OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

and exasperated by injuries, was advancing to-wards Italy , at the head of the military force ofthe empire; and that their only remaining alter-native, was either to meet him bravely in thefield, or tamely to expect the tortures and igno-minious death reserved for unsuccessful rebel-lion. “ We have lost,” continued he, “ two“ excellent princes; but unless we desert our-“ selves, the hopes of the republic have not“ perished with the Gordians. Many are the“ senators, whose virtues have deserved, and“ whose abilities would sustain, the imperial“ dignity. Let us elect two emperors, one of“ whom may conduct the war against the pub-“ lie enemy, whilst his colleague remains atRome to direct the civil administration. I“ cheerfully expose myself to the danger and“ envy of the nomination, and give my vote in“ favour of Maximus and Balbinus . Ratify my“ choice, conscript fathers, or appoint, in their“ place, others more worthy of the empire.”The general apprehension silenced the whispersof jealousy; the merit of the candidates wasuniversally acknowledged; and the house re-sounded with the sincere acclamations of “ long“ life and victory to the emperors Maximus and“ Balbinus . You are happy in the judgment“ of the senate; may the republic be happy un-“ der your administration !” d

d See the Augustine history, p. 106, from the registers of the senate;the date is confessedly faulty, but the coincidence of the Apollinariangames enables us to correct it.

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