Res Gestae

Accordingly, advancing in square formation,[*](See xxix. 5, 39, note on agmine quadrato. ) he came to the vicinity of a suburb of Hadrianopolis,[*](Or perhaps to the vicinity of Hadrianopolis—with Ammianus’ usual tautology. Clark has Hadrianupolis, with V.) where he made a strong rampart of stakes, surrounded by a moat, and impatiently waited for Gratian; there he received Richomeres, general of the household troops, sent in advance by Gratian with a letter, in which he said that he himself also would soon be there.

Since the contents besought him to wait a while for the partner in his dangers, and not rashly to expose himself alone to serious perils, Valens called a council of various of his higher officers and considered what ought to be done.

And while some, influenced by Sebastianus, urged him to give battle at once, the man called Victor,[*](Although he is often mentioned, it is usually in this way (see e.g. 13, 9, below, and 7, 1, above).) a commander of cavalry, a Sarmatian by birth, but foresighted and careful,[*](Unlike the Sarmatians generally.) with the support of many others recommended that his imperial colleague be awaited, so that, strengthened by the addition of the Gallic army, he might the more easily crush the fiery over-confidence of the barbarians.

However, the fatal insistence of the emperor prevailed, supported by the flattering opinion of some of his courtiers, who urged him to make all haste in order that Gratian might not have a share in the victory which (as they represented) was already all but won.

While the necessary preparations for the decisive battle were going on, a Christian presbyter[*](Elder.) (to use their own term), who had been sent by Fritigem as an envoy, in company with some humble

Besides this the aforesaid Christian, apparently a confidant and trusted friend of Fritigern, presented also[*](For the translation of alias, see xxiii. 3, 9, note 5.) a private letter of the same king, who, all too skilled in craft and in various forms of deception, informed Valens, pretending that he hoped soon to be his friend and ally, that he could not tame the savagery of his people, or entice them to adopt conditions favourable to the Roman state, unless the emperor should from time to time show them near at hand his army ready for battle, and through the fear aroused by the imperial name check their destructive eagerness for war. But as to the envoys, their sincerity was doubted, and they left without accomplishing their purpose.