Belisarius: "No, for we are not empowered to administer the emperor's affairs in a way which is not in accord with his wish."
The barbarians: "Not even if we impose upon ourselves the payment of a fixed sum of money every year?"
Belisarius: "No, indeed. For we are not empowered to do anything else than guard the land for its owner."
The barbarians: "Come now, we must send envoys to the emperor and make with him our treaty concerning the whole matter. And a definite time must also be appointed during which the armies will be bound to observe an armistice."
Belisarius: "Very well; let this be done. For never shall I stand in your way when you are making plans for peace."
After saying these things they each left the conference, and the envoys of the Goths withdrew to their own camp. And during the ensuing days they visited each other frequently and made the arrangements for the armistice, and they agreed that each side should put into the hands of the other some of its notable men as hostages to ensure the keeping of the armistice.
FOOTNOTES:
[157] 476 a.d. Cf. Book [V. i. 6-8] and note.
[158] Cf. Book [V. i. 10], [11].
[159] The Goths were Christians, but followed the Arian heresy.