The historie of Leonard Aretine concerning the warres betwene the Imperialles and the Gothes for the possession of Italy, a worke very pleasant and profitable. Translated out of Latin into Englishe by Arthur Goldyng.

The thyrde booke of Lenard Aretine, concer∣nyng the warres in Italy against the Gothes.

❧ The first Chapter.

¶ Thentertainement that Belisarius and his prisoners had at Constantinople. A com∣mendation of Belisarius good gouerne∣ment, by comparison betwene hym and the Captai••es that succeded hym.

WHen Belisarius was come to Constantino∣ple y^• Empero••r Ius∣tinian welcomed hym with great ioy, and ha∣uing hym in great re∣putation and honour, put out of mynd all mistrust that he had cōceyued of his doinges before. The Gothes whom he had brought with him were entertay∣ned very gently and courteously, and men wondered to beholde theym: the whych mighte seme to haue chaunced

not without good cause. For there was Uitigis king of the Gothes that of late had besyeged Rome wyth such a mul∣titude, and his wyfe Amulusuentha, the nece of Theoderich somtime king of the Gothes who first brought them into Italy, and there gaue them posses∣siōs. Furthermore there were the two sonnes of Ildouade then Kynge of the Gothes, whom Belisarius fynding in the Courte of Uitigis at Rauenna, wold not suffer to depart, but brought them away w^t hym into Grece. There were other noble men of the Gothes also, whom al men beheld, wondering at the puissans of Belisarius, that had atcheued so great exploytes, and exto••∣ling him wyth prayses to the skye, in that he had lately before subdued Aph∣rycke, and now Italy, vnder the domi∣nion of Iustinian. And thus went the worlde in Grece. In Italye after the departure of Belisarius, the order of thynges by the commaundement of the Emperour was committed to the

discretion of Iohn, of Bessas, & of Ui∣talis. Constantian also was come out of Dalmatia, & was added to the nūber of the Gouernours. It was soone seene what difference there was betwene y^• gouernment of these men & of Belisa. For (to omitte his skilfulnesse in feats of warre & cheualrie wherin he far sur∣mounted al the Captaines of his time) there was in him a singuler humani∣tie & gentlenes, through the which he exhibited himself aswell to the poore, as to the rich. There was no maner of per son, but might haue casie & fre accesse to his presens: & besides that, he was wonderous bountifull & liberall. Un∣to his souldiers that had lost theyr hor∣ses, weapons and armour (so it were not cowardly) forthwith he gaue new agayne. Of the husbandmen he had so great regarde, that in leading of hys armie, he would not suffer any of them to be hurte or endomaged. Hys souldi∣ers durste not be so bolde as to touche the Apples hangyng on the trees.

Through this his straightnesse in ob∣seruing the lawe of armes, he obtey∣ned that his campe was more plenti∣fully serued, then the marketts in any citie. So free and without peryll was the conueyance of all things that were to be solde. His vprightnesse towarde suche Cytyes as were in societie and leage wyth hym, no man is able to reporte as it deserued. Men myghte heare of the great good tournes that he dyd for them, but not that he vered or molested any of them.

But as for them that succeded hym, they were nothynge lyke hym, ney∣ther in humanitie, neyther in pro∣wesse, neyther yet in vpryght dea∣lynge. For bothe they them selues were Pyllers and Pollers, and also they suffered theyr Souldyers to fall into all kynd of licentiousnesse & disor∣der, beynge proude to theyr partakers, and easye inough to be entreated to∣ward their enemies, by meanes wher∣of within short space matters began to

goe cleane backeward, and to slyde in∣to open and manifest ruine, as I shall shewe you hereafter.

The. ij. Chapter.

¶ The diligence of Ildouade kinge of the Gothes, the greate misgouernaunce of the Imperiall Captaines, by meanes whereof they be brought lowe and the Gothes in∣cresed in strength and courage. The death of Vraias, the death of Ildouade, the elect∣tion and death of Ataricus, and the electi∣on of Totilas.

ILdouade beyng newly created kyng of the Gothes (as I decla∣red before) after the departure of Belisarius, went in hand wyth hys matters very diligently. For he gaue commaundement that all the Gothes and all the Italians that fauored the Gothyshe parte, should at a daye ap∣poynted meete all togyther readye furnished with armour at Pauye. His armye at y^e beginning was verye slen der, but it cōtinually encreased & euery

daye was in better hope and comforte then other. The couetousnesse and wrongful dealing of their aduersaries dyd not a lytle helpe the Gothish part. For the collectours of Iustinian vnder the colour of forfeytures and arrera∣ges, began to vexe the people of Italy maruelous bytterlye, and to compell theym to the payment of summes that were neuer due. For by calling an ac∣counpt of all thyngs that the Italians had taken charge of in the tyme of Theoderich fyrste kynge of the Go∣thes, or of anye other of the Kynges that succeded hym, togyther wyth the accompte of all suche offices as anye Italyan had borne durynge the sayde tyme, and moreouer by makyng in∣quisition for the money lately promy∣sed by the Cytyes to the Gothes, the whyche they chalenged to the Empe∣rour as due by the name of forfeyture, they broughte euerye man priuatelye and all the Cytyes generallye in suche a despayre, that they wyshed y^e Gothes

to be lordes of all againe & therevppon many, of their owne frée will reuolted to Ildouade, helpinge to augment the number & strength of his armie. The lyke grudge was also in themperours armie. For loke with what greadines the money that was neuer due was exacted of the Italians, with like pin∣ching were the souldiers restrayned of theyr due deserued wages. There was no regarde had of any thyng but one, which was to satisfye the Empe∣rours vnsatiable coustousnes, by ga∣thering of money and spendinge none againe. And therfore as well the soul∣dyers as the Italyans, beyng constrai∣ned with so great wronges, sought to bryng the Empyre to decaye. By mea nes whereof Ildouade daylys grow∣ynge stronge, brought vnder hys o∣beysance all the Cy••es beyonde the ••uer Po, and all the Cytyes per∣tey••ynge to the estate of Uenic••, and ••armye was fullye furnished with number both of Italians and Gothes.

Through the whyche within a whyle he was so encouraged, that he was not a ••ayde to leade hys armye into open ••ld, to try the fortune of battel. This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was fought not farre f••ō Taruisium against Uitalis one of the Emperours Captaines. In the which Ildo••ade gerting ••hupper hand made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a slaughter of Uitalis army y^• whiles the capta••e himself w^t a few sted away, all the rest were ••ither slain or taken prisoners by the Gothes.

Through this ••ictorie being so great & so notable, it is a wonder to see how the gothes were encouraged, & how much the power of their adu••rsaries was a∣ba••d. In so much y^• not only beyonde the Ryu••r Po, and vnder the domini∣on of Uenice, but also all suche as on thys syde the Po, helde of the Go∣thy she part, were throughly strengthe∣ned: and the name of Ildouade grewe famous euen in the Emperour Iu∣•• Court, and amonge foreine nations also.

It was not long after but that he pur∣sued to y^• death Uraias a man of much aucthoritie and estimation among the Gothes vpon presumption y^• he should consp••re with his enemies This cause was pretended. Howbeit somme were of opinion that he tooke prytch agaynst Uraias bycause that latly before, there had bene altercation betwen his wife and the Quéene. But surely I cannot thi••ke that Ildouade being a graue & wyse man would be so farre ouersene as to be induced with brablinge mat∣ters of women, to kill suche a man as was Uraias. I beleue rather that the cause why Ildouade dyd putte him to death, was that he feared his power & aucthoritie. For it is manifest that the Gothes in generall are of nature very mistrustfull, and scarce sufficientlye faithfull toward their kinges. Many of the Gothes dissal••wed the death of U∣raias, and openly detested it as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and wicked acte. By meanes wherof it came to passe, that Ildonade

himself was ••ayne by one of his owne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whiles he sate at his meate. In his stead was Ataricus created King: but he raigned not long. For w^tin fiue monethes after his election, he was slain by his owne subiectes for his euil behauiour & misgouernement. Thus hauing killed two of their kinges w^tin two yeres space, they offered the king∣dome with one consent vnto Totilas. This man before he was made kynge had borne great aucthority at Tarui siner, which is a citie of the Uenetians and hys father was brother to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 late Kynge.

The. iii. Chapter.

❧ A larger declaration of the election and ••ation of Totilas mencioned brieflye in the Chapter before. The Emperours C••ptaines through their insaciable gredi∣•• of pray stryuing for the bootie before they had gotten it lose the Citi•• Veron ••hiche was deliuered into their handes, and bet••ay their ••wne companie.

AFter that Ildonade (as I shewed before) was s••aine, Totilas drea∣ding to be in daun ger bycause 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was so nere of his kinne, sent priuely to Kauenna & made compact with them∣perours captaines to turne vnto them with such as he had rule of & to yeld vp y^• town of Taruisium into their hāds. A day was limited for performans of y^• matter. But ere euer y^• day came, the Gothes repenti••g y^• they had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in y^• death of Ildouade, & that they had made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their king, a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nether of wisdome nor courage able to defend y^• Gothes against so great, strength of their enemies, began to encline to To tilas the nere ki••sman of ••douade, & to wishe that he were their king. In cō 〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉 out of the way, & made To••ilas king in dede. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hauing intelligence of these things y^• had ••appened in Italy, found great 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 & ••oward nes of his captai••s, y^• in al the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 y^• their e••mies were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a∣mong

themselues, & among so many alterations & chaunges, they hauing so great oportunity for y^e spēding of their matters, had done nothing at al. The captaines moued w^t this dishonorable rebuke, assēbled togither at Raue••. There when it came to ••onsul as concerning the war, it was thought best, first & formest to send an armye a∣gainst y^• citie Ueron. For they had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 secretly put in hope of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of y^• towne. The captaines were in 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 of whō the thie••e were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & Alerāder lately sent thither 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 perour for the collection of his money. Therfore setting forth wyth a greate armye, when they appro••hed 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Ueron, they determyned to putte in tryall the hope that was lately geuen theym. For there was one Martine a noble man of that Countrie that had a Castle not farre from ••eron: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (for as much as in his ••rt he was 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉) had allured the ke••r of one of the gates to let in y^• empero••s army▪

The matter being in this wyse closely agreed vpon, when the captaines came thither with their armye, they sent be∣fore one Arrauades an Armenian w^t a number of pycked souldiers to take the gate, & there to awaite the cōming of the rest of the hoste. No parte of pro∣myse was lefte vnperformed in that place. For in the dead of the night whē the souldyers came to the gate, the trai to••r set it wyde all open & let them in∣to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. They enterynge in and hauynge also taken the walles aboue the same, gaue notyce thereof to the rest of the armye, The Gothes percei∣••ing their enemies wythin the towne, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out at another gate. The captains hearinge that their men had taken the towne, marched forwarde. But ere e∣uer they came there, they fell at alter∣cation for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by y^• way, & 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 miles from the ••ifie. In y^• meane while the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. Now there is a castle abo•• 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 of ••eron which hath a very great prospect, both into the

towne, & also farre into the countrye. The Gothes which were fled into this hold, perceiuing few of their enemyes to be within the Citie, and the armye to a••yde still without makinge no ap∣proch toward the walles, sodainely ys∣sued out of the Castle, & aduenturyng through the citie, recouered to the gate where their enemies came in & shut it. The souldyers that were entered by night, were partly oppressed, & partly ••ying to the walles made resistens frō aboue. Anone after, the captaines com ming thyther & finding the gate shut. although y^• souldiers w^tin called to thē for help, desiring them not to abandon them in that sorte, yet notwithstanding they retired backe againe out of hand. Some of the souldiers leaped downe the walles & saued themselues: among which number was Artauades the Ar meman their guide. The rest were ey∣ther slaine or e••s taken prisoners: By this meanes through the misgouerne∣ment & couetousnes of the Captaines

striuing amonge they••selues for the praye before they had gotten it, when they shuld haue made most spede for y^• winning of the same, the matter quai∣led about Uero••.

The iiij. Chapter.

¶Totilas by his pollicie o••rcommeth the Imperials being of greater force and num 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 his army was, in the which vier•• ••ie he sheweth great 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

AFter this the Captaynes of Justi∣••ian (for because their attempt fell out so ylfauoredly and dishonorable at Ueron) began to fall at debate among th••mselues, euerye man putting the fault in other, & there vpon departyng out of those quarters, they passed ouer the riuer Po, & marched toward Plea sans. At that time was Totilas at Pa uy who hearing of the comming of his enemies, raised as ma•• men of warre as he could with all spede possible. In the meane tyme the captaines hauing

passed beyond Pleasans, had entāped themselues by the side of the riuer Po. Totilas albeit he were far ouermat∣••hed, yet he determined to goe against them w^t suche power as he had and to 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 of battell. So when both the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 approched neretogy∣••her, & that thencounter was fully ro∣•• vppon by both parties, Totilas in the ••yghte tyme sent certayne of hys horsemen before, commaundyng th••ym to gette ouer the Ryuer almost twenty furl••ges aboue the campe of their enemies, & as soone as the bat∣tell was ioyned, to re••e and assayle thee nemye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wythe as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 noyse and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as they 〈◊〉〈◊〉. He himselfe (when he sawe hys tyme) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••warde hys ••nemyes. The∣•• captains did y^e like. There 〈4 lines〉〈4 lines〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉.

Against this man offered himselfe to the combat Artauades the Armenian of whome mencion was made in the entering into Ueron. So in the sight of both tharmies, they fetched their races & ranne one at another with their spea∣res in the rest. Artauades thruste the Gothe through the right side with his speare so that he fell downe dead. And he himself being driuen by mischaunce vpō the speare of the dead mā sticking in the ground through the only force & violence of his owne horse, ranne him∣self vppon the poynct of it, in so muche that it wounded him through his Cu∣ret, of the whyche wounde he dyed within thre dayes after. The two bat∣telles in the meane tyme encountred very fierslye, & euery man shewed hys conning what he was able to doe wyth his weapon. When the battell was at the whotest, & that both parts wer most intentife to their fe yghtinge, victorie as yet enclining to neyther side, y^• soul∣dyers of Totilas which•• had passed the

riuer came & set vppon Themperours Captaines behind. Whervpon arose a great noyse, & manye being beaten downe, first they brake the araye of the Emperours armye, & anone after put them to open flight. For after the time theyr battelles were once opened, their enemies pressed so sore vpon them both before & behind, y^• thei were sone disper peled. Many were flain by the Gothes in y^• chace, & many escaped by bypathes & vnknowen wayes. But the greatest nūber was of thē y^• were takē prisoners Moreouer (which neuer happened be∣fore) al y^• stādards, bāners & antesiges, of themperours army were taken in y^• battell, & being brought vnto Totilas, made his victory more famous & renou m••d, in y^• he hauing scars half so many men in his armye as his enemies, had wittingly & willingly encountred w^t a greater power then his own, of whom thorough his marciall pollicie he had gotten the victorie. Hauing thus gott•• the vpper hand, he vsed the victory very

courteously vexing none of y^e prisoners but sēding diuers away w^t out rāsome. The which his gentlenesse dyd great∣ly augmēt his honour and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The captaines of Iustiniā y^• escaped, fled first vnto Pleasans, & from thence wēt euery mā a sundry way, busying thēselues as much as might be in ray∣sing a new armye of men.

The, v. Chapter.

¶Iustine one of themperours captaines is be seged within Florens, & rescowed by tho∣ther imperial captaines, who in the pursute of their enemies through an vntrue report cast in sodain feare are with great slaughter put to flight. Totilas recouereth diuers tow nes in Lombardie, raiseth the walls of Bene uent & besiegeth Naples, A comparison be twene the good gouernement of Totilas and the misgouernaunce of the Imperiall Captaines.

WIthin a while after this victorie, Totilas now conceuing greater things in his mind, sent an army to Hetruria wherof he made captayns thre of the worthiest men of al the Go∣thes,

Beldas, Rodericke, & Uliaris. There was in Hetruria a captain cal∣led Iustine, one of those y^• had bene at the foresaid battell. Who after the dis∣comfiture had neuer ceased leuing of a new power, & fortifiyng of the townes neuertheles tharmie of Totilas came sodainly vpon him, & besieged him w^tin y^e walls of Florens. Iustine feared no∣thing so much as scarcety of victualles. For nothing coulde be conueied in, & that which was wythin alreadye, was lyke to be soone spent. Wherevppon he sent to the rest of the Captaynes at Rauenna & aduertised theym in what perill his estate stood, requesting them of succour. Being moued w^t this mes∣sage, Bessas, Ciprian & Iohn Uitalian came into Hetruria with their armies when the Gothes had vnderstanding of their approch, by & by they brake vp their stege & dislodged their campe, not staying anye where, vntill they came to a place called Muciall whyche is a dayes iourney from Florens.

As sone as tharmy of confederats was entered into Florens, the Captaynes thought it good to leaue a fewe behynd theym for defence of the towne, & they themselues with all the rest of tharmi•• to marche against thenemie. Whyle they were on their way, it semed good y^e some one of the Captaines should goe quickely before to assaile thenemy, & to staye him from going awaye, & the rest w^t all spede should follow after. When lottes were cast, the charge of goynge before fell vnto Iohn, who with his men in good order of battell, made haste towarde the enemye. Nowe the enemies being afrayed at the cōming of the hoste, forsoke the place where they had emcamped themselues fyrst, and gate them to a hyll thereby bothe stepe and hard to clymbe vnto. Yet for all that Iohn made no curtesye at the matter when he came to place, but di∣rected hys battell agaynst the hyll, and wyth a noble courage endeuored to get vp by playne force. Hys enemyes

stood earnestly at defence, as they that might easlye make resistens from the higher ground. In thys place whyles Iohn stroue to get vp, feightinge vali∣antly amonge the formest, one of hys companions was strikē through wyth a pycke and slayne hard by hys syde. Wherevpon forthwith rose an vntrue rumour (which was lyghtly beleued) that Iohn was slayne, and therwithall his men began to runne awaye. The brute hereof beinge reported to theym that came with the rest of tharmye be∣hynd, togither wyth the fearfull flyght of suche as were at the battell, made them also most shamefully to runne a∣way. Neyther was there any measure of their flyght, but scatteryng themsel∣ues here some & there some they brake their aray and forsoke their standard. By meanes whereof the Captaynes themselues were fayne to take theym to flyght also wythoute compulsion of any enemie. After this time they came no more togither againe, but euery mā

kept by himself one in one towne and another in another, as they had reco∣uered vnto oute of the chace. Yet for all that, the Gothes retourned not to the syege of Florens, partly for feare of the greate power of theyr enemye, the whiche although it were dispersed, yet was it styll within the compasse of Hetruria, and partlye because the win ter drewe nere. Thys was the ende of the seuen yeres synce Belisarius be∣ganne the warres fyrste. The nexte yere following, as sone as the tyme of the yere serued to encampe in the fielde. Totilas leuied an armye and came into Lumbardye, and there be∣sieged Cesen, and Petra the whyche towne is now a dayes commonly cal∣led by a corrupte name Bretines, as for all the reste of the townes of that countrye, for the most parte eyther he had wonne them by force, or ells taken them by composition, whē he had thus compassed hys matters in that coun∣trye, he passed from thence wyth hys

armie into Hetruria. There finding al thynges whoter for hym then he loo∣ked for, he determyned fullye not to spende hys tyme in wa••e about them. And therefore passing ouer the ryuer ••yber which bownd••th Hetruria, he tooke hys iourney throughe the Um∣bres, the Sa••ines, and the Matses into Campanye, in the whych place he wonne the Cytye of Beneuent, and rased downe the walles of it to the grounde. For he was loth that so stronge and defensible a Citie shuld be lefte for hys enemyes, (yf they shoulde happen to comme into these borders, to make theyr Bulwarke and fortresse of. The whyche done he besyeged Naples, hauynge fyrste entreated theym gentlye wyth many wordes, that they woulde rather accepte hys frendshyppe, then procure hys displeasure. But hys words were to no purpose. For there was in garri∣son Conon one of Iustinians Cap∣taines wyth a band of not so fewe as a

thousand souldiers, who would suffer nothing to be done in counsell, wyth∣out his consent. The which thing whē Totilas vnderstoode, he planted hys siege not farre from the Citie. How be∣it he assaulted it not, but sate styll in quiet. In the meane while he sent part of hys armye abroade, and recouered Cume with certayne other townes in those borders, by the whiche he gate a greate masse of money, Besides thys there happened certaine noble womē of Rome to be taken in those places.

All the which Totilas caused to be ve∣rye courteouslye entreated wythoute restraint of their libertie, and sent thē home agayne to their husbandes and parentes wyth an honorable company to saufconduit thē. And forasmuche as in those borders was not anye Cap∣tayne or anye power to withstande the doynges of Totilas, he sent efte one parte of hys armye and efte another, so longe vntyll he had broughte vnder hys obeysans Appulia, Lucanie, and

Calabre wyth all theyr townes. By meanes whereof it came to passe, that there was not any more monye paied oute of those countryes to Iustinians Captaines and souldiers, nor any man that would obey the Captaines, or set one foote oute of doores to goe wyth theym, For the souldyers lurkynge wythin the walled townes robbed and pylled as well theyr frendes as theyr foes, and throughe theyr extortion e∣uyll rule made hauocke of al thynges. And the Captaynes for the same cause kepyng themselues wythin y^e walles, dyd no more but onelye defende the townes from the enemye. For they parted the Cytyes amonge theym, so that Iohn had the charge of Rome, Bessas the charge of Spolet, Cypry∣an the charge of Perusia, Iustine the rule of Florens, and Constantian the kepynge of Rauenna. In the meane tyme Naples began to be euerye daye in worse case then other, by meanes of the siege. For Totilas hauing sent

for hys flete had kéepte theym so short, that nothing coulde be conueyed in nei ther by water nor by land. Whereby it was to be perceyued, that vnles some bodye rescowed it, that Cytye was lyke at length to come in sub∣iection to the enemie.

The, vi. Chapter.

¶ A newe Lieuetenant is sent towarde Italy whose cowardnesse in protracting of the time doth not a litle endomage the imperi alls. Demetrius deuiseth prudently for the r••owing of Naples, which for want of courage in executinge the same tourneth to his owne destruction.

JUstinian hearinge of thys, and beynge disquieted for the mise∣rable estate of Italye and the dishonour of the Empyre. Sent one Maximius (receyuer of hys reue∣nues) into Italye, to amende and repayre thynges amisse, geuynge hym a nauye of shyppes and an

armye of Thracians and Armenians. Captayne of the Thracians was He∣rodian, and Captayne of the Arme∣nians was Phases. Besydes these, he had also in hys shyppes no smalle number of the Hunnes. Maximius departynge from Constantinople, came into Epyre. There in delibe∣ratynge vppon the affayres of Ita∣lye, hangynge in doubte betwene hope and feare, throughe his flouth∣fullnesse and cowardyse, helost the tyme. For thys Maximine was a good gentyllman, of a mylde na∣ture, meete for matters of peace, but altogyther vnskyllfull of warre∣lyke exploytes, and therefore fearfull, fyndynge delayes and eastynge doub∣tes in euery trifle. Now thaffaires of Italy at y^• time, required quicke spede both in consultinge and in workinge. Iustinian saw so smal hope of any good doinge in Maximine, he sent one De∣metrius (because that lately before he had serued vnder Belisarius in

the warres in Italy) wyth another na∣uie into Si••. This Demetrius when he was arryued in Sicill, hearyng of the syege of Naples, and of the dys∣tresse that they were putte vnto that were within, determyned to succour theym, and that wythoute further de∣laye. Now for as muche as he thought hymselfe not able to dooe it by playne force, bycause that neyther hys ship∣pes nor hys army were sufficient ther∣vnto, he deuysed thys pollicye. He gate togyther all the shyppes that he coulde comme by in Sicill, and made of theym a greate flete as to the show, the whyche he fraughted wyth corne, and so made sayle towarde Naples.

Thys thynge dyd bothe greatlye com∣forte the besyeged, and also putto the Gothes in greate feare. For they had hearde saye, he was commynge wyth a greate number of shyppes, and they thoughte verylye he hadde broughte a greate power of men in theym. And surely yf he had gonne

dyrectlye vnto Naples at the fyrst, all thynges had happened to good successe and the besyeged Cytye had oute of all doubte bene saued. For hys enemies were so dysmayed at the multitude of hys shyppes that they durste not haue made anye countenaunce of resistens. Howbeit he knowyng his own weak∣nesse, durste not arryue at Naples, but went to Rome, to thentent there to furnyshe hys nauye wyth men, and so to sayle stronglye vnto Naples.

But the souldiers that were at Rome woulde not take shippynge for hym. For by reason they had bene vanquis∣shed by the Gothes in twoo foughte battelles, they stoode in feare of theym beyonde all measure. Beynge therefore destitute of thys hope, De∣metrius was compelled to go against hys enemyes wyth those shyppes one∣lye, that he broughte wyth hym from Constantinople. Totilas kepte con∣tinuallye readye furnysshed certayne ••wyfte Pynesses in the hauen of

Naples, and alwayes tooke diligent heede to the flete of Demetrius. wher fore when he heard that Demetrius was sette oute of Rome toward Na∣ples, and that he was arriued at the nexte shore, sodaynelye he sette vp∣pon hym wyth hys Pynesses tho∣rowe the whyche sodayne vnlooked for assaulte, the shypmen and soul∣dyers were stryken in suche a feare, that they tooke theym to flyghte.

The Gothes pursewinge them wyth theyr swyfte Pyn••sses, made a great slaughter and tooke all Demetrius shyppes with theyr freight and men. For none escaped of that flete excepte it were suche as at the begynning had leapt into botes & hidden themselues, among whom was Demetrius Cap∣taine of the said flete:

¶ The. vii. Chapter.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Demetrius say linge agayne to the res∣cowynge of Naples is taken prysonner,

wherevppon Naples is yelded to Totilas who behaueth hymselfe verye courteous∣lye and frendlye both to the towne smen and to the Emperours souldyers, but to∣warde his owne men extendeth much se∣ueritie in keping warlike discipline.

AFTER thys Marimine sayled oute of Epyre into Sicill wyth a greatter nauye, and a greatter furniture of men. And when he was arriued at Syracuse, through hys ac∣customed cowardyse in delayinge and driuing of, he loste the time againe. Neyther regardinge the necessitie, nor the intreataunce of suche as were be∣syeged. At the lengthe when Iusti∣nian had sente straighte charge vnto hym, not wythoute threates, that he shoulde procéede, yet coulde not all that cause hym to sayle agaynste hys enemyes, but he delyuered the charge of hys fleete to Demetrius Herodian and Phases, and he him∣selfe abode still in Sicill.

It was nowe the dead of the wynter when they beganne to sette forthe.

And when they came wythin a lyttle of Naples sodaynely the flete was ta∣ken wyth a vehement tempest, in so muche that neyther ores nor anye con∣nynge in the world could saue theym but that they were dryuen aland per∣force vppon the shore where their ene∣mies were encamped. The Gothes perceyuinge that, ranne thyther and wythoute anye a doe tooke the shippes If any made resistens they slew them, the rest they tooke prysoners. Of the whych number Demetrius was one. Whom Totilas commaunded to be broughte fettered in chaines vnto the walles of Naples, where callynge Conon Captayne of the Towne and the souldyers wyth the Cytyzens of Naples, Demetrius by the Kynges commaundement made an oration, perswadynge theym not to looke for anye more helpe. For consyderynge that those twoo fletes wyth all theyr

men and furniture were loste, there remayned not anye hope for theym to truste vnto. They that were besye∣ged beynge sore pyned wyth hunger, when they sawe Demetrius taken and all hope of comforte ••utte of, fell to weepynge and lamentation, not knowynge what to doe or which waye to tourne theym in so muche that all the Cytye was in a wonderfull trou∣ble and disquietnesse for feare. When Totilas perceiued that, he called them and spake vnto theym as they stoode vppon the walles in thys wyse. Ye men of Naples, we haue not goone aboute to besyege your Cytye, for anye anger or dyspleasure that we beare agaynste you, but to thentent that by settinge you free from the bon∣dage of oure enemye, we myght re∣compence you for the troubles that you haue suffered in the tyme of these warres at ourc enemyes handes, for keepynge your allegeans to the Go∣thes. For you onelye of all the Ita∣lians

vtterlye againste your wills came in subiection of oure enemyes, compelled therto by violence & slaugh∣ter, and well nye by the vtter destruc tion of your Cytye. And therefore me thynkes I am asshamed that we haue besyeged you, but that ne∣cessitye constrayned vs because oure enemyes were amongest you. Wher∣fore assure your selues, rather of a good tourne and of frendshyppe at oure hand then of anye punishement. Moreouer for your sakes we wyll not be anye thynge strayghte laced toward oure enemyes that are in the Towne wyth you. For yf so be it they wyll render it vppe, they shall haue fre libertye and leaue to chose, whether they wyll serue vs in oure warres in lyke estate and case as other of oure owne souldyers, or elles de∣parte whyther they lyste themselues wyth bagge and baggage. Thys oure promyse we are contented to confyrme wyth an othe. Bothe the

Neapolitanes and the Emperours souldyers commended Totilas hys wordes. Neuerthelesse to thentent theyr yeldynge myghte seme the more honnest and reasonable, they desy∣red a Truce for thyrtye dayes, yf per∣chaunce anye bodye woulde rescowe theym wythin that tyme. Totilas aunswered that he was contented to geue theym not thyrtye, by thryse thyrtye dayes respyte. The besye∣ged wonderynge at so greate libertye, and playnelye perceyuinge that there was no hope of helpe, wythin fewe dayes after sette open theyr gates, and receyued Totilas and hys army•• into the Towne. When he was comme into Naples, he entreated not anye man otherwyse then well neyther was he greuous to anye per∣sonne. but rather vsed suche huma∣nitie and courtesye as would not haue bene thoughte to haue b••ne in a bar∣barous Gothe.

For where as manye through hunger were broughte so bare and so weake, that they were not able to totre on their legges, and were fallen sycke, to the entent they should not cast theym∣selues awaye wyth ouerlayinge their stomackes by feedyng to greadely, he looked carefullye and diligentlye vnto theym, that not onelye the Citizens of Naples. But also the souldyers had euerye daye twyse, a small pyt∣tans allowed theym by wayghte, streyghtelye obseruynge that they shoulde not haue more anye where elles and that euerye daye by lyttle and lyttle theyr meales shoulde be en∣creased. To Conon and the men of warre whych were mynded to depart, he appoynted shippes to conuey them. And where as by meanes of contra∣rye wyndes they coulde not departe wythin the daye limited vnto theym, yet not wyth standynge he gaue them frée libertye. And furthermore

when as the wynde continued styll a∣gaynst them, and that they determined to go away byland, he lent them horses and beasts for their cariages, allowing them moreouer victtualls and mony to spend by the waye, and also sente of the Gothes with them to sa••fconduyt thē. Thus Totilas vsed gentlenesse to∣ward straungers, but among hys own men he kepte so streight order, that he suffered no offence to scape vnponished the ponyshmente of stealers, quarrel∣lers, & rauishers of women was death, and the forfeityng of all their goodes, to the vsc of them agaynst whom the dys∣pleasure was done. By meanes wher∣of wheresoeuer the Gothes encamped, or passed in and out through any of the Cityes or countries that were in leage with them, there was no harme done to any of them. But the case stode farre otherwyse in those daies with the Cap∣taynes of Iustinian. For the Captains themselues could not hold their hands from doing wrong, and the souldyers

through their euell ensample fallen to all kynde of licentiousnesse, abst••i from nothing that was euyll. Nei∣ther was there any thyng more myse∣rable in those dayes, then the people of Italy that were vnder thempyre, beyng wythoute theyr walles spoy∣led by the enemye, and wythin their walles by theyr owne men of warre. For the Captaynes hauyng taken the strong holdes for theyr ownc safegard, passed not what became of the poore commons. Throughe thys iniu∣rious dealyng, despayre so encrea∣sed daye by daye more and more, that the Emperoure was fayne to deter∣myne wyth hymselfe to fende Belisa∣rius thyther agayne. For all the other Captaynes were so farre from recoueryng that whych was loste, that it was not lyke they shoulde any long tyme be able to kepe that whiche they had.

The. viij. Chapter.

¶ Belisarius beyng sente againe into Italy, in hys waye doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hydrunt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Gothes. the myserable estate of I∣taly at that tyme, Totilas receaueth Tibur and besiegeth Auximum, Vitalis is for∣saken of ••ys owne so••ldiers. Belisari∣us sendeth succour to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and re∣payreth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Totilas besiegeth Ascu∣lum and Firmum.

FOr these considerations Belisari∣us was chosen agayne to take the charge of the warres in Italy: and yet the warres were scarcely finyshed the whyche all thys meane tyme he had made agaynste the Medes. Therefore when he sawe there was no remedye but to muster newe souldiers, (for he had lefte hys olde armye at the ryuer Euphrates,) he went about al Thrace, where throughe hys lyberall spendyng he gathered to the number of foure thousande withoute commission, the

whiche he embarked spedely, and ••a∣kyng with hym vitalles the Lieueten∣nant of Illiricum whiche came newly to hym oute of Italy, sayled forwarde, & hauyng cut ouer the Ionian sea, arri∣ued at Salons. In the tyme of thys iourney, he raysed a siege aboute Hi∣drunt a Towne of Calabre. For they that were besieged being compelled therto by the Gothes for want of victu∣alls, had compounded to yelde vp the towne by a certayne daye, if they were not rescowed in y^e meane time. Wher∣of Belisarius hauyng knowledge, cō∣maunded Ualentine to sayle thyther, & to cary with hym corne & other necessa∣ryes, and to bryng awaye the souldyers that had bene long besieged there, put∣tyng newe in their romes. Thys was an easy matter to bryng to effecte. For the Gothes after the truce taken, loke•• but slyghtly to them, not so muche as mistrusting that any body would come to succor them. By meanes whereof

when the flete came sodaynly vpon th•• vnlooked for, they trembled for feare & were fayne to breake vp their siege and get them further of. Ualentyne ente∣ryng into the towne, toke the olde soul∣diers out of the holde, and placed newe in their steades, leauyng them victu∣alls for a whole yeare. The which done ••e returned with those shyppes that he brought with hym, vnto the reast of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at Salons. After hys returne Be∣lisarius sayled to Pole, where ha••yng 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a while to practise hys yong soul∣diours that he had mustered in Thrace at length with hys whole nauye he say∣led to ••auenna. At hys commyng thi∣ther, he founde all thyngs in worse case through Italy thē he thought they had bene. For hys enemyes séemed to haue the better end of the staffe euery wher, and to stand in beste hope and possibili∣tye. Contrarywise hys frendes and ad∣bearentes were euerywhere through all Italy discouraged and broughte in despair••. The cities and people of the

country because they were pilled & ••o∣lested by y^• men of warre, & the men of warre because themperour was behind hand w^t their wages for a long tyme & payed none, became stubborne and fro∣ward, refusing either to be ruled by the captaines, or to set onefote out of dores to y^• warres. And to say the truth they were brought to a very smal nūber. As for y^e comming of ••elisarius, it did ra∣ther en••rease their despaire then any whit cōfort them. For albeit he were a notable captaine, & out of all doubt in those daies perelesse, yea & in dede a ve∣ry Master of Cheualrie, yet notwith∣standyng forasmuch as he brought but a slender company with him (for he had but foure thousand & those were al ••n∣practised and fresh water souldiers and had no money to deale amongest them, when he preached vnto them at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 declaryng the cau•• of hys com∣myng and exhortyng them to goe for∣warde with the warres, neyther the To••esmen ••or yet the men of warre

were glad to heare hym speake, or gaue any token of comfort & good hope. In∣somuche that it repented Belisarius hymselfe that he was come into Italy. In the meane tyme there rose a dissen∣tion betwene the townesmen and the souldiers of Tibur, by meanes where∣of Totilas beyng called to the ayd of the one part receaued the whole towne. The Citye of Tibur is a nere neygh∣boure vnto Rome, beyng distant from thence no further then syxtene myles. The takyng whereof was a great ey•• sore and noyous to the Romaynes, as wherby they were dysappoynted of all thynges in Latium. After thys Toti∣las hauyng perfecte intelligence of the commyng of Bel••arius, wente with hys armye into the countrye of the Pi∣centes, and encamped aboute Auxi∣mum. The very same season had Be∣lisarius sent Uitalis with a Illirians erewe of Illirians into the countrye a∣boute Bononie.

After the ••yme he had wonne a certain towne thereabout••s, and had beene re∣ceaued into Bononie, the Illirians without any cause why or wherfore for soke hym, and assemblyng themselues together went their wayes home. For y^• whiche dede they afterward alledged this excuse vnto themperour, that whi∣les they wer seruing him in his warres in Italy, the Collectors of his tributes, did sel their lyuelond in their Countrie, and caste their wiues and children out of house and home, by meanes whereof they were compelled to returne thither to defend their owne. When Totilas heard of thys sodayne departure of the Illirians he sente out an armye of Go∣thes, in hope to haue takē Uitales and the reast of hys companye tardie. But they preuentyng hym, had recouered vnto Rauenna. Belisarius knowyng that they which were besi••ged at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were sore oppressed, sent to their ayde a thousand horsemen ouer whom he made three Captaynes Teremunt,

Ricilas, and Sabinian, whoe entering into the towne priuely by nyghte, the next daye following made a skyrmyshe with the Gothes, by whō Ricilas one of the Captaines was slaine. The reast within a fewe dayes after determined to departe. For they sawe that by theyr tarying there, they dyd but helpe to spend their frendes victualls and neces∣saryes, and coulde do their enemyes no harme. Hereuppon stealyng out of the towne by nyghte, when they had gone aboute three myles on their waye, they fell into an ambushe of their enemyes. by whom being be set on all sydes and so put to flyght, they loste two hundred of their companye together with their apparell, armour, and all other stuffe & the beastes that caryed them. The resi∣due after long and weary trauell reco∣uered vnto Arimin. Fanum & Pysan∣tum are Cityes standyng vppon the coaste of thadriatike sea, and are situate beetwene Auximum and Arimine. These townes at y^e begynnyng of these

warres, had Uitigis set on fyre, & bea∣ten down the walles of them mydway to the grounde. Of these two Belisari∣us determyned to repayre Pysaurum, and to place a Thrope of horsemen in the same, for the accomplishment wher∣of, he sent workemen thyther secretly, to take iuste measure of the gates, the whiche he caused to be framed at Ra∣uenna with lockes, henges, barres, and all other yron worke belongyng vnto them, and caused them to be conueyed by water to Pysaurum, writyng to the Captaynes and horsemen of Arimine, that they should sodaynly take y^e towne and hange vp the gates, and mende vp the walles of rough worke, and clens•• the dyches. As for all kynde of dyand he prouided that it was sent them by Sea. The horsemen of Arimine therefore when they had taken Pisaurum, did all thynges accordyng to Belisarius com∣maundement. Totilas perceauyng that, went thither with a great power to interrupte them of their worke.

But the souldiers had so busilye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them in scowring the dyches, in castyng of the trenches, in makyng of Ram∣pyres, in fortefiyng the towne, and in repayring the walles & the bulwarkes, that the kyng wondered to see so many thynges so wyttely deuised and polliti∣quely brought to passe in so fewe daies And therfore whē he had taried a while there aboutes, forasmuch as he saw he could do no good, he returned into hys campe before Aurimū, neuer y^e neerer of hys purpose. Howbeit Totilas & the Gothes perceauyng that Belisarius shewed not hymselfe abroade in the o∣pen fieldes with themperours armye in no parte of Italy, but only kept him∣self within the walled townes and de∣••ended them, they determined not to syt altogether aboute Auximum onely but to make warre agaynst other Ci∣tyes also. Hereuppon Totilas went with an armye and besieged Asculum and Firmum among the Picentes.

Belisarius being not able to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such as were besieged that called vpon hym dayly for helpe, (for he had not s•• great a power that he durst venture a∣bronde agaynst y^e Gothes) was in great perpleritie, and toke it very greuously that hys name should be so dishonored. At the length he sent Iohn Uitalian to Themperour to enforme hym of the state of Italy, by whō he addressed his letters also, the tenor wherof contained thys in effecte.

The. ix. Chahter.

¶ The Copie of Belisarius letters to thempe∣rour the good successe of Totilas, the vali∣aunt Demeanor of Sisifride the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 murtheryng of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the manlinesse of hys souldiers.

MOste noble and puyssant Em∣perour your Maiestie hath sent me into Italy slenderly furny∣shed of men, horses, and monye, the which thing I declared vnto you before

my departure beseching your highnesse to haue redressed the matter. In the which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 albeit I could not preuaile: yet notwithstandyng it was my duty•• to be obedient to your cōmaundement. Whereby I was constrayned to come forth with a fewe Thracians and Illi∣rians, the same being fresh water soul∣diers and altogether vnskilfull of the warres, not knowing so much as howe to holde their weapons in their hands. And as for the olde souldiers that I found in Italy, by reason they had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••anguished in diuerse battells beefore by the Gothes, they are so afrayed of them, that they dare scarce once loke vppon them. Besydes thys, forasmuch as they haue bene long ••ime defrauded of their wages, they ar not able to fur∣nyshe themselues agayne with horse and armour loste and broken in the for∣mer warres, neyther will they consent to goe forth with them. And yet to saye the truth, there is not so greate a num∣ber of them, that they can encounter a∣gainst

the power of the enemye, with∣out their owne manyfeste perrill and daunger. For the greater part of them that were wonte to fyghte vnder your hyghnesse banner in Italy, prouoked by the aforesayd dyspleasures, haue of their owne accorde reuolted to yo••r 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Furthermore you may not ac∣compte hereafter, that you are lyke to haue any reuenewes here, toward the payment of your souldiers, considering that the enemy hath recouered y^• grea∣ter parte of Italy, & that which remay∣neth is so empouerished and afflicted by y^• warres, that it is not by any meanes able to yelde you tributes. Wherefore if the presence of Belisarius be suffici∣ent to recouer Italy, you haue done asmuch as may be done in that behalfe for I am here in Italy. But if you pur∣pose to ouercome your enemies in dede your Maiestye must make other proui∣sion. For a Captayne (be he neuer so valiante, pollitique and fortunate,) is able to dooe nothyng, if he haue not

wherwyth to accomplyshe hys deuis••s. And therefore it is requisite that you send me hyther an armye of myne own practised souldiers, together wyth a greate multitude of the Hunnes and other Barbarous people. Moreouer you must of necessitye prouyde that we may haue alwayes stoore of mony••. for wythout that, there is no good to be done in warres. Thus much dyd Be∣lisarius write to themperoure at that tyme. Iohn going to Iustinian with these instructions, and hauyng taryed there a certayne tyme, had a very slowe & could sute for he could bring nothing to effecte. In the meane while foras∣muche as no man rescowed Asculum & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 y^• were besieged by Totilas, he toke thē by composition. From thence he departed out of the Picentes in∣to ••mbria and besieged Asessum and Spolet. Captayne of Spolet was Herodian and Captayne of Asessum was 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Herodian although hys piece were stronge and defensible,

yet notwithstandyng he toke truce for a fewe daies. whitin the which because no rescue came, yeldyng the towne and the holde at the day appointed, he him∣self with hys souldiers reuolted to To∣tilas. But Sisifride behaued hymselfe more valiantlye: for albeit hys piece were nothyng so strong as the others, yet could•• he neuer abyde to here any worde of composition, but lyke a stoute warrior, issued oute valiantly diuerse tymes vppon the Gothes, and foughte sundrye skyrmishes wyth them to hys great prayse and commendation. How▪ beit at the length fighting manfully he was slayne by his enemyes. The Citi∣••ens of Assisis beeing destitute of the helpe of that worthy Captayne, within fewe dayes after yelded themselues & their towne vnto Totilas. Frō thence Totilas led his armye against Perusi∣um. Captayne therof was Ciprian of whom mention is made before among the Captaynes of Iustinian. Totilas perceauyng y^• he could not wynne him,

neyther by faire meanes nor by foule∣corrupted one of his esquires called Uliarus for a piece of mony, by whose falsehod and treacherie he kylled him. Neuerthelesse after the death of Cipri an, the souldiers punished the treason vpon Uliarus head, and manfully de∣fended the Citie still.

¶The. x. Chapter.

¶Totilas besegeth Rome, and Belisarius pre pareth to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same. The misfor∣tune of thimperialls at Portua, Pelagius a Decon of Rome goeth to Totilas to en∣treate for his Citizens & cannot be heard.

TOtilas therefore minding not to linger about it any lenger, brake vp his siege there, & made toward Rome. When he came thyther, he planted hys siege aboute the same in places conuenient, but yet he trou∣bled not the husbandmen. For all the tyme of thys warres he neuer suffered anye of the Tylmen and husbandmen

to be hurte or hyndred by hys men of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. There was in garrison at Rome Bessas one of the Emperours Cap∣taynes, & Conon whiche not long Si∣thens had bene Captayne of Naples. Also Bel••sarius had sent thyther, Ar∣tasyras a Persian, and Barbation a Thracian with a conuenient number of souldyers, to looke to the saufe ke∣pinge of the Citie with the other Cap∣taynes. The Gothes beinge thus set∣tled aboute Rome, Artasyras & Bar∣bation yssued oute wyth theyr retinew and foughte wyth them. At the fyrste they putte theym to flyghte, but tho∣rowe followynge the chace to farre, they were at length intrapped by their enemyes, and wyth the losse of the more parte of theyr men hardlye and narrowlye escaped themselues into the Cy••ye. From that tyme forward hope daylye decayinge, fyrste came derth and afterwarde famyne amonge theym. For nothynge coulde be con∣ueyed into theym by lande, by reason

the Gothes had besette theym rounde aboute. nor yet by water forasmuche as the nauye that Totilas had of late buyided at Naples, and then sente abroade, so scoured the Seas that no shyppe of burden coulde passe for theym. Besydes thys the verye same tyme arose wythin the Cytye of Rome greate presumptions of treason. For the whyche Cethegus ••hyefe President of the Senate of Rome, beynge bannisshed the Cy∣tye fledde to Centmucelles. While these thynges were a dooynge at Rome, another armye of the Go∣thes by the commaundemente of Totilas besyeged Pleasans. The same is a greate Cytye by the Ry∣uer Po, and all onelye of the Cy∣tyes of that Countrye, contynued in faythefull obedyence to the Em∣pyre. When Belisarius behelde these thynges, he was verye sorrowefull and full of care for the peryll of the Cytye of Rome,

in as muche as he was not able to re∣medy it from Rauenna where he was, because that wyth that small and slen∣der companye whiche he had aboute hym, it was not for him to depart from thence, consydring hys enemyes held all the Countries betwene hym and Rome, so that he could not goe thither by land, wherevppon he deuised to suc∣cour them another waye. For the per∣formance whereof leauynge Iustine with a band of souldyers at Rauenna, he hymselfe wente to * Dirrachium in Dalmatia, entendynge there to a∣wayte the commynge of a new armie from the Emperour. In the meane tyme Rome was strayghtly besyeged in suche sorte that all thynges were worse and worse, and lyke to fall to vt∣ter decaye and ruine. Ualentine and Phocas beynge sent before by Beli∣sarius, helde the Towne of Portua, and from thence dyd greatlye moleste and endomage the enemye wyth con∣tinuall rodes almoste daye by daye.

After they had doone thus a certayne space wyth good successe, and by mea∣nes thereof greatlye reliued them that were besyeged, at length fallinge into an ambushe and beynge enuiraned of their enemyes they were slayne, and but a verye fewe of theyr souldyers es∣caped, the whyche had muche a doe to recouer the towne of Portua. Thys slaughter of the Captaynes and the souldyers drewe wyth it a greater dis∣commoditie, for it was the losse of a greate deale of corne by suche a mea∣nes Uigilius the Byshoppe of Rome lyuinge at that tyme in Sicill, hea∣rynge that the people of Rome were sore afflicted wyth famyne, had shyp∣ped a greate deale of Corne and sent it towarde Rome. The Gothes ha∣uynge knowledge thereof, when the shyppes approched conueyed themsel∣ues before into the hauen, and hiding them behynde the Towres and buyl∣dynges laye readye for theym in Am∣••ushe. The souldyers that were with

in the towne for as muche as lately be fore they had loste theyr Captaynes, and their companyons for the moste parte were slayne, they beynge so ••ewe lefte, durste not aduenture out againste their enemyes, but as well as they coulde from the walles and ••warkes wyth shakinge theyr gar∣mentes, wyth wagginge their handes and wyth crying oute a loude to them made tokens to the shyppemen that there was treason in the hauen, war∣nynge theym to beware and not to ar∣riue there. But the shyppemen (as they that had not heard anye thynge of the vnfortunate battell and the losse of the Captaynes) tooke th••se sygnes and tokens that were made, as signes and tookens of gladnesse and encourage∣ment to come with more spede. Wher vppon making the more haste, wyth a freshe gale of winde thei entered into the hauen. Where they were all taken hy the Gothes breakynge oute of the ambushe, to the greate discomforte

and dispayre of the people of Rome, whiche hunge wholly vppon the one∣lye hope of that corne. In so muche that nowe the Towne was oppressed wyth intolerable famayne. And the Gothes therevppon preased the more boldly vpon them. There was at the same tyme in Rome a certayne Dea∣con called Pelagius, who in this dis∣tresse of famine, had shewed very ma∣nye & notable workes of mercye vppon the people of Rome, by laying out hys monye & relieuing the want and ne••∣nesse of euerye man. For the whiche álmose dedes (whereas his name was greatly renoumed in times past, nowe it was farre more renoumed then be∣fore, The romains came vnto this mā humbly besieching him y^• for the sauf∣gard of the people of Rome, he would vouchsafe to go of Ambassade to Toti∣las and entreate him to graunt them a tru••e for a fewe daies within the whi∣che onlesse rescowe came, the Cytye should be geuen vppe vnto hym.

Pelagius forasmuch as he sawe there was none other remedye; obeyed the peoples request, and wyth hys instruc∣tions went to Totilas into his campe. Totilas coniecturinge the effecte of hys erran•• (for he had learned by the rennegates the vtter necessitie and dis∣tresse that the besieged were brought vnto) entertayned Pelagius verye ho∣norably at hys commynge. Howbeit before he had begonne to declare hys message, he hymselfe preuentyng him, wyth a longe and bytter oration, in∣ueihed against the Romaynes, casting them in the teth wyth the benefites of Theoderich and the Gothes towardes them, and reprouynge theym of theyr vntrouthe towarde the Gothes. In thend he concluded that there was no waye eyther of communication or com position, onles they would beat downe their walles, and wholly submit them selues & al that they had bodies & goods to the wil and discretion of the Gothes ••o be dealte withall in suche wyse as

should please the conquierours. Pela∣gius hearing him talke so bytterly and disdaynefully and thynkinge in hym∣selfe that it booted not to stand in con∣tention wyth hym, sayde thus vnto him. Forasmuch as thou Totilas hast not vouchesaued to here an Ambassa∣dour tell hys message, but by preuen tynge hym haste abridged hym of the lybertie of speaking, we will flye vn∣to God who of hys Iustice is wont to abate the courages of men, when they grow ouer proude and stately. When he had sayde those wordes, he retur∣ned by and by into the Cytye. The Romaynes seynge hym come agayne wythoute speding of hys purpose, were in suche an agonie that they wyst not what to doe nor whyche way to turne them. For on the oneside they were af∣flicted w^t intolerable famine, and on thotherside stood before their eyes the outrageous cruelty of Totilas & of the gothes, whose most cruel hands rather then they would fall into, they fullye

determined to starue thēselues for hun ger. By meanes whereof the people of Rome suffered and abode such thyn∣ges, as it is a miserie euen to rehers•• them.

The. xi. Chapter▪

¶ Iohn Vitalian commeth with a newe po∣wer from the emperour, whervpon aduise is taken for the succouring of Rome, ac∣cording to the whiche Belisarius goeth to Portua by water commaundinge Iohn to mete him there by lande. But he through the prospe••ous snccesse that he hath agaīst the Gothes commeth not there at all. By meanes whereof Belisarius is faine to de∣uise another way for the succouring of the Citie the which by his industrie takynge good effect agaīst thenemy is by the folly of his owne men interrupted to his owne great sorrowe and appairing of his health through rage of anger and sodayne feare, and to the vtter preiudice of Rome. For Totilas anone after taketh and sacketh it the whyche done he maketh an oratyon to his souldyers.

IN the meane tyme Iustinian sent Iohn w^t an armie vnto Belisarius. They were not any great number that he set forth at y^• tyme, but he pre∣pared to send a greater power oute of hand. For the whiche occasion he had sent his Chamberlaine Narses vnto y^e Erulians & other barbarous nations inhabiting about the riuer of Danow, of the which some were alreadye come into Thrace. When tharmies were as sembled to Dirrhachiū, & that consulta tion was had as concerning the war, it was agréed by one consent first of all to rescow the romains. But how that might be done there was diuersitie of opinions. Iohn persuaded to march w^t all y^t whole power togither thorow Ca labre & appulia & so to go to Rome. For if they went all in one companye they might be the better able to get the vp∣per hand wheras if tharmie should be deuided and some should go by sea and some by lande, none of bothe partes should be able to matche the enemye.

Belisarius said he could wel alow the same opinion, if the people of Rome stood not at such an exigent. But now considering their estate, it was nedeful to make all spede y^• might be. It was a long iourney to go through Calabre and Appulia, & if their enemies should mete them they might cast many letts in their way, whereas by the sea yf the wind serued, their nauie myghte w^tin fiue dayes arriue in the Romaine ha∣uen, & by theyr beinge so nere at hand, putte the Romaines in certaine hope & comfort. For he had heard of thunfor∣tunate mischaunce of his captaines, & knew of the losse of the corne that was sent out of Sicill, wherevpon he consy∣dered in his minde the despaire & dis∣stresse y^• the Romaines were in. Thys opinion was allowed in the counsell, & thervpon Belisarius setting forth frō Dirrhachiū arriued at Hidrunt. The Gothes which were besieging of that towne being striken with feare at the presence of Belisarius, brake vp their

siege and flying from his sight retired to Brunduse, the which is aboute two dayes iourney from Hidrunt. By and by they sent vnto Totilas aduertising him of Belisarius comming, beleuing that he would haue iournyed by land. When Totilas heard that, forthwith he putte himselfe & his armye in a rea∣dinesse to goe méete hym. But when be vnderstoode that Belisarius went by sea, he addressed hymselfe whollye to withstande hym aboute the Citie of Rome, inespecially makynge proui∣sion that nothing mighte be conueyed into the Citie to theym that were be∣sieged, by the Ryuer Tiber. For the accomplishement whereof he deuised this practise▪ He chose a place aboute eleuē miles of from Rome where the Ryuer Tiber is narrowest, & there he layd ouer long beames from thonesids to thother in maner of a brydge at eche ende whereof he buylded a Towre of Timber, & drew a long yron chaine by the brydges side, at the endes whereof

he made two bastiles the whiche & th•• aforesaid towers he manned with soul diers to defend the bridge. In y^e meane while was Belisarius come to the Ro mayne hauen. And hauynge sette hys men a land, taryed for Iohn & tharmie that was with him. The Romaines knowynge of hys comminge, endured all their extremityes with better cou∣rage vppon hope of rescowe. Iohn af ter the departure of Belisarius, ha∣uing cut ouer the narowe seas, had in∣uaded the Gothes looking for nothing lesse, and hauynge putte theym to flyghte, wyth greate slaughter purse∣wed them, & at the first assault wonne Brunduse. Then hauinge reconci∣led the people of Calabre & broughte them again to fauour themperour, w^t many faire promises made vnto thē, he departed from Brunduse, & after v. re∣mouings came to Canusiū, the which town he also brought in subiectiō. Not far from Canusiū is y^• vilage of Can∣nas, where the notable battell was

foughte betwene Hanniball and the Romaines. In this place one Tullian ••he sonne of Uenant a man of greate name & authoritie amonge y^e Lucans came to Iohn declaring to him that the Lucanes & Brutians had taken parte w^t his enemyes not of theyr owne ac∣cord, but compelled by the displeasures doone to theym by the Imperialles. Wherefore yf the Emperour woulde entreate them frendly & gently, the peo ple wold willingly returne vnder his o bedience. Iohn loading him wyth com∣mendations & thankes promised hym greate rewards, & afterwarde vsed his helpe to his great cōmoditie & further∣aunce. At such time as Totilas hard of Iohns approch, he sent a crewe of hys horsmen to Capua, commaunding thē to keepe themselues close wythin the walles, and to make no showe at all to theyr enemyes vntyll they were past, and then to followe the tayle of theyr host. What was to be done afterward he willed them to ca•• y^• care vpō 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

This thing so greatly troubled, Iohn, that for feare he should be entrapped by his enemies, he left of his iourney toward Belisarius, & turned himselfe towarde the Brutians and Lucanes. There was amog the Brutians a cer taine Gothe, called Richemond sette there by Totilas w^t an armie to kepe y^• country in obedience, & to kepe the en∣terance betwene Scilla & Charibdis. Him did Iohn sodainly assaile, and at the first brunt put hym to flight, and af ter great slaughter receiued the rest y^• wer•• lefte togither w^t their Captayne by composition. Herevpon al the Bru∣tians & Lucanes reuolted from the Go thes to themperour. Whiles Iohn oc∣cupied himself in this sort, Belisarius loked daily for him & was wonderfull ••ory for his long tariens, greatly bla∣minge Iohns cowardise, that he had not foughte againste the horsemen that were at Capua, inespecially seing that he hymselfe had so notable a band of Horsemen of the Hunnes.

whereby he myghte easily haue come through maug•• his enemies heades, and neded not to haue turned backe a∣gayne so shamefully. These and suche other thynges dyd Belisarius fynde faulte with. But it booted hym not to complayne, for Iohn had taken vp hys standyng in Appulia, and there deter∣mined to abyde, mynding nothing lesse then to goe to Rome. Belisarius ther∣fore fearyng least the besieged shoulde thynke themselues abandoned, and through despaire shold chaunce to mis∣carry, determined to succour them by y^• Tiber, for hys power was not so great that he was able to encounter with his enemyes vppon the land: and therefore he trusted rather to hys pollicie and to the riuer for the succoryng of y^• towne. Uppon this thought he bestyrde hym & gate two hundred of those kind of ship∣pes which the Grekes call Dromades, these shippes haue walles of timber on euery syde with loopes in places con∣ueniente to let oute arrowes and other

weapons at the ••nemye. Agaynste the brydge and other thynges that were set to stoppe hym vppon the riuer, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thys deuyse: he set two shyppes vpō the streame fastened surely together wyth barres & crowes of yron, vpon the same he buylded a tower of tymber some∣what hygher then the towers that wer buylded at the endes of the brydge by hys enemyes. Whē these thyngs were in a redinesse, he caused the Dromades to be fraughted with corne & other ••uste nance to be conueyed to Rome, man∣nyng them with the stoutest and vali∣antest souldiers that he had. Cōmaun∣dyng all the residue to goe on foote by the riuers syde, & to drawe the shyppes with the tower. With his nauie furni∣shed & decked in thys wyse he set for∣warde agaynst hys enemyes. He hym∣selfe enteryng into one of the Droma∣des sayled formest, and the reste fol∣lowed hym in order, hys footemen al∣so went by hym vpon the ry••er 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Furthermore he sente to Rome vnto Bessas, that he shoulde yssue out at the very same tyme & kepe the enemyes as much occupyed as he could. But Bes∣sas dyd neyther that nor yet any thyng ells that was to any purpose during al that siege. B••lisarius nauie being dec∣ked in suche sorte as I haue tolde you, went vp the streame. Neyther dyd the Gothes mete them in any place, but kepte themselues quietly wythin theyr bulwarkes. When the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 came nere y^• brydge there they founde a trope of their enemyes and one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 set at the tone end of the chayne, the whiche Belisarius souldiers wonne at y^• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 assault, & so takyng awaye the chayne proceded to the brydge. There began a curste fraye, the Gothes endeuoryng to defend the brydge, and the souldiers of Belisarius to wynne it. For y^• Gothes yssuyng frō both y^• towers at eche end of y^• brydge, fought very valiantly. A∣gayne the souldiers driuyng the shyp∣pes harde to the brydge, dyd beate the

Gothes and woulde not suffer them to stand vpon it. In the meane while Be∣lisarius caused the shyppes wherin the tower of tymber was, to be brought as nere the tower of his enemyes as could be. And when they came hard to it he commaunded the vessells of brimstone (whiche he had hanged in the toppe of hys tower for the same purpose before) to be set on fyre, and to be caste downe vppon the towre of hys enemyes, the which being done, the fyre lighting vp∣pon the tower of hys enemyes, burned it vp and al the Gothes that wer with∣in it. There were not lesse then two hundred that perished in y^e fyre among whom was the Captayne of the holde hymselfe, such a man of hys handes as was not among all the Gothes agayn. Hereuppon the souldiers assayling the reast of the Gothes more boldely and ••er••ly, compelled them to geue backe, wherby they wonne y^e brydge, y^e which forthwith they purposed to haue hea∣uen downe, and with their whole flete

to haue sayled to Rome. For there re∣mayned not now any let in their waye, but that they myghte haue gone to the Citye and haue conueyed in the corne and all other necessaryes, to the greate renoune and commendation of Belisa∣rius, whoe had deuised suche a nauie. But fortune (as it should scme) had de∣termined other wyse. For sodaynely there happened a▪ wonderful mischaūce (not by meanes of the enemye, but by hys owne men) which peruerted al hys deuises. The Gothes helde the City•• Ostia which standeth on the lefte hand of Tyber by the sea syde ouer agaynst the whiche standeth the Citye Portua on the ryght hande of the riuer. When Belisarius set forth with hys nauie, he had lefte hys wyfe and al his househol•• furniture in the sayd towne of Portua, and had appoynted as ruler thereof one Isaac a valiant gentleman and a trusty with a conuenient Crew of souldiers, commaundyng and hart••ly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, that he would not for any chaunce

or occasion, depart out of the towne but kepe hymselfe within it and defende it only: Now at such tyme as Belisarius had set hys enemyes tower on fyre (as we haue declared before) by & by ranne certayne to the towne of Portua, and whereas the victorie was notable of it selfe, they reported it farre greater then it was in dede. At the which tydinges Isaac leapyng for ioy•• & exaltyng hym∣selfe in hys owne conceite, lyke a mad bedlem quite forgettyng what Belisa∣rius had sayd vnto hym, commaunded hys men to arme themselues, & in thys sodayne heate & extasye wafting ouer hys men to inuade hys enemyes that kept their standyng on the other syde of the riuer, ranne vpon them not farre from the towne of Ostia. Through his sodayne assaulte at the fyrst encounter he put them to flyght. Howbeit anon after, hys enemies gatheryng themsel∣ues together and encouraging one an•• other, returned eftsones vppon hym & hauyng slayne a great sorte of his soul∣diers, to coole hys ••rye madnesse, toke

hym prysoner. Immediatly hereupon certayne horsemen broughte worde to Belisarius that his enemies had taken Isaac prysoner. With y^• which tydings Belisarius beyng stryken to the heart, demaunded not one worde of y^• messā∣ger where or in what sort, but miscon∣struing that hys enemyes had taken Portua, and bene Lordes of hys wyfe & all that euer he had, he was sodaynly strycken with suche an inward sorrow, y^• he was not able to speake. And there∣upon turnyng backe agayne, he retyred with hys nauye & hys souldiers in all haste that myghte be, vtterly determy∣nyng eyther to recouer y^• towne while the matter was but newly begonne, & hys enemyes had yet scarcely settled thēselues, or els to die in y^• battell. By this meanes y^• victorie which he had as good as gottē ••ypped out of his handes. But whē he came to Portua & sawe y^• towne ••afe & himself deceaued through light credite & mistaking of y^• message, he toke so great sorrowe for it, y^• he fell sicke and was fayne to keepe hys bed

and besydes that, he was taken with a sore and daungerous feuer, which held hym long tyme ere he coulde be ryd of it. Isaac the author of all this mischiefe was by the commaundement of Toti∣las put to death in prison, in reuenge∣ment of the death of Rodericke Cap∣tayne of the garryson, whiche had dyed of a wound taken in the foresaid battel. For by thys tyme had Totilas quyte chaunged that gentlenesse whiche he had pretended in the begynnyng of hys reigne, into statelynesse and crueltie. Uerely eyther bycause his prosperous succeste made hym forget hymselfe, or ells because hys gentlenesse beyng but ••eined at the begynning, could not con∣tinue. I assure you ••e would speake so bitterly of y^e people of Rome, y^• the very terror therof was an occasion that they endured the famyne more obstinately then they would haue done, because e∣uery man was afrayed of hys outrage∣ous crueliye. Therfore as long as euer there was any hope of helpe at Belisa∣rius

ha••d, the people of Rome beyond their power & (to say the truth) beyond y^• bondes of manhode and nature, endu∣red the famyn. For to omit other thyn∣ges, euen the fleshe of horses, asses, and mules were deynty•• delicates at that tyme in Rome, they thoughte they had sped well that coulde get either dogges or myce or such other vncleane beastes to fede on: Othersome wer glad to eate all kynde of herbes, euen suche as the brute beastes would not haue touched, and diuerse lyued by rootes and barkes of trees. But when they sawe there was no hope of helpe, then turnyng to teares and lamentation, some fordyd themselues, and some stealyng out in y^• night attempted to deceaue the watche of their enemies. Many also ••arued for hunger and want of foode within their own houses, & neuer came out of their dores. While the Citye stoode in thys lamentable and piteous estate, foure Isaurien souldiers conspyred to be tray it to the enemye these souldiers warded

at the gate Celimontana, cōmonly cal∣led Asinaria, whoe after the tyme they were fully resolued vpō the matter, did let thēselues downe the wall by a lyne, & went strayght vnto Totilas promy∣syng to betraye y^• Citye into his ha••ds. Totilas encouragyng them with pro∣myse of great rewardes, sent certayne of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men with thē to view the place & to conūder whyther the thyng they had promysed, were possible to be done or no. The Isaurians leadyng thē to the walles went vp agayne in their syghte by the ••ame lyne that they flided down. And so whē the experience of the mat∣ter had geuē sufficient credit, Totilas at y^• nyght appoynted to the accōplysh∣ment of the myschiefe, cōmaunded hys hoste to be readie in armour about him by one of the clocke after mydnyghte. The whiche beyng done, he sent cer∣tayne of his men before to get vp by the lyne, and he hymselfe followyng closely after with the reast of hys armye, stay∣ed a lyttle from the gate. They that

were sente by Totilas, were according to couenante beetwene hym and the ••raytours, drawen vp the walles, from whence they proceeded forthwith to the gate and with axes cut it open. To∣tilas hauyng by thys meanes entered into Rome, kept hys armye still, about hym at the gate, not sufferyng any of hys men to ronne into the Citye, but kept them together wyth hym vntyll it was daye, Sodaynly there sprang a noyse aboute that parte of the towne, that the ene••ie was gotten within the walles, & thereupon ensued a wonder∣full feare euery mā begynnyng to flye, Suche as fled wente out at those gates that were farthest frō the place where y^e enemy entered. Many also both of the nobilitie and of the commonalty toke sanctuarye in the Churches. Assone as it was daye the enemyes ranne through all the Citie, and wythout any respect slewe as many as came in their waye.

Totilas marching frō Lateran where he had stode al nyght, went through the Citye to Saint Peters as it had bene to performe hys vowe, accompanied with traynes of most cruell and bloudy butchers, which with their naked swor∣des bathed in bloud, slewe all that euer came in their way without regarde of any person. Hauyng in this sorte swept through the myddest of the Citye from the one end to the other, when he came into the Uaticane vnto the portche of Saint Peters, Pelagius of whom we made mention before, fearing to ap∣proche into presence, rauished in y^• ap∣parell accustomed in solemne ceremo∣nyes, and holdyng the Testamente of Christ in hys hande, kneled humblye downe on hys knees, & sayd: O kyng I besieche thee spare thy humble suppli∣antes. At that worde Totilas dysdayn∣fully caste a proud loke vpon hym, say∣ing: commest thou nowe to me Pelagi∣us to make supplication? Yea euen nowe ({quod} Pelagius) sithens it is the wil

of God to make thee Lorde & Master o∣uer me. And therfore my soueraine Lord haue mercy vpon thy seruaunts. Therwithall y^• wrath of Totilas was assuaged, insomuche that he made pro∣clamation y^• frō thenceforth there shold not any person be strickē with y^e sword but that there should be respecte from slaughter & bloudshed. Moreouer he gaue cōmaundement, that no gentle∣woman were she mayde, maryed, wife or wydowe, should be defyled, y^• which he caused to be obserued with great se∣ueritie. Onely the goodes of the Ro∣maynes he gaue for a pray to hys soul∣diers, g••uyng strayght charge that no mā should be so bolde as to touch their bodyes. Then myndyng to pull down the courages of the Gothes, puffed vp with pryde for thys victorye, he somo∣ned them together the next day & made this oration vnto them. Is there any of you my companions in armes ({quod} he) that beholdyng so great alterations as haue chaūced within these fewe yeres,

dreadeth not the frayltye of mannes e∣state? And is not able to coni••ure whereupon and wherefore all these al∣terations & chaunges haue happened? I wyll not speake of Rome, somtyme the Ladye of the whole worlde, whiche now is fallen into your hands. For she hath suffered many myschaūces which were done so longe a goe that they are not nowe to be recounted, and thys is not the fyrst ruine that hath happened vnto her. Wherefore I had rather put you in remembraunce of our owne affayres. What thyng was there of grater power and strength before these warres, then the nation of the Gothes through out all Italy? It sent into the field two hundred thousande fyghtyng men, throughly furnyshed wyth ar∣mour, weapons, artillerye, horses, victualles, golde and syluer. It helde in possession all Italye, Sicill, Corsica, Sardinia, and Dalmatia. Who would haue beleued it had bene possible for

〈◊〉〈◊〉 thousande Grekes (for there came no mo into Italy at the fyrst) to haue subuerted so great a power? And what shall we say of the same Gr••kes: when they had in manner brought all in subiection to them: and helde all as Lordes and conquerers? woulde any man haue thought that you beyng but a fewe and broughte almoste to begge∣rye, shoulde haue recouered Italy out of the handes of them beyng twentye thousand men, con••eryng that at that tyme ye were not able to make aboue foure thousand horsemen? and had not a towne lefte you in all Italy, more then Pauye Ueron, & Taruisium? woulde any man haue thought that e∣yer ye shoulde haue taken Rome the head of the worlde? the whiche Uitigis was not able to subdue with hys two hundred thousand mē in a whole yeres besiegement? Surely countrymē these thynges are very great and not a lyttle to be wondered at.

How beit if we liste to consider & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then••, the causes of these alterations are most manifest & apparant. For as long as the Gothes executed Iustice & vsed equitye, so long their power flori∣shed, their ••state prospered, their mat∣ters went forward, & whatsoeuer they toke in hand had good successe. But as sone as they wer once l••d awry through couetousnesse, then bred there preuye grudge among them, thē rose there in∣warde debate, then one soughte to cut anothers throte, then sprang vp secret treason, through y^• which they brought themselues to vtter ruine & decaye. A∣gayne whē these contagious maladies were passed out of you into y^• captaines of Iustinian, through your amende∣ment you easily ouercame thē. Wher∣fore yf you wey & consider these thyngs wel, ye haue no cause at al to be proude of thys victorie, but rather oughte to dread God & to feare the mutabilitie of fortune. For ye must vnderstand that all Empire & power is easily forgone,

••lesse they be maintayned by Iustice pollicie, and paynestakinge. Yea my companions in armes, know ye this & beleue it for a certainetie, that the grea test parte of your labour is yet behind. For it is a harder matter to kepe thin∣ges gotten, then to gette them, For as muche as in gettinge often ••ymes the cowardnes of the possessour furthereth a man more then his owne prowesse. But to kepe thynges gotten, no man is able without his own prowesse and pollicie. Thus muche spake ••las at that tyme & the Gothes dyd great∣lye commende the wysedome of theyr Kynge.

¶ The. xii. Chapter.

¶ The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wordes of Totilas to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a noble woman accused of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 se••th Am∣bassadours with letters to the Emperour, at whose returne he defaceth Rome and ••eth it vtterly desolate.

AFter this he called the Romaines before him and greatlye reproued their vnthankefullnesse & misde∣meanour. In as much as they being in subiection vnder Odoacer, & delyuered from his tiranny by meanes of Theo∣derich & the Gothes, at whose handes they had receiued so great benefites as they theym selues coulde scarce haue wyshed, through the whyche they had bene greatly enriched & had lyued ma∣ny▪ yeres in great tranquillitle, ryghte happye yf they coulde haue sene when they were well, now in the ende wyth∣out any wronge or displeasure offered to them, had contrarye to their othe & allegeans reuolted to the Grekes, men of all other most vaine & withoute ey∣ther manhood or prowesse. Who im∣mediatly vpon their arriuall being be∣sieged by Uitigis, durst neuer she we th•• h••ades in the open field, but lu••∣king within walls and there staruing themselues for hunger, aboode all the dishonour that might be. Who after

the tyme they were made lordes of the Cities, not through their owne man hoode, but through treason & deceyte, ••ylled all places wyth tollgatherers, Pollers, and Promooters: who wyth maruelous crueltye compelled the Ci∣tyes & people of Italye to the payment of those tributes, whiche had bene for∣geuen them & clear••ly released manye yeres before by Theoderich & thother Kynges of the Gothes. Who to satis∣fie the insatiable couetousnesse of the Emperour their Master, called as well the people as the magistrates, to a straight accompt of such thynges, as they had taken charge of vnder the said kings. Tell me therfore ye Romaines ({quod} he) whether ye euer suffered anye harme by the Gothishe Kinges? And tell me againe if e••er these Greklings dyd you anye good? And not rather more displeasure to you beynge theyr frends, then to vs their enemies? A vi∣cious & wicked kinde of people, able to serue to no purpose, but to forginge of

leasinges? whereas on the contrarye part the Gothes were borne & brought vp amonge you in Italye, and yet you haue set more by straungers & aliens then by your owne countryemen & ac∣quaintance, so much are ye degenera∣ted out of kind, hating whom ye ought to loue, desyring new thyngs & lothing your owne quietnesse, like restie iades which through ouer long standinge in & to much pampering become coltishe & full of euil touches. Wherfore seing you haue done these thinges both con∣trarye to your dutye & allegeance, and contrarye to your owne profyte, looke as you haue hytherto bene worthelye punnis••ed, so shall you also be hereaf∣ter. Wyth these wordes he dismissed the Romaynes voyde of all good hope. About the same tyme was pleaded the case of a noble woman called Iustini∣ana. It was laid to her charg y^• she had caused y^• images of kinge▪ Theoderich to be broken & defaced in reuengemēt of her husband Bo••tius and of her fa∣ther

Symmachus whom Throde∣rich had put to death. The endit••ent for defating of y^• Images was suppo∣sed to be true. Howebeit she was thought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be helde excused, in as∣much as her Iust sorrow prouoked her therunto, for bicause it was manifest lye knowē that those worthy persona∣ges, were wrongfully put to death. In consideration whereof. Totilas acqui∣ted the woman, & preserued her from the violence of the Gothes. Afterward he purposed to sende an Ambassade to Iustinian. The A••bassadours were the forenamed Pelagius, & one Theo∣dore an Orator of Roine. These men dyd Totilas byn••e wyth a great othe▪ to doe hys mess••ge faithfullye, and to retourne to hym into Italye wyth as muche spede as myghte be. The effect of their comission was, to declare vnto themperour y^• if he wold admit hym & the gothes into the nū••er of his frends he wold saue the citie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rom••, & wold more••uer a•• him w^t a strōg power like

•• faithfull frend in all his voyages and warres. But yf he would rather con∣tinue warres against them, he would make Rome euen wyth the grounde. For he mynded not to trouble himself wyth the keeping of it whyle he should be occupied aboute other warres, nor yet to leaue it vppe to hys enemyes.

Furthermore he wrate a letter to Iu∣stinian, the tenour whereof was thys. What hathe bene d••one aboute the Citye of Rome I thynke you knowe well ynoughe. The occasion why we send Ambassadours vnto you is thys. We couet to be at attonement wyth you, and you wyth vs, lyke as were oure noble predecessours Anastasius the Emperour of Rome and Theode∣rich Kinge of the Gothes. Whose mu∣tuall concorde & agreement both cau∣sed great tranquillitye and quietnesse of those tymes, and also greatlye be∣nefited themselues. If therefore you can fynde in your harte to dooe as they dyd, I wyll worthelye accepte you fo••

my parent, and you shall haue me and my Gothes at commaundement to helpe you in all your warres. But y•• you be otherwyse mynded, you shall vnderstande by oure Ambassadours what shall be the sequele. Wyth thys message the Ambassadours sayled in∣to Grece, durynge whose goyng and commynge Totilas aboode styll at Rome. Belisarius laye all the whyle at Portua, broughte to deathes doore wyth syckenesse and sorrowe. In the meane tyme John persisted in hys do∣inges, & altered many thyngs among the Lucanes and Brutians. By mea∣nes whereof Totilas also was com∣pelled to sende amonge the Lucanes and to renewe the warre. It was not long after but that he was certifyed of the Emperours answere. For at suche tyme as the Ambassadours commyng before Iustinian had fyrste delyuered the kynges letters, and afterwarde declared their Commission, makynge intercession and supplicatiō for sauing

the Citie of Rome then standing in so great ieoperdie, they coulde gette non•• other aunswere at themperours hand but that Belisarius was in Italy, to whose will and discretion he had com∣mytted the affayres of that countrye. When Totilas heard that perceiuing it was don for none other purpose then to disappoynt him of his desyre, & more ouer takinge displeasure at Iohns do∣inges whiche had made warre vppon him sytting still in quiet & abyding for the returne of his Ambassadours sent to entreate for peace, he toke counsell to rase the Citie of Rome. Where vp∣on rising vp with ••aruelous crueltye in sundrye places 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beate the walles downe to the grounde, to the mounte∣nance of the third part of the Circuit of the whole Citie. That done he set the Capitoll on fire. All was on a lyght•• fire about the market, about Subura, & about y^e holy strete. The hil 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lis smoked, the hill Auentine glistered with flames & the noyse of the fallinge

of the houses was heard euery where. While the Citie was thus burninge, thin habitantes wyth their wyues and children, were throwen out of their na tiue soyle, hauing not so much libertie as to be waile their owne miseries. All the people and the common sort he dis∣persed throughe the townes of Cam∣panie. But he kepte still aboute hym the Senatours and noble men for hos∣tages. After this he departed oute of Rome with all hys whole ar∣mie, leauing it vtterly disolate, in so muche that there re∣mayned not anye man or woman in it.

¶ Thus endeth the thyrde Booke.

Notes

• What they were whom•• Belisarius brought pri∣soners to Con stantinople.
• ••he prayse of belisarius.
• The iniur••∣ous dealing of the Empe∣porours Col∣lectours cau∣seth great al∣teration.
• A battell be∣twene ildo∣uade and the imperialles.
• Now called Treuizo.
• The death of Viaias.
• The death of Ildoūade.
• The death of Ataricus.
• Totilas c••a∣ted king.
• Now called Treuizo.
• Note the co∣•• of ••himperialles and what came of it.
• A combate hand to hād▪
• The Imperi∣alls are van∣quished by Totilas.
• The great & dishonorable losse in thys battell.
• The gentle∣nes of Toti∣las after hys victorie,
• The beseging of Florens & the raising of the same.
• An vntrue re∣port cause of a shamefull discomfiture.
• T••tilas r••co∣uereth towns i•• ••mbardy
• Totilas raseth the walles of Beneuent.
• The syege of Naples.
• An example of clementie and magna∣••imitie.
• See what want of good gouernement doth in war.
• A new lieue∣tenant sent in to italy.
• The ••ward nes of Maxi∣mius.
• The prudent pollicie of de metrius yf he had followed it.
• Occasion let slyppe wilnot be cawght againe.
• A cowardly carpet knyght.
• A tempest.
• Deme••ius is taken priso∣ner.
• Naples is yel ded to roti∣las.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 behauiour of Totilas toward the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The seueritie of Totilas to∣ward male∣factours.
• Licencious li berty pernici∣ous to men of warre.
• Belisarius diligence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 chosyng of hys 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• The rescowīg of Hidrunte now called Otronto.
• In greatest calme for a storme prouide.
• Belisarius ar∣riuall in Italy.
• The misery of Italy through misgouerne∣ment.
• A Captaine is able to do no thing with∣out men and monye.
• Totilas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ueth Tibur.
• He besieget•• Auximum.
• ••he vnfayth∣fulnesse of the Illi••ian souldi ers towarde their captain.
• Belisarius 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 & man∣neth i•• nowe 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉
• Totilas besi•• geth Asculum and Firmum.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 let∣ters to them∣perour
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• The valiant & faithfull de∣meanor of Si sifride.
• The trayte∣rous murthe∣ring of Cipri∣an & the mā∣fulnesse of his souldiers.
• Totilas bese∣geth Rome.
• Belisarius de∣uiseth to suc cour Rome.
• Now called Durazo.
• The euill for∣tune of the imperialles.
• One mischief in anothers. necke.
• An example o•• employng ••tuall ••oodes.
• Prosperitie maketh men forget them∣selues.
• God the ••e∣fuge in ex∣tremities.
• The returne of iohn with answer from themperour.
• Debating in counsell for the rescow∣ing of rome.
• Belisarius cō∣meth to Por∣•• for the rescowing of Rome.
• The good succ••sse of Iohn against the Gothes.
• Canna••.
• Belisarius p••o uision for the rescowyng of Rome.
• Man purpo∣eth and God dysposeth.
• The worthie rewarde of wilsul rashe∣nesse.
• The miserable estate of Rome.
• Rome is be∣trayed.
• The sackyng of Rome.
• Pelagius ma∣keth supplica¦tion for hys Citizens.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Totilas to hys men of warre.
• Now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Treuizo.
• The talke of ••otilas to the Romaynes.
• A noble wo∣man accused for defacing the kynges ymages.
• An Ambassad sent from ro∣tilas to them perour.
• The tenour of ••otilas let ter to them∣perour.
• Themperours aunswere to the demands of Totilas,
• The vtter sac king and de∣solation of Rome.