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CHAP. IX. The expedition of Valentinian and Gratian against the Alemans in battaile discomfited and put to flight with a great overthrow.
ABout the same time well neere, whiles Valentinian was gone forth warily, as he thought, to an expedition, an Aleman * 1.1 Prince, named Rando, ma∣king preparation long before for that which he designed, entred by stealth with a crue of souldiors lightly appointed to kill and rob, into * 1.2 Magontiacum, when it was without a garrison. And for that he found there by chance a solem∣nitie holden of the Christians, he led away without any let and impeachment a sort of both sexes undefended, it skilled not of what estate they were of, together with no small store of household goods. Within a little while after there shone up∣on the Romane Empire an unexpected hope of better dayes. For when king Vi∣thicabius, the sonne of Vadomarius, in shew an effeminate and diseased prince, but of courage bold and valiant, kindled oftentimes hote warres against us, great care and diligence was employed, that he might be made away and murthered, it mattered not how: and for that being assayled sundrie times, he could not either be openly vanquished, or privily betrayed, at the earnest sollicitation of our men murthered he was by the deceitfull hand of one of his owne ministers, belonging to the privie chamber. After whose death, the enemies in some sort gave over their hostile rodes and incursions: howbeit, the murtherer, for dread of punishment which he feared, in case the businesse had beene discovered, got himselfe over as fast as he could in∣to Romane ground. After this, preparation was made with good pause and deli∣beration, as also by sundrie kinds of forces, of an expedition against the Alemanes, and the same of greater puissance than usually had beene, considering that the de∣fence of the State required no lesse; because the faithlesse stirres of a nation, whose forces might soone be renewed, were feared: and our souldiors neverthelesse were enkindled against them, for their suspected conditions; who feeble now and sup∣pliants, yet shortly after threatening deadly and mortall hostilitie, gave them no rest at all, nor cessation of armes. Valentinian therefore, together with Gratian, having assembled an huge hoast, well furnished as well with armes as victuals, and sent for Sebastian the lieutenant, together with the bands of Illyricum and Italie, whereof hee had the regiment to joyne with them, in the very fresh prime of the yeare set forward, marching in foure square battailons close together and undivided; him∣selfe in the middest having Iovinus and Severus, s expert and approoved warriors, flanking the sides of the rankes on both hands, for feare they might be suddainely assayled. And so from thence, by the guidance of those that were perfect in the wayes, having discovered beforehand the avenues through the plaine countries, lying out a great length, the souldiors advauncing softly forward, yet very eagre of fight, as if they had found the enemies alreadie, in threatening manner gnashed their teeth for anger. And for that during certaine daies journey they could meet with none that made resistance, there was put forth a regiment of certaine cohorts, who with the devouring flame of fire consumed the standing corne and houses that they could set eye upon, all save only such food, as their doubtfull state where∣in they stood forced them to gather and keepe. This done, the prince going fur∣ther forward with a milder pace, when he was come neere to a place named * 1.3 Soli∣cinium, stood still, as if a barre had beene set in his way, enformed by a most true