By their secret intelligence with their countrymen, Rome and the Italian cities were persuaded to display the banners of Constantius on their walls.

The grateful veterans, enriched by the liberality of the father, signalized their gratitude and loyalty to the son.

The cavalry, the legions, and the auxiliaries of Italy, renewed their oath of allegiance to Constantius; and the usurper, alarmed by the general desertion, was compelled, with the remains of his faithful troops, to retire beyond the Alps into the provinces of Gaul.

The detachments, however, which were ordered either to press or to intercept the flight of Magnentius, conducted themselves with the usual imprudence of success; and allowed him, in the plains of Pavia, an opportunity of turning on his pursuers, and of gratifying his despair by the carnage of a useless victory.
The pride of Magnentius was reduced, by repeated misfortunes, to sue, and to sue in vain, for peace.

He first despatched a senator, in whose abilities he confided, and afterwards several bishops, whose holy character might obtain a more favorable audience, with the offer of resigning the purple, and the promise of devoting the remainder of his life to the service of the emperor.