that was needed under the circumstances. When the
leaders met to consult about the appointment of a successor to the dead
prince, it was at once apparent how irreparable was their loss. The
prefect Sallust, whose superior rank and length of service pointed him
out for promotion to the vacant post, excused himself on account of
his age and infirmities. The generals of the second grade--Arinthseus,
Victor, Nevitta, Dagalaiphus--had each their party among the soldiers,
but were unacceptable to the army generally. None could claim any
superior merit which might clearly place him above the rest; and a
discord that might have led to open strife seemed impending, when a
casual voice pronounced the name of Jovian, and, some applause following
the suggestion, the rival generals acquiesced in the choice; and this
hitherto insignificant officer was suddenly invested with the purple and
saluted as "Augustus" and "Emperor." Had there been any one really fit
to take the command, such an appointment could not have been made; but,
in the evident dearth of warlike genius, it was thought best that one
whose rank was civil rather than military should be preferred, for the
avoidance of jealousies and contentions. A deserter carried the news to
Sapor, who was not now very far distant, and described the new emperor
to him as effeminate and slothful. A fresh impulse was given to the
pursuit by the intelligence thus conveyed; the army engaged in disputing
the Roman retreat was reinforced by a strong body of cavalry; and Sapor
himself pressed forward with all haste, resolved to hurl his main force
on the rear of the retreating columns.

It was with reluctance that Jovian, on the day of his elevation to the
supreme power (June 27, A.D. 363), quitted the protection of the
camp, and proceeded to conduct his army over the open plain, where the
Persians were now collected in great force, prepared to dispute the
ground with him inch by inch. Their horse and elephants again fell upon
the right wing of the Romans, where the Jovians and Herculians were now
posted, and, throwing those renowned corps into disorder, pressed
on, driving them across the plain in headlong flight and slaying vast
numbers of them. The corps would probably have been annihilated, had
they not in their flight reached a hill occupied by the baggage
train, which gallantly came to their aid, and, attacking the horse and
elephants from higher ground, gained a signal success. The eleph