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.

* 1.1 CHAP. IX.

ILderick succeeded him, the son of Honoricus, the son of Genserick: A Prince mild to his subjects, and not harsh to Christians, nor to any; but faint-hearted, not enduring to hear of war. In such expeditions at the Vandals had, Hoamer was Generall, his nephew, a good Souldier, whom they called the Achilles of the Vandals. In his reign the Vandals lost a battel against the Moors of Byzacium, commanded by Antallas; and fell out with Theodorick and the Goths in Italy.

For they kept in prison Amalafrida, and put all the Goths to death who attended her, charging them with practise against their King and State. Of this Theodorick had no revenge, wanting a Navy to make war upon Africk; and Ilderick was an ancient friend of Justinian, who governed absolutely then, (his Uncle Justin being very old, and not skill'd in affairs of State) and they courted each other with Presents.

There was of the race of Genserick one Gelimer, the son of Gelgris the son of Genson, of ripe years, and so expected immediately to succeed Ilderick. In war he was thought one of the best of his time, but wicked, and skilful in mutinies and rapines. Perceiving his Reign coming slowly, though he had taken the govern∣ment by the yieldingness of Ilderick, he could not keep his thoughts in that con∣dition, but made a party, and perswaded the best men to depose Ilderick, as a Coward, beaten by the Moors; and betraying the State to the Emperour Justin, to keep the Kingdom from him, who was of the other house, which he said was the intent of the late Ambassage to Constantinople. They did so upon these per∣swasions:* 1.2 And Gelimer getting the Kingdom, kept Ilderick in prison, after seven years reign; with Hoamer, and his brother Evagees. Justinian hereof adver∣tised, being now Emperour, sent Ambassadors, and wrote thus to Gelimer. You doe not religiously, nor as is due to the testament of Genserick, to keep in prison an old man of your blood, and your King (if Genserick's wise constitutions be worth ought) and to force from him a Kingdom, which shortly you will have by law. Pro∣ceed not in evil; nor change the title of a King to that of an Ʋsurper, for a little ad∣vantage of time: But let him carry the image of Royalty to his grave (whereinto he is stepping) yourself having the execution of it already; and having the substance, attend upon the Law of Genserick for the name. If you doe thus, you will find God propitious, and Ʋs your friend. But Gelimer sent away the Ambassadors unsatisfied; put out Hoamers eyes, and kept Ilderick and Evagees in straiter prison, accusing them to have attempted an escape to Constantinople. Upon this Justinian sent other Ambassadors, and wrote thus. We did not think, you would have done the quite contrary to our advices. But seeing it pleases you to get a Kingdom thus, take what fortune gives you. But send to us Ilderick, and blind Hoamer and his brother, to get such comfort, whereof men are capable, who have lost Kingdoms and eye-sights. If you refuse this, we will not endure it. The hope they had in our friendship induces us; and the Treaties with Genserick cannot stop us, being not to make war upon, but to vindicate his Successor. To this Gelimer made this answer. King Gelimer to the Emperour Justinian. I have neither taken the Kingdom by force, nor committed impiety against mine own blood. The Vandals deposed Ilderick for practising against the house of Genserick: And me time hath called to the Kingdom, giving me my right of eldership according to the law. 'Tis good for a man to govern the State he hath, and not to encroach upon other mens cares; and 'tis just in you, who have a Kingdom of your own, not to be thus medling. If you break the Treaties, and invade us, we shall oppose you to our power; calling to witness the oath sworn by Zeno, whose successor you are. Justinian was angry before, but these letters more set him upon a revenge: And being an acute deviser, and nimble in execution, he resolved to conclude the Persian war speedily, and then to invade Africk. Belisarius Gene∣ral of the East was, then at Court, sent for; but with no word of leading an Army into Africk. It was given out, that he was discharged of his government: And* 1.3 the Persian perpetual Truce was newly made.

Iustinian (all being wel at home, and with Persia) at a consultation acquainted the great Officers, that he would levy an Army against Gelimer and the Vandals. The most of them were discontented at it, remembring the overthrow of Basiliscus, and that great Fleet of the Emperour Leo, the Souldiers lost, and the huge debt made by the State. Above all, the Prefect of the Palace, (whom the Romans call Praetor) was netled at it, and the Lord High-Treasurer, and all Collectors of tributes, both belonging to the Treasury and the Emperour; considering how they must supply the necessities of the war infinitely, and not be admitted to excuse or delay. And every Generall, doubting the employment, apprehended the great∣ness of the hazard; after escaping the sea, to encamp in an enemies country, and upon their landing to fight with a great and potent Kingdom. The Souldiers

newly returned from a long and difficult war, scarce having tasted of their home-contentments, were troubled to be led now to a Sea-fight (a thing they had never heard of) and to be sent from the East to the West, to hazard against Vandals and Moors. All others (as is the manner of multitudes) meant to be spectators of new businesses, with other mens danger. None durst cross the voyage, save Iohn the Cappadocian, Prefect of the Palace, being the boldest and smartest man of his time: He (while others mourned in silence) spake thus to the Emperour.

Sir! The security of conversing with you gives me confidence, to speak things expedient for your service, though not pleasing. Your wisdom hath so temper'd power & justice in you, that you judg not him absolutely a friend to your affairs who seconds you, nor are offended with opposing you; weighing things by the sin∣cere meaning: which makes it safe to differ from your counsels. Hereby in∣duced, Sir! I shall advise happily what for the present may offend, but here∣after I shall make my affection apparant, and call you for a witness. If you shall begin a war with the Vandals, and then find it grow into length, my counsel will then appear good. If your confidence arise from assurance of victory, no mar∣vail you venture men, spend money, and engage the toyls of such combats; for victory gotten covers these afflictions of war. But seeing this is in the hands of God, and that looking upon foregoing presidents, we cannot but fear the event of this war; certainly to content our selves with quietness, is better, then the hazards of battels. You will send an Army against Carthage, whither by land it must march 140 dayes journy; or sail the ••ength of the great sea to the utmost bounds of it: So that the news of the occurrents will be a year in coming to you. And if you vanquish your enemies, yet you cannot be master of Africk, Sicily and Italy being in other hands. But if you be overthrown, (the Peace being broken) you will draw the war upon your own country. In a word, it will not be in your power to enjoy the victory; and if fortune be cross, it will ruine the affairs well setled. Before action, consultation is profitable: when the blow is given, it is vain to repent; but before it, one may safely change his mind: It will be most expedient therefore to make due use of the times.

The Emperour approved this advise, and let fall his eagerness to the war. But a Bishop out of the East got access to him, and told him,

That God had charged him in a dream to blame him; having undertaken to deliver the Christians in Africk from Ty∣rannie, to grow faint now upon no ground; whereas I will assist him (said he) and make him master of Africk.

The Emperour upon this could hold no longer; but prepared an Army and a Navy, and provisions, requiring Belisarius to be in readiness to goe Generall into Africk.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An Dom. 527. & Justini 9. It was Justi∣niani 1. who began to reign with Justin on good Friday of that year, 5 Ap. and alone in August fol∣lowing.
• * 1.2

  An. dom. 530. & Justiniani quarto.
• * 1.3

  An. dom. 533. Justiniani septi∣mo.