A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

§ 79. The Empire of the Dynasty of Theodosius. 463the two parts of the Empire. This theory of unity was not lost forcenturies and was influential even into the eighth century.(a) Jerome, Ep. 123, ad Ageruchiam. (MSL, 22:1057.)[422]The Barbarian Invasions in the opening years of the fifthcentury.Jerome's letters are not to be considered a primary source forthe barbarian invasion, but they are an admirable source forthe way the invasion appeared to a man of culture and somepatriotic feeling. With this passage should be compared hisEp. 60, ad Heliodorum, § 16, written in 396, in which heexpresses his belief that Rome was falling and describes thebarbarian invaders. The following letter was written 409.§ 16. Innumerable savage tribes have overrun all parts of Gaul.The whole country between the Alps and the Pyrenees, betweenthe Rhine and the ocean, have been laid waste by Quadi, Vandals,Sarmatians, Alans, Gepidi, Herules, 160 Saxons, Bergundians,Allemans and, alas for the common weal—even the hordes ofthe Pannonians. For Asshur is joined with them (Psalm 83:8).The once noble city of Mainz has been captured and destroyed.In its church many thousands have been massacred. The peopleof Worms have been extirpated after a long siege. The powerfulcity of Rheims, the Ambiani [a tribe near Amiens], the Altrabtæ[a tribe near Arras], the Belgians on the outskirts of the world,Tournay, Speyer, and Strassburg have fallen to Germany. Theprovinces of Aquitaine and of the Nine Nations, of Lyons andNarbonne, with the exception of a few cities, all have been laidwaste. Those whom the sword spares without, famine ravageswithin. I cannot speak of Toulouse without tears; it has beenkept hitherto from falling by the merits of its revered bishop,160 See Putzger, Historischer Schul-Atlas, 1905.