16
THE DECLINE AND FALL
CHAP.
XI.
rose to the rank of a centurion, a tribune, theprefect of a legion, the inspector of the camp,the general, or as it was then called, the duke,of a frontier; and at length, during the Gothicwar, exercised the important office of commanderin chief of the cavalry. In every station he dis-tinguished himself by matchless valour, r rigiddiscipline, and successful conduct. He was in-vested with the consulship by the emperorValerian, who styles him, in the pompous lan-guage of that age, the deliverer of Illyricum, therestorer of Gaul , and the rival of the Scipios.At the recommendation of Valerian, a senatorof the highest rank and merit, Ulpius Crinitus,whose blood w as derived from the same sourceas that of Trajan , adopted thePannonian pea-sant, gave him his daughter in marriage, and re-lieved with his ample fortune the honourable po-verty which Aurelian had preserved inviolate.*The reign of Aurelian lasted only four yearsand about nine months; but every instant of thatshort period was filled by some memorable a-chievement. He put an end to the Gothic war,chastised the Germans who invaded Italy , reco-vered Gaul, Spain, and Britain out of the handsofTetricus, and destroyed the proud monarchy
r Thcocliiis as quoted Outlie Augustan History, p. 211) affirms,tliat in one day lie killed with his own hand, 48 Samaritans, and inseveral subsequent engagements nine hundred and fifty. This heroicvalour was admired by the soldiers, and celebrated in their rude songs,the burden of which was mille, mille, milk, occidit.
' Acholius (ap.Hist, August, p.213) describes the ceremony of theadoption, as it was performed at Byzantium, in the presence of theemperor and his great officers.