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 132 THE DECLINE AND FALL numerous faction adhered to the fierce and faithless Priulf, who inflamed the passions, and asserted the independence, of his warUke followers. On one of the solemn festivals, when the chiefs of both parties were invited to the Imperial table, they were insensibly heated by wine, till they forgot the usual re- straints of discretion and respect ; and betrayed, in the presence of Theodosius, the fatal secret of their domestic disputes. The emperor, who had been the reluctant witness of this extraordinary controversy, dissembled his fears and resentment, and soon dis- missed the tumultuous assembly. Fravitta, alarmed and ex- asperated by the insolence of his rival, whose dejmrture from the palace might have been the signal of a civil war, boldly followed him ; and, drawing his sword, laid Priulf dead at his feet. Their companions flew to arms ; and the faithful champion of Rome would have been oppressed by superior numbers, if he had not been protected by the seasonable interposition of the Imperial guards.i'^2 Such were the scenes of Barbaric rage which dis- graced the palace and table of the Roman emperor ; and, as the impatient Goths could only be restrained by the firm and temperate character of Theodosius, the public safety seemed to depend on the life and abilities of a single man.^^^ 1^2 Compare Eunapius (in Excerpt. Legat. p. 21, 22 [fr. 60, F. H. G. iv. p. 41]) with Zosimus (1. iv. p. 279 [56]). The difference of circumstances and names must undoubtedly be applied to the same story. Fravitta, or Travitta, was afterwards consul (A.d. 401), and still continued his faithful service to the eldest son of Theodosius (Tillemont, Hist, des Empereurs, torn. v. p. 467). ["Priulf" is called Eriulph by Eunapius. The conspiracy seems to have been formed by the Arian Goths. Fravitta was a leader of pagan Goths. The date seems to be during the preparation for the war with Eugenius. Cp. Giildenpenning, p. 218.] i'*3 Les Goths ravagerent tout depuis le Danube jusqu'au Bosphore ; exterminerent Valens et son armte ; et ne repass^rent le Danube que pour abandonner I'affreuse solitude qu'ils avoient faite (CEuvres de Montesquieu, tom. iii. p. 479 ; Considera- tions sur les Causes de la Grandeur et de la Decadence des Romains, c. xvii. ). The president Montesquieu seems Ignorant that the Goths, after the defeat of Valens, nez'er abandoned the Roman territory. It is now thirty years, says Claudian (de Bello Getico [Gothico ; Birt and Koch], 166 [leg. 169], &c., A.D. 404 [rather 402]). Ex quo jam patrios gens haec oblita Triones, Atque Istrum transvecta semel, vestigia fixit Threicio funesta solo The error is inexcusable ; since it disguises the principal and immediate cause of the fall of the Western Empire of Rome.