InthemeanwhileValentinianwasalarmedandperplexedbythedoubtfulintelligenceoftherevoltoftheEast。ThedifficultiesofaGermanwasforcedhimtoconfinehisimmediatecaretothesafetyofhisowndominions；and，aseverychannelofcommunicationwasstoppedorcorrupted，helistened，withdoubtfulanxiety，totherumorswhichwereindustriouslyspread，thatthedefeatanddeathofValenshadleftProcopiussolemasteroftheEasternprovinces。Valenswasnotdead:butonthenewsoftherebellion，whichhereceivedatCaesarea，hebaselydespairedofhislifeandfortune；proposedtonegotiatewiththeusurper，anddiscoveredhissecretinclinationtoabdicatetheImperialpurple。Thetimidmonarchwassavedfromdisgraceandruinbythefirmnessofhisministers，andtheirabilitiessoondecidedinhisfavortheeventofthecivilwar。Inaseasonoftranquillity，Sallusthadresignedwithoutamurmur；butassoonasthepublicsafetywasattacked，heambitiouslysolicitedthepreeminenceoftoilanddanger；andtherestorationofthatvirtuousministertothepraefectureoftheEast，wasthefirststepwhichindicatedtherepentanceofValens，andsatisfiedthemindsofthepeople。ThereignofProcopiuswasapparentlysupportedbypowerfularmiesandobedientprovinces。Butmanyoftheprincipalofficers，militaryaswellascivil，hadbeenurged，eitherbymotivesofdutyorinterest，towithdrawthemselvesfromtheguiltyscene；ortowatchthemomentofbetraying，anddeserting，thecauseoftheusurper。Lupicinusadvancedbyhastymarches，tobringthelegionsofSyriatotheaidofValens。Arintheus，who，instrength，beauty，andvalor，excelledalltheheroesoftheage，attackedwithasmalltroopasuperiorbodyoftherebels。Whenhebeheldthefacesofthesoldierswhohadservedunderhisbanner，hecommandedthem，withaloudvoice，toseizeanddeliveruptheirpretendedleader；andsuchwastheascendantofhisgenius，thatthisextraordinaryorderwasinstantlyobeyed。^40Arbetio，arespectableveteranofthegreatConstantine，whohadbeendistinguishedbythehonorsoftheconsulship，waspersuadedtoleavehisretirement，andoncemoretoconductanarmyintothefield。Intheheatofaction，calmlytakingoffhishelmet，heshowedhisgrayhairsandvenerablecountenance:salutedthesoldiersofProcopiusbytheendearingnamesofchildrenandcompanions，andexhortedthemnolongertosupportthedesperatecauseofacontemptibletyrant；buttofollowtheiroldcommander，whohadsooftenledthemtohonorandvictory。InthetwoengagementsofThyatira^41andNacolia，theunfortunateProcopiuswasdesertedbyhistroops，whowereseducedbytheinstructionsandexampleoftheirperfidiousofficers。AfterwanderingsometimeamongthewoodsandmountainsofPhyrgia，hewasbetrayedbyhisdespondingfollowers，conductedtotheImperialcamp，andimmediatelybeheaded。Hesufferedtheordinaryfateofanunsuccessfulusurper；buttheactsofcrueltywhichwereexercisedbytheconqueror，undertheformsoflegaljustice，excitedthepityandindignationofmankind。^42
[Footnote*:Symmachusdescribeshisembarrassment。\"TheGermansarethecommonenemiesofthestate，ProcopiustheprivatefoeoftheEmperor；hisfirstcaremustbevictory，hissecondrevenge。\"
Symm。Orat。p。11。—M。]
[Footnote40:Etdedignatushominemsuperarecertaminedespicabilem，auctoritatisetcelsifiduciacorporisipsishostibusjussit，suumvincirerectorem:atqueitaturmarum，antesignanusumbratiliscomprensussuorummanibus。ThestrengthandbeautyofArintheus，thenewHercules，arecelebratedbySt。
Basil，whosupposedthatGodhadcreatedhimasaninimitablemodelofthehumanspecies。Thepaintersandsculptorscouldnotexpresshisfigure:thehistoriansappearedfabulouswhentheyrelatedhisexploits，Ammian。xxvi。andVales。adloc。]