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. XI.

THen came newes to Belisarius, that Narses was come from Constantinople with an army, and was in Picenia, Narses was an Evnuch, and Treasurer to the Emperour, valiant above the condition of an Evnuch: with him came 5000 men in severall Regiments, commanded by Justinus, Generall of Illyrium, and others; and another Narses, a Pers-Armenian, who revolted former∣ly to the Romans with Horatius his Brother, who came a little before to Belisarius with other forces, and 2000 Herulians under Visandus, Alueth, and Phanotheus. Formerly the Herulians inhabited beyond the river Ister, serving many Gods, and holding it no impiety to appease them with human sacrifices. They had Lawes dif∣fering from other men: When men were grown aged or sick, they were not to live, But to intreat their kindred to put them out of the world: Who made a pile of wood, and set the man in the top, and sent a stranger to him, in blood, with a sword to dispatch him; then set the pile on fire, and the flame being done, gather'd up his Bones, and buried them. When an Herulian died, his wise (if she would be thought vertuous) was to strangle her self over her husbands Tombe; otherwise shee was esteemed infamous, and an Enemy to her husbands kindred. In time over-topping the bordering Barbarians in populousnesse and power, they vanquisht them in fight one by one, and forraged their country, and kept them under. They subdued the Lombards being Christians, and made them pay Tribute, upon Covetousnesse or vain glory, it being a thing not used by the Barbarians in those parts. In the Raign of the Emperour Anastasius, having none left to invade, they remained quiet for three years: But were discontented for it at their King Rodulphus, flocking about him, and calling him coward, and immodestly they scoft and abused him. Who not enduring the disgrace, made a causelesse war upon the Lombards, not charging them with breach of Treaties, or any other pretence. The Lombards sent to R••∣dulphus to know why the Herulians were in armes against them; if their Tribute were not all paid, they would satisfie it with advantage; if they thought it too mean, they would make it greater. But Redulphus sent their Ambassadors away with Threats. They sent again other Ambassadors, who used much entreaty; but speeding

not, the third came and advised him; In no sort to make a war without a cause: if he did, the Lombards (though unwillingly) must oppose the invasion; calling God to witnesse, whose least drop upon the scale will weigh down all the power of men, & as he is induced by the causes, wil determin the conclusion of this war.

The Herulians not frighted herewith, nor relenting, resolved to have a Battell. Both parts being neer each other; over the Lombards the aire was suddenly over cast with a black thick cloud; there being a clear sky over the Herulians, a Presage that the Herulians entred the fight for their own mischeife, and among those Barbarians before a battell the saddest prodigie that can be. But the Herulians, not heeding the same, marcht proudly against the Enemy, judging of the successe by their great mul∣titudes. But they were very many slain, with their King Rodulphus, and the rest fly∣ing were almost all cut in peices. Upon this they left their Country, and passing through all the land beyond the River Ister, came where the Regians, or Rugians had inhabited, (who were gone with the Goths into Italy) and there they sate down. But the land being wast, and famine compelling they removed, and came to a coun∣try next the Gepaedes; who at the first perm••tted them to plant, coming as Suppliants: But afterward they wronged them, forcing their wives, and making prey of their Cattell and Goods, and at last began unjust quarrells with them: which the Heruli∣ans not able to bear, past the River Ister to dwell by the Romans there. And Ana∣stasius the Emperour received them, to plant in the country. Soon after by commit∣ting much wickednesse upon their neighbouring Romans, they offended him, and he sent an army against them; which in a battell had the victory, killed most of them, and would have destroyed them all; but their cheiftains remaining, with supplicati∣ons begged their lives, and to be taken for Auxiliaries and Servants to the Empe∣rour; who granted the same, and so some Herulians escaped alive, but neither ayded nor served the Romans. Justinian coming to the Empire gave them a good coun∣try,

and Goods, and made them absolute Associates, and perswaded them to be Christians; upon this they grew civiller, and applyed themselves to the Lawes of Christians, serving the Romans as Auxiliaries. But still they are false to us, and co∣vetous; not thinking it any shame to wrong their Neighbours. They use impious mixtures with men and Beasts, being indeed the wickedest of all men, and wretches wretchedly to perish. Some few of them continued their League with us; the rest re∣volted upon this occasion. To shew the lavagenesse of their nature, they killed O∣chon their King, suddenly, without alleadging any thing, but that they would no more be under a King. And indeed their King before had only the name, otherwise little advantage above a private man. All sat and ate with him, and put licentious scornes on him; the Herulians being the most indiscreet, and the lightest men alive. This foule Fact they instantly repented, finding no possibility to live without Gover∣nours, and Generals. After much consultation, they resolved to send for one of the Blood Royall from the Island of Thule. For the Herulians being overthrown by the Lombards, and leaving their native Soile, some dwelt in Illyrium (as I said) others past not the River Ister, but thought it better to plant in the uttermost bor∣ders of the habitable World. Conducted by many of the Blood Royall, they past through all the Nations of the Slavonians; then passing a large desert Country, they came to a Nation called the Varnians, after whom they traversed the Nations of the Danes; the Barbarians there using no violence against them: Then they came to the Ocean, and getting Shipping, arrived at the Island of Thule, where they staid.