, where for several days in succession many
terrible omens were seen, as if the gods were offended, since those who
were skilled in the interpretation of prodigies foretold that impending
events would be melancholy.

2. For the statue of Maximian Caesar, which was placed in the vestibule
of the palace, suddenly lost the brazen globe, formed after the figure
of the heavens, which it bore in its hand. Also the beams in the council
chamber sounded with an ominous creak; comets were seen in the daytime,
respecting the nature of which natural philosophers differ.

3. For some think they have received the name because they scatter fire
wreathed like hair[156] by a number of stars being collected into one
mass; others think that they derive their fire from the dry evaporation
of the earth rising gradually to a greater height; some fancy that the
sunbeams as they rapidly pass, being prevented by dense clouds from
descending lower, by infusing their brilliancy into a dense body show a
light which, as it were, seems spotted with stars to the eyes of
mortals. Some again have a fixed opinion that this kind of light is
visible when some cloud, rising to a greater height than usual, becomes
illuminated by its proximity to the eternal fires; or, that at all
events there are some stars like the rest, of which the special times of
their rising and setting are not understood by man. There are many
other suggestions about comets which have been put forth by men skilled
in mundane philosophy, but I must pass over them, as my subject calls me
in another direction.

4. The emperor remained a short time at Antioch, distracted by many
important cares, but desirous above all things to proceed. And so,
sparing neither man nor beast, he started from that city in the depth of
winter, though, as I have stated, many omens warned him from such a
course, and made his entrance into Tarsus, a noble city of Cilicia, the
origin of which I have already related.

5. Being in excessive haste to depart from thence, he ordered
decorations for the tomb of Julian, which was placed in the suburb, in
the road leading to the defiles of Mount Taurus. Though a sound judgment
would have decided that the ashes of such a prince ought not to lie
within sight of the Cydnus, however beautiful and clear that river is,
but, to perpetuate the glory of his achievements, ought rather to be
placed where they might be washed by the Tiber as it passes through the
Eternal City