Res Gestae

Now during the reign of Zeno Augustus[*](Emperor of the East, 474–491.) at Constantinople, the patrician[*](See Vol. I, Introduction, p. xxviii; at this time a patricius outranked a praetorian prefect.) Nepos came to the Port of the city of Rome,[*](Portus Augusti, modern Porto; see Index I, Vol. I.) deposed Glycerius,[*](Emperor of the West, 473–474. Nepos forced him to become a priest, and soon after that he was made a—bishop at Salona. Julius Nepos was emperor from 474 to 475.) who was made a bishop, while Nepos himself became emperor at Rome. Presently Nepos came[*](The present participle in this writer is often used as a finite verb.) to Ravenna; he was followed by the patrician Orestes with an army,[*](Nepos had given him command of the troops in Gaul.) and in fear of his coming Nepos embarked on board a ship and fled to Salona,[*](Or Salonae (Caes., B.C. iii. 9, 1 f.), a Dalmatian seaport; modern Split (formerly Spalato) in Yugoslavia.) where he remained for five years; but later he was slain by his own men. Soon after Nepos left Rome Augustulus was made emperor and ruled for ten years.

Augustulus,[*](His title Augustus was changed to Augustulus in mockery of, or perhaps because of, his youth.) who was called Romulus by his parents before he mounted the throne, was made emperor by his father, the patrician Orestes. Then Odoacar made his appearance with a force of Sciri[*](See Pliny, N.H. iv. 97, and note 1, p. 507; they served as mercenaries in the Roman army, but revolted.) and killed the patrician Orestes at Placentia, and his brother Paulus at the Pine Grove,[*](Pineta is a late form for Pinetum. ) outside the Classis[*](Classes, or Classis, was a part of Ravenna near the harbour of the praetorian fleet.) at Ravenna.

Then he entered Ravenna, deposed Augustulus from his throne, but in pity for his tender years, granted him his life; and because of his beauty he also gave him an income of six thousand gold-pieces[*](See Amm. xx. 4, 18, note 5.) and sent him to Campania,[*](Cf. Jordanes, 46, in Lucullano Campaniae castello exilii poena damnavit. ) to live there a free man with his relatives. Now his father Orestes was a Pannonian, who joined with Attila at the time when he came to Rome, and was made his secretary, a position from which he had advanced to the rank of patrician.

Then, after Zeno was made emperor by his son Leo,[*](Leo the Thracian, also called Leo the Great, having no son, named his son-in-law Zeno as his successor. Since the people of Constantinople did not approve the choice, Leo associated with himself his grandson Leo, who survived him a few months only.) who was the offspring of the daughter of Leo the Great, Ariagne by name, he reigned for a year with his son Leo, and it was through Leo’s merit that Zeno retained his power. But after sharing the rule with his son for one year, Zeno was emperor for fourteen years more; he was an Isaurian of high rank, trained to arms, and worthy to receive an emperor’s daughter in marriage.

It is said of him that he was of even superhuman speed as a

A plot was made against him by Basiliscus, himself a senator of high distinction.[*](He was the brother of Varina, the widow of Leo the Great.) As soon as Zeno learned of the plot, he took some of his wealth and went to Isauria. But soon after his departure Basiliscus, who, as was said, was plotting against him, seized upon the imperial power.

Basiliscus ruled for two years. Zeno strengthened the Isaurians within the province; then he sent to the city of Nova,[*](In Moesia on the Danube.) where Theodoric, the general of the Goths and son of Walamericus, was stationed, and invited him to render him relief against Basiliscus. Then he came back[*](See § 36, note 9, where we have a sure example; sometimes, as here, the use is less obvious, though probable.) to Constantinople after two years, brought an attacking force against the city, and laid siege to it.

But because the senate and people feared Zeno, to prevent the city from suffering any harm they deserted Basiliscus, opened the gates, and all surrendered to Zeno. Basiliscus fled to a church and took refuge within the baptistery with his wife and his sons. After Zeno had given him a pledge confirmed by oath that his blood would not be shed,[*](An evasive way of pretending to spare his life, which was kept in the letter, but not in the spirit.) he came out and was shut up with his wife and children in a dry cistern,[*](According to others, in a fortress of Cappadocia.) where they all died of cold.

Zeno remembered the affection felt for him by the senate and people;