Suchwastheconduct，andsuchperhapswastheduty，ofthebrotherofConstanstowardstheperfidioususurperofGaul。ThesituationandcharacterofVetranioadmittedofmildermeasures；
andthepolicyoftheEasternemperorwasdirectedtodisunitehisantagonists，andtoseparatetheforcesofIllyricumfromthecauseofrebellion。ItwasaneasytasktodeceivethefranknessandsimplicityofVetranio，who，fluctuatingsometimebetweentheoppositeviewsofhonorandinterest，displayedtotheworldtheinsincerityofhistemper，andwasinsensiblyengagedinthesnaresofanartfulnegotiation。Constantiusacknowledgedhimasalegitimateandequalcolleagueintheempire，onconditionthathewouldrenouncehisdisgracefulalliancewithMagnentius，andappointaplaceofinterviewonthefrontiersoftheirrespectiveprovinces；wheretheymightpledgetheirfriendshipbymutualvowsoffidelity，andregulatebycommonconsentthefutureoperationsofthecivilwar。Inconsequenceofthisagreement，VetranioadvancedtothecityofSardica，^76attheheadoftwentythousandhorse，andofamorenumerousbodyofinfantry；apowersofarsuperiortotheforcesofConstantius，thattheIllyrianemperorappearedtocommandthelifeandfortunesofhisrival，who，dependingonthesuccessofhisprivatenegotiations，hadseducedthetroops，andunderminedthethrone，ofVetranio。
Thechiefs，whohadsecretlyembracedthepartyofConstantius，preparedinhisfavorapublicspectacle，calculatedtodiscoverandinflamethepassionsofthemultitude。^77Theunitedarmieswerecommandedtoassembleinalargeplainnearthecity。Inthecentre，accordingtotherulesofancientdiscipline，amilitarytribunal，orratherscaffold，waserected，fromwhencetheemperorswereaccustomed，onsolemnandimportantoccasions，toharanguethetroops。Thewell—orderedranksofRomansandBarbarians，withdrawnswords，orwitherectedspears，thesquadronsofcavalry，andthecohortsofinfantry，distinguishedbythevarietyoftheirarmsandensigns，formedanimmensecircleroundthetribunal；andtheattentivesilencewhichtheypreservedwassometimesinterruptedbyloudburstsofclamororofapplause。Inthepresenceofthisformidableassembly，thetwoemperorswerecalledupontoexplainthesituationofpublicaffairs:theprecedencyofrankwasyieldedtotheroyalbirthofConstantius；andthoughhewasindifferentlyskilledintheartsofrhetoric，heacquittedhimself，underthesedifficultcircumstances，withfirmness，dexterity，andeloquence。ThefirstpartofhisorationseemedtobepointedonlyagainstthetyrantofGaul；butwhilehetragicallylamentedthecruelmurderofConstans，heinsinuated，thatnone，exceptabrother，couldclaimarighttothesuccessionofhisbrother。Hedisplayed，withsomecomplacency，thegloriesofhisImperialrace；andrecalledtothememoryofthetroopsthevalor，thetriumphs，theliberalityofthegreatConstantine，towhosesonstheyhadengagedtheirallegiancebyanoathoffidelity，whichtheingratitudeofhismostfavoredservantshadtemptedthemtoviolate。Theofficers，whosurroundedthetribunal，andwereinstructedtoacttheirpartinthisextraordinaryscene，confessedtheirresistiblepowerofreasonandeloquence，bysalutingtheemperorConstantiusastheirlawfulsovereign。Thecontagionofloyaltyandrepentancewascommunicatedfromranktorank；tilltheplainofSardicaresoundedwiththeuniversalacclamationof\"Awaywiththeseupstartusurpers!LonglifeandvictorytothesonofConstantine!Underhisbannersalonewewillfightandconquer。\"Theshoutofthousands，theirmenacinggestures，thefierceclashingoftheirarms，astonishedandsubduedthecourageofVetranio，whostood，amidstthedefectionofhisfollowers，inanxiousandsilentsuspense。Insteadofembracingthelastrefugeofgenerousdespair，hetamelysubmittedtohisfate；andtakingthediademfromhishead，intheviewofbotharmiesfellprostrateatthefeetofhisconqueror。Constantiususedhisvictorywithprudenceandmoderation；andraisingfromthegroundtheagedsuppliant，whomheaffectedtostylebytheendearingnameofFather，hegavehimhishandtodescendfromthethrone。ThecityofPrusawasassignedfortheexileorretirementoftheabdicatedmonarch，wholivedsixyearsintheenjoymentofeaseandaffluence。HeoftenexpressedhisgratefulsenseofthegoodnessofConstantius，and，withaveryamiablesimplicity，advisedhisbenefactortoresignthesceptreoftheworld，andtoseekforcontentwherealoneitcouldbefoundinthepeacefulobscurityofaprivatecondition。^78
[Footnote76:Zonaras，tom。ii。l。xiii。p。16。ThepositionofSardica，nearthemoderncityofSophia，appearsbettersuitedtothisinterviewthanthesituationofeitherNaissusorSirmium，whereitisplacedbyJerom，Socrates，andSozomen。]
[Footnote77:SeethetwofirstorationsofJulian，particularlyp。31；andZosimus，l。ii。p。122。Thedistinctnarrativeofthehistorianservestoillustratethediffusebutvaguedescriptionsoftheorator。]
[Footnote78:TheyoungerVictorassignstohisexiletheemphaticalappellationof\"Voluptariumotium。\"Socratesl。ii。
c。28isthevoucherforthecorrespondencewiththeemperor，whichwouldseemtoprovethatVetraniowasindeed，propeadstultitiamsimplicissimus。]
ThebehaviorofConstantiusonthismemorableoccasionwascelebratedwithsomeappearanceofjustice；andhiscourtierscomparedthestudiedorationswhichaPericlesoraDemosthenesaddressedtothepopulaceofAthens，withthevictoriouseloquencewhichhadpersuadedanarmedmultitudetodesertanddeposetheobjectoftheirpartialchoice。^79TheapproachingcontestwithMagnentiuswasofamoreseriousandbloodykind。
ThetyrantadvancedbyrapidmarchestoencounterConstantius，attheheadofanumerousarmy，composedofGaulsandSpaniards，ofFranksandSaxons；ofthoseprovincialswhosuppliedthestrengthofthelegions，andofthosebarbarianswhoweredreadedasthemostformidableenemiesoftherepublic。Thefertileplains^80
oftheLowerPannonia，betweentheDrave，theSave，andtheDanube，presentedaspacioustheatre；andtheoperationsofthecivilwarwereprotractedduringthesummermonthsbytheskillortimidityofthecombatants。^81ConstantiushaddeclaredhisintentionofdecidingthequarrelinthefieldsofCibalis，anamethatwouldanimatehistroopsbytheremembranceofthevictory，which，onthesameauspiciousground，hadbeenobtainedbythearmsofhisfatherConstantine。Yetbytheimpregnablefortificationswithwhichtheemperorencompassedhiscamp，heappearedtodecline，ratherthantoinvite，ageneralengagement。
ItwastheobjectofMagnentiustotemptortocompelhisadversarytorelinquishthisadvantageousposition；andheemployed，withthatview，thevariousmarches，evolutions，andstratagems，whichtheknowledgeoftheartofwarcouldsuggesttoanexperiencedofficer。HecarriedbyassaulttheimportanttownofSiscia；madeanattackonthecityofSirmium，whichlayintherearoftheImperialcamp，attemptedtoforceapassageovertheSaveintotheeasternprovincesofIllyricum；andcutinpiecesanumerousdetachment，whichhehadalluredintothenarrowpassesofAdarne。Duringthegreaterpartofthesummer，thetyrantofGaulshowedhimselfmasterofthefield。ThetroopsofConstantiuswereharassedanddispirited；hisreputationdeclinedintheeyeoftheworld；andhispridecondescendedtosolicitatreatyofpeace，whichwouldhaveresignedtotheassassinofConstansthesovereigntyoftheprovincesbeyondtheAlps。TheseofferswereenforcedbytheeloquenceofPhiliptheImperialambassador；andthecouncilaswellasthearmyofMagnentiusweredisposedtoacceptthem。Butthehaughtyusurper，carelessoftheremonstrancesofhisfriends，gaveordersthatPhilipshouldbedetainedasacaptive，or，atleast，asahostage；whilehedespatchedanofficertoreproachConstantiuswiththeweaknessofhisreign，andtoinsulthimbythepromiseofapardonifhewouldinstantlyabdicatethepurple。\"Thatheshouldconfideinthejusticeofhiscause，andtheprotectionofanavengingDeity，\"wastheonlyanswerwhichhonorpermittedtheemperortoreturn。Buthewassosensibleofthedifficultiesofhissituation，thathenolongerdaredtoretaliatetheindignitywhichhadbeenofferedtohisrepresentative。ThenegotiationofPhilipwasnot，however，ineffectual，sincehedeterminedSylvanustheFrank，ageneralofmeritandreputation，todesertwithaconsiderablebodyofcavalry，afewdaysbeforethebattleofMursa。
[Footnote79:EumConstantius……facundiaevidejectumImperioinprivatumotiumremovit。QuaegloriapostnatumImperiumsoliprocessiteloquioclementiaque，&c。AureliusVictor，Julian，andThemistiusOrat。iii。andiv。adornthisexploitwithalltheartificialandgaudycoloringoftheirrhetoric。]
[Footnote80:Busbequiusp。112traversedtheLowerHungaryandSclavoniaatatimewhentheywerereducedalmosttoadesert，bythereciprocalhostilitiesoftheTurksandChristians。Yethementionswithadmirationtheunconquerablefertilityofthesoil；
andobservesthattheheightofthegrasswassufficienttoconcealaloadedwagonfromhissight。SeelikewiseBrowne\'sTravels，inHarris\'sCollection，volii。p。762&c。]
[Footnote81:Zosimusgivesaverylargeaccountofthewar，andthenegotiation，l。ii。p。123—130。Butasheneithershowshimselfasoldiernorapolitician，hisnarrativemustbeweighedwithattention，andreceivedwithcaution。]
ThecityofMursa，orEssek，celebratedinmoderntimesforabridgeofboats，fivemilesinlength，overtheRiverDrave，andtheadjacentmorasses，^82hasbeenalwaysconsideredasaplaceofimportanceinthewarsofHungary。Magnentius，directinghismarchtowardsMursa，setfiretothegates，and，byasuddenassault，hadalmostscaledthewallsofthetown。Thevigilanceofthegarrisonextinguishedtheflames；theapproachofConstantiuslefthimnotimetocontinuetheoperationsofthesiege；andtheemperorsoonremovedtheonlyobstaclethatcouldembarrasshismotions，byforcingabodyoftroopswhichhadtakenpostinanadjoiningamphitheatre。ThefieldofbattleroundMursawasanakedandlevelplain:onthisgroundthearmyofConstantiusformed，withtheDraveontheirright；whiletheirleft，eitherfromthenatureoftheirdisposition，orfromthesuperiorityoftheircavalry，extendedfarbeyondtherightflankofMagnentius。^83Thetroopsonbothsidesremainedunderarms，inanxiousexpectation，duringthegreatestpartofthemorning；
andthesonofConstantine，afteranimatinghissoldiersbyaneloquentspeech，retiredintoachurchatsomedistancefromthefieldofbattle，andcommittedtohisgeneralstheconductofthisdecisiveday。^84Theydeservedhisconfidencebythevalorandmilitaryskillwhichtheyexerted。Theywiselybegantheactionupontheleft；andadvancingtheirwholewingofcavalryinanobliqueline，theysuddenlywheeleditontherightflankoftheenemy，whichwasunpreparedtoresisttheimpetuosityoftheircharge。ButtheRomansoftheWestsoonrallied，bythehabitsofdiscipline；andtheBarbariansofGermanysupportedtherenownoftheirnationalbravery。Theengagementsoonbecamegeneral；wasmaintainedwithvariousandsingularturnsoffortune；andscarcelyendedwiththedarknessofthenight。ThesignalvictorywhichConstantiusobtainedisattributedtothearmsofhiscavalry。Hiscuirassiersaredescribedassomanymassystatuesofsteel，glitteringwiththeirscalyarmor，andbreakingwiththeirponderouslancesthefirmarrayoftheGalliclegions。Assoonasthelegionsgaveway，thelighterandmoreactivesquadronsofthesecondlinerodeswordinhandintotheintervals，andcompletedthedisorder。Inthemeanwhile，thehugebodiesoftheGermanswereexposedalmostnakedtothedexterityoftheOrientalarchers；andwholetroopsofthoseBarbarianswereurgedbyanguishanddespairtoprecipitatethemselvesintothebroadandrapidstreamoftheDrave。^85Thenumberoftheslainwascomputedatfifty—fourthousandmen，andtheslaughteroftheconquerorswasmoreconsiderablethanthatofthevanquished；^86acircumstancewhichprovestheobstinacyofthecontest，andjustifiestheobservationofanancientwriter，thattheforcesoftheempirewereconsumedinthefatalbattleofMursa，bythelossofaveteranarmy，sufficienttodefendthefrontiers，ortoaddnewtriumphstothegloryofRome。^87Notwithstandingtheinvectivesofaservileorator，thereisnottheleastreasontobelievethatthetyrantdesertedhisownstandardinthebeginningoftheengagement。Heseemstohavedisplayedthevirtuesofageneralandofasoldiertillthedaywasirrecoverablylost，andhiscampinthepossessionoftheenemy。Magnentiusthenconsultedhissafety，andthrowingawaytheImperialornaments，escapedwithsomedifficultyfromthepursuitofthelighthorse，whoincessantlyfollowedhisrapidflightfromthebanksoftheDravetothefootoftheJulianAlps。^88
[Footnote82:Thisremarkablebridge，whichisflankedwithtowers，andsupportedonlargewoodenpiles，wasconstructedA。
D。1566，bySultanSoliman，tofacilitatethemarchofhisarmiesintoHungary。]
[Footnote83:Thisposition，andthesubsequentevolutions，areclearly，thoughconcisely，describedbyJulian，Orat。i。p。36。]
[Footnote84:SulpiciusSeverus，l。ii。p。405。TheemperorpassedthedayinprayerwithValens，theArianbishopofMursa，whogainedhisconfidencebyannouncingthesuccessofthebattle。M。deTillemontHist。desEmpereurs，tom。iv。p。1110
veryproperlyremarksthesilenceofJulianwithregardtothepersonalprowessofConstantiusinthebattleofMursa。Thesilenceofflatteryissometimesequaltothemostpositiveandauthenticevidence。]
[Footnote85:Julian。Orat。i。p。36，37；andOrat。ii。p。59，60。Zonaras，tomii。l。xiii。p。17。Zosimus，l。ii。p。130—133。
ThelastofthesecelebratesthedexterityofthearcherMenelaus，whocoulddischargethreearrowsatthesametime；anadvantagewhich，accordingtohisapprehensionofmilitaryaffairs，materiallycontributedtothevictoryofConstantius。]
[Footnote86:AccordingtoZonaras，Constantius，outof80，000
men，lost30，000；andMagnentiuslost24，000outof36，000。Theotherarticlesofthisaccountseemprobableandauthentic，butthenumbersofthetyrant\'sarmymusthavebeenmistaken，eitherbytheauthororhistranscribers。MagnentiushadcollectedthewholeforceoftheWest，RomansandBarbarians，intooneformidablebody，whichcannotfairlybeestimatedatlessthan100，000men。Julian。Orat。i。p。34，35。]
[Footnote87:IngentesR。I。vireseadimicationeconsumptaesunt，adquaelibetbellaexternaidoneae，quaemultumtriumphorumpossentsecuritatisqueconferre。Eutropius，x。13。TheyoungerVictorexpresseshimselftothesameeffect。]
[Footnote88:Onthisoccasion，wemustprefertheunsuspectedtestimonyofZosimusandZonarastotheflatteringassertionsofJulian。TheyoungerVictorpaintsthecharacterofMagnentiusinasingularlight:\"Sermonisacer，animitumidi，etimmodicetimidus；artifextamenadoccultandamaudaciaespecieformidinem。\"IsitmostlikelythatinthebattleofMursahisbehaviorwasgovernedbynatureorbyartshouldinclineforthelatter。]
TheapproachofwintersuppliedtheindolenceofConstantiuswithspeciousreasonsfordeferringtheprosecutionofthewartilltheensuingspring。MagnentiushadfixedhisresidenceinthecityofAquileia，andshowedaseemingresolutiontodisputethepassageofthemountainsandmorasseswhichfortifiedtheconfinesoftheVenetianprovince。ThesurprisalofacastleintheAlpsbythesecretmarchoftheImperialists，couldscarcelyhavedeterminedhimtorelinquishthepossessionofItaly，iftheinclinationsofthepeoplehadsupportedthecauseoftheirtyrant。^89Butthememoryofthecrueltiesexercisedbyhisministers，aftertheunsuccessfulrevoltofNepotian，hadleftadeepimpressionofhorrorandresentmentonthemindsoftheRomans。Thatrashyouth，thesonoftheprincessEutropia，andthenephewofConstantine，hadseenwithindignationthesceptreoftheWestusurpedbyaperfidiousbarbarian。Armingadesperatetroopofslavesandgladiators，heoverpoweredthefeebleguardofthedomestictranquillityofRome，receivedthehomageofthesenate，andassumingthetitleofAugustus，precariouslyreignedduringatumultoftwenty—eightdays。Themarchofsomeregularforcesputanendtohisambitioushopes:
therebellionwasextinguishedinthebloodofNepotian，ofhismotherEutropia，andofhisadherents；andtheproscriptionwasextendedtoallwhohadcontractedafatalalliancewiththenameandfamilyofConstantine。^90ButassoonasConstantius，afterthebattleofMursa，becamemasterofthesea—coastofDalmatia，abandofnobleexiles，whohadventuredtoequipafleetinsomeharboroftheAdriatic，soughtprotectionandrevengeinhisvictoriouscamp。Bytheirsecretintelligencewiththeircountrymen，RomeandtheItaliancitieswerepersuadedtodisplaythebannersofConstantiusontheirwalls。Thegratefulveterans，enrichedbytheliberalityofthefather，signalizedtheirgratitudeandloyaltytotheson。Thecavalry，thelegions，andtheauxiliariesofItaly，renewedtheiroathofallegiancetoConstantius；andtheusurper，alarmedbythegeneraldesertion，wascompelled，withtheremainsofhisfaithfultroops，toretirebeyondtheAlpsintotheprovincesofGaul。Thedetachments，however，whichwereorderedeithertopressortointercepttheflightofMagnentius，conductedthemselveswiththeusualimprudenceofsuccess；andallowedhim，intheplainsofPavia，anopportunityofturningonhispursuers，andofgratifyinghisdespairbythecarnageofauselessvictory。^91
[Footnote89:Julian。Orat。i。p。38，39。Inthatplace，however，aswellasinOrationii。p。97，heinsinuatesthegeneraldispositionofthesenate，thepeople，andthesoldiersofItaly，towardsthepartyoftheemperor。]
[Footnote90:TheelderVictordescribes，inapatheticmanner，themiserableconditionofRome:\"CujusstolidumingeniumadeoP。
R。patribusqueexitiofuit，utipassimdomus，fora，viae，templaque，cruore，cadaveribusqueopplerenturbustorummodo。\"
Athanasiustom。i。p。677deploresthefateofseveralillustriousvictims，andJulianOrat。iip58execratesthecrueltyofMarcellinus，theimplacableenemyofthehouseofConstantine。]
[Footnote91:Zosim。l。ii。p。133。VictorinEpitome。ThepanegyristsofConstantius，withtheirusualcandor，forgettomentionthisaccidentaldefeat。]
TheprideofMagnentiuswasreduced，byrepeatedmisfortunes，tosue，andtosueinvain，forpeace。Hefirstdespatchedasenator，inwhoseabilitiesheconfided，andafterwardsseveralbishops，whoseholycharactermightobtainamorefavorableaudience，withtheofferofresigningthepurple，andthepromiseofdevotingtheremainderofhislifetotheserviceoftheemperor。ButConstantius，thoughhegrantedfairtermsofpardonandreconciliationtoallwhoabandonedthestandardofrebellion，^92avowedhisinflexibleresolutiontoinflictajustpunishmentonthecrimesofanassassin，whomhepreparedtooverwhelmoneverysidebytheeffortofhisvictoriousarms。AnImperialfleetacquiredtheeasypossessionofAfricaandSpain，confirmedthewaveringfaithoftheMoorishnations，andlandedaconsiderableforce，whichpassedthePyrenees，andadvancedtowardsLyons，thelastandfatalstationofMagnentius。^93Thetemperofthetyrant，whichwasneverinclinedtoclemency，wasurgedbydistresstoexerciseeveryactofoppressionwhichcouldextortanimmediatesupplyfromthecitiesofGaul。^94Theirpatiencewasatlengthexhausted；andTreves，theseatofPraetoriangovernment，gavethesignalofrevolt，byshuttinghergatesagainstDecentius，whohadbeenraisedbyhisbrothertotherankeitherofCaesarorofAugustus。^95FromTreves，DecentiuswasobligedtoretiretoSens，wherehewassoonsurroundedbyanarmyofGermans，whomtheperniciousartsofConstantiushadintroducedintothecivildissensionsofRome。^96Inthemeantime，theImperialtroopsforcedthepassagesoftheCottianAlps，andinthebloodycombatofMountSeleucusirrevocablyfixedthetitleofrebelsonthepartyofMagnentius。^97Hewasunabletobringanotherarmyintothefield；thefidelityofhisguardswascorrupted；andwhenheappearedinpublictoanimatethembyhisexhortations，hewassalutedwithaunanimousshoutof\"LonglivetheemperorConstantius!\"Thetyrant，whoperceivedthattheywerepreparingtodeservepardonandrewardsbythesacrificeofthemostobnoxiouscriminal，preventedtheirdesignbyfallingonhissword；^98adeathmoreeasyandmorehonorablethanhecouldhopetoobtainfromthehandsofanenemy，whoserevengewouldhavebeencoloredwiththespeciouspretenceofjusticeandfraternalpiety。TheexampleofsuicidewasimitatedbyDecentius，whostrangledhimselfonthenewsofhisbrother\'sdeath。Theauthoroftheconspiracy，Marcellinus，hadlongsincedisappearedinthebattleofMursa，^99andthepublictranquillitywasconfirmedbytheexecutionofthesurvivingleadersofaguiltyandunsuccessfulfaction。Asevereinquisitionwasextendedoverallwho，eitherfromchoiceorfromcompulsion，hadbeeninvolvedinthecauseofrebellion。Paul，surnamedCatenafromhissuperiorskillinthejudicialexerciseoftyranny，wassenttoexplorethelatentremainsoftheconspiracyintheremoteprovinceofBritain。ThehonestindignationexpressedbyMartin，vice—praefectoftheisland，wasinterpretedasanevidenceofhisownguilt；andthegovernorwasurgedtothenecessityofturningagainsthisbreasttheswordwithwhichhehadbeenprovokedtowoundtheImperialminister。