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THE DECLINE AND FALL

chap throwing away the imperial ornaments, escapedwith some difficulty from the pursuit of the lighthorse, who incessantly followed his rapid flightfrom the banks of the Drave to the foot of theJulian Alps . 31

Conquest The approach of winter supplied the indo-lence of Constantius with specious reasons fordeferring the prosecution of the war till the en-suing spring. Magnentius had fixed his resi-dence in the city of Aquileia , and shewed aseeming resolution to dispute the passage of themountains and morasses which fortified the con-fines of the Venetian province. The surprisalof a castle in the Alps by the secret march ofthe imperialists, could scarcely have determin-ed him to relinquish the possession of Italy , ifthe inclinations of the people had supported thecause of their tyrant . 7 But the memory of thecruelties exercised by his ministers, after theunsuccessful revolt of Nepotian, had left a deepimpression of horror and resentment on theminds of the Romans. That rash youth, theson of the princess Eutropia, and the nephewof Constantine , had seen with indignation thesceptre of the West usurped by a perfidious

* On this occasion, we must prefer the unsuspected testimony of Zo-aimus and Zonaras to the flattering assertions of Julian. The youngerVictor paints the character of Magnentius in a singular light: “ Ser-“ monis acer, animi tumidi, et inimoriice timidus; artifex tamen ad oc-“ cultaudam audacim specie formidinem." Is it most likely that in thebattle of Mursa his behaviour was governed by nature or by art? Ishould incline for the latter.

1 Julian, Orat. i, p. 38, 39. In that place, however, as well as inOration ii, p. 97, he insinuates the general disposition of the senate,the people, and the soldiers of Italy , towards the party of the emperor.