[118] Gainas and Leo were sent by Eutropius to put down the revolt of Tarbigilus. Gainas, however, never left the Hellespont and Leo, advancing into Pamphylia, there met, and was defeated by, Tarbigilus (Zosim. v. 16. 5). We gather from Claudian that he had once been a weaver. * * * * * Page 214 inceptum peragetur opus. iam cuncta furorem qui gravat, efficiam leviorem pondere lanae Tarbigilum tumidum, desertoresque Gruthungos ut miseras populabor oves et pace relata 400 pristina restituam Phrygias ad stamina matres.” His dictis iterum sedit; fit plausus et ingens concilii clamor, qualis resonantibus olim exoritur caveis, quotiens crinitus ephebus aut rigidam Nioben aut flentem Troada fingit. 405 protinus excitis iter inremeabile signis adripit infaustoque iubet bubone moveri agmina Mygdonias mox impletura volucres. Pulcher et urbanae cupiens exercitus umbrae, adsiduus ludis, avidus splendere lavacris 410 nec soles imbresve pati, multumque priori dispar, sub clipeo Thracum qui ferre pruinas, dum Stilicho regeret, nudoque hiemare sub axe sueverat et duris haurire bipennibus Hebrum. cum duce mutatae vires. Byzantia robur 415 fregit luxuries Ancyranique triumphi. non peditem praecedit eques; non commoda castris eligitur regio; vicibus custodia nullis advigilat vallo; non explorantur eundae vitandaeque viae; nullo se cornua flectunt 420 ordine: confusi passim per opaca vagantur lustra, per ignotas angusto tramite valles. * * * * * Page 215 mine attempts and the work begun will be the work completed. Now will I render proud Tarbigilus, whose madness has caused all this turmoil, of less weight than a ball of wool, the faithless Gruthungi I will drive before me like a flock of wretched sheep; and when I have restored peace I will set the women of Phrygia once more beside their ancient spinning.” So saying he sat down again. Great clamour and applause filled the council-chamber, applause such as rises from the rows of spectators in the theatre when some curled youth impersonates Niobe turned to stone, or Hecuba in tears. Straightway Leo unfolds his banners and starts on the journey whence there is to be no return. To the accompaniment of the screech-owl’s ill-omened cry he bids march the host destined so soon to feed the vultures of Mygdonia.