OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE,
451
the defenceless provinces lay exposed to every chap.,invader. The bravest usurpers were compelled,by the perplexity of their situation, to concludeignominious treaties with the common enemy,to purchase with oppressive tributes the neutra-lity or services of the barbarians, and to intro-duce hostile and independent nations into theheart of the Roman monarchy/
Such were the barbarians, and such the tyrants,who, under the reigns of Valerian and Gallienus ,dismembered the provinces, and reduced theempire to the lowest pitch of disgrace and ruin,from whence it seemed impossible that it shouldever emerge. As far as the barrenness of mate-rials would permit, we have attempted to trace,with order and perspicuity, the general events ofthat calamitous period. There still remain someparticular facts; i. The disorders of Sicily ;ii. The tumults of Alexandria; and, iii. Therebellion of the Isaurians , which may serve toreflect a strong light on the horrid picture.
i. Whenever numerous troops of banditti, Disorder*multiplied by success and impunity, publicly ofSlcl,y *defy, instead of eluding, the justice of theircountry, we may safely infer, that the excessiveweakness of the government is felt and abusedby the lowest ranks of the community. Thesituation of Sicily preserved it from the bar-barians ; nor could the disarmed province havesupported an usurper. The sufferings of that