Kitap 25
5.3
After some discussion, all by general agreement united on Salutius, and when he pleaded illness and old age, one of the soldiersGibbon thinks this was Ammianus himself. of higher rank, perceiving Salutius’ determined opposition, said: What would you do if the emperor (as often happens) had in his absence committed to you the conduct of this war? Would you not put aside everything else and save the soldiers from the threatening dangers? Do that now, and if we are permitted to see Mesopotamia, the united votes of both armiesThe eastern and the western army. will decide upon a lawful emperor.
5.4
During this delay, which was slight considering the importance of the matter, before the various opinions had been weighed, a few hot-headed soldiers (as often happens in an extreme crisis) chose an emperor in the person of Jovianus, commanderAccording to Hieronymus’ Chron. he was primicerius, ranking after the comes and the tribunus. Cf. xxvii. 10, 16, domesticorum omnium primus. of the household troops, who had claims for some slight consideration because of the services of his father. For he was the son of Varronianus, a well- known count,As the context shows, he was a general; see vol. i, Introd., p. xxix, and § 8, below. who not long since, after ending his military career, had retired to a quieter life.
