fe, who was the daughter of Vigilantia, the
sister of the Emperor Justinian. The emperor, however, did not recall
Sergius, but commanded both him and Areobindus to be generals of Libya,
dividing the country and the detachments of soldiers between them. And
he enjoined upon Sergius to carry on the war against the barbarians in
Numidia, and upon Areobindus to direct his operations constantly against
the Moors in Byzacium. And when this expedition lauded at Carthage,
Sergius departed forthwith for Numidia with his own army, and
Areobindus, upon learning that Antalas and Stotzas were encamped near
the city of Siccaveneria, which is three days' journey distant from
Carthage, commanded John, the son of Sisiniolus, to go against them,
choosing out whatever was best of the army; and he wrote to Sergius to
unite with the forces of John, in order that they might all with one
common force engage with the enemy. Now Sergius decided to pay no heed
to the message and have nothing to do with this affair, and John with a
small army was compelled to engage with an innumerable host of the
enemy. And there had always been great enmity between him and Stotzas,
and each one used to pray that he might become the slayer of the other
before departing from the world. At that time, accordingly, as soon as
the fighting was about to come to close quarters, both rode out from
their armies and came against each other. And John drew his bow, and, as
Stotzas was still advancing, made a successful shot and hit him in the
right groin, and Stotzas, mortally wounded, fell there, not yet dead,
but destined to survive this wound only a little time. And all came up
immediately, both the Moorish army and those who followed Stotzas, and
placing Stotzas with little life in him against a tree, they advanced
upon their enemy with great fury; and since they were far superior in
numbers, they routed John and all the Romans with no difficulty. Then,
indeed, they say, John remarked that death had now a certain sweetness
for him, since his prayer regarding Stotzas had reached fulfilment. And
there was a steep place near by, where his horse stumbled and threw him
off. And as he was trying to leap upon the horse again, the enemy caught
and killed him, a man who had shown himself great both in reputation and
in valour. And Stotzas learned this and then died, remarking only that
now it was most sweet to die. In this battle John, the Armenian, brother
of Artabanes, also died