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.

BELISARIƲS sent then for John to Otranto, and with him, and Valeri∣anus, and a Fleet he had got together, he sailed to succour Rusciana. The Garrison there discerning the Fleet, took courage, and refused to yeild, though the day assigned were at hand. But a storm dispersed all the Ships, the coast being Harbour-lesse; and in the Haven of Croton they met all, and made for Rusciana again. The Goths seeing them, leap'd on Horse-backe, and stood upon the shore to oppose their landing, set in front by Totilas against their fore-ships; some with their Lances, others with their Bows bent. The Romans seeing it, durst, come no neerer, but lay at hull far off in the Sea; And at length despairing, turned

about to Sea-ward, and came again to an Anchor in the haven of Croton: Where they resolved in counsell, that Belisarius should make for Rome, and Victual it, as he could; and that John and Valerianus should land, and ride into Picenia, to impede the Enemies sieges of the Towns there; hoping also to draw Totilas towards them, with the raising of the siege of Rusciana. John with his Troops being 1000. men, did accordingly: But Valerianus was afraid, and by the Jonian Gulfe sailed for An∣cona, thinking so more securely to get into Picenia, to joyn with John. Totilas rai∣sed not his siege, but sent 2000. selected Horse-men into Picenia, to joyne with o∣ther Goths, and to beate away John and Valerianus. But the Garrison in Rusciana (their Victuall being absolutely failed) sent Godilas the Lancier, and Theopheron the Italian to intercede for their lives, and pardon for their fault. Totilas promised it to all, save Chalazar only; Who had formerly broken faith with him; & so received the Castle, and put to death Chalazar, cutting off his hands and privy members. The Souldiers that would, he kept in equall ranck with Goths, and left them their goods (as he used in all places) And such as would not, he dismist, stript, and unarmed, not desiring any to serve him unwillingly: And 80. of them quitted their goods, and came to Croton; the rest staid; of whom the Italians had their goods taken away afterwards, but no hurt was done to their persons.

Antonina finding the Empresse dead at Constantinople, besought the Emperour to send for her Husband home: Which she easily obtained, the Persian War pressing sore. In the mean time there was an attempt against the Emperours person, which began, and was defeated in this manner. Artabanes, who slew the Tyrant Gontharis in Affrick, was eager to marry Projecta, the Emperours sisters daughter; He was be∣troathed to her, and she affected the match; not for love of his person so much, as in her gratitude to a man, who had revenged the murder of her Husband Areobin∣dus, and rescued her a Captive, and ready to be put into the loathed bed of Gontha∣ris the Tyrant. Both thus consenting, Artabanes sent Projecta to the Emperour; and being made Generall of Africk, besought the Emperour with some pretences, to send for him to Constantinople; Hoping thereby to effect the marriage, and to get many advantages, and even to put for the Empire.

Men thus getting fortunes which they looked not for, yet look still further; and foment their rising hopes, till they fall from the happinesse they have. The Empe∣perour granted his desire, and sent for him to Constantinople, and made another Generall of Africke, as is said in my former relations. And being a tall comely personage, liberall, and of few words, the Constantinopolitans loved him, and ad∣mired him for his deeds. And the Emperour respected him with the best, made him Generall of the Forces in Constantinople, and Commander of the Confederates, and enrolled him a Consull. But he could not marry Projecta, by reason he had a for∣mer Wife, his Country-woman, whom he married young, and shook off long before upon some exceptions for slight matters, wherein women offend their Husbands. And she, while Artabanes fortunes were not yet made, sate quiet at home; But he being grown famous for his Actions, and great in his fortunes, she would suffer no longer the dishonour; but became sutor in Constantinople to the Empresse for her Husband to be restored to her. The Empresse, ever inclinable to assist distressed women, brought her to live with her Husband, much against his will: And Proje∣cta was married to John, the sonne of Pompey.

Artabanes was wild at this misfortune; and that having done so great service to the Romans, they had not onely barred him from his betroathed Wife, but put him to lead his whole life with a woman that hated him; the greatest vexation which the soule of man can suffer. And so soon as the Empresse was dead, he pre∣sently sent away his Wife. Germanus also, the Emperours brothers sonne, had a Brother named Boraides; Who was lately dead, leaving his main estate to Germa∣nus and his sons, and to his own only daughter, so much only as law compelled. This daughter the Emperour protected, which troubled Germanus.

There was also in Constantinople Arsaces, an Armenian of the race of the Ar∣sacides, and kindred of Artabanes. This man was taken lately in a manifest practise of Treason with Chosroes, King of Persia. The Emperour punished him onely with some few lashes upon his back, and made him ride through the City upon a Camel: taking nothing from him, nor so much as banishing him the Court. Yet was he dis∣contented

for what befell him, and he devised mischief against the Emperour and the State; finding likewise his Cozen Artabanes discontented, he provoked him more, surprizing him with cunning words, and chiding him.

That he was grown a coward and effeminate in an unfit time. He was valiant to rescue others, and to pull down Tyrants, and had killed without any provocation Gentharis his freind, and feaster. But that now he lay still poorly and heartlesse; while his country lan∣guished under a perpetuall Garrison, and unusuall taxations, having lost his Father treacherously slain under colour of a Treaty, and having his kinsmen made slaves, and scattered through the whole Roman Empire. Yet Artabanes (quoth he) thinks it enough to have a Roman Generallship, and the bare title of a Consull, and me your kinsman you can behold suffering base things, without condoling with me; but I pitty noble Sir your own sufferings in both your wives, both her you have lost, and her you must live with. And surely there is no cause nei∣ther upon deliberation nor fear, that can discourage a man from killing Justinian, who sits, at midnight without his Guards, discoursing with some old Preists, and busie in endlesse scanning the Christians Oracles. None of his kinsmen will op∣pose you Germanus the most powerfull, and his Sons, young men inraged against Justinian, (I verily think) will joyn with you; that so the businesse will even do it self.

For they have been more wronged by him then we, or any Armenian. Ar∣saces with such inchantments as these, finding Artabanes yeilding, imparted the mat∣ter to one Chanaranges; a Persarmenian, a handsome youth, but nothing serious; and having brought him and Artabanes together in the same resolution, he left them, promising to draw Germanus and his Sons into the plot.