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. XVI.

IN the fourth year after, all this prosperity changed into miseries. It was Justinians fourteenth year of his reign,* 1.1 when Cyrus and Sergius the sons of Baccus, Solomons brother, were sent to govern in Africk; the elder Pentapolis, and the younger Tripolis. To these the Leucathian Moors came with an Army as farre as Leptis Magna, giving out it was to give them presents, and to esta∣blish a peace. Sergius by the perswasions of Pudentius the Tripolitan (who made the first war against the Vandals for the Emperour) received into the City 70. Moors, whom be invited courteously to a feast, promising to grant their de∣mands, and the rest he willed to stay in the suburbs. They say they came with a treacherous intent to kill Sergius; and that one of them in speech with him ex∣postulated the Romans unjust spoiling their corns and Towns, and other wrongs; which Sergius slighting, and rising from his seat, and going away; one of them caught him by the mantle, and would have staid him, Hereupon the rest rose, and tumultuously stood about Sergius: and one of his Lifeguard drew his sword, and killed the Moore that held him by the mantle: whereupon all being in an up∣roar, the Lifeguard of Sergius kill'd all the Moores, save one; who seeing his fellowes slain,* 1.2 stole out of the roome, and got to his countrymen, telling them what happened: who ran to their camp, and with the rest came in Armes against the Romans. Neer Leptis Magna Sergius and Pudentius, with their whole forces, met them. The fight came presently to handy blowes, and the Romans were victorious and flew many, sack't their camp, and got a great booty, and abun∣dance of women and children. Afterward Pudentius was slain by his own rash ad∣venturing, and Sergius retired with the Army into Leptis Magna, it being grown dark. Shortly after the L••ucathians came with a greater preparation against the Romans; Sergius went to Solomon his Uncle, to desire that he would come back

against these with a great Army; where he found Cyrus his brother. The Moors the while over ran Bizacium, and sack't most of the towns. Antalas also formerly ever faithfull to the Romans and therefore having the Government of the Moors in Bizacium, was now turned enemy to Solomon, who had taken from him those allowances the Emperour had assigned him, and killed his brother, for making a commotion in Beracium. So he willingly joyned in a league with these Barbari∣ans, and led them to Carthage against Solomon: who advertized thereof, marcht towards them; and finding them at Tebeste, a City six dayes journey from Carthage, he encamped his Army, together with Cyrus, and Sergius, and Solomon the yonger, all sons of Bacchus. He sent to the chiefes of the Leucathians (being afraid of their multitude) complaining of their taking arms, and invading, be∣ing yet in league with the Romans; demanding a ratification of the peace; and promising to take the strongest oathes, to abolish the memory of what they had done. They laugh at these overtures, and said;

That doubtlesse they would swear the Christians oath, which they call, the Gospels: which Sergius having sworn, and then killed those who trusted him; they meant now to try by a bat∣tel, what power those oracles have against men that forswear them; that so be∣ing confident in them, they may come to a treaty.

Solomon, hearing this, prepared to fight; and the next day, meeting some enemies driving a great prey, he defeated them, and took it from them. The souldiers murmured because he kept it to himself, not giving them the spoiles of War: But he bad them stay till the War was ended, and then every man should have his share according to his desert. The Barbarians again urged to give battel. But of the Romans, some were absent, others went on with no heart: yet at first the fight was equall; afterward, the Moors surmounting much in numbers, the Romans ran away. Solomon with his company endured their shot a while, then being over prest, fled; and at a torrent his horse stumbling he fell. His Lifeguard set him up again, but being in pain not able to hold his bridle, the Barbarians overtook and killed him, and many of his guard, Solomon being dead thus the Emperour gave the Government of Africk to Sergius, who proved the de∣struction of the Province. All were discontented; the commander at his youth, indiscretion, and insolence, and the impertinent affronts he did them, wherein he imployed his power, wealth, and the authority of his place; The souldiers, because he was a coward; And the provincials, for all this, and moreover for his unsatiable love of their wives and Estates.

Above all, John, the son of Sisinniolus, being an able souldier, and of great reputation, was offended with his greatness, and extream ingratitude to himself. So that neither he nor a man among them would draw their swords against the enemy. Almost all the Moors followed Antalas, who had sent for Stotzas out of Mauritania. And Antalas then wrote this letter to the Emperour.

That I am the servant of your Empire I deny not; But the Moors have been forced to take arms upon the base injuries done by Solomon, not to rise up in arms against you, but to resist an enemy; especially I from whom he was not contented onely to take away my allowances, designed by Belisarius, and by you given me, but he hath killed my brother guiltlesse; we have now righted our selves up∣on him that wrong'd us; and if you will have the Moors obsequious servants of your Empire, as formerly, command Sergius the Nephew of Solomon to leave Africk, and send some other Generall: you cannot want men far worthier then Sergius. So long as he commands your Army, there can be no peace between the Romans and Moors.

The Emperour notwithstanding this letter, and though he knew the Generall hatred of Sergius; yet in respect of Solomons worth, and manner of death, he would not remove him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An. Dom. 540. Just. 14.
• * 1.2

  Here again the Greek begins.