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IN this manner the peace of the churches was secured by the most
religious emperor. Before the establishment of peace he had heard of
the death of Valentinianus and of the usurpation of Eugenius and had
marched for Europe.
At this time there lived in Egypt a man of the name of John, who had
embraced the ascetic life. Being full of spiritual grace, he foretold
many future events to persons who from time to time came to consult
him. To him the Christ-loving emperor sent, in his anxiety to know
whether he ought to make war against the tyrants. In the case of the
former war he foretold a bloodless victory. In that of the second he
predicted that the emperor would only win after a great slaughter.
With this expectation the emperor set out, and, while drawing up his
forces, shot down many of his opponents, but lost many of his
barbarian allies.
When his generals represented that the forces on their side were few
and recommended him to allow some pause in the campaign, so as to
muster an army at the beginning of spring and out-number the enemy,
Theodosius refused to listen to their advice. "For it is wrong,"
said he, "to charge the Cross of Salvation with such infirmity, for
it is the cross which leads our troops, and attribute such power to the
image of Hercules which is at the head of the forces of our foe."
Thus in right faith he spoke, though the men left him were few in
number and much discouraged. Then when he had found a little oratory,
on the top of the hill where his camp was pitched, be spent the whole
night in prayer to the God of all.
About cock-crow sleep overcame him, and as he lay upon the ground he
thought he saw two men in white raiment riding upon white horses, who
bade him be of good cheer, drive away his fear, and at dawn arm and
marshal his men for battle. "For," said they, "we have been sent
to fight for you," and one said, "I am John the evangelist," and
the other, "I am Philip the apostle."
After he had seen this vision the emperor ceased not his supplication,
but pursued it with still greater eagerness. The vision was also seen
by a soldier in the ranks who reported it to his centurion. The
centurion brought him to the tribune, and the tribune to the general.
The general supposed that he was relating something new, and reported
the story to the emperor. Then said Theodosius, "Not for my sake
has this vision been seen by this man, for I have put my trust in them
that promised me the victory. But that none may have supposed me to
have invented this vision, because of my eagerness for the battle, the
protector of my empire has given the information to this man too, that
he may bear witness to the truth of what I say when I tell you that
first to me did our Lord vouchsafe this vision. Let us then fling
aside our fear. Let us follow our front rank and our generals. Let
none weigh the chance of victory by the number of the men engaged, but
let every man bethink him of the power of the leaders."
He spoke in similar terms to his men, and after thus inspiring all his
host with high hope, led them down from the crest of the hill. The
tyrant saw the army coming to attack him from a distance, and then
armed his forces and drew them up for battle. He himself remained on
some elevated ground, and said that the emperor was desirous of death,
and was coming into battle because he wished to be released from this
present life: so he ordered his generals to bring him alive and in
chains. When the forces were drawn up in battle array those of the
enemy appeared by far the more numerous, and the tale of the emperor's
troops might be easily told. But when both sides had begun to
discharge their weapons the front rank proved their promises true. A
violent wind blew right in the faces of the foe, and diverted their
arrows and javelins and spears, so that no missile was of any use to
them, and neither trooper nor archer nor spearman was able to inflict
any damage upon the emperor's army. Vast clouds of dust, too, were
carried into their faces, compelling them to shut their eyes and
protect them from attack. The imperial forces on the other hand did
not receive the slightest injury from the storm, and vigorously
attacked and slew the foe. The vanquished then recognised the divine
help given to their conquerors, flung away their arms, and begged the
emperor for quarter. Theodosius then yielded to their entreaty and had
compassion on them, and ordered them to bring the tyrant immediately
before him. Eugenius was ignorant of how the day had gone, and when
he saw his men running up the hillock where he sat, all out of breath,
and shewing their eagerness by their panting, he took them for
messengers of victory, and asked if they had brought Theodosius in
chains, as he had ordered. "No," said they, "we are not bringing
him to you, but we are come to carry you off to him, for so the great
Ruler has ordained." Even as they spoke they lifted him from his
chariot, put chains upon him, and carried him thus lettered, and led
away the vain boaster of a short hour ago, now a prisoner of war.
The emperor reminded him of the wrongs he had done Valentinianus, of
his usurped authority, and of the wars which he had waged against the
rightful emperor. He ridiculed also the figure of Hercules and the
foolish confidence it had inspired and at last pronounced the sentence
of right and lawful punishment.
Such was Theodosius in peace and in war, ever asking and never
refused the help of God.
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