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).

This Constantine, then, born of Helena, a mother of very common origin, and brought up in the town of Naissus,[*](In Moesia, on the river Margus; cf. xxi. 10, 5; modern Nis, in Yugoslavia.) which he afterwards splendidly adorned, had but slight training in letters.[*](minus = minus iusto, Tillemont iv, p. 132 (Wagner).) He was

v3.p.511

held as a hostage by Diocletian and Galerius,[*](To secure his father’s loyalty.) and did valiant service under those emperors in Asia. After the abdication of Diocletian and Herculius,[*](Maximianus (Herculius), in 305.) Constantius[*](Constantius Chlorus.) asked Galerius to return his son; but Galerius first exposed him to many dangers.

For when Constantine, then a young man, was serving in the cavalry against the Sarmatians, he seized by the hair and carried off a fierce savage, and threw him at the feet of the emperor Galerius. Then sent by Galerius through a swamp, he entered it on his horse and made a way for the rest to the Sarmatians, of whom he slew many and won the victory for Galerius.