[Footnote36:Jornandes，c。16—18。Zosimus，l。i。p。22。Inthegeneralaccountofthiswar，itiseasytodiscovertheoppositeprejudicesoftheGothicandtheGrecianwriter。Incarelessnessalonetheyarealike。]
AtthesametimewhenDeciuswasstrugglingwiththeviolenceofthetempest，hismind，calmanddeliberateamidstthetumultofwar，investigatedthemoregeneralcauses，that，sincetheageoftheAntonines，hadsoimpetuouslyurgedthedeclineoftheRomangreatness。Hesoondiscoveredthatitwasimpossibletoreplacethatgreatnessonapermanentbasis，withoutrestoringpublicvirtue，ancientprinciplesandmanners，andtheoppressedmajestyofthelaws。Toexecutethisnoblebutarduousdesign，hefirstresolvedtorevivetheobsoleteofficeofcensor；anofficewhich，aslongasithadsubsistedinitspristineintegrity，hadsomuchcontributedtotheperpetuityofthestate，^37tillitwasusurpedandgraduallyneglectedbytheCaesars。^38Consciousthatthefavorofthesovereignmayconferpower，butthattheesteemofthepeoplecanalonebestowauthority，hesubmittedthechoiceofthecensortotheunbiasedvoiceofthesenate。Bytheirunanimousvotes，orratheracclamations，Valerian，whowasafterwardsemperor，andwhothenservedwithdistinctioninthearmyofDecius，wasdeclaredthemostworthyofthatexaltedhonor。Assoonasthedecreeofthesenatewastransmittedtotheemperor，heassembledagreatcouncilinhiscamp，andbeforetheinvestitureofthecensorelect，heapprisedhimofthedifficultyandimportanceofhisgreatoffice。\"HappyValerian，\"saidtheprincetohisdistinguishedsubject，\"happyinthegeneralapprobationofthesenateandoftheRomanrepublic!Acceptthecensorshipofmankind；andjudgeofourmanners。Youwillselectthosewhodeservetocontinuemembersofthesenate；youwillrestoretheequestrianordertoitsancientsplendor；youwillimprovetherevenue，yetmoderatethepublicburdens。Youwilldistinguishintoregularclassesthevariousandinfinitemultitudeofcitizens，andaccuratelyviewthemilitarystrength，thewealth，thevirtue，andtheresourcesofRome。Yourdecisionsshallobtaintheforceoflaws。Thearmy，thepalace，theministersofjustice，andthegreatofficersoftheempire，areallsubjecttoyourtribunal。Noneareexempted，exceptingonlytheordinaryconsuls，^39thepraefectofthecity，thekingofthesacrifices，andaslongasshepreservesherchastityinviolate
theeldestofthevestalvirgins。Eventhesefew，whomaynotdreadtheseverity，willanxiouslysolicittheesteem，oftheRomancensor。\"^40
[Footnote37:Montesquieu，GrandeuretDecadencedesRomains，c。
viii。Heillustratesthenatureanduseofthecensorshipwithhisusualingenuity，andwithuncommonprecision。]
[Footnote38:VespasianandTituswerethelastcensors，Pliny，Hist。Naturvii。49。CensorinusdeDieNatali。ThemodestyofTrajanrefusedanhonorwhichhedeserved，andhisexamplebecamealawtotheAntonines。SeePliny\'sPanegyric，c。45and60。]
[Footnote39:Yetinspiteofhisexemption，Pompeyappearedbeforethattribunalduringhisconsulship。Theoccasion，indeed，wasequallysingularandhonorable。PlutarchinPomp。p。
630。]
[Footnote40:SeetheoriginalspeechintheAugustanHist。p。
173—174。]
Amagistrate，investedwithsuchextensivepowers，wouldhaveappearednotsomuchtheminister，asthecolleagueofhissovereign。^41Valerianjustlydreadedanelevationsofullofenvyandofsuspicion。Hemodestlyarguedthealarminggreatnessofthetrust，hisowninsufficiency，andtheincurablecorruptionofthetimes。Heartfullyinsinuated，thattheofficeofcensorwasinseparablefromtheImperialdignity，andthatthefeeblehandsofasubjectwereunequaltothesupportofsuchanimmenseweightofcaresandofpower。^42Theapproachingeventofwarsoonputanendtotheprosecutionofaprojectsospecious，butsoimpracticable；andwhilstitpreservedValerianfromthedanger，savedtheemperorDeciusfromthedisappointment，whichwouldmostprobablyhaveattendedit。Acensormaymaintain，hecanneverrestore，themoralsofastate。Itisimpossibleforsuchamagistratetoexerthisauthoritywithbenefit，orevenwitheffect，unlessheissupportedbyaquicksenseofhonorandvirtueinthemindsofthepeople，byadecentreverenceforthepublicopinion，andbyatrainofusefulprejudicescombatingonthesideofnationalmanners。Inaperiodwhentheseprinciplesareannihilated，thecensorialjurisdictionmusteithersinkintoemptypageantry，orbeconvertedintoapartialinstrumentofvexatiousoppression。^43ItwaseasiertovanquishtheGothsthantoeradicatethepublicvices；yeteveninthefirstoftheseenterprises，Deciuslosthisarmyandhislife。
[Footnote41:ThistransactionmightdeceiveZonaras，whosupposesthatValerianwasactuallydeclaredthecolleagueofDecius，l。xii。p。625。]
[Footnote42:Hist。August。p。174。Theemperor\'sreplyisomitted。]
[Footnote43:SuchastheattemptsofAugustustowardsareformationofmanness。Tacit。Annal。iii。24。]
TheGothswerenow，oneveryside，surroundedandpursuedbytheRomanarms。ThefloweroftheirtroopshadperishedinthelongsiegeofPhilippopolis，andtheexhaustedcountrycouldnolongeraffordsubsistencefortheremainingmultitudeoflicentiousbarbarians。Reducedtothisextremity，theGothswouldgladlyhavepurchased，bythesurrenderofalltheirbootyandprisoners，thepermissionofanundisturbedretreat。Buttheemperor，confidentofvictory，andresolving，bythechastisementoftheseinvaders，tostrikeasalutaryterrorintothenationsoftheNorth，refusedtolistentoanytermsofaccommodation。
Thehigh—spiritedbarbarianspreferreddeathtoslavery。AnobscuretownofMaesia，calledForumTerebronii，^44wasthesceneofthebattle。TheGothicarmywasdrawnupinthreelines，andeitherfromchoiceoraccident，thefrontofthethirdlinewascoveredbyamorass。Inthebeginningoftheaction，thesonofDecius，ayouthofthefairesthopes，andalreadyassociatedtothehonorsofthepurple，wasslainbyanarrow，inthesightofhisafflictedfather；who，summoningallhisfortitude，admonishedthedismayedtroops，thatthelossofasinglesoldierwasoflittleimportancetotherepublic。^45Theconflictwasterrible；itwasthecombatofdespairagainstgriefandrage。ThefirstlineoftheGothsatlengthgavewayindisorder；thesecond，advancingtosustainit，shareditsfate；
andthethirdonlyremainedentire，preparedtodisputethepassageofthemorass，whichwasimprudentlyattemptedbythepresumptionoftheenemy。\"Herethefortuneofthedayturned，andallthingsbecameadversetotheRomans；theplacedeepwithooze，sinkingunderthosewhostood，slipperytosuchasadvanced；theirarmorheavy，thewatersdeep；norcouldtheywield，inthatuneasysituation，theirweightyjavelins。Thebarbarians，onthecontrary，wereinuredtoencounterinthebogs，theirpersonstall，theirspearslong，suchascouldwoundatadistance。\"^46InthismorasstheRomanarmy，afteranineffectualstruggle，wasirrecoverablylost；norcouldthebodyoftheemperoreverbefound。^47SuchwasthefateofDecius，inthefiftiethyearofhisage；anaccomplishedprince，activeinwarandaffableinpeace；^48who，togetherwithhisson，hasdeservedtobecompared，bothinlifeanddeath，withthebrightestexamplesofancientvirtue。^49
[Footnote44:Tillemont，HistoiredesEmpereurs，tom。iii。p。
598。AsZosimusandsomeofhisfollowersmistaketheDanubefortheTanais，theyplacethefieldofbattleintheplainsofScythia。]
[Footnote45:AureliusVictorallowstwodistinctactionsforthedeathsofthetwoDecii；butIhavepreferredtheaccountofJornandes。]
[Footnote46:IhaveventuredtocopyfromTacitusAnnal。i。64
thepictureofasimilarengagementbetweenaRomanarmyandaGermantribe。]
[Footnote47:Jornandes，c。18。Zosimus，l。i。p。22，[c。23。]
Zonaras，l。xii。p。627。AureliusVictor。]
[Footnote48:TheDeciiwerekilledbeforetheendoftheyeartwohundredandfifty—one，sincethenewprincestookpossessionoftheconsulshipontheensuingcalendsofJanuary。]
[Footnote49:Hist。August。p。223，givesthemaveryhonorableplaceamongthesmallnumberofgoodemperorswhoreignedbetweenAugustusandDiocletian。]
Thisfatalblowhumbled，foraverylittletime，sheinsolenceofthelegions。Theyappearedtohavepatientlyexpected，andsubmissivelyobeyed，thedecreeofthesenatewhichregulatedthesuccessiontothethrone。FromajustregardforthememoryofDecius，theImperialtitlewasconferredonHostilianus，hisonlysurvivingson；butanequalrank，withmoreeffectualpower，wasgrantedtoGallus，whoseexperienceandabilityseemedequaltothegreattrustofguardiantotheyoungprinceandthedistressedempire。^50ThefirstcareofthenewemperorwastodelivertheIllyrianprovincesfromtheintolerableweightofthevictoriousGoths。Heconsentedtoleaveintheirhandstherichfruitsoftheirinvasion，animmensebooty，andwhatwasstillmoredisgraceful，agreatnumberofprisonersofthehighestmeritandquality。Heplentifullysuppliedtheircampwitheveryconveniencythatcouldassuagetheirangryspiritsorfacilitatetheirsomuchwished—fordeparture；andheevenpromisedtopaythemannuallyalargesumofgold，onconditiontheyshouldneverafterwardsinfesttheRomanterritoriesbytheirincursions。^51
[Footnote50:HaecubiPatrescomperere……decernunt。
VictorinCaesaribus。]
[Footnote51:Zonaras，l。xii。p。628。]
IntheageoftheScipios，themostopulentkingsoftheearth，whocourtedtheprotectionofthevictoriouscommonwealth，weregratifiedwithsuchtriflingpresentsascouldonlyderiveavaluefromthehandthatbestowedthem；anivorychair，acoarsegarmentofpurple，aninconsiderablepieceofplate，oraquantityofcoppercoin。^52AfterthewealthofnationshadcentredinRome，theemperorsdisplayedtheirgreatness，andeventheirpolicy，bytheregularexerciseofasteadyandmoderateliberalitytowardsthealliesofthestate。Theyrelievedthepovertyofthebarbarians，honoredtheirmerit，andrecompensedtheirfidelity。Thesevoluntarymarksofbountywereunderstoodtoflow，notfromthefears，butmerelyfromthegenerosityorthegratitudeoftheRomans；andwhilstpresentsandsubsidieswereliberallydistributedamongfriendsandsuppliants，theyweresternlyrefusedtosuchasclaimedthemasadebt。^53Butthisstipulation，ofanannualpaymenttoavictoriousenemy，appearedwithoutdisguiseinthelightofanignominioustribute；
themindsoftheRomanswerenotyetaccustomedtoacceptsuchunequallawsfromatribeofbarbarians；andtheprince，whobyanecessaryconcessionhadprobablysavedhiscountry，becametheobjectofthegeneralcontemptandaversion。ThedeathofHostiliamus，thoughithappenedinthemidstofaragingpestilence，wasinterpretedasthepersonalcrimeofGallus；^54
andeventhedefeatofthelateremperorwasascribedbythevoiceofsuspiciontotheperfidiouscounselsofhishatedsuccessor。^55Thetranquillitywhichtheempireenjoyedduringthefirstyearofhisadministration，^56servedrathertoinflamethantoappeasethepublicdiscontent；andassoonastheapprehensionsofwarwereremoved，theinfamyofthepeacewasmoredeeplyandmoresensiblyfelt。
[Footnote52:ASella，aToga，andagoldenPateraoffivepoundsweight，wereacceptedwithjoyandgratitudebythewealthykingofEgypt。Livy，xxvii。4。QuinamilliaAeris，aweightofcopper，invalueabouteighteenpoundssterling，wastheusualpresentmadetoforeignareambassadors。Livy，xxxi。9。]
[Footnote53:SeethefirmnessofaRomangeneralsolateasthetimeofAlexanderSeverus，intheExcerptaLegationum，p。25，edit。Louvre。]
[Footnote54:Fortheplague，seeJornandes，c。19，andVictorinCaesaribus。]
[Footnote55:TheseimprobableaccusationsareallegedbyZosimus，l。i。p。28，24。]
[Footnote56:Jornandes，c。19。TheGothicwriteratleastobservedthepeacewhichhisvictoriouscountrymenhadsworntoGallus。]
ButtheRomanswereirritatedtoastillhigherdegree，whentheydiscoveredthattheyhadnotevensecuredtheirrepose，thoughattheexpenseoftheirhonor。Thedangeroussecretofthewealthandweaknessoftheempirehadbeenrevealedtotheworld。Newswarmsofbarbarians，encouragedbythesuccess，andnotconceivingthemselvesboundbytheobligationoftheirbrethren，spreaddevastationthoughtheIllyrianprovinces，andterrorasfarasthegatesofRome。Thedefenceofthemonarchy，whichseemedabandonedbythepusillanimousemperor，wasassumedbyAemilianus，governorofPannoniaandMaesia；whoralliedthescatteredforces，andrevivedthefaintingspiritsofthetroops。
Thebarbarianswereunexpectedlyattacked，routed，chased，andpursuedbeyondtheDanube。Thevictoriousleaderdistributedasadonativethemoneycollectedforthetribute，andtheacclamationsofthesoldiersproclaimedhimemperoronthefieldofbattle。^57Gallus，who，carelessofthegeneralwelfare，indulgedhimselfinthepleasuresofItaly，wasalmostinthesameinstantinformedofthesuccess，oftherevolt，andoftherapidapproachofhisaspiringlieutenant。HeadvancedtomeethimasfarastheplainsofSpoleto。Whenthearmiescameinrightofeachother，thesoldiersofGalluscomparedtheignominiousconductoftheirsovereignwiththegloryofhisrival。TheyadmiredthevalorofAemilianus；theywereattractedbyhisliberality，forheofferedaconsiderableincreaseofpaytoalldeserters。^58ThemurderofGallus，andofhissonVolusianus，putanendtothecivilwar；andthesenategavealegalsanctiontotherightsofconquest。ThelettersofAemilianustothatassemblydisplayedamixtureofmoderationandvanity。Heassuredthem，thatheshouldresigntotheirwisdomtheciviladministration；and，contentinghimselfwiththequalityoftheirgeneral，wouldinashorttimeassertthegloryofRome，anddelivertheempirefromallthebarbariansbothoftheNorthandoftheEast。^59Hispridewasflatteredbytheapplauseofthesenate；andmedalsarestillextant，representinghimwiththenameandattributesofHerculestheVictor，andMarstheAvenger。^60
[Footnote57:Zosimus，l。i。p。25，26。]
[Footnote58:VictorinCaesaribus。]
[Footnote59:Zonaras，l。xii。p。628。]
[Footnote60:BanduriNumismata，p。94。]
Ifthenewmonarchpossessedtheabilities，hewantedthetime，necessarytofulfilthesesplendidpromises。Lessthanfourmonthsintervenedbetweenhisvictoryandhisfall。^61HehadvanquishedGallus:hesunkundertheweightofacompetitormoreformidablethanGallus。ThatunfortunateprincehadsentValerian，alreadydistinguishedbythehonorabletitleofcensor，tobringthelegionsofGaulandGermany^62tohisaid。Valerianexecutedthatcommissionwithzealandfidelity；andashearrivedtoolatetosavehissovereign，heresolvedtorevengehim。ThetroopsofAemilianus，whostilllayencampedintheplainsofSpoleto，wereawedbythesanctityofhischaracter，butmuchmorebythesuperiorstrengthofhisarmy；andastheywerenowbecomeasincapableofpersonalattachmentastheyhadalwaysbeenofconstitutionalprinciple，theyreadilyimbruedtheirhandsinthebloodofaprincewhosolatelyhadbeentheobjectoftheirpartialchoice。Theguiltwastheirs，buttheadvantageofitwasValerian\'s；whoobtainedthepossessionofthethronebythemeansindeedofacivilwar，butwithadegreeofinnocencesingularinthatageofrevolutions；sinceheowedneithergratitudenorallegiancetohispredecessor，whomhedethroned。
[Footnote61:Eutropius，l。ix。c。6，saystertiomense。Eusebiothisemperor。]
[Footnote62:Zosimus，l。i。p。28。EutropiusandVictorstationValerian\'sarmyinRhaetia。]
[Footnote*:AureliusVictorsaysthatAemilianusdiedofanaturaldisorder。Tropius，inspeakingofhisdeath，doesnotsaythathewasassassinated—G。]
Valerianwasaboutsixtyyearsofage^63whenhewasinvestedwiththepurple，notbythecapriceofthepopulace，ortheclamorsofthearmy，butbytheunanimousvoiceoftheRomanworld。Inhisgradualascentthroughthehonorsofthestate，hehaddeservedthefavorofvirtuousprinces，andhaddeclaredhimselftheenemyoftyrants。^64Hisnoblebirth，hismildbutunblemishedmanners，hislearning，prudence，andexperience，werereveredbythesenateandpeople；andifmankindaccordingtotheobservationofanancientwriterhadbeenleftatlibertytochooseamaster，theirchoicewouldmostassuredlyhavefallenonValerian。^65Perhapsthemeritofthisemperorwasinadequatetohisreputation；perhapshisabilities，oratleasthisspirit，wereaffectedbythelanguorandcoldnessofoldage。Theconsciousnessofhisdeclineengagedhimtosharethethronewithayoungerandmoreactiveassociate；^66theemergencyofthetimesdemandedageneralnolessthanaprince；andtheexperienceoftheRomancensormighthavedirectedhimwheretobestowtheImperialpurple，astherewardofmilitarymerit。Butinsteadofmakingajudiciouschoice，whichwouldhaveconfirmedhisreignandendearedhismemory，Valerian，consultingonlythedictatesofaffectionorvanity，immediatelyinvestedwiththesupremehonorshissonGallienus，ayouthwhoseeffeminateviceshadbeenhithertoconcealedbytheobscurityofaprivatestation。Thejointgovernmentofthefatherandthesonsubsistedaboutseven，andthesoleadministrationofGalliencontinuedabouteight，years。Butthewholeperiodwasoneuninterruptedseriesofconfusionandcalamity。AstheRomanempirewasatthesametime，andoneveryside，attackedbytheblindfuryofforeigninvaders，andthewildambitionofdomesticusurpers，weshallconsultorderandperspicuity，bypursuing，notsomuchthedoubtfularrangementofdates，asthemorenaturaldistributionofsubjects。ThemostdangerousenemiesofRome，duringthereignsofValerianandGallienus，were，1。TheFranks；2。TheAlemanni；3。TheGoths；and，4。ThePersians。
Underthesegeneralappellations，wemaycomprehendtheadventuresoflessconsiderabletribes，whoseobscureanduncouthnameswouldonlyservetooppressthememoryandperplextheattentionofthereader。
[Footnote63:Hewasaboutseventyatthetimeofhisaccession，or，asitismoreprobable，ofhisdeath。Hist。August。p。173。
Tillemont，Hist。desEmpereurs，tom。iii。p。893，note1。]
[Footnote64:Inimicustyrannorum。Hist。August。p。173。InthegloriousstruggleofthesenateagainstMaximin，Valerianactedaveryspiritedpart。Hist。August。p。156。]
[Footnote65:AccordingtothedistinctionofVictor，heseemstohavereceivedthetitleofImperatorfromthearmy，andthatofAugustusfromthesenate。]
[Footnote66:FromVictorandfromthemedals，Tillemonttom。
iii。p。710veryjustlyinfers，thatGallienuswasassociatedtotheempireaboutthemonthofAugustoftheyear253。]