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Iulianus cum exercitu Assyriam ingreditur, et Anathan castellum ad Euphratem in fidem recipit, et incendit.

[1] Post exploratam alacritatem exercitus, uno parique ardore impetrabilem principem superari non posse, deum usitato clamore testati, Iulianus summae rei finem imponendum maturius credens, restricta¹ quiete nocturna, itinerarium sonare lituos iubet et praestructis² omnibus quae difficultates³ arduae belli poscebant, candente iam luce, Assyrios fines ingressus, celso praeter alios spiritu obequitans ordinibus, aemulatione sui cunctos ad officia fortitudinis incendebat.

[2] Utque ductor usu et docilitate firmatus, metuens ne per locorum insolentiam insidiis caperetur occultis, agminibus incedere quadratis exorsus est. Excursatores quidem quingentos et mille sensim praeire disposuit, qui cautius gradientes ex utroque latere, itidemque a fronte, nequis repentinus irrueret, prospectabant. Ipse vero medios pedites regens, quod erat totius roboris firmamentum, dextra legiones aliquas cum Nevitta, supercilia fluminis praestringere iussit Euphratis. Cornu vero laevum cum equitum copiis Arintheo tradidit et Ormizdae Ormisdae, ducendum confertius, per plana camporum et mollia. Agmina vero postrema Dagalaifus cogebat et Victor, ultimusque omnium Osdruenae dux Secundinus.

[3] Deinde ut hostibus (si erupissent usquam) vel conspicantibus procul timorem multitudinis maioris incuteret, laxatis cuneis iumenta dilatavit et homines, ut decimo paene lapide postremi dispararentur a signiferis primis, quod arte mira saepe fecisse, Pyrrhus ille rex dicitur Epirotes, opportunis in locis castra metandi, armorumque speciem diffundendi ex industria vel attenuandi perquam scientissimus, ut ubi convenisset⁴ plures aestimarentur aut pauci.

[4] Sarcinas vero et calones et apparationem imbellem, impedimentorumque genus omne inter utrumque latus instituit procedentium ordinatim, nequa vi subita raperentur (ut saepe contigit) improtecta. Classis autem licet per flumen ferebatur assiduis flexibus tortuosum, nec residere nec praecurrere sinebatur.

[5] Emenso itaque itinere bidui, prope civitatem venimus Duram desertam, marginibus amnis impositam. In quo loco greges cervorum plures inventi sunt, quorum alii confixi missilibus, alii ponderibus inlisi⁵ remorum, ad satietatem omnes paverunt; pars maxima natatu assueta veloci, alveo penetrate, incohibili cursu evasit ad solitudines notas.

[6] Exin dierum quattuor itinere levi peracto vespera incedente, cum expeditis mille impositis navibus, Lucillianus comes imperatu⁶ principis mittitur Anathan munimentum expugnaturus, quod (ut pleraque alia) circumluitur fluentis Euphratis. Et navibus (ut praeceptum est) per opportuna dispersis, insula obsidebatur⁷ nebulosa nocte obumbrante impetum clandestinum.

[7] Sed postquam advenit lux certa, aquatum quidam egressus, visis subito hostibus, ululabili clamore sublato, excitos tumultuosis vocibus propugnatores armavit. Et mox a⁸ specula quadam altissima explorato situ castrorum, quam ocissime cum duarum praesidio navium, amnem supermeat imperator, pone sequentibus navigiis multis, quae obsidionales machinas advehebant.

[8] Iamque muris propinquans, cum non absque discriminibus multis consideraret esse certandum, sermone cum leni tum aspero et minaci, hortabatur ad deditionem defensores, qui ad colloquium petito Ormizda, promissis eius et iuramentis illecti, multa sibi de lenitudine Romana spondebant.

[9] Denique prae se bovem coronatum agentes, quod est apud eos susceptae pacis indicium, descendere suppliciter, et statim munimento omni incenso, Pusaeus eius praefectus, dux Aegypti postea, honore tribunatus affectus est. Reliqui vero cum caritatibus suis et supellectili,⁹ humaniore cultu ad Syriacam civitatem Chalcida transmissi sunt.

[10] Inter hos miles quidam, cum Maximianus perrupisset quondam Persicos fines, in his locis aeger relictus, prima etiam tum lanugine iuvenis, ut aiebat, uxores sortitus gentis ritu complures cum numerosa subole tunc senex incurvus, exultans, proditionisque auctor, ducebatur ad nostra, testibus affirmans et praescisse se olim et praedixisse, quod centenario iam contiguus, sepelietur in solo Romano. Post quae Saraceni procursatores partis cuiusdam¹⁰ hostium obtulere laetissimo principi, et munerati ad agenda similia sunt remissi.

[11] Acciderat aliud postridie dirum. Ventorum enim turbo exortus, pluresque vertigines concitans, ita confuderat omnia, ut¹¹ tabernacula multa conscinderentur, et supini plerique milites sternerentur vel proni, venti spiritu¹² stabilitatem vestigii subvertente. Nec minus eodem die aliud periculosum evenit. Amne enim repente extra margines evagato, mersae sunt quaedam frumentariae naves, cataractis avulsis, ad defundendas reprimendasque aquas rigare suetas opere saxeo structis: quod utrum per insidias an magnitudine acciderit fluentorum, sciri non potuit.

[12] Post perruptam incensamque urbem omnium primam, et captivos transmissos, certiore iam spe provectus exercitus ad fiduciam, elatis vocibus in favores principis consurgebat, adfore sibi etiam deinde dei caelestis¹³ existimans curam.

[13] Et cui¹⁴ per regiones ignotas de obscuris erat suspectior cura, astus gentis et ludificandi varietas timebatur. Ideoque imperator nunc antesignanus nunc agminibus cogendis insistens, cum expeditis velitibus, nequid lateret abstrusum, frutecta squalida vallesque scrutabatur, licentiores militum per longinqua discursus affabilitate nativa prohibendo vel minis.

[14] Hostiles tamen agros omni frugum genere divites, cum segetibus et tuguriis inflammari permisit, ita demum cum usui necessaria abunde sibi quisque collegisset, et hoc modo sauciabatur salus hostium nesciorum.

[15] Bellatores enim libenter quaesitis dextris propriis utebantur, alia virtutis suae horrea repperisse existimantes, et laeti quod vitae¹⁵ subsidiis affluentes, alimenta servabant, quae navigiis vehebantur.

[16] Hic vino gravis quidam temerarius miles ad ulteriorem ripam nullo urgente transgressus, in conspectu nostro ab hostilibus¹⁶ captus, occisus est.

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).) — 24.1 focus

[1] After thus testing the spirit of the soldiers,¹ who with unanimous eagerness and the usual acclaim called God to witness that so successful a prince could not be vanquished, Julian, believing that their main purpose must speedily be accomplished, cut short the night’s rest² and ordered the trumpets to give the signal for the march. And having made every preparation which the difficulties of a dangerous war demanded, just as the clear light of day was appearing he passed the frontiers of Assyria, riding in a lofty spirit above all others from rank to rank, and firing every man with a desire to rival him in deeds of valour.

[2] And being a general trained by experience and study of the art of war, and fearing lest, being unacquainted with the terrain, he might be entrapped by hidden ambuscades, he began his march with his army in order of battle. He also arranged to have 1500 mounted scouts riding a little ahead of the army, who advancing with caution on both flanks, as well as in front, kept watch that no sudden attack be made. He himself in the centre led the infantry, which formed the main strength of his entire force, and ordered Ncvitta on the right with several legions to skirt the banks of the Euphrates. The left wing with the cavalry he put in charge of Arintheus³ and Ormisda,⁴ to be led in close order through the level fields and meadows. Dagalaifus and Victor brought up the rear, and last of all was Secundinus,⁵ military leader in Osdruena.⁶

[3] Then in order to fill the enemy (if they should burst out anywhere), even when they saw him from afar, with fear of a greater force than he had, by a loose order he so extended the ranks of horses and men, that the hindermost were nearly ten miles distant from the standard-bearers in the van. This is the wonderful device that Pyrrhus, the famous king of Epirus, is said often to have used; for he was most skilful in choosing suitable places for his camp,⁷ and able to disguise the look of his forces so that the enemy might think them greater or fewer as it suited him.

[4] His packs, servants, unarmed attendants, and every kind of baggage he placed between two divisions of the rank and file, in order that they might not be carried off (as often happens) by a sudden attack, if they were left unprotected. The fleet, although the river along which it went winds with many a bend, was not permitted to lag behind or get ahead.

[5] After making a march of two days in this manner, we approached the deserted city of Dura, situated on the river bank. Here so many herds of deer were found, some of which were slain with arrows, others knocked down with heavy oars, that all ate to satiety; but the greater number of the animals, accustomed to rapid swimming, leaped into the river and with a speed that could not be checked escaped to their familiar deserts.

[6] Then, after completing a leisurely march of four days, just as evening was coming on Count Lucillianus, with a thousand light-armed troops embarked in ships, was sent, by the emperor’s order, to capture the fortress of Anatha,⁸ which, like many others, is girt by the waters of the Euphrates. The ships, according to orders, took suitable positions and blockaded the island, while a misty night hid the secret enterprise.

[7] But as soon as daylight appeared, a man who went out to fetch water, suddenly catching sight of the enemy, raised a loud outcry, and by his excited shouts called the defenders to arms. Then the emperor, who from an elevated point had been looking for a site for a camp, with all possible haste crossed the river, under the protection of two ships, followed by a great number of boats carrying siege-artillery.

[8] But on drawing near the walls he considered that a battle must be accompanied by many dangers, and accordingly, partly in mild terms, partly in harsh and threatening language, he urged the defenders to surrender. They asked for a conference with Ormizda, and were induced by his promises and oaths to expect much from the mercy of the Romans.

[9] Finally, driving before them a garlanded ox, which with them indicates the acceptance of peace, they came down in suppliant guise. At once the whole fortress was set on fire; Pusaeus, its commander, later a general in Egypt, was given the rank of tribune. As for the rest, they were treated kindly, and with their families and possessions were sent to Chalcis, a city of Syria.

[10] Among them was a soldier who, when in former times Maximianus made an inroad into the Persian territory, had been left in these parts because of illness; he was then a young man, whose beard was just beginning to grow. He had been given several wives (as he told us) according to the custom of the country, and was on our arrival a bent old man with numerous offspring. He was overjoyed, having advised the surrender, and when taken to our camp, he called several to witness that he had known and declared long ago that he, when nearly a hundred years old, would find a grave on Roman soil. After this the Saracens, to the emperor’s great delight, brought in some skirmishers belonging to a division of the enemy, and after receiving rewards were sent back to engage in like activities.

[11] On the following day another thing happened, this time a disaster. For a hurricane arose, which stirred up numerous whirlwinds and caused such general confusion, that many tents were rent asunder and numerous soldiers were prevented by the force of the gale from keeping a firm footing and were hurled to the ground on their faces or on their backs. On that same day another equally dangerous thing happened. For the river suddenly overflowed its banks and some grain-ships were sunk, since the sluices built of masonry, which served to hold in or let out the water used for irrigating the fields, were broken through; but whether this was a device of the enemy or was due to the weight of the waters could not be learned.

[12] After storming and burning the first city to which we had come, and moving the prisoners to another place, the hopes of the army were raised to fuller confidence and with loud shouts they rose to praise the prince, convinced that even now the protection of the god of heaven would be with them.

[13] And for one who was traversing unknown regions greater precautions against hidden dangers were necessary, since the craft and many wiles of the nation were to be feared. Therefore the emperor, with light-armed skirmishers, now took his place at the head of the army, and now brought up the rear; and in order that no hidden danger might escape his notice, he scanned the rough thickets and valleys, using either his native affability or threats to keep his men from scattering too loosely or too far.

[14] However, he allowed the enemy’s fields, abounding in fruits of every kind, to be set on fire with their crops and huts, but only after each man had fully supplied himself with everything that he needed; and in this way the safety of their foes was impaired before they knew it.

[15] For the warriors gladly made use of what they had won with their own hands, thinking that their valour had found new granaries;⁹ and they were delighted to have an abundance of provisions and at the same time save the food that was carried in the ships.

[16] At this place a drunken soldier, who had rashly and without orders crossed to the opposite bank, was seized by the enemy before our eyes and killed.

Notes on the current edition

Res Gestae

1. restricta, Clark; contracta, Novák; extracta, V.

2. et praestructis, Clark (cf. e before difficultates (see note 3)); praestructisque, G; praestrictis, V.

3. e difficultates, V; e del V 2

4. convenisset, Her.; usu venisset, Val.; ubi venisset, V.

5. inlisi, Her.; elisi, G; insae, V.

6. imperatu, Novák, Her.; imperio, Val.; imperiti a = principis, V.

7. insula obsidebatur, transposui; obs. ins., Clark, with lac. after obs. c.c.

8. a, added by C. F. W. M.; ex, by Her.; V omits.

9. supellectili, Clark; supellectile, BG; supellectio, V.

10. partis cuiusdam, Kellerbauer, Eyssen.; parties quidam, V.

11. ut tabernacula, Her.; tecta ut t., W 2G; tecta t., B; tecta uernacula (= ber-, V 3, V.

12. venti spiritu, Novák; dispiritu, V.

13. dei caelestis, Her.; deinde caelestes, V.

14. cui, Clark; quia, G; quae, b; qui, V.

15. quod vitae quoque, G ( quoque deleted by Pet. as dittogr.); quod vitae quod, V.

16. hostilibus, Clark; hostibu, EAG; hominibus, V.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 24.1

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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Iulianus cum exercitu Assyriam ingreditur, et Anathan castellum ad Euphratem in fidem recipit, et incendit.

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