ThesuccessorsofBelisarius，elevengeneralsofequalrank，neglectedtocrushthefeebleanddisunitedGoths，tilltheywererousedtoactionbytheprogressofTotilaandthereproachesofJustinian。ThegatesofVeronaweresecretlyopenedtoArtabazus，attheheadofonehundredPersiansintheserviceoftheempire。TheGothsfledfromthecity。AtthedistanceofsixtyfurlongstheRomangeneralshaltedtoregulatethedivisionofthespoil。Whiletheydisputed，theenemydiscoveredtherealnumberofthevictors:thePersianswereinstantlyoverpowered，anditwasbyleapingfromthewallthatArtabazuspreservedalifewhichhelostinafewdaysbythelanceofaBarbarian，whohaddefiedhimtosinglecombat。TwentythousandRomansencounteredtheforcesofTotila，nearFaenza，andonthehillsofMugello，oftheFlorentineterritory。Theardoroffreedmen，whofoughttoregaintheircountry，wasopposedtothelanguidtemperofmercenarytroops，whowereevendestituteofthemeritsofstrongandwell—disciplinedservitude。Onthefirstattack，theyabandonedtheirensigns，threwdowntheirarms，anddispersedonallsideswithanactivespeed，whichabatedtheloss，whilstitaggravatedtheshame，oftheirdefeat。ThekingoftheGoths，whoblushedforthebasenessofhisenemies，pursuedwithrapidstepsthepathofhonorandvictory。TotilapassedthePo，traversedtheApennine，suspendedtheimportantconquestofRavenna，Florence，andRome，andmarchedthroughtheheartofItaly，toformthesiegeorrathertheblockade，ofNaples。TheRomanchiefs，imprisonedintheirrespectivecities，andaccusingeachotherofthecommondisgrace，didnotpresumetodisturbhisenterprise。Buttheemperor，alarmedbythedistressanddangerofhisItalianconquests，despatchedtothereliefofNaplesafleetofgalleysandabodyofThracianandArmeniansoldiers。TheylandedinSicily，whichyieldeditscopiousstoresofprovisions；butthedelaysofthenewcommander，anunwarlikemagistrate，protractedthesufferingsofthebesieged；andthesuccors，whichhedroppedwithatimidandtardyhand，weresuccessivelyinterceptedbythearmedvesselsstationedbyTotilaintheBayofNaples。TheprincipalofficeroftheRomanswasdragged，witharoperoundhisneck，tothefootofthewall，fromwhence，withatremblingvoice，heexhortedthecitizenstoimplore，likehimself，themercyoftheconqueror。Theyrequestedatruce，withapromiseofsurrenderingthecity，ifnoeffectualreliefshouldappearattheendofthirtydays。Insteadofonemonth，theaudaciousBarbariangrantedthemthree，inthejustconfidencethatfaminewouldanticipatethetermoftheircapitulation。AfterthereductionofNaplesandCumae，theprovincesofLucania，Apulia，andCalabria，submittedtothekingoftheGoths。TotilaledhisarmytothegatesofRome，pitchedhiscampatTibur，orTivoli，withintwentymilesofthecapital，andcalmlyexhortedthesenateandpeopletocomparethetyrannyoftheGreekswiththeblessingsoftheGothicreign。
[Footnote*:Thisisnotquitecorrect:hehadcrossedthePobeforethebattleofFaenza。—M。]
TherapidsuccessofTotilamaybepartlyascribedtotherevolutionwhichthreeyears\'experiencehadproducedinthesentimentsoftheItalians。Atthecommand，oratleastinthename，ofaCatholicemperor，thepope，^7theirspiritualfather，hadbeentornfromtheRomanchurch，andeitherstarvedormurderedonadesolateisland。^8ThevirtuesofBelisariuswerereplacedbythevariousoruniformvicesofelevenchiefs，atRome，Ravenna，Florence，Perugia，Spoleto，&c。，whoabusedtheirauthorityfortheindulgenceoflustoravarice。TheimprovementoftherevenuewascommittedtoAlexander，asubtlescribe，longpractisedinthefraudandoppressionoftheByzantineschools，andwhosenameofPsalliction，thescissors，^9wasdrawnfromthedexterousartificewithwhichhereducedthesizewithoutdefacingthefigure，ofthegoldcoin。Insteadofexpectingtherestorationofpeaceandindustry，heimposedaheavyassessmentonthefortunesoftheItalians。Yethispresentorfuturedemandswerelessodiousthanaprosecutionofarbitraryrigoragainstthepersonsandpropertyofallthosewho，undertheGothickings，hadbeenconcernedinthereceiptandexpenditureofthepublicmoney。ThesubjectsofJustinian，whoescapedthesepartialvexations，wereoppressedbytheirregularmaintenanceofthesoldiers，whomAlexanderdefraudedanddespised；andtheirhastysalliesinquestofwealth，orsubsistence，provokedtheinhabitantsofthecountrytoawaitorimploretheirdeliverancefromthevirtuesofaBarbarian。
Totila^10waschasteandtemperate；andnoneweredeceived，eitherfriendsorenemies，whodependedonhisfaithorhisclemency。TothehusbandmenofItalytheGothickingissuedawelcomeproclamation，enjoiningthemtopursuetheirimportantlabors，andtorestassured，that，onthepaymentoftheordinarytaxes，theyshouldbedefendedbyhisvaloranddisciplinefromtheinjuriesofwar。Thestrongtownshesuccessivelyattacked；
andassoonastheyhadyieldedtohisarms，hedemolishedthefortifications，tosavethepeoplefromthecalamitiesofafuturesiege，todeprivetheRomansoftheartsofdefence，andtodecidethetediousquarrelofthetwonations，byanequalandhonorableconflictinthefieldofbattle。TheRomancaptivesanddesertersweretemptedtoenlistintheserviceofaliberalandcourteousadversary；theslaveswereattractedbythefirmandfaithfulpromise，thattheyshouldneverbedeliveredtotheirmasters；andfromthethousandwarriorsofPavia，anewpeople，underthesameappellationofGoths，wasinsensiblyformedinthecampofTotila。Hesincerelyaccomplishedthearticlesofcapitulation，withoutseekingoracceptinganysinisteradvantagefromambiguousexpressionsorunforeseenevents:thegarrisonofNapleshadstipulatedthattheyshouldbetransportedbysea；theobstinacyofthewindspreventedtheirvoyage，buttheyweregenerouslysuppliedwithhorses，provisions，andasafe—conducttothegatesofRome。Thewivesofthesenators，whohadbeensurprisedinthevillasofCampania，wererestored，withoutaransom，totheirhusbands；theviolationoffemalechastitywasinexorablychastisedwithdeath；
andinthesalutaryregulationoftheedictofthefamishedNeapolitans，theconquerorassumedtheofficeofahumaneandattentivephysician。ThevirtuesofTotilaareequallylaudable，whethertheyproceededfromtruepolicy，religiousprinciple，ortheinstinctofhumanity:heoftenharanguedhistroops；anditwashisconstanttheme，thatnationalviceandruinareinseparablyconnected；thatvictoryisthefruitofmoralaswellasmilitaryvirtue；andthattheprince，andeventhepeople，areresponsibleforthecrimeswhichtheyneglecttopunish。
[Footnote7:Sylverius，bishopofRome，wasfirsttransportedtoPatara，inLycia，andatlengthstarvedsubeorumcustodiainediaconfectusintheIsleofPalmaria，A。D。538，June20，Liberat。inBreviar。c。22。Anastasius，inSylverio。Baronius，A。D。540，No。2，3。Pagi，inVit。Pont。tom。i。p。285，286。
ProcopiusAnecdot。c。1accusesonlytheempressandAntonina。]
[Footnote8:Palmaria，asmallisland，oppositetoTerracinaandthecoastoftheVolsci，Cluver。Ital。Antiq。l。iii。c。7，p。
1014。]
[Footnote9:AstheLogotheteAlexander，andmostofhiscivilandmilitarycolleagues，wereeitherdisgracedordespised，theinkoftheAnecdotesc。4，5，18isscarcelyblackerthanthatoftheGothicHistoryl。iii。c。1，3，4，9，20，21，&c。]
[Footnote10:Procopiusl。iii。c。2，8，&c。，doesampleandwillingjusticetothemeritofTotila。TheRomanhistorians，fromSallustandTacituswerehappytoforgetthevicesoftheircountrymeninthecontemplationofBarbaricvirtue。]
ThereturnofBelisariustosavethecountrywhichhehadsubdued，waspressedwithequalvehemencebyhisfriendsandenemies；andtheGothicwarwasimposedasatrustoranexileontheveterancommander。AheroonthebanksoftheEuphrates，aslaveinthepalaceofConstantinople，heacceptedwithreluctancethepainfultaskofsupportinghisownreputation，andretrievingthefaultsofhissuccessors。TheseawasopentotheRomans:theshipsandsoldierswereassembledatSalona，nearthepalaceofDiocletian:herefreshedandreviewedhistroopsatPolainIstria，coastedroundtheheadoftheAdriatic，enteredtheportofRavenna，anddespatchedordersratherthansuppliestothesubordinatecities。HisfirstpublicorationwasaddressedtotheGothsandRomans，inthenameoftheemperor，whohadsuspendedforawhiletheconquestofPersia，andlistenedtotheprayersofhisItaliansubjects。Hegentlytouchedonthecausesandtheauthorsoftherecentdisasters；
strivingtoremovethefearofpunishmentforthepast，andthehopeofimpunityforthefuture，andlaboring，withmorezealthansuccess，touniteallthemembersofhisgovernmentinafirmleagueofaffectionandobedience。Justinian，hisgraciousmaster，wasinclinedtopardonandreward；anditwastheirinterest，aswellasduty，toreclaimtheirdeludedbrethren，whohadbeenseducedbytheartsoftheusurper。NotamanwastemptedtodesertthestandardoftheGothicking。Belisariussoondiscovered，thathewassenttoremaintheidleandimpotentspectatorofthegloryofayoungBarbarian；andhisownepistleexhibitsagenuineandlivelypictureofthedistressofanoblemind。\"Mostexcellentprince，wearearrivedinItaly，destituteofallthenecessaryimplementsofwar，men，horses，arms，andmoney。InourlatecircuitthroughthevillagesofThraceandIllyricum，wehavecollected，withextremedifficulty，aboutfourthousandrecruits，naked，andunskilledintheuseofweaponsandtheexercisesofthecamp。Thesoldiersalreadystationedintheprovincearediscontented，fearful，anddismayed；atthesoundofanenemy，theydismisstheirhorses，andcasttheirarmsontheground。Notaxescanberaised，sinceItalyisinthehandsoftheBarbarians；thefailureofpaymenthasdeprivedusoftherightofcommand，orevenofadmonition。Beassured，dreadSir，thatthegreaterpartofyourtroopshavealreadydesertedtotheGoths。IfthewarcouldbeachievedbythepresenceofBelisariusalone，yourwishesaresatisfied；BelisariusisinthemidstofItaly。Butifyoudesiretoconquer，farotherpreparationsarerequisite:withoutamilitaryforce，thetitleofgeneralisanemptyname。Itwouldbeexpedienttorestoretomyservicemyownveterananddomesticguards。BeforeIcantakethefield，Imustreceiveanadequatesupplyoflightandheavyarmedtroops；anditisonlywithreadymoneythatyoucanprocuretheindispensableaidofapowerfulbodyofthecavalryoftheHuns。\"^11AnofficerinwhomBelisariusconfidedwassentfromRavennatohastenandconductthesuccors；butthemessagewasneglected，andthemessengerwasdetainedatConstantinoplebyanadvantageousmarriage。Afterhispatiencehadbeenexhaustedbydelayanddisappointment，theRomangeneralrepassedtheAdriatic，andexpectedatDyrrachiumthearrivalofthetroops，whichwereslowlyassembledamongthesubjectsandalliesoftheempire。HispowerswerestillinadequatetothedeliveranceofRome，whichwascloselybesiegedbytheGothicking。TheAppianway，amarchoffortydays，wascoveredbytheBarbarians；andastheprudenceofBelisariusdeclinedabattle，hepreferredthesafeandspeedynavigationoffivedaysfromthecoastofEpirustothemouthoftheTyber。
[Footnote11:Procopius，l。iii。c。12。Thesoulofaheroisdeeplyimpressedontheletter；norcanweconfoundsuchgenuineandoriginalactswiththeelaborateandoftenemptyspeechesoftheByzantinehistorians]
Afterreducing，byforce，ortreaty，thetownsofinferiornoteinthemidlandprovincesofItaly，Totilaproceeded，nottoassault，buttoencompassandstarve，theancientcapital。Romewasafflictedbytheavarice，andguardedbythevalor，ofBessas，aveteranchiefofGothicextraction，whofilled，withagarrisonofthreethousandsoldiers，thespaciouscircleofhervenerablewalls。Fromthedistressofthepeopleheextractedaprofitabletrade，andsecretlyrejoicedinthecontinuanceofthesiege。Itwasforhisusethatthegranarieshadbeenreplenished:thecharityofPopeVigiliushadpurchasedandembarkedanamplesupplyofSiciliancorn；butthevesselswhichescapedtheBarbarianswereseizedbyarapaciousgovernor，whoimpartedascantysustenancetothesoldiers，andsoldtheremaindertothewealthyRomans。Themedimnus，orfifthpartofthequarterofwheat，wasexchangedforsevenpiecesofgold；
fiftypiecesweregivenforanox，arareandaccidentalprize；
theprogressoffamineenhancedthisexorbitantvalue，andthemercenariesweretemptedtodeprivethemselvesoftheallowancewhichwasscarcelysufficientforthesupportoflife。A
tastelessandunwholesomemixture，inwhichthebranthriceexceededthequantityofflour，appeasedthehungerofthepoor；
theyweregraduallyreducedtofeedondeadhorses，dogs，cats，andmice，andeagerlytosnatchthegrass，andeventhenettles，whichgrewamongtheruinsofthecity。Acrowdofspectres，paleandemaciated，theirbodiesoppressedwithdisease，andtheirmindswithdespair，surroundedthepalaceofthegovernor，urged，withunavailingtruth，thatitwasthedutyofamastertomaintainhisslaves，andhumblyrequestedthathewouldprovidefortheirsubsistence，topermittheirflight，orcommandtheirimmediateexecution。Bessasreplied，withunfeelingtranquillity，thatitwasimpossibletofeed，unsafetodismiss，andunlawfultokill，thesubjectsoftheemperor。Yettheexampleofaprivatecitizenmighthaveshownhiscountrymenthatatyrantcannotwithholdtheprivilegeofdeath。Piercedbythecriesoffivechildren，whovainlycalledontheirfatherforbread，heorderedthemtofollowhissteps，advancedwithcalmandsilentdespairtooneofthebridgesoftheTyber，and，coveringhisface，threwhimselfheadlongintothestream，inthepresenceofhisfamilyandtheRomanpeople。Totherichandpusillammous，Bessas^12soldthepermissionofdeparture；butthegreatestpartofthefugitivesexpiredonthepublichighways，orwereinterceptedbytheflyingpartiesofBarbarians。Inthemeanwhile，theartfulgovernorsoothedthediscontent，andrevivedthehopesoftheRomans，bythevaguereportsofthefleetsandarmieswhichwerehasteningtotheirrelieffromtheextremitiesoftheEast。TheyderivedmorerationalcomfortfromtheassurancethatBelisariushadlandedattheport；and，withoutnumberinghisforces，theyfirmlyreliedonthehumanity，thecourage，andtheskilloftheirgreatdeliverer。
[Footnote12:TheavariceofBessasisnotdissembledbyProcopius，l。iii。c。17，20。HeexpiatedthelossofRomebythegloriousconquestofPetraea，Goth。l。iv。c。12；butthesamevicesfollowedhimfromtheTybertothePhasis，c。13；
andthehistorianisequallytruetothemeritsanddefectsofhischaracter。ThechastisementwhichtheauthoroftheromanceofBelisairehasinflictedontheoppressorofRomeismoreagreeabletojusticethantohistory。]
ChapterXLIII:LastVictoryAndDeathOfBelisarius，DeathOfJustinian。
PartII。
TheforesightofTotilahadraisedobstaclesworthyofsuchanantagonist。Ninetyfurlongsbelowthecity，inthenarrowestpartoftheriver，hejoinedthetwobanksbystrongandsolidtimbersintheformofabridge，onwhichheerectedtwoloftytowers，mannedbythebravestofhisGoths，andprofuselystoredwithmissileweaponsandenginesofoffence。Theapproachofthebridgeandtowerswascoveredbyastrongandmassychainofiron；andthechain，ateitherend，ontheoppositesidesoftheTyber，wasdefendedbyanumerousandchosendetachmentofarchers。Buttheenterpriseofforcingthesebarriers，andrelievingthecapital，displaysashiningexampleoftheboldnessandconductofBelisarius。Hiscavalryadvancedfromtheportalongthepublicroad，toawethemotions，anddistracttheattentionoftheenemy。Hisinfantryandprovisionsweredistributedintwohundredlargeboats；andeachboatwasshieldedbyahighrampartofthickplanks，piercedwithmanysmallholesforthedischargeofmissileweapons。Inthefront，twolargevesselswerelinkedtogethertosustainafloatingcastle，whichcommandedthetowersofthebridge，andcontainedamagazineoffire，sulphur，andbitumen。Thewholefleet，whichthegeneralledinperson，waslaboriouslymovedagainstthecurrentoftheriver。Thechainyieldedtotheirweight，andtheenemieswhoguardedthebankswereeitherslainorscattered。Assoonastheytouchedtheprincipalbarrier，thefire—shipwasinstantlygrappledtothebridge；oneofthetowers，withtwohundredGoths，wasconsumedbytheflames；theassailantsshoutedvictory；andRomewassaved，ifthewisdomofBelisariushadnotbeendefeatedbythemisconductofhisofficers。HehadpreviouslysentorderstoBessastosecondhisoperationsbyatimelysallyfromthetown；andhehadfixedhislieutenant，Isaac，byaperemptorycommand，tothestationoftheport。ButavaricerenderedBessasimmovable；whiletheyouthfulardorofIsaacdeliveredhimintothehandsofasuperiorenemy。TheexaggeratedrumorofhisdefeatwashastilycarriedtotheearsofBelisarius:hepaused；betrayedinthatsinglemomentofhislifesomeemotionsofsurpriseandperplexity；andreluctantlysoundedaretreattosavehiswifeAntonina，histreasures，andtheonlyharborwhichhepossessedontheTuscancoast。Thevexationofhismindproducedanardentandalmostmortalfever；
andRomewasleftwithoutprotectiontothemercyorindignationofTotila。Thecontinuanceofhostilitieshadimbitteredthenationalhatred:theArianclergywasignominiouslydrivenfromRome；Pelagius，thearchdeacon，returnedwithoutsuccessfromanembassytotheGothiccamp；andaSicilianbishop，theenvoyornuncioofthepope，wasdeprivedofbothhishands，fordaringtoutterfalsehoodsintheserviceofthechurchandstate。
FaminehadrelaxedthestrengthanddisciplineofthegarrisonofRome。Theycouldderivenoeffectualservicefromadyingpeople；andtheinhumanavariceofthemerchantatlengthabsorbedthevigilanceofthegovernor。FourIsauriansentinels，whiletheircompanionsslept，andtheirofficerswereabsent，descendedbyaropefromthewall，andsecretlyproposedtotheGothickingtointroducehistroopsintothecity。Theofferwasentertainedwithcoldnessandsuspicion；theyreturnedinsafety；
theytwicerepeatedtheirvisit；theplacewastwiceexamined；
theconspiracywasknownanddisregarded；andnosoonerhadTotilaconsentedtotheattempt，thantheyunbarredtheAsinariangate，andgaveadmittancetotheGoths。Tillthedawnofday，theyhaltedinorderofbattle，apprehensiveoftreacheryorambush；butthetroopsofBessas，withtheirleader，hadalreadyescaped；andwhenthekingwaspressedtodisturbtheirretreat，heprudentlyreplied，thatnosightcouldbemoregratefulthanthatofaflyingenemy。Thepatricians，whowerestillpossessedofhorses，Decius，Basilius，&c。accompaniedthegovernor；theirbrethren，amongwhomOlybrius，Orestes，andMaximus，arenamedbythehistorian，tookrefugeinthechurchofSt。Peter:buttheassertion，thatonlyfivehundredpersonsremainedinthecapital，inspiressomedoubtofthefidelityeitherofhisnarrativeorofhistext。AssoonasdaylighthaddisplayedtheentirevictoryoftheGoths，theirmonarchdevoutlyvisitedthetomboftheprinceoftheapostles；butwhileheprayedatthealtar，twenty—fivesoldiers，andsixtycitizens，wereputtotheswordinthevestibuleofthetemple。ThearchdeaconPelagius^13stoodbeforehim，withtheGospelsinhishand。\"OLord，bemercifultoyourservant。\"\"Pelagius，\"saidTotila，withaninsultingsmile，\"yourpridenowcondescendstobecomeasuppliant。\"\"Iamasuppliant，\"repliedtheprudentarchdeacon；
\"Godhasnowmadeusyoursubjects，andasyoursubjects，weareentitledtoyourclemency。\"Athishumbleprayer，thelivesoftheRomanswerespared；andthechastityofthemaidsandmatronswaspreservedinviolatefromthepassionsofthehungrysoldiers。