139. The person and property of a Roman knight, who had
mutilated his two sons, were sold at public auction by order
of Augustus. (Sueton, in August. c. 24.) The moderation of
that artful usurper proves that this example of severity was
justified by the spirit of the times. Ammianus makes a
distinction between the effeminate Italians and the hardy
Gauls (1. xv. c. 12). Yet only fifteen years afterwards,
Valentinian in a law addressed to the praefect of Gaul, is
obliged to enact that these cowardly deserters shall be
burnt alive. (Cod. Theod. l. vii. tit. xiii. leg. 5.) Their
numbers in Illyricum were so considerable that the province
complained of a scarcity of recruits. (Id. leg. 10.)