Italy and Her Invaders (Volume 1, PT. 1); 376-476. Book I. the Visigothic Invasion

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1899. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Bonifacius slain in Single Combat. 461 And thus it came to pass that Bonifacius was Book I. soon engaged in battle against his previous allies. ' In the year 431 he fought with some success, but Bonifacius returns to in 432, though he had received large reinforcements Italy from Constantinople under the command of Aspar, he was utterly beaten by the Vandals in a pitched battle, and compelled to fly to Italy. Notwithstanding his defeat, he was received with enthusiasm at Home, and with perfect trustfulness and oblivion of his past disloyalty by Placidia. She conferred upon him the title of Magister utriusque Militiae, which had been borne for three years by his rival Aetius, and she seems to have been about to bestow upon him her full confidence, and to make him virtually chief ruler of the Empire. At this point, ami is skin however, Aetius reappears upon the scene, fresh in single from a successful war against the Franks. A battlecom' ensued between them, in which Aetius was defeated, but in the single combat wlnch took place, and which seems already to show the influence of Teutonic usages in the dying world of classicalism, Bonifacius received a wound from a javelin (or dart) of unusual length, with which his enemy had provided himself on the eve of the combat, and from the effects of that wound he died three months after. 432. Though there is so much of fraudulent intrigue but loaves IllS Willi)w about the conduct of Aetius, it is impossible not to to the care feel a kind of foretaste of the coming age of chivalry queror. about the whole five years' duel between these two mighty champions, 'each one worthy to have been called the last of Romans. ' Nor is this impression Book i. weakened when we find Bonifacius on his death _1_ bed exh...