To these commendations, independent of any accidents of time and place, we must add the peculiar merit which Claudian derived from the unfavorable circumstances of his birth.

In the decline of arts, and of empire, a native of Egypt, [118] who had received the education of a Greek, assumed, in a mature age, the familiar use, and absolute command, of the Latin language; [119] soared above the heads of his feeble contemporaries; and placed himself, after an interval of three hundred years, among the poets of ancient Rome.

[120] [Footnote 114: At the nuptials of Orpheus (a modest comparison!) all the parts of animated nature contributed their various gifts; and the gods themselves enriched their favorite.

Claudian had neither flocks, nor herds, nor vines, nor olives.

His wealthy bride was heiress to them all.
But he carried to Africa a recommendatory letter from Serena, his Juno, and was made happy, (Epist.ii.ad Serenam.)] [Footnote 115: Claudian feels the honor like a man who deserved it, (in praefat Bell.