|
After having sent some bishops as ambassadors, on two different
occasions, to treat on this subject, but without effect, Alaric
returned to Rome, and besieged the city; he took possession of one
part of Portus, and compelled the Romans to recognize Attalus, then
prefect of the city, as their king. When the Romans had been
nominated for the other offices, Alaric was appointed general of the
cavalry and infantry, and Ataulphus, the brother of his wife, was
raised to the command of the force called the domestic cavalry.
Attalus assembled the senators, and addressed them in a long and very
elaborate discourse, in which he promised to restore the ancient
customs of the senate, and also to bring Egypt and the other Eastern
provinces under the sway of Italy. Such was the boastfulness of a
man, who was not destined to bear the name of sovereign during the
space of a single year. He was deceived by the representations of some
diviners, who assured him that he would be able to conquer Africa
without a battle; he disobeyed Alaric, who urged him to send a
moderate force to Carthage, to slay the officers of Honorius, in
case of their attempting any resistance. He also refused to follow the
counsels of John, to whom he had given the command of the royal
cohorts about his own person, and who advised him to entrust
Constans, on his proposed departure for Libya, with a document which
they call edict, as though sent by Honorius, by which Heraclean
might be dispossessed of office; he had been entrusted. with the rule
of the soldiers in Africa. Had this artifice been adopted, it would
probably have proved successful, for the designs of Attalus were
unknown in Libya. But as soon as Constans had set sail for
Carthage, according to the advice of the diviners, Attalus was so
weak in mind that he did not think it doubtful, but believed that the
Africans would be his subjects, according to the prediction of the
diviners, and marched at the head of his army towards Ravenna. When
it was announced that Attalus had reached Ariminum, with an army
composed partly of Roman and partly of barbarian troops, Honorius
wrote to him to acknowledge him as emperor, and deputed the highest
officers of his court to wait upon him, and offer him a share in the
empire. Attalus, however, refused to share power with another, and
sent word that Honorius might choose an island or any spot of ground
that he pleased for his private residence, and that he would be allowed
every imperial service. The affairs of Honorius were reduced to so
critical a condition, that ships were kept in readiness to convey him,
if it were necessary, to his nephew, when an army of four thousand men
which had started from the west arrived unexpectedly during the night at
Ravenna; Honorius caused the walls of the city to be guarded by this
reinforcement, for he distrusted the native troops as inclined to
treachery.
In the meantime Heraclean had put Constans to death, and had ranged
troops along the ports and coasts of Africa to hinder the merchant
vessels from going to Rome. When, as a consequence, a famine seized
the Romans, they sent a deputation to Attalus about it. Being at a
loss what measures to adopt, he returned to Rome to consult the
senate. The famine was so grievous that chestnuts were used by the
people to supply the place of corn, and some persons were suspected of
having partaken of human flesh. Alaric advised that five hundred
barbarians should be sent into Africa against Heraclean, but the
senators and Attalus objected that Africa ought not to be entrusted to
barbarians. It then became evident to Alaric that God disapproved of
the rule of Attalus; and finding that it would be futile to labor for
a matter which was beyond his power, and after receiving certain
pledges, he agreed with Honorius to deprive Attalus of his
sovereignty. All the parties concerned assembled together without the
walls of the city, and Attalus threw aside the symbols of imperial
power. His officers also threw aside their girdles, and Honorius
granted pardon to all for these occurrences, and each was to hold the
honor and office which he had first had. Attalus retired with his son
to Alaric, for he thought his life would not be in safety as yet, if
he continued to dwell among the Romans.
|
|