CHAP. in the forty-third year of his age, the absolute government of the Roman empire. XXV. He is ac knowledged by the army, A. D. 364, The invitation of the ministers and generals at Nice was of little moment, unless it were confirmed by the voice of the army. The aged Sallust, who had long observed the irregular fluctuations of popular assemblies, proposed, under pain of death, that none of those persons, whose rank in the service might excite a party in their favour should appear in public, on the day of the inauguration. Yet such was the preva lence of ancient superstition, that a whole day was voluntarily added to this dangerous inter val, because it happened to be the intercalation of the Bissextile *. At length, when the hour was supposed to be propitious, Valentinian shewed himself from a lofty tribunal: the judicious choice was applauded; and the new prince was solemnly invested with the diadem and the purple, amidst the acclamations of the troops, who were disposed in martial order round the tribunal. But when he stretched forth his hand to address the armed multitude, a busy whisper was accidentally started in the ranks, and insensibly swelled into a loud and imperious clamour, that he should name, without delay, a colleague in the empire. * Ammianus, in a long, because unseasonable, digression (xxvi. 1. and Valesius ad locum), rashly supposes that he un derstands an astronomical question, of which his readers are ignorant. It is treated with more judgment and propriety by Censorinus (de Dei Natali, c. 20.), and Macrobius (Saturnal. 1. i. cap. 12-16.). The appellation of Bissextile, which marks the inauspicious year (Augustin, ad Januarium, Epist. 119.) is derived from the repetition of the sixth day of the calends of March. empire. The intrepid calmness of Valentinian obtained silence, and commanded respect and he thus addressed the assembly: "A few mi "nutes since it was in your power, fellow-sol"diers, to have left me in the obscurity of a r private station. Judging, from the testimony "of my past life, that I deserved to reign, you "have placed me on the throne. 66 It is now my interest of the "republic. The weight of the universe is un "doubtedly too great for the hands of a feeble "mortal. I am conscious of the limits of my “abilities, and the uncertainty of iny life and "far from declining, I am anxious to solicit, "the assistance of a wo thy colleague. duty to consult the safety and But, "where discord may be fatal, the choice of a "faithful friend requires mature and serious "deliberation. That deliberation shall be my ❝ care. Let your conduct be dutiful and con"sistent. Retire to your quarters; refresh your "minds and bodies; and expect the accustom"ed donative on the accession of a new emperor *.' The astonished troops, with a mix ture of pride, of satisfaction, and of terror, confessed the voice of their master. Their angry clamours subsided into silent reverence; and Valentinian, encompassed with the eagles of the legions, and the various banners of the cavalry and infantry, was conducted, in warlike pomp, to the palace of Nice. As he was sensible, however, of the importance of preventing some rash declaration * Valentinian's first speech is full in Ammianus (xxvi. 2.); concise and sententious in Philostorgius (1. viii. c. 8.). CHAP. XXV. CHAP. declaration of the soldiers, he consulted the assembly of the chiefs: and their real sentiments were concisely expressed by the generous freedom of Dagalaiphus. "Most excellent prince," said that officer, "if you consider only your family, and associates his brother Valens, A. D. 364. 66 "mans you have a brother; if you love the republic, "look round for the most deserving of the RoThe emperor, who suppressed his displeasure, without altering his intention, slowly proceeded from Nice to Nicomedia and Constantinople. In one of the suburbs of that capitalt, thirty days after his own elevation, he bestowed the title of Augustus on his brother VaMarch 28. lens; and as the boldest patriots were convinced, that their opposition, without being serviceable to their country, would be fatal to themselves, the declaration of his absolute will was received with silent submission. Valens was now in the thirty-sixth year of his age; but his abilities had never been exercised in any employment, military or civil; and his character had not inspired the world with any sanguine expectations. He possessed, however, one quality, which recommended him to Valentinian, and preserved the domestic peace of the empire; a devout and grateful attachment to his benefactor, whose superiority of genius, as well as of authority, Valens Si tuos, amas, Imperator optime, habes fratrem ; si Remá publicam, quære quem vestias. Ammian. xxvi. 4. In the division of the empire, Valentinian retained that sincere couns sellor for himself (c. 6.). In suburbano, Ammianus, xxvi. 4. The famous Hebdomen, or field of Mars, was distant from Constantinople either seven stadia, or seven miles. See Valesius and his brother, ad loc. and Ducange, Const. I. ii. p. 110, 141. 172, 173. Valens humbly and cheerfully acknowledged in CHA P. every action of his life. Before Valentinian divided the provinces, he reformed the administration of the empire. XXV. The final the eastern division of All and west ranks of subjects, who had been injured or oppressed under the reign of Julian, were invited to support their public accusations. The silence of mankind attested the spotless integrity of the R * Participem quidem legitimum potestatis; sed in modum apparitoris morigerum, ut progrediens aperiet textus. Ammian. xxvi. 4. + Notwithstanding the evidence of Zonaras, Suidas, and the Paschal Chronicle, M. de Tillemont (Hist. des Empereurs, tom. v. p. 671.) wishes to disbelieve these stories si avanta geuses à un payen. Eunapius celebrates and exaggerates the sufferings of Max mus (p. 82, 83.); yet he allows, that this sophist or magi cian, the guilty favourite of Julian, and the personal enemy of Valentinian, was dismissed on the payment of a small fine. ern em pires, A. D. 964 CHAP. ducted with a reasonable share of wisdom and XXV. moderation *. The * The loose assertions of a general disgrace (Zosimus, 1. iv. p. 201.) are detected and refuted by Tillemont (t, v. p. 21.). + Ammianus, xxvi. 5, |