高考英语 可能考的名著《HISTORY OF ROMAN-3》34素材

PAGEPAGE71用心爱心专心《HISTORYOFROMAN-3》ChapterXXXIV:Attila.PartI.TheCharacter,Conquests,AndCourtOfAttila,KingOfTheHuns.-DeathOfTheodosiusTheYounger.-ElevationOfMarcianToTheEmpireOfTheEast.TheWesternworldwasoppressedbytheGothsandVandals,whofledbeforetheHuns;buttheachievementsoftheHunsthemselveswerenotadequatetotheirpowerandprosperity.TheirvictorioushordeshadspreadfromtheVolgatotheDanube;butthepublicforcewasexhaustedbythediscordofindependentchieftains;theirvalorwasidlyconsumedinobscureandpredatoryexcursions;andtheyoftendegradedtheirnationaldignity,bycondescending,forthehopesofspoil,toenlistunderthebannersoftheirfugitiveenemies.InthereignofAttila,^1theHunsagainbecametheterroroftheworld;andIshallnowdescribethecharacterandactionsofthatformidableBarbarian;whoalternatelyinsultedandinvadedtheEastandtheWest,andurgedtherapiddownfalloftheRomanempire.[Footnote1:TheauthenticmaterialsforthehistoryofAttila,maybefoundinJornandes(deRebusGeticis,c.34-50,p.668-688,edit.Grot.)andPriscus(ExcerptadeLegationibus,p.33-76,Paris,1648.)IhavenotseentheLivesofAttila,composedbyJuvencusCaeliusCalanusDalmatinus,inthetwelfthcentury,orbyNicholasOlahus,archbishopofGran,inthesixteenth.SeeMascou'sHistoryoftheGermans,ix.,andMaffeiOsservazioniLitterarie,tom.i.p.88,89.WhateverthemodernHungarianshaveaddedmustbefabulous;andtheydonotseemtohaveexcelledintheartoffiction.Theysuppose,thatwhenAttilainvadedGaulandItaly,marriedinnumerablewives,&c.,hewasonehundredandtwentyyearsofage.ThewroczChron.c.i.p.22,inScript.Hunger.tom.i.p.76.]InthetideofemigrationwhichimpetuouslyrolledfromtheconfinesofChinatothoseofGermany,themostpowerfulandpopuloustribesmaycommonlybefoundonthevergeoftheRomanprovinces.Theaccumulatedweightwassustainedforawhilebyartificialbarriers;andtheeasycondescensionoftheemperorsinvited,withoutsatisfying,theinsolentdemandsoftheBarbarians,whohadacquiredaneagerappetitefortheluxuriesofcivilizedlife.TheHungarians,whoambitiouslyinsertthenameofAttilaamongtheirnativekings,mayaffirmwithtruththatthehordes,whichweresubjecttohisuncleRoas,orRugilas,hadformedtheirencampmentswithinthelimitsofmodernHungary,^2inafertilecountry,whichliberallysuppliedthewantsofanationofhuntersandshepherds.Inthisadvantageoussituation,Rugilas,andhisvaliantbrothers,whocontinuallyaddedtotheirpowerandreputation,commandedthealternativeofpeaceorwarwiththetwoempires.HisalliancewiththeRomansoftheWestwascementedbyhispersonalfriendshipforthegreatAetius;whowasalwayssecureoffinding,intheBarbariancamp,ahospitablereceptionandapowerfulsupport.Athissolicitation,andinthenameofJohntheusurper,sixtythousandHunsadvancedtotheconfinesofItaly;theirmarchandtheirretreatwerealikeexpensivetothestate;andthegratefulpolicyofAetiusabandonedthepossessionofPannoniatohisfaithfulconfederates.TheRomansoftheEastwerenotlessapprehensiveofthearmsofRugilas,whichthreatenedtheprovinces,oreventhecapital.SomeecclesiasticalhistorianshavedestroyedtheBarbarianswithlightningandpestilence;^3butTheodosiuswasreducedtothemorehumbleexpedientofstipulatinganannualpaymentofthreehundredandfiftypoundsofgold,andofdisguisingthisdishonorabletributebythetitleofgeneral,whichthekingoftheHunscondescendedtoaccept.ThepublictranquillitywasfrequentlyinterruptedbythefierceimpatienceoftheBarbarians,andtheperfidiousintriguesoftheByzantinecourt.Fourdependentnations,amongwhomwemaydistinguishtheBarbarians,disclaimedthesovereigntyoftheHuns;andtheirrevoltwasencouragedandprotectedbyaRomanalliance;tillthejustclaims,andformidablepower,ofRugilas,wereeffectuallyurgedbythevoiceofEslawhisambassador.Peacewastheunanimouswishofthesenate:theirdecreewasratifiedbytheemperor;andtwoambassadorswerenamed,Plinthas,ageneralofScythianextraction,butofconsularrank;andthequaestorEpigenes,awiseandexperiencedstatesman,whowasrecommendedtothatofficebyhisambitiouscolleague.[Footnote2:HungaryhasbeensuccessivelyoccupiedbythreeScythiancolonies.1.TheHunsofAttila;2.TheAbares,inthesixthcentury;and,3.TheTurksorMagiars,A.D.889;theimmediateandgenuineancestorsofthemodernHungarians,whoseconnectionwiththetwoformerisextremelyfaintandremote.TheProdromusandNotitiaofMatthewBeliusappeartocontainarichfundofinformationconcerningancientandmodernHungary.IhaveseentheextractsinBibliothequeAncienneetModerne,tom.xxii.p.1-51,andBibliothequeRaisonnee,tom.xvi.p.127-175.Note:Mailath(inhisGeschichtederMagyaren)considersthequestionoftheoriginoftheMagyarsasstillundecided.TheoldHungarianchroniclesunanimouslyderivedthemfromtheHunsofAttilaSeenote,vol.iv.pp.341,342.Thelateropinion,adoptedbySchlozer,Belnay,andDankowsky,ascribesthem,fromtheirlanguage,totheFinnishrace.Fessler,inhishistoryofHungary,agreeswithGibboninsupposingthemTurks.MailathhasinsertedaningeniousdissertationofFejer,whichattemptstoconnectthemwiththeParthians.Vol.i.Ammerkungenp.50-M.][Footnote3:Socrates,l.vii.c.43.Theodoret,l.v.c.36.Tillemont,whoalwaysdependsonthefaithofhisecclesiasticalauthors,strenuouslycontends(Hist.desEmp.tom.vi.p.136,607)thatthewarsandpersonageswerenotthesame.]ThedeathofRugilassuspendedtheprogressofthetreaty.Histwonephews,AttilaandBleda,whosucceededtothethroneoftheiruncle,consentedtoapersonalinterviewwiththeambassadorsofConstantinople;butastheyproudlyrefusedtodismount,thebusinesswastransactedonhorseback,inaspaciousplainnearthecityofMargus,intheUpperMaesia.ThekingsoftheHunsassumedthesolidbenefits,aswellasthevainhonors,ofthenegotiation.Theydictatedtheconditionsofpeace,andeachconditionwasaninsultonthemajestyoftheempire.BesidesthefreedomofasafeandplentifulmarketonthebanksoftheDanube,theyrequiredthattheannualcontributionshouldbeaugmentedfromthreehundredandfiftytosevenhundredpoundsofgold;thatafineorransomofeightpiecesofgoldshouldbepaidforeveryRomancaptivewhohadescapedfromhisBarbarianmaster;thattheemperorshouldrenouncealltreatiesandengagementswiththeenemiesoftheHuns;andthatallthefugitiveswhohadtakenrefugeinthecourtorprovincesofTheodosius,shouldbedeliveredtothejusticeoftheiroffendedsovereign.Thisjusticewasrigorouslyinflictedonsomeunfortunateyouthsofaroyalrace.Theywerecrucifiedontheterritoriesoftheempire,bythecommandofAttila:andassoonasthekingoftheHunshadimpressedtheRomanswiththeterrorofhisname,heindulgedtheminashortandarbitraryrespite,whilsthesubduedtherebelliousorindependentnationsofScythiaandGermany.^4[Footnote4:SeePriscus,p.47,48,andHist.dePeuplesdel'Europe,tom.v.i.c.xii,xiii,xiv,xv.]Attila,thesonofMundzuk,deducedhisnoble,perhapshisregal,descent^5fromtheancientHuns,whohadformerlycontendedwiththemonarchsofChina.Hisfeatures,accordingtotheobservationofaGothichistorian,borethestampofhisnationalorigin;andtheportraitofAttilaexhibitsthegenuinedeformityofamodernCalmuk;^6alargehead,aswarthycomplexion,small,deep-seatedeyes,aflatnose,afewhairsintheplaceofabeard,broadshoulders,andashortsquarebody,ofnervousstrength,thoughofadisproportionedform.ThehaughtystepanddemeanorofthekingoftheHunsexpressedtheconsciousnessofhissuperiorityabovetherestofmankind;andhehadacustomoffiercelyrollinghiseyes,asifhewishedtoenjoytheterrorwhichheinspired.Yetthissavageherowasnotinaccessibletopity;hissuppliantenemiesmightconfideintheassuranceofpeaceorpardon;andAttilawasconsideredbyhissubjectsasajustandindulgentmaster.Hedelightedinwar;but,afterhehadascendedthethroneinamatureage,hishead,ratherthanhishand,achievedtheconquestoftheNorth;andthefameofanadventuroussoldierwasusefullyexchangedforthatofaprudentandsuccessfulgeneral.Theeffectsofpersonalvaloraresoinconsiderable,exceptinpoetryorromance,thatvictory,evenamongBarbarians,mustdependonthedegreeofskillwithwhichthepassionsofthemultitudearecombinedandguidedfortheserviceofasingleman.TheScythianconquerors,AttilaandZingis,surpassedtheirrudecountrymeninartratherthanincourage;anditmaybeobservedthatthemonarchies,bothoftheHunsandoftheMoguls,wereerectedbytheirfoundersonthebasisofpopularsuperstitionThemiraculousconception,whichfraudandcredulityascribedtothevirgin-motherofZingis,raisedhimabovethelevelofhumannature;andthenakedprophet,whointhenameoftheDeityinvestedhimwiththeempireoftheearth,pointedthevaloroftheMogulswithirresistibleenthusiasm.^7ThereligiousartsofAttilawerenotlessskillfullyadaptedtothecharacterofhisageandcountry.ItwasnaturalenoughthattheScythiansshouldadore,withpeculiardevotion,thegodofwar;butastheywereincapableofformingeitheranabstractidea,oracorporealrepresentation,theyworshippedtheirtutelardeityunderthesymbolofanironcimeter.^8OneoftheshepherdsoftheHunsperceived,thataheifer,whowasgrazing,hadwoundedherselfinthefoot,andcuriouslyfollowedthetrackoftheblood,tillhediscovered,amongthelonggrass,thepointofanancientsword,whichhedugoutofthegroundandpresentedtoAttila.Thatmagnanimous,orratherthatartful,princeaccepted,withpiousgratitude,thiscelestialfavor;and,astherightfulpossessoroftheswordofMars,assertedhisdivineandindefeasibleclaimtothedominionoftheearth.^9IftheritesofScythiawerepractisedonthissolemnoccasion,aloftyaltar,orratherpileoffagots,threehundredyardsinlengthandinbreadth,wasraisedinaspaciousplain;andtheswordofMarswasplacederectonthesummitofthisrusticaltar,whichwasannuallyconsecratedbythebloodofsheep,horses,andofthehundredthcaptive.^10WhetherhumansacrificesformedanypartoftheworshipofAttila,orwhetherhepropitiatedthegodofwarwiththevictimswhichhecontinuallyofferedinthefieldofbattle,thefavoriteofMarssoonacquiredasacredcharacter,whichrendedhisconquestsmoreeasyandmorepermanent;andtheBarbarianprincesconfessed,inthelanguageofdevotionorflattery,thattheycouldnotpresumetogaze,withasteadyeye,onthedivinemajestyofthekingoftheHuns.^11HisbrotherBleda,whoreignedoveraconsiderablepartofthenation,wascompelledtoresignhissceptreandhislife.Yeteventhiscruelactwasattributedtoasupernaturalimpulse;andthevigorwithwhichAttilawieldedtheswordofMars,convincedtheworldthatithadbeenreservedaloneforhisinvinciblearm.^12Buttheextentofhisempireaffordstheonlyremainingevidenceofthenumberandimportanceofhisvictories;andtheScythianmonarch,howeverignorantofthevalueofscienceandphilosophy,mightperhapslamentthathisilliteratesubjectsweredestituteoftheartwhichcouldperpetuatethememoryofhisexploits.[Footnote5:Priscus,p.39.ThemodernHungarianshavededucedhisgenealogy,whichascends,inthethirty-fifthdegree,toHam,thesonofNoah;yettheyareignorantofhisfather'srealname.(DeGuignes,Hist.desHuns,tom.ii.p.297.)][Footnote6:CompareJornandes(c.35,p.661)withBuffon,Hist.Naturelle,tom.iii.p.380.Theformerhadarighttoobserve,originissuaesiguarestituens.ThecharacterandportraitofAttilaareprobablytranscribedfromCassiodorus.][Footnote7:Abulpharag.Pocock,p.281.GenealogicalHistoryoftheTartars,byAbulghaziBahaderKhan,partiiic.15,partivc.3.ViedeGengiscan,parPetitdelaCroix,l.1,c.1,6.Therelationsofthemissionaries,whovisitedTartaryinthethirteenthcentury,(seetheseventhvolumeoftheHistoiredesVoyages,)expressthepopularlanguageandopinions;ZingisisstyledthesonofGod,&c.&c.][Footnote8:Nectemplumapudeosvisitur,autdelubrum,netuguriumquidemculmotectumcerniusquampotest;sedgladiusBarbaricorituhumifigiturnudus,eumqueutMartemregionumquascircumcircantpraesulemverecundiuscolunt.Ammian.Marcellin.xxxi.2,andthelearnedNotesofLindenbrogiusandValesius.][Footnote9:Priscusrelatesthisremarkablestory,bothinhisowntext(p.65)andinthequotationmadebyJornandes,(c.35,p.662.)Hemighthaveexplainedthetradition,orfable,whichcharacterizedthisfamoussword,andthename,aswellasattributes,oftheScythiandeity,whomhehastranslatedintotheMarsoftheGreeksandRomans.][Footnote10:Herodot.l.iv.c.62.Forthesakeofeconomy,Ihavecalculatedbythesmalleststadium.Inthehumansacrifices,theycutofftheshoulderandarmofthevictim,whichtheythrewupintotheair,anddrewomensandpresagesfromthemanneroftheirfallingonthepile][Footnote11:Priscus,p.65.Amorecivilizedhero,Augustushimself,waspleased,ifthepersononwhomhefixedhiseyesseemedunabletosupporttheirdivinelustre.Sueton.inAugust.c.79.][Footnote12:TheCountdeBuat(Hist.desPeuplesdel'Europe,tom.vii.p.428,429)attemptstoclearAttilafromthemurderofhisbrother;andisalmostinclinedtorejecttheconcurrenttestimonyofJornandes,andthecontemporaryChronicles.]Ifalineofseparationweredrawnbetweenthecivilizedandthesavageclimatesoftheglobe;betweentheinhabitantsofcities,whocultivatedtheearth,andthehuntersandshepherds,whodweltintents,AttilamightaspiretothetitleofsupremeandsolemonarchoftheBarbarians.^13Healone,amongtheconquerorsofancientandmoderntimes,unitedthetwomightykingdomsofGermanyandScythia;andthosevagueappellations,whentheyareappliedtohisreign,maybeunderstoodwithanamplelatitude.Thuringia,whichstretchedbeyonditsactuallimitsasfarastheDanube,wasinthenumberofhisprovinces;heinterposed,withtheweightofapowerfulneighbor,inthedomesticaffairsoftheFranks;andoneofhislieutenantschastised,andalmostexterminated,theBurgundiansoftheRhine.Hesubduedtheislandsoftheocean,thekingdomsofScandinavia,encompassedanddividedbythewatersoftheBaltic;andtheHunsmightderiveatributeoffursfromthatnorthernregion,whichhasbeenprotectedfromallotherconquerorsbytheseverityoftheclimate,andthecourageofthenatives.TowardstheEast,itisdifficulttocircumscribethedominionofAttilaovertheScythiandeserts;yetwemaybeassured,thathereignedonthebanksoftheVolga;thatthekingoftheHunswasdreaded,notonlyasawarrior,butasamagician;^14thatheinsultedandvanquishedthekhanoftheformidableGeougen;andthathesentambassadorstonegotiateanequalalliancewiththeempireofChina.IntheproudreviewofthenationswhoacknowledgedthesovereigntyofAttila,andwhoneverentertained,duringhislifetime,thethoughtofarevolt,theGepidaeandtheOstrogothsweredistinguishedbytheirnumbers,theirbravery,andthepersonalmeritsoftheirchiefs.TherenownedArdaric,kingoftheGepidae,wasthefaithfulandsagaciouscounsellorofthemonarch,whoesteemedhisintrepidgenius,whilsthelovedthemildanddiscreetvirtuesofthenobleWalamir,kingoftheOstrogoths.Thecrowdofvulgarkings,theleadersofsomanymartialtribes,whoservedunderthestandardofAttila,wererangedinthesubmissiveorderofguardsanddomesticsroundthepersonoftheirmaster.Theywatchedhisnod;theytrembledathisfrown;andatthefirstsignalofhiswill,theyexecuted,withoutmurmurorhesitation,hissternandabsolutecommands.Intimeofpeace,thedependentprinces,withtheirnationaltroops,attendedtheroyalcampinregularsuccession;butwhenAttilacollectedhismilitaryforce,hewasabletobringintothefieldanarmyoffive,or,accordingtoanotheraccount,ofsevenhundredthousandBarbarians.^15[Footnote13:Fortissimarumgentiumdominus,quiinauditaantesepotentiacolusScythicaetGermanicaregnapossedit.Jornandes,c.49,p.684.Priscus,p.64,65.M.deGuignes,byhisknowledgeoftheChinese,hasacquired(tom.ii.p.295-301)anadequateideaoftheempireofAttila.][Footnote14:SeeHist.desHuns,tom.ii.p.296.TheGeougenbelievedthattheHunscouldexcite,atpleasure,stormsofwindandrain.ThisphenomenonwasproducedbythestoneGezi;towhosemagicpowerthelossofabattlewasascribedbytheMahometanTartarsofthefourteenthcentury.SeeCherefeddinAli,Hist.deTimurBec,tom.i.p.82,83.][Footnote15:Jornandes,c.35,p.661,c.37,p.667.SeeTillemont,Hist.deaEmpereurs,tom.vi.p.129,138.CorneillehasrepresentedtheprideofAttilatohissubjectkings,andhistragedyopenswiththesetworidiculouslines:-Ilsnesontpasvenus,nosdeuxrois!qu'onleurdieQu'ilssefonttropattendre,etqu'Attilas'ennuie.ThetwokingsoftheGepidaeandtheOstrogothsareprofoundpoliticiansandsentimentallovers,andthewholepieceexhibitsthedefectswithoutthegenius,ofthepoet.]TheambassadorsoftheHunsmightawakentheattentionofTheodosius,byremindinghimthattheywerehisneighborsbothinEuropeandAsia;sincetheytouchedtheDanubeononehand,andreached,withtheother,asfarastheTanais.InthereignofhisfatherArcadius,abandofadventurousHunshadravagedtheprovincesoftheEast;fromwhencetheybroughtawayrichspoilsandinnumerablecaptives.^16Theyadvanced,byasecretpath,alongtheshoresoftheCaspianSea;traversedthesnowymountainsofArmenia;passedtheTigris,theEuphrates,andtheHalys;recruitedtheirwearycavalrywiththegenerousbreedofCappadocianhorses;occupiedthehillycountryofCilicia,anddisturbedthefestalsongsanddancesofthecitizensofAntioch.Egypttrembledattheirapproach;andthemonksandpilgrimsoftheHolyLandpreparedtoescapedtheirfurybyaspeedyembarkation.ThememoryofthisinvasionwasstillrecentinthemindsoftheOrientals.ThesubjectsofAttilamightexecute,withsuperiorforces,thedesignwhichtheseadventurershadsoboldlyattempted;anditsoonbecamethesubjectofanxiousconjecture,whetherthetempestwouldfallonthedominionsofRome,orofPersia.SomeofthegreatvassalsofthekingoftheHuns,whowerethemselvesintherankofpowerfulprinces,hadbeensenttoratifyanallianceandsocietyofarmswiththeemperor,orratherwiththegeneraloftheWest.Theyrelated,duringtheirresidenceatRome,thecircumstancesofanexpedition,whichtheyhadlatelymadeintotheEast.Afterpassingadesertandamorass,supposedbytheRomanstobetheLakeMaeotis,theypenetratedthroughthemountains,andarrived,attheendoffifteendays'march,ontheconfinesofMedia;wheretheyadvancedasfarastheunknowncitiesofBasicandCursic.^*TheyencounteredthePersianarmyintheplainsofMediaandtheair,accordingtotheirownexpression,wasdarkenedbyacloudofarrows.ButtheHunswereobligedtoretirebeforethenumbersoftheenemy.Theirlaboriousretreatwaseffectedbyadifferentroad;theylostthegreatestpartoftheirbooty;andatlengthreturnedtotheroyalcamp,withsomeknowledgeofthecountry,andanimpatientdesireofrevenge.InthefreeconversationoftheImperialambassadors,whodiscussed,atthecourtofAttila,thecharacteranddesignsoftheirformidableenemy,theministersofConstantinopleexpressedtheirhope,thathisstrengthmightbedivertedandemployedinalonganddoubtfulcontestwiththeprincesofthehouseofSassan.ThemoresagaciousItaliansadmonishedtheirEasternbrethrenofthefollyanddangerofsuchahope;andconvincedthem,thattheMedesandPersianswereincapableofresistingthearmsoftheHuns;andthattheeasyandimportantacquisitionwouldexaltthepride,aswellaspower,oftheconqueror.Insteadofcontentinghimselfwithamoderatecontribution,andamilitarytitle,whichequalledhimonlytothegeneralsofTheodosius,AttilawouldproceedtoimposeadisgracefulandintolerableyokeonthenecksoftheprostrateandcaptiveRomans,whowouldthenbeencompassed,onallsides,bytheempireoftheHuns.^17[Footnote16:-aliiperCaspiaclaustraArmeniasquenives,inopinotramiteductiInvaduntOrientisopes:jampascuafumantCappadocum,volucrumqueparensArgaeusequorum.JamrubetaltusHalys,necsedefenditiniquoMonteCilix;SyriaetractusvestanturamoeniAssuetumquechoris,etlaetaplebecanorum,ProteritimbellemsonipeshostilisOrontem.Claudian,inRufin.l.ii.28-35.Seelikewise,inEutrop.l.i.243-251,andthestrongdescriptionofJerom,whowrotefromhisfeelings,tom.i.p.26,adHeliodor.p.200adOcean.Philostorgius(l.ix.c.8)mentionsthisirruption.][Footnote*:Gibbonhasmadeacuriousmistake;BasicandCursicwerethenamesofthecommandersoftheHuns.Priscus,edit.Bonn,p.200.-M.][Footnote17:SeetheoriginalconversationinPriscus,p.64,65.]WhilethepowersofEuropeandAsiaweresolicitoustoaverttheimpendingdanger,theallianceofAttilamaintainedtheVandalsinthepossessionofAfrica.AnenterprisehadbeenconcertedbetweenthecourtsofRavennaandConstantinople,fortherecoveryofthatvaluableprovince;andtheportsofSicilywerealreadyfilledwiththemilitaryandnavalforcesofTheodosius.ButthesubtleGenseric,whospreadhisnegotiationsroundtheworld,preventedtheirdesigns,byexcitingthekingoftheHunstoinvadetheEasternempire;andatriflingincidentsoonbecamethemotive,orpretence,ofadestructivewar.^18UnderthefaithofthetreatyofMargus,afreemarketwasheldontheNorthernsideoftheDanube,whichwasprotectedbyaRomanfortresssurnamedConstantia.AtroopofBarbariansviolatedthecommercialsecurity;killed,ordispersed,theunsuspectingtraders;andlevelledthefortresswiththeground.TheHunsjustifiedthisoutrageasanactofreprisal;alleged,thatthebishopofMargushadenteredtheirterritories,todiscoverandstealasecrettreasureoftheirkings;andsternlydemandedtheguiltyprelate,thesacrilegiousspoil,andthefugitivesubjects,whohadescapedfromthejusticeofAttila.TherefusaloftheByzantinecourtwasthesignalofwar;andtheMaesiansatfirstapplaudedthegenerousfirmnessoftheirsovereign.ButtheyweresoonintimidatedbythedestructionofViminiacumandtheadjacenttowns;andthepeoplewaspersuadedtoadopttheconvenientmaxim,thataprivatecitizen,howeverinnocentorrespectable,maybejustlysacrificedtothesafetyofhiscountry.ThebishopofMargus,whodidnotpossessthespiritofamartyr,resolvedtopreventthedesignswhichhesuspected.HeboldlytreatedwiththeprincesoftheHuns:secured,bysolemnoaths,hispardonandreward;postedanumerousdetachmentofBarbarians,insilentambush,onthebanksoftheDanube;and,attheappointedhour,opened,withhisownhand,thegatesofhisepiscopalcity.Thisadvantage,whichhadbeenobtainedbytreachery,servedasapreludetomorehonorableanddecisivevictories.TheIllyrianfrontierwascoveredbyalineofcastlesandfortresses;andthoughthegreatestpartofthemconsistedonlyofasingletower,withasmallgarrison,theywerecommonlysufficienttorepel,ortointercept,theinroadsofanenemy,whowasignorantoftheart,andimpatientofthedelay,ofaregularsiege.ButtheseslightobstacleswereinstantlysweptawaybytheinundationoftheHuns.^19Theydestroyed,withfireandsword,thepopulouscitiesofSirmiumandSingidunum,ofRatiariaandMarcianopolis,ofNaissusandSardica;whereeverycircumstanceofthedisciplineofthepeople,andtheconstructionofthebuildings,hadbeengraduallyadaptedtothesolepurposeofdefence.ThewholebreadthofEurope,asitextendsabovefivehundredmilesfromtheEuxinetotheHadriatic,wasatonceinvaded,andoccupied,anddesolated,bythemyriadsofBarbarianswhomAttilaledintothefield.Thepublicdangeranddistresscouldnot,however,provokeTheodosiustointerrupthisamusementsanddevotion,ortoappearinpersonattheheadoftheRomanlegions.Butthetroops,whichhadbeensentagainstGenseric,werehastilyrecalledfromSicily;thegarrisons,onthesideofPersia,wereexhausted;andamilitaryforcewascollectedinEurope,formidablebytheirarmsandnumbers,ifthegeneralshadunderstoodthescienceofcommand,andthesoldiersthedutyofobedience.ThearmiesoftheEasternempirewerevanquishedinthreesuccessiveengagements;andtheprogressofAttilamaybetracedbythefieldsofbattle.Thetwoformer,onthebanksoftheUtus,andunderthewallsofMarcianopolis,werefoughtintheextensiveplainsbetweentheDanubeandMountHaemus.AstheRomanswerepressedbyavictoriousenemy,theygradually,andunskilfully,retiredtowardstheChersonesusofThrace;andthatnarrowpeninsula,thelastextremityoftheland,wasmarkedbytheirthird,andirreparable,defeat.Bythedestructionofthisarmy,Attilaacquiredtheindisputablepossessionofthefield.FromtheHellesponttoThermopylae,andthesuburbsofConstantinople,heravaged,withoutresistance,andwithoutmercy,theprovincesofThraceandMacedonia.HeracleaandHadrianoplemight,perhaps,escapethisdreadfulirruptionoftheHuns;butthewords,themostexpressiveoftotalextirpationanderasure,areappliedtothecalamitieswhichtheyinflictedonseventycitiesoftheEasternempire.^20Theodosius,hiscourt,andtheunwarlikepeople,wereprotectedbythewallsofConstantinople;butthosewallshadbeenshakenbyarecentearthquake,andthefalloffifty-eighttowershadopenedalargeandtremendousbreach.Thedamageindeedwasspeedilyrepaired;butthisaccidentwasaggravatedbyasuperstitiousfear,thatHeavenitselfhaddeliveredtheImperialcitytotheshepherdsofScythia,whowerestrangerstothelaws,thelanguage,andthereligion,oftheRoman