ge of boats at Nivors;
and by a rapid march he attacked the Gruthungi, a warlike and very
remote tribe, and after some trivial skirmishes, he defeated Athanaric,
at that time the most powerful man of the tribe, who dared to resist him
with what he fancied an adequate force, but was compelled to flee for
his life. And then he returned himself with his army to Marcianopolis to
spend the winter there, as the cold was but slight in that district.

7. After many various events in the campaigns of three years, there
arose at last some very strong reasons in the minds of the barbarians
for terminating the war. In the first place, because the fear of the
enemy was increased by the continued stay made by the emperor in that
country. Secondly, because as all their commerce was cut off they began
to feel great want of necessaries. So that they sent several embassies
with submissive entreaties for pardon and peace.

8. The emperor was as yet inexperienced, but still he was a very just
observer of events, till having been captivated by the pernicious
allurements of flattery, he subsequently involved the republic in an
ever-to-be-lamented disaster; and now taking counsel for the common
good, he determined that it was right to grant them peace.

9. And in his turn he sent to them Victor and Arinthaeus, who at that
time were the commanders of his infantry and cavalry; and when they sent
him letters truly stating that the Goths were willing to agree to the
conditions which they had proposed, he appointed a suitable place for
finally settling the terms of the peace. And since Athanaric alleged
that he was bound by a most dreadful oath, and also forbidden by the
strict commands of his father ever to set foot on the Roman territory,
and as he could not be brought to do so, while, on the other hand, it
would be unbecoming and degrading for the emperor to cross over to him,
it was decided by negotiation that some boats should be rowed into the
middle of the river, on which the emperor should embark with an armed
guard, and that there also the chief of the enemy should meet him with
his people, and conclude a peace as had been arranged.

10. When this had been arranged, and hostages had been given, Valens
returned to Constantinople, whither afterwards Athanaric fled, when he
was driven from his native land by a faction among his kinsmen; and he
died in that city, and was buried with splendid ceremony according to
the Roman fashion.

VI