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. What deedes and words passed at the same time in that citie. Eusebia the wife of Con∣stantius reacheth at the person of Helena, Iulians wife, by wicked arts. Con∣stantius terrified with continuall and certaine news, as touching the wasting and robberies that some Nations made, leaveth Rome.

WHerefore, being entred into Rome, the very seat of the Empire, and ha∣bitation of all vertues, and come to the Rostra, that most renowmed Hall of justice in time of auncient rule and government, he became a∣stonied: and beeing dazeled with the sight of so many wonders of the world, on what side soever he cast his eyes, after he had spoken unto the no∣bilitie in the Senate-house, and to the people before the tribunall and judgement seat, received into the palace with much favour and applause, he was fully pos∣sessed now of his wished-for joy. And oftentimes, as he exhibited the games of horse and charriot-running, he tooke much delight in the merrie jests and scoffes of the common people, as long as they were not prowd and insolent, nor swer∣ved from the manner of their in-bred and native libertie, himselfe also in good respect and reverence keeping a due meane: For he suffered not (as in other cities) the games to bee ended at his owne pleasure, but (as the manner is) permitted many things, and yeelded unto divers chaunces. Afterwards taking a full view as well of all parts of the citie, situate within the tops of the seven hils, partly upon the bending of them, and in part on the plaine beneath, as also the sub∣urbes without the walls by the citie side; whatsoever was presented to his sight first, that thought he to surmount all the rest; and namely, the temples of Iupiter Tarpeius, as farre surpassing as heavenly things excell the earthly: goodly Baines built in manner of provinces: the huge frame of the Amphi-theatre strongly rai∣sed up and wrought with Tiburtine stone, closely layed and couched together; up to the top and loover whereof hardly can a man see: the Pantheon, like unto a round region supported with arch-worke right beautifully, of a great height: al∣so the loftie pulpits and mounts, elevated with ascents up to them by winding stayres, carrying the counterfeits and personages of Consuls and former princes: likewise the Temple of the citie, the Hall of peace, the Theatre of Pompeius, the * 1.1 Odeum ^h and Stadium, i. the Race; besides other stately buildings and beauties, among these, of that eternall citie. But when hee was come to the goodly Hall of Traianus, the most singular piece of worke under heaven (as we thinke, yea, and by the assent of the very gods admirable) he stood still as amazed, whiles he con∣sidered and thought of those gyant like workes round about, so ineffable, and not of mortall men to be reached at and attempted againe. Without all hope there∣fore to endevour or attempt any such thing, onely the horse of Traian, standing in the middest of the Court yard, on which the Emperour himselfe is portraied sit∣ting, he said: That he both would and also could imitate: whereat Hormisda, a prince of the * 1.2 bloud royall, standing hard by him (whose departure out of Persis I de∣clared before) shaped him this answere, and that after the manner of his countrey gesture: Commaund O Emperour (quoth he) the like stable to be built before, if thou be able: then the horse which thou art disposed to make may come after and take up as

large a rowme as this doth which wee behold. This very potentate beeing asked, What he thought of Rome? said; He tooke contentment in this onely, that hee had now learned, How even there also men are mortall. The Emperour therefore, after he had seene many things that strucke him into a dreadfull astonishment, com∣plained of Fame, as if she were either of small force, or else maliciously dispo∣sed, which using alwayes to make every thing more than it is, yet in the bla∣sing abroad of these monuments in Rome, fayleth of her strength: and after long deliberation, What he should doe? he determined in the end to adde somewhat to the ornaments of the citie, namely, to erect in the Cirque or shew-place that stood next, an Obeliske, the originall and forme whereof I will shew in place convenient. In this meane while Eusebia the * 1.3 Queene, beeing her selfe bar∣raine all her life time, practised even then against Helena, the sister of Constantius, and wife of Iulianus Caesar, who was brought to Rome under a colour of love and affection, and by a wyle drew her on to drinke a medicine little better than poyson, which she had gotten for her, to this end, that so often as she was con∣ceived with child, she might miscarrie, and cast an untimely fruit: For before time also in Gaule, when she had brought foorth a man child, she lost it by this deceitfull cast: for that the midwife (bribed for a piece of money) by cutting a∣way the navell-string of the new-borne babe (more than was meet) killed it: so great care and such diligence was used, that the issue of so valiant a man might not come to light, or grow to good proofe. Well, the Emperour very willing and desirous to make some long abode in this seat, of all others most full of ma∣jestie, to the end he might thereby enjoy more pure repose and pleasure, was ter∣rified with continuall newes, and those reported for certaine, which gave him to understand, That the Suevians made roades into the Rhaetiae, that the Quadi also invaded * 1.4 Valeria, yea, and that the * 1.5 Sarmatians, a people most expert in theeving and robberie, wasted the upper * Maesia, and the second * 1.6 Pannonia. * 1.7 Wherewith he being much mooved, upon the thirtieth day after he entred in∣to Rome, to wit, the * 1.8 fourth before the Calends of Iune, tooke his journey from the citie, and hastened by the way of * 1.9 Trent into Illyricum. From whence, after he had in the place of Marcellus sent Severus, an experienced warriour and by long continuance grounded, he commaunded Vrsicinus to repaire unto him: and hee having received these letters gladly, came to * 1.10 Sirmium, accompanied with his fellowes: and after long pondering and consulting about the peace, which (as Musonianus had related before) might be established with the Persi∣ans, sent backe he is againe into the East with the authoritie of * 1.11 Generall of the Cavallerie: and when the elder sort of our companie were * 1.12 advaunced to the conduct and rule of souldiors, we the younger men had commaundement to at∣tend upon his person, readie to performe whatsoever he should commaund, in the behalfe of the Common-wealth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Theatre of Musicke and Poe∣trie.
• * 1.2

  of Persia, or a Persian Courtier.
• * 1.3

  or Empresse.
• * 1.4

  part of Pannonia
• * 1.5

  Tartarians.
• * 1.6

  part of Hungarie.
• * 1.7

  Moldavia of some.
• * 1.8

  29. of May.
• * 1.9

  per Tridentum.
• * 1.10

  Sirmisch. Ortel.
• * 1.11

  Magisterij.
• * 1.12

  Provectis, forte Profectis.