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！
encountered him with a hastily assembled force of Betasii； Tungri； and
Nervii； relying on the strength of his position； as he had occupied
a bridge over the river Mosa。 They fought in a narrow defile without
any decided result； till the Germans swam across and attacked
Labeo's rear。 At the same moment； Civilis； acting either on some
bold impulse or by a preconcerted plan； rushed into the Tungrian
column； exclaiming in a loud voice； 〃We have not taken up arms in
order that the Batavi and Treveri may rule over the nations。 Far
from us be such arrogance！ Accept our alliance。 I am ready to join
your ranks； whether you would prefer me to be your general or your
comrade。〃 The multitude was moved by the appeal； and were beginning to
sheathe their swords； when Campanus and Juvenalis； two of the Tungrian
chieftains； surrendered the whole tribe to Civilis。 Labeo made his
escape before he could be intercepted。 The Betasii and Nervii； also
capitulating； were incorporated by Civilis into his army。 He now
commanded vast resources； as the States were either completely
cowed； or else were naturally inclined in his favour。
Meanwhile Julius Sabinus； after having thrown down the pillars
that recorded the treaty with Rome； bade his followers salute him as
Emperor； and hastened at the head of a large and undisciplined crowd
of his countrymen to attack the Sequani； a neighbouring people；
still faithful to Rome。 The Sequani did not decline the contest。
Fortune favoured the better cause； and the Lingones were defeated。
Sabinus fled from the battle with a cowardice equal to the rashness
with which he had precipitated it； and； in order to spread a report of
his death； he set fire to a country…house where he had taken refuge。
It was believed that he there perished by a death of his own
seeking。 The various shifts by which he contrived to conceal himself
and to prolong his life for nine years； the firm fidelity of his
friends； and the noble example of his wife Epponina； I shall relate in
their proper place。 By this victory of the Sequani the tide of war was
stayed。 The States began by degrees to recover their senses； and to
reflect on the claims of justice and of treaties。 The Remi were
foremost in this movement； announcing throughout Gaul that deputies
were to be sent to consult in common assembly whether they should make
freedom or peace their object。
At Rome report exaggerated all these disasters； and disturbed
Mucianus with the fear that the generals； though distinguished men
（for he had already appointed Gallus Annius and Petilius Cerialis to
the command）； would be unequal to the weight of so vast a war。 Yet the
capital could not be left without a ruler； and men feared the
ungoverned passions of Domitian； while Primus Antonius and Varus
Arrius were also； as I have said； objects of suspicion。 Varus； who had
been made commander of the Praetorian Guard； had still at his disposal
much military strength。 Mucianus ejected him from his office； and； not
to leave him without consolation； made him superintendent of the
sale of corn。 To pacify the feelings of Domitian； which were not
unfavourable to Varus； he appointed Arretinus Clemens； who was closely
connected with the house of Vespasian； and who was also a great
favourite with Domitian； to the command of the Praetorian Guard；
alleging that his father； in the reign of Caligula； had admirably
discharged the duties of that office。 The old name he said； would
please the soldiers； and Clemens himself； though on the roll of
Senators； would be equal to both duties。 He selected the most
eminent men in the State to accompany him； while others were appointed
through interest。 At the same time Domitian and Mucianus prepared to
set out； but in a very different mood； Domitian in all the hope and
impatience of youth； Mucianus ever contriving delays to check his
ardent companion； who； he feared； were he to intrude himself upon
the army； might be led by the recklessness of youth or by bad advisers
to compromise at once the prospects of war and of peace。 Two of the
victorious legions； the 6th and 8th； the 21st； which belonged to the
Vitellianist army； the 2nd； which consisted of new levies； were
marched into Gaul； some over the Penine and Cottian； some over the
Graian Alps。 The 14th legion was summoned from Britain； and the 6th
and 10th from Spain。 Thus rumours of an advancing army； as well as
their own temper； inclined the States of Gaul which assembled in the
country of the Remi to more peaceful counsels。 Envoys from the Treveri
were awaiting them there； and among them Tullius Valentinus； the
most vehement promoter of the war； who in a set speech poured forth
all the charges usually made against great empires； and levelled
against the Roman people many insulting and exasperating
expressions。 The man was a turbulent fomenter of sedition； and pleased
many by his frantic eloquence。
On the other hand Julius Auspex； one of the leading chieftains among
the Remi； dwelt on the power of Rome and the advantages of peace。
Pointing out that war might be commenced indeed by cowards； but must
be carried on at the peril of the braver spirits； and that the Roman
legions were close at hand； he restrained the most prudent by
considerations of respect and loyalty； and held back the younger by
representations of danger and appeals to fear。 The result was； that；
while they extolled the spirit of Valentinus； they followed the
counsels of Auspex。 It is certain that the Treveri and Lingones were
injured in the eyes of the Gallic nations by their having sided with
Verginius in the movement of Vindex。 Many were deterred by the
mutual jealousy of the provinces。 〃Where；〃 they asked； 〃could a head
be found for the war？ Where could they look for civil authority； and
the sanction of religion？ If all went well with them； what city
could they select as the seat of empire？〃 The victory was yet to be
gained； dissension had already begun。 One State angrily boasted of its
alliances； another of its wealth and military strength； or of the
antiquity of its origin。 Disgusted with the prospect of the future；
they acquiesced in their present condition。 Letters were written to
the Treveri in the name of the States of Gaul； requiring them to
abstain from hostilities； and reminding them that pardon might yet
be obtained； and that friends were ready to intercede for them； should
they repent。 Valentinus still opposed； and succeeded in closing the
ears of his countrymen to this advice； though he was not so diligent
in preparing for war as he was assiduous in haranguing。
Accordingly neither the Treveri； the Lingones； nor the other
revolted States； took measures at all proportioned to the magnitude of
the peril they had incurred。 Even their generals did not act in