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. X. Firmus a prince of Mauritania raiseth troubles and commotions, which Theodosius Generall of the Horsemen endevoureth to appease.

FRom hence, among . . . . these occurrences that followed next, I thought good should be delivered in one continued narration, least while in businesses and places farre distant other matters be inserted, there ensue of necessitie a confused knowledge of many things. Nubel a petie king, as it were, through all the nations of Mauritania right puissant, depar∣ting this life, left behind him sonnes, both legitimate, and also base begotten of his concubines: One of these named Zamma, well accepted and in favor with the lieu∣tenant named Romanus, being secretly by his brother Firmus murthered, gave the occasion of much discord and warre. For the said lieutenant making hast with all earnest desire to revenge his death, wrought many meanes, and those very dange∣rous, to the utter overthrow of the foresaid privie murtherer. And as it was by sun∣drie rumors reported, great diligence and labour hereabout was employed in the Emperours palace. And verily, the relations made by Romanus, which cast many and grievous imputations upon Firmus, were willingly entertained of the prince, and read before him, whiles there wanted not many besides favourably to second the same. But on the contrarie side, looke what Firmus impleaded, and oftentimes by his friends alledged in defence of himselfe and of his life, the same, how ever it was received, did remaine a long time smothered, by reason that Remigius, master at that time of the Offices, allied by marriage, and a friend unto Romanus, constantly alwayes affirmed, That among many weightie and important affaires of the Em∣perour, these so frivolous and superfluous matters ought not be read unto him, but at some convenient and seasonable time. Which when the Moore perceived to be a practise for to overthrow his defence, trembling now for feare of extremitie, least haply when those allegations which he pretended and pleaded were cast aside, he

might be condemned as one pernitious and contumacious, and so put to death, re∣nounced his allegeance unto the Empire, and rebelled: and such helpes . . . for feare least by encrease of his power he might grow to be an implacable enemie, to the suppressing of him, with the helpe of some few souldiors attendant about the court, was Theodosius, Generall of the Horsemen, sent: whose vertues in those dayes, as of great efficacie, above the rest shone forth, being like for all the world to those auncient knights Domitius Corbulo and Lusius, whereof the former under Ne∣ro, the other under Traiane, Emperours of Rome, were renowmed for many vali∣ant acts. Being departed therefore from Arles with most luckie and fortunat Au∣spices, and having passed the sea with that fleet whereof he had the conduct, with∣out any rumour going before, hee arrived at the shore of Mauritania Sitifensis, which the inhabitants call Igilgitanum: and there finding by chaunce Romanus, and speaking gently to him, he sent him to set in order the centinels & fore-guards, with little or no rebuke at all for those things that he feared. Who being gone a∣way to [Mauritania] Caesariensis, he sent Gildo the brother of Firmus, as also Ma∣ximus, to reforme Vincentius; who whiles he was lieutenant of Romanus, became partaker of his uncivile behaviour and his thefts. When he had therefore received his souldiors, late though it were, who made the longer stay by reason of the maine and wide sea, hastening to Sitifis, he gave order, That Romanus with his domesti∣call attendants should be committed unto the safe custodie of the Protectores. And whiles he abode within the towne, distracted he was with doubtfull thoughts and cares, casting and tossing in his mind, by what way or by what device he might either through hot and scorched countries lead his souldiors, accustomed to frosts; or take the enemie prisoner, that used to make suddaine rodes, and trusted more up∣on secret ambushes than any set battailes. Which when it was knowne unto Fir∣mus, first by running rumours, and afterwards by plaine and open intelligences gi∣ven, sore affrighted at the comming of a most approoved and expert captaine, he confessed his error, and craved pardon of all that was past, both by Orators whom he sent, and also by letters which he wrote; shewing and declaring, That he brake not forth of his owne accord to that fact which he knew to be wicked, but by rea∣son of unjust dealing, which grew to licentious outrage, as he promised by demon∣stration to prove. Which missives being read, and pardon promised upon the receit of hostages, the captaine aforesaid went forward to take a review of the Legions which defended Africke, unto a station named Panchariana, whither as to the Ren∣dez-vous by commaundement they were to repaire. There having with honou∣rable and wise speeches confirmed all their hopes, he returned to Sitifis, and assem∣bled the souldiors there inhabiting, together with those whom he brought with him; and impatient of farther delayes, he made hast to exploit some warlike ser∣vice. Moreover, among many and notable parts of his beside this one thing migh∣tily encreased the love of the countrey unto him, in that he expressely forbad, That the provinciall inhabitants should find the armie any victuals, giving out, and that with a brave & confident spirit, That the harvests and hoords of the enemies were the garners of our valorous men.

Notes

• Arelate.
• Gigell.
• Guard. souldiors.
• Theodosius.