The history of the church from our Lords incarnation, to the twelth year of the Emperour Maricius Tiberius, or the Year of Christ 594 / as it was written in Greek, by Eusebius Pamphilius ..., Socrates Scholasticus, and Evagrius Scholasticus ... ; made English from that edition of these historians, which Valesius published at Paris in the years 1659, 1668, and 1673 ; also, The life of Constantine in four books, written by Eusibius Pamphilus, with Constantine's Oration to the convention of the saints, and Eusebius's Speech in praise of Constantine, spoken at his tricennalia ; Valesius's annotations on these authors, are done into English, and set at their proper places in the margin, as likewise a translation of his account of their lives and writings ; with two index's, the one, of the principal matters that occur in the text, the other, of those contained in the notes.

CHAP. X. That Rome became subject to the Barbarians at that time, and was destroyed by Alarichus.

AT that very time Rome hapned to be taken by the Barbarians. For one Alarichus a Barbarian, (who had been an Allie of the Ro∣mans, and had assisted the Emperour Theodosius in the War against the Tyrant Eugenius, on which account he was honoured with a 1.1 Roman dignities,) could not bear his fortunate success. He presumed not indeed to seize the Empire: but retired from Constantinople, and went into the Western parts. Being arrived in Illyricum, he laid all places desolate immediately. The Thes∣salians resisted him in his march, about the mouthes of the River Peneus, from whence there is a passage * 1.2 over the mountain Pindus to Ni∣copolis [a City] of Epirus. And coming to an engagement, the Thessalians killed about three thousand [of his Forces.] After this the Bar∣barians that were with him, burnt and ruined what ever was in their way and in fine took Rome it self. Which City they destroyed, and burnt the great∣est part b 1.3 of the admirable works and structures there∣in: but they made plunder of the money, and divided it [amongst themselves.] They also forced many of the Senatorian Order to un∣dergo various punishments, and [afterwards] slew them. [Alarichus] likewise, in contempt to Empire, proclaimed one Attalus Emperour. Whom he ordered to go guarded like an Emperour one day; and the next made him appear in a servile habit. After he had done all this, he fled, being terrified with a Rumour, as if the Emperour Theodosius had sent an Army to fight him. Nor was this Ru∣mour false. For an Army did really come. And he was unable to bear the same thereof; but, as I have said, fled away. 'Tis reported, that as he went to Rome, he was met by a pious person that led a monastick life, who advised him not to rejoyce in [perpetrating] so great and no∣torious mischiefs, nor to delight in slaughter and bloud. To whom Alarichus made this return, I go not thither of my own accord. But some * 1.4 thing does every day vex and disquiet me, saying, go to Rome, and ruine that City. Thus much con∣cerning this person.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Or, Ro∣man digni∣ty. Zosimus (book 5.) relates, that Alarichus, after the expedition against the Tyrant Eugenius, wherein he had done excellent service, was Com∣mander of no Roman Forces, but returned into Thracia, and kept with him those Barbarians only, whom he had commanded. But, a little afterwards, when being sent for by Rufinus, he had ruined Graecia and Epirus, he was created Master of the Milice throughout Illyricum; as Claudian informs us in his second book against Eutropius.

  —Vastator Achivae Gentis, & Epirum nuper populatus inultam, Praesidet Illyricis. Jam quos obsedit, amicus Ingreditur muros, illis responsa daturus, Quorum conjugibus potitur, natosque peremit. Sic hostes pensare solent.—

  Vales.
• * 1.2

  Or, thorow.
• b 1.3

  Instead of [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of their admirable works and structures] I think it must be [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the admirable works and structures therein:] which reading we have expressed in our Version. Vales.
• * 1.4

  Or, some body.