Zosimus, New History 1.35

Zosimus (Greek Ζώσιμος): Early Byzantine, pagan author of a history of the Roman Empire, published in the first quarter of the sixth century CE.

The translation of Zosimus' New History offered here was printed in 1814 by W. Green and T. Chaplin in London, and was probably prepared by J. Davis of the Military Chronicle and Military Classics Office. The translator is anonymous. The text was found at Tertullian.org. The notes were added by Jona Lendering.


[1.35.1] From thence they marched to Nicomedia, a great city, celebrated for its affluence, where, though the citizens on hearing of their approach had escaped with all the riches they could take with them, the barbarians still were astonished at the vast quantity of valuables they found, and rendered great honor to Chrysogonus, who had formerly advised them to go to Nicomedia.

[1.35.2] And when they had over-run Nicaea, Cius, Apamea, and Prusa, and treated those places in the same manner, they proceeded towards Cyzicus. But the river Rhyndacus had so overflown its banks in consequence of the violent rains that had fallen, that they were unable to cross it and were compelled to retire. They then set fire to Nicomedia and Nicaea, and loading with their spoil waggons and ships, began to think of returning home; which terminated their second incursion.