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. II. The beginning of Maximinus his crueltie. His Patron, and his complices. Without any words of vulgar persons, mention is made of the punishments infli∣cted upon Marinus, Cethegus, and Alypius.

NOw the very beginning, from whence he displayed and spred himselfe abroad, arose upon such an occasion as this: Chilo late a deputie Prae∣fect, and his wife named Maxima, having complained unto Olybrius, Praefect of the citie for that time being, and avouching that their lives were assayled and endangered by poysons, obtained at his hands a commission, That the parties whom they suspected should forthwith be apprehended and clapt up fast in prison, to wit, Sericus an Organist, or maker of instruments, Asbolius a pro∣fessor of wrestling, and Campensis a ^b Soothsayer. But whiles this businesse waxed coole, by reason that Olybrius was visited with long and grievous sicknesse, those a∣foresaid, who had given information of these things, beeing impatient of delayes, preferred a petition, and craved, That the matter in controversie might be made o∣ver unto the Praefect of the victuals aforesaid, for to bee examined accordingly. Which for expedition sake was soone graunted. Maximinus therefore having re∣ceived matter to worke mischiefe upon, discharged and uttered his inbred rigour, that stucke close unto his cruell heart: as oftentimes doe these savage beasts, exhi∣bited in the Amphitheatres or Shew-places, when by breaking their backe grates and dores in pieces, they get at length to be at libertie. And when this matter was many times handled and discussed, in flourishes (as it were) and shewes, so that some having their sides gashed and torne, nominated certaine noble persons, as if they had used workers of mischiefe by the meanes of their dependants, and other base fellowes, this divellish Inquisitor noting as well the parties accused as the in∣formers, and tracing them (as they say) by the foot, roved further, and in a malici∣ous relation advertised the prince, That the wleked and leawd acts which many committed in Rome, could not possibly be either searched out or punished, but by more sharpe and quicke justice. Who upon the knowledge hereof being en∣raged (as he was an enemie to vices, rather rigorous than severe) by vertue of one precept or warrant directed for such causes, which hee mingled with an arrogant intention of treason, decreed, That all those, whom the justice of auncient lawes, and the judgement of sacred princes had exempted from bloudie inquisitions, should, if the case so required, be put to cruell examinations by torture. And to the end that a duple authority, and the same strained to the height, might patch matters together, to the utter undoing of persons in higher place, unto this Maximinus (ap∣pointed to rule at Rome as deputie Pręfect) he joined in commission for the know∣ing and determining of these things (which were a framing to the danger of many) Leo, a Notarie afterwards, master of the Offices, a very swash-buckler at every fu∣nerall, a knowne robber, and a Pannonian; one who breathed foorth of his savage mouth crueltie, and yet was neverthelesse greedie still of mans bloud. Now the naturall disposition of Maximinus bent to doe mischiefe, was much augmented by the comming to him of a like companion, as also by sweet letters [from the Empe∣rour] together with an honourable dignitie. And therefore flinging out his feet to and fro for joy as he went, he seemed to leape and daunce rather than to goe, whiles he affected to imitate the Bracmans, who (as some report) keepe a sta••king

and stately jetting among the altars. And now by this time, when the trumpets of domesticall miseries sounded, and all men were amazed to see the horrible state of the world how it went, beside many cruell and unmercifull examples (the varietie and number whereof is incomprehensible) most notable was the death of Mari∣nus an advocate, whom upon a slight and cursarie weighing of proofes and pre∣sumptions, he condemned to death, for daring by indirect and wicked acts to seeke the mariage of one Hispanilla. And because I suppose that some men who haply shall read these reports, will be readie to search exquisitly into particulars, and re∣proove me, keeping a stirre and saying, This was done first, and not that; or such things are overslipt which themselves saw: thus farre forth we are to give satisfacti∣on unto them, namely, That all things are not worthy to be put downe in writing, which passed among meane and base persons: neither, if that should have beene needfull, had we sufficient instruction from the verie records, considering how ma∣ny publique miseries and misfortunes were so rife and hot, and that this new furie uncurbed and unrestrained, made a generall pudder and confusion, whiles it was evidently knowne, there was not (a thing much feared) any lawfull proceeding to judgement, but a cessation of all law and justice. Then it was, that Cethegus a Se∣natour, accused for committing adulterie, had his head chopt off; and Alypius a noble young gentleman, for a small errour was sent away and confined; yea and other meane persons were executed and died a publick death: in whose calamities everie man seeing, as it were, the image of his owne perill, dreamed of nothing but tormentors, chaines, bonds, and lodging in balefull darknesse.

Notes

• Witchcraft and Sercerie. Venenis.
• Organarius.
• Maximinus.
• Magick, Sorcerie, and Enchantments