g it to be
impossible to bring Constantius to terms, he wrote a speech full of
bitter invectives to the senate, setting forth many charges of disgrace
and vice against him. And when this harangue, Tertullus still being
prefect of the city, was read in the senate, the gratitude of the
nobles, as well as their splendid boldness, was very conspicuous; for
they all cried out with one unanimous feeling, "We expect that you
should show reverence to the author of your own greatness."

8. Then he assailed the memory of Constantine also as an innovator and a
disturber of established laws and of customs received from ancient
times, accusing him of having been the first to promote barbarians to
the fasces and robe of the consul. But in this respect he spoke with
folly and levity, since, in the face of what he so bitterly reproved, he
a very short time afterwards added to Mamertinus, as his colleague in
the consulship, Nevitta, a man neither in rank, experience, or
reputation at all equal to those on whom Constantine had conferred that
illustrious magistracy, but who, on the contrary, was destitute of
accomplishments and somewhat rude; and what was less easy to be endured,
made a cruel use of his high power.

XI.

Sec. 1. While Julian was occupied with these and similar thoughts, and was
anxious about great and important affairs, a messenger came with
terrible and unexpected news of the monstrous attempts of some persons
which were likely to hinder his fiery progress, unless by prompt
vigilance he could crush them, before they came to a head. I will
briefly relate what they were.

2. Under pretence of urgent necessity, but in reality because he still
suspected their fidelity to him, he had sent into Gaul two legions
belonging to the army of Constantius, with a troop of archers which he
had found at Sirmium. They, moving slowly, and dreading the length of
the journey and the fierce and continual attacks of the hostile Germans,
planned a mutiny, being prompted and encouraged by Nigrinus, a tribune
of a squadron of cavalry, a native of Mesopotamia. And having arranged
the matter in secret conferences, and kept it close in profound silence,
when they arrived at Aquileia, a city important from its situation and
wealth, and fortified with strong walls, they suddenly closed the gates
in a hostile manner, the native population, by whom the name of
Constantius was still beloved, increasing the confusion and the terror.
And having blo