Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/359

 CHAPTER XI. REIGN OF CLAUDIUS. DEFEAT OF THE GOTHS. VICTO- RIES, TRIUMPH, AND DEATH OF AURELIAN. U N DER the deplorable reigns of Valerian and Gal- lienus, the empire was oppressed and almost destroyed by the soldiers, the tyrants, and the barbarians. It was saved by a series of great princes, who derived their obscure origin from the martial provinces of II- lyricum. Within a period of about thirty years, Clau- dius, Aurelian, Probus, Diocletian and his colleagues, triumphed over the foreign and domestic enemies of the state, reestablished with the military discipline the strength of the frontiers, and deserved the glorious title of restorers of the Roman world. The removal of an eifeminate tyrant made way for Aureolus a succession of heroes. The indignation of the people iJY^^% imputed all their calamities to GalHenus, and the far feated ; and greater part were, indeed, the consequence of his dis- MUan**^ ^' solute manners and careless administration. He was even destitute of a sense of honour, which so frequently supplies the absence of public virtue ; and as long as he was permitted to enjoy the possession of Italy, a victory of the barbarians, the loss of a province, or the rebellion of a general, seldom disturbed the tranquil course of his pleasures. At length a considerable a. D. 268. army, stationed on the Upper Danube, invested with the imperial purple their leader Aureolus; who, dis- daining a confined and barren reign over the moun- tains of Rhaetia, passed the Alps, occupied Milan, threatened Rome, ^nd challenged Gallienus to dispute in the field the sovereignty of Italy. The emperor, provoked by the insult, and alarmed by the instant danger, suddenly exerted that latent vigour which sometimes broke through the indolence of his temper. Forcing himself from the luxury of the palace, he ap-