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THE DECLINE AND FAL*.

CHAP.

XXI.

the insults of a licentious army, stimulated bythe ecclesiastics of an hostile faction. Manyof the faithful were killed; who may deservethe name of martyrs, if their deaths were nei-ther provoked nor revenged; bishops and pres-byters were treated with cruel ignominy ; con-secrated virgins were stripped naked, scourged,and violated ; the houses of wealthy citizenswere plundered; and, under the mask of reli-gious zeal,lust, avarice, and private resentment,were gratified with impunity, and even with ap-plause. The pagans of Alexandria, who stillformed a numerous and discontented party, wereeasily persuaded to desert a bishop whom theyfeared and esteemed. The hopes of some pecu-liar favours, and the apprehension of being in-volved in the general penalties of rebellion, en-gaged them to promise their support to thedestined successor of Athanasius , the famousGeorge of Cappadocia. The usurper, afterreceiving the consecration of an arian synod,was placed on the episcopal throne by the armsof Sebastian, who had been appointed count ofEgypt for the execution of that important de-sign. In the use, as well as in the acquisition,of power, the tyrant George disregarded thelaws of religion, of justice, and of humanity;and the same scenes of violence and scandalwhich had been exhibited in the capital, wererepeated in more than ninety episcopal cities ofEgypt . Encouraged by success, Constantinsventured to approve the conduct of his minis-ters. By a public and passionate epistle, the