llust were officers of the Jovian legion, who had
gradually risen to the rank of tribunes; but they were accused by some
man of the most despicable baseness of having said something in favour
of Procopius when he aimed at the imperial power. And when a diligent
investigation into this charge had proved ineffectual, the emperor gave
orders to the captains of the cavalry who had been employed in it, to
condemn Claudian to banishment, and to pass sentence of death upon
Sallust, promising that he would reprieve him as he was being led to
execution. The sentence was passed, as he commanded; but Sallust was not
reprieved, nor was Claudian recalled from exile till after the death of
Valentinian.... After they had been exposed to frequent tortures.

8. Nevertheless after so many persons had been put to the question, some
of whom had even expired under the severity of their tortures, still no
traces of the alleged crimes could be discovered. In this affair some of
the body-guards, who had been sent to arrest certain persons, were, in a
most unusual manner, beaten to death.

9. The mind shudders at the idea of recapitulating all that took place,
and, indeed, dreads to do so, lest we should appear to make a business
of pointing out the vices of an emperor who, in other respects, had many
good qualities. But this one circumstance may not be passed over in
silence nor suppressed, that he kept two ferocious she-bears who were
used to eat men; and they had names, Golden Camel and Innocence, and
these beasts he took such care of that he had their dens close to his
bedchamber; and appointed over them trusty keepers who were bound to
take especial care that the odious fury of these monsters should never
be checked. At last he had Innocence set free, after he had seen the
burial of many corpses which she had torn to pieces, giving her the
range of the forests as a reward for her services.[180]

IV.

Sec. 1. These actions are the most undeniable proof of his habits and real
character; but even the most obstinate disparager of his disposition
cannot deny him the praise of great ability, which never forgot the
interests of the state; especially when it is recollected, that perhaps
it is a greater and more beneficial, as well as difficult, task to
control the barbarians by means of an army, than to repulse them. And
when ... If any one of the enemy moved, he was seen from the
watch-towers and immediately overwhelmed.

2. But among many