The aged senator then was compelled to be emperor, and forced, in spite of
his vehement reluctance, to quit the comforts of a palace, which he was
never to revisit, for the hardships of a distant camp. His first act was
strikingly illustrative of the Roman condition, as we have just described
it. Aurelian had attempted to disarm one set of enemies by turning the
current of their fury upon another. The Alani were in search of plunder,
and strongly disposed to obtain it from Roman provinces. "But no," said
Aurelian; "if you do that, I shall unchain my legions upon you. Be better
advised: keep those excellent dispositions of mind, and that admirable
taste for plunder, until you come whither I will conduct you. Then
discharge your fury, and welcome; besides which, I will pay you wages for
your immediate abstinence; and on the other side the Euphrates you shall
pay yourselves." Such was the outline of the contract; and the Alans had
accordingly held themselves in readiness to accompany Aurelian from Europe
to his meditated Persian campaign. Meantime, that emperor had perished by
treason; and the Alani were still waiting for his successor on the throne
to complete his engagements with themselves, as being of necessity the
successor also to his wars and to his responsibilities.
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