|
WHILE Valens was thus occupied in Syria, there arose a usurper
at Constantinople named Procopius; who having collected a large body
of troops in a very short time, meditated an expedition against the
emperor. This intelligence created extreme solicitude in the
emperor's mind and checked for a while the persecution he had commenced
against all who dared to differ from him in opinion. And while the
commotions of a civil war were painfully anticipated, an earthquake
occurred which did much damage to many cities. The sea also changed
its accustomed boundaries, and overflowed to such an extent in some
places, that vessels might sail where roads had previously existed;
and it retired so much from other places, that the ground became dry.
These events happened in the first consulate of the two emperors.
|
|