The history of the church from our Lords incarnation, to the twelth year of the Emperour Maricius Tiberius, or the Year of Christ 594 / as it was written in Greek, by Eusebius Pamphilius ..., Socrates Scholasticus, and Evagrius Scholasticus ... ; made English from that edition of these historians, which Valesius published at Paris in the years 1659, 1668, and 1673 ; also, The life of Constantine in four books, written by Eusibius Pamphilus, with Constantine's Oration to the convention of the saints, and Eusebius's Speech in praise of Constantine, spoken at his tricennalia ; Valesius's annotations on these authors, are done into English, and set at their proper places in the margin, as likewise a translation of his account of their lives and writings ; with two index's, the one, of the principal matters that occur in the text, the other, of those contained in the notes.

CHAP. III. Concerning Johannes and Philippicus Masters of the Milice, and the Actions done by them.

FUrther, Mauricius in the first place sent Johannes, (a Native of Thracia,) Com∣mander of the Eastern Milice. Who having been worsted in some Engagements, and got the better in others, did nothing worthy of a Narrative. After him [he sent] Philippicus, who was related to him; for he had married the one of Mauricius's two Sisters. He en∣tred the Enemies Country, ruined all things he met with, and possest himself of a vast quantity of Plunder. He likewise slew many [Inhabi∣tants] of the City Nisibis, who were of Noble Birth and well descended, and of other Cities also which stood beyond the River Tigris. Moreover, he engaged with the Persians: where∣upon a great Fight hapned, in which fell severall Persians of the greatest Note, and he took ma∣ny * 1.1 Prisoners; he likewise sent away a † 1.2 Body of Persians unhurt, who had fled to a certain * 1.3 Eminence conveniently enough scituated, when 'twas in his power to have taken them; after they had made him a promise, to perswade their own King, forthwith to dispatch away [an Embassy] to Treat about a Peace. He also be∣haved himself very well in relation to severall other matters, during his command of the Ro∣man Forces; for he freed the Army from all things that were superfluous, and which o∣pened a way to Luxury; and the Souldiers were by him reduced to Modesty, tractable∣n••ss, and obedience. But these matters must be left to those who have written, or do now write, according as they may either receive information from Report, or are lead by opi∣nion: whose Relation, in regard it either stum∣bles and is lamed by ignorance, or is softned by Affection and Partiality, or [Lastly] is blin∣ded by * 1.4 Hatred, does [usually] wander from the Truth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, Alive.
• † 1.2

  Or, Troop.
• * 1.3

  Or, Hill.
• * 1.4

  Or, An∣tipathy.