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| The Usurper Eugenius compasses the Death of Valentinian the Younger. Theodosius obtains a Victory over him.
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Chapter XXV.—The
Usurper Eugenius compasses the Death of Valentinian the Younger.
Theodosius obtains a Victory over him.
There was in the Western
regions a grammarian named Eugenius,810
| 810This account of Arbogastes and Eugenius is also
given by Zosimus (IV. 53–58), who adds that Arbogastes was a
Frank; and also by Philostorgius (XI. 1), who says that Eugenius was a
pagan.
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who after having for some time taught the Latin language, left his
school, and was appointed to service at the palace, being constituted
chief secretary to the emperor. Possessing a considerable degree of
eloquence, and being on that account treated with greater distinction
than others, he was unable to bear his good fortune with moderation.
For associating with himself Arbogastes, a native of Galatia Minor, who
then had the command of a division of the army, a man harsh in manner
and very bloodthirsty, he determined to usurp the sovereignty. These
two therefore agreed to murder the Emperor Valentinian, having
corrupted the eunuchs of the imperial bed-chamber. These, on receiving
tempting promises of promotion, strangled the emperor in his sleep.
Eugenius immediately assuming the supreme authority in the Western
parts of the empire, conducted himself in such a manner as might be
expected from a usurper. When the Emperor Theodosius was made
acquainted with these things, he was exceedingly distressed, because
his defeat of Maximus had only prepared the way for fresh troubles. He
accordingly assembled his military forces, and having proclaimed his
son Honorius Augustus, on the 10th of January, in his own third
consulate811
which he bore with Abundantius, he again set out in great haste toward
the Western parts, leaving both his sons invested with imperial
authority at Constantinople. As he marched against Eugenius a very
great number of the barbarians beyond the Danube volunteered their
services, and followed him in this expedition. After a rapid march he
arrived in the Gauls with a numerous army, where Eugenius awaited him,
also at the head of an immense body of troops. Accordingly an
engagement took place near the river Frigidus, which is [about
thirty-six miles] distant [from Aquileia]. In that part of the battle
where the Romans fought against their own countrymen, the conflict was
doubtful: but where the barbarian auxiliaries of the Emperor Theodosius
were engaged, the forces of Eugenius had greatly the advantage. When
the emperor saw the barbarians perishing, he cast himself in great
agony upon the ground, and invoked the help of God in this emergency:
nor was his request unheeded; for Bacurius812
his principal officer, inspired with sudden and extraordinary ardor,
rushed with his vanguard to the part where the barbarians were hardest
pressed, broke through the ranks of the enemy, and put to flight those
who a little before were themselves engaged in pursuit. Another
marvelous circumstance also
occurred. A violent wind suddenly arose, which retorted upon themselves
the darts cast by the soldiers of Eugenius, and at the same time drove
those hurled by the imperial forces with increased impetus against
their adversaries.813
| 813Cf. Zosimus, IV. 58, who gives the additional item
that the sun was eclipsed during this battle.
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So prevalent was the emperor’s prayer. The success of the
struggle being in this way turned, the usurper threw himself at the
emperor’s feet, and begged that his life might be spared: but as
he lay a prostrate suppliant at the feet [of the emperor] he was
beheaded by the soldiers, on the 6th of September, in the third
consulate of Arcadius, and the second of Honorius.814
Arbogastes, who had been the chief cause of so much mischief, having
continued his flight for two days after the battle, and seeing no
chance of escape, despatched himself with his own sword.
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