The Roman historie containing such acts and occurrents as passed under Constantius, Iulianus, Iovianus, Valentinianus, and Valens, emperours. Digested into 18. bookes, the remains of 31. and written first in Latine by Ammianus Marcellinus: now translated newly into English. Wherunto is annexed the chronologie, serving in stead of a briefe supplement of those former 13. bookes, which by the iniurie of time are lost: together with compendious annotations and coniectures upon such hard places as occurre in the said historie. Done by Philemon Holland of the citie of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke.

CHAP. X. After newes brought of Constantlus his death, the men of Aquileia besieged, set open the gates unto Agilo, sent from Iulianus. Nigrinus is burnt quicke: other two are executed with the sword. Iulianus taketh charge of the affaires in Illyricum and Italie.

IVlian having intelligence hereof, by the common report and relation of his consorts, whiles hee wintered yet in Constantinople, politiquely tooke order to set in frame these troubles. Soone after therefore he sen∣deth Agilo, colonell of the Footmen at that time, a man of good note, and well knowne, to this end, that upon the sight of that right honourable perso∣nage, and knowledge taken by him of Constantius his death, the siege should breake up. Meane while, that the siege of Aquileia might not bee given over, thought good it was, since all their paines and labours undertaken otherwise came to no∣thing, that these who so fiercely stood out, should be forced for very thirst to yeeld: and whereas, notwithstanding the conduit pipes were cut betweene them and the springs heads, they valiantly made resistance neverthelesse, nay with more courage and confidence than before; with much labour the course of the river was turned away: which device likewise tooke no effect. For when the meanes of drinking liberally and with greedinesse were cut off, those that by their owne wilfull rash∣nesse were enclosed within, lived sparily, and contented themselves with water out of pits and wels. While these things thus passe, and fell out as hath beene said, A∣gilo, according as he had commaundement, came upon them: who being covered over head with a thicke fence of shields, approched confidently: and when he had delivered many speeches, and those truly, whereby he acquainted them with Con∣stantius his death, and how the Empire was settled upon Iulian, reputed he was as a lyar, and escaped not without reviling tearmes: Neither gave any man eare unto his relation of what was done, before that upon graunt of safe-conduct he was ad∣mitted alone unto a certaine bastile or fortification, where, upon a more religious protestation of his true report, he recounted the same againe that before he had de∣livered. Which when they heard, after long sorrow the gates were set open, and they all came forth by heapes, and with joy received this peaceable captaine: who in excusing and cleering themselves, presented Nigrinus as the author of all this outrage, with some few others, requiring that with the execution of them, the crime of majestie, and the calamities of the citie might be expiated. To conclude, within a few dayes after, when this businesse was more neerely sifted and exami∣ned, before Mamertinus the Praefectus Praetorio, then sitting in place of justice, Nigrinus, as the hotest persuader of this warre, was burnt quicke. But after him, Romulus and Sabostius, principall bourgeffes of the towne, convicted to have sowen discord and stirred up sedition, without regard of what perill might ensue, had for their deserts punishment by losse of their heads. All the rest, whom neces∣sitie and not their owne will forced to these furious broyles, went away without harme. For so this mild and mercifull Emperour, weighing well the case with equi∣tie and reason, tooke order. And these verily were the proceedings that passed af∣terward. But Iulian resiant still at Naessum, was encumbred with deeper cares, fearing many things on both sides. For he stood in dread, least, if the souldiors shut within Aquileia, by some suddaine impression should stop the streits of the Iuli∣an

Alpes, he might loose the provinces and the succours which he dayly expected from thence. Semblably, he feared much the affaire of the East, hearing that the souldiors dispersed over Thracia, against suddaine violence quickly assembled, drew toward the confines of Succi, under the leading of Comes Martianus: But yet for all that, himselfe also in regard of these instant businesses, working effectual∣ly with such carefull provision as was meet, gathered together the Illyrian forces, bred up and inured in martiall exploits, and readie in all conflicts to joyne with a∣ny warlike commaunder: not despising in this so troublous and busie a time, the good and profit of private persons, but giving audience to causes and matters in controversie, and especially to the States of free townes, to the favouring of whom being overmuch enclined, he unjustly invested many of them in great offices of State. There finding Symmachus and Maximus, two Senatours of good marke for their noble birth, sent as embassadours unto Constantius; when they were returned from him, hee visited them in honourable manner, and rejecting a more worthie personage, in the rowme of Tertullus he made Maximus Praefect of Rome, and all to gratifie Rufinus Vulcatius, whose sisters sonne he knew him to be: in whose go∣vernment the markets were plentifully served with victuals, and the complaints of the commons, which oftentimes were wont to arise, ceased. Then also, to settle the fearefull State in securitie, and to embolden those that were obedient, he decla∣red Mamertinus, the Praefect Praetorio in Illyricum, Confull together with Nevita: he (I say) did this, who but of late had beyond all measure taxed Constantine as the first man that began to countenance and honour base Barbarians.

Notes

• 〈…〉〈…〉
• captaine.
• or Potestates.