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. The order of the Alemans armie, and the principall commaunders thereof. Iu∣lianus a second time wisely encourageth as well his ownemen as strangers to give battaile.

WHen they heard this, without any further respite or delay the whole ar∣mie marched on, and approched an hill of a pretie height and easie as∣cent, spred all over with standing corne, now ripe and readie for har∣vest, not farre distant from the edge or bankes of Rhene. From the top whereof, three horsemen of the enemies lying there in espiall, rose up, and rea∣die to give notice suddainely, that the Romane hoast was neere at hand, made hast to their companie. But one footman, not able to follow, was taken by the quicke pursute of our men, who told us, That the Germanes for three dayes and three nights together passed over the river: whom, when our leaders espied hard by ar∣raunging themselves thicke and close together into squadrons, they made a stand, and stirred not a foot, whiles the * 1.1 Antepilani ⁱ, the * 1.2 Hastati and the formost of eve∣ry ranke in the vaward stood firme and fast, like a strong and insoluble wall: and with semblable warinesse the enemies kept their ground, and made no hast for∣ward. And when (according as the foresaid fugitive had told) they saw all the Cavallerie on the right side opposite unto them, the very flower of their horsemen they bestowed thicke thronged together in the left wing; and among them here and there they entermingled skirmishers and footmen lightly appointed. For well they wist, That an horseman of theirs (though a skilfull souldior otherwise) figh∣ting with our man of armes in complete harneis, whiles he holdeth his shield and reines of the bridle, by shaking and casting his speare with one hand, can doe no hurt unto a warriour hidden wholly under an yron armour of proofe: but that a footman in the very point and heights of dangers (when no man is wont to take heed of aught but that which commeth in his way and encountereth him) as he creepeth close to the ground, by digging into the horse side is able to throw the ri∣der over his horse head, ere he be aware, and then may he with small adoe be killed. Having marshalled the matter thus, the right side of the battaile they flanked and

made sure with secret and blind ambushments. Now, the chiefe leaders of all these warlike and fierce nations were Chonodomarius and Serapio, in higher place of power and authoritie than the other kings. And Chonodomarius verily, the mis∣chievous fire-brand of the whole warre, with a flame-colour wreath or tassell fitted to his crest, advaunced before, and led the left wing (a man bold, and trusting upon his wonderfull strength of bone and brawne) where the heat of battaile was loo∣ked for, mounted on high upon a lustie frothing courser, bearing with him a great breadth, and bignesse of bulke, with his launce in rest, and that of a terrible big∣nesse, all bravely to be seene in glittering armor, both an hardie souldior aforetime, and also a good leader above all others. But the right side was conducted by Sera∣pio, even then a lustie gallant, with tender downe growing on his cheekes, but for action more forward than his yeares, the sonne of Chonodomarius his brother, Me∣dericus, a most perfidious wretch all his life time; so called, for that his father, kept as an hostage or pledge a long time in Gaule, and having learned certaine hidden Greeke mysteries, changed the name of this sonne of his (who originally at the first was cleped Agenarichus) into Serapio. After these followed kings or poten∣tates, next in power unto them, in number five, and princes of the bloud royall tenne: also a great traine and ranke of nobles, with five and thirtie thousand figh∣ting men all armed, levied out of sundry nations, partly for wages, and partly upon covenant and agreement to have the like service tendered unto them againe. By this time terribly sounded the trumpers al'arme; and then Severus, a Romane lea∣der, who had the commaund of the left wing, when he drew neere unto the tren∣ches above said full of armed men (from whence order had beene given afore, that lying there close and hidden, they should start up of a suddaine, and breake the ar∣raies) he stood still without all feare, & being somwhat suspitious of blind ambush∣ments, hee attempted neither to recule backe, nor to step forward any further. Which when Caesar saw (as he was courageous to enter upon the services of grea∣test danger) guarded with a troupe of two hundred horse, according as the heat of the service required, and riding swiftly among the footmen where they stood embattailed, he gave them comfortable words of encouragement. And conside∣ring that to speake unto them all at once, neither the large ground that they tooke up stretched foorth in length, nor the number of so great a multitude assembled would permit; and otherwise, he avoided the heavie load of envie and displeasure, for feare he might be thought to affect that which the Emperour supposed due to himselfe alone, taking good heed unto himselfe, and riding apace without the shot of the enemies, with these and such like speeches he animated the souldiors, knowne and unknowne, one with another, to play the men, and doe their devoire valiantly. Now (quoth he) is come the full time of fighting (my good friends and com∣panions) which you and I have long since wished for, and which heretofore yee required, calling for armes after an unquiet and mutinous manner. Likewise, when hee was come to others behind the * 1.3 Ensignes, and placed in the rereward: Behold (saith he) my fellow souldiors, the long hoped for day is now here, which compelleth us all to wash away the former staines and blots received, and so to recover unto the maiestie of the Ro∣mane Empire their owne due honour. These are the Barbarians, whom excessive furie and rage, to the utter overthrow and destruction of their whole estate, hath forced to come in the way of our puissance, to be foiled and troden under foot. Semblably, others well experienced by long practise in the warre, as he arraunged them in better or∣der, he encouraged with these and such like exhortations: Let us rouse up and be∣stirre

our selves, right hardie knights, let us put away by that fortitude which is fit, the shamefull reproches fastened upon our associates, which as I beheld (with much doubting and delay-making though it were) I yeelded to take upon me the name of Caesar. But whomsoever hee perceived inconsiderately to call for the signall of battaile, and with unruly stirres like to breake his commaundement: I beseech you (saith he) doe not marre the glory of our future victorie, by following over-greedily the enemies, whom yee are to put to flight; nor any of you give ground and yeeld before extreame necessi∣tie. For such as shall bee about to flye, doubtlesse I will forsake: with them that are to wound the enemies backes I will be present, without any difference, and even as one of you, in case this may be done with moderate and warie advisement.

Notes

• * 1.1

  those of the maine battaile.
• * 1.2

  Pikemen.
• * 1.3

  Post signan••s.