city of Pannonia, strongly fortified by the broad and rapid stream of
the Save.

Chapter XXVII: Civil Wars, Reign Of Theodosius. -- Part IV.

The veterans, who still remembered the long resistance, and successive
resources, of the tyrant Magnentius, might prepare themselves for the
labors of three bloody campaigns. But the contest with his successor,
who, like him, had usurped the throne of the West, was easily decided
in the term of two months, and within the space of two hundred miles.
The superior genius of the emperor of the East might prevail over the
feeble Maximus, who, in this important crisis, showed himself
destitute of military skill, or personal courage; but the abilities of
Theodosius were seconded by the advantage which he possessed of a
numerous and active cavalry. The Huns, the Alani, and, after their
example, the Goths themselves, were formed into squadrons of archers;
who fought on horseback, and confounded the steady valor of the Gauls
and Germans, by the rapid motions of a Tartar war. After the fatigue
of a long march, in the heat of summer, they spurred their foaming
horses into the waters of the Save, swam the river in the presence of
the enemy, and instantly charged and routed the troops who guarded the
high ground on the opposite side. Marcellinus, the tyrant's brother,
advanced to support them with the select cohorts, which were
considered as the hope and strength of the army. The action, which had
been interrupted by the approach of night, was renewed in the morning;
and, after a sharp conflict, the surviving remnant of the bravest
soldiers of Maximus threw down their arms at the feet of the
conqueror. Without suspending his march, to receive the loyal
acclamations of the citizens of Æmona, Theodosius pressed forwards to
terminate the war by the death or captivity of his rival, who fled