The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus: During the Reigns of the Emperors Constantius, Julian, Jovianus, Valentinian, and ValensAmmianus Marcellinus
History
The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus: During the Reigns of the Emperors Constantius, Julian, Jovianus, Valentinian, and Valens
Ammianus Marcellinus
Rome -- History -- Empire, 284-476
[41] This was a very important post; it seems to have united the
functions of a modern chamberlain, chancellor, and secretary of state.
The master presented citizens to the emperor, received foreign
ambassadors, recommended men for civil employments, decided civil
actions of several kinds, and superintended many of the affairs of the
post.
[42] Cologne.
[43] The dragons were the effigies on some of the standards.
[44] There is no such passage in any extant work of Cicero, but a
sentence in his speech ad Pontifices resembles it: "For although it be
more desirable to end one's life without pain, and without injury, still
it tends more to an immortality of glory to be regretted by one's
countrymen, than to have been always free from injury." And a still
closer likeness to the sentiment is found in his speech ad Quirites post
reditum: "Although there is nothing more to be wished for by man than
prosperous, equal, continual good-fortune in life, flowing on in a
prosperous course, without any misadventure; still, if all my life had
been tranquil and peaceful, I should have been deprived of the
incredible and almost heavenly delight and happiness which I now enjoy
through your kindness."--Orations, v. 2; Bohn, p. 491-2.
[45] In one of the lost books of this history.
[46] The Nymphæum was a temple sacred to the Nymphs, deriving its name
of Septemzodium, or Septizonium (which it shared with more than one
other building at Rome), from the seven rows of pillars, one above the
other, and each row lessening both in circuit and in height, with which
the exterior was embellished. Another temple of this kind was built by
Septimius Severus.
[47] Cologne.
[48] This story of the Phocæenses is told by Herodotus, i. 166, and
alluded to by Horace, Epod. xv. 10.
[49] The Eubages, or Οὐατεῖς, as Strabo calls them, appear to
have been a tribe of priests.
[50] The Cottian Alps are Mont Genevre. It is unnecessary to point out
how Ammianus mistakes the true bearing of these frontiers of Gaul.
[51] Briançon.
[52] The Graiæ Alps are the Little St. Bernard; and it was over them
that Hannibal really passed, as has been conclusively proved by Dr. J.A.
Cramer.
[53] From the god Pen, or Peninus, Liv. xxi. 38. The Alpes Peninæ are
the Great St. Bernard.
[54] Compare Livy's account of Hannibal's march, from which, wholly
erroneous as it is, this description seems to have been taken; not that
even Livy has made such a gross mistake about the Druentia, or Durance,
which falls into the Rhone.
[55] Cæsar's account of his expedition begins with the statement that
"Gaul is divided into three provinces."
[56] Châlons sur Marne.
[57] Châlons sur Saône.
[58] Ammianus refers to Plautus, Epidicus, Act. I., sc. i., line 10:--
_Thesprio._ I am less of a pilferer now than formerly.
_Ep._ How so?
_Thes._ I rob openly.
BOOK XVI.
ARGUMENT.
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