mperors, he was carried off and put to death, and Anepsia was executed
by a similar sentence. The eternal city was filled with mourning for
these executions which were perpetrated either by Maximin himself when
he was present in the city, or by his emissaries when he was at a
distance.

57. But the avenging Furies of those who had been murdered were
preparing retribution. For, as I will afterwards relate at the proper
season, this same Maximin giving way to his intolerable pride when
Gratian was emperor, was put to death by the sword of the executioner;
and Simplicius also was beheaded in Illyricum. Doryphorianus too was
condemned to death, and thrown into the Tullian prison, but was taken
from thence by the emperor at his mother's suggestion, and when he was
brought back to his own country was put to death with terrible torments.
Let us now return to the point at which we left our history. Such,
however, was the state of affairs in the city of Rome.

II.

A.D. 369.

Sec. 1. Valentinian having several great and useful projects in his head,
began to fortify the entire banks of the Rhine, from its beginning in
the Tyrol to the straits of the ocean,[166] with vast works; raising
lofty castles and fortresses, and a perfect range of towers in every
suitable place, so as to protect the whole frontier of Gaul; and
sometimes, by constructing works on the other side of the river, he
almost trenched upon the territories of the enemy.

2. At last considering that one fortress, of which he himself had laid
the very foundations, though sufficiently high and safe, yet, being
built on the very edge of the river Neckar, was liable to be gradually
undermined by the violent beating of its waters, he formed a plan to
divert the river itself into another channel; and, having sought out
some workmen who were skilful in such works and collected a strong
military force, he began that arduous labour.

3. Day after day large masses of oaken beams were fastened together, and
thrown into the channel, and by them huge piles were continually fixed
and unfixed, being all thrown into disorder by the rising of the stream,
and afterwards they were broken and carried away by the current.

4. However, the resolute diligence of the emperor and the labour of the
obedient soldiery prevailed; though the troops were often up to their
chins in the water while at work; and at last, though not without
considerable risk, the fixed camp was protected aga