his Extravagance, lived in that Pomp and Grandeur which _Ammianus_ has described above. [Sidenote: _The Orthodox persecuted in the East._] But he was roused from the easy and indolent Life he led at _ Rome_, by Letters from the famous _Basil_, lately raised to the See of _Cæsarea_ in _Cappadocia_, the Metropolis of _Pontus_, imploring his Assistance, and that of the other Western Bishops, in the present unhappy Condition of the Churches in the East. _Arianism_ was almost utterly extirpated in the West under the Orthodox Emperor _Valentinian_, as I have observed above; but in the East it triumphed under his Brother _Valens_, a most zealous Favourer of the _Arians_, a most implacable Enemy to the Orthodox, who were by him every-where driven from their Sees, and sent into Exile: nay, he gave full Power to the _Arian_ Bishops and Magistrates to imprison, fine, beat, rack, and banish, at Pleasure, such of the Orthodox Clergy as they could not win over by more gentle Methods. This Power they used so tyrannically, especially at _Constantinople_, that the Clergy of that City resolved to apply to _Valens_ himself for Relief, not doubting but the Miseries they groaned under might, if duly represented, even move him to Compassion. Accordingly they appointed Eighty of their Body, all Men of unblemished Characters, and known Piety, to repair to _Nicomedia_, where that Prince then was, and lay their Grievances before him. Upon their Arrival at Court, they were introduced to the Emperor, who heard them with great Attention, without shewing the least Emotion either of Resentment or Compassion. However, as, upon his dismissing them, he immediately sent for _Modestus_ the _Præfectus Prætorio_, they concluded that he had given Ear to their just Complaints, and began to expect a speedy Redress of their Grievances. [Sidenote: _Inhumanly treated by the Emperor_Valens.] But the Charge he gave him, very different from what they expected, was to dispatch them all without Mercy or Delay. The Prefect, apprehending the Death of so many eminent Ecclesiastics might occasion a Tumult in the City, gave out that the Emperor had ordered them into Exile; and accordingly caused them to be put on board a Vessel, in order to be conveyed, as he pretended, to the Place of their Banishment. But the Vessel was no sooner out of Sight, than the Mariners, pursuant to their private Instructions, set Fire to it, and, betaking themselves to their Boat, left those they had on board to the Mercy of the Flames and Waves[1032]. [Sidenote: _The Orthodox divided among themselves._]