The auncient ecclesiasticall histories of the first six hundred yeares after Christ, wrytten in the Greeke tongue by three learned historiographers, Eusebius, Socrates, and Euagrius. Eusebius Pamphilus Bishop of Cæsarea in Palæstina vvrote 10 bookes. Socrates Scholasticus of Constantinople vvrote 7 bookes. Euagrius Scholasticus of Antioch vvrote 6 bookes. VVhereunto is annexed Dorotheus Bishop of Tyrus, of the liues of the prophetes, apostles and 70 disciples. All which authors are faithfully translated out of the Greeke tongue by Meredith Hanmer, Maister of Arte and student in diuinitie. Last of all herein is contayned a profitable chronographie collected by the sayd translator, the title whereof is to be seene in the ende of this volume, with a copious index of the principall matters throughout all the histories

THE SIXT BOOKE OF THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORIE OF EVAGRIVS SCHOLASTICVS. (Book 6)

CAP. 1.

The solemne mariage of Mauricius and Augusta.

MAuricius being crowned Emperour, first of all made preparation for the solemnitie of his mariage: next celebrated such rites as became the Emperiall scepter, and coupled vnto him in mariage Augusta, otherwise called Constantina, with great pompe and royaltie: last of all made sumptuous feasts & costly bankets, with great glory and renowne. Theosebia and y^• Empresse came to this solenme mariage with* 1.1 a portly traine and rich presents. The one brought with her not only the father and the mother of Mauricius (which was neuer seene to haue happened to any Emperour before) for to honor the mariage with their comely horenesse and reuerend wrincles, but also his brethern of goodly stature & proportion to set forth that royall solemnitie: the other presented a garment all cloth of gold, garnished with purple and pearles of India, she brought also crownes couered wyth gold and precious stones of diuers sorts and sundry colours, together w^t all the nobilitie, as well such as were renowmed for Martiall prowesse, as they that were made of, for their honourable

order of the haule and pallace. all they bare in their handes burninge torches, stoode verye ma∣iestically in the sight of all men, vpholding the glory of that gorgeous spectacle, so that there was neuer sene among men a more excellent, & a more roial shew. Plutarchus Chaeroneus (saith Damo∣philus a Romaine historiographer) said very well, that the puisance & prosperous successe, the fa∣uor & fortune of Rome ioined hands together, but I had rather say, that true piety & felicity so met together in Mauricius alone, that true piety forced felicity to be present, & would in no wise suffer her to be foyled & ouerthrowen. These things being finished, Mauricius couered not onely his head with the crowne, & clad not onely his body in purple, but also his minde with precious ornamēts. for in maner he alone of all the Emperours fell a gouerning of his owne person, and so became an Emperour in deede: first he droue from his minde the popular state of affections, next placinge the order of his peeres and nobilitie in the seate of reason, he made him selfe a liuely paterne of ver∣tue for his subiects to immitate and followe after. Neither doe I report this of him to thende I might sooth him with faire words and flattery (to what purpose I beseech you should I doe so, see∣ing he knoweth not of the things which I doe write) but because the gifts which God hath so boū∣tifully bestowed vpon him, and the affaires which at sundrye times enioyed suche prosperous suc∣cesses, doe manifestly proue it to be most true. All which will we, nill we, we must confesse and ac∣knowledge to be the goodnesse of God.

CAP. II.

Of Alamundarus the Saracen and his sonne Naamanes.

THis Emperour besides all other men, was carefull ouer suche as had bene attainted of high treason, that none of them should be executed, and therefore he beheaded not Alamundarus captaine of the Scenetae in Arabia, who (as I mentioned before) had betrayed him, but was driuen out of one onely Isle with his wife and certen children, and banished for punishment into Sicilia. And moreouer Naamanes his sonne, who wrought infinite mischiefs against the common weale, who had destroyed the two Phoenicias and Palaestina, who last of all subdued the same re∣gions with the helpe of the Barbarians rounde about him, yea at what time his father Alamunda∣rus was taken, when all men craued his heade: he kept him onely in free ward, and enioyned him no other punishment. the like clemencie he shewed to infinit other persons, the which seuerally shal be spoken of when fit occasion is ministred.

CAP. III.

Of Iohn and Philippicus Romaine captaynes, and their doinges.

IOhn a Thracian borne, was sent by Mauricius to guyde the Easterne armie, who preuailinge but ill fauoredly in some battails, in some others againe patching that which was a discredit vn∣to him before, did as trueth is, nothing that deserued any great commendation. Next after him Philippicus, one that was allied vnto y^• emperour (for he had maried one of the sisters) made a voy∣age into foraine countreis, destroied all that lay before him, took great spoile, and slew many of the nobles and peeres of Nisibis, and of others on this side of the riuer Tigris. he fought hand to hand with the Persians, and geuing them a wonderfull sore battail, he ouerthrew many that were of the chiefest of Persia and tooke many aliue: a band also of speare men which fled into an hill, lying ve∣ry commodious for them, he took not, but let them go vntoutched, which promised him they would send to their king with all speede to perswade him to peace. Other noble acts did he while he led the Romaine power, he brought the soldiers from riot and pleasure, & acquainted them with tem∣perancie and diligent seruice, All which circumstances, we geue other men leaue (if them please) that either haue written, or are about to write, so farre to wade in them, as they haue learned by heresay, or conceaued by selfe opinion: who most commonly by reason of ignorance are deceaued and so halt, or through toe muche partialitie, or negligent, or by occasion of spite and hatred are so blinded that they can not vtter the trueth.

CAP. IIII.

Of captaine Priscus and the insurrection of the soldiers against him.

PRiscus succeeded Philippicus in the rowme of a captaine, and was so stately that none coulde speake with him, vnlesse it were about weightie and great matters. For he was of the opini∣on, that if he vsed litle familiaritie, he might doe what him selfe listed, and that his soldiers vnderneath him woulde stand in awe of him, and the sooner obey his commaundement. But com∣ming on a certaine time vnto his armie with high lookes, and hauty disdaine, with his whole body set vpon toe arrogant gestures, he made them an oration of soldiers patience in perill of warres, of fine and picked harnesse, and last of all, of the rewardes they were to reape of the common weale for their trauell and seruice: they knowinge of these thinges as well as he, beganne openly to re∣ueale their wrath, and conceaued displeasure againste him, and rushinge in thither, where he had pitched his tent, as if they had bene Barbarians, They spoyled him of all his sumptuous store and precious treasure: not onely this, but without doubt they had also dispatched him, had not he with al speede taken horse, and fled vnto Edessa. Yet they besieged this citie, and commaunded that Priscus should be deliuered them.

CAP. V.

Of Germanus whom the soldiers made Emperour against his will.

VVHen the citizens of Edessa woulde not restore Priscus, the soldiers left him, and by force tooke Germanus captaine of the warefaringe soldiers in Phoenicia of Iabane∣sia, and proclaimed him their captaine and Emperour. While he refused the office, and they vrged it vpon him, there rose great contention of either side, for he would not be constrai∣ned, and they would needs compell him, they threatned to execute him, vnlesse he would willingly accept of the dignitie, he of the contrary protested openly he was neither affraide, neither woulde yelde one iote. At length they went about to lash him with whips, & to maime the members of his body: which torments they perswaded them selues verily he would not endure, that there was not in him more hardnesse to beare away stripes, then nature and yeares gaue them to vnderstande. they tooke him in hand, & knowing well inough what he was able to suffer, dealt very circumspect∣ly, lest they wounded him sore, vntil in thend they forced him to condescend, and with anoth to pro∣mise them his faith and fidelitie. Wherfore thus they compelled him whom they had ruled to rule, and whom they had gouerned to gouerne, and whom they led captiue to become their captaine. fur∣thermore they displaced all other officers, as captaines, tribuns, centurions, decurions, and placed in their rowmes whom pleased them best, & reuiled the empire with railing speaches. And though they bore them selues towards such as were tributary milder then the common vse and maner is of Barbarians: yet were they altogether alienated from their companions, & members with them of one common weale. For they tooke not their wayfaring vittailes by weight and measure, neither were they pleased with suche lodginge as was appointed for them, but tooke their owne lust for lawes, and pleasure for prescribed order.

CAP. VI.

The Emperour sent Philippicus againe among the soldiers, but the armie refused him.

WHen the Emperour sent Philippicus to redresse the aforesaide enormities, the soldi∣ers not onely reiected him, but menaced and conspired the deaths of suche as seemed to take his part.

CAP. VII.

Of Gregorie byshop of Antioch, how he proued the report that was raised of him to be a meare sclaunder.

THe affaires of the common weale lying at this poynt, Gregorie byshop of Antioch returned from Constantinople, after the ending of a bitter conflict the which I am now about to de∣clare. when Asterius was lieuetenant of the east, & contention risen betweene him & Gregory, first, all the head citizens tooke part with Asterius, next the artificers stuck vnto him, sayinge that Gregory had iniuried them euery one, last of al it was permitted for the common people al to reuile

Gregory. both high and low conspired together, and ceassed not either in the streat or on the theatre to raile very contumeliously at byshop Gregory, neither was their scaffold and enterludes without skoffs. Therefore Asterius was deposed of his Lieuetenantship, and Iohn elected to succeede him, whom the Emperour charged diligently to examine the circumstances of that seditious controuer∣sie. This Iohn was a man vnfit for the hearing of trifling causes, much more for the examining of so weighty a matter, & the executing of so worthy a function. wherefore when he had set the whole* 1.2 city on tumults, & published an edict, where it was lawful for him that could say any thing to come forth & accuse the byshop: a certen exchaunger presented him y^• he had companied with his owne sister whom he maried vnto an other. Againe others of y^• kinde of people charged him that he had disturbed the quiet and good estate of the citie, and that not once but very oft. But Gregory purged him selfe of that sclaunder, and appealed vnto the Emperour, and to a councell for the hearinge of the other matters. I was my self in his company, and present when he purged him of these crimes at Constantinople. And when as al y^• patriarchs either by them selues, or by their substitutes were* 1.3 at the hearing of Gregories purgation, and the cause heard of the holy Senate and of many holy bi∣shops▪ after great sturre and much adoe the sentence went with Gregory, that his accuser should be racked▪ carted about the citie, and banished the countrey. After all this Gregory returned vnto his byshopricke againe, & in the meane while the soldiers ceassed not from raising of sedition, for Phi∣lippicus the captaine made then his abode about Beroea and the citie of Chalcis.

CAP. VIII.

Howe Theopolis otherwise called Antioch, was againe tossed with earthquakes.

FOure moneths after the returne of Gregorie from Constantinople in the sixe hundred thirtie and seuenth yeare after Antioch was so called, and the threescore and firste yeare after the earthquake whiche went next before, when as I my selfe the last day of September had ta∣ken to my wyfe a virgine of tender yeares, and the citye therefore kept holiday, and flocked wyth great pompe and solemnitie to my wedding ca••••ber & feasting house, about the third houre of the night, there rose such an earthquake that with the violence thereof it shooke together the whole ci∣tie. It so tossed the fundations that all the buildinges about the most holy Churche were turned downe to the ground, except onely the hemispherical rouf that Euphraemius had made of baye trees which also was sore hurt of the earthquake in the time of Iustinus, and so tossed also by other earth∣quakes, after that againe, that it leaned very muche into the North, and thrust out of their place the mightie wodden beames whiche fell with a marueilous great crackinge, and immediatly the he misphericall roufe shrinked to his owne place, and stood perpendicular wise as it did before, without bowing to either side. Manye peeces of Ostracina and Psephium (mentioned before) all the places called Brisia, and moreouer the buildings of S. Maries Church were quite ouerthrow∣en, saue one middle porche that was marueilously saued. All the turrets that stoode on the playne grounde came tumblinge downe, when as the rest of the buildinge (the battlements of the wall ex∣cepted) stoode still. yet the stones of the battlements were driuen backe and notthrowen downe. O∣ther Temples moreouer, and both the publique baths that were vsed at seuerall times were also partakers of that calamitie and came to ruine. The people perished confusely one with an other (as it was cōiectured by the bread which was spent in that citie) about a threescore thousand per∣sons. But the byshop escaped very straungely when the whole lodginge he sate in came to ruine, &* 1.4 al that were about him were only saued, otherwise none, for they lifted him vp with all spede, when the earthquake the seconde time shooke the place, and as it were opened the lodginge, so that they let him downe by a rope, and deliuered him out of daunger. It fared very well with the citye, notwithstandinge all that infortunate successe. For it came to passe by the goodnesse of our mer∣cifull God, mittigatinge his furie, and correctinge with the rodde of pitye and mercies, the sinnes of his people that no fyre followed after, When as great flames flashed vp out of herthes, and lightes both pudlyque and priuate, out of kitchens, baths, and infinite other suche lyke places in compasse of the whole citie. There dyed in this earthquake manye noble and famous personages, and so did Asterius: but the Emperour repaired with money this lamentable ruine of the citie.

CAP. IX.

The Barbarians seeing the Romaine armie falling to rebellion set vp them selues, but they were foyled by Germanus.

AS toutching the armie spoken of before, it stood in maner at the same stay, that the Barba∣rians perswaded them selues verily, none would withstande them, but that after their won∣ted maner they might destroye and inuade the Romaine dominions. But Germanus met them with his power, and so foyled them by force of armes, that there was not one left to bring the Persians tidings of their slaughter.

CAP. X.

The Emperours clemencie towardes the soldiers which rebelled and forsooke their captaine.

THe Emperour gaue moneye vnto the armie, but Germanus and others he arrained, and al∣though they were all condemned to dye, yet woulde not he haue them executed, neyther o∣therwise punished, but gaue them rewardes. When these thinges went in this sort the peo∣ple Abari came twise, as farre as the Longe wall, inuaded the countrey before them, subdued Singedon, Anchialus, al Hellada, with other cities and castels, destroyed all with fire and sworde, yea for all the Romaines had a great armie in the East. Wherefore the Emperour sent Andreas captaine of his garde for to perswade the armie to take againe such officers and captaines as they had ouer them before.

CAP. XI.

Gregorie byshop of Antioch is sent to reconcile the armie that refused their captaine, and of the oration he made vnto them.

WHen the soldiers woulde not geue eare vnto Andreas exhortation, the commission was directed vnto Gregory, not onely because he was the man that could bring weighty mat∣ters about, but also that the armie of right and duety owed him great honor, for he had liberally bestowed vpon diuers of the soldiers great summes of money, vpon others apparell, re∣lieued others, some with food when they were admitted by him, and matriculated in the catalogue of soldiers. wherefore he sent posts into euery place, & warned all the chiefe of the armye to meete him at Litarbis, out of Antioch about three hundred furlongs: when he came vnto thē downe he fel vpon his knees, & made them this oration. I had determined with my self now a good while ago (O ye valiant Romains which worthely deserue this name) to make a voiage vnto you, partly to* 1.5 confer of presēt affaires, & partly also to cōsult together with you, bringing you in remēbrance (that you neede not suspect my dealing) how of mine owne free accorde, & harty good will the which I am sure you are fully perswaded of, I founde you commodious reliefe & necessary pro∣uisiō, when you fought by sea, & were driuē by tempest here & there to shift for your selues. But hitherto my cōming hath bene diferred, peraduenture by the prouidēce of God which permit∣ted me no licence, that both the Persians may haue sufficient triall of the Romaine power and fortitude which foiled thē, yea without a captaine & guide, & your sincere & faithfull mind also borne vnto the cōmon weale, may in time be throughly knowen, by your deeds be approued & confirmed in all respectes. For you haue made manifest this one thing vnto the whole worlde, though you were offēded & cōceaued high displeasure against your captains, yet esteemed you nothing more thē the good estate of the cōmō weale. & seing it goeth so happely with vs, let vs now cōsider what it stands vs vpō to do. The emperour greets you wel, & gladly would see your reconciliation, he promiseth to forget all that is amisse and nowe past, he thinketh the good will you owe vnto your countrey, the valiaunt courage and noble mindes ye haue in waginge of battaile to be spokesmē good inough for your pardon. & all these sure & certaine tokens laieth he wide open before you that ye may assure your selues of forgeuenes at his hands, & of his law∣full fauour. He saith againe, I wil vse his owne words: If God estemed so highly of the loue you bear vnto the empire of Rome, & therfore brought to passe that after the remitting of your falts there raigned in you no lesse fortitude and courage then was sene in times past (which verily is an euidēt argumēt that all old iniury is forgottē) how can we possibly chuse but yeeld vnto that

which the holy spirite leadeth vs vnto. VVherefore (O ye Romaines) condescend with all speed* 1.6 vnto my friendelye aduise, let vs not loose the presente occasion that is offered vnto vs, let not this opportunitye throughe our negligence slip out of our handes. For when she pas••eth by, she detesteth delay, & being offended that we tooke her not vp as she came by, she puts vs euer af∣ter without hope of obtaining her againe. VVherefore succede your fathers & auncestors in o∣bedience, take possession of the loyall patrimony they bequeathed vnto you, let me (your poore Bishop) obtaine this at your handes, as your are valiant and shewe your selues in all respects no lesse then Romaynes in deede, that no backebiter may haue occasion to blemish your same & renowne, sayinge you are bastardes and a broode that degenerateth from theyr noble linage. For your fathers and auncestors beinge gouerned by Consuls and Emperours haue through o∣bedience and noble prowesse, brought the wholl vvorlde subiecte vnto them. VVhat shoulde I bringe you in remembrance of Manlius Torquatus who executed his owne sonne (although he* 1.7 had done many feates and noble actes) for disobedience and rebellion? For notable and wor∣thy deedes are most commonly wrought by the vvise counsaill of politicke captaines, and wil∣linge obedience of souldiers. But when either of these two fayleth, the counsaill halteth, the en∣terprise falleth vnto the ground & hath ilfauored successe: and no maruell at all, specially when two thinges which shoulde be linked together are loosed and parted asunder. Let there be no delay in you (I craue it vpon my knees) yeld vnto me foorthwith, let a Bishop this once pleade & preuaile betwene the Emperour and his armie, let all the worlde vnderstande that in you there is no signe of rebellion, but that you had good cause for a time to be displeased with your cap∣taines which offended you. If it so fall out that ye embrace not in time this wholsome counsail, yet will I take vpon me the person of loue owed vnto the Empire of Rome and of friende∣ship and harty good wil borne vnto you, and marke well what I haue to saye vnto you. Doe ye see what endes tyrantes and rebells moste commonly haue? Ponder I pray you with your selues howe ye can compasse suche thinges as ye goe about, seeinge (in my opinion) it is vnpossible, for you to continewe all together. For howe can either the foules of the aer, or fishe vvith other foode whiche the seae bringeth to land be transported vnto you vnlesse ye will shed the bloode of Christians in battaill and your selues be slaine to, which is both a great shame and reproche? And what I pray ye will become of you? Verily you will be scattered here and there and con∣strayned to leade miserable liues, Immediatly after, vengeance will ensue, so that ye shall neuer be pardoned. VVherefore geue me your handes and let vs louingly consult together what shall be expedient for vs our selues & for the profit of the commō weale, specially seeing we haue the feaste of our Sauiours passion and of Christs most holy resurrection as it were in maner assisting and alluringe vs to reconciliation.

CAP. XII.

The souldiers after the oration of Gregorie Bishop of Antioch chaunged their mind and tooke againe Philippicus to their generall captaine.

WHen Gregorie had pronoūced his oration & shed infinit tears, all their minds vpon a sud daine were turned by diuine power & inspiration, in so muche they craued licence to de∣part out of the assembly seuerally for to deliberate with them selues what was best for thē to do. This being done not long after they come againe, saying they would yeeld vnto the Bi∣shops sute and requeste. And when Gregorie nominated Philippicus, whome he was destrous they should craue to their captaine, theyr answere was, that both they and the wholl army had solemnly made an oth, they would neuer doe that. Then sayd he immediatly the Prieste hath power and au∣thority* 1.8 to bind and to loose in heauen and in earth and rehearsed vnto them the sayinge of Christ in the Gospell. When they replied that herein also they woulde yelde vnto him, he fell a pacifienge of God with prayers and supplications. He distributed vnto them the immaculate body of Christ, it was vpon maundy thirsday, the number of them was about a two thousand, he entertayned them all that night, made them couches in the greene grasse, returned home the next daye after, and de∣creed they shoulde assemble together where it pleased them. Wherfore he sent for Philippicus who then abode at Tarsus in Cilicia, that with all speede he should repaire to Constantinople. He made the Emperour also priuey vnto these circumstances, and layde downe in his letters the requestes and demaundes of the armye as concerninge Philippicus. When Philippicus shortly after came to

Antioch the souldiers mette him, they entreated the Christians to be a meane vnto him for them and they fell at Philippicus feete. He gaue them the righte hande, tolde them all olde iniurye was forgotten, and immediatly they followe him to warefare. Thus was that broyle taken vp.

CAP. XIII.

The winninge of Martyropolis.

SIttas one of the Decurions of Martyropolis, bearinge spite and hatred vnto one of the cap∣taynes, betrayed the citye, and tooke opportunitye to worke this feate, when the garison was absente. Wherefore vnder colour of the Romaynes the Persians were broughte in, and tooke the citye, which lay wonderfull commodious for the Romaynes: many women that were in the prime of theyr flourishing yeares they kepte within the citie, all others (a fewe ser∣uantes onely excepted) they droue out. Immediatly vpon this, Philippicus came thither and be∣sieged the city. And although he wanted necessaries for the siege, yet he encountered with them, with such thinges as he had. He cast vp certaine ditches and ouerthrewe one of theyr turrets, yet coulde not he take the citye, because the Persians watched all nighte and repayred againe suche thinges as were battered to the grounde. When the Romaynes made many an assaulte and had the repulse (for the dartes were sore discharged at them from highe turrettes, and they them selues without had more harme, then they coulde worke vnto the enemye within) they raysed theyr siege, remoued a litle of and there pitched theyr campe, takinge diligente heede onelye to this, that no other Persians ioyned with them that were in the city. Gregorie by the commaunde∣mente of Mauricius the Emperour wente to the campe and perswaded with them to returne to besiege the citye. But they coulde not preuaile, because they wanted engines of warre for the winninge of cityes. Therefore the armye was sente abroade to winter, leauinge manye garri∣sons in the castells about, least the Persians came on a sodayne and stepte into the city. The next sommer followinge there was greate power gathered together, and a sore battaill foughte with the Persians about Martyropolis. And althoughe Philippicus had the vpper hande in that sielde and many of the Persians together with one of theyr captaines ouerthrowen, yet there escaped to many of them into Martyropolis, for that was one of theyr principall driftes to be sure of ta∣kinge that citye vpon them. From that tyme the Romaynes despayred of winninge the citye by siege (it was possible that mighte woulde ouercome it) they wente a seauen furlonges of and buylt an other citye ouer againste it vpon the toppe of an hill well fortisied of it selfe, there to in∣uente engines and to assaulte Martyropolis. This they did in sommer, but in winter they dis∣solued the armie.

CAP. XIIII.

Of captaine Comentiolus and the winninge of Ocbas.

COmentiolus borne in Thracia was sente into the Easte to be captaine of the armye in the rowme of Philippicus: who thoughe he had prosperous successe agaynste the Persians, yet had he bene ouerthrowen horse and all, had not one of his garde gotte vp on a packehorse and caried him awaye out of the fielde. The Persians which were left aliue, hauinge loste all their captaines ranne away and tooke Nisibis vpon them. And because they feared to returne vnto their king (for he had told them they should loose their heades vnlesse they broughte theyr captaynes safe and sounde agayne) they fell a conspiringe againste Hormissda: Barames also a Persian cap∣tayne who was newly come with his army from the warre against the Turckes, perswaded them to doe no lesse. In the meane while Comentiolus besieginge Martyropolis lefte there the grea∣ter parte of his power and wente him selfe with certaine chosen souldiers to take Ocbas, a strong castell vpon the further banke ouer againste Martyropolis lienge vpon a steepe rocke, where he might viewe the wholl citye of Martyropolis. The which castell he besieged, lefte nothinge vnat∣tempted that might seeme auailable for the winninge of it, battered downe certaine peeces of the walls with Catapeltes or brakes, entred in that way and tooke it by force. Wherevpon the Per∣sians despaired thenceforth of keepinge Martyropolis any longer.

CAP. XV.

The murtheringe of Hormisda kinge of Persia.

WHile the aforesayde sturre was in handelinge the Persians tooke Hormisda the moste wicked and vniuste kinge, and slewe him because he had plagued his subiectes not one∣ly with extortion, but also with sundry kindes of death.

CAP. XVI.

The flighte of Chosroes the yonger vnto the Empire of Rome.

AFter the death of Hormisda the Persians crowned Chosroes his sonne to raygne ouer them, againste whome Barames tooke armour with his wholle power. Chosroes wente forthe to meete him with no great army, & perceauing that his souldiers left him & droped away he fled, straight way (as he reported him selfe after he had called vpon the God of the Christians that his horse woulde beare him where he purposed to goe) vnto Circesium. When he came thither together with his wife, two yonge children and certaine of the Nobles of Persia whiche accompa∣nied him of their owne accorde: he sente Embassadours vnto Mauricius the Emperour. He af∣ter deliberation and aduisemente taken in that matter, pondering with him selfe the mutable race and variable course of mans life, the sodayne chaunge and alteration not onely of his state, but of other thinges in like sorte, accepted of his sute and Embassie, and made Chosroes in steede of a ba∣nished man his gest, in steede of a sorowefull fugitiue his louinge sonne, and gaue him royall pre∣sentes for to allure him to roote his loue in his breste. Neither did Mauricius only send him such bountifull giftes, but the Empresse also vnto the wiues of Chosroes, and the sonnes of Mauricius shewed the like humanity vnto his sonnes.

CAP. XVII.

The Emperour sent Gregorie and Domitianus to meete Chosroes and to geue him entertainment.

FUrthermore Mauricius sent all his garde and the wholl hoaste of the Romaynes with a cap∣taine to meete Chosroes and to conducte him whithersoeuer it pleased him to goe. And to the ende he might doe him the more honor, he sent also Domitianus his kinsman that was By∣shop of Melitina, a man that excelled for wisedome and pollicy, very fit both in worde & in deede to handle graue matters and to heare weighty causes. He sent againe Gregory which made Chosroes to haue him in admiration for the wise conference he had with him toutching all other matters for his bountifull presents, and the graue counsaile he gaue him concerning his trouble and molesta∣tion.

CAP. XVIII.

Chosroes recouered againe the kingedome of Persia by the meanes of the Empire of Rome.

CHosroes comminge to Hierapolis the heade citie of Euphratesia returned homewardes. Mauricius vnderstandinge thereof, weyinge more the furtherance of Chosroes then his owne fame & renowne, holpe him to a great summe of money which was not seene before: made him an armye of Persians vpon his owne costs & charges, furnished Chosroes both with Ro∣maynes & with Persians, & safe conduited him out of the Romayne dominiōs as farre as Martyro∣polis. And first of all, Sittas the traitor was deliuered vnto him, next y^• people of Martyropolis sto∣ned him & last of all they hanged him on the gallowes. The citye of Daras was also geuen vp vn∣to him, after that the Persians had priuely stolen away, and after that the Romaines alone had foi∣led Barames in one battaill and he fled awaye alone with greate ignominye, Chosroes was resto∣red vnto his kingedome.

CAP. XIX.

The holy martyr Golauduch liued about this time.

ABout this time liued Golauduch amonge vs whiche suffered greate tormente and was pi∣teouslye handeled by the Magicians of Persia, at the laste crowned with Martyrdome af∣ter she had wrought many miracles. Stephan the first of that name Bishop of Hieropolis wrote her life.

CAP. XX.* 1.9

The presentes which Chosroes kinge of Persia beinge an heathen sente vnto Sergius the Martyr.

CHosroes beinge nowe restored vnto his kingedome sente vnto Gregorie a crosse curiouslye wrought of gold and precious stone, wherewith he would haue the honor of Sergius the re∣nowmed martyr set forth & extolled. Theodora the wife of Iustinian had firste dedicated this crosse vnto him, after that, Chosroes the elder had taken it thence away (as I haue remembred be∣fore) together with sundry other monuments. He sent an other crosse where he caused these words to be ingrauen in Greeke letters. I Chosroes king of kinges, the sonne of Hormisda haue sente this crosse. For when we were cōstrayned to flie vnto the * dominions of the Empire of Rome, through the deuelish procurement and false treachery of the most infortunate Barames and his* 1.10 Cabballarij, and by reason of Zadespram the traitor his comming with an army to Nisibis, for to pull backe the Caballarij which tooke parte with the citizens of Nisibis: we sente Caballarij with a captaine as farre as Charchas for to withstande Zadespram & to abate his courage, tru∣sting in holy Sergius, the most honorable and renowmed martyr, for we hearde in the first yeare of our raigne that he was wont to graunte such petitions as were made vnto him. The seauenth day of Ianuary we cried vnto him for helpe and made a vowe that if our Caballarij either slue Zadespram or tooke him captiue, we woulde sende vnto his temple a golden crosse garnished with pearles for to set forth his reuerend name, and to be short, about the beginning of Februa∣ry next following the head of Zadespram was broughte vnto vs. VVherefore hauinge obtayned our request (that no man neede to doubt of the circumstance) we haue sent to holy Sergius tēple* 1.11 for to honor his reuerende name this crosse, which we made our selues, together with the crosse which Iustinian Emperour of Rome, had sent to the same temple, yet was takē away & brought hither by Chosroes, kinge of kinges, the sonne of Cabades our great graundfather, at what tyme the Romaynes and Persians were at greate variance. VVe founde this in our treasory and sente it to holy Sergius temple. Gregorie receauinge these crosses with the consente of Mauricius the Emperour, caried them with greate solemnity into the Martyrs temple and there laid them vp. Shortely after Chosroes sent other giftes vnto this holy temple, namelye amongest others a dishe made of Gold, wherein these wordes were wrytten. I Chosroes kinge of kinges the sonne of Hor∣misda caused these thinges to be wrytten in this dishe not for men to gaze at, neyther that the worthines of thy reuerende name shoulde be knowen by my wordes: but partely for the trueth therein contained, and partly for the manifold benefites and liberality receaued at thy handes. For I thinke my selfe happy that my name is ingrauen in thy holy vessels. At my beinge in Bera∣mias I made humble sute vnto thee holye Sergius that thou wouldest come and helpe me and that Sira my wife mighte conceaue. And thoughe Sira were a christian and I a pagan and our lawe forbade vs to take a christian to our wife, yet for the singular loue I bare vnto thee, the law in this woman tooke no place, and I haue not ceas••ed neyther doe I ceas••e day & nighte to loue her entierelye amonge the reste of my wiues. VVherefore O holye Sergius I thoughte good to beseeche thy goodnes that she might be with child. And moreouer I made thee a vowe & pro∣mised if Sira did conceaue, I woulde sende the crosse whiche she weareth vnto thy moste holye temple. Therefore I verily and Sira pondering this with our selues and purposing to keepe this crosse for a memoriall of thy name, O holy Sergius, haue thought good in st••ode of the crosse to send the price thereof, and because it exceedeth not foure thousande and foure hundred sta••••rs, we haue augmented it and made it vppe fiue thousande. And from the time we made this pe∣tition and determined this with our selues, vnto our comminge to Rhoson Chos••on, there were not expired past fourteene dayes: at vvhat time O holy Sergius, not that I my selfe was worthy, but of thine owne goodnes, thou didest appeare vnto me in my sleepe and toldest me the thirde time that Sira had conceaued. And I also in the same vision answered thee plainely the thirde time tha•• whiche was conuenient and became my person. VVherefore because thou gra••••∣test

such petitions as are made vnto thee, from that daye forthe Sira felt not the common dis∣ease of women. I of myne owne parte althoughe I caste doubtes with my selfe whether I were best to credit thy wordes or no, for all thou arte a graunter of requestes: yet seeing that Sira had not the womens disease, then was I sure of the vision and that thy wordes were true. VVhere∣fore without any more adoe I sente this crosse together with the price thereof vnto thy moste holy temple, and commaunded that with the price, one dishe and one cup should be prouided for the celebration of the diuine mysteries: that againe there should a crosse be made & a cēsar both of golde to serue the holy table, and an vnicon open of either side and gilded ouer: last of all that the rest of the summe which remayned shoulde be put vp to minister necessaries for thy holy house, that thou O holy Sergius wilt helpe both me and Sira not onely in other things, but specially in this request, and that that which happened vnto vs through thy intercession, by thy* 1.12 mercy & goodnes may take prosperous successe and fall both vnto me & to Sira as we wish our selues. To the end both I & Sira and all others throughout the world may * put theyr trust in thy power & beleue in thee. These presentes of Chosroes seeme to vtter such things as are agreable with the prophecie of Balaam, whiche no doubt came to passe by the prouidence of God that pa∣gans shoulde pronounce godly sentences.

CAP. XXI.

Of Naamanes the Saracen.

ABout that time Naamanes tribune of the people Scenetae, so wicked a person that he slewe men with his owne handes for sacrifice to Deuells, came to be baptised, caused the golden picture of Venus to be melted with fire and turned to the vse of the poore, he became so ze∣lous that he perswaded as manye as belonged vnto him to embrace the Christian faith. Gregorie after the crosses were giuen by Chosroes, was commaunded of the Emperour to visite all the Mo∣nasteries called Limeta throughout the wildernes, but specially where the wicked doctrine of Se∣uerus raygned: so that he expounded vnto them the syncere & true faith, & conuerted many townes villages, Monasteries and wholl nations vnto the Church of God.

CAP. XXII.

The death of holy Symeon that dwelled in a pillour.

IN the meane space when moste holye Symeon was so daungerouslye sicke that there remayned for him no hope of longer life: Gregorie beinge by me certified thereof, made all the speede he coulde to be presente when Symeon gaue vppe the Ghoste. But he had not his desire. This Symeon for his rare giftes and excellente vertues passed all the men of his time: he led in a pillour a seuere life euen from his tender youth, in so muche that he chaunged his teeth in that mansion. He was perswaded to liue in a pillour vpon suche an occasion as followeth. Beinge of tender yeares, playinge, leapinge and skippinge to and fro about the toppes of hilles and greenes as the maner is of children, he lighted by chaunce vpon a Lybard, tooke his girdle and tyed him a∣bout the necke, led the beaste whiche nowe had put of his fierce nature by the girdle as if it had bene a bridle, and broughte him home to his Monastery. His mayster who ledde his life in a pil∣lour seeinge this, enquired of him what he had in his girdle, the boye answered it was a catte. His mayster gatheringe hereby, that he woulde proue hereafter a worthye man trayned him vppe to leade his life in a pillour. In whiche pillour together with an other also standinge v∣pon the toppe of an hill he liued threescore and eyghte yeares, replenished with all graces from aboue: He caste out Deuells, he cured euerye disease and infirmitye, he sawe thinges to come as if they had beene presente. He foretolde Gregorie that he shoulde not be presente at his deathe and that he knewe full litle of the thinges which were like to ensue after his death. And when as I also muzed with my selfe after the losse of my children and examined what the cause was, whye the Gentiles whiche had children at will were not visited in like sorte: Symeon althoughe I vttered my secret••es to no man, wrote vnto me that I shoulde re∣frayne from suche cogitations, that they were suche as offended God. Furthermore when the wife of my Scribe hadde her milke after shee was deliuered so stop••e in her breastes that there woulde not a droppe come forthe and therefore the infante was like to dye,

Symeon tooke her husbande by the hande, bad him goe and laye it on his wiues brest. This beinge done, immediatly the milke came runninge out as if it had bene a streame and wet all the womans garmente. Vnto these that wente before we may adde this also, howe certaine trauelers in whose company Symeon was, lefte behinde them a childe about midnighte: a Lion came and tooke vp the childe on his backe and brought him to Symeons Monastery. Symeon bad the seruaunts go forth and take in the childe which the Lion had caried thither. He did many other notable actes, which haue neede of an eloquente tongue, leasure conuenient, and a peculiar volume, all which are well knowen and rife in euery mans mouth. There resorted vnto him of all nations not only Romains but also Barbarians and obtayned there sutes. This Symeon in steede of meate and drinke fedde v∣pon certaine bowes of shrubbes that grewe in the mountaine harde by him.

CAP. XXIII.

The death of Gregorie Bishop of Antioch.

SHortly after Gregorie Bishop of Antioch being sore pained with the gowte tooke a certaine medicen made of Hermodactylus (for so was it called) the which a certaine phisicion mini∣stred vnto him, and after the drinkinge thereof died immediatlye. He departed this worlde when Gregorie the successor of Pelagius was Bishop of Olde Rome, Iohn of Constantinople, Eu∣logius of Alexandria, & Anastasius of Theopolis who after twenty and three yeares was restored vnto his Bishopricke, and also when Iohn was Bishop of Ierusalem which died shortely after and* 1.13 as yet there is none chosen in his rowme. Here doe I minde to cut of and make an end of wryting, to wit, the twelfe yeare of the raygne of Mauricius Tiberius Emperour of Rome, leauing such things as followe after for them that are disposed to penne them for the posterity in time to come. If I haue omitted ought through negligence or lightly runne ouer any matter, let no man blame me therefore: remēbringe with him selfe that I gathered and collected together a scattered and dispersed historie, to the end I might profitt the reader, for whose sake I tooke in hande so greate and so werysome a labour. I haue finished an other worke, comprisinge relations, Epistles, de∣crees, orations, disputations with sundry other matters. The relations therein contayned are for the most parte in the person of Gregorie Bishop of Antioch. For the which I was preferred vnto two honorable offices. Tiberius Constantinus made me Quaestor, Mauricius Tiberius preferred me to be maister of the Rolles, where the Liuetenants and Magistrats were registred. The relations I compiled duringe his raygne at what tyme he broughte Theodosius to lighte, who was bothe vnto him and to the common weale a preamble or entrance to all kinde of felicity.

The ende of the sixt booke of the Ecclesiasticall historie of Euagrius Scholasticus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  •…•…phia the ••••fe of Ti∣berius.
• * 1.2

  Gregorie B. of Antioch i•• fal••ly accused of incest.
• * 1.3

  The punish∣ment of one that accused Gregorie b. of Antioch of incest.
• * 1.4

  60000. per¦sons were slaine with the ruine o•• buyldinge•• in the earth¦quake at An∣tioch.
• * 1.5

  The oration of Gregorie b. of Antioch ••nto the sol∣diers which rebelled and sooke of ••heir captain ••nd Empe∣rour.
• * 1.6

  Occasion a slippery thig.
• * 1.7

  Manlius Tor¦quatus.
• * 1.8

  Math. 16. 1•• Iohn. 20.
• * 1.9

  The wordes w•…•…hos¦〈…〉〈…〉 hea∣•…•…ng of P•…•…a ••ngra∣•…•…ed in a ••••os and sent vn∣to Sergius, the Marty••s temple. I•• ought fauor of Idolatrye remember that a p••••••an hath written thē. He hath not in th••••e •…•…s not as much as one worde of God, yet by the testimo∣ny of his owne mouth he had many wiues.
• * 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.11

  * 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Happie is he that hath his name writ∣ten in the booke of life but it is ••∣noughe for a pag•• to haue his name written in a platter. This king was fouly de ceaued in the martyr for it is not with the Christians as with the Ma¦gicians in Persia which at their ••ight sacrifice coulde make his wife quickelye to conceaue. Statêr is a ••oyne valu∣inge 4. grots.
• * 1.12

  They that like of this doctrine let them note that Euagri∣us calleth the author there of Balaam, and for com∣pany take Caiphas he was also such a prophete.
• * 1.13

  Euagtius en∣deth his hi∣story Anno Dom. 595.