History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 3

Edward Gibbon · 1782 (written); 1845 (revised)

passage 88 of 469 · Chapter XXVII: Civil Wars, Reign Of Theodosius.—Part I. > act, the sole object of his expedition, than he returned, amidst (1/5)

in brief

Rufinus tries to hold power by managing Arcadius through habit, but Eutropius’s eunuch conspiracy replaces Rufinus’s intended bride with Eudoxia, and Rufinus faces humiliation while preparing to defend himself.

the deep and silent curses of a trembling people, from Antioch to Constantinople; and his diligence was accelerated by the hope of accomplishing, without delay, the nuptials of his daughter with the emperor of the East. 12

10 (return) [ Montesquieu (Esprit des Loix, l. xii. c. 12) praises one of the laws of Theodosius addressed to the præfect Rufinus, (l. ix. tit. iv. leg. unic.,) to discourage the prosecution of treasonable, or sacrilegious, words. A tyrannical statute always proves the existence of tyranny; but a laudable edict may only contain the specious professions, or ineffectual wishes, of the prince, or his ministers. This, I am afraid, is a just, though mortifying, canon of criticism.]

11 (return) [

—fluctibus auri Expleri sitis ista nequit— ***** Congestae cumulantur opes; orbisque ruinas Accipit una domus.

This character (Claudian, in. Rufin. i. 184-220) is confirmed by Jerom, a disinterested witness, (dedecus insatiabilis avaritiae, tom. i. ad Heliodor. p. 26,) by Zosimus, (l. v. p. 286,) and by Suidas, who copied the history of Eunapius.]

12 (return) [

—Caetera segnis; Ad facinus velox; penitus regione remotas Impiger ire vias.

This allusion of Claudian (in Rufin. i. 241) is again explained by the circumstantial narrative of Zosimus, (l. v. p. 288, 289.)]

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topics: conspiracy and assassination · faction, party, and civil strife · political legitimacy and consent

History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 3 · Edward Gibbon · 1782–1845