19.  The twenty years which intervened between the assassination of Valentinian, and the final destruction of the Western empire, were nearly one continued series of intestine revolutions. 20.  Even in the age of Cicero, when the empire of Rome, seemed likely to last for ever, it was stated by the augurs that the twelve vultures seen by Romulus,[3] represented the twelve centuries assigned for the fatal period of the city.  This strange prediction, forgotten in ages of peace and prosperity, was recalled to the minds of men when events, at the close of the twelfth century, showed that the prophecy was about to be accomplished.  It is not, of course, our meaning, that the ominous flight of birds, the prophetic interpretation, and its almost literal fulfilment, were any thing more than an accidental coincidence; but, it must be confessed, that it was one of the most remarkable on record.

21.  Maximus succeeded to the imperial throne, and found that the first day of his reign was the last of his happiness.  On the death of his wife, whose wrongs he had so severely revenged, he endeavoured to compel Eudox’ia, the widow of the murdered emperor, to become his spouse.  In her indignation at this insulting proposal, Eudox’ia did not hesitate to apply for aid to Gen’seric, king of those Vandals that had seized Africa; and the barbarian king, glad of such a fair pretence, soon appeared with a powerful fleet in the Tiber. 22.  Max’imus was murdered in an insurrection, occasioned by these tidings; and Gen’seric, advancing to Rome, became master of the city, which was, for fourteen days pillaged by the Moors and Vandals.  Eudox’ia had reason to lament her imprudent conduct; she was carried off a captive by the ferocious Vandal, along with her two daughters, the last of the family of the great Theo’dosius and many thousand Romans were at the same time dragged into slavery.

23.  The army in Gaul saluted their general, Avi’tus, emperor, and the Roman senate and people at first acquiesced in the choice.  Rut Avi’tus was soon found unfit to hold the reins of power at a time of so much danger and difficulty; the senate, influenced by Ri’cimer, the commander of the barbarian auxiliaries, voted his deposition.  He died shortly after, whether by disease or violence is uncertain.

24.  The powerful Ri’cimer now placed upon the throne Ju’lian Majo’rian, who united in an eminent degree the qualities of a brave soldier and a wise statesman.  The coasts of Italy had long been wasted by Gen’seric, king of the Vandals, and in order to put an end to their incursions, the emperor determined to attack the pirates in Africa, the seat of their power.  The judicious preparations which he made were disconcerted by treason; Ri’cimer, who had hoped to rule the empire while Majo’rian enjoyed the empty title of monarch, was disappointed by the abilities which the new emperor displayed.  Some of his creatures betrayed the Roman fleet to the torches of the Vandals; and Ri’cimer took advantage of the popular discontent occasioned by this disaster, to procure the dethronement of his former friend.  Majo’rian died five years after his deposition, and the humble tomb which covered his remains was consecrated by the respect and gratitude of succeeding generations.