armes rather than hold forth their hands by way of humble supplication he had an ardent desire among other ornaments of braverie and glorie to insert in his style the addition and surname of Parthicus which imprease of his when some idle and envious backbiters saw to be set forward with great preparations they kept a muttering and gave it out That it was a foule indignitie and pernitious that by the exchange of one only bodie there should so many stirres and troubles be raised employing all their endevour and diligence in putting off this service and journey Yea and they commonly said even in the presence of those who they supposed would bring what they heard to the Emperours eare That unlesse he went more calmely to worke in this excessive prosperitie and successe of his affaires he would like as corne that is growne over-ranke and plentifull soone fall to the ground and lye along with the weight of his owne wealth and felicitie And thus harping much a long time upon this string with secret plots and close devices they came barking in vaine about this valiant man who was nothing moved hereat much like unto the Pygmaeans or ζ Thiodamas that rusticall pesant of Lydia about Hercules But he for all this as beeing of an haughtier spirit than all the rest never the later casting and devising with himselfe the greatnesse of this voyage endevoured earnestly to prepare all things meet and convenient therefore Notwithstanding all this I say he drenched and embrued the altars exceeding oft with much shedding of bloud sacrificing otherwhiles an hundred buls at once and infinite flockes of sundrie smaller beasts yea and white sheepe sought for and gotten farre and neere by land and sea so that the souldiors every day in manner that went over their heads full pampered and frankefed as it were with plentie of flesh living rudely and uncivilely and through their greedie desire of bibbing quite marred and growne diseased were faine to be set upon mens shoulders that passed by and out of those publique houses where they should have studied to punish feasting rather than give way and libertie therto to bee carried along the streets to their innes and lodgings and above all other the â— Petulantes and the Celtae whose boldnesse and audacitie was in those dayes growne above all measure Moreover the rites of superstitious ceremonies were come to an excessive height with greatnesse of expence before time unusuall and grievous to be endured and every man since he might doe any thing without impeachment professing knowledge in prophesie as well the ignorant and unskilfull as the learned and taught scholler without all end or any orders appointed beforehand were permitted to seeke after the answers given by oracles and the science of peering into beasts bowels which now and then discover future events yea the faithfull information where ever it might be found of birds by singing of fowles by flying and of osses let fall from the mouth were with studious affectation of varietie sought for And whiles these matters run on thus as in time of peace Iulian who was very studious and diligent to learne many things entred into a new way of consultation minding to lay open the propheticall and soothsaying veins of the Castalian fountaine which Hadrianus Caesar is said to have stopped up with an huge heape of great stones fearing least as himselfe found by the prediction of the waters that he was to take the charge and government of the Commonweale so others also might come by knowledge of the like and-forthwith appointed that the bodies which had beene enterred round about it should bee translated from thence after that manner and fashion as the Athenians had purged the Isle Delos At the very same time even the eleventh day before the Kalends of November the most stately temple of Apollo θ Daphnaeus which Antiochus Epiphanes that irefull and cruell king built together with the image therein of Iupiter Olympiacus equall in bignesse to the patron that it resembled by suddaine violence of fire was burnt Which being thus by so terrible a misfortune consumed so farre forth grew the Emperour wroth and angrie that hee commaunded more streight and sharper inquisitions to be holden than ordinarie and the Cathedrall church of Antiochia to be shut up for he imagined that the Christians had done that deed upon spight and envie for that against their wils they saw as an eye-sore the sayd temple enclosed round about with a sumptuous cloyster supported with pillars Now the speech was though grounded upon a very light and vaine rumor That the same temple of Apollo upon this occasion was set on fire for that Asclepiades the Philosopher of whom I have made mention in the acts of Magnentius comming unto that place by the citie side to visit Iulian did set a little silver image of the goddesse Caelestis which he was wont to carrie about him wheresoever he went at the verie feâ—t of that high Colosse or image aforesaid and when he had lighted certaine torches and waxe tapers as the custome is departed Whereupon after midnight was past what time there could be no body present to helpe the sparkes flying from the torches caught hold upon that exceeding old wood whereof it was made and so the fire light one after another occasioned by the dry fewell they met withall mounted up and burnt what combustible matter it could possibly reach although the same were a great way in height from it The same yere even when the mid-Winter was neere at hand there fel out a feareful scarcitie of water in somuch as some rivers stood still and ran not yea and the springs were dried up which before time boile up plentifull store of water but afterwards they came to their former passe againe as well as ever before Also the 4. day before the Nones of December when it grew toward evening the rest of Nicomedia with an earth-quake fell downe and in like sort no small part of Nicaea Which accidents albeit they strucke the pensive prince into a dumpish fit of heavinesse yet he neglected not the rest of his urgent affaires untill the time came of his wished for fight CHAP. XIII Iulianus writeth a booke called Mesopogon against the Antiocheans He gently entreateth Theodorus of Hierapolis who had sided with Constantius The iudgement of Ammianus Marcellinus as touching the oxe Apis sought and found HOwbeit among such principall and serious businesses hee seemed to deale in one thing that was superfluous and unnecessarie in that upon a love that he had taken to populariâ—â—â— without any probable reason inducing him thereto hee set his mind to bring downe the price of all things to be bought and sold in market the cheapnesse whereof being ordered otherwise than is meet and convenient is wont otherwiles to breed scarcitie and famine And notwithstanding the States of Antioch shewed plainly That it could not be effected at the time when he willed it yet would he
Amida and with many assaults redoubled in sundry sorts wearieth as well his owne people as the Persians besieged THe tenth day therefore after the assault began when our mens hope grew worse than it was so that they were set all in heavinesse thought good it was to bring over that huge frame of a Ram which the Persians in times past after they had by the batterie thereof rased Antiochia brought from thence and left at Carras which being on a sodain seene and most artificially set together and fitted accordingly daunted the hearts of the besieged so as that they had fallen in manner to the last remedie of yeelding but that they tooke heart againe and prepared to oppose some meanes against this terrible and menacing engin Neither after this gave our men over one jot to adventure rashly or to advise politikely For whiles this old Ram beeing unjoynted and taken in peeces for easier carriage was a setting in order and readinesse with all cunning and strength of man notwithstanding the exceeding force and firme resolution of the defendants the peeces of ordnance were still defended neverthelesse with a number of stones and bullets sent out of slings on both sides many were killed and still the mounts and bulwarkes waxed greater and quickly rose to a mightie height so that the siege grew more fierce and hoter every day than other and many of our men lost their lives in the place for that fighting in the sight of the Emperour in hope of rewards and taking off their helmets from their heads because they might the sooner be knowne they were with the cunning shot of the enemies archers overthrowne and therefore tending watch and ward both night and day they stood more wary on both parts and did their devoir And now by this time the Persians seeing the banks terraces brought up to a mightie height and withall the huge ram aforesaid after which there followed also other smaller engins of that kind were stricken with a wonderful horror and did what they possibly could with might and maine to burne them all and albeit they ceased not to fling heaps and bals of wild-fire and shoot fiery darts yet they laboured in vaine for that most of the timber peeces were covered all over with skins and hayre clothes throughly wet others againe well smeared with alum that the fire might glide off without doing harme But the Romans bringing them forward with great force and valor though with much difficutlie yet defended and saved them and in an earnest desire they had to win the towne they set nought by imminent and present dangers and on the other side the defendants of the wals when the greatest Ram above said came toward them ready to shake downe the tower that stood against it by a subtle deuise ensnared the yron front that it beareth out before and in truth it resembleth a Rammes head with long ropes on either side and so held it fast that by returning backe againe it should not gather new strength nor be able with thicke jurres and pushes forcibly to strike the walls to any purpose and withall they powred downe scalding hot pitch The engins also being advanced forward stood along time carrying upon them huge stones to batter the walls and other casting weapons Now when the mounts without were raysed still higher the defendants fearing their destruction was at hand unlesse they tooke the better heed ran headlong into a most bold and adventurous action and in a sodaine sally issuing by numbers out at the gates and setting upon the formost of our men threw with all their might upon the Ram fire-brands and yron buckets loden with fire But after a skirmish valiantly performed with doubtfull fortune most of them prevailing nought were driven backe within the wals and anon from the mounts which the Romans had erected the same Persians as they stood upon their bulwarkes were assayled with arrowes slings-shot and fiery darts which flying among the roofes and curtaines of the towers for the most part went by or glaunced in vaine and did no hurt for that there were some of purpose readie to quench them And when on both sides the fighting men grew to be fewer and the Persians were driven to utmost dispaire but that they found better meanes they eftsoons gave the attempt with greater care and diligence to sally out of their fortifications and so the multitude breaking suddenly forth among our armed souldiers some appointed there were of purpose who carried greater store of fire than those before and threw yron skuttles full of flaming fire upon the timber frames stickes also and twigges with other dry fewell very apt to take fire And for that the exceeding blacke clouds of smoake tooke away all sight when the trumpet sounded the battaile the legions in good array marched on a quicke pace and as the heat of skirmish grew still by little and little by that time they came to buckle at hand-strokes all the foresaid engines at once were on a light fire and in manner burnt save only that greater one than the rest which being halfe burnt after the ropes were plucked away that were cast upon it from the wals and held it fast with much adoe and by the forcible straining of strong men was drawne forth of the fire But when the darkenesse of the night made an end of the skirmish our souldiers rested not long but beeing refreshed with small food and short sleepe they rose at the call of their captaines and removed their munitions far from the wall providing to fight more close and short along the high bastiles or countermures which now that they were finished overtopped the walls and that the defendants might easily be driven from off the wals upon the very top of the said bastiles were planted two Balists for feare of which it was verily thought that not one of the enemies could so much as put up his head and looke out before him These meanes being sufficiently provided a little before the twy-light of the morning appeared three battailons of our men in good array advancing with the crests of their helmets bending forward in threatning wise together with a number that carried ladders attempted to giue an assault upon the wals And now as the armor clattered and the trumpets resounded fighting on both sides joyntly with semblable heat and eagrenesse they made a venturous conflict of it which as it did spread still more and more the Romans perceiuing that the Persians hid their heads for feare of the engines of artillery placed upon the mounts did beat upon the walls with the ram and then with mattocks pickaxes yron crowes and ladders they approched meane while on both sides flew the casting dartes thicke But that which troubled and annoyed the Persians much more than all the rest was the sundrie shot discharged from the Balists running as it were through loope holes and grates from the bastiles newly raysed Whereupon supposing now that they were come
by the meanes and long use whereof Demetrius the sonne of Antigonus after he had given the assault unto Rhodes and other cities was called Poliorcetes and built it is in this manner There is a mightie Testudo or frame made strengthened with very long pieces of timber and fitted together with yron spikes and the same covered with ox-hides and new rods or windings drawne one within another the roofe or upmost part whereof is bestrewed and layed over with mud to the end it may checke the fall of fire or shot of casting-weapons Now there are set fast in the front of it certaine sharpe-pointed yron pikes or heads with three edges very massie much like in shape to those lightnings or thunderbolts that painters or forgers exhibite unto it to the end that whatsoever it runneth against it may with those sharpe heads that so beare out batter and breake in pieces This so strong and huge a frame the souldiors within ruling with wheeles and a number of ropes drive with maine and speedie force against the weaker part of a wall and unlesse the defendants from above bee the stronger and quit themselves the better it beateth downe the walls and maketh wide breaches As for the Malleoli a kind of Darts shaped they be on this fashion There is an arrow made of a cane betwixt the head and the steile joined and couched close with an yron full of chamfers and teeth which arrow after the maner of a womans distaffe on which they spin linnen thred is finely made hollow within the bellie yet open in many places thereof and in the bellie or hollownesse it receiveth fire with some fuell to feed it and thus being discharged softly out of a weake bow for with violent shooting the fire goeth out if it take fast hold on any place it burneth the same and having water cast or sprinckled upon it the hoter fire it causeth neither is there any remedie to allay or quench the rage thereof but by flinging dust upon it Thus much as touching peeces of Ordnance for walls of which some few have beene shewed Now returne we to the orderly course of our Hystorie CHAP. IIII. Iulianus setting nought by the letters of the Praefect of Gaule passeth over into Persia and then plucketh up the bridge to take away all hope from the souldiors to returne And once againe wearied he is with adverse prodigies whiles the Soothsayers and Naturalists disagree about the interpretation of such strange tokens THe Emperor having taken to him the Aids of the Saracenes which they offered with most willing and readie minds marching with quicke pace toward Cercusium in the beginning of Aprill entred into that fenced towne a place most safe and as finely and workemanly built the wals whereof the rivers Aboras and Euphrates compasse about shaping out as it were the spacious plot of an Island This fort being but small aforetime and suspected Dioclesian enclosed round with high walls and towers what time as in the very confines of the Barbarians he did set out and ordaine the inward limits least the Persians might raunge over Syria as within few yeres before it chaunced to the great detriment and damage of the provinces For it happened at Antioch that when all was still and silent at the solemne stage-playes a dauncing Tregetour sent in to make sport together with his wife was acting and counterfeiting certaine gestures that were commonly and usually taken up with so pleasant and delightsome a grace that the people were astonied thereat suddainely his wife Vnlesse I dreame quoth she in my sleepe loe yonder be the Persians Whereat the whole multitude turning their heads backe for to decline and avoid the darts that came flying thicke about their eares were dispersed every way Thus the enemies when they had burnt the citie and hewed a number in pieces who as in time of peace were stragled abroad very losely at their pleasures when they had fired also and wasted the villages and places bordering upon it loaden with booties and pillage returned home without receiving any hurt at all after they had burnt Mareaâ—es quicke who without good advisement had led them forth to the death of his owne countreymen And this fortuned verily in the dayes of Gallienus But Iulian whiles he stayeth at Cercusium to the end that by a bridge of ships over Aboras the armie and all the traine following might passe over received letters That nothing pleased him from Sallustius Praefect of Gaule who prayed him that the expedition against the Parthians might be put off and earnestly besought him That hee would not thus hastily and unseasonably plunge himselfe into an irrevocable danger of destruction having not as yet obtained the grace and favour of the gods Howbeit rejecting the advertisement of this most sage and wise counsellor hee boldly advaunced forward still for why Never was there any power or prowesse of man able to merit and prevaile so much but that which the fatall order of Destinies had once prescribed must needs take effect And forthwith having passed over the river hee caused the bridge to bee plucked in sunder and had away that the souldiors might have no confidence or hope remaining to returne backe from their proper companies and regiments In like sort here also was seene a sight praesaging heavie and unluckie fortune to wit the dead corpes lying along of a certaine officer or purveyor executed by the hangmans hand whom Sallustius the PrÄ™fect being presentin place had condemned to suffer death and loose his head for that having given his promise to deliver an encrease of victuals within a day prefixed was by reason of a cause of impeachment disappointed and did frustrate mens expectation But when the poore man a pitifull case was done to death the very next morrow as he had made promise arrived another fleet fraight with plentie of corne and victuall From thence we departed and came to Zaita a place which by interpretation is as much as the Olive tree Here saw we the brave and admirable tombe of the Emperour Gordian whose acts from the very beginning of his childhood and whose most fortunate conducts of armies together with his death wrought by traiterous conspirators we have in order put downe in due time Where when he had of his inbred pietie devotion sacrificed to the Manes of that consecrated prince and was going forward to Dura a dispeopled towne hee espied a farre off a companie of souldiors whereat he stood still and stirred not a foot and as he was in doubt what newes they brought there was by them presented unto him a Lyon of a most huge and mightie bodie wounded to death with many a dart as hee made toward the armie Vpon which sight giving now as it were a more certaine praesage of some more fortunate spectacle he bare himselfe aloft and marched on with greater courage and jolitie But such was the uncertaine will and equivocant decree of Fortune
concealed namely that having two curst and cruell shee Beares that used to feed of men and womens flesh the one named Golden Mica and the other Innocentia he carefully tooke order to place their cages neere unto his owne bed-chamber and to set trustie keepers diligently to see that they wanted nothing nor had nought that might offend them As for Innocentia after he had seene many burials of dead bodies rent and dismembred by her he suffered her as having well deserved libertie to goe her waies without any harme done unto her into the forrests CHAP. IX Valentinian raiseth warre upon Macrianus king of the Alemans and without effect returneth to Triers After this he causeth Hortarius a pettie king to be burned for treason ANd verily these are most true proofes of his bloudie behaviour and cruell intent But of his prudent purpose about the Commonwealth never digressing .... If any of the enemies was discovered from above out of the watch-towers or barbicans once to stirre he was overwhelmed Now among many and sundrie cares this above all other he first and principally cast in his mind how by open violence or privie traines he might catch alive and carrie away king Macrianus growne among so many changes of successions to be rich and mightie and now by reason of his puissant forces rising up in armes against our men like as long before Iulianus had intercepted Vadomarius But this businesse required both fore-sight and also time When it was knowne therefore by that which the fugitives told where the foresaid king who looked for no such thing might be taken as closely as possibly he could for feare that any should hinder the framing and setting together of a bridge he made a passage over the Rhene with ships And Severus who had the conduct of the Infanterie being gone before just against Mattiacae Aquae considering full well how few our souldiors were was affrighted and stood still fearing least not able to make resistance he should be borne downe with the mightie power of the enemies squadrons rushing violently upon him And because he suspected that they who brought with them certaine buffons as slaves to be sold whō by chance they found there would by speedie riding out give intelligence of that which they saw those he spoyled of their commodities and slew them all By the comming therefore of more forces the captaines being animated and having pitched their tents for a very short time because no man had either packe-horse nor pavilion but the prince whose carpets of tapistrie served for his tabernacle after they had stayed a small while by reason of the darke night no sooner was the Moone risen but in order of battaile they marched on farther having for their guides such as were skilfull in the wayes ...... with a great stirre and noise of his own people he was hindered whom for all that he charged continually to forbeare burning and spoiling yet could he not prevaile For by reason of the crackling that the fire made and the dissonant cries beside the Pentioners and Squires of his bodie were raysed who suspecting that which happened indeed mounted the king up into a most speedie chariot and in a narrow entrie within the hils which were round about broken bestowed him Thus Valentinian defrauded and disappointed of this glorious exploit through the default neither of himselfe nor of his captaines but through the unruly intemperance of the souldiors which oftentimes hath cost the Romane state grievous losses after he had fired the enemies land fiftie myles forward returned to Triers with heavie cheare where fretting and grinding his emptie jawes like unto a Lyon for the losse of a Stag or Roe-bucke whiles the scattered rankes of the enemies were affrighted he ordained Fraomarius in stead of Macrianus to raigne over the Bucinobantes an Aleman nation just against Mogontiacum Fraomarius I say whom shortly after because in a late rode the same territorie had bin quite wasted he sent over into Britannie and made Tribune and Colonell over a regiment of the Alemans which for number and valour in those dayes was renowmed But Bitheridus and Hortarius principall men likewise of that nation he commaunded to have the charge of souldiors under them Of which two Hortarius detected by the meanes of Florentius duke of Mogontiacum to have written somewhat against the State unto Macrianus and other nobles of the Barbarians after the truth was by torture expressed and fetched out were burnt for it CHAP. X. Firmus a prince of Mauritania raiseth troubles and commotions which Theodosius Generall of the Horsemen endevoureth to appease FRom hence among .... these occurrences that followed next I thought good should be delivered in one continued narration least while in businesses and places farre distant other matters be inserted there ensue of necessitie a confused knowledge of many things Nubel a petie king as it were through all the nations of Mauritania right puissant departing this life left behind him sonnes both legitimate and also base begotten of his concubines One of these named Zamma well accepted and in favor with the lieutenant named Romanus being secretly by his brother Firmus murthered gave the occasion of much discord and warre For the said lieutenant making hast with all earnest desire to revenge his death wrought many meanes and those very dangerous to the utter overthrow of the foresaid privie murtherer And as it was by sundrie rumors reported great diligence and labour hereabout was employed in the Emperours palace And verily the relations made by Romanus which cast many and grievous imputations upon Firmus were willingly entertained of the prince and read before him whiles there wanted not many besides favourably to second the same But on the contrarie side looke what Firmus impleaded and oftentimes by his friends alledged in defence of himselfe and of his life the same how ever it was received did remaine a long time smothered by reason that Remigius master at that time of the Offices allied by marriage and a friend unto Romanus constantly alwayes affirmed That among many weightie and important affaires of the Emperour these so frivolous and superfluous matters ought not be read unto him but at some convenient and seasonable time Which when the Moore perceived to be a practise for to overthrow his defence trembling now for feare of extremitie least haply when those allegations which he pretended and pleaded were cast aside he might be condemned as one pernitious and contumacious and so put to death renounced his allegeance unto the Empire and rebelled and such helpes ... for feare least by encrease of his power he might grow to be an implacable enemie to the suppressing of him with the helpe of some few souldiors attendant about the court was Theodosius Generall of the Horsemen sent whose vertues in those dayes as of great efficacie above the rest shone forth being like for all the world to those auncient knights Domitius Corbulo and Lusius
the street partly to enlarge the roome and partly to gaine better prospect devised by one Menius an unthrift who having spent all his land and living reserved yet such a gallerie the better to behold publike sights and games of whom such jutties are named Meniana r There werein Rome 1◠regions s Magistrirei Castrensis I suppose are here the same that Magistri militum or martiall captaines t This Sicinius was before called Siccius Dentatus for Sicinius n Well suiting with this was that device of Archilochus who depainted fortune in the forme of an old woman carrying in her right hand flaming fire and in her left water Natal Comes Mytholog lib. ◠cap. 9. x Pontus Polemoniachus so called of Polemon or Polemo a king that ruled that province Strab. 11. 12. for difference from the great countrey Pontus bordering upon the sea Pontus Annotations and conjectures upon the 28. Booke a SIngular care was alwayes had in the Roman State that corne and other victuall should be verie cheape For which purpose in the free Commonweale there were especiall officers called Aediles and after in the Emperours time one ordayned out of the degree of Knights or Gentlemen named Proefectus annonoe and Curator annonoe The policie of that Commonwealth was such that by good forecast there was alwayes plentie rei annonarioe and the price thereof alwaies low yea and many times there was given away among the people a mightie deale and dole of corne and bread also that which they called Edulitas which was a largesse of flesh given by the Emperour and distributed among the common people in time of scarcitie Read hereof Aelius Lamprid. in the life of Alex. Severus a Because there is so often mention made of Proefec̄tus urbi the Prefect of the citie that is Rome called ordinarily in this author Vrbs oeterna it wil not be impertinent some what to write of that magistrat In the free state he was Provost or governour of the citie deputed in the absence of the Consuls whiles they solemnized the festivall sacrifices on the mount Albanus during the Latine holy-dayes as appeareth in Livie In the Emperours time he resembled somewhat for civile jurisdiction and government within Rome and about it the Proefectus Proetorio and they two were of chiefest authoritie as appeareth by the same or verie like ensignes belonging to the office And as it may be gathered out of Notitia they were these A chariot-man on foot wearing upon a red or as some bookes have a greene coat a white loose mandilian or a greene without sleeves his armes both he putteth out wearing upon his red stockings blew shooes in his left hand he beareth a rod with his left he holdeth the reines and guideth them hanging from the head of the last or next horse of the foure whereas the other three are unbridled and be all of white colour The chariot is of Ivorie guiltall over and of that kind which they call Carrucha Above the portraiture hereof there is a table covered with a blew carpet fringed of tapestrie which carrieth a booke standing upright with a leather cover silvered bound in the mids toward both ends with golden strings with the image in gold likewise of the Prince in the mids of the backe and the same containing the articles of his charge putting him in mind to have care of the citie and to gather up the revenues thereof These in a certaine frame had the Emperours images in gold carried before them and under them the image of a woman carrying in her hand Cornucopia There were represented also two tapers gilt burning on each side of the said booke And as to the Proefects Proetorio there were besides women portraied with crownes on their heads and chargers or boles full of golden peeces of coine according to the number of the Diocesses under them so it is probable that this Prefect had among his ensignes the picture also of Rome More hereof you may read here and there in Notitia b Aruspex properly is that Soothsayer that foretelleth future events by peering and prying into the inwards of beasts killed for sacrifice so called à speciendo victimas ad aram and is the same that Extispex c The Solidus among the Romanes as Budeus saith was Aureus i. a coined peece of gold whereof foure went to an ounce so that by this reckoning it was about 15. s. Now if Modius were our pecke and halfe and ten of these peckes were sold in time of a great dearth for one Solidus or Aureus that is everie pecke for 18. d. of our money then a measure with us called a strike or London bushell would have cost ◠s. which was counted deere among the provincials which no doubt would have beene affoorded much cheaper unto the citizens of Rome For the Roman provision out of which this want was supplied cost but the third part of that price d Vnder Comes sacrararum largitionum in the West Empire were six Procuratores monetoe or Masters of the mint which had their mint-houses in severall places at Sciscia in Pannonia secunda at Aquileia at Lions at Areles at Triers and at Rome in the temple of Iuno Moneta Here is meant the Mint-master at Rome e Among other devises to torment folke were certaine plummets or pellets of lead called Plumbatoe different in forme from those Plumbatoe in Vegetius which were a kind of casting weapons and herewith poore prisoners and martyres were pelted to death These Constantius the Emperour called Plumbatorum verbera And Prudentius expresseth the maner of this torture lively in these verses Tudatur tergum crebrisictibus Plumbóque cervix verberata extuberet Pulsatus ergo Martyr illa grandine Postquam inter ictus dixit hymnum Plumbeos c. f Although this word Summates may verie well agree to all the Senatours in Rome or Curiales in provinciall cities and townes yet properly it is meant of those that had beene superiour magistrats and borne office of estate g Busiris the sonne of Neptune a most cruell tyrant of Aegypt whose maner was to sacrifice all straungers unto his Idoll Iupiter In the end when he would have dealt so by Hercules he and his sonne together with the bloudy ministers of such sacrifices were by him slaine Of him so no torious a tyrant Virgil writeth thus Georgic 3. Quis illaudati nescit Busiridis aras Antoeus likewise the sonne of Neptune and Tellus a mightie Giant as Poets feigne in Libya 6◠cubits high He ufed to lye upon the bare ground and overcame all others in wrestling untill he met with Hercules in wrestling with whom when he was weary and laid upon the ground here covered eftsoones his strength thereby and became more vigorous than before which Hercules perceiving and how he gat more strength by touching his mother the earth overthrew him no more but in his armes held him betweene heaven and earth so long and so fast that he crushed him to death
strokes and that with variable fortune At length the Alemans put to flight are defeated and suffer afearefull overthrow THe Alemans therefore after they had discomfited and disbanded our horsemen charged upon the foreward and front of the footmen minding by casting away all mind and purpose of resisting to make head first and cause them to recule But after they were come once to cope at hand-strokes the fight was maintained a long time in equall tearmes For the Cornuti and Braccati redoubted souldiors through long experience of warres manfully received them being now at the point to set up a mightie great shout called Barritus which outcrie in the very heat of the medley beginning with a small humming and growing bigger by little and little riseth higher in manner of waves beating against the rockes After this as the arrowes and darts flew thicke to and fro with a singing noise as they flew the dust that arose by the equall stirring of both sides tooke away the eye-sight and caused them to run their armour and bodies one upon another But the Barbarians without all order what with violence and what for anger burnt like a flaming fire and the close jointed shield-fence which defended our men in manner of a roufe they hacked and hewed with many a stroke of the sword Which being knowne the Batavi together with their kings a puissant and terrible troupe ran in with speed to helpe their fellowes readie to rescue and deliver them with the assistance of fortune in that extremitie compassed in as they were round about But the Alemans as they began fiercely to fight puffed and blowed hard as if in some furious fit they would have utterly destroyed all that stood against them in their way Yet gave not over the javelines and casting-darts yea and the yron headed arrowes were let flye although in close fight also one weapon strucke upon another and the habergeons were cloven with swords and such as were wounded before all their bloud was shed out rose up againe to doe some service before they died for they were after a sort very even matched the Alemans strong and the taller our souldiors by long experience and practise cunning those fierce fell and turbulent these quiet and warie the Romanes bold of heart and courageous the other presuming upon their mightie big bodies Howbeit otherwhiles the Romane with the weight of armour driven back rose up again the Barbarian when both his knees were wearied with stepping and pressing forward bowing his left ham backe would ease himselfe and lye close behind readie yet to give an assault upon his enemie which is a token of obstinacie and stiffe resolution in the highest degree And so there leapt foorth suddainely a gallant troupe of the nobles among whom the kings also fought and having the common sort following after before all other brake within the battaillons in the vantguard of our men and so making themselves way came as farre as to the legion of the 1 Primani placed in the middest which guard and strength they use to call Castra Praetoria where our souldiors thicker arranged in many rankes and files and therefore in manner of towers standing their ground firme and fast with greater courage fell to fight againe and so carrying an heedfull eye how to ward all venies and covering themselves close in manner of a m sword-fencer with their drawne swords ran their enemies into the sides where by reason of their hote and furious anger they lay most open And the Barbarians againe fully bent to spend their lives for to gaine victorie assayed to leuse our battaile so jointly knit together but seeing a number lying dead in rewes all the way before them whom the Romanes now upon taking better heart unto them had layed along followed on as many I meane as remained alive in place of the slaine and when they heard many a grone of those that lay a dying in the place for exceeding feare they were stricken astonied Outwearied at last with so much painefull toile their strength served them thenceforth onely to flye and so by divers and sundry lanes they made shift with all the speed they could to get away much like unto mariners who make hast from out of the middest of surging waves in a boisterous tempest at sea to be cast upon land which way soever the wind carrieth them The Romanes then upon this victorie a thing rather wished than hoped for as any man will confesse that was there present worship the gracious power of God so propice and mercifull unto them Howbeit our souldiors without all mercie slashing and hewing them upon the backes as they fled when otherwhiles by reason their swords were bent and rebated they had not wherewith to strike any longer thrust the Barbarians to the very heart with their owne weapons neither was there one of them that for all this wounding satisfied his anger with bloudshed nor thought his right hand had ynough yet of slaughter or for any humble entreatie and supplication would take pitie and give over execution Thus therefore lay a mightie number of them thrust through the bodie to death craving none other remedie but quickly to bee dispatched of their lives Some halfe dead when their breath began now to faile sought about yet with dying heavie eyes for meanes to live longer others had their heads cut in manner quite off with huge weapons so as they hung downe and had no more hold than by the very throats a number of them in the mierie and slipperie ground chauncing to slide and fall downe in the bloud of their fellowes although no weapon touched their bodies were over-whelmed with the souldiors rushing and running over them by heapes and so killed The winners having got so good an hand of their enemies yet preassed on still more forcibly so that the points and edges of their weapons waxed blunt and dull with striking so thicke and the bright helmets and shields together lay tumbled under their feet The Barbarians at last seeing themselves driven to this utmost extremitie and that the heapes of dead carcasses rose so high that they stopped all passage out sought for the onely helpe that remained even of the river which now ran hard at their backes And because our souldiors running a great pace even under their armour were not wearie but preassed still upon them as they fled some of them supposing that by their skilfull swimming they should bee able to rid themselves of all danger committed their lives unto the waves of the river In which regard Caesar together with the Tribunes and captaines in a quicke fore-cast fore-seeing what dangers might ensue cryed out after a rebuking manner and gave streight charge That not one of our men in hote pursute after the enemie should venture upon the streame so full it was of whirle-pits Whereupon this order they tooke that standing upon the bankes of the river with sundry sorts of darts and casting-weapons they sticked the
doubtfull braid they were driven As for all their lacquies and servants that followed them on foot they slew unlesse they were such as the obscuritie of the time saved from danger At the length when it was knowne that the Romanes had passed over the kings who both then as also in the time of expeditions past supposed there to take some easement of their labors when it happened that they found enemies were strucken and astenied their people also who watched the bridge with great care and diligence that it should not be made quaking for very feare betooke them to their heeles and thus the unbridled furie of theirs assuaged they made what hast they could to remoove their neerest and deerest friends farther off Then presently when all this difficultie was past the bridge being set together and the projects of these so carefull nations prevented our souldiors seene now in the Barbarians land passed through the dominions of Hortarius without doing any hurt But when they were come once into the territories of those kings who were yet enemies without any feare they made foule worke throughout the middest of the rebels countrey burning and spoyling all before them Now after they had set on a light fire the mounds and fences of their brittle houses hewed in pieces a number of folke and seene many of them falling downe and others making supplication when they came so farre as to a countrey named Capellatij or Palas where certaine mere stones parted the confines betweene the Alemans and Burgundians there they encamped for this reason that Macrianus and Hariobaudus brethren Germanes and Kings might bee received without dread who perceiving that their destruction drew neere came with carefull and heavie hearts to entreat for peace After whom immediately repaired king Vadomarius also whose habitation was just against the Rauraci and through the commendatorie letters of prince Constantius secretly brought out and earnestly alledged he was gently entertained as who long since had been taken into the protection of the Romane Empire And Macrianus verily with his brother admitted among the Eagles and Ensignes wondered at the varietie and braverie of the armour and forces which then and never before he saw and entreated in the behalfe of his people But Vadomarius acquainted with our men as neighbouring upon the limit marvailed I assure you at the munition and furniture of so stately and sumptuous an expedition but remembred very well that in the prime of his youth he had many times seene the like In conclusion after long consultation had and all things well weighed and considered unto Macrianus verily and Hariobaudus peace was graunted but as for Vadomarius who intending to establish his owne securitie firme and sure was come also by way of embassage and as an Oratour in the behalfe of Vrius Vrsicinus and Versalpus kings heartily desiring peace he could not in this meane time suddainely have his answere for feare least as these Barbarians are fickle and hardly to bee trusted they bethinking and remembring themselves after the departure of our men would not stand to those points which by others had beene obtained But when they also themselves upon the fiering of their standing corne and houses upon the taking also of many of them prisoners and killing a number made such humble suit as if they likewise had trespassed in the same kind against our people they got peace with the semblable conditions among which this was above all most instantly urged That they should redeliver all those captives whome in many out-rodes they had taken and carried away CHAP. III. Barbatio colonell of the Infanterie and Assyria his wife attaint of high treason are beheaded WHiles the heavenly providence reformeth these abuses in Gaule there riseth up in the Emperours court a turbulent tempest of new matters which from small beginnings proceeded to sorrowfull mourning and lamentation In the house of Barbatio then colonell of the Infanterie it happened that a swarme of Bees were evidently seene to settle And when he carefully sought unto wisards skilfull in prodigies about so strange a sight this answere they made That it portended unto him some great danger grounding forsooth upon this conjecture That these flying creatures after they have made their habitations and gathered goods are driven out from thence with smoke and the troublesome ringing of cymbals This Barbatio had a wife named Assyria a dame of no few words nor yet wise who when her husband was gone foorth to the warres and fearefully perplexed many waies in regard of that which he well remembred had beene fore-told him by the said Soothsaiers moved like a woman with a foolish toy that tooke her in the head called for her maid servant who could skill of cyphring and one whom she had gotten from out of the patrimonie and goods of Silvanus by whose hand she wrote a letter full untowardly and out of season unto her husband weeping as it were and beseeching him for Gods sake That after the death of Constantius now at hand himselfe as she hoped being admitted to the imperiall place would not cast her off and preferre the marriage of Eusebia the Queene a ladie for person and beautie surpassing This letter was sent as secretly as might be and the maid servant who had penned the same as her mistresse endited it after that every man was returned home from the warre-service stole out in the beginning of night and ran away to Arbetio taking with her a copie of the said letter and being heartily welcome unto him disclosed that piece of written paper He then as he was the fittest man in the world to frame an accusation against one trusting upon this presumption and evidence enformed the prince of this matter and as the usuall manner was without any delay or pause allowed to the handling of this businesse Barbatio after he had confessed the receit of such a letter and the woman his wife by good proofe was convicted to have written the same lost their heads for it When these were executed much inquisition was made abroad many men were troubled aswel the innocent as offendors among whom Valentine also late principall or captaine of the Protectores and now Tribune with many others after he had beene tortured divers times as one privie to the foresaid treason survived notwithstanding and in very truth knew nothing at all of the matter In recompence therefore of this wrong done and danger wherto he was brought he became a great captaine and leader in Illyricum Now this Barbatio abovesaid was a man somewhat rude and arrogant withall in his carriage in this regard also many hated him for that both whiles hee had the rule of the Protectores in ordinarie under Gallus Caesar hee played the perfidious traitor and also after his decease bearing himselfe prowd of his advauncement to an higher place of warre-service he devised and plotted the like against Iulianus Caesar and oftentimes a thing that good men detested he whispered in the
running downe of bloud much like as when at Troy in times past there was a right hote and bloudie conflict about the breathlesse bodie of Patroclus companion to the Thessalian leader Achilles By occasion of this death the kings house was heavie and sad and for that all the lords and nobles together with the father were strucken with this suddaine losse after proclamation of a vacation made the young prince commendable for his nobilitie of birth and well beloved was solemnely bewayled and mourned for after the guise of his owne nation Being therefore carried out all armed as he used to bee placed he was upon a certaine large and high raysed terrace or scaffold and about him tenne little beds were spread carrying the images of dead men so curiously dressed and embaulmed as that the very portraits were like unto bodies new enterred And thus for the space of seven dayes together all the men verily by bands and companies kept good cheare and with dauncing and singing certaine mournefull kinds of dumpes and sorrowfull dities bewayled the death of the young prince but the women with wofull knocking of their breasts and shedding teares after their wonted manner piteously cried and lamented for the hope of their nation thus untimely cut off in the very prime and flower of his age like for all the world to those women priests and worshippers of Venus that are oftentimes seene to weepe in the ordinarie feasts and solemnities of a Adonis which mysticall Religion teacheth us to be some representation of corne full growne CHAP. II. The description of the siege before Amida A most terrible and hote assault made by the Persians which the besieged manfully sustaine untill night AFter the corpes was burnt and the bones bestowed close within a silver pot which his father determined should be carried unto his owne nation for to be enterred upon debating in counsell as touching the main chaunce agreed it was to expiate the Manes of this young gentleman slaine with the generall fire of this citie when it was once overthrowne for Grumbates would not endure to goe any further without revenging the ghost of his only deere sonne And after two daies rest given and a great number sent out to wast the rich and well husbanded fields lying open after the manner of peace the citie was environed about with a five-fold ranke and course of shields and upon the third day betimes in the morning the glittering troupes standing round in plumps tooke up all the ground so farre as a man was able to looke and see from him and the rankes marching with a soft and gentle pace held their places divided by lot unto them All the Persians invested the circuit of the wals that part which looked Eastward fell to the Chionites which was the quarter where the young gentleman to the mortall mischiefe of us was slaine the Vertae were appointed to the South side the Albanes kept the North tract and against the West gate were opposed the Segestans the fiercest warriors of all others with whom the Elephants making a loftie shew and terrible to behold for their bodies full of wrinckles paced their ground softly as being loaden with armed men and as wee have often said for dreadfull sight exceeding all other foule spectacles whatsoever Beholding then so infinite a number sought out a long time to set on fire the Romane world and wholly bent to worke our destruction in full dispaire of any safetie we tooke care from thence-forth to end our lives with glorie the onely thing now that wee all wished for Well from the Sunne-rising to the end of the day stood their battaillons in array as fixed fast in the ground and never stirred not so much as once shifting foot without any noise at all or neighing of horses heard and in the same manner retyred they as they came but after they had refreshed themselves with meat and sleepe before the night was fully past with the sound of trumpets leading the way they beset the citie round about and gave so terrible an assault unto it as if within a while it would have fallen Scarcely had Grumbates there like an herault at armes launced after his owne countrey fashion and our manner also his speare died all red in bloud but the whole armie with a clattering noise of weapons mounteth up to the wals and streight way beginneth a hote and lamentable fight whiles on the one side these by whole troupes run on violently and with all resolution and alacritie bend themselves to the assault and contâ—â—iwise on the other our men were as eager and forward to encounter and receive them Therefore it came to passe that huge stones throwne out of Scorpions brake many of our enemies heads in pieces and brained them some were shot through with arrowes part of them having barbed darts and javelines sticking in them lay wounded and bespred the ground others ran away and fled as fast as they could toward their fellowes againe Neither was there within the citie lesse weeping and wayling or fewer sorts of death whiles many a cloud of arrowes flying thicke together with a multitude of them shaddowed and darkened the ayre whiles also the engines of ordinance and artillerie which the Persians were possessed of since the sacking of Singara did much hurt and inflicted many wounds For the defendants gathering their strength together and falling afresh to fight againe by turnes after they had given over for a time in their exceeding heat of defending the towne being mortally hurt fell downe dead or after they were torne and mangled with their tumbling over-turned those that stood next them or at leastwise whiles they were yet alive sought about for them that had the skill to draw foorth the arrow and dart heads that stucke fast in their bodies Thus these slaughters happening one in the necke of another and continuing unto the very latter end of the day the very darknesse of the evening had not slacked by reason that on both parts they were so stiffely set to fight to the outrance After that the watch therefore was kept by those that were heavily armed and weaponed the hils of the one side resounded againe with the cries that were set up whiles our men extolled the vertues of Constantius Caesar as the soveraigne Emperour and Lord of the world and the Persians for their part styled Sapor both Achaemenes and Artaxerxes which by way of interpretation import as much as commaunder of kings and conquerour of warres And before the day began to peepe upon the signall given by trumpets inestimable numbers of forces were raised from all sides and flocked in manner of so many fowles to the like hote skirmishes as before and every way both farre and wide as a mans eye could reach before him the fields and dales made no shew of any thing but the glittering harneis and brandishing weapons of savage nations and within a while upon setting up a mightie shout and out-crie as they
and darkened his courses so glorious in many respects otherwise For after many other good acts some of the lawes also he reformed for the better which by cutting off their doubtfull constructions and long circumstances shewed plainely what they bad and what they forbad to be done But this one inhumane and unmercifull deed of his would be buried in perpetuall silence That hee debarred the professors of δ Rhetoricke and of Grammer to teach those of the Christian religion CHAP. XI Divers men of great name who had beene sometime adversaries of Iulian were punished sundrie wayes A seditious uprore raised in Alexandria which bred many broiles and murders by an edict of Iulianus is appeased AT the verie same time Gaudentius that notorious Notarie who had been sent as I said before from Constantius as an opposit unto Iulians designes in Africk as also Iulianus late deputie Praefect or Vice-gerent there an exceeding great supporter and abettor of the same side were fetched backe kept bound in prison and by justice put to death Then also it was that Artemius who had been the Marques of Aegypt at the urgent and instant suit of the Alexandrines charged with a number of hainous crimes was executed with the losse of his head after whom the son of Marcellus late generall of the horse and foot both as one that aspired to be Emperor suffred death openly Moreover Romanus Vincentius Tribunes of the first second band of the Scutarij being convicted to have plotted certaine designes above their estate and degree were banished And after some small time betweene the Alexandrians given to understand that Artemius was dead whom they feared least upon his returne with power and commaund as before for so he had threatened he would as one highly displeased sit on many of their skirts turned the edge of their anger upon Georgius the bishop as who had oftentimes snapped as I may so say at them with his viperous teeth The soone he was of e Insulius by report borne at Epiphania a towne of Cilicia and being growne to greatnesse with the losse and hinderance of very many against the good of himselfe and of the Commonweale ordained bishop of Alexandria a citie which of the owne inclination and even when there are no causes at all is usually given to many seditious tumults and turbulent commotions according as the very Oracles give true report The people here having their minds alreadie enraged were much more incensed by this Georgius also who in the open eares of Constantius ceased not to accuse many of them as rebellious and disobedient to his commandements and thus forgetting his owne profession which teacheth him nothing but just dealing and mildnesse he forsooke that course and betooke him to the mischievous practises of dangerous promoters And among other matters hee was said malitiously to have enformed Constantius of this also That in the foresaid citie all the houses built sometime by Alexander the first founder with great charges and expences of the State and now annexed to the soyle ought by right to yeeld profit and revenewes to the common Treasurie To these mischiefes this one more also he added for which within a while after he was driven headlong upon his owne destruction Being returned from the princes court as he passed by the beautifull temple of Genius guarded as his manner was with a great traine about him casting his eyes aside toward the very temple How long quoth he shall this sepulchre stand Which word of his being once heard many were smitten as it were with a thunderbolt and fearing least he would give the attempt to overthrow it also they wrought by secret traines to raise what matter they possibly could to bring him to ruine And loe upon the suddaine arrivall of joyfull newes importing the death of Artemius the whole multitude of the commons for this unexpected joy set agog and grinding their teeth with a terrible noyse came upon Georgius whome they haled and tugged with his legs and feet wide stragling trampling and spurning him with sundrie sorts of evill entreating and putting him to paine and torment ynough And together with him Dracontius the Mint-master and one Diodorus by calling in manner of a Comes had their legs drawne through with cords and so were killed together the former of them for that he overthrew an altar newly set up in the Mint-house whereof hee was the Master the other because whiles hee was over-seer for the building of a Church he cut off very licentiously the lockes of boyes haire close to the head supposing that this fashion also smelled of Idolatrie And the outragious multitude not content herewith after they had mangled their dead bodies layed them upon camels and so carried them to the lake and when they had burnt them with a swift fire flung the ashes into the sea fearing as they gave it out alowd least if their reliques had beene gathered up together there would have beene churches built for them like as for the rest who being urged to forsake their religion went so farre in keeping of their faith unspotted and undefiled that they endured dolorous torments even to glorious death and now are tearmed Martyrs And verily these wofull and miserable men when they were led to cruell execution might by the helpe of Christians have beene reseued but that all the people one with another bare so deadly hatred unto Georgius The Emperour certified hereof bent fully to take revenge for so wicked an outrage and being now at the point to have the malefactors punished with losse of life was yet pacified with the gentle words of his neerest favourites and sending out an edict in a sharpe and bitter Oration detested the wicked act committed threatening extremitie of death in case any thing thenceforth should be attempted forbidden by justice and the lawes CHAP. XII Iulian addresseth himselfe to the Persian warre His sacrifices Heathenish ceremonies consultation of beasts inwards and bird-flight The temple of Apollo Daphnaeus by casuall fire burnt incenseth Iulian against the Christians Certaine Prodigies and Earthquakes whereby Nicomedia was overthrowne MEane while preparing an expedition against the Persians which in the highnesse and stoutnesse of his mind he had conceived before time caried aloft he was with an hote desire to the revenge of dishonours past knowing and hearing that this most fierce nation had for the space almost of threescore yeares together set their sure markes and cruell monuments in the East of slaughter and saccage as having oftentimes put whole armies of ours to the sword Now a twofold desire he had that incensed him to this warre first for that impatient altogether of ease and rest he dreamed of nothing all night but trumpets and battailes againe because in the very prime and flower of his youth being presented and exposed to the warres of cruell nations whiles the prayers were yet fresh of kings and princes who were thought might be vanquished by force of
mid-spring sent by his militarie companies a token or watchword giving notice of an expedition hee commaunded them all to passe over Euphrates Which being once knowne they all hie away speedily out of their wintering harbours and having crossed the river as the hystorie ensuing shall declare were dispersed into sundrie stations and expected their Princes comming CHAP. II. Being departed out of Antioch he was troubled and haunted with strange signes and dreames but afterwards comforted againe by sundrie presages and the arrivall of a most puissant Armadoe he proceedeth in his intended voyage BVt he being readie to depart from Antioch made one Alexander of Heliopolis a turbulent and cruell man judge over Syria and said withal That the man had not indeed deserved the place but such a Iustice as he was meet for the covetous and spightfull Antiocheans And when the multitude of all sorts accompanied him to his departure wishing an happie journey and a glorious returne beseeching him from thenceforth to be mild and gentle unto them for that his anger which he had conceived of their scornfull reproofes and reproaches was not as yet assuaged hee gave them rough language saying He would thenceforth see them no more For he said That he determined after the expedition ended to returne a neerer way to Tarsus in Cilicia there to winter and that he had written to Memorius the President That in the same town all things should be put in readinesse fit for him and in truth this fell out indeed not long after For his corps being brought backe thither with small pompe of funeral obsequies was enterred as himselfe gave order in a place neere the cities side And now when the weather began to be warme and lightsome the third day before the Nones of March he tooke his voyage and with usuall journeyes came to Hierapolis where as he entred the gates of that most spatious and large citie a gallerie on the left hand sodainely fell downe and besides a number that were wounded with the weightie fall of tymber peeces and tyles crushed to death fiftie souldiers as they were going under it From whence with all his forces assembled together he advanced his ensignes into Mesopotamia so speedily that before any rumor ran of his comming for thereof he had taken verie carefull heed before hee surprised the Assyrians at unawares And in the end having upon a bridge of ships passed over Euphrates with his armie and the aids of Scythians he came to Batne a free towne of Osdroēna and there found he a sorrowfull token presaging ill For when a number of campe slaves stood neere unto an exceeding high stack of straw for to take from thence according to their custome foder for in this maner in those countries such kinds of farage are mowed up whiles many were plucking thereat the whole mow or stacke being shaken was borne downe and with the huge heap of that which fell overwhelmed in semblable maner fiftie men to death Departing from thence with heavie cheere he rode apace and came to Carrae an auncient towne remarkeable for the defeature and overthrow of Crassus and the Roman armie whence there be two distinct high roadwayes leading into Persia That on the left hand by Adiabena and Tigris the other on the right hand by the Assyrians and Euphrates And having staied there for certaine dayes to provide necessaries and to offer sacrifice unto the Moon which in those tracts after the rites of the place is devoutly worshipped it is reported of him that before the verie altar without admission of any one thither to be witnesse or privie to what he did he secretly delivered unto Procopius his kinsman his purple coat of armes and charged him boldly to enter upon the Imperiall dignitie if hee understood that himselfe was slaine in Parthia And here as Iulian tooke his rest and lay asleepe his mind disquieted with dreames presaged some unfortunat accident to follow Wherefore both himselfe and the expounders also of visions considering the present occasions pronounced That the day following which was the foureteenth day before the Kalends of Aprill should be well observed But as it was knowne afterwards the verie same night the temple of Apollo Palatinus in Rome whiles Apronianus ruled as Praefect was on fire and burned where if good helpe on everie side had not come in the flames of fire were so great that they had consumed also the propheticall verses of Sybylla And after his forces thus ordered and dispose made of victuals in everie kind word was brought even then by the light horsemen discoverers who came blowing in all hast That the troups of the enemies horse having broken through a certaine limit neere adjoyning had forrayed and on a sodaine driven away booties With the grievous occurrent of which adverse accident being much troubled he forthwith as he had purposed before committed unto the sayd Procopius the charge of thirtie thousand select souldiers joyning with him in the like cōmission Sebastian a Comes late Marquesse of Aegypt And then hee commanded That for the present they should make their abode within Tigris and have a vigilant eye to all places least from any side not surely guarded and observed some sodaine and unexpected mischiefe might arise as oftentimes many such chances he sayd had happened And he gave them in charge withall That if conveniently it might be they would joyne with king Arsaces and together with him marching in a running campe by the way of Corduena and Moxoena having wasted Chiliocomus that fruitfull tract of Media and other quarters make speed to meet with himselfe whiles he yet abode in Assyria and be readie at all assayes and upon everie sodaine and urgent occasion to assist him Having ordered these affayres in this wise himselfe making semblance that he would goe out by Tigris which way hee commaunded also for the nonce to bee layed with provision of sundrie sorts of furniture turned on the right hand and when hee had passed that night in rest and quietnesse in the morning hee called as his manner was for his beast to ride upon and there was brought unto him an horse named Babylonius which happening to be sore vexed with a suddaine gripe or wring in his belly fell downe and whiles hee was not able to endure the paine walloweth along and happeneth to besprent his caparison and ornaments richly garnished with gold and pretious stones At which strange sight he tooke great joy and cryed out with the applause of those next about him That Babylon was fallen and lay along on the ground dispoyled of all her ornaments And being stayed there a while untill by luckie and propitiatorie sacrifices hee had ratified this fortunate token of praesage hee came to Devana a garrison fortresse whence the river Belias springing poureth it selfe into Euphrates Here after they had well refreshed their bodies with meat they came the next day to Callinisum a strong towne of defence
there be a number of cities among which the principall is Apamia surnamed Mesene also Teredon Apollonia and Vologessia together with many other like unto them but for shew and name these three onely be most glorious and of greatest note to wit Babylon the wals whereof Semiramis layd with Bitumen for the tower or citadell thereof that most auncient king Belus built Ctesiphon which Vardanes in old time founded and afterwards king Pacorus when he had bettered it with strength of inhabitants and strong wals gave it a Greeke name and made it the very chiefe seat and mirroir of all Persis and then Seleucia the sumptuous and stately worke of Seleucus Nicator which being by the captaines of Verus Caesar sore shaken and brought to ruine as before I have related the image of Apollo Chomeus being displaced unshrined and brought to Rome the Prelats bestowed in the temple of Apollo Palatinus And the voice goeth That after this very same image was thus caried away and the citie burnt the souldiors in rifling and ransacking the temple met with a narrow hole which when they had layed open therein to find some precious treasure out of a certaine sanctuarie shut up sometimes by the privie counsellors of the Chaldaeans sprung forth that originall disease and corruption which having once conceived the force of an incurable maladie in the daies of the same Verus and Marcus Antoninus from the very bounds of Persia unto Rhene and Gaule infected all places with contagion and bred much mortalitie Here hard by lyeth the Chaldaeans countrey nourice of the auncient Philosophie as themselves report among whom the truth of divination and credit of prophesies first shone foorth and gave light CHAP. VIII The rivers of Persia which are of greater note The many tracts therein The Magi and a wonderous medicinable oyle MOreover there run through these same lands as the nobler rivers above others these which before I have named also Marsyas and the kings river together with Euphrates that passeth all which carrying three channels is in all his streames navigable and as he runneth round about Islands and above all the industrie of husbandmen watereth the corne grounds maketh the same both pliable to the plough and meet also for breeding up of woods and groves Vpon these tracts joine the Susiani who have not many townes but among other Susa holdeth up her head as having beene many times the seat and habitation of the kings likewise Arsiana Sela and Arecha the rest are but small and obscure beside But many rivers there be that run here and there in these places among which more excellent than their fellowes are Oates Harax and Mesus by the sandie straits that keepe the red sea and the Caspian sea asunder flowing into the sea But on the left side Media confineth and openeth upon the Hyrcane sea which countrey before the reigne of Cyrus the elder and the growth of Persis wee read was the Queene of all Asia namely when it had subdued the Assyâ—ians a number of whose territories changed into the name of Atropatena it possessed in right of warre a martiall nation and next to the Parthians who onely are their conquerors right dreadfull inhabiting certaine regions shaped in manner of a fouresquare figure All the inhabitants of these lands spread very farre and take up an exceeding breadth and over them there peake up passing high mountaines which they call Zagrus Orontes and Iasonium Also they that dwell in the West part of Coronus a very high hill have a number of fields yeelding abundance of corne and wine for their fatnesse and fertilitie right pleasant and in rivers and cleare veines of Springs as rich With them a man shall see the fresh greene meddowes there shall yee find a race and breed of generous horses on which as auncient writers shew and our selves have seene brave men are wont to be mounted when in great jolitie they goe to battaile and give the charge with all their force and such they call Nisaei It hath abundance of cities also such as Media is stored with of villages likewise built in manner of townes and is as well peopled And that I may speake fully at a word it is the most plentifull habitation and seat of kings In these tracts lye the fertile fields of the Magi as touching whose sect studie and profession for that we are hither come convenient it is that some briefe discourse were made Plato a most substantiall author of notable opinions sheweth us That Magia is by a mysticall word no other than Machagistia which signifieth the most uncorrupt and sincere religion and observance of divine mysteries to which knowledge in auncient times Zoroastres the Bactrian added many things out of the Chaldaeans secrets and after him the most wise prince Hystaspes father of Darius who when he adventured farre into the inward parts of the higher India came unto a certain wildernesse full of woods the silent and quiet seat wherein the k Bracmans men of high reach and deepe conceit enjoy and by their instruction being taught so farre forth as he was able to conceive and apprehend the manner and order of the heavens motion and of the starres together with the pure rites of religion of such principles as he learned he infused some into the minds of the Magi for their better knowledge which they together with the skill and prescience of things to come deliver everie man successively by his owne children and progenie unto the posteritie ensuing From that time for many ages together even to this present a number proceeding out of one and the same line and race be dedicated to the worship and service of the gods And it is said also if we may beleeve so much that there is kept burning among them perpetually upon harthes the fire that fell from heaven and men say That some small parcell thereof in token of good lucke went in times past before the kings of Asia The number of them at their first beginning was of old but verie small and the mysteries of their profession the Persian Rulers and potentates solemnly used in their sacrifices and divine service And a most haynous offence it was to goe unto the altars or to handle an ost or sacrifice before that a Magus had by a set forme of prayer powred forth certaine praecursarie libations But being by little and little encreased in multitude they grew at length to the greatnesse and name of an entire nation and inhabiting villages not fenced nor fortified with walls and permitted to use their owne lawes in regard of religion they were held honourable Of the race of these Magi as auncient bookes record there were seven that after the death of Cambyses tooke upon them the royall governâ—ment of Persia which records also testifie That they being over-weighed and borne downe by the faction of Darius at the beginning had the said
governement allotted unto them by the neighing of an horse In this region there is a medicinable oyle made where with an arrow or dart being annoynted if it bee gently shot out of a weake bow for with swift flight the vertue thereof is quenched and sticke in any place it catcheth fire and continueth still burning and if a man wold wash it away with water he maketh the same to burne more violently Neither by any other meanes goâ—th it out than by casting dust upon it Now the making of it is in this manner They that are skilfull confectioners take common oyle infected with a certaine hearbe and this being condited preserve it a long time and as it gathereth to a thicker consistence harden it by meanes of a substance issuing out of a naturall veine like unto grosse oyle and this kind of drugge is engendred among the Persians which as I have said alreadie they used to call by a tearme of that countrey Naphtha CHAP. IX The morefamous and better frequented townes of Persia A narration as touching the Parthians Arabians Carmans and Hyrcanes their neighbours as also of their townes maners and commodities IN these countries there stand a number of cities dispersed and the principall of them all be Zombis Patigra and Gazaca among which also for wealth and large walls these be conspicuous Heraclia Arsacia Europos Cycopolis and Ecbatana seated all under the mountaine Iasonium in the lands of the Syro-Medians Many rivers there be that passe along these regions of which the greatest are Choaspes Gyndes Amardus Charinda Cambyses and Cyrus which carrying a great and spatious streame Cyrus the elder that noble and amiable king so named when he had a bolished the old name therof what time as he made a voyage for the conquest of the kingdome of Scythia both for that it was so strong as himselfe also was reported puissant and also because with mightie force making itselfe way as he also did it runneth into the Caspian sea Beyond these confines next unto the sea coasts is auncient Persis inhabited stretched forth along the South tracts a countrey rich in the smaller sorts of graine and fruits as also in vines and for plentie of water most delectable For many rivers have their course through it into the gulfe aforesaid the biggest wherof are these Vatrachites Rogomanis Brisoana and Bagrada And the inland townes are verie great and large For in what regard they built nothing of any note along the maritime coasts it is not certainely knowne Among which cities Persepolis beareth a great name like as Ardea Orobatis and Tragonica But there are no more than three islands there seene to wit Tibiana Phara and Alexandria Neere bordering upon these are the Parthians scituat under the North-east inhabiting lands full of snow and frozen all over whose countries the river Choatres bigger than the rest divideth in the mids And for townes these bee of more account than the other all namely Genonia Charax Apamia Artacana and Hecatompylos From the bounds whereof along the Caspian sea shore unto the verie straits thereof are reckoned a thousand and fortie stadia The inhabitants of all the territories there be fierce and given to fight and such delight take they in skirmishes and warres that he is deemed among all other right happie who spendeth his life in battaile For such as depart otherwise by casuall or naturall death they rayle at and revile as base persons and meere cowards Vpon these on the East and South side bound the happie Arabians so tearmed for that they be so rich in come as well as in plenteous increase of cattell in vines and odoriferous spices of many kinds and a great part of them reach unto the red sea namely on the right side for on the left hand they border hard upon the Persian sea and so are acquainted with all the blessings and commodities that both elements can affoord Where also there be both rodes and quiet harbours verie many also townes of marchandise standing thicke and retiring houses for the kings passing sumptuous and beautifull besides most holesome and medicinable fountaines of waters naturally hot together with a number of brookes and rivers running cleere and a temperature of the ayre verie healthy so that whosoever considerâ—th all things aright may well thinke there is nothing wanting for the accomplishment of felicitie in the highest degree And although it hath store of cities as well Mediterranean as maritime and abound in plenteous fields and vales yet these it hath of greatest state above the rest to wit Geapolis Nascus and Baraba likewise Nagara Mephra Taphron and Dioscurias Moreover furnished it is with many islands hard at hand along both seas which to reckon up it skilleth not But of more note and name than all other is Turgana wherein standeth by report the greatest temple of Serapis Beyond the marches hereof which containe a mightie ground Carmania the greater mounteth up with loftie hills and reacheth even to the Indian sea decked with the encrease that commeth of fruits and trees but much more obscure and farre lesse than the land of the Arabians howbeit as wel replenished with rivers and for fruitfulnesse of soyle nothing inferiour to it But these be the rivers in it of greater name than the rest Sagareus Saganis and Hydriacus There are in it cities also although in number few yet for fare and apparell passing full and rich Among which Carmania mother of them all carryeth a brave shew so doth Ortospana also Alexandria and Hermupolis But as you travaile further within the countrey you meet with the Hyrcani by whom a sea of their name flowes and among whom there be verie big clods of earth glittering againe with gold Little set they by tillage and husbandrie but they feed upon venison in varietie whereof a wonder it is how they abound Where also are seene many thousands of Tigres and a number of wild beasts which by what sleights and devises they are woont to bee taken I remember well that a good while since I have related And yet for all that are not they unskilfull of holding the plough taile but some parts of these countries are sowed with seeds namely where the soyle is rich and fat neither bee hortyards vineyards and groves wanting in places meet to be planted and a number of the inhabitants be sustained with marchandise and commodities of the sea Here also be two verie notorious rivers Oxus and Maxera which the Tigres when they bee hunger-bitten swim over sometimes and at unwares do much mischief in the parts bordering upon them CHAP. X. Divers nations of Persia the Abij Margiani Bactriani Sacae Scythians Laxaâ—ae and Galactophagi together with the chiefe cities are described MOreover among smaller townes they have also strong cities two verily upon the sea coast namely Socunda and Saramanna other also within the land to wit Azmoâ—na Sole and Hyrcana more noble and famous than they Over against this nation
which as all others for the most part is watered round about with the river of Euphrates having according to a commandement and direction given dispersed the ships in places convenient he beset the said island considering that the mistie and darke night shadowed this secret enterprise and assault intended but after that the day brake indeed became light one that was gone out for to fetch water discovering sodainly the enemies set up a lowd and howling crie whereby he raysed the defendants of the peece and caused them with tumultuous noyse to arme And anone the Emperour himselfe having from a verie high Tote-hill or Barbican viewed the scituation of the sayd Pyle and the fortifications about it right speedily by the helpe of two ships passeth over the river and many other vessels followed behind which carryed engines and peeces of ordance for batterie And now by this time approaching the walls when he considered that there could be no assault or skirmish there without many daungers partly with gentle words and in part with rough speeches and threatning language he moved the defendants to yeeld who calling for Ormisda to a parley and induced by his faire promise and othes that he tooke were much persuaded of the Romans clemencie At length driving before them an oxe decked with a coronet which with them is a token of embracing peace they came down in humble maner and forthwith when the fortresse was wholly burnt Puseus the captain thereof Marquesse after of Aegypt was advanced to the honourable place of a Tribune all the rest with their wives children and houshold goods were sent over in poore and simple array to Chalcis a citie in Syria Among these a certaine souldior who had beene left sicke in these parts when Maximianus in times past forcibly invaded the frontiers of Persia a man then in the verie prime and flower of his youth having as he said himselfe wedded many wives according to the guise of that nation being now farre stepped in yeares and stooping for age with a numerous progenie much rejoicing and the principall counsellor that persuaded the betraying and surrender of the fort was brought into our province affirming constantly and that by witnesses That long since hee both foreknew and foretold that when he came to the poynt of being an hundred yeres old he shold be enterred in Roman ground This done the Saracene fore-riders presented unto the most joyfull prince certain of the enemies side were sent back againe to performe the like service But the morrow after there fell out a shrewd mischaunce for there rose a certaine tempestuous wind which raising many whirle puffes had shuffeled together and made such confusion among their places of harbour and shelture that many pavilions fell downe and a number of souldiors were layd along eyther on their backes or groveling for that the wind would not suffer them to hold their footing sure And the verie same day there happened another accident no lesse perillous for by occasion that sodainely the river overflowed his banks certain ships that used to bring in corne were drowned by reason that the scluces or floudgates made of stone worke to let out or restraine the waters that used to water the fields were plucked away which whether it chanced by some treacherous practise or through the violence of the streame it could never be knowne CHAP. II. After that Anatha was burnt and the standing corne together with the country sheds and â—ovels consumed after also the garrisons of certain castles were in vaine assayled the armie setteth on fire Diacira Ozogardana after they were ransacked and left emptie A skirmish betweene the Persians and Romans AFter this citie the first of all other rased and burnt and the captives sent away the army carried now with a more assured hope to confidence with lowd voyces shewed the favour and good will they bare to their Prince supposing verily that from thenceforth the heavenly providence would be assistant unto them And for that in countries unknowne there was to be had a more suspicious care of secret and hidden practises they much feared the wily sleights of the nation and their sundrie devises to delude and deceive them Wherefore the Emperour one while marching in the vauntguard before the ensignes another while busie in leading the rereward with a company of nymble skirmishers lightly appointed searched and scoured the rough places ful of shrubs and the vallyes least some secret ambush should lye hidden within restrayning withal either by way of affabilitie and faire language which was naturally in him or by threats those souldiors who even licentiously and rashly would straggle to and fro afarre off yet permitted he the enemies fields rich in all kind of fruits together with the standing corne and their cottages to be set on fire but not before everie man had gathered necessarie provision for himselfe in great aboundance and by this meanes was the life and health of the enemies wounded ere they knew of it For our fighting men tooke much pleasure to make use of what they had gotten with their owne right hands supposing they had now found other garners of their vertue and valour and rejoycing that they having plentifull store of the means also to maintain life they saved the victuals that were shipped and conveied by water And here a certaine fool-hardie souldior when his head was ful of wine without any urgent need driving him thereto would needs passe over to the bank on the further side of the river there within our sight was taken by the enemies and killed These designs with such an accident between performed we came to a strong fortresse or castle named Thilutha scituat in the mids of the river a place mounting up with a certaine mightie high top and by naturall strength fenced round about as it were by the worke of mans hand The inhabitants whereof being by gentle meanes solicited to surrender it as meet it was for that the rough and craggie height thereof was by force of armes imprenable said plainely That it was unseasonable then and overtimely to revolt But thus farre forth they gaged their answer That when the Romans marching on forward should become masters of the more inland parts they also as the followers and tayle of a kingdome would joine with the conquerors And after this as our ships passed along close to the verie wals with a modest kind of quietnesse without any stir at all they viewed them After we had passed this fort and were come to another strong hold named Achaiacala and the same entrenched as it were about with the course of the river difficult both for passage over and accesse also unto it repelled wee were with the like answer and so departed The morrow after other castles and pyles abandoned of the inhabitants by reason of the weake walls we set on fire and passe beyond them But the next two dayes following when we had marched two hundred stadia wee
danger by wounding those that thus surprised them In this skirmish was slaine Adaces a noble peere of the kingdome who had beene sometime sent in embassage to the Emperour Constantine and courteously entertained the killer of whom offering unto Iulianus his spoyles was rewarded as it well beseemed The same day a cornet of the a Terciaci horsemen was much blamed and accused by the legions for that when these brake into the enemies battaile raunged full against them they by little and little slipping away had like to have discouraged the whole armie Whereupon the Emperour growing to indignation as good reason he had tooke from them their guidons brake their launces and as many of them as were by just proofe knowne to have fled he enjoyned to march among the carriages packes trusses and captives but their leader who onely had fought manfully was made captaine over another troupe whose Tribune was convicted to have shamefully forsaken the field and fled Moreover there were cassed also and discharged of their militarie oath other Tribunes of certaine companies of horsemen for the like foule and cowardly part For with this mild and moderate allay and temper of correction considering the difficulties and dangers toward was the Emperour contented When as therefore they had journeyed forward seventie b stadia by occasion that there grew scarcitie of all things for that both grasse and corne was burnt every man was faine to catch out of the very flaming fire and keepe for himselfe what corne and forage hee was able to carrie Leaving therefore this place also behind them when the whole armie was come to a certaine tract named Maranga in the twylight somewhat before day there appeared an infinite number of Persians together with Merenes Generall of the horsemen two of the kings sonnes and many potentates and lords of the countrey Now were all their bands and regiments harneised in armor of yron having every part of their bodie covered so close and thick with plates that the stiffe joints thereof were meet for the knitting of their lims and vizards of mens faces were so curiously fitted to their heads that whereas their bodies all over were plated the shot lighting upon them could there onely take hold and sticke where were little holes full against the eyes to admit a small sight or where at the very tips of their noses the narrow passages served for their wind and breath of these some readie to serve with pikes stood firme kept their ground so as a man would have thought they had bin fixed fast and held with chaines and ropes of brasse hard by them were marshalled the archers in which feat the whole nation from their very cradle hath bin passing confident of their skill and mightie in the practise thereof and these drew their bent bowes with their armes so wide asunder that the strings came close to their right breast heads and the arrow heads lay just upon their left hands and with exceeding skill in the stroke of their fingers the shafts flew out with a whistling and singing sound carrying with them mischievous and deadly wounds After them were placed the Elephants the terrible sight of which beasts all glittering together with their grim and cruell yawning of their mouthes fearefull minded men could hardly endure upon whom sat their masters carrying fast tied unto their right armes knives with hafts as bearing in remembrance still the defeature and losse they received at Nisibis and if the unruly beast could not be restrained by the strength of his master for feare least turning backe upon their owne men as it fell out then hee might overthrow the common souldiors with a mightie stroke they made a gash into that turning joint that parteth the head and necke asunder For the experiment was once made by Asdruball the brother of Anniball that this was the readie way to dispatch such beasts and bereave them of their life Which being seene not without great terrour the most confident and resolute Emperour guarded round about with armed Cohorts and the principall captaines according as this extraordinarie puissance and cruell forces required arraunged those bands which were to affront and encounter the enemie in forme of a Crescent with bowing and winding sides And least Archers running foorth might disray the rankes and companies of our men he advaunced forward the banners more speedily and thereby brake the violent force of their shot and after the usuall manner after he had given the signall of battaile the Romane footmen standing thicke together with preassing hard thrust backe the thronged fronts of the enemies vaward and as the medley grew hote such a sound there was of shields such a clattering noyse also as well of the men themselves as their weapons making a dolefull din as among whome there was now no hoe nor stay at all of their hands that all the fields were covered over with bloud and slaine bodies lying along But the Persians were they that fell faster to the ground who being oftentimes faint in conflict found a great hinderance and inconvenience in this close fight foot to foot as wonted otherwise to beare themselves valiantly afarre off and if they perceive at any time their battailons to give ground and recule by retyring toward the backe of them in manner of showers and stormes to shoot their arrowes streight and so to fright their enemies from any bold and confident pursuit The Parthians therefore being driven backe and borne downe by maine force our souldiors out-toyled a long time and sweltered with the flaming heat of the Sun after the sound given of retreat returne againe to their tents emboldened by this good hand thenceforth to attempt greater exploits In this battaile it was evident as I sayd before that the slaughter of the Persians was very great and of our men as small But among the variable chaunces that fell out in these conflicts remarkable above the rest was the death of Veteranio a brave warrior who commaunded the legion of the c Zianni CHAP. II. The Romane armie afflicted with famine The frugalitie of Iulian. His owne Genius and a Starre appeareth in menacing manner unto him AFter this during the truce appointed for three daies whiles every man was busied in curing his owne wounds or his fellowes destitute were we of victuals and pinched with hunger by this time intollerable And for as much as by the burning as well of forage as corne men and horses both were driven to extremities out of that provision of food which the beasts of the Tribunes and Comites carried a great part was dealt among the meanest common souldiors who were in extreame want And verily the Emperour for whom there were provided no daintie eates as kings use to have but for his light supper which hee was to take under the little pillars of a tent or hole a small pittance of thicke gruell which a very common and base drudging souldior would disdaine to eat looke whatsoever was
in so fit and opportune a time when the Alemans for feare of the foresaid nation were dispersed Theodosius at that time generall of the horsemen did set upon them and having slaine a number of them whomsoever he tooke prisoners he sent by the Princes commaundement into Italie where they had fertile lands assigned unto them and now are become tributaries and dwell about Padus CHAP. XIII The mournfull and heavie plight of Tripolis a Province in Affricke is here lively described FLitting from hence as it were into another world let us come to the trouble of Tripolis a Province in Affrica which even Iustice also her selfe as I suppose hath bewailed Whence these broyles grew so to burne like flaming fire the text ensuing shall at full declare The barbarous Asturians bordering hard upon these parts readie at all times and nimbly appointed to make rodes used also to live upon rapine and slaughter having for a little while beene at peace returned againe to their naturall insurrections pretending this as a serious cause of quarell One named Stachao a countreyman of theirs in raunging over our Province at his pleasure committed certaine acts forbidden by the lawes among which this was notorious above the rest that he went about by all subtile and deceitfull meanes to betray the Province as was prooved by most true evidences for which he suffered punishment accordingly and was burnt to death They then alledging for their quarrell the revenge of his death as being their neere kinsman and unjustly condemned like unto wild beasts enraged flung out of their owne habitation even whiles Iovian was Emperour and fearing to approach Leptis a citie strongly walled and as well peopled fat them downe for three dayes together in a plentifull place within the territorie thereof And having either killed the rusticall people whom this unlooked-for and sodaine feare had daunted or else forced them to flie unto caves for refuge and burned much houshold goods that could not be carryed away enriched thus with much spoyles and booties returned leading away as prisoner Silva likewise whom by chaunce they found in the field a principall man of his ranke and degree The men of Leptis affrighted with this sodaine calamitie before the troubles and calamities should encrease which these Barbarians in their swelling pride menaced in lamentable manner craved the ayd of Romanus newly advanced to be the Comes or Lieutenant in Affricke Who when he was come with militarie forces under his conduct and requested to succour their distressed state assured them that he would dislodge and remove from thence unlesse there might be brought together great store of victuals and foure thousand camels provided and put in readinesse accordingly At this answer the pitifull citizens being astonied and avouching they were notable after such wastings and burnings to provide any remedie of their exceeding great losses by the meanes of such enorme and huge a preparation the said Lieutenant having spent there after a dissembling sort fortie dayes without attempting any exployt departed The Tripolitanes disappointed of this their hope and fearing extremitie when the lawfull and ordinarie day was come of their parliament which with them is yearely holden ordained Severus and Flaccianus embassadours to present unto Valentinian by way of congratulation for his entrance into the Empire golden counterfaits or images of α Victories as also boldly to lay open the lamentable ruines of the Province Which when Romanus understood he sent out in post a most swift horseman unto Remigius Master of the offices who was his neere kinsman or partner rather with him in all his pillages willing him providently to take order that by the wil and appointment of the Emperour the inquisition for the full knowledge of this affaire might bee committed unto him as vicar or deputie Well the embassadors aforesaid arrived at the court having accesse unto the Prince by word of mouth shewed what calamities they sustained and withall exhibited the decrees containing the order and discourse of the whole matter Which being read when as credit was given neither to the reports and intelligences of the Master of the offices who favoured the lewd acts of Romanus nor to those that related the contrarie the ful debate and deciding of this businesse being promised was deferred after the same maner as the games of some high magistrat are woont to be namely when greater imployments and affaires be in hand Meanewhile that some remedies were expected from the Princes campe and the Tripolitanes stood long doubtfull and in suspense the bands and companies of the Barbarians came upon them at unwares againe as bearing themselves bold of that which was past and when they had with fire and sword over-run the territories of of Leptis and Oea laden themselves with mightie heapes of bootie and pillage departed having slaine many β Decurions among whom γ Rus̄ticanus a Prelat or Clergie man and Nicasius an δ Aedile were chiefe And this out-rode or invasion of theirs could not be debarred for that upon the request of the same embassadors the whole charge of militarie affaires conferred upon the President Ruricius was soone after transferred to Romanus And now by this time the messenger of this new inflicted calamitie being dispatched into Gaule stirred up the Prince more earnestly to looke into the thing And therefore Palladius a Tribune and Notarie both was sent as well to give unto the souldiors dispersed throughout Affricke their due wages as to search faithfully as meet it was into the occurrences of Tripolis Howbeit during the delayes this of treatie and the expectation of answer the Asturians growne insolent by reason of this twofold successe like unto ravening foules made more cruell and eagre with the tast of bloud that had so fleshed them flew upon the inhabitants and when they had killed all save those who by running away escaped the daunger augmented the booties which beforetime they had left behind them by cutting up both trees and vines Then Michon a certaine noble citizen and a mightie being taken prisoner in a village neere unto the citie and slipped away before he was bound because hee was not able to escape quite by reason he had the gout in his feet cast himselfe into a pit without water whereby he brake a rib and being lifted out by the Barbarians and brought neere unto the gates of the citie for verie commiseration of his wife hee was ransomed and being drawne up by a rope to the battlements of the wall after two dayes dyed Whereupon these most cruell brigands and robbers growne obstinat in their purpose gave an assault upon the walls of Leptis resounding with the wofull weeping and wailing of women who having never before beene by enemies besieged were with this unwonted feare much amazed and dismayed Now after they had besieged the citie for eight dayes together when certaine of the assaylants were wounded without any matter effected they returned to ther owne home verie sad
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
along those tracts which were wont to be frozen all over with the coldnesse of the weather neither could he meet with any convenient seat but Sabaria although it was a place at that time of no strength and with continuall calamities from time to time sore afflicted Whereupon aboundoning the towne for a while although it was of great importance he thence removed lustily and coasted along the rivers banke and when he had fortified the castles and forts with a competent garrison he came to Bregitio and there fatall destinie framed long agoe for the princes rest denounced unto him his last end with many a prodigie betokening the same For very few dayes before the blazing starres burned forth which commonly are fore-runners of the fall of princes the originall cause whereof I have declared alreadie and at Sirmium the lightening with a suddaine clap of thunder shot out of the clouds set on fire part of their Counsell-house and Palace Likewise at Sabaria whiles himselfe as yet there remained an Owle sitting upon the top of the kings Baines and singing out in a dolefull note could by no expert hand of those that shot arrowes and flung stones be made to fall albeit they layd hard at her striving a vie who should do the feat Semblably when from the citie afore side he marched to give battell he would needs goe forth at the same gate by which he entred in to the end that he might gather some good pręsage of his speedie returne backe againe into Gaule also when the place that lay forelet and neglected with heapes of rammell therein was scoured and made cleane an yron dore happened to fall downe which made up fast the passage out of it and a multitude of people laying all their power and strength thereto was not able to remove it and so while he spent a day thereabout in vain upon constraint he was faine to goe out at another gate And that very night which went next before the day that should bereave him of his life he saw as men commonly doe in their sleepe his wife being absent sitting with her haire loose about her eares and clad in poore and mournefull array which was imagined and esteemed to be his owne fortune now readie to depart from him in foule attire and habite As he was setting forward from thence in the morning betimes somewhat sad and with a frowning countenance when the horse which was brought unto him would not suffer him to get on his backe but contrarie to his manner rose up with his forefeet aloft his inbred crueltie was soone up and as he was by nature fell he commaunded the right hand of the souldior that was yeoman of the Stirrop to be cut off which had put him beside as he was readie to mount his accustomed beast and died for it in dolorous manner had the innocent young man but that Cerealis Tribune of the Stable with the danger of himselfe put off and deserred so cursed an act After this came the embassadours of the Quadi in humble wise requesting pardon with the finall abolishing of all that was past which that they might obtaine without any barre or impeachment they promised both their young trained souldiors and some behoofefull things also for the Romane State Whom because it was thought good to receive and entertaine yea and to suffer for to returne with graunt of truce which they required for any longer to trouble and molest them neither want of victuals nor the adverse time of the yeare would permit they were conducted by Equitius and admitted into the Consistorie And when enfeebled for feare and daunted they stood with their bodies bowing and stouping forward after they were commaunded to deliver their errand they averred constantly those usuall and ordinarie shewes of excuses and bound the same also with an oath protesting That no trespasse had beene committed against our part by common consent or counsell of the nobles of the land but looke what had beene rudely and uncivilely done the same happened by the meanes of certaine out-lying robbers in the borders and confining upon the river This moreover they added avowing the same to be a sufficient reason to assoyle them of all that was done in that the fort which was begun and going up neither justly nor conveniently did set the hearts of the rusticall and wild peasants on fire and made them so fierce and stout as they were Hereat the Emperour in a mightie passion of anger and as he began to make answere thereto pussing and swelling very much all to rated and in a high straine of chiding reprooved the whole nanation as unmindfull of benefits received and unthankfull but being by little and little pacified and enclined to milder tearmes behold as if he had beene shot into his vitall parts with a dart and bereft at once of his speech he was seene all on a light fire and sodainely the bloud being pent and restrained as he stood all in a cold and deadly sweat for feare he should sinke downe and fall in the sight of exiled persons the servants of his privie chamber came running together about him and so he was led into an inward parlor Where being laid upon a bed drawing yet some small remaines of vitall breath without any empairing at all of his intellectuall facultie and power he knew all that stood by him such as his chamberlaines had with great celeritie gotten together about him least any man might suspect that he had beene secretly murdered And for as much as by reason of the excessive heat of the midriffe that knit his bowels together there was of necessitie a veine to be opened there was not a Physitian or Chirurgian to be had upon this occasion that he had sent them all sundrie wayes scattering abroad to cure the souldiors which lay sicke of the pestilence yet was there one found who notwithstanding that he had pricked his veine once or twice yea and oftner too could not draw forth so much as one drop of bloud so scorched were his inward parts with excessive heat or as some thought for that his bodie was dryed up by reason that certaine passages therein which now we tearme i Haemorrhoides were closed up and growne to a verie hard crust they were so bound up with cold Well such was the violent and infinit rage of his disease that he perceived the prescript houre of his death was now come and as he assaied to speake somewhat and give something in charge as the yex that often shooke his flankes and small guts the gnashing of his teeth and the moving of his armes laying about him as if they had beene fighting at hurlebats plainely shewed being now overcome and speckled here and there with k wan and blew spots he yeelded up his ghost after it had long strugled for life in the five and fiftieth yeare of his age and when he had raigned 12 yeares lacking 100 dayes CHAP. X. The birth and rising of