Advancing from this point, after sacking Athens and
the chief cities of Greece, they marched upon Epirus, and began to
threaten Italy. But the defection at this crisis of a conspicuous
chieftain, and the burden of their booty, made these wild marauders
anxious to provide for a safe retreat; the imperial commanders in Moesia
listened eagerly to their offers: and it set the seal to the dishonors of
the state, that, after having traversed so vast a range of territory
almost without resistance, these blood-stained brigands were now suffered
to retire under the very guardianship of those whom they had just visited
with military execution.
Such were the terms upon which the Emperor Gallienus purchased a brief
respite from his haughty enemies. For the moment, however, he _did_
enjoy security. Far otherwise was the destiny of his unhappy father. Sapor
now ruled in Persia; the throne of Armenia had vainly striven to maintain
its independency against his armies, and the daggers of his hired
assassins. This revolution, which so much enfeebled the Roman means of
war, exactly in that proportion increased the necessity for it.
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