Res Gestae

Meanwhile Julian, leaving Augst after finishing the business of which we have already spoken, sent Sallustius,[*](Consul with Julian in 363; see xxiii. 1, 1.) who had been advanced to the rank of prefect, back to Gaul, bidding Germanianus take the place of Nebridius;[*](Cf. ch. 5, 11, above.) he also made Nevitta commander of the cavalry,[*](That this was Nevitta’s rank is shown in § 3, below. It is rather a loose use of magister armorum. ) fearing Gomoarius[*](Cf. xx. 9, 5.) as an old-time traitor, who (as he had heard), when leading the targeteers, secretly betrayed his prince, Veteranio. To Jovius, of whom I made mention in connection with the actions of Magnentius,[*](In a lost book.) he gave the quaestorship, and to Mamertinus the charge of the sacred largesses; he put Dagalaifus in command of the household troops, and assigned many others, whose services and loyalty he knew, to military commands on his own authority.

He intended then to make his way through the Marcian woods[*](The Black Forest.) and along the roads near the banks of the river Danube, but being exceedingly uncertain amid the sudden changes of events, he feared lest his small retinue might bring him into contempt and lead the populace to oppose him.

To prevent this from happening, he devised an ingenious plan: he divided his army and sent one part with Jovinus and Jovius to march rapidly along the familiar roads of Italy; the others were assigned to Nevitta, the commander of the

He also charged them, when they left, to be on their guard as they marched, as if the enemy were to meet them at once, and at night to keep watch and ward, so as not to be surprised by a hostile attack.