Zosimus, New History 5.10

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.


[5.10.1] Bargus, who had thus delivered Eutropius from all embarrassment respecting Timasius, was made commander of a military unit, by which he acquired a considerable income, yet had the folly to hope for still greater rewards, for he did not reflect that Eutropius, who had witnessed his villainy towards his benefactor Timasius, would naturally apprehend the same towards himself.

[5.10.2] When Bargus was absent from home on the duties of his office, Eutropius, therefore, persuaded his wife, who for some occasion had quarelled with him, to present an information to the emperor, containing various accusations by which Bargus was impeached of the greatest crimes.

[5.10.3] Eutropius, on hearing this read before the emperor, immediately brought Bargus to trial, and on his conviction delivered him to be punished as he deserved. Upon this occasion, all men admired and praised the all-seeing eye of Adrastus,note which no wicked man can escape. 

[5.10.4] Eutropius, being intoxicated with wealth and elevated in his own imagination above the clouds, planted his emissaries in almost every country, to pry into the conduct of affairs and the circumstances of every individual; nor was there anything from which he did not derive some profit.

[5.10.5] His envy and avarice, therefore, excited him against Abundantius, who was born in that part of Scythia which belongs to Thrace, but had been a soldier from the reign of Gratian, had received great honors under Theodosius, and was appointed at that period consul. Eutropius, having the inclination to deprive him at once of his estate and dignity, the emperor authorized it, at least in writing, and Abundantius, being immediately banished from the court, was ordered to spend the remainder of his days at Sidon in Phoenicia