Res Gestae

But in Gaul, where barbarian arrogance grew apace, as the Germans swarmed through our territories, and the Alps were on the point of being forced with the resulting devastation of Italy, after the inhabitants had suffered many unspeakable woes, nothing was left save tears and fears, since the recollection of the past was bitter and the anticipation of what threatened was sadder still: all this that young man, sent to the western region, a Caesar in name

And in order to restore the Orient with similar energy, he attacked the Persians, and he would have won from them a triumph and a surname, if the decrees of heaven had been in accord with his plans and his splendid deeds.

And although we know that some men thoughtlessly laugh at experience to such an extent that they sometimes renew wars when defeated, and go to sea again after shipwreck,[*](Cf. Sen., De Benef. i. 1, 10; adeoque adversus experimenta pertinaces sumus, ut bella victi et naufragi maria repetamus. ) and return to meet difficulties to which they have often yielded, there are some who blame a prince who had been everywhere victorious for trying to equal his past exploits.

After this there was no time for laments or tears. For after caring for Julian’s body as well as the means at hand and the circumstances allowed, in order that he might be laid to rest in the place which he had previously chosen,[*](At Tarsus; see xxiii. 2, 5; and 10, 5, below.) at dawn of the following day, which was the twenty-seventh of June, with the enemy swarming about us on every side, the generals of the army assembled, and having called in the commanders of the legions and of the squadrons of cavalry, they consulted about choosing an emperor.

They were divided into turbulent

After some discussion, all by general agreement united on Salutius, and when he pleaded illness and old age, one of the soldiers[*](Gibbon thinks this was Ammianus himself.) of higher rank, perceiving Salutius’ determined opposition, said: What would you do if the emperor (as often happens) had in his absence committed to you the conduct of this war? Would you not put aside everything else and save the soldiers from the threatening dangers? Do that now, and if we are permitted to see Mesopotamia, the united votes of both armies[*](The eastern and the western army.) will decide upon a lawful emperor.

During this delay, which was slight considering the importance of the matter, before the various opinions had been weighed, a few hot-headed soldiers (as often happens in an extreme crisis) chose an emperor in the person of Jovianus, commander[*](According to Hieronymus’ Chron. he was primicerius, ranking after the comes and the tribunus. Cf. xxvii. 10, 16, domesticorum omnium primus.) of the household troops, who had claims for some slight consideration because of the services of his father. For he was the son of Varronianus, a well- known count,[*](As the context shows, he was a general; see vol. i, Introd., p. xxix, and § 8, below.) who not long since, after ending his military career, had retired to a quieter life.

Now Jovian, as soon as he had been clothed in the imperial robes and suddenly brought out from his tent, already hastening through the ranks of the soldiers, who were getting ready to march.