Part 18 (1/2)

[76] The destruction of Helice is related in Diodorus Sic. xiv. 48; cf.

Ov. Met. xv. 290.

[77] The lake Ciminus was near Centumcellae, cf. Virg. aen. vii. 697. The town of Sacc.u.mum is not mentioned by any other writer.

[78] From ????, to roar like a bull.

[79] Toxandria was in Belgium, on the Scheldt.

[80] The Chamavi were a tribe at the mouth of the Rhine.

[81] Tages was an Etruscan, the son, it is said, of a genius, Jovialis, and grandson of Jupiter, who rose out of the ground as a man named Tarchon was ploughing near Tarquinii, and instructed the auspices in divination. Cf. Cic. Div. ii. 23.

[82] Carthage and Numantia.

[83] The Quadi occupied a part of Hungary.

[84] The Victohali were a tribe of Goths.

[85] Szoeni, called by Ammia.n.u.s Bregetio, is near Cormorn.

[86] The Theiss.

[87] The Anicenses and Picenses were Dacian tribes.

[88] The Taifali were a tribe of the Western Goths.

BOOK XVIII.

ARGUMENT.

I. The Caesar Julian consults the welfare of the Gauls, and provides for the general observance of justice.--II. He repairs the walls of the castles on the Rhine which he had recovered; crosses the Rhine, and having conquered those of the Alemanni who remained hostile, he compels their kings to sue for peace, and to restore their prisoners.--III. Why Barbatio, the commander of the infantry, and his wife, were beheaded by command of Constantius.--IV. Sapor, king of Persia, prepares to attack the Romans with all his power.--V.

Antoninus, the protector, deserts to Sapor, with all his men; and increases his eagerness to engage in war with the Romans.--VI.

Ursicinus, the commander of the legions, being summoned from the East, when he had reached Thrace was sent back to Mesopotamia, and having arrived there he hears from Marcellinus of Sapor's approach.--VII. Sapor, with the kings of the Chionitae and Albani, invades Mesopotamia--The Romans of their own accord lay waste their lands with fire; compelled the countrymen to come into the towns, and fortify the western bank of the Euphrates with castles and garrisons.--VIII. Seven hundred Illyrian cavalry are surprised by the Persians, and put to flight--Ursicinus escapes in one direction, and Marcellinus in another.--IX. A description of Amida; and how many legions and squadrons were there in garrison.--X.

Sapor receives the surrender of two Roman fortresses.

I.

A.D. 359.

-- 1. These events took place in the different parts of the world in one and the same year. But while the affairs in Gaul were in a better state; and while t.i.tles of consul were enn.o.bling the brothers Eusebius and Hypatius, Julian, ill.u.s.trious for his uninterrupted successes, now in his winter quarters, being relieved for a while from his warlike anxieties, was devoting equal care to many points connected with the welfare of the provinces. Taking anxious care that no one should be oppressed by the burden of taxation; that the power of the officers should not be stretched into extortion; that those who increase their property by the public distresses, should have no sanction, and that no judge should violate justice with impunity.

2. And he found it easy to correct what was wrong on this head, because he himself decided all causes in which the persons concerned were of any great importance; and showed himself a most impartial discerner of right and wrong.

3. And although there are many acts of his in deciding these disputes worthy of praise, it will be sufficient to mention one, on the model of which all his other words and actions were framed.

4. Numerius, a native of Narbonne, had a little time before been accused before the governor as a thief, and Julian, by an unusual exercise of the censor's power, heard his cause in public; admitting into the court all who sought entrance. And when Numerius denied all that was charged against him, and could not be convicted on any point, Delphidius the orator, who was a.s.sailing him with great bitterness, being enraged at the failure of his charges, exclaimed, ”But, great Caesar, will any one ever be found guilty if it be enough to deny the charge?” To whom Julian, with seasonable wisdom, replied, ”Can any one be judged innocent if it be enough to make a charge?” And he did many similar actions in his civil capacity.