e able to transform people, or to afflict them with sickness in a
marvellous manner, adding, moreover, that it was by means of arts of
this kind that he had rendered himself invisible, and that if allowed to
continue changing his shape, he would cause them great trouble, if
permitted to live to boast of having deceived them.

18. In this manner the hatred which Valens had conceived against him was
increased to an incredible degree; and plan after plan was laid to take
his life, either by force or stratagem; and orders to that effect were
transmitted by secret letters to Trajan, who at that time was in
Armenia, in chief command of the forces in that kingdom.

19. Trajan, accordingly, began to surround Para with treacherous
blandishments--at one time showing him some letters of Valens, which
appeared to indicate that he was favourably disposed towards the
king--at another, partaking cheerfully of his entertainments, he at
last, with great apparent respect (but in pursuance of a deliberate
plot), invited him to supper. Para, fearing no hostility, came, and was
placed in the seat of honour at the feast.

20. Exquisite delicacies were set before him, and the splendid palace
resounded with the music of lyres and lutes. Presently, when the wine
had circulated freely, the master of the feast quitted it for a moment,
under pretence of some natural want, and immediately a ferocious
barbarian of the troop they call Suprae[183] was sent in, brandishing a
drawn sword, and with a terribly ferocious countenance, to murder the
youth, against whose escape ample precautions had now been taken.

21. As soon as he saw him, the king, who as it happened was on the
further side of the couch, jumped up and drew his dagger to defend his
life by every means in his power, but was stabbed in the breast, and
fell like a miserable victim, being shamefully cut to pieces with
repeated blows.

22. By this foul contrivance was his credulity shamefully deceived at a
feast which is respected even on the coast of the Euxine Sea, under the
eye of the Deity of Hospitality; and the blood of a stranger and a guest
was sprinkled on the splendid tablecloths, and, by its foaming gore,
filled the guests with loathing, who at once dispersed in great horror.
If the dead can feel sorrow or indignation, then let that illustrious
Fabricius Luscinus groan at the evidence of this deed, knowing with what
greatness of mind he himself repelled Demochares (or, as some ca