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 chap, xli] OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 357 prowess was always conspicuous in single combats, or in the foremost ranks ; and both parties confessed that in the siege of Rome the guards of Belisarius had alone vanquished the Barba- rian host. Their numbers were continually augmented by the bravest and most faithful of the enemy ; and his fortunate captives, the Vandals, the Moors, and the Goths, emulated the attachment of his domestic followers. By the union of liberal- ity and justice, he acquired the love of the soldiers, without alienating the affections of the people. The sick and wounded were relieved with medicines and money ; and, still more efficaciously, by the healing visits and smiles of their com- mander. The loss of a weapon or a horse was instantly repaired, and each deed of valour was rewarded by the rich and honourable gifts of a bracelet or a collar, which were rendered more precious by the judgment of Belisarius. He was endeared to the husbandmen by the peace and plenty which they enjoyed under the shadow of his standard. Instead of being injured, the country was enriched, by the inarch of the Roman armies; and such was the rigid discipline of their camp that not an apple was gathered from the tree, not a path could be traced in the fields of corn. Belisarius was chaste and sober. In the licence of a military life, none could boast that they had seen him intoxicated with wine ; the most beautiful captives of Gothic or Vandal race were offered to his embraces ; but he turned aside from their charms, and the husband of Antonina was never suspected of violating the laws of conjugal fidelity. The spectator and historian of his exploits has observed that, amidst the perils of war, he was daring without rashness, prudent without fear, slow or rapid according to the exigencies of the moment ; that in the deepest distress, he was animated by real or apparent hope ; but that he was modest and humble in the most prosperous fortune. By these virtues he equalled, or excelled, the ancient masters of the military art. Victory, by sea and land, attended his arms. He subdued Africa, Italy, and the adjacent islands ; led away captives the successors of Genseric and Theodoric ; filled Constantinople with the spoils of their palaces; and in the space of six years recovered half the provinces of the Western mentions, in hie name, 12,000 pueri or slaves — quos propriis alimus stipendiis — besides 18,000 soldiers (Historians of France, torn. iii. De Gestis Franc. 1. ii. c. 6, p. 48).