hile vainly attempting to force the barred
doors, were assailed with arrows from the roof, they, not to lose by so
inconvenient a delay the opportunity of collecting plunder, gathered
some faggots and stubble, and setting fire to them, burnt down the
building, with those who were in it.

16. But one of the soldiers dropped from the windows, and, being taken
prisoner by the barbarians, revealed to them what had taken place, which
caused them great concern, because they looked upon themselves as
defrauded of great glory in not having taken the ruler of the Roman
state alive. This same young man afterwards secretly returned to our
people, and gave this account of the affair.

17. When Spain had been recovered after a similar disaster, we are told
that one of the Scipios was lost in a fire, the tower in which he had
taken refuge having been burnt. At all events it is certain that neither
Scipio nor Valens enjoyed that last honour of the dead--a regular
funeral.

18. Many illustrious men fell in this disastrous defeat, and among them
one of the most remarkable was Trajan, and another was Sebastian; there
perished also thirty-five tribunes who had no particular command, many
captains of battalions, and Valerianus and Equitius, one of whom was
master of the horse and the other high steward. Potentius, too, tribune
of the promoted officers, fell in the flower of his age, a man respected
by all persons of virtue, and recommended by the merits of his father,
Ursicinus, who had formerly been commander of the forces, as well as by
his own. Scarcely one-third of the whole army escaped.

19. Nor, except the battle of Cannae, is so destructive a slaughter
recorded in our annals; though, even in the times of their prosperity,
the Romans have more than once had to deplore the uncertainty of war,
and have for a time succumbed to evil Fortune; while the well-known
dirges of the Greeks have bewailed many disastrous battles.

XIV.

Sec. 1. Such was the death of Valens, when he was about fifty years old,
and had reigned rather less than fourteen years. We will now describe
his virtues, which were known to many, and his vices.

2. He was a faithful and steady friend--a severe chastiser of
ambition--a rigid upholder of both military and civil discipline--always
careful that no one should assume importance on account of any
relationship to himself; slow both in conferring office, and in taking
it away; a very just ruler of the provinc