The campaign of Belisarius in Africa may be quoted as an
example.
"In the seventh year of the reign of Justinian, and about
the time of the summer solstice, the whole fleet of six
hundred ships was ranged in martial pomp before the gardens
of the palace. The patriarch pronounced his benediction, the
emperor signified his last commands, the general's trumpet
gave the signal of departure, and every heart, according to
its fears or wishes, explored with anxious curiosity the
omens of misfortune or success. The first halt was made at
Perintheus, or Heraclea, where Belisarius waited five days
to receive some Thracian horses, a military gift of his
sovereign. From thence the fleet pursued their course
through the midst of the Propontis; but as they struggled to
pass the straits of the Hellespont, an unfavourable wind
detained them four days at Abydos, where the general
exhibited a remarkable lesson of firmness and severity. Two
of the Huns who, in a drunken quarrel, had slain one of
their fellow-soldiers, were instantly shown to the army
suspended on a lofty gibbet.
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