Res Gestae

But when our country increased in power, and the rule of consuls was in full sway, Marcus Didius, with great determination, checked these tribes that before had been always invincible and were roaming about without civilization or laws. Drusus confined them within their own bounds. Minucius utterly defeated them in a battle near the river Hebrus, which flows from the high mountains

After these came General Lucullus,[*](M. Lucullus, Eutr. vi. 10.) who was the first of all to encounter the savage tribe of the Bessi and in the same onslaught overcame the Haemimontani in spite of their stout resistance.[*](Ruf. Fest. 9, 2–3.) While he threatened that region, all parts of Thrace passed under the sway of our forefathers, and in this way, after dangerous campaigns, six provinces were won for the republic.

The first of these on the side bordering on Illyricum is called Thrace in the narrower sense, and is adorned by the splendid cities of Philippopolis, formerly Eumolpias,[*](Cf. xxii. 2, 2; xxvi. 10, 4. See Map 1, Vol. II.) and Beroea. After this, Haemimontus[*](Also called Thracia Secunda.) has Hadrianopolis,[*](Cf. xiv. 11, 15.) also once called Uscudama, and Anchialos,[*](Cf. xxii. 8, 43.) both great and rich cities. Then comes Mysia,[*](Here for Mysia (or Moesia) Secunda, or Inferior; Mysia Prima belonged to Illyricum.) with Marcianopolis (so name from the sister of the emperor Trajan). Dorostorus, Nicopolis, and Odessus. Hard by is Scythia, in which the more famous towns are Dionysopolis, Tomi, and Callatia. Europa, the remotest province of all, in addition to various towns, is conspicuous for two cities, Apri and Perinthus, in later times called Heraclea.[*](Cf. xxii. 2, 3.)

Rhodopa,[*](Cf. xxii. 8, 4.) next to this, has Maximianopolis, Maronea and Aenus, which Aeneas

Now it is well known, as constant reports have spread abroad, that almost all the country folk who dwell in the high mountains throughout the lands just described surpass us in health and strength, and in the prerogative (so to speak) of prolonging life; and it is thought that this is due to abstinence from a conglomeration of diet and from hot baths,[*](With calidis sc. aquis. ) and a lasting freshness knits their bodies through cold sprinklings with dew; and they enjoy the sweetness of a purer air; further they are first of all to feel the rays of the sun, which are by their own nature life-giving, before they are infected with any stains from human affairs. After having thus given an account of these matters, let us return to our task.

After Procopius had been vanquished in[*](366 A.D.) Phrygia, and the source of internal strife lulled to rest, Victor, commander of the cavalry, was sent to the Goths,[*](The Moeso-Goths in Dacia. Zos. iv. 10, 11, calls them Scythians.) in order to get clear information why a people friendly to the Romans and bound by the treaties of a long-continued peace had lent support to a usurper who was making war on the legitimate emperors. They, in order to excuse their action by a strong defence, presented a letter from the said