HumanitiesWeb.org - Roman History Roman History - Book XXI. (VII. Constantius, at that time at Antioch, retains Africa in his power by means of his secretary Gaudentius; crosses the Euphrates, and moves with his army upon Edessa.) by Ammianus Marcellinus
Roman History Roman History - Book XXI. VII. Constantius, at that time at Antioch, retains Africa in his power by means of his secretary Gaudentius; crosses the Euphrates, and moves with his army upon Edessa.
by Ammianus Marcellinus
Constantius was perplexed at the danger of the crisis before
him, and doubted what to do, being for some time in deep anxiety
whether to march against Julian, who was still at a distance, or to
drive back the Persians, who were already threatening to cross the
Euphrates. And while he was hesitating, and often taking counsel with
his generals, he at last decided that he would first finish, or at all
events take the edge off, the war which was nearest, so as to leave
nothing formidable behind him, and then penetrate through Illyricum and
Italy, thinking to catch Julian at the very outset of his enterprise,
as he might catch a deer with hounds. For so he used to boast, to
appease the fears of those about him.
But that his purpose might not appear to cool, and that he
might not seem to have neglected any side of the war, he spread
formidable rumours of his approach in every direction. And fearing that
Africa, which on all occasions seemed to invite usurpers, might be
invaded during his absence, as if he had already quitted the eastern
frontier, he sent by sea to that country his secretary Gaudentius, whom
we have already mentioned as a spy upon the actions of Julian in Gaul.
He had two reasons for thinking that this man would
be able with prompt obedience to do all that he desired, both because
he feared the other side, which he had offended, and also because he
was anxious to take this opportunity to gain the favour of Constantius,
whom he expected beyond a doubt to see victorious. Indeed no one at
that time had any other opinion.
When Gaudentius arrived in Africa, recollecting the
emperor's orders, he sent letters to Count Cretio, and to the other
officers, to instruct them what his object was; and having collected a
formidable force from all quarters, and having brought over a light
division of skirmishers from the two Mauritanias, he watched the coasts
opposite to Italy and Gaul with great strictness.
Nor was Constantius deceived in the wisdom of this measure.
For as long as Gaudentius lived none of the adverse party ever reached
that country, although a vast multitude in arms was watching the
Sicilian coast between Cape Boeo and Cape Passaro, and ready to cross
in a moment if they could find an opportunity.
Having made these arrangements as well as the case
admitted, in such a way as he thought most for his advantage, and
having settled other things also of smaller importance, Constantius was
warned by messengers and letters from his generals that the Persian
army, in one solid body, and led by its haughty king, was now marching
close to the banks of the Tigris, though it was as yet uncertain at
what point they meant to cross the frontier.
And he, feeling the importance of this intelligence, in
order, by being near them, to anticipate their intended enterprises,
quitted his winter quarters in haste, having called in the infantry and
cavalry on which he could rely from all quarters, crossed the Euphrates
by a bridge of boats at Capessana, and marched towards Edessa, which
was well provisioned and strongly fortified, intending to wait there a
short time till he could receive from spies or deserters certain
information of the enemy's motions.
