Res Gestae

Now the entire Pontus throughout its whole circuit is misty,[*](Cf. Mela, i. 19, 102, brevis, atrox, nebulosus, etc.) has sweeter[*](I.e. fresher. ) waters than the other seas,[*](Cf. Sail., Hist. iii. 65, Maur., mare Ponticum dulcius quam cetera; Val. Flacc. iv. 719 ff.) and is full of shoals, since the air is often thickened and condensed from the evaporation of moisture, and is tempered by the great masses of water that flow into it; and, because the many rivers that pour into it from every side bring in mud and clods, it rises in shoals that are full of ridges.

And it is a well-known fact that fish from the remotest bounds of our sea[*](The Mediterranean.) come in schools to this

But the part of that same Pontic gulf which is scourged by the north wind and by frosts is so completely bound in ice, that neither are the courses of the rivers believed to flow beneath the ice, nor can men or animals keep their footing on the treacherous and slippery surface, a defect which an unmixed sea never has, but only one which is mingled with water from rivers. But since I have been carried somewhat farther than I expected, let us hasten on to the rest of our story.

Another thing was added,[*](Continuing from the end of xxii. 7, p. 213.) to crown the present joys, something long hoped for it is true, but delayed by an extensive complex of postponements. For it was announced by Agilo and Jovius, who was later quaestor, that the defenders of Aquileia,[*](Cf. xxi. 11, 2.) through weariness of the long siege and having learned of the death of Constantius, had opened their gates, come out, and surrendered the instigators of the revolt; that these were burned alive (as was told above),[*](xxi. 12, 20.) and all the rest obtained indulgence and pardon for their offences.

But Julian, elated by his success, now felt more than mortal aspirations,[*](Cf. Soph., Ajax, v. 777; Aesch., Septem, 425.) since he had been tried by so many dangers and now upon him, the undisputed ruler of the Roman world, propitious Fortune, as if bearing an earthly horn of plenty,[*](Fortuna is commonly represented in art with a ship’s helm in her right hand, and in her left the horn of Amaltheia, which was placed among the stars; hence here mundanam. ) was bestowing all glory and prosperity; also adding this to the records of his former victories, that so long as he was sole ruler he was disturbed by no internal strife and no barbarians crossed his frontiers; but all nations, laying aside their former eagerness for repeated attacks, as ruinous and liable to punishment, were fired with a wonderful desire of sounding his praises.

Therefore, after everything that the times and the changed circumstances demanded had been arranged with careful deliberation, and the soldiers had by numerous addresses and by adequate pay been roused to greater readiness for carrying out the coming enterprises, exulting in the favour of all men, he hastened to go to Antioch, leaving Constantinople supported by great increase of strength; for it was there that he was born, and he loved and cherished the city as his natal place.

Accordingly, having crossed the strait,[*](The Thracian Bosporus.) and passed by Chalcedon and Libyssa, where