ABSTRACT
At this time, with trumpets sounding for war as if through all the Roman world, the most savage tribes rose up and poured across the nearest frontiers. At one and the same time the Alamanni were plundering Gaul and Raetia, the Sarmatae and Quadri Pannonia; the Picts, Saxons, Scots and Attacotti harassed the Britons with continual calamities …
Valentinian had set out from Amiens and was hurrying towards Trier when he was overtaken by grave reports indicating that Britain had been plunged into the depths of distress by a conspiracy of the barbarians, that Nectaridus, Count of the coastal district, had been killed, and that the Duke Fullofaudes had been surrounded and captured in an enemy ambush. This news was received with great consternation and Valentinian sent Severus, who at that time was still Count of the household troops, to make good the reverses if chance gave him the desired opportunity. He, however, was recalled shortly afterwards, and Jovinus … (lacuna) … having set out to the same place was allowed by Valentinian to return quickly3 with the intention of securing the aid of a
powerful army. This he maintained was what the pressing needs demanded. Finally, as a result of the many frightening occurrences reported by constant rumours involving this same island, Theodosius was chosen and instructed to hasten there. He was a man with a very good reputation in military affairs, and having collected a force of young and spirited legionary and auxiliary troops he set off, preceded by an impressive show of confidence. And since, when I was compiling my account of the acts of the Emperor Constans, I set out to the best of my ability the motion of the Ocean’s ebb and flow as well as the situation of Britain, I now consider it unnecessary to repeat what has been dealt with once, just as Homer’s Ulysses shrinks from repeating his tale to the Phaeacians on account of the excessive difficulty. Suffice to say that at the time in question the Picts were divided into two tribes, the Dicalydones and the Verturiones. These, together with the warlike Attacotti and the Scots, were ranging over a wide area causing much devastation, while the Franks and their neighbours the Saxons ravaged the coast of Gaul with vicious acts of pillage, arson and the murder of all prisoners, wherever they could burst in by land or sea. In order to prevent these happenings, should better luck present an opportunity, that most efficient general made for the furthest point on the earth. On his arrival at the coast of Bononia (Boulogne), which is separated from the tract of land opposite by the narrows of the tidal sea, wont as it is to rise in astonishing surges and then, without any harm to those plying it, to subside until it has all the appearance of a plain, he made a quiet crossing of the Channel and landed at Rutupiae (Richborough), a quiet haven opposite. When the Batavi, Heruli, Jovii and Victores who were following him arrived, all of them units confident in their strength, Theodosius set out and made for London, an ancient city that later generations called Augusta. Dividing his troops into several detachments, he attacked the marauding enemy bands who were roaming about loaded down with the weight of their booty and, quickly routing those who were driving along prisoners and cattle, he wrested from them the plunder that the wretched subjects of Rome had lost. All this he restored to its owners with the exception of a small part, which was paid to his weary troops. Then, in the full flush of success, like someone celebrating an ovation, he entered the city, which up till now had floundered amidst the greatest of hardships, but suddenly had been restored before rescue could even have been hoped for. There he lingered in order to explore safe plans of action, encouraged by his great success to deeds of greater daring, but unsure of the future, since he had learned from the statements of prisoners and the information provided by deserters that this widely scattered enemy mass, made up of various tribes and indescribably savage, could only be overcome by more devious cunning and unexpected attacks. Finally, he issued proclamations, and with a promise of immunity from punishment he called back to their ranks those who had deserted, and many others who were straggling about the countryside on furlough. As a result of this edict very many were induced to return by the offer, and Theodosius, relieved of his anxieties, requested that Civilis, a man of sharp temper but steadfastly just and upright, be
sent to him to govern Britain on behalf of the Prefects, and also Dulcitius, a general distinguished for his expertise in military matters.
