g the river he
found no resistance, he might without difficulty penetrate to the
Euphrates. On the other hand, if he wished to keep his soldiers for the
civil war, he feared to expose them to the dangers of a siege; having
already experienced the strength of the walls and the vigour of the
garrison.

3. However, not to lose time, and to avoid inactivity, he sent Arbetio
and Agilo, the captains of his infantry and cavalry, with very large
forces, to march with all speed; not to provoke the Persians to battle,
but to establish forts on the nearest bank of the Tigris, which might be
able to reconnoitre, and see in what direction the furious monarch broke
forth; and with many counsels given both verbally and in writing, he
charged them to retreat with celerity the moment the enemy's army began
to cross the river.

4. While these generals were watching the frontier as they were ordered,
and spying out the secret designs of their most crafty enemy, he
himself, with the main body of his army, made head against his most
pressing foes, as if prepared for battle; and defended the adjacent
towns by rapid movements. Meantime spies and deserters continually
coming in, related to him opposite stories; being in fact ignorant of
what was intended, because among the Persians no one knows what is
decided on except a few taciturn and trusty nobles, by whom the god
Silence is worshipped.

5. But the emperor was continually sent for by the generals whom I have
mentioned, who implored him to send them aid. For they protested that
unless the whole strength of the army was collected together, it would
be impossible to withstand the onset of the furious Sapor.

6. And while things in this quarter were thus full of anxiety, other
messengers arrived in numbers, by whose accurate statements he learnt
that Julian had traversed Italy and Illyricum with great rapidity, had
occupied the defiles of the Succi, and called in auxiliaries from all
quarters, and was now marching through Thrace with a very large force.

7. Constantius, learning this, was overwhelmed with grief, but supported
by one comfort, that he had always triumphed over internal commotions.
Nevertheless, though the affair made it very difficult for him to decide
on a line of action, he chose the best; and sent a body of troops on by
public conveyances, in order as quickly as possible to make head against
the impending danger.

8. And as that plan was universally approved, the troo