chap, xli] OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 317 oxen, and camels. 49 During the vigour of the Roman power, they observed a respectable distance from Carthage and the sea-shore ; under the feeble reign of the Vandals they invaded the cities of Numidia, occupied the sea-coast from Tangier to Csesarea, and pitched their camps, with impunity, in the fertile province of Byzacium. The formidable strength and artful conduct of Belisarius secured the neutrality of the Moorish princes, whose vanity aspired to receive, in the emperor's name, the ensigns of their regal dignity. 50 They were astonished by the rapid event, and trembled in the presence of their conqueror. But his approaching departure soon relieved the apprehensions of a savage and superstitious people ; the number of their wives allowed them to disregard the safety of their infant hostages ; and, when the Roman general hoisted sail in the port of Car- thage, he heard the cries, and almost beheld the names, of the desolated province. Yet he persisted in his resolution ; and, leaving only a part of his guards to reinforce the feeble garrisons, he entrusted the command of Africa to the eunuch Solomon, 51 who proved himself not unworthy to be the successor of Beli- sarius. In the first invasion, some detachments, with two officers of merit, were surprised and intercepted ; but Solomon speedily assembled his troops, marched from Carthage into the heart of the country, and in two great battles destroyed sixty thousand of the Barbarians. The Moors depended on their multitude, their swiftness, and their inaccessible mountains ; and the aspect and smell of their camels are said to have pro- duced some confusion in the Roman cavalry. 52 But, as soon as they were commanded to dismount, they derided this con- 49 Virgil (Georgic. iii. 339) and Pomponius Mela (i. 8) describe the wandering life of the African shepherds, similar to that of the Arabs and Tartars ; and Shaw (p. 222) is the best commentator on the poet and the geographer. 50 The customary gifts were a sceptre, a crown or cap, a white cloak, a figured tunic and shoes, all adorned with gold and silver ; nor were these precious metals less acceptable in the shape of coin (Procop. Vandal. 1. i. c. 25). 81 See the African government and warfare of Solomon, in Procopius (Vandal. 1. ii. c. 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20). He was recalled, and again restored ; and his last victory dates in the xiiith year of Justinian (a.d. 539). An accident in his child- hood had rendered him an eunuch (1. i. c. 11) ; the other Roman generals were amply furnished with beards, irwyaivos i/j.Tmrdfj.evoi (1. ii. c. 8). 62 This natural antipathy of the horse for the camel is affirmed by the ancients (Xenophon, Cyropeed. 1. vi. p. 438 ; 1. vii. p. 483, 492, edit. Hutchinson. Polyam. Stratagem, vii. 6. Plin. Hist. Nat. viii. 26. iElian. de Natur. Animal. 1. iii. c. 7) ; but it is disproved by daily experience, and derided by the best judges, the Orientals (Voyage d'Olearius, p. 553).
