e to attempt to
relieve it by running the blockade of the Gothic fleet.

But as he sailed round the south point of Calabria, off Hydrunt, a
fearful storm dispersed his ships; he himself, with a few triremes, was
driven southward as far as Sicily, and the greater part of his ships,
which had taken refuge in a bay near Croton, were there surprised and
taken by a Gothic squadron sent by the King from Rome, which had lain
in ambush near Squillacium. These prizes proved to be an important
addition to the Gothic fleet, for, as we shall see hereafter, the
Goths, were thereby enabled to attack the Byzantines in their islands
and coast-towns.

After this blow, the forces of Belisarius, which had been weak from the
very first, became completely powerless.

Generalship and valour could not replace missing ships, warriors, and
horses.

The hope that the Italians, as in the first campaign, would revolt to
the Emperor's commander-in-chief, proved vain.

Thus the whole enterprise was a complete failure, as we are told by
Procopius in unsparing words.

The Emperor left all petitions for reinforcements unanswered. And when
Antonina repeatedly begged for permission to return, the Empress sent
the mocking reply, "that the Emperor dare not venture, for the second
time, to interrupt the hero in the course of his victories."

So, lying off Sicily, Belisarius spent a miserable time of doubt and
helplessness.

CHAPTER VIII.

And meanwhile the suffering and exhaustion of the citizens in Rome
reached its highest point.

Hunger thinned the ranks, never very full, of the defenders on the
walls.

The Prefect in vain did his utmost. In vain he had recourse to all
possible measures of persuasion or despotism. In vain he lavishly
opened his coffers to provide the means of existence for the people.

For the stores of grain which he had procured from Sicily and garnered
in the Capitol were exhausted.

He promised incredible rewards to any boat which should succeed in
running the blockade of the King's ships and bring provisions to the
city; to every mercenary who ventured to creep through the gates and
the tents of the besiegers and bring back food.

But Totila's watchfulness was not to be deceived.

At first the promised reward had tempted a few avaricious and daring
men to venture out at night. But when Earl Teja, next morning, caused
their heads to be thrown over the walls at the Flaminian Gat