34 THE DECLINE AND FALL [Chap, xxxvi a.d. 467, April 12 [Alypia] a.d. 468, January 1 throne. 81 The emperor of the West marched from Constanti- nople, attended by several counts of high distinction, and a body of guards, almost equal to the strength and numbers of a regular army ; he entered Eome in triumph, and the choice of Leo was confirmed by the senate, the people, and the Barbarian con- federates of Italy. 82 The solemn inauguration of Anthemius was followed by the nuptials of his daughter and the patrician Ricimer : a fortunate event which was considered as the firmest security of the union and happiness of the state. The wealth of two empires was ostentatiously displayed ; and many senators completed their ruin by an expensive effort to disguise their poverty. All serious business was suspended during this festival ; the courts of justice were shut ; the streets of Rome, the theatres, the places of public and private resort, resounded with hymenaeal songs and dances ; and the royal bride, clothed in silken robes, with a crown on her head, was conducted to the palace of Ricimer, who had changed his military dress for the habit of a consul and a senator. On this memorable occasion, Sidonius, whose early ambition had been so fatally blasted, appeared as the orator of Auvergne, among the provincial deputies who addressed the throne with con- gratulations or complaints. 83 The calends of January were now approaching, and the venal poet, who had loved Avitus and esteemed Majorian, was persuaded by his friends to celebrate, in heroic verse, the merit, the felicity, the second consulship and the future triumphs of the emperor Anthemius. Sidonius pronounced, with assurance and success, a panegyric which is still extant; and, whatever might be the imper- fections either of the subject or of the composition, the welcome flatterer was immediately rewarded with the prefec- ture of Rome ; a dignity which placed him among the illustrious 81 Sidonius discovers, with tolerable ingenuity, that this disappointment added new lustre to the virtues of Anthemius (210, &c), who declined one sceptre and reluctantly accepted another (22, &c). 82 The poet again celebrates the unanimity of all orders of the state (15-22) ; and the Chronicle of Idatius mentions the forces which attended his march. 83 Interveni autem [leg. etenim] nuptiis Patricii Ricimeris, cui filia perennis Augusti in spem publics securitatis copulabatur [Epp. i. 5, 10]. The journey of Sidonius from Lyons, and the festival of Rome, are described with some spirit. L. i. epist. 5, p. 9-13. Epist. 9, p. 21. [The name of the daughter of Anthemius, Alypia, is given by John of Antiooh, F. H. G. iv. frag. 209.]
