le the rivers, as it is believed,
cannot continue their course beneath the ice, yet neither can the foot
of beast or man proceed firmly over the treacherous and shifting ground;
a fault which is never found in a pure sea, but only in one of which the
waters are mingled with those of rivers. We have digressed more than we
had intended, so now let us turn back to what remains to be told.

49. Another circumstance came to raise Julian's present joy, one which
indeed had been long expected, but which had been deferred by all manner
of delays. For intelligence was brought by Agilo and Jovius, who was
afterwards quaestor, that the garrison of Aquileia, weary of the length
of the siege, and having heard of the death of Constantius, had opened
their gates and come forth, delivering up the authors of the revolt; and
that, after they had been burnt alive, as has been related, the rest had
obtained pardon for their offences.

IX.

Sec. 1. But Julian, elated at his prosperity, began to aspire to greatness
beyond what is granted to man: amid continual dangers he had learnt by
experience that propitious fortune held out to him, thus peacefully
governing the Roman world, a cornucopia as it were of human blessings
and all kinds of glory and success: adding this also to his former
titles of victory, that while he alone held the reins of empire he was
neither disturbed by intestine commotions, nor did any barbarians
venture to cross his frontiers; but all nations, eager at all times to
find fault with what is past, as mischievous and unjust, were with
marvellous unanimity agreed in his praises.

2. Having therefore arranged with profound deliberation all the matters
which were required either by the circumstances of the state or by the
time, and, having encouraged the soldiers by repeated harangues and by
adequate pay to be active in accomplishing all that was to be done,
Julian, being in great favour with all men, set out for Antioch, leaving
Constantinople, which he had greatly strengthened and enriched; for he
had been born there, and loved and protected it as his native city.

3. Then crossing the straits, and passing by Chalcedon and Libyssa,
where Hannibal the Carthaginian is buried, he came to Nicomedia; a city
of ancient renown, and so adorned at the great expense of former
emperors, that from the multitude of its public and private buildings
good judges look on it as a quarter, as it were, of the eternal city.

4. When J