been very faithful and serviceable to him In the mean time he sent Ambasâ—adors to the Court of Constantinople to represent there that the Emperor had no manner of right to assist the King of Armenia and that if he continued to joyn with him and to relieve him with his Armies it was an Infraction which the King of Persia would be obliged to revenge Valens made no great esteem of this Embassy and his Answer was nothing more than this That he did not concern himself with the Controversies of the Persians and Armenians that it was lawful for Soveraigns to send Armies upon their Dominions according as they judged it convenient for the good of their Affairs that he made no League in prejudice of the Treaties but that he had more right to protect the King of Armenia than Sapor had to oppress him and that if the one was against the Faith of a Treaty the other was contrary to Justice and all the Rights of Nations Upon which he sent back the Ambassadors Sapor took this answer for an open Rupture levied Troops and made great Preparations of War for the Spring The Emperor on his side sent against him Count Trajan and Vadcmaire King of the Germans with orders to observe the Persians and to commit no act of Hostility against them till the utmost extremity Ammian l. 29. These two Generals marched with the Legions towards the frontier taking always advantageous Posts for the Insantry which made all the strength of their Army There they kept themselves close and even gave way on purpose when they saw the enemy approach lest they should be accused of being the first in the infringement of the Treaty But at length the Persians being come on to force them in the consideration that they fled through cowardize and not prudence there was a necessity of coming to a close engagement The fight was severe and Sapor was constrained to retire to Ctesiphonte after he had lost the Battel and demanded a Truce himself which was immediately accorded to him In the mean time those who had an eye upon the affairs of Armenia wrote to the Emperour that it was convenient to send thither another King that all was in disorder that Para misused his Subjects and that he would oblige them by his pride to throw themselves into the arms of the King of Persia which would be of great consequence in relation to the Empire Valens having sent to desire his company under pretence of conferring with him upon the present affairs left him at Tarsus in Cilicia without saying any thing to him and gave him a good number of Officers in appearance to serve him but in reality to guard him This young Prince being come to a sense of his imprisonment and under a suspicion for his life fled away one morning with so much haste â—har for all he was pursued by the shortest ways he gain'd his own Dominions without falling into the snares which were laid for him in several places He was received of his people with much â—â—y and dissembling all the subjects he had to complain of the Emperour he continued in that fidelity he had sworn to the Empire But those who commanded in Armenia and the adjacent Provinces fearing lest he should give up his Kingdom to the Persians wrote against him to the Court and accused him of holding private intelligence with the Enemy of having put to death two of his Ministers that were affectionate to his service and the Interests of the Empire and above all of medling with enchantments and Magick Several testified that he had a secret to transform Men or to consume them by incurable languors Those who pursued him to excuse their ill success affirmed that he had bewitched their eyes Valens who was credulous and mistrustful and apprehended nothing so much as to perish by Inchantments gave secret Orders that they should either by force or artifice deliver him from so dangerous a man which was put in execution not long after at a Feast where this young Prince was inhumanely murdered Sapor being amazed at the loss of the last Battel and still more at the death of the King of Armenia with whom he was in hopes to have concerted infallible measures against the Romans had recourse to negotiation He sent Arsaces one of Ammian l. 30. the chief Lords of his Court to propose to the Emperour a friendly composition and with their joint consent to ruine Armenia which was without a King and had been the single cause of their divisions and their wars Valens rejected the proposition and replied That he kept up to the ancient Treaties and would innovate nothing After several shifts and turnings they came to menaces and a little time after they prepared on both sides for War Valens levied forces in the Country of the Scythians and resolved to enter into Persia with three Bodies of an Army at the beginning of the Spring Sapor sollicited his Allies for assistance and assembled a great Army He even prevented the Romans and threw himself upon some neighbouring Provinces which they had newly won The revolt of the Goths happening about that time it was convenient to suffer all things from the Persians and to make Peace with them upon conditions little honourable but necessary LXVI Sapor enjoyed the advantages which he had reaped from the juncture of affairs and as he had been brought up in War from his youth he was always meditating upon new attempts and his ambition in an advanced age was not diminished But when he came to know that Theodosius was Emperor and had heard of his great qualities and the mighty actions he had performed he dispatched a famous Embassy to him and whether he was touched at the reputation of this Prince or was afraid of losing under him what he had gained under his Predecessors he instructed his Ambassadors to tell him from him That he congratulated his promotion to the Empire That after having been at War with four Emperours whom he could boast of vanquishing in several encounters he was extremely glad to find one with whom he might live in a perfect intelligence That he would do him a favour in granting him his friendship and in permitting him peaceably An. 382 to pass the remainder of his days in his alliance He offered even to terminate the ancient contests of the two Nations and to regulate their pretensions upon Armenia and Iberia by a reasonable composition LXVII Theodosius who knew how necessary a Peace was for the Empire and how expensive and incommodious Wars are to the People even when they are glorious to the Kings that have undertaken them understood these overtures of Peace with joy and answered to the Ambassadors That he thanked their King for the offers he made to him and that he might assure himself of his friendship That since he had been called to the Empire â—e had not only laboured to put an end to the Wars which he had found but
scruple of pardoning my Subjects that have offended meâ— that am but a Mortal man as well as they and Servant of the same master Then Flavian prostrated himself and wished him all the prosperity that he deserved by the action he had done and when this Prelate shewed some desire to pass the Feast of Easter at Constantinople Go my Father said Theodosius embracing him and defer not a moment the consolation which your People will receive by your return and by the assurances you will give them of the Pardon which I grant I know that they continue still in grief and fear Go and carry to them for the Feast of Easter the disannlling of their crime Beseech God to send a blessing upon my Arms and be assured that after this war I will go my self and comfort the City of Antioch After that he dismissed this holy Old man and even sent Couriers to him after he had passed the Sea to exhort him anew to make all imaginable haste LXXXV One may observe through the whole Relation that I have made the malice of the Zoz l. 4 Historian Zozimus who endeavors to excuse the violence of the Antiochians in rejecting the fault of their Rebellion upon the severity of the Government He says nothing of the Journey of Flavian attributing all the success of this Negotiation to the Sophister Libanius against the belief of History and the testimony of contemporary Authors and particularly St. Chrysostom who Chrys â—om 17. ad pop Antiosh publickly reproached Philosophers with excess of weakness in this occasion From whence one may conjecture that those two discourses which Bar. Ann. Eccl. 1. 4. we find still amongst the works of this Caviller upon the subject of Statues were either composed after his death or else if he did them himself it was nothing but an after-blow by way of Declamation The affair of Antioch being thus happily concluded the return of its Archbishop was a kind of a triumph The public place was strowed with flowers illuminations were seen every where they covered all the way he was to pass with odoriferous Herbs and every one touched with the Emperor's mercy made wishes and prayers for him and for prosperity to his Arms. LXXXVI About this time Theodosius at the sollicitation of one of his Kinsmen was urgent with the Widow Olympias to marry She was the Daughter of Count Seleucus and Grand-daughter of Ablavius High Steward of the Empire Greg. Naz. Ep. 57. under Constantine She had been married to a young Lord named Nebrides Several Bishops had been assisting at her Wedding and St. Gregory of Nazianzum who upon some occasion could not be there had sent her some Verses in form of an Epithalamium She was a Widow at the end of twenty months and pretended to nothing more than to apply herself to God alone Elpidius a Spaniard by Nation and Cousin to the Emperor had an extream desire to marry her for besides her illustrious Birth she likewise possessed Pallad in Dial. de vita Chrysost extraordinary Riches For all he had pursued all kind of methods to make himself beloved he could not succeed in his undertaking He had recourse to the Emperor and begg'd the assistance of his credit with Olympias Theodosius being very sensible to all that related to his Family and moreover being perswaded that his Protection and the Honor of his Alliance would affect this young Widow proposed this Marriage to her but he could not prevail She answered with a great deal of modesty and generosity all together That she Pallad ib. would always receive with a very profound respect whatsoever the Emperor would do her the honor to propose to her but she begg'd of him to permit her to live without engagement That if Heaven had been pleased with her marriage state it would not have deprived her of her Husband and that since God had broken her Bonds she was resolved to give herself to no one but him and to live only in order to please him and to serve him LXXXVII Theodosius did not think it a reasonable thing to reduce her by Authority to accept of the party which he proposed to her But as it is the misfortune of Sovereigns to be subject not only to their own Passions but also to those of other men he suffered himself to be prepossessed against her The Relations which had been won complained that becoming Mistress of her Estate before the Age required by the Laws she had scattered it away in indiscreet Alms and Presents by the advice of some interessed Ecclesiastics who governed her Upon this complaint the Emperor ordained that the Governor of Constantinople should have the care and administration of the Possessions of Olympias till she had attained the age of Thirty years Elpidius made this order to bâ— executed with extream rigor They took away from this vertuous Lady the entire disposition of her Revenues She was not permitted even the liberty of having any communication with the Bishops nor to enter in the Church to the end that feeling all the inconveniencies of Poverty and Slavery and enjoying no sort of comfort she might be obliged to consent to the Marriage which she had refused But she could not be moved by a usage so unjust and violent She suffered it not only with patience but even with joy and after having rendred thanks to God for it she wrote to the Emperor in these terms You have acted Sir in relation to your most humble Servant not only as an Emperor but also as a Bishop since you have freed me from the care of my temporal concerns and the fear of Pallad ib. not making a sufficiently good use thereof Behold me discharged of a great burden The favor would be entire if you would order them to be distributed to the poor and to the Church It is a long time since I was afraid lest Vanity should make me lose the Fruits of my Alms and the Perplexity of temporal Riches should make me negligent of spiritual ones LXXXVIII She remained in this condition till the war against Maximus was happily concluded Then Theodosius perceiving that he had been surprised and pitying the misfortunes she had so resolutely undergone restored her to her possessions and left her to her freedom She exercised afterwards the employment of Deaconess in the Church of Constantinople affording great examples of Modesty discretion piety and a perfect renunciation of all the cares and pleasures of this World LXXXIX As soon as the Spring was come Theodosius who still kept in suspence the Ambassadors of Maximus declared that he was going to make war against him and departed from Constantinople Themist Orat. 6. where he left his Son Arcadius under the conduct of Tatian a wise faithful and intelligent man whom he had expresly sent for from Aquileia to make him Praefectus Praetorio and of Themestius the Philosopher whom he gave him for his Tutor His Ambassadors had by his order
Irruptions of the Huns. XLIX The Goths chased by the Huns. L. The Goths sue for a Retreat into Thrace LI. The Goths are received by Lupicin LII The Goths revolt and vanquish Lupicin LIII Siege of Adrianople LIV. Valens persecutes the Catholicks Themistius pacifies him LV. War of the Sarazens against the Romans LVI The Persians declare War LVII Valens sends to Gratian for Succor and concludes a Peace with the Sarazens and Persians LVIII News of the Battel and Retreat of Trajan and Ricomer LIX Gratian marches to the Relief of his Vncle LX. Famous Victory of Gratian over the Germans LXI Generous Answer of Trajan LXII Valens arrives at Constantinople He is murmur'd against He departs LXIII Prudence of Fritigern King of the Goths LXIV Valens iâ— ill advised He deliberates whether he shall An. 395 give Battel LXV Fritigern amuses the Emperor LXVI Valens marches to the Enemy Fritigern makes new Propositions LXVII The Armies engage The Right Wing of the Romans disorder'd LXVIII The Left Wing defends it self valiantly LXIX Entire Defeat of the Romans LXX Valens saves himself He is wounded and burnt alive in a house LXXI Great loss of the Romans Gratian stops at Sirmium LXXII Reflections of Gratian. LXXIII Re-establishment of the exiled Bishops LXXIV Gratian calls home Theodosius LXXV Occupations of Theodosius during his Exile LXXVI Di vers Enterprizes of the Goths LXXVII Th Goths beaten by the Sarazens before Constantinople LXXVIII St. Ascole defends Thessalonica by his Prayers LXXIX Horrible Massacre of the Goths in the East LXXX Theodosius arrives at Sir mium LXXXI Theodosius defeats the 〈◊〉 LXXXII Theodosius's Dream LXXXIII Gratian is resolved to chuse a Collegue LXXXIV Theodosius destined Emperor LXXXV Ausonius iâ— made Consul LXXXVI Victory of Theodosius confirmed THE LIFE OF Theodosius the Great BOOK I. II. THE Empire began to fall from that State of Grandeur and Power wherein Constantine had fixed it by his Piety and victorious Arms. Constantius and Constance two of his Sons governed one the East the other the West but as they enjoyed not the great qualities of their Father so were they neither beloved of their Subjects nor feared of their Enemies like him and they had much ado to sustain a part of that burden which he himself had born with so much glory It was about the ninth year of their Reign when Theodosius was born at Italica a little City of Spain upon the banks of the River Betis He was of a very Noble Family and descended from the race of Trajan whom he was always very desirous to resemble His Father's name was Theodosius and his Mother Thermantia both endowed with all the vertues that were agreeable to their Sex He soon made appear an admirable nature and he was educated with abundance of care He had for his Tutor one Anatolius a learned man that despised Riches but forgot nothing for his advancement to Honors This Philosopher taught him the first principles of humane Sciences and foreseeing that they would soon rob him of his Scholar to send him to the War he made haste to frame his Genius and rendered him in a little time capable to judge of the merit and works of learned men He made it his principal business to inspire him with good and generous Sentiments by observing to him in History those Examples which he ought to purâ—â—e and gave him the first impressions of honour and probity which since ruled all the actions of his Life Scarce was Theodosius past his Infancy but his Father who by his valor and his prudence was advanced to the chief employments of war resolved to take him along with him to the first expedition that should be attempted against the Barbarians III. In the mean while the Empire in a little space of time had undergone several revolutions Constance had miserably perished by the treachery of the Tyrant Magnentius Constantius his Brother was dead in Cilicia vexed at the ill success of those wars he had as ill sustained against the Persians Julian his Successor being inconsiderately engaged in the conquest of Persia had been killed in battel And Jovian a valiant and religious Prince after having reigned eight months came to dye suddenly in his bed being stifled with the smoke of Coals which had been kindled in his Chamber in order to make it dry IV. The Troops which were then in Bithynia advanced as far as Nicaea and without giving leisure to pretenders to make their factions the Army assembled to elect a new Emperor Valentinian was proposed and altho he was absent and there was some reason to fear his austere and inflexible humor he was notwithstanding unanimously chosen He was born at Cibalis in Pannonia Gratian his Father had raised himself by his vertue above his birth and of a simple Soldier was become General of the Roman Armies It is reported that he was so strong that five men Aureâ— â—â—ctor could not force out of his hands a Cord which he held tied fast It was by that means he came to make himself known to the Emperors Be it as it will he fell as suddenly as he was raised and the same Constantius who had loaded him with honors and possessions deprived him thereof being much disturbed that he had received in his house the Tyrant Magnentius Valentinian having found the fortune of his Father ruined was obliged to labor himself to the advancement of his own He passed through all the degrees of warfare and acquitted himself of those employments which he had with so much courage and prudence that the Soldiers saw him prosper without envy and were accustomed to say of him that he deserved much more than was conferred upon him Jovian had made him Captain of his second Troop of Guards and left him at Ancyra the chief City of Galatia to command there It was there they deputed to him to give him advice of his election He departed forthwith and came to the Army the 24th of February He would not appear the next day because 't was the day of Leap-year which an ancient superstition made pass for unlucky amongst the Romans The day following the Army being assembled in the morning he came to the Camp and was conducted with ceremony to the Tribunal which was prepared for him He was invested with the Purple and the Crown and proclaimed Emperor in the accustomed forms After he had enjoyed for some time the pleasure of the military acclamations he was for making an Oration to the Army but scarce had he opened his mouth but there arose a great noise amongst the Troops Whether it was a Cabal of discontented Officers or nothing else but a whimsey of the Soldiers they cried from all parts he must have a Collegue It seemed either that they repented of the choice they had made or that they had a mind to impose Laws upon him whom they had elected for Master Valentinian observed this tumult without disorder and regarding first on one side then on the other with
assured of their protection Theodosius turned his courâ—e on that side after he had refreshed his Troops and summoned the people to deliver up to him to Firmus Mazuca his Brother and the Chief Officers that were with him As they refused to do it he declared War against them and begun it by a battle wherein they were defeated Mazuca mortally hurt and Firmus put to flight with the remainder of his Troops It was then Igmazen King of the Isaflians assembled all his Forces and â—arched against the Romans who were already far advanced into his Dominions He went himself to meet Theodosius with a small attendance and being come to him he asked him who he was and why he came to disturb the peace of a King who had an independent power and was answerable for his actions to no one but himself Theodosius replied That he was one of the Lieutenants of Valentinian the Emperor and Master of the World that he was come to chastise a Rebel and that if he was not delivered into his hands he had orders to destroy as well Kings as People that should be so unjust as to protect him Igmazen retired stung with this Answer and the next morning betimes presented himself in Battel-Aray at the head of 20000 Men. He had left hard by a Body of Reserve and hid behind his Battalions some auxiliary Troops who were to break out in round Bodies in order to encompass the Romans who were in little number Theodosius on his side put his Troops in order laid before them their past Victories and encouraged them so well that they fought an entire day without their Ranks being disordered Towards evening Firmus appeared upon an Ascent covered with a rich Vesture of Scarlet and cryed out to the tired Soldiers That they would be certainly overwhelmed by number and that they must expect no quarter if they delivered not up their General to the King Igmazen This discourse encouraged some to fight more fiercely and so disturbed others that they abandoned their Ranks XXIX The Night having put an end to the Engagement Theodosius retired with little loss of his side and severely punished all those Soldiers whom the threats of Firmus had discouraged A little while after having reinforced his Army he renewed the War and defeated in several Encounters the best Troops of the Isasâ—ians Igmazen vexed that he should be so often overcome and observing that he had to do with a cautious and successful Captain who would at last overwhelm him and his Dominions began to consider how to live in peace He sent him secret advice that he was at no Controversy with the Empire and that he would abandon to him Firmus and all the Rebels but that his People were gained and himself no more their Master that the only means to fix them to their duty was to afford them no respite and to reduce them to consider their own proper safety rather than the defence of a Stranger that it was necessary for the Inconveniencies which they received to be much greater than the Advantages they were promised and that Theodosius should make himself more formidable than Firmus had made himself beloved XXX Theodosius made use of this advice and omitted no occasion to fatigue the Isafâ—ians sometimes defeating them in Parties sometimes forcing them from their quarters burning their Cities and Towns and ravaging the whole Countrey Igmazen abandoned them to their evil Counsels and made their Losses appear to them more considerable than they really were They found themselves at length so weak and tired that they began to look to themselves Firmus observed this coldness and mistrusting the King upon some Conferences he had with Masilla Prince of the Maziques he had a desire to flie once more to the Mountains Then Igmazen discovered himself and stopt him The Rebel seeing himself enclosed and guarded at a distance resolved to prevent his punishment by a voluntary death He made his Guards drunk in the Night and as they were asleep he arose and finding by chance under his hand a Cord proper for the design he entertained he strangled himself in a corner of the Chamber XXXI Igmazen who was to have conducted him the next day to the Camp of Theodosius was sensibly displeased at this Accident He attested the publick Faith brought Masilla for a Witness of this misfortune and charged the Body of this Wretch upon a Camel which he went to present himself to Theodosius as a pledge of the friendship and affection which he had for the Empire Theodosius made the Body be acknowledged by the People of the Countrey and by some Prisoners who all swore that it was the Body of Firmus Then he made great Caresses to the King and a few days after he took the Road of Sitiâ—i and was received in Triumph in all the Cities where he passed He hoped that he should be called to Court after so long and fortunate an Expedition but he had Orders to remain in Africk and to fix entirely the Affairs of that Province which the avarice of the Governors and the cruelty of the Rebels had almost brought to Ruine XXXII In the mean time the Emperon Valentinian made great preparations for War and departed from Treves in the beginning of the Spring to go into Illyrium in all haste All the adjoyning Nations were startled and sent Embassadors to him upon his way humbly to sue for Peace His answer was no more than that he came to chastise them if they were culpable and that he would judge of that when he came upon the place Every one thought that he came to punish the Assassinate of the King of the Quades or the disorders that were excited in the Provinces at which the Governors were alarmed Notwithstanding he used towards them his usual Policy and gave them not so much as a Reprimand He passed almost the whole Summer at Carnunte in Pannonia in gathering his Troops and supplying his Magazines and of a sudden having laid a Bridge over the Danube entred into the Country of the Quades with his Army being resolved to exterminate them for their last irruption Altho this Nation poor and fearful was not in a condition to defend it self they put all to Fire and Sword that they could meet with both in City and Country without distinction of Age or Sex The greatest part of the Inhabitants saved themselves in the Mountains being amazed to see amongst them Roman Eagles and an Emperor in person and regarding at a distance their Cities smoaking and their Habitations reduced to Ashes they lamented the Destruction of their Neighbors and the Desolation of their Country Valentinian a few days after changed his mind and whither it was that he wanted provisions or that the season was too far advanced or whether he was ashamâ—â— to insult over a People that was more unfortunate than culpable who could make no resistance he repassed the Danube and put his Army into Winter Quarters XXXIII The Quades returned a
him near the Emperor This firmness of Theodosius had procured him the hatred of those powerful men who stuck close to the Prince after having abused him and who affording themselves the freedom of committing things unjust would debar others of that of discovering them and making complaints The Emperor Valens was contented to entertain these enmities under-hand without daring to attempt any thing in the life time of Valentinian but after his death he kept no measures any longer and took the same ascendant over his Nephews that his Brother had formerly taken over him He gained the Ministers of Gratian already prepossessed by their Jealousies He joyned with the Empress Justine an Arrian as violent as himself and made so good a use of the favourable conjuncture of these new Reigns that mixing the Interests of the State with those of Religion and the Passions of others with his own he brought Theodosius to his trial He was arrested in Carthage and whether he was accused for intending to make himself Master of Africk or had other crimes supposed against him he was condemned to die in those very places where he had triumphed a little before XLV Theodosius seeing himself oppressed by envy employed the remaining part of his time in thoughts of his Salvation He received Baptism which through the evil custom of that time he had deferred and died innocent before God as he had lived without reproach and with Glory before Oros l. 7. c. 33. men His Son was still in Moesâ—a where he commanded the Army beloved of the People esteemed of the Soldiers and dreaded of the Enemies of the Empire As he was no less to be feared for his vertues than his Father he would infallibly have run the same fortune with him but he quitted Ambros in fun Theod. all his employments and fled forthwith into Spain where he sheltered himself from the persecution of Valens who upon the subject of suspicions was not of a humor to leave a crime imperfect Altho the Emperor Gratian was at an age to apply himself to business and was acquainted with the disgrace of Theodosius whose deserts he knew he left him in his Exile and whether it was that he feared to displease his Uncle or that he had not the force to express the passions of his Ministers or else that things were concealed from his knowledge and he would not put himself to the trouble of examining them himself he abandoned the two greatest Captains of the Empire to the oppression and violence of their Enemies Thus the best Princes by a soft Policy or criminal Laziness become oftentimes as dangerous as the bad XLVI Thoodosius passed some years in Spain using this exile as a time of repose and living obscurely with some of his Relations and Friends till such time as the affairs of the Empire were embroiled in such a manner that they were reduced to run to him as the only man capable to establish them I think my self obliged to recite here a little at large all these troubles as well to give an account of the state of the Eastern Empire and make the course of this History the more intelligible as to shew the methods which God made use of to chastise the Emperor Valens and to fix Theodosius in his place XLVII Of all those barbarous people that went out in multitudes from the Northern parts and drove one another to the very banks of the Danube and the Rhine there was none more formidable to the Roman Empire than the Goths They inhabited originally a part of that wild and barren Country which lies between the Northern Ocean and the Baltick Sea Being weary of a place so unfruitful and pushed on by their natural fierceness they descended as far as the adjacent parts of the River Vistule above three hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ There being encreased by a crowd of Vandals whom they had subdued and finding themselves too much straitned they extending their limits upon the Neighbouring States and advanced since as far as the Palus Meotis under the conduct of King Filimer forcing all they encountred in their passage The resistance which they found in this place constrained them to turn their course to another side and to pass at length after many windings into the Country of the Dacians and Getes where they remained some time in peace The correspondence which they had there with people that were more human and polite than they having made them lose a little of their grossness they imposed Laws upon themselves and divided into two Nations under Commanders worthy to govern them They that possessed the most Eastern parts were called Ostrogoths or Eastern Goths and acknowledged for their Kings the Princes of the Royal Family of the Amales They that inhabited towards the West took the name of Visigoths or Western Goths and disposed themselves under the Princes of the ancient Race of the Baltes These Barbarians who were then no otherwise separated from the Provinces of the Empire than by the Danube made oftentimes irruptions into Thrace Illyrium and Pannonia notwithstanding as they made War in disorder they were almost always beaten and made no progress But after they had been a long time either Enemies or Allies to the Emperors they accustomed themselves to Discipline and by serving the Romans they learnt to conquer them Sozom. l. 6. c. 37. Division being introduced amongst them under the Empire of Valens they came to an open War there hapned a bloody Battel Athanaric King of the Ostrogoths remained Victor and Fritegern King of the Visigoths was defeated The last had recourse to the protection of the Emperor who sent him a very considerable Relief He overcame Athanaric at his turn and as an acknowledgment to the Emperor and so many Christians who came to his assistance he embraced the Christian Religion and would have his Subjects do the Theodor. l 4. c. ult Oros l. 7. c. 32. same Valens did not lose this occasion of advancing the Arrian Sect pursuant to the Vow he had made at his Baptism He sent forthwith to Fritegern men that were passionate for this Doctrine who inspired the Prince therewith as also his Subjects by the treachery of Vlphilas their Bishop the first Inventer of the Gothick Letters and Translator of the Holy Scriptures into his Language which they had effected in the time of his Embassies at Constantinople XLVIII These two Kings began to re-unite and demanded nothing more than Peace after so many foreign and domestick Wars when they were assaulted of a sudden both one and t'other and expelled with their whole Nation from those Lands which they had conquered A People unknown and till then enclosed between the River Tanais and the frozen Sea went out of their own Country and dispersed themselves like a Torrent into all the adjoining Provinces They were the Huns a Nation without Honesty Justice or Religion hardned to Labour from Ammian l. 31. Zoz l. 4.
Colours Lupicin on his side assembled his Troops and thought his appearance would suffice to disperse this storm but he suffered himself to be surprized and this crowd of Barbarians without order and hardly arms having fallen upon him and his army he made a scandalous flight The Goths after having killed the greatest part of the Soldiers and Officers took the habits and arms of the dead and pillaged all Thrace without resistance The Slaves which they had sold for necessaries broke their Chains and run to them from all parts A Troop of Ammian ib. Malecontents came to joyn with them and shewed them places where they might enrich themselves Zoz l. 4. and where to retrench At the same time an antient Regiment of Goths which had their Winter quarters at Adrianople was expelled thence by the Inhabitants albeit it had no concern in the revolt aad had always served the Empire with fidelity LIII These Barbarians being full of indignation at this treatment sent to their Companions for succor and besieged Adrianople They made several assaults and were always repulsed Fritigern seeing that they consumed themselves in vain before this place made them understand that they should fight with Men and not with Walls that it was of little importance to take a City when they might gain several Provinces where there was more spoils to take and less danger to incur These Troops pursuant to the King's advice raised the Siege and dispersed themselves into Thrace Moesia and Pannonia LIV. The Emperor Valens was then at Antioch where by the counsel of some Arrian Bishops and applications of the Empress he was employed in persecuting the Catholics Some died in Torments others were cast into the Orontes The most holy Prelates were expelled their Churches and Fire and Sword were carried to the very solitâ—des of Egypt The Pagans themselves were mollified and reduced to pity and the Philosopher Themistius went to find out the Emperor to tell him That he persecuted good men without reason that it was not a crime to entertain different thoughts and a belief different from his that he ought not to be amazed Socrat. l. 4. c. 32. Sozom. l. 6. c. 36. at this diversity of Opinions that the Gentiles were much more divided amongst themselves than the Christians that every one had a prospect of the Truth thro' some place and that it had pleased God to confound the pride of men and to render himself the more venerable by the difficulty of knowing him The Emperor was touched at the discourse of this Philosopher and diminished a little of that false zeal of Religion which had possessed him entirely He received almost at the same time the news of the Revolt of Fritigern the defeat of Lupicin and the desolation of the Provinces Then he repented of the Faults he had committed and resolved to revenge himself for the ingratitude of the Goths and to fall upon them with all the Forces of the Empire LV. This Affair wonderfully disturbed him because he had already many Adversaries upon his hands The Sarasins were the most formidable They had lost their King some time since Socrat. l. 4. c. 36. Sozom. l 6. c. 38. and the Queen Mauvia his Wife was left Regeut Altho she was an Ally of the Romans they began to trouble her and thought they might with safety provoke a Nation that was governed only by a Woman She made her Complaints and could receive no satisfaction She broke the Alliance then her Husband had contracted with the Emperor took the Field with a puissant Army and ravaged Palestine Phoenicia and that part of Egypt which is between the Nile and the Red Sea The Governor of Phoenicia presented himself often to oppose her passages but he was always beaten and lost the best part of his Troops He must have recourse to the Count Victor General of the Eastern Armies This General advanced with a great Body of Horse and Foot and slighting the Governor who came to join him he ordered him to stand aside and to leave him the honour of a Victory which he could not obtain himself With this assurance he approached gave Battel and lost it his whole Army was defeated and himself had perished if the Governor had not run to disengage him and to favor his flight After this Victory the Queen was in a condition to push on her Conquests further without controulment LVI At the same time the Persians required the Emperor to abandon Armenia which was a subject Ammian l. 30. of perpetual War between the two Nations The Emperor sustained his Rights and after divers interpretations of the last Treaties and several Embassies on both sides it was resolved to determine this difference by Arms which they could not decide by Negotiation King Sapor sent Orders to his Lieutenant-General to render himself Master of some places and disposed himself to march at the head of an Army in the beginning of the Spring LVII There was no less occasion to fear within the Empire than without The Provinces being tired with the Tyranny of the Governors and the persecution of the Catholicks were upon the point to rise Valens who was afraid of being overwhelmed dispatched Couriers to the Emperor Gratian his Nephew for assistance and made haste to satisfy the Persians and Sarasins that he might have only the Goths upon his hands and might collect all his Troops into a Body He gave immediate Orders to Count Victor to go and find Queen Mauvia and to conclude a Peace with her upon any Conditions whatsoever This Negotiation was more fortunate than War for the Queen who had as much Wisdom as Valor stopt the course of her Victories and was contented with having reduced an Emperor to fear her Victor of his side managed the humor of that Princess with so much ingenuity running upon her admirable qualities and making it an honour to be overcome by her that in a few days she granted him a Peace and even bestowed her Daughter upon him in marriage Nevertheless as she was zealous for the Christian Religion which she had but lately embraced she would not consent to sign the Treaty before he had engaged to let her have for a Bishop one of her own Subjects called Moses who lived in the reputation of holiness in the Sozom. l. 6. c. 38. solitudes of Egypt The Condition appeared very agreeable and the Treaty was concluded and executed almost at the same time Victor had Orders to pass into Persia in order to terminate as well as he could the differences between the two Crowns and to bring along with him those Legions which were in Armenia as soon as there should be a Peace determined The Emperor relaxed much from his Pretensions and consented to an Accommodation which would have been scandalous without a real necessity it was even convenient to bear with some infractions of the Treaty whereof it was not a time to complain and to dissemble an Affair which was
and re-established them in their Sees He commanded Sapor one of his Lieutenant Generals to go and execute this Order throughout the East to chase the false Bishops from the Churches they had usurped and to suffer none but those who were in the Communion of Pope Damasus Notwithstanding judging it convenient to manage the humors of the People and joyning Sweetness to Piety he allowed every one the free exercise of his Religion and prohibited no public Assemblies but to certain Sects which appeared to him either ridiculous or scandalous LXXIV After having delivered the Church from its Oppression it was necessary to consider of means in order to save the State Valens died without Children and the young Valentinian who had the Title and Quality of Emperor was not yet of an age to exercise the functions of it so Gratian alone was charged with all the cares of the Empire He saw at the same time the Goths victorious in Thrace and other barbarous Nations ready to make an irruption into the Lands of the Empire Being unable himself to suffice the whole or to know where his presence would be most necessary he searcht for a man that was capable to assist him in his wars and to command in the East in his absence He cast his Eyes upon Theodosius whose Valor and Wisdom he was acquainted with and whether he had already resolved to associate him to the Empire or only designed to give him the command of the Army he wrote to him and sent him Orders to come forthwith to Sirmium LXXV Theodosius was then in Spain where he was retired as we have already said to avoid the Persecution of Valens and the Envy of those Courtiers who could not dispence with his Reputation nor his Merit He lived in his retreat without complaining either of Emperors or his Fortune Sometimes he was at the City amongst his fellow Citizens composing the differences of some assisting others in their necessities obliging Pacat. in Panegyr all the world and preferring himself to no one sometimes in the Country where he manured himself his Gardens and addicted himself with satisfaction to all the cares of Husbandry Making this advantage of his disgrace he learnt to gain the Friendship of the People and accustomed himself so well to all the Offices of a civil life that he retained the sweetness and modesty of a private person even when he was raised to Soveraign Dignity He was in this condition when he received Gratian's Letters he put his domestic affairs in order and departed a few days after LXXVI In the mean time the Goths after their Victory went against the advice of King Fritigern Ammian lib. 31. to besiege Adrianople where they received information that Valens had enclosed his Treasures and all that he had most precious in the Empire They made their approaches tumultuously and gave several assaults but it was with so much precipitation and disorder that they were always repulsed and lost their best Troops They had won some Soldiers of the Garison who were to deliver to them one of the City gates but the intelligence was discovered At last being incommoded with the rains that fell several days together pelted with the Artillery of the besieged and discouraged with the tediousness of the Siege they passed as far as the Precincts of Perinthus where they hoped to find a more considerable booty LXXVII As they durst not attack this place they plundered the Countty and a pproached Constantinople with a design to invest it and to take it either by Assault or Famine The Empress Doâ—inica the Wife of Valens opened the public Treasure and encouraged so well by her Discourse and Largesses the Inhabitants and Soldiers that they made a Sally and charged a body of the Barbarians which was advanced towards the City The fight was bloody and finished by an action which surprized the Goths and cast a terror into their whole Army Zoz l. 4. Some Sarazin battalions which Queen Mauvia had sent to the assistance of the Empire and which Valens had left in Garrison at Constantinople where at handy blows with the Enemy and the Victory was yet uncertain when of a sudden a Souldier of that Nation was seen to appear with a Dagger in his hand and muttering some dismal words He went out of the ranks all naked and falling upon the first Goth he met with stab'd him in the breast and instantly cast himself upon him to suck the blood which trickled from his wound The Goths amazed at this brutish action which they took for a prodigy fled in disorder and had not the courage to assault the Sarasins LXXVIII They were not more successful before Thessalonica they attempted several times to become Masters of this City which was not in a condition to resist them but St. Ascole the Bishop thereof defended it by the sole vertue of his Ambros Ep. 59. Prayers It is reported that a secret fear possessed these Barbarians as soon as they approached that they lost without knowing for what reason that natural fierceness which they had at other times and that the wisest of them were of opinion to abandon the attempt and to leave undisturbed a Ammian â— 31. Hier. Ep. 3. Zoz l. 4. City which God so visibly protected by the intercession of this Holy Prelate At length after they had lost the Pillage of these three Cities they threw themselves into Macedon Thrace Scythia Mesia and dispersed themselves as far as the Julian Alpes which confine Italy on this side ravaging all these Provinces and leaving every where fatal Testimonies of their avarice and fury LXXIX The East was going to fall into a like disorder if there had not been a sudden stop put to the course of a Conspiracy which was already formed When the Goths were received in Thracâ— one of the Conditions imposed upon them was that they should give up their Children for Hostages and Necessity obliged them to consent to it They hoped by that means to secure the fidelity Zoz l. 4. of their Fathers and to accustom the Children insensibly to the Laws and Discipline of the Romans in order to make both serve in the Wars of the Empire Julius who commanded in the East was charged with the Education of these Barbarian Youths He dispersed them in the Cities of his Governments and instructed them according to the Orders he had received from Court Many of them were already of an age to carry Arms and notwithstanding the care which was taken to conceal from them the Victory of their Nation they came to understand the News Then returning to their nature they concerted amongst themselves how to seize upon certain Cities and to put those Garisons to the Sword who should not be upon their guard Those that were together advertised their Companions secretly and the Conspiracy was suddenly to take effect Julius had advice of it and was resolved to prevent them He visited the places gave Orders to the
to procure this honour Gratian after having advantag'd himself by his instructions lost no occasion of testifying to him his acknowledgment He raised him to the charge of Questor and a little after to that of Praefectus Praetorio at length he declared him Consul and forgot nothing that he could imagine to be most obliging and most honourable He gave him for a Colleague Olibrius Gallus a young man of a very noble and ancient Family and as people were curious to know which of the two he named first to favour Ausonius without offending the other he answered that he pretended to determine their rank not by Birth but Age and the antiquity of their Praefecture After that he dispatched forthwith a Courier to Ausonius to give him advice of his nomination to the Consulship Auson in grat act and wrote to him in these terms As I considered some time since to create Consuls for this year I invoked the assistance of God as you know I am accustomed to do in every thing I undertake and as I know it conformable to your desire I was of opinion that I was obliged to nominate you first Consul and that God required of me this acknowledgment for the good instructions I have received from you I render to you then what is your due and knowing that one can never acquit himself towards his Father nor towards his Master I confess that I still owe you what I have endeavoured to render you To the end that nothing might be wanting to the favour which he had done he accompanied this Letter with a Present and sent him a very glorious Robe wherein was embroidered in Gold the figure of the Emperor Constantius his Father-in-Law And Ausonius on his side employ'd all the force and delicacy of his Genius to make in Verse and Prose the Panegyriek of his August Benefactor LXXXVI A few days after this action of Gratian's those who were sent to the Army arrived and reported that the defeat of the Goths had been very considerable that the number of the dead Theod. l. 5. c. 9. and prisoners and the quantity of spoils went beyond what Theodosius affirmed of them Then his very Enemies were obliged to commend his valour and modesty and the Emperor thought it high time to share the Empire with him The End of the First Book The CONTENTS of the SECOND BOOK I. GRatian shares the Empire with Theodosius II. Theodosius goes to Thessalonica and receives the Deputations there III. He undertakes a War against the Goths IV. He sends Modarius to view them V. He surprizes them and defeats them entirely in Thrace VI. He grants them Peace and returns to Thessalonica where he learns the Victory of Gratian. VII He has a design to pull down the Arrains VIII The Original and Progress of this Sect IX Theodosius falls sick and is baptized by Ascole Bishop of Thessalonica X. He sets forth an Edict against the Arrians XI Maximus the Cynick usurps the Episcopal See of Constantinople his Crimes and his Cheats XII Theodosius repulses Maximus XIII Perfidiousness of the Goths XIV The Goths attack the Emperor in his Trenches XV. Treason of the Goths in the service of the Empire Retreat of Theodosius XVI Theodosius rallies his Army and receives the assistance of the Gauls XVII Consternation of the Goths XVIII Different Opinions touching Peace or War XIX Theodosius grants the Goths a Peace XX. Divers Effects produced by the Edict of Theodosius for the Catholick Religion in Constantinople XXI Theodosius disbands the Gaulish Troops and repairs to Constantinople XXII Theodosius receives the Civilities of the Arrians the Catholicks murmur at it XXIII State of Religion in Constantinople XXIV Theodosius declares for the Catholicks His Conference with Gregory of Nazianzum XXV He orders all the Churches of the City to be restored to the Catholicks XXVI He represses the Arrians and goes himself to instal Gregory of Nazianzum XXVII Policy of Theodosius XXVIII Difference of Fravitas and Eriulphus XXIX Malice of the Historian Zozimus XXX Conspiracy of the Arrians against Gregory of Nazianzum XXXI Sweetness of Gregory XXXII New Edict of Theodosius against the Arrians XXXIII Pride of Athanaric King of the Goths his hatred against Valens and against the Empire XXXIV Fritigern unites himself with the Grotungues and after several Incursions they chase Athanaric from his Territories XXXV Athanatic begs the protection of Theodosius XXXVI Theodosius gives Athanaric a Retreat in his Court XXXVII Theodosius shews Athanaric Constantinople Original and Greatness of this City XXXVIII Death of Athanaric XXXIX Effects of the goodness of Theodosius XL. Theodosius calls the Council of Constantinople XLI He calls the Macedonian Hereticks to it XLII Number of the Bishops of the Council and their different Prospects XLIII Respect of Theodosius for Miletius President of the Council XLIV Election of an Archbishop of Constantinople XLV Gregory of Nazianzum is chosen he refuses this dignity is obliged to accept of it XLVI Points of Faith regulated XLVII Rules for Discipline XLVIII Synodal Letters addressed to Theodosius XLIX Death of Meletius Bishop of Antioch Honours rendred to him by Theodosius L. Theodosius Answers to the Bishops and confirms the Ordinances of the Council LI. Schism of Antioch its Original and Progress LII It is proposed to chuse a Successor to Meletius Division of the Fathers upon this Subject LIII Theodosius calls the Bishops of Egypt and Macedon to the Council LIV. Protestation against the Election of Gregory of Nazianzum LV. Gregory resigns his Archbishoprick and goes out of the Assembly LVI Gregory demands his Congé of Theodosius LVII Last Sermon of Gregory and his Reâ—reat LVIII Theodosius complains of the Contests of the Bishops LIX Orders given for the Election of a new Archbishop LX. The Emperor chuses Nectarius LXI Remonstrance of the Bishops to Theodosius LXII Ordination of Nectarius LXIII Conclusion of the Council Translation of the Relicks of St. Paul Archbishop of Constantinople LXIV Victory of Theodosius over the Huns Scyrians and Carpodacks LXV King Sapor seeks the friendship of Theodosius State of the Persian Affairs LXVI Famous Embassy of the Persian King to Theodosius LXVII Alliance of Theodosius with the King of Persia LXVIII Deputation of the Council of Aquileia to Theodosius LXIX Theodosius doth not consent to the Convocation of a General Council at Rome LXX New Intrigues of Maximus the Cynick LXXI Theodosius re-assembles the Bishops of the East at Constantinople They refuse to go to Rome LXXII The Goths of Athanaric's Retinue praise the grandeur and goodness of Theodosius LXXIII Fritigern seeks the Alliance of Theodosius LXXIV New Instances of the Italian Bishops for the Convocation of a Council at Rome THE HISTORY OF THEODOSIVS the Great BOOK II. Anne 379. I. THE Army which was then in quarters about Sirmium had Orders to Rendezvous and upon the sixteenth day of January Gratian repaired to it accompanied with Theodosius and the other Lords of his Socrat. l. 5. c. 2.
made several attempts against his Person but as he had convinced them by his discourse so he edified them by his patience He began to enjoy the fruit of his labors when Maximus was presented to him Gregory received him not only with civility but also with respect as a Confessor of Jesus Christ he listened to the false history of his life and judging of another by himself he believed it He kept him in his house let him partake of his Table and discovered to him his study and designs and supposing it was honorable and advantageous to have in a reviving Church a Man taken for a Martyr he proposed him for an example and recited publickly a discourse which he had made in his commendation This Impostor on his side got more and more into the favors of this holy Prelate by a dexterous insinuation by frequent invectives against the Arrians and by an Air of Piety which appeared to be sincere In the mean time he managed his intrigues with privacy He engaged therein a Priest of Constantinople to whom the Elevation and Merit of the Archbishop were become insupportable They turned so well the Spirit of the Patriarch of Alexandria by the powerful correspondencies they had near his Person that he entred into the interests of Maximus whether it was that he had a mind to favor his Country-man or that he was afraid of giving occasion to the aggrandizing of the See of Constantinople if he put in a man of extraordinary Reputation or that he believed the Election which he had but lately approved of had not been done according to form It was then by his orders that seven Bishops were chosen to go and support the Party of this Philosopher under pretence of conducting the Fleet which conveyed Corn every year from Aegypt to Constantinople As soon as they were arrived Maximus encouraged them by his discourse and presents He won an Ecclesiastic of the Isle of Thasse who came to buy some Marble for his Church and borrowed his Money of him to distribute it amongst the Mariners whom he had resolved to make use of There remained nothing more than to take a time for the Ordination The Egyptian Bishops at their arrival had refused to communicate with the Arrians and had united with the Catholics Gregory had received them in his house with much civility and respect As the entrance of the Church was free to them at all hours they came there one night when this Prelate was carried sick to a Country-house Greg. Naz. Carm. dâ— vita sua near the City They began the ceremony of the consecration of Maximus in presence of a great number of Mariners for the most part strangers who represented the people But the day having surprized them and the Clergy running up and down the whole quarter was stirr'd up the people assemble the Magistrates are called and Maximus is driven away with all his accomplices who saved themselves in disorder in the house of a certain Flute-master where they concluded their Sacrilegious ordination The indignity of this action which was matter of horror to the very Hereticks gave occasion to enquire after the life of this Impostor People began to undeceive themselves of the Martyr he boasted of and they discovered the crimes which he had the dexterity to conceal till then which caused him to be shamefully banished from the City XII This ill success did not astonish him After having wandered some time in Thrace he went accompanied with the Bishops who had consecrated him to find Theodosius to prepossess him if he could in his favour But Ascole to whom Pope Damasus had often sent concerning the affairs of the Church of Constantinople was already advertized of all that had passed and had informed the Emperor Maximus being arrived with his companions and entreating him to maintain him by his Authority this Prince replied with indignation That he was informed of his Cabals That he hated all those who disturbed the peace of the Church and hindred the progress of Religion That he knew how to chastise him and his Partisans as they deserved if they had ever the insolence to pursue their attempt They would have justified themselves but the Emperor interrupted them and sent them away without the trouble of hearing them or seeing them any more XIII Whilst Theodosius who was now in a fair way of Recovery took so much care for the advancement of Religion he got his Army together and prepared to take the Field as soon as he should have regained his strength The Goths upon the information they had received of his sickness by their Deserters and the Hostages they had of his train made a mock of the last Treaty They were so far from leaving the territories of the Empire as they had promised that they called in to their assistance some new Troops of Barbarians and were more sevese in pillaging than before Those of their Nation who had entred in great numbers into the Emperors pay secretly advised them of their contributing towards an easie passage into the Provinces Terrour was dispersed amongst the people the Souldiery receiving from the Court but slow and undetermined orders could not tell what to resolve on Thus all things remained as it were immovable by the indisposition of a Prince who governed only by himself and was not at that time in a capacity to act Upon the first noise of this renewing of the War Couriers were suddenly dispatched to the Emperor Gratian to give him advice of the danger wherein Theodosius was and to sollicit him to send with expedition a considerable relief towards Macedon Some Officers of the Army with what Troops they could assemble in the mean time opposed the enemies and disputed the passes with them But the number of these Barbarians encreasing continually they made themselves masters every where As soon as they had received the succours they expected they plundered the frontiers and threw themselves into Thessaly and Macedon Theodosius made his Army march that way and went there himself as soon as his health would permit him After he had sent to view the enemies notwithstanding he was so inferior in number he advanced with a design to fight them but he was prevented and whatsoever cautions he had taken he saw himself on a sudden betrayed by the Goths whom he had retained in his service This Prince after the conclusion of the Treaty of the preceding year considering the weakness of the Empire at that time and judging that he could not improve it without the assistance of those very people who had occasioned its decay made it to be proclaimed in their Camps that he desired to live with them in good intelligence and that he would receive all those who would come into his Armies These Barbarians came in multitudes to inroll themselves in the service of the Romans and had obliged themselves before by execrable Oaths to take all occasions of doing them harm in making an appearance of
serving them Theodosius thought he had engaged them to him by caresses and liberalities notwithstanding being afraid lest their number should prevail which already exceeded that of his own Troops he made several detachments of them He sent a party into Egypt under the conduct of Hormisaas a Persian by Original Son of a Captain of that name who assisted in the War of Julian against the Persians He destributed the rest in places where Zoz l. 4. there was a Roman Garrison with orders to the Governours to observe them The War being come unlook'd for those who seemed to be most faithful were made choice of and composed a Body to serve in the Field These being resolved to accomplish their Oath and becoming more affectionate to their Country-men as they approached them gave them information of all that passed in the Emperors Army and promised to joyn with them if they would come to assault him by night in his Camp XIV The Goths upon this advice prepared themselves for battel and began to march Theodosius on his side being advertized of their design intrenched himself put his men in order of battel visited the quarters particularly that of the strangers whom he found more gay and pleasant than the rest and more disposed in appearance to defend themselves well and after having kindled fires throughout the Camp and given all necessary orders he attended the Enemy The Night advanced and the Barbarians taking the advantage of their number and dividing themselves into several bodies whereof each was almost equal to the whole Army of the Emperor extended themselves in the Plain in tolerable order and came with fearful crys to thunder upon all sides almost at the same time but they found every where more resistance than they had imagined and were repulsed with great loâ—s of theirs The strength of the attack fell upon the Emperors Quarter which they knew either by the signal that the Traytors had given them or by the great number of fires which they themselves had observed They hoped to overwhelm this Prince or at least to hold him employed there whilst they laid a snare for him on another side They gave several charges but they lost so many men that they were at length disheartened XV. Theodosius saw things in this condition when there arose a great noise towards the Quarter of the Strangers which made him apprehend some disorder He learnt at the same time that the Goths of his Army had joyned the Enemies and that he would be enclosed if he was not cautious of himself He detached immediately some Squadrons to seize upon certain Posts which might secure his retreat and as he knew that a party of the Legions were at handy blows with these Rebels he ordered his Cavalry to advance in haste which sell upon them so briskly and so opportunely and withal made so great a slaughter of them that there remained but few who received no Recompence for their Rebellion Those that supported them had well nigh the same Fortune But at length the Romans could not make such great efforts without much loss and the Goths whose number continually encreased had forced the Trenches in several places Theodosius before he came to be overwhelmed by the multitude rallied his weakened Troops who began for the most part to give way He charged himself with the care of making his Retreat amusing the Enemies by detachments made on purpose turning head from time to time to assault those who pursued him in disorder till he had gained the advanced Posts which his men were possessed of and had secured the remains of his Army This battel might have proved entirely fatal to the Empire if the Goths had known how to reap the advantage of their Victory but they disbanded themselves immediately Those who had fought least were the sirst that run to plunder and those who pursued the Enemy were afraid of losing their part of the booty and returned speedily to the Camp Thus a retreat was made without much difficulty Thessaly and Macedon in the mean time remained exposed to the insults and pillages of these Barbarians who ravaged the Country and left the Cities undisturbed because the Emperor had thrown some Troops therein and they were in hopes of drawing from thence considerable contributions After they had ruined all this Country as if their Avarice and Revenge had been satisfied they began to lament so many brave Soldiers whom they had lost in battel and their Victory appeared to them not so great as before They found themselves in small number and thought the Emperor was every hour at their backs to assault them XVI In the mean while Theodosius who was retired towards Thessalonica formed a body of Troops sufficient to oppose their progress He had received in his way some Recruits A Party of the Legions of Aegypt which he had sent for came to joyn him and he was in a condition to take the field again in a few days when Rusticus arrived from the Western Provinces to satisfy him of the concernment of Gratian and his whole Court for his indisposition and their joy for his recovery The Journey of this Officer had been tedious because he had passed through Italy and stopt at Rome to receive Baptism There he had received new orders and came with Letters from Pope Damasus and the Emperor Gratian. The first wrote to Theodosius to thank him for the protection he gave the Catholics and to beg of him to establish in the Church of Constantinople an Orthodox Bishop with whom might be preserved Peace and Communion The second gave him advice that he sent him a considerable assistance that he would have conducted them himself if the affairs of the Empire would have suffered him but that he had pickt out his choicest Troops and his best Captains to command them that they were upon March and had orders to repair with speed to the confines of the two Empires where they might know the course they were to take Theodosius was wonderfully pleased to learn this news and a little while after he was informed that the Auxillary Troops were arrived upon the Frontires of Illyrium Baudon and Arbogastes Frenchmen by birth Captains of great Reputation very affectionate to the Romans and very skilful in the profession of War who were the chief of this expedition sent two of their principal Officers to Court to know what they were to do The Emperor dispatched to them forthwith Persons of credit and intelligence to acquaint them with the posture of affairs and to get them to approach towards Macedon where he was resolved to come and join them Upon which these two Generals advanced by great journeys and happily fell upon some Parties of the Enemy whom they cut in pieces Theodosius at the same time began his March XVII Then there arose a consternation in the Army of the Barbarians who believed that they were going to be overwhelmed and that all the Forces of the East and West
attended by Three Hundred Horse which he had assembled with much ado in order to assist him in his Flight but he found all the Passages guarded by those he had reason to mistrust He went back again uncertain of the way he was to take to save himself As he arrived at Lions he had advice Socrat. l. 5. c. 11. Sozom. l. 7. c. 13. from several places that the Empress his Wife was coming to seek him in order to accompany him in his adversity IX This Prince forgetting for a time the danger he was in more affected with the misfortunes of this Princess than his own recalled in his mind all his Love and passed the Rhine with a design to meet her As soon as he was upon the Shore he discerned a Litter encompassed with Guards He hastened to it but he saw come out instead of his Wife Count Andragatius General of the Horse whom Maximus had dispatched after him in haste This Traytor having surpriz ed him in his Snares seized him and most inhumanely murdered him the Four and twentieth of September in the Eight and twentieth Year of his Ammian l. 27. Age and the Sixteenth of his Empire Such was the Destiny of this Emperor He â—uffered Death with Constancy and all the concern he had upon him was for the absence of St. Ambrose who might have disposed him to a holy Death The Church which he had always defended Ambros in Orat. de obitu Gr. bemoaned his loss and those who reign after him may draw from him this instruction that it concerns their Reputation Peace and even Safety to govern by themselves those States wherewith they are charged X. Maximus puffed up with so many Successes was ready to pass into Italy and surprize Valentinian a young Prince without Experience and without Force But besides â—hat it was necessary to give some Orders in the Provinces newly subdued he judged it convenient before he passed the Alps to sound the intentions of Theodosius He sent Ambassadors to him with Instructions to offer him his Friendship if he would associate him to the Empire or to declare War against Zoz l. 4. him if he refused it Theodosius being sensibly touched at the Death of Gratian his Friend and Benefactor had already resolved to revenge it but as he had reserved himself but a small number of Troops since the general Peace throughout the East he was afraid lest Valentinian should be oppressed before he was in a condition to defend him He dissembled his design and replied to the Ambassadors that he accepted the Offers of Maximus that he did not oppose what the Army had done for him and since he possessed the place of Gratian he lookt upon him as his Successor to the Empire The necessity of things Zoz ibid. obliged him thus to treat him as a Collegue till he was in a posture to declare himself his Enemy XI But whilst he entred into Negotiation with him the Empress Justine imagined every moment that Maximus was coming to thunder upon Italy She had neither Army to oppose him nor expectation of Succor from her Allies She resolved then to send Ambassadors to him in order to prevail on him by her Submissions and to stop him on t' other side of the Alps. But she found no one in her Court who could or would undertake so difficult a Negotiation insomuch that she was constrained to have recourse to St. Ambrose She suspended for a time the Hatred which she had conceived against him and conjured him on the part of the Emperor her Son to undertake this Embassy The holy Bishop willingly accepted of this Employment and went away in haste being resolved to sacrifice his Repose and his very Life for his Prince and Country He found Maximus in a state of enterprizing all things His Conquests instead of satisfying his Ambition had incensed him To be Master of Gaul Spain and England he accounted of small importance if he did not reign in Italy He came from spilling the blood of one Emperor he went to chase the other from his Empire XII But this Prelat spoke to him with so much force and performed so well by his eloquence and address that he made him abandon the resolution he had taken to pass the Alps. His Arms fell out of his hands and whether the respect and veneration he conceived for this great man had suggested to him some great moderation or that he perceived his Passions to relent by his affecting free discourses or else that God who is the Master of Kings and le ts loose Tyrants in his anger and retains them when he pleases had prescribed his bounds to this did without knowing why what St. Ambrose desired of him Contrary to all appearance he stopt at Gaul established at Treves the seat of his new Dominion and took the Title of Augustus with the consent of the two Emperors He repented afterwards of having lost so favourable an opportunity and Ambros Eâ— 33. complained often that the Archbishop of Milan had enchanted him XIII About this time Theodosius observing his Son Arcadius to grow up resolved to declare him Augustus altho he was but Seven or Eight Years Socrat. l. 5. c. 10. Sozom. l. 7. c. 12. old The Ceremony was performed in a Palace called the Tribunal designed for the Coronation of the Emperors in presence of all the Lords of the Court and several Bishops Every one testified by his Acclamations the joy he had to see this Young Prince invested with the Imperial Habits and wished that he might possess the Vertues of his Father as he had received his Dignity XIV Theodosius was extreamly satisfied with having made a new Emperor out of his Family and with the public Approbation But he was more intent upon his Education than his Establishment and thought it was of little importance to leave him ample Territories if he did not leave him Wisdom to govern them He had a long time sought for the wisest and learnedst man of the Empire to entrust him with this Infant who was one day to be the Master of so many People He had sent to the Emperor Gratian concerning it and Gratian had entreated Pope Damasus to make himself a choice of so much moment and to dispatch him to Constantinople whom he should esteem worthy of this Employment This Pope who was well versed in good literature had an exemplary Piety and an excellent Judgment cast his Eyes upon Arsenius Deacon of the Roman Church whose Vertue and Learning he was acquainted with XV. He was a man of a very noble Family absolute in the Greek and Latin Tongues in Human Sciences and the Study of the Holy Scriptures As worthy as he was of the greatest Stations and the chief Dignities of the Church he never had any other prospect than that of his Salvation Altho his inclination had ever disposed him to a retirement and that he was very austere in relation to himself yet he did
of them with a golden Collar and assigned them quarters in Scythia the less about the City of Tomes As they had been accustomed to live without much Discipline they over run the Country licentiously and were even incommodious to the City Gerontius who was the Governor prohibited them entrance therein and threatned them to come out with all his Garison and put them all to the Sword but they despised his Threats Then this daring and impatient Man assembled his Officers and most ancient Soldiers and exposed to them the design he had to set upon these strangers but they refused all to follow him some by Prudence others by Cowardice LXVII When he saw himself to be thus deserted he took his Armies gets on Horseback attended by some of his own Men and went to defy this multitude The Barbarians laughed at his temerity and were contented to detach some of theirs against him Gerontius run upon the first that advanced with Sword in hand There arose betwixt them an obstinate Combat and after having mutually returned several useless Blows as they came to close one of the Romans having run to disengage his Captain discharged so terrible a stroke upon the Grotongue that he took off his shoulder and threw him from his Horse stark dead The Barbarians admired at the force of this Man and were in a consternation at the Blow he had made Gerontius after he had got rid of one attacked the rest and those of his Retinue fought with the same vigor as himself But what Exploits soever they performed they could not long resist a great number and their Presumption had been punished if some Officers of the Garison who were upon the walls of the City and saw their Commander in danger had not speedily repaired to his assistance LXVIII These having stir'd up the rest by their Example they no more regarded in the Enterprize of the Governor the violence and passion of a private Man but the glory of the Roman Name and the common interest of their Nation Inhabitants and Soldiers went out together and so couragiously assaulted these Barbarians that there remained but a very small number who had taken Sanctuary in a Church Gerontius thought he had preserved Scythia that day and made haste to give the Emperor advice of the Action he had performed as if he had obtained a Victory for which he was to expect Commandations and Rewards but Theodosius was extreamly displeased thereat Besides the loss he had sustained of so many brave Soldiers whom he had won by his Presents and Civilities he was still afraid lest the rest of the Barbarians who were in his Pay should be discouraged from the service of the Empire or should revenge the death of their Companions when they found an opportunity of doing it LXIX As he was upon the Point to undertake a considerable War and that nothing was so dangerous as to weaken the Army of the Empire and to alienate the minds of the Allies Gerontius was sent for to Court in order to give an account of his Conduct He alledged That the Grotongues had lived disorderly in Scythia That after having ruined the Country they had a mind to render themselves Masters of the City of Tomes That he had often menaced them and at last had been constrained to use them as Enemies and Rebels Notwithstanding he was accused of not only assaulting without order Troops over which he had no Authority but also of having reaped the advantage of their Spoils and particularly the Gifts which the Emperor had made them Upon this Accusation Theodosius having order'd his confinement commanded a severe examination of this Affair and altho' in the end Gerontius justified himself and he was glad not to lose a Man of courage capable of the first employment of War yet he did not cease to retain him in Prison and to threaten him with death as well to teach other Governors moderation as to satisfy a barbarous Nation who had complained of the violence of this Man LXX For all Theodosius thought to have sheltered the Empire from the Insults of Maximus yet to take away that Pretence of Religion which he made use of he dispatched Couriers to him to assure him That he was no less offended than himself at Valentinian's persecution of the Archbishop of Milan and all the Catholicks That he would employ his Credit with the young Emperor to confirm him in the Faith of his Ancestors and that he hoped to have success therein He wrote likewise to the Empress Justine to remonstrate to her That she should be cautious of the danger to which she exposed the Dominions of her Son if she continued to disturb the Peace of the Church That altho' the designs of Maximus were unjust the motive appeared good and that it would be a difficult matter to maintain against him a War which the People would believe to be undertaken for the defence of Religion These Remonstrances would undoubtedly have produced all the effect which Theodosius expected from them but they came too late and the Affair had already changed its Face LXXI It was heard at the same time that Maximus made great preparations of War and that he was upon the point of passing the Alps. Justine and the Emperor her Son cast their eyes upon St. Ambrose and pray'd him to forget what was pass'd and to undertake â— second Embassy towards Maximus The happy success of the former made them hope well from this The design was to discover the intentions of this Prince to divert him from his Enterprize to maintain the Truce and to make if it was necessary an overture of some new Treaty of Peace in order to amuse him and to afford Valentinian an opportunity of providing for his defence and Theodosius to assist him The pretence of the Embassy was to require the Body of Gratian in order to render him the last Honors The Archbishop preferring the publick Interest and the Service of the Emperor before his own Repose without reflecting upon the Injuâ—ies which had been done to him or those he â—â—ght receive from Maximus who was dissatisfied with him arrived in a few days at Treves The day after his coming he repaired to the Palace to demand Audience An Eunuch Gaul by Nation great Chamberlain of the Emperor was sent to ask him if he had his Credential Letters and to tell him D. Ambr. â—p 27. That he could not be heard but in full Council He replied That it was not the custom to use a Bishop after that manner That he had very particular things to tell the Prince and that he demanded a private Audience The Eunuch re-entred and whether he did speak again to his Master or was already acquainted with his intentions he returned to him with the same Answer as before LXXII The Archbishop was obliged to retire He came again the next day and was introduced into the Council As soon as he was entred Maximus rising from his Throne bent his
its advantagious Scituation It was upon the Banks of the Save which dividing it self in two Branches forms an Isle over against this place serves as a double Bulwark to it and renders it almost inaccessible The Tyrant Magnentius had formerly possessed himself thereof as of a very important Post in the War he made against the Emperor Constantius Theodosius got all his Troops together on a sudden and made so much haste that he was encamped between the Drave and the Save before the Enemies could hinder him and cut off the Communication of their two Armies Then judging that Maximus would hold himself close and that it would be a hard matter to draw â—m to a general Fight resolved to pass the Save at what price foever and to go and force him in his Post He proposed his design to his Generals who immediately found the execution hazardous Notwithstanding the presence of the Emperor who encouraged his Troops the Valor and Prudence of the Officers the Chearfulness and Courage of the Soldiers who thought the Enemy durst not hold the Field made them believe that nothing was impossible to them The Emperor made good use of the heat and confidence which he observed in his Troops and marching at their head with an extraordinary diligence he appeared hard by Siscia and was immediately as ready to pass the River as the Enemies to defend it He cast a terror into their whole Camp and at the same time made the passage of the River to be attempted in several places Maximus who by a strange blindness had believ'd Theodosius to have been still at a good distance was presently surprized He endeavoured to encourage his Legions made them advance according to occasions and supposed that if they could sustain these first efforts it would be easy for him afterwards to keep them in good heart In the mean time Theodosius who was advanced upon the Bank to observe the posture of the Enemies knowing by their motions and their confusion that they were disordered would most willingly have gone to charge them without giving them leisure to recover themselves but the Save was very deep and Maximus sent new Troops continually to reinforce those who were already upon the Shoar Then seeing the fatal moment that might terminate this War and fearing to let slip an occasion of conquering which perhaps Fortune would not offer any more he made Fords to be searcht for and prepared Bridges with an incredible diligence XCV As he was in this inquietude Arbogastes brought to him some Officers of his Nation who offered to pass the River The Emperor commended their resolution made them hope for great rewards and assured them that he would be a Witness of their Valor and would support them Pacat. in Panegyr himself with all the bravest Men of his Army These Officers went to join their Squadrons whom they encouraged more by their example than their words Arbogastes put himself at the head of them and throwing themselves all together in the River all dusty and fatigued as they were with a long march they attempted a great many Tracts and passed on Horseback by swimming in the sight of the Emperor who supported them in person The Enemies amazed at so bold a resolution retired in disorder and gave the Alarm to all the rest of the Army Whilst Arbogastes after he had gained the shoar cut all in pieces that he met the other Troops which Theodosius sent over immediately fell upon the Enemies on another side and made a terrible slaughter Many hurl'd themselves voluntarily into the River Several were trod under the Horses feet The Country was cover'd with the dead the Ditches of Siscia were filled with the bodies of those that fled thither for Sanctuary Maximus after having several times attempted in vain to rally his Troops applied himself to his own safety and retired as well as he could towards Aquileia where he pretended to gather up the fragments of his Army whilst his Brother Marcellin should defend the entrance of Italy XCVI Theodosius after having performed a Thanksgiving to God for his Victory and rewarded upon the Field those who had distinguished themselves in this occasion turned upon the right forthwith and marched towards Marcellin with so much diligence that he gave him not time enough to gain the narrow Passes of the Alps nor even to understand the Defeat of his Brother As soon as he was come near * Pettan Paetovium a little City upon the Drave where Marcellin was encamped he resolved to give him battel the same day but it was late and the Troops were weary which obliged him to refer it to the morrow Every one prepared himself in the night and at break of day the Emperor gave orders to assault the Enemy who appeared already to be agreed upon a defence The Fight began with much vehemence on both sides On the one the desire of conquering the glory of having already overcome and the pleasure of serving a Prince who acknowledged the services which were rendred to him on the other the hope of plundering all Italy and the fear of being punished stir'd up the Combatants But Marcellin had soon the Fate of his Brother After this first resistance some of his Troops were put to the rout the rest threw down their Colors and demanded Quarter XCVII Theodosius observing this war to be almost concluded immediately detached Arbogastes with a body of Horse to go into Gaul and seize upon young Victor to whom Maximus had given the Title of Caesar After which he pursued those that fled with an incredible eagerness Andragatius who had been sent to guard the Alps had orders upon the first noise of Valentinian's embarking to put himself to Sea with all the Vessels he could get together and to take him upon his way But he waited in vain upon the Coasts of Ionia for Valentinian who had already crossed the Sea and he abandoned the Passes of the Mountains to Theodosius Pacat. in Panegyr This Prince found there no opposition The City of Hemona and the rest which he found in his way received him with the testimonies of an extraordinary joy and furnished his victorious Army with all the refreshments it had occasion for At last he arrived near Aquileia and besieged that place Maximus who after several turnings and windings had inclosed himself therein instead of retiring into Gaul was sensible then that he could not possibly avoid a misfortune which he should have foreseen and recollected with himself what St. Martin had before told him viz. that he should miserably perish in Italy if he attempted to pass therein He had a mind to make some resistance but his Soldiers seeing his loss inevitable opened the gates to the besiegers and altogether siezing on his Person pulled him from his Throne where he was distributing money to some Moorish Cavaliers who had attended him and after having deprived him of all the Ornaments of his Dignity put him into the
as one of his creatures who being unable to pretend to the Throne or to maintain himself therein without his assistance would be absolutely his by acknowledgment and necessity Flavian in the name of the Pagans consented to this election because he hoped that under so infirm an Emperour he should have a greater Sozom. l. 7. c. 22. share in the government and that besides he knew Eugenius notwithstanding his being a Christian had a great inclination for Paganism They had much ado to perswade this fearful man who loved his repose to accept of the Empire but the one promised him so much assistance the others foretold him so much success that he at length took the Purple and the Diadem and suffered himself to be Proclaimed Emperor XXXVI The news of the death of Valentinian extreamly surprised the Court of Constantinople Ambr. Ep. 34. Theodosius was very sensibly concerned at it He wrote immediately to the afflicted Princesses Letters of consolation upon the loss of their Brother and prayed St. Ambrose to take care of his Burial and Funeral Rites This Prelate who had already prepared a Stately Monument of Porphyry made it to be erected as soon as he had received orders and solemnly performed the obsequies of this Pious Emperor whose Funeral Elogy he made himself He spoke of him as of a perfect believer altho he was but Catheâ—umen He assured that Ambros orat in fun Valent. he had not been wanting to Baptism altho Baptism was wanting to him That his Faith and good well had purified him and that one ought to impute to him a grace which he had zealously desired and instantly demanded and to which he was disposed by a couragious confession of his Faith in openly refusing the Pagans the re-establishment of their Altars He declared notwithstanding that he would not pass one day without remembring him in his Sermons and Offerings nor one night without praying for him All the People being touched with the vertue and misfortunes of this Prince renewed the affection and esteem which they had entertained for him The Princesses to whom the Archbishop directed part of his discourse disolved into tears They had spent above two months in lamenting and praying in a Chappel where had been deposited the body of their Brother They could not be hindred from entring often and they always came out almost dead They would assist at his Funeral and afterwards forsook the World where they found nothing more agreeable to go and bewail all the residue of their lives the loss they had sustained and to seek in God alone those comforts which they could not expect from men XXXVII Whilst these funeral duties were performed to the memory of Valentinian Eugenius assisted with the Counsels of Arbogastes and Flavian considered how to confirm himself in his new dignity He advanced on a sudden towards the Rhine with his Army and made such advantagious Sulp. Alex. apud Greg. Theodor. l. 2. hestor Proposals to the Kings of the French and Germans that they signed a Treaty of Peace and renewed their antient alliances with the Empire Arbogastes reconciled himself with those Princes whom he had treated with too much haughtiness in the past wars Paulin. in vit Ambr It is reported that in an entertainment which he made for them they asked him if he was acquainted with the Bishop Ambrose and having learnt that he had had the honour to be in the number of his Friends and to eat often at his Table they cryed out that it was no wonder if he had obtained so many Victories since he was beloved of a man that could even stop the course of the Sun if he would This alliance with two Nations so inured to war retained all the other Barbarians and fixed the Empire in safety XXXVIII Then Eugenius sent Ambassadors to Theodosius to know if he would acknowledge him for Collegue Ruffin the Athenian chief of the Embassy had orders to make no mention of Arbogastes He was contented to send some Priests in order to justify him of the murder he was charged with Theodosius quietly gave audience to the proposal of the Ambassador and when he saw no Letter from Arbogastes and that they even affected to speak nothing of him he complained of him and accused him of the death of Valentinian Then the Priests took up the discourse and would evidence to him that he was innocent of the fact but their premeditated speeches did but encrease the suspicions which were already conceived of his Treason Altho this Emperor had reason to repulse the Deputies of a Murderer and a Tyrant yet he spoke to them with abundance of Moderation He retained them some time that he might deliberate at leisure concerning the Party he was to take After which judging that they designed to amuse him by Propositions of Peace and that their was neither honour nor safety in treating with Traytors he sent back these Ambassadors loaded with magnificent Presents without giving them any positive answer XXXIX In the mean time Eugenius after having regulated the affairs of the State consented â—o ruine those of Religion It was agreed upon â—n his Council that Flavian and Arbogastes should demand the re establishment of Sacrifices and â—he Altar of Victory and that after some difficulty they should obtain what they desir'd so â—hat the Pagans might be satisfied and the Chriâ—tians not offended Then they presented their Request Eugenius immediately pretended to be â—nwilling to attempt any thing against the â—aws of his Predecessors and his own proâ—er conscience but at length he consented to all â—hey would have him protesting nevertheless that â—t was to his friends and not to their Gods that â—e allowed this favour and that if he permitted â—hem to revive this Altar and to re-establish these Sacrifices it was not in respect to their Idols which he laughed at but to gratifie persons of merit to whom he could refuse nothing He thought to have found a plausible medium and Paulin. iâ— vit Ambr spared by these vain distinctions a Religion to which he was not very firm and which notwithstanding it was not suitable for him to abandon XL St. Ambrose having learnt a little after that he was coming in haste to Milan would not attend him there not through any fear that he conceived of his power but for the horror he had of his Sacriledges He went to Bologne in order to assist at the Translation of the Relicks of St. Agricole the Martyr to which he had been entreated to come He advanced as far as Faenza where he sojâ—urned for some days From thence he descended into Hetruriâ— to satisfie the urgent desâ—â—s of the 〈◊〉 of Florence who had a mind to hear him preach and edifie by his doctrine The holy Arch-bishop was not ignorant of the designs of Eugenius and what would be the effect of the deliberations of his Council Eugenius on his side did not question but that the Arch-bishop would have
the courage to oppose his impiety or at least to upbraid him with it Theresore as soon as he was Master of the Empire he wrote to him very obliging Letters to seek his friendship with a design to take advantage of it in the end The Saint made him no precise answer for fear of authorizing his usurpation by civilities which might be ill interpreted He did not cease notwithstanding to write to him in favour of some unhappy persons who had had recourse to him demonstrating by this prudent conduct that he could not flatter against his honour and his conscience and that he did not refuse to honour and entreat those whom the Providence of God had invested with a Soveraign Power But as soon as he had advice that this Emperour was arrived at Milan he wrote a Letter to him full of zeal and piety wherein without meddling with his election or the affairs of the State whiâ— he lest to Theodosius to disentangle he said to him amongst other things It is the fear of God which I take as much as I can for the rule of my actions thâ— has obligeâ— me to go out of Milan I have been accustâ—med Sir to have regard to none but Jesus Chriâ—â— and to make more account of his grace than of the favoâ—â— of Men. None ought to be offended that I prefer tâ— glory of God before his In this confidence I take the liberty of telling the Grandees of the World what I think I have not flattered the other Emperours neither will â— flatter you I apprehend that you have granted the Paganâ— what your Predecessors had constantly refused them Altho the power of Emperours is great consider that God is still greater that he sees the bottom of your Aâ—ud Paulin. in vita Ambr. heart and pierces into the inmost recesses of your conscience You cannot suffer your self to be abused and yet you would hide from God under humane decorums the injury you do him Have you made no reflexion upon it Should not you have more constancy to refuse the Gentiles a Sacriledge than they had to demand it Bestow upon them as many other favours as you please I am not jealous of their fortune I don't play the censurer of your bounties but I am the interpreter of your Faith Can you have the courage to present your offerings to Jesus Christ Few persons will stop at appearances every one will judge of your intentions You will be accountable for all the Sacriledges which are done and it is not your fault that all the world doth not commit them If you are Emperour shew it by the submission you owe to God and his Church At last after having testified that he entertains for him all the respect that is due to persons of his rank he adds these words But Sir as it is just that I honour you it is also just that you honour him whom you would have bâ—lieved to be the Author of your Empire XLI Eugenius so far from being affected with this Letter flattered himself with the great hopes which Flavian inspireâ— him with in relation to his Gods of an infallible protection He even disposed himself to War upon the prediction of a celebrated Victory which was to conquer him an Empire and destroy the Christian Religion Theodosius was more concerned to hear that Rome had opened the Temples of the Gods and that those Sacrifices which he had so happily put down sâ—oaked on all sides than to see her under Leg. 12. de Pag. cod Tâ—eod the power of an Usurper He set forth a new Edict through the whole East whereby he prohibited all his Subjects to sacrifice Victims to consult the entrails of Beasts to offer Incense to insensible figures and to do any other exercise of Idolatry under the penalty of being treated as guilty of High Treason declaring those places where should be offered Incense to the Gods to be confiscated and condemning to a considerable Fine those Magistrates who did not exactly pursue the execution of this Ordinance Leg. 21. de Haret cod Theod. He made yet another Law against Hereticks and forbid them to make Ordinations and to hold Assemblies condemning the Clerks and Bishops of each Sect that should act contrary to this Ordinance to the Mulct of ten Livres of Gold for the first time By these actions he drew upon him the assistance of Heaven whilst Engeniw trusted in the force of Men. XLII After which he applied himself entirely to the pâ—eparations of the War He declared his Son Honorius Emperour and resolved to leave him at Constantinople with Arcadius to the end that their presence mighâ— keep up the tranquillity of the East whilst he went in person to withstand his enemies Troops were levied in the Provinces Ricomer one of the most ancient Generals was to Zoâ— l. 4. have had the command of them but he died before the expeditiâ—n Russin had orders to continue near the young Princes to assist them with his Counsels All the General Officers were named and departed in order to render themselves at the head of those Bodies which they commanded Sozom. l. 7. c. 22. XLIII Theodosius was yet at Constantinople and prepared himself to War by his Fasts his Prayers and frequent visitings of the Churches He had sent to the solitary John who formerly foretold him the defeat of Maximus â—â— consult him upon the event of this War The holy Man replied That this Enterprize should be more difficult than the former That the Battel should be a bloody one That Evagr. vit SS PP c. 1. Theodores l. 5. c. 24. Theodosius should in the end obtain a famous Victory but that he should dye a little after in the midst of his Glory and his Triumphs The Emperor had received this news the first with a great deal of joy the other with abundance of courage XLIV Instead of imposing new Taxes to supply the charges of this War as he had done heretofore he suppressed entirely those which Tatian Aug. de civ Deâ— l. 5. c. 26. Leg. 23. cod Theod. de annon trib Leg. 12. coâ— Theod. de pon projâ—rit great Master of the Palace had imposed two years before Thus his Provinces had the joy to see themselves eased whilst those of the Usurper were oppressed by new and excessive Impositions He likewise ordered that all the Possessions of the banished Persons which had been confiscated and reunited to the Imperial Patrimony during the Magistracy of the same Tatian should be restored without any opposition either to the culpable who had been deprived or to their nearest Relations XLV After that being afraid lest the disorders of the Soldieâ—y â—hould bring upon him the hatred of the People and the vengeance of God he resolved to repress the licentiousness of the An. 393 Troops He sent Orders to his Generals to publish in the Camp very express Prohibitions to all â—eg 3. cod Theod. de Salgam Leg. 18 19 20. de