HumanitiesWeb.org - Roman History Roman History - Book XXI. (VIII. After settling the affairs of Gaul, Julian marches to the Danube, sending on before a part of his army through Italy and the Tyrol.) by Ammianus Marcellinus
Roman History Roman History - Book XXI. VIII. After settling the affairs of Gaul, Julian marches to the Danube, sending on before a part of his army through Italy and the Tyrol.
by Ammianus Marcellinus
In the mean time, Julian leaving the district of Basle, and
having taken all the steps which we have already mentioned, sent
Sallustius, whom he had promoted to be a prefect, into Gaul, and
appointed Germanianus to succeed Nebridius. At the same time he gave
Nevitta the command of the heavy cavalry, being afraid of the old
traitor Gumoarius, who, when he was commander of the
Scutarii, he heard had secretly betrayed his chief officer, Vetranio.
The quaestorship he gave to Jovius, of whom we have spoken when
relating the acts of Magnentius, and the treasury he allotted to
Mamertinus. Dagalaiphus also was made captain of the household guard,
and many others, with whose merits and fidelity he was acquainted,
received different commands at his discretion.
Being now about to march through the Black Forest, and the
country lying on the banks of the Danube, he on a sudden conceived
great doubt and fear whether the smallness of his force might not breed
contempt, and encourage the numerous population of the district to
resist his advance.
To prevent this, he took prudent precautions, and
distributing his army into divisions, he sent some under Jovenius and
Jovius to advance with all speed by the well-trodden roads of Italy;
others under the command of Nevitta, the commander of the cavalry, were
to take the inland road of the Tyrol. So that his army, by being
scattered over various countries, might cause a belief that its numbers
were immense, and might fill all nations with fear. Alexander the
Great, and many other skilful generals, had done the same thing when
their affairs required it.
But he charged them, when they set forth, to march with all
speed, as if likely to meet at any moment with an enemy, and carefully
to post watches and sentries and outposts at night, so as to be free
from the danger of any sudden attack.
