Transcriber's Notes:
1. Page scan source:
http://www.archive.org/details/astruggleforrom02dahngoog
"If there be anything more powerful than Fate,
It is the courage which bears it undismayed."
Geibel.
Thanks to the precautions taken by Procopius, the trick hadsucceededcompletely.
At the moment in which the flag of the Goths fell and theirKing wastaken prisoner, they were everywhere surprised and overpowered.In the courts of the palace, in the streets and canals of the cityand in the camp, they were surrounded by far superior numbers. Apalisade of lances met their sight on all sides. Almost without anexception the paralysed Goths laid down their arms. The few who offeredresistance--the nearest associates of the King--were struck down.
Witichis himself, Duke Guntharis, Earl Wisand, Earl Markja,and theleaders of the army who were taken prisoners with them, were placed inseparate confinement; the King imprisoned in the "prison of Theodoric,"a strong and deep dungeon in the palace itself.
The procession from the Gate of Stilicho to the Forum ofHonorius hadnot been interrupted.
Arrived at the palace, Belisarius summoned the Senate anddecurions ofthe city, and took their oaths of allegiance for Emperor Justinian.
Procopius was sent to Byzantium with the golden keys ofNeapolis, Rome,and Ravenna. He was to give a full report to the Emperor, and to demandfor Belisarius the prolongation of his office until Italy had beencompletely tranquillised, as could not fail to be the case presently,and afterwards, as had been the case after the Vandal wars, to accordhim the honour of a triumph, with the exposure of the King of theGoths, as prisoner of war, in the Hippodrome.
For Belisarius looked upon the war as ended.
Cethegus almost shared this belief. But still he feared theoutburstsof indignation amongst the Goths in the provinces. Therefore he tookcare that, for the present, no report of the manner in which the cityhad fallen should pass the gates; and he pondered upon some means ofmaking use of the imprisoned King himself, to palliate the possiblerenewal of national feeling in the Goths.
He also persuaded Belisarius to send Acacius, with the Persianhorsemen, to follow Hildebad, who had escaped in the direction ofTarvisium.
In vain he tried to speak to the Queen.
She had not yet fully recovered the effects of the night oftheearthquake, and admitted no one. She had even listened to the news ofthe fall of the city with indifference. The Prefect gave her a guard ofhonour, in order to make sure of her, for he had great plans inconnection with her. Then he sent her the sword of the King,accompanying it with a note.
"I have kept my word. King Witichis is ruined, you arerevenged andfree. Now it is