CHAP. IV
BUt the Vandales inhabiting about the Lake of Moeotis, upon a great famin, went to the Germans, now called Franks, and to the river of Rhine, associ∣ating the Alans, a Gothish Nation. From thence they rose under the conduct of Godidiscius, and planted in Spain. And Honorius came to conditions with Godi∣discius, to continue there without infesting the Province. And whereas there is a Roman Law, That men out of possession the space of thirty years, cannot enter upon the disseisors; but before are by prescription barred their action in Court for the same; Honorius by his Edict commanded the Vandales continuance in Roman Land, not to need that thirty years prescription. In this estate Honorius left Italy, and died. With him Constantius was Emperour, who married his sister Placidia, but died before Honorius; having had in his small time in the Empire no means to act any thing, his son Valentinian from his nurse was brought to the Palace of Theodosius, and there bred. But the Courtiers in Rome chose Emperour one of the Souldiers named John; a mild and a prudent man, and valiant. He usurped five years, but ruled moderately, not hearkning to informers, nor unjust∣ly killing nor confiscating any: But against the Barbarians he could do nothing, by reason all at Constantinople was his enemy. Theodosius, the son of Arcadius, sent an Army against him under Aspar and Ardaburius his son, and deposed him; giving the Empire to Valentinian, yet a child, who took John cut off one of his hands, brought him into the Circus of Aquileia upon an ass; and when he had endured much scorn and indignity from the Stage, there put him to death.
Valentinian being thus Emperor of the West, his mother Placidia bred him ef∣feminately, that he became vicious from a child; he frequented Conjurers and Star-gazers, made love to other mens wives, and was extreamly debaucht, though he had a wife most beautifull: So that he was so far from recovering the lost pieces of the Empire, that he added the loss of Affrick, and ruined himself; and after his death his wife and children had the fortune to be captives. The disaster in Africk hapned thus. The two Roman Generals, Aetius and Bonifacius, both valiant and expert Soldiers, inferiour to none of their time, ever were at difference in the publique affairs; being men so high in worth and spirit, that he shall not err, who cals them the last of the Romans. All the Roman virtue and valour was so reduced into these two. Bonifacius Placidia made General of Africk, which displeased Aetius, but he concealed his dislike (their enmity being covered yet under a fair visour) but Bonifacius once out of the way, he accused him of Ty∣ranny, and a desire to deprive her and the Emperour of Africk; and that she might easily find the truth; (for if she sent for Bonifacius he would not come.) She liked the advice, and did so: But Aetius wrote privatly to him before, that the Emperours mother had a plot upon him, to be rid of him; for proof where∣of he forewarned him, how he should be presently sent for upon no ground. Bonifacius not thinking light of the advice, and being summoned to go to the Emperour, refused, concealing the advertisement he had from Aetius. Upon this, Placidia thought Aetius above all men well affected to the Emperour, and con∣sulted about Bonifacius: Who ••nable to withstand the Emperour, and to go to Rome holding it not safe; advised by what means he might make a league with the Vandales, who, as I said, were ••ea••ed in Spain, not far from Africk. Godidis∣cius was dead; but Gonthar•• his legitimate son, and Genserick his base son succeed∣ed in his Dominions; the first whereof was a ••oy, not much active; but Gense∣rick very well exercised in Military affairs, and the shrewdest man alive. Bonifa∣cius sent to Spain to these sons of Godidiscius, to invite them to equal terms with him, for each of the three to have a third part of Africk; and if any one of them