Book 29
4.1
These, then, are undeniable indications of Valentinian’s character and his blood-thirsty tendency. But, on the other hand, no one, not even one of his persistent detractors, will reproach him with lack of ingenuity in behalf of the state, especially if one bears in mind that it was a more valuable service to check the barbarians by frontier defences than to defeat them in battle. And when he had givenThere is a lacuna of five lines, doubtless containing a description of a line of fortifications with watch-towers. . . . if any of the enemy made a move, he was seen from above from the watchtowers, and overcome.
4.2
But among many other cares, his first and principal aim was to capture alive by violence or by craft King Macrianus,King of the Alamanni, xviii. 2, 15; xxviii. 5, 8. just as, long before, Julian took Vadomarius; for Macrianus, amid the frequent changes in the policy followed towards him, had increased in power, and now was rising against our countrymen with full-grown strength. Accordingly, having first provided what the circumstances and the time demanded, and having learned from the reports of deserters where the said king, who expected no hostile move, could be seized, Valentinian threw a pontoon across the Rhine as quietly as his means allowed, lest anyone should interfere with the bridge while it was being put together.
