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.

THE XXV. BOOKE.

CHAP. 1. The Romane armie encountreth and joineth in fight by many a skirmish with the Persian hoast. The armour of the Persian men at armes on bard horses. The terrible shew of Elephants. A battailefought with a mightie overthrow and slaughter of the Persians.

ANd this night verily, wherein no bright starres shone to give light (as commonly it falleth out in doubtfull cases and di∣stresses) we passed so, as not one of us durst either sit downe or sleepe one winke for very feare. But so soone as it was faire daylight, the glittering habergeons trimmed all about with white guards, the bright curets made of yron plates, discovered a farre off, shewed the kings power to be at hand. At the sight whereof, when the souldiors enkindled with courage, made hast to encounter them, by reason of a little river that severed them asunder, the Emperour forbad them: and not farre from the very rampier there was a cruell fight betweene our fore-riders and those of the Persians, wherein Ma∣chameus, a leader of one regiment of ours, was slaine; in whose quarrell and defence his brother Maurus, Marquesse afterward of Phaenice, killed him who wounded his brother to death, terrifying every one that came in his way; him selfe also sore hurt in the shoulder with a dart, was yet able with maine force to rescue and draw forth of the battaile Machameus, looking wan and pale at the point of death. And when on both sides they waxed faint with intollerable heat of the weather, and so many conflicts that they had sustained, in the end the troupes of the enemies were with a foule repulse broken and scattered. As we retyred somewhat farre from hence, the Saracenes for feare of our footmen constrained to returne backe, within a while after, intermingled with a multitude of the Persians, suddainely charged, with a full mind to carrie away the Romane carriages: but so soone as they espi∣ed the Emperour, they returned to the wings that lay in supplie. After wee were gone out of this region, we came to a village named Hucumbra; where for two dayes space being refreshed beside our hope with all things meet for our use, and having gotten corne ynough, we departed: and presently all the rest, save only that which the time would give us leave to convey away, was consumed with fire. The next day after, as our armie marched easily forward, the Persians having at unwares set upon those that were hindmost, who by chaunce that day had the charge of the

rereward, had with little adoe killed them every one, but that our Cavallerie that was neere at hand having intelligence hereof, being spred over the open and wide valeyes, repelled this great 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 enter∣tained; 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 in∣dignation, as good reason he had, tooke from them their guidons, brake their laun∣ces, and as many of them as were by just proofe knowne to have fled, he enjoy∣ned 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. Moreo∣ver, 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 diffi∣culties and dangers toward, was the Emperour contented. When as therefore they had journeyed forward seventie ^b stadia, by occasion that there grew scarci∣tie 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, some∣what before day, there appeared an infinite number of Persians, together with Me∣renes 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 dead∣ly 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, car∣rying fast tied unto their right armes knives with hafts, as bearing in remem∣brance still the defeature and losse they received at Nisibis: and if the unru∣ly 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 ter∣rour, the most confident and resolute Emperour, guarded round about with ar∣med Cohorts, and the principall captaines, according as this extraordinarie puis∣sance 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 vio∣lent 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 fa∣ster to the ground: who being oftentimes faint in conflict, found a great hinde∣rance 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 battai∣lons 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 swelte∣red 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 ex∣ploits. 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 com∣mon 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 dis∣daine

to eat) looke whatsoever was made readie for his service, carelesse of himselfe, distributed and sent it away among the poore and needie souldiors. And himselfe being drawne for a little while to take a pensive repose betweene sleeping and wa∣king, when being quite broken (an usuall matter with him) of his sleep, in imitation of Iulius Caesar, who was wont to write somewhat whiles he lay in campe, he passed the dead time of the night musing and meditating upon the sentences of a certaine Philosopher, he saw (as himselfe confessed to his inmost friends) in very simple and poore plight the resemblance of that publicke Genius, which when he was mou••∣ting to the imperiall diademe he beheld in Gaule, and the same in sad and heavie wise, with Cornu Copia covered over, departing by the tapistrie hangings of his pavilion. And albeit for the present he was amazed and strucken therewith asto∣nied, yet as one not stouping at all to any feare, he committed the future events un∣to the will and decree of god in heaven: and forsaking his couch or pallet that lay upon the very ground (as being risen when it was now midnight) in making sup∣plication and prayer unto the gods by the meanes of certaine depulsorie sacrifices, he thought that he saw a very light burning flame, like as if it fell, to shoot along in the ayre, and to vanish quite out of sight: and hereupon he trembled all over and quaked for feare, least it had been the planet Mars that appeared so evidently mena∣cing. Now this fierie bright impression, which we tearme 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, did neyther fall at any time, nor touch the ground: For he that thinketh coelestiall bodies can fall, is justly deemed a prophane and foolish person. Now this Meteore or appa∣rition above commeth many wayes, of which it shall suffice to shew a few. Some thinke they be sparkes set afire, and glowing by the vigorous heat of the skie; but not able to goe farre, doe goe out: or at leastwise, that certaine flaming raies hitting against thicke clouds, by a quicke touch doe sparkle: or else when some light mee∣teth close and joyneth with a cloud: For that being shaped like a starre, runneth a course verily, so long as it is held up with the strength of fire; but the bodie there∣of being in so long a way and spacious passage emptied and spent, turneth into an exhalation, going to that substance, by the forcible rubbing and fretting whereof, it caught heat. Streightwaies therefore, ere the day began, were the Tuscane wi∣zards and Soothsayers sent for, and being asked their judgement, What strange ac∣cident this kind or apparition of a starre portended? answered, That most wisely hee must beware and forbeare to attempt any thing at that time; shewing out of Tarquitius his bookes, how in the title De rebus Divinis, this Aphorisme was set downe, That if such a fire-light were seene in the skie, there ought no battaile be fought, nor any such matter attempted. Now, when as he despised this warning also, as he had done many other, the Soothsayers besought him, That he would yet put off his journey, if it were but some few houres; but they could not obtaine so much as this; so crosse was the Emperour, and readie to withstand all the skill of divi∣nation and prophesie: but so soone as it was full day light he dislodged and remo∣ved his campe forward.

CHAP. III. The next day Iulianus raised and stirred with the foile and overthrow of his owne men, whiles forgetting his Brigandine, and catching up his shield he hasteneth to the bat∣taile, chaunced by a horsemans staffe or speare to be run into the ribs; but whiles he assaieth to pluckeforth the head, hee fell from his horse, and out of the battaile, which was to both parts lamentable, was brought backe into the campe.

NO sooner were we departed hence, but the Persians, who greatly feared the steedie fight of footmen, as having beene oftentimes beaten ther∣with, laid their amhushes, and closely accompanied us, avoyding our battailons on either side, and lying in espiall to view our march from the tops of the high hills, so, that our men suspecting so much, all the live-long day might neither cast up a rampier, nor fortifie themselves with a pallaisadoe. Thus verily whiles we firmely guard our sides, and the armie according to the site and position of the ground, marcheth in six square battailons displayed at large with thin rankes, word was brought unto the prince, being as yet unarmed, and gone forth forward to discover the quarters before, That sodainly those who behind were gathering up their armour and weapons together, had a charge given them at their backes. At which accident he was much troubled, and catching up hastily in this tumult his shield, but forgetting his corslet, and making hast to helpe those in the rereward, was called backe againe with another new alarme, whereby adverti∣sed he was, that the avant-guard also, from whence he was lately departed, felt the like distresse. Which, whiles without any regard at all of his owne perill, hec haste∣neth to recover and set upright in order againe: from another part a companie of Parthyans in couplet harneis setteth upon the centuries in the mids, and spred∣ding themselves fiercely all over the left wing, which began alreadie to shrinke (whiles our men could not with patience abide the strong strength and braying noyse of the Elephants) fought with pikes and casting weapons, which they dis∣charged thicke. But as the Prince setting spurres to his horse, rode with full carrier among the most dangerous skirmishes, out went our light armed companies, and charging them behind, layd at the houx and backe parts as well of the beasts as the Persians themselves, and all to cut and hacked them. Whom, when Iulianus (for∣getting to looke to himselfe) by lifting up his hands aloft, and crying alowd, made evident demonstration to be disrayed, and fearefully scattered, and withall stirring up the anger of those that followed in chace, engaged himselfe boldly farre into the battaile, ^d the Gallants his followers, whom feare had disperkled, cryed out unto him on both sides, That he should decline the huge multitude of those that fled, no lesse than the fall of some ill framed and disjoynted loover of an high building: and therewith all on a sodaine an horsemans javelin, whence it came God he knoweth, having slightly rippled the skinne of his [left] arme, pierced within his short ribs, and stucke fast in the neather lappet or fillet of his liver: which whiles he laboureth to plucke forth with his right hand, he perceived, that with the sharpe edge thereof on both sides the sinewes of his fingers were cut through: and thus falling forward over his horse head, and conveied backe into the campe by those that were present, who speedily came running about, by the meanes of Physicke and Chyrurgerie,

he was dressed and cherished accordingly. And soone after, when the paine was a little assuaged, he gave over to feare, and with a great spirit striving against death, called for his horse and armour, to the end, that by revising the battaile againe, hee might repaire the confident hope of his owne men, and seeme in a rechlesse neg∣lect of himselfe, wonderfully possessed with a care for the life and preservation of others. Shewing herein the same vigorous courage, though in a case unlike, that Epaminondas that renowmed captaine did: who being wounded to death at Man∣tinea, and returned out of the battaile, sought carefully for his shield, and when hee saw it neere unto him, died of his wound more joyfully: and he that without feare forwent his life, was afraid to loose his shield. But when Iulianus his strength was not answerable to his will, and that the flux of bloud sore followed him, hee stood still and stirred not: and hereupon grew he afterward past all hope of life, because by inquirie made, he understood, that the place where hee fell was called Phrygia: for he had intelligence given him aforetime by a written answer from the Oracle, that even there he must dye. When the Prince was brought againe into his pavili∣on, a man would not beleeve in what heat the souldiors enchaufed with anger and griefe hastened to revenge, rapping their shields with their speares, fully bent even to dye for it, if the case so required. And although the dust flew upon their eyes, and the weather growing hot hindered the agilitie and bestirring of their limmes, yet, as if with the losse of their leader they had beene discharged of their othe, and freed from all militarie discipline, they ran desperatly without any respect or spare of themselves, upon the pike and swords points. On the other side, the Persians more couragiously shot their arrowes so thick, that the volley and flight therof took away the Sunnes light: opposing their Elephants withall, who going but slowly with their big bodies and terrible crests, affrighted both horse and man. The buck∣ling together therefore of men in their armour, the groning of those that fell to the ground, the blowing and snuffing of the horses, and the ringing noyse of weapons, was heard a great way off; so long untill both sides were wea••ied with wounds good store, and the night now darke parted the fight. Fiftie Potentates and great Lords of the Persians, together with the most part of the common souldior were that day left dead in the field: and in this confused medley Merena and Nohodares, two principall commaunders were slaine. Now let antiquitie in her high and lof∣tie words, stand amazed at the twentie battailes which ^e Marcellus fought in divers places: Tell they besides, with brave speech, how ^f Siccius Dentatus was adorned with a number of militarie crownes: wonder they moreover, at ^g Sergius, who, by report, was three and twentie times wounded in sundry foughten fields, whose no∣ble and glorious praises Cateline, the last of that race, blurred with the blots of ever∣lasting dishonour. Howbeit, there were some heavie occurrents that defaced these joyfull events. For, whiles these brave feats were everie where performed after the decease of the Generall, together with the foyle of the right wing of the armie, and the killing of Anatolius, for the time master of the offices, Sallustius the Praefect was driven headlong into present mischiefe, and by the meanes of an officer of his, res∣cued out of danger; and when he had lost Phosphorius a counsellor, who then assi∣sted him, the armie chanced to escape by flight: certaine souldiors also, through many dangers having put themselves for refuge into a fortresse hard by, could not before three dayes after joyne with the armie.

CHAP. IIII. The Oration of Iulianus to those that stood round about him in his pavilion; which being ended, he distributed his privat house-goods among his neerest favourites: And then discoursing exactly as touching the sublimitie of mens soules, having drunk a draught of cold water, he departed this life in the three and thirtieth yeare of his age.

IN this meane while Iulianus lying in his tent, spake unto those that stood about him, all cast done and heavie, after this wise: The time is now come (quoth he) my friends and companions, and the same right seasonable, for me to depart this life, which (as a debtor of trust) to render unto nature, calling for it againe, I reioyce with all my heart: Neither do I grieve and sorrow therefore, as some do think, having learned by the generall sentence and doctrine of Phylosophers, how much happier the soule is than the bodie: and considering beside, that so often as the better state and condition is severed from the worse, wee are to ioy rather than to grieve: observing thus much also, That even the gods in heaven have unto some most godly and de∣vout persons given death as the chiefe and best reward. And that this office is layd upon me, I know passing well, namely, neither to yeeld unto painefull perils, nor desperatly at any time to overthrow and cast my selfe away: as having by experience found; that all dolo∣rous griefs as they insult and triumph over base cowards, so they give way unto those that constantly persist. Neither repent I of my deeds past, nor wounded am I with the remem∣brance of any foule and hainous act committed, either when I was a scholler and student within doores and privat corners, or after I had entred upon the government of the Empire, descending upon me, as it were, from the kinred of heavenly wights: but have, as I suppose, preserved my selfe unstained, both in mannaging civile affaires with moderation, and also in raising and repelling warres upon advised and considerat reasons: Albeit prosperous issues, and good consultations do not alwayes and in everie place concurre together, because the superiour powers in heaven, challenge unto themselves the event and successe of all en∣terprises and designes. And considering thus with my selfe, That the end of a lawfull and righteous governement, is the profit and welfare of obedient subiects, I have beene ever∣more, as ye know, inclined to peace and quietnesse, banishing from mine acts and procee∣dings, all licentious libertie, the corruptrice of States and manners both: Right ioyfull al∣so, and wittingly much more, have I stood firmely grounded and resolute, wheresoever the Commonwealth as an imperious mother hath exposed me to apparent and evident daun∣gers, a•• one used to contemne the whirling stormes of all casualties. Neither will I be asha∣med to confesse, That long since I understood by the foretelling of a true and unfallible Ora∣cle, that I should die by the violent force of a weapon. And in this regard I worship the ever∣living God, that I depart this world, not by way of any privie traines of treason, nor by rea∣son of long and grievous sicknesse, no nor by the ordinarie end of delicat folke; but in the mid-course of flourishing and glorious acts, I have deserved this honourable decease. For, if a man iudge equally, Both he that desireth to dye when he ought not, and hee that refuseth to dye when it is beh••vefull, are fearefull and cowards alike. Thus much it may suffice, that I have spoken considering my vigour and strength beginneth to fayle. And now as touch∣ing the creation of another Emperour, I doe of purpose warily hold my peace, least by igno∣rance I should unawares passe by a worthy person, or if I name one whom I deeme sufficient, and another haply be preferred before him, I should thrust him into daunger in the highest degree: But as a doubtfull child, and profitable member of the Commonwealth, wish there

may be found a good Ruler after me. These words mildly delivered, distributing (as it were by his last will, among his inward favourites, his houshold goods, he asked for Anatolius, Master of the offices: and when Sallustius the Praefect answered, That he was blessed and happie, he knew thereby he was slaine: and bitterly bewailed hee the case of his friend, who with an high spirit before contemned his owue. And as they all that were present hereat wept bitterly, he carrying still an authoritie and majestie with him undaunted, rebuked them; saying, It was a base and abject part to bewaile a Prince arraunged among the starres in heaven. Now when hereupon they kept silence, he together with Maximus and Priscus, two Philosophers, dispu∣ting profoundly, as touching the sublimitie of the soule, by occasion that the wound he had in his hurt side opened verie wide, and the tumor of his veines and arteries stopped his spirits, as also with drinking a draught of cold water which he craved at the verie cold time of midnight, he was thereby now easily dispatched of his life in the two and ^h thirtieth yeare of his age.

CHAP. V. The vertues of Iulianus are at large by Ammianus Marcellinus described.

BOrne he was at Constantinople, left a destitute orphan from his verie childhood, by the death of his father Constantius, who af∣ter the death of his brother Constantine, whom hee was to suc∣ceed in the Empire, happened among many others to be killed by the ⁱ multitude, and his mothers name was Basilina, a Ladie of noble desert from her verie auncestors: a man, I assure you, to be put in the ranke of heroicke Princes, as wel for his famous and brave atchieve∣ments, as also for a naturall majestie that he bare, glorious & remarkable. For where∣as there be, as the learned do define, these foure principall vertues, Temperance, Prudence, Iustice, and Fortitude, and others from without-forth appendant unto them, to wit, Militarie knowledge, Authoritie, Felicitie, and Liberalitie; with ear∣nest affection he studied and embraced them all, as if they had beene but one. And first of all, for unstained chastitie he so excelled, that after he had buried his wife, he never medled with any act of Venus; having a good eye to that which wee read in Plato, namely, That Sophocles a writer of Tragedies, now farre stepped in yeres, be∣ing asked, Whether as yet he had any dealing with women? answered, No; and said moreover, That he was now glad he had avoyded and escaped the love of such things, no lesse than a certaine raging and cruell master. Likewise, more strongly to confirme this purpose of his, he revolved and repeated oftentimes this sentence of the Lyricke Poet Bacchylides, whom he tooke delight to read, saying, That as an excellent Painter draweth and shapeth to the life a beautifull visage, so chastitie a∣dorneth a mind that mounteth and aimeth at great matters. The defect and ble∣mish of which vertue, in the verie full-strength of his youth he so warily eschew∣ed, that he could not be charged, no not by the inward servitors of his privie cham∣ber, so much as with the suspition of any lust and wantonnesse; a fault incident ma∣ny times to other. And his temperance in this kind, was much helped and furthe∣red by this exceeding spare dyet, and short sleepe, which he tooke unto, and used both at home and abroad. For, in time of peace his slender fare at the table, to as many as can judge aright, was admirable; as if he had meant shortly to returne a∣gaine

to his booke in the Vniversitie. And during the time of divers and sundrie warre-services, hee was seene sometimes after the manner of an ordinarie souldior to take a short & homely pittance standing. Also, when he had refreshed his bodie, hardened by toilesome labour, with a small repose of sleepe, when he awakened, he would alone by himselfe walke the round, looke to the sentinels, and see how they watched and warded by turnes, betaking himself after these serious exercises to the deepe studies of learning. And if his lights that burned in the night, by which hee studied, could possibly speake, they would verily shew and testifie, that there was great difference betweene him and some princes, considering they knew, that he tooke not his pleasure and solace so much, as to content the necessities of nature. Then, concerning his prudence and wisdome, therewere very many signes and te∣stimonies, of which it shall suffice to reckon a few. Most skilfull he was in feats of armes, and in the civile profession of gowned arts passing studious, ascribing and ta∣king so much onely to himselfe as he thought was betwixt contempt and pride: el∣der in vertue than in yeares; studious to gaine all kinds of knowledge: Sometimes an inflexible and constant Iudge; in reforming of manners a most quick and severe Censor; a meeke contemner of riches, and a despiser of all worldly things. To con∣clude, this was an Apothegme of his, That it was a shame for a wise man having a soule to seeke for praise and commendation from the bodie. Now what good and commen∣dable parts he had of justice, many particulars doe shew: first, that he was in a re∣spective distinction of all matters, terrible, but not cruell: then, in that with the perill of some few he restrained vices: and more againe, because he rather shooke the sword, than strucke with it. Last of all, to passe over many examples, certaine it is, that against some open enemies of his and such as ••ought to take away his life, he proceeded so gently, that the rigour of their punishments hee moderated by a naturall clemencie that hee had: His hardinesse in fight, the many warres that hee made sufficiently do prove; as also his patient enduring of extreame cold and heat both. The service of the bodie is required properly of a souldior, and the deed of the mind of a Generall and Commaunder. As for him, in his owne person hee would boldly encounter hand to hand a sterne and cruell enemie, and him at one blow kill outright: and divers times himselfe alone would by opposing his owne breast restraine and hold in our souldiors, when they were at the point to give backe and recule. Also, whiles he conquered and subdued the kingdomes of the furious Germans, and conversed in the smoothering and sultrie hot dust of Persia, by fighting personally among the formost in the vaward, he encouraged and hear∣tened our men. The skill that he had in militarie and campe-affaires, many things, and those well knowne, doe declare; his assaults of cities and castles, the many formes of embattailing and setting his forces in array at the very point of dangers and extremities, the pitching of his tents for holesomenesse and safetie, his fore-fen∣ces, corps de guard, and frontier stations without in the fields, ordered wholly with good reasons and considerations. As for the countenance and authoritie that hee carried, it was so great, that being most entirely loved, yet was he dread withall: and howsoever he seemed a fellow in perils and painefull toyles, yet in the hotest conflicts he could commaund idle cowards to be punished; and being as yet but Caesar, he could without pay rule his souldiors even when they were opposed a∣gainst savage nations, as hath beene said erewhile: and making a speech on a time to his souldiors all armed, when they snuffled and became unruly, he threatened, That he would betake himselfe to a private life againe, unlesse they left their muti∣nies.

To be short, this one proofe of his authoritie, insteed of many, it shall be suf∣ficient to know, That upon an exho••tation he gave in a mild and submissive kind of Oration unto the Gallicane souldiors, inured onely to frosts, and acquainted with the river Rhene, he drew them along with him, after wide and spacious countries travailed through by hote Assyria, even as farre as to the confines of Media. To speake of his felicitie, so conspicuous and notable it was, that being carried after a sort upon the very shoulders, as it were, of fortune, who continued a pretie while a good Pilot and directresse unto him, with traines of victorious courses he overcame infinit difficulties. And after that he was gone out of the West climate, so long as he lived upon the earth, al nations rested in quietnesse and peace, as if a certain Mer∣curie of this world had with his rod enchanted and appeased them. Last of all, of his liberalitie there be many and those most true testimonies, among which these may goe. Very light and easie tributes were by him levied, the taxe or imposition of co∣ronets was pardoned, many debts growne great by continuance of time, were re∣mitted and forgiven, the suits about the princes revenues & those of private persons were indifferently heard, customes and tols were restored unto cities together with their lands, all but those which the governours in the foregoing times had alienated (as it were) lawfully by sale. And that he was never a covetous hoorder up of mony (which he thought indeed was most safely kept in the owners hands) he would o∣therwhiles give out, That Alexander the Great being asked, Where his treasure lay? answered kindly, Among my friends.

CHAP. VI. Hereto is annexed a briefe recitall of his vices.

HAving thus set downe in order the good parts in him, so many as wee could know, let us come now to relate his vices, although they have beene lightly noted alreadie. He was by nature over∣dull and slow; but this infirmitie he tempered with a very good and wise course that he tooke, suffering himselfe to be corrected and reformed, whensoever hee did exorbitate and swerve from the way of honestie. Full of words he was, and very seldome stood his tongue still: given too much to hearken after praesages; so as in this behalfe he seemed to equall the Emperour Hadrian: rather superstitious, than a devout observer of any religion, killing for sacrifice, without any spare, an infinit number of beasts; insomuch as men judged, if he had returned from the Parthians, there would not have beene Oxen ynough for his sacrifices: like for all the world unto that Marcus Caesar, upon whom I have heard went this by-word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ••. White Oxen to Marcus Caesar, greeting: If thou win the victorie, wee are all but dead. Ioying much in the applause of the common sort, he was an immoderat seeker for praise, even from the least things that were; in a desire of popularitie, affecting of∣tentimes to speake with vile and base persons. Howbeit, for all these imperfections it might have beene deemed, that as himselfe used to speake, That Iustice of the old world, whom taking offence at mens vices, Aratus extolleth up to heaven, and there pla∣ceth, whiles he was Emperour did returne againe to the earth, but that in doing some things according to his owne will and pleasure, otherwhiles he seemed farre unlike himselfe. For he made and enacted lawes nothing grievous, and those absolutely commaunding or forbidding certaine things to be done, except some few: among

which he shewed himselfe in this one unmercifull, for that he prohibited ^k profes∣sors in Rhethoricke and Grammer to teach Christians, for feare they should for∣sake their religion, which was idolatrie. And this also was an intollerable act of his, that he suffered some unjustly to be tied and incorporated to the companies of municipall societies even meere strangers, or such as either by vertue of priviledges or birth were farre removed from these fellowships. And verily, for feature and shape of bodie, this it was: meane of stature, the haire of his head lying smooth and soft, as if he had kembed it, wearing his beard, which was shagged and rough, with a sharpe peake devant; his eyes had an amiable cast, with a quick and shining aspect bewraying pusillanimitie, his eyebrows comely his nose passing streight, his mouth somewhat with the greatest, and his nether lip parted; a fat necke, and bending for∣ward; his shoulders big and broad; from the crowne of his head unto the very toe nayle ends carrying a just proportion and uniforme knitting of his lineaments, whereby he was both strong and swift of foot. And for as much as backbiters laid to his charge, That he raised new troubles and warres, to the great damage and hurt of the Commonwealth; let them know, & that by evident instruction of the truth, That it was not Iulianus but Constantius that kindled the Parthian broiles: whiles he gave ••are oversoone to the lyes that Metrodorus brought unto him (as erewhile I have at large related) & in a thirstie desire of revenge grew to indignation; as where divers times our militarie bands had bin taken captive, our cities rased to the groūd, our forts either ransacked or pulled downe, our provinces impoverished by great expences, and where the Parthians (as appeared by their threats tending to effect) sought to have all even from Persia to Bithynia, and the coasts of Propontis. And in Gaule, whiles the warres by a continued traine grew every day more than other, when the Germanes were spred over our provinces, and now that the Alpes were at the point to be broken through for the wasting of Italie, and the people had suffe∣red many and those horrible outrages, there was nothing left but teares and frights: where both the remembrance of calamities past was grievous, and the expectation of those at hand more wofull. All which enormities this young gentleman being sent into the West parts in shew and title of Caesar, and coursing the kings he there found like base slaves, reformed in manner every one with such celeritie, as is won∣derous to be spoken. And therefore to the end he might with like endevour and di∣ligence repaire the East, he gave the attempt upon the Persians, like no doubt from thence to bring away both a triumph & sirname, if the heavenly decrees of God above had accorded with his worthie policies and noble acts. And since we know by experience, that some run on stil so unadvisedly, that otherwhiles after they have beene once defeated they returne to new warres, and having suffered shipwracke, goe againe to sea, and betake themselves to undergoe those difficulties, which often∣times they have shrunke and sunke under: some there be that find fault with this prince, for that winning in all places victorie, still he put himselfe upon the like ex∣ploits.

CHAP. VII. Consultations and variances among the principall captaines and the chiefe officers of the armie as touching the creation of a new Emperor. At length Iovianus is cho∣sen, who was received with different affection by the armie.

NEither was there after this any leisure for solemn mourning and wee∣ping. For when the corps was once ordered & prepared according as their present store and the time would give leave, that it might be enterred where himselfe before time had appointed, the very next morning early, which fell out to be the fifth before the Calends of Iuly, even whiles the enemies lay spred on everyside, the captaines of the armie cal∣ling to them the principall officers of the legions and troupes, fell to consultation about the creating of a new prince. And for that they were divided into turbulent factions, Arintheus, Victor, and those that remained of Constantius his court, sought for a meet person out of their side: contrariwise Nevita, Dagalaiphus, and the nobles of the Gauls cast about for such an one out of their cōpanies. But whiles this choice stood in doubtfull tearmes, so that they could not agree, at length in one accord, and with the good will of all they enclined unto Sallustius. But as he alledged for his ex∣cuse his sicknesse and honorable old age, a certaine souldior marking how stiffely he stood against it, stood up and said: And what would ye have done my masters, if the Em∣perour had in his absence, as oftentimes it hath bin seene, committed the charge of that war unto you? Would ye not (quoth he) setting all other businesses apart, deliver the souldiors out of these instant and imminent distresses? Let that be your deed now, and if we may but have a sight once of Mesopotamia, both the armies will ioyne in giving their voices, and de∣clare a lawfull Emperor. During the small time they had to bring about so important a matter, by the instigation and setting on of some few (as oftentimes it hath happe∣ned in the point of extremitie) before their opinions were throughly weighed and considered, elected there was for Emperour Iovianus, the chiefe of the companie or ranke of the Domestici ^m, a man in regard of his fathers deserts indifferently com∣mended. For the sonne he was of Varronianus, a Comes of right good note; who not long before, after he had laid downe the charge he had of warfare, departed to a more quiet course of life. And incontinently, being clad in princely robes, and sud∣dainly brought foorth of his pavilion, he presently rode among the regiments and companies, as they were providing to take their journey. And for as much as the ar∣mie set in array reached out in length foure miles, those in the vaward hearing some crying out alowd, Iovianus Augustus, resounded the same note much more: For be∣ing strucken almost amazed with the affinitie or neerenesse of a name, that differed but in one letter, they thought that Iulian being come againe to himselfe and refre∣shed, was accompanied with favorable applauses, as he had wont to be. But when Iovianus was seene comming toward them, stooping forward and taller than the o∣ther, suspecting that which fell out indeed, they fell all to weepe abundantly, and to lament. Now, if some severe Censor and precise Iusticer blame this act or election of theirs in this extremitie of the State, lying thus a bleeding, as one would say, and at point of death, as done unwisely; he will more justly find fault with those seamen, who letting a skilfull pilot go by in blustring winds and rough sea, have committed the helme that should steere and direct the shippe, to any companion or partaker, it skilled not who, of their danger.

CHAP. VIII. The Persians hearing of Iulians death, by a certaine Ensigne-bearer that was a fugi∣tive, set upon the Romans, who after certaine skirmishes, when they had discomfited and driven away the Saracen spoyle-takers, ap∣proach the citie Dura.

THese matters thus wrought by a certaine blind judgement of Fortune, the ensigne-bearer of the ⁿ Ioviani, whom Varronianus had conducted, being at variance of late with this new elected Emperour, then a privat person, as who was an intemperat traducer and backbiter of his father, fearing danger toward from an enemie stepped now above the degree of the com∣mon sort, revolted to the Persians, and having audience granted unto him to speake what he knew, advertiseth Sapor, who now approached, That upon the death of him whom he feared, Iovianus no better than a ^o Protector, an unskilfull person and an effeminat, was in a tumultuous stir of drudges and campe slaves, taken to beare the name and shadow of an Emperour. When he heard this (which alwayes in his timorous prayers he wished for and desired) being set aloft with this unlooked for prosperitie, joining a number out of the roial cavallery, unto those who had fought with us, he determined with a speedie marching pace to have the taile of our armie charged. And in the end, whiles beasts for sacrifice were ordained to and fro in the behalfe of Iovianus, upon inspection of their bowels pronounced it was, That if he staied within the campe (as he thought to do) he should loose all, but if hee went forth he should have the upper hand. And therefore as wee began to go forth, the Persians with their Elephants leading the way, gave the onset upon us. At the ter∣rible braying and fearefull approach of which beasts, after that both horse and man at the first were much troubled and disordered, the Ioviani and ^p Herculani, when they had killed some few of the said Elephants, manfully resisted the horsemen ar∣med at all peeces. Then the legions of the Iovij and ^q Victores, in helping their fel∣lowes that were distressed, slew two Elephants, with no small number of their ene∣mies. And in the left wing of the battaile, three right valiant warriors lost their lives, namely, Iulianus, Macrobius, and Maximus, Tribunes or Colonels of those legi∣ons which then were the principall of the whole armie. After whose funerals so∣lemnized, as the present necessitie would permit, neere unto the shutting in of the evening, whiles we were marching apace to a fortresse named Sumere, the bodie of Anatolius there lying, was knowne, which in hastie and tumultuarie wise was com∣mitted to the earth. Here also we recovered threescore of our souldiors, together with the ^r Palatines, who, as we related before, were fled into a fort named Vacca∣tum. Then the day following, according as the place wold permit, we encamped in an even valley, enclosed round about, within the circuit, as it were, of a wall (all save one place to goe forth at, and the same lying open) with sharpe stakes pitched on every side, and standing out in maner of so many sword points. And when the ene∣mies saw this, out of the woods and forests, they let flie at us sundrie sorts of dartes and casting weapons, reviling us also in reproachfull tearmes, as perfidious traitors, and murderers of a most valorous and excellent Prince: for they had heard (as the very fugitives reported) by occasion of an headlesse rumor that ran abroad, how Iu∣lian was slain by the hand and weapon of a Roman. In the end also certaine cornets of horsemen having broken through the ^s gate Praetoria, were so bold herewith,

as to come neere unto the verie Princes pavilion: but after many of their own side slaine, were repulsed with maine force. Being gone from thence, the next night af∣ter we entred upon Charcha, a place in this regard safe, for that by reason of the high banks of the rivage being by mans hand raised, to the end, that the Saracens might not from thenceforth over-runne Assyria, there was not one as before time that trobled our squadrons in their march. And when as on these verie Kalends of Iulie we had marched thirtie stadia, and drew neere to a citie named Du••a, by rea∣son that our horses were wearie, their riders in the hindmost taile going on foot, had forth with beene environed by a multitude of Saracens, and slaine everie man, but that the more vigorous and lighter appointed troupes of our horsemen rescu∣ed them in daunger. Now the reason why wee were thus infested and troubled with the Saracens, was, for that being debarred by Iulian to receive as in times past, many salaries and gifts, and making thereof complaint unto him, they could get no other answer but this, That a warlike and vigilant Commaunder used to have yro•• and not gold.

CHAP. IX. The Roman souldiors wearied with so often assaults of the Persians, instantly crave leave, notwithstanding Iovianus stood against it, to passe over Tigris: whom, for all that they wrestled with hunger, Sapor feared.

IN this place (so obstinatly persisted the Persians in molesting us) we spent and lost foure dayes. For, marched we forward at any time, they followed us hard at heeles, and with their many pro∣vocations drew us backe: made we a stand as prest to fight, they would by little and little retyre, and thus vexe us with long de∣layes. And now by this time (as usually meere forged rumors are wont to give content unto those that feare the worst) by occasion of a flying re∣port, That the frontiers of our limits were not farre off, the armie with open mouth called importunatly to have leave graunted, for to passe over Tigris. Against whom the Emp••••our and the great captaines opposing themselves, and shewing how the river swelled now at the rising ^t of the Dog-staire, praying them not to hazard their lives in the dau••gerous streame and whirlepooles thereof: affirming, that a num∣ber of them were unskilfull in swimming; and adding moreover, that the enemies fo••ces had gained al••eadie on both sides the skirts of the river overflowne. But when as he redoubled these reasons oftentimes, and gainsaid them, but all in vaine, so that the souldiors crying out alowd, in maine heat and big words, threatened to doe their worst, the Emperour made proclamation to stay the march, and that the Gaules, practised swimmers, should first before all others take the river; to the end that when they had been swallowed up, or carried away with the mightie streame, the wilfull stubbornesse of the rest might be daunted: or if they had performed the deed safely, the passage might on all hands be attempted more boldly. And to this businesse were fit men chosen such as from their childhood had beene enured to swim over the greatest rivers of all others in their own native countries: who taking advantage of the stil & darke night, being let forth at once (as it were) out at a case∣ment sooner than a man would have thought raught the banke on the further sides and having troden under foot and cut in peeces many of the Persians, who being

then bestowed to keepe the coasts, were in quiet securitie fast asleepe, with holding up their hands, and shooting of darts, they gave signal how their adventure had ta∣ken effect and sped. This being espyed a farre off, our souldiors ho•• set upon their passage, stayed onely for this, that the masters of the works promised to frame brid∣ges of budgets or bottels made of the beasts hides that were slaine. Which, while these projects are gone in hand with, and enterprised in vaine, king Sapor, both ab∣sent a far off, and also when he was come neerer, was advertised by the true reports of his discoverers sent out, & fugitives comming in, what valiant acts our men had done, what shameful foyles and overthrowes his owne had taken; and that of Ele∣phants there were more killed than the king could ever remember had bin before time: also that the Roman armie hardened with uncessant travailes and paines, af∣ter the death of their glorious Prince, sought not (as he gave it out) to save their selves, but to be revenged, and were minded to end these instant dangers and pain∣full troubles, either by an absolute victorie, or by a memorable death. In these re∣gards he cast in his mind many and those fearefull consequences, namely, how our forces spread all over the provinciall nations, might, as he had experience thereof, be assembled with a small watchword: knowing also, that his owne people after the losse of the greatest part of the common souldiors, was sore dismayed and af∣frighted; and finding withall, that in Mesopotamia there was left an armie of the enemies behind, not much lesser. And above all these things, that which daunted his perplexed and carefull mind, was this, That five hundred of their men swim∣ming together at one time, had passed in safetie over the river when it was risen high, and having killed the Warders of the coasts, stirred up the rest of their con∣sorts to the like bold and hardie exploit. Meane while, when the surging and swel∣ling waves would not suffer the said bridges to be framed, and all things meet for meat were consumed, our souldiors having spent two daies in a miserable case, pin∣ched with hunger, and chafed with anger, grew into a rage, making hast to loose their lives like men by the edge of the sword, rather than by famine, the basest and most cowardly kind of death that is.

CHAP. X. The embassage of Sapor, for the concluding and confirmation of a peace: Iovianus for want of skilfull policie provideth badly for the Roman armie, and whatsoever the embassa∣dors of Sapor asked, without any strife he yeeldeth to. Vpon pledges on both sides taken that peace dishonourable to the Roman Empire and name, by a new and fraudulent practise of the Persians turned to the overthrow and undoing of ma∣ny. The Roman souldiors in wicker floats and boats made in hast, passe over the river Tigris, and notwith∣out their great losse and disadvantage escape with life.

HOwbeit the eternall power of the heavenly God was on our side: and the Persians, beyond all hope send first (as touching the trea∣tie and conclusion of a peace) their Orators, to wit, the Surena, and another noble Peere of the realme: for they also were out of conceit with themselves, as whom the Romans in all battailes welneere having the upper hand, afflicted sore everie day more than other. Now, the conditions that they tendered were verie hard, precise, and

intricat. For, they pretended, That in regard of mortalitie and mens estate, their king a most mercifull Prince, was content, that the remaines of our armie should re∣turne, namely, if Caesar together with his principall counsellors, and great men a∣bout him performed such poynts as hee commaunded. To countermatch these, was Arintheus together with Salustius the Praefect sent: but whiles there was sit∣ting in consultation with sage advisement, what was to be done, foure dayes went over our heads, the which tormented and plagued us with hunger, and were unto us more grievous than any punishment whatsoever. Which respite of time, before these were sent, if the Prince had made his use of, and by little and little departed out of the enemies ground, certes he had reached to the strong garrison townes of Corduena, a countrey both plentifull and our owne, and besides, not above one hundred miles distant from the place wherein these affaires were treated of. Now, the king claimed hard and required to have his owne (as himselfe said) which long since Maximian had taken from him: but as it appeared in the handling, hee required for our ransome (as it were) and redemption, five countries beyond. Ti∣gris, to wit, Arzanena, Moxoena, and Zabdicena; likewise Rhehimena and Cor∣duena, with fifteene castles: also Nisibis, Singara, and Castra Maurorum, a strong hold of verie good importance. And whereas it had beene better to have fought ten fields, than that any one of these should be surrendred, yet the crew of flatterers came about the timorous Prince, buzzing and whispering in his eares the dread name of Procopius, who unlesse he made the more speedie returne, taking know∣ledge of Iulians death, would easily with the power of those unfoyled souldiors whom he had in his regiment, worke an alteration in the State, and proclaime him∣selfe Emperour, whiles there was none to make head against him. With these per∣nitious words iterated continually unto him, he grew enkindled, and without any farther hafting or holding off, delivered up all that was demaunded: after that with great ado he obtained thus much, That Nisibis and Singara, without the inhabi∣tants therein, should passe under the dominion of the Persians: also, that from the forts or holds which were to be alienated, the garrisons that were verie Romans should be suffered to revert into our hands. To these capitulations was added ano∣ther article also most mischievous & impious, namely, That after this composition passed, Arsaces, a friend unto us at all times, and a trustie confederat, we might not aid, if he craved it against the Persians. Which was devised for a twofold reason; partly, that the man might be punished, who at the Princes commaundement had wasted Chiliocomus; and partly, that there might remaine still some occasion of quarell, under colour whereof they might from time to time invade Armenia at their pleasure. Whereby it happened afterward, that the same Arsaces was taken prisoner alive, and the Parthians among these dissentions and troublous garboyles, went away with the greatest side of Armenia, confining upon the Medes, together with Artaxata. When this dishonourable decree was confirmed, to the end that during the cessation of armes, there should be nothing done contrarie to the cove∣nants, there were given on either side in shew of hostages, great persons of qualitie, to wit, on our part, Nevita, Victor, and Mellobaudes, Tribunes of notable and valiant bands: but on the other, Bineses, one of the ranke of the nobilitie, and other three Lords or Potentats of right good note. Thus after a peace for thirtie yeares was concluded, and the same surely ratified by the solemne complements of a religious othe, we returned another way, & because we avoided the places adjoining to the river, as comberous & rough, distressed we were for want of drinke and meat both.

And so this peace graunted under colour of courtesie & humanitie, turned to the destruction of many; who being pinched with extreame hunger to their very last gaspe, and therefore secretly going before, were either for want of skill in swim∣ming swallowed up of the rivers streame; or els, if they passed and overcame the vi∣olence of the waves and came to the bankes, by the Saracenes or Persians (whom, as I said, the Germans had expelled a little before) killed like sheepe, or sent farre off to be sold as slaves. But when as the trumpets sounding together, openly gave signall of passing over the river, a wonder it was to see with what a heat every man rashly venturing upon all advantages of triall, & putting himselfe before all the rest, made hast to shun many fearefull dangers: whiles some sitting upon hurdles, made at all adventures, holding their horses as they swum on either hand; others upon bottles; and some again turning and winding divers waies in the point of necessitie, with crooked courses cut and pierced through the billowes and waves beating full against them. The Emperour himselfe with some few others, having crossed over in those small barkes which remained after the burning of the fleet, as I have shew∣ed, appointed the same vessels to passe to and fro betweene, untill we were all con∣veyed over. And in the end we came to the bankes on the further side (all save those that were drowned) through the gracious favor of the heavenly power, having by hard chaunces escaped out of jeopardie. Whiles we stood yet in feare of calami∣ties and troubles hanging over our heads, given we were to understand by there∣lation which our fore-riders made, That the Persians were making of a bridge farre out of our sight, to the end, that now after peace and covenants established, whiles the tempestuous stormes of warre were allayed, they might set upon our sickly and crasie folke as they went secure and fearelesse, as also our beasts, long wearied and tyred out of heart. But when they perceived how they were discovered, they relin∣quished this their wicked designe.

CHAP. XI. After they had marched sixe daies iourney with penurie of all things, refreshed they are with new provision of victuals. Iovianus goeth in hand with establishing the state of the Empire. The Nisibenes hearing that their citie, of all o∣thers in the East the strongest, was surrendred to Sa∣por, burst into teares.

BEing now freed from this suspected danger also, we made hast, and by long journeyes approched Ha••ra, an old towne, situate in the middest of a desart, and long since dispeopled; which when Traianus and Seve∣rus, wa••like princes, attempted at sundrie times to rase downe to the ground, they were with their armies like to have beene utterly defeated, according as in the historie of their acts I have orderly set downe these particulars also. From whence, knowing that along this plaine, stretching out threescore and ten myles in these drie countries, there could be found neither water to drinke, but such as was salt and stinking, nor any thing else ••o feed upon, but Sothernwood, Wormewood, Dragonce, and other kinds of most bitter or biting hearbes, all the vessels which we carried with us, were filled with fresh water; and by killing our cammels and other beasts of draught and carriage, we made shift for food, though it was unholesome. And after six daies journey, when there was not found so much as grasse to give comfort •••• our extreame necessitie, C••ssian••s Lord Warden or Marques••e of Meso∣potamia,

and Mauricius a Tribune, sent before of purpose, came to a castle in Persia named Vr, bringing with them victuals out of that provision, which the armie, left with Procopius and Sebastian, had saved by living frugally. From hence another Procopius, a Notarie, & Memorius a militarie Tribune, were dispatched to the tracts of Illyricum and of Gaule, to carrie tidings of Iulians death, and that Iovianus after his decease was advanced to the dignitie imperiall. These men the prince had gi∣ven in charge, to urge Lucilianus his wives father, who after his militarie charge gi∣ven up, was retyred to a privat life, and who made his abode as then at Sirmium, af∣ter they had presented unto him a patent for the mastership of horse and foot both, that he should make hast to Millaine, there to settle the state that stood upon doubt∣full tearmes; and (which was more feared) if any new occurrences should arise, to oppose himselfe. Beside these Mandats, he gave them letters also unto him of more secrecie, willing Lucilianus likewise to bring with him certaine choise men of appro∣ved industrie and fidelitie, whose helpe he meant to use, according as the incident affaires should require. And in good and wise policie he commanded Malarichus, who had beene a dealer for him in his houshold businesse, living as then in Italie, to succeed Iovinus in the ^• mastership of Armes in Gaule, sending unto him the en∣signes and ornaments of that office; foreseeing herein a two fold commoditie, namely, that both a captaine of high desert, and therfore suspected, should be remo∣ved out of the way, and that a man of inferior hope being thus preferred to an high∣er place, might with great studie and affection establish the estate of his found••r, which as yet was but wavering and uncertaine. Moreover, commaundement was given to those that were to goe about the accomplishing of these businesses, That they should extoll the whole course of the late acts, and make the best of them, yea, and spread abroad what way soever they went light rumours, according all in one tune, namely, That the Parthian expedition was brought to an happie end: and that in travailing speedily night and day together, they should insinuate unto the rulers of provinces, and leaders of any forces, the new Emperours writings; and after they had in secret manner sounded the minds of them all, returne quickly with their an∣sweres: that thus upon intelligence given, what was done in remote parts, there might betimes bee some wise course found out for the establishing of his Empire. But Fame, that prevented these messengers, flew all about the provinces most swift∣ly, telling tales of heavie accidents, and strucke the people, but the Nisibenes above all, into grievous sorrow, when they understood once that their citie was yeelded unto S••por: whose anger and secret grudge they feared, as calling ever and anon to mind, what mortall foiles and overthrows he had continually there sustained, when many a time he went about to assault it. For it was full well knowne, that the com∣passe of the East Empire might have beene brought in subjection to Persia, but that this citie, so wel seated and so fortified with mightie wals, made resistance. How beit these poore wretches, although they much more feared future calamitie, yet com∣forted they were with this small hope, that the Emperour either of his owne free ac∣cord, or at their prayer and entrea••ie, would in the same state keepe this citie, the strongest port-cluse and key of all the East.

CHAP. XII. When these victuals were spent, the armie is distressed with hunger. Iovianus refu∣seth to enter into Nisibis: which citie, Bineses in the name of Sapor taketh possession of, notwithstanding the loyall and faithfull citizens, who in vaine stood against him, and whose pitifull departure out of it is here described.

WHiles divers rumours dispersed abroad in all places the order and course of these proceedings, after the small store was spent of victu∣als which were in the armie, and brought thither as I have said be∣fore, men were of necessitie to feed on their owne bodies, but that the flesh of their labouring beasts which they killed lasted in some sort a while; wherby it came to passe, that most of their armour, weapons, and bag∣gage were cast away. For so grievous and extreame was the famine whereby wee pined, that if in any place there was but one ^x Modius or peck of meale found (and that happened but seldome) it was exchanged for ten pieces of gold. Being thence departed, we came to Thisaphalta, where Sebaslianus and Procopius, together with the Tribunes and principall captaines of the souldiors (committed to their charge for the defence of Mesopotamia, as the solemne order required) met with us, and being courteously received, bare us companie. After this, the prince having made hast in his journey, and gladly seene Nisibis, pitched his standing campe without the citie: and being earnestly requested by many prayers of the people, that hee would enter the citie, and as the custome was of other princes, lodge within the pa∣lace, he stiffely refused, as being abashed and ashamed, that whiles he conversed within the wals, the citie, otherwise in expugnable, should be delivered up into the angrie enemies hands. Then and there, when the evening waxed darke, Iovianus, the principall of all the Notaries, who at the siege of the citie Majozamalcha (as I have said) escaped with others through a mine under the ground, was violently ta∣ken from supper, and being brought into a place out of the way, and pitched head∣long into a drie pit, was overwhelmed with a number of stones cast upon him: for this cause verily, that when Iulian was slaine, he also being by some few nominated as worthie of the Empire, after the creation of Iovianus behaved not himselfe in modest tearmes, but was overheard to whisper somewhat as touching that affayre, and other whiles invited to feasts the martiall men of the campe. The next day Bineses, one of the Persians, who (as I said) was a noble and right honorable person among others, making hast to accomplish his lord and kings commandement, cal∣led instantly for the performance of promise and by permission of the Roman Em∣perour entred the citie, set up the banner of his owne nation upon the citadell, de∣nouncing unto the citizens their lamentable remove and departure out of their na∣tive seat. And being presently commaunded all to flit and be gone, they stretched forth their hands, and besought there might be imposed upon them no necessitie of departing, saying, That they alone, without the publicke allowance of victuals and souldiors, were able to defend their dwelling houses, trusting assuredly, as they had oftentimes found by experience, to find justice hereafter also fighting for the place wherein they were borne. And in this wise verily the States and the Com∣mons humbly prayed: but they spake in vaine to the very winds, as they say; whiles the Emperour made semblance (fearing indeed other things) that he de∣clined

the hainous sinne of perjurie. Then Sabinus, a man forwealth and birth re∣nowmed among his fellow citizens and burgesles, having a rolling tongue of his owne, made a speech to this effect: That Constantius in a world of fierce and cruell warres, was otherwhiles vanquished of the Persians, and brought in the end by flight with some few, to Hibita, no sure nor fenced station, where he lived with a piece of bread which an old woman of the countrey at his much entreatie reached unto him; yet for all this, lost he none of his Seignories to his dying day: and Iovian now at his first entrance into his Empire hath parted from the very wall of the Provinces, by the barre, as one would say, whereof they continued time out of mind, without taking any harme. But when as hee could not prevaile, whiles the prince constantly pretended the conscience of kee∣ping the oath he tooke: and when as he received at length with much adoe and by constraint a Coronet presented unto him, which he a good while refused, one Sil∣vanus an advocate, that used to plead in the defence of mens causes, crying boldly alowd: So crowned (quoth he) ô Emperour, mayest thou be by all other cities b-sides. At which word hee grew so angrie, that hee commaunded them all within three dayes to depart out of the wals, detesting and cursing the present state of the time. So there were set certaine of purpose to force and drive them foorth, threatening death also to as many as delayed their departure; whereby the citie was full of sor∣row and lamentation: and throughout all the streets and parts thereof there was nothing heard but groning and wailing on all hands; whiles the matron, readie to be thrust, as banished out of her house wherein she was borne and brought up, ••are the haire of her head; whiles the mother bereft of her children, and the widdow of her husband, was to be driven away farre from their Manes; and whiles the la∣mentable multitude clipping the posts, cheekes, and lintels of their entrie dores, pi∣teously wept. Hereupon were sundrie wayes full of those that departed, every one as they could make shift: For why? many of them conveyed away by stealth their own riches, which they thought might handsomely be caried, setting nought by the rest of their household goods, wherof there was much, & that of great price: for all this left they behind for want of labouring beasts.

CHAP. XIII. The iudgement of Ammianus Marcellinus as touching the condition of the Romane Empire in those dayes. The corpes of Iulian was enterred in a Suburbian place neere Tarsus. The armie commeth to Antioch, where are seene many and dread∣full sights: and namely a Comet, as touching the reason and nature whereof there is put downe a natu∣rall discourse.

ANd here in this place art thou, the fortune of the Romane world, justly blamed, who when the stormes were up, blowing and beating fore up∣on the Common-wealth, diddest commit and betake the reynes or helmethereof, newly strucken out of the hands of a skilfull leader and pilot of the State, unto a raw young man, not comes as yet to his proofe: who be∣ing not knowne for any notable thing during his former life in such affaires, can by right neither be blamed nor commended. But this one thing went to the ve∣ry heart of good men, that whiles he standeth in feare of a concurrent, and whiles hee thinketh seriously upon Gaule and Illyricum, and casteth in his mind, how

some have many times aspired to high matters, he making hast to prevent the fame of his comming, under a pretense of avoyding perjurie, committed an act unbesee∣ming an Emperour, by loosing Nisibis, which ever since king Mithridates his dayes stood out with might and maine, that the East Empire should not come in∣to the possession of the Persians. For, never since the citie of Rome was first foun∣ded, can we find, as I suppose, though you read over all the Annales, that either Consul or Emperour gave away the right of any part of our territories, or that triumphall honours were ever conferred upon any for the recoverie of aught that had beene taken away, but for the enlarging of our dominions. Hence it was that unto Publius Scipio, for the regaining of Spaine, unto Fulvius, when Capua, after skirmishes and assaults made a long time, was won, and unto Opimius after divers battailes ended, what time as the Fregellanes then mortall enemies, were forced to yeeld themselves, triumphes were denied. Thus much also we learned out of the auncient records, That in extreame cases covenants made with a generall and chief leader, after that the parties on both sides tooke an expresse and formall othe, were streightwayes by making warie afresh undone and voyd: as for example, in old time at the streits or gullet Caudinae, when the Roman legions were in Samnium put to the yoke: also, when by Albinus in Numidia a peace was wickedly thought and treated of: and lastly, when Mancinus the author of an agreement made dis∣honourably in hast, was delivered up unto the Numantines. Well, after this, when the citizens were fetched forth, & the citie rendred, and Constantius a Tribune sent to assigne & set out the garrison forts with their territories, unto the Persian Lords and great Captaines, Procopius was sent with the reliques of Iulian, to interre the same in the suburbs of Tarsus, as he had given charge in his life time. Who taking his journey to execute this businesse, presently after he had buried the bodie, de∣parted: neither could he be found any where, although with great diligence hee was sought for, untill that long after he was seene at Constantinople all on a sud∣daine invested in his purple robes. These matters in this wise brought about, and our journeyes thus dispatched, we came to Antioch, where, for many dayes toge∣ther (as if God had beene offended) were seene many fearefull and strange sights, the events whereof, such as were skilfull in prodigial learning foretold and prophe∣cied, would be wofull and lamentable. For, both the statue of Maximian Caesar, which stood in the verie porch or entrie of the kings house, lost sodainly the brasen ball, fashioned to the forme of the Pole which he carried: and also with an horri∣ble noyse the beames and posts within the Consistories made a sound. There were seene likewise in the day-time blazing starres: as touching the nature whereof the Naturall Philosophers varie much in their reasons and arguments. For some hold, That therefore they be called Comets or hairie starres, for that when a multitude of starres be gathered together, by the flashing of fire from them, certaine haires seeme to be scattered. Others are of opinion, That of a drie exhalation of the earth steeming up aloft by little and little they catch fire. Some againe doe thinke, That the rayes or beames of the Sunne, being kept from going downeward by the opposition of a thicke cloud betweene, and casting a brightnesse upon a grosse bodie, represent unto mans eye a light, distinguished, as it were with starres. And there be also those that are thus conceited of them, That such a sight as this then ap∣peareth when a cloud drawne up higher than usually it hath beene, shineth by rea∣son of the vicinitie of those eternall heavenly fire: or at leastwise, that they be cer∣taine starres like unto the rest, the rising and setting whereof at what times they bee

appointed, mens wits could never reach unto. Much more besides concerning Comets we have read in authors that be learned in Astronomie: which I may not here set downe, for that my pen maketh hast to write of other matters.

CHAP. XIIII. Iovianus commeth to Tarsus, and being departed from thence, establisheth his imperiall dignitie by all the meanes he can: But within a while after, when he was come as far as to the confines of Galatia and Bithynia, hee was in the night found dead. His vertues and vices are briefly touched.

WHen the Emperour had stayed a pretie while at Antioch, sore troubled with divers weightie cares, a wonderfull desire he had to be gone. And therefore sparing neither beast nor man, hee sets forth from thence in the verie mids of cold Winter, notwithstanding, as it hath beene sayd, many ominous signes crossed the same, and entred into Tarsus, a noble citie of Ci∣licia, the originall foundation whereof I have shewed before. And making excee∣ding great hast to goe out of it also, he appointed to have the sepulchre of Iulian trimly garnished, scituat within the precincts of that way which leadeth to the straits of the mountaine Taurus: Whose reliques and ashes, if hee had then done right and beene well advised, Cydnus should not have seen, a most pleasant and cleere river though it be: but to perpetuat the glorie of his good deeds, Tiberis that runneth through the mids of that immortall citie Rome, and toucheth the monu∣ments of the auncient Emperours of sacred memorie should have passed by. From Tarsus when he was departed, he tooke long journeyes and came to Tyana a town in Cappadocia, where Procopius the foresaid Notarie, and Memorius a Tribune, in their returne meet him, and open the whole course of their proceedings: begin∣ning, as order required, at this, namely, That Lucillianus being entred into Millane, with Seniauchus and Valentinian, two Tribunes whom he had brought along with him, knowing that Malarichus refused the Mastership abovesaid, rode in post to Remes: and as if there had beene no rumors up, but all quiet in that nation, ranne forth as we use to say, without the lists: and verie unseasonably and over soone, be∣fore as yet all things were well setled, of an ordinarie Clerke gave himselfe to be an Auditor. Who being privie to himselfe of his owne fraudulent and naughtie dea∣lings, fled unto the armie, and devised, That Iulianus being yet alive, a certaine man of meane condition was risen up to make an alteration in the State, and himselfe Emperour. At whose false and deceitfull forgeries, the souldiors mightily mooved and growne to a tumultuous broyle, slew both Lucillianus and Seniauchus. As for Valentinian, who soon after became Emperor, being in great feare & doubtful whi∣ther to fly, his friend and host Primitivus had packed him away in safetie. But upon these heavie occurrents there came other newes as joyfull, namely, That the souldi∣ors sent from Iovinus were at hand, such as militarie men use to call Capita ^y Scho∣larum, and these brought tidings, That the army serving in Gaule, gladly embraced Iovianus as Emperour. Which being knowne for truth, the second forme or ranke of the Scutarij was committed unto the regiment of Valentinian who returned with them: and Vitalianus a souldior serving in the band of the ^z Heruli, was taken into the companie and societie of the Domestici; and he long after being advanced to the dignitie of a Comes, fought unfortunatly in Illyricum. And streight after, was Arinthe••s sent into Gaule, bearing letters with him unto Iovinus, exhorting him to

keepe his place still, and remaine constant: given also he was in charge, That the principall rayser of the foresaid tumult should be punished accordingly, and that all authors of sedition should be sent over bound unto the Emperours Counsell. After these matters disposed of as seemed expedient, at Aspuna, a little enfranchised towne of Galatia, the ^α souldiors serving in Gaule, shewed themselves unto the Em∣perour: and being admitted into the Consistorie, after gracious audience given of those errands which they brought, they were rewarded and commaunded to re∣turne unto their colours. And when the Emperour was come into Ancyra, after all things put in readinesse, which according to the present time were requisit to a solemne pompe, he entred upon his Consulship, taking to him in the fellowship of that honourable dignitie, his owne sonne Varronianus, a young infant, whose wraw∣ling (whiles he strugled hard, and made means not to ride in the ^β Curule chaire, as the custome was) portended that which soone after happened. Hereupon also the prefixed time that Iovianus was to end this life, made a quicke dispatch of him. For when he was come to Dadastana, a place that divideth Bithynia and Galatia asun∣der, he was found dead in the night: as touching whose death many doubtfull reports have gone abroad. For, it is said, that he could not endure the smell of his bed chamber newly daubed or pargetted with morter made of lime: or that hee came to his end upon a tumor or swelling of his head, occasioned by an huge fire, kindled of coals: or at least wise, upon greedi•• feeding of a number of meats, hee crammed his belly so full, that he dyed of surfeit. Now, he departed out of this world in the three and thirtieth yeare of his age. And whereas both he and Scipio Aemilianus chaunced to end their lives alike, yet find we not that there was any in∣quisition made, or commission sitten upon, about their death. His manner of gate was grave, his countenance most pleasant, his eyes grey: bigge he was of making, and withall verie tall, in so much as a long time there could not bee found in the ward-robe, any regall garment meet for the measure of his bodie: And a willing desire he had to imitate Constantius, imploying himselfe in serious affaires other∣whiles after noone: and he used to jest openly with his favourites and familiars. An affectionat lover and professor he was also of the Christian Religion, and some∣times a right honourable embracer thereof; meanely learned therein, and rather enclined in kindnesse to them than otherwise: one also, as appeared by those few whom he promoted, that would be verie precise and considerat in chusing of Iud∣ges. But a great eater he was, and much given as well to wine as fleshly lust: which vices haply he would in time have amended, in regard of the Imperial Majestie that he carried. Furthermore, it was said, that his father Varronianus foreknew long be∣fore that which happened, by a certaine dreame that told him as much, and that he acquainted two of his most faithfull friends therewith: and said thus much more∣over, That himselfe also should have the Consular robe of estate conferred upon him. But as the one part of his dreame tooke effect, so he never attained unto the other: For hearing for certaine of his sonnes fortune, before he could see him hee was by fatall death prevented. And for that it was foretold unto the old man in a dreame, That the sayd most honourable Magistracie was portended to this name, his nephew Varronianus, as yet an infant, was, as I said before, together with his fa∣ther ••ovianus declared Consull.

Notes

• or halfe moone.
• or lieutenants, or captaines.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or such like 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as •••• hastie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c.
• etiam 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 gregano.
• or Meteore.
• The maine battaile.
• Can••ida••••.
• Mandigna, or Mandi, L••un••l.
• or immortalitie.
• alter•• ••t tricesim••
• or greedily.
• Ʋitam, For so doth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 other∣whiles signifie in Greeke.
• Lentior is ingen••••, and therefore hap∣ly so studious: un∣lesle you expoūd it, stubborne natural∣ly: such as Tibe∣ri•••• Caesar was, whose nature is said to be Lent••, in S••eton.
• the Gentile pro∣fessors: ne transiret à numinum cultu.
• to be De••••tions or Curial••s, and ••enatours in thei•• townes and cities.
• How is it then, that in the 22. booke, the Antio∣chians skoffed at him as one, hume∣ros extentans angu∣stos? un'esse you admit there the figure An••phrasis, i. to speake by the contrarie.
• P••••thicus.
• 17. day of Iune.
• footmen and horsemen.
• i. Pentioners of the guard in ordi∣narie.
• Gra••••is quid•••••• a∣quitatis prava••••••••∣tor. I suppose here is a manifest Cata∣chresis, no strange thing in this our Author.
• the first day.
• 4 miles for 7 sta∣d••a and an halfe make a mile.
• a name of dig∣••••tie, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the King.
• ••. the Emperour.
• a citie. Choi••. ••ov••••.
• or Secretari••.
• ••. Horse.
• so feeble they were that they were not able to carry them.
• or Secretaries.
• whom she had buned there.
• or their graves.
• or heavenly globe
• or bl••••ing starres
• C••ra••••••, L••••••••••
• of armes, or of the forces.
• or Court.
• or having recoun∣ted what they had suffered and endu∣red, Qua pertu∣le••an••.
• Anguri, Belloni••.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, P••olo••••.