hands of the Franks ; and they resolved, through C' [il-p Punknown seas, to explore their way from the

their enterprising spirit, a new road to wealth and glory. i Notwithstanding the vigilance and activity of Probsius, it was almost impossible that he could at c'nce contain in obedience every part of his wideextended' dominions. The barbarians, who broke their chains, had seized the favourable opportunity of a domestic war. When the emperor marched to the relief of Gaul, he devolved the command

MCHAPN

XII. w

erorProus.

was there left in the provinces a hostile barba

rian, a tyrant, or even a robber, to, revive the

memory of past disorders. It was time that the emperor should revisit Rome, and celebrate his own glory and the general happiness. The triumph due to the valour of Probus was conducted with a magnificence suitable *to 'his fortune, and Jthe people who had so lately admired the trophies of Aurelian, gazed with equal pleasure on those of his heroic successor 55. We cannot, on this occasion, forget the desperate courage of about fourfcore Gladiators, reserved with near six hundred others, for the inhuman sportsof the amphitheatre. Disdaining to shed their blood for theamusement of the populace, they killed their keepers, broke from the place of their confinement, and filled the streets of Rome with blood and confusion. After an obstinate resistance, they were overpowered and cut in pieces by the regular forces; but they obtained at least an honourable death, and the satisfaction of a just revenge 55. '

The military discipline which reigned in the camps of Probus, was less cruel than that of Aurelian, but it was equally rigid and exact. '

The latter had punished the irregularities of the

prevented