f toil and danger;
and the restoration of that virtuous minister to the praefecture of the
East, was the first step which indicated the repentance of Valens, and
satisfied the minds of the people. The reign of Procopius was apparently
supported by powerful armies and obedient provinces. But many of the
principal officers, military as well as civil, had been urged, either
by motives of duty or interest, to withdraw themselves from the guilty
scene; or to watch the moment of betraying, and deserting, the cause of
the usurper. Lupicinus advanced by hasty marches, to bring the legions
of Syria to the aid of Valens. Arintheus, who, in strength, beauty, and
valor, excelled all the heroes of the age, attacked with a small troop
a superior body of the rebels. When he beheld the faces of the soldiers
who had served under his banner, he commanded them, with a loud voice,
to seize and deliver up their pretended leader; and such was the
ascendant of his genius, that this extraordinary order was instantly
obeyed. [40] Arbetio, a respectable veteran of the great Constantine,
who had been distinguished by the honors of the consulship, was
persuaded to leave his retirement, and once more to conduct an army
into the field. In the heat of action, calmly taking off his helmet, he
showed his gray hairs and venerable countenance: saluted the soldiers
of Procopius by the endearing names of children and companions, and
exhorted them no longer to support the desperate cause of a contemptible
tyrant; but to follow their old commander, who had so often led them to
honor and victory. In the two engagements of Thyatira [41] and Nacolia,
the unfortunate Procopius was deserted by his troops, who were seduced
by the instructions and example of their perfidious officers. After
wandering some time among the woods and mountains of Phyrgia, he was
betrayed by his desponding followers, conducted to the Imperial
camp, and immediately beheaded. He suffered the ordinary fate of an
unsuccessful usurper; but the acts of cruelty which were exercised by
the conqueror, under the forms of legal justice, excited the pity and
indignation of mankind. [42]

[Footnote 39a: Symmachus describes his embarrassment. "The Germans
are the common enemies of the state, Procopius the private foe of the
Emperor; his first care must be victory, his second revenge." Symm.
Orat. p. 11.--M.]

[Footnote 40: Et dedignatus hominem superare certamine despicabilem,
auctoritatis et celsi