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own hands。 The influence of Primus Antonius and Varus Arrius was
destroyed； for the irritation of Mucianus against them； though not
revealed in his looks； was but ill…concealed； and the country； keen to
discover such dislikes； had changed its tone and transferred its
homage。 He alone was canvassed and courted； and he； surrounding
himself with armed men； and bargaining for palaces and gardens； ceased
not； what with his magnificence； his proud bearing； and his guards； to
grasp at the power； while he waived the titles of Empire。 The murder
of Calpurnius Galerianus caused the utmost consternation。 He was a son
of Caius Piso； and had done nothing； but a noble name and his own
youthful beauty made him the theme of common talk； and while the
country was still unquiet and delighted in novel topics； there were
persons who associated him with idle rumours of Imperial honours。 By
order of Mucianus he was surrounded with a guard of soldiers。 Lest his
execution in the capital should excite too much notice； they conducted
him to the fortieth milestone from Rome on the Appian Road； and
there put him to death by opening his veins。 Julius Priscus； who had
been prefect of the Praetorian Guard under Vitellius； killed himself
rather out of shame than by compulsion。 Alfenius Varus survived the
disgrace of his cowardice。 Asiaticus； who was only a freedman；
expiated by the death of a slave his evil exercise of power。
At this time the country was hearing with anything but sorrow
rumours that daily gained strength of disasters in Germany。 Men
began to speak of slaughtered armies； of captured encampments； of Gaul
in revolt； as if such things were not calamities。 Beginning at an
earlier period I will discuss the causes in which this war had its
origin； and the extent of the movements which it kindled among
independent and allied nations。
The Batavians； while they dwelt on the other side of the Rhine；
formed a part of the tribe of the Chatti。 Driven out by a domestic
revolution； they took possession of an uninhabited district on the
extremity of the coast of Gaul； and also of a neighbouring island；
surrounded by the ocean in front； and by the river Rhine in the rear
and on either side。 Not weakened by the power of Rome or by alliance
with a people stronger than themselves； they furnished to the Empire
nothing but men and arms。 They had had a long training in the German
wars； and they had gained further renown in Britain； to which
country their cohorts had been transferred； commanded； according to
ancient custom； by the noblest men in the nation。 They had also at
home a select body of cavalry； who practised with special devotion the
art of swimming； so that they could stem the stream of the Rhine
with their arms and horses； without breaking the order of their
squadrons。
Julius Paullus and Claudius Civilis； scions of the royal family；
ranked very high above the rest of their nation。 Paullus was
executed by Fonteius Capito on a false charge of rebellion。 Civilis
was put in chains and sent to Nero； and； though acquitted by Galba；
again stood in peril of his life in the time of Vitellius； when the
army clamoured for his execution。 Here were causes of deep offence；
hence arose hopes built on our disasters。 Civilis； however； was
naturally politic to a degree rarely found among barbarians。 He was
wont to represent himself as Sertorius or Hannibal； on the strength of
a similar disfigurement of his countenance。 To avoid the opposition
which he would encounter as a public enemy； were he openly to revolt
from Rome； he affected a friendship for Vespasian and a zealous
attachment to his party； and indeed a letter had been despatched to
him by Primus Antonius； in which he was directed to divert the
reinforcements which Vitellius had called up； and to keep the
legions where they were by the feint of an outbreak in Germany。 The
same policy was suggested by Hordeonius in person； he had a bias
towards Vespasian； and feared for the Empire； the utter ruin of
which would be very near； were a fresh war with so many thousands of
armed men to burst upon Italy。
Civilis； who was resolved on rebellion； and intended； while
concealing his ulterior designs； to reveal his other plans as occasion
presented itself； set about the work of revolution in this way。 By
command of Vitellius all the Batavian youth was then being summoned to
the conscription； a thing naturally vexatious； and which the officials
made yet more burdensome by their rapacity and profligacy； while
they selected aged and infirm persons； whom they might discharge for a
consideration； and mere striplings； but of distinguished beauty （and
many attained even in boyhood to a noble stature）； whom they dragged
off for infamous purposes。 This caused indignation； and the
ringleaders of the concerted rebellion prevailed upon the people to
refuse the conscription。 Civilis collected at one of the sacred
groves； ostensibly for a banquet； the chiefs of the nation and the
boldest spirits of the lower class。 When he saw them warmed with the
festivities of the night； he began by speaking of the renown and glory
of their race； and then counted the wrongs and the oppressions which
they endured； and all the other evils of slavery。 〃There is；〃 he said；
〃no alliance； as once there was； we are treated as slaves。 When does
even a legate come among us； though he come only with a burdensome
retinue and in all the haughtiness of power？ We are handed over to
prefects and centurions； and when they are glutted with our spoils and
our blood； then they are changed； and new receptacles for plunder； new
terms for spoliation； are discovered。 Now the conscription is at hand；
tearing； we may say； for ever children from parents； and brothers from
brothers。 Never has the power of Rome been more depressed。 In the
winter quarters of the legions there is nothing but property to
plunder and a few old men。 Only dare to look up； and cease to
tremble at the empty names of legions。 For we have a vast force of
horse and foot； we have the Germans our kinsmen； we have Gaul bent
on the same objects。 Even to the Roman people this war will not be
displeasing； if defeated； we shall still reckon it a service to
Vespasian； and for success no account need be rendered。〃
Having been listened to with great approval； he bound the whole
assembly with barbarous rites and the national forms of oath。 Envoys
were sent to the Canninefates to urge a common policy。 This is a tribe
which inhabits part of the island； and closely resembles the Batavians
in their origin； their language； and their courageous character； but
is inferior in numbers。 After this he sent messengers to tamper with
the British auxiliaries and with the Batavian cohorts； who； as I
have before related； had been