anger, was in a measure beyond their
hopes put into their hands by the course of nature. And as report is
wont marvellously to exaggerate events, a rumour got abroad that Julian,
formidable both by sea and land, had entered Heraclea, called also
Perinthus, borne over its unresisting walls on the chariot of
Triptolemus, which from its rapid movements the ancients, who loved
fables, had stated to be drawn by flying serpents and dragons.

4. When he arrived at Constantinople, people of every age and sex poured
forth to meet him, as though he were some one dropped from heaven. On
the eleventh of December he was received with respectful duty by the
senate, and by the unanimous applause of the citizens, and was escorted
into the city by vast troops of soldiers and civilians, marshalled like
an army, while all eyes were turned on him, not only with the gaze of
curiosity, but with great admiration.

5. For it seemed to them like a dream, that a youth in the flower of his
age, of slight body, but renowned for great exploits, after many
victories over barbarian kings and nations, having passed from city to
city with unparalleled speed, should now, by an accession of wealth and
power as rapid as the spread of fire, have become the unresisted master
of the world; and the will of God itself having given him the empire,
should thus have obtained it without any injury to the state.

III.

Sec. 1. His first step was to give to Secundus Sallustius, whom he promoted
to be prefect of the praetorium, being well assured of his loyalty, a
commission to conduct some important investigations, joining with him as
colleagues Mamertinus, Arbetio, Agilo, and Nevitta, and also Jovinus,
whom he had recently promoted to the command of the cavalry in
Illyricum.

2. They all went to Chalcedon, and in the presence of the chiefs and
tribunes, the Jovian and Herculian legions, they tried several causes
with too much rigour, though there were some in which it was undeniable
that the accused were really guilty.

3. They banished Palladius, the master of the ceremonies, to Britain,
though there was but a suspicion that he had prejudiced Constantius
against Gallus, while he was master of the ceremonies under that prince
as Caesar.

4. They banished Taurus, who had been prefect of the praetorium, to
Vercelli, who, to all persons capable of distinguishing between right
and wrong, will appear very excusable in respect to the act for which he
was conde