Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/477

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 453 of the west. From the earhest period of history, the CHAP, sovereigns of Asia had been celebrated in the Greek language by the title of * basileus,' or king ; and since it was considered as the first distinction among men, it was soon employed by the servile provincials of the east, in their humble addresses to the Roman throne s. Even the attributes, or at least the titles of the Di- vinity, were usurped by Diocletian and Maximian, who transmitted them to a succession of christian emperors^. Such extravagant compliments, however, soon lose their impiety by losing their meaning; and when the ear is once accustomed to the sound, they are heard with indifference, as vague though excessive professions of respect. From the time of Augustus to that of Diocletian, the Diocletian Rp •!• assumes the Oman prmces, conversmg in a lamiiiar manner among diadem, and their fellow citizens, were saluted only with the same introduces , n • 1 1. ^"6 Persian respect that was usually paid to senators and magi- ceremonial. strates. Their principal distinction was the imperial or military robe of purple ; whilst the senatorial gar- ment was marked by a broad, and the equestrian by a narrow band or stripe of the same honourable colour. The pride, or rather the policy, of Diocletian, engaged that artful prince to introduce the stately magnificence of the court of Persia ^ He ventured to assume the diadem, an ornament detested by the Romans as the odious ensign of royalty, and the use of which had been considered as the most desperate act of the mad- ness of Caligula. It was no more than a broad white fillet set with pearls, which encircled the emperor's head. The sumptuous robes of Diocletian and his successors were of silk and gold ; and it is remarked with indignation, that even their shoes were studded fs Synesius de Regno, edit. Petav. p. 15. I am indebted for this quota- tion to the abb6 de la Bleterie. 1* See Vandale de Consecratione, p. 354, etc. It was customary for the emperors to mention in the preamble of laws, their mimen, sacred majesty, divine oracles, etc. According to Tillemont, Gregory of Nazianzen com- plains most bitterly of the profanation, especially when it was practised by an Arian emperor.
 * See Spanheim de Usu Numismat. Dissert, xii.