CALIPHS OF AFRICA. 



their course along the Appian Way, they pillaged 

 Fundi, and laid siege to Gaeta. In the hour of dan- 

 ger the Romans implored the protection of the La- 

 tin sovereign Lothaire ; but the imperial army was 

 overthrown by a detachment of the Moslems. The 

 church and the city owed their safety to the courage 

 and energy of Pope Leo IV., who, from the pressing 

 crisis of affairs, was unanimously called to the chair 

 without the forms and intrigues of an election. 



The welcome news that the siege of Gaeta had 

 been raised, and a part of the enemy with their sa- 

 crilegious plunder immersed in the waves, gave the 

 harassed Romans the assurance of a short respite. 

 But the storm soon burst upon them with re- 

 doubled violence. A fleet of Arabs and Moors from 

 Africa, after a short refreshment in the harbours of 

 Sardinia, again cast anchor off the mouth of the Ti- 

 ber, sixteen miles from the city. The vigilance of 

 the pontiff had provided for the emergency, by his 

 alliance with the maritime states of Naples and 

 Amalfi ; and in the hour of danger, their galleys 

 appeared in the port of Ostia, under the command 

 of Caesarius, a noble and valiant youth, who had al- 

 ready humbled the naval pride of the Saracens. 

 Leo hastened to meet the descent of the enemy, not 

 in the garb of a warrior, but with the solemnity of 

 a Christian bishop. The allies and city bands in 

 arms attended him to Ostia, where they were re- 

 viewed, and animated by his paternal benedictions. 

 The pious soldiers kissed his feet, received the com- 

 munion with martial devotion, and listened to the 

 papal supplication, that the same God who had sup* 

 ported St Peter and St Paul on the waters of the 

 sea would strengthen the hands of his champions 



