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* NDER the deplorable reigns of Valerian a and Gallienus, the empire was oppressed and almost destroyed by vthe soldiers, the tyrants, and the barbarians. It was xsaved by a series of great princes, who derived their obscure origin from the martial provinces of Illyricum. Within a period of about thirty years, Claudius, Aurelian, Probus, Diocletian and his' colleagues, triumphed over the foreign and domestic enemies ofi'the state, re-established, with the military disz cipline, the strength of the frontiers, and deserVed

the glorious title of Restorers of the Roman World. . '

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CHAR
XI.

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ss appeared in arms at the head of his legions, and

advanced beyond the Po to encounter his competitor. The corrupted name of Pontirolo ' still preserves the memory of a bridge over the Adda, which, during the action, must have proved an

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object of the utmost importance to both armies. C H A P'. The Rhaetian usurper, after receiving a total de- , ' .,

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tation, and by Cecrops, who commanded a nu- ,

merous body of Dalmatian guards. The death of Gallienus was resolved; and notwithstanding their desire of first terminating the siege of Milan, the extreme danger which accompanied every moment's delay, obliged them to hasten the execution of their dating purpose. At a late hour of the night, but while the emperor still protracted the pleasures of the table, an alarm was suddenly given, that Aureolus, at the head of all his forces, had made a desperate sally from the town ; Gallienus, who was never deficient in 'personal braA very, started from his silken couch, and, without

- ' B 2 _ * allow:

CHAR XI. w

A. D. 268,
March 20.
Death of

Gallienus.

Character

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and elevation of the emperor

Claudius.

1 On the death of Gallienus, see Trebellius Pollio in Hist. August. p. 18r. Zosimns, I. i. p. 37. Zonaras,l. xli. p. 634. Eua trop. ix. 11. Aurelius Victor in Epitom'. Victor in Cesar. I have compared and blended them all, but have chiefly followed Aurelius Victor, who seems to have had the best memoirs.

3 Some supposed him, oddly enough, to be a bastard of the younger Gordian. Others took advantage of the province ofDardzinia, to deduce his origin from Dardaz'ius, and the ancient kings of Troy . _ _ ' _. the

the meanness of his birth. We can only discover C 12? 'Pthat he was a native of one of the provinces bor- w

dering on the Danube; that his youth was spent in arms, and that his modest valour attracted the favour and confidence of Deciusz The senate and people already. considered him as an excellent officer, equal to the most important trusts; and censured the inattention of Valerian, who suffered him to remain in the subordinate station of a tribune. But it was not long before that emperor distinguished the merit of Claudius, by declaring him general and chief of the Illyrian frontier, with the command of all the troops in Thrace, .Ma=.fia, Dacia, Pannonia, and Dalmatia, the appointments of the praefect of Egypt, the establish,

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