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. IX. Constantius highly offended with Gallus, levieth warre upon the Aleman kings: unto whom craving peace, he with consent of the Romane armie graunteth it.

WHiles the East parts endured this cruell tyrannie a long time, so soone as warme and open weather was come, Constantius in the seventh yeare of his owne Consulship, and in the second of Caesars, departed eft∣soones from * 1.1 Arles, and went to * 1.2 Valentia, minding to make warre upon Gundomadus and Vadomarius, brethren, kings of the Alemans, by whose of∣ten excursions, the lands confining upon the marches of the Gaulois, were layed wast. And whiles he stayed long there, waiting for the provision of victuall, the conveyance and transporting whereof out of Acquitaine, was hindered by the Spring raines that fell thicker than ordinarie, and by the rising up of the brookes, Arculanus arrived, one of the ^m Guard-band in ordinarie, the sonne of Hermogenes, late master of the Horsemen, torne in pieces long since in a petty riot and broile of the people, at Constantinople, as I have above reported: upon whose relation, and that most truly delivered, namely, what parts Gallus had played; hee lamen∣ting sore for the hurts past, and standing in suspence for feare of those to come, pal∣liated and stayed the griefe of his heart so long as he could. Howbeit, all the for∣ces in the meane while drawne together unto * 1.3 Cabillo, impatient of delaies, grew mutinous and raging, incensed the more, for that they had not maintenance for their life, by reason that the usuall provision for food &c. was not yet come over to them. Whereupon Rufinus, at the same time Lord chiefe Iustice, was driven to a very hard extremitie: for compelled he was himselfe in person to go unto the soul∣diors thus distempered, what with hunger, and what with fiercenesse of their owne (who otherwise are wont, of an in-bred disposition, to be alwaies bitterly bent and maliciously minded against those that are in * 1.4 ordinary place of dignity) to give thē satisfaction, and to shew what was the cause that the convoy of corne and victuals was letted. Which was a shrewd plot, cunningly of set purpose devised, that by this manner of traine the unckle of * 1.5 Gallus might come to a mischiefe, for feare least he, so great and mightie a man as he was, should whet him on still, and embol∣den him in his wicked designes and ungracious attempts. But to prevent this dan∣ger, there was great policie and diligence used. Eusebius, Lord great ⁿ Chamber∣laine, was sent unto Cabillo with a good summe of gold about him, by the dealing whereof in secret sort among the principall stirrers of those tumults and seditions, both the swelling rage of the souldiors abated, and the life also of the foresaid * 1.6 Pre∣fect or Iustice was saved. And then, after victuals were brought in great abundance, at the day before appointed the campe removed. And so, when they had over∣come many difficulties, and passed through a number of waies over-whelmed and covered with snow, being come neere unto * 1.7 Rauracum, a citie situate upon the banke of the river Rhene, where a multitude of Alemans were ready to make resi∣stance, the Romanes minding to set a hanging bridge over the water made of ships linked together, were over-matched and impeached, by reason that on every side the darts and arrowes flew about their eares: and when this was thought to be an impossible piece of worke, the Emperour casting great matters in his head, stood amazed and doubtfull what course to take. But see, all of a suddain, and unlooked

for, there presented himselfe unto them a certaine guide, skilfull in those coun∣tries, and upon the receit of a peece of money for his good service, he shewed unto them in the night a shallow place full of fourds, whereby the river was passable: and passed over it might have been, whiles the enemies were busily employed another way, but that some few of the same nation, who had a more honourable place and charge of warre-service committed unto them, gave intelligence hereof by secret messengers unto their owne countreymen, as some thought. And with the suspi∣tion hereof were touched and defamed Latinus, * 1.8 Captaine ^o of the guard in ordi∣narie, Agilo * 1.9 great ^p master of the Horse, and Scudilo * 1.10 Captaine ^q of the Squires of the body, who then were highly esteemed, as those that bare a chiefe stroke in the State, and ruled all in all. But the Barbarians taking counsaile according to the occurrents like presently to ensue, haply, because the ^r Auspicia either distracted them, or prohibited them to encounter, now that by the authoritie of their religi∣on, their rigor, by which they stood out more confidently, was well mollified, sent in embassage certaine principall persons of marke, to beseech pardon for their offences, and to crave peace. The Emperour therefore detaining with him still the embassadours of both the kings, and duly weighing a long while this affaire in hand, considering it was but right to have peace graunted, upon just and equall conditions requested; and seeing with a generall accord they went all one way, and approved it as behoofefull and expedient, as the case then stood; assembled the whole hoast together, minding to make a briefe speech unto them according to the time: and so standing aloft upon the Tribunall, with a number of the higher pow∣ers and chiefe officers round about him, spake and discoursed in this wise:

Let no man marvaile, I pray you (quoth hee) that after the painefull labours of long iourneyes spent and past, and plenteous store of victuals gotten together, now that I ap∣proch the territories and townes of the Barbarians (the confidence that I have in you, lea∣ding the way) as suddainly changing my mind, am diverted to a more mild and peaceable course. For every one of you in his ranke and iudgement duly considering with himselfe, findeth this to be true, That the souldior in all places, although he be strong and vigorous in body, looketh to himselfe onely, and defendeth his own life: But a Generall and Comman∣der of all offices, whiles he, the keeper of other mens lives, is indifferent unto all, knoweth, that the regard and consideration of his people cannot but concerne his owne defence and safetie, and there withall skilleth remedies that the state of businesses doth admit, ought to take hold of all advantages and good occurrents that by Gods will and providence are presented. To deliver therefore in few words, and to shew for what cause I was willing you should meet thus altogether, my most trustie fellow-souldiors, lend a favourable eare to what I shall very briefely declare unto you: for the words of truth be simple and plaine. The high steps and rising degrees of your glory, which fame growing still in excellent wise spreadeth among the inhabitants also even of the utmost coasts of the earth, the kings and nations of the Alemans standing in dread and feare of, by these Orators whom you behold in place, crave in humble gesture and lowly manner, forgivenesse of faults past, and peace for time to come: which I, as one taking leisure ynough, and a warie advertiser and advi∣ser of profitable wayes, iudge meet to be given unto them (in case you will say yea unto it) considering many reasons and motives thereto. First, that the doubtfull events of warre may be declined: then, that in lieu of adversaries we may gaine them to be auxilia∣ries, which they make promise of: againe, that without bloudshed we might allay the huf∣fing puffes of stoutnesse and pride, which oftentimes worke our provinces mischiefe: last∣ly, pondering and considering this, That he only is not the enemie vanquished, whose for∣tune

is to die in battaile, borne downe forcibly with the weight of armour, and with maine strength; but much more safely, even while the trumpet is silent, hee that voluntarily is subdued and brought to subiection: who by experience findeth, that neither fortitude is wanting against rebellious spirits, nor clemencie toward suppliants. In summe, I rest waiting upon you as ampiers to know what yee advise, now that I a quiet prince deter∣mine and conclude it meet, upon so happy fortune falling unto us, in temperate wise to use moderation. For, this that is well resolved upon after due deliberation, shall not be attributed to your cowardise and want of courage, believe me, but ascribed to your mo∣destie and humanitie. No sooner had hee ended his speech, but the whole multi∣tude, forward ynough to effect what the Emperor affected, commended his coun∣saile, and gave their consent for peace, mooved especially thereunto in this re∣spect, for that they knew full well by many expeditions and journeyes, That his fortune was watchfull over him, and attendant onely in civile troubles, but when soever forraine warres were in hand, for the most part things fell out heavily on his part.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Arelate.
• * 1.2

  Valence, a colony or city in Gallia Narbonensis, which containeth Languedoc, Pro∣vence, and Daul∣phine. Ortel.
• * 1.3

  Cavaillon. Poldo a towne in Gallia Narbonensis.
• * 1.4

  That exercise ci∣vile jurisdiction.
• * 1.5

  Rufinus, his mo∣thers brother.
• * 1.6

  Praefecti.
• * 1.7

  Where now is Awast, neere Basil, and was sometime called also Augu∣sta Raurico••••m.
• * 1.8

  Domesticorum comes.
• * 1.9

  Tribunus stabuli.
• * 1.10

  Sc••tariorū rector.