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. VI. In what sort Constantius provided for his instant affaires. The politike speed that Iulian made in setting his designes forward.

COnstantius therefore in this difficultie of urgent businesses standing doubtfull, was to seeke what course to take, as one along time much troubled in his mind, whether he should goe against Iulian into coun∣tries farre of, or repel the Parthians upon the point now, as they threat∣ned, to passe over Euphrates: and sticking thus in equall ballance, in the end, after he had consulted oftentimes with his captains, he enclined wholly this way, name∣ly (when he had finished, or at least wise appeased the neerer warre, and left behind him at his back no enemies, whom he might feare, now that Illyria and Italy, as he thought, were daunted and quelled) to take Iulian as a hunters prey in the verie be∣ginning of his enterprises: for, to allay the feare of his owne souldiers, these were the verie words that otherwhiles he gave forth. But because hee would not bee thought to waxe coole, or to have omitted the other side where warre was on foot, as minding to disperse and spread a terror of his comming in all places, and fearing withall, least Africke, a countrey fit and commodious for the Emperour in all occa∣sions that might befall, should in his absence be invaded, as if hee had beene depar∣ted out of the marches of the East, he sent thither by sea Gaudentius a Notarie, him I meane, who as I briefely touched before, lay as a spie a good while, to observe the proceedings of Iulian in Gaule. For he hoped that hee with his obsequious and quicke service, would be able to effect all, and that in two regards: First, because he feared the adverse part, which he had offended: and then, because hee made hast by the meanes of this so good an opportunitie, to commend his doings unto Constantius, who, he made no doubt would get the victorie: For no man then there was of the contrarie opinion, but fully of the same mind. This Gaude••tius be∣ing thither come, and carrying in mind the charge which the Prince had given him, after he had by letters instructed Cretio a lieutenant, what was to bee done, as also the rest of the commaunders, and made choyce of the stoutest souldiers from all places, yea and brought over out of both the Mauritaniae nimble and light ap∣pointed

skirmishers, kept most straitly the sea coasts that lay opposite unto Acqui∣tanie and Gaule. Neither failed Constantius of his purpose by this policie: For, so long as he lived none of the adverse part set foot in those lands, although there was a number of armed men that observed the coast of Sicilie, reaching from Lilybae∣um to Pachynus, readie soone to sayle over, if the passage had beene cleere and open. Constantius having disposed of these and other small and lighter matters, as he thought (considering how things stood) expedient for him, was advertised by messengers and letters from his captaines, that the forces of the Persians being all assembled together under the conduct of their proud king leading the way be∣fore, were now marching neere unto the edge of Tigris, and doubtfull it was whither they went to breake out and make invasion: At which newes being much moved, to the end that making his abode neerer, he might prevent their at∣tempts, he departed with all speed out of his wintering harbour, and sending from all parts for his horsemen and strength of infanterie wherein he trusted, he passed o∣ver Euphrates by Capessana, upon a bridge of ships, and went to Edessa, a citie stored with victuals, and strongly fenced, waiting there a while, untill either his owne discoverers, or else some fugitives brought him word that the enemies en∣camped forward. Meane while Iulian departing from the Rauraci, after hee had dispatched his businesse, which ere while we shewed, sent backe into Gaule Sallusti∣us promoted to be Praefect, and commaunded Germanianus to hold the roome of Nebridius. Semblably the Mastership of the armour he committed unto Nevita, fearing Gumoarius an old traitor, of whom he had heard say, that whiles he had the leading of the Scutarij, he secretly betrayed Veteranio his Prince and Soveraign. Al∣so to Iovius he gave the Questorship, of whom I have made mention in the acts of Magnentius, and unto Mamertinus the charge of the Treasure and revenewes. Da∣galaiphus he ordained Captaine of his ^h domesticall traine, and others, according to his owne will and pleasure (whose good deserts and faithfull service hee well knew) over the souldiers. Being therefore to make his journey through the Mar∣tian woods, and the wayes joyning upon the banks of the river Ister, being, as a∣mong sudden occurrents, exceeding uncertaine what to doe, hee feared especially this one thing, least having so few in his traine to accompanie him, he should grow despised, and offend the multitude readie to repugne and repine against him. To prevent this inconvenience, he with good forecast tooke this wise course: For, di∣viding his armie into divers regiments, he sent some under the leading of Iovinus and Iovius, to march with speed along the knowne wayes of Italie; and others he committed to the conduct of Nevita Generall of the horse: to the end, that being thus spread sundrie wayes, they might be thought an infinit number, and so fill all places with the feare and terrour of them. For even thus did Alexander the great, and after him many other skilfull leaders, when the case so required. Howbeit, hee gave charge unto them that thus were gone forth in their march, to stand well up∣on their guard, as if the enemie forthwith were readie to encounter them, and to keepe watch and ward by night in their stations and sentinels, least they might by some outrode at unawares be set upon. Which businesses beeing thus, as it was thought, well digested, following that manner whereby he had oftentimes broken through the Barbarians tracts, and presuming confidently upon a continued traine of successes, hee went on still farther and farther. And when he was come to the place whence he understood the river was navigable, he embarked in fisher boats, whereof, as hap was, he found good store, and along the chanell of the river he pas∣sed

as closely as possibly he could: keeping himselfe therfore secret, for that finding no misse of fine viands, but contenting himselfe with slender and course dyet, hee passed beside the good townes without forth, securely: laying for his rule to fol∣low, that notable saying of old Cyrus, who turning in by the way to an hostelrie, and being asked of his host, What good cheere he should provide for him, answe∣red, Bread onely, for I hope, quoth he, to sup neere unto some river.

Notes

• Sc••avonia.
• Chancellor •••• Secretarie.
• of Iulian.
• or Captaine••
• Barbari••,
• Guitune, Martiano. Gascoigne. Remigio Flo∣rentino.
• Capo Bo••i. Capo Coco.
• Cabo Passato.
• Sapor.
• Tendere, Encamping them∣selves.
• Rhoa. Nigro.
• All one with the charge of the horse-men, as appeareth a little beneath.
• Treasurership of the houshold.
• of the State, or Empire.
• Steward or Se∣neschal of the houshold.
• Offenderes.
• Whom he tear∣med before. Ma∣gistrum armorum.