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 chap, xxxvi] OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 33 restrained them from any rash and desperate attempts, which might have been fatal to themselves or their enemies. The measures of peace and war were affected by this internal revolution. As long as Aspar degraded the majesty of the throne, the secret correspondence of religion and interest engaged him to favour the cause of Genseric. When Leo had delivered himself from that ignominious servitude, he listened to the complaints of the Italians ; resolved to extirpate the tyranny of the Vandals ; and declared his alliance with his colleague, Anthemius, whom he solemnly invested with the diadem and purple of the West. The virtues of Anthemius have perhaps been magnified, Anthoniius, since the Imperial descent, which he could only deduce from the west, the usurper Procopius, has been swelled into a line of emperors. 80 But the merit of his immediate parents, their honours, and their riches, rendered Anthemius one of the most illustrious subjects of the East. His father Procopius obtained, after his Persian embassy, the rank of general and patrician ; and the name of Anthemius was derived from his maternal grandfather, the celebrated praefect, who protected, with so much ability and success, the infant reign of Theodosius. The grandson of the prsefect was raised above the condition of a private subject, by his marriage with Euphemia, the daughter of the emperor Marcian. This splendid alliance, which might supersede the necessity of merit, hastened the promotion of Anthemius to the successive dignities of count, of master-general, of consul, and of patrician ; and his merit or fortune claimed the honours of a victory which was obtained on the banks of the Danube over the Huns. Without in- dulging an extravagant ambition, the son-in-law of Marcian might hope to be his successor ; but Anthemius supported the disappointment with courage and patience ; and his sub- sequent elevation was universally approved by the public, who esteemed him worthy to reign, till he ascended the 80 Tali tu civis ab urbe Procopio genitore micas ; cui prisea propago Augustis venit a proavis. The poet (Sidon. Panegyr. Anthem. 67-306) then proceeds to relate the private life and fortunes of the future emperor, with which he must have been very imperfectly acquainted. VOL. IV. — 3