CHAP. vii. ROMAN MINES. 179 



operations of the mines, we may safely conclude 

 that, after the third or fourth century, the labour 

 of extracting the precious metals had gradually 

 diminished within the limits of the Roman em- 

 pire ; and that from the fifth century, after the 

 more afflicting irruptions of the Barbarians into 

 the weak and tottering western empire, it had alto- 

 gether ceased. Almost the latest intimation that 

 is to be found on the subject is the appointment 

 of a comes metallorum over the mines of western 

 Illyria in the year 413 *; but of the extent of his 

 power, or of the revenue derived from the office 

 to himself or his master, we have no information. 

 In the eastern division of the Roman empire 

 some small remains of ancient mining were con- 

 tinued ; but the veins had been nearly exhausted, 

 though the workings had not been wholly aban- 

 doned, when they fell in the seventh century 

 into the hands of the conquering followers of 

 the new Arabian prophet. The mines in Asia 

 Minor, in Thrace, and in Greece, were the last 

 that the Byzantines possessed. The gold mines 

 of Thrace were in operation in the reign of 

 Valens ; but they, as well as those of Illyria, had 

 altogether ceased to be worked with the suc- 

 ceeding two centuries. 



The gradual diminution of slavery must have 

 had a great effect on the productiveness of mining 



1 Cod. Theod., lib. 7. 



N 2 



