206 THE DECLINE AND FALL wanted spirit to resist ; and the scattered myriads, who deplored the ruin of the temples, yielded, without a contest, to the fortune of their adversaries. The disorderly opposition '^'^ of the peasants of Syria, and the populace of Alexandria, to the rage of private fanaticism was silenced by the name and authority of the emperor. The Pagans of the West, Avithout contributing to the elevation of Eugenius, disgraced, by their partial attach- ment, the cause and character of the usurper. The clergy vehemently exclaimed that he aggravated the crime of rebellion by the guilt of apostacy ; that, by his permission, the altar of Victory was again restored ; and that the idolatrous symbols of Jupiter and Hercules were displayed in the field against the invincible standard of the cross. But the vain hopes of the Pagans were soon annihilated by the defeat of Eugenius ; and they were left exposed to the resentment of the conqueror, who laboured to deserve the favour of heaven by the extirpation of idolatry.^" and flnauy A nation of slavcs is always prepared to applaud the clemency AD. 390-420,' of tlicir mastcr, who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed to the last extremes of injustice and oppression. Theo- dosius might undoubtedly have proposed to his Pagan subjects the alternative of baptism or of death ; and the eloquent Li- banius has praised the moderation of a prince, who never enacted, by any positive law, that all his subjects should immediately embrace and practise the religion of their sovereign."^ The profession of Christianity was not made an essential qualification for the enjoyment of the civil rights of society, nor were any peculiar hardships imposed on the sectaries who credulously received the fables of Ovid and obstinately rejected the miracles of the Gospel. The palace, the schools, the army, and the senate were filled with declared and devout Pagans ; they ob- tained, without distinction, the civil and military honours of the empire. Theodosius distinguished his liberal regard for virtue and genius, by the consular dignity which he bestowed on Sym- ^ Libanius concludes his apology (p. 3a) by declaring to the emperor that, unless he expressly warrants the destruction of the temples, <t6i. tou? rmv a.'ifMav ie<r- TTOTa?, Koi aviTotv, icai tw v6i.<^ poT)Or)(rovra^ , the proprietors Will defend themselves and the laws. •>" Paulinus, in Vit. Ambros. c. 26. Augfustin de Civitat. Dei, L v. c. 26. Theodoret, 1. v. c. 24. ^ Libanius suggests the form of a persecuting edict, which Theodosius might enact (pro Templis, p. 32) : a rash joke, and a dangerous experiment. Some princes would have taken his advice.
