PERIOD II,

THE PERIOD OF THE NORTHERN INVASIONS,

EXTENDS FROM

THE REIGN OF CONSTANTINE THE

GREAT,

306 YEARS A. C.

ΤΟ

THE EXTINCTION OF THE WESTERN EMPIRE,

476 YEARS A. C.

The length of this period is 170 years.

Emportant Events in Period XX.

Six principal events are comprised within this period.

First, the Toleration of Christianity through the Roman Empire:

Second, the Removal of the Seat of the Roman Empire to Constantinople:

Third, the Sack and Burning of Rome by Al'aric:

Fourth, the Commencement of the Kingdom of the Vandals in Africa:

Fifth, the Ravages of At'tila, the Hun, in the Roman Empire:

Sixth, the Arrival of the Saxons in Britain : The Roman Empire, which comprises the history of the whole civilized world, during this period, as also during the last, excites a strong interest in connexion with Christianity. Both civil and ecclesiastical records, notwithstanding the decay of genius, are abundant.

1. The Toleration of Christianity,_through the Roman Empire, took place under Constantine the Great, 306 years A. C. The public persecutions of the Christians then ceased ; and, though some of the succeeding emperors were hostile to the cause, it completely triumphed over Paganism under Theodosius about 80 years after its first toleration by Constantine.

As Constantine fought under the banner of the cross against his enemies, and was successful, he felt disposed to express his gratitude to the divine Author of the christian faith. He soon issued edicts, declaring that the christians should be eased of all their grievances, and received into places of trust and authority.

Thus, the religion of the Saviour, which had stood the ordeal of ten persecutions, was seen at once to prevail over the whole Roman Empire. In a few years Constantine established it on a solid basis. He commanded, that in all the provinces, the orders of bishops should be exactly obeyed; a privilege of which they afterwards made a bad use.

He assembled also a general council of these fathers at Nice, in order to repress the heresies, that hai already crept into the church, particularly that of Arius. The tenets of the leader in heresy were condemned and he and his associates were banished into a remote art of the empire.

In the tune of Theodosius, 384 A. C. the cause of Christianity and Paganism was solemnly debated be tween Ambrose the champion of the former, and Sym'machus, the defender of the latter. Christianity was triumphant, and the senate issued a decree for the abolition of pag inism, the downfall of which, in the capital, was soon followed by its extinction throughou the empire.

2. The Removal of the Seat of the Roman Empire to Constantinople was effected by Con stantine, 329 years A. C. It was a measure which hastened the downfall of the empire The ancient name of Constantinople was By zantium.

Whatever were Constantine's motives in removing the seat of the empire, the step was highly impolitic It weakened, exceedingly, the already tottering empire. The latter, after this event, never resumed any share of its former lustre.

The new seat of empire seems to have been pointed out in the following manner :-Constantine had made choice of a situation at Chalce'don, in Asia Minor but we are told that in laying out the ground-plan, an eagle caught up the line, and flew with it over to Byzan'tium, a city which lay upon the opposite side of the Bos'phorus.

Here, therefore, it was thought best to fix the seat of empire; and Constantine, after having built a capitol, an amphitheatre, many churches and other public works, and many magnificent edifices, and after having dedicated the city to the GoD of martyrs, repaired thither with his whole court.

The effect of this measure was not immediately felt. The first sensation was not so great as might have been expected. But in a few years, and especially after the government was apportioned among the emperor's sons, there was such a division of the forces of he empire, that the northern barbarians, who fought with superior numbers, and had been often defeated, vegan now to prevail

3 .The Sack and Burning of Rome, by Al'aru hape led 410 years A. C. The pillage lasted six days, and multitudes of its inhabitants were massacred. For more than 600 years, Rome had not been violated by the presence of a foreign enemy, and for more than 1000 years it had stretched the arm of its power over

the nations.

The northern nations, consisting of various tribes in Germany, Scythia, and other regions to the North and East, commonly called Goths, Huns, Vandals, &c. had, for a considerable length of time previously, made frequent attacks upon the borders of the empire; but they were generally repulsed.

Their numbers, however, seemed inexhaustible, and they were poured like a torrent upon the enfeebled and distracted empire. Alaric, a Goth, afterwards styled king of the Visigoths, was the first who laid siege to Rome, which he reduced to the most dreadful extremity. In a moment of despair, the Salarian gate was opened at midnight, by some of the Romans themselves, and the mistress of the world was aban doned to the licentious fury of the tribes of Germany and Scythia.

Notwithstanding the orders given by Alaric, that none but the armed should be killed, vast multitudes of the citizens were put to death, and probably more were reduced from affluence to the miserable condition of captives and exiles.

4. The Commencement of the Kingdom of the Vandals in Africa is dated 439 years A. C. Gen'seric, king of the Vandals, by invitation from Boniface, a Roman general, came to the assistance of the latter. The compact be. tween them was, that they should divide Af· rica between them. The Vandal, however treacherously seized the whole, but the king.

aon which he founded lasted not quite a cent .ry.

The Vandals had previously invaded France, Italy and Spain, and had, indeed, settled in the latter country. Boniface, in maintaining the arms of the empire against the usurper John, was induced to send for Genseric from Spain to aid him. The measure, however, was ruinous to his cause.

The Vandal, having thus obtained a footing in Africa, which he greatly desired, could not be prevailed on afterward, by the offer of great sums of money, to retreat. He had occupied the whole country, except three cities, and these he soon took.

Shutting up Boniface in Carthage, he compelled him, at the expiration of a year, to surrender; and the Roman general had the mortification of beholding all Africa, which he had once saved, ravaged in the most cruel manner, by the barbarians whom he had invited thither.

5. The Ravages of Attila, the Hun, in the Romun Empire, commenced 445 years A. C. He overran Illyricum, Thrace, Da'cia, and Moe'sia, and at that time laid the Romans under tribute. Soon afterwards, with an army of 500,000 men, he threatened the destruction of the Empire. He was, however, ably opposed by Ae'tius, general of Valentinian III.

While the Vandals under Genseric were trampling on the Roman province of Africa, and at length took and plundered Rome itself, the Huns were advancing apon the empire from the East. This people are supposed to have originated from the eastern part of Asia.

Extending their conquests from the borders of China to the Baltic sea, they impelled the Goths upon the empire, and soon followed in the same track. Their march was extremely desola ng. To their leader Att la, the victims of his ambit on have given the ex pre sive appellation of "The s ourge of God."