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
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
prowd for those things whych no man is able to assure himself that they shall coÌ„tinue with him vntill night Thus doth an Historye make vs bothe more wyse and more modest in our dooinges And therfore ryght reuerend father I determined to dedicate these Bookes vnto you as well to thentent you might vnderstaÌ„d my entier loue and affection to wardes you as also that you myghte be as a Iudge of my worke and trauel the which I shal thinke very well bestowed if so wyse and wel learned a maÌ„ as you are doe allow them and take them in good worthe Whereuppon I wyll take occasion to goe in hand with the processe of myne Historye Farrewell The fyrst Booke of Leonard Aretine concernyng the warres in Italy against the Gothes ⧠The first Chapter ¶ The dispotition of Agustulus the diuision of the landes through Italy the cause of the commyng of the Gothes thither and of their encounâ—er with Odoacers Captaines IN the tyme that Zeno was Emperour of Rome the Gothes vnder the leading of Theodorich determined to inuade Italy lately before soore afflicted with diuers rodes and inuasions of barbarous people and at that tyme oppressed with the tyranny of Odoacer of the which thinges I purpose to entreate repeatyng somewhat deper the state of those tymes to the intent it may be knowen from whence the Gothes first came and what hope moued them to inuade the Empyre After the death of the yonger Ualentinian who as it is well ynough knowen was â—ayne at Rome of hys owne Subiectes the Empyre of the West beganne to wauer and to bée as it were without lyfe or soule Nowe there were at the same tyme in Italy great armyes of forreyners raysed latelye before by Ualentinian for feare of Attila and afterwardes associated by the Romaynes agaynst the Uandales These forreyners perceyuynge the empoueryshemente and weakenesse of the Empyre and therevppon takynge courage conspired together and demaunded to haue the thyrde parte of the landes through all Italye deuyded amonge them The name of the Empyre remaynÌ„ed at that tyme in one Augustnlus who beynge but a verye â—ylde was gâ—uerned by hys father Orestes a Senatour of Rome Therefore at suche tyme as the menne of warre demaunded a partition of the landes and that Orestes beynge a wyse and sage personne wythstoode theyr request the Souldyours â—ewe hym and fourthewyth folowynge theyr Captayne Odoacer camme to Rome and deposed Augustulus By meanes whereof hauynge nowe the lawe in theyr owne hande they deuyded the thyrde part of the landes among them Odoacer hauynge by thys meanes gotten the Soueraygnytye in hys owne name and in the name of the armye ruled the Cytyes at hys owne luste and pleasure Zeno also Gouernour of the East Empyre lying at Constantynople beganne to dread soore the power of Theodorich For the Gothes that inhabited the vpper coaste of Thracia hadde alreadye begonne to vere and disquiett the Countreys borderynge vppon them And it was none other lyke but that they woulde make some insurrection against the Romain Empyre Whervppon to the entent to delyuer hymself and the countreys there aboutes from feare of the Gothes He persuaded Theodorich to passe into Italy and to delyuer the cities there oute of the hands of the wrongfull withholders of them Induced with these persuation Theordorich remouyng out of Thrace and leadyng with him the Gothes with their wyues and children and al that euer they had through Syrmium and Illyricum went toward Italy where at hys fyrst entraunce the Captaines of Odoacer camme against him with their armies The first battell betwirt them was fought not farre from the Citie of Aquileia vppon the riuer Fontius In the which conflict after a long and sharpe encouÌ„ter the Gothes gate the victorye and putte the 〈◊〉 of Odoacer to flyght ⧠The. ij Chapter ¶ Theodorich kyng of the Gothes besiegeth Odoacer in Rauenna the matter is ended by composition 〈◊〉 of them lyeth in wayre to destroye other Theodorich preuenting Odoacer kylleth hym at a banquet by meanes whereof he obteyneth the soueraignitie of Italy of the actes of Theodorich and of hys death AFter this when the Gothes had wonne the cities there aboutes and vanquysshed the power of their enemyes in other places also at length they besieged Odoacer in the Citie of Rauenna The siege held the Gothes tack lenger then thei thought it woulde haue done at the firste and that happened by reason of the situation of the place For neyther can Rauenna bee easlye besieged vppon that syde that is towarde the sea because it standeth hard vppon the shore neither vppon that syde that is towarde the land because it hath a diche cut from the riuer Po and is enuyroned wyth certaine standyng waters and marisses By meanes whereof the Gothes laye well nye full thrée yeres at the siege thereof and could not wynne it But yet in the meane season thei won all the townes nere aboute sauynge Cesena the which also was kept with a stronge garrison of Odoacers At the last as well the Assaylaunts as the Defendauntes beinge weryed the matter was decided by composition that Theodorich and Odoacer should be Comperes and Felowes in Empyre After that thynges were thus set at a staye Theodorich and hys Gothes entered into Rauenna neyther was there any parte of all Italy that was not content to receyue hym But thys copertnershyppe in the Empyre lasted not longe For when as the one bare grudge in hys heart preuelye agaynst the other Theodorich preuentyng Odoacer badde hym to a Banquet and there kylled hym and so with hâ—s Gothes â—are all the 〈◊〉 alone in Italy Howe be it to saye the trueth hys gouernement was not verye intollerable albeit he reteyned for hys people y e thyrde part of the lands in suche sort as Odoacer had lately before deuyded them For he suffered the cities to bée gouerned by their own lawes and by theyr owne citizins Appoyntyng Rauenna to bée the Sea of hys kyngdome where he also planted hym selfe Thyrtye and seuen yeres raygned Theodorich in Italye neyther sate he styll Idellye lyke a cowarde all the whyle For he bothe annexed Sicill wyth all the Ilelandes about it vnto hys kyngdome and also subdued Dalmatia Moreouer duryng the sayde tymâ— of hys raygne he led an huge hoste ouer the Alpes and the ryuer Rhone into Fraunce agaynste the Frenche men Thus dyd thys Kynge manye noble 〈◊〉 and hys name was famous and 〈◊〉 sauynge that in hys latter dayes he was noted of â—rucltye and outrage for puttyng to death of Symmachus and Boetius Senatours of the citie of Rome with certain other noble men onely vppon suspition that they sought to set the citie at libertic ⧠The. iij. Chapter ¶ Amulusuentha the doughter of Theodorich with her sonne Athalaricke succede in the kingdome the seueritie of the Quene in executing of iustice the wilfulnesse of the Gothes in the education of theyr kyng the vntimely death
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
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
not very brode but it is so deepe that neyther horseman nor foteman can passe it Aboute thys ryuer bothe armyes encamped Narses on the hyther syde and Teias on the furtherside the riuer ronning in the myddes betwene theÌ„ both There was but one brydge ouer it that had the Gothes taken By meanes wherof it laye in their hande to chose whyther they would fyght or not fyght The armyes abode in thys sorte by the space of two monethes so that Narses his meÌ„ which were desyrous to come to hande strokes could not by any meanes come to their enemyes only they came to the riuers syde from both Campes shotte arrowes and threw dartes one at another Also there were fought many coÌ„bates and many chalenges were performed on both sydes duryng the sayd tyme the Gothyshe souldiers passing ouer the brydge dyd â—ight with the souldiers of Narses hand to hand The sea was well nere at hand the Gothes had their shippes vpoÌ„ the water which alwayes brought corne and victualls set it a land nere vnto them froÌ„ whence it was â—il conueyed to the Camp But after the time that their nauie through treason was loste and that they coulde haue no more â—ualls and artilleryâ— brought to theÌ„ by the sea the Gothes were constrayned of necessitye to dyslodge froÌ„ that place Whereupon forsaking the bridge the grounde by the riuers syde they departed to the nexte â—yll which the inhabitantes of the couÌ„trye do cal the mylkie hyll Narses pursuyng them forasmuch as he could not assayle them by reason of the stepenesse of the hyll settled hymselfe about the foote of it The Gothes beyng in the same place also as much oppressed with 〈◊〉 as they were before determined to put the matter in tryall by the sworde And thereupon puttyng themselues in aray vpon the toppe of the hil they descended from aboue sodaynely assayled their enemyes thynkyng nothing lesse then of any such matter in somuch that they had not any leysure to order their battells or to encourage their souldiers but were fayne to sette theÌ„selues against the enemie according as euery mannes fortune had appoynted hym And for bicause the Gothes had left their horfes fought on foote Narses dyd set hys fotemen also to encounter with them The battell was cruell bloudy in all places For â—n the one syde the Gothes fought obstinately as men in despayre on the other syde the souldiers of Narses were 〈◊〉 to geue place being so many in number as they were in especially consyderyng that but euen the other daye they had compelled them to forsake their firste campe and had weâ— nie beuÌ„eged them now in the hyll which they had fled to for their refuge Both parties being incensed with these persuasions foughte very valiantly â–ª I will not passe ouer with 〈◊〉 the noble Demeanor of Teias Kyng of the Gothes in hys hattel For he being endued as it were with an heroical prowesse wolde nedes put himselfe into the forefront of the battel among the formest fyghters He was easye to be knowen from the reast by hys goodly armour hys ryche apparrell In the lyft hand he helde a target in hys ryght hand he brandished a Iauelyng Many that encountered agaynst hym he strake starke dead yet dartes came flying at him froÌ„ all sides Howbeit he being of an incredible courage and strength dyd maruayles in armes At the length when hys shylde stake full of dartes so that he could not handsomely wield it standyng with his face towarde hys enemyes calling to his harnessebearer by name he coÌ„mauÌ„ded hym with a loude voyce to bryng hym another target When it was brought vnto hym he let slyppe hys old one to haue taken the new in his hand in the which chaunge it was his chaiÌ„â— to receaue his deathe swouÌ„de by a â—art that was sent at hym By the whyche 〈◊〉 he lost much bloud yet notwithstandyng lyke a most puyssant champion he neuer gaue foote backe nor neuer tourned hys face but standyng stoutly towarde hys enemyes fought it oute as longe as he was able to stande on hys legges vntyll at length â—ebled wyth trauell and losse of blouds he fell downe flatte vppon hys face It was almost â—yre of the clocke when Teias dyed And yet the Gothes were nothyng at all dyscouraged wyth the death of theyr Kyng but helde oute the battell vntyll it was nyghte neuer geuyng one foote backe Fiynallye when it was so darke that they coulde not see the battell ceased beyng begonne at the sonne rysyng That nyghte both the armyes watched in theyr harnesse and assoons as the daye peredâ— they fell to fyghtyng a freshe contynuing so styll vnto the sonne goyng downe to the great â—aughter of both partes At length the Gothes sente vnto Narses offeryng to departe oute of Italye so he would suffer them wythout impeacheâ—e to carrye suche thynges as they had awaye wyth them But yf he woulde not graunt them thys request they sayd they would neuer leaue fightyng as long as the breathe was in their bodyes When Narses had heard their demauâ—des by the aduise of hys counsell he condysâ—nded vnto theÌ„ to the entent he would not to the great preiudyâ—e and losse of hyâ— men seeke the aduantage of hys desperate enemye In the meane tyme aboute a thousande horsemen â—ed oute of the Camp of the Gothes and by greate iourneyes came vnto Pauâ—e and other townes beyonde the ryâ— Poâ— The residue fell to a fynall agreement with Narses promisyng to departe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Italye carrying nothyng more then euery man hys owne and neuer after to make warre vpon the Romaynâ— Empyre prouyded alwayes that they themselues shoulde retayne â—till their freedome and libertye wythout any bondage or subiection to the Empyre The whiche being done according to couenant Narses receaued Cume al other townes that held with the Gothes and so ended the eyghtenthe yeare of this warre FINIS * Now called 〈◊〉 maiore * Now called Tartarie The dâ—th of Valentinian Augustulus 〈◊〉 deposed and Odoacer 〈◊〉 peth The cause of the commyâ— of the Gothes into Italy Odoacer is besieged Composition betwene Odo acer and Theodorich The death of Odoacer The raygne and actes of Theodorich Symmachus â—tius An example of the good education of a Prince Iustice and clemencie in a woman Iustice without parcialitiâ— Licentious liberty corruption of youth Euill counsell the confusion of counsellers The death of Athalarickâ— Theodotus is made kyng An example of excedyng ingratitudo The cause of the warres be twene the Emperour the Gothes The effect of themperours ambassade vn to Theodatus Belisarius is appovnted in to Italy and 〈◊〉 into Dalâ— Beli◠〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 and of his do ing there A politique Captine * Now called Saragoza * Now called Palerno The siege of Panormus the â—ynnyng thereof The good suc cesse of Belisariuâ— The doingâ— of Mundus 〈◊〉 Dalmatia Sodaine battell betwene the â—thes