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. III. The vertues of Iulianus gaule Constantius to the heart. Now when he was minded to take from him the auxiliarie forces, the souldiors favouring Iulian, stand against, partly with open mouth, and partly by casting abroad a libell.

WHiles Constantius made hast to succour the East, which was like shortly to be infested with the Persians outrodes, according as both fugitives and intelligencers in one accord declared, vexed he was for very envie with the vertues of Iulianus, which by a generall bruit were blazed a∣broad, and talked of dayly among sundrie nations: the loftie praises of whose great travailes and exploits, fame carried and divulged in the world; as namely, how after certaine kingdomes of Alemain conquered, hee had recovered townes in Gaule, sacked aforetime and rased by the barbarous enemies, whom hee made tributaries, and subject to pay imposts. Being moved in regard of these and such like matters, and fearing least the same would grow greater, considering that (as the report went) Florentius the * 1.1 Praefect pricked him on, hee sent Decentius, a Tribune and * 1.2 Notarie both, to fetch away from him forthwith the Heruli and Batavi, the Celts also, toge∣ther with the Petulantes, and three hundred besides, chosen foorth of other bands, who under this colour were commaunded to make speed, that they might bee in readinesse for to warre in the beginning of the Spring upon the Parthians. And as touching aid-souldiors verily, and other three hundred to bee levied and gathered, Lupicinus, who was for certaine knowne not to have passed over as yet into Britan∣nie, was dealt withall apart by himselfe: but out of the Scutarij and Gentiles, Sin∣tula, Tribune at the same time of Caesars table, had commaundement to draw foorth all those that were of greatest activitie, and to bring them along himselfe. Iulian held his tongue all this while, and condiscended hereunto, submitting all to the will and pleasure of the mightier person. Howbeit, this one thing he could nei∣ther dissimule nor passe over with silence, but urge instantly, That those might suf∣fer no troubles, who leaving their habitations beyond Rhene, were come under this capitulation and condition, That they should not be at any time led unto the parts beyond the Alpes: avouching, that it was to bee feared, least the voluntarie souldiors of the Barbarians, who oftentimes upon such tearmes and conditions were wont to come over and side with us, taking knowledge hereof, might hereaf∣ter be kept backe from performing the like service. But all his speech came to no∣thing.

For the sayd * 1.3 Tribune making no account of Caesars complaints, obeyed the Emperours commaundement: but after hee had made choise of a companie very lightly appointed, such as for lively vigour and delivernesse of bodie surpas∣sed all others, with them hee went foorth, hoping confidently for greater matters. And because Caesar, pensive what should bee done with the rest that were com∣maunded to be sent, and casting in his mind divers and sundrie thoughts, deemed, that the businesse ought to be managed with good heed and circumspection, see∣ing also the cruell Barbarians on the one side, and the powerfull commaund on the other to enforce him; and especially for that the absence of the Generall of the horsemen made him most to doubt, hee willed the Praefect to returne unto him, who beforetime was departed to Vienna under colour to provide victuals, that he might exempt himselfe from militarie troubles. For * 1.4 he well considered, that ac∣cording to his own relation, which he was thought in times past to have sent, those warlike bands, dreadfull alreadie to the Barbarians, were to bee withdrawne from the defence of Gaule: who when he had received Caesars letters, advising and re∣questing him to come with all speed as to assist the Common-wealth with his counsell, most obstinately drew backe and refused; his mind with feare being trou∣bled in regard of the letters which plainely imported thus much, That the Praefect ought no where to be parted from the chiefe * 1.5 Commander in any heat and broile of fearefull stirres: and thus much moreover was written, That in case hee held off to performe this service accordingly, himselfe of his owne accord would cast from him the ensignes of his princely authoritie, as taking it to be honourable and glori∣ous for him to die by commaundement, than that the destruction of the provinces should be imputed unto him. But the stiffe and constant resolution of the Praefect prevailed, with all his might striving againe & refusing to yeeld obedience to those things which with reason were required. Howbeit, in the time of these delayes of Lupicinus absent, and the souldiors mutinies, Iulian destitute of the helpefull coun∣sell of the prowd Praefect, and waving in doubtfull tearmes what to doe, supposing this to be his best course, determined to hasten them forward on their journey by the ordinarie way, beeing all departed out of the stations wherein they wintered. This being knowne, one among the companies of the Petulantes closely let fall upon the ground a libell, which with many other contents carried this tenor also: Thus we verily are driven and confined as guiltie and condemned persons unto the fur∣thest parts of the earth: and those who are most leife and deere unto us shall bee slaves, enthralled againe unto the Alemans; those, I say, whom after mortall foughten fields we have freed from their first captivitie. Which script being brought unto the * 1.6 Court and read, Iulian considering their reasonable complaints, commaunded them with their whole families to goe into the East, graunting them a warrant to take up post∣horses and waggons. And when doubt was made a long time which way they should journey, thought good it was (and that through the motion of Decentius the * 1.7 Notarie) that the folke should passe along by Paris, where Caesar yet abode, as not removed yet any whether. And so they did indeed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  of the Praeto∣rium.
• * 1.2

  or Chauncellor.
• * 1.3

  Sintulae.
• * 1.4

  the Praefect.
• * 1.5

  Imperatore, or Generall.
• * 1.6

  or Counsell.
• * 1.7

  Secretarie, or Chancellor afore∣said.