YetifConstantinoplehadbeenfirmandfaithful，themurderermighthavespenthisfuryagainstthewalls；andtherebelarmywouldhavebeengraduallyconsumedorreconciledbytheprudenceoftheemperor。InthegamesoftheCircus，whichherepeatedwithunusualpomp，Mauricedisguised，withsmilesofconfidence，theanxietyofhisheart，condescendedtosolicittheapplauseofthefactions，andflatteredtheirpridebyacceptingfromtheirrespectivetribunesalistofninehundredbluesandfifteenhundredgreens，whomheaffectedtoesteemasthesolidpillarsofhisthroneTheirtreacherousorlanguidsupportbetrayedhisweaknessandhastenedhisfall:thegreenfactionwerethesecretaccomplicesoftherebels，andthebluesrecommendedlenityandmoderationinacontestwiththeirRomanbrethrenTherigidandparsimoniousvirtuesofMauricehadlongsincealienatedtheheartsofhissubjects:ashewalkedbarefootinareligiousprocession，hewasrudelyassaultedwithstones，andhisguardswerecompelledtopresenttheirironmacesinthedefenceofhisperson。Afanaticmonkranthroughthestreetswithadrawnsword，denouncingagainsthimthewrathandthesentenceofGod；andavileplebeian，whorepresentedhiscountenanceandapparel，wasseatedonanass，andpursuedbytheimprecationsofthemultitude。^43TheemperorsuspectedthepopularityofGermanuswiththesoldiersandcitizens:hefeared，hethreatened，buthedelayedtostrike；thepatricianfledtothesanctuaryofthechurch；thepeopleroseinhisdefence，thewallsweredesertedbytheguards，andthelawlesscitywasabandonedtotheflamesandrapineofanocturnaltumult。Inasmallbark，theunfortunateMaurice，withhiswifeandninechildren，escapedtotheAsiaticshore；buttheviolenceofthewindcompelledhimtolandatthechurchofSt。Autonomus，^44
nearChalcedon，fromwhencehedespatchedTheodosius，heeldestson，toimplorethegratitudeandfriendshipofthePersianmonarch。Forhimself，herefusedtofly:hisbodywastorturedwithsciaticpains，^45hismindwasenfeebledbysuperstition；
hepatientlyawaitedtheeventoftherevolution，andaddressedaferventandpublicprayertotheAlmighty，thatthepunishmentofhissinsmightbeinflictedinthisworldratherthaninafuturelife。AftertheabdicationofMaurice，thetwofactionsdisputedthechoiceofanemperor；butthefavoriteoftheblueswasrejectedbythejealousyoftheirantagonists，andGermanushimselfwashurriedalongbythecrowdswhorushedtothepalaceofHebdomon，sevenmilesfromthecity，toadorethemajestyofPhocasthecenturion。AmodestwishofresigningthepurpletotherankandmeritofGermanuswasopposedbyhisresolution，moreobstinateandequallysincere；thesenateandclergyobeyedhissummons；and，assoonasthepatriarchwasassuredofhisorthodoxbelief，heconsecratedthesuccessfulusurperinthechurchofSt。JohntheBaptist。Onthethirdday，amidsttheacclamationsofathoughtlesspeople，Phocasmadehispublicentryinachariotdrawnbyfourwhitehorses:therevoltofthetroopswasrewardedbyalavishdonative；andthenewsovereign，aftervisitingthepalace，beheldfromhisthronethegamesofthehippodrome。Inadisputeofprecedencybetweenthetwofactions，hispartialjudgmentinclinedinfavorofthegreens。
\"RememberthatMauriceisstillalive，\"resoundedfromtheoppositeside；andtheindiscreetclamorofthebluesadmonishedandstimulatedthecrueltyofthetyrant。TheministersofdeathweredespatchedtoChalcedon:theydraggedtheemperorfromhissanctuary；andthefivesonsofMauriceweresuccessivelymurderedbeforetheeyesoftheiragonizingparent。Ateachstroke，whichhefeltinhisheart，hefoundstrengthtorehearseapiousejaculation:\"Thouartjust，OLord!andthyjudgmentsarerighteous。\"Andsuch，inthelastmoments，washisrigidattachmenttotruthandjustice，thatherevealedtothesoldiersthepiousfalsehoodofanursewhopresentedherownchildintheplaceofaroyalinfant。^46Thetragicscenewasfinallyclosedbytheexecutionoftheemperorhimself，inthetwentiethyearofhisreign，andthesixty—thirdofhisage。Thebodiesofthefatherandhisfivesonswerecastintothesea；theirheadswereexposedatConstantinopletotheinsultsorpityofthemultitude；anditwasnottillsomesignsofputrefactionhadappeared，thatPhocasconnivedattheprivateburialofthesevenerableremains。Inthatgrave，thefaultsanderrorsofMauricewerekindlyinterred。Hisfatealonewasremembered；andattheendoftwentyyears，intherecitalofthehistoryofTheophylact，themournfultalewasinterruptedbythetearsoftheaudience。^47
[Footnote43:IntheirclamorsagainstMaurice，thepeopleofConstantinoplebrandedhimwiththenameofMarcioniteorMarcionist；aheresysaysTheophylact，l。viii。c。9。Didtheyonlycastoutavaguereproach—orhadtheemperorreallylistenedtosomeobscureteacherofthoseancientGnostics?]
[Footnote44:ThechurchofSt。AutonomouswhomIhavenotthehonortoknowwas150stadiafromConstantinople，Theophylact，l。viii。c。9。TheportofEutropius，whereMauriceandhischildrenweremurdered，isdescribedbyGylliusdeBosphoroThracio，l。iii。c。xi。asoneofthetwoharborsofChalcedon。]
[Footnote45:TheinhabitantsofConstantinopleweregenerallysubject；andTheophylactinsinuates，l。viii。c。9，thatifitwereconsistentwiththerulesofhistory，hecouldassignthemedicalcause。Yetsuchadigressionwouldnothavebeenmoreimpertinentthanhisinquiryl。vii。c。16，17intotheannualinundationsoftheNile，andalltheopinionsoftheGreekphilosophersonthatsubject。]
[Footnote46:Fromthisgenerousattempt，CorneillehasdeducedtheintricatewebofhistragedyofHeraclius，whichrequiresmorethanonerepresentationtobeclearlyunderstood，CorneilledeVoltaire，tom。v。p。300；andwhich，afteranintervalofsomeyears，issaidtohavepuzzledtheauthorhimself，AnecdotesDramatiques，tom。i。p。422。]
[Footnote47:TherevoltofPhocasanddeathofMauricearetoldbyTheophylactSimocatta，l。viii。c。7—12，thePaschalChronicle，p。379，380，Theophanes，Chronograph。p。238—
244，Zonaras，tom。ii。l。xiv。p。77—80，andCedrenus，p。
399—404。]
Suchtearsmusthaveflowedinsecret，andsuchcompassionwouldhavebeencriminal，underthereignofPhocas，whowaspeaceablyacknowledgedintheprovincesoftheEastandWest。
TheimagesoftheemperorandhiswifeLeontiawereexposedintheLaterantothevenerationoftheclergyandsenateofRome，andafterwardsdepositedinthepalaceoftheCaesars，betweenthoseofConstantineandTheodosius。AsasubjectandaChristian，itwasthedutyofGregorytoacquiesceintheestablishedgovernment；butthejoyfulapplausewithwhichhesalutesthefortuneoftheassassin，hassullied，withindelibledisgrace，thecharacterofthesaint。Thesuccessoroftheapostlesmighthaveinculcatedwithdecentfirmnesstheguiltofblood，andthenecessityofrepentance；heiscontenttocelebratethedeliveranceofthepeopleandthefalloftheoppressor；torejoicethatthepietyandbenignityofPhocashavebeenraisedbyProvidencetotheImperialthrone；topraythathishandsmaybestrengthenedagainstallhisenemies；andtoexpressawish，perhapsaprophecy，that，afteralongandtriumphantreign，hemaybetransferredfromatemporaltoaneverlastingkingdom。^48Ihavealreadytracedthestepsofarevolutionsopleasing，inGregory\'sopinion，bothtoheavenandearth；andPhocasdoesnotappearlesshatefulintheexercisethanintheacquisitionofpowerThepencilofanimpartialhistorianhasdelineatedtheportraitofamonster:^49hisdiminutiveanddeformedperson，theclosenessofhisshaggyeyebrows，hisredhair，hisbeardlesschin，andhischeekdisfiguredanddiscoloredbyaformidablescar。Ignorantofletters，oflaws，andevenofarms，heindulgedinthesupremerankamoreampleprivilegeoflustanddrunkenness；andhisbrutalpleasureswereeitherinjurioustohissubjectsordisgracefultohimself。Withoutassumingtheofficeofaprince，herenouncedtheprofessionofasoldier；andthereignofPhocasafflictedEuropewithignominiouspeace，andAsiawithdesolatingwar。Hissavagetemperwasinflamedbypassion，hardenedbyfear，andexasperatedbyresistanceofreproach。TheflightofTheodosiustothePersiancourthadbeeninterceptedbyarapidpursuit，oradeceitfulmessage:hewasbeheadedatNice，andthelasthoursoftheyoungprinceweresoothedbythecomfortsofreligionandtheconsciousnessofinnocence。Yethisphantomdisturbedthereposeoftheusurper:awhisperwascirculatedthroughtheEast，thatthesonofMauricewasstillalive:thepeopleexpectedtheiravenger，andthewidowanddaughtersofthelateemperorwouldhaveadoptedastheirsonandbrotherthevilestofmankind。InthemassacreoftheImperialfamily，^50
themercy，orratherthediscretion，ofPhocashadsparedtheseunhappyfemales，andtheyweredecentlyconfinedtoaprivatehouse。ButthespiritoftheempressConstantina，stillmindfulofherfather，herhusband，andhersons，aspiredtofreedomandrevenge。Atthedeadofnight，sheescapedtothesanctuaryofSt。Sophia；buthertears，andthegoldofherassociateGermanus，wereinsufficienttoprovokeaninsurrection。Herlifewasforfeitedtorevenge，andeventojustice:butthepatriarchobtainedandpledgedanoathforhersafety:amonasterywasallottedforherprison，andthewidowofMauriceacceptedandabusedthelenityofhisassassin。Thediscoveryorthesuspicionofasecondconspiracy，dissolvedtheengagements，andrekindledthefury，ofPhocas。Amatronwhocommandedtherespectandpityofmankind，thedaughter，wife，andmotherofemperors，wastorturedlikethevilestmalefactor，toforceaconfessionofherdesignsandassociates；andtheempressConstantina，withherthreeinnocentdaughters，wasbeheadedatChalcedon，onthesamegroundwhichhadbeenstainedwiththebloodofherhusbandandfivesons。Aftersuchanexample，itwouldbesuperfluoustoenumeratethenamesandsufferingsofmeanervictims。Theircondemnationwasseldomprecededbytheformsoftrial，andtheirpunishmentwasembitteredbytherefinementsofcruelty:theireyeswerepierced，theirtonguesweretornfromtheroot，thehandsandfeetwereamputated；someexpiredunderthelash，othersintheflames；othersagainweretransfixedwitharrows；
andasimplespeedydeathwasmercywhichtheycouldrarelyobtain。Thehippodrome，thesacredasylumofthepleasuresandthelibertyoftheRomans，waspollutedwithheadsandlimbs，andmangledbodies；andthecompanionsofPhocaswerethemostsensible，thatneitherhisfavor，northeirservices，couldprotectthemfromatyrant，theworthyrivaloftheCaligulasandDomitiansofthefirstageoftheempire。^51
[Footnote48:Gregor。l。xi。epist。38，indict。vi。BenignitatemvestraepietatisadImperialefastigiumpervenissegaudemus。
Laetenturcoelietexultetterra，etdevestrisbenignisactibusuniversaerepublicaepopulusnuncusquevehementerafflictushilarescat，&c。Thisbaseflattery，thetopicofProtestantinvective，isjustlycensuredbythephilosopherBayle，DictionnaireCritique，GregoireI。Not。H。tom。ii。p。597598。
CardinalBaroniusjustifiesthepopeattheexpenseofthefallenemperor。]
[Footnote49:TheimagesofPhocasweredestroyed；buteventhemaliceofhisenemieswouldsufferonecopyofsuchaportraitorcaricatureCedrenus，p。404toescapetheflames。]
[Footnote50:ThefamilyofMauriceisrepresentedbyDucange，FamiliaeByzantinae，p。106，107，108；hiseldestsonTheodosiushadbeencrownedemperor，whenhewasnomorethanfouryearsandahalfold，andheisalwaysjoinedwithhisfatherinthesalutationsofGregory。WiththeChristiandaughters，AnastasiaandTheocteste，IamsurprisedtofindthePagannameofCleopatra。]
[Footnote51:SomeofthecrueltiesofPhocasaremarkedbyTheophylact，l。viii。c。13，14，15。GeorgeofPisidia，thepoetofHeraclius，styleshimBell。Avaricum，p。46，Rome，1777。
Thelatterepithetisjust—butthecorrupteroflifewaseasilyvanquished。]
ChapterXLVI:TroublesInPersia。
PartIII。
AdaughterofPhocas，hisonlychild，wasgiveninmarriagetothepatricianCrispus，^52andtheroyalimagesofthebrideandbridegroomwereindiscreetlyplacedinthecircus，bythesideoftheemperor。Thefathermustdesirethathisposterityshouldinheritthefruitofhiscrimes，butthemonarchwasoffendedbythisprematureandpopularassociation:thetribunesofthegreenfaction，whoaccusedtheofficiouserroroftheirsculptors，werecondemnedtoinstantdeath:theirlivesweregrantedtotheprayersofthepeople；butCrispusmightreasonablydoubt，whetherajealoususurpercouldforgetandpardonhisinvoluntarycompetition。ThegreenfactionwasalienatedbytheingratitudeofPhocasandthelossoftheirprivileges；everyprovinceoftheempirewasripeforrebellion；
andHeraclius，exarchofAfrica，persistedabovetwoyearsinrefusingalltributeandobediencetothecenturionwhodisgracedthethroneofConstantinople。BythesecretemissariesofCrispusandthesenate，theindependentexarchwassolicitedtosaveandtogovernhiscountry；buthisambitionwaschilledbyage，andheresignedthedangerousenterprisetohissonHeraclius，andtoNicetas，thesonofGregory，hisfriendandlieutenant。ThepowersofAfricawerearmedbythetwoadventurousyouths；theyagreedthattheoneshouldnavigatethefleetfromCarthagetoConstantinople，thattheothershouldleadanarmythroughEgyptandAsia，andthattheImperialpurpleshouldbetherewardofdiligenceandsuccess。AfaintrumoroftheirundertakingwasconveyedtotheearsofPhocas，andthewifeandmotheroftheyoungerHeracliusweresecuredasthehostagesofhisfaith:butthetreacherousheartofCrispusextenuatedthedistantperil，themeansofdefencewereneglectedordelayed，andthetyrantsupinelyslepttilltheAfricannavycastanchorintheHellespont。TheirstandardwasjoinedatAbidusbythefugitivesandexileswhothirstedforrevenge；theshipsofHeraclius，whoseloftymastswereadornedwiththeholysymbolsofreligion，^53steeredtheirtriumphantcoursethroughthePropontis；andPhocasbeheldfromthewindowsofthepalacehisapproachingandinevitablefate。Thegreenfactionwastempted，bygiftsandpromises，toopposeafeebleandfruitlessresistancetothelandingoftheAfricans:butthepeople，andeventheguards，weredeterminedbythewell—timeddefectionofCrispus；andtheytyrantwasseizedbyaprivateenemy，whoboldlyinvadedthesolitudeofthepalace。Strippedofthediademandpurple，clothedinavilehabit，andloadedwithchains，hewastransportedinasmallboattotheImperialgalleyofHeraclius，whoreproachedhimwiththecrimesofhisabominablereign。\"Wiltthougovernbetter?\"werethelastwordsofthedespairofPhocas。Aftersufferingeachvarietyofinsultandtorture，hisheadwasseveredfromhisbody，themangledtrunkwascastintotheflames，andthesametreatmentwasinflictedonthestatuesofthevainusurper，andtheseditiousbannerofthegreenfaction。Thevoiceoftheclergy，thesenate，andthepeople，invitedHeracliustoascendthethronewhichhehadpurifiedfromguiltandignominy；aftersomegracefulhesitation，heyieldedtotheirentreaties。HiscoronationwasaccompaniedbythatofhiswifeEudoxia；andtheirposterity，tillthefourthgeneration，continuedtoreignovertheempireoftheEast。ThevoyageofHeracliushadbeeneasyandprosperous；thetediousmarchofNicetaswasnotaccomplishedbeforethedecisionofthecontest:buthesubmittedwithoutamurmurtothefortuneofhisfriend，andhislaudableintentionswererewardedwithanequestrianstatue，andadaughteroftheemperor。ItwasmoredifficulttotrustthefidelityofCrispus，whoserecentserviceswererecompensedbythecommandoftheCappadocianarmy。Hisarrogancesoonprovoked，andseemedtoexcuse，theingratitudeofhisnewsovereign。Inthepresenceofthesenate，theson—in—lawofPhocaswascondemnedtoembracethemonasticlife；andthesentencewasjustifiedbytheweightyobservationofHeraclius，thatthemanwhohadbetrayedhisfathercouldneverbefaithfultohisfriend。^54
[Footnote52:Inthewriters，andinthecopiesofthosewriters，thereissuchhesitationbetweenthenamesofPriscusandCrispus，Ducange，FamByzant。p。111，thatIhavebeentemptedtoidentifytheson—in—lawofPhocaswiththeherofivetimesvictoriousovertheAvars。]
[Footnote53:AccordingtoTheophanes。Cedrenusadds，whichHeracliusboreasabannerinthefirstPersianexpedition。SeeGeorgePisid。AcroasL140。Themanufactureseemstohaveflourished；butFoggini，theRomaneditor，p。26，isatalosstodeterminewhetherthispicturewasanoriginaloracopy。]
[Footnote54:SeethetyrannyofPhocasandtheelevationofHeraclius，inChron。Paschal。p。380—383。Theophanes，p。242—
250。Nicephorus，p。3—7。Cedrenus，p。404—407。Zonaras，tom。ii。l。xiv。p。80—82。]
EvenafterhisdeaththerepublicwasafflictedbythecrimesofPhocas，whicharmedwithapiouscausethemostformidableofherenemies。AccordingtothefriendlyandequalformsoftheByzantineandPersiancourts，heannouncedhisexaltationtothethrone；andhisambassadorLilius，whohadpresentedhimwiththeheadsofMauriceandhissons，wasthebestqualifiedtodescribethecircumstancesofthetragicscene。
^55Howeveritmightbevarnishedbyfictionorsophistry，Chosroesturnedwithhorrorfromtheassassin，imprisonedthepretendedenvoy，disclaimedtheusurper，anddeclaredhimselftheavengerofhisfatherandbenefactor。Thesentimentsofgriefandresentment，whichhumanitywouldfeel，andhonorwoulddictate，promotedonthisoccasiontheinterestofthePersianking；andhisinterestwaspowerfullymagnifiedbythenationalandreligiousprejudicesoftheMagiandsatraps。Inastrainofartfuladulation，whichassumedthelanguageoffreedom，theypresumedtocensuretheexcessofhisgratitudeandfriendshipfortheGreeks；anationwithwhomitwasdangeroustoconcludeeitherpeaceoralliance；whosesuperstitionwasdevoidoftruthandjustice，andwhomustbeincapableofanyvirtue，sincetheycouldperpetratethemostatrociousofcrimes，theimpiousmurderoftheirsovereign。^56Forthecrimeofanambitiouscenturion，thenationwhichheoppressedwaschastisedwiththecalamitiesofwar；andthesamecalamities，attheendoftwentyyears，wereretaliatedandredoubledontheheadsofthePersians。^57ThegeneralwhohadrestoredChosroestothethronestillcommandedintheEast；andthenameofNarseswastheformidablesoundwithwhichtheAssyrianmotherswereaccustomedtoterrifytheirinfants。Itisnotimprobable，thatanativesubjectofPersiashouldencouragehismasterandhisfriendtodeliverandpossesstheprovincesofAsia。Itisstillmoreprobable，thatChosroesshouldanimatehistroopsbytheassurancethattheswordwhichtheydreadedthemostwouldremaininitsscabbard，orbedrawnintheirfavor。Theherocouldnotdependonthefaithofatyrant；andthetyrantwasconscioushowlittlehedeservedtheobedienceofahero。Narseswasremovedfromhismilitarycommand；herearedanindependentstandardatHierapolis，inSyria:hewasbetrayedbyfallaciouspromises，andburntaliveinthemarket—placeofConstantinople。