Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, John C. Rolfe (Translator), 20.4.8

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[8] Qui cum suscepisset Caesaris litteras, monentis petentisque ut venire acceleraret, rem publicam consiliis iuvaturus, obstinatissime detrectabat, hac¹ ratione pavore mente confusa, quod aperte² scripta significabant, ab imperatore nusquam diiungi debere praefectum, in ardore terribilium rerum. Adiectumque est quod si procurare³ dissimulasset, ipse propria sponte proiceret insignia principatus, gloriosum esse existimans iussa morte oppetere, quam ei⁴ provinciarum interitum assignari. Sed vicit praefecti propositum pertinax, his quae rationabiliter poscebantur, parere, contentione maxima reluctantis.

Res Gestae. Ammianus Marcellinus. John C. Rolfe (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1935-1940.

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Current edition Perseus

Res Gestae (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., editor. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).)

Translations (1)

History Perseus (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).) — 20.4.8 focus

[8] So when he received Julian’s letter, urging and begging him to hasten to come and aid his country by his counsels, he most emphatically refused; for his mind was disturbed with fear for the reason that Julian’s letter plainly indicated that the prefect¹ ought never to be separated from his commander in the stress of dangerous times. And Julian added that if Florentius hesitated to do his duty, he would himself of his own accord lay down the emblems of princely power, thinking it more glorious to meet death by order, than that the ruin of the provinces should be attributed to him. But the obstinate resolution of the prefect prevailed, and with the greatest emphasis he refused to obey these reasonable demands.

Notes on the current edition

Res Gestae

1. hac, Novák; ea, RBG; ae, V.

2. aperte, Gardt.; aperta, V.

3. procurare V; procurrere, N, Val.; procursare, Gardt.; properare, Günther; pop. Rom. or provinciam procurare, sugg. by Clark; id procurare, Novák.

4. ei, Val.; B and G omit; et, V.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 20.4.8

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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