Note 049 from chapter 25 of Decline & Fall (original) (raw)
The persecution of Antioch was occasioned by a criminal consultation. The twenty-four letters of the alphabet were arranged round a magic tripod: and a dancing ring, which had been placed in the centre, pointed to the four first letters in the name of the future emperor, 
Theodorus (perhaps with many others, who owned the fatal syllables) was executed. Theodosius succeeded. Lardner (Heathen Testimonie, vol. iv. p. 353-372) has copiously and fairly examined this dark transaction of the reign of Valens.