anding that these numerous and important events were
brought to so happy an issue, some persons in the palace of Constantius,
disparaging Julian in order to give pleasure to the emperor, in a tone
of derision called him Victorinus, because he, modestly relating how
often he had been employed in leading the army, at the same time related
that the Germans had received many defeats.

68. They at the same time, by loading the emperor with empty praises, of
which the extravagance was glaringly conspicuous, so inflated an
inherent pride, already beyond all natural bounds, that he was led to
believe that, whatever took place in the whole circumference of the
earth was owing to his fortunate auspices.

69. So that, being inflated by the pompous language of his flatterers,
he then, and at all subsequent periods, became accustomed in all the
edicts which he published to advance many unfounded statements;
assuming, that he by himself had fought and conquered, when in fact he
had not been present at anything that had happened; often also asserting
that he had raised up the suppliant kings of conquered nations. For
instance, if while he was still in Italy any of his generals had fought
a brilliant campaign against the Persians, the emperor would write
triumphant letters to the provinces without the slightest mention of the
general throughout its whole length, relating with odious self-praise
how he himself had fought in the front ranks.

70. Lastly, edicts of his are still extant, laid up among the public
records of the empire ... relating ...[69] and extolling himself to the
skies. A letter also is to be found, though he was forty days' journey
from Strasburg when the battle was fought, describing the engagement,
saying that he marshalled the army, stood among the standard-bearers,
and put the barbarians to the rout; and with amazing falsehood asserting
that Chnodomarius was brought before him, without (oh shameful
indignity!) saying a single word about the exploits of Julian; which he
would have utterly buried in oblivion if fame had not refused to let
great deeds die, however many people may try to keep them in the shade.

[59] The text is defective here, as it is wherever these marks occur.

[60] Coblenz.

[61] Julius Caesar: the story of the frightened fisherman being
encouraged by the assurance that he was carrying "Caesar and his
fortunes" is universally known.

[62] Claudius, who devoted himself in the Gothic war.