Paulus Diaconus: HISTORIA ROMANA

1 Cessante iam Romanae urbis imperio utilius aptiusque mihi uidetur ab annis dominicae iucarnationis supputationis lineam deducere, quo facilius quid quo tempore actum sit possit agnosci.

1 With the imperial rule of the Roman city now ceased, it seems to me more useful and more fitting to draw a line from the years of the Lord’s Incarnation as a reckoning, by which it may be easier to know what was done at what time.

2 Anno ab incarnatione Domini quadringentesimo nonagesimo secundo post Zenonis excessum Anastasius purpuram induit, qui septimus et quadragesimus in regum numero extitit. Hic Romani decus imperii Euthicianae hereseos inluuie maculauit.

2 In the year from the Incarnation of the Lord 492, after the death of Zeno, Anastasius put on the purple, who proved the 47th in the number of kings. This man stained the Roman glory of the empire with the filth of the Eutychian heresy.

Huius temporibus tanta propter Symmachi ac Laurentii electionem Romae dissensio facta est, ut Festus senatorum nobilissimus et exconsul et alius exconsul Probinus Laurentii partibus fauentes aduersus Faustum exconsulem ceterosque, qui Symmacho adhaerebant, pontifici bellum inferrent multasque caedes et homicidia in medio Vrbis facientes plerosque ex sacerdotali numero, multos etiam clericorum, perplures ciuium Romanorum extinguerent.

In these times so great a dissension arose at Rome on account of the election of Symmachus and Laurentius, that Festus, most noble of the senators and ex-consul, and another ex-consul, Probinus, favoring the party of Laurentius, against the ex-consul Faustus and the rest who adhered to Symmachus, waged war on the pontiff and, committing many massacres and homicides in the middle of the City, put to death very many of the sacerdotal order, many also of the clerics, and very many Roman citizens.

3 Eo tempore Transamundus, qui fratri Honorico apud Africam in Wandalorum regno successerat, fratris uel patris Genserici secutus perfidiam clausis catholicorum ecclesiis ccxx episcopos in Sardinia exilio religauit, quibus beatus papa Symmachus cotidiana subsidia ministrare non destitit.

3 At that time Transamundus, who had succeeded his brother Honoricus in Africa in the kingdom of the Vandals, following the perfidy of Genseric, whether brother or father, and with the Catholic churches shut, confined 220 bishops in Sardinia to exile, to whom the blessed Pope Symmachus did not cease to minister daily succors.

Inter has tempestates beatus Fulgentius in confessione fidei et scientia floruit.

Among these times blessed Fulgentius flourished in the confession of the faith and in learning.

4 His ipsis apud Africam diebus, dum Arrianus quidam Olimpius nomine corpus aquis balnealibus abluens indigna quaedam et blasphema de sanctae Trinitatis fide uerba euomeret, ueniente subito ignito caelitus iaculo uisibiliter conbustus est. Barbas quoque quidam Arrianus episcopus, dum contra regulam fidei, minorem scilicet Patri Filium sanctumque Spiritum asserere cupiens, baptizaturus dixisset: «Baptizo te Barbas in nomine Patris per Filium in Spiritu sancto», statim aqua, quae ad baptizandum allata fuerat, nusquam conparuit; quod aspiciens qui baptizandus erat, confestim ad ecclesiam catholicam confugiens iuxta morem fidei baptismum Christi suscepit.

4 In those same days in Africa, while a certain Arian named Olimpius, washing his body in bath waters, was uttering certain unworthy and blasphemous words about the faith of the holy Trinity, suddenly, with a fiery spear sent from heaven, he was visibly consumed. Also a certain Arian bishop Barbas, when, contrary to the rule of the faith, that is, wishing to assert the Son and the Holy Spirit as lesser than the Father, had said when about to baptize: «Baptizo te Barbas in nomine Patris per Filium in Spiritu sancto», immediately the water which had been brought for baptizing was nowhere to be found; and the one who was to be baptized, seeing this, at once fled to the catholic church and, according to the custom of the faith, received the baptism of Christ.

Theodoricus uero dum per idem tempus pacifice apud Italiam regnaret, per singula quaeque celebriora loca regia sibi habitacula construxit.

Theodoricus, moreover, while at the same time he reigned peacefully in Italy, built royal dwellings for himself in each and every of the more celebrated places.

5 Anastasius itaque dum in heresi, qua delapsus fuerat, perseueraret duasque in Christo naturas, deitatis uidelicet et humanitatis, Euthicium heresiarcem sequens denegaret, Hormisda papa, qui Symmacho successerat, direxit Ennodium Ticinensem episcopum aliosque cum eo Constantinopolim legatos cum catholicae fidei scripto, quatenus Anastasium ad Ecclesiae reducerent gremium. Is non solum salubria eorum monita spreuit, sed insuper etiam a suis conspectibus non sine contumelia expulit nauique fragili inpositos mandat, ne uspiam per totam Greciam ad aliquam ciuitatem accederent. Quam eius impiam temeritatem diuina continuo ultio subsecuta est; nam cum iam septimum et uicesimum imperii annum ageret, ui fulminis percussus interiit.

5 Anastasius therefore, while he persevered in the heresy into which he had fallen, and denied, following the heresiarch Euthicius, the two natures in Christ, namely of deity and of humanity, Hormisdas the pope, who had succeeded Symmachus, directed Ennodus of Ticinum the bishop and others with him as legates to Constantinople with a writing of the catholic faith, so that they might restore Anastasius to the bosom of the Church. He not only spurned their salutary admonitions, but moreover drove them out before his own attendants not without contumely and ordered them placed on a frail ship, that they should not anywhere throughout all Greece approach any city. Divine vengeance immediately followed that impious temerity; for when he was already in the 27th year of his reign, he perished, struck by the force of lightning.

6 Anno ab incarnatione Domini quingentesimo octauo decimo punito Anastasio heretico Iustinus catholicus Augustali potitus est solio. Ad hunc ob causam redintegrandae fidei directus ab Hormisda pontifice uir sanctitate praecipuus Germanus Capuanae urbis episcopus digne susceptus est multorumque dubia corda in fide solidauit.

6 In the year of the incarnation of the Lord 518, Anastasius the heretic having been punished, Justin the Catholic obtained the Augustal throne. For this reason, sent by Pope Hormisdas to the restoration of the faith, Germanus, bishop of the city of Capua, a man preeminent in sanctity, was worthily received and strengthened the doubtful hearts of many in the faith.

7 Eo tempore apud Africam defuncto Transamundo Wandalorum rege Arrianae perfidiae Heldericus eius filius ex captiua Valentiniani principis filia ortus Wandalorum adeptus est regnum. Qui non patrem hereticum, sed matris catholicae monita sequens rectae fidei cultor enituit. Hunc pater Transamundus ad mortem ueniens, quia cernebat eum catholicae parti fauere, sacramenti nodis adstringere curauit, ne umquam in suo regno catholicis consuleret.

7 At that time, after Transamundus, king of the Vandals, had died in Africa, Heldericus, his son, born of the captive daughter of the prince Valentinian, obtained the kingdom of the Vandals. Who, following not his heretic father but the admonitions of his Catholic mother, strove to be a cultivator of the right faith. This man his father Transamundus, coming to death, because he perceived that he favored the Catholic party, took care to bind him with the knots of a sacrament, lest he ever show favor to Catholics in his own kingdom.

Qui mox ut suus genitor uita caruit, prius etiam quam regni iura adsumeret, uniuersos episcopos, quos Transamundus in exilium coegerat, regredi fecit eisque ecclesias reformare praecepit, septuaginta iam et quattuor annis euolutis ex quo a Genserico primitus apud Africam ecclesiae fuerant distractae.

Who, as soon as his own father lacked life, even before he assumed the rights of the kingdom, caused all the bishops whom Transamundus had driven into exile to return, and ordered them to restore the churches, seventy‑four years having already elapsed since the churches had first been scattered in Africa by Genseric.

8 At uero in Orientis partibus, dum adhuc eo tempore per loca singula Arriana heresis uigeret, Iustinus ardore orthodoxae fidei omnimodis satagere coepit, ut hereticorum nomen extingueret, statuitque, ut ubique eorum ecclesias catholica religione consecraret. Quod dum in Italia rex Theodoricus Arriana lue pollutus audisset, Iohannem papam simulque cum eo Theodorum, Inportunum atque Agapitum consulares uiros aliumque Agapitum patricium Constantinopolim ad Iustinum principem dirigit: mandat per eos interminans, ut, nisi quantocius hereticis suas ecclesias redderet eosque in pace degere sineret, uniuersos Italiae populos ipse gladio extingueret.

8 But indeed in the parts of the Orient, while at that time the Arian heresy still flourished in various places, Justinus, with the ardor of the orthodox faith, began in every way to strive that he might extinguish the name of heretics, and resolved that everywhere he would consecrate their churches to the Catholic religion. When King Theodoric in Italy, tainted with the Arian pestilence, heard this, he dispatched to Prince Justinus to Constantinople John the pope together with Theodorus, Inportunus and Agapitus, men of consular rank, and another Agapitus the patrician: he commanded through them, threatening, that unless he promptly restored to the heretics their churches and allowed them to live in peace, he himself would destroy all the peoples of Italy by the sword.

9 Qui peruenientes ad Augustum cum ab eo digne, ut conpetebat, suscepti essent, magnis eum de sua suorumque salute solliciti fletibus postulant, ut suae legationis seriem, quamquam esset iniusta, libenter exciperet Italiaeque periturae consuleret. Quorum fletibus Iustinus permotus eis, quod petebatur, concessit Arrianosque suo iuri reliquid. Dum hi in itinere demorantur, Theodoricus rabie suae iniquitatis stimulatus Symmachum exconsulem ac patricium et Boetium senatorem et exconsulem catholicos uiros gladio trucidauit.

9 Who, arriving at the Augustus, when they had been received by him worthily, as was fitting, with great tears, solicitous for his and their salvation, begged that he would gladly accept the course of their legation, although it was unjust, and give heed to Italy about to perish. Moved by their tears, Iustinus granted to them what was asked, and left the Arians to his own jurisdiction. While these delayed on the journey, Theodoricus, stirred on by the rage of his iniquity, cut down with the sword Symmachus, ex-consul and patrician, and Boetius, senator and ex-consul, men of the Catholic faith.

10 His diebus extincto a Francis Alarico Wisigotharum rege Theodoricus per Ibbam suum comitem plus quam triginta milia Francorum caedens Thiodem suum armigerum post mortem Alarici [generi tutorem Amalarici] nepotis constituit.

10 In these days, Alaric, king of the Visigoths, having been slain by the Franks, Theodoric, by his count Ibba, slaughtering more than thirty thousand Franks, appointed Thiodem his armiger as guardian of Amalaric, his nephew [generi tutorem Amalarici].

Iohannes uero pontifex reuertens a Constantinopoli dum cum his, cum quibus ierat, profectus ad Theodoricum Rauennam fuisset, Theodoricus ductus malitia, quod eum Iustinus catholicae pietatis defensor honorifice suscepisset, eum simul cum sociis carceris afflictione peremit. Sed hanc eius inmanissimam crudelitatem mox animaduersio diuina secuta est; nam nonagesimo octauo post hoc facinus die subita morte defunctus est, cuius animam solitarius quidam apud Liparam insulam uir magnae uirtutis aspexit inter Iohannem papam et Symmachum patricium deduci et in Vulgani ollam, quae ei loco proxima erat, demergi.

John, however, the pontiff, returning from Constantinople, when he with those with whom he had gone had set out and had come to Theodoric at Ravenna, Theodoric, led by malice because Justinus, defender of catholic piety, had received him honorably, put him to death together with his companions by the affliction of prison. But divine animadversion soon followed this most inhuman cruelty; for on the 98th day after this deed he died a sudden death, whose soul a certain solitary man on the island of Lipara beheld being led between John the Pope and Symmachus the patrician and plunged into the Vulgani ollam, which was nearest to him in place.

11 Igitur Theodorico tali modo punito Gothi sibi Athalaricum, de quo praemissum est, ex Theodorici regis filia procreatum, cum eadem Amalaswinta matre sua in regnum praeficiunt.

11 Therefore, with Theodoric so punished, the Goths set up for themselves Athalaric, of whom above was mentioned, begotten from the daughter of King Theodoric, and together with the same Amalaswinta, his mother, they place him over the kingdom.

At uero Iustinus, cum Augustalem dignitatem annis undecim amministrasset, apud Constantinopolim in pace quieuit.

But Justin, when he had administered the Augustan dignity for eleven years, rested in peace at Constantinople.

Anno ab incarnatione Domini quingentesimo uicesimo nono Iustinianus sororis Iustini filius, Romanorum principum nonus ac quadragesimus, Augustalem adeptus est principatum. Qui mox imperialia iura suscepit, ad reparandum rei publicae statum animum intendit. Ac primum per Belisarium patricium ingentem uirum Persas adgressus est, qui transgressis Romanorum terminis eorum regiones grauiter populabantur; quos Belisarius magnis proeliis fudit atque ex uoluntate principis Constantinopolim triumphans ingressus est.

In the year of the incarnation of the Lord 559, Justinian, son of Justin’s sister, the forty-ninth of the princes of the Romans, attained the Augustan principate. Who soon assumed the imperial rights and bent his mind to repairing the state of the republic. And first, by means of Belisarius the patrician, a mighty man, he attacked the Persians, who, having crossed the Romans’ frontiers, were grievously harrying their regions; whom Belisarius routed in great battles and, by the prince’s will, entered Constantinople triumphantly.

12 Interea Atalaricus Gothorum rex, cum necdum expletis quattuor annis regnasset, inmatura morte praeuentus uitae subtractus est. Cuius mater Amalaswinta post eius funus Theodatum sibi socium adsciuit in regnum. Sed Theodatus isdem inmemor conlati beneficii eam post dies aliquot in balneo strangulari praecepit.

12 Meanwhile Atalaric, king of the Goths, though not yet having completed four years of reign, was anticipated by untimely death and taken away from life. His mother Amalaswintha, after his funeral, admitted Theodatus as a colleague with her in the kingdom. But Theodatus, unmindful of the same conferred benefit, after several days ordered her to be strangled in a bath.

Et quia ipsa, dum aduiueret, se suumque filium principi commendauerat, audita Iustinianus Augustus eius morte, graui mox aduersus Theodatum iracundia exarsit.

And because she herself, while she lived, had entrusted herself and her son to the prince, when Justinian Augustus heard of her death, a grievous anger against Theodatus soon kindled in him.

13 Sentiens se Theodatus infensum habere principem, beatum papam Agapitum Constantinopolim dirigit, quatenus ei apud Iustinianum facti inpunitatem impetraret. Qui sanctus pontifex dum Iustinianum principem adisset, facta cum eodem de fide collatione repperit eum in Eutichetis dogma corruisse, a quo primitus graues beatus antistes minas perpessus est. Sed cum illius inconcussam in fide catholica Iustinianus constantiam cerneret, siquidem ad hoc usque uerbis progressum fuerat, ut talia a praesule audiret: «Ego ad Iustinianum imperatorem Christianissimum uenire desideraui, sed Diocletianum inueni», tandem ex uoluntate Dei eius monitis adquiescens ad catholicae fidei confessionem cum multis pariter, qui similiter desipiebant, regressus est.

13 Feeling that Theodatus had the emperor hostile, he sent blessed Pope Agapitus to Constantinople, that he might obtain for him impunity for the deed from Justinian. That holy pontiff, when he approached Emperor Justinian, found that by a conference with him about the faith he had fallen into the Eutychian dogma, from which at first the blessed prelate had suffered severe threats. But when he perceived Justinian’s steadfast constancy in the Catholic faith — for he had even gone so far in words as to say to the prelate, “I wished to come to Justinian the most Christian emperor, but I found Diocletian” — at length, acquiescing to his admonitions by the will of God, he returned, together with many others likewise who were likewise erring, to the confession of the Catholic faith.

Antimum quoque eiusdem regiae ciuitatis episcopum praefatae hereseos defensorem conuictum publice communione priuauit ac persuaso principe in exilium coegit. Nec multum post idem pontifex apud eandem urbem diem obiit.

Antimum, likewise bishop of that same royal city, convicted as a defender of the aforesaid heresy, he publicly deprived of communion and, the prince being persuaded, forced into exile. And not long after, the same pontiff expired in that same city.

14 Interea ad Africam, quam iam multis labentibus annis Wandali possidebant, a Iustiniano cum exercitu Belisarius missus est, qui mox proelio cum Wandalis commisso eorum magnas copias fudit regemque ipsorum Gelismerum uiuum capiens Constantinopolim misit. Carthago quoque post annum suae excisionis nonagesimum sextum recepta est.

14 Meanwhile Belisarius was sent by Justinian with an army to Africa, which the Vandals had long possessed through many declining years; and soon, a battle being joined with the Vandals, he routed their great forces and, taking their king Gelimer alive, sent him to Constantinople. Carthage too was recovered after the 96th year since its destruction.

15 Porro dum Agapitus pontifex, qui a Iustiniano principe pacem Theodato postularat, apud Constantinopolim obisset, Iustinianus Belisarium patricium multis iam proeliis gloriosum aduersus Theodatum dirigit, utque etiam Italiam a Gothorum seruitio liberaret. Belisarius itaque dum aliquantum temporis apud Siciliam moram faceret, rex Gothorum Theodatus extinctus est. Huius in locum Witigis successit, qui mox ut regnum inuasit, Rauennam profectus Amalaswintae reginae filiam per uim auferens sibi in matrimonium iunxit.

15 Moreover, while Pope Agapetus, who had entreated Prince Iustinian for peace for Theodatus, died at Constantinople, Iustinian despatched Belisarius the patrician, already glorious from many battles, against Theodatus, and charged him also to liberate Italy from the Goths’ servitude. Belisarius therefore, while he made a delay of some time at Sicily, the Gothic king Theodatus was slain. In his place Witigis succeeded, who soon, when he invaded the kingdom, advanced to Ravenna, and by force carrying off the daughter of Queen Amalasuintha, joined her to himself in marriage.

16 Conceptas ergo contra Theodatum Belisarius belli uires in Guitigis conuertit egressusque e Sicilia ad Campaniam Neapolim uenit. Quem Neapolitani ciues noluerunt excipere. Qui indignatus acriter ad eiusdem urbis expugnationem totis se uiribus erexit aliquantisque fortiter inpugnatam diebus tandem per uim capiens ingressus est tantaque non solum in Gothos, qui ibi morabantur, sed etiam in ciues ira desaeuit, ut non aetati, non sexui, postremo non sanctimonialibus uel ipsis etiam sacerdotibus parceret; uiros in conspectu coniugum, miserabile uisu, perimens, superstites matres ac liberos captiuitatis iugo adduxit, cuncta rapinis diripiens, nec a sacrosanctis ecclesiis expoliandis abstenuit.

16 Therefore Belisarius turned the war-forces conceived against Theodatus upon the Goths and, having put out from Sicily, came to Campania, to Naples. Whom the Neapolitan citizens would not receive. He, indignant, fiercely set himself with all his forces to the assault of that same city, and after some days of stout fighting at length, taking it by force, entered; and so great an anger raged not only against the Goths who dwelt there but also against the citizens, that he spared neither age nor sex, nor finally even the nuns nor the priests themselves; slaying men in the sight of their wives, a pitiable sight, he led the surviving mothers and children under the yoke of captivity, stripping all by rapine, nor did he refrain from despoiling the most sacred churches.

17 Indeque egrediens Romam properauit. Quo Romam ingresso Gothi, qui in Vrbe morabantur, noctu egressi relictis patentibus portis Rauennam confugiunt. Guitigis ut talia comperit, mox aduersum Belisarium Romam cum ingenti exercitu uenit.

17 And thence departing he hastened to Rome. When he had entered Rome, the Goths who dwelt in the City, issuing forth by night with the gates left open, fled for refuge to Ravenna. When Guitigis learned of these things, he soon came against Belisarius at Rome with a mighty army.

Belisarius non aptum sibi bellandi tempus coniciens, intra Vrbis se moenia clausit eamque munitionibus circumsepsit. Gothi Vrbem obsidentes uniuersa per circuitum direptionibus et incendiis absumunt, quoscumque Romanorum repperiunt, gladio extingunt; cuncta sacra loca denudantes ipsis etiam uenerabilium martyrum tumulis manus impias inferunt. Continue Vrbem inpugnant, sed cauta Belisarii defensatur industria.

Belisarius, deeming the time unfit for warfare, shut himself within the walls of the City and girded it about with fortifications. The Goths, besieging the City, consume everything around the circuit with plunderings and burnings, and slay with the sword whomever of the Romans they find; stripping bare all sacred places, they lay impious hands even upon the tombs of venerable martyrs. They continue to assault the City, but it is defended by Belisarius’s cautious industry.

18 Praeter belli instantiam angebatur insuper Roma famis penuria; tanta siquidem per uniuersum mundum eo anno maximeque apud Liguriam fames excreuerat, ut, sicut uir sanctissimus Datius Mediolanensis antistes retulit, pleraeque matres infelicium natorum membra comederent. Cumque per annum continuum Gothi Romam obsedissent, demum territi Rauennam rediere. Belisarius uero proficiscens Neapolim eamque, ut competebat, ordinatam relinquens Romam regressus est.

18 Besides the pressure of war, Rome was moreover harassed by a scarcity of food; for so great a famine had grown throughout the whole world that year, and especially in Liguria, that, as the most holy Datius, bishop of Mediolanum, reported, very many mothers of ill-fated children ate their children’s limbs. And when the Goths had besieged Rome for a whole continuous year, at last, terrified, they returned to Ravenna. Belisarius, however, setting out, having left Neapolis and it, as was fitting, arranged, returned to Rome.

Statimque ei a Theodora Augusta praeceptio allata est, ut papam Siluerium conuictum accusatione falsorum testium in exilium truderet, eo quod Antimum hereticum Constantinopolitanum episcopum recuperare noluisset. Quod Belisarius, licet nolens, nihil moratus effecit. Pulsus denique papa Siluerius ad Pontiam insulam est, in qua et exulans obiit.

An order was at once brought to him by Theodora Augusta that he should thrust Pope Silverius, convicted by the accusation of false witnesses, into exile, because he had refused to restore Antimus, the heretical bishop of Constantinople. Which Belisarius, although unwilling, without delay accomplished. Finally Pope Silverius was driven to the island Pontia, where, as an exile, he died.

19 Guitigis uero coacto rursus in unum magno Gothorum exercitu cum Belisario conflixit factaque maxima suorum strage in fugam conuersus est. Quem Iohannes magister militum cognomento Sanguinarius noctu fugientem persequens uiuum conprehendit Romamque ad Belisarium adduxit. Patrata Belisarius uictoria Constantinopolim rediit secum Guitigis deferens.

19 Guitigis, however, having again gathered into one a great army of the Goths, engaged Belisarius; and, after a very great slaughter of his men, was put to flight. John, magister militum, surnamed Sanguinarius, pursuing him as he fled by night, seized him alive and brought him to Rome to Belisarius. The victory accomplished, Belisarius returned to Constantinople, carrying Guitigis with him.

Quo uiso Iustinianus ualde laetatus est eumque non multum post patricium effectum administrationem illi iuxta Persarum terminos tribuit ibique Guitigis degens uitam finiuit. Belisarius uero dignis euectus honoribus iterato ad Africam aduersus Guintarit mittitur, qui Wandalos rursus sollicitans apud eos arriperat regnum. Belisarius ut Africam attigit, Guintarit sub dolo pacis ilico peremit residuosque Wandalorum rei publicae iugo substrauit.

On seeing this Justinian was exceedingly glad, and not long after made him a patrician and assigned him the administration near the Persians’ frontiers; and there Guitigis, dwelling, ended his life. Belisarius, however, uplifted by fitting honors, was sent again to Africa against Guintarit, who, again stirring up the Vandals, had seized the kingdom among them. When Belisarius reached Africa, he at once by the treachery of peace killed Guintarit and freed the remnants of the Vandal commonwealth from the yoke.

Victor exinde Belisarius Romam uenit, auream crucem centum librarum praetiosissimis gemmis exornatam, in qua suas uictorias descripserat, beato Petro per manus papae Vigilii optulit.

Thereupon Belisarius, victorious, came to Rome and offered to the blessed Peter, through the hands of Pope Vigilius, a golden cross of one hundred pounds, adorned with most precious gems, on which he had inscribed his victories.

20 His ipsis apud Cassinum temporibus post solitariam uitam sancto degens cenobio stupendis beatissimus pater Benedictus nec minus futurorum praescius radiabat uirtutibus.

20 At that very time at Cassinum, after a solitary life and dwelling in the holy cenobium, the most blessed Father Benedict shone with wondrous virtues and was no less prescient of future things.

Hac etiam aetate gens Langobardorum amica tunc populi Romani apud Pannonias degebat, quibus in regni gubernaculo Audoin praeerat. Is eo tempore cum Turisendo Gepidarum rege confligens per Alboin suum filium iuuenem strenuum uictoriam nanctus est. Denique inter ipsas Alboin sese acies Turismodum Turisendi regis filium appetentem alacriter adgressus extinxit perturbatisque hac occasione Gepidis suis uictoriam peperit.

At this time likewise the people of the Langobards, then friendly to the Roman people, were dwelling in the Pannonias, over whom Audoin presided in the governance of the kingdom. He at that time, fighting with Turisind, king of the Gepids, through Alboin his son—a young vigorous man—obtained victory. Finally, in the very battle Alboin eagerly assaulted Turismod, the son of King Turisind, who was pressing forward, and having thrown them into disorder on this occasion won victory for his Gepids.

21 At uero apud urbem Romam papa Vigilius ob eandem, qua et decessor suus, causam indignatione Augustae per Antimum scribonem ductus Constantinopolim indeque in exilium actus est.

21 But indeed at the city of Rome Pope Vigilius, on account of the same cause as his predecessor, being led by the indignation of Augusta through Antimus the scribe, was conveyed to Constantinople and thence driven into exile.

22 Capto igitur Guitigis Gothi Transpadani Heldebadum sibi regem constituunt, qui eodem anno perimitur. Cui succedit Erarius et ipse necdum anno expleto iugulatur. Dehinc sibi Baduilam, qui et Totila dicebatur, in regnum praeficiunt.

22 When Guitigis was captured, the Transpadane Goths appointed Heldebadus as their king, who was slain in that same year. To him succeeds Erarius, who himself was butchered before a year had been completed. Thereafter they set Baduila, who was also called Totila, over themselves in the kingdom.

Moxque collecto undique exercitu uniuersam rursus Italiam inuadunt. Exinde per Campaniam uirique Dei Benedicti patris cenobium iter facientes perque Lucaniae ac Britiorum fines Regium proficiscuntur, nec mora Siculum transgressi fretum Siciliam inuadunt. Inde quoque reuertentes Romam petunt eamque obsidionibus circumcludunt.

And soon, an army having been gathered from all sides, they again invade the whole of Italy. From there, passing through Campania and making a journey to the cenobium of Father Benedict, man of God, they set out for Regium by the frontiers of Lucania and of the Bruttii; nor delaying, having crossed the Sicilian strait, they invade Sicily. Thence returning as well, they make for Rome and hem it in with sieges.

Quae tantam tunc famis penuriam perpessa est, ut prae magnitudine inopiae natorum suorum carnes comedere uellent. Fessis nimium Romanis nec ualentibus moenia tueri, Totila a porta Ostensi Vrbem ingressus est. Qui parcere Romanis cupiens per totam noctem clangere bucinam iubet, quo se a Gothorum gladiis aut ecclesiis tuerentur aut quibuscumque modis occulerent.

Which then endured so great a famine-penury, that, by reason of the magnitude of the want, they were willing to eat the flesh of their own offspring. The Romans, too greatly weary and not able to defend the walls, Totila entered the City by the Ostian Gate. He, desiring to spare the Romans, ordered the trumpet to sound through the whole night, by which they might either shelter themselves from the swords of the Goths in churches or hide themselves by whatever means.

Habitauitque aliquantum temporis cum Romanis quasi pater cum filiis. Hanc illi, ut datur conici, animi benignitatem, qui nimiae antea crudelitatis extiterat, beati patris Benedicti, quem olim adierat, monitio contulit.

And he dwelt for some time among the Romans as a father with his sons. That admonition of the blessed Father Benedict, whom he had once visited, conferred upon him this benignity of mind—he who had formerly been of excessive cruelty, as may be permitted to conjecture.

23 Elapsi sane ex Vrbe aliqui e numero senatorum Constantinopolim afflicti properant, quibus calamitatibus Roma subiceretur, principi narrant. Qui statim Narsim eunuchum suum cubicularium cum manu ualida dirigit, ut afflictae Romae quantocius subueniret. Is ad Italiam ueniens magno cum Gothis certamine conflixit.

23 Indeed, some of the senators having slipped out of the City, distressed, hastened to Constantinople, to whom they reported the calamities to which Rome was subjected, to the prince. He at once dispatches Narsim, his eunuch chamberlain, with a powerful hand, to succor afflicted Rome as quickly as possible. He, coming to Italy, engaged in a great contest in battle with the Goths.

Quibus ad internicionem paene consumptis regem Totilam, qui ultra iam decem annos regnauerat, interfecit uniuersamque Italiam ad rei publicae iura reduxit.

When these were almost consumed to destruction, he killed King Totila, who had already reigned more than ten years, and restored all Italy to the rights of the res publica.

Quia uero restant adhuc quae de Iustiniani Augusti felicitate dicantur, insequenti Deo praesule libello promenda sunt.

Since indeed there still remain things to be said concerning the felicity of Justinian Augustus, they are to be set forth in the little book that follows, with God presiding.

EXPLICIT LIBER SEXTVS DECIMVS HISTORIAE ROMANAE

HERE ENDS THE SIXTEENTH BOOK OF THE HISTORY OF ROME