be associated in the imperial power. He was at
present a hundred miles off, living with his mother, Justina, in a small
town called Murocincta.

5. This decision was ratified by the unanimous consent of all parties;
and Cerealis, his uncle, was sent with speed to Murocincta, where he
placed the royal child on a litter, and so conducted him to the camp.
On the sixth day after his father's death, he was declared lawful
emperor, and saluted as Augustus with the usual solemnities.

6. And although at the time many persons thought that Gratian would be
indignant that any one else had been appointed emperor without his
permission, yet afterwards, when all fear and anxiety was removed, they
lived in greater security, because he, wise and kindhearted man as he
was, loved his young relative with exceeding affection, and brought him
up with great care.

[183] No one has succeeded in explaining this word. Some editors wish to
read Surae, explaining that as "men picked out for their great strength,"
by a reference to Juvenal, xvi. 14--Grandes magna adsubsellia Surae.
Wagner proposes to read Scurrae, a name sometimes given to the guards in
this age.

[184] As at Athens, where the orators were only allowed to speak as long
as an hour-glass, filled with water, was running down.

[185] All these men are spoken of by Horace as distinguished lawyers in
his time.

[186] See Cicero, de Oratore iii. 60.

[187] The Speech of Cicero pro Coelio Cluentio.

[188] The celebrated speech of Demosthenes, more usually known as that
of De Corona.

BOOK XXXI.

ARGUMENT.

I. Omens announcing the death of the Emperor Valens, and a disaster
to be inflicted by the Gauls.--II. A description of the abodes and
customs of the Huns, the Alani, and other tribes, natives of
Asiatic Scythia.--III. The Huns, either by arms or by treaties,
unite the Alani on the Don to themselves; invade the Goths, and
drive them from their country.--IV. The chief division of the
Goths, surnamed the Thuringians, having been expelled from their
homes, by permission of Valens are conducted by the Romans into
Thrace, on condition of promising obedience and a supply of
auxiliary troops. The Gruthungi also, who form the other division
of the Goths, secretly cross the Danube by a bridge of boats.--V.
The Thuringians being in great distress from hunger and the want of
supplies, under the command of thei