罗马帝国消亡史经典英文版 (18).docxVIP

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经典英文巨著、宝贵学习参考资料

经典英文巨著、宝贵学习参考资料

Part3.

TheRomanshadlongexperiencedthedaringvalorofthepeopleofLowerGermany.TheunionoftheirstrengththreatenedGaulwithamoreformidableinvasion,andrequiredthepresenceofGallienus,theheirandcolleagueofImperialpower.^75Whilstthatprince,andhisinfantsonSalonius,displayed,inthecourtofTreves,themajestyoftheempireitsarmieswereablyconductedbytheirgeneral,Posthumus,who,thoughheafterwardsbetrayedthefamilyofValerian,waseverfaithfultothegreatinterestsofthemonarchy.Thetreacherouslanguageofpanegyricsandmedalsdarklyannouncesalongseriesofvictories.Trophiesandtitlesattest(ifsuchevidencecanattest)thefameofPosthumus,whoisrepeatedlystyledtheConqueroroftheGermans,andtheSaviorofGaul.^76

[Footnote75:Zosimus,l.i.p.27.]

[Footnote76:M.deBrequigny(intheMemoiresdelAcademie,tom.xxx.)hasgivenusaverycuriouslifeofPosthumus.AseriesoftheAugustanHistoryfromMedalsandInscriptionshasbeenmorethanonceplanned,andisstillmuchwanted.

Note:M.Eckhel,KeeperoftheCabinetofMedals,andProfessorofAntiquitiesatVienna,latelydeceased,hassuppliedthiswantbyhisexcellentwork,DoctrinaveterumNummorum,conscriptaaJos.Eckhel,8vol.in4toVindobona,1797.-G.CaptainSmythhaslikewiseprinted(privately)avaluableDescriptiveCatologueofaseriesofLargeBrassMedalsofthisperiodBedford,1834.-M.1845.]

Butasinglefact,theonlyoneindeedofwhichwehaveanydistinctknowledge,erases,inagreatmeasure,thesemonumentsofvanityandadulation.TheRhine,thoughdignifiedwiththetitleofSafeguardoftheprovinces,wasanimperfectbarrieragainstthedaringspiritofenterprisewithwhichtheFrankswereactuated.TheirrapiddevastationsstretchedfromtherivertothefootofthePyrenees;norweretheystoppedbythosemountains.Spain,whichhadneverdreaded,wasunable