OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 279 enemies. Chiefs of renown and power were flattered CHAP, by the most trifling presents, which they received either ' as marks of distinction, or as the instruments of luxury. In civil dissensions, the weaker faction endeavoured to strengthen its interest by entering into secret connec- tions with the governors of the frontier provinces. Every quarrel among the Germans was fomented by the intrigues of Rome ; and every plan of union and public good was defeated by the stronger bias of pri- vate jealousy and interest^". The general conspiracy which terrified the Romans Transient u- under the reign of Marcus Antoninus, comprehended Ma^cu^s^Aa- almost all the nations of Germany, and even Sarmatia, toninus. from the mouth of the Rhine to that of the Danube". It is impossible for us to determine whether this hasty confederation was formed by necessity, by reason, or by passion; but we may rest assured, that the barba- rians were neither allured by the indolence, or pro- voked by the ambition, of the Roman monarch. This dangerous invasion required all the firmness and vigi- lance of Marcus. He fixed generals of ability in the several stations of attack, and assumed in person the conduct of the most important province on the Upper Danube. After a long and doubtful conflict, the spirit of the barbarians was subdued. The Quadi and the Marcomanni°, who had taken the lead in the war, were the most se^'erely punished in its catastrophe. They were commanded to retire five miles'" from their own banks of the Danube, and to deliver up the flower of the youth, who were immediately sent into Britain, a remote island, where they might be secure as hostages, ^ Many traces of this policy may be discovered in Tacitus and Dion ; and many more may be inferred from the principles of human nature. " Hist. August, p. 31; Ammian. Marcellin. 1. xxxi. c.5; Aurel. Victor. The emperor Marcus was reduced to sell the rich furniture of the palace, and to enlist slaves and robbers.
- > The Marcomanni, a colony who, from the banks of the Rhine, occu-
pied Bohemia and Moravia, had once erected a great and formidable mon- archy under their king Maroboduus. See Strabo, 1. vii. ; Veil. Pat. 11. 105 J Tacit. Annal. ii. 63. P Mr. Wotton (History of Rome, p. 166.) increases the prohibition to ten times the distance. His reasoning is specious, but not conclusive. Five miles were sufficient for a fortified barrier.
