80 THE DECLINE AND FALL ambiguous character.^^ gut t^g splendid vices of the church of Rome, under the reign of 'alentinian and Damasus, have been curiously observed by the historian Ammianus, ■svho delivers his impartial sense in these expressive -words : " The pi-sefecture of Juventius*^ was accompanied with peace and plenty: but the tranquillity of his government was soon disturbed by a bloody sedition of the distracted people. The ardour of Damasus and Ursinus, to seize the episcopal seat, surpassed the ordinary measure of human ambition. They contended with the rage of party ; the quarrel was maintained by the wounds and death of their followers ; and the pra?fect, unable to resist or to appease the tumult, was constrained, by superior violence, to retire into the suburbs. Damasus prevailed : the well-disputed victory remained on the side of his faction ; one hundred and thirty- seven dead bodies ^^ were found in the Ba.nlica of Sicininus,^^ where the Christians hold their religious assemblies ; and it was long before the angry minds of the people resumed their accus- tomed tranquillity. When I consider the splendour of the capital, I am not astonished that so valuable a prize should inflame the desires of ambitious men, and produce the fiercest and most obstinate contests. The successful candidate is secure that he will be enriched by the offerings of matrons ; ^^ that, as soon as his dress is composed Avith becoming care and elegance, he may proceed, in his chariot, through the streets of Rome ; *" and that the sumptuousness of the Imperial table will not equal the profuse and delicate entertainments provided by the taste, and at the expense, of the Roman pontiffs. How much more
- ■- Three words of Jerom, sancttz memoria: Damasus (torn. ii. p. 109)^ wash
away all his stains, and blind the devout eyes of Tillemont (M6m. Eccl^s. torn, viii. p. 386-424). [A collection of the epigrams of Damasus has been edited by Ihm.] 83[Read Viventius with the Mss.]
- Jerom himself is forced to allow, crudelissimae interfectiones diversi sexus
perpetratfe (in Chron. p. 186). But an original litel or petition of two presbyters of the adverse party has unaccountably escaped. They affirm that the doors of the Basilica were burnt, and that the roof was untiled; that Damasus marched at the head of his own clergy, g^ave-diggers, charioteers, and hired gladiators; that none of his party were killed, but that one hundred and sixty dead bodies were found. This petition is published by the P. Sirmond, in the first volume of his works. S'^The Basilica of Sicininus, or Liberius, is probably the church of Sancta Maria Maggiore, on the Esquiline hill. Baronius. .A..D. 367, No. 3 ; and Donatus, Roma Antiqua et Nova, 1. iv. c. 3, p. 462. [It is disputed whether the Basilica Liberiana was a new building or a reconstruction of the Basi'ica Sicinina.] 86 The enemies of Damasus styled him Auriscalpius Matronarum, the ladies' ear-scratcher.
- ^ Gregory Nazianzen (Orat. x..ii. [= 42] p. 526 [c. 24]) describe."^ the pride and
luxury of the prelates who reigned in the imperial cities ; their gilt car, fiery steeds, numerous train, &c. The crowd gave way as to a wild beast.
