ThecharacterofTheodosiusimposedonhisministerthetaskofhypocrisy，whichdisguised，andsometimesrestrained，theabuseofpower；andRufinuswasapprehensiveofdisturbingtheindolentslumberofaprincestillcapableofexertingtheabilitiesandthevirtue，whichhadraisedhimtothethrone。^10
Buttheabsence，and，soonafterwards，thedeath，oftheemperor，confirmedtheabsoluteauthorityofRufinusoverthepersonanddominionsofArcadius；afeebleyouth，whomtheimperiouspraefectconsideredashispupil，ratherthanhissovereign。
Regardlessofthepublicopinion，heindulgedhispassionswithoutremorse，andwithoutresistance；andhismalignantandrapaciousspiritrejectedeverypassionthatmighthavecontributedtohisownglory，orthehappinessofthepeople。
Hisavarice，^11whichseemstohaveprevailed，inhiscorruptmind，overeveryothersentiment，attractedthewealthoftheEast，bythevariousartsofpartialandgeneralextortion；
oppressivetaxes，scandalousbribery，immoderatefines，unjustconfiscations，forcedorfictitioustestaments，bywhichthetyrantdespoiledoftheirlawfulinheritancethechildrenofstrangers，orenemies；andthepublicsaleofjustice，aswellasoffavor，whichheinstitutedinthepalaceofConstantinople。
Theambitiouscandidateeagerlysolicited，attheexpenseofthefairestpartofhispatrimony，thehonorsandemolumentsofsomeprovincialgovernment；thelivesandfortunesoftheunhappypeoplewereabandonedtothemostliberalpurchaser；andthepublicdiscontentwassometimesappeasedbythesacrificeofanunpopularcriminal，whosepunishmentwasprofitableonlytothepraefectoftheEast，hisaccompliceandhisjudge。Ifavaricewerenottheblindestofthehumanpassions，themotivesofRufinusmightexciteourcuriosity；andwemightbetemptedtoinquirewithwhatviewheviolatedeveryprincipleofhumanityandjustice，toaccumulatethoseimmensetreasures，whichhecouldnotspendwithoutfolly，norpossesswithoutdanger。
Perhapshevainlyimagined，thathelaboredfortheinterestofanonlydaughter，onwhomheintendedtobestowhisroyalpupil，andtheaugustrankofEmpressoftheEast。Perhapshedeceivedhimselfbytheopinion，thathisavaricewastheinstrumentofhisambition。Heaspiredtoplacehisfortuneonasecureandindependentbasis，whichshouldnolongerdependonthecapriceoftheyoungemperor；yetheneglectedtoconciliatetheheartsofthesoldiersandpeople，bytheliberaldistributionofthoseriches，whichhehadacquiredwithsomuchtoil，andwithsomuchguilt。TheextremeparsimonyofRufinuslefthimonlythereproachandenvyofill—gottenwealth；hisdependantsservedhimwithoutattachment；theuniversalhatredofmankindwasrepressedonlybytheinfluenceofservilefear。ThefateofLucianproclaimedtotheEast，thatthepraefect，whoseindustrywasmuchabatedinthedespatchofordinarybusiness，wasactiveandindefatigableinthepursuitofrevenge。Lucian，thesonofthepraefectFlorentius，theoppressorofGaul，andtheenemyofJulian，hademployedaconsiderablepartofhisinheritance，thefruitofrapineandcorruption，topurchasethefriendshipofRufinus，andthehighofficeofCountoftheEast。Butthenewmagistrateimprudentlydepartedfromthemaximsofthecourt，andofthetimes；disgracedhisbenefactorbythecontrastofavirtuousandtemperateadministration；andpresumedtorefuseanactofinjustice，whichmighthavetendedtotheprofitoftheemperor\'suncle。Arcadiuswaseasilypersuadedtoresentthesupposedinsult；andthepraefectoftheEastresolvedtoexecuteinpersonthecruelvengeance，whichhemeditatedagainstthisungratefuldelegateofhispower。Heperformedwithincessantspeedthejourneyofsevenoreighthundredmiles，fromConstantinopletoAntioch，enteredthecapitalofSyriaatthedeadofnight，andspreaduniversalconsternationamongapeopleignorantofhisdesign，butnotignorantofhischaracter。TheCountofthefifteenprovincesoftheEastwasdragged，likethevilestmalefactor，beforethearbitrarytribunalofRufinus。
Notwithstandingtheclearestevidenceofhisintegrity，whichwasnotimpeachedevenbythevoiceofanaccuser，Lucianwascondemned，almostwithoutatrial，tosufferacruelandignominiouspunishment。Theministersofthetyrant，bytheorders，andinthepresence，oftheirmaster，beathimontheneckwithleatherthongsarmedattheextremitieswithlead；andwhenhefaintedundertheviolenceofthepain，hewasremovedinacloselitter，toconcealhisdyingagoniesfromtheeyesoftheindignantcity。NosoonerhadRufinusperpetratedthisinhumanact，thesoleobjectofhisexpedition，thanhereturned，amidstthedeepandsilentcursesofatremblingpeople，fromAntiochtoConstantinople；andhisdiligencewasacceleratedbythehopeofaccomplishing，withoutdelay，thenuptialsofhisdaughterwiththeemperoroftheEast。^12
[Footnote10:MontesquieuEspritdesLoix，l。xii。c。12
praisesoneofthelawsofTheodosiusaddressedtothepraefectRufinus，l。ix。tit。iv。leg。unic。，todiscouragetheprosecutionoftreasonable，orsacrilegious，words。Atyrannicalstatutealwaysprovestheexistenceoftyranny；butalaudableedictmayonlycontainthespeciousprofessions，orineffectualwishes，oftheprince，orhisministers。This，Iamafraid，isajust，thoughmortifying，canonofcriticism。]
[Footnote11:—fluctibusauriExplerisitisistanequit—
———————
Congestaecumulanturopes；orbisqueruinasAccipitunadomus。
ThischaracterClaudian，in。Rufin。i。184—220isconfirmedbyJerom，adisinterestedwitness，dedecusinsatiabilisavaritiae，tom。i。adHeliodor。p。26，byZosimus，l。v。p。
286，andbySuidas，whocopiedthehistoryofEunapius。]
Footnote12:—Caeterasegnis；
Adfacinusvelox；penitusregioneremotasImpigerirevias。
ThisallusionofClaudianinRufin。i。241isagainexplainedbythecircumstantialnarrativeofZosimus，l。v。p。288，289。]
ButRufinussoonexperienced，thataprudentministershouldconstantlysecurehisroyalcaptivebythestrong，thoughinvisiblechainofhabit；andthatthemerit，andmuchmoreeasilythefavor，oftheabsent，areobliteratedinashorttimefromthemindofaweakandcapricioussovereign。WhilethepraefectsatiatedhisrevengeatAntioch，asecretconspiracyofthefavoriteeunuchs，directedbythegreatchamberlainEutropius，underminedhispowerinthepalaceofConstantinople。
TheydiscoveredthatArcadiuswasnotinclinedtolovethedaughterofRufinus，whohadbeenchosen，withouthisconsent，forhisbride；andtheycontrivedtosubstituteinherplacethefairEudoxia，thedaughterofBauto，^13ageneraloftheFranksintheserviceofRome；andwhowaseducated，sincethedeathofherfather，inthefamilyofthesonsofPromotus。Theyoungemperor，whosechastityhadbeenstrictlyguardedbythepiouscareofhistutorArsenius，^14eagerlylistenedtotheartfulandflatteringdescriptionsofthecharmsofEudoxia:hegazedwithimpatientardoronherpicture，andheunderstoodthenecessityofconcealinghisamorousdesignsfromtheknowledgeofaministerwhowassodeeplyinterestedtoopposetheconsummationofhishappiness。SoonafterthereturnofRufinus，theapproachingceremonyoftheroyalnuptialswasannouncedtothepeopleofConstantinople，whopreparedtocelebrate，withfalseandhollowacclamations，thefortuneofhisdaughter。A
splendidtrainofeunuchsandofficersissued，inhymenealpomp，fromthegatesofthepalace；bearingaloftthediadem，therobes，andtheinestimableornaments，ofthefutureempress。Thesolemnprocessionpassedthroughthestreetsofthecity，whichwereadornedwithgarlands，andfilledwithspectators；butwhenitreachedthehouseofthesonsofPromotus，theprincipaleunuchrespectfullyenteredthemansion，investedthefairEudoxiawiththeImperialrobes，andconductedherintriumphtothepalaceandbedofArcadius。^15ThesecrecyandsuccesswithwhichthisconspiracyagainstRufinushadbeenconducted，imprintedamarkofindelibleridiculeonthecharacterofaminister，whohadsufferedhimselftobedeceived，inapostwheretheartsofdeceitanddissimulationconstitutethemostdistinguishedmerit。Heconsidered，withamixtureofindignationandfear，thevictoryofanaspiringeunuch，whohadsecretlycaptivatedthefavorofhissovereign；andthedisgraceofhisdaughter，whoseinterestwasinseparablyconnectedwithhisown，woundedthetenderness，or，atleast，theprideofRufinus。Atthemomentwhenheflatteredhimselfthatheshouldbecomethefatherofalineofkings，aforeignmaid，whohadbeeneducatedinthehouseofhisimplacableenemies，wasintroducedintotheImperialbed；andEudoxiasoondisplayedasuperiorityofsenseandspirit，toimprovetheascendantwhichherbeautymustacquireoverthemindofafondandyouthfulhusband。Theemperorwouldsoonbeinstructedtohate，tofear，andtodestroythepowerfulsubject，whomhehadinjured；andtheconsciousnessofguiltdeprivedRufinusofeveryhope，eitherofsafetyorcomfort，intheretirementofaprivatelife。Buthestillpossessedthemosteffectualmeansofdefendinghisdignity，andperhapsofoppressinghisenemies。ThepraefectstillexercisedanuncontrolledauthorityoverthecivilandmilitarygovernmentoftheEast；andhistreasures，ifhecouldresolvetousethem，mightbeemployedtoprocureproperinstrumentsfortheexecutionoftheblackestdesigns，thatpride，ambition，andrevengecouldsuggesttoadesperatestatesman。ThecharacterofRufinusseemedtojustifytheaccusationsthatheconspiredagainstthepersonofhissovereign，toseathimselfonthevacantthrone；andthathehadsecretlyinvitedtheHunsandtheGothstoinvadetheprovincesoftheempire，andtoincreasethepublicconfusion。Thesubtlepraefect，whoselifehadbeenspentintheintriguesofthepalace，opposed，withequalarms，theartfulmeasuresoftheeunuchEutropius；butthetimidsoulofRufinuswasastonishedbythehostileapproachofamoreformidablerival，ofthegreatStilicho，thegeneral，orratherthemaster，oftheempireoftheWest。^16
[Footnote13:Zosimusl。iv。p。243praisesthevalor，prudence，andintegrityofBautotheFrank。SeeTillemont，Hist。
desEmpereurs，tom。v。p。771。]
[Footnote14:ArseniusescapedfromthepalaceofConstantinople，andpassedfifty—fiveyearsinrigidpenanceinthemonasteriesofEgypt。SeeTillemont，Mem。Eccles。tom。xiv。p。676—702；
andFleury，HistEccles。tom。v。p。1，&c。；butthelatter，forwantofauthenticmaterials，hasgiventoomuchcredittothelegendofMetaphrastes。]
[Footnote15:ThisstoryZosimus，l。v。p。290provesthatthehymenealritesofantiquitywerestillpractised，withoutidolatry，bytheChristiansoftheEast；andthebridewasforciblyconductedfromthehouseofherparentstothatofherhusband。Ourformofmarriagerequires，withlessdelicacy，theexpressandpublicconsentofavirgin。]
[Footnote16:Zosimus，l。v。p。290，Orosius，l。vii。c。37，
andtheChronicleofMarcellinus。ClaudianinRufin。ii。7—
100paints，inlivelycolors，thedistressandguiltofthepraefect。]
Thecelestialgift，whichAchillesobtained，andAlexanderenvied，ofapoetworthytocelebratetheactionsofheroeshasbeenenjoyedbyStilicho，inamuchhigherdegreethanmighthavebeenexpectedfromthedecliningstateofgenius，andofart。
ThemuseofClaudian，^17devotedtohisservice，wasalwayspreparedtostigmatizehisadversaries，Rufinus，orEutropius，witheternalinfamy；ortopaint，inthemostsplendidcolors，thevictoriesandvirtuesofapowerfulbenefactor。Inthereviewofaperiodindifferentlysuppliedwithauthenticmaterials，wecannotrefusetoillustratetheannalsofHonorius，fromtheinvectives，orthepanegyrics，ofacontemporarywriter；
butasClaudianappearstohaveindulgedthemostampleprivilegeofapoetandacourtier，somecriticismwillberequisitetotranslatethelanguageoffictionorexaggeration，intothetruthandsimplicityofhistoricprose。HissilenceconcerningthefamilyofStilichomaybeadmittedasaproof，thathispatronwasneitherable，nordesirous，toboastofalongseriesofillustriousprogenitors；andtheslightmentionofhisfather，anofficerofBarbariancavalryintheserviceofValens，seemstocountenancetheassertion，thatthegeneral，whosolongcommandedthearmiesofRome，wasdescendedfromthesavageandperfidiousraceoftheVandals。^18IfStilichohadnotpossessedtheexternaladvantagesofstrengthandstature，themostflatteringbard，inthepresenceofsomanythousandspectators，wouldhavehesitatedtoaffirm，thathesurpassedthemeasureofthedemi—godsofantiquity；andthatwheneverhemoved，withloftysteps，throughthestreetsofthecapital，theastonishedcrowdmaderoomforthestranger，whodisplayed，inaprivatecondition，theawfulmajestyofahero。Fromhisearliestyouthheembracedtheprofessionofarms；hisprudenceandvalorweresoondistinguishedinthefield；thehorsemenandarchersoftheEastadmiredhissuperiordexterity；andineachdegreeofhismilitarypromotions，thepublicjudgmentalwayspreventedandapprovedthechoiceofthesovereign。Hewasnamed，byTheodosius，toratifyasolemntreatywiththemonarchofPersia；
hesupported，duringthatimportantembassy，thedignityoftheRomanname；andafterhereturntoConstantinople，hismeritwasrewardedbyanintimateandhonorablealliancewiththeImperialfamily。Theodosiushadbeenprompted，byapiousmotiveoffraternalaffection，toadopt，forhisown，thedaughterofhisbrotherHonorius；thebeautyandaccomplishmentsofSerena^19
wereuniversallyadmiredbytheobsequiouscourt；andStilichoobtainedthepreferenceoveracrowdofrivals，whoambitiouslydisputedthehandoftheprincess，andthefavorofheradoptedfather。^20TheassurancethatthehusbandofSerenawouldbefaithfultothethrone，whichhewaspermittedtoapproach，engagedtheemperortoexaltthefortunes，andtoemploytheabilities，ofthesagaciousandintrepidStilicho。Herose，throughthesuccessivestepsofmasterofthehorse，andcountofthedomestics，tothesupremerankofmaster—generalofallthecavalryandinfantryoftheRoman，oratleastoftheWestern，empire；^21andhisenemiesconfessed，thatheinvariablydisdainedtobarterforgoldtherewardsofmerit，ortodefraudthesoldiersofthepayandgratificationswhichtheydeservedorclaimed，fromtheliberalityofthestate。^22Thevalorandconductwhichheafterwardsdisplayed，inthedefenceofItaly，againstthearmsofAlaricandRadagaisus，mayjustifythefameofhisearlyachievementsandinanagelessattentivetothelawsofhonor，orofpride，theRomangeneralsmightyieldthepreeminenceofrank，totheascendantofsuperiorgenius。^23Helamented，andrevenged，themurderofPromotus，hisrivalandhisfriend；andthemassacreofmanythousandsoftheflyingBastarnaeisrepresentedbythepoetasabloodysacrifice，whichtheRomanAchillesofferedtothemanesofanotherPatroclus。
ThevirtuesandvictoriesofStilichodeservedthehatredofRufinus:andtheartsofcalumnymighthavebeensuccessfulifthetenderandvigilantSerenahadnotprotectedherhusbandagainsthisdomesticfoes，whilsthevanquishedinthefieldtheenemiesoftheempire。^24Theodosiuscontinuedtosupportanunworthyminister，towhosediligencehedelegatedthegovernmentofthepalace，andoftheEast；butwhenhemarchedagainstthetyrantEugenius，heassociatedhisfaithfulgeneraltothelaborsandgloriesofthecivilwar；andinthelastmomentsofhislife，thedyingmonarchrecommendedtoStilichothecareofhissons，andoftherepublic。^25TheambitionandtheabilitiesofStilichowerenotunequaltotheimportanttrust；andheclaimedtheguardianshipofthetwoempires，duringtheminorityofArcadiusandHonorius。^26Thefirstmeasureofhisadministration，orratherofhisreign，displayedtothenationsthevigorandactivityofaspiritworthytocommand。HepassedtheAlpsinthedepthofwinter；descendedthestreamoftheRhine，fromthefortressofBasiltothemarshesofBatavia；
reviewedthestateofthegarrisons；repressedtheenterprisesoftheGermans；and，afterestablishingalongthebanksafirmandhonorablepeace，returned，withincrediblespeed，tothepalaceofMilan。^27ThepersonandcourtofHonoriusweresubjecttothemaster—generaloftheWest；andthearmiesandprovincesofEuropeobeyed，withouthesitation，aregularauthority，whichwasexercisedinthenameoftheiryoungsovereign。Tworivalsonlyremainedtodisputetheclaims，andtoprovokethevengeance，ofStilicho。WithinthelimitsofAfrica，Gildo，theMoor，maintainedaproudanddangerousindependence；andtheministerofConstantinopleassertedhisequalreignovertheemperor，andtheempire，oftheEast。
[Footnote17:Stilicho，directlyorindirectly，istheperpetualthemeofClaudian。Theyouthandprivatelifeoftheheroarevaguelyexpressedinthepoemonhisfirstconsulship，35—140。]
[Footnote18:Vandalorum，imbellis，avarae，perfidae，etdolosae，gentis，genereeditus。Orosius，l。vii。c。38。Jeromtom。i。
adGerontiam，p。93callhimaSemi—Barbarian。]
[Footnote19:Claudian，inanimperfectpoem，hasdrawnafair，perhapsaflattering，portraitofSerena。ThatfavoritenieceofTheodosiuswasborn，aswellasheresisterThermantia，inSpain；
fromwhence，intheirearliestyouth，theywerehonorablyconductedtothepalaceofConstantinople。]
[Footnote20:Somedoubtmaybeentertained，whetherthisadoptionwaslegaloronlymetaphorical，seeDucange，Fam。
Byzant。p。75。AnoldinscriptiongivesStilichothesingulartitleofPro—generDiviTheodosius]
[Footnote21:ClaudianLausSerenae，190，193expresses，inpoeticlanguage\"thedilectusequorum，\"andthe\"geminomoxidemculmineduxitagmina。\"Theinscriptionadds，\"countofthedomestics，\"animportantcommand，whichStilicho，intheheightofhisgrandeur，mightprudentlyretain。]
[Footnote22:ThebeautifullinesofClaudianini。Cons。
Stilich。ii。113displayshisgenius；buttheintegrityofStilichointhemilitaryadministrationismuchmorefirmlyestablishedbytheunwillingevidenceofZosimus，l。v。p。
345。]
[Footnote23:—SibellicamolesIngrueret，quamvisannisetjureminori，CederegrandaevosequitumpeditumquemagistrosAdspiceres。Claudian，LausSeren。p。196，&c。A
moderngeneralwoulddeemtheirsubmissioneitherheroicpatriotismorabjectservility。]
[Footnote24:Comparethepoemonthefirstconsulshipi。95—
115withtheLausSerenoe227—237，whereitunfortunatelybreaksoff。Wemayperceivethedeep，inveteratemaliceofRufinus。]
[Footnote25:—QuemfratribusipseDiscedens，clypeumdefensoremquededisti。
Yetthenominationiv。Cons。Hon。432wasprivate，iii。Cons。
Hon。142，cunctosdiscedere……jubet；andmaythereforebesuspected。ZosimusandSuidasapplytoStilichoandRufinusthesameequaltitleofguardians，orprocurators。]
[Footnote26:TheRomanlawdistinguishestwosortsofminority，whichexpiredattheageoffourteen，andoftwenty—five。Theonewassubjecttothetutor，orguardian，oftheperson；theother，tothecurator，ortrustee，oftheestate，Heineccius，Antiquitat。Rom。adJurisprudent。pertinent。l。i。tit。xxii。
xxiii。p。218—232。Buttheselegalideaswereneveraccuratelytransferredintotheconstitutionofanelectivemonarchy。]
[Footnote27:SeeClaudian，i。Cons。Stilich。i。188—242；buthemustallowmorethanfifteendaysforthejourneyandreturnbetweenMilanandLeyden。]
ChapterXXIX:DivisionOfRomanEmpireBetweenSonsOfTheodosius。