Zosimus, New History 2.24

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.

[2.24.1] The following day, the wind blowing hard from the north, Abantus put out from the Port of Ajax and prepared for action. But the galleys of fifty oars being come to Elaeus by order of the admirals, Abantus was alarmed at the number of vessels, and hesitated whether to sail against the enemy. 

[2.24.2] About noon the north wind subsided; the south wind then blew with such violence, that the ships of Licinius, which lay on the Asiatic coast, were some driven on shore, others broken against the rocks, and others foundered with all on board. In this affair five thousand men perished, together with a hundred and thirty ships filled with men, whom Licinius had sent out of Thrace to Asia accompanied by a part of his army, Byzantium being too small to contain all that were besieged with Licinius. The sea-fight being thus concluded, 

[2.24.3] Abantus effected his escape with only four ships into Asia. The navy of Constantine, having arrived in the Hellespont laden with abundance of provisions and stores for his troops, weighed anchor in order to join in the siege of Byzantium, and to blockade the city by sea. The foot-soldiers of Licinius, being alarmed at the sight of such a navy, procured ships in which they sailed to Elaeus.