determined to raise to the rank of Caesar, and hope, if this seems
expedient to you, to have my decision confirmed by your consent."

9. He was proceeding to say more, but was prevented by the whole
assembly interrupting him with friendly shouts, declaring that his
decision was the judgment of the Supreme Deity, and not of any human
mind; with such certainty that one might have thought them inspired
with the spirit of prophecy.

10. The emperor stood without moving till they resumed silence, and then
with greater confidence proceeded to explain what he had to say further.

"Because, therefore, your joyful acclamations show that you look
favourably on the design I have announced, let this youth, of tranquil
strength, whose temperate disposition it will be better to imitate than
merely to praise, rise up now to receive the honours prepared for him.
His excellent disposition, increased as it has been by all liberal
accomplishments, I will say no more of than is seen in the fact that I
have chosen him. Therefore, now, with the manifest consent of the Deity,
I will clothe him with the imperial robe."

11. This was his speech. And then, having immediately clothed Julian
with the purple robe of his ancestors, and having pronounced him Caesar,
to the great joy of the army, he thus addressed him, though Julian
himself appeared by his grave countenance to be somewhat melancholy.

12. "Most beloved of all my brothers, you thus in early youth have
received the splendid honour belonging to your birth, not, I confess,
without some addition to my own glory; who thus show myself as just in
conferring supreme power on a noble character nearly related to me, as I
appear also sublime by virtue of my own power. Come thou, therefore, to
be a partner in my labours and dangers, and undertake the defence of the
government of the Gauls, devoting thyself with all beneficence to
alleviate the calamities of those afflicted countries.

13. "And if it should be necessary to engage with the enemy in battle,
do thou take thy place steadily among the standard-bearers themselves,
as a prudent encourager of daring at the proper opportunity; exciting
the warriors by leading them on with caution, supporting any troops
which may be thrown into disorder by reserves, gently reproving those
who hang back, and being present as a trustworthy witness of the actions
of all, whether brave or timid.

14. "Think that a serious crisis is upon us, and so show you