[Footnote23:Saserna，inGaul，andColumella，inItalyorSpain，allowtwoyokeofoxen，twodrivers，andsixlaborers，fortwohundredjugera125Englishacresofarableland，andthreemoremenmustbeaddediftherebemuchunderwood，ColumelladeReRustica，l。ii。c。13，p441，edit。Gesner。]
[Footnote24:Inthisenumerationl。iii。c。30theFrenchtranslationofthepresidentCousinisblottedwiththreepalpableandessentialerrors。1。Heomitsthe1000yokeofworkingoxen。2。Heinterpretsbythenumberoffifteenhundred。
3。Heconfoundsmyriadswithchiliads，andgivesCantacuzenenomorethan5000hogs。Putnotyourtrustintranslations!]
Note:Thereseemstobeanotherreading。Niebuhr\'sedit。inlos。—M。]
Hadtheregentfoundasuitablereturnofobedienceandgratitude，perhapshewouldhaveactedwithpureandzealousfidelityintheserviceofhispupil。^25Aguardoffivehundredsoldierswatchedoverhispersonandthepalace；thefuneralofthelateemperorwasdecentlyperformed；thecapitalwassilentandsubmissive；andfivehundredletters，whichCantacuzenedespatchedinthefirstmonth，informedtheprovincesoftheirlossandtheirduty。TheprospectofatranquilminoritywasblastedbythegreatdukeoradmiralApocaucus，andtoexaggeratehisperfidy，theImperialhistorianispleasedtomagnifyhisownimprudence，inraisinghimtothatofficeagainsttheadviceofhismoresagacioussovereign。Boldandsubtle，rapaciousandprofuse，theavariceandambitionofApocaucuswerebyturnssubservienttoeachother；andhistalentswereappliedtotheruinofhiscountry。Hisarrogancewasheightenedbythecommandofanavalforceandanimpregnablecastle，andunderthemaskofoathsandflatteryhesecretlyconspiredagainsthisbenefactor。
Thefemalecourtoftheempresswasbribedanddirected；heencouragedAnneofSavoytoassert，bythelawofnature，thetutelageofherson；theloveofpowerwasdisguisedbytheanxietyofmaternaltenderness:andthefounderofthePalaeologihadinstructedhisposteritytodreadtheexampleofaperfidiousguardian。ThepatriarchJohnofApriwasaproudandfeebleoldman，encompassedbyanumerousandhungrykindred。HeproducedanobsoleteepistleofAndronicus，whichbequeathedtheprinceandpeopletohispiouscare:thefateofhispredecessorArseniuspromptedhimtoprevent，ratherthanpunish，thecrimesofausurper；andApocaucussmiledatthesuccessofhisownflattery，whenhebeheldtheByzantinepriestassumingthestateandtemporalclaimsoftheRomanpontiff。^26Betweenthreepersonssodifferentintheirsituationandcharacter，aprivateleaguewasconcluded:ashadowofauthoritywasrestoredtothesenate；andthepeoplewastemptedbythenameoffreedom。Bythispowerfulconfederacy，thegreatdomesticwasassaultedatfirstwithclandestine，atlengthwithopen，arms。Hisprerogativesweredisputed；hisopinionsslighted；hisfriendspersecuted；andhissafetywasthreatenedbothinthecampandcity。Inhisabsenceonthepublicservice，hewasaccusedoftreason；proscribedasanenemyofthechurchandstate；anddeliveredwithallhisadherentstotheswordofjustice，thevengeanceofthepeople，andthepowerofthedevil；hisfortuneswereconfiscated；hisagedmotherwascastintoprison；allhispastserviceswereburiedinoblivion；andhewasdrivenbyinjusticetoperpetratethecrimeofwhichhewasaccused。^27
Fromthereviewofhisprecedingconduct，Cantacuzeneappearstohavebeenguiltlessofanytreasonabledesigns；andtheonlysuspicionofhisinnocencemustarisefromthevehemenceofhisprotestations，andthesublimepuritywhichheascribestohisownvirtue。Whiletheempressandthepatriarchstillaffectedtheappearancesofharmony，herepeatedlysolicitedthepermissionofretiringtoaprivate，andevenamonastic，life。
Afterhehadbeendeclaredapublicenemy，itwashisferventwishtothrowhimselfatthefeetoftheyoungemperor，andtoreceivewithoutamurmurthestrokeoftheexecutioner:itwasnotwithoutreluctancethathelistenedtothevoiceofreason，whichinculcatedthesacreddutyofsavinghisfamilyandfriends，andprovedthathecouldonlysavethembydrawingtheswordandassumingtheImperialtitle。
[Footnote25:SeetheregencyandreignofJohnCantacuzenus，andthewholeprogressofthecivilwar，inhisownhistory，l。iii。
c。1—100，p。348—700，andinthatofNicephorusGregoras，l。xii。c。1—l。xv。c。9，p。353—492。]
[Footnote26:Heassumestheroyalprivilegeofredshoesorbuskins；placedonhisheadamitreofsilkandgold；subscribedhisepistleswithhyacinthorgreenink，andclaimedforthenew，whateverConstantinehadgiventotheancient，Rome，Cantacuzen。
l。iii。c。36。Nic。Gregoras，l。xiv。c。3。]
[Footnote*:Shediedtherethroughpersecutionandneglect。—
M。]
[Footnote27:Gregorasl。xii。c。5。confessestheinnocenceandvirtuesofCantacuzenus，theguiltandflagitiousvicesofApocaucus；nordoeshedissemblethemotiveofhispersonalandreligiousenmitytotheformer。
Note:TheywerethereligiousenemiesandpersecutorsofNicephorus。]
ChapterLXIII:CivilWarsAndTheRuinOfTheGreekEmpire。
PartII。
InthestrongcityofDemotica，hispeculiardomain，theemperorJohnCantacuzenuswasinvestedwiththepurplebuskins:
hisrightlegwasclothedbyhisnoblekinsmen，theleftbytheLatinchiefs，onwhomheconferredtheorderofknighthood。Buteveninthisactofrevolt，hewasstillstudiousofloyalty；andthetitlesofJohnPalaeologusandAnneofSavoywereproclaimedbeforehisownnameandthatofhiswifeIrene。Suchvainceremonyisathindisguiseofrebellion，norarethereperhapsanypersonalwrongsthatcanauthorizeasubjecttotakearmsagainsthissovereign:butthewantofpreparationandsuccessmayconfirmtheassuranceoftheusurper，thatthisdecisivestepwastheeffectofnecessityratherthanofchoice。Constantinopleadheredtotheyoungemperor；thekingofBulgariawasinvitedtothereliefofAdrianople:theprincipalcitiesofThraceandMacedonia，aftersomehesitation，renouncedtheirobediencetothegreatdomestic；andtheleadersofthetroopsandprovinceswereinduced，bytheirprivateinterest，toprefertheloosedominionofawomanandapriest。ThearmyofCantacuzene，insixteendivisions，wasstationedonthebanksoftheMelastotemptortointimidatethecapital:itwasdispersedbytreacheryorfear；andtheofficers，moreespeciallythemercenaryLatins，acceptedthebribes，andembracedtheservice，oftheByzantinecourt。Afterthisloss，therebelemperorhefluctuatedbetweenthetwocharacterstooktheroadofThessalonicawithachosenremnant；buthefailedinhisenterpriseonthatimportantplace；
andhewascloselypursuedbythegreatduke，hisenemyApocaucus，attheheadofasuperiorpowerbyseaandland。
Drivenfromthecoast，inhismarch，orratherflight，intothemountainsofServia，Cantacuzeneassembledhistroopstoscrutinizethosewhowereworthyandwillingtoaccompanyhisbrokenfortunes。Abasemajoritybowedandretired；andhistrustybandwasdiminishedtotwothousand，andatlasttofivehundred，volunteers。Thecral，^28ordespotoftheServiansreceivedhimwithgeneralhospitality；buttheallywasinsensiblydegradedtoasuppliant，ahostage，acaptive；andinthismiserabledependence，hewaitedatthedooroftheBarbarian，whocoulddisposeofthelifeandlibertyofaRomanemperor。Themosttemptingofferscouldnotpersuadethecraltoviolatehistrust；buthesooninclinedtothestrongerside；andhisfriendwasdismissedwithoutinjurytoanewvicissitudeofhopesandperils。Nearsixyearstheflameofdiscordburntwithvarioussuccessandunabatedrage:thecitiesweredistractedbythefactionofthenoblesandtheplebeians；theCantacuzeniandPalaeologi:andtheBulgarians，theServians，andtheTurks，wereinvokedonbothsidesastheinstrumentsofprivateambitionandthecommonruin。Theregentdeploredthecalamities，ofwhichhewastheauthorandvictim:andhisownexperiencemightdictateajustandlivelyremarkonthedifferentnatureofforeignandcivilwar。\"Theformer，\"saidhe，\"istheexternalwarmthofsummer，alwaystolerable，andoftenbeneficial；thelatteristhedeadlyheatofafever，whichconsumeswithoutaremedythevitalsoftheconstitution。\"^29
[Footnote*:Cantacuzeneasserts，thatinallthecities，thepopulacewereonthesideoftheemperor，thearistocracyonhis。
ThepopulacetooktheopportunityofrisingandplunderingthewealthyasCantacuzenites，vol。iii。c。29Agesofcommonoppressionandruinhadnotextinguishedtheserepublicanfactions。—M。]
[Footnote28:TheprincesofServiaDucange，Famil。Dalmaticae，&c。，c。2，3，4，9werestyledDespotsinGreek，andCralintheirnativeidiom，Ducange，Gloss。Graec。p。751。Thattitle，theequivalentofking，appearstobeofSclavonicorigin，fromwhenceithasbeenborrowedbytheHungarians，themodernGreeks，andevenbytheTurks，Leunclavius，Pandect。Turc。p。422，whoreservethenameofPadishahfortheemperor。ToobtainthelatterinsteadoftheformeristheambitionoftheFrenchatConstantinople，Aversissemental\'HistoiredeTimurBec，p。
39。]
[Footnote29:Nic。Gregoras，l。xii。c。14。ItissurprisingthatCantacuzenehasnotinsertedthisjustandlivelyimageinhisownwritings。]
Theintroductionofbarbariansandsavagesintothecontestsofcivilizednations，isameasurepregnantwithshameandmischief；whichtheinterestofthemomentmaycompel，butwhichisreprobatedbythebestprinciplesofhumanityandreason。Itisthepracticeofbothsidestoaccusetheirenemiesoftheguiltofthefirstalliances；andthosewhofailintheirnegotiationsareloudestintheircensureoftheexamplewhichtheyenvyandwouldgladlyimitate。TheTurksofAsiawerelessbarbarousperhapsthantheshepherdsofBulgariaandServia；buttheirreligionrenderedthemimplacablefoesofRomeandChristianity。Toacquirethefriendshipoftheiremirs，thetwofactionsviedwitheachotherinbasenessandprofusion:thedexterityofCantacuzeneobtainedthepreference:butthesuccorandvictoryweredearlypurchasedbythemarriageofhisdaughterwithaninfidel，thecaptivityofmanythousandChristians，andthepassageoftheOttomansintoEurope，thelastandfatalstrokeinthefalloftheRomanempire。TheincliningscalewasdecidedinhisfavorbythedeathofApocaucus，thejustthoughsingularretributionofhiscrimes。Acrowdofnoblesorplebeians，whomhefearedorhated，hadbeenseizedbyhisordersinthecapitalandtheprovinces；andtheoldpalaceofConstantinewasassignedastheplaceoftheirconfinement。Somealterationsinraisingthewalls，andnarrowingthecells，hadbeeningeniouslycontrivedtopreventtheirescape，andaggravatetheirmisery；andtheworkwasincessantlypressedbythedailyvisitsofthetyrant。Hisguardswatchedatthegate，andashestoodintheinnercourttooverlookthearchitects，withoutfearorsuspicion，hewasassaultedandlaidbreathlessontheground，bytworesoluteprisonersofthePalaeologianrace，^30whowerearmedwithsticks，andanimatedbydespair。Ontherumorofrevengeandliberty，thecaptivemultitudebroketheirfetters，fortifiedtheirprison，andexposedfromthebattlementsthetyrant\'shead，presumingonthefavorofthepeopleandtheclemencyoftheempress。AnneofSavoymightrejoiceinthefallofahaughtyandambitiousminister，butwhileshedelayedtoresolveortoact，thepopulace，moreespeciallythemariners，wereexcitedbythewidowofthegreatduketoasedition，anassault，andamassacre。Theprisonersofwhomthefargreaterpartwereguiltlessoringloriousofthedeedescapedtoaneighboringchurch:theywereslaughteredatthefootofthealtar；andinhisdeaththemonsterwasnotlessbloodyandvenomousthaninhislife。Yethistalentsaloneupheldthecauseoftheyoungemperor；andhissurvivingassociates，suspiciousofeachother，abandonedtheconductofthewar，andrejectedthefairesttermsofaccommodation。Inthebeginningofthedispute，theempressfelt，andcomplained，thatshewasdeceivedbytheenemiesofCantacuzene:thepatriarchwasemployedtopreachagainsttheforgivenessofinjuries；andherpromiseofimmortalhatredwassealedbyanoath，underthepenaltyofexcommunication。^31ButAnnesoonlearnedtohatewithoutateacher:shebeheldthemisfortunesoftheempirewiththeindifferenceofastranger:herjealousywasexasperatedbythecompetitionofarivalempress；andonthefirstsymptomsofamoreyieldingtemper，shethreatenedthepatriarchtoconveneasynod，anddegradehimfromhisoffice。Theirincapacityanddiscordwouldhaveaffordedthemostdecisiveadvantage；butthecivilwarwasprotractedbytheweaknessofbothparties；andthemoderationofCantacuzenehasnotescapedthereproachoftimidityandindolence。Hesuccessivelyrecoveredtheprovincesandcities；andtherealmofhispupilwasmeasuredbythewallsofConstantinople；butthemetropolisalonecounterbalancedtherestoftheempire；norcouldheattemptthatimportantconquesttillhehadsecuredinhisfavorthepublicvoiceandaprivatecorrespondence。AnItalian，ofthenameofFacciolati，^32hadsucceededtotheofficeofgreatduke:theships，theguards，andthegoldengate，weresubjecttohiscommand；buthishumbleambitionwasbribedtobecometheinstrumentoftreachery；andtherevolutionwasaccomplishedwithoutdangerorbloodshed。
Destituteofthepowersofresistance，orthehopeofrelief，theinflexibleAnnewouldhavestilldefendedthepalace，andhavesmiledtobeholdthecapitalinflames，ratherthaninthepossessionofarival。Sheyieldedtotheprayersofherfriendsandenemies；andthetreatywasdictatedbytheconqueror，whoprofessedaloyalandzealousattachmenttothesonofhisbenefactor。ThemarriageofhisdaughterwithJohnPalaeologuswasatlengthconsummated:thehereditaryrightofthepupilwasacknowledged；butthesoleadministrationduringtenyearswasvestedintheguardian。TwoemperorsandthreeempresseswereseatedontheByzantinethrone；andageneralamnestyquietedtheapprehensions，andconfirmedtheproperty，ofthemostguiltysubjects。Thefestivalofthecoronationandnuptialswascelebratedwiththeappearancesofconcordandmagnificence，andbothwereequallyfallacious。Duringthelatetroubles，thetreasuresofthestate，andeventhefurnitureofthepalace，hadbeenalienatedorembezzled；theroyalbanquetwasservedinpewterorearthenware；andsuchwastheproudpovertyofthetimes，thattheabsenceofgoldandjewelswassuppliedbythepaltryartificesofglassandgilt—leather。^33
[Footnote30:ThetwoavengerswerebothPalaeologi，whomightresent，withroyalindignation，theshameoftheirchains。ThetragedyofApocaucusmaydeserveapeculiarreferencetoCantacuzenel。iii。c。86andNic。Gregoras，l。xiv。c。10。]
[Footnote31:Cantacuzeneaccusesthepatriarch，andsparestheempress，themotherofhissovereign，l。iii。33，34，againstwhomNic。Gregorasexpressesaparticularanimosity，l。xiv。10，11，xv。5。Itistruethattheydonotspeakexactlyofthesametime。]
[Footnote*:Nicephorussaysfour，p。734。]
[Footnote32:ThetraitorandtreasonarerevealedbyNic。
Gregoras，l。xv。c。8；butthenameismorediscreetlysuppressedbyhisgreataccomplice，Cantacuzen。l。iii。c。99。]
[Footnote33:Nic。Greg。l。xv。11。Therewere，however，sometruepearls，butverythinlysprinkled。]
IhastentoconcludethepersonalhistoryofJohnCantacuzene。^34Hetriumphedandreigned；buthisreignandtriumphwerecloudedbythediscontentofhisownandtheadversefaction。Hisfollowersmightstylethegeneralamnestyanactofpardonforhisenemies，andofoblivionforhisfriends:^35inhiscausetheirestateshadbeenforfeitedorplundered；andastheywanderednakedandhungrythroughthestreets，theycursedtheselfishgenerosityofaleader，who，onthethroneoftheempire，mightrelinquishwithoutmerithisprivateinheritance。
Theadherentsoftheempressblushedtoholdtheirlivesandfortunesbytheprecariousfavorofausurper；andthethirstofrevengewasconcealedbyatenderconcernforthesuccession，andeventhesafety，ofherson。TheywerejustlyalarmedbyapetitionofthefriendsofCantacuzene，thattheymightbereleasedfromtheiroathofallegiancetothePalaeologi，andintrustedwiththedefenceofsomecautionarytowns；ameasuresupportedwithargumentandeloquence；andwhichwasrejectedsaystheImperialhistorian\"bymysublime，andalmostincrediblevirtue。\"Hisreposewasdisturbedbythesoundofplotsandseditions；andhetrembledlestthelawfulprinceshouldbestolenawaybysomeforeignordomesticenemy，whowouldinscribehisnameandhiswrongsinthebannersofrebellion。AsthesonofAndronicusadvancedintheyearsofmanhood，hebegantofeelandtoactforhimself；andhisrisingambitionwasratherstimulatedthancheckedbytheimitationofhisfather\'svices。Ifwemaytrusthisownprofessions，Cantacuzenelaboredwithhonestindustrytocorrectthesesordidandsensualappetites，andtoraisethemindoftheyoungprincetoalevelwithhisfortune。IntheServianexpedition，thetwoemperorsshowedthemselvesincordialharmonytothetroopsandprovinces；andtheyoungercolleaguewasinitiatedbytheelderinthemysteriesofwarandgovernment。Aftertheconclusionofthepeace，PalaeologuswasleftatThessalonica，aroyalresidence，andafrontierstation，tosecurebyhisabsencethepeaceofConstantinople，andtowithdrawhisyouthfromthetemptationsofaluxuriouscapital。Butthedistanceweakenedthepowersofcontrol，andthesonofAndronicuswassurroundedwithartfulorunthinkingcompanions，whotaughthimtohatehisguardian，todeplorehisexile，andtovindicatehisrights。A
privatetreatywiththecralordespotofServiawassoonfollowedbyanopenrevolt；andCantacuzene，onthethroneoftheelderAndronicus，defendedthecauseofageandprerogative，whichinhisyouthhehadsovigorouslyattacked。Athisrequesttheempress—motherundertookthevoyageofThessalonica，andtheofficeofmediation:shereturnedwithoutsuccess；andunlessAnneofSavoywasinstructedbyadversity，wemaydoubtthesincerity，oratleastthefervor，ofherzeal。Whiletheregentgraspedthesceptrewithafirmandvigoroushand，shehadbeeninstructedtodeclare，thatthetenyearsofhislegaladministrationwouldsoonelapse；andthat，afterafulltrialofthevanityoftheworld，theemperorCantacuzenesighedforthereposeofacloister，andwasambitiousonlyofaheavenlycrown。
Hadthesesentimentsbeengenuine，hisvoluntaryabdicationwouldhaverestoredthepeaceoftheempire，andhisconsciencewouldhavebeenrelievedbyanactofjustice。Palaeologusalonewasresponsibleforhisfuturegovernment；andwhatevermightbehisvices，theyweresurelylessformidablethanthecalamitiesofacivilwar，inwhichtheBarbariansandinfidelswereagaininvitedtoassisttheGreeksintheirmutualdestruction。BythearmsoftheTurks，whonowstruckadeepandeverlastingrootinEurope，Cantacuzeneprevailedinthethirdcontestinwhichhehadbeeninvolved；andtheyoungemperor，drivenfromtheseaandland，wascompelledtotakeshelteramongtheLatinsoftheIsleofTenedos。Hisinsolenceandobstinacyprovokedthevictortoastepwhichmustrenderthequarrelirreconcilable；andtheassociationofhissonMatthew，whomheinvestedwiththepurple，establishedthesuccessioninthefamilyoftheCantacuzeni。ButConstantinoplewasstillattachedtothebloodofherancientprinces；andthislastinjuryacceleratedtherestorationoftherightfulheir。AnobleGenoeseespousedthecauseofPalaeologus，obtainedapromiseofhissister，andachievedtherevolutionwithtwogalleysandtwothousandfivehundredauxiliaries。Underthepretenceofdistress，theywereadmittedintothelesserport；agatewasopened，andtheLatinshoutof，\"Longlifeandvictorytotheemperor，JohnPalaeologus!\"wasansweredbyageneralrisinginhisfavor。AnumerousandloyalpartyyetadheredtothestandardofCantacuzene:butheassertsinhishistorydoeshehopeforbelief?thathistenderconsciencerejectedtheassuranceofconquest；that，infreeobediencetothevoiceofreligionandphilosophy，hedescendedfromthethroneandembracedwithpleasurethemonastichabitandprofession。^36Sosoonasheceasedtobeaprince，hissuccessorwasnotunwillingthatheshouldbeasaint:theremainderofhislifewasdevotedtopietyandlearning；inthecellsofConstantinopleandMountAthos，themonkJoasaphwasrespectedasthetemporalandspiritualfatheroftheemperor；