History of the Roman empire, from the death of Theodosius the Great to the coronation of Charles the Great, A.D. 395-800

Front matter

HISTORICAL HANDBOOKS

EDITED BY

OSCAR BROWNING, M.A.

Chapter I. Administrative And Legal Unity

Death of Theodosius and Condition of Empire — Influence of the Provinces — Policy of Julius Caesar — Reforms delayed by Caesar's Murder — Policy of Augustus, Tiberius, and Claudius — Importance of the Provinces— Edict of Caracallus — Consequences of the Edict — Jealousy of East and "West — Diocletian — Diocletain's failure — Constantine — Changes in the Constitution — Modification of Roman Law — Roman Law gradually softened — Responsa Prudentum and the Edidiim Perijetuutn — Summary ...... 1-19

Chapter II. The Christian Church In The First Four Centuries

The Church recognised by Constantine — Christians confounded with Jews — Christians Disliked and Persecuted — Effects of Persecution on the Church — The Decian Persecution — Fifty Years' Peace — The Diocletian Persecution — Toleration under Galerius and Constantine^Christianity the dominant State Religion — Influence of Christianity on the Empire — Moral Evils deep-seated when Christianity was introduced — ESect of Christian Morality — Excellent Organisation of the Christian Church— Christianity the State Church . . 20-41

X Contents

Chapter III

THE BARBARIANS ON THE FRONTIER. CENT. IV.

Romans and Barbarians from the same Stock — "Who were the Aryans ? — Semitic and Turanian Races — Aryan Migrations — Kelts — Teutons — Shaves — Relations between Empire and Barbarians — Tribes lying on Roman Frontiers — Huns — The Teutonic Races— The Goths — The Vandals — The Burgundians — The Franks — The Saxons — The Lombards — Summary of First Three Chapters . . . . ' . 42-54

Chapter IV. Church And State In Constantinople, Eutropius, And Chrysostom

Death of Theodosius — Sons of Theodosius — Rise of Eutropius — Allies of Eutropius — Right of Asylum — Chrysostom : Life at Antioch — Death of Nectarius — Eutropius ajipoints Chrysostom — Character of Chrysostom — Hatred of Eutropius — Quarrel between Eutropius and the Empress — Interference of Chrysostom— His famous Sermon — Condemnation of Eutropius — Sequel of his Downfall .... 55-67

Chapter V. Chrysostom And The Empress Eudoxia

Difficulties of Chrysostom — Chrysostom unpopular with the Clergy — Unpopular with the Rich — The Friends of Chrysostom — Intrigues against Chrysostom — Troubles with the Arians — The " Tall Brothers" of the Nitrian Desert — Intrigues of Theophilus — Council of the Oak — Condemnation of Chrysostom— Sermon against the Empress — Deportation of Chrysostom to Chalcedon — Riot and Earthquake in Constantinople — Chrysostom Recalled — Statues of the Empress — Coimcil of Constantinople— Chrysostom forbidden to leave the Palace — His Disobedience — The Council Ratifies his Condemnation — Chrysostom appeals to the West — Second Exile of Chrysostom — Riot and Burning of St Sophia — Chrysostom Conveyed to Cucusus — Removal to Pityus— Death at Comana in Pontus 68-94

Cotitents xi

Chapter VI. ' Alaric And The Visigoths— A.d. 396-419

State of Italy — Alaric the Visigoth — Province of Eastern lUyricum — Alaric in Illyricum — Stilicho prepares to Attack — Alaric and Stilicho in Peloponnesus — Revolt of Gildo suppressed — Threatened Invasion of Italy — Battle of Pollentia — ^Inroad of Radagaisus — Olympius — Murder of Stilicho — Reaction in Italy — Alaric Marches on Rome — First Siege of Rome — Negotiations for Peace — Second Siege of Rome — Third Siege and Sack of Rome — Death of Alaric — Succeeded by Atiiulf and Wallia 95-117

Chapter VII. Genseric And The Vandals— A.d. 423-533

Events following the Death of Honorius — Valentinian III. — Petronius Maximus — Last Twenty Years of the Western Empire — The Transition— The Vandals — Their Migrations — Genseric King — Invasion of i^.frica — The Vandal Kingdom — Rome sacked by Genseric — Policy of Genseric — Expedition against Carthage — Basiliscus its Leader — Defeat of the Expedition — Decline of the Vandal Power . . . 118-135

Chapter VIII. *" Attila And The Huns -a.d. 435-453

King Attila — The Traditions about Attila— Gallo-Roman and Italian Traditions — East German or Gothic Traditions — West German and Scandinavian Traditions — Nibelungen-lied — Hungarian Traditions — Summary — State of Central Europe — Attila, King — Gradual Encroachments — Embassy to Constantinople— Counter - Embassy — Attila demands the Princess Honoria — Alliance with Genseric and the Franks — Attila Invades Gaul — Siege of Orleans — Relief of Orleans — Battle of Chalons — Attila threatens Italy — Embassy from Rome to Attila — Attila leaves Italy — Marriage and Death of Attila ...... 136-154 xii Contents

Chapter IX. The "change Of Government"— Commonly

CALLED THE FALL OF THE WESTERN EMPIRE,

Results of Attila's Death — Orestes the Pannonian — Romulus Augustulus — Downfall of Orestes and the Emperor — A Change in Form of Government — Odoacer " King" — Difficulties in and out of Italy — Odoacer subordinate to the Emperor — Theodoric sent to reduce Italy to Obedience — March of Theodoric — Struggle between Odoacer and Theodoric — Convention of Ravenna — Mui'der of Odoacer — Prosperous Reign of Theodoric — Close of Theodoric's Reign . . . 155-171

Chapter X. The Emperor Justinian— A.d. 527-565

Contrast of East to West — Justinian — Justinian's Rise — Description of Justinian — The Nika Riot — Belisarius compared to Marlborough — African Campaign of Belisarius — Position of the Vandals — Africa reduced in Three Months — Pretext for the Invasion of Italy — Belisarius reduces Sicily and South Italy — Siege of Rome by the O.strogoths — Siege raised — Fall of Ravenna— Recall of Belisarius — Revolt of the Goths — Narses in Italy — Conclusion . . . 172-189

CHAPTER XL

THE EMPIRE IN RELATION TO THE BARBARIANS OF THE EAST— A.D. 450-650.

Subject of the Chapter — Results of the Death of Attila — Dangers on the Frontiers — The Middle Danube — Eastern Danube and North Coast of the Euxine — Huns on the Tanais — The Slavonians— Avars, Turks, &c., in Central Asia — Persia — Barbarian Irruptions across the Danube — The Avars — True Story of " False Avars " — Avars attack the Slaves — Persian Encroachments— Heraclius prepares for War — Treachery of the Avars — Heraclius victorious in Persia — Successful Defence of Constantinople— Effects of the War . . 190-209

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Chapter XII. Mohammed And Mohammedanism— A.d. 622-711

Mohammedanism — Secondary Causes of Success — Characteristics of Arabia — Characteristics of Tribes — Political and Eeligious Confusion — Primary Causes of Success — Mohammed's Early Years — Mohammed "called" to be the Prophet of God — Ill Success of Mohammed — The Hegira or Flight of Mohammed to Medina — First Proclamation of War against Infidels— Fall of Mecca — Death of Mohammed — The Doctrines of Mohammedanism — The Unity of God — Angels and Genii — The Koran — The Creed — Articles of Religion — Was Mohammedanism Original ? — Mohammedan Conquests . 210-227

CHAPTER XHI.

THE POPES AND THE LOMBARDS IN ITALY- A.D. 540-740.

Gregory the Great — State of Italy after its Conquest — The Lombards— Lombard Conquest of Italy — Territorial Limits of Exarchate — Gregory I. — Interview of Gregory with EngKsh Slaves — Gregory prevented going to England — Sketch of English History — St Augustine — Effects of Christianity in England— Gregory as Bishop, Pope, and (virtual) King — Gregory II. — Rise of Iconoclasm — Leo III. the Isaurian — Attempts to force Iconoclasm upon Christendom — Iconoclastic Controversy in the East — In the West, Papal Appeal to the Franks 228-246