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！
overthrow of many cities。 Not with messages and letters； but with my
arm and my sword； have I served my Emperor。 I would not seek to hinder
the renown of those who in the meanwhile have reduced Asia to
tranquillity。 They had at heart the peace of Moesia； I the safety
and security of Italy。 By my earnest representations Gaul and Spain；
the most powerful region of the world； have been won for Vespasian。
But all my efforts have been wasted； if they alone who have not shared
the peril obtain its rewards。〃 The meaning of all this did not
escape Mucianus； and there arose a deadly feud； cherished by
Antonius with frankness； by Mucianus with reserve； and therefore
with the greater bitterness。
Vitellius； after his power had been shattered at Cremona；
endeavoured to suppress the tidings of the disaster； and by this
foolish attempt at concealment he put off； not indeed his troubles；
but only the application of the remedy。 Had he avowed and discussed
his position； he had some chance； some strength； left； whereas； on the
contrary； when he pretended that all was prosperous； he aggravated his
perils by falsehood。 A strange silence was observed in his presence as
to the war； throughout the country all discussion was prohibited；
and so； many who would have told the truth had it been allowed；
finding it forbidden； spread rumours exaggerating the calamity。 The
generals of the enemy failed not to magnify the report of their
strength； for they sent back any spies of Vitellius whom they
captured； after conducting them round the camp in order that they
might learn the force of the victorious army。 All of these persons
Vitellius questioned in secret； and then ordered that they should be
put to death。 Singular bravery was displayed by a centurion； Julius
Agrestis； who； after several interviews； in which he had in vain
endeavoured to rouse Vitellius to courage； prevailed on the Emperor to
send him in person to see what was the strength of the enemy's
resources； and what had happened at Cremona。 He did not seek to escape
the notice of Antonius by making his observations in secret； but
avowed the emperor's instructions and his own purpose； and asked leave
to see everything。 Persons were sent to shew him the field of
battle； the remains of Cremona； and the captured legions。 He then made
his way back to Vitellius； and when the Emperor denied the truth of
the intelligence which he brought； and even charged him with having
been bribed； 〃Since；〃 he replied； 〃you require some decisive proof；
and I can no longer serve you in any other way either by my life or
death I will give you a proof which you can believe。〃 So he
departed； and confirmed his statement by a voluntary death。 Some say
that he was slain by order of Vitellius； but they bear the same
testimony to his loyalty and courage。
Vitellius； who seemed like a man roused from slumber ordered
Julius Priscus and Alfenius Varus； with fourteen of the Praetorian
cohorts and the entire force of cavalry； to occupy the Apennines。 A
legion of troops drafted from the fleet followed。 So many thousand
troops； comprising the picked men and horses of the army； had they
been under the direction of a different general； would have been quite
equal even to aggressive operations。 The rest of the Praetorian
cohorts were entrusted to Lucius Vitellius； brother of the Emperor；
for the defence of the capital。 Vitellius； while he abated nothing
of his habitual indulgence； with a precipitancy prompted by alarm；
anticipated the elections； at which he appointed consuls for several
years。 With a profuse liberality； he granted treaties to allies； and
the rights of Latin citizenship to foreigners； some he relieved by the
remission of tribute； others by exemptions； in a word； utterly
careless of the future； he mutilated the resources of the Empire。
But the mob was attracted by the magnificence of his bounties。 The
most foolish bought these favours with money； the wise held that to be
invalid； which could neither be given nor received without ruin to the
State。 Yielding at length to the importunity of the army； which had
taken up its position at Mevania； and accompanied by a numerous
train of senators； into which many were brought by ambition and more
by fear； he entered the camp； undecided in purpose and at the mercy of
faithless counsels。
While he was haranguing his troops （marvellous to relate） such a
multitude of ill…omened birds flew over him； as to obscure with a dark
cloud the light of day。 There occurred another terrible presage。 A
bull escaped from the altar； scattered the preparations for sacrifice；
and was finally slain far from the spot where the victims are
usually struck down。 But the most portentous spectacle of all was
Vitellius himself； ignorant of military matters and without
forethought in his plans； even asking others about the order of march；
about the business of reconnoitring； and the discretion to be used
in pushing on or protracting the campaign； betraying in his
countenance and gait his alarm at every fresh piece of intelligence；
and finally drinking to intoxication。 At last； weary of the camp；
and having received tidings of the defection of the fleet at
Misenum； he returned to Rome； trembling at every new disaster； but
reckless of the final result。 For though it was open to him to have
crossed the Apennines with an army in unimpaired vigour； and to have
attacked in the field an enemy suffering from cold and scant supplies；
yet； by dividing his forces； he abandoned to destruction or
captivity troops of the keenest courage and faithful to the last；
against the judgment of the most experienced among the centurions；
who； had they been consulted； would have told him the truth。 They were
all kept at a distance by the intimate friends of Vitellius； for the
Emperor's ears were so formed； that all profitable counsels were
offensive to him； and that he would hear nothing but what would please
and ruin。
The fleet at Misenum； so much can be done in times of civil
discord by the daring of even a single man； was drawn into revolt by
Claudius Faventinus； a centurion cashiered by Galba； who forged
letters in the name of Vespasian offering a reward for treachery。
The fleet was under the command of Claudius Apollinaris； a man neither
firm in his loyalty； nor energetic in his treason。 Apinius Tiro； who
had filled the office of praetor； and who then happened to be at
Minturnae； offered to head the revolt。 By these men the colonies and
municipal towns were drawn into the movement； and as Puteoli was
particularly zealous for Vespasian； while Capua on the other hand
remained loyal to Vitellius； they introduced their municipal
jealousy into the civil war。 Claudius Julianus； who had lately
exercised an indulgent rule over the