Res Gestae

In this way the irreconcilable hatred of the emperor for Papa was increased, and plots were devised every day for taking his life either by violence or secretly; and to Trajanus,[*](Cf. xxix. 1, 2.) who was then in Armenia in command of the military forces, this work was entrusted through secret letters.

That general sought to win the king by treacherous flattery, now showing him letters of Valens as tokens of his calm state of mind, and now forcing himself upon his banquets; finally, when his plot was matured, he invited him with great respect to a luncheon. The king came, fearing no hostility, and took his place in the seat of honour granted him.

And when choice dainties were set before him, and the great building rang with the music of strings, songs, and wind-instruments,[*](For this combination, cf. xiv. 6, 18; Cic., Pro Rosc. Amer. 46, 134.) the host himself, already heated with wine, went out, under pretence of a call of nature. Then a rude barbarian, fiercely glaring with savage eyes and brandishing a drawn sword, one of the class called scurrae,[*](Guards; cf. xxix. 4, 4, note.) was sent in to kill the young man, who had already been cut off from any possibility of escape.