第4章

Withpurposesnolongerdoubtfultheyparted，MucianusforAntioch，VespasianforCaesarea。ThesecitiesarethecapitalsofSyriaandJudaearespectively。TheinitiativeintransferringtheEmpiretoVespasianwastakenatAlexandriaunderthepromptdirectionofTiberiusAlexander，whoonthe1stofJulymadethelegionsswearallegiancetohim。Thatdaywaseveraftercelebratedasthefirstofhisreign，thoughthearmyofJudaeaonJuly3rdtooktheoathtoVespasianinpersonwithsucheageralacritythattheywouldnotwaitforthereturnofhissonTitus，whowasthenonhiswaybackfromSyria，actingasthemediumbetweenMucianusandhisfatherforthecommunicationoftheirplans。Allthiswasdonebytheimpulsiveactionofthesoldierswithoutthepreliminaryofaformalharangueoranyconcentrationofthelegions。

Whiletheywereseekingasuitabletimeandplace，andforthatwhichinsuchanaffairisthegreatdifficulty，thefirstmantospeak，whilehope，fear，thechancesofsuccessorofdisaster，werepresenttotheirminds，oneday，onVespasianquittinghischamber，afewsoldierswhostoodnear，intheusualforminwhichtheywouldsalutetheirlegate，suddenlysalutedhimasEmperor。Thenalltheresthurriedup，calledhimCaesarandAugustus，andheapedonhimallthetitlesofImperialrank。Theirmindshadpassedfromapprehensiontoconfidenceofsuccess。InVespasianthereappearednosignofelationorarrogance，orofanychangearisingfromhischangedfortunes。Assoonashehaddispelledthemistwithwhichsoastonishingavicissitudehadcloudedhisvision，headdressedthetroopsinasoldier-likestyle，andlistenedtothejoyfulintelligencethatcamepouringinfromallquarters。ThiswastheveryopportunityforwhichMucianushadbeenwaiting。HenowatonceadministeredtotheeagersoldierstheoathofallegiancetoVespasian。ThenheenteredthetheatreatAntioch，whereitiscustomaryforthecitizenstoholdtheirpublicdeliberations，andastheycrowdedtogetherwithprofuseexpressionsofflattery，headdressedthem。HecouldspeakGreekwithconsiderablegrace，andinallthathedidandsaidhehadtheartofdisplayinghimselftoadvantage。NothingexcitedtheprovincialsandthearmysomuchastheassertionofMucianusthatVitelliushaddeterminedtoremovethelegionsofGermanytoSyria，toaneasyandlucrativeservice，whilethearmiesofSyriaweretohavegiventheminexchangetheencampmentsofGermanywiththeirinclementclimateandtheirharassingtoils。Ontheonehand，theprovincialsfromlongusefeltapleasureinthecompanionshipofthesoldiers，withwhommanyofthemwereconnectedbyfriendshiporrelationship；ontheother，thesoldiersfromthelongdurationoftheirservicelovedthewell-knownandfamiliarcampasahome。

Beforethe15thofJulythewholeofSyriahadadoptedthesamealliance。Therejoinedhim，eachwithhisentirekingdom，Sohemus，whohadnocontemptiblearmy，andAntiochus，whopossessedvastancestralwealth，andwastherichestofallthesubject-kings。BeforelongAgrippa，whohadbeensummonedfromthecapitalbysecretdespatchesfromhisfriends，whileasyetVitelliusknewnothing，wascrossingtheseawithallspeed。QueenBerenicetoo，whowasthenintheprimeofyouthandbeauty，andwhohadcharmedeventheoldVespasianbythesplendourofherpresents，promotedhiscausewithequalzeal。Alltheprovinceswashedbythesea，asfarasAsiaandAchaia，andthewholeexpanseofcountryinlandtowardsPontusandArmenia，tooktheoathofallegiance。Thelegates，however，oftheseprovinceswerewithouttroops，Cappadociaasyethavinghadnolegionsassignedtoit。AcouncilwasheldatBerytustodeliberateonthegeneralconductofthewar。ThithercameMucianuswiththelegatesandtribunesandallthemostdistinguishedcenturionsandsoldiers，andthitheralsothepickedtroopsofthearmyofJudaea。Suchavastassemblageofcavalryandinfantry，andthepompofthekingsthatstrovetorivaleachotherinmagnificence，presentedanappearanceofImperialsplendour。

Thefirstbusinessofthecampaignwastolevytroopsandrecalltheveteranstoservice。Thestrongcitiesweresetapartforthemanufactureofarms；atAntiochgoldandsilvermoneywascoined，everythingbeingvigorouslycarriedoninitsappointedplacebyproperlyqualifiedagents。Vespasianhimselfwenteverywhere，urgedtoexertion，encouragedtheindustriousbypraise，andwiththeindolentusedthestimulusofexampleratherthanofcompulsion，andchosetobeblindtothefaultsratherthantothemeritsofhisfriends。Manyamongthemhedistinguishedwithprefecturesandgovernments，andseveralwiththehonoursofsenatorialrank；alltheseweremenofeminencewhosoonreachedthehighestpositions。

Insomecasesgoodfortuneservedinsteadofmerit。OfadonativetothetroopsMucianusinhisfirstspeechhadheldoutonlymoderatehopes，andevenVespasianofferednomoreinthecivilwarthanothershaddoneintimesofpeace，thusmakinganoblestandagainstallbriberyofthesoldiery，andpossessinginconsequenceabetterarmy。EnvoysweresenttoParthiaandArmenia，andprecautionsweretakenthat，whenthelegionswereengagedinthecivilwar，thecountryintheirrearmightnotbeexposedtoattack。ItwasarrangedthatTitusshouldpursuethewarinJudaea，whileVespasianshouldsecurethepassesintoEgypt。TocopewithVitellius，aportionofthearmy，thegeneralshipofMucianus，theprestigeofVespasian\'sname，andthedestinybeforewhichalldifficultiesvanish，seemedsufficient。Toallthearmiesandlegateslettersweredespatched，andinstructionsweregiventothemthattheyweretoattachthePraetorians，whohatedVitellius，bytheinducementofrenewedmilitaryservice。

Mucianus，whoactedmoreasacolleaguethanasaservantoftheEmperor，movedonwithsomelight-armedtroops，notindeedatatardypacesoastogivetheappearanceofdelay，yetnotwithextraordinaryspeed。Thusheallowedrumourtogatherfreshstrengthbydistance，wellawarethathisforcewasbutsmall，andthatexaggeratednotionsareformedaboutwhatisnotseen。Behindhim，however，cameinavastbodythe6thlegionand13，000veterans。HehadgivendirectionsthatthefleetfromthePontusshouldbebroughtuptoByzantium，nothavingyetmadeuphismind，whether，avoidingMoesia，heshouldmoveonDyrrachiumwithhisinfantryandcavalry，andatthesametimeblockadetheseaonthesideofItalywithhisshipsofwar，thusleavingAsiaandAchaiasafeinhisrear，which，beingbareoftroops，wouldbeleftatthemercyofVitellius，unlesstheywereoccupiedwithpropergarrisons。AndthustooVitelliushimself，findingBrundisium，Tarentum，andtheshoresofCalabriaandLucaniamenacedbyhostilefleets，wouldbeinutterperplexityastowhichpartofItalyheshouldprotect。

Thustheprovincesechoedwiththebustleofpreparingfleets，armies，andtheimplementsofwar。Nothing，however，wassovexatiousastheraisingofmoney。Mucianus，withtheperpetualassertionthatmoneywasthesinewsofwar，lookedinallquestions，nottorightortruth，butonlytotheextentofaman\'sfortune。

Informationsabounded，andalltherichestmenwerefastenedonforplunder。Theseintolerableoppressions，whichyetfoundsomeexcuseinthenecessitiesofwar，werecontinuedeveninpeace。Vespasianhimselfindeedatthebeginningofhisreignwasnotsobentonenforcingtheseiniquitousmeasures，till，spoiltbyprosperityandevilcounsellors，helearntthispolicyandventuredtouseit。

Mucianuscontributedtothewarevenfromhisownpurse，liberalwithhisprivatemeansbecausehehelpedhimselfwithoutscruplefromthewealthoftheState。Therestfollowedhisexampleincontributingtheirmoney；veryfewenjoyedthesamelicenceinreimbursingthemselves。

MeanwhiletheoperationsofVespasianwerehastenedbythezealofthearmyofIllyricum，whichhadcomeovertohisside。ThethirdlegionsettheexampletotheotherlegionsofMoesia。Theseweretheeighthandseventh(Claudius\')，whowerepossessedwithastronglikingforOtho，thoughtheyhadnotbeenpresentatthebattleofBedriacum。TheyhadadvancedtoAquileia，andbyroughlyrepulsingthemessengerswhobroughtthetidingsofOtho\'sdefeat，bytearingthecolourswhichdisplayedthenameofVitellius，byfinallyseizingonthemilitarychestanddividingitamongthemselves，hadassumedahostileattitude。Thentheybegantofear；fearsuggestedanewthought，thatactsmightbemadeameritofwithVespasian，whichwouldhavetobeexcusedtoVitellius。Accordingly，thethreelegionsofMoesiasoughtbylettertowinoverthearmyofPannonia，andpreparedtouseforceiftheyrefused。Duringthiscommotion，AponiusSaturnius，governorofMoesia，venturedonamostatrociousact。HedespatchedacenturiontomurderTettiusJulianus，thelegateofthe7thlegion，togratifyaprivatepique，whichheconcealedbeneaththeappearanceofpartyzeal。Julianus，havingdiscoveredhisdanger，andprocuredsomeguides，whowereacquaintedwiththecountry，fledthroughthepathlesswastesofMoesiabeyondMountHaemus，nordidheafterwardstakeanypartinthecivilwar。HesetouttojoinVespasian，butcontrivedtoprotracthisjourneybyvariouspretexts，lingeringorhasteningonhisway，accordingtotheintelligencehereceived。

InPannonia，however，the13thlegionandthe7th(Galba\'s)，whichstillretainedtheirvexationandrageatthedefeatofBedriacum，joinedVespasianwithouthesitation，mainlyundertheinfluenceofPrimusAntonius。Thisman，thoughanoffenderagainstthelaw，andconvictedoffraudinthereignofNero，had，amongtheothercalamitiesofwar，recoveredhisrankasaSenator。HavingbeenappointedbyGalbatocommandthe7thlegion，hewascommonlybelievedtohaveoftenwrittentoOtho，offeringthepartyhisservicesasageneral。Beingslighted，however，bythatPrince，hefoundnoemploymentduringthewar。WhenthefortunesofVitelliusbegantototter，heattachedhimselftoVespasian，andbroughtavastaccessionofstrengthtohisparty。Hewasbraveinbattle，readyofspeech，dexterousinbringingodiumuponothermen，powerfulamidstcivilstrifeandrebellion，rapacious，prodigal，theworstofcitizensinpeace，butinwarnocontemptibleally。Unitedbythesemeans，thearmiesofMoesiaandPannoniadrewwiththemthesoldieryofDalmatia，thoughtheconsularlegatestooknopartinthemovement。TitusAmpiusFlavianuswasthegovernorofPannonia，PoppaeusSilvanusofDalmatia。

Theywerebothrichandadvancedinyears。TheImperialprocurator，however，wasCorneliusFuscus，amanintheprimeoflifeandofillustriousbirth。Thoughinearlyyouththedesireofreposehadledhimtoresignhissenatorialrank，heafterwardsputhimselfattheheadofhiscolonyinfightingforGalba，andbythisserviceheobtainedhisprocuratorship。SubsequentlyembracingthecauseofVespasian，helentthemovementthestimulusofafieryzeal。

Findinghispleasurenotsomuchintherewardsofperilasinperilitself，toassuredandlongacquiredpossessionhepreferrednovelty，uncertainty，andrisk。Accordingly，bothheandAntoniusstrovetoagitateanddisturbwherevertherewasanyweakpoint。

Despatchesweresenttothe14thlegioninBritainandtothe1stinSpain，forboththeselegionshadbeenonthesideofOthoagainstVitellius。LetterstoowerescatteredthrougheverypartofGaul，andinamomentamightywarburstintoflame，forthearmiesofIllyricumwerealreadyinopenrevolt，andtherestwerewaitingonlythesignalofsuccess。

WhileVespasianandthegeneralsofhispartywerethusoccupiedintheprovinces，Vitelliuswasdailybecomingmorecontemptibleandindolent，haltingtoenjoythepleasuresofeverytownandvillainhisway，aswithhiscumbroushostheadvancedtowardsthecapital。Hewasfollowedby60，000armedsoldiersdemoralizedbylicence。Stilllargerwasthenumberofcamp-followers；andofallslaves，theslavesofsoldiersarethemostunruly。Sonumerousaretinueofofficersandpersonalfriendswouldhavebeendifficulttokeepunderrestraint，evenifcontrolledbythestrictestdiscipline。ThecrowdwasmademoreunwieldybySenatorsandKnightswhocametomeethimfromthecapital，somemovedbyfear，manybyaspiritofadulation，others，andbydegreesall，thattheymightnotbeleftbehindwhiletherestweregoing。Fromthedregsofthepeopletherethrongedbuffoons，players，andcharioteers，knowntoVitelliusfromtheirinfamouscompliancewithhisvices；forinsuchdisgracefulfriendshipshefeltastrangepleasure。Andnownotonlywerethecoloniesandtownsexhaustedbyhavingtofurnishsupplies，buttheverycultivatorofthesoilandhislands，onwhichtheharvestswerenowripe，wereplunderedlikeanenemy\'sterritory。

Thereweremanysanguinaryencountersbetweenthesoldiers；foreversincethemutinywhichbrokeoutatTicinumtherehadlingeredaspiritofdissensionbetweenthelegionsandtheauxiliarytroops，thoughtheycouldunitewhenevertheyhadtofightwiththerusticpopulation。Themostterriblemassacretookplaceatthe7thmilestonefromRome。Vitelliuswasdistributingtoeachsoldierprovisionsreadydressedonthesameabundantscaleasthegladiators\'rations，andthepopulacehadpouredforth，andspreadthemselvesthroughouttheentirecamp。Somewiththefrolicsomehumourofslavesrobbedthecarelesssoldiersbyslilycuttingtheirbelts，andthenaskedthemwhethertheywerearmed。Unusedtoinsult，thespiritofthesoldiersresentedthejest。Swordinhandtheyfellupontheunarmedpeople。Amongtheslainwasthefatherofasoldier，whowaswithhisson。Hewasafterwardsrecognised，andhismurderbecominggenerallyknown，theysparedtheinnocentcrowd。YettherewasapanicatRome，asthesoldierspressedoninalldirections。Itwastotheforumthattheychieflydirectedtheirsteps，anxioustobeholdthespotwhereGalbahadfallen。Norwerethementhemselvesalessfrightfulspectacle，bristlingastheywerewiththeskinsofwildbeasts，andarmedwithhugelances，whileintheirstrangenesstotheplacetheywereembarrassedbythecrowdsofpeople，ortumblingdownintheslipperystreetsorfromtheshockofsomecasualencounter，theyfelltoquarrelling，andthenhadrecoursetoblowsandtheuseoftheirswords。Besides，thetribunesandprefectswerehurryingtoandfrowithformidablebodiesofarmedmen。

Vitelliushimself，mountedonasplendidcharger，withmilitarycloakandsword，advancedfromtheMulvianbridge，drivingtheSenateandpeoplebeforehim；butdeterredbytheadviceofhisfriendsfrommarchingintoRomeasifitwereacapturedcity，heassumedacivilgarb，andproceededwithhisarmyinorderlyarray。

Theeaglesoffourlegionswereborneinfront，andanequalnumberofcoloursfromotherlegionsoneitherside，thencamethestandardsoftwelveauxiliarysquadrons，andthecavalrybehindtheranksoftheinfantry。Nextcamethirty-fourauxiliarycohorts，distinguishedaccordingtothenamesorvariousequipmentsofthenations。Beforeeacheagleweretheprefectsofthecamp，thetribunes，andthecenturionsofhighestrank，inwhiterobes，andtheotherofficersbythesideoftheirrespectivecompanies，glitteringwitharmsanddecorations。Theornamentsandchainsofthesoldierspresentedabrilliantappearance。Itwasaglorioussight，andthearmywasworthyofabetterEmperorthanVitellius。Thusheenteredthecapital，andhethereembracedhismotherandhonouredherwiththetitleofAugusta。

Thenextday，asifhewereaddressingtheSenateandpeopleofanotherState，hepronouncedahighpanegyriconhimself，extollinghisownenergyandmoderation，thoughhisenormitieswereknowntotheverypersonswhowerepresentandtothewholeofItaly，hisprogressthroughwhichhadbeendisgracedbyslothandprofligacy。Yetthemob，whohadnopatrioticanxieties，andwho，withoutdistinguishingbetweentruthandfalsehood，hadlearntthelessonofhabitualflattery，applaudedhimwithshoutsandacclamations，and，reluctantashewastoassumethenameofAugustus，extortedfromhimacomplianceasidleashispreviousrefusal。

Thecountry，readytofindameaningineverycircumstance，regardeditasanomenofgloomyimportthatVitellius，onobtainingtheofficeofsupremePontiff，shouldhaveissuedaproclamationconcerningthepublicreligiousceremonialonthe18thofJuly，adaywhichfromoldtimesthedisastersofCremeraandAlliahadmarkedasunlucky。

Thusutterlyregardlessofalllawhumananddivine，withfreedmenandfriendsasrecklessashimself，helivedasifhewereamongasetofdrunkards。Stillattheconsularelectionshewaspresentincompanywiththecandidateslikeanordinarycitizen，andbyshewinghimselfasaspectatorinthetheatre，asapartisaninthecircus，hecourtedeverybreathofapplausefromthelowestrabble。Agreeableandpopularasthisconductwouldhavebeen，haditbeenpromptedbynoblequalities，itwaslookeduponasundignifiedandcontemptiblefromtheremembranceofhispastlife。HehabituallyappearedintheSenateevenwhenunimportantmatterswereunderdiscussion；anditoncehappenedthatPriscusHelvidius，thepraetorelect，hadspokenagainsthiswishes。Thoughatthemomentprovoked，heonlycalledonthetribunesofthepeopletosupporthisinsultedauthority，andthen，whenhisfriends，whofearedhisresentmentwasdeeperthanitappeared，soughttoappeasehim，herepliedthatitwasnothingstrangethattwosenatorsinaCommonwealthshoulddisagree:hehadhimselfbeeninthehabitofopposingThrasea。Mostofthemlaughedattheeffronteryofsuchacomparison，thoughsomewerepleasedattheverycircumstanceofhishavingselected，notoneofthemostinfluentialmenofthetime，butThrasea，ashismodeloftrueglory。

HehadadvancedtothecommandofthePraetorianGuardPubliusSabinus，aprefectofthecohort，andJuliusPriscus，thenonlyacenturion。ItwasthroughtheinfluenceofCaecinaandValensthattheyrespectivelyrosetopower。Thoughalwaysatvariance，thesetwomenleftnoauthoritytoVitellius。ThefunctionsofEmpireweredischargedbyCaecinaandValens。Theyhadlongbeforebeenledtosuspecteachotherbyanimositiesscarcelyconcealedamidthecaresofthecampaignandthecamp，andaggravatedbyunprincipledfriendsandastateofsocietycalculatedtoproducesuchfeuds。Intheirstrugglesforpopularity，intheirlongretinues，andinthevastcrowdsattheirlevees，theyviedwitheachotherandchallengedcomparison，whilethefavourofVitelliusinclinedfirsttoone，andthentotheother。Therecanneverbecompleteconfidenceinapowerwhichisexcessive。Vitelliushimself，whowasevervaryingbetweensuddenirritationandunseasonablefondness，theyatoncedespisedandfeared。StillthishadnotmadethemlesskeentoseizeonpalacesandgardensandallthewealthoftheEmpire，whileasadandneedythrongofnobles，whomwiththeirchildrenGalbahadrestoredtotheircountry，receivednorelieffromthecompassionoftheEmperor。ByanedictwhichgratifiedtheleadingmenoftheState，whileitapproveditselfeventothepopulace，Vitelliusgavebacktothereturnedexilestheirrightsovertheirfreedmen，althoughservileingenuitysoughtineverywaytoneutralisetheboon，concealingmoneyinquarterswhicheitherobscurityorrankrenderedsecure。SomefreedmenhadmadetheirwayintothepalaceoftheEmperor，andthusbecamemorepowerfuleventhantheirpatrons。

Meanwhilethesoldiers，astheirnumbersoverflowedthecrowdedcamp，dispersedthroughouttheporticoes，thetemples，andthewholecapital，didnotknowtheirownheadquarters，keptnowatch，andceasedtobracethemselvesbytoil。Amidsttheallurementsofthecityandallshamefulexcesses，theywastedtheirstrengthinidleness，andtheirenergiesinriot。Atlast，recklessevenofhealth，alargeportionofthemquarteredthemselvesinthenotoriouslypestilentialneighbourhoodoftheVatican；henceensuedagreatmortalityintheranks。TheTiberwascloseathand，andtheirextremeeagernessforthewaterandtheirimpatienceoftheheatweakenedtheconstitutionsoftheGermansandGauls，alwaysliabletodisease。Tomakemattersworse，theorganisationoftheservicewasderangedbyunprincipledintrigueandfavour。SixteenPraetorianandfourcitycohortswerebeingraised，eachtoconsistofathousandmen。InthislevyValensventuredtodomorethanhisrivalonthepretenceofhishavingrescuedCaecinahimselffromperil。Doubtlesshisarrivalhadrestoredthefortunesoftheparty，andhisvictoryhadreversedtheunfavourablerumoursoccasionedbyhistardyadvance。TheentirearmytooofLowerGermanywasattachedtohim；thiscircumstance，itisthought，firstmadetheallegianceofCaecinawaver。

MuchhoweverasVitelliusindulgedhisgenerals，hissoldiersenjoyedyetgreaterlicence。Everyonechosehisownservice。

Howeverunfit，hemight，ifhepreferredit，beenrolledamongthesoldiersofthecapital。Soldiersagainofgoodcharacterwereallowed，iftheysowished，toremainwiththelegions，orinthecavalry；andthiswasthechoiceofmanywhowerewornoutwithdisease，orwhoshrankfromtheunhealthinessoftheclimate。Butthemainstrengthofthelegionsandcavalrywasdraftedfromthem，whiletheoldgloryofthePraetoriancampwasdestroyedbythese20，000menindiscriminatelytakenratherthanchosenoutofthewholearmy。WhileVitelliuswasharanguingthetroops，themencalledoutfortheexecutionofAsiaticus，andofFlaviusandRufinus，theGallicchieftains，becausetheyhadfoughtforVindex。Henevercheckedthesecries；fortosaynothingofthecowardicenaturaltothatfeeblesoul，hewasawarethatthedistributionofadonativewasimminent，and，havingnomoney，helavishedeverythingelseonthesoldiers。AcontributionintheformofataxwasexactedfromthefreedmenofformerEmperorsinproportiontothenumberoftheirslaves。Vitelliushimself，thinkingonlyhowtosquander，wasbuildingastableforhischarioteers，wasfillingthecircuswithshowsofgladiatorsandwildbeasts，andfoolingawayhismoneyasifhehadthemostabundantsupplies。

MoreoverCaecinaandValenscelebratedthebirthdayofVitelliusbyexhibitingineveryquarterofthecityshowsofgladiatorsonavastandhithertounparalleledscale。Hepleasedthemostinfamouscharacters，bututterlydisgustedalltherespectablecitizens，bybuildingaltarsintheCampusMartius，andperformingfuneralritestoNero。VictimswereslaughteredandburntinthenameoftheState；thepilewaskindledbytheAugustales，anorderofthepriesthooddedicatedbytheEmperorTiberiustotheJulianfamily，justasRomulushaddedicatedonetokingTatius。WithinfourmonthsfromthevictoryofBedriacum，Asiaticus，theEmperor\'sfreedman，wasrivallingthePolycleti，thePatrobii，andalltheoldhatefulnames。Noonesoughtpromotioninthatcourtbyintegrityordiligence；thesoleroadtopowerwastogluttheinsatiableappetitesofVitelliusbyprodigalentertainments，extravagance，andriot。TheEmperorhimself，thinkingitenoughtoenjoythepresent，andwithoutathoughtforthefuture，isbelievedtohavesquanderedninehundredmillionsestercesinaveryfewmonths。Rome，asmiserableasshewasgreat，afflictedinoneyearbyanOthoandaVitellius，whatwiththeVinii，theFabii，theIceli，andtheAsiatici，passedthroughallvicissitudesofinfamy，tilltherecameMucianusandMarcellus，anddifferentmenratherthanadifferentmorality。

ThefirstrevoltofwhichVitelliusreceivedtidingswasthatofthe3rdlegion，despatcheshavingbeensentbyAponiusSaturninusbeforehetooattachedhimselftothepartyofVespasian。Aponius，however，agitatedbytheunexpectedoccurrence，hadnotwrittenalltheparticulars，andflatteringfriendssofteneddownitsimport。"Itwas，"theysaid，"amutinyofonlyasinglelegion；theloyaltyoftheotherarmieswasunshaken。"Vitelliusinaddressingthesoldiersspoketothesameeffect。HeinveighedagainstthelatelydisbandedPraetorians，andassertedthatfalserumourswerecirculatedbythem，andthattherewasnofearofacivilwar。ThenameofVespasianhesuppressed，andsoldiersweredispersedthroughthecitytocheckthepopulargossip。Thismorethananythingelsekepttheserumoursalive。

NeverthelessVitelliussummonedauxiliarytroopsfromGermany，Britain，andSpain，tardily，however，andwithanattempttoconcealhisnecessities。Thelegatesandtheprovinceswereequallyslow。

HordeoniusFlaccus，whowasbeginningtosuspecttheBatavians，fearedthatheshouldhaveawaronhisownhands，andVettiusBolanushadinBritainaprovinceneververyquiet；andboththeseofficerswerewaveringintheirallegiance。Spaintoo，whichthenwaswithoutagovernorofconsularrank，showednoalacrity。Thelegatesofthethreelegions，equalinauthority，andready，whileVitelliuswasprosperous，tovieinobedience，stoodaloofwithoneconsentfromhisfallingfortunes。InAfrica，thelegion，andtheauxiliaryinfantryleviedbyClodiusMacerandsoonafterdisbandedbyGalba，againenteredtheserviceattheorderofVitellius，whilealltherestoftheyouthpromptlygaveintheirnames。Vitelliushadruledthatprovinceasproconsulwithintegrityandpopularity；Vespasian\'sgovernmenthadbeeninfamousandodious。Thealliesformedconjecturesaccordinglyastothemannerinwhicheachwouldreign，buttheresultcontradictedthem。

AtfirstValeriusFestus，thelegate，loyallysecondedthezealoftheprovincials。Soonhebegantowaver，supportingVitelliusinhispublicdispatchesandedicts，Vespasianinhissecretcorrespondence，andintendingtoholdbytheoneortheotheraccordingastheymightsucceed。Somesoldiersandcenturions，comingthroughRhaetiaandGaul，wereseizedwithlettersandedictsfromVespasian，andonbeingsenttoVitelliuswereputtodeath。

More，however，eludeddiscovery，escapingeitherthroughthefaithfulprotectionoffriendsorbytheirowntact。ThusthepreparationsofVitelliusbecameknown，whiletheplansofVespasianwereforthemostpartkeptsecret。AtfirstthesupinenessofVitelliuswasinfault；afterwardstheoccupationofthePannonianAlpswithtroopsstoppedallintelligence。AndontheseatheprevalentEtesianwindsfavouredaneastwardvoyage，buthinderedallreturn。

AtlengthVitellius，appalledbytheirruptionoftheenemyandbythemenacingintelligencefromeveryquarter，orderedCaecinaandValenstotakethefield。Caecinawassentoninadvance；Valens，whowasjustrecoveringfromasevereillness，wasdelayedbyweakness。FardifferentwastheappearanceoftheGermanarmyasitmarchedoutofthecapital。Allstrengthhaddepartedfromtheirbodies，allenergyfromtheirspirits。Slowly，andwiththinranks，thecolumnmovedalong，theirweaponsfeeblygrasped，theirhorsesspiritless。Thesoldiers，impatientoftheheat，thedust，andtheweather，inproportionastheywerelesscapableofenduringtoil，weremorereadyformutiny。AllthiswasaggravatedbytheoldvanityofCaecina，andbytheindolencethathadoflatecreptoverhim；presumingontheexcessivefavouroffortune，hehadabandonedhimselftoluxury。Perhapshemeditatedperfidy，anditwaspartofhispolicytoenervatethecourageofthearmy。ManybelievethathisfidelityhadbeenshakenbythesuggestionsofFlaviusSabinus，whoemployedRubriusGallusasthebearerofcommunicationsintimatingthattheconditionsofdesertionwouldbeheldbindingbyVespasian。

AtthesametimehewasremindedofhishatredandjealousyofFabiusValens。BeinginferiortohisrivalininfluencewithVitellius，heshouldseektosecurefavourandpowerwiththenewEmperor。

Caecina，havingembracedVitelliusandreceivedtokensofhighdistinction，lefthim，andsentadetachmentofcavalrytooccupyCremona。Itwasfollowedbytheveterantroopsofthe4th，10th，and16thlegions，bythe5thand22ndlegions，andtherearwasbroughtupbythe21st(theRapax)andthefirstItalianlegionwiththeveterantroopsofthreeBritishlegions，andachosenbodyofauxiliaries。AfterthedepartureofCaecina，Valenssentadespatchtothearmywhichhadbeenunderhisowncommandwithdirectionsthatitshouldwaitforhimontheroad；such，hesaid，washisarrangementwithCaecina。Caecina，however，beingwiththearmyinperson，andconsequentlyhavinggreaterinfluence，pretendedthatthisplanhadbeenchanged，sothatthegatheringforcesoftheenemymightbemetwiththeirwholestrength。OrderswerethereforegiventothelegionstoadvancewithallspeeduponCremona，whileaportionoftheforcewastoproceedtoHostilia。CaecinahimselfturnedasidetoRavenna，onthepretextthathewishedtoaddressthefleet。Soon，however，hesoughttheretirementofPatavium，theretoconcerthistreachery。LuciliusBassus，whohadbeenpromotedbyVitelliusfromthecommandofasquadronofcavalrytobeadmiralofthefleetsatRavennaandMisenum，failingimmediatelytoobtainthecommandofthePraetorianGuardsoughttogratifyhisunreasonableresentmentbyanatrociousactofperfidy。ItcannotbecertainlyknownwhetherhecarriedCaecinawithhim，orwhether(asisoftenthecasewithbadmen，thattheyarelikeeachother)bothwereactuatedbythesameevilmotives。

Thehistoriansoftheperiod，whoduringtheascendancyoftheFlavianfamilycomposedthechroniclesofthiswar，haveinthedistortedrepresentationsofflatteryassignedasthemotivesofthesemenaregardforpeaceandaloveoftheircountry。FormyownpartIbelievethat，tosaynothingofanaturalficklenessandanhonourwhichtheymusthaveheldcheapafterthebetrayalofGalba，feelingsofrivalry，andjealousylestothersshouldoutstriptheminthefavourofVitellius，madethemaccomplishhisruin。Caecina，havingovertakenthelegions，strovebyeveryspeciesofartificetounderminethefidelityofthecenturionsandsoldiers，whoweredevotedtoVitellius。Bassus，inmakingthesameattempt，experiencedlessdifficulty，forthefleet，rememberinghowrecentlyithadservedinthecauseofOtho，wasreadytochangeitsallegiance。

BOOKIII，September-December，A。D。69

UNDERhappierauspicesandinamoreloyalspirittheFlavianistleaderswerediscussingtheplansofthecampaign。TheyhadassembledatPetovio，thewinter-quartersofthe13thlegion。Theretheydebated，whethertheyshouldblockadethepassesofthePannonianAlpstillthewholestrengthoftheirpartyshouldbegatheredintheirrear，orwhetheritwouldbethemorevigorouspolicytoclosewiththeenemy，andtocontendforthepossessionofItaly。Thosewhothoughtitadvisabletowaitforreinforcements，andtoprotractthecampaign，dweltonthestrengthandreputationoftheGermanlegions。"Vitellius，"theysaid，"hasnowjoinedthemwiththefloweroftheBritisharmy。Ournumbersarenotevenequaltothoseofthelegionswhomtheylatelydefeated；andtheconquered，letthemtalkasfiercelyastheywill，losesomethingoftheircourage。But，ifweoccupymeanwhilethepassesoftheAlps，MucianuswillcomeupwiththeforcesoftheEast。Vespasianhasinadditionthecommandofthesea，hisfleets，andprovincesloyaltohiscause，inwhichhemaycollectthevastmaterialsforwhatmaybecalledanotherwar。Asalutarydelaywillbringusnewforces，whileweshalllosenothingofwhatwehave。"

Inanswertothis，AntoniusPrimus，whowasthemostenergeticpromoterofthewar，declaredthatpromptactionwouldbeadvantageoustothemselves，andfataltoVitellius。"Supineness，"hesaid，"ratherthanconfidencehasgrownupontheconquerors。Theyarenotevenkeptunderarmsorwithincamps。IneverytownofItaly，sunkinsloth，formidableonlytotheirentertainers，theyhavedrunkofunaccustomedpleasureswithaneagernessequaltotherudenessoftheirformerlife。Theyhavebeenemasculatedbythecircus，thetheatre，andtheallurementsofthecapital，ortheyarewornoutwithsickness。Yeteventothesemen，ifyougivethemtime，theiroldvigourwillreturnwiththepreparationforwar。Germany，whencetheirstrengthisdrawn，isfaraway；Britainisseparatedonlybyastrait；theprovincesofGaulandSpainarenear；oneithersidetheycanfindtroops，horses，tribute；theyhaveItalyitself，andtheresourcesofthecapital，and，shouldtheychoosethemselvestotaketheoffensive，theyhavetwofleets，andtheIllyrianseaopentothem。Whatgoodthenwillourmountain-passesdous？Whatwillbetheuseofhavingprotractedthewarintoanothersummer？Wherearewetofindinthemeanwhilemoneyandsupplies？WhynotratheravailourselvesofthefactthatthelegionsofPannonia，whichwerecheatedratherthanvanquished，arehasteningtoriseagainforvengeance，andthatthearmiesofMoesiahavebroughtustheirunimpairedstrength？

Ifyoureckonthenumberofsoldiers，ratherthanthatoflegions，wehavegreaterstrength，andnovices，forourveryhumiliationhasbeenmosthelpfultoourdiscipline。Asforthecavalry，theywerenotvanquishedevenonthatday；thoughthefortuneofwarwasagainstthem，theypenetratedtheVitellianistlines。TwosquadronsofMoesianandPannoniancavalrythenbrokethroughtheenemy；nowtheunitedstandardsofsixteensquadronswillburyandoverwhelmwiththecrashanddinandstormoftheironsetthesehorsesandhorsementhathaveforgottenhowtofight。Unlessanyonehindersme，Iwhosuggestwillexecutetheplan。You，whosefortuneneversufferedareverse，maykeepbackthelegions；thelightcohortswillbeenoughforme。BeforelongyouwillhearthatItalyhasbeenopened，andthepowerofVitelliusshaken。Youwillbedelightedtofollow，andtotreadinthefootstepsofvictory。"

Withflashingeyes，andinthefiercetonesthatmightbemostwidelyheard(forthecenturionsandsomeofthecommonsoldiershadintrudedthemselvesintothedeliberations)，hepouredoutsuchatorrentoftheseandsimilarwords，thathecarriedawayeventhecautiousandprudent，whilethegeneralvoiceofthemultitudeextolledhimastheoneman，theonegeneralinthearmy，andspurnedtheinactionoftheothers。Hehadraisedthisreputationforhimselfattheveryfirstassembly，when，afterVespasian\'slettershadbeenread，hehadnot，likemany，usedambiguouslanguage，onwhichhemightputthisorthatconstructionasmightservehispurpose。Itwasseenthatheopenlycommittedhimselftothecause，andhehadthereforegreaterweightwiththesoldiers，asbeingassociatedwiththeminwhatwaseithertheircrimeortheirglory。

NexttoPrimusininfluencewasCorneliusFuscus，theprocurator。HealsohadbeenaccustomedtoinveighmercilesslyagainstVitellius，andhadthuslefthimselfnohopeintheeventofdefeat。T。AmpiusFlavianus，disposedtocautionbynaturaltemperamentandadvancedyears，excitedinthesoldiersasuspicionthathestillrememberedhisrelationshiptoVitellius；andashehadfledwhenthemovementinthelegionsbegan，andhadthenvoluntarilyreturned，itwasbelievedthathehadsoughtanopportunityfortreachery。FlavianusindeedhadleftPannonia，andhadenteredItaly，andwasoutofthewayofdanger，whenhisdesireforrevolutionurgedhimtoresumethetitleofLegate，andtotakepartinthecivilstrife。CorneliusFuscushadadvisedhimtothiscourse，notthatheneededthetalentsofFlavianus，butwishingthataconsularnamemightclothewithitshighprestigetheveryfirstmovementsoftheparty。

Still，thatthepassageintoItalymightbesafeandadvantageous，directionsweresenttoAponiusSaturninustohastenupwiththearmiesofMoesia。Thattheprovincesmightnotbeexposedwithoutdefencetothebarbariantribes，theprincesoftheSarmataeIazyges，whohadintheirhandsthegovernmentofthatnation，wereenrolledinthearmy。Thesechiefsalsoofferedtheserviceoftheirpeople，anditsforceofcavalry，theironlyeffectivetroops；buttheofferwasdeclined，lestinthemidstofcivilstrifetheyshouldattemptsomehostileenterprise，or，influencedbyhigheroffersfromotherquarters，shouldcastoffallsenseofrightandduty。SidoandItalicus，kingsoftheSuevi，werebroughtovertothecause。

TheirloyaltytotheRomanpeoplewasoflongstanding，andtheirnationwasmorefaithfulthantheothertoanytrustreposedinthem。Ontheflankofthearmywerepostedsomeauxiliaries，forRhaetiawashostile，PortiusSeptimius，theprocurator，remainingincorruptiblyfaithfultoVitellius。Accordingly，SextiliusFelixwithAurius\'Horse，eightcohorts，andthenativeleviesofNoricum，wassenttooccupythebankoftheriverAenus，whichflowsbetweenRhaetiaandNoricum。Neitherhazardedanengagement，andthefateofthetwopartieswasdecidedelsewhere。

Antonius，ashehurriedwiththeveteransoldiersofthecohortsandpartofthecavalrytoinvadeItaly，wasaccompaniedbyArriusVarus，anenergeticsoldier。ServiceunderCorbulo，andsuccessesinArmenia，hadgainedforhimthisreputation；yetitwasgenerallysaid，thatinsecretconversationswithNerohehadcalumniatedCorbulo\'shighqualities。Thefavourthusinfamouslyacquiredmadehimacenturionofthefirstrank，yettheill-gottenprosperityofthemomentafterwardsturnedtohisdestruction。PrimusandVarus，havingoccupiedAquileia，werejoyfullywelcomedintheneighbourhood，andinthetownsofOpitergiumandAltinum。AtAltinumaforcewaslefttoopposetheRavennafleet，thedefectionofwhichfromVitelliuswasnotyetknown。TheynextattachedtotheirpartyPataviumandAteste。Theretheylearntthatthreecohorts，belongingtoVitellius，andtheSebonianHorsehadtakenupapositionattheForumAlieni，wheretheyhadthrownabridgeacrosstheriver。Itwasdeterminedtoseizetheopportunityofattackingthisforce，unpreparedasitwas；forthisfacthadlikewisebeencommunicated。

Cominguponthematdawn，theykilledmanybeforetheycouldarm。

Ordershadbeengiventoslaybutfew，andtoconstraintherestbyfeartotransfertheirallegiance。Someindeedatoncesurrendered，butthegreaterpartbrokedownthebridge，andthuscutofftheadvanceofthepursuingenemy。

Whenthissuccessbecameknown，twolegions，theseventh(Galba\'s)

andtheeighteenth(theGemina)，findingthecampaignopeninginfavouroftheFlavianists，repairedwithalacritytoPataviumunderthecommandofVediusAquilathelegate。Afewdaysweretheretakenforrest，andMinuciusJustus，prefectofthecampinthe7thlegion，whoruledwithmorestrictnessthanacivilwarwillpermit，waswithdrawnfromtheexasperatedsoldiery，andsenttoVespasian。Anactthathadbeenlongdesiredwastakenbyaflatteringconstructionformorethanitwasworth，whenAntoniusgaveordersthatthestatuesofGalba，whichhadbeenthrowndownduringthetroublesofthetimes，shouldberestoredinallthetowns。Itwould，hesupposed，reflecthonouronthecause，ifitwerethoughtthattheyhadbeenfriendlytoGalba\'srule，andthathispartywasagainrisingintostrength。

Thenextquestionwas，whatplaceshouldbeselectedastheseatofwar。Veronaseemedthemosteligible，surroundedasitwaswithopenplains，suitablefortheactionofcavalry，inwhichtheywereverystrong。AtthesametimeitwasthoughtthatinwrestingfromVitelliusacolonysorichinresourcestherewouldbebothprofitandglory。TheysecuredVicetiabysimplypassingthroughit。Thoughinitselfasmallgain，forthetownisbutofmoderatestrength，itwasconsideredanimportantadvantagewhentheyreflectedthatinthistownCaecinawasborn，andthatthegeneraloftheenemyhadlosthisnativeplace。ThepeopleofVeronawereavaluableaid；theyservedthecausebytheexampleoftheirzealandbytheirwealth，andthearmythusoccupiedapositionbetweenRhaetiaandtheJulianAlps。

ItwastocutoffallpassageatthispointfromthearmiesofGermanythattheyhadbarredthisroute。Allthiswasdoneeitherwithouttheknowledge，oragainstthecommandsofVespasian。HegaveordersthatthearmyshouldhaltatAquileiaandthereawaitMucianus；andtheseordershesupportedbytheargument，thatasAegypt，whichcommandedthecornsupplies，andtherevenuesofthewealthiestprovinceswereinhishands，thearmyofVitelliuswouldbecompelledtocapitulatefromthewantofpayandprovisions。

Mucianusinfrequentlettersadvisedthesamepolicy；avictorythatshouldcostneitherbloodnortears，andotherobjectsofthekind，werehispretexts；butintruthhewasgreedyofglory，andanxioustokeepthewholecreditofthewartohimself。Owing，however，tothevastdistances，theadvicecameonlyafterthematterwasdecided。

ThenAntoniusbyasuddenmovementfellupontheoutpostsoftheenemy，andmadetrialoftheircourageinaslightskirmish，thecombatantsseparatingonequalterms。Soonafterwards，CaecinastronglyfortifiedacampbetweenHostilia，avillagebelongingtoVerona，andthemarshesoftheriverTartarus，wherehispositionwassecure，ashisrearwascoveredbytheriver，andhisflankbyinterveningmarshes。Hadheonlybeenloyal，thosetwolegions，whichhadnotbeenjoinedbythearmyofMoesia，mighthavebeencrushedbytheunitedstrengthoftheVitellianists，ordrivenbackandcompelledtoevacuateItalyinadisgracefulretreat。Caecina，however，byvariousdelaysbetrayedtotheenemytheearlyopportunitiesofthecampaign，assailingbylettersthosewhomitwaseasytodriveoutbyforceofarms，untilbyhisenvoyshesettledtheconditionsofhistreachery。InthisintervalAponiusSaturninuscameupwiththe7thlegion(Claudius\')。ThislegionwascommandedbythetribuneVipstanusMessalla，amanofillustriousfamily，himselfhighlydistinguished，theonlymanwhohadbroughtintothatconflictanhonestpurpose。Tothisarmy，whichwasfarfromequallingtheforcesofVitellius(itinfactconsistedofthreelegions)，Caecinadespatchedaletterreproachingthemwithrashnessinagaindrawingtheswordinavanquishedcause。AtthesametimeheextolledthevalouroftheGermanarmy；ofVitelliushemadebutsomeslightandcommon-placementionwithoutanyabuseofVespasian。

Certainlyhesaidnothingwhichcouldeitherseduceorterrifytheenemy。TheleadersoftheFlavianistparty，omittingallapologyfortheirformerfortune，atoncetookupatoneofhighpraiseofVespasian，ofconfidenceintheircause，ofsecurityastotheirarmy，andofhostilitytoVitellius，whilehopeswereheldouttothetribunesandcenturionsofretainingtheprivilegeswhichVitelliushadgrantedthem，andCaecinawashimselfencouragedinnoambiguoustermstochangesides。Theselettersreadtotheassembledarmyincreasedtheirconfidence；forCaecinahadwritteninahumblestrain，asifhefearedtooffendVespasian，whiletheirowngeneralshadusedcontemptuouslanguage，meant，itwouldseem，toinsultVitellius。

Onthesubsequentarrivaloftwolegions，thethirdcommandedbyDilliusAponianus，theeighthbyNumisiusLupus，itwasresolvedtomakeademonstrationoftheirstrength，andtosurroundVeronawithmilitarylines。ItsohappenedthatGalba\'slegionhadhadtheirworkallottedtothemonthatsidethelineswhichfacedtheenemy，andthatsomeofthealliedcavalryappearinginthedistanceweretakenfortheenemy，andexcitedagroundlesspanic。Theyflewtoarms，andastherageofthesoldiersatthesupposedtreacheryfelluponT。AmpiusFlavianus，notfromanyproofofhisguilt，butbecausehehadbeenlongunpopular，theyclamouredforhisdeathinaverywhirlwindofpassion，vociferatingthathewasthekinsmanofVitellius，thathehadbetrayedOtho，thathehadembezzledthedonative。Hecouldgetnoopportunityofdefendinghimself，eventhoughhestretchedouthishandsinentreaty，repeatedlyprostratinghimselfontheground，hisgarmentstorn，hisbreastandfeaturesconvulsedwithsobs。Thisveryconductprovokedafreshthesefuriousmen，forfearsoexcessiveseemedtoargueaconsciousnessofguilt。Aponiuswasclamoureddownbytheshoutsofthesoldiers，whenheattemptedtoaddressthem；everyoneelsewasrepulsedwithnoisycries。ToAntoniusalonethesoldiers\'earswereopen；forhehadeloquence，theartofsoothinganangrycrowd，andpersonalinfluence。Asthemutinygrewfiercer，andthesoldierswentonfromabuseandtauntstousetheirhandsandtheirweapons，heorderedthatFlavianusshouldbeputinirons。Thesoldierssawwhatamockeryitwas，andpushingasidethosewhowereguardingthetribunal，wereabouttocommitthemostoutrageousviolence。

Antoniusthrewhimselfinthewaywithhissworddrawn，protestingthathewoulddieeitherbythesoldiers\'handsorbyhisown；

wheneverhesawanyonewhowasknowntohim，orwhowasdistinguishedbyanymilitarydecoration，hesummonedhimbynametohisassistance。

Thenheturnedtothestandards，andprayedtothegodsofwar，thattheywouldinspirethearmiesoftheenemy，ratherthanhisown，withsuchmadnessandsuchstrife。Sothemutinybegantoabate，andatthecloseofthedaythemendispersedtotheirtents。ThesamenightFlavianussetout，andbeingmetbylettersfromVespasian，wasrelievedfromhisperilousposition。

Thelegionshadcaughttheinfectionofmutiny，andnextassailedAponiusSaturnius，legateofthearmyofMoesia，thistimethemorefuriouslybecausetheirragebrokeout，notasbefore，whentheywereweariedwithlabourandmilitarytoils，butatmid-day。Somelettershadbeenpublished，whichSaturninuswasbelievedtohavewrittentoVitellius。Ifoncetheyhademulatedeachotherinvalourandobedience，sonowtherewasarivalryininsubordinationandinsolence，tilltheyclamouredasviolentlyfortheexecutionofAponiusastheyhadforthatofFlavianus。ThelegionsofMoesiarecalledhowtheyhadaidedthevengeanceofthePannonianarmy，whilethesoldiersofPannonia，asiftheywereabsolvedbythemutinyofothers，tookadelightinrepeatingtheirfault。TheyhastenedtothegardensinwhichSaturninuswaspassinghistime，anditwasnottheeffortsofPrimusAntonius，Aponianus，andMessalla，thoughtheyexertedthemselvestotheuttermost，thatsavedhim，somuchastheobscurityofthehiding-placeinwhichheconcealedhimself，forhewashiddeninthefurnaceofsomebathsthathappenedtobeoutofuse。Inashorttimehegaveuphislictors，andretiredtoPatavium。Afterthedepartureofthetwomenofconsularrank，allpowerandauthorityoverthetwoarmiescentredinAntoniusalone，hiscolleaguesgivingwaytohim，andthesoldiersbeingstronglybiasedinhisfavour。TherewerethosewhobelievedthatboththesemutiniesweresetonfootbytheintriguesofAntonius，inorderthathemightengrossalltheprizesofthewar。

NorindeedwastherelessrestlessnessamongthepartisansofVitellius，whoweredistractedbyyetmorefataldissensions，springing，notfromthesuspicionsofthecommonmen，butfromthetreacheryofthegenerals。LuciliusBassus，prefectoftheRavennafleet，findingthatthetroopswaveredinpurpose，fromthefactthatmanywerenativesofDalmatiaandPannonia，provincesheldforVespasian，hadattachedthemtotheFlavianistparty。Thenight-timewaschosenforaccomplishingthetreason，becausethen，unknowntoalltherest，theringleadersalonemightassembleathead-quarters。

Bassus，movedbyshame，orperhapsbyfear，awaitedtheissueinhishouse。ThecaptainsofthetriremesrushedwithagreatoutcryontheimagesofVitellius；afew，whoattemptedtoresist，werecutdown；thegreatmajority，withtheusualloveofchange，werereadytojoinVespasian。ThenBassuscameforwardandopenlysanctionedthemovement。ThefleetappointedCorneliusFuscustobeprefect，andhehastenedtojointhem。Luciliuswasputunderhonourablearrest，andconveyedasfarasAdriabytheLiburnianships；therehewasthrownintoprisonbyVivenniusRufinus，prefectofasquadronofcavalry，whichwasthereingarrison。Hischains，however，wereimmediatelystruckoffontheinterferenceofHormus，oneoftheEmperor\'sfreedmen，forhetoorankedamongthegenerals。

Ontherevoltofthefleetbecomingknown，Caecinacalledtogethertohead-quarters，whichhepurposelyselectedasbeingthemostretiredpartofthecamp，thechiefcenturionsandsomefewsoldiers，whiletherestweredispersedonvariousmilitaryduties。

ThenheextolledthevalourofVespasian，andthestrengthofhisparty；hetoldthemthatthefleethadchangedsides，thattheywerestraitenedforsupplies，thatGaulandSpainwereagainstthem，thatinthecapitaltherewasnothingonwhichtorely，thusmakingtheworstofeverythingthatconcernedVitellius。Then，theconspiratorspresentsettingtheexample，andtherestbeingparalysedbythestrangenessoftheproceeding，hemadethemswearallegiancetoVespasian。AtthesametimetheimagesofVitelliusweretorndown，andpersonsweredespatchedtoconveytheintelligencetoAntonius。

Butwhenthistreasonbecamenoisedabroadthroughoutthecamp，whenthesoldiers，hurryingbacktohead-quarters，sawthenameofVespasianwrittenonthecolours，andtheimagesofVitelliusthrownupontheground，firsttherewasagloomysilence，thenalltheirrageburstoutatonce。"What，"theycried，"hasthegloryofthearmyofGermanyfallensolow，thatwithoutabattle，evenwithoutawound，theyshouldyielduphandsreadyboundandarmsresignedtosurrender？

Whatlegionsindeedaretheseagainstus？Onlytheconquered。Thefirstandthetwelfth，thesolestrengthoftheOthonianistarmy，arenotthere，andeventhemweroutedandcrushedontheseveryplains，onlythatsomanythousandsofarmedmen，likeaherdofslavesforsale，mightbegivenasapresenttotheexileAntonius。

Thus，forsooth，theadhesionofonefleetwouldbewortheightlegions。SoitpleasesBassusandCaecina，afterrobbingtheEmperorofpalaces，gardens，andmoney，torobthesoldiersoftheirEmperor。Butwe，whohaveseennothingoftoilandbloodshed，we，whomustbecontemptibleeventotheFlavianists，whatshallweanswertothosewhoshallaskusofourvictoriesandourdefeats？"

Joiningoneandallinthesecries，bywhicheachexpressedhisownvexation，theyproceeded，followingtheleadofthefifthlegion，toreplacetheimagesofVitellius，andtoputCaecinainirons。TheyelectedtothecommandFabiusFabullus，legateofthefifthlegion，andCassiusLongus，prefectofthecamp；theymassacredthesoldiersfromthreeLiburnianships，whohappenedtofallintheirway，butwhowereperfectlyignorantandinnocentoftheseproceedings；theythenabandonedthecamp，and，afterbreakingdownthebridge，fellbackonHostilia，andthenceonCremona，inordertoeffectajunctionwiththetwolegions，the1stItalicaandthe21stRapax，which，withaportionofthecavalry，CaecinahadsentontooccupyCremona。

OnthisbecomingknowntoAntonius，hedeterminedtoattackthehostilearmies，whiletheywerestilldistractedinfeelinganddividedinstrength，beforethegeneralscouldrecovertheirauthority，andthesoldierstheirsubordinationalongwiththatconfidencewhichwouldspringfromthejunctionofthelegions。HeconcludedindeedthatFabiusValenshadleftthecapital，andwouldhastenhismarch，onhearingofthetreasonofCaecina；andFabiuswasloyaltoVitellius，andnotwithoutsomemilitaryskill。AtthesametimehedreadedtheapproachofavastbodyofGermansbywayofRhaetia。VitelliushadalsosummonedreinforcementsfromBritain，Gaul，andSpain，whosearmswouldhavewastedlikeawide-spreadpestilence，hadnotAntonius，fearfulofthisverydanger，hurriedonanengagement，andthussecuredhisvictory。HereachedBedriacumwithhiswholearmyintwodays\'marchfromVerona。Thenextday，keepingthelegionstofortifytheposition，hesenttheauxiliaryinfantryintotheterritoriesofCremona，ostensiblytocollectsupplies，reallytoimbuethesoldierywithatasteforthespoilsofcivilwar。Hehimselfadvancedwith4000cavalryasfarasthe8thmilestonefromBedriacum，inorderthattheymightplunderwithgreaterfreedom。Thescouts，asusual，tookawiderrange。

Itwasalmosteleveno\'clock，whenahorsemanarrivedatfullspeedwiththenews，thattheenemywereapproaching，thatasmallbodywasmovinginfront，butthatthestirandnoisecouldbeheardfarandwide。WhileAntoniuswasdeliberatingastowhatwastobedone，ArriusVarus，eagertodohisbest，chargedwiththebravestofthecavalry，anddrovebacktheVitellianists，inflictinguponthemsomeslightloss；asmorecameup，thefortuneofthedaychanged，andthosewhohadbeenmosteagerinthepursuitfoundthemselveslastintheflight。ThisrashactdidnotoriginatewithAntonius；heanticipatedinfactwhatactuallyhappened。Henowurgedhissoldierstoenteronthebattlewithagoodheart；hethendrewoffthesquadronsofhiscavalrytothetwoflanks，leavinginthemidstanopenspaceinwhichtoreceiveVarusandhistroopers；thelegionswereorderedtoarmthemselves，signalsweremadeoverthecountrythateverymanshouldleaveplundering，andjointhebattleatthenearestpoint。Meanwhiletheterror-strickenVarusplungedintothedisorderedranksofhisfriends，andbroughtapanicwithhim。Thefreshtroopsweredrivenbackalongwiththewoundedfugitives，confusedbytheirownalarmandbythedifficultiesoftheroad。

InthemidstofthispanicAntoniusomittednothingthataself-possessedcommanderoramostintrepidsoldiercoulddo。Hethrewhimselfbeforetheterrifiedfugitives，heheldbackthosewhoweregivingway，andwhereverthestrugglewashardest，wherevertherewasagleamofhope，therehewaswithhisreadyskill，hisboldhand，hisencouragingvoice，easilyrecognizedbytheenemy，andaconspicuousobjecttohisownmen。Atlasthewascarriedtosuchapitchofexcitement，thathetransfixedwithalanceaflyingstandardbearer，andthen，seizingthestandard，turnedittowardstheenemy。

Touchedbythereproach，afewtroopers，notmorethanahundredinnumber，madeastand。Thelocalityfavouredthem，fortheroadwasatthatpointparticularlynarrow，whilethebridgeoverthestreamwhichcrossedithadbeenbrokendown，andthestreamitself，withitsvaryingchannelanditsprecipitousbanks，checkedtheirflight。Itwasthisnecessity，orahappychance，thatrestoredthefallenfortunesoftheparty。Formingthemselvesintostrongandcloseranks，theyreceivedtheattackoftheVitellianists，whowerenowimprudentlyscattered。Thesewereatonceoverthrown。Antoniuspursuedthosethatfled，andcrushedthosethatencounteredhim。Thencametherestofhistroops，who，astheywereseverallydisposed，plundered，madeprisoners，orseizedonweaponsandhorses。Rousedbytheshoutsoftriumph，thosewhohadlatelybeenscatteredinflightoverthefieldshastenedtoshareinthevictory。

AtthefourthmilestonefromCremonaglitteredthestandardsoftwolegions，theItalicaandtheRapax，whichhadbeenadvancedasfarasthatpointduringthesuccessachievedbythefirstmovementoftheircavalry。Butwhenfortunechanged，theywouldnotopentheirranks，norreceivethefugitives，noradvanceandthemselvesattackanenemynowexhaustedbysoprotractedapursuitandconflict。

Vanquishedbyaccident，thesemenhadneverintheirsuccessvaluedtheirgeneralasmuchastheynowindisasterfelthisabsence。Thevictoriouscavalrychargedthewaveringline；thetribuneVipstanusMessallafollowedwiththeauxiliarytroopsfromMoesia，whom，thoughhurriedlybroughtup，longservicehadmadeasgoodsoldiersasthelegionaries。Thehorseandfoot，thusmixedtogether，brokethroughthelineofthelegions。ThenearneighbourhoodofthefortificationsofCremona，whileitgavemorehopeofescape，diminishedthevigouroftheirresistance。

Antoniusdidnotpressforward，forhethoughtofthefatigueandthewoundswithwhichabattlesohardfought，notwithstandingitssuccessfultermination，musthavedisabledhiscavalryandtheirhorses。AstheshadowsofeveningdeepenedthewholestrengthoftheFlavianistarmycameup。Theyadvancedamidheapsofdeadandthetracesofrecentslaughter，and，asifthewarwasover，demandedthattheyshouldadvancetoCremona，andreceivethecapitulationofthevanquishedparty，ortaketheplacebystorm。Thiswasthemotivealleged，anditsoundedwell，butwhateveryonesaidtohimselfwasthis:"Thecolony，situatedasitisonlevelground，maybetakenbyassault。Ifweattackundercoverofdarkness，weshallbeatleastasbold，andshallenjoymorelicenceinplunder。Ifwewaitforthelight，weshallbemetwithentreatiesforpeace，andinreturnforourtoilandourwoundsshallreceiveonlytheemptysatisfactionofclemencyandpraise，butthewealthofCremonawillgointothepursesofthelegatesandtheprefects。Thesoldiershavetheplunderofacitythatisstormed，thegeneralsofonewhichcapitulates。"Thecenturionsandtribuneswerespurnedaway；thatnoman\'svoicemightbeheard，thetroopsclashedtheirweaponstogether，readytobreakthroughalldiscipline，unlesstheywereledastheywished。

Antoniusthenmadehiswayintothecompanies。Whenhispresenceandpersonalauthorityhadrestoredsilence，hedeclared，"Iwouldnotsnatchtheirgloryortheirrewardfromthosewhohavedeservedthemsowell。Yetthereisadivisionofdutiesbetweenthearmyanditsgenerals。Eagernessforbattlebecomesthesoldiers，butgeneralsservethecausebyforethought，bycounsel，bydelayoftenerthanbytemerity。AsIpromotedyourvictorytotheutmostofmypowerbymyswordandbymypersonalexertions，sonowImusthelpyoubyprudenceandbycounsel，thequalitieswhichbelongpeculiarlytoageneral。

Whatyouwillhavetoencounterisindeedperfectlyplain。Therewillbethedarkness，thestrangelocalitiesofthetown，theenemyinsidethewalls，andallpossiblefacilitiesforambuscades。Evenifthegateswerewideopen，weoughtnottoentertheplace，exceptwehadfirstreconnoitredit，andintheday-time。Shallwesetaboutstormingthetownwhenwehavenomeansseeingwherethegroundislevel，whatistheheightofthewalls，whetherthecityistobeassailedbyourartilleryandjavelins，orbysiege-worksandcoveredapproaches？"Hethenturnedtoindividualsoldiers，askingthemwhethertheyhadbroughtwiththemtheiraxesandspadesandwhateverelseisusedwhentownsaretobestormed。Ontheiradmittingthattheyhadnotdoneso，"Cananyhands，"heanswered，"breakthroughandunderminewallswithswordsandlances？Andifitshouldbefoundnecessarytothrowupanembankmentandtoshelterourselvesundermantletsandhurdles，shallwestandbaffledlikeathoughtlessmob，marvellingattheheightofthetowersandattheenemy\'sdefences？Shallwenotrather，bydelayingonenight，tillourartilleryandenginescomeup，takewithusastrengththatmustprevail？"Atthesametimehesentthesutlersandcamp-followerswiththefreshestofthecavalrytoBedriacumtofetchsuppliesandwhateverelsetheyneeded。

Thesoldiers，however，wereimpatient，andamutinyhadalmostbrokenout，whensomecavalry，whohadadvancedtotheverywallsofCremona，seizedsomestragglersfromthetown，fromwhoseinformationitwasascertained，thatthesixlegionsofVitelliusandtheentirearmywhichhadbeenquarteredatHostiliahadonthatverydaymarchedadistanceofthirtymiles，andhavingheardofthedefeatoftheircomrades，werepreparingforbattle，andwouldsoonbecomingup。Thisalarmopenedtheearsthathadbeforebeendeaftotheirgeneral\'sadvice。The13thlegionwasorderedtotakeupitspositionontheraisedcausewayoftheViaPostumia，supportedontheleftbythe7th(Galba\'s)whichwaspostedintheplain，nextcamethe7th(Claudius\')，defendedinfrontbyafield-ditch，suchbeingthecharacteroftheground。Ontherightwasthe8thlegion，drawnupinanopenspace，andthenthe3rd，whoseranksweredividedbysomethickbrushwood。Suchwasthearrangementoftheeaglesandthestandards。Thesoldiersweremingledinthedarknessasaccidenthaddetermined。ThePraetoriancolourswereclosetothe3rdlegion；theauxiliaryinfantrywerestationedonthewings；thecavalrycoveredtheflanksandtherear。SidoandItalicus，theSuevianchieftains，withapickedbodyoftheircountrymen，manoeuvredinthevan。

ItwouldhavebeenthebestpolicyforthearmyofVitelliustorestatCremona，and，withstrengthrecruitedbyfoodandrepose，toattackandcrushthenextdayanenemyexhaustedbycoldandhunger；butnow，wantingaleader，andhavingnosettledplan，theycameintocollisionaboutnineo\'clockatnightwiththeFlavianisttroops，whostoodready，andinorderofbattle。RespectingthedispositionoftheVitellianistarmy，disorderedasitwasbyitsfuryandbythedarkness，Iwouldnotventuretospeakpositively。Some，however，haverelated，thatontherightwingwasthe4thlegion(theMacedonian)；

thatthe5thand15th，withtheveteransofthreeBritishlegions(the9th，2nd，and20th)，formedthecentre，whiletheleftwingwasmadeupofthe1st，the16th，andthe22nd。MenofthelegionsRapaxandItalicaweremingledwithallthecompanies。Thecavalryandtheauxiliarieschosetheirpositionthemselves。Throughoutthenightthebattleragedinmanyforms，indecisiveandfierce，destructive，firsttooneside，thentotheother。Courage，strength，eventheeyewithitskeenestsight，wereofnoavail。Botharmiesfoughtwiththesameweapons；thewatch-word，continuallyasked，becameknown；thecolourswereconfusedtogether，aspartiesofcombatantssnatchedthemfromtheenemy，andhurriedtheminthisorthatdirection。The7thlegion，recentlyleviedbyGalba，wasthehardestpressed。Sixcenturionsofthefirstrankwerekilled，andsomeofthestandardstaken；buttheeaglewassavedbyAtiliusVerus，thecenturionofthefirstcompany，who，aftermakingagreatslaughteramongtheenemy，atlastfell。

Thelinewassupported，asitbegantowaver，byAntonius，whobroughtupthePraetorians。Theytookuptheconflict，repulsedtheenemy，andwerethenthemselvesrepulsed。ThetroopsofVitelliushadcollectedtheirartilleryontheraisedcauseway，wheretherewasafreeandopenspaceforthedischargeofthemissiles，whichatfirsthadbeenscatteredatrandom，andhadstruckagainstthetreeswithoutinjurytotheenemy。Anengineofremarkablesize，belongingtothe15thlegion，wascrushingthehostilerankswithhugestones，andwouldhavespreaddestructionfarandwide，hadnottwosoldiersventuredonadeedofsurpassingbravery。Disguisingthemselveswithshieldssnatchedfromthemidstofthecarnage，theycuttheropesandspringsoftheengine。Theywereinstantlyslain，andtheirnameshaveconsequentlybeenlost；butthefactisundoubted。Fortunefavouredneitherside，tillatalatehourofthenightthemoonroseandshowed，butshoweddeceptively，botharmies。

Thelight，however，shiningfrombehind，favouredtheFlavianists。

Withthemalengthenedshadowfellfrommenandhorses，andtheenemy\'smissiles，incorrectlyaimedatwhatseemedthesubstance，fellshort，whiletheVitellianists，whohadthelightshiningontheirfaces，wereunconsciouslyexposedtoanenemywhowere，sotospeak，concealedwhiletheyaimed。

AssoonasAntoniuscouldrecognizehismenandberecognizedbythem，hesoughttokindletheircourage，strivingtoshamesomewithhisreproaches，stirringmanywithpraiseandencouragement，andallwithhopesandpromises。"Why，"hedemandedofthelegionsofPannonia，"haveyouagaintakenuparms？Yonderisthefieldwhereyoumaywipeoutthestainofpastdisgrace，andredeemyourhonour。"ThenturningtothetroopsofMoesia，heappealedtothemastheauthorsandoriginatorsofthewar。"Idly，"hesaid"haveyouchallengedtheVitellianistswiththreateningwords，ifyoucannotabidetheirattackoreventheirlooks。"Sohespoketoeachasheapproachedthem。Thethirdlegionheaddressedatgreaterlength，remindingthemofoldandrecentachievements，howunderMarcusAntoniustheyhaddefeatedtheParthians，underCorbulotheArmenians，andhadlatelydiscomfitedtheSarmatians。ThenangrilyturningtothePraetorians，"Clowns，"saidhe，"unlessyouarevictorious，whatothergeneral，whatothercampwillreceiveyou？Thereareyourcoloursandyourarms；defeatisdeath，fordisgraceyouhaveexhausted。"Ashoutwasraisedonallsides，andthesoldiersofthethirdlegionsaluted，asisthecustominSyria，therisingsun。

Avaguerumourthusarose，orwasintentionallysuggestedbythegeneral，thatMucianushadarrived，andthatthetwoarmieshadexchangedsalutations。Thementhenchargedasconfidentlyasiftheyhadbeenstrengthenedbyfreshreinforcements，whiletheenemy\'sarraywasnowlesscompact；for，astherewasnoonetocommand，itwasnowcontracted，nowextended，asthecourageorfearofindividualsoldiersmightprompt。Antonius，seeingthattheygaveway，chargedthemwithaheavycolumn；thelooserankswereatoncebroken，and，entangledastheywereamongtheirwagonsandartillery，couldnotbere-formed。Theconquerors，intheeagernessofpursuit，dispersedthemselvesovertheentirelineofroad。Theslaughterthatfollowedwasmadeparticularlymemorablethroughthemurderofafatherbyhisson。Iwillrecordtheincidentwiththenames，ontheauthorityofVipstanusMessalla。JuliusMansuetus，aSpaniard，enlistinginthelegionRapax，hadleftathomeasonoftenderage。Theladgrewuptomanhood，andwasenrolledbyGalbainthe7thlegion。Nowchancingtomeethisfather，hebroughthimtothegroundwithawound，and，asherifledhisdyingfoe，recognizedhim，andwashimselfrecognized。Claspingtheexpiringmaninhisarms，inpiteousaccentsheimploredthespiritofhisfathertobepropitioustohim，andnottoturnfromhimwithloathingasfromaparricide。"Thisguilt，"hesaid，"issharedbyall；howsmallapartofacivilwarisasinglesoldier！"Withthesewordsheraisedthebody，openedagrave，anddischargedthelastdutiesforhisfather。Thiswasnoticedbythosewhowereonthespot，thenbymanyothers；astonishmentandindignationranthroughthewholearmy，andtheycursedthismosthorriblewar。Yetaseagerlyasevertheystrippedthebodiesofslaughteredkinsfolk，connexions，andbrothers。

Theytalkofanimpiousacthavingbeendone，andtheydoitthemselves。

WhentheyreachedCremonaafreshworkofvastdifficultypresenteditself。DuringthewarwithOthothelegionsofGermanyhadformedtheircamproundthewallsofthecity，roundthiscamphaddrawnanentrenchment，andhadagainstrengthenedthesedefences。Atthissightthevictoriousarmyhesitated，whilethegeneralsdoubtedwhatorderstheyshouldgive。Toattemptanassaultwithtroopsexhaustedbythetoilofadayandanightwouldbedifficult，andwithnoproperreservesmightbeperilous。ShouldtheyreturntoBedriacum，thefatigueofsolongamarchwouldbeinsupportable，andtheirvictorywouldresultinnothing。Toentrenchacampwiththeenemysocloseathandwouldbedangerous，asbyasuddensortietheymightcauseconfusionamongthemwhiledispersedandbusiedwiththework。Aboveall，theywereafraidoftheirsoldiers，whoweremorepatientofdangerthandelay。Cautiousmeasurestheydisliked；

theirrashnessinspiredthemwithhope，andeagernessforplunderoutweighedallthehorrorsofcarnage，wounds，andbloodshed。

Antoniushimselfwasthiswayinclined，andheorderedtheentrenchedcamptobeinvested。Atfirsttheyfoughtfromadistancewitharrowsandstones，theFlavianistssufferingmost，astheenemy\'smissileswereaimedatthemfromasuperiorheight。Antoniusthenassignedtoeachlegiontheattackonsomeportionoftheentrenchments，andononeparticulargate，seekingbythisdivisionoflabourtodistinguishthecowardlyfromthebrave，andtostimulatehismenbyanhonourablerivalry。The3rdand7thlegionstookupapositionclosetotheroadfromBedriacum；moretotherightoftheentrenchmentswerestationedthe8thandthe7th(Claudius\')。The13thwerecarriedbytheimpetuosityoftheirattackasfarasthegatelookingtowardsBrixia。Thereensuedalittledelay，whilefromtheneighbouringfieldssomewerecollectingspadesandpickaxes，othershooksandladders。Thenraisingtheirshieldsovertheirheads，theyadvancedtotherampartinadense"testudo。"BothusedtheartsofRomanwarfare；theVitellianistsrolleddownponderousstones，anddrovespearsandlongpolesintothebrokenandtottering"testudo，"

tillthedensearrayofshieldswasloosened，andthegroundwasstrewnwithavastnumberoflifelessandmangledbodies。

28。Somehesitationhadshewnitself，whenthegenerals，seeingthatthewearytroopswouldnotlistentowhatseemedtothemunmeaningencouragement，pointedtoCremona。Whetherthiswas，asMessallarelates，thedeviceofHormus，orwhetherCaiusPliniusbethebetterauthoritywhenhechargesituponAntonius，Icannoteasilydetermine。AllIcansayisthis，thatneitherinAntoniusnorinHormuswouldthisfoulestofcrimeshavebeenadegeneracyfromthecharacteroftheirformerlives。Woundsorbloodshednolongerkeptthemenbackfromunderminingtherampartandbatteringthegates。

Supportedontheshouldersofcomrades，andformingasecond"testudo，"theyclamberedupandseizedtheweaponsandeventhehandsoftheenemy。Theunhurtandthewounded，thehalf-deadandthedying，weremingledtogetherwitheveryincidentofslaughteranddeathineveryform。

Thefierceststrugglewasmaintainedbythe3rdand7thlegions，andAntoniusinpersonwithsomechosenauxiliariesconcentratedhiseffortsonthesamepoint。TheVitellianists，unabletoresistthecombinedandresoluteattack，andfindingthattheirmissilesglidedoffthe"testudo，"atlastthrewtheengineitselfontheassailants；foramomentitbrokeandoverwhelmedthoseonwhomitfell，butitdrewafteritinitsfallthebattlementsandupperpartoftherampart。Atthesametimeanadjoiningtoweryieldedtothevolleysofstones，and，whilethe7thlegioninwedge-likearraywasendeavouringtoforceanentrance，the3rdbrokedownthegatewithaxesandswords。AllauthorsareagreedthatCaiusVolusius，asoldierofthe3rdlegion，enteredfirst。Beatingdownallwhoopposedhim，hemountedtherampart，wavedhishand，andshoutedaloudthatthecampwastaken。Therestofthelegionburstin，whilethetroopsofVitelliuswereseizedwithpanic，andthrewthemselvesfromtherampart。TheentirespacebetweenthecampandthewallsofCremonawasfilledwithslain。

Difficultiesofanotherkindpresentedthemselvesintheloftywallsofthetown，itsstonetowers，itsiron-barredgates，inthegarrisonwhostoodbrandishingtheirweapons，initsnumerouspopulationdevotedtotheinterestsofVitellius，andinthevastconfluxfromallpartsofItalywhichhadassembledatthefairregularlyheldatthattime。Thebesiegedfoundasourceofstrengthintheselargenumbers；theassailantsanincentiveintheprospectofbooty。Antoniusgaveordersthatfireshouldinstantlybesettothefinestbuildingswithoutthecity，toseewhethertheinhabitantsofCremonamightnotbeinducedbythelossoftheirpropertytotransfertheirallegiance。Somehousesnearthewalls，whichovertoppedthefortifications，hefilledwiththebravestofhissoldiers，who，byhurlingbeams，tiles，andflamingmissiles，dislodgedthedefendersfromtheramparts。

Thelegionsnowbegantoformthemselvesintoa"testudo，"andtheothertroopstodischargevolleysofstonesanddarts，whenthecourageoftheVitellianistsbegantoflag。Thehighertheirrank，themorereadilytheysuccumbedtofortune，fearingthatwhenCremonahadfallenquartercouldnolongerbeexpected，andthatallthefuryoftheconquerorwouldbeturned，notonthepennilesscrowd，butonthetribunesandcenturions，bywhoseslaughtersomethingwastobegained。Thecommonsoldiers，carelessofthefutureandsaferintheirobscurity，stillheldout。Roamingthroughthestreetsorconcealedinthehouses，theywouldnotsueforpeaceevenwhentheyhadabandonedthecontest。TheprincipalofficersofthecampremovedthenameandimagesofVitellius；Caecina，whowasstillinconfinement，theyreleasedfromhischains，imploringhimtopleadtheircause。Whenhehaughtilyrejectedtheirsuit，theyentreatedhimwithtears；anditwasindeedthelastaggravationofmisery，thatmanyvaliantmenshouldinvoketheaidofatraitor。Thentheydisplayedfromthewallstheolivebranchesandchapletsofsuppliants，andwhenAntoniushadorderedthatthedischargeofmissilesshouldcease，theybroughtouttheeaglesandstandards。Thenfollowed，witheyesbentontheground，adismalarrayofunarmedmen。

Theconquerorshadgatheredround；atfirsttheyheapedreproachesonthemandpointedatthemtheirweapons；thenseeinghowtheyofferedtheircheekstoinsultingblows，how，withalltheirhighspiritdeparted，theysubmitted，asvanquishedmen，toeveryindignity，itsuddenlyoccurredtotheirrecollection，thattheseweretheverysoldierswhobutshortlybeforehadusedwithmoderationtheirvictoryatBedriacum。Yet，whenCaecinatheconsul，conspicuousinhisrobesofstateandwithhistrainoflictors，cameforwardthrustingasidethecrowd，thevictorswerefiredwithindignation，andreproachedhimwithhistyranny，hiscruelty，and，sohatefularesuchcrimes，evenwithhistreason。Antoniuscheckedthem，gavehimanescort，andsenthimtoVespasian。

MeanwhilethepopulationofCremonawasroughlyhandledbythesoldiers，whowerejustbeginningamassacre，whentheirfurywasmitigatedbytheentreatiesofthegenerals。Antoniussummonedthemtoanassembly，extolledtheconquerors，spokekindlytotheconquered，butsaidnothingeitherwayofCremona。Overandabovetheinnateloveofplunder，therewasanoldfeudwhichmadethearmybentonthedestructionoftheinhabitants。ItwasgenerallybelievedthatinthewarwithOtho，aswellasinthepresent，theyhadsupportedthecauseofVitellius。Afterwards，whenthe13thlegionhadbeenlefttobuildanamphitheatre，withthecharacteristicinsolenceofacitypopulation，theyhadwantonlyprovokedandinsultedthem。Theill-feelinghadbeenaggravatedbythegladiatorialshowexhibitedtherebyCaecina，bythecircumstancethattheircitywasnowforthesecondtimetheseatofwar，andbythefactthattheyhadsuppliedtheVitellianistswithprovisionsinthefield，andthatsomeoftheirwomen，takenbyparty-zealintothebattle，hadtherebeenslain。Theoccurrenceofthefairfilledthecolony，richasitalwayswas，withanappearanceofstillgreaterwealth。Theothergeneralswereunnoticed；Antoniusfromhissuccessandhighreputationwasobservedofall。Hehadhastenedtothebathstowashofftheblood；

andwhenhefoundfaultwiththetemperatureofthewater，ananswerwasheard，"thatitwouldsoonbewarmenough。Thusthewordsofaslavebroughtonhimthewholeodiumofhavinggiventhesignalforfiringthetown，whichwasindeedalreadyinflames。

FortythousandarmedmenburstintoCremona，andwiththemabodyofsutlersandcamp-followers，yetmorenumerousandyetmoreabandonedtolustandcruelty。Neitheragenorrankwereanyprotectionfromindiscriminateslaughterandviolation。Agedmenandwomenpasttheirprime，worthlessasbooty，weredraggedaboutinwantoninsult。Didagrownupmaidenoryouthofmarkedbeautyfallintheirway，theyweretorninpiecesbytheviolenthandsofravishers；

andintheendthedestroyersthemselveswereprovokedintomutualslaughter。Men，astheycarriedoffforthemselvescoinortemple-offeringsofmassivegold，werecutdownbyothersofsuperiorstrength。Some，scorningwhatmettheeye，searchedforhiddenwealth，anddugupburiedtreasures，applyingthescourgeandthetorturetotheowners。Intheirhandswereflamingtorches，which，assoonastheyhadcarriedoutthespoil，theywantonlyhurledintotheguttedhousesandplunderedtemples。Inanarmywhichincludedsuchvarietiesoflanguageandcharacter，anarmycomprisingRomancitizens，allies，andforeigners，therewaseverykindofhadalawofhisown，andnothingwasforbidden。ForfourdaysCremonasatisfiedtheplunderers。Whenallthingselse，sacredandprofane，weresettlingdownintotheflames，thetempleofMephitisoutsidethewallsaloneremainedstanding，savedbyitssituationorbydivineinterposition。

SuchwastheendofCremona，286yearsafteritsfoundation。ItwasbuiltintheconsulshipofTiberiusSemproniusandCorneliusScipio，whenHannibalwasthreateningItaly，asaprotectionagainsttheGaulsfrombeyondthePadus，oragainstanyothersuddeninvaderfromtheAlps。Fromthenumberofsettlers，theconveniencesaffordedbytherivers，thefertilityofthesoil，andthemanyconnexionsandintermarriagesformedwithneighbouringnations，itgrewandflourished，unharmedbyforeignenemies，thoughmostunfortunateincivilwars。Ashamedoftheatrociousdeed，andawareofthedetestationwhichitwasinspiring，Antoniusissuedaproclamation，thatnooneshoulddetainincaptivityacitizenofCremona。ThespoilindeedhadbeenrenderedvaluelesstothesoldiersbyageneralagreementthroughoutItaly，whichrejectedwithloathingthepurchaseofsuchslaves。Amassacrethenbegan；whenthiswasknown，theprisonersweresecretlyransomedbytheirfriendsandrelatives。TheremaininginhabitantssoonreturnedtoCremona；thetemplesandsquareswererestoredbythemunificenceoftheburghers，andVespasiangavehisexhortations。

Thesoilpoisonedwithbloodforbadetheenemytoremainlongbytheruinsoftheburiedcity。Theyadvancedtothethirdmilestone，andgatheredthedispersedandpanic-strickenVitellianistsroundtheirproperstandards。ThevanquishedlegionswerethenscatteredthroughoutIllyricum；forcivilwarwasnotover，andtheymightplayadoubtfulpart。MessengerscarryingnewsofthevictorywerethendespatchedtoBritainandtoSpain。JuliusCalenus，atribune，wassenttoGaul，andAlpiniusMontanus，prefectofacohort，toGermany；astheonewasanAeduan，theotheraTrever，andbothwereVitellianists，theywouldbeaproofofthesuccess。AtthesametimethepassesoftheAlpswereoccupiedwithtroops，foritwassuspectedthatGermanywasarmingitselftosupportVitellius。

AfewdaysafterthedepartureofCaecina，VitelliushadhurriedFabiusValenstotheseatofwar，andwasnowseekingtohidehisapprehensionsfromhimselfbyindulgence。Hemadenomilitarypreparation；hedidnotseektoinvigoratethesoldiersbyencouragingspeechesorwarlikeexercises；hedidnotkeephimselfbeforetheeyesofthepeople。Buriedintheshadesofhisgardens，likethosesluggishanimalswhich，ifyousupplythemwithfood，liemotionlessandtorpid，hehaddismissedwiththesameforgetfulnessthepast，thepresent，andthefuture。WhilehethuslaywastinghispowersinslothamongthewoodsofAricia，hewasstartledbythetreacheryofLuciliusBassusandthedefectionofthefleetatRavenna。ThencamethenewsaboutCaecina，andheheardwithasatisfactionmingledwithdistress，first，thathehadrevolted，andthen，thathehadbeenputinironsbythearmy。Inthatdullsouljoywasmorepowerfulthanapprehension。IngreatexultationhereturnedtoRome，andbeforeacrowdedassemblyofthepeopleheapedpraisesonthedutifulobedienceofthesoldiers。HeorderedPubliusSabinus，prefectofthePraetorianGuard，tobethrownintoprison，becauseofhisfriendshipwithCaecina，andsubstitutedinhisplaceAlfeniusVarus。