Roman History Roman History - Book XVI. VI. The prosecution and acquittal of Arbetio.
by Ammianus Marcellinus
These were the events
which took place in Gaul during this year; at first of doubtful issue, but in
the end successful. Meanwhile in the emperor's court envy constantly assailed
Arbetio, accusing him of having already assumed the ensigns of imperial rank, as
if designing soon to attain the supreme dignity itself. And especially was he
attacked by a count named Verissimus, who with great vehemence brought forth
terrible charges against him, openly alleging that although he had been raised
from the rank of a common soldier to high military office, he was not contented,
thinking little of what he had obtained, and aiming at the highest place.
And he was also
vigorously attacked by a man named Dorus, who had formerly been surgeon of the
Scutarii, and of whom we have spoken, when promoted in the time of Magnentius to
be inspector of the works of art at Rome, as having brought accusations against
Adelphius, the prefect of the city, as forming ambitions designs.
And when the
matter was brought forward for judicial inquiry, and all preliminary
arrangements were made, proof of the accusations which had been confidently
looked for was still delated; when suddenly, as if the business had been meant
as a satire on the administration of justice, through the interposition of the
chamberlains, as rumour affirmed, the persons who had been imprisoned as
accomplices were released from their confinement: Dorus disappeared, and
Verissimus kept silence for the future, as if the curtain had dropped and the
scene had been suddenly changed.
