ster of soldier in Italy gave him
no power in other parts of the empire; and the attitude which he assumed
as an elderly relative, solicitously concerned for the welfare of his
wife's young cousin, in obedience to the wishes of that cousin's father,
was untenable, when it led him to exceed the acts of a strictly private
friendship.

We can then well understand the indignation felt at New Rome, not only
by Eutropius, but probably also by men of a quite different faction,
when the news arrived that Stilicho purposed to visit Constantinople to
set things in order and arrange matters for Arcadius. Such officiousness
was intolerable, and it was plain that the strongest protest must be
made against it. The senate accordingly passed a resolution declaring
Stilicho a public enemy. This action of the senate is very remarkable,
and its signification is not generally perceived. If the act had been
altogether due to Eutropius, it would surely have taken the form of an
imperial decree. Eutropius would not have resorted to the troublesome
method of bribing or threatening the whole senate even if he had been
able to do so. We must conclude then that the general feeling against
Stilicho was strong, and we must confess naturally strong.

The situation was now complicated by a revolt in Africa, which
eventually proved highly fortunate for the glory and influence of
Stilicho.

Eighteen years before, the Moor Firmus had made an attempt to create a
kingdom for himself in the African provinces (A.D. 379), and had been
quelled by the arms of Theodosius, who received important assistance
from Gildo, the brother and enemy of Firmus. Gildo was duly rewarded. He
was finally military commander, or Count, of Africa, and his daughter
Salvina was united in marriage to a nephew of the empress AElia
Flaccilla. But the faith of the Moors was as the faith of Carthaginians.
Gildo refused to send aid to Theodosius in his expedition against
Eugenius.

After Theodosius' death he prepared to take a more positive attitude,
and he engaged numerous African nomad tribes to support him in his
revolt. The strained relations between Old and New Rome, which did not
escape his notice, suggested to him that his rebellion might assume the
form of a transition from the sovereignty of Honorius to the sovereignty
of Arcadius. He knew that if he were dependent only on New Rome he would
be practically independent. He entered accordingly into communication
with the gover