Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol 3 | Page 7

by eunuchs, announced to the court
of Constantinople the gravity and temperance of the British usurper.
The ambassador condescended to justify, or excuse, the conduct of his
master; and to protest, in specious language, that the murder of Gratian
had been perpetrated, without his knowledge or consent, by the
precipitate zeal of the soldiers. But he proceeded, in a firm and equal
tone, to offer Theodosius the alternative of peace, or war. The speech of
the ambassador concluded with a spirited declaration, that although
Maximus, as a Roman, and as the father of his people, would choose
rather to employ his forces in the common defence of the republic, he
was armed and prepared, if his friendship should be rejected, to dispute,

in a field of battle, the empire of the world. An immediate and
peremptory answer was required; but it was extremely difficult for
Theodosius to satisfy, on this important occasion, either the feelings of
his own mind, or the expectations of the public. The imperious voice of
honor and gratitude called aloud for revenge. From the liberality of
Gratian, he had received the Imperial diadem; his patience would
encourage the odious suspicion, that he was more deeply sensible of
former injuries, than of recent obligations; and if he accepted the
friendship, he must seem to share the guilt, of the assassin. Even the
principles of justice, and the interest of society, would receive a fatal
blow from the impunity of Maximus; and the example of successful
usurpation would tend to dissolve the artificial fabric of government,
and once more to replunge the empire in the crimes and calamities of
the preceding age. But, as the sentiments of gratitude and honor should
invariably regulate the conduct of an individual, they may be
overbalanced in the mind of a sovereign, by the sense of superior duties;
and the maxims both of justice and humanity must permit the escape of
an atrocious criminal, if an innocent people would be involved in the
consequences of his punishment. The assassin of Gratian had usurped,
but he actually possessed, the most warlike provinces of the empire: the
East was exhausted by the misfortunes, and even by the success, of the
Gothic war; and it was seriously to be apprehended, that, after the vital
strength of the republic had been wasted in a doubtful and destructive
contest, the feeble conqueror would remain an easy prey to the
Barbarians of the North. These weighty considerations engaged
Theodosius to dissemble his resentment, and to accept the alliance of
the tyrant. But he stipulated, that Maximus should content himself with
the possession of the countries beyond the Alps. The brother of Gratian
was confirmed and secured in the sovereignty of Italy, Africa, and the
Western Illyricum; and some honorable conditions were inserted in the
treaty, to protect the memory, and the laws, of the deceased emperor.
^17 According to the custom of the age, the images of the three
Imperial colleagues were exhibited to the veneration of the people; nor
should it be lightly supposed, that, in the moment of a solemn
reconciliation, Theodosius secretly cherished the intention of perfidy
and revenge. ^18

[Footnote 17: Ambrose mentions the laws of Gratian, quas non
abrogavit hostia (tom. ii epist. xvii. p. 827.)]
[Footnote 18: Zosimus, l. iv. p. 251, 252. We may disclaim his odious
suspicions; but we cannot reject the treaty of peace which the friends of
Theodosius have absolutely forgotten, or slightly mentioned.] The
contempt of Gratian for the Roman soldiers had exposed him to the
fatal effects of their resentment. His profound veneration for the
Christian clergy was rewarded by the applause and gratitude of a
powerful order, which has claimed, in every age, the privilege of
dispensing honors, both on earth and in heaven. ^19 The orthodox
bishops bewailed his death, and their own irreparable loss; but they
were soon comforted by the discovery, that Gratian had committed the
sceptre of the East to the hands of a prince, whose humble faith and
fervent zeal, were supported by the spirit and abilities of a more
vigorous character. Among the benefactors of the church, the fame of
Constantine has been rivalled by the glory of Theodosius. If
Constantine had the advantage of erecting the standard of the cross, the
emulation of his successor assumed the merit of subduing the Arian
heresy, and of abolishing the worship of idols in the Roman world.
Theodosius was the first of the emperors baptized in the true faith of
the Trinity. Although he was born of a Christian family, the maxims, or
at least the practice, of the age, encouraged him to delay the ceremony
of his initiation; till he was admonished of the danger of delay, by the
serious illness which threatened his life, towards the end of the first
year