289

OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

was the defence of Italy entrusted. Each was chap.

appointed to act in his respective department;,-

authorized to enrol and discipline the Italian youth; and instructed to fortify the ports andhighways, against the impending invasion ofMaximin. A number of deputies, chosen fromthe most illustrious of the senatorian and eques-trian orders, were dispatched at the same time tothe governors of the several provinces, earnestlyconjuring them to fly to the assistance of theircountry, and to remind the nations of their an-cient ties of friendship with the Roman senateand people. The general respect with whichthese deputies were received, and the zeal ofItaly and the provinces in favour of the senate,sufficiently prove that the subjects of Maximinwere reduced to that uncommon distress, inwhich the body of the people has more to fearfrom oppression than from resistance. The con-sciousness of that melancholy truth, inspires adegree of persevering fury, seldom to be foundin those civil wars which are artificially support-ed for the benefit of a few factious and designingleaders . 11

But while the cause of the Gordians was em- Defeat andbraced with such diffusive ardour, the Gordians the two fthemselves were no more. The feeble court ofCarthage was alarmed with the rapid approach of 3< * Jul y-Capelianus, governor of Mauritania , who, with asmall band of veterans, and a fierce host of bar-

" Herodian , 1. vii, p. 247. I. viii, p. 277. Hist. August, p. 156-158.

VOL. I.

V