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. IIII. Whiles Sapor king of the Persians prepareth to make warre against the Romanes, Constantius besotted by his sycophants of the Court, is advised to call backe home Vrsicinus, a most renowmed warrior and Praefect of the East.

WHiles these matters were with much diligence straitly sought into at Sirmium, the fortune of the East sounded terrible trumpets, and gave intelligence of much danger abroad. For, the king of Persia bearing himselfe bold of helpe from those savage nations whom he had quieted, and burning unmeasurably in an ambiti∣ous desire of rule and dominion; made preparation of armour, forces, and victuals, consulting with the fiends and infernall spirits of hell, and see∣king to all conjurers and juglers for to know the future events. And thus beeing sufficiently furnished every way, intended in the first temperat season of the spring to over-run all before him. Now, when as the newes hereof were brought, first by running rumors, and afterwards by certaine messengers, & all men stood perplexed and wist not what to doe, for so great feare they had of calamities comming toward them, the Forge in court beating still both day and night, as one would say, upon the same anvile, and all for the pleasure of guelded Eunuches; presented unto the Emperor (a suspitious and fearefull prince) Vrsicinus as a bug-beare or grim-visaged Gorgon, oftentimes iterating these and such like suggestions, That he, being af∣ter the death of Silvanus sent eftsoones to the defence of the East parts, as it were, for default of better men, aspired to higher matters. By this base manner of foule flatterie, many endevoured to purchase the favour of Eusebius, then chiefe Cham∣berlaine, with whom, if we must speake a truth, Constantius could doe much, who was eagerly bent to overthrow the state of the foresaid Generall of the Horse, for two causes: for that he of all men alone had no need of his helpe, as others; and besides, at Antioch gave not up his house unto him, which most importunately he required. This Eusebius, like a serpent full of ranke poyson stirring up a number of her young ones, that yet can hardly creepe, to doe mischiefe, sent out his groomes of the chamber, now well growne, and of good bignesse, with direction, That in their neere attendance which they gave about privie and inward ministeries, they might with their small voice, alwaies continuing childish and soft, wound with

grievous envie the credite and reputation of that valiant man in the princes eares, too open unto such suggestions, who quickly put in practise his instructions. In irkesomenesse of these and such like, I take delight to fall in praise of old Domitian: who albeit farre unlike unto father and brother, hee stained the memoriall of his name with inexpiable detestation; yet famous he was for making this law so gene∣rally received and approoved, by which in threatening wise hee gave streit charge, That no man within the bounds of the Romane jurisdiction should gueld any boy: which if it had not happened, who could have endured whole swarmes and multitudes of them, whose fewnesse is hardly tollerable? Yet a good and warie course was taken, least the same Vrsicinus beeing sent for againe, as hee made sem∣blance, should for feare set all on a hurly-burly, but when any good opportunitie was offered, be haled presently away to suffer death.

Notes

• or Medusa••s head.
• As if Eusebius ca∣ried a strong hand over him, and ru∣led all.