Surviving Works

CONSTANTIUS AND GALLUS. 353.

7. And it had sometimes happened that if a father of a family had whispered anything in his wife’s ear within the secret of his inner chamber, with no servant of the lower household present, the Emperor would learn of it the next day, as if reported by Amphiaraus or Marcius, the famous prophets of old. Therefore, even the walls were feared, as they were the only ones privy to secrets.

8. The obstinate resolve to investigate these and many similar matters grew, with the Queen applying the goads. She pushed her husband’s fortunes abruptly toward a headlong ruin, whereas she ought to have led him back to the path of truth and humanity by suggesting useful counsel, just as we have recorded that the wife of that truculent Emperor Maximinus did in the deeds of the Gordians.

9. Finally, in a new and pernicious example, this same Gallus dared to initiate a grave scandal which it is said that Gallienus once attempted at Rome with the utmost disgrace. He would take a few men, secretly armed with daggers, and wander through the taverns and street corners in the evening, asking in the Greek language—which he knew extremely well—what everyone thought of the Caesar. And he did this confidently in a city where the brightness of the night-lights usually imitates the brilliance of day. Finally, having been recognized often, and realizing that he would be conspicuous if he went out, he was only seen going out in the daylight to attend to what he considered serious business. And these things were done while many groaned to their very cores.

10. But Thalassius, at that time the Praetorian Prefect of the East The text uses the term "Praefectus Praetorio Praesens," a specific administrative title for the region, a man of arrogant character himself, considering that the incitement of the Caesar was being increased toward the ruin of many...