Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 3 (1897).djvu/150

130 THE DECLINE AND FALL Goths were appointed and removed at the pleasure of the emperor. An army of forty thousand Goths was maintained for the perpetual service of the empire of the East ; and those haughty troops, who assumed the title of Fcederati, or allies, were distinguished by their gold collars, liberal pay, and licentious privileges. Their native courage was improved by the use of arms and the knowledge of discipline ; and, while the republic was guarded, or threatened, by the doubtful sword of the Barbarians, the last sparks of the military flame were finally extinguished in the minds of the Romans. ^2** Theodosius had the address to persuade his allies that the conditions of peace which had been extorted from him by prudence and necessity were the voluntary expressions of his sincere friend- ship for the Gothic nation.^^r ^ different mode of vindication or apology was opposed to the complaints of the people ; who loudly censured these shameful and dangerous concessions. ^^^ The calamities of the war were painted in the most lively colours ; and the first symptoms of the return of order, of plenty, and security, were diligently exaggerated. The advocates of Theodosius could affirm, with some appearance of truth and reason, that it was impossible to extirpate so many warlike tribes, who were rendered desperate by the loss of their native country ; and that the exhausted provinces would be revived by a fresh supply of soldiers and husbandmen. The Barbarians still wore an angry and hostile aspect ; but the experience of past times might encourage the hope that they would acquire the habits of industry and obedience ; that their manners would be polished by time, education, and the influence of Christianity ; and that their prosperity would insensibly blend with the great body of the Roman people.^^ 136 Compare Jornandes (c. xx. 27), who marks the condition and number of the Gothic Fxderati, with Zosimus (1. iv. p. 258 [40]), who mentions their golden collars; and Pacatus (in Pancgyr. Vet. xii. 37), who applauds, with false or foolish joy, their bravery and discipline. [The first extant text in which Fcederati is used of the Goths is Cod. Theod. vii. 13, 16 A.D. 406 ; cp. Hodgkin, i. 314.] 137 Amator pacis generisque Gothorum, is the praise bestowed by the Gothic historian (c. xxix.), who represents his nation as innocent, peaceable men, slow to anger, and patient of ijuries. Accordingjto Li'y, the Romans conquered the world in their own defence. 138 Besides the partial invectives of Zosimus (always uiscontented with the Christian reigns), see the grave representations which Synesius addresses to the emperor Arcadius (de Regno, p. 25, 26, edit. Petav.). The philosophic bishop of CjTene was near enough to judge; and he was sufficiently removed from the temptation of fear or flattery. i39Xhemistius (Orat. xvi. p. 211, 212) composes an elaborate and rational apology (partly translated by Mr. Hodgkin, i. 316 sqq.] , which is not, however,