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Pax Alamannis petentibus datur a Constantio A.

[1] Haec dum oriens diu¹ perferret, caeli reserato tepore, Constantius consulatu suo septies et Caesaris iterum, egressus Arelate Valentiam petit, in Gundomadum et Vadomarium fratres Alamannorum reges arma moturus, quorum crebris excursibus vastabantur confines limitibus terrae Gallorum.

[2] Dumque ibi diu moratur, commeatus opperiens, quorum translationem ex Aquitania verni imbres solito crebriores prohibebant auctique torrentes, Herculanus advenit protector domesticus, Hermogenis ex magistro equitum filius, apud Constantinopolim (ut supra retulimus) popularium² quondam turbela discerpti. Quo verissime referente quae Gallus egerat coniuxque,³ super praeteritis maerens, et futurorum timore suspensus, angorem animi quam diu potuit emendabat amendabat.⁴

[3] Miles tamen interea omnis apud Cabillona Cabyllona collectus, morarum impatiens saeviebat, hoc irritatior, quod nec subsidia vivendi suppeterent, alimentis nondum ex usu translatis.

[4] Unde Rufinus ea tempestate praefectus praetorio, ad discrimen trusus est ultimum. Ire enim ipse compellebatur ad militem, quem exagitabat inopia simul et feritas, et alioqui coalito more in ordinarias dignitates asperum semper et saevum, ut satisfaceret, atque monstraret, quam ob causam annonae convectio sit impedita.

[5] Quod opera consulta cogitabatur astute, ut hoc insidiarum genere Galli periret avunculus, ne eum ut praepotens acueret in fiduciam, exitiosa coeptantem. Verum navata est opera diligens, hocque dilato, Eusebius praepositus cubiculi missus est Cabyllona, aurum secum perferens, quo per turbulentos seditionum concitores occultius distributo, et tumor consenuit militum, et salus est in tuto locata praefecti. Deinde cibo abunde perlato, castra die praedicto sunt mota.

[6] Emensis itaque difficultatibus multis, et nive obrutis callibus plurimis, ubi prope Rauracum ventum est ad supercilia fluminis Rheni, resistente multitudine Alamanna, pontem suspendere navium compage Romani vi nimia vetabantur, ritu grandinis undique convolantibus telis; et cum id impossibile videretur, imperator cogitationibus magnis attonitus, quid capesseret ambigebat.

[7] Ecce autem ex inproviso improvise index quidam regionum gnarus advenit, et mercede accepta, vadosum locum nocte monstravit, unde superari potuit flumen. Et potuisset aliorsum intentis hostibus exercitus inde transgressus, nullo id opinante, cuncta vastare, ni pauci ex eadem gente, quibus erat honoratioris militis cura commissa, populares suos haec per nuntios docuissent occultos, ut quidam existimabant.

[8] Infamabat autem haec suspicio Latinum domesticorum comitem et Agilonem tribunum stabuli atque Scudilonem scutariorum rectorem, qui tunc, ut dextris suis gestantes rem publicam, colebantur colebanyur.

[9] At barbari suscepto pro⁵ instantium rerum ratione consilio, dirimentibus forte auspicibus, vel congredi prohibente auctoritate sacrorum, mollito rigore, quo fidentius resistebant, optimates misere, delictorum veniam petituros et pacem.

[10] Tentis igitur regis utriusque legatis, et negotio tectius diu pensato penato, cum pacem oportere tribui quae iustis condicionibus petebatur, eamque ex re⁶ fore sententiarum via concinens approbasset, advocato in contionem exercitu, imperator pro tempore pauca dicturus, tribunali adsistens, circumdatus potestatum coetu celsarum, ad hunc disseruit modum:

[11] Nemo (quaeso) miretur, si post exsudatos labores itinerum longos, congestosque adfatim commeatus, fiducia vestri ductante, barbaricos pagos adventans, velut mutato repente consilio, ad placidiora deverti.

[12] Pro suo enim loco et animo, quisque vestrum reputans id inveniet verum, quod miles ubique, licet membris vigentibus firmus firmins,⁷ se solum vitamque propriam circumspicit et defendit, imperator vero officiorum, dum aequis omnibus consulit, plenus,⁸ alienae custos salutis, nihil non ad sui spectare tutelam rationes populorum cognoscit,⁹ et remedia cuncta quae status negotiorum admittit, arripere debet alacriter, secunda numinis voluntate delata.

[13] Ut¹⁰ in breve igitur conferam et ostendam qua ex causa omnes vos simul adesse volui, commilitones mei fidissimi, accipite aequis auribus quae succinctius explicabo. Veritatis enim absolutio¹¹ semper est¹² simplex.

[14] Arduos vestrae gloriae gradus, quos fama per plagarum quoque accolas extimarum diffundit, excellenter accrescens, Alamannorum reges et populi formidantes, per oratores quos videtis, summissis cervicibus, concessionem praeteritorum poscunt et pacem. Quam ut cunctator et cautus, utiliumque monitor, (si vestra voluntas adest) tribui debere censeo multa contemplans. Primo ut Martis ambigua declinentur, dein ut auxiliatores pro adversariis adsciscamus, quod pollicentur, tum autem ut incruenti mitigemus ferociae flatus, perniciosos saepe provinciis, postremo id reputantes, quod non ille hostis vincitur solus, qui cadit in acie, pondere armorum oppressus et virium, sed multo tutius etiam tuba tacente, sub iugum mittitur voluntarius, qui sentit expertus, nec fortitudinem in rebelles nec lenitatem in supplices animos abesse¹³ Romanis.¹⁴

[15] In summa tanquam arbitros vos quid suadetis opperior, ut princeps tranquillus, temperanter adhibere modum adlapsa felicitate decernens. Non enim inertiae sed modestiae humanitatique (mihi credite) hoc quod recte consultum est adsignabitur.

[16] Mox dicta finierat, multitudo multitude omnis ad quae imperator voluit promptior, laudato consilio, consensit in pacem, ea ratione maxime percita, quod norat expeditionibus crebris¹⁵ fortunam eius in malis tantum civilibus vigilasse; cum autem bella moverentur externa, accidisse plerumque luctuosa. Icto post haec foedere gentium ritu, perfectaque sollemnitate, imperator Mediolanum ad hiberna discessit.

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

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Tufts University.

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).) — 14.10 focus

[1] While the East was enduring this long tyranny, as soon as the warm season began, Constantius, being in his seventh consulship with Gallus in his second,¹ set out from Arelate for Valentia, to make war upon the brothers Gundomadus and Valomarius, kings of the Alamanni, whose frequent raids were devastating that part of Gaul which adjoined their frontiers.

[2] And while he delayed there for a long time, waiting for supplies, the transport of which from Aquitania was hindered by spring rains of unusual frequency and by rivers in flood, Herculanus came there, one of his body-guard, the son of Hermogenes, formerly commander of the cavalry and, as we have before related,² torn to pieces in a riot of the people at Constantinople. When this man gave a true account of what Gallus and his wife had done, the emperor, grieving over the past disasters and made anxious by fear of those to come, concealed the distress that he felt as long as he could.

[3] The soldiers, however, who in the meantime had been assembled at Châlon,³ began to rage with impatience at the delay, being the more incensed because they lacked even the necessities of life, since the usual supplies had not yet been brought.

[4] Therefore Rufinus, who was at that time praetorian prefect,⁴ was exposed to extreme danger; for he was forced to go in person before the troops, who were aroused both by the scarcity and by their natural savage temper, and besides were naturally inclined to be harsh and bitter towards men in civil positions,⁵ in order to pacify them and explain why the convoy of provisions was interrupted.

[5] This was a shrewd plan, cunningly devised with set purpose, in order that by a plot of that kind the uncle of Gallus⁶ might perish, for fear that so very powerful a man might whet the boldness of his nephew and encourage his dangerous designs. But great precautions were taken, and when the design was postponed, Eusebius, the grand chamberlain,⁷ was sent to Châlon taking gold with him; when this had been secretly distributed among the turbulent inciters of rebellion, the rage of the soldiers abated and the safety of the prefect was assured. Then an abundant supply of food arrived and the camp was moved on the appointed day.

[6] And so, after surmounting many difficulties, over paths many of which were heaped high with snow, they came near to Rauracum⁸ on the banks of the river Rhine. There a great force of the Alamanni opposed them, and hurling weapons from all sides like hail, by their superior numbers prevented the Romans from making a bridge by joining boats together. And when that was obviously impossible, the emperor was consumed with anxious thought and in doubt what course to take.

[7] But lo! a guide acquainted with the region unexpectedly appeared, and, in return for money, pointed out by night a place abounding in shallows, where the river could be crossed. And there the army might have been led over, while the enemy’s attention was turned elsewhere, and devastated the whole country without opposition, had not a few men of that same race, who held military positions of high rank, informed their countrymen of the design by secret messengers, as some thought.

[8] Now the shame of that suspicion fell upon Latinus, count in command of the bodyguard,⁹ Agilo, tribune¹⁰ in charge of the stable, and Scudilo, commander of the targeteers,¹¹ who were then highly regarded as having in their hands the defence of the state.¹²

[9] But the savages, taking such counsel as the immediate circumstances demanded, since the obstinacy which inspired a bold resistance was diminished perhaps because the auspices were unfavourable or because the authority of the sacrifices forbade an engagement, sent their chiefs to sue for peace and pardon for their offences.

[10] Therefore the envoys of both kings were detained and the matter was discussed for a long time in secret; and since there was general agreement in the opinion that peace which was asked for on reasonable conditions ought to be granted, and that it would be expedient to do so under the present circumstances, the emperor summoned an assembly of the army, intending to say a few words appropriate to the occasion; and taking his place upon a tribunal, surrounded by a staff of high officials, he spoke after this fashion:

[11] Let no one, I pray, be surprised, if after going through the toil of long marches and getting together great quantities of supplies, I now, when approaching the abode of the savages, with my confidence in you leading the way, as if by a sudden change of plan have turned to milder designs.

[12] For each one of you, according to his rank and judgment, upon consideration will find it to be true, that the soldier in all instances, however strong and vigorous of body, regards and defends only himself and his own life. The commander, on the other hand, has manifold duties, since he aims at fairness to all; and being the guardian of others’ safety, he realises that the interests of the people look to him wholly for protection and that therefore he ought eagerly to seize upon all remedies which the condition of affairs allows, as though offered to him by the favour of Heaven.

[13] To put the matter, then, in a few words, and to explain why I have wished you all to be present here together, my loyal fellow-soldiers, receive with favourable ears what I shall briefly set forth; for perfect truth is always simple.

[14] The kings and peoples of the Alamanni, in dread of the rising progress of your glory, which fame, growing greatly, has spread abroad even among the dwellers in far off lands, through the envoys whom you see with bowed heads ask for peace and indulgence for past offences. This I, being cautious, prudent, and an advisor of what is expedient, think ought to be granted them (if I have your consent), for many reasons. First, to avoid the doubtful issue of war; then, that we may gain friends in place of enemies, as they promise; again, that without bloodshed we may tame their haughty fierceness, which is often destructive to the provinces; finally, bearing in mind this thought, that not only is the enemy vanquished who falls in battle, borne down by weight of arms and strength, but much more safely he who, while the trumpet is silent, of his own accord passes under the yoke and learns by experience that Romans lack neither courage against rebels nor mildness towards suppliants.

[15] In short, I await your decision as arbiters, as it were, being myself convinced as a peace-loving prince, that it is best temperately to show moderation while prosperity is with us. For, believe me, such righteous conduct will be attributed, not to lack of spirit, but to discretion and humanity.¹³

[16] No sooner had he finished speaking than the whole throng, fully in agreement with the emperor’s wish, praised his purpose and unanimously voted for peace. They were influenced especially by the conviction, which they had formed from frequent campaigns, that his fortune watched over him only in civil troubles, but that when foreign wars were undertaken, they had often ended disastrously. After this a treaty was struck in accordance with the rites of the Alamanni, and when the ceremony had been concluded, the emperor withdrew to Mediolanum for his winter quarters.

Notes on the current edition

Res Gestae

1. diu, V; dira, Damsté.

2. popularium, Pet.; populari ui, Mommsen; populari ut, V.

3. coniuxque, Heraeus; damnis, BG; domus quae, V ( quae del. V 3).

4. amendabat, Bentley, Clark; emendabat, V.

5. pro, added by G; V omits.

6. re, E 2bG; re turn, A; rerum, V.

7. firmius, V, Pet.; firmior, Clark.

8. consulit, plenus, added, by Novák.

9. rationes populorum cognoscit, BG: ratio (lac. of 33 letters), V.

10. ut, Lind.; id, V.

11. absolutio, E, Madvig, Novák; absolimo, V.

12. est, Novak, deleting at per as dittography; at per est, V.

13. abesse, Eyssen.; adesse, V.

14. Romanis, Güather in lac. of 8 letters.

15. et crebris, V; e crebris, E, Momm.; e om. A.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 14.10

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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Pax Alamannis petentibus datur a Constantio A.

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