Amid this state of suspense the envoys Theolaifus and Aligildus, who had been sent to him,Cf. xxi. 15, 4. suddenly appeared and reported the death of Constantius, adding that with his last words he had made Julian the successor to his power.

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,Cf. xxi. 10, 2. made for Philippopolis,See xxi. 10, 3, note. the ancient Eumolpias, followed with eager step by all who were under his command.

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,It was drawn by winged dragons and given to him by Ceres, to carry a knowledge of agriculture through the world. See Hygin. 147; Ovid, v. 641 ff. 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.