8 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, their own importance, and the assurance that Britain, XIV • ' Gaul, and Spain would acquiesce in their nomination, were diligently inculcated to the legions by the ad- herents of Constantine. The soldiers were asked, whether they could hesitate a moment between the honour of placing at their head the worthy son of their beloved emperor, and the ignominy of tamely expecting the arrival of some obscure stranger, on whom it might please the sovereign of Asia to bestow the armies and provinces of the west. It was insinuated to them, that gratitude and liberality held a distinguished place among the virtues of Constantine ; nor did that artful prince show himself to the troops, till they were pre- pared to salute him with the names of Augustus and emperor. The throne was the object of his desires ; and had he been less actuated by ambition, it was his only means of safety. He was well acquainted with the character and sentiments of Galerius, and suffi- ciently apprised, that if he wished to live he must de- termine to reign. The decent and even obstinate re- sistance which he chose to affect '^, was contrived to justify his usurpation ; nor did he yield to the accla- mations of the army till he had provided the proper materials for a letter, which he immediately despatched to the emperor of the east. Constantine informed him of the melancholy event of his father's death, modestly asserted his natural claim to the succession, and re- spectfully lamented that the affectionate violence of his troops had not permitted him to solicit the im- perial purple in the regular and constitutional manner. The first emotions of Galerius were those of surprise, disappointment, and rage; and as he could seldom restrain his passions, he loudly threatened, that he would commit to the flames both the letter and the messenger. But his resentment insensibly subsided ; who assisted the Roman arms with an independent body of his own sub- jects. The practice grew familiar, and at last became fatal. <i His panegyrist Eumenius (vii. 8.) ventures to affirm, in the presence of Constantine, that he put spurs to his horse, and tried, but in vain, to escape from the hands of his soldiers.
