h, whose modesty and the glorious
destiny reserved for her subsequently saved her husband from great
dangers.

13. In consequence of this victory Procopius was elated beyond measure,
and not knowing that a man, however happy, if Fortune turns her wheel
may become most miserable before evening, he ordered the house of
Arbetio, which he had previously spared as that of one of his own
partisans, to be rifled, and it was full of furniture of countless
value. The reason of his indignation against Arbetio was, that though he
had summoned him several times to come to him, he had deferred his
audience, pleading old age and sickness.

14. And this presumptuous man might, from the uncertainty in human
affairs, have feared some great change; but though without any
resistance he could have overrun the provinces of the East with the
willing consent of the natives themselves, who, from weariness of the
severe rule under which they then were, were eager for any change
whatever, he indolently lingered, hoping to gain over some cities of
Asia Minor, and to collect some men who were skilful in procuring gold,
and who would be of use to him in future battles, which he expected
would be both numerous and severe.

15. Thus he was allowing himself to grow blunt, like a rusty sword; just
as formerly Pescennius Niger, when repeatedly urged by the Roman people
to come to their aid at a time of great extremity, lost a great deal of
time in Syria, and at last was defeated by Severus in the Gulf of Issus
(which is a town in Cilicia, where Alexander conquered Darius), and was
put to death by a common soldier in a suburb of Antioch.

IX.

A.D. 366.

Sec. 1. These events took place in the depth of winter, in the consulship
of Valentinian and Valens. But this high office of consul was
transferred to Gratian, who was as yet only a private individual, and to
Dagalaiphus. And then, having collected his forces at the approach of
spring, Valens, having united Lupicinus's troops, which were a numerous
body, to his own, marched with all speed towards Pessinus, which was
formerly reckoned a town of Phrygia, but was now considered to belong to
Galatia.

2. Having speedily secured it with a garrison, to prevent any unforeseen
danger from arising in that district, he proceeded along the foot of
Mount Olympus by very difficult passes to Lycia, intending to attack
Gomoarius, who was loitering in that province.

3. Many vehemently opposed this project