Kitap 29
2.12
Yet after these so lamentable events Valens acted with no more restraint or shame; since excessive power does not reflect that it is unworthy for men of right principles, even to the disadvantage of their enemies, willingly to plunge into crime, and that nothing is so ugly as for a cruel nature to be joined to lofty pride of power.Cf. Cic., Ad Quint. Frat. i. 1, 13, 37, nihil est tam deformed quam ad summum imperium etiam acerbitatem naturae adiungere.
2.13
But when Heliodorus died (whether naturally or through some deliberate violenceDoubtless through his enemies, who were numerous. Hypatius and Eusebius; see 2, 9, above. is uncertain; I would rather not say too late: I only wish that even the facts did not speak to that effect!) his body was carried out by the undertakers, and many men of rank, clad in mourning, were ordered to precede it, including the brothers who had been consuls.I.e., of subjecting men of rank to such an indignity.
2.14
Thereby the entire rottenness of the folly of the empire’s ruler was then completely revealed; for although he was earnestly besought to refrain from this inexcusable insult,Cf. xxvii. 11, 6. yet he remained so inflexible that he seemed to have stopped his ears with wax,Cf. xxviii. 1, 12. as if he were going to pass the rocks of the Sirens.
