22.  The reign of Theodo’sius in the East lasted nearly sixteen years, and was marked by a display of unusual vigour and ability.  He broke the power of the Goths by many severe defeats, and disunited their leading tribes by crafty negociations.  But the continued drain on the population, caused by the late destructive wars, compelled him to recruit his forces among the tribes of the barbarians, and a change was thus made in the character and discipline of the Roman army, which in a later age produced the most calamitous consequences.  The exuberant zeal, which led him to persecute the Arians and the pagans, occasioned some terrible convulsions, which distracted the empire, and were not quelled without bloodshed.  He, however, preserved the integrity of the empire, and not a province was lost during his administration.

23.  The valour which Gratian had displayed in the early part of his life, rendered the indolence and luxury to which he abandoned himself, after the appointment of Theodo’sius, more glaring.  The general discontent of the army induced Max’imus, the governor of Britain, to raise the standard of revolt, and, passing over to the continent, he was joined by the greater part of the Gallic legions.  When this rebellion broke out Gratian was enjoying the sports of the field in the neighbourhood of Paris, and did not discover his danger until it was too late to escape.  He attempted to save his life by flight, but was overtaken by the emissaries of the usurper, near Lyons, and assassinated. 24.  Theodo’sius was induced to make peace with Max’imus, on condition that the latter should content himself with the prefecture of Gaul, and should not invade the territories of the younger Valentin’ian. 25.  Ambition hurried the faithless usurper to his ruin; having by perfidy obtained possession of the passes of the Alps, he led an overwhelming army into Italy, and Valenti’nian, with his mother Justi’na, were scarcely able, by a hasty flight, to escape to the friendly court of Theodo’sius.

26.  The emperor of the East readily embraced the cause of the fugitives; the numerous troops of barbarian cavalry which he had taken into pay, enabled him to proceed with a celerity which baffled all calculation. 27.  Before Maximus could make any preparations for his reception, Theodosius had completely routed his army, and was already at the gates of Aquilei’a, where the usurper had taken refuge.  The garrison, secretly disinclined to the cause of Maximus, made but a faint resistance, the town was taken, and the unfortunate ruler led as a captive into the presence of his conqueror, by whom he was delivered to the executioner.