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AFTER the Emperor Valens had thus lost his life, in a manner
which has never been satisfactorily ascertained, the barbarians again
approached the very walls of Constantinople, and laid waste the
suburbs on every side of it. Whereat the people becoming indignant
armed themselves with whatever weapons they could severally lay hands
on, and sallied forth of their own accord against the enemy. The
empress Dominica caused the same pay to be distributed out of the
imperial treasury to such as volunteered to go out on this service, as
was usually allowed to soldiers. A few Saracens also assisted the
citizens, being confederates, who had been sent by Maria their
queen: the latter we have already mentioned. In this way the people
having fought at this time, the barbarians retired to a great distance
from the city.
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