chap, xli] OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 341 prudence of the general, and the victors started back with affright from the formidable aspect of an armed rampart. The reputation of Belisarius was unsullied by a defeat ; and the vain confidence of the Goths was not less serviceable to his de- signs than the repentance and modesty of the Roman troops." From the moment that Belisarius had determined to sus- Distress of tain a siege, his assiduous care provided Rome against the eciili danger of famine, more dreadful than the Gothic arms. An extraordinary supply of corn was imported from Sicily ; the harvests of Campania and Tuscany were forcibly swept for the use of the city ; and the rights of private property were infringed by the strong plea of the public safety. It might easily be foreseen that the enemy would intercept the aqueducts ; and the cessation of the water-mills was the first inconvenience, which was speedily removed by mooring large vessels, and fixing mill-stones, in the current of the river. The stream was soon embarrassed by the trunks of trees, and polluted with dead bodies; yet so effectual were the precautions of the Roman general that the waters of the Tiber still continued to give motion to the mills and drink to the inhabitants; the more distant quarters were supplied from domestic wells ; and a be- sieged city might support, without impatience, the privation of her public baths. A large portion of Rome, from the Praenes- tine gate to the church of St. Paul, was never invested by the Goths ; their excursions were restrained by the activity of the Moorish troops ; the navigation of the Tiber, and the Latin, Appian, and Ostian ways, were left free and unmolested for the introduction of corn and cattle, or the retreat of the inhabitants, who sought a refuge in Campania or Sicily. Anxious to relieve himself from an useless and devouring multitude, Belisarius issued his peremptory orders for the instant departure of the women, the children, and slaves ; required his soldiers to dismiss their male and female attendants; and regulated their allowance, that one moiety should be given in provisions and the other in money. His foresight was justified by the increase of the public distress, as soon as the Goths had occupied two important posts in the neighbourhood of Rome. By the loss of the port, or, as consist it is now called, the city of Porto, he was deprived of the country Sege? the 99 [This battle was fought after the arrival of the reinforcements under Martin and Valerian, which is recounted below.]
