罗马帝国消亡史经典英文版 (22).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

Chapter12:ReignsOfTacitus,Probus,CarusAndHisSons.

Part1.ConductOfTheArmyAndSenateAfterTheDeathOfAurelian.-ReignsOfTacitus,Probus,Carus,AndHisSons.

SuchwastheunhappyconditionoftheRomanemperors,that,whatevermightbetheirconduct,theirfatewascommonlythesame.Alifeofpleasureorvirtue,ofseverityormildness,ofindolenceorglory,alikeledtoanuntimelygrave;andalmosteveryreignisclosedbythesamedisgustingrepetitionoftreasonandmurder.ThedeathofAurelian,however,isremarkablebyitsextraordinaryconsequences.Thelegionsadmired,lamented,andrevengedtheirvictoriouschief.Theartificeofhisperfidioussecretarywasdiscoveredandpunished.Thedeludedconspiratorsattendedthefuneraloftheirinjuredsovereign,withsincereorwell-feignedcontrition,andsubmittedtotheunanimousresolutionofthemilitaryorder,whichwassignifiedbythefollowingepistle:ThebraveandfortunatearmiestothesenateandpeopleofRome.-Thecrimeofoneman,andtheerrorofmany,havedeprivedusofthelateemperorAurelian.Mayitpleaseyou,venerablelordsandfathers!toplacehiminthenumberofthegods,andtoappointasuccessorwhomyourjudgmentshalldeclareworthyoftheImperialpurple!Noneofthosewhoseguiltormisfortunehavecontributedtoourloss,shalleverreignoverus.^1TheRomansenatorsheard,withoutsurprise,thatanotheremperorhadbeenassassinatedinhiscamp;theysecretlyrejoicedinthefallofAurelian;and,besidestherecentnotorietyofthefacts,constantlydrawshismaterialsfromtheJournalsoftheSenate,andthebutthemodestanddutifuladdressofthelegions,whenitwascommunicatedinfullassemblybytheconsul,diffusedthemostpleasingastonishment.Suchhonorsasfearandperhapsesteemcouldextort,theyliberallypouredforthonthememoryoftheirdeceasedsovereign.Suchacknowledgmentsasgratitudec