ght be considered as having been free from attacks for many ages. At
last, after the emperor had considered and approved of one plan after
another, it was finally determined to excite the Burgundians to attack
them, the Burgundians being a warlike people, with an immense population
of active youths, and therefore formidable to all their neighbours.

10. And the emperor sent repeated letters to their chiefs by some silent
and trustworthy messengers, to urge them to attack the Allemanni at a
certain fixed time, and promising that he likewise would cross the Rhine
with the Roman legions, and attack their forces when in disorder, and
seeking to escape the unexpected attack of the Burgundians.

11. The letters of the emperor were received with joy, for two reasons:
first, because for many ages the Burgundians had looked upon themselves
as descended from the Romans; and secondly, because they had continual
quarrels with the Allemanni about their salt-pits and their borders. So
they sent against them some picked battalions, which, before the Roman
soldiers could be collected, advanced as far as the banks of the Rhine,
and, while the emperor was engaged in the construction of some
fortresses, caused the greatest alarm to our people.

12. Therefore, after waiting for some time, Valentinian having failed to
come on the appointed day as promised, and finding that none of his
engagements were performed, they sent ambassadors to the court,
requesting assistance to enable them to return in safety to their own
land, and to save them from exposing their rear unprotected to their
enemies.

13. But when they perceived that their request was virtually refused by
the excuses and pleas for delay with which it was received, they
departed from the court in sorrow and indignation; and when the chiefs
of the Burgundians received their report, they were very furious,
thinking they had been mocked; and so they slew all their prisoners and
returned to their native land.

14. Among them their king is called by one general name of "Hendinos,"
and according to a very ancient custom of theirs, is deposed from his
authority if under his government the state meets with any disaster in
war; or if the earth fails to produce a good crop; in the same way as
the Egyptians are accustomed to attribute calamities of that kind to
their rulers. The chief priest among the Burgundians is called "the
Sinistus." But he is irremovable and not exposed to any such d