The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer., 1863-07-10

darts, Of spears and of shields. The
strength of the empire, Gaul and Spain,
are usurped by Tetricus. We blush to ac-
knowledge that the archers of the east
serve under Zenobia. Whatever we shall
perform will be sufficiently great
Claudius developed astonishing militia
ry genius. Inspiring his troops with
new enthusiasm, he fell upon the barbara
ans with such fury, that fifty thousand, it
is said, were slain in one decisive battle
With great difficulty the remnant, cover
ing their retreat with movable fortifca-
tions retired from the field. The Ro-
mans obtained immense booty from the
camp of the Cloths, and many thousand,
who were taken captive, were made slaves.
This was the custom in those days. This
was the slavery which existed in the time
OF our Saviour and his apostles. So con-
siderable was the number of female cap
tives, that every soldier obtained two or
three women to his share. After short
but eventful reign of two years.. du-
ring which the empire seemed to regain
somewhat of its pristine vigor, Claudius
was seized by pestilence which swept his
camp, and suddenly died. He had ac-
quired, in high degree, the respect and
homage of the nation. Upon his dying
bed he gathered his officers around him,
and recommended to them Aurelian, one
OF his ablest generals, as his successor on
the throne. .a.t..5 #.ag ...,..r.t
Aurelian vas the son of peasant. In
early life he had toiled upon the little farm
of his father. Enlistipg as common SOL
dier, be entered the army. BY valor and
rigid devotion to military discipline he
rose rapidly to the office of commander.iu-
chief Of the cavalry. The Emperor Va
lerian had invested him with the honors
of the consulship, rather pompously de-
claring him "the deliverer of Illiricum,
the restorer of Gaul and the rival of the
Scipios." Though his reign lasted less
than five years, it was rendered illustrious
by heroic deeds. He drove the Goths
back bowling to their wilderness, and re-
covered Gaul, Spain and Britain from the
barbaric bands who had overrun those ter
ritories. By marriage with the daughter
Of a Roman senator of highest rank and
wealth he entered upon the possession of
a large private fortune. .r5 v... ...a
The mind of Aurelian was of that uuu-
sual cast which enabled him to grasp the
most extensive combinations, while at the
same time he could superintend the most
minute details OF discipline. Inexorably
he forbade, in the camp, all gaming and
drinking, He enforced practices of fru-
gality, modesty and industry. Their ar
NOR they were required ever to keep
bright, their weapons sharp, their clothing
in perfect condition, and their horses rea-
dy for instant service. He would not al
low the slightest plundering while in
friendly territories. Not sheep-fold, a
hen-roost or corn-feld could the soldiers
invade with impunity. On one occasion
a soldier assailed a helpless woman. with
violence. The guilty man, in the pres
ence of the whole camp, had his limbs
bound to trees, forcibly bent to the ground.
The cords which held the trees were then
cut, and, by their rebound, his body was
torn into fragments. The punishments
Aurelian inflicted were terrible. 1t was
only BY by such punishment thatthe bru-
tai soldiery Of Rome could be- restrained.
Having thoroughly established his
sway throughout the western portion
of the empire, Aurelian turned his at
tention to Zenobia, the renowned Queen
Of Palmyra and the East, who was CONSOLE
dating her empire OH tho banks of the
Euphrates, Zenobia was one of the most
extraordinary women Of that or Of any
other age. She claimed descent from the
ancient kings of Egypt, and rivalled Cleo.
patra in yoluptuous beauty.foShe seems
to have, been singularly exempt from the
peculiar vices almost universal in that age.
The historians of that time have given
minute details of her personal appearance.
She was brilliant brunette. Her teeth
were perfectly regular and of pearly
whitepess, Her. large, black, llustrous
eye beamed alike with the glow of intel-
lect and the most tender sensibility. ID Her
voice was full of melody. In addition to
all this, she was, a highly accomplished
woman in all literary culture. She was
not only familiar with the Latin Ian
guage, but spoke Auently the Greek, the
Syriac, and many Egyptian tongues. For
her own use she had written an epitome of
universal history The celebrated Longi-
nus, whose works have been read and ad-
mired by scholars, in all lands, for more
than o thousand years, was her tutor ag
| This iilustrious woman, whose soul, did