CHAPTER I

PIETY OF THE EMPEROR GRATIAN

THE conduct and the fate of Julian clearly exhibit how long the Lord God bears with those who rise up against him; and how he takes vengeance on those who abuse his long-suffering. Mercy and justice are, as it were, the two scales of the balance in which he weighs the actions of men. When the crimes of any one are so great as to preponderate over mercy, the equilibrium of the balance is restored by the exercise of the vengeance which is demanded by justice.

Gratian, the son of Valentinian, and the nephew of Valens, obtained possession of the whole empire. He had been raised to the empire of Europe after his father’s death, and had previously been associated with him in the government. After the death of Valens, he added Asia and the rest of Lybia to his dominions.