Chap, xlii] OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 409 was stabbed in the security of a friendly interview. In the first moments of rage and despair the Colchians would have sacrificed their country and religion to the gratification of re- venge. But the authority and eloquence of the wiser few ob- tained a salutary pause; the victory of the Phasis restored the terror of the Eoman arms; and the emperor was solicitous to absolve his own name from the imputation of so foul a murder. A judge of senatorial rank was commissioned to inquire into the conduct and death of the king of the Lazi. He ascended a stately tribunal, encompassed by the ministers of justice and punishment ; in the presence of both nations, this extraordinary cause was pleaded according to the forms of civil jurisprudence ; and some satisfaction was granted to an injured people, by the sentence and execution of the meaner criminals." In peace, the king of Persia continually sought the pretences Negotia t i- • i i T_JUX1 i-UU ti0DS ftnd of a rupture ; but no sooner had he taken up arms than he ex- treaties pressed his desire of a safe and honourable treaty. During the Justinian fiercest hostilities, the two monarchs entertained a deceitful roes. ad. negotiation ; and such was the superiority of Chosroes that, whilst he treated the Roman ministers with insolence and con- tempt, he obtained the most unprecedented honours for his own ambassadors at the Imperial court. The successor of Cyrus assumed the majesty of the Eastern sun, and graciously per- mitted his younger brother Justinian to reign over the West, with the pale and reflected splendour of the moon. This gigantic style was supported by the pomp and eloquence of Isdigune, one of the royal chamberlains. His wife and daughters, with a train of eunuchs and camels, attended the march of the ambassador ; two satraps with golden diadems were numbered among his followers; he was guarded by five hundred horse, the most valiant of the Persians; and the Roman governor of Dara wisely refused to admit more than twenty of this martial and hostile caravan. When Isdigune had saluted the emperor and delivered his presents, he passed ten months at Constantinople without discussing any serious affairs. Instead of being confined to his palace and receiving 99 On these judicial [rather, deliberative (as Milrnan observes)] orations Agathias (1. iii. p. 81-89 ; 1. iv. p. 108-119) lavishes eighteen or twenty pages of false and florid rhetoric. His ignorance or carelessness overlooks the strongest argument against the king of Lazica — his former revolt.
