' as assiduous in their respects to his wife, entreating to be remembered by her: with all which she seemed much pleased, and highly exalted. Thus Maximus went to court with the good • wishes of all Asia.'

'Maximus,' as Eunapius owns, had not been long at court, before he appeared much elevated in mind by his exaltation. His dress was more costly and splendid than became a philosopher! He became difficult of access, and did many things of himself without the knowledge • of the emperor.'

Upon this account my readers may now make such remarks as they see good: only remembering that it is not the account of a Christian, but of Eunapius, a zealous Greek, and great admirer of Maximus. To me it appears highly probable that a man, who went to court with such a temper as Maximus did, must have been guilty of many things whilst he was there which were offensive and disagreeable. And if Maximus had been taken off by Jovian, or Valentinian, soon after the death of Julian, I believe it would not have been reckoned a very extraordinary proceeding, but agreeable to the political maxims, which have often prevailed in the courts of princes. But Maximus was then spared: and there appears to have been a judgment of equity and mildness; for soon after the accession of Valentinian, Priscus and Maximus were sent for, as we have seen; and after examination it was allowed that Priscus, though he also had been a favourite of Julian, had done nothing amiss, and was honourably dismissed; which shewed a disposition in the reigning prince to judge equitably. And, if Maximus had been as innocent, he might and would have been dismissed, and set at liberty in like manner.

And though his conduct, when at court in the time of Julian, had not been unexceptionable, nor now afterwards in the time of the above-mentioned consultation, but justly liable to censure and punishment, I cannot but wish he had been spared; I think he might have been despised and slighted; which would have been more honourable to a Christian prince than an act of strict justice.

I beg leave to conclude with this observation: That though Maximus was greatly respected, and much admired by the emperor Julian, and many learned heathens, as a great philosopher, and was also reputed to have commerce with the gods, I do not think he was a wise man.

SECTION III.

THE PETITION OF THE ROMAN SENATE TO VALENTINIAN THE YOUNGER IN THE YEAR 394,
THAT THE ALTAR OF VICTORY WHICH HAD BEEN REMOVED BY GRATIAN
MIGHT BE RESTORED.

1. The history of this Altar in ancient times, and of the several removals of it by Christian emperors. II. A translation of the petition presented by Symmachus in the name of the senate. III. The answers, made by Ambrose of Milan, and Prudentius. IV. Two questions relating to this matter considered. V. The history and character of Symmachus.

с

d

I. There was at Rome, in the senate house, or at the entrance into it, an altar of Victory. It was portable, and wherever the senate assembled, there it was placed. We meet with some accounts of this altar in ancient times. By Suetonius we are informed that the senate, the more to adorn the funeral of Augustus, ordered that the image of Victory, which stood in the senate house, should be carried in procession before the body. It is mentioned also by Lampri

* Ενταύθα ὁ μεν Μαξιμος βαρύς ην ηδη περι τα βασιλεια, σολήν τε αβροτέραν η κατα φιλοσοφον περιχεόμενος, και προς εντεύξεις ων χαλεπώτερος και δυσχερέσερος· ὁ δε βασιλευς ηγνύει τα πραττομενα. Ibid. p. 79.

b Cave says it was placed upon a triumphal chariot, and stood in the entrance or portico of the capitol. Introd. p. xxii.

c Ex Suetonio colligimus

Victoria simulacrum in senatu

positam fuisse. Quod transferebatur in quamcumque ædem
ratione loci, in
pro
quo habitus senatus.
Chamillard ad Pru-
dent. l. i. p. 533.

d Senatus, et in funere ornando, et in memoriâ honorauda, eo studio certatim progressus est, ut inter alia complura censuerint quidem funus triumphali portâ ducendum, præcedente Victoriâ, quæ est in curiâ. Sueton. lib. 2. c. 101.

:

a

b

dius in his Life of Alexander Severus, and by Herodian in his History of Antoninus Heliogabalus.

The emperor Constantius when he was at Rome in the year 356, or 357, ordered this altar of Victory to be removed. But that order was not long in force. The altar was restored by Julian in 361, or 362. Here it continued a good while. For we know not of any order about it in the reign of Valentinian the first, who died in 375. He did not think of it, or from a principle of moderation he tolerated it, and was unwilling to disoblige his Gentile subjects.

In the year 382, Gratian ordered the altar of Victory to be removed, and seized the lands allotted to maintain the priests and the sacrifices. This law of Gratian is referred to by Honorius, and confirmed by him. Gratian likewise abrogated the privileges of the vestal virgins, which were very considerable. Hereupon the senate sent a deputation to the emperor, but were not admitted into his presence: complaints of which we shall see presently. But in the year 384, not long after the death of Gratian, the senate sent another deputation, with Symmachus præfect of the city at their head, to Valentinian the second, or the younger, who was not then more than fourteen years of age. The address or petition presented at that time will be recited by us by and by at length. It is addressed to Valentinian, Theodosius, and Arcadius, according to the Roman custom: but it was intended for Valentinian, and is addressed to him in particular, as we shall see presently.

e

As soon as Ambrose bishop of Milan heard of this deputation, he wrote a letter to the emperor, containing such advice as appeared proper at that time, and suited to fortify his resolutions. Afterwards he procured a copy of the petition, and answered it more fully; this we know from the introduction to the second book, or argument of Ambrose, of which we shall take particular notice hereafter. It is also mentioned by Paulinus in his Life of that bishop.

In the year 388, as is supposed, there was another attempt made by the Gentiles for restoring the altar of Victory, or at least the revenues which Gratian had taken away. A part of the senate, as Ambrose says, by their deputies made this demand of Theodosius, then at Milan. Symmachus now also lent them a helping hand, and in a panegyric on Theodosius dexterously insinuated a request to that purpose. But the emperor, as is said, was so provoked, that he presently ordered him to come down, and to be that instant put into a chariot, in order to be conveyed into banishment, forbidding him under severe penalties to come any more within a hundred miles of Rome; but it was not long before he was pardoned.

Afterwards, when Theodosius was gone back to Constantinople, the senate sent another request in favour of this altar to Valentinian, then in Gaul, but without effect. We are assured of this from Ambrose. This must have been in the year 392, and the beginning of it, and not long before the death of Valentinian.

a Mater ejus, pridie quam pareret, somniavit, se purpureum dracunculum parere. Pater eâdem nocte in somniis vidit, alis se Victoriæ, quæ in senatu, ad cœlum vehi. Lamprid. Alex. Sever. c. 14. p. 899.

Herod. lib. v. p. 567.

Constantius augustæ memoriæ, nondum sacris initiatus mysteriis, contaminari se putavit, si aram illam videret. Jussit auferri, non jussit reponi. Ambros. ep. 18. num. 32. p. 841. Seu de non restituendâ arâ Victoriæ libellus 2. ap. Symmachum. p. 329.

d Omnia etiam loca, quæ sacris error veterum deputavit, secundum Divi Gratiani constituta, nostræ rei jubemus sociari. &c. [Dat. Ann. 415.] Cod. Theod. lib. 16. tit. x. l. 20. T. 6. p. 290.

e D. D. D. Valentiniano, Theod. Arcod. semper. Aug. &c. åp. Symm. 1. x. ep, 54.

f Cum vir clarissimus, Præfectus Urbis Symmachus, ad clementiam tuam retulisset, ut ara, quæ de urbis Romæ curiâ sublata fuerat, redderetur loco-eodem quo comperi puncto, libellum obtuli- -quo licet comprehenderim, quæ suggestioni necessaria viderentur, poposci tamen exemplum mihi relationis dari. Ambr. Ep. 18. p. 833.

Sed egresso Theodosio de Italiâ, et Constantinopoli constituto, Valentiniano intra Gallias posito, directa legatio est sub nomine Senatûs a Symmacho tunc Præfecto Urbis, de re

petendâ Arâ Victoriæ, et sumptibus cæremoniarum. Sed ubi comperit sacerdos, isso libello ad Imperatorem postulavit, ut ad se relationis e.emplaria dirigerentur, quibus ipse pro partibus suis responsurus esset. Quâ relatione acceptâ, præclarissimum libellum conscripsit, ut contra nihil unquam auderet Symmachus, vir eloquentissimus, respondere. Vit. Ambr. num. 26. p. vii.

Vide Baron. ann. 388. n. 93. Tillem L'Emp. Théodos. art. 46. Ancient Univ Hist. Vol. xvi. p. 424.

Postea etiam clementissimo imperatori Theodosio coram intimavi, atque in os dicere non dubitavi, cui intimatâ Senatûs legatione hujusmodi, licet non totus Senatus poposcerit, insinuationi meæ tantam adsentionem detulit-&c. Ambr. ad Eugen. ep. 57. p. 1011. in.

Cui [Theodosio] ymmachus ille, mirabili eloquio et scientia præditus, tamen Paganus, præconio laudum in consistorio recitato, subtili arte quâ valuit, aram Victoriæ in Senatu restitui, Christiaro, ut noverat, Principi, intimavit. Quem statim a suis aspectibus pulsum, in centesimo lapide, rhedæ non stratæ impositum eâ die manere præcepit. Prosper, de Promiss 1. 3. cap. 38.

Iterum Valentiniano, augustæ memoriæ principi, legatio a Senatu missa intra Gallias, nihil extorqueri potuit: et certe aberam, nec aliquid tunc ad ipsum scripseram. Ambr. ibid.

p. 104.

b

с

a

And in the same year, 392, after the death of Valentinian, Eugenius restored the altar of Victory. This also is particularly mentioned by Paulinus in the words next following the quotation before made from him. Moreover we have a letter of Ambrose to Eugenius, where he gives him the title of emperor and Augustus, and reproves him for issuing such an order, contrary to his profession as a Christian: though, as it seems, that order was not granted till after divers reiterated requests. And indeed Rufinus, who also was contemporary, informs us, that the expectations of Gentile people were greatly raised at that time, and victims were then multiplied at Rome, and all kinds of divination were practised; and Flavianus, then præfect of Rome, and reckoned very skilful in those rites, encouraged Eugenius with strong assurances of success and victory.

The altar of Victory, undoubtedly, was not restored by Valentinian. Ambrose's intercessions must have prevailed against it, if the emperor had been disposed to it, which I do not think he was. Nor can it be thought that Theodosius allowed it to remain there after it had been set up by Eugenius. Nevertheless Pyrrho, from some lines of Claudian upon the sixth consulship of Honorius, in the year 404, describing the rejoicings after the victory obtained over Alaric at Pollentia, is much inclined to think that the altar of Victory was not removed, as Ambrose desired, or else was restored afterwards; but I do not think those lines can be reckoned a good proof of this; for by Victory may be there meant the goddess Victory, who was worshipped in many temples, not the image of Victory standing in the senate house.

II. Having now, as I presume, said what may be sufficient in the way of preface, I proceed to allege the petition itself, which was presented to Valentinian in the year 384, in the name of the senate, by Symmachus: which I shall translate entire from the beginning to the end, placing also the original at the bottom of the pages; all may be sensible that such performances are attended with some difficulty; but Cave & has already published an English translation, from which I have had some assistance.

h

To our lords the emperors, Valentinian, Theodosius, and Arcadius, Symmachus, præfect of the city.'

i

'As soon as the most illustrious, and your ever loyal senate had taken cognizance that the

a Vide Baron. ann. 392. ii. iii. Pagi ann. 392. ii.

b Sed postquam augustæ memoriæ Valentinianus in Viennensi civitate vitam finivit : Eugenius suscepit imperium, qui ubi imperare cœpit, non multo post, petentibus Flaviano tunc præfecto, et Arbogaste comite, aram Victoriæ, et sumtus cæremoniarum, quod Valentinianus augustæ memoriæ, adhuc in junioribus annis constitutus, petentibus denegaverat, oblitus fidei suæ, concessit. De Vitâ Ambros. ubi supra.

Te imperante, petierunt legati, ut templis redderes; non fecisti. Iterum alteri postulaverunt; renisus es: et postea ipsis, qui petierunt, donandum putâsti. Ad Eugen. Ep. 57. n. 6. p. 1011.

At Pagani, qui errores suos novis semper erroribus animant, innovare sacrificia, et Romam funestis victimis cruentare, inspicere exta pecudum, et ex fibrarum præscientiâ securam Eugenio victoriam nuntiare: superstitiosius hæc agente, et cum omni animositate Flaviano tunc præfecto, cujus assertionibus (magna enim erat ejus in sapientiâ prærogativa,) Eugenium victorem fore pro certo præsumserant, &c. Rufin. H. E. 1. 2. cap. 23.

e

Agnoscunt proceres, habituque Gabino

Principis et ducibus circumstipata togatis
Jure paludatæ jam curia militat aulæ.

Adfuit ipsa suis ales Victoria templis,

Romanæ tutela toga; quæ divite pompâ

Patritii reverenda fovet sacraria cœtûs,

Castrorumque eadem comes indefessa tuorum,
Nunc tandem fruitur votis, atque omne futurum
Te Romæ seseque tibi promittit in ævum.

Claudian. Carm. 28. ver. 594-601. Hinc patet, Victoria simulacrum aut non sublatum, ut suadebat Ambrosius, aut statim repositum. Pyrrho ad ver. 597.

See the life of St. Ambrose, p. 377, &c. among the lives

of the most eminent fathers of the church, who flourished in the fourth century.

h D. D. D. Valentiniano, Theod. et Arcad. semper Augg. Symmachus Præf. Urbis. Ap. Symm. 1. x. ep. 54. p. 287, &c. et ap. Ambros. Tom. 2. p. 828, &c. edid. Bened.

Ubi primum Senatus amplissinius, semperque vester, subacta legibus vitia cognovit, et a Principibus piis vidit purgari famam proximorum temporum; boni seculi auctoritatem secutus, evomuit diu pressum dolorem, atque iterum me querelarum suarum jussit esse legatum. Cui ideo Divi Principis denegata est ab improbis audientia, quia non erat justitia defutura, domini imperatores, Valentiniane, Theodosi, et Arcadi inclyti, victores ac triumphatores, semper augusti.

2. Gemino igitur functus officio, el, ut Præfectus vester, gesta publica prosequor, et, ut legatus, civium mandata commendo. Nulla est hic dissensio voluntatum; quia jam credere homines desierunt aulicorum se studio præstare, si discrepent. Amari, coli, diligi, majus imperio est. Quis ferat, obfuisse Reipublicæ privata certamina? Merito illos Senatus insequitur, qui potentiam suam famæ principis prætulerunt.

3. Noster autem labor pro clementiâ vestrâ ducit excubias. Cui enim magis commodat, quod instituta majorum, quod patriæ jura et fata defendimus, quam temporum gloriæ quæ tum est major, cum vobis contra morem parentum intelligitis nil licere. Repetimus igitur religionum statum, qui reipublicæ diu profuit. Certe numerentur Principes utriusque sectæ, utriusque sententiæ. Proximus eorum cæremonias patrum coluit, recentior non removit. Si exemplum non facit religio veterum, faciat dissimulatio proximorum.

4. Quis ita familiaris est barbaris, ut aram Victoriæ non requirat? Cauti in posterum sumus, et tristium rerum ostenta vitamus. Reddatur tantum nomini honor, qui numini denegatus est. Multa Victoriæ debet æternitas vestra, et adhuc plura debebit. Aversentur hanc potestatem, quibus nihil pro

vices of the times were subdued by the laws, and that the infamy of late ages had been expiated by the piety of our present princes, they, following so good an example, have laid hold of this occasion to express their long suppressed grief, and again to employ me as the messenger • of their complaints. For though they were by bad men denied the privilege of an audience, they are persuaded that the present emperors will do them justice.

.

I therefore in a double capacity, as your præfect, intrusted with the public concerns, and as deputy of the citizens of Rome, recommend their request. In this we are all agreed, forasmuch as men are at length grown so wise as not to espouse the factions of courtiers, when they ' are divided only about their own private interests. For to be loved, to be honoured, to be respected, is more desirable than any grandeur. And who can bear to think that private quarrels should obstruct the interests of the commonwealth? The senate justly disdains those men, who prefer the gratification of their own ambition to the honour of their prince.

་

Indeed our great concern is to behave as the guardians of your safety and credit. For when we keep and defend the institutions of our ancestors, the laws and appointments, and as it were the fate of our country, what do we but advance the glory of the times? which is never greater than when you think nothing lawful to be done, which is contrary to the customs of our forefathers. We therefore request that state of religion may be restored which for long time has been profitable to the republic. Certainly, if we reckon up the princes of each per'suasion, one of your near ancestors favoured the rites of our fathers [meaning Julian], another, ⚫ still nearer in time [Valentinian the first] did not remove them. If therefore the piety of the 'more ancient does not make out a sufficient example, let the connivance of the latest be ' attended to.' Meaning, probably, Valentinian the first, and Valens.

Who is there so much a friend to the barbarians as not to desire that the altar of Victory may be restored? We are careful for posterity, and would dread all prognostics of calamities. If the Deity is not duly reverenced, yet let the appearance of religion be preserved. Your majesties are already very much, and will be more, indebted to Victory. Let them slight this power, who have no benefit by it. Do not you despise a patronage which may produce triumphs. This power is desirable to all. Let not any man deny that to be fit to be worshipped, whose favour he professeth to wish for. And if the Deity is not duly 'the ornaments of the senate house be left untouched.

respected, let

We beg of you, that we may be permitted, now we are old, to leave to posterity those things in which we were educated when young. The affection for custom is very great. The proceeding of the blessed Constantius was deservedly of short duration. And all such proceedings are to be avoided which you know to have been soon disliked. We aim to perpetuate 'your renown and credit, and desire that nothing may be done which posterity shall judge needful to be reformed.

• And, (if this altar be removed) where shall we swear to observe your laws and ordinances? • What will then remain to awe the profligate, and terrify them from perjury? It is true, God is every where. Nor is there any place where the perfidious can be safe. Nevertheless the ' outward solemnity of religion is of great use to restrain men from evil. That altar is the band ' of unity to all, and the pledge of fidelity to every individual. Nor is there any thing which 'so effectually secures authority to our determinations, as that all the proceedings are managed by senators sworn at this altar. Shall this seat be open to be profaned by perjuries? And shall that be approved by our excellent princes, whose persons and government are secured by the public oath of their people?

'But it will be said: It is nothing more than was done by the blessed Constantius. Let us • rather imitate the other actions of that prince, who never would have attempted such a thing, if any one before him had so mistaken in the measures of government. For miscarriages of former princes are lessons of instruction to their successors: and any one easily amends when he has been warned by the evil example of those who went before him. That prince, your majesty's predecessor, was not aware of the discontent which would be occasioned by that innovation. But will that defence be of any advantage to us, if we should imitate what we know < to have been disliked?

fit debitum. Inanem igitur metum divino animo vestro tentat incutere, si quis asserit conscientiam vos habere præbentium, nisi detrahentium subieritis invidiam.

17. Faveant clementiæ vestræ sectarum omnium arcana præsidia, et hæc maxime, quæ majores vestros aliquando. juverunt, vos defendant, a nobis colantur. Eum religionum statum petimus, qui Divo parenti culminis vestri servavit imperium, qui fortunato Principi legitimos suffecit hæredes.

Spectat senior ille divus ex arce sidereâ lacrymas sacerdotum, et se culpatum putat more violato, quem ipse servavit.

18. Præstate etiam Divo fratri vestro alieni consilii correctionem. Tegite factum, quod Senatui displicuisse nescivit. Siquidem constat ideo exclusam legationem, ne ad eum judicium publicum perveniret. Pro estimatione est temporum superiorum, ut non dubitetis abolere, quod probatum est Principis non fuisse,