128 THE DECLINE AND FALL legions, would probably defer the passage of the river till the approaching winter. The dexterity of the spies whom he sent into the Gothic camp allured the Barbarians into a fatal snare. They were persuaded that, by a bold attempt, they might surprise, in the silence and darkness of the night, the sleeping army of the Romans ; and the Avhole multitude was hastily embarked in a fleet of three thousand canoes. ^^^ The bravest of the Ostrogoths led the van ; the main body consisted of the remainder of their subjects and soldiers ; and the women and children securely followed in the rear. One of the nights with- out a moon had been selected for the execution of their design ; and they had almost reached the southern bank of the Danube, in the firm confidence that they should find an easy landing and an unguai'ded camp. But the progress of the Barbarians was suddenly stopped by an unexpected obstacle : a triple line of vessels, strongly connected with each other, and which formed an impenetrable chain of two miles and a half along the river. While they struggled to force their way in the unequal conflict, their right rank was overwhelmed by the irresistible attack of a fleet of gallies, which were urged down the stream by the united impulse of oars and of the tide. The weight and velocity of those ships of war broke, and sank, and dispersed, the rude and feeble canoes of the Barbarians ; their valour was ineffectual ; and Alacheus, the king, or general, of the Ostrogoths, perished with his bravest troops either by the sword of the Romans or in the waves of the Danube. The last division of this unfortunate fleet might regain the opposite shore ; but the distress and disorder of the multitude rendered them alike incapable either of action or counsel ; and they soon implored the clemency of the victorious enemy. On this occasion, as well as on many others, it is a difficult task to reconcile the passions and prejudices of the writers of the age of Theodosius. The partial and malignant historian who mis- represents every action of his reign affirms that the emperor did not appear in the field of battle till the Barbarians had been vanquished by the valour and conduct of his lieutenant I'l I am justified, by reason and example, in applying this Indian name to the fiovoivKa of the Barbarians, the single trees hollowed into the shape of a boat, irAjjdei iJiovoivKujv t'/a/SiPdo-oi'Tes. ZosimUS, 1. iv. p. 253 [38]. Ausi Danuvium quondam tranare Gruthungi In lintres fregere nemus : ter niille ruebant Per fluvium plenas cuneis immanibus alni. Claudian, in iv. Cons. Hon. 623.
