ed the protection of Count Romanus,
who had recently been promoted to the government of Africa. But when he
came at the head of an army, and received their request to come to their
immediate assistance in their distress, he declared that he would not
move a step further unless abundant magazines and four thousand camels
were provided for his troops.

6. At this answer the wretched citizens were stupefied, and declared to
him, that after the devastations and conflagrations to which they had
been exposed, it was impossible for them to make such exertions, even
for the reparation of the cruel disasters which they had suffered; and,
after waiting forty days there with vain pretences and excuses, the
count retired without attempting any enterprise.

7. The people of Tripoli, disappointed in their hopes, and dreading the
worst extremities, at their next council day, appointed Severus and
Flaccianus ambassadors to carry to Valentinian some golden images of
victory in honour of his accession to the empire, and to state fully and
boldly to him the miserable distress of the province.

8. When this step became known, Romanus sent a swift horseman as a
messenger to the master of the offices, Remigius, his own kinsman and
his partner in plunder, bidding him take care, that by the emperor's
decision, the investigation into this matter should be committed to the
deputy and himself.

9. The ambassadors arrived at the court, and having obtained access to
the emperor, they, in a set speech, laid all their distresses before
him, and presented him with a decree of their council in which the whole
affair was fully set forth. When the emperor had read it, he neither
trusted the report of the master of the offices, framed to defend the
misconduct of the count, nor, on the other hand, did he place confidence
in these men who made a contrary report; but promised a full
investigation into the affair, which however was deferred in the manner
in which high authorities are wont to let such matters give place to
their more pleasant occupations and amusements.

10. While waiting in suspense and protracted anxiety for some relief
from the emperor's camp, the citizens of Tripoli were again attacked by
troops of the same barbarians, now elated with additional confidence by
their past successes. They ravaged the whole territory of Leptis and
also that of OEa, spreading total ruin and desolation everywhere, and,
at last, retired loaded with an enormo