He fairly appreciates the merit of Anicius, and justly observes, that his fame was clouded by the superior lustre of the Macedonian, which preceded the Illyrian triumph.] [Footnote 16: The dates of the three consulships are, A.U.

C.593, 818, 967 the two last under the reigns of Nero and Caracalla.

The second of these consuls distinguished himself only by his infamous flattery, (Tacit.Annal.xv.

74;) but even the evidence of crimes, if they bear the stamp of greatness and antiquity, is admitted, without reluctance, to prove the genealogy of a noble house.] [Footnote 17: In the sixth century, the nobility of the Anician name is mentioned (Cassiodor.Variar.l.x.Ep.

10, 12) with singular respect by the minister of a Gothic king of Italy.] [Footnote 18: Fixus in omnes Cognatos procedit honos; quemcumque requiras Hac de stirpe virum, certum est de Consule nasci.