按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
that no one at that period was looked upon as a more skilful
soldier； to give an opinion on the whole conduct of the war； contended
that impatience would benefit the enemy； while delay would serve their
own cause。
〃The entire army of Vitellius；〃 he said； 〃has already arrived。 Nor
have they much strength in their rear； since Gaul is ready to rise；
and to abandon the banks of the Rhine； when such hostile tribes are
ready to burst in； would not answer his purpose。 A hostile people
and an intervening sea keep from him the army of Britain； Spain is not
over full of troops； Gallia Narbonensis has been cowed by the attack
of our ships and by a defeat； Italy beyond the Padus is shut in by the
Alps； cannot be relieved from the sea； and has been exhausted by the
passage of his army。 For that army there is no where any corn； and
without supplies an army cannot be kept together。 Then the Germans；
the most formidable part of the enemy's forces； should the war be
protracted into the summer； will sink with enfeebled frames under
the change of country and climate。 Many a war； formidable in its first
impetuosity； has passed into nothing through the weariness of delay。
We； on the other hand； have on all sides abundant resources and
loyal adherents。 We have Pannonia； Moesia； Dalmatia； the East with its
armies yet intact； we have Italy and Rome； the capital of the
Empire； the Senate； and the people； names that never lose their
splendour； though they may sometimes be eclipsed。 We have the wealth
of the State and of private individuals。 We have a vast supply of
money； which in a civil war is a mightier weapon than the sword。 Our
soldiers are inured to the climate of Italy or to yet greater heat。 We
have the river Padus on our front； and cities strongly garrisoned
and fortified； none of which will surrender to the enemy； as the
defence of Placentia has proved。 Let Otho therefore protract the
war。 In a few days the 14th legion； itself highly renowned； will
arrive with the troops from Moesia。 He may then again consider the
question； and should a battle be resolved on； we shall fight with
increased strength。〃
Marius Celsus acquiesced in the opinion of Paullinus； and Annius
Gallus； who a few days before had been seriously injured by the fall
of his horse； was reported to agree by those who had been sent to
ascertain his opinion。 Otho was inclined to risk a decisive battle。
His brother Titianus； and Proculus； the prefect of the Praetorian
Guard； ignorant and therefore impatient； declared that fortune； the
Gods； and the genius of Otho； were with their counsels； and would be
with their enterprises。 That no one might dare to oppose their
views； they had taken refuge in flattery。 It having been resolved to
give battle； it became a question whether it would be better for the
Emperor to be present in person； or to withdraw。 Paullinus and
Celsus no longer opposed； for they would not seem to put the Emperor
in the way of peril； and these same men who suggested the baser policy
prevailed on him to retire to Brixellum； and thus secure from the
hazards of the field； to reserve himself for the administration of
empire。 That day first gave the death…blow to the party of Otho。 Not
only did a strong detachment of the Praetorian cohorts； of the
bodyguard； and of the cavalry； depart with him； but the spirit of
those who remained was broken； for the men suspected their generals；
and Otho； who alone had the confidence of the soldiers； while he
himself trusted in none but them； had left the generals' authority
on a doubtful footing。
Nothing of this escaped the Vitellianists； for； as is usual in civil
wars； there were many deserters； and the spies； while busy in
inquiring into the plans of the enemy； failed to conceal their own。
Meanwhile Caecina and Valens remained quiet； and watched intently
for the moment when the enemy in his blindness should rush upon
destruction； and found the usual substitute for wisdom in waiting
for the folly of others。 They began to form a bridge； making a feint
of crossing the Padus； in the face of an opposing force of gladiators；
they wished also to keep their own soldiers from passing their
unoccupied time in idleness。 Boats were ranged at equal distances from
each other； connected at both ends by strong beams； and with their
heads turned against the current； while anchors were thrown out
above to keep the bridge firm。 The cables； however； instead of being
taut； hung loose in the water； in order that as the stream rose the
vessels might rise without their arrangement being disturbed。 On the
end of the bridge was placed a turret； it was built out on the last
boat； and from it engines and machines might be worked to repel the
enemy。 The soldiers of Otho also raised a turret on the opposite bank；
and hurled from it stones and flaming missiles。
In the middle of the river was an island。 While the gladiators
were making their way to it in boats； the Germans swam and outstripped
them。 A considerable number； as it chanced； had effected the
passage； when Macer； having manned some light gallies； attacked them
with the most active of his gladiators。 But the gladiator has not in
battle the firmness of the regular soldier； and now； as they stood
on rocking vessels； they could not direct their blows like men who had
a sure footing on land。 As the men in their alarm made confused
movements； rowers and combatants were mingled together in disorder；
upon this； the Germans themselves leapt into the shallows； laid hold
of the boats； climbed over the gunwales； or sank them with their
hands。 All this passed in the sight of both armies； and the more it
delighted the Vitellianists； the more vehemently did the
Othonianists curse the cause and author of the disaster。
The conflict was terminated by the flight of the vanquished； who
carried off what boats were left。 Then they cried out for the
execution of Macer。 He had been wounded by a javelin thrown from a
distance； and the soldiers had made a rush upon him with drawn swords；
when he was saved by the interference of the tribunes and
centurions。 Soon after Vestricius Spurinna； having received orders
to that effect from Otho； joined with his cohorts； leaving but a
moderate force in garrison at Placentia。 After this Otho sent
Flavius Sabinus； consul elect； to take the command of the troops which
had been under Macer； the soldiers were delighted by this change of
generals； while the generals were led by these continual outbreaks
to regard with disgust so hateful a service。
I find it stated by some authors that either the dread of or the
disgust felt for both Emperors； whose wickedness and infamy were
coming out every day into more open notoriety； made the two armies
hesitate whether they should not cease the