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.

BUt during this warre with Persia Hellisthaeus King of Ethiopia, a very devout Christian, hearing how the said Homerites of the opposite con∣tinent were many of them Jewes, and many Heathen, and laid excessive bur∣dens upon the Christians, he sent out a Navy and Army against them, and fighting with them, routed them, and slew their King and much people. And having made Esimiphaeus King of them, a Homerite, and a Christian, and im∣posed a tribute upon them, he went home. In the Ethiopian Army were many, both slaves and leud persons, that would not follow the King home, but staid with the Homerites, being in love with the Country, as being very good land. But not long after, the people imprisoned Esimiphaeus, and made one Abramus their King, a Christian, who had been a slave to a Roman Merchant, residing for his traffique, in the Ethiopian City of Adulis. Hellisthaus, to punish Abra∣mus, and his complices, for the wrong done to Esimiphaeus, sent against them under the command of a kinsman, 3000. men. These also desiring to remaine in that good land, liad secret conference with Abramus, unknown to their Commander, and in the battell kill'd him, and joyned with the enemies, and continued there. Hellisthaeus angry, sent another Army, which coming to a battell returned with much losse; and then afraid to meddle any more with Abramus, he forbare warr. But he being dead, Abramus was content to pay the tribute to his successour, and so confirmed his governement.

These things happened afterward. But then during the raignes of Hellisthae∣us, and Esimiphaeus, Justinian sent his Ambassadour Julian, to desire their con∣federacie against the Persians (the Romans, and they consenting in one religi∣on) and that the Ethiopians would make themselves masters of a rich trade, by dealing with the Indians for their silke, and selling it to the Romans, who should have this onely advantage therein, that they should carry out their mony to their enemies for it. Of this silke are made the anciently called Persian, now Serick, or silke garments. The Homerites were prayed also to make chiefetaine of the Maadeni Saracens, one Caisus, a banisht man (who having kill'd a kins∣man of Esimiphaeus, was fled into a wilderness, being of the race of the Phy∣larchi, and a very good Souldier) and that together with those Saracens, they would invade the Persians. Both dimist the Ambassador with promise to effect the Emperours desires, but neither performed; the Ethiopians not being able to buy the silke; because the Persian Merchants ever come first to the havens, where the Indians unlade, being their next borderers, and buy up all. And the Homerites thought it hard, to travell through a desert, many dayes journy, to fight with a people more warlike then themselves. Afterward Abramus having setled his Kingdome, promised oft to Justinian, but onely once began the journey, and turned home againe. Thus the Romans spedd with these people.

In the meane time Hermogenes came to Cabades in Ambassage after the bat∣tell of Euphrates, but could not effect the peace, finding him much enraged, and so came away. Belisarius also the Emperour sent for, discharging him of that command, to make warre upon the Vandales; and Sittas was sent to guard

the East. The Persian Army, led by Chanaranges, Aspevedes and Mermeroes, againe entred Mesopotamia, and (none encountring them) sate downe before Martyropolis, where were garrison'd Buzes, and Bessas; It stands in the Pro∣vince of Sophanene, thirty miles to the North of Amida, upon the river of Nymphius, which bounds the Roman and Persian territories. The Persians as∣saulted, and were valiantly receaved by the besieged, who could not thinke long to hold out, the walls being very assaultable, and easie for the Persians works, and they having neither provisions, nor engines, nor any other thing within of importance to defend. Sittas with the Roman army came to Attachas, twelve miles from Martyropolis; where he encamped, not daring to march further: with him was Hermogenes in another Ambassage. In the meane time this happened. The Romans and Persians have anciently had spies, defrayed at the publique charge, who secretly passe among the enemy; informing them∣selves of all occurrences, and advertising their owne Princes. Many of these, as affectionate Patriots, doe their best, some betray their Countries secrets to the enemy. One of the Persian spies then discovered to Justinian much of their affaires, and how a Nation of Massagetes was coming into Persia, and from thence were to invade the Romans, with the Persian army. The Emperour had experience of the mans truth, and persuades him with mony, to goe and report to the Persians before Martyropolis, that these Massagetes were hired by the Emperour, and instantly to come against them. Who according went to the Persian Camp, and told them that an armie of Hunnes their enemies were coming to ayde the Romans: which made them afraid, and doubtfull what to doe.