Anarmyofconquerorswasbrokenintomanydisorderlybandsofsavagerobbers；andtheirblindandirregularfurywasnotlesspernicioustothemselves，thantotheirenemies。Theirmischievousdispositionwasshowninthedestructionofeveryobjectwhichtheywantedstrengthtoremove，ortastetoenjoy；
　　andtheyoftenconsumed，withimprovidentrage，theharvests，orthegranaries，whichsoonafterwardsbecamenecessaryfortheirownsubsistence。Aspiritofdiscordaroseamongtheindependenttribesandnations，whichhadbeenunitedonlybythebandsofalooseandvoluntaryalliance。ThetroopsoftheHunsandtheAlaniwouldnaturallyupbraidtheflightoftheGoths；whowerenotdisposedtousewithmoderationtheadvantagesoftheirfortune；theancientjealousyoftheOstrogothsandtheVisigothscouldnotlongbesuspended；andthehaughtychiefsstillrememberedtheinsultsandinjuries，whichtheyhadreciprocallyoffered，orsustained，whilethenationwasseatedinthecountriesbeyondtheDanube。Theprogressofdomesticfactionabatedthemorediffusivesentimentofnationalanimosity；andtheofficersofTheodosiuswereinstructedtopurchase，withliberalgiftsandpromises，theretreatorserviceofthediscontentedparty。TheacquisitionofModar，aprinceoftheroyalbloodoftheAmali，gaveaboldandfaithfulchampiontothecauseofRome。Theillustriousdesertersoonobtainedtherankofmaster—general，withanimportantcommand；surprisedanarmyofhiscountrymen，whowereimmersedinwineandsleep；and，afteracruelslaughteroftheastonishedGoths，returnedwithanimmensespoil，andfourthousandwagons，totheImperialcamp。
　　^120Inthehandsofaskilfulpolitician，themostdifferentmeansmaybesuccessfullyappliedtothesameends；andthepeaceoftheempire，whichhadbeenforwardedbythedivisions，wasaccomplishedbythereunion，oftheGothicnation。Athanaric，whohadbeenapatientspectatoroftheseextraordinaryevents，wasatlengthdriven，bythechanceofarms，fromthedarkrecessesofthewoodsofCaucaland。HenolongerhesitatedtopasstheDanube；andaveryconsiderablepartofthesubjectsofFritigern，whoalreadyfelttheinconveniencesofanarchy，wereeasilypersuadedtoacknowledgefortheirkingaGothicJudge，whosebirththeyrespected，andwhoseabilitiestheyhadfrequentlyexperienced。ButagehadchilledthedaringspiritofAthanaric；and，insteadofleadinghispeopletothefieldofbattleandvictory，hewiselylistenedtothefairproposalofanhonorableandadvantageoustreaty。Theodosius，whowasacquaintedwiththemeritandpowerofhisnewally，condescendedtomeethimatthedistanceofseveralmilesfromConstantinople；
　　andentertainedhimintheImperialcity，withtheconfidenceofafriend，andthemagnificenceofamonarch。"TheBarbarianprinceobserved，withcuriousattention，thevarietyofobjectswhichattractedhisnotice，andatlastbrokeoutintoasincereandpassionateexclamationofwonder。Inowbeholdsaidhe
　　whatInevercouldbelieve，thegloriesofthisstupendouscapital!Andashecasthiseyesaround，heviewed，andheadmired，thecommandingsituationofthecity，thestrengthandbeautyofthewallsandpublicedifices，thecapaciousharbor，crowdedwithinnumerablevessels，theperpetualconcourseofdistantnations，andthearmsanddisciplineofthetroops。
　　Indeed，continuedAthanaric，theemperoroftheRomansisagoduponearth；andthepresumptuousman，whodarestolifthishandagainsthim，isguiltyofhisownblood。"^121TheGothickingdidnotlongenjoythissplendidandhonorablereception；and，astemperancewasnotthevirtueofhisnation，itmayjustlybesuspected，thathismortaldiseasewascontractedamidstthepleasuresoftheImperialbanquets。ButthepolicyofTheodosiusderivedmoresolidbenefitfromthedeath，thanhecouldhaveexpectedfromthemostfaithfulservices，ofhisally。ThefuneralofAthanaricwasperformedwithsolemnritesinthecapitaloftheEast；astatelymonumentwaserectedtohismemory；andhiswholearmy，wonbytheliberalcourtesy，anddecentgrief，ofTheodosius，enlistedunderthestandardoftheRomanempire。^122ThesubmissionofsogreatabodyoftheVisigothswasproductiveofthemostsalutaryconsequences；andthemixedinfluenceofforce，ofreason，andofcorruption，becameeverydaymorepowerful，andmoreextensive。Eachindependentchieftainhastenedtoobtainaseparatetreaty，fromtheapprehensionthatanobstinatedelaymightexposehim，aloneandunprotected，totherevenge，orjustice，oftheconqueror。
　　Thegeneral，orratherthefinal，capitulationoftheGoths，maybedatedfouryears，onemonth，andtwenty—fivedays，afterthedefeatanddeathoftheemperorValens。^123
　　[Footnote119:CompareThemistiusOrat，xiv。p。181withZosimusl。iv。p。232，Jornandes，c。xxvii。p。649，andtheprolixCommentaryofM。deBuat，Hist。dePeuples，&c。，tom。vi。
　　p。477—552。TheChroniclesofIdatiusandMarcellinusallude，ingeneralterms，tomagnacertamina，magnamultaquepraelia。
　　Thetwoepithetsarenoteasilyreconciled。]
　　[Footnote120:Zosimusl。iv。p。232styleshimaScythian，anamewhichthemorerecentGreeksseemtohaveappropriatedtotheGoths。]
　　[Footnote121:ThereaderwillnotbedispleasedtoseetheoriginalwordsofJornandes，ortheauthorwhomhetranscribed。
　　Regiamurbemingressusest，miransque，En，inquit，cernoquodsaepeincredulusaudiebam，famamvidelicettantaeurbis。Ethucillucoculosvolvens，nuncsitumurbis，commeatumquenavium，nuncmoeniaclaraprospectans，miratur；populosquediversarumgentium，quasifonteinunoediversispartibusscaturienteunda，sicquoquemilitemordinatumaspiciens；Deus，inquit，sinedubioestterrenusImperator，etquisquisadversuseummanummoverit，ipsesuisanguinisreusexistitJornandesc。xxviii。p。650
　　proceedstomentionhisdeathandfuneral。]
　　[Footnote122:Jornandes，c。xxviii。p。650。EvenZosimusl。v。
　　p。246iscompelledtoapprovethegenerosityofTheodosius，sohonorabletohimself，andsobeneficialtothepublic。]
　　[Footnote123:Theshort，butauthentic，hintsintheFastiofIdatiusChron。Scaliger。p。52arestainedwithcontemporarypassion。ThefourteenthorationofThemistiusisacomplimenttoPeace，andtheconsulSaturninus，A。D。383。]
　　TheprovincesoftheDanubehadbeenalreadyrelievedfromtheoppressiveweightoftheGruthungi，orOstrogoths，bythevoluntaryretreatofAlatheusandSaphrax，whoserestlessspirithadpromptedthemtoseeknewscenesofrapineandglory。TheirdestructivecoursewaspointedtowardstheWest；butwemustbesatisfiedwithaveryobscureandimperfectknowledgeoftheirvariousadventures。TheOstrogothsimpelledseveraloftheGermantribesontheprovincesofGaul；concluded，andsoonviolated，atreatywiththeemperorGratian；advancedintotheunknowncountriesoftheNorth；and，afteranintervalofmorethanfouryears，returned，withaccumulatedforce，tothebanksoftheLowerDanube。TheirtroopswererecruitedwiththefiercestwarriorsofGermanyandScythia；andthesoldiers，oratleastthehistorians，oftheempire，nolongerrecognizedthenameandcountenancesoftheirformerenemies。^124ThegeneralwhocommandedthemilitaryandnavalpowersoftheThracianfrontier，soonperceivedthathissuperioritywouldbedisadvantageoustothepublicservice；andthattheBarbarians，awedbythepresenceofhisfleetandlegions，wouldprobablydeferthepassageoftherivertilltheapproachingwinter。Thedexterityofthespies，whomhesentintotheGothiccamp，alluredtheBarbariansintoafatalsnare。Theywerepersuadedthat，byaboldattempt，theymightsurprise，inthesilenceanddarknessofthenight，thesleepingarmyoftheRomans；andthewholemultitudewashastilyembarkedinafleetofthreethousandcanoes。^125ThebravestoftheOstrogothsledthevan；themainbodyconsistedoftheremainderoftheirsubjectsandsoldiers；
　　andthewomenandchildrensecurelyfollowedintherear。Oneofthenightswithoutamoonhadbeenselectedfortheexecutionoftheirdesign；andtheyhadalmostreachedthesouthernbankoftheDanube，inthefirmconfidencethattheyshouldfindaneasylandingandanunguardedcamp。ButtheprogressoftheBarbarianswassuddenlystoppedbyanunexpectedobstacleatriplelineofvessels，stronglyconnectedwitheachother，andwhichformedanimpenetrablechainoftwomilesandahalfalongtheriver。Whiletheystruggledtoforcetheirwayintheunequalconflict，theirrightflankwasoverwhelmedbytheirresistibleattackofafleetofgalleys，whichwereurgeddownthestreambytheunitedimpulseofoarsandofthetide。Theweightandvelocityofthoseshipsofwarbroke，andsunk，anddispersed，therudeandfeeblecanoesoftheBarbarians；theirvalorwasineffectual；andAlatheus，theking，orgeneral，oftheOstrogoths，perishedwithhisbravesttroops，eitherbytheswordoftheRomans，orinthewavesoftheDanube。Thelastdivisionofthisunfortunatefleetmightregaintheoppositeshore；butthedistressanddisorderofthemultituderenderedthemalikeincapable，eitherofactionorcounsel；andtheysoonimploredtheclemencyofthevictoriousenemy。Onthisoccasion，aswellasonmanyothers，itisadifficulttasktoreconcilethepassionsandprejudicesofthewritersoftheageofTheodosius。
　　Thepartialandmalignanthistorian，whomisrepresentseveryactionofhisreign，affirms，thattheemperordidnotappearinthefieldofbattletilltheBarbarianshadbeenvanquishedbythevalorandconductofhislieutenantPromotus。^126Theflatteringpoet，whocelebrated，inthecourtofHonorius，thegloryofthefatherandoftheson，ascribesthevictorytothepersonalprowessofTheodosius；andalmostinsinuates，thatthekingoftheOstrogothswasslainbythehandoftheemperor。^127
　　Thetruthofhistorymightperhapsbefoundinajustmediumbetweentheseextremeandcontradictoryassertions。
　　[Footnote124:Zosimus，l。iv。p。252。]
　　[Footnote125:Iamjustified，byreasonandexample，inapplyingthisIndiannametothetheBarbarians，thesingletreeshollowedintotheshapeofaboat。Zosimus，l。iv。p。253。]
　　AusiDanubiumquondamtranareGruthungiInlintresfregerenemus:termilleruebantPerfluviumplenaecuneisimmanibusalni。
　　Claudian，iniv。Cols。Hon。623。]
　　[Footnote126:Zosimus，l。iv。p。252—255。Hetoofrequentlybetrayshispovertyofjudgmentbydisgracingthemostseriousnarrativeswithtriflingandincrediblecircumstances。]
　　[Footnote127:—OdothaeiRegisopimaRetulit—Ver。632。
　　TheopimawerethespoilswhichaRomangeneralcouldonlywinfromtheking，orgeneral，oftheenemy，whomhehadslainwithhisownhands:andnomorethanthreesuchexamplesarecelebratedinthevictoriousagesofRome。]
　　TheoriginaltreatywhichfixedthesettlementoftheGoths，ascertainedtheirprivileges，andstipulatedtheirobligations，wouldillustratethehistoryofTheodosiusandhissuccessors。
　　Theseriesoftheirhistoryhasimperfectlypreservedthespiritandsubstanceofthissingleagreement。^128TheravagesofwarandtyrannyhadprovidedmanylargetractsoffertilebutuncultivatedlandfortheuseofthoseBarbarianswhomightnotdisdainthepracticeofagriculture。AnumerouscolonyoftheVisigothswasseatedinThrace；theremainsoftheOstrogothswereplantedinPhrygiaandLydia；theirimmediatewantsweresuppliedbyadistributionofcornandcattle；andtheirfutureindustrywasencouragedbyanexemptionfromtribute，duringacertaintermofyears。TheBarbarianswouldhavedeservedtofeelthecruelandperfidiouspolicyoftheImperialcourt，iftheyhadsufferedthemselvestobedispersedthroughtheprovinces。Theyrequired，andtheyobtained，thesolepossessionofthevillagesanddistrictsassignedfortheirresidence；theystillcherishedandpropagatedtheirnativemannersandlanguage；
　　asserted，inthebosomofdespotism，thefreedomoftheirdomesticgovernment；andacknowledgedthesovereigntyoftheemperor，withoutsubmittingtotheinferiorjurisdictionofthelawsandmagistratesofRome。Thehereditarychiefsofthetribesandfamilieswerestillpermittedtocommandtheirfollowersinpeaceandwar；buttheroyaldignitywasabolished；
　　andthegeneralsoftheGothswereappointedandremovedatthepleasureoftheemperor。AnarmyoffortythousandGothswasmaintainedfortheperpetualserviceoftheempireoftheEast；
　　andthosehaughtytroops，whoassumedthetitleofFoederati，orallies，weredistinguishedbytheirgoldcollars，liberalpay，andlicentiousprivileges。Theirnativecouragewasimprovedbytheuseofarmsandtheknowledgeofdiscipline；and，whiletherepublicwasguarded，orthreatened，bythedoubtfulswordoftheBarbarians，thelastsparksofthemilitaryflamewerefinallyextinguishedinthemindsoftheRomans。^129Theodosiushadtheaddresstopersuadehisallies，thattheconditionsofpeace，whichhadbeenextortedfromhimbyprudenceandnecessity，werethevoluntaryexpressionsofhissincerefriendshipfortheGothicnation。^130Adifferentmodeofvindicationorapologywasopposedtothecomplaintsofthepeople；wholoudlycensuredtheseshamefulanddangerousconcessions。^131Thecalamitiesofthewarwerepaintedinthemostlivelycolors；andthefirstsymptomsofthereturnoforder，ofplenty，andsecurity，werediligentlyexaggerated。TheadvocatesofTheodosiuscouldaffirm，withsomeappearanceoftruthandreason，thatitwasimpossibletoextirpatesomanywarliketribes，whowererendereddesperatebythelossoftheirnativecountry；andthattheexhaustedprovinceswouldberevivedbyafreshsupplyofsoldiersandhusbandmen。TheBarbariansstillworeanangryandhostileaspect；buttheexperienceofpasttimesmightencouragethehope，thattheywouldacquirethehabitsofindustryandobedience；thattheirmannerswouldbepolishedbytime，education，andtheinfluenceofChristianity；andthattheirposteritywouldinsensiblyblendwiththegreatbodyoftheRomanpeople。^132
　　[Footnote128:SeeThemistius，Orat。xvi。p。211。ClaudianinEutrop。l。ii。112mentionsthePhrygiancolony:—
　　—OstrogothiscoliturmistisqueGruthungisPhyrxager—
　　andthenproceedstonametheriversofLydia，thePactolus，andHerreus。]
　　[Footnote129:CompareJornandes，c。xx。27，whomarkstheconditionandnumberoftheGothicFoederati，withZosimus，l。
　　iv。p。258，whomentionstheirgoldencollars；andPacatus，inPanegyr。Vet。xii。37，whoapplauds，withfalseorfoolishjoy，theirbraveryanddiscipline。]
　　[Footnote130:AmatorpacisgenerisqueGothorum，isthepraisebestowedbytheGothichistorian，c。xxix。，whorepresentshisnationasinnocent，peaceablemen，slowtoanger，andpatientofinjuries。AccordingtoLivy，theRomansconqueredtheworldintheirowndefence。]
　　[Footnote131:BesidesthepartialinvectivesofZosimus，alwaysdiscontentedwiththeChristianreigns，seethegraverepresentationswhichSynesiusaddressestotheemperorArcadius，deRegno，p。25，26，edit。Petav。ThephilosophicbishopofCyrenewasnearenoughtojudge；andhewassufficientlyremovedfromthetemptationoffearorflattery。]
　　[Footnote132:ThemistiusOrat。xvi。p。211，212composesanelaborateandrationalapology，whichisnot，however，exemptfromthepuerilitiesofGreekrhetoric。OrpheuscouldonlycharmthewildbeastsofThrace；butTheodosiusenchantedthemenandwomen，whosepredecessorsinthesamecountryhadtornOrpheusinpieces，&c。]
　　Notwithstandingthesespeciousarguments，andthesesanguineexpectations，itwasapparenttoeverydiscerningeye，thattheGothswouldlongremaintheenemies，andmightsoonbecometheconquerorsoftheRomanempire。Theirrudeandinsolentbehaviorexpressedtheircontemptofthecitizensandprovincials，whomtheyinsultedwithimpunity。^133TothezealandvaloroftheBarbariansTheodosiuswasindebtedforthesuccessofhisarms:
　　buttheirassistancewasprecarious；andtheyweresometimesseduced，byatreacherousandinconstantdisposition，toabandonhisstandard，atthemomentwhentheirservicewasthemostessential。DuringthecivilwaragainstMaximus，agreatnumberofGothicdesertersretiredintothemorassesofMacedonia，wastedtheadjacentprovinces，andobligedtheintrepidmonarchtoexposehisperson，andexerthispower，tosuppresstherisingflameofrebellion。^134Thepublicapprehensionswerefortifiedbythestrongsuspicion，thatthesetumultswerenottheeffectofaccidentalpassion，buttheresultofdeepandpremeditateddesign。Itwasgenerallybelieved，thattheGothshadsignedthetreatyofpeacewithahostileandinsidiousspirit；andthattheirchiefshadpreviouslyboundthemselves，byasolemnandsecretoath，nevertokeepfaithwiththeRomans；tomaintainthefairestshowofloyaltyandfriendship，andtowatchthefavorablemomentofrapine，ofconquest，andofrevenge。ButasthemindsoftheBarbarianswerenotinsensibletothepowerofgratitude，severaloftheGothicleaderssincerelydevotedthemselvestotheserviceoftheempire，or，atleast，oftheemperor；thewholenationwasinsensiblydividedintotwooppositefactions，andmuchsophistrywasemployedinconversationanddispute，tocomparetheobligationsoftheirfirst，andsecond，engagements。TheGoths，whoconsideredthemselvesasthefriendsofpeace，ofjustice，andofRome，weredirectedbytheauthorityofFravitta，avaliantandhonorableyouth，distinguishedabovetherestofhiscountrymenbythepolitenessofhismanners，theliberalityofhissentiments，andthemildvirtuesofsociallife。ButthemorenumerousfactionadheredtothefierceandfaithlessPriulf，whoinflamedthepassions，andassertedtheindependence，ofhiswarlikefollowers。Ononeofthesolemnfestivals，whenthechiefsofbothpartieswereinvitedtotheImperialtable，theywereinsensiblyheatedbywine，tilltheyforgottheusualrestraintsofdiscretionandrespect，andbetrayed，inthepresenceofTheodosius，thefatalsecretoftheirdomesticdisputes。Theemperor，whohadbeenthereluctantwitnessofthisextraordinarycontroversy，dissembledhisfearsandresentment，andsoondismissedthetumultuousassembly。Fravitta，alarmedandexasperatedbytheinsolenceofhisrival，whosedeparturefromthepalacemighthavebeenthesignalofacivilwar，boldlyfollowedhim；and，drawinghissword，laidPriulfdeadathisfeet。Theircompanionsflewtoarms；andthefaithfulchampionofRomewouldhavebeenoppressedbysuperiornumbers，ifhehadnotbeenprotectedbytheseasonableinterpositionoftheImperialguards。^135SuchwerethescenesofBarbaricrage，whichdisgracedthepalaceandtableoftheRomanemperor；and，astheimpatientGothscouldonlyberestrainedbythefirmandtemperatecharacterofTheodosius，thepublicsafetyseemedtodependonthelifeandabilitiesofasingleman。^136