Ammianus: RES GESTAE A FINE CORNELI TACITI

1. Dictis inpensiore cura rerum ordinibus ad usque memoriae confinia propioris convenerat iam referre a notioribus pedem, ut et pericula declinentur veritati saepe contigua, et examinatores contexendi operis deinde non perferamus intempestivos, strepentes ut laesos, si praeteritum sit, quod locutus est imperator in cena, vel omissum quam ob causam gregarii milites coerciti sunt apud signa, et quod non decuerat in descriptione multiplici regionum super exiguis silere castellis, quodque cunctorum nomina, qui ad urbani praetoris officium convenere, non sunt expressa, et similia plurima praeceptis historiae dissonantia, discurrere per negotiorum celsitudines adsuetae, non humilium minutias indagare causarum, quas si scitari voluerit quispiam, individua illa corpuscula volitantia per inane, atomous, ut nos appellamus, numerari posse sperabit.

1. With words spoken and a more intense care for the ordering of affairs, he had already come as close as the bounds of nearer memory to relate the better-known matters, so that dangers often contiguous to truth might be avoided, and so that we should not later endure untimely examiners of the work who would weave in, clamorous as if injured, that which the emperor said at dinner if it be past, or why the common soldiers were constrained at the standards for some omitted cause, and why it was not fitting, in a multiplied catalogue of regions, to keep silence about the small castles, and why the names of all who met for the office of Urban Praetor are not given, and very many similar things discordant with the precepts of history — to run through the loftiness of affairs accustomed, not to probe the humble minutiae of causes, which, if anyone should wish to scrutinize them, will hope that those indivisible little bodies flying through the void, atoms, as we call them, can be counted.

2. haec quidam veterum formidantes, cognitiones actuum variorum stilis uberibus explicatas non edidere superstites, ut in quadam ad Cornelium Nepotem epistula Tullius quoque testis reverendus adfirmat. proinde inscitia vulgari contempta ad residua narranda pergamus.

2. Some, fearing these matters of the ancients, the survivors did not publish the cognitions of various deeds, explained in copious styles, as the reverend witness Tullius likewise affirms in a certain letter to Cornelius Nepos. Therefore, scorning common ignorance, let us proceed to recount the remaining things.

3. Hac volubilium casuum diritate exitu luctuoso finita, obituque intervallato trium brevi tempore principum, corpore curato defuncti, missoque Constantinopolim, ut inter Augustorum reliquias conderetur, progresso Nicaeam versus exercitu, quae in Bithynia mater est urbium, potestatum civilium militiaeque retcores magnitudine curarum adstricti communium, interque eos quidam spe vana sufflati, moderatorem quaeritabant diu exploratum et gravem.

3. With this turnableness of events ended in a grievous, mournful outcome, and with the deaths occurring in the span of three princes in a short time, their bodies tended and the deceased dispatched to Constantinople that he might be laid up among the relics of the Augusti, an army having set forward toward Nicaea — which in Bithynia is the mother of cities — the rulers of civil powers and of the military, bound by the magnitude of common cares, and among them some, blown up with vain hope, long sought a tried and grave moderator.

4. Et rumore tenus obscuris paucorum susurris nomen praestringebatur Aequitii, scholae primae Scutariorum etiam tum tribuni, qui cum potiorum auctoritate displicuisset ut asper et subagrestis, translata est suffragatio levis in Ianuarium Ioviani adfinem curantem summitatem necessitatum castrensium per Illyricum.

4. And, as far as rumor reached in the obscure whispers of a few, the name of Aequitius was touched, then tribune of the first schola of the Scutarii; who, since he had displeased those of superior authority as harsh and somewhat sub-rustic, the slight suffrage was transferred to Januarius, a kinsman of Jovian, who tended the chief necessities of the camps throughout Illyricum.

5. quo itidem spreto quia procul agebat, ut aptus ad id quod quaerebatur atque conveniens Valentinianus nulla discordante sententia numinis adspiratione caelestis electus est, agens scholam Scutariorum secundam relictusque apud Ancyram, postea secuturus ut ordinatum est. et quia nullo renitente hoc e re publica videbatur, missis qui eum venire ocius admonerent, diebus decem nullus imperii tenuit gubernacula, quod tunc evenisse extis Romae inspectis haruspex edixerat Marcus.

5. and he therefore being spurned because he acted from afar, Valentinian, being apt for that which was sought and fitting, was chosen by the adspiration of the heavenly numen with no dissenting voice; he commanding the second scholia of the Scutarii and left at Ancyra, afterwards to follow as had been ordained. and because no one resisted, this seemed to be of the res publica; messengers were sent to admonish him to come more swiftly, and for ten days no one held the helm of the empire, which, as the haruspex Marcus had proclaimed after inspecting the entrails at Rome, had then occurred.

6. Inter haec tamen nequid novaretur contrarium placitis, neve armatorum mobilitas saepe versabilis ad praesentium quendam inclinaret arbitrium, adtente providebat Aequitius et cum eo Leo, adhuc sub Dagalaifo magistro equitum rationes numerorum militarium tractans, exitialis postea magister officiorum, exercitus universi iudicium quantum facere nitique poterant, ut Pannonii fautoresque principis designati firmantes.

6. Meanwhile, lest anything contrary be introduced into the decrees, or lest the often-changeable mobility of the armed men incline the judgment of those present, Aequitius, and with him Leo, watched and provided attentively; Leo still under Dagalaifus, magister equitum, handling the accounts of military numbers — Dagalaifus afterwards the ruinous magister officiorum — securing the judgment of the whole army as far as they could effect and support, the Pannonians and the prince’s designated supporters confirming.

7. Qui cum venisset accitus, inplendique negotii praesagiis, ut opinari dabatur, vel somniorum adsiduitate, nec videri die secundo nec prodire in medium voluit, bissextum vitans Februarii mensis tunc illucescens, quod aliquotiens rei Romanae fuisse dignorat infaustum. cuius notitiam certam designabo.

7. When he had come, being summoned, and by presages of the office to be filled, as was thought, or by the assiduity of dreams, he would neither be seen on the second day nor go forth into the open, avoiding the bissextile day then dawning of the month of February, which he judged at times inauspicious for the Roman state. I will set down the certain notice of this.

8. Spatium anni vertentis id esse periti mundani motus et siderum definiunt veteres, inter quos Meton et Euctemon et Hipparchus et Archimedes excellunt, cum sol perenni rerum sublimium lege polo percurso signifero, quem zodiakon sermo Graecus appellat, trecentis et sexaginta quinque diebus emensis et noctibus ad eundem redierit cardinem, ut verbo tenus, si a secunda particula elatus Arietis ad eam dimensione redierit terminata.

8. The ancients skilled in the motions of the world and of the stars define the span of the turning year to be this, among whom Meton and Euctemon and Hipparchus and Archimedes excel, since the sun, having traversed the pole as bearer by the perpetual law of the sublime things — which the Greek word zodiakon names — returns to the same hinge after 365 days and nights spent, so to speak, if, having been lifted from the second particle of Aries, it returns to it when that measure is completed.

9. sed anni intervallum verissimum memoratis diebus et horis sex usque ad meridiem concluditur plenam, annique sequentis erit post horam sextam initium porrectum ad vesperam. tertius a prima vigilia sumens exordium ad horam noctis extenditur sextam. quartus a medio noctis ad usque claram trahitur lucem.

9. but the year’s interval, most true, is concluded as a full one by the days aforesaid and six hours up to midday, and the beginning of the following year will be stretched forward after the sixth hour to the evening. the third, taking its exordium from the first watch, is extended to the sixth hour of the night. the fourth is drawn from midnight up to the clear light.

10. ne igitur haec conputatio variantibus annorum principiis et quodam post horam sextam diei, alio post sextam excursa nocturnam, scientiam omnem squalida diversitate confundat et autumnalis mensis inveniatur quandoque vernalis, placuit senas illas horas, quae quadriennio viginti colliguntur atque quattuor, in unius diei noctisque adiectae transire mensuram.

10. Therefore, lest this computation—by varying beginnings of the years and by one nocturnal excursion sometimes after the sixth hour of the day, at another time after the sixth—should by filthy diversity confound all knowledge and the autumnal month be found sometimes vernal, it was agreed that those six hours, which in a four-year period are gathered twenty‑four, be transferred into the measure of one added day and night.

11. hocque alte considerato, eruditis concinentibus multis effectum est, ut ad unum distinctumque exitum circumversio cursus annui revoluta, nec vaga sit nec incerta, nulloque errore deinceps obumbrata ratio caelestis appareat et menses tempora retineant praestituta.

11. and this having been weighed deeply, with many learned men singing together in concord, it came to pass that the circuit of the annual course, when unfolded, should arrive at one distinct and determinate issue, neither wandering nor uncertain, and that the heavenly reckoning, no longer overshadowed by any error, might appear and the months, once established, retain their appointed times.

12. haec nondum extentis fusius regnis diu ignoravere Romani, perque saecula multa obscuris difficultatibus inplicati, tunc magis errorum profunda caligine fluctuabant cum in sacerdotes potestatem transtulissent interkalandi, qui licenter gratificantes publicanorum vel litigantium commodis ad arbitrium suum subtrahebant tempora vel augebant.

12. The Romans long remained ignorant of these matters, not yet widely spread through extended realms, and, entangled through many ages in obscure difficulties, then all the more drifted in the deep gloom of errors when they had transferred the power of intercalation to the priests, who, licentiously gratifying the favors of publicans or litigants, at their own arbitrium subtracted or added times to suit their convenience.

13. hocque ex coepto emerserunt alia plurima, quae fallebant, quorum meminisse nunc supervacuum puto. quibus abolitis Octavianus Augustus Graecos secutus hanc inconstantiam correcta turbatione conposuit, spatiis duodecim mensium et sex horarum magna deliberatione collectis, per quae duodecim siderum domicilia sol discurrens motibus sempiternis anni totius intervalla concludit.

13. and from this undertaking very many other things arose which were misleading, of which to remember now I consider superfluous. When these were abolished, Octavianus Augustus, following the Greeks, composed this inconstancy corrected by an ordered rearrangement, having gathered with great deliberation intervals of twelve months and six hours, through which the sun, running through the domiciles of the twelve constellations, by everlasting motions closes and completes the intervals of the whole year.

14. quam rationem bissexti probatam etiam victura cum saeculis Roma adiumento numinis divini fundavit. proinde pergamus ad reliqua.

14. Rome founded by the aid of the divine numen that proven system of the bissextile, likewise destined to endure through the centuries. Therefore let us proceed to the remaining matters.

CHAPTER 2.

1. Elapso die parum apto ad inchoandas rerum magnitudines, ut quidam existimant, propinquante iam vespera, monitu praefecti Sallustii sub exitii denuntiatione statutum est prompta consensione cunctorum, ne potioris quisquam auctoritatis, vel suspectus altiora conari, procederet postridie mane.

1. With the day gone, little suitable for beginning great matters, as some judge, evening already drawing near, by the admonition of the prefect Sallustius and under a denunciation of destruction it was decreed with the ready consent of all that no one of superior authority, or suspected of attempting loftier things, should proceed the next morning.

2. cumque multorum taedio, quos votorum inanitas cruciabat, tandem finita nocte lux advenisset, in unum quaesito milite omni, progressus Valentinianus in campum permissusque tribunal ascendere celsius structum comitiorum specie, voluntate praesentium secundissima ut vir serius rector pronuntiatur imperii.

2. and when, with the weariness of many whom the emptiness of vows tormented, at last with the night ended the light had arrived, a single soldier having been sought from all, Valentinian advanced into the field and, being permitted to mount a tribunal, loftily erected in the guise of the comitia, with the most favorable will of those present that the man be proclaimed at greater solemnity the ruler of the empire.

3. mox principali habitu circumdatus et corona, Augustusque nuncupatus cum laudibus amplis, quas novitatis potuit excitare dulcedo, praemeditata dicere iam parabat. eoque, ut expeditius loqueretur, brachium exertante, obmurmuratio gravis exoritur concrepantibus centuriis et manipulis cohortiumque omnium plebe urgentium destinate, confestim imperatorem alterum declarari.

3. soon, clad in principal attire and a crown, and called Augustus, with lavish praises which the sweetness of novelty could stir up, he was already preparing to speak things premeditated. And therefore, to speak more quickly, exerting his arm, a loud murmur arose, the centuries and maniples and all the cohorts clashing, and with the plebs pressing insistently it was immediately decreed that another be proclaimed emperor.

4. quod licet non nulli existimarunt paucis corruptis ad gratiam fieri despectorum, ex eo tamen id frustra creditum videbatur, quod non emercati sed consoni totius multitudinis paria volentis clamores audiebantur, documento recenti fragilitatem pertimescentis sublimium fortunarum. dein ex susurris inmaniter strepentis exercitus cieri tumultus violentior apparebat, et confidentia militis erumpentis interdum ad perniciosa facinora timebatur.

4. which, although some judged that by a few corrupted men it had been made to the favor of the despised, nevertheless from that appearance it seemed believed in vain, because not bought but the consonant, equal cries of the whole willing multitude were heard, a recent example warning of the fragility of those who dread the lofty fortunes. Then from whispers into the mightily roaring army a more violent tumult appeared to be aroused, and the confidence of the soldier about to break forth was at times feared for pernicious deeds.

5. quod Valentinianus magis prae cunctis ne fieret extimescens, elata prospere dextera, vi principis fiducia pleni ausus increpare quosdam ut seditiosos et pertinaces, cogitata nullis interpellantibus absolvebat:

5. Valentinian, more than all fearing lest it come to pass, with his right hand prosperously uplifted, filled with the confidence of princely force, dared to rebuke certain men as seditious and stubborn, and, his designs interrupted by none, he carried them out:

6. �Exsulto, provinciarum fortissimi defensores, et prae me fero semperque laturus sum, nec speranti nec adpetenti moderamina orbis Romani mihi ut potissimo omnium vestras detulisse virtutes.

6. I exult, bravest defenders of the provinces, and I bear you before me and shall ever bear you; nor is it, either for one hoping or for one striving, that the reins of the Roman world are such that your virtues have been offered to me as foremost of all.

7. quod erat igitur in manu positum vestra, nondum electo imperii formatore utiliter et gloriose conplestis adscito in honorum verticem eo, quem ab ineunte adulescentia ad hanc usque aetatis maturitatem splendide integreque vixisse experiundo cognoscitis. proinde pacatis auribus accipite quaeso, simplicioribus verbis quod conducere arbitror in commune.

7. therefore what was therefore placed in your hand, the formator of the empire not yet chosen, you have usefully and gloriously fulfilled by admitting to the summit of honors him whom, from the beginning of youth up to this very maturity of age, you know by experience to have lived splendidly and uprightly. Wherefore, I beg you, receive with peaceful ears, in simpler words, what I judge to conduce to the common good.

8. adhiberi oportere in omnes casus socia potestate collegam contemplatione poscente multiplici nec ambigo nec repugno, curarum acervos et mutationes varias accidentium ipse quoque ut homo formidans, sed studendum est concordiae viribus totis, per quam res quoque minimae convalescunt, quod inpetrabitur facile, si patientia vestra cum aequitate consentiens id mihi, quod mearum est partium, concesserit libens.

8. that a colleague ought to be admitted with joint power in all cases, a partner demanded by manifold consideration; I neither hesitate nor resist, though I, as a man, fear the heaps of cares and the various changes of accidents; but one must strive with the whole strength of concord, by which even the smallest things grow strong, and this will be obtained easily if your patience, consenting with equity, willingly grants to me that which belongs to my share.

9. dabit enim, ut spero, fortuna consiliorum adiutrix bonorum, quantum efficere et consequi possum, diligenter scrutantibus temperatum. ut enim sapientes definiunt, non modo in imperio, ubi pericula maxima sunt et creberrima, verum etiam in privatis cottidianisque rationibus, alienum ad amicitiam, cum iudicaverit quisquam prudens, adiungere sibi debebit, non, cum adiunxerit, iudicare.

9. for Fortune, as I hope, will be the helper of good counsels, so far as I can effect and attain, tempered by those who examine diligently. For, as the wise define, not only in rule, where dangers are greatest and most frequent, but also in private and daily affairs, whatever is alien to friendship, when any prudent man has judged, he ought to refrain from adding to himself, not, having added, to judge.

10. haec cum spe laetiorum polliceor, vos firmitatem factorum retinentes et fidem, dum hiberna patitur quies, animorum reparate vigorem atque membrorum, ob nuncupationem augustam debita protinus accepturi�.

10. while I promise these things with the hope of happier days, you, retaining the firmness of deeds and fidelity, while the hibernal quarters permit repose, restore the vigour of your minds and of your limbs, for by reason of the august nomination you will at once receive what is due.

11 . Finita oratione, quam auctoritas erexerat inopina, flexit imperator in suam sententiam universos, consiliique eius viam secuti qui paulo ante flagrantissimis vocibus aliud postulabant, circumsaeptum aquilis et vexillis agminibusque diversorum ordinum ambitiose stipatum iamque terribilem duxerunt in regiam.

11 . With the speech ended, which authority had raised unexpectedly, the emperor turned everyone to his own sententia, and those who a little before, with most ardent voices, were demanding something else, having followed the course of his consilium, led, ambitiously hemmed about by aquilae and vexilla and by ranks of the diverse orders and already formidable, into the regia.

III

1. Dum haec in oriente volubiles fatorum explicant sortes, Apronianus regens urbem aeternam iudex integer et severus inter curarum praecipua, quibus haec praefectura saepe sollicitatur, id primum opera curabat enixa, ut veneficos, qui tunc rarescebant, captos postque agitatas quaestiones nocuisse quibusdam apertissime confutatos, indicatis consciis morte multaret, atque ita paucorum discrimine reliquos, siqui laterent, formidine parium exturbaret.

1. While these things in the East the fickle lots of the fates unfold, Apronianus, ruling the eternal city, an upright and severe judge among the principal cares with which this prefecture is often beset, first by his own exertions took care, striving, that the venefici — who then were growing rare — when captured and, after vigorous questioning, openly refuted as having harmed certain persons, with their discovered accomplices he should punish with death; and so by the peril of a few he might, by fear of like penalties, drive forth the rest, if any were lurking.

2. haec egisse ideo efficaciter fertur quod Iuliani promotus arbitrio agentis etiam tum per Syrias in itinere unum amiserat oculum, suscipicatusque artibus se nefariis adpetitum iusto quidem sed inusitato dolore haec et alia magna quaeritabat industria. unde quibusdam atrox visus est, in amphitheatrali curriculo undatim coevente aliquotiens plebe, causas dispiciens criminum maximorum.

2. This is said therefore to have been carried out so effectively because Julianus, promoted by the arbitrium of the acting official, had even then lost one eye on a journey through Syria, and, having adopted nefarious arts and with a just but unusual grief, industriously sought these and other great matters. Whence he seemed to some a terrible sight, in the amphitheatrical circuit with the crowd at times coming together in waves, surveying the causes of the greatest crimes.

3. denique post huius modi vindicata conplura Hilarinum aurigam convictum atque confessum, vixdum pubescentem filium suum venefico tradidisse docendum secretiora quaedam legibus interdicta, ut nullo conscio adminiculis iuvaretur internis, capitali animadversione damnavit, qui laxius retinente carnifice subito lapsus confugit ad ritus Christiani sacrarium, abstractusque exinde ilico abscia cervice consumptus est.

3. finally, after many more vindications of this kind, he condemned Hilarinus the charioteer—convicted and having confessed—that he had delivered his scarcely pubescent son to a poisoner to be instructed in certain more secret things forbidden by law, so that he should be aided by no conscious accomplice or internal support, to capital punishment; who, the executioner holding him more loosely, suddenly slipped away and fled to the shrine of Christian rites, and was thereupon immediately seized and put to death by the axe at the neck.

4. verum haec similiaque tum etiam ut coercenda mox cavebantur, et nulli vel admodum pauci in his versati flagitiis vigori publico insultarunt, sed tempore secuto longaeva inpunitas nutrivit inmania, usque eo grassante licentia ut imitatus Hilarinum quidam senator, servumque suum modo non per syngrapham arcanis piacularibus inducendum commisisse doctori malarum artium confutatus, supplicium redimeret opima mercede, ut crebrior fama vulgarat.

4. but these and like things then were soon guarded against so as to be restrained, and none or very few engaged in these vices assailed the public vigor; yet with time following, long-lived impunity nourished monstrous deeds, license prevailing so far that, imitating Hilarinus, a certain senator — accused and refuted as having entrusted his slave, not by a signed document (syngrapham) but by secret expiatory means, to a doctor of wicked arts to be initiated — bought off the punishment with a rich price, as rumor more often spread.

5. isque ipse hoc genere, quo iactum est, absolutus, cum vitae pudere debet et culpae, non abolendae incubuit maculae, sed tamquam inter multos probrosos solus vacuus ab omni delicto equo phalerato insidens, discurrensque per silices, multa post se nunc usque trahit agmina servulorum per novum quoddam insigne curiosius spectari adfectans, ut Duillium accepimus veterem post gloriosa illa navalis rei certamina id sibi sumpsisse ut tibicine lenius praecinente rediret ad sua post cenam.

5. and he himself, acquitted in the manner in which he had been indicted, though shame of life and of guilt ought to affect him, did not set himself to blot out the stain, but as if alone among many disgraceful men sat free from all crime on a richly harnessed horse, and running about the paved streets, even now drags after him many ranks of little servitors, desiring to be watched the more curiously by a certain new insignia, as we have learned that Duillius, that old man after those glorious contests of the naval exploit, took upon himself that he might return to his house with the piper playing more softly after the meal.

6. Sub hoc tamen Aproniano ita iugiter copia necessariorum exuberavit, ut nulla saltim levia murmura super inopia victui congruentium orerentur, quod adsidue Romae contingit.

6. Under this Apronian, however, an abundance of necessities so continually overflowed that not even light murmurs at least about the scarcity fitting to food arose, which constantly occurs at Rome.

1. At in Bithynia Valentinianus princeps, ut praediximus, declaratus, dato in perendinum diem signo proficiscendi, convocatis primoribus, quasi tuta consilia quam sibi placentia secuturus, percunctabatur quemnam ad imperii consortium oporteret adsumi, silentibusque cunctis Dagalaifus tunc equestris militiae rector respondit fidentius �si tuos amas� inquit, �imperator optime, habes fratrem, si rem publicam, quaere quem vestias�.

1. But in Bithynia Valentinianus, as we said, having been proclaimed prince, with the signal to set out appointed for the day after tomorrow, and the primores summoned, as if about to follow counsel safe rather than that pleasing to himself, he kept asking whom it would be fitting to take into the consortium of the imperium; and with all silent, Dagalaifus, then commander of the equestrian militia, replied more boldly, "If you love your own," he said, "most excellent emperor, you have a brother; if you seek the res publica, consider whom to clothe with it."

2. quo dicto asperatus ille sed tacitus et occultans quae cogitabat, Nicomediam itineribus citis ingressus Kalendis Martiis Valentem fratrem stabulo suo cum tribunatus dignitate praefecit.

2. whereupon having said this he, nettled, yet silent and concealing what he conceived, having entered Nicomedia by swift journeys, on the first of March appointed his brother Valens over his stabulum with the dignity of the tribunician office.

3. indeque cum venisset Constantinopolim, multa secum ipse divolvens et magnitudine urgentium negotiorum iam se superari considerans, nihil morandum ratus quintum Kalendas Aprilis productum eundem Valentem in suburbanum universorum sententiis concinentibus — nec enim audebat quisquam refragari — Augustum pronuntiavit, clecoreque imperatorii cultus ornatum et tempora diademate redimitum in eodem vehiculo secum reduxit, participem quidem legitimum potestatis, sed in modum apparatoris morigerum, ut progrediens aperiet textus.

3. and then, when he had come to Constantinople, pondering many things and considering himself already overwhelmed by the magnitude of pressing affairs, thinking that nothing should be delayed, on the fifth day before the Kalends of April (March 28) he produced and proclaimed that same Valens Augustus in the suburb, unanimous voices concurring — for no one dared to contradict — and having decked him with the imperial garb of worship and bound his brow with the diadem, he led him back with him in the same carriage; truly he chose him a legitimate sharer of power, but in the manner of an attendant submissive, as the ensuing text will disclose.

4. Quibus ita nullo interturbante perfectis, constricti rabidis febribus imperatores ambo diu, spe vivendi firmata, ut erant in inquirendis rebus gnaviores quam in conponendis, suspectas morborum causas investigandas acerrime Vrsatio officiorum magistro Delmatae crudo et Viventio Sisciano quaestori tunc commiserunt, ut loquebatur pertinax rumor, invidiam cientes Iuliani memoriae principis amicisque eius, tamquam clandestinis praestigiis laesi. sed hoc evanuit facile, ne verbo quidem tenus insidiarum indicio ullo reperto.

4. With these things thus completed with nothing disturbing them, the two emperors long stricken by raging fevers, their hope of living strengthened, and being more eager in inquiries than in settlements, most keenly entrusted the investigation of the suspected causes of the illnesses to Ursatius, master of the offices, the Dalmatian Crudo, and to Viventius Siscianus, quaestor at that time, as a persistent rumor declared, being mindful of the envy of Julian, prince of blessed memory, and his friends, as if injured by clandestine illusions. But this vanished easily; not even to the extent of a word was there any indication of ambush found.

5. Hoc tempore velut per universum orbem Romanum bellicum canentibus bucinis excitae gentes saevissimae limites sibi proximos persultabant. Gallias Raetiasque simul Alamanni populabantur; Sarmatae Pannonias et Quadi; Picti, Saxonesque et Scotti et Attacotti Brittannos aerumnis vexavere continuis; Austoriani Mauricaeque aliae gentes Africam solito acrius incursabant; Thracias et diripiebant praedatorii globi Gothorum.

5. At that time, as warlike trumpets sounded through the whole Roman orb, the most savage peoples, roused, ranged over the borders nearest them. Gallias Raetiasque simul Alamanni plundered; the Sarmatians harried Pannonia and the Quadi; the Picts, Saxons and Scots and Attacotti vexed the Britons with unremitting hardships; the Austoriani, the Mauri and other peoples more fiercely than usual made incursions into Africa; and predatory bands of Goths ravaged Thrace.

6. Persarum rex manus Armeniis iniectabat, eos in suam dicionem ex integro vocare vi nimia properans, sed iniuste causando quod post Ioviani excessum, cum quo foedera firmarat et pacem, nihil obstare debebit quo minus ea recuperaret, quae antea ad maiores suos pertinuisse monstrabat.

6. The king of the Persians laid hands upon the Armenians, hastening with excessive force to call them anew into his dominion; but unjustly alleging that, after the death of Jovian, with whom he had concluded treaties and peace, nothing ought to stand in the way of his recovering those things which he asserted had formerly pertained to his ancestors.

1. Acta igitur tranquillius hieme concordissimi principes, unus nuncupatione praelatus, alter honore specie tenus adiunctus, percursis Thraciis Naessum advenerunt, ubi in suburbano, quod appellatum Mediana a civitate tertio lapide disparatur, quasi mox separandi partiti sunt comites.

1. Therefore, with matters having been carried more peaceably through the winter, the most concordant princes — one elevated by nomination, the other attached by honor only in appearance — having traversed Thrace arrived at Naessus, where in the suburb, called Mediana and separated from the city by the third milestone, they, as if soon to part, divided their companions.

2. et Valentiniano quidem, cuius arbitrio res gerebatur, Iovinus evenit dudum promotus a Iuliano per Gallias magister armorum, et Dagalaifus, quem militiae rectorem provexerat Iovianus: in orientem vero secuturus Valentem ordinatus est Victor, ipse quoque iudicio principis ante dicti provectus, cui iunctus est Arintheus. Lupicinus enim pridem a Ioviano pari modo promotus magister equitum partes tuebatur eoas.

2. and for Valentinian indeed, by whose arbitrium the affair was conducted, Iovinus was appointed long since, promoted by Julian through the Gauls as magister armorum, and Dagalaifus, whom Iovianus had advanced as commander of the troops; to follow Valens into the East was appointed Victor, himself likewise advanced by the judgment of the aforesaid prince, to whom Arintheus was joined. For Lupicinus, long before promoted by Iovianus in like manner as magister equitum, was guarding those parts.

3. tunc et Aequitius Illyriciano praeponitur exercitui, nondum magister sed comes, et Serenianus, olim sacramento digressus, recinctus est, ut Pannonius sociatusque Valenti domesticorum praefuit scholae. quibus ita digestis et militaris partiti numeri.

3. then Aequitius was set over the Illyrian army, not yet magister but comes, and Serenianus, long since withdrawn from the sacrament, was re‑girded, and Pannonius, associated with Valens, presided over the schola of the domestics. these things thus arranged and the military forces apportioned.

4. Et post haec cum ambo fratres Sirmium introissent, diviso palatio, ut potiori placuerat, Valentinianus Mediolanum, Constantinopolim Valens discessit.

4. And after these things, when both brothers had entered Sirmium, the palace having been divided, as had pleased the one of higher rank, Valentinianus departed for Mediolanum, Valens for Constantinople.

5. et orientem quidem regebat potestate praefecti Sallustius, Italiam vero cum Africa et Illyrico Mamertinus, et Gallicas provincias Germanianus.

5. and the East indeed was ruled by the authority of the prefect Sallustius, while Italy, together with Africa and Illyricum, by Mamertinus, and the Gallic provinces by Germanianus.

6. agentes igitur in memoratis urbibus principes sumpserunt primitus trabeas consulares, omnisque hic annus dispendiis gravibus rem Romanam adflixit.

6. therefore, acting in the aforementioned cities, the princes first took up the consular trabeae, and this whole year grievously afflicted the Roman state with heavy expenditures.

7. Alamanni enim perrupere Germaniae limites, hac ex causa solito infestius moti. cum legatis eorum missis ad comitatum certa et praestituta ex more munera praeberi deberent, minora et vilia sunt adtributa, quae illi suscepta furenter agentes ut indignissima proiecere. tractatique asperius ab Vrsatio tunc magistro officiorum, iracundo quodam et saevo, regressi factumque exaggerentes ut contumeliose despectas gentes inmanissimas concitarunt.

7. For the Alamanni broke through the frontiers of Germania, and on this account were moved more hostile than usual. When, with their legates sent to the comitatus, certain customary and established gifts ought to be presented, lesser and meaner things were allotted, which they, having accepted, acted furiously and cast aside as most unworthy. And having been handled more harshly by Ursatius, then magister officiorum, a man somewhat irritable and savage, they returned and, exaggerating the matter, stirred up their peoples as if contumeliously despised, rousing them to great ferocity.

8. Et circa id tempus aut non multo posterius in oriente Procopius in res surrexerat novas, quae prope Kalendas Novembris venturo Valentiniano Parisios ... eodemque nuntiata sunt die.

8. And about that time, or not much later, in the East Procopius had risen up in new affairs, which, with the approaching Kalends of November, were brought to Valentinian at Parisios ... and were reported on the same day.

9. Et Alamannis quidem occursurum Dagalaifum pergere mature praecepit, qui vastitatis propinquioribus locis longius discesserant incruenti. super adpetitu vero Procopi antequam adulesceret reprimendo curis diducebatur ambiguis, ea potissimum ratione sollicitus quod ignorabat utrum Valente superstite an extincto memoratus imperium adfectarat.

9. And he indeed ordered Dagalaifus to proceed promptly to meet the Alamanni, who had withdrawn farther from the places nearer the devastation, unblooded. But concerning the ambition of Procopius, before he came to manhood he was drawn aside by ambiguous cares, chiefly anxious for this reason: he did not know whether, with Valens surviving or having died, he had aspired to the aforesaid empire.

10. Aequitius enim relatione Antoni tribuni accepta, agentis in Dacia mediterranea militem, qui nihil praeter negotium ipsum auditum obscure significabat, ipse quoque nondum liquida fide conperta simplicibus verbis principem gestorum conscium fecit.

10. For Aequitius, having received the report of the tribune Antonius, a soldier operating in central Dacia, who obscurely signified nothing beyond the affair itself as he had heard it, likewise, with no clear proof yet discovered, made the prince aware of the deeds with simple words.

11. his cognitis Valentinianus eodem Aequitio aucto magisterii dignitate repedare ad Illyricum destinabat, ne persultatis Thraciis perduellis iam formidatus invaderet hostili excursu Pannonias. documento enim recenti inpendio terrebatur, reputans paulo antea Iulianum, contempto imperatore bellorum civilium ubique victore, nec speratum ante nec exspectatum ab urbe in urbem incredibili velocitate transisse.

11. these things having been learned, Valentinian, with the same Aequitius promoted to the dignity of magisterium, resolved to return to Illyricum, lest, the Thracians having burst forth and now the enemies grown bold, they invade the Pannonias by a hostile excursion. for he was alarmed by a recent precedent in an outbreak, considering that a little earlier Julian, the emperor contemned and everywhere victor in the civil wars, had, neither hoped for before nor expected, passed from city to city with incredible speed.

12. verum ardens ad redeundum eius impetus molliebatur consiliis proximorum, suadentium et orantium ne interneciva minantibus barbaris exponeret Gallias, neve hac causatione provincias desereret egentes adminiculis magnis, iisque legationes urbium accessere nobilium, precantes ne in rebus duris et dubiis inpropugnatas eas relinqueret, quas praesens eripere poterit discriminibus maximis, metu ambitiosi nominis sui Germanis incusso.

12. but his burning impulse to return was softened by the counsels of those nearest, who urged and entreated him not to expose Gaul to barbarians threatening internecine slaughter, nor for this reason to abandon provinces needy of great succors; and to these were added delegations from noble cities, beseeching that in harsh and doubtful affairs he not leave them undefended, which he, being present, would be able to snatch from the greatest perils, fear of his ambitious name having been struck into the Germans.

13. Tandem denique utilitate rei perpensius excogitata, in multorum sententias flexus replicabat aliquotiens, hostem suum fratrisque solius esse Procopium, Alamannos vero totius orbis Romani; statuitque nusquam interim extra confinia moveri Gallorum.

13. Finally, with the utility of the matter more carefully contrived, and yielding often to the opinions of many, he replied that his enemy and his brother’s sole foe was Procopius, whereas the Alamanni were foes of the whole Roman orb; and he determined that meanwhile the Gauls should be moved nowhere beyond their confines.

14. et ad usque Remos progressus sollicitusque super Africa, ne repente perrumperetur, Neoterium, postea consulem, tunc notarium, ad eandem tuendam ire disposuit, et Masaucionem domesticum protectorem ea consideratione, quod diu sub patre Cretione quondam comite educatus suspecta noverat loca, hisque scutarium adiunxit Gaudentium olim sibi cognitum et fidelem.

14. and having advanced even to the Remi and anxious especially about Africa, lest it be burst open suddenly, he resolved that Neoterius, later consul, then notary, should go to the same place for its defence; and he assigned Masaucio, a domestic protector, for the reason that, having long been brought up under his father Cretionus, formerly a comes, he knew the suspicious localities, and to these he joined the scutarius Gaudentius, once known to him and faithful.

15. Quia igitur uno eodemque tempore utrubique turbines exarsere maestissimi, conpetenti loco singula digeremus, nunc partem in oriente gestorum, deinde bella barbarica narraturi, quoniam pleraque et in occidentali et in eoo orbe isdem mensibus sunt actitata, ne dum ex loco subinde saltuatim redire festinamus in locum, omnia confundentes squaliditate maxima rerum ordines inplicemus.

15. Therefore, since at one and the same time storms blazed forth everywhere most sorrowful, we will set forth the individual matters in a suitable place, now about the portion of deeds in the East, then to relate the barbarian wars, because most things in both the western and in the eastern world were stirred in the same months, lest, while we hasten to return again and again by leaps from place to place, we, confusing everything, entangle the orders of affairs with the greatest squalor.

1. Insigni genere Procopius in Cilicia natus et educatus, ea consideratione qua propinquitate Iulianum postea principem contingebat, a primo gradu eluxit, et ut vita moribusque castigatior licet occultus erat et taciturnus, notarius diu perspicaciter militans et tribunus iamque summatibus proximus, post Constanti obitum in rerum conversione velut imperatoris cognatus altius anhelabat, adiunctus consortio comitum: et adparebat eum si umquam potuisset, fore quietis publicae turbatorem.

1. Procopius, of distinguished birth, born and reared in Cilicia, by that consideration whereby through kinship he afterwards reached the prince Julian, rose from the first grade, and although more chaste in life and morals, being concealed and taciturn, a notary long serving perspicaciously in the army and a tribune and already near the summits, after the death of Constanti in the turning of affairs he breathed higher as if a kinsman of the emperor, joined to the consortium of comrades: and it appeared that he, if ever he could, would be a disturber of the public quiet.

2. hunc Iulianus Persidem ingrediens, consociato pari potestatis iure Sebastiano, in Mesopotamia cum manu militum reliquerat valida, mandaratque, ut susurravit obscurior fama — nemo enim dicti auctor extitit verus — pro cognitorum ageret textu, et si subsidia rei Romanae languisse sensisset, imperatorem ipse se provideret ocius nuncupari.

2. Julian, entering Persia, had left this Procopius in Mesopotamia, associated with Sebastianus by an equal right of power, with a strong band of soldiers, and had ordered — as a darker rumor whispered (for no true author of the report appeared) — that he should act under the pretext of kinship, and if he perceived the resources of the Roman state to have languished, that he himself be promptly named emperor.

3. qui iniuncta civiliter agens et caute, Iuliani letaliter vulnerati funus, et ad regenda communia conperit Iovianum evectum, falsoque rumore disperso inter abeuntis anhelitus animae eundem Iulianum sero mandasse, placere sibi Procopio clavos summae rei gerendae committi, veritus ne hac ex causa indemnatus occideretur, e medio se conspectu discrevit, maxime post Ioviani territus necem notariorum omnium primi, quem Iuliano perempto veluti dignum imperio paucis militibus nominatum, novaque exinde coeptare suspectum cruciabiliter didicerat interfectum.

3. who, performing the duties assigned civilly and cautely, when Julianus, lethally wounded, fell and Jovian was found raised up to govern the commonwealth, and with a false rumor spread amid the departing gasps of the soul that the same Julianus had late entrusted (the matter), saw fit that the claves (the keys) of the supreme affair be committed to Procopius; fearing that, if on this account he were not indemnified, he would be slain, he withdrew himself from sight—above all after Jovian, terrified, learned of the murder of the foremost of all the notaries, who, with Julian slain, had been by a few soldiers named as if worthy of the empire, and from that time new suspicions began to arise that he had been cruelly put to death.

4. et quia se quaeri industria didicerat magna, vitans gravioris invidiae pondus, ad abdita longiusque remota discessit. cumque a Ioviano exploratius indagari latibula sua sentiret, et ferinae vitae iam fuisset pertaesum — quippe a celsiore statu deiectus ad inferiora etiam edendi penuria in locis squalentibus stringebatur hominumque egebat conloquiis — postremae necessitatis inpulsu deviis itineribus ad Chalcedonos agrum pervenit.

4. and because he had learned that he was being sought with industry, avoiding the burden of the graver envy, he withdrew to hidden and more remote places. And when he sensed that his lairs were being explored thoroughly by Jovian, and he had grown weary of the ferine life — for, cast down from a higher estate to the lower, he was even pinched by want of food in squalid places and lacked converse with men — driven by the impulse of utmost necessity he reached the Chalcidonian district by devious routes.

5. ubi, quoniam ei illud firmius visum est receptaculum, apud fidissimum amicorum delitescebat, Strategium quendam ex palatino milite senatorem, Constantinopolim quantum fieri poterat clanculo saepe intermeans, ut indicio eiusdem Strategi patuit, postquam saepius in factionis conscios est inquisitum.

5. where, since that refuge seemed firmer to him, he lay hidden with the most faithful of friends, a certain Strategius, a senator from the palatine soldiery, often furtively passing into Constantinople as much as possible; as was made plain by the disclosure of that same Strategius, after he was repeatedly questioned among those privy to the faction.

6. ritu itaque sollertissimi cuiusdam speculatoris ignotus ob squalorem vultus et maciem rumusculos colligebat tunc crebrescentes, ut sunt acerba semper istantia, incusantium multorum Valentem quasi cupiditate aliena rapiendi succensum.

6. and so, in the guise of a most astute speculator, unknown because of the squalor of his face and his leanness, he then gathered little murmurs growing frequent, as bitter accusations are ever wont to be, of many accusing Valens, as if inflamed by an alien desire of seizing.

7. cuius diritati adiectum erat incentivum exitiale socer Petronius, ex praeposito Martensium militum promotus repentino saltu patricius, animo deformis et habitu, qui ad nudandos sine discretione cunctos inmaniter flagrans, nocentes pariter et insontes post exquisita tormenta quadrupli nexibus vinciebat, debita iam inde a temporibus principis Aureliani perscrutans et inpendio maerens, si quemquam absolvisset indemnem.

7. to whose cruelty was added a deadly incentive: his father‑in‑law Petronius, promoted from praepositus of the Martensian soldiers to patrician by a sudden leap, deformed in mind and bearing, who, aflame with a savage passion to strip all without discretion, cruelly scourged guilty and innocent alike and, after exquisite torments, bound them with quadruple fetters, investigating dues owed from the time of the prince Aurelian and sorrowful at the expense if he had acquitted anyone unharmed.

8. cuius morum intolerantiae haec quoque pernicies accedabat quod, cum ditaretur luctibus alienis, erat inexorabilis et crudelis et intrepido corde crudissimus, nec reddendae nec accipiendae rationis umquam capax, invisior Cleandro quem agentem sub imperatore Commodo praefecturam sublata vecordia diversas legimus vexasse fortunas, et onerosior Plautiano qui praefectus itidem sub Severo ultra mortale tumens cuncta confuderat, ni gladio perisset ultore.

8. to whose intolerance of manners this ruin also was added, that, while he was enriched by the griefs of others, he was inexorable and cruel and most savage in a fearless heart, never capable of reason either to be rendered or received; more hateful than Cleander, whom, acting under the emperor Commodus, with madness promoted to the prefecture we read to have vexed diverse fortunes, and more burdensome than Plautianus, who likewise as prefect under Severus, swelling beyond mortal, had confounded all things, had he not perished by an avenging sword.

9. haec lacrimosa, quae incitante Petronio sub Valente clausere multas paupertinas et nobiles domos, inpendentiumque spes atrocior provincialium et militum paria gementium sensibus imis haerebant, et votis licet obscuris et tacitis permutatio status praesentis ope numinis summi concordi gemitu poscebatur.

9. these tearful events, which, at the instigation of Petronius under Valens, closed many poor and noble houses, and the more dire hope of those in debt — provincials and soldiers alike — clung to their deepest senses with equal groanings, and a change of the present condition was beseeched by prayers, though obscure and tacit, by the aid of the highest numen with a concordant groan.

10. quae Procopius latenter accipiens, arbitratusque, ubi felicius acciderit fatum, negotio levi ad apicem summae potestatis adsumi, subsidebat ut praedatrix bestia viso, quod capi poterit, protinus eruptura.

10. which Procopius, receiving secretly and having judged that, where fate had fallen more favorably, by a slight affair he would be taken up to the apex of supreme power, lay in wait like a predatory beast, having seen what could be seized and about to burst forth immediately.

11. cui ad quae maturabat ardenti fors hanc materiam dedit inpendio tempestivam. consumpta hieme festinans ad Syriam Valens iamque fines Bithynorum ingressus docetur relationibus ducum gentem Gothorum ea tempestate intactam ideoque saevissimam conspirantem in unum ad pervadenda parari conlimitia Thraciarum: hocque cognito ut inpraepedite ipse pergeret quo tendebat sufficiens equitum adiumentum et peditum mitti iussit ad loca, in quibus barbarici timebantur excursus.

11. to which, as fortune ripening the matters gave this timely material for the undertaking. Winter having passed, Valens hastening to Syria and now having entered the borders of the Bithynians is informed by reports of the commanders that the nation of the Goths at that season was intact and therefore most savage, conspiring together to traverse the contiguous regions of Thrace: and this known, so that he might march without hindrance to his objective, he ordered a sufficient aid of horse and foot to be sent to the places in which barbarian incursions were feared.

12. dimoto itaque longius principe, Procopius aerumnis diuturnis adtritus et vel atrocem mortem clementiorem ratus malis quibus adflictabatur, aleam periculorum omnium iecit abrupte; extrema iam perpeti nequaquam timens praeeunte perdita ratione facinus adoritur audacissimum Divitenses Tungricanosque Iuniores ad procinctum urgentem per Thracias inter alios celerare dispositos et Constantinopoli moraturos sollemniter biduum per quosdam ex isdem numeris notos sollicitare properans, quia cum omnibus loqui periculosum erat et arduum, fidem paucorum elegit.

12. and with the prince thus removed farther off, Procopius, worn down by long adversities and reckoning even a cruel death more clement than the evils that afflicted him, abruptly cast the gamble of all perils; not at all fearing now to endure the worst, with impending ruin before him by reason he undertook the most audacious deed, hastening to rouse the Divitenses and the Younger Tungricans, among others arranged to hasten to readiness through Thrace, and solemnly to summon for two days at Constantinople, through certain men known from the same ranks, those who would remain, because to speak with all was dangerous and arduous, he chose the fidelity of a few.

13. qui pellecti spe praemiorum ingentium sub consecratione iuris iurandi promisere se quae vellet cuncta facturos, favorem quoque polliciti conturmalium, inter quos ipsi potiorem locum obtinebant in suadendo stipendiis excellentes et meritis.

13. who, gathered by the hope of immense rewards, under the consecration of an oath of law promised that they would do all he wished, and likewise promised the favor of the conturmal troops, among whom they themselves held the more potent place, excelling in urging by pay and by merits.

14. utque condictum est, ubi excanduit radiis dies, idem Procopius diductus in cogitationes varias Anastasianas balneas petit a sorore Constantini cognominatas, ubi locata noverat signa, doctusque per arcanorum conscios omnes in eius studium consensisse societate coita nocturna fide salutis data libenter admissus constipatione vendibilium militum cum honore quidem sed in modum tenebatur obsessi, qui ut praetoriani quondam post Pertinacis necem licitantem imperii praemia Iulianum susceperant, ipsi quoque Procopium infausti dominatus exordia molientem adtenti ad omne conpendium defenderunt.

14. and as was agreed, when day had kindled with its rays, the same Procopius, led aside into various thoughts, sought the Anastasian baths named after Constantine’s sister, where he had learned that the signals were stationed; and instructed that, through confidants of the secrets, all had consented to his cause, a nocturnal conspiracy being formed, he was gladly admitted with a pledge of safety. He was held, however, in the throng of mercenary soldiers for sale, indeed with honor but in the manner of one beset; who, as once the praetorians after Pertinax’s death, bidded for the rewards of the empire, had taken up Julian, so they themselves defended Procopius, striving to bring about the beginnings of an ill-omened domination and attentive to every expedient.

15. Stetit itaque subtabidus — excitum putares ab inferis — nusquam reperto paludamento, tunica auro distincta ut regius minister, indutus a calce in pubem in paedagogiani pueri speciem, purpureis opertus tegminibus pedum, hastatusque purpureum itidem pannulum laeva manu gestabat, ut in theatrali scaena simulacrum quoddam insigne per aulaeum vel mimicam cavillationem subito putares emersum.

15. He therefore stood, wan and wasting — you would have thought roused from the infernal shades — with no cloak to be found, a tunic embroidered with gold like a royal minister, clad from foot to groin in the guise of a paedagogian boy, his feet covered with purple coverings, and, armed with a spear, he likewise bore in his left hand a purple little cloth, so that on a theatrical stage you would have thought a certain notable simulacrum suddenly emerged through the curtain or a mimic’s jeering.

16. ad hoc igitur dehonestamentum honorum omnium ludibriose sublatus, et ancillari adulatione beneficii adlocutus auctores, opesque pollicitus amplas et dignitates ob principatus primitias, processit in publicum multitudine stipatus armatorum, signisque sublatis erectius ire pergebat, circumclausus horrendo fragore scutorum lugubre concrepantium, quae metuentes ne a celsioribus tectis saxis vel tegularum fragmentis conflictarentur, densius ipsis galearum cristis aptabant.

16. and to this end, mockingly exalted by that dishonouring of all honours, and addressed with servile adulation as the authors of a benefaction, having promised vast riches and dignities as the firstfruits of principate, he advanced into the public place surrounded by a multitude of armed men, and with standards uplifted continued to go more arrogantly, hemmed in by the horrid crash of shields clashing dolefully, which, fearing lest they be struck by stones or fragments of tiles from the higher roofs, they fitted more closely to the very crests of their helmets.

17. Huic intimidius incedenti nec resistebat populus nec favebat, accendebatur tamen insita plerisque vulgarium novitatis repentina iucunditate, ea re potius incitante, quod Petro nium, ut praediximus, divitias violenter augentem omnes eadem mente detestabant, qui sepulta iam dudum negotia et redivivas nebulas debitorum in diversos ordines excitabat.

17. As he advanced with a more intimidating bearing neither did the people resist nor favor him, yet most of the common folk were kindled by an inborn sudden pleasure in novelty, this circumstance rather inciting them: that Petronius, as we have said, violently increasing his riches, all with one mind detested him, he who was rousing long-buried affairs and the revived mists of debts into diverse orders.

18. cum itaque tribunal idem escendisset Procopius, et cunctis stupore defixis teneretur silentium triste, procliviorem viam ad mortem, ut sperabat, existimans advenisse, per artus tremore diffuso inplicatior ad loquendum, diu tacitus stetit, pauca tamen interrupta et moribunda voce dicere iam exorsus, quibus stirpis propinquitatem imperatoriae praetendebat, leni paucorum susurro pretio inlectorum, deinde tumultuariis succlamationibus plebis imperator appellatus incondite, petit curiam raptim. ubi nullo clarissimorum sed ignobili paucitate inventa, palatium pessimo pede festinatis passibus introiit.

18. And when therefore Procopius had mounted that same tribunal, and a sad silence held all, fixed in stupefaction, thinking that the more sloping way to death, as he hoped, had come, more entangled for speech because a tremor had spread through his limbs, he stood long mute; yet having now begun to speak a few words in an interrupted and deathlike voice, by which he alleged the nearness of imperial stock, having enticed with the gentle whisper-price of a few chosen men, then—being disorderly hailed as emperor by the tumultuous shouts of the populace—he made for the curia hastily. There, no men of highest rank being found but a small ignoble number, he entered the palace with an ill-omened foot, hastening with hurried steps.

19. Mirantur quidam profecto inrisione digna principia incaute coepta et temere, ad ingemiscendas erupisse rei publicae clades, ignari forsitan exemplorum, accidisse primitus arbitrantes.

19. Some indeed marvel, worthy of derision, that beginnings incautely and rashly undertaken have burst forth into the disasters that make the republic groan, thinking that they happened at first, perhaps ignorant of precedents.

20. Sic Adramyttenus Andriscus de genere quidam infimae sortis ad usque Pseudophilippi nomen evectus bellis Macedonicis tertium addidit grave. sic Antiochiae Macrino imperatore agente ab Emesa Heliogabalus exivit Antoninus ita inopino impetu Maximini Alexander cum Mamaea matre confossus est. in Africa superior Gordianus in imperium raptus adventantium periculorum angoribus inplicatus vitam laqueo spiritu intercluso profudit.

20. Thus Andriscus of Adramyttene, sprung from a certain stock of the lowest sort, raised even to the name Pseudophilippus, by the Macedonian wars added a third grave conflict. Thus at Antioch, with Macrinus acting as emperor, Heliogabalus came forth from Emesa; Antoninus, by so sudden an onslaught, and Alexander, with his mother Mamaea, were stabbed. In Upper Africa Gordianus, snatched into the empire and entangled by the anxieties of impending dangers, poured out his life, his breath cut off by the noose.

VII

1. Igitur cupediarum vilium mercatores et qui intra regiam apparebant aut parere desierant, quique coetu militarium nexi ad pacatiora iam vitae discesserant, in insoliti casus ambigua partim inuiti, alii volentes adsciscebantur, non nulli omnia tutiora praesentibus rati e civitate occulte dilapsi imperatoris castra petivere itineribus festinatis.

1. Therefore the petty traders and those who had served within the palace or had ceased to obey, and those bound to the military cohort who had departed to a more peaceful life, were drawn into unfamiliar, ambiguous chances—partly unwilling, others willing to be enrolled; and not a few, deeming everything safer in the present, secretly slipped away from the city and made for the emperor’s camp by hurried marches.

2. Hos omnes Sophronias vivacissimo cursu praegressus, tunc notarius, praefectus postea Constantinopoleos, Valentem a Caesarea Cappadocum iam profecturum ut vaporatis aestibus Ciliciae iam lenitis ad Antiochiae percurreret sedes, textu narrato gestorum, spe dubia et in talibus percitum et stupentem, avertit Galatiam, res adhuc trepidas arrepturum.

2. Sophronias, having gone before all these with most lively speed — then a notary, afterwards prefect of Constantinople — diverted Valens from setting out from Caesarea of the Cappadocians to traverse to the seat of Antioch, now that the vaporous heats of Cilicia were abated, by the narrated account of the deeds; struck and stupefied in such matters and of doubtful hope, he turned him to Galatia, to seize the affairs still trembling.

3. Qui dum itineribus properat magnis, attentissima cura Procopius in dies agitabat et noctes, subditivos quosdam ostentans, qui astutia confidenti partim ab oriente, alii e Gallis se venisse et Valentinianum obisse fingentes cuncta patere novo et favorabili principi memorabant.

3. While he hastened on with great marches, Procopius, with most attentive care, labored by days and nights, displaying certain subordinates, who by cunning — some claiming to have come from the east, others from the Gauls, and feigning that Valentinianus had perished — reported that all things lay open to the new and favorable prince.

4. et quia res novae petulanter arreptae celeritate muniri solent interdum, nequid formidandum omitteretur, confestim Nebridius in locum Sallusti praefectus praetor io factione Petronii recens promotus, et Caesarius Constantinopolitanae urbis praefectus in vincula conpinguntur, et iubetur civitatem curare solita potestate Phronemius, esseque magister officiorum Euphrasius, ambo Galli institutis bonarum artium spectatissimi, et administratio negotiorum castrensium Gomoario et Agiloni revocatis in sacramentum committitur inconsulte, ut docuit rerum exitus proditor.

4. and because novelties rashly seized are wont sometimes to be fortified with haste, lest anything to be feared should be omitted, Nebridius is immediately placed in the position of Sallustius, prefect-prætor, newly promoted by the faction of Petronius, and Caesarius, prefect of the city of Constantinople, are fastened in chains, and Phronemius is ordered to govern the city with his accustomed power, and Euphrasius is to be master of the offices, both Gauls, most esteemed in the institutions of the liberal arts, and the administration of camp affairs, Gomoarius and Agilo being recalled, is rashly committed under oath, as the outcome of things treacherously showed.

5. quia igitur Iulius comes per Thracias copiis militaribus praesidens, oppressurus rebelles, si conperisset conata, ex propinquis stationibus timebatur, commentum excogitatum est validum, et quasi iussu Valentis seria super barbaricis motibus tractaturus, Nebridii litteris adhuc clausi violenter expressis accitus Constantinopolim, strictius tenebatur. hacque callida fraude bellatrices Thraciae gentes sine cruore adquisitae, adminicula ausis tumultuariis maxima conpararunt.

5. therefore, because Iulius the comes, presiding over the Thracias with military forces, was about to crush the rebels if he had discovered their attempts, he was feared by the nearby stations; a strong contrivance was devised, and, as if by Valens’ command he were to take serious measures against the barbarian uprisings, Nebridius, still confined, was violently drawn out by letters and summoned to Constantinople, and was held more strictly. By this cunning fraud the warlike peoples of Thrace, acquired without bloodshed, prepared very great aid for their seditious daring.

6. post quae ita eventu laetiore completa Araxius exambita regia praetorio praefectus accessit, velut Agilone genero suffragante, aliique plures ad aulae varios actus et administrandas provincias sunt admissi, quidam inviti, alii ultro semet offerentes cum praemiis.

6. after which, and so completed with a rather more joyful outcome, Araxius, relieved of his royal charge, came forward as praetorian prefect, as if with Agilone, his son‑in‑law, supporting him; and many others were admitted to the various acts of the court and to the administration of provinces, some unwilling, others of their own accord offering themselves with rewards.

7. utique in certaminibus intestinis usu venire contingit, emergebant ex vulgari faece non nulli, desperatione consiliisque ductantibus caecis, contraque quidam orti splendide a culminibus summis ad usque mortes et exilia conruebant.

7. indeed, as often happens in internal contests by habitual use, some emerged from the common dregs, driven on by despair and by the counsels of the blind, and on the other hand some, splendidly sprung from the highest summits, were hurled headlong even into deaths and exiles.

8. Vbi per haec et similia factio firmiter videbatur esse conposita, restabat ut abundans cogeretur militum manus, et impetratum est facile, id quod in publicis turbamentis aliquotiens ausa ingentia vel iustis exorsa primordiis inpedivit.

8. Where, by these and similar things, the factio seemed firmly composed, it remained that an abundant hand of soldiers should be compelled, and this was easily obtained — that thing which in public tumults had sometimes, daring, impeded great matters even when begun from just origins.

9. transeuntes ad expeditionem per Thracias concitatae equitum peditumque turmae blandeque acceptae et liberaliter cum essent, omnesque in unum quaesitae, iamque exercitus species appareret, promissis uberrimis inhiantes, sub exsecrationibus diris in verba iuravere Procopii, hanc polliciti pertinaciam quod eum suis animis defensabunt.

9. passing to the expedition through Thrace, the roused turmae of horse and foot, courteously received and liberally treated, and all sought together as one, and now the appearance of an army began to show, panting for the most abundant promises, under dire execrations they swore to the words of Procopius, having promised this pertinacity — that they will defend him with their lives.

1O. inventa est enim occasio ad alliciendos eos perquam oportuna, quod Constanti filiam parvulam, cuius recordatio colebatur, sinu ipse circumferens necessitudinem praetendebat et Iuliani. adeptusque est aliud tempori congruum, quod Faustina matre puellae casu praesente quaedam acceperat habitus insignia principalis.

10. for a very opportune occasion was found to allure them, namely that he himself, carrying in his bosom the little daughter of Constans—whose memory was cherished—pretended a Julian kinship. And he secured another thing suitable to the time: that Faustina, the girl's mother, by chance being present, had received certain garments, the insignia of a principal rank.

11. adiungit his aliud veloci diligentia maturandum, et electi quidam stoliditate praecipites ad capessendum Illyricum missi sunt nullo praeter petulantiam adiumento confisi, aureos scilicet nummos effigiatos in vultum novi principis aliaque ad inlecebras aptantes, quos correptos Aequitius per eas regiones militum rector exstinxit genere diverso poenarum.

11. he adds to these another matter to be ripened with swift diligence, and certain chosen men, headlong in their folly to seize Illyricum, were sent trusting in no assistance except their rashness — namely gold coins stamped with the face of the new prince and other trinkets fit for enticement — whom, once seized, Aequitius, governor of the soldiers through those regions, extinguished with a different sort of punishments.

12. pariaque deinde metuens obstruxit tres aditus angustissimos, per quos provinciae temptantur arctoae, unum per ripensem Daciam, alterum per Succos notissimum, tertium per Macedonas quem appellant Acontisma. hacque cautela vana persuasione rapiendi Illyrici destitutus usurpator indebitae potestatis magna perdidit instrumenta bellorum.

12. and likewise fearing, he then blocked three very narrow approaches, through which the provinces are tried in straits: one by riverside Dacia, another by the well-known Succus, a third through the Macedonians which they call Acontisma. By this precaution, and by the vain persuasion of seizing Illyricum, the usurper, deprived of rightful authority, greatly lost the instruments of war.

13. Dum haec ita aguntur, atrocitate nuntii Valens perculsus iamque revertens per Gallograeciam, auditis apud Constantinopolim gestis diffidenter incedebat et trepide, ac repentino pavore vias providendi turbante, eo usque desponderat animum ut augustos amictus abicere tamquam gravem sarcinam cogitaret, fecissetque profecto, ni vetantibus proximis detractus a deformi proposito firmatusque meliorum sententiis agmina duo praeire iussisset, quibus nomina sunt Iovii atque Victores, castra perduellium inrupturos.

13. While these things were being done, Valens, struck by the atrocity of the news and already returning through Gallograecia, having heard of the events at Constantinople, marched on distrustfully and trembling, and with sudden panic disturbing the means of provisioning; so far had he despaired of heart that he considered casting off the august robes as if a heavy burden, and in truth would have done so, had he not been prevented by those close to him, dragged from that disgraceful resolve and steadied by the counsels of better men, and had he not commanded two columns to go before, whose names are Jovii and Victores, to break into the camp of the traitors.

14. his iam propinquantibus ipse Procopius a Nicaea regressus, quo nuper advenerat, cum Divitensibus desertorumque plebe promiscua, quam dierum brevi spatio congregarat, Mydgum adceleravit, qui locus Sangario adluitur flumine.

14. with these now drawing near, Procopius himself, having returned from Nicaea, whither he had lately come, with the Divitenses and a promiscuous mob of deserters, which in a short space of days he had gathered, hastened to Mygdum, a place washed by the river Sangarius.

15. ubi cmn legiones iam pugnaturae congrederentur, inter reciprocantes missilia quasi procursatione hostem lacessens solus prorupit in medium. et secundioris ductu fortunae ex contraria acie velut agnitum quendam Vitalianum, quem si norat ambigitur, Latine salute data blande produxit, eumque porrecta dextera saviatus omnibus hinc inde attonitis.

15. where, when the legions were now assembling to fight, he alone, as missiles were exchanged, attacking the enemy by a sort of sortie, burst forth into the midst. And by the favorable lead of a contrary fortune from the opposite line he, as if having recognized, produced a certain Vitalianus — whether he indeed knew him is disputed — and, Latin salutation having been given, courteously led him forth, and, with the right hand outstretched, embraced him, to the amazement of all here and there.

16. �en� inquit �cana Romanorum exercituum fides et religionibus firmis iuramenta constricta! placet, fortissimi viri, pro ignotis tot suorum consurrexisse mucrones, utque Pannonius degener labafactans cuncta et proterens, imperio, quod ne votis quidem concipere ausus est umquam, potiatur, ingemiscere nos vestris nostrisque vulneribus. quin potius sequimini culminis summi prosapiam, non ut rapiat aliena sed in integrum maiestatis avitae restituatur, arma iustissima commoventem�.

Behold, he said, the sound faith of the Roman armies and oaths bound by firm religions! It pleases you, most brave men, that so many of your blades have risen for strangers; and that a degenerate Pannonian, undermining and trampling all, should enjoy the empire, which he never dared to conceive even in his wishes, and make us groan with your wounds and ours. Nay rather, follow the lineage of the highest summit — not that it may seize what is another’s, but that the ancestral majesty be restored whole, stirring up the most just of arms.

17. Hac sermonis placiditate molliti omnes, qui acriter venerant pugnaturi, signorum apicibus aquilisque summissis descivere libentes ad eum, et pro terrifico fremitu, quem barbari dicunt barritum, nuncupatum imperatorem stipatumque idem consentientes in unum reduxerunt ad castra, testati more militiae Iovem, invictum Procopium fore.

17. By this placidity of speech softened, all who had come fiercely to fight, with the tips of the standards and of the aquilae lowered, gladly withdrew to him, and in place of the terrific roar, which the barbarians call a barritus, they proclaimed him emperor, and the same men consenting, escorted him together back to the camp, testifying, after the military manner, that Jupiter would make Procopius invincible.

VIII

1. Huic perduellium prosperitati laetior accessit. Rumitalca enim tribunus in societatem Procopianorum adscitus et suscepta cura palatii, digesto mature consilio, permeatoque cum militibus mari ad Drepanum antea, nunc Helenopolim venit exindeque Nicaeam spe celerius occupavit.

1. A more joyful addition came to this prosperity of the traitors. For Rumitalca the tribune was admitted into the fellowship of the Procopians and, the charge of the palace having been assumed and a plan quickly arranged, and having crossed with soldiers by sea to Drepanum before, he now came to Helenopolis and thence, in hope, occupied Nicaea the more swiftly.

2. ad quam obsidendam cum huius modi pugnarum peritis Vadomario misso ex duce et rege Alamannorum, Valens Nicomediam pergit. exindeque profectus oppugnationi Chalcedonis magnis viribus insistebat, cuius e muris probra in eum iaciebantur et iniuriose conpellebatur ut Sabaiarius. est autem sabaia ex ordeo vel frumento in liquorem conversis paupertinus in Illyrico potus.

2. to besiege which, with Vadomarius, skilled in this sort of fighting, sent from the duke and king of the Alamanni, Valens proceeds to Nicomedia. Thence having set out he pressed the assault on Chalcedon with great forces, from whose walls reproaches were flung at him and he was abusively addressed as Sabaiarius. Sabai(a) is, however, a poor man’s drink in Illyricum, made by converting barley or grain into a thin liquor.

3. fessus denique inopia commeatuum, et obstinatione nimia defensorum, discedere iam parabat, cum inter haec clausi apud Nicaeam, patefactis subito portis egressi, munitorum magna parte prostrata, ductore fidentissimo Rumitalca properabant ardenter circumventuri Valentem a tergo, nondum a Chalcedonos suburbano digressum, et patrassent conata, ni rumore quodam praeverso imminens exitium ille perdoctus, instantem vestigiis hostem per Sunonensem lacum et fluminis Galli sinuosos amfractus propere discedendo frustra sequentem lusisset. et hoc casu Bithynia quoque in Procopii dicionem redacta est.

3. finally wearied by want of supplies and by the excessive obstinacy of the defenders, he was already preparing to depart, when meanwhile those shut up at Nicaea, the gates suddenly opened, sallied forth, with a great part of the fortifications overthrown; with the most trusted leader Rumitalca they eagerly hastened to encompass Valens from the rear, he not yet having departed from the suburb of Chalcedon, and would have accomplished their attempts, had not that man, thoroughly forewarned by some rumor of impending ruin, tricked the pursuing enemy pressing on his heels by hurriedly withdrawing through the winding bends of the Sunonense Lake and the sinuous meanders of the river Gallus, the follower pursuing in vain. And by this chance Bithynia also was reduced into the dominion of Procopius.

4. Vnde cum Ancyram Valens citis itineribus revertisset, conperissetque Lupicinum ab oriente cum catervis adventare non contemnendis, spe prosperorum erectior Arintheum lectissimum ducem occursurum hostibus misit.

4. Whence, when Valens had returned to Ancyra by swift marches, and had learned that Lupicinus was coming from the east with bands not to be despised, raised by the hope of good outcomes he sent Arintheus, a most select commander, to encounter the enemies.

5. qui ubi Dadastanam tetigit, in qua statione perisse diximus Iovianum, Hyperethium sibi oppositum repente vidit cum copiis antehac rectoris Castrensis adparitorem id est ventris ministrum et gutturis, cui at amico Procopius auxilia ductanda commisit. et dedignatus hominem superare certamine despicabilem, auctoritatis et celsi fiducia corporis, ipsis hostibus iussit suum vincire rectorem: atque ita turmarum antesignanus umbratilis conprensus suorum manibus.

5. who, when he reached Dadastana — in whose station we said Jovian perished — suddenly saw Hyperethius opposed to him with troops, formerly an attendant of the camp-commandant, that is, a minister of the belly and of the throat, to whom Procopius had entrusted the leading of auxiliaries as to a friend. And, disdainful to be overcome by a man despicable in contest, by the authority and confident pride of his lofty body, he ordered that his own camp-commandant be bound by the very enemies; and so the standard-bearer of the squadrons, a shadowy antesignanus, was seized by the hands of his own men.

6. Quae dum hoc modo procedunt, Venustus quidam largitionum apparitor sub Valente, multo ante Nicomediam missus, ut aurum susceptum stipendii nomine militibus per orientem diffusis viritim tribueret, hac tristitia cognita alienum pervidens tempus, Cyzicum cum his, quae susceperat, se citius contulit.

6. While these things proceeded in this manner, a certain Venustus, an apparitor of largesses under Valens, long before sent to Nicomedia so that he might bestow the gold received under the name of stipendium upon the soldiers diffused through the East, man by man, — this sadness having become known and perceiving the unfavourable time, he more quickly withdrew to Cyzicus with those things which he had taken up.

7. ubi forte Serenianus repertus domesticorum tunc comes, missus ad thesauros tuendos, urbem inexsuperabili moenium ambitu monumentis quoque veteribus cognitam, fretus tumulturio praesidio custodiebat: ad quam expugnandam Procopius, ut, possessa Bithynia, sibi etiam Hellespontum iungeret, validam destinaverat manum.

7. where, by chance, Serenianus being found, then comes of the domesticorum, sent to guard the treasuries, was keeping watch over the city—known by the unassailable circuit of its walls and also by ancient monuments—relying on the garrison raised by tumult; for the assault of which Procopius had destined a strong hand, so that, Bithynia being possessed, he might also join the Hellespont to himself.

8. morabantur autem effectum sagittis et glandibus ceterisque iaculis obsidentium saepe globi confixi, et propugnatorum sollertia claustrum per catenam ferream valde robustam ori portus insertum, quae, ne rostratae inruerent naves hostiles, erat altrinsecus conligata.

8. meanwhile the work was delayed by arrows, glandes (leaden shot) and other javelins of the besiegers, often stuck with hurled stones, and by the defenders’ skill the barrier, set across the mouth of the harbour by a very strong iron chain, which, lest beaked ships should rush in, was fastened on the outer side.

9. hanc post varios militum labores et ducum, fatigatorum acerrimis proeliis, Aliso quidam tribunus abscidit, exsertus bellator et prudens, hoc modo. coniunctis tribus navigiis, testudinem hac specie superstruxit. densetis cohaerentes supra capita scutis, primi transtris instabant armati, alii post hos semet curvantes humilius, tertiis gradatim inclinatis summisse, ita ut novissimi suffraginibus insidentes formam aedificii fornicati monstrarent.

9. after various labors of the soldiers and of the leaders, and the most bitter battles of the wearied, a certain tribune, Aliso, cut this off, a bold and prudent warrior, in this way. with three ships joined together he superbuilt a testudo of this sort. shields closely adhering above their heads, the first, armed, pressed on the transtrae, others behind these bending themselves lower, the third tier gradually inclining somewhat upwards, so that the rearmost, sitting on supports, displayed the form of a vaulted edifice.

quod machinae genus contra murales pugnas ideo figuratur hac specie, ut missilium ictus atque saxorum per decursus cadentium labiles, instar imbrium evanescant.

this kind of machine is therefore formed against wall-fights in this fashion, so that the impacts of missiles and of stones, by the courses of their falling, become labile, like rains, and vanish.

10. itaque coniectu telorum Aliso paulisper defensus ingenti corporis robore, supposito stipite eandem catenam fortius bipenni concidens ita confregit, ut disiecta patefaceret aditum latum, hocque exitu civitas hostili impetu patuit improtecta. qua causa extincto postea proterviae totius auctore cum in factionis participes saeviretur, hic idem tribunus contemplatione facinoris clari vitam cum militia retinens, diu post in Isauria oppetit vastatoria manu confossus.

10. and so, for a little while defended by the hurling of missiles and by Alisus’s immense bodily strength, with a prop-wood set beneath and striking the same chain more forcibly with a two-edged axe he broke it so that, the pieces thrown aside, it disclosed a broad approach, and by this outlet the city lay open, unprotected, to the hostile onslaught. For which cause, the author of the whole arrogance being afterwards slain while he raged against the participants of the faction, this same tribune, illustrious in the foresight of the crime and preserving his life by his soldiery, long afterwards in Isauria met his end, thrust through by a marauding hand.

11. Hoc Marte Cyzico reserata, Procopius ad eam propere festinavit, veniaque universis, qui repugnavere, donatis Serenianum solum iniectis vinculis iussit duci Nicaeam servandum artissime.

11. With the Cyzican campaign thus brought to an end, Procopius hurried thither, and, granting pardon to all who had resisted, the Serenian plain having been surrendered and chains having been put on, he ordered that the duke of Nicaea be held most closely guarded.

12. statimque Ormizdae maturo iuveni, Ormizdae regalis illius filio, potestatem proconsulis detulit, et civilia more veterum et bella recturo. qui agens pro moribus lenius, a militibus, quos per devia Phrygiae miserat Valens, subito corripiendus incursu, tanto vigore evasit ut escensa navi, quam ad casus pararat ancipites, sequentem ac paene captam uxorem sagittarum nube diffusa defensam averteret secum: matronam opulentam et nobilem, cuius verecundia et destinatio gloriosa abruptis postea discriminibus maritum exemit.

12. and immediately he conferred upon Ormizdas the mature youth, the son of that royal Ormizdas, the power of a proconsul, to govern civil affairs in the manner of the ancients and to direct wars. He, acting rather mildly according to custom, was suddenly assailed for capture by an onset of the soldiers whom Valens had sent through the byways of Phrygia; he escaped with such vigor that, having embarked on a ship which he had prepared for emergencies, he carried off with him his following and an almost-captured wife, defended by a cloud of arrows: a wealthy and noble matron, whose modesty and glorious determination, the dangers having afterward been removed, delivered her husband.

13. Ea victoria ultra homines sese Procopius efferens et ignorans quod quivis beatus versa rota Fortunae ante vesperum potest esse miserrimus, Arbitionis domum, cui antea tamquam eadem sibi sentientis parcebat ut propriae, iussit exinaniri mobilis census inaestimabilis plenam, ideo indignatus quod venire ad eum accitus aliquotiens distulit, causatus incommoda senectutis et morbos.

13. With that victory, Procopius exalting himself beyond men, and ignorant that any one fortunate by the turned wheel of Fortune can before evening be most miserable, ordered the house of Arbitionis — which before he had spared to him as if thinking the same as to his own — to be emptied of its movable, inestimable estate, being thus indignant because he had on several occasions delayed to come when summoned to him, alleging the inconveniences of senescence and illnesses.

14. et licet hac ex causa praesumptor momentum pertimesceret grave, tamen, cum obsistente nullo se in orientales provincias effundere libenti cunctorum adsensione iam licentius posset, avidas novitatem quandam visere taedio asperioris imperii, quo tunc tenebantur: erga alliciendas quasdam civitates Asiae legendosque eruendi peritos auri, ut sibi profuturos proeliis, quae magna exspectabat et crebra, segnius commoratus in modum acuti mucronis obtunsus est.

14. and although on this account the presumptuous man dreaded a serious moment, yet, since with no one opposing him he could more freely now pour himself into the eastern provinces with the assent of all, he set his eager avarice to surveying a certain novelty — the tedium of the harsher imperial rule by which they were then held: toward enticing certain cities of Asia and for choosing and excavating experts of gold, as if they would be profitable to him for the battles, which he expected great and frequent; having lingered more slowly, he was blunted in the fashion of a sharp point.

15. ut quondam Pescennius Niger ad subveniendum spei rerum extremae a Romano populo saepe accitus dum diu cunctatur in Syria, a Severo superatus in sinu Issico, qui est in Cilicia, ubi Dareum Alexander fudit, fugatusque in suburbano quodam Antiochiae gregarii manu militis interiit.

15. as once Pescennius Niger, often summoned by the Roman people to come to the aid of the last hope of affairs, while he long hesitated in Syria, was overcome by Severus in the Issic plain, which is in Cilicia, where Alexander routed Darius, and, having been routed, perished in a certain suburb of Antioch by the hand of a common soldier.

1. Haec adulta hieme Valentiniano et Valente consulibus agebantur. translato vero in Gratianum t adhuc privatum et Dagalaifum amplissimo magistratu, aperto iam vere, suscitatis viribus Valens iuncto sibi Lupicino cum robustis auxiliis Pessinunta signa propere tulit, Phrygiae quondam, nunc Galatiae oppidum.

1. These events, ripened during the winter, were being carried out in the consulship of Valentinian and Valens. But with authority transferred to Gratian, still a private citizen, and to Dagalaifus of the most distinguished magistracy, and with spring now opened, Valens, his forces raised, with Lupicinus joined to him and with stout auxiliaries, quickly bore the standards to Pessinus, once a town of Phrygia, now of Galatia.

2. quo praesidiis ocius communito, nequid inopinum per eos emergeret tractus, praeter radices Olympi montis excelsi tramitesque fragosos ire tendebat ad Lyciam, oscitantem ibi Gomoarium adgressurus.

2. having therewith quickly secured the district with garrisons, lest anything unexpected should arise along that tract through them, he was making his way past the roots of lofty Mount Olympus and its rugged passes toward Lycia, about to fall upon Gomoarius there, who lay idle.

3. cui pertinaci conspiratione multorum hac maxima consideratione resistebatur, quod hostis eius, ut ante relatum est, Constanti filiam parvulam cum matre Faustina et in agminibus et cum prope in acie starent, lectica circumferens secum, ut pro imperiali germine, cui se quoque iunctum addebat, pugnarent audentius, iras militum accenderat. sicut aliquando dimicaturi Macedones cum Illyriis regern adhuc infantem in cunis locavere post aciem, cuius metu, ne traheretur captivus, adversos fortius oppresserunt.

3. Against whom, by the pertinacious conspiracy of many, resistance was made with this greatest consideration: because his enemy, as has been related before, had Constans’ little daughter with her mother Faustina both in the column and almost standing in the battleline, carrying a lectica with her as for an imperial scion, to whom he also pretended to be joined, so that they might fight more boldly, had kindled the anger of the soldiers. Just as once the Macedonians, about to fight the Illyrians, placed still an infant in a cradle behind the line, by whose fear, lest he be dragged off captive, they pressed their adversaries more fiercely.

4. Contra has calliditatis argutias sagaci opitulatione nutanti negotio consuluit imperator: et Arbitionem ex consule, agentem iam dudum in otio, ad se venire hortatus est, ut Constantiniani ducis verecundia truces animi lenirentur, neque secus evenit.

4. Against these crafty subtilties the emperor consulted the affair, fostering it with sagacious aid: and he urged Arbitionem, once consul and long since living in otium, to come to him, so that by the reverence due the Constantinian duke the fierce spirits might be softened; and so it happened.

5. nam cum omnibus provectior natu et dignitate sublimior canitiem reverendam ostenderet multis ad perfidiam inclinatis, publice grassatorem Procopium, milites vero secutos eius errorem filios et laborum participes pristinorum adpellans orabat, ut se ac si parentem magis sequerentur felicissimis ductibus cognitum, quam profligato morem gererent nebuloni destituendo iam et casuro.

5. for although advanced in age above all and loftier in dignity, he displayed his reverend grayness to many inclined to perfidy, calling Procopius publicly a marauder, and entreating the soldiers who had followed his error as sons and sharers of the labors of the former, that they should follow him, known in more felicitous command, rather as a parent than, with the ruffian overthrown, behave in abandoning the scoundrel already about to fall.

6. quibus cognitis Gomoarius cum elusis hostibus, unde venerat, redire posset innoxius, ad castra imperatoris oportunitate intervalli proximi, captivi colore transivit, velut adcursu multitudinis visae subito circumsaeptus.

6. when these things were known, Gomoarius, having escaped the enemies and able to return from where he had come unharmed, crossed over to the emperor’s camp by the opportunity of the nearest interval under the colour of a captive, as if, suddenly seen in the onrush of a multitude, he were surrounded.

7. Qua successus alacritate Valens castra promovit ad Phrygiam et prope Nacoliam conlatis manibus partium dux in ancipiti Agilo rem excursu prodidit repentino, eumque secuti conplures iam pila quatientes et gladios ad imperatorem transeunt, cum vexillis scuta perversa gestantes, quod defectionis signum est apertissimum.

7. Whereupon, with such alacrity of success Valens advanced the camp into Phrygia and near Nacolia, the leader, in the two‑faced Agilo, betrayed the affair by a sudden sortie; and many, having followed him, now brandishing pila and swords, passed over to the emperor, carrying standards with shields reversed, which is the most manifest sign of defection.

8. Hoc praeter spem omnium viso Procopius, salutis intercluso suffugio, versus in pedes, circumiectorum nemorum secreta et montium petebat, Florentio sequente et Barchalba tribuno, quem per saevissima bella iam inde a Constanti temporibus notum necessitas in crimen traxerat, non voluntas.

8. This, beyond all expectation, having been seen by Procopius, with the refuge of safety cut off, turned to his feet and sought the secluded groves and mountains surrounding him, Florentius following and Barchalba the tribune, whom necessity, not will, had already since the days of Constans dragged into accusation through the most savage wars.

9. maiore itaque noctis parte consumpta cum a vespertino ortu luna praelucens in diem metum augeret, undique facultate evadendi exempta, consiliorum inops Procopius, ut in arduis necessitatibus solet, cum Fortuna expostulabat luctuosa et gravi, mersusque multiformibus curis subito a comitibus suis artius vinctus relato iam die ductus ad castra imperatori offertur reticens atque defixus, statimque abscisa cervice discordiarum civilium gliscentes turbines sepelivit et bella ad veteris Perpennae exemplum, qui post Sertorium inter epulas obtruncatum dominatione paulisper potitus a frutectis, ubi latebat, extractus oblatusque Pompeio eius iussu est interfectus.

9. and so, the greater part of the night having been consumed, when the moon, shining from its evening rise, increased the fear into day, deprived on all sides of the faculty of escape, bereft of counsel Procopius, as is his wont in arduous necessities, while Fortuna protested mournfully and grievously, and plunged in manifold cares, suddenly, more closely bound by his comrades, on the now-reported day he was led and offered to the emperor at the camp, silent and downcast; and immediately, with the neck of civil discord cut off, he buried the glittering whirlwinds and reduced wars to the example of the elder Perpenna, who, after Sertorius, slain at a banquet, having for a short while enjoyed domination, was dragged out from the bushes where he hid, offered to Pompey and put to death at his command.

10. Parique indignationis impetu Florentius et Barchalba, qui eum duxerunt, confestim non pensata ratione sunt interfecti. Nam si principem legitimum prodidissent, vel ipsa Iustitia iure caesos pronuntiaret; si rebellem et oppugnatorem internae quietis, ut ferebatur, amplas eis memorabilis facti oportuerat deferri mercedes.

10. And by an equal impulse of indignation Florentius and Barchalba, who had led him, were at once, without a reason weighed, slain. For if they had betrayed a legitimate prince, even Justice herself would have pronounced them rightly cut down; if a rebel and assailant of internal peace, as was reported, broad and memorable rewards for the deed ought to have been bestowed upon them.

11. Excessit autem vita Procopius anno quadragesimo, amplius mensibus decem: corpore non indecoro nec mediocris staturae, subcurvus humumque intuendo semper incedens, perque morum tristium latebras illius similis Crassi, quem in vita semel risisse Lucilius adfirmat et Tullius, sed, quod est mirandum, quoad vixerat, incruentus.

11. Procopius died in his 40th year, with more than ten months; of a body not indecorous nor of mediocre stature, somewhat bent forward and always walking with his eyes fixed on the ground, and—by reason of the retreats of his sad manners—like that Crassus whom Lucilius and Tullius affirm laughed but once in life; yet, which is marvellous, throughout his life he was bloodless.

1. Isdem fere diebus protector Marcellus, eiusdem cognatus, agens apud Nicaeam praesidium, proditione militum et interitu Procopii cognito, Serenianum intra palatium clausum medio noctis horrore incautum adortus occidit. cuius mors saluti plurimis fuit.

1. About the same days protector Marcellus, a kinsman of the same man, serving as commander of the garrison at Nicaea, when the betrayal of the soldiers and the death of Procopius were made known, fell upon and slew Serenianus, who was shut up within the palace and taken unawares by the horror of midnight. Whose death was the salvation of very many.

2. nam si victoriae superfuisset incultis moribus homo et nocendi acerbitate conflagrans, Valentique ob similitudinem morum et genitalis patriae vicinitatem acceptus, occultas voluntates principis introspiciens ad crudelitatem propensioris multas innocentium ediderat strages.

2. for had he survived the victory — a man of uncultivated manners and blazing with the bitterness of harming — and, received by Valens on account of similarity of manners and the nearness of his native land, having inspected the secret wishes of the prince and being inclined to a greater cruelty, he would have wrought many massacres of the innocent.

3. Quo interfecto idem Marcellus occupata celeri cursu Chalcedone, concrepantibus paucis, quos vilitas et desperatio trudebat in scelus, umbram principatus funesti capessit gemina ratione fallente, quod et Gothorum tria milia regibus iam lenitis ad auxilium erant missa Procopio, Constantianam praetendenti necessitudinem, quae ad societatem suam parva mercede traduci posse existimabat, quodque gesta in Illyrico etiam tum latebant.

3. The same Marcellus, that man slain, having been killed, with swift haste occupied Chalcedon; with a few clashing, whom baseness and desperation thrust into crime, he seized the shadow of a ruinous principate by a twofold deceitful reasoning: that three thousand Goths had been sent to Procopius for aid, their kings already appeased; that he was feigning kinship with Constantianus, which he thought could be brought over to his partnership for a small fee; and that deeds done in Illyricum were even then lying concealed.

4. Inter quae tam trepida, speculationibus fidis Aequitius doctus conversam molem belli totius in Asiam, digressus per Succos Philippopolim clausam praesidiis hostium, Eumolpiadam veterem reserare magna vi conabatur, urbem admodum oportunam et inpedituram eius adpetitus, si pone relicta adiumenta Valenti laturus — nondum enim apud Nacoliam gesta conpererat — festinare ad Haemimontum cogeretur.

4. Among these so anxious matters, the learned Aequitius, faithful in speculations, strove to turn the whole weight of the war toward Asia, and, having set out by the Succos, to force open Philippopolis, closed by the enemy’s garrisons, and to breach by great force the old Eumolpiada; a city very opportune and obstructive to his purpose to be attacked, if, his aids left behind, he were to carry them to Valens — for he had not yet learned what had been done at Nacolia — he would be compelled to hasten to Haemimontum.

5. verum paulo postea cognita levi praesumptione Marcelli, milites missi sunt audaces et prompti, qui eum raptum ut deditum noxae mancipium in custodiam conpegerunt. unde post dies productus, lateribus sulcatis acerrime, pariaque perpessis consortibus interiit, hoc favorabilis solo quod abstulit Serenianum e medio, crudelem ut Phalarim, et illi fidum ad doctrinarum diritatem, quam causis inanibus praetexebat.

5. but a little later, Marcellus’s light presumption having been learned, bold and ready soldiers were sent who, having seized him, bound him as a slave delivered to punishment and shut him in custody. From which, after days, brought forth, his flanks very furrowed and having endured like sufferings with his companions, he perished — the soil fortunate in that it removed Serenianus from among them, cruel as Phalaris, and faithful to that man’s severity of doctrines, which he cloaked with vain causes.

6. Exstirpatis occasu ducis funeribus belli, saevitum est in multos acrius quam errata flagitaverant vel delicta, maximeque in Philippopoleos defensores, qui urbem seque ipsos non nisi capite viso Procopii, quod ad Gallias portabatur, aegerrime dediderunt.

6. With the funerals of the leader of the campaign ended, fury was visited upon many more sharply than their errors had demanded or their crimes had deserved, and most of all upon the defenders of Philippopolis, who surrendered the city and themselves very reluctantly, only when the head of Procopius, which was being carried to Gaul, was seen.

7. ad gratiam tamen precantium coerciti sunt aliqui lenius. inter quos eminebat Araxius, in ipso rerum exustarum ardore adeptus ambitu praefecturam, et Agilone intercedente genero supplicio insulari multatus, breve post tempus evasit.

7. yet some of those beseeching for grace were restrained more leniently. among whom Araxius stood out, who, in the very ardor of the burned affairs, had obtained the prefecture by ambitus, and, Agilone intervening as son-in-law, having been punished with an insular supplicium, escaped after a short time.

8. Euphrasius vero itemque Phronemius missi ad occiduas partes arbitrio obiecti sunt Valentiniani, et absoluto Euphrasio Phronemius Cherronesum deportatur, inclementius in eodem punitus negotio ea re, quod divo Iuliano fuit acceptus, cuius memorandis virtutibus ambo fratres principes obtrectabat nec similes eius nec suppares.

8. Euphrasius likewise and Phronemius, sent to the western parts, were subjected to the judgment of Valentinian; and after Euphrasius was acquitted, Phronemius was deported to Cherronesus, and punished more harshly in the same affair for that matter which had been pleasing to the divine Julian, whose memorable virtues both princely brothers disparaged, neither like him nor his peers.

9. His accedebant alia graviora et multo magis quam in proeliis formidanda. carnifex enim et unci et cruentae quaestiones sine discrimine ullo aetatum et dignitatum per fortunas omnes et ordines grassabantur et pacis obtentu ius detestandum agitabatur, infaustam victoriam exsecrantibus universis internecivo bello quovis graviorem.

9. To these were added other, graver things and far more to be feared than in battles. For the executioner, the hooks, and bloody inquisitions, without any discrimination of ages or dignities, ravaged all fortunes and orders, and under the pretext of peace a detestable law was enforced; the ill-omened victory, which all men cursed, made the internecine war more grievous than any.

10. nam inter arma et lituos condicionis aequatio leviora facit pericula, et Martiae virtutis potestas aut id, quod ausum, occupat, aut inopinata mors, si acciderit, nullum ignominiae continet sensum finemque secum vivendi simul et dolendi perducit: ubi vero consiliis impiis iura quidem praetenduntur et leges et Catonianae vel Cassianae sententiae fuco perliti resident iudices, agitur autem, quod agitur, ad voluntatem praetumidae potestatis, et ex eius libidine incedentium vitae necisque momenta pensantur, ibi capitalis vertitur pernicies et abrupta.

10. for among arms and lituuses the equalizing of condition makes dangers lighter, and the power of Martial virtue either seizes that which has been dared, or an unexpected death, if it occur, contains no sense of ignominy and brings with it an end of living and of grieving at once: but where by impious counsels rights indeed are put forward, and laws and the Catonian or Cassian sententiae are smeared with paint, judges sit; yet what is done is done to the will of an overweening power, and from its lust the moments of life and death of those who advance are weighed — there capital ruin is turned into sudden destruction.

11. nam ut quisque ea tempestate ob quamlibet voluerat causam, regiae propere accedens et aliena rapiendi aviditate exustus, licet aperte insontem arcessens ut familiaris suscipiebatur et fidus, ditandus casibus alienis.

11. for as each man, at that season and for whatever cause he had desired, hastening to the palace and burned by a greed for seizing another's, although openly summoning the innocent as if received as a familiar and faithful, sought to be enriched by another's misfortunes.

12. imperator enim promptior ad nocendum, criminantibus patens et funereas delationes adsciscens, per supplitiorum diversitates effrenatius exultavit, sententiae illius Tullianae ignarus, docentis infelices esse eos qui omnia sibi licere existimarunt.

12. for the emperor indeed, readier to do harm, open to accusations and admitting fatal informations, exulted the more extravagantly in the diversity of punishments, ignorant of that Tullian maxim teaching that unhappy are those who supposed everything lawful for themselves.

13. haec inplacabilitas causae quidem piissimae sed victoriae foedioris innocentes tortoribus exposuit multos, vel sub eculeo caput incurvos aut ictu carnificis torvi substravit: quibus, si pateretur natura, vel denas animas profundere praestabat in pugna quam lateribus fodicatis omni culpa inmunes, fortunis gementibus universis, quasi laesae maiestatis luere poenas, dilaniatis ante corporibus, quod omni est tristius morte.

13. this implacability of a cause indeed most pious but of a fouler victory exposed many innocents to torturers, either under the pillory bowing their bent heads or subjected to the stroke of a grim executioner: for whom, if nature had permitted, it was preferable to pour out ten souls in battle than, with their flanks pierced, immune of every guilt, lamenting fortunes wholly ruined, as though to atone for injured majesty, to be torn apart before their bodies — which is sadder than any death.

14. exin cum superata luctibus ferocia deflagrasset, proscriptiones et exilia et quae leviora quibusdam videntur, quamquam sint aspera, viri pertulere summates, et ut ditaretur alius, genere nobilis et forte meritis locupletior actus patrimonio praeceps trususque in exilium consumebatur angore aut stipe precaria victitabat, nec modus ullus exitialibus malis inpositus quam diu principem et proximos opum satietas cepit et caedis.

14. then, when ferocity, having flamed forth, was subdued by griefs, men of the highest rank endured proscriptions and exiles and those things which to some seem lighter, although they are harsh; and while one man was being enriched, another—noble by birth and perhaps richer by merits—was driven headlong from his patrimony and thrust into exile, consumed by anguish or eking out a precarious pittance, nor was any limit set on these destructive evils so long as satiety of wealth and of slaughter seized the prince and his intimates.

15. Hoc novatore adhuc superstite, cuius actus multiplices docuimus et interitum, diem duodecimum Kalendas Augustas, consule Valentiniano primum cum fratre, horrendi terrores per omnem orbis ambitum grassati sunt subito, qualis nec fabulae nec veridicae nobis antiquitates exponunt.

15. With this innovator still surviving, whose manifold acts and ruin we have recounted, on July 21, with Valentinian I as consul together with his brother, dreadful terrors suddenly raged throughout the whole circuit of the world, such as neither fable nor true antiquity lays before us.

16. paulo enim post lucis exortum densitate praevia fulgurum acrius vibratorum tremefacta concutitur omnis terreni stabilitas ponderis, mareque dispulsum retro fluctibus evolutis abscessit, ut retecta voragine profundorum, species natantium multiformes limo cernerentur haerentes, valliumque vastitates et montium tunc, ut opinari dabatur, suspicerent radios solis, quos primigenia rerum sub inmensis gurgitibus amendavit.

16. for a little after the rising of the light, by a prior density of lightning more keenly vibrated and made to tremble, all stability of earthly weight is shaken, and the sea, driven apart, withdrew backward with waves rolled out, so that, with the abyss of the depths laid bare, the multiform shapes of swimming things were perceived clinging in the mud, and the wastes of valleys and of mountains then, as was conjectured, looked up to the rays of the sun, which the primeval beginnings of things had altered beneath the immense whirlpools.

17. multis igitur navibus velut arida humo conexis, et licenter per exiguas undarum reliquias palantibus plurimis, ut pisces manibus colligerent et similia: marini fremitus velut gravati repulsam versa vice consurgunt perque vada ferventia insulis et continentis terrae porrectis spatiis violenter inlisi, innumera quaedam in civitatibus et ubi reperta sunt aedificia, conplanarunt: proinde ut elementorum furente discordia involuta facies mundi miraculorum species ostendebat.

17. therefore with many ships as if bound to dry earth, and freely skimming over the scant relics of the waves with very many rowing, so that they might gather fish with their hands and the like: the marine roar, as if weighed down, rises back in recoil and, turned, through boiling shallows and over the extended tracts of islands and of the mainland, violently dashed, levelled innumerable towns and buildings wherever they were found: so that the face of the world, enveloped in the raging discord of the elements, presented the aspect of marvels.

18. relapsa enim aequorum magnitudo cum minime speraretur, milia multa necavit hominum et submersit recurrentiumque aestuum incitata vertigine, quaedam naves, postquam umentis substantiae consenuit tumor, pessum datae visae sunt exanimataque naufragiis corpora supina iacebant aut prona.

18. for when the greatness of the waters relapsed, at the moment least expected, it killed many thousands of men and submerged them; and, stirred by the vertigo of the returning tides, certain ships, after the swelling in their wet substance had abated, were seen hurled down, and lifeless bodies from the shipwreck lay supine or prone.

19. ingentes aliae naves extrusae rabidis flatibus culminibus insedere tectorum, ut Alexandriae contigit: et ad secundum lapidem fere procul a litore contortae sunt aliquae, ut Laconicam prope Mothonen oppidum nos transeundo conspeximus diuturna carie fatiscentem.

19. other immense ships, thrust ashore by raging blasts, sat upon the ridges of roofs, as happened at Alexandria: and by the second stone, somewhat off the shore, some were twisted, as we, passing by, observed the Laconian (vessel) near the town of Mothone, wasted by long-standing rot.