s to contend with unreasonable
obstinacy against these rugged and overhanging rocks; at last (as is
usual in such affairs), after various opinions had been delivered, it
was determined, without making any more active efforts, to blockade the
barbarians and reduce them by famine; since against all active
enterprises the character of the ground which they occupied was a
sufficient defence.

16. But the Germans still held out with unflinching obstinacy, and being
thoroughly acquainted with the country, retreated to other mountains
still more lofty than those which they occupied at first. Thither also
the emperor turned with his army, with the same energy as before,
seeking for a path which might lead him to the heights.

17. And when the barbarians saw him thus with unwearied perseverance
intent upon their destruction, they surrendered; and having by humble
supplication obtained mercy, they furnished a reinforcement of the
flower of their youth to be mingled with our recruits, and were
permitted to retire in safety to their native land.

18. It is beyond all belief how much vigour and rapidity of action
Gratian, by the favour of the eternal Deity, displayed in gaining this
seasonable and beneficial victory, which broke the power of the Western
tribes at a time when he was preparing to hasten in another direction.
He was indeed a young prince of admirable disposition, eloquent,
moderate, warlike, and merciful, rivalling the most admirable of his
predecessors, even while the down of youth was still upon his cheeks;
the only drawback to his character being that he was sometimes drawn
into ridiculous actions, when, in consequence of temptations held out by
his minions and favourites, he imitated the vain pursuits of Caesar
Commodus; but he was never bloodthirsty.

19. For as that prince, because he had been accustomed to slay numbers
of wild beasts with his javelins in the sight of the people, and prided
himself beyond measure on the skill with which he slew a hundred lions
let loose at the same time in the amphitheatre with different missiles,
and without ever having to repeat his shot; so Gratian, in the
enclosures called preserves, slew wild beasts with his arrows,
neglecting much serious business for this amusement, and this at a time
when if Marcus Antoninus had resumed the empire he would have found it
hard, without colleagues of equal genius to his own, and without the
most serious deliberation of counsel, to remedy