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. 1111. The wicked designements of some principall courtiers against Silvanus, a most valiant warrior and captaine.

AFter this, there ariseth in the afflicted state of the Commonwealth, with like mischiefe unto the provinces, a tempestuous whirlewind of new calamities, like to have destroyed all at once, had not Fortune, the go∣vernesse of humane chaunces, dispatched a trouble exceedingly fea∣red, by a quicke and speedie issue. What time as Gaule through long neglect en∣dured grievous massacres, pillages, and wasting by fire, so long as the barbarous na∣tions licentiously made havocke, and no man did set to his helping hand, Silvanus * 1.1 Colonel of the Infanterie, moved with anger hereat, and of power sufficient to re∣dresse these outrages, first made head against them: and Arbetio was earnest by all meanes possible he could to have this service set forward with all speed, to the end that he might lay upon the shoulders of his concurrent now absent, and whom it grieved him not a little to continue still quiet, the charge of a weightie and dange∣rous affaire. The * 1.2 Clerke or Master of the princes sumpter-horses and carriages [* 1.3 named Dynamius] had requested of him commendatorie letters unto divers of his friends, as one that would seeme most inward unto him, and of his familiar acquaintance. Having obtained this request (for the other suspecting no harme, had simply graunted it) he kept the letters by him, therby to worke some mischiefe in time convenient. Whiles therefore the Colonell aforesaid was employed for the good of the Common-wealth in traversing the countrey up and downe in Gaule, and repelling the Barbarians, distrusting themselves already, & put in feare, * 1.4 the same Dynamius, being of a stirring and vnquiet spirit, like unto a wilie fox, and practised in deceit, deviseth a godlesse and fraudulent plot: having as an abettor under hand and privie thereunto (as the flying rumors went) Lampadius the * 1.5 Prae∣fect, and Eusebius who had been * 1.6 Treasurer ^f of the Exchequer, and was common∣ly knowne by the sirname of Mattiocopa, together with Aedilius, late Master ^g of the Rolls or Records, whom the said Praefect had taken order for to bee substituted Consuls, as his neerest friends: and having with a spunge wiped out the rewes of the letters, and left the subscription onely untouched, he writeth above it another text farre different from the true and originall copie; to this effect, as if Silvanus in darke tearmes requested and exhorted his friends, conversing within the palace, or living private (among whom was Thuscus Albinus also, and many more) to aid him now, enterprising higher matters, and intending shortly to climbe up to the im∣periall throne. Thus plotted hee this counterfeit packe at his pleasure, meaning thereby to endanger the life of the innocent man. Now was Dynamius also * 1.7 ap∣pointed as chiefe Commissioner to search into these matters for the Emperor: who craftily working and contriving these and such like things, entreth alone into the most inward and privie roome of the Consistorie, hoping by taking advantage of

his time, to bind fast ynough the right watchfull * 1.8 keeper of the Emperours life and estate. And after he had read in the Consistorie the contents of the said letters so craftily and cunningly patched together, the Tribunes were commanded to ward, and those private persons to be brought out of the provinces, whose names the let∣ters imported. And streightwaies Malarichus, Captaine of the companie or band of * 1.9 Gentiles, calling to him his colleagues, tooke on exceedingly, and cryed out, That men employed in the State, and appointed to place of command, ought not thus to be circumvented through factions and cunning casts: he requested with∣all, That himselfe (leaving as pledges his neerest allies and deerest friends, and ha∣ving Mallobaudes Tribune or Captaine of the * 1.10Armature his suretie, to undertake for him, that he should speedily returne) might have commission to goe and bring with him Silvanus, who had not gone about once to attempt any such matter, as those most bitter wait-layers had raised of him: or, on the other side, he promising the like for his part, besought, that Mallobaudes might be suffered to take a speedie journey, and himselfe would performe as much as he undertooke. For, he prote∣sted thus much of his owne assured knowledge, that in case any stranger were sent of this errand, Silvanus, a man of his owne nature very timorous, even where there was no matter of great feare, might happily worke some trouble in the quiet State. And albeit the advise he gave was expedient and necessarie, yet spake he (as it were) to the winds in vaine. For, through the counsaile of Arbetio, sent there was, with letters to call him, Apodemius, a cankred enemie of long time to all good men: who lighting upon the * 1.11 prince in Gaule, and swerving from the directions agreed upon and given unto him at his setting forth, without sight of Silvanus, or warning him by deliverie of letters to come, there remained: and joyning unto him an Auditor or Receiver, as if the said Colonell of the Footmen had beene alreadie out of pro∣tection and at the point to bee put to death, in very hostile rage abused his tenants retainers and servants. In this time neverthelesse, whiles the presence of Silvanus was hoped for, and Apodemius troubleth the peace, Dynamius, that hee might by a stronger argument maintaine the truth of his wicked plot, dispatched other letters (made of purpose agreeable in all points to those which he had presented unto the Emperour by the * 1.12 Pręfect) unto the * 1.13 Master of the Worke house or Forge at ^h Cremona, in the name of Silvanus and Malarichus; by which the said Master was put in mind (as one privie unto their secret designes) to provide all things with ex∣pedition. Who having read the same, sticking and doubting a good while what this should meane (for he remembred not, that these persons whose letters he had received ever communed with him about any such secret businesse) returneth the very same missives by the carrier who brought them, and a souldior with him, unto Malarichus, praying him to explaine his meaning openly, and not to write in so darke tearmes: for he assured him, that himselfe being somewhat rude, and a simple man, understood not what was so obscurely signified unto him. Malarichus, when hee had quickly found out thus much, being even then sorrowfull and sad, and grie∣vously bewailing the hard hap both of himselfe and of Silvanus his countryman, taking to him the Frankes, who flourished in numbers at that time in the palace, spake now more boldly, and made an uprore, for that the traine laid and the faite∣rous plot was come to light, by which it must needs be graunted, that their bloud was sought. These matters beeing knowne, the Emperour gave order (whiles those of the ⁱ Consistorie and all the men of warre in generall considered of the bu∣sinesse) there should be further enquirie and search made. And when the Iudges

had ynough thereof, and began to loath the thing, Florentius the sonne of Nigria∣nus, in * 1.14 place then of under ^k Master of the Offices, viewing diligently the writing, and finding certaine remaines of the old prickes or accents over the letters; percei∣ved then, that of the former contents new furbished, there was another made farre different from the tenor of that which Silvanus had endited; and the same set to in lieu thereof, according to the will and pleasure of a packe of false forgers. There∣fore after this mist of fraud and deceit was scattered and dispatched, the Emperour being truely enformed by a faithfull relation made unto him, commaundeth the * 1.15 Praefect, after he was deprived of his authoritie, to be brought judicially into que∣stion, and have his triall accordingly: but by the painefull travaile and consent of many, he was acquit. As for Eusebius, late Treasurer of the princes Exchequer, be∣ing stretched on high upon the racke, he said, That all these matters were broached and set on foot with his privitie: For Aedesius stiffely denying that hee knew not what was done, went his way as guiltlesse. So this businesse was ended, and all they discharged, whom the information made of the crime had caused to bee pre∣sented and brought into question: and Dynamius, as one for his excellent skill and cunning made renowmed, carried away with him the dignitie of a ¹ * 1.16 Corrector. Thuscus also was commaunded to reforme the rest of the credulous prince his militarie traine.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pedestris militia rector.
• * 1.2

  Actuarius sarcl∣nalium principi•• iumentorum.
• * 1.3

  By that which followeth I am bold to supply thus much.
• * 1.4

  By this it seemeth that this whole passage is defe∣ctive or corrupted.
• * 1.5

  Praefect.
• * 1.6

  Comite rei priva∣tae, or keeper of his privie purse.
• * 1.7

  Prafectus. est.
• * 1.8

  Silvanus.
• * 1.9

  Gentilium rector.
• * 1.10

  Armaturarum tribuno.
• * 1.11

  Principi.
• * 1.12

  Per Praf••••••••••on.
• * 1.13

  Ad 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Cremenensis.
• * 1.14

  Agens tunc pro magistro officiirum.
• * 1.15

  Prafectum.
• * 1.16

  Correctoris.