Roman History Roman History - Book XVI. II. Julian attacks and defeats the Allemanni.
by Ammianus Marcellinus
Therefore while passing
a toilsome winter in the city aforesaid, he learnt, among the numerous reports
which were flying about, that the ancient city of Autun, the walls of which,
though of vast extent, were in a state of great decay from age, was now besieged
by the barbarians, who had suddenly appeared before it in great force; and while
the garrison remained panic-stricken and inactive, the town was defended by a
body of veterans who were behaving with great courage and vigilance; as it often
happens that extreme despair repulses dangers which appear destructive of all
hope or safety.
Therefore, without
relaxing his anxiety about other matters, and putting aside all the adulation of
the courtiers with which they sought to divert his mind towards voluptuousness
and luxury, he hastened his preparations, and when everything was ready he set
out, and on the 24th of June arrived
at Autun; behaving like a veteran general conspicuous alike for skill and
prowess, and prepared to fall upon the barbarians, who were straggling in every
direction over the country, the moment fortune afforded him an opportunity.
Therefore having
deliberated on his plans, and consulted those who were acquainted with the
country as to what would be the safest line of march for him to adopt, after
having received much information in favour of different routes, some
recommending Arbois, others insisting on it that the best way was by Saulieu and
Cure.
But as some
persons affirmed that Silvanus, in command of a body of infantry, had, a short
time before, made his way with 8,000 men by a road shorter than either, but
dangerous as lying through many dark woods and defiles suitable for ambuscades,
Julian became exceedingly eager to imitate the audacity of this brave man.
And to prevent
any delay, taking with him only his cuirassiers and archers, who would not have
been sufficient to defend his person had he been attacked, he took the same
route as Silvanus; and so came to Auxerre.
And there,
having, according to his custom, devoted a short time to rest, for the purpose
of refreshing his men, he proceeded onwards towards Troyes; and strengthened his
flanks that he might with the greater effect watch the barbarians, who attacked
him in numerous bodies, which he avoided as well as he could, thinking them more
numerous than they really were. Presently, however, having occupied some
favourable ground, he descended upon one body of them, and routed it, and took
some prisoners whom their own fears delivered to him; and then he allowed the
rest, who now devoted all their energies to flying with what speed they could,
to escape unattacked, as his men could not pursue them by reason of the weight
of their armour.
This occurrence
gave him more hope of being able to resist any attack which they might make, and
marching forwards with this confidence, after many dangers he reached Troyes so
unexpectedly, that when he arrived at the gates, the inhabitants for some time
hesitated to give him entrance into the city, so great was their fear of the
straggling multitudes of the barbarians.
After a little
delay, devoted to again refreshing his weary troops, thinking that there was no
time to waste, he proceeded to the
city of Rheims, where he had ordered his whole army,
carrying to assemble, and there
to await his presence. The army at Rheims was under the command of Marcellus,
the successor of Ursicinus; and Ursicinus himself was ordered to remain there
till the termination of the expedition.
Again Julian took
counsel, and after many opinions of different purport had been delivered, it was
determined to attack the host of the Allemanni in the neighbourhood of Dieuse;
and to that quarter the army now marched in dense order, and with more than
usual alacrity.
And because the
weather, being damp and misty, prevented even what was near from being seen, the
enemy, availing themselves of their knowledge of the country, came by an oblique
road upon the Caesar's rear, and attacked two legions while they were piling
their arms; and they would almost have destroyed them if the uproar which
suddenly arose had not brought the auxiliary troops of the allies to their
support.
From this time
forth Julian, thinking it impossible to find any roads or any rivers free from
ambuscades, proceeded with consummate prudence and caution; qualities which
above all others in great generals usually bring safety and success to armies.
Hearing
therefore that Strasburg, Brumat, Saverne, Spiers, Worms, and Mayence, were all
in the hands of the barbarians, who were established in their suburbs, for the
barbarians shunned fixing themselves in the towns themselves, looking upon them
like graves surrounded with nets, he first of all entered Brumat, and just as he
readied that place he was encountered by a body of Germans prepared for battle.
Having arranged
his own army in the form of a crescent, the engagement began, and the enemy were
speedily surrounded and utterly defeated. Some were taken prisoners, others were
slain in the heat of the battle, the rest sought safety by rapid flight.
