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Valentinianus Aug. totam Rheni ripam Gallicam castris, castellis et turribus munit; Alamanni Romanos trans Rhenum munimentum exstruentes interficiunt. Maratocupreni grassatores in Syria iussu Valentis A. cum liberis et vico suo deleti.

[1] At Valentinianus magna animo concipiens et utilia, Rhenum omnem a Raetiarum exordio, ad usque fretalem Oceanum, magnis molibus communiebat, castra extollens altius et castella, turresque assiduas per habiles locos et opportunos, qua Galliarum extenditur longitudo: non numquam etiam ultra flumen aedificiis positis, subradens barbaros fines.

[2] Denique cum reputaret munimentum celsum et tutum, quod ipse a primis fundarat auspiciis, praeterlabente Nicro nomine fluvio, paulatim subverti posse undarum pulsu immani, meatum ipsum aliorsum vertere cogitavit, et quaesitis artificibus peritis aquariae rei, copiosaque militis manu arduum est opus aggressus.

[3] Per multos enim dies compaginatae formulae e¹ roboribus, coniectaeque in alveum, fixis refixisque aliquotiens prope ingentibus stilis stills, fluctibus erectis confundebantur, avulsaeque vi gurgitis interibant.

[4] Vicit tamen imperatoris vehementior cura, et morigeri militis labor, mento tenus (dum operaretur) saepe demersi: tandem non sine quorundam discrimine, castra praesidiaria, inquietudini² ringentis³ amnis exempta, nunc valida sunt.⁴

[5] His ac⁵ talibus laetus exsultansque exin, quae⁶ pro anni et temporis statu utilia⁷ conducerent⁸ rei publicae studium⁹ habuit, ut officio principis congruebat.¹⁰ Ratusque aptissimum ad id quod deliberabat implendum, trans Rhenum in monte Piri (qui barbaricus locus est) munimentum exstruere disposuit raptim. Utque celeritas effectum negotii faceret tutum, per Syagrium tunc tune notarium, postea praefectum et consulem, Aratorem monuit ducem, ut dum undique altum¹¹ esset silentium, id arripere conaretur.

[6] Transiit cum notario dux (ut iussum est) statim, fodereque per militem quem duxit fundamenta exorsus, Hermogenen susceperat successorem, eodemque puncto quidam optimates Alamanni venere, obsidum patres,¹² quos lege foederis mansuraeque diutius pacis haut aspernanda pignora tenebamus.

[7] Qui flexis poplitibus supplicabant, ne Romani securitatis improvidi, quorum fortunam sempiterna fides caelo contiguam fecit, pravo deciperentur errore, pactisque calcatis, rem adorerentur indignam.

[8] Verum haec et similia loquentes in cassum, cum nec audirentur, nec quietum aliquid vel mite referri sentirent, filiorum flentes exitium discesserunt, eisdemque aegre digressis,¹³ ex abdito collis propinqui sinu,¹⁴ barbaricus prosiluit globus, optimatibus tum danda responsa (ut intellegi dabatur) opperiens: et¹⁵ adortus milites seminudos, humum etiam tum gestantes, expeditis agiliter gladiis, obtruncabant, inter quos etiam duces ambo sunt caesi.

[9] Nec indicaturus gesta superfuit quisquam, praeter Syagrium, qui deletis omnibus ad comitatum reversus, irati sententia principis sacramento exutus, abiit ad lares, id commeruisse saevo iudicatus arbitrio, quod evaserit solus.

[10] Haec inter per Gallias latrociniorum rabies saeva scatebat in perniciem multorum, observans celebres vias, fundensque indistanter¹⁶ quidquid inciderat fructuosum.¹⁷ Denique praeter complures alios quos absumpserunt insidiae tales, Constantianus tribunus stabuli impetu est clandestino exceptus, moxque interfectus, Valentiniani affinis, Cerealis et Iustinae germanus.

[11] At procul, tamquam horum similia cientibus¹⁸ furiis, per omne latus Maratocupreni grassatores acerrimi vagabantur, vici huius nominis incolae, in Syria prope Apamiam positi, nimium quantum numero et exquisitis fallaciis abundantes, ideoque formidati, quod mercatorum militumque honoratorum specie sine strepitu ullo diffusi, opimas domos et villas et oppida pervadebant.

[12] Nec quisquam adventum eorum cavere poterat inopinum, non destinata, sed varia petentium et longinqua, et quocumque¹⁹ ventus duxerat, inrumpentium erumpentum:²⁰ quam ob causam prae ceteris hostibus Saxones timentur ut repentini. Et quamlibet coniurati²¹ multorum opes attriverint, oestroque concepti furoris exagitati, strages²² edidere luctificas, sanguinis nihilo minus avidi quam praedarum, tamen²³ ne per minutias gesta narrando, rectum aliquatenus²⁴ operis impediam cursum, id unum sufficiet, eorum exitiale poni commentum.

[13] Quaesitus in unum impiorum hominum globus, imitatus rationalis officium, ipsumque iudicem, vespertinis tenebris lugubre clamante praecone, civitatem ingressi, ambitiosam domum cuiusdam primatis, ut proscripti iussique interfici, cum gladiis obsederunt, raptaque suppellectili pretiosa, quia subito perculsi familiares, hebetatis sensibus non defenderant dominum, caesis pluribus ante revolutam lucem gressu discessere veloci.

[14] Verum cum exuviis referti multorum, rapiendi dulcedinem²⁵ praetermitterent, interceptam,²⁶ imperiali motu, oppressi interiere omnes ad unum, eorumque suboles parva etiam tum turn, ne ad parentum exempla subcresceret, pari sorte deleta est, et lares versi, quos ambitiose luctuosis aliorum dispendiis construxerunt. Et haec quidem textu processere narrato.

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).) — 28.2 focus

[1] But Valentinian, meditating important and¹ useful plans, fortified the entire Rhine from the beginnings of Raetia as far as the strait of the Ocean² with great earthworks, erecting lofty fortresses and castles, and towers at frequent intervals, in suitable and convenient places as far as the whole length of Gaul extends; in some places also works were constructed even on the farther bank of the river,³ which flows by the lands of the savages.

[2] Finally, when he considered that a lofty and secure fortification (which he himself had built from its very foundations) since a river called the Nicer⁴ flowed at its foot could gradually be undermined by the immense force of the waters, he even thought of turning the course of the stream in a different direction; and after he had hunted up men skilled in hydraulic work, the difficult task was begun with a great force of soldiers.

[3] For during many days beams of oak were bound together⁵ and placed in the bed of the river; but although they were fastened again and again by great piles driven close to them on both sides, they were forced from their place by the rising waters, and finally were swept away by the force of the current and lost.

[4] Yet finally the day was won by the efficient superviion of the emperor and the labour of his obedient soldiers, who as they worked were often sunk chin-deep in the water; and at last, though not without danger to some of the men, the defensive works, relieved of the pressure of the snarling river, are now strong.

[5] Being joyful and exultant because of these and similar successes, the emperor then, considering the time of year and the state of the season, as became a dutiful prince devoted himself to those matters which would be helpful to the commonwealth. And thinking it most suitable for accomplishing what he had in mind, he planned hastily to build a fortification on the farther side of the Rhine on Mount Pirus,⁶ which is in the country of the savages. And in order that speed might make the accomplishment of the work secure, through Syagrius, at that time a secretary, afterwards prefect and consul,⁷ he ordered the general Arator to try to speed that work, while deep quiet reigned everywhere.

[6] The general at once crossed the river with the secretary, as was ordered, and, with the soldiers under his command, had begun to dig the foundations, when Hermogenes was appointed as his successor. At the same moment⁸ some chiefs of the Alamanni arrived, fathers of the hostages whom we were holding in accordance with the treaty as important pledges of the continued permanence of peace.

[7] They on bended knees begged that the Romans, whose fortune consistent trustworthiness had raised to skies, should not, regardless of their security, be led astray by a perverse error, and, treading their promises under foot, enter upon an unworthy undertaking.

[8] But, since they said these and similar things to no purpose, as they were not listened to, and perceived that they would receive no peaceful nor mild reply, they withdrew, weeping at the fate of their sons. Scarcely had they left the place, when a band of barbarians who were awaiting the reply to be made (as they were given to understand) at that time to their chiefs, dashing forth from the hollow defile of a neighbouring hill, attacked our soldiers, who were half-nude and still carrying earth,⁹ and quickly drawing their swords were cutting them down; and with them also both leaders were slain.

[9] Not a single man survived to tell what had happened, except Syagrius. He, after all the others had been slain, returned to the court, but by sentence of the angry emperor he was cashiered and went to his home, being considered by a cruel judgment to have deserved this because he alone had escaped.

[10] Meanwhile throughout Gaul there spread, to the ruin of many, a savage frenzy for brigandage, which kept watch of the frequented roads and fell indiscriminately upon everything profitable that fell in its way. Finally, in addition to many others who fell victim to such ambuscades, Constantianus,¹⁰ chief of the imperial stables, a relative by marriage of Valentinian and own brother to Cerealis and Justina,¹¹ was surprised by an unexpected attack and presently slain.

[11] But at a distance from there, as if the furies were stirring up similar troubles, the Maratocupreni, a fierce race of brigands, were ranging about on every side; they dwelt in a village of the same name situated near Apamia in Syria, were exceedingly numerous, skilled in crafty wiles, and dreaded because they roamed about quietly under the guise of honourable traders and soldiers, and fell upon rich houses, estates, and towns.

[12] No one could guard against their unexpected coming, since they did not assail previously chosen places, but various quarters and those that were far removed, breaking out wherever the wind took them—the same reason that makes the Saxons feared before all other enemies for their sudden raids.¹² But although these confederate bands destroyed the property of many, and, driven by the gadfly of the madness which they had conceived, caused lamentable slaughter, being no less greedy for blood than for booty, yet for fear that by giving a minute account of their deeds I may somewhat delay the direct course of my project, it will suffice to tell of this one destructive and welldevised stroke of theirs.

[13] A united¹³ body of these godless men, disguised as the retinue of a state treasurer, and one of them as that official himself, in the darkness of evening, preceded by the mournful cry of a herald, entered a city and beset with swords the fine house of a distinguished citizen, as if he had been proscribed and condemned to death. They seized all his valuable furniture, and since the servants were struck with sudden fear, and in their bewilderment did not defend their master, they killed many of them, and before the return of daylight departed at quick step.

[14] But when, after being enriched by the booty of many men, they abandoned the sweet pleasure of robbery, which was interrupted by a movement of the emperor’s forces, they were crushed, and perished to the last man. Even their children, who were still small, in order that they might not grow up to follow the example of their fathers, were destroyed in the same fate; and the houses which they had built in showy fashion at the sorrowful expense of others were torn down. These things, then, happened in the connection in which they have been told.¹⁴

Notes on the current edition

Res Gestae

1. formulae e, Her.; fornae c, G (c.c.); formosae, coneteque, V.

2. inquietudini, Momm.; inquietudine, E 2AG; inrui etudiner, V.

3. ringentis, V, est. by Gronov; urgentis, Hadr. Val.; ruentis, Novák.

4. lac. indicated by Clark and Her., c.c.

5. His ac, C. F. W. M.; ac, V.

6. exin, quae, Pet.; exultansque, EAG; lac. indicated by Her. (cursu pravo); exsul quae, V.

7. statu utilia, Pet. ( statu, G); tutela, EA; tudila, V.

8. conducerent, Pet.; conducens, V.

9. studium, Gronov; studio, Pet.; trudiun, V.

10. congruebat, V; congrue agebat, Pet.

11. altum, Gronov ex cod. Fauchetii; actum V.

12. obsidum patres, Lind.; obsides imperatoris, G; uenire obsidiem, V.

13. aegre digressis, Momm.; digressis, G; agri gressis, V.

14. propinqui sinu, Her. (cf. xxxi. 3, 8) cursu pravo, WAG; propinquis in, V.

15. et, added by Clark; adortusque, vulgo; odortus, V.

16. indistanter, C. F. W. M.; indubitanter, W 2AG; indutanter, V.

17. fructuosum, Wagner; fructus, G; fructus subdenique, V.

18. cientibus, Hadr. Val.; agitantibus, G; actentibus, V.

19. quocumque, Novák; quoquo, G; quaque, V.

20. erumpenttum, Löfstedt; perrumpentum, Pet.; torum pentum, V.

21. coniurati, Lind.; coniuratis, G; coniuratus, V.

22. strages edidere, Val.; caedes dedere, G; exagitatis r (lac. 2 letters) ese dedere, V.

23. tamen, vulgo; lac. 3 letters, reme, V.

24. rectum aliquatenus, Brakman, Novák; r (lac. 10 letters) enus, V.

25. dulcedinem, Clark; dulcedine nihil praetermitterent intercepti, G; dulcedine praetermitteret at interceptam, V.

26. interceptam, restored by Clark; intercepta, Her.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 28.2

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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Valentinianus Aug. totam Rheni ripam Gallicam castris, castellis et turribus munit; Alamanni Romanos trans Rhenum munimentum exstruentes interficiunt. Maratocupreni grassatores in Syria iussu Valentis A. cum liberis et vico suo deleti.

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