45. I may stand in need of some apology for having used,
without scruple, the authority of Constantine
Porphyrogenitus, in all that relates to the wars and
negotiations of the Chersonites. I am aware that he was a
Greek of the tenth century, and that his accounts of ancient
history are frequently confused and fabulous. But on this
occasion his narrative is, for the most part, consistent and
probable; nor is there much difficulty in conceiving that an
emperor might have access to some secret archives which had
escaped the diligence of meaner historians. For the
situation and history of Chersone, see Peyssonel, des
Peuples barbares qui ont habite les Bords du Danube, c. xvi.
84-90. [ *Gibbon has confused the inhabitants of the city of
Cherson, the ancient Chersonesus, with the people of the
Chersonesus Taurica.]