n island, from which he soon afterwards escaped.

8. But Euphrasius and Phronemius were sent to the west to be at the
disposal of Valentinian. Euphrasius was acquitted, but Phronemius was
transported to the Chersonesus, being punished more severely than the
other, though their case was the same, because he had been a favourite
with the late emperor Julian, whose memorable virtues the two brothers
now on the throne joined in disparaging, though they were neither like
nor equal to him.

9. To these severities other grievances of greater importance, and more
to be dreaded than any sufferings in battle, were added. For the
executioner, and the rack, and bloody modes of torture, now attacked men
of every rank, class, or fortune, without distinction. Peace seemed as a
pretext for establishing a detestable tribunal, while all men cursed
the ill-omened victory that had been gained as worse than the most
deadly war.

10. For amid arms and trumpets the equality of every one's chance makes
danger seem lighter; and often the might of martial valour obtains what
it aims at; or else a sudden death, if it befalls a man, is attended by
no feeling of ignominy, but brings an end to life and to suffering at
the same time. When, however, laws and statutes are put forth as
pretexts for wicked counsels, and judges, affecting the equity of Cato
or Cassius, sit on the bench, though in fact everything is done at the
discretion of over-arrogant power, on the whim of which every man's life
or death depends, the mischief is fatal and incurable.

11. For at this time any one might go to the palace on any pretext, and
if he were inflamed with a desire of appropriating the goods of others,
though the person he accused might be notoriously innocent, he was
received by the emperor as a friend to be trusted and deserving to be
enriched at the expense of others.

12. For the emperor was quick to inflict injury, always ready to listen
to informers, admitting the most deadly accusations, and exulting
unrestrainedly in the diversity of punishments devised; ignorant of the
expression of Tully, which teaches us that those men are unhappy who
think themselves privileged to do everything.

13. This implacability, unworthy of a just cause, and disgracing his
victory, exposed many innocent men to the torturers, crushing them
beneath the rack, or slaying them by the stroke of the fierce
executioner. Men who, if nature had permitted, would rather have lost
t