Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 3 (1897).djvu/500

 478 THE DECLINE AND FALL converted into deep and universal abhorrence. Such sentiments seldom pervade the walls of a palace ; yet the emperor was confounded by the honest reply of a Roman, whose approba- tion he had not disdained to solicit : " I am ignorant, sir, of your motives or provocations ; I only know that you have acted like a man who cuts off his right hand with his left".''^ and ravishes The luxury of Rome seems to have attracted the long and Maximus frequent visits of Valentinian ; who was consequently more despised at Rome than in any other part of his dominions. A republican spirit was insensibly revived in the senate, as their authority, and even their supplies, became necessary for the supjjort of his feeble government. The stately demeanour of an hereditary monarch offended their pride ; and the pleasures of Valentinian were injurious to the peace and honour of noble families. The birth of the empress Eudoxia was equal to his own, and her charms and tender affection deserved those testimonies of love which her inconstant husband dissipated in vague and unlawful amours. Petronius Maximus, a wealthy senator of the Anician family, who had been twice consul, was possessed of a chaste and beautiful wife : her obstinate resistance served only to irritate the desires of Valentinian ; and he re- solved to accomplish them either by stratagem or force. Deep gaming was one of the vices of the court ; the emperor, who, by chance or contrivance, had gained from Maximus a considerable sum, uncourteously exacted his ring as a security for the debt ; and sent it by a trusty messenger to his wife, with an order, in her husband's name, that she should immediately attend the empress Eudoxia. The unsuspecting wife of Maximus was con- veyed in her litter to the Imperial palace ; the emissaries of her impatient lover conducted her to a remote and silent bed- chamber ; and V'alentinian violated, without remorse, the laws of hospitality. Her tears, when she returned home, her deep affliction, and her bitter reproaches against her husband, whom she considered as the accomplice of his own shame, excited Maximus to a just revenge ; the desire of revenge was stimulated by ambition ; and he might reasonably aspire, by the free suffrage of the Roman senate, to the throne of a detested and despicable rival. 'alentinian, who supposed that every human breast was devoid, like his own, of friendship and gratitude, had im- ■75 Aetiuni Placidus mactavit semivir amens, is the expression of Sidonius (Panegyr. Avit. 359). The poet knew the world, and was not inclined to flatter a minister who had injured or disgraced Avitus and Majorian, the successive heroes of his song.