The history of the warres of the Emperour Justinian in eight books : of the Persian, II, Vandall, II, Gothicke, IV / written in Greek by Procopivs of Caesarea ; and Englished by Henry Holcroft, Knight.

CHAP. XII.

FRom Methòne, they came to the Port of Zante. Here they took in fresh wa∣ter, and other necessaries, to pass the Adriatique sea;* 1.1 through which, with a scant wind, they came in sixteen days to a desert coast of Sicily; near Mount Aetna. In this lingring passage their waters corrupted, all save what was drank at the table of Belisarius, which his wife devised to keep untainted, in six vessels of glass, covered thick with sand in a little cabbin in the hold, where the Sun could not come. Belisarius landed there, and was much troubled in his thoughts, not knowing what soldiers the Vandals were, nor how, nor from whence to make the war upon them. The soldiers also troubled him, fearfull of a sea-fight, and not ashamed to tell him, that on land they will do their best, but if the enemies ships come they will fly, not able to fight with them and waters too. In this perplex∣ity he sent Procopius, his Assessor, to Syracuse, to enquire if the enemy way-laid their passage in the Island, or main Land: what part of Africk was best to land in, and from whence to make the war, and this done, to meet him at Caucana; a∣bout 27 miles from Syracuse, where the fleet should ride at anchor. It was gi∣ven out, he was sent to buy victual of the Goths: For Amalasuntha, the mother of A••••l••ricus, had agreed with Justinian to give his Army free market. Ara∣laricius was under years bred by his mother, and was King of the Goths and Ita∣lians: upon whom after the death of Theodoricus, the Kingdom descended, be∣ing son to his daughter Amalasuntha; by a man deceased also. Amalasuntha, to make Justinian her friend, had yielded to this free market, among other his com∣mands, and now performed it. But Procopius found at Syracuse, a Countryman and friend of his from a boy, residing there about his Traffique at Sea; of whom he learnt all his demands. For a servant of his who had returned within three days from Carthage, told him, that there was no fear of the Vandals way-laying the fleet; there being there no news of an Army coming; and their vali∣antest men being newly sent against Godas; and that Gelimer having no thought

of an enemy, neglected Carthage, and the sea-towns and made his abode at Hermi¦one, near Byzacium, 4 days journy from any sea; so that they might sail on securely, and put in where the wind and weather should invite. Procopius hearing this, took the servant by the hand to the Port, and was inquisitive of many particulars; til be∣ing abo••rd, he commanded to hoist sail for Caucana. The Master of the fellow stood upon the shore wondring at his mans not returning. But Procopius called out to him not to take it unkindly, for his servant must speak with the General, and guide the Army into Africk, and then should be returned to him to Syracuse, with a rich reward. But arrived in the Army, he found them all mourning the death of Dorotheus, General of Armenia, a man much desired by the Army. Belisarius, when he heard the news from the man, rejoyced extreamly, and much commen∣ding Procopius, commanded the Trumpets to give warning for weighing anchor And so they came to the Isles of Gaulus and Malta, dividing the Adriatique and Tyrrhen•• seas; and thence with an Easterly wind, they came the second day upon the coast of Africk, five dayes journey from Carthage.

Being near the shore, Belisarius commanded to cast anchor; and assembling the Commanders consulted of their landing. After some diversity of opinions, Archelaus spake thus,

Our General is to be commended highly, who having the advantage of wisdom, experience and power, yet consults, and commands us to speak our opinions of landing, though knowing by his own observations, what must and may be done. And I cannot but admire you the Commanders for so readily perswading our landing; who know that to exhort men to an immi∣nent danger, brings no advantage to the adviser, but laies him open to an accu∣sation. For men when things succeed to their desire, are pleased, and that's all; but when otherwise, they accuse the author of the advice; though it be unjust that a man for his counsel in publick deliberations should be questioned. But resolving thus to land in an enemies Country, in what Port will you leave your ships? What fortification, or walled Town expect you? The coast from Lec∣ca to Carthage, you hear is nine days journey open to all winds, and without a∣ny harbour: And in all Africk, by Genserick his command, no walled Towns are standing but Carthage: And the Country, I am told, is destitute of waters. And if in the midst of these incommodities we meet with an enemy, what shall we resolve then? shall we not think such counsels infused rather by some unlucky Damon, then humane reason? Our ships also, when we are landed, and a storm comes, must either be scattered infinitely, or else perish upon this shore. Then for your necessary support, what supply expect you? Let no man look upon me the Commissary for Provisions. Then there are no servants for you, the soldiers must supply that Office. To conclude, where will you put your spare arms and baggage? and when you need such, whence will you be furnished? My opinion is, to sail directly for Carthage, where there is a haven four miles and a half from it, called the Pool, unguarded and capable of a great fleet, from whence you may make the war, and easily take Carthage.

And then having vanquisht the enemy far

from thence, nothing will be difficult nor dangerous to Conquerours. For na∣turally, the head once gon, the rest fals of it self. These things you are to con∣sider, and chuse the best.

After this speech, Belisarius began thus. 'Let none, fellow Commanders, think me to sit here a judge of what hath been spoken, nor to speak last, suppo∣sing

my sentence necessarily to be followed. I have heard your opinions, and my part is to propound what I conceive, and together with you to chuse the best.

One thing you must remember, that the soldiers even profess to fear a sea-fight, and if the enemy come, to turn their backs to them. And in that case

it is foolish to pray to God for success, being afraid, and our selves procuring the contrary event. If then we sail to Carthage and encounter an enemies Navy and our men fly from them, our counsel will be followed with repentance and complaints. A fatal error admits some excuse, but this none. And if a Tem∣pest happen (which is most urged to fright us, and not well) and our ships be ••••attered (as they say) or perish upon this coast: I pray which is less hurt, to have our ships cast away alone, or with them, all the rest of us to fall by the enemy? Besides, falling upon the enemy unprovided, and not looking for us,

we may subdue him; but when he is armed and prepared, we shall hazard a war upon equal terms. Concerning the provision of necessaries, and how we shall put ashore, it is not now time to consult, nor enquire. Shall we stay for a tem∣ipest to fall upon our Navy in a fight (as often happens) and then begin to learn what to do? I think we ought forthwith to land, taking with us our horses, arms, and other needfull things; and presently to entrench our selves within a good Rampire (which will defend us as the strongest wall) and from thence make the war. And think not to want any thing, if we fight valiantly. Who vanquish their enemies, all they have is theirs; Victory brings all to that side it enclines to.

In your swords therefore consists your safety, and aboundance.

All the Counsel easily consented to this, and rose; forthwith landing the Ar∣my, three months after their departure from Constantinople. The General chose by the sea-side, a place which both soldiers and mariners fortified with trench and rampire; and by multitude of hands concurring, and the General urging, it was finished the same day. Digging the earth, they came to much water (a thing never before seen in Byzacium, a dry Country) which supplyed men and beasts. Procopius congratulated with the General, not so much (as he said) for the water, as for the presage of an easie victory, which proved so indeed. That night the Army lodged in the Camp, set their watches and did all as is usual. Only aboard every ship Belisarius appointed five Archers, and the light Gallies to lie round a∣bout them to prevent sodain mischief.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Thus the Author calls constantly that sea which others call Ma∣re Ionium.