Dit—ilonmepayeracequim\'envacouter。]
[Footnote69:ThecuriouscircumstancesofthedeathandfuneralofAttilaarerelatedbyJornandes，c。49，p。683，684，685，
andwereprobablytranscribedfromPriscus。]
TherevolutionwhichsubvertedtheempireoftheHuns，establishedthefameofAttila，whosegeniusalonehadsustainedthehugeanddisjointedfabric。Afterhisdeath，theboldestchieftainsaspiredtotherankofkings；themostpowerfulkingsrefusedtoacknowledgeasuperior；andthenumeroussons，whomsomanyvariousmothersboretothedeceasedmonarch，dividedanddisputed，likeaprivateinheritance，thesovereigncommandofthenationsofGermanyandScythia。TheboldArdaricfeltandrepresentedthedisgraceofthisservilepartition；andhissubjects，thewarlikeGepidae，withtheOstrogoths，undertheconductofthreevaliantbrothers，encouragedtheiralliestovindicatetherightsoffreedomandroyalty。InabloodyanddecisiveconflictonthebanksoftheRiverNetad，inPannonia，thelanceoftheGepidae，theswordoftheGoths，thearrowsoftheHuns，theSuevicinfantry，thelightarmsoftheHeruli，andtheheavyweaponsoftheAlani，encounteredorsupportedeachother；andthevictoryoftheArdaricwasaccompaniedwiththeslaughterofthirtythousandofhisenemies。Ellac，theeldestsonofAttila，losthislifeandcrowninthememorablebattleofNetad:hisearlyvalorhadraisedhimtothethroneoftheAcatzires，aScythianpeople，whomhesubdued；andhisfather，wholovedthesuperiormerit，wouldhaveenviedthedeathofEllac。^70Hisbrother，Dengisich，withanarmyofHuns，stillformidableintheirflightandruin，maintainedhisgroundabovefifteenyearsonthebanksoftheDanube。ThepalaceofAttila，withtheoldcountryofDacia，fromtheCarpathianhillstotheEuxine，becametheseatofanewpower，whichwaserectedbyArdaric，kingoftheGepidae。ThePannonianconquestsfromViennatoSirmium，wereoccupiedbytheOstrogoths；andthesettlementsofthetribes，whohadsobravelyassertedtheirnativefreedom，wereirregularlydistributed，accordingtothemeasureoftheirrespectivestrength。Surroundedandoppressedbythemultitudeofhisfather\'sslaves，thekingdomofDengisichwasconfinedtothecircleofhiswagons；hisdesperatecourageurgedhimtoinvadetheEasternempire:hefellinbattle；andhisheadignominiouslyexposedintheHippodrome，exhibitedagratefulspectacletothepeopleofConstantinople。Attilahadfondlyorsuperstitiouslybelieved，thatIrnac，theyoungestofhissons，wasdestinedtoperpetuatethegloriesofhisrace。Thecharacterofthatprince，whoattemptedtomoderatetherashnessofhisbrotherDengisich，wasmoresuitabletothedecliningconditionoftheHuns；andIrnac，withhissubjecthordes，retiredintotheheartoftheLesserScythia。TheyweresoonoverwhelmedbyatorrentofnewBarbarians，whofollowedthesameroadwhichtheirownancestorshadformerlydiscovered。TheGeougen，orAvares，whoseresidenceisassignedbytheGreekwriterstotheshoresoftheocean，impelledtheadjacenttribes；
tillatlengththeIgoursoftheNorth，issuingfromthecoldSiberianregions，whichproducethemostvaluablefurs，spreadthemselvesoverthedesert，asfarastheBorysthenesandtheCaspiangates；andfinallyextinguishedtheempireoftheHuns。
^71
[Footnote70:SeeJornandes，deRebusGeticis，c。50，p。685，686，687，688。Hisdistinctionofthenationalarmsiscuriousandimportant。Nanibiadmirandumreorfuissespectaculum，ubicernereeratcunctis，pugnantemGothumensefurentem，Gepidaminvulneresuorumcunctatelafrangentem，Suevumpede，Hunnumsagittapraesumere，AlanumgraviHerulumlevi，armatura，acieminstruere。IamnotpreciselyinformedofthesituationoftheRiverNetad。]
[Footnote71:TwomodernhistorianshavethrownmuchnewlightontheruinanddivisionoftheempireofAttila；M。deBuat，byhislaboriousandminutediligence，tom。viii。p。3—31，68—94，
andM。deGuignes，byhisextraordinaryknowledgeoftheChineselanguageandwriters。SeeHist。desHuns，tom。ii。p。315—
319。]
SuchaneventmightcontributetothesafetyoftheEasternempire，underthereignofaprincewhoconciliatedthefriendship，withoutforfeitingtheesteem，oftheBarbarians。
ButtheemperoroftheWest，thefeebleanddissoluteValentinian，whohadreachedhisthirty—fifthyearwithoutattainingtheageofreasonorcourage，abusedthisapparentsecurity，tounderminethefoundationsofhisownthrone，bythemurderofthepatricianAetius。Fromtheinstinctofabaseandjealousmind，hehatedthemanwhowasuniversallycelebratedastheterroroftheBarbarians，andthesupportoftherepublic；
andhisnewfavorite，theeunuchHeraclius，awakenedtheemperorfromthesupinelethargy，whichmightbedisguised，duringthelifeofPlacidia，^72bytheexcuseoffilialpiety。ThefameofAetius，hiswealthanddignity，thenumerousandmartialtrainofBarbarianfollowers，hispowerfuldependants，whofilledthecivilofficesofthestate，andthehopesofhissonGaudentius，whowasalreadycontractedtoEudoxia，theemperor\'sdaughter，hadraisedhimabovetherankofasubject。Theambitiousdesigns，ofwhichhewassecretlyaccused，excitedthefears，aswellastheresentment，ofValentinian。Aetiushimself，supportedbytheconsciousnessofhismerit，hisservices，andperhapshisinnocence，seemstohavemaintainedahaughtyandindiscreetbehavior。Thepatricianoffendedhissovereignbyahostiledeclaration；heaggravatedtheoffence，bycompellinghimtoratify，withasolemnoath，atreatyofreconciliationandalliance；heproclaimedhissuspicions，heneglectedhissafety；
andfromavainconfidencethattheenemy，whomhedespised，wasincapableevenofamanlycrime，herashlyventuredhispersoninthepalaceofRome。Whilstheurged，perhapswithintemperatevehemence，themarriageofhisson；Valentinian，drawinghissword，thefirstswordhehadeverdrawn，plungeditinthebreastofageneralwhohadsavedhisempire:hiscourtiersandeunuchsambitiouslystruggledtoimitatetheirmaster；andAetius，piercedwithahundredwounds，felldeadintheroyalpresence。Boethius，thePraetorianpraefect，waskilledatthesamemoment，andbeforetheeventcouldbedivulged，theprincipalfriendsofthepatricianweresummonedtothepalace，andseparatelymurdered。Thehorriddeed，palliatedbythespeciousnamesofjusticeandnecessity，wasimmediatelycommunicatedbytheemperortohissoldiers，hissubjects，andhisallies。Thenations，whowerestrangersorenemiestoAetius，generouslydeploredtheunworthyfateofahero:theBarbarians，whohadbeenattachedtohisservice，dissembledtheirgriefandresentment:andthepubliccontempt，whichhadbeensolongentertainedforValentinian，wasatonceconvertedintodeepanduniversalabhorrence。Suchsentimentsseldompervadethewallsofapalace；yettheemperorwasconfoundedbythehonestreplyofaRoman，whoseapprobationhehadnotdisdainedtosolicit。\"Iamignorant，sir，ofyourmotivesorprovocations；Ionlyknow，thatyouhaveactedlikeamanwhocutsoffhisrighthandwithhisleft。\"^73
[Footnote*:ThepraisesawardedbyGibbontothecharacterofAetiushavebeenanimadverteduponwithgreatseverity。SeeMr。
Herbert\'sAttila。p。321。IamnotawarethatGibbonhasdissembledorpalliatedanyofthecrimesortreasonsofAetius:
buthispositionatthetimeofhismurderwascertainlythatofthepreserveroftheempire，theconquerorofthemostdangerousofthebarbarians:itisbynomeansclearthathewasnot\"innocent\"ofanytreasonabledesignsagainstValentinian。Iftheearlyactsofhislife，theintroductionoftheHunsintoItaly，andoftheVandalsintoAfrica，wereamongtheproximatecausesoftheruinoftheempire，hismurderwasthesignalforitsalmostimmediatedownfall。—M。]
[Footnote72:PlacidiadiedatRome，November27，A。D。450。ShewasburiedatRavenna，wherehersepulchre，andevenhercorpse，seatedinachairofcypresswood，werepreservedforages。Theempressreceivedmanycomplimentsfromtheorthodoxclergy；andSt。PeterChrysologusassuredher，thatherzealfortheTrinityhadbeenrecompensedbyanaugusttrinityofchildren。SeeTillemont，Uist。JerEmp。tom。vi。p。240。]
[Footnote73:AetiumPlacidusmactavitsemiviramens，istheexpressionofSidonius，Panegyr。Avit。359。Thepoetknewtheworld，andwasnotinclinedtoflatteraministerwhohadinjuredordisgracedAvitusandMajorian，thesuccessiveheroesofhissong。]
TheluxuryofRomeseemstohaveattractedthelongandfrequentvisitsofValentinian；whowasconsequentlymoredespisedatRomethaninanyotherpartofhisdominions。A
republicanspiritwasinsensiblyrevivedinthesenate，astheirauthority，andeventheirsupplies，becamenecessaryforthesupportofhisfeeblegovernment。Thestatelydemeanoofanhereditarymonarchoffendedtheirpride；andthepleasuresofValentinianwereinjurioustothepeaceandhonorofnoblefamilies。ThebirthoftheempressEudoxiawasequaltohisown，andhercharmsandtenderaffectiondeservedthosetestimoniesoflovewhichherinconstanthusbanddissipatedinvagueandunlawfulamours。PetroniusMaximus，awealthysenatoroftheAnicianfamily，whohadbeentwiceconsul，waspossessedofachasteandbeautifulwife:herobstinateresistanceservedonlytoirritatethedesiresofValentinian；andheresolvedtoaccomplishthem，eitherbystratagemorforce。Deepgamingwasoneofthevicesofthecourt:theemperor，who，bychanceorcontrivance，hadgainedfromMaximusaconsiderablesum，uncourteouslyexactedhisringasasecurityforthedebt；andsentitbyatrustymessengertohiswife，withanorder，inherhusband\'sname，thatsheshouldimmediatelyattendtheempressEudoxia。TheunsuspectingwifeofMaximuswasconveyedinherlittertotheImperialpalace；theemissariesofherimpatientloverconductedhertoaremoteandsilentbed—chamber；andValentinianviolated，withoutremorse，thelawsofhospitality。
Hertears，whenshereturnedhome，herdeepaffliction，andherbitterreproachesagainstahusbandwhomsheconsideredastheaccompliceofhisownshame，excitedMaximustoajustrevenge；
thedesireofrevengewasstimulatedbyambition；andhemightreasonablyaspire，bythefreesuffrageoftheRomansenate，tothethroneofadetestedanddespicablerival。Valentinian，whosupposedthateveryhumanbreastwasdevoid，likehisown，offriendshipandgratitude，hadimprudentlyadmittedamonghisguardsseveraldomesticsandfollowersofAetius。Twoofthese，ofBarbarianracewerepersuadedtoexecuteasacredandhonorableduty，bypunishingwithdeaththeassassinoftheirpatron；andtheirintrepidcouragedidnotlongexpectafavorablemoment。WhilstValentinianamusedhimself，inthefieldofMars，withthespectacleofsomemilitarysports，theysuddenlyrusheduponhimwithdrawnweapons，despatchedtheguiltyHeraclius，andstabbedtheemperortotheheart，withouttheleastoppositionfromhisnumeroustrain，whoseemedtorejoiceinthetyrant\'sdeath。SuchwasthefateofValentiniantheThird，^74thelastRomanemperorofthefamilyofTheodosius。Hefaithfullyimitatedthehereditaryweaknessofhiscousinandhistwouncles，withoutinheritingthegentleness，thepurity，theinnocence，whichalleviate，intheircharacters，thewantofspiritandability。Valentinianwaslessexcusable，sincehehadpassions，withoutvirtues:evenhisreligionwasquestionable；andthoughheneverdeviatedintothepathsofheresy，hescandalizedthepiousChristiansbyhisattachmenttotheprofaneartsofmagicanddivination。
[Footnote74:WithregardtothecauseandcircumstancesofthedeathsofAetiusandValentinian，ourinformationisdarkandimperfect。ProcopiusdeBell。Vandal。l。i。c。4，p。186，187，188isafabulouswriterfortheeventswhichprecedehisownmemory。HisnarrativemustthereforebesuppliedandcorrectedbyfiveorsixChronicles，noneofwhichwerecomposedinRomeorItaly；andwhichcanonlyexpress，inbrokensentences，thepopularrumors，astheywereconveyedtoGaul，Spain，Africa，Constantinople，orAlexandria。]
AsearlyasthetimeofCiceroandVarro，itwastheopinionoftheRomanaugurs，thatthetwelvevultureswhichRomulushadseen，representedthetwelvecenturies，assignedforthefatalperiodofhiscity。^75Thisprophecy，disregardedperhapsintheseasonofhealthandprosperity，inspiredthepeoplewithgloomyapprehensions，whenthetwelfthcentury，cloudedwithdisgraceandmisfortune，wasalmostelapsed；^76andevenposteritymustacknowledgewithsomesurprise，thatthearbitraryinterpretationofanaccidentalorfabulouscircumstancehasbeenseriouslyverifiedinthedownfalloftheWesternempire。Butitsfallwasannouncedbyacleareromenthantheflightofvultures:theRomangovernmentappearedeverydaylessformidabletoitsenemies，moreodiousandoppressivetoitssubjects。^77Thetaxesweremultipliedwiththepublicdistress；economywasneglectedinproportionasitbecamenecessary；andtheinjusticeoftherichshiftedtheunequalburdenfromthemselvestothepeople，whomtheydefraudedoftheindulgencesthatmightsometimeshavealleviatedtheirmisery。Thesevereinquisitionwhichconfiscatedtheirgoods，andtorturedtheirpersons，compelledthesubjectsofValentiniantopreferthemoresimpletyrannyoftheBarbarians，toflytothewoodsandmountains，ortoembracethevileandabjectconditionofmercenaryservants。
TheyabjuredandabhorredthenameofRomancitizens，whichhadformerlyexcitedtheambitionofmankind。TheArmoricanprovincesofGaul，andthegreatestpartofSpain，were—thrownintoastateofdisorderlyindependence，bytheconfederationsoftheBagaudae；andtheImperialministerspursuedwithproscriptivelaws，andineffectualarms，therebelswhomtheyhadmade。^78IfalltheBarbarianconquerorshadbeenannihilatedinthesamehour，theirtotaldestructionwouldnothaverestoredtheempireoftheWest:andifRomestillsurvived，shesurvivedthelossoffreedom，ofvirtue，andofhonor。
[Footnote75:ThisinterpretationofVettius，acelebratedaugur，wasquotedbyVarro，inthexviiithbookofhisAntiquities。
Censorinus，deDieNatali，c。17，p。90，91，edit。Havercamp。]
[Footnote76:AccordingtoVarro，thetwelfthcenturywouldexpireA。D。447，buttheuncertaintyofthetrueaeraofRomemightallowsomelatitudeofanticipationordelay。Thepoetsoftheage，ClaudiandeBellGetico，265andSidonius，inPanegyr。Avit。357，maybeadmittedasfairwitnessesofthepopularopinion。
Jamreputantannos，interceptoquevolatuVulturis，inciduntproperatissaeculametis……
JampropefatatuibissenasVulturisalasImplebant；seisnamquetuos，scis，Roma，labores。
SeeDubos，Hist。Critique，tom。i。p。340—346。]
[Footnote77:ThefifthbookofSalvianisfilledwithpatheticlamentationsandvehementinvectives。Hisimmoderatefreedomservestoprovetheweakness，aswellasthecorruption，oftheRomangovernment。HisbookwaspublishedafterthelossofAfrica，A。D。439，andbeforeAttila\'swar，A。D。451。]
[Footnote78:TheBagaudaeofSpain，whofoughtpitchedbattleswiththeRomantroops，arerepeatedlymentionedintheChronicleofIdatius。Salvianhasdescribedtheirdistressandrebellioninveryforciblelanguage。ItaquenomenciviumRomanorum……nuncultrorepudiaturacfugitur，necviletamensedetiamabominabilepoenehabetur……EthincestutetiamhiquidadBarbarosnonconfugiunt，Barbaritamenessecoguntur，scilicetutestparsmagnaHispanorum，etnonminimaGallorum……DeBagaudisnuncmihisermoest，quipermalosjudicesetcruentosspoliati，afflicti，necatipostquamjusRomanaelibertatisamiserant，etiamhonoremRomaninominisperdiderunt……Vocamusrabelles，vocamusperditosquosessecompulimuacriminosos。DeGubernat。Dei，l。
v。p。158，159。]
ChapterXXXVI:TotalExtinctionOfTheWesternEmpire。
PartI。
SackOfRomeByGenseric，KingOfTheVandals。—HisNavalDepredations。—SuccessionOfTheLastEmperorsOfTheWest，Maximus，Avitus，Majorian，Severus，Anthemius，Olybrius，Glycerius，Nepos，Augustulus。—TotalExtinctionOfTheWesternEmpire。—ReignOfOdoacer，TheFirstBarbarianKingOfItaly。
Thelossordesolationoftheprovinces，fromtheOceantotheAlps，impairedthegloryandgreatnessofRome:herinternalprosperitywasirretrievablydestroyedbytheseparationofAfrica。TherapaciousVandalsconfiscatedthepatrimonialestatesofthesenators，andinterceptedtheregularsubsidies，whichrelievedthepovertyandencouragedtheidlenessoftheplebeians。ThedistressoftheRomanswassoonaggravatedbyanunexpectedattack；andtheprovince，solongcultivatedfortheirusebyindustriousandobedientsubjects，wasarmedagainstthembyanambitiousBarbarian。TheVandalsandAlani，whofollowedthesuccessfulstandardofGenseric，hadacquiredarichandfertileterritory，whichstretchedalongthecoastaboveninetydays\'journeyfromTangiertoTripoli；buttheirnarrowlimitswerepressedandconfined，oneitherside，bythesandydesertandtheMediterranean。ThediscoveryandconquestoftheBlacknations，thatmightdwellbeneaththetorridzone，couldnottempttherationalambitionofGenseric；buthecasthiseyestowardsthesea；heresolvedtocreateanavalpower，andhisboldresolutionwasexecutedwithsteadyandactiveperseverance。
ThewoodsofMountAtlasaffordedaninexhaustiblenurseryoftimber:hisnewsubjectswereskilledintheartsofnavigationandship—building；heanimatedhisdaringVandalstoembraceamodeofwarfarewhichwouldrendereverymaritimecountryaccessibletotheirarms；theMoorsandAfricanswerealluredbythehopesofplunder；and，afteranintervalofsixcenturies，thefleetsthatissuedfromtheportofCarthageagainclaimedtheempireoftheMediterranean。ThesuccessoftheVandals，theconquestofSicily，thesackofPalermo，andthefrequentdescentsonthecoastofLucania，awakenedandalarmedthemotherofValentinian，andthesisterofTheodosius。Allianceswereformed；andarmaments，expensiveandineffectual，wereprepared，forthedestructionofthecommonenemy；whoreservedhiscouragetoencounterthosedangerswhichhispolicycouldnotpreventorelude。ThedesignsoftheRomangovernmentwererepeatedlybaffledbyhisartfuldelays，ambiguouspromises，andapparentconcessions；andtheinterpositionofhisformidableconfederate，thekingoftheHuns，recalledtheemperorsfromtheconquestofAfricatothecareoftheirdomesticsafety。Therevolutionsofthepalace，whichlefttheWesternempirewithoutadefender，andwithoutalawfulprince，dispelledtheapprehensions，andstimulatedtheavarice，ofGenseric。HeimmediatelyequippedanumerousfleetofVandalsandMoors，andcastanchoratthemouthoftheTyber，aboutthreemonthsafterthedeathofValentinian，andtheelevationofMaximustotheImperialthrone。