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. XI. During this time, the Persae using the counsell and helpe of Antoninus, provide well for their owne armie, and on every side encircle two troupes of Romane horsemen, sent for the succour of Mesopotamia: before whom went Antoni∣nus the fugitive, who boldly dallieth with Vrsicinus.

MEane while, the kings having passed by Nisibis, as a station of no account, as the fires still encreased with varietie of drie fuell feeding them, shunning what they could the want of forage, marched at the foot of the mountains along the greene vallies and bottomes full of grasse: and when they were come to Bebases a village, from whence even unto the towne * 1.1 Constantia (which standeth an hundred myle off) all things are withered and dried up with continuall drought (save that in some pits there is found a little water;) after they had stayed a long time in doubtfull suspence what to doe, and were now resolved (upon the confi∣dence they had in the hardnesse of their people) to passe over, they take knowledge by intelligence given of a faithfull discoverer, That Euphrates was risen by reason of snow newly thawed and resolved, and had with his swelling streame surroun∣ded his bankes, and over-spred a great way besides, whereby it affoorded no foord to wade over. Being disappointed therefore, and put beside their expectation of the hope they had conceived, they betake themselves to whatsoever casuall occa∣sion would minister to be embraced. And after it was put to question and con∣sultation, according to the suddaine and urgent condition of the present State, What was in this case to be done? Antonine commaunded to speake his mind, be∣gan to this effect, persuading to turne the journey toward the right hand, that by fetching a longer circuit about through countries fruitfull of all things for neces∣sarie use, and (in this regard, that the enemie went streight forward) as yet unspoi∣led and untouched, they might by his guidance goe to Barzala and Laudias, two garrison castles; where the river, being small and narrow, for that he is so neere his head, and as yet not growne big by other rivers running into him, might be easi∣ly passed over, as having in it many shallow foords. These reasons beeing heard,

and the counsellor commended and willed therewith to lead the way he knew, all the companies and whole armie altering their intended journey, followed him through the wilds and desart by-waies. Which being by sure espials knowne, we appointed to make hast unto Samosata, that from thence having passed over the river, and cut off the bridges at * 1.2 Zeugma and Capersana, we might with the helpe of fortune beat backe the enemies forces. But there chaunced an horrible and shamefull fact, such as deserved to be buried in silence for ever. For the horse∣men of two troupes, in number about seven hundred, newly sent out of Illyricum to the succour of Mesopotamia, beeing feeble and fearefull, keeping garrison in those parts, and fearing some ambushment in the night, departed in the evening (when it had beseemed that all passages should have beene the better warded) farre from the common port-wayes. This was by the Persians well observed, who to the number well neere of twentie thousand, under the leading of Sapor and Nohodares, having passed beyond them, over-loaden with drinking wine, and fast asleepe, whiles no man looked foorth in espiall, lay hidden all armed behind cer∣taine high mounts neere unto Amida. And within a while after, when we were (as hath beene said) upon our journey to Samosata, and went forward while it was yet twy-light, from a certaine high Barbican or Toot-hill, we (suddainely af∣frighted at the bright shining of glittering armour, and crying out alowd, That the enemies were hard at hand) after the accustomed signall of battaile given, made a stand, and castour selves into a round ring, as thinking it our safest way, neither to flye (our enemies being now within sight to follow in chase) nor to joyne battaile with them (more mightier than wee both in horsemen and num∣ber otherwise) for feare of certaine death. In the end, beeing driven now upon extremitie to fight, even whiles we were devising what was behoofefull for us to doe, some of our men running out rashly to skirmish, were slaine: and as both parts preassed one upon another, and Antoninus advaunced gloriously before the armie, Vrsicinus tooke knowledge of him, and being in a chiding accent by him rated and tearmed wicked traytour, he putting off his Tuffe or Turbant, which he wore aloft on the crowne of his head, as an ornament of honour, alighted from his horse: and after he had bowed his bodie so low, that he touched well∣neere the ground, saluted him, calling him Patron and Lord: and fastening his hands together behind his backe (which among the Assyrians is the gesture of a suppliant:) Forgive me (quoth he) right honourable * 1.3 Lieutenant, who upon neces∣sitie and not with mine owne will am fallen to these courses, which I know to be lewd and ungracious. Certaine officers with their importunate calling upon me (as you well know) whose covetousnesse that high place of your excellencie in protecting my poore estate was not able to resist, have plunged mee headlong into these designes. And withall, as he was speaking these words, hee departed out of sight, not turning his backe, but as he slipt away, modestly stepped backward, and shewed still his breast afront.

Notes

• * 1.1

  otherwise called Amida.
• * 1.2

  A citie of Dacia, called of some Clausenburg, or Mulenbach.
• * 1.3

  Comes.