The Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 2Julian, Emperor of Rome
Philosophy
The Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 2
Julian, Emperor of Rome
Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- Translations into English
admiration; but a more glorious action of mine was when I leapt ashore
from my ship before all the others.(618) Of the Helvetians and Iberians I
say nothing. And still I have said not a word about my campaigns in Gaul,
when I conquered more than three hundred cities and no less than two
million men! But great as were these achievements of mine, that which
followed was still greater and more daring. For I had to contend against
my fellow citizens themselves, and to subdue the invincible, the
unconquerable Romans. Again, if we are judged by the number of our
battles, I fought three times as many as Alexander, even reckoning by the
boasts of those who embellish his exploits. If one counts the cities
captured, I reduced the greatest number, not only in Asia but in Europe as
well. Alexander only visited Egypt as a sight‐seer, but I conquered her
while I was arranging drinking‐parties. Are you pleased to inquire which
of us showed more clemency after victory? I forgave even my enemies, and
for what I suffered in consequence at their hands Justice has taken
vengeance. But Alexander did not even spare his friends, much less his
enemies. And are you still capable of disputing the first prize with me?
Then since you will not, like the others, yield place to me, you compel me
to say that whereas I was humane towards the Helvetians you treated the
Thebans cruelly. You burned their cities to the ground, but I restored the
cities that had been burned by their own inhabitants. And indeed it was
not at all the same thing to subdue ten thousand Greeks, and to withstand
the onset of a hundred and fifty thousand men. Much more could I add both
about myself and Alexander, but I have not had leisure to practise public
speaking. Wherefore you ought to pardon me, but from what I have said and
with regard to what I have not said, you ought, forming that decision
which equity and justice require, to award me the first prize.”)
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