ins of the camp, commanded the
divisions on each side, thus protecting the army from any sudden attack.

7. And immediately under the guidance of men who knew the roads, all the
approaches having been reconnoitred, the army advanced slowly through a
most extensive district, the soldiers by the slowness of their march
being all the more excited to wish for battle, and gnashing their teeth
in a threatening manner, as if they had already found the barbarians.
And as, after many days had passed, no one could be found who offered
any resistance, the troops applied the devouring flame to all the houses
and all the crops which were standing, with the exception of such
supplies for their own magazines as the doubtful events of war compelled
them to collect and store up.

8. After this the emperor advanced further, with no great speed, till he
arrived at a place called Solicinium, where he halted, as if he had
suddenly come upon some barrier, being informed by the accurate report
of his advanced guard that the barbarians were seen at a distance.

9. They, seeing no way of preserving their safety unless they defended
themselves by a speedy battle, trusting in their acquaintance with the
country, with one consent occupied a lofty hill, abrupt and inaccessible
in its rugged heights on every side except the north, where the ascent
was gentle and easy. Our standards were fixed in the usual manner, and
the cry, "To arms!" was raised; and the soldiers, by the command of the
emperor and his generals, rested in quiet obedience, waiting for the
raising of the emperor's banner as the signal for engaging in battle.

10. And because little or no time could be spared for deliberation,
since on one side the impatience of the soldiers was formidable, and on
the other the Allemanni were shouting out their horrid yells all around,
the necessity for rapid operations led to the plan that Sebastian with
his division should seize the northern side of the hill, where we have
said the ascent was gentle, in which position it was expected that, if
fortune favoured him, he would be able easily to destroy the flying
barbarians. And when he, as had been arranged, had moved forward first,
while Gratian was kept behind with the Jovian legion, that young prince
being as yet of an age unfit for battle or for hard toil, Valentinian,
like a deliberate and prudent general, took off his helmet, and reviewed
his centuries and maniples, and not having informed any