The stratagems of war, or, A collection of the most celebrated practices and wise sayings of the great generals in former ages written by Sextus Julius Frontinus, one of the Roman consuls ; now English'd, and enlarged with a new collection of the most noted strategems and brave exploits of famous and modern generals ... by M.D.A.

CAAP. I. The Exploits of Ardaburius, General to Theodosius the II. Emperor of Con¦stantinople Anno Domini 400.

WHen Baratanes had succeeded his Fa¦ther Isdigerdes in the Kingdom of Persia; and through the persuasion of some Magicians, persecuted the Church of Christ planted in that Country: And for their defence, the Roman Emperor Theodosius the II. sent a famous General of those days, Arda∣burius, with a sufficient Army against the Heathen Prince, and Narsaeus his chief Captain. After the first Battel, where the Roman Soldiers came off with Victory, Narsaeus cunningly retreats, and in∣vades

the Province of Mesopotomia, belonging to the Roman Empire, to make that the Seat of the War. When therefore he had gathered so great a power that he seem'd able to encounter the Romans, he sent a messenger to Ardaburius to de∣sire a parley, that they might appoint between them when and where to fight a Battel. Arda∣burius wisely answered the Embassadors thus: Tell Narsaeus from me, That the Emperors of Rome use not to wage Battel at Narsaeus his plea∣sure. The Persian Prince had then all his Forces together, which exceeding the Romans in num∣ber, caused the Citizens of Constantinople, and the whole Empire, to doubt of the success and fortune of the War. But there happened one thing which much encouraged them and the Sol∣diers to fight valiantly. Certain Travellers go∣ing out of Bythinia towards Constantinople, met, as they reported, with a company of Angels, who desired them to salute and hearten the In∣habitants of Constantinople in their names, advi∣sing them to pray to, and put their trust in God, with this assurance, that they were sent as Cele∣stial Recruits and Auxiliaries to the assistance of the Roman Army against the Persians; and that they should obtain a famous Victory. Whether this report was really so, or whether it was in∣vented on purpose, as it hath bin sometimes practiced to encourage the Soldiers to difficult encounters, it had that good effect, that none doubted afterwards of success; and the Roman Soldiers were more resolute and brave in all their Fights with the Enemy. Insomuch, that at the Siege of Nisibis, a panick fear so seized the Sa∣racens who were came to relieve that City, and assist the Persian King, that only the Alarm and

Dread of the Romans approach, caused them in their Armour to cast themselves into the River Euphrates, and venture over; but the swiftness of the Stream swallowed an hundred thousand, who for fear of the Roman Sword were drowned in the Water. In this Persian War, Ardaburius by Policy alone, overcame seven great Comman∣ders of the Enemies. But notwithstanding these glorious Victories, Theodosius sent one of his Courtiers named Helion, to conclude a Peace with the Persian Monarch; but this motion was at first rejected by the Soldiers of the Regiment called by the Persians Immortal, consisting of 10000 variant Men, who desired their Prince to give them leave to beat up the Roman Quarters, and try whether they might surprise them secure and negligent: But such was the vigilancy and diligence of the Commanders, and courage of the Soldiers, that they encompassed these stout Persians, and cut them all in pieces, though they had divided themselves into two parties, to as∣sault the Roman Camp with more advantage.

Notes

• Socrat. Schol. lib. 7. cap. 18.