icininus, which
is a Christian church.[162] And the populace who had been thus roused to
a state of ferocity were with great difficulty restored to order.

14. I do not deny, when I consider the ostentation that reigns at Rome,
that those who desire such rank and power may be justified in labouring
with all possible exertion and vehemence to obtain their wishes; since
after they have succeeded, they will be secure for the future, being
enriched by offerings from matrons, riding in carriages, dressing
splendidly, and feasting luxuriously, so that their entertainments
surpass even royal banquets.

15. And they might be really happy if, despising the vastness of the
city, which they excite against themselves by their vices, they were to
live in imitation of some of the priests in the provinces, whom the most
rigid abstinence in eating and drinking, and plainness of apparel, and
eyes always cast on the ground, recommend to the everlasting Deity and
his true worshippers as pure and sober-minded men. This is a sufficient
digression on this subject: let us now return to our narrative.

IV.

Sec.1. While the events above mentioned were taking place in Gaul and
Italy, a new campaign was being prepared in Thrace. For Valens, acting
on the decision of his brother, by whose will he was entirely governed,
marched against the Goths, having a just cause of complaint against
them, because at the beginning of the late civil war they had sent
assistance to Procopius. It will here be desirable to say a few words of
the origin of this people, and the situation of their country.

2. The description of Thrace would be easy if the pens of ancient
authors agreed on the subject; but as the obscurity and variety of their
accounts is of but little assistance to a work which professes to tell
the truth, it will be sufficient for us to record what we remember to
have seen ourselves.

3. The undying authority of Homer informs us that these countries were
formerly extended over an immense space of tranquil plains and high
rising grounds; since that poet represents both the north and the west
wind as blowing from thence;[163] a statement which is either fabulous,
or else which shows that the extensive district inhabited by all those
savage tribes was formerly included under the single name of Thrace.

4. Part of this region was inhabited by the Scordisci, who now live at a
great distance from these provinces; a race formerly savage and
unciv