Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/323

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OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.
299

CHAP. X.


successor[1]. The tranquillity which the empire enjoyed during the first year of his administration[2], served rather to inflame than to appease the public discontent; and, as soon as the apprehensions of war were removed, the infamy of the peace was more deeply and more sensibly felt.

Victory and revolt of Æmujanus.
A. D. 253.
But the Romans were irritated to a still higher degree, when they discovered that they had not even se-cured their repose, though at the expense of their honour. The dangerous secret of the wealth and weakness of the empire, had been revealed to the world. New swarms of barbarians, encouraged by the success, and not conceiving themselves bound by the obligation of their brethren, spread devastation through the Illyrian provinces, and terror as far as the gates of Rome. The defence of the monarchy, which seemed abandoned by the pusillanimous emperor, was assumed by Æmilianus, governor of Pannonia and Mæasia; who rallied the scattered forces, and revived the fainting spirits of the troops. The barbarians were unexpectedly attacked, routed, chased, and pursued beyond the Danube. The victorious leader distributed as a donative the money collected for the tribute; and the acclamations of the soldiers proclaimed him emperor on the field of battle[3]. Gallus, who, careless of the general welfare, indulged himself in the pleasures of Italy, was almost in the same instant informed of the success, of the revolt, and of the rapid approach, of his aspiring lieutenant. He advanced to meet him as far as the plains of Spoleto. When the armies came in sight of each other, the soldiers of Gallus compared the ignominious conduct of their sovereign with the glory of his rival. They admired the valour of Æmilianus; Gallus abandoned and slain. A.D. 253. May. they were attracted by his liberality, for he offered a consderable increase of pay to all deserters[4]. The murder of Gallus, and of his son Volusianus, put an end to the

  1. These improbable accusations are alleged by Zosimus, 1. i. p. 23, 24.
  2. Jornandes, c. 19. The Gothic writer at least observed the peace which his victorious countrymen had sworn to Gallus.
  3. Zosimus, 1. i. p. 25, 26.
  4. Victor in Cæaesaribus.