omanus, and who
was at that time master of the offices, availed himself of other more
important affairs which claimed the emperor's attention to declare that
Firmus's papers were all unimportant and superfluous, only to be read at
a perfectly favourable opportunity.

3. But when Firmus perceived that these intrigues were going on to keep
his defence out of sight, trembling for fear of the worst if all his
excuses should be passed over, and he himself be condemned as
disaffected and mischievous, and so be put to death, he revolted from
the emperor's authority, and aided ... in devastation.[181]

4. Therefore, to prevent an implacable enemy from gaining strength by
such an increase of force, Theodosius, the commander of the cavalry, was
sent with a small body of the emperor's guards to crush him at once.
Theodosius was an officer whose virtues and successes were at that time
conspicuous above those of all other men: he resembled those ancient
heroes, Domitius Corbulo, and Lusius; the first of whom was
distinguished by a great number of gallant achievements in the time of
Nero, and the latter of equal reputation under Trajan.

5. Theodosius marched from Arles with favourable auspices, and having
crossed the sea with the fleet under his command so rapidly that no
report of his approach could arrive before himself, he reached the coast
of Mauritania Sitifensis; that portion of the coast being called, by the
natives, Igilgitanum. There, by accident, he met Romanus, and addressing
him kindly, sent him to arrange the stations of the sentries and the
outposts, without reproaching him for any of the matters for which he
was liable to blame.

6. And when he had gone to the other province, Mauritania Caesariensis,
he sent Gildo, the brother of Firmus and Maximus, to assist Vincentius,
who, as the deputy of Romanus, was the partner of his disloyal schemes
and thefts.

7. Accordingly, as soon as his soldiers arrived, who had been delayed by
the length of the sea voyage, he hastened to Sitifis; and gave orders to
the body-guards to keep Romanus and his attendants under surveillance.
He himself remained in the city, full of embarrassment and anxiety,
working many plans in his mind, while devising by what means or
contrivances he could conduct his soldiers who were accustomed to a cold
climate through a country parched up with heat; or how he could catch
an enemy always on the alert and appearing when least expected, and who
relie