The Roman History

AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS BOOK 14

This is divine power: to save people collectively and publicly; but to kill many, and without distinction, is the power of fire and ruin.

A large decorative woodcut initial 'P' featuring two classical figures (possibly Hercules or other mythological men) flanking the letter, with floral and scrollwork elements.

After the events of an insurmountable expedition The author refers to the costly wars against the usurper Magnentius had passed, and while the spirits of the various factions were still weary—shattered by a variety of dangers and hardships—the blaring of the trumpets had not yet ceased, nor were the soldiers settled in their winter quarters, when the storms of raging Fortune poured new tempests upon public affairs. This was brought about through the many dreadful crimes of Caesar Gallus Gallus was the cousin of Emperor Constantius II, appointed as junior emperor (Caesar) to manage the East. He had been plucked from the deep squalor of misery and, in the first flower of his adulthood, was promoted by unexpected honors to the pinnacle of imperial power.

In prosperous times, there is too great an oblivion regarding human fragility.

Running far beyond the boundaries of the power bestowed upon him, he began to defile everything with excessive harshness. He was carried away into arrogance by his proximity to the royal bloodline and the nobility of the name of Constantine, which he shared. Had his strength been greater, he seemed ready to dare hostile acts even against the very source of his good fortune original: "aurorem suæ felicitatis," referring to the senior Emperor Constantius II, who had appointed him. A grave incentive was added to his bitterness by his wife, who was immoderately swollen with pride in being the Emperor’s sister. This woman had previously been married by her father, Constantine, to King Hannibalianus, his brother's son.

The asp borrows poison from the viper.

She was a kind of mortal Megæra In Greek mythology, Megæra was one of the Furies, a deity of vengeance and jealous rage, a constant burner of his rages, as thirsty for human blood as her husband. As time went on, they became gradually more expert

A description of flatterers. Prosperity nourishes anger and ferocity when a crowd of sycophants surrounds proud ears.

at doing harm. Through secret and crafty rumor-mongers, they would add light-minded lies to the bad habits of the Caesar, saying things that were false but pleasing to him. Thus, they began to frame innocent men with false accusations of seeking the throne or practicing forbidden magical arts. Among his more lowly crimes, his power—having now surpassed the limits of ordinary offenses—was made conspicuous by the sudden and wicked death of a certain Clematius, a nobleman of Alexandria. This man’s mother-in-law, burning with a desire to sleep with her son-in-law, failed to obtain his love (as was reported).

Gifts easily lead to shameful acts.

She gained her revenge by being introduced through a secret side-door original: "pseudothyrum" of the palace and offering a precious necklace to the Queen. By this bribe, she ensured that a warrant was sent to Honoratus, who was then the Count of the East term: "comes orientis," a high-ranking Roman administrative official governing the Diocese of the East...