swords in hand running forth here and there divers waies as the manner is in a suddaine uprore in all hast gat unto the princes traine at which excessive noyse the Warders and Tribunes being astonied and by name Excubitor captaine of the guard in ordinarie fearing also some trecherie of mutable and unconstant souldiors dispersed themselves for feare of suddaine death and slipt out of sight Howbeit the souldiors when they saw all was well and husht stood for a while armed as they were quiet and being demanded What was the cause of this unadvised and suddain hurlyburly after long silence and making some doubt of their new Emperours life they departed not before they were sent for into the Consistorie and had seene him at the full gloriously dight in his imperiall robes Notwithstanding when these newes were heard abroad they also who I said were gone before unfore under the leading of Sintula being now secure and past feare returned togegether with him unto Paris and upon an edict or proclamation made that the morning next following they should all meet in the open plaine field the prince beeing come forth with greater port and pompe than usually mounted up to the Tribunall environed about with Ensignes as well the maine Eagle standards as banners and guidons as also guarded with whole squadrons of armed Cohorts And after hee had paused a time whiles from aloft hee beheld the countenances of them there present when he perceived them all chearefull and joyous with plaine and simple words to the end he might bee understood as it were with so many trumpets he incensed them in this wise CHAP. V. The Oration of Iulianus as touching the appointment of militarie rewards Also with what words the night before that day wherein he was declared Emperour he was by the publicke Genius of the State saluted THe difficultie of this present businesse doth require and instantly crave right valiant and trustie protectors both of my person and of the Common-wealth who together with me have many a time put your lives in danger for the state of the Provinces for as much as yee have in a setled iudgement advaunced your Caesar to the highest pitch of all honours and dignities in few words summarily to deliver how there may be devised iust and wise remedies to cure and salve this chaunge of the world with us While I was a very youth scarce come to my growth being as ye well know clad in purple and made Caesar onely for a shew yet by the providence of the heavenly power commended to your protection and tuition I never was put from my settled purpose of leading an upright and honest life in all painefull labours seene together with you what time as having put to rout the confidence of bold nations after cities destroyed and infinite thousands of men slaine those few remaine which were left behind halfe broken and unsound infinite calamities still overran And needlesse I thinke it to rehearse how often in the hard Winter and bitter cold weather at which time both lands and seas are exexempt from warfare we repelled the Alemans a nation untamed before time with no small detriment and losse of their forces And verily for this one thing it is not meet that I should either over-passe or conceale it namely that when neere unto Argentoratum that most blessed day shone which in some sort brought with it perpetuall libertie unto the Gaules whiles I rode to and fro through the pikes and among the arrowes and darts where they flew thickest ye throughly grounded what with vigorous courage and what by long experience vanquished your enemies that suddainely brake in and overflowed all in manner of swelling and swift land flouds and them either layd on the bare ground by dint of sword or else drowned in the deepe channell of the river and that with few of our men left dead behind us whose funerals we honourably kept rather with solemne prayses of them than any mournefull sorrow of ours After which exploits so great and so renowmed posteritie I suppose will not keepe silence as touching your good deserts of the Common-wealth in all nations if whom yee have fully adorned with so high a title of maiestie ye vouchsafe to defend by your vertue and gravitie in case any adverse fortune should assaile me Now to the end there might be a sound course holden in our affaires and that the rewards of valorous men may attend upon them without all corruption and no secret ambition or indirect seeking after promotions catch them up beforehand this under the reverend presence of your counsell and assembly I determine and set downe That neither any civile Iudge nor martiall commaunder shall be preferred to higher degree through the helpe of aught else but his owne worth and good desert neither shall he who otherwise will presume to be a suiter for any goe his wayes without disgrace and shame The inferior souldiors beneath encouraged with this confidence of greater hopes as who had beene a long time kept fasting for having any dignities or rewards smiting their bucklers with their javelines rose up with a mightie noise and with one voice in manner and accord gave a favorable assent to his speeches and good beginnings and immediately for feare there might be never so little time given to trouble this so considerat and well advised dispose in the behalfe of the Atthuarij the Petulantes and Celtae besought they might be sent to governe what provinces it pleased him which when they could not obtaine they departed neither offended nor ill appaied Howbeit that very night which went next before the day wherein hee was declared Augustus as himselfe now Emperour reported to those were next about him and more inward with him in his sleepe there appeared one unto him in that shape and forme as the publicke d Genius or Angell useth to bee portrayed who said by way of chiding these words unto him Iulian long since have I in secret manner duly observed and kept the entrie of thy house desirous to encrease thy dignitie and divers times gone my wayes as reiected But if I bee not at this time received and admitted namely when the iudgements of so many agree in one goe I will as forlorne and sorrowfull howbeit take this with thee and set it deepely to thy heart That I will no longer dwell with thee CHAP. VI. The king of the Persians whiles Constantius abode farre off invadeth Mesopotamia forceth the citie Singara hewed in pieces two Romane legions and carried the rest as well citizens as souldiors away unto the furthest parts of Persis WHiles these things were earnestly a doing in Gaule that cruell king of the Persians burning in hote desire kindled first by Antonine and now redoubled by the comming of Craugasius to bee Lord of all Mesopotamia whiles Constantius abode farre off with his armie after he had augmented his armed forces and passed after his usuall manner over Tygris setteth in hand
afterwards Procopius the author of all this proud and audacious rebellion was put to death and the adherents and complices of this faction cruelly executed this verie Tribune in regard of so noble an exployt keeping his life still and the place he had in warre-service dyed long after in Isauria stabbed and killed by a sort of robbing Brigands When Cyzicum was by this service laid open Procopius made hast thither after pardon graunted in generall to all those that had made resistance onely Serenianus he commaunded to be led bound unto Nicea and there kept in ward most straitly And forth with upon Ormisda a forward and ripe young gentleman the sonne of that noble Ormisda a Persian Prince of the bloud royall he conferred a Proconsulship with commission to manage after the manner of old time as well civile causes as warre affaires Who dealing mildly in his place according to his accustomed maner when he should have beene surprised and caught up in a sodaine incursion by those souldiors whom Valens had sent by the wilds and by-wayes of Phrygia with so vigorous a courage escaped that being once embarked he would never lye open to such doubtfull and daungerous chaunces and had away with him his wife that followed in safetie notwithstanding a cloud as it were of arrows flew all about when she was at the point to be taken prisoner a wealthy dame she was and nobly descended whose modest carriage and glorious constancie delivered her husband afterwards from extreame daungers Procopius upon the foresaid victorie vaunting himselfe above the condition of mortalitie and not knowing that any man be he never so happie to day with the turning of Fortunes wheele may once before evening become most miserable commanded the house of Arbetio full as it was by reason of those inestimable escheats which house before time he had spared as his owne as reckoning him for one of his owne complices and adherents to be rifled and ransacked cleane taking stomacke and indignation against him that being sent for sundrie times to come unto him hee alwayes made delayes alledging for his excuse the lets of old age and sicknesse And although for this cause he a presumptuous usurper might well feare some grievous inclination and turning of the ballance yet whereas he might now at his pleasure with the willing assent of all men there being none to make resistance have invaded the East provinces desirous all to see some new chaunge as irked with that rigorous and rough governement wherewith they were held under yet by lingering on and making longer stay for to allure unto him certaine cities of Asia and to chuse out skilfull miners for the getting of gold ore as those that might stand him in good stead against his wars which he expected would be many and great he became dull and blunt in manner of a keene and fine edged sword Like as in times past Pescennius Niger sent for oftentimes by the people of Rome to relieve and succour the hope of the State lying in extremitie whiles hee lingered a long time the invading of Syria was vanquished in the gulfe Issicum which is in Cilicia where Alexander defeated Darius and being put to flight died by the hand of a common souldior in a certaine Suburbe-village of Antiochia These were the acts that passed about mid-Winter whiles Valentinian and Valens were Consuls CHAP. XII Valens using the service of Arbetio an old experienced captaine draweth unto him many of Procopius his footmen and horsemen both At length Procopius himself bound in chaines by his owne men and brought unto Valens had his head stricken off and so buried quite the troubles of a civile war which was begun BVtwhen that most honourable magistracie was transferred to Gratianus as yet a privat person and to Dagalaiphus and the Spring began wherein all things gather strength Valens joyning unto him Lupicinus with strong auxiliaries speedily advaunced his ensignes towardes Pessinus a towne in times past of Phrygia and now of Galatia which when he had quickly fortified with a garrison least any unexpected accident might at unawares arise in those tracts he intended to take his journey by the foot of the high hill Olympus and the rough craggie lanes minding to set upon Gomoarius whiles he lay secure and negligent But crossed he was in this designe by many that jointly and resolutely agreed together upon this consideration especially That his enemie as hath beene related before by carrying about with him in a litter the little daughter of Constantius with her mother Faustina both in the way as he marched and also when battailes approched one another embattailed he enkindled the courage of the souldiors to the end that for this imperiall progenie whereto he sayd moreover that himselfe was linked they might fight more boldly Like as upon a time the Macedonians readie to strike a battail with the Illyrians placed their king as yet an infant in his swathling bands behind the armie raunged in battaile ray for feare of whom least he should be carried away captive they fought more valiantly and vanquished their enemies Against these craftie fetches the Emperour in sage policie to helpe the matter thus wavering and readie to reele tooke good order and exhorted Arbetio sometime Consull who this long time had lived privately to repaire unto him to the end that by the reverent regard of him a captaine under Constantius the rebels fell stomacke might be appeased And so it fell out in very deed For when he in yeares elder and in dignitie higher than all the rest shewed his reverend gray haires unto many that were otherwise enclined to perfidious trecherie he calling Procopius himselfe a trayterous rebell to the State but the souldiors that now followed his error sonnes and parteners with him in travailes and paines-taking long agoe requested them rather to follow him as a father knowne unto them for his most happie conducts than to be ruled by a lewd varlet who would even anon beforlorne and at point to take his finall overthrow Which being knowne Gomoarius when he might well ynough have deluded the enemies and returned safe to the place from whence he came taking the vauntage of the neere distance in pretence and colour of a captive passed over to the Emperours campe as if he had beene beset with the rode of a multitude that he suddainely espied Vpon this good successe Valens marched on with a running campe toward Phrygia and neere unto Nacolia when they were come to joyne battaile the captaine of the adverse side Agilo at the very instant of a doubtfull fight by riding suddainely out of the ranke betrayed all and in imitation of him a number of others now shaking their javelins and swords goe over to the Emperour bearing their banners and shields reversed a most manifest signe of revolt This being once seene besides all mens expectation Procopius perceiving himselfe cut off from all meanes of escape betooke him to his heeles and ran
threatened to put him to death crying with open mouth That the man neither came nor went without his will But he fearing to be charged as a traytor and troubled exceeding much in mind for feare least by the revolt of some fugitives thither intelligence might be given That his wife remained living and was most kindly entreated by way of semblance affected marriage with another brave and noble virgine and so pretending that hee would provide things necessarie for his nuptiall feast went forth to a village standing eight myles from the towne and so with all the speed and hast he could make fled to a companie of Persian forrayers that were abroad to wast the countrey of whom he had intelligence that they approched and being gladly of them received and known by the words he spake who he was after five dayes delivered he was to Sapor and by him to the king So after he had recovered his goods which had beene taken from him and all his dearest friends together with his wife whom for some few moneths he had lost hee was in a second place next unto Antoninus howbeit as the excellent Poet sayth Longo proximus intervallo i. next indeed but yet a great way off For he having a notable wit and grounded besides by long experience of the world was a very sufficient man and able by some policie to compasse whatsoever he tooke in hand whereas Craugasius was by nature very simple yet in name as well renowmed and much spoken of And these things verily happened not long after But the king albeit in his countenance he made shew of securitie and seemed in outward apparance to rejoyce for the destruction of this citie yet greatly disquieted and grieved deepely at the heart he was when he cast up his accompts and found how hee had many times sustained lamentable losses in these dangerous and mischievous sieges yea and that himselfe had lost farre more of his owne people than he had taken of our men alive or slaine at leastwise in so many skirmishes Like as it fell out divers times at Nisibis and Singara and semblably having for seventie three dayes beleaguered Amida with a multitude of armed souldiors hee lost thirtie thousand fighting men and good warriors which within a while after were by Discenes a Tribune and Notarie reckoned the easier by this difference observed for that the carkasses of our men slaine soone become fantome doe burst run out and turne all to putrifaction insomuch as after foure dayes be past no dead man can be known by his face but the bodies of the Persians slaine waxe drie and starke as stakes so that neither their lims become soft nor moistened with any matter or corrupt bloud wherein they are embrued the cause hereof is their frugall manner of living and the land wherein they be borne and bred so parched with heat CHAP. IX Rome is distressed with dearth and scarcitie of victuals Tertullus Praefect of the citie by a wise Oration reclaimeth the people in an uprore and bringeth them to good order Vpon the change of wind ships fraight with corne drive away the said want Constantius prepareth an expedition against the rebellious Sarmatians WHiles these affaires are carried on end by sundrie whirle-puffes in the utmost marches of the East the immortall citie Rome feared a dearth comming for default and scarcitie of corne and Tertullus Praefect at the same time through the violence of the commons very full of their menaces as fearing famine the worst calamitie of all others was otherwhiles sore troubled but without all reason I assure you for it was not long of him that victuall was not brought in convenient time by shipping which beeing arrived as faire as to the next bayes partly the roughnesse of the sea which was more angrie than ordinarie and partly tempests of contrarie winds affrighted with doubt of great perils from putting into the haven of Augustus For which cause the sayd Praefect being often disquieted with seditious commotions and by reason that the common people tooke on and raged more fully now as being vexed for the imminent mischiefe that they feared out of all hope to save his life as he thought unto the people thus keeping a sore stirre in tumultuous wise and yet using aforetime wisely to consider of such accidents presented his little sonnes shedding teares Behold quoth hee your fellow citizens and countreymen who shall endure but the gods in heaven forfend the Osse the same hard distresse together with you unlesse some better fortune shine upon us If therefore by the losse and destruction of these yee thinke that no heavie calamitie can light upon you here am I readie at your commaund By which pitifull object the common sort enclined of their owne nature to clemencie became appeased and held their peace patiently waiting for that lot which should befall unto them And anone such was the will and pleasure of the divine power which hath advaunced Rome from the first infancie thereof and given answere That it should continue for ever whiles Tertullus was offering sacrifice at Ostia in the temple of Castor and Pollux a calme came that allayed the sea and the wind turning about and changing to bee mild South the ships with full sayle entred the haven and filled the garners with corne Whiles Constantius among these occurrents was thus doubtfull what to doe as who still in his Winter repose at Sirmium sat carking and musing upon the matter throughly moved and troubled he was with fearefull and heavie newes shewing that which he then was much afraid of namely how the Limigantes of Sarmatia who as I have shewed before had expelled their owne lords and masters out of their ancient seats and possessions having by little and little neglected those places which the yeare past in a good and profitable policie were set out and appointed for them least as they are a fickle and unconstant nation they should rise and plot some mischiefe to the State had now seized into their hands the countries confining upon their limits and after their inbred manner raunged abroad licentiously readie to set all in an hurrie and combustion if they were not removed and put backe Which outrages of theirs the Emperour supposing that they would shortly grow to prowder tearmes if the businesse were deferred having gathered together from all parts a number of most expert and active souldiors tooke the field in the beginning of the Spring before it was yet come to the height the more forward to this expedition in two respects for that the armie full of rich booties since the end of the late Summer was confidently upon the like hope emboldened to the atchievement of prosperous exploits and againe because Anotolius at that time fitting as Pręfect for Illyricum there was abundance of all necessarie provision gotten together alreadie even before the ordinarie time without the losse and hinderance to any man For never by the dispose and order set downe of any
and troublous stirres of warre hee bare himselfe wonderous high and now beleeving prophesies and making use of his owne experience namely how expedition in his affaires had diverse times stood him in much steed hee gave knowledge by proclamation of his journey into Thracia and so advauncing forward his ensignes in an happie houre after hee had passed through the bending and hanging straits of the Succi hee marched on to Philippopolis in old time called Eumolpias and all those with a cheerefull pace followed him whom he had in his conduct For they well considered that the Empire which they went by force to win and that with the feare of extreame perils was now beyond their hope graunted unto him by the ordinarie course of right And as the usuall manner of Fame is to amplifie all novelties hee hastened from thence mounted higher and higher as it were in some chariot of Triptolemus who for his swift passage round about in the aire fabulous antiquitie sayth rode upon winged dragons and thus dread by land and sea having no wals to withstand him he entred into Heraclea otherwise called Perinthus This beeing soone after knowne at Constantinople there came forth by numbers a multitude of all ages and of both sexes to see one sent downe as it were from heaven Received therefore he was the third day before the Ides of December with the honourable and reverend attendance of the Senat with the consonant applause also of the people and thus environed with troupes of armed souldiors and gowned citizens conveyed hee was along as in battaile ray having the eyes of all men fastened wistly upon him not onely with an earnest looke but also with much admiration For it seemed to praesage some great thing that he as yet a young man newly come to his growth small of bodie for his brave acts right excellent after the bloudie ends of kings and nations passing from citie to citie with unexpected swiftnesse which way soever he went with encrease still of riches and forces like a burning flame so easily seized and tooke up all places and to conclude who by the ordinance of the heavenly power entred upon the imperiall government without any detriment or losse of the Weale publique CHAP. II. He graunteth out a commission to right honourable personages for the examination and triall of all matters whence ensued the repairing of the tottering state of Commonweale and the punishment of some lewd and wicked persons SHortly after this he committed unto Secundus Sallustius promoted to be Praefectus Praetorio the charge to sit upon inquisitions as unto a faithfull minister and joyned with him in commission Mamertinus Arbetio Agilo and Nevita Iovinus likewise newly advaunced to be Generall of the Cavallerie in Illyricum who being all gone over to Chalcedon in the presence of the a Principia and Tribunes of the b Ioviani and c Herculiani examined causes more rigorously than reason and equitie required except some few in which the truth presented unto them most dangerous malefactors and offendors And first of all they confined into Britannie Palladius late master of the offices called into question upon suspition onely That he had framed and suggested some matter to Constantius against Gallus whiles he was Master of the offices under the said Gallus being Caesar Then banished they unto Vercellum Taurus who had beene Praefectus Praetorio whose fact before indifferent judges that can discerne betweene just things and unjust might seeme very pardonable For what fault committed he if fearing a blustering wind and tempest that was up he fled to the protection of his prince And the acts that passed upon him were read not without great horror when the publique Act or Record thereof contained this Exordium During the Consulship of Taurus and Florentius when Taurus was brought in under the Criers c. Semblably to the like point of destruction was drawne Pentadius unto whose charge it was layed That being sent from Constantius he wrote by way of cyphring What answers upon many interrogatories Gallus made when his death was at hand But when he defended himselfe rightfully he departed without harme of his person By the like unjust proceeding was Florentius the sonne of Nigrinianus Master of the offices for the time being thrust up into Boas an Isle of Dalmatia For the other Florentius who had beene Praefectus Praetorio and was then Consull also being skared with the suddaine change of the State having together with his wife escaped the dangers lay close a long time and could not returne before the death of Iulian howbeit in his absence condemned he was to die In like sort Eâ—agrius Comes d rei privatae and Saturninus late great Master or Seneschall of the palace as also Cyrinus who had beene a Notarie were transported over into exile But for the death of Vrsulus who was Comes Largitionum Iustice her selfe seemeth unto me to have wept blaming the Emperour for an unthankfull person For when as being Caesar he was sent into the West parts there to be kept short and put to all sparing of expences and had no power graunted to give aught by way of donative unto the souldiors to the end that being thus strait laced he mightlye open to the mutinies of the armie this selfesame Vrsulus sending his letters unto him who had the keeping of the treasure in Gaule commaunded That whatsoever Caesar called for it should be given unto him without faile When Vrsulus was put to death Iulian perceiving himselfe exposed to the rayling words and curses of many and supposing this foule fact which could not bee purged might yet bee excused avouched That the man was killed without his privitie pretending That in an angrie mood of the souldiors he was made away as who remembred well those words as I have alreadie related which he had let fall when he saw Amida rased And therefore he seemed timorous or not well advised when he made Arbetio a man alwayes suspected and exceeding prowd a speciall Commissioner and Iudge to heare and determine these causes having others together with the Principia of the Legions for shew onely present with him one I say whom above all he knew to be opposit and set against his life and safetie as became him who should be partner in civile victories And albeit those particulars which I have reported were displeasant to his well-willers and favourers yet these examples that follow were executed with due vigour of justice and severitie For Apodemius lately a Pursivant or Intelligencer who as I have shewed was very hot and sharpe-set to worke the death of Gallus and Sylvanus and Paulus that Notarie surnamed Catena a man not to be mentioned but with the griefe and groning of many were burnt quicke and perished by that end which was to be hoped for Beside these Eusebius who had beene chiefe Chamberlaine to Constantius a man of high spirit and cruell withall was adjudged
Pontus Euxinus A Fit time now it is as I suppose that since we are by occasion of this great Prince devolved upon these parts we should truly and plainly deliver somewhat that we have seene or read as touching the utmost coasts of Thracia together with the scituation of the gulfe or sea of Pontus Athos that exceeding high mountaine in Macedonie through which sometimes the Medes ships passed Caphereus the rock or Promontorie in Eubaea where Nauplius father to Palamedes caused the fleet of the Argives to be split and cast away although they stand a great way afunder divide the Aegean and Thessalian Seas one from the other As for this Aegean sea spreading it selfe by little and little as it groweth broader on the right hand where it stretcheth wide by the Sporades is full of Islands as also by the Cyclades so called for that they doe all of them encircle Delos the noble place of the â—â— gods nativitie on the left hand where it washeth Imbros Tenedos Lemnus and Thasus round about when the winds are big and blow full upon it with great violence it beateth upon Lesbos From whence with a returne of the current and reflowing waves it dasheth upon the temple of Apollo Sminthius and upon Troas as also upon Ilium so famous for the chaunces that befell to noble and worthie warriors And here it maketh the gulfe or Bay Melas lying full against the Westerne wind at the very entrance and beginning whereof is seene Abdera the habitation of Protagoras and Democritus and the P bloudie seat of the Thracian king Diomedes as also those bottomes and vales by which the river Hebrus runneth into it likewise Maronea and Aenus which when Aeneas in a cursed and unluckie houre had begun and soone abandoned by the guidance of the gods he sped himselfe to auncient Ausonia From hence growing small by little and little and as it were by certaine naturall commerce rushing into Pontus and joyning to it selfe a part thereof shaped it is in forme of the Greeke letter φ and cutting Hellespontus from Rhodope passeth along by Cynossema where it is thought Hecuba was buried also by Coela Sestos and Callipolis and overagainst them by the Sepulchres of Achilles and Aiax it floweth close to Dardanus and Abydus whence Xerxes by making a bridge of ships joined close together went over the sea on foot then passeth it by Lampsacus which the king of Persia by way of gift bestowed upon Themistocles and by Parion which Parius the sonne of Iason built Whence swelling on both sides in manner of an halfe globe and opening a wide partition of lands with the armes of Propontis that stretch round about it bedasheth on that side Cyzicum and Dindyma the religious and sacred temples of the great dame q and Mother Cybele Apamea likewise and Cius Astacus also called in the age ensuing after the kings name Nicomedia But what way it holdeth on Westward it beateth upon Cherronesus Aegos Potamus in which place Anaxagoras foretold That stones should fall from heaven also Lysimachia and that citie which when Hercules had founded he named Perinthus and dedicated it to the memoriall of his companion And to keepe the fashion of the perfect and complete letter φ in the very middest of the roundle lyeth Proconnesus an Island fashioned somewhat long and Besbicus beyond the top whereof it groweth narrow againe and running betweene Europe and Bithynia passeth along Chalcedon Chrysopolis and certaine obscure stations or harbour townes For upon the left skirts and sides thereof the haven Athyras looketh downe as also Selymbria and Constantinople Byzantium in old time a Colonie of the Athenians and the Promontorie Ceras carrying a turret built aloft upon it giving light to ships for which it is called Pharos and from thence an auncient fountaine exceeding cold with many water-courses issuing from it In this manner being broken and by the participation of both seas determined and now growing more mild it enlargeth it selfe and even like unto a maine sea indeed spreading wide and long as farre as a man may possibly ken Now the whole circuit thereof as if it lay like an Island as a man sayleth along the coast and skirts of it containeth the measure of three thousand stadia as Eratosthenes Hecataeus and Ptolomey affirme as also other most skilfull searchers into these and such like kinds of knowledge and by the assent of all Geographers is shaped to the forme of a Scythian bow fitted with a string and bent to the full And looke where the Sunne riseth out of the East Ocean limitted it is with the fennes and meres of Maeotis what way the Sunne bendeth Westward confine it doth upon the Romane provinces where hee looketh up to the Northren Beares it hath people bordering upon it different in language and manners to conclude the South side thereof hath a gentle plaine and falling of the ground from it CHAP. VI. Part of the contents in the former Chapter ALong these most spatious and large tracts there bee townes of the Greekes dispersed all which except some few in divers and sundrie ages the Milesians coloners of the Athenians built who among other Iönians were long before placed in Asia by Nileus the sonne of that famous Codrus who is reported to have exposed himselfe to death in the Doricke warre for his countrey Now the small ends or tips of the said bow on either side which the two Bospori doe expressely resemble stand just opposit one against another the one named Thracius the other Cimmericus And for this cause called they are Bospori for that through them in times past the daughter of Inachus transformed as the Poets say into an heifer passed over to the Ionian sea The right side therefore at the bending in of Bosporus Thracius Bithynia boundeth upon which they in old time called Mygdonia wherein lye the countries Thynia and Mariandena wherein also are seated the Bebricians delivered from the crueltie of r Amycus through the valiant prowesse of Pollux also that remote station in which the Prophet Phineus stood in horrible dread of the ravenous Harpyiae flying up downe in such threatening manner as they did by which shores curving and crooking into long coves or creekes the rivers Sangarius and Psylis Bizes also and Rhebas poure themselves into the seas Against which without forth are the Symplegades two rockes reaching up on every side into high and steepe heads and were wont in old time to encounter and meet yea and with a terrible noise to run and beat one upon another with all their hugenesse and giving way backward fetch their feese or beire againe and with a fierce charge and assault to returne full butt
by the meanes and long use whereof Demetrius the sonne of Antigonus after he had given the assault unto Rhodes and other cities was called Poliorcetes and built it is in this manner There is a mightie Testudo or frame made strengthened with very long pieces of timber and fitted together with yron spikes and the same covered with ox-hides and new rods or windings drawne one within another the roofe or upmost part whereof is bestrewed and layed over with mud to the end it may checke the fall of fire or shot of casting-weapons Now there are set fast in the front of it certaine sharpe-pointed yron pikes or heads with three edges very massie much like in shape to those lightnings or thunderbolts that painters or forgers exhibite unto it to the end that whatsoever it runneth against it may with those sharpe heads that so beare out batter and breake in pieces This so strong and huge a frame the souldiors within ruling with wheeles and a number of ropes drive with maine and speedie force against the weaker part of a wall and unlesse the defendants from above bee the stronger and quit themselves the better it beateth downe the walls and maketh wide breaches As for the Malleoli a kind of Darts shaped they be on this fashion There is an arrow made of a cane betwixt the head and the steile joined and couched close with an yron full of chamfers and teeth which arrow after the maner of a womans distaffe on which they spin linnen thred is finely made hollow within the bellie yet open in many places thereof and in the bellie or hollownesse it receiveth fire with some fuell to feed it and thus being discharged softly out of a weake bow for with violent shooting the fire goeth out if it take fast hold on any place it burneth the same and having water cast or sprinckled upon it the hoter fire it causeth neither is there any remedie to allay or quench the rage thereof but by flinging dust upon it Thus much as touching peeces of Ordnance for walls of which some few have beene shewed Now returne we to the orderly course of our Hystorie CHAP. IIII. Iulianus setting nought by the letters of the Praefect of Gaule passeth over into Persia and then plucketh up the bridge to take away all hope from the souldiors to returne And once againe wearied he is with adverse prodigies whiles the Soothsayers and Naturalists disagree about the interpretation of such strange tokens THe Emperor having taken to him the Aids of the Saracenes which they offered with most willing and readie minds marching with quicke pace toward Cercusium in the beginning of Aprill entred into that fenced towne a place most safe and as finely and workemanly built the wals whereof the rivers Aboras and Euphrates compasse about shaping out as it were the spacious plot of an Island This fort being but small aforetime and suspected Dioclesian enclosed round with high walls and towers what time as in the very confines of the Barbarians he did set out and ordaine the inward limits least the Persians might raunge over Syria as within few yeres before it chaunced to the great detriment and damage of the provinces For it happened at Antioch that when all was still and silent at the solemne stage-playes a dauncing Tregetour sent in to make sport together with his wife was acting and counterfeiting certaine gestures that were commonly and usually taken up with so pleasant and delightsome a grace that the people were astonied thereat suddainely his wife Vnlesse I dreame quoth she in my sleepe loe yonder be the Persians Whereat the whole multitude turning their heads backe for to decline and avoid the darts that came flying thicke about their eares were dispersed every way Thus the enemies when they had burnt the citie and hewed a number in pieces who as in time of peace were stragled abroad very losely at their pleasures when they had fired also and wasted the villages and places bordering upon it loaden with booties and pillage returned home without receiving any hurt at all after they had burnt Mareaâ—es quicke who without good advisement had led them forth to the death of his owne countreymen And this fortuned verily in the dayes of Gallienus But Iulian whiles he stayeth at Cercusium to the end that by a bridge of ships over Aboras the armie and all the traine following might passe over received letters That nothing pleased him from Sallustius Praefect of Gaule who prayed him that the expedition against the Parthians might be put off and earnestly besought him That hee would not thus hastily and unseasonably plunge himselfe into an irrevocable danger of destruction having not as yet obtained the grace and favour of the gods Howbeit rejecting the advertisement of this most sage and wise counsellor hee boldly advaunced forward still for why Never was there any power or prowesse of man able to merit and prevaile so much but that which the fatall order of Destinies had once prescribed must needs take effect And forthwith having passed over the river hee caused the bridge to bee plucked in sunder and had away that the souldiors might have no confidence or hope remaining to returne backe from their proper companies and regiments In like sort here also was seene a sight praesaging heavie and unluckie fortune to wit the dead corpes lying along of a certaine officer or purveyor executed by the hangmans hand whom Sallustius the PrÄ™fect being presentin place had condemned to suffer death and loose his head for that having given his promise to deliver an encrease of victuals within a day prefixed was by reason of a cause of impeachment disappointed and did frustrate mens expectation But when the poore man a pitifull case was done to death the very next morrow as he had made promise arrived another fleet fraight with plentie of corne and victuall From thence we departed and came to Zaita a place which by interpretation is as much as the Olive tree Here saw we the brave and admirable tombe of the Emperour Gordian whose acts from the very beginning of his childhood and whose most fortunate conducts of armies together with his death wrought by traiterous conspirators we have in order put downe in due time Where when he had of his inbred pietie devotion sacrificed to the Manes of that consecrated prince and was going forward to Dura a dispeopled towne hee espied a farre off a companie of souldiors whereat he stood still and stirred not a foot and as he was in doubt what newes they brought there was by them presented unto him a Lyon of a most huge and mightie bodie wounded to death with many a dart as hee made toward the armie Vpon which sight giving now as it were a more certaine praesage of some more fortunate spectacle he bare himselfe aloft and marched on with greater courage and jolitie But such was the uncertaine will and equivocant decree of Fortune
devises and policies he went about to usurpe the Empire PRocopius descended of noble parentage borne brought up in Cilicia in this regard that he was neere of kin unto Iulian afterwards Emperor from his verie first degree arose and shewed himselfe and as one for his life and behaviour verie orderly and precise although he was of a close and silent carriage serving in the warres a long time in good credit and shew in qualitie of a Notarie and Tribune and now being next in place unto the best and chiefe officers after the death of Constantius in that change of the world aspired high as who was a kinsman of the Emperours and raunged in the ranke and fellowship of the Comites And apparent it was that he if ever it mightlye in his power would trouble the quiet estate of the Commonwealth another day This Procopius Iulian when hee entred into Persia had left behind him him with strong regiments of souldiors in Mesopotamia joyning to him in equall power Sebastianus and had given him in charge as whispered it was by a darke report for there was no certaine author to be seene of this mandate that hee should deale according to the course of things and occurrents knowne and if he perceived at any time the ayds of the Roman State to goe downe the wind he should take order that himselfe with all speed might be nominated and stiled Emperour Who carrying himselfe in civile and warie wise in the managing of that which was enjoyned unto him when hee understood of the death of Iulian upon a false rumor running abroad that the same Iulian lying at the verie point of death delivered thus much That it was his mind and pleasure that the government of the Empire should bee put into the hands of Procopius fearing least for this cause he should be killed without processe of law and condemnation got himselfe out of sight but terrified most of all after the death of Iovianus the chiefe of all the Notaries whom upon the decease of Iulian nominated by some few souldiors as worthy of the Empire and suspected afterwards to aspire thereunto he understood to have been with much torment put to death And for that he had learned how himselfe was with great diligence layd for to avoid the heavie load of grievous envie he departed out of the way as I said into remote and secret parts And when he perceived that Iovianus the Emperour had his spyes abroad to seeke out his luâ—king holes and was beside wearie of this manner of life for being cast downe from an high estate to a low degree he was sore pinched also with hunger in ill favoured and foule countries he wanted the speech and conference with men driven in the end to extreame necessitie by journeying through wilds and by-wayes he came into the territorie about Chalcedon where because that seemed unto him a sure place of refuge he kept himselfe close with a most trustie friend one Strategius who of a Palatine souldior was become a Senator going many times secretly as he might betweene his house and Constantinople as it appeared evidently by the same Strategius who disclosed all after that there had been oft inquisition made into the adherents of that faction After the guise therefore of a most cunning and subtile spie altogether unknowne in visage hee looked so poore and leane he harkened after all the flying rumors that began then to runne thicke abroad as commonly things at their first beginning bee eveâ— more distastfull bruited by many persons who seemed to blame Valens as if he were hote and greedily bent to make spoyle of other mens goods to the enkindling of whose rigour and crueltie there was a mischievous fire-brand readie at hand his father in law Petronius promoted with a suddaine jumpe from being a captaine of the souldiors â— Martenses to be a f Patritian a man in mind and habite of bodie deformed Who being wonderfully sharpe-set to strip all men without any respect even to their very skins after exquisit torments bound the innocent as well as the offendors with foure-fold bonds raking and scraping for debts due even from the very dayes of Aurelianus the Emperour and sorrowing exceedingly if he had absolved or enlarged any without receiving some hurt and damage Whose intollerable conditions this mischiefe also made the worse for that being enriched with the piteous sorrowes of other men he was inexorable and cruell as he carried also an enraged heart so he was therewith most rude and untaught not fit at any time either to yeeld or admit reason more odious than Cleander who governing as Praefect under the Emperour Commodus in a high straine as it were of outrage and madnesse made havocke as we read of divers mens estates more grievous and irkesome than Plautianus who being likewise Praefect under Severus swelling and puffed up beyond all measure would have made a confusion of all thinges had he not died upon the revenging edge of the sword These lamentable proceedings which by the instigation and setting on of Petronius under Valens had shut up many houses as well of poore as rich and the more horrible feare of mischiefes toward stucke close to the very heart root of the provinciall people and souldiors both who groned under these burthens alike and every man wished for a day though in darke and secret tearmes and that with joynt grones on all hands that by the helpe of the highest God there might be an alteration in the State Which Procopius closely taking vantage of and supposing that when that blessed and happie day should come with small adoe he might be taken up to the very top of the highest dignitie lay close in espiall waiting as a savage beast for his prey readie forthwith to bounce out if it could see that which might be caught Vnto whom so eagre of the bit Fortune ministred this occasion in exceeding good season to make up his mouth CHAP. VIII Whiles Valens is farre removed by occasion of warre against the Gothes Procopius putting forward his intended businesse is by tumultuarie acclamations saluted Emperour WHen Winter was spent Valens speeding himselfe apace toward Syria and being now entred the marches of Bithynia was enformed by the relation and reports made from the Lord-marchers That the Gothes a nation at that time unfoyled and not medled with and the same most cruelly banding together were putting their forces in readinesse to invade the confines and borders of Thracia This beeing knowne to the end that himselfe in person might without any let goe forward whither he meant commaunded a sufficient aid of horse and foot both to bee sent unto those places wherein it was feared there would be any rodes of the barbarous enemies When the prince therefore was farre remooved Procopius worne away with long miseries supposing any grievous death more easie and tollerable than the painefull afflictions which he endured threw at a venture the dye and hazarded at one cast all
and shame but bringeth with it both end of life and paine together But when wicked and impious purposes have right and lawes for their pretence and the Iudges sit them downe with a false colour and set upon them either of a Catonian or Cassian sentence and whatsoever is done is done according to the will of a great ruler or magistrat puffed up with pride and to satisfie his pleasure matters of great importance even of life and death are weighed and considered accordingly there must the issue needs fall out to capitall mischiefe in the highest degree For as any one in those dayes was in any respect powerfull or toward the Court and burning in greedie desire to seize upon other mens goods although he were openly knowne to accuse an innocent person yet was he welcommed as a familiar and faithfull friend shortly to be enriched with other mens misfortunes For the Emperour readie ynough to doe hurt lying open to all accusers and procuring deadly informations proceeded most fiercely to sundrie sorts of punishments and therein tooke delight ignorant as hee was of that worthie saying of Tully who sheweth That unhappie are they who thinke they may lawfully doe all things This implacable rigour in a most righteous cause verily but foulely blemishing a victorie exposed many innocent folke to the tormentors hand and either brought their heads bending under the racke or layed them along with the stroke of the grim executioner for whom it had beene better to have lost tenne lives apeece in fight if by nature they could have had so many than thus faultlesse as they were with their sides gashed and rent and their whole estates groning as it were to suffer punishment as traitors having their bodies all torne and mangled before which is more dolorous than all the deaths in the world After this when as his crueltie overcome with so many wofull executions became assuaged men of higher place and calling endured proscriptions and banishments and such like which although they be grievous yet seeme to some but light and to the end that another person might be enriched a man of noble birth and happily for his deserts become very wealthie stripped and turned out by the head and shoulders of his livelod and thrust into exile either pined away and died for anguish or else was faine to live upon the devotion and benevolence of others neither was there any end of these mischievous practises untill the prince and his favourites were satisfied with their goods and bloud CHAP. XIIII Fearefull tremblings or quakings of the earth at one and the same time throughout the whole earth WHiles this usurper Procopius whose manifold acts and death I have declared was yet living upon the twelfth day before the kalends of August whiles Valentinian was the first time Consull with his brother most fearefull earthquakes suddainly happened that shooke the whole earth the like to which neither fabulous tales nor true reporting records of antiquitie deliver unto us For a little after Sunnerising the whole weightie and stedie masse of the earthly globe shooke with flashes of lightening most fiercely shot going before very thicke the sea also driven aside with the waves and billowes tumbling out backward went away so that the deepe gulfes being discovered and layd bare a man might have seene many sorts of swimming creatures sticking in the mud also the vast vales and mounts which nature had set farre away under the huge waters saw as men thought that day the beames of the Sunne After therefore that many ships were bedded fast as one would say in drie ground and a number of people straggled at their pleasure in the small remaines of water o take upfishes and such like with their hands the waves of the sea disdaining as one would say and loth to put up this repulse rose up all at once and turned againe and violently among the surging shallowes beating upon the islands and promontories of the continent reaching farreinto the sea overflowed and laid levell an infinit sort of things in cities yea and houses where any were found And therefore in this furious discord of the elements the surface of the world being covered represented straunge and wonderfull sights For the mightie masse of the sea being returned backe againe when it was least looked for killed and drowned many thousands of people and with the swift and violent whirling of the tydes running backe certaine ships after the swelling of this liquid substance or element was abated were seene sunke to the verie ground yea and by reason of shipwrackes many dead bodies lay along either on their backes or groveling Other mightie shippes also driven out by violent winds setled upon the tops of palaces as it happened at Alexandria and two miles almost off farre from the shore were some of them flung as we our selves in passing by beheld one of Laconia neere unto the towne Metson almost rotten for age THE XXVII BOOKE CHAP. 1. As the Alemans make new preparation for wars Carietto and Serenianus encounter them with a power of armed men And when both of them were slaine in fight Iovinus a brave captaine gave the Alemans leaping for joy of victorie three battailes Valens sendeth over the head of Procopius unto Valentinian lying at Paris WHiles these things which we have reported upō divers occurrences passe in the East empire the Alemans after grievous losses sore blows which in their often conflicts with Iulian being Caesar they had sustained having at length resumed their strengh though unequal to that which they had before for the cause aforesaid being now much feared invaded the limits of Gaule And immediatly after the Kalends of Ianuarie when the rigorous and bitter Winter weather froze hard all over the ycie tracts a number of them went forth by plumpes and stragled abroad at their pleasure To encounter the formost companie of these Carietto Lieutenant generall for both the Germanies a man most forward to give battaile went out taking to him for his companion in this painefull service Severianus a Lieutenant likewise but of no valour and aged besides who at Calydona had the command of the Divitenses and the a Tungricanes The Romans therefore having joyned their forces together marched with their squadrons embattailed close and thicke one by another and when they had with sure speed passed over the bridge that stood upon a little river no sooner saw the Barbarians afarre off but they assayled them with arrowes and other light darts which they againe for their parts valiantly shot backe as fast But when the troupes met and fought with drawne swords the battaile of our men sore shaken with the fierce charge of the enemies found no meanes either to resist or to fight manfully as being for feare all of them put to flight when they once saw Severianus unhorsed and shot into the mouth with a casting weapon Carietto likewise himselfe at last whiles verie venturously with opposition of his
many and the same encreased by bitter and boiling anger For the learned wise men define ire to be an ulcer or sore of the mind long lasting and otherwhile perpetuall and incurable and the same springing usually from a soft nature and tender spirit which they averre upon this probable argument for that sicke persons be more teastie angry than the sound women than men old folke than young and those in miserie more than they that are in prosperitie But among other executions done at that time upon meaner persons the death of Diocles late Treasurer for the Emperour in Illyricum was notable whom for certaine small trespasses he commanded to be burnt Likewise of Diodorus who had beene a Pursuivant or Intelligencer and of three officers belonging to the deputie Prefect in Italie for this cause put to cruel dolorous torments for that the said Treasurer complained unto him that Diodorus for his part had after a civile manner craved the benefit of law justice against him and the officers or ministers abovesaid durst at the judges commandement give him summons as he was taking his journey to answer according to the law whose memorial the Christians at Millain solemnly keeping to this verie day call the place where they were buried Ad Innocentes After this when as in the matter and businesse of one Maxentius a Pannonian upon an execution which lawfully by warrant from the judge was hastened he had given commandement that the States of three townes should be massacred Eupraxius then Questor interrupted him and said O deale more favourably most mercifull Prince for these whom thou commaundest to bee put to death as malefactors those of the Christian Religion honour as Martyres that is to say men beloved and accepted of God Whose boldnesse tending to do good Florentius the Prefect following when he heard how for a veniall fault he in a fit of anger had commanded that out of the Senators degree in many cities there shold three be executed And what shal be done quoth he if some towne of these have not so many such Burgesses And among the rest this also ought to be paused upon That if they have them they should be slaine This like wise an horrible thing to be said and done aggravated his unmercifull rigour namely That if any man came unto him with this request for the avoyding the judgement of some mightie enemie to have another Iudge assigned him he might not obtaine this suit but was referred over unto the same partie whom he feared notwithstanding he alledged many just and sufficient reasons Likewise there went speech abroad of another cruell and horrible part of his to wit That when any debtor was said to be in such povertie that he was not able to satisfie and make paiment he would pronounce sentence then That he must dye for it Now these and such like prankes play some Princes at their pleasure in the height of their pride for that they deny their friends libertie and meanes to reforme any naughtie designes or deeds of theirs and with the greatnesse of their power they terrifie their enemies for speaking Neither is there any question or inquirie to be made of lewd acts and enormities among them who thinke whatsoever they will to be the greatest vertues CHAP. VII The warre in Britannie happily atchieved by Theodosius a most valiant leader after he had repressed the Picts Saxons and other enemies BEing departed then from Amboise and making hast to Triers he was strucken with heavie newes giving him to understand That Britannie by a generall conspiracie and banding of the barbarous nations was sore distressed and brought to extreame miserie also that Nectaridius l Lieutenant or Admirall of the maritime tract was slaine and Buchobaudes L. Warden of the marches by a traine of the enemies forelayed and assayled on every side Which when he understood with great feare and horror he sent Severus even then m Comes of the Domestici if fortune would happily speed his hand to redresse whatsoever had happened amisse but when he within a little while after was called backe Iovinus being gone into the same parts sent in great hast before unto Proventusides to crave the aid of a puissantarmie At the last in regard of many and those fearefull accidents which rumors continually reported as touching the same Island there was elected appointed thither to make speed Theodosius a man most happily knowne and approoved for his martiall feats and so with a select power of legions and cohorts both he marched forward with brave boldnesse and resolution leading the way And forasmuch as when in compiling the acts of Constans the Emperour I declared and layed open to my power the motions of the Ocean both flowing ebbing as also the maritime tract sea coast of Britannie I have thought it superfluous to returne unto those matters which have bin once in order set down like as Vlyxes in Homer among n the Phęacians is for the exceeding difficultie of a matter afraid to unfold it and make a recitall thereof Yet thus much it shall suffice to deliver That the Picts in those dayes divided into two nations to wit Dicalidones and Vesturiones the Attacots likewise a warlike kind of people the Scots raunging in divers parts wasted and spoiled much As for the tracts of Gaule the Frankners and Saxons their neere confining neighbours then wheresoever any of them could breake forth and make rodes by sea or land made havocke therein by raising cruell booties firing townes and places yea and killing men women their captives For the restraining of these outrages if haply fortune might graunt good successe this right puissant captaine taking a voyage to the end of the world when he was come to the coast of Bononia which is severed from the land over against it by a narrow channell of the sea that ebbeth and floweth interchangeably and useth to rise and swell with terrible tides and againe to settle and lie even without hurt of the saylers in manner of plaine champian fields from thence having leisurely crossed over the said narrow sea he arrived at Rutupiae a quiet rode and harbor opposit unto it Whence also when the o Batavi Heruli Iovij and Victores bold and hardy companies who followed hard after were arrived he went forth and marching toward Lundonium an ancient towne which the posteritie afterwards named Augusta having divided his power into sundry bands and regiments he charged upon the forces of the enemies as they were spoiling and wasting here and there loaden also with much pillage and baggage and having quickly discomfited and scattered those that drave afore them as wel men and women bound and also cattell he stripped them of the bootie which the poore and miserable tributaries had lost And in the end having made restitution of it all save some small parcels distributed among the wearied souldiors
or Shew-places when by breaking their backe grates and dores in pieces they get at length to be at libertie And when this matter was many times handled and discussed in flourishes as it were and shewes so that some having their sides gashed and torne nominated certaine noble persons as if they had used workers of mischiefe by the meanes of their dependants and other base fellowes this divellish Inquisitor noting as well the parties accused as the informers and tracing them as they say by the foot roved further and in a malicious relation advertised the prince That the wleked and leawd acts which many committed in Rome could not possibly be either searched out or punished but by more sharpe and quicke justice Who upon the knowledge hereof being enraged as he was an enemie to vices rather rigorous than severe by vertue of one precept or warrant directed for such causes which hee mingled with an arrogant intention of treason decreed That all those whom the justice of auncient lawes and the judgement of sacred princes had exempted from bloudie inquisitions should if the case so required be put to cruell examinations by torture And to the end that a duple authority and the same strained to the height might patch matters together to the utter undoing of persons in higher place unto this Maximinus appointed to rule at Rome as deputie PrÄ™fect he joined in commission for the knowing and determining of these things which were a framing to the danger of many Leo a Notarie afterwards master of the Offices a very swash-buckler at every funerall a knowne robber and a Pannonian one who breathed foorth of his savage mouth crueltie and yet was neverthelesse greedie still of mans bloud Now the naturall disposition of Maximinus bent to doe mischiefe was much augmented by the comming to him of a like companion as also by sweet letters from the Emperour together with an honourable dignitie And therefore flinging out his feet to and fro for joy as he went he seemed to leape and daunce rather than to goe whiles he affected to imitate the Bracmans who as some report keepe a staâ—king and stately jetting among the altars And now by this time when the trumpets of domesticall miseries sounded and all men were amazed to see the horrible state of the world how it went beside many cruell and unmercifull examples the varietie and number whereof is incomprehensible most notable was the death of Marinus an advocate whom upon a slight and cursarie weighing of proofes and presumptions he condemned to death for daring by indirect and wicked acts to seeke the mariage of one Hispanilla And because I suppose that some men who haply shall read these reports will be readie to search exquisitly into particulars and reproove me keeping a stirre and saying This was done first and not that or such things are overslipt which themselves saw thus farre forth we are to give satisfaction unto them namely That all things are not worthy to be put downe in writing which passed among meane and base persons neither if that should have beene needfull had we sufficient instruction from the verie records considering how many publique miseries and misfortunes were so rife and hot and that this new furie uncurbed and unrestrained made a generall pudder and confusion whiles it was evidently knowne there was not a thing much feared any lawfull proceeding to judgement but a cessation of all law and justice Then it was that Cethegus a Senatour accused for committing adulterie had his head chopt off and Alypius a noble young gentleman for a small errour was sent away and confined yea and other meane persons were executed and died a publick death in whose calamities everie man seeing as it were the image of his owne perill dreamed of nothing but tormentors chaines bonds and lodging in balefull darknesse CHAP. III. The narration of Hymetius his case The crueltie of Maximinus repressed for a time is more hotly enkindled against Lollianus Clarita Flaviana Pafius Cornelius Sericus Asbolius Campensis and Aginatius AT the same time was the businesse also in hand of Hymetius a man of excellent towardnesse and expectation the order whereof wee know was carried in this wise When he governed Affricke as Proconsull he allowed corne unto the Carthaginians much distressed now for want of food out of the garners appointed for the people and State of Rome and within a while after when the earth had yeelded plentifull store of graine he made full restitution thereof without any delay But for as much as when hee sold unto them that wanted ten modij after the rate of one c solidus and himself had bought thirtie at the same price the whole gaine and advantage accrewing thereby he sent into the Princes Treasurie And therefore Valentinian supposing that by such returne of buying and selling there had beene sent lesse than there ought to have bin fined him with losse of a good part of his substance And to make his miserie the more there fell out this occurrent also at the same time no lesse pernitious to him than the other Amantius a famous Soothsayer above the rest in those dayes being by secret information discovered and made knowne that for the performance and complement of some small matters he was sent for by the same Hymetius to sacrifice and hereupon judicially convented albeit hee stood stooping in manner double under the racke stiffely and constantly denyed the same Who whiles he still made denyall in certaine privat and secret papers produced from his house there was found a Memorandum written with Hymetius his owne hand requesting him out of his art and learning by the rites and ceremonies of some solemne sacrifices to pray unto the divine power of the Emperour and to procure the favour of his sacred Majestie toward him in the utmost part of which writing there was read a certaine invective against the said Emperour as being a covetous and cruell Prince Valentinian advertised hereof by relation of some informers who made construction of all things that were done in the worst sense commaunded there should be inquisition made into this businesse in most rigorous maner And for that Frontinus a practiser with Amantius abovesaid was charged to have beene the minister of that forme of prayer which was made when he had been well tewed with rods and compelled to confesse he was banished into Britaine but Amantius condemned afterwards for capitall matters suffered death After these affairs in this order passed Hymetius being brought to the towne O criculum to have his cause heard by Ampelius Prefect of the citie and Maximinus vice Prefect and like as it seemed presently to be put away when he had libertie graunted to speake tooke the better course and appealed for succour to the Emperour and so protected under the safeguard of his name was kept in ward safe And the Princes pleasure being asked What should be done with him hee committed the managing of this
and ill appaied CHAP. XIIII The Court-like practises of Romanus Prefect of the Province of Palladius and others to worke the destruction of the Tripolitanes FOr which accidents the citizens doubtfull of their lives and assaying the utmost meanes they could devise ere that the embassadors dispatched before were returned send Iovinus and Pancratius to give faithfull intelligence unto the Emperour of what they had seene and what themselves had endured who meeting with Severus and Flaccianus those former embassadours at Carthage understood by them after question made how they had sped that by commaundement the hearing of their case was committed to the said Deputie and the Lieutenant Of those twaine Severus who was fallen exceeding grievously sick straight waies died therof Neverthelesse these other embassadors aforesaid made great journeyes and sped them in all hast to the Court. After this when the said Palladius was entred into Affricke Romanus advertised beforehand for what cause he was come to the end he might provide for his owne securitie and safetie gave order to the Principals of the bands by certaine that were privie to his secrets that unto him as to a mightie man and next unto the chiefe personages of the Palace they should acknowledge received the greatest part of the wages which he had brought over with him to pay And this was done accordingly He then hereby enriched forthwith set forward to Leptis and that he might the better search out the truth he led forth with him unto the places which lay wasted Erechthius and Aristomenes two eloquent Bourgesses and men of good note who frankly ripped up the miseries of themselves the citizens and the neighbour inhabitants Now when they had plainly declared and shewed all he having onely seene the lamentable ruines and ashes of the Province returned and greatly rebuking Romanus as an idle and slothfull governour hee threatened that he would most truely relate unto the Prince whatsoever he had seene And the other againe in a great chafe and griefe hereat promised That hee also shortly would give information that Palladius being sent as an upright and uncorrupt Notarie had interverted and conveyed all the souldiors donative to his owne proper gaine In which regard having his owne conscience to condemne him for his lewd dealings he afterwards grew to an attonement with Romanus So being returned unto the Court by the impious art of lying he deceived Valentinian and reported That the Tripolitanes complained without cause And therefore sent back he was againe with Iovinus the last of all the embassadours for Paâ—cr atius was departed this life at Triers to the end that himselfe with the Vicarius should see into the reason and cause of this second embassage Besides all this the Emperour commaunded That the tongues of Erechthius and Aristomenes whom the same Palladius had intimated to have spoken certaine words upon spight and envie should be cut out of their heads The Notarie as it was appointed followed after the deputie and came to Tripolis which when Romanus knew he sent with speed a domesticall servant of his thither and Caecilius his counsellor one borne in that province by whose meanes all the burgeffes being circumvented with money or craftie sleights I wot not laid great blame upon Iovinus affirming constantly That they had given him information of no such matters as he had delivered unto the prince and thus farre proceeded iniquitie and indirect dealing that Iovinus also himselfe to the endangering of his owne life confessed he had told the Emperour a lye Which being made knowne by Palladius when he was come backe Valentinian a prince very prone to ire and crueltie commaunded That Iovinus verily as the author and principall but Coelestius Concordius and Lucius as privie and parteners with him in that false information should loose their heads as for Ruricius the President he awarded him also to suffer death and this moreover made much against him for that in his certificate given up there were read certaine over-big words of his as it was thought and Ruricius verily was executed at Sitifis but the rest at Vtica had their judgement by the sentence of Crescens the deputie there Howbeit Flaccianus being heard judicially by the said deputie and lieutenant before the death of those embassadours as he stoutly pleaded in defence of his life with the shouts and outcries of the angrie souldiors in their violent heat and with taunting tearmes was well neere stabbed to death who objected That the Tripolitanes could not therefore be defended because themselves refused to find and allow necessarie meanes for the maintenance of an expedition and hereupon being cast into prison whiles the Emperour being asked his advice What was meet to be done was in determining some course by solliciting as might wel be thought his keepers brake prison and fled to the citie of Rome where lying close by the course of nature he ended his dayes CHAP. XV. The iustice of God calleth for due revenge of these most wicked and ungracious men WIth this memorable end ensuing Tripolis after it had been fore plagued as well with forraine as home-calamities was appeased and not left without defence because the eternall eye or Iustice and the Furies revenging the death of those embassadours and the President aforesaid watched over them For long after such an event as this brake out and came to light Palladius cassed and discharged from his militarie oath and deprived of that place which made him swell with pride went to lead a privat life and when Theodosius that noble Generall and grand Commaunder came into Africke for to suppresse Firmus who attempted mischievous matters and according to his commission rifled the moveable goods of Romanus aforenamed among his papers and writings there was found a letter also of one Meterius containing in it these words Domino Patrono Romano Meterius i. Meterius to his Lord and Patron Romanus greeting and in the end after many impertinent words Palladius the outcast saluteth you who sayth That for none other cause he was cast out of favour but for that in the matter of the Tripolit anes he made a lye in the Emperours sacred eare This letter being sent unto the Court and there read Meterius by the commaundement of Valentinian being apprehended confessed That the Epistle was his and therfore Palladius commaunded to be brought foorth and shewed in place thinking with himselfe what a deale of criminall matters he had brewed in a certaine station at the beginning of night observing the absence of the keepers who upon a feastivall day of the Christians lodged all night in the church knit his necke in an halter and so throtled himselfe and died This overture of more happie fortune being fully known and the stirrer up of these wofull broyles dispatched out of the way Erechthius and Aristomenes leapt out of their lurking holes who when they were advertised That commaundement was given to have their tongues as overlong and lavish
to be cut out of their heads voided aside to farre remote and hidden corners And when Gratian the Emperour was frankely informed of this lewd and wicked machination for now by this time was Valentinian departed this life they were sent unto Hesperius the Proconsull and Flavianus the deputie to have the hearing of their cause whose equitie supported with most just and due authoritie after that Caecilius was examined upon the racke found thus much by his open confession That himselfe had given counsell and persuaded the citizens to burthen the embassadours with a lye After these acts there followed a certificat which opened to the full the whole truth of all unto which there was no answere made And that this tragicall narration should leave out no part unhandled of so terrible an argument thus much also came upon the stage even after the hangings were drawne and taken downe Romanus being gone to the court brought with him Caecilius to accuse the Commissioners aforesaid as enclined over-much to the side of the province and he received with the favour of Merobaudes required That there should be many of their friends and kinsfolkes presented and brought in place Who when they were come to Millaine and had shewed by probable proofes and arguments without dissimulation That for no cause they were drawne thither were discharged and so returned home Yet while Valentinian was alive after the former occurrences which we have told Remigius also being departed from the court to a privat life strangled himselfe with an halter and so ended his dayes as we will shew in place convenient THE XXIX BOOKE CHAP. I. After some light skirmishes there was a truce agreed upon with Sapor The court of Valens is disquieted with new troubles by occasion of intelligence given by Palladius Whiles Valens was alive inquisition was made in certaine praesages as touching a successor in the Empire WHen Winter was past Sapor king of the Persians exceeding arrogant upon the confidence that he had gotten by his former battailes having supplied the number of his owne forces and furnished them very strongly sent his men of armes archers and mercenarie common soldiors to breake out and invade our territories Against these forces Traianus a lieutenant and Vadomarius late king of the Alemans went forth with right puissant bands appointed by commaundement from the prince to observe thus much rather to keepe off than to assayle the Persians first Who being come to Vagabanta a place renowmed for the legions that lodged there they received the violent charge and brunt of the enemies troupes rushing and running fiercely upon them full against their wils and of purpose giving ground and reculing backe because they would not first wound any of their enemies nor be deemed culpable in breaking of the league untill such time as being forced upon extreame necessitie they joyned battaile and having slaine a number of them departed with victorie Yet betweene whiles after some triall of light skirmishes on both sides and the same performed with sundrie events when truce by common consent was concluded and the Summer spent the leaders of both parts departed asunder as yet not well accorded And verily the Parthian king returned into his owne kingdome minding to Winter in Ctesiphon and the Romane Emperour entred into Antioch who whiles he maketh his abode there secured in the meane time from forraine enemies had like to have lost his life by intestine practises and conspiracies as the processe of this storie shall declare at large There was one Procopius a busie fellow and of a turbulent spirit given alwayes to the desire of stirres and troubles that had accused Anatolius and Spudasius two Palatines who were commaunded That what monyes they had intercepted from the common treasure should be demaunded for laying wait and practising against lieutenant Fortunatianus that eagre and importunate collector who presently growing from extreame rigour to plain rage and madnesse by vertue of the place and high authoritie which he held caused judicially to be convented before the Praefectus Prętorio one Palladius of most obscure and base parentage hired as a Sorcerer by the said parties and Heliodorus a teller of fortunes by calculation of nativities there to be forced for to utter and reveale what they knew Now when it came to this point that the question either of fact or attempt was hotely followed Palladius confidently brake out into this manner of exclamation That these were but light toyes now in hand and fit to be passed over as for me quoth he if I may be allowed to speake I will tell of greater matters and such as are to be feared indeed and which being alreadie plotted and well set forward unlesse better heed be taken will bring all to confusion And being commaunded boldly to shew what he knew he unfolded and layed forth as one would say a huge long cable of villanies avouching That Fidustius one toward the office of the President and Pergamius together with Irenaeus had secretly learned by detestable magicke the name of him that was to raigne after Valens Fidustius straightwaies attached for his hap was then to be present and closely brought in to be examined when he saw the partie that had appeached him never went about by way of deniall to shadow or hide things alreadie divulged but discloseth the dangerous and hurtfull traine of the whole matter absolutely confessing That himselfe together with Hilarius and Patricius of which persons Hilarius served as a souldior about the palace had sought unto Wizards skilfull in prophesies as touching the Emperour that should be also that the Oracle-rolls being by secret arts stirred and set aworke fore-told both the proper name of an excellent prince and also to themselves that were actors in this businesse lamentable and wofull ends And when they were all at a stand who he should be in those dayes that so excelled all in vigour of mind and courage it was thought that Theodorus now advaunced to the second place among the Notaries surpassed the rest And verily he was no lesse indeed than the world tooke him for Forbeing of a noble and ancient house descended in Gaule and liberally brought up from the very first rudiments of his childhood in regard of his modestie wisdome courtesie credit favor and learning right honourable seemed alwaies better than the office and place that he held accepted and beloved indifferently both of high and low and the onely man he was in maner of all others whose tongue not running at randon but well advised what it spake no feare of danger could ever stop Over and above all this the same Fidustius being now grievously tormented and mangled to the point of death went on and said That upon his report Theodorus had learned all which he foretold by Euserius a man of singular skill and learning and besides a very honorable personage for why it was not long before that he had governed Asia as deputie Praefect When he
because such was the confuse handling of all matters as it were in horror of darknesse that the record of such things as were done most secretly within hath passed by our knowledge CHAP. III. Pergamius is put to death Salia sodainly perisheth Patricius and Hilarius reveale the whole order of the presages and cursed Divination AT the first calling in Pergamius after some slight and small questions being detected by Palladius as hath beene said before to have foreknown some matters by the meanes of art-Magicke and wicked impretations as he was a man passing eloquent desperatly given to cast out perilous words whiles the judges were in doubt what should be examined first and what afterward he boldly began to speak and keeping a great noyse appeached stil without any end many thousands as privies and accessories calling and requiring to have some presented there in place even from as farre welneere as the utmost mountaine Atlas to be charged with grievous crimes When he was put to death as one who packed together such matters as were over hard to bee tryed and others after him by whole companies executed they came to the cause of Theodorus himselfe as it were to the spacious field of some c Olympicke Game The same day among many other accidents there fell out this fearefull chaunce also namely that Salia Treasurer not long before in Thracia as he was led forth of prison and bonds to have his cause heard in putting foot into his shoo sodainly strucken with the object of some terrible affright yeelded up his vitall breath in the verie armes of those that had hold of him When as the court therefore was set and the Lawyers shewed the prescript words of the law howbeit readie to handle everie point and tittle of causes according to the will of their soveraigne Lord all that were in the place assembled fell into a fit of fearefull quaking For the Emperour Valens swerving wholly from the rule of equitie and now better instructed how to doe mischiefe like unto one of these wild beasts of the Shew place if one brought hard to the cage chanced to run away and escape fared as if he had been horne madde Patricius therefore and Hilanius being presented before them commaunded also to unfold the order and maner of every thing as it was done when as at the first they began to falter and varie in their words after their sides were throughly furrowed and the three footed table which they used brought into the Court driven at length to extreame straits open the whole truth of the matter ripped up even from the verie beginning And Hilarius first We framed quoth he my Lords and right honourable Iudges after the paterne of that Oracle table of Apollo at Delphos in a cursed and unlucky houre this unfortunat little table made of bay twigges which yee here doe see and when with many an imprecation and exercisme by way of secret charmes as also with a number of long complements we had ceremoniously consecrated it we stirred set it a worke at length Now the order of stirring or moving the same so often as wee sought for answer about secret and doubtfull matters was in this wise Placed it was in the mids of an house purged cleane and perfumed with the sweet odours and spices of Arabia and thereupon a charger round on everie side neatly set and the same made of divers mettals In the utmost ring or compasse whereof the characters or formes of the twentie foure letters in the Alphabet being drawne out and engraven cunningly stood one from another with certaine spaces betweene them precisely set out Then one arrayed i white linnen vestments and shod likewise with linnen pumpes who also had a little wreath compassing his head round and carried in his hand the leaves of some fruitfull tree having by certaine formall charmes obtained the favour of that divine power which is the author and president of Divination and Prescience of future things according to the ceremoniall skill thereto belonging standeth above the sayd table peising a pendant little ring platted or woven close and fast of the fine d Carpathian threed and the same consecrated with mysticall disciplines which ring lighting by iumpes and leapes with distinct pauses betweene on certaine letters one after another seeming to stay and hold the same maketh e heroicke verses answerable to the questions demaunded and those fully composed according the Rhythmicall numbers and measures like unto those f Pythicke verses which we read or such as are delivered by the Oracles of the g Branchida There then as we asked who was to succeed in this present Empire for that it was said he should hee one everieway accomplished the ring as it hopped here and there quickly made up two sillables with the addition of the last letter of all in the end Then one there present cryed out that it was Theodorus who by the prescript oppointment of fatall necessitie was meant and afore-signified neither was there any farther inquirie made into this businesse for we were sufficiently resolved that this was the verie man whom we sought and called for Now when he had so expresly layd open the full knowledge of the whole matter to the eye of the Iudges he added moreover and gently said That Theodorus was utterly unacquainted therewith Being after this demaunded Whether by the faithfull answer of these Oracles which they practised they had any foreknowledge of such torments as they had sustained they uttered those most notable verses which plainely shewed that this their labour and paines which they tooke in searching after these high secrets above their reach should shortly cost them their lives yea and that the Furies threatned neverthelesse both the Prince himselfe and his agents also calling for vengeance by bloudshed and fire upon their heads Of which verses it sufficeth to put downe onely these three last 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nor unreveng'd shall thy bloud long remaine For why that fell and angrie Furie she Tisiphone will worke them deadly paine In Mimant fields where they shall burned be Which when they were read after they had beene sore tormented with clawes they were parted one from another by this time in manner breathlesse and dead CHAP. IIII. When Theodorus Eusebius and Pasiphilus were diligently examined Simonides the Philosopher after execution of an infinit number was burnt to ashes After whom follow Maximus and Diogenes when Alypius and Hierocles his sonne were sundrie wayes mangled and tormented AFter this to the end that the fabricke and worke-house of this designed wickednesse might be evidently set open there was brought in a companie of honourable Senatours among whom were the heads and very principall persons of the State And when everie man seeing none but himselfe was readie to shove his owne imminent mischiefe upon another at length by leave and permission of the Inquisitors Theodorus beginning to speak at
device in the middest of a feast which with reverence is regarded even in the Euxine sea in the very sight of the b Hospitall God the bloud of a stranger spurting upon the rich table-clothes and carpets and foming againe gave all the guests their fill who by this time in exceeding horror were dispersed Now would that noble Fabricius c Luscinus grone and weepe if folke departed have any sence of griefe in them at this arrogant and desperate act knowing as he did with what courage and magnanimitie he rejected Demochares or as some write Nicias the kings minister promising by way of a secret parley That he would in a cup of wine poyson king Pyrrhus who then plagued and wasted Italie with most cruell warres and wrote withall to the said king That he should take heed of his inward servitours and attendants neere about him such a reverent regard in that time of auncient justice carried the Genialitie even of an enemies table But this late unexampled and shamefull fact was excused forsooth by the like precedent of d Sertorius his death and that by flatterers ywis who happily never knew as Demosthenes that everlasting ornament and honour of Greece affirmeth That whatsoever is argued and obiected as done otherwise than rightfully can never be answered and assoyled by the like precedent or impunitie of another crime And thus much of the memorable occurrents that passed in Armenia CHAP. III. The Embassages of Sapor and Valens that tooke no effect The horrible death of Remigius who had acted not the least part in the Tragoedie of Tripolis described in the 29. booke BVt Sapor after the former overthrow and slaughter of his men having certaine intelligence of Para his death whom he earnestly endeavoured to combine with was strucken with grievous sorrow and as the cheerefull courage of our armie still encreased his feare hee projecting greater designes unto himselfe sent Arsaces in Embassage unto the Emperour and gave advice To have Armenia the continuall cause of all troubles to be utterly destroyed And in case that motion were misliked he required another thing namely That the division of Hiberia being annulled and the garrisons of the Romanes side from thence remooved Aspacures might bee permitted to raigne alone whom himselfe had made Governour over that nation Whereunto Valens returned answere to this effect That he could not foredoe ought of the capitulations and articles by consent confirmed but was right willing and carefull to maintaine the same To crosse this glorious purpose and resolution of his when as the Winter now was at an end the kings letters were brought alledging vaine and arrogant reasons For he constantly avouched That the occasion of discord might not possibly bee stocked up by the rootes without the presence of those that were privie to the peace covenanted with Iovianus some of whom he understood were departed this life After this the Emperour as his care grew greater and tooke deeper impression beeing better able to chuse than to devise good counsels and supposing this to be expedient for his affaires commaunded Victor Generall of the Horse and Vrbicius Marquesse or Warden of the marches of Mesopotamia to goe with all speed carrying with them an absolute and uniforme answere That it little became a iust Prince contenting himselfe with his owne as the king usually gave out of himselfe thus wickedly to covet Armenia considering the inhabitants thereof by his owne agreement were permitted to live at their owne will and unlesse the garrison souldiors imparted unto Sauromaces returned without faile and let in the beginning of the yeare following as it was ordered he should against his will accomplish those articles which of his owne accord to doe he omitted Which verily was a plaine and francke Embassage had it not swerved in this one point That without any direction or commission in that behalfe these Embassadours accepted of those small countries in Armenia that were offered Which Embassage being returned there arrived Surena chiefe in authoritie under the king offering the very same parcels unto the Emperour which our Embassadours had boldly taken Who being liberally and honourably entertained but sent backe againe without obtaining that for which he came great preparation there was and furniture for the warres considering that the Emperour so soone as the rigour of Winter was abated minded with three armies to invade Persis and therefore with all expedition levied and waged aid souldiors of the Scythians Sapor therefore missing of those matters which in a vaine hope he had conceived and chafed more than he used to be for that he had intelligence That our great Commaunder and Ruler prepared for an expedition yet biting in his anger gave Surena in charge to clayme and recover by force of armes those pieces which Lieutenant Victor and Vrbicius had received and in case any man made resistance that the souldiors also which were appointed for the garrison and defence of Sauromaces should be plagued with extremitie of miseries And for these designes quickly put in execution as he had ordained there was no remedie nor meanes to crie quittance because the Romanes were beset with another feare of all Gothia which in licentious manner had violently broke into Thracia The dolefull and lamentable events ensuing whereupon may then bee summarily set downe when we shall come to handle those affaires also These were the proceedings that passed along the East tracts within the traine whereof the powerfull vigour of eternall justice which though it be divers times slow yet is a curious and precise Commissioner to enquire into things well done or otherwise tooke revenge of those miseries of Africke and the Embassadours of Tripolis whose manes and ghosts as yet were unrevenged and wandered without rest which fell out in this sort Remigius who as I sayd before had favoured and countenanced Romanus in spoyling of the Provinces after that Leo in his rowme was entred into the mastership of the Offices giving over now the affaires of State betooke himselfe to countrey businesses neere unto Mogontiacum in his owne native countrey Whom making his abode there in great securitie Maximinus the Praefect Praetorio despising as one returned to a private and quiet life studied and sought how by all meanes possibly he might hurt as he was one that like unto some contagious and pernicious plague used to infect and worke mischiefe still where ever he came and to the end that he might search out more matters still that lay hidden he attached and by way of bloudie torture examined Caesar before time one of his domesticall guard and afterward the Princes Notarie to know of him What Remigius had done or how much he had received to helpe and further Romanus in his wicked acts Which when Remigius understood whiles he remained yet as hath beene said in a retyred place either for that he was pricked in conscience for his lewd parts committed or that the feare occasioned by slaunderous accusations overcame his reason he made no
as auncient hystories make report that tooke a fee for the defence of a cause Semblably among the Romans also the Rutilij Galbae and Scauri men for their life behaviour and frugalitie approved and after them for sundrie yeares together of the age ensuing many that were Censors and Consuls in their time yea and had triumphed to wit the Crassi Antonij the Philippi and the Scaevolae with a number more beside after most fortunat conduct of armies after victories atchieved and trophees erected flourished in the performance of civile offices betweene citizen and citizen even for their stipends and gaining by their goodly prizes plaid the laurell garlands of the Barre and Common place enjoyed glorious honours in the highest degree After whom Cicero the most excellent of all who oftentimes with the thunderbolts of his commaunding speech delivering some that were oppressed and cast downe out of daungerous flames of judgement affirmed That men haply might be undefended altogether without blame and reproofe but negligently defended without a sinfull act they could not possibly be CHAP. VI. A little table representing to the life these ravenous Harpyes and a sorting or division of them into certaine formes or rankes BVt now adayes you may see throughout all those tracts divers in that kind verie violent and most ravenous men such as goe swouping and flinging over all the Courts and Halls of justice yea and closely do beset rich mens houses who like unto hounds of Sparta or Crete by following with a quicke sent everie cause as it were by the tract and footing come at length to the verie dennes thereof The first companie of these are they who by sowing sundrie controversies and quarels have their hands in a thousand actions bonds for apparance at the Law-day haunting the doores of widowes and entries of childlesse parents These desirous to entertaine privie grudges betweene friends kinsfolkes and allyes that are at variance for some small matters of no moment and importance goe about to make them hate and detest one another And in these their vices they waxe not more calme and mild as others doe by processe of time but get greater head and grow stronger who also among the unsatiable extortions of the poore for to enveagle and deceive by their subtile orations the integritie of Iudges whose name sprung of Iustice draw forth the keene blade of their wits In this their obstinat course of dealing their rashnesse seemeth to resemble libertie their headie boldnesse constancie and a certaine vaine flowing tongue of thiers eloquence through the violent force of which arts as Tully affirmeth a foule shame it is that the upright conscience of a Iudge should be deceived For thus he saith And whereas there ought nothing to be in a Commonwealth so pure and sincere as the giving of vayce or the sentence of a Iudge I cannot see how he that hath corrupted the same with a peece of money should deserve punishment and he that doth the like with eloquence goe away with prayse And verily in my conceit he seemeth of the twaine to doe more harme who corrupteth a Iudge by his eloquent speech than he that doth it by plaine â—riherie for that no mâ—â— is able to corrupt a wise man with money but with eloquence he may full well The second sort of these men are they who professing skill of right and law which the difference of statutes and ordinances opposite one unto another hath quite fored one atriâ— their mouthes were muzzeled and made up with their continuall silence are like their owne shadowes These resembling them that calculat and foretell folkes destinies by their nativities and horoscopes or wisards that expound Sibyls Oracles composing their grave countenance to a sad and solemne habit make even their drowsie yawning and supine negligence saleable And these fellowes because they would be thought to have a deepe insight into the lawes have altogether in their mouthes f Trebatius Caesellius and Alfenus and their whole talke is of the lawes of the Aurunci and Sicani such as long since are growne out of knowledge and many hundred yeares ago even with Evanders mother buried And if thou shouldest devise and say That wilfully thou hadst murthered thine owne mother they are readie to beare thee in hand and promise that they have read many hidden booke-cases and presidents that affoord meanes to acquit thee provided alwayes that they perceive thee to be well moneyed A third crew there is of those who to the end that in this turbulent profession they may get a name whetting their mercenarie tongues to the beating downe of truth by their shamelesse foreheads and base bawling make open way for themselves to passe whither they list who taking the opportunitie of the Iudges cares in many matters distracted linking and entangling causes with insoluble quirkes and quilits endevour by long demurres to have controversies depending still and by their intricat questions that of purpose they foist in hold off and delay judgements which when they proceed well and fall out aright they are the verie shrines and temples of equitie but if they be wrong and unjust they are both deceitfull and blind pits whereinto if any man fall and be caught he shall not be able in many five yeares together to to get forth sucked drie in the meane while even to the verie marrow CHAP. VII The last sort of them that uphold this profession of Lawyers impudent froward wilfull and unlearned is here in lively colours depainted THe fourth and last ranke is impudent overthwart stubborne and withall unlearned those I meane who having broken loose over-soone from the Grammer schoole run to and fro in all corners of cities studying for scoffes and frumping flours not for meet pleas to helpe any cause who also haunting rich mens houses lay for to get part of exquisit dainties at their suppers and meales Who when they have once betaken themselves to secret and privat gaines and given their minds to get money everie way it skills not how set any innocent and harmelesse persons together by the eares and make them for nothing goe to law and being admitted into the court and that seldom happeneth for the defence of a cause at the verie instant time when they should come to plead at barre they are faine to be instructed from the verie mouth of the client that is defendant what is the name and nature of the cause that he hath taken in hand And these are so full of their confused circumlocutions that a man would thinke he heard g Therfites with a frapling and bawling clamor to come out with a mishmash and hotchpotch of most distastfull and unsavorie stuffe But when they are once driven to a nonplus and want matter to maintaine their allegations then turne they all their speech to an unbridled libertie of rayling and foule speaking in which respect for their reproachfull and reviling tearmes which continually they would give even to
Valentinian His growth and progresse His acts and whole course of life briefly run over NOw is it time to unfold as divers times we have done and from the nativitie of this Princes father by way of a briefe collection to discourse of his acts even to the death of himselfe not leaving out the distinct difference of his vices or good parts which his high place and dignitie shewed that is alwayes woont to lay naked the inward dispositions of the mind Gratianus the elder was borne at Cibalae a towne in Pannonia of ignoble and base parentage sirnamed from his verie childhood Funarius because that he as yet but a stripling as he carried a rope about with him to sell shrunke not five souldiors that with great endevor were in hand to snatch the same violently from him following herein Milo l Crotoniates from whom as hee held many times and clasped close either in his right hand or his left any apples no man was ever able with might and maine to wrest them away For the cleane strength therefore of his mightie bodie and the skill he had in wrestling as the manner is of souldiors being verie well knowne unto many after the dignitie borne of a Protector and a Tribune he managed in Affrica the office of m Comes reicastrensi whereupon being touched with the suspition of theft and departed thence long after in the like place he had the rule of the Britaines armie and at the last discharged honestly of his militarie othe returned home to his privat house and notwithstanding that he lived farre remote from all stirre and noyse of the world yet was he fined by Constantius with the losse of his goods for this cause that in the heat and broyle of civile warre he was said to have entertained and lodged Magnentius as his guest what time as by his lands and possessions hee made hast to his intended designes In regard of whose deserts Valentinian his sonne from the verie prime of his youth commendable with the helpe also of a long traine of his owne vertues being adorned at Nicea with the investure of Imperiall Majestie tooke his brother Valens unto him as fellow Emperour who in respect of brotherhood in the whole bloud sorted and accorded most joyntly with him a man that carried himselfe in a meane betweene reproachfull and prayse-worthie acts which I will in convenient place declare Valentinian therefore after many dangerous troubles past whiles he led a privat life was no sooner entred upon his Empire but he visited the castles scituat neere unto great rivers violent streames as also Gaule that lay exposed to the Alemans rodes and invasions who began the more boldly to revive and stirre againe upon knowledge of the Emperour Iulians death whom onely of all the men in the world they stood in awe of And for this good cause also was Valentinian much dread because he both reenforced his armies with strong supplies and also fortified Rhene on either side with high castles and fortresses that the enemie making rodes breaking out upon our province might no where be undiscovered And to let many-particulars passe which he did by the authoritie of a staied and well grounded governour as also what abuses he reformed either by himselfe or his industrious captaines after he had assumed his sonne Gratian into the societie of his power and high place he privily stabbed because openly he could not Vithigabius a king of the Alemans the sonne of Vadomarius a young prince in his verie flower and first downe of his cheekes for stirring up the people to insurrections and warres Also in a battaile against the Alemans neere unto Solicinium a place where he was forelaid and like to have lost his life he might have put then to the sword everie man of them but that by vantage taken of the darke night some few of them made quicke speed and escaped And yet among these politike and warie exploits by a treacherous stratageme I must needs say but advantageous to him he slew the Saxons that now were growne to fearefull outrage a nation at all times making sodaine rodes and invasions and then arrived at the Maritime tracts with the spoyles whereof they were returned almost loden these robbers I say and brigands then by force defeated he stripped of all their bootie and pillage And in like manner the Britaines who were not able to endure such troupes of enemies overrunning them he restored to their libertie and quiet peace with hope of better dayes suffering not one in manner of the foresaid brigands to returne home into their countrey With semblable valour and fortunat successe whereas one Valentinus a banished person in Pannonia went about in these provinces to trouble the common peace he suppressed him before his plotted designe grew to any strong head After this he delivered Affricke out of great daungers being much troubled with a sodaine mischiefe what time as Firmus not able to abide the greedinesse and pride of the militarie men raised the nations of Mauritania who upon everie small gale are forward ynough to entertaine all commotions and discords And with like fortitude he had revenged the lamentable losses and calamities of Illyricum but that prevented by death he left that serious businesse unfinished And albeit these atchievements which wee have related were performed by the service of his excellent captaines yet full well it is knowne that himselfe also as he was of a quicke and nimble conceit yea and throughly grounded with long experience of warfare atchieved many acts beside among which this might have more notably appeared in case he could have taken alive king Marcianus who in those dayes was verie terrible according as with great industrie he had assayed after he understood with sorrow and griefe that he was escaped to the Burgundians whom himselfe had annexed unto the Alemans Thus much may serve for a briefe discourse as touching the acts of this prince CHAP. XI His vices are at large described VPon assured confidence now that posteritie enthralled neither to feare nor foule flatterie is woont with an uncorrupt and single eye to behold things past we will summarily reckon up his vices and afterward shew also his good deserts He pretended sometime an outward shew of clemencie whereas by heat of nature he was much inclined to crueltie forgetting I assure you this lesson That a King and Emperour ought to avoid all excessive courses no lesse than so many steepe and craggie rockes For never doe wee find that he tooke up with any mild correction and punishment but commanded otherwhiles bloudie examinations to be multiplied one upon another when as some after cruell interrogatories were tormented even to the danger of their lives And so much given he was to do mischiefe that he was never knowne by a mercifull note of his subscribing to have saved any one person from death were he once condemned to dye whereas otherwhiles even most cruell princes have done so
which they tearme Vivaria i. Parkes whiles with the stroke of many an arrow hee killed wild boares made small reckoning the while of many and those serious occurrents at such a time especially when as if Marcus Antoninus himselfe had sitten at the helme of the Commonweale he could hardly have beene able to remedie the lamentable calamitie of the State without Colleagues like to himselfe and much sage counsell beside when Gratianus therefore had disposed of his affairs according to the time and as the occasions in Gaule and the nations there did require and punished withall that traitour the Squier or Scutarius aforesaid who had told the Barbarians that the Emperour made hast into Illyricum he departed from thence by a castle bearing the name of Foelix arbor and by the way of Inaureatum sped him apace with stretched out journeyes to helpe the part that went downe the wind And about the same time to succeed Frigeridus who most politikely devised many profitable meanes for the common securitie and made hast to fortifie the streits of Succi for feare least the enemies nimble as they were and used to make rodes breaking also violently forth like unto some swelling streames should raunge and over-run at their pleasure the Northerne Provinces there was sent a Lieutenant named Maurus a man under a shew of stout courage altogether made for money and at all assayes mutable and uncertaine This is he of whom in a former part of our hystorie we wrot thus much That when Caesar Iulianus made some question about the setting of a crowne upon his head whiles he served among his Squiers and attended upon the palace tooke the coller that he wore about his owne necke and presented it unto him for a diademe and being a warie and diligent captaine was remooved from his service at the verie time when all things lay a bleeding whereas though he had long before departed and betaken himselfe unto a privat life at home he ought considering the great affaires of state so required to have beene brought againe into the field About this time it happened that Valens now at length roused out of Antiochia after a long way travailed came to Constantinople where when he had stayed verie few dayes and been disquieted with a light mutinie of the people and committed unto Sebastian a vigilant leader knowne who a little before was sent from Italie as himselfe desired the conduct of the Infanterie which Traianus had the charge of before himselfe went to Melantias a village belonging to the Caesars where he refreshed the souldiors hearts with money with food and many faire and affable speeches From whence when upon a new journey by a solemne watchword proclaimed he was come to Nice a station so named he understood by the relation of the spyes and discoverers that the Barbarians full of rich pillage were returned from the tracts of Rhodope neere to Hadrianopolis Who taking knowledge that the Emperour with a great power of souldiors was in his march make hast to joyne with their countrey-men having planted guards for the defence of the people about Berora and Nicopolis and streightwayes as the present occasion of necessitie required Sebastian with three hundred choyce souldiors drawne out of everie band was appointed to make speed minding to doe some service as he promised for the good of the Commonwealth Who upon great hast in his journey made being discovered nigh unto Hadrianopolis had the gates shut and locked against him and was prohibited to come neerer for the e Magistrats of the citie feared that being taken prisoner by the enemie he was come as one suborned and so might worke somewhat to the cities undoing the like as had happened by another Lieutenant whom the souldiors of Magnentius by a wile had caught by whose meanes the strong gates of the Iulian Alpes were laid open At length though late Sebastian being knowne what he was and permitted to enter into the citie after he had cherished with victuals and sleep according to the store that the place affoorded those whom he had under his conduct the morrow following hee secretly brake forth and went his way Now by that time that the evening drew on when he had upon a suddaine descried neere unto the river Hebrus the companies of the Gothes well appointed to wast and spoyle hiding himselfe for a while within the bankes and shrubs in the darke night he marched softly for being heard and set upon them disordered as they were and out of array and performing also this piece of service that beside some few who by their good footmanship escaped death all the rest fel upon the edge of the sword and so he fetched backe againe infinit booties and spoyles which neither the citie nor the wide plaine fields were able to receive For which cause Fritigernus being throughly rowsed and fearing greatly least he a fortunat and victorious captaine as he had often heard should defeat and bring to nought the bands of his men dispersed here and there at their pleasure and wholly minding their prey by setting upon them at unawares after he had called them all backe neere unto the towne Cabyle he quickly departed to the end that making their abode in the open countries they might neither be distressed with famin nor endangered by secret ambushments CHAP. XII Valens who envied the vertues of Gratian bringing with him many bands of old experienced and select souldiors without expecting any aid but in his owne pride pricked forward by the foolish words of flatterers and a certaine mischievous destinie hasteneth to encounter the Gothes and when their embassadours treated about conditions of peace sent them away without effect WHiles these affaires went thus in Thracia Gratianus having certified his unckle by letters with what industrie he had overcome the Alemans sent all his cariages with bag and baggage before by land and himselfe with those forces which were more lightly appointed passing along the river Danubius arrived at Bononia and entred Sirmium And when he had remained there foure daies by the same river he went downe to Martis Castra troubled sore by the way with fits of an intermittent ague in which tract he was suddainely set upon by the Alanes and lost some of his followers And at the very same time Valens troubled sore in two respects both for that he understood for certaine that the Lentienses were vanquished and also because Sebastianus by letters eftsoones with words amplified his own deeds dislodged from Melanthias in warlike manner hastening by some doutie and notable exploit to equall the young prince his brothers sonne for whose vertues he was vexed at the heart and under his conduct he had a great army and the same right puissant and of couragious stomacke for unto it he had joyned also the strength of the old beaten souldiors among whom there were readie in the field likewise those of more honorable place and by name Traianus late Generall
Pesse * Rosetâ—o * Sturioni * Damiate Nig. Migni Bâ—nâ—â—ctâ—lâ— * Tanes Nig. Calâ—â—enâ— Bonacâ— * Carabes * Gâ—guere Casâ—aâ—d * 〈◊〉 * water and land * Pollices * Fortuâ—a morte I suppose he meaneth that manner of death which is not violent noâ— occasioned by any outward knowne cause but coÌ„ming of it selfe which how it differeth from naâ—urall or inward disease I cannot see * fluenta egreâ—â—tâ—â— Nilâ— * hote baines * haply for Chythros or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Graecè 〈…〉 Poâ—s or Keâ—â—les such as Herodâ—â— lib. 7. 〈◊〉 about 〈…〉 * Asna Ortel * Gosen or Rameâ—â—â— or 〈◊〉 * Fechna Errif * of â— cities therein * Cana or Chana * or Antinoe Anthios at this day * having an hundred gates * Belbais Belbin * 〈◊〉 Tiâ—â—t * 〈◊〉 Nigr. * 〈◊〉 * Acon or Acre * Sues Gâ—liâ— * Benich or Berbuch of some Caâ—â— or Alcair * Porto-rassa or Berton * or Chaerecla * Cairo or Menchis * Alexandrâ—na Curopot * Alexander the Great * Pharos the Iâ—â—â— now Faâ—on or Magrah * or Beawkens * A place containing 7. stadia or great furlongs of ground woon out of the sea * Publicanes or fermers of the customes * The temple of Serapis * Bochir or 〈◊〉 * or ground lying wâ—â—â—in it * â—koffing Poets * Ter Consul not ter Consule For â— cannot find in the Chronologie that Saliustâ—s â—s was before this yeare Consul with him and the veriâ— words following imply no lesse * of Iudea * For it seemeth that this title Foelix was in his stile else it could not now be ominous * The 1. day of Ianâ—ariâ— * The 5. day oâ— March * Merediâ— Tostâ—ll * Boâ—â—â— Castald * the 18. day of March. * or Iieutenant generall Comes * Dux whereby it appeareth that Comes was an higher dignitie than Dux contrarie to the practise of our dayes * 〈◊〉 * Baldach Castald Bagda Câ—ropalaâ— and according to divers languages hath sundry names * Callinicum also Oâ—tel * Dachia neere unto the way Appia and runneth into Tyber * or Lieutenaâ—â— * the balistier himselfe If this description content you not see the figure of it and others in Vegetâ—â—â— and Notiâ—â—â— * Serratoria machinae * or rocke * as namely Bitumen and Nuphta * Giulap * or Buffon * the traitor * the younger * theâ— day of Aprill * For it alluded to Iupiter and to hiâ— that succeâ—ded next in the Empire * Celsarum potestatum as Colonels Sergeant majors c. * The people of Lithuania or Liâ—taw as VVillichius thinketh * Ghost * The ruines therof is at this day calâ—ersack somewhat alluding to the ancient name Byrsa Marmoliâ—s * Garray Moralâ— * Castel â—ubilâ—o Erythraâ—â— * Moâ—â—e Fiascone * Martheâ—iano or Civiâ—a Castellana * Lostâ—etto di Constantinopoli * with Alexander Magnus * Cabo Lasquette Ortel * Cherman * Balfero Ortel * a mountaine * Gangan Castaâ—â— Cantan Mercaâ—â—â— Gualgas Theveto * Adriuâ—a Nâ—gr and diversly named by sundry Geographers * Cus. Nigr. * Cordini Haithonâ— Servan Castald * Farsi Mercator Pharsic Theveto * Arach Mercator * Cherman Nâ—g or Turquestan Gitav * Diargument Mercator Hyrach Erythrâ—â— * Ieselbas Castald * Carassâ—n Castald Batter Ramâ—sio * Maurenhaâ—â— Mercator * Sas. Nigr. These three countries last named Marius Niger compriseâ—h under Tartaria Zagathea * part of Cathaia * or Emodus Magbali Castald * Cambalâ— Girâ—â— * Sernere Merâ—â—t * Turks as Gaâ— a reporteth out of Gemistius Pletho * Segistan or Segastan Mercator Nâ—gr * Chesimur Merc. * Gest Mercator * Almasia Castald Genâ—ch Theveto â—occato Alaluliâ—n â—incto * Botan Castald * or Euphratesia * Azar Nigrâ— * â—bro * Guadalquivir * Andalusia * Ninive otherwise called â—ussula Mosse and Mosal â—â—gr Leoâ—â— * Tauris Castald * Traxt Rawolâ—â—o * Ballera Ortelio * Baldach Castald * Dakia Beniam Tudeles * others name him Nicanor * of Choâ—â—a a citie in Lycâ—a where he was honoured * so called of the â—ill Palatium in Rome * Naar-malcha which he mentioneth afterward signifieth as much * Sustra Castald * Cordini Haithâ—nâ— * Servan Castaldâ— * It carrieth divers names according to the countries that coast upon it * Sirvan Leunclâ—â— * Baâ—aâ—afi Castald * of wine 〈◊〉 * Siras of some Siaphas * Sub aquilone or North if you expound it at Large * Iex Thevâ—â—â— * 〈◊〉 * Sub aquâ—lone taking it strictly * or societie * Chiâ—ico Sophiaâ—â— * Geichon Raâ—â—â—sio Deistan Nigr. * as one would say Stone-tower * Here Ptolâ—â—â—â—e placeth the Anthropophagi â— Feeders of mens flesh * Boreae precisely the Northwest wind * The Region Scrnere Mercator Turquestan Pineto * Indu Castald Hijnd Nigâ— * Gynâ—con Liâ—en * witchcraft and sorcerie * haply in seâ— service * wherein Anatha stood * Phylarchâ—â— * or Tribuâ—â— * or Adiabene Botan Castaldo * The mediterranean sea Ortel The Levant sea according to the Spaniards * otherwise called Bithra in Zoâ—iâ—â—â— * or Raâ—â—n * It seemeth by Poâ—ponâ—â—â— Lâ—tâ—â— and by Maâ—cellinâ—â— elsewhere That Surena was no proper name but a title of the highest dignitie next unto the king * Bachad Nâ—gr * neere midright * Octogenis This place no doub is corrupt read therfore Octâ—ngentâ— that 15 800. or else exposid octogenis distributâ— veli i. 80 apeece * Rhosne * the vauntgâ—ard and reâ—eward * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Iulian. * midland * 16. day of Iuâ—â— * or halfe moone * or lieutenants or captaines * 〈◊〉 or such like 〈◊〉 as â—â— hastie 〈◊〉 c. * etiam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gregano * or Meteore * The maine battaile * Canâ—idaâ—â— * Mandigna or Mandi Lâ—unâ—l * or immortalitie * alterâ—â—t tricesimâ— * or greedily * Vitam For so doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 otherwhiles signifie in Greeke * Lentior is ingenâ—â— and therefore haply so studious unlesle you expouÌ„d it stubborne naturally such as Tiberiâ—â— Caesar was whose nature is said to be Lentâ— in Sâ—eton * the Gentile professors ne transiret à numinum cultu * to be Deâ—â—tions or Curialâ—s and â—enatours in theiâ— townes and cities * How is it then that in the 22. booke the Antiochians skoffed at him as one humeros extentans angustos un'esse you admit there the figure Anâ—phrasis i. to speake by the contrarie * Pâ—â—thicus * 17. day of Iune * footmen and horsemen * i. Pentioners of the guard in ordinarie * Graâ—â—is quidâ—â—â— aquitatis pravaâ—â—â—â—tor I suppose here is a manifest Catachresis no strange thing in this our Author * the first day * 4 miles for 7 stadâ—a and an halfe make a mile * a name of digâ—â—tie 〈◊〉 to the King * â— the Emperour * a citie Choiâ— â—ovâ—â— * or Secretariâ— * â— Horse * so feeble they were that they
led him forth and after he had given him his right hand and saluted him with a kisse when they were all on both sides amazed hereat Lo quoth he the auncient fidelitie of the Roman Armies and the othes bound with firmereligious complements And is it indeed your mind and pleasure most valiant warriours that for unknowne strangers so many swords should be drawne of your owne countrey men and that a base and misbegotten Pannonian marring and treading downe all under foot should enioy an Empire which he never durst so much as conceive in his mind or wish for and that we should grone under your and our wounds Nay rather follow the royall race and line of the highest bloud raising now most iust and lawfull war not to tyrannize and make havocke of other mens goods but rather to restore the same unto the full and whole estate of auncient Maiestie With this mild speech they were all appeased that came fiercely to fight and debasing the tops of their ensignes and standerds willingly revolted unto him and with a terrible crie which the barbarous sort tearme Barritus they stiled him Emperour and in one consent with a strong guard about him as the manner is brought him backe into the campe and in souldior-like sort cried unto Iupiter and prayed That Procopius might bee invincible This good successe of these rebels had a better to second it For Rumitalca a Tribune being taken into the societie of the Procopians and having entred upon the charge of the Palace and therewith complotted in good time this designe and communicated it with the souldiors came by water to a towne before time named Drepanum and now Helenopolis and so from thence possessed himselfe sooner than men would have thought of Nicea To the besieging whereof when Vadomarius sometime a great leader and king of the Alemans was sent with such as were skilfull in this kind of service Valens goeth forward to Nicomedia From whence being departed verie earnest he was with great forces to assault Chalcedon from the walls whereof they let flie at him reviling and reproachfull tearmes calling him injuriously Sabaiarius now is Sabania a kind of poore folks drinke in Illyricum made of barley or wheat converted into liquor But wearied in the end for want of victuals through the exceeding obstinacie of the defendants within that would not relent he was now at the point to depart And see in this meane while those which were besieged within Nicea sodainly setting open the gates and issuing forth after they had slaine a great number of the pioners and assailants with their most hardie and bold leader Rumitalca made hast in this heat of bloud to come upon the backe of Valens who as yet was not gone from the suburbes of Chalcedon and to compasse him in round about And verily effected they had this exploit but that by a certaine rumor that went before he having intelligence of this imminent mischiefe with departing speedily by the lake Sunonensis and the winding cranks of the river Gallus he deluded the enemie hard at hard at his heeles and following after him in vaine And by this accident Bithynia likewise was brought under the hands of Procopius From whence when Valens was by speedie journeies returned to Ancyra and advertised that Lupicinus was comming toward the East parts with certaine puissant companies of armed men being now put in greater hope of better successe he sent Arintheus a most select captaine to encounter the enemies by the way Who being come to Dadastana a certaine station wherein Iovianus dyed all on a sodaine espied Hyperechius readie to affront and and make head against him with an armie one who before time was truly tearmed Apparitor Gastrensis that is a Minister of the belly and throat unto whom as to a friend Procopius had committed the conduct of his ayds And disdaining in fight to vanquish such a contemptible person bearing himselfe bold of his owne authoritie a goodly tall personage commanded the verie enemies themselves to bind their ruler And so this unfortunat Carpet Knight a chiefetaine forsooth of armed troups was apprehended by the hands of his owne followers CHAP. XI Procopius besiegeth Cyzicum and by the good service of Alison a Tribune winneth it by force as also by keeping in most strait ward Serenianus the Prefect sent unto Nicea Which done bearing and vaunting himselfe over high he neglecteth the opportunitie of his affaires WHiles these affaires in this manner proceed Venustus a certaine Minister or Officer belonging to the Treasurie under Valens sent long before to Nicomedia for to receive gold and distribute it as wages poll by poll among the souldiors that were dispersed all over the East parts understanding of this heavie newes aforesaid considering the time was unfit for that businesse went quickly to Cyzicus with those moneyes which he had gathered up where by chaunce he found Serenianus then Comes of the Domestici of purpose sent to keepe the treasure safe who with the helpe onely of a tumultuarie garrison kept the citie wel knowne even upon auncient records to be compassed with imprenable walls to the winning whereof Procopius had appointed a strong power that being lord of Bithynia he might be master also of Hellespontus But by reason that the companies of the besiegers were oftentimes sore troubled with arrows bullets other shot as also for that through the industrie of the defendants there was devised a barre by a verie strong yron chaine bestowed in the verie mouth of the haven which because the enemies ships armed with piked-beake-heads might not rush in was bound fast at either end long it was ere the siege tooke effect This chaine after sundrie paines that both souldiors and captaines tooke who alreadie were out-toiled with most sharp conflicts one Aliso a Tribune and an expert warrior cut away by this device Vpon three ships joyned together he built a roofe over head in this manner Vpon the formost hatches or rowers bankes stood armed men close together with their shields couched thick over their heads others also behind them stooping somwhat lower a third sort by degrees bending their bodies down so as the hindmost resting upon their houghes or hammes made a shew of an arched building Which kind of Fabricke against fight from walls is framed in such a forme for this cause That the shot of casting weapons and of stones as they light and fall might glance and glide off like shewers of raine and so take no effect Thus therefore Aliso being saved for a while from the violence of dartes and other shot with mightie strength of bodie putting underneath a sound pyle or post with the huge stroke of an axe so clave and burst the chaine aforesaid that it fell asunder and gave a large entrance to the citie And so by the working of this feat the citie lay open and undefended to the violence of the enemies For which cause what time as