eath of their king on the field of battle saved him from
the reproaches of the people, who are always disposed to accuse the
justice, or policy, of an unsuccessful war. After this signal victory,
which secured the peace of Gaul, and asserted the honor of the Roman
arms, the emperor Gratian appeared to proceed without delay on his
Eastern expedition; but as he approached the confines of the Alemanni,
he suddenly inclined to the left, surprised them by his unexpected
passage of the Rhine, and boldly advanced into the heart of their
country. The Barbarians opposed to his progress the obstacles of
nature and of courage; and still continued to retreat, from one hill to
another, till they were satisfied, by repeated trials, of the power and
perseverance of their enemies. Their submission was accepted as a proof,
not indeed of their sincere repentance, but of their actual distress;
and a select number of their brave and robust youth was exacted from
the faithless nation, as the most substantial pledge of their future
moderation. The subjects of the empire, who had so often experienced
that the Alemanni could neither be subdued by arms, nor restrained
by treaties, might not promise themselves any solid or lasting
tranquillity: but they discovered, in the virtues of their young
sovereign, the prospect of a long and auspicious reign. When the legions
climbed the mountains, and scaled the fortifications of the Barbarians,
the valor of Gratian was distinguished in the foremost ranks; and the
gilt and variegated armor of his guards was pierced and shattered by the
blows which they had received in their constant attachment to the person
of their sovereign. At the age of nineteen, the son of Valentinian
seemed to possess the talents of peace and war; and his personal success
against the Alemanni was interpreted as a sure presage of his Gothic
triumphs. [87]

[Footnote 86: The field of battle, Argentaria or Argentovaria, is
accurately fixed by M. D'Anville (Notice de l'Ancienne Gaule, p. 96--99)
at twenty-three Gallic leagues, or thirty-four and a half Roman miles to
the south of Strasburg. From its ruins the adjacent town of Colmar has
arisen. Note: It is rather Horburg, on the right bank of the River Ill,
opposite to Colmar. From Schoepflin, Alsatia Illustrata. St. Martin, iv.
121.--M.]

[Footnote 87: The full and impartial narrative of Ammianus (xxxi.
10) may derive some additional light from the Epitome of Victor, the
Chronicle o