178
THE DECLINE AND FALL
tions of Odoacer, to resist the progress of his enemy. In many obscure though bloody battles, [Aug., 439] Theodoric fought and vanquished; till at length, surmounting every obstacle by skilful conduct and persevering courage, he descended from the Julian Alps, and displayed his invincible banners on the confines of Italy.[1]
The three defeats of Odoacer. A.D. 489, Aug. 28, Sept. 27, A.D. 490, August] Odoacer, a rival not unworthy of his arms, had already occupied the advantageous and well-known post of the river Sontius near the ruins of Aquileia; at the head of a powerful host, whose independent kings[2] or leaders disdained the duties of subordination and the prudence of delays. No sooner had Theodoric granted a short repose and refreshment to his wearied cavalry, [(1) Battle of the Isonzo] than he boldly attacked the fortifications of the enemy; the Ostrogoths shewed more ardour to acquire, than the mercenaries to defend, the lands of Italy; and the reward of the first victory was the possession of the Venetian province as far as the walls of Verona. In the neighbourhood of that city, on the steep banks of the rapid [Athesis] Adige, he was opposed by a new army, reinforced in its numbers and not impaired in its courage: [(2) Battle of Verona, Sept. 30] the contest was more obstinate, but the event was still more decisive; Odoacer fled to Ravenna, Theodoric advanced to Milan, and the vanquished troops saluted their conqueror with loud acclamations of respect and fidelity. But their want either of constancy or of faith soon exposed him to the most imminent danger; [489 A.D.] his vanguard, with several Gothic counts, which had been rashly entrusted to a deserter, was betrayed and destroyed near [Faventia] Faenza by his double treachery; Odoacer again appeared master of the field, and the invader, strongly entrenched in [Ticinum] his camp of Pavia, was reduced to solicit the aid of a kindred nation, the Visigoths of Gaul.[3] In the course of this history, the most voracious appetite for war will be abundantly satiated; nor can I much lament that our dark and imperfect materials do not afford a more ample narrative of the distress of Italy and of the fierce [(3) Battle of the Addus. August 11, 490] conflict which was finally decided by the abilities, experience, and valour of the Gothic king. Immediately before the battle of Verona, he visited the tent of his mother[4] and sister, and- ↑ Theodoric's march is supplied and illustrated by Ennodius (p. 1598-1602), when the bombast of the oration is translated into the language of common sense.
- ↑ Tot reges, &c. (Ennodius, p. 1602 [p. 207, ed. Vogel]). We must recollect how much the royal title was multiplied and degraded, and that the mercenaries of Italy were the fragments of many tribes and nations.
- ↑ [They were a counterpoise to the Burgundians who came to the aid of Odovacar and invaded Liguria. See Historia Miscella.]
- ↑ See Ennodius, p. 1603, 1604 [p. 208, ed. Vog.]. Since the orator, in the king's presence, could mention and praise his mother, we may conclude that the magnanimity of Theodoric was not hurt by the vulgar reproaches of concubine and bastard.
