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CHAP. III.
THe taking of Rome by Alaricus, was thus.* 1.1 Having spent much time in the Siege, and not taking it by force, nor other means; he chose out 300 beard∣less Youths, whom he knew well bred, and valorous above their years: These he told secretly, that he would colourably present them for Slaves to some Roman Patricians; and he charged them, being in their houses, to shew all mildness and sobriety, and to serve their masters cheerfully in all their injunctions; but at a day apyointed, after noon, while their masters were sleeping after their dinners to meet all at Porta Salaria, suddenly to kill the Guards, and to open the gate, Alaricus having thus instructed the young men, sent Ambassadors to the Senate to tell them,
That he admired their good affection to their Emperour, and would trouble them now no more, seeing manifestly their singular valour and fidelity: But to have remembrances remaining with such worthy men, he desired to present them with some few Servants.Soon after, he sent the young men, and commanded the Barbarians to tru••s up their baggage for a retreat, that the Romans might perceive it. The Senators gladly entertained this discourse, and the Presents, and lived merrily, and suspected no design, seeing the young mens obedience, and in the Camp some gone already, some busie to rise, the rest ex∣pected to do the like immediately. At the hour assigned, Alaricus put his Army, in order by Porta Salaria, as if to march away, (being there quartered at first) The young men then also killed the Guards at the said gate, and set them open, receiving in Alaricus at pleasure. The houses next the Gate they burnt, and a∣mong them that of Salust who wrote the Roman History, whereof the remains half-burnt stood to my time: Then they sackt the City, slew most of the Romans in it, and went away. Then they say that the Eunuch of Honorius, then being at Ravenna, who kept his Cocks of the game, told him the news how Rome was lost; He cryed out, Why! even now he eat from mine own hands, (He had an extra∣ordinary great Cock named Rome) The Eunuch understanding him, told him, that the City Rome was lost by Alaricus: The Emperour rousing himself replied, I thought, my friend, it had been my Cock Rome. So simple, they say, was that Emperour. Some say that Alaricus took not Rome thus: But that Proba a Ro∣man Lady eminent for wealth and honour, pittying the people perishing with miseries, and for famine eating one another, and seeing no hope of better, (the River and Port being block'd up by the Enemy) directed her servants in the night to open the gates; Alaricus at his parting from Rome, declared Attalus, one of the Nobility, Emperour, putting on him the Diadem and Purple robe, and all other ensigns of the Imperial dignity; that by this he might depose Honorius, and give Attalus the Western Empire. But Attalus had neither wit himself, nor could follow good counsel; sending into Africk, without Alaricus's consent, Gover∣nours without an Army.
Britany then revolted from the Romans, and the Souldiers chose Constantine their Emperour, an eminent man, who with a Fleet and a good Army invaded Spain and Gaule. Honorius with ships in readiness, expected the success in Africk, to sail thither upon the rejection of those sent from Attalus, and so to retain some part of the Empire; if otherwise, to go to Theodosius (who being very young, held the Empire after his father Arcadius and to continue with him. But fluctuating in these uncertainties and cares, he had a miraculous blessing, (God usually assist∣ing men not subtile to devise for themselves, so they be not wicked) For from Africk came sudden news, that Attalus's Governours were slain; and unexpectedly came to him a great Navy from Constantinople with an Army to his aid: Alaricus also offended, took from Attalus the Imperial habit, and made him a prisoner, and himself soon after died; and the Army of Visigoths were by Adulpbus led against Gaule. Constantine also was overthrown in battel, and slain with his sons. But Britany the Romans could never recover, continuing ever since under their own Princes.