[Footnote30:VopiscusinHist。August。p。210。]
[Footnote31:Dexippusgivesthemasubtleandprolixoration，worthyofaGreciansophist。]
Immediatelyafterthisconference，itshouldseemthatsomeunexpectedemergencyrequiredtheemperor\'spresenceinPannonia。
HedevolvedonhislieutenantsthecareoffinishingthedestructionoftheAlemanni，eitherbythesword，orbythesureroperationoffamine。Butanactivedespairhasoftentriumphedovertheindolentassuranceofsuccess。Thebarbarians，findingitimpossibletotraversetheDanubeandtheRomancamp，brokethroughthepostsintheirrear，whichweremorefeeblyorlesscarefullyguarded；andwithincrediblediligence，butbyadifferentroad，returnedtowardsthemountainsofItaly。^32
Aurelian，whoconsideredthewarastotallyextinguished，receivedthemortifyingintelligenceoftheescapeoftheAlemanni，andoftheravagewhichtheyalreadycommittedintheterritoryofMilan。Thelegionswerecommandedtofollow，withasmuchexpeditionasthoseheavybodieswerecapableofexerting，therapidflightofanenemywhoseinfantryandcavalrymovedwithalmostequalswiftness。Afewdaysafterwards，theemperorhimselfmarchedtothereliefofItaly，attheheadofachosenbodyofauxiliaries，amongwhomwerethehostagesandcavalryoftheVandals，andofallthePraetorianguardswhohadservedinthewarsontheDanube。^33
[Footnote32:Hist。August。p。215。]
[Footnote33:Dexippus，p。12。]
AsthelighttroopsoftheAlemannihadspreadthemselvesfromtheAlpstotheApennine，theincessantvigilanceofAurelianandhisofficerswasexercisedinthediscovery，theattack，andthepursuitofthenumerousdetachments。
Notwithstandingthisdesultorywar，threeconsiderablebattlesarementioned，inwhichtheprincipalforceofbotharmieswasobstinatelyengaged。^34Thesuccesswasvarious。Inthefirst，foughtnearPlacentia，theRomansreceivedsosevereablow，that，accordingtotheexpressionofawriterextremelypartialtoAurelian，theimmediatedissolutionoftheempirewasapprehended。^35Thecraftybarbarians，whohadlinedthewoods，suddenlyattackedthelegionsintheduskoftheevening，and，itismostprobable，afterthefatigueanddisorderofalongmarch。
Thefuryoftheirchargewasirresistible；but，atlength，afteradreadfulslaughter，thepatientfirmnessoftheemperorralliedhistroops，andrestored，insomedegree，thehonorofhisarms。
ThesecondbattlewasfoughtnearFanoinUmbria；onthespotwhich，fivehundredyearsbefore，hadbeenfataltothebrotherofHannibal。^36ThusfarthesuccessfulGermanshadadvancedalongtheAemilianandFlaminianway，withadesignofsackingthedefencelessmistressoftheworld。ButAurelian，who，watchfulforthesafetyofRome，stillhungontheirrear，foundinthisplacethedecisivemomentofgivingthematotalandirretrievabledefeat。^37TheflyingremnantoftheirhostwasexterminatedinathirdandlastbattlenearPavia；andItalywasdeliveredfromtheinroadsoftheAlemanni。
[Footnote34:VictorJuniorinAurelian。]
[Footnote35:VopiscusinHist。August。p。216。]
[Footnote36:Thelittleriver，orrathertorrent，of，Metaurus，nearFano，hasbeenimmortalized，byfindingsuchanhistorianasLivy，andsuchapoetasHorace。]
[Footnote37:ItisrecordedbyaninscriptionfoundatPesaro。
SeeGrutercclxxvi。3。]
Fearhasbeentheoriginalparentofsuperstition，andeverynewcalamityurgestremblingmortalstodeprecatethewrathoftheirinvisibleenemies。ThoughthebesthopeoftherepublicwasinthevalorandconductofAurelian，yetsuchwasthepublicconsternation，whenthebarbarianswerehourlyexpectedatthegatesofRome，that，byadecreeofthesenatetheSibyllinebookswereconsulted。Eventheemperorhimselffromamotiveeitherofreligionorofpolicy，recommendedthissalutarymeasure，chidedthetardinessofthesenate，^38andofferedtosupplywhateverexpense，whateveranimals，whatevercaptivesofanynation，thegodsshouldrequire。Notwithstandingthisliberaloffer，itdoesnotappear，thatanyhumanvictimsexpiatedwiththeirbloodthesinsoftheRomanpeople。TheSibyllinebooksenjoinedceremoniesofamoreharmlessnature，processionsofpriestsinwhiterobes，attendedbyachorusofyouthsandvirgins；lustrationsofthecityandadjacentcountry；andsacrifices，whosepowerfulinfluencedisabledthebarbariansfrompassingthemysticgroundonwhichtheyhadbeencelebrated。
Howeverpuerileinthemselves，thesesuperstitiousartsweresubservienttothesuccessofthewar；andif，inthedecisivebattleofFano，theAlemannifanciedtheysawanarmyofspectrescombatingonthesideofAurelian，hereceivedarealandeffectualaidfromthisimaginaryreenforcement。^39
[Footnote38:Oneshouldimagine，hesaid，thatyouwereassembledinaChristianchurch，notinthetempleofallthegods。]
[Footnote39:Vopiscus，inHist。August。p。215，216，givesalongaccountoftheseceremoniesfromtheRegistersofthesenate。]
Butwhateverconfidencemightbeplacedinidealramparts，theexperienceofthepast，andthedreadofthefuture，inducedtheRomanstoconstructfortificationsofagrosserandmoresubstantialkind。ThesevenhillsofRomehadbeensurrounded，bythesuccessorsofRomulus，withanancientwallofmorethanthirteenmiles。^40Thevastenclosuremayseemdisproportionedtothestrengthandnumbersoftheinfantstate。Butitwasnecessarytosecureanampleextentofpastureandarableland，againstthefrequentandsuddenincursionsofthetribesofLatium，theperpetualenemiesoftherepublic。WiththeprogressofRomangreatness，thecityanditsinhabitantsgraduallyincreased，filledupthevacantspace，piercedthroughtheuselesswalls，coveredthefieldofMars，and，oneveryside，followedthepublichighwaysinlongandbeautifulsuburbs。^41
Theextentofthenewwalls，erectedbyAurelian，andfinishedinthereignofProbus，wasmagnifiedbypopularestimationtonearfifty，^42butisreducedbyaccuratemeasurementtoabouttwenty—onemiles。^43Itwasagreatbutamelancholylabor，sincethedefenceofthecapitalbetrayedthedeclineofthemonarchy。TheRomansofamoreprosperousage，whotrustedtothearmsofthelegionsthesafetyofthefrontiercamps，^44wereveryfarfromentertainingasuspicion，thatitwouldeverbecomenecessarytofortifytheseatofempireagainsttheinroadsofthebarbarians。^45
[Footnote40:Plin。Hist。Natur。iii。5。Toconfirmouridea，wemayobserve，thatforalongtimeMountCaeliuswasagroveofoaks，andMountViminalwasoverrunwithosiers；that，inthefourthcentury，theAventinewasavacantandsolitaryretirement；that，tillthetimeofAugustus，theEsquilinewasanunwholesomeburying—ground；andthatthenumerousinequalities，remarkedbytheancientsintheQuirinal，sufficientlyprovethatitwasnotcoveredwithbuildings。Ofthesevenhills，theCapitolineandPalatineonly，withtheadjacentvalleys，weretheprimitivehabitationsoftheRomanpeople。Butthissubjectwouldrequireadissertation。]
[Footnote41:Exspatiantiatectamultasaddidereurbes，istheexpressionofPliny。]
[Footnote42:Hist。August。p。222。BothLipsiusandIsaacVossiushaveeagerlyembracedthismeasure。]
[Footnote43:SeeNardini，RomanAntica，l。i。c。8。
Note:ButcompareGibbon，ch。xli。note77。—M。]
[Footnote44:Tacit。Hist。iv。23。]
[Footnote45:ForAurelian\'swalls，seeVopiscusinHist。August。
p。216，222。Zosimus，l。i。p。43。Eutropius，ix。15。Aurel。
VictorinAurelianVictorJuniorinAurelian。Euseb。Hieronym。
etIdatiusinChronic]
ThevictoryofClaudiusovertheGoths，andthesuccessofAurelianagainsttheAlemanni，hadalreadyrestoredtothearmsofRometheirancientsuperiorityoverthebarbarousnationsoftheNorth。Tochastisedomestictyrants，andtoreunitethedismemberedpartsoftheempire，wasataskreservedforthesecondofthosewarlikeemperors。Thoughhewasacknowledgedbythesenateandpeople，thefrontiersofItaly，Africa，Illyricum，andThrace，confinedthelimitsofhisreign。Gaul，Spain，andBritain，Egypt，Syria，andAsiaMinor，werestillpossessedbytworebels，whoalone，outofsonumerousalist，hadhithertoescapedthedangersoftheirsituation；andtocompletetheignominyofRome，theserivalthroneshadbeenusurpedbywomen。
ArapidsuccessionofmonarchshadarisenandfallenintheprovincesofGaul。TherigidvirtuesofPosthumusservedonlytohastenhisdestruction。Aftersuppressingacompetitor，whohadassumedthepurpleatMentz，herefusedtogratifyhistroopswiththeplunderoftherebelliouscity；andintheseventhyearofhisreign，becamethevictimoftheirdisappointedavarice。
^46ThedeathofVictorinus，hisfriendandassociate，wasoccasionedbyalessworthycause。Theshiningaccomplishments^47ofthatprincewerestainedbyalicentiouspassion，whichheindulgedinactsofviolence，withtoolittleregardtothelawsofsociety，oreventothoseoflove。^48HewasslainatCologne，byaconspiracyofjealoushusbands，whoserevengewouldhaveappearedmorejustifiable，hadtheysparedtheinnocenceofhisson。Afterthemurderofsomanyvaliantprinces，itissomewhatremarkable，thatafemaleforalongtimecontrolledthefiercelegionsofGaul，andstillmoresingular，thatshewasthemotheroftheunfortunateVictorinus。TheartsandtreasuresofVictoriaenabledhersuccessivelytoplaceMariusandTetricusonthethrone，andtoreignwithamanlyvigorunderthenameofthosedependentemperors。Moneyofcopper，ofsilver，andofgold，wascoinedinhername；sheassumedthetitlesofAugustaandMotheroftheCamps:herpowerendedonlywithherlife；butherlifewasperhapsshortenedbytheingratitudeofTetricus。
^49
[Footnote46:HiscompetitorwasLollianus，orAelianus，if，indeed，thesenamesmeanthesameperson。SeeTillemont，tom。
iii。p。1177。
Note:ThemedalswhichbearthenameofLollianusareconsideredforgeriesexceptoneinthemuseumofthePrinceofWaldecktherearemanyextentbearingthenameofLaelianus，whichappearstohavebeenthatofthecompetitorofPosthumus。
Eckhel。Doct。Num。t。vi。149—G。]
[Footnote47:ThecharacterofthisprincebyJuliusAterianusap。Hist。August。p。187isworthtranscribing，asitseemsfairandimpartialVictorinoquiPostJuniumPosthumiumGalliasrexitneminemexistemopraeferendum；noninvirtuteTrajanum；nonAntoninuminclementia；noningravitateNervam；noningubernandoaerarioVespasianum；noninCensuratotiusvitaeacseveritatemilitariPertinacemvelSeverum。Sedomniahaeclibidoetcupiditasvoluptatismulierriaesicperdidit，utnemoaudeatvirtutesejusinliterasmitterequemconstatomniumjudiciomeruissepuniri。]
[Footnote48:HeravishedthewifeofAttitianus，anactuary，orarmyagent，Hist。August。p。186。Aurel。VictorinAurelian。]
[Footnote49:Pollioassignsheranarticleamongthethirtytyrants。Hist。August。p。200。]
When，attheinstigationofhisambitiouspatroness，Tetricusassumedtheensignsofroyalty，hewasgovernorofthepeacefulprovinceofAquitaine，anemploymentsuitedtohischaracterandeducation。HereignedfourorfiveyearsoverGaul，Spain，andBritain，theslaveandsovereignofalicentiousarmy，whomhedreaded，andbywhomhewasdespised。ThevalorandfortuneofAurelianatlengthopenedtheprospectofadeliverance。Heventuredtodisclosehismelancholysituation，andconjuredtheemperortohastentothereliefofhisunhappyrival。Hadthissecretcorrespondencereachedtheearsofthesoldiers，itwouldmostprobablyhavecostTetricushislife；norcouldheresignthesceptreoftheWestwithoutcommittinganactoftreasonagainsthimself。Heaffectedtheappearancesofacivilwar，ledhisforcesintothefield，againstAurelian，postedtheminthemostdisadvantageousmanner，betrayedhisowncounselstohisenemy，andwithafewchosenfriendsdesertedinthebeginningoftheaction。Therebellegions，thoughdisorderedanddismayedbytheunexpectedtreacheryoftheirchief，defendedthemselveswithdesperatevalor，tilltheywerecutinpiecesalmosttoaman，inthisbloodyandmemorablebattle，whichwasfoughtnearChalonsinChampagne。^50Theretreatoftheirregularauxiliaries，FranksandBatavians，^51
whomtheconquerorsooncompelledorpersuadedtorepasstheRhine，restoredthegeneraltranquillity，andthepowerofAurelianwasacknowledgedfromthewallofAntoninustothecolumnsofHercules。
[Footnote50:PollioinHist。August。p。196。VopiscusinHist。
August。p。220。ThetwoVictors，inthelivesofGallienusandAurelian。Eutrop。ix。13。Euseb。inChron。Ofallthesewriters，onlythetwolastbutwithstrongprobabilityplacethefallofTetricusbeforethatofZenobia。M。deBozeintheAcademyofInscriptions，tom。xxx。doesnotwish，andTillemonttom。iii。p。1189doesnotdaretofollowthem。Ihavebeenfairerthantheone，andbolderthantheother。]
[Footnote51:VictorJuniorinAurelian。EumeniusmentionsBatavicoe；somecritics，withoutanyreason，wouldfainalterthewordtoBagandicoe。]
AsearlyasthereignofClaudius，thecityofAutun，aloneandunassisted，hadventuredtodeclareagainstthelegionsofGaul。Afterasiegeofsevenmonths，theystormedandplunderedthatunfortunatecity，alreadywastedbyfamine。^52Lyons，onthecontrary，hadresistedwithobstinatedisaffectionthearmsofAurelian。WereadofthepunishmentofLyons，^53butthereisnotanymentionoftherewardsofAutun。Such，indeed，isthepolicyofcivilwar；severelytorememberinjuries，andtoforgetthemostimportantservices。Revengeisprofitable，gratitudeisexpensive。
[Footnote52:Eumen。inVet。Panegyr。iv。8。]
[Footnote53:VopiscusinHist。August。p。246。AutunwasnotrestoredtillthereignofDiocletian。SeeEumeniusderestaurandisscholis。]
AurelianhadnosoonersecuredthepersonandprovincesofTetricus，thanheturnedhisarmsagainstZenobia，thecelebratedqueenofPalmyraandtheEast。ModernEuropehasproducedseveralillustriouswomenwhohavesustainedwithglorytheweightofempire；norisourownagedestituteofsuchdistinguishedcharacters。ButifweexceptthedoubtfulachievementsofSemiramis，ZenobiaisperhapstheonlyfemalewhosesuperiorgeniusbrokethroughtheservileindolenceimposedonhersexbytheclimateandmannersofAsia。^54SheclaimedherdescentfromtheMacedoniankingsofEgypt，equalledinbeautyherancestorCleopatra，andfarsurpassedthatprincessinchastity^55andvalor。Zenobiawasesteemedthemostlovelyaswellasthemostheroicofhersex。Shewasofadarkcomplexion，forinspeakingofaladythesetriflesbecomeimportant。Herteethwereofapearlywhiteness，andherlargeblackeyessparkledwithuncommonfire，temperedbythemostattractivesweetness。Hervoicewasstrongandharmonious。Hermanlyunderstandingwasstrengthenedandadornedbystudy。ShewasnotignorantoftheLatintongue，butpossessedinequalperfectiontheGreek，theSyriac，andtheEgyptianlanguages。
Shehaddrawnupforherownuseanepitomeoforientalhistory，andfamiliarlycomparedthebeautiesofHomerandPlatounderthetuitionofthesublimeLonginus。
[Footnote54:AlmosteverythingthatissaidofthemannersofOdenathusandZenobiaistakenfromtheirlivesintheAugustanHistory，byTrebeljusPollio；seep。192，198。]
[Footnote*:AccordingtosomeChristianwriters，ZenobiawasaJewess。JostGeschichtederIsrael。iv。16。Hist。ofJews，iii。
175。—M。]
[Footnote55:Sheneveradmittedherhusband\'sembracesbutforthesakeofposterity。Ifherhopeswerebaffled，intheensuingmonthshereiteratedtheexperiment。]
ThisaccomplishedwomangaveherhandtoOdenathus，^!who，fromaprivatestation，raisedhimselftothedominionoftheEast。Shesoonbecamethefriendandcompanionofahero。Intheintervalsofwar，Odenathuspassionatelydelightedintheexerciseofhunting；hepursuedwithardorthewildbeastsofthedesert，lions，panthers，andbears；andtheardorofZenobiainthatdangerousamusementwasnotinferiortohisown。Shehadinuredherconstitutiontofatigue，disdainedtheuseofacoveredcarriage，generallyappearedonhorsebackinamilitaryhabit，andsometimesmarchedseveralmilesonfootattheheadofthetroops。ThesuccessofOdenathuswasinagreatmeasureascribedtoherincomparableprudenceandfortitude。TheirsplendidvictoriesovertheGreatKing，whomtheytwicepursuedasfarasthegatesofCtesiphon，laidthefoundationsoftheirunitedfameandpower。Thearmieswhichtheycommanded，andtheprovinceswhichtheyhadsaved，acknowledgednotanyothersovereignsthantheirinvinciblechiefs。ThesenateandpeopleofRomereveredastrangerwhohadavengedtheircaptiveemperor，andeventheinsensiblesonofValerianacceptedOdenathusforhislegitimatecolleague。
[Footnote!:AccordingtoZosimus，OdenathuswasofanoblefamilyinPalmyraandaccordingtoProcopius，hewasprinceoftheSaracens，whoinhabittheranksoftheEuphrates。Echhel。
Doct。Num。vii。489。—G。]
ChapterXI:ReignOfClaudius，DefeatOfTheGoths。
PartIII。
AfterasuccessfulexpeditionagainsttheGothicplunderersofAsia，thePalmyrenianprincereturnedtothecityofEmesainSyria。Invincibleinwar，hewastherecutoffbydomestictreason，andhisfavoriteamusementofhuntingwasthecause，oratleasttheoccasion，ofhisdeath。^56HisnephewMaeoniuspresumedtodarthisjavelinbeforethatofhisuncle；andthoughadmonishedofhiserror，repeatedthesameinsolence。Asamonarch，andasasportsman，Odenathuswasprovoked，tookawayhishorse，amarkofignominyamongthebarbarians，andchastisedtherashyouthbyashortconfinement。Theoffencewassoonforgot，butthepunishmentwasremembered；andMaeonius，withafewdaringassociates，assassinatedhisuncleinthemidstofagreatentertainment。Herod，thesonofOdenathus，thoughnotofZenobia，ayoungmanofasoftandeffeminatetemper，^57waskilledwithhisfather。ButMaeoniusobtainedonlythepleasureofrevengebythisbloodydeed。HehadscarcelytimetoassumethetitleofAugustus，beforehewassacrificedbyZenobiatothememoryofherhusband。^58
[Footnote56:Hist。August。p。192，193。Zosimus，l。i。p。36。