me of Gratian and
of the republic, that every dangerous and decisive measure might be
suspended, till the junction of the two emperors should insure the
success of the Gothic war. But the feeble sovereign of the East was
actuated only by the fatal illusions of pride and jealousy. He disdained
the importunate advice; he rejected the humiliating aid; he secretly
compared the ignominious, at least the inglorious, period of his own
reign, with the fame of a beardless youth; and Valens rushed into
the field, to erect his imaginary trophy, before the diligence of his
colleague could usurp any share of the triumphs of the day.

[Footnote 88: Moratus paucissimos dies, seditione popularium levium
pulsus Ammian. xxxi. 11. Socrates (l. iv. c. 38) supplies the dates and
some circumstances. * Note: Compare fragment of Eunapius. Mai, 272, in
Niebuhr, p. 77.--M]

[Footnote 89: Vivosque omnes circa Mutinam, Regiumque, et Parmam,
Italica oppida, rura culturos exterminavit. Ammianus, xxxi. 9. Those
cities and districts, about ten years after the colony of the Taifalae,
appear in a very desolate state. See Muratori, Dissertazioni sopra le
Antichita Italiane, tom. i. Dissertat. xxi. p. 354.]

[Footnote 90: Ammian. xxxi. 11. Zosimus, l. iv. p. 228--230. The latter
expatiates on the desultory exploits of Sebastian, and despatches, in
a few lines, the important battle of Hadrianople. According to the
ecclesiastical critics, who hate Sebastian, the praise of Zosimus
is disgrace, (Tillemont, Hist. des Empereurs, tom. v. p. 121.) His
prejudice and ignorance undoubtedly render him a very questionable judge
of merit.]

On the ninth of August, a day which has deserved to be marked among
the most inauspicious of the Roman Calendar, [91] the emperor Valens,
leaving, under a strong guard, his baggage and military treasure,
marched from Hadrianople to attack the Goths, who were encamped about
twelve miles from the city. [92] By some mistake of the orders, or some
ignorance of the ground, the right wing, or column of cavalry arrived
in sight of the enemy, whilst the left was still at a considerable
distance; the soldiers were compelled, in the sultry heat of summer, to
precipitate their pace; and the line of battle was formed with tedious
confusion and irregular delay. The Gothic cavalry had been detached
to forage in the adjacent country; and Fritigern still continued to
practise his customary arts. He despatched messengers of peace, made
proposal