Book 28
1.32
Aginatius, filled with indignation at this, and resentful because Maximinus, in conducting examinations, was preferred to him by Olybrius, although he himself was vice-prefect of Rome, secretly informed Probus in a confidential communicationI.e., by letter, see § 33. that the worthless man, one who quarrelled with high merits, could easily be brought low, if Probus decided that it should be done.
1.33
This letter Probus, as some maintained, without the knowledge of anyone except the bearer,For this meaning of baiuihs, cf. xv. 5, 10. sent to Maximinus, fearing him as a man already very highly trained in wickedness and in favour with the emperor. On reading the letter that savage man fell into such a blaze of anger, that from then on he set all devices in motion against Aginatius, after the manner of a serpent crushed by a wound from some unknown person.
1.34
There was added to this another more powerful impulse to treacherous attacks, which ruined the said Aginatius. For he accused Victorinus after his death of having sold decisionsI.e., favourable decisions, acquittals. of Maximinus during his lifetime, although he himself had received no contemptible legacies from Victorinus’ will; and with like impudence he threatened Anepsia also, Victorinus’s widow, with charges and litigious suits.
