Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/60

 4'2 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, divorce was permitted by the Roman law, and the XIV '___ fierce passions of the tyrant demanded an immediate gratification. The answer of Valeria was such as be- came the daughter and widow of emperors ; but it was tempered by the prudence which her defenceless con- dition compelled her to observe. She represented to the persons whom Maximin had employed on this oc- casion, " that even if honour could permit a woman of her character and dignity to entertain a thought of second nuptials, decency at least must forbid her to listen to his addresses at a time when the ashes of her husband and his benefactor were still warm, and while the sorrows of her mind were still expressed by her mourning garments. She ventured to declare, that she could place very little confidence in the professions of a man whose cruel inconstancy was capable of repu- diating a faithful and affectionate wife °." On this repulse, the love of Maximin was converted into fui'y; and, as witnesses and judges were always at his dis- posal, it was easy for him to cover his fury with an appearance of legal proceedings, and to assault the reputation as well as the happiness of Valeria. Her estates were confiscated, her eunuchs and domestics devoted to the most inhuman tortures, and several innocent and respectable matrons, who were honoured with her friendship, suffered death on a false accusa- tion of adultery. The empress herself, together with her mother Prisca, was condemned to exile ; and as they were ignominiously hurried from place to place before they were confined to a sequestered village in the deserts of Syria, they exposed their shame and distress to the provinces of the east, which, during thirty years, had respected their august dignity. Dio- cletian made several ineffectual efforts to alleviate the misfortunes of his daughter; and, as the last return that he expected for the imperial purple which he had conferred upon Maximin, he entreated that Valeria might be permitted to share his retirement of Salona, " Lactantius de M. P. c. 39.