Roman History Roman History - Book XXI. XIV. Omens of the death of Constantius.
by Ammianus Marcellinus
While the fortune of Constantius was now wavering and tottering
in this tumult of adverse circumstances, it showed plainly by signs
which almost spoke that a very critical moment of his life was at hand.
For he was terrified by nocturnal visions, and before he was thoroughly
asleep he had seen the shade of his father bringing him a beautiful
child; and when he received it and placed it in his bosom, it struck a
globe which he had in his right hand to a distance. Now this indicated
a change of circumstances, although those who interpreted it gave
favourable answers when consulted.
After this he confessed to his most intimate friends that, as if
he were wholly forsaken, he had ceased to see a secret vision which
sometimes he had fancied appeared to him in mournful guise; and he
believed that the genius who had been appointed to watch over his
safety had abandoned him, as one who was soon to leave the world.
For the opinion of theologians is, that all men when they
are born (without prejudice to the power of destiny) are connected with
a superior power of this kind, who, as it were, guides their actions;
but who is seen by very few, and only by those who are endued with
great and various virtues.
This may be collected both from oracles and from eminent
writers. Among whom is the comic poet Menander, in whose works these
two verses are found:—
"A spirit is assigned to every man
When born to guide him in the path of life."
It may also be gathered from the immortal poetry of Homer,
that they were not really the gods of heaven who conversed with his
heroes, or stood by them and aided them in their combats; but the
familiar genii who belonged to them; to whom also, as their principal
support, Pythagoras owes his eminence, and Socrates and Numa Pompilius
and the elder Scipio. And, as some fancy, Marius, and Octavianus the
first, who took the name of Augustus. And Hermes Trismegistus, and
Apollonius of Tyana, and Plotinus, who ventured upon some very mystical
dismissions of this point; and endeavoured to show by profound
reasoning what is the original cause why these genii, being thus
connected with the souls of mortals, protect them as if they had been
nursed in their own bosoms, as far as they are permitted; and, if they
find them pure, preserving the body untainted by any connection with
vice, and free from all taint of sin, instruct them in loftier
mysteries.