.—He received the same Honors from the Counts and other Officers as before his Death.
military officers, too, of the highest rank, the counts, and the
whole order of magistrates, who had been accustomed to do obeisance to
their emperor before, continued to fulfill this duty without any
change, even after his death entering the chamber at the appointed
times, and saluting their coffined sovereign with bended knee, as
though he were still alive. After them the senators appeared, and all
who had been distinguished by any honorable office, and rendered the
same homage. These were followed by multitudes of every rank, who came
with their wives and children to witness the spectacle. These honors
continued to be rendered for a considerable time, the soldiers having
resolved thus to guard the body until his sons should arrive, and take
on themselves the conduct of their father’s funeral. No mortal
had ever, like this blessed prince, continued to reign even after
death, and to receive the same homage as during his life: he only, of
all who have ever lived, obtained this reward from God: a suitable
reward, since he alone of all sovereigns had in all his actions honored
the Supreme God and his Christ, and God himself accordingly was pleased
that even his mortal remains should still retain imperial authority
among men; thus indicating to all who were not utterly devoid of
understanding the immortal and endless empire which his soul was
destined to enjoy. This was the course of events here.