Res Gestae

Ammianus Marcellinus

Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).

Valentinian then advanced forcing the pace as far as occasion demanded, put to death without distinction of age all those who were still roaming about and were taken unawares

v3.p.345

by his sudden onset, burned the dwellings, and returned without losing a man of those whom he had led with him. He also lingered at Acincum, since the autumn was swiftly passing on, and being in lands where the cold weather always covered everything with ice, he looked about for suitable winter quarters; and he could find no convenient place except Savaria,[*](In Pannonia, modern Stein-am-Anger.) although that town was then weak and had suffered from repeated misfortunes.

Therefore, setting this[*](I.e., selecting winter quarters.) aside for a time, in spite of the great need for a halt,[*](That is, the need of rest for his soldiers.) he quickly moved from there, marched along the banks of the river, and having protected his camp with an adequate force and with castles came to Bregitio.[*](Szoeny near Comorn.) There the fate which had long been designed to end the emperor’s labours foretold his approaching end by a repeated series of portents.

For a very few days before his arrival comets blazed in the heavens; these foreshadow the downfall of men of high position, and of their origin I have already given an account.[*](See xxv. 10, 3.) Before that, at Sirmium, with sudden crash of the clouds, a thunderbolt fell and set fire to a part of the palace, the senate house, and the forum. Also at Savaria, where the emperor was still settled, an owl perched on the top of the imperial bath, and uttered notes foretelling death; and no skilful[*](Lit. by taking aim. ) hand could bring it down with arrows or with stones, although many vied with one another in eager attacks upon it.