ce with
various consequences in the east, the Allemanni, after the many
disasters and defeats which they had received in their frequent contests
with the emperor Julian, at length, having recruited their strength,
though not to a degree equal to their former condition, for the reason
which has been already set forth, crossed the frontier of Gaul in
formidable numbers. And immediately after the beginning of the year,
while winter was still in its greatest severity in those frozen
districts, a vast multitude poured forth in a solid column, plundering
all the places around in the most licentious manner.

2. Their first division was met by Charietto, who at that time had the
authority of count in both the German provinces, and who marched against
them with his most active troops, having with him as a colleague count
Severianus, a man of great age and feeble health, who had the legions
Divitenses and Tungricana under his command, near Cabillonum
(Chalons).[160]

3. Then having formed the whole force into one solid body, and having
with great rapidity thrown a bridge over a small stream, the Romans
assailed the barbarians from a distance with arrows and light javelins,
which they shot back at us with great vigour.

4. But when the battalions met and fought with drawn swords, our line
was shaken by the vehement onset of the enemy, and could neither resist
nor do any valorous deeds by way of attack, but were all put to flight
as soon as they saw Severianus struck down from his horse and severely
wounded by an arrow.

5. Charietto, too, while labouring by the exposure of his own person,
and with bitter reproaches, to encourage his men, who were giving way,
and while by the gallantry with which he maintained his own position he
strove to efface the disgrace they were incurring, was slain by a mortal
wound from a javelin.

6. And after his death the standard of the Eruli and of the Batavi was
lost, and the barbarians raised it on high, insulting it, dancing round
it, but after a fierce struggle it was recovered.

II.

A.D. 367.

Sec. 1. The news of this disaster was received with great sorrow, and
Dagalaiphus was sent from Paris to restore affairs to order. But as he
delayed some time, and made excuses, alleging that he was unable to
attack the barbarians, who were dispersed over various districts, and as
he was soon after sent for to receive the consulship with Gratian, who
was still only a private individual, Jovinu