The Campaign of Theodosius

At this time Theodosius was a man of high repute, both for the splendor of his ancestry and for his own courage. For this reason his rivals’ envy struck at him from time to time, and he was living in Spain, where he had been born and brought up. The emperor was at a loss what measures to take, now that the barbarians, puffed up by their victory, both were and seemed all but invincible. He formed the idea that the way out of his difficulties lay in giving Theodosius the supreme command. So he lost no time in sending for him from Spain, appointed him commander in chief, and sent him out at the head of the assembled forces. [a]

Defended by his faith, Theodosius marched out confidently. When he entered Thrace and saw the barbarians advancing to meet him, he drew up his troops in battle order. The two lines met, and the enemy could not withstand the attack and broke. A rout followed, the enemy taking to flight and the victors pursuing at full speed. There was a great slaughter of the barbarians, for they were cut down not only by the Romans but even by one another. After most of them had fallen in this way, and a few of those who had been able to escape the pursuit had crossed the Danube, the great captain dispersed the troops under his command among the neighboring towns. Then he rode at full speed straight to the emperor Gratian, himself the messenger of his own triumph. Even to the emperor himself, astounded at what had happened, the news he brought seemed beyond belief, while others, stung with envy, gave out that he had run away and lost his army. His only reply was to ask those who contradicted him to send and find out the number of the barbarian dead. “For even from their spoils,” he said, “it is easy to learn their number.” At these words the emperor gave way, and he sent officers to investigate the battle and report. [d]