Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/338

 S20 THE DECLINE AND FALL ^vm^" ^"§^*^^'^ Sarmatians solicited a less ignominious depend- _J L ence, under the hostile standard of the Goths. A more numerous band retired beyond the Carpathian moun- tains, among the Quadi, their German allies, and were easily admitted to share a superfluous waste of uncul- tivated land. But the far greater part of the distressed nation turned their eyes towards the fruitful provinces of Rome. Imploring the protection and forgiveness of the emperor, they solemnly promised, as subjects in peace, and as soldiers in war, the most inviolable fide- lity to the empire which should graciously receive them into its bosom. According to the maxims adopted by Probus and his successors, the offers of this barbarian colony were eagerly accepted ; and a competent por- tion of lands in the provinces of Pannonia, Thrace, Macedonia, and Italy, were immediately assigned for the habitation and subsistence of three hundred thou- sand Sarmatians^. Death and By chastising the pride of the Goths, and by accent- funeral of • ^1 1 r T • ^. Constan- mg the homage or a suppliant nation, Constantine as- A^T*^ -ii- serted the majesty of the Roman empire; and the July 25. ambassadors of i?L,thiopia, Persia, and the most remote countries of India, congratulated the peace and pros- perity of his governments If he reckoned among the favours of fortune the death of his eldest son, of his nephew, and perhaps of his wife, he enjoyed an unin- terrupted flow of private as well as public felicity, till the thirtieth year of his reign ; a period which none y The Gothic and Sarmatian wars are related in so broken and imperfect a manner, that I have been obliged to compare the following writers, who mutually supply, correct, and illustrate each other. Those who will take the same trouble, may acquire a right of criticising my narrative. Ammia- nus, 1. xvii. c. 12; Anonym. Valesian, p. 715; Eutropius, x.7; Sextus Rufus de Provinciis, c. 26 ; Julian, Orat. i. p. 9, and Spanheim, Comment. p. 94 ; Hieronym. in Chron. Euseb. in Vit. Constantin. 1. iv. c. 6 ; Socrates, ]. i. c. 18 ; Sozoraen, 1. i. c. 8 ; Zosimus, 1. ii. p. 108 ; Jornandes de Reb. Geticis, c. 22 ; Isidorus in Chron. p, 709, in Hist. Gothorum Grotii ; Con- stantin. Porphyrogenitus de Administrat. Imperii, c. 53. p. 208. edit. Meursii. ^ Eusebius (in Mt. Const, l.iv. c. 50.) remarks three circumstances re- lative to these Indians. 1. They came from the shores of the eastern ocean; a description which might be applied to the coast of China or Coro- mandel. 2. They presented shining gems, and unknown animals. 3. They protested their kings had erected statues to represent the supreme majesty of Constantine.