1. Nebridius the prefect alone, boldly and unshakenly refused,
declaring that he could not possibly bind himself by an oath hostile to
Constantius, from whom he had received many and great obligations.

12. When these words of his were heard, the soldiers who were nearest to
him were greatly enraged, and wished to kill him; but he threw himself
at the feet of Julian, who shielded him with his cloak. Presently, when
he returned to the palace, Nebridius appeared before him, threw himself
at his feet as a suppliant, and entreated him to relieve his fears by
giving him his right hand. Julian replied, "Will there be any
conspicuous favour reserved for my own friends if you are allowed to
touch my hand? However, depart in peace as you will." On receiving this
answer, Nebridius retired in safety to his own house in Tuscany.

13. By these preliminary measures, Julian having learnt, as the
importance of the affair required, what great influence promptness and
being beforehand has in a tumultuous state of affairs, gave the signal
to march towards Pannonia, and advancing his standard and his camp,
boldly committed himself to fickle fortune.

VI.

A.D. 361.

Sec. 1. It is fitting now to retrace our steps and to relate briefly what
(while these events just related were taking place in Gaul) Constantius,
who passed the winter at Antioch, did, whether in peace or war.

2. Besides many others of high rank, some of the most distinguished
tribunes generally come to salute an emperor on his arrival from distant
lands. And accordingly, when Constantius, on his return from
Mesopotamia, received this compliment, a Paphlagonian named
Amphilochius, who had been a tribune, and whom suspicion, not very far
removed from the truth, hinted at as having, while serving formerly
under Constans, sown the seeds of discord between him and his brother,
now ventured, with no little audacity, to come forward as if he were to
be admitted to pay his duty in this way, but was recognized and refused
admittance. Many also raised an outcry against him, crying out that he,
as a stubborn rebel, ought not to be permitted to see another day. But
Constantius, on this occasion more merciful than usual, said, "Cease to
press upon a man who, indeed, as I believe, is guilty, but who has not
been convicted. And remember that if he has done anything of the kind,
he, as long as he is in my sight, will be punished by the judgment of
his own conscience, which he will n