heenteredintoadarkandcrookedpath，asitmightleadtothevoluntarysubmissionoftheGoths；andhisdexterouspolicypersuadedthemthathewasdisposedtocomplywiththeirwishes，withoutengaginganoathorapromisefortheperformanceofatreatywhichhesecretlyabhorred。ThedayofthesurrenderofRavennawasstipulatedbytheGothicambassadors:afleet，ladenwithprovisions，sailedasawelcomeguestintothedeepestrecessoftheharbor:thegateswereopenedtothefanciedkingofItaly；andBelisarius，withoutmeetinganenemy，triumphantlymarchedthroughthestreetsofanimpregnablecity。^108TheRomanswereastonishedbytheirsuccess；themultitudesoftallandrobustBarbarianswereconfoundedbytheimageoftheirownpatienceandthemasculinefemales，spittinginthefacesoftheirsonsandhusbands，mostbitterlyreproachedthemforbetrayingtheirdominionandfreedomtothesepygmiesofthesouth，contemptibleintheirnumbers，diminutiveintheirstature。BeforetheGothscouldrecoverfromthefirstsurprise，andclaimtheaccomplishmentoftheirdoubtfulhopes，thevictorestablishedhispowerinRavenna，beyondthedangerofrepentanceandrevolt。
[Footnote*:Auximum，p。175。—M。]
[Footnote105:InthesiegeofAuximum，hefirstlaboredtodemolishanoldaqueduct，andthencastintothestream，1。deadbodies；2。mischievousherbs；and3。quicklime。saysProcopius，l。ii。c。27YetbothwordsareusedassynonymousinGalen，Dioscorides，andLucian，Hen。Steph。Thesaur。Ling。Graec。tom。
iii。p。748。]
[Footnote106:TheGothssuspectedMathasuinthaasanaccompliceinthemischief，whichperhapswasoccasionedbyaccidentallightning。]
[Footnote107:Instrictphilosophy，alimitationoftherightsofwarseemstoimplynonsenseandcontradiction。Grotiushimselfislostinanidledistinctionbetweenthejusnaturaeandthejusgentium，betweenpoisonandinfection。HebalancesinonescalethepassagesofHomerOdyss。A259，&c。andFlorus，l。ii。c。20，No。7，ult。；andintheother，theexamplesofSolonPausanias，l。x。c。37andBelisarius。SeehisgreatworkDeJureBellietPacis，l。iii。c。4，s。15，16，17，andinBarbeyrac'sversion，tom。ii。p。257，&c。YetIcanunderstandthebenefitandvalidityofanagreement，tacitorexpress，mutuallytoabstainfromcertainmodesofhostility。
SeetheAmphictyonicoathinAeschines，defalsaLegatione。]
[Footnote108:Ravennawastaken，notintheyear540，butinthelatterendof539；andPagitom。ii。p。569isrectifiedbyMuratori。Annalid'Italia，tom。v。p。62，whoprovesfromanoriginalactonpapyrus，Antiquit。ItaliaeMediiAevi，tom。ii。
dissert。xxxii。p。999—1007，Maffei，IstoriaDiplomat。p。155
—160，thatbeforethethirdofJanuary，540，peaceandfreecorrespondencewererestoredbetweenRavennaandFaenza。]
Vitiges，whoperhapshadattemptedtoescape，washonorablyguardedinhispalace；^109thefloweroftheGothicyouthwasselectedfortheserviceoftheemperor；theremainderofthepeoplewasdismissedtotheirpeacefulhabitationsinthesouthernprovinces；andacolonyofItalianswasinvitedtoreplenishthedepopulatedcity。ThesubmissionofthecapitalwasimitatedinthetownsandvillagesofItaly，whichhadnotbeensubdued，orevenvisited，bytheRomans；andtheindependentGoths，whoremainedinarmsatPaviaandVerona，wereambitiousonlytobecomethesubjectsofBelisarius。Buthisinflexibleloyaltyrejected，exceptasthesubstituteofJustinian，theiroathsofallegiance；andhewasnotoffendedbythereproachoftheirdeputies，thatheratherchosetobeaslavethanaking。
[Footnote109:HewasseizedbyJohntheSanguinary，butanoathorsacramentwaspledgedforhissafetyintheBasilicaJulii，Hist。Miscell。l。xvii。inMuratori，tom。i。p。107。AnastasiusinVit。Pont。p。40givesadarkbutprobableaccount。
MontfauconisquotedbyMascouHist。oftheGermans，xii。21
foravotiveshieldrepresentingthecaptivityofVitigesandnowinthecollectionofSignorLandiatRome。]
AfterthesecondvictoryofBelisarius，envyagainwhispered，Justinianlistened，andtheherowasrecalled。"TheremnantoftheGothicwarwasnolongerworthyofhispresence:agracioussovereignwasimpatienttorewardhisservices，andtoconsulthiswisdom；andhealonewascapableofdefendingtheEastagainsttheinnumerablearmiesofPersia。"Belisariusunderstoodthesuspicion，acceptedtheexcuse，embarkedatRavennahisspoilsandtrophies；andproved，byhisreadyobedience，thatsuchanabruptremovalfromthegovernmentofItalywasnotlessunjustthanitmighthavebeenindiscreet。TheemperorreceivedwithhonorablecourtesybothVitigesandhismorenobleconsort；andasthekingoftheGothsconformedtotheAthanasianfaith，heobtained，witharichinheritanceoflandinAsia，therankofsenatorandpatrician。^110Everyspectatoradmired，withoutperil，thestrengthandstatureoftheyoungBarbarians:theyadoredthemajestyofthethrone，andpromisedtoshedtheirbloodintheserviceoftheirbenefactor。
JustiniandepositedintheByzantinepalacethetreasuresoftheGothicmonarchy。Aflatteringsenatewassometimeadmittedtogazeonthemagnificentspectacle；butitwasenviouslysecludedfromthepublicview:andtheconquerorofItalyrenounced，withoutamurmur，perhapswithoutasigh，thewell—earnedhonorsofasecondtriumph。Hisglorywasindeedexaltedaboveallexternalpomp；andthefaintandhollowpraisesofthecourtweresupplied，eveninaservileage，bytherespectandadmirationofhiscountry。WheneverheappearedinthestreetsandpublicplacesofConstantinople，Belisariusattractedandsatisfiedtheeyesofthepeople。Hisloftystatureandmajesticcountenancefulfilledtheirexpectationsofahero；themeanestofhisfellow—citizenswereemboldenedbyhisgentleandgraciousdemeanor；andthemartialtrainwhichattendedhisfootstepslefthispersonmoreaccessiblethaninadayofbattle。Seventhousandhorsemen，matchlessforbeautyandvalor，weremaintainedintheservice，andattheprivateexpense，ofthegeneral。^111Theirprowesswasalwaysconspicuousinsinglecombats，orintheforemostranks；andbothpartiesconfessedthatinthesiegeofRome，theguardsofBelisariushadalonevanquishedtheBarbarianhost。Theirnumberswerecontinuallyaugmentedbythebravestandmostfaithfuloftheenemy；andhisfortunatecaptives，theVandals，theMoors，andtheGoths，emulatedtheattachmentofhisdomesticfollowers。Bytheunionofliberalityandjustice，heacquiredtheloveofthesoldiers，withoutalienatingtheaffectionsofthepeople。Thesickandwoundedwererelievedwithmedicinesandmoney；andstillmoreefficaciously，bythehealingvisitsandsmilesoftheircommander。Thelossofaweaponorahorsewasinstantlyrepaired，andeachdeedofvalorwasrewardedbytherichandhonorablegiftsofabraceletoracollar，whichwererenderedmorepreciousbythejudgmentofBelisarius。Hewasendearedtothehusbandmenbythepeaceandplentywhichtheyenjoyedundertheshadowofhisstandard。Insteadofbeinginjured，thecountrywasenrichedbythemarchoftheRomanarmies；andsuchwastherigiddisciplineoftheircamp，thatnotanapplewasgatheredfromthetree，notapathcouldbetracedinthefieldsofcorn。
Belisariuswaschasteandsober。Inthelicenseofamilitarylife，nonecouldboastthattheyhadseenhimintoxicatedwithwine:themostbeautifulcaptivesofGothicorVandalracewereofferedtohisembraces；butheturnedasidefromtheircharms，andthehusbandofAntoninawasneversuspectedofviolatingthelawsofconjugalfidelity。Thespectatorandhistorianofhisexploitshasobserved，thatamidsttheperilsofwar，hewasdaringwithoutrashness，prudentwithoutfear，sloworrapidaccordingtotheexigenciesofthemoment；thatinthedeepestdistresshewasanimatedbyrealorapparenthope，butthathewasmodestandhumbleinthemostprosperousfortune。Bythesevirtues，heequalledorexcelledtheancientmastersofthemilitaryart。Victory，byseaandland，attendedhisarms。HesubduedAfrica，Italy，andtheadjacentislands；ledawaycaptivesthesuccessorsofGensericandTheodoric；filledConstantinoplewiththespoilsoftheirpalaces；andinthespaceofsixyearsrecoveredhalftheprovincesoftheWesternempire。
Inhisfameandmerit，inwealthandpower，heremainedwithoutarival，thefirstoftheRomansubjects；thevoiceofenvycouldonlymagnifyhisdangerousimportance；andtheemperormightapplaudhisowndiscerningspirit，whichhaddiscoveredandraisedthegeniusofBelisarius。
[Footnote110:VitigeslivedtwoyearsatConstantinople，andimperatorisinaffectuconvictusorconjunctusrebusexcessithumanis。HiswidowMathasuenta，thewifeandmotherofthepatricians，theelderandyoungerGermanus，unitedthestreamsofAnicianandAmaliblood，Jornandes，c。60，p。221，inMuratori，tom。i。]
[Footnote111:Procopius，Goth。l。iii。c。1。Aimoin，aFrenchmonkofthexithcentury，whohadobtained，andhasdisfigured，someauthenticinformationofBelisarius，mentions，inhisname，12，000，pueriorslaves—quospropriisalimusstipendiis—
besides18，000soldiers，HistoriansofFrance，tom。iii。DeGestisFranc。l。ii。c。6，p。48。]
ItwasthecustomoftheRomantriumphs，thataslaveshouldbeplacedbehindthechariottoremindtheconqueroroftheinstabilityoffortune，andtheinfirmitiesofhumannature。
Procopius，inhisAnecdotes，hasassumedthatservileandungratefuloffice。Thegenerousreadermaycastawaythelibel，buttheevidenceoffactswilladheretohismemory；andhewillreluctantlyconfess，thatthefame，andeventhevirtue，ofBelisarius，werepollutedbythelustandcrueltyofhiswife；
andthatherodeservedanappellationwhichmaynotdropfromthepenofthedecenthistorian。ThemotherofAntonina^112wasatheatricalprostitute，andbothherfatherandgrandfatherexercised，atThessalonicaandConstantinople，thevile，thoughlucrative，professionofcharioteers。Inthevarioussituationsoftheirfortuneshebecamethecompanion，theenemy，theservant，andthefavoriteoftheempressTheodora:theselooseandambitiousfemaleshadbeenconnectedbysimilarpleasures；
theywereseparatedbythejealousyofvice，andatlengthreconciledbythepartnershipofguilt。BeforehermarriagewithBelisarius，Antoninahadonehusbandandmanylovers:Photius，thesonofherformernuptials，wasofanagetodistinguishhimselfatthesiegeofNaples；anditwasnottilltheautumnofherageandbeauty^113thatsheindulgedascandalousattachmenttoaThracianyouth。TheodosiushadbeeneducatedintheEunomianheresy；theAfricanvoyagewasconsecratedbythebaptismandauspiciousnameofthefirstsoldierwhoembarked；
andtheproselytewasadoptedintothefamilyofhisspiritualparents，^114BelisariusandAntonina。BeforetheytouchedtheshoresofAfrica，thisholykindreddegeneratedintosensuallove:andasAntoninasoonoverleapedtheboundsofmodestyandcaution，theRomangeneralwasaloneignorantofhisowndishonor。DuringtheirresidenceatCarthage，hesurprisedthetwoloversinasubterraneouschamber，solitary，warm，andalmostnaked。Angerflashedfromhiseyes。"Withthehelpofthisyoungman，"saidtheunblushingAntonina，"IwassecretingourmostpreciouseffectsfromtheknowledgeofJustinian。"Theyouthresumedhisgarments，andthepioushusbandconsentedtodisbelievetheevidenceofhisownsenses。Fromthispleasingandperhapsvoluntarydelusion，BelisariuswasawakenedatSyracuse，bytheofficiousinformationofMacedonia；andthatfemaleattendant，afterrequiringanoathforhersecurity，producedtwochamberlains，who，likeherself，hadoftenbeheldtheadulteriesofAntonina。AhastyflightintoAsiasavedTheodosiusfromthejusticeofaninjuredhusband，whohadsignifiedtooneofhisguardstheorderofhisdeath；butthetearsofAntonina，andherartfulseductions，assuredthecredulousheroofherinnocence:andhestooped，againsthisfaithandjudgment，toabandonthoseimprudentfriends，whohadpresumedtoaccuseordoubtthechastityofhiswife。Therevengeofaguiltywomanisimplacableandbloody:theunfortunateMacedonia，withthetwowitnesses，weresecretlyarrestedbytheministerofhercruelty；theirtongueswerecutout，theirbodieswerehackedintosmallpieces，andtheirremainswerecastintotheSeaofSyracuse。ArashthoughjudicioussayingofConstantine，"Iwouldsoonerhavepunishedtheadulteressthantheboy，"wasdeeplyrememberedbyAntonina；
andtwoyearsafterwards，whendespairhadarmedthatofficeragainsthisgeneral，hersanguinaryadvicedecidedandhastenedhisexecution。EventheindignationofPhotiuswasnotforgivenbyhismother；theexileofhersonpreparedtherecallofherlover；andTheodosiuscondescendedtoacceptthepressingandhumbleinvitationoftheconquerorofItaly。Intheabsolutedirectionofhishousehold，andintheimportantcommissionsofpeaceandwar，^115thefavoriteyouthmostrapidlyacquiredafortuneoffourhundredthousandpoundssterling；andaftertheirreturntoConstantinople，thepassionofAntonina，atleast，continuedardentandunabated。Butfear，devotion，andlassitudeperhaps，inspiredTheodosiuswithmoreseriousthoughts。Hedreadedthebusyscandalofthecapital，andtheindiscreetfondnessofthewifeofBelisarius；escapedfromherembraces，andretiringtoEphesus，shavedhishead，andtookrefugeinthesanctuaryofamonasticlife。ThedespairofthenewAriadnecouldscarcelyhavebeenexcusedbythedeathofherhusband。
Shewept，shetoreherhair，shefilledthepalacewithhercries；"shehadlostthedearestoffriends，atender，afaithful，alaboriousfriend!"Butherwarmentreaties，fortifiedbytheprayersofBelisarius，wereinsufficienttodrawtheholymonkfromthesolitudeofEphesus。ItwasnottillthegeneralmovedforwardforthePersianwar，thatTheodosiuscouldbetemptedtoreturntoConstantinople；andtheshortintervalbeforethedepartureofAntoninaherselfwasboldlydevotedtoloveandpleasure。
[Footnote112:ThediligenceofAlemannuscouldaddbutlittletothefourfirstandmostcuriouschaptersoftheAnecdotes。OfthesestrangeAnecdotes，apartmaybetrue，becauseprobable—
andaparttrue，becauseimprobable。Procopiusmusthaveknowntheformer，andthelatterhecouldscarcelyinvent。
Note:Themaliceofcourtscandalisproverbiallyinventive；
andofsuchscandalthe"Anecdota"maybeanembellishedrecord。
—M。]
[Footnote113:ProcopiusintimatesAnecdot。c。4thatwhenBelisariusreturnedtoItaly，A。D。543，Antoninawassixtyyearsofage。Aforced，butmorepoliteconstruction，whichrefersthatdatetothemomentwhenhewaswriting，A。D。559，
wouldbecompatiblewiththemanhoodofPhotius，Gothic。l。i。
c。10in536。]
[Footnote114:GomparetheVandalicWarl。i。c。12withtheAnecdotesc。i。andAlemannus，p。2，3。ThismodeofbaptismaladoptionwasrevivedbyLeothephilosopher。]
[Footnote115:InNovember，537，Photiusarrestedthepope，Liberat。Brev。c。22。Pagi，tom。ii。p。562Abouttheendof539，BelisariussentTheodosiusonanimportantandlucrativecommissiontoRavenna，Goth。l。ii。c。18。]
Aphilosophermaypityandforgivetheinfirmitiesoffemalenature，fromwhichhereceivesnorealinjury:butcontemptibleisthehusbandwhofeels，andyetendures，hisowninfamyinthatofhiswife。Antoninapursuedhersonwithimplacablehatred；
andthegallantPhotius^116wasexposedtohersecretpersecutionsinthecampbeyondtheTigris。Enragedbyhisownwrongs，andbythedishonorofhisblood，hecastawayinhisturnthesentimentsofnature，andrevealedtoBelisariustheturpitudeofawomanwhohadviolatedallthedutiesofamotherandawife。FromthesurpriseandindignationoftheRomangeneral，hisformercredulityappearstohavebeensincere:heembracedthekneesofthesonofAntonina，adjuredhimtorememberhisobligationsratherthanhisbirth，andconfirmedatthealtartheirholyvowsofrevengeandmutualdefence。ThedominionofAntoninawasimpairedbyabsence；andwhenshemetherhusband，onhisreturnfromthePersianconfines，Belisarius，inhisfirstandtransientemotions，confinedherperson，andthreatenedherlife。Photiuswasmoreresolvedtopunish，andlessprompttopardon:heflewtoEphesus；extortedfromatrustyeunuchofhisanotherthefullconfessionofherguilt；arrestedTheodosiusandhistreasuresinthechurchofSt。JohntheApostle，andconcealedhiscaptives，whoseexecutionwasonlydelayed，inasecureandsequesteredfortressofCilicia。Suchadaringoutrageagainstpublicjusticecouldnotpasswithimpunity；andthecauseofAntoninawasespousedbytheempress，whosefavorshehaddeservedbytherecentservicesofthedisgraceofapraefect，andtheexileandmurderofapope。Attheendofthecampaign，Belisariuswasrecalled；hecomplied，asusual，withtheImperialmandate。Hismindwasnotpreparedforrebellion:hisobedience，howeveradversetothedictatesofhonor，wasconsonanttothewishesofhisheart；andwhenheembracedhiswife，atthecommand，andperhapsinthepresence，oftheempress，thetenderhusbandwasdisposedtoforgiveortobeforgiven。ThebountyofTheodorareservedforhercompanionamorepreciousfavor。"Ihavefound，"shesaid，"mydearestpatrician，apearlofinestimablevalue；ithasnotyetbeenviewedbyanymortaleye；butthesightandthepossessionofthisjewelaredestinedformyfriend。"AssoonasthecuriosityandimpatienceofAntoninawerekindled，thedoorofabed—chamberwasthrownopen，andshebeheldherlover，whomthediligenceoftheeunuchshaddiscoveredinhissecretprison。
Hersilentwonderburstintopassionateexclamationsofgratitudeandjoy，andshenamedTheodoraherqueen，herbenefactress，andhersavior。ThemonkofEphesuswasnourishedinthepalacewithluxuryandambition；butinsteadofassuming，ashewaspromised，thecommandoftheRomanarmies，Theodosiusexpiredinthefirstfatiguesofanamorousinterview。^!ThegriefofAntoninacouldonlybeassuagedbythesufferingsofherson。Ayouthofconsularrank，andasicklyconstitution，waspunished，withoutatrial，likeamalefactorandaslave:yetsuchwastheconstancyofhismind，thatPhotiussustainedthetorturesofthescourgeandtherack，^!!withoutviolatingthefaithwhichhehadsworntoBelisarius。Afterthisfruitlesscruelty，thesonofAntonina，whilehismotherfeastedwiththeempress，wasburiedinhersubterraneousprisons，whichadmittednotthedistinctionofnightandday。HetwiceescapedtothemostvenerablesanctuariesofConstantinople，thechurchesofSt。Sophia，andoftheVirgin:buthistyrantswereinsensibleofreligionasofpity；andthehelplessyouth，amidsttheclamorsoftheclergyandpeople，wastwicedraggedfromthealtartothedungeon。Histhirdattemptwasmoresuccessful。Attheendofthreeyears，theprophetZachariah，orsomemortalfriend，indicatedthemeansofanescape:heeludedthespiesandguardsoftheempress，reachedtheholysepulchreofJerusalem，embracedtheprofessionofamonk；andtheabbotPhotiuswasemployed，afterthedeathofJustinian，toreconcileandregulatethechurchesofEgypt。ThesonofAntoninasufferedallthatanenemycaninflict:herpatienthusbandimposedonhimselfthemoreexquisitemiseryofviolatinghispromiseanddesertinghisfriend。
[Footnote116:TheophanesChronograph。p。204styleshimPhotinus，theson—in—lawofBelisarius；andheiscopiedbytheHistoriaMiscellaandAnastasius。]
[Footnote*:Thisandmuchoftheprivatescandalinthe"Anecdota"isliabletoseriousdoubt。Whoreportedalltheseprivateconversations，andhowdidtheyreachtheearsofProcopius?—M。]
[Footnote!:Thisisastrangemisrepresentation—hediedofadysentery；nordoesitappearthatitwasimmediatelyafterthisscene。Antoninaproposedtoraisehimtothegeneralshipofthearmy。Procop。Anecd。p。14。Thesuddenchangefromtheabstemiousdietofamonktotheluxuryofthecourtisamuchmoreprobablecauseofhisdeath。—M。]