CHAPTER XXXIII

BOLDNESS OF TRAJAN, A MILITARY CHIEF

WHEN Valens had passed the Bosphorus and had arrived in Thrace, he at first remained for some time in Constantinople, making preparations for war. He sent Trajan, the general, with some troops, against the barbarians. Trajan was defeated; and, on his return, the emperor reproached him severely, and accused him of weakness and of cowardice. But Trajan replied with great boldness: “It is not I, O emperor, who have been defeated; for you, by fighting against God, have thrown the barbarians upon His protection, and have thus surrendered the victory to them. For as you have taken up arms against God, He has ranged himself on the side of your enemies. With Him is victory, and those triumph who are led by Him. Do you not know,” continued he, “who those are whom you have driven from the churches, and who are those to whom you have given them up?” Arintheus and Victor, the other commanders, accorded in what had been said, and besought the emperor to reflect on the truth of their remonstrances.