Preface
In punctuation I have perhaps deviated more than in vol. i. from Clark's system (see Preface to vol. i.), especially when one metrical clausula is immediately followed by another consisting of a single word.In his description of natural phenomena, such as that of the rainbow in xx. 11, 26 ff., Ammianus is often inexact and sometimes not clear. It has seemed best to try to translate what he says, without attempting to reconcile his statements with those of modern times, or with those of the more enlightened Greek and Roman writers.
Inconsistency in the location of places (cf. vol. i., p. 583, note) is sometimes due to errors on the part of Ammianus, more frequently to changes in the boundaries and the names of the provinces in his time.
Ammianus often uses comes, “count” without further designations which identify the nature of office; in such instances it seems best to give the word its actual meaning. This applies with greater force to dux, of which “duke” is seldom, if ever, a satisfactory rendering. See vol. i., p. xxxiv, note 3, and E. von Nischer in Amer. Jour. of Phil., liii., pp. 25 ff.
