save that unfortunate nation from the vengeance of their
foes As a Christian bishop, he preferred the salutary offices of peace;
his mediation appeased the tumult of arms: but he was too conscious of
the arts of the Greeks, and the passions of the Lombards, to engage his
sacred promise for the observance of the truce. Disappointed in the hope
of a general and lasting treaty, he presumed to save his country without
the consent of the emperor or the exarch. The sword of the enemy was
suspended over Rome; it was averted by the mild eloquence and seasonable
gifts of the pontiff, who commanded the respect of heretics and
Barbarians. The merits of Gregory were treated by the Byzantine court
with reproach and insult; but in the attachment of a grateful people, he
found the purest reward of a citizen, and the best right of a sovereign.
[75]

[Footnote 73: Baronius is unwilling to expatiate on the care of the
patrimonies, lest he should betray that they consisted not of kingdoms,
but farms. The French writers, the Benedictine editors, (tom. iv. l.
iii. p. 272, &c.,) and Fleury, (tom. viii. p. 29, &c.,) are not afraid
of entering into these humble, though useful, details; and the humanity
of Fleury dwells on the social virtues of Gregory.]

[Footnote 74: I much suspect that this pecuniary fine on the marriages
of villains produced the famous, and often fabulous right, de cuissage,
de marquette, &c. With the consent of her husband, a handsome bride
might commute the payment in the arms of a young landlord, and the
mutual favor might afford a precedent of local rather than legal
tyranny]

[Footnote 75: The temporal reign of Gregory I. is ably exposed by
Sigonius in the first book, de Regno Italiae. See his works, tom. ii. p.
44--75]

Chapter XLVI: Troubles In Persia.--Part I.

Revolutions On Persia After The Death Of Chosroes On
Nushirvan.--His Son Hormouz, A Tyrant, Is Deposed.--
Usurpation Of Baharam.--Flight And Restoration Of Chosroes
II.--His Gratitude To The Romans.--The Chagan Of The Avars.-
-Revolt Of The Army Against Maurice.--His Death.--Tyranny Of
Phocas.--Elevation Of Heraclius.--The Persian War.--Chosroes
Subdues Syria, Egypt, And Asia Minor.--Siege Of
Constantinople By The Persians And Avars.--Persian
Expeditions.--Victories And Triumph Of Heraclius.

The conflict of Rome and Persia was prolonged from the death of Craesus
to the reign of Heraclius. An exper