ThevictoriesofthegreatHermanric，^140kingoftheOstrogoths，andthemostnobleoftheraceoftheAmali，havebeencompared，bytheenthusiasmofhiscountrymen，totheexploitsofAlexander；withthissingular，andalmostincredible，difference，thatthemartialspiritoftheGothichero，insteadofbeingsupportedbythevigorofyouth，wasdisplayedwithgloryandsuccessintheextremeperiodofhumanlife，betweentheageoffourscoreandonehundredandtenyears。Theindependenttribeswerepersuaded，orcompelled，toacknowledgethekingoftheOstrogothsasthesovereignoftheGothicnation:
thechiefsoftheVisigoths，orThervingi，renouncedtheroyaltitle，andassumedthemorehumbleappellationofJudges；and，amongthosejudges，Athanaric，Fritigern，andAlavivus，werethemostillustrious，bytheirpersonalmerit，aswellasbytheirvicinitytotheRomanprovinces。Thesedomesticconquests，whichincreasedthemilitarypowerofHermanric，enlargedhisambitiousdesigns。HeinvadedtheadjacentcountriesoftheNorth；andtwelveconsiderablenations，whosenamesandlimitscannotbeaccuratelydefined，successivelyyieldedtothesuperiorityoftheGothicarms^141TheHeruli，whoinhabitedthemarshylandsnearthelakeMaeotis，wererenownedfortheirstrengthandagility；andtheassistanceoftheirlightinfantrywaseagerlysolicited，andhighlyesteemed，inallthewarsoftheBarbarians。ButtheactivespiritoftheHeruliwassubduedbytheslowandsteadyperseveranceoftheGoths；and，afterabloodyaction，inwhichthekingwasslain，theremainsofthatwarliketribebecameausefulaccessiontothecampofHermanric。
HethenmarchedagainsttheVenedi；unskilledintheuseofarms，andformidableonlybytheirnumbers，whichfilledthewideextentoftheplainsofmodernPoland。ThevictoriousGoths，whowerenotinferiorinnumbers，prevailedinthecontest，bythedecisiveadvantagesofexerciseanddiscipline。AfterthesubmissionoftheVenedi，theconqueroradvanced，withoutresistance，asfarastheconfinesoftheAestii；^142anancientpeople，whosenameisstillpreservedintheprovinceofEsthonia。ThosedistantinhabitantsoftheBalticcoastweresupportedbythelaborsofagriculture，enrichedbythetradeofamber，andconsecratedbythepeculiarworshipoftheMotheroftheGods。ButthescarcityofironobligedtheAestianwarriorstocontentthemselveswithwoodenclubs；andthereductionofthatwealthycountryisascribedtotheprudence，ratherthantothearms，ofHermanric。Hisdominions，whichextendedfromtheDanubetotheBaltic，includedthenativeseats，andtherecentacquisitions，oftheGoths；andhereignedoverthegreatestpartofGermanyandScythiawiththeauthorityofaconqueror，andsometimeswiththecrueltyofatyrant。Buthereignedoverapartoftheglobeincapableofperpetuatingandadorningthegloryofitsheroes。ThenameofHermanricisalmostburiedinoblivion；hisexploitsareimperfectlyknown；andtheRomansthemselvesappearedunconsciousoftheprogressofanaspiringpowerwhichthreatenedthelibertyoftheNorth，andthepeaceoftheempire。^143
[Footnote140:TheconciseaccountofthereignandconquestsofHermanricseemstobeoneofthevaluablefragmentswhichJornandesc28borrowedfromtheGothichistoriesofAblavius，orCassiodorus。]
[Footnote141:M。d。Buat。Hist。desPeuplesdel\'Europe，tom。
vi。p。311—329investigates，withmoreindustrythansuccess，thenationssubduedbythearmsofHermanric。HedeniestheexistenceoftheVasinobroncoe，onaccountoftheimmoderatelengthoftheirname。YettheFrenchenvoytoRatisbon，orDresden，musthavetraversedthecountryoftheMediomatrici。]
[Footnote142:TheeditionofGrotiusJornandes，p。642
exhibitsthenameofAestri。ButreasonandtheAmbrosianMS。
haverestoredtheAestii，whosemannersandsituationareexpressedbythepencilofTacitus，Germania，c。45。]
[Footnote143:Ammianusxxxi。3observes，ingeneralterms，Ermenrichi……nobilissimiRegis，etpermultavariaquefortiterfacta，vicinigentibusformidati，&c。]
TheGothshadcontractedanhereditaryattachmentfortheImperialhouseofConstantine，ofwhosepowerandliberalitytheyhadreceivedsomanysignalproofs。Theyrespectedthepublicpeace；andifahostilebandsometimespresumedtopasstheRomanlimit，theirirregularconductwascandidlyascribedtotheungovernablespiritoftheBarbarianyouth。Theircontemptfortwonewandobscureprinces，whohadbeenraisedtothethronebyapopularelection，inspiredtheGothswithbolderhopes；and，whiletheyagitatedsomedesignofmarchingtheirconfederateforceunderthenationalstandard，^144theywereeasilytemptedtoembracethepartyofProcopius；andtofoment，bytheirdangerousaid，thecivildiscordoftheRomans。Thepublictreatymightstipulatenomorethantenthousandauxiliaries；butthedesignwassozealouslyadoptedbythechiefsoftheVisigoths，thatthearmywhichpassedtheDanubeamountedtothenumberofthirtythousandmen。^145Theymarchedwiththeproudconfidence，thattheirinvinciblevalorwoulddecidethefateoftheRomanempire；andtheprovincesofThracegroanedundertheweightoftheBarbarians，whodisplayedtheinsolenceofmastersandthelicentiousnessofenemies。Buttheintemperancewhichgratifiedtheirappetites，retardedtheirprogress；andbeforetheGothscouldreceiveanycertainintelligenceofthedefeatanddeathofProcopius，theyperceived，bythehostilestateofthecountry，thatthecivilandmilitarypowerswereresumedbyhissuccessfulrival。Achainofpostsandfortifications，skilfullydisposedbyValens，orthegeneralsofValens，resistedtheirmarch，preventedtheirretreat，andinterceptedtheirsubsistence。ThefiercenessoftheBarbarianswastamedandsuspendedbyhunger；theyindignantlythrewdowntheirarmsatthefeetoftheconqueror，whoofferedthemfoodandchains:thenumerouscaptivesweredistributedinallthecitiesoftheEast；
andtheprovincials，whoweresoonfamiliarizedwiththeirsavageappearance，ventured，bydegrees，tomeasuretheirownstrengthwiththeseformidableadversaries，whosenamehadsolongbeentheobjectoftheirterror。ThekingofScythiaandHermanricalonecoulddeservesoloftyatitlewasgrievedandexasperatedbythisnationalcalamity。Hisambassadorsloudlycomplained，atthecourtofValens，oftheinfractionoftheancientandsolemnalliance，whichhadsolongsubsistedbetweentheRomansandtheGoths。Theyalleged，thattheyhadfulfilledthedutyofallies，byassistingthekinsmanandsuccessoroftheemperorJulian；
theyrequiredtheimmediaterestitutionofthenoblecaptives；
andtheyurgedaverysingularclaim，thattheGothicgeneralsmarchinginarms，andinhostilearray，wereentitledtothesacredcharacterandprivilegesofambassadors。Thedecent，butperemptory，refusaloftheseextravagantdemands，wassignifiedtotheBarbariansbyVictor，master—generalofthecavalry；whoexpressed，withforceanddignity，thejustcomplaintsoftheemperoroftheEast。^146Thenegotiationwasinterrupted；andthemanlyexhortationsofValentinianencouragedhistimidbrothertovindicatetheinsultedmajestyoftheempire。^147
[Footnote144:Valens……doceturrelationibusDucum，gentemGothorum，eatempestateintactamideoquesaevissimam，conspiranteminunum，adpervadendapararicollimitiaThraciarum。
Ammian。xxi。6。]
[Footnote145:M。deBuatHist。desPeuplesdel\'Europe，tom。
vi。p。332hascuriouslyascertainedtherealnumberoftheseauxiliaries。The3000ofAmmianus，andthe10，000ofZosimus，wereonlythefirstdivisionsoftheGothicarmy。
Note:M。St。Martiniii。246deniesthatthereisanyauthorityforthesenumbers。—M。]
[Footnote146:Themarch，andsubsequentnegotiation，aredescribedintheFragmentsofEunapius，Excerpt。Legat。p。18，edit。Louvre。TheprovincialswhoafterwardsbecamefamiliarwiththeBarbarians，foundthattheirstrengthwasmoreapparentthanreal。Theyweretallofstature；buttheirlegswereclumsy，andtheirshoulderswerenarrow。]
[Footnote147:Valensenim，utconsultoplacueratfratri，cujusregebaturarbitrio，armaconcussitinGothosrationejustapermotus。Ammianusxxvii。4thenproceedstodescribe，notthecountryoftheGoths，butthepeacefulandobedientprovinceofThrace，whichwasnotaffectedbythewar。]
ThesplendorandmagnitudeofthisGothicwararecelebratedbyacontemporaryhistorian:^148buttheeventsscarcelydeservetheattentionofposterity，exceptasthepreliminarystepsoftheapproachingdeclineandfalloftheempire。InsteadofleadingthenationsofGermanyandScythiatothebanksoftheDanube，oreventothegatesofConstantinople，theagedmonarchoftheGothsresignedtothebraveAthanaricthedangerandgloryofadefensivewar，againstanenemy，whowieldedwithafeeblehandthepowersofamightystate。AbridgeofboatswasestablishedupontheDanube；thepresenceofValensanimatedhistroops；andhisignoranceoftheartofwarwascompensatedbypersonalbravery，andawisedeferencetotheadviceofVictorandArintheus，hismasters—generalofthecavalryandinfantry。
Theoperationsofthecampaignwereconductedbytheirskillandexperience；buttheyfounditimpossibletodrivetheVisigothsfromtheirstrongpostsinthemountains；andthedevastationoftheplainsobligedtheRomansthemselvestorepasstheDanubeontheapproachofwinter。Theincessantrains，whichswelledthewatersoftheriver，producedatacitsuspensionofarms，andconfinedtheemperorValens，duringthewholecourseoftheensuingsummer，tohiscampofMarcianopolis。ThethirdyearofthewarwasmorefavorabletotheRomans，andmorepernicioustotheGoths。TheinterruptionoftradedeprivedtheBarbariansoftheobjectsofluxury，whichtheyalreadyconfoundedwiththenecessariesoflife；andthedesolationofaveryextensivetractofcountrythreatenedthemwiththehorrorsoffamine。Athanaricwasprovoked，orcompelled，toriskabattle，whichhelost，intheplains；andthepursuitwasrenderedmorebloodybythecruelprecautionofthevictoriousgenerals，whohadpromisedalargerewardfortheheadofeveryGoththatwasbroughtintotheImperialcamp。ThesubmissionoftheBarbariansappeasedtheresentmentofValensandhiscouncil:theemperorlistenedwithsatisfactiontotheflatteringandeloquentremonstranceofthesenateofConstantinople，whichassumed，forthefirsttime，ashareinthepublicdeliberations；andthesamegenerals，VictorandArintheus，whohadsuccessfullydirectedtheconductofthewar，wereempoweredtoregulatetheconditionsofpeace。Thefreedomoftrade，whichtheGothshadhithertoenjoyed，wasrestrictedtotwocitiesontheDanube；therashnessoftheirleaderswasseverelypunishedbythesuppressionoftheirpensionsandsubsidies；andtheexception，whichwasstipulatedinfavorofAthanaricalone，wasmoreadvantageousthanhonorabletotheJudgeoftheVisigoths。Athanaric，who，onthisoccasion，appearstohaveconsultedhisprivateinterest，withoutexpectingtheordersofhissovereign，supportedhisowndignity，andthatofhistribe，inthepersonalinterviewwhichwasproposedbytheministersofValens。Hepersistedinhisdeclaration，thatitwasimpossibleforhim，withoutincurringtheguiltofperjury，evertosethisfootontheterritoryoftheempire；anditismorethanprobable，thathisregardforthesanctityofanoathwasconfirmedbytherecentandfatalexamplesofRomantreachery。TheDanube，whichseparatedthedominionsofthetwoindependentnations，waschosenforthesceneoftheconference。
TheemperoroftheEast，andtheJudgeoftheVisigoths，accompaniedbyanequalnumberofarmedfollowers，advancedintheirrespectivebargestothemiddleofthestream。Aftertheratificationofthetreaty，andthedeliveryofhostages，ValensreturnedintriumphtoConstantinople；andtheGothsremainedinastateoftranquillityaboutsixyears；tilltheywereviolentlyimpelledagainsttheRomanempirebyaninnumerablehostofScythians，whoappearedtoissuefromthefrozenregionsoftheNorth。^149
[Footnote148:Eunapius，inExcerpt。Legat。p。18，19。TheGreeksophistmusthaveconsideredasoneandthesamewar，thewholeseriesofGothichistorytillthevictoriesandpeaceofTheodosius。]
[Footnote149:TheGothicwarisdescribedbyAmmianus，xxvii。
6，Zosimus，l。iv。p。211—214，andThemistius，Orat。x。p。
129—141。TheoratorThemistiuswassentfromthesenateofConstantinopletocongratulatethevictoriousemperor；andhisservileeloquencecomparesValensontheDanubetoAchillesintheScamander。JornandesforgetsawarpeculiartotheVisi—Goths，andinglorioustotheGothicname，Mascon\'sHist。oftheGermans，vii。3。]
TheemperoroftheWest，whohadresignedtohisbrotherthecommandoftheLowerDanube，reservedforhisimmediatecarethedefenceoftheRhaetianandIllyrianprovinces，whichspreadsomanyhundredmilesalongthegreatestoftheEuropeanrivers。
TheactivepolicyofValentinianwascontinuallyemployedinaddingnewfortificationstothesecurityofthefrontier:buttheabuseofthispolicyprovokedthejustresentmentoftheBarbarians。TheQuadicomplained，thatthegroundforanintendedfortresshadbeenmarkedoutontheirterritories；andtheircomplaintswereurgedwithsomuchreasonandmoderation，thatEquitius，master—generalofIllyricum，consentedtosuspendtheprosecutionofthework，tillheshouldbemoreclearlyinformedofthewillofhissovereign。Thisfairoccasionofinjuringarival，andofadvancingthefortuneofhisson，waseagerlyembracedbytheinhumanMaximin，thepraefect，orrathertyrant，ofGaul。ThepassionsofValentinianwereimpatientofcontrol；andhecredulouslylistenedtotheassurancesofhisfavorite，thatifthegovernmentofValeria，andthedirectionofthework，wereintrustedtothezealofhissonMarcellinus，theemperorshouldnolongerbeimportunedwiththeaudaciousremonstrancesoftheBarbarians。ThesubjectsofRome，andthenativesofGermany，wereinsultedbythearroganceofayoungandworthlessminister，whoconsideredhisrapidelevationastheproofandrewardofhissuperiormerit。Heaffected，however，toreceivethemodestapplicationofGabinius，kingoftheQuadi，withsomeattentionandregard:butthisartfulcivilityconcealedadarkandbloodydesign，andthecredulousprincewaspersuadedtoacceptthepressinginvitationofMarcellinus。Iamatalosshowtovarythenarrativeofsimilarcrimes；orhowtorelate，that，inthecourseofthesameyear，butinremotepartsoftheempire，theinhospitabletableoftwoImperialgeneralswasstainedwiththeroyalbloodoftwoguestsandallies，inhumanlymurderedbytheirorder，andintheirpresence。ThefateofGabinius，andofPara，wasthesame:butthecrueldeathoftheirsovereignwasresentedinaverydifferentmannerbytheserviletemperoftheArmenians，andthefreeanddaringspiritoftheGermans。TheQuadiweremuchdeclinedfromthatformidablepower，which，inthetimeofMarcusAntoninus，hadspreadterrortothegatesofRome。Buttheystillpossessedarmsandcourage；theircouragewasanimatedbydespair，andtheyobtainedtheusualreenforcementofthecavalryoftheirSarmatianallies。SoimprovidentwastheassassinMarcellinus，thathechosethemomentwhenthebravestveteranshadbeendrawnaway，tosuppresstherevoltofFirmus；andthewholeprovincewasexposed，withaveryfeebledefence，totherageoftheexasperatedBarbarians。TheyinvadedPannoniaintheseasonofharvest；unmercifullydestroyedeveryobjectofplunderwhichtheycouldnoteasilytransport；andeitherdisregarded，ordemolished，theemptyfortifications。TheprincessConstantia，thedaughteroftheemperorConstantius，andthegranddaughterofthegreatConstantine，verynarrowlyescaped。Thatroyalmaid，whohadinnocentlysupportedtherevoltofProcopius，wasnowthedestinedwifeoftheheiroftheWesternempire。Shetraversedthepeacefulprovincewithasplendidandunarmedtrain。Herpersonwassavedfromdanger，andtherepublicfromdisgrace，bytheactivezealofMessala，governoroftheprovinces。Assoonashewasinformedthatthevillage，whereshestoppedonlytodine，wasalmostencompassedbytheBarbarians，hehastilyplacedherinhisownchariot，anddrovefullspeedtillhereachedthegatesofSirmium，whichwereatthedistanceofsix—and—twentymiles。EvenSirmiummightnothavebeensecure，iftheQuadiandSarmatianshaddiligentlyadvancedduringthegeneralconsternationofthemagistratesandpeople。TheirdelayallowedProbus，thePraetorianpraefect，sufficienttimetorecoverhisownspirits，andtorevivethecourageofthecitizens。Heskilfullydirectedtheirstrenuouseffortstorepairandstrengthenthedecayedfortifications；andprocuredtheseasonableandeffectualassistanceofacompanyofarchers，toprotectthecapitaloftheIllyrianprovinces。DisappointedintheirattemptsagainstthewallsofSirmium，theindignantBarbariansturnedtheirarmsagainstthemastergeneralofthefrontier，towhomtheyunjustlyattributedthemurderoftheirking。Equitiuscouldbringintothefieldnomorethantwolegions；buttheycontainedtheveteranstrengthoftheMaesianandPannonianbands。Theobstinacywithwhichtheydisputedthevainhonorsofrankandprecedency，wasthecauseoftheirdestruction；andwhiletheyactedwithseparateforcesanddividedcouncils，theyweresurprisedandslaughteredbytheactivevigoroftheSarmatianhorse。Thesuccessofthisinvasionprovokedtheemulationoftheborderingtribes；andtheprovinceofMaesiawouldinfalliblyhavebeenlost，ifyoungTheodosius，theduke，ormilitarycommander，ofthefrontier，hadnotsignalized，inthedefeatofthepublicenemy，anintrepidgenius，worthyofhisillustriousfather，andofhisfuturegreatness。^150
[Footnote150:Ammianusxxix。6andZosimusI。iv。p。219，220carefullymarktheoriginandprogressoftheQuadicandSarmatianwar。]
ChapterXXV:ReignsOfJovianAndValentinian，DivisionOfTheEmpire。
PartVII。
ThemindofValentinian，whothenresidedatTreves，wasdeeplyaffectedbythecalamitiesofIllyricum；butthelatenessoftheseasonsuspendedtheexecutionofhisdesignstilltheensuingspring。Hemarchedinperson，withaconsiderablepartoftheforcesofGaul，fromthebanksoftheMoselle:andtothesuppliantambassadorsoftheSarmatians，whomethimontheway，hereturnedadoubtfulanswer，that，assoonashereachedthesceneofaction，heshouldexamine，andpronounce。WhenhearrivedatSirmium，hegaveaudiencetothedeputiesoftheIllyrianprovinces；wholoudlycongratulatedtheirownfelicityundertheauspiciousgovernmentofProbus，hisPraetorianpraefect。^151Valentinian，whowasflatteredbythesedemonstrationsoftheirloyaltyandgratitude，imprudentlyaskedthedeputyofEpirus，aCynicphilosopherofintrepidsincerity，^152whetherhewasfreelysentbythewishesoftheprovince。