of the Camp of the Goths LXVII The Proposition of the King was accepted in the Emperor's Council and they had already deliberated upon the choice of Hostages when the two Parties found themselves as it were insensibly engaged for Baâ—urius Captain of the Iberians who were placed at the head of the Right Wing having perceived towards the Enemy's Camp a Body of Horse composed of Huns and Alains detached himself without order and immediately run to charge him The Barbarians without being moved attended him and repulsed him with great loss of his side whereupon arose a great noise on both sides Some Squadrons advanced to support the Iberians who retired in disorder but Alatheus suddenly thundred upon them â—nd after having cut in pieces all that had the â—ourage to resist him he pressed upon the rest so â—riskly that he overturned Hoâ—se and Foot and â—ut the whole Right Wing in disorder insomuch â—hat it was never able to recover itself LXVIII In the mean time Fritigern went out â—o Battel with a part of his Troops and run headâ—ong upon the Right Wing where were the Leâ—ions commanded by the Count Sebastian and enâ—ouraged by the presence of the Emperor Both one and t' other fought couragiously but at last the Goths gave way and whether it was that they â—ould not sustain the Enemy's Encounter or else â—ad a mind to draw them near their Camp that â—hey might not escape they retired as far as the â—ntrenchment of the Chariots There they stood â—irm as if they had resumed new Forces The Romans also made their utmost efforts to keep their â—dvantage but some Companies of Archers who guarded the Camp drawing upon them on one â—ide and Alatheus on the other who returned from persuing the Horse charging them in the Flank and an innumerable multitude of the Barbarians encompassing them on all sides they considered no further than to sell their Lives as dear as they could LXIX After having fought some time at a distance with flights of Arrows they came to Spear and Sword According as the Enemy got ground they stood close till such time as their Force being exhausted and overwhelmed by number they were for the most part cut in pieces The Count Sebastian Colonel of the Foot Valerian Great Master of the Horse Equitius neaâ— Kinsman of the Emperor and Great Master â— his Palace a matter of five and thirty Tribunes and an infinite number of other Officers remaineâ— upon the place The Emperor seeing this disorder could not tell what to resolve on Two Companies of his Guards protected him with their Shields Trajan was come to his assistance near his person with the greatest part of the Volunteers and cryed out that there was Relief a coming But all things were in confusion The Batavians who composed the Body of Reserve had takeâ— flight Victor and Ricomer could not succeed iâ— rallying their Men. Then Night being come Trajan advised the Emperor to save himself and sustaining himself alone the whole power of the Enemy he received several wounds and generously dyed for his Countrey and a Prince who had abused and shook him off not long before LXX Valens to conceal his flight joined company with some Soldiers who fled as well as he He advanced but little because the night was dark and the Country covered with dead bodies and to compleat his misfortune he was hurt with an Arrow by some rambling Barbarians who shot at random wheresoever they heard a noise He fell from his Horse and was carried by some of his Domestics into a Country House they met in their way They had no sooner stopt the blood and laid on as well as they could the first apparel to his wound but a Troop of disbanded Goths came in disorder with a design to plunder the Ammian â— 31. House without knowing its Inhabitants at that time They attempted to force the doors and as they found resistance they renounced an Enterprize which they thought not to succeed in and where they did not expect to find much advantage Notwithstanding to revenge themselves of those who opposed them in the House they set fire to it and passed on It was there Valens overwhelmed with grief and pressed with the remorses of his conscience was burnt alive upon the ninth of August in the fourteenth year of his Reign and the fiftieth year of Ammian ib. Zoz l. 4. Hieronim in Châ—onic Oros l. 7. c. 33. Chrystost Epist ad vid. his Age. The Barbarians learnt his death by one of his Domesticks who was saved from the combustion and were afflicted at the loss of an opportunity to make an Emperor Prisoner and to make advantage of his Spoils Such was the deplorable end of Valens He had the fortune of evil Princes hated in his life and dying without being lamented LXXI History reports that since the battle of Cannae the Romans had not sustained a more considerable loss There remained upon the place Ammian l. 31. above two thirds of their Army the rest were dispersed and lodged in the Cities on all sides The Count Victor and Ricomer run with expedition to the Emperor Gratian to give him advice of this defeat and to hinder his advancement too far In the mean time the Goths thought only how to gather the fruits of their Victory and to plunder the Provinces whereof they esteemed themselves masters Gratian touched at the loss of this battle and his Uncle's death which he understood at the same time considered whether he should continue his March or return The Goths were powerful he had but few Troops to oppose them he lost the Empire if he should be overcome These reasons obliged him to retire to Sirmium till he should assemble greater Forces or that in the heat of Pillage division should arise amongst the Barbarians LXXII In the mean while he reflected in his mind upon all the circumstances of this war the blindness of the Court who had taken for Defenders of the State those who were its most dangerous Enemies the imprudence of the Emperor who had always either too much feared them or too much despised them the fatal adventure of this Prince who came to experiment the cruelty of those whose Faith he had debauched He considered he had writ to him a little 〈◊〉 â— â— de Fide before That the blood of so many Martyrs and the banishment of so many persecuted Bishops was the true cause of the Revolutions of the Empire that Princes could not assure themselves of the fidelity of men when they are not themselves faithful to God and that the â—nsurrection of an Arrian Nation against an Arrian Emperor was an effect of the divine Justice which punished impiâ—ty by impiety it self LXXIII To remedy these disorders and to render Heaven favorable to him he made forthwith an Edict whereby he repealed the Bishops that Theod. l. 5. c. 1 2. Socrat. l. 5. c. 2. Sozom. l. 7. c. 1. were exiled for the Catholick Faith
its advantagious Scituation It was upon the Banks of the Save which dividing it self in two Branches forms an Isle over against this place serves as a double Bulwark to it and renders it almost inaccessible The Tyrant Magnentius had formerly possessed himself thereof as of a very important Post in the War he made against the Emperor Constantius Theodosius got all his Troops together on a sudden and made so much haste that he was encamped between the Drave and the Save before the Enemies could hinder him and cut off the Communication of their two Armies Then judging that Maximus would hold himself close and that it would be a hard matter to draw â—m to a general Fight resolved to pass the Save at what price foever and to go and force him in his Post He proposed his design to his Generals who immediately found the execution hazardous Notwithstanding the presence of the Emperor who encouraged his Troops the Valor and Prudence of the Officers the Chearfulness and Courage of the Soldiers who thought the Enemy durst not hold the Field made them believe that nothing was impossible to them The Emperor made good use of the heat and confidence which he observed in his Troops and marching at their head with an extraordinary diligence he appeared hard by Siscia and was immediately as ready to pass the River as the Enemies to defend it He cast a terror into their whole Camp and at the same time made the passage of the River to be attempted in several places Maximus who by a strange blindness had believ'd Theodosius to have been still at a good distance was presently surprized He endeavoured to encourage his Legions made them advance according to occasions and supposed that if they could sustain these first efforts it would be easy for him afterwards to keep them in good heart In the mean time Theodosius who was advanced upon the Bank to observe the posture of the Enemies knowing by their motions and their confusion that they were disordered would most willingly have gone to charge them without giving them leisure to recover themselves but the Save was very deep and Maximus sent new Troops continually to reinforce those who were already upon the Shoar Then seeing the fatal moment that might terminate this War and fearing to let slip an occasion of conquering which perhaps Fortune would not offer any more he made Fords to be searcht for and prepared Bridges with an incredible diligence XCV As he was in this inquietude Arbogastes brought to him some Officers of his Nation who offered to pass the River The Emperor commended their resolution made them hope for great rewards and assured them that he would be a Witness of their Valor and would support them Pacat. in Panegyr himself with all the bravest Men of his Army These Officers went to join their Squadrons whom they encouraged more by their example than their words Arbogastes put himself at the head of them and throwing themselves all together in the River all dusty and fatigued as they were with a long march they attempted a great many Tracts and passed on Horseback by swimming in the sight of the Emperor who supported them in person The Enemies amazed at so bold a resolution retired in disorder and gave the Alarm to all the rest of the Army Whilst Arbogastes after he had gained the shoar cut all in pieces that he met the other Troops which Theodosius sent over immediately fell upon the Enemies on another side and made a terrible slaughter Many hurl'd themselves voluntarily into the River Several were trod under the Horses feet The Country was cover'd with the dead the Ditches of Siscia were filled with the bodies of those that fled thither for Sanctuary Maximus after having several times attempted in vain to rally his Troops applied himself to his own safety and retired as well as he could towards Aquileia where he pretended to gather up the fragments of his Army whilst his Brother Marcellin should defend the entrance of Italy XCVI Theodosius after having performed a Thanksgiving to God for his Victory and rewarded upon the Field those who had distinguished themselves in this occasion turned upon the right forthwith and marched towards Marcellin with so much diligence that he gave him not time enough to gain the narrow Passes of the Alps nor even to understand the Defeat of his Brother As soon as he was come near * Pettan Paetovium a little City upon the Drave where Marcellin was encamped he resolved to give him battel the same day but it was late and the Troops were weary which obliged him to refer it to the morrow Every one prepared himself in the night and at break of day the Emperor gave orders to assault the Enemy who appeared already to be agreed upon a defence The Fight began with much vehemence on both sides On the one the desire of conquering the glory of having already overcome and the pleasure of serving a Prince who acknowledged the services which were rendred to him on the other the hope of plundering all Italy and the fear of being punished stir'd up the Combatants But Marcellin had soon the Fate of his Brother After this first resistance some of his Troops were put to the rout the rest threw down their Colors and demanded Quarter XCVII Theodosius observing this war to be almost concluded immediately detached Arbogastes with a body of Horse to go into Gaul and seize upon young Victor to whom Maximus had given the Title of Caesar After which he pursued those that fled with an incredible eagerness Andragatius who had been sent to guard the Alps had orders upon the first noise of Valentinian's embarking to put himself to Sea with all the Vessels he could get together and to take him upon his way But he waited in vain upon the Coasts of Ionia for Valentinian who had already crossed the Sea and he abandoned the Passes of the Mountains to Theodosius Pacat. in Panegyr This Prince found there no opposition The City of Hemona and the rest which he found in his way received him with the testimonies of an extraordinary joy and furnished his victorious Army with all the refreshments it had occasion for At last he arrived near Aquileia and besieged that place Maximus who after several turnings and windings had inclosed himself therein instead of retiring into Gaul was sensible then that he could not possibly avoid a misfortune which he should have foreseen and recollected with himself what St. Martin had before told him viz. that he should miserably perish in Italy if he attempted to pass therein He had a mind to make some resistance but his Soldiers seeing his loss inevitable opened the gates to the besiegers and altogether siezing on his Person pulled him from his Throne where he was distributing money to some Moorish Cavaliers who had attended him and after having deprived him of all the Ornaments of his Dignity put him into the
him several times repeat all the circumstances of this Dream and taking Ibid. from thence an occasion to encourage his Army he said to his Captains That they could no longer doubt of the success of a battle after this new declaration That he had resolved upon it against their opinions but that it was by a secret order from God who sent them invisible Captains for their Conduct That all the force of mankind was not to be feared since Heaven would undertake for them That they should couragiously fight under such puissant Auspices and that they should regard their Protectors and not compute their Adversaries This news being dispersed through the whole Army revived the courage of the Soldiers and as there is no stronger confidence than that which is grounded upon Religion they demanded nothing but a battle They imagined that they saw all the Heaven armed for their defence and expected not a doubtful fight but an assured Victory Theodosius took advantage of this ardor and made them forthwith descend into the Plain LV. Just as he had made an end of distributing Sozom. l. 7. c. 24. his orders he received Letters from some Officers of the Enemy's Army which was posted upon the Mountains who promised to come over to his party if he would afford them the same honours and the same rank which they held under Eugenius The Emperour having borrowed a Table-book of one that was near him marked the employments Oros l. 7. c. 35. which he destined for them if they discharged their promises after which he marched directly to the Enemy guarding himself with the sign of the Cross which was the signal of Battel LVI In the mean time Arbogastes disposed himself to receive it and wondring from whence could proceed that assurance to men that had been overcome and who had but few Troops remaining he detached Squadrons continually to seize upon the advanced Posts and ordered his Army so that he might extend it in the Plain to hem in the Enemy Eugenius from the top of a little hill where he had erected his Pavillion harrangued his Souldiers and remonstrated to them That they had but this fatigue to undergo That it was an easie matter to break that body of despairing men who rather came with a design to dye than to fight That they should see the residue of that Army which they defeated the preceding day give ground at the first onset if they would charge it couragiously and compleat a Victory which was already far advanced He promised to all rewards and gave orders to the Officers to take Theodosius and to bring him alive to him oppressed with Irons Theod. ib. LVII As the Armies were in sight Theodosius observed that his Vanguard at the prospect of so great a multitude of Enemies marched a little Ambr oras in fun Theod. too heavily and fearing left Arbogastes should take advantage of this slowness he descended from his Horse advanced alone towards the first Ranks and crying out with a holy confidence Where is the God of Theodosius he put new Life into his Troops and led them on himself to the engagement There was immediately discharged on both sides a shower of Darts and Arrows which eclipsed the Air. They fell in pell-mell a little after The example of the Prince and the hope of the assistance of Heaven excited the one anger and indignation pushed on the others to make extraordinary efforts The heat was alike in both Parties and there was as yet no considerable advantage Things were in this posture in the right Wing where Theodosius fought when they came to advise him that his auxiliary Troops which composed the left Wing were vigorously attacked by Arbogastes and that they would be in confusion if they were not supported LVIII Theodosius took Horse without delay and run accompanied with some of his men towards these Barbarians in order to put himself at their Head and to encourage them by his presence But he discerned a body of the Enemies Horse who being advanced through the streights Oros l. 7. c. 35. of the Mountains were come into the Plain and seemed to design to fall upon his Army behind He stopt and put himself into a condition of defending himself with those few that attended him The Count Arbetion who commanded these Adversary Squadrons was ready to charge upon Paul Diac. hist Theodosius and had infallibly overwhelmed him before he could possibly be relieved but whether the fierce and majestic aspect of this Prince inspired him with Respect and Veneration for his Person or whether he was come with a design to follow the best Party he threw down his Arms and disposed himself with his Troops near the Emperor with an intent to stand by him and to obey him LIX Theodosius seeing himself not only delivered from an important danger but likewise reinforced with a considerable relief turned towards his Left Wing which he encouraged by his presence But what effort soever he made in this bloody and obâ—tinate fight where the valor was so great in both Parties and the number so unequal the courage â—nd prudence of Arbogastes the vigor and perseâ—erance of his Troops the helps he found in the â—ultitude of his Soldiers had unquestionably ruâ—ed the Army of Theodosius It insensibly decayed â—nd was going to be if not conquered at least â—tigued by the tediousness of the Fight when Heaven declared itself for this Emperor by a â—iracle which the very Pagans could not disâ—mble LX. There arose from the top of the Alps an â—petuous Wind between East and North Claud. in Paneg. Con. Honor. Oros. ib. Aug. de civ Dei l. 26. Ruffin Socrat. Theodor. Sozom. â—hich blowing on a sudden upon the Squadrons â—f Engenius put them into a strange disorder They â—ere shook notwithstanding their utmost endeaâ—ors to remain firm Their Shields were snatcht s it were out of their Hands The Arrows â—hich they drew either lost their force in the â—ir or returned against themselves The Darts â—hich they let fly against them being driven back â—y rapid Whirlwinds fell upon their own breasts â—ith deep and mortal wounds Clouds of dust â—hich the Storm had raised beat against the faces â—f the Soldiers and deprived them of the use of â—e sight and even respiration Thus they contiâ—ed as it were immoveable and tied by an inisible power without being able either to attack â— defend themselves being exposed to the Darts nd Javelins which were directed against them â—om all parts Then the Troops of Theodosius acknowledgiâ—â— the assistance of Heaven which fought so manifestly for them break thro' the Enemy with Sworâ— in hand and make a horrible slaughter of theâ— Barbarians who the day before had got so much advantage Arbogastes after having vainly â—â—ployed his utmost capacity against Heaven anâ— Theod. ib. Earth saw no safety for himself but in flight Tâ— Captains of the Western Legions asked for Quater and implored the mercy of
all Illyrium and left those of the East to his Brother They came together as far as Naisse where they shared the Armies and the chief Commanders and at last parted at Sirmium the one for Milan the other to return to Constantinople VIII Valentinian immediately applied himself to examine the condition of those Provinces that lay most exposed to the Insults of Barbarians He passed into Gaul and fought the Germans who had made an Incursion therein with a great Army After their defeat he departed from Amiens to go to Treves There he was in hopes to enjoy in peace the advantage of his late Victory when he received advice from several places that all England was ransack'd and wasted by the Enemy that the French and Saxons had made a descent therein on that side nearest Gaul that the Picts and Scots made a destruction to the very heart of the Country that they had killed the Governor and surprized the General of the Army and that if things were not suddenly remedied the Empire would infallibly lose one of its fairest Provinces IX This News astonished the Emperor and occasioned to him great disturbances He commanded Theodosius the Father of him whose History we write to pass into that Island with Troops that were advanced that way judging him alone capable of restoring to a better state an Affair which appeared desperate Theodosius departed in haste and took his Son with him that he might learn the Trade of War He rende vouz d at Bologne the Army that was destined for him and crossing the Sea with an assurance which seemed to foretel the Event he advanced towards London and searched for the Enemies to give them Battel He routed several of their Parties which he found rambling through the Country He took away their Men their Cattel and all the rest of the Booty which they drag'd along and made a Declaration in all places round about that every one should come to see and repossess his own reserving but a little part of the Booty for those Soldiers who were most fatigued His chiefest care was still to ease the People and his first Instructions to his Son were Examples of Humanity and Justice necessary Vertues but rarely known to Men of War After these first Successes he entred London and encouraged the City who already acknowledged him for her Deliverer As he had to do with Enemies who dispersed themselves and rallied at all moments to surprize him he resolved to baffle them at their own game and to weaken them by little Skirmishes being unable to engage them to a Fight Whereupon he took the Field possessed himself of advantageous Posts divided his Army into several Bodies and falling without delay upon one or t'other of these Barbarians who had their separate Interests and who came rather with a design to pillage than to fight he defeated them entirely and established security in City and Country In all these Encounters he made appear as much of Valor as Discretion Ammian lib. 28. and 't is reported of him that he never commanded his Soldiers to an Attempt but he first gave himself for an Example X. Theodosius shewed himself a worthy Son of this renowned Captain and afforded in these first occasions marks of his future greatness Maximus by birth an English man who took a pride in boasting of his Descent from the Race of Constantine served at the same time in the same Army These two young Men who were one day to dispute between them the Empire of the World came to know one another and signalized themselves by Emulation in this Expedition They were almost of the same age their spirits their courage were alike and both enjoyed the same great passion to exalt themselves by way of Arms but they were different as to manners Theodosius was free courteous and generous Maximus deceitful morose and jealous of the desert and reputation of another The one was brave by vertue the other so by fierceness the one pretended to no more than the glory of serving Emperors the other would gladly have consented to usurp their place XI Scarce was this War concluded but a Conspiracy was found of no less danger The Heads of which were arrested and condemned to death But it was not judged convenient to put them to the question lest there should be too many Accomplices to punish or their despair should revive those Troubles which were but just appeased After which Theodosius returned to the Court of Valentinian and presented to him his Son who had been the Companion of his Labours It was there that this young Lord made himself known to Prince Gratian who altho' a very Child was already much inclined to favour Vertue and Desert XII The Joy which was entertained for the happy Success of the English Affairs was soon disturbed by the News which was received of an Insurrection of a part of Africk Firmus one of the chief Lords of the Country was Captain of the Rebellion He was accus'd for having caused the Assassination of one of his Brothers The Roman Governor of the Province had attempted to destroy him he supported himself by his Friends and Reputation They wrote to the Court the one his Accusations and Complaints the other his Justifications Valentinian was of a humor severe enough but there were some convenient moments when he suffered himself to be easily wrought upon In the greatest necessities of Affairs he had been careful to ease the People but not so vigilant upon those that governed them and altho' he was of his own temper inexorable for the slenderest Faults yet he would not so much as hear Complaints relating to his Officers whether it was that he thought to hurt his own Authority by lessening theirs even when they abused it or else that according to his Politicks it was necessary to treat the People with an extream Rigor XIII This was the occasion of the Revolt of Firmus He had Advice that they had suppressed his Letters at Court that those of his Enemy were lookt upon that the Ministers were won and the Prince prepossessed As he saw himself upon the point of being overwhelmed he had recourse to Arms. He raised the People that were even impatient at the Violences and Rapines of their Governor took on himself the Crown and was proclaimed King He took the Field forthwith consumed all that made resistance surprized the City of Caesarea which he abandoned to his Troops lest Fire and Sword should be omitted and â—ngross'd his Army with a great number of Moors who came in multitudes to fight under his Banner Theodosius had Orders to depart with his Son in haste in order to oppose the Rebels He embarked with the Troops that were designed him and descended upon the Coast of Africk There having met the Governor of the Province he learnt of him the posture of Affairs and after having softly reproached him for the Disturbances he had caused he sent him to give Orders for the security of
their Infancy nourished with savage Roots and raw Flesh always encamped and avoiding Houses as if they had been Tombs wandering all day and sleeping at night on Horseback being accustomed to fall out with one another and to be Friends again immediately without any other Reason than that of their natural Inconstancy Claudian in Ruff. in l. 1. Jornand c. 24. Their innumerable Horse and prodigious number of Chariots which followed them loaded with their Wives and Children their manner of fighting in round Bodies and of rallying again a moment after their defeat the very figure of these Men in stature small but strong and well compact their Faces rugged their Eyes but small and Heads of an unsuitable bigness all this cast a terror in the minds of People who were not so barbarous as they XLIX They attacked the Alains presently who were constrained to seek their Friendship They pushed on their Conquests as far as this side the Boristhenes driving or massacring all that made resistance and extended themselves towards Datia At the noise of this formidable march all the Goths run to their Arms. Athanaric who was the most exposed collected all his Troops and advanced himself towards the Banks of the River Danast in order to dispute the Enemies passage Ammian ibid. He sent in the mean time several Parties above twenty Leagues beyond to observe them and to bring him the News But notwithstanding all his Precautions the Huns prevented these Parties and passed the River by favor of the night partly by fording and partly by swimming Altho' Athanaric had hardly leisure to put his Army in order yet he sustained their first Attack with abundance of vigor but as he saw himself overwhelmed by number he retired with as much of his Army as he could save and gained the mountains where he retrenched himself whilst the Enemies amused themselves by laying waste the Platcountrey L. In the mean time the affrighted Goths advanced all towards the Banks of the Danube Videric King of the Grotungues a Youth under age came to join them under the conduct of Alathee and Saphrax two excellent Captains They were too great a number to subsist in so small a space and too few to oppose such powerful Enemies In this Extremity they sent an Embassy to the Emperor Valens humbly to request of him some Lands in Thrace where they might live in peace under his protection promising to serve him in his Wars and to preserve themselves the Frontiers of the Empire The Affair was debated in Council They that consulted the Publick Good were of opinion to reject the Proposition and remonstrated to the Emperor that it was necessary â—o mistrust a People who had often broke their Faith with him and would become insolent as soon as they should cease to be miserable Others to accommodate themselves to the humor of the Prince represented to him that it was for his glory to give Retreat to the unfortunate that he might encrease his Armies with a great number of these strangers and that discharging the Provinces from the Recruits they were obliged to furnish he might draw from them every year considerable Sums as a compensation These Reasons affected the Emperor He granted the Goths their demands and sent Orders to Lupicin Governor of Thrace to furnish them with Necessaries and to receive them into his Province upon condition still that they should enter therein without Arms that they should not exceed the limits which should be set out to them and that they should send their Male Children into the East to be Zoz l. 4. brought up there in the exercise of Roman Discipline LI. Lupicin went as far as the Banks of the Danube accompanied with Maximus Commander of the Foot They saw King Fritigern arrive with his Subjects and distributed Provisions to them and some Lands to cultivate The River at that time had overflowed so that this multitude of Barbarians were many days and nights in passing over Valens as if he had secured the Empire Socrat. l. 4. c. 34. Sozom. l. 6. c. 38. thought he had no further need of the old Troops levied no more new ones and neglected the Recruits which he ordered to be paid him in money to the value of fourscore Crowns in gold for every Soldier In a little time the Armies grew weak and the Officers were discontented The Goths on their side began to want Provisions and found themselves reduced by the avarice of the Governor to give their Goods and sell their very Children for bread They endured these Extremities till such time as Despair made them begin to murmur Lupicin mistrusting a Revolt being resolved at the same time not to relax kept himself upon his guard and got the Thracian Army together on this side Alathée and Safrax to whom Valens had refused to give Retreat coasted the Danube at that time and finding some places but ill guarded made shift to get some Boats and made their Horse pass over in disorder As for Athanaric he durst not ask any favor of the Emperor who had hated him of a long time and threw himself upon a quarter of the Sarmats where he established himself by force of Arms. In the mean time King Fritigern retained the Fury of the Goths and dexterously managed the humor of the Romans till he could discover his resentment with more security Having information by Spies that Alathée and Safrax had passed the River and foreseeing that he should have occasion for Horse he marched towards them by small Journies and By ways to give no suspition of intelligence At last he encamped near Martâ—anopolâ— where Lupicin received him into his house and entertained him magnificently Whilst they were at Table some Goths coming to the gates of the City to make their Provisions the Soldiers of the Garison repulsed them they grew hot on both sides came to handy Blows all the Burgesses took Arms and the whole Camp of the Goths mutined The Governor being advertised of this disorder was not much disturbed at it and as he was half drunk he gave Orders softly to murder those Ammian l. 31. of the King's Retinue who attended him in the next Hall This Order could not be executed so secretly but Fritigern mistrusted it and even heard the Cryes of those whose Throats were cut He arose from the Table of a sudden without giving the Governor time to take any Resolution and went out of the City under a pretence of shewing himself and to chastise the mutinous As soon as he was in safety he took Horse and run every where to encourage his People to revenge In a little time the whole Nation rose up and Valens had for Enemies those whom he lookt upon as his Hosts and Allies LII They presently fell a ravaging the Country and put several Villages to Fire and Sword Fritigern let them satiate their first anger after which he put them in what order he could and made them march under their
not at that juncture the most pressing There remained nothing more than to satisfy the People which was done by repealing the exiled Bishops and letting every one live in the exercise of his Religion without disturbance LVIII Valens then thought his Affairs to be in a good posture and was preparing to go from Antioch when he received advice that Trajan who commanded the Legions of Armenia had attack'd the Goths in Thrace that he had put them to the Rout and chased them to the very Streights of Mount Haemus that he had gained the Defiles upon them and had kept them enclosed for some time but that hunger and despair having made them perform extraordinary things he had been constrained to retire and to abandon to them the passages A little while after he learnt that Trajan had joined Ricomer a French Prince that was sent from the West with some auxiliary Troops that these two Captains had approached the Camp of the Goths with a design to force them in their Trenches if it were possible or else to fall upon the Rear-guard if they decamped in disorder as they were used to do that after they had observed one another for a long time they came to handy blows that the Fight had lasted from morning till night and that the number of the Barbarians having at last prevailed over the Valor of the Romans Trajan had made his Retreat as a Soldier and Ricomer was returned to the West in order to bring a more considerable Relief The Emperor was so much the more disturbed at this News in that he learnt that a great many Officers were slain and that the Goths securely made Irruptions to the very Suburbs of Constantinople He dispatched a Body of Horse to Trajan that he might keep the Field all the rest of Autumn LIX In the mean time Gratian in the impatience he was in to relieve his Uncle had made the greatest part of his Army pass towards Illyrium and prepared himself to march in the midst of Winter to be in the East at the opening of the Campagne He left Merobaudes King of the French in Gaul to secure it and knowing that the destiny of Princes is in the hands of God and that they ought to expect Victory rather from their Piety than the Number or Courage of their Soldiers he Ambros de Fide ad Grat. had entreated St. Ambrose to compose for him a little Treatise of the True Faith which he might read during his Expedition LX. But as he was upon the point of parting the Germans thinâ—â—ng to take advantage of his absence passed the Rhine upon the Ice in the month of February and began to destroy the lands of the Empire For all they were above forty thousand men this young Emperor shewed nothing of amazement he made the Troops march which he had retained in Gaul and recalled those which Ammian l. 31. he had sent towards Pannonia He advanced himself at the head of them and encountring the enemy about Strasbourg he attack'd them so seasonably and with so much resolution that he gave them an entire defeat There remained upon the place five and thirty thousand all their Commanders and their King himself being killed Gratian persued those that fled to the very Woods and Mountains and compelled the whole Nation humbly to request a Peace and to give as Hostages all the young men of the Country whereby he reinforced his Army That being done he gave orders and march'd by great journeys towards Pannonia notwithstanding he was extreamly incommoded with an intermitting Fever LXI Valens on his side went very slowly to Constantinople and gave out orders to his General Officers who met him upon the Road. Trajan came before him to give him an account of the condition of those Troops he commanded As soon as he appeared the Emperor fell into a passion and charging him with the loss of the last Theodoret. l. 4. c. 33. Fight reproached him outragiously for his small Conduct and Valor Trajan heard these Reproaches without being moved and as he was a person of great Piety he replied to the Emperor If we are overcome my Lord 't is you that obstruct our Conquest You make War with God himself and God assists the Barbarians who are at War with you 'T is he that gives Victory to those who fight in his Name and takes it away from those who are his declared Enemies You will acknowledge that you are so if you consider what the Bishops are whom you have banished from their Churches and those you have advanced in their places The Emperor being offended at this discourse was going to flie out but Arintheus and Victor the Generals of his Army made him understand that he had very sensibly touched a Man of Courage that the zeal of Religion had made him speak and that it was convenient to pardon this Remonstrance which was perhaps but too well grounded Valens was a little pacified and was contented with depriving Trajan of his charge of Colonel of the Foot which he had exercised with much Reputation LXII At last the Emperor arrived at Constantinople towards the end of May with part of his Socrat. l. 4. c. 38. Army The Goths continued their Courses to the very gates of the City and to ransack the Countrey as before As for him he kept himself enclosed whether it was that he durst not undertake any thing before he had received News from Gratian or that he had a mind to chastise the City by Soldiers who consumed it within and the Barbarians who pillaged it without for he was not reconciled to it since it had taken the Tyrant Procopius's part against him Whereupon they began to murmur and talk openly that the Emperor held intelligence with the Barbarians and delivered his Subjects to them insomuch that one day when he assisted at some Horse-courses they cryed out on all sides Let us fall to our Arms and go out and Socrat. ib Sozom. l. 6. c. 39. take the Field whilst the Emperor diverts himself in the Circus He was touched at these seditious words and departed the City in anger upon the 11th of June threatning to return after the War and destroy it without remedy He retired to Melanthias a Pleasure-house of the Emperors some few miles from Constantinople There as he got his Troops together he received Letters from Gratian which purported to him the defeat of the Germans and assured him of his sudden arrival with his victorious Army In effect he was upon march with his Horse and came to Sirmium to attend his Foot and Equipage On the other side the Count Sebastian who kept the Field with 2000 choice Men had surprized several Parties and made a great slaughter of Goths near Adrianople LXIII In the mean time King Fritigern judging that it was necessary to come to a Battel ceased his pillages and wasting of the Countrey and commanded all his scattered Men to come and join the gross of
Governors and proclaimed throughout the whole extent of his government that the Emperor to gratify these strangers Ammian l. 31. Zoz l. 4. and to engage them the stronger to the service of the Empire had commanded to distribute to them not only Money but also Lands and Houses and that they should be treated as natural Subjects The day was appointed for this distribution The Barbarians hoping to take the advantage of the Money and Favors which were to be allowed them and to render their Rebellion more easy and secure were softned a little They came to the Cities whose Garisons were under-hand reinforced and as they were assembled in the great Streets some Troops that were lodged in the adjacent Houses fell upon them with their Swords and slew the greatest part the rest thinking to save themselves by the cross-ways were knocked down with stones by the Citizens They did not so much as spare those who were not of an age to do an injury and by an inhumane Prudence Julius delivered these Provinces from the danger they were in The affair was manag'd with so much dexterity and orders given and executed so opportunely that this Massacre the same day went throughout the East without the Goths conceiving the least suspition of it or the possibility of one's escaping LXXX Things were in this condition when Theodosius arriv'd at Sirmium Gratian receiv'd him so much the more favourably inasmuch as he was ashamed of having banisht him his Court and that he was upon entrusting him with the most important affair of the Empire He made him General of his Army and dispatched him against the Goths with a part of those Troops he had in Illyrium Theodosius marched forthwith towards Thrace where the Enemies were assembled in a vast number He knew that several Companies of Alains Huns and Taifals had joined them since their last Victory and that they were of opinion to have reduced the Emperor to dare no further to appear in Field But he learnt at the same time that their best Soldiers were disbanded that the chief Officers were divided amongst themselves that Fritigern was no longer Master of them and that there was neither Order nor Discipline amongst such a heap of Barbarians who were come to assist them in their Pillage and not to fight LXXXI Then he advanced with much assurance and having encountred the Enemy he gave them Battel slew the greatest part obliged the rest to repass the Danube and went himself to carry the News of this defeat to Court Theodoret Theod. l. 5. c. 5. 6. reports that Theodosius left so great a number of them slain upon the place made so many Prisoners and obtained so much Spoil that being come with an extream diligence to give the Emperor an account of his Victory it appeared immediately incredible His Rivals durst accuse him of having been defeated and of having fled himself and Gratian being astonished was at a stand how to employ his Faith Theodosius entreated him to send his Accusers upon the place to the end they might examine the truth and give a testimony of it themselves The Emperor to satisfy his pressing Solicitations charged persons of degree and reputation to go forthwith and learn the particulars of this Action and to return with a clear Information to him LXXXII The same Historian reports that it was in this time that Theodosius saw in a Dream a Bishop who put a Crown upon his head and invested him with the Imperial Robes and that one of his intimate Friends to whom he discovered this Vision assured him that it was a certain Presage of that Grandeur to which God would advance him The Bishop who appeared to him was since known for Meletius Bishop of Antioch This holy Prelate by vertue of the last Edict of Gratian was then returned to his Church after a banishment of several years The Confessors of Jesus Christ were seen to pass through the whole Empire some followed by a Troop of Infidels whom they had converted others delivered from their Chains and bearing still upon their Bodies the glorious marks of the Torments which they had endured They transferr'd even with honour the Relicks of those who died in their Exile The greatest part were received with abundance of Joy by the People whose Conduct and Protection they came to resume But as the Emperor notwithstanding all his Piety had not Authority enough to make himself obeyed there were some who by the Cabals of Hereticks underwent more Misfortunes in this time of Peace than they had endured in the time of Persecution Many observing their Sees to be supplied with Arrians offered to share with them the Government of their Flock upon condition they would reunite themselves to the Catholick Faith and Communion Others were even ready to yield up their Dignity entire in order to establish the Peace and Unity of the Church LXXXII Amongst so many holy Bishops it seemed that God had made choice of the most renowned to give Theodosius the first hopes of the glory to which he designed him This Presage was suddenly accomplished For Gratian having learnt that the People who inhabited along the Rhine were entred into Gaul and moreover finding himself as it were encompassed with an inundation of Barbarians who were dispersed in the Provinces of the East resolved to associate Theodosius to the Empire He considered that he must be unable himself alone to oppose so many Enemies that a Lieutenant discharged him but of a part of his Cares that it was convenient to have a Collegue who should have his Wars apart and should defend the State as his own proper inheritance that it would be more for his Reputation and Glory to give one of his Empires voluntarily than to retain it with disturbance and that he was happy in the possession of any thing whereby to recompense a great merit in the establishment of his own repose LXXXIV The Friendship and esteem which he had entertained for Theodosius from his Infancy determined him still more and the impatience which he had to go and relieve Gaul where he was educated pressed him to declare his design But it was proper to attend the confirmation of the last Victory of Theodosius to the end that his Rivals might themselves be obliged to approve his Election after having suffered the confusion which their Calumny deserved Claudian Pacat. in Paneg. This choice was so much the more glorious to Theodosius inasmuch as he had not lookt after it He was even modest enough to refuse this honour when Gratian offer'd it to him and this refusal was attended with so many marks of Moderation and Sincerity that it was easie to judge it was no vain ceremony but a real wisdom which made him regard as a difficult and hazardous employment this Dignity wherein is sought for the most part nothing but the repose and pleasure of commanding LXXXV About this time Ausonius was nominated Consul altho absent and regardless of factions
Court He was conducted to the midst of the Camp the Troops being drawn round him he exposed to them the deplorable State of the Empire the misery of the people the weakness of the Armies the irruptions of the Germans in Gaul and the ravages which so many barbarous Nations had committed in the Eastern Provinces He represented to them that one single man could not sustain so many Wars at a time nor remedy so many disorders That as for him he preferred August de Civit. Deâ— the pleasure of having a faithful Collegue before the ambition of Reigning alone and that in the design of making a choice which should be advantagious to the Sâ—ate and agreeable to them he had cast his Eyes upon Theodosius At this name the Troops interrupted him and testifyed their Joy by long applauses Gratian continued his discourse and after having made the Encomium of Theodosius he gave him the Purple Aur. Victor in Theod. and the Crown Then the Soldiers who had heretofore esteemed him worthy of the Empire redoubled their acclamation and the Officers came in multitudes to Salute the new Emperor who being but of the Age of three and thirty years and joyning to the strength and vigour of his Age a great experience and consummated Wisdom caused them to hope for the entire re-establishment of Affairs Gratian gave him for his Division Thrace and all the Provinces that Valens had possessed He Sozom. l. 7. added thereto that Eastern part of Illyrium whereof Thessalonica was Capital taking off from the Empire of the West that Province which lay exposed to the courses of the Barbarians and which neither he because of his Remoteness nor his Brother Valentinian by reason of his inferior Age could defend A few days after this Election the two Emperors parted Gratian took the Road of Gaul to go and chase the Germans who plundered it and Theodosius marched towards Thessalonica to rendezvous his Army there in order to renew a war against a formidable multitude of Zoz l. 4. Alains Goths and Huns who since his last Victory were again entred into Thrace after having run through Mysia and Pannonia II. The noise was soon dispersed that Theodosius was Emperor and that he advanced with a part of the Western Army which Gratian had enforced him with The People whom the Unhappiness of the last Wars and Rigor of the late Reign had extreamly cast down began to breath again The Troops which the Enemies had kept close in their Garisons took heart and made Incursions in the Country and the Officers who saved themselves from the last defeat and had got themselves into strong places were ready to appear at the first order and to collect the scattered remains of the Roman Legions in order to conduct them to Theodosius All the Cities disposed their Deputations and Constantinople which Valens had sworn to destroy at his return from the war was glad to be under the dominion of a Prince who deserved their love and was capable to protect them Theodosius in the mean time arrived at Thessalonica where resorted immediately from all the Provinces of the Empire those whose Rank or Duty called them to Court and those who came to render an account of the public Affairs or to sollicite their particular ones There he began to do all the Functions of a great Emperor dispersing his Orders every where receiving Persons of Quality and Merit with Honor and the rest with Goodness giving Audiences at every hour and rendering Justice indifferently to all his Subjects refusing nothing that he could reasonably grant adding to his favors an obliging way of doing them and sweetning refusals by expressions of good will So they who obtained their demands Zoz l. 4. were satisfied and they who could not returned at least with comfort III. The care he took for the satisfaction and repose of the People did not hinder him from giving all convenient orders for preparations of war The Chief Officers were already near his Person the Infantry came out of their Garisons and the whole Army rendezvous'd in the beginning of the Spring Altho it was not considerable in number it was so in courage and by the confidence it reposed in its Emperor Theodosius then took the field and advanced by great Journeys towards Thrace The Barbarians were divided into several bodies and without applying themselves to the siege of any place wherein they never succeeded they pillaged all the Country without opposition They were armed after the Roman manner since the defeat of Valens Fritigern had taught them to rally and to observe some Discipline their Army encreased every day with an infinite number of their Companions whom the noise of Victory and the hopes of a great Booty drew from all parts Thus they were formidable But they had scarce any Captains Fritigern whom they had refused to obey had abandoned them As soon as they gave themselves to pillage they no longer observed any order and this multitude that came to joyn them served but to encrease the confusion and to cause divisions amongst them for the sharing of the Prizes they had made IV. Theodosius entred into Thrace He defeated immediately some Parties of the Enemy who were separated from the body of the Army and having learnt of the Prisoners the place where was encamped the greatest part of these Barbarians he thought he might easily subdue them if he could surprize them before they were advertised of his March He commanded Modarius Prince Zoz l. 4. of the Blood Royal of the Scythians who was in the Service of the Emperors and by his fidelity and valor had deserved the first employments in their Armies to advance with some Horse in order to observe the Enemy whilst he marched himself withthe utmost diligence A few days after Modarius returned and gave Theodosius notice that the Enemy was not far off that they were encamped in Plains commanded by Ascents which it would be easy to possess that their Camp was defended but by one Intrenchment of some Chariots ill placed which might be forced without any difficulty that there was a great number of men but few Soldiers that in all likelihood they would not quit a Post where they found all sorts of commodity to subsist on and in a word not suspicious of any thing but thinking the Emperor at a great distance from them they might be oppressed before they would be in a condition to defend themselves The Emperor was extreamly pleased to hear this News and sent back Modarius with a great Detachment to seize upon those Posts he should judge necessary whether to prevent the Goths from being informed or to fight them with advantage if they were disposed for battle Pretty near the Camp and almost in prospect of the Enemy there was a little Hill which extended a good way and towards the middle of its brow left a space of land compact and large enough to lodge a reasonable number of Troops Modarius
in the night conveyed his there without being discovered He possessed himself of all the passages and knowing that the Goths without fear or caution weâ—e asleep in the Plain he expected with impatience the arrival of the Emperor to charge them At day-break Theodosius being arrived viewed himself the place and forthwith disposed himself for an onsetâ— He commanded the Soldiers to quit their heavy Arms and to keep nothing but the Sword and Buckler He gave orders to the Captains to extend the ranks to leave nothing behind them and to make the Army appear more numerous He exhorted them all to fight with courage without obliging themselves too much to the accustomed forms of warfare in an affair whose event depended as much upon haste as upon order V. The Goths in the mean time were in great tranquility some were just come into the Camp loaded with booty others were gone to make incursions in the Country and to gather up the remains of the other days Pillage Many fatigued with the courses they had made in the Night were lain down here and there and the most part buried in Wine flept in peace in the midst of the provisions they had heaped up Their Captains men of little experience and power notwithstanding the advice they had received of the appearance of Roman Troops could not be perswaded that they would come to attack them Even those that had seen them took them not for the entire Army but for a party come out of the adjacent places who did not deserve to have Arms taken up against them and who would soon enclose themselves in Garrisons They were in this condition when they heard the noise of the Trumpets and crys of the Souldiers which was the Signal of the onset Modarius descended from the hill with the Foot which he commanded enlarging his batallions as he advanced in the Plain and marched directly to the head of the Camp Promotius one of the Lieutenant-Generals of the Emperor went to the Left with part of the Horse and the Emperour with the rest coasting the hill to the Right approached the Enemies to take them in the Flank The Goths who saw this Army pouring down upon them on a sudden which their consternation made them think innumerable judged very well that their ruine was inevitable Their Captains were sensible of their fault when it was no longer time to repair it terror and confusion were dispersed through the whole Camp Some running to their arms lost their lives before they were in a condition to dispute them Others to avoid the danger which they saw met with another which they saw not and found the enemies employed in every place The number of those that fled hindred them from flying In a few hours all these Barbarians were either killed or made prisoners They took their Wives and Children and four thousand Chariots which served to carry them in their Marches Thus all Thrace was once more delivered from the desolation to which those foreign Nations had reduced it VI. The noise of this defeat being spread abroad the Alains and Goths who plundered the other Provinces stopt short and made proposals of Peace They would have been glad to have revenged the death of their companions but as Sozom. l. 7. c. 4. they knew the Emperour was coming to them they submitted to what he pleased and signed a Treaty which they designed to observe no longer than the first occasion they had to infringe it Theodosius of his side granted them more than they demanded for he preferred an honest Peace before a glorious War and did not think it proper to expose the few Troops he had to doubtful fights against enemies who had overcome the Romans and suffered themselves not always to be surprized All things being thus regulated Theodosius visited the places reinforced the Garrisons and gave orders for the security and ease of those Provinces which were almost consumed by War then he took the Road of Thessalonica to pass the Winter there and to provide from thence for the most urgent necessities of the State The Joy which these first successes of his Reign gave to him was still encreased by the News of Gratian's being no less fortunate than himself that having joined to his Troops those that were commanded by Merobaudes Sozam ib. Socrat. l. 5. c. 6. Zoz l. 4. King of the French he had attacked the Germans conquered them and chased them out of Gaul that he had cut in pieces the greatest part and reduced the rest to shut themselves within their Country from whence they could not come in haste to trouble the repose of People subject to the Empire Theodosius rendered thanks to God in a solemn manner for his Victories and for those of a Prince whose glory affected him as much as his own VII As soon as he was discharged of the cares of war he thought he should be unworthy of the favors which he had received from Heaven and the protection which he expected from thence if he made it not his utmost application to establish the Catholic Faith whereof he had made profession all his Life In order thereunto he resolved to pull down the Arrians which his Predecessors had set up and which at that time filled the whole East with confusion and disorder The attempt was difficult and to succeed therein there was need of much Resolution and Wisdom as well as an exemplary piety VIII This Sect arose under the Reign of Constantine the Great and occasioned against the Church a sort of Persecution more dangerous than that of the Tyrants from which it was just freed Arrius was the Author of it He was born in that part of Libya which is adjoyning to Aegypt and went to Alexandria in hopes of making himself known there and to advance himself to the first charges of the Church As he was ingenious learned and eloquent with some appearance of Vertue the Patriarchs of this City thought he might be serviceable to them and raised him soon to Orders others to Ecclesiastical Ministry But they soon observed that it was an unquiet presumptuous and untractable Spirit ready to side with the good or evil Party according as it suited with his Fortune or his Pride In his younger days he threw himself into the Schism of Meletius Bishop of Lycopolis in the Country of Thebais He left it and returned again At last he reconciled himself with the Patriarch Achillas and feigned to be his Friend in order to become his Successor Then covering his Ambition with the veil of an affected Modesty winning some by a fawning behavior deceiving others by an outward gravity and composedness whilst he aspired secretly to the Bishopric But his hopes were frustrated The See came to be vacant and the merit of Saint Alexander prevailed over the intreigues of Arrius He was vexed at it and the envy which possessed him made him regard him as his Enemy whom he should have respected as his Father He resolved
serving them Theodosius thought he had engaged them to him by caresses and liberalities notwithstanding being afraid lest their number should prevail which already exceeded that of his own Troops he made several detachments of them He sent a party into Egypt under the conduct of Hormisaas a Persian by Original Son of a Captain of that name who assisted in the War of Julian against the Persians He destributed the rest in places where Zoz l. 4. there was a Roman Garrison with orders to the Governours to observe them The War being come unlook'd for those who seemed to be most faithful were made choice of and composed a Body to serve in the Field These being resolved to accomplish their Oath and becoming more affectionate to their Country-men as they approached them gave them information of all that passed in the Emperors Army and promised to joyn with them if they would come to assault him by night in his Camp XIV The Goths upon this advice prepared themselves for battel and began to march Theodosius on his side being advertized of their design intrenched himself put his men in order of battel visited the quarters particularly that of the strangers whom he found more gay and pleasant than the rest and more disposed in appearance to defend themselves well and after having kindled fires throughout the Camp and given all necessary orders he attended the Enemy The Night advanced and the Barbarians taking the advantage of their number and dividing themselves into several bodies whereof each was almost equal to the whole Army of the Emperor extended themselves in the Plain in tolerable order and came with fearful crys to thunder upon all sides almost at the same time but they found every where more resistance than they had imagined and were repulsed with great loâ—s of theirs The strength of the attack fell upon the Emperors Quarter which they knew either by the signal that the Traytors had given them or by the great number of fires which they themselves had observed They hoped to overwhelm this Prince or at least to hold him employed there whilst they laid a snare for him on another side They gave several charges but they lost so many men that they were at length disheartened XV. Theodosius saw things in this condition when there arose a great noise towards the Quarter of the Strangers which made him apprehend some disorder He learnt at the same time that the Goths of his Army had joyned the Enemies and that he would be enclosed if he was not cautious of himself He detached immediately some Squadrons to seize upon certain Posts which might secure his retreat and as he knew that a party of the Legions were at handy blows with these Rebels he ordered his Cavalry to advance in haste which sell upon them so briskly and so opportunely and withal made so great a slaughter of them that there remained but few who received no Recompence for their Rebellion Those that supported them had well nigh the same Fortune But at length the Romans could not make such great efforts without much loss and the Goths whose number continually encreased had forced the Trenches in several places Theodosius before he came to be overwhelmed by the multitude rallied his weakened Troops who began for the most part to give way He charged himself with the care of making his Retreat amusing the Enemies by detachments made on purpose turning head from time to time to assault those who pursued him in disorder till he had gained the advanced Posts which his men were possessed of and had secured the remains of his Army This battel might have proved entirely fatal to the Empire if the Goths had known how to reap the advantage of their Victory but they disbanded themselves immediately Those who had fought least were the sirst that run to plunder and those who pursued the Enemy were afraid of losing their part of the booty and returned speedily to the Camp Thus a retreat was made without much difficulty Thessaly and Macedon in the mean time remained exposed to the insults and pillages of these Barbarians who ravaged the Country and left the Cities undisturbed because the Emperor had thrown some Troops therein and they were in hopes of drawing from thence considerable contributions After they had ruined all this Country as if their Avarice and Revenge had been satisfied they began to lament so many brave Soldiers whom they had lost in battel and their Victory appeared to them not so great as before They found themselves in small number and thought the Emperor was every hour at their backs to assault them XVI In the mean while Theodosius who was retired towards Thessalonica formed a body of Troops sufficient to oppose their progress He had received in his way some Recruits A Party of the Legions of Aegypt which he had sent for came to joyn him and he was in a condition to take the field again in a few days when Rusticus arrived from the Western Provinces to satisfy him of the concernment of Gratian and his whole Court for his indisposition and their joy for his recovery The Journey of this Officer had been tedious because he had passed through Italy and stopt at Rome to receive Baptism There he had received new orders and came with Letters from Pope Damasus and the Emperor Gratian. The first wrote to Theodosius to thank him for the protection he gave the Catholics and to beg of him to establish in the Church of Constantinople an Orthodox Bishop with whom might be preserved Peace and Communion The second gave him advice that he sent him a considerable assistance that he would have conducted them himself if the affairs of the Empire would have suffered him but that he had pickt out his choicest Troops and his best Captains to command them that they were upon March and had orders to repair with speed to the confines of the two Empires where they might know the course they were to take Theodosius was wonderfully pleased to learn this news and a little while after he was informed that the Auxillary Troops were arrived upon the Frontires of Illyrium Baudon and Arbogastes Frenchmen by birth Captains of great Reputation very affectionate to the Romans and very skilful in the profession of War who were the chief of this expedition sent two of their principal Officers to Court to know what they were to do The Emperor dispatched to them forthwith Persons of credit and intelligence to acquaint them with the posture of affairs and to get them to approach towards Macedon where he was resolved to come and join them Upon which these two Generals advanced by great journeys and happily fell upon some Parties of the Enemy whom they cut in pieces Theodosius at the same time began his March XVII Then there arose a consternation in the Army of the Barbarians who believed that they were going to be overwhelmed and that all the Forces of the East and West
them but for what related to the Church in general XXXII Altho' he had hindred the search after An. 381 the Authors and Accomplices of this Conspiracy against him Theodosius knowing the malice of these Hereticks resolved to curb them with new Ordinances He made an Edict which forbid all his Subjects to give any Retreat to the Hereticks in order to the celebration of their Mysteries nor to suffer them to hold their Assemblies in publick Leg. 6. de hâ—ret Cod. Theod. lest their permission to exercise their false Religion should cause them to persist obstinately therein He annulled all Edicts of a contrary nature which might have been obtained by surprize He ordained that thro' his whole Empire according to the Faith of the holy Council of Nice there should be acknowledged one indivisible substance in the Trinity that they should abhor the Photinians Arrians Eunomians and such like Monsters whose Names ought not even to be known that they should abandon all the Churches and put them immediately into the hands of the Catholick Bishops and that if they made the least difficulty of obeying they should be expelled the Cities and treated as Rebels This Edict was published at Constantinople upon the 10th day of January and Theodor. l. l. 5. c. 22 Sapor had Orders to go and see it performed in the Provinces XXXIII Theodosius laboured thus to tame the Pride of the Enemies of Religion when by an unlookt for Revolution he saw at his Feet one of the most formidable Enemies of the Empire Athanaric King of the Ostrogoths sent to obtain his protection and a retreat into his Dominions He was a Prince of a fierce temper brought up in Arms from his Infancy who had been often chafed out of his Territories and had immediately subdued others He had joined himself with Procopius in order to devest Valens of his Crown He sustained against him a terrible War for three years and obliged him to purchase a Peace When they came to conclude and sign the Treaty he refused to pass the Danube saying That he had made an Oath never to set foot upon the Roman Ground till Ammian l. 27. he had conquered it Notwithstanding all that was represented to him concerning the Grandeur and Majesty of the Empire he would have no interview unlefs the Emperor treated him as an Equal and came as far as he upon a Bridge of Boats which was to be made upon the River for that purpose Valens whom other pressing Affairs called another way underwent this hard condition but he lost no occasion after that to be revenged upon Athanaric assisting those who were at War with him and refusing him all manner of Relief The inundation of the Huns being come this King who was one of the first oppressed yet would not have recourse to the Emperor in this extremity with the rest whether he persisted in his design to have no Correspondence with the Emperor or that he assured himself of being refused He betook himself to the quarters of the Sarmats and Taifals where he fixed himself with a Party of his Subjects by force of Arms. He remained there peaceably without being willing to enter into the Wars of his Nation because he was not as yet well setled in the Countrey and could not agree with King Fritigern who commanded the Visigoths and the confederate Barbarians XXXIV He had learnt with joy the death of Valens and the Reputation of Theodosius had begun to render him less incensed against the Romans when of a sudden he fell into a misfortune which he could not recover After the defeat of Valens the Barbarians who were no longer to be retained under any fear lived without order and without discipline As it was a difficult matter to rule under the same Laws this heap of so many different People Fritigern on one side assembled a part of his Goths Alatheus and Safrax on the other rallied their Grotungues and uniting their Affections and Interests after having made a prodigious Booty they detached themselves from the multitude and marched towards the West Vitalian who had been sent to command in Illyrium had not the courage to fight them They posted themselves between the Rhine and the Danube and after having forced all that opposed their passage they advanced towards the Rhine and made Incursions as far as Gaul Zoz ibid. Gratian was disturbed at it and to remove from him such dangerous Enemies he offered to them some Lands in Pannonia and the Vpper Mysia if they would retire there They took it some time into consideration and judging that from thence they might make a greater Progress upon one or t other Empire they accepted the Condition They passed the Danube with a design to establish themselves in Pannonia then to enter into Epirus and to make themselves Masters of Greece In this thought they collected vast Provisions and to leave behind them no Prince that might afford them any suspition they fell upon Athanaric because he refused to join them and caused a jealousy upon the account of their ancient enmities They won part of his Subjects terrified the rest and chased the King himself out of his Dominions XXXV This Prince reduced to this extremity had recourse to Theodosius whose generosity was not unknown to him He sent to him immediately one of his Captains to desire his Protection and to tell him That altho' he had not deserved this Favor he had been informed that to be unhappy sufficed to obtain a favourable reception from him that it would not be less honourable for him to have assisted the Goths upon occasion than to have conquered them that it concerned those who were Masters of the World not to suffer the Prerogatives of Royalty to be infringed that those who had chased him from his Dominions had other designs than that of oppressing such a King as he that he had rejected the counsels of those stirring spirits to whom he was become odious by this only consideration that he might be an Obstacle to their Pretensions and so he was become unfortunate because time had made him wise that indeed thro' Pride or Prevention he had been formerly averse to the Empire but that he could not be so when he saw it governed by an Emperâ—r as just as he is powerful that he had entertained the boldness of pretending to be equal to others but would think it glorious to live as his Subject in any corner of his Territories if he would be pleased to receive him XXXVI Theodosius favourably received the Request of Athanaric and as well to satisfy himself as to attract other Princes by the good entertainment he should make to this he sent him word That he sympathized with his Misfortune that he accounted as a great happiness the opportunity he had to protect him that the Empire as long as he was Master of it should be always open to such Kings as he who desired to live in his friendship that whilst he
the Huns Syrians and Carpodacks mixed together had made an irruption on this side and had cast so great a terror in all the Neigbouring Provinces that all the People of the Country had abandoned their harvests and were retired in disorder to remote Cities The Emperor encouraged them by his presence and after having made a review of his Army marched directly to the Enemies and gave battle a few days after Historians report no other circumstances than that he gained a celebrated Victory and defeated this Army of Barbarians whereof the greatest part were killed and the rest obliged to retire into their own Country from whence they durst not appear any more After this defeat the Troops thought themselves invincible under Theodosius and the People being perswaded that they could not hereafter disturb them with security resumed the care and management Zoz ibid. of their Land Then the past losses were repaired and the Empire enjoyed the fruits of the just and glorious Government of Theodosius LXV It was about this time that the King of Persia resolved to send a solemn Embassy to him Oros Hist in order to desire his Friendship and to conclude a firm alliance with him These two Nations almost always armed one against the other either for the regulation of borders or upon ancient pretentions and unexpected differences which often arise between States that are equally powerful and Neighbouring and had for a long time entertained a War which was interrupted but by some intervals of Peace and but some truces of a few years Constantius had often attempted to pass the Tygris or Euphrates and to extend his Frontiers on that side but he had rarely succeeded and if he had carried from time to time some advantages by his Generals he was always beaten when personal there But the Ammian l. 25. misfortune fell only upon the Emperor and his Troops and whether it was that the Persians had a mind to defend their Cities alone or else knew not how to reap the advantage of their Victory they did not gain an inch of ground upon the Empire Julian continued the war but having been killed in battle and the Army which he had engaged in the Enemies Country sinding it self upon the point of being destroyed either by Arms or Famine the Officers assembled to elect a Captain that might be able to disengage them from the extremity they were in and cast their eyes upon Jovian whom they chose Emperor by the consent of the whole Army This Prince who found himself obliged to repair the fault which his Predecessors had committed sought all opportunities of fighting and even carried some advantages over the Enemies in some encounters But Sapâ—r King of Persia who knew that the Romans were reduced to eat their Horses did not care to come to handy blows with them but had a mind to let them be consumed by Famine Notwithstanding altho' he saw them in this necessity and might have suffered not one to escape he feared the dispair of so many brave men and considered that what he should acquire by treaty would be more permanent and secure than what he should obtain by force of Arms. He sent first then to make to them proposals of Peace as a kind of a favour This moderation which he shewed did not cease to be very severe for besides that he kept them four days negotiating at a time when they Ammian lib. 25. endured an extream hunger he imposed upon them ignominious conditions which the extremity they were in forced them to accept of The terms were these That the Emperor should yeild to the Persians five Provinces upon the Tygris with divers Castles That he should restore to them the Cities of Nisibis and Singara and particularly that he should engage himself to furnish Arsaces King of Armenia with no assistance against the Persians notwithstanding he was one of the most faithful Allies of the Empire Jovian was constrained to sign these Articles and altho' he was urged when out of danger to infringe this agreement which necessity alone had obliged him to make and that the inhabitants of Nisihis had offered him to defend themselves and to stop as they had done several times the whole power of the King of Persia he would not consent to any proposal of Rupture nor violate the Faith which the misfortune of the time had compelled him to give Hostages were sent on both sides and a Peace concluded between the two Crowns for Thirty years This Treaty was since a subject of division The Persians swelled with this happy success thought they might undertake all things and â—he Ammian l. 27. Romans sought but for an occasion to counter vail the losses they had undergone As Armenia lay between the two Empires it might afford a considerable balance to affairs So it was disputed on both sides who should become Master thereof Sapor after he had kept himself sometime in Peace resolved to possess himself of this Kingdom He solicited the Nobility to submit to him he forced the People by continual incursions into the Heart of their Country and having drawn by his Caresses and Testimonies of Friendship the King Arsaces to an interview he seized upon him and put him to death in the Citadel of Agaban Para Son of Arsaces fearing the same entertainment went to throw himself by the counsel of the Queen his Mother into the Arms of the Romans Valens the Successour of Jovian received him and sent him to Neocesarea where he had the usage and education of a King Sometime after he commanded Terentius one of his Lieutenants to carry this Prince back into Armenia and to put him in possession of his Dominions which required his presence Altho the Emperor had been very cautious and had commanded Terentius to lead no Troops and not to assist at the Coronation of the King Sapor notwithstanding complained that Armenia was relieved and that they were wanting in one of the chief Articles of the last Treaty He entred with an Army into this Kingdom and being unable to seize upon the Person of the King who had saved himself in the Mountains where he remained concealed for five months he ravaged the Country and after a very tedious Seige took the Fort of Artogerass where the Queen Mother was enclosed with the Treasures of the late King Valens who saw the inevitable loss of Armenia if a speedy remedy did not interfere sent orders to Count Arintheus to march towards that side with the Army which he commanded and to Ammian l 27. relieve the Armenians if they still persisted to attack them Sapor who knew how to be humble end haughty according to the time stopt as soon as he heard of the approach of the Imperial Army He applied himself to gain the mind of King Para by promising to him an inviolable Alliance and Protection and engaged him by the encouragement of some Courtiers whom he had won to rid himself of two Ministers who had
rather Spectres than Men and every one complained of their robbing without being able to force them in their Retreat Theodosius being arrived at Thessalonica detached a Party of his Infantry to advance towards the Marshes under the conduct of Timaâ—ius and advanced himself a little after He gave Orders for the Enemy to be searcht for and when they were tedious in coming to relate the News he went out of his Camp without any noise attended by five Officers well mounted in order to go and observe those places where they might lie concealed He happily discovered what he had a mind to know for being entred into a little Country-house to refresh himself after a long course he there perceived a Man whose wild aspect and confused behavior gave him some suspition Zoz l. 4 He secretly enquired who he was and from whence he came but being unable to learn any thing in particular of this unknown he commanded his People to seize upon him He would examine him himself but he could obtain no answer neither by threats nor civility till such time as being pressed by the torments they made him undergo he confessed that he was the Spy of the Barbarians that he was us'd to run over the Country all day to give them notice of the Booty they might seiâ—e on in the night particularly that he had orders to inform them of the passage of the Emperor and the march of his Army Then he declared the Number the Forces and the Retreat of these Barbarians The Emperour departed immediately to go and Zoz l. 4. joyn his Camp marched the next day with certain Troops and made this body of Barbarians to be so vigorously attacked that in spite of the difficulty of places and the resistance which they made he forced them in their Marshes There was a great number of them killed some were taken and punished for examples the rest were pursued from morning to night Timasius seeing the Souldiers fatigued pray'd the Emperor to take a little rest and to afford some to those who attended him They sounded a retreat they encamped in an adjacent plain every one was permitted to rejoice as after a victory and in the confidence they were they were not extreamly mindful of the guard and discipline of the Camp In the mean time the Barbarians being rallied and having advice by some of their own men who had saved themselves from the Camp of the condition the Troops were in came by favour of the night and made a great ravage before they were discerned At length they who were least sleepy having alarmed all sides every one put himself in a posture of defence They run to the Tent of the Emperour who was risen at the first noise he had heard There was a fight in the very Camp whose success had been uncertain if this Prince had not encouraged his men by his own example and if Promotus one of his Lieutenant Generals who was not far off had not happily arrived with some Sâ—â—â—drons of Horse which compleated the Enemy's flight Theodosius had resolved to go in person to pursue them in order to deliver his people from the inconveniencies they received from them But Promotus represented to him That they were not Enemies worthy to stop a great Emperour That he should reserve himself for considerable expeditions and leave to one of his Lieutenants the care of terminating an affair where there was some fatigue to undergo and no reputation to acquire He took upon himself this commission and discharged it so faithfully that he shut up those Barbarians in their Forests and made so great a slaughter of them that there was not a single man escaped The Emperour in the mean time continued his journey All the people went to meet him with an extraordinary affection and every entrance that he made into Cities was a Triumph He arrived at Constantinople the ninth day of November more glorious by the marks of love which he received of his Subjects than by the victories he had obtained over his Enemies His Son Arcadius came to receive him and all the Bodies of the Empire testified to him with an emulation the joy which they entertained for his happy return XXI His first applications were to return thanks to God for all the prosperities of his Reign to visit the magnificent Church he had built in honour of St. John Baptist and to get conveyed thither from a Town near Calcedon the relicks of the same Saint with abundance of Solemnity He informed himself of the posture of the Church affairs and having learnt that Eunomius had held assemblies in the City and published some of his errors he made him to be expelled Constantinople He ordered likewise the expulsion of all Hereticks out of the neighbouring Cities in order to take away Leg. 20. de Haeret. Cod. Theod. from them all opportunities of enlarging their Sects and corrupting the People by their infectious conversation After having thus regulated what concerned Religion he applied himself to know the necessities of the State and to ease the Provinces which had been burdened being willing to remit in Peace those tributes which the sole necessity of War had obliged him to impose Above all he put a stop to some Cabals which had been formed in his Court as well by the intrigues of Ruffin as by the jealousies which had been conceived against this Favourite XXII Ruffin was a Gaul of the Province of Aquitain of a mean condition but of an elevated Spirit easie insinuating polite fit to divert a Prince and even capable to serve him He came to the Court of Constantinople He procured there friends and protectors he was known to Theodosius he pleased him He managed so well these beginnings of fortune that he came in a little time to considerable employments The Emperour gave him the charge of Great Master of his Palace made him enter into all his Councils honoured him with his friendship and his confidence and in a word made him Consul with Zoz ib. Ambros Epist 53. Claud. l. 1. con Ruffin his Son Arcadius This Man maintained himself as he was advanâ—ed rather by his ingenuity than by his vertue His ambition encreased with his fortune He ought to enrich himself by the spoils of those whom he oppressed by his Calumnies To have â—n extraordinary merit and to be able to dispute with him the rank he held was sufficient to be his â—nemy Nevertheless as he fear'd to lose the afection of the Prince if he did not preserve his â—steem he appeared modest and disinterested He covered his evil counsels with pretexts of Juâ—â—ice or Policy and knew so well how to imâ—â—ove his good qualities and conceal his bad ones â—hat the Emperour as discerning and jealous as â—e was of his Authority was very often deceived â—nd governed without perceiving it XXIII The principal Lords of the Court could â—t observe the elevation of this Favourite withâ—ut envy Timasius and Promotus who came from
He was to be feared as well by the credit he had obtained and the studied predictions which he published amongst the men of the Party as bâ— the secret connexions he had with Count Arbogastes who being accustomed to play the Master in Gaul took measures to preserve in spight of the jealousies of the Emperor the Authority he had got XXX This Arbogastes was a French Captainâ— who had inrolled himself very young in the servioâ— Paulin. in vit Ambr. of the Romans He followed Gratian in his German Wars and acquired therein much reputation After the death of this Prince he refused to acknowledge Zoz l. 4. Suidas ver Arb. Maximus and in the general revolt almost of the Officers of the Army he kept firâ— for the Party of Valentinian He arrived at all thâ— employments which his fidelity deserved joined to the great opinion which was entertained of his courage and his conduct He won the affection of the Soldiers who of their own accord investeâ— him with the command of the Army without thâ— Court's daring to oppose it After the defeat of Maximus where he was the principal cause he was sent into Gaul to possess himself thereof and to Paulin. in vitâ— Ambr. command there He re-established the affairs of the Empire in that Country and obtained several Battels against the Barbarians and even against those of his own Nation whom he constrained to sue for Peace These great Services rendred him so fierce and so absolute that he took of himself the entire administration of the Wars of the Empire The Army blindly pursued his Wills for besides that he was valiant successful in all his undertakings and very expert in the Art of War he was an Enemy to Luxury received no gratuity from the Emperor but to have the satisfaction of obliging the Soldiers with it dividing amongst them all the Spoils after his Victories reserving to himself only the glory of having conquered and led a life so frugal so modest and so active that one would have said he was but the Companion of those whose General he was Theodosius who was sensible of his great qualities and who had designed to have taken him along with him judged it more convenient to leave him in the West as a Man of known fidelity who by his credit and his example might retain the Court of Valentinian in its duty and be assistant with his counsels to this young Emperor who had very good intentions but not experience enough in business Arbogastes imagined then that his great Services could not be sufficiently acknowledged and became so much the more insolent as he esteemed himself more necessary He disposed of the employments of the Army he regulated the Troops and gave them new forms of Discipline he made War or Peace according to his fancy despising or reforming the Orders of the Emperor and enduring no other bounds of his power than those of his Pride and his Ambition Valentinian being come into Gaul he could not suffer Arbogastes to command there as Soveraign he attempted to humble him without proceeding to his ruine and if it was possible his displeasure To that end he gave out important Orders without his participation he was oftentimes of an opinion contrary to his sometimes he rejected his counsels or preferred those of other Ministers hoping thereby to accustom insensibly to a dependance a Man who would have been very agreeable to him if he had not affected to be his equal Arbogastes who did not love to be contradicted and would not lose an inch of that Authority which he had been suffered to take secretly confederated himself with all the Malecontents and resolved to undertake all things if he was pushed In the mean time he secured the Officers of the Army and opposed himself to the Will of the Emperor when he did not fall into his opinion About the same time it was reported that an Army of Barbarians advanced towards the Frontiers of Italy Valentinian who was then at Vienne in Gaul disposed himself to pass the Alps and to march against the Enemy at the head of his Troops But before he engaged himself in this War he would look to his salvation by receiving Baptism and to his repose by disgracing Arbogastes and taking from him the command of the Army Ambr. ep 34. aâ— Theod. XXXI As for Baptism altho' there were in Gaul Bishops of a remarkable Piety he desired to receive it from the hand of St. Ambrose whom he called his Father and his Master As he was going to send one of his Officers to him he learnt that the holy Prelat was coming to find him for which he testified an extreme joy Upon the first Ambr orat 〈◊〉 fâ—n Valen noise of the Enemy's march the Governors and Magistrates of those Cities which lay most exposed had addressed themselves to this Archbishop and entreated him to go and remonstrate to the Emperor the danger wherein Italy was if it was not speedily relieved He had accepted the deputation judging it necessary for the repose and safety of his Country He prepared himself to depart the next day when News was received at Milan that the Prince hastened his Journy that his Road was marked that his Equipage was already well advanced and that Orders were given out on all sides for the entertainment of the Court and the quartering of the Soldiers The Archbishop who out of charity was never wanting in things that were necessary and out of modesty never undertook superfluous ones supposed himself then to be discharged of his Commission and waited for the Emperor at Milan when the Emperor attended him at Vienne XXXII In the mean time Valentinian every day more jealous of his Authority and more offended at the insupportable arrogance of Arbogastes attempted Zoz l. 4. to ruine him He took his opportunity and as he was one day upon his Throne seeing him approach and regarding him with indignation he presented him with a Billet wherein he ordered him to leave his Court and to lay down the command of his Armies Arbogastes took the Note in his hand After having perused it he tore it in his presence and turning insolently towards him Socrat. l. 5. As you did not give me this Command said he to him you shall not dispossess me of it Valentinian consulting nothing but his Courage and Resentment seized upon the Sword of one of his Guards to kill Arbogastes But the Guard retained him and he was obliged to say every where That this Prince being vexed that he could not do what he would had a design to kill himself Arbogastes after that well foresaw that there was no more security for him and that it was necessary to compleat the Crime for fear of being prevented Under a pretence that some powerful Men had resolved to destroy him Sozom. l. 7. c. 22. he assembled his Friends he gained the Eunuchs of his Chamber and placed Soldiers who were at his disposal even
throughout An. 394 and represented to the Troops the confidence which he reposed in their Valor the necessity of Sozom. l. 7. c. 24. Victor Socrat. l. 5. c. 24. Oros. l. 7. c. 35. conquering the importance of a Victory and the Rewards they were to hope for he put himself at the head of some French Batallions to whom he had given the Vanguard and expected the Enemy's motion L. Theodosius lost no time and to keep the same order of Battel he made all his foreign Troops descend into the Plain with an incredible diligence and reserved himself with the Body of Roman Zoz l. 4. Soldiers upon the adjoining Hills Whatsoever Ardor was observed in the two Armies they gave themselves time to be put in order and to take their advantages till Theodosius gave the Signal to march Gainas was the first at the charge with the Goths he commanded Arbogastes opposed to them some French Troops who received them with a great deal of courage and resolution The Fight grew hot The two Parties assisted with the Bodies which were detached to support them a long time disputed the Victory but at length the Goths were upon the turn and seeing themselves weakned by the loss of their chief Officers and their most valiant Soldiers and being overwhelmed by the number of Troops which fell upon them continually they began to yield back and falling one upon another put the whole Army in disorder LI. Arbogastes taking advantage of the confusion they were in pursued them with some Squadrons of Reserve and made a horrible slaughter Ten thousand Goths were killed upon the place the rest were almost rendred uncapable of fighting and all this multitude of Barbarians was going to be entirely defeated Theodosius who from an Eminence discovered the Rout of his Men and saw his loss inevitable if Eugenius came to fall upon him with his Roman Legions had recourse to God in this extremity and lifting up his hands to Heaven he made this Prayer Thou knowest O my God that I have undertaken this War in the Name of thy Ruffin l. 2. c. 33. Son Jesus Christ If my intentions are not so pure as I thought they were let me perish If thou approvest the justice of my Cause and the confidence I repose in thee assist me and don 't permit the Gentiles to say Where is the God of the Christians He had no sooner finished these words but he descends into the Plain with the Romans whom he excited by his Piety and his Courage and advances to snatch from the Enemies a Victory which they thought secure In the mean time Bacurius gave marks of an extraordinary Fidelity and Valor for after having rallied those that fled and put himself at their head with his Iberians he sustain'd all the burden of the Fight keeping off all the Darts of the Enemy who charged him on all Ruffin ib. sides and putting a stop to their Fury till such time as Theodosius was arrived LII Then the fight began afresh Both parties used their efforts to overcome the one flushed with their former success the others encouraged by the presence of the Emperour They attacked they opposed without fearing danger without drawing back of either side But what attempt soever Theodosius could make he could never gain any advantage over Arbogastes who maintained himself by his valour by his conduct and by the number and courage of his Troops At last the night put an end to the Battel and each was obliged to retire to his Camp The loss was not considerable on the side of Eugenius and Theodosius lost several Officers and particularly the brave Bacurius who after having several times dispersed the Enemies and bore through their Squadrons with Sword in hand fatigued with the labour of Zoz l. 4. Ruffin l. 2. c. 33. the days work weakned by the wounds he had received came at last to fall in the sight of the Emperor upon a heap of Barbarians whom he had slain with his own hand LIII The two Emperors passed the night in a very different manner Eugenius made fires to be kindled through his Camp distributed rewards to those who had distinguished themselves by some glittering action and thought that he had won an absolute Victory He did not so much as doubt but that Theodosius had saved himself by favor of the night with the residue of his Troops Theodosius on his side having regained his Camp upon the Mountain called together the chief Officers of his Army and held a Council of war Theodor. l. 5. c. 24. Timasius and Stilicon were of opinion to yield to the time and to provide immediately for the security of a Retreat They represented That after the loss which had been sustained it was necessary to think alone of re-establishing himself That it was enough to have been conquered That it was wisdom to take care of being entirely defeated That it was to sacrifice the remainders of the Army to expose it to the hazard of a second Battle and that it would be a piece of rashness to pretend with a small number of disheartened Soldiers to force an Enemy who confided in their multitude and valor and who had lately obtained so considerable an advantage That it were better to inclose himself in the strong places of the Empire in order to assemble new Troops during the Winter and to take the Field in the beginning of the Spring and renew the War with equal Forces The Emperor rejected their Counsel and looking upon them with some indignation God forbid said he to them that the Cross of Jesus Christ which appears in my Colors should fly before the Statues of Hercules and Jupiter which are born amongst the Ensigns of the Enemy These words spoken with an holy confidence inspired his Captains with that resolution he desired He gave necessary orders for the morrow and retired into a Chappel near the place where he was encamped in order to pass the rest of the night in Prayer LIV. It is reported that having fallen asleep towards morning he saw in a Dream two Cavaliers Ib. c. 42. mounted upon two White Horses who encouraged him to fight and passed their word for the success of the battle assuring him that they were John the Evangelist and Philip Apostles of Jesus Christ sent from God to march before his Ensigns and to shew his Soldiers the way that would direct them to a Victory Whether this Dream was only the effect of the imagination of this Prince still hot with the last engagement and a new desire of conquering with the assistance of Heaven or whether it was a sensible testimony of the protection of God upon him he related when he awaked what he had seen and went out of the Chappel attended by part of his Officers in order to go and range his Army in battle At the same time was presented to him a Soldier who had the same night seen such another Vision He examined him made