A decorative horizontal woodcut headpiece featuring symmetrical scrolling foliage, floral patterns, and interlaced vine motifs.

THE HISTORY

OF AMMIANUS

MARCELLINUS

Book 14.

SUMMARY OF THE BOOK.

1 The dreadful crimes of Caesar Gallus Caesar was a title given to the junior emperor; Gallus was the cousin of the senior emperor Constantius II, incited by his wife, in the regions of the East.
2 War is stirred up by Isaurian bandits The Isaurians were a rebellious group from the rugged mountains of southern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), the outcome of which was varied and bloody.
3 The invasion of Mesopotamia by the Persian Nohodares along with the Saracens, whose customs are described.
4 The slaughter carried out by Caesar Constantius in the West, through the advice and efforts of flatterers.
5 A vivid portrait original: "expressa effigies" of the city of Rome as a youth, a man in his prime, and then as one suffering from old age and deadly diseases; also, a description of the most wretched state of the Empire under Constantius and Gallus.
6 Gallus, delighting in human blood and managing all affairs quite unsuccessfully, is warned by Constantius's order and causes an uproar; then

horrific massacres follow throughout the East.
7 A description original: "delineatio" of the Eastern provinces, with the exception of Mesopotamia and Egypt.
8 Concerning several people, especially Epigonus and Eusebius, upon whom punishment was inflicted This refers to their execution by order of Gallus.
9 Constantius, hostile toward Gallus, takes up arms against the kings of the Alemanni A confederation of Germanic tribes; when they sue for peace, he grants it with the consent of the Roman army.
10 Through various deceptions, Constantius ensnares Gallus (now deprived of his wife) and, having drawn him to himself, inflicts capital punishment upon him.
11 The justice of the Divine Power original: "Superni Numinis" is celebrated, as it shines through in the varied fates and deaths of certain great men (especially Gallus).