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. XIX.

BUt Gontharis his intent was to kill Areobindus secretly in the battel, that he might not seem to intrude into the Empire; but rather that the soldiers, think∣ing the treason to be acted by others, might constrain him to usurp the dominion of Africk. To circumvent Areobindus, he counsels him to lead the whole Army the next day by sun-rising against the enemy, who was now come near to Car∣thage. But Areobindus being backward and raw in such businesses, delayed, and spent most of the day in fitting his arms about him, and other things for the fight; which he thus put off till the next day. Gontharis suspected him purposely to dally, as senting the plot; and resolved openly to murder him, and so to make himself King of Africk. His plot was, to set open the gate whereof he had the guard, and to hinder the shutting of it again by great stones put between; and then to place armed men upon the battlements; himself standing in the gate with his corselet on: This he invented, not for the Moors reception into the City (who being false themselves, suspect all men else; and good reason, that a faithless man should trust none, weighing others disposition by his own.) So that he did not hope that the Moors would trust him, and come within the walls; but that Areo∣bindus being frighted, might run away to Constantinople: and he lighted upon a right conceit, if a sudden storm had not slaid Areobindus; who being informed of the plot, sent for Athanasius, and other principal men. Artabanes, with two others, came to him, and advised him not to shrink at this presumption of Gontha∣ris, but instantly to sally, and fall to work before further mischief: But Areobin∣das first sent Phredas, one of his favorites, to Gontharis, to feel his resolution. Who brought him back word, that Gontharis avowed the usurpation. Then he resolved to go out and fight with him. Gontharis in the mean time accused Areo∣bindus to the soldiers for a coward,

and that to detain their pay from them, his intent ••as to sail away out at the Port of Mandracium with Athanasius, and to leave the soldiers to perish by famine and the Moors. He therefore demand∣ed, if it were their pleasure to seize upon them both.

His hope herein was, that either Areobindus would run away at the tumult, or be taken and killed by the soldiers; and himself undertook to satisfie their arrears. They embraced the counsel: And Areobindus, with Artabanes, and their troops coming up to them, there was a fight at the battleme••ts, and the gate where Gontharis stood. The soldiers well affected to the Emperour, making head from several quarters, (the most part continuing ••ound, and not corrupted by Gontharis) had absolutely routed the mutiners▪ but Areobindus astonisht to see men killed (a sight he was not used to) cowardly ran away. Within the walls of Carthage, by the sea-side, is a Church of Monks, men who precisely exercise duties to God. This Church Solomon lately had repaired, walled, and made a strong Castle of it: And hither Areobindus fled, and sent for his wife and sister. Artabanes retired also, and the rest; and Gontharis having an absolute victory, seized upon the Palace with his soldiers, and put guards upon the City gates, and the Haven. He sent first for

Athanasius; who soothed him, and seemed to like the action wonderous well: Then he sent the Bishop of the City, to will Areobindus to come to the Palace upon assurances of safety; threatning, if he refused, to pull him out, and kill him. The Bishop, named Reparatus, went, and by Gontharis his direction of∣fered to swear that he should have no hurt, and told him what he threatned upon his refusall. Areobindus was afraid, and promised, if the Bishop at the celebra∣tion of the holy Baptisme would in Gontharis his name by oath assure his security, that he would go with him. This the Bishop did, and Areobindus without more scruple went with him, having on a garment called in Latine Casula) not sit for a Generall, nor a common soldier, but for a slave rather. At the Palace he took the Bible from the Bishop; and being brought to Gontharis, he fell upon his face, and lay so a long time, holding out his supplication, and the Bible, and his little son, newly made partaker of the holy Baptisme, at which the Bishop had sworn his safety. Gontharis raised him with much adoe; he conjuring him by all that is holy, to tell him if his life were safe. Gontharis bad him be of courage; for the next day he should go from Carthage safe, with his wife and goods. Then he dismissed the Bishop, and invited Areobindus and Athanasius to sup with him in the Palace. At supper he honoured Areobindus, placing him on his right hand upon the couch. After supper he would not let him go, forcing him to lie in a Chamber alone whither he sent Ʋlitheus and some others, who after his much crying and wailing, and words to move pitty, killed him. Athanasius they spared, despising his age. The next day Gontharis sent Areobindus his head to Antalas, but kept his goods. and the 1500 soldiers. At which Antalas chased; and it troubled him to see how Gontharis had forswore himself to Areobindus his friend, so that he could not think he should ever keep faith to himself, or any. After much debate, he resolved to submit to the Emperour, and so marcht away. He then sent to Marcentius, Commander of the Horse in Byzacium (who was fled into an Island) acquainted him with the business, and upon assurances got him to come to him. So Marcentius was with Antalas; and the soldiers of Byzacium, true to the Emperour, guarded Adramettus. The mutiners of Stotzas about 1000 men, were led by John to Gontharis, who gladly received them. Of them were 500 Romans, and 80. Hunnes; the rest were Vandals.

Artabanes, upon assurances came to the Palace with his Armenians, professing his service to the usurper. But closely he plotted his death, consulting with Gre∣gorius, his Nephew, and Artasiris, one of his guard. Gregorius, to egge him on, told him,

That he had now the means to gain the glory of Belisarius, nay to exceed it. He, with a gallant Army, a huge treasure, with many Com∣manders and Counsellors; with a Fleet of ships (the like whereof this age had not heard of) with store of horse and arms, and with a preparation fitting the Roman Empire, had recovered Africk, All which was now so cast away, as if none of it had ever been; and that the Romans from Belisarius his victory were fallen to be abused in their persons, and robbed of their goods. But that it was onely in his spirit, wit, and sword now, to recover all this to the Em∣perour. He bad him consider, how he was of the race of the Arsacides, and think how men nobly born must be every where valiant. Being a youth, he slew Acacius, Governour of Armenia, and Sittas the Generall; and thereby was made known to King Chosroes, and made war for him against the Romans: that being such a person, he ought not now to abandon the Roman Empire thus to a drunken dog, but to make it appear, that his former actions proceeded from true nobleness and valour: that himself, and Artasiris would serve his commands therein.

Thus Gregorius incensed Artabanes against the Tyrant.