But the same distemper of the state which had raised Carausius to power did not suffer him long to enjoy it.

The Roman soldiery at that time was wholly destitute of military principle.

That religious regard to their oath, the great bond of ancient discipline, had been long worn out; and the want of it was not supplied by that punctilio of honor and loyalty which is the support of modern armies.

Carausius was assassinated, and succeeded in his kingdom by Allectus, the captain of his guards.

But the murderer, who did not possess abilities to support the power he had acquired by his crimes, was in a short time defeated, and in his turn put to death, by Constantius Chlorus.