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. XIII. The description of Amida a right strong towne: the munition and garrison therein: Sa∣por having taken into his hands certaine fortified Piles, with great clemencie en∣treateth the captives of both sexes, and namely the virgins consecra∣ted and devoted to the Christian Religion, commaun∣ding them to be kept safe.

THis citie being in times past very small, Constantius then Caesar, to the end that the inhabitants there-by, & borderers, might have a most safe place of refuge, what time as he built Antoninupolis another town, en∣circled with large walls and faire towers; and by setting there an ar∣mourie to hold engines for batterie and other artillerie to be planted upon the wals, made it dreadfull to the enemies, and would needs have it called after his owne name. And verily on the South side watered it is beneath with the curving streame of Tigris that ariseth neere unto it: what way it standeth against the East wind, it hath for prospect underneath, the plaines of Mesopotamia: where it is exposed to the North, and hath the river * 1.1 Nympheus neighbouring thereto, shaddowed it is with the tops of the mountaine Taurus, which divide the nations beyond Tygris and Armenia asunder: as it is opposite to the West wind, it joyneth upon Guma∣then, a fruitfull countrey in cattell, and for tillage as plentifull; wherein standeth a village named Abarne, well knowne for the naturall hote bathes of medicinable and holesome waters. Now, in the very middle and heart of Amida, under the ci∣tadell, there issueth out a rich and plenteous fountaine, and the same potable verily, but otherwhiles by reason of hote vapours reaking out of it, of a strong and stin∣king savour. For a garrison in defence of this towne, there served alwayes by ap∣pointment, the fifth Legion, together with no small troupe of the naturall inhabi∣tants: but then there were sixe Legions, which partly with speedie journeyes by running before, had out-gone the Persians, who in multitudes invaded those parts and approched the place, stood to the defence of the most strong wals it had: name∣ly, the Magnentiaci and * 1.2 Decentiaci (whom after the civile warfare ended, as be∣ing deceitfull and of a turbulent spirit, the Emperour forced to come into the East, where was no feare but of forraine warres) also the ^d Tricesimani and Decimi ^e For∣tenses, likewise the ^f Superventores and ^g Praeventores, together with Aelianus now Lieutenant, who being as then but new untrained souldiors, at the motion and per∣suasion of the said Aelianus, as then one of the Protectores, sallied out of Singara, as I have recorded alreadie, and slew a great number of the Persians, as they lay along fast asleepe. There was also at this piece of service the greater part of the ^h Comi∣tes Sagittarij, to wit, certaine troupes of horsemen so tearmed, wherein serve all the barbarous souldiors free borne, for good armour of proofe and cleane strength of bodie surpassing all others. Well, whiles in the first impression and brunt, by unex∣pected attempts and enterprises, these designes are put in execution, the king in per∣son with his own people and those nations which were under his conduct, turning

his journey toward the right hand from a place called Bebases (according as An∣toninus had given counsell) by the way of Horte, Meiacarire, and Charcha, as if he would passe by Amida, when hee was come neere unto certaine fortresses of the Romanes, whereof the one had to name Reman, the other Busan, learned by the relation and intelligence given of certain fugitives, that many mens wealth and ri∣ches was thither brought, & kept safe thereas in holds seated very high & sure with∣all. They said also, That together with house-hold goods of great price there was found there a beautifull dame, and her daughter a little one: the wife that ladie was of one Craugasius a Nisibene, a man of bourgesse degree, for birth, reputation, and power of good regard and esteeme. The king therefore in a greedie desire to catch hold of other mens goods, maketh hast, and confidently assayleth the sayd holds: whereupon the defendants in a suddaine amazednesse of mind, as beeing affrigh∣ted with the sight of such varietie of armour and weapons, betrayed all those that fled thither for succour and defence: and when those had commaundement to de∣part, they presently rendered up the keyes of the gates. Thus when the entries were laid open, whatsoever had bene bestowed there, was taken forth: and the silly women astonied at the noise then made, were brought out, yea, and the babes in their mothers armes clasping close unto them, put to the experience (poore wret∣ches) in the very beginning of their tender yeares, of grievous miseries and calami∣ties. Now, when as the king by enquiring and demaunding whose wife the dame aforesaid was, had found that Craugasius was her husband, he permitted her, fearing that some violence should be offered unto her person, confidently to come neere unto him: and when hee had seene her all covered over with a blacke veile, saving onely her very lips, he right courteously confirmed and settled her now in a more assured hope of recovering her husband, and the safe keeping withall of her hone∣stie undefiled. For, hearing that her husband was wonderfully enamoured of her, he supposed verily, that by this price and beneficiall reward hee might bee able to purchase the betraying of Nisibis. And yet there were found other virgines also there, which according to the Christian Religion were consecrated unto the ser∣vice of God, whom he commanded to be kept untouched, and to performe their religious service after their wonted manner, without impeachment of any person whatsoever. Thus made he semblance for the present of mildnesse, to the end that all those, whom before time he terrified with crueltie, might without feare of them∣selves come in, as being by such fresh and late examples persuaded, that he had now tempered the greatnesse of his fortune with a civile and courteous deportment.

Notes

• * 1.1

  or Nymphius.
• * 1.2

  Those who had served under Magnentius and Decentrus, usurpers