against the Romans, who attacked the Turks in the
The latter was so extremely jealous of his suc- passes of the Hyrcanian mountain, and gave them
cessor, that he employed treason in order to avenge such a bloody lesson, that they desisted from further
himself for the insult, and kindled a rebellion hostile attempts.
The latter was so extremely jealous of his suc- passes of the Hyrcanian mountain, and gave them
cessor, that he employed treason in order to avenge such a bloody lesson, that they desisted from further
himself for the insult, and kindled a rebellion hostile attempts.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
Quaest.
Rom.
16, 17.
)
Spuria et Aliena docent. ” Matthaeus was the A certain resemblance between these ceremonies
tutor of Georgius Scholarius. It would seem that and those of the Greek Leucothea led the Romans
in 1438 he accompanied John VII. Palaeologus to to identify Matuta and Leucothea, and thus to re-
Jum et Popu
passage just cited
work in the time
161). There is
second book of
13 bich vor
Indes. He als
11. $2 ; 7. tit.
canus some
cianus in the
sometimes ci
EIGETELS from
MAURICI
tre, c. 7
headed the co
1. MAXIMIS
proconsul, Go
MAURIC
BERIUS,
ftantinople
an ancient
Minor, perh
birth, which
ton Art
genealogy of
dan terc
## p. 975 (#991) ############################################
MAURICIUS.
975
MAURICIUS.
gard her as a marine divinity. (Plut. Camill. 5; Maurice spent his youth at the court of the em-
Ov. Fast. vi. 551, &c. ; Cic. De Nat. Deor. iii. 19, peror Justin Il. ; and although he undoubtedly
Tuscuil. i. 12. ) A temple had been dedicated to served also in the army, his name does not become
Matuta at Rome by king Servius, and was restored conspicuous in history previous to 578. At that
by the dictator, Camillus, after the taking of Veii. period he was comes cubiculorum ; and Tiberius
(Liv. v. 19, 23, xxv. 7, xli. 33. ) Frequent men- had no sooner succeeded Justin (578) than he ap-
tion of a temple of Matuta at Satricum is made by pointed Maurice magister militum, and gave him
Livy (vi. 33, vii. 27, xxviii. 11). (L. S. ) the command in Mesopotamia against the Persians,
MAVORS. (Mars. ]
in place of the general Justinian, with whose
MAVO'RTIUS, the name prefixed to a poem military conduct the emperor was not satisfied.
in the Latin Anthology on the judgment of Paris. As Tiberius was considered to be the greatest
It is a cento from the writings of Virgil, and breaks captain of his time, he would not have entrusted so
off abruptly at the end of 42 lines. The author is important a command to an inexperienced courtier,
believed to be the Vettius Agorius Basilius Ma and consequently one cannot but infer that he was
vortius, who was consul A. D. 527, the same who, perſectly acquainted with the great capabilities of
according to Bentley, arranged the works of Horace Maurice. The event fully justified the emperor's
in their present form, and who is supposed by a choice. A truce of three years had been made be-
recent critic, whose reasonings will not bear close tween Persia and the empire, extending to the
investigation, to have interpolated a number of whole of the frontier except Armenia, where war
spurious pieces, and introduced other organic was carried on as before. "But Chosroes violated
changes. (Burniann, Antholog. Lat. i. 147, or No. the truce, and invaded Mesopotamia before the
282, ed. Meyer; Bentley, Pruef. in Horat. ; Peerl. Romans were at all aware of his hostile intentions.
kamp, Praef. ad Horat. )
(W. R. ) At this critical moment Maurice arrived in Meso
MAURICIANUS,JU'NIUS, a Roman jurist, potamia, and forth with began by restoring the
who wrote, according to the Florentine Index, six relaxed discipline of the troops: one of his first
books, Ad Leges, by which is meant Ad Leg. measures was the re-establishment of the ancient
Juliam et Pupium (Dig. 33. tit. 2. s. 23). The custom of the legions never going to rest at night
passage just cited shows that he was writing this before fortifying their camp. This custom had long
work in the time of Antoninus Pius (A. D. 138— since been neglected ; and the favourite manoeuvre
161). There is one passage in the Digest from the of the Persians of surprising the Romans in the
second book of Mauricianus De Poenis (2. tit. 13. night was thus rendered abortive. At the opening
8. 3), which work is not mentioned in the Florentine of the campaign, however, the Persian general,
Index. He also wrote notes on Julianus (2. tit. 14. Tamchosroes, made himself master of the im-
8. 7. 82 ; 7. tit. 1. s. 25. $ 1), but in place of Mau- portant fortress of Thomane, and pushed as far as
ricianus some manuscripts have Martianus or Mar- Amida. Maurice soon drove him back, and in his
cianus in the two passages just cited. Mauricianus turn invaded the province of Arzanene, sending
is sometimes cited by other jurists. There are four some detachments beyond the Tigris. The first
excerpts from his writings in the Digest. (G. L. ] campaign ended without any decisive battle. In
MAURICIUS, according to Capitolinus (Gor the second campaign, 579, Maurice and his excel-
dian. tres, c. 7), was the name of the youth who lent lieutenant Narses—who must not be con-
headed the conspiracy in Africa against Maximinus founded with Narses, the general of Justinian-
1. [MAXIMINUS), and proposed the elevation of the made a successful invasion of Media, and took up
proconsul, Gordian, and his son. [W. R. ) their winter-quarters in Mesopotamia. In 580 he
MAURICIUS (Mavpixios), FLA'VIUS TI. crossed the Euphrates at Circesium (Circessus or
BERIUS, one of the greatest emperors of Con-Cercusium), a town situated in the angle made by
stantinople (A. D. 582—620), was descended from the Chaboras joining the Euphrates, with a view of
an ancient Roman family which settled in Asia marching across the desert upon Ctesiphon. His
Minor, perhaps some centuries previous to his plan was frustrated through the treachery of some
birth, which took place about A. D. 539, in the Arab allies, and he found himself unexpectedly
town of Arabissus, in Cappadocia. We give the compelled to make head against the main army of
genealogy of his family so far as it is known :- the Persians. The contest was sharp, and ended
with a total overthrow of the Persians, who eva.
talent and rank, raised still hixher by
cuated whatever places they held in Mesopotamia,
his son the emperor Maurice; m. Jon
and fled in confusion beyond the Euphrates. Now
Chosroes offered peace, but Maurice peremptorily
1. Mauricius, 2. Petrus, dux 3. Gordiana, 4. Theo. 5. Damiana.
demanded the restoration of the great fortress of
Thraciae, and m. Philip
Dara, the bulwark of the empire, declining to ac-
Curopalata;
Philippicus,
cept any indemnity in money, and the war was
renewed with more fury than before (581). A
pitched battle, in which the Persian army was
Constantina,
almost annihilated, and their commander, Tam-
chosroes, died the death of a hero, concluded the
war, to the advantage of the Romans, and Maurice
hastened to Constantinople to surprise the emperor
and the nation with the welcome news that the
1. Theodosius 2. Tiberius. 7. Anastasia. 10. sopa shida mare and peace restored to the East. This was more
most dangerous enemy of Greece was humbled,
Jangghter of 5. Justinus. 9. Cleopatra,
than what even Tiberius expected ; and Maurice
Patricius;
having gained universal popularity by his brilliant
mnunlared by
victories, the emperor invited him to enter Cod-
stantinople in triumph (582).
Paulus, a native of Arabissus; a man of
anna; diud 593.
1
1
1
ctista.
pus, or
emperor;
b. 3. 39;
succeeded
Tiberius 582;
murdered
by Phocas
612; m.
murdered
by Phocas
602.
dux
Orientis.
eldest
daughter of
Tiberius,
murdered by
Phocas
605 or 607.
1
11. Maria,
b. 355 ; m.
3.
4. Paulus.
8.
ctista.
Gerinanus
6. Justinia-
nus?
AU five
murdered
by Phocas.
All three
murdered by
married
Hormidas,
king of
Perwa,which
Phocas.
is more
Phocas 602.
than
douuuful.
## p. 976 (#992) ############################################
976
MAURICIUS.
MAURICIUS.
insulted in a mo
to rebel or to lo
une the king.
dering which He
br Bindoes, a pri
L-treated by hi
Hormisdas, DOW
seat of Bindoes,
Barzn. The more
fed into the Ro
sting troubles in
das, ras murder
lact states, beate
$29, Cbostoes.
When Caorte,
arrived at the 2
mander would
Soon afterwards the brave Tiberius fell danger- peror's affairs in the East. They refused to ac
ously ill ; and feeling his end approach, assembled knowledge Priscus, forced Germanus to take the
the senate, and proposed Maurice as his successor, supreme command, and deposed all officers with
His touching speech met with no opposition ; Con- whom they were displeased, choosing others in
stantinople was in rapture ; and the dying em- their stead. In this emergency Aristobulus ar-
peror increased the joy of his subjects by giving rived, whom Maurice had sent into Mesopotamia,
his eldest daughter Constantina in marriage to immediately upon being informed of the mutiny ;
Maurice. A few days afterwards Tiberius died and this able man having gained some ascendancy
(13th of August, 582); and the fortunate Maurice over the rioters, availed himself of his advantage,
now ascended the throne.
and together with Heraclius led the army, who
His mature age (43) was a guarantee to the were then encamped under the walls of Marty-
nation that the rapid fortune of their new master ropolis (on the Nymphius, in Sophene) against
was not likely to turn his head; and indeed he did the main body of the Persians, who approached to
not deceive their expectation, although his reign besiege that great fortress. The Romans carried
was an uninterrupted series of wars. We shall the day ; but in the pride of victory the soldiers
first speak of the Persian war.
once more raised the standard of rebellion. At
Maurice had scarcely ascended the throne, and this critical time, Gregory, bishop of Antioch, ar-
given proof of his forbearance, by pardoning instead rived, as the emperor's plenipotentiary, and he at
of punishing various persons who had been guilty last succeeded in soothing the turbulent spirit of the
of treason, wlien news came from the Persian fron- legions, and prevailed upon them to obey Philip-
tier that Hormisdils, the son of Chosroes, had picus as their commander-in-chief. This was cx-
broken the peace, and attacked the empire. Before actly what this ambitious man wished for; but as
the end of the year (582) John Mystacon, the he was unable to do honour to his important func-
commander-in-chief in those quarters, engaged in a tion, when he had obtained it in a fair way, he
pitched battle with the Persians near the junction was found to be still less competent now his niind
of the Nymphius and the Tigris ; but although the was inflated by unfair success (589). His first act of
Romans fought with great valour, the day was incompetency was the loss of Martyropolis, of which
lost, through the jealousy of one of their generals, the Persians made themselves master by a etra-
Curs, and their army was dispersed. They suffered tagem ; and the recapture of the fortress became
another defeat at Acbas, and Mystacon was com- next to impossible, when, through his carelessness,
pelled, through misfortune and illness, to spend the a strong body of Persians was allowed to relieve the
whole season of 583 on the defensive. Maurice, garrison. Maurice was extremely vexed at these
dissatisfied with his conduct, recalled him, and proceedings, and full of rancour against all those who
sent Philippus or Philippicus in his stead, having had promoted the mutiny; he showed no further
previously given him his sister Gordia in marriage. indulgence to his brother-in-law, but deprived him
This general would have ventured some decisive of his post, and appointed Comentiolus in his place.
blow in 584, but his army was decimated by This was the very man who commanded those
famine, diseases, and fatigues ; he took the offen- / legions which first mutinied in 588. This faithless
sive in 585, but performed nothing particular. In and incompetent general would have made a sorry
586 Philippicus at last brought the enemy to a figure but for the aid of the gallant Heraclius: at
stand at Solacon, not far from Dara, and obtained the battle of Sisarbene he was among the first who
a decisive victory, which he owed especially to his took to flight; and the Romans seemed to be lost
infantry, which, until the time of Maurice, was when Heraclius restored order, and gained one of
made little use of in the later wars in the East. the most glorious victories ever obtained over the
The Persian army was nearly destroyed. A strong Persians: the camp of the enemy was taken, and
body of their veterans, however, reached safely a an immense booty sent to Constantinople, creating
hill at some distance from the field of battle, where the most unlimited satisfaction and joy in the
they entrenched themselves, but were routed, with court as well as in the town. Soon afterwards
great slaughter, by the Roman, Stephanus. Now Acbas was re-taken by Heraclius; and affairs
Philippicus invaded Arzanene. He was in sight speedily took a thrn in favour of the Romans, by a
of another Persian army, and ready to fight them, commotion in Persia, which, on account of its
when some trifling circumstance caused such a important consequences for the empire, deserves a
panic among his troops, that they gave way to the short explanation. While the Roman arms became
impulse, and fled in the utmost confusion. The more and more dangerous, Hormisdas concluded an
Persians followed them without loss of time, took alliance with the Turks in Bactriana (Turkistan),
and plundered the baggage, and pursued them as whose khan consequently came to his apparent re-
far as Amida. Philippicus fell ill through grief, lief with a host of some hundred thousand marau.
for the fruit of his great victory at Solacon seemed ders on horseback. They behaved like allies till
to be entirely lost ; and being unable to appear in they had quartered themselves on the frontier of
the field, he gave the comm:nd to Heraclius, An- Media, when they altered their conduct, and it be-
dreas, and Theodore of Addea. Heraclius, who came manifest that they had niade a secret alliance
afterwards became emperor, retrieved the fortune with Maurice ; and being now in the heart of
of the Romans, and gave such splendid proofs of his Persia, were ready to fall upon the rear of the
military skill, that, Philippicus having been recalled royal armies engaged in Mesopotamia. In this
in 588, he was entrusted with the temporary com- extremity Persia was saved by Baram, a general
mand-in-chief till the arrival of Priscus, whom the highly distinguished for his former campaigns
emperor had despatched to supersede Philippicus.
against the Romans, who attacked the Turks in the
The latter was so extremely jealous of his suc- passes of the Hyrcanian mountain, and gave them
cessor, that he employed treason in order to avenge such a bloody lesson, that they desisted from further
himself for the insult, and kindled a rebellion hostile attempts. Param was rewarded with in-
among the troops which threatened to ruin the em- gratitude, for he was deprived of his command, and
sta:ely city of
inmediates requis
touting leitert
aid for the recove
i baltered, our
bored at one as
weldon withstan
ing; Maurices
ad gzanted his
powerful army,
assembled on tt
to the Roman c
Teiga; Narses
in a decisive ba
rebel Baram,
be himself Sled
a untimely dea
Toes Do te-asc
(591), and peace
be seen Persia
sat on the thro
bulwarks of M
many a bloody
armari or on
We now tur
which our accou
against the chag
ruled over an ex
bich once of
Cementiolus, wl
unfortunate, My
although he co
Persia. But h
who had long
Farched over tt
pitched battle
that the khan
the following fit
bine time after
Lad leisure to w
from Asian and
He intended to
already custom
that the
Empero
and he conseque
of the senate, a
however, was
brother Peter
early as 598 Pris
He was less suc
he was an excel
received a new
Etntiolus, that
wbose conduct
VOL. IL
## p. 977 (#993) ############################################
MAURICIUS.
977
MAURICIUS.
insulted in a most poignant manner. Compelled In appointing him, Maurice committed either a
to rebel or to lose his hend, he took up arms great blunder or secretly wished to ruin him. Co
against the king, and a general defection ensued, mentiolus had no sooner taken the field, when he
during which Hormisdas was seized and blinded suffered a severe defeat from the chagan: 12,000
by Bindoes, a prince of royal blood, who had been Romans remained prisoners of war with the Avars.
ill-treated by his master. Chosroes, the son of We shall speak hereafter of their fate, an event
Hormisdas, now ascended the throne, with the con- intimately connected with that of the emperor.
sent of Bindoes, and prepared for marching against The honour of the Roman arms was restored in
Baram. . The royal troops were defeated, Chosroes five successful battles by the gallant Priscus, but
fled into the Roman territory, and during the en- Comentiolus thwarted his plans by intrigues and
suing troubles in Persia the blinded king, Hormis treacherous manoeuvres, and at last Priscus was
das, was murdered by Bindoes, or, as Theophy- again put at the head of the army. In the autumn
lact states, beaten to death by order of his own of 602 he intended to winter along the southern
son, Chosroes. Gibbon rejects the latter account bank of the Danube, when Maurice ordered him to
When Chosroes, with a few attendants, suddenly take up his quarters on the northern side, where
arrived at the gates of Circesium, the Roman com- they would have been exposed to the attacks of the
mander would scarcely trust his own eyes, and Avars. Some pretend that Maurice gave this order
immediately requested him to remove to the more for the purpose of sparing the magazines within
stately city of Hierapolis, whence the king sent a the empire ; but it would seem as if he rather in-
touching letter to Maurice, imploring his generous tended to punish those troops for previous acts of
aid for the recovery of his throne. When our pride disobedience and mutiny, by assigning them win-
is flattered, our honour satisfied, and our heart ter-quarters in an inhospitable country. However
moved at one and the same time, human nature this may be, the measure was imprudent, and
seldom withstands the dictates of its better feel proved the ruin of the emperor.
ings ; Maurice shed tears when he read the letter, Gibbon observes with great justness, that, while
and granted his protection to the royal fugitive. A in the camp alone the emperors ought to have ex-
powerful army, under the command of Narses, was ercised a desporic command, it was only in the
assembled on the frontier ; loyal Persians flocked camps that his authority was disobeyed and in-
to the Roman camp to serve their legitimate sove- sulted. The spirit of mutiny and arrogance in the
reign ; Narses and Chosroes entered Persia ; and army, that hereditary cancer of Roman administra-
in a decisive battle at Balarath they routed the tion, reigned unabated when Maurice took the
rebel Baram, whose troops were dispersed, while reins of government, and he who met with blind
he bimself filed into Turkistan, where he met with obedience when a mere magister militum, had to
an untimely death, either by poison or grief. ' Chos- encounter that dangerous mutiny of his Persian
roes now re-ascended the throne of his ancestors army immediately upon exchanging the baton for
(591), and peace and friendship reigned henceforth the sceptre. Nor was this the only outbreak,
between Persia and the empire as long as Maurice though the others were of less magnitude. It has
sat on the throne. Dara and Martyropolis, the been told above that 12,000 Romans were made
bulwarks of Mesopotamia, and the objects of so prisoners of war by the Avars. The trifling sim
many a bloody contest, were given to Maurice as of 6000 pieces of gold was demanded for their
a reward or on condition of his assistance.
ransom. Maurice, moved by avarice, as some say,
We now turn to the war with the Avars, of refused to pay it, and now 12,000 veterans were
which our account must be brief. The first war put to death by their captors. The army and the
against the chagan or khan of these barbarians, who nation were deeply indignant at this atrocious
ruled over an extent of country nearly equal to that deed, and cursed Maurice for his abominable con-
which once obeyed Attila, broke out in 587. duct. However, in acting as he did, the emperor
Comentiolus, who commanded against them, being had a powerful though secret motive: those 12,000
unfortunate, Mystacon was sent to supersede him, were the soldiers of Comentiolus, it was they who
although he could not boast of much success in had chiefly caused the great mutiny during the
Persia. But his lieutenant Droctulf, a German, Persian war; and in abandoning them to the fury
who had long served in the imperial armies, of barbarians, he at once assuaged his resentment
watched over the blunders of his chief, and in a and got rid of a band of dangerous mercenaries,
pitched battle so utterly discomfited the Arars, But his conscience continually reproached him with
that the khan refrained from any incursion during this barbarous act. He wrote to the most eminent
the following five years. The next war broke out divines of his realm, to receive consolation from
some time after the peace with Persia, and Maurice their censure or their indulgence ; he tried to forget
had leisure to withdraw a great portion of his forces his pangs by redoubled activity in the cabinet. It
from Asia, and employ them against the A vars. was all in vain : he neither recovered the peace of
He intended to put himself at their head, but it was his soul nor the love of his subjects ; and the army
already customary at the court of Constantinople bore such hatred against him, that they only seemed
that the emperor should not command in the field, to wait for a suitable pretext to break out in
and he consequently gave way to the remonstrances open rebellion. His own imprudence furnished
of the senate, and sent Priscus in his stead, who, them with an opportunity, by ordering them, in
however, was soon superseded by the emperor's the autumn of 602, to take up their winter-quarters
brother Peter. The choice was a bad one, and as on the Avarian side of the Danube. They com-
early as 598 Priscus resumed the supreme command. plained that the emperor desired to sacrifice them,
He was less successful than was expected, though like their 12,000 brethren. They held tumultuous
he was an excellent general, and in 600 the army meetings, which the emperor's brother Peter tried
received a new commander in the person of Co- in vain to counteract ; and Phocas having been
mentiolus, that faithless and cowardly intriguer, chosen by them for the command-in-chief, Peter
whose conduct had been so very suspicious in Asia had no alternative left but escaping secretly, and
VOL. IL
3 R
## p. 978 (#994) ############################################
978
MAURICIUS.
MAUSOLUS.
M
;
mbition was pert
portant accesitions
was apparently 23 2
that be overtare
jaand, and establish
Tect in the bands
Raid. Lika pp. 191.
be joined with it
Caans in the wa
Auberians, know
of sich indeed be
the prime mover a
bez of bis takir
sending a body of
Caros. (Dem. Le
ording to Diodor
telan of twenty-f
and was succeed
Isa The extra
death, and the ho
especially by the
which was called
Tas accounted o
word-are vel
casion of the cons
was proposed by
of ber busband,
Gelebrated by si
poropus tras the
18) Kerethe
us of the Carian
Dired praise. H
di money, which
means in bis po
sures at the es
thus accumulat
Epon the decor
Lassus, to bi
gotertiment iro
VIDE
carrying the news of the revolt to the emperor in | involved in the wholesale murder of the imperial
Constantinople. There the green faction assumed family. Maurice is said to have loved money too
a threatening attitude, and information having much ; but he was so far from oppressing his sub-
reached them that Phocas was marching upon jects from taxes, that, on the contrary, he lowered
Constantinople, such a commotion arose in the them considerably ; on one occasion he took off
capital, that Maurice thought it best to fly into the one-third of the land-tax. Arts and sciences were
provinces, and there to prepare for resistance. He protected by this great emperor, who possessed
effected his escape by sea, together with his wife considerable learning. Maurice wrote twelve books
and children. A storm compelled him to land near on the military art, which have fortunately come
the church of St. Autonomus, not far from Chal down to posterity. They are entitled Etpatiyire,
cedon. Thence he despatched his eldest son and were published with a Latin version, together
Theodosius to the court of Chosroes, to implore with Arrian's “ Tactica," by John Scheffer, Upsala,
him to confer the same favour upon the emperor 1664, 8ro. The text contains 382 half pages, and
which the emperor had once conferred upon the the version as much ; the editor added 157 pages
king. Maurice with his family took sanctuary in of notes, and a few pages with very curious repre-
the church of St. Autonomus: he was tortured by sentations of the different battle arrays spoken of
sufferings of body and despair of mind. During in the work. (Theophylact. Simocaita, Vita Max-
this time Phocas arrived in Constantinople, and ricü; Evagr. lib. v. vi. ; Theoph. p. 213, &c. ;
was proclaimed emperor on the 23d of November, Cedren. p. 394, &c. ; Zonar. vol. i. p. 70, &c. ;
602. He immediately sent executioners in search Menander, p. 124, &c. ; Niceph. Call. xviii. 5,
of Maurice, who was dragged with his family from &c. )
(W. P. )
the sanctuary to the scaffold. Five of his sons,
Tiberius, Petrus, Paulus, Justin, and Justinian,
had their heads cut off while their father stood by
praying, but not trembling, awaiting the fatal
stroke in his turn. He was murdered on the 27th
of November, 602 ; his eldest son Theodosius,
who had not proceeded far on his way to Persia,
was arrested, and shared his fate soon afterwards.
COND
The empress and three of her daughters were
thrown into prison, but in 605, or perhaps 607,
they were likewise put to death, and their bodies
thrown into the sea. The heads of Maurice and MAURICUS, JU'NIUS, called in some manu-
his song were carried on pikes to Phocas, who, scripts both of Tacitus and Pliny Maricus, was an
after having enjoyed the sight for some time, gave intimate friend of Pliny, who says (Ep. iv. 22) of
orders for the execution of Petrus, the brother of him,“ quo viro nihil firmius, nihil verius,” Mau-
Maurice, Comentiolus, Constantine Lardys, and a ricus showed his independence by the question
great number of other persons of distinction. which he dared to ask Domitian in the senate, at
[PHOCAS. )
the accession of Vespasian, A. D. 70 (Tac. Hist. iv.
Among the papers of the murdered emperor was 40), which is the first time that his name is men-
found his will, which he had made in the fifteenth tioned ; and it is therefore not surprising that he
year of his reign (597), and by which he left was banished during the reign of Domitian. He
Constantinople and the East to Theodosius ; Rome, was recalled from exile by Nerva, and an anecdote
Italy and the Islands, to his second son Tiberius. related by Pliny (Ep. I. c. ) and Aurelius Victor
Maurice was indeed preparing for wresting Italy (Epit. 12) shows with what freedom he spoke to
from the Lombards, and might have carried his the latter emperor. (Tac. Agric. 45 ; Plin. Ep. i.
plan into execution, but for the great wars 5, $ 10, i. 11, $ 3. ) Mauricus was the brother of
against the Persians and the Avars. Although Arulenus Rusticus (Plin. Ep. i. 14). [Rusticus. )
greater as a general than as a king, Maurice was Three of Pliny's epistles are addressed to Mauricus
yet one of the best emperors of the East. Con- (i. 14, ii. 18, vi. 14).
stantly active, he knew no other pleasure than that MAU'ROPUS, JOANNES. (JOANNES, No.
which arises from doing one's duty ; he was firm 58. )
without being obstinate, bold yet prudent, and MAUSOʻLUS (Maúowlos or Maúorwios, the
both severe or forbearing according to circumstances. latter form is that found on bis coins), king or
He was completely master of his passions and dynast of Caria, was the eldest son of Hecatomnus,
appetites, sober to the extreme, a loving and whom he succeeded in the sovereignty. If the
virtuous husband and father, and full of filial chronology of Diodorus be correct, his accession
piety. No sooner was he informed of the intentions may be placed in B. C. 377. But the first occasion
of the emperor Tiberius towards him, than he en- on which he appears in history is not till long
treated his father Paulus and his mother Joanna to afterwards, in B. c. 362, when he took part in the
come to Constantinople, and they were both present general revolt of the satraps against Artaxerxes
at his marriage with the princess Constantina. Mnemon. (Diod. xv. 90. ) He is said to have at
They continued to live at his court, and his father that time already possessed several strong fortresses
became one of his most influential ministers: the and flourishing cities, of which his capital, Hali-
fame of Paulus as a wise and well-disposed man carnassus, was the most conspicuous; but he ap-
spread abroad, and the views of Maurice upon pears to have availed himself of the opportunity of
Italy being likely to lead to either an alliance or a that war to extend his dominions by conquest,
war with the Franks in Gaul, their king Childebert having overrun great part of Lydia and Ionia as
wrote a letter to Paulus on that subject, which is far as Miletus, and made himself master of several
given in Hist. Francor. vol. i. p. 869. A natural of the neighbouring islands. (Lucian. Dial. Mort
and timely death in 593 saved Paulus from being / xxiv. ; and comp. Polyaen, vii. 23. § 2. ) His
COIN OF MAURICIUS.
janer princes
onstructed a
adorned the ci
many other pu
judgment, as w
by him in these
by Vitruvius as
1. 8. $$ 11, 1
to the astronom
is also a sign th
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Le; Theopom
σελος, 'Αρτεμις
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see Clinton, F.
MAXENTI
312. M. AUR
son of Marimi
ceited in marti
in consequences
## p. 979 (#995) ############################################
MAXENTIUS.
979
MAXENTIUS.
ambition was next turned towards the more im- | dissolute habits, was altogether passed over in the
portant acquisitions of Rhodes and Cos; and it division of the empire which followed the abdica-
was apparently as a preliminary step to that object tion of his father and Diocletian in A. D. 305. A
that he overthrew the democracy in the former strong feeling of disaffection towards the existing
island, and established there an oligarchical govern- government prevailed at this time in Rome, arising
ment in the hands of his own friends. (Dem. de from the pressure of increased taxation upon the
Rhod. Lib. pp. 191, 198. ) Shortly after (B. C. 358) nobles and wealthier classes, from the discontent of
he joined with the Rhodians, Byzantians, and the praetorians who had been recently deprived of
Chians in the war waged by them against the all their exclusive privileges, and from the indigna-
Athenians, known by the name of the Social War, tion which pervaded the whole community, in con-
of which indeed he was, according to Demosthenes, sequence of the degradation of the ancient metro
the prime mover and instigator, though we do not polis by the selection of Nicomedeia and Milan as
hear of his taking any farther part in it than the residences of the Augusti. It proved no diffi-
sending a body of troops to assist in the defence of cult task for the neglected prince to turn this angry
Chios. (Dem. 1. c. ; Diod. xvi. 7. ) He died, ac- spirit to his own advantage, and to place himself
cording to Diodorus (xvi. 36) in B. C. 353, after a at the head of the party who styled themselves
reign of twenty-four years, leaving no children, patriota. A regular conspiracy was soon organised
and was succeeded by his wife and sister Arte- and eagerly supported by men of all ranks, the
misia. The extravagant grief of the latter for his standard of open revolt was raised, the feeble re-
death, and the honours she paid to his memory sistance of the few magistrates who remained true
especially by the erection of the costly monument, to their allegiance was easily overcome, Maxentius
which was called from him the Mausoleum, and was proclaimed emperor on the 28th of October,
was accounted one of the seven wonders of the A. D. 306, amidst the most enthusiastic demonstra-
world—are well known. (ARTEMISIA. ) On oc- tions of zeal by the senate, the populace, and the
casion of the consecration of that monument, a prize soldiery ; all Italy followed the example of the
was proposed by Artemisia for the best panegyric capital; and Africa, acquiescing in the choice,
of her husband, and the praises of Mausolus were struck medals in honour of the new ruler. Severus
celebrated by rival orators, among whom Theo (SEVERUS Flavius VALERIUS], to whom the
pompus was the successful candidate. (Gell
. x.
Spuria et Aliena docent. ” Matthaeus was the A certain resemblance between these ceremonies
tutor of Georgius Scholarius. It would seem that and those of the Greek Leucothea led the Romans
in 1438 he accompanied John VII. Palaeologus to to identify Matuta and Leucothea, and thus to re-
Jum et Popu
passage just cited
work in the time
161). There is
second book of
13 bich vor
Indes. He als
11. $2 ; 7. tit.
canus some
cianus in the
sometimes ci
EIGETELS from
MAURICI
tre, c. 7
headed the co
1. MAXIMIS
proconsul, Go
MAURIC
BERIUS,
ftantinople
an ancient
Minor, perh
birth, which
ton Art
genealogy of
dan terc
## p. 975 (#991) ############################################
MAURICIUS.
975
MAURICIUS.
gard her as a marine divinity. (Plut. Camill. 5; Maurice spent his youth at the court of the em-
Ov. Fast. vi. 551, &c. ; Cic. De Nat. Deor. iii. 19, peror Justin Il. ; and although he undoubtedly
Tuscuil. i. 12. ) A temple had been dedicated to served also in the army, his name does not become
Matuta at Rome by king Servius, and was restored conspicuous in history previous to 578. At that
by the dictator, Camillus, after the taking of Veii. period he was comes cubiculorum ; and Tiberius
(Liv. v. 19, 23, xxv. 7, xli. 33. ) Frequent men- had no sooner succeeded Justin (578) than he ap-
tion of a temple of Matuta at Satricum is made by pointed Maurice magister militum, and gave him
Livy (vi. 33, vii. 27, xxviii. 11). (L. S. ) the command in Mesopotamia against the Persians,
MAVORS. (Mars. ]
in place of the general Justinian, with whose
MAVO'RTIUS, the name prefixed to a poem military conduct the emperor was not satisfied.
in the Latin Anthology on the judgment of Paris. As Tiberius was considered to be the greatest
It is a cento from the writings of Virgil, and breaks captain of his time, he would not have entrusted so
off abruptly at the end of 42 lines. The author is important a command to an inexperienced courtier,
believed to be the Vettius Agorius Basilius Ma and consequently one cannot but infer that he was
vortius, who was consul A. D. 527, the same who, perſectly acquainted with the great capabilities of
according to Bentley, arranged the works of Horace Maurice. The event fully justified the emperor's
in their present form, and who is supposed by a choice. A truce of three years had been made be-
recent critic, whose reasonings will not bear close tween Persia and the empire, extending to the
investigation, to have interpolated a number of whole of the frontier except Armenia, where war
spurious pieces, and introduced other organic was carried on as before. "But Chosroes violated
changes. (Burniann, Antholog. Lat. i. 147, or No. the truce, and invaded Mesopotamia before the
282, ed. Meyer; Bentley, Pruef. in Horat. ; Peerl. Romans were at all aware of his hostile intentions.
kamp, Praef. ad Horat. )
(W. R. ) At this critical moment Maurice arrived in Meso
MAURICIANUS,JU'NIUS, a Roman jurist, potamia, and forth with began by restoring the
who wrote, according to the Florentine Index, six relaxed discipline of the troops: one of his first
books, Ad Leges, by which is meant Ad Leg. measures was the re-establishment of the ancient
Juliam et Pupium (Dig. 33. tit. 2. s. 23). The custom of the legions never going to rest at night
passage just cited shows that he was writing this before fortifying their camp. This custom had long
work in the time of Antoninus Pius (A. D. 138— since been neglected ; and the favourite manoeuvre
161). There is one passage in the Digest from the of the Persians of surprising the Romans in the
second book of Mauricianus De Poenis (2. tit. 13. night was thus rendered abortive. At the opening
8. 3), which work is not mentioned in the Florentine of the campaign, however, the Persian general,
Index. He also wrote notes on Julianus (2. tit. 14. Tamchosroes, made himself master of the im-
8. 7. 82 ; 7. tit. 1. s. 25. $ 1), but in place of Mau- portant fortress of Thomane, and pushed as far as
ricianus some manuscripts have Martianus or Mar- Amida. Maurice soon drove him back, and in his
cianus in the two passages just cited. Mauricianus turn invaded the province of Arzanene, sending
is sometimes cited by other jurists. There are four some detachments beyond the Tigris. The first
excerpts from his writings in the Digest. (G. L. ] campaign ended without any decisive battle. In
MAURICIUS, according to Capitolinus (Gor the second campaign, 579, Maurice and his excel-
dian. tres, c. 7), was the name of the youth who lent lieutenant Narses—who must not be con-
headed the conspiracy in Africa against Maximinus founded with Narses, the general of Justinian-
1. [MAXIMINUS), and proposed the elevation of the made a successful invasion of Media, and took up
proconsul, Gordian, and his son. [W. R. ) their winter-quarters in Mesopotamia. In 580 he
MAURICIUS (Mavpixios), FLA'VIUS TI. crossed the Euphrates at Circesium (Circessus or
BERIUS, one of the greatest emperors of Con-Cercusium), a town situated in the angle made by
stantinople (A. D. 582—620), was descended from the Chaboras joining the Euphrates, with a view of
an ancient Roman family which settled in Asia marching across the desert upon Ctesiphon. His
Minor, perhaps some centuries previous to his plan was frustrated through the treachery of some
birth, which took place about A. D. 539, in the Arab allies, and he found himself unexpectedly
town of Arabissus, in Cappadocia. We give the compelled to make head against the main army of
genealogy of his family so far as it is known :- the Persians. The contest was sharp, and ended
with a total overthrow of the Persians, who eva.
talent and rank, raised still hixher by
cuated whatever places they held in Mesopotamia,
his son the emperor Maurice; m. Jon
and fled in confusion beyond the Euphrates. Now
Chosroes offered peace, but Maurice peremptorily
1. Mauricius, 2. Petrus, dux 3. Gordiana, 4. Theo. 5. Damiana.
demanded the restoration of the great fortress of
Thraciae, and m. Philip
Dara, the bulwark of the empire, declining to ac-
Curopalata;
Philippicus,
cept any indemnity in money, and the war was
renewed with more fury than before (581). A
pitched battle, in which the Persian army was
Constantina,
almost annihilated, and their commander, Tam-
chosroes, died the death of a hero, concluded the
war, to the advantage of the Romans, and Maurice
hastened to Constantinople to surprise the emperor
and the nation with the welcome news that the
1. Theodosius 2. Tiberius. 7. Anastasia. 10. sopa shida mare and peace restored to the East. This was more
most dangerous enemy of Greece was humbled,
Jangghter of 5. Justinus. 9. Cleopatra,
than what even Tiberius expected ; and Maurice
Patricius;
having gained universal popularity by his brilliant
mnunlared by
victories, the emperor invited him to enter Cod-
stantinople in triumph (582).
Paulus, a native of Arabissus; a man of
anna; diud 593.
1
1
1
ctista.
pus, or
emperor;
b. 3. 39;
succeeded
Tiberius 582;
murdered
by Phocas
612; m.
murdered
by Phocas
602.
dux
Orientis.
eldest
daughter of
Tiberius,
murdered by
Phocas
605 or 607.
1
11. Maria,
b. 355 ; m.
3.
4. Paulus.
8.
ctista.
Gerinanus
6. Justinia-
nus?
AU five
murdered
by Phocas.
All three
murdered by
married
Hormidas,
king of
Perwa,which
Phocas.
is more
Phocas 602.
than
douuuful.
## p. 976 (#992) ############################################
976
MAURICIUS.
MAURICIUS.
insulted in a mo
to rebel or to lo
une the king.
dering which He
br Bindoes, a pri
L-treated by hi
Hormisdas, DOW
seat of Bindoes,
Barzn. The more
fed into the Ro
sting troubles in
das, ras murder
lact states, beate
$29, Cbostoes.
When Caorte,
arrived at the 2
mander would
Soon afterwards the brave Tiberius fell danger- peror's affairs in the East. They refused to ac
ously ill ; and feeling his end approach, assembled knowledge Priscus, forced Germanus to take the
the senate, and proposed Maurice as his successor, supreme command, and deposed all officers with
His touching speech met with no opposition ; Con- whom they were displeased, choosing others in
stantinople was in rapture ; and the dying em- their stead. In this emergency Aristobulus ar-
peror increased the joy of his subjects by giving rived, whom Maurice had sent into Mesopotamia,
his eldest daughter Constantina in marriage to immediately upon being informed of the mutiny ;
Maurice. A few days afterwards Tiberius died and this able man having gained some ascendancy
(13th of August, 582); and the fortunate Maurice over the rioters, availed himself of his advantage,
now ascended the throne.
and together with Heraclius led the army, who
His mature age (43) was a guarantee to the were then encamped under the walls of Marty-
nation that the rapid fortune of their new master ropolis (on the Nymphius, in Sophene) against
was not likely to turn his head; and indeed he did the main body of the Persians, who approached to
not deceive their expectation, although his reign besiege that great fortress. The Romans carried
was an uninterrupted series of wars. We shall the day ; but in the pride of victory the soldiers
first speak of the Persian war.
once more raised the standard of rebellion. At
Maurice had scarcely ascended the throne, and this critical time, Gregory, bishop of Antioch, ar-
given proof of his forbearance, by pardoning instead rived, as the emperor's plenipotentiary, and he at
of punishing various persons who had been guilty last succeeded in soothing the turbulent spirit of the
of treason, wlien news came from the Persian fron- legions, and prevailed upon them to obey Philip-
tier that Hormisdils, the son of Chosroes, had picus as their commander-in-chief. This was cx-
broken the peace, and attacked the empire. Before actly what this ambitious man wished for; but as
the end of the year (582) John Mystacon, the he was unable to do honour to his important func-
commander-in-chief in those quarters, engaged in a tion, when he had obtained it in a fair way, he
pitched battle with the Persians near the junction was found to be still less competent now his niind
of the Nymphius and the Tigris ; but although the was inflated by unfair success (589). His first act of
Romans fought with great valour, the day was incompetency was the loss of Martyropolis, of which
lost, through the jealousy of one of their generals, the Persians made themselves master by a etra-
Curs, and their army was dispersed. They suffered tagem ; and the recapture of the fortress became
another defeat at Acbas, and Mystacon was com- next to impossible, when, through his carelessness,
pelled, through misfortune and illness, to spend the a strong body of Persians was allowed to relieve the
whole season of 583 on the defensive. Maurice, garrison. Maurice was extremely vexed at these
dissatisfied with his conduct, recalled him, and proceedings, and full of rancour against all those who
sent Philippus or Philippicus in his stead, having had promoted the mutiny; he showed no further
previously given him his sister Gordia in marriage. indulgence to his brother-in-law, but deprived him
This general would have ventured some decisive of his post, and appointed Comentiolus in his place.
blow in 584, but his army was decimated by This was the very man who commanded those
famine, diseases, and fatigues ; he took the offen- / legions which first mutinied in 588. This faithless
sive in 585, but performed nothing particular. In and incompetent general would have made a sorry
586 Philippicus at last brought the enemy to a figure but for the aid of the gallant Heraclius: at
stand at Solacon, not far from Dara, and obtained the battle of Sisarbene he was among the first who
a decisive victory, which he owed especially to his took to flight; and the Romans seemed to be lost
infantry, which, until the time of Maurice, was when Heraclius restored order, and gained one of
made little use of in the later wars in the East. the most glorious victories ever obtained over the
The Persian army was nearly destroyed. A strong Persians: the camp of the enemy was taken, and
body of their veterans, however, reached safely a an immense booty sent to Constantinople, creating
hill at some distance from the field of battle, where the most unlimited satisfaction and joy in the
they entrenched themselves, but were routed, with court as well as in the town. Soon afterwards
great slaughter, by the Roman, Stephanus. Now Acbas was re-taken by Heraclius; and affairs
Philippicus invaded Arzanene. He was in sight speedily took a thrn in favour of the Romans, by a
of another Persian army, and ready to fight them, commotion in Persia, which, on account of its
when some trifling circumstance caused such a important consequences for the empire, deserves a
panic among his troops, that they gave way to the short explanation. While the Roman arms became
impulse, and fled in the utmost confusion. The more and more dangerous, Hormisdas concluded an
Persians followed them without loss of time, took alliance with the Turks in Bactriana (Turkistan),
and plundered the baggage, and pursued them as whose khan consequently came to his apparent re-
far as Amida. Philippicus fell ill through grief, lief with a host of some hundred thousand marau.
for the fruit of his great victory at Solacon seemed ders on horseback. They behaved like allies till
to be entirely lost ; and being unable to appear in they had quartered themselves on the frontier of
the field, he gave the comm:nd to Heraclius, An- Media, when they altered their conduct, and it be-
dreas, and Theodore of Addea. Heraclius, who came manifest that they had niade a secret alliance
afterwards became emperor, retrieved the fortune with Maurice ; and being now in the heart of
of the Romans, and gave such splendid proofs of his Persia, were ready to fall upon the rear of the
military skill, that, Philippicus having been recalled royal armies engaged in Mesopotamia. In this
in 588, he was entrusted with the temporary com- extremity Persia was saved by Baram, a general
mand-in-chief till the arrival of Priscus, whom the highly distinguished for his former campaigns
emperor had despatched to supersede Philippicus.
against the Romans, who attacked the Turks in the
The latter was so extremely jealous of his suc- passes of the Hyrcanian mountain, and gave them
cessor, that he employed treason in order to avenge such a bloody lesson, that they desisted from further
himself for the insult, and kindled a rebellion hostile attempts. Param was rewarded with in-
among the troops which threatened to ruin the em- gratitude, for he was deprived of his command, and
sta:ely city of
inmediates requis
touting leitert
aid for the recove
i baltered, our
bored at one as
weldon withstan
ing; Maurices
ad gzanted his
powerful army,
assembled on tt
to the Roman c
Teiga; Narses
in a decisive ba
rebel Baram,
be himself Sled
a untimely dea
Toes Do te-asc
(591), and peace
be seen Persia
sat on the thro
bulwarks of M
many a bloody
armari or on
We now tur
which our accou
against the chag
ruled over an ex
bich once of
Cementiolus, wl
unfortunate, My
although he co
Persia. But h
who had long
Farched over tt
pitched battle
that the khan
the following fit
bine time after
Lad leisure to w
from Asian and
He intended to
already custom
that the
Empero
and he conseque
of the senate, a
however, was
brother Peter
early as 598 Pris
He was less suc
he was an excel
received a new
Etntiolus, that
wbose conduct
VOL. IL
## p. 977 (#993) ############################################
MAURICIUS.
977
MAURICIUS.
insulted in a most poignant manner. Compelled In appointing him, Maurice committed either a
to rebel or to lose his hend, he took up arms great blunder or secretly wished to ruin him. Co
against the king, and a general defection ensued, mentiolus had no sooner taken the field, when he
during which Hormisdas was seized and blinded suffered a severe defeat from the chagan: 12,000
by Bindoes, a prince of royal blood, who had been Romans remained prisoners of war with the Avars.
ill-treated by his master. Chosroes, the son of We shall speak hereafter of their fate, an event
Hormisdas, now ascended the throne, with the con- intimately connected with that of the emperor.
sent of Bindoes, and prepared for marching against The honour of the Roman arms was restored in
Baram. . The royal troops were defeated, Chosroes five successful battles by the gallant Priscus, but
fled into the Roman territory, and during the en- Comentiolus thwarted his plans by intrigues and
suing troubles in Persia the blinded king, Hormis treacherous manoeuvres, and at last Priscus was
das, was murdered by Bindoes, or, as Theophy- again put at the head of the army. In the autumn
lact states, beaten to death by order of his own of 602 he intended to winter along the southern
son, Chosroes. Gibbon rejects the latter account bank of the Danube, when Maurice ordered him to
When Chosroes, with a few attendants, suddenly take up his quarters on the northern side, where
arrived at the gates of Circesium, the Roman com- they would have been exposed to the attacks of the
mander would scarcely trust his own eyes, and Avars. Some pretend that Maurice gave this order
immediately requested him to remove to the more for the purpose of sparing the magazines within
stately city of Hierapolis, whence the king sent a the empire ; but it would seem as if he rather in-
touching letter to Maurice, imploring his generous tended to punish those troops for previous acts of
aid for the recovery of his throne. When our pride disobedience and mutiny, by assigning them win-
is flattered, our honour satisfied, and our heart ter-quarters in an inhospitable country. However
moved at one and the same time, human nature this may be, the measure was imprudent, and
seldom withstands the dictates of its better feel proved the ruin of the emperor.
ings ; Maurice shed tears when he read the letter, Gibbon observes with great justness, that, while
and granted his protection to the royal fugitive. A in the camp alone the emperors ought to have ex-
powerful army, under the command of Narses, was ercised a desporic command, it was only in the
assembled on the frontier ; loyal Persians flocked camps that his authority was disobeyed and in-
to the Roman camp to serve their legitimate sove- sulted. The spirit of mutiny and arrogance in the
reign ; Narses and Chosroes entered Persia ; and army, that hereditary cancer of Roman administra-
in a decisive battle at Balarath they routed the tion, reigned unabated when Maurice took the
rebel Baram, whose troops were dispersed, while reins of government, and he who met with blind
he bimself filed into Turkistan, where he met with obedience when a mere magister militum, had to
an untimely death, either by poison or grief. ' Chos- encounter that dangerous mutiny of his Persian
roes now re-ascended the throne of his ancestors army immediately upon exchanging the baton for
(591), and peace and friendship reigned henceforth the sceptre. Nor was this the only outbreak,
between Persia and the empire as long as Maurice though the others were of less magnitude. It has
sat on the throne. Dara and Martyropolis, the been told above that 12,000 Romans were made
bulwarks of Mesopotamia, and the objects of so prisoners of war by the Avars. The trifling sim
many a bloody contest, were given to Maurice as of 6000 pieces of gold was demanded for their
a reward or on condition of his assistance.
ransom. Maurice, moved by avarice, as some say,
We now turn to the war with the Avars, of refused to pay it, and now 12,000 veterans were
which our account must be brief. The first war put to death by their captors. The army and the
against the chagan or khan of these barbarians, who nation were deeply indignant at this atrocious
ruled over an extent of country nearly equal to that deed, and cursed Maurice for his abominable con-
which once obeyed Attila, broke out in 587. duct. However, in acting as he did, the emperor
Comentiolus, who commanded against them, being had a powerful though secret motive: those 12,000
unfortunate, Mystacon was sent to supersede him, were the soldiers of Comentiolus, it was they who
although he could not boast of much success in had chiefly caused the great mutiny during the
Persia. But his lieutenant Droctulf, a German, Persian war; and in abandoning them to the fury
who had long served in the imperial armies, of barbarians, he at once assuaged his resentment
watched over the blunders of his chief, and in a and got rid of a band of dangerous mercenaries,
pitched battle so utterly discomfited the Arars, But his conscience continually reproached him with
that the khan refrained from any incursion during this barbarous act. He wrote to the most eminent
the following five years. The next war broke out divines of his realm, to receive consolation from
some time after the peace with Persia, and Maurice their censure or their indulgence ; he tried to forget
had leisure to withdraw a great portion of his forces his pangs by redoubled activity in the cabinet. It
from Asia, and employ them against the A vars. was all in vain : he neither recovered the peace of
He intended to put himself at their head, but it was his soul nor the love of his subjects ; and the army
already customary at the court of Constantinople bore such hatred against him, that they only seemed
that the emperor should not command in the field, to wait for a suitable pretext to break out in
and he consequently gave way to the remonstrances open rebellion. His own imprudence furnished
of the senate, and sent Priscus in his stead, who, them with an opportunity, by ordering them, in
however, was soon superseded by the emperor's the autumn of 602, to take up their winter-quarters
brother Peter. The choice was a bad one, and as on the Avarian side of the Danube. They com-
early as 598 Priscus resumed the supreme command. plained that the emperor desired to sacrifice them,
He was less successful than was expected, though like their 12,000 brethren. They held tumultuous
he was an excellent general, and in 600 the army meetings, which the emperor's brother Peter tried
received a new commander in the person of Co- in vain to counteract ; and Phocas having been
mentiolus, that faithless and cowardly intriguer, chosen by them for the command-in-chief, Peter
whose conduct had been so very suspicious in Asia had no alternative left but escaping secretly, and
VOL. IL
3 R
## p. 978 (#994) ############################################
978
MAURICIUS.
MAUSOLUS.
M
;
mbition was pert
portant accesitions
was apparently 23 2
that be overtare
jaand, and establish
Tect in the bands
Raid. Lika pp. 191.
be joined with it
Caans in the wa
Auberians, know
of sich indeed be
the prime mover a
bez of bis takir
sending a body of
Caros. (Dem. Le
ording to Diodor
telan of twenty-f
and was succeed
Isa The extra
death, and the ho
especially by the
which was called
Tas accounted o
word-are vel
casion of the cons
was proposed by
of ber busband,
Gelebrated by si
poropus tras the
18) Kerethe
us of the Carian
Dired praise. H
di money, which
means in bis po
sures at the es
thus accumulat
Epon the decor
Lassus, to bi
gotertiment iro
VIDE
carrying the news of the revolt to the emperor in | involved in the wholesale murder of the imperial
Constantinople. There the green faction assumed family. Maurice is said to have loved money too
a threatening attitude, and information having much ; but he was so far from oppressing his sub-
reached them that Phocas was marching upon jects from taxes, that, on the contrary, he lowered
Constantinople, such a commotion arose in the them considerably ; on one occasion he took off
capital, that Maurice thought it best to fly into the one-third of the land-tax. Arts and sciences were
provinces, and there to prepare for resistance. He protected by this great emperor, who possessed
effected his escape by sea, together with his wife considerable learning. Maurice wrote twelve books
and children. A storm compelled him to land near on the military art, which have fortunately come
the church of St. Autonomus, not far from Chal down to posterity. They are entitled Etpatiyire,
cedon. Thence he despatched his eldest son and were published with a Latin version, together
Theodosius to the court of Chosroes, to implore with Arrian's “ Tactica," by John Scheffer, Upsala,
him to confer the same favour upon the emperor 1664, 8ro. The text contains 382 half pages, and
which the emperor had once conferred upon the the version as much ; the editor added 157 pages
king. Maurice with his family took sanctuary in of notes, and a few pages with very curious repre-
the church of St. Autonomus: he was tortured by sentations of the different battle arrays spoken of
sufferings of body and despair of mind. During in the work. (Theophylact. Simocaita, Vita Max-
this time Phocas arrived in Constantinople, and ricü; Evagr. lib. v. vi. ; Theoph. p. 213, &c. ;
was proclaimed emperor on the 23d of November, Cedren. p. 394, &c. ; Zonar. vol. i. p. 70, &c. ;
602. He immediately sent executioners in search Menander, p. 124, &c. ; Niceph. Call. xviii. 5,
of Maurice, who was dragged with his family from &c. )
(W. P. )
the sanctuary to the scaffold. Five of his sons,
Tiberius, Petrus, Paulus, Justin, and Justinian,
had their heads cut off while their father stood by
praying, but not trembling, awaiting the fatal
stroke in his turn. He was murdered on the 27th
of November, 602 ; his eldest son Theodosius,
who had not proceeded far on his way to Persia,
was arrested, and shared his fate soon afterwards.
COND
The empress and three of her daughters were
thrown into prison, but in 605, or perhaps 607,
they were likewise put to death, and their bodies
thrown into the sea. The heads of Maurice and MAURICUS, JU'NIUS, called in some manu-
his song were carried on pikes to Phocas, who, scripts both of Tacitus and Pliny Maricus, was an
after having enjoyed the sight for some time, gave intimate friend of Pliny, who says (Ep. iv. 22) of
orders for the execution of Petrus, the brother of him,“ quo viro nihil firmius, nihil verius,” Mau-
Maurice, Comentiolus, Constantine Lardys, and a ricus showed his independence by the question
great number of other persons of distinction. which he dared to ask Domitian in the senate, at
[PHOCAS. )
the accession of Vespasian, A. D. 70 (Tac. Hist. iv.
Among the papers of the murdered emperor was 40), which is the first time that his name is men-
found his will, which he had made in the fifteenth tioned ; and it is therefore not surprising that he
year of his reign (597), and by which he left was banished during the reign of Domitian. He
Constantinople and the East to Theodosius ; Rome, was recalled from exile by Nerva, and an anecdote
Italy and the Islands, to his second son Tiberius. related by Pliny (Ep. I. c. ) and Aurelius Victor
Maurice was indeed preparing for wresting Italy (Epit. 12) shows with what freedom he spoke to
from the Lombards, and might have carried his the latter emperor. (Tac. Agric. 45 ; Plin. Ep. i.
plan into execution, but for the great wars 5, $ 10, i. 11, $ 3. ) Mauricus was the brother of
against the Persians and the Avars. Although Arulenus Rusticus (Plin. Ep. i. 14). [Rusticus. )
greater as a general than as a king, Maurice was Three of Pliny's epistles are addressed to Mauricus
yet one of the best emperors of the East. Con- (i. 14, ii. 18, vi. 14).
stantly active, he knew no other pleasure than that MAU'ROPUS, JOANNES. (JOANNES, No.
which arises from doing one's duty ; he was firm 58. )
without being obstinate, bold yet prudent, and MAUSOʻLUS (Maúowlos or Maúorwios, the
both severe or forbearing according to circumstances. latter form is that found on bis coins), king or
He was completely master of his passions and dynast of Caria, was the eldest son of Hecatomnus,
appetites, sober to the extreme, a loving and whom he succeeded in the sovereignty. If the
virtuous husband and father, and full of filial chronology of Diodorus be correct, his accession
piety. No sooner was he informed of the intentions may be placed in B. C. 377. But the first occasion
of the emperor Tiberius towards him, than he en- on which he appears in history is not till long
treated his father Paulus and his mother Joanna to afterwards, in B. c. 362, when he took part in the
come to Constantinople, and they were both present general revolt of the satraps against Artaxerxes
at his marriage with the princess Constantina. Mnemon. (Diod. xv. 90. ) He is said to have at
They continued to live at his court, and his father that time already possessed several strong fortresses
became one of his most influential ministers: the and flourishing cities, of which his capital, Hali-
fame of Paulus as a wise and well-disposed man carnassus, was the most conspicuous; but he ap-
spread abroad, and the views of Maurice upon pears to have availed himself of the opportunity of
Italy being likely to lead to either an alliance or a that war to extend his dominions by conquest,
war with the Franks in Gaul, their king Childebert having overrun great part of Lydia and Ionia as
wrote a letter to Paulus on that subject, which is far as Miletus, and made himself master of several
given in Hist. Francor. vol. i. p. 869. A natural of the neighbouring islands. (Lucian. Dial. Mort
and timely death in 593 saved Paulus from being / xxiv. ; and comp. Polyaen, vii. 23. § 2. ) His
COIN OF MAURICIUS.
janer princes
onstructed a
adorned the ci
many other pu
judgment, as w
by him in these
by Vitruvius as
1. 8. $$ 11, 1
to the astronom
is also a sign th
terated charac
Le; Theopom
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see Clinton, F.
MAXENTI
312. M. AUR
son of Marimi
ceited in marti
in consequences
## p. 979 (#995) ############################################
MAXENTIUS.
979
MAXENTIUS.
ambition was next turned towards the more im- | dissolute habits, was altogether passed over in the
portant acquisitions of Rhodes and Cos; and it division of the empire which followed the abdica-
was apparently as a preliminary step to that object tion of his father and Diocletian in A. D. 305. A
that he overthrew the democracy in the former strong feeling of disaffection towards the existing
island, and established there an oligarchical govern- government prevailed at this time in Rome, arising
ment in the hands of his own friends. (Dem. de from the pressure of increased taxation upon the
Rhod. Lib. pp. 191, 198. ) Shortly after (B. C. 358) nobles and wealthier classes, from the discontent of
he joined with the Rhodians, Byzantians, and the praetorians who had been recently deprived of
Chians in the war waged by them against the all their exclusive privileges, and from the indigna-
Athenians, known by the name of the Social War, tion which pervaded the whole community, in con-
of which indeed he was, according to Demosthenes, sequence of the degradation of the ancient metro
the prime mover and instigator, though we do not polis by the selection of Nicomedeia and Milan as
hear of his taking any farther part in it than the residences of the Augusti. It proved no diffi-
sending a body of troops to assist in the defence of cult task for the neglected prince to turn this angry
Chios. (Dem. 1. c. ; Diod. xvi. 7. ) He died, ac- spirit to his own advantage, and to place himself
cording to Diodorus (xvi. 36) in B. C. 353, after a at the head of the party who styled themselves
reign of twenty-four years, leaving no children, patriota. A regular conspiracy was soon organised
and was succeeded by his wife and sister Arte- and eagerly supported by men of all ranks, the
misia. The extravagant grief of the latter for his standard of open revolt was raised, the feeble re-
death, and the honours she paid to his memory sistance of the few magistrates who remained true
especially by the erection of the costly monument, to their allegiance was easily overcome, Maxentius
which was called from him the Mausoleum, and was proclaimed emperor on the 28th of October,
was accounted one of the seven wonders of the A. D. 306, amidst the most enthusiastic demonstra-
world—are well known. (ARTEMISIA. ) On oc- tions of zeal by the senate, the populace, and the
casion of the consecration of that monument, a prize soldiery ; all Italy followed the example of the
was proposed by Artemisia for the best panegyric capital; and Africa, acquiescing in the choice,
of her husband, and the praises of Mausolus were struck medals in honour of the new ruler. Severus
celebrated by rival orators, among whom Theo (SEVERUS Flavius VALERIUS], to whom the
pompus was the successful candidate. (Gell
. x.
