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strain； as if he feared to offend Vespasian； while their own
generals had used contemptuous language； meant； it would seem； to
insult Vitellius。
On the subsequent arrival of two legions； the third commanded by
Dillius Aponianus； the eighth by Numisius Lupus； it was resolved to
make a demonstration of their strength； and to surround Verona with
military lines。 It so happened that Galba's legion had had their
work allotted to them on that side the lines which faced the enemy；
and that some of the allied cavalry appearing in the distance were
taken for the enemy； and excited a groundless panic。 They flew to
arms； and as the rage of the soldiers at the supposed treachery fell
upon T。 Ampius Flavianus； not from any proof of his guilt； but because
he had been long unpopular； they clamoured for his death in a very
whirlwind of passion； vociferating that he was the kinsman of
Vitellius； that he had betrayed Otho； that he had embezzled the
donative。 He could get no opportunity of defending himself； even
though he stretched out his hands in entreaty； repeatedly
prostrating himself on the ground； his garments torn； his breast and
features convulsed with sobs。 This very conduct provoked afresh
these furious men； for fear so excessive seemed to argue a
consciousness of guilt。 Aponius was clamoured down by the shouts of
the soldiers； when he attempted to address them； every one else was
repulsed with noisy cries。 To Antonius alone the soldiers' ears were
open； for he had eloquence； the art of soothing an angry crowd； and
personal influence。 As the mutiny grew fiercer； and the soldiers
went on from abuse and taunts to use their hands and their weapons； he
ordered that Flavianus should be put in irons。 The soldiers saw what a
mockery it was； and pushing aside those who were guarding the
tribunal； were about to commit the most outrageous violence。
Antonius threw himself in the way with his sword drawn； protesting
that he would die either by the soldiers' hands or by his own；
whenever he saw any one who was known to him； or who was distinguished
by any military decoration； he summoned him by name to his assistance。
Then he turned to the standards； and prayed to the gods of war； that
they would inspire the armies of the enemy； rather than his own；
with such madness and such strife。 So the mutiny began to abate； and
at the close of the day the men dispersed to their tents。 The same
night Flavianus set out； and being met by letters from Vespasian；
was relieved from his perilous position。
The legions had caught the infection of mutiny； and next assailed
Aponius Saturnius； legate of the army of Moesia； this time the more
furiously because their rage broke out； not as before； when they
were wearied with labour and military toils； but at mid…day。 Some
letters had been published； which Saturninus was believed to have
written to Vitellius。 If once they had emulated each other in valour
and obedience； so now there was a rivalry in insubordination and
insolence； till they clamoured as violently for the execution of
Aponius as they had for that of Flavianus。 The legions of Moesia
recalled how they had aided the vengeance of the Pannonian army； while
the soldiers of Pannonia； as if they were absolved by the mutiny of
others； took a delight in repeating their fault。 They hastened to
the gardens in which Saturninus was passing his time； and it was not
the efforts of Primus Antonius； Aponianus； and Messalla； though they
exerted themselves to the uttermost； that saved him； so much as the
obscurity of the hiding…place in which he concealed himself； for he
was hidden in the furnace of some baths that happened to be out of
use。 In a short time he gave up his lictors； and retired to
Patavium。 After the departure of the two men of consular rank； all
power and authority over the two armies centred in Antonius alone； his
colleagues giving way to him； and the soldiers being strongly biased
in his favour。 There were those who believed that both these
mutinies were set on foot by the intrigues of Antonius； in order
that he might engross all the prizes of the war。
Nor indeed was there less restlessness among the partisans of
Vitellius； who were distracted by yet more fatal dissensions；
springing； not from the suspicions of the common men； but from the
treachery of the generals。 Lucilius Bassus； prefect of the Ravenna
fleet； finding that the troops wavered in purpose； from the fact
that many were natives of Dalmatia and Pannonia； provinces held for
Vespasian； had attached them to the Flavianist party。 The night…time
was chosen for accomplishing the treason； because then； unknown to all
the rest； the ringleaders alone might assemble at head…quarters。
Bassus； moved by shame； or perhaps by fear； awaited the issue in his
house。 The captains of the triremes rushed with a great outcry on
the images of Vitellius； a few； who attempted to resist； were cut
down； the great majority； with the usual love of change； were ready to
join Vespasian。 Then Bassus came forward and openly sanctioned the
movement。 The fleet appointed Cornelius Fuscus to be prefect； and he
hastened to join them。 Lucilius was put under honourable arrest； and
conveyed as far as Adria by the Liburnian ships； there he was thrown
into prison by Vivennius Rufinus； prefect of a squadron of cavalry；
which was there in garrison。 His chains； however； were immediately
struck off on the interference of Hormus； one of the Emperor's
freedmen； for he too ranked among the generals。
On the revolt of the fleet becoming known； Caecina called together
to head…quarters； which he purposely selected as being the most
retired part of the camp； the chief centurions and some few
soldiers； while the rest were dispersed on various military duties。
Then he extolled the valour of Vespasian； and the strength of his
party； he told them that the fleet had changed sides； that they were
straitened for supplies； that Gaul and Spain were against them； that
in the capital there was nothing on which to rely； thus making the
worst of everything that concerned Vitellius。 Then； the conspirators
present setting the example； and the rest being paralysed by the
strangeness of the proceeding； he made them swear allegiance to
Vespasian。 At the same time the images of Vitellius were torn down；
and persons were despatched to convey the intelligence to Antonius。
But when this treason became noised abroad throughout the camp； when
the soldiers； hurrying back to head…quarters； saw the name of
Vespasian written on the colours； and the images of Vitellius thrown
upon the ground； first there was a gloomy silence； then all their rage
burst out at once。 〃What；〃 they cried； 〃has the glory of the army of
Germany fallen so low； that without a battle； even without a