being secure, to repaire the Walls with stones, and earth, as they could. This they did; and Totilas upon the news came against them with a great Army. But failing to take the Towne, after much time spent in the attempt, hee retired to his Camp before Auximum: Where the Romans sallied no more, but kept close within their walls. Belisarius sent Artasiras a Persian, and Barbation a Thracian, two of his Life-guard, to guard Rome with Bessas, being there already, directing them not to sally at all.
But Totilas finding Belisarius not able to fight with him, fell upon the strong Townes; in Picenia he block'd up Firmum, and Asculum: and so ended the Win∣ter, and the tenth yeare of this War, written by Procopius.
When Belisarius, having no meanes to releive the besieged Townes, sent John to Constantinople, making him sweare to return speedily, and to importune the Em∣perour for an Army and money, horses, and armes; the Souldiers being few, and refusing to fight, because of their wants, the Treasury owing them much money. And he wrote of these particulars to the Emperour in these words.
Most mighty Emperour! We are come into Italy, wanting men, horses, arms, and money; And without a competent preparation of these, no man can make Warre. Our Thracians and Illyrians we behold here few, wretched, and strag∣ling without Arms, and unexercised for any fight; The rest deficient, fearfull of the Enemy, with spirits dejected by their often beating, and not simple running away only, but quitting their Horses, and throwing down their Armes. To raise contribution in Italy is not possible, it being possest by the Enemy; And being behind with the Souldiers for their Pay, we cannot lay commands on them, the debt taking away our confidence. And the most of those that served your Maje∣stie are run to the Enemy. If nothing therefore needed, but the sending Belisari∣us into Italy, the Warr is excellently prepared; for I am in the midst of Italy. But if you meane to vanquish your Enemies, there must be other preparati∣ons. No Generall can subsist without men to follow him. Above all things it be∣hoves therefore, that you send me mine owne Lanciers and Targettiers, and store of Hunnes and other Barbarians, who must have present money.
Thus wrote Belisarius: But John staying long at Constantinople, effected nothing for what he came thither, but marryed the Daughter of Germanus, brothers sonne to the Emperour.
In the meane time Totilas tooke Firmum and Asculum by composition; and in Tuscany besieged Spoletum, and Assisium. Herodian commanded the Garrison in Spoletum; and that of Assisium, Sisiphris a Goth, but well affected to the Romans. Herodian agreed to render the Towne with himselfe and Souldiers within thirty days, if no succour came, and gave his sonne for Hostage. And the day presixed being come, and no Romans appearing, Herodian and the Souldiers yielded themselves and the Town to Totilas. Some say that Herodian did this upon hatred to Belisarius, who threatned to question him for his rapines and oppression. Sisiphris in Assisium made some sallies, and in the end most of his men and himselfe were slaine; whereat the Towns-men despairing, rendred the Towne. Totilas also sent to Perusia, threat∣ning Cyprianus there, if he would not yeeld the Town to him, and promising him money to do it. Not prevailing with him, he practised with Ʋliphus, one of his Life-guard, for money to murder him; who watch'd him when he was alone, and ha∣ving killed him, ran to Totilas. Yet the Garrison kept the Towne for the Emperor, and the Goths retired from it. Then went Totilas to Rome, and besieged it. To the Husbandmen of Italy he did no damage, letting them securely manure their Land, paying to him the rents and tributes reserved to the Treasury, or the Owners At Rome, some Goths approaching the walls, Artasiras and Barbation (against the opi∣nion of Bessas) sallyed with some Troops, and killed many, routing the rest; whom pursuing too far, they fell into the Enemies Ambushes, where they lost most of their men, and escaped narrowly themselves, and afterward for bare to charge the Enemy, though they prest upon them.
Hence the Famine grew sore in Rome, no Victuall coming in by Land, and being shut from the Sea. For the Goths, after they had Naples, kept a kind of a Fleet of small Barques about the Islands of Aeolus, and other Islands in that Sea, which guar∣ded exactly the passage of ships; that all from Sicily, sailing to the Port of Rome, fell among them.