Therefore, that we may with the closest unanimity of purpose forestall adverse events, follow my course of action, which is salutary (I think), since our intention and desire are in harmony with the welfare of the state;The sentence is not clear; it perhaps means since the present period of quiet is favourable to our intention and desire; i.e. since our opponents have as yet taken no action. and while the regions of Illyricum are without greater garrisons, advancing with unobstructed course, let us meanwhile take possession of the utmost parts of Dacia, and from there learn by means of good success what ought to be done.

In support of this planPighius (see crit. note) takes ut . . . ex more as tautology, citing Spart. 15, 2; Livy, iv. 2, 4; etc. do you, I pray, after the manner of those who trust their leaders,So Pighius, citing Lucan, ix. 373, and Statius, vi. 678, for fidens with a genitive. promise under oath your lasting and faithful accord; I for my part will strive diligently and anxiously that nothing be done rashly or with faint heart, and I will show, if any one require it, my conscience clean, in that I will undertake or try nothing willingly except what contributes to the common weal.

This one thing I beg and implore: see to it that none of you under the impulse of growing ardour be guilty of injury to private citizens, bearing in mind that not so much the slaughter of countless foemen has made us famous as the prosperity and safety of the provinces, widely known through instances of virtuous conduct.

By this speech of the emperor, no less approved than the words of some oracle, the assembly was strongly moved. Eager for revolution, with one accord they mingled fear-inspiring shouts with the violent clash of shields, calling him a great and exalted leader and (as they knew from experience) a fortunate victor over nations and kings.

And when all had been bidden to take the usual oath of allegiance, aiming their swords at their throats,See xvii. 12, 16, note. they swore in set terms under pain of dire execrations, that they would endure all hazards for him, to the extent of pouring out their life-blood, if necessity required; their officers and all the emperor’s closest advisers followed their example, and pledged loyalty with like ceremony.

Alone among all the prefect Nebridius, with a loyalty that was firm rather than prudent, opposed him, declaring that he could by no means be bound by an oath against Constantius, to whom he was indebted for many and repeated acts of kindness.

Upon hearing this the soldiers who were standing near, inflamed with anger, rushed upon him to slay him; but the emperor, at whose knees he had fallen, covered him with his general’s cloak. Then Julian returned to the palace. And when he saw that Nebridius had preceded him and was lying there as a suppliant, begging that, to relieve his fears, the emperor would offer him his hand, Julian answered: Will any special honour be reserved for my friends, if you shall touch my hand? But depart in safety whithersoever you please. On hearing this, Nebridius withdrew unharmedinnoxius may be either passive or active in meaning; that is, uninjured or making no further opposition to Julian: probably the former. to his home in Tuscany.He was again made praetorian prefect by Valens; see xxvi. 7, 4, 5.

After taking these precautions, as the greatness of the enterprise demanded, Julian, knowing by experience the value of anticipating and outstripping an adversary in troublous times,Cf. 5, 1, above; xxvi. 7, 4; Sallust, xliii. 4, maximum bonum in celeritate putabat. having given writtenCf. Suet. , 6, 2. The tessera was a square tablet on which the watchword (see xiv. 2, 15) or an order, was written; in xxiii. 2, 2, expeditionalis tessera is used for an order to march. order for a march into Pannonia, advanced his camp and his standards, and unhesitatinglytemere usually means rashly, without consideration, but here the word seems to be used in a good, or at least in a neutral, sense. committed himself to whatever Fortune might offer.

It is now fitting to turn back to the past and give a brief account of what Constantius, who was wintering at Antioch, accomplished in peace and in war, while the events just described were taking place in Gaul.