. </SPAN></p>
<hr />
<h2><SPAN name="chap27.1"></SPAN> Chapter XXVII: Civil Wars, Reign Of Theodosius.—Part I. </h2>
<p>Death Of Gratian.—Ruin Of Arianism.—St. Ambrose.—First<br/>
Civil War, Against Maximus.—Character, Administration, And<br/>
Penance Of Theodosius.—Death Of Valentinian II.—Second<br/>
Civil War, Against Eugenius.—Death Of Theodosius.<br/></p>
<p>The fame of Gratian, before he had accomplished the twentieth year of his
age, was equal to that of the most celebrated princes. His gentle and
amiable disposition endeared him to his private friends, the graceful
affability of his manners engaged the affection of the people: the men of
letters, who enjoyed the liberality, acknowledged the taste and eloquence,
of their sovereign; his valor and dexterity in arms were equally applauded
by the soldiers; and the clergy considered the humble piety of Gratian as
the first and most useful of his virtues. The victory of Colmar had
delivered the West from a formidable invasion; and the grateful provinces
of the East ascribed the merits of Theodosius to the author of his
greatness, and of the public safety. Gratian survived those memorable
events only four or five years; but he survived his reputation; and,
before he fell a victim to rebellion, he had lost, in a great measure, the
respect and confidence of the Roman world.</p>
<p>The remarkable alteration of his character or conduct may not be imputed
to the arts of flattery, which had besieged the son of Valentinian from
his infancy; nor to the headstrong passions which the that gentle youth
appears to have escaped. A more attentive view of the life of Gratian may
perhaps suggest the true cause of the disappointment of the public hopes.
His apparent virtues, instead of being the hardy productions of experience
and adversity, were the premature and artificial fruits of a royal
education. The anxious tenderness of his father was continually employed
to bestow on him those advantages, which he might perhaps esteem the more
highly, as he himself had been deprived of them; and the most skilful
masters of every science, and of every art, had labored to form the mind
and body of the young prince. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.1" name="linknoteref-27.1" id="linknoteref-27.1">1</SPAN> The knowledge which they painfully communicated
was displayed with ostentation, and celebrated with lavish praise. His
soft and tractable disposition received the fair impression of their
judicious precepts, and the absence of passion might easily be mistaken
for the strength of reason. His preceptors gradually rose to the rank and
consequence of ministers of state: <SPAN href="#linknote-27.2"
name="linknoteref-27.2" id="linknoteref-27.2">2</SPAN> and, as they wisely
dissembled their secret authority, he seemed to act with firmness, with
propriety, and with judgment, on the most important occasions of his life
and reign. But the influence of this elaborate instruction did not
penetrate beyond the surface; and the skilful preceptors, who so
accurately guided the steps of their royal pupil, could not infuse into
his feeble and indolent character the vigorous and independent principle
of action which renders the laborious pursuit of glory essentially
necessary to the happiness, and almost to the existence, of the hero. As
soon as time and accident had removed those faithful counsellors from the
throne, the emperor of the West insensibly descended to the level of his
natural genius; abandoned the reins of government to the ambitious hands
which were stretched forwards to grasp them; and amused his leisure with
the most frivolous gratifications. A public sale of favor and injustice
was instituted, both in the court and in the provinces, by the worthless
delegates of his power, whose merit it was made sacrilege to question. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.3" name="linknoteref-27.3" id="linknoteref-27.3">3</SPAN> The
conscience of the credulous prince was directed by saints and bishops; <SPAN href="#linknote-27.4" name="linknoteref-27.4" id="linknoteref-27.4">4</SPAN> who
procured an Imperial edict to punish, as a capital offence, the violation,
the neglect, or even the ignorance, of the divine law. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.5" name="linknoteref-27.5" id="linknoteref-27.5">5</SPAN> Among the
various arts which had exercised the youth of Gratian, he had applied
himself, with singular inclination and success, to manage the horse, to
draw the bow, and to dart the javelin; and these qualifications, which
might be useful to a soldier, were prostituted to the viler purposes of
hunting. Large parks were enclosed for the Imperial pleasures, and
plentifully stocked with every species of wild beasts; and Gratian
neglected the duties, and even the dignity, of his rank, to consume whole
days in the vain display of his dexterity and boldness in the chase. The
pride and wish of the Roman emperor to excel in an art, in which he might
be surpassed by the meanest of his slaves, reminded the numerous
spectators of the examples of Nero and Commodus, but the chaste and
temperate Gratian was a stranger to their monstrous vices; and his hands
were stained only with the blood of animals. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.6"
name="linknoteref-27.6" id="linknoteref-27.6">6</SPAN> The behavior of Gratian,
which degraded his character in the eyes of mankind, could not have
disturbed the security of his reign, if the army had not been provoked to
resent their peculiar injuries. As long as the young emperor was guided by
the instructions of his masters, he professed himself the friend and pupil
of the soldiers; many of his hours were spent in the familiar conversation
of the camp; and the health, the comforts, the rewards, the honors, of his
faithful troops, appeared to be the objects of his attentive concern. But,
after Gratian more freely indulged his prevailing taste for hunting and
shooting, he naturally connected himself with the most dexterous ministers
of his favorite amusement. A body of the Alani was received into the
military and domestic service of the palace; and the admirable skill,
which they were accustomed to display in the unbounded plains of Scythia,
was exercised, on a more narrow theatre, in the parks and enclosures of
Gaul. Gratian admired the talents and customs of these favorite guards, to
whom alone he intrusted the defence of his person; and, as if he meant to
insult the public opinion, he frequently showed himself to the soldiers
and people, with the dress and arms, the long bow, the sounding quiver,
and the fur garments of a Scythian warrior. The unworthy spectacle of a
Roman prince, who had renounced the dress and manners of his country,
filled the minds of the legions with grief and indignation. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.7" name="linknoteref-27.7" id="linknoteref-27.7">7</SPAN> Even the
Germans, so strong and formidable in the armies of the empire, affected to
disdain the strange and horrid appearance of the savages of the North,
who, in the space of a few years, had wandered from the banks of the Volga
to those of the Seine. A loud and licentious murmur was echoed through the
camps and garrisons of the West; and as the mild indolence of Gratian
neglected to extinguish the first symptoms of discontent, the want of love
and respect was not supplied by the influence of fear. But the subversion
of an established government is always a work of some real, and of much
apparent, difficulty; and the throne of Gratian was protected by the
sanctions of custom, law, religion, and the nice balance of the civil and
military powers, which had been established by the policy of Constantine.
It is not very important to inquire from what cause the revolt of Britain
was produced. Accident is commonly the parent of disorder; the seeds of
rebellion happened to fall on a soil which was supposed to be more
fruitful than any other in tyrants and usurpers; <SPAN href="#linknote-27.8"
name="linknoteref-27.8" id="linknoteref-27.8">8</SPAN> the legions of that
sequestered island had been long famous for a spirit of presumption and
arrogance; <SPAN href="#linknote-27.9" name="linknoteref-27.9" id="linknoteref-27.9">9</SPAN>
and the name of Maximus was proclaimed, by the tumultuary, but unanimous
voice, both of the soldiers and of the provincials. The emperor, or the
rebel,—for this title was not yet ascertained by fortune,—was
a native of Spain, the countryman, the fellow-soldier, and the rival of
Theodosius whose elevation he had not seen without some emotions of envy
and resentment: the events of his life had long since fixed him in
Britain; and I should not be unwilling to find some evidence for the
marriage, which he is said to have contracted with the daughter of a
wealthy lord of Caernarvonshire. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.10"
name="linknoteref-27.10" id="linknoteref-27.10">10</SPAN> But this provincial rank
might justly be considered as a state of exile and obscurity; and if
Maximus had obtained any civil or military office, he was not invested
with the authority either of governor or general. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.11"
name="linknoteref-27.11" id="linknoteref-27.11">11</SPAN> His abilities, and even
his integrity, are acknowledged by the partial writers of the age; and the
merit must indeed have been conspicuous that could extort such a
confession in favor of the vanquished enemy of Theodosius. The discontent
of Maximus might incline him to censure the conduct of his sovereign, and
to encourage, perhaps, without any views of ambition, the murmurs of the
troops. But in the midst of the tumult, he artfully, or modestly, refused
to ascend the throne; and some credit appears to have been given to his
own positive declaration, that he was compelled to accept the dangerous
present of the Imperial purple. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.12"
name="linknoteref-27.12" id="linknoteref-27.12">12</SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.1" id="linknote-27.1">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
1 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.1">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Valentinian was less
attentive to the religion of his son; since he intrusted the education of
Gratian to Ausonius, a professed Pagan. (Mem. de l’Academie des
Inscriptions, tom. xv. p. 125-138). The poetical fame of Ausonius condemns
the taste of his age.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.2" id="linknote-27.2">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
2 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.2">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Ausonius was successively
promoted to the Prætorian praefecture of Italy, (A.D. 377,) and of Gaul,
(A.D. 378;) and was at length invested with the consulship, (A.D. 379.) He
expressed his gratitude in a servile and insipid piece of flattery, (Actio
Gratiarum, p. 699-736,) which has survived more worthy productions.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.3" id="linknote-27.3">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
3 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.3">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Disputare de principali
judicio non oportet. Sacrilegii enim instar est dubitare, an is dignus
sit, quem elegerit imperator. Codex Justinian, l. ix. tit. xxix. leg. 3.
This convenient law was revived and promulgated, after the death of
Gratian, by the feeble court of Milan.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.4" id="linknote-27.4">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
4 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.4">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Ambrose composed, for his
instruction, a theological treatise on the faith of the Trinity: and
Tillemont, (Hist. des Empereurs, tom. v. p. 158, 169,) ascribes to the
archbishop the merit of Gratian’s intolerant laws.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.5" id="linknote-27.5">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
5 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.5">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Qui divinae legis
sanctitatem nesciendo omittunt, aut negligende violant, et offendunt,
sacrilegium committunt. Codex Justinian. l. ix. tit. xxix. leg. 1.
Theodosius indeed may claim his share in the merit of this comprehensive
law.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.6" id="linknote-27.6">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
6 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.6">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Ammianus (xxxi. 10) and the
younger Victor acknowledge the virtues of Gratian; and accuse, or rather
lament, his degenerate taste. The odious parallel of Commodus is saved by
“licet incruentus;” and perhaps Philostorgius (l. x. c. 10, and Godefroy,
p. 41) had guarded with some similar reserve, the comparison of Nero.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.7" id="linknote-27.7">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
7 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.7">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Zosimus (l. iv. p. 247) and
the younger Victor ascribe the revolution to the favor of the Alani, and
the discontent of the Roman troops Dum exercitum negligeret, et paucos ex
Alanis, quos ingenti auro ad sa transtulerat, anteferret veteri ac Romano
militi.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.8" id="linknote-27.8">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
8 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.8">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Britannia fertilis
provincia tyrannorum, is a memorable expression, used by Jerom in the
Pelagian controversy, and variously tortured in the disputes of our
national antiquaries. The revolutions of the last age appeared to justify
the image of the sublime Bossuet, “sette ile, plus orageuse que les mers
qui l’environment.”]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.9" id="linknote-27.9">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
9 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.9">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Zosimus says of the British
soldiers.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.10" id="linknote-27.10">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
10 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.10">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Helena, the daughter of
Eudda. Her chapel may still be seen at Caer-segont, now Caer-narvon.
(Carte’s Hist. of England, vol. i. p. 168, from Rowland’s Mona Antiqua.)
The prudent reader may not perhaps be satisfied with such Welsh evidence.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.11" id="linknote-27.11">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
11 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.11">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Camden (vol. i.
introduct. p. ci.) appoints him governor at Britain; and the father of our
antiquities is followed, as usual, by his blind progeny. Pacatus and
Zosimus had taken some pains to prevent this error, or fable; and I shall
protect myself by their decisive testimonies. Regali habitu exulem suum,
illi exules orbis induerunt, (in Panegyr. Vet. xii. 23,) and the Greek
historian still less equivocally, (Maximus) (l. iv. p. 248.)]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.12" id="linknote-27.12">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
12 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.12">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Sulpicius Severus,
Dialog. ii. 7. Orosius, l. vii. c. 34. p. 556. They both acknowledge
(Sulpicius had been his subject) his innocence and merit. It is singular
enough, that Maximus should be less favorably treated by Zosimus, the
partial adversary of his rival.]</p>
<p>But there was danger likewise in refusing the empire; and from the moment
that Maximus had violated his allegiance to his lawful sovereign, he could
not hope to reign, or even to live, if he confined his moderate ambition
within the narrow limits of Britain. He boldly and wisely resolved to
prevent the designs of Gratian; the youth of the island crowded to his
standard, and he invaded Gaul with a fleet and army, which were long
afterwards remembered, as the emigration of a considerable part of the
British nation. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.13" name="linknoteref-27.13" id="linknoteref-27.13">13</SPAN> The emperor, in his peaceful residence of
Paris, was alarmed by their hostile approach; and the darts which he idly
wasted on lions and bears, might have been employed more honorably against
the rebels. But his feeble efforts announced his degenerate spirit and
desperate situation; and deprived him of the resources, which he still
might have found, in the support of his subjects and allies. The armies of
Gaul, instead of opposing the march of Maximus, received him with joyful
and loyal acclamations; and the shame of the desertion was transferred
from the people to the prince. The troops, whose station more immediately
attached them to the service of the palace, abandoned the standard of
Gratian the first time that it was displayed in the neighborhood of Paris.
The emperor of the West fled towards Lyons, with a train of only three
hundred horse; and, in the cities along the road, where he hoped to find
refuge, or at least a passage, he was taught, by cruel experience, that
every gate is shut against the unfortunate. Yet he might still have
reached, in safety, the dominions of his brother; and soon have returned
with the forces of Italy and the East; if he had not suffered himself to
be fatally deceived by the perfidious governor of the Lyonnese province.
Gratian was amused by protestations of doubtful fidelity, and the hopes of
a support, which could not be effectual; till the arrival of Andragathius,
the general of the cavalry of Maximus, put an end to his suspense. That
resolute officer executed, without remorse, the orders or the intention of
the usurper. Gratian, as he rose from supper, was delivered into the hands
of the assassin: and his body was denied to the pious and pressing
entreaties of his brother Valentinian. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.14"
name="linknoteref-27.14" id="linknoteref-27.14">14</SPAN> The death of the emperor
was followed by that of his powerful general Mellobaudes, the king of the
Franks; who maintained, to the last moment of his life, the ambiguous
reputation, which is the just recompense of obscure and subtle policy. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.15" name="linknoteref-27.15" id="linknoteref-27.15">15</SPAN> These
executions might be necessary to the public safety: but the successful
usurper, whose power was acknowledged by all the provinces of the West,
had the merit, and the satisfaction, of boasting, that, except those who
had perished by the chance of war, his triumph was not stained by the
blood of the Romans. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.16" name="linknoteref-27.16" id="linknoteref-27.16">16</SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.13" id="linknote-27.13">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
13 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.13">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Archbishop Usher
(Antiquat. Britan. Eccles. p. 107, 108) has diligently collected the
legends of the island, and the continent. The whole emigration consisted
of 30,000 soldiers, and 100,000 plebeians, who settled in Bretagne. Their
destined brides, St. Ursula with 11,000 noble, and 60,000 plebeian,
virgins, mistook their way; landed at Cologne, and were all most cruelly
murdered by the Huns. But the plebeian sisters have been defrauded of
their equal honors; and what is still harder, John Trithemius presumes to
mention the children of these British virgins.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.14" id="linknote-27.14">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
14 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.14">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Zosimus (l. iv. p. 248,
249) has transported the death of Gratian from Lugdunum in Gaul (Lyons) to
Singidunum in Moesia. Some hints may be extracted from the Chronicles;
some lies may be detected in Sozomen (l. vii. c. 13) and Socrates, (l. v.
c. 11.) Ambrose is our most authentic evidence, (tom. i. Enarrat. in Psalm
lxi. p. 961, tom ii. epist. xxiv. p. 888 &c., and de Obitu Valentinian
Consolat. Ner. 28, p. 1182.)]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.15" id="linknote-27.15">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
15 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.15">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Pacatus (xii. 28)
celebrates his fidelity; while his treachery is marked in Prosper’s
Chronicle, as the cause of the ruin of Gratian. Ambrose, who has occasion
to exculpate himself, only condemns the death of Vallio, a faithful
servant of Gratian, (tom. ii. epist. xxiv. p. 891, edit. Benedict.) *
Note: Le Beau contests the reading in the chronicle of Prosper upon which
this charge rests. Le Beau, iv. 232.—M. * Note: According to
Pacatus, the Count Vallio, who commanded the army, was carried to Chalons
to be burnt alive; but Maximus, dreading the imputation of cruelty, caused
him to be secretly strangled by his Bretons. Macedonius also, master of
the offices, suffered the death which he merited. Le Beau, iv. 244.—M.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.16" id="linknote-27.16">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
16 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.16">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ He protested, nullum ex
adversariis nisi in acissie occubu. Sulp. Jeverus in Vit. B. Martin, c.
23. The orator Theodosius bestows reluctant, and therefore weighty, praise
on his clemency. Si cui ille, pro ceteris sceleribus suis, minus crudelis
fuisse videtur, (Panegyr. Vet. xii. 28.)]</p>
<p>The events of this revolution had passed in such rapid succession, that it
would have been impossible for Theodosius to march to the relief of his
benefactor, before he received the intelligence of his defeat and death.
During the season of sincere grief, or ostentatious mourning, the Eastern
emperor was interrupted by the arrival of the principal chamberlain of
Maximus; and the choice of a venerable old man, for an office which was
usually exercised by eunuchs, announced to the court of Constantinople the
gravity and temperance of the British usurper.</p>
<p>The ambassador condescended to justify, or excuse, the conduct of his
master; and to protest, in specious language, that the murder of Gratian
had been perpetrated, without his knowledge or consent, by the precipitate
zeal of the soldiers. But he proceeded, in a firm and equal tone, to offer
Theodosius the alternative of peace, or war. The speech of the ambassador
concluded with a spirited declaration, that although Maximus, as a Roman,
and as the father of his people, would choose rather to employ his forces
in the common defence of the republic, he was armed and prepared, if his
friendship should be rejected, to dispute, in a field of battle, the
empire of the world. An immediate and peremptory answer was required; but
it was extremely difficult for Theodosius to satisfy, on this important
occasion, either the feelings of his own mind, or the expectations of the
public. The imperious voice of honor and gratitude called aloud for
revenge. From the liberality of Gratian, he had received the Imperial
diadem; his patience would encourage the odious suspicion, that he was
more deeply sensible of former injuries, than of recent obligations; and
if he accepted the friendship, he must seem to share the guilt, of the
assassin. Even the principles of justice, and the interest of society,
would receive a fatal blow from the impunity of Maximus; and the example
of successful usurpation would tend to dissolve the artificial fabric of
government, and once more to replunge the empire in the crimes and
calamities of the preceding age. But, as the sentiments of gratitude and
honor should invariably regulate the conduct of an individual, they may be
overbalanced in the mind of a sovereign, by the sense of superior duties;
and the maxims both of justice and humanity must permit the escape of an
atrocious criminal, if an innocent people would be involved in the
consequences of his punishment. The assassin of Gratian had usurped, but
he actually possessed, the most warlike provinces of the empire: the East
was exhausted by the misfortunes, and even by the success, of the Gothic
war; and it was seriously to be apprehended, that, after the vital
strength of the republic had been wasted in a doubtful and destructive
contest, the feeble conqueror would remain an easy prey to the Barbarians
of the North. These weighty considerations engaged Theodosius to dissemble
his resentment, and to accept the alliance of the tyrant. But he
stipulated, that Maximus should content himself with the possession of the
countries beyond the Alps. The brother of Gratian was confirmed and
secured in the sovereignty of Italy, Africa, and the Western Illyricum;
and some honorable conditions were inserted in the treaty, to protect the
memory, and the laws, of the deceased emperor. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.17"
name="linknoteref-27.17" id="linknoteref-27.17">17</SPAN> According to the custom
of the age, the images of the three Imperial colleagues were exhibited to
the veneration of the people; nor should it be lightly supposed, that, in
the moment of a solemn reconciliation, Theodosius secretly cherished the
intention of perfidy and revenge. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.18"
name="linknoteref-27.18" id="linknoteref-27.18">18</SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.17" id="linknote-27.17">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
17 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.17">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Ambrose mentions the laws
of Gratian, quas non abrogavit hostia (tom. ii epist. xvii. p. 827.)]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.18" id="linknote-27.18">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
18 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.18">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Zosimus, l. iv. p. 251,
252. We may disclaim his odious suspicions; but we cannot reject the
treaty of peace which the friends of Theodosius have absolutely forgotten,
or slightly mentioned.]</p>
<p>The contempt of Gratian for the Roman soldiers had exposed him to the
fatal effects of their resentment. His profound veneration for the
Christian clergy was rewarded by the applause and gratitude of a powerful
order, which has claimed, in every age, the privilege of dispensing
honors, both on earth and in heaven. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.19"
name="linknoteref-27.19" id="linknoteref-27.19">19</SPAN> The orthodox bishops
bewailed his death, and their own irreparable loss; but they were soon
comforted by the discovery, that Gratian had committed the sceptre of the
East to the hands of a prince, whose humble faith and fervent zeal, were
supported by the spirit and abilities of a more vigorous character. Among
the benefactors of the church, the fame of Constantine has been rivalled
by the glory of Theodosius. If Constantine had the advantage of erecting
the standard of the cross, the emulation of his successor assumed the
merit of subduing the Arian heresy, and of abolishing the worship of idols
in the Roman world. Theodosius was the first of the emperors baptized in
the true faith of the Trinity. Although he was born of a Christian family,
the maxims, or at least the practice, of the age, encouraged him to delay
the ceremony of his initiation; till he was admonished of the danger of
delay, by the serious illness which threatened his life, towards the end
of the first year of his reign. Before he again took the field against the
Goths, he received the sacrament of baptism <SPAN href="#linknote-27.20"
name="linknoteref-27.20" id="linknoteref-27.20">20</SPAN> from Acholius, the
orthodox bishop of Thessalonica: <SPAN href="#linknote-27.21"
name="linknoteref-27.21" id="linknoteref-27.21">21</SPAN> and, as the emperor
ascended from the holy font, still glowing with the warm feelings of
regeneration, he dictated a solemn edict, which proclaimed his own faith,
and prescribed the religion of his subjects. “It is our pleasure (such is
the Imperial style) that all the nations, which are governed by our
clemency and moderation, should steadfastly adhere to the religion which
was taught by St. Peter to the Romans; which faithful tradition has
preserved; and which is now professed by the pontiff Damasus, and by
Peter, bishop of Alexandria, a man of apostolic holiness. According to the
discipline of the apostles, and the doctrine of the gospel, let us believe
the sole deity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; under an equal
majesty, and a pious Trinity. We authorize the followers of this doctrine
to assume the title of Catholic Christians; and as we judge, that all
others are extravagant madmen, we brand them with the infamous name of
Heretics; and declare that their conventicles shall no longer usurp the
respectable appellation of churches. Besides the condemnation of divine
justice, they must expect to suffer the severe penalties, which our
authority, guided by heavenly wisdom, shall think proper to inflict upon
them.” <SPAN href="#linknote-27.22" name="linknoteref-27.22" id="linknoteref-27.22">22</SPAN>
The faith of a soldier is commonly the fruit of instruction, rather than
of inquiry; but as the emperor always fixed his eyes on the visible
landmarks of orthodoxy, which he had so prudently constituted, his
religious opinions were never affected by the specious texts, the subtle
arguments, and the ambiguous creeds of the Arian doctors. Once indeed he
expressed a faint inclination to converse with the eloquent and learned
Eunomius, who lived in retirement at a small distance from Constantinople.
But the dangerous interview was prevented by the prayers of the empress
Flaccilla, who trembled for the salvation of her husband; and the mind of
Theodosius was confirmed by a theological argument, adapted to the rudest
capacity. He had lately bestowed on his eldest son, Arcadius, the name and
honors of Augustus, and the two princes were seated on a stately throne to
receive the homage of their subjects. A bishop, Amphilochius of Iconium,
approached the throne, and after saluting, with due reverence, the person
of his sovereign, he accosted the royal youth with the same familiar
tenderness which he might have used towards a plebeian child. Provoked by
this insolent behavior, the monarch gave orders, that the rustic priest
should be instantly driven from his presence. But while the guards were
forcing him to the door, the dexterous polemic had time to execute his
design, by exclaiming, with a loud voice, “Such is the treatment, O
emperor! which the King of heaven has prepared for those impious men, who
affect to worship the Father, but refuse to acknowledge the equal majesty
of his divine Son.” Theodosius immediately embraced the bishop of Iconium,
and never forgot the important lesson, which he had received from this
dramatic parable. <SPAN href="#linknote-27.23" name="linknoteref-27.23" id="linknoteref-27.23">23</SPAN></p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.19" id="linknote-27.19">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
19 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.19">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Their oracle, the
archbishop of Milan, assigns to his pupil Gratian, a high and respectable
place in heaven, (tom. ii. de Obit. Val. Consol p. 1193.)]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.20" id="linknote-27.20">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
20 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.20">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ For the baptism of
Theodosius, see Sozomen, (l. vii. c. 4,) Socrates, (l. v. c. 6,) and
Tillemont, (Hist. des Empereurs, tom. v. p. 728.)]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.21" id="linknote-27.21">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
21 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.21">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Ascolius, or Acholius,
was honored by the friendship, and the praises, of Ambrose; who styles him
murus fidei atque sanctitatis, (tom. ii. epist. xv. p. 820;) and
afterwards celebrates his speed and diligence in running to
Constantinople, Italy, &c., (epist. xvi. p. 822.) a virtue which does
not appertain either to a wall, or a bishop.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.22" id="linknote-27.22">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
22 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.22">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Codex Theodos. l. xvi.
tit. i. leg. 2, with Godefroy’s Commentary, tom. vi. p. 5-9. Such an edict
deserved the warmest praises of Baronius, auream sanctionem, edictum pium
et salutare.—Sic itua ad astra.]</p>
<p><SPAN name="linknote-27.23" id="linknote-27.23">
<!-- Note --></SPAN></p>
<p class="foot">
23 (<SPAN href="#linknoteref-27.23">return</SPAN>)<br/> [ Sozomen, l. vii. c. 6.
Theodoret, l. v. c. 16. Tillemont is displeased (Mem. Eccles. tom. vi. p.
627, 628) with the terms of “rustic bishop,” “obscure city.” Yet I must
take leave to think, that both Amphilochius and Iconium were objects of
inconsiderable magnitude in the Roman empire.]</p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />