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. V. Antoninus a politicke and well experienced person, leaving Constan∣tius, sideth with Sapor.

WHiles they waited for the event of these plots, and were troubled with doubtfull thoughts, in the time that wee made some short a∣bode at Samosata, the most noble citie in old time of the kingdome * 1.1 Comagena, suddainely by rumours comming thicke and three∣fold, we heard of new troubles, which the processe of our historie shall declare. There was one Antoninus, who of a rich marchant became a minister in the Auditors office, and then one of the protectors or guard under the Lord Warden of Mesopotamia, a man well experienced, wise, and in all those parts pas∣sing well knowne, being through the greedie avarice of some lapt in bonds, and brought within the danger of exceeding great losse; when he saw, that by conte∣sting with bigger and mightier than himselfe, he gained nothing, but was through unjust dealing more and more weakened, by reason that they who had the hearing and handling of his cause, leaned to the mightier, as readie to currie favour with them, he, because hee would not kicke against the pricke, framed himselfe to give fairer words and gentler language, yea, and confessed the debt which by covin and cautelous packing was turned over, as due to the princes Treasurie. And now pro∣jecting great and high designes, very closely pried into all parts of the Common∣wealth: and as he was well seene in both tongues, Greeke and Latine, hee busied himselfe about the reckonings and accompts, setting downe what souldiors and of what forces were abiding in any place, and in whole defence they served in time of warre: semblably, enquiring by way of diligent search, Whether there were a∣bundant store of armour, victuals, and other necessarie provision for the warres: Thus when he had learned the inward secrets of all the East, and distributed the greatest part as well of men as money throughout Illyricum, where the Emperour was held employed in serious affaires; now that the appointed day drew neere of paying that money, which by force and for feare he was compelled to confesse by a bill of his owne hand-writing, that he owed, fore-seeing that on every side hee was like to bee over-whelmed with all manner of perillous troubles, whiles the Lord Treasurer, for to pleasure another, was very instant, and sore urged him, he en∣devoured all he could to addresse his flight unto the Persians, with his wife, chil∣dren, and all the deerest kinsfolke that he had. And to the end he might avoid the

stationarie souldiors and warders in the marches, he purchaseth for a small summe of money a peece of land in Hiaspis, a place watered with the river Tigris. By which device, when as no man durst demaund the cause of his comming (with a number about him) into the utmost parts of the Romane limit, as being now a lan∣ded man, and a holder of possessions there; by the meanes of trustie friends, and those cunning swimmers, after hee had many times conferred and parled secretly with Sapor; who then beeing in place of a Warden of the marches, defended all those frontier quarters lying against him; as one also that before time had beene knowne unto him, was by the helpe of certaine nimble and light appointed men sent from the Persian campe and forts adjoyning, set aboord in fisher-boats: and so in the dead time of the night, with his sweet wife and children, and his whole household, crosseth the water, like for all the world, although in a contrarie case, un∣to that Babylonian traytor Zopyrus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  in Syr••••.