would be content to lay aside all his quarrells to the Romans Wherewith Rusinus acquainted the Emperour at his returne to Constantinople whither soon after came Hermogenes And so the Winter ended and * Anno Domini 530. Justimani 5. the fourth yeare of Justinians raigne * Anno Domini 531. Justiniani 5. In the beginning of the Spring 15000. Persians all horse under the command of Azarethes a Persian invaded the Romans and among them Alamundarus the Saracen with great numbers of Saracens In this invasion they did not as they were wont enter by Mesopotamia but by Comagena now called Euphratesia The reason of forbearing Mesopotamia now and why it is so called is thus From a Mountaine of Armenia not very steep being five miles to the North of Theodosiopolis issue two springs presently making the right hand spring Euphrates and the left Tigris Tigris without winding goes strait on to Amida taking in no waters by the way and by the North-side of it passes into Assyria But the Euphrates running not farr vanishes not sinking under ground but with a kind of miracle Over the water lyes a bogg deep and six miles long and two miles and a half broad wherein much reed growes and the mudd is so stiffe that to passengers it seemes firme ground Horse and Foot and Waggons passe upon it every day and stirr not the ground nor discover it for a bogge The inhabitants every yeare burn off the reed that it stop not the way and sometime a strong wind blowing the fire pierces to the roots and discovers the river in a small channell And the mudd landing up againe soon after restores to the place the forme it had Hence this river runs to the Country of Ecelesa where was the Temple of Diana in Tauri Iphigenia Agamemnons daughter with Orestes and Pilades flying thither with the image of Diana The other Temple standing to this day at Comana is not that of Tauri But thus it was Orestes stealing with his sister from Tauri fell into a great sickness and enquiring of the Oracle for cure was answered that he should have no help till he had built a Temple to Diana like that in Tauri and there should shave off his haire and call the City by it Orestes hereupon travelling in these parts saw the river Iris springing from a steep Mountaine and supposing it to be the place designed by the Oracle built there a faire City and a Temple to Diana and shaving his haire called it Comana which continues to this day But this abated not the disease which raged rather more So that travelling and seeking yet further he found a place in Cappadocia very like Tauri and I have wondred seing it taking it for Tauri it self The Mountaine there is absolutely like Taurus and so called also and the river Sarus there very like the river Euphrates So there Orestes built a goodly City with two Temples in it the one to Diana the other to his sister Iphigenid which the Christians have made Churches not altring the buildings at all This City is called the Golden Comana where he cut off his haire and recovered of his disease Which some hold to be no other but the madness he fell into for killing his own Mother But the Euphrates from this Tauri in Ecelesa of Armenia runs Southward by much Country and takes in many rivers and among the rest Arsinus which comes down from Persarmenia then grown large passes into Leucosyria now called the lesser Armenia the Metropolis whereof is Melitene a faire City From thence it runs by Samosata and Hierapolis and many other townes to Assyria where both rivers meeting end in one name of Tigris The Country from Samosata beyond the river was anciently called Comagena but now Euphratesia from the river The Country on this side between it and the Tigris is called Mesopotamia Some part of which hath severall other names as Armenia unto Amida Edessa also with the towns about it And Osrhoêne from Osrhoês who anciently raigned there when they were confederates of the Persians The Persians therefore having taken Nisibis and other places in Mesopotamia from the Romans when they invaded their country ever neglected the Province beyond the Euphrates being without water and wast and there drew together being their own country near an enemies inhabited from thence used to make their invasions CHAP. XIII MIrranes also upon his return with his Army overthrown having lost most of his men had a sharp punishment from the King who took from him his Head-tire of gold and pearl which tied up his hair a mark of the greatest honour in Persia next to the King where none may wear gold ring nor belt nor buckle nor any thing of gold but by the Kings grant Cabades then being in doubt how to invade the Romans for Mirranes failing thus he could not presume upon any other Alamundarus King of the Saracens advised him thus In all things not to trust to Fortune nor in all wars to expect the better being neither reasonable nor mans condition but the conceit of it prejudicial For mens unreasonable hopes of success failing sometimes as they may prove their vexation That men having not ever Fortune to presume on put not war bluntly upon hazards though they have the advantage of their enemies but study to deceive them with stratagemes In a danger upon equal terms is no assurance of victory That therefore he should not grieve for the misfortunes of Mirranes nor tempt Fortune again If he enter by Mesopotamia and Osroëne where the Cities were never stronger nor better guarded with souldiers that he will have no sure bargain of it That the Country beyond the Euphrates and Syria next it hath no fortified City nor considerable Forces but he shall find Antioch the chief Roman City of the East for wealth bignes and populousnes with no souldiers in it and a common people thinking upon nothing but Holy-daies and Feasts their perpetual quarrels with one another in the Theaters Which he may take by surprise and return home without meeting an Enemy and before the Forces of Mesopotamia can have the news of him That he should take no thought about water or provisions himself would guide the Army the best way Cabades neither disputed against this advise nor distrusted it knowing Alamundarus a wiseman an experienced souldier and faithfull to the Persians and very valiant who for fifty years had brought the Romans into low case from Egypt to Mesopotamia forraging their country and driving all afore him burning cities and making innumerable slaves whom he kill'd or sold for a great deal of money He made his inroads so suddainly and advantageously that none encountred him The Commanders seldome hearing of him before he was gone with his booty And when any overtook him he defeated them either charging them unprepared or pursuing disorderly Once he took prisoners Demostratus brother of Rufinus and John the sonne of Lucas with all their men and got a
the Kings presence who told him he could not go the expedition appointed with his legg in that case but bad him at some Castle there get the help of Surgeons And so he sent him the way to his death and after him men to kill him An invincible Generall and so reputed by the Persians having subdued twelve Nations to Cabades Being dead his son Varames was made Generall Long afterward Cabades the son of Zames or one usurping his name came to Constantinople He was in his face like King Cabades and Justinian used him honourably as the grandchild of that King Mebodes also Chosroes killed upon this ground Being upon earnest businesse he bad Zaberganes call Mebodes to him who found him training his Souldiers and told him the King called him in hast He said he would come presently when he had dispatcht the businesse he was about The other hating him reported to the King that Mebodes would not come as yet alledging business The King enraged sent one to him to command him to the Tripos or three-footed table Which is thus An iron three footed table stands ever at the Court-gate and when any Persian understands the King to be offended with him he may not fly to Temple or elsewhere but sitting by this table must expect the Kings sentence none being to guard him Here Mebodes sate many dayes in a pittifull habit till one by the command of Chosroes took him away and killed him To this came the good services he had done Chosroes CHAP. XIX ABout the same time happened in Constantinople a suddaine mutiny which grew high and ended in much mischief both to the Senate and people The Commons of every City anciently have been divided into the Veneti and Prasini the Blews and the Greens But it is not long since about these names and clours wherein they stand to see sights they consume their estates abandon their bodies to tortures and refuse not the most shamefull death They run the danger of fighting with their opposites being sure should they get the better to be haled to prison and after extreame torturing to be put to death There growes in them a hatred without ground and lasts undeterminable not yeilding to allyance kinred or any law of friendship be it brother or son that dotes upon the contrary Colour Nothing human or divine they regard in comparison of the victory in these be it impietie against God or violation of lawes or of the Commonwealth by subjects or enemies nay themselves wanting necessaries and their Country receaving injury in the most important things they are not sensible of it so this their portion may prosper So they call their fellow Factionists Nay the very women partake in this abomination not onely as their husbands followers but often their opposites though they never goe to the Theaters nor have other inducements That I know not what to say but that it is a meer disease of the mind and thus it is in every City and Corporation But at that time * Praefectus Uâ—bi next in dignity to the Prefect Praetorio The Authour in his old age held this office the Governour of the Citizens of Constantinople led some Factionists to execution Both parties then making peace and conspiring first took away the men led to punishment then let out of prison all who lay either for sedition or any other crime and without respect slew the said Governours ministers The Citizens who were of neither faction fled to the opposite continent and the City as if under an enemy was set afire The Temple of Saint Sophie and the Bath of Zeuxippus and the Emperours Court from the porch to the Temple of Mars was consumed Moreover the great Portions reaching to Constantines market place and many great means houses end much wealth The Emperour and Empress with some Senators shut themselves up in the Palace without stirring The peoples word to one another was Nica overcome From whence to this day that Mutiny is called Nica. John the Cappadocian was then * Praefectus Praetorio of the Orient There was another of Illyrium both belonging to the Easterne Empire Prefect of the Court and Tribonianus a Pamphylian Assessor to the Emperour by the Romans called Quaestor John was a man vnbred in any liberall science having learn't at the Grammar Schoole onely poore letters to write as poorely but in naturall abilities the most powerfull man we ever knew both to discerne fit things and in doubtfull to find a resolution but the wickedest man alive wherein he employed the strength of his nature without respect of God or men for gaine studying the ruine of mens estates and of whole Cities Quickly growing to a great wealth he fell into boundless gluttony preying upon the subject till dinner time and the rest of the day spending in drunkennesse and wanton abusing his body eating till he vomited A man ready to catch mony and more ready to lavish it Such was John the Cappadocian But Tribonianus beside a great naturall ability had attained to an excellence in learning inferiour to no man of his time But in the wayes of Covetousness most industrious and ever ready to sell right for gaine making and repealing Edicts every day ever selling them to any who had occasion to use them During the peoples quarrells about those names and colours there was little speech of these mens misgovernements But when they consented and were now formed into a mutiny openly in the City they rail'd upon them and sought occasions to kill them The Emperour to reconcile the people put them both out of their places and made Phocas a Patrician Prefect of the Palace a wise man and naturally addicted to justice and Basilides a Patrician he made Quaestor a famous honest man But the mutiny raged nothing lesse The fift day of the same about evening the Emperour commanded Hypatius and Pompeius Nephewes of the late Emperour Anastasius to retire to their houses either suspecting some attempt of theirs upon his person or afraid that they were driven thereto by destiny They fearing what came to passe that the people would force them to the Empire said that it was not honest to leave their Emperour in so great danger Justinian at this was more suspitious and bad them instantly be gone home They went and it being night were quiet but the Sun no sooner up but it was divulged how these Lords were retired from the palace and all the multitude ran to them and saluteâ— Hypatius Emperour and conducted him to the market place to take the affaires upon him Maria his wife a wise and sober Matrone crying and lamenting and protesting to her friends that the people were leading her husband to his death and hanging upon him to stay him till the people forced him from her And when he was unwillingly come to Constantines market-place they proclaimed him Emperour of the Romans binding about his head a golden wreath for Diademe they had none nor other thing usuall to
he commanded them to goe along and with much diligence prepared for the Invasion CHAP. XII BUt Chosroes and the Persian army being come through Iberia to the confines of Lazica guided by the Ambassadors cut the treeâ— which they found thick and entangled and threw them into the steep and ragged wayes and so past easily none encountring them When they were come into the midst of Lazica where the Poets fain to have been acted the fortunes of Jason and Medea Gubazes King of the Lazians came and adored Chosroes as his master rendring himself with his Royall Palaces and all Lazica Petra stands in Lazica upon the Euxine Sea formerly a meane town but by Justinian furnished with walls and other ornaments and made a strong famous place Chosroes understanding the Roman Forces with John Tzibus to be there sent an army and Aniavedes Generall thereof to surprize it But John knowing their coming directed no man to sally nor to be seen upon the battlements and he placed his forces in armes close to the gates commanding them not to utter the least sound or voice The Persian being come before the walls and seeing no man supposed the city wast and abandoned by the enemy So he approach't to set up scaling ladders expecting none to defend because he saw nor heard no enemy and he sent to Chosroes to let him know what they found He sending the most of his army commanded a generall assault and one of the Commanders to make use of the Ramme neer the gates and from the neerest hill to the city himself was a spectator of the business When suddainly the Romans opened the gates and falling upon the enemy unaware killed most of them specially those about the Ramme The rest with their Generall ran away and escaped Chosroës in anger crucified Aniavedes for being over-stragem'd by John a retailer and no souldier Some say he crucified not Aniavedes but the commander who attended the Ramme Then himself with his whole army encamped before the town and perceaving upon view the fortifications not very tenable he brought on his forces commanding to shoot at the battlements The Romans defending with their engines and shot at first the Persians though they shot thick hurt little but suffred much being shot from high Afterward for Petra was to be taken by Chosroës John being shot into the neck died Then the Romans became careless and it growing dark the Barbarians retired The next day they drew a mine to the town which for steepe rocks about it is not accessible nor yet to the sea-ward but by one narrow entrance only upon plaine ground with high clifts on each side There the builders of the city foreseeing the walls easie to be forced made from each clift a long wall a crosse the entrance and at each end two turrets wrought with great stones not hollow in the middle but whole from the ground and very high and the stones so joyned as not to be shaken with Ramme or other engine The Persians closely with their mine were come under one of these turrets whence carrying out the stones they set up timbers and put fire to them Which encreasing by degrees crumbled and brake the firme ess of the stones and so loosening the Turret down it came suddainly The Romans in it perceaved it just so much before as not to fall with the Turret and to get within the city walls Then the Enemy could easily force their entrance upon even ground But the Romans affrighted came to a parly and receaving Chosroës oath for their persons and goods yeilded themselves and the city by composition Chosroes finding in Petra much wealth belonging to John took it but of any other himself nor the Persians toucht nothing And the Romans having every man his own mingled with the Persian army CHAP. XIII BElisarius heard nothing from these parts but marcht with the army toward Nisibis and being half way thither kept his right hand way where were store of springs and a spacious champian to encampe But some had no mind to goe on so that Belisarius made this speech to the Commanders I did not mean to publish my determination For a word vented in a camp spreds at last even to the enemy But I see every man will be an absolute Commander therefore I shall impart what I thought to conceale with this preamble that when in an army many will be absolute nothing can be well done Certainly Chosroes invading others hath not left his own country without guard especially this City being the first therof and a rampire to the rest wherein I know he hath lodged a garrison so strong and of so good men as will be able to oppose our assaults A demonstration thereof is Nabedes their Commander who next to Chosroes is the prime man for reputation in Persia Who doubtlesse will set upon us and we shall not be rid of him without vanquishing him in fight If we fight near the city the Persians will have the advantage backt with their fortification to follow their execution securely if they overcome and if they be overcome to be presently within their walls which you see well defended and inexpugnable On the other side if we rout them we may enter the town pell-â—ell with the enemy or thrust between them and force them to fly to some other region and so get Nisibis having none to defend it Upon this speech of Belisarius the rest obeyed and kept within the camp Onely Peter General of Armenia stood still with a good part of the army under his command a mile and a quarter from Nisibis Belisarius put in order of battail the troupes with himself and sent direction to Peter to stand in readinesse till he gave the signall and to observe at noon that the Barbarians will sally because themselves dine in the evening and the Romans at noon But Peters men slighted his commands and being faint with the sunne for that city is extremely hot layd down their arms and disorderly fell to gather figs without apprehension of an enemy Which Nabedes observing gallopt up to them with his army They seeing them issue out of the gates being in an open champian sent to Belisarius to succour them and themselves tumultuously and in confusion encountred Belisarius before the messenger came saw the enemies motion by the dust raised and with his troupes rode amain to their succour But in the mean time the Persians charged them which they not enduring ran away The enemy pursuing took Peters Ensign and slew fifty of them Doubtless they had dyed every man if Belisarius had not received them into his troups much distressed Where first the Goths presenting their long thick Lances the Persians stood them not but fell to running and the Romans and Goths pursuing killed a hundred fifty of them The chase was not long So the enemy got within their walls and the Romans returned to their camp The next day the Persians set the Ensign of Peter
the blow is given it is vain to repent but before it one may safely change his mind It will be most expedient therefore to make due use of the times The Emperour approved this advise and let fall his eagerness to the war But a Bishop out of the East got access to him and told him That God had charged him in a dream to blame him having undertaken to deliver the Christians in Africk from Tyrannie to grow faint now upon no ground whereas I will assist him said he and make him master of Africk The Emperour upon this could hold no longer but prepared an Army and a Navy and provisions requiring Belisarius to be in readiness to goe Generall into Africk CHAP. X. TRIPOLIS was already put into rebellion against the Vandals by one Pudentius a native there who sent to the Emperour for an Army to subdue the Province unto him who sent Tattimuth with some small forces with whom Pudentius joyning and finding no Vandals there he took the Countrey for the Emperour Gelimer was hindred from chastizing Pudentius by Godas a Goth and servant of Gelimer a man pragmatical and couragious and seeming well affected to his Master To this Godas Gelimer had committed the Guard of Sardinia and to collect the tributes there whose mind not digesting such a fortune he usurped the Island and denyed to send the Tributes keeping them to himself And understanding that Justinian sought occasions of a war with Gelimer He wrote thus to him Not out of ingratitude not suffering any disfavour from my Master I have thought upon a revols But seeing his cruelty both to kindred and subjects I would not willingly be a partaker of the same It is better to serve a just Emperour then a Tyrant who commands things unlawfull Consider therefore of assisting my enterprize and send me forces to defend me from an invasion The Emperour sent Eulogius to him and wrote him an answer commending his wisdom and zeal to justice and promising aides and a General sufficient to keep the Island and assistance otherwise that the Vandals should not hurt him Eulogius being come into Sardinia found Godas had put on the title and habit of a King and gotten a Guard about him And to the Emperours Letters he said That for souldiers he desired them but had no need of a General Which he wrote to the Emperour and dismist Eulogius But before the Emperour had prepared 100 mens commanded by Cyrillus to guard the Island for Godas And with them he had in readiness for Carthage 10000 foot and 5000 horse levied of the Legionaries and Confederates Heretofore such Barbarians only were enrolled Confederates as were admitted into the Roman State not to be slaves as having not been vanquisht by the Romans but upon equal terms the Romans calling foedera their Treaties with those they have had war with but now all take that name time not deigning to keep names upon the things they were first put and things being called as men please not as they were before their times The Commanders of the Confederates were Dorotheus General of Armenia and Solomon who was assistant to the General Belisarius the Romans call such an Officer Domesticus * Cassiodorus cals these Domesticos ministros qui comitibus ad obeunda publica munera obsequebantur Why followed the Comites or Generals to execute publick services Lib. 9 ad vilum he was an Eunuch but not purposely cut but upon an accident in his swathing clouts Cyprianus also and Valerianus Martinus Altheas John Marcellus and Cyrillus afore mentioned Of the Legionaries Ruffinus and Aigan who had been of the retinue of Belisarius and Barbatus and Rappus were Commanders of horse and of foot Zaedus Martianus Sarapis and Theodorus sirnamed Ctenatus and Terentius John who was born at Durazzo commanded in chief all the foot Solomon came from the farthest East belonging to the Romans near Daras Aigan was a Hunne all the rest were Thracians Pharas also commanded 400 Herrulians * Which is among the 500 ships 40 to a ship one with another I wonder how the Latine Translator thought 3000 Mariners could mann 500 wips But he though a learned man had not the Greek Edition now extant and so his Translation is full of errors and Sinnion and Balas gallant men had 600 auxiliary Hunnâ— all Archers on horseback This Army was transported by 500 ships none being of more burden then 50000 Medimni nor of less then 3000. They were manned with 20000 Mariners most Egiptians Ionians and Cilicians The Admiral of the whole Fleet was Calonymus an Alexandrian They had also 92 * About 1200. tun accounting a medimnus for a bushel Pinnaces in case of a sea-fight with one row of oars and decks over their heads not to be subject to the Enemies shot They call these Dromones for their swiftness They had aboard no passengers but 2000 rowers Constantinopolitans Archelaus a Patritian who had been Praefect of the Palace in Constantinople and Illyrium went now Praefect of the Camp So is the Officer called who makes provision for the Army Over them all the Emperour placed Belisarius late Commander of the Oriental Legions his General with absolute authority whom many Launciers and Targetiers followed old tryed Souldiers The Emperour enabled him by his Letters to do whatsoever seemed best unto him and the same to be firm as the Emperours own act Belisarius was born in Germania * Not in Germany as some Germans would have it but in Germania a City of Thrace in the confines of Illyrium It was a Metropolis and recited in the Sanctions of the Eastern Bishops saith Alemannus in his Historical notes upon the Secret History a City which stands in the confines of Illyrium and Thrace Gelimer in the mean time having lost Tripolis by Pudentius and Sardinia by Godas The first lying far off and having Roman aids already he gave over and sent no forces against it But to prevent the Emperours succours in the Island he sent under his brother Trazon 5000 Vandals in 120 good ships But Justinian having commanded away Valerianus and Martinus to attend the rest of the Army in Peloponesus and being both a ship-board he had some further direction to give them which he had resolved but it was forgotten upon other business intervening So he sent for them to tell it but again thinking it inconvenient to interrupt their passage he sent to command them not to return to him any more nor to come ashore The Messenger called out aloud to them not to come back again at all The company took it for a bad Omen that none of them should return out of Africk to Constantinople And they thought the Emperour unwittingly had sent them a kind of a curse If it be interpreted of Valerianus and Martinus the conceit proved not true But Stotzas there a Lancier of Martius was to rebel against the Emperours and usurp and never to come back to Constantinople upon whom it may be
THe next day the Goths thinking with ease to enter Rome by reason of the greatnesse of it and the Romans defending it were thus quartered The city hath fourteen gates and some posterns but the Goths unable to encompasse the whole circuit thereof made â—ixe intrenchments and infested the space of five Gates from Porta Flaminia to Porta Praenestina These were on this side the Tiber But fearing least the enemy should take down Pons Milvius and so exclude them from all from the river to the sea and thereby might not feel the inconveniences of the Seige they made a seventh Intrenchment on the other side of Tiber in Nero's feilds that they might have the sayd bridge in the midst between their Camps And so they infested two gates more It was called Porta Triumphalis Vaticana and was next to Pons Triumphalis Leand. in descrip Italiae Mons Janiculus it was called Porta Aurelia now named of Peter the cheife of Christs Apostles lying buried neer unto it and the Gate beyond the Tiber. Thus they incompassed half the city and being not cut off by the River made the warre in what part of it they pleased The Romans have built their walls on both sides the River thus The Tiber grown great runnes a good space by the walls on this side of it which stand by the Rivers side upon Ground flat and very assaultable Opposite to them beyond the Tiber is a * great hill where stand the City mills the water being brought by an Aquaeduct to the hill top and from thence descending with much swiftnesse which caused the ancient Romans to compasse this hill and the Rivers banck neer it with a wall that an Enemy might not demolish the mills nor passe the River to assail the town walls which with a bridge they joyned to this part and building houses upon this ground beyond the Tiber took the River into the midst of the City The Goths also made deep ditches about their intrenchments and casting the Earth inward and therewith making the intrenchment very high and pitching the top with multitude of stakes they made their camps not inferiour to so many Castles The Entrenchment in Nero's feilds Marcias commanded being come out of Gaule with his troops and there quartered The other were commanded by Vitigis and five other a Commander to every intrenchment They cut also all the Aquaeducts to cut off the cities water that way they are fourteen in all ancient works of brick and so deep and broad that a man on Horse back may ride in them But Belisarius to guard the City used this order himself had Porta Pinciana and Porta Salaria standing to the right hand of it because the wall there is very assaultable and being opposite to the Enemy the Romans were to sally there He gave Porta Praenestina to Bessas and to Constantianus Porta Flaminia which stands to the left hand of Pinciana and rammed up the gate with stones within that it might not be opened fearing the Enemies designs there being close to one of their Entrenchments The other gates he directed the commanders of the foot to guard The Aquaeducts he fortified a good space to avoyd mischeife that way from without But the Aquaeducts being cut they wanted water for their mills and with beasts they could not worke their scarce provisions of fodder as in a siege not sufficing for their horses of service Belisarius to help this tied cables before the bridge that joyned to the City wall from one banck of the river to the other stretching them stiff and fastning boats to them two foot asunder where the stream from the arches of the bridge ranne strongest and putting into each boat a mill-stone he hung the Engine between the boats which turns the Mill. Beneath these he tied other boats together in the same manner in a distance proportionable fitting them with like Engines and the stream being strong and turning the Engins set the Mill stones on worke and grinded sufficient for the City The Enemies informed hereof by fugitives endeavored to spoil the Engins by throwing into the River great trees and bodies of Romans slain and these being driven down with the stream brake the Engins at first but Belisarius had this remedy He hung before the bridge iron chains a-cross the River which stopt all that came down the stream which men appointed drew up to the land and this he did not only for the mills but to prevent the Enemies entrance with boats through the bridge into the midst of the City The Barbarians failing in their attempt gave it over and the Romans made use of those mills but for want of water were shut from their Baths they had sufficient to drinke those who dwelt far from the River having the commodity of wells Their common sewers they needed not secure having all their mouthes into the River and so impossible to be entred by the Enemy In the mean time among the Samnites their boyes who kept their sheep chusing two of the lustiest and calling one Belisarius and the other Vitigis caused them to wrestle It was Vitigis chance to be thrown whom the boyes in sport hung on a tree and suddenly a wolfe appearing they all ran away and poor Vitigis after a long time hanging in great pain dyed The Samnite upon this accident punisht not the boyes but divining at the event beleived that Belisarius would get the Victory CHAP. XVII BUT the people of Rome not used to the miseries of warr and a siege and now wanting their baths and pincht with scarcity being put also to guard the walls and want their sleepes supposing too that ere long their City would be taken and seeing already their country farmes spoiled by the Enemy they murmured greivously to be besieged and run this hazard having done no offence So assembling themselves they railed at Belisarius for presuming to make war with the Goths having no competent forces from the Emperour and the Senators privatly objected the same unto him Vitigis understanding this from fugitives to exasperate them yet more and so to put the Romans affaires into confusion he sent Ambassadors to Belisarius among whom was one Albes who having accesse to him in the presence of the Senate and Commanders of the army spake thus Anciently O Generall men fitly defining names for things have distinguisht presumption from valour the one drives men into danger with dishonour the other with virtue brings abundantly glory One of these hath brought you hither and which of them you may quickly manifest If in the confidence of your valour you have entred into this warr you see from your walls your Enemies and brave S â— you have meanes to be valiant enough If through presumption you have invaded us you will certainly repent what you have rashly done as over-weening men ever use when they come to the tryall Adde not therefore more misery to these Romans whom Theodorick hath bred in freedom and delights and oppose not
So that taking the Cock-boats of the greater Ships and walling them round with boards to guard the men from shot they put aboard those Boats a proportion of Archers and Marriners and stowing as much as they could carry in them and getting a wind they sailed up the Tiber a part of the Army winging them on the right hand shore And they left a strong guard of Isaurians in the Ships Their sailes they tooke from the Enemy and went up with ease Only where the Stream with an eddy went side-long their sails had no wind for them and the Marriners rowed and with much toyle forced up The Barbarians interrupted them not either fearing to hazard or not thinking provisions could be imported that way And they held it inconvenient to crosse the Cessation promised upon a slight occasion In Portus also the Goths medled not with them as they sayled by them wondring what their intent was Having in this manner sailing to and fro imported their ladings the Marriners went away with the Ships it being now toward the Winter Tropick The rest of the Army entred Rome save Paulus who staid in Ostia with some Isaurians Afterward they gave Hostages for observing the Cessation the Romans Zeno and the Goths Vlias a man of quality Neither to invade the other for three moneths till the Ambassadors should bring the Emperours resolution And if any should begin to wrong the other yet the Ambassadors should be returned home safe The Goths Ambassadors were convoyed by the Romans to Constantinople and Ildiger who married Antonina's daughter came from Africk to Rome with a faire troop of Horse The Goths in the Castle of Portus wanting provisions quitted it and came to the camp by Vitigis direction The place Paulus with his Isaurians from Ostia surprized It was the Romans being Masters of the Sea which caused these wants of Victuall permitting no Provisions to come to the Barbarians Upon the like scarcity they quitted then also Centumcellae a Sea Towne of much importance great and populous and standing in Tuscany 35. miles to the West of Rome The taking of it much strengthened the Romans and of Alba likewise standing to the East of Rome and abandoned by the Enemy for the same reason So that the Romans compassed them round which made the Goths eager to breake the Accord and to do them mischiefe They sent Ambassadors to Belisarius complaining that Vitigis having upon some occasion sent for the Goths from the Castle of Portus Paulus without any reason had surprized it and pretending the like for Alba and Centumcellae with menaces if they had not restitution Belisarius sent them away laughing at their pretext all men knowing why they quitted those places From hence forward they were suspicious of each other Belisarius seeing then Rome strong with Souldiers sent out many parties of Horse to places neer Rome And Vitalianus Johns Nephew to winter about Alba in Picenia with his own 800. Horse and 400. of the Troopes of Valerianus whose Sisters Son Damianus commanded them and 800. of his own Targetiers extraordinary good men led by two of his Life-guard Sutas and Abigis These he directed to follow John withersoever and him while the Enemy kept the Truce to be quiet but if they broke it suddenly to fall upon Picenia to visit the Townes before they had newes of his coming few men being left in the Country but almost all before Rome and their Wives Children and Goods being in every Town some and to carry away Captive and pillage all he found taking care not to hurt the Roman Inhabitants lighting upon any Town Fortified and Garrison'd to attempt it and if he took it to march forward but if were too tough for him to come back or stay For going on with a strong Town at his back it would be dangerous and he could hardly be succoured if distressed by an Enemy that he should keep all the Booty to be distributed to the Army Then smiling he added this word That it is not just for some to toile to kill the Droanes and others at their ease to eat the Honey Belisarius with these Instructions sent away John and those Forces ABout that time Datius Bishop of Millane with some chiefe Citizens came to Rome and intreated of Belisarius some Souldiers with whom they undertook not only to draw Millane from the Goths to the Emperour but all Liguria This City is in †Liguria * This Author cals much more Liguria then now is Leander sates there was a Liguria Cisappeninna anciently The Liguria now he names Transappennina in the mid way between Ravenna and the Alpes which are upon the Frontier of Gaule standing eight daies Journey from either Next to Rome it was the greatest of the Western Cities and the most populous and rich Belisarius promised as they desired and kept them there the Winter but Fortune grew envious at the Romans Prosperity and meant to temper it with some ill putting a quarrell between Belisarius and Constantianus upon a slight ground Persidius a Roman Citizen of quality who dwelt at Ravenna having offended the Goths when Vitigis was upon leading his Army to Rome under a pretence with some few Servants to go a hunting ran away communicating his Designe to none nor carrying money nor money-worth save two short Swords with Scabberds set with much Gold and precious Stones Being come to Spoletum he lodged in a Church without the Walls which Constantianus then there understanding sent Maxentiolus one of his Targetiers and took the Cimiters from him who being grieved at the wrong went to Rome to Belisarius whether soon after came Constantianus also the Goths Army being reported to be neer While the Romans were in trouble and danger Persidius was silent but they having the better and the Goths Embassadours being dispatched to the Empetour he acquainted Belisarius with the Injury praying his assistance in his just Cause who in Person and by others reproved Constantianus and advised him to wash his hands of so foule an Imputation But Constantianus who was to have a mischiefe put off the advise with a Jest and flouted the man he had wronged Who meeting Belisarius riding through the Market place took his Horse by the Bridle and clamouring aloud askt if it were the Emperours Law that when a poor Suppliant comes for refuge from Barbarians any man may take from him what he hath about him The Company threatned him and bad him let go the Bridle which he would not do before Belisarius promised to give him the Swords The next day he called Constantianus and many Commanders to a Room in the Palace putting him in mind of the Accident the day before and though late to restore the Cimiters He said he would sooner throw them into the Tiber Belisarius grew angry and askt if he took not himselfe to be under his command In other things he professed to obey him since it was the Emperours pleasure but that which he now commanded he
of the last words of this Letter and said that Belisarius did now advise against the good of the State and therefore they were not bound to follow him CHAP. XV. BElisarius upon this sent Peranius with an Army to beseige Vrbiventum Himselfe led the rest to Vrbinum a strong Town a daies journey from Ariminum which had a good Garrison of Goths within it Narses and John followed him but before the Town they encamped severally at the foot of the Hill Belisarius on the East side Narses on the West Vrbinum stands upon a round high Hill not craggy but unsafe to mount only for the steepnesse and neernesse to the City Towards the North is an entrance upon plain ground Belisarius the Army being thus quartered sent Ambassadours to the Goths hoping to bring them being affraid to a composition and promising many advantages by their submission to the Emperour The Ambassadours at the Gates being not admitted into the Town used many allurements but the Goths presuming upon the strength of the place and their aboundance of Provisions rejected them and their motions Belisarius upon this caused the Army to gather Poles and with them to make a Gallery for men to approach the Gates and Walls under this covert Some Friends of Narses told him that Belisarius laboured in vain John having attempted the place when the Garrison was small and found it impregnable therefore he should take in the Emperours Townes in Emilia Narses upon this advise rose that night though much wooed by Belisarius to stay and help to take Vrbinum and went to Ariminum with the rest of the Army Morras and the Goths under him in the morning seeing halfe the Army gone flouted from their Walls at those that staid behind But Belisarius with them resolved to assault and consulting about it he had strange Successe The only Fountain in Vrbinum which watred all the Inhabitants grew dry of it selfe and in three daies so failed that the Goths drunk the water with mud whereupon they determined to yeild whereof Belisarius not knowing put the Army in readinesse to assault round about the Hill and commanded to bring on the wooden Gallery upon the even ground The men within unseen by the Enemy brought the same on at which the Goths held out their hands crying for peace The Romans knowing nothing of the Fountain conceived that it was the Fight they feared which they gladly forbare And the Goths rendred themselves and Town to Belisarius upon composition of indemnity they becoming Subjects to the Emperour serving in the Army with equall conditions Narses wondred to heare the Newes and took it for a misfortune He lay still in Ariminum but commanded John with the Army to lead out against Cesina They approach the Castle with their scaling Ladders upon their backs assaulted But the Goths defended stoutly and Phanotheus Leader of the Herulians was slain and many more so that John would attempt it no more seeming impregnable but marcht on with Justinus and the rest of the Army and took an ancient City named Forum Corneliâ— by surprise And he recovered all Emilia the Goths avoiding still to fight with him Belisarius also having taken in Vrbinum thought it not expedient being at the Winter Tropick to go against Auximum expecting a long Seige of it the place being strong and impossible to be forced by reason the Goths within it were many and of the best who having forraged much Country had brought in great quantity of Provisions so that he appointed Aratius to winter in Firmum and to restrain the Goths incursions and to spoile the Country and himselfe marcht against Vrbiventum perswaded by Peranius who had learnt of run awaies that the Goths within wanted Victuall and that it was thought they would yeild upon sight of Belisarius Army which came so to passe Belisarius quartered his Army before it and himselfe went round and viewed the Town and found it not possible to be taken by force but he thought by some plot it might be faisable Vrbiventum is built upon a Hill standing alone in a Valley and being plain at the top and towards the bottome craggy About it a stones cast off are many Rocks and the Town hath no Walls nor other Fortification Nature having made it impregnable in regard there is but one way to it between those Rocks which being guarded the Townes-men feare no invasion at any other part And where the way into the Town is a large River unfordable takes up all the space between the Hill and those Rocks So that there is only a small Fortification at the said passage and a Gate to it which the Goths guarded CHAP. XVI BUT Belisarius begirt the Town with his Army hoping to incommode the Enemy from the River and to take them by Famine The Goths for a while were in no absolute wants and though furnished very barely yet they indured beyond expectation having not Food to satisfie but to keep alive only and their Provisions being failed they fed upon Hides and Skins soaked in water and upon vain hopes which Albilas their Commander gave them a man of great Reputation with the Goths The Summer being come the Corn in all those parts grew of it selfe but not in such quantity as formerly being not covered under Furrowes by the Plow and Harrow but lying upon the Face of the Land which could yeild so but small Crop And none being to reap it much shed and never grew again The same happened in Emilia that the Inhabitants went all into Picenia which being upon the Sea they thought the Famine not to be so much there Which seised also upon Tuscany but there the Mountainers grinded Acornes and made bread which bred all kind of Diseases in many but some recovered and lived But in Picenia 50000. Roman Husbandmen at least perished and more on this side the Jonian Gulfe I have seen their Countenances and manner of deaths They grew lanck and pale the Flesh wanting Food according to the old saying feeding on it selfe Choler prevailing spred a wan Complexion over their Bodies And as the Disease grew all moisture forsook them the Skin was hard like a tanned Hide and lookt as if it cleft to the bones afterwards they became black-coloured and like Lincks much burnt Their Countenance were hideous like mad-men and as most dyed for want of Sustenance so some with greedy feeding whose heat being quenched within if they were nourished to satisfaction and not by little and little like Babes new born being not able to digest the meat they dyed Some forced by the Famine fed upon one another Two Women in a Village beyond Ariminum were reported to have eaten 17. men they onely were left alive in the place and so Passengers lodged in their Cottage whom they killed sleeping and eat them As they were attempting the like upon the 18. he waked and finding out the truth killed them both Many being pincht with this Famine went where there was Grasse and stooping
from what confidence the Goths being so weake refused to yeild and wilfully endured so much distresse the Barbarian told him all the story about Burcensius desiring he might be brought face to face Burcensius seeing himselfe discovered concealed nothing and Belisarius gave him to his Companions to use him as they pleased who burnt him alive in the sight of the Enemy And this fruit had Burcensius of his covetousnesse But Belisarius seeing the Goths still hold out he had a designe upon their water by that way thinking to take them in with most ease and advantage CHAP. XXII THere was a Spring-head to the North-ward of Auximum in a craggy ground a stones cast from the Town sending a small stream into a Cistern anciently there built which being filled from that small stream supplyed water for the Citizens Belisarius thought that if the water were not received into the Cistern the Goths being plyed with Arrowes would be long filling their Vessels from so small a stream To spoile this Cistern he did thus he put his Forces in Armes and in their orders round about the Town as if he would make a generall Assault The Goths fearing the same stood upon the Battlements to oppose the Enemy In the mean time Belisarius brought to the Cistern five Isaurians covered under a multitude of Shields skilfull in Masonry with Axes and other Instruments to cut stones commanding them to break down the sides of the Cistern The Goths thinking they came to approach the Walls kept quiet that being neerer they might shoot at them with more advantage not imagining the businesse But seeing the Isaurians within the Cistern they plyed them with Arrowes and stones The rest ran back and the five Isaurians being under in safety fell to work there being an Arch over the water for shade under which they made no account of the Enemies shot though it came thick The Goths opening the Gate there sallied furiously upon the Isaurians and the Romans encountred them where was a hot fight long and body to body and much slaughter on both sides The Romans fell thicker the Goths having the advantage of the upper ground but the Romans gave not back Belisarius being present and with loud shouts encouraging them When from the Enemy came an Arrow whizzing towards the Generals belly whether shot by chance or purposely Belisarius seeing it not could not ward nor shun it but Vnigatus one of his Life-guard perceiving the Arrow coming almost to his belly put his right hand between and saved the Generals life and being himselfe wounded with it and in extremity of pain he retired His Sinewes were afterwards cut asunder and he lost the use of his hand The Fight beginning in the morning ended at noon where seven Armenians of the Troops of Narses and Aratius shewed great deeds of Valour running up the steep Hill and upon the plain killed all that stood them untill they had routed the Goths in that part And the Romans seeing the Enemy give ground fell to Execution and the Defeat being cleer the Goths got within their Walls The Romans thought the Cistern to be downe and the Isaurians to have dispatcht their work but they could not force one stone out of it The ancient Artists above all carefull of their Credits had so wrought this building that it would not yeild to time nor the attemps of men wherefore the Isaurians seeing the Romans masters of the Feild came out of the Cistern and retired to the Camp Hereupon Belisarius caused the Souldiers to throw dead bodies of Beasts and poysonous Herbs into the water and to quench burning Lime in it that the Goths having but one Well within the Walls with little water in it were much scanted Neither did Belisarius use any more force or designes against the Town hoping by Famine only to have his will of the Enemy and therefore he attended earnestly to his Guards and Sentinels The Goths also in their great wants were quiet expecting an Army from Ravenna In Faesulae the Beseiged endured fore Famine and much misery and having no hope from Ravenna they resolved to yeild And coming to a Parly with Cyprian and Justinus and taking assurance for their lives they rendred themselves and the Castle Cyprian brought them and the Roman Army before Auximum leaving a Garrison in Faesulae Belisarius shewed their Leaders to the Goths in Auximum bidding them leave their Opiniativenesse and hopes from Ravenna from whence receiving no good but being more ruined daily they will at last come to the same Fortune with those of Faesulae They considered of it and being unable to hold out longer against the Famine they embraced the Proposition and rendred the City upon conditions of indemnity to themselves and to go with their Goods to Ravenna Belisarius was in some doubt to suffer so many brave men to joyne with those in Ravenna but he would not lose the opportunity of marching thither against Vitigis while Affaires was yet in suspence and the Francks expected to come with succours to the Goths whose coming though he would willingly prevent yet he would not raise the Seige of Auximum before it were taken But the Souldiers opposed the Goths having their Goods shewing their wounds and recounting their toiles in the Seige whereof they alledged the spoiles of the Conquered to be the due Prizes In the end forced by the pressing opportunity and the Goths compelled by the Famine they came to this accord That the Romans should have halfe the Goods and the Goths with the other halfe he subject to the Emperour And upon this they gave Oath the Roman Commanders to observe the Agreement and the Goths not to conceale any of their Goods So they shared the Goods and the Romans had Auximum and the Goths were mingled with the Army CHAP. XXIII BElisarius having taken Auximum made hast to Ravenna with his whole Army He sent Magnus before with competent numbers to skirt the Bancks of Poe and prevent the transporting of Provisions into Ravenna that way Vitalius being come out of Dalmatia with Forces guarded the other side of the River a Fortune here befell which shewed evidently that she it is who will determine the controversie For the Goths had formerly brought down into the Poe many Barks out of Liguria laded with Corn bound for Ravenna but the water was grown so low then that they could not row on till the Romans coming surprised the Barks and all the lading Soon after the River had the wonted stream and was Navigable again which never happened so before that we could heare And now the Goths began to be scarce of Provisions importing nothing from the Jonian Gulfe by reason the Enemy was Master of the Sea and the River being blockt up The Kings of the Francks understanding how things went and desiring to put for Italy sent Ambassadours to Vitigis with offers of aides so they might share the Dominion of the Country with him which Belisarius being advertised of sent also
sickly constitution and having Physitians about him still of all countries and among others Tribunus of Palaestina a man famous for his art and inferiour to none of his time moreover a wise and a godly man and very honest He had formerly cured Chosroes came out of Persia with many great presents but at the making of the Quinquenniall cessation Chosroes intreated the Emperour to let him have Tribunus with him for one year Who having performed his attendance Chosroes bade him aske what he had a mind to Tribunus instead of wealth askt of him the liberty of some Roman captives and got 3000 freed besides some men of quality whom he demanded by name By this act Tribunus got a great reputation among all men Anatozadus hearing of his Fathers sicknesse usurped and rebelled and though his Father were recovered yet he put the City into revolt and keenly pursued the Warr. Chosroes sent against him an army under Fabrizus who won the battell took Anatozadus Prisoner and brought him to his Father Chosroes blemished the young mans eyes not by taking away the sight but by distorting the eye-lids into much uglinesse with irons red hot applied to the out side of the Eye-lids being shut This Chosroes did to cut off his hope of his Kingdome the Law permitting not any man with any blemish to be King of Persia as I have said before Now also was the fifth year of the Cessation expired and Justinian sent unto Chosroes Peter a Patritian and his Master of the Palace with commission to conclude an absolute truce for the East Chosroes dismist him with promise to send one shortly to finish all as should be best for both And soon after he sent Isdigunas again a man supercilious and arrogant and whose insolent puffing and swelling was not tolerable to any Roman He brought his wife and Brother with him and a train so great as if he were marching to a battell He had also with him two principal Persians who wore Diadems of Gold upon their heads The Constantinopolitans murmured to see the Emperour honour him something more then according to the quality of an Ambassador Bradicius the interpreter was not with him whom they say Chosroes put to death for presuming to sit at the same Table with the Emperour Justinian who said he would not have admitted an Interpreter to such an honour if he had not betrayed the Persian affaires Some say that Isdigunas charged him with secret conferences with the Romans Isdigunas now at his audience said not a word of the peace but complained of Transgressions against the Cessation That Arethas and the Saracen Confederates of the Romans committed spoiles upon Alamundarus during the truce and some other things of smal importance In the meane time Bessas sate downe before Petra with the whole Army The Romans mined in the same place where Dagisthaeus formerly had done and for the same reason For the Walls are for the most part founded upon a Rock but in some places upon earth Towards the West they are upon an impenetrable Rock but not very thick a peice whereof Dagisthaeus then and now Bessas digged into but the nature of the ground bounded their Mine not permitting it to proceed further then it selfe After the retreate of Dagisthaeus the Persians had mended the fallen piece of their Wall there by filling up that which had been digged into with pebble stones and placing over it great beames smoothed and tyed together to a pretty breadth This basis of Timber was in stead of a foundation and upon it was the Wall set Which the Romans not knowing thought their Mine to be quite under the foundation and having voyded away much earth from beneath those timbers they shook indeed the Wall and a part of it suddenly sunk but it inclined not to either side nor had one stone disordered but setled upright whole and intire upon the digged ground as if it had been let downe with an Engine onely it was lower then before And so the Romans could not assault the Towne Mermeroes having formerly also with many hands raised all the Walls higher then ever The Romans seeing the piece that sunck and stood upright so were much troubled Mine they could no more neither could they bring the Ram to the Wall the ground being steep and the Ram not being to be drawne but in even ground In the Army then chanced to be Sabirian Hunnes who inhabite about the Caucasian Mountaines and are populous and divided into many Principalities Some of their Princes are ancient freinds to the Roman Emperour some to the King of Persia who give Pensions in Gold to their severall Confederates not yearely but upon occasions The Emperour to his Confederates had lately sent Gold for their ayde in this Warre But the Messenger finding it unsafe to passe the Caucasian Mountaines and by an Enemy with Money came to Bessas before Petra and from thence sent to the Sabirians to send some to receive the Money who presently-sent three of their Princes into Lezica and these were with the Army at the assault When they saw the Romans despairing they devised a new Engine never thought of by the Romans nor Persians who notwithstanding have had excellent Artists and have often needed such an Engine to assault places in stony and steep ground But it never came into their minds Mans nature ever proceeding with time to new inventions As these Barbarians suddenly made a new fashioned Ram using no timbers upript nor lying a crosse but in stead of them small Poles tyed and sitted together They covered the whole Engine with Hides and observed the perfect forme of an ordinary Ram and in the midst placed the usuall Beam with a topp headed with Iron to batter the Walls It was made so light that it needed no men or cattell to draw and thrust it forward onely forty men within it covered by the Hides carryed the Engine with ease upon their shoulders and winded up the Ram and let it go against the Walls Such Engines now were framed by these three Barbarians taking Beames and Iron worke from the Romans Ramms which they could not bring neer the Walls and forty men being put under each they set it close to the Walls On either side of each stood men well armed with Corslets and Morions and with long Poles in their hands topt with great Iron Hooks to draw off from the Walls the stones loosened and unjoynted by the strokes of the Ram. The Romans with many pushes of the same shook the Wall and they with their Poles pull'd downe the loose stones and quickly the Town was in the point of being taken But the Persians upon the Wall set a wooden Tower which they had long before prepared full of their best men having their heads and bodies all covered with Iron and with Corslets and vessells full of Brimstone and Babylonian Pitch and Naptha a Drug used by the Persians and by the Gracians called Medean oyle These Vessells they