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There was in the Western regions a grammarian named Eugenius, 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 consulate a 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 Bacurius 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. 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. 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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