Book 29
2.9
And since it would be a long story to tell all this gallows-birdThe word may mean one who crucifies or one who deserves to be crucified—hence hangman or gallows-bird. The latter seems preferable. contrived, I will recount this one case, showing with what audacious confidence he smote the very pillars of the patriciate. For made enormously insolent by secret conferences with people of the court, as has been said, and through his very worthlessness easy to be hired to commit any and every crime, he accused that admirable pair of consuls, the two brothers Eusebius and HypatiusSee xviii. 1, 1; xxi. 6, 4; they were consuls in 359. Constantius married their sister Eusebia. (connections by marriage of the late emperor Constantius) of having aspired to a desire for a higher fortune, and of having made inquiries and formed plans about the sovereignty; and he added to the pathThat is, the path which he alleged that they had made for carrying out their designs. which he had falsely devised for his fabrication that royal robes had even been made ready for Eusebius.
