[Footnote!!:TheNegusisdifferentlycalledElesbaan，Elesboas，Elisthaeus，probablythesamename，orratherappellation。SeeSt。Martin，vol。viii。p。49。—M。]
[Footnote!!!:AccordingtotheArabianauthorities，Johannsen，Hist。Yemanae，p。94，Bonn，1828，AbrahahwasanAbyssinian，therivalofAriathus，thebrotheroftheAbyssinianking:hesurprisedandslewAriathus，andbyhiscraftappeasedtheresentmentofNadjash，theAbyssinianking。AbrahahwasaChristian；hebuiltamagnificentchurchatSana，anddissuadedhissubjectsfromtheiraccustomedpilgrimagestoMecca。Thechurchwasdefiled，itwassupposed，bytheKoreishites，andAbrahahtookuparmstorevengehimselfonthetempleatMecca。
Hewasrepelledbymiracle:hiselephantwouldnotadvance，butkneltdownbeforethesacredplace；Abrahahfled，discomfitedandmortallywounded，toSana—M。]
[Footnote100:TherevolutionsofYemeninthesixthcenturymustbecollectedfromProcopius，Persic。l。i。c。19，20，
TheophanesByzant。，apudPhot。cod。lxiii。p。80，St。
Theophanes，inChronograph。p。144，145，188，189，206，207，whoisfullofstrangeblunders，Pocock，SpecimenHist。Arab。p。
62，65，D'Herbelot，Bibliot。Orientale，p。12，477，andSale'sPreliminaryDiscourseandKoran，c。105。TherevoltofAbrahahismentionedbyProcopius；andhisfall，thoughcloudedwithmiracles，isanhistoricalfact。
Note:TotheauthorswhohaveillustratedtheobscurehistoryoftheJewishandAbyssiniankingdomsinHomeritismaybeaddedSchultens，Hist。Joctanidarum；Walch，HistoriareruminHomeritegestarum，inthe4thvol。oftheGottingenTransactions；
Salt'sTravels，vol。ii。p。446，&c。:SylvestredeSacy，vol。i。
Acad。desInscrip。Jost，GeschichtederIsraeliter；Johannsen，Hist。Yemanae；St。Martin'snotestoLeBeau，t。viip。42。—M。]
[Footnote*:Aperiodofsixty—sevenyearsisassignedbymostoftheArabianauthoritiestotheAbyssiniankingdomsinHomeritis。
—M。]
ChapterXLIII:LastVictoryAndDeathOfBelisarius，DeathOfJustinian。
PartI。
RebellionsOfAfrica。—RestorationOfTheGothicKingdomByTotila。—LossAndRecoveryOfRome。—FinalConquestOfItalyByNarses。—ExtinctionOfTheOstrogoths。—DefeatOfTheFranksAndAlemanni。—LastVictory，Disgrace，AndDeathOfBelisarius。
—DeathAndCharacterOfJustinian。—Comet，Earthquakes，AndPlague。
ThereviewofthenationsfromtheDanubetotheNilehasexposed，oneveryside，theweaknessoftheRomans；andourwonderisreasonablyexcitedthattheyshouldpresumetoenlargeanempirewhoseancientlimitstheywereincapableofdefending。
Butthewars，theconquests，andthetriumphsofJustinian，arethefeebleandperniciouseffortsofoldage，whichexhausttheremainsofstrength，andacceleratethedecayofthepowersoflife。HeexultedinthegloriousactofrestoringAfricaandItalytotherepublic；butthecalamitieswhichfollowedthedepartureofBelisariusbetrayedtheimpotenceoftheconqueror，andaccomplishedtheruinofthoseunfortunatecountries。
Fromhisnewacquisitions，Justinianexpectedthathisavarice，aswellaspride，shouldberichlygratified。A
rapaciousministerofthefinancescloselypursuedthefootstepsofBelisarius；andastheoldregistersoftributehadbeenburntbytheVandals，heindulgedhisfancyinaliberalcalculationandarbitraryassessmentofthewealthofAfrica。^1Theincreaseoftaxes，whichweredrawnawaybyadistantsovereign，andageneralresumptionofthepatrimonyorcrownlands，soondispelledtheintoxicationofthepublicjoy:buttheemperorwasinsensibletothemodestcomplaintsofthepeople，tillhewasawakenedandalarmedbytheclamorsofmilitarydiscontent。ManyoftheRomansoldiershadmarriedthewidowsanddaughtersoftheVandals。Astheirown，bythedoublerightofconquestandinheritance，theyclaimedtheestateswhichGenserichadassignedtohisvictorioustroops。Theyheardwithdisdainthecoldandselfishrepresentationsoftheirofficers，thattheliberalityofJustinianhadraisedthemfromasavageorservilecondition；
thattheywerealreadyenrichedbythespoilsofAfrica，thetreasure，theslaves，andthemovablesofthevanquishedBarbarians；andthattheancientandlawfulpatrimonyoftheemperorswouldbeappliedonlytothesupportofthatgovernmentonwhichtheirownsafetyandrewardmustultimatelydepend。Themutinywassecretlyinflamedbyathousandsoldiers，forthemostpartHeruli，whohadimbibedthedoctrines，andwereinstigatedbytheclergy，oftheAriansect；andthecauseofperjuryandrebellionwassanctifiedbythedispensingpowersoffanaticism。
TheAriansdeploredtheruinoftheirchurch，triumphantaboveacenturyinAfrica；andtheywerejustlyprovokedbythelawsoftheconqueror，whichinterdictedthebaptismoftheirchildren，andtheexerciseofallreligiousworship。OftheVandalschosenbyBelisarius，thefargreaterpart，inthehonorsoftheEasternservice，forgottheircountryandreligion。Butagenerousbandoffourhundredobligedthemariners，whentheywereinsightoftheIsleofLesbos，toaltertheircourse:theytouchedonPeloponnesus，ranashoreonadesertcoastofAfrica，andboldlyerected，onMountAurasius，thestandardofindependenceandrevolt。Whilethetroopsoftheprovincesdisclaimedthecommandsoftheirsuperiors，aconspiracywasformedatCarthageagainstthelifeofSolomon，whofilledwithhonortheplaceofBelisarius；andtheArianshadpiouslyresolvedtosacrificethetyrantatthefootofthealtar，duringtheawfulmysteriesofthefestivalofEaster。Fearorremorserestrainedthedaggersoftheassassins，butthepatienceofSolomonemboldenedtheirdiscontent；and，attheendoftendays，afuriousseditionwaskindledintheCircus，whichdesolatedAfricaabovetenyears。
Thepillageofthecity，andtheindiscriminateslaughterofitsinhabitants，weresuspendedonlybydarkness，sleep，andintoxication:thegovernor，withsevencompanions，amongwhomwasthehistorianProcopius，escapedtoSicily:twothirdsofthearmywereinvolvedintheguiltoftreason；andeightthousandinsurgents，assemblinginthefieldofBulla，electedStozafortheirchief，aprivatesoldier，whopossessedinasuperiordegreethevirtuesofarebel。Underthemaskoffreedom，hiseloquencecouldlead，oratleastimpel，thepassionsofhisequals。HeraisedhimselftoalevelwithBelisarius，andthenephewoftheemperor，bydaringtoencountertheminthefield；
andthevictoriousgeneralswerecompelledtoacknowledgethatStozadeservedapurercause，andamorelegitimatecommand。
Vanquishedinbattle，hedexterouslyemployedtheartsofnegotiation；aRomanarmywasseducedfromtheirallegiance，andthechiefswhohadtrustedtohisfaithlesspromiseweremurderedbyhisorderinachurchofNumidia。Wheneveryresource，eitherofforceorperfidy，wasexhausted，Stoza，withsomedesperateVandals，retiredtothewildsofMauritania，obtainedthedaughterofaBarbarianprince，andeludedthepursuitofhisenemies，bythereportofhisdeath。ThepersonalweightofBelisarius，therank，thespirit，andthetemper，ofGermanus，theemperor'snephew，andthevigorandsuccessofthesecondadministrationoftheeunuchSolomon，restoredthemodestyofthecamp，andmaintainedforawhilethetranquillityofAfrica。ButthevicesoftheByzantinecourtwerefeltinthatdistantprovince；thetroopscomplainedthattheywereneitherpaidnorrelieved，andassoonasthepublicdisordersweresufficientlymature，Stozawasagainalive，inarms，andatthegatesofCarthage。Hefellinasinglecombat，buthesmiledintheagoniesofdeath，whenhewasinformedthathisownjavelinhadreachedtheheartofhisantagonist。TheexampleofStoza，andtheassurancethatafortunatesoldierhadbeenthefirstking，encouragedtheambitionofGontharis，andhepromised，byaprivatetreaty，todivideAfricawiththeMoors，if，withtheirdangerousaid，heshouldascendthethroneofCarthage。ThefeebleAreobindus，unskilledintheaffairsofpeaceandwar，wasraised，byhismarriagewiththenieceofJustinian，totheofficeofexarch。Hewassuddenlyoppressedbyaseditionoftheguards，andhisabjectsupplications，whichprovokedthecontempt，couldnotmovethepity，oftheinexorabletyrant。
Afterareignofthirtydays，GontharishimselfwasstabbedatabanquetbythehandofArtaban；*anditissingularenough，thatanArmenianprince，oftheroyalfamilyofArsaces，shouldreestablishatCarthagetheauthorityoftheRomanempire。IntheconspiracywhichunsheathedthedaggerofBrutusagainstthelifeofCaesar，everycircumstanceiscuriousandimportanttotheeyesofposterity；buttheguiltormeritoftheseloyalorrebelliousassassinscouldinterestonlythecontemporariesofProcopius，who，bytheirhopesandfears，theirfriendshiporresentment，werepersonallyengagedintherevolutionsofAfrica。
^2
[Footnote1:ForthetroublesofAfrica，IneitherhavenordesireanotherguidethanProcopius，whoseeyecontemplatedtheimage，andwhoseearcollectedthereports，ofthememorableeventsofhisowntimes。InthesecondbookoftheVandalicwarherelatestherevoltofStoza，c。14—24，thereturnofBelisarius，c。15，thevictoryofGermanus，c。16，17，18，
thesecondadministrationofSolomon，c。19，20，21，thegovernmentofSergius，c。22，23，ofAreobindus，c。24，thetyrannyanddeathofGontharis，c。25，26，27，28；norcanI
discernanysymptomsofflatteryormalevolenceinhisvariousportraits。]
[Footnote*:CorippusgivesadifferentaccountofthedeathofStoza；hewastransfixedbyanarrowfromthehandofJohn，nottheheroofhispoemwhobrokedesperatelythroughthevictorioustroopsoftheenemy。Stozarepented，saysthepoet，ofhistreasonousrebellion，andanticipated—anotherCataline—
eternaltormentsashispunishment。
Reddam，improba，poenasQuasmerui。FuriissociusCatilinacruentisExagitatusadest。VideojamTartara，fundoFlammarumqueglobos，etclaraincendiavolvi。
Johannidos，bookiv。line211。
AlltheotherauthoritiesconfirmGibbon'saccountofthedeathofJohnbythehandofStoza。ThispoemofCorippus，unknowntoGibbon，wasfirstpublishedbyMazzuchelliduringthepresentcentury，andisreprintedintheneweditionoftheByzantinewriters。—M]
[Footnote**:ThismurderwaspromptedtotheArmenianaccordingtoCorippusbyAthanasius，thenpraefectofAfrica。
HuncplaciduscanagravitatecoegitInumiteramactarevirum。—Corripus，vol。iv。p。237—M。]
[Footnote2:YetImustnotrefusehimthemeritofpainting，inlivelycolors，themurderofGontharis。OneoftheassassinsutteredasentimentnotunworthyofaRomanpatriot:"IfIfail，"
saidArtasires，"inthefirststroke，killmeonthespot，lesttherackshouldextortadiscoveryofmyaccomplices。"]
ThatcountrywasrapidlysinkingintothestateofbarbarismfromwhenceithadbeenraisedbythePhoeniciancoloniesandRomanlaws；andeverystepofintestinediscordwasmarkedbysomedeplorablevictoryofsavagemanovercivilizedsociety。
TheMoors，^3thoughignorantofjustice，wereimpatientofoppression:theirvagrantlifeandboundlesswildernessdisappointedthearms，andeludedthechains，ofaconqueror；andexperiencehadshown，thatneitheroathsnorobligationscouldsecurethefidelityoftheirattachment。ThevictoryofMountAurashadawedthemintomomentarysubmission；butiftheyrespectedthecharacterofSolomon，theyhatedanddespisedtheprideandluxuryofhistwonephews，CyrusandSergius，onwhomtheirunclehadimprudentlybestowedtheprovincialgovernmentsofTripoliandPentapolis。AMoorishtribeencampedunderthewallsofLeptis，torenewtheiralliance，andreceivefromthegovernorthecustomarygifts。Fourscoreoftheirdeputieswereintroducedasfriendsintothecity；butonthedarksuspicionofaconspiracy，theyweremassacredatthetableofSergius，andtheclamorofarmsandrevengewasreechoedthroughthevalleysofMountAtlasfromboththeSyrtestotheAtlanticOcean。A
personalinjury，theunjustexecutionormurderofhisbrother，renderedAntalastheenemyoftheRomans。ThedefeatoftheVandalshadformerlysignalizedhisvalor；therudimentsofjusticeandprudencewerestillmoreconspicuousinaMoor；andwhilehelaidAdrumetuminashes，hecalmlyadmonishedtheemperorthatthepeaceofAfricamightbesecuredbytherecallofSolomonandhisunworthynephews。TheexarchledforthhistroopsfromCarthage:but，atthedistanceofsixdays'journey，intheneighborhoodofTebeste，^4hewasastonishedbythesuperiornumbersandfierceaspectoftheBarbarians。Heproposedatreaty；solicitedareconciliation；andofferedtobindhimselfbythemostsolemnoaths。"Bywhatoathscanhebindhimself?"interruptedtheindignantMoors。"WillheswearbytheGospels，thedivinebooksoftheChristians?ItwasonthosebooksthatthefaithofhisnephewSergiuswaspledgedtoeightyofourinnocentandunfortunatebrethren。Beforewetrustthemasecondtime，letustrytheirefficacyinthechastisementofperjuryandthevindicationoftheirownhonor。"TheirhonorwasvindicatedinthefieldofTebeste，bythedeathofSolomon，andthetotallossofhisarmy。ThearrivaloffreshtroopsandmoreskilfulcommanderssooncheckedtheinsolenceoftheMoors:seventeenoftheirprinceswereslaininthesamebattle；
andthedoubtfulandtransientsubmissionoftheirtribeswascelebratedwithlavishapplausebythepeopleofConstantinople。
SuccessiveinroadshadreducedtheprovinceofAfricatoonethirdofthemeasureofItaly；yettheRomanemperorscontinuedtoreignaboveacenturyoverCarthageandthefruitfulcoastoftheMediterranean。ButthevictoriesandthelossesofJustinianwerealikepernicioustomankind；andsuchwasthedesolationofAfrica，thatinmanypartsastrangermightwanderwholedayswithoutmeetingthefaceeitherofafriendoranenemy。ThenationoftheVandalshaddisappeared:theyonceamountedtoahundredandsixtythousandwarriors，withoutincludingthechildren，thewomen，ortheslaves。TheirnumberswereinfinitelysurpassedbythenumberoftheMoorishfamiliesextirpatedinarelentlesswar；andthesamedestructionwasretaliatedontheRomansandtheirallies，whoperishedbytheclimate，theirmutualquarrels，andtherageoftheBarbarians。
WhenProcopiusfirstlanded，headmiredthepopulousnessofthecitiesandcountry，strenuouslyexercisedinthelaborsofcommerceandagriculture。Inlessthantwentyyears，thatbusyscenewasconvertedintoasilentsolitude；thewealthycitizensescapedtoSicilyandConstantinople；andthesecrethistorianhasconfidentlyaffirmed，thatfivemillionsofAfricanswereconsumedbythewarsandgovernmentoftheemperorJustinian。^5
[Footnote3:TheMoorishwarsareoccasionallyintroducedintothenarrativeofProcopius，Vandal。l。ii。c。19—23，25，27，28。Gothic。l。iv。c。17；andTheophanesaddssomeprosperousandadverseeventsinthelastyearsofJustinian。]
[Footnote4:NowTibesh，inthekingdomofAlgiers。Itiswateredbyariver，theSujerass，whichfallsintotheMejerda，Bagradas。Tibeshisstillremarkableforitswallsoflargestones，liketheColiseumofRome，afountain，andagroveofwalnut—trees:thecountryisfruitful，andtheneighboringBereberesarewarlike。Itappearsfromaninscription，that，underthereignofAdrian，theroadfromCarthagetoTebestewasconstructedbythethirdlegion，Marmol，Descriptiondel'Afrique，tom。ii。p。442，443。Shaw'sTravels，p。64，65，66。]
[Footnote*:CorripusJohannidoslib。iii。417—441describesthedefeatanddeathofSolomon。—M。]
[Footnote5:Procopius，Anecdot。c。18。TheseriesoftheAfricanhistoryatteststhismelancholytruth。]
ThejealousyoftheByzantinecourthadnotpermittedBelisariustoachievetheconquestofItaly；andhisabruptdeparturerevivedthecourageoftheGoths，^6whorespectedhisgenius，hisvirtue，andeventhelaudablemotivewhichhadurgedtheservantofJustiniantodeceiveandrejectthem。Theyhadlosttheirking，aninconsiderableloss，theircapital，theirtreasures，theprovincesfromSicilytotheAlps，andthemilitaryforceoftwohundredthousandBarbarians，magnificentlyequippedwithhorsesandarms。Yetallwasnotlost，aslongasPaviawasdefendedbyonethousandGoths，inspiredbyasenseofhonor，theloveoffreedom，andthememoryoftheirpastgreatness。ThesupremecommandwasunanimouslyofferedtothebraveUraias；anditwasinhiseyesalonethatthedisgraceofhisuncleVitigescouldappearasareasonofexclusion。HisvoiceinclinedtheelectioninfavorofHildibald，whosepersonalmeritwasrecommendedbythevainhopethathiskinsmanTheudes，theSpanishmonarch，wouldsupportthecommoninterestoftheGothicnation。ThesuccessofhisarmsinLiguriaandVenetiaseemedtojustifytheirchoice；buthesoondeclaredtotheworldthathewasincapableofforgivingorcommandinghisbenefactor。
TheconsortofHildibaldwasdeeplywoundedbythebeauty，theriches，andthepride，ofthewifeofUraias；andthedeathofthatvirtuouspatriotexcitedtheindignationofafreepeople。
AboldassassinexecutedtheirsentencebystrikingofftheheadofHildibaldinthemidstofabanquet；theRugians，aforeigntribe，assumedtheprivilegeofelection:andTotila，thenephewofthelateking，wastempted，byrevenge，todeliverhimselfandthegarrisonofTrevigointothehandsoftheRomans。
ButthegallantandaccomplishedyouthwaseasilypersuadedtoprefertheGothicthronebeforetheserviceofJustinian；andassoonasthepalaceofPaviahadbeenpurifiedfromtheRugianusurper，hereviewedthenationalforceoffivethousandsoldiers，andgenerouslyundertooktherestorationofthekingdomofItaly。
[Footnote6:Inthesecondc。30andthirdbooks，c。1—40，
ProcopiuscontinuesthehistoryoftheGothicwarfromthefifthtothefifteenthyearofJustinian。Astheeventsarelessinterestingthanintheformerperiod，heallotsonlyhalfthespacetodoublethetime。Jornandes，andtheChronicleofMarcellinus，affordsomecollateralhintsSigonius，Pagi，Muratori，Mascou，andDeBuat，areuseful，andhavebeenused。]
[Footnote*:Hisrealname，asappearsbymedals，wasBaduilla，orBadiula。Totilasignifiesimmortal:todinGermanisdeath。
Todilas，deathless。CompareStMartin，vol。ix。p。37。—M。]