Section 342
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 311 the place of the good. He, too, was an Alexandrian. But for his learning and skill in the Greek philosophy, he was superior to any of the most distinguished men of our day, as he had attain ed unto the highest eminence in arithmetic, geometry, and astro nomy, besides his proficiency in dialectics, and physics, and rhetoric. On this account it is said, that he was also requested by the Alexandrians to establish a school there of the succession (or order) of Aristotle. They relate innumerable achievements of his at the siege of the Bruchium,* at Alexandria, as he was honoured by all in office, with extraordinary distinction ; but as a specimen, we shall only mention this. — When the bread, as they say, failed in the siege, so that they were better able to sustain their enemies from without than the famine within, Anatolius being present, devised a project like the following. As the other part of the city was in alliance with the Roman army, and therefore happened not to be besieged, he sent to inform Eusebius, who was among those not besieged, for he was yet there before his removal to Syria, and was very celebrated, and in high repute even with the Roman general, to inform him of the siege and those perishing with famine. On learning this, he begs of the Roman general to grant safety to those who would desert from the enemy, as the greatest favour he could grant him. Obtaining his request, he immediately communicates it to Anatolius, The latter receiving the promise, collected the senate of Alexandria, and at first began to propose that they should come to a reconciliation with the Romans. But as he per ceived that they were incensed at the suggestion, he said, But I do not think you will oppose me, if I should advise you to send forth the superfluous number, and those that are of no use to us, the old women and children, and old men, and let them go where they wish. For why should we keep those with us, who will ere long at any rate die to no purpose ? and why should we destroy with famine those that are already bereft of sight and mutilated in body 1 We ought to feed only men and youth, and furnish the * The Bruchium here mentioned, was a part of Alexandria; it seems derived from «povX«s, annonss prxfectus, and was a kind of corn-market. 29