[Footnote61:Libaniussuggeststheformofapersecutingedict，whichTheodosiusmightenact，proTemplis，p。32；arashjoke，andadangerousexperiment。Someprinceswouldhavetakenhisadvice。]
[Footnote*:Themostremarkableinstanceofthis，atamuchlaterperiod，occursinthepersonofMerobaudes，ageneralandapoet，whoflourishedinthefirsthalfofthefifthcentury。A
statueinhonorofMerobaudeswasplacedintheForumofTrajan，ofwhichtheinscriptionisstillextant。FragmentsofhispoemshavebeenrecoveredbytheindustryandsagacityofNiebuhr。Inonepassage，Merobaudes，inthegenuineheathenspirit，attributestheruinoftheempiretotheabolitionofPaganism，andalmostrenewstheoldaccusationofAtheismagainstChristianity。Heimpersonatessomedeity，probablyDiscord，whosummonsBellonatotakearmsforthedestructionofRome；andinastrainoffierceironyrecommendstoherotherfatalmeasures，toextirpatethegodsofRome:—
Roma，ipsiquetremantfurialiamurmurareges。
Jamsuperosterrisatquehospitanuminapelle: