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 Justinian after a long consultation herein, dismist the Gepaedes with a refusall, and swore a League with the Lombards; And he sent them 10000. Horse under Constantianus, Buzes and Aratius, assisted by John lately come out of Italy, who by the Emperours direction was to return into Italy with his Troops, so soon as the Battell with the Gepaedes was fought. There were also with them 1500. Herulians, commanded by Philimuth and others. The rest of the Herulian Forces being 3000. and lately revolted from the Romans (as I have said formerly) were on the part of the Gepaedes. Some of these led by Aordus their Princes Brother, a party of the Romans marching to the aide of the Lombards met, routed them, and killed Aordus, and many more. But the Gepaedes understanding the Roman Army to be neer, compounded the quarrell with the Lombards, and a Truce was concluded without the Romans; who being thereof advertised, were troubled, being not able to go on, nor to return back: and they feared least the Gepaedes and Herulians should make a joynt in-road into Illyrium, and spoile it. So they lay still, and advertised the Emperour. Thus much by way of digression, con∣cerning these ocurrents.

But Belisarius was now returning to Constantinople, with no honour. In five yeares space he never marcht up into the land of Italy, made no expedition, but was all the while in a perpetuall flight, sailing from one strong Sea-Town to ano∣ther, which gave the Enemy meanes to captivate Rome, and all the rest. He abandon∣ed Perusia, the chiefe City of Tuscany, which was taken by assault while he was in his way home. Being come to Constantinople, and now grown extream rich, and much respected for his former Victories, he made his continuall aboad there. Be∣fore his Voyage into Africa, God gave him a cleer presage of his good Fortunes. He had Land in Panteichion, the Suburb of Constantinople, right over against the City; where immediately before his expedition against Gelimer, and Africk, his Vines were very full taken, and many Vessels were silled with the Wine thereof, which had their bottomes buried in the ground, and their tops fast closed with Clay in the Wine-Cellar. Eight months after the Wine workt out of the Vessels, forcing out the Clay, and made the Cellar a puddle. The Servants wondred at it, filled many Flaggons with it, and stopped up the Vessels again, and concealed the Accident. But the same happening often, they acquainted their Master with it; and he shewed it to divers of his Friends, who divined from thence much happi∣nesse to be coming to his House. This thus happened to Belisarius. But now Vigi∣lius, Bishop of Rome, and the Italians at Court being many, and of good quality, besought the Emperour to vindicate Italy with all his power. Above all Gothigus pressed him, being a Patrician, and late Consull, and newly arrived at Constanti∣nople for this purpose. The Emperour promised to take care of Italy, but he spent the most of his time about the Christians Controversies, endeavouring to settle the same.

During this War Ildiges, a Lombard, came with forces as far as to Venetia, upon this occasion. Vaces, late Prince of the Lombards, had Risiulphus his Brothers Son, who by the Law was to succeed him; but Vaces plotting the Succession for his own Son, charged Risiulphus with some groundlesse Crime, and banished him. Risiulphus fled to the Varnians, leaving two Sons behind him: These Barbarians Vaces hired to kill Risiulpus; and one of his two Sons dyed: but Ildeges, the other, fled to the Slavonians. Not long after Vaces dyed, and the Government came to Valdarus, his Son; who being a Child, Audovin was made his Protector, and attain∣ing thereby to great power, he got the absolute Government to himselfe: And shortly after the Child dyed. When the Lombards and Gepaedes were in War, Ildi∣ges brought to the Gepaedes such Lombards as followed him; and many Slavoni∣ans, hoping that the Gepaedes would restore him to the Government. But when the Truce was made, Audouin demanded Ildiges of the Gepaedes, now his Friends. They would not betray him, but they bad him be gone, and save himselfe. He with his own followers and some few Gepaedes went again to the Slavonians, and from thence marcht towards Totilas with about 6000. men; And in Venetia meeting

Romans led by Lazarus, he killed many of them; yet would not joyn with the Goths, but passed the Ister again, and retired to the Slavonians. About the same time also Ilauf, one of the Life-guard to Belisarius, and Valiant, being left in Italy, revolted to Totilas, who sent him immediately with a Navie, and Forces into Dal∣matia. He at Monecurus, a Town upon the Sea neer Salonae, at first was familiar with the Townes-men, as a Roman, and appertaining to Belisarius: But suddenly he put them all to the Sword, and sackt the Town. The like he did at Laureata, a Castle upon the Sea Coast. Claudianus, Governour of Salonae, sent Forces against him in Pinnaces; who at Laureata fought with the Enemy, and had the worse, ran away, and left their Pinnaces in the Haven; which Ilauf took, together with other Ships laden with Corn and Provisions; and having killed and spoiled all they found, he returned to Totilas: When the Winter ended, and the 14. yeare of this War, written by Procopius.

Afterward Totilas with his whole Army besieged Rome,* 1.1 where Belisarius had left three thousand of his best men under Diogenes, one of his Lifeguard, a discreet man, and a good Souldier. And the siege lasted long; the besieged with the advan∣tage of their valour matching the whole Goths Army: Diogenes also diligently at∣tending his Guards, and by sowing corne within the Walls, preventing want of Victuall; and valiantly repelling the many assaults of the Goths, who being masters of Portus, absolutely blockt up Rome. Justinian also (Belisarius being returned to Constantinople) intended to send another Generall with an Army; which if he had done, he had certainly vanquisht the Goths; Rome being in his obedience, and ha∣ving an Army there to joyne with his Succours from Constantinople. First he com∣manded Liberius, a Patrician, to be in readinesse; then other businesse intervening, he grew cold. After a long time spent in the siege of Rome, some Isaurians, who guarded Saint Pauls Gate, discontented for want of pay for many yeares, and see∣ing the advancement of their Countreymen, who formerly betrayed Rome to the Goths, and the wealth they had gotten, came to a secret conference with Totilas, and agreed at a day assigned to betray the City to him. At the day Totilas launched into the Tiber, about the first watch of the night, two small Vessells with Trumpet∣ters aboard; whom he directed, having rowed up neer the City walls, to sound their Trumpets. Himselfe closely put his Army in readinesse neer unto Saint Pauls Gate; and to prevent the Romans slipping away to Centumcellae (the onely For∣tresse they had left thereabout) he layd ambushes upon the way, to cut them off as they fled.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Incipit Annus 15. bell. Goth. in ann. 23. Ju∣stiniani & An. Dom. 549.