[12] Constantine, on his conversion to Christianity, had issued an edict forbidding the consultation of oracles; but the practice was not wholly abandoned till the time of Theodosius. [13] Schools was the name given at Rome to buildings where men were wont to meet for any purpose, whether of study, of traffic, or of the practice of any art. The schools of the Palatine were the station of the cohorts of the guard. The "Protectors or Guards" were a body of soldiers of higher rank, receiving also higher pay; called also "Domestici or household troops," as especially set apart for the protection of the imperial palace and person. The "Scutarii" (shield-bearers) belonged to the Palatine schools; and the Gentiles were troops enlisted from among those nations which were still accounted barbarous. [14] Gibbon here proposes for le_n_itatem to read le_v_itatem, fickleness; himself describing Montius as "a statesman whose art and experience were frequently betrayed by the levity of his disposition."--Cap. xix., p. 298, vol. iii., Bohn's edition. [15] Châlons sur Saône. [16] Near Basle. [17] It will be observed that Ammianus here speaks of himself as in attendance upon Ursicinus. [18] Maximianus Herculius. [19] Diocletian. [20] As we say, Out of the frying-pan into the fire. [21] The town of Pettau, on the Drave. [22] A paleness such as overspread the countenance of Adrastus when he saw his two sons-in-law, Pydeus and Polynices, slain at Thebes. Virgil speaks of Adrasti pallentis imago, Æn. vi. 480. [23] Ammianus here confounds Nemesis with Fortuna. Compare Horace's description of the latter goddess, Lib. i. Od. 34:-- " ... Valet ima summis Mutare, et insignia attenuat deus Obscura promens: hinc apicem rapax Fortuna cum stridore acuto Sustulit; hic posuisse gaudet." Or, as it is translated by Dr. Francis:-- "The hand of Jove can crush the proud Down to the meanness of the crowd: And raise the lowest in his stead: But rapid Fortune pulls him down, And snatches his imperial crown, To place, not _fix_ it, on another's head." [24] Near the modern city of Sienna. [25] See Plutarch's Life of Æmilius, c. 37. The name of the young prince was Alexander. [26] Called also Hostilius; cf. Vell. Paterc. ii. 1. [27] Cf. Liv. ix. c. x.; Cicero de Officiis, iii. 30. [28] Cf. Val. Max. vi. 3. [29] Cf. Horace, Od. iv. ult.; Florus, ii. 1. The story of the cruelties inflicted on Regulus is now, however, generally disbelieved. [30] The fate of Pompey served also as an instance to Juvenal in his satire on the vanity of human wishes. Provida Pompeio diderat Campania febres Optandas, sed multæ urbes et publica vota Vicerunt; igitur Fortuna ipsius et urbis Servatum victo caput abstulit. Sat. X. 283, &c. [31] Spartacus was the celebrated leader of the slaves in the Servile War. BOOK XV. ARGUMENT.