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).

Then Licinius fled to Byzantium; and while his scattered forces were on the way to the city, Licinius closed it, and feeling secure against an attack by sea, planned to meet a siege from the land-side. But Constantine got together a fleet from Thrace. Then Licinius, with his usual lack of consideration,[*](I.e., without consulting Constantine; cf. § 9, above.) chose Martinianus as his Caesar.

But Crispus, with Constantine’s fleet, sailed to Callipolis,[*](Modern Gallipoli, on the Hellespont.) where in a sea-fight he so utterly defeated Amandus that the latter barely made his escape with the help of the forces which he had left on shore. But Licinius’ fleet was in part destroyed and in part captured.

Licinius, abandoning hope on the sea, by way of which he saw that he would be blockaded, fled with his treasures to Chalcedon. Constantine

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entered Byzantium, where he met Crispus and learned of his naval victory. Then Licinius began a battle at Chrysopolis,[*](Modern Scutari, opposite Constantinople.) being especially aided by the Gothic auxiliaries which their prince Alica had brought; whereupon the army of Constantine was victorious, slaying 25,000 soldiers[*](For this meaning of armati, cf. Amm. xv. 4, 8; xxvi. 1, 6.) of the opposing side and putting the rest to flight.

Later, when they saw Constantine’s legions coming in Liburnian galleys, the survivors threw down their arms and gave themselves up. But on the following day Constantia, sister of Constantine and wife of Licinius, came to her brother’s camp and begged that her husband’s life be spared, which was granted. Thus Licinius became a private citizen,[*](See note 1, on 5, 18, above.) and was entertained at a banquet by Constantine. Martinianus’ life was also spared.