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. V.

THE newes of these things troubled the Emperour; and though the Persian War lay heavily upon him, he was constrained to send Belisarius against To∣tilas; and the Winter ended, and the ninth yeare of this War, written by Pro∣copius; when Belisarius went the second time into Italy. † 1.1 Having but few Soul∣diers, (as being not able to withdraw his own Forces from the Army in Persia) he levied with his own money Voluntaries in Thrace, being assisted by the Empe∣rours direction with Vitalius, Generall of Illyrium, lately returned from Italy, where he had left the Illyrian Cohorts; they both raised 4000. men, and came to Salona, determining to go to Ravenna, and thence to make the War: For about Rome they found they could not land unespyed, (the Enemy being in Campania and Calabria) nor yet force their landing, being inferiour in powers.

In the mean time, the Garrison in Otranto (the Victuall being absolutely fail∣ed,) capitulated about the surrender of the Castle, by a day assigned. Belisarius put a yeares Victuall aboard Ships, and commanded Valentinus to transport it to Otranto, and to take out the former Garrison, pined with Sicknesse, and Famine, and put in the Souldiers he had with him aboard, being fresh and well supplyed. Valentinus with a faire wind got to Otranto four daies before the time assigned, and finding the Harbour unguarded, was Master of it, and entred the Castle without resistance. The Goths being carelesse, and lying still under their confidence in the Capitula∣tion, and imagining no opposition, and then seeing the Fleet enter, ran away in feare, and encamped themselves some distance from the Town, and advertised Totilas of what happened. Some Troops of Valentinus from Otranto made in-roads into the Country, and meeting the Enemy upon the Sea shoare, they fought, were beaten, and most of them fled into the Sea; where having lost 170. men, the rest retired into the Castle. But Valentinus, as Belisarius commanded, took out the old Garrison, (being men halfe dead) and leaving fresh men with a yeares Victuall, he went to Salonae with the rest. Belisarius from thence came with the Fleet before Pola; where he staid, and ordered the Army. Totilas hearing of his coming, and being desirous to know his Forces, he wrote Letters to him in the name of one Bo∣nus, Nephew to one John, and Commander of the Garrison in Genoa, entreating his speedy repaire to him, as being in much distresse and danger. This Letter he de∣livered to five witty fellowes, directing them to spy what Forces Belisarius had, and to give out that they came from Bonus. Belisarius used the men courteously, (as his manner was) perused the Letter, and bad them tell Bonus that he would be with him with his Army. They having spyed into every thing, returned to the Camp to Totilas, assuring him that Belisarius powers were not considerable.

In the mean time Totilas took Tibur, which had in it a Garrison of Isaurians: Some of the Townes-men, guarding the Gates with the Isaurians, fell into an idle brable with them, and upon that ground drew in the Enemy by night. The Isau∣rians rallyed themselves (seeing the Town taken) and almost all got away; but of the Townes-men the Goths spared not a man, and killed the Bishop of the Town in a fashion, which I will conceale, not to leave to Posterity Monuments of Inhu∣manity: And one Catellus, a man much esteemed in Italy, perisht also. Thus the Goths having Tibur, the Roman Citizens could no more import Provisions out of Tuscany, by the River of Tiber, the Town being upon the River 15. miles above Rome, and commanding the passage thither. Then came Belisarius to Ravennae with his Fleet, and calling to him the Goths there, and the Roman Souldiers, he spake thus.

It is not now only, that Vice hath ruined, what hath been built by Virtue; from the beginning it hath been so in humane Affaires. The lewdnesse of bad men hath been still able to demolish the Actions of the good. This hath over∣turned the Emperours Affaires; who to repaire the Errour, hath made lesse ac∣count of subduing the Persians, then of it; and hath sent me to cure the Faults committed by either Captaines, Souldiers, or Goths. It is above humane condi∣tion not to erre, but it becomes the Emperour to repaire the Errours of those,

whom from his Soule he loves; whereby you shall be also eased of your grie∣vances, and both perceive and feele his good affection towards you, then which what Wealth is more valuable. My coming therefore being to this purpose, it behoves you to endeavour the obtaining of that Fruit, which will arise from thence. If any of you have Friends, or Kinsmen with Totilas the Usurper, let him send for them, acquainting them with the Emperours intention. Thus you may find good both from a peace, and the Emperours Favour for me: I come not to pick Quarrels, nor to be an Enemy to the Emperours Subjects by my good will: But if some will still make slight the chusing their own good, and others take Armes against us;

we must, though most unwillingly, use such as Enemies. Beli∣sarius spake thus; but no Goth, nor Roman came into him; so he sent Therimuth, one of his Life-guard, with some of his own Retinew, and Vitalius with the Illy∣rian Cohorts into Emilia, to attempt the Townes there: Vitalius came to Bono∣nia, and after the taking of some Castles by composition, lay still there. Soon after the Illyrians retired home upon the suddain, having suffered nothing, nor so much as heard any ill. They sent Agents to the Emperour, for pardon of this Retreat, in regard they had long served in Italy, and received no pay, and much was due to them from the Treasury. They heard besides of an Army of Hunnes, which in Il∣lyrium made Captives their Wives and Children, which caused them (wanting necessaries also) to go home all in one Troop. The Emperour was troubled at the proceeding, but at last pardoned them. Totilas hearing of the Illyrians Re∣treat, sent Forces to drive Vitalius and his Troops out of Bononia, who with The∣rimuth laid an Ambush for them, killed many, and routed the rest; where Naza∣res an Illyrian Captain of good quality, did Miracles upon the Enemy. Therimuth then returned to Belisarius, who sent him Nicetas, and Sabinianus with 1000. men to Auximum, to re-enforce Magnus there beseiged. They by night got in∣to the Town unseen by Totilas and the Enemies Camp. The next day at noon, they sallied to encounter a party of Enemies they had notice of; sending before avant∣coureurs to discover their Forces, that they might not blindly set on them. Ri∣cilas of the Life-Guard to Belisarius, being in drink, would himselfe go upon the discovery, and gallopt on alone. In a rough stony way he met three Goths, and made a stand, as to fight with them, being very Valiant; but when he saw more coming in from all sides, he ran away. His Horse in the rough ground came over and over with him, at which the Enemy gave a great shout, and darted all their Javelins at him; the Romans perceiving it, went to his rescue, but he was covered with Javelins, and dyed upon the place. Therimuth took up his dead body and car∣ryed it into Auximum, having met with a conclusion of life not sutable to the Va∣lour of the man.

Notes

• † 1.1

  Incipit Annus 10. Bell. Goth. in anno 18. reg. Justiniani, & Anno Dom. 544.