Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-02
HISTORICAL LETTERS.
TO the Edaosgthe vagiaia Argus.
(LETrER XIV
The ,Romans-Continued.

SCENTS one OIL the most important points
of historical study; at the same time
IL is the most Obscure and the most diii.-
.iieult to be retained in the memory. 1t
lis scarcely possible TO follow, wi;hprece-
cision, by the aid OF words alone, this
scene OF confusion and disorder. I
must, nevertheless, attempt TO pourtray
it; for the various horsies who over-ran
the empire Of the Caesars are the elc-
ments Of which tho nations Of Modern
Europe, of Asia Miner, and part of A.
irica are composed.
The Huns came FROM the frontiers
OF China, and their principal chiefs
were the celebrated Attila and Riesla-
They invaded Illyria, Gaul, and Asia;
beat and displaced the Adams, dissipa-
ted the monarchy OF the Goths. esta-
biished to the north of the Danube by
old Hernandez, and determined those
violent movements OF the Barbarians
which produced the fall of the empire
OF the Romans. Under the guidance
OF Attila, the Huns founded an inn
mense empire. from the Danube to The
Baltic, and from the borders of the
Rhine to the shores of the eastern o.
cean. This prince, to whom the at
irigited world gave the name of ScOurge
Of God. invaded Gaul with 100000
men. and was completely defeated in
b5f, in the plains of Chalons, or in
those OF SOlOgne, near Orleans, by Ae-
thus, the Roman general, seconded by
the Franks. conducted by Merovius,
and by the Visigoths, commanded by
IheodOlie. Ii is computed that Attila
lost in this battle 100000 men but
this did not prevent him from making
In the following year new irruption
into Italy, and penetrating as far as
Rome, where peace and his retreat
were purchased by large sum Of mo-
ney. Attila returned, laden with booty,
TO his royal village in Pannonia, where
he died A. ID. 4s3, of an uncommon ef-
fusion Of blood the first night of his
nuptials. His soldiers enclosed his boz
dy in coffin OF gold, Which they a.
gain enclosed ina coffin of silver, which
was placed in a coffin of lead, conveyed
the whole to wild and solitary place,
caused agravcto be preparedby slaves,
and put to death their assistants, in
order that the place, Of sepulture might
remain secret. After the death OF
Attila his empire was dissolved, and
the Huns became mixed aad@lest a.
mong the different hGrdes which they
had subjugated. They made their APP
pearance A. ID. 375, and finished their
career about 400. ars
The GOths. who invaded Dacia. TlIy-
ria, &c. had for their principal leaders
Hermaniick and Athanaiic. The name
OF Cloths. is a,comIn0n name for many
hordes OF Barbarians arising from the
same stock such, in particular, were
the Visigoths. the 0strogoths, and the
Gepides. Ii is said they we're origi-
naily from Sweden, where. arc still to
be found the provinces Of Gothia. and
0strogothia. So early as the year Of
our Lord $50 this people were esta-
blisheh on the banks Of the Neister, and
at that time began to direct the most
terrible blows at tie Roman power.
The Emperor Decius and his Son
persisted in battle against them. Her
maurick, the hero of this nation, by a
very singular destiny became q CON
1uerOr at so years Of age. IL was at
this age. wher others think Of quitting
lite. thathec commenced the foundation
OF Monarchy, which he pushed, by his
eongucsts, from tie shores OF the Dan
ube 10 these OF the frozen ocean. tie
lived TO be 40 years of age, and per-
isbed unexpectedly, with The empire
which he had formed, victim 10 the
sudden irruption and good fortune of
the Huns, who,at ilfe iirst onset, raw
ished from him lis lie aad oyeTturnetl
his throne.
The Tisigoths, a brancl Of the Goths.
from the southern parts Of Sweden, had
Tor their leaders F'ritigePn and fhe eeIe-
bratcd AlaI.ie, and invaded italy, Gaml,
AMI Spain. Defeated and pursued by
The Huns, they obtained permission
rom the court OF ConstantinopIe to-
pass the Danube and to establish the1a..-
.aeiLSss in .I.llaees They afterwards
tnImcd rI5sIr arms against those who
ha1M2nted 4 Iem this Indulgence. anil
ADY7S1E k4zekpd the Empcror
Yaic1s and his army under the walls
OF Adgianople Lhe emperor Tbe,do-
sius<4K Scys<f ~sTft<l,vaI .e.I -