the river. In this emergency the Armenian prince
dismounted, and, armed as he was, plunged into the stream. The river
was both wide and deep; the current was rapid; but the hardy adventurer,
inured to danger and accustomed to every athletic exercise, swam across
and reached the opposite bank in safety.

Thus, while the rank and file perished ignominiously, the two personages
of most importance on the Roman side were saved. Galerius hastened
towards Antioch, to rejoin his colleague and sovereign. The latter
came out to meet him, but, instead of congratulating him on his escape,
assumed the air of an offended master, and, declining to speak to him or
to stop his chariot, forced the Caesar to follow him on foot for nearly
a mile before he would condescend to receive his explanations and
apologies for defeat. The disgrace was keenly felt, and was ultimately
revenged upon the prince who had contrived it. But, at the time, its
main effect doubtless was to awake in the young Caesar the strongest
desire of retrieving his honor, and wiping out the memory of his great
reverse by a yet more signal victory. Galerius did not cease through the
winter of A.D. 297 to importune his father-in-law for an opportunity of
redeeming the past and recovering his lost laurels.

The emperor, having sufficiently indulged his resentment, acceded to
the wishes of his favorite. Galerius was continued in his command. A
new army was collected during the winter, to replace that which had been
lost; and the greatest care was taken that its material should be of
good quality, and that it should be employed where it had the best
chance of success. The veterans of Illyria and Moesia constituted the
flower of the force now enrolled; and it was further strengthened by the
addition of a body of Gothic auxiliaries. It was determined, moreover,
that the attack should this time be made on the side of Armenia,
where it was felt that the Romans would have the double advantage of
a friendly country, and of one far more favorable for the movements of
infantry than for those of an army whose strength lay in its horse. The
number of the troops employed was still small. Galerius entered Armenia
at the head of only 25,000 men; but they were a picked force, and they
might be augmented, almost to any extent, by the national militia of the
Armenians. He was now, moreover, as cautious as he had previously been
rash; he advanced slowly, feeling his way; he even personally ma