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. IX. Valens hearing of this bold action of Procopius, chaungeth his purpose: Procopius by sundry craftie devices, and in the end by an armie levied and assem∣bled, provideth for himselfe.

SOme marvaile, I assure you, that such ridiculous beginnings, unwisely and rashly taken in hand, have broken forth in the end, to the wofull calamities of Commonweale; as ignorant perhaps of former prece∣dents, supposing the same to have happened then first, and never be∣fore. Thus Andriscus the Adramytene, a base fellow, and of the meanest conditi∣on, raysed up to the very name of Pseudophilippus, was the cause of the third grie∣vous and bloudie Macedonian warre. Thus whiles Macrinus the Emperour abode in Antioch, Heliogabalus ⁱ came forth of Emesa, and became Antoninus. So also by an unexpected assault made by Maximinus, was ^k Alexander, together with Mammaea, stabbed to death. In Affrick, the elder Gordian, haled by force to usurpe the Empire, for very trouble and anguish of imminent dangers strangled himselfe with an halter, and ended his life. Well, procured there were and taken in to the doubtfull issue of this strange occurrence, some against their wils, and some wil∣lingly, marchants of trifling cates and such as gave attendance within the palace, or had given over to wait: those also who having beene enrolled souldiors, had betaken themselves now to a more quiet life. And there were againe, who suppo∣sing all conditions of life better than the present State, slipped away secretly from the citie, and with speedie journeyes made hast unto the Emperours campe. All these, Sophronius, then a Notarie, Praefect afterwards of Constantinople, out∣stript and prevented by riding most swiftly, and turned backe into Galatia, Va∣lens, readie then to depart from Caesarea in Cappadocia, intending now, that the hote and sultring constitution of the weather in Cilicia was allayed, to goe through, and that with speed, to the habitation and seat of Antioch: him, I say, he averted from his journey, after he had declared the whole order of the pro∣ceedings aforesaid unto him, much troubled and astonied, as he was, by reason of his doubtfull hopes, (as in such cases it is an ordinarie thing) and minding to take hold of these matters, yet standing upon fearefull and ticklish tearmes.

But whiles he maketh speed and taketh great journeyes, Procopius with most ear∣nest and watchfull care from day to day spent the whole nights, shewing abroad certaine suborned and counterfeit persons, who with confident boldnesse faining, that they were come, some out of the East, others out of Gaule, brought word, that Valentinian was dead; yea, and gave it out in plaine tearmes, that all lay cleare and open for this new and much favoured prince to enter upon. And because such re∣bellious usurpations of Empires malapartly taken in hand, are wont otherwhiles to be strengthened with quick dispatch, least any thing should be omitted that might strike a terror, forthwith Nebridius, newly by the faction of Petronius promoted in the rowme of Sallustius to be Praefectus Praetorio, and Caesarius Praefect of the citie Constantinople, were cast into prison and layed up fast: and Phronemius had com∣maundement to rule the citie after the wonted government, and Euphrasius to bee master of the Offices; both of them Gaules, and men most approved for their eru∣dition and learning: and the managing of militarie and campe-affaires was com∣mitted very inconsiderately (as the end shewed which bewrayeth what things are) unto Gomoarius and Agilo, who were called backe againe to take a new oath of souldiorie. And because Iulius the Comes having charge of the forces in Thracia, was like from the neere stations to suppresse these rebels, if he understood once of their attempts, and therefore feared, there was this effectuall and cunning policie devised; and he, by commaundement as it were of Valens, being sent for to Con∣stantinople by the letters of Nebridius (as yet in prison) violently wrung from him, under a colour to treat about the troubles of the barbarous enemies, was there de∣tained in strait hold close prisoner. And by this craftie and deceitfull fetch the war∣like nation of Thracia being without bloudshed woon to the side, brought excee∣ding great aid and maintenance to these tumultuarie attempts. After which so at∣chieved with prosperous successe, Araxius also by labouring those of the palace, and procuring of their voices, became Praefectus Praetorio: and Agilo, who marri∣ed his daughter, helped him forward also, with his good word: many others like∣wise were admitted to sundry places and employments in court, as also to the ad∣ministration of provinces, some against their wils, others of their owne accord offering themselves with money and rewards in hand. And, as it usually falleth out in civile and domesticall dissentions, divers rose up even out of the very dung∣hill and rascalitie, directed onely by desperate and blind projects: contrariwise, some againe there were, who being nobly borne, fell from high estates downe to very death and exile. Now, when as by these and such like practises there seemed to be a faction firmely framed, it remained that there should be good store of mi∣litarie forces raised: and easily was that brought about, a thing that diverse times in publicke broyles and commotions hath hindered brave exploits, enterprised e∣ven upon just and lawfull motives. For the troupes and companies as well of horse∣men as footmen which were levied through Thracia, to performe the expedition as they passed along, being courteously and liberally entreated, and all assembled together, so as they made a shew of an armie, gaping after most large promises, un∣der paine of cursed execrations swore allegeance unto Procopius, promising in their behalfe this constant resolution, That they would not faile, but defend him with their owne armes and forces. And verily he met with a very fit occasion and opor∣tunitie to allure them unto his part, for that himselfe carrying all about with him in his owne armes a little daughter of Constantius (whose fresh memoriall was high∣ly honoured) pretended kinred even with Iulian. He found also another thing,

that suited verie fitly with the present time: for that he did upon him the orna∣ments of Imperiall vesture, when as Faustina mother of the said girle was by a cer∣taine meere chaunce present in place. To these he adjoyneth another peece of po∣licie, which with all diligence was to be put in practise; namely, certaine picked men for the nonce, and foole-hardie, were sent to seize upon Illyricum, trusting up∣on no other helpe but malapert sawcinesse, who, forsooth, handsomely devised cer∣taine peeces of gold made with the stampe of the new Emperors face, beside other meanes of allurements: Whom Equitius, Generall of the forts in those countries apprehended and put to divers sorts of death. And then fearing the like practises, he stopped up three most narrow waies and passages, by which the Northern pro∣vinces are assailed, the one by Dacia Ripensis, a second, and that right will known, by Succi, and the third by the Macedonians, which they tearme ^l 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And by this warie prevention the usurper of an undue and unlawfull government, being put quite beside his vaine conceit and persuasion to get Illyricum into his hands, lost great meanes of maintaining warres.

Notes

• or counterfeit name of Philip.
• H••man & Ham∣sa. Bellon.
• C••p••diarum vili∣•••• mercatores: haply he meaneth caters, and such like officers for provision.
• captaine or liue∣tenant.
• Along the rivage for difference of Mediterranea, i. the inland country