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！
into an interchange of angry words； and letters passed between the
two； conveying bitter and shameful terms of reproach； which were not
false indeed； for that matter； only it was senseless and ridiculous
for each to assail the other with accusations to which both alike must
plead guilty。 For it were hard to determine which of the two had
been most profuse； most effeminate； which was most a novice in
military affairs； and most involved in debt through previous want of
means。
As to the prodigies and apparitions that happened about this time；
there were many reported which none could answer for； or which were
told in different ways； but one which everybody actually saw with
their eyes； was the statue； in the capitol； of Victory carried in a
chariot； with the reins dropped out of her hands； as if she were grown
too weak to hold them any longer； and a second； that Caius Caesar's
statue in the island of Tiber； without any earthquake or wind to
account for it； turned round from west to east； and this； they say；
happened about the time when Vespasian and his party first openly
began to put themselves forward。 Another incident； which the people in
general thought an evil sign； was the inundation of the Tiber； for
though it happened at a time when rivers are usually at their fullest；
yet such height of water and so tremendous a flood had never been
known before； nor such a destruction of property； great part of the
city being under water； and especially the corn market； so that it
occasioned a great dearth for several days。
But when news was now brought that Caecina and Valens； commanding
for Vitellius； had possessed themselves of the Alps； Otho sent
Dolabella （a patrician； who was suspected by the soldiery of some evil
purpose）； for whatever reason； whether it were fear of him or of any
one else； to the town of Aquinum； to give encouragement there； and
proceeding then to choose which of the magistrates should go with
him to the war； he named amongst the rest Lucius； Vitellius's brother；
without distinguishing him by any new marks either of his favour or
displeasure。 He also took the greatest precautions for Vitellius's
wife and mother； that they might be safe； and free from all
apprehension for themselves。 He made Flavius Sabinus； Vespasian's
brother； governor of Rome； either in honour to the memory of Nero； who
had advanced him formerly to that command； which Galba had taken away；
or else to show his confidence in Vespasian by his favour to his
brother。
After he came to Brixillum； a town of Italy near the Po； he stayed
behind himself； and ordered the army to march under the conduct of
Marius Celsus； Suetonius Paulinus； Gallus； and Spurina； all men of
experience and reputation； but unable to carry their own plans and
purposes into effect； by reason of the ungovernable temper of the
army； which would take orders from none but the emperor whom they
themselves had made their master。 Nor was the enemy under much
better discipline； the soldiers there also being haughty and
disobedient upon the same account； but they were more experienced
and used to hard work； whereas Otho's men were soft from their long
easy living and lack of service； having spent most of their time in
the theatres and at state shows and on the stage； while moreover
they tried to cover their deficiencies by arrogance and vain
display； pretending to decline their duty； not because they were
unable to do the thing commanded； but because they thought
themselves above it。 So that Spurina had like to have been cut in
pieces for attempting to force them to their work； they assailed him
with insolent language； accusing him of a design to betray and ruin
Caesar's interest； nay； some of them that were in drink forced his
tent in the night； and demanded money for the expenses of their
journey； which they must at once take； they said； to the emperor； to
complain of him。
However； the contemptuous treatment they met with at Placentia did
for the present good service to Spurina； and to the cause of Otho。 For
Vitellius's men marched up to the walls； and upbraided Otho's upon the
ramparts； calling them players； dancers； idle spectators of Pythian
and Olympic games； but novices in the art of war； who never so much as
looked on at a battle； mean souls； that triumphed in the beheading
of Galba； an old man unarmed； but had no desire to look real enemies
in the face。 Which reproaches so inflamed them that they kneeled at
Spurina's feet； entreated him to give his orders； and assured him no
danger or toil should be too great or too difficult for them。
Whereupon when Vitellius's forces made a vigorous attack on the
town； and brought up numerous engines against the walls； the
besieged bravely repulsed them； and； repelling the enemy with great
slaughter； secured the safety of a noble city； one of the most
flourishing places in Italy。
Besides； it was observed that Otho's officers were much more
inoffensive； both towards the public and to private men； than those of
Vitellius； among whom was Caecina； who used neither the language nor
the apparel of a citizen； an overbearing； foreign…seeming man； of
gigantic stature； and always dressed in trews and sleeves； after the
manner of the Gauls； whilst he conversed with Roman officials and
magistrates。 His wife； too； travelled along with him； riding in
splendid attire on horseback； with a chosen body of cavalry to
escort her。 And Fabius Valens； the other general； was so rapacious
that neither what he plundered from enemies； nor what he stole or
got as gifts and bribes from his friends and allies； could satisfy his
wishes。 And it was said that it was in order to have time to raise
money that he had marched so slowly that he was not present at the
former attack。 But some lay the blame on Caecina； saying； that out
of a desire to gain the victory by himself before Fabius joined him；
he committed sundry other errors of lesser consequence； and by
engaging unseasonably and when he could not do so thoroughly； he
very nearly brought all to ruin。
When he found himself beat off at Placentia； he set off to attack
Cremona； another large and rich city。 In the meantime； Annius Gallus
marched to join Spurina at Placentia； but having intelligence that the
siege was raised； and that Cremona was in danger； he turned to its
relief； and encamped just by the enemy； where he was daily
reinforced by other officers。 Caecina placed a strong ambush of
heavy infantry in some rough and woody country； and gave orders to his
horse to advance； and if the enemy should charge them； then to make
a slow retreat； and draw them into the snare。 But his stratagem was
discovered by some deserters to Celsus； who attacked with a good
body of horse； but followed the pursuit cautiously； and succeeded in
surrounding and routing the troops in the ambuscade； and if the
infantry which he ordered up from the camp had come soon enough to
sustain the horse； Caecina's whole army； in all appearance； had been
totally routed。 But Paulinus； moving too slowly； was accused of acting
with a degree of needless caution not to have been expected from one
of his reputation。 So that the soldiers incensed Ot