brief mention, not omitting to
distinguish between his vices and his virtues, both of which his lofty
position held up to the world; being a condition which naturally reveals
the inward disposition of every man.

2. The elder Gratian was born at Cibalae, a town of Pannonia, of a mean
family; and from his childhood he received the surname of Funarius,
because, while still very young, while he was carrying about a rope
(funem) for sale, he resisted the attempt of five soldiers who laboured
with all their might to take it from him: thus rivalling Milo of
Crotona, from whom no amount of strength could ever wrest an apple,
whether he held it in his right or his left hand.

3. Therefore, on account of his exceeding personal strength, and his
skill in wrestling after the military fashion, he became well known to
many persons, was promoted to the rank of an officer of the guard, then
to the post of tribune: after this he was made count, and sent to
command the forces in Africa: but there he was suspected of theft; and
having quitted that province, he was some time afterwards sent to
command the army in Britain, with the same authority which he had
enjoyed in Africa. At length he received an honourable discharge from
military service, and returned home; and while living there in quiet, he
suddenly had all his property confiscated by Constantius, on the ground
that, when the civil discord was at its height, he was said to have
received Magnentius as a guest when passing through his land to carry
his designs into execution.

4. The merits of Gratian brought Valentinian into notice from his early
youth; and, indeed, he was further aided by his own eminent qualities;
so that he received the ornaments of the imperial majesty at Nicaea; when
he also made his brother Valens his colleague, as one bound to him not
only by his relationship as a brother, but also by the most perfect
agreement--Valens, as we shall show at a suitable time, being made up
almost equally of vices and of virtues.

5. Therefore Valentinian, after having experienced many dangers and much
distress as a private individual, as soon as he began to reign went to
visit the towns and cities which were situated on the rivers; and
repaired to Gaul, which was exposed to the inroads of the Allemanni, who
had begun to recover their courage and to reassume an imposing attitude
since they had heard of the death of the Emperor Julian--the only prince
whom they had feared sin