Chap, xlij OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 335 was bent, every javelin was directed against that fatal object, and the command was repeated and obeyed by thousands who were ignorant of its real motive. The bolder Barbarians ad- vanced to the more honourable combat of swords and spears ; and the praise of an enemy has graced the fall of Visandus, the standard-bearer, 86 who maintained his foremost station, till he was pierced with thirteen wounds, perhaps by the hand of Belisarius himself. The Eoman general was strong, active, and dexterous; on every side he discharged his weighty and mortal strokes; his faithful guards imitated his valour and defended his person ; and the Goths, after the loss of a thousand men, fled before the arms of an hero. They were rashly pur- sued to their camp ; and the Komans, oppressed by multitudes, made a gradual, and at length a precipitate, retreat to the gates of the city ; the gates were shut against the fugitives ; [Porta] and the public terror was increased by the report that Beli- Salaria sarius was slain. His countenance was indeed disfigured by sweat, dust, and blood ; his voice was hoarse, his strength was almost exhausted ; but his unconquerable spirit still remained ; he imparted that spirit to his desponding companions; and their last desperate charge was felt by the flying Barbarians, as if a new army, vigorous and entire, had been poured from the city. The Flaminian gate was thrown open to a real triumph ; but it was not before Belisarius had visited every post, andvaiour of provided for the public safety, that he could be persuaded by his wife and friends to taste the needful refreshments of food and sleep. In the more improved state of the art of war, a general is seldom required, or even permitted, to display the personal prowess of a soldier ; and the example of Belisarius may be added to the rare examples of Henry IV., of Pyrrhus, and of Alexander. After this first and unsuccessful trial of their enemies, the His defence whole army of the Goths passed the Tiber, and formed the rEariy fn siege of the city, which continued above a year, till their final departure. Whatever fancy may conceive, the severe compass 86 I interpret Bav8adpios, not as a proper name, but an office, standard-bearer, from bandum (vexillum), a Barbaric word adopted by the Greeks and Eomans (Paul Diacon. 1. i. c. 20, p. 760. Grot. Nomina Gothica, p. 575. Ducange, Gloss. Latin, torn. i. p. 539, 540). [Procopius, B. G. i. 18, p. 94, ed. Haury. We should expect PavSotpopos if the meaning were standard-bearer, and the repetition of OvtaavSos Ba,v8adpios twice makes it probable that the word is a proper name.]
