k from Gaul,
after having brought him some formal orders. And although he was not in
reality vexed at his promotion, still he avoided all arrogant language
in his letters, that he might not appear to have suddenly shaken off his
authority. Now the following was the purport of his letters.

5. "I have at all times been of the same mind, and have adhered to my
original intentions, not less by my conduct than by my promises, as far
as lay in my power, as has been abundantly plain from repeated actions
of mine.

6. "And up to this time, since you created me Caesar, and exposed me to
the din of war, contented with the power you conferred on me, as a
faithful officer I have sent you continued intelligence of all your
affairs proceeding according to your wishes; never speaking of my own
dangers; though it can easily be proved, that, while the Germans have
been routed in every direction, I have always been the first in all
toils and the last to allow myself any rest.

7. "But allow me to say, that if any violent change has taken place, as
you think, the soldier who has been passing his life in many terrible
wars without reward, has only completed what he has long had under
consideration, being indignant and impatient at being only under a chief
of the second class, as knowing that from a Caesar no adequate reward for
his continued exertions and frequent victories could possibly be
procured.

8. "And while angry at the feeling that he could neither expect
promotion nor annual pay, he had this sudden aggravation to his
discontent, that he, a man used to cold climates, was ordered to march
to the most remote districts of the East, to be separated from his wife
and children, and to be dragged away in want and nakedness. This made
him fiercer than usual; and so the troops one night collected and laid
siege to the palace, saluting with loud and incessant outcries Julian as
emperor.

9. "I shuddered at their boldness, I confess, and withdrew myself. And
retiring while I could, I sought safety in concealment and disguise--and
as they would not desist, armed, so to say, with the shield of my own
free heart, I came out before them all, thinking that the tumult might
be appeased by authority, or by conciliatory language.

10. "They became wonderfully excited, and proceeded to such lengths
that, when I endeavoured to overcome their pertinacity with my
entreaties, they came close up to me, threatening me with instant death.
At last