Res Gestae

They have a remarkable way of divining the future; for they gather very straight twigs of osier and sort them out at an appointed time with certain secret incantations, and thus clearly learn what impends.[*](Ammianus is too brief to be clear. The twigs were marked with certain signs (notae) from which the predicttions were made; see Hdt. iv. 67; Caesar, B.G. i. 50, 4–5; Tac., Germ. 10.)

They do not know the meaning of slavery, since all are born of noble blood, and moreover they choose as chiefs[*](Cf. iudex in § 4, below, and Introd., p. xxvi, note 2.) those men who are conspicuous for long experience as warriors. But let us return to what remains of our chosen subject.

The Huns, then, having overrun the territories of those Halani (bordering on the Greuthungi) to whom usage has given the surname Tanaites, killed and plundered many of them, and joined the survivors to themselves in a treaty of alliance; then in company with these they made the more boldly a sudden inroad into the extensive and rich cantons of Ermenrichus,[*](Called Ermanarich in Jordanes’ Gothic History.)

He was struck with consternation at the violence of this sudden storm; for a long time he did his best to maintain a firm and continued stand, but since rumour gave wide currency to[*](For vulgatius, cf. xv. 3, 6; xvii. 4, 9.) and exaggerated the horror of the impending dangers, he put an end to his fear of these great perils by a voluntary death.

After his demise Vithimiris was made king and resisted the Halani for a time, relying on other Huns, whom he had paid to take his side. But after many defeats which he sustained, he was overcome by force of arms and died in battle. In the name of his little son, Viderichus, the management of affairs was undertaken by Alatheus and Saphrax, experienced generals known for their courage; but since the stress of circumstances compelled them to abandon confidence in resistance, they cautiously retreated until they came to the river Danastius,[*](Also called the Tyras, to-day the Dniester.) which flows through the wide extent of plain between the Hister and the Borysthenes.[*](To-day the Dnieper.)

On learning of these unexpected events, Athanarichus, the chief of the Theruingi (against whom, as has been told before,[*](Cf. xxvii. 5, 6.) because of aid which he had sent to Procopius, Valens had recently taken the field) attempted to stand his ground, and if he too should be attacked like the rest, was ready to put forth all his strength.