Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 3 (1897).djvu/248

 228 THE DECLINE AND FALL Rufinus was alarmed by the approach of a warrior and a rival, whose enmity he deserved ; he computed with increasing terror the narrow space of his hfe and greatness : and, as the last hope of safety, he interposed the authority of the emperor Arcadius. Stilicho, who appears to have directed his march along the sea coast of the Hadriatic, was not far distant from the city of Thessalonica, when he i-eceived a peremptory mes- sage to recall the troops of the East and to declare that his nearer approach would be considered by the Byzantine court as an act of hostility. The prompt and unexpected obedience of the general of the West convinced the vulgar of his loyalty and moderation ; and, as he had already engaged the affection of the Eastern troops, he recommended to their zeal the execution of his bloody design, which might be accomplished in his absence with less danger, perhaps, and with less reproach. Stilicho left the command of the troops of the East to Gainas the Goth, on whose fidelity he firmly relied ; with an assurance, at least, that the hardy Barbarian would never be diverted from his purpose by any consideration of fear or remorse. The soldiers were easily persuaded to punish the enemy of Stilicho and of Rome ; and such was the general hatred which Rufinus had excited that the fatal secret, communicated to thousands, was faithfully preserved during the long march from Thessalonica to the gates of Constantinople, As soon as they had resolved his death, they condescended to flatter his pride ; the ambitious proefect was seduced to believe that those powerful auxiliaries might be tempted to place the diadem on his head ; and the treasures which he distributed with a tardy and reluctant hand were ac- cepted by the indignant multitude as an insult rather than as a gift. At the distance of a mile from the capital, in the field of Mars, before the palace of Hebdomon,^^ the troops halted ; and the emperor, as well as his minister, advanced according to ancient custom respectfully to salute the power which supported their throne. As Rufinus passed along the ranks and disguised with studied courtesy his innate haughtiness, tlie wings insensibly wheeled from the right and left and inclosed the devoted victim within the circle of their arms. Before he could reflect on the danger of his situation Gainas gave the signal of death ; a daring and forward soldier plunged his sword into the breast of the Rufin. 1. iL 101-453), Zosimus (1. v. p. 296, 297 [c. 7]), Sozomen (1. viii. c. i), Socrates (1. vi. c. 1), Philostorgius (1, .i. c. 3, with Godefroy, p. 441), and the Chronicle of Marcellinus. [See Appendix 14.] 21 [See above, p. 10, n. 28, and vol ii. App. 9.]