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. VI. Eusebius and Hypatius, two brethren and Consuls, through the slie devices of Heliodorus fall into divers dangers, and are commaunded with their personall presence to countenance and honour the fu∣nerals of Heliodorus.

ANd because it would aske a long discourse, to tell what this mischievous villaine, worthie to be hanged, wrought and brought to passe, this one thing I will for example deliver, although in his bold and headie con∣fidence he shooke the very chiefe and principall pillars of the * 1.1 Patrici∣an degree: who taking exceeding much upon him, by reason (as hath beene sayd before) that he had secret communication with those of the Emperors house, and for his own beggerly basenesse readie to entertaine any action for mony, informed against that singular good couple of Consuls, Eusebius and Hypatius, two brothers germane, and neere allied unto the Emperour Constantius in times past, namely, That upon an aspiring desire to higher estate, they had both projected and also pra∣ctised somewhat as touching the Empire; adding moreover unto this way, fainedly devised for the making up of a lye, That Eusebius had imperiall robes also made al∣readie for him. Which informations and suggestions being gladly received, the prince in a great chafe fretting and menacing in furious wise: he, I say, who ought indeed to have done nothing at all, because he thought he might doe all, were it never so unjust, made no more adoe, but when all those prisoners were brought in from the farthest part of farre remote countries, whom the accuser, exempt from all lawes, in the height of retchlesse audacitie had given order peremptorily to bee sent for and fetched up, commaunded there should be holden a judiciall inquisiti∣on and strict triall of the case. Now, when as for all the difficult and strained en∣forcements, grounded (forsooth) upon equitie (which was a long time pretended) and the wretched varlets standing stiffely still in vouching the thing, no grievous torments were able to wring out any confession of the parties, but that the truth it selfe cleared these honourable persons, and declared them farre remooved from all knowledge and privitie of any such matter; yet the false accuser verily for his part was much made of, and honourably regarded, as before time: but the other, puni∣shed with exile, and put to grievous fines, within a while after were called home a∣gaine,

had their pecuniarie mulct repaid them, and were restored to their dignities and places fully as before. Neither yet after these foule and repentable acts, was any thing done by the Emperour in more stayed manner, or in modest wise; whiles, mounted thus as he was to that exceeding high pitch of power and authori∣tie, he never considered with himselfe, that for such as be well minded and framed aright, it is not beseeming to run so rashly into voluntarie delinquencies, no not with the hurt of verie enemies: and that there is nothing so unreasonable, as when the high spirit and pride of a soveraigne prince, is accompanied also with the bitter∣nesse of his owne nature. But when Heliodorus, I wot not whether by sicknesse or by some devised violence, was dead (loth I am to say so much, would God the thing it selfe could not speake it) when his corps was carryed forth to be buried by the biere-bearers, many honourable personages went before it, as mourners in blacke: among whom were seene those * 1.2 brethren also, who had beene Consuls. And even there and then was the whole corruption of his folly, who ruled an Em∣pire, verie openly detected and published to the world: Who being earnestly re∣quested to * 1.3 forbeare considering this adverse hap admitted no remedie or conso∣lation, stiffely continued inflexible, so as he seemed to have stopped his eares with waxe, as if he were to passe by the ⁱ Sirenes rockes. Howbeit, overcome at length with importunat prayers, he yeelded, and commaunded, That many should at∣tend on foot bare headed, yea and some also with hand in hand, and fingers clut∣ched crosse one within another, to goe before the cursed coarse of this bloudie vil∣laine unto the grave. My heartyerneth and trembleth to thinke how many right honourable personages in this unseemly and disorderly manner were debased and brought to vale bonet, such especially as had beene Consuls, after they had borne their ivorie staves and rich robes, ensignes of that high place, yea and after the mo∣numents of their inrolling upon record in the yearely Kalender, to the view of the whole world. Among all whom this our Hipatius for the groweth and proofe of his beautifull vertues right commendable excelled all other, a man of a quiet and peaceable disposition, weighing (as it were) to the plumbe line & level the honestie of mild behaviour: who both was a glorious ornament to his noble auncestors, & also honoured his posteritie by his wonderfull acts in two Prefectures that he bare.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Senatours.
• * 1.2

  Eusebius and Hypatius.
• * 1.3

  It seemeth thar Valens himselfe purposed to grace the funerals with his personall presence.