ximus, appeared in the camp of Varahran,
and, when taken into the presence of the great king, stated that he was
empowered by the Roman generals to enter into negotiations, but had had
no communication with the Roman emperor, who dwelt so far off that he
had not heard of the war, and was so powerful that, if he knew of it,
he would regard it as a matter of small account. It is not likely that
Varahran was much impressed by these falsehoods; but he was tired of
the war; he had found that Rome could hold her own, and that he was not
likely to gain anything by prolonging it; and he was in difficulties as
to provisions, whereof his supply had run short. He was therefore well
inclined to entertain Maximus's proposals favorably. The corps of the
"Immortals," however, which was in his camp, took a different view, and
entreated to be allowed an opportunity of attacking the Romans unawares,
while they believed negotiations to be going on, considering that under
such circumstances they would be certain of victory. Varahran, according
to the Roman writer who is here our sole authority, consented. The
Immortals made their attack, and the Romans were at first in some
danger; but the unexpected arrival of a reinforcement saved them, and
the Immortals were defeated and cut off to a man. After this, Varahran
made peace with Rome through the instrumentality of Maximus, consenting,
it would seem, not merely that Rome should harbor the Persian
Christians, if she pleased, but also that all persecution of Christians
should henceforth cease throughout his own empire.

The formal conclusion of peace was accompanied, and perhaps helped
forward, by the well-judging charity of an admirable prelate. Acacius,
bishop of Amida, pitying the condition of the Persian prisoners whom the
Romans had captured during their raid into Arzanene, and were dragging
off into slavery, interposed to save them; and, employing for the
purpose all the gold and silver plate that he could find in the churches
of his diocese, ransomed as many as seven thousand captives, supplied
their immediate wants with the utmost tenderness, and sent them to
Varahran, who can scarcely have failed to be impressed by an act so
unusual in ancient times. Our sceptical historian remarks, with more
apparent sincerity than usual, that this act was calculated "to
inform, the Persian king of the true spirit of the religion which he
persecuted," and that the name of the doer might well "have dig