The general history of Spain from the first peopling of it by Tubal, till the death of King Ferdinand, who united the crowns of Castile and Aragon : with a continuation to the death of King Philip III / written in Spanish by the R.F.F. John de Mariana ; to which are added, two supplements, the first by F. Ferdinand Camargo y Salcedo, the other by F. Basil Varen de Soto, bringing it down to the present reign ; the whole translated from the Spanish by Capt. John Stevens.

CHAP. VII. The Reigns of the Emperors, Constantine, Constantius, and Constans, Julian the Apostate, Jovianus, Valentinian, and Valens.

COnstantine left three Sons by his second Wife, to wit Constantine, Constantius, and Con∣stans, all three at several times during his Life named Caesars, and at his Death he di∣vided * 1.1 the Empire among them in this manner. To Constantine the eldest, he assigned the * 1.2 West beyond the Aples, to Constantius, the second Son the East, and to Constans, the young∣est Italy; Africk, and Sclavonia. The same he confirmed by his last Will and Testament, and ordered moreover that Dalmatius, Cousin-germain to the Emperors, should have the Ti∣tle of Caesar in the East. Him Constantius, caused tobe killed in a Mutiny of the Soldiers, in the first year of his Reign. Constantine, the Eldest of the three Brothers, the third year after the Death of his Father, was Treacherously slain near Aquileia, having marched so far * 1.3 in order to deprive his Brother Constans of the Empire, upon pretence it all belonged to him, and that he had been wronged in the distribution of the Provinces. Some have writ that Constantine was an Arian, but the contrary appears in that, through his means his Brother Constantius, recalled St. Athanasius from banishment. The Emperor Constans, was a great support to the Catholicks, and they soon found a great miss of him, for he ended his days * 1.4 on the way to Spain, at the City Erna, in the county of Roussillon. He was killed by Mag∣nentius, who was in Rebellion, and possessed of France, and Spain. Constantius resolving to revenge the Death of his Brother, before he set out named Gallus, his Cousin, Caesar. Both Armies met near the City Murcia, in Sclavonia, where they came to a battle, which proved very bloody, for of the usurpers side 24000 Men were killed, and 30000 of Constantius, yet he got the day, but the forces of the Empire where much weakned by so great a slaughter. The Tyrant after the Fight fled to Lions, in France, there he and his Brother Decentius, by him appointed Caesar, despairing of making head again killed themselves. By this Victory, * 1.5 all the Provinces of the Empire were again brought under one Monarch. Nevertheless the Germans broke into France, doing great harm there. The Emperor, besides his other faults was jealous of all Men, and gave ear to Court-Whisperers, the Plague of all Courts, where∣by he had been prevailed upon some time before in the East, to kill his Cousin Gallus. Not∣withstanding that he might at once oppose the Persians, and quiet France, he took Gallus, his own Brother Julian, out of a Monastery, and declared him Caesar, and to bind him the faster to his interest, marryed him to his Sister Helen. Julian was sent into France, whilst the * 1.6 Emperor prepared for the War against the Persians. At this time St. Athanasius, for fear of being kill'd absented himself again, and lay hid till the death of Con∣stantius, which hap'ned in this manner. The event of the Persian War was unfor∣tunate, and met with several disasters, at which the Emperor was highly con∣cerned. At the same time the Soldiers in France pleased with the conduct of Julian, saluted him Emperor at Paris. This was a fresh cause of grief to Constantius, who resolved to march against him, but was prevented by death, which overtook him at Antioch. There he was baptized after the manner of the Arians, either that he had deferred it till then, or that he was rebaptiz'd at they also used. His death hap'ned on the 3d of November 361. In Spain * 1.7 about the same time, certain Pages bringing Lights at night, came in saying, Let us Conquer, Let us Conquer; whence it may be supposed the Custom of saluting one another, * 1.8 when lights are brought in, had its Original among us. A certain Roman that was present imagining this word had carryed some farther meaning, drew his Sword and kill'd the Master of the House with all his Family. This Ammianus Marcellinus relates without any other Cir∣cumstance. About this time also Flourished Clemens Prudentius, a Soldier, and Lawyer in his Youth, in his riper years a Poet, famous for the verses he writ in praise of the Holy Martyrs. Also Juvencus a Spanish Priest, writ the like of Christ in Heroick verse, and Pacianus, Bishop of Barcelona, employed his Talent in writning against the Novatians.

The Emperor Constantius left never a Son, and therefore appointed him, he would have * 1.9 Persecuted whilst living, his Successor at his death, that is his Cousin Julian, a Man of Learning and good natural endowments, that might have been compared to the best of Em∣perors, had he still adhered to the true Religion, and not suffered himself to be perverted by his Master Libahus, so as to forsake Christianity, by which he got the name of Apostate. As soon as possest of the Empire to gain the good will of all Men, he gave full Liberty to every one to follow the Religion they pleased. He revoked the Sentence of banishment, that had passed * 1.10 against Catholicks, excepting Athanasius, whom because after the death of Constantius, he return∣ed to his Church he ordered to be apprehended, and so forced him again to abscond. To the Jews he gave Liberty to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem, but such Flames issued out of the foundations they were oblig'd to desist. The Gentiles were permitted to open their Temples, shut up since the time of Constantine. His hatred to the Christians was great, yet he thought better to weaken them by Policy than open force, and therefore forbid their being admitted to any places of honour or trust, or their Childrens to be taught in the Greek Schools, which stirred up many Christians to write Learnedly in Verse and Prose, particularly the

two Apollinarii, Father and Son, Persons of great Learning. This Emperors end was suitable to his beginning. He undertook the War against the Persians, was at first successful, but thereupon advanced so far, that all his Army was in danger of perishing, and he himself slain with a Dart, as some say accidentally, thrown by his own Men, or the Enemies, others say * 1.11 he was struck by the Martyr, St. Mercurius with a Spear, which was then found bloody upon his Tomb. He lived 32 Years, and Reign'd one year, 7 months, and 27 days. The whole Army upon his death offered the Empire to Flavius Jovianus, a Person of very Excellent parts, * 1.12 who refused it saying, He was a Christian, and would not govern those wh owere not such, but they all * 1.13 declaring themselves to be Christians, he condescended to their request. Being invested in the Imperial dignity, he made peace with the Persians, tho' not advantageous, yet such as was requisite to deliver himself and Army, from the danger into which the rashness of Julian had run them. Catholicks were restored to their honours and dignities, the revenues to Churches, St. Athanasius, and others recalled from banishment, and all things seemed to be again in a flourishing. Condition, but this happiness was not to be lasting, for the Empe∣ror in his way to Rome, betwixt Galatia, and Bithynia, was stifled to death, by a pan of Coals that was left in the Room where he lay, which was newly whitened. He dyed at the Age of 40 Years, and Reigned only 7 months, and 22 days. By him it was made death to offer wrong to any Virgin consecrated to God, tho' upon pretence of Matrimony.

Flavius Valentinianus, an Hungarian succeeded Jovianus. His first education had been mean, but being Wise and Valiant, he ran through all Commands in the Army, at length, * 1.14 attained to be prefect of the Pretorian Bands, was by the Army chosen Emperor, and proved always a zealous Christian, as appeared in the time of the Emperor Julian, when for refusing to deny his Religion, and giving a Box on the Ear to a Pagan Sexton, that sprinkled him with their Lustral, or cleansing Water, he quitted the ••ngulum, which was laying down his. Commission. As soon as elected, he appointed his Brother Valens, his Companion in the * 1.15 Empire to govern the East, and went away himself to Italy, where with much zeal he quieted the City or Rome, than in an uproar, about choosing a Pope. For the Electors being divid∣ed upon the Death of Liberius, one party had named Ʋrsinus, but the more Numerous and better made Chose of Damasus a Spaniard; some will have him born at Egita, now Guimaraens in Portugal, betŵixt the Rivers Duero, and Min̄o, others at Tarragona, and others at Madrid. Certain it is he was a Spaniard, and a Person, excellently qualifyed. Upon this occasion there hap'ned so great a Mutiny that (as Ammianus Marcellinus, a Heathen Author who lived at that time relates it) 137 Men were killed one day, in the Church of Sicininum; and the same * 1.16 Author blames the Popes, for going in Coaches, and making more than Kingly Banquets. The Emperor quieted this Tumult, sending Ʋrsinus to be Bishop of Naples. Yet the con∣trary party desisted not, but accused Damasus of Adultery, and obliged him to call a Coun∣cil of Bishops to clear himself. He declared the Council of Ariminum, to be void and of no force, as gathered without the consent of the Pope, deposed Auxentius Bishop of Milan, as being an Arrian, ordered the Psalms of David, should be Song in Churches, with the verse Gloria patri, &c. at the end, instituted saying the Confiteor, at the beginning of Mass, built two Churches at Rome, the one in honour of St. Laurence, the other of St. Peter and Paul, ad Catacumbas, in the Via Ardeatina, where he buryed his Mother and Sister, and was a great Friend to St. Hierom, whom he much resembled in his Life and Learning. The Empire was not altogether in a peaceable Condition, for in the East one Procopius, a Kinsman of Julian, called himself Emperor, and raised new troubles. Valens presently moved towards and over∣came him in Phrygia, where he was deliver'd up to him by his own Men. At the same time Valentinian was succeessful in the War against the Germans, and Saxons, which is the first time, any mention is made of the latter in the Roman History. Besides, he drove the Goths * 1.17 out of Thracia, and Persians out of Siria, checked the Scots, who made iucursions into Eng∣land; And the Sarmatians, who infested Pannonia; He was an excellent Emperor, had he not sullied his fame, by marrying Justina, a Lady belonging to his Wife Severa, she being still alive, and what is worse, made a Law by which all Men were permitted to have two Wives. Marcellinus says, he gave Liberty of Conscience to all Men, to live in what Religi∣gion the pleased. He dyed at Brigecium, a Town in Germany, where he was busy, making War upon the Quadi, having Reigned 11 Years, 8 Months, and 22 days, his Death was on * 1.18 the 17th of November 375. By his Wife Severa, he left Gratianus, and Valentinian, by Justi∣na. Valens, in the East persecuted the Catholicks, his Wife Dominica, and Eudoxus, Bishop * 1.19 of Constantinople, by whom he was baptized, after the manner of the Arrians, distracted him * 1.20 to such a degree, that he had resolved at the City Edessa, to enter the Church with Armed Men, to disturb the People that were there Celebrating the Divine Service. But, Modestus Governour of the City, diverted him from putting it in Execution, for he told him that upon the rumouring of this his intention, more People than ordinary were gathered in the Church, with such a resolution to suffer death for their Religion, that a Woman half un∣drest for hast, led a child, she had thither least, either herself, or he might miss the Oppor∣tunity of sheding their blood for the Faith. Hereupon Valens gave over that design, but banished many Priests, among others Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, as famous for his resolu∣tion and constancy, as the other of Caesarea, in Palestine, for his Learning and Writings; The great St. Basil, succeeded him of Cappadocia, in the Bishoprick, and had enough to do with

the Emperor. Jamblichus, the Master of Proclus, had great influence over Valens, he taught him the way to find out the name of him that was to succced in the Empire, which the Emperor much desired. The manner was thus, they writ all the Letters of the Alphabet upon the ground, and placed on every one a grain of Corn, then turning loose a Cock, whilst the di∣viner * 1.21 muttered some words, they observed which Letters the Cock eat the corn off first, and those they supposed to express the name sought for. Another way was to blind a Man and ob∣serve the Letters he pointed to. Foolish and vain inventions. However by those means they found out the name Theodosius, whence the Emperor Valens took occasion to Persecute, and kill all those whose names began with the same Letters, as Theodotus, Theodorus, and Theodu∣lus. Among the rest was slain Honorius Theodosius a Spaniard, born at Italica, of the Family of the Emperor Trajan. This Gentleman had appeased certain tumults in Africk, and was therefore raised to be General of Horse, and received Baptism before death. No human Policy is of force against the Divine decrees, so it hap'ned this great Man by his Wife Termancia, left two Sons, Theodosius the Great, and Honorius. At the same time vast Multitudes of the Goths broke into the Imperial Provinces, under the Command of Fridigernus, and Athanaricus. Discord arising betwixt them, as is usual among Persons in equal power, Valens made his * 1.22 use of one party to overcome the other. To those that follow'd Athanaricus, by contract he gave the Province of Mesia to plant in upon condition they should be baptized, which they did, but after the manner of the Arrians. Then it was that Ʋlfila, a Bishop among that Peo∣ple invented the Gothick Characters differing from the Latin, and Translated the holy Scri∣pture into their Language. This agreement, nor the late defeat were not of force to re∣strain that furious and Warlike people, but they broke into Thracia. Valens coming to op∣pose them was overthrown, and himself slain, for retiring into a cottage and refusing to surrender, they set fire to it, and he was burnt in it. This hap'ned four Years after the Death of his Brother Valentinidn. Valens left never a Son, and had well deserved this mis∣fortune for Persecuting the Catholicks, and refusing to wait for his Nephew Gratianus, who was marching to his Assistance. Fridigernus, was Commander of these Goths, who after his defeat had gathered New forces, with hopes of revenging the affront he and his Peo∣ple had received.

Notes

• * 1.1

  337.
• * 1.2

  Constantine, Constantius, and Constans.
• * 1.3

  Constantin Murder'd.
• * 1.4

  Constans Murder∣ed.
• * 1.5

  Constantius sole Mo∣narch.
• * 1.6

  Julian the Apostate chosen Caesar.
• * 1.7

  Constantius his death.
• * 1.8

  361.
• * 1.9

  Julian the Apostate, 1 year, 7 Months, and 17 days.
• * 1.10

  Liberty of Consci∣ence.
• * 1.11

  Julian killed.
• * 1.12

  364.
• * 1.13

  Fl. Jovi∣anus, 7 Months, 2 days.
• * 1.14

  Fl. Valen∣tinianus, 11 Years, 8 Months, and 22 days.
• * 1.15

  Valens Em∣peror of the East.
• * 1.16

  Mutiny in Rome, a∣bout e∣lecting a Pope.
• * 1.17

  Saxons first men∣tioned in Roman History.
• * 1.18

  Valentinian Death.
• * 1.19

  375.
• * 1.20

  Valens Per∣secutes the Ca∣tholicks.
• * 1.21

  His super∣stitious practices.
• * 1.22

  Irruption of the Goths.