Theprudence，however，ofStilicho，hisaversiontocivilwar，andhisperfectknowledgeoftheweaknessofthestate，maycountenancethesuspicion，thatdomesticpeace，ratherthanforeignconquest，wastheobjectofhispolicy；andthathisprincipalcarewastoemploytheforcesofAlaricatadistancefromItaly。ThisdesigncouldnotlongescapethepenetrationoftheGothicking，whocontinuedtoholdadoubtful，andperhapsatreacherous，correspondencewiththerivalcourts；whoprotracted，likeadissatisfiedmercenary，hislanguidoperationsinThessalyandEpirus，andwhosoonreturnedtoclaimtheextravagantrewardofhisineffectualservices。FromhiscampnearAemona，^102ontheconfinesofItaly，hetransmittedtotheemperoroftheWestalongaccountofpromises，ofexpenses，andofdemands；calledforimmediatesatisfaction，andclearlyintimatedtheconsequencesofarefusal。Yetifhisconductwashostile，hislanguagewasdecentanddutiful。HehumblyprofessedhimselfthefriendofStilicho，andthesoldierofHonorius；
　　offeredhispersonandhistroopstomarch，withoutdelay，againsttheusurperofGaul；andsolicited，asapermanentretreatfortheGothicnation，thepossessionofsomevacantprovinceoftheWesternempire。
　　[Footnote100:—ComitatureuntemPallor，etatrafames；etsaucialividusoraLuctus；etinfernostridentesagminemorbi。
　　Claudianinvi。Cons。Hon。821，&c。]
　　[Footnote101:ThesedarktransactionsareinvestigatedbytheCountdeBualHist。desPeuplesdel'Europe，tom。vii。c。iii。—
　　viii。p。69—206，whoselaboriousaccuracymaysometimesfatigueasuperficialreader。]
　　[Footnote102:SeeZosimus，l。v。p。334，335。HeinterruptshisscantynarrativetorelatethefableofAemona，andoftheshipArgo；whichwasdrawnoverlandfromthatplacetotheAdriatic。
　　Sozomenl。viii。c。25，l。ix。c。4andSocratesl。vii。c。
　　10castapaleanddoubtfullight；andOrosiusl。vii。c。38，p。571isabominablypartial。]
　　Thepoliticalandsecrettransactionsoftwostatesmen，wholaboredtodeceiveeachotherandtheworld，mustforeverhavebeenconcealedintheimpenetrabledarknessofthecabinet，ifthedebatesofapopularassemblyhadnotthrownsomeraysoflightonthecorrespondenceofAlaricandStilicho。Thenecessityoffindingsomeartificialsupportforagovernment，which，fromaprinciple，notofmoderation，butofweakness，wasreducedtonegotiatewithitsownsubjects，hadinsensiblyrevivedtheauthorityoftheRomansenate；andtheministerofHonoriusrespectfullyconsultedthelegislativecounciloftherepublic。
　　StilichoassembledthesenateinthepalaceoftheCaesars；
　　represented，inastudiedoration，theactualstateofaffairs；
　　proposedthedemandsoftheGothicking，andsubmittedtotheirconsiderationthechoiceofpeaceorwar。Thesenators，asiftheyhadbeensuddenlyawakenedfromadreamoffourhundredyears，appeared，onthisimportantoccasion，tobeinspiredbythecourage，ratherthanbythewisdom，oftheirpredecessors。
　　Theyloudlydeclared，inregularspeeches，orintumultuaryacclamations，thatitwasunworthyofthemajestyofRometopurchaseaprecariousanddisgracefultrucefromaBarbarianking；andthat，inthejudgmentofamagnanimouspeople，thechanceofruinwasalwayspreferabletothecertaintyofdishonor。Theminister，whosepacificintentionsweresecondedonlybythevoiceofafewservileandvenalfollowers，attemptedtoallaythegeneralferment，byanapologyforhisownconduct，andevenforthedemandsoftheGothicprince。"Thepaymentofasubsidy，whichhadexcitedtheindignationoftheRomans，oughtnotsuchwasthelanguageofStilichotobeconsideredintheodiouslight，eitherofatribute，orofaransom，extortedbythemenacesofaBarbarianenemy。AlarichadfaithfullyassertedthejustpretensionsoftherepublictotheprovinceswhichwereusurpedbytheGreeksofConstantinople:hemodestlyrequiredthefairandstipulatedrecompenseofhisservices；andifhehaddesistedfromtheprosecutionofhisenterprise，hehadobeyed，inhisretreat，theperemptory，thoughprivate，lettersoftheemperorhimself。ThesecontradictoryordershewouldnotdissembletheerrorsofhisownfamilyhadbeenprocuredbytheintercessionofSerena。Thetenderpietyofhiswifehadbeentoodeeplyaffectedbythediscordoftheroyalbrothers，thesonsofheradoptedfather；andthesentimentsofnaturehadtooeasilyprevailedoverthesterndictatesofthepublicwelfare。"Theseostensiblereasons，whichfaintlydisguisetheobscureintriguesofthepalaceofRavenna，weresupportedbytheauthorityofStilicho；andobtained，afterawarmdebate，thereluctantapprobationofthesenate。Thetumultofvirtueandfreedomsubsided；andthesumoffourthousandpoundsofgoldwasgranted，underthenameofasubsidy，tosecurethepeaceofItaly，andtoconciliatethefriendshipofthekingoftheGoths。
　　Lampadiusalone，oneofthemostillustriousmembersoftheassembly，stillpersistedinhisdissent；exclaimed，withaloudvoice，"Thisisnotatreatyofpeace，butofservitude；"^103
　　andescapedthedangerofsuchboldoppositionbyimmediatelyretiringtothesanctuaryofaChristianchurch。
　　[SeePalaceOfTheCaesars]
　　[Footnote103:Zosimus，l。v。p。338，339。HerepeatsthewordsofLampadius，astheywerespokeinLatin，"Nonestistapax，sedpactioservitutis，"andthentranslatesthemintoGreekforthebenefitofhisreaders。
　　Note:FromCicero'sXIIthPhilippic，14。—M。]
　　ButthereignofStilichodrewtowardsitsend；andtheproudministermightperceivethesymptomsofhisapproachingdisgrace。ThegenerousboldnessofLampadiushadbeenapplauded；
　　andthesenate，sopatientlyresignedtoalongservitude，rejectedwithdisdaintheofferofinvidiousandimaginaryfreedom。Thetroops，whostillassumedthenameandprerogativesoftheRomanlegions，wereexasperatedbythepartialaffectionofStilichofortheBarbarians:andthepeopleimputedtothemischievouspolicyoftheministerthepublicmisfortunes，whichwerethenaturalconsequenceoftheirowndegeneracy。YetStilichomighthavecontinuedtobravetheclamorsofthepeople，andevenofthesoldiers，ifhecouldhavemaintainedhisdominionoverthefeeblemindofhispupil。ButtherespectfulattachmentofHonoriuswasconvertedintofear，suspicion，andhatred。ThecraftyOlympius，^104whoconcealedhisvicesunderthemaskofChristianpiety，hadsecretlyunderminedthebenefactor，bywhosefavorhewaspromotedtothehonorableofficesoftheImperialpalace。Olympiusrevealedtotheunsuspectingemperor，whohadattainedthetwenty—fifthyearofhisage，thathewaswithoutweight，orauthority，inhisowngovernment；andartfullyalarmedhistimidandindolentdispositionbyalivelypictureofthedesignsofStilicho，whoalreadymeditatedthedeathofhissovereign，withtheambitioushopeofplacingthediademontheheadofhissonEucherius。Theemperorwasinstigated，byhisnewfavorite，toassumethetoneofindependentdignity；andtheministerwasastonishedtofind，thatsecretresolutionswereformedinthecourtandcouncil，whichwererepugnanttohisinterest，ortohisintentions。
　　InsteadofresidinginthepalaceofRome，HonoriusdeclaredthatitwashispleasuretoreturntothesecurefortressofRavenna。
　　OnthefirstintelligenceofthedeathofhisbrotherArcadius，hepreparedtovisitConstantinople，andtoregulate，withtheauthorityofaguardian，theprovincesoftheinfantTheodosius。
　　^105Therepresentationofthedifficultyandexpenseofsuchadistantexpedition，checkedthisstrangeandsuddensallyofactivediligence；butthedangerousprojectofshowingtheemperortothecampofPavia，whichwascomposedoftheRomantroops，theenemiesofStilicho，andhisBarbarianauxiliaries，remainedfixedandunalterable。Theministerwaspressed，bytheadviceofhisconfidant，Justinian，aRomanadvocate，ofalivelyandpenetratinggenius，toopposeajourneysoprejudicialtohisreputationandsafety。HisstrenuousbutineffectualeffortsconfirmedthetriumphofOlympius；andtheprudentlawyerwithdrewhimselffromtheimpendingruinofhispatron。
　　[Footnote104:HecamefromthecoastoftheEuxine，andexercisedasplendidoffice。Hisactionsjustifyhischaracter，whichZosimusl。v。p。340exposeswithvisiblesatisfaction。
　　AugustinreveredthepietyofOlympius，whomhestylesatruesonofthechurch，Baronius，Annal。Eccles，Eccles。A。D。408，No。
　　19，&c。Tillemont，Mem。Eccles。tom。xiii。p。467，468。Butthesepraises，whichtheAfricansaintsounworthilybestows，mightproceedaswellfromignoranceasfromadulation。]
　　[Footnote105:Zosimus，l。v。p。338，339。Sozomen，l。ix。c。4。
　　StilichoofferedtoundertakethejourneytoConstantinople，thathemightdivertHonoriusfromthevainattempt。TheEasternempirewouldnothaveobeyed，andcouldnothavebeenconquered。]
　　InthepassageoftheemperorthroughBologna，amutinyoftheguardswasexcitedandappeasedbythesecretpolicyofStilicho；whoannouncedhisinstructionstodecimatetheguilty，andascribedtohisownintercessionthemeritoftheirpardon。
　　Afterthistumult，Honoriusembraced，forthelasttime，theministerwhomhenowconsideredasatyrant，andproceededonhiswaytothecampofPavia；wherehewasreceivedbytheloyalacclamationsofthetroopswhowereassembledfortheserviceoftheGallicwar。Onthemorningofthefourthday，hepronounced，ashehadbeentaught，amilitaryorationinthepresenceofthesoldiers，whomthecharitablevisits，andartfuldiscourses，ofOlympiushadpreparedtoexecuteadarkandbloodyconspiracy。
　　Atthefirstsignal，theymassacredthefriendsofStilicho，themostillustriousofficersoftheempire；twoPraetorianpraefects，ofGaulandofItaly；twomasters—generalofthecavalryandinfantry；themasteroftheoffices；thequaestor，thetreasurer，andthecountofthedomestics。Manyliveswerelost；manyhouseswereplundered；thefuriousseditioncontinuedtoragetillthecloseoftheevening；andthetremblingemperor，whowasseeninthestreetsofPaviawithouthisrobesordiadem，yieldedtothepersuasionsofhisfavorite；condemnedthememoryoftheslain；andsolemnlyapprovedtheinnocenceandfidelityoftheirassassins。TheintelligenceofthemassacreofPaviafilledthemindofStilichowithjustandgloomyapprehensions；
　　andheinstantlysummoned，inthecampofBologna，acounciloftheconfederateleaders，whowereattachedtohisservice，andwouldbeinvolvedinhisruin。Theimpetuousvoiceoftheassemblycalledaloudforarms，andforrevenge；tomarch，withoutamoment'sdelay，underthebannersofahero，whomtheyhadsooftenfollowedtovictory；tosurprise，tooppress，toextirpatetheguiltyOlympius，andhisdegenerateRomans；andperhapstofixthediademontheheadoftheirinjuredgeneral。
　　Insteadofexecutingaresolution，whichmighthavebeenjustifiedbysuccess，Stilichohesitatedtillhewasirrecoverablylost。Hewasstillignorantofthefateoftheemperor；hedistrustedthefidelityofhisownparty；andheviewedwithhorrorthefatalconsequencesofarmingacrowdoflicentiousBarbariansagainstthesoldiersandpeopleofItaly。
　　Theconfederates，impatientofhistimorousanddoubtfuldelay，hastilyretired，withfearandindignation。Atthehourofmidnight，Sarus，aGothicwarrior，renownedamongtheBarbariansthemselvesforhisstrengthandvalor，suddenlyinvadedthecampofhisbenefactor，plunderedthebaggage，cutinpiecesthefaithfulHuns，whoguardedhisperson，andpenetratedtothetent，wheretheminister，pensiveandsleepless，meditatedonthedangersofhissituation。StilichoescapedwithdifficultyfromtheswordoftheGothsand，afterissuingalastandgenerousadmonitiontothecitiesofItaly，toshuttheirgatesagainsttheBarbarians，hisconfidence，orhisdespair，urgedhimtothrowhimselfintoRavenna，whichwasalreadyintheabsolutepossessionofhisenemies。Olympius，whohadassumedthedominionofHonorius，wasspeedilyinformed，thathisrivalhadembraced，asasuppliantthealtaroftheChristianchurch。Thebaseandcrueldispositionofthehypocritewasincapableofpityorremorse；buthepiouslyaffectedtoelude，ratherthantoviolate，theprivilegeofthesanctuary。CountHeraclian，withatroopofsoldiers，appeared，atthedawnofday，beforethegatesofthechurchofRavenna。Thebishopwassatisfiedbyasolemnoath，thattheImperialmandateonlydirectedthemtosecurethepersonofStilicho:butassoonastheunfortunateministerhadbeentemptedbeyondtheholythreshold，heproducedthewarrantforhisinstantexecution。Stilichosupported，withcalmresignation，theinjuriousnamesoftraitorandparricide；
　　repressedtheunseasonablezealofhisfollowers，whowerereadytoattemptanineffectualrescue；and，withafirmnessnotunworthyofthelastoftheRomangenerals，submittedhisnecktotheswordofHeraclian。^106
　　[Footnote106:Zosimusl。v。p。336—345hascopiously，thoughnotclearly，relatedthedisgraceanddeathofStilicho。
　　Olympiodorus，apudPhot。p。177。Orosius，l。vii。c。38，p。
　　571，572，Sozomen，l。ix。c。4，andPhilostorgius，l。xi。c。
　　3，l。xii。c。2，affordsupplementalhints。]
　　Theservilecrowdofthepalace，whohadsolongadoredthefortuneofStilicho，affectedtoinsulthisfall；andthemostdistantconnectionwiththemaster—generaloftheWest，whichhadsolatelybeenatitletowealthandhonors，wasstudiouslydenied，andrigorouslypunished。Hisfamily，unitedbyatriplealliancewiththefamilyofTheodosius，mightenvytheconditionofthemeanestpeasant。TheflightofhissonEucheriuswasintercepted；andthedeathofthatinnocentyouthsoonfollowedthedivorceofThermantia，whofilledtheplaceofhersisterMaria；andwho，likeMaria，hadremainedavirginintheImperialbed。^107ThefriendsofStilicho，whohadescapedthemassacreofPavia，werepersecutedbytheimplacablerevengeofOlympius；
　　andthemostexquisitecrueltywasemployedtoextorttheconfessionofatreasonableandsacrilegiousconspiracy。Theydiedinsilence:theirfirmnessjustifiedthechoice，^108andperhapsabsolvedtheinnocenceoftheirpatron:andthedespoticpower，whichcouldtakehislifewithoutatrial，andstigmatizehismemorywithoutaproof，hasnojurisdictionovertheimpartialsuffrageofposterity。^109TheservicesofStilichoaregreatandmanifest；hiscrimes，astheyarevaguelystatedinthelanguageofflatteryandhatred，areobscureatleast，andimprobable。Aboutfourmonthsafterhisdeath，anedictwaspublished，inthenameofHonorius，torestorethefreecommunicationofthetwoempires，whichhadbeensolonginterruptedbythepublicenemy。^110Theminister，whosefameandfortunedependedontheprosperityofthestate，wasaccusedofbetrayingItalytotheBarbarians；whomherepeatedlyvanquishedatPollentia，atVerona，andbeforethewallsofFlorence。HispretendeddesignofplacingthediademontheheadofhissonEucherius，couldnothavebeenconductedwithoutpreparationsoraccomplices；andtheambitiousfatherwouldnotsurelyhaveleftthefutureemperor，tillthetwentiethyearofhisage，inthehumblestationoftribuneofthenotaries。EventhereligionofStilichowasarraignedbythemaliceofhisrival。Theseasonable，andalmostmiraculous，deliverancewasdevoutlycelebratedbytheapplauseoftheclergy；whoasserted，thattherestorationofidols，andthepersecutionofthechurch，wouldhavebeenthefirstmeasureofthereignofEucherius。ThesonofStilicho，however，waseducatedinthebosomofChristianity，whichhisfatherhaduniformlyprofessed，andzealouslysupported。^111SerenahadborrowedhermagnificentnecklacefromthestatueofVesta；^112andthePagansexecratedthememoryofthesacrilegiousminister，bywhoseordertheSibyllinebooks，theoraclesofRome，hadbeencommittedtotheflames。^113TheprideandpowerofStilichoconstitutedhisrealguilt。Anhonorablereluctancetoshedthebloodofhiscountrymenappearstohavecontributedtothesuccessofhisunworthyrival；anditisthelasthumiliationofthecharacterofHonorius，thatposterityhasnotcondescendedtoreproachhimwithhisbaseingratitudetotheguardianofhisyouth，andthesupportofhisempire。
　　[Footnote107:Zosimus，l。v。p。333。ThemarriageofaChristianwithtwosisters，scandalizesTillemont，Hist。desEmpereurs，tom。v。p。557；whoexpects，invain，thatPopeInnocentI。shouldhavedonesomethinginthewayeitherofcensureorofdispensation。]
　　[Footnote108:Twoofhisfriendsarehonorablymentioned，Zosimus，l。v。p。346:Peter，chiefoftheschoolofnotaries，andthegreatchamberlainDeuterius。Stilichohadsecuredthebed—chamber；anditissurprisingthat，underafeebleprince，thebed—chamberwasnotabletosecurehim。]
　　[Footnote109:Orosiusl。vii。c。38，p。571，572seemstocopythefalseandfuriousmanifestos，whichweredispersedthroughtheprovincesbythenewadministration。]
　　[Footnote110:SeetheTheodosiancode，l。vii。tit。xvi。leg。1，l。ix。tit。xlii。leg。22。Stilichoisbrandedwiththenameofproedopublicus，whoemployedhiswealth，adomnemditandam，inquietandamqueBarbariem。]