Iulianus cognita morte Constantii transcurrit Thracias, et Constantinopolim pacatam intrat, totumque imperium Rom. citra pugnam recipit.

[1] Inter quae tam suspensa advenere subito missi ad eum legati Theolaifus atque Aligildus, defunctum Constantium nuntiantes, addentesque quod eum voce suprema successorem suae fecerit potestatis.

[2] Qua re cognita post exemptos periculorum aestus et bellicarum sollicitudinum turbas, in immensum elatus, iamque vaticiniis credens, et celeritatem negotiis suis aliquotiens profuisse expertus, edixit iter in Thracias, motisque propere signis, emensa declivitate Succorum Philippopolim petit, Eumolpiada veterem, alacri gradu sequentibus quos duxerat cunctis.

[3] Advertebant enim imperium, quod ereptum ibant cum ultimorum metu discriminum, praeter spem ordinario iure concessum. Utque solet fama novitates augere, properabat exinde sublimior, uti¹ quodam Triptolemi curru, quem ob rapidos circumgressus, aeriis serpentibus et pinnigeris fabulosa vetustas imponit: perque terras et maria formidatus, nullis obstantibus moris,² Heracleam ingressus est Perinthum.

[4] Quo apud Constantinopolim mox comperto, effundebatur aetas omnis et sexus, tamquam demissum aliquem visura de caelo. Exceptus igitur tertium Iduum Decembrium verecundis senatus officiis, et popularium consonis plausibus, stipatusque armatorum et togatorum agminibus, velut acie ducebatur instructa, omnium oculis in eum non modo contuitu destinato, sed cum admiratione magna defixis.

[5] Somnio³ enim propius videbatur adultum adhuc iuvenem, exiguo corpore, factis praestantem ingentibus, post cruentos exitus regum et gentium, ab urbe in urbem inopina velocitate transgressum, quaqua incederet accessione opum et virium, famae instar cuncta facilius occupasse, principatum denique deferente nutu caelesti, absque ulla publicae rei suscepisse iactura.

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

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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).) — 22.2 focus

[1] Amid this state of suspense the envoys Theolaifus and Aligildus, who had been sent to him,¹ suddenly appeared and reported the death of Constantius, adding that with his last words he had made Julian the successor to his power.

[2] On learning this, and being now saved from the fret of dangers and the throes of war’s anxieties, he was hugely elated. And now believing in the prophecies, and knowing by experience that speed had often been helpful to his enterprises, he ordered a march into Thrace, quickly broke camp, and passing the slope of Succi,² made for Philippopolis,³ the ancient Eumolpias, followed with eager step by all who were under his command.

[3] For they perceived that the throne, which they were on their way to usurp in the face of the greatest dangers, had beyond their hope been granted to him by the ordinary course of law. And as rumour is wont to exaggerate all novelties, he hastened on from there, now raised still higher, as though in some chariot of Triptolemus,⁴ which the poets of old, because of its swift turnings, represented as drawn through the air by winged dragons; and dreaded by land and sea and opposed by no delays, he entered Heraclea, also called Perinthus.

[4] When this was presently known at Constantinople, all ages and sexes poured forth, as if to look upon someone sent down from heaven. And so he was met on the eleventh of December with the respectful attendance of the senate and the unanimous applause of the people, and surrounded by troups of soldiers and citizens he was escorted as if by an army in line of battle, while all eyes were turned upon him, not only with a fixed gaze, but also with great admiration.

[5] For it seemed almost like a dream that this young man, just come to his growth,⁵ of small stature but conspicuous for great deeds, after the bloodstained destruction of kings and nations had passed from city to city with unlooked-for speed; that increasing in power and strength wherever he went, he had easily seized upon all places as swiftly as rumour flies, and finally had received the imperial power, bestowed upon him by Heaven’s nod without any loss to the state.

Notes on the current edition

Res Gestae

1. uti, Clark; ut, G; vel ut quo, Novák; um quondam, V.

2. moris, Bent.; muris, V.

3. somnio, Lind.; omini, G; omnia, V.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 22.2

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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Iulianus cognita morte Constantii transcurrit Thracias, et Constantinopolim pacatam intrat, totumque imperium Rom. citra pugnam recipit.

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