. The dangerous secret of the wealth and weakness
of the empire had been revealed to the world. New swarms of barbarians,
encouraged by the success, and not conceiving themselves bound by the
obligation of their brethren, spread devastation though the Illyrian
provinces, and terror as far as the gates of Rome. The defence of the
monarchy, which seemed abandoned by the pusillanimous emperor, was
assumed by AEmilianus, governor of Pannonia and Maesia; who rallied the
scattered forces, and revived the fainting spirits of the troops. The
barbarians were unexpectedly attacked, routed, chased, and pursued
beyond the Danube. The victorious leader distributed as a donative the
money collected for the tribute, and the acclamations of the soldiers
proclaimed him emperor on the field of battle. Gallus, who, careless
of the general welfare, indulged himself in the pleasures of Italy, was
almost in the same instant informed of the success, of the revolt, and
of the rapid approach of his aspiring lieutenant. He advanced to meet
him as far as the plains of Spoleto. When the armies came in right of
each other, the soldiers of Gallus compared the ignominious conduct of
their sovereign with the glory of his rival. They admired the valor
of AEmilianus; they were attracted by his liberality, for he offered a
considerable increase of pay to all deserters. The murder of Gallus, and
of his son Volusianus, put an end to the civil war; and the senate gave
a legal sanction to the rights of conquest. The letters of AEmilianus to
that assembly displayed a mixture of moderation and vanity. He assured
them, that he should resign to their wisdom the civil administration;
and, contenting himself with the quality of their general, would in a
short time assert the glory of Rome, and deliver the empire from all the
barbarians both of the North and of the East. His pride was flattered
by the applause of the senate; and medals are still extant, representing
him with the name and attributes of Hercules the Victor, and Mars the
Avenger.

If the new monarch possessed the abilities, he wanted the time,
necessary to fulfil these splendid promises. Less than four months
intervened between his victory and his fall. He had vanquished Gallus:
he sunk under the weight of a competitor more formidable than Gallus.
That unfortunate prince had sent Valerian, already distinguished by the
honorable title of censor, to bring the legions of Gaul and Germany to
his aid. Vale