sposition towards sedition; and they were likely to be, as he
thought, so indignant at being denied the victory they sought, as to be
easily tempted to the most lawless violence.

15. Two other considerations also added to the confidence of our men.
First, because they recollected that in the previous year, when the
Romans spread themselves in every direction over the countries on the
other side of the Rhine, not one of the barbarians stood to defend his
home, nor ventured to encounter them; but they contented themselves with
blockading the roads in every direction with vast abattis, throughout
the whole winter retiring into the remote districts, and willingly
endured the greatest hardships rather than fight; recollecting also
that, after the emperor actually invaded their territories, the
barbarians neither ventured to make any resistance, nor even to show
themselves at all, but implored peace in the most suppliant manner, till
they obtained it.

16. But no one considered that the times were changed, because the
barbarians were at that time pressed with a threefold danger. The
emperor hastening against them through the Tyrol, the Caesar who was
actually in their country cutting off all possibility of retreat, while
the neighbouring tribes, whom recent quarrels had converted into
enemies, were all but treading on their heels; and thus they were
surrounded on all sides. But since that time the emperor, having granted
them peace, had returned to Italy, and the neighbouring tribes, having
all cause of quarrel removed, were again in alliance with them; and the
disgraceful retreat of one of the Roman generals had increased their
natural confidence and boldness.

17. Moreover there was another circumstance which at this crisis added
weight to the difficulties which pressed upon the Romans. The two royal
brothers, who had obtained peace from Constantius in the preceding year,
being bound by the obligations of that treaty, neither ventured to raise
any disturbance, nor indeed to put themselves in motion at all. But a
little after the conclusion of that peace one of them whose name was
Gundomadus, and who was the most loyal and the most faithful to his
word, was slain by treachery, and then all his tribe joined our enemies;
and on this the tribe of Vadomarius also, against his will, as he
affirmed, ranged itself on the side of the barbarians who were arming
for war.

18. Therefore, since all the soldiers of every rank, from