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persons spreading the lie that Vitellius' army had revolted。 Whether
this rumour was circulated by the spies of Vitellius； or originated in
treachery or in accident among the partisans of Otho； has never been
clearly ascertained。 Forgetting their warlike ardour； the Othonianists
at once greeted the foe； as they were answered by an angry murmur；
they caused apprehensions of treachery in many of their own side；
who did not know what the greeting meant。 Then the enemy's line
charged with its ranks unbroken； in strength and in numbers
superior； the Othonianists； scattered and weary as they were； met
the attack with spirit。 The ground was so entangled with trees and
vineyards that the battle assumed many forms。 They met in close and in
distant conflict； in line and in column。 On the raised road they stood
foot to foot； they pushed with their bodies and their shields； and
ceasing to throw their javelins； they struck through helmets and
breastplates with swords and battle…axes。 Recognising each other and
distinctly seen by the rest of the combatants； they were fighting to
decide the whole issue of the war。
In an open plain between the Padus and the road； two legions
happened to meet。 On the side of Vitellius was the 21st； called the
Rapax； a corps of old and distinguished renown。 On that of Otho was
the 1st； called Adjutrix； which had never before been brought into the
field； but was high…spirited； and eager to gain its first triumph。 The
men of the 1st； overthrowing the foremost ranks of the 21st； carried
off the eagle。 The 21st； infuriated by this loss； not only repulsed
the 1st； and slew the legate； Orfidius Benignus； but captured many
colours and standards from the enemy。 In another quarter the 13th
legion was put to flight by a charge of the 5th。 The 14th was
surrounded by a superior force。 Otho's generals had long since fled
and Caecina and Valens strengthened their army with the reserves。
New reinforcements were supplied by Varus Alfenius with his Batavians。
They had routed the band of gladiators； which had been ferried
across the river； and which had been cut to pieces by the opposing
cohorts while they were actually in the water。 Thus flushed with
victory； they charged the flank of the enemy。
The centre of their line had been penetrated； and the Othonianists
fled on all sides in the direction of Bedriacum。 The distance was very
great； and the roads were blocked up with heaps of corpses； thus the
slaughter was the greater； for captives taken in civil war can be
turned to no profit。 Suetonius Paullinus and Licinius Proculus； taking
different roads； avoided the camp。 Vedius Aquila； legate of the 13th
legion； in the blindness of fear； fell in the way of the furious
soldiery。 Late in the day he entered the entrenchments； and found
himself the centre of a mob of clamorous and mutinous fugitives。
They did not refrain from abuse or actual violence； they reviled him
as a deserter and traitor； not having any specific charge against him；
but all； after the fashion of the mob； imputing to him their own
crimes。 Titianus and Celsus were favoured by the darkness。 By that
time the sentries had been posted； and the soldiers reduced to
order。 Annius Gallus had prevailed upon them by his prayers； his
advice； and his personal influence； not to aggravate the disaster of
their defeat by mutual slaughter。 Whether the war was at an end； or
whether they might choose to resume the conflict； the vanquished would
find in union the sole mitigation of their lot。 The spirit of the rest
of the army was broken； but the Praetorians angrily complained that
they had been vanquished； not by valour； but by treachery。 〃The
Vitellianists indeed；〃 they said； 〃gained no bloodless victory；
their cavalry was defeated； a legion lost its eagle。 We have still the
troops beyond the Padus； and Otho himself。 The legions of Moesia are
coming； a great part of the army remained at Bedriacum； these
certainly were never vanquished； and if it must be so； it is on the
battlefield that we shall fall with most honour。〃 Amid all the
exasperation or terror of these thoughts； the extremity of despair yet
roused them to fury rather than to fear。
The army of Vitellius bivouacked at the fifth milestone from
Bedriacum。 The generals did not venture an assault on the enemy's camp
that same day； besides； a capitulation was expected。 Though they
were without baggage； and had marched out only to fight； it was
sufficient protection to them that they had arms； and were victorious。
On the following day； as the feeling of Otho's army was evident； and
those who had been most furious were inclined to repent； envoys were
sent； nor did the generals of Vitellius hesitate to grant conditions
of peace。 The envoys indeed were detained for some little time； and
this circumstance caused some doubt； as it was not known whether
they had obtained their object； before long； however； they returned；
and the camp was thrown open。 Both victors and vanquished melted
into tears； and cursed the fatality of civil strife with a
melancholy joy。 There in the same tents did they dress the wounds of
brothers or of kinsmen。 Their hopes； their rewards； were all
uncertain； death and sorrow were sure。 And no one had so escaped
misfortune as to have no bereavement to lament。 Search was made for
the body of the legate Orfidius； and it was burnt with the customary
honours。 A few were buried by their friends； the multitude that
remained were left above ground。
Otho was awaiting news of the battle free from alarm and resolved in
purpose。 First came gloomy tidings； and then fugitives from the field；
making known that all was lost。 The zeal of the soldiers did not
wait for the Emperor to speak。 They bade him be of good cheer； telling
him that he had still fresh forces； and that they would themselves
endure and dare to the last。 This was no flattery； they were fired
by a furious impulse to seek the battle…field； and raise again the
fallen fortunes of their party。 Those who stood at a distance
stretched out their arms； those who were near clasped the Emperor's
knees； and Plotius Firmus was the most zealous of them all。 This
man； who was prefect of the Praetorian Guard； repeatedly besought Otho
not to desert an army so loyal and soldiers so deserving； 〃there was
more courage in bearing trouble；〃 he said； 〃than in escaping from
it； the brave and the energetic cling to hope； even in spite of
fortune； the cowardly and the indolent are hurried into despair by
their fears。〃 While he was thus speaking； as Otho assumed a
relenting or a stern expression； the soldiers cheered or groaned。
Nor was it only the Praetorians； who were peculiarly Otho's troops；
that thus acted； those who had been sent on from Moesia declared
that the approachin