Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/394

 376 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, rigour of his demands. But the progress of their ne- " gociation was opposed and defeated by the hostile arts of Antoninus', a Roman subject of Syria, who had fled from oppression, and was admitted into the councils of Sapor, and even to the royal table, where, according to the custom of the Persians, the most important business was frequently discussed^. The dexterous fu- gitive promoted his interest by the same conduct which gratified his revenge. He incessantly urged the am- bition of his new master, to embrace the favourable opportunity when the bravest of the palatine troops were employed with the emperor in a distant war on the Danube. He pressed Sapor to invade the ex- hausted and defenceless provinces of the east, with the numerous armies of Persia, now fortified by the alli- ance and accession of the fiercest barbarians. The ambassadors of Rome retired without success, and a second embassy, of a still more honourable rank, was detained in strict confinement, and threatened either with death or exile. lovaaioBof The military historian^, who was himself despatched ^^^°|^ to observe the army of the Persians, as they were pre- por. A.D. paring to construct a bridge of boats over the Tigris, beheld from an eminence the plain of Assyria, as far as the edge of the horizon, covered with men, with horses, and with arms. Sapor appeared in the front, conspicuous by the splendour of his purple. On his left hand, the place of honour among the orientals, Gnunbates, king of the Chionitea, displayed the stern countenance of an aged and renowned varrior. The monarch had reserved a similar place on his right hand for the king of the Albanians, who led his independent ' Aimiiiaii. xvm. 5, 6. 8. The decent and icspectftd befaavioor otAato- lunns towards the Roman geneial sets liim in a veiy interesting l^t; and Awtmianns Imnself speaks of tiie traitor with some eonpasoon and esteem. s lbs c iiewiiwtanrp', as it is noticed by Anumanns, serves to prove the veracitj of Herodotns, (L i. c. 133.) and the pomaoency of the Persian mannas. In ererj age the PeisiaBS have been addicted to ictempeiance ; and the wines of Sfaiiaz have tiianiphed orer the law of 31ahomet. Bmsoa de Regno Fen. L iL p. 46Z — 472; and Cfaaidin, Voyages en Perse, torn. Hi. p. 90. ^ Ammiaa. L xriiL 6, 7, 8. 10.