all impassable through frost--that it was
impossible to find herbage to feed the cattle, or anything else that
would be useful. In the next place, they dwelt on the ferocity of the
chieftains who lay nearest to Gaul, and especially of Macrianus whom
they greatly dreaded, as it was quite certain that he was no friend to
us, and was inclined to attack even the fortified cities.

4. By recapitulating these arguments, and adding others of great weight,
they brought the emperor to adopt a wiser plan; and immediately (as was
best for the commonwealth) King Macrianus was invited in courteous terms
to come to Mayence; and the event proved that he also was well inclined
to make a treaty. When he arrived, however, it was marvellous how proud
and arrogant he was, as if he were to be the supreme arbiter of the
peace. And on a day appointed for a conference he came, carrying himself
very loftily, to the very brink of the Rhine, and escorted by a number
of his countrymen, who made a great clang with their shields.

5. On the other hand, the emperor, having embarked in a boat, such as is
used on that river, and likewise escorted by a strong force, came with
great confidence up to the eastern bank, being conspicuous through the
brilliancy of his glittering standards; and when the frantic gestures
and murmurs of the barbarians had been quieted, a long discussion took
place on both sides, and at last a firm friendship was agreed on, and
ratified with an oath.

6. When this was over, the king, who had been the cause of all these
troubles, retired, quite pacified, and destined to prove an ally to us
for the future; indeed, he afterwards, to the very end of his life, gave
proof of his constancy and resolution to preserve his agreement with
us, by many noble and gallant actions.

7. But subsequently he died in the country of the Franks, which he had
invaded and ravaged in a most destructive manner, till at last he was
cut off by the manoeuvres of Mellobaudes, the warlike king of that
nation, and slain. After the treaty had thus been solemnly ratified,
Valentinian retired into winter quarters, at Treves.

IV.

Sec. 1. These were the events which took place in Gaul and the northern
countries. But in the east, while all our foreign affairs were quiet,
great domestic evils were increasing in consequence of the conduct of
the friends and relations of Valens, who had more regard to expediency
than honesty; for they laboured with the utmos