Res Gestae

While the East was enduring this long tyranny, as soon as the warm season began, Constantius, being in his seventh consulship with Gallus in his second,[*](It was Gallus’ third Consulship; Valesius proposed to read tertium or ter.) set out from Arelate for Valentia, to make war upon the brothers Gundomadus and Valomarius, kings of the Alamanni, whose frequent raids were devastating that part of Gaul which adjoined their frontiers.

And while he delayed there for a long time,

The soldiers, however, who in the meantime had been assembled at Châlon,[*](Châlon sar Saéne.) began to rage with impatience at the delay, being the more incensed because they lacked even the necessities of life, since the usual supplies had not yet been brought.

Therefore Rufinus, who was at that time praetorian prefect,[*](That is, praetorian prefect in Gaul.) was exposed to extreme danger; for he was forced to go in person before the troops, who were aroused both by the scarcity and by their natural savage temper, and besides were naturally inclined to be harsh and bitter towards men in civil positions,[*](Praefectus praetorio at this time was a civil, not a military, official.) in order to pacify them and explain why the convoy of provisions was interrupted.

This was a shrewd plan, cunningly devised with set purpose, in order that by a plot of that kind the uncle of Gallus[*](In charge of the imperial household. At this time a very important official; see Introd. pp. xxxv f.) might perish, for fear that so very powerful a man might whet the boldness of his nephew and encourage his dangerous designs. But great precautions were taken, and when the design was postponed, Eusebius, the grand chamberlain,[*](Rufinus was his mother’s brother.)

And so, after surmounting many difficulties, over paths many of which were heaped high with snow, they came near to Rauracum[*](Augusta Rauricorum, modern Augst.) on the banks of the river Rhine. There a great force of the Alamanni opposed them, and hurling weapons from all sides like hail, by their superior numbers prevented the Romans from making a bridge by joining boats together. And when that was obviously impossible, the emperor was consumed with anxious thought and in doubt what course to take.

But lo! a guide acquainted with the region unexpectedly appeared, and, in return for money, pointed out by night a place abounding in shallows, where the river could be crossed. And there the army might have been led over, while the enemy’s attention was turned elsewhere, and devastated the whole country without opposition, had not a few men of that same race, who held military positions of high rank, informed their countrymen of the design by secret messengers, as some thought.

Now the shame of that suspicion fell upon Latinus, count in command of the bodyguard,[*](See Introd. p. xlii, and note 3, p. 56.) Agilo, tribune[*](See Introd., pp. xliii f.) in charge of the stable, and Scudilo, commander of the targeteers,[*](See note 3, p. 56.) who were then highly regarded as having in their hands the defence of the state.[*](Cf. Val. Max. ii. 8, 5, humeris suis salutem patriae gestantes (of Scipio and Marcellus).)

But the savages, taking such counsel as the immediate circumstances demanded, since the obstinacy which inspired a bold resistance was