Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. 1, by Edward Gibbon,
, at sacred-texts.com The Romans had long experienced the daring
valor of the people of Lower Germany. The union of their
strength threatened Gaul with a more formidable invasion, and
required the presence of Gallienus, the heir and colleague of
Imperial power. 75 Whilst that prince, and his infant son
Salonius, displayed, in the court of Treves, the majesty of the
empire its armies were ably conducted by their general,
Posthumus, who, though he afterwards betrayed the family of
Valerian, was ever faithful to the great interests of the
monarchy. The treacherous language of panegyrics and medals
darkly announces a long series of victories. Trophies and titles
attest (if such evidence can attest) the fame of Posthumus, who
is repeatedly styled the Conqueror of the Germans, and the
Savior of Gaul. 76 But a single fact, the only one indeed of
which we have any distinct knowledge, erases, in a great
measure, these monuments of vanity and adulation. Th