[Footnote65:ThepassageoftheDanubeisexposedbyAmmianus，xxxi。3，4，Zosimus，l。iv。p。223，224，EunapiusinExcerpt。
Legat。p。19，20，andJornandes，c。25，26。Ammianusdeclaresc。5thathemeansonly，ispasrerumdigereresummitates。Butheoftentakesafalsemeasureoftheirimportance；andhissuperfluousprolixityisdisagreeablybalancedbyhisunseasonablebrevity。]
[Footnote66:Chishull，acurioustraveller，hasremarkedthebreadthoftheDanube，whichhepassedtothesouthofBucharestneartheconfluxoftheArgish，p。77。HeadmiresthebeautyandspontaneousplentyofMaesia，orBulgaria。]
[Footnote67:Quemsciscirevelit，LibycivelitaequorisidemDiscerequammultaeZephyroturbenturharenae。
Ammianushasinserted，inhisprose，theselinesofVirgil，Georgial。ii。105，originallydesignedbythepoettoexpresstheimpossibilityofnumberingthedifferentsortsofvines。SeePlin。Hist。Naturl。xiv。]
[Footnote*:Averycurious，butobscure，passageofEunapius，appearstometohavebeenmisunderstoodbyM。Mai，towhomweoweitsdiscovery。Thesubstanceisasfollows:\"TheGothstransportedovertherivertheirnativedeities，withtheirpriestsofbothsexes；butconcerningtheirritestheymaintainedadeepand\'adamantinesilence。\'TotheRomanstheypretendedtobegenerallyChristians，andplacedcertainpersonstorepresentbishopsinaconspicuousmannerontheirwagons。Therewasevenamongthemasortofwhatarecalledmonks，personswhomitwasnotdifficulttomimic；itwasenoughtowearblackraiment，tobewicked，andheldinrespect。\"Eunapiushatedthe\"black—robedmonks，\"asappearsinanotherpassage，withthecordialdetestationofaheathenphilosopher。\"Thus，whiletheyfaithfullybutsecretlyadheredtotheirownreligion，theRomanswereweakenoughtosupposethemperfectChristians。\"Mai，277。
EunapiusinNiebuhr，82。—M]
[Footnote68:EunapiusandZosimuscuriouslyspecifythesearticlesofGothicwealthandluxury。Yetitmustbepresumed，thattheywerethemanufacturesoftheprovinces；whichtheBarbarianshadacquiredasthespoilsofwar；orasthegifts，ormerchandise，ofpeace。]
AnundisciplinedandunsettlednationofBarbariansrequiredthefirmesttemper，andthemostdexterousmanagement。Thedailysubsistenceofnearamillionofextraordinarysubjectscouldbesuppliedonlybyconstantandskilfuldiligence，andmightcontinuallybeinterruptedbymistakeoraccident。Theinsolence，ortheindignation，oftheGoths，iftheyconceivedthemselvestobetheobjectseitheroffearorofcontempt，mighturgethemtothemostdesperateextremities；andthefortuneofthestateseemedtodependontheprudence，aswellastheintegrity，ofthegeneralsofValens。Atthisimportantcrisis，themilitarygovernmentofThracewasexercisedbyLupicinusandMaximus，inwhosevenalmindstheslightesthopeofprivateemolumentoutweighedeveryconsiderationofpublicadvantage；andwhoseguiltwasonlyalleviatedbytheirincapacityofdiscerningtheperniciouseffectsoftheirrashandcriminaladministration。
Insteadofobeyingtheordersoftheirsovereign，andsatisfying，withdecentliberality，thedemandsoftheGoths，theyleviedanungenerousandoppressivetaxonthewantsofthehungryBarbarians。Thevilestfoodwassoldatanextravagantprice；
and，intheroomofwholesomeandsubstantialprovisions，themarketswerefilledwiththefleshofdogs，andofuncleananimals，whohaddiedofdisease。Toobtainthevaluableacquisitionofapoundofbread，theGothsresignedthepossessionofanexpensive，thoughserviceable，slave；andasmallquantityofmeatwasgreedilypurchasedwithtenpoundsofaprecious，butuselessmetal，^69whentheirpropertywasexhausted，theycontinuedthisnecessarytrafficbythesaleoftheirsonsanddaughters；andnotwithstandingtheloveoffreedom，whichanimatedeveryGothicbreast，theysubmittedtothehumiliatingmaxim，thatitwasbetterfortheirchildrentobemaintainedinaservilecondition，thantoperishinastateofwretchedandhelplessindependence。Themostlivelyresentmentisexcitedbythetyrannyofpretendedbenefactors，whosternlyexactthedebtofgratitudewhichtheyhavecancelledbysubsequentinjuries:aspiritofdiscontentinsensiblyaroseinthecampoftheBarbarians，whopleaded，withoutsuccess，themeritoftheirpatientanddutifulbehavior；andloudlycomplainedoftheinhospitabletreatmentwhichtheyhadreceivedfromtheirnewallies。Theybeheldaroundthemthewealthandplentyofafertileprovince，inthemidstofwhichtheysufferedtheintolerablehardshipsofartificialfamine。Butthemeansofrelief，andevenofrevenge，wereintheirhands；sincetherapaciousnessoftheirtyrantshadlefttoaninjuredpeoplethepossessionandtheuseofarms。Theclamorsofamultitude，untaughttodisguisetheirsentiments，announcedthefirstsymptomsofresistance，andalarmedthetimidandguiltymindsofLupicinusandMaximus。Thosecraftyministers，whosubstitutedthecunningoftemporaryexpedientstothewiseandsalutarycounselsofgeneralpolicy，attemptedtoremovetheGothsfromtheirdangerousstationonthefrontiersoftheempire；andtodispersethem，inseparatequartersofcantonment，throughtheinteriorprovinces。Astheywereconscioushowilltheyhaddeservedtherespect，orconfidence，oftheBarbarians，theydiligentlycollected，fromeveryside，amilitaryforce，thatmighturgethetardyandreluctantmarchofapeople，whohadnotyetrenouncedthetitle，ortheduties，ofRomansubjects。ButthegeneralsofValens，whiletheirattentionwassolelydirectedtothediscontentedVisigoths，imprudentlydisarmedtheshipsandthefortificationswhichconstitutedthedefenceoftheDanube。
Thefataloversightwasobserved，andimproved，byAlatheusandSaphrax，whoanxiouslywatchedthefavorablemomentofescapingfromthepursuitoftheHuns。Bythehelpofsuchraftsandvesselsascouldbehastilyprocured，theleadersoftheOstrogothstransported，withoutopposition，theirkingandtheirarmy；andboldlyfixedahostileandindependentcampontheterritoriesoftheempire。^70
[Footnote69:Decemlibras；thewordsilvermustbeunderstood。
JornandesbetraysthepassionsandprejudicesofaGoth。TheservileGeeks，EunapiusandZosimus，disguisetheRomanoppression，andexecratetheperfidyoftheBarbarians。
Ammianus，apatriothistorian，slightly，andreluctantly，touchesontheodioussubject。Jerom，whowrotealmostonthespot，isfair，thoughconcise。Peravaritaimaximiducis，adrebellionemfamecoactisunt，inChron。
Note:AnewpassagefromthehistoryofEunapiusisnearertothetruth。\'ItappearedtoourcommandersalegitimatesourceofgaintobebribedbytheBarbarians:Edit。Niebuhr，p。82。—
M。]
[Footnote70:Ammianus，xxxi。4，5。]
UnderthenameofJudges，AlavivusandFritigernweretheleadersoftheVisigothsinpeaceandwar；andtheauthoritywhichtheyderivedfromtheirbirthwasratifiedbythefreeconsentofthenation。Inaseasonoftranquility，theirpowermighthavebeenequal，aswellastheirrank；but，assoonastheircountrymenwereexasperatedbyhungerandoppression，thesuperiorabilitiesofFritigernassumedthemilitarycommand，whichhewasqualifiedtoexerciseforthepublicwelfare。HerestrainedtheimpatientspiritoftheVisigothstilltheinjuriesandtheinsultsoftheirtyrantsshouldjustifytheirresistanceintheopinionofmankind:buthewasnotdisposedtosacrificeanysolidadvantagesfortheemptypraiseofjusticeandmoderation。SensibleofthebenefitswhichwouldresultfromtheunionoftheGothicpowersunderthesamestandard，hesecretlycultivatedthefriendshipoftheOstrogoths；andwhileheprofessedanimplicitobediencetotheordersoftheRomangenerals，heproceededbyslowmarchestowardsMarcianopolis，thecapitaloftheLowerMaesia，aboutseventymilesfromthebanksoftheDanube。Onthatfatalspot，theflamesofdiscordandmutualhatredburstforthintoadreadfulconflagration。
LupicinushadinvitedtheGothicchiefstoasplendidentertainment；andtheirmartialtrainremainedunderarmsattheentranceofthepalace。Butthegatesofthecitywerestrictlyguarded，andtheBarbariansweresternlyexcludedfromtheuseofaplentifulmarket，towhichtheyassertedtheirequalclaimofsubjectsandallies。Theirhumbleprayerswererejectedwithinsolenceandderision；andastheirpatiencewasnowexhausted，thetownsmen，thesoldiers，andtheGoths，weresooninvolvedinaconflictofpassionatealtercationandangryreproaches。A
blowwasimprudentlygiven；aswordwashastilydrawn；andthefirstbloodthatwasspiltinthisaccidentalquarrel，becamethesignalofalonganddestructivewar。Inthemidstofnoiseandbrutalintemperance，Lupicinuswasinformed，byasecretmessenger，thatmanyofhissoldierswereslain，anddespoiledoftheirarms；andashewasalreadyinflamedbywine，andoppressedbysleepheissuedarashcommand，thattheirdeathshouldberevengedbythemassacreoftheguardsofFritigernandAlavivus。
TheclamorousshoutsanddyinggroansapprisedFritigernofhisextremedanger；and，ashepossessedthecalmandintrepidspiritofahero，hesawthathewaslostifheallowedamomentofdeliberationtothemanwhohadsodeeplyinjuredhim。\"A
triflingdispute，\"saidtheGothicleader，withafirmbutgentletoneofvoice，\"appearstohavearisenbetweenthetwonations；
butitmaybeproductiveofthemostdangerousconsequences，unlessthetumultisimmediatelypacifiedbytheassuranceofoursafety，andtheauthorityofourpresence。\"Atthesewords，Fritigernandhiscompanionsdrewtheirswords，openedtheirpassagethroughtheunresistingcrowd，whichfilledthepalace，thestreets，andthegates，ofMarcianopolis，and，mountingtheirhorses，hastilyvanishedfromtheeyesoftheastonishedRomans。
ThegeneralsoftheGothsweresalutedbythefierceandjoyfulacclamationsofthecamp；warwasinstantlyresolved，andtheresolutionwasexecutedwithoutdelay:thebannersofthenationweredisplayedaccordingtothecustomoftheirancestors；andtheairresoundedwiththeharshandmournfulmusicoftheBarbariantrumpet。^71TheweakandguiltyLupicinus，whohaddaredtoprovoke，whohadneglectedtodestroy，andwhostillpresumedtodespise，hisformidableenemy，marchedagainsttheGoths，attheheadofsuchamilitaryforceascouldbecollectedonthissuddenemergency。TheBarbariansexpectedhisapproachaboutninemilesfromMarcianopolis；andonthisoccasionthetalentsofthegeneralwerefoundtobeofmoreprevailingefficacythantheweaponsanddisciplineofthetroops。ThevaloroftheGothswassoablydirectedbythegeniusofFritigern，thattheybroke，byacloseandvigorousattack，theranksoftheRomanlegions。Lupicinuslefthisarmsandstandards，histribunesandhisbravestsoldiers，onthefieldofbattle；andtheiruselesscourageservedonlytoprotecttheignominiousflightoftheirleader。\"ThatsuccessfuldayputanendtothedistressoftheBarbarians，andthesecurityoftheRomans:fromthatday，theGoths，renouncingtheprecariousconditionofstrangersandexiles，assumedthecharacterofcitizensandmasters，claimedanabsolutedominionoverthepossessorsofland，andheld，intheirownright，thenorthernprovincesoftheempire，whichareboundedbytheDanube。\"SucharethewordsoftheGothichistorian，^72whocelebrates，withrudeeloquence，thegloryofhiscountrymen。ButthedominionoftheBarbarianswasexercisedonlyforthepurposesofrapineanddestruction。Astheyhadbeendeprived，bytheministersoftheemperor，ofthecommonbenefitsofnature，andthefairintercourseofsociallife，theyretaliatedtheinjusticeonthesubjectsoftheempire；andthecrimesofLupicinuswereexpiatedbytheruinofthepeacefulhusbandmenofThrace，theconflagrationoftheirvillages，andthemassacre，orcaptivity，oftheirinnocentfamilies。ThereportoftheGothicvictorywassoondiffusedovertheadjacentcountry；andwhileitfilledthemindsoftheRomanswithterroranddismay，theirownhastyimprudencecontributedtoincreasetheforcesofFritigern，andthecalamitiesoftheprovince。Sometimebeforethegreatemigration，anumerousbodyofGoths，underthecommandofSueridandColias，hadbeenreceivedintotheprotectionandserviceoftheempire。^73TheywereencampedunderthewallsofHadrianople；buttheministersofValenswereanxioustoremovethembeyondtheHellespont，atadistancefromthedangeroustemptationwhichmightsoeasilybecommunicatedbytheneighborhood，andthesuccess，oftheircountrymen。Therespectfulsubmissionwithwhichtheyyieldedtotheorderoftheirmarch，mightbeconsideredasaproofoftheirfidelity；
andtheirmoderaterequestofasufficientallowanceofprovisions，andofadelayofonlytwodayswasexpressedinthemostdutifulterms。ButthefirstmagistrateofHadrianople，incensedbysomedisorderswhichhadbeencommittedathiscountry—house，refusedthisindulgence；andarmingagainstthemtheinhabitantsandmanufacturersofapopulouscity，heurged，withhostilethreats，theirinstantdeparture。TheBarbariansstoodsilentandamazed，tilltheywereexasperatedbytheinsultingclamors，andmissileweapons，ofthepopulace:butwhenpatienceorcontemptwasfatigued，theycrushedtheundisciplinedmultitude，inflictedmanyashamefulwoundonthebacksoftheirflyingenemies，anddespoiledthemofthesplendidarmor，^74
whichtheywereunworthytobear。TheresemblanceoftheirsufferingsandtheiractionssoonunitedthisvictoriousdetachmenttothenationoftheVisigoths；thetroopsofColiasandSueridexpectedtheapproachofthegreatFritigern，rangedthemselvesunderhisstandard，andsignalizedtheirardorinthesiegeofHadrianople。ButtheresistanceofthegarrisoninformedtheBarbarians，thatintheattackofregularfortifications，theeffortsofunskillfulcourageareseldomeffectual。Theirgeneralacknowledgedhiserror，raisedthesiege，declaredthat\"hewasatpeacewithstonewalls，\"^75andrevengedhisdisappointmentontheadjacentcountry。Heaccepted，withpleasure，theusefulreenforcementofhardyworkmen，wholaboredinthegoldminesofThrace，^76fortheemolument，andunderthelash，ofanunfeelingmaster:^77andthesenewassociatesconductedtheBarbarians，throughthesecretpaths，tothemostsequesteredplaces，whichhadbeenchosentosecuretheinhabitants，thecattle，andthemagazinesofcorn。
Withtheassistanceofsuchguides，nothingcouldremainimperviousorinaccessible；resistancewasfatal；flightwasimpracticable；andthepatientsubmissionofhelplessinnocenceseldomfoundmercyfromtheBarbarianconqueror。Inthecourseofthesedepredations，agreatnumberofthechildrenoftheGoths，whohadbeensoldintocaptivity，wererestoredtotheembracesoftheirafflictedparents；butthesetenderinterviews，whichmighthaverevivedandcherishedintheirmindssomesentimentsofhumanity，tendedonlytostimulatetheirnativefiercenessbythedesireofrevenge。Theylistened，witheagerattention，tothecomplaintsoftheircaptivechildren，whohadsufferedthemostcruelindignitiesfromthelustfulorangrypassionsoftheirmasters，andthesamecruelties，thesameindignities，wereseverelyretaliatedonthesonsanddaughtersoftheRomans。^78
[Footnote71:Vexillisdemoresublatis，auditisquetrisiesonantibusclassicis。Ammian。xxxi。5。ThesearetheraucacornuaofClaudian，inRufin。ii。57，thelargehornsoftheUri，orwildbull；suchashavebeenmorerecentlyusedbytheSwissCantonsofUriandUnderwald。SimlerdeRepublicaHelvet，l。ii。p。201，edit。Fuselin。Tigur1734。Theirmilitaryhornisfinely，thoughperhapscasually，introducedinanoriginalnarrativeofthebattleofNancy，A。D。1477。\"Attendantlecombatleditcorfutcornepartroisfois，tantqueleventdusoufflerpouvoitdurer:cequiesbahitfortMonsieurdeBourgoigne；cardejaaMoratl\'avoitouy。\"SeethePiecesJustificativesinthe4to。editionofPhilippedeComines，tom。
iii。p。493。]
[Footnote72:JornandesdeRebusGeticis，c。26，p。648，edit。
Grot。ThesesplendidipanmtheyarecomparativelysuchareundoubtedlytranscribedfromthelargerhistoriesofPriscus，Ablavius，orCassiodorus。]
[Footnote73:Cumpopulissuislongeantesuscepti。Weareignorantoftheprecisedateandcircumstancesoftheirtransmigration。]
[Footnote74:AnImperialmanufactureofshields，&c。，wasestablishedatHadrianople；andthepopulacewereheadedbytheFabricenses，orworkmen。Vales。adAmmian。xxxi。6。]
[Footnote75:Pacemsibiessecumparietibusmemorans。Ammian。
xxxi。7。]
[Footnote76:ThesemineswereinthecountryoftheBessi，intheridgeofmountains，theRhodope，thatrunsbetweenPhilippiandPhilippopolis；twoMacedoniancities，whichderivedtheirnameandoriginfromthefatherofAlexander。FromtheminesofThraceheannuallyreceivedthevalue，nottheweight，ofathousandtalents，200，000l。，arevenuewhichpaidthephalanx，andcorruptedtheoratorsofGreece。SeeDiodor。Siculus，tom。
ii。l。xvi。p。88，edit。Wesseling。Godefroy\'sCommentaryontheTheodosianCode，tom。iii。p。496。Cellarius，Geograph。Antiq。
tom。i。p。676，857。DAnville，GeographieAncienne，tom。i。p。
336。]
[Footnote77:Asthoseunhappyworkmenoftenranaway，Valenshadenactedseverelawstodragthemfromtheirhiding—places。Cod。
Theodosian，l。x。titxixleg。5，7。]
[Footnote78:SeeAmmianus，xxxi。5，6。ThehistorianoftheGothicwarlosestimeandspace，byanunseasonablerecapitulationoftheancientinroadsoftheBarbarians。]
TheimprudenceofValensandhisministershadintroducedintotheheartoftheempireanationofenemies；buttheVisigothsmightevenyethavebeenreconciled，bythemanlyconfessionofpasterrors，andthesincereperformanceofformerengagements。ThesehealingandtemperatemeasuresseemedtoconcurwiththetimorousdispositionofthesovereignoftheEast:but，onthisoccasionalone，Valenswasbrave；andhisunseasonablebraverywasfataltohimselfandtohissubjects。
HedeclaredhisintentionofmarchingfromAntiochtoConstantinople，tosubduethisdangerousrebellion；and，ashewasnotignorantofthedifficultiesoftheenterprise，hesolicitedtheassistanceofhisnephew，theemperorGratian，whocommandedalltheforcesoftheWest。TheveterantroopswerehastilyrecalledfromthedefenceofArmenia；thatimportantfrontierwasabandonedtothediscretionofSapor；andtheimmediateconductoftheGothicwarwasintrusted，duringtheabsenceofValens，tohislieutenantsTrajanandProfuturus，twogeneralswhoindulgedthemselvesinaveryfalseandfavorableopinionoftheirownabilities。OntheirarrivalinThrace，theywerejoinedbyRichomer，countofthedomestics；andtheauxiliariesoftheWest，thatmarchedunderhisbanner，werecomposedoftheGalliclegions，reducedindeed，byaspiritofdesertion，tothevainappearancesofstrengthandnumbers。Inacouncilofwar，whichwasinfluencedbypride，ratherthanbyreason，itwasresolvedtoseek，andtoencounter，theBarbarians，wholayencampedinthespaciousandfertilemeadows，nearthemostsouthernofthesixmouthsoftheDanube。^79Theircampwassurroundedbytheusualfortificationofwagons；^80andtheBarbarians，securewithinthevastcircleoftheenclosure，enjoyedthefruitsoftheirvalor，andthespoilsoftheprovince。Inthemidstofriotousintemperance，thewatchfulFritigernobservedthemotions，andpenetratedthedesigns，oftheRomans。Heperceived，thatthenumbersoftheenemywerecontinuallyincreasing:and，asheunderstoodtheirintentionofattackinghisrear，assoonasthescarcityofforageshouldobligehimtoremovehiscamp，herecalledtotheirstandardhispredatorydetachments，whichcoveredtheadjacentcountry。Assoonastheydescriedtheflamingbeacons，^81theyobeyed，withincrediblespeed，thesignaloftheirleader:thecampwasfilledwiththemartialcrowdofBarbarians；theirimpatientclamorsdemandedthebattle，andtheirtumultuouszealwasapprovedandanimatedbythespiritoftheirchiefs。Theeveningwasalreadyfaradvanced；andthetwoarmiespreparedthemselvesfortheapproachingcombat，whichwasdeferredonlytillthedawnofday。