CHAPTER XIV

DEFEAT AND DEATH OF EDOVICUS

ALTHOUGH the city of Arles was closely besieged, Constantine refused to surrender, because he was in expectation of the arrival of the reinforcements for which he had despatched Edovicus. The besiegers were seized with terror when they heard of his return; and, after some deliberation, they hastened to cross the river Rhone. Constantius, who commanded the infantry, quietly awaited the approach of the enemy, while Ulphilas, his general, remained in ambush with his cavalry. When the troops of the enemy attacked Constantius, and commenced the conflict, Ulphilas, at a given signal, rushed upon them from behind, and soon threw them into disorder. Some tried to escape, some were slain, while others threw down their arms, and entreated for life and pardon. Edovicus mounted a horse, and fled to the lands of one Ecdicius, to whom he had formerly rendered some important service, and whom he therefore imagined to be his friend. Ecdicius, however, struck off his head, and presented it to the generals of Honorius, in hope of receiving some great reward. Constantius exclaimed, as he received the head, that the public were obliged to Ecdicius for the victory of Ulphilas. He commanded, however, that Ecdicius should be dismissed from the army; for he disdained to retain in his service a man capable of enacting so dishonourable a part against his guest and his former friend. Thus Ecdicius reaped no advantage from the murderous deed which he had perpetrated.