Whilethetrumpetssoundedtoarms，theundauntedcourageoftheGothswasconfirmedbythemutualobligationofasolemnoath；
andastheyadvancedtomeettheenemy，therudesongs，whichcelebratedthegloryoftheirforefathers，weremingledwiththeirfierceanddissonantoutcries，andopposedtotheartificialharmonyoftheRomanshout。SomemilitaryskillwasdisplayedbyFritigerntogaintheadvantageofacommandingeminence；butthebloodyconflict，whichbeganandendedwiththelight，wasmaintainedoneitherside，bythepersonalandobstinateeffortsofstrength，valor，andagility。ThelegionsofArmeniasupportedtheirfameinarms；buttheywereoppressedbytheirresistibleweightofthehostilemultitudetheleftwingoftheRomanswasthrownintodisorderandthefieldwasstrewedwiththeirmangledcarcasses。Thispartialdefeatwasbalanced，however，bypartialsuccess；andwhenthetwoarmies，atalatehouroftheevening，retreatedtotheirrespectivecamps，neitherofthemcouldclaimthehonors，ortheeffects，ofadecisivevictory。ThereallosswasmoreseverelyfeltbytheRomans，inproportiontothesmallnessoftheirnumbers；buttheGothsweresodeeplyconfoundedanddismayedbythisvigorous，andperhapsunexpected，resistance，thattheyremainedsevendayswithinthecircleoftheirfortifications。Suchfuneralrites，asthecircumstancesoftimeandplacewouldadmit，werepiouslydischargedtosomeofficersofdistinguishedrank；buttheindiscriminatevulgarwasleftunburiedontheplain。Theirfleshwasgreedilydevouredbythebirdsofprey，whointhatageenjoyedveryfrequentanddeliciousfeasts；andseveralyearsafterwardsthewhiteandnakedbones，whichcoveredthewideextentofthefields，presentedtotheeyesofAmmianusadreadfulmonumentofthebattleofSalices。^82
[Footnote79:TheItineraryofAntoninusp。226，227，edit。
WesselingmarksthesituationofthisplaceaboutsixtymilesnorthofTomi，Ovid\'sexile；andthenameofSalicesthewillowsexpressesthenatureofthesoil。]
[Footnote80:Thiscircleofwagons，theCarrago，wastheusualfortificationoftheBarbarians。VegetiusdeReMilitari，l。
iii。c。10。ValesiusadAmmian。xxxi。7。Thepracticeandthenamewerepreservedbytheirdescendantsaslateasthefifteenthcentury。TheCharroy，whichsurroundedtheOst，isawordfamiliartothereadersofFroissard，orComines。]
[Footnote81:Statimutaccensimalleoli。Ihaveusedtheliteralsenseofrealtorchesorbeacons；butIalmostsuspect，thatitisonlyoneofthoseturgidmetaphors，thosefalseornaments，thatperpetuallydisfiguretostyleofAmmianus。]
[Footnote82:Indicantnuncusquealbentesossibuscampi。
Ammian。xxxi。7。Thehistorianmighthaveviewedtheseplains，eitherasasoldier，orasatraveller。ButhismodestyhassuppressedtheadventuresofhisownlifesubsequenttothePersianwarsofConstantiusandJulian。Weareignorantofthetimewhenhequittedtheservice，andretiredtoRome，whereheappearstohavecomposedhisHistoryofhisOwnTimes。]
TheprogressoftheGothshadbeencheckedbythedoubtfuleventofthatbloodyday；andtheImperialgenerals，whosearmywouldhavebeenconsumedbytherepetitionofsuchacontest，embracedthemorerationalplanofdestroyingtheBarbariansbythewantsandpressureoftheirownmultitudes。TheypreparedtoconfinetheVisigothsinthenarrowangleoflandbetweentheDanube，thedesertofScythia，andthemountainsofHaemus，tilltheirstrengthandspiritshouldbeinsensiblywastedbytheinevitableoperationoffamine。Thedesignwasprosecutedwithsomeconductandsuccess:theBarbarianshadalmostexhaustedtheirownmagazines，andtheharvestsofthecountry；andthediligenceofSaturninus，themaster—generalofthecavalry，wasemployedtoimprovethestrength，andtocontracttheextent，oftheRomanfortifications。Hislaborswereinterruptedbythealarmingintelligence，thatnewswarmsofBarbarianshadpassedtheunguardedDanube，eithertosupportthecause，ortoimitatetheexample，ofFritigern。Thejustapprehension，thathehimselfmightbesurrounded，andoverwhelmed，bythearmsofhostileandunknownnations，compelledSaturninustorelinquishthesiegeoftheGothiccamp；andtheindignantVisigoths，breakingfromtheirconfinement，satiatedtheirhungerandrevengebytherepeateddevastationofthefruitfulcountry，whichextendsabovethreehundredmilesfromthebanksoftheDanubetothestraitsoftheHellespont。^83ThesagaciousFritigernhadsuccessfullyappealedtothepassions，aswellastotheinterest，ofhisBarbarianallies；andtheloveofrapine，andthehatredofRome，seconded，orevenprevented，theeloquenceofhisambassadors。Hecementedastrictandusefulalliancewiththegreatbodyofhiscountrymen，whoobeyedAlatheusandSaphraxastheguardiansoftheirinfantking:thelonganimosityofrivaltribeswassuspendedbythesenseoftheircommoninterest；theindependentpartofthenationwasassociatedunderonestandard；andthechiefsoftheOstrogothsappeartohaveyieldedtothesuperiorgeniusofthegeneraloftheVisigoths。HeobtainedtheformidableaidoftheTaifalae，whosemilitaryrenownwasdisgracedandpollutedbythepublicinfamyoftheirdomesticmanners。Everyyouth，onhisentranceintotheworld，wasunitedbythetiesofhonorablefriendship，andbrutallove，tosomewarriorofthetribe；norcouldhehopetobereleasedfromthisunnaturalconnection，tillhehadapprovedhismanhoodbyslaying，insinglecombat，ahugebear，orawildboaroftheforest。^84ButthemostpowerfulauxiliariesoftheGothsweredrawnfromthecampofthoseenemieswhohadexpelledthemfromtheirnativeseats。Theloosesubordination，andextensivepossessions，oftheHunsandtheAlani，delayedtheconquests，anddistractedthecouncils，ofthatvictoriouspeople。SeveralofthehordswerealluredbytheliberalpromisesofFritigern；andtherapidcavalryofScythiaaddedweightandenergytothesteadyandstrenuouseffortsoftheGothicinfantry。TheSarmatians，whocouldneverforgivethesuccessorofValentinian，enjoyedandincreasedthegeneralconfusion；andaseasonableirruptionoftheAlemanni，intotheprovincesofGaul，engagedtheattention，anddivertedtheforces，oftheemperoroftheWest。^85
[Footnote83:Ammian。xxxi。8。]
[Footnote*:TheTaifalae，whoatthisperiodinhabitedthecountrywhichnowformstheprincipalityofWallachia，were，inmyopinion，thelastremainsofthegreatandpowerfulnationoftheDacians，DaciorDahae。whichhasgivenitsnametotheseregions，overwhichtheyhadruledsolong。TheTaifalaepassedwiththeGothsintotheterritoryoftheempire。AgreatnumberofthementeredtheRomanservice，andwerequarteredindifferentprovinces。TheyarementionedintheNotitiaImperii。
TherewasaconsiderablebodyinthecountryofthePictavi，nowPoithou。Theylongretainedtheirmannersandlanguage，andcausedthenameoftheTheofalgicuspagustobegiventothedistricttheyinhabited。TwoplacesinthedepartmentofLaVendee，TiffangesandLaTiffardiere，stillpreserveevidenttracesofthisdenomination。St。Martin，iv。118。—M。]
[Footnote84:HancTaifalorumgentemturpem，etobscenaevitaeflagitiisitaaccipimusmersam；utapudeosnefandiconcubitusfoederecopulenturmarespuberes，aetatisviriditatemineorumpollutisusibusconsumpturi。Porro，siquijamadultusaprumexceperitsolus，velinteremitursumimmanem，colluvioneliberaturincesti。Ammian。xxxi。9。
AmongtheGreeks，likewise，moreespeciallyamongtheCretans，theholybandsoffriendshipwereconfirmed，andsullied，byunnaturallove。]
[Footnote85:Ammian。xxxi。8，9。Jeromtom。i。p。26
enumeratesthenationsandmarksacalamitousperiodoftwentyyears。ThisepistletoHeliodoruswascomposedintheyear397，Tillemont，Mem。Ecclestomxii。p。645。]
ChapterXXVI:ProgressofTheHuns。
PartIV。
OneofthemostdangerousinconveniencesoftheintroductionoftheBarbariansintothearmyandthepalace，wassensiblyfeltintheircorrespondencewiththeirhostilecountrymen；towhomtheyimprudently，ormaliciously，revealedtheweaknessoftheRomanempire。Asoldier，ofthelifeguardsofGratian，wasofthenationoftheAlemanni，andofthetribeoftheLentienses，whodweltbeyondtheLakeofConstance。Somedomesticbusinessobligedhimtorequestaleaveofabsence。Inashortvisittohisfamilyandfriends，hewasexposedtotheircuriousinquiries:andthevanityoftheloquacioussoldiertemptedhimtodisplayhisintimateacquaintancewiththesecretsofthestate，andthedesignsofhismaster。Theintelligence，thatGratianwaspreparingtoleadthemilitaryforceofGaul，andoftheWest，totheassistanceofhisuncleValens，pointedouttotherestlessspiritoftheAlemannithemoment，andthemode，ofasuccessfulinvasion。Theenterpriseofsomelightdetachments，who，inthemonthofFebruary，passedtheRhineupontheice，wasthepreludeofamoreimportantwar。Theboldesthopesofrapine，perhapsofconquest，outweighedtheconsiderationsoftimidprudence，ornationalfaith。Everyforest，andeveryvillage，pouredforthabandofhardyadventurers；andthegreatarmyoftheAlemanni，which，ontheirapproach，wasestimatedatfortythousandmenbythefearsofthepeople，wasafterwardsmagnifiedtothenumberofseventythousandbythevainandcredulousflatteryoftheImperialcourt。Thelegions，whichhadbeenorderedtomarchintoPannonia，wereimmediatelyrecalled，ordetained，forthedefenceofGaul；themilitarycommandwasdividedbetweenNanienusandMellobaudes；andtheyouthfulemperor，thoughherespectedthelongexperienceandsoberwisdomoftheformer，wasmuchmoreinclinedtoadmire，andtofollow，themartialardorofhiscolleague；whowasallowedtounitetheincompatiblecharactersofcountofthedomestics，andofkingoftheFranks。HisrivalPriarius，kingoftheAlemanni，wasguided，orratherimpelled，bythesameheadstrongvalor；andastheirtroopswereanimatedbythespiritoftheirleaders，theymet，theysaw，theyencounteredeachother，nearthetownofArgentaria，orColmar，^86intheplainsofAlsace。Thegloryofthedaywasjustlyascribedtothemissileweapons，andwell—practisedevolutions，oftheRomansoldiers；theAlemanni，wholongmaintainedtheirground，wereslaughteredwithunrelentingfury；fivethousandonlyoftheBarbariansescapedtothewoodsandmountains；andthegloriousdeathoftheirkingonthefieldofbattlesavedhimfromthereproachesofthepeople，whoarealwaysdisposedtoaccusethejustice，orpolicy，ofanunsuccessfulwar。Afterthissignalvictory，whichsecuredthepeaceofGaul，andassertedthehonoroftheRomanarms，theemperorGratianappearedtoproceedwithoutdelayonhisEasternexpedition；butasheapproachedtheconfinesoftheAlemanni，hesuddenlyinclinedtotheleft，surprisedthembyhisunexpectedpassageoftheRhine，andboldlyadvancedintotheheartoftheircountry。TheBarbariansopposedtohisprogresstheobstaclesofnatureandofcourage；andstillcontinuedtoretreat，fromonehilltoanother，tilltheyweresatisfied，byrepeatedtrials，ofthepowerandperseveranceoftheirenemies。Theirsubmissionwasacceptedasaproof，notindeedoftheirsincererepentance，butoftheiractualdistress；andaselectnumberoftheirbraveandrobustyouthwasexactedfromthefaithlessnation，asthemostsubstantialpledgeoftheirfuturemoderation。Thesubjectsoftheempire，whohadsooftenexperiencedthattheAlemannicouldneitherbesubduedbyarms，norrestrainedbytreaties，mightnotpromisethemselvesanysolidorlastingtranquillity:
buttheydiscovered，inthevirtuesoftheiryoungsovereign，theprospectofalongandauspiciousreign。Whenthelegionsclimbedthemountains，andscaledthefortificationsoftheBarbarians，thevalorofGratianwasdistinguishedintheforemostranks；andthegiltandvariegatedarmorofhisguardswaspiercedandshatteredbytheblowswhichtheyhadreceivedintheirconstantattachmenttothepersonoftheirsovereign。Attheageofnineteen，thesonofValentinianseemedtopossessthetalentsofpeaceandwar；andhispersonalsuccessagainsttheAlemanniwasinterpretedasasurepresageofhisGothictriumphs。^87
[Footnote86:Thefieldofbattle，ArgentariaorArgentovaria，isaccuratelyfixedbyM。D\'AnvilleNoticedel\'AncienneGaule，p。
96—99attwenty—threeGallicleagues，orthirty—fourandahalfRomanmilestothesouthofStrasburg。FromitsruinstheadjacenttownofColmarhasarisen。
Note:ItisratherHorburg，ontherightbankoftheRiverIll，oppositetoColmar。FromSchoepflin，AlsatiaIllustrata。
St。Martin，iv。121。—M。]
[Footnote87:ThefullandimpartialnarrativeofAmmianusxxxi。
10mayderivesomeadditionallightfromtheEpitomeofVictor，theChronicleofJerom，andtheHistoryofOrosius，l。vii。c。
33，p。552，edit。Havercamp。]
WhileGratiandeservedandenjoyedtheapplauseofhissubjects，theemperorValens，who，atlength，hadremovedhiscourtandarmyfromAntioch，wasreceivedbythepeopleofConstantinopleastheauthorofthepubliccalamity。Beforehehadreposedhimselftendaysinthecapital，hewasurgedbythelicentiousclamorsoftheHippodrometomarchagainsttheBarbarians，whomhehadinvitedintohisdominions；andthecitizens，whoarealwaysbraveatadistancefromanyrealdanger，declared，withconfidence，that，iftheyweresuppliedwitharms，theyalonewouldundertaketodelivertheprovincefromtheravagesofaninsultingfoe。^88ThevainreproachesofanignorantmultitudehastenedthedownfalloftheRomanempire；
theyprovokedthedesperaterashnessofValens；whodidnotfind，eitherinhisreputationorinhismind，anymotivestosupportwithfirmnessthepubliccontempt。Hewassoonpersuaded，bythesuccessfulachievementsofhislieutenants，todespisethepoweroftheGoths，who，bythediligenceofFritigern，werenowcollectedintheneighborhoodofHadrianople。ThemarchoftheTaifalaehadbeeninterceptedbythevaliantFrigeric:thekingofthoselicentiousBarbarianswasslaininbattle；andthesuppliantcaptivesweresentintodistantexiletocultivatethelandsofItaly，whichwereassignedfortheirsettlementinthevacantterritoriesofModenaandParma。^89TheexploitsofSebastian，^90whowasrecentlyengagedintheserviceofValens，andpromotedtotherankofmaster—generaloftheinfantry，werestillmorehonorabletohimself，andusefultotherepublic。Heobtainedthepermissionofselectingthreehundredsoldiersfromeachofthelegions；andthisseparatedetachmentsoonacquiredthespiritofdiscipline，andtheexerciseofarms，whichwerealmostforgottenunderthereignofValens。BythevigorandconductofSebastian，alargebodyoftheGothsweresurprisedintheircamp；andtheimmensespoil，whichwasrecoveredfromtheirhands，filledthecityofHadrianople，andtheadjacentplain。
Thesplendidnarratives，whichthegeneraltransmittedofhisownexploits，alarmedtheImperialcourtbytheappearanceofsuperiormerit；andthoughhecautiouslyinsistedonthedifficultiesoftheGothicwar，hisvalorwaspraised，hisadvicewasrejected；andValens，wholistenedwithprideandpleasuretotheflatteringsuggestionsoftheeunuchsofthepalace，wasimpatienttoseizethegloryofaneasyandassuredconquest。
Hisarmywasstrengthenedbyanumerousreenforcementofveterans；andhismarchfromConstantinopletoHadrianoplewasconductedwithsomuchmilitaryskill，thathepreventedtheactivityoftheBarbarians，whodesignedtooccupytheintermediatedefiles，andtointercepteitherthetroopsthemselves，ortheirconvoysofprovisions。ThecampofValens，whichhepitchedunderthewallsofHadrianople，wasfortified，accordingtothepracticeoftheRomans，withaditchandrampart；andamostimportantcouncilwassummoned，todecidethefateoftheemperorandoftheempire。ThepartyofreasonandofdelaywasstrenuouslymaintainedbyVictor，whohadcorrected，bythelessonsofexperience，thenativefiercenessoftheSarmatiancharacter；whileSebastian，withtheflexibleandobsequiouseloquenceofacourtier，representedeveryprecaution，andeverymeasure，thatimpliedadoubtofimmediatevictory，asunworthyofthecourageandmajestyoftheirinvinciblemonarch。
TheruinofValenswasprecipitatedbythedeceitfulartsofFritigern，andtheprudentadmonitionsoftheemperoroftheWest。TheadvantagesofnegotiatinginthemidstofwarwereperfectlyunderstoodbythegeneraloftheBarbarians；andaChristianecclesiasticwasdespatched，astheholyministerofpeace，topenetrate，andtoperplex，thecouncilsoftheenemy。
Themisfortunes，aswellastheprovocations，oftheGothicnation，wereforciblyandtrulydescribedbytheirambassador；
whoprotested，inthenameofFritigern，thathewasstilldisposedtolaydownhisarms，ortoemploythemonlyinthedefenceoftheempire；ifhecouldsecureforhiswanderingcountrymenatranquilsettlementonthewastelandsofThrace，andasufficientallowanceofcornandcattle。Butheadded，inawhisperofconfidentialfriendship，thattheexasperatedBarbarianswereaversetothesereasonableconditions；andthatFritigernwasdoubtfulwhetherhecouldaccomplishtheconclusionofthetreaty，unlesshefoundhimselfsupportedbythepresenceandterrorsofanImperialarmy。Aboutthesametime，CountRichomerreturnedfromtheWesttoannouncethedefeatandsubmissionoftheAlemanni，toinformValensthathisnephewadvancedbyrapidmarchesattheheadoftheveteranandvictoriouslegionsofGaul，andtorequest，inthenameofGratianandoftherepublic，thateverydangerousanddecisivemeasuremightbesuspended，tillthejunctionofthetwoemperorsshouldinsurethesuccessoftheGothicwar。ButthefeeblesovereignoftheEastwasactuatedonlybythefatalillusionsofprideandjealousy。Hedisdainedtheimportunateadvice；herejectedthehumiliatingaid；hesecretlycomparedtheignominious，atleasttheinglorious，periodofhisownreign，withthefameofabeardlessyouth；andValensrushedintothefield，toerecthisimaginarytrophy，beforethediligenceofhiscolleaguecouldusurpanyshareofthetriumphsoftheday。
[Footnote88:Moratuspaucissimosdies，seditionepopulariumleviumpulsusAmmian。xxxi。11。Socratesl。iv。c。38suppliesthedatesandsomecircumstances。
Note:ComparefragmentofEunapius。Mai，272，inNiebuhr，p。77。—M]
[Footnote89:VivosqueomnescircaMutinam，Regiumque，etParmam，Italicaoppida，ruraculturosexterminavit。Ammianus，xxxi。9。
Thosecitiesanddistricts，abouttenyearsafterthecolonyoftheTaifalae，appearinaverydesolatestate。SeeMuratori，DissertazionisopraleAntichitaItaliane，tom。i。Dissertat。
xxi。p。354。]
[Footnote90:Ammian。xxxi。11。Zosimus，l。iv。p。228—230。
ThelatterexpatiatesonthedesultoryexploitsofSebastian，anddespatches，inafewlines，theimportantbattleofHadrianople。
Accordingtotheecclesiasticalcritics，whohateSebastian，thepraiseofZosimusisdisgrace，Tillemont，Hist。desEmpereurs，tom。v。p。121。Hisprejudiceandignoranceundoubtedlyrenderhimaveryquestionablejudgeofmerit。]