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jealousy into the civil war。 Claudius Julianus； who had lately
exercised an indulgent rule over the fleet at Misenum； was selected by
Vitellius to soothe the irritation of the soldiery。 He was supported
by a city cohort and a troop of gladiators whose chief officer he was。
As soon as the two camps were pitched； Julianus； without much
hesitation； went over to the side of Vespasian； and they then occupied
Tarracina； which was protected by its fortifications and position
rather than by any ability of theirs。
Vitellius； when informed of these events； left a portion of his army
at Narnia under the command of the prefect of the Praetorian Guard；
and deputed his brother Lucius with six cohorts of infantry and 500
cavalry to encounter the danger that now threatened him on the side of
Campania。 Sick at heart； he found relief in the zeal of the soldiers
and in the shouts with which the people clamoured for arms； while he
gave the delusive name of an army and of Roman legions to a cowardly
mob； that would not venture on any thing beyond words。 At the instance
of his freedmen （for his friends were the less faithful the more
distinguished their rank） he ordered the tribes to be convoked； and to
those who gave in their names administered the oath of service。 As the
numbers were excessive； he divided the business of enrolment between
the consuls。 He required the Senators to furnish a prescribed number
of slaves and a certain weight of silver。 The Roman Knights offered
their services and money； and even the freedmen voluntarily sought the
privilege of doing the same。 This pretence of loyalty； dictated at
first by fear； passed into enthusiasm； and many expressed
compassion； not so much for Vitellius； as for the fallen condition
of the Imperial power。 Vitellius himself failed not to draw out
their sympathies by his pitiable looks； his voice； and his tears； he
was liberal in his promises and even extravagant； as men in their
alarm naturally are。 He even expressed a wish to be saluted as Caesar；
a title which he had formerly rejected。 But now he had a superstitious
feeling about the name； and it is a fact that in the moment of
terror the counsels of the wise and the voice of the rabble are
listened to with equal respect。 But as all movements that originate in
thoughtless impulse； however vigorous in their beginnings； become
feeble after a time； the throng of Senators and Knights gradually
melted away； dispersing at first tardily and during the absence of the
Emperor； but before long with a contemptuous indifference to his
presence； till； ashamed of the failure of his efforts； Vitellius
waived his claims to services which were not offered。
As the occupation of Mevania； and the apparent revival of the war
with new vigour； had struck terror into Italy； so now did the timorous
retreat of Vitellius give an unequivocal bias in favour of the
Flavianists。 The Samnites； the Peligni； and the Marsi； roused
themselves； jealous at having been anticipated by Campania； and； as
men who serve a new master； were energetic in all the duties of war。
The army； however； was much distressed by bad weather in its passage
over the Apennines； and since they could hardly struggle through the
snow； though their march was unmolested； they perceived what danger
they would have had to encounter； had not Vitellius been made to
turn back by that good fortune； which； not less often than the
wisdom of their counsels； helped the Flavianist generals。 Here they
fell in with Petilius Cerialis； who had escaped the sentries of
Vitellius by a rustic disguise and by his knowledge of the country。
There was a near relationship between Cerialis and Vespasian； and he
was not without reputation as a soldier。 He was therefore admitted
to rank among the generals。 It has been said by many that the means of
escape were likewise open to Flavius Sabinus and to Domitian； and
indeed messengers； dispatched by Antonius； contrived under various
disguises to make their way to them； offering them a place of refuge
and a protecting force。 Sabinus pleaded his ill health； unsuited to
toil and adventure。 Domitian did not want the courage； but he feared
that the guards whom Vitellius had set over him； though they offered
to accompany him in his flight； had treacherous designs。 And Vitellius
himself； out of a regard for his own connexions； did not meditate
any cruelty against Domitian。
The Flavianist generals on their arrival at Carsulae took a few days
for repose； while the eagles and standards of the legions were
coming up。 Carsulae appeared a good position for an encampment； for it
commanded an extensive prospect； provisions could be safely brought
up； and there were in its rear several very wealthy towns。 They also
calculated on interviews with the Vitellianists； who were only ten
miles distant； and on the chances of defection。 The soldiers were
dissatisfied with this prospect； and wished for victory rather than
for peace。 They would not even await the arrival of their own legions；
whom they looked upon as sharers in the spoil rather than in the
dangers of the campaign。 Antonius summoned them to an assembly； and
explained to them that Vitellius had still forces； which would waver
in their loyalty if they had time to reflect； but would be fierce foes
if driven to despair。 〃The opening of a civil war must；〃 he said；
〃be left to chance； the final triumph is perfected by wise counsels
and skill。 The fleet of Misenum and the fairest portion of Campania
have already revolted； and out of the whole world Vitellius has
nothing left but the country between Tarracina and Narnia。 From our
victory at Cremona sufficient glory has accrued to us； and from the
destruction of that city only too much disgrace。 Let us not be eager
to capture rather than to preserve the capital。 Greater will be our
reward； far higher our reputation； if we secure without bloodshed
the safety of the Senate and of the people of Rome。〃 By this and
similar language their impatience was allayed。
Soon after； the legions arrived。 Alarmed by the report of this
increase to the army； the Vitellianist cohorts began to waver； no
one urged them to fight； many urged them to change sides； each more
eager than the other to hand over his company or troop； a present to
the conqueror； and a source of future advantage to himself。 From these
men it was ascertained that Interamna； situated in the adjoining
plain； was occupied by a garrison of 400 cavalry。 Varus was at once
dispatched with a lightly equipped force； and cut to pieces a few
who attempted to resist； the greater number threw down their arms； and
begged for quarter。 Some fled back into the camp； and spread panic
everywhere by exaggerated reports of the courage and strength of the
enemy； seeking thus to mi