But in case Fortune mutable as she is should defeat me any where in battaile sufficient it shal be for me that I have devowed my selfe to the Roman Empire like as in old time Curtius Mutius and the noble race of the Decij have done Abolish we must and destroy this most troublesome nation upon whose swords the bloud of our kinred is not yet dryed Our auncient forefathers had many ages passe over their heads before those were rooted out that annoyed and troubled them Doubtfull was the warre and of long continuance whereby Carthage was overcome and subdued but while the glorious conquerour feared that it should still stand and continue he subverted and rased it to the very foundation Scipio after he had gone through many chaunges and chaunces that follow a siege overthrew Numantia Rome went downe with Fideâ—â— least it should grow up in an emulation to aspire unto soveraigne Empire yea and destroyed both Faliscâ— and Veij so as that the record of auncient hystories hath much ado to make us beleeve that these cities were ever of any strength and puissance Thus much have I layd open as a man well seene in antiquities It remaineth now that setting aside all greedie desire of spoyle and pillage which oftentimes hath beene the bane of Roman souldiers everie one march on close with the armie readie to follow his owne colours when it commeth to the point of ioyning battaile knowing thus much that if he stay anywhere betime he shall be left shorter by the legs For nothing feare I but the deceitfull traines of our enemies in this kind so exceeding craftie To conclude I promise unto you all That hereafter when things are happily appeased setled without chalenging any prerogative of princes who in regard of their powerful authoritie suppose whatsoever they speake or iudge is rightfull and iust I will give a reason and account if any man require it of whatsoever I have advised be it wel or otherwise Wherefore now plucke up your hearts I beseech you bee resolute I say and presume of much as those that shall together with us in the same sort and equall measure undergoe what daungerous service soever shall occurre and making this account that victorie is alwayes woont to ioyne in company with equitie When he had finished his speech with this most grave conclusion the martial warlike souldiers rejoycing in so glorious a leader and conceiving greater hope of prosperous successe held up their targuets and shields aloft cried all with one voyce That they wold reckon of no daunger or difficultie under such a Generall and Commander as who had enjoyned himselfe more painefull service than he did to common souldiors But most of all the companies of the Gaules by a more joyfull and jocondnoyse shewed the same as bearing well in mind that sometimes whiles he their leader conducted them and traversed to and fro among the rankes and fyles they had seen some nations defeated and others brought to humble supplication upon their knees CHAP. VI. The description of the kingdome of Persia to wit the beginning of it the first kings the rising and encrease the scituation and limits thereof FOrced I am by the course of the storie that is devolved now thus far by way as it were of a quick digression to shew the site of Persia which hath bin curiously described by Geographers of whom verie few and those hardly have delivered a truth Now whereas this discourse shall fall out to be somewhat long availe it will to the perfect knowledge of the thing For whosoever hee bee that in the narration of unknowne matters affecteth too much brevitie he seeketh not that so much which he should verie plainely declare but what ought indeed to be overpassed This kingdome in times past small and for such causes as I have oft related called before time by many names what time as Alexander the great was taken away by untimely death in Babylon became subject to Arsaces the Parthian a man of obscure parentage and no better in his youthfull dayes than a ring-leader of theeves but by little and little turning over a leafe and changing his purpose to the better by a continued course and traine of noble deedes he advanced himselfe to an high estate Who after he had atchieved many glorious and valiant exploits vanquished Seleucus Nicator that succeeded the foresaid Alexander who for his manifold victories obtained that sirname and driven out the garrisons of the Macedonians himselfe leading a more peaceable life proved a moderat ruler and mild judge of such as yeelded obedience And in the end when he had subdued unto him all the borderers either by force of armes or by a due consideration of his equitie or else by feare so that Persia now was replenished with fortified cities strong castles and pyles and became dread unto all the neighbour inhabitants of whom afore time it was woont to stand in feare himselfe in the middle race of his age departed this life in peace And by the uniforme accord and consent as well of the noble Peeres as the common people striving a vie who might be most forward became the first that according to the due rites of consecration was inserted as they be persuaded and ranged among the starres Whereupon in those dayes the high minded and prowd kings of the same nation can well abide to be styled the brethren of Sunne and Moone And like as our Emperours love well and wish the title of Augustus even so to the Parthian kings who before time were abject ignoble and base through the happie auspices and government of Arsaces there accrewed even the greatest titles of dignities that might be and therefore they worship and adore him no lesse than a god and so farre forth are his honours spred and enlarged that even to our very dayes there is not a prince preferred before all other to the rule of that kingdome unlesse hee bee of the line and race of Arsaces yea and in every civile brawle and contention which dayly happen among them there is not one but avoideth no lesse than sacriledge to lay violent hands upon any descended from Arsaces beare he armes or be he otherwise a private person And well knowne it is that this nation having vanquished and subdued many States dilated the bounds of their dominion as farre as Propontis and Thracia how ever through the pride of their hautie minded leaders who licentiously encroched upon farre countries and committed outrages there by receiving very great foyles and overthrowes it became much impaired First through Cyrus whome after hee passed over the Frith of Bosphorus with a fabulous and incredible multitude Tomyris Queene of the Scythians in a most eagre revenge of her g sonnes discomfited and put his host to the sword Then what time as Darius and afterwards Xerxes by altering the use of the very elements invaded Greece all their forces in manner as well on land as
into their hands whole provinces even those that in all the former warres unlesse it were in Gallienus his time were untouched and by reason of long peace very wealthie of which enterprise and exploit he promised with the leave and grace of God to be a most meet and sufficient leader This counsell of his being commended and with one accord of them all confirmed they generally bent and set their minds to such things as were with speed to be gathered together and put in readinesse and so all Winter long preparation was made of victuals souldiors armour with other munition and meanes requisit for a warlike expedition shortly to be taken in hand We in the meane while having staied a while on this side the mountaine Taurus in our comming by commandement toward the parts of Italie made hast untill we drew neere to the river Hebrus that runneth downe from the Odrysian hils and there we received the princes letters commaunding us without all excuse making to returne into Mesopotamia that without any officers attendance where wee were to take charge of no dangerous expedition now that all the power of commaund was transferred unto another a thing plotted and contrived by these busie polititians and pragmaticall Statists about the Emperour of purpose that in case the Persians frustrate of their expectation retyred into their owne countrey this should be reputed a doubtie piece of service exploited by the new captaine but if fortune otherwise should come adverse and crosse an imputation of treason to the State might be layed upon Vrsicinus Being thus without all reason tossed to and fro after we had stood doubtfull a good while what to do we returned found Sabinianus full of disdaine a man of meane stature base minded and of small courage hardly able without shamefull feare to abide the light noise of a companie met at a feast much lesse the rustling and clattering of an armie in battaile howbeit because the discoverers sent out in espiall affirmed most constantly the fugitives avouched no lesse That the enemies made hote preparation every way whiles this silly fellow idle and slouthfull as he was slept his businesse we approched Nisibis readie to provide good and necessarie meanes for feare least the Persians making no semblance at all of siege should surprise the citie at unawares CHAP. VIII The Persians with a great power make an excursion upon the Romanes with varietie of fortune as commonly it is seene NOw whiles within the walls every thing with all speed was putting in readinesse we might discover smoke and light fires all the way along from Tigris by Castra Maurorum by Sisara and the rest of the marches even to the very citie shining more thicke than usually they had done and that continually an evident proofe that the enemies having passed over the river were broken forth and fell to wast and spoile the countrey Whereupon least the passages should be intercepted with a running march we made speed forward and when we were come within two myles we espied a well-favoured boy with a chaine about his necke and as we guessed eight yeres of age pitifully crying in the middest of an high way the sonne as he said himselfe of a free-borne gentleman whom his mother when in a terrible affright for the enemies so neere at hand she fled being encumbered with other carriage for hast left all alone behind her This child whiles I at my captaines commandement who tooke pitie of him and was much moved at the sight carrie before me upon my horse and bring backe unto the citie the Brigands having cast a trench and tampier round about the circuit of the wals ranged at randon all abroad And for that I was terrified with the troubles and calamities that commonly follow siege after I had set down the boy within a posterne gate halfe shut with all the speed I could make I returned all windlesse for hast toward the regiment of our men as they marched there I escaped hardly of being taken For when a wing of our enemies horsemen followed after one Abdigidus a Tribune as he fled with his camp-slave and having overtaken the said servant now that his master was by flight slipt away had asked him as I passed in great hast by Who was appointed to be the Iudge or Governour and heard how Vrsicinus who a little before had entred the citie was going toward the mountain Izalla and therewith slaine the partie who answered them to a thing that they never demaunded a number there were which pursued us in hote chase and never rested whom after I had out-stript such was the fleet pace of my horse under mee and found our men laid securely along at their ease hard by Amudum a weake hold whiles their horses were scattered here and there about at their forage I stretched forth mine arme at length and swinging the skirt of my cassocke on high round about my head by this usuall signe shewed That the enemies were at hand and so joyning with them rode amaine with my horse readie by this time to tyre Now the thing that terrified us was the full Moone shining all night long and the flat levell and plaine fields not able to affoord us if we had been distressed and put to our shifts any borough to shelter us as where there was not a tree nor shrub to be seen nor aught at all besides short grasse and low weeds This stratageme therefore was devised namely to set upon an horse backe a burning lampe and to tie the same fast about him for falling and so to let him as he caried the same go loose by himselfe without a rider and take the left hand way whiles we in the meane time marched toward the mountaine tops situate on the right to this end that the Persians weening it to be a tallow linke giving light before the captaine softly marching might take their course that way especially which if wee had not fore-seene wee should have beene taken prisoners and brought in subjection to our enemies Being escaped out of this danger when we were come to a certain woodie place set with vines and apple-trees named Meiacarire so called of cold fountaines now that all the inhabitants were slipt away and gone wee found in a nouke remote farre out of the way one souldior lying hid alone by himselfe who being presented unto our captain after he had faltred in his speech for feare so that his words hung not together and was therefore suspected being further affrighted with menaces revealeth the whole truth sheweth That he was borne at Paris in Gaule that whiles he served in a troupe of horsemen and was afraid to be punished for a foule fact in times past committed he fled his countrey and turned Persian and since that time being for his honest behavior and cariage well approved wedded a wife begat children and sent as a spie into our parts related many a time true tidings but now
we related before were fled into a fort named Vaccatum Then the day following according as the place wold permit we encamped in an even valley enclosed round about within the circuit as it were of a wall all save one place to goe forth at and the same lying open with sharpe stakes pitched on every side and standing out in maner of so many sword points And when the enemies saw this out of the woods and forests they let flie at us sundrie sorts of dartes and casting weapons reviling us also in reproachfull tearmes as perfidious traitors and murderers of a most valorous and excellent Prince for they had heard as the very fugitives reported by occasion of an headlesse rumor that ran abroad how Iulian was slain by the hand and weapon of a Roman In the end also certaine cornets of horsemen having broken through the s gate Praetoria were so bold herewith as to come neere unto the verie Princes pavilion but after many of their own side slaine were repulsed with maine force Being gone from thence the next night after we entred upon Charcha a place in this regard safe for that by reason of the high banks of the rivage being by mans hand raised to the end that the Saracens might not from thenceforth over-runne Assyria there was not one as before time that trobled our squadrons in their march And when as on these verie Kalends of Iulie we had marched thirtie stadia and drew neere to a citie named Duâ—a by reason that our horses were wearie their riders in the hindmost taile going on foot had forth with beene environed by a multitude of Saracens and slaine everie man but that the more vigorous and lighter appointed troupes of our horsemen rescued them in daunger Now the reason why wee were thus infested and troubled with the Saracens was for that being debarred by Iulian to receive as in times past many salaries and gifts and making thereof complaint unto him they could get no other answer but this That a warlike and vigilant Commaunder used to have yroâ— and not gold CHAP. IX The Roman souldiors wearied with so often assaults of the Persians instantly crave leave notwithstanding Iovianus stood against it to passe over Tigris whom for all that they wrestled with hunger Sapor feared IN this place so obstinatly persisted the Persians in molesting us we spent and lost foure dayes For marched we forward at any time they followed us hard at heeles and with their many provocations drew us backe made we a stand as prest to fight they would by little and little retyre and thus vexe us with long delayes And now by this time as usually meere forged rumors are wont to give content unto those that feare the worst by occasion of a flying report That the frontiers of our limits were not farre off the armie with open mouth called importunatly to have leave graunted for to passe over Tigris Against whom the Empâ—â—our and the great captaines opposing themselves and shewing how the river swelled now at the rising t of the Dog-staire praying them not to hazard their lives in the dauâ—gerous streame and whirlepooles thereof affirming that a number of them were unskilfull in swimming and adding moreover that the enemies foâ—ces had gained alâ—eadie on both sides the skirts of the river overflowne But when as he redoubled these reasons oftentimes and gainsaid them but all in vaine so that the souldiors crying out alowd in maine heat and big words threatened to doe their worst the Emperour made proclamation to stay the march and that the Gaules practised swimmers should first before all others take the river to the end that when they had been swallowed up or carried away with the mightie streame the wilfull stubbornesse of the rest might be daunted or if they had performed the deed safely the passage might on all hands be attempted more boldly And to this businesse were fit men chosen such as from their childhood had beene enured to swim over the greatest rivers of all others in their own native countries who taking advantage of the stil darke night being let forth at once as it were out at a casement sooner than a man would have thought raught the banke on the further sides and having troden under foot and cut in peeces many of the Persians who being then bestowed to keepe the coasts were in quiet securitie fast asleepe with holding up their hands and shooting of darts they gave signal how their adventure had taken effect and sped This being espyed a farre off our souldiors hoâ— set upon their passage stayed onely for this that the masters of the works promised to frame bridges of budgets or bottels made of the beasts hides that were slaine Which while these projects are gone in hand with and enterprised in vaine king Sapor both absent a far off and also when he was come neerer was advertised by the true reports of his discoverers sent out fugitives comming in what valiant acts our men had done what shameful foyles and overthrowes his owne had taken and that of Elephants there were more killed than the king could ever remember had bin before time also that the Roman armie hardened with uncessant travailes and paines after the death of their glorious Prince sought not as he gave it out to save their selves but to be revenged and were minded to end these instant dangers and painfull troubles either by an absolute victorie or by a memorable death In these regards he cast in his mind many and those fearefull consequences namely how our forces spread all over the provinciall nations might as he had experience thereof be assembled with a small watchword knowing also that his owne people after the losse of the greatest part of the common souldiors was sore dismayed and affrighted and finding withall that in Mesopotamia there was left an armie of the enemies behind not much lesser And above all these things that which daunted his perplexed and carefull mind was this That five hundred of their men swimming together at one time had passed in safetie over the river when it was risen high and having killed the Warders of the coasts stirred up the rest of their consorts to the like bold and hardie exploit Meane while when the surging and swelling waves would not suffer the said bridges to be framed and all things meet for meat were consumed our souldiors having spent two daies in a miserable case pinched with hunger and chafed with anger grew into a rage making hast to loose their lives like men by the edge of the sword rather than by famine the basest and most cowardly kind of death that is CHAP. X. The embassage of Sapor for the concluding and confirmation of a peace Iovianus for want of skilfull policie provideth badly for the Roman armie and whatsoever the embassadors of Sapor asked without any strife he yeeldeth to Vpon pledges on both sides taken that peace dishonourable to the Roman Empire and name
afterwards Procopius the author of all this proud and audacious rebellion was put to death and the adherents and complices of this faction cruelly executed this verie Tribune in regard of so noble an exployt keeping his life still and the place he had in warre-service dyed long after in Isauria stabbed and killed by a sort of robbing Brigands When Cyzicum was by this service laid open Procopius made hast thither after pardon graunted in generall to all those that had made resistance onely Serenianus he commaunded to be led bound unto Nicea and there kept in ward most straitly And forth with upon Ormisda a forward and ripe young gentleman the sonne of that noble Ormisda a Persian Prince of the bloud royall he conferred a Proconsulship with commission to manage after the manner of old time as well civile causes as warre affaires Who dealing mildly in his place according to his accustomed maner when he should have beene surprised and caught up in a sodaine incursion by those souldiors whom Valens had sent by the wilds and by-wayes of Phrygia with so vigorous a courage escaped that being once embarked he would never lye open to such doubtfull and daungerous chaunces and had away with him his wife that followed in safetie notwithstanding a cloud as it were of arrows flew all about when she was at the point to be taken prisoner a wealthy dame she was and nobly descended whose modest carriage and glorious constancie delivered her husband afterwards from extreame daungers Procopius upon the foresaid victorie vaunting himselfe above the condition of mortalitie and not knowing that any man be he never so happie to day with the turning of Fortunes wheele may once before evening become most miserable commanded the house of Arbetio full as it was by reason of those inestimable escheats which house before time he had spared as his owne as reckoning him for one of his owne complices and adherents to be rifled and ransacked cleane taking stomacke and indignation against him that being sent for sundrie times to come unto him hee alwayes made delayes alledging for his excuse the lets of old age and sicknesse And although for this cause he a presumptuous usurper might well feare some grievous inclination and turning of the ballance yet whereas he might now at his pleasure with the willing assent of all men there being none to make resistance have invaded the East provinces desirous all to see some new chaunge as irked with that rigorous and rough governement wherewith they were held under yet by lingering on and making longer stay for to allure unto him certaine cities of Asia and to chuse out skilfull miners for the getting of gold ore as those that might stand him in good stead against his wars which he expected would be many and great he became dull and blunt in manner of a keene and fine edged sword Like as in times past Pescennius Niger sent for oftentimes by the people of Rome to relieve and succour the hope of the State lying in extremitie whiles hee lingered a long time the invading of Syria was vanquished in the gulfe Issicum which is in Cilicia where Alexander defeated Darius and being put to flight died by the hand of a common souldior in a certaine Suburbe-village of Antiochia These were the acts that passed about mid-Winter whiles Valentinian and Valens were Consuls CHAP. XII Valens using the service of Arbetio an old experienced captaine draweth unto him many of Procopius his footmen and horsemen both At length Procopius himself bound in chaines by his owne men and brought unto Valens had his head stricken off and so buried quite the troubles of a civile war which was begun BVtwhen that most honourable magistracie was transferred to Gratianus as yet a privat person and to Dagalaiphus and the Spring began wherein all things gather strength Valens joyning unto him Lupicinus with strong auxiliaries speedily advaunced his ensignes towardes Pessinus a towne in times past of Phrygia and now of Galatia which when he had quickly fortified with a garrison least any unexpected accident might at unawares arise in those tracts he intended to take his journey by the foot of the high hill Olympus and the rough craggie lanes minding to set upon Gomoarius whiles he lay secure and negligent But crossed he was in this designe by many that jointly and resolutely agreed together upon this consideration especially That his enemie as hath beene related before by carrying about with him in a litter the little daughter of Constantius with her mother Faustina both in the way as he marched and also when battailes approched one another embattailed he enkindled the courage of the souldiors to the end that for this imperiall progenie whereto he sayd moreover that himselfe was linked they might fight more boldly Like as upon a time the Macedonians readie to strike a battail with the Illyrians placed their king as yet an infant in his swathling bands behind the armie raunged in battaile ray for feare of whom least he should be carried away captive they fought more valiantly and vanquished their enemies Against these craftie fetches the Emperour in sage policie to helpe the matter thus wavering and readie to reele tooke good order and exhorted Arbetio sometime Consull who this long time had lived privately to repaire unto him to the end that by the reverent regard of him a captaine under Constantius the rebels fell stomacke might be appeased And so it fell out in very deed For when he in yeares elder and in dignitie higher than all the rest shewed his reverend gray haires unto many that were otherwise enclined to perfidious trecherie he calling Procopius himselfe a trayterous rebell to the State but the souldiors that now followed his error sonnes and parteners with him in travailes and paines-taking long agoe requested them rather to follow him as a father knowne unto them for his most happie conducts than to be ruled by a lewd varlet who would even anon beforlorne and at point to take his finall overthrow Which being knowne Gomoarius when he might well ynough have deluded the enemies and returned safe to the place from whence he came taking the vauntage of the neere distance in pretence and colour of a captive passed over to the Emperours campe as if he had beene beset with the rode of a multitude that he suddainely espied Vpon this good successe Valens marched on with a running campe toward Phrygia and neere unto Nacolia when they were come to joyne battaile the captaine of the adverse side Agilo at the very instant of a doubtfull fight by riding suddainely out of the ranke betrayed all and in imitation of him a number of others now shaking their javelins and swords goe over to the Emperour bearing their banners and shields reversed a most manifest signe of revolt This being once seene besides all mens expectation Procopius perceiving himselfe cut off from all meanes of escape betooke him to his heeles and ran
bodie and words from his mouth in a chiding accent delivered he stayeth them and laboureth with bold standing to it a long time to wipe away so shamefull a dishonour was wounded mortally with a dart and so dyed After whose death the banner of the Eruli and Batavi was caught away which the barbarous enemies leaping and dauncing with many a friske erected often and shewed on high but after great conflicts it was recovered againe When knowledge was taken with exceeding great sorrow of this overthrow Dagalaiphus to make amends for this dishonourable foile was sent from Paris But whiles he a long while trifled out the time and alledged That himselfe was not able to set upon the barbarous enemies so scattered and spred in sundrie parts and was soone after sent for to take upon him the dignitie of a Consull together with Gratian who as yet was but a privat person Iovinus Generall of the Cavallarie addressed himselfe to this businesse and being well appointed and readie in battaile ray having a most watchfull and warie eye to both the sides of his armie as it marched drew neere unto a place named Scarpona where sodainely and unlooked for he surprised the greater multitude of the sayd Barbarians before they were armed and in the turning of an hand flew them everie one This worthy and notable captaine leading forth his souldiors rejoycing for this glorious battaile which cost them no losse of bloud for to defeat likewise the other companie behind and marching softly on was enformed by a trustie espial That the forces of these spoyling brigands having rifled the villages neere at hand rested hard by a river and approaching then anone and lying close hidden in a darke vale set thick with groves and woods beheld how some of them were washing and bathing themselves others busie in colouring the hayre of their heads yellow and making the same shine like gold as their manner is and some againe drinking garaus Thus having met with a verie seasonable time of advantage all on a sodaine he gave the signal by sound of trumpet and brake into the campe of these robbers The Germans on the contrarie side in bragging wise rapping out nothing but vaine sounds and noyses of threats were not permitted the conquerour pressed so hard upon them either to make readie their armes and weapons scattered here and there or to put themselves in order of battaile nor so much as to plucke up their spirits and resume strrength A number therefore of them pierced through with javelins and swords were slaine besides those who ran away and with good footmanship gat into the crooked and narrow lanes and there hid themselves Iovinus now fleshed and more emboldened with this happie exployt which vertue and fortune together had atchieved leading on his souldiors and sending out before a diligent scout-watch to discover the coasts made hast with a running campe to charge upon the third regiment of them which remained And having sped himselfe apace in this journey he found them all neere to the Catelauni most readie to joyne battaile When as therefore he had encamped himselfe within a rampier in a place convenient and as the time would give leave refreshed his men with meat and sleepe at the verie dawning of the day he arraunged his armie displayed at large with politique skill in an open plaine to the end that the Romans inferiour in number yet equall in puissance taking up so large a ground might seeme to match the enemies in multitude When as therefore the trumpets had sounded the battaile so that they began to fight close hand to hand the Germans affrighted with the strange sight of our glittering banners stood still Who being for a while daunted but soone after taking heart again so that the conflict held unto the end of the day our men with great force pressing hard upon them had gained the honour of a brave day without any losse at all but that Balcobaudes Tribune of the b Armaturae a man made altogether of big words but cowardly withall when as now the evening came on reculed in disorder whom if the rest of the cohorts had followed and gone away the matter would have growne so farre forth to an heavie issue that there could not possibly one have remained alive to tell what had beene done But our souldiors standing to it with resolute and fierce courage quit themselves so well with strength of armes that having sore wounded foure thousand of the enemies they left other six thousand dead in the place but they themselves lost not of their fellows above two hundred and two hundred likewise and no more were hurt Thus therefore when by the nights comming the battaile was ended and the wearied bodies of our men refreshed our brave leader toward day-light having stretched forth his armie in forme of a foure square battaile and found that the barbarous enemies taking vantage of the darkenesse were secretly slipped away and gone secure of any ambushments followed through the open champian grounds and easie plaine wayes riding over them as they lay along halfe dead who by reason that the sharpe cold aire drew their wounds together were killed with extremitie of paine After this when hee had gone further in his returne finding no enemie he learned that the king of those regiments of the enemies with some few taken by the c Hastarij whom himselfe had sent out another way to ransacke the tents of the Alemans was hanged on a gibbet Hereupon in his anger he purposed to punish the Tribune that durst doe such a deed without the advice of an higher power and verily had condemned him but that it appeared by evident proofes that this foule and cruel fact was committed in the souldiors hot bloud After this as he returned toward Paris upon the exploiting of this brave service the Emperour with great joy met him and afterwards named and elected him Consull and this I assure you augmented the measure of his joy For that the verie same time he had received the head of Procopius sent over to him from Valens Besides all this there were many other skirmishes fought lesse worthy the relation in sundrie tracts of Gaule which here to set down were superfluous labour considering that neither the proofe and issue thereof brought any great matter of gaine and importance nor beseeming it is to draw our an hystorie in length by such base and slight particulars CHAP. II. A portenteous prodigie seene in the town Pistoriensis presaging bloudie seditions as Rome especially and that among the Christians for the strife and contention of Damasus and Vrsicinus about the bishopricke AT this time or a little bfore there appeared a strange and portenteous sight in Thuscia d Annonaria and what might the end and effect thereof be the skilfull and learned in such prodigious signes were altogether ignorant For in the towne Pistoriensis neere the third houre of the day in the sight of many an Asse
are Scythians be most skilfull souldiors Now the Alani in manner all be tall of stature and faire of complexion their haire meetly yellow with the cast of their eyes that yeeld a temperat sternenesse terrible and by reason of their light armour swift and nimble Equall and sutable to the Hunnes in all respects save that in their feeding and apparell more civile they be than they ....... in swimming and hunting raunging over the countries as farre as to the meeres of Maeotis the Cimmerian Bosphorus Armenia likewise and Media And like as quiet and peaceable men take pleasure in rest and ease so delight they in daungers and warres Happie is that man reputed there who in battaile hath lost his life For such as dye by age and other accidentall death they revile and reproach with bitter taunts as base and cowardly Neither is there any thing that they glorie and vaunt more of than the killing of some man or other And instead of glorious spoyles when they have slaine any off go their heads the skinnes they flea and use them instead of trappings for their great horses of service There is not a temple or chappell to be seene among them nor a shrine nay a man shall not see there so much as a cottage thatched over head with straw But after a barbarous rite and ceremonie there is a naked sword sticking fast in the ground and the same in lieu of Mars the President and Prelate of those countries which they raunge about they adore with much devotion A wonderfull device they have to presage and foreknow things by For the women gathering the streightest wands and rods they can get and looking wistly upon them at a fore-set time and with certaine secret charms and enchauntments know evidently what is imported All of them as descended of gentle bloud in times past knew not what servitude meant And even at this day they chuse those for their Iudges and Rulers who for their long practise and experience in the warres be of approoved worth But now returne we to that which remaineth of our intended hystorie CHAP. III. Sundrie nations of the Gothes through the puissance of the Hunnes partly vanquished and driven out of their native habitations and partly smitten withfeare having seized the bankes of Danubius crave ayd of Valens and quiet habitation WEll then the Hunnes after they had over-run the countries of the Alani who confining upon the Geuthungi are by custome called Tanaitae and both slaine and spoyled many upon a faithfull covenant of concord and unitie joyned in league and confederacie with the rest and thus presuming more confidently upon their association they boldly and with sodaine violence brake into the goodly large and plenteous territories of Ermenrichus a most warlike king and for his many and sundrie valiant exploits dread unto the neighbouring inhabitants Who being strucken with the force of this unexpected storme although he held out a long time as one resolved and able to abide yet considering there went a brute commonly abroad that made the terrour of imminent calamities more and more still the feare of so great daungers he quieted and ended with voluntarie death after whose decease Vithimiris created king withstood for a while the Alani as trusting upon the ayd of other Hunnes whom for money he had waged to side with him But after many overthrowes and losses which he sustained his fortune was by fine force to be vanquished in the field and there to end his life The charge of whose little sonne named Viderichus Alatheus and Saphrax experienced captaines and for their valiant and trustie hearts well knowne undertooke as guardians and protectors Who being prevented by the straitnesse of time when they had cast from them all hope and confidence of resistance departed and came to the river Danastus which runneth a great way along the champian fields betweene Ister and Broysthenes Then Athanaricus the Iudge and Ruler of the Theruingi against whom as hath beene sayd before Valens a good while since had bent his forces for sending aid unto Procopius advertised how these occurrents fell out otherwise than it was hoped and looked for assayed to make good his ground and to stand upon his guard readie to rise up in armes in case he also as the rest were put to it and provoked In conclusion when he had commodiously encamped his forces within a rampier neere unto the bankes of the river Danastus and the same extended along the vale Vngorius he sent Munderichus Lord Warden of the Marches afterward in Arabia together with Lagarimanus and other noble personages twentie myles off to lye in espiall and to discover the enemies comming whiles himselfe in the meane time without the molestation of any man raunged his armie in battaile ray But it fell out farre otherwise than he thought it would For the Hunni as they are a people in their conjectures quicke and wittie suspecting there was some great multitude of enemies lying farther off letting them alone whom they saw and who because no man stood in their way betooke themselves to their quiet rest so soone as the Moone shewed her selfe and dispatched the darkenesse of the night passed over the river at a fourd and chose that piece of service which made most for their behoofe But fearing least some fore-running discoverer might skare those that kept aloofe they made what speed they could and directly advaunced against Athanaricus himselfe Who being amazed at the first brunt and impression after he had lost some of his men was constrained by the enemies to make all the hast he could for his succour to the high mountaines Vpon this strange accident and for feare of some greater mischiefe to ensue he was put to his trumpes And so from the edge of the mountaine Gerazus unto Danubius passing along the territories of the Taifali he erected wals higher than ordinarie and with speedie diligence having furnished the battlements and cope thereof he thought thereby to provide the better for his securitie and safetie And whiles the worke went up with effectuall diligence the Hunnes made quicke speed after him and now had they at their suddaine comming surprised him but that loaden with the heavie burthen of their booties they gave over their pursuit But when the fame was spread all abroad over the rest of the Gothicke nations That a strange and unknowne kind of people before time now rushing in violently as a whirlewind from the high mountaines but risen from out of a secret nouke was readie to ruinate and destroy all before them the greater part of the multitude which for want of necessaries had forsaken Athanaricus sought to plant themselves in some place far remote from the knowledge of the Barbarians And deliberating a long time with themselves What seat to chuse they thought that Thracia was a meet countrey to receive and entertaine them and that for two reasons both for that it is a most fruitfull soyle and also because by the
appointed as you may read in Ausonius Quis Mirmilloni componitur aequimanus Thrax See more of these in Sueton. Caligula n A Tribune here is called Vacans namely such an one as was enrolled extraordinarily and not promoted thereto by degrees of service These also as well as others placed in any dignitie after that maner by other authors are expresly tearmed Ascripti and Ascriptitij For thus writeth Ael Lampridius in Alexandro Severo Nec quâ—mqua passus est esse in Palatinis nisi necessarios homines iureiur ando deinde constrinxit ne quem ascriptum id est vacantem haberet ne annonis rempub gravaret Also Terbellius Pollio in Balista where Valerianus the Emperour in a letter unto Balista seemeth to joy that by his counsell nullum ascriptitium i. vacantem haberet Tribunum nullum stipatorem qui non verè pugnaret But take this for my conjecture onely as touching Tribunus vacans I will gladly yeeld to him that shall bring a more probable reason of this tearme o Dion writeth That Augustus admitted certain Batavian horsemen to keepe residence in Rome within campe How ever Tranquillus Suetonius affirmeth that hee allowed no more than three cohorts to harbour within the citie and those sine castris But it seemeth that by occasion of many strangers conflowing to Rome who could not be received in the hostelries and ordinarie Innes there was a certaine place assigned by it selfe for their lodging called therupon Castra peregrina or Peregrinorum And of this opinion is Guidus Pancirolus de 1â— Regionibus urb Rom. Annotations and conjectures upon the seventeenth Booke a BRasmatiae or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist de mundo are those earthquakes which shake the earth upward and downeward ad angulos rectos so called of the resemblance of water boyling 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. to seeth or boile up b Clinatiae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as I guesse because they bend sidelong or Climatiae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. pervertere vel diruere as Marcellus Donatus thinketh c Chasmatiae of Chasma in Greeke which signifieth a gaping or wide chinke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to gape Aristotle maketh mention of them De mundo d Mycematiae or rather Mycetiae as Aristotle tearmeth them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. to bellow to loow or roare e Donative was a largesse or liberalitie bestowed upon the souldiors by the Generall or upon the people by the Prince f Cicero in his second booke de Divinatione writeth thus It is reported that in the territories of the Tarquinienses when an husbandman ploughed the ground and tooke one deeper stitch than the rest there started up out of the earth on a sodaine this Tages and spake unto the said Plough-man now this Tages as is found written in the Tuscane bookes seemed in personage and countenance a verie child but for wisedome was equall to the aged who being affrighted at this sodaine sight cryed out in so much as out of all Tuscane the people flocked soone thither And then Tages uttered many speeches in the hearing of them all which they noted and put in writing and this his speech contained the whole knowledge and learning of Soothsaying Ovid also in his Metamorphos writeth of him But it is like he was some base and obscure fellow who by his impostures deceived the world professing as he did the art of Divination Annotations and conjectures upon the eighteenth Booke a LVstrum was the space of foure yeares after which time complet there was a solemne review and cessing holden at Rome and the citie by a Sacrifice purged with sundrie other ceremoniall complements almost duely observed in everie revolution of such a tearme of yeares whereunto peradventure our author alludeth it was so ordinarie a thing in Constantius his Court which he tearmeth Castra by a word borrowed of warfare to have these alterations and chaunges like as at everie Lustrum new Magistats as Censors c. b Diribitores otherwise called Distributores were certaine persons imployed in tendering unto the Romane citizens certaine little tablets as they went to give their voyces at their solemne elections of Magistrats therein to write their affirmative or negative There were also of this denomination the Paymasters of wages to souldiors in an armie Coelius Rhodigin c Homer in his ninth tenth and eleventh bookes of his Poem Odyssea faineth how Vlysses held these Phaeaces upon whose land he was cast by tempest with a long discourse and narration of his travels In imitation of whom Virgil bringeth in his Aeneas making the like reports unto Queene Dido The silent audience of the Phaeaces Homer expresseth in this verse eftsoones repeated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d Tricesimani were souldiors picked out of the thirtieth legion e Fortenses A companie of souldiors auxiliarie so called of Fortia a towne in Sarmatia Asiatica f Superventores Companies of souldiors placed apart from the bodie of the armie or battel readie to come upon the enemies forcibly on a sodaine whiles they are otherwise emploied or secure g Praeventores Companies of souldiors keeping likewise apart from the maine armie or battel readie to prevent the enemies or gaine a place before them h Iam Comite For having beene one of the guard called Protectores before he now became a captaine and had the charge of a regiment and was dignified also with the name Comâ—s Annotations and conjectures upon the 19 Booke a THese solemne holy-daies and feasts were kept for memorial of Adonis the darling of Venus slaine by a wild boare in hunting in the month of Iuly what time Fruges sunt adultae corne is ripe i Siccitas i. drought I suppose he meaneth heat the active qualitie for drinesse being a passive qualitie is not so powerfull And that he meaneth heat it may appeare by the Plague in the Greeke campe and armie before Troy occasioned by the arrowes of Apollo i. the Sunne Homer Ilia α. k By this straunger or guest is meant Paris who tooke away Helena the wife of Menelaus for which indignitie and wrong arose that warre and siege which continued tenne yeares l Of this Pestilence yee may read more in Thucidides lib. 2. and in Lucretius lib. 6. where it is described verie pathetically and to the life and in manner word for word out of Lucretius m Leviores I suppose he meaneth acutiores i. more quicke and sharpe n o p In putting downe these names of maladies we are to observe that Marcellinus although he was a souldior and out of his owne element yet speaketh not unproperly nor doth exorbitate from the doctrine of Hippocrates Galene and the rest who among these vulgar diseases called here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 allow some to be Epidemij simply not pestilenciall but such as kill for the most part to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and pestilenciall q Rhesus was King of Thracia and came to aid the Trojanes against the Greekes who together with his horses were the first night they came
that he might lay upon the shoulders of his concurrent now absent and whom it grieved him not a little to continue still quiet the charge of a weightie and dangerous affaire The Clerke or Master of the princes sumpter-horses and carriages named Dynamius had requested of him commendatorie letters unto divers of his friends as one that would seeme most inward unto him and of his familiar acquaintance Having obtained this request for the other suspecting no harme had simply graunted it he kept the letters by him therby to worke some mischiefe in time convenient Whiles therefore the Colonell aforesaid was employed for the good of the Common-wealth in traversing the countrey up and downe in Gaule and repelling the Barbarians distrusting themselves already put in feare the same Dynamius being of a stirring and vnquiet spirit like unto a wilie fox and practised in deceit deviseth a godlesse and fraudulent plot having as an abettor under hand and privie thereunto as the flying rumors went Lampadius the Praefect and Eusebius who had been Treasurer f of the Exchequer and was commonly knowne by the sirname of Mattiocopa together with Aedilius late Master g of the Rolls or Records whom the said Praefect had taken order for to bee substituted Consuls as his neerest friends and having with a spunge wiped out the rewes of the letters and left the subscription onely untouched he writeth above it another text farre different from the true and originall copie to this effect as if Silvanus in darke tearmes requested and exhorted his friends conversing within the palace or living private among whom was Thuscus Albinus also and many more to aid him now enterprising higher matters and intending shortly to climbe up to the imperiall throne Thus plotted hee this counterfeit packe at his pleasure meaning thereby to endanger the life of the innocent man Now was Dynamius also appointed as chiefe Commissioner to search into these matters for the Emperor who craftily working and contriving these and such like things entreth alone into the most inward and privie roome of the Consistorie hoping by taking advantage of his time to bind fast ynough the right watchfull keeper of the Emperours life and estate And after he had read in the Consistorie the contents of the said letters so craftily and cunningly patched together the Tribunes were commanded to ward and those private persons to be brought out of the provinces whose names the letters imported And streightwaies Malarichus Captaine of the companie or band of Gentiles calling to him his colleagues tooke on exceedingly and cryed out That men employed in the State and appointed to place of command ought not thus to be circumvented through factions and cunning casts he requested withall That himselfe leaving as pledges his neerest allies and deerest friends and having Mallobaudes Tribune or Captaine of the Armature his suretie to undertake for him that he should speedily returne might have commission to goe and bring with him Silvanus who had not gone about once to attempt any such matter as those most bitter wait-layers had raised of him or on the other side he promising the like for his part besought that Mallobaudes might be suffered to take a speedie journey and himselfe would performe as much as he undertooke For he protested thus much of his owne assured knowledge that in case any stranger were sent of this errand Silvanus a man of his owne nature very timorous even where there was no matter of great feare might happily worke some trouble in the quiet State And albeit the advise he gave was expedient and necessarie yet spake he as it were to the winds in vaine For through the counsaile of Arbetio sent there was with letters to call him Apodemius a cankred enemie of long time to all good men who lighting upon the prince in Gaule and swerving from the directions agreed upon and given unto him at his setting forth without sight of Silvanus or warning him by deliverie of letters to come there remained and joyning unto him an Auditor or Receiver as if the said Colonell of the Footmen had beene alreadie out of protection and at the point to bee put to death in very hostile rage abused his tenants retainers and servants In this time neverthelesse whiles the presence of Silvanus was hoped for and Apodemius troubleth the peace Dynamius that hee might by a stronger argument maintaine the truth of his wicked plot dispatched other letters made of purpose agreeable in all points to those which he had presented unto the Emperour by the Pręfect unto the Master of the Worke house or Forge at h Cremona in the name of Silvanus and Malarichus by which the said Master was put in mind as one privie unto their secret designes to provide all things with expedition Who having read the same sticking and doubting a good while what this should meane for he remembred not that these persons whose letters he had received ever communed with him about any such secret businesse returneth the very same missives by the carrier who brought them and a souldior with him unto Malarichus praying him to explaine his meaning openly and not to write in so darke tearmes for he assured him that himselfe being somewhat rude and a simple man understood not what was so obscurely signified unto him Malarichus when hee had quickly found out thus much being even then sorrowfull and sad and grievously bewailing the hard hap both of himselfe and of Silvanus his countryman taking to him the Frankes who flourished in numbers at that time in the palace spake now more boldly and made an uprore for that the traine laid and the faiterous plot was come to light by which it must needs be graunted that their bloud was sought These matters beeing knowne the Emperour gave order whiles those of the i Consistorie and all the men of warre in generall considered of the businesse there should be further enquirie and search made And when the Iudges had ynough thereof and began to loath the thing Florentius the sonne of Nigrianus in place then of under k Master of the Offices viewing diligently the writing and finding certaine remaines of the old prickes or accents over the letters perceived then that of the former contents new furbished there was another made farre different from the tenor of that which Silvanus had endited and the same set to in lieu thereof according to the will and pleasure of a packe of false forgers Therefore after this mist of fraud and deceit was scattered and dispatched the Emperour being truely enformed by a faithfull relation made unto him commaundeth the Praefect after he was deprived of his authoritie to be brought judicially into question and have his triall accordingly but by the painefull travaile and consent of many he was acquit As for Eusebius late Treasurer of the princes Exchequer being stretched on high upon the racke he said
of Gaule inclined to revolt Constantius not able to undergoe the charge minding to take Iulian to him as his companion in the Empire is hindered by flatterers but in the end declareth Iulian his Colleague and investeth him in the purple Robe with exceeding applause of the whole armie AS for Constantius disquieted he was with newes continually reporting how Gaule was now in a desperate case while the barbarous enemies made wast and spoyle of all killing and sleying in every quarter and no man there was to withstand them Now as he tossed to and fro in his mind what force to use for the repressing of these troubles resiant still himselfe in Italie as he desired for he thought it a matter of danger to thrust himselfe into parts farre remote he hit at length upon the right way and meanes to effect the same and it came in his mind to joyne with him as companion in the Empire his cousin germane Iulianus not long since sent for and brought out of Achaia and even yet in his students cloake or gaberdine When he had upon the urgent occasion of so many imminent calamities bewrayed thus much to his favourites and friends next about him shewing in plaine tearmes That himselfe but one shrunke now which hee never had done before under the burthen of so many necessities and troubles comming so thicke upon him they beeing throughly taught how with excessive flatterie to beare him up foolified and gulled the man telling him ever and anone That there was nothing in the world so adverse and difficult but his powerfull vertue and heavenly fortune together were able as ever heretofore to overcome and many of them pricked in conscience for their offences committed said thus much moreover That he was from henceforth to beware of the name of Caesar rehearsing therewith the lewd parts committed under Gallus Against whom labouring hard upon this point the Queene alone opposed her selfe were it for very feare to flit into so farre countries or that in her own naturall wit and wisedome she thought it good policie for the State I wote not but she said That a kinsman ought to bee preferred before all other And after much debating of the matter by way of deliberation to and fro this resolution stood firme and so setting aside all frivolous and bootlesse disputations hee fully determined to take unto him Iulianus as his compartener in the imperiall governement Now when he was sent for and come at the day prefixed the Emperour after all the companies of fellow souldiors there present were called together and a Tribunall erected upon an high banke above which stood the maine standerds of Eagles and other ensignes he mounted up unto it and holding Iulianus by the right hand thus by way of a mild and gentle speech began to say Here stand we before you right valorous defendors of the Weale publique to maintaine in manner all with one breath and spirit the common cause which I being to plead as it were before equall Iudges will briefely declare unto you After the death of rebellious tyrants whom rage and furie moved and egged on to attempt these designes which they proiected the Barbarians as if they meant with Romane bloud to sacrifice unto their wicked Manes invade Gaule and over-run it having broken the peace of the marches encouraged upon this confidence and assured persuasion that extreame necessities bind us fast ynough by occasion of lands so farre dis-ioyned asunder This mischiefe therefore which incrocheth alreadie beyond the frontiers hard adioyning if while time permitteth our helpe and yours together after consultation had shall ioyntly with one accord meet with both the neckes of these prowd nations will not swell so big and the bounds also of our Empire shall remaine entire It resteth now that the hope of our affaires which I doe conceive yee also strengthen with fortunate effect This Iulianus here mine unckles sonne by the fathers side well approoved as yee know well ynough for his modestie in regard whereof as well as of neerenesse in bloud he is deare unto us a young gentleman of industrious action which alreadie appeareth in him I wish to ioyne with me in the place and power of a Caesar Which motion of mine if you thinke the same profitable and expedient is to be confirmed also by your graunt and allowance As he was about to say more to this effect the assembly interrupting his speech in gentle manner stayed him saying in a fore-knowledge as it were of the future consequence That this was the will and choice of mightie Iupiter and not of mans wit and understanding And the Emperour standing still without stirring untill they were silent went more confidently through with the rest of his speech For as much as quoth he your ioyfull acclamation sheweth that there is a correspondencie of your favourable assent let the young gentleman endued with a peaceable vigour and whose temperate behaviour is to be imitated rather than commended rise up to this honour seconded with your fortunate favour whose singular towardnesse instructed with good arts even herein me thinkes I have fully shewed in that I have chosen him Him therefore by the grace and present direction of the heavenly God will I clad in his princely robes This said he and soone after when he had put upon Iulian his grandfathers purple and declared him Caesar with the joy of the armie he speaketh unto him somewhat sad and carrying a demisle and lowly looke in this manner Thou hast in thy prime brother mine and the most loving brother that ever I had recovered the glorious flower of thy parentage and originall augmented I confesse is mine owne glorie who take my selfe more truly advaunced by conferring a superiour power upon a noble prince of mine owne bloud than by the soveraigne power it selfe which I enioy Come on therefore as partaker of paines and perils undertake the defence and service of Gaule as one readie by all bountifulnesse to ease the parts afflicted and if need require to ioyne battaile with the enemies stand to it with sure footing among the very ensigne-bearers themselves a considerate exhorter and encourager to adventure in due time by leading the way with advised warinesse heartening and emboldening them that fight with succours and supplies strengthening those that be troubled and in disarray in modest tearms rebaking the slouthfull a present and most true witnesse as well to the industrious souldior as to the idle coward Therefore as urgent service requireth on forth like a valiant Knight to lead likewise as hardie souldiors we will be assistant one to another in our turnes by course with firme and stedfast love serve we will together and another day if God graunt our request ioyntly governe the world with equall moderation and pietie You for your part shall be in all places even present with me and I againe in whatsoever you shall goe about will not bee wanting to you Hasten for my sake unto the highest
discomfite and scatter the nations that had layed their heads together and banded themselves to worke the Romanes mischiefe and how to foresee that his armie like to raunge divers waies wanted not victuals As he pondered and carefully cast these matters in his mind a multitude of enemies giveth an attempt upon him mightily enstamed with hope to win the towne and the more confident in this their enterprise because they had learned by the information of certaine fugitives that neither the band of the b Scutarij nor e Gentiles were there as being bestowedin sundry townships for their better feeding and diet When he had therefore shut the citie gates and fortified that part of the wall which was weake and undefensable himselfe in person together with the armed souldiers was usually seene both day and night among the bulwarkes and battlements in boyling heat of anger fretting to himselfe and gnashing his teeth That having many times gone about to sally and breake out upon the enemies he was ever checked and impeached by reason of the small forces that he had presently about him But in the end after thirtie daies the Barbarians went away ill appaied and sad mumbling softly to themselves That vainely and foolishly they had ever thought of besieging the citie Besides all this a thing that must be imputed as a great indignity whiles Caesar was in this jeopardie Marcellus Generall of the Horse who abode then but in the next stations drave off to aid him whereas albeit the citie had beene distressed without the princes beeing there it ought to have beene rescued and delivered from the calamities that follow a siege by making head againe with another power CHAP. II. The vertues of Iulianus beseeming a magnanimous prince Ammianus Marcellinus exactly describeth CAesar a prince right puissant and of wonderfull action was no sooner freed from this feare but in that constant carefulnes which he alwaies carried he provided for his souldiors that after their long travaile they might have some rest though but short yet sufficient to refresh their strength albeit those lands soulely out of order by reason of extreame want as having beene so often wasted affoorded but small meanes meet for the maintenance of life But when with watchfull diligence order was taken also in this behalfe his mind being lifted up with a sprinckling of more plentifull hope of prosperous successe he bent the same to the practise and performance of many worthie parts The first thing therefore that he did hard though it were was this that he enjoyned unto himselfe temperance and kept the same still living as if he had been tied to the d Sumptuarie lawes which being from the Oracles of Lycurgus that is to say The shing les or tables of wood called Axones brought over to Rome long time observed and beginning to grow out of use Sylla the Dictator by little and little restored making this account and that out of the prophesies or sage sayings of Democritus That Fortune setteth out a sumptuous and superfluous table bat Vertue a scant and frugall For Cato Tusculanus also who in regard of his severe and precise life came to be surnamed Censorius wisely defining of this point Great care thou hast quoth he of trim furniture and as great carelesnesse of vertue Furthermore reading continually as he did a little booke which Constantius sending his sonne in law to the Vniversitie had written with his owne hand setting down an order over-liberally What should be the expence of Caesars boord he expressely forbad That Fesant and the daintie meat made of the mother and udder of a young sow that newly farrowed should be called for and served up to the table as contenting himselfe with the course meat and such as came next to hand of a common labouring souldior Hereupon it happened that hee divided the nights according to a tripartite or threefold function For sleepe for affaires of State and for his booke a course that Alexander the Great as we read used to take But this our prince did the same more stoutly of the twaine For Alexander having a bason or pan of brasse set beneath by his beds side held with his arme stretched out of the bed a silver ball that as sleepe came upon him and had let loose the stiffe sinewes of his joints by the ringing sound that the said ball made when it fell downe he might breake off his sleepe But Iulian without any such devise or meanes wakened as oft as he would and rising alwaies at midnight not out of a featherbed or from under coverings of silke glittering againe with sundrie bright colours but from a quilt or tapistrie carpet spred on the ground or some homely rugge which the simple common people tearme Susurna secretly did his devotions and prayed unto Mercurie who as we are taughtout of the learning of Theologie is the swift intelligence of the world stirring up the motion of our minds and in so great want of things upon sure advertisements provided for the Commonweale After which high and serious businesses ended he turned himselfe to the exercise of his wit and a man would not beleeve with how great and ardent desire in seeking after the profound knowledge of principall matters and in gathering together certaine forage and stoovet as it were for to feed his mind climbing up still unto higher points of learning he by way of wise disputation ran through all parts of Philosophie But yet how effectually and fully soever he got the furniture hereof he did not cast at his heeles the meaner sciences as having an indifferent good insight into Poetrie and Rhethoricke as may appeare by the uncorrupt elegance and mildnesse of his Orations and Epistles joyned with gravitie as also into the manifold histories both of our owne and also of forraine acts Besides all this he was able to discourse and deliver his mind sufficiently in the Latine tongue If then it be true which divers writers report That king Cyrus Simonides the Lyricke Poet and Hippias Elêus that most quicke and eagre Sophister had excellent memories for that they attained thereto by drinking certaine medicines we are to thinke verily that this man also being then come to his full growth dranke up a whole tunne of Memorie if possibly it might any where be found And these truly were the nightly signes of his modest temperance and other vertues But as touching that which he delivered by way of gallant speech or pleasant conceit or how he behaved himselfe in the preparation for fight or in the very conflict of battaile it selfe as also what enormities in the civile State he resormed by his magnanimitie and the libertie that he tooke it shall be shewed particularly in due place Whē he was compelled being a student yet in Philosophie to exercise the first essayes and introductions to militarie knowledge as a prince learned the artificiall feat of footing with measures the warlike dance in armes to the musicke of
away because Bainobaudes a Tribune and Valentinian Emperour afterwards with troupes of horsemen which were in their regiment ordained for the execution of that charge were by Cella Tribune of the Scutarij who joyning with Barbatio came to that piece of service forbidden to observe that passage by which they had intelligence the Germanes would returne The Colonell of the footmen not content herewith beeing himselfe a coward and an obstinate backbiting depraver of Iulianus his glorious deedes knowing that himselfe had given that commaundement against the good of the Romanes for so much confessed Cella when he was charged with this point deceived Constantius in making relation thereof and he fained That these very same Tribunes came with a pretence of some publique negotiation of the state to sollicite the souldiors whom he had conducted For which cause being deprived of their place of commaund they returned home to their houses as privat persons At the same time the Barbarians who had seated themselves on this side Rhene affrighted with the comming of these armies some of them skilfully by hewing down mightie strong and big trees stopped up the waies quite which otherwise were hard to travaile in and of their owne nature full of steepe cliffes and well neere unpassable others having gotten the Islands lying thicke scattered along the river Rhene making a piteous yelling and howling rayled a good both at the Romanes and also at Caesar who beeing highly displeased and wroth for to catch and attach some of them craved of Barbatio seven of those shippes which hee as minding to passe over the river had provided to put and joyne together for bridges who because nothing might be obtained at his hands set them all on a light fire At the last advertised by the information of spies and discoverers newly taken prisoners that being now the hote season of Summer the river might be waded over after exhortation given he sent the auxiliarie light armed souldiors together with Bainobaudes Tribune or Captaine of the Cornuti with the favour of Fortune minding to atchieve a memorable exploit who one while wading through the shallow fourds and sometimes bearing themselves upon their shields in manner of troughes or small punts swam over to an Island neere by and being landed they killed all they found one with another without any regard of sex male or female and of age old or young as if they had beene so many sheepe Now after they had gotten to them some emptie boats rowing by the meanes of them tottering though they were they brake into many of such places and when they had their fill of slaughter being laden with rich spoyle a part whereof they lost by the violence of the river they returned all in safetie And upon the knowledge hereof the residue of the Germanes abandoning the Islands as an untrustie place of defence got away their wives children and dearest friends together with their corne and barbarous richesse unto places further remote CHAP. VIII A Fort named Tres-Tabernae he reedifieth Chonodomarius and Vestralpus Aleman kings after they had put to flight Barbatio Colonell of the Romane footmen and chased part of the armie with a puissant army sat them downe neere unto Argentoratum and by their embassadours insult over Iulianus CAesar turning from hence to the reedifying of Tres-Tabernae a fort so called not long since by the obstinate assault of the enemies destroyed which if it were once re-built sure he was that the Germans might be kept off from entring into the in-land parts of Gaule as they had wont he both finished this worke sooner than was looked for and laid up for one whole yeare for those that were to bee placed there to defend the place food sufficient which had beene gathered together by the souldiors hand not without feare of danger even out of the Barbarians harvests And verily not content herewith onely hee purveyed also for himselfe victuals to serve twentie dayes For these warriors the more willingly made use of that which they had gotten with their owne right hands as taking great snuffe and indignation because they could have nothing of that provision of corne which was newly brought unto them for that Barbatio when he passed hard by prowdly caught it up before hand and the residue which remained behind he layed upon an heape and burnt it every jot Which whether he did like a vaine and braine-ficke foole or boldly enterprised many wicked attempts by commaundement from the Emperour was not then knowne Howbeit this was bruited abroad in all places and rife in every mans mouth That Iulian was not chosen Caesar to give easement to the distressed state of Gaule but that hee might by most cruell warres there come to his end being then as it was thought but a fresh-water souldior and one that could not endure so much as the clattering noyse of armour Well whiles the worke about the sayd fort goeth apace forward whiles part of the souldiors maketh fore-fences abroad in the fields and others againe gather corne warily for feare of ambushments the barbarous multitude preventing with exceeding celeritie the rumour of their comming having violently on a suddaine set upon Barbatio and the armie which hee had the conduct of as hath beene said divided and severed from them by a Gaulish fortification and following them in chase as farre as to the Rauraci yea and further as long as they could after they had carried away the greatest part of their carriages labouring beasts and campe slaves returned home againe And he as if hee had performed a notable and fortunate expedition bestowed his souldiors here and there in their Wintering harbours and returned to the Emperours Court minding to frame an action and accusation against Caesar as his manner was readie at all times bitterly to assayle and vexe him When this foule foyle and terrour was once dispersed and spread abroad the Aleman kings Chonodomarius and Vestralpus Vrius also and Vrsicinus together with Secapio Suomarius and Hortarius assembling all their forces and power together into one place sat them downe neere unto Argentoratum supposing that Caesar was retyred for feare of utter extremitie whereas he continued still busily employed about the finishing of the fort abovesaid Now that which made them the bolder to beare their heads more confidently was a certaine false and fugitive Scutarius who fearing punishment for a crime committed fled unto them after the departure of his captaine put to flight and declared that there remained not above fifteene thousand armed men with Iulianus for that number indeed followed after whiles the fierce and cruell Barbarians were on every side set upon rage and furious fight Vpon whose constant avouching still of the same tale they were pricked on with boldnesse to dare greater matters and so sending their embassadours away imperiously ynough commaunded Caesar to depart out of those landes which they had conquered by their valour and at the swords point CHAP. IX Whiles
matter and cause of their brawles allayed were reconciled and growne to agreement and withall that most dishonourable departure of the Romane leader much encreased their pride and stoutnesse naturally in bred in them Likewise it went worse on the Romanes part by another meanes and that upon such an occasion and occurrent as this Two brethren there were of the bloud royall who being fast tied by vertue of that peace which they had obtained from Constantius durst neither raise any uprore nor so much as once stirre But within a while after when one of them named Gundomadus the greater person of the twaine and more firme of his word was by a traine murthered all his people conspired and banded with our enemies and presently withall the common sort also of Vandomarius his subjects as it was affirmed joyned themselves to the forces and regiments of the Barbarians that made warre Well when all the armie from highest to lowest gave their allowance that it was even then a convenient and meet time to joyne battaile and slacked nothing of their resolute minds fully bent to fight all on a suddaine the Standard-bearer cried out in these tearmes On foorth most happie and fortunate Caesar whither the kind favour of fortune leadeth thee By thee at length we have a sence of valour and militarie policie Advaunce forward and lead the way as a luckie and valiant warrior marching in the vaward hard before the standards Good proofe thou shalt have what souldiors in the sight of a warlike leader and an inseparable witnesse of service to be performed will be able upon these motives and encouragements to do in case it may please the God of heaven to assist them CHAP. X. The order of the Alemans armie and the principall commaunders thereof Iulianus a second time wisely encourageth as well his ownemen as strangers to give battaile WHen they heard this without any further respite or delay the whole armie marched on and approched an hill of a pretie height and easie ascent spred all over with standing corne now ripe and readie for harvest not farre distant from the edge or bankes of Rhene From the top whereof three horsemen of the enemies lying there in espiall rose up and readie to give notice suddainely that the Romane hoast was neere at hand made hast to their companie But one footman not able to follow was taken by the quicke pursute of our men who told us That the Germanes for three dayes and three nights together passed over the river whom when our leaders espied hard by arraunging themselves thicke and close together into squadrons they made a stand and stirred not a foot whiles the Antepilani i the Hastati and the formost of every ranke in the vaward stood firme and fast like a strong and insoluble wall and with semblable warinesse the enemies kept their ground and made no hast forward And when according as the foresaid fugitive had told they saw all the Cavallerie on the right side opposite unto them the very flower of their horsemen they bestowed thicke thronged together in the left wing and among them here and there they entermingled skirmishers and footmen lightly appointed For well they wist That an horseman of theirs though a skilfull souldior otherwise fighting with our man of armes in complete harneis whiles he holdeth his shield and reines of the bridle by shaking and casting his speare with one hand can doe no hurt unto a warriour hidden wholly under an yron armour of proofe but that a footman in the very point and heights of dangers when no man is wont to take heed of aught but that which commeth in his way and encountereth him as he creepeth close to the ground by digging into the horse side is able to throw the rider over his horse head ere he be aware and then may he with small adoe be killed Having marshalled the matter thus the right side of the battaile they flanked and made sure with secret and blind ambushments Now the chiefe leaders of all these warlike and fierce nations were Chonodomarius and Serapio in higher place of power and authoritie than the other kings And Chonodomarius verily the mischievous fire-brand of the whole warre with a flame-colour wreath or tassell fitted to his crest advaunced before and led the left wing a man bold and trusting upon his wonderfull strength of bone and brawne where the heat of battaile was looked for mounted on high upon a lustie frothing courser bearing with him a great breadth and bignesse of bulke with his launce in rest and that of a terrible bignesse all bravely to be seene in glittering armor both an hardie souldior aforetime and also a good leader above all others But the right side was conducted by Serapio even then a lustie gallant with tender downe growing on his cheekes but for action more forward than his yeares the sonne of Chonodomarius his brother Medericus a most perfidious wretch all his life time so called for that his father kept as an hostage or pledge a long time in Gaule and having learned certaine hidden Greeke mysteries changed the name of this sonne of his who originally at the first was cleped Agenarichus into Serapio After these followed kings or potentates next in power unto them in number five and princes of the bloud royall tenne also a great traine and ranke of nobles with five and thirtie thousand fighting men all armed levied out of sundry nations partly for wages and partly upon covenant and agreement to have the like service tendered unto them againe By this time terribly sounded the trumpers al'arme and then Severus a Romane leader who had the commaund of the left wing when he drew neere unto the trenches above said full of armed men from whence order had beene given afore that lying there close and hidden they should start up of a suddaine and breake the arraies he stood still without all feare being somwhat suspitious of blind ambushments hee attempted neither to recule backe nor to step forward any further Which when Caesar saw as he was courageous to enter upon the services of greatest danger guarded with a troupe of two hundred horse according as the heat of the service required and riding swiftly among the footmen where they stood embattailed he gave them comfortable words of encouragement And considering that to speake unto them all at once neither the large ground that they tooke up stretched foorth in length nor the number of so great a multitude assembled would permit and otherwise he avoided the heavie load of envie and displeasure for feare he might be thought to affect that which the Emperour supposed due to himselfe alone taking good heed unto himselfe and riding apace without the shot of the enemies with these and such like speeches he animated the souldiors knowne and unknowne one with another to play the men and doe their devoire valiantly Now quoth he is come the full time of fighting my good
comfort of life and so after their houses burnt and whole families caried away commaundement was given That vessels should be gotten together to search out those whom the farther banke of the river had severed from our armie and foorthwith least the courage of the warriours should abate or wax coole certaine nimble and lightly appointed skirmishers were put in boats who being guided along the secret coasts of the countrey met with all the lurking holes of the Sarmatians who at the suddaine sight of them were deceived namely seeing them to be their owne countrey wherries and rowers whom they knew But when by the glittering of the weapons afarre off they perceived that was comming toward them which they feared they betooke themselves for refuge and safetie to their moorish and fennie grounds whom the souldiors followed the more maliciously and having killed the most of them found a victorie there where a man would have verily thought they neither could keepe sure footing nor would adventure upon any service CHAP. XV. The Picenses and Limigantes terrified with these fresh examples of their confederats thus subdued and laied along yeeld their neckes unto the Romane yoke and having beene compelled to seeke other places for their habitation at length are reducea by Constantius into their auncient seat AFter that the Amicenses were in manner all destroyed as large a countrey as they over-spread our men marched without delay against the Picenses thus called of the regions bordering upon them who were the safer by reason of their fellows miseries wherof they had certain intelligence by the continuall rumors that ran of them To the surprising and subduing of them for an hard piece of worke it was to pursue them scattered as they were in divers places and namely where vnskilfulnesse in the waies giveth a check they tooke unto them the helpe of the Taifali and likewise of the free Sarmatians And considering that the regiments of these their aid-souldiors were by distance of places farre severed our men chose those tracts to invade that joyne to Moesia the Taifali tooke in hand those parts that lay next and the free Sarmatians seized upon the lands that lay opposite unto them The Limigantes afflighted with the fresh examples of them that were subdued and overthrowne wavered a long time in doubtful minds Whether they should die or fall to entreatie seeing they had notable examples and experiments given of both waies In the end the counsell of their elders prevailed so much and the consideration withall of so many and sundry victories that they tooke the course to yeeld themselves They also came in and joined with them in humble supplication who by force of armes had usurped libertie and the residue likewise of them despising now such masters as had bin overcome were unmeet for warre seeing the mightier in place with humble praiers submitted their necks to the yoke The more part of them therefore after they had received a safe-conduct and forsaken the strong defence bulwarke of the mountaines sped them apace to the Romanes campe over the spacious and wide champian fields together with their parents wives and children as also with that pelfe which their quicke departure permitted them to steale away And they that were thought would rather loose their lives than be compelled to void their countrey whiles they tooke licentious madnesse to be libertie willingly agreed now to be under authoritie and to enter upon other quiet trustie places of habitation so as they might not be troubled with warres nor changed by seditions And these men being received into protection according to their owne desire as it was verily thought remained quiet for a small time but afterwards through their in-bred wildnesse grew againe to commit most mischievous outrage as shall be shewed in convenient processe of our historie In this prosperous course and successe of affaires a competent defence of Illyricum was upon a two-fold reason established the duple greatnesse of which businesse the emperor having taken in hand effected both The banished persons suspected thogh they were for their mutabilitie yet like to behave thēselves somewhat more civilely he reduced home at length and placed in their auncient habitations and to doe the same people a greater pleasure he set over them not an ignoble base minded king but one of royall bloud descended and endued with excellent parts both of bodie and mind even him whom before time they themselves had made their governour CHAP. XVI Constantius taking ioy in the sirname and style of Secundus Sarmaticus in a solemne Oration reioyceth both in the behalfe of himselfe and of his armie for the victorie gained of his enemies VPon so happie a traine of brave exploits Constantius now bearing himselfe higher than one that feared any thing and with generall consent of the souldiors styled Secundus Sarmaticus after the name of those whom he had subdued and being now at hand to depart called all the Cohorts Centuries and Maniples together standing up in his Tribunal environed about with the Ensignes Eagles and a number of sundry captaines and officers of high place in the campe made a speech after his manner unto the armie gracious as he was in the eyes of all men to this effect The remembrance of our glorious atchievements which to valiant men is more acceptable than all the pleasures in the world moveth me in right modest tearmes to rehearse unto you the most faithfull defendors of the Romane State what enormities by our victorious fortune sent unto us from God above both before battaile and in the very heat also of fight we have reformed and set in frame For what is there so glorious or so worthie in all right to be commended unto the memoriall and records of posteritie than that a souldior having been in the action of worthy exploits may reioyce in the same so wisely and politickely devised Our enemies in their furious rage and upon a vanitie of swelling pride despising us in our absence whiles we were employed in the defence of Italy and Gaule over-ran Illyricum at their pleasure and in sundry rodes that they made to and fro wasted the frontiers of our limits one while in hollowed troughes of oake otherwhiles on foot passing over rivers not by way of conflict in open field nor using the meanes of armour and fine force but like as their use hath alwaies bin after the manner of secret brigands and robbers for their craftie guile and varietie of deceitfull mockeries ever from the first beginning of their nation dread even unto our old ancestors What displeasures were by them done tollerable we suffered as being in person farre removed supposing that lighter losses by the effectuall service of our captaines might be forfended But when through their licentiousnesse they proceeded further and grew to worke many mischiefes and the utter undoing of whole provinces after we had fortified and made sure the avenues into Rhaetia and by a most vigilant
but most of all the fresh example of his brother Gallus held his restlesse mind in suspence whom his owne negligence and the deceitfull sleights of some mixed with perjuries had betrayed Howbeit he tooke courage otherwhiles and addressed his mind to many those urgent affaires supposing it most safe for his estate to shew himselfe a professed enemie unto him whose passions he guessed by the times past as he was a wise prince but that through fained friendships he was deceived by secret traynes When hee heard therefore and understood what Constantius had written by Leonas he tooke small regard thereof but admitting none of those that by his pleasure and appointment were promoted to offices save onely Nebridius himselfe being now Augustus and Emperour did set forth the a Quinquennall games and solemnities and woâ—e a rich and sumptuous diademe set with shining pretious stones whereas in the beginning of his raigne he tooke a garland of small value to goe about his head like unto a Master of the b wrestling gallerie apparelled in purple In which time he sent unto Rome the funerall reliques of Helena his wife deceased to be enterred in a mannor or possession of his upon the high-way Nomentana neere unto the citie where the wife also of Gallus Constantina her sister was sometimes buried Now it tooke him in the head and incensed was his desires seeing Gaule now quieted to set first upon Constantius guessing by many presages of Prophesies wherein he was right skilfull as also by dreams that he would shortly depart this life And for as much as malitious folke lay an imputation unto this learned prince and studious of all kind of knowledge That he attained to the foresight of future things by naughtie and unlawfull arts briefely it is to bee considered whence it comes that this kind also of no meane learning may befall unto a wise man The spirits of all the elements for so much as they be eternal bodies at all times and in everie place having the powerfull motion of foreknowledge out of those things which by sundrie disciplines and sciences we desire to learne participateth with us the gifts of foresight and divination and the substantiall powers by divers rites and ceremonies pacified minister unto mortall men as it were out of lively and ever-running veines of fountaines propheticall words over which the president is as they say that divine power or Goddesse Themis whom so named for that it is lawfull and possible to foreknow against the future time those fixed decrees set downe by fatall law which in the Greek tongue are called Tethemena the antient Theologers have shrined in the verie bed and throne of Iupiter that life giving vigour Auguries c also and Auspicies are gotten not according to the will and pleasure of fooles that know not things to come for there is no man so foolish as would say so but God it is who directeth the flight of birds so that the sound of their bill or flight of wing by the trouble some or gentle passage thereof may shew before hand future events For the goodnesse of the heavenly power either because men deserve so much or for that the same is moved with some affection unto them useth even by these arts also to discover unto us those occurrents that hang over our heads Semblably they that observe the soothsaying entrails and bowels of beasts using to be turned into infinit formes know such accidents as are to fall The inventor of which learning one named Tages was seene as men fable and talke sodainly to have risen out of the earth in the parts of Hetruria The hearts of men do then also reveale events to come when they boyle in heat of spirite but they utter and speake withall divine matters For the Sunne as Naturall Philosophers say the soule of the world sending abroad out of himselfe our minds as sparkles when he hath set them aburning verie hot causeth them to be privie to that which is to come Whence it is that the Sibyls d so often say They burne while a mightie deale of flames scorcheth them Besides all these the creaking noyce of voyces and occurrent signes meeting us thunder moreover flashes and lightnings likewise the shooting of starres signifie many things As for dreames seldome are they to be beleeved but infallible they would be in case they who reason and debate of them missed not in their coniecture And otherwhiles as Aristotle affirmeth setled they are and stable when the sight of the eye as a living creature soundly sleeping and bending neither way aside seeth most directly before it And for that foolish people prate otherwhile and in their ignorance come out with these words If there were some knowledge of foreseeing why knowes not one that he should be slaine in battaile or another that he should suffer this or that Sufficient it is to answer thus That a Grammarian hath sometime spoken barbarously a Musitian sung absurdly and a Physitian beene ignorant of a remedie and yet therefore it followeth not that either Grammer Musicke or Physicke have not their being Whereupon Tully among other excellent sentences hath delivered this also The gods saith he shew tokens of things to come In these if one chance to erre it is not the nature of the gods but the conjecture of men that hath faulted CHAP. 11. With these arts and an hypocriticall profession of Christianitie Iulian confirmeth and strengtheneth himselfe Meane while the Alemans kill a certaine warlike captaine and the garrison souldiors of Iulian and put others to flight LEast therefore this discourse of ours running as they say without the bounds of the race should breed a fulnesse and lothing in the reader let us returne to the particular unfolding of such things as were foreseene When Iulian as yet being Caesar shaking his shield with sundrie motions exercised himselfe in the field at Paris after that the small pins whereby the roundle thereof was close jointed were shaken out and fell downe the handle onely remained which he held still and clasped with a strong hand And when all there present were affrighted herewith as an ominous signe portending some evill fortune Let no man quoth hee be afraid I have that sure which I held Item when afterwards at Vienna he went sober to bed and tooke his rest about midnight a certain image very bright and glorious appeared unto him and uttered plainely unto him lying as good almost as waking these heroicke verses and repeated the same many times upon the confidence whereof he supposed there was no calamitie or adverse fortune behind to trouble him And these were the verses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When Iupiter shall reach the bound of noble Aquarie And Saturne touch of Virgo bright the twentie fift degree Then shall the king of Asia Constantius of this life So sweet and pleasant make an end with heavinesse and griefe He lived
effect all and that in two regards First because he feared the adverse part which he had offended and then because hee made hast by the meanes of this so good an opportunitie to commend his doings unto Constantius who he made no doubt would get the victorie For no man then there was of the contrarie opinion but fully of the same mind This Gaudeâ—tius being thither come and carrying in mind the charge which the Prince had given him after he had by letters instructed Cretio a lieutenant what was to bee done as also the rest of the commaunders and made choyce of the stoutest souldiers from all places yea and brought over out of both the Mauritaniae nimble and light appointed skirmishers kept most straitly the sea coasts that lay opposite unto Acquitanie and Gaule Neither failed Constantius of his purpose by this policie For so long as he lived none of the adverse part set foot in those lands although there was a number of armed men that observed the coast of Sicilie reaching from Lilybaeum to Pachynus readie soone to sayle over if the passage had beene cleere and open Constantius having disposed of these and other small and lighter matters as he thought considering how things stood expedient for him was advertised by messengers and letters from his captaines that the forces of the Persians being all assembled together under the conduct of their proud king leading the way before were now marching neere unto the edge of Tigris and doubtfull it was whither they went to breake out and make invasion At which newes being much moved to the end that making his abode neerer he might prevent their attempts he departed with all speed out of his wintering harbour and sending from all parts for his horsemen and strength of infanterie wherein he trusted he passed over Euphrates by Capessana upon a bridge of ships and went to Edessa a citie stored with victuals and strongly fenced waiting there a while untill either his owne discoverers or else some fugitives brought him word that the enemies encamped forward Meane while Iulian departing from the Rauraci after hee had dispatched his businesse which ere while we shewed sent backe into Gaule Sallustius promoted to be Praefect and commaunded Germanianus to hold the roome of Nebridius Semblably the Mastership of the armour he committed unto Nevita fearing Gumoarius an old traitor of whom he had heard say that whiles he had the leading of the Scutarij he secretly betrayed Veteranio his Prince and Soveraign Also to Iovius he gave the Questorship of whom I have made mention in the acts of Magnentius and unto Mamertinus the charge of the Treasure and revenewes Dagalaiphus he ordained Captaine of his h domesticall traine and others according to his owne will and pleasure whose good deserts and faithfull service hee well knew over the souldiers Being therefore to make his journey through the Martian woods and the wayes joyning upon the banks of the river Ister being as among sudden occurrents exceeding uncertaine what to doe hee feared especially this one thing least having so few in his traine to accompanie him he should grow despised and offend the multitude readie to repugne and repine against him To prevent this inconvenience he with good forecast tooke this wise course For dividing his armie into divers regiments he sent some under the leading of Iovinus and Iovius to march with speed along the knowne wayes of Italie and others he committed to the conduct of Nevita Generall of the horse to the end that being thus spread sundrie wayes they might be thought an infinit number and so fill all places with the feare and terrour of them For even thus did Alexander the great and after him many other skilfull leaders when the case so required Howbeit hee gave charge unto them that thus were gone forth in their march to stand well upon their guard as if the enemie forthwith were readie to encounter them and to keepe watch and ward by night in their stations and sentinels least they might by some outrode at unawares be set upon Which businesses beeing thus as it was thought well digested following that manner whereby he had oftentimes broken through the Barbarians tracts and presuming confidently upon a continued traine of successes hee went on still farther and farther And when he was come to the place whence he understood the river was navigable he embarked in fisher boats whereof as hap was he found good store and along the chanell of the river he passed as closely as possibly he could keeping himselfe therfore secret for that finding no misse of fine viands but contenting himselfe with slender and course dyet hee passed beside the good townes without forth securely laying for his rule to follow that notable saying of old Cyrus who turning in by the way to an hostelrie and being asked of his host What good cheere he should provide for him answered Bread onely for I hope quoth he to sup neere unto some river CHAP. VII The fame of Iulians comming chaseth away certaine captaines of the adverse part Lucillianus thinking to make head against him is sodainly taken prisoner and in few words rebuked and chastised The straits and passes of Illyricum and Thracia with great celeritie intercepted by Iulianus are fortified BVt fame which with a thousand tongues as folke say multiplies the report of things exceedingly was with much talke spread through all the Illyrians That Iulian having overthrown a number of kings in Gaule vanquished an armie of manie nations and bearing himselfe proud of his sundrie successes was comming neere at hand at which rumor Taurus Praefect of the Praetorium being stricken with feare departed quickly auoyding him no lesse than a foreine enemie and ryding away speedily with change of post-horses allowed by the State after he had passed over the Iulian Alpes in the same trice had Florentius the Praefect likewise away with him Howbeit Lucillianus a Comes who at that time in those countries had the charge and commaund of the forces moved with some sleight intelligences as touching the stirre and trouble that Iulian made having his abode at Sirmium and gathering souldiers together as many as the speedie execution of the businesse in hand would permit to bee sent for out of their proper stations intended to make head against him when hee should come but he like a firebrand or casting dart set on fire hastening swiftly as if hee flew to the finall end of his appointed journey was no sooner come to Bononia which standeth 19. miles from Sirmium but in the old of the Moone therefore shining not the greater part of the night he leapt all on a sodaine out of his ship tooke land and presently sent Dagalaiphus with a companie of light appointed men to call Lucillianus unto him or to take him away perforce if he made resistance who being even then at his
dishonourable presidents of seditions in old time goe on hardly and doe so still I for my part as becommeth an Emperour and noble Commaunder after I have run my race and performed so many brave courses will alone die standing on my feet readie to contemne this life of mine which some little fever or other will bereave me of or at leastwise I will go my wayes and leave the field for I have not lived so but that I may one day become a private person Howbeit I glorie in this and reioyce that there be with us most approoved captaines and tried leaders such as in all kinds of martiall skill be accomplished CHAP. V. The Persians practise meanes of let and hinderance which when Iulian had with much adoe overcome he found countries more commodious and therein Date trees of which there be some strange reports Iulian after his armie was refreshed commeth to Euphrates where he is divided into many branches and neere unto Maiozamalcha was privily assailed by ten Persians but notwithstanding this great danger of his life escaped in safetie BY this modest speech of the Emperours carrying a current betweene courtesie and severitie the souldiors for the time were appeased and putting on a greater confidence with expectation of better matters promising to be tractable and obedient extolled up to heaven his authoritie and highnesse of spirit which when it is said truly and from the heart love is wont by a small noyse to be shewed and declared After this when he returned againe to the tents according to that store which the present would affoord hee refreshed himselfe with food and rest at night Now the manner was of Iulian to animate his armie swearing evermore not by such things as were deere unto him but by the great exploits and affaires that were begun as for example So might hee subdue the Persians So might he repaire the shaken estate of the Roman Empire Like as it is reported of Traian That otherwhiles hee was woont to bind his words and promises with such oathes as these So may I see Dacia reduced into the forme of provinces So may I passe over Ister or Euphrates upon bridges and many such like words After this I say when we had passed foureteene myles forward wee came to a certaine place that with abundant overflow of waters enricheth the fields and maketh them plentifull which way the Persians being informed that we would goe plucked up the floud-gates and suffered the waters to flow and spread all abroad By reason therefore that the ground stood all as it were on a standing poole the second day the Emperour giving his souldiors rest went forth himselfe and on many floored bridges made of f leather bougets and ships supported with pyles as also of hewen logs and plankes of Date tree with much difficultie he transported his armie In these countries there be many fields planted with Vines and sundrie sorts of fruitfull trees where Date trees are wont to grow and take up a great deale of ground reaching in manner of mightie forrests as farre as to Mesene and the great Sea and which way soever a man goeth he seeth continually branches of Palme-trees and the Dates hanging thereupon of the fruit of which trees abovesaid is made plentie of honey and wine and as touching the very Date trees themselves it is said they be maried and wedded as it were one to another also that the sexes may easily be discerned It is reported moreover That the females annointed with the seed of the male doe conceive and beare yea and by report they delight in mutuall love which appeareth hereby in that they doe bend in the head and leane one against another so as that they are not with the very puffing blasts of wind turned another way And in case the female according to the usuall manner be not so besmeared with the seed of the male she looseth by an abortive defect her untimely fruit and if it be not well knowne what tree it is that the female is in love with the stocke or stem of it is besmeared with the ointment thereof and then the other tree naturally conceiveth the sweet odour and so by these tokens is bewrayed the certainetie as it were of their generation With this food the armie replenished plentifully passed by many Islands and where they were afraid before of want and scarcitie there they feared fulnesse and surfeit Well the Emperour in the end being assayled covertly by the enemies archers and yet not without revenge againe drew neere to a place where the greater part of Euphrates divideth it selfe into many rivers with their divers and sundrie streames In this tract there was a citie for the low wals thereof abandoned by the Iewes which the souldiors in an anger set on fire This done the Emperour marched on further still with greater courage and confidence as thinking hee was assisted by the gracious helpe of the divine power And when he was come to Majozamalcha a great citie and encircled with strong walls he pitched downe his tents and carefully provided that his campe might not be troubled with any suddain rode of the Persians horsemen the valour and puissance whereof in champian and open grounds is wonderously dread of all nations And having taken this order guarded with some few light appointed skirmishers being himselfe also on foot minding diligently to search and view the situation of the citie he happened to plunge himselfe headlong into a mischievous ambuscado and escaped in the end the utmost danger of his life For at a blind and secret gate of the towne there went out ten Persians armed who passing closely on their knees under the bottome of the cliffes suddainely with great violence charged upon our men and two of them espying the Emperour himselfe as he was evident to be seen and knowne by his rich apparell with their drawne swords layd at him but by lifting up his broad shield he warded the blowes and under the sure fence thereof himselfe in a brave and bold resolution ran one of them with his sword into the side and the other after many a stroke and wound given was slaine by his guard aforesaid the rest whereof some were hurt ran away and so after he had disarmed and devested those twaine he brought backe his companions in safetie returned with their spoyles unto the campe and was with great joy of them all received g Torquatus tooke from an enemie whom he laid along a coller of gold h Valerius sirnamed afterwards Corvinus by the help and defence of a foule overcame a most bold and bragging Gaule and for these brave exployts were commended unto posteritie We envie not their glorie but yet I would have this noble and worthy act registred also in auncient records CHAP. VI. The siege of Maiozamalcha enterprised and begun by Iulianus THe day next following after he had floored over his bridges transported the armie and in a more holesome place pitched his
narrow strait passages within by that means the thicker stopped the vital breath of some and killed them others the hot breath of the fire mingled therewith meâ— withall and forced to come forth upon their owne present death And so when they were all dispatched out of the way what with fire and what with sword the souldiors quickly returned backe to their colours Thus a large and populous citie rased by the prowesse of Roman forces fell to dust and utter ruine After which so glorious exploits when we had passed over divers bridges joyning one to another by reason of the concourse of many rivers we came unto two forts built with hollow and vaulted houses where the kings sonne advauncing forward from Ctesiphon with many nobles and a multitude in armes went about to debarre Victor the Comes as he went before the armie from passage over the river but hee having once spied the companies of our souldiers following he went his way And so we marched on untill we came to certaine groves and fields all fresh and greene with the blade of young corne there sowen where also we found an house of the kings built after the Roman fashion and for that it pleased us well it stood untouched For there was in this verie quarter a large peece of ground lying round and enclosed all about with a mound like the fenced circuit of some hold containing within it wild beasts appoynted for the kings game and delight to wit Lyons with shaggemaned neckes wild Boars with brisly shoulders and Beares likewise for such they be in Persia beyond all measure savage and raging beside other beasts chosen for the nonce with mightie maine bodies all which after wee had broken the boults and barâ—es of the gates our horsemen with their hunting launces and a number of shot and casting weapons sticked and slue These places are seated in a fat soyle and well husbanded not farre from which standeth Coche which they call Seleucia where the prince after he had cast a trench and rampier about his campe in tumultuarie hast and for two dayes space refreshed the whole armie by the opportunitie they found of water and food marched before with the avant-curriers and as hee viewed the citie forsaken and left desolat as which in times past had been destroyed and rased by Verus Câ—sar of sacred memorie wherein also an euer running fountaine sendeth forth a mightie great poole running downe into the river Tigris he beheld hanging upon gibbets many bodies of his neere friends and kinsfolke who as I said before betrayed the citie Pyrisabora Here was Nabdates also burnt quicke who as I shewed â—rewhile was with fourescore besides drawne out of the lurking holes of the citie lately forced For why having at the beginning of the siege secretly promised to surrender the citie he fought notwithstanding moststoutly and yet when beyond all hope hee had obtained pardon brake out to that height of insolencie that he reviled Ormisda and gave him all the opprobrious tearmes that could be CHAP. IX Iulianus upon the intercepting of certaine Roman forragers and avoyding of a great danger besâ—egeth amost strong fenced pyle which he winneth and burneth after hee had thrust certaine hâ—rsemen to the service on foot who cowardly received the brunâ— of certaine Persian Brigands And then by ioyning of bridges together the armie passeth over Tigris THus after we had marched a prettie way further strucken we were into our dumpes with a crosse and adverse accident For whiles three bands of our out-riders skirmished lightly with a regiment or companie of Persians which the citie by setting open the gates had suddainely put out others that brake forth from the contrarie banke of the river intercept and kill the horses and beasts that followed us together with some few forragers that straggled loosely at their pleasure Whereat the Emperour being wroth and for anger gnashing his teeth tooke his journey forward and approching now the territorie about Ctesiphon he met with an high castle and passing well fortified to the view whereof he adventured to goe neere being unknowne and unseene as himselfe thought and with a few in his companie rode about the walls but when hee was found once to engage himselfe over-farre even within the reach of dart-shot he could no longer be unknowne and presently being coursed and assayled with a voley and cloud as it were of sundrie casting-weapons slaine he had beene with an engine from the walls but that after his Esquire or armour-bearer that stucke close to his side was wounded himselfe covered with a roufe of shields couched close together escaped this great danger and departed For this cause being mooved much and in an exceeding chase he determined to besiege the said fort notwithstanding the defendants were hotely bent to resist for that they presumed upon the place in manner unaccessable and because the king in person marching apace with a royall armie was verily thought would be shortly there and now when the Fence-fabrickes and all devices else requifite for a â—iege were in readinesse toward the end of the second m watch when the night happening to be very light with the Moone shine shewed all thinges evidently to those that stood upon the bulwarkes suddainely a multitude gathered together in one plumpe opened the gates at once and sallied foorth and charging a cohort of our horsemen at unawares slew may of them among whome a Tribune also chaunced to loose his life as he went about to repell the danger Whiles these things are thus in doing the Persians in like manner as before from the opposite river banke setting upon a part of our men killed some and tooke others alive and withall for very feare because the enemies were thought to have come with a greater number our souldiors as then bestirred themselves but slowly But when they had taken heart againe and were growne more bold so that in the very tumult they hastily armed and caught weapons in hand whereby the armie also was raysed with the sound of trumpets and made more hast with muttering in minatorie wise the foresaid enemies that brake thus foorth upon them were affrighted and returned before they were fought withall And the Emperour himselfe in a great passion of anger thrust all the rest of that cohort who basely and with faint courage had abidden the brunt of the said Brigands downe to serve as footmen a place of more paines and of lesse reputation After this in heat of revenge he converted all his diligence and care to the subversion of that castle where he was in such jeopardie himselfe in person stirring not a foot any way from the vauntguard that fighting so among the formost he might give the souldiors good example to behave themselves valiantly as being a beholder and approver of their acts And after hee had beene a long time much conversant in the very highest extremities of danger at length such was the varietie of munitions and weapons such
was the joint resolution also of his fighting men that the same castle was woon sacked and burnt And after this considering the dangerous service and occurrences both past and also readie to ensue the armie out-toyled and tyred with excessive paines rested and had plentie of many things meet for the sustentation of this life dealt among them Howbeit from thenceforth the rampier and fence of the campe was more surely fortified with a pallisado of stakes standing thicke and with deepe trenches seeing that now they feared from Ctesiphon so neere at hand suddaine outrodes and other privie practises Hence we came to the river digged by mans hand named Naarmalcha which by interpretation is as much as the Kings river the channell whereof was then drie This river Traiane beforetime afterwards Severus had with passing great care caused to be digged and the earth to be cast up in manner of a mightie large gutter or chanell to the end that by a water-course derived thither from Euphrates shipping might passe to Tigris And in all respects it was thought the safest policie to have the same place cleansed which in times past the Persians fearing the like accidents had stopped up with a dam of many big stones layed together And after this Botone was skoured with a mightie deale of water let in upon the plucking away of the sluce the fleet which had beene driven backe for the space of thirtie stadia was cast with securitie into the chanell of Tygris and forthwith the armie upon bridges made of ships couched together being set over tooke their journey toward Coche And to the end that convenient rest might follow upon such wearisome travaile wee sat us downe in a rich territorie most pleasantly garnished with Hortyards Vines and greene Cypresse trees in the middest whereof standeth a shadie and delectable retiring place of pleasure shewing in every rowme of the house after that countrey fashion pictures representing the king in many sorts of hunting killing Deere and wild beasts for there is nothing else among them either drawne in picture or cast in counterfeit but sundrie kinds of slaughter and warres CHAP. X. After the ships were delivered out of extreame danger the armies on both sides were put in ordinance of battaile whereupon ensued a sharpe conflict here described whereby the Persians were chased as farre as the walls of Ctesiphon when they had lost 2500 of their men THe Emperour therefore after so good speed in all affaires atchieved to his hearts desire holding now a more loftie and stately pace against all difficulties whatsoever and grounding so great hopes now upon his fortune which yet was never foyled that oftentimes he did set in hand with many adventures which savoured strong of rashnesse caused the tallest vessels of those that caried victuals and engines to be discharged of their fraight and manned them with 80 armed souldiors and keeping still with himselfe the better strength of his navie which he had divided into three parts the one of them he appointed to be sent out with Victor the Comes in the beginning of night to the end that having crossed the river hastily he might possesse himselfe of the banks on the enemies ground Which when the captaines as sore afraid joyned altogether by prayer and entreatie to assay if they might hinder and yet could not alter the resolute purpose of the prince behold all on a suddaine five ships with flag set up aloft as commandement was given launched forth and soone went out of sight and when they approched once the banke they were so assailed with firebrands and all kind of fewell apt to catch fire continually flung among them that they and the souldiors within had presently beene burnt but that the Emperour started with a cold swawme of feare that quickly came over his heart and crying with a lowd voice that our men as they were commaunded had erected the signall given unto them and were upon the point to land caused all the Armada to make hast and row apace after them whereby both the foresaid shippes were recovered safe and sound and the rest of the souldiors also pelted though they were with stones and casting-weapons of divers sorts from above after a most sharpe skirmish gained the passing high and difficult bankes and firmely kept their standing And now do Histories forsooth make a wonder of Sertorius who keeping about him his weapons and corselet swam over the river Rhodanus when as at this very instant certaine souldiors much troubled and fearing to stay behind after the marke or signal was set up bearing close and fast with their breasts groveling upon their shields which were broad and bending welding also the same though unskilfully made shift through that river so full of whirlepits to make way and keepe swift pace in companie with the ships Against these forces the Persians opposed the troupes embattailed of their horsemen armed at all peeces and those raunged so thicke and close together that their bodies which way soever they turned fitted with plates dazzeled with the brightnesse thereof all that looked full against them whose horses also whereof they had a number were defended all over with leather armour and furniture behind whome the companies of footmen placed in supplie and fenced with long and crooked shields which they carie before them made of platted oysiers and â—aw leather advaunced forward in thicke rankes After these the Elephants making a shew like so many hils marching together and mooving their monstrous bodies threatened death to those that came neere unto them as which by proofe and experiment made in former times were very dreadfull Hereupon the Emperour appointed the middle ward betweene the two battailes for the strong bands of footmen according to the ordinance of embattailing that Homer describeth least if they being placed afront in the vaward and happening to recule should shamefully turne all the rest backe with them or againe if they were cast behind all in the rereward might have more libertie to run away whiles none were to stay them and himselfe with the light armed auxiliaries traversed to and fro betweene the formost and hindmost When as then the Romanes saw on the one side and the other the armies in battaile-ray neere adjoyning they glittering in their crested helmets and shaking their shields advanced gently forward as if they footed the measures of the metricall foot Anapaestus and with the launcing of sharpe-headed darts other casting-weapons wherewith the skirmishers running forth gave the first essay of battaile the dust was raised on every side and caried with the swift whirling of the wind Now when there was a shout and outcrie made on every hand as the usuall maner is and the trumpets sounding battaile gave an edge to the courage of the souldiors they joyned the medley with javelins and drawne swords on both parts and fought close and neere at hand and verily our souldiors the more hast they made to get within the
better were they secured from the danger of arrow-shot Meane while Iulianus doing the part as it were of a common souldior and commaunder both made hast to uphold those that were sore layed at with fresh supplies yea and to stirre up and incite such as made slow hast The vantguard therefore of the Persians brake their array and giving backe with a gentle and soft pace in their hote armour went toward the citie that was hard by after whom followed our souldiors wearied likewise in fighting from the morning betimes to the evening in the scorching hot fields and preassing hard upon their hind-parts and neckes drave them all headlong together with Tigranes Surena and Narses the principall chiefetaines as farre as to the wals of Ctesiphon laying upon the hams of their legs and on their backes as they ran before them And intermingled in the very companies of them that thus slipped away and fled they had broken through within the entrie of the citie but that Marquesse Victor with lifting up as well his hands as voice forbad them being himselfe slightly shot into the arme with an arrow and fearing least these hastie souldiors found inconsideratly within the circuit of the wall and not meeting with any way out again might be enclosed with maine multitudes Let the old Poets sound out the battails that Hector fought and extoll withall the fortitude of that Thessalian captaine Achilles Let the posteritie long time after talke of Sophanes Aminias Callimachus and n Cynegirus those famous thunderbolts that shooke the Medes warre in Greece evident it is by all mens confession that some of our men behaved themselves as valiantly that day as ever those did CHAP. XI Iulianus preparing a number of sacrifices unto Mars was terrified with an ominous signe Leaving therefore the siege of Ctesiphon he forrayeth and wasteth the countries round about and not well advised setteth on fire and consumeth all his ships save only twelve of a lesser sort AFter the feare was past and the enemies bodies troden on heaps as they lay underfoot the souldiors embrued as they were with the bloud that they had justly shed being assembled before the Emperours pavilion gave him his due prayse and rendred hartie thankes for that unknowne in everie place whether he were a leader or a souldior hee had atchieved then so fortunat a victory as that with the killing of two thousand and five hundred Persians more or lesse there were but threescore and ten of our men lost their lives who also for his part calling most of them by their names whom himselfe as an eie witnesse and judge saw to have performed with resolute heart any brave service rewarded them with Naval o Civik and Campe-Coronets And being now fully persuaded that the like prosperous successes would shortly hereafter follow hee made preparation of many sacrifices to Mars the Revenger and whereas ten most beautifull bulls were to this purpose brought in place nine of them before they were presented to the altars of themselves fell downe dead in most heavie and fearfull manner and the tenth who brake his bonds and got away was hardly brought backe againe and being slaine shewed ominous signes of ill lucke At the sight whereof Iulianus falling into a grievous fit of indignation cryed out and sware by Iupiter That he would now offer no more sacrifice unto Mars neither did hee ever sacrifice againe as being surprised soone after by speedie death And so after hee had debated in counsell with the principall captaines and officers of the armie as touching the besieging of Ctesiphon concluded it was according to the advise and mind of some who knew it was an adventurous and unreasonable peece of service to take that enterprise in hand for that both the citie by the verie scituation thereof inexpugnable was defended and also thought verily it was that the king would be there out of hand with a dreadfull power So the better opinion tooke place the utilitie whereof when he a most prudent prince had approoved hee sent Arintheus with a power of light appointed footmen to forray and spoyle the countries lying round about which were rich in cattell and corne who with like industrie was to pursue the enemies also that being lately put to rout and dispersed lay hidden in thicke over-growne wayes and holes wherewith they were so well acquainted But he againe of a greedie humor at all times to bee encroaching and gaining more little weighing their words that willed the contrarie and rebuking the chiefe leaders and officers because for sloth and desire of ease they gave counsell to forgo the kingdomes of Persia which were in maner alreadie conquered leaving the river on his left hand by the direction of unluckie guides that led the way determined with speedie pace to take the Mediterranean wayes and as it were with the deadly and cursed firebrand of Bellona commaunded fire to be put under the ships and to burne them all save twelve of the lesse sort which he gave order to be carried in carts as meet for the joyning of bridges And hee thought herein that he had taken a profitable course for feare forsooth that a navie being left behind should serve the enemies in good stead or at least wise that twentie thousand welneere of fighting men as from the verie beginning of the expedition they had done should be imployed in haling towing and governing the said ships After this when everie man fearing in his owne behalfe secretly mumbled and the plain truth evidently spake that if haply the souldiers were put back by reason of drouth or high hils they could not returne unto the waters when also the fugitives openly confessed upon the rack that he had erred and done amisse in a great hurly burly commaundement was given That the flaming fires should bee quenched And for as much as the fire caught so mightie an head as that it had consumed the most part of them alreadie twelve ships onely could be saved without hurt which were set apart that they might be kept still CHAP. XII The Persians having burnt the growne grasse and standing corne drive the Romans destitute of shipping and distressed with the distemperature of weather and soyle both into many straits yea and forceth them to alter their iourney BY this chaunce the fleet being lost at such a time when it behoved not Iulianus trusting in his united armie now that none of the armed souldiers were employed in divers places and affaires and standing upon his great numbers marched I say to the inland parts having the wealthy countries yeelding plentie of victuals unto him which beeing knowne the enemies to pinch sâ— with hunger set on fire the grasse on the ground and the standing corne ful growne and by reason that with this generall fire we were stopped of our passage forward we trusted upon our standing campe untill the flames began to slake And the Persians a great way off insulting over us with their bravadoes one while for
diligence repaire the East he gave the attempt upon the Persians like no doubt from thence to bring away both a triumph sirname if the heavenly decrees of God above had accorded with his worthie policies and noble acts And since we know by experience that some run on stil so unadvisedly that otherwhiles after they have beene once defeated they returne to new warres and having suffered shipwracke goe againe to sea and betake themselves to undergoe those difficulties which oftentimes they have shrunke and sunke under some there be that find fault with this prince for that winning in all places victorie still he put himselfe upon the like exploits CHAP. VII Consultations and variances among the principall captaines and the chiefe officers of the armie as touching the creation of a new Emperor At length Iovianus is chosen who was received with different affection by the armie NEither was there after this any leisure for solemn mourning and weeping For when the corps was once ordered prepared according as their present store and the time would give leave that it might be enterred where himselfe before time had appointed the very next morning early which fell out to be the fifth before the Calends of Iuly even whiles the enemies lay spred on everyside the captaines of the armie calling to them the principall officers of the legions and troupes fell to consultation about the creating of a new prince And for that they were divided into turbulent factions Arintheus Victor and those that remained of Constantius his court sought for a meet person out of their side contrariwise Nevita Dagalaiphus and the nobles of the Gauls cast about for such an one out of their cōpanies But whiles this choice stood in doubtfull tearmes so that they could not agree at length in one accord and with the good will of all they enclined unto Sallustius But as he alledged for his excuse his sicknesse and honorable old age a certaine souldior marking how stiffely he stood against it stood up and said And what would ye have done my masters if the Emperour had in his absence as oftentimes it hath bin seene committed the charge of that war unto you Would ye not quoth he setting all other businesses apart deliver the souldiors out of these instant and imminent distresses Let that be your deed now and if we may but have a sight once of Mesopotamia both the armies will ioyne in giving their voices and declare a lawfull Emperor During the small time they had to bring about so important a matter by the instigation and setting on of some few as oftentimes it hath happened in the point of extremitie before their opinions were throughly weighed and considered elected there was for Emperour Iovianus the chiefe of the companie or ranke of the Domestici m a man in regard of his fathers deserts indifferently commended For the sonne he was of Varronianus a Comes of right good note who not long before after he had laid downe the charge he had of warfare departed to a more quiet course of life And incontinently being clad in princely robes and suddainly brought foorth of his pavilion he presently rode among the regiments and companies as they were providing to take their journey And for as much as the armie set in array reached out in length foure miles those in the vaward hearing some crying out alowd Iovianus Augustus resounded the same note much more For being strucken almost amazed with the affinitie or neerenesse of a name that differed but in one letter they thought that Iulian being come againe to himselfe and refreshed was accompanied with favorable applauses as he had wont to be But when Iovianus was seene comming toward them stooping forward and taller than the other suspecting that which fell out indeed they fell all to weepe abundantly and to lament Now if some severe Censor and precise Iusticer blame this act or election of theirs in this extremitie of the State lying thus a bleeding as one would say and at point of death as done unwisely he will more justly find fault with those seamen who letting a skilfull pilot go by in blustring winds and rough sea have committed the helme that should steere and direct the shippe to any companion or partaker it skilled not who of their danger CHAP. VIII The Persians hearing of Iulians death by a certaine Ensigne-bearer that was a fugitive set upon the Romans who after certaine skirmishes when they had discomfited and driven away the Saracen spoyle-takers approach the citie Dura THese matters thus wrought by a certaine blind judgement of Fortune the ensigne-bearer of the n Ioviani whom Varronianus had conducted being at variance of late with this new elected Emperour then a privat person as who was an intemperat traducer and backbiter of his father fearing danger toward from an enemie stepped now above the degree of the common sort revolted to the Persians and having audience granted unto him to speake what he knew advertiseth Sapor who now approached That upon the death of him whom he feared Iovianus no better than a o Protector an unskilfull person and an effeminat was in a tumultuous stir of drudges and campe slaves taken to beare the name and shadow of an Emperour When he heard this which alwayes in his timorous prayers he wished for and desired being set aloft with this unlooked for prosperitie joining a number out of the roial cavallery unto those who had fought with us he determined with a speedie marching pace to have the taile of our armie charged And in the end whiles beasts for sacrifice were ordained to and fro in the behalfe of Iovianus upon inspection of their bowels pronounced it was That if he staied within the campe as he thought to do he should loose all but if hee went forth he should have the upper hand And therefore as wee began to go forth the Persians with their Elephants leading the way gave the onset upon us At the terrible braying and fearefull approach of which beasts after that both horse and man at the first were much troubled and disordered the Ioviani and p Herculani when they had killed some few of the said Elephants manfully resisted the horsemen armed at all peeces Then the legions of the Iovij and q Victores in helping their fellowes that were distressed slew two Elephants with no small number of their enemies And in the left wing of the battaile three right valiant warriors lost their lives namely Iulianus Macrobius and Maximus Tribunes or Colonels of those legions which then were the principall of the whole armie After whose funerals solemnized as the present necessitie would permit neere unto the shutting in of the evening whiles we were marching apace to a fortresse named Sumere the bodie of Anatolius there lying was knowne which in hastie and tumultuarie wise was committed to the earth Here also we recovered threescore of our souldiors together with the r Palatines who as
devises and policies he went about to usurpe the Empire PRocopius descended of noble parentage borne brought up in Cilicia in this regard that he was neere of kin unto Iulian afterwards Emperor from his verie first degree arose and shewed himselfe and as one for his life and behaviour verie orderly and precise although he was of a close and silent carriage serving in the warres a long time in good credit and shew in qualitie of a Notarie and Tribune and now being next in place unto the best and chiefe officers after the death of Constantius in that change of the world aspired high as who was a kinsman of the Emperours and raunged in the ranke and fellowship of the Comites And apparent it was that he if ever it mightlye in his power would trouble the quiet estate of the Commonwealth another day This Procopius Iulian when hee entred into Persia had left behind him him with strong regiments of souldiors in Mesopotamia joyning to him in equall power Sebastianus and had given him in charge as whispered it was by a darke report for there was no certaine author to be seene of this mandate that hee should deale according to the course of things and occurrents knowne and if he perceived at any time the ayds of the Roman State to goe downe the wind he should take order that himselfe with all speed might be nominated and stiled Emperour Who carrying himselfe in civile and warie wise in the managing of that which was enjoyned unto him when hee understood of the death of Iulian upon a false rumor running abroad that the same Iulian lying at the verie point of death delivered thus much That it was his mind and pleasure that the government of the Empire should bee put into the hands of Procopius fearing least for this cause he should be killed without processe of law and condemnation got himselfe out of sight but terrified most of all after the death of Iovianus the chiefe of all the Notaries whom upon the decease of Iulian nominated by some few souldiors as worthy of the Empire and suspected afterwards to aspire thereunto he understood to have been with much torment put to death And for that he had learned how himselfe was with great diligence layd for to avoid the heavie load of grievous envie he departed out of the way as I said into remote and secret parts And when he perceived that Iovianus the Emperour had his spyes abroad to seeke out his luâ—king holes and was beside wearie of this manner of life for being cast downe from an high estate to a low degree he was sore pinched also with hunger in ill favoured and foule countries he wanted the speech and conference with men driven in the end to extreame necessitie by journeying through wilds and by-wayes he came into the territorie about Chalcedon where because that seemed unto him a sure place of refuge he kept himselfe close with a most trustie friend one Strategius who of a Palatine souldior was become a Senator going many times secretly as he might betweene his house and Constantinople as it appeared evidently by the same Strategius who disclosed all after that there had been oft inquisition made into the adherents of that faction After the guise therefore of a most cunning and subtile spie altogether unknowne in visage hee looked so poore and leane he harkened after all the flying rumors that began then to runne thicke abroad as commonly things at their first beginning bee eveâ— more distastfull bruited by many persons who seemed to blame Valens as if he were hote and greedily bent to make spoyle of other mens goods to the enkindling of whose rigour and crueltie there was a mischievous fire-brand readie at hand his father in law Petronius promoted with a suddaine jumpe from being a captaine of the souldiors â— Martenses to be a f Patritian a man in mind and habite of bodie deformed Who being wonderfully sharpe-set to strip all men without any respect even to their very skins after exquisit torments bound the innocent as well as the offendors with foure-fold bonds raking and scraping for debts due even from the very dayes of Aurelianus the Emperour and sorrowing exceedingly if he had absolved or enlarged any without receiving some hurt and damage Whose intollerable conditions this mischiefe also made the worse for that being enriched with the piteous sorrowes of other men he was inexorable and cruell as he carried also an enraged heart so he was therewith most rude and untaught not fit at any time either to yeeld or admit reason more odious than Cleander who governing as Praefect under the Emperour Commodus in a high straine as it were of outrage and madnesse made havocke as we read of divers mens estates more grievous and irkesome than Plautianus who being likewise Praefect under Severus swelling and puffed up beyond all measure would have made a confusion of all thinges had he not died upon the revenging edge of the sword These lamentable proceedings which by the instigation and setting on of Petronius under Valens had shut up many houses as well of poore as rich and the more horrible feare of mischiefes toward stucke close to the very heart root of the provinciall people and souldiors both who groned under these burthens alike and every man wished for a day though in darke and secret tearmes and that with joynt grones on all hands that by the helpe of the highest God there might be an alteration in the State Which Procopius closely taking vantage of and supposing that when that blessed and happie day should come with small adoe he might be taken up to the very top of the highest dignitie lay close in espiall waiting as a savage beast for his prey readie forthwith to bounce out if it could see that which might be caught Vnto whom so eagre of the bit Fortune ministred this occasion in exceeding good season to make up his mouth CHAP. VIII Whiles Valens is farre removed by occasion of warre against the Gothes Procopius putting forward his intended businesse is by tumultuarie acclamations saluted Emperour WHen Winter was spent Valens speeding himselfe apace toward Syria and being now entred the marches of Bithynia was enformed by the relation and reports made from the Lord-marchers That the Gothes a nation at that time unfoyled and not medled with and the same most cruelly banding together were putting their forces in readinesse to invade the confines and borders of Thracia This beeing knowne to the end that himselfe in person might without any let goe forward whither he meant commaunded a sufficient aid of horse and foot both to bee sent unto those places wherein it was feared there would be any rodes of the barbarous enemies When the prince therefore was farre remooved Procopius worne away with long miseries supposing any grievous death more easie and tollerable than the painefull afflictions which he endured threw at a venture the dye and hazarded at one cast all
had fore-knowledge alreadie of this trouble comming toward them And in the beginning of the Spring having assembled his forces together encamped neere unto a strong hold named Daphne and upon a bridge floored with flankes over the hatches of ships passed the river Hister without resistance made of any And now bearing himselfe aloft with great boldnesse when riding up and downe he could find none that he might overcome or terrifie for all men strucken with feare of our souldiors approching with a brave shew of preparation were retyred to the mountaines of the Serri which were very high and inaccessible but only to such as were skilfull in the wayes least that having spent the whole Summer he should returne without any exploit done by sending out Arinibeus colonell of the footmen with certaine companies to wast and spoyle seized on part of their families such as before they came to the broken and winding wayes might be taken straggling and wandering over the plaine fields And thus having atchieved this onely that Fortune presented to his hands he returned with his forces in safetie having neither given nor received any grievous blow The yeare following when he assayed with like courage to enter into the enemies land being hindered with the streames of Danubius that overflowed farre beyond his banks he rested still pitching his standing campeneere to a village named Carporum untill the end of Autumne Whence because nothing could be done by reason that the great flouds kept him off he departed to Martianopolis there to Winter Semblably the third yeare also holding on his purpose still having broken into the ground of the barbarous enemies by Novidunum and that by meanes of shippes joyned together for to passe over the river after continuall journeyes taken he set upon the Grutungi a warlicke nation that inhabited further off and after some light skirmishes constrained for feate of extremitie Athanaricus to take his flight who in those dayes was a most puissant ruler who with a power that he thought more than sufficient dared to make resistance and then himselfe with all his forces returned againe to Martianopolis there to keepe his Winter a place as in those tracts meet and convenient Now after sundrie accidents that fell out in these three yeares space there were good motives and reasons to end the warre First for that the enemies feare encreased by the princes long abode in these parts Then because the barbarous people being debarred of traffique and commerce were distressed for exceeding want of necessaries in so much as they sent embassadors oftentimes in manner of suppliants and craved pardon with peace Vnto whom the Emperour unexpert I must needs say but a most equall and indifferent considerer as yet of things before that he was beguiled with the pernitious allurements of flatterie and afflicted the Commonwealth with slaughters and executions for ever to be lamented taking sage advice for the common good decreed That it was behovefull to graunt peace And he sent forth by turnes Victor and Arintheus who then had the managing of the horsemens service Who when they had given true intelligence by their letters That the Gothes condescended unto the conditions proposed there was a meet place appointed for the conclusion of a peace And for as much as Athanaricus avouched That he was bound under the fearefull curse of an othe and beside by his fathers commaundement expresly forbidden to tread at any time upon Roman ground in which regard he might not bee compelled and withall it had beene an unseemely and base thing that the Emperor should go over to him thought good it was by them that were wise that in certaine vessels guided by ores into the mids of the river where were embarked the Emperor and the foresaid Iudge of the nation together with their Esquiers they should as before it was determined passe the covenants of a league and peace together Which businesse being dispatched and pledges received Valens returned to Constantinople where afterwards Athanaricus driven out of his native countrey by a faction of his neerest kinsmen and followers yeelded unto nature and was enterred with solemne and sumptuous funerals after the guise of our countrey CHAP. V. Whiles Valentinian lyeth sicke of a grievous disease certaine of the principall officers and rulers lay their heads together about chusing Rusticus Iulianus Master of the Rolles or Severus Colonell of the footmen to be Emperour But the said Emperour recovering declareth Gratianus his son for his Colleague and Augustus both after he had in a grave oration recommended him unto the armie which generally accepted of him and when he was adorned with a coronet and imperiall robes exhorteth him to doe his devoire with the exceeding applause of them all WHiles Valentinian in this meane time lay grievously sicke thought no other but like to dye at a feast where the Gaules secretly met who served in the Emperours armie Rusticus Iulianus then k Master of the Rolls was as it were in a furious fit or motion of madnesse nominated to the Empire one as bloud-thirstie as any savage beast as he well shewed whiles he governed Affricke in place of Proconsull For in his Prefecture of the citie during which he dyed fearing the daungerous and ticklish dayes of tyrannie by the will and pleasure whereof he had climbed up to that high dignitie for default as it should seeme of worthie persons enforced he was to shew himselfe mild and verie tractable Against these Gaules some there were who in a deeper reach and drift laboured in favour of Severus then Colonell of the footmen as a man fitted for the obtaining thereof who albeit he was rigorous and dread yet more tollerable and everie way to be preferred above Rusticus aforesaid But whiles these matters are thought upon to no effect the Emperour somewhat refreshed and recovered by the meanes of many remedies and perceiving that himselfe was scarce yet delivered from daunger of death had a full purpose to adorne with the imperiall ensignes his owne sonne Gratian a pretie young stripling and well growne and having provided all things in readinesse accordingly and wrought the souldiors to accept thereof in good gree and willingly when Gratian was come he went forth into the field and ascended up to the Tribunall where being environed with a gallant companie of noble persons and Officers of State hee tooke the youth by the right hand brought him forth before them and with a solemne publicke oration recommended him as ordained Emperour to the armie in this wise In this habit of princely place and dignitie which I carrie about with me as an ample signe of your favour enlarged toward me by which I am deemed a more worthie personage than many others and those right honourable I will before you my associats in counsels and fore-men in desires and wishes in due office of pietie and kindnesse set in hand with a matter God saying Amen and promising good successe by whose eternall ayd
he entred with exceeding joy in manner of a petie triumph into the said citie overwhelmed before time with many distresses and calamities but now on a suddaine refreshed so farre forth as it might hope for perfect safetie And here upon this prosperous successe encouraged to greater attempts he abode doubtfull of the future and casting what course safely to take like to speed as being informed as well by the confession of captives as the relation of fugitives that these diffuse companies of sundry nations spred so farre abroad and raging so cruelly could not possibly be vanquished but by privie sleights secret ambushes suddain excursions To conclude after edicts published promise made by proclamation of impunitie he called unto their colours and service again such as had forsaken the field and were run to the enemie as also many other that having free pasport and licence to go and returne at their pleasure were dispersed in sundry parts At which warning given when most of them were returned being throughly kindled and set on with courage yet curbed with heavie and pensive cares he required to have Civilis by name sent unto him for to governe Britannie as deputie Praefect a man of a very sharpe wit and quicke spirit but withall a good justicer and observer of righteousnesse likewise Dulcitius a captain renowmed for his skill in deeds of armes And thus went the affaires in Britannie CHAP. VIII The most miserable state of Africke under Romanus the Lieutenant without the knowledge of Valentinian whose cowardise and crueltie Ammianus Marcellinus taxeth The rovers and robbers out of Isauria are repressed Praetextatus Prafect of Rome a righteous and wiseman is put downe for the patterne of an excellent magistrate BVt as for Africke ever since the beginning of Valentinian his raigne it was all in combustion through the outrage of barbarous enemies wholly set upon slaughter and spoile that they made by bold adventurous outrodes which thing was much encreased through the idlenesse of the soldiors and the covetous desire to encroch seize upon other mens goods but especially of one named Romanus lieutenant there who forecasting what would come and his crafts-master in deriving all envie from himselfe unto others in regard of his cruell demeanour was hated of many for this cause especially that relying himselfe upon the affinitie he had with Remigius then master of the offices he strived to outgoe the very enemies in wasting of the provinces by the meanes of which Remigius who stucke not to give wrong false information the prince who tooke himselfe to be most warie and wise was the longer ignorant of those losses which the men of Africke sustained But the full and whole order of the proceedings in those countries as also the death of Ruricius the President and of the embassadours with other lamentable accidents I will more exactly deliver when reason shall so require And for that there is now offered free opportunitie to utter what we thinke let us plainely speake it out to wit that this Emperour was the first of all others that exalted militarie men to a great pitch of pride even to the hinderance and dammage of the weale publique whiles he raised on high their dignities and wealth and that which was a thing both in publique and privat to be lamented punished the errors and delinquencies of common souldiors with inflexible rigour and spared the great ones who as if they had gotten a dispensation and indulgence for all faults grew to staine themselves with horrible sinnes who hereupon puffing and taking on suppose the estates of all men to depend upon their will and pleasure whose prowd blasts and heavie hands the first devisers of auncient lawes seeking to restraine have passed their doome for the putting to death otherwhiles even of some innocent persons Which oftentimes happeneth when for the crimes of a multitude some harmlesse folke such is their hard lot are punished as culpable For this hath reached sometimes to the cases of privat persons But in Isauria the brigands passing by plumpes and companies along the townes adjoyning and the plentifull villages spoyling them at their pleasure put Pamphylia the Cilicians to great losses whom when Musonius deputie Praefect then of Asia who before time had beene a professour of Rhetoricke at Athens in Attica perceived to wast and consume all in bloudie and cruell manner when their state lay a bleeding in desperate plight and the souldiors who should have helped growne feeble with loosenesse and riot he taking unto him some few halfe armed men whom they tearme p Diocmitae assayed to set upon one squadron of those robbers if peradventure he could have found his advantage but passing by a certaine narrow winding lane with a steepe descent he fell into the inevitable danger of an ambushment and there together with those whom he led was stabbed and hewed in pieces These brigands exceeding prowd and bold for this good successe and raunging more confidently sundrie wayes the maine armie at length went forth and after some few of them slaine forced them to the blind craggie mountaines which they inhabite where having neither libertie to rest nor meanes to meet with victuals beside a truce they required to have peace graunted unto them and that through the motion and persuasion of the inhabitants of Germanicopolis whose authoritie like unto the vantguard in battaile hath alwayes beene among them of great force to sway the rest and so after they had put in their pledges as they were enjoyned they continued a long time quiet and attempted no hostilitie at all During these affaires Praetextatus who in stately port managing the Praefectureship of the citie by many deeds of integritie and honestie whereby from his very youth he became famous attained to that which sildome happeneth namely that albeit he was dread yet lost he not the love of the citizens which commonly is wont to be grounded upon threats especially toward rulers and judges that be feared By whose grave authoritie and just sentence going with the truth when the tumult was appealed which the debates and jarres of the Christians had raised and Vrsicinus put to the repulse and expelled there grew together with a joint purpose of Romane citizens and the honour of their noble governour who ordered and disposed many profitable things a most settled and uniforme peace For he tooke away all those juttying galleries of pleasure called q Meniana which even by auncient lawes also were forbidden to be built in Rome and he caused a partition to be made between the wals of privat mens houses and sacred temples whereto before they unseemely joyned and he ordained certaine weights throughout all the r regions or wards of the citie when otherwise there could be no meanes found to meet with the greedinesse of many that made false ballances according to their pleasure Moreover in trying and deciding of controversies thus much above all others he gained which Tully reporteth in the
noise stirring and inticing them forward and thus brandishing their speares when they were come to the foresaid cliffes that stood against them and endevoured maugre the Alemans who shoved and thrust sore upon them to gaine the higher ground thither came all the maine force of the armie and in the end following hard after these ring-leaders through the thickets of bushes and rough brambles and bryers with much straining of their strength got up to the high toppes of the mountaine With a great stomacke therefore of both parts the conflict began by the deadly dint point of the sword to be tried and of the one side the Romans more skilfull souldiors and on the other the barbarous enemies though fierce yet unwarie and inconsiderat coped and joyned hand to hand And verily our armie displayed verie large and spreading forth the wings to enclose the enemies on both sides assailed them sore terrified as they were with hideous outcries neighing of horses and sounding of trumpets yet neverthelesse tooke they heart againe and boldly resisted And thus for a while the hosts in equall ballance of fortune maintained fight with no small ado and endevour whiles the conflict continued with mutual killing and slaying on either side At length such was the valiant courage of the Romans that the enemies rankes were broken and for feare so shufled together that the formost were mingled with the hindmost and whiles they seeke to get away by good footmanship pierced through they were with casting darts and javelins that the enemies launced at them And in the end whiles they run fetching their wind short and all wearie they laid open to them that followed their hammes the calves of their legges and their backes In conclusion after many of them were beaten downe Sebastian placed with a fresh companie for supply at the back of the mountaines slew part of them that had slipped and escaped away by reason they were hemmed in on that side that they tooke no heed of the rest dispersed betooke themselves to the lurking corners of the woods In this conflict there dyed of our part also men of no small account among whom was Valerianus the principall of all the guard in ordinarie and a certaine esquier or targuetier borne a verie evirate Eunuch but such an expert and approved warriour that he might be compared either with old Sicinius or Sergius These exploits thus performed with such varietie of accidents the souldiors returned unto their Winter harbours and the Emperours to Triers CHAP. X. Probus Pretorio Prefectus or L. chiefe Iustice a most cunning and experienced Courtier is here lively depainted IN these dayes when Vulcatius Ruffinus was departed this life even in the time of his government Probus was sent for from the citie to rule as Prefectus Pretorio a man for noble parentage power and wealth knowne all over the Roman world in which throughout almost from the one end to the other he held possessions and livelodes dispersed here and there whether by right or wrong it lyeth not in my simple judgement to set downe This man a certain twofold u fortune as the Poets faine carrying with her flight-wings shewed unto the world one while a bountifull benefactor and advauncer of his friends to great fortunes otherwhiles againe a vengible wayt-layer and by bloudie grudges and displeasures doing much mischiefe And albeit he could doe much all his life time by giving great largesses suing continually unto those that were in high authoritie yet was he now and then timorous in any opposition with those that were bold but bearing himselfe bigge over such as were fearefull so that hee seemed when he presumed of himselfe to creake and vaunt in a loftie tragicall note and whensoever he feared to debase himselfe lower than a comicall actor And as all the kind of fishes and swimming creatures driven out of their owne element live not long upon drye land even so drouped he and could not hold up his head without Prefectures which he was forced to take upon him for the troubles and law-suites of great families which by reason of their infinite desires are never innocent and to the end they may be able to effect many designes without punishment use to engage their Lord deepely in the affaires of State and governement For confessed this must be that being bred up in that magnanimitie as he was hee never commaunded either Client or servant of his to doe any unlawfull action But if he found that one of them had committed any crime or hainous offence although even Iustice her selfe said nay without due enquirie made into the matter without respect of goodnesse or honestie he would patronize it a fault that Cicero by way of reprehension noteth in these words For What difference is there quoth he betweene the counsellor to a fact and the defendor of a fact Or what mattereth it whether I would have a thing done or reioyce that it is done Howbeit of his owne nature suspitious he was and of a base and faint heart and smiling also after a bitter sort yea and glavering otherwhiles upon a man to do him harme and that is a notorious and evident bad propertie in such conditions and then especially when it is thought it may be concealed so implacable and hard hearted that if hee purposed once to doe a man a shrewd turne he could not possibly be intreated nor enclined to forgive so much as light errours and delinquencies and therefore his eares seemed to many men though they were not indeed close stopped up In the highest pitch of dignities and riches full of care and taking thought and in that regard troubled alwayes with light diseases In this order passed the affaires in the West parts CHAP. XI Sapor King of the Persians invadeth Armenia King Arsaces he taketh prisoner and after dolorous torments killeth him And whiles he goeth about to murder and make away his wife and son there fall out some accidents which were the seeds of a new warre betweene Romans and Persians BVt Sapor thus long living king of the Persians and a prince from the verie beginning of his raigne much given and addicted to the sweetnesse of pillage and robberies after the decease of the Emperour Iulian and the covenants of so dishonourable a peace concluded seeming together with his people for a while to friend us brake the faithfull bond of the articles of agreement made under Iovianus and reached at Armenia that as if the strength of the said capitulations had beene reversed and cancelled he might lay the same unto his owne dominion And first of all by divers false and deceitfull fleights he put the whole nation that withstood his intent to some small and light dammages soliciting certaine of the chiefe rulers and great lords of the countrey and surprising other by sodaine rodes and invasions After this when he had caught the king himselfe Arsaces by the meanes of fine allurements and those interlaced
or Shew-places when by breaking their backe grates and dores in pieces they get at length to be at libertie And when this matter was many times handled and discussed in flourishes as it were and shewes so that some having their sides gashed and torne nominated certaine noble persons as if they had used workers of mischiefe by the meanes of their dependants and other base fellowes this divellish Inquisitor noting as well the parties accused as the informers and tracing them as they say by the foot roved further and in a malicious relation advertised the prince That the wleked and leawd acts which many committed in Rome could not possibly be either searched out or punished but by more sharpe and quicke justice Who upon the knowledge hereof being enraged as he was an enemie to vices rather rigorous than severe by vertue of one precept or warrant directed for such causes which hee mingled with an arrogant intention of treason decreed That all those whom the justice of auncient lawes and the judgement of sacred princes had exempted from bloudie inquisitions should if the case so required be put to cruell examinations by torture And to the end that a duple authority and the same strained to the height might patch matters together to the utter undoing of persons in higher place unto this Maximinus appointed to rule at Rome as deputie PrÄ™fect he joined in commission for the knowing and determining of these things which were a framing to the danger of many Leo a Notarie afterwards master of the Offices a very swash-buckler at every funerall a knowne robber and a Pannonian one who breathed foorth of his savage mouth crueltie and yet was neverthelesse greedie still of mans bloud Now the naturall disposition of Maximinus bent to doe mischiefe was much augmented by the comming to him of a like companion as also by sweet letters from the Emperour together with an honourable dignitie And therefore flinging out his feet to and fro for joy as he went he seemed to leape and daunce rather than to goe whiles he affected to imitate the Bracmans who as some report keepe a staâ—king and stately jetting among the altars And now by this time when the trumpets of domesticall miseries sounded and all men were amazed to see the horrible state of the world how it went beside many cruell and unmercifull examples the varietie and number whereof is incomprehensible most notable was the death of Marinus an advocate whom upon a slight and cursarie weighing of proofes and presumptions he condemned to death for daring by indirect and wicked acts to seeke the mariage of one Hispanilla And because I suppose that some men who haply shall read these reports will be readie to search exquisitly into particulars and reproove me keeping a stirre and saying This was done first and not that or such things are overslipt which themselves saw thus farre forth we are to give satisfaction unto them namely That all things are not worthy to be put downe in writing which passed among meane and base persons neither if that should have beene needfull had we sufficient instruction from the verie records considering how many publique miseries and misfortunes were so rife and hot and that this new furie uncurbed and unrestrained made a generall pudder and confusion whiles it was evidently knowne there was not a thing much feared any lawfull proceeding to judgement but a cessation of all law and justice Then it was that Cethegus a Senatour accused for committing adulterie had his head chopt off and Alypius a noble young gentleman for a small errour was sent away and confined yea and other meane persons were executed and died a publick death in whose calamities everie man seeing as it were the image of his owne perill dreamed of nothing but tormentors chaines bonds and lodging in balefull darknesse CHAP. III. The narration of Hymetius his case The crueltie of Maximinus repressed for a time is more hotly enkindled against Lollianus Clarita Flaviana Pafius Cornelius Sericus Asbolius Campensis and Aginatius AT the same time was the businesse also in hand of Hymetius a man of excellent towardnesse and expectation the order whereof wee know was carried in this wise When he governed Affricke as Proconsull he allowed corne unto the Carthaginians much distressed now for want of food out of the garners appointed for the people and State of Rome and within a while after when the earth had yeelded plentifull store of graine he made full restitution thereof without any delay But for as much as when hee sold unto them that wanted ten modij after the rate of one c solidus and himself had bought thirtie at the same price the whole gaine and advantage accrewing thereby he sent into the Princes Treasurie And therefore Valentinian supposing that by such returne of buying and selling there had beene sent lesse than there ought to have bin fined him with losse of a good part of his substance And to make his miserie the more there fell out this occurrent also at the same time no lesse pernitious to him than the other Amantius a famous Soothsayer above the rest in those dayes being by secret information discovered and made knowne that for the performance and complement of some small matters he was sent for by the same Hymetius to sacrifice and hereupon judicially convented albeit hee stood stooping in manner double under the racke stiffely and constantly denyed the same Who whiles he still made denyall in certaine privat and secret papers produced from his house there was found a Memorandum written with Hymetius his owne hand requesting him out of his art and learning by the rites and ceremonies of some solemne sacrifices to pray unto the divine power of the Emperour and to procure the favour of his sacred Majestie toward him in the utmost part of which writing there was read a certaine invective against the said Emperour as being a covetous and cruell Prince Valentinian advertised hereof by relation of some informers who made construction of all things that were done in the worst sense commaunded there should be inquisition made into this businesse in most rigorous maner And for that Frontinus a practiser with Amantius abovesaid was charged to have beene the minister of that forme of prayer which was made when he had been well tewed with rods and compelled to confesse he was banished into Britaine but Amantius condemned afterwards for capitall matters suffered death After these affairs in this order passed Hymetius being brought to the towne O criculum to have his cause heard by Ampelius Prefect of the citie and Maximinus vice Prefect and like as it seemed presently to be put away when he had libertie graunted to speake tooke the better course and appealed for succour to the Emperour and so protected under the safeguard of his name was kept in ward safe And the Princes pleasure being asked What should be done with him hee committed the managing of this
for an hainous act committed as one impatient of rest like some noisome wild beast upon a certaine swelling homour of pride rose up to worke mischiefe and innovation in the State against Theodosius whom he perceived to be the onely man able to withstand his wicked designes Howbeit casting many wayes about both closely and openly as the gale of his unmeasurable desire rose higher hee solicited the exiled persons and the souldiors promising as the time would affoord rewards for their attempts thereby to draw them on to his purpose And now when the time drew neere that their attempts should take effect the warlike leader aforesaid advertised hereof by such as were meet to give information and thereby readie to adventure as also upon a resolute and couragious heart forward ynough to be revenged of such as were detected committed Valentinus verily with some few of his most inward confederats unto captain Dulcitius for to be executed with death accordingly But in his militarie skill and policie wherein he excelled all men living in those dayes guessing at future daungers he inhibited all inquisitions to bee made as touching the rest of the conspirators with him least if this feare proceeding were once spred among many the tempestuous troubles of the provinces now well allayed should revive againe From hence turning himselfe to the distresse of many matters and those of needfull consequence now that all danger was quite past for that it was for certaine knowne that propitious fortune never failed him in all his enterprises he reedified and repaired cities the garrison castles also as I have said and the marches he defended with out-watches with guards fore-fences And thus having recovered the province againe which had yeelded subjection to the enemies he reduced it unto the pristine estate so as by his owne relation and report made it both had a lawfull governor and also was from that time called k Valentia at the pleasure of the Prince The Areans a kind of people instituted by those in auncient time concerning whom I have said somewhat in the acts of Constans who by little and little were fallen into disorders and enormities he removed from their stations as being manifestly convicted that induced with the greatnesse of rewards received and more promised they had otherwhiles revolted unto the Barbarians what was in hand and a doing among us For their office was this by running a great ground to be cursitours to and fro and to intimate unto our captaines upon the marches what sturres there were among the neighbour nations Thus having managed most excellently these matters abovesaid and others the like being sent for to the Emperours Court and leaving behind him the provinces leaping and dauncing for joy like unto Furius Camillus or Papyrius Cursor renowmed he was for many victories and those of good importance And so accompanied with the favour of all men to the narrow seas having passed over with a gentle gale he came to the Princes campe And being received with joy and prayses hee succeeded in the roome of Valens Iovinus who had the conduct of the horsemen CHAP. VIII A returne to the citie affaires The Prefectship or governement of Olybrius and Ampelius The most corrupt state of Rome in those dayes The errours and delinquencies of the Nobilitie HAving thus a long time and farre digressed from the citie businesses such was the heape of forraine affaires that forced me thereunto I will returne to a briefe declaration thereof beginning at the Prefectship of Olybrius which was exceeding quiet and mild Who leaving at no time the constant course of gentlenesse and humanitie was solicitous and carefull that no deed or word of his savouring of rigour should passe in any place a most bitter enemie and inveyer against false accusations abridging wheresoever he could the gaine accrewing to the Exchequer an absolute discerner and judge of things that are just and verie temperat towards those that were under his jurisdiction But there was a vice and the same verily little hurtfull to the Commonwealth howbeit a foule blot in a judge of high place that darkened all these good parts for that he passed the whole course and carriage in manner of his privat life in clining to riot in stage plaies and amorous delights such as were neither forbidden nor dishonest After him Ampelius ruled the citie a man given himselfe also to his pleasures borne at Antioch raised from being Master of the Offices to a double Proconsulship and from thence long after to the high dignitie of Prefect a man otherwise of merrie disposition and most meet to win the peoples favour but now and then rough and rigorous and would God he had beene stedfast and constant in his purpose for in some part though it were but little he might have reformed the instigations to gluttonie and shut up naughtie houses of riot had he not taken to loose and lascivious waies and thereby lost that glorie which would long time have lived For once ordayned he had That no wine Taverne should be opened before the fourth houre of the day nor any of the vulgar sort 1 heat his water or until a certaine time of the day any cookes or skullians set out to sale flesh boyled or roasted Neither would hee have any man of honest calling be seene eating abroad without his owne doores Which shamefull abuses and others greater than these neglected by continual dissimuling and counivencie grew so rife and common without all stint and gage that even m Epimenides himselfe of Crete if after the fashion of fables acted on the stage he should be raised from the dead againe and returne into our world would not be sufficient alone to clense Rome So great was the corruption of incurable vices that possessed the most part of the people And first will we set down the disorders of the Nobilitie as divers times we have done as the opportunitie of places hath required then afterwards of the commons by way of a briefe digression knitting up such matters as come into our minds Some growing to be as they imagine conspicuous by their glorious and goodly fore names extoll themselves above all measure as for example when they are called Ruburti Plabunij Pagonij Geriones and Dalij together with Tarracij and Perrasij and many other such trim and brave sounding titles of their originall descent Some yee have againe whom rufling in their silkes and velvets there follow in traine as if they were to be led unto the place of execution or to speake without any evill presaging offe gathering their armor together where an host is gone before a number of servants by troupes bustling and making a great noyse as they goe Such as these when they are entred within the vaulted roomes of any baine attended with fiftie serving-men apeece at their heeles crying out in menacing manner Where Where be they if haply they have intelligence given them that either some unknowne courtisan hath
teach by what meanes posteritie might cure inward diseases This may suffice for the whole to have discoursed as touching the citie matters Let us returne now to the rest that have occasioned many and sundrie occurrences in the provinces CHAP. XI The warre against the Saxons daunted with the very sight and presence of the Romane souldiors afterwards by a wile enclosed and bewed in pieces every one WHiles the Emperours were now the third time Consuls there brake out a multitude of Saxons and having passed through the dangers of the Ocean kept on their march and bent their journey into the Romane limits as who had oftentimes been fed with the slaughter of our men The brunt of which first violent excursion of theirs Nannenus sustained who was the Lieutenant appointed for those regions a man approoved a long time in the toylesome service of warres But as then having encountred with a multitude resolute to die when he saw that some of his souldiors were slaine and himselfe sore wounded not able to match those skirmishes redoubled upon him after he had instructed the Emperour what was to be done thus much he obtained That Severus colonell of the footmen should come to succour his distressed state Who having the conduct of a sufficient power when he was come to the place and had marshalled men into sundry and severall rankes before the conflict began terrified and disordered the Barbarians so that they opposed not their hands to make resistance but having their eyes dazeled with the brightnesse of the ensignes and Eagles craved pardon and peace And upon long debating and consultation when this was thought in policie behoofefull for the Commonweale after a truce concluded and many tall and serviceable young men for the warres allowed according to a capitulation condition drawne in that behalfe the Saxons were permitted to depart without let and hinderance to repaire unto the place from whence they came For whom devoid now of all feare and upon their returne certaine footmen of ours sent out secretly lay in ambush within a valley from whence they might with little adoe assayle as many as passed by But it fell out farre otherwise with them than they hoped For at the noyse of the Saxons comming some of our men being raised leapt forth in an unseasonable time and being suddainly discovered whiles they make hast to strengthen themselves were put to flight by the Barbarians yelling in a dolefull and hideous manner Howbeit soone after they cast themselves in a ring and stood to it and since extremitie ministred strength unto them though the same was somewhat impaired forced they were to fight and after a great slaughter of them made they had died for it every one and not left one man alive but that a cornet of our horsemen armed at all pieces placed in like sort on another side neere to the parting of the way for to endanger the Barbarians as they passed by moved and stirred up with the fearefull crie that they heard nimbly succoured them After this the encounter was much more eagre and sharpe and the Romanes with resolute hearts giving the recharge enclosed them and with their drawne swords killed them downe right Neither could any of them returne to see his native home againe for not so much as one of them was permitted to remaine alive after the execution of his fellow souldiors And albeit some just and precise judge of matters may blame this as a perfidious and foule fact yet if the case be well weighed and considered he will not take it indignly that a mischievous companie of robbers were in the end upon an advantage and opportunitie surprised and cut off CHAP. XII Valentinian setteth the Burgundians upon the Alemans who being gone forward as farre as to the bankes of Rhene and finding no helpe of Roman succours returne into their native countrey But Theodosius setting upon the Alemans dispersed in Rhetia partly killeth them and partly sendeth them into Italy for to dwell about the Po. AFter these affaires so fortunately performed Valentinian tossing sundrie thoughts in his mind was verie carefully perplexed revolving full many wayes and casting about by what meanes he might take downe and quell the pride of the Alemans and their king Macrianus who without all measure and end with restlesse stirres and broyles troubled the Roman State For this fierce and cruell nation ever since the first beginning and rising thereof how ever they were abated with the varietie of accidents and chaunces yet grow eftsoones so as that a man would thinke they had not for many ages beene once touched But as the Emperour had the approoving of one counsell after another at the length he resolved upon this That the Burgundians a warlike nation puissant for their huge multitude and therefore dreadfull to all their neighbours should be raysed up in armes for the rooting of them out And many times hee wrot unto their kings by certaine trustie and secret messengers That at a fore-appointed time they should sodainely invade and surprise them promising that himselfe also in person passing over the Rhene with the Roman forces would encounter them being once affrighted and seeking to avoid this unlooked-for power of armed men These letters of the Prince were thankefully and gladly received in two respects First for that the Burgundians knew themselves to bee of auncient time an ofspring descended from the Romans and againe because they contested oftentimes with the Alemans about the salt-pits and about their bounds whereupon they sent most chosen and picked bands which before that our souldiors were assembled together being gone forward as farre as to the bankes of Rhene whiles the Emperour was busily occupied in raysing of forts terrified our men exceeding much Wherefore after they had stayed a small while when as neither Valentinian came at the day appointed according to promise nor they could perceive any thing done that was undertaken they dispatched embassadours to the Court requiring they might have some ayd sent unto them intending otherwise to returne home into their owne countrey least they should expose their back parts naked to the enemies Which when they perceived by circumstances to be denyed and that the Emperour trifled out the time they departed from thence with indignation When their kings and princes understood this as if they had beene deluded and mocked they fell into a rage and after they had killed all the prisoners returned into their native countries Among these Burgundians the king by a generall name is called Hendinos and according to an auncient rite and custom is deposed from his regall authoritie and removed in case under his raigne the wars speed not well or the earth yeeld not plentie of corne like as the Aegyptians are woont to ascribe such chaunces unto their governours For the highest priest among the Burgundians is tearmed Sinistus and continueth for tearme of life not subject to any such daungers as their kings be By this occasion falling out
forbidden arts like to an hunter skilfull in marking the secret tracts and muces of wild beasts enclosed many a man within his lamentable net and toyle some as stained with the skill of poysoning and sorcerie others as privie and accessarie to those that plotted and practised treason And to the end that not so much as the very wives might be allowed and have leisure to bewaile their husbands miseries straightwaies there were certaine suborned and sent out who being come to some speciall houses of marke rifling the household stuffe and perusing the writings of any one condemned to suffer should privily foist in some old wives charmes or ridiculous love-spels enchantments devised and forged to bring innocent folke to mischiefe Which being read in court before the Iudges where no law no religion or conscience no equitie made difference betweene truth and lyes without pleading in defence of themselves they had their goods taken from them yea and without touch and attaint of any fault young men and others indifferently after they had beene lamed in all their lims were had away in chaires to execution Hence it came to passe throughout the East Provinces that all men for feare of the like burnt their libraries and closets such a generall terror possessed every one For to speake more plainely to the purpose we all in those daies crept as it were in Cimmerian darkenesse fearing and faring for all the world like to those guests of Denis the tyrant of Sicilie who whiles they crammed themselves full with viands more irkesome and unpleasant than any hunger whatsoever quaked to see from the embowed roofes aloft of the rowmes wherein they sat at meat swords fastened onely to horse haires hanging just over the napes of their neckes Then it was also that Bassianus by birth of a noble house by calling a Notarie and by his place serving in the warres with the formost called into question as if he had gone about to fore-know high matters of State although himselfe avouched That he sought onely whether his wife should be delivered of a boy or girle how ever he escaped death through the great and earnest suit of his friends that stucke close unto him was stripped out of a rich livelode and inheritance that he had Among the crashing noises of so many ruines and overthrowes of mens estates Heliodorus that divellish deviser and framer together with Palladius of all mischiefes the Mathematician or Astrologer as the common people tearmeth him being wrought and made sure aforehand by close conferences out of the Emperours house put forth now his poysonfull and deadly sting egged on by all procurements and allurements of courtesie to utter what he either knew or could forgoe for both cherished he was right charily with the finest food and also money good store he got by way of contribution to bestow liberally upon his harlots and mistresses yea and every where as he went he carried up his head I warrant you with a surly and stately looke dread of all men but bearing himselfe more big upon this affiance that to the stewes and brothel-house which as himselfe would was kept with much libertie he used to come openly and continually being Provost over all the offices belonging to the bed chamber bringing with him the writs and writings of the publicke father of the countrey like to breed sorrow and griefe ynough to many And by the meanes of him as an Oratour and advocate at the barre Valens was taught and instructed before hand what he should place in the formost parts of his Oration that he might thereby proceed and profit more easily as also with what figurative devices he should give the attempt upon brave and goodly places CHAP. VI. Eusebius and Hypatius two brethren and Consuls through the slie devices of Heliodorus fall into divers dangers and are commaunded with their personall presence to countenance and honour the funerals of Heliodorus ANd because it would aske a long discourse to tell what this mischievous villaine worthie to be hanged wrought and brought to passe this one thing I will for example deliver although in his bold and headie confidence he shooke the very chiefe and principall pillars of the Patrician degree who taking exceeding much upon him by reason as hath beene sayd before that he had secret communication with those of the Emperors house and for his own beggerly basenesse readie to entertaine any action for mony informed against that singular good couple of Consuls Eusebius and Hypatius two brothers germane and neere allied unto the Emperour Constantius in times past namely That upon an aspiring desire to higher estate they had both projected and also practised somewhat as touching the Empire adding moreover unto this way fainedly devised for the making up of a lye That Eusebius had imperiall robes also made alreadie for him Which informations and suggestions being gladly received the prince in a great chafe fretting and menacing in furious wise he I say who ought indeed to have done nothing at all because he thought he might doe all were it never so unjust made no more adoe but when all those prisoners were brought in from the farthest part of farre remote countries whom the accuser exempt from all lawes in the height of retchlesse audacitie had given order peremptorily to bee sent for and fetched up commaunded there should be holden a judiciall inquisition and strict triall of the case Now when as for all the difficult and strained enforcements grounded forsooth upon equitie which was a long time pretended and the wretched varlets standing stiffely still in vouching the thing no grievous torments were able to wring out any confession of the parties but that the truth it selfe cleared these honourable persons and declared them farre remooved from all knowledge and privitie of any such matter yet the false accuser verily for his part was much made of and honourably regarded as before time but the other punished with exile and put to grievous fines within a while after were called home againe had their pecuniarie mulct repaid them and were restored to their dignities and places fully as before Neither yet after these foule and repentable acts was any thing done by the Emperour in more stayed manner or in modest wise whiles mounted thus as he was to that exceeding high pitch of power and authoritie he never considered with himselfe that for such as be well minded and framed aright it is not beseeming to run so rashly into voluntarie delinquencies no not with the hurt of verie enemies and that there is nothing so unreasonable as when the high spirit and pride of a soveraigne prince is accompanied also with the bitternesse of his owne nature But when Heliodorus I wot not whether by sicknesse or by some devised violence was dead loth I am to say so much would God the thing it selfe could not speake it when his corps was carryed forth to be buried by the biere-bearers many honourable personages went before it
whereof the former under Nero the other under Traiane Emperours of Rome were renowmed for many valiant acts Being departed therefore from Arles with most luckie and fortunat Auspices and having passed the sea with that fleet whereof he had the conduct without any rumour going before hee arrived at the shore of Mauritania Sitifensis which the inhabitants call Igilgitanum and there finding by chaunce Romanus and speaking gently to him he sent him to set in order the centinels fore-guards with little or no rebuke at all for those things that he feared Who being gone away to Mauritania Caesariensis he sent Gildo the brother of Firmus as also Maximus to reforme Vincentius who whiles he was lieutenant of Romanus became partaker of his uncivile behaviour and his thefts When he had therefore received his souldiors late though it were who made the longer stay by reason of the maine and wide sea hastening to Sitifis he gave order That Romanus with his domesticall attendants should be committed unto the safe custodie of the Protectores And whiles he abode within the towne distracted he was with doubtfull thoughts and cares casting and tossing in his mind by what way or by what device he might either through hot and scorched countries lead his souldiors accustomed to frosts or take the enemie prisoner that used to make suddaine rodes and trusted more upon secret ambushes than any set battailes Which when it was knowne unto Firmus first by running rumours and afterwards by plaine and open intelligences given sore affrighted at the comming of a most approoved and expert captaine he confessed his error and craved pardon of all that was past both by Orators whom he sent and also by letters which he wrote shewing and declaring That he brake not forth of his owne accord to that fact which he knew to be wicked but by reason of unjust dealing which grew to licentious outrage as he promised by demonstration to prove Which missives being read and pardon promised upon the receit of hostages the captaine aforesaid went forward to take a review of the Legions which defended Africke unto a station named Panchariana whither as to the Rendez-vous by commaundement they were to repaire There having with honourable and wise speeches confirmed all their hopes he returned to Sitifis and assembled the souldiors there inhabiting together with those whom he brought with him and impatient of farther delayes he made hast to exploit some warlike service Moreover among many and notable parts of his beside this one thing mightily encreased the love of the countrey unto him in that he expressely forbad That the provinciall inhabitants should find the armie any victuals giving out and that with a brave confident spirit That the harvests and hoords of the enemies were the garners of our valorous men CHAP. XI Through the trecherous and deceitfull dealing of Firmus it came to passe that upon a battaile fought wherein the Barbarians were discomfited Firmus in the end was glad to crave peace and pardon which being obtained Theodosius repaireth Caesarea THese things thus ordered with joy of the Land-holders he marched forth to Tubusuptus a towne adjoyning to the mountaine Ferratus where he rejected the second embassage of Firmus which had not brought according to appointment the hostages with them From whence when he had warily viewed and searched all as the time and place would give leave he sped himselfe apace toward the nations of the Tyndenses and Masinissenes furnished and well appointed with light armour whom Mascizel and ... dius brethren of Firmus had the leading of Now when these enemies nimble and deliver of lim were within view after discharge of shot and casting-weapons on both sides there was strucken a most sharpe and cruell battaile and among the grones deaths and wounds was heard lamentable yelling and weeping of the barbarous people taken prisoners and slaine And when the fight was finished many of the territories were forrayed and fired Among which the miseries of the Burgade Petrensis exceeded as being utterly rased and destroyed which place the lord thereof Salmaces brother to Firmus had built in manner of a citie The conquerour lifted up with this good successe with wonderfull celeritie possessed himselfe of the towne Lamforctense situate among the nations abovesaid where he caused great abundance of victuals to be layed up to the end that if as he went more inward into the countrey he should find scarcitie of food he might give order to have it fetched neere at hand In these traine of affaires Mascizel having repaired his forces with the aid-souldiors of the nations bordering upon him joined battaile with our men wherein after many of his part defeated himselfe through the swiftnesse of his horse with much adoe escaped the danger of death Firmus wearied with the adverse fortune of two battailes and chafing at the very heart root because he would not omit the utmost meanes that were sent certaine Christian bishops with hostages to treat for peace Who because they were courteously entertained and upon promise of victuals sufficient for the souldiors according as they had in charge brought backe a joyfull answere the Moore himselfe sending his presents before him very confidently went forth toward the Romane Generall mounted upon a courser meet for any doubtfull chaunces that might betide him And when he drew neere being strucken amazed at the glittering ensignes and the terrible countenance of Theodosius he alighted from his horse and bowing downe his head stouped almost to the very ground and so with teares blamed his owne rashnesse craving pardon and peace who being received with a kisse for it was thought behoofefull to the Commonwealth and now full of good hopes furnished us with sufficient food and so leaving some of his owne kinsfolkes behind in lieu of the hostages departed with a purpose to redeliver the captives as he promised whom in the very beginning of the troubles he had caught up and carried away and within two dayes after without any longer delay he rendred back according to commandement the towne I cosium the founders whereof I have before related the militarie ensignes also and the Sacerdotall crowne with all the rest that he had intercepted From hence when our Generall after speedie and great journeyes entred into Tipasa unto the embassadours of the Mazices who had combined themselves with Firmus and now in humble manner besought pardon he answered thus with an high spirit That forthwith he would warre upon them as perfidious rebels Whom being dismaid and cast downe with feare of imminent daunger he commaunded to returne home into their owne countrey and so he marched toward Caesarea a wealthy and noble citie in times past the originall whereof likewise we have fully shewed in the description of Affricke Being entred into it when he saw it in manner all burnt and consumed with the fiers that spred all abroad and the flint stones of the streets covered and
honourable personages they have divers times beene condemned And of these there be some so rude that they cannot remember they were ever masters of any law bookes And if at any assembly or meeting of learned men there happen to be mention made of some auncient author they suppose it to be some forraine name of a fish or dish of meat And in case any stranger chance for example sake to aske for Marcianus an Oratour whose name they were not before acquainted with straightwayes they imagine themselves all to be named Marciani Neither do they set any right now before their eyes but as men sold unto covetousnesse and possessed wholly with it they know nothing at all but an engraffed licentious libertie of craving and getting And looke whom they once catch within their toile they ensnare him with a thousand nets under pretense of sicknesse forsooth lingring for the nonce and making delayes with this and that one after another by turnes and for the proceeding of one reading of a vulgar and common law they prepare seven vendible entrances and returnes plotting and platting as long examinations as possibly they can to protract the time Now when as there have so many dayes monethes and yeares gone over the parties heads that are in suit that they become stript bare of their money at length when as the matter in controversie is growne stale and throughly worne in continuance of time then are the verie principall heads and great doctors admitted and let in who being entred bring in with them other dumbe shewes of Advocates And when they are come within the enclosure of the barre or raile and the whole estate or life of some man begins to come in question and tryall what time as all endevour should be used to keepe either the edge of the sword from an innocent or put by losse from a poore and miserable person with frowning foreheads on both sides and armes composed after the gesture of actors on a stage so that there seemeth nought wanting but Gracchus his h pipe behind their backes by which he was woont in his orations to temper his voice they stand stil along time on either hand And at last out of some premeditate flourish there comes forth by him who is the bolder of the twaine and more confident of speech some pleasant and delightsome exordium or beginning of speech promising as it were the Rhetoricall ornaments resembling those of the famous orations pronounced either for Cluentius or Ctesiphon and when all that heare it are desirous to have an end made the matter groweth to this conclusion at length that the patrons for sooth after a shew made of a three yeares suit depending in the court alledge for excuse that they be not yet sufficiently instructed and prepared and so when they have obtained a longer time still of adjournment as if they had alreadie wrestled hard with that old Antaeus they cease not to call earnestly for their fees in regard of this their daungerous conflict and doubtfull combat performed Howbeit things being so these Advocates are not without many inconveniences which a man of worth that would live in good fashion could not well endure For being fleshed with the baits of idle gaines comming in with sitting still and doing little or nought they are at daggers drawing among themselves and breaking forth into a malapert humor of railing as hath been said they offend and displease many Which bitter humor of theirs then doe they discharge and rashly disgorge when as they are not able with all their stout speeches and orations to cover and protect the weakenesse of their causes And otherwhiles they have for their Iudges such as have learned Philistions or Aesops frumping scoffes or fables rather than those that have come forth of the schoole either of that just Aristides or of grave Cato who having purchased with round summes of money publike offices of state like unto busie and troublous creditors prying and searching straitly into the wealth estate of all sorts of men whatsoever they be fetch booties perforce out of other mens bosomes To conclude the profession practise of these lawyers hath among many other things this one mischiefe grievous and fearfull for that as many almost as go to law are of this nature that whereas controversies and suits by a thousand chances do miscarrie looke whatsoever falleth out otherwise than well they suppose the same lay in the power of their patrons and advocats and what issue ensueth upon any variance and contention they are wont to impute ascribe the same even to them and in no wise are they angry either with the defect of their matters or the iniquitie otherwhiles of the Iudges but only with the defendors of their causes But now returne we whence we hither digressed CHAP. VIII Valentinian going to the Sarmatians and Illyrians neglecteth those things that belong to his charge giveth no audience to the complaints of the Provinciall inhabitants neither duly chastiseth the Praefects and Governours who a long while abuse their publicke authoritie WHen as now the prime of the Spring was come Valentinian remooving from Triers marched apace through the knowne wayes wherewith he was acquainted and as he approched the countries that he went unto there was presented unto him an embassage of the Sarmatians who lying prostrate at his feet besought him by way of peaceable prayers to come among them with a propitious and gracious mind as who should find their countreymen neither partie nor privie to any wicked and cruell act Vnto whom as they still iterated the same petition thus farre forth upon good advisement and considerat deliberation he made this answere That these matters were to be enquired into upon most true and certaine evidences yea and to be punished accordingly in the verie places where it was said they were committed And when after this he entred into Carnuntū a towne of the Illyrians forlorne now God wot in wofull plight yet of great importance to the leader of an armie whensoever either good fortune or politicke reason ministred any advantage and opportunitie from out of the next station he repressed the attempts invasions of the barbarous enemies And albeit he strucke a terror into all men whiles it was looked for and feared that as he was quicke and sharpe he would shortly give commandement That the judges and rulers should be condemned through whose trecherie or departure frō their charge one side of Pannonia was laid naked yet when he was thither come he became so calme and coole that he neither made enquirie into the death of king Gabinius nor searched narrowly to know by whose permission connivencie or slacke dealing those wounds and losses came which had bin deepely setled in the commonweale just according to his wonted maner which was to be sharpe severe in correcting those of the common sort but over remisse in rebuking such as were in high place so much as by way of rough and
Valentinian His growth and progresse His acts and whole course of life briefly run over NOw is it time to unfold as divers times we have done and from the nativitie of this Princes father by way of a briefe collection to discourse of his acts even to the death of himselfe not leaving out the distinct difference of his vices or good parts which his high place and dignitie shewed that is alwayes woont to lay naked the inward dispositions of the mind Gratianus the elder was borne at Cibalae a towne in Pannonia of ignoble and base parentage sirnamed from his verie childhood Funarius because that he as yet but a stripling as he carried a rope about with him to sell shrunke not five souldiors that with great endevor were in hand to snatch the same violently from him following herein Milo l Crotoniates from whom as hee held many times and clasped close either in his right hand or his left any apples no man was ever able with might and maine to wrest them away For the cleane strength therefore of his mightie bodie and the skill he had in wrestling as the manner is of souldiors being verie well knowne unto many after the dignitie borne of a Protector and a Tribune he managed in Affrica the office of m Comes reicastrensi whereupon being touched with the suspition of theft and departed thence long after in the like place he had the rule of the Britaines armie and at the last discharged honestly of his militarie othe returned home to his privat house and notwithstanding that he lived farre remote from all stirre and noyse of the world yet was he fined by Constantius with the losse of his goods for this cause that in the heat and broyle of civile warre he was said to have entertained and lodged Magnentius as his guest what time as by his lands and possessions hee made hast to his intended designes In regard of whose deserts Valentinian his sonne from the verie prime of his youth commendable with the helpe also of a long traine of his owne vertues being adorned at Nicea with the investure of Imperiall Majestie tooke his brother Valens unto him as fellow Emperour who in respect of brotherhood in the whole bloud sorted and accorded most joyntly with him a man that carried himselfe in a meane betweene reproachfull and prayse-worthie acts which I will in convenient place declare Valentinian therefore after many dangerous troubles past whiles he led a privat life was no sooner entred upon his Empire but he visited the castles scituat neere unto great rivers violent streames as also Gaule that lay exposed to the Alemans rodes and invasions who began the more boldly to revive and stirre againe upon knowledge of the Emperour Iulians death whom onely of all the men in the world they stood in awe of And for this good cause also was Valentinian much dread because he both reenforced his armies with strong supplies and also fortified Rhene on either side with high castles and fortresses that the enemie making rodes breaking out upon our province might no where be undiscovered And to let many-particulars passe which he did by the authoritie of a staied and well grounded governour as also what abuses he reformed either by himselfe or his industrious captaines after he had assumed his sonne Gratian into the societie of his power and high place he privily stabbed because openly he could not Vithigabius a king of the Alemans the sonne of Vadomarius a young prince in his verie flower and first downe of his cheekes for stirring up the people to insurrections and warres Also in a battaile against the Alemans neere unto Solicinium a place where he was forelaid and like to have lost his life he might have put then to the sword everie man of them but that by vantage taken of the darke night some few of them made quicke speed and escaped And yet among these politike and warie exploits by a treacherous stratageme I must needs say but advantageous to him he slew the Saxons that now were growne to fearefull outrage a nation at all times making sodaine rodes and invasions and then arrived at the Maritime tracts with the spoyles whereof they were returned almost loden these robbers I say and brigands then by force defeated he stripped of all their bootie and pillage And in like manner the Britaines who were not able to endure such troupes of enemies overrunning them he restored to their libertie and quiet peace with hope of better dayes suffering not one in manner of the foresaid brigands to returne home into their countrey With semblable valour and fortunat successe whereas one Valentinus a banished person in Pannonia went about in these provinces to trouble the common peace he suppressed him before his plotted designe grew to any strong head After this he delivered Affricke out of great daungers being much troubled with a sodaine mischiefe what time as Firmus not able to abide the greedinesse and pride of the militarie men raised the nations of Mauritania who upon everie small gale are forward ynough to entertaine all commotions and discords And with like fortitude he had revenged the lamentable losses and calamities of Illyricum but that prevented by death he left that serious businesse unfinished And albeit these atchievements which wee have related were performed by the service of his excellent captaines yet full well it is knowne that himselfe also as he was of a quicke and nimble conceit yea and throughly grounded with long experience of warfare atchieved many acts beside among which this might have more notably appeared in case he could have taken alive king Marcianus who in those dayes was verie terrible according as with great industrie he had assayed after he understood with sorrow and griefe that he was escaped to the Burgundians whom himselfe had annexed unto the Alemans Thus much may serve for a briefe discourse as touching the acts of this prince CHAP. XI His vices are at large described VPon assured confidence now that posteritie enthralled neither to feare nor foule flatterie is woont with an uncorrupt and single eye to behold things past we will summarily reckon up his vices and afterward shew also his good deserts He pretended sometime an outward shew of clemencie whereas by heat of nature he was much inclined to crueltie forgetting I assure you this lesson That a King and Emperour ought to avoid all excessive courses no lesse than so many steepe and craggie rockes For never doe wee find that he tooke up with any mild correction and punishment but commanded otherwhiles bloudie examinations to be multiplied one upon another when as some after cruell interrogatories were tormented even to the danger of their lives And so much given he was to do mischiefe that he was never knowne by a mercifull note of his subscribing to have saved any one person from death were he once condemned to dye whereas otherwhiles even most cruell princes have done so
our most noble and renowmed captaines and quite rooted out they learned with their uttermost perils what martiall valour proceeding from the habite of wisedome and policie is able to doe Semblably in the dayes of Marcus the Emperour a raging rabble of sundrie and different nations banding themselves together after exceeding great frights of horrible warres after many a citie won sacked and rased downe to the ground ........... had like to have left but small parcels of them untouched and whole But within a while after these wofull losses and calamities the State was set upright againe by reason onely of this that the sober auncient world in those dayes not yet infected with loose riot and wantonnesse gaped neither after sumptuous and costly fare nor wicked and detestable gaines but in an uniforme and joynt affection the highest and lowest agreeing together in defence of Commonweale hastened as it were unto some calme haven and quiet harbour to dye a glorious and honourable death With a fleet of two thousand sayle the Scythian nations in great numbers having with breaking through Bosphorus and the coasts of Propontus passed over made great havocke and wrought much mischiefe I must needs say both by sea and land but yet when they had lost the greatest part of their people returned backe There dyed in fight with the Barbarians the Emperours Decij both the father and the sonne The cities of Pamphylia were besieged many islands harried and wasted Macedonia set on a flaming fire and the whole multitude of them beleagured a long time Thessalonica and Cyzicum likewise Anchialos was won and at the same time Nicopolis which the Emperour Traian in token of victorie against the Daci built After many and cruell overthrowes given and taken riciprocally Philippopolis was destroyed and unlesse the Annales doelye an hundred thousand men were put to the sword within the walles thereof Also forraine enemies raunged at their pleasure throughout Epirus Thessalie and all Greece But after that a Claudius that noble and renowmed leader was assumed to be Emperour and the selfe same Prince untimely taken away by an honourable death discomfited expelled they were by Aurelianus a valiant man and a most severe revenger of harmes and damages done whereby they became quiet and stirred not for a long time unlesse it were that afterward certaine routs of robbing brigands made hot incursions but to their owne destruction into the territories neere adjoyning But now go forward I will in that traine of hystorie from which I have digressed CHAP. VII Other petie Princes and nations of the Gothes commaunded to passe over into Hellespontus and wrongfully misused ioyne with others that were alreadie armed and afterwards west and spoyle Thracia THe whole course of these acts being carryed all abroad and divulged by messengers comming thicke one after another Sueridus and Colias Princes of the Gothes who with their people long before were entertained and set to looke unto the wintering harbours at Hadrianopolis regarding their owne lives and safetie above all things in the world beheld all with quiet and peaceable minds But upon the Emperours letters which sodainly were brought unto them whereby they were commaunded to passe over into Hellespontus they required without any swelling humour of pride to have their warfare money meat and two dayes respite allowed them of the citie Which the head magistrat of the citie taking not well and picking a quarell thereat for displeased he was and angrie with them about some spoyle and wast made in a countrey house of his not farre from the citie made no more adoe but brought forth all the commons together with the artizans and craftsmen of whom there is a mightie multitude there and them he armed to their utter confusion and so commaunding the trumpets to sound the battaile unlesse they went their wayes the sooner as it was decreed he threatned them all with the utmost perill of death The Gothes sore troubled with this unexpected adversitie and affrighted with the citizens more hastie ywis than considerat pressing upon them stood still and mooved not But at length when they had beene rayled at reviled and cursed at their hands yea and assailed otherwhiles with some few casting dartes launced at them they brake forth into open defiance and professed rebellion And thus when they had slaine a great number of the citizens whom their over-malapert violence had deceived and put the rest to rout and wounded them with sundrie kinds of weapons after they had difarmed and spoyled the dead bodies and put themselves into Roman armour they espyed Fritigernus neere at hand and joyned themselves unto him as duetiful and obeisant allyes and so distressed the citie now shut up with those troubles and miseries that follow siege In which difficultie of daungerous service being a long time employed they ran on head everie where and without all respect Some of them who were more bold and adventurous than their fellowes perished without revenge yea and many with shot of arrowes and discharging of stones out of slings lost their lives Then Fritigernus considering that men unskilfull in sieges and assaults wrestled in vaine with so many misfortunes and losses leaving there a sufficient power advised them to depart and leave their businesse undone saying That he was at peace with bare walls and persuading them that they would set in hand without endangering their lives to spoyle the rich and plentifull countries as wherein as yet there were no garrisons to empeach them Then they commending highly the kings counsell whom they knew would be an effectuall partaker with them in these projects and designes dispersing themselves into everie quarter and coast of Thracia marched warily having those that either yeelded or were taken prisoners to shew them plenteous townes and such especially wherein by their saying might bee found great store of victuals and beside an inbred courage and boldnesse of their owne which set them on this principall helpe they had to put them forward in that there conflowed daily unto them a multitude out of the same nation such as of late had beene sold by marchants with a number of others flocking stil unto them whom at their first comming over those that were pined and starved for hunger had exchaunged for some course or small wine and peeces of broken bread There came also unto them for to encrease their companie many that were expert in following after the veines of gold in mynes not able any longer to endure the heavie burdens and taxations laid upon them of impost and customes And being with the willing consent of all gladly received they stood them in verie good stead as they passed through unknowne places shewing unto them where were the hidden garners of corne the privie lurking places and secret receits of the people and by the guidance and direction of the same men there remained not untouched and unassailed any thing unlesse it were inaccessable and
as some have given out who love to extoll the Emperours prayses being growne to an exceeding height of pride brake more boldly into our territories Which when Gratianus with great feare had true intelligence of he called backe the cohorts which he had sent before into Pannonia as also assembled others that in wise and circumspect policie he had kept still in Gaule and committed the managing of this service unto Nannienus a valiant and discreet captaine And to him he joyned as Colleague in equall commission and power Mallobaudes Lieutenant or captaine of the band Domestici and king of the Franks beside a man expert in warfare and hardie withall When as Nannienus therefore duely considered the variable chances of fortune and therfore thought it good to hold off and linger the time Mallobaudes carried away with desire of fight as his manner was and impatient of delay was much troubled thinking it long untill he might advance his standerd against the enemie And therfore when on the adverse part they came forward with an horrible noyse to give a valiant charge after the signall given by blowing of the horne they began first to encounter before Argentuaria and with shot as well of arrowes as casting javelins downe they went thicke both on the one side and the other But in the verie heat of battaile our men seeing an infinit number of the enemie to avoid open and manifest daunger dispersed themselves everie man as he could among the narrow lanes beset with trees howbeit within a while after they stood their ground more confidently and carrying the like resplendant shew and glittering afarre off with their bright armour did put the Barbarians in a mightie feare that the Emperour was come Who sodainely turning their backes yet betweene whiles making head againe because they would omit no meanes even in extremitie unattempted they were so beaten downe and hewed in peeces that of the number aforesaid there escaped as it was esteemed not above five thousand and those shrowded within the thick woods and among many other bold hardie knights Priarus also the king was slaine even he that was the inciter and setter of all these mischievous and deadly troubles Gratianus much encouraged with the confidence of this fortunat successe and now marching toward the East parts and turning his way on the left hand closely passed over the Rhene and upon a good hope that set him ward determined if fortune had favoured his enterprise generally to root out the whole nation so treacherous and desirous of rebellion Which purpose of his being knowne by messengers arriving thicke one after another the Lentienses strucken into their dumps what with the miseries of their own nation consumed in maner all and what with the sodaine comming of the Emperour doubtfull what way to take considering they could not find any breathing time were it but short to bethinke themselves either to make resistance or what else to doe or goe about with all the speed and force they possibly could made toward the hils beset on everie side with unpassable cliffes And taking up their standing upon the craggie rockes and ragges round about with all their might and maine defended their goods together with their wives and children which they had brought with them Which difficultie when it was weighed and considered there were chosen through everie legion five hundred armed souldiors of approoved experience and politique skill in warre to be opposed against them same as if they had beene so many walled fences Who the more emboldened and encouraged hereupon for that the Emperour in person was seen to beare himselfe manfully with the formost in the vaward they assailed to climbe the said hills minding immediatly without any fight at all if they might once get the higher ground under their feet to carrie them all away as hunters preyes So the skirmish beginning when it was well toward noone continued untill darke night for why they fought with great slaughter on both sides Our men fell to kill and were killed themselves not a few and withall the armour of those in the Emperours traine about him shining againe with gold and bright colours were with the flinging thicke of heavie and massie stones all to brused and broken And then upon consultation had a good while betweene Gratian and the principall officers of the armie it seemed evidently to be a most dangerous service to no effect thus all in hast to strive without intermission against such rough bankes and mounts bearing out against them And after much debating and sundrie opinions passed to and fro as in such a businesse considering the barbarous enemies had for their defences such places as were disadvantageous unto us concluded it was That they shold by our soldiors sitting still and doing nothing else be round about beleagured and wearied out with famine But when the Germans strove againe for their parts with the like obstinat resolution knowing the country verie wel went unto other mountains higher thā those which before they had kept the Emperour with his armie turning thither with the like fortitude as before sought for the pathes and tracts that led up to those high places The Lentienses then perceiving him to be so fully bent to have their lives and never giving over his earnest pursuit after they had yeelded themselves to his mercie the thing that by their humble request they obtained upon the tendring of their lustie able young men as they were commaunded to bee entermingled with our new trained souldiors were suffered without any more harme received to go into their native countries CHAP. XI The commendation of Gratian. Frigeridus a most excellent Captaine and the terrour of the Gothes is unseasonably called backe by Valens who leadeth a strong armie against the Gothes who neere unto the river Hebrus were grievously discomfited and defeated by Sebastian Colonell of the Infanterie THis victorie of such importance and consequence that it daunted the Westerne nations by the gracious pleasure of the eternall God incredible it is with how great vigour and effectuall celeritie Gratian hastening another way dispatched And in truth a young Prince he was of singular towardnesse well spoken temperat warlike and martiall yet mild and mercifull In which vertues he had proceeded with emulation to excell the best Emperors even when as yet the lovely downe began to grow upon his cheekes but that his owne nature enclined to toyish and ridiculous actions especially when his favourites and minions let him have the reines at libertie turned him to the vaine delights and sports of Commodus Caesar although this Prince was nothing bloudie and cruell For like as Commodus because he was wont in the peoples sight to kill a number of wild beasts with darts and when an hundred lyons were let out at once in the Shew-place of the Amphitheatre slew them with divers kinds of shot and never strucke one of them twice even so this Prince also among those empaled enclosures
in the equinoxe and continued three howers and so the rest But these howers were not alwayes equinoctiall but longer or shorter according to the length of the night n Of Callimachus a brave warriour and captaine of the Athenians yee may read in Plutarches Parallels how notwithstanding he was run through the bodie with many a speare yet stood upright and shrunke not And of Cynaegirus an Athenian captain it is reported That with his right hand he staid and held the enemies ship and when it was strucken off did the like with his left and when he had lost that also tooke hold of the ship with his teeth Trop Herod o Naval Coronets are portraied with sternes or beake-heads of ships round about the hoope or circle of the crowne See Veget. lib. 2. cap. 7. Civicke coronets were of Cuicke grasse called gramen for saving of an armie Coronets Castrenses fashioned like to a pallaisado or rampier with pales round about the circlet for entring the campe of the enemies first Annotations and conjectures upon the 25. Booke a IT seemeth these Tertiaci be the same that Tertiani in Notitia to wit those of the third legion Italica b Eight stadia or great forlongs are said commonly to make a mile but in true measure seven stadia and an halfe are a mile c Vnderstand by Legio in this place and divers other not a complet Roman legion but a companie or band d These here tearmed Candidati otherwise Comites were a crew of gallants and brave knights that usually kept about the Emperours person the same that Purpurati among the Persians e Of this M. Marcellus and his triumph yee may read at large in Titus Livius Decad. 3. lib. 6. f For Siccius read Sicinius Dentatus out of Valerius Maximus lib. 3. cap. 2. He sought an hundred and twentie battailes gained the spoyles by combat of six and thirtie enemies saved fourteene Romane citizens at the point to be killed in the field carryed the skarres of five and fortie wounds in his breast and fore-part of his bodie but not one on his backe followed hard after the triumphant chariot nine times And had carried before him in honour of his chivalrie eight crownes of gold fourteene Civick coronets three murall one obsidionall one hundred fourescore and three collers one hundred and threescore bracelets eighteene speares and five and twentie trappers or caparisons It is sayd that he tooke the sirname Dentatus because he had for his row ofteeth one solide and entire bone or for that the first of that house was borne with a tooth Alex. ab Alexand. Genial Dierum lib. 1. cap. 9. g This Sergius it may seeme was the first of that noble familie Sergia and he tooke that name of Sergestus in Virgil. Idem h Anno aetatis altero tricesimo That is the 32. yeare of his age as it appeareth in the Chronologie of Cassiodorus and others according to that phrase in Virgil Alter ab undecimo that is the thirteenth which I observe least any man should thinke he dyed in the 31. yeare of his age i What right he had to succeed his brother in the Empire considering that Constantine had three sonnes I see not unlesse by his testament he made him one of his heires For Pomp. Laetus writeth thus Some say that Constantine the great divided the whole Empire among his heires by will Others that his sonnes parted it by lot among them Or haply he might be heire in remainder if he survivied his brothers sonnes and they dyed without issue k It appeareth plainly by this place that he debarred Christian professors in Rhetorick and Grammer to teach in open schoole for feare least the Gentiles for now himseife was turned a Pagan should leave numinum cultum â— Idolatrie l The Antiochians as he writeth before among other scoffes slouted him for using to put forth his narrow shoulders and here he saith he had big and broad shoulders There must be admitted in the former place a kind of Antiphrasis or speech by the contrarie or else to cover his broad flat shoulders hee used belike to thrust them forth to make them seeme narrower m Ordo Domesticorum here is the same that Schola before to wit a Societie or companie of guard souldiors about the Emperours person in ordinarie and they be called Scholariâ— Next unto the Comes or captaine of these was hee that they called Primus or Tribunus Domesticorum Then Primicerius Secundocerius and so through the tenne which were tearmed Decemprimi and had better wages than the rest Pancirolus in 〈◊〉 Orientis cap. 89. n Ioviani tooke the name of Diocletian who called himselfe Iovius and instituted this companie o The Domestici aforesaid were called also Protectores as appeareth by this place p As the Iovianâ— tooke name of Iovius â— Diocletian so 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 for so Maximian Emperour with Diocletian tearmed himselfe q These Iovij were certaine people in Gaule and a companie of them was so called As for those that were instituted by Diocletian sirnamed Iovius they were rather tearmed Ioviani Pancirol in Notit Victores likewise were a companie or band of souldiors taking name either of Victoria a towne of Britannie or else so called for good lucke sake r These Palatini are elsewhere named Comites and Candidati s A principall foregate in the campe was called Praetoria neere unto which was Praetorium i. the Generals pavilion or the Princes if he were in procinctu called here Principis Tabernaculum t About the mids of Iuly 15. dayes before the Kalends of August what time Nilus also in Aegypt beginneth to rise u Armorum Magister is the Generall of the forces horse or foot here put for the Generall of the Cavallerie in Gaule In the time when Notitia was written which was in the dayes of Arcadius Honorius and Theodosius the younger there were not knowne any Ensignes belonging to his place of commaund Haply because that Province was held by the Barbarians Gothes Hunnes and Vandales who not long after subverted the West Empire But it may seeme they differed not much from those of the Generall in the East to wit a booke standing upright on a cupboord or table spread with a white cloth of tapestrie The cover of the booke was of murrey colour with strings in the mids and at both ends of the same colour In the middle of the side there is a tablet of gold and in it the faces engraven of two Princes or Emperours to signifie as I thinke both East and West Empires Notit Orient cap. 31. x Modius seemeth to be a measure somewhat more than our pecke containing 16. Sextarij And if everiâ— Sextarius receive 2â— ounces it is a pecke and halfe if but 18. it is in proportion a fourth part lesse y Capita Scholarum were the Captaines and Tribunes of everie Palatine companie z Of Domestici and Heruli both ynough hath beene said alreadie α Gallicani were such souldâ—ors as served in Gaule of what countrey soever β
time Ap. Pomponius Faustinus A terrible plague reigneth in Rome and elsewhere Many great earthquakes happen and fearefull darkenes for many daies together Treb. Pollio 3 1015 4234 264 ¶ Numnrius Albinus Maximus Dexter The Gothes waste Greece Macedonie Pontus and Asia And the inrodes of the Barbarians sore shaketh other Provinces Tr. Pollio Cassiodor Iornandes 4 1016    The Quadi and Sarmatians seize into their hands Pannonia Euseb   4235 265 ¶ Gallienus Aug. the sixth time Aemilius Saturninus The Franks Saxons and Germans breake into Gaule Euseb 5 1017    Odenatus holdeth the whole Empire of the East Tr. Pollio   4236 266 ¶ Valerianus Caesar the second time L. Cesonius Macer Locillus Rufâ—ianus The Franckes Saxons and Germans enter also into Spaine Euseb 6 1018    Odenatus is assumed by Gallienus into the felowship of the Empire and stiled Augustus Tr. Pollio     Posthumius with his sonne Posthumus was killed in the seventh yeere of his Empire among the Gaules by a traine that Lollianus laid for him Trebell Pollio      Theheresie of Samosatenus is oppugned by the authoritie of Synods and godly learned Pastors of the Church Eusebius   4237 267 ¶ Gallienus Aug. the seventh time Sabimlius The Franks Saxons and Germans under the conduct of Antharius and Lutterus sonnes of Bartherus Marbodus kings of the SaxoÌ„s force TarracoÌ„ a city of Spaine and lay it even with the ground Euseb Trithemius 7 1019    Odenatus by an ambush that Maeonius his cousin German laid was with his sonne Herode slaine      Victorinus whom Posthumus had made his coÌ„panion in the kingdome of Gaule killeth Lollianus alone obtaineth the soveraigne rule among the Gaules Tr. Pollio   4238 268 ¶ Ovinius Paternus Arcesilaus Zenobia the wife of Odenatus together with her sonnes 8 1020    Herennianus and Timolaus holdeth the kingdome of the East Tr. Pollio      After that Victorinus was slain at Agrippina for abusing the bodies of wives matrons Marius kept the Empire for 2. daies This Marius had bin a Smith and when he was likewise killed Tetricus entred upon the Empire after sundry occurrents events was at length by Aurelianus but not before he had laid downe the Imperial dignitie promoted to sundry honours Tr. Pollio   4239 269 ¶ Ovinius Paternus the second time Marinianus Aureolus Emperour in Illyricum after hee had put Tetricus to flight concluded a peace with Gallienus which being soone after dissolved and broken Gallienus together with his brother was at Millaine by the souldiers of Aureolus slaine about the 22. of March Tr. Pollio 1 1021    After Gallienus succeeded      M. AVRELIVS FLAVIVS CLAVDIVS who ruled one yeere ten moneths fifteene daies   4240 270 ¶ M. Aurel. Fl. Claud. Aug. the second time Ovinius Paternus Claudius the Emperor vanquished Aureolus disseiseth him of his Empire He subdueth the Gothes wasting Illyricum Macedonia in battel slew of theÌ„ 320000. Tr. Pollio 2 1022 4241 271 ¶ Flavius Antiochianus Furius Orfitus The fourth day of February Claudius dieth after whom succeeded M. Aurelius Quinctilius his brother who the twentieth day of February was killed 1 1023    After Claudius succeedeth      L. DOMITIVS AVRELIVS VALER AVRELIANVS who governed the Empire foure yeeres eleven moneths and seven daies      He giveth the Suevians and Sarmatians an overthrow      The Marcomans that wasted Italie he overcommeth at Placentia Fl. Vopiscus      This Aurelianus was a severe rigorous and bloodie prince He killed his own sisters daughter for a very small cause Military discipline hee kept most severely for a souldier who had committed adultery with his hoasts wife he punished in this maner he caused the tops of 2. trees to be bent downeward which he tied unto the feete of the said souldier and so dainly suffred them to go back     againe so as the poore wretch being rent insunder hanged by the halfe on both sides Vnto his deputy or lievtenant generall hee wrote in this wise If thou wilt be a Captaine and Commaunder nay if thou wilt enjoy thy life conteine thy souldiours hands No man be so hardy as to take away other mens goods let none trample corne under feete let the souldier be content with his allowance and live of the enemies spoile not of the Provincialles teares let him have his wages in his belt and not in the Taverne and Tap-house Of this Aurelianus Vopiscus writeth thus that many reckon him neither among good princes nor bad for that he wanted Clemencie the principall vertue of a Prince and himselfe saith He was a necessary Prince rather then a good   4242 272 ¶ Aurelianus Pomponius Bassus A seditious broile arose in Rome whiles the Emperor maketh warre against the Marcomans Vopiscus 2 1024    Constantinus Magnus who afterwardes was Emperour this yeere was borne in Britanny whose father was Constantius and his mother Helena Bucholcer Samosatenus is declared an heretike and cast out of the Church Eusebius and others   4243 273 ¶ Quietus Voldumianus After the Marcomans warre was dispatched the authors of the foresaid sedition in Rome are grievously punished Aurelianus vanquisheth the Barbarians in Illyricum and Thracia Cannabas the Leader of the Gothes he killeth on the further side of Danubius Vopiscus 3 1025 4244 274 ¶ M. Claudius Tacitus who afterward was called Augustus M Moecius Memmius Balburius Furius Placidianus After the Barbarians were subdued Aurelianus marcheth into the East and recovereth many peeces that had beene lost He vanquisheth Queene Zenobia and taketh her prisoner One Firmius seizeth Aegypt into his hands and keepeth it which soone after was by Valerianus a great captaine recovered Vopiscus 4 1026 4245 275 ¶ Imp. Aurelianus August the second time C. Iulius Capitolinus Aurelianus triumpheth over his enemies vanquished He buildeth a Temple unto the Sunne Fortifieth Rome with stronger walles round about Delivereth the Vindelici from the Barbarians siege Then setteth hee forward in a warrelike expedition into Illyricum and proclaimeth warre upon the Persians Vopiscus 5 1027    The ninth persecution against Christians was by Aurelianus proclaimed but by occasion of his death interrupted and impeached wherefore some reckon it not among the tenne persecutions   4246 276 ¶ Imp. Aurelianus Augustus the third time T. Annonius Marcellinus He became never the more reclaimed nor better minded notwithstanding a thunderbolt fell violently hard by him nay rather wrote his Mandates to the utter destruction of the Christian churches which done betwixt Heraclea and Bizantium hee was by his owne company slaine the 29. day of Ianuary After his decease there continued an inter-reigne or vacancy
giveth the Romans an overthrow Zosimus 16 110 4323 353 ¶ Imp. Constantius August the sixt time Fl â—onstantius Gallus Caesar the second time Magnentius vanquished in Gaule by Constantius slew himselfe Decentius his brother being Caesar was his owne hangman Desiderius submitteth himselfe Constantius assumeth the joint Empire of East and West At Arles he exhibiteth Games and Plaies Being by the Arians solicited he sommoneth a generall Cnuncell to be holden at Millaine Zosim Zonaras Sigon 17 110 4324 354 ¶ Imp. Constantius Augustus the seventh time Fl. Constantius Gallus Caesar the third time Here Am. Marcellinus beginneth the foureteenth booke of his Storie the first of those eighteene which are left of the one and thirty and containeth the acts of six and twenty yeres which he reporteth at large whereof solloweth a Briefe 18 114    Constantius whiles hee intendeth his warre against the Lentienses Almans causeth Gallus Caesar who in the East committed foule and wicked facts to be brought unto him and commandeth that hee should be killed in I-stria And after this hee vanquisheth the Almans Am. Marcell lib. 14. 15. cap. 1 2 3.   4325 355 ¶ Fl. Arbetio Mavortius Lollianus Silvanus usurping the Empire in Gaule is slaine Am. lib. 15. cap. 1 2 3. 19 1104    Constantius ill affected unto Athanasius banisheth Liberius out of Rome Amm. lib. 15. cap. 6.     * his owne uncles sanne Constantius declareth Iulianus brother of Gallus and Constantines * brothers sonne Caesar cap. 7. and affianceth his sister unto him in marriage cap. 8.   4326 356 ¶ Imp. Constanti us Augustus the eight time Iulianus Caesar Iulianus marcheth into Gaule against the Almans lib. 16. cap. 1. c. Constantius entreth Rome after a triumphant maner and vievverh it in foolish wise hee wondereth at it and being affrighted goeth his waies and leaveth it cap. 5. 6. 20 110 4327 357 ¶ Imp. Constantius Augustus the ninth time Iulianus Caesar the second time Iulianus in a bloody battaile before Argentoratum overthroweth and defeateth the Almans taketh their King Chonodomarius prisoner and sendeth him to Rome Hereupon arose the grudge and displeasure of Constantius against Iulian. Am. Marcell lib. 16. cap. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. 21 1109 4328 358 ¶ Dacianus Neratâ—us Cerealis Iulianus restraineth the Almons Frankes and other 22 1110   neighbour Nations making tumults in sundry places and forceth them to keepe quiet Lib. 17. cap. 1. 2. 8. 9. The Persians Embassage Ca. 6. A dreadfull Earthquake which shooke mountaines and many towns of Asia Macedonia and Pontus Cap. 7. Constantius subdueth the Sarmatians and Quadi The Sarmatian slaves he defeateth in battaile The Picenses and Limigantes upon their humble supplication hee reduceth into their auntient habitations and thereupon is styled Sarmaticus Cap. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.   4329 359 ¶ Eusebius Hypathius Iulian wearieth the Almans and forceth them to crave peace Lib. 18. cap. 1. 2. 23 1111    The warre is kindled betweene the Persians and Romans in the beginning whereof Constantius is grievously foiled cap. 4. 5. 6. 7. The former acts and occurrents of this warre and the flight of the Roman troupes cap. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Amida a most strong towne is by the Persians assaulted and after much losse on both sides forced and wonne lib. 19. cap. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Great dearth of corne and victualls in Rome cap. 9. Constantius putteth to the sword the Limigantes of Sarmatia who rebelled cap. 10. Constantius cruelly proceedeth by the meanes of one Paulus his Notary or Secretary against those that sought unto Oracles and were given to the superstitions of the heathen An horrible monster was seene at Antioch The Isaurians making a commotion are by Lauritius appeased cap. 11. 12.   4330 360 ¶ Imp. Constantius Augustus the ninth time Iulian. Caesar the third time A memorable Eclipse of the Sunne in the East empire lib. 20. cap. 2. Iulian in Gaule is stiled Augustus With what cunning sleight this was brought about Am. Marcellinus laieth open in the twentieth booke cap. 3. 4. 5. 9. The fortunate successe of the Persians in the East against the Romans cap. 6. 7. 8. The attempts of Constantius against Iulianus and the Persians take no effect cap. 10. 11. 12. 13 Iulian represseth the Athuarij a nation of the Frankes cap. 10. 24 1112 4331 361 ¶ Fl. Taurus Fl. Florentius Iulian desirous to overthrow Constantius embraceth the study of unlawfull and forbidden Arts and for the time maketh semblance of Christianitie lib. 21. cap. 1. 2. Certaine Almaine traitors he chastiseth cap. 3. He purposeth to make open warre upon Constantius cap. 4. The memorie of Constantinus Magnus he traduceth and penneth an Invective against Constantius cap. 8. Hee besiegeth Aquileia which was intercepted by Constantius his Legions and in the end winneth it cap. 9. 10. Constantius being freed from the Persian warre taketh armes against Iulian whom he termeth a Rebell But in the way when he was come to Tarsus he died the third day of November cap. 11. 12. 13. Iulian hearing of Constantius his death commeth out of Moesia to Constantinople fetleth the affaires of the State Impiously hatefully and craftily he dealeth against Christ and the Christians A most foule sight and view of Iulians court and army both lib. 22. cap. 1. 2. 3. 25 1113 4332 362 ¶ Fl. Mamertinus Fl. Nevita IVLIANVS is now Augustus and Emperour alone He maketh his abode at Antioch A professed enemie of true religion Christian Grammarians and Rhetoricians hee debarreth from reading in Schooles lib. 22. cap. 9. 10. Great personages that were his adversaries and opposites he maketh away the seditious Alexandrines who had murdered Georgius the Arian Bishop he mildely intreateth cap. 11. Addicted to magicke arts he addresseth himselfe to the Persian warre and writeth against the Antiochians Certaine prodigious signes are seene and an Earthquake hapneth whereby Nicomedia is overturned cap. 12. 13. 1 1114 4333 363 ¶ Imp. Iulianus August the fourth time Secundus Sallustius Promotus Iulian goeth about in vaine to reedifie the Temple of Ierusalem lib. 23. cap. 1. Hee maketh a journey into Persia cap. 2. c. With a most puissant armie he entreth Persia Anatha is yeelded unto him and after many warrelike expeditions he winneth Maiozamalcha libr. 24. cap. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7 c. 2 1115    Being skared with an ominous signe leaving the siege of Ctesiphon and wearied together with his whole armie with the distemperature of the aire and the soile forced he is to alter his journey cap. 11. 12. At the last after certaine skirmishes and battailes fought forgetting to take his cuirace and hasting to fight he was mortally wounded by an unknowne person and within a while after yeelded up his vitall breath in the two and thirtieth yeere of his age the six and twentieth day of Iune lib. 25.
example of those archeis who had lost their hands he came in the moneth of Februarie to Tipata Where making his abode a long time like unto that auncient and warie temporizer he consulted as the businesse did require intending if he might haply spie his advantage and opportunitie to vanquish the warlike enemy by dint of dart and weapon invincible rather by stratagems and policie than by daungerous encounters in plaine field Howbeit he sent continually certaine persons skilfull in persuading unto the nations round about namely the Baiurae the Cantorians Avastomates Cafaves Devares and other borderers one while by feare otherwhiles by faire promises inducing them to an association yea and sometime by promising them pardon for their malapert folly purposing so to vanquish the enemie who much abated his violent forces by such faire fetches and delayes like as Pompey in times past overcame Mithridates For which cause Firmus declining a mischiefe so neere at hand although he was well strengthened with great guards about him leaving the common multitude of souldiors whom he had levied and assembled with great wages taking opportunitie of the still night to be unseene reached as farre as to the mountaines Caprarienses which were farre off and by reason of broken and craggie rockes inaccessable Vpon whose secret departure the multitude being scattered slipping and dropping away one after another now that they were without a leader ministred vnto our men good and readie meanes to enter upon his campe Which being ransacked and those slaine that made resistance or else upon their yeelding taken to mercie when he had wasted the greatest part of those countries like a most prudent and politique captaine he set over those nations which he passed through Prefects and rulers men of approved trust and fidelitie The enemie terrified with this unlooked-for pursuit of Theodosius accompanied with some few servants minding by quick departure to save himself to the end he might not be hindred by any let or encumbrance threw away the packs of pretious wares and commodities which he had brought away with him For his wife wearied out with continual very dangerous labor .... Theodosius sparing none when the souldiors were refreshed with finer food cheered with wages after that the Caprarienses the Abbannae their neighbours were in a light battaile defeated made hast to the Burrough towne .... ense and being by true messengers advertised that the Barbarians were alreadie possessed of the hills which on everie side with winding in and our mounted up aloft and were passable for none but the inborne inhabitants that knew the wayes verie well in his returne backe gave the enemies good means during a truce though it lasted but a while to make themselves stronger with passing great ayds of the Aethiopians neere adjoyning Who with a menacing noyse rushing in by whole plumpes without any regard of themselves to fight forced him to turne backe as affrighted with a terrible sight of inestimable troupes but straightwayes taking heart againe he returned bringing with him plentifull store of victuals and with his men cast round into a ring and shaking their shields after a terrible kind of gesture made head against them Albeit therefore that the bands of furious enemies with their Barbarian armour clattering one against another and making an hideous and fearefull kind of noyse were at the point to give the charge yea and themselves also knocked their bucklers against their knees yet like unto that warie warriour and politique souldior aforesaid distrusting his small forces boldly marching with a square battailon flee turned his way without any feare to a citie named Contensis where Firmus for fear of our men had as in a remote and high fort bestowed his folke And so after he had recovered all his owne souldiors he sharply punished as his woonted maner was the traytors and the guard of Firmus aforesaid As he most happily was in atchieving this exploit through the helpe of his great name advertised he was by a true discoverer that Firmus was fled into the countrey of the Isaflenses For the demanding of whom together with his brother Mazuca and other neere kinsfolke and deere friends he entred thither but seeing he could not have thē delivered he proclaimed open war against the whole nation And upō the joining of a cruel battaile against the Barbarians who beyond al measure braved behaved themselves most fiercely he opposed his battaile shaped after a round fashion And with the forcible violence of mightie troupes and squadrons the Isaflenses were so driven to the worst that many of them lost their lives and Firmus himselfe as hardie as he was and running oftentimes headlong upon his owne mischiefe was with his horse carryed quite backe out of the field as having beene used nimbly to run over rocks and cragges but Mazuca his brother deadly wounded was taken prisoner who being by order appointed to be sent to Caesarea where he had left cruell and durable memorials of most wicked deeds in the opening of his wound dyed howbeit his head severed from the rest of his bodie with great joy of as many as came to see it was brought into the citie aforesaid After this the noble Generall having vanquished the nation of the Isaflenses that withstood him plagued them as justice required with many losses and calamities And there he caused to be burnt Evasius a mightie Bourgesse with his sonne Florus and some other openly convicted by their secret conferences to have assisted the breaker of peace And then marching ther within the land in a brave mind and powerfull courage having invaded the countrie Iubalena where he heard say that Nubel the father of Firmus was borne being put backe with high mountaines and winding crooked straits hee stayed his journey And although by setting upon the enemies and killing many of them he made himselfe way to passe forward yet fearing the lofty hill toppes most meet for ambushments leading his souldiors in safetie hee returned to the fortresse Audiense Where the Isaflenses a savage people yeelded themselves promising voluntarily to furnish him with aid-souldiors and victuals CHAP. XIIII When Firmus was returned to the Isaflenses Theodosius goeth to meet him and with a small power setteth upon the enemies and in the end after a doubtfull battaile discomfiteth and foileth them Which done he so courseth the Isaflenses that Firmus in despaire of himselfe endeth his life with an halter whereby the Province recovered quietnesse FOr these and the like glorious atchievements this most noble captain taking great joy and contentment with a puissant power sought to be meet with the principall troubler himselfe of peace and therefore making his abode a long time neere to a fort named Medianum after many and politicke debatements of means projected good hope he had that he might be betrayed unto him But whiles with perplexed thoughts and deepe care he did forecast how to compasse this he understood for truth That the enemie was returned
again to the Isaflenses whom without any farther delay as before he marched against with speed Vnto whom their king named Igmazen a prince in those tracts of high reputation and famous for his wealth advancing forth and boldly affronting him Whence art thou quoth he and what businesse hast thou that thou art hither come Answere me Vpon whom Theodosius in a resolute mind looking wistly with a sterne countenance A Lieutenant I am sayth he unto Valentinian Lord of the whole earth sent to subdue a bloudie and cruell robber and unlesse thou render him out of hand according as the invincible Emperour hath determined thou and the whole nation which thou rulest shall utterly perish Which when Igmazen heard after many reviling taunts that he let flie against the Generall much troubled with anger and griefe together he went his way And the next morning betimes the armies on both sides advanced forth in most menacing wise readie to encounter and joyne battaile On the Barbarians side there were 20000 very neere marshalled in the very front of the vantguard behind whose backes were bestowed secretly the squadrons of auxiliaries for supply who rising up by little and little might shew themselves and with their multitude enclose our men ere they were aware Besides these there came in many of the Iesalenes as aid-souldiors who as I shewed before had promised our men helpe and provision of victuals On the other side the Romans although they were very few yet bearing valiant hearts and lifted up with precedent victories having set their flanks thicke thrust together fitted their shields close one to another in manner of a fence-roufe stood their ground and resisted And when from the Sunne rising unto the end of the day the fight had continued Firmus a little before the evening was seene mounted upon a tall courser displaying forth a good way from him his red coat armor with lowd cries to move and exhort our souldiors for to deliver up Theodosius betimes tearming him cruel detestable a bloudy deviser of torments and executions in case they were desirous to be rid from the extremities which they endured These words of his unlooked for incited some of them more eagerly to fight but inticed others to forsake the field And therefore so soone as the still time of night was come whiles both sides were enwrapped within wandering darknesse the Roman Generall returned to the fortresse Duodiense and taking a review and muster of his souldiors looke how many of them cowardly feare and the words beside of Firmus had turned from their purpose of fighting he punished sundry waies with death some by cutting off their right hands others by burning alive And most carefully keeping watch ward some of the Barbarians who adventured after the Moone was downe when they could not be seene to set upon our campe he either discomfited or else if they rushed in very audaciously took thē prisoners After this departing from thence a great pace he coursed the Iesalenes as a people hardly to be trusted through crooked lanes where he was little looked for and afflicted them so as he brought them to extreame penurie and being returned by the townes of Mauritania Caesariensis to Sitifis after he had racked and tortured even to death Castor and Martinianus partakers with Romanus in all robberies and foule facts he burnt them After this the warre began afresh with the Isaflenses and in the first conflict when many of the Barbarians were beaten backe and slaine Igmazen their king who heretofore was wont ever to be a winner distracted terrified with this present distresse and supposing that if he should beare himselfe obstinately still when commerce and traffique were once prohibited there remained for him no hope at all to live as warily closely as possibly could be out of the battaile he brake foorth alone and espying Theodosius humbly besought him to commaund Masilla a chiefe Peere of the Mazices to come unto him By whom being sent at his request in secret conferences he advised the Generall who of his owne disposition was no starter but constant and resolute That to give him means wherby he might bring more easily his purpose about he would preasse hotly upō those of his owne nation by continuance of fight turne them to feare who verily were readie ynough to affect and favour the Rebell but wearied out with many losses Theodosius gave eare condiscended to his words with often skirmishing foyled the Isaflenses so that whiles they fell downe like so many beasts Firmus privily slipped aside and whē he had bin confined a long time within starting holes out of the way whiles he consulted there how to flie and escape was staied kept in ward by Igmazen And for as much as he was informed what had bin underhand secretly practised by Masilla seeing now in this extremitie despaire of his estate there was no remedie left but one he determined by a voluntarie death to tread under foot all desire of life and being for the nonce full of wine till his skin strutted againe himselfe lay awake for terror of the miserie hanging over his head whiles the warders having their load likewise of headie wine lay sound asleepe in the dead time of the night Then leaving his bed and creeping on all foure without making any noise he severed himselfe apart farre off and having found a cord which to end his life happened to be readie for his hand he hung it upon a nayle or spike that stucke in the wall and so knitting his necke within it without any lingering torments ended his life Which accident Igmazen taking grievously and groning againe that he was disappointed of his glory in that it was not his good hap to lead this rebellious enemie in bonds to the Romane campe after assurance made of safe conduct by the meanes of Masilla himselfe carrying the dead bodie of him thus murthered upon a Camell when he approched the tents of the armie pitched under the sort Subicarense he shifted it upon a packe-horse and presented it unto Theodosius who joyed triumphed thereat And calling together as well the armed souldiors as the common people he asked Whether they knew that visage and when without any delay or circumstance made he understood certainely it was his face after he had remained there a little while he returned to Sitifis in triumphant manner and was received solemnly with the favour of all sorts of age and degree CHAP. XV. Valentinian warreth upon the Quadi whose king Gabinius is by the wicked plots of Maximinus murthered WHiles the Generall aforesaid is thus painefully employed within Mauritania and Africke in the warres the Quadi rose up in armes upon a suddaine a nation now little to be feared but wonderfull it is how warlike and puissant they were before time as their speedie exploits doe shew for that by them and the Marcomanni Aquileia was on a suddaine besieged a long time