126 THE DECLINE AND FALL of a skilful politician, the most different means may he success- fully applied to the same ends : and the peace of the empire, which had been forwarded by the divisions, was accomplished Death and by the rc-union of the Gothic nation. Athanai-ic, who had been Athan&ric. a patient spectator of these extraordinary events, was at lenpfth Jan.' 25 drivcn, by the chance of arms, from the dark recesses of the woods of Caucaland.i-^ He no longer hesitated to pass the Danube ; and a very considerable part of the subjects of Friti- gern, who already felt the inconveniences of anarchy, were easily persuaded to acknowledge for their king a Gothic Judge, whose birth they respected and whose abilities they had frequently experienced. But age had chilled the daring spirit of Athanaric ; and, instead of leading liis people to the field of battle and victory, he wisely listened to the feir proposal of an honourable and advantageous treaty. Theodosius, who was acquainted with the merit and power of his new ally, con- descended to meet him at the distance of several miles from [Jan. u] Constantinople ; and entertained him in the Imperial city, with the confidence of a friend and the magnificence of a monarch, " The Barbarian prince observed, with curious attention, the variety of objects which attracted his notice, and at last broke out into a sincere and passionate exclamation of wonder. I now behold (said he) what I never could believe, the glories of this stupendous capital ! and, as he cast his eyes around, he viewed, and he admired, the commanding situation of the city, the strength and beauty of the walls and public edifices, the capacious harbour, crowded with innumerable vessels, the perpetual concourse of distant nations, and the arms and disci- pline of the troops. Indeed (continued Athanaric), the emperor of the Romans is a god upon earth ; and the presumptuous man, who dares to lift his hand against him, is guilty of his own blood." ^-^ The Gothic king did not long enjoy this splendid and honourable reception ; and, as temperance was not the virtue of his nation, it may justly be suspected that his mortal disease was contracted amidst the pleasures of the Imperial 126 [Hauha-land (= Highland) ace. to Zeuss. Somewhere in Siebenbiirgen ?] 127 The reader will not be displeased to see the original words of Jornandes or the author whom he transcribed. Regiam urbem ingressus est, miransque, En, inquit, cerno quod srepe incredulus audiebam, faman vidclioet tantre urbis. Et hue illuc oculos volvens, nunc situm urbis coinmeatumque niiviuin, nunc moenia clara prospectans, miratur ; populosque diversanmi gentium, quasi fonte in uno e diversis partibus scaturriente unda, sic quoque militem ordinatum aspieiens. Deus, inquit, est sine dubio terrenus _leff. sine dub. terr. est] imperator, et quisquis adversus eum manum moverit, ipse sui sanguinis reus e.xistit. Jornandes (c. xxviii. p, 650) proceeds to mention his death and funeral
