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 118 THE DECLINE AND FALL and Julius, who filled the important station of master-general of the troops, with a high reputation of diligence and ability, thought it his duty to consult the senate of Constantinople ; which he considered, during the vacancy of the throne, as the representative council of the nation. As soon as he had obtained the discretionary power of acting as he should judge most expedient for the good of the republic, he assembled the principal officers ; and privately concerted effectual measures for the execution of his bloody design. An order was immediately promulgated that, on a stated day, the Gothic youth should assemble in the capital cities of their respective provinces ; and, as a report was industriously circulated that they were summoned to receive a liberal gift of lands and money, the pleasing hope allayed the fury of their resentment and perhaps suspended the motions of the conspiracy. On the appointed day, the unarmed crowd of the Gothic youth was carefully collected in the square, or Forum ; the streets and avenues were occupied by the Roman troops ; and the roofs of the houses were covered with archers and slingers. At the same hour, in all the cities of the East, the signal was given of indis- criminate slaughter ; and the provinces of Asia were delivered, by the cruel prudence of Julius, from a domestic enemy, who, in a few months, might have carried fire and sword from the Hellespont to the Euphrates. ^^^ The urgent consideration of the public safety may undoubtedly authorise the violation of every positive law. How far that, or any other, consideration may operate to dissolve the natural obligations of humanity and justice is a doctrine of which I still desire to remain ignorant. The emperor The empcror Gratian was far advanced on his march towards vesta Theo the plains of Hadrianople when he was informed, at first by the the empire of coufuscd voice of fame, and afterwards by the more accurate 379, Jan is' reports of Victor and Richomer, that his impatient colleague had been slain in battle, and that two-thirds of the Roman army were exterminated by the sword of the victorious Goths. What- ever resentment the rash and jealous vanity of his uncle might deserve, the resentment of a generous mind is easily subdued by the softer emotions of grief and compassion : and even the sense of pity was soon lost in the serious and alarming considera- tion of the state of the republic. Gratian was too late to assist, lO'Ammianus evidently approves this execution, efficacia velox et salutaris, which concludes his work (xxxi. i6). Zosimus, who is curious and copious (1. iv. p. 233-236 [26]), mistakes the date, and labours to find the reason why Julius did not consult the emperor Theodosius, who had not yet ascended the throne of the East,