CHAP. XIV
strove to increase their respective forces at the expense of their subjects.
Character and situation of Constantius. As soon as Diocletian and Maximian had resigned the purple, their station, according to the rules of the stantius. new constitution, was filled by the two Caesars, Constantius and Galerius, who immediately assumed the title of Augustus[1]. The honours of seniority and precedence were allowed to the former of those princes; and he continued, under a new appellation, to administer his ancient department of Gaul, Spain, and Britain. The government of those ample provinces was sufficient to exercise his talents, and to satisfy his ambition. Clemency, temperance, and moderation, distinguished the amiable character of Constantius; and his fortunate subjects had frequently occasion to compare the virtues of their sovereign with the passions of Maximian, and even with the arts of Diocletian[2]. Instead of imitating their eastern pride and magnificence, Constantius preserved the modesty of a Roman prince. He declared, with unaffected sincerity, that his most valued treasure was in the hearts of his people; and that, whenever the dignity of the throne, or the danger of the state, required any extraordinary supply, he could depend with confidence on their gratitude and liberality[3]. The provincials of Gaul, Spain, and Britain, sensible of his worth and of their own happiness, reflected with anxiety on the declining health of the emperor Constantius, and the tender age
- ↑ M. de IMontesquieu (Considerations sur la Grandeur et la D{{subst:e'}}cadence des Remains, c. 17.) supposes, on the authority of Orosius and Eusebius, that, on this occasion, the empire, for the first time, was realty divided into two parts. It is difficult, however, to discover in what respect the plan of Galerius differed from that of Diocletian.
- ↑ Hic non modo amabilis, sed etiam venerabilis Gallis fuit; prjecipue quod Diocletiani suspectam prudentiam, et JMaximiani sanguiuariam violentiam imperio ejus evaserant. Eutrop. Breviar. x. i.
- ↑ Divitiis provincialium (mel. provinciarum) ac privatorum studens, fisci commoda non admodum afTectans ; ducensque melius publicas opes a privatis haberi, quam intra unum claustrum reservari. Id. Ibid. He carried this maxim so far, that whenever he gave an entertainment, he was obliged to borrow a service of plate.
