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.

Annotations and coniectures upon the 15. Booke.

(a) DOmitius Corbulo.] A brave warriour in the dayes of Nero: what acts he atchieved in particular, you man read in Tacit. Annal. 13. His vertues see in Xiphitinus Epi∣tom. Dion. He was killed by Nero, who before used to call him Pater, and Beneficus. Xiphitin.

(b) They were of Cybira a towne of Lycaonia, named Tlepolemus and Hiero, the one a waxe Image maker, the other a Painter, who for a sacrilege committed, fled their countrey, and were entertained by Verres in Asia, whom he used as his hounds to fetch in preyes and boo∣ties to his hand: For so tearmeth them Tully [Canes venaticos diceres.] in Verrem lib. 6.

(c) This Marinus] had beene Campi-ductor, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Glossario, or as Vegetius by a kind of Archaismus tearmeth him Campi-doctor, i. he that traineth up souldiors to feats of arms, * 1.1 in that exercise which Vegetius calleth Armatura. And whereas he is said here [Vacans] I sup∣pose there is to be understood Tribunus.

(d) These Armaturae,] of whom Arintheus was Vice-Tribune, were (as it appeareth in Ve∣getius) certaine lustie and tall souldiors trained up in that exercise, called Armatura, and coun∣ted inter levis armaturae milites. But I read in Notitia dignitatum utrius{que} Imperij, that there was a Schola or companie of these Armaturae, among the Palatine guards of the Emperour, and those not lightly armed: [over whom there was a Tribune or Rector] for they were so called, as Pan∣cirolus saith, because they wore, not Loricae, i. light armes, as coats of male, habergeons, and bri∣gantines, but Solida arma, good corslets and complet harneis, which likewise are called Ar∣maturae. Now for that the Emperour himselfe, as Ammianus saith, was here in procinctu, I con∣jecture, That upon the foyle that Arbetio with his forces had newly taken, the Emperour sent out of the campe to rescue him and helpe at a pinch, his Palatine power, the Scutarij Armatu∣rae, &c. with their captaines: together with Seniauchus, qui equestrem curam Comitum tue∣batur.

(e) And these Comites] I take to be elsewhere tearmed * 1.2 Candidati, as namely, where the Emperour Ʋalens was defeated by the Hunnes. Which were gallant horsemen, keeping close unto the Emperours side and his followers.

(f) As Comes Largitionum] was the great Treasurer of the Imperiall revenewes, tributes, &c. which came into the Aerarium, so Comes rei privatae, or Privatarum, dealt in those reve∣newes that came into Fiscus, i. the Exchequer, or Emperours privat coffers. He is tearmed al∣so Comes Aerarij privati, but unproperly. He is likewise called Procurator Caesaris, Curator, Ra∣tionalis, Procurator privatae rationis, Magister rei privatae, Comes rei Dominicae. He may be named the Princes Treasurer: for he was Imperialium Thesaurorum or Pecuniarum curator. See more in Pancirol. cap. 87. in Notit. dignit. Imp. Orient. In some causes also hee was a civile Iudge.

(g) Magister Memoriae Annotationes omnes dictat & emittit, & precibus respondet. Notit. ca. 9••. Imp. Orient. by which description this officer seemeth to be of a mixt nature, of the Princes Remembrancer, the Master of Requests, and of the Ro••ls.

(h) This seemeth by Notitia to have beene Scutaria, wherein shields, targuets, and bucklers were made.

(i) By Consistoriani] are meant the Emperours Counsell and gowned officers, and are some∣time called Comites Consistoriani. By Militares, the officers of the Armie.

(k) Magister Officiorum.] He was a great officer Palatine, or of the Emperours house, next under Praepositus sacri Cubiculi, i. High Chamberlaine. Zosimus calleth him 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. Dux ordinum Palatinorum, which Pomponius Laetus seemeth to expound (al∣though

as I take it not verie properly) Magister Copiarum, although at his disposition were not onely Scholae Palatinae, but also Limitanei duces, and Comites &c. He was called Magi∣ster Officiorum, because he had the charge of all the Ministeries or Ministers that gave atten∣dance upon the Emperour in Court. In some respect he resembleth the Lord Controller of the kings house. But his office reached farther, as you may read in Notitia Imp. Orient. cap. 62. And for that in the Ensignes belonging to his Office, there bee expresly represented, speares, shields, and other armes, we are given to understand, that hee had governement over the Fabricae, i. Forges where such armes were made. He is tearmed by Cassiodorus, Magister Pa∣latij, as one would say, Maior Domus Regiae, i. Grand Seneschall, or High Steward of the kings house. He was for his dignitie raunged among Illustres.

(l) Correctores] were Governours of Provinces in the East and West Empire, of a mid∣dle nature betweene Consulares and Praesides, yet Clarissimi. They were allowed to weare a purple cloake or mantle, and had the Emperours visage carryed before them. Pancirol. in No∣tit. Imper. Orient. cap. 156. And whereas it followeth a little after, that Thuscus was commaun∣ded Corrigere, reliquam principis creduli militiam, I take it to be the ordinarie allegorie trans∣ferred from warfare to the Court: For usuall it is in this author, to tearme the Court Castra, and Commilitium Principis, yea and divers Offices Palatine, by martiall names used in the Campe.

(m) The militant ensignes or banners in the Romane legion, had the image of dragons in purple represented: the originall whereof some fetch from the dragon or serpent Python, kil∣led by Apollo. Everie cohort in a legion had one of them, and a Draconarius to beare it, and each legion had ten of them. Ʋegetius 2. lib. cap. 13.

(n) Brachati and Cornuti.] Among the Auxiliarie souldiors Palatine, under Magister Peditum Praesentalis, were Brachati Seniores in the West, so called of Bracha a towne in Spaine; like as Iuniores in the East. Of their coat of armes, see Pancirol. in Notit. Cornuti, were like∣wise such Auxiliarie or aid-souldiors, so named of Cornutum a towne in Illyricum or Scla∣vonia. Of their armes, ibidem. There were Braccati also, who had their name of Bracata Gallia.

(o) Decentius] ordained Caesar by his brother Magnentius, when he usurped the Empire of Rome; but he sped no better than he, for he strangled himselfe with an halter at Sens. Pom∣ponius Laetus.

(p) Proprium pignus.] Either take it for one whom they loved no lesse than their owne child, (for children be called Pignora) or whom they honoured as their onely champion and defender: for Pignora reipub. signifie pillers of the Commonwealth. Also those whom here Marcellinus calleth Apparitores, i. Officers or attendant Ministers, he tearmeth a little after Obsequentes.

(q) Manichees] were heretikes in the Primitive church, so called of Manes, or Manicheus, their first father, a meere franticke person, as his name importeth: Howbeit his disciples af∣terward called him Mannicheus, quasi, Manna fundens, i. yeelding heavenly food, and cele∣stiall doctrine. He was not so franticke himselfe, as his opinions were fanaticall. August. Eu∣seb. also Centur. 3. cap. 5.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Veget. lib. 1. ca. 13.
• * 1.2

  not as the Quae∣stores were tear∣med Candidats, who were gow∣ned men.