ovoked
done them any injury. And when this was found out by the mutineers, they
began to come over to him a few at a time. And Germanus both received
them into the city in a friendly manner and, giving pledges, held them
in honour, and he gave them their pay for the time during which they had
been in arms against the Romans. And when the report of these acts was
circulated and came to all, they began now to detach themselves in large
numbers from the tyrant and to march to Carthage. Then at last Germanus,
hoping that in the battle he would be evenly matched in strength with
his opponents, began to make preparations for the conflict.

But in the meantime Stotzas, already perceiving the trouble, and fearing
lest by the defection of still others of his soldiers the army should be
reduced still more, was pressing for a decisive encounter immediately
and trying to take hold of the war with more vigour. And since he had
some hope regarding the soldiers in Carthage, that they would come over
to him, and thought that they would readily desert if he came near them,
he held out the hope to all his men; and after encouraging them
exceedingly in this way, he advanced swiftly with his whole army against
Carthage. And when he had come within thirty-five stades of the city, he
made camp not far from the sea, and Germanus, after arming his whole
army and arraying them for battle, marched forth. And when they were all
outside the city, since he had heard what Stotzas was hoping for, he
called together the whole army and spoke as follows:

"That there is nothing, fellow-soldiers, with which you can justly
reproach the emperor, and no fault which you can find with what he has
done to you, this, I think, no one of you all could deny; for it was he
who took you as you came from the fields with your wallets and one small
frock apiece and brought you together in Byzantium, and has caused you
to be so powerful that the Roman state now depends upon you. And that he
has not only been treated with wanton insult, but has also suffered the
most dreadful of all things at your hands, you yourselves, doubtless,
know full well. And desiring that you should preserve the memory of
these things for ever, he has dismissed the accusations brought against
you for your crimes, asking that this debt alone be due to him from
you--shame for what you have done. It is reasonable, therefore, that
you, being thus regarded by him, should learn anew the lesson of good