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Chap, xliii] OP THE KOMAN EMPIRE 427 exercises of the camp. The soldiers already stationed in the province are discontented, fearful, and dismayed ; at the sound of an enemy, they dismiss their horses, and cast their arms on the ground. No taxes can be raised, since Italy is in the hands of the barbarians: the failure of payment has deprived us of the right of command, or even of admonition. Be assured, dread sir, that the greater part of your troops have already deserted to the Goths. If the war could be achieved by the presence of Belisarius alone, your wishes are satisfied ; Belisarius is in the midst of Italy. But, if you desire to conquer, far other preparations are requisite: without a military force, the title of general is an empty name. It would be expedient to restore to my service my own veterans and domestic guards. 22 Before I can take the field, I must receive an adequate supply of light and heavy armed troops ; and it is only with ready money that you can procure the indispensable aid of a powerful body of the cavalry of the Huns." 23 An officer in whom Belisarius u.d. 545] confided was sent from Ravenna to hasten and conduct the succours; but the message was neglected, and the messenger was detained at Constantinople by an advantageous marriage. 24 After his patience had been exhausted by delay and disappoint- ment, the Roman general repassed the Hadriatic, and expected at Dyrrachium the arrival of the troops, which were slowly assembled among the subjects and allies of the empire. His powers were still inadequate to the deliverance of Rome, which was closely besieged by the Gothic king. The Appian way, a march of forty days, was covered by the barbarians ; and, as the prudence of Belisarius declined a battle, he preferred the safe and speedy navigation of five days from the coast of Epirus to the mouth of the Tiber. After reducing, by force or treaty, the towns of inferior note Rome be- in the midland provinces of Italy, Totila proceeded, not to as- the Goths, sault, but to encompass and starve, the ancient capital. 25 Rome May 32 [$opv<p6povs re teal inra.<TwlffTas (B. G. 3, 12), who had been disbanded at the time of his disgrace, as is mentioned in the Anecdota (c. 4), where the same ex- pression is used. (See above, c. 41, p. 362).] 23 Procopius, 1. iii. c. 12. The soul of an hero is deeply impressed on the letter ; nor can we oonfound such genuine and original acts with the elaborate and often empty speeches of the Byzantine historians. 24 [John, son of Vitalian. He married the daughter of Germanus, nephew of Justinian.] 25 [The siege probably began in the last months of a.d. 545.]