32 THE DECLINE AXD FALL of the distant frontiers of an invaded monarchy. As soon as the death of Julian had relieved the Barbarians from the terror of his name, tiie most sanfjuine hopes of rapine and conquest excited the nations of the East, and of the North, and of the A.D. 364-375 South. Their inroads were often vexatious, and sometimes formidable ; but, during the twelve years of the reign of Valentinian, his firmness and vigilance protected his own dominions ; and his powerful genius seemed to inspire and direct the feelile counsels of his brother. Perhaps the method of annals would more forcibly express the urgent and divided cares of the two emperors ; but the attention of the reader, likewise, would be distracted by a tedious and desultory narra- tive. A separate view of the five great theatres of war : I. Germany; II. Britain; III. Africa; IV. The East; and, V. The Danube ; will impress a more distinct image of the military state of the empire under the reigns of Valentinian and Valens. I. GERMANY. I. Tlic ambassadors of the Alemanni had been offended by Invade Gaul, the harsh and haughty behaviour of Ursacius. master of the A D 365 ~ ♦ offices ; ^^ who, by an act of unseasonable parsimony, had dimin- ished the value, as well as the quantity, of the presents to which they were entitled, either from custom or treaty, on the accession of a new emperor. They expressed, and they communicated to their countrymen, their strong sense of the national affront. The irascible minds of the chiefs were exasperated by the sus- picion of contempt ; and the martial youth crowded to their standard. Before Valentinian could pass the Alps, the villages of A.D._3e5, Gaul were in flames; before his general Dagalaiphus could encounter the Alemanni, they had secured the captives and the spoil in the forests of Germany. In the beginning of the ensuing year, the military force of the M'hole nation, in deep and solid columns, broke through the barrier of the Rhine, during the severity of a northern winter. Two Roman counts were defeated and mortally wounded ; and the standard of the Heruli and Bata- vians fell into the hands of the conquerors, who displayed, with insulting shouts and menaces, the trophy of their victory. The standard was recovered ; but the Batavians had not redeemed the shame of their disgrace and flight in the eyes of their severe judge. It was the opinion of Valentinian that his soldiers must learn to fear their commander, before they could cease to fear the enemy. The troops were solemnly assembled ; and the 91 Ammian. xxvi. 5. Valesius adds a long and good note on the master of the offices. [For the chronology of these campaigfns, see Reiche, Chronologie der sechs letzten Biicher des Amm. Marc, 1889.] January
