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. VII.

AT that time Narses discovered the imposture of one naming himselfe Chil∣budius, who had been a famous Generall of the Romans. This Chilbudius was first of Iustinian's Retinew, a valiant Souldier, and so great a despiser of wealth, that it was his greatest riches to possesse nothing. Justinian in the fourth yeare of his Reign made him Generall of Thrace, and gave him the guard of the River Ister, to hinder the passage of Barbarians; the Hunnes formerly, Antians and Slavonians having come over, and done much mischiefe to the Romans. Chil∣budius grew so terrible there, that in his three years continuance in that charge, not a Barbarian durst passe the River; and the Romans under Chilbudius invaded the o∣ther side, and killed and took many Captives. After three yeares he passed over the River with a small Army; the Slavonians in a Battaile stifly fought, killed many Romans, and Chilbudins the Generall. From thence forward the Barbarians came over at pleasure, and the Provinces lay open to them; all the Roman Empire in this not countervailing the valour of one man. After this the Antians and Slavonians fell out, and in a Battaile the Antians were vanquisht. Wherein a Slavonian took a youth of the Enemy named Chilbudius, and led him home. This man in time be∣came very affectionate to his Master, and valiant against the Enemy; having often fought singularly well, hazarding for his Master, and so getting a great reputati∣on. About the same time the Antians entred Thrace, which they pillaged, and

took many Captives; one of whom Fortune brought to a gentle Master. But the fellow being a knave, and cunning to deceive, and desirous withall to return to his owne Countrey, came once to his Master, and commended his humanity, which God (he said) would reward, and himselfe would not be ungratefull to so kind a Master; but if he would follow his advice, he would make him a rich man. For a∣mong the Slavonians was one Chilbudius the Roman Generall, unknown, and repu∣ted a slave; whom if he would ransome, and conduct into Roman Land, he should get the Emperours favour, and a great reward. Thus this Roman perswaded his Ma∣ster, and with him went into Slavonia, there being truce then between them, and safe intercourse. Hee paid the ransome to this Chilbudius Master, and took him home; where he ask'd the man if he were Chilbudius the Roman Generall. He told him all the truth; that he was an Antian, and taken Prisoner by the Slavonians then Enemies, but now being restored to his Countrey, he claimed freedome according to the Law.

The man who had laid out his money, stood mute, and vexed to fall from his hopes thus. But the Roman cheered him up, and to out-face the truth, that it might not crosse his return home, confidently said that it was Chilbudius; but being a∣mong Barbarians, he was afraid to reveale himselfe; Were he once upon Roman ground, he would be proud of the name, as he had reason. In the end the business came to the knowledg of all the Antians; who stird in it, pretending a publique interest, and imagining to make a great advantage, of having Chilbudius the Roman Generall.

These people both Antians and Slavonians, are not under a Prince, but ancient∣ly are a Democratie: whence all things are brought to the common vote. They have almost the same Laws and customes: They hold one God, who makes the light∣ning, and is only Lord of all things. To him they sacrifice Oxen and other victimes. They acknowledg no destiny to govern among men; when Death threatens either in a sicknesse, or in a Warr; they promise if they may escape, to offer to God a sa∣crifice in recompence for their life: And if they escape, they pay their vow, and think they have bought their safety. They worship also Rivers, Nymphs, and other Spirits, to whom they sacrifice too; and by those sacrifices make their predictions. They dwell in poor wretched Booths, scattered, and still shifting their habitations. In fights the most part serve on foot, with Shields and Javelins, having no Corselets, and some not so much as a Coate, or Mantle; but they tye up their Trouses above their Privities, and so enter into the fight. They both use one Language, and that a very barbarous one: And they differ not in shape, being all tall and very strong. Their haire is neither very white, nor yellow, nor yet black at all, but inclining to red. They live hardly, and slovenly like the Hunnes; wicked they are not, nor cun∣ning, but in their simplicity much of the Hunnish disposition. They had both for∣merly but one name, and were called Spori, because they pitch their booths 〈◊〉〈◊〉 scatteredly; and so they take up much space of Land, holding the most part of the other side of the River Ister.

But then the Antians in their Assembly urged the said man to acknowledge him∣selfe to be Chilbudius, and denying it, threatned him. In the meane time came Am∣bassadors to them from Justinian, who offered to plant them in Turris, an ancient City built by Trajan; which had been sack'd by Barbarians, and layen long wast. Justinian offered them this City, and the Countrey about, formerly belonging to the Romans, and to plant them in it with his powers; and besides to give them great summes of money; Conditionally they should keep a perpetuall league with the Ro∣mans, and hinder the Hunnes from over-running the Empire that way. They liked the Proposition, and promised to do so, if the Emperour would make Chilbudius his Generall, to settle their Plantation, affirming that man to be Chilbudius: And the fellow exalted with these hopes, had now a mind to it, and took the name upon him. So he was sent to Constantinople, and upon his way thither, Narses met him; and upon speech with him, found him a counterset; yet he spake Latine, and had many marks of Chilbudius, which he cunningly assumed. Narses kept him close Prisoner, and at last got out of him all the matter, and tooke him with him to Con∣stantinople.