the other was before at Rome but dryuen by souldyers that were wythin the engyne The Gothes therefore sette the same agaynste that parte of the wall where they myghte wyth 〈◊〉 ease approche entendynge the nexte daye to haue wonne the Towne by assaulte But Iohn the same nyghte went oute wyth hys souldyers and caused theym to cutte a broode and a deepe Dyche on that syde castyng vppe all the earthe that came oute of it on that browe of the Dyche that was nexte the wall And so one nyghtes worke disappoynted the longe prepensed labour of the enemye cuttynge of all possibilitye of bryngynge the engyne to the wall Yet for all that Uitigis was mynded to fyll vp the dythe commaundyng all hys armye to prepare Fagotts and strawe wyth suche other baggage for the same purpose And to the entent the towre shoulde not the night followyng be set on fyer by the enemie he determined to drawe it backe agayne to the Campe. As the Gothes were aboute it Iohn issued out with hys souldyers and set vppon them beyng busye about the worke There was a great and cruell combate aboute the Turret and manye of the Gothes were slayne Howe be it after longe feyghtyng they drewe it backe agayne oute of daunger but wyth suche a 〈◊〉 and so greate losse of theyr best men of warre that they 〈◊〉 vtterlye in despayre of wynnynge the towne by force determinyng to subdue it by 〈◊〉 ¶ The iiij Chapter 〈◊〉 Belisarius seudeth Mundilas with a poâ— to receiue Millaine who in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at the Citye of Pauie by a misâ— loseth a noble man of hys companye called Fidelis 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 other Cityes of Lombardye yelde vnto Mundilas Vraias the 〈◊〉 of Vitigis goeth into Lumbardye agaynste the Imperialles Be◠〈◊〉 dyuers townes in Italye by composition Vitigis sendeth a 〈◊〉 of souldyers to Auxiuum for the more strengthenynge thereof â–ª the vvhych makyng a rode 〈◊〉 the inhabiters of Aucon throughe the follye of 〈◊〉 Capâ— thereof make a greater slaughter and put the towne in daunger of takynge THe verye selfe same tyme Beâ— graunted an ayde of souldyers to the Ambassadours of Millain that came before vnto Rome He appoynted Mundilas one of hys 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a verye stoute and valiant man to bâ— chieftaine of the said armie In the same band was also Fidelis of Millaine whome we declared to haue bene Stewarde of the kynges house All these being conuâ—yed to Geane by shippe went from thence to Millaine on foote And to thentent they woulde not be hyndered of theyr passage ouer Po they caryed Bots with them in Wagons to ferrie ouer the ryuer withall Marching therefore in this sort as I haue toldâ— when they had passed ouer the ryuer Po and were come to the Citie Ticiuum which is nowe called Pauie the Gothes issued out of the towne and set vppon them For by reason that towne had a strong castle in it the Gothes had bestowed manye and precious thynges in the same and had manned it wyth a great garrison The skyrmyâ—he was no sooner foughte but that the Gothes were dryuen into the Cytye And so Mundilas passed wyth hys armye ouer the bridge that was harde by the town In the same place was Fi delis of Millain slaine For he weÌ„t into a certaine church to make his prayers and the residue of hys company beyng all gone last of all he came out alone as he wold haue taken hys horseback he ouerthrewe The whiche thyng hys enemyes that stood vppon the Walle perceyuyng rusâ—hed our vppon hyâ— and slew hym before that â–ª Mundilas and the souldyers wyste of it The deathe of thys man was great sorowe bothe to the Captaine and to the souldyers For he was a noble man in hys countrey and of muche power and such a one as wyth his presence might greatly haue furthered the warre that was in hand Mundilas therefore and the reste of his companye keepynge on theyr iourney towarde Millaine were receyued into the Citie Therevppon Come Bergome Nouaria wyth the reste of the cities in those borders folowing thensample of Millaine of their owne accorde receyued Mundilas and hys souldyers When Uitigis had knowledge of those thinges that had happened aboute Millaine he sent Uraias hys brothers sonne with a great army into those costs to thentent he should bothe cause such to keepe theyr allegians to the Gothes as had not yet reuolted and also yf he could recouer such as had already yelded Furthermore he wrate to Thewdeberte Kynge of Fraunce wyth whome not long before he had entered in leage desyring hym to minister ayde vnto Uraias In thys state or rather in this expectation were the matters of Lumbardie Belisarius at such tyme as corne began to waâ— rype setting out of Rome marched wyth hys armye towarde hys enemyes The Gothes that were left in garrison at Tudert and Cluse hearing that Belisarius was makyng towarde theym for as muche as they thought themselues ouer weake to encounter agaynste hym forthewyth sent messengers vnto hym and yelded vp theyr Townes by composition Whyle these thynges were in doinge Uitigis sent another armye vnto Auximum For he was vtterlye determyned to reteyne and kéepe styll that Citye Wyth thys armye he sent a newe deputye to haue the charge of the Towne and the men of warre named Uacinius Who adioining his newe souldyers and the olde crewe togyther purposed to attempt the win nyng of Aucon hys nexte neyghbour citie whyâ— was manned wyth a garryson of Belisarius And therevppon he went wyth all hys whole power agaynste the inhabiters of Aucon That Towne in those dayes was walled onclye on that syde that stoode vppon the hyll the lower places situated on the playne grounde albeit they were replenished with buil dings yet were they not enclosed with anye wall Therefore at such time as the Gothes approched 〈◊〉 captain of the towne and souldyers of Aucon fearing least the suburbes and the inhabiters thereof should be wasted and destroyed by thenemye came downe from the vpper part of the towne with all his whole crewe and set hymselfe agaynste hys enemye But in that case Conon was to farre ouermatched For he hauynge scarse a thousand souldiers encountered with his enemies beynge foure thousand And therefore he dyd quickely abye hys foolyshe hardynesse For beynge â—t able to stand agayâ—ste so manye he was at length â—quished anâ—â—eynge put to flyghâ— loste the moste partâ— of hys men and the Citie it selfe was with much a doe hardly saued from taking For when the souldiers retyred full flyght toward the towne the townesmen for doubte leaste their enemyes should enter in amonge the souldyers fearefully closed vppe their gates By meanes whereof there was a greate slaughter made of theym euen harde vnder the wall And the Captayne Conon himselfe was driuen to so narrowe an erigent that he had none other waye to saue hys lyfe but to be drawen vppe the wall by a lyne The Gothes rerynge vppe skalynge Ladders endeuored
captaines of his horsemen were Ualentine Innocent and Magnus and lieutenaunt generall and soueraigne of them all was Belisarius Who folowyng the commaundment of the emperour hys maister whereas he pretended to sayle towarde Cartharge ariued by the way in Sicill and there goyng a land as it had bene to refreshe hym selfe and hys souldyours when he espied tyme and occasion for hys purpose sodenlyâ— he assayled the citie Catina and wonne it Then shewyng hym self with hys army abrode and disclosing hys prepensed purpose within few dayes after he receyued Syracuse by composition After this it is a wonder to sée how victory ranne on hys syde and how the Cities of theyr owne accord yelded and called him to them The cause herof was the hatred that the Sicilians bare to the Gothes and the authoritie of the Empyre of Rome together with the presence of Belisarius Whome for as much as he had delyuered Aâ—ricke from the Uandalians they hoped should do the lyke by the Gothes thorough Sicil Italy Moreouer the Go thes had made no preparation in Sicil because they looked not for any warre there By meanes whereof it came to passe that as many of the Gothes as were in Sicill beyng amazed at the sodain inuasion of Belisarius and the hasty reuoltyng of the cities thought more of runnyng awaye then of makyng resistence Only the citie of Panormus by reason there was a strong garrison of the Gothes in it abode the siege and endured it to the vttermost The which citie beyng very defensible and well fortiâ—ed toward the land and therevppon settyng lyght by any thing that thenemie could worke agaynst it at the last by a nauye sent into the hauen was wonne by the sea For the hauen 〈◊〉 hard to the walles of the towne And Belisarius had marked howe that in diuers places the toppes of the mastes reached a great hight aboue the walles of the citie Wherefore he set Archers and â—yngers in the topeastles of the shyppes who with arrowes and darts dyd so beate their ene mies vnderneath them on all sydes that the walles were left naked without defendaunts so that theyr companye went without daunger to the foote of the wall and brake it downe Thorough which distresse theyr enemyes beynge discomforted yelded vp the towne This was the last Citie of all Sicill that came in subiection When Belisarius had recouered Panormus he retourned to Syracuse and there makyng sumptuous and royall pageants threwe Golde and Syluer amonge the poople For it was the laste daye of hys Consulshyppe the whyche was geuen hym in honour of the victorye that he gate of the Uandalians And Fortune was so fauourable vnto hym that besydes all hys formâ— victories euen the verye laste daye of hys Consulshyppe she closed vp wyth the recouerye of all Sicill Thus went the world in Sicill ⧠The. iiij Chapter ¶ Of the doynges of Mundus in Dalmatia agaynst the Gothes of the death of the sayde Mundus and hys sonne Maurice and howe onâ— Gâ—ppa a noble man of the Gothes recouereth all that Mundus had conquered before IN Dalmatia both partes raysed greate powers and 〈◊〉 towardes the Citie of Salons Nowe when they were comme neare vnto the town and that the warre was whote on bothe partes at length there was a battell fought not prepurposed but by chaunce vpon the sodaine without knowledge before of any of both partes The cause thereof was this The captaine Mundus had a sonne cal led Maurice a goodly yong gentleman and a tall man of his handes Who hauyng the leadyng of a troope of Horsemen rode to view the Campe of the Gothes Now by chaunce the Gothish horsemen met with him and assoone as the one parte had espied the other there was no tarience but straight to the skirmishe So thei encountred for a tyme very fiersly and many of the stou test of the Gothes were slaine and at the last Maurice also was kylled Both the Campes hearyng of the skirmishe made spede to rescow their com 〈◊〉 Whyles that Mundus was on hi◠〈◊〉 â—dings was brought him of the losse of his sonne Then the man beyng of nature fierce warlyke ran in a rage lyke a mad man vppon his enemies By that time was al the hoste of the Gothes come thither and the encounter was with the whole power oâ—â—yther part the battell was very blooâ— and cruell At length the Gothes being discomfited with great slaughter and losse of their people were put to flight But Mundus whiles he vnsaciably followed the slaughter of the Gothes and for angre and sorowe of the losse of his sonne pursued the chace to farre was recountered of his dispersed enemies and slain and so the father through the outragious reuengement of his sonne in thend did seeke his own confusion After this battell both armies departed a sundre For the Gothes being vanquished durst not abide in those quarters and the Emperours souldiours being dismayed with the losse of theyr Captain left Salons and retyred backe agayne I thinke it not good to suppress with filens a thing that many authours haue made mencioÌ„ of They say there were certaine old verses of Sibill in the which it was prophesied that when Affricke should be recouered by the Romains then shuld Mundus which word as it is here a mans name so also it signifieth the worlde and hys yssue shoulde peryshe This prophesie of Sybill made many men affrayed doutyng least heauen and earthe with all mankynd shoulde vtterly haue decayed But after the time that Affrick in the former warres was recouered by the pussauÌ„ce of Belisarius then it appeared howe that Sâ—ill prophesied of the destruction of this Captaine and his sonne So depely are all prophesies wrapped in doutfull circumstaunces After the death of this Captaine and the departure of his army the Gothes beganne to growe the stronger in those parts For Grippa one of the noble men of the Gothes imediatly thervppon raising a new power recouered Salons all that euer MuÌ„dus had gotteÌ„ before â— those places In so much that the Gothes were farre of greater power then their enemies in those borders And therwithall Theodatus the king taking stoutly vpoÌ„ him thought himself able to match or rather to ouercome themperour in battell ⧠The. v. Chapter ¶ The Emperour sendeth a new Lieutenaunt into Dalmatia named Constantian who recouereth all Dalmatia and Lyburnia WHEN Iustinian heard of the thynges that were done in Dalmatia he made one of his Courtyers named Constantian Lieutenant of the warres there And therewythall wrote to Belisarius that he should withoute further delaye passe into Italy Constantian therefore hauyng repayred hys armye and throughlye furnyshed hys nauye of all thynges after that he hadde taryed a whyle aboute the doynge thereof at DyrrachinÌ„ remoued from thence and sayled to Khagusium There were at Khagusium certayne skowtwatches set there by Gryppa who seing y â— nauy of CoÌ„stantian passing along the
about to make himself king of Italy had already taken it vppon him For feare wherof Iustinian sent for him immediatly out of Italy The Gothes 〈◊〉 that coulde not at the first by any meanes persuade them selues that he would returne to themperour Iustinian But when they saw preparacion made for the same and all thynges put in a readinesse toward his iourney then they knewe well ynoughe that Belisarius had wonne them in by a trayne and had vtterly de ceiued them But what remedy For he had both the towne and their noble men in his hand so that they could not so much as bewayle their misfortune one to another but that he mâ—st nedes be priuye to it When the Gothes that dwelt on the furthersyde of Po heard â—ydinges hereof they assembled themselues togyther at Pauye and there bewaylyng one to another the commoÌ„ misfortune of their nation and the deceitfullnesse of Belisarius at length would haue made Uraias theyr kyng The whych thyng he would not in any wyse suffer them to doe excusing him selfe by thys reason that for as much as he was Uitigis brothers sonne he myght not seeme to haue done eyther lyke a kynsman or lyke an honest man yf he shuld take y e kyngdome vpon him whiles Uitigis were alyue Through thys allowable erâ—se alledged for hymselfe he was the occasion that Ildouade a man of great aâ—horitie and power amonge the Gothes and which had bene ruler of Ueron a longe tyme before was created kynge Ildouade therefore beynge sent for oute of Ueron vnto Pauye was there inuested in hys purple Robes of estate and pro claymed kynge of the Gothes to the entent he shoulde studye and take care for the saufgard of hys countrey men Beyng in thys sorte made kynge he sent ambassadours by by to RaueÌ„na vnto Belisarius geuing them charge to put hym in remembraunce of hys promise lately made for the taking vpon him of the kingdome of Italy of the Gothes not letting to reproue him openly of breakinge his faithfull promise through whiche cautel the Gothes were deceyued Wherefore if he woulde yet accomplishe his promise in proclaiming him selfe kyng and shewe the same in his doings Ildouade offered him selfe to come to Rauenna to laye of hys robes of estate at hys féete But yf he had rather be themperours slaue then to be Emperour himself he oughte not to be discontented though Ildouade the Gothes that remayned endeuoured to prouide for the saufgard of theyr weale publique Thys was the summe of theyr ambassade Belisarius answered openly there vnto that as long as the Emperour Iustinian lyued he would neuer take vppon him to be kynge Wyth thys answere the Ambassadours retourned to Ildoâ—ade vnto Pauie And Belisarius hauynge decked hys Nauie sayled towarde Constantinople wyth Uitigis and dyuers other noble men of the Gothes and all the kynges Threasure the fyfth yere after the warre was begonne in Italy The thyrde booke of Lenard Aretine concernyng the warres in Italy against the Gothes ⧠The first Chapter ¶ Thentertainement that Belisarius and his prisoners had at Constantinople A commendation of Belisarius good gouernement by comparison betwene hym and the Captaiâ—es that succeded hym WHen Belisarius was come to Constantinople y â— Emperoâ—r Iustinian welcomed hym with great ioy and hauing hym in great reputation and honour put out of mynd all mistrust that he had coÌ„ceyued of his doinges before The Gothes whom he had brought with him were entertayned very gently and courteously and men wondered to beholde theym the whych mighte seme to haue chaunced not without good cause For there was Uitigis king of the Gothes that of late had besyeged Rome wyth such a multitude and his wyfe Amulusuentha the nece of Theoderich somtime king of the Gothes who first brought them into Italy and there gaue them possessioÌ„s Furthermore there were the two sonnes of Ildouade then Kynge of the Gothes whom Belisarius fynding in the Courte of Uitigis at Rauenna wold not suffer to depart but brought them away w t hym into Grece There were other noble men of the Gothes also whom al men beheld wondering at the puissans of Belisarius that had atcheued so great exploytes and extoâ—ling him wyth prayses to the skye in that he had lately before subdued Aphrycke and now Italy vnder the dominion of Iustinian And thus went the worlde in Grece In Italye after the departure of Belisarius the order of thynges by the commaundement of the Emperour was committed to the discretion of Iohn of Bessas of Uitalis Constantian also was come out of Dalmatia was added to the nuÌ„ber of the Gouernours It was soone seene what difference there was betwene y â— gouernment of these men of Belisa For to omitte his skilfulnesse in feats of warre cheualrie wherin he far surmounted al the Captaines of his time there was in him a singuler humanitie gentlenes through the which he exhibited himself aswell to the poore as to the rich There was no maner of per son but might haue casie fre accesse to his presens besides that he was wonderous bountifull liberall Unto his souldiers that had lost theyr horses weapons and armour so it were not cowardly forthwith he gaue new agayne Of the husbandmen he had so great regarde that in leading of hys armie he would not suffer any of them to be hurte or endomaged Hys souldiers durste not be so bolde as to touche the Apples hangyng on the trees Through this his straightnesse in obseruing the lawe of armes he obteyned that his campe was more plentifully serued then the marketts in any citie So free and without peryll was the conueyance of all things that were to be solde His vprightnesse towarde suche Cytyes as were in societie and leage wyth hym no man is able to reporte as it deserued Men myghte heare of the great good tournes that he dyd for them but not that he vered or molested any of them But as for them that succeded hym they were nothynge lyke hym neyther in humanitie neyther in prowesse neyther yet in vpryght dealynge For bothe they them selues were Pyllers and Pollers and also they suffered theyr Souldyers to fall into all kynd of licentiousnesse disorder beynge proude to theyr partakers and easye inough to be entreated toward their enemies by meanes wherof within short space matters began to goe cleane backeward and to slyde into open and manifest ruine as I shall shewe you hereafter The. ij Chapter ¶ The diligence of Ildouade kinge of the Gothes the greate misgouernaunce of the Imperiall Captaines by meanes whereof they be brought lowe and the Gothes incresed in strength and courage The death of Vraias the death of Ildouade the electtion and death of Ataricus and the election of Totilas ILdouade beyng newly created kyng of the Gothes as I declared before after the departure of Belisarius went in hand wyth hys matters very diligently For he gaue commaundement that
all the Gothes and all the Italians that fauored the Gothyshe parte should at a daye appoynted meete all togyther readye furnished with armour at Pauye His armye at y e beginning was verye slen der but it coÌ„tinually encreased euery daye was in better hope and comforte then other The couetousnesse and wrongful dealing of their aduersaries dyd not a lytle helpe the Gothish part For the collectours of Iustinian vnder the colour of forfeytures and arrerages began to vexe the people of Italy maruelous bytterlye and to compell theym to the payment of summes that were neuer due For by calling an accounpt of all thyngs that the Italians had taken charge of in the tyme of Theoderich fyrste kynge of the Gothes or of anye other of the Kynges that succeded hym togyther wyth the accompte of all suche offices as anye Italyan had borne durynge the sayde tyme and moreouer by makyng inquisition for the money lately promysed by the Cytyes to the Gothes the whyche they chalenged to the Emperour as due by the name of forfeyture they broughte euerye man priuatelye and all the Cytyes generallye in suche a despayre that they wyshed y e Gothes to be lordes of all againe therevppon many of their owne frée will reuolted to Ildouade helpinge to augment the number strength of his armie The lyke grudge was also in themperours armie For loke with what greadines the money that was neuer due was exacted of the Italians with like pinching were the souldiers restrayned of theyr due deserued wages There was no regarde had of any thyng but one which was to satisfye the Emperours vnsatiable coustousnes by gathering of money and spendinge none againe And therfore as well the souldyers as the Italyans beyng constrained with so great wronges sought to bryng the Empyre to decaye By mea nes whereof Ildouade daylys growynge stronge brought vnder hys obeysance all the Cyâ—es beyonde the â—uer Po and all the Cytyes perteyâ—ynge to the estate of Uenicâ— and â—armye was fullye furnished with number both of Italians and Gothes Through the whyche within a whyle he was so encouraged that he was not a â—ayde to leade hys armye into open â—ld to try the fortune of battel This 〈◊〉 was fought not farre fâ—oÌ„ Taruisium against Uitalis one of the Emperours Captaines In the which Ildoâ—ade gerting â—hupper hand made 〈◊〉 a slaughter of Uitalis army y â— whiles the captaâ—e himself w t a few sted away all the rest were â—ither slain or taken prisoners by the Gothes Through this â—ictorie being so great so notable it is a wonder to see how the gothes were encouraged how much the power of their aduâ—rsaries was abaâ—d In so much y â— not only beyonde the Ryuâ—r Po and vnder the dominion of Uenice but also all suche as on thys syde the Po helde of the Gothy she part were throughly strengthened and the name of Ildouade grewe famous euen in the Emperour Iuâ— Court and amonge foreine nations also It was not long after but that he pursued to y â— death Uraias a man of much aucthoritie and estimation among the Gothes vpon presumption y â— he should conspâ—re with his enemies This cause was pretended Howbeit somme were of opinion that he tooke prytch agaynst Uraias bycause that latly before there had bene altercation betwen his wife and the Quéene But surely I cannot thiâ—ke that Ildouade being a graue wyse man would be so farre ouersene as to be induced with brablinge matters of women to kill suche a man as was Uraias I beleue rather that the cause why Ildouade dyd putte him to death was that he feared his power aucthoritie For it is manifest that the Gothes in generall are of nature very mistrustfull and scarce sufficientlye faithfull toward their kinges Many of the Gothes dissalâ—wed the death of Uraias and openly detested it as a 〈◊〉 and wicked acte By meanes wherof it came to passe that Ildonade himself was â—ayne by one of his owne 〈◊〉 whiles he sate at his meate In his stead was Ataricus created King but he raigned not long For w tin fiue monethes after his election he was slain by his owne subiectes for his euil behauiour misgouernement Thus hauing killed two of their kinges w tin two yeres space they offered the kingdome with one consent vnto Totilas This man before he was made kynge had borne great aucthority at Tarui siner which is a citie of the Uenetians and hys father was brother to 〈◊〉 late Kynge The. iii. Chapter ⧠A larger declaration of the election and â—ation of Totilas mencioned brieflye in the Chapter before The Emperours Câ—ptaines through their insaciable grediâ— of pray stryuing for the bootie before they had gotten it lose the Citiâ— Veron â—hiche was deliuered into their handes and betâ—ay their â—wne companie AFter that Ildonade as I shewed before was sâ—aine Totilas dreading to be in daun ger bycause 〈◊〉 was so nere of his kinne sent priuely to Kauenna made compact with themperours captaines to turne vnto them with such as he had rule of to yeld vp y â— town of Taruisium into their haÌ„ds A day was limited for performans of y â— matter But ere euer y â— day came the Gothes repentiâ—g y â— they had 〈◊〉 in y â— death of Ildouade that they had made 〈◊〉 their king a 〈◊〉 nether of wisdome nor courage able to defend y â— Gothes against so great strength of their enemies began to encline to To tilas the nere kiâ—sman of â—douade to wishe that he were their king In coÌ„ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of the way made Toâ—ilas king in dede 〈◊〉 hauing intelligence of these things y â— had â—appened in Italy found great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—oward nes of his captaiâ—s y â— in al the 〈◊〉 y â— their eâ—mies were 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 among themselues among so many alterations chaunges they hauing so great oportunity for y e speÌ„ding of their matters had done nothing at al. The captaines moued w t this dishonorable rebuke asseÌ„bled togither at Raueâ— There when it came to â—onsul as concerning the war it was thought best first formest to send an armye against y â— citie Ueron For they had 〈◊〉 secretly put in hope of 〈◊〉 of y â— towne The captaines were in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of whoÌ„ the thieâ—e were 〈◊〉 AleraÌ„der lately sent thither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perour for the collection of his money Therfore setting forth wyth a greate armye when they approâ—hed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ueron they determyned to putte in tryall the hope that was lately geuen theym For there was one Martine a noble man of that Countrie that had a Castle not farre from â—eron 〈◊〉 for as much as in his â—rt he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had allured the keâ—r of one of the gates to let in y â— emperoâ—s army â–ª The matter being in this wyse closely agreed vpon when the captaines came thither with their
of Tibur is a nere neyghboure vnto Rome beyng distant from thence no further then syxtene myles The takyng whereof was a great eyâ— sore and noyous to the Romaynes as wherby they were dysappoynted of all thynges in Latium After thys Totilas hauyng perfecte intelligence of the commyng of Belâ—arius wente with hys armye into the countrye of the Picentes and encamped aboute Auximum The very same season had Belisarius sent Uitalis with a Illirians erewe of Illirians into the countrye aboute Bononie After the â—yme he had wonne a certain towne thereaboutâ—s and had beene receaued into Bononie the Illirians without any cause why or wherfore for soke hym and assemblyng themselues together went their wayes home For y â— whiche dede they afterward alledged this excuse vnto themperour that whiles they wer seruing him in his warres in Italy the Collectors of his tributes did sel their lyuelond in their Countrie and caste their wiues and children out of house and home by meanes whereof they were compelled to returne thither to defend their owne When Totilas heard of thys sodayne departure of the Illirians he sente out an armye of Gothes in hope to haue takeÌ„ Uitales and the reast of hys companye tardie But they preuentyng hym had recouered vnto Rauenna Belisarius knowyng that they which were besiâ—ged at 〈◊〉 were sore oppressed sent to their ayde a thousand horsemen ouer whom he made three Captaynes Teremunt Ricilas and Sabinian whoe entering into the towne priuely by nyghte the next daye following made a skyrmyshe with the Gothes by whoÌ„ Ricilas one of the Captaines was slaine The reast within a fewe dayes after determined to departe For they sawe that by theyr tarying there they dyd but helpe to spend their frendes victualls and necessaryes and coulde do their enemyes no harme Hereuppon stealyng out of the towne by nyghte when they had gone aboute three myles on their waye they fell into an ambushe of their enemyes by whom being be set on all sydes and so put to flyght they loste two hundred of their companye together with their apparell armour and all other stuffe the beastes that caryed them The residue after long and weary trauell recouered vnto Arimin Fanum Pysantum are Cityes standyng vppon the coaste of thadriatike sea and are situate beetwene Auximum and Arimine These townes at y e begynnyng of these warres had Uitigis set on fyre beaten down the walles of them mydway to the grounde Of these two Belisarius determyned to repayre Pysaurum and to place a Thrope of horsemen in the same for the accomplishment wherof he sent workemen thyther secretly to take iuste measure of the gates the whiche he caused to be framed at Rauenna with lockes henges barres and all other yron worke belongyng vnto them and caused them to be conueyed by water to Pysaurum writyng to the Captaynes and horsemen of Arimine that they should sodaynly take y e towne and hange vp the gates and mende vp the walles of rough worke and clensâ— the dyches As for all kynde of dyand he prouided that it was sent them by Sea The horsemen of Arimine therefore when they had taken Pisaurum did all thynges accordyng to Belisarius commaundement Totilas perceauyng that went thither with a great power to interrupte them of their worke But the souldiers had so busilye 〈◊〉 them in scowring the dyches in castyng of the trenches in makyng of Rampyres in fortefiyng the towne and in repayring the walles the bulwarkes that the kyng wondered to see so many thynges so wyttely deuised and pollitiquely brought to passe in so fewe daies And therfore wheÌ„ he had taried a while there aboutes forasmuch as he saw he could do no good he returned into hys campe before AurimuÌ„ neuer y e neerer of hys purpose Howbeit Totilas the Gothes perceauyng that Belisarius shewed not hymselfe abroade in the open fieldes with themperours armye in no parte of Italy but only kept himself within the walled townes and deâ—ended them they determined not to syt altogether aboute Auximum onely but to make warre agaynst other Cityes also Hereuppon Totilas went with an armye and besieged Asculum and Firmum among the Picentes Belisarius being not able to 〈◊〉 such as were besieged that called vpon hym dayly for helpe for he had not sâ— great a power that he durst venture abronde agaynst y e Gothes was in great perpleritie and toke it very greuously that hys name should be so dishonored At the length he sent Iohn Uitalian to Themperour to enforme hym of the state of Italy by whoÌ„ he addressed his letters also the tenor wherof contained thys in effecte The. ix Chahter ¶ The Copie of Belisarius letters to themperour the good successe of Totilas the valiaunt Demeanor of Sisifride the 〈◊〉 murtheryng of 〈◊〉 and the manlinesse of hys souldiers MOste noble and puyssant Emperour your Maiestie hath sent me into Italy slenderly furnyshed of men horses and monye the which thing I declared vnto you before my departure beseching your highnesse to haue redressed the matter In the which 〈◊〉 albeit I could not preuaile yet notwithstandyng it was my dutyâ— to be obedient to your coÌ„maundement Whereby I was constrayned to come forth with a fewe Thracians and Illirians the same being fresh water souldiers and altogether vnskilfull of the warres not knowing so much as howe to holde their weapons in their hands And as for the olde souldiers that I found in Italy by reason they had 〈◊〉 â—anguished in diuerse battells beefore by the Gothes they are so afrayed of them that they dare scarce once loke vppon them Besydes thys forasmuch as they haue bene long â—ime defrauded of their wages they ar not able to furnyshe themselues agayne with horse and armour loste and broken in the former warres neyther will they consent to goe forth with them And yet to saye the truth there is not so greate a number of them that they can encounter against the power of the enemye without their owne manyfeste perrill and daunger For the greater part of them that were wonte to fyghte vnder your hyghnesse banner in Italy prouoked by the aforesayd dyspleasures haue of their owne accorde reuolted to yoâ—r 〈◊〉 Furthermore you may not accompte hereafter that you are lyke to haue any reuenewes here toward the payment of your souldiers considering that the enemy hath recouered y â— greater parte of Italy that which remayneth is so empouerished and afflicted by y â— warres that it is not by any meanes able to yelde you tributes Wherefore if the presence of Belisarius be sufficient to recouer Italy you haue done asmuch as may be done in that behalfe for I am here in Italy But if you purpose to ouercome your enemies in dede your Maiestye must make other prouision For a Captayne be he neuer so valiante pollitique and fortunate is able to dooe nothyng if he haue not wherwyth to accomplyshe hys deuisâ—s And therefore it is requisite that you send me
the 〈◊〉 Se thende of 〈◊〉 furye A prophesie of Sybill The Gothes recouer all that Mundus had coÌ„quered Constantian made lieutenant of Dalmatia The sodaine feare of Grippa at the arriuall of Constantian Counsell the refuge of cares Constantian getteth Dalmatia and Lyburnia Dalmatia Lyburnia Illy ricuÌ„ are noâ—e called all by one name of Sclauony The arriuall of Belisarius in Italy Belisarius coÌ„meth to Naples The words of the Neapolitan ambassadour to Belis. The answere of Belisarius to thembassadour Good counsel if it had bene taken The craftye dealing of Asclepiodotus and Pastor Fayre wordes make fooles fayne wyse men to someâ— The malice of Pastor and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 brusteth 〈◊〉 Good fortune of Belisarius the clementie and mercy of Belisarius The meane whereby Belisarius won Naples Shame surmounteth dread of dauâ— ger Naples is tateâ— The desparate fighting of the iewes The clementie and gentle vsing of the victorye by Belisarius Euyll counsel worst to the geuers therof The election of Vitigis with the depo sition deatâ— of Theodatâ— The oration of Vitigis to the Romains Vitigis marieth 〈◊〉 enteâ—eth in league wyth the Frenchmen The Romaiâ— become impe rialles Belisarius fortifiâ—h and vic tayleth Rome Belisâ— gâ— teth three townes from the Gothes * Now called Perugio A battell betwene the Gothes and the imperialls Vitigis marcheth toward Rome wyth 200000. souldyers The shameful flight of the souldiers of Belisarius An encounter vnloked for Daunger the whetstone of courage Belisarius is compelled to 〈◊〉 Belisarius putteth the Gothes to flight A larmes geven to the Citie of â—ome in the nyght The wordes of Bachius to the Romanes The siege of Rome The condâ— aboute the Citye A prouision for grinding of corne Engines for to assault the towne The great force of the battell Ram. Thassault of Rome Thvnskilfulnesse of the Gothes The continuance of the assault Thassaulting of Adriâ—s Pyle The 〈◊〉 of Adriâ— tumbe The defacing of an excelleÌ„t pieâ— of work A drians pyle is rescowed â—ome iâ— dauÌ„ ger to be taken by as 〈◊〉 The repulse of the gothes at the fyrste assaulte The Romains murmur against Belisarius Belisarius wri 〈◊〉 to the â—mperour The Emperour sendeth neâ— succours into Italyâ— The 〈◊〉 besege Salō◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vitigiâ— wynneth 〈◊〉 The cruell commaundement of Vitigis against the Romayne hostages Belisarius deuideth corne by the pole A pope banished vpoÌ„ suspition of tâ— son New 〈◊〉 commeth to Rome Belis. practisâ—th his Souldyers in Sky â—misshes A battell betwene the Go thes and Belisarius It is yll fishing before the 〈◊〉 Belis. and hys men put to fleyght The valiauntnes of Principius and Taruunt The peryll of theÌ„ that were ouercome The syndged child dreadeth â—yer Skyrmisshes aboute the bridge Miluiâ— Aduersitie 〈◊〉 keth men wyse The great peril that Rome stood in A plage A pitous com playnt A rough answere the wise pratise and pollicie of Belisarius ReuereÌ„s haâ— to religion 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of Beliâ— Scarcetie and pestilence in the Gothishe Campe. A newe supplement of souldiers A 〈◊〉 polâ—cye a great â—augh 〈◊〉 of the Gorhes Commuâ— of peace Truce taken for a tyme. Causes of altercation Datius bisshoppe of Millaine A soday ne daunger Treason twise detected The truce bro ken betwene the Gothes Bâ—rius The Gothes break vp their sâ—ge before â—ome Vitigis goeth to besege Arimine The â—nesse of Iohn 〈◊〉 The diligence and industrie of Iohn in pre uentyng the purpose of his enemies â—he death of Fidelis of Mil laine Millaine and other cities of Lumbardy be come Imperial The foole har dinesse of Conon The coÌ„minge of Narses into Italy The meeting of Belisarius and Narses Opinions of thofficers against Iohn A frend is tried at â—ede Thoration of Narses * Now called Oâ—â—â—o The â—que 〈◊〉 of belisarius for the rescowinge of Arimine Saluia The Gothes breake vp their sâ—ge before Arimine â–ª Occasion of discord amoÌ„g 〈◊〉 See what mâ—s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worketh The good for tune of Belisarius Great daâ—h through ouâ— all Italy Millane besieged by the Gothes Millane is lost through the discorde of Narses and Belisarius A notable câ—ueltie Narses is called out of Italy Belis. besiegeth AuximuÌ„ The cause of the sodaine commyng of the frenchmeÌ„ into Italy The number armour of the frenchmeÌ„ The Gothes and the imperials tourned both out of their campes by the french men The Frenchmen retourne againe into Fraunce Fesules is yelded the Impe rialles An encounter aboutbrea king downe of a well In this were slaine of Beli sarius souldieâ—s Auximum vel ded to Belisarins Belisarius goeth to besege Rauenna The wondeâ—full good fortune of Belisarius French Ambassadours to Vitigis Belisarius sen deth commissioners to Vitigis 〈◊〉 betwene the Gothes and the â–ª 〈◊〉 The store-houses are set on fire The reuolting of certaine Gothes to Belisarius The answere of the Empoâ— to the demaunds of the Gothes A crafty suttell kynde of dealing the cause why Belisa woulde not take vpon him to be em 〈◊〉 â—he yelding of Rauenna to Belisarius Belisarius is sent for out of â—taly Vraias refuseth to be made kyng of the Gothes Ildouade is made king of the Gothes â—he effect of the ambassade sent by Ildouade to Belisarius An example of a faithfull subiect and of an inuincible mynde What they were whomâ— Belisarius brought prisoners to Con stantinople â—he prayse of belisarius The iniurâ—ous dealing of the Empeporours Collectours causeth great alteration A battell betwene ildouade and the imperialles * Now called Treuizo The death of Viaias The death of IldouÌ„ade The death of Ataricus Totilas câ—ated king * Now called Treuizo Note the coâ— of â—himperialles and what came of it A combate hand to haÌ„d â–ª The Imperialls are vanquished by Totilas The great dishonorable losse in thys battell The gentlenes of Totilas after hys victorie The beseging of Florens the raising of the same An vntrue report cause of a shamefull discomfiture Tâ—tilas râ—couereth towns iâ—â—mbardy Totilas raseth the walles of Beneuent The syege of Naples An example of clementie and magnaâ—imitie See what want of good gouernement doth in war A new lieuetenant sent in to italy The â—ward nes of Maximius The prudent pollicie of de metrius yf he had followed it Occasion let slyppe wilnot be cawght againe A cowardly carpet knyght A tempest Demeâ—ius is taken prisoner Naples is yel ded to rotilas The 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 behauiour of Totilas toward the 〈◊〉 The seueritie of Totilas toward malefactours Licencious li berty pernicious to men of warre Belisarius diligence 〈◊〉 chosyng of hys 〈◊〉 The rescowiÌ„g of Hidrunte now called Otronto In greatest calme for a storme prouide Belisarius arriuall in Italy The misery of Italy through misgouernement A Captaine is able to do no thing without men and monye Totilas 〈◊〉 ueth Tibur He besiegetâ— Auximum â—he vnfaythfulnesse of the Illiâ—ian souldi ers towarde their captain Belisarius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 manneth iâ— nowe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Totilas besiâ— geth Asculum and Firmum 〈◊〉 letters to themperour The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 The valiant faithfull demeanor of Si sifride The trayterous murthering of Ciprian the maÌ„fulnesse of his souldiers Totilas besegeth Rome Belisarius deuiseth to suc cour Rome Now called Durazo The euill fortune of the imperialles One mischief in anothers necke An example oâ— employng â—tuall â—oodes Prosperitie maketh men forget themselues God the â—efuge in extremities The returne of iohn with answer from themperour Debating in counsell for the rescowing of rome Belisarius coÌ„meth to Porâ— for the rescowing of Rome The good succâ—sse of Iohn against the Gothes Cannaâ— Belisarius pâ—o uision for the rescowyng of Rome Man purpoeth and God dysposeth The worthie rewarde of wilsul rashenesse The miserable estate of Rome Rome is betrayed The sackyng of Rome Pelagius maketh supplication for hys Citizens The 〈◊〉 of Totilas to hys men of warre * Now 〈◊〉 Treuizo The talke of â—otilas to the Romaynes A noble woman accused for defacing the kynges ymages An Ambassad sent from rotilas to them perour The tenour of â—otilas let ter to themperour Themperours aunswere to the demands of Totilas The vtter sac king and desolation of Rome The shamful flight of iohn Vitalian The repairing of tarent The repaiâ—g of Rome by Belisarius The Gothes assault Rome and are repulsed A notable repulse geuen to the 〈◊〉 by Belisarius The doyngs of Iohn in 〈◊〉 The great ce leritie of Totilas Themperour feÌ„deth a new power into Italy Skiâ— betwene the im periall Gothishe horsemen Belisarius loseth his horse men through neglegence of the captaines Totilas besie geth Ruscian Conon Captain of Rome for hys couetousnesse is slayne of hys ownsouldâ— The peâ—rse fortune of the iâ—perialls The punishment of Colâ— ser for breaking of promyse The wyse of Belisarius goeth to constanginopls Belisarius is called out of Italye Totilas besegeth Rome the thyrde tyme. Sute â—ade to the emperour for â—escowig the eytyâ— of Roâ— â—he foresight and prouisioÌ„ of Diogenes for the sauig of Rome Rome is betrayed Rome is taken The 〈◊〉 doinges of captain Paule The wordes of Paule to his souldiers Fortune 〈◊〉 reth the couragiouâ— Totilas sheweth himself earnest in reparing and peopling of Rome 〈◊〉 sommoneth cent â—ucelles Totilas maketh warre in Sicill The syege of Siracuse A new Lieuetennant sâ—nte into Italy froÌ„ themperour The Sclauiâ— The answere of Diogenes to Toâ— or Centmucellâ— The death of â—ermane Marses is made themperours Lieue tennant in Iâ—ly Narses is stayed by the Hunnes Totilâ— seÌ„deth a na uye into Grece The besyegig of Aucon Battell on the sea betwene the Gothes the imperialls Conning 〈◊〉 perience preuayleth against force The Gothes are vanquished and Aucon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tur neth aâ—aynst he Gothes The Gothes receaue another 〈◊〉 Reuoltyng to the part of the impeâ— The power of Naâ—s Albuine kinâ— of Lombardes Cumades 〈◊〉 Persian Tâ—ias afterward king of the gothes Naâ—ses comming to Rauenna A conflict at Arimine The death of Totilas Teias is created kinge of the gothes Melegidius and Vlithus Captaines of the Gothes Narses taketh Rome The crueltie of the gothes tovvarde the Romaynes The falsehod and treason of Regâ— Narses recouereth Portua The mountaine Vesuuius Narses Teias encamp 〈◊〉 gether parâ— with a 〈◊〉 The Gothes lose their ship pes by 〈◊〉 A cruel battel betwene the Gothes the imperialls The â—table pâ—owesse courage of Te ias king of the Gothes â–ª The death of Teias