[Footnote118:Constantin。Orat。adCoetumSanct。c。25。Inthissermon，theemperor，orthebishopwhocomposeditforhim，affectstorelatethemiserableendofallthepersecutorsofthechurch。]
[Footnote119:Constantin。Porphyr。deStatuImper。p。86。]
Hadthismagnificentedificeremainedinasolitarycountry，itwouldhavebeenexposedtotheravagesoftime；butitmight，perhaps，haveescapedtherapaciousindustryofman。ThevillageofAspalathus，^120and，longafterwards，theprovincialtownofSpalatro，havegrownoutofitsruins。TheGoldenGatenowopensintothemarket—place。St。JohntheBaptisthasusurpedthehonorsofAesculapius；andthetempleofJupiter，undertheprotectionoftheVirgin，isconvertedintothecathedralchurch。
ForthisaccountofDiocletian\'spalaceweareprincipallyindebtedtoaningeniousartistofourowntimeandcountry，whomaveryliberalcuriositycarriedintotheheartofDalmatia。^121
Butthereisroomtosuspectthattheeleganceofhisdesignsandengravinghassomewhatflatteredtheobjectswhichitwastheirpurposetorepresent。Weareinformedbyamorerecentandveryjudicioustraveller，thattheawfulruinsofSpalatroarenotlessexpressiveofthedeclineoftheartthanofthegreatnessoftheRomanempireinthetimeofDiocletian。^122Ifsuchwasindeedthestateofarchitecture，wemustnaturallybelievethatpaintingandsculpturehadexperiencedastillmoresensibledecay。Thepracticeofarchitectureisdirectedbyafewgeneralandevenmechanicalrules。Butsculpture，andaboveall，painting，proposetothemselvestheimitationnotonlyoftheformsofnature，butofthecharactersandpassionsofthehumansoul。Inthosesublimearts，thedexterityofthehandisoflittleavail，unlessitisanimatedbyfancy，andguidedbythemostcorrecttasteandobservation。
[Footnote120:D\'Anville，GeographieAncienne，tom。i。p。162。]
[Footnote121:MessieursAdamandClerisseau，attendedbytwodraughtsmenvisitedSpalatrointhemonthofJuly，1757。ThemagnificentworkwhichtheirjourneyproducedwaspublishedinLondonsevenyearsafterwards。]
[Footnote122:IshallquotethewordsoftheAbateFortis。
\"E\'bastevolmenteagliamatoridell\'Architettura，edell\'
Antichita，l\'operadelSignorAdams，cheadonatomoltoaque\'
superbivestigicoll\'abitualeeleganzadelsuotoccalapisedelbulino。Ingeneralelarozzezzadelscalpello，e\'lcattivogustodelsecolovigareggianocollamagnificenzdelfabricato。\"SeeViaggioinDalmazia，p。40。]
Itisalmostunnecessarytoremark，thatthecivildistractionsoftheempire，thelicenseofthesoldiers，theinroadsofthebarbarians，andtheprogressofdespotism，hadprovedveryunfavorabletogenius，andeventolearning。ThesuccessionofIllyrianprincesrestoredtheempirewithoutrestoringthesciences。Theirmilitaryeducationwasnotcalculatedtoinspirethemwiththeloveofletters；andeventhemindofDiocletian，howeveractiveandcapaciousinbusiness，wastotallyuninformedbystudyorspeculation。Theprofessionsoflawandphysicareofsuchcommonuseandcertainprofit，thattheywillalwayssecureasufficientnumberofpractitioners，endowedwithareasonabledegreeofabilitiesandknowledge；butitdoesnotappearthatthestudentsinthosetwofacultiesappealtoanycelebratedmasterswhohaveflourishedwithinthatperiod。Thevoiceofpoetrywassilent。Historywasreducedtodryandconfusedabridgments，alikedestituteofamusementandinstruction。Alanguidandaffectedeloquencewasstillretainedinthepayandserviceoftheemperors，whoencouragednotanyartsexceptthosewhichcontributedtothegratificationoftheirpride，orthedefenceoftheirpower。^123
[Footnote123:TheoratorEumeniuswassecretarytotheemperorsMaximianandConstantius，andProfessorofRhetoricinthecollegeofAutun。Hissalarywassixhundredthousandsesterces，which，accordingtothelowestcomputationofthatage，musthaveexceededthreethousandpoundsayear。Hegenerouslyrequestedthepermissionofemployingitinrebuildingthecollege。SeehisOrationDeRestaurandisScholis；which，thoughnotexemptfromvanity，mayatoneforhispanegyrics。]
Thedecliningageoflearningandofmankindismarked，however，bytheriseandrapidprogressofthenewPlatonists。
TheschoolofAlexandriasilencedthoseofAthens；andtheancientsectsenrolledthemselvesunderthebannersofthemorefashionableteachers，whorecommendedtheirsystembythenoveltyoftheirmethod，andtheausterityoftheirmanners。Severalofthesemasters，Ammonius，Plotinus，Amelius，andPorphyry，^124
weremenofprofoundthoughtandintenseapplication；butbymistakingthetrueobjectofphilosophy，theirlaborscontributedmuchlesstoimprovethantocorruptthehumanunderstanding。
Theknowledgethatissuitedtooursituationandpowers，thewholecompassofmoral，natural，andmathematicalscience，wasneglectedbythenewPlatonists；whilsttheyexhaustedtheirstrengthintheverbaldisputesofmetaphysics，attemptedtoexplorethesecretsoftheinvisibleworld，andstudiedtoreconcileAristotlewithPlato，onsubjectsofwhichboththesephilosopherswereasignorantastherestofmankind。Consumingtheirreasoninthesedeepbutunsubstantialmeditations，theirmindswereexposedtoillusionsoffancy。Theyflatteredthemselvesthattheypossessedthesecretofdisengagingthesoulfromitscorporalprison；claimedafamiliarintercoursewithdemonsandspirits；and，byaverysingularrevolution，convertedthestudyofphilosophyintothatofmagic。Theancientsageshadderidedthepopularsuperstition；afterdisguisingitsextravagancebythethinpretenceofallegory，thedisciplesofPlotinusandPorphyrybecameitsmostzealousdefenders。AstheyagreedwiththeChristiansinafewmysteriouspointsoffaith，theyattackedtheremainderoftheirtheologicalsystemwithallthefuryofcivilwar。ThenewPlatonistswouldscarcelydeserveaplaceinthehistoryofscience，butinthatofthechurchthementionofthemwillveryfrequentlyoccur。
[Footnote124:PorphyrydiedaboutthetimeofDiocletian\'sabdication。ThelifeofhismasterPlotinus，whichhecomposed，willgiveusthemostcompleteideaofthegeniusofthesect，andthemannersofitsprofessors。ThisverycuriouspieceisinsertedinFabriciusBibliothecaGraecatom。iv。p。88—148。]
ChapterXIV:SixEmperorsAtTheSameTime，ReunionOfTheEmpire。
PartI。
TroublesAfterTheAbdicationOfDiocletian。—DeathOfConstantius。—ElevationOfConstantineAndMaxenTius。—SixEmperorsAtTheSameTime。—DeathOfMaximianAndGalerius。—
VictoriesOfConstantineOverMaxentiusAndLicinus。—ReunionOfTheEmpireUnderTheAuthorityOfConstantine。
ThebalanceofpowerestablishedbyDiocletiansubsistednolongerthanwhileitwassustainedbythefirmanddexteroushandofthefounder。Itrequiredsuchafortunatemixtureofdifferenttempersandabilities，ascouldscarcelybefoundorevenexpectedasecondtime；twoemperorswithoutjealousy，twoCaesarswithoutambition，andthesamegeneralinterestinvariablypursuedbyfourindependentprinces。TheabdicationofDiocletianandMaximianwassucceededbyeighteenyearsofdiscordandconfusion。Theempirewasafflictedbyfivecivilwars；andtheremainderofthetimewasnotsomuchastateoftranquillityasasuspensionofarmsbetweenseveralhostilemonarchs，who，viewingeachotherwithaneyeoffearandhatred，strovetoincreasetheirrespectiveforcesattheexpenseoftheirsubjects。
AssoonasDiocletianandMaximianhadresignedthepurple，theirstation，accordingtotherulesofthenewconstitution，wasfilledbythetwoCaesars，ConstantiusandGalerius，whoimmediatelyassumedthetitleofAugustus。^1
[Footnote1:M。deMontesquieuConsiderationssurlaGrandeuretLaDecadencedesRomains，c。17supposes，ontheauthorityofOrosiusandEusebius，that，onthisoccasion，theempire，forthefirsttime，wasreallydividedintotwoparts。Itisdifficult，however，todiscoverinwhatrespecttheplanofGaleriusdifferedfromthatofDiocletian。]
Thehonorsofseniorityandprecedencewereallowedtotheformerofthoseprinces，andhecontinuedunderanewappellationtoadministerhisancientdepartmentofGaul，Spain，andBritain。
Thegovernmentofthoseampleprovinceswassufficienttoexercisehistalentsandtosatisfyhisambition。Clemency，temperance，andmoderation，distinguishedtheamiablecharacterofConstantius，andhisfortunatesubjectshadfrequentlyoccasiontocomparethevirtuesoftheirsovereignwiththepassionsofMaximian，andevenwiththeartsofDiocletian。^2
Insteadofimitatingtheireasternprideandmagnificence，ConstantiuspreservedthemodestyofaRomanprince。Hedeclared，withunaffectedsincerity，thathismostvaluedtreasurewasintheheartsofhispeople，andthat，wheneverthedignityofthethrone，orthedangerofthestate，requiredanyextraordinarysupply，hecoulddependwithconfidenceontheirgratitudeandliberality。^3TheprovincialsofGaul，Spain，andBritain，sensibleofhisworth，andoftheirownhappiness，reflectedwithanxietyonthedeclininghealthoftheemperorConstantius，andthetenderageofhisnumerousfamily，theissueofhissecondmarriagewiththedaughterofMaximian。
[Footnote2:Hicnonmodoamabilis，sedetiamvenerabilisGallisfuit；praecipucquodDiocletianisuspectamprudentiam，etMaximianisanguinariamviolentiamimperioejusevaserant。
Eutrop。Breviar。x。i。]
[Footnote3:DivitiisProvincialiummel。provinciarumacprivatorumstudens，fiscicommodanonadmodumaffectans；
ducensquemeliuspublicasopesaprivatishaberi，quamintraunumclaustrumreservari。Id。ibid。Hecarriedthismaximsofar，thatwheneverhegaveanentertainment，hewasobligedtoborrowaserviceofplate。]
ThesterntemperofGaleriuswascastinaverydifferentmould；andwhilehecommandedtheesteemofhissubjects，heseldomcondescendedtosolicittheiraffections。Hisfameinarms，and，aboveall，thesuccessofthePersianwar，hadelatedhishaughtymind，whichwasnaturallyimpatientofasuperior，orevenofanequal。Ifitwerepossibletorelyonthepartialtestimonyofaninjudiciouswriter，wemightascribetheabdicationofDiocletiantothemenacesofGalerius，andrelatetheparticularsofaprivateconversationbetweenthetwoprinces，inwhichtheformerdiscoveredasmuchpusillanimityasthelatterdisplayedingratitudeandarrogance。^4ButtheseobscureanecdotesaresufficientlyrefutedbyanimpartiaviewofthecharacterandconductofDiocletian。Whatevermightotherwisehavebeenhisintentions，ifhehadapprehendedanydangerfromtheviolenceofGalerius，hisgoodsensewouldhaveinstructedhimtopreventtheignominiouscontest；andashehadheldthesceptrewithglory，hewouldhaveresigneditwithoutdisgrace。
[Footnote4:LactantiusdeMort。Persecutor。c。18。Weretheparticularsofthisconferencemoreconsistentwithtruthanddecency，wemightstillaskhowtheycametotheknowledgeofanobscurerhetorician。ButtherearemanyhistorianswhoputusinmindoftheadmirablesayingofthegreatCondetoCardinaldeRetz:\"Cescoquinsnousfontparloretagir，commeilsauroientfaiteux—memesanotreplace。\"
Note:ThisattackuponLactantiusisunfounded。Lactantiuswassofarfromhavingbeenanobscurerhetorician，thathehadtaughtrhetoricpublicly，andwiththegreatestsuccess，firstinAfrica，andafterwardsinNicomedia。HisreputationobtainedhimtheesteemofConstantine，whoinvitedhimtohiscourt，andintrustedtohimtheeducationofhissonCrispus。Thefactswhichherelatestookplaceduringhisowntime；hecannotbeaccusedofdishonestyorimposture。Satismevixissearbitraboretofficiumhominisimplessesilabormeusaliquoshomines，aberroribusiberatos，aditercoelestedirexerit。DeOpif。Dei，cap。20。TheeloquenceofLactantiushascausedhimtobecalledtheChristianCicero。AnnonGent。—G。
Yetnounprejudicedpersoncanreadthiscoarseandparticularprivateconversationofthetwoemperors，withoutassentingtothejusticeofGibbon\'sseveresentence。Buttheauthorshipofthetreatiseisbynomeanscertain。ThefameofLactantiusforeloquenceaswellasfortruth，wouldsuffernolossifitshouldbeadjudgedtosomemore\"obscurerhetorician。\"
Manso，inhisLebenConstantinsdesGrossen，concursonthispointwithGibbonBeylage，iv。—M。]
AftertheelevationofConstantiusandGaleriustotherankofAugusti，twonewCoesarswererequiredtosupplytheirplace，andtocompletethesystemoftheImperialgovernment。
Diocletian，wassincerelydesirousofwithdrawinghimselffromtheworld；heconsideredGalerius，whohadmarriedhisdaughter，asthefirmestsupportofhisfamilyandoftheempire；andheconsented，withoutreluctance，thathissuccessorshouldassumethemeritaswellastheenvyoftheimportantnomination。ItwasfixedwithoutconsultingtheinterestorinclinationoftheprincesoftheWest。Eachofthemhadasonwhowasarrivedattheageofmanhood，andwhomighthavebeendeemedthemostnaturalcandidatesforthevacanthonor。ButtheimpotentresentmentofMaximianwasnolongertobedreaded；andthemoderateConstantius，thoughhemightdespisethedangers，washumanelyapprehensiveofthecalamities，ofcivilwar。ThetwopersonswhomGaleriuspromotedtotherankofCaesar，weremuchbettersuitedtoservetheviewsofhisambition；andtheirprincipalrecommendationseemstohaveconsistedinthewantofmeritorpersonalconsequence。ThefirstofthesewasDaza，or，ashewasafterwardscalled，Maximin，whosemotherwasthesisterofGalerius。Theunexperiencedyouthstillbetrayed，byhismannersandlanguage，hisrusticeducation，when，tohisownastonishment，aswellasthatoftheworld，hewasinvestedbyDiocletianwiththepurple，exaltedtothedignityofCaesar，andintrustedwiththesovereigncommandofEgyptandSyria。^5Atthesametime，Severus，afaithfulservant，addictedtopleasure，butnotincapableofbusiness，wassenttoMilan，toreceive，fromthereluctanthandsofMaximian，theCaesarianornaments，andthepossessionofItalyandAfrica。Accordingtotheformsoftheconstitution，Severusacknowledgedthesupremacyofthewesternemperor；buthewasabsolutelydevotedtothecommandsofhisbenefactorGalerius，who，reservingtohimselftheintermediatecountriesfromtheconfinesofItalytothoseofSyria，firmlyestablishedhispoweroverthreefourthsofthemonarchy。InthefullconfidencethattheapproachingdeathofConstantiuswouldleavehimsolemasteroftheRomanworld，weareassuredthathehadarrangedinhismindalongsuccessionoffutureprinces，andthathemeditatedhisownretreatfrompubliclife，afterheshouldhaveaccomplishedagloriousreignofabouttwentyyears。^7
[Footnote5:SublatusnuperapecoribusetsilvissaysLactantiusdeM。P。c。19statimScutarius，continuoProtector，moxTribunus，postridieCaesar，accepitOrientem。AureliusVictoristooliberalingivinghimthewholeportionofDiocletian。]
[Footnote6:HisdiligenceandfidelityareacknowledgedevenbyLactantius，deM。P。c。18。]
[Footnote7:Theseschemes，however，restonlyontheverydoubtfulauthorityofLactantiusdeM。P。c。20。]
Butwithinlessthaneighteenmonths，twounexpectedrevolutionsoverturnedtheambitiousschemesofGalerius。ThehopesofunitingthewesternprovincestohisempireweredisappointedbytheelevationofConstantine，whilstItalyandAfricawerelostbythesuccessfulrevoltofMaxentius。
I。ThefameofConstantinehasrenderedposterityattentivetothemostminutecircumstancesofhislifeandactions。Theplaceofhisbirth，aswellastheconditionofhismotherHelena，havebeenthesubject，notonlyofliterary，butofnationaldisputes。Notwithstandingtherecenttradition，whichassignsforherfatheraBritishking，^8weareobligedtoconfess，thatHelenawasthedaughterofaninnkeeper；butatthesametime，wemaydefendthelegalityofhermarriage，againstthosewhohaverepresentedherastheconcubineofConstantius。
^9ThegreatConstantinewasmostprobablybornatNaissus，inDacia；^10anditisnotsurprisingthat，inafamilyandprovincedistinguishedonlybytheprofessionofarms，theyouthshoulddiscoververylittleinclinationtoimprovehismindbytheacquisitionofknowledge。^11HewasabouteighteenyearsofagewhenhisfatherwaspromotedtotherankofCaesar；butthatfortunateeventwasattendedwithhismother\'sdivorce；andthesplendorofanImperialalliancereducedthesonofHelenatoastateofdisgraceandhumiliation。InsteadoffollowingConstantiusintheWest，heremainedintheserviceofDiocletian，signalizedhisvalorinthewarsofEgyptandPersia，andgraduallyrosetothehonorablestationofatribuneofthefirstorder。ThefigureofConstantinewastallandmajestic；hewasdexterousinallhisexercises，intrepidinwar，affableinpeace；inhiswholeconduct，theactivespiritofyouthwastemperedbyhabitualprudence；andwhilehismindwasengrossedbyambition，heappearedcoldandinsensibletotheallurementsofpleasure。Thefavorofthepeopleandsoldiers，whohadnamedhimasaworthycandidatefortherankofCaesar，servedonlytoexasperatethejealousyofGalerius；andthoughprudencemightrestrainhimfromexercisinganyopenviolence，anabsolutemonarchisseldomatalossnowtoexecuteasureandsecretevenge。^12EveryhourincreasedthedangerofConstantine，andtheanxietyofhisfather，who，byrepeatedletters，expressedthewarmestdesireofembracinghisson。ForsometimethepolicyofGaleriussuppliedhimwithdelaysandexcuses；butitwasimpossiblelongtorefusesonaturalarequestofhisassociate，withoutmaintaininghisrefusalbyarms。Thepermissionofthejourneywasreluctantlygranted，andwhateverprecautionstheemperormighthavetakentointerceptareturn，theconsequencesofwhichhe，withsomuchreason，apprehended，theywereeffectuallydisappointedbytheincrediblediligenceofConstantine。^13LeavingthepalaceofNicomediainthenight，hetravelledpostthroughBithynia，Thrace，Dacia，Pannonia，Italy，andGaul，and，amidstthejoyfulacclamationsofthepeople，reachedtheportofBoulogneintheverymomentwhenhisfatherwaspreparingtoembarkforBritain。^14