cannotagreetothenewversion，which，inmyopinion，isdirectlycontrarybothtothemeaningofthewords，andthegeneralsenseofthepassage。ButIwouldsuggest，didJerom，asaboy，accompanythesesavagesinanyoftheirhuntingexpeditions?Ifhedidnot，howcouldhebeaneye—witnessofthispractice?TheAttacottiinGaulmusthavebeenintheserviceofRome。Weretheypermittedtoindulgethesecannibalpropensitiesattheexpense，notoftheflocks，butoftheshepherdsoftheprovinces?Thesesanguinarytrophiesofplunderwouldscarce'yhavebeenpubliclyexhibitedinaRomancityoraRomancamp。ImustleavethehereditaryprideofournorthernneighborsatissuewiththeveracityofSt。Jerom。]
　　EverymessengerwhoescapedacrosstheBritishChannel，conveyedthemostmelancholyandalarmingtidingstotheearsofValentinian；andtheemperorwassooninformedthatthetwomilitarycommandersoftheprovincehadbeensurprisedandcutoffbytheBarbarians。Severus，countofthedomestics，washastilydespatched，andassuddenlyrecalled，bythecourtofTreves。TherepresentationsofJovinusservedonlytoindicatethegreatnessoftheevil；and，afteralongandseriousconsultation，thedefence，orrathertherecovery，ofBritainwasintrustedtotheabilitiesofthebraveTheodosius。Theexploitsofthatgeneral，thefatherofalineofemperors，havebeencelebrated，withpeculiarcomplacency，bythewritersoftheage:
　　buthisrealmeritdeservedtheirapplause；andhisnominationwasreceived，bythearmyandprovince，asasurepresageofapproachingvictory。Heseizedthefavorablemomentofnavigation，andsecurelylandedthenumerousandveteranbandsoftheHeruliandBatavians，theJoviansandtheVictors。InhismarchfromSandwichtoLondon，TheodosiusdefeatedseveralpartiesoftheBarbarians，releasedamultitudeofcaptives，and，afterdistributingtohissoldiersasmallportionofthespoil，establishedthefameofdisinterestedjustice，bytherestitutionoftheremaindertotherightfulproprietors。ThecitizensofLondon，whohadalmostdespairedoftheirsafety，threwopentheirgates；andassoonasTheodosiushadobtainedfromthecourtofTrevestheimportantaidofamilitarylieutenant，andacivilgovernor，heexecuted，withwisdomandvigor，thelaborioustaskofthedeliveranceofBritain。Thevagrantsoldierswererecalledtotheirstandard；anedictofamnestydispelledthepublicapprehensions；andhischeerfulexamplealleviatedtherigorofmartialdiscipline。ThescatteredanddesultorywarfareoftheBarbarians，whoinfestedthelandandsea，deprivedhimofthegloryofasignalvictory；buttheprudentspirit，andconsummateart，oftheRomangeneral，weredisplayedintheoperationsoftwocampaigns，whichsuccessivelyrescuedeverypartoftheprovincefromthehandsofacruelandrapaciousenemy。Thesplendorofthecities，andthesecurityofthefortifications，werediligentlyrestored，bythepaternalcareofTheodosius；whowithastronghandconfinedthetremblingCaledonianstothenorthernangleoftheisland；andperpetuated，bythenameandsettlementofthenewprovinceofValentia，thegloriesofthereignofValentinian。^118Thevoiceofpoetryandpanegyricmayadd，perhapswithsomedegreeoftruth，thattheunknownregionsofThulewerestainedwiththebloodofthePicts；thattheoarsofTheodosiusdashedthewavesoftheHyperboreanocean；andthatthedistantOrkneyswerethesceneofhisnavalvictoryovertheSaxonpirates。^119Helefttheprovincewithafair，aswellassplendid，reputation；andwasimmediatelypromotedtotherankofmaster—generalofthecavalry，byaprincewhocouldapplaud，withoutenvy，themeritofhisservants。IntheimportantstationoftheUpperDanube，theconquerorofBritaincheckedanddefeatedthearmiesoftheAlemanni，beforehewaschosentosuppresstherevoltofAfrica。
　　[Footnote118:Ammianushasconciselyrepresentedxx。l。xxvi。
　　4，xxvii。8xxviii。3thewholeseriesoftheBritishwar。]
　　[Footnote119:Horrescit……ratibus……imperviaThule。Ille……necfalsonominePictosEdomuit。Scotumquevagomucronesecutus，FregitHyperboreasremisaudacibusundas。
　　Claudian，iniii。Cons。Honorii，ver。53，&c—MaduruntSaxonefusoOrcades:incaluitPictorumsanguineThule，ScotorumcumulosflevitglacialisIerne。
　　Iniv。Cons。Hon。ver。31，&c。
　　SeelikewisePacatus，inPanegyr。Vet。xii。5。Butitisnoteasytoappreciatetheintrinsicvalueofflatteryandmetaphor。
　　ComparetheBritishvictoriesofBolanusStatius，Silv。v。2
　　withhisrealcharacter，Tacit。inVit。Agricol。c。16。]
　　III。Theprincewhorefusestobethejudge，instructsthepeopletoconsiderhimastheaccomplice，ofhisministers。ThemilitarycommandofAfricahadbeenlongexercisedbyCountRomanus，andhisabilitieswerenotinadequatetohisstation；
　　but，assordidinterestwasthesolemotiveofhisconduct，heacted，onmostoccasions，asifhehadbeentheenemyoftheprovince，andthefriendoftheBarbariansofthedesert。ThethreeflourishingcitiesofOea，Leptis，andSobrata，which，underthenameofTripoli，hadlongconstitutedafederalunion，^120wereobliged，forthefirsttime，toshuttheirgatesagainstahostileinvasion；severaloftheirmosthonorablecitizensweresurprisedandmassacred；thevillages，andeventhesuburbs，werepillaged；andthevinesandfruittreesofthatrichterritorywereextirpatedbythemalicioussavagesofGetulia。TheunhappyprovincialsimploredtheprotectionofRomanus；buttheysoonfoundthattheirmilitarygovernorwasnotlesscruelandrapaciousthantheBarbarians。Astheywereincapableoffurnishingthefourthousandcamels，andtheexorbitantpresent，whichherequired，beforehewouldmarchtotheassistanceofTripoli；hisdemandwasequivalenttoarefusal，andhemightjustlybeaccusedastheauthorofthepubliccalamity。Intheannualassemblyofthethreecities，theynominatedtwodeputies，tolayatthefeetofValentinianthecustomaryofferingofagoldvictory；andtoaccompanythistributeofduty，ratherthanofgratitude，withtheirhumblecomplaint，thattheywereruinedbytheenemy，andbetrayedbytheirgovernor。IftheseverityofValentinianhadbeenrightlydirected，itwouldhavefallenontheguiltyheadofRomanus。
　　Butthecount，longexercisedintheartsofcorruption，haddespatchedaswiftandtrustymessengertosecurethevenalfriendshipofRemigius，masteroftheoffices。ThewisdomoftheImperialcouncilwasdeceivedbyartifice；andtheirhonestindignationwascooledbydelay。Atlength，whentherepetitionofcomplainthadbeenjustifiedbytherepetitionofpublicmisfortunes，thenotaryPalladiuswassentfromthecourtofTreves，toexaminethestateofAfrica，andtheconductofRomanus。TherigidimpartialityofPalladiuswaseasilydisarmed:hewastemptedtoreserveforhimselfapartofthepublictreasure，whichhebroughtwithhimforthepaymentofthetroops；andfromthemomentthathewasconsciousofhisownguilt，hecouldnolongerrefusetoattesttheinnocenceandmeritofthecount。ThechargeoftheTripolitanswasdeclaredtobefalseandfrivolous；andPalladiushimselfwassentbackfromTrevestoAfrica，withaspecialcommissiontodiscoverandprosecutetheauthorsofthisimpiousconspiracyagainsttherepresentativesofthesovereign。Hisinquiriesweremanagedwithsomuchdexterityandsuccess，thathecompelledthecitizensofLeptis，whohadsustainedarecentsiegeofeightdays，tocontradictthetruthoftheirowndecrees，andtocensurethebehavioroftheirowndeputies。Abloodysentencewaspronounced，withouthesitation，bytherashandheadstrongcrueltyofValentinian。ThepresidentofTripoli，whohadpresumedtopitythedistressoftheprovince，waspubliclyexecutedatUtica；fourdistinguishedcitizenswereputtodeath，astheaccomplicesoftheimaginaryfraud；andthetonguesoftwootherswerecutout，bytheexpressorderoftheemperor。
　　Romanus，elatedbyimpunity，andirritatedbyresistance，wasstillcontinuedinthemilitarycommand；tilltheAfricanswereprovoked，byhisavarice，tojointherebelliousstandardofFirmus，theMoor。^121。
　　[Footnote120:Ammianusfrequentlymentionstheirconciliumannuum，legitimum，&c。LeptisandSabrataarelongsinceruined；
　　butthecityofOea，thenativecountryofApuleius，stillflourishesundertheprovincialdenominationofTripoli。SeeCellariusGeograph。Antiqua，tom。ii。partii。p。81，
　　D'Anville，GeographieAncienne，tom。iii。p。71，72，andMarmol，Arrique，tom。ii。p。562。]
　　[Footnote121:Ammian。xviii。6。TillemontHist。desEmpereurs，tom。v。p25，676hasdiscussedthechronologicaldifficultiesofthehistoryofCountRomanus。]
　　HisfatherNabalwasoneoftherichestandmostpowerfuloftheMoorishprinces，whoacknowledgedthesupremacyofRome。Butasheleft，eitherbyhiswivesorconcubines，averynumerousposterity，thewealthyinheritancewaseagerlydisputed；andZamma，oneofhissons，wasslaininadomesticquarrelbyhisbrotherFirmus。Theimplacablezeal，withwhichRomanusprosecutedthelegalrevengeofthismurder，couldbeascribedonlytoamotiveofavarice，orpersonalhatred；but，onthisoccasion，hisclaimswerejust；hisinfluencewasweighty；andFirmusclearlyunderstood，thathemusteitherpresenthisnecktotheexecutioner，orappealfromthesentenceoftheImperialconsistory，tohissword，andtothepeople。^122Hewasreceivedasthedelivererofhiscountry；and，assoonasitappearedthatRomanuswasformidableonlytoasubmissiveprovince，thetyrantofAfricabecametheobjectofuniversalcontempt。TheruinofCaesarea，whichwasplunderedandburntbythelicentiousBarbarians，convincedtherefractorycitiesofthedangerofresistance；thepowerofFirmuswasestablished，atleastintheprovincesofMauritaniaandNumidia；anditseemedtobehisonlydoubtwhetherheshouldassumethediademofaMoorishking，orthepurpleofaRomanemperor。ButtheimprudentandunhappyAfricanssoondiscovered，that，inthisrashinsurrection，theyhadnotsufficientlyconsultedtheirownstrength，ortheabilitiesoftheirleader。Beforehecouldprocureanycertainintelligence，thattheemperoroftheWesthadfixedthechoiceofageneral，orthatafleetoftransportswascollectedatthemouthoftheRhone，hewassuddenlyinformedthatthegreatTheodosius，withasmallbandofveterans，hadlandednearIgilgilis，orGigeri，ontheAfricancoast；andthetimidusurpersunkundertheascendantofvirtueandmilitarygenius。ThoughFirmuspossessedarmsandtreasures，hisdespairofvictoryimmediatelyreducedhimtotheuseofthosearts，which，inthesamecountry，andinasimilarsituation，hadformerlybeenpractisedbythecraftyJugurtha。Heattemptedtodeceive，byanapparentsubmission，thevigilanceoftheRomangeneral；toseducethefidelityofhistroops；andtoprotractthedurationofthewar，bysuccessivelyengagingtheindependenttribesofAfricatoespousehisquarrel，ortoprotecthisflight。
　　Theodosiusimitatedtheexample，andobtainedthesuccess，ofhispredecessorMetellus。WhenFirmus，inthecharacterofasuppliant，accusedhisownrashness，andhumblysolicitedtheclemencyoftheemperor，thelieutenantofValentinianreceivedanddismissedhimwithafriendlyembrace:buthediligentlyrequiredtheusefulandsubstantialpledgesofasincererepentance；norcouldhebepersuaded，bytheassurancesofpeace，tosuspend，foraninstant，theoperationsofanactivewar。AdarkconspiracywasdetectedbythepenetrationofTheodosius；andhesatisfied，withoutmuchreluctance，thepublicindignation，whichhehadsecretlyexcited。SeveraloftheguiltyaccomplicesofFirmuswereabandoned，accordingtoancientcustom，tothetumultofamilitaryexecution；manymore，bytheamputationofboththeirhands，continuedtoexhibitaninstructivespectacleofhorror；thehatredoftherebelswasaccompaniedwithfear；andthefearoftheRomansoldierswasmingledwithrespectfuladmiration。AmidsttheboundlessplainsofGetulia，andtheinnumerablevalleysofMountAtlas，itwasimpossibletopreventtheescapeofFirmus；andiftheusurpercouldhavetiredthepatienceofhisantagonist，hewouldhavesecuredhispersoninthedepthofsomeremotesolitude，andexpectedthehopesofafuturerevolution。HewassubduedbytheperseveranceofTheodosius；whohadformedaninflexibledetermination，thatthewarshouldendonlybythedeathofthetyrant；andthateverynationofAfrica，whichpresumedtosupporthiscause，shouldbeinvolvedinhisruin。Attheheadofasmallbodyoftroops，whichseldomexceededthreethousandfivehundredmen，theRomangeneraladvanced，withasteadyprudence，devoidofrashnessoroffear，intotheheartofacountry，wherehewassometimesattackedbyarmiesoftwentythousandMoors。TheboldnessofhischargedismayedtheirregularBarbarians；theyweredisconcertedbyhisseasonableandorderlyretreats；theywerecontinuallybaffledbytheunknownresourcesofthemilitaryart；andtheyfeltandconfessedthejustsuperioritywhichwasassumedbytheleaderofacivilizednation。WhenTheodosiusenteredtheextensivedominionsofIgmazen，kingoftheIsaflenses，thehaughtysavagerequired，inwordsofdefiance，hisname，andtheobjectofhisexpedition。
　　"Iam，"repliedthesternanddisdainfulcount，"IamthegeneralofValentinian，thelordoftheworld；whohassentmehithertopursueandpunishadesperaterobber。Deliverhiminstantlyintomyhands；andbeassured，thatifthoudostnotobeythecommandsofmyinvinciblesovereign，thou，andthepeopleoverwhomthoureignest，shallbeutterlyextirpated。"AssoonasIgmazenwassatisfied，thathisenemyhadstrengthandresolutiontoexecutethefatalmenace，heconsentedtopurchaseanecessarypeacebythesacrificeofaguiltyfugitive。TheguardsthatwereplacedtosecurethepersonofFirmusdeprivedhimofthehopesofescape；andtheMoorishtyrant，afterwinehadextinguishedthesenseofdanger，disappointedtheinsultingtriumphoftheRomans，bystranglinghimselfinthenight。Hisdeadbody，theonlypresentwhichIgmazencouldoffertotheconqueror，wascarelesslythrownuponacamel；andTheodosius，leadingbackhisvictorioustroopstoSitifi，wassalutedbythewarmestacclamationsofjoyandloyalty。^123
　　[Footnote122:TheChronologyofAmmianusislooseandobscure；
　　andOrosiusi。vii。c。33，p。551，edit。HavercampseemstoplacetherevoltofFirmusafterthedeathsofValentinianandValens。TillemontHist。des。Emp。tom。v。p。691endeavorstopickhisway。Thepatientandsure—footmuleoftheAlpsmaybetrustedinthemostslipperypaths。]
　　[Footnote*:Thewarwaslongerprotractedthanthissentencewouldleadustosuppose:itwasnottilldefeatedmorethanoncethatIgmazenyieldedAmm。xxix。5。—M]
　　[Footnote123:Ammianxxix。5。Thetextofthislongchapterfifteenquartopagesisbrokenandcorrupted；andthenarrativeisperplexedbythewantofchronologicalandgeographicallandmarks。]
　　AfricahadbeenlostbythevicesofRomanus；itwasrestoredbythevirtuesofTheodosius；andourcuriositymaybeusefullydirectedtotheinquiryoftherespectivetreatmentwhichthetwogeneralsreceivedfromtheImperialcourt。TheauthorityofCountRomanushadbeensuspendedbythemaster—generalofthecavalry；andhewascommittedtosafeandhonorablecustodytilltheendofthewar。Hiscrimeswereprovedbythemostauthenticevidence；andthepublicexpected，withsomeimpatience，thedecreeofseverejustice。ButthepartialandpowerfulfavorofMellobaudesencouragedhimtochallengehislegaljudges，toobtainrepeateddelaysforthepurposeofprocuringacrowdoffriendlywitnesses，and，finally，tocoverhisguiltyconduct，bytheadditionalguiltoffraudandforgery。Aboutthesametime，therestorerofBritainandAfrica，onavaguesuspicionthathisnameandservicesweresuperiortotherankofasubject，wasignominiouslybeheadedatCarthage。Valentiniannolongerreigned；andthedeathofTheodosius，aswellastheimpunityofRomanus，mayjustlybeimputedtotheartsoftheministers，whoabusedtheconfidence，anddeceivedtheinexperiencedyouth，ofhissons。^124
　　[Footnote124:Ammianxxviii。4。Orosius，l。vii。c。33，p。551，552。Jerom。inChron。p。187。]
　　IfthegeographicalaccuracyofAmmianushadbeenfortunatelybestowedontheBritishexploitsofTheodosius，weshouldhavetraced，witheagercuriosity，thedistinctanddomesticfootstepsofhismarch。ButthetediousenumerationoftheunknownanduninterestingtribesofAfricamaybereducedtothegeneralremark，thattheywerealloftheswarthyraceoftheMoors；thattheyinhabitedthebacksettlementsoftheMauritanianandNumidianprovince，thecountry，astheyhavesincebeentermedbytheArabs，ofdatesandoflocusts；^125andthat，astheRomanpowerdeclinedinAfrica，theboundaryofcivilizedmannersandcultivatedlandwasinsensiblycontracted。
　　BeyondtheutmostlimitsoftheMoors，thevastandinhospitabledesertoftheSouthextendsaboveathousandmilestothebanksoftheNiger。Theancients，whohadaveryfaintandimperfectknowledgeofthegreatpeninsulaofAfrica，weresometimestemptedtobelieve，thatthetorridzonemusteverremaindestituteofinhabitants；^126andtheysometimesamusedtheirfancybyfillingthevacantspacewithheadlessmen，orrathermonsters；^127withhornedandcloven—footedsatyrs；^128withfabulouscentaurs；^129andwithhumanpygmies，whowagedaboldanddoubtfulwarfareagainstthecranes。^130Carthagewouldhavetrembledatthestrangeintelligencethatthecountriesoneithersideoftheequatorwerefilledwithinnumerablenations，whodifferedonlyintheircolorfromtheordinaryappearanceofthehumanspecies:andthesubjectsoftheRomanempiremighthaveanxiouslyexpected，thattheswarmsofBarbarians，whichissuedfromtheNorth，wouldsoonbeencounteredfromtheSouthbynewswarmsofBarbarians，equallyfierceandequallyformidable。
　　ThesegloomyterrorswouldindeedhavebeendispelledbyamoreintimateacquaintancewiththecharacteroftheirAfricanenemies。Theinactionofthenegroesdoesnotseemtobetheeffecteitheroftheirvirtueoroftheirpusillanimity。Theyindulge，liketherestofmankind，theirpassionsandappetites；
　　andtheadjacenttribesareengagedinfrequentactsofhostility。^131Buttheirrudeignorancehasneverinventedanyeffectualweaponsofdefence，orofdestruction；theyappearincapableofforminganyextensiveplansofgovernment，orconquest；andtheobviousinferiorityoftheirmentalfacultieshasbeendiscoveredandabusedbythenationsofthetemperatezone。SixtythousandblacksareannuallyembarkedfromthecoastofGuinea，nevertoreturntotheirnativecountry；buttheyareembarkedinchains；^132andthisconstantemigration，which，inthespaceoftwocenturies，mighthavefurnishedarmiestooverruntheglobe，accusestheguiltofEurope，andtheweaknessofAfrica。
　　[Footnote125:LeoAfricanusintheViaggidiRamusio，tom。i。
　　fol。78—83hastracedacuriouspictureofthepeopleandthecountry；whicharemoreminutelydescribedintheAfriquedeMarmol，tom。iii。p。1—54。]
　　[Footnote126:Thisuninhabitablezonewasgraduallyreducedbytheimprovementsofancientgeography，fromforty—fivetotwenty—four，orevensixteendegreesoflatitude。SeealearnedandjudiciousnoteofDr。Robertson，Hist。ofAmerica，vol。i。p。
　　426。]