Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/370

 346 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP. XI. Aurelian's successful reign. His severe discipline. vested with the consulship by the emperor Valerian, who styles him, in the pompous language of that age, the deliverer of Illyricum, the restorer of Gaul, and the rival of the Scipios. At the recommendation of Vale- rian, a senator of the highest rank and merit, Ulpius Crinitus, whose blood was derived from the same source as that of Trajan, adopted the Pannonian pea- sant, gave him his daughter in marriage, and relieved with his ample fortune the honourable poverty which Aurehan had preserved inviolate ^ The reign of Aurelian lasted only four years and about nine months; but every instant of that short period was filled by some memorable achievement. He put an end to the Gothic war, chastised the Germans who invaded Italy, recovered Gaul, Spain, and Britain out of the hands of Tetricus, and destroyed the proud monarchy which Zenobia had erected in the east on the ruins of the afflicted empire. It was the rigid attention of Aurelian, even to the minutest articles of discipline, which bestowed such un- interrupted success on his arms. His military regula- tions are contained in a very concise epistle to one of his inferior officers, who is commanded to enforce them, as he wishes to become a tribune, or as he is desirous to live. Gaming, drinking, and the arts of divination, were severely prohibited. Aurelian expected that his soldiers should be modest, frugal, and laborious ; that their armour should be constantly kept bright, their weapons sharp, their clothing and horses ready for immediate service ; that they should live in their quar- ters with chastity and sobriety, without damaging the corn fields, without stealing even a sheep, a fowl, or a bunch of grapes; without exacting from their land- lords either salt, or oil, or wood. " The public al- lowance," continues the emperor, " is sufficient for their support; their wealth should be collected from adoption, as it was performed at Byzantium, in the presence of the emperor and his great officers.
 * Acholius (ap. Hist. August, p. 213.) describes the ceremony of the