186 THE DECLINE AND FALL [Chap, xxxix Anastasius, an aged domestic of the palace, who survived his elevation above twenty-seven years, and whose character is attested by the acclamation of the people, "Keign as you have lived!" 11 service Whatever fear or affection could bestow, was profusely of Theodo- lavished by Zeno on the king of the Ostrogoths : the rank of ric a.d. 475-488' ' patrician and consul, the command of the Palatine troops, an equestrian statue, a treasure in gold and silver of many thou- sand pounds, the name of son, and the promise of a rich and honourable wife. As long as Theodoric condescended to serve, [a.d. 477] he supported with courage and fidelity the cause of his bene- factor : his rapid march contributed to the restoration of Zeno ; and in the second revolt, the Walamirs, as they were called, pursued and pressed the Asiatic rebels, till they left an easy [a.d. 479] victory to the Imperial troops. 12 But the faithful servant was suddenly converted into a formidable enemy, who spread the 11 The contemporary histories of Malchus and Candidus are lost ; but some extracts or fragments have been saved by Photius (lxxviii. lxxix. p. 100-102), Constantine Porphyrogenitus (Excerpt. Leg. p. 78-97), and in various articles of the Lexicon of Suidas. The Chronicles of Marcellinus (Imago Historise) are originals for the reigns of Zeno and Anastasius ; and I must acknowledge, almost for the last time, my obligations to the large and accurate collections of Tillemont (Hist, des Emp. torn. vi. p. 472-652). [See further Appendix 1.] 12 In ipsis congressionis tura foribus cessit invasor, cum profugo per te sceptra redderentur de salute dubitanti. Ennodius then proceeds (p. 1596, 1597, torn. i. Sirmond. [p. 204, ed. Vogel]) to transport his hero (on a flying dragon ?) into .Ethiopia, beyond the tropio of Cancer. The evidenoe of the Valesian Fragment (p. 717), Liberatus (Brev. Eutych. c. 25, p. 118), and Theophanes (p. 112) is more sober and rational. [The complicated triangular duel between the two Theodorics and the Emperor from a.d. 478 to 481 may be summarised thus : — a.d. 478 : Theodoric the Amal and Zeno versus Theodoric son of Triarius. ,, „ Coalition of the two Theodorics versus Zeno. ,, 479 : Zeno and Theodoric son of Triarius versus Theodoric the Amal. „ 479-80 : Zeno obtains assistance of Bulgarians against Theodoric the Amal. „ 481 : Theodoric son of Triarius versus Zeno. He attacks Constantinople. ,, „ Death of Theodorio son of Triarius. ,, 482 : Theodoric the Amal versus Zeno. He ravages Macedonia and Thessaly. „ 483 : Theodoric made magister militum in praesenti. ,, 484 : Theodoric consul. „ 487 : Theodoric ravages Thrace ; sent to Italy. It will be seen that Gibbon (misled by false arrangement of the fragments of Mal- chus) has presented the interview of the two Theodorics (which took place in 478) and their alliance as subsequent to the events of 479. Theodoric son of Triarius was induced to desert his namesake by the bestowal of the post of magister militum in praasenti. The allianoe of the Bulgarians — the first time this people appears in history — with Zeno is preserved in a fragment of John of Antioch (Miiller, F.H.G., iv. p. 619), and a suocess gained by Theodoric over the Bulgarian king is recorded by Ennodius in his Panegyrio on Theodoric (p. 211, ed. Vogel). — Becitach, the son of Theodoric son of Triarius, at first reconciled to Zeno, was afterwards slain by Theodorio the Amal at Zeno's suggestion. See John of Antioch, ib. p. 620.]
