CHAPTER XIX

OF PALLADIUS THE COURIER

NOW although the scenes of the transactions referred to, were in places very remote from the capital, yet the emperor received intelligence of what was done in an incredibly short space of time. For he had the good fortune to possess among his subjects a man endowed with extraordinary energy both of body and mind, named Palladius; who so vigourously managed the public conveyances, that he would reach the frontiers of the Roman and Persian dominions in three days, and again return to Constantinople in as many more. The same individual traversed other parts of the world on missions from the emperor with equal celerity: so that an eloquent man once said not unaptly, “This man by his speed seems to contract the vast expanse of the Roman territories.” The king of the Persians himself was astonished at the expeditious feats which were related to him of this courier: but we must not stay to give further details concerning him.