Eventliteraturerelation details

page number
379-381
text type
Primary source
text
(Ammianus Marcellinus 31.1.4) Finally, when the old walls of Chalcedon were torn down, in order that a bath might be built at Constantinople, and the rows of stones were taken apart, there was found on a squared block hidden in the midst of the structure of the wall an inscription containing the following Greek verses, clearly revealing what was to happen: When gaily through the city's festal streets Shal whirl soft maidens in a happy dance, When mournfully a wall shall guard a bath, Then countless hordes of men spread far and wide With warlike arms shall cross clear Istrus' stream To ravage Scythia's fields and Mysia's land. But mad with hope when they Pannonia raid, There battle and life's end their course shall check.