Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 3 (1897).djvu/145

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIEE 125 Theodosius was seconded by fortune ; and the emperor never failed to seize^ and to improve, every favourable circumstance. As long as the superior genius of Fritigern preserved the union, and directed the motions, of the Barbarians, their power was not inadequate to the conquest of a great empire. The death of that hero, the predecessor and master of the renowned Alaric, relieved an impatient multitude from the intolerable yoke of discipline and discretion. The Barbarians, who had been re- strained by his authority, abandoned themselves to the dictates of their passions ; and their passions were seldom uniform or consistent. An army of conquerors was broken into many disorderly bands of savage robbers ; and their blind and irregular fury was not less pernicious to themselves than to their enemies. ^2* Their mischievous disposition was shewn in the destruction of every object which they wanted strength to remove or taste to enjoy ; and they often consumed, with im- provident rage, the harvests or the granaries, which soon after- wards became necessary for their own subsistence. A spirit of discord arose among the independent tribes and nations, which had been united only by the bands of a loose and voluntary alliance. The troops of the Huns and the Alani would naturally upbraid the flight of the Goths who were not disposed to use with moderation the advantages of their fortune ; the ancient jealousy of the Ostrogoths and the Visigoths could not long be suspended ; and the haughty chiefs still remembered the insults and injuries which they had reciprocally offered, or sustained, while the nation was seated in the countries beyond the Danube. The progress of domestic faction abated the more diffusive sentiment of national animosity ; and the officers of Theodosius were instructed to purchase with liberal gifts and promises the retreat, or service, of the discontented party. The acquisition of Modar, a prince of the royal blood of the Amali, gave a bold and faithful champion to the cause of Rome. The illustrious deserter soon obtained the rank of master-general, with an im- portant command ; surprised an army of his countrymen who [in Thrace] were immersed in wine and sleep ; and, after a cruel slaughter of the astonished Goths, returned with an immense spoil, and four thousand waggons, to the Imperial camp.^^^ In the hands ''-■* [Some bands made raids into Epirus (Nicopolis capitulated to them ; Euna- pius, fr. 50), and Greece (which was defended by one Theodore, C. I. A. iii. 636).] !-•' Zosimus (1. iv. p. 232 [25]) styles him a Scythian, a name which the more recent Greeks seem to have appropriated to the Goths. [.See Gregory Naz. Ep. 136 ; Tfland, Kaiser Theodosios der Grosse, p. 70. There is no authority for the statement that he was "of the royal blood of the Amali ".]