remained quiet for a time;
but afterwards they broke out in destructive wickedness, as shall be
related at the proper time.

24. While our affairs were thus prospering, Illyricum was put in a
state of twofold security, since the emperor, in endeavouring by two
means to accomplish this object, succeeded in both. He brought back and
established in their ancient homes the people who had been banished,
whom, although they were objects of suspicion from their natural
fickleness, he believed would go on more moderately than of old. And to
crown this kindness, he set over them as a king, not one of low birth,
but the very man whom they themselves had formerly chosen, as eminent
for all the virtues of mind and body.

25. After such a wise action, Constantius, being now raised above all
fear, and having received from the unanimous consent of his soldiers the
title of Sarmaticus, from the name of the nation which he had subdued;
and being now about to leave the army, summoned all his cohorts and
centuries and maniples, and mounting the tribune, surrounded by the
standards and eagles, and by a great number of soldiers of all ranks, he
addressed the troops in these words, choosing his topics as usual so as
to gain the favour of all.

26. "The recollection of our glorious exploits, the dearest of all
feelings to brave men, encourages me to repeat, though with great
moderation, what, in our heaven-granted victories, and before battle,
and in the very heat of the strife, we, the most faithful champions of
the Roman state, have conducted to a deservedly prosperous issue. For
what can be so honourable or so justly worthy to be handed down to the
recollection of posterity as the exultation of the soldier in his brave
deeds, and of the general in his wise plans?

27. "The rage of our enemies, in their arrogant pride thinking to profit
by our absence, while we were protecting Italy and Gaul, was overrunning
Illyricum, and with continual sallies they were ravaging even the
districts beyond our frontiers; crossing the rivers, sometimes in boats
made of hollow trees, sometimes on foot; not relying on combats, nor on
their arms and strength, but being accustomed to secret forays, and
having been from the very earliest era of their nation an object of fear
to our ancestors, from their cunning and the variety of their
manoeuvres, which we indeed, being at a great distance, bore as long
as we could, thinking that the vigour of our generals wo