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. X. Constantius taking it to the heart that the name of Augustus was conferred upon Iulia∣nus, plotteth many things that take no effect. But Iulian walking warily, af∣ter he had subdued the Frankes called Atthuarij, returneth to Vienna, there to Winter.

WIth these missives he jointly sent others of more secret credence to be presented closely unto Constantius, and those were penned in an objurgatorie and biting style: the tenour whereof, neyther might I search out, nor if I might, became it mee to publish a∣broad. Now, for the performance of that office of embassage, were chosen grave persons, to wit, Pentadius master of the offices, and Eutherius, then his high Chamberlain; who after they had delivered the letters, were to report, without concealing of aught what they saw, and confidently to deale, about the order of the future affaires. Among other things, the envie of these new begun enterprises of Iulian, was aggravated and made much more by the departure of Florentius the Praefect, who praesaging the troubles that would a∣rise by the abovesaid sending for souldiors (as it was commonly spoken) of purpose was departed to Vienna, pretending for his excuse, In regard there was such want of victuals, that he and Caesar were parted, whom in truth he dreaded, for that hee had oftentimes very hardly entreated him. And afterwards, when he understood that hee was mounted to the imperiall throne, having little hope or none at all of life, became very fearefull, and now that he was farre removed, delivered himselfe from the dangers that he doubted: and leaving all his neerest friends and kinsfolke behind him, went aside, and by soft journeyes came unto Constantius: and to shew himselfe lyable to no fault, many imputations he charged upon Iulian as a traytor to the State. After whose departure, Iulian considering well and wisely of the mat∣ter, willing also it should be knowne, that he had spared him when he was present; gave commaundement, That his wife, his children, and those whom he held dea∣rest, together with all his goods not once touched or diminished, should returne in

safetie to the East parts, allowing them to take the benefit of the publicke post-hor∣ses and waggons. And the said embassadours with no lesse diligence following after, carrying with them those letters and instructions, as I have before said, and still minding their wayfare, when they came to Iudges and rulers of higher place, were indirectly stayed & detained: who after they had endured long & chargeable abode through Italie and Illyricum, at length crossed over * 1.1 Bosphorus, and travai∣ling forward with easie journies, they found Constantius making his abode as then at * 1.2 Caesarea in Cappadocia, a place before time named Mazaca, a citie of good im∣portance, and well frequented, situate at the foot of the mountaine Argeus: who beeing admitted into the presence, by permission graunted unto them delivered their missives. No sooner were they read, but the Emperour grew into choler and indignation beyond his usuall manner, and looking so awrie upon them, that they feared death, he commaunded them to goe forth, and could not abide afterwards eyther to move question unto them, or once to heare them speake. Howbeit, in as great a heat as hee was strucken into, yet hee stood in a doubtfull mammering, Whether he should command those forces wherein hee trusted, to march against the Persians, or against Iulian? And sticking thus a long time, after he had weighed sundrie counsels, hee gave eare to the advice of some that persuaded him to that which was good, and so proclaimed his journey Eastward. Yet for all his angrie mood, soone after he both dismissed the embassadours aforesaid, and also appoin∣ted Leonas his * 1.3 Quaestor to ride with all speed into Gaule, with letters also written unto Iulian, affirming, that he nothing liked of this new change and alteration, but charging him (if hee regarded the safetie of his owne person and of his neerest friends) to lay downe his swelling pride and vanitie, and to containe himselfe with∣in the power and government of a Caesar. And that the feare of what he menaced might the sooner induce him thereto, as if he presumed and bare himselfe highly of his great forces, he promoted Nebridius, then * 1.4 Quaestor of the said Caesar in the rowme of Florentius, to be Praefectus Praetorio, and Foelix the * 1.5 Notarie, he made master of the offices, and preferred some other officers. For advanced he had Gu∣moharius the successor of Lupicinus to be ^l master of the Armour, before any such matter was knowne. Leonas therefore being entred into Paris, was received as an honourable and prudent personage; and the morrow after, when the * 1.6 prince was gone out into the field with a multitude as well of armed souldiors as common ci∣tizens, whom of purpose he had called together, commaunded he was to present his letters unto him, standing aloft in his Tribunall, that he might be seene from a∣bove. And after the scrow of the edict sent was unfolded, and begun to bee read from the beginning, when the reader came to the place containing thus much, That Constantius disallowing all that had beene done, iudged the power and authori∣tie of a Caesar to be sufficient for Iulian, there was on all sides set up a sound of terrible voices crying out in this note, God save Iulian Augustus, and according as the provincials, the souldiors, and authoritie of the Common-wealth hath decreed, which indeed is refreshed, but yet feareth new excursions and invasions still of barbarous ene∣mies, [So be it.] Which words being heard, Leonas with the letters of Iulian im∣porting the same, returned safe, and Nebridius alone was admitted to the Praefect∣ship: for so much Caesar also openly had sayd in his letter should stand with his good will and pleasure. As for the master of the Offices, he had a little before or∣dained Anatolius to be the man, who before time was in place to give answere unto requests, like as he had made other officers, according as he thought them meet for

his owne behoofe and safetie. And for as much as among these proceedings hee feared Lupicinus, though absent, and then making his abode in Britannie, a prowd minded man, and of a swelling nature: and for that hee had him in suspition and jealousie, that if he knew thus much beyond the seas, he would stirre up some mat∣ter of alteration and rebellion: a * 1.7 Notarie of his was sent to * 1.8 Bononia, for to ob∣serve and watch carefully, that no man might be suffered to passe over the narrow seas: By meanes of which prohibition, Lupicinus returned, before that he tooke a∣ny knowledge of these newes, and so was not able to raise any troubles. Howbeit Iulian a right joyous man now, in regard of his higher fortune and the confidence he had in his souldiors, because he would not wax luke warme, nor be reproved as one remisse, idle and doing nothing, after hee had dispatched embassadours unto Constantius, went foorth into the marches of * 1.9 Germania secunda: and having strengthened himselfe with all furniture and provision, which the businesse in hand required, drew neere to the towne Obtricensis, neere Mosa. And afterward having crossed over the Rhene, he suddainely overran the countrey of the Franks, whom they call Atthuarij, men of an unquiet spirit, and at the same time in very licentious manner raunging over the coasts of Gaule: whome when hee had sud∣dainely surprised (fearing no hostilitie, but exceeding secure, for that they could not remember that any prince had entered into their townes and territories, by reason of the difficultie of the stonie wayes that kept them off) he overcame with little ado: and after he had taken prisoners and slaine most of them, to the rest that remained, upon their earnest suit he graunted peace, in what conditions he would himselfe, supposing this to bee expedient for the neighbour borderers that were possessors and holders of land. From whence he returned with like celeritie by the said river: and diligently surveying the garrisons along the marches, & reforming what in them was amisse, hee came as farre as to the * 1.10 Rauraci: where having reco∣vered those places, which the barbarous enemies had in times past taken in and hol∣den as their owne, and fortified the same more carefully, he departed by the way of * 1.11 Besantio to Vienna, there to Winter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  the Frith or stre••ghts of Con∣stantinople.
• * 1.2

  Tisaria.
• * 1.3

  Treasurer.
• * 1.4

  Treasurer.
• * 1.5

  Chancellour or Secretarie.
• * 1.6

  Iulian.
• * 1.7

  or Chauncellor.
• * 1.8

  Bologne.
• * 1.9

  Low Dutchland, or Netherlands.
• * 1.10

  People about Basil.
• * 1.11

  Besanson.