TACIJUS HISTORIES I II MOORE LIBRARY UNtVSftSJTY Of . SAN OIEGO MACMILLAN'S LATIN CLASSICS EDITED BY JAMES C. EGBERT, PH.D. Professor of Latin, Columbia University THE HISTORIES OF TACITUS BOOKS I AND II THE MACMILLAN COMPANY NEW YORK BOSTON CHICAGO ATLANTA SAN FRANCISCO MACMILLAN & CO., LIMITED LONDON BOMBAY CALCUTTA MELBOURNE THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, LTD. TORONTO THE HISTORIES OF TACITUS BOOKS I AND II FRANK GARDNER MOORE PROFESSOR OF CLASSICAL PHILOLOGY IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY fforfe THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1910 All rights reserved COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. Set up and electrotyped. Published December, igio. Norfaonto tyrtss J. 8. Gushing Co. Berwick 487 - 7 2, 61 fin. INTRODUCTION xi perhaps under Titus (79-81). Owing to Domitian's re- pression of free speech it was not until after the tyrant's death (96) that Tacitus, at a mature age, entered upon his productive period. This begins with the appearance of the Agricola, a life of his father-in-law, in 98; and in the same year he published the Germania, a brief account of the land and the people. Both of these works were strongly influenced by Sallust. 4. The Histories (Historiae) had been announced in the preface to the Agricola, but were not completed until a decade later. The period covered was from Jan. 1, 69, to the death of Domitian, Sept. 18, 96. It was thus a history of the Flavian dynasty (Vespasian and his two sons), preceded by an account of the revolution year, 69. The first four books and part of the fifth remain (69-70 only), out of an original twelve to fourteen. The Ab excessu Divi Augusti libri, better known as the Annales, followed the Histories in time of publication, appearing in 116, or the first half of 117. 1 They dealt, however, with the period preceding that covered by the Histories, viz. from the death of Augustus in 14 A.D. to Dec. 31, 68, thus including the fall of Nero and Galba's seven months' reign, except for the last fifteen days (Jan. 1-15, 69), which fell within the period of the Histories. Extant are books 1-4, a fragment of 5, part of 6, also 11-15, and part of 16 (11 being imperfect at the beginning). The original number was probably sixteen, or at most eighteen. Taken together the Annals and the Histories formed a connected narrative in thirty books, 14-96 A.D., but with marked differences of style in the two distinct portions. The extant books of the Annals are a tragedy of the Caesars, 1 Ann. 2, 61 fin. xii INTRODUCTION especially Tiberius and Nero; the remaining fragment of the Histories is a tragedy of the empire itself, in a blind struggle of armies and provinces, awaking suddenly to potential mastery of the world. 1 A continuation of the narrative through the short rule of Nerva and into the long reign of Trajan was at one time contemplated, 2 but never executed. III. THE STYLE OF TACITUS 5. Tacitus occupies a poeition unique among ancient writers in that he developed a style absolutely his own. Beginning as a clever imitator, first of Cicero in the Dialogus, and then of Sallust in the Agricola and Ger- mania, he was deeply influenced by Thucydides and al- ways permeated by the language of Vergil. 3 Yet in his mature historical works he attained complete mastery. " The historian speaks a language so rapid, so strong, so keen, that he carries you away, draws you to him, compels you to think with him in this language which is his own." 4 Besides these qualities of movement, of incisiveness, of compelling power, there is a grave dignity which scorns all that is low and common. 5 This stateliness was the con- spicuous feature of Tacitus the orator, as we may well believe his friend the Younger Pliny. 6 The literary art of Tacitus is dominated by two lead- ing principles: (a) freedom to disregard almost any pre- 1 Cf. Mackail, Latin Literature, 216 ff. Hist. 1, 1 fin. ; Agr. 3 fin. ; cf. Boissier, Tacite, 53. * For a comparison of one of the greatest passages in the Histories, the siege and sack of the Capitol (3, 71 f.), with Vergil '3 sack of Troy, cf. Mackail, op. cit., 219 f. 4 Sainte-Beuve, Premiers Lundis, I, 237. 1 Cf- 20. o E p. 2, 11, 17. INTRODUCTION xiii viously accepted canon of normal prose; and (6) a love of concentration which delights in the sharpest focus. (a) FREEDOM 6. With the exception of Sallust, the leading prose- writers of the golden age had willingly accepted the tram- mels of the periodic style. A period, to quote Taine's definition, 1 is "the expression of a complete idea which marches with a large cortege of secondary propositions, all surrounded by a number of separate ideas, like a dis- ciplined army, which advances with one movement towards a designated goal." But this stately form was ill adapted to animated narration. Even Cicero was thought to be longus in narrationibus, at least in his earlier orations. 2 Sallust accordingly discarded the limi- tations of the period, and attained rapidity of movement, his immortalis velocitas. 3 Livy avoids monotony by introducing sentences of less formal structure, but gladly reverts to his favorite period, an orderly sequence of motives, attendant cir- cumstances, and other preliminaries, leading up chrono- logically to the principal action, usually the closing word. The effect of such a sentence is often that of a miniature drama. Yet the reader may in the end lose patience, and wish the writer had been less hampered by an artificial form brought over from oratory into history. 7. Tacitus follows Sallust in his general aversion to the period. 4 Thus he gains the freedom to place the main action first, and then the thoughts of the agent or spec- tators, the circumstances, explanatory, extenuating, or 1 Tite Live, 325. 2 Dial. 22. * Quint. 10, 1, 102. For a very elaborate period) cf. 2, 37 Ego ut concesserim, etc. xiv INTRODUCTION otherwise. Often he closes with a pointed observation, suggested by the situation, but of a general character. Such bits of worldly wisdom, the sententiae of the schools, were much affected by Seneca and his followers. 1 With Tacitus the fact that he has reached the main verb is no reason for pause; the sentence may be continued by adding further clauses. Especially frequent in this posi- tion, after the main thought, is the ablative absolute, which thus loses its old parenthetical character; e.g.: 1, 2 consumptis antiquissimis delubris, ipso Capitolio civium manibus incenso (cf. below, 12). 13 fin. faventibus plerisque militum, etc. 20 decuma parte . . . relicta. 22 urguentibus etiam mathematicis. 31 invalidis adhuc corporibus, etc. 34 credulafama, etc.* 8. The main verb is often followed by a comment of the author, who supplies a motive, or calls attention to a result, by an apposition, in the accusative, if the verb denotes an activity, otherwise in the nominative, e.g. : 1, 44 munimentum ad praesens, in posterum uUionem. 46 rem haud dubie utilem, etc. 72 effugium (ace.) infuturum. But 1, 22 genus . . . infidum, nominative, with the subject of a verb of saying. 9. A main verb is frequently the first word of the sen- tence, without gaining special emphasis thereby, e.g. : 1, 5 accessit Galbae vox. 17 consultatum info. 19 agitatum. ib. placebat. 20 exauctorati. Quint. 8, 5, 13-14. Of. also 2, 4, 11, 51, 55, 70, etc. INTRODUCTION XV A more studied arrangement is found where one verb stands at the beginning and another at the end of the sentence, e.g.: I, 25 suscepere . . . transferendum, et transttderunt. 10. A perfectly flexible order made it possible to dis- pense with many of the familiar words or phrases of logical connection. A hasty impression that these sentences, which plunge in medias res, are loosely connected in thought, is quickly dispelled. " These members which at first sight one might think broken, straggling, simply ranged side by side, are united by an invincible bond, stirred by a common life, animated by one and the same breath of thought." * II. Flexibility was further gained in a marked degree by the use of participial phrases in place of a cumbrous clause. By this means almost more than any other the sentences of Tacitus escape the traditional rigidity of the Latin for a Greek freedom, with a further gain, now in the direction of conciseness, now of spirit, now of point. The heavy infantry of the clause is easily outmaneuvered by the light-armed phrase, e.g. : 1, 2 omissi gestique honor es pro crimine. 28 corrupta latins castra et . . . exitium metuens. 76 occupaverat animos prior auditus (here the ptcp. has a pred., prior). 89 Caecina iam Alpes transgressus (i.e. the fact that, etc.). 2, 5 cuncta . . . supergressa (do.). Less frequently an adjective is similarly used, e.g.: 2, 82 fin. nihil arduum fatis (do.). 1 Sainte-Beuve, Premiers Lundis, I, 238. xvi INTRODUCTION 12. In participial phrases of various types the perfect sometimes becomes an aorist, losing all sense of a particu- lar time, e.g. : 1, 2 consumptis . . . delubris, etc. (cf. above, 7). 20 relicta (do.). 62 nomine . . . addito. 63 raptis . . . armis. 2, 43 interfecto . . . legato. 13. The Latin love of symmetry had in the classical period displayed itself in balanced thoughts expressed in balanced forms. With Tacitus, in spite of studied terse- ness, symmetry of thought remains an important element, but the second term is all but invariably presented in a different form. A superficial observer thinks him per- versely fond of the unsymmetrical. Often, however, he must have aimed to make the concinnity of thought only more evident by the inconcinnity of expression : 1, 1 neque amore \ sine odio. 20 per artem \ formidine. 21 compositis rebus \ in turbido. 22 si auderet \ quiescenti. 23 vocans \ appellando. 28 magnitudine \ metuens. 44 ad praesens \ in posterum. 63 ob praedam \ spoliandi cupidine. 88 nullum ob crimen \ monstratus. 2, 1 prosperum | exitio. 26 apud paucos . . . probata \ in vulgus adverso rumore. 45 in ambiguo \ certa. 57 palam \ inter seer eta. 1 14. Yet he does not hesitate to employ pairs of syno- nyms and balanced expressions, e.g. : 1 Cf. also 1, 14 fin., 35 fin., 43, 64, 88 fin. ; 2, 9, 23 fin., 30, 34, 44, 49, 59 fin., etc. INTRODUCTION Xvii 1, 46 per latrocinia et raptus (2, 58). 1, 72 desertor ac proditor. 88 occultare et abdere. 2, 12 non Italia . . . nee loca sedesque patriae . . . tanquam externa litora et urbes hostium. 21 legionum et Germanici exercitus . . . urbanae militiae et praetoriarum cohortium. ib. segnem et desidem . . . peregrinum et externum. 47 civile bellum . . . coepit, et ut . . . certaremus armis, initium illinc fuit. 15. The principle of variety shows itself again in the use of the abstract for the concrete, and vice versa, or in an abrupt change from the one to the other, e.g. : 1, 17 publica expectatio. 19 favor = fautores (followed by concrete, rrnilti). 2, 4 fiducia (of a person who produces that state of mind in others). 5 fides. 1, 4 gaudentium = gaudil. Sometimes, on the other hand, abstract is preferred to concrete for reasons of symmetry, e.g. : 1, 2 exiliis = exulibus (with caedibus). Behind the ready transition from concrete to abstract and back again lies the philosophic temper of the his- torian, who sees in an abstraction the living beings who personify it. It is one of the ways in which he treats history in terms of the universal. 16. Roman prose in the Ciceronian age was still emi- nently unimaginative. A sharp line was drawn between the vocabulary of prose and poetry. For later genera- tions this line was in large measure effaced under the spell of Augustan poetry. Hence the widespread employment xv iii INTRODUCTION of poetic words and usages in silver Latin prose, 1 the ever-present umbra of the Mantuan. Examples from the Histories are: 1, 16 regnare as a transitive verb. 32 valescere (80 evalescere). 39 crebrescere (2, 67). 40 proculcare. 62 praesumere. 2, 3 adolere. 27 su&pectare. 32 obumbrare. 44 resumere. 46 flagrare ire. 58 spargere = divulgare or efferre. 74 flammare. 1, 68 concitor; 2, 80 ostentator; 86 raptor. 1, 62 meatus; 2, 88 occur sus. 1, 66 velamentum. 2, 70 ta&um. 1, 10 inmotus; 2, 60 inemptus. 2, 61 inviolabilis. 1, 24 indigus. 82 lymphatus. 86 refusus. 2, 1 praesagus. 1, 37 feralis. 17. In place of the trite compound, we often meet the poetic use of the simple verb in the same sense, e.g. : 1, 2 mittere (omittere). 5 vereri (re-). 29 servare (do.). 79 fodere (trans-). 2, 1, 26 /erre (prae-). 12 raper e (diripere). 15 sidere (re-). 1 For Tacitus as a poet, cf. below, 30 n. 4. INTRODUCTION xix 16 tenere (do.). 18, 58 propinquare (ad-). 53 clarescere (in-), etc. 18. As in poetry, there is a tendency (much more marked in the Annals) to omit the preposition in expres- sions of the place in which, or from which, e.g. : 1, 55 suggestu. 2, 16 balineis. 2, 62 Italia. 65 Britannia. 19. Poetic phrases and expressions are not infrequent, e.g. : 1, 12 fessa aetas. 50 arma Orientis. 2, 11 lecta corpora. 20 bracas indutus. 22 dies = lux. 35 vulnera ( = ictus) derigere. 46 maesta fama. 20. Common to poetry and oratory * is the avoidance of technical terms, trivial or pedantic details, e.g. : 1, 9 debilitate pedum (= podagra). 2, 3 continuus orbis, etc. ( = conus). 49 capiti ( = pulvino) . ib. pectore (omitting the detail infra laevam papillam of Suet.). 51 per aversam domus partem (i.e. posticum). (6) CONCENTRATION 21. Tacitus' conciseness is no mere economy of words, after the fashion of the letter writer or diarist. Unlike Sallust, he probably did not regard brevity as a virtue 1 Taine, Tite Live, 324. XX INTRODUCTION in itself, but as a means to a distinct end. Concentration, rather than rapidity of movement, is his purpose. The reader's thoughts may be focused upon the chief features of a situation, leading traits of a character, etc., by simply framing a list of these in the nominative, with- out verbs. This is a deliberate stylistic device, to con- centrate attention upon the salient points of a picture which the reader is then left to complete from his own imagination. Sallust had occasionally given vividness to a descriptive passage by merely setting down the features of the description one after another. 1 He had also ap- plied the same method to a pen portrait. 2 Vergil effec- tively employed the same device; 3 and Livy sometimes used it. 4 22. With Tacitus this becomes a feature of his style. 5 A noun with its adjective or participle is quite enough to suggest a first element in the picture. What if nothing is formally predicated of that noun? Other elements similarly sketched immediately follow, and imagination, freed from the restraints of formal grammar, has soon called up the whole scene before us. The most striking example of enumeration as a pictorial method stands near the beginning of the Histories, 2-3 Opus adgredior opimum casibus . . . quattuor principes ferro interempti; trina bella civilia . . . prosperae in Oriente, adversae in Occidente res, etc. It is an intensely vivid picture in out- line of the whole period which he intended to cover. For more than two hundred words there are no verbs, only a long list of nominatives with participles or adjectives. 1 E -g- Iu ff- 17, 5. E.g. Aen. 1, 639 ff. 2 Cf. Cat. 5, 3 f . E.g. 21, 4, 6 f. 8 Cf. Trans. Am. Philol. Assoc. XXXIV, 1903, 5-26. INTRODUCTION xxi This mass of distinct elements horrible, revolting, vile, good, noble is the cartoon of the master, from which the reader conjures up the finished tapestry. 1 23. Briefer examples of the same method of descrip- tion or picturesque narration abound : 1, 4 sed patres laeti, etc. 6 introitus in itfbem, etc. 7 venalia cuncta, etc. 40 neque populi aut plebis ulla vox, etc. 88 igitur motae urbis curae, etc. 2, 70 foedum atque atrox spectaculum, etc. 99 longe alia . . . species, etc. 24. With such adverbs as hinc, inde, unde, ibi, ubique, etc., the verb esse, whether as copula or as part of a com- pound tense, is quite usually omitted, e.g. : 1, 17 consultatum inde, etc. 19 inde apud senatum, etc. 20 ubique hasta et sector, etc. 53 unde seditiosa colloquia, etc. 2, 15 atrox ibi caedes. In temporal clauses also, with postquam, ubi, etc. : 1, 1 postquam bellatum apud Actium. 22 postquam ex eventu fides. 2, 33 postquam . . . placitum. 28 quod ubi auditum vulgatumque. Or in character sketches : 1, 10 luxuria industria, etc. 49 vetus in familia nobilitas, etc. 2, 5 Vespasianus acer militiae, etc. 1 Cf. the translation of J. J. Rousseau : "Quatre empereurs egorges, trois guerres civiles. . . . Des succes en Orient, des revers en Occident; des troubles en Illyrie, la Gaule dbranle'e, 1'Angleterre conquise," etc., a page and a half with no principal verbs; (Euvres, 1792, XVII, 9 ff. Louandre in his translation follows the same method in chap. 2. xxii INTRODUCTION 25. Corresponding to the vivid description by mere enumeration is concentrated narrative in the form of historical infinitives in a series, a rapid enumeration of actions which followed each other in quick succession. Sallust had used the historical infinitive far more fre- quently, but with much less animation than Livy and Tacitus. A few examples, though none is needed : 1, 35 mere . . . ostentare . . . scire . . . adfirmare. 36 strepere . . . prensare . . . complecti . . . conlocare, etc. 45 mere . . . anteire . . . certare . . . increpare, etc. 26. Ellipsis of other verbs than esse is far rarer, and practically confined to familiar cases where a Roman reader would not have felt the necessity of supplying anything : abesse 2, 16 longe Germaniam. facer e 1, 36 el omnia serviliter. 65 multae . . . clades crebrius infestiusque. 84 vos quidem istud pro me. agere 2, 16 nee tamen aperta vi. 35 quae cuncta in oculis. In contrasted statements the first may dispense with a verb, even where an unexpected change of construction in the second makes it impossible to classify the case under zeugma, e.g. : 2, 7 optimus quisque amore rei publicae [ducebatur], multos dulcedo praedarum stimulabat, alias ambiguae domi res. 46 nee praetoriani tantum, proprius Othonis miles [ita per- severabant, i.e. hanc obstinationem monstrabant], sed praemissi e Moesia eandem obstinationem adventantis exercitus . . . nuntiabant. 27. The pointed sayings of Tacitus show an unrivaled power of condensation. The words may be simple in themselves, but they are grouped in a phrase which is his INTRODUCTION xxiii for all time. Many of these mark the conclusion of a speech, or a paragraph : 1, 10 tarn prope ab exulefuit quam postea a principe. 29 fatigabat alieni iam imperii deos. 38 in eo consilio quod non potest laudari nisi peractum. 49 maior private visus, dum privatus fuit, et omnium con- sensu capax imperii, nisi imperasset. 59 damnatos fidei crimine, gravissimo inter desciscentes. 73 pecunia et orbitate, quae bonis malisque temporibus iuxta valent. 2, 39 nee perinde diiudicari potest, quid optimum factu fuerit, quam pessimum fuisse quod factum est. 47 nam incusare deos vel homines eius est qui vivere velit. 48 neu patruum sibi Othonem fuisse aut oblivisceretur umquam aut nimium meminisset. 74 imperium cupientibus nihil medium inter summa aut praecipitia. 77 qui deliberant, desciverunt. IV. TACITUS AND HIS LITERARY CRITICS 28. Does Tacitus deserve our confidence as a historian ? Was he rather a historical painter, delighting in somber colors, whether true to nature or not ? Did he deliberately blacken the character of the emperors? These are ques- tions of vital interest to the reader of the Annals, where untrustworthy sources were less readily controlled. In dealing with contemporary events in the Histories he is relatively free from bias. He was not infallible as a searcher of individual hearts, but deep knowledge of human nature made him a moral philosopher. Nearly every chapter yields some profound reflection. 1 It is not objective history that he offers, but his own subjective 1 "The historian and the philosopher, the moral philosopher, at least, are united in Tacitus, and this is his glory. " Sainte-Beuve, Causeriea, IX, 99. xxiv INTRODUCTION interpretation of men and events, strongly tinged with pessimism. While indignation often guided his pen, there is nothing unworthy of "the gravest of the historians." 1 29. In Racine's judgment Tacitus was "the greatest painter of antiquity." 2 And nearly all the critics are with him. A great modern historian has said, "Tacitus is perhaps not the best narrator, but the greatest painter of situations." 3 To compare him in this respect with Livy is to venture a comparison between Michael Angelo and Raphael. In Livy romantic temper and love of the ideal express themselves, as with Raphael, in human grace and warmth of color. Bold relief, intense shadows, achieved by a painter's brush in a sculptor's hand, profound thought embodied in figures heroic or satanic, grim des- tiny and the judgment of an aging world, foreshadowed in bitterness of heart with sovereignty of touch, that is Angelo, or Tacitus. 30. His wide departure from the Ciceronian canons explains the tardy acknowledgment which he won from the Italian scholars of the Renaissance. The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries read him as a master of mo- narchical rule; the eighteenth as the apostle of repub- licanism; the nineteenth inclined to view him as painter and stylist 4 rather than as historian. 5 1 Bossuet, Oraison fun&bre de Henriette-Anne d'Angleterre, sub fin. 2 Second preface to Britannicus. 3 v. Ranke, Weltgeschichte, III, 2, 318. 4 Tacitus "has the defects of his time, but also the gift divine which is lacking to Livy: Tacitus is a poet. " Taine, Tite Live, 347. Accord- ing to Leo the permanent fame of Tacitus is explained by the fact that he was a poet in prose, "one of the few great poets whom the Romans possessed." Tacitus (Rede), Gottingen, 1896, 13. 4 Cf . Ramorino, Cornelia Tacito, etc., 2 Milan, 1898, 78; Vannucci, Stvdt storici e morali sulla latteratura italiana, 3 Turin, 1886, 508 ff . INTRODUCTION XXV " If one gives himself up to the impression made by his books, one is carried away by it. There is no trace in him of the manner and method of Greek historiography. He is Roman through and through, and indeed the master of all who have written before or since. 1 His universality culminates in the fact that the heart of the Roman state, and the contrasts it contained between unlimited power and republican sentiment, are described by him at a moment when world-conquest, on one side at least, had been brought to a standstill, while on its frontiers there were the stirrings of a power which was some day to destroy them. The historian stands on the confines of both worlds." 2 V. THE TEXT OF THE HISTORIES 31. In the Middle Ages Tacitus was almost completely neglected. Hence the text of the Histories must now be based upon a single manuscript, written probably in the eleventh century at Monte Cassino, the mother convent of the Benedictine order, about halfway between Rome and Naples. This manuscript was brought to light apparently by Boccaccio, 3 about 1362, and came later into the possession of the Medici family of Florence, where it is still preserved in the Laurentian Library. Copies made by Italian humanists exist, but have no value, ex- cept where the original is defective. 4 The entire Medici 1 "If the aim of history is to resuscitate the past, no historian equals Tacitus." "This brilliance of a style which poetry, hatred, and study inflamed and darkened, is met with but once in history, and required for its production that mind, that civilization, and that decadence." Taine, Tite Live, 348, 349 f . 2 v. Ranke, I.e. 317. 3 Voigt, Wiederbelebung des classischen Alterthums, I, 249 f. 4 E.g. where a leaf has fallen out, at 1, 69-75 and 1, 86-2, 2. xxvi INTRODUCTION codex 1 has been reproduced in photographic facsimile, and published under the auspices of Scato de Vries, at Ley den, 1902. VI. BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY (a) TEXT EDITIONS HALM, C., Teubner text, last reprinted in 1907, Leipzig. VAN DER VLIET, J., Leyden, 1899. MULLER, J., 2d ed. mai., Leipzig and Vienna, 1906. NIPPERDEY, K, Berlin, 1874. (6) ANNOTATED EDITIONS OF THE HISTORIES ORELLI-MEISER, with Latin commentary, Berlin, 1884. HERAUS, CARL, revised by Wilhelm Heraus, German notes; books 1-2, 5th ed., 1904; 3-5, 4th ed., 1899; Leipzig and Berlin. WOLFF, E., German notes, Berlin, 1886-1888. SPOONER, W. A., English notes and historical introduc- tion, London, 1891. VALMAGGI, L., books 1-3, Italian notes, introductions, and bibliography, Turin, 1891-1906. CONSTANS, L., and GIRBAL, P., French notes, Paris, 1900. GOELZER, H., French notes and a study of Tacitus' lan- guage, 3d ed., Paris, 1896. GANTRELLE, J., French notes, 2d ed., Paris, 1880. GODLEY, A. D., English notes, London, 1887 (reprinted several times since) . SIMCOX, W. H., English notes, London, 1875-1876. DAVIES, G. A., book 1, English notes, Cambridge, Eng- land, 1896 (reprinted 1901). 'Laur. 68,11. INTRODUCTION xxvii (c) TRANSLATIONS QUILL, A. W., with introduction and notes, London, 1892- 1896. CHURCH, A. J., and BRODRIBB, W. J., new ed., London, 1905. (d) OTHER WORKS BOISSIER, G., Tacite (an essay), Paris, 2d ed., 1904; translated by W. G. Hutchison, London and New York, 1906. HENDERSON, B. W., Civil War and Rebellion in the Roman Empire A.D. 69-70. A Companion to the ' Histories ' of Tacitus, London, 1908. LEO, F., Tacitus (an address), Gottingen, 1896. WACKERMANN, O., Der Geschichtschreiber P. Cornelius Tacitus, Gutersloh, 1898. MACK AIL, J. W., Latin Literature, New York, 1899, 205- 220. L. v. SCHWABE, article on Tacitus, in PAULY-WISSOWA, Stuttgart, 1901, 1566-1590. NORDEN, E., Antike Kunstprosa, Leipzig, 1898, I, 326 ff. (a new edition has just appeared, 1909). RAMORINO, F., Cornelio Tacito nella storia della coltura, 2d ed., Milan, 1898. DRAEGER, A., Syntax u. Stil des Tacitus, 3d ed., Leipzig, 1882. H. FURNEAUX, The Syntax and Style of Tacitus, in his ed. of the Annals 2 , Oxford, 1896, 38 ff. CONSTANS, L., Etude sur la Langue de Tacite, Paris, 1893. GANTRELLE, J., Grammaire et Style de Tacite, 2d ed., Paris, 1882. FABIA, P., Onomasticon Taciteum, Paris and Lyons, 1900. xxviii INTRODUCTION FABIA, P., Les Sources de Tacite dans les Histoires et les Annales, Paris, 1893. ANDRESEN, G., In Taciti Historias studia critica et palaeo- graphica, Berlin, 1899-1900. GERBER, A., und GREEF, A., Lexicon Taciteum, Leipzig, 1877-1903. THE HISTORIES OF TACITUS BOOKS I AND II CORNELII TACITI HISTORIARVM LIBER I Initium mihi opens Servius Galba iterum Titus Vinius 1 consules erunt. Nam post conditam urbem octingentos et viginti prioris aevi annos multi auctores rettulerunt, dum res populi Romani memorabantur pari eloquentia ac libertate : postquam bellatum apud Actium atque omnem potentiam ad unum conferri pacis interfuit, magna ilia ingenia cessere; simul veritas pluribus modis infracta, primum inscitia rei publicae ut alienae, mox libidine ad- sentandi aut rursus odto adversus dominantes ; ita neutris cura posteritatis inter infensos vel obnoxios. Sed am- bitionem scriptoris facile averseris, obtrectatio et livor pronis auribus accipiuntur ; quippe adulationi foedum crimen servitutis, malignitati falsa species libertatis inest. Mihi Galba Otho Vitellius nee beneficio nee iniuria cog- niti. Dignitatem nostram a Vespasiano incohatam, a Tito auctam, a Domitiano longius provectam non abnuerim: sed incorruptam fidem professis neque amore quisquam et sine odio dicendus est. Quod si vita suppeditet, prin- cipatum divi Nervae et imperium Traiani, uberiorem securioremque materiam, senectuti seposui, rara temporum felicitate, ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet. Opus adgredior opimum casibus, atrox proeliis, discors 2 seditionibus, ipsa etiam pace saevum: quattuor princi- B 1 2 TACITUS [CHAPS. 2, 3, 4. pes ferro interempti; trina bella civilia, plura externa ac plerumque permixta; prosperae in Oriente, adversae in Occidente res; turbatum Illyricum, Galliae nutantes, perdomita Britannia et statim missa; coortae in nos Sarmatarum ac Sueborum gentes, nobilitatus cladibus mutuis Dacus, mota prope etiam Parthorum arma falsi Neronis ludibrio: iam vero Italia novis cladibus vel post longam saeculorum seriem repetitis adflicta: hausta aut obruta fecundissima Campaniae ora, et urbs incendiis vastata, consumptis antiquissimis delubris, ipso Capitolio civium manibus incenso: pollutae caerimoniae, magna adulteria; plenum exiliis mare, infecti caedibus scopuli: atrocius in urbe saevitum: nobilitas, opes, omissi gestique honores pro crimine, et ob virtutes certissimum exitium; nee minus praemia delatorum invisa quam scelera, cum alii sacerdotia et consulatus ut spolia adepti, procura- tiones alii et interiorem potentiam, agerent verterent cuncta odio et terrore : corrupti in dominos servi, in patro- nos liberti, et quibus deerat inimicus, per amicos oppressi. 3 Non tamen adeo virtutum sterile saeculum ut non et bona exempla prodiderit: comitatae profugos liberos matres, secutae maritos in exilia coniuges; propinqui audentes, constantes generi, contumax etiam adversus tormenta servorum fides; supremae clarorum virorum necessitates fortiter toleratae et laudatis antiquorum mortibus pares exitus: praeter multiplices rerum huma- narum casus caelo terraque prodigia et fulminum monitus et futurorum praesagia, laeta tristia, ambigua manifesta; nee enim umquam atrocioribus populi Romani cladibus magisve iustis indiciis adprobatum est non esse curae deis securitatem nostram, esse ultionem. 4 Ceterum antequam destinata componam, repetendum CHAPS. 4, 5.] HISTORIES I 3 videtur, qualis status urbis, quae mens exercituum, quis habitus provinciarum, quid in toto terrarum orbe validum, quid aegrum f uerit ; ut non modo casus eventusque rerum, qui plerumque fortuiti sunt, sed ratio etiam causaeque noscantur. Finis Neronis ut laetus primo gaudentium impetu fuerat, ita varies motus animorum, non modo in urbe apud patres aut populum aut urbanum militem sed omnes legiones ducesque, conciverat, evulgato imperil arcano, posse principem alibi quam Romae fieri. Sed patres laeti, usurpata statim libertate licentius, ut erga principem novum et absentem ; primores equitum proximi gaudio patrum; pars populi integra et magnis domibus adnexa, clientes libertique damnatorum et exulum in spem erecti ; plebs sordida et circo ac theatris sueta, simul deterrimi servorum, aut qui adesis bonis per dedecus Neronis alebantur, maesti et rumorum avidi. Miles urbanus longo Caesarum sacramento inbutus et 5 ad destituendum Neronem arte magis et inpulsu quam suo ingenio traductus, postquam neque dari donativum sub nomine Galbae promissum neque magnis meritis ac prae- miis eundem in pace quern in bello locum praeventamque gratiam intellegit apud principem a legionibus factum, pronus ad novas res scelere insuper Nymphidii Sabini praefecti imperium sibi molientis agitatur. Et Nym- phidius quidem in ipso conatu oppressus, set quamvis capite defectionis ablato manebat plerisque militum con- scientia, nee deerant sermones senium atque avaritiam Galbae increpantium. Laudata olim et militari fama celebrata severitas eius angebat aspernantes veterem dis- ciplinam atque ita quattuordecim annis a Nerone adsue- factos, ut baud minus vitia principum amarent quam olim virtutes verebantur. Accessit Galbae vox pro re publica 4 TACITUS [CHAPS. 5, 6, 7. honesta, ipsi anceps, legi a se militem, non emi ; nee enim ad hanc formam cetera erant. 6 Invalidum senem Titus Vinius et Cornelius Laco, alter deterrimus mortalium, alter ignavissimus, odio flagitiorum oneratum contemptu inertiae destruebant. Tardum Gal- bae iter et cruentum, interfectis Cingonio Varrone consule designate et Petronio Turpiliano consulari : ille ut Nym- phidi socius, hie ut dux Neronis inauditi atque indefensi tanquam innocentes perierant. Introitus in urbem tru- cidatis tot milibus inermium militum infaustus omine atque ipsis etiam qui occiderant formidolosus. Inducta legione Hispana, remanente ea quam e classe Nero con- scripserat, plena urbs exercitu insolito; multi ad hoc numeri e Germania ac Britannia et Illyrico, quos idem Nero electos praemissosque ad claustra Caspiarum et bellum quod in Albanos parabat, opprimendis Vindicis coeptis revocaverat: ingens novis rebus materia, ut non in unum aliquem prono favore, ita audenti parata. 7 Forte congruerat ut Clodii Macri et Fontei Capitonis caedes nuntiarentur. Macrum in Africa baud dubie tur- bantem Trebonius Garutianus procurator iussu Galbae, Capitonem in Germania, cum similia coeptaret, Cornelius Aquinus et Fabius Valens legati legionum interfecerant antequam iuberentur. Fuere qui crederent Capitonem ut avaritia et libidine foedum ac maculosum, ita cogitatione rerum novarum abstinuisse, sed a legatis bellum suaden- tibus, postquam inpellere nequiverint, crimen ac dolum ultro compositum, et Galbam mobilitate ingenii, an ne altius scrutaretur, quoquo modo acta, quia mutari non poterant, comprobasse. Ceterum utraque caedes sinistre accepta, et inviso semel principi seu bene seu male facta parem. invidiam adferebant. Venalia cuncta, praepotentes CHAPS. 7, 8, 9.] HISTORIES I 5 liberti, servorum manus subitis avidae et tanquam apud senem festinantes, eademque novae aulae mala, aeque gravia, non aeque excusata. Ipsa aetas Galbae inrisui ac fastidio erat adsuetis iuventae Neronis et imperatores forma ac decore corporis, ut est mos vulgi, comparantibus. Et hie quidem Romae, tanquam in tanta multitudine, 8 habitus animorum fuit. E provinciis Hispaniae praeerat Cluvius Rufus, vir facundus et pacis artibus, bellis in- expertus. Galliae super memoriam Vindicis obligatae recent! dono Romanae civitatis et in posterum tributi levamento. Proximae tamen Germanicis exercitibus Gal- liarum civitates non eodem honore habitae, quaedam etiam finibus ademptis pari dolore commoda aliena ac suas in- iurias metiebantur. Germanici exercitus, quod periculosis- simum in tantis viribus, solliciti et irati superbia recentis victoriae et metu, tanquam alias partes fovissent. Tarde a Nerone desciverant, nee statim pro Galba Verginius. An imperare noluisset dubium: delatum ei a milite im- perium conveniebat. Fonteium Capitonem occisum etiam qui queri non poterant, tamen indignabantur. Dux deerat, abducto Verginio per simulationem amicitiae; quern non remitti atque etiam reum esse tanquam suum crimen accipiebant. Superior exercitus legatum Hordeonium Flaccum sper- 9 nebat, senecta ac debilitate pedum invalidum, sine con- stantia, sine auctoritate ; ne quieto quidem milite regimen : adeo furentes infirmitate retinentis ultro accendebantur. Inferioris Germaniae legiones diutius sine consulari fuere, donee missu Galbae A. Vitellius aderat, censoris Vitellii ac ter consulis filius: id satis videbatur. In Britannico exercitu nihil irarum: non sane aliae legiones per omnes civilium bellorum motus innocentius egerunt, seu quia 6 TACITUS [CHAPS. 9, 10, 11. procul et Oceano divisae, seu crebris expeditionibus doctae hostem potius odisse. Quies et Illyrico, quanquam ex- citae a Nerone legiones, dum in Italia cunctantur, Ver- ginium legationibus adissent. Sed longis spatiis discreti exercitus, quod saluberrimum est ad continendam mili- tarem fidem, nee vitiis nee viribus miscebantur. 10 Oriens adhuc inmotus. Syriam et quattuor legiones obtinebat Licinius Mucianus, vir secundis adversisque iuxta famosus. Insignes amicitias iuvenis ambitiose coluerat; mox attritis opibus, lubrico statu, suspecta etiam Claudii iracundia, in secretum Asiae sepositus tarn prope ab exule fuit quam postea a principe. Luxuria industria, comitate adrogantia, malis bonisque artibus mixtus ; nimiae voluptates, cum vacaret : quotiens expedierat, magnae virtutes. Palam laudares, secreta male audiebant: sed apud subiectos, apud proximos, apud collegas variis illecebris potens, et cui expeditius fuerit tradere imperium quam obtinere. Bellum ludaicum Flavius Vespasianus (ducem eum Nero delegerat) tribus legionibus administrabat. Nee Vespasiano adversus Gal- bam votum aut animus : quippe Titum filium ad venera- tionem cultumque eius miserat, ut suo loco memorabimus. Occulta fati et ostentis ac responsis destinatum Vespa- siano liberisque eius imperium post fortunam credidimus. 11 Aegyptum copiasque quibus coerceretur iam inde a divo Augusto equites Romani obtinent loco regum: ita visum expedire, provinciam aditu difficilem, annonae fecundam, superstitione ac lascivia discordem et mobilem, insciam legum, ignaram magistratuum, domi retinere. Regebat turn Tiberius Alexander eiusdem nationis. Africa ac legio in ea interfecto Clodio Macro contenta qualicumque principe post experimentum domini minoris. CHAPS. 11, 12, 13.] HISTORIES I 7 Duae Mauretaniae, Raetia, Noricum, Thracia et quae aliae procuratoribus cohibentur, ut cuique exercitui vicinae, ita in favorem aut odium contactu valentiorum agebantur. Inermes provinciae atque ipsa in primis Italia, cuicumque servitio exposita, in pretium belli cessurae erant. Hie fuit rerum Romanarum status, cum Servius Galba iterum Titus Vinius consules incohavere annum sibi ultimum, rei pub- licae prope supremum. Faucis post kalendas lanuarias diebus Pompei Propin- 12 qui procuratoris e Belgica litterae adferuntur, superioris Germaniae legiones rupta sacramenti reverentia impera- torem alium flagitare, et senatui ac populo Romano arbi- trium eligendi permittere, quo seditio mollius acciperetur. Maturavit ea res consilium Galbae iam pridem de adop- tione secum et cum proximis agitantis. Non sane cre- brior tota civitate sermo per illos menses fuerat, primum licentia ac libidine talia loquendi, dein fessa iam aetate Galbae. Paucis iudicium aut rei publicae amor: multi stulta spe, prout quis amicus vel cliens, hunc vel ilium ambitiosis rumoribus destinabant, etiam in Titi Vini odium, qui in dies quanto potentior, eodem actu invisior erat. Quippe hiantes in magna fortuna amicorum cupidi- tates ipsa Galbae facilitas intendebat, cum apud infirmum et credulum minore metu et maiore praemio peccaretur. Potentia principatus divisa in Titum Vinium consulem, 13 Cornelium Laconem praetorii praefectum; nee minor gratia Icelo Galbae liberto, quern anulis donatum equestri nomine Marcianum vocitabant. Hi discordes et rebus mi- noribus sibi quisque tendentes, circa consilium eligendi successoris in duas factiones scindebantur. Vinius pro M. Othone, Laco atque Icelus consensu non tarn unum aliquem fovebant quam alium. Neque erat Galbae ignota 8 TACITUS [CHAPS. 13, 14, 15. Othonis ac Titi Vini amicitia ; et rumoribus nihil silentio transmittentium, quia Vinio vidua filia, caelebs Otho, gener ac socer destinabantur. Credo et rei publicae curam subisse, frustra a Nerone translatae, si apud Othonem relinqueretur. Namque Otho pueritiam incuriose, adu- lescentiam petulanter egerat, gratus Neroni aemulatione luxus. Eoque Poppaeam Sabinam, principale scortum, ut apud conscium libidinum deposuerat, donee Octaviam uxorem amoliretur. Mox suspectum in eadem Poppaea in provinciam Lusitaniam specie legationis seposuit. Otho comiter administrata provincia primus in partes transgressus nee, donee bellum fuit, segnis et inter prae- sentes splendidissimus, spem adoptionis statim conceptam acrius in dies rapiebat, faventibus plerisque militum, prona in eum aula Neronis ut similem. 14 Sed Galba post nuntios Germanicae seditionis, quan- quam nihil adhuc de Vitellio certum, anxius quonam exercituum vis erumperet, ne urbano quidem militi con- fisus, quod remedium unicum rebatur, comitia imperii transigit; adhibitoque super Vinium ac Laconem Mario Celso consule designate ac Ducenio Gemino praefecto urbis, pauca praefatus de sua senectute, Pisonem Licini- anum arcessi iubet, seu propria electione sive, ut quidam crediderunt, Lacone instante, cui apud Rubellium Plautum exercita cum Pisone amicitia ; sed callide ut ignotum fo- vebat, et prospera de Pisone fama consilio eius fidem addiderat. Piso M. Crasso et Scribonia genitus, nobilis utrimque, vultu habituque moris antiqui, ex aestimatione recta severus, deterius interpretantibus tristior habebatur : ea pars morum eius, quo suspectior sollicitis, adoptanti placebat. 15 Igitur Galba, adprehensa Pisonis manu, in hunc mo- CHAPS. 15, 16.] HISTORIES I 9 dum locutus f ertur : ' Si te privatus lege curiata apud pon- tifices, ut moris est, adoptarem, et mihi egregium erat Cn. Pompei et M. Crassi subolem in penates meos adsciscere, et tibi insigne Sulpiciae ac Lutatiae decora nobilitati tuae adiecisse: nunc me deorum hominumque consensu ad imperium vocatum praeclara indoles tua et amor patriae impulit, ut principatum, de quo maiores nostri armis certabant, bello adeptus quiescenti offeram, exemplo divi Augusti, qui sororis filium Marcellum, dein generum Agrippam, mox nepotes suos, postremo Tiberium Neronem privignum in proximo sibi fastigio conlocavit. Sed Au- gustus in domo successorem quaesivit, ego in re publica, non quia propinquos aut socios belli non habeam, sed neque ipse imperium ambitione accepi, et iudicii mei documentum sit non meae tantum necessitudines, quas tibi postposui, sed et tuae. Est tibi frater pari nobilitate, natu maior, dignus hac fortuna, nisi tu potior esses. Ea aetas tua quae cupiditates adulescentiae iam effugerit, ea vita in qua nihil praeteritum excusandum habeas. Fortunam adhuc tantum adversam tulisti: secundae res acrioribus stimulis animos explorant, quia miseriae tolerantur, felicitate corrumpimur. Fidem libertatem amicitiam, praecipua humani animi bona, tu quidem eadem constantia retinebis, sed alii per obsequium imminuent: inrumpet adulatio blanditia et, pessimum veri adfectus venenum, sua cuique utilitas. Etiam si ego ac tu simplicissime inter nos hodie loquimur, ceteri libentius cum fortuna nostra quam nobiscum; nam suadere principi quod oporteat, multi laboris: adsentatio erga quemcumque principem sine adfectu peragitur.' ' Si inmensum imperii corpus stare ac librari sine rectore 16 posset, dignus eram a quo res publica inciperet : nunc eo 10 TACITUS [CHAPS. 16, 17- necessitatis iam pridem ventum est, ut nee mea senectus conferre plus populo Romano possit quam bonum suc- cessorem, nee tua plus iuventa quam bonum principem. Sub Tiberio et Gaio et Claudio unius familiae quasi heredi- tas fuimus: loco libertatis erit quod eligi coepimus; et finita luliorum Claudiorumque domo optimum quemque adoptio inveniet. Nam generari et nasci a principibus fortuitum, nee ultra aestimatur: adoptandi iudicium integrum, et si velis eligere, consensu monstratur. Sit ante oculos Nero, quern longa Caesarum serie tumentem non Vindex cum inermi provincia aut ego cum una legiones sed sua immanitas, sua luxuria cervicibus publicis depu- lerunt; neque erat adhuc damnati principis exemplum. Nos bello et ab aestimantibus adsciti cum invidia quamvis egregii erimus. Ne tamen territus fueris, si duae legiones in hoc concussi orb is motu nondum quiescunt: ne ipse quidem ad securas res accessi, et audita adoptione desinam videri senex, quod nunc mihi unum obicitur. Nero a pessimo quoque semper desiderabitur : mihi ac tibi provi- dendum est ne etiam a bonis desideretur. Monere diutius neque temporis huius, et impletum est omne consilium, si te bene elegi. Utilissimus idem ac brevissimus bonarum malarumque rerum dilectus est cogitare quid aut volueris sub alio principe aut nolueris ; neque enim hie, ut gentibus quae regnantur, certa dominorum domus et ceteri servi, sed imperaturus es hominibus qui nee totam servitutem pati possunt nee totam libertatem.' Et Galba quidem haec ac talia, tanquam principem faceret, ceteri tanquam cum facto loquebantur. 17 Pisonem ferunt statim intuentibus et mox coniectis in eum omnium oculis nullum turbati aut exsultantis animi motum prodidisse. Sermo erga patrem imperato- CHAPS. 17, 18, 19.] HISTORIES I 11 remque reverens, de se moderatus; nihil in vultu habitu- que mutatum, quasi imperare posset magis quam vellet. Consultatum hide, pro rostris an in senatu an in castris adoptio nuncuparetur. Iri in castra placuit : honorificum id militibus fore, quorum favorem ut largitione et ambitu male adquiri, ita per bonas artes haud spernendum. Circumsteterat interim Palatium publica expectatio magni secreti inpatiens; et male coercitam famam supprimentes augebant. Quartum idus lanuarias, foedum imbribus diem, toni- is trua et fulgura et caelestes minae ultra solitum turba- verant. Observatum id antiquitus comitiis dirimendis non terruit Galbam quo minus in castra pergeret, con- temptorem talium ut fortuitorum; seu quae fato manent, quamvis significata, non vitantur. Apud frequentem militum contionem imperatoria brevitate adoptari a se Pisonem exemplo divi Augusti et more militari, quo vir virum legeret, pronuntiat. Ac ne dissimulata seditio in maius crederetur, ultro adseverat quartam et duoet- vicensimam legiones paucis seditionis auctoribus non ultra verba ac voces errasse et brevi in officio fore. Nee ullum orationi aut lenocinium addit aut pretium. Tribuni tamen centurionesque et proximi militum grata auditu respondent: per ceteros maestitia ac silentium, tanquam usurpatam etiam in pace donativi necessitatem bello perdidissent. Constat potuisse conciliari animos quan- tulacumque parci senis liberalitate : nocuit antiquus rigor et nimia severitas, cui iam pares non sumus. Inde apud senatum non comptior Galbae, non longior 19 quam apud militem sermo: Pisonis. comis oratio; et patrum favor aderat, multi voluntate, effusius qui nolu- erant, medii ac plurimi obvio obsequio, privatas spes 12 TACITUS [CHAPS. 19, 20, 21. agitantes sine publica cura. Nee aliud sequent! quadriduo, quod medium inter adoptionem et caedem fuit, dictum a Pisone in publico factumve. Crebrioribus in dies Ger- manicae defectionis nuntiis et facili civitate ad accipienda credendaque omnia nova, cum tristia sunt, censuerant patres mittendos ad Germanicum exercitum legates. Agitatum secreto num et Piso proficisceretur, maiore praetextu, illi auctoritatem senatus, hie dignationem Caesaris laturus. Placebat et Laconem praetorii prae- fectum simul mitti : is consilio intercessit. Legati quoque (nam senatus electionem Galbae permiserat) foeda in- constantia nominati excusati substituti, ambitu remanendi aut eundi, ut quemque metus vel spes inpulerat. 20 Proxima pecuniae cura; et cuncta scrutantibus iustis- simum visum est inde repeti ubi inopiae causa erat. Bis et vicies milies sestertium donationibus Nero effuderat. Appellari singulos iussit, decuma parte liberalitatis apud quemque eorum relicta. At illis vix decumae super portiones erant, isdem erga aliena sumptibus quibus sua prodegerant, cum rapacissimo cuique ac perditissimo non agri aut faenus, sed sola instrumenta vitiorum manerent. Exaction! triginta equites Romani praepositi, novum officii genus et ambitu ac numero onerosum ; ubique hasta et sector, et inquieta urbs actionibus. Ac tamen grande gaudium quod tarn pauperes forent quibus donasset Nero quam quibus abstulisset. Exauctorati per eos dies tribuni, e praetorio Antonius Taurus et Antonius Naso, ex urbanis cohortibus Aemilius Pacensis, e vigilibus lulius Fronto. Nee remedium in ceteros fuit, sed metus initium, tanquam per artem et formidine singuli pellerentur omnibus sus- pectis. 21 Interea Othonem, cui compositis rebus nulla spes, CHAPS. 21, 22.] HISTORIES I 13 omne in turbido consilium, multa simul exstimulabant, luxuria etiam principi onerosa, inopia vix private tole- randa, in Galbam ira, in Pisonem invidia; fingebat et metum, quo magis concupisceret : praegravem se Neroni fuisse, nee Lusitaniam rursus et alterius exilii honorem expectandum. Suspectum semper invisumque dominan- tibus qui proximus destinaretur. Nocuisse id sibi apud senem principem, magis nociturum apud iuvenem ingenio trucem et longo exilio efferatum. Occidi Othonem posse. Proinde agendum audendumque, dum Galbae auctoritas fluxa, Pisonis nondum coaluisset. Opportunos magnis conatibus transitus rerum, nee cunctatione opus, ubi perniciosior sit quies quam temeritas. Mortem omnibus ex natura aequalem oblivione apud posteros vel gloria distingui; ac si nocentem innocentemque idem exitus maneat, acrioris viri esse merito perire. Non erat Othonis mollis et corpori similis animus; et22 intimi libertorum servorumque, corruptius quam in privata domo habiti, aulam Neronis et luxus, adulteria matri- monia ceterasque regnorum libidines avido talium, si auderet, ut sua ostentantes, quiescenti ut aliena expro- brabant, urguentibus etiam mathematicis, dum novos motus et clarum Othoni annum observatione siderum adfirmant, genus hominum potentibus infidum, speranti- bus fallax, quod in civitate nostra et vetabitur semper et retinebitur. Multos secreta Poppaeae mathematicos, pessimum principalis matrimonii instrumentum, habu- erant; e quibus Ptolemaeus Othoni in Hispania comes, cum superfuturum eum Neroni promisisset, postquam ex eventu fides, coniectura iam et rumore senium Galbae et iuventam Othonis computantium persuaserat fore ut in imperium adscisceretur. Sed Otho tanquam peritia et 14 TACITUS [CHAPS. 22, 23, 24, 25. monitu fatorurn praedicta accipiebat, cupidine ingenii human! libentius obscura credendi. Nee deerat Ptole- maeus, iam et sceleris instinctor, ad quod facillime ab eius modi voto transitur. 23 Sed sceleris cogitatio incertum an repens : studia mill- turn iam pridem spe successionis aut paratu facinoris adfectaverat, in itinere, in agmine, in stationibus vetus- tissimum quemque militum nomine vocans ac memoria Neroniani comitatus contubernales appellando; alios adgnoscere, quosdam requirere et pecunia aut gratia iuvare, inserendo saepius querellas et ambiguos de Galba sermones, quaeque alia turbamenta vulgi. Labores itinerum, inopia eommeatuum, duritia imperil atrocius accipiebantur, cum Campaniae lacus et Achaiae urbes classibus adire soliti Pyrenaeum et Alpes et inmensa viarum spatia aegre sub armis eniterentur. 24 Flagrantibus iam militum animis velut faces addiderat Maevius Pudens, e proximis Tigellini. Is mobilissimum quemque ingenio aut pecuniae indigum et in novas cupidi- tates praecipitem adliciendo eo paulatim progressus est, ut per speciem convivii, quotiens Galba apud Othonem epularetur, cohorti excubias agenti viritim centenos num- mos divideret; quam velut publicam largitionem Otho secretioribus apud singulos praemiis intendebat, adeo animosus corruptor, ut Cocceio Proculo speculator!, de parte finium cum vicino ambigenti, universum vicini agrum sua pecunia emptum dono dederit, per socordiam praefecti, quern nota pariter et occulta fallebant. 25 Sed turn e libertis Onomastum futuro sceleri praefecit, a quo Barbium Proculum tesserarium speculatorum et Veturium optionem eorundem perductos, postquam vario sermone callidos audacesque cognovit, pretio et promissis CHAPS. 25, 26, 27.] HISTORIES I 15 onerat, data pecunia ad pertemptandos plurium animos. Suscepere duo manipulares imperium populi Roman! transferendum, et transtulerunt. In conscientiam faci- noris pauci adsciti : suspenses ceterorum animos diversis artibus stimulant, primores militum per beneficia Nym- phidi ut suspectos, vulgus et ceteros ira et desperatione dilati totiens donativi. Erant quos memoria Neronis ac desiderium prioris licentiae accenderet: in commune omnes metu mutandae militiae terrebantur. Infecit ea tabes legionum quoque et auxiliorum motas 26 iam mentes, postquam vulgatum erat labare Germanici exercitus fidem ; adeoque parata apud malos seditio, etiam apud integros dissimulatio fuit, ut postero iduum die redeuntem a cena Othonem rapturi fuerint, ni incerta noctis et tota urbe sparsa militum castra nee facilem inter temulentos consensum timuissent, non rei publicae cura, quam foedare principis sui sanguine sobrii parabant, sed ne per tenebras, ut quisque Pannonici vel Germanici exercitus militibus oblatus esset, ignorantibus plerisque, pro Othone destinaretur. Multa erumpentis seditionis indicia per conscios oppressa: quaedam apud Galbae aures praefectus Laco elusit, ignarus militarium animorum consiliique quamvis egregii, quod non ipse adferret, ini- micus et adversus peritos pervicax. Octavo decimo kalendas Februarias sacrificanti pro 27 aede Apollinis Galbae haruspex Umbricius tristia exta et instantes insidias ac domesticum hostem praedicit, audi- ente Othone (nam proximus adstiterat) idque ut laetum e contrario et suis cogitationibus prosperum interpretante. Nee multo post libertus Onomastus nuntiat expectari eum ab architecto et redemptoribus, quae significatio coeuntium iam militum et paratae coniurationis convenerat. Otho 16 TACITUS CHAPS. 27, 28, 29. causam digressus requirentibus cum emi sibi praedia vetustate suspecta eoque prius exploranda finxisset, innixus liberto per Tiberianam domum in Velabrum, inde ad miliarium aureum sub aedem Saturni pergit. Ibi tres et viginti speculatores consalutatum imperatorem ac paucitate salutantium trepidum et sellae festinanter im- positum strictis mucronibus rapiunt; totidem ferme milites in itinere adgregantur, alii conscientia, plerique miraculo, pars clamore et gaudiis, pars silentio, animum ex eventu sumpturi. 28 Stationem in castris agebat lulius Martialis tribunus. Is magnitudine subiti sceleris, an corrupta latius castra et, si contra tenderet, exitium metuens, praebuit plerisque suspicionem conscientiae ; anteposuere ceteri quoque tribuni centurionesque praesentia dubiis et honestis, isque habitus animorum fuit ut pessimum facinus auderent pauci, plures vellent, omnes paterentur. 29 Ignarus interim Galba et sacris intentus fatigabat alieni iam imperii decs, cum adfertur rumor rapi in castra incertum quern senatorem, mox Othonem esse qui rape- retur; simul ex tota urbe, ut quisque obvius fuerat, alii formidine augentes, quidam minora vero, ne turn quidem obliti adulationis. Igitur consultantibus placuit pertemp- tari animum cohortis quae in Palatio stationem agebat, nee per ipsum Galbam, cuius integra auctoritas maioribus remediis servabatur. Piso pro gradibus domus vocatos in hunc modum adlocutus est : ' Sextus dies agitur, com- militones, ex quo ignarus futuri, et sive optandum hoc nomen sive timendum erat, Caesar adscitus sum, quo domus nostrae aut rei publicae fato, in vestra manu posi- tum est ; non quia meo nomine tristiorem casum paveam, ut qui adversas res expertus cum maxime discam ne secundas quidem minus discriminis habere: patris et CHAPS. 29, 30.1 HISTORIES I 17 senatus et ipsius imperil vicem doleo, si nobis aut perire hodie necesse est aut, quod aeque apud bonos miserum est, occidere. Solatium proximi motus habebamus in- cruentam urbem et res sine discordia translatas: pro- visum adoptione videbatur ut ne post Galbam quidem bello locus esset.' ' Nihi ladrogabo mihi nobilitatis aut modestiae ; neque 3O enim relatu virtutum in comparatione Othonis opus est. Vitia, quibus soils gloriatur, evertere imperium etiam cum ami cum imperatoris ageret. Habitune et incessu an illo muliebri ornatu mereretur imperium? Falluntur quibus luxuria specie liberalitatis inponit : perdere iste sciet, donare nesciet. Stupra nunc et comissationes et femi- narum coetus volvit animo: haec principatus praemia putat, quorum libido ac voluptas penes ipsum sit, rubor ac dedecus penes omnes. Nemo enim umquam imperium flagitio quaesitum bonis artibus exercuit. Galbam con- sensus generis humani, me Galba consentientibus vobis Caesarem dixit. Si res publica et senatus et populus vacua nomina sunt, vestra, commilitones, interest ne im- peratorem pessimi faciant. Legionum seditio adversus duces suos audita est aliquando : vestra fides famaque inlaesa ad hunc diem mansit. Et Nero quoque vos desti- tuit, non vos Neronem. Minus triginta transfugae et desertores, quos centurionem aut tribunum sibi eligentes nemo ferret, imperium adsignabunt? Admittitis exem- plum et quiescendo commune crimen facitis ? Transcendet haec licentia in provincias, et ad nos scelerum exitus, beilorum ad vos pertinebunt. Nee est plus quod pro caede principis quam quod innocentibus datur, sed perinde a nobis donativum ob fidem quam ab aliis pro facinore accipietis.' 18 TACITUS [CHAPS. 31, 32. 31 Dilapsis speculatoribus cetera cohors non aspernata contionantem, ut turbidis rebus evenit, forte magis et nullo adhuc consilio rapit signa quam, quod postea credi- tum est, insidiis et simulatione. Missus et Celsus Marius ad electos Illyrici exercitus Vipsania in porticu tendentes ; praeceptum Amulio Sereno et Domitio Sabino primi- pilaribus, ut Germanicos milites e Libertatis atrio accer- serent. Legioni classicae diffidebatur, infestae ob caedem commilitonum, quos primo statim introitu trucidaverat Galba. Pergunt etiam in castra praetorianorum tribuni Cetrius Severus, Subrius Dexter, Pompeius Longinus, si incipiens adhuc et necdum adulta seditio melioribus con- siliis flecteretur. Tribunorum Subrium et Cetrium adorti milites minis, Longinum manibus coercent exarmantque, quia non ordine militiae, sed e Galbae amicis, fidus principi suo et desciscentibus suspectior erat. Legio classica nihil cunctata praetorianis adiungitur : Illyrici exercitus electi Celsum infestis pilis proturbant. Germanica vexilla diu nutavere, invalidis adhuc corporibus et placatis animis, quod eos a Nerone Alexandriam praemissos atque inde rursus longa navigatione aegros inpensiore cura Galba refovebat. 32 Universa iam plebs Palatium implebat, mixtis servi- tiis et dissono clamore caedem Othonis et coniuratorum exitium poscentium, ut si in circo aut theatro ludicrum aliquod postularent: neque illis iudicium aut veritas, quippe eodem die diversa pari certamine postulaturis, sed tradito more quemcunque principem adulandi licentia ad- clamationum et studiis inanibus. Interim Galbam duae sententiae distinebant. Titus Vinius manendum intra domum, opponenda servitia, firmandos aditus, non eundum ad iratos censebat : daret CHAPS. 32, 33, 34, 35.] HISTORIES I 19 malorum paenitentiae, daret bonorum consensui spatium : scelera impetu, bona consilia mora valescere; denique eundi ultro, si ratio sit, eandem mox facultatem, regressus, si paeniteat, in aliena potestate. Festinandum ceteris videbatur, antequam cresceretss invalida adhuc coniuratio paucorum : trepidaturum etiam Othonem, qui furtim digressus, ad ignaros inlatus, cunc- tatione mine et segnitia terentium tempus imitari prin- cipem discat. Non expectandum ut compositis castris forum invadat et prospectante Galba Capitolium adeat, dum egregius imperator cum fortibus amicis ianua ac limine tenus domum cludit, obsidionem nimirum tolera- turus. Et praeclarum in servis auxilium, si consensus tantae multitudinis et, quae plurimum valet, prima indignatio elanguescat. Perinde intuta quae indecora; vel si cadere necesse sit, occurrendum discrimini: id Othoni invidiosius et ipsis honestum. Repugnantem huic sententiae Vinium Laco minaciter invasit, stimulante Icelo privati odii pertinacia in publicum exitium. Nee diutius Galba cunctatus speciosiora suadentibus 34 accessit. Praemissus tamen in castra Piso, ut iuvenis magno nomine, recenti favore et infensus Tito Vinio, seu quia erat seu quia irati ita volebant; et facilius de odio creditur. Vixdum egresso Pisone occisum in castris Othonem vagus primum et incertus rumor; mox, ut in magnis mendaciis, interfuisse se quidam et vidisse ad- firmabant, credula fama inter gaudentes et incuriosos. Multi arbitrabantur compositum auctumque rumorem mixtis iam Othonianis, qui ad evocandum Galbam laeta falso vulgaverint. Turn vero non populus tantum et imperita plebs in 35 plausus et inmodica studia, sed equitum plerique ac 20 TACITUS [CHAPS. 35, 36, 37. senatorum, posito metu incauti, refractis Palatii foribus ruere intus ac se Galbae ostentare, praereptam sibi ul- tionem querentes ; ignavissimus quisque et, ut res docuit, in periculo non ausurus nimii verbis, linguae feroces; nemo scire et omnes adfirmare, donee inopia veri et consensu errantium victus sumpto thorace Galba inruenti turbae neque aetate neque corpore resistens sella levaretur. Obvius in Palatio lulius Atticus speculator cruentum gladium ostentans occisum a se Othonem exclamavit; et Galba ' commilito/ inquit, 'quis iussit?' insigni animo ad coercendam militarem licentiam, minantibus intrepidus, adversus blandientes incorruptus. 36 Haud dubiae iam in castris omnium mentes tantusque ardor ut non contenti agmine et corporibus in suggestu, in quo paulo ante aurea Galbae statua fuerat, medium inter signa Othonem vexillis circumdarent. Nee tribunis aut centurionibus adeundi locus: gregarius miles caveri in- super praepositos iubebat. Strepere cuncta clamoribus et tumultu et exhortatione mutua, non tanquam in populo ac plebe, variis segni adulatione vocibus, sed ut quemque adfluentium militum adspexerant, prensare manibus, complecti armis, conlocare iuxta, praeire sacramentum, modo imperatorem militibus, modo milites imperatori commend are. Nee deer at Otho protendens manus adorare vulgus, iacere oscula et omnia serviliter pro dominatione. Postquam universa classicorum legio sacramentum eius accepit, fidens viribus, et quos adhuc singulos extimu- laverat, accendendos in commune ratus pro vallo cas- trorum ita coepit : 37 'Quis ad vos processerim, commilitones, dicere non possum, quia nee privatum me vocare sustineo princeps a vobis nominatus, nee principem alio imperante. Vestrum CHAPS. 37, 38 ] HISTORIES I 21 quoque nomen in incerto erit, donee dubitabitur, imperato- rem populi Romani in castris an hostem habeatis. Audi- tisne ut poena mea et supplicium vestrum simul postu- lentur? Adeo manifestum est neque perire nos neque salvos esse nisi una posse ; et cuius lenitatis est Galba, iam fortasse promisit, ut qui nullo exposccnte tot milia inno- centissimorum militum trucidaverit. Horror animum subit, quotiens recordor feralem introitum et hanc solam Galbae victoriam, cum in oculis urbis decumari deditos iuberet, quos deprecantes in fidem acceperat. His aus- piciis urbem ingressus, quam gloriam ad principatum attulit nisi occisi Obultronii Sabini et Cornelii Marcelli in Hispania, Betui Cilonis in Gallia, Fontei Capitonis in Ger- mania, Clodii Macri in Africa, Cingonii in via, Turpiliani in urbe, Nymphidii in castris? Quae usquam provincia, quae castra sunt nisi cruenta et maculata aut, ut ipse praedicat, emendata et correcta ? Nam quae alii scelera, hie remedia vocat, dum falsis nominibus severitatem pro saevitia, parsimoniam pro avaritia, supplicia et contume- lias vestras disciplinam appellat. Septem a Neronis fine menses sunt, et iam plus rapuit Icelus quam quod Polycliti et Vatinii et Aegiali perdiderunt. Minore avaritia ac licentia grassatus esset T. Vinius, si ipse imperasset : nunc et subiectos nos habuit tanquam suos et viles ut alienos. Una ilia domus sufficit donativo, quod vobis mimquam datur et cotidie exprobratur.' 'Ac ne qua saltern in successore Galbae spes esset, 38 accersivit ab exilio quern tristitia et avaritia sui simillimum iudicabat. Vidistis, commilitones, notabili tempestate etiam deos infaustam adoptionem aversantes. Idem senatus, idem populi Romani animus est: vestra virtus expectatur, apud quos omne honestis consiliis robur et 22 TACITUS [CHAPS. 38, 39, 40. sine quibus quamvis egregia invalida sunt. Non ad bellum vos nee ad periculum voco : omnium militum arma nobiscum sunt. Nee una cohors togata defendit nunc Galbam, sed detinet: cum vos aspexerit, cum signum meum acceperit, hoc solum erit certamen, quis mihi pluri- mum inputet. Nullus cunctationis locus est in eo con- silio quod non potest laudari nisi peractum.' Aperire deinde armamentarium iussit. Rapta statim arma, sine more et ordine militiae, ut praetorianus aut legionarius insignibus suis distingueretur : miscentur auxiliaribus galeis scutisque, nullo tribunorum centurionumve adhor- tante, sibi quisque dux et instigator; et praecipuum pessimorum incitamentum quod boni maerebant. 39 lam exterritus Piso fremitu crebrescentis seditionis et vocibus in urbem usque resonantibus egressum interim Galbam et foro appropinquantem adsecutus erat; iam Marius Celsus baud laeta rettulerat, cum alii in Palatium redire, alii Capitolium petere, plerique rostra occupanda censerent, plures tantum sententiis aliorum contra di- cerent, utque evenit in consiliis infelicibus, optima vide- rentur quorum tempus effugerat. Agitasse Laco ignaro Galba de occidendo Tito Vinio dicitur, sive ut poena eius animos militum mulceret, seu conscium Othonis credebat, ad postremum vel odio. Haesitationem attulit tempus ac locus, quia initio caedis orto difficilis modus; et turbavere consilium trepidi nuntii ac proximorum diffugia, lan- guentibus omnium studiis, qui primo alacres fidem atque animum ostentaverant. 40 Agebatur hue illuc Galba vario turbae fluctuantis inpulsu, completis undique basilicis ac templis, lugubri prospectu. Neque populi aut plebis ulla vox/sed attoniti vultus et conversae ad omnia aures; non tumultus, non CHAPS. 40, 41, 42.] HISTORIES I 23 quies, quale magni metus et magnae irae silentium est. Othoni tamen armari plebem nuntiabatur; ire praecipites et occupare pericula iubet. Igitur milites Romani, quasi Vologaesum aut Pacorum avito Arsacidarum solio depul- suri ac non imperatorem suum inermem et senem trucidare pergerent, disiecta plebe, proculcato senatu, truces armis, rapidi equis forum irrumpunt. Nee illos Capitolii aspectus et inminentium templorum religio et priores et futuri principes terruere quo minus facerent scelus cuius ultor est quisquis successit. Viso comminus armatorum agmine vexillarius comi-41 tatae Galbam cohortis (Atilium Vergilionem fuisse tra- dunt) dereptam Galbae imaginem solo adflixit: eo signo manifesta in Othonem omnium militum studia, desertum fuga populi forum, destricta adversus dubitantes tela. luxta Curtii lacum trepidatione ferentium Galba proiectus e sella ac provolutus est. Extremam eius vocem, ut cuique odium aut admiratio fuit, varie prodidere: alii suppliciter interrogasse quid mali meruisset, paucos dies exsolvendo donative deprecatum; plures obtulisse ultro percussoribus iugulum: agerent ac ferirent, si ita e re publica videretur. Non interfuit occidentium quid diceret. De percussore non satis constat: quidam Terentium evocatum, alii Laecanium; crebrior fama tradidit Camurium quintae decumae legionis militem in- presso gladio iugulum eius hausisse. Ceteri crura brachia- que (nam pectus tegebatur) foede laniavere; pleraque vulnera feritate et saevitia trunco iam corpori adiecta. Titum inde Vinium invasere ; de quo et ipso ambigitur, 42 consumpseritne vocem eius instans metus, an proclama- verit non esse ab Othone mandatum ut occideretur. Quod seu finxit formidine, seu conscientiam coniurationis 24 TACITUS [CHAPS. 42, 43, 44. confessus est, hue potius eius vita famaque inclinat, ut conscius sceleris fuerit cuius causa erat. Ante aedem divi lulii iacuit prime ictus in poplitem, mox ab lulio Caro legionario milite in utrumque latus transverberatus. 43 Insignem ilia die virum Sempronium Densum aetas nostra vidit. Centurio is praetoriae cohortis, a Galba custodiae Pisonis additus, stricto pugione occurrens ar- matis et scelus exprobrans ac modo manu modo voce vertendo in se percussores quanquam vulnerato Pisoni effugium dedit. Piso in aedem Vestae pervasit, excep- tusque misericordia publici servi et contubernio eius ab- ditus non religione nee caerimoniis sed latebra inminens exitium differebat, cum advenere missu Othonis nominatim in caedem eius ardentis Sulpicius Florus e Britannicis cohortibus, nuper a Galba civitate donatus, et Staius Murcus speculator, a quibus protractus Piso in foribus templi trucidatur. 44 Nullam caedem Otho maiore laetitia excepisse, nul- lum caput tarn insatiabilibus oculis perlustrasse dicitur, seu turn primum levata omni sollicitudine mens vacare gaudio coeperat, seu recordatio maiestatis in Galba, amicitiae in Tito Vinio quamvis inmitem animum imagine tristi con- fuderat: Pisonis ut inimici et aemuli caede laetari ius fasque credebat. Praefixa contis capita gestabantur inter signa cohortium iuxta aquilam legionis, certatim osten- tantibus cruentas manus qui occiderant, qui interfuerant, qui vere qui falso ut pulchrum et memorabile facinus iactabant. Plures quam centum viginti libellos praemium exposcentium ob aliquam notabilem ilia die operam Vitel- lius postea invenit, omnesque conquiri et interfici iussit, non honori Galbae, sed tradito principibus more, muni- mentum ad praesens, in posterum ultionem. CHAPS. 45, 46.] HISTORIES I 25 Alium crederes senatum, alium populum : ruere cuncti 45 in castra, anteire proximos, certare cum praecurrentibus, increpare Galbam, laudare militum iudicium, exosculari Othonis manum; quantoque magis falsa erant quae fiebant, tanto plura facere. Nee aspernabatur singulos Otho, avidum et minacem militum animum voce vultuque temperans. Marium Celsum consulem designatum et Galbae usque in extremas res amicum fidumque ad sup- plicium expostulabant, industriae eius innocentiaeque quasi malis artibus infensi. Caedis et praedarum initium et optimo cuique perniciem quaeri apparebat, sed Othoni nondum auctoritas inerat ad prohibendum scelus: iubere iam poterat. Ita simulatione irae vinciri iussum et maiores poenas daturum adfirmans praesenti exitio subtraxit. Omnia deinde arbitrio militum acta: praetorii prae-46 fectos sibi ipsi legere, Plotium Firmum e manipularibus quondam, turn vigilibus praepositum et incolumi adhuc Galba partes Othonis secutum; adiungitur Licinius Proculus, intima familiaritate Othonis suspectus consilia eius fovisse. Urbi Flavium Sabinum praefecere, iudicium Neronis secuti, sub quo eandem curam obtinuerat, plerisque Vespasianum fratrem in eo respicientibus. Flagitatum ut vacationes praestari centurionibus solitae remitterentur ; namque gregarius miles ut tributum an- nuum pendebat. Quarta pars manipuli sparsa per commeatus aut in ipsis castris vaga, dum mercedem cen- turioni exsolveret, neque modum oneris quisquam neque genus quaestus pensi habebat : per latrocinia et raptus aut servilibus ministeriis militare otium redimebant. Turn locupletissimus quisqae miles labore ac saevitia fatigari, donee vacationem emeret. Ubi sumptibus exhaustus 26 TACITUS [CHAPS. 46, 47, 48. socordia insuper elanguerat, inops pro locuplete et iners pro strenuo in manipulum redibat, ac rursus alius atque alius eadem egestate ac licentia corrupt! ad seditiones et discordias et ad extremum bella civilia ruebant. Sed Otho ne vulgi largitione centuriomim animos averteret, fiscum suum vacationes annuas exsoluturum promisit, rem baud dubie utilem et a bonis postea principibus perpetuitate disciplinae firmatam. Laco praefectus, tan- quam in insulam seponeretur, ab evocato, quern ad caedem eius Otho praemiserat, confossus ; in Marcianum Icelum ut in libertum palam animadversum. 47 Exacto per scelera die novissimum malorum fuit laetitia. Vocat senatum praetor urbanus, certant adulationibus ceteri magistratus, adcurrunt patres: decernitur Othoni tribunicia potestas et nomen Augusti et omnes principum honores, adnitentibus cunctis abolere convicia ac probra, quae promiscue iacta haesisse animo eius nemo sensit: omisisset offensas an distulisset, brevitate imperii in in- certo fuit. Otho cruento adhuc foro per stragem iacentium in Capitolium atque inde in Palatium vectus concedi corpora sepulturae cremarique permisit. Pisonem Ve- rania uxor ac frater Scribonianus, Titum Vinium Crispina filia composuere, quaesitis redemptisque capitibus, quae venalia interfectores servaverant. 48 Piso unum et tricensimum aetatis annum explebat, fama meliore quam fortuna. Fratres eius Magnum Clau- dius, Crassum Nero interf ecerant : ipse diu exul, quadriduo Caesar, properata adoptione ad hoc tantum maiori fratri praelatus est, ut prior occideretur. Titus Vinius quin- quaginta septem annos variis moribus egit. Pater illi praetoria familia, maternus avus e proscriptis. Prima militia infamis: legatum Calvisium Sabinum habuerat, CHAPS. 48, 49.] HISTORIES I 27 cuius uxor mala cupidine visendi situm castrorum per noctem militari habitu ingressa, cum vigilias et cetera militiae munia eadem lascivia temptasset, in ipsis prin- cipiis stuprum ausa est : criminis huius reus Titus Vinius arguebatur. Igitur iussu C. Caesaris oneratus catenis, mox mutatione temporum dimissus, cursu honorum inoffenso legioni post praeturam praepositus probatusque, servili deinceps probro respersus est, tanquam scyphum aureum in convivio Claudii furatus, et Claudius postera die soli omnium Vinio fictilibus ministrari iussit. Sed inius proconsulatu Galliam Narbonensem severe inte- greque rexit ; mox Galbae amicitia in abruptum tractus, audax callidus promptus et, prout animum intendisset, pravus aut industrius eadem vi. Testamentum Titi Vini magnitudine opum inritum, Pisonis supremam volunta- tem paupertas firmavit. Galbae corpus diu neglectum et licentia tenebrarum*9 plurimis ludibriis vexatum dispensator Argius e primori- bus servis humili sepultura in privatis eius hortis contexit. Caput per lixas calonesque suffixum laceratumque ante Patrobii tumulum (libertus is Neronis punitus a Galba fuerat) postera demum die repertum et cremato iam cor- pori admixtum est. Hunc exitum habuit Servius Galba, tribus et septuaginta annis quinque principes prospera fortuna emensus et alieno imperio felicior quam suo. Vetus in familia nobilitas, magnae opes: ipsi medium ingenium, magis extra vitia quam cum virtutibus. Famae nee incuriosus nee venditator ; pecuniae alienae non appe- tens, suae parcus, publicae avarus; amicorum liberto- rumque, ubi in bonos incidisset, sine reprehensione patiens, si mali forent, usque ad culpam ignarus. Sed claritas natalium et metus temporum obtentui, ut, quod segnitia 28 TACITUS [CHAPS. 49, 50, 51. erat, sapientia vocaretur. Dum vigebat aetas, militari laude apud Germanias floruit. Pro consule Africam moderate, iam senior citeriorem Hispaniam pari iustitia continuit, maior private visus, dum privatus fuit, et om- nium consensu capax imperii, nisi imperasset. 50 Trepidam urbem ac simul atrocitatem recentis sceleris, simul veteres Othonis mores paventem novus insuper de Vitellio nuntius exterruit, ante caedem Galbae suppres- sus, ut tantum superioris Germaniae exercitus descivisse crederetur. Turn duos omnium mortalium inpudicitia ignavia luxuria deterrimos velut ad perdendum imperium fataliter electos non senatus modo et eques, quis aliqua pars et cura rei publicae, sed vulgus quoque palam maerere. Nee iam recentia saevae pacis exempla, sed repetita bel- lorum civilium memoria captam totiens suis exerciti- bus urbem, vastitatem Italiae, direptiones provinciarum, Pharsaliam Philippos et Perusiam ac Mutinam, nota pub- licarum cladium nomina, loquebantur. Prope eversum orbem, etiam cum de principatu inter bonos certaretur, sed mansisse C. lulio, mansisse Caesare Augusto victore imperium; mansuram fuisse sub Pompeio Brutoque rem publicam. Nunc pro Othone an pro Vitellio in templa ituros? Utrasque inpias preces, utraque detestanda vota inter duos, quorum bello solum id scires, deteriorem fore qui vicisset. Erant qui Vespasianum et arma Orientis augurarentur, et ut potior utroque Vespasianus, ita bellum aliud atque alias clades horrebant. Et ambigua de Ves- pasiano fama, solusque omnium ante se principum in melius mutatus est. 51 Nunc initia causasque motus Vitelliani expediam. Caeso cum omnibus copiis lulio Vindice ferox praeda gloriaque exercitus, ut cui sine labore ac periculo ditissimi CHAPS. 51, 52.] HISTORIES I 29 belli victoria evenisset, expeditionem et aciem, praemia quam stipendia malebat. Diu infructuosam et asperam militiam toleraverant ingenio loci caelique et severitate disciplinae, quam in pace inexorabilem discordiae civium resolvunt, paratis utrimque corruptoribus et perfidia in- punita. Viri arma equi ad usum et ad decus supererant- Sed ante bellum centurias tantum suas turmasque no. verant; exercitus finibus provinciarum discerneban- tur : turn adversus Vindicem contractae legiones, seque et Gallias expertae, quaerere rursum arma novasque dis- cordias; nee socios, ut olim, sed hostes et victos voca- bant. Nee deerat pars Galliarum, quae Rhenum accolit, easdem partes secuta ac turn acerrima instigatrix ad- versum Galbianos; hoc enim nomen fastidito Vindice indiderant. Igitur Sequanis Aeduisque ac deinde, prout opulentia civitatibus erat, infensi expugnationes urbium, populationes agrorum, raptus penatium hauserant animo, super avaritiam et adrogantiam, praecipua validiorum vitia, contumacia Gallorum inritati, qui remissam sibi a Galba quartam tributorum partem et publice donates in ignominiam exercitus iactabant. Accessit callide vul- gatum, temere creditum, decumari legiones et promptissi- mum quemque centurionum dimitti. Undique atroces nuntii, sinistra ex urbe fama; infensa Lugudunensis colo- nia et pertinaci pro Nerone fide fecunda rumoribus. Sed plurima ad fingendum credendumque materies in ipsis castris, odio metu et, ubi vires suas respexerant, securitate. Sub ipsas superioris anni kalendas Decembres Aulus 52 Vitellius inferiorem Germaniam ingressus hiberna legionum cum cura adierat: redditi plerisque ordines, remissa ig- nominia, adlevatae notae; plura ambitione, quaedam iudicio, in quibus sordes et avaritiam Fontei Capitonis 30 TACITUS ^HAPS. 52, 53. adimendis adsignandisve militiae ordinibus integre muta- verat. Nee consularis legati mensura, sed in maius omnia accipiebantur; et ut Vitellius apud severos humilis, ita comitatem bonitatemque faventes vocabant, quod sine modo, sine iudicio donaret sua, largiretur aliena; simul aviditate impen' rfandi ipsa vitia pro virtutibus inter- pretabantur. Multi in utroque exercitu sicut modesti quietique, ita mali et strenui. Sed profusa cupidine et insigni temeritate legati legionum Alienus Caecina et Fabius Valens; e quibus Valens infensus Galbae, tan- quam detectara a se Verginii cimctationem, oppressa Capitonis consilia ingrate tulisset, instigare Vitellium, ardorem militum ostentans: ipsum celebri ubique fama, nullam in Flacco Hordeonio moram; adfore Britanniam, secutura Germanorum auxilia; male fidas provincias, precarium seni imperium et brevi transiturum: panderet modo sinum et venienti Fortunae occurreret. Merito dubitasse Verginium equestri familia, ignoto patre, inpa- rem, si recepisset imperium, tutum, si recusasset: Vi- tellio tres patris consulatus censuram collegium Caesaris et inponere iam pridem imperatoris dignationem et auferre privati securitatem. Quatiebatur his segne ingenium, ut concupisceret magis quam ut speraret. 53 At in superiore Germania Caecina decorus iuventa, corpore ingens, animi inmodicus, scito sermone, erecto incessu, studia militum inlexerat. Hunc iuvenem Galba, quaestorem in Baetica inpigre in partes suas transgressurn. legioni praeposuit; mox compertum publicam pecuniam avertisse ut peculatorem flagitari iussit. Caecina aegre passus miscere cuncta et privata vulnera rei publicae malis operire statuit. Nee deerant in exercitu semina discordiae, quod et bello adversus Vindicem universus CHAPS. 53, 54, 55.] HISTORIES I 31 adfuerat, nee nisi occiso Nerone translatus in Galbam atque in eo ipso sacramento vexillis inferioris Germaniae prae- ventus erat. Et Treveri ac Lingones, quasque alias civitates atrocibus edictis aut damno finium Galba per- culerat, hibernis legionum propius miscentur; unde sedi- tiosa colloquia et inter paganos corruptior miles, et in Verginium favor cuicumque alii profuturus. Miserat civitas Lingonum vetere institute dona legioni-54 bus dextras, hospitii insigne. Legati eorum in squalorem maestitiamque compositi per principia per contubernia modo suas iniurias, modo vicinarum civitatium praemia, et ubi pronis militum auribus accipiebantur, ipsius exercitus pericula et contumelias conquerentes accendebant animos; nee procul seditione aberant, cum Hordeonius Flaccus abire legates, utque occultior digressus esset, nocte castris excedere iubet. Inde atrox rumor, adfirmantibus pleris- que interfectos, ac ni sibi ipsi consulerent, fore ut acerrimi militum et praesentia conquesti per tenebras et inscitiam ceterorum occiderentur. Obstringuntur inter se tacito foedere legiones, adsciscitur auxiliorum miles, primo sus- pectus, tanquam circumdatis cohortibus alisque impetus in legiones pararetur, mox eadem acrius volvens, faciliore inter malos consensu ad bellum quam in pace ad concor- diam. Inferioris tamen Germaniae legiones sollemni kalenda-55 rum lanuariarum sacramento pro Galba adactae, multa cunctatione et raris primorum ordinum vocibus, ceteri silentio proximi cuiusque audaciam exspectantes, insita mortalibus natura propere sequi quae piget incohare. Sed ipsis legionibus inerat diversitas animorum: primani quintanique turbidi adeo ut quidam saxa in Galbae ima- gines iecerint : quinta decuma ac sexta decuma legiones 32 TACITUS [CHAPS. 55, 56. nihil ultra fremitum et minas ausae initium erumpendi circumspectabant. At in superiore exercitu quarta et duoetvicensima legiones, isdem hibernis tendentes, ipso kalendarum lanuariarum die dirumpunt imagines Galbae, quarta legio promptius, duoetvicensima cunctanter, mox consensu. Ac ne reverentiam imperii exuere viderentur, senatus populique Romani oblitterata iam nomina sacramento advocabant, nullo legatorum tribunorumve pro Galba nitente, quibusdam, ut in tumultu, notabilius turbantibus. Non tamen quisquam in modum contionis aut suggestu locutus; neque enim erat adhuc cui inputaretur. 56 Spectator flagitii Hordeonius Flaccus consularis lega- tus aderat, non compescere ruentes, non retinere dubios, non cohortari bonos ausus, sed segnis pavidus et socordia innocens. Quattuor centuriones duoetvicensimae legionis, Nonius Receptus, Donatius Valens, Romilius Marcellus, Calpurnius Repentinus, cum protegerent Galbae imagines, impetu militum abrepti vinctique. Nee cuiquam ultra fides aut memoria prioris sacramenti, sed quod in sedi- tionibus accidit, unde plures erant, omnes fuere. Nocte quae kalendas lanuarias secuta est, in coloniam Agrippinensem aquilifer quartae legionis epulanti Vitellio nuntiat, quartam et duoetvicensimam legiones proiectis Galbae imaginibus in senatus ac populi Romani verba iurasse. Id sacramentum inane visum: occupari nutan- tem fortunam et offerri principem placuit. Missi a Vitel- lio ad legiones legatosque qui descivisse a Galba superi- orem exercitum nuntiarent: proinde aut bellandum adversus desciscentes aut, si concordia et pax placeat, faciendum imperatorem ; et minore discrimine sumi princi- pem quam quaeri. CHAPS. 57, 58.] HISTORIES I 33 Proxima legionis primae hiberna erant et promptissi- 57 mus e legatis Fabius Valens. Is die proximo coloniam Agrippinensem cum equitibus legionis auxiliariorumque in- gressus imperatorem Vitellium consalutavit. Secutae ingenti certamine eiusdem provinciae legiones; et superior exercitus, speciosis senatus populique Romani nominibus relictis, tertio nonas lanuarias Vitellio accessit: scires ilium priore biduo non penes rem publicam fuisse. Ar- dorem exercituum Agrippinenses Treveri Lingones aequa- bant, auxilia equos, arma pecuniam offerentes, ut quis- que corpora opibus ingenio validus. Nee principes modo coloniarum aut castrorum, quibus praesentia ex affluent! et parta victoria magnae spes, sed manipuli quoque et gregarius miles viatica sua et balteos phalerasque, insignia armorum argento decora, loco pecuniae tradebant instinctu et impetu, et avaritia. Igitur laudata militum alacritate Vitellius ministeria 58 principatus per libertos agi solita in equites Romanos disponit, vacationes centurionibus ex fisco numerat, saevitiam militum plerosque ad poenam exposcentium snepius adprobat, raro simulatione vinculorum frustratur. Pompeius Propinquus procurator Belgicae statim inter- fectus; lulium Burdonem Germanicae classis praefectum astu subtraxit. Exarserat in eum iracundia exercitus, tanquam crimen ac mox insidias Fonteio Capitoni stru- xisset. Grata erat memoria Capitonis, et apud saevientes occidere palam, ignoscere non nisi f allendo licebat : ita in custodia habitus et post victoriam demum, sedatis iam militum odiis, dimissus est. Interim ut piaculum obicitur centurio Crispinus: sanguine Capitonis se cruentaverat eoque et postulantibus manifestior et punienti vilior fuit. 34 TACITUS [CHAPS. 59, 60, 61. 59 lulius deinde Civilis periculo exemptus, praepotens inter Batavos, ne supplicio ems ferox gens alienaretur. Et erant in civitate Lingonum octo Batavorum cohortes, quartae decumae legionis auxilia, turn discordia tem- porum a legione digressae, prout inclinassent, grande momentum sociae aut adversae. Nonium, Donatium, Romilium, Calpurnium centuriones, de quibus supra rettu- limus, occidi iussit, damnatos fidei crimine, gravissimo inter desciscentes. Accessere partibus Valerius Asiaticus, Belgicao provinciae legatus, quern mox Vitellius generum adscivit, et lunius Blaesus Lugudunensis Galliae rector cum Italica legione et ala Tauriana Luguduni tendentibus. Nee in Raeticis copiis mora, quo minus statim adiunge- rentur; ne in Britannia quidem dubitatum. 60 Praeerat Trebellius Maximus, per avaritiam ac sordes contemptus exercitui invisusque. Accendebat odium eius Roscius Coelius legatus vicensimae legionis, olim discors, sed occasione civilium armorum atrocius pro- ruperant. Trebellius seditionem et confusum ordinem disciplinae Coelio, spoliatas et inopes legiones Coelius Trebellio obiectabat, cum interim foedis legatorum cer- taminibus modestia exercitus corrupta eoque discordiae ventum, ut auxiliarium quoque militum conviciis protur- batus et adgregantibus se Coelio cohortibus alisque deser- tus Trebellius ad Vitellium perfugerit. Quies provinciae quanquam remote consulari mansit: rexere legati legio- num, pares iure, Coelius audendo potentior. 61 Adiuncto Britannico exercitu ingens viribus opibus- que Vitellius duos duces, duo itinera bello destinavit : Fa- bius Valens allicere vel, si abnuerent, vastare Gallias et Cottianis Alpibus Italiam inrumpere, Caecina propiore transitu Poeninis iugis degredi iussus. Valenti inferioris CHAPS. 61, 62, 63.] HISTORIES I 35 exercitus elect! cum aquila quintae legionis et cohortibus alisque, ad quadraginta milia armatorum, data: triginta milia Caecina e superiore Germania ducebat, quorum robur legio unaetvicensima fuit. Addita utrique Germanorum auxilia, e quibus Vitellius suas quoque copias supplevit, tota mole belli secuturus. Mira inter exercitum imperatoremque diversitas: in- 62 stare miles, arma poscere, dum Galliae trepident, dum His- paniae cunctentur: non obstare hiemem neque ignavae pacis moras; invadendam Italiam, occupandam urbem; nihil in discordiis civilibus festinatione tutius, ubi facto magis quam consulto opus esset. Torpebat Vitetlius et fortunam principatus inerti luxu ac prodigis epulis prae- sumebat, medio diei temulentus et sagina gravis, cum tamen ardor et vis militum ultro ducis munia implebat, ut si adesset imperator et strenuis vel ignavis spem me- tumve adderet. Instruct! intentique signum profectionis exposcunt, nomine Germanic! Vitellio statim addito: Caesarem se appellari etiam victor prohibuit. Laetum augurium Fabio Valenti exercituique quern in bellum agebat, ipso profectionis die aquila leni meatu, prout agmen incederet, velut dux viae praevolavit; longumque per spatium is gaudentium militum clamor, ea quies in- territae alitis fuit, ut baud dubium magnae et prosperae rei omen acciperetur. Et Treveros quidem ut socios securi adiere: Divo-63 duri (Mediomatricorum id oppidum est) quanquam omni comitate exceptos subitus pavor terruit, raptis repente armis ad caedem innoxiae civitatis, non ob praedam aut spoliandi cupidine, sed furore et rabie et causis incertis eoque difficilioribus remediis, donee precibus ducis miti- gati ab excidio civitatis tempera vere; caesa tamen ad 36 TACITUS [CHAPS. 63, 64, 65. quattuor milia hominum. Isque terror Gallias invasit, ut venienti mox agmini universae civitates cum magis- tratibus et precibus occurrerent, stratis per vias feminis puerisque, quaeque alia placamenta hostilis irae non qui- dem in bello, sed pro pace tendebantur. 64 Nuntium de caede Galbae et imperio Othonis Fabius Valens in civitate Leucorum accepit. Nee militum ani- mus in gaudium aut formidine permotus : bellum volvebat. Gallis cunctatio exempta est: in Othonem ac Vitellium odium par, ex Vitellio et metus. Proxima Lingonum civitas erat, fida partibus. Benigne excepti modestia certavere, sed brevis laetitia fuit cohortium intemperie, quas a legione quarta decuma, ut supra memoravimus, digressas exercitui suo Fabius Valens adiunxerat. lurgia primum, mox rixa inter Batavos et legionaries, dum his aut illis studia militum adgregantur, prope in proelium exarsere, ni Valens animadversione paucorum oblitos iam Batavos imperii admonuisset. Frustra adversus Aeduos quaesita belli causa: iussi pecuniam atque arma deferre gratuitos insuper commeatus praebuere. Quod Aedui formidine, Lugudunenses gaudio fecere. Sed legio Italica et ala Tauriana abductae: cohortem duodevicensimam Luguduni, solitis sibi hibernis, relinqui placuit. Manlius Valens legatus Italicae legionis, quanquam bene de par- tibus meritus, nullo apud Vitellium honore fuit: secretis eum criminationibus infamaverat Fabius ignarum et, quo incautior deciperetur, palam laudatum. 65 Veterem inter Lugudunenses et Viennenses discordiam proximum bellum accenderat. Multae in vicem clades crebrius infestiusque quam ut tantum propter Neronem Galbamque pugnaretur. Et Galba reditus Lugudunen- sium occasione irae in fiscum verterat; multus contra in CHAPS. 65, 66.] HISTORIES I 37 Viennenses honor : unde aemulatio et invidia et uno amne discretis conexum odium. Igitur Lugudunenses extimu- lare singulos militum et in eversionem Viennensium im- pellere, obsessam ab illis coloniam suam, adiutos Vindicis conatus, conscriptas nuper legiones in praesidium Galbae referendo. Et ubi causas odiorum praetenderant, mag- nitudinem praedae ostendebant; nee iam secreta exhor- tatio, sed publicae preces: irent ultores, excinderent sedem Gallici belli; cuncta illic externa et hostilia: se, coloniam Romanam et partem exercitus et prosperarum adversarumque rerum socios, si fortuna contra daret, iratis ne relinquerent. His et pluribus in eundem modum perpulerant, ut66 ne legati quidem ac duces partium restingui posse iracun- diam exercitus arbitrarentur, cum baud ignari discriminis sui Viennenses, velamenta et infulas praeferentes, ubi ag- men incesserat, arma genua vestigia prensando flexere militum animos ; addidit Valens trecenos singulis militibus sestertios. Turn vetustas dignitasque coloniae valuit et verba Fabi salutem incolumitatemque Viennensium com- mendantis aequis auribus accepta; publice tamen armis multati, privatis et promiscuis copiis iuvere militem. Sed fama constans fuit ipsum Valentem magna pecunia emptum. Is diu sordidus, repente dives mutationem fortunae male tegebat, accensis egestate longa cupidinibus inmoderatus et inopi iuventa senex prodigus. Lento deinde agmine per fines Allobrogum ac Vocontiorum ductus exercitus, ipsa itinerum spatia et stativorum mutationes venditante duce foedis pactionibus adversus possessores agrorum et magistratus civitatum, adeo minaciter ut Luco (municipium id Vocontiorum est) faces admoverit, donee pecunia mitigaretur. Quotiens 38 TACITUS [CHAPS. 66, 67, 68. pecuniae materia deesset, stupris et adulteriis exorabatur. Sic ad Alpes perventum. 67 Plus praedae ac sanguinis Caecina hausit. Inrita- verant turbidum ingenium Helvetii, Gallica gens olim armis virisque, mox memoria nominis clara, de caede Galbae ignari et Vitellii imperium abnuentes. Initium bello fuit avaritia ac festinatio unaetvicensimae legionis: rapuerant pecuniam missam in stipendium castelli, quod olim Helvetii suis militibus ac stipendiis tuebantur. Aegre id passi Helvetii, interceptis epistulis, quae nomine Germanici exercitus ad Pannonicas legiones ferebantur, centurionem et quosdam militum in custodia retinebant. Caecina belli avidus proximam quamque culpam, ante- quam paeniteret, ultum ibat: mota propere castra, vastati agri, direptus longa pace in modum municipii exstructus locus, amoeno salubrium aquarum usu fre- quens; missi ad Raetica auxilia nuntii, ut versos in legio- nem Helvetios a tergo adgrederentur. 68 Illi ante discrimen feroces, in periculo pavidi, quan- quam primo tumultu Claudium Severum ducem legerant, non arma noscere, non ordines sequi, non in unum con- sulere. Exitiosum adversus veteranos proelium, intuta obsidio dilapsis vetustate moenibus; hinc Caecina cuni valido exercitu, inde Raeticae alae cohortesque et ipsorum Raetorum iuventus, sueta armis et more militiae exercita. Undique populatio et caedes; ipsi medio vagi, abiectis armis, magna pars saucii aut palantes, in montem Voce- tium perfugere. Ac statim inmissa cohorte Thracum depuisi et consectantibus Germanis Raetisque per silvas atque in ipsis latebris trucidati. Multa hominum milia eaesa, multa sub corona venundata; cumque dirutis omnibus Aventicum gentis caput in/esto agmine peteretur, CHAPS. 68, 69, 70.] HISTORIES I 39 missi qui dederent civitatem, et deditio accepta. In lulium Alpinura e principibus ut concitorem belli Caecina animadvertit : ceteros veniae vel saevitiae Vitellii reliquit. Hand facile dictu est, legati Helvetiorum minus pla-69 cabilem imperatorem an militem invenerint. Civitatis excidium poscunt, tela ac manus in ora legatorum inten- tant. Ne Vitellius quidem verbis ac minis temperabat, cum Claudius Cossus, unus e legatis, notae facundiae, sed dicendi artem apta trepidatione occultans atque eo validior, militis animum mitigavit. Turn, ut est mos, vulgus mutabile subitis, tarn pronum in misericordiam quam immodicum saevitia fuerat: effusis lacrimis et meliora constantius postulando inpunitatem salutemque civitati inpetravere. Caecina paucos in Helvetiis moratus dies, dum senten- 70 tiae Vitellii certior fieret, simul transitum Alpium parans, laetum ex Italia nuntium accipit alam Silianam circa Padum agentem sacramento Vitellii accessisse. Pro consule Vitellium Siliani in Africa habuerant; mox a Nerone, ut in ^Egyptum praemitterentur, acciti et ob bellum Vindicis revocati ac turn in Italia manentes, in- stinctu decurionum, qui Othonis ignari, Vitellio obstricti robur adventantium legionum et famam Germanici exer- citus attollebant, transiere in partes, et ut donum aliquod novo principi firmissima transpadanae regionis municipia, Mediolanum ac Novariam et Eporediam et Vercellas, adiunxere. Id Caecinae per ipsos compertum; et quia praesidio alae unius latissima Italiae pars defendi nequi- bat, praemissis Gallorum Lusitanorumque et Britannorum cohortibus et Germanorum vexillis cum ala Petriana, ipse paulum cunctatus est, num Raeticis iugis in Noricum flecteret adversus Petronium Urbicum procuratorem, qui 40 TACITUS [CHAPS. 70, 71, 72. concitis auxiliis et interrupts fluminum pontibus fidus Othoni putabatur. Sed metu, ne amitteret praemissas iam cohortes alasque, simul reputans plus gloriae retenta Italia, et ubicumque certatum foret, Noricos in cetera victoriae praemia cessuros, Poenino itinere subsignanum militem et grave legionum agmen hibernis adhuc Alpibus traduxit. 71 Otho interim contra spem omnium non deliciis neque desidia torpescere : dilatae voluptates, dissimulata luxuria et cuncta ad decorem imperii composita, eoque plus formi- dinis adferebant falsae virtutes et vitia reditura. Marium Celsum consulem designatum, per speciem vinculorum saevitiae militum subtractum, acciri in Capitolium iubet: clementiae titulus e viro claro et partibus inviso petebatur. Celsus constanter servatae erga Galbam fidei crimen con- fessus exemplum ultro imputavit. Nee Otho quasi ig- nosceret, sed testes mutuae reconciliationis adhibens, statim inter intimos amicos habuit et mox bello inter duces delegit, mansitque Celso velut fataliter etiam pro Othone fides integra et infelix. Laeta primoribus civitatis, celebrata in vulgus Celsi salus ne militibus quidem ingrata fuit, eandem virtutem admirantibus cui irascebantur. 72 Par inde exultatio disparibus causis consecuta in- petrato Tigellini exitio. Ofonius Tigellinus obscuris pa- rentibus, foeda pueritia, inpudica senecta, praefecturam vigilum et praetorii et alia praemia virtutum, quia velocius erat, vitiis adeptus, mox crudelitatem, deinde avaritiam, virilia scelera, exercuit, corrupto ad omne facinus Nerone, quaedam ignaro ausus, ac postremo eiusdem desertor ac proditor: unde non alium pertinacius ad poenam flagita- verunt, diverse adfectu, quibus odium Neronis inerat et quibus desiderium. Apud Galbam Titi Vinii potentia CHAPS. 72, 73, 74.] HISTORIES I 41 defensus, praetexentis servatam ab eo filiam. Haud dubie servaverat, non dementia, quippe tot interfectis, sed effugium in futurum, quia pessimus quisque diffidentia praesentium mutationem pavens adversus publicum odium privatam gratiam praeparat ; unde nulla innocentiae cura, sed vices impimitatis. Eo infensior populus, addita ad vetus Tigellini odium recent! Titi Vinii invidia, con- currere ex tota urbe in Palatium ac fora et, ubi plurima vulgi licentia, in circum ac theatra effusi seditiosis voci- bus strepere, donee Tigellinus accepto apud Sinuessanas aquas supremae necessitatis nunito inter stupra concu- binarum et oscula et deformes moras sectis novacula faucibus infamem vitam foedavit etiam exitu sero et inhonesto. Per idem tempus expostulata ad supplicium Calvia73 Crispinilla variis frustrationibus et adversa dissimulantis principis fama periculo exempta est. Magistra libidinum Neronis, transgressa in Africam ad instigandum in arma Clodium Macrum, famem populo Romano baud obscure molita, totius postea civitatis gratiam obtinuit, consular! matrimonio subnixa et apud Galbam Othonem Vitellium illaesa, mox potens pecunia et orbitate, quae bonis malis- que temporibus iuxta valent. Crebrae interim et muliebribus blandimentis infectae 74 ab Othone ad Vitellium epistulae offerebant pecuniam et gratiam et quemcumque e quietis locis prodigae vitae legisset. Paria Vitellius ostentabat, primo mollius, stulta utrimque et indecora simulatione; mox quasi rixantes stupra ac flagitia in vicem obiectavere, neuter falso. Otho revocatis quos Galba miserat legatis rursus ad utrum- que Germanicum exercitum et ad legionem Italicam easque quae Luguduni agebant copias specie senatus misit. 42 TACITUS [CHAPS. 74, 75, 76. Legati apud Vitellium remansere promptius quam ut retenti viderentur; praetoriani, quos per simulationem officii legatis Otho adiunxerat, remissi, antequam legi- onibus miscerentur. Addidit epistulas Fabius Valens nomine Germanic! exercitus ad praetorias et urbanas cohortes de viribus partium magnificas et concordiam offerentes; increpabat ultro quod tanto ante traditum Vitellio imperium ad Othonem vertissent. 75 Ita promissis simul ac minis temptabantur, ut bello impares, in pace nihil amissuri; neque ideo praetoriano- rum fides mutata. Sed insidiatores ab Othone in Ger- maniam, a Vitellio in urbem missi. Utrisque frustra fuit, Vitellianis inpune, per tantam hominum multitudi- nem mutua ignorantia fallentibus: Othoniani novitate vultus, omnibus in vicem gnaris, prodebantur. Vitellius litteras ad Titianum fratrem Othonis composuit, exitium ipsi filioque eius minitans, ni incolumes sibi mater ac liberi servarentur. Et stetit domus utraque, sub Othone in- certum an metu : Vitellius victor clementiae gloriam tulit. 76 Primus Othoni fiduciam addidit ex Illyrico nuntius, iurasse in eum Delmatiae ac Pannoniae et Moesiae legiones. Idem ex Hispania adlatum, laudatusque per edictum Cluvius Rufus: set statim cognitum est conversam ad Vitellium Hispaniam. Ne Aquitania quidem, quanquam ab lulio Cordo in verba Othonis obstricta, diu mansit. Nusquam fides aut amor: metu ac necessitate hue illuc mutabantur. Eadem formido provinciam Narbonensem ad Vitellium vertit, facili transitu ad proximos et validi- ores. Longinquae provinciae et quidquid armorum mari dirimitur penes Othonem manebant, non partium studio, sed erat grande momentum in nomine urbis ac praetexto senatus, et occupaverat animos prior auditus. ludaicum CHAPS. 76, 77, 78.] HISTORIES I 43 exercitum Vespasianus, Syriae legiones Mucianus sacra- mento Othonis adegere; simul Aegyptus omnesque versae in Orientem provinciae nomine eius tenebantur. Idem Africae obsequium initio Karthagine orto; neque ex- spectata Vipstani Aproniani proconsulis auctoritate Cres- cens Neronis libertus (nam et hi malis temporibus partem se rei publicae faciunt) epulum plebi ob laetitiam recentis imperii obtulerat, et populus pleraque sine modo festi- navit. Karthaginem ceterae civitates secutae. Sic distractis exercitibus ac provinciis Vitellio quidem 77 ad capessendara principatus fortunam bello opus erat, Otho ut in multa pace munia imperii obibat, quaedam ex dignitate rei publicae, pleraque contra decus ex praesenti usu properando. Consul cum Titiano fratre in kalendas Martias ipse; proximos menses Verginio destinat ut ali- quod exercitui Germanico delenimentum ; iungitur Ver- ginio Pompeius Vopiscus praetexto veteris amicitiae; plerique Viennensium honori datum interpretabantur. Ceteri consulatus ex destinatione Neronis aut Galbae mansere, Caelio ac Flavio Sabinis in lulias, Arrio Antonino et Mario Celso in Septembres, quorum honoribus ne Vitel- lius quidem victor intercessit. Sed Otho pontificatus au- guratusque honoratis iam senibus cumulum dignitatis ad- didit, aut recens ab exilio reverses nobiles adulescentulos avitis ac paternis sacerdotiis in solacium recoluit. Red- ditus Cadio Rufo, Pedio Blaeso, Scaevim'o Propinquo senatorius locus. Repetundarum criminibus sub Claudio ac Nerone ceciderant : placuit ignoscentibus verso nomine, quod avaritia fuerat, videri maiestatem, cuius turn odio etiam bonae leges peribant. Eadem largitione civitatium quoque ac provinciarum 78 animos adgressus Hispalensibus et Emeritensibus famili- 44 TACITUS [CHAPS. 78, 79. arum adiectiones, Lingonibus universis civitatem Roma- nam, provinciae Baeticae Maurorum civitates dono dedit; nova iura Cappadociae, nova Africae, ostentafa magis quam mansura. Inter quae necessitate praesentium rerum et instantibus curis excusata, ne turn quidem inmemor amorum statuas Poppaeae per senatus consultum reposuit; creditus est etiam de celebranda Neronis memoria agitavisse spe vulgus alliciendi. Et fuere qui imagines Neronis proponerent; atque etiam Othoni quibusdam diebus populus et miles, tanquam nobilitatem ac decus adstruerent, Neroni Othoni adclamavit. Ipse in suspenso tenuit vetandi metu vel agnoscendi pudore. 79 Conversis ad civile bellum animis externa sine cura habebantur. Eo audentius Rhoxolani, Sarmatica gens, priore hieme caesis duabus cohortibus, magna spe Moesiam inruperant, ad novem milia equitum, ex ferocia et suc- cessu praedae magis quam pugnae intenta. Igitur vagos et incuriosos tertia legio adiunctis auxiliis repente invasit. Apud Romanos omnia proelio apta: Sarmatae dispersi cupidine praedae aut graves onere sarcinarum et lubrico itinerum adempta equorum pernicitate velut vincti caede- bantur. Namque mirum dictu ut sit omnis Sarmatarum virtus velut extra ipsos. Nihil ad pedestrem pugnam tarn ignavum: ubi per turmas advenere, vix ulla acies obsti- terit. Sed turn umido die et soluto gelu neque conti neque gladii, quos praelongos utraque manu regunt, usui, lapsantibus equis et catafractarum pondere. Id prin- cipibus et nobilissimo cuique tegimen ferreis lamminis aut praeduro corio consertum, ut adversus ictus inpenetrabile, ita impetu hostium provolutis inhabile ad resurgendum. Simul altitudine et mollitia nivis hauriebantur. Romanus miles facilis lorica et missili pilo aut lanceis ad sultans, ubi CHAPS. 79, 80, 81.] HISTORIES I 45 res posceret, levi gladio inermem Sarmatam (neque enim scuto defend! mos est) comminus fodiebat, donee pauci, qui proelio superfuerant, paludibus abderentur. Ibi saevitia hiemis aut vulnerum absumpti. Postquam id Romae compertum, M. Aponius Moesiam obtinens tri- umphal! statua, Fulvus Aurelius et lulianus Tettius ac Numisius Lupus legati legionum consularibus ornamentis donantur, laeto Othone et gloriam in se trahente, tanquam et ipse felix bello et suis ducibus suisque exercitibus rem publicam auxisset. Parvo interim initio, unde nihil timebatur, orta sedi-8O tio prope urbi excidio fuit. Septumam decumam cohortem e colonia Ostiensi in urbem acciri Otho iusserat ; armandae eius cura Vario Crispino tribune e praetorianis data. Is quo magis vacuus quietis castris iussa exsequeretur, vehicula cohortis incipiente nocte onerari aperto arma- mentario iubet. Tempus in suspicionem, causa in crimen, adfectatio quietis in tumultum evaluit, et visa inter temu- lentos arma cupidinem sui movere. Fremit miles et tribunes centurionesque proditionis arguit, tanquam familiae senatorum ad perniciem Othonis armarentur, pars ignari et vino graves, pessimus quisque in occasionem praedarum, vulgus, ut mos est, cuiuscumque motus novi cupidum; et obsequia meliorum nox abstulerat. Resis- tentem seditioni tribunum et severissimos centurionum obtruncant; rapta arma, nudati gladii, insidentes equis urbem ac Palatium petunt. Erat Othoni celebre convivium primoribus feminisSl virisque; qui trepidi, fortuitusne militum furor an dolus imperatoris, manere ac deprehendi an fugere et dispergi periculosius foret, modo constantiam simulare, modo formidine detegi, simul Othonis vultum intueri; utque 46 TACITUS [CHAPS. 81, 82, 83. evenit inclinatis ad suspicionem mentibus, cum timeret Otho, timebatur. Sed baud secus discrimine senatus quam suo territus et praefectos praetorii ad mitigandas militum iras statim miserat et abire propere omnes e con- vivio iussit. Turn vero passim magistratus proiectis insignibus, vitata comitum et servorum frequentia, senes feminaeque per tenebras diversa urbis itinera, rari domos, plurimi amicorum tecta et, ut cuique humillimus cliens, incertas latebras petivere. 82 Militum impetus ne foribus quidem Palati coercitus, quo minus convivium inrumperent, ostendi sibi Othonem expostulantes, vulnerato lulio Martiale tribune et Vitellio Saturnine praefecto legionis, dum ruentibus obsistunt. Undique arma et minae, modo in centuriones tribunosque, modo in senatum universum, lymphatis caeco pavore animis, et quia neminem unum destinare irae poterant, licentiam in omnes poscentibus, donee Otho contra decus imperii toro insistens precibus et lacrimis aegre cohibuit, redieruntque in castra inviti neque innocentes. Postera die velut capta urbe clausae domus, rarus per vias populus, maesta plebs; deiecti in terram militum vultus ac plus tristitiae quam paenitentiae. Manipulatim adlocuti sunt Licinius Proculus et Plotius Firmus praefecti, ex suo quisque ingenio mitius aut horridius. Finis sermonis in eo, ut quina milia nummum singulis militibus numera- rentur. Turn Otho ingredi castra ausus. Atque ilium tribuni centurionesque circumsistunt, abiectis militiae insignibus otium et salutem flagitantes. Sensit invidiam miles et compositus in obsequium auctores seditionis ad supplicium ultro postulabat. 83 Otho, quanquam turbidis rebus et diversis militum animis, cum optimus quisque remedium praesentis licen- CHAPS. 83, 84.] HISTORIES I 47 tiae posceret, vulgus et plures seditionibus et ambitioso imperio laeti per turbas et raptus facilius ad civile bellum inpellerentur, simul reputans non posse principatum scelere quaesitum subita modestia et prisca gravitate retineri, sed discrimine urbis et periculo senatus anxius, postremo ita disseruit: 'Neque ut adfectus vestros in amorem mei accenderem, commilitones, neque ut animum ad virtutem cohortarer (utraque enim egregie supersunt), sed veni postulaturus a vobis temperamentum vestrae fortitudinis et erga me modum caritatis. Tumultus proximi initium non cupiditate vel odio, quae multos exercitus in discordiam egere, ac ne detrectatione quidera aut formidine periculorum: nimia pietas vestra acrius quam considerate excitavit; nam saepe honestas rerum causas, ni iudicium adhibeas, perniciosi exitus consecimtur. Imus ad bellum. Num omnes nuntios palam audiri, omnia consilia cunctis praesentibus tractari ratio rerum aut occasionum velocitas patitur ? Tarn nescire quaedam milites quam scire oportet: ita se ducum auctoritas, sic rigor disciplinae habet, ut multa etiam centuriones tri- bunosque tantum iuberi expediat. Si cur iubeantur quaerere singulis liceat, pereunte obsequio etiam imperium intercidet. An et illic nocte. intempesta rapientur arma ? Unus alterve perditus ac temulentus (neque enim plures consternatione proxima insanisse crediderim) centurionis ac tribuni sanguine manus imbuet, imperatoris sui tento- rium inrumpet ? ' ' Vos quidem istud pro me : sed in discursu ac tenebris 84 et rerum omnium confusione patefieri occasio etiam ad- versus me potest. Si Vitellio et satellitibus eius eligendi facultas detur, quern nobis animum, quas mentes inpre- centur, quid aliud quam seditionem et discordiam opta- 48 TACITUS [CHAPS. 84, 85. bunt? ne miles centurioni, ne centurio tribune obsequa- tur, ut confusi pedites equitesque in exitium ruamus. Parendo potius, commilitones, quam imperia ducum scis- citando res militares continentur, et fortissimus in ipso discrimine exercitus est, qui ante discrimen quietissimus. Vobis arma et animus sit: mihi consilium et virtutis vestrae regimen relinquite. Paucorum culpa fuit, du- orum poena erit: ceteri abolete memoriam foedissimae noctis. Nee illas adversus senatum voces ullus usquam exercitus audiat. Caput imperil et decora omnium pro- vinciarum ad poenam vocare non hercule illi, quos cum maxime Vitellius in nos ciet, Germani audeant: ulline Italiae alumni et Romana vere iuventus ad sanguinem et caedem depoposcerint ordinem, cuius splendore et gloria sordes et obscuritatem Vitellianarum partium praestrin- gimus? Nationes aliquas occupavit Vitellius, imaginem quandam exercitus habet: senatus nobiscum est; sic fit ut hinc res publica, inde hostes rei publicae constiterint. Quid ? Vos pulcherrimam hanc urbem domibus et tectis et congestu lapidum stare creditis? Muta ista et inanima intercidere ac reparari promisca sunt: aeternitas rerum et pax gentium et mea cum vestra salus incolumitate senatus firmatur. Hunc auspicate a parente et conditore urbis nostrae institutum et a regibus usque ad principes continuum et inmortalem, sicut a maioribus accepimus, sic posteris tradamus. Nam ut ex vobis senatores, ita ex senatoribus principes nascuntur.' 85 Et oratio ad perstringendos mulcendosque militum animos et severitatis modus (neque enim in plures quam in duos animadvert! iusserat) grate accepta, com- positique ad praesens qui coerceri non poterant. Non tamen quies urbi redierat: strepitus telorum et facies CHAPS. 85, 86.] HISTORIES I 49 belli, militibus ut nihil in commune turbantibus, ita spar- sis per domos occulto habitu, et maligna cura in omnes quos nobilitas aut opes aut aliqua insignis claritudo ru- moribus obiecerat: Vitellianos quoque milites venisse in urbem ad studia partium noscenda plerique credebant: unde plena omnia suspicionum et vix secreta domuum sine formidine. Sed plurimum trepidationis in publico, ut quemque nuntium fama adtulisset, animum vultumque conversis, ne diffidere dubiis ac parum gaudere prosperis viderentur. Coacto vero in curiam senatu arduus rerum omnium modus, ne contumax silentium, ne suspecta li- bertas ; et private Othoni nuper atque eadem dicenti nota adulatio. Igitur versare sententias et hue atque illuc torquere, hostem et parricidam Vitellium vocantes, pro- videntissimus quisque vulgaribus conviciis, quidam vera probra iacere, in clamore tamen et ubi plurimae voces, aut tumultu verborum sibi ipsi obstrepentes. Prodigia insuper terrebant diversis auctoribus vulgata : 86 in vestibule Capitolii omissas habenas bigae, cui Victoria institerat, erupisse cella lunonis maiorem humana spe- ciem, statuam divi lulii in insula Tiberini amnis sereno et immoto die ab occidente in orientem conversam, prolo- cutum in Etruria bovem, insolitos animalium partus, et plura alia rudibus saeculis etiam in pace observata, quae nunc tantum in metu audiuntur. Sed praecipuus et cum praesenti exitio etiam futuri pavor subita inundatione Tiberis, qui inmenso auctu proruto ponte sublicio ac strage obstantis molis refusus, non modo iacentia et plana urbis loca, sed secura eius modi casuum implevit. Rapti e publico plerique, plures in tabernis et cubilibus intercept!: fames in vulgus inopia quaestus et penuria alimentorum; corrupta stagnantibus aquis insularum 50 TACITUS [CHAPS. 86, 87, 88. fundamenta, dein remeante flumine dilapsa. Utque primum vacuus a periculo animus fuit, id ipsum quod paranti expeditionem Othoni campus Martius et via Fla- minia iter belli esset obstructum, a fortuitis vel naturalibus causis in prodigium et omen imminentium cladium ver- tebatur. 87 Otho lustrata urbe et expensis belli consiliis, quando Poeninae Cottiaeque Alpes et ceteri Galliarum aditus Vitellianis exercitibus claudebantur, Narbonensem Gal- liam adgredi statuit classe valida et partibus fida, quod reliquos caesorum ad pontem Mulvium et saevitia Galbae in custodia habitos in numeros legionis composuerat, facta et ceteris spe honoratioris in posterum militiae. Addidit classi urbanas cohortes et plerosque e praetorianis, viris et robur exercitus atque ipsis ducibus consilium et cus- todes. Summa expeditionis Antonio Novello, Suedio dementi primipilaribus, Aemilio Pacensi, cui ademptum a Galba tribunatum reddiderat, permissa. Curam navium Moschus libertus retinebat ad observandam honestiorum fidem immutatus. Peditum equitumque copiis Suetonius Paulinus, Marius Celsus, Annius Gallus rectores destinati; sed plurima fides Licinio Proculo praetorii praefecto. Is urbanae militiae impiger, bellorum insolens, auctori- tatem Paulini, vigorem Celsi, maturitatem Galli, ut cuique erat, criminando, quod facillimum factu est, pravus et callidus bonos et modestos anteibat. 88 Sepositus per eos dies Cornelius Dolabella in coloniam Aquinatem, neque arta custodia neque obscura, nullum ob crimen, sed vetusto nomine et propinquitate Galbae monstratus. Multos e magistratibus, magnam consula- rium partem Otho non participes aut ministros bello, sed comitum specie secum expedire iubet, in quis et Lucium CHAPS. 88, 89.] HISTORIES I 51 Vitellium, eodem quo ceteros cultu, nee ut imperatoris fratrem nee ut hostis. Igitur motae urbis curae; nullus ordo metu aut periculo vacuus. Primores senatus aetate invalid! et longa pace desides, segnis et oblita bellorum nobilitas, ignarus militiae eques, quanto magis occultare et abdere pavorem nitebantur, manifestius pavidi. Nee deerant e contrario qui ambitione stolida conspicua arma, insignes equos, quidam luxuriosos apparatus convivi- orura et irritamenta libidinura ut instrumentum belli mercarentur. Sapientibus quietis et rei publicae cura; levissimus quisque et futuri improvidus spe vana tumens; multi adflicta fide in pace anxii, turbatis rebus alacres et per incerta tutissimi. Sed vulgus et magnitudine nimia communium cura- 89 rum expers populus sentire paulatim belli mala, conversa in militum usum omni pecunia, intentis alimentorum pre- tiis; quae motu Vindicis baud perinde plebem attriverant, secura turn urbe et provinciali bello, quod inter legiones Galliasque velut externum fuit. Nam ex quo divus Augustus res Caesarum composuit, procul et in unius sollicitudinem aut decus populus Romanus bellaverat; sub Tiberio et Gaio tantum pacis ad versa ad rem publicam pertinuere; Scriboniani contra Claudium incepta simul audita et coercita ; Nero nuntiis magis et rumoribus quam armis depulsus. Turn legiones classesque et, quod raro alias, praetorianus urbanusque miles in aciem deducti, Oriens Occidensque et quidquid utrimque virium est a tergo, si ducibus aliis bellatum foret, longo bello materia. Fuere qui proficiscenti Othoni moras religionemque non- dum conditorum ancilium adferrent: aspernatus est omnem cunctationem ut Neroni quoque exitiosam; et Caecina iam Alpes transgressus extimulabat. 52 TACITUS [CHAP. 90. 9O Pridie idus Martias commendata patribus re publica reliquias Neronianarum sectionum nondum in fiscum conversas revocatis ab exilio concessit, iustissimum donum et in speciem magnificum, sed festinata iam pridem exactione usu sterile. Mox vocata contione maiestatem urbis et consensum populi ac senatus pro se attollens, adversum Vitellianas partes modeste disseruit, inscitiam potius legionum quara audaciam increpans, nulla Vitellii mentione, sive ipsius ea moderatio, seu scriptor orationis sibi metuens contumeliis in Vitellium abstinuit, quando, ut in consiliis militiae Suetonio Paulino et Mario Celso, ita in rebus urbanis Galeri Trachali ingenio Othonem uti credebatur; et erant qui genus ipsum orandi noscerent, crebro fori usu celebre et ad implendas populi aures latum et sonans. Clamor vocesque vulgi ex more adulandi nimiae et falsae: quasi dictatorem Caesarem aut impera- torem Augustum prosequerentur, ita studiis votisque certabant, nee metu aut amore, sed ex libidine servitii; ut in familiis, privata cuique stimulatio, et vile iam decus publicum. Profectus Otho quietem urbis curasque im- perii Salvio Titiano fratri permisit. CORNELII TACITI HISTORIARVM LIBER II Struebat iam fortuna in diversa parte terrarum initia l causasque imperio quod varia sorte laetum rei publicae aut atrox, ipsis principibus prosperum vel exitio fuit. Titus Vespasianus e ludaea incolumi adhuc Galba missus a patre, causam profectionis officium erga principem et maturam petendis honoribus iuventam ferebat, sed vulgus fingendi avidum disperserat accitum in adoptionem. Materia sermonibus senium et orbitas principis et intem- perantia civitatis, donee unus eligatur, multos destinandi. Augebat famam ipsius Titi ingenium quantaecumque for- tunae capax, decor oris cum quadam maiestate, prosperae Vespasiani res, praesaga responsa, et inclinatis ad creden- dum animis loco ominum etiam fortuita. Ubi Corinthi, Achaiae urbe, certos nuntios accepit de interitu Galbae, et aderant qui arma Vitellii bellumque adfirmarent, anxius animo paucis amicorum adhibitis cuncta utrimque per- lustrat: si pergeret in urbem, nullam officii gratiam in alterius honorem suscepti, ac se Vitellio sive Othoni obsidem fore : sin rediret, offensam baud dubiam victoris, sed incertam adhuc victoriam et concedente in partes patre filium excusatum. Sin Vespasianus rem publicam sus- ciperet, obliviscendum offensarum de bello agitantibus. 53 54 TACITUS [CHAPS. 2, 3, 4. 2 His ac talibus inter spem metumque iactatum spes vicit. Fuerunt qui accensum desiderio Berenices reginae vertisse iter crederent; neque abhorrebat a Berenice iuvenilis animus, sed gerendis rebus nullum ex eo impedimentum: laetam voluptatibus adulescentiam egit, suo quam patris imperio moderatior. Igitur oram Achaiae et Asiae ac laeva maris praevectus, Rhodum et Cyprum insulas, inde Syriam audentioribus spatiis petebat. Atque ilium cupido in- cessit adeundi visendique templum Paphiae Veneris in- clutum per indigenas advenasque. Haud fuerit longum initia religionis, templi ritum, formam deae (neque enim alibi sic habetur) paucis disserere. 3 Conditorem templi regem Ae'riam vetus memoria, qui- dam ipsius deae nomen id perhibent. Fama recentior tradit a Cinyra sacratum templum deamque ipsam con- ceptam mari hue adpulsam; sed scientiam artemque haruspicum accitam et Cilicem Tamiram intulisse, atque ita pactum ut familiae utriusque posteri caerimoniis praesiderent. Mox, ne honore nullo regium genus pere- grinam stirpem antecelleret, ipsa quam intulerant scientia hospites cessere: tantum Cinyrades sacerdos consulitur. Hostiae, ut quisque vovit, sed mares deliguntur: certis- sima fides haedorum fibris. Sanguinem arae obfundere vetitum: precibus et igne puro altaria adolentur, nee ullis imbribus quanquam in aperto madescunt. Simula- crum deae non effigie humana, continuus orbis latiore initio tenuem in ambitum metae modo exsurgens, set ratio in obscuro. 4 Titus spectata opulentia donisque regum, quaeque alia laetum antiquitatibus Graecorum genus incertae vetustati adfingit, de navigatione primum consulit. Postquam pandi viam et mare prosperum accepit, de se per ambages CHAPS. 4, 5.] HISTORIES II 55 interrogat cacsis compluribus hostiis. Sostratus (sacer- doti id nomen erat) ubi laeta et congruentia exta magnis- que consultis adnuere deam videt, pauca in praesens et solita respondens, petito secreto futura aperit. Titus aucto animo ad patrem pervectus suspensis provinciarum et exercituum mentibus ingens rerum fiducia accessit. Profligaverat bellum ludaicum Vespasianus, obpugna- tione Hierosolymorum reliqua, duro magis et arduo opere ob ingenium mentis et pervicaciam superstitionis, quam quo satis virium obsessis ad tolerandas necessitates super- esset. Tres, ut supra memoravimus, ipsi Vespasiano legiones erant, exercitae bello : quattuor Mucianus ob- tinebat in pace, sed aemulatio et proximi exercitus gloria depulerat segnitiam, quantumque illis roboris discrimina et labor, tantum his vigoris addiderat integra quies et inexperti belli rwbor. Auxilia utrique cohortium alarum- que et classes regesque ac nomen dispari fama celebre. Vespasianus acer militiae, anteire agmen, locum castris 5 capere, noctu diuque consilio ac, si res posceret, manu hos- tibus obniti, cibo fortuito, veste habituque vix a gregario milite discrepans; prorsus, si avaritia abesset, antiquis ducibus par. Mucianum e contrario magnificentia et opes et cuncta privatum modum supergressa extollebant; ap- tior sermone, dispositu provisuque civilium rerum peritus : egregium principatus temperamentum, si demptis utrius- que vitiis solae virtutes miscerentur. Ceterum hie Syriae, ille ludaeae praepositus, vicinis provinciarum adminis- trationibus invidia discordes, exitu demum Neronis positis odiis in medium consuluere, primum per amicos, dein praecipua concordiae fides Titus prava certamina com- muni utilitate aboleverat, natura atque arte compositus adliciendis etiam Muciani moribus. Tribuni centuri- 56 TACITUS [CHAPS. 5, 6, 7. onesque et vulgus militum industria licentia, per virtutes per voluptates, lit cuique ingenium, adsciscebantur. 6 Antequam Titus adventaret, sacramentum Othonis acceperat uterque exercitus, praecipitibus, ut adsolet, nun- tiis et tarda mole civilis belli, quod longa concordia quietus Oriens tune primum parabat. Namque olim validissima inter se civium arma in Italia Galliave viribus Occidentis coepta; et Pompeio Cassio Bruto Antonio, quos omnes trans mare secutum est civile bellum, baud prosperi exitus fuerant, auditique saepius in Syria ludaeaque Caesares quam inspecti. Nulla seditio legionum, tantura adversus Parthos minae vario eventu; et proximo civili bello tur- batis aliis inconcussa ibi pax, dein fides erga Galbam. Mox, ut Othonem ac Vitellium scelestis armis res Roma- nas raptum ire vulgatum est, ne penes ceteros imperii praemia, penes ipsos tantum servitii necessitas esset, fremere miles et vires suas circumspicere : septem legiones statim et cum ingentibus auxiliis Syria ludaeaque; inde continua Aegyptus duaeque legiones; hinc Cappadocia Pontusque et quidquid castrorum Armeniis praetenditur ; Asia et ceterae provinciae nee virorum inopes et pecunia opulentae; quantum insularum mari cingitur, et parando interim bello secundum tutumque ipsum mare. 7 Non fallebat duces impetus militum, sed bellantibus aliis placuit expectari. Bellorum civilium victores vic- tosque numquam solida fide coalescere, nee referre, Vitel- lium an Othonem superstitem fortuna faceret. Rebus secundis etiam egregios duces insolescere : socordiam his, ignaviam, luxuriem; et suismet vitiis alterum bello, al- terum victoria periturum. Igitur arma in occasionem distulere, Vespasianus Mucianusque nuper, ceteri olim mixtis consiliis; optimus quisque amore rei publicae, CHAPS. 7, 8, 9.] HISTORIES II 57 multos dulcedo praedarum stimulabat, alios ambiguae domi res. Ita boni malique causis diversis, studio pari, bellum omnes cupiebant. Sub idem tempus Achaia atque Asia false exterritae, 8 velut Nero adventaret, vario super exitu eius rumore eoque pluribus vivere eum fingentibus credentibusque. Ceterorum casus conatusque in contextu operis dicemus: tune servus e Ponto sive, ut alii tradidere, libertinus ex Italia, citharae et cantus peritus, unde illi super similitu- dinem oris pronior ad fallendum fides, adiunctis deser- toribus, quos inopia vagos ingentibus promissis corruperat, mare ingreditur; ac vi tempestatum Cythnum insulam detrusus et militum quosdam ex Oriente commeantium adscivit vel abnuentes interfici iussit, et spoliatis nego- tiatoribus mancipiorum valentissimum quemque armavit. Centurionemque Sisennam dextras, concordiae insignia, Syriaci exercitus nomine ad praetorianos ferentem variis artibus adgressus est, donee Sisenna clam relicta insula trepidus et vim metuens aufugeret. Inde late terror; multi ad celebritatem nominis erecti rerum novarum cupi- dine et odio praesentium. Gliscentem in dies famam fors discussit. Galatiam ac Pamphyliam provincias Calpurnio Aspre-9 nati regendas Galba permiserat. Datae e classe Mise- nensi duae triremes ad prosequendum, cum quibus Cyth- num insulam tenuit; nee defuere qui trierarchos nomine Neronis accirent. Is in maestitiam compositus et fidem suorum quondam militum invocans, ut eum in Syria aut Aegypto sisterent, orabat. Trierarchi, nutantes seu dolo, adloquendos sibi milites et paratis omnium animis rever- suros firmaverunt. Sed Asprenati cuncta ex fide nuntiata ; cuius cohortatione expugnata navis et interfectus quisquis 58 TACITUS [CHAPS. 9, 10, 11. ille erat. Caput insigne oculis comaque et torvitate vultus in Asiam atque inde Romam pervectum est. 10 In civitate discord! et ob crebras principum muta- tiones inter libertatem ac licentiam incerta parvae quoque res magnis motibus agebantur. Vibius Crispus, pecunia potentia ingenio inter claros magis quam inter bonos, Annium Faustum equestris ordinis, qui temporibus Neronis delationes factitaverat, ad cognitionem senatus vocabat ; nam recenti Galbae principatu censuerant patres, ut accusatorum causae noscerentur. Id senatus consul- turn varie iactatum et, prout potens vel inops reus in- ciderat, infirmum aut validum, retinebat aliquid terroris. Et propria vi Crispus incubuerat delatorem fratris sui pervertere traxeratque magnam senatus partem, ut inde- fensum et inauditum dedi ad exitium postularent. Contra apud alios nihil aeque reo proderat quam nimia potentia accusatoris : dari tempus, edi crimina, quam vis invisum ac nocentem more tamen audiendum censebant. Et valuere primo, dilataque in paucos dies cognitio : mox damnatus est Faustus nequaquam eo adsensu civitatis quern pessimis moribus meruerat : quippe ipsum Crispum easdem accu- sationes cum praemio exercuisse meminerant, nee poena criminis, sed ultor displicebat. 11 Laeta interim Othoni principia belli, motis ad imperium eius e Delmatia Pannoniaque exercitibus. Fuere quattuor legiones, e quibus bina milia praemissa; ipsae modicis intervallis sequebantur, septuma a Galba conscripta, veteranae undecuma ac tertia decuma, et praecipui fama quartadecumani rebellione Britanniae compressa. Ad- diderat gloriam Nero eligendo ut potissimos, unde longa illis erga Neronem fides et erecta in Othonem studia. Sed quo plus virium ac roboris, e fiducia tarditas inerat. CHAPS. 11, 12.] HISTORIES II 59 Agmen legionum alae cohortesque praeveniebant. Et ex ipsa urbe baud spernenda manus, quinque praetoriae cohortes et equitum vexilla cum legione prima, ac deforme insuper auxilium, duo milia gladiatorum, sed per civilia arma etiam severis ducibus usurpatum. His copiis rector additus Annius Gallus, cum Vestricio Spurinna ad occu- pandas Padi ripas praemissus, quoniam prima consiliorum frustra ceciderant, transgresso iam Alpes Caecina, quern sisti intra Gallias posse speraverat. Ipsum Othonem comitabantur speculatorum lecta corpora cum ceteris praetoriis cohortibus, veterani e praetorio, classicorum ingens numerus. Nee illi segne aut corruptum luxu iter, sed lorica ferrea usus est, et ante signa pedes ire, horridus incomptus famaeque dissimilis. Blandiebatur coeptis fortuna, possessa per mare et 12 naves etiam ora Italiae penitus usque ad initium Mariti- marum Alpium, quibus temptandis adgrediendaeque provinciae Narbonensi Suedium Clementem, Antonium Novellum, Aemilium Pacensem duces dederat. Sed Pacensis per licentiam militum vinctus, Antonio Novello nulla auctoritas: Suedius Clemens ambitioso imperio regebat, ut adversus modestiam disciplinae corruptus, ita proeliorum avidus. Non Italia adiri nee loca sedesque patriae videbantur: tanquam externa litora et urbes hostium urere vastare rapere, eo atrocius quod nihil us- quam provisum adversum metus. Pleni agri, apertae domus; occursantes domini iuxta coniuges et liberos securitate pacis et belli malo circumveniebantur. Ma- ritimas turn Alpes tenebat procurator Marius Maturus. Is concita gente (nee deest iuventus) arcere provinciae finibus Othonianos intendit; sed primo impetu caesi disiectique montani, ut quibus temere collectis, non castra, non 60 TACITUS [CHAPS. 12, 13, 14. ducem noscitantibus, neque in victoria decus esset neque in fuga flagitium. 13 Irritatus eo proelio Othonis miles vertit iras in muni- cipium Albintimilium. Quippe in acie nihil praedae, inopes agrestes et vilia arma; nee capi poterant, pernix genus et gnari locorum; sed calamitatibus insontium expleta avaritia. Auxit invidiam praeclaro exemplo femina Ligus, quae filio abdito, cum simul pecuniam oc- cultari milites credidissent eoque per cruciatus interro- garent, ubi filium occuleret, uterum ostendens latere respondit, nee ullis deinde terroribus aut morte constan- tiam vocis egregiae mutavit. 14 Inminere provinciae Narbonensi in verba Vitellii adactae classem Othonis trepidi nuntii Fabio Valenti attulere; aderant legati coloniarum auxilium orantes. Duas Tun- grorum cohortes, quattuor equitum turmas, universam Treverorum alam cum lulio Classico praefecto misit, e quibus pars in colonia Foroiuliensi retenta, ne omnibus copiis in terrestre iter versis vacuo mari classis adceleraret. Duodecim equitum turmae et lecti e cohortibus adversus hostem iere, quibus adiuncta Ligurum cohors, vetus loci auxilium, et quingenti Pannonii, nondum sub signis. Nee mora proelio; et acies ita instructa ut pars classicorum mixtis paganis in colles mari propinquos exsurgeret, quantum inter colles ac litus aequi loci praetorianus miles expleret, in ipso mari ut adnexa classis et pugnae parata conversa et minaci fronte praetenderetur. Vitelliani, quibus minor peditum vis, in equite robur, Alpinos proxi- mis iugis, cohortes densis ordinibus post equitem locant. Treverorum turmae obtulere se hosti incaute, cum ex- ciperet contra veteranus miles, simul a latere saxis ur- gueret apta ad iaciendum etiam paganorum manus, qui CHAPS. 14, 15, 16.] HISTORIES II 61 sparsi inter milites, strenui ignavique, in victoria idem audebant. Additus perculsis terror invecta in terga pugnantium classe. Ita undique clausi deletaeque omnes copiae forent, ni victorem exercitum attinuisset obscurum noctis, obtentui fugientibus. Nee Vitelliani quanquam victi quievere : accitis auxiliis 15 securum hostem ac successu rerum socordius agentem invadunt. Caesi vigiles, perrupta castra, trepidatum apud navis, donee sidente paulatim metu, occupato iuxta colle defensi, mox inrupere. Atrox ibi caedes, et Tun- grarum cohortium praefecti sustentata diu acie telis obruuntur. Ne Othonianis quidem incruenta victoria fuit, quorum inprovide secutos conversi equites circum- venerunt. Ac velut pactis indutiis, ne hinc classis, inde eques subitam formidinem inferrent, Vitelliani retro Antipolim Narbonensis Galliae municipium, Othoniani Albingaunum interioris Liguriae revertere. Corsicam ac Sardinian! ceterasque proximi maris in- 16 sulas fama victricis classis in partibus Othonis tenuit; sed Corsicam prope adflixit Decumi Pacarii procuratoris temeritas, tanta mole belli nihil in summam profutura, ipsi exitiosa. Namque Othonis odio iuvare Vitellium Corsorum viribus statuit, inani auxilio, etiamsi provenisset. Vocatis principibus insulae consilium aperit, et contra dicere ausos, Claudium Pyrrhicum trierarchum Liburni- carum ibi navium, Quintium Certum equitem Romanum, interfici iubet ; quorum morte exterriti qui aderant, simul ignara et alieni metus socia imperitorum turba in verba Vitellii iuravere. Sed ubi dilectum agere Pacarius et inconditos homines fatigare militiae muneribus occepit, laborem insolitum perosi infirmitatem suam reputabant: insulam esse quam incolerent, et longe Germaniam 62 TACITUS [CHAPS. 16, 17, 18. viresque legionum; direptos vastatosque classe etiam quos cohortes alaeque protegerent. Et aversi repente animi, nee tamen aperta vi : aptum tempus insidiis legere. Digressis qui Pacarium frequentabant, nudus et auxilii inops balineis interficitur ; trucidati et comites. Capita ut hostium ipsi interfectores ad Othonem tulere; neque eos aut Otho praemio adfecit aut puniit Vitellius, in multa conluvie rerum maioribus flagitiis permixtos. 17 Aperuerat iam Italiam bellumque transmiserat, ut supra memoravimus, ala Siliana, nullo apud quemquam Othonis favore, nee quia Vitellium mallent, sed longa pax ad omne servitium fregerat faciles occupantibus et melioribus incuriosos. Florentissimum Italiae latus, quan- tum inter Padum Alpesque camporum et urbium, armis Vitellii (namque et praemissae a Caecina cohortes adve- nerant) tenebatur. Capta Pannoniorum cohors apud Cre- monam, intercept! centum equites ac mille classici inter Placentiam Ticinumque. Quo successu Vitellianus miles non iam flumine aut ripis arcebatur ; inritabat quin etiam Batavos transrhenanosque Padus ipse, quern repente contra Placentiam transgressi raptis quibusdam explora- toribus ita ceteros terruere ut adesse omnem Caecinae exercitum trepidi ac falsi nuntiarent. 18 Certum erat Spurinnae (is enim Placentiam optinebat) necdum venisse Caecinam et, si propinquaret, coercere intra munimenta militem nee tris praetorias cohortes et mille vexillarios cum paucis equitibus veterano exercitui obicere; sed indomitus miles et belli ignarus correptis signis vexillisque ruere et retinenti duci tela intentare, spretis centurionibus tribunisque: quin prodi Othonem et accitum Caecinam clamitabant. Fit temeritatis alienae comes Spurinna, primo coactus, mox velle simulans, quo plus auctoritatis inesset consiliis, si seditio mitesceret. CHAPS. 19, 20, 21.] HISTORIES II 63 Postquam in conspectu Padus et nox adpetebat, vallari 19 castra placuit. Is labor urbano militi insolitus con- tundit animos. Turn vetustissimus quisque castigare credulitatem suam, metum ac discrimen ostendere, si cum exercitu Caecina patentibus campis tarn paucas co- hortes circumfudisset. lamque totis castris modesti sermones, et inserentibus se centurionibus tribunisque laudari providentia ducis, quod coloniam virium et opum validam robur ac sedera bello legisset. Ipse postremo Spurinna, non tarn culpam exprobrans quam rationem os- tendens, relictis exploratoribus ceteros Placentiam reduxit minus turbidos et imperia accipientes. Solidati muri, propugnacula addita, auctae turres, provisa parataque non arma modo, sed obsequium et parendi amor, quod solum illis partibus defuit, cum virtutis baud paeniteret. At Caecina, velut relicta post Alpes saevitia ac licentia, 20 modesto agmine per Italiam incessit. Ornatum ipsius municipia et coloniae in superbiam trahebant, quod ver- sicolori sagulo, bracas indutus togatos adloqueretur, uxoremque eius Saloninam, quod quanquam in nullius iniuriam insignis equo ostroque veheretur, tanquam laesi gravabantur, insita mortalibus natura recentem aliorum felicitatem acribus oculis introspicere modumque fortunae a nullis magis exigere quam quos in aequo viderunt. Caecina Padum transgressus, temptata Othonianorum fide per conloquium et promissa, isdem petitus, postquam pax et concordia speciosis et inritis nominibus iactata sunt, consilia curasque in oppugnationem Placentiae magno terrore vertit, gnarus, ut initia belli provenissent, famam in cetera fore. Sed primus dies impetu magis quam veterani exercitus 21 artibus transactus : aperti incautique muros subiere, cibo 64 TACITUS [CHAPS. 21, 22. vinoque praegraves. In eo certamine pulcherrimum am- phitheatri opus situm extra muros conflagravit, sive ab op- pugnatoribus incensum, dum faces et glandes et missilem ignem in obsessos iaculantur, sive ab obsessis, dum paria regerunt. Municipale vulgus, pronum ad suspiciones, fraude inlata ignis alimenta credidit a quibusdam ex vicinis coloniis invidia et aemulatione, quod nulla in Italia moles tarn capax foret. Quocumque casu accidit, dum atrociora metuebantur, in levi habitum, reddita securitate, tanquam nihil gravius pati potuissent, maerebant. Ce- terum multo suorum cruore pulsus Caecina, et nox parandis operibus absumpta. Vitelliani pluteos cratesque et vineas subfodiendis muris protegendisque obpugnatoribus, Otho- niani sudes et inmensas lapidum ac plumbi aerisque moles perfringendis obruendisque hostibus expediunt. Utrim- que pudor, utrimque gloria, et diversae exhortationes hinc legionum et Germanici exercitus robur, inde ur- banae militiae et praetoriarum cohortium decus attol- lentium: illi ut segnem et desidem et circo ac theatris corruptum militem, hi peregrinum et externum increpa- bant. Simul Othonem ac Vitellium celebrantes culpan- tesve uberioribus inter se probris quam laudibus stimula- bantur. 22 Vixdum orto die plena propugnatoribus moenia, ful- gentes armis virisque campi; densum legionum agmen, sparsa auxiliorum manus altiora murorum sagittis aut saxis incessere, neglecta aut aevo fluxa comminus adgredi. Ingerunt desuper Othoniani pila librato magis et certo ictu adversus temere subeuntes cohortes Germanorum, cantu truci et more patrio nudis corporibus super umeros scuta quatientium. Legionarius pluteis et cratibus tectus subruit muros, instruit aggerem, molitur portas: contra CHAPS. 22, 23.] HISTORIES II 65 praetorian! dispositos ad id ipsum molares ingenti pondere ac fragore provolvunt. Pars subeuntium obruti, pars confixi et exsangues aut laceri : cum augeret stragem trepi- datio eoque acrius e moenibus vulnerarentur, rediere infracta partium fama. Et Caecina pudore coeptae temere obpugnationis, ne inrisus ac vanus isdem castris adsideret, traiecto rursus Pado Cremonam petere intendit. Tradidere sese abeunti Turullius Cerialis cum compluri- bus classicis et lulius Briganticus cum paucis equitum, hie praefectus alae in Batavis genitus, ille primipilaris et Caecinae baud alienus, quod ordines in Germania duxerat. Spurinna comperto itinere hostium defensam Placen-23 tiam, quaeque acta et quid Caecina pararet, Annium Gal- lum per litteras docet. Gallus legionem primam in auxi- lium Placentiae ducebat, diffisus paucitati cohortium, ne longius obsidium et vim Germanici exercitus parum tole- rarent. Ubi pulsum Caecinam pergere Cremonam ac- cepit, aegre coercitam legionem et pugnandi ardore usque ad seditionem progressam Bedriaci sistit. Inter Veronam Cremonamque situs est vicus, duabus iam Romanis cladi- bus notus infaustusque. Isdem diebus a Martio Macro baud procul Cremona pro- spere pugnatum ; namque promptus animi Marcius trans- vectos navibus gladiatores in adversam Padi ripam re- pente effudit. Turbata ibi Vitellianorum auxilia, et ceteris Cremonam fugientibus caesi qui restiterant: sed repressus vincentium impetus, ne novis subsidiis firmati hostes fortunam proelii mutarent. Suspectum id Otho- nianis fuit, omnia ducum facta prave aestimantibus. Certatim, ut quisque animo ignavus, procax ore, Annium Gallum et Suetonium Paulinum et Marium Celsum (nam 66 TACITUS [CHAPS. 23, 24, 25. eos quoque Otho praefecerat) variis criminibus incesse- bant. Acerrima seditionum ac discordiae incitamenta, interfectores Galbae, scelere et metu vaecordes miscere cuncta, modo palam turbidis vocibus, modo occultis ad Othonem litteris; qui humillimo cuique credulus, bonos metuens trepidabat, rebus prosperis incertus et inter adversa melior. Igitur Titianum fratrem accitum bello praeposuit. 24 Interea Paulini et Celsi ductu res egregie gestae. Ange- bant Caecinam nequiquam omnia coepta et senescens exercitus sui fama. Pulsus Placentia, caesis nuper auxiliis, etiam per concursum exploratorum, crebra magis quam digna memoratu proelia, inferior, propinquante Fabio Valente, ne omne belli decus illuc concederet, reciperare gloriam avidius quam consultius properabat. Ad duo- decumum a Cremona (locus Castorum vocatur) ferocissi- mos auxiliarium inminentibus viae lucis occultos componit ; equites procedere longius iussi et inritato proelio sponte refugi festinationem sequentium elicere, donee insidiae coorerentur. Proditum id Othonianis ducibus, et curam peditum Paulinus, equitum Celsus sumpsere. Tertiae decumae legionis vexillum, quattuor auxiliorum cohortes et quingenti equites in sinistro locantur; aggerem viae tres praetoriae cohortes altis -ordinibus obtinuere ; dextra fronte prima legio incessit cum duabus auxiliaribus cohortibus et quingentis equitibus: super hos e praetorio auxiliisque mille equites, cumulus prosperis aut subsidium laborantibus, ducebantur. 25 Antequam miscerentur acies, terga vertentibus Vitel- lianis, Celsus doli prudens repressit suos : Vitelliani temere exsurgentes, cedente sensim Celso longius secuti ultro in insidias praecipitantur; nam a lateribus cohortes, legio- CHAPS. 25, 26, 27.] HISTORIES II 67 num adversa frons, et subito discursu terga cinxerat eques. Signum pugnae non statim a Suetonio Paulino pediti datum: cunctator natura et cui cauta potius con- silia cum ratione quam prospera ex casu placerent, com- pleri fossas, aperiri campum, pandi aciem iubebat, satis cito incipi victoriam ratus, ubi provisum foret, ne vin- cerentur. Ea cunctatione spatium Vitellianis datum in vineas nexu traducum impeditas refugiendi; et modica silva adhaerebat, unde rursus ausi promptissimos prae- torianorum equitum interfecere. Vulneratur rex Epi- phanes, impigre pro Othone pugnam ciens. Turn Othonianus pedes erupit; protrita hostium acie26 versi in fugam etiam qui subveniebant; nam Caecina non simul cohortes, sed singulas acciverat, quae res in proelio trepidationem auxit, cum disperses nee usquam validos pavor fugientium abriperet. Orta et in castris seditio, quod non universi ducerentur: vinctus praefectus cas- trorum lulius Gratus, tanquam fratri apud Othonem mili- tanti proditionem ageret, cum fratrem eius, lulium Fron- tonem tribunum, Othoniani sub eodem crimine vinxissent. Ceterum ea ubique formido fuit apud fugientes occursantes, in acie pro vallo, ut deleri cum universo exercitu Caeci- nam potuisse, ni Suetonius Paulinus receptui cecinisset, utrisque in partibus percrebruerit. Timuisse se Paulinus ferebat tantum insuper laboris atque itineris, ne Vitelli- anus miles recens e castris fessos adgrederetur et perculsis nullum retro subsidium foret. Apud paucos ea ducis ratio probata, in vulgus adverse rumore fuit. Haud perinde id damnum Vitellianos in metum com- 27 pulit quam ad modestiam composuit, nee solum apud Caecinam, qui culpam in militem conferebat, seditioni magis quam proelio paratum: Fabii quoque Valentis 68 TACITUS [CHAPS. 27, 28, 29. copiae (iam enim Ticinum venerat) posito hostium con- temptu et reciperandi decoris cupidine reverentius et aequalius duel parebant. Gravis alioquin seditio exar- serat, quam altiore initio (neque enim rerum a Caecina gestarum ordinem interrumpi oportuerat) repetam. Co- hortes Batavorum, quas bello Neronis a quarta decuma legione digressas, cum Britanniam peterent, audito Vitellii motu in civitate Lingonum Fabio Valenti adiunctas ret- tulimus, superbe agebant, ut cuiusque legionis tentoria accessissent, coercitos a se quartadecumanos, ablatam Ne- roni Italiam atque omnem belli fortunam in ipsorum manu sitam iactantes. Contumeliosum id militibus, acer- bum duci; corrupta iurgiis aut rixis disciplina; ad pos- tremum Valens e petulantia etiam perfidiam suspectabat. 28 Igitur nuntio adlato pulsam Treverorum alam Tun- grosque a classe Othonis et Narbonensem Galliam circum- iri, simul cura socios tuendi et militari astu cohortes tur- bidas ac, si una forent, praevalidas dispergendi, partem Batavorum ire in subsidium iubet. Quod ubi auditum vulgatumque, maerere socii,' fremere legiones: orbari se fortissimorum virorum auxilio; veteres illos et tot bel- lorum victores, postquam in conspectu sit hostis, velut ex acie abduci. Si provincia urbe et salute imperil potior sit, omnes illuc sequerentur; sin victoriae columen in Italia verteretur, non abrumpendos ut corpori validissi- mos artus. 29 Haec ferociter iactando, postquam inmissis lictoribus Valens coercere seditionem coeptabat, ipsum invadunt, saxa iaciunt, fugientem secuntur. Spolia Galliarum et Viennensium aurum, pretia laborum suorum, occultari clamitantes, direptis sarcinis tabernacula ducis ipsamque humum pilis et lanceis rimabantur; nam Valens servili CHAPS. 29, 30.] HISTORIES II 69 veste apud decurionem equitum tegebatur. Turn Alfenus Varus praefectus castrorum, deflagrante paulatim sedi- tione, addit consilium, vetitis obire vigilias centurionibus, omisso tubae sono, quo miles ad belli munia cietur. Igitur torpere cuncti, circumspectare inter se attoniti et id ipsum, quod nemo regeret, paventes ; silentio patientia, postremo precibus ac lacrimis veniam quaerebant. Ut vero de- formis et flens et praeter spem incolumis Valens processit, gaudium miseratio favor : versi in laetitiam, ut est vulgus utroque inmodicum, laudantes gratantesque circumdatum aquilis signisque in tribunal ferunt. Ille utili moderatione non supplicium cuiusquam poposcit, ac ne dissimulans suspectior foret, paucos incusavit, gnarus civilibus bellis plus militibus quam ducibus licere. Munientibus castra apud Ticinum de adversa CaecinaeSO pugna adlatum, et prope renovata seditio, tanquam fraude et cunctationibus Valentis proelio defuissent: nolle requiem, non expectare ducem, anteire signa, ur- guere signiferos; rapido agmine Caecinae iunguntur. Inprospera Valentis fama apud exercitum Caecinae erat: expositos se tanto pauciores integris hostium viribus querebantur, simul in suam excusationem et adventan- tium robur per adulationem attollentes, ne ut victi et ignavi despectarentur. Et quanquam plus virium, prope duplicatus legionum auxiliorumque numerus erat Valenti, studia tamen militum in Caecinam inclinabant, super benignitatem animi, qua promptior habebatur, etiam vigore aetatis, proceritate corporis et quodam inani favore. Hinc aemulatio ducibus: Caecina ut foedum ac macu- losum, ille ut tumidum ac vanum inridebant. Sed condito odio eandem utilitatem fovere, crebris epistulis sine re- spectu veniae probra Othoni obiectantes, cum duces par- 70 TACITUS [CHAPS. 30, 31, 32. tium Othonis quamvis uberrima conviciorum in Vitellium materia abstinerent. 31 Sane ante utriusque exitum, quo egregiam Otho famam, Vitellius flagitiosissimam meruere, minus Vitellii ignavae voluptates quam Othonis flagrantissimae libidines time- bantur : addiderat huic terrorem atque odium caedes Gal- bae, contra illi initium belli nemo inputabat. Vitellius ventre et gula sibi inhonestus, Otho luxu saevitia audacia rei publicae exitiosior ducebatur. Coniunctis Caecinae ac Valentis copiis nulla ultra penes Vitellianos mora quin totis viribus certarent: Otho con- sultavit, trahi bellum an fortunam experiri placeret. 32 Tune Suetonius Paulinus dignum fama sua ratus, quia nemo ilia tempestate militaris rei callidior habebatur, de toto genere belli censere, festinationem hostibus, moram ipsis utilem disseruit : exercitum Vitellii universum adve- nisse, nee multum virium a- tergo, quoniam Galliae tu- meant et deserere Rheni ripam inrupturis tarn infestis nationibus non conducat; Britannicum militem hoste et mari distineri; Hispanias armis non ita redundare; pro- vinciam Narbonensem incursu classis et adverso proelio contremuisse ; clausam Alpibus et nullo maris subsidio transpadanam Italiam atque ipso transitu exercitus vas- tam; non frumentum usquam exercitui, nee exercitum sine copiis retineri posse: iam Germanos, quod genus militum apud hostis atrocissimum sit, tracto in aestatem bello, fluxis corporibus, mutationem soli caelique baud toleraturos. Multa bella impetu valida per taedia et moras evanuisse. Contra ipsis omnia opulenta et fida, Pannoniam Moesiam Delmatiam Orientem cum integris exercitibus, Italiam et caput rerum urbem senatumque et populum, numquam obscura nomina, etiam si aliquando CHAPS. 32, 33, 34.] HISTORIES II 71 obumbrentur; publicas privatasque opes et inmensam pecuniam, inter civiles discordias ferro validiorem; corpora rnilitum aut Italiae sueta aut aestibus; obiacere flumen Padum, tutas viris murisque urbes, e quibus nullam hosti cessuram Placentiae defensione exploratum. Pro- inde duceret bellum. Paucis diebus quartam decumam legionem, magna ipsam fama, cum Moesicis copiis adfore: turn rursus deliberaturum et, si proelium placuisset, auctis viribus certaturos. Accedebat sententiae Paulini Marius Celsus ; idem pla- 33 cere Annio Gallo, paucos ante dies lapsu equi adflicto, missi qui consilium eius sciscitarentur rettulerant. Otho pronus ad decertandum ; frater eius Titianus et praefectus praetorii Proculus, imperitia properantes, fortunam et deos et numen Othonis adesse consiliis, adfore conatibus testabantur, neu quis obviam ire sententiae auderet, in adulationem concesserant. Postquam pugnari placitum, interesse pugnae imperatorem an seponi melius foret dubitavere. Paulino et Celso iam non adversantibus, ne principem obiectare periculis viderentur, idem illi deteri- oris consilii auctores perpulere, ut Brixellum concederet ac dubiis proeliorum exemptus summae rerum et im- perii se ipsum reservaret. Is primus dies Othonianas partes adflixit ; namque et cum ipso praetoriarum cohor- tium et speculatorum equitumque valida manus discessit, et remanentium fractus animus, quando suspecti duces et Otho, cui uni apud militem fides, dum et ipse non nisi militibus credit, imperia ducum in incerto reliquerat. Nihil eorum Vitellianos fallebat, crebris, ut in civilis* bello, transfugiis; et exploratores cura diversa sciscitandi sua non occultabant. Quieti intentique Caecina ac Va- lens, quando hostis inprudentia rueret, quod loco sapi- 72 TACITUS [CHAPS. 34, 35, 36. entiae est, alienam stultitiam opperiebantur, incohato ponte transitum Padi simulantes adversus obpositam gladiatorum manum, ac ne ipsorum miles segne otium tereret. Naves pari inter se spatio, validis utrimque trabi- bus conexae, adversum in flumen dirigebantur, iactis super ancoris, quae firmitatem pontis continerent, sed ancorarum funes non extenti fluitabant, ut augescente flumine inoffensus ordo navium attolleretur. Claudebat pontem inposita turris et in extremam navem educta, unde tormentis ac machinis hostes propulsarentur. Otho- niani in ripa turrim struxerant saxaque et faces iacula- bantur. 35 Et erat insula amne medio, in quam gladiatores navibus molientes, Germani nando praelabebantur. Ac forte plures transgresses completis Liburnicis per promptissi- mos gladiatorum Macer adgreditur; sed neque ea con- stantia gladiatoribus ad proelia quae militibus, nee perinde nutantes e navibus quam stabili gradu e ripa vul- nera derigebant. Et cum variis trepidantium inclina- tionibus mixti remiges propugnatoresque turbarentur, desilire in vada ultro Germani, retentare puppes, scandere foros aut comminus mergere; quae cuncta in oculis utrius- que exercitus quanto laetiora Vitellianis, tanto acrius Othoniani causam auctoremque cladis detestabantur. 36 Et proelium quidem, abruptis quae supererant navibus, fuga diremptum: Macer ad exitium poscebatur, iamque vulneratum eminus lancea strictis gladiis invaserant, cum intercursu tribunorum centurionumque protegitur. Nee multo post Vestricius Spurinna iussu Othonis, relicto Placentiae modico praesidio, cum cohortibus subvenit. Dein Flavium Sabinum consulem designatum Otho rec- torem copiis misit quibus Macer praefuerat, laeto milite CHAPS. 36, 37, 38.] HISTORIES II 73 ad mutationem ducum et ducibus ob crebras seditiones tarn infestam militiam aspernantibus. Invenio apud quosdam auctores, pavore belli seu fastidio 37 utriusque principis, quorum flagitia ac dedecus apertiore in dies fama noscebantur, dubitasse exercitus, num posito certamine vel ipsi in medium consultarent, vel senatui permitterent legere imperatorem, atque eo duces Othonia- nos spatium ac moras suasisse, praecipua spe Paulini, quod vetustissimus consularium et militia clarus gloriam nomen- que Britannicis expeditionibus meruisset. Ego ut con- cesserim apud paucos tacito voto quietem pro discordia, bonum et innocentem principem pro pessimis ac flagiti- osissimis expetitum, ita neque Paulinum, qua prudentia fuit, sperasse corruptissimo saeculo tantam vulgi modera- tionem reor, ut qui pacem belli amore turbaverant, bellum pacis caritate deponerent, neque aut exercitus linguis moribusque dissonos in hunc consensum potuisse coales- cere, aut legates ac duces magna ex parte luxus egestatis scelerum sibi conscios nisi pollutum obstrictumque meritis suis principem passuros. Vetus ac iam pridem insita mortalibus potentiae cupido 38 cum imperii magnitudine adolevit erupitque; nam rebus modicis aequalitas facile habebatur. Sed ubi subacto orbe et aemulis urbibus regibusve excisis securas opes concupiscere vacuum fuit, prima inter patres plebemque certamina exarsere. Modo turbulenti tribuni, modo con- sules praevalidi, et in urbe ac foro temptamenta civilium bellorum ; mox e plebe infima C. Marius et nobilium saevis- simus L. Sulla victam armis libertatem in dominationem verterunt. Post quos Cn. Pompeius occultior, non melior, et nunquam postea nisi de principatu quaesitum. Non discessere ab armis in Pharsalia ac Philippis civium 74 TACITUS [CHAPS. 38, 39, 40. legiones, nedum Othonis ac Vitellii exercitus sponte posituri bellum fuerint: eadem illos deum ira, eadem hominum rabies, eaedem scelerum causae in discordiam egere. Quod singulis velut ictibus transacta sunt bella, ignavia principum factum est. Sed me veterum novo- rumque morum reputatio longius tulit: nunc ad rerum ordinem venio. 39 Profecto Brixellum Othone honor imperil penes Ti- tianum fratrem, vis ac potestas penes Proculum prae- fectum; Celsus et Paulinus, cum prudentia eorum nemo uteretur, inani nomine ducum alienae culpae praetende- bantur; tribuni centurionesque ambigui, quod spretis melioribus deterrimi valebant ; miles alacer, qui tamen iussa ducum interpretari quam exequi mallet. Promo- veri ad quartum a Bedriaco castra placuit, adeo imperite ut quanquam verno tempore anni et tot circum amnibus penuria aquae fatigarentur. Ibi de proelio dubitatum, Othone per litteras flagitante ut maturarent, militibus ut imperator pugnae adesset poscentibus: plerique copias trans Padum agentes acciri postulabant. Nee perinde diiudicari potest, quid optimum factu fuerit, quam pes- simum fuisse quod factum est. 40 Non ut ad pugnam sed ad bellandum profecti conflu- entes Padi et Aduae fluminum, XXV inde milium spatio distantes, petebant. Celso et Paulino abnuentibus mili- tem itinere fessum, sarcinis gravem obicere hosti, non omissuro quo minus expeditus et vix quattuor milia passuum progressus aut incompositos in agmine aut dis- perses et vallum molientes adgrederetur, Titianus et Proculus, ubi consiliis vincerentur, ad ius imperii transi- bant. Aderat sane citus equo Numida cum atrocibus mandatis, quibus Otho increpita ducum segnitia rem in discrimen mitti iubebat, aeger mora et spei inpatiens. CHAPS. 41, 42.] HISTORIES II 75 Eodem die ad Caecinam operi pontis intentum duo 41 praetoriarum cohortium tribuni conloquium eius postu- lantes venerant: audire condiciones ac reddere parabat, cum praecipites exploratores adesse hostem nuntiavere. Interruptus tribunorum sermo, eoque incertum fuit, in- sidias an proditionem vel aliquod honestum consilium coeptaverint. Caecina dimissis tribunis revectus in castra datum iussu Fabii Valentis pugnae signum et militem in armis invenit. Dum legiones de ordine agminis sortiuntur, equites prorupere; et mirum dictu, a paucioribus Otho- nianis quo minus in vallum inpingerentur, Italicae legionis virtute deterriti sunt : ea strictis mucronibus redire pulsos et pugnam resumere coe'git. Disposita Vitellianarum le- gionum acies sine trepidatione ; etenim quanquam vi- cino hoste adspectus armorum densis arbustis prohibe- batur. Apud Othonianos pavidi duces, miles ducibus infensus, mixta vehicula et lixae, et praeruptis utrimque fossis via quieto quoque agmini angusta. Circumsistere alii signa sua, quaerere alii; incertus undique clamor adcurrentium vocantium : ut cuique audacia vel formido, in primam postremamve aciem prorumpebant aut rela- bebantur. Attonitas subito terrore mentes falsum gaudium in 42 languorem vertit, repertis qui descivisse a Vitellio exer- citum ementirentur. Is rumor ab exploratoribus Vitellii dispersus, an in ipsa Othonis parte seu dolo seu forte surrexerit, parum compertum. Omisso pugnae ardore Othoniani ultro salutavere; et hostili murmure excepti, plerisque suorum ignaris quae causa salutandi, metum proditionis fecere. Turn incubuit hostium acies integris ordinibus, robore et numero praestantior : Othoniani, quanquam dispersi pauciores fessi, proelium tamen acri- 76 TACITUS [CHAPS. 42, 43, 44. diter sumpsere. Et per locos arboribus ac vineis inpe- tos non una pugnae fades: comminus eminus, catervis et cuneis concurrebant. In aggere viae conlato gradu corporibus et umbonibus niti, omisso pilorum iactu gladiis et securibus galeas loricasque perrumpere: noscentes inter se, ceteris conspicui in eventum totius belli certa- bant. 43 Forte inter Padum viamque patenti campo duae legiones congressae sunt, pro Vitellio unaetvicensima, cui cogno- men Rapaci, vetere gloria insignis, e parte Othonis prima Adiutrix, non ante in aciem deducta, sed ferox et novi decoris avida. Primani stratis unaetvicensimanorum principiis aquilam abstulere; quo dolore accensa legio et inpulit rursus primanos, interfecto Orfidio Benigno legato, et plurima signa vexillaque ex hostibus rapuit. A parte alia propulsa quintanorum impetu tertia decuma legio, circumventi plurium adcursu quartadecumani. Et duci- bus Othonis iam pridem profugis Caecina ac Valens sub- sidiis suos firmabant. Accessit recens auxilium, Varus Alfenus cum Batavis, fusa gladiatorum manu, quam navibus transvectam obpositae cohortes in ipso flumine trucidaverant : ita victores latus hostium invecti. 44 Et media acie perrupta fugere passim Othoniani, Be- driacum petentes. Inmensum id spatium, obstructae strage corporum viae, quo plus caedis fuit; neque enim civilibus bellis capti in praedam vertuntur. Suetonius Paulinus et Licinius Proculus diversis itineribus castra vitavere. Vedium Aquilam tertiae decumae legionis legatum irae militum inconsultus pavor obtulit. Multo adhuc die vallum ingressus clamore seditiosorum et fuga- cium circumstrepitur ; non probris, non manibus absti- nent; desertorem proditoremque increpant, nullo proprio CHAPS. 44, 45.] HISTORIES II 77 crimine eius, sed more vulgi suum quisque flagitium aliis obiectantes. Titianum et Celsum nox iuvit, dispositis iam excubiis conpressisque militibus, quos Annius Gallus consilio precibus auctoritate flexerat, ne super cladem adversae pugnae suismet ipsi caedibus saevirent: sive finis bello venisset, seu resumere arma mallent, unicum victis in consensu levamentum. Ceteris fractus animus: praetorianus miles non virtute se, sed proditione victum fremebat: ne Vitellianis quidem incruentam fuisse vic- toriam, pulso equite, rapta legionis aquila; superesse cum ipso Othone militum quod trans Padum fuerit, venire Moesicas legiones, magnam exercitus partem Bedriaci remansisse. Hos certe nondum victos, et si ita ferret, honestius in acie perituros. His cogitationibus truces aut pavidi extrema desperatione ad iram saepius quam in formidinem stimulabantur. At Vitellianus exercitus ad quintum a Bedriaco lapidem 45 consedit, non ausis ducibus eadem die obpugnationem castrorum; simul voluntaria deditio sperabatur: sed expeditis et tantum ad proelium egressis munimentum fuere arma et victoria. Postera die haud ambigua Otho- niani exercitus voluntate et qui ferociores fuerant ad paenitentiam inclinantibus missa legatio ; nee apud duces Vitellianos dubitatum, quo minus pacem concederent. Legati paulisper retenti: ea res haesitationem attulit ignaris adhuc an impetrassent. Mox remissa legatione patuit vallum. Turn victi victoresque in lacrimas effusi, sortem civilium armorum misera laetitia detestantes; isdem tentoriis alii fratrum, alii propinquorum vulnera fovebant: spes et praemia in ambiguo, certa funera et luctus, nee quisquam adeo mali expers, ut non aliquam mortem maereret. Requisitum Orfidii legati corpus 78 TACITUS [CHAPS. 45, 46, 47. honore solito crematur; paucos necessarii ipsorum sepe- livere, ceterum vulgus super humum relictum. 46 Opperiebatur Otho nuntium pugnae nequaquam tre- pidus et consilii certus. Maesta primum fama, dein pro- fugi e proelio perditas res patefaciunt. Non expectavit militum ardor vocem imperatoris ; bonum haberet ani- mum iubebant: superesse adhuc novas vires, et ipsos extrema passuros ausurosque. Neque erat adulatio: ire in aciem, excitare partium fortunam furore quodam et instinctu flagrabant. Qui procul adstiterant, tendere manus, et proximi prensare genua, promptissimo Plotio Firmo. Is praetorii praefectus identidem orabat, ne fidissimum exercitum, ne optime meritos milites desereret : maiore animo tolerari adversa quam relinqui; fortes et strenuos etiam contra fortunam insistere spei, timidos et ignavos ad desperationem formidine properare. Quas inter voces ut flexerat vultum aut induraverat Otho, clamor vel gemitus. Nee praetoriani tantum, proprius Othonis miles, sed praemissi e Moesia eandem obstina- tionem adventantis exercitus, legiones Aquileiam ingressas nuntiabant, ut nemo dubitet potuisse renovari bellum atrox lugubre incertum victis et victoribus. 47 Ipse aversus a consiliis belli 'Hunc' inquit 'animum, hanc virtutem vestram ultra periculis obicere nimis grande vitae meae pretium puto. Quanto plus spei ostenditis, si vivere placeret, tanto pulchrior mors erit. Experti in vicem sumus ego ac fortuna. Nee tempus conputaveritis : difficilius est temperare felicitati, qua te non putes diu usurum. Civile bellum a Vitellio coepit, et ut de prin- cipatu certaremus armis, initium illinc fuit : ne plus quam semel certemus, penes me exemplum erit; hinc Othonem posteritas aestimet. Fruetur Vitellius fratre coniuge CHAPS. 47, 48, 49.] HISTORIES II 79 liberis: mihi non ultione neque solaciis opus est. Alii diutius imperium tenuerint : nemo tarn fortiter reliquerit. An ego tantum Romanae pubis, tot egregios exercitus sterni rursus et rei publicae eripi patiar? Eat hie mecum animus, tanquam perituri pro me fueritis, sed este super- stites. Nee diu moremur, ego incolumitatem vestram, vos constantiam meam. Plura de extremis loqui pars ignaviae est. Praecipuum destinations meae documen- tum habete, quod de nemine queror; nam incusare deos vel homines eius est qui vivere velit.' Talia locutus, ut cuique aetas aut dignitas, comiter48 appellatos, irent propere neu remanendo iram victoris asperarent, iuvenes auctoritate, senes precibus movebat, placidus ore, intrepidus verbis, intempestivas suorum lacrimas coercens. Dari naves ac vehicula abeuntibus iubet ; libellos epistulasque studio erga se aut in Vitellium contumeliis insignes abolet; pecunias distribuit parce nee ut periturus. Mox Salvium Cocceianum, fratris filium prima iuventa, trepidum et maerentem ultro solatus est, laudando pietatem eius, castigando formidinem: an Vitellium tarn inmitis animi fore, ut pro incolumi tota domo ne hanc quidem sibi gratiam redderet? Mereri se festinato exitu clementiam victoris; non enim ultima desperatione, sed poscente proelium exercitu remisisse rei publicae novissimum casum. Satis sibi nominis, satis posteris suis nobilitatis quaesitum. Post lulios Claudios Servios se primum in familiam novam imperium intulisse : proinde erecto animo capesseret vitam, neu patruum sibi Othonem fuisse aut oblivisceretur umquam aut ni- mium meminisset. Post quae dimotis omnibus paulum requievit. Atque49 ilium supremas iam curas animo volutantem repens 80 TACITUS [CHAPS. 49, 50. tumultus avertit, nuntiata consternatione ac licentia militum; namque abeuntibus exitium minitabantur, atrocissima in Verginium vi, quern clausa domo obside- bant. Increpitis seditionis auctoribus regressus vacavit abeuntium adloquiis, donee omnes inviolati digrederentur. Vesperascente die sitim haustu gelidae aquae sedavit. Turn adlatis pugionibus duobus, cum utrumque pertemp- tasset, alterum capiti subdidit. Et explorato iam pro- fectos ami cos, noctem quietam, utque adfirmatur, non insomnem egit: luce prima in ferrum pectore incubuit. Ad gemitum morientis ingressi liberti servique et Plotius Firmus praetorii praefectus unum vulnus invenere. Funus maturatum; ambitiosis id precibus petierat, ne amputaretur caput ludibrio futurum. Tulere corpus praetoriae cohortes cum laudibus et lacrimis, vulnus manusque eius exosculantes. Quidam militum iuxta rogum interfecere se, non noxa neque ob metum, sed aemulatione decoris et caritate principis. Ac postea promisee Bedriaci, Placentiae aliisque in castris celebra- tum id genus mortis. Othoni sepulchrum exstructum est modicum et mansurum. Hunc vitae finem habuit septimo et tricensimo aetatis anno. 50 Origo illi e municipio Ferentio, pater consularis, avus praetorius; maternum genus inpar nee tamen indeco- rum. Pueritia ac iuvo-hta, qualem monstravimus. Duo- bus facinoribus, altero flagitiosissimo, altero egregio, tantundem apud posteros meruit bonae famae quantum malae. Ut conquirere fabulosa et fictis oblectare legen- tium animos procul gravitate coepti operis crediderim, ita vulgatis traditisque demere fidem non ausim. Die, quo Bedriaci certabatur, avem invisitata specie apud Regium Lepidum celebri luco consedisse incolae memorant, nee CHAPS, 50, 51, 52, 53.] HISTORIES II 81 deinde coetu hominum aut circumvolitantium alitum ter- ritam pulsamve, donee Otho se ipse interficeret; turn ablatam ex oculis: et tempora reputantibus initium finemque miraculi cum Othonis exitu competisse. In funere eius novata luctu ac dolore militum seditib, 51 nee erat qui coerceret. Ad Verginium versi, modo ut reciperet imperium, nunc ut legatione apud Caecinam ac Valentem fungeretur, minitantes orabant: Verginius per aversam domus partem furtim digressus inrumpentes frustratus est. Earum quae Brixelli egerant cohortium preces Rubrius Gallus tulit, et venia statim impetrata, concedentibus ad victorem per Flavium Sabinum iis copiis quibus praefuerat. Posito ubique bello magna pars senatus extremum dis- 52 crimen adiit, profecta cum Othone ab urbe, dein Mutinae relicta. Illuc adverse de proelio adlatum: sed milites ut falsum rumorem aspernantes, quod infensum Othoni senatum arbitrabantur, custodire sermones, vultum habi- tumque trahere in deterius ; conviciis postremo ac probris causam et initium caedis quaerebant, cum alius insuper metus senatoribus instaret, ne praevalidis iam Vitellii partibus cunctanter excepisse victoriam crederentur. Ita trepidi et utrimque anxii coeunt, nemo privatim ex- pedite consilio, inter multos societate culpae tutior. Onerabat paventium curas ordo Mutinensis arma et pecuniam offerendo, appellabatque patres conscriptos intempestivo honore. Notabile iurgium fuit, quo Licinius Caecina Marcelluni53 Eprium ut ambigua disserentem invasit. Nee ceteri sen- tentiam aperiebant: sed invisum memoria delationum expositumque ad invidiam Marcelli nomen inritaverat Caecinam, ut novus adhuc et in senatum nuper adscitus o 82 TACITUS [CHAPS. 53, 54, 55. magnis inimicitiis claresceret. Moderatione meliorum dirempti : et rediere omnes Bononiam, rursus consiliaturi ; simul medio temporis plures nuntii sperabantur. Bo- noniae, divisis per itinera qui recentissimum quemque percontarentur, interrogatus Othonis libertus causam digressus habere se suprema eius mandata respondit; ipsum viventem quidem relictum, sed sola posteritatis cura et abruptis vitae blandimentis. Hinc adnriratio et plura interrogandi pudor, atque omnium animi in Vitellium inclinavere. 54 Intererat consiliis frater eius L. Vitellius seque iam adulantibus offerebat, cum repente Coenus libertus Neronis atroci mendacio universes perculit, adfirmans superventu quartae decumae legionis, iunctis a Brixello viribus, caesos victores, versam partium fortunam. Causa fingendi fuit, ut diplomata Othonis, quae neglegebantur, laetiore nuntio revalescerent. Et Coenus quidem raptim in urbem vectus paucos post dies iussu Vitellii poenas luit: senatorum periculum auctum credentibus Othonianis militibus vera esse quae adferebantur. Intendebat formidinem, quod publici consilii facie discessum Mutina desertaeque partes forent. Nee ultra in commune congressi sibi quisque consuluere, donee missae a Fabio Valente epistulae de- merent metum. Et mors Othonis quo laudabilior, eo velocius audita. 55 At Romae nihil trepidationis ; Ceriales ludi ex more spectabantur. Ut cessisse Othonem et a Flavio Sabino praefecto urbis quod erat in urbe militum sacramento Vitellii adactum certi auctores in theatrum adtulerunt, Vitellio plausere; populus cum lauru ac floribus Galbae imagines circum templa tulit, congestis in modum tumuli coronis iuxta lacum Curtii, quern locum Galba moriens CHAPS. 55, 56, 57.] HISTORIES II 83 sanguine infecerat. In senatu cuncta longis aliorum prin- cipatibus composita statim decernuntur ; additae erga Germanicum exercitum laudes gratesque et missa legatio, quae gaudio fungeretur. Recitatae Fabii Valentis epis- tulae ad consules scriptae baud immoderate: gratior Caecinae modestia fuit, quod non scripsisset. Ceterum Italia gravius atque atrocius quam bello ad- 56 flictabatur. Dispersi per municipia et colonias Vitelliani spoliare rapere, vi et stupris polluere : in omne fas nefasque avidi aut venales non sacro, non profano abstinebant. Et fuere qui inimicos suos specie militum interficerent. Ipsique milites regionum gnari refertos agros, dites dominos in praedam aut, si repugnatum foret, ad exitium destinabant, obnoxiis ducibus et prohibere non ausis. Minus avaritiae in Caecina, plus ambitionis: Valens ob lucra et quaestus infamis eoque alienae etiam culpae dis- simulator, lam pridem attritis Italiae rebus tanta peditum equitumque vis damnaque et iniuriae aegre tole- rabantur. Interim Vitellius victoriae suae nescius ut ad integrum57 bellum reliquas Germanici exercitus vires trahebat. Pauci veterum militum in hibernis relicti, festinatis per Gallias dilectibus, ut remanentium legionum nomina supplerentur. Cura ripae Hordeonio Flacco permissa; ipse e Britannico exercitu delecta octo milia sibi adiunxit. Et paucorum dierum iter progressus prosperas apud Bedriacum res ac morte Othonis concidisse bellum accepit : vocata contione virtutem militum laudibus cumulat. Postulante exercitu ut libertum suum Asiaticum equestri dignitate donaret, inhonestam adulationem conpescit; dein mobilitate in- genii, quod palam abnuerat, inter secreta convivii largitur, honoravitque Asiaticum anulis, foedum mancipium et malis artibus ambitiosum. 84 TACITUS [CHAPS. 58, 59. 58 Isdem diebus accessisse partibus utramque Maureta- niam, interfecto procuratore Albino, nuntii venere, Lucceius Albinus a Nerone Mauretaniae Caesariensi prae- positus, addita per Galbam Tingitanae provinciae admi- nistratione, baud spernendis viribus agebat. Decem no- vem cohortes, quinque alae, ingens Maurorum numerus aderat, per latrocinia et raptus apta bello manus. Gaeso Galba in Othonem pronus nee Africa contentus Hispaniae angusto freto diremptae inminebat. Inde Cluvio Rufo metus, et decumam legionem propinquare litori lit trans- missurus iussit; praemissi centuriones, qui Maurorum animos Vitellio conciliarent. Neque arduum fuit, magna per provincias Germanici exercitus fama; spargebatur insuper spreto procuratoris vocabulo Albinum insigne regis et lubae nomen usurpare. 59 Ita mutatis animis Asinius Pollio alae praefectus, e fidissimis Albino, et Festus ac Scipio cohortium praefecti opprimuntur: ipse Albinus dum e Tingitana provincia Caesariensem Mauretaniam petit, in adpulsu litoris truci- datus; uxor eius cum se percussoribus obtulisset, simul interfecta est, nihil eorum quae fierent Vitellio anquirente : brevi auditu quamvis magna transibat, inpar curis gravi- oribus. Exercitum itinere terrestri pergere iubet: ipse Arare flumine devehitur, nullo principal! paratu, sed vetere egestate conspicuus, donee lunius Blaesus Lugudunensis Galliae rector, genere illustri, largus animo et par opibus, circumdaret principi ministeria, comitaretur liberaliter, eo ipso ingratus, quamvis odium Vitellius vernilibus blan- ditiis velaret. Praesto fuere Luguduni victricium vic- tarumque partium duces. Valentem et Caecinam pro contione laudatos curuli suae circumposuit. Mox uni- CHAPS. 59, 60, 61.] HISTORIES II 85 versum exercitum occurrere infant! filio iubet, perlatum- que et paludamento opertum sinu retinens Germanicum appellavit cinxitque cunctis f ortunae principalis insignibus. Nimius honos inter secunda rebus adversis in solacium cessit. Turn interfecti centuriones promptissimi Othonianorum, eo unde praecipua in Vitellium alienatio per Illyricos exer- citus; simul ceterae legiones contactu et adversus Ger- manicos milites invidia bellura meditabantur. Suetonium Paulinum ac Licinium Proculum tristi mora squalidos tenuit, donee auditi necessariis magis defensionibus quam honestis uterentur. Proditionem ultro inputabant, spa- tium longi ante proelium itineris, fatigationem Othoni- anorum, permixtum vehiculis agmen ac pleraque fortuita fraudi suae adsignantes. Et Vitellius credidit de perfidia et fidem absolvit. Salvius Titianus Othonis frater nullum discrimen adiit, pietate et ignavia excusatus. Mario Celso consulatus servatur : sed creditum fama obiectumque mox in senatu Caecilio Simplici, quod eum honorem pecunia mercari, nee sine exitio Celsi, voluisset: restitit Vitellius deditque postea consulatum Simplici innoxium et in- emptum. Trachalum adversus criminantes Galeria uxor Vitellii protexit. Inter magnorum virorum discrimina, pudendum dictu, 61 Mariccus quidam, e plebe Boiorum, inserere sese fortunae et provocare arma Romana simulatione numinum ausus est. lamque adsertor Galliarum et deus (nam id sibi no- men indiderat) concitis octo milibus hominum proximos Aeduorum pagos trahebat, cum gravissima civitas electa iuventute, adiectis a Vitellio cohortibus, fanaticam mul- titudinem disiecit. Captus in eo proelio Mariccus ac mox feris obiectus quia non laniabatur, stolidum vul- 86 TACITUS [CHAPS. 61, 62, 63. gus inviolabilem credebat, donee spectante Vitellio inter- fectus est. 62 Nee ultra in defectores aut bona cuiusquam saevitum: rata fuere eorum qui acie Othoniana ceciderant testa- menta, aut lex intestatis : prorsus, si luxuriae temperaret, avaritiam non timeres. Epularum foeda et inexplebilis libido : ex urbe atque Italia irritamenta gulae gestabantur, strepentibus ab utroque mari itineribus; exhausti con- viviorum apparatibus principes civitatum; vastabantur ipsae civitates; degenerabat a labore ac virtute miles adsuetudine voluptatum et contemptu ducis. Praemisit in urbem edictum, quo vocabulum Augusti differret, Cae- saris non reciperet, cum de potestate nihil detraheret. Pulsi Italia mathematici; cautum severe, ne equites Romani ludo et harena polluerentur. Priores id principes pecunia et saepius vi perpulerant, ac pleraque municipia et coloniae aemulabantur corruptissimum quemque adu- lescentium pretio inlicere. 63 Sed Vitellius adventu fratris et inrepentibus domina- tionis magistris superbiof et atrocior occidi Dolabellam iussit, quern in coloniam Aquinatem sepositum ab Othone rettulimus. Dolabella audita morte Othonis urbem introierat: id ei Plancius Varus praetura functus, ex in- timis Dolabellae amicis, apud Flavium Sabinum praefec- tum urbis obiecit, tanquam rupta custodia ducem se vic- tis partibus ostentasset; addidit temptatam cohortem, quae Ostiae ageret; nee ullis tantorum criminum proba- tionibus in paenitentiam versus seram veniam post scelus quaerebat. Cunctantem super tanta re Flavium Sabinum Triaria L. Vitellii uxor, ultra feminam ferox, terruit ne periculo principis famam clementiae adfectaret. Sabinus suopte ingenio mitis, ubi formido incessisset, f acilis mutatu CHAPS. 63, 64, 65.] HISTORIES II 87 et in alieno discrimine sibi pavens, ne adlevasse videretur, inpulit ruentem. Igitur Vitellius metu et odio, quod Petroniam uxoreme4 eius mox Dolabella in matrimonium accepisset, vocatum per epistulas vitata Flaminiae viae celebritate devertere Interamnam atque ibi interfici iussit. Longum inter- fectori visum: in itinere ac taberna proiectum humi iugulavit, magna cum invidia novi principatus, cuius hoc primum specimen noscebatur. Et Triariae licentiam modestum e proximo exemplum onerabat, Galeria im- peratoris uxor non inmixta tristibus; et pari probitate mater Vitelliorum Sextilia, antiqui moris: dixisse quin etiam ad primas filii sui epistulas ferebatur, non Germani- cum a se, sed Vitellium genitum. Nee ullis postea for- tunae inlecebris aut ambitu civitatis in gaudium evicta domus suae tantum adversa sensit. Digressum a Luguduno Vitellium Cluvius Rufus adse-65 quitur omissa Hispania, laetitiam et gratulationem vultu ferens, animo anxius et petitum se criminationibus gnarus- Hilarus Caesaris libertus detulerat, tanquam audito Vitellii et Othonis principatu propriam ipse potentiam et pos- sessionem Hispaniarum temptasset, eoque diplomatibus nullum principem praescripsisset ; et interpretabatur quaedam ex orationibus eius contumeliosa in Vitellium et pro se ipso popularia. Auctoritas Cluvii praevaluit, ut puniri ultro libertum suum Vitellius iuberet. Cluvius comitatui principis adiectus, non adempta Hispania, quam rexit absens exemplo L. Arruntii. Sed Arruntium Tiberius Caesar ob metum, Vitellius Cluvium nulla formidine retinebat. Non idem Trebellio Maximo honos: profu- gerat Britannia ob iracundiam militum; missus est in locum eius Vettius Bolanus e praesentibus. 88 TACITUS [CHAPS. 66, 67. 66 Angebat Vitellium victarum legionum haudquaquam fractus animus. Sparsae per Italiam et victoribus permix- tae hostilia loquebantur, praecipua quartadecumanorum ferocia, qui se victos abnuebant: quippe Bedriacensi acie vexillariis tantum pulsis vires legionis non adfuisse. Remitti eos in Britanniam, unde a Nerone exciti erant, placuit atque interim Batavorum cohortes una tendere ob veterem adversus quartadecumanos discordiam. Nee diu in tantis armatorum odiis quies fuit : Augustae Tau- rinorum, dum opificem quendam Batavus ut fraudatorem insectatur, legionarius ut hospitem tuetur, sui cuique commilitones adgregati a conviciis ad caedem transiere. Et proelium atrox arsisset, ni duae praetoriae cohortes causam quartadecumanorum secutae his fiduciam et metum Batavis fecissent : quos Vitellius agmini suo iungi ut fidos, legionem Grais Alpibus traductam eo flexu itin- eris ire iubet, quo Viennam vitarent; namque et Vien- nenses timebantur. Nocte, qua proficiscebatur legio, relictis passim ignibus pars Taurinae coloniae ambusta, quod damnum, ut pleraque belli mala, maioribus aliarum urbium cladibus oblitteratum. Quartadecumani post- quam Alpibus degressi sunt, seditiosissimus quisque signa Viennam ferebant : consensu meliorum conpressi et legio in Britanniam transvecta. 67 Proximus Vitellio e praetoriis cohortibus metus erat. Separati primum, deinde addito honestae missionis leni- mento, arma ad tribunes suos deferebant, donee motum a Vespasiano bellum crebresceret : turn resumpta militia robur Flavianarum partium fuere. Prima classicorum legio in Hispaniam missa, ut pace et otio mitesceret, un- decuma ac septima suis hibernis redditae, tertiadecumani struere amphitheatra iussi; nam Caecina Cremonae, CHAPS. 67, 68, 69.] HISTORIES II 89 Valens Bononiae spectaculum gladiatorum edere para- bant, numquam ita ad curas intento Vitellio, ut volup- tatum oblivisceretur. Et victas quidem partes modeste distraxerat: apud68 victores orta seditio, ludicro initio, ni numerus caesorum invidiam Vitellio auxisset. Discubuerat Vitellius Ticini adhibito ad epulas Verginio. Legati tribunique ex mori- bus imperatorum severitatem aemulantur vel tempestivis conviviis gaudent; perinde miles intentus aut licenter agit. Apud Vitellium omnia indisposita temulenta, per- vigiliis ac bacchanalibus quam disciplinae et castris pro- piora. Igitur duobus militibus, altero legionis quintae, altero e Gallis auxiliaribus, per lasciviam ad certamen luc- tandi accensis, postquam legionarius prociderat, insultante Gallo et iis qui ad spectandum convenerant in studia di- ductis, erupere legionarii in perniciem auxiliorum ac duae cohortes interfectae. Remedium tumultus fuit alius tumultus. Pulvis procul et arma adspiciebantur : con- clamatum repente quartam decumam legionem verso itinere ad proelium venire; sed erant agminis coactores: agniti dempsere sollicitudinem. Interim Verginii servus forte obvius ut percussor Vitellii insimulatur: et ruebat ad convivium miles, mortem Verginii exposcens. Ne Vitellius quidem, quanquam ad omnes suspiciones pavidus, de innocentia eius dubitavit : aegre tamen cohibiti qui exitium consularis et quondam ducis sui flagitabant. Nee quemquam saepius quam Verginium omnis seditio in- festavit : manebat admiratio viri et fama, sed oderant ut fastiditi. Postero die Vitellius senatus legatione, quam ibi op- 69 periri iusserat, audita transgressus in castra ultro pietatem militum conlaudavit, frementibus auxiliis tantum im- 90 TACITUS [CHAPS. 69, 70. punitatis atque adrogantiae legionariis accessisse. Ba- tavorum cohortes, ne quid truculentius auderent, in Ger- maniam remissae, principium interne simul externoque bello parantibus fatis. Reddita civitatibus Gallorum auxilia, ingens numerus et prima statim defectione inter mania belli adsumptus. Ceterum ut largitionibus ad- fectae iam iraperii opes sufficerent, amputari legionum auxiliorumque numeros iubet vetitis supplements; et promiscae missiones offerebantur. Exitiabile id rei pub- licae, ingratum militi, cui eadem munia inter paucos periculaque ac labor crebrius redibant: et vires luxu corrumpebantur, contra veterem disciplinam et instituta maiorum, apud quos virtute quam pecunia res Romana melius stetit. 70 Inde Vitellius Cremonam flexit et spectato munere Caecinae insistere Bedriacensibus campis ac vestigia re- centis victoriae lustrare oculis concupivit. Foedum atque atrox spectaculum intra quadragensimum pugnae diem: lacera corpora, trunci artus, putres virorum equorumque formae, infecta tabo humus, protritis arboribus ac frugibus dira vastitas. Nee minus inhumana pars viae, quam Cremonenses lauru rosaque constraverant, extructis al- taribus caesisque victimis regium in morem ; quae laeta in praesens mox perniciem ipsis fecere. Aderant Valens et Caecina, monstrabantque pugnae locos: hinc inrupisse legionum agmen, hinc equites coortos, inde circumfusas auxiliorum manus : iam tribuni praefectique sua quisque facta extollentes falsa vera aut maiora vero miscebant. Vulgus quoque militum clamore et gaudio deflectere via, spatia certaminum recognoscere, aggerem armorum, strues corporum intueri mirari; et erant quos varia sors rerum lacrimaeque et misericordia subiret. At non CHAPS. 70, 71, 72, 73.] HISTORIES II 91 Vitellius flexit oculos nee tot milia insepultorum civium exhorruit : laetus ultro et tarn propinquae sortis ignarus instaurabat sacrum dis loci. Exin Bononiae a Fabio Valente gladiatorum spectacu-7i lum editur, advecto ex urbe cultu. Quantoque magis pro- pinquabat, tanto corruptius iter inmixtis histrionibus et spadonum gregibus et cetero Neronianae aulae ingenio; namque et Neronem ipsum Vitellius admiratione cele- brabat, sectari cantantem solitus, non necessitate, qua honestissimus quisque, sed luxu et saginae mancipatus emptusque. Ut Valenti et Caecinae vacuos honoris menses aperiret, coartati aliorum consulatus, dissimulatus Marti Maori tanquam Othonianarum partium ducis; et Valerium Marinum destinatum a Galba consulem distulit, nulla offensa, sed mitem et iniuriam segniter laturum. Pedanius Costa omittitur, ingratus principi ut adversus Neronem ausus et Verginii extimulator, sed alias protulit causas; actaeque insuper Vitellio gratiae consuetudine servitii. Non ultra paucos dies quanquam acribus initiis coeptum 72 mendacium valuit. Extiterat quidam Scribonianum se Camerinum ferens, Neronianorum temporum metu in His- tria occultatum, quod illic clientelae et agri veterum Crassorum ac nominis favor manebat. Igitur deterrimo quoque in argumentum fabulae adsumpto vulgus credu- lum et quidam militum, errore veri seu turbarum studio, certatim adgregabantur, cum pertractus ad Vitellium in- terrogatusque, quisnam mortalium esset. Postquam nulla dictis fides et a domino noscebatur condicione fugitivus, nomine Geta, sumptum de eo supplicium in servilem modum. Vix credibile memoratu est, quantum superbiae socor- 73 92 TACITUS [CHAPS. 73, 74, 75. diaeque Vitellio adoleverit, postquam speculatores e Syria ludaeaque adactum in verba eius Orientem nuntiavere. Nam etsi vagis adhuc et incertis auctoribus, erat tamen'in ore famaque Vespasianus ac plerumque ad nomen eius Vitellius excitabatur: turn ipse exercitusque, ut nullo aemulo, saevitia libidine raptu in externos mores pro- ruperant. 74 At Vespasianus bellum armaque et procul vel iuxta sitas vires circumspectabat. Miles ipsi adeo paratus, ut prae- euntem sacramentum et fausta Vitellio omnia precantem per silentium audierint; Muciani animus nee Vespasiano alienus et in Titum pronior; praefectus Aegypti Ti. Alexander consilia sociaverat; tertiam legionem, quod e Syria in Moesiam transisset, suam numerabat; ceterae Illyrici legiones secuturae sperabantur; namque omnis exercitus flammaverat adrogantia venientium a Vitellio militum, quod truces corpore, horridi sermone ceteros ut inpares inridebant. Sed in tanta mole belli plerumque cunctatio; et Vespasianus modo in spem erectus, ali- quando adversa reputabat: quis ille dies foret, quo sexaginta aetatis annos et duos filios iuvenes bello per- mitteret? Esse privatis cogitationibus progressum, et prout velint, plus minusve sumi ex fortuna: imperium cupientibus nihil medium inter summa aut praecipitia. 75 Versabatur ante oculos Germanici exercitus robur, notum viro militari : suas legiones civili bello inexpertas, Vitellii victrices, et apud victos plus querimoniarum quam virium. Fluxam per discordias militum fidem et pericu- lum ex singulis : quid enim profuturas cohortes alasque, si unus alterve praesenti facinore paratum ex diverse prae- mium petat ? Sic Scribonianum sub Claudio interfectum, sic percussorem eius Volaginium e gregario ad summa CHAPS. 75, 76.] HISTORIES II 93 militiae provectum: facilius universes inpelli quam sin- gulos vitari. His pavoribus nutantem et alii legati amicique firma-76 bant et Mucianus, post multos secretosque sermones iam et coram ita locutus : ' Omnes, qui magnarum rerum con- silia suscipiunt, aestimare debent, an quod incohatur rei publicae utile, ipsis gloriosum, an promptum effectu aut certe non arduum sit ; simul ipse qui suadet considerandus est, adiciatne consilio periculum suum, et si fortuna coeptis adfuerit, cui summum decus adquiratur. Ego te, Ves- pasiane, ad imperium voco, quam salutare rei publicae, quam tibi magnificum, iuxta deos in tua manu positum est. Nee speciem adulantis expaveris: a contumelia quam a laude propius fuerit post Vitellium eligi. Non adversus divi Augusti acerrimam mentem nee adversus cautissimam Tiberii senectutem, ne contra Gai quidem aut Claudii vel Neronis fundatam longo imperio domum exsurgimus; cessisti etiam Galbae imaginibus: torpere ultra et pollu- endam perdendamque rem publicam relinquere sopor et ignavia videretur, etiam si tibi quam inhonesta, tarn tuta servitus esset. Abiit iam et transvectum est tempus, quo posses videri concupisse: confugiendum est ad im- perium. An excidit trucidatus Corbulo? splendidior origine quam nos sumus, fateor, sed et Nero nobilitate natalium Vitellium anteibat. Satis clarus est apud timentem quisquis timetur. Et posse ab exercitu prin- cipem fieri sibi ipse Vitellius documento, nullis stipendiis, nulla militari fama, Galbae odio provectus. Ne Othonem quidem ducis arte aut exercitus vi, sed praepropera ipsius desperatione victum, iam desiderabilem et magnum prin- cipem fecit, cum interim spargit legiones, exarmat cohortes, nova cotidie bello semina ministrat. Si quid ardoris ac 94 TACITUS [CHAPS. 76, 77, 78. ferociae miles habuit, popinis et comissationibus et prin- cipis imitatione deteritur : tibi e ludaea et Syria et Ae- gypto novem legiones integrae, nulla acie exhaustae, non discordia corruptae, sed firmatus usu miles et belli domitor externi; classium alarum cohortium robora et fidissimi reges et tua ante omnis experiential 77 ' Nobis nihil ultra adrogabo, quam ne post Valentem et Caecinam numeremur: ne tamen Mucianum socium spreveris, quia aemulum non experiris. Me Vitellio ante- pono, te mihi. Tuae domui triumphale nomen, duo iuvenes, capax iam imperil alter et primis militiae annis apud Germanicos quoque exercitus clarus. Absurdum fuerit non cedere imperio ei, cuius filium adoptaturus essem, si ipse imperarem. Ceterum inter nos non idem prosperarum adversarumque rerum ordo erit: nam si vincimus, honorem, quern dederis, habebo : discrimen ac pericula ex aequo patiemur. Immo, ut melius est, tu tuos exercitus rege, mihi bellum et proeliorum incerta trade. Acriore hodie disciplina victi quam victores agunt. Hos ira odium ultionis cupiditas ad virtutem accendit: illi per fastidium et contumacia hebescunt. Aperiet et recludet contecta et tumescentia victricium partium vul- nera bellum ipsum; nee mihi maior in tua vigilantia par- simonia sapientia fiducia est quam in Vitellii torpore in- scitia saevitia. Sed meliorem in bello causam quam in pace habemus; nam qui deliberant, desciverunt.' 78 Post Muciani orationem ceteri audentius circumsistere hortari, responsa vatum et siderum motus referre. Nee erat intactus tali superstitione, ut qui mox rerum dominus Seleucum quendam mathematicum rectorem et praescium palam habuerit. Recursabant animo vetera omina: cupressus arbor in agris eius conspicua altitudine repente CHAPS. 78, 79, 80.] HISTORIES II 95 prociderat ac postera die eodem vestigio resurgens procera et laetior virebat. Grande id prosperumque consensu haruspicum et summa claritudo iuveni admodum Ves- pasiano promissa, sed primo triumphalia et consulatus et ludaicae victoriae decus inplesse fidem ominis videbantur : ut haec adeptus est, portendi sibi imperium credebat. Est ludaeam inter Syriamque Carmelus: ita vocant montem deumque. Nee simulacrum deo aut templum (sic tradidere maiores) ; ara tantum et reverentia. Illic sacrificanti Vespasiano, cum spes occultas versaret animo, Basilides sacerdos inspectis identidem extis 'Quidquid est' inquit, ' Vespasiane, quod paras, seu domum extruere seu prolatare agros sive ampliare servitia, datur tibi magna sedes, ingentes termini, multum hominum.' Has am- bages et statim exceperat fama et tune aperiebat; nee quicquam magis in ore vulgi. Crebriores apud ipsum sermones, quanto sperantibus plura dicuntur. Haud dubia destinatione discessere Mucianus Antiochiam, Ves- pasianus Caesaream : ilia Syriae, hoc ludaeae caput est. Initium ferendi ad Vespasianum imperii Alexandriae 79 coeptum, festinante Tiberio Alexandra, qui kalendis luliis sacramento eius legiones adegit. Isque primus principa- tus dies in posterum celebratus, quamvis ludaicus exer- citus quinto nonas lulias apud ipsum iurasset eo ardore ut ne Titus quidem films expectaretur, Syria remeans et consiliorum inter Mucianum ac patrem nuntius. Cuncta impetu militum acta non parata contione, non coniunctis legionibus. Dum quaeritur tempus locus quodque in re tali difficil- 8O limum est, prima vox, dum animo spes timor, ratio casus obversantur, egressum cubiculo Vespasianum pauci milites, solito adsistentes ordine ut legatum salutaturi, impera- 96 TACITUS [CHAPS. 80, 81. torem salutavere : turn ceteri adcurrere, Caesarem et Augustum et omnia principatus vocabula cumulare. Mens a metu ad fortunam transierat: in ipso nihil tumidum adrogans aut in rebus novis novum fuit. Ut primum tantae altitudinis obfusam oculis caliginem disiecit, mili- tariter locutus laeta omnia et affluentia excepit; namque id ipsum opperiens Mucianus alacrem militera in verba Vespasiani adegit. Turn Antiochensium theatrum in- gressus, ubi illis consultare mos est, concurrentes et in adulationem effusos adloquitur, satis decorus etiam Graeca facundia, omniumque quae diceret atque ageret arte quadam ostentator. Nihil aeque provinciam exer- citumque accendit quam quod adseverabat Mucianus, sta- tuisse Vitellium, ut Germanicas legiones in Syriam ad militiam opulentam quietamque transferret, contra Syri- acis legionibus Germanica hiberna caelo ac laboribus dura mutarentur. Quippe et provinciales sueto militum con- tubernio gaudebant, plerique necessitudinibus et propin- quitatibus mixti, et militibus vetustate stipendiorum nota et familiaria castra in modum penatium diligebantur. 81 Ante idus lulias Syria omnis in eodem sacramento fuit. Accessere cum regno Sohaemus baud spernendis viribus, Antiochus vetustis opibus ingens et servientium regum di- tissimus. Mox per occultos suorum nuntios excitus ab urbe Agrippa, ignaro adhuc Vitellio, celeri navigatione properaverat. Nee minore animo regina Berenice partes iuvabat, florens aetate formaque et seni quoque Vespasiano magnificentia munerum grata. Quidquid provinciarum adluitur mari Asia atque Achaia tenus, quantumque introrsus in Pontum et Armenios patescit, iuravere; sed inermes legati regebant, nondum additis Cappadociae legionibus. Consilium de summa rerum Beryti habitum. CHAPS. 81, 82, 83.] HISTORIES II 97 Illuc Mucianus cum legatis tribunisque et splendidissimo quoque centurionum ac militum venit, et e ludaico exer- citu lecta decora : tantum simul peditum equitumque et aemulantium inter se regum paratus speciem fortunae principalis effecerant. Prima belli cura agere dilectus, revocare veteranos;82 destinantur validae civitates exercendis armorum offi- cinis, apud Antiochenses aurum argentumque signatur, eaque cuncta per idoneos ministros suis quidque locis festinabantur. Ipse Vespasianus adire hortari bonos laude, segnes exemplo incitare saepius quam coercere, vitia magis amicorum quam virtutes dissimulans. Multos praefecturis et procurationibus, plerosque senatorii ordinis honore percoluit, egregios viros et mox summa adeptos; quibusdam fortuna pro virtutibus fuit. Donativum militi neque Mucianus prima contione nisi modice ostenderat, ne Vespasianus quidem plus civili bello obtulit quam alii in pace, egregie firmus adversus militarem largitionem eoque exercitu meliore. Missi ad Parthum Armeniumque legati, provisumque, ne versis ad civile bellum legionibus terga nudarentur. Titum instare ludaeae, Vespasianum ob- tinere claustra Aegypti placuit: sufficere videbantur adversus Vitellium pars copiarum et dux Mucianus et Ves- pasiani nomen ac nihil arduum fatis. Ad omnes exer- citus legatosque scriptae epistulae praeceptumque, ut praetorianos Vitellio infensos reciperandae militiae prae- mio invitarent. Mucianus cum expedita manu, socium magis imperiiss quam ministrum agens, non lento itinere, ne cunctari videretur, neque tamen properans, gliscere famam ipso spatio sinebat, gnarus modicas vires sibi et maiora credi de absentibus ; sed legio sexta et tredecim vexillariorum 98 TACITUS [CHAPS. 83, 84, 85. milia ingenti agmine sequebantur. Classem e Ponto Byzantium adigi iusserat, ambiguus consilii, num omissa Moesia Dyrrachium pedite atque equite, simul longis navibus versum in Italiam mare clauderet, tuta pone tergum Achaia Asiaque, quas inermes exponi Vitellio, ni praesidiis firmarentur ; atque ipsum Vitellium in incerto fore, quam partem Italiae protegeret, si Brundisium Ta- rentumque et Calabriae Lucaniaeque litora infestis clas- sibus peterentur. 84 Igitur navium militum armorum paratu strepere pro- vinciae, sed nihil aeque fatigabat quam pecuniarum con- quisitio : eos esse belli civilis nervos dictitansMucianus non ius aut verum in cognitionibus, sed solam magnitudinem opum spectabat. Passim delationes, et locupletissimus quisque in praedam correpti. Quae gravia atque into- leranda, sed necessitate armorum excusata etiam in pace mansere, ipso Vespasiano inter initia imperii ad optinendas iniquitates baud perinde obstinante, donee indulgentia fortunae et pravis magistris didicit aususque est. Pro- priis quoque opibus Mucianus bellum iuvit, largus pri- vatim, quo avidius de re publica sumeret. Ceteri con- ferendarum pecuniarum exemplum secuti, rarissimus quisque eandem in reciperando licentiam habuerunt. 85 Adcelerata interim Vespasiani coepta Illyrici exercitus studio transgressi in partes. Tertia legio exemplum ceteris Moesiae legionibus praebuit : octava erat ac septima Claudiana, inbutae favore Othonis, quamvis proelio non interfuissent. Aquileiam progressae, proturbatis qui de Othone nuntiabant laceratisque vexillis nomen Vitellii praeferentibus, rapta postremo pecunia et inter se divisa, hostiliter egerant. Unde metus et ex metu consilium, posse inputari Vespasiano quae apud Vitellium excusanda CHAPS. 85, 86.] HISTORIES II 99 erant. Ita tres Moesicae legiones per epistulas adlicie- bant Pannonicum exercitum aut abnuenti vim parabant. In eo motu Aponius Saturninus Moesiae rector pessimum facinus audet, misso centurione ad interficiendum Tettium lulianum septimae legionis legatum ob simultates, quibus causam partium praetendebat. lulianus comperto dis- crimine et gnaris locorum adscitis per avia Moesiae ultra montem Haemum profugit; nee deinde civili bello inter- fuit, per varias moras susceptum ad Vespasianum iter trahens et ex nuntiis cunctabundus aut properans. At in Pannonia tertia decuma legio ac septima Galbiana, 86 dolorem iramque Bedriacensis pugnae retinentes, baud cunctanter Vespasiano accessere, vi praecipua Primi Antonii. Is legibus nocens et tempore Neronis falsi dam- natus inter alia belli mala senatorium ordinem recipera- verat. Praepositus a Galba septumae legioni scriptitasse Othoni credebatur, ducem se partibus offerens; a quo neglectus in nullo Othoniani belli usu fuit. Labantibus Vitellii rebus Vespasianum secutus grande momentum addidit, strenuus manu, sermone promptus, serendae in alios invidiae artifex, discordiis et seditionibus potens, raptor largitor, pace pessimus, bello non spernendus. luncti inde Moesici ac Pannonici exercitus Delmaticum militem traxere, quanquam consularibus legatis nihil turbantibus. Tampius Flavianus Pannoniam, Pompeius Silvanus Delmatiam tenebant, divites senes; sed procura- tor aderat Cornelius Fuscus, vigens aetate, claris natalibus. Prima iuventa quaestus cupidine senatorium ordinem exuerat ; idem pro Galba dux coloniae suae, eaque opera procurationem adeptus, susceptis Vespasiani partibus acerrimam bello facem praetulit : non tam praemiis peri- culorum quam ipsis periculis laetus pro certis et olim par- 100 TACITUS [CHAPS. 86> 8?> 88 _ tis nova ambigua ancipitia malebat. Igitur movere et quatere, quidquid usquam aegrum foret, adgrediuntur. Scriptae in Britanniam ad quartadecumanos, in Hispaniam ad primanos epistulae, quod utraque legio pro Othone, adversa Vitellio fuerat; sparguntur per Gallias litterae; momentoque temporis flagrabat ingens bellum, Illyricis exercitibus palam desciscentibus, ceteris fortunam secu- turis. 87 Dum haec per provincias a Vespasiano ducibusque partium geruntur, Vitellius contemptior in dies segniorque, ad omnis municipiorum villarumque amoenitates resis- tens, gravi urbem agmine petebat. Sexaginta milia ar- matorum sequebantur, licentia corrupta; calonum nu- merus amplior, procacissimis etiam inter servos lixarum ingeniis; tot legatorum amicorumque comitatus inhabilis ad parendum, etiam si summa modestia regetur. Onera- bant multitudinem obvii ex urbe senatores equitesque, quidam metu, multi per adulationem, ceteri ac paulatim omnes, ne aliis proficiscentibus ipsi remanerent. Adgre- gabantur e plebe flagitiosa per obsequia Vitellio cogniti, scurrae histriones aurigae, quibus ille amicitiarum de- honestamentis mire gaudebat. Nee coloniae modo aut municipia congestu copiarum, sed ipsi cultores arvaque maturis iam frugibus ut hostile solum vastabantur. 88 Multae et atroces inter se militum caedes, post sedition em Ticini coeptam manente legionum auxiliorumque discordia, ubi adversus paganos certandum foret, consensu. Sed plurima strages ad septimum ab urbe lapidem. Singulis ibi militibus Vitellius paratos cibos ut gladiatoriam sagi- nam dividebat, et effusa plebes totis se castris miscuerat. Incuriosos milites (vernacula utebantur urbanitate) qui- dam spoliavere, abscisis furtim balteis, an accincti forent CHAPS. 88, 89, 90.] HISTORIES II 101 rogitantes. Non tulit ludibrium insolens contumeliarwm animus : inermem populum gladiis invasere. Caesus inter alios pater militis, cum filium comitaretur; deinde ad- gnitus et vulgata caede temperatum ab innoxiis. In urbe tamen trepidatum praecurrentibus passim militibus; fo- rum maxime petebant, cupidine visendi locum, in quo Galba iacuisset. Nee minus saevum spectaculum erant ipsi, tergis ferarum et ingentibus telis horrentes, cum tur- bam populi per inscitiam parum vitarent, aut ubi lubrico viae vel occursu alicuius procidissent, ad iurgium, mox ad manus et ferrum transirent. Quin et tribuni praefectique cum terrore et armatorum catervis volitabant. Ipse Vitellius a ponte Mulvio insigni equo, paludatus 89 accinctusque, senatum et populum ante se agens, quo minus ut captam urbem ingrederetur, amicorum consilio deterritus, sumpta praetexta et composite agmine in- cessit. Quattuor legionum aquilae per frontem totidem- que circa e legionibus aliis vexilla, mox duodecim alarum signa et post peditum ordines eques, dein quattuor et triginta cohortes, ut nomina gentium aut species armorum forent, discretae. Ante aquilas praefecti castrorum tri- bunique et primi centurionum Candida veste, ceteri iuxta suam quisque centuriam, armis donisque fulgentes; et militum phalerae torquesque splendebant: decora facies et non Vitellio principe dignus exercitus. Sic Capitolium ingressus atque ibi matrem complexus Augustae nomine honoravit. Postera die tanquam apud alterius civitatis senatum 90 populumque magnificam orationem de semet ipse promp- sit, industriam temperantiamque suam laudibus adtollens, consciis flagitiorum ipsis qui aderant omnique Italia, per quam somno et luxu pudendus incesserat. Vulgus tamen 102 TACITUS [CHAPS. 90, 91, 92. vacuum curis et sine falsi verique discrimine solitas adu- lationes edoctum clamore et vocibus adstrepebat; ab- nuentique nomen August! expressere ut adsumeret, tarn frustra quam recusaverat. 91 Apud civitatem cuncta interpretantem funesti ominis loco acceptum est, quod maximum pontificatum adeptus Vitellius de caerimoniis publicis XV kalendas Augustas edixisset, antiquitus infausto die 'Cremerensi Alliensique cladibus : adeo omnis humani divinique iuris expers, pari libertorum amicorum socordia, velut inter temulentos agebat. Sed comitia consulum cum candidatis civiliter celebrans omnem infimae plebis rumorem in theatre ut spectator, in circo ut fautor adfectavit': quae grata sane et popularia, si a virtutibus proficiscerentur, memoria vitae prioris indecora et vilia accipiebantur. Ventitabat in senatum, etiam cum parvis de rebus patres consulerentur. Ac forte Priscus Helvidius praetor designatus contra stu- dium eius censuerat. Commotus primo Vitellius, non tamen ultra quam tribunos plebis in auxilium spretae potestatis advocavit; mox mitigantibus amicis, qui altiorem iracundiam eius verebantur, nihil novi accidisse respondit, quod duo senatores in re publica dissentirent ; solitum se etiam Thraseae contra dicere. Inrisere ple- rique inpudentiam aemulationis ; aliis id ipsum placebat, quod neminem ex praepotentibus, sed Thraseam ad exemplar verae gloriae legisset. 92 Praeposuerat praetorianis Publilium Sabinum a prae- fectura cohortis, lulium Priscum turn centurionem: Priscus Valentis, Sabinus Caecinae gratia pollebant ; inter discordes Vitellio nihil auctoritatis. Munia imperii Cae- cina ac Valens obibant, olim anxii odiis, quae bello et castris male dissimulata pravitas amicorum et fecunda CHAPS. 92, 93.] HISTORIES II 103 gignendis inimicitiis civitas auxerat, dum ambitu comitatu et inmensis salutantium agminibus contendunt comparan- . turque, variis in hunc aut ilium Vitellii inclinationibus. Nee umquam satis fida potentia, ubi nimia est. Simul ipsum Vitellium, subitis offensis aut intempestivis blan- ditiis mutabilem, contemnebant metuebantque. Nee eo segnius invaserant domos hortos opesque imperii, cum flebilis et egens nobilium turba, quos ipsos liberosque patriae Galba reddiderat, nulla principis misericordia iuvarentur. Gratum primoribus civitatis etiam plebs adprobavit, quod reversis ab exilio iura libertorum con- cessisset, quanquam id omni modo servilia ingenia cor- rumpebant, abditis pecuniis per occultos aut ambitiosos sinus, et quidam in domum Caesaris transgressi atque ipsis dominis potentiores. Sed miles, plenis castris et redundante multitudine, 93 in porticibus aut delubris et urbe tota vagus, non prin- cipia noscere, non servare vigilias neque labore firmari: per inlecebras urbis et inhonesta dictu corpus otio, ani- mum libidinibus imminuebant. Postremo, ne salutis quidem cura : infamibus Vaticani locis magna pars teten- dit, unde crebrae in vulgus mortes; et adiacente Tiberi Germanorum Gallorumque obnoxia morbis corpora flu- minis aviditate et aestus inpatientia labefacta. Confusus insuper pravitate vel ambitu ordo militiae : sedecim prae- toriae, quattuor urbanae cohortes scribebantur, quis singula milia inessent. Plus in eo dilectu Valens audebat, tanquam ipsum Caecinam periculo exemisset. Sane adventu eius partes convaluerant, et sinistrum lenti iti- neris rumorem prospero proelio verterat. Omnisque inferioris Germaniae miles Valentem adsectabatur, unde primum creditur Caecinae fides fluitasse. 104 TACITUS [CHAPS. 94, 95. 94 Ceterum non ita ducibus indulsit Vitellius, ut non plus militi liceret. Sibi quisque militiam sumpsere: quamvis indignus, si ita maluerat, urbanae militiae adscribebatur ; rursus bonis remanere inter legionaries aut alares volen- tibus permissum. Nee deerant qui vellent, fessi morbis et intemperiem caeli incusantes ; robora tamen legionibus alisque subtracta, convulsum castrorum decus, viginti milibus e toto exercitu permixtis magis quam electis. Contionante Vitellio postulantur ad supplicium Asiaticus et Flavus et Rufinus duces Galliarum, quod pro Vindice bellassent. Nee coercebat eius modi voces Vitellius: super insitam animo ignaviam conscius sibi instare do- nativum et deesse pecuniam omnia alia militi largiebatur. Liberti principum conferre pro numero mancipiorum ut tributum iussi: ipse sola perdendi cura stabula aurigis extruere, circum gladiatorum ferarumque spectaculis op- plere, tanquam in summa abundantia pecuniae inludere. 95 Quin et natalem Vitellii diem Caecina ac Valens editis tota urbe vicatim gladiatoribus celebravere ingenti paratu et ante ilium diem insolito. Laetum foedissimo cuique apud bonos invidiae fuit, quod extructis in campo Martio aris inferias Neroni fecisset. Caesae publice vic- timae cremataeque; facem Augustales subdidere, quod sacerdotium, ut Romulus Tatio regi, ita Caesar Tiberius luliae genti sacravit. Nondum quartus a victoria mensis, et libertus Vitellii Asiaticus Polyclitos Patrobios et vetera odiorum nomina aequabat. Nemo in ilia aula probitate aut industria certavit : unum ad potentiam iter, prodigis epulis et sumptu ganeaque satiare inexplebiles Vitellii libidines. Ipse abunde ratus, si praesentibus frueretur, nee in longius consultans, noviens miliens sestertium paucis- simis mensibus intervertisse creditur sagina. At misera CHAPS. 95, 96, 97, 98.] HISTORIES II 105 civitas, eodem anno Othonem Vitellium passa, inter Vinios Fabios, Icelos Asiaticos varia et pudenda sorte agebat, donee successere Mucianus et Marcellus et magis alii homines quam alii mores. Prima Vitellio tertiae legionis defectio nuntiatur, missis 96 ab Aponio Saturnine epistulis, antequam is quoque Ves- pasiani partibus adgregaretur ; sed neque Aponius cuncta, ut trepidans re subita, perscripserat, et amici adulantes mollius interpretabantur : unius legionis earn seditionem, ceteris exercitibus constare fidem. In hunc modum etiam Vitellius apud milites disseruit, praetorianos nuper exauc- toratos insectatus, a quibus falsos rumores dispergi, nee ullum civilis belli metum adseverabat, suppresso Ves- pasiani nomine et vagis per urbem militibus, qui sermones populi coercerent. Id praecipuum alimentum famae erat. Auxilia tamen e Germania Britanniaque et Hispaniis97 excivit segniter et necessitatem dissimulans. Perinde legati provinciaeque cunctabantur, Hordeonius Flaccus suspectis iam Batavis anxius proprio bello, Vettius Bo- lanus numquam satis quieta Britannia, et uterque ambigui. Neque ex Hispaniis properabatur, nullo turn ibi consulari : trium legionum legati, pares iure et prosperis Vitellii rebus certaturi ad obsequium, adversam eius fortunam ex aequo detrectabant. In Africa legio cohortesque delectae a Clodio Macro, mox a Galba dimissae, rursus iussu Vitellii militiam cepere; simul cetera iuventus dabat inpigre nomina. Quippe integrum illic ac favorabilem procon- sulatum Vitellius, famosum invisumque Vespasianus egerat: proinde socii de imperio utriusque coniectabant, sed experimentum contra fuit. Ac primo Valerius Festus 98 legatus studia provincialium cum fide iuvit ; mox nutabat, 106 TACITUS [CHAPS. 98, 99, 100. palam epistulis edictisque Vitellium, occultis nuntiis Vespasianum fovens et haec illave defensurus, prout in- valuissent. Deprehensi cum litteris edictisque Vespasiani per Rae- tiam et Gallias militum et centurionum quidam ad Vitel- lium missi necantur; plures fefellere, fide amicorum aut suomet astu occultati. Ita Vitellii paratus noscebantur, Vespasiani consiliorum pleraque ignota, primum socordia Vitellii, dein Pannonicae Alpes praesidiis insessae nuntios retinebant. Mare quoque etesiarum flatu in Orientem navigantibus secundum, inde adversum erat. 99 Tandem inruptione hostium atrocibus undique nuntiis exterritus Caecinam ac Valentem expedire ad bellum iubet. Praemissus Caecina, Valentem e gravi corporis morbo turn primum adsurgentem infirmitas tardabat. Longe alia proficiscentis ex urbe Germanici exercitus species: non vigor corporibus, non ardor animis; lentum et rarum agmen, fluxa arma, segnes equi; inpatiens solis pulveris tempestatum, quantumque hebes ad sustinen- dum laborem miles, tanto ad discordias promptior. Ac- cedebat hue Caecinae ambitio vetus, torpor recens, nimia fortunae indulgentia soluti in luxum, seu perfidiam medi- tanti infringere exercitus virtutem inter artes erat. Credidere plerique Flavii Sabini consiliis concussam Caecinae mentem, ministro sermonum Rubrio Gallo : rata apud Vespasianum fore pacta transitionis. Simul odiorum invidiaeque erga Fabium Valentem admonebatur, ut inpar apud Vitellium gratiam viresque apud novum principem pararet. 10O Caecina e complexu Vitellii multo cum honore digressus partem equitum ad occupandam Cremonam praemisit. Mox vexilla primae quartae quintaedecumae sextae- CHAPS. 100, 101.] HISTORIES II 107 decumae legionum, dein quinta et duoetvicensima secutae; postremo agmine unaetvicensima Rapax et prima Italica incessere cum vexillariis trium Britannicarum legionum et electis auxiliis. Profecto Caecina scripsit Fabius Valens exercitui, quern ipse ductaverat, ut in itinere opperiretur: sic sibi cum Caecina convenisse. Qui praesens eoque vali- dior mutatum id consilium finxit, ut ingruenti bello tota mole occurreretur. Ita adcelerare legiones Cremonam, pars Hostiliam petere iussae: ipse Ravennam devertit praetexto classem adloquendi ; mox Patavi secretum com- ponendae proditionis quaesitum. Namque Lucilius Bassus post praef ecturam alae Ravennati simul ac Misenensi clas- sibus a Vitellio praepositus, quod non statim praefecturam praetorii adeptus foret, iniquam iracundiam flagitiosa perfidia ulciscebatur. Nee sciri potest traxeritne Caeci- nam, an, quod evenit inter malos, eadem illos pravitas inpulerit. Scriptores temporum, qui potiente rerumioi Flavia domo monimenta belli huiusce composuerunt, curam pacis et amorem rei publicae, corruptas in adulationem causas, tradidere: nobis super insitam levitatem et pro- dito Galba vilem mox fidem aemulatione etiam invidiaque, ne ab aliis apud Vitellium anteirentur, pervertisse ipsi Vitellium videntur. Caecina legiones adsecutus centurio- num militumque animos obstinates pro Vitellio variis ar- tibus subruebat: Basso eadem molienti minor difficultas erat, lubrica ad mutandam fidem classe ob memoriam recentis pro Othone militiae. NOTES 1-3. Preface: defects of previous historians, Tacitus will be impartial, 1; sketch of the period to be covered, 2-3. I. initium: a history of the Flavian dynasty (69-96 A.D.) of necessity included the circumstances which brought Vespasian to the throne. January, 69, was an eventful month both in Rome and on the Rhine, Galba assassinated, and succeeded by Otho, shortly after Vitellius had been proclaimed emperor in Germany; Intr. 4. iterum: he had been consul in 33, under Tiberius, who then predicted that he would be emperor; Ann. 6, 20. viginti: in a less rhetorical context the exact number might have been given, viz. 821 (753 + 68); cf. 4, 58, 74 (820 and 800). auctores: in the silver Latin and modern sense = scriptores. res populi Roman!: republican period contrasted with imperial; cf. Ann. 1, 1 veteris populi Romani prospera vel adversa. elo- quentia ac libertate: emphasized by the word-order, as qualities which presently disappeared (postquam, etc.); join with rettulerunt. bellatum: Intr. 24. apud Actium: he does not mean that the magna ingenia came abruptly to an end in 31 B.C., which would exclude Livy. In Ann. 1, 1 also the decline of honest history begins with Augustus. potentiam: not potestatem, which would be legitimate authority; cf. 2 fin., 13 init.; 2, 65, 92. pluribus: without comparative force = compluribus, a rare word in Tac.; cf. 2, 4. inscitia: lacks the sense of blame attached to this word in Cicero; cf. 2, 77 fin. with 88 fin. mox = postea, as very freq. in Tac. libidine: cf. 90 ex libidine servitii; 12 libidine talia loquendi. inter infensos: the inier-phrase summarizes a situation with the greatest brevity; cf. 34 fin.; 50; 2, 92, 95; Agr. 32 inter male parentes et iniuste imperantes. ambitionem: partiality, motived by the desire to advance one's self. averseris: indef. 2d sing.; cf. quae velis, below; cf. 16 si velis; 83 ni . . . adhibeas. obtrectatio, etc. : cf . 34 facilius de odio creditur. dignitatem : 109 110 NOTES Intr. 2. abnuerim: more polite than the blunt indie.; cf. Dial. 26 equidem non negaverim; ib. 32 paene dixerim; Hist. 1, 83 fin. crediderim (2, 50), 2, 37 concesserim. incorruptam = incorruptible, as in Horace's incorrupta Fides, C. 1, 24, 7; cf. Ann. 1, 1 sine ira et studio, quorum causas procul habeo. amore: Intr. 13. dicendus: the affirmative quisque, or unus quisque, is to be supplied from neque . . . quisquam; cf. 2, 52 fin.; Hor. Sat. 1, 1, 1-3. For dicere = commemorare cf. 2, 8; Ann. 1, 1. securiorem: i.e. less thorny; the danger is not from the emperor, but from the friends of those whom he must men- tion; cf. Hor. C.I, 1, 6-8. seposui: Intr. 4 fin. 2. opus adgredior: chaps. 2 and 3 give an intensely vivid im- pressionistic picture of the period to be covered by the Histories, its sombre side in 2, its brighter lights in 3. On the style of the passage, cf. Intr. 22. discors: the time is personified, and its epithets then transferred to opus. pace: under the tyranny of Domitian. quattuor: Galba, slain in the Forum, Jan , 69 (cf. 41); Otho, by his own hand, Apr., 69 (2, 49); Vitellius, by the mob, Dec., 69; (3, 85) Domitian, assassinated Sept., 96. trina: i.e. three times over, three distinct; not a mere substitution of distrib. for cardinal. civilia: Otho against Vitellius, Vitellius against Ves- pasian (both 69), Domitian against his governor of Upper Ger- many, L. Antonius Saturninus (winter of 88-89). permixta: civil war and foreign campaign at the same time, esp. the Jewish War (cf. prosperae in Oriente res), and that between Vespasian and Vitellius. The war with Civilis also (70) was at once foreign and domestic; cf. 2, 69 interno simul externoque bello. turba- tum: by the revolt of the legions to Vespasian. Illyricum: the provinces of Pannonia, Dalmatia, and Moesia; cf. 9, 76; 2, 32. nutantes: an incident of the Batavian revolt under Civilis was the establishment of an ephemeral imperium Galliarum; 4, 59. perdomita: by Agricola, the father-in-law of Tac,, in 78-84; but his northern conquests were promptly given up (missa = omissa; cf. Intr. 17) by Domitian; Agr. 18-38. Sarmatarum, etc.: the bellum Suebicum et Sarmaticum of 92, from which Domitian returned, Jan., 93. A less important affair with a Sarmatian tribe, below. 79. falsi Neronis: this pretender appeared twenty years after the death of Nero; Suet. Nero 57. For another BOOK I HI "Nero" cf. 2, 8 f. hausta: he probably refers both to the earthquake of 63 and the eruption of Vesuvius in 79. incendiis: besides the burning of the Capitol, 69, there was a great fire in 80, under Titus. consumptis: cf. Intr. 7, 12. Capitolio . . . incenso: during the riots of Vitellius' last days (3, 71); rebuilt by Vespasian (4, 53). caerimoniae : i.e. Vestals proved false to their vows. magna = in high life. eziliis: for exulibus; Intr. 15; the gen. would be the regular const, with plenus. scopuli: rocky islets off the west coast of Italy or in the Aegean, much used for political prisoners. omissi: Intr. 11; the refusal of an office could be distorted into an evidence of disaffection. procurationes: the procurators were fiscal agents of the emperor in the provinces, and governors of some of the smallest prov- inces, e.g. Judaea, the Maritime Alps, Noricum, Mauretania; cf. 7, 11 f., 58, 70; 2, 12, 58. agerent verterent: Tacitus varies the common phrase ferre agere by changing the order and substituting vertere ( = evertere) for ferre, thus completing the idea of ruin. odio = by arousing hatred. per amicos: cf . 2, 63 for an instance. 3. sterile: with gen. on the analogy of its opposite fertilis. coniuges: e.g. Fannia, the friend of Pliny (Ep. 7, 19, 4), daugh- ter of one famous irreconcilable (Thrasea Paetus) and wife of another (Helvidius Priscus). supremae . . . necessitates: i.e. the situation of men who have been sentenced to death, or have received notice to commit suicide (as in 72). antiquorum: e.g. Socrates, Demosthenes, Cato the Younger. caelo terraque: like terra marique; Sail. Jug. 17, 5. laeta tristia: a special use of these words in augury , etc. ; cf. 27 init.; for the double asyndeton cf. 10 luxuria, etc.; 2, 80 spes timor ratio casus. iustis = com- plete, satisfactory. securitatem = peace of mind. 4-11. Introduction: general sketch of conditions in the city since the death of Nero, 4-7; in the provinces and armies, 8-11. 4. repetendum: repetere = recall, is very freq.; cf. 50; 2, 27; very rarely to repeat (of words). habitus = attitude, condition; cf. 8 and 28 habitus animorum. fortuiti, etc.: the element of chance, prominent in single occurrences (casus eventusque), be- comes less conspicuous when attention is called to interrelations and causes (ratio causaeque). ut . . . ita = though . . . yet, as very freq.; e.g. 6 fin., 7, 52; 2, 37, 50. laetus: active sense, as 112 NOTES 71 fan. gaudentium: i.e. of joy; but Tac. prefers the more dramatic effect of the ptcp. used as a subst. Cf. Intr. 15. ur- banum militem: the whole garrison, not merely the praetorians. legiones: still under the influence of apud (usually repeated); cf . 46 bella civilia. imperil = of the succession; cf . 64 (accession) 14; 76 fin. posse: with arcano. ut erga principem: a freq. use of ut in a comparison suggested, but not fully expressed; one may supply fieri solet, but the ellipse was probably unconscious; cf. 34 med., 55 fin., 90 fin.; 2, 34, 73; Agr. 11 ut inter barbaros; cf. tanquam, 8 init. absentem: some three months probably elapsed before Galba arrived from Spain. primores = illustres; i.e. such knights as had the senatorial census, and were potentially sena- tors. integra: contrasted with sordida, below. circo . . . sueta: cf. 2, 32 Italiae sueta. per: circumstance, not means to the shame of Nero. 5. longo = diuturno = immemorial; cf. 21 longo exilio; 89 longo bello; 2, 76 longo imperio. arte: the pretence that Nero was deserting them, and the false promise of money (sub nomine Galbae). eundem: sc. esse. praeventam: i.e. praeoccupatam; cf. 53 praeventus. legionibus: Galba was the first emperor created by the legions, viz. VI Victrix, X Gemina, and the new VII Galbiana, all Spanish. Nymphidius: a creature of Nero, claiming to be a son of Caligula; as prefect since 65 he forced his colleague Tigellinus to retire; cf. 72. oppressus: on coming to the camp to be hailed imperator he was slain by the praetorians. quamvis: with ablato, silver Latin with ptcp.; cf. 18. pleris- que = many; not in the Ciceronian sense of most; cf. 13 fin., 27 fin. For the superl. Tac. uses plurimi. senium: he was 73 according to 49 below, and Plut. Galba 8 (72, Suet. 23). severi- tas = strictness. verebantur = reverebantur; Intr. 17. anceps- critical. legi: cf. Suet. 16 legere se militem, non emere consuesse. formam: we should say up to this standard, after this stamp. Cf. 18 fin. 6. Vinius: for his life and character, cf. 48. Laco : made praefectus praetorio by Galba; cf. 13 f., 19, 39,46 fin. flagitiorum: takes up deterrimus, as inertiae repeats the thought of ignavissi- mus. Vinius' vices were a heavy load for Galba to carry; with Laco's inertia added (cf. 24 fin.), they completed his ruin. iter: BOOK I 113 he probably left Spain about the beginning of July, spending some two months on the way. Cingonius: he was said to have written a speech for Nymphidius to deliver to the praetorians (Plut. Galba 14). P. Petronius Turpilianus: cos. 61; gov. of Britain 61-64; commanded Nero's army against Galba; brother- in-law of Vitellius. inauditi atque indefensi: cf. 2, 10 indefensum et inauditum; Dial. 16. introitus: near the Milvian Bridge (cf. 87) Galba was met by a body of marines clamoring that he enroll them also among the legions, as Nero had formed the 1st Classica (v. below). Galba, offended at the breach of discipline, ordered them to be cut down; decimation and imprisonment followed; cf. 37, 87; 2, 11 fin. Hispana: i.e. VII Galbiana (later Gemina), recruited in Spain by Galba; soon sent to Pannonia; cf. 2, 86; 3, 7, 10. e classe: v. on introitus above; under Galba it became I Adiutrix; cf. 31 legio classica; on 82 praefecto legionis; 2, 11, 43, 67. numeri = detachments; cf. 87 in numeros legionis; Agr. 18; comprehensive term for any of the subdivisions of the legion, cohort, or ala, including also vexilla (cf. on 31 s. v.). Caspiarum: sc. portarum. The Albani occupied the eastern end of the Cau- casus, down to the Caspian. The pass (more correctly called portae Caucasiae, according to Pliny) led northward to the Sar- matian Alani, here confused with the Albani. opprimendis: this purpose constr., very limited in class. Latin, becomes common in Tacitus' latest work; cf. 41. C. lulius Vindex: a Gaul, of a royal Aquitanian family. His father became a Roman senator, and he was himself governor of Gallia Lugudunensis (or perhaps Belgica). In March, 68, he headed a rebellion against Nero, calling upon Galba to assume the leadership. Verginius Rufus, governor of Upper Germany, led the Rhine legions against the Gallic insurgents, and while the generals were negotiating at Vesontio (Besanson) the legionaries routed the militia of Vindex, who thereupon took his own life (May, 68). ut . . . ita: cf. on 4 ut . . . ita. unum all quern: cf. 82 neminem unum. prono favore: abl. qual. balanced by parata; Intr. 13. 7. congruerat: a single ui-clause is made to include both terms of the coincidence. L. Clodius Macer: legatus of the Hid legion Augusta in Numidia. Apparently the proconsul of Africa was forced to flee, and Macer, usurping his powers, at first claimed 114 NOTES to act in the name of the senate, and minted coins under the republican title of propraetor Africae, cf. 73. Fonteius Capito: cos. ord. 67, then governor of Lower Germany; cf. 8, 52, 58; 3, 62. procurator: cf. on 2 procurationes; the procurator was the natural enemy of the governor; cf. 12. Valens: becomes very prominent in the story of Vitellius' rise to power; cf. on 52. legati: in the time of Julius Caesar the change took place from the six tribunes to the single legatus in command. ut . . . maculo- sum: sc. fuisse; although the clause is logically subordinate (cf. 4 ut . . . ita), symmetry prevails, a usage of Livy and Tacitus; cf. 17. foedum ac maculosum: cf. the same, 2, 30; 1, 72 foeda puerilia. nequiverint: for the pluperf.; cf. 34 vulgaverint; 2, 41 coeptaverint. dolum = insidias; cf. 58. ultro: accom- panies an act of aggression, or one which is unexpected, show- ing firmness, enterprise, or insolence; cf. 32, 62, 71, 74, 82 fin.; 2, 35, 42, 60, 65, 70 fin.; sometimes where one falls into his own trap, e.g. 2, 25 an = sive; a rare use in Cicero and Livy, but frequent in Tacitus; cf . 28. servorum: contemptuous for libertorum; cf. 2, 92 fin. servilia ingenia. subitis: circum- stantial abl., neuter, in place of rebus subitis; cf. 10, 69; 3, 64. aetas: cf. on 5 senium. forma: so Pliny the Younger speaks of the populace as praising Nero because he was formosus (Pan. 2). 8. Et . . . quidem: frequent in resumes; cf. 5, 16 fin., 63. tan- quam . . . multitudine : since the sentence is an epitome of 4-7, the point turns on the great diversity of sentiment, a matter of course in a city of such size. Cf. on 4 ut erga principem. Plut. Galba 26, has the equivalent, ola d tv -ir\^8ei ToKV- /xopciTctTos &\\wv, where the gen. was not part, but ablatival, marking "the starting point of the comparison" (Seymour on II. 1, 505). Cf. Agr. 34 ceterorum Britannorum fugacissimi; Mil- ton's " fairest of her daughters," and two similar cases in the same context, P.L. 4, 321-324. ante se: in attributive posi- tion; a Graecism, in place of superiorum. 51. Vindex: cf. on 6. ditissimi: the wealth and prosperity of Gaul in this period were almost proverbial. King Agrippa asked the Jews whether they thought themselves richer than the Gauls; Josephus B. I. 2, 16, 4; Mommsen R. P. I, 115. Nero had at first rejoiced (?) at the news of Vindex' revolt as an opportunity spoliandarum iure belli opulentissimarum provinciarum, Suet. Nero 40; cf. Ann. 3, 46; 11, 18. aciem: volebat is in mind, but be- comes malebat as the remainder of the sentence takes on a dif- ferent form. ingenio = natura; even of things; cf. 2, 4 ob in- genium montis. super erant: cf. Germ. 26 et super est ager; 6 ne ferrum quidem superest; below, 83 egregie supersunt. seque et: freq. in Tac., usually with a pronoun for the first term; also in Sail, and Livy; cf. Agr. 18 seque et arma. quaerere: cf. on 46 fatigari. hostes: sc. Gallos (from Gallias). deerat: cf. on 22 fin. deerat. pars Galliarum: i.e. esp. the Treveri and Lingones* 53 fin. instigatrix: only here in Tac. Vindice = V indicia nomine; i.e. they ceased calling them Vindiciani in contempt. indiderant: sc. Us. Sequani: their territory (later included in Upper Germany) lay between the Arar (Sadne) and the Jura; capital Visontio (or Vesontio) = Besangon. Aedui: in Gallia Lugudunensis, west of the Sequani, between the Liger (Loire) and the Arar; capital Augustodunum = Autun, which replaced 148 NOTES Caesar's Bibracte. deinde: instead of reliquis or ceteris. rap- tus penatium: cf. 46 raptus. super: cf. on 8 super. publice: the gifts were to communities, not individuals; cf. 66 publice . . . multati. in ignominiam: equiv. to a purpose clause; cf. on 12 in ... odium. iactabant: cf. 44 iactabant. vulgatum: the neuter subst. takes the place of a clause (the fact that, etc.), as subj. of accessit. Lugudunensis : Lugudunum (Lyons) had many reasons for attachment to the Julian-Claudian house. It was especially favored in its unique position as capital of the three Gauls; had a mint, and a garrison, 1200 men, the only troops stationed in Gaul; cf. on 64; Josephus B. I. 2, 16, 4; Strabo 4, 186, 192. It had contributed 4,000,000 sest. to the rebuilding of Rome after the fire of 64, and had received from Nero the like sum in 65, when Lyons had suffered in the same way still more disastrously; Ann. 16, 13; Sen. Ep. 91; Mommsen R. P. I, 95 if. fecunda: here with abl., as in 2, 92; but with gen. above, 11 annonae fecundam. et: the asyndeton could not be continued on account of the insertion of a modifier (here a clause); cf. 56; 2, 1 med.; 92, 95 med.; with out 2, 80. 62. Vitellius: for his previous career cf. on 9. plura: sc. egerat; cf. on 36 omnia serviliter. ambitione: cf. on 1 am- bitionem. sordes: cf. 60 per avaritiam ac sordes. Fonteius: cf. on 7. integre: cf. 48 fin.; Agr. 7 integreque ac strenue versa- turn. mensura: nom., sc. erat; others take it as abl. in maius: as in 18 med. ut . . . ita: cf . on 4 wi ... ita; cf. sicut . . . ita below. humilis: in a bad sense, common, vulgar; cf. 2, 23 fin. humillimo cuique. faventes = fautores. sine modo: cf. 76 fin. imperi dandi: cf. Ann. 15, 52 imperium . . . daturis; 12, 64 fin. filio dare imperium; 14, 7 illo sibi die dari imperium. modesti = orderly, well-disciplined; cf. on 60 modestia; 2, 12 modestiam disciplinae; 87 summa modestia; Agr. 20 laudare modestiam. A. Caecina Alienus: cf. 53; one of the leading figures in the story from this point on; cos. suff. in 69; cf. 2, 71, 99-101; 3, 8-9, 13-14, 37. He conspired against Vespasian in 79, and was put to death by Titus as prefect of the city; Suet. Tit. 6. C. Fabius Valens: cf. 7, 57, 61, etc.; legatus of the 1st legion, at Bonn; the rival of Caecina in the struggle for the con- trol of Vitellius; cos. suff. with Caecina; cf. 2, 71 et passim; his BOOK 1 149 death as a prisoner at Urbinum, 3, 62. tanquam: cf. on 8 tan- quam . . . fovissent. detectam a se = his disclosure of, etc., and similarly oppressa; Intr. 11. cunctationem : cf. 8 nee statim, etc. instigate: cf. on 46 fatigari. ipsum: sc. Vitellium. Flaccus: cf. on 9. male: cf. on 17 fin. male. precarium: not precarious, but held on sufferance; those who gave (i.e. the legions) could also take away. The expression is from the Roman law, which recognized in precarium a specific form of loan or lease that could be recalled at will, as being a matter of pure benevo- lence. Cf. Dig. 43, 26, 1, 2 qui precario concedit, sic dat quasi tune recepturus, cum sibi libuerit precarium solvere. sinum: cf. 3, 69 in Vespasiani sinum. equestri familia: without the virum or hominem of classical usage, cf. 53 scito sermone; so the gen. qual. 69 notae facundiae (cf. note). patris consulatus, etc.: cf. on 9. dignationem: cf. on 19 dignationem. his: neut.; cf. Tac.'s formula his atque talibus, Agr. 16; Ann. 11, 17, 24, etc. concupisceret: cf. 2, 76 quo posses videri concupisse. 53. iuventa: cf. 4, 1 procerum . . . iuventa; the word is always abstr. in Tac., while iuventus is concrete. animi: this loc. gen. is freq. in Tac. (found also in Sail, and Liv.)," cf. 2, 23 promptus animi; 3, 58 aeger animi; Ann. 1, 69 ingens animi. scito = clever; cf. Ann. 6, 20 scitum . . . dictum (of a bon mot). iuvenem: predicate apposition. Baetica: the southern, and most thoroughly Romanized, province in Spain, governed by a proconsul; chief cities Corduba (Cordova), Gades (Cadiz), His- palis (Seville). compertum . . . avertisse: for the constr. cf. Ann. 4, 22 accusata iniecisse; ib. 31 convictus pecuniam . . . cepisse; so Sail., Livy. passus: used absolutely; but 67 aegre id passi. miscere cuncta: cf. 2, 23 fin.; 4, 29 misceri cuncta; Dial. 36 mixtis omnibus. universus: cf. 51 contractae legiones, etc. vexillis: cf. on 31 vexilla. praeventus: trans.; cf. 5 praeventam. Treveri: in the Moselle valley; chief town Augusta Treverorum (Treves, Trier), one of the most important cities of Gallia Belgica, in the 4th century a capital of the empire. Lingones: west of the upper Sa6ne (Arar), about the sources of the Seine and Marne (Sequana and Matrona); chief town An- dematunnum (Langres, mediev. Langoinne), on the through road from the Rhine via Treves to Lyons. atrocibus: i.e. threatening; 150 NOTES cf. 2, 40 fin. damno finium: cf. 8 finibus ademptis. miscen- tur: of dealings or relations with, etc.; cf. 74 antequam legionibus miscerentur. paganos = civilians; cf. 2, 88 adversus paganos. favor: cf. on 8 Verginius. profuturus: of that which was naturally to be expected; cf. 11 fin. cessurae erant. 64. civitas: i.e. Andematunnum; cf. on 53 Lingones; cf. 64 in civitate Leucorum; ib. proximo, Lingonum civitas. dextras: as in 2, 8 dextras, concordiae insignia; clasped hands, in bronze, prob- ably. A specimen has been preserved at Lyons. in squalorem: cf. A gr. 42 in adrogantiam compositus; cf. 2, 9 in maestitiam com- positus. principia: cf . on 48 principiis; the scene of this story is Moguntiacum (Mainz), cf. on 9 init. praemia: cf. on 8 re- centi, and 51 remissam . . . publice donates. pronis . . . auri- bus: as in 1 pronis auribus. cum: on the cum inversum cf. on 29 cum adfertur. per . . . inscitiam: darkness and ignorance on the part of their commilitones are brought together under the same preposition as being contributory causes; cf. 3, 22 per iram ac tenebras. circumdatis : this arrangement was a reversion to the older camp plan as described by Polybius. The legions now commonly surrounded the auxiliaries, as this passage shows. volvens: cf. 64 bellum volvebat; omitting the usual animo, in animo, etc. 55. sollemni = customary; the sacramentum was renewed each 1st Jan. adactae: adigere was the term for administering the oath; it was done by the highest available officers. Cf. 76 Ves- pasianus . . . Mucianus sacramento . . . adegere; 2, 55 (the praefec- tus urbi); 79 (governor of Egypt); cf. 2, 14. primorum ordinum: probably = the front rows. Others understand the first centurions (ten to each legion). The former interpretation is perhaps favored by raris. Cf. 18 proximi militum. sequi: a kind of apposition to natura; cf . 2, 20 insita mortalibus natura . . . introspicere. primani, etc.: for the stations of the legions, cf. on 9 legiones; below, 57 init. iecerint: the usual neglect of tense-sequence in a result-clause; cf. 60 perfugerit. legiones: on the plur. cf. on 18 legiones. hibernis: cf. on 9 exercitus; 54. The omission of the prep, is esp. freq. in military Latin; cf. 2, 22 and Agr. 25 isdem castris; 2, 45 isdem tentoriis; but also 2, 50 celebri luco. tendentes: cf. 31 tendentes. reverentiam: cf. 12 rupta sacra" BOOK I 151 menti reverentia (on this same occasion); Germ. 29 imperil reve- rentiam. exuere : cf . 3, 5 ne . . . ius fasque exuerent. senatus populique: cf. 12 senatui ac populo Romano arbitrium eligendi per- mittere. ut in tumultu: cf. on 4 ut erga principem: 8 tanquam . . . multitudine. suggestu: usually with pro, de, or e, but if the text is correct, Tac. has preferred to match the prep, phrase in modum by simple abl.; cf. Ann. 3, 5 fin. toro; 14, 20 theatro; 16, 5 sedilibus; Dial 13 fin. tumulo; Intr. 13. cui inputaretur = whom they could lay under obligations; cf. on 38 mihi plurimum inputet. 66. consularis: the word emphasizes the fact that he was commander of both legions, as governor of the province an officer of the highest rank, but only spectator fiagitii. ruentes . . . dubios . . . bonos: anticlimax in form, but a climax of con- demnation for Hordeonius. et: cf. on 51 fin. et. prioris sac- ramenti: to Galba, administered by Verginius Rufus, June, 68. unde = a qua parte; from the expression a& aliquo stare = to stand up for a man (take sides for him) comes the use of unde, etc., with stare and esse; cf. Livy 21, 10, 9 unde ius stabat, ei victoriam dedit; id. 24, 45, 3 aliunde stet semper, aliunde sentiat. For the omission of correlative inde cf. 3, 17; 4, 29. fuere: note the effect of the tense after erant. colonia Agrippinensis: capital of Germania Inferior = Cologne, Koln. The younger Agrippina, who was born there during the German campaigns of her father, Germanicus, induced her husband, Claudius, to establish a colony of veterans at Oppidum Ubiorum A.D. 50, and gave her name to the new city; Ann. 12, 27; Hist. 4, 20, 25, etc. aquilifer: he had 120 miles to cover between Mainz and Cologne. occupari: cf. on 39 occupanda. legiones: i.e. inferioris Germaniae, at Bonna (57), Novaesium, and Vetera (on 9). proinde: cf . on 21 proinde. minore discrimine: emphatic, it was less dangerous; cf. 2, 46 maiore animo tolerari. sumi: i.e. to take some one ready to hand, which could mean only Vitellius. 67. hiberna: at Bonna (Bonn); the camp was just north of the modern city. Valens: he was now legatus of the 1st legion; cf. on 52. cum equitibus legionis: the 120 cavalrymen attached regularly to the legion; his auxiliary cavalry would be more numerous; cf. Josephus B. I. 3, 6, 2. speciosis: cf. 34 speciosiora. 152 NOTES scires: cf. on 10 laudares. penes = at the disposal of, under the orders of; res publica is personified. Agrippinenses : cf. on 56. Treveri, etc.: cf. on 53. ingenio = ability, in various directions, any kind of available talent, executive, inventive, etc. ex affluenti: used as pred.; cf. 3, 49 satis factum bello ratus et cetera ex facili (sc. fore); cf. Agr. 15 ex facili, used as simple adv., and so ex aequo frequently, e.g. 2, 77. viatica: i.e. savings. balteos = shoulder belts, over the left shoulder, sup- porting the sword at the right side; often adorned with silver bullae, etc., and given as rewards of valor. phaleras: large disks of silver, with heads, etc., in relief. If a soldier had received several of these decorations, he wore them on a kind of harness across the breast; also used on the trappings of horses. in- signia: apposition with balteos, phaleras. decora = ornata. instinctu, etc.: the first et connects a pair of synonyms, the second after a slight pause, and with an unexpected sarcasm, adds a further motive, in some cases, i.e. cool calculation of large returns from their present investment. 58. igitur: cf. on 15 igitur. ministeria: Vitellius, having no body of freedmen trained in accounts and affairs, was forced to make an innovation which was not regularly adopted by his suc- cessors until Hadrian. In Claudius' reign the imperial freedmen, Narcissus, Pallas, etc., were virtually ministers, or cabinet secre- taries, each with his special department (a rationibus, ab epis- tulis, etc.). vacationes: the policy of Otho too; cf. 46. plerosque = multos: cf. on 5 plerisque. simulatione: Otho had done the same, 45 fin., 71. Pompeius Propinquus: his offense was that he had been the first to inform Galba of the events of Jan. 1 at Mainz; cf. 12. procurator: cf. on 2 fin. procurations; a Cornelius Tacitus, perhaps the father of the historian, had held this office in Gallia Belgica; Plin. N.H. 7, 76; Intr. 1. classis: the Rhine fleet was first organized by Drusus, 12 B.C., and had played an important part in the campaigns of Tiberius and Ger- manicus. tanquam: cf. on 8 tanquam . . . fovissent. Fon- teio: cf. 8. occidere . . . licebat: cf. 45 fin., of Otho's similar embarrassment. sanguine: is is omitted for reasons of euphony at the beginning; cf. 2, 86 prima iuventa. 69. lulius Civilis: the politic mercy of Vitellius unexpectedly BOOK I 153 gave the Germans an able leader in the serious war which broke out this same year, and was put down by Vespasian in 70; cf. 4, 13 et passim. periculo: dat.; cf. 2, 93 periculo exemisset; 3, 4 discrimini exemptum; 3, 10 fin.; the class, constr. was abl. with ex or de (simple abl. also in Livy). Batavi: at the mouths of the Rhine; cf. 4, 12. ferox = warlike, eager for battle; cf. 68 feroces; 2, 43 ferox; Britain is a ferox provincia in Agr. 8. et = et sane, as 34; i.e. such regard for the Batavians had its ob- vious explanation. civitate Lingonum: cf. on 53. Batavorum cohortes: after long service in Germany they were sent to Britain by Nero just after the revolt of Boadicea in 61; cf. 4, 12; Ann. 14, 38. They join Valens on his southward march through Gaul; cf. 64; 2, 27, 66, 69. quartae decumae: it had shared in the con- quest of Britain by Claudius, and the suppression of the rebellion of 61 ; recalled with the Batavian auxiliaries by Nero, 68; was in Dalmatia at the time of his death, or soon after; part of the legion fought for Otho at Bedriacum; sent back to Britain by Vitellius; cf. Ann. 14, 34; Hist. 1, 64; 2, 11, 27, 43, 66, etc. - inclinassent: not subjv. of repeated action (cf. on 10 vacaret), but an informal ind. discourse, representing the fut. perf. indie, in the mind of Vitellius, as he weighs the chances; in lieu of a principal clause we have merely apposition (momentum); cf. 76 and 2, 86 grande momentum. supra: i.e. 56. fidei crimine: cf. 71 servatae . . . fidei crimen. desciscentes: cf. 31 fidus . . . et desciscentibus suspectior. Valerius Asiaticus: cos. designatus in Dec. of this year (4, 4); an inscription seems to show that he died before entering upon his office (CIL. VI, 1528). He was probably son of the Valerius Asiaticus who owned the gardens of Lucullus (Pincian), and was forced to suicide by Claudius; cf. Ann. 11, 1, 3. generum: the daughter in question afterwards received an ample dowry and a husband of rank from Vespasian; cf. 75 fin.; Suet. Vesp. 14. lunius Blaesus: he received Vitellius in state, 2, 59; poisoned in the autumn of this year, 69, through the machinations of Vitellius' brother, 3, 38 f . rector = gov- ernor, a broad, non-technical term; formally he was legatus Augusti pro praetore. Italica: prima Italica, a legion organized by Nero, and with the ala Tauriana temporarily stationed at Lyons; cf. on 51 Lugudunensis; also 64, 74; 2, 41. Tauriana: 154 NOTES doubtless owed its name to a Statilius Taurus; cf. Ann. 12, 59. tendentibus: cf. 31 tendentes. Raeticis: cf. 68 Raeticae alae cohortesque; cf. on 11 Raetia. ne . . . quidem = also not, not . . . either; cf. on 29 fin. dubitatum: i.e. the legions in Britain promptly took the sacramentum to Vitellius. 60. M. Trebellius Maximus: colleague of the philosopher Seneca as cos. suff. in 56 (or 55); engaged in a census in Gaul in 61 (Ann. 14, 46); governor of Britain, 63-69; in the Agr. 16 Tac. describes his administration in rather more favorable terms. per, etc. : i.e. the means by which he had won the contempt and hatred of the soldiers; an innovation upon the usual expression of cause with propter (ob in Tac.; cf. on 65 propter). M. Roscius Coelius: cos. suff. 81; his successor in Britain was Tac.'s father-in-law; Agr. 7 fin. vicensimae : cf. on 9 Britannico. olim = for some time; cf. 67 quod olim Helvetii, etc.; 2, 7 olim mixtis con- siliis; 92 olim anxii odiis; Agr. 3 res olim dissociabiles (i.e. from time immemorial). proruperant: the other party, Trebel- lius, had been suggested by discors. spoliatas: cf. per avaritiam, above. cum interim: a special type of cum inversum, cf. on 29 cum adfertur. modestia = discipline, good order; cf . on 52 modesti; 64 modestia certavere; 83 modestia; 2, 27 init. ad modes- tiam. eoque discordiae : cf. 16 eo necessitatis. cohortibus : i.e. of auxiliaries; cf. 54, 61 cohortibus alisque; 68 and 2, 11 alae cohortesque. perfugerit: cf. on 55 iecerint. quanquam: cf. on 43 quanquam. consular!: cf. 9 sine consulari [sc. legato]. Vitellius sent Vettius Bolanus in place of Trebellius; 2, 65. 61. adiuncto: figuratively, connecting with 59 fin., since 60 is a digression. Only detachments (vexilla) actually came from Britain; cf. 2, 57; 3, 22. Cottianis Alpibus: usually Cottiis. The longer route was via Treves (cf. 53), up the Moselle valley, past Metz (63), Toul (64); then via Langres (54) and Dijon (Dibio) to the Sa6ne, and so to Lyons (51); down the Rhone to Valence (Valentia); up the Dr6me and the Durance to the pass, Mt. Genevre (Alpis Cottia, later Matrona, 1860 metres), and down to Turin (Augusta Taurinorum). Distance, Cologne to Turin, ca. 690 Roman miles. inrumpere: cf. on 40 irrumpunt. Poeninis iugis: the usual route from Germany led up the Rhine to Basel (Augusta Rauricorum), thence over the eastern end of the Jura BOOK I 155 (Mons Vocetius, 68), to Windisch (Vindonissa; cf. on 1, 9; 4, 61, 70), up the Aar, and past the Lake of Morat, via Avenches (Aventicum, 68), to the Lake of Geneva at Vevey (Viviscus); up the Rhone to Martigny (Octodurus), over the Great St. Bernard pass (AJpis Poenina, 2428 metres), and down via Aosta (Augusta Praetoria). Distance, Mainz to Milan, ca. 460 Roman miles. electi: i.e. nvexillum each from the 1st, XVth, and XVIth legions. aquila: here by meton. for the mam body; cf. the use of vexil- lum, e.g. 31 fin.; 2, 89 aquilae . . . vexilla . . . signa. quin- tae: from Vetera; cf. on 9. cohortibus: cf. 60 fin. data: takes its gender from the appositive; cf . 86 fin. ducebat: strictly speaking, not until he had passed Vindonissa, at the junc- tion of the Reuss with the Aar, the station of XXI (cf. on 9; 2, 43). In addition to this legion he had detachments from the IVth and XXIId legions at Moguntiacum. The rest of XXII evi- dently went to Italy with Vitellius; cf. on 2, 57 Germanici exercitus. tota mole belli: cf. 2, 16 tanta mole belli; 74, 100. The phrase represents rather the potential than the actual strength of Vitellius' third army; it would be impossible to withdraw all the troops from Germany and Britain; cf. 2, 32. 62. instare: the eagerness of the soldiers is reproduced in the animated style of this sentence, hist, infin., primary sequence (except esset), abrupt lapse into indirect quotation (at dum, etc.). All this in contrast with the leaden torpebat Vitellius. cuncten- tur: for the sudden defection of Spain, cf. 76. hiemem: Caecina did cross hibcrnis adhuc Alpibus, but not in January; 70 fin. moras: i.e. inertia. occupandam: cf. on 39 occupanda. for- tunam = high rank; cf. 10 fin. praesumebat = enjoyed in advance; cf. Agr. 18 praesumpta . . . quies. medio diei: the freq. use in Tac. of neut. subst. with gen.; cf. 3, 11 init.; 2, 53 medio temporis; 2, 14 fin. obscurum noctis. sagina: contemptuous; cf. 2, 71 luxu ct saginae mancipatus emptusque (of Vitellius); 95 fin. cum tamen: cum, with imperf. in both clauses, marks the coincidence, tamen the contradiction. ultro: cf. on 7 ultra. munia: the form regularly preferred by Tac. in this mg. addito: aoristic; cf. on 20 relicta. Formally the senate alone could confer the title. Caesarem: he also declined at first the title Augustus; 2, 62, 90. prohibuit: with ace. and pass, infin. even in Cic. 156 NOTES and Caes. augurium: this kind of nom. apposition is to be distinguished from the ace. apposition, for which cf. on 44 muni- mentum; the former allows greater freedom of position; cf. 4, 57 flagitium incognitum; Ann. 2, 17 pulcherrimum augurium. profectionis: i.e. from Cologne. meatu = volatu. incederet: cf. on 10 vacaret. 63. Et . . . quidem: i.e. the omen had immediate fulfillment; cf. 8. Treveros: cf. on 53 Treveri. Divodurum = Metz, which is derived from Mediomatrici, corrupted into Mettis as early as the sixth century (Venant. Fort.); next to Treves the most important place in the Moselle valley. quanquam: cf. on 43 quanquam. raptis: cf. Intr. 7; the very loose abl. abs. displaces a result clause (adeo terruit, ut, etc.). ob praedam . . . cupidine: on the variety cf. Intr. 13. et causis incertis: et does not exactly cor- respond with the preceding et (which rather = -que); cf . on 57 fin. instinctu. eoque: the use of -que between ablative phrases which we place in quite different categories shows that Tac. drew no such hard and fast lines. cum magistratibus et precibus: may be taken as hendiadys (= cum magistratibus deprecantibus) ; but it is unlikely that Tac. meant to limit the preces to the magis- trates; and elsewhere he pairs things which do not strictly admit of such treatment; cf. 2, 3 precibus et igne puro; 3, 22 per iram ac tenebras, etc. quaeque . . . tendebantur: for the loose con- nection of this type of clause with a preceding abl. abs. cf. 2, 4 init. placamenta: i.e. other gifts, and olive-branches, fillets, etc.; cf. 66 velamenta et infulas praeferentes. 64. imperio = accession: cf. on 4 imperil. civitas Leucorum = Tullum, now Toul, on the upper Moselle, west of Nancy. The Leuci occupied the territory south of the Mediomatrici, north of the Lingones, i.e. west of the Vosges Mts. accepit: the news must have reached this part of Gaul within twelve to fifteen days; the date is then about the end of January. in gaudium: for the variety, prep, phrase and abl., cf. Intr. 13. volve- bat: cf. 54 fin. volvens. ex Vitellio: cf. Agr. 16 ex legato timor; 2, 67 e praetoriis cohortibus metus erat; classical metus, etc. ab aliquo. Lingonum civitas: now Langres; cf. on 54 init. mo- destia: cf. on 60 modestia. cohortium: the Batavians of 59. supra: 59. iurgia: subj. of. exarsere, no ellipsis. studia mili- BOOK I 157 turn: cf. Cic.'s studio, iuventutis = interested young men, Cato M. 28; cf. 17 publica expectatio. exarsere: after prope it was unneces- sary to write exarsissent. animadversione = supplicio. im- peril = authority; gen. dirk KOIVOV with oblitos and admonuisset. Aeduos: cf. on 51 Aeduis. Lugudunenses: cf. on ib. Lugu- dunensis. gaudio: in Gaul and Germany Vitellius, having claimed the throne before the death of Galba, was considered the avenger of Nero. Elsewhere Otho profited by the same re- action. Italica: cf. on 59 Italica. ala: cf. ib. duodevicen- simam: for about fifty years at least the garrison of Lugudunum had consisted of a single cohort of a thousand men (Ann. 13, 41; 21 A.D.; 1200 men in Josephus B. I. 2, 16, 4), stationed there partly on account of the mint (moneta, cf. on 51). Cf. the tomb- stone (found at Vichy) of a soldier COH (ortis). xvn LVGVDVNI- ENSIS-AD-MONETAM (OIL. XIII, 1499). By the year 69 the 17th cohort had been transferred to Ostia (below, 80), and the 18th had come in its place. They were probably reckoned among the co- hortes urbanae, of which three only were stationed at Rome. solitis sibi: cf. Ann. 3, 51 Tiberius solitis sibi ambagibus; Hist. 4, 23 machinas etiam, insolitum sibi, ausi. T. Manlius Valens: as legatus of a legion in Britain he was defeated A.D. 50 ( Ann. 12, 40). At the age of 90 he became cos. in 96. 65. Viennenses: Vienna (Vienne) on the Rhone below Lyons the chief town of the Allobroges. Even in the time of Claudius it was ornatissima colonia valentissimaque Viennensium, as that emperor himself describes it in an oration preserved in part on a bronze tablet at Lyons (CIL. XIII, 1668). Vienne was the seat of the senatorial governor of Gall. Narb. bellum: the up- rising headed by Vindex, governor of Gall. Lugud.; cf. on 6 and 8. Lyons remained loyal to Nero. in vicem: attributive posi- tion; cf. Agr. 24 magnis in vicem usibus; Germ. 37 multa in vicem damna. crebrius infestiusque: the ellipsis of fieri (here factae erant), agere, etc. was frequent in letters, rare in the his- torians, except Tac.; cf. 36 omnia serviliter, and note ad loc; 84 vss quidem istud pro me; Agr. 19 nihil per libertos. propter: the only occurrence of causal propter in Tac., except Dial. 21; on the other hand he does not use his favorite ob of persons. irae: i.e. to satisfy his anger; obj. gen.; or like 60 occasione 158 NOTES civilium armorum, subj. gen. discretis: Vienne is on the left bank, while Roman Lyons was on the right bank of the Sa6ne, directly opposite the tongue of land between Rhone and Sadne. The cities were in reality 16 miles apart, but fact is sacrificed to epigram. Note the chiasmus and antithesis. conexum odium: i.e. a link of hatred. nuper = more recently; i.e. after the fall of Vindex. externa: supporting Vindex could be made to appear evidence of anti-Roman feeling. coloniam : Vienne was also a Roman colony (cf. 66), but of more recent organization as such (Caligula, Claudius), than Lyons (43 B.C., Octavian). par- tem exercitus: Lyons alone among Gallic towns had a Roman garrison; cf. on 64. contra daret: as the judge, who decides in favor of one of the parties was said secundum aliquem dare, fortune here gives an unfavorable decision; the same phrase, Ann. 15, 13. 66. in eundem modum: attributive; Tac.'s usual phrase is his atque talibus; cf. 2, 2; 1, 16 fin. cum: cf. on 29 cum adfer- tur. velamenta et infulas: olive branches wound with woolen fillets; cf. Verg. Aen. 11, 101 velati ramis oleae veniamque rogan- tes; 7, 154 ramis'yelatos Palladis; Plaut. Amph. 257 velatis mani- bus orant. vestigia: substituted for pedes partly for reasons of euphony ; note the crescendo effect. turn == turn demum; after their humiliation; cf. 82. vetustas, etc.: cf. on 65 init. aequis: cf. pronis auribus 1 and 54. publice: i.e. as a com- munity; cf. 51 publice donates. promiscuis = of every kind; omit et in translating. fama constans: cf. Agr. 43 constans rumor. inopi iuventa: causal abl.; or circumstantial abl. illogically connected with senex prodigus for the sake of the chiasmus. Allobroges: their territory was partly inclosed (in- sula Allobrogum) between the Rhone and the Isere, but extended also to the" Lake of Geneva and Mt. Blanc; chief towns Vienna, Cularo (Grenoble), Genava (Geneva). Vocontii: south of Grenoble, chiefly in the mountains of southern Dauphin^; prin- cipal towns Vasio (Vaison) and Lucus (v. below). stativorum: it was a lentum agmen, lingering in stativa, until sufficient induce- ments tempted them to move on. adversus: unusual for cum, when the phrase modifies a subst. minaciter: join with ven- ditante; his bargaining was not without threats of violence. BOOK I 159 Lucus: on the river Drdme, in Dauphin6, now Luc. quotiens . . . deesset: cf. on 10 vacaret. Alpes: sc. Cottias; cf. on 61 Cottianis Alpibus. 67. hausit: zeugma, of that form in which the lit. and fig. mg. of a word are combined; cf. below, tuebantur. turbidum: i.e. fiery; cf. 4, 38 nequaquam turbidus ingenio. Helvetia: Caesar, E.G. 1, 2 gives their boundaries as the Jura (N. and W.), the Lake of Geneva and upper Rhone (S.), and upper Rhine (N. and E.). olim: before Caesar's conquest, 58 B.C. The greatest fame had been achieved by the canton of the Tigurini, who under the lead of Divico had joined the Cimbri, 107 B.C., defeated a Roman army on the Garonne, had later invaded Italy by the Brenner pass, 102, and returned to their homes the next year after the great defeat of the Cimbri (Caes. I.e. 7 and 12; Livy, per. 65). de caede . . . ignari: instead of the gen.; yet Tac. does not avoid two gen. depending on each other; cf. 70 init. initium bello: a favorite use of the dat. with Tac.; cf. 2, 1 initia . . . imperio; 4, 19 causam seditioni; Ann. 2, 21 finem bello; ib. 64 fin. causas bello; Hist. 2, 19 sedem bello; 3, 8 quae sedes bello legeretur. unaetvicensimae : cf. on 61 ducebat. rapuerant: i.e. before Caecina reached Vindonissa. castelli: cf. on locus, below; the nearness of the German frontier accounts for the castellum, garrisoned and maintained by the Helvetii. olim: for the mg. cf. on 60 olim. tuebantur: with the usual mg. (with militibus) is combined that of maintained (with stipendiis) ; cf. above, hausit. Cf. Ann. 3, 54nos . . . nemora nostraeque villae tuebuntur; Germ. 14 tueare. epistulis = lit- teris; i.e. a single letter, as often in Tac. and Pliny's Ep.; cf. 2, 54 fin., 55 fin., 64, etc. municipii: i.e. the vicus had grown and prospered, until it might be mistaken for a municipium. locus = Aquae Helvetiorum, or vicus Aquensis, now Baden, east of Vindonissa. The Roman interest in watering-places is shown by the fact that the Antonine Itinerary contains the names of more than thirty Aquae, and seventy others are known from inscrr., etc. amoeno: adds the idea of the picturesque situation. Raetica auxilia: cf. 59 fin. 68. feroces: cf. on 59 ferox; a common characteristic of the Celts; cf. Caesar, E.G. 3, 19, 6 ad bella suscipienda Gallorum 160 NOTES alacer ac promptus est animus. quanquam: with ind., uncom- mon in Tac.; cf. 2, 92 fin. Claudium: many provincials in Gaul and the Rhine provinces bore the emperor Claudius' name. The popularity of Julius Caesar was shown in the same way; cf. 68 fin. lulium Alpinum; 69 Claudius Cossus; 4, 13 lulius Civilis; 33, 55, etc. non arma noscere = armis uti nescire. ordines sequi: cf. Germ. 30 nosse ordines. in unum: cf. 4, 70 in unum consulere; 2, 5 in medium consuluere; Agr. 12 in com- mune non consulunt. veteranos: the modern use of the word; not in the strict sense. obsidio: from the standpoint of the besieged. inde : preferred by Tac. to illinc as correlative to hinc; cf. 84 hinc . . . inde; 2, 6, 15, etc. Raeticae: cf. 59 fin. iuventus: i.e. militia. exercita = trained, drilled; cf. 2, 4 exercitae bello. medio : between the legion and the forces from Raetia; on the omis- sion of in, cf. 3, 16 vacuum medio relinquit Her; Ann. 1, 64 medio montium et paludum. vagi: to avoid the monotony of vagantes . . . palantes. Cf. Sail. lug. 18, 2 vagi palantes; Liv. 5, 44, 5 vagique per agros palantur; 21, 61, 2 vagos palantisque per agros. mons Vocetius: now Bozberg, at the eastern end of the Jura. cohorte Thracum: several cohorts of Thracians on the Rhine are known from inscriptions; one had its station at Neuwied. sub corona: cf. Caelius Sabinus (the jurist) ap. Gell. 6, 4, 3 anti- quitus mancipia iure belli capta coronis induta veniebant et idcirco dicebantur "sub corona" venire; Ann. 13, 39 fin.; Livy 5, 22, 1, etc. Aventicum: now Avenches, near the Lake of Morat; chief town of the Tigurini; cf. on 67 init. olim. concitorem: cf. 4, 56 and Ann. 4, 28 concitores belli. 69. civitatis: i.e. Aventicum; cf. 54 init. verbis ac minis: not necessarily hendiadys; Vitellius no doubt mingled reproaches with threats. temperabat: here with dat. of that from which one refrains; cf. 3, 53 sermonibus; Ann. 13, 3 risui; 14, 37 neci; the class, constr. a and abl., above, 63 ab excidio; 2, 88 06 in- noxiis; cf. on 2, 47 felicitati. cum: cf. on 29 cum adfertur. notae facundiae: for the gen. qual. connected directly with the name, cf. 4, 15 stolidae audaciae Brinno, claritate natalium in- signi; 49 Valerius Festus, sumptuosae adulescentiae. In this Tac. followed Livy; e.g. 4, 41, 12; 21, 1, 4; 22, 60, 5. Isolated ex- amples occur in Nepos and Caes. (e.g. E.G. 5, 35, 7). For the BOOK I 161 abl. qual. so used, cf. on 52 equestri familia. ut est mos: cf. 7 fin. ut est mos vulgi; 80 vulgus, ut mos est; Ann. 1, 39 utque mos vulgo. subitis: cf. on 7 subitis. effusis: cf. 2, 45 in lacri- mas effusi. inpetravere : distance from the collective subj. vulgus, accounts for the plural. 70. Vitellii: he may have reached Treves by this time. For his journey down the Sadne and arrival at Lyons (April) cf. 2, 59. alam Silianam: cf. 2, 17 on their reasons; this ala may have owed its name to C. Silius, governor of Upper Germany under Tiberius (Ann. 1, 31); it was in Pannonia under Domi- tian, in Dacia in the time of Trajan. pro consule: Africa was a senatorial province of the first rank, governed by an ex-consul. Vitellium: cf. on 9. in Aegyptum: on Nero's plans cf. on 31 fin. Vindicis: cf. 51 init. revocati: cf. 9 excitae a Nerone legiones. decurionum: commanders of the turmae, 30 men and more in the ala or centuria equitata. obstricti = under obligations, attached; cf. 2, 37 fin.; Ann. 14, 7 praetorianos toil Caesarum domui obstrictos. Germanic! exercitus: added for rhetorical reasons, partly emphasis, partly symmetry, the Latin love of balanced phrases; cf. 2, 21 legionum et Germanici exer- citus robur. principi: with donum (cf. 3, 61 donum victori; 5, 22 fin. donum Velaedae), but also vaguely felt with adiunxere. transpadanae: Augustus' Xlth region of Italy, reaching as far east as Lake Como and its outlet the Adda (Addua). Mediolanum = Milan; the other towns, now Novara, Ivrea, Vercelli, were the first three stations on the highroad from Milan to Aosta and the Great and Little St. Bernard passes (cf. on 61). ipsos: i.e. legati of the towns, accompanying messengers sent by the Siliani; cf. Germ. 2 ipsos Germanos; Agr. 13 ipsi Britanni. Italiae pars: i.e. the whole country north of the Po; for between the Xlth region and the Xth (Venetia) there was no boundary that could assume military importance. Lusitanorum, etc.: cf. on 13 Lusitaniam; various cohorts of Lusitanians and Britons are known from inscriptions. vexillis: i.e. cavalry, each ala having its own vexiUum; cf. on 31 vexilla; 2, 11 equitum vexilla. ala Petriana: owed its name perhaps to the T. Pomponius Petra of Ann. 11, 4, in the time of Tiberius. Mainz seems to have been its present station; in Britain after the Civil War; at the Wall of H 162 NOTES Hadrian down to the end of the third century. cunctatus est: with the constr. of dubitare = deliberate; only here in Tac. num: introducing that alternative which one at first inclines to prefer; cf. 2, 83 ambiguus consilii, num, etc. Raeticis iugis: i.e. from the Rhine valley above the Lake of Constance over into the upper valley of t'. e Inn. Noricum: cf. on 11 Noricum. flecteret: for the absol. use cf . 2, 70 Cremonam flexit. Petronius Urbicus: he appears as procurator) August(i) on an inscr. at Klagenfurt, OIL. Ill, Suppl. if 551. procuratorem: cf. on 2 procura- tiones. alasque: i.e. the Germanorum vexilla and ala Petriana. foret = esset; cf. 49 forent. cessuros: cf. 11 fin. in pretium belli cessurae erant. Poenino: cf. on 61 Poeninis iugis. subsignanum militem: i.e. legionaries, with the standards of their maniples, and the eagle of the XXIst (61 fin.); cf. 4, 33 subsig- nano milite. et: explanatory = id est; in English the second member would naturally take the form of a mere appositive to the first. The unnecessary fullness of speech (cf. on Germanici exercitus, above) adds to the impression of a heavy column with baggage, in contrast to the light-armed advance guard. legi- onum: a generic use of the plural, where one complete legion (cf. 61) is mentioned along with detachments of others; so also 2, 22, 25. 71-90. Otho as emperor. Having arranged his affairs at Rome in the midst of various alarms, he finally sets out to meet the armies of Vitellius. 71. Otho: by a tactful change of scene Tac. recalls his readers from the Vitellian armies in the Alps, and the impending inva- sion of Italy, to Rome and the new government of Otho. non . . . torpescere: in contrast with his rival, torpebat Vitellius, 62. dilatae voluptates, etc.: cf. Intr. 23. reditura: i.e. which might be expected to return; cf. 27 f.n. sumpturi. Marius Celsus : cf. on 14. speciem, etc.: cf. 58 simulatione vinculorum. titu- lus: with the figure of a eulogistic inscription, for the reputation itself; cf. 75 fin. clementiae gloriam. fidei crimen: sarcastic, as 59 damnatos fidei crimine. ultro: cf. on 7 ultra. imputavit: i.e. he went so far (ultro) as to set it down to his own credit, as an example of fidelity; cf. on 38 mihi plurimum inputet; 2, 60 pro- ditionem ultro inputabant. nee: to be joined with ignosceret; BOOK I 161 abl. qual. so used, cf. on 52 equestri familia. ut est mos: cf. 7 fin. ut est mos vulgi; 80 vulgus, ut mos est; Ann. 1, 39 utque mos vulgo. subitis: cf. on 7 subitis. effusis: cf. 2, 45 in lacri- mas effusi. inpetravere: distance from the collective subj. vulgus, accounts for the plural. 70. Vitellii: he may have reached Treves by this time. For his journey down the Sa6ne and arrival at Lyons (April) cf. 2, 59. alam Silianam: cf. 2, 17 on their reasons; this ala may have owed its name to C. Silius, governor of Upper Germany under Tiberius (Ann. 1, 31); it was in Pannonia under Domi- tian, in Dacia in the time of Trajan. pro consule: Africa was a senatorial province of the first rank, governed by an ex-consul. Vitellium: cf. on 9. in Aegyptum: on Nero's plans cf. on 31 fin. Vindicis: cf. 51 init. revocati: cf. 9 excitae a Nerone legiones. decurionum: commanders of the turmae, 30 men and more in the ala or centuria equitata. obstricti = under obligations, attached; cf. 2, 37 fin.; Ann. 14, 7 praetorianos toti Caesarum domui obstrictos. Germanic! exercitus: added for rhetorical reasons, partly emphasis, partly symmetry, the Latin love of balanced phrases; cf. 2, 21 legionum et Germanici exer- citus robur. principi: with donum (cf. 3, 61 donum victori; 5, 22 fin. donum Velaedae), but also vaguely felt with adiunxere. transpadanae: Augustus' Xlth region of Italy, reaching as far east as Lake Como and its outlet the Adda (Addua). Mediolanum = Milan; the other towns, now Novara, Ivrea, Vercelli, were the first three stations on the highroad from Milan to Aosta and the Great and Little St. Bernard passes (cf. on 61). ipsos: i.e. legati of the towns, accompanying messengers sent by the Siliani; cf. Germ. 2 ipsos Germanos; Agr. 13 ipsi Britanni. Italiae pars: i.e. the whole country north of the Po; for between the Xlth region and the Xth (Venetia) there was no boundary that could assume military importance. Lusitanorum, etc.: cf. on 13 Lusitaniam; various cohorts of Lusitanians and Britons are known from inscriptions. vexillis: i.e. cavalry, each ala having its own vexiUum; cf. on 31 vexilla; 2, 11 equitum vexilla. ala Petriana: owed its name perhaps to the T. Pomponius Petra of Ann. 11, 4, in the time of Tiberius. Mainz seems to have been its present station; in Britain after the Civil War; at the Wall of 162 NOTES Hadrian down to the end of the third century. cunctatus est: with the constr. of dubitare = deliberate; only here in Tac. num: introducing that alternative which one at first inclines to prefer; cf. 2, 83 ambiguus consilii, num, etc. Raeticis iugis: i.e. from the Rhine valley above the Lake of Constance over into the upper valley of t! e Inn. Noricum: cf. on 11 Noricum. flecteret: for the absol. use cf . 2, 70 Cremonam flexit. Petronius Urbicus: he appears as procurator) August(i) on an inscr. at Klagenfurt, CIL. Ill, Suppl. 11551. procuratorem: cf. on 2 procura- tiones. alasque: i.e. the Germanorum vexilla and ala Petriana. foret = esset; cf. 49 forent. cessuros: cf. 11 fin. in pretium belli cessurae erant. Poenino: cf. on 61 Poeninis iugis. subsignanum militem: i.e. legionaries, with the standards of their maniples, and the eagle of the XXIst (61 fin.); cf. 4, 33 subsig- nano milite. et: explanatory = id est; in English the second member would naturally take the form of a mere appositive to the first. The unnecessary fullness of speech (cf. on Germanici exercitus, above) adds to the impression of a heavy column with baggage, in contrast to the light-armed advance guard. legi- onum: a generic use of the plural, where one complete legion (cf. 61) is mentioned along with detachments of others; so also 2, 22, 25. 71-90. Otho as emperor. Having arranged his affairs at Rome in the midst of various alarms, he finally sets out to meet the armies of Vitellius. 71. Otho: by a tactful change of scene Tac. recalls his readers from the Vitellian armies in the Alps, and the impending inva- sion of Italy, to Rome and the new government of Otho. non . . . torpescere: in contrast with his rival, torpebat Vitellius, 62. dilatae voluptates, etc.: cf. Intr. 23. reditura: i.e. which might be expected to return; cf. 27 fin. sumpturi. Marius Celsus : cf. on 14. speciem, etc.: cf. 58 simulatione vinculorum. titu- lus: with the figure of a eulogistic inscription, for the reputation itself; cf. 75 fin. clementiae gloriam. fidei crimen: sarcastic, as 59 damnatos fidei crimine. ultro: cf. on 7 ultro. imputavit: i.e. he went so far (ultro) as to set it down to his own credit, as an example of fidelity; cf. on 38 mihi plurimum inputet;- 2, 60 pro- ditionem ultro inputabant. nee: to be joined with ignosceret; BOOK I 159 Lucus: on the river Dr6me, in Dauphin6, now Luc. quotiens . . . deesset: cf. on 10 vacaret. Alpes: sc. Cottias; cf. on 61 Cottianis Alpibus. 67. hausit: zeugma, of that form in which the lit. and fig. mg. of a word are combined; cf. below, tuebantur. turbidum: i.e. fiery; cf. 4, 38 nequaquam turbidus ingenio. Helvetii: Caesar, B. G. 1, 2 gives their boundaries as the Jura (N. and W.), the Lake of Geneva and upper Rhone (S.), and upper Rhine (N. and E.). olim: before Caesar's conquest, 58 B.C. The greatest fame had been achieved by the canton of the Tigurini, who under the lead of Divico had joined the Cimbri, 107 B.C., defeated a Roman army on the Garonne, had later invaded Italy by the Brenner pass, 102, and returned to their homes the next year after the great defeat of the Cimbri (Caes. I.e. 7 and 12; Livy, per. 65). de caede . . . ignari: instead of the gen.; yet Tac. does not avoid two gen. depending on each other; cf. 70 init. initium bello: a favorite use of the dat. with Tac.; cf. 2, 1 initia . . . imperio; 4, 19 causam seditioni; Ann. 2, 21 finem bello; ib. 64 fin. causas bello; Hist. 2, 19 sedem bello; 3, 8 quae sedes bello legeretur. unaetvicensimae : cf. on 61 ducebat. rapuerant: i.e. before Caecina reached Vindonissa. castelU: cf. on locus, below; the nearness of the German frontier accounts for the castellum, garrisoned and maintained by the Helvetii. olim: for the mg. cf. on 60 olim. tuebantur: with the usual mg. (with militibus) is combined that of maintained (with stipendiis) ; cf. above, hausit. Cf . Ann. 3, 54 nos . . . nemora nostraeque villae tuebuntur; Germ. 14 tueare. epistulis = lit- teris; i.e. a single letter, as often in Tac. and Pliny's Ep.; cf. 2, 54 fin., 55 fin., 64, etc. municipii: i.e. the vicus had grown and prospered, until it might be mistaken for a municipium. locus = Aquae Helvetiorum, or vicus Aquensis, now Baden, east of Vindonissa. The Roman interest in watering-places is shown by the fact that the Antonine Itinerary contains the names of more than thirty Aquae, and seventy others are known from inscrr., etc. amoeno: adds the idea of the picturesque situation. Raetica auxilia: cf. 59 fin. 68. feroces: cf. on 59 ferox; a common characteristic of the Celts; cf. Caesar, E.G. 3, 19, 6 ad bella suscipienda Gallorum 160 NOTES alacer ac promptus est animus. quanquam: with ind., uncom- mon in Tac.; cf. 2, 92 fin. Claudium: many provincials in Gaul and the Rhine provinces bore the emperor Claudius' name. The popularity of Julius Caesar was shown in the same way; cf. 68 fin. lulium Alpinum; 69 Claudius Cossus; 4, 13 lulius Civilis; 33, 55, etc. non anna noscere = armis uti nescire. ordines sequi: cf. Germ. 30 nosse ordines. in unum: cf. 4, 70 in unum consulere; 2, 5 in medium consuluere; Agr. 12 in com- mune non consulunt. veteranos: the modern use of the word; not in the strict sense. obsidio: from the standpoint of the besieged. inde : preferred by Tac. to illinc as correlative to hinc; cf. 84 hinc . . . inde; 2, 6, 15, etc. Raeticae: cf. 59 fin. iuventus: i.e. militia. exercita = trained, drilled; cf . 2, 4 exercitae bello. medio: between the legion and the forces from Raetia; on the omis- sion of in, cf. 3, 16 vacuum media relinquit Her; Ann. 1, 64 medio montium et paludum. vagi: to avoid the monotony of vagantes . . . palantes. Cf. Sail. lug. 18, 2 vagi palantes; Liv. 5, 44, 5 vagique per agros palantur; 21, 61, 2 vagos palantisque per agros. mons Vocetius : now Bozberg, at the eastern end of the Jura. cohorte Thracum: several cohorts of Thracians on the Rhine are known from inscriptions; one had its station at Neuwied. sub corona: cf. Caelius Sabinus (the jurist) ap. Gell. 6, 4, 3 anti- quitus mancipia iure belli capta coronis induta veniebant et idcirco dicebantur "sub corona" venire; Ann. 13, 39 fin.; Livy 5, 22, 1, etc. Aventicum: now Avenches, near the Lake of Morat; chief town of the Tigurini; cf. on 67 init. olim. concitorem: cf. 4, 56 and Ann. 4, 28 concitores belli. 69. civitatis: i.e. Aventicum; cf. 54 init. verbis ac minis: not necessarily hendiadys; Vitellius no doubt mingled reproaches with threats. temperabat: here with dat. of that from which one refrains; cf. 3, 53 sermonibus; Ann. 13, 3 risui; 14, 37 neci; the class, constr. a and abl., above, 63 ab excidio; 2, 88 ab in- noxiis; cf . on 2, 47 felicitati. cum : cf . on 29 cum adfertur. notae facundiae: for the gen. qual. connected directly with the name, cf. 4, 15 stolidae audaciae Brinno, claritate natalium in- signi; 49 Valerius Festus, sumptuosae adulescentiae. In this Tac. followed Livy; e.g. 4, 41, 12; 21, 1, 4; 22, 60, 5. Isolated ex- amples occur in Nepos and Caes. (e.g. E.G. 5, 35, 7). For the BOOK I turn: cf. Cie.'s studia iuvcntutis = interested young men, Calo M.28; cf. 17 publica expectatio. exarsere: after prope it was unneces- sary to write exarsissent. animadversione = supplicio. im- peril = authority; gen. dn-6 KOIVOV with oblitos and admonuisset. Aeduos: cf. on 51 Aeduis. Lugudunenses: cf. on ib. Lugu- dunensis. gaudio: in Gaul and Germany Vitellius, having claimed the throne before the death of Galba, was considered the avenger of Nero. Elsewhere Otho profited by the same re- action. Italica: cf. on 59 Italica. ala: cf. ib. duodevicen- simam: for about fifty years at least the garrison of Lugudunum had consisted of a single cohort of a thousand men (Ann. 13, 41; 21 A.D.; 1200 men in Josephus B. I. 2, 16, 4), stationed there partly on account of the mint (moneta, cf. on 51). Cf. the tomb- stone (found at Vichy) of a soldier COH (ortis). xvn LVGVDVNI- ENSIS AD MONETAM (CIL. XIII, 1499). By the year 69 the 17th cohort had been transferred to Ostia (below, 80), and the 18th had come in its place. They were probably reckoned among the co- hortes urbanae, of which three only were stationed at Rome. solitis sibi: cf. Ann. 3, 51 Tiberius solitis sibi ambagibus; Hist. 4, 23 machinas etiam, insolitum sibi, ausi. T. Manlius Valens: as legatus of a legion in Britain he was defeated A.D. 50 ( Ann. 12, 40). At the age of 90 he became cos. in 96. 65. Viennenses: Vienna (Vienne) on the Rhone below Lyons the chief town of the Allobroges. Even in the time of Claudius it was ornatissima colonia valentissimaque Viennensium, as that emperor himself describes it in an oration preserved in part on a bronze tablet at Lyons (CIL. XIII, 1668). Vienne was the seat of the senatorial governor of Gall. Narb. bellum: the up- rising headed by Vindex, governor of Gall. Lugud.; cf. on 6 and 8. Lyons remained loyal to Nero. in vicem: attributive posi- tion; cf. Agr. 24 magnis in vicem usibus; Germ. 37 multa in vicem damna. crebrius infestiusque: the ellipsis of fieri (here factae erant), agere, etc. was frequent in letters, rare in the his- torians, except Tac.; cf. 36 omnia serviliter, and note ad loc; 84 vs quidem istud pro me; Agr. 19 nihil per libertos. propter: the only occurrence of causal propter in Tac., except Dial. 21; on the other hand he does not use his favorite ob of persons. irae: i.e. to satisfy his anger; obj. gen.; or like 60 occasion* 158 NOTES civilium armorum, subj. gen. discretis: Vienne is on the left bank, while Roman Lyons was on the right bank of the Sa6ne, directly opposite the tongue of land between Rhone and Sa6ne. The cities were in reality 16 miles apart, but fact is sacrificed to epigram. Note the chiasmus and antithesis. conexum odium: i.e. a link of hatred. nuper = more recently; i.e. after the fall of Vindex. externa: supporting Vindex could be made to appear evidence of anti-Roman feeling. coloniam : Vienne was also a Roman colony (cf. 66), but of more recent organization as such (Caligula, Claudius), than Lyons (43 B.C., Octavian). par- tem exercitus: Lyons alone among Gallic towns had a Roman garrison; cf. on 64. contra daret: as the judge, who decides in favor of one of the parties was said secundum aliquem dare, fortune here gives an unfavorable decision; the same phrase, Ann. 15, 13. 66. in eundem modum: attributive; Tac.'s usual phrase is his atque talibus; cf. 2, 2; 1, 16 fin. cum: cf. on 29 cum adfer- tur. velamenta et infulas: olive branches wound with woolen fillets; cf. Verg. Aen. 11, 101 velati ramis oleae veniamque rogan- tes; 7, 154 ramis'velatos Palladis; Plaut. Amph. 257 velatis mani- bus orant. vestigia: substituted for pedes partly for reasons of euphony; note the crescendo effect. turn = turn demum; after their humiliation; cf. 82. vetustas, etc.: cf. on 65 init. aequis: cf. pronis auribus 1 and 54. publice: i.e. as a com- munity; cf. 51 publice donatos. promiscuis = of every kind; omit et in translating. fama constans: cf. Agr. 43 constans rumor. inopi iuventa: causal abl.; or circumstantial abl. illogically connected with senex prodigus for the sake of the chiasmus. Allobroges: their territory was partly inclosed (in- sula Allobrogum) between the Rhone and the Isere, but extended also to the Lake of Geneva and Mt. Blanc; chief towns Vienna, Cularo (Grenoble), Genava (Geneva). Vocontii: south of Grenoble, chiefly in the mountains of southern Dauphin6; prin- cipal towns Vasio (Vaison) and Lucus (v. below). stativorum: it was a lentum agmen, lingering in stativa, until sufficient induce- ments tempted them to move on. adversus: unusual for cum, when the phrase modifies a subst. minaciter: join with ven- ditante; his bargaining was not without threats of violence. BOOK I 155 (Mons Vocetius, 68), to Windisch (Vindonissa; cf. on 1, 9; 4, 61, 70), up the Aar, and past the Lake of Morat, via Avenches (Aventicum, 68), to the Lake of Geneva at Vevey (Viviscus); up the Rhone to Martigny (Octodurus), over the Great St. Bernard pass (Alpis Poenina, 2428 metres), and down via Aosta (Augusta Praetoria). Distance, Mainz to Milan, ca. 460 Roman miles. elect! : i.e. &vexillum each from the 1st, XVth, and XVIth legions. aquila: here by meton. for the main body; cf. the use of vexil- lum, e.g. 31 fin.; 2, 89 aquilae . . . vexilla . . . signa. quin- tae: from Vetera; cf. on 9. cohortibus: cf. 60 fin. data: takes its gender from the appositive; cf . 86 fin. ducebat: strictly speaking, not until he had passed Vindonissa, at the junc- tion of the Reuss with the Aar, the station of XXI (cf. on 9; 2, 43). In addition to this legion he had detachments from the IVth and XXIId legions at Moguntiacum. The rest of XXII evi- dently went to Italy with Vitellius; cf. on 2, 57 Germanici exercitus. tota mole belli: cf. 2, 16 tanta mole belli; 74, 100. The phrase represents rather the potential than the actual strength of Vitellius' third army; it would be impossible to withdraw all the troops from Germany and Britain; cf. 2, 32. 62. instare: the eagerness of the soldiers is reproduced in the animated style of this sentence, hist, infin., primary sequence (except esset), abrupt lapse into indirect quotation (at dum, etc.). All this in contrast with the leaden torpebat Vitellius. cuncten- tur: for the sudden defection of Spain, cf. 76. hiemem: Caecina did cross hibernis adhuc Alpibus, but not in January; 70 fin. moras: i.e. inertia. occupandam: cf. on 39 occupanda. for- tunam = high rank; cf. 10 fin. praesumebat = enjoyed in advance; cf. Agr. 18 praesumpta . . . quies. medio diei: the freq. use in Tac. of neut. subst. with gen.; cf. 3, 11 init.; 2, 53 medio temporis; 2, 14 fin. obscurum noctis. sagina: contemptuous; cf. 2, 71 luxu et saginae mancipatus emptusque (of Vitellius); 95 fin. cum tamen: cum, with imperf. in both clauses, marks the coincidence, tamen the contradiction. ultro: cf. on 7 ultra. munia: the form regularly preferred by Tac. in this mg. addito: aoristic; cf. on 20 relicta. Formally the senate alone could confer the title. Caesarem: he also declined at first the title Augustus; 2, 62, 90. prohibuit: with ace. and pass, infin. even in Cic. 156 NOTES and Caes. augurium: this kind of nom. apposition is to be distinguished from the ace. apposition, for which cf. on 44 muni- mentum; the former allows greater freedom of position; cf. 4, 57 flagitium incognitum; Ann. 2, 17 pulcherrimum augurium. profectionis: i.e. from Cologne. meatu = volatu. incederet: cf. on 10 vacaret. 63. Et . . . quidem: i.e. the omen had immediate fulfillment; cf. 8. Treveros: cf. on 53 Treveri. Divodurum = Metz, which is derived from Mediomatrici, corrupted into Mettis as early as the sixth century (Venant. Fort.); next to Treves the most important place in the Moselle valley. quanquam: cf. on 43 quanquam. raptis: cf. Intr. 7; the very loose abl. abs. displaces a result clause (adeo terruit, ut, etc.). ob praedam . . . cupidine: on the variety cf. Intr. 13. et causis incertis: et does not exactly cor- respond with the preceding et (which rather = -que); cf. on 57 fin. instinctu. eoque: the use of -que between ablative phrases which we place in quite different categories shows that Tac. drew no such hard and fast lines. cum magistratibus et precibus: may be taken as hendiadys ( = cum magistratibus deprecantibus) ; but it is unlikely that Tac. meant to limit the preces to the magis- trates; and elsewhere he pairs things which do not strictly admit of such treatment; cf. 2, 3 precibus et igne puro; 3, 22 per iram ac tenebras, etc. quaeque . . . tendebantur: for the loose con- nection of this type of clause with a preceding abl. abs. cf. 2, 4 init. placamenta: i.e. other gifts, and olive-branches, fillets, etc.; cf. 66 velamenta et infulas praeferentes. 64. imperio = accession: cf. on 4 imperil. civitas Leucorum = Tullum, now Toul, on the upper Moselle, west of Nancy. The Leuci occupied the territory south of the Mediomatrici, north of the Lingones, i.e. west of the Vosges Mts. accepit: the news must have reached this part of Gaul within twelve to fifteen days; the date is then about the end of January. in gaudium: for the variety, prep, phrase and abl., cf. Intr. 13. volve- bat: cf. 54 fin. volvens. ex Vitellio: cf. Agr. 16 ex legato timor; 2, 67 e praetoriis cohortibus metus erat; classical metus, etc. ab aliquo. Lingonum civitas: now Langres; cf. on 54 init. mo- destia: cf. on 60 modestia. cohortium: the Batavians of 59. supra: 59. iurgia: subj. of. exarsere, no ellipsis. studia mili- BOOK I 153 gave the Germans an able leader in the serious war which broke out this same year, and was put down by Vespasian in 70; cf. 4, 13 et passim. periculo: dat.; cf. 2, 93 periculo exemisset; 3, 4 discrimini exemptum; 3, 10 fin.; the class, constr. was abl. with ex or de (simple abl. also in Livy). Batavi: at the mouths of the Rhine; cf. 4, 12. ferox = warlike, eager for battle; cf. 68 feroces; 2, 43 ferox; Britain is a ferox provincia in Agr. 8. et = et sane, as 34; i.e. such regard for the Batavians had its ob- vious explanation. civitate Lingonum: cf. on 53. Batavorum cohortes: after long service in Germany they were sent to Britain by Nero just after the revolt of Boadicea in 61; cf. 4, 12; Ann. 14, 38. They join Valens on his southward march through Gaul; cf. 64; 2, 27, 66, 69. quartae decumae: it had shared in the con- quest of Britain by Claudius, and the suppression of the rebellion of 61; recalled with the Batavian auxiliaries by Nero, 68; was in Dalmatia at the time of his death, or soon after; part of the legion fought for Otho at Bedriacum; sent back to Britain by Vitellius; cf. Ann. 14, 34; Hist. 1, 64; 2, 11, 27, 43, 66, etc. - inclinassent: not subjv. of repeated action (cf. on 10 vacaret), but an informal ind. discourse, representing the fut. perf. indie, in the mind of Vitellius, as he weighs the chances; in lieu of a principal clause we have merely apposition (momentum); cf. 76 and 2, 86 grande momentum. supra: i.e. 56. fidei cr inline: cf. 71 servatae . . . fidei crimen. desciscentes : cf. 31 fidus . . . et desciscentibus suspectior. Valerius Asiaticus: cos. designatus in Dec. of this year (4, 4); an inscription seems to show that he died before entering upon his office (GIL. VI, 1528). He was probably son of the Valerius Asiaticus who owned the gardens of Lucullus (Pincian), and was forced to suicide by Claudius; cf. Ann. 11, 1, 3. generum: the daughter in question afterwards received an ample dowry and a husband of rank from Vespasian; cf. 75 fin.; Suet. Vesp. 14. lunius Blaesus: he received Vitellius in state, 2, 59; poisoned in the autumn of this year, 69, through the machinations of Vitellius' brother, 3, 38 f . rector = gov- ernor, a broad, non-technical term; formally he was legatus Augusti pro praetore. Italica: prima Italica, a legion organized by Nero, and with the ala Tauriana temporarily stationed at Lyons; cf. on 51 Lugudunensis; also 64, 74; 2, 41. Tauriana: 154 NOTES doubtless owed its name to a Statilius Taurus; cf. Ann. 12, 59. tendentibus: cf. 31 tendentes. Raeticis: cf. 68 Raeticae alae cohortesque; cf. on 11 Raetia. ne . . . quidem = also not, not . . . either; cf. on 29 fin. dubitatum: i.e. the legions in Britain promptly took the sacramentum to Vitellius. 60. M. Trebellius Maximus: colleague of the philosopher Seneca as cos. suff. in 56 (or 55); engaged in a census in Gaul in 61 (Ann. 14, 46); governor of Britain, 63-69; in the Agr. 16 Tac. describes his administration in rather more favorable terms. per, etc. : i.e. the means by which he had won the contempt and hatred of the soldiers; an innovation upon the usual expression of cause with propter (ob in Tac.; cf. on 65 propter). M. Roscius Coelius: cos. suff. 81; his successor in Britain was Tac.'s father-in-law; Agr. 7 fin. vicensimae : cf. on 9 Britannico. olim = for some time; cf. 67 quod olim Helvetii, etc.; 2, 7 olim mixtis con- siliis; 92 olim anxii odiis; Agr. 3 res olim dissociabiles (i.e. from time immemorial). proruperant: the other party, Trebel- lius, had been suggested by discors. spoliatas: cf. per avaritiam, above. cum interim: a special type of cum inversum, cf. on 29 cum adfertur. modestia = discipline, good order; cf . on 52 modesti; 64 modestia certavere; 83 modestia; 2, 27 init. ad modes- tiam. eoque discordiae : cf. 16 eo necessitatis. cohortibus : i.e. of auxiliaries; cf. 54, 61 cohortihus alisque; 68 and 2, 11 alae cohortesque. perfugerit: cf. on 55 iecerint. quanquam: cf. on 43 quanquam. consulari: cf. 9 sine consulari [sc. legato]. Vitellius sent Vettius Bolanus in place of Trebellius; 2, 65. 61. adiuncto: figuratively, connecting with 59 fin., since 60 is a digression. Only detachments (vexilla) actually came from Britain; cf. 2, 57; 3, 22. Cottianis Alpibus: usually Cottiis. The longer route was via Treves (cf. 53), up the Moselle valley, past Metz (63), Toul (64); then via Langres (54) and Dijon (Dibio) to the Sa6ne, and so to Lyons (51); down the Rhone to Valence (Valentia); up the Dr6me and the Durance to the pass, Mt. Genevre (Alpis Cottia, later Matrona, 1860 metres), and down to Turin (Augusta Taurinorum). Distance, Cologne to Turin, ca. 690 Roman miles. inrumpere: cf. on 40 irrumpunt. Poeninis iugis: the usual route from Germany led up the Rhine to Basel (Augusta Rauricorum), thence over the eastern end of the Jura BOOK I 151 menti reverentia (on this same occasion); Germ. 29 imperil reve- rentiam. exuere: cf. 3, 5 ne . . . ius fasque exuerent. senatus populique: cf. 12 senatui ac populo Romano arbitrium eligendi per- mittere. ut in tumultu: cf. on 4 ut erga principem: 8 tanquam . . , multitudine. suggestu: usually with pro, de, or e, but if the text is correct, Tac. has preferred to match the prep, phrase in modum by simple abl.; cf. Ann. 3, 5 fin. toro; 14, 20 theatro; 16, 5 sedilibus; Dial 13 fin. tumulo; Intr. 13. cui inputaretur = whom they could lay under obligations; cf. on 38 mihi plurimum inputet. 56. consularis: the word emphasizes the fact that he was commander of both legions, as governor of the province an officer of the highest rank, but only spectator flagitii. ruentes . . . dubios . . . bonos: anticlimax in form, but a climax of con- demnation for Hordeonius. et: cf. on 51 fin. et. prioris sac- ramenti: to Galba, administered by Verginius Rufus, June, 68. unde = a qua parte; from the expression ab aliquo stare = to stand up for a man (take sides for him) comes the use of unde, etc., with stare and esse; cf. Livy 21, 10, 9 unde ius stabat, ei victoriam dedit; id. 24, 45, 3 aliunde stet semper, aliunde sentiat. For the omission of correlative inde cf. 3, 17; 4, 29. fuere: note the effect of the tense after erant. colonia Agrippinensis : capital of Germania Inferior = Cologne, Koln. The younger Agrippina, who was born there during the German campaigns of her father, Germanicus, induced her husband, Claudius, to establish a colony of veterans at Oppidum Ubiorum A.D. 50, and gave her name to the new city; Ann. 12, 27; Hist. 4, 20, 25, etc. aquilifer: he had 120 miles to cover between Mainz and Cologne. occupari: cf. on 39 occupanda. legiones: i.e. inferioris Germaniae, at Bonna (57), Novaesium, and Vetera (on 9). proinde: cf. on 21 proinde. minore discrimine: emphatic, it was less dangerous; cf. 2, 46 maiore animo tolerari. sumi: i.e. to take some one ready to hand, which could mean only Vitellius. 57. hiberna: at Bonna (Bonn); the camp was just north of the modern city. Valens: he was now legatus of the 1st legion; cf. on 52. cum equitibus legionis: the 120 cavalrymen attached regularly to the legion; his auxiliary cavalry would be more numerous; cf . Josephus B. I. 3, 6, 2. speciosis: cf . 34 speciosiora. 152 NOTES scires: cf. on 10 laudares. penes = at the disposal of, under the orders of; res publica is personified. Agrippinenses : cf. on 56. Treveri, etc.: cf. on 53. ingenio = ability, in various directions, any kind of available talent, executive, inventive, etc. ex affluent!: used as pred.; cf. 3, 49 satis factum bello ratus et cetera ex facili (sc. fore); cf. Agr. 15 ex facili, used as simple adv., and so ex aequo frequently, e.g. 2, 77. viatica: i.e. savings. balteos = shoulder belts, over the left shoulder, sup- porting the sword at the right side; often adorned with silver bullae, etc., and given as rewards of valor. phaleras: large disks of silver, with heads, etc., in relief. If a soldier had received several of these decorations, he wore them on a kind of harness across the breast; also used on the trappings of horses. in- signia: apposition with balteos, phaleras. decora = ornata. instinctu, etc. : the first et connects a pair of synonyms, the second after a slight pause, and with an unexpected sarcasm, adds a further motive, in some cases, i.e. cool calculation of large returns from their present investment. 58. igitur: cf. on 15 igitur. ministeria: Vitellius, having no body of freedmen trained in accounts and affairs, was forced to make an innovation which was not regularly adopted by his suc- cessors until Hadrian. In Claudius' reign the imperial freedmen, Narcissus, Pallas, etc., were virtually ministers, or cabinet secre- taries, each with his special department (a rationibus, ab epis- tulis, etc.). vacationes: the policy of Otho too; cf. 46. plerosque = multos: cf. on 5 plerisque. Simula tione : Otho had done the same, 45 fin., 71. Pompeius Propinquus: his offense was that he had been the first to inform Galba of the events of Jan. 1 at Mainz; cf. 12. procurator: cf. on 2 fin. procurations ; a Cornelius Tacitus, perhaps the father of the historian, had held this office in Gallia Belgica; Plin. N.H. 7, 76; Intr. 1. classis: the Rhine fleet was first organized by Drusus, 12 B.C., and had played an important part in the campaigns of Tiberius and Ger- manicus. tanquam: cf. on 8 tanquam . . . fovissent. Fon- teio: cf. 8. occidere . . . licebat: cf. 45 fin., of Otho's similar embarrassment. sanguine: is is omitted for reasons of euphony at the beginning; cf. 2, 86 prima iuventa. 69. lulius Civilis: the politic mercy of Vitellius unexpectedly BOOK I 149 death as a prisoner at Urbinum, 3, 62. tanquam: cf. on 8 tan- quam . . . fovissent. detectam a se = his disclosure of, etc., and similarly oppressa; Intr. 11. cunctationetn: cf. 8 nee statim, etc. instigare: cf. on 46 fatigari. ipsum: sc. Vitellium. Flaccus: cf. on 9. male: cf. on 17 fin. male. precarium: not precarious, but held on sufferance; those who gave (i.e. the legions) could also take away. The expression is from the Roman law, which recognized in precarium a specific form of loan or lease that could be recalled at will, as being a matter of pure benevo- lence. Cf. Dig. 43, 26, 1, 2 qui precario concedit, sic dat quasi tune recepturus, cum sibi libuerit precarium solvere. sinum: cf. 3, 69 in Vespasiani sinum. equestri familia: without the virum or hominem of classical usage, cf. 53 scito sermone; so the gen. qual. 69 notae facundiae (cf. note). patris consulatus, etc.: cf. on 9. dignationem: cf. on 19 dignationem. his: neut.; cf. Tac.'s formula his atque talibus, Agr. 16; Ann. 11, 17, 24, etc. concupisceret: cf. 2, 76 quo posses videri concupisse. 53. iuventa: cf. 4, 1 procerum . . . iuventa; the word is always abstr. in Tac., while iuventus is concrete. animi: this loc. gen. is freq. in Tac. (found also in Sail, and Liv.); cf. 2, 23 promptus animi; 3, 58 aeger animi; Ann. 1, 69 ingens animi. scito = clever; cf. Ann. 6, 20 scitum . . . dictum (of a bon mot). iuvenem: predicate apposition. Baetica: the southern, and most thoroughly Romanized, province in Spain, governed by a proconsul; chief cities Corduba (Cordova), Gades (Cadiz), His- palis (Seville). compertum . . . avertisse: for the constr. cf. Ann. 4, 22 accusata iniecisse; ib. 31 convictus pecuniam . . . cepisse; so Sail., Livy. passus: used absolutely; but 67 aegre id passi. miscere cuncta: cf. 2, 23 fin.; 4, 29 misceri cuncta; Dial. 36 mixtis omnibus. universus: cf. 51 contractae legiones, etc. vexillis: cf. on 31 vexiUa. praeventus: trans.; cf. 5 praeventam. Treveri: in the Moselle valley; chief town Augusta Treverorum (Treves, Trier), one of the most important cities of Gallia Belgica, in the 4th century a capital of the empire. Lingones: west of the upper Sa6ne (Arar), about the sources of the Seine and Marne (Sequana and Matrona); chief town An- dematunnum (Langres, mediev. Langoinne), on the through road from the Rhine via Treves to Lyons. atrocibus: i.e. threatening; 150 NOTES cf. 2, 40 fin. damno finium: cf. 8 finibus ademptis. miscen- tur: of dealings or relations with, etc.; cf. 74 antequam legionibus miscerentur. paganos = civilians; cf. 2, 88 adversus paganos. favor: cf. on 8 Verginius. profuturus: of that which was naturally to be expected; cf. 11 fin. cessurae erant. 54. civitas: i.e. Andematunnum ; cf. on 53 Lingones; cf. 64 in civitate Leucorum; ib. proximo, Lingonum civitas. dextras: as in 2, 8 dextras, concordiae insignia; clasped hands, in bronze, prob- ably. A specimen has been preserved at Lyons. in squalorem: cf. Agr. 42 in adrogantiam compositus; cf. 2, 9 in maestitiam com- positus. principia: cf. on 48 principiis; the scene of this story is Moguntiacum (Mainz), cf. on 9 init. praemia: cf. on 8 re- centi, and 51 remissam . . . publice donatos. pronis . . . auri- bus: as in 1 pronis auribus. cum: on the cum inversum cf. on 29 cum adfertur. per . . . inscitiam: darkness and ignorance on the part of their commilitones are brought together under the same preposition as being contributory causes; cf. 3, 22 per iram ac tenebras. circumdatis: this arrangement was a reversion to the older camp plan as described by Polybius. The legions now commonly surrounded the auxiliaries, as this passage shows. volvens: cf. 64 bellum volvebat; omitting the usual animo, in animo, etc. 65. sollemni = customary; the sacramentum was renewed each 1st Jan. adactae: adijere was the term for administering the oath; it was done by the highest available officers. Cf. 76 Ves- pasianus . . . Mucianus sacramento . . . adegere; 2, 55 (the praefec- tus urbi); 79 (governor of Egypt); cf. 2, 14. primorum ordinum: probably = the front rows. Others understand the first centurions (ten to each legion). The former interpretation is perhaps favored by raris. Cf. 18 proximi militum. sequi: a kind of apposition to natura; cf. 2, 20 insita mortalibus natura . . . introspicere. primani, etc.: for the stations of the legions, cf. on 9 legiones; below, 57 init. iecerint: the usual neglect of tense-sequence in a result-clause; cf. 60 perfugerit. legiones: on the plur. cf. on 18 legiones. hibernis: cf. on 9 exercitus; 54. The omission of the prep, is esp. freq. in military Latin; cf. 2, 22 and Agr. 25 isdem castris; 2, 45 isdem tentoriis; but also 2, 50 celebri luco. tendentes: cf. 31 tendentes. reverentiam: cf. 12 rupta sacra- BOOK I 147 him a worse man than his rival in infamy. The thought was per- haps a Stoic commonplace. A parallel is cited from Sen. Ep. 14, 13: shall it be Caesar or Pompey? a question of no moment to Cato: quid tua [sc. refert], uter vincat? potest melior vincere, non potest non peio* esse, qui vicerit. anna Orientis: cf. 2, 1 arma Vitellii; Intr. 19. ut . . . ita: cf. on 4 wi ... ita. ambigua: for his avaritia, cf. 2, 5; Suet. Vesp. 16 sola est, in qua merito culpetur, pecuniae cupiditas. omnium, etc. : this illogical inclusion of himself among those with whom he is compared, ap- pears to have arisen from a misunderstanding of Homer's w/cu- /Mpdiraros &\\uv, where the gen. was not part, but ablatival, marking "the starting point of the comparison" (Seymour on II. 1, 505). Cf. Agr. 34 ceterorum Britannorum fugacissimi; Mil- ton's " fairest of her daughters," and two similar cases in the same context, P.L. 4, 321-324. ante se: in attributive posi- tion; a Graecism, in place of superiorum. 51. Vindex: cf. on 6. ditissimi: the wealth and prosperity of Gaul in this period were almost proverbial. King Agrippa asked the Jews whether they thought themselves richer than the Gauls; Josephus B. I. 2, 16, 4; Mommsen R. P. I, 115. Nero had at first rejoiced ( ?) at the news of Vindex' revolt as an opportunity spoliandarum iure belli opulentissimarum provinciarum, Suet. Nero 40; cf. Ann. 3, 46; 11, 18. aciem: volebat is in mind, but be- comes malebat as the remainder of the sentence takes on a dif- ferent form. ingenio = natura; even of things; cf. 2, 4 ob in- genium montis. supererant: cf. Germ. 26 et superest ager; 6 ne ferrum quidem superest; below, 83 egregie supersunt. seque et: freq. in Tac., usually with a pronoun for the first term; also in Sail, and Livy; cf. Agr. 18 seque et arma. quaerere: cf. on 46 fatigari. hostes: sc. Gallos (from Gallias). deerat: cf. on 22 fin. deerat. pars Galliarum: i.e. esp. the Treveri and Lingones* 53 fin. instigatrix: only here in Tac. Vindice = V indicia nomine; i.e. they ceased calling them Vindiciani in contempt. indiderant: sc. Us. Sequani: their territory (later included in Upper Germany) lay between the Arar (Sa6ne) and the Jura; capital Visontio (or Vesontio) = BesanQon. Aedui: in Gallia Lugudunensis, west of the Sequani, between the Liger (Loire) and the Arar; capital Augustodunum = Autun, which replaced 148 NOTES Caesar's Bibracte. deinde: instead of reliquis or ceteris. rap- tus penatium: cf. 46 raptus. super: cf. on 8 super. publice: the gifts were to communities, not individuals; cf. 66 publice . . multati. in ignominiam: equiv. to a purpose clause; cf. on 12 in . . . odium. iactabant: cf. 44 iactabant. vulgatum: the neuter subst. takes the place of a clause (the fact that, etc.), as subj. of accessit. Lugudunensis : Lugudunum (Lyons) had many reasons for attachment to the Julian-Claudian house. It was especially favored in its unique position as capital of the three Gauls; had a mint, and a garrison, 1200 men, the only troops stationed in Gaul; cf. on 64; Josephus B. I. 2, 16, 4; Strabo 4, 186, 192. It had contributed 4,000,000 sest. to the rebuilding of Rome after the fire of 64, and had received from Nero the like sum in 65, when Lyons had suffered in the same way still more disastrously; Ann. 16, 13; Sen. Ep. 91; Mommsen R. P. I, 95 ff. fecunda: here with abl., as in 2, 92; but with gen. above, 11 annonae fecundam. et: the asyndeton could not be continued on account of the insertion of a modifier (here a clause); cf. 56; 2, 1 med.; 92, 95 med.; with aut 2, 80. 62. Vitellius: for his previous career cf. on 9. plura: sc. egerat; cf. on 36 omnia serviliter. ambitione: cf. on 1 am- bitionem. sordes: cf. 60 per avaritiam ac sordes. Fonteius: cf. on 7. integre: cf. 48 fin.; Agr. 7 integreque ac strenue versa- tum. mensura: nom., sc. erat; others take it as abl. in maius: as in 18 med. ut . . . ita: cf. on 4 ut . . . ita; cf. sicut . . . ita below. humilis: in a bad sense, common, vulgar; cf. 2, 23 fin. humillimo cuique. faventes = fautores. sine modo: cf. 76 fin. imperi dandi: cf. Ann. 15, 52 imperium . . . daturis; 12, 64 fin. filio dare imperium; 14, 7 illo sibi die dari imperium. modesti = orderly, well-disciplined; cf. on 60 modestia; 2, 12 modestiam disciplinae; 87 summa modestia; Agr. 20 laudare modestiam. A. Caecina Alienus: cf. 53; one of the leading figures in the story from this point on; cos. suff. in 69; cf. 2, 71, 99-101; 3, 8-9, 13-14, 37. He conspired against Vespasian in 79, and was put to death by Titus as prefect of the city; Suet. Tit. 6. C. Fabius Valens: cf. 7, 57, 61, etc.; legatus of the 1st legion, at Bonn; the rival of Caecina in the struggle for the con- trol of Vitellius; cos. suff. with Caecina; cf. 2, 71 et passim; his BOOK ii 179 BOOK II 1-9. Affairs in the East; Titus, Vespasian, Mucianus, 1-7; a pretender Nero, 8-9. 1. diversa: as contrasted both with Italy (Otho), and with Gaul and Germany (Vitellius). imperio = dynasty, i.e. of the three Flavian emperors; the dat. is with initia causasque; cf. on 1, 67 initium bello. varia sorte: cf. 95 fin. varia et pudenda sorte agebat. laetum: i.e. under the good rule of Vespasian and Titus. atrox: under Domitian, who was assassinated (cf. exitio). vel: correlated with aut; cf. 10 potens vel inops . . . infirmum aut validum; 68 vel . . . aut; 1, 19 fin. aut . . . vel. exitio: for this form of variety cf. Intr. 13. Titus: cf. on 1, 10. incolumi = alive; cf. 1, 75 incolumes. patre: for Ves- pasian cf. on 1, 10. officium: Titus' errand was mentioned 1, 10 fin. (ad venerationem cultumque eius, sc. Galbae). ma- turam: he was nearly thirty. honoribus : he had been quaestor, and was now legatus legionis, an appointment usually given only to those who had been praetors. ferebat = praeferebat; cf. 26 fere- bat; Intr. 17. intemperantia: on the gossip about the adoption cf. 1, 12 med. destinandi: cf. 1, 12 destinabant (sc. imperio). fortunae: cf. on 1, 10 fin.; below, 61 init. praesaga: Intr. 16. responsa: cf. 1, 10 fin. ostentis ac responsis; below, 78. et: cf. on 1, 51 fin. et. Achaiae urbe: inserted not to give in- formation (quite unnecessary in the case of Corinth), but by dwelling on the location to mark distinctly the point at which he turned back; cf. Piraeum Atticae orae, Ann. 5, 10. anna: not syn. with bellum, but = revolt; cf. 1, 50 fin. arma Orientis. Cf., however, 2, 74 bellum armague. paucis amicorum: Tac. is fond of pauci with the gen.; cf. 22 fin. cum paucis equitum; 3, 12 paucis resistentium; Ann. 2, 57 and 3, 10 fin. paucis familia- rium adhibitis; beginning as a partitive the constr. was used even where one cannot speak of whole and part. sive: for sive . . . sive; cf. 9 sen; Ann. 1, 6 ficta seu vera. fore: notice that the verb is carried on as far as excusatum, although it is esse that is suppressed with incertam. 180 NOTES 2. vicit: in the contest between hope and fear, for the pos- session of Titus, the former was the winner. Berenice: great- granddaughter of Herod the Great, daughter of Herod Agrippa I (the Herod of Acts 12), sister of Herod Agrippa II, with whom she had heard Paul's defense (Acts 26), eight or nine years before. "A Cleopatra on a small scale" (Mommsen, R. P. II, 238), she had deserted her third husband, Polemo, prince of a part of Cilicia, and lived with her brother Agrippa, who was now with Titus at Corinth, but went on to Rome (cf. 81). In 75 she came to Rome and lived with Titus; but he sent her away, as also in 79, invitus invitam (Suet. Tit. 7). Cf. Dio 66, 15, 18. reginae = princess. laeva maris: i.e. the Aegean, as lying to the left of his course through the Cyclades to Rhodes; the gen. is part.; cf. 69 inania belli. praevectus = praetervectus; cf . Ann. 2, 6 qua Germaniam praevehitur (sc. Rhenus). spatiis = stretches. in- cessit: with the constr. of invasit; cf. 5, 23 Civilem cupido incessit; so also in Sail, and Livy. Paphiae: Paphos, at the S. W. end of Cyprus, was a colony of the Phoenicians and an ancient seat of the worship of Aphrodite. fuerit longum: the stereotyped classical phrase was longum est; but Tac. prefers the potential; cf. Ann. 4, 65 hand fuerit absurdum; below, 77 absurdum fuerit. ritum: i.e. ceremonies. habetur: haberi in Sail, and Tac. is often little more than esse; cf. 3, 12 fin. inter duces habebatur = unus e ducibus erat; Agr. 28 rectores habebantur = rectores erant. disserere: Cic. would have said de initiis . . . pauca disserere. 3. Aerias: cf. Ann. 3, 62 fin., where the Cyprians speak of him as their founder (auctor), and ascribe to him the establishment of this their most venerable shrine. Cyprus itself was called Aeria. Cinyras: mentioned once in Homer as having given Agamemnon a cuirass (II. 11, 19 f.). According to the most popular legend he was the father of Adonis (Ovid Met. 10, 298- 514). conceptam: (i.e. natam); she was the sea-born god- dess, dva8vo/j.tini, &poyti>et.a,. accitam = imported; explained by the following et epexegetic. posteri: i.e. both Cinyradae (the regium genus) and Tamiradae. stirpem: silver Latin use of the ace. after antecellere, as in nondum omnes fortuna antecellis, Ann. 14, 55 fin.; cf. on 1, 45 proximos. hostiae: in this case for divination only, not for sacrifice; see below, and 4. fibris: the BOOK II 181 word is here a syn. for exta, as in the poets, Plin. and Suet.; when a techn. term of haruspicina it means lobe (of liver or lungs). vetitum: for the impers. constr. cf. 4, 65 fin. coram adire adlo- quique Velaedam negatum. altaria: an altar at Paphos was mentioned in the Odyssey 8, 363, a passage imitated by Verg. Aen. 1, 415 ff., who has centum arae. adolentur: as a techn. term of sacrifice adolere comburere; it was then extended from the victim to the altar and place of sacrifice, and may be trans- lated cherish, honor; cf. Lucr. 4, 1237 adolentque altaria donis; Verg. Aen. 1, 704 flammis adolere penates; 7, 71 adolet ... al- taria taedis; Ann. 14, 30 fin. cruore captivo adolere aras. im- bribus: so Pliny N. H. 2, 210 fanum . . . in cuius quondam aream non impluit. quanquam: with prep, phrase, as in 20 quanquam in nullius iniuriam; cf. with abl. circumst. 1, 83. simulacrum: a primitive sacred stone, conical in shape, and white (not a meteorite, as has sometimes been thought). It is repre- sented on some coins of Paphos; cf. Head Hist. Num. p. 628. Cf. Encycl. Biblica, col. 2979 f. continuus orbis: cf. Intr. 20; on the omission of the adversative cf . on 1, 83 nimia pietas; 1, 29 patris. 4. opulentia: sc. templi. quaeque alia: objects linked with the name of some historical or mythological personage, including apocryphal inscriptions. vetustati adfingit: i.e. fictis narra- tionibus vetustati attribuit. pandi: middle sense = pater e. caesis . . . hostiis: on the abl. abs. at end of sentence cf. Intr. 7. ubi . . . videt: the classical use of hist. pres. with ubi (and postquam) with a verb of perceiving. magnis consultis: cf. Suet. Tit. 5 aditoque Paphiae Veneris oraculo, dum de navigatione consulit, etiam de imperil spe confirmatus est. respondens: aoristic use of the ptcp.; i.e. it is not felt as a present; in golden Latin it would be cum respondisset; yet rare examples are found even in Cicero (Brut. 180; pro Dig. 7). secreto = private interview; cf. 100 secretum . . . quaesitum; 4, 49 secreto eorum nemo adfuit. fiducia: on the abstr. for concr. cf. Intr. 15; for the apposition cf. 23 incitamenta; 24 fin. cumulus . . . subsidium. profligaverat = paene confecerat, a regular meaning of the word; cf. Livy 21, 40, 11 committere ac profligare bellum . . . commissum ac profligatum con- ficere; Augustus. Mon. Ancyr. 20 coepta profligataque opera a patre meo perfect (OIL. Ill, 2, p. 780); Cic. Ep. 12, 30, 2 profligato bello 182 NOTES ac paene sublato; Hist. 3, 50; Germ. 13 fin. bellum ludaicum: cf. 5, 10; the completion of the war and destruction of Jerusalem were narrated in book 5, but the Ms. ends abruptly, and most of the story, as told by Tacitus, is lost. ingenium: cf. on 1, 51 ingenio; 5, 14 camporum suopte injenio umentium. mentis: collectively for several colles; cf. 5, 11. quam quo . . . super esset: the real reason has preceded in the condensed form ob ingenium montis (= quod mons natura praeruptus erat); cf. Sail. Cat. 14, 7 sed ex aliis rebus magis, quam quod . . . compertum foret; Livy 43, 21, 8 magis quia . . . poterat, quam quod . . . esset; Cic. Ep. 10, 3, 4 amore magis impulsus . . . quam quo te arbitrarer, etc.; Caes. B. G. 4, 2, 1 magis eo, ut . . . quam quo ullam rem . . . desiderent. supra: i.e. 1, 10. exercitae: cf. 1, 68 exercita. quattuor Mucianus: cf. on 1, 10 init. discrimina . . . labor: Intr. 14. inexpert!: passive; cf. 1, 8; Ann. 1, 59 inexperta . . . supplicia, nescia (= ignota) tributa. inexperti belli rubor: cf. 22 pudore coeptae temere obpugnationis . cohortium, etc. : cf . 70 fin. classium alarum cohortium robora et fidissimi reges. classes: there were galleys (Liburnicae) in the Black Sea, ordered to Byzantium by Mucianus (cf. 83; 3, 47); also a fleet-station at Seleucia, the port of Antioch; another in Egypt. reges: the three whom Tac. names (cf. on 81; 5, 1) are: (1) Agrippa, i.e. Herod Agrippa II, brother of Berenice, and prince of Galilee and of Batanaea, east of the Lake of Galilee and the Jordan; (2) Antiochus IV, lung of Com- magene, north of Syria, and of a part of Cilicia; later, deposed by Vespasian (in 72), he lived in exile at Sparta and then at Rome. (3) Sohaemus, ruler of Sophene, on the left bank of the Euphrates, bordering on Armenia. All three had been socii reges in the cam- paigns of Corbulo under Nero (Ann. 13, 7 f.). 5. Vespasianus, etc. : on the style of this passage cf. Intr. 24. acer militiae: cf. on 1, 87 fin. impiger. anteire agmen: cf. on 1, 45 proximos. diu: an old Latin abl., obsolete, except for Sallust, Tacitus, and Fronto. posceret: cf. on 1, 49 forent; 1, 79 ubi res posceret. prorsus: used by Sail, and Tac. at the end of a series for denique, i.e. in a word; cf. 62 prorsus, si luxuriae temperaret, etc.; Sail. lug. 23, 1 prorsus intentus cuncta parare; Cat. 15, 5, etc. abesset: imperf. for pluperf. in a purely speculative condition; cf. 62 temperaret for temperasset. Mucianus: for a fuller account of BOOK II 183 him cf. 1, 10. cuncta . . . supergressa: cf. Intr. 11. sermone; on his command of Greek also cf. 80 satis decorus etiam Graeca facundia. dispositu: the abl. with peritus is very rare in golden Latin; cf. Cic. pro Cluent. 107 iure peritior. miscerentur : for the tense cf . on abesset, above. vicinis : vicinarum was avoided for reasons of euphony. exitu: for the abl. cf. on 1, 89 motu Vindicis. in medium: cf. 37 in medium consultarent; 1, 68 in unum consulere. dein: instead of proceeding with per Titum, etc., Tac. recasts the thought in the form of a main clause; so 98 fin.; cf. on 1, 76 sed erat. fides: for the apposition cf. 4 Titus fiducia. aboleverat: not anterior to consuluere; the pluperf. de- notes prompt and successful action, as in 25 cinxerat; 73 fin. pro- ruperant; 80 transierat. arte . . . compositus: cf. Livy 26, 19, 3 sed arte quoque quadam ... in ostentationem earum (sc. virtutum) compositus. 6. praecipitibus : in a weaker sense than in 41 praecipites ex- ploratores, and 1, 40 ire praecipites. ut adsolet: the comparison is not with everyday news, but with that of extraordinary events. mole . . . belli: cf. 16 tanta mole belli; 74 in tanta mole belli plerumque cunctatio; in a different sense 1, 61 fin. tola mole belli. Gallia: sc. Cisalpina. audit! : cf. on 1, 30 audita est. inspect! = aspecti. Augustus had repeatedly visited the East, but since the death of Germanicus, 19 A.D. at Antioch, no emperor or prince had been seen in the eastern provinces. vario eventu: in speak- ing of the same events Tac. makes Corbulo say multa Romanis secunda, quaedam Parthis evenisse, Ann. 15, 27 (63 A.D.). bello: the revolt of Vindex and of Galba; cf. on 1,6 fin. aliis: best taken as masc.; cf. 7 bellantibus aliis. raptum ire: cf. 1, 67 ultum ibat; Ann. 4, 1 raptum ierit; ib. 66 perditum ibat. circumspicere: cf. 74bellumarmaqueet . . . vires circumspectabat. septemlegiones: the beginning of an enumeratio; Intr. 23. inde: cf . on 1 , 68 inde. duaeque legiones : cf . on 1 , 11 copiasque. Pontus : a new province on the S. E. coast of the Black Sea, until 63 the kingdom of Polemo; cf. Suet. Nero 18; below, 8. Armeniis: south of Pontus lay Lesser Armenia, separated from Armenia proper (in part) by the upper Euphrates. praetenditur : cf. 14 minacifronte praetenderetur. tutum: owing to their control of the fleets; cf. 4 fin. 184 NOTES 7. aliis: made definite in the next sentence. bellorum civilium victores: cf. Ann. 1, 19 ne civilium quidem bellorum victores. ignaviam = lack of energy; more characteristic of Vitellius than ofOtho; but cf. 38 fin. ignavia principum. luxuriem: forOtho's abandonment of his usual luxus cf. 11 fin. distulere, etc.: for the order cf. 52 coeunt, nemo, etc. nuper: i.e. six months before, exitu Neronis, 5 med. olim: cf. on 1, 60 olim. mixtis: as in Agr. 38 miscere . . . consilia, dein separare (consilia); cf. below, 74 consilia sociaverat; Caesar's word was communicare, e.g. B. G. 6, 2 fin. optimus quisque: sc. id agebat. multos: instead of continuing the previous constr. Tac. abruptly abandons the active for the passive voice. ambiguae domi res: cf. Juvenal's res angusta domi (3, 165; 6, 357); cf. 1, 88 fin. multi adflicta fide, etc. 8. velut =* in the belief that, by the report that; cf. on 1, 8 tanquam . . . fovissent. super = de; this was colloquial in Cicero's time, hence found only in his Letters to Atticus (e.g. 16, 6, 1 hac super re); accepted by Sail., Livy, Tac. exitu: there were persistent reports that he had only disappeared; the people who decked his tomb with flowers even produced edicta quasi viventis et brevi magno inimicorum malo reversuri (Suet. Nero 57). ceterorum: cf. 1, 2 falsi Neronis ludibrio. In the Annals we meet a false Agrippa Postumus and a pretender Drusus (2, 39; 5, 10). in contextu operis: but the books in question have perished. Pontus: cf. on 6 Pontus. super similitudinem : for super = praeter cf. on 1, 8 super; 2, 30 super benignitatem animi. pronior . . . fides: fides is here the confidence which others had in him, and by which he profited (illi, dat. poss.); cf. 1, 87 plurima fides Licinio Proculo; 2, 33 fin. Otho, cui uni apud militem fides. For pronior ad cf. ib. Otho pronus ad decertandum; fides is half-per- sonified. Cythnus: one of the Cyclades, with hot springs. commeantium: i.e. they were on leave; the verb is given a special mg. to correspond with commeatus = furlough. dextras: cf. on 1, 54 dextras. ad celebritatem nominis: from the notion in reference to the reader supplies for himself that of cause or occa- sion; cf. below, 36 laeto milite ad mutationem ducum; 73 ad nomen eius Vitellius excitabatur; 68 ad omnes suspiciones pavidus. gliscentem: the word is Tac.'s favorite synonym for crescere; cf. 83 gliscere famam . . . sinebat. BOOK II 185 9. Galatia: in spite of mountains and distance between this inland province and Pamphylia, on the S. coast of Asia Minor (W. of Cilicia), the two were sometimes under one provincial gov- ernor. Misenensi: the principal naval station was behind the promontory of Misenum, at the entrance to the bay of Naples. Next in order came the station at Ravenna, for the Adriatic fleet; cf. 100. is: the pretender. in maestitiam: cf. 1, 54 in squa- lorem maestitiamque compositi. eum: the substitution of eum for se, if it prevents an ambiguity without creating another, was admitted even by the best writers; cf . below, 64 init. eius for suam. in Syria: one would expect in Syriam, but the poets had pre- ferred the abl. phrase with sistere. nutantes . . . dolo: cf. Intr. 13. firmaverunt = adfirmaverunt, cf. Intr. 17. Romam: the incident is cleverly used to bring the reader back to Rome and the West. 10. Transition: Rome: a delator condemned. Q. Vibius Crispus: of Vercellae (near Turin), a celebrated orator and accuser; cos. suff. under Nero, then curator aquarum 68-71, proconsul of Africa ca. 71-72; held two more consulships, and died (over eighty) in the time of Domitian; cf. 4, 41 f.; Dial. 8, 13; Plin. N. H. 19, 4; Frontin. 102. ingenio: on his oratory cf. the judgment of Quint., compositus et iucundus et delectationi natus, etc. (10, 1, 119). factitaverat: for the use of this word of a trade or profession cf . Quint. 7, 2, 26 medicinam factitasse; Cic. Brut. 130 accusationem factitaverit; cf. below, 10 fin. accusationes cum praemio exercuisse. recenti : i.e. early in Galba's reign (not recent). iactatum = treated, handled, executed; varie is explained by the following, et being epexegetic (that is); cf. on 1, 89 init. vel . . . aut: cf. on 1 vel. incubuerat: with inf. as in Verg. (Georg. 4, 249), for the Ciceronian ad pervertendum. fratris sui: i.e. L. Vibius Secundus: an earlier condemnation for extortion, as pro- curator of Mauretania (60 A.D.), is mentioned Ann. 14, 28 fin. indefensum et inauditum: cf. 1,6 inauditi atque indefensi. aeque . . . quam: after a negative Tac. prefers this to class, aeque ac. potentia: cf. on 1, 1 potentiam. dari . . . censebant: in place of the usual ut clause, Livy uses ace. and inf. of the 2d periphr. or ace. and pres. inf. with censeo, and Tac. follows his example; cf. 1, 39 rostra occupanda censerent. et = et vero; cf. on 1, 34 et. moribus: i.e. conduct; cf. 1, 48 variis moribus. 186 NOTES 11-26. First period of the war between Otho and Vitellius; favorable, in general, to the former; of the latter's two armies only that under Caecina has yet reached the plains of the Po. 11. motis: for the march into North Italy. Delmatia Pan- noniaque: for the legions in these provinces cf. on 1, 9 Illyrico. bina milia: i.e. a detachment (vexUlum) of 2000 men from each legion was sent in advance. ipsae: in contrast with their vexilla. a Galba conscripta: cf. on 1, 6 Hispana; this new legion is to be distinguished from VII Claudia (or Claudiana) in Moesia; cf. 85. quartadecumani : XIV Gemina Martia Victrix had formed part of the force with which Aulus Plautius conquered Britain for Claudius, 43 A.D.; had especially distinguished itself under Sueto- nius Paulinus in the suppression of the revolt of Boadicea in 61 (rebellione Britanniae compressa) hence their proud epithet domitores Britanniae, 5, 16. They were ordered to Dalmatia by Nero. A detachment fought for Otho at Bedriacum, below, 43, 66. eligendo: probably for his eastern campaign (1, 6 fin.). Ap- parently they had gone no further than Dalmatia when the upris- ing under Vindex led to a change of orders. A detachment at least had been summoned to Rome by Nero (I.e.). fides: but the Batavian auxiliaries attached to this legion were against Nero; cf. below 27. studia: Otho is to them the avenger of Nero. tarditas: symmetry would require the insertion of eo maior before tarditas; on this form of variety cf. on 1, 14 fin. quo suspectior; 2, 99 quantum . . . tanto, etc. alae cohortesque : i.e. their regu- lar auxiliaries; cf. on 1, 60 cohortibus. praeveniebant = ante- cedebant; only here in Tac.; but cf. Ann. 1, 63 fin. militem cum antevenisset. ex ipsa urbe: the ellipsis of veniebat is hardly felt after praeveniebant. equitum: i.e. praetorians. vexilla: by meton. for alae, as freq., e.g. 1, 70 vexillis. prima: cf. on 1, 6 e classe; below, 23 legionem primam; 43 prima Adiutrix. severis ducibus: so by Decimus Brutus in the campaign of Mutina; cf. App. B. C. 3, 49 fin. L. Antonius also had gladiators at Perusia; ib. 5, 33 fin. On the dat. cf. on 1, 11 procuratoribus. Annius Gallus: cf. on 1, 87. Vestricius Spurinna: well known from the letters of the Younger Pliny; accomplished as a writer of lyrics; cos. twice or three times; governor of Lower Germany, appar- ently, under Nerva or Trajan; Plin. Ep. 2, 7; 3, 1, etc. For his BOOK II 187 courage in the defense of Placentia cf . below, 18 ff. prima con- siliorum: the expedition into Gallia Narbonensis, 1, 87. trans- gresso, etc.: cf. 1, 89 fin. et Caecina iam Alpes transgressus ex- timulabat. Alpes: by the Great St. Bernard, 1, 61, 70 fin. speraverat: sc. Otho, implied in consiliorum. speculatorum: cf. on 1, 24 speculatori. lecta corpora: cf. Intr. 19; Verg. Aen. 2, 18 delecta virum sortiti corpora; 9, 272 lectissima matrum \ cor- pora; Livy's phrase is robora virorum, 21, 54, 3, or lecta robora virorum, 7, 7, 4. ceteris: the speculatores formed one of the five cohorts (see above, quinque . . . cohortes). e praetorio: cf. 1, 20 e praetorio. classicorum : the marines had demanded organiza- tion as a legion; cf. on 1, 6 introitus; and 1, 87 numeros. ferrea: not the more comfortable lintea. ire: for the single hist. inf. cf. on 1, 4Qfatigari. famae: followed by Juvenal in his gibe at Otho's mirror, speculum civilis sarcina belli, 2, 103. 12. Maritimae Alpes: a small province between Italy and Gallia Narbonensis, governed by a procurator (cf. below). His author- ity, though exercised on both banks of the Varus (Var) did not include the towns of Nicaea and Monoecus (Nice and Monaco) on the coast. The capital was Cemeneluin (Cimiez), just north of Nice. temptandis = occupandis. Suedius Clemens, etc. : cf . on 1, 87. vinctus: for other officers similarly treated cf. 26; 3, 14 (Caecina). ambitioso: cf. on 1, 83 ambitioso. adversus = as regards. modestiam: cf. on 1, 52 modesti. corruptus: cf. 1, 35 fin. adversus blandientes incorruptus. Italia . . . loca sedesque: on the balanced structure cf. Intr. 14. tanquam: adversative asyndeton; cf. on 1, 83 nimia pietas; 2, 16 aptum tern- pus, etc. rapere = diripere; cf. Intr. 17. metus = alarms; cf. on 13 iras. et belli malo: omit the conj. in trans.; the Latin tolerates a correlation of different kinds of ablatives (cause and means). circumveniebantur: cf. Ann. 14, 32 quasi media pace incauti multitudine barbarorum circumveniuntur (at Camulodunum, in Britain, 61 A.D.). procurator: cf. on 1, 2 fin. procurationes. Marius Maturus: cf. 3, 42 f. iuventus: so in another procura- torial province, 1, 68 et ipsorum Raetorum iuventus, sueta armis et more militiae exercita. arcere . . . intendit: cf. 22 Cremonam petere intendit; Agr. 18 redigere . . . animo intendit. nosci- tantibus: cf. 1, 68 non arma noscere. 188 NOTES 13. iras: for the plur. of the abstr. cf. 76 his pavoribus; 5, 24 luctus; Ann. 1, 55 fin. incitamenta irarum. Albintimilium = Album Intimilium = Ventimiglia, now the nearest town in Italy (Liguria) to the French frontier. It was here that Agricola's mother was among the innocent victims, Agr. 7 nam classis Othoniana licenter vaga dum Intimilium . . . hostiliter populatur, matrem Agricolae in praediis suis interfecit, etc. capi: i.e. that they might be sold into slavery. auxit invidiam = bad feeling was increased by, etc. 14. adactae: cf. on 1, 55 adactae; 2, 73; 2, 6 sacramentum Othonis acceperat. The submission of Gall. Narb. to Vitellius was mentioned, 1, 76. Fabio Valenti: at some point on his march towards the Cottian Alps; cf. 1, 66. coloniarum: of the numerous colonies in Gall. Narb. the only places in serious danger from the fleet and marines of Otho were Forum lulii (Frejus), Arelate (Aries), and Narbo Martius (Nar bonne), possibly also Aquae Sextiae (Aix) and Nemausus (Nimes). Massilia was a civitas libera. Tungri: in Lower Germany, now Belgium, around Li6ge. These cohorts served in Britain under Agricola (Agr. 36), and remained there to the end of the Roman occupation. Treverorum: cf. on 1, 53; this ala of cavalry appears again on the lower Rhine in the war against Civilis, in which it deserted with its commander Clas- sicus; cf. 4, 18, 55. lulius Classicus: of the royal family of the Treveri; went over to the side of Civilis in 70; cf. 4, 55, 57 ff.; 5, 19 ff. misit: they probably marched down the Rhone to Avennio (Avignon), and then via Aquae Sextiae (Aix). colonia Foroiuliensis: Forum lulii, a colony and naval station, now Frejus, with many remains of its harbor works, amphitheater, and aqueduct; cf. 3, 43. It was the patria of Agricola; cf. Agr. 4. lecti: i.e. a detachment (vexillum, 1, 31 fin.). Ligurum cohors: numerous tombstones show that its regular station was Cemenelum (Cimiez); cf. on 12 init. vetus loci: vetus in the sense of prudens or ex~ pertus takes a gen. in Tac.; cf. 4, 20 veteres militiae; 76 veterem ex- pertumque belli; Ann. 1, 20 fin. vetus operis ac laboris. nondum sub signis: i.e. recruits awaiting organization as a cohort; mean- time they would have a vexillum. acies: i.e. Othonianorum, as the mention of classici shows. classicorum : cf . 1 1 fin. classicorum ingens numerus. paganis = peasants, as in 4, 20, compelled by BOOK II 189 the Othonians to fight on their side (cf. 1, 53 fin. paganos = civil- ians). colles: the word hardly suggests the wild character of that coast. The scene of the battle must be placed somewhere about Monaco or Menton; cf. 15 fin. praetorianus miles: a detachment of praetorians, assigned to duty with the fleet; cf. 1, 87. conversa: i.e. with the prorae towards the shore, the opposite of the usual position. praetenderetur: sc. litori. Alpinos = Ligures or Ligurum cohortem. cohortes: used for the lecti e cohortibus, etc. (above); as legiones sometimes for detach- ments from different legions (cf . on 22 legionum). contra: op- posed to a latere. veteranus miles: the praetorians. obscurum noctis: cf. 4, 50 obscuro . . . lucis; Ann. 2, 39 fin. obscuro diei; cf. on 1, 62 medio diei. obtentui: cf. on 1, 49 obtentui; the dative does duty in place of a relative clause, quod obtentui erat. 15. quanquam victi: cf. on 1, 43 quanquam. accitis: no doubt from their base, at Fr6jus; cf . 14. sidente = residente; cf . Intr. 17. iuxta = iuxta sito = vicino; for the attributive use of the adv. cf. Agr. 25 universarum ultra gentium; below, 16 Libur- nicarum ibi navium; so also prep, phrases, e.g. 93 crebrae in vulgus mortes; cf. 1, 50 fin. ante se; 2, 54 a Brixello; 76 fin. ante omnis; Germ. 37 multa in vicem damna. Tungrarum: here used as adj., cf . Ann. 4, 47 fin. Sugambrae cohortis. ne . . . quidem = also . . . not; cf. on 1, 29 fin. quorum . . . secutos: for the part. gen. with ptcp. cf. Agr. 11 fin. Britannorum olim victis. hinc . . . inde: cf. on 6 inde. retro: if with revertere, there is a pleonasm; it may belong, however, only with the first member, retro An- tipolim (cessere). Antipolis: a Massilian colony on the coast, now Antibes, 12 m. west of Nice. Albingaunum: Albenga, also on the coast, but 64 m. east of Nice, a distance which makes interioris appropriate. interioris Liguriae: the gen. is attached in the Greek fashion directly to the town name, a use found, however, even in Caesar; cf. B. G. 1, 10 fin. in finis Vocontiorum ulterioris provinciae; Ann. 5, 10 Piraeum Atticae orae. He means a town of Liguria, some distance from the frontier. 16. tenuit = retinuit; cf. Intr. 17. procuratoris: Corsica was probably no longer administratively connected with Sardinia, but had its own procurator, and for garrison a small body of sailors and marines from the fleet at Misenum; cf.CIL. X, 2, p. 838. tanta 190 NOTES mole belli: cf. on 2, 6 mole . . . belli. in summam = for the general cause (ultimate issue) : cf. Ann. 13, 38 nihil in summam pacts proficiebatur. provenisset: this figure for success is taken from the thriving of crops; cf. 20 fin. ut initia belli provenissent. trierarchum: usually the commander of a trireme or galley (cf. 9), here in command of a small squadron. Liburnicarum : galleys of this type had won the day at Actium for Octavian; origi- nally employed by the Liburnian pirates of Illyricum (Croatia and Dalmatia); cf. 35. ibi: position gives it attributive force; cf. on 15 iuxta; 34 validis utrimque trabibus; 39 tot circum omnibus. Quintium: for the asyndeton cf. on 1, 13 Vinium . . . Laconem. qui aderant: other officials, or notables, in contrast with turba. inconditos: in its common opposition to disciplined soldiers, as Ann. 3, 46 inconditique ac militiae nescii oppidani; ib. 4, 47 magna vis armata, at incondita. longe: for the ellipsis of abesse cf. Intr. 26. vastatos: transferred from cities and countries to their inhabitants; cf. 87 fin. ipsi cultores arvaque . . . vasta- bantur; Agr. 22 vastatis nationibus; Ann. 14, 23 fin., 38; not found before Livy (23, 42, 5 devastati). aperta vi: sc. egere; cf. Intr. 26. aptum tempus: on adversative asyndeton after negative cf. on 12 tanquam. balineis: for the local abl. without prep. cf. 5, 5 urbibus . . . templis; Intr. 18; it may also be ex- plained as circumstantial, i.e. at the hour of the bath (as ludis, gladiatoribus, etc.). conluvie rerum = confusion of the times. permixtos: and hence lost sight of. 17. aperuerat: in the sense of opening the way for conquest, as in Curt. 7, 1, 3 primus Asiam aperuerat regi; cf. Hist. 3, 2 fin. iam reseratam Italiam . . . audietis. In Agr. 22, Germ. 1, i is used of discovering new regions. supra: i.e. 1, 70. apud quemquam: referring to the inhabitants of the region in general, not merely to the Siliani. necquia: fornonquo (cf. quam quo, 4). occupantibus: i.e. the first to take possession. melioribus: masc. as is shown by its contrast with occupantibus ; here the unusual dat. with incuriosus, in place of gen. (1, 49 famae nee incuriosus). The full expression would be eligendis melioribus in- curiosos; cf. Ann. 14, 38 serendis frugibus incuriosos. quantum, etc.: Tac. leaves out of account all the country east of about Verona. In that quarter the Othonians were as yet unopposed. BOOK II 191 urbium: four were mentioned in 1, 70. praemissae . . . co- hortes: cf. ib. - Pannoniorum: this cohort was previously in Germany, at Bingerbriick; later probably in Britain; cf. CIRh. 740, 743. Cremona: near the left bank of the Po, 19 m.p. below Placentia. Placentia = Piacenza, a short distance from the right bank of the Po. Ticinum = Pavia, on the left bank of the Ticinus (Ticino), near its mouth, ca. 35 m.p. from Placentia. quin etiam: postpositive, as regularly in Tac., except in the Dial. a poetic freedom of order; cf. 64 fin. Batavos: they were eager to display their skill in swimming; cf. 4, 12 fin. praecipuo nandi studio; Agr. 18 patrius nandi usus, etc. falsi: for this middle (or passive) sense cf. Sail. lug. 85, 20 illi falsi sunt, qui, etc.; ib. 10, 1 neque ea res falsum me habuit. 18. certum erat: followed by ace. and inf. of the fact of which he was certain, and also two infinitives expressing his resolution. Spurinna: cf. on 11. necdum = et nondum, connecting with et . . nee. propinquaret: cf. Intr. 17; Tac. seems to have avoided adpropinquare, using it but three times; cf. 1, 39. vexillarios: cf. on 1, 31 fin. vexilla; a part of the 8000 mentioned in 11 init. vexillis: i.e. of the cavalry, and that of the detach- ment of 1000; cf. 11 equitum vexilla. retinenti: for the conative use cf. on 1, 9 retinentis. 19. in conspectu: as there is no intimation that they crossed the Po in the face of the German auxiliaries (17 fin.), we must assume that they marched up the valley. At 8 m.p. from the city they probably reached the river, at a point where it bends away to the north. The sight of the river recalled the recent at- tack of the Batavians, and added to their sense of insecurity. metum ac discrimen : i.e. the danger to be feared; a form of hen- diadys, linking subjective effect with objective cause; cf. on 47 solaciis. circumfudisset: the ind. quotation of circumfuderit (fut. perf.). laudari: for the isolated hist. inf. cf. on 11 fin. ire. validam: with gen. not found before Tac.; cf. Ann. 4, 21 orandi validus. robur ac sedem = as a strong base; hendiadys, cf. Agr. 3 fiduciam ac robur; for sedes bello cf. 3, 8 quae sedes bello legeretur; Ann. 14, 33 an illam sedem bello deligeret. bello: cf. on 1, 67 initium bello. rationem: cf. on 1, 83 ratio rerum; 2, 25 cum ratione; 80 spes timor, ratio casus. baud paeniteret: i.e. 192 NOTES they had no reason to be dissatisfied with, etc.; cf. Agr. 33 neque me militum neque vos ducis paenituit. 20. saevitia, etc. : the reference is to his harsh treatment of the Helvetii, 1, 67 f. versicolori: after the Gallic style; cf. 5, 23 sagulis versicoloribus. bracas: for the poetic ace. constr. with indutus cf. Intr. 19; only here in Tac.; it is found also in Livy (27, 37, 12). The Mss. add the appositive barbarum legmen, probably a gloss. Roman soldiers were beginning to wear bracae when on service in northern countries. quanquam . . . veheretur: cf. on 1, 68 quanquam. in nullius iniuriam: emphatic; although no one was injured by the fact that, etc. A striking example of con- densation; cf . on 46 maiore animo. ostro: i.e. a purple cloth on which she sat. gravabantur: trans, as Ann. 3, 59 fin. gravaretur aspectum civium, and 5, 8 spem ac metum iuxta gravatus. insita mortalibus natura: as in 1, 55, with the same inf. constr. nullis: substantive (rare, but class.): cf. nulli, Ann. 2, 77 fin. speciosis et inritis: the contrast between the two adjj. makes an adversative conj. unnecessary. This is a favorite grouping with Tac., often with a touch of satire; cf. 3, 56 fin. iucundum et laesurum; 4, 33 fin. maior numerus et imbellior; Ann. 12, 52 senatus consultum atrox et inritum. iactata sunt: neut. verb with feminine subjects, as frequently in Sail. (e.g. lug. 38, 8; Cat. 20, 2); cf. 3, 70 pacem et^koncordiam victis utilia, victoribus tantum pulchra esse; 4, 64 ut amicitia societasque . . . rata sint. provenissent: cf. on 16 provenisset; on 19 circumfudisset; cf. Agr. 18 prout prima cessis- sent, terrorem ceteris fore. 21. impetu . . . transactus: contrast 1, 47 exacto per scelera die. aperti: i.e. without waiting to construct vineae, plutei, etc., cf. below. amphitheatri: it must have been largely constructed of wood, like that at Fidenae, which collapsed in 27 A.D., when 50,000 (?) were killed or injured; Ann. 4, 62 f. dum: cf. 3, 71 ambigitur, ignem tectis obpugnatores iniecerint, an obsessi, . . . dum nitentes ac progresses depellunt (of the burning of the Capitol). glandes = fire-balls, of iron or clay, heated; cf. Caes. B. G. 5, 43 ferventis fusili ex argilla glandis. missilem ignem: cf. Caes. ib. fervefacta iacula; also known as falaricae, Liv. 21, 8, 10; an- other kind was the malleolus, Liv. 42, 64, 3 faces taedamque et malleolos stuppae inlitos pice. tarn capax: this was, of course, BOOK II 193 before the building of the Flavian amphitheater at Rome (Colos- seum). That of Verona is of much later date. foret = esset; cf. 88, 100, etc. in levi habitum: not differing in sense from leve habitum; cf. Ann. 3, 54 in levi habendum; Germ. 5 in pretio habent. ceterum: returning from the digression. absumpta: cf. Agr. 21 sequens hiems saluberrimis consiliis absumpta; Ann. 2, 8 plures dies efficiendis pontibus absumpti. pluteos : the pluteus was a kind of shield on wheels; it was made of planks with a sharp angle, or in its semicircular form, of wicker covered with hides. crates = fascines, similar to the wicker plutei, but without the hides. vineas: with their hide-covered roofs and sides the vineae fur- nished protection to a whole squad. perfringendis: Tac. has in mind the vineae and testudines, but strains a point in letting the word agree with hostibus; cf. on 16 vastatos. pudor : their honor was at stake; they were ashamed to give way. gloria = gloriae cupido, as Ann. 1, 43 pudor et gloria. legionum . . . exercitus, etc.: on the style of this passage cf. Intr. 14. attollentium: loosely connected with exhortationes, in order to provide a government for robur and decus. peregrinum: whereas praetorians were recruited in Italy; cf. 1, 84 Italiae alumni. uberioribus . . . probris: cf. 30 fin. quamvis uberrima conviciorum in Vitettium materia. 22. die = luce; cf . Intr. 19. plena . . . fulgentes : cf . Intr. 23. legionum: on the use of the plur. where there was but one legion and detachments cf. on 1, 70 fin. legionum; 2, 25; cf. on 14 cohortes. sagittis aut saxis: i.e. eminus. fluxa: a favorite word with Tac., to express the idea of decay, decline, etc.; cf. 32 fluxis corporibus. cantu truci: i.e. the barditus of Germ. 3; cf. 4, 18 ut virorum cantu, feminarum ululatu sonuit acies, etc. (Civilis and his Germans). nudis: either lightly clad, or bare to the waist; cf. Germ. 6 nudi aut sagulo leves. subruit, etc.: the vivid effect of the hist. pres. is often increased by its position in advance of its object. molitur: conative. ingenti pondere: abl. manner, but to be translated as abl. qual. confixi: i.e. by ordinary weapons, which did not need to be mentioned. exsangues = bleeding to death. infracta . . . fama: a serious loss for the dreaded armies of the Rhine; cf. 24 init.; 27 reciperandi decoris cupidine. isdem castris: abl.; cf. on 1, 55 hibernis. intendit: 194 NOTES cf. 12 fin. arcere . . . intendit. lulius Briganticus: son of Civilis' sister. But he was an enemy of the Batavian leader (ut ferme acerrima proximorum odia sunt, 4, 70), and died fighting for Rome, 5, 21. primipilaris: cf. on 1, 31 primipilaribus. ordines duxerat = centurio fuerat; cf . 4, 5. 23. acta: sc. essent; cf. 42 ignaris quae causa salutandi. Omis- sion of the subjv. in ind. quest, is frequent; cf. on 1, 85 ne ... silentium. Annius Gallus: cf. 11; 1, 87. legionem primam: cf. on 11 prima. ne . . . tolerarent: an expansion of diffisus; cf. on 1, 38 ut . . . distingueretur; 2, 26 fin. pergere: the re- pulse at Placentia caused no retreat, or abandonment of his general plan of campaign. Bedriacum: 22 m.p. east of Cremona, accord- ing to the Tabula Peutingeriana; the village occupied a position of strategic importance at the junction of the Via Postumia with a direct road to Verona. The former led from Placentia through Cremona to Mantua, and perhaps via Hostilia to Patavium and Aquileia; cf. 24 viae and aggerem viae; 41 via; 3, 21 viae Postumiae aggere. Probably near the left bank of the Ollius, at Calvatone; cf. CIL. V, 1, p. 411. The distance to Cremona was given as 20 m.p. (vicesimo lapide) by Pompeius Planta, a contemporary of Tac., but this is probably a round number; cf. Schol. on luv. 2, 99. duabus . . . cladibus: both in this same year, viz. that of 14th April, in which the Vitellians gained the victory (cf. 41-44), and that in October, in which they succumbed to the troops of Ves- pasian (3, 16-25). Both battles might have been named from Cremona, rather than Bedriacum. notus inf austusque : observe the Latin method of converting noted into notorious by adding another adj., a form of hendiadys. Martius Macer: he had com- manded the IVth and Vth legions in Germany, and had governed Moesia (under Claudius) and then Achaia. His cursus honorum is found on an inscr. at Arezzo, CIL. XI, 1835; cf. below, 71. flnimi; cf. on 1, 53 animi (inmodicus). gladiatores: cf. 11. adversam: i.e. the left, or north, bank. Cremonam: at present the headquarters of the Vitellians. repressus: by the Othonian generals; see below. animo: added to balance ore in the chias- mus. eos quoque: referring to Paulinus and Celsus only. As Gallus alone has been mentioned lately (11, 23), the reader might forget the other commanders named in 1, 87. incitamenta: BOOK II 195 appositive to interfectores; cf. on 4 fiducia. miscere cuncta: cf. 1, 53 miscere cuncta; and on 2, 11 fin. ire. humillimo : cf. on 1, 52 humiiis. inter adversa: on the variety cf. Intr. 13. Titianus: he had been left behind as Otho's representative at Rome, 1, 90 fin. It was a strange act of blindness on Otho's part to relieve the able trio named above, and give the command to his incom- petent brother. 24. interea: it was some time before Titianus could arrive. coepta: i.e. the fact that, etc.; Intr. 11. nuper: by the gladiators of Martius Macer, 23. crebra . . . proelia : in apposition with concursum, which is not limited to a single encounter. digna memoratu: cf. Livy 4, 43, 1 nihil dignum memoratu; 27, 41, 5 certamina hand satis digna dictu; but in Caesar dignum memoria, B. G. 7, 25, 1. Valens: cf. 14; he reaches Ticinum (Pavia) at chap. 27. illuc = in ilium, as 4, 18 illuc ( = in illos) incubuere Germani. ad duodecumum: sc. lapidem; cf. 39 ad quartum a Bedriaco; the distance from Bedriacum would be ten miles; cf. on 23 Bedriacum. locus Castor urn: cf. Suet. Otho 9 ad Castoris, quod loco nomen est; some shrine of Castor and Pollux (the Castores) gave its name to the spot. viae: sc. Postumiae; cf. on 23 Bedri- acum. inritato proelio: the usual expression was hostes proelio (abl.) lacessere; cf. Caes. B. G. 1, 15, 3. insidiae: one would expect ex insidiis, as in Livy 21, 34, 6 ex insidiis barbari . . . coorti. coorerentur: but the plan failed, and they did not wait for the approach of the Othonians; cf. 25 Vitelliani temere ex- surgentes. Paulinus . . . Celsus: while Annius Callus remained in charge at Bedriacum, where reinforcements were daily arriving. Possibly he had already met with the accident mentioned at 33 init. sumpsere: for the plural cf. on 1, 48 interfecerant. vexil- lum: the 2000 who had preceded the body of the legion; cf. 11 init.; cf. 1, 31 fin. vexilla. aggerem: the elevated, paved central portion of the road, a familiar feature of every Roman road in a flat country; cf. 42 fin.; 3, 21 in ipso viae Postumiae aggere. altis ordinibus: i.e. in column. Although not explicitly stated, it is probable that the legionaries and auxiliaries were also in col- umns at first, on account of the lack of unobstructed ground; cf. 25 pandi aciem; and in vineas . . . modica silva, etc. cumulus: for the apposition cf. 4 fiducia; 23 incitamenta; for the sense, 1, 77 pontificatus . . . cumulum dignitatis addidit. 196 NOTES 26. prudens = acquainted with (in advance), as in Agr. 19 ani- morum provinciae prudens. suos: i.e. the cavalry; cf. 24. exsurgentes: i.e. ex insidiis. ultro: of the biter bitten; cf. on 1, 7 ultra. in insidias: the auxiliary cohorts had advanced more rapidly than the legionaries and praetorians in the center, so that Paulinus' formation was now en echelon. Celsus in retiring passed through the center, drawing the Vitellians into a trap. legionum: cf. on 22 legionum. The praetorians are not men- tioned, because the change of formation explained above reduced them to the position of a reserve. discursu: i.e. separating to right and left. cinxerat: cf. on 5 fin. aboleverat. eques: the praetorian and auxiliary cavalry which had at first been held in reserve (24 fin., 25 fin.). cum ratione: i.e. that were logical; cf. 19 rationem. fossas: some were for irrigation, others for drainage. aperiri: cf. the obstacles mentioned just below. traducum = vine-layers, trained from tree to tree, the method still practiced in that region. et = besides. ausi: in a preg- nant sense; cf. 71 fin. adversus Neronem ausus; 5, 11 longius ausuri. equitum: cf. on eques, above. rex = prince. Epiphanes: son of Antiochus IV of Commagene (cf. on 4 fin. reges; 81); later he served under Titus against Jerusalem. After Ves- pasian annexed Commagene to Syria, Antiochus and Epiphanes were permitted to live at Rome; cf. Joseph. B. I. 5, 11, 3; 7, 7, 1-3. pugnam ciens: cf. Ann. 3, 41 pugnam pro Romanis dens; Hist. 4, 78 pugnam ciebant; as in Livy 1, 12, 2; 3, 18, 8. 26. erupit: until now they had taken no active part in the battle. protrita: cf. 4, 17 protritos Aeduos Arvernosque. simul: i.e. all at once; cf. below, non universi. in castris: before Cremona. praefectus castrorum: his duties included general charge of the camp and the guard, of tents, baggage-train, artillery, hospital, wood, straw, etc., and often fortification, road-making, etc.; cf. on 1, 82 praefecto legionis; 2, 29. tanquam: cf. on 1, 48 tanquam . . . furatus. fratri = in gratiam fratris. lulius Fronto: cf. 1, 20 fin. fugientes occursantes, etc.: for the asyndeton of contrasted terms cf. 41 fin. adcurrentium vocantium; 42 comminus eminus; 70 falsa vera; 1, 3 fin. laeta tristia, etc. oc- cursantes = qui subveniebant, above. pro vallo: cf. on 1, 36 fin. pro vallo; the panic extends even to those on guard at the BOOK II 197 camp. ferebat: cf. on 1 ferebat. ne: for this explanatory use of ne cf. on 23 n ... tolerarent. in vulgus: cf. 1, 71 fin. adverse rumore: cf. 1, 73 adversa . . . fama; Ann. 14, 11 Seneca adverso rumore erat. They no doubt charged Paulinus with treachery; cf. 23 variis criminibus incessebant. 27-51. Second period of the war, following the arrival of Valens and culminating in the first battle of Bedriacum and suicide of Otho. 27. perinde . . . quam: cf. on 1, 30 fin. perinde . . . quam. modestiam = good discipline; cf. on 1, 60 modestia. nee solum . . . quoque: without the adversative; cf. non modo . . . etiam, Ann. 3, 19; 4, 35; 16, 26 non solum Cossutianum aut Eprium . . . superesse qui, etc. Ticinum: cf. on 17. His route to the Cottian Alps was given, 1, 66. The march thence via Turin to Pavia is left undescribed. reciperandi decdris: they had lost credit by the defeat in the Maritime Alps (14 f.) and by a mutiny (see below). alioquin *=> ceterum or at; see abundant examples, esp. from Plin. Sr. and Quint, in the Thesaurus I, 1593. repetam: cf. on 1, 4 repetendum. bello Neronis: the uprising of Vindex in Gaul and Galba in Spain, with the general disorder to which they gave rise. Neronis is obj. gen. digressas: in Dalmatia; cf. on 11 eligendo. rettulimus: 1, 59, 64. ten- toria: the ace. without ad, as 3, 24 ut quosque . . . accesserat; Ann. 14, 35 ut quamque nationem accesserat; cf. Sail. lug. 62, 1 lugurtham . . . accedit; Verg. Aen. 1, 201, 307; with ad, Hist. 1,16 (figurative mg.). accessissent: on the iterative subjv. cf. on 1, 10 vacaret. ablatam . . . Italiam: they claimed that, but for them, the XlVth would have marched to the rescue, and Italy would have remained loyal to Nero. aut modo . . . modo; here connecting things both of which are true, but at different times; cf. 92 offensis aut . . . blanditiis. Cf. 1, 64 iurgia primum, max rixa. suspectabafc the modern sense ap- pears first in Tac.; cf. 3, 82 omnem prolationem . . . suspecta- bant; Ann. 11, 16 potentiam eius suspectantes. 28. nuntio adlato: the news probably reached him somewhere between the pass (Mt. Genevre = Alpis Cottia; cf. 1, 61) and Turin, or at the latter. pulsam, etc.: cf. 14 f. praevalidas: the conclusion of si ... forent. tot bellorum victores: the 198 NOTES same phrase, 4, 58; cf. Ann. 4, 18 Sacroviriani belli victor. columen = culmination; the figure is from the highest point of a building, apex of a gable, ridge of the roof, etc. The other sense, pillar, prop, support is inappropriate here, as conflicting with the idea of motion in the verb. verteretur = hinged upon, depended upon, rested with; cf. Verg. Aen. 10, 528 f. non hie vic- toria Teucrum \ vertitur, a passage which Tac. may have had in mind; cf. Livy 4, 31, 4 poscere dictatorem; in eo verti spes civi- tatis; 37, 7, 8 totum id vertitur in voluntate Philippi. ut: omit in translation. 29. iactando = iactantes; cf. 48 laudando . . . castigando; manner, rather than means, very freq. in Livy. spolia Gallia- rum, etc.: cf. 1, 63 fin., 64. Viennensium aurum: cf. 1, 66. pretia: cf. Ann. 15, 12 non vicos aut oppida Armeniorum, sed castra Romana . . . pretium laboris peti; Agr. 12 aurum et argen- tum . . . pretium victoriae. tabernacula: for the plur. cf. 1, 27 praedia, and the regular use of aedes. lanceis: cf. on 1, 79 lanceis. Alfenus Varus: cf. 43 fin.; Vitellius made him prae- fectus praetorio, 3, 36 fin.; cf. 3, 55, 61; 4, 11. praefectus castrorum: cf. on 26 praefectus castrorum. deflagrante = flagrare desinente; cf. Livy 40, 8, 9 deflagrare iras vestras . . . posse. consilium: explained by the following abl. abs., instead of vetuit enim, etc. obire = to make the rounds. deformis: referring esp. to the servilis vestis, above. gaudium: cf. Intr. 23. favor = applause. versi: cf. 63 in paenitentiam versus; 3, 62 in desperationem versi. gratantes = gratulantes, the latter being very rare in Tac.; cf. Ann. 6, 50 multo gratantum concursu; 12, 7 Claudius . . . praebet se gratantibus. circum- datum, etc.: so of Otho, 1, 36. aquilis: i.e. of V Alaudae and I Italica; cf. 1, 61, 64. dissimulans: i.e. if he took no notice; cf. on 1, 73 dissimulantis. paucos incusavit: so Otho, 1, 84 f. 30. Ticinum: cf. 27 and on 17. adversa . . . pugna: that at locus Castorum, 24-26. tanquam: cf. on 26 tanquam. fraude = malitia. cunctationlbus: by hendiadys the motive as- signed and objective conduct are linked together; cf. on 47 solaciis. anteire signa: cf. on 1, 45 proximos. iunguntur: i.e. at Cre- mona. expositos: silver Latin for obiectos; cf. 1, 11 fin. ex- posita; 2, 53 expositum; 83 exponi Vitellio; 3, 5 ne . . . barbaris BOOK II 199 nationibus exponerentur. tanto pauciores: Caecina's 30,000, as against Valens' ca. 45,000, i.e. 40,000 plus I Italica and the ala Tauriana (added at Lyons), minus the troops sent to Gall. Narb.; cf. 1, 61, 64; 2, 14. in suam ezcusationem: for the coordina- tion of prepositional phrase with ptcp. (attollentes) cf. Intr. 13. duplicatus, etc.: exaggerated as to the total (cf. on tanto pau- ciores, above), but understating Valens' superiority in legionaries. legionum: i.e. complete legions (two), and detachments from others (three). Caecina had one legion and vexilla of two others. Cf. 1, 61, 64. super: cf. on 8 super similitudinem. promptior = more complaisant; cf. Ann. 4, 60 fin. Agrippina promptior Neroni erat. vigore aetatis: cf. 1, 53, where he was decorus iuventa. inani = unfounded, i.e. not to be explained by the character or gifts of Caecina; cf. ib. ut foedum: note the ellipse of Valentem, as of Caecinam before ut tumidum. foedum ac maculosum: the same, 1, 7; Valens' vices were described at 1, 66; cf. 3, 41. inridebant: for the plur., instead of class, sing. cf. on 1, 48 interfecerant; cf. also 2, 24 sumpsere; 31 meruere (but ib. Vitellius . . . Otho . . . ducebatur); 67 fin. parabant; 78 fin. discessere; 86 tenebant; 92 pollebant. utilitatem: i.e. the cau&e of the Vitellians. quamvis: a very rare use with the superl.; in Tac. only here and 3, 28 quamvis pessimo flagitio. With compar. Ann. 3, 52 quamvis graviora and Germ. 24 quam- vis iuvenior, quamvis robustior. 31. meruere: cf . on 30 fin. inridebant. flagrantissimae: cf. 4, 39 fin. flagrantissimus . . . amor; Ann. 11, 29 flagrantissima . . . gratia; 13, 45 fin. flagrantissimus in amicitia Neronis. sibi inhonestus: i.e. his gluttony concerned no one directly but him- self; cf. Ann. 2, 38 sibi ignavi, nobis graves. On Vitellius' habits cf. 68, 71, 87. 32. fama: for the achievements of Suetonius Paulinus cf. on 1, 87. callidior: with gen. on the analogy of peritus; cf. Ann. 4, 33 callidi temporum. censere to give his opinion. uni- versum: Paulinus is not ignorant of the fact that five legions, reduced by detachments, had been left behind (cf. on 1, 61), not to mention auxiliaries; but argues that the present army represents all the troops Vitellius can venture to withdraw from the frontier. a tergo: sc. esse. et . . . non: f or neque, but with a reason, since 200 NOTES non conducat was inexpedient; cf. 34 et . . . non occultabant (Jailed to conceal); 56 et prohibere non arm's; cf. below, et nullo. inrupturis: the abl. abs. with fut. ptcp. begins with Livy; cf . 86 fin. ceteris fortunam secuturis; 3, 56 peritissimis centurionum . . . vera dicturis; 4, 39 hand defutura consciorum manu. Britanni- cum: Vitellius called out 8000 legionaries from Britain; cf. 57, 100. hoste et mari distineri: zeugma. Hispanias: cf. on 1, 8 for the legions in Spain. et nullo: cf. on 1, 31 et nullo. nullo maris subsidio: abl. qual. Otho's Adriatic fleet, with its station at Ravenna, cut off all approach to Transpadane Italy by sea. iam = iam vero = moreover. tractor conditional in force. fluxis corporibus: in place of a causal clause; for the mg. cf. Livy on the Gauls, 10, 28, 4 Gallorum . . . corpora intoleran- tissima laboris atque aestus fluere; 34, 47, 5 labor et aestus mollia et fluida corpora Gallorum . . . cum decedere pugna coegisset. Cf. 22 aevofiuxa; also on QQfluxa; Germ. 4 fin. minimeque sitim aestum- quetolerare, etc. taedia: produced by the morae; contrast fraude et cunctationibus, 30 (v. note). opulenta: in a wide sense = abounding in resources. caput rerum: cf. Ann. 1, 47 non omittere caput rerum. obscura = empty, meaningless; cf. 1 , 30 vacua nomina; 1, 55 oblitterata iam nomina. Italiae sueta: for the dat. cf. 1, 4 fin. theatris sueta; 4, 17 suetus regibus Oriens; 5, 14 fin. Germanos fluminibus suetos. aestibus: i.e. a warm climate, etc., the use of the plural being like that of frigus, e.g. Agr. 12 asperitas frigorum abest; Germ. 16 fin. rigorem frigorum. obia- cere: from above Placentia to Cremona and below. Further down the Othonians held both banks, and Suetonius does not suggest that they should retire to the south bank. defensione: rare in this literal mg., only here in Tac. exploratum: sc. esse; a principal clause introduced by a relative. proinde: cf. on 1, 21 proinde. duceret: sc. Oiho, who was, of course, presid- ing. quartam decumam: cf. 11. adfore: the three legions from Moesia (III Gallica, VII Claudia, VIII Augusta) had al- ready reached the Adriatic at Aquileia; cf. 46 fin. certaturos: the subj. is left indefinite (not se alone; in oratio recta we should have certabitur) ; cf. 44 fin. perituros. 33. idem: the unanimity of his three most experienced generals did not prevent Otho from foolishly risking a battle at once. BOOK II 201 Titianus: recently arrived from Rome, to take over the chief com- mand; cf. 23 fin. praefectus: for Proculus' appointment by the praetorians themselves cf. 1, 46; he was an intimate friend of Otho (ib.). imperitia: abl. cause; cf. 34 inprudentia rueret. numen: a conveniently ambiguous term, which to some would mean only the genius (5a.tfj.wv); to others the flatterers it would suggest the divinity of the emperor. In the latter sense the word was strictly applicable only to a dead emperor who had been dei- fied ; but at Rome the Augustan poets started the fashion of apply- ing it to the living ruler; cf. Hor. C. 4, 5, 34 f. neu: for et ne of class, prose, since the connection is between main clauses, while the negative belongs to the subordinate. adulationem: their reference to his numen, among other flatteries. postquam . . . placitum: sc. est; cf. 1, 1 postquam bellatum apud Actium. seponi: i.e. should be kept at a safe distance. dubitavere = deliberavere; cf. 37 dubitasse exercitus, num, etc.; 39 ibi de proelio dubitatum. obiectare: cf. Ann. 2, 5 ut . . . Germanicum dolo simul et casibus obiectaret; usually in the sense of exprobrare. Brixellum = Brescello, on the right bank of the Po, 30 m.p. from Cremona, 40 from Regium Lepidum. It was on the road from Parma to Mantua. concederet: he had come from Brixellum to attend the council of war, and now returned; cf. 39 init.; Suet. Otho 9 nee ulli pugnae affuit substititque Brixelli; Plut. Otho 10 irdXiv eis Bpii\\ov dvex^p^fff. summae rerum = supreme authority; cf. 3, 70 de summa rerum illic certaret (i.e. for the im- perial power); for a different mg. cf. 2, 81. imperil: added to give clearer definition to the idea of the chief command. se ipsum: emphasized for contrast with Titianus and the rest. speculator urn : cf. on 1, 24 speculatori. discessit: they had come with Otho from Brixellum. et ipse: cf. on 1, 42 et ipso. 34. ut: cf. on 1, 4 ut erga principem. transfugiis: for the abstract cf. on 1, 39 fin. diffugia. et . . . non: cf. on 32 et . . . non. diversa : the mg. is fixed by the contrast with sua; cf. 75 ex diverse. inprudentia: cf. 33 imperitia properantes. ponte: below the mouth of the Adua, and ca. 5 m.p. above Cre- mona. gladiatorum: those commanded by Martius Macer, on the right bank; cf. 23. ac ne: for coordination of simulantes with a ne-clause cf. Intr. 13. segne otium: at first a poetical 202 NOTES metaphor, but also employed by orators. Quint, compares it with praeceps ira and hilaris adolescentia (8, 6, 27); cf. 4, 5 segne otium; 4, 70 segne plerumque otium trahens; Ann. 14, 39 fin. honestum pads nomen segni otio imposuit. utrimque: on the adv. with attributive position and force cf. on 15 iuxta; he means at bow and stern. adversum . . . dirigebantur = were headed upstream. super: in the sense of supra = upstream; others take it in the sense of insuper. extent! = taut. turris: so Caesar, wishing to prevent the use of his second Rhine bridge by the Germans, broke down 200 feet of it, nearest the right bank, and erected a four-story tower at the end, in extremo ponte turrim tabulatorum quattuor constituit, B. G. 6, 29, 3. Caecina and Valens have no immediate intention of completing the bridge; cf . above, transitum Padi simulantes; but cf . also 41 init. tormentis ac machinis: cf. 3, 20 fin. advectis tormentis machinis- que. faces: according to Plutarch Otho 10, the Othonians suc- ceeded in setting fire to the Flavians' boats, which capsized in the panic, evidently pontoons to lengthen the bridge, but not yet in position. 35. insula: above Cremona, but below the mouth of the Adua ( = Adda); probably above the bridge of boats. navibus: in con- trast with nando. molientes: i.e. toiling at their oars; contrasted with the ease implied in praelabebantur , from which vehebantur is to be supplied by zeugma. praelabebantur: i.e. praevenie- bant. The Germans mostly Batavians (cf. 17), and expert swimmers crossed obliquely, no doubt, from a point con- siderably above the island, while the gladiators tried to steer directly across the current. plures transgresses: translate by a temporal clause. Liburnicis: cf. on 16 Liburnicarum. mili- tibus: i.e. soldiers in general. perinde . . . quam: cf. on 27 init. nutantes: general, like militibus, i.e. men rocking in boats. stabili gradu: i.e. men who have a firm footing on the bank; but not abl. qual. (as in Boeth. Cons. 1, 1, 22 stabili non erat ille gradu); with the abl. phrase a ptcp. would be expected, here boldly omitted; cf. Livy 6, 12, 8 obnixos . . . stabili gradu. Cf. Curt. 8, 11, 13 instabili et lubrico gradu praecipites recidebant. vulnera: poetic for ictus; cf. Intr. 19; Aen. 10, 140 vulnera derigere; 5, 433 inter se vulnera iactant. propug- BOOK II 203 natores: the gladiators. ultro: for its use of one who takes the offensive cf. on 1, 7 it/fro. comminus: i.e. manibus. in oculis: sc. acta; cf. 1, 37 in oculis. utriusque exercitus: mean- ing, however, only detachments, for the main body of the Vitel- lians and Othonians were at Cremona and Bedriacum respectively. auctorem: i.e. Macer; cf. 36. 36. ad exitium poscebatur: a frequent occurrence in the dis- orders of the revolution year; cf. 3, 10 iam pridem invisus turbine quodam ad exitium poscebatur. cum: on cum inversum cf . on 1, 29 init. Flavius Sabinus: cf. on 1, 77; distinguished from Vespasian's brother, the praefectus urbi, by the addition of con- sulem designatum. copiis: cf. on 1, 22 Othoni. ad: cf. on 8 fin. ad celebritatem nominis. ducibus: note the chiasmus, which balances milite with militiam. inf estam = dangerous, threaten- ing; i.e. the command of tarn infesti milites. militiam = service, i.e. command. The collective sense of militia ( = milites} is so very rare that its use here is improbable, tempting as it is, in view of inf estam and the chiasmus. 37. invenio: observe the elaborate, periodic style of this chap- ter, in marked contrast with the narrative. It suggests the style of the Dialogus; Intr. 7 and 14. auctores: the same (source, or) sources were used by Plut. Otho 9. dubitasse = deliberasse; cf . on 33 dubitavere. num = whether they should not; cf . 83 num. . . . clauderet. in medium: cf. 5 in medium consuluere. senatui, etc.: cf. 1, 12 senatui ac populo Romano arbitrium eligendi permittere. vetustissimus : it was 27 years since his first consulship; on his career in general, his achievements in Britain, etc., cf. on 1, 87. ut . . . ita = though . . . yet; cf. on 1, 4 ut . . . et ; with potential subjv., 2, 50. concesserim: for the potential subjv. cf. on 1, 83 fin. crediderim. pacem belli amore, etc.: this rhetorical figure (antimetabole) is very rare in Tac.; cf. 3, 33 quo minus stupra caedibus, caedes stupris miscerentur; Sen. Ep. 104, 26 non quia difficilia sunt, non audemus, sed quia non audemus, difficilia sunt. passuros: sc. fuisse; a frequent ellipse in the Annals; cf. Ann. 4, 18 neque mansurum [fuisse] Tiberio imperium, si . . . fuisset. 38. vetus, etc. : in this chapter also Tac. and Plut. (Otho 9) must have drawn from the same source. Tac. has in mind the language 204 NOTES of Sail. Cat, 10 init. and Hist. I.e. below; also Thuc. 3, 82. aequalitas: so in a similar digression on the origin of laws, Ann. 3, 26 at postquam exui aequalitas et pro modestia ac pudore ambitio et vis incedebat, etc. urbibus: such as Carthage and Corinth. regibus: as those of Macedonia, Syria, etc. vacuum fuit: imi- tated from Sail. Hist. 1, fr. 12 M. postquam remoto metu Punico simultates exercere vacuum fuit, plurimae turbae, seditiones et ad pos- tremum bella civilia orta sunt, etc. inter patreb plebemque: Tac. passes over the older struggles of patricians and plebeians to speak of the far more serious clash of interests between rich and poor, retaining, however, the old party names. Cf. S. Augustine, C. D. 1, 30. turbulent! tribuni: the Gracchi, Saturninus, Drusus; cf Ann. 3, 27 hinc Gracchi et Saturnini, turbatores plebis, nee minor largitor . . . Drusus. consules praevalidi: e.g. L. Opimius, cos. 121, who is said to have caused the death of three thousand par- tisans of C. Gracchus, and then rebuilt the Temple of Concord ! Cf. Plut. C. Gracch. 17 fin., 18; App. B.C. 1, 26. temptamenta: i.e. prelude, meaning the struggles precipitated by the Gracchi. eplebe infima: in agreement both with Plut. Marius 3, and Veil. 2, 128 ignotae originis. In Veil. 2, 11 the Mss. read natus equestri loco, but the emendation agresti is sustained by the following phrase, hirtus atque horridus. et nunquam = nee unquam; cf. on 32 et nullo. quaesitum = certatum; cf. Ann. 2, 74 inter Vibium Marsum et Cn. Sentium diu quaesitum. in Pharsalia: cf. on 1, 50 Pharsaliam. posituri bellum: ponere bellum (= deponere) is the opposite of sumere bellum (on the analogy of sumere arma)] cf. Livy 8, 4, 3 bellis . . . ponendis sumendisque; Hist. 2, 52 posito ubique bello ; 3, 31 cum bellum posuissent; 4, 70, 72; 3, 43 bellum sponte sumebant; 4, 66 bellum sumpsimus. ignavia: cf. on 7 ignaviam; cf. 60 pietate et ignavia excusatus; 94 super insitam animo ignaviam. venio: the usual formulas of return after di- gression have redeo; cf. Ann. 12, 40 fin. ad temporum ordinem redeo; ib. 4, 33 fin. sed ad iaceptum redeo. Here Tac. appears to have purposely departed from stereotyped phraseology. 39. profecto: cf. on 33 concederet. praetendebantur: the figure is from a cloak or other covering; translate were scapegoats for, etc. ambigui: not wavering, or divided (since the quod-cl&use pre- supposes a certain agreement), but not to be depended upon; cf . 3, 35 BOOK II 205 ne . . . ambigue [i.e. dubiafide] agerent; 4, 56 inter ambiguos mili- tes et occultos hostes. interpretari: i.e. criticise. ad quartum: sc. lapidem; cf. 24 ad duodecumum. a Bedriaco: cf. on 23 Bedri- acum. But the old camp was still maintained, with Gallus in com- mand; cf. 44. quanquam: cf. on 1, 83 quanquam. verno tern- pore: the middle of April. circum: on the attributive position and use cf. on 15 iuxta. fatigarentur : naturally not on the same day; cf. PAPA. XL, Ixv fin. dubitatum = deliberatum; cf. on 33 dubitavere. trans Padum agentes: the troops with Otho, and the gladiators now commanded by Flavius Sabinus; cf. 33, 36. 40. ad bellandum: i.e. with all their baggage. It was the next day (Plut. Otho 11). Titianus and Proculus seem to have assumed that the Vitellians, hindered by the enmity of Caecina and Valens, were not ready to fight. As for themselves, they did not plan a battle on this day, until after Otho's messenger arrived (see below). confluentes Padi et Aduae : the Adua (or Addua, now Adda) emp- ties into the Po about 7 m.p. above Cremona. XXV inde milium; the Mss. have sedecim, probably a confusion of XXV with XVI, the latter figure being irreconcilable with the rest of the narrative. The position at the mouth of the Adda was strategic, if the Vitellians were to be inclosed, and their communications with the north and west severed; but it could not be safely occupied, and the inclosure begun, with the present troops of the Othonians; and they were too impatient to wait for the reinforcements already approaching. Titianus and Proculus were ready to carry out their rash plan to march past Cremona, when the arrival of Otho's messenger decided them to attack the enemy instead. abnu- entibus : i.e. before they broke camp. quo minus : for quin, as often in Tac.; cf. 1, 18; Agr. 20 nihil . . . quietumpati, quo minus, etc.; ib. 27 fin. nihil ex adrogantia remittere, quo minus, etc. The subor- dinate clause is really of equal importance with the main clause, to which it stands in an adversative relation. Cf. below, 45 nee . . . dubitatum, quo minus; Ann. 1, 21. vix quattuor milia: i.e. the assumed radius of the semicircle which the Othonians would describe in passing from the Via Postumia around to the north of Cremona and the Vitellian lines. At any point along that semicircle they would be liable to a flank attack. vallum: i.e. at the con- fluence of the Adda and the Po. Paulinus and Celsus are conceding 206 NOTES for the sake of argument that the reckless flank-march has actually been accomplished. vincerentur: for the iterative subjv. cf. on 1, 10 vacaret. aderat: while they were still debating; cf. Plut. Otho 11. citus equo: cf. 1, 40 rapidi equis. atrocibus = sum- mary, threatening; cf. 1, 53 atrocibus edictis. According to Plut. I.e. Otho ordered them to attack the enemy at once. spei in- patiens: cf. 99 inpatiens solis, etc.; Ann. 4, 3 inpatiens aemuli; ib. 72 obsequii inpatientes; 12, 30 obsidionis inpatientes. 41. eodem die: 14th April. pontis: cf. on 34 ponte. cum: on the cum inversum cf. on 1, 29 init. vel: subordinated to an; i.e. the second member of the ind. quest, offers alternatives: if not treachery towards Otho, they may have planned something that was not dishonorable. coeptaverint: the sequence is what would be expected if incertum est had preceded, i.e. the mind passes from the contemporary view to the judgment of history; cf. on 1, 7 nequiverint; 2, 46 fin. dubitet. revectus: he had five or six miles to ride. incastra: the main camp, east of Cremona; cf. 3, 26. agminis: they were to march out and then form their acies, but position in the column would determine that in the line. equites prorupere: the battle opens with a charge by the Vitellian cavalry, brilliantly repulsed by the Othonians. According to a speech in 3, 2, duae tune Pannonicae ac Moesicae alae perrupere Tiostem (sc. equites Vitellianos). Italicae: cf. on 1, 59 Italica; this legion was evidently at the head of the agmen, marching out. It does not seem to have had a place in the acies, but probably formed a re- serve. In the center along the Via Postumia were German auxili- aries, with XXI Rapax on the right, and V Alaudae on the left (cf. 42 fin., 43). The cavalry, after their first rout, no doubt took their position on the wings. arbustis: cf. the obstacles at locus Cas- torum, 25 ; also 42 per locos arboribus ac vineis inpeditos. vehicula : having broken camp at the 4th milestone from Bedriacum (cf. 39), they had brought their baggage train. lixae: cf. on 1, 49 lixas. via: sc. Postumia; cf. 24 viae, and on 23 Bedriacum. sign a: the incomplete formation of the Othonian line appears to have been this: in the center the praetorians, along the Postumia, with Ger- man auxiliaries in reserve; on the right the Xlllth legion, with a vexillum of the XlVth, and probably other detachments; on the left, towards the Po, the 1st Adiutrix, with further legionaries; cf. BOOK II 207 43 f. adcurrentium: cf. on 26fugientes occursantes. ut cuique, etc.: with the threefold antithesis contrast Livy's animus suus cuique ante aut post pugnandi ordinem dabat, 22, 5, 8 (at the Trasi- mene). 42. falsum gaudium = an unfounded joy = a disappointment; cf. 4, 38 falsos pavores; 4, 46 falso timori. The three states of mind terror, gaudium, languor swiftly succeed one another. dispersus: for the omission of sit in ind. quest, cf. on 23 acta. ultro: cf. on 1, 7 ultra. plerisque . . . ignaris: dat., as in 66 his fidudam et metum Batavis fecissent. quae causa: sc. esset; cf. on dispersus above. impeditos : cf. 25 fin. fades: i.e. species; cf. 1, 85 fades belli; 2, 89 fin. decora fades. comminus eminus: cf. on 41 fin. adcurrentium. catervis: abl. manner = per catervas, etc.; cf. 3, 29 dumnituntur cuneis; Ann. 4, 51 catervis decurrentes; cuneus is here loosely used for a column. in aggere viae: sc. Postumiae; cf. 24 fin. aggerem viae; here apparently were the praetorians at first (cf . on 41 signa), opposite German auxiliaries, who were armed with secures (cf. below). But according to Plut. Otho 12 fin. the praetorians (whose position neither he nor Tac. states) did not wait for the enemy to come to close quarters, but fled incon- tinently. The gap was probably filled by Otho's German auxil- iaries from Rome, who recognized former comrades among their antagonists. noscentes inter se: this could not apply to prae- torians, nor to other than German auxiliaries. 43. patent! campo: cf. the 2d battle of Bedriacum, when the Xlllth legion was in ipso viae Postumiae aggere and VII Galbiana stood patenti campo (3, 21). duae legiones: according to Plut. Otho 12, the only legions which fought in regular formation for any length of time. unaetvicensima: cf. on 1, 61 ducebat. prima: cf. on 1, 6 e classe. non ante, etc.: in the engagement at locus Castorum (24) this legion had a position dextrafronte, but there was no chance for serious fighting. ferox: cf. on 1, 59 ferox. principiis == primis ordinibus. interfecto: on the aoristic pctp. cf. on 1, 20 relicta; Intr. 12. C. Orfidius Benignus: cf. 45 fin.; Plut. Otho 12. a parte alia: on the Othonian right, beyond the road. tertia decuma: at locus Castorum (24) only a vexillum was present, but by this time probably the rest of the legion had ar- rived with the legatus, Vedius Aquila (44). Suetonius' father was 208 NOTES at the time a tribune of this legion, and present at this battle, Otho 10. quartadecumani: i.e. a vexillum only; that the body of the legion had not yet arrived is proved by 66 vexillariis tantum pulsis vires legionis non adfuisse. subsidiis: referring mainly, perhaps, to I Italica; cf. on 41 Italicae. Varus: cf. 29. Batavis: cav- alry; cf. Plut. Otho 12. fusa gladiatorum manu: not to be con- fused with the story of 35. latus: naturally that nearer to the river, the left flank, i.e. I Adiutrix; for the ace. with invehi cf. 1, 40 forum irrumpunt. 44. media acie: i.e. the German auxiliaries who had taken the position of the routed praetorians; cf. on 42 in aggere viae. pas- sim = pell-mell (but all in the same direction). Bedriacum: the nearer camp at the 4th milestone had been dismantled; cf. 40 init. inmensum: assuming that the battle was fought within four miles of Cremona, the distance would be about 18 m. p.; cf . on 23 Bedriacum. neque . . . in praedam vertuntur: since there is no market for such slaves; cf. 3, 34 fin. diver sis = different; natu- rally they would keep away from the Postumia. Vedius Aquila : he is still legatus of this legion in 3, 7. inconsultus: in contrast with the prudence of Paulinus and Proculus. manibus: meton. desertorem proditoremque: cf. Intr. 14; ut would be expected. crimine . . . obiectantes: for the variety cf. Intr. 13. Annius Gallus: still in command of the camp at Bedriacum, doubtless be- cause he had not yet recovered from his fall; cf . 33 init. super = praeter; cf. on 1, 8 super. suismet ipsi: the frequent substitution of ipsi (ipse, etc.) for the logical ipsorum; common in Livy, and found even in Cic., e.g. de Oral. 2, 8 ex scriptis . . . ipsi suis. Cf. Hist. 3, 16 fin. suomet ipsi metu. non virtute, etc.: cf. Agr. 27 non virtute se, sed occasione et arte ducis victos rati. proditione: re- ferring perhaps to the incident mentioned in 42 omisso pugnae ardore . . . metum proditionis fecere. The metus proditionis has now become proditio. ne . . . quidem = not . . . either; cf. on 1, 29 fin. pulso: cf. 41. rapta . . . aquila: cf. 43. militum quod . . . fuerit: cf. 55 quod erat in urbe militum; 4, 15 et quod militum; Ann. 14, 32 fin. legionem, et quod peditum inter- fecit; possibly Germ. 15 vel armentorum velfrugum quod . . . sub- venit; found in Caes. and Livy. trans Padum: cf. 33, 39 fin. Moesicas legiones: cf. 32 fin. magnam . . . partem: besides BOOK II 209 the camp garrison, no doubt uncommonly large, since Bedriacum was the base of operations, there were probably fresh arrivals from Pannonia and Dalmatia, perhaps the detachments of VII Galbiana and XI Claudia; cf. 11. si ita ferret: a very rare expression; class. Latin would require a subject, res or fors; cf. Ann. 3, 15 sociam . . . et, si ita ferret comitem. perituros: the subj. is in- definite, i.e. se and the others (not hos); cf. 32 fin. certaturos. ad . . . in: cf. Intr. 13. 45. ad quintum: this respectful distance is explained by the fact that they were to bivouac in the open plain. castrorum: by this time the camp at Bedriacum must have been thoroughly for- tified. sperabatur: in class. Latin it would have been deditionem sperabant. expeditis, etc.: hence without the necessary tools for fortification. dubitatum, quo minus: one would expect quin, or, if the personal constr. had been used, the inf.; cf. on 40 quo minus. For a typical example of adversative quin cf. Livy 33, 36, 12 nee ultra sustinuere certamen Gfalli, quin terga verterent, etc. ; Ter. Phorm. 972. For quo minus cf. Ann. 5, 5 nee ultra deliberatum, quo minus, etc. legati: Celsus and Gallus according to Plut. Otho 13. an: cf. on 1, 8 an. in lacrimas effusi: cf. Ann. 3, 23 effusi in lacrimas; Livy 44, 31, 13 ad preces lacrimasque effusus; Suet. Aug. 98 in iocos effusus est; Cal. 32 effusus subito in cachinnos. misera laetitia: oxymoron. The whole pass, is highly rhetorical. isdem tentoriis: cf. on 1, 55 hibernis. in ambiguo, certa: note chiasmus combined with variety; Intr. 13; for in ambiguo cf. on 1, 37 in incerto. Orfidii legati: cf. 43. super humum = humi. 46. opperiebatur : at Brixellum (cf. 39), only 30 m.p. from Cre- mona. The news must therefore have reached him the same even- ing (14th Apr.). Tac. gives no indication of time until the next even- ing, 49 vesperascente die; but we may assign 46-47 to the evening of the 14th, 48-49 init. to the night and the next morning. con- silii certus: cf. Ann. 12, 32 destinationis cerium; Dial. 13 incertus futuri; poetic and silver Latin ; cf . below, 83 ambiguus consilii. maesta: poetic personification of fama. militum: for the troops with Otho cf . 33 fin. haberet : for the class, habere; old Latin had used iubeo with subj v. paratactic ; cf . Ter. Haul. 737 iube maneat. ire ... flagrabrant: for the poetic constr. cf. Intr. 16. furore . . . et instinctu: not hendiadys, though the translator may treat 210 NOTES it as such; cf. 1, 57 fin. instinctu et impetu; Ann. 14, 16 non impetu el instinctu. Plotius Firmus: cf. 1, 46; he is in command at Brixellum. fidissimum: it is still night; in the morning (15th) they were ready to desert Otho. maiore animo : for the emphasis on the opening phrase cf. on 1, 56 fin. minore discrimine; 2, 20 in nullius iniuriam. ut = prout; cf. 10 prout potens, etc. flexe- rat: an intimation that he might yield to persuasion. clamor = applause. praetoriani: sc. ita perseverabant a telescoping of the first clause with the second; cf. Intr. 26 fin. legiones: cf. 32 fin. dubitet: sequence is necessarily violated, to introduce the judgment of history; cf. 41 coeptaverint. As matters stood that night, the war could have been renewed. But the surrender of the troops at Bedriacum the next day (45) without consulting Otho, precluded any such possibility. potuisse: the ace. and inf. is used with non dubitare even in the Dial. (18). Though avoided by Cic. and Caes. it is found in letters, e.g. from Trebonius to Cic. (12, 16, 2), from Cic. jr. to Tiro (16, 21, 2), in Nepos, Hir- tius, and freq. in Livy. 47. experti, etc. : the friendship of Nero, and then disgrace, the sudden rise to power, followed by a sudden fall, all these ex- periences have left nothing more to be discovered, either by fortune as to his mettle, or by himself as to her favors. nee = neve; cf. on 1, 84 nee; and nee below. conputaveritis : indef. subj. felici- tati: dat. with temperare = cum temperantia uti; cf. 3, 31 qui nuper Bedriaci victoriae temperassent; for another use of temperare with dat. cf. 1, 69. civile bellum . . . coepit: the thought is then re- peated in another form to give symmetry to the period (four mem- bers); cf. Intr. 14. illinc = from that quarter; cf. .Ann. 15, 33 inde initium fore; Hist. 3, 14 initio a quinta legione orto. fratre, etc.: cf. 1, 88; 2, 64; 1, 75; the mother (1, 75; 2, 64) is omitted, as the most extravagant ultio would hardly extend to her. solaciis: hendiadys with ultione, i.e. the consolation of vengeance; the one term covers the external act, the other its subjective interpreta- tion; cf. on 19 metum ac discrimen; on 30 cunctationibus . tenu- erint: concession. reliquerit = may leave it; potential of present time; cf. 1, 79 obstiterit. Romanae pubis: i.e. esp. the praetori- ans; cf. 1, 84 Romana vere iuventus. tanquam, etc.: here a sub- stitute for the obliqua; cf. on 1, 8 tanquam . . . fovissent. BOOK II 211 pars = a proof; used several times by Tac. in this sense; cf. Agr. 21 fin. cum pars servitutis esset; Hist. 3, 46 fin. pars consilii pacisque erat. nemine: instead of the usual nullo; the rare abl. of nemo is also found in Ann. 16, 27 nemine nominatim compellato. 48. irent . . . asperarent: governed by appellatos; with his kind words (comiter) were mingled words of counsel. aspera- rent = exasperarent; cf. Intr. 17. naves: to bear them down the Po, or across, on their way to Bedriacum. libellos = peti- tions. L. Salvius Otho Cocceianus: according to Plut. Otho 16, Otho planned to adopt his nephew after the war; for his fate see below. ultro = actually; cf. on 1, 7 ultro. laudando: cf. on 29 iactando. an Vitellium . . . fore: rhetorical question; cf. on 1, 50 ituros. tota domo: cf. 47. poscente: true only of the praetorians and speculatores at Brixellum. But Otho is still unaware of the surrender of Titianus and the rest at Bedria- cum. Servios: meaning Galba, whose praenomen Servius was peculiar to the Sulpician family. neu patruum, etc. : cf . Gibbon, Decline and Fall, chap. 40, "Hypatius and Pompey, two patri- cians, who could neither forget with honour, nor remember with safety, that they were the nephews of the emperor Anastasius," one of Gibbon's many imitations of Tac. nimhim meminis- set: according to Suet, he was put to death by Domitian, quod Othonis imperatoris patrui sui diem natalem celebraverat (Dom. 10). Tac. is fond of hinting at coming calamities; cf. 59 fin., 70 med. and fin., 90 fin. 49. post quae = postea; so inter quae = inter ea 4, 46, etc. volutantem: cf. on 1, 30 volvit. consternations : cf. 1, 83 fin. consternatione proximo. abeuntibus: who they were, is shown by iam profectos amicos, below. Verginius: he is at present consul; cf. 1, 77; for his record cf. on 1, 8; below, 51. digre- derentur: purpose. vesperascente die = vesperi; the verb is very rare; cf. Ann. 1, 65; 16, 34. By this time Otho must have been informed of the surrender of Titianus and the rest, but Tac. refrains from mentioning the fact, since the motive of self-renun- ciation is essential to his carefully constructed tragedy. gelidae: i.e. ice-cold, a detail omitted by Plut. Otho 17, but preserved by Suet. 11. duobus: without Ms. authority, but restored with certainty from utrumque, alterum, also Plut. and Suet. 11 .cc. 212 NOTES Cf. Suet. Nero 49. capiti: cf. Intr. 20. explorato: cf. 3, 20 nisi explorato; 1, 84 fin. auspicato; this impers. abl. abs. with a whole clause was very rare before Livy; cf. 4, 36 conperto pecu- niam . . . missam; for ace. and inf. with explorare cf. 4, 82 fin. cxplorat . . . afuisse; above, 32 fin. nullam . . . cessuram . . . exploratum \esse\. luce prima: 16th April, the second morn- ing after the battle. pectore: again avoiding too great preci- sion; cf. Suet. Otho 11 infra laevam papillam. ambitiosis = im- portunate; the self-interest involved in ambitio has here to do with possible indignities to his remains; cf. Cic. Ep. 6, 12, 2 ambitiosae rogationes; Cod. Theod. 14, 3, 20 occultis vel ambitiosis . . . pre- cibus; Quint. 6, 3, 68 qui promnciam ambitiosissime petierat. exosculantes: cf. on 1, 45 exosculari. noxa: i.e. a sense of guilt, of duty undone towards Otho. ob metum: i.e. from the Vitel- lians. promisee: cf. 1, 47 promisee iacta. sepulchrum: at Brixellum; Plut. had seen it, and gives the brief inscription, Otho 18. Vitellius visited the tomb, and after insolently remarking dignum eo mausoleo [ilium fuisse], sent the pugio to Cologne, to be placed in its temple of Mars; Suet. Vit. 10. mansurum: i.e. on account of its modesty. finem, etc. : the date of Otho's death (16th Apr.) is determined by Josephus' statement that he reigned three months and two days (i.e. from 15th Jan.; B. I. 4, 9, 9). Suet.'s "95th day" is reckoned to the date when the news reached Rome, Otho 11; cf. below, 55. 60. Ferentium: in Etruria, now Ferento, north of Viterbo. That this is the correct form of the name is shown by inscriptions, e.g. CIL. XI, 2710 a, 3003. Among other extant remains is a primitive theater. Cf. Suet. Otho 1 oppido Ferentio. pater: L. Salvius Otho, cos. suff. in 33; procos. Africae; cf. Suet. Otho 1, Galba 6. avus: M. Salvius Otho, son of a knight, but was made senator by the favor of the empress Livia; Suet. Otho 1. ma- ternum genus: his mother, Albia Terentia, was evidently of the equestrian order; Suet. I.e. monstravimus: viz. in 1, 13. facinoribus: in the colorless sense. egregio: not merely for the courage he displayed, but for his patriotism in forestalling any attempts to prolong the civil war. ut . . . ita: cf. on 37 ut . . . ita; 1, 4. crediderim . . . ausim: cf. on 1, 83 fin. credi- derim. Bedriaci: in spite of the distance at which the battle BOOK II 213 took place Tac. uses the loc. instead of apud B. Regium Lepi- dum: 17 m.p. S.E. of Brixellum, on the Via Aemilia, between Parma and Mutina (17 m.p. from the latter), now Reggio. celebri luco: for the abl. alone cf. on 1, 55 hibernis. deinde = from that time on; cf . 85 fin. nee deinde civili bello interfuit. ex oculis: cf. on 1, 37 in oculis. reputantibus : an extension of the use of the dat. in indicating directions (not in Cic.), e.g. left, or right, intranti, etc. Livy rarely uses the dat. of the person judging, reckoning, etc., but Tac. has it frequently; cf. Agr. 11 and Germ. 6 in universum aestimanti; Hist. 3 , 8 reputantibus; 4, 17 vere reputantibus. This Graecism (?) never became common except with Tac. exitu: the "passing of Otho" began with the morning of the battle. At that time the strange bird appeared, and remained until the morning of the 16th. For this wider sense of exitus cf . 5 exitu demum Neronis. competisse con- gruisse. 61. novata: cf. Intr. 17. dolore: anger was no doubt now increased by news of the surrender at Bedriacum. modo . . . nunc: the same variation 3, 85; cf. 2, 74 modo . . . aliquando. aversam . . . partem: Intr. 20. Rubrius Gallus: general of Nero against Galba, to whom he deserted (Dio 63, 27); for his leanings towards Vespasian cf. below 99. In 70 he was rewarded by the governorship of Moesia (Joseph. B. I. 7, 4, 3). conceden- tibus: for the abl. abs. loosely appended cf. Intr. 7; here it is prac- tically an unrelated fact. Flavius Sabinus: cf. 36 fin. 62-73. Vitellius, still in Gaul, succeeds Otho. His first months are a melange of lavish feasts, executions, pardons, appointments, a disgraceful progress into and through Italy, a revolting visit to the field of Bedriacum. 62. posito: cf. on 38 posituri bellum. ubique: Tac. evidently thought it unnecessary to mention the surrender of Placentia by Spurinna, which must have directly followed that of Bedriacum. ab urbe: cf. 1, 88. Mutina M6dena, 17 m.p. east of Regium, on the Aemilia, 25 m.p. from Bononia (Bologna). vultum habitumque: cf. 1, 14 fin. vultu habituque. in deterius: often equivalent to a result clause, a usage beginning with Sail, and Livy; cf. 3, 13 omnia de Vitellio in deterius; 4, 68 cuncta in deterius audita. conviciis . . . ac probris: the same phrase 1, 47. 214 NOTES utrimque: i.e. they have something to fear from both sides. nemo, etc.: for this amplification after the verb cf. 7 arma . . . distulere, V espasianus Mucianusque nuper, ceteri olim mixtis con- siliis. tutior: sc. unus quisque, to be supplied, as often, from nemo; cf. on 1, 1 dicendus. ordo: the ordo decurionum, or mu- nicipal senate; they were sometimes even called senatores. The usual number was 100, and the list was revised every five years by the quinquennales, or local censors; cf. Pauly-W. IV, s.v. decurio. intempestivo : the senators would gladly have posed as a mere company of friends, who had attended the emperor. Any official act of theirs as patres conscripti would compromise them either with the unruly Othonian soldiers or with the Vitellians. 53. P. Licinius Caecina: lately admitted to the senate, prob- ably by Galba; see below. He reached the praetorship later; cf. Plin. N. H. 20, 199. T. Clodius Eprius Marcellus: a self- made man, eminent as an orator, but notorious as an informer. For accusing Paetus Thrasea and Helvidius Priscus he received from Nero 5,000,000 sesterces. He was praetor for one day under Claudius (48), governor of Lycia, twice cos. suff. (ca. 60 and 74), procos. Asiae (70-73); a friend of Vespasian, but for conspir- ing against him he was forced to commit suicide, 79. Cf. Dial. 5, 8; Ann. 12, 4 fin.; 13, 33 fin.; 16, 22 fin., 26 ff., 33: Hist. 4, 6 ff., 43; Dio 66, 16 fin.; OIL. X, 3853 (from Capua, his birth- place). nee = not . . . either, like ne . . . quidem. exposition ad: the poetic and silver Latin sense of exponere, for class, obicere; cf. on 30 expositos; Verg. Aen. 10, 693 f. obvia ventorum furiis expostaquc ponto; for the use of ad cf. Cic. Ep. 6, 4, 3 ad omnis casus . . . obiecti sumus. claresceret: cf. Intr. 17. Bononia = Bologna, on the Via Aemilia, S.E. of Mutina. consiliaturi : the rare but class, consiliari occurs chiefly in ptcpp. medio temporis: cf. on 1, 62 medio diei. sperabantur, etc.: for the class, plures nuntios sperabant; cf. 45 sperabatur; 74 legiones secuturae sperabantur. recentissimum quemque = every new arrival. relictum: probably on the evening of the 15th. sola . . . cura: abl. manner. blandimentis : cf. Ann. 15, 64 blandi- mentis vitae evictam. 54. L. Vitellius: cf. 1, 88 for his departure from Rome with Otho. cum . . . perculit: cf. on 1, 29 cum adfertur. atroci: BOOK II 215 as reviving their fears and uncertainties. quartae decumae: cf. 32 fin. a Brixello: note the attributive position; cf. on. 15 iuzta. diplomata: a folded sheet of papyrus, or parchment (esp. in later times), bearing the emperor's signature and seal, was called diploma; it entitled the bearer for a certain time to all the facilities afforded by the post (cursus publicus). As a rule such transportation was furnished only to officials. Cf. 65 eoque diplomatibus nullum principem praescripsisset; Plin. Ep. 10, 45 f ., etc. neglegebantur = were no longer honored. paucos post dies: in reality some time must have elapsed before Vitel- lius could hear of the incident, and his order reach Rome. It has been plausibly conjectured that what Tac. wrote was iniussu Vitellii (Spengel). poenas luit: he no doubt had some deeper motive than the desire to travel rapidly at state expense. pub- lic! consilii: contrast with 52 fin. nemo privatim expedite consilio. facie = specie; cf. 1, 13 specie legationis; 30 specie liberalita- tis. discessum: sc. foret ( = esset) from forent. in commune: cf. on 1, 25 fin. epistulae = litterae; cf. on 1, 67 epistulis. 55. Ceriales ludi: the Cerialia began on the 12th and culmi- nated on the 19th with ludi circenses; cf. Ann. 15, 53 circensium ludorum die, qui Cereri celebratur; ib. 74; Ovid, Fast. 4, 679 f. It was on this final day of the feast that the news reached Rome. cessisse: may be for the cpd. concessisse, a freq. euphemism; cf. Intr. 17; Ann. 4, 38 quandoque concessero; 13, 30 fin. egrcgiafama concessit; euphemism was, of course, necessary at the festival. Or the verb may be used in the sense in which Tac. puts it into the mouth of Vitellius, when he proposed to abdicate, 3, 68 cedere se pads et rei publicae causa. Flavius Sabinus: the brother of Vespasian; cf. on 1, 46. quod . . . militum: cf. on 44 militum quod . . . fuerit. in theatrum: probably inexact for in circum, since no other entertainments were given while the sports of the circus were in progress. The news could not have reached Rome on the 18th (when there probably were plays in the theaters) unless a courier was dispatched on the day of the surrender (15th). Galbae imagines, etc.: they felt that the death of Galba had now been avenged. circum templa = from one temple to another. congestis: cf. Intr. 7. lacum Curtii: cf. on 1, 41. cuncta: i.e. the titles and powers. The latter consisted of (a) the imperium 216 NOTES proconsular; (6) the tribunicia potestas, requiring confirmation by the popular assembly given in this case on 30th Apr., as is shown by the Arval inscr., CIL. VI, 2051, 81: (c) various special powers and privileges, formerly given piecemeal, but now in the lump. composite = constitute,, decreta. fungeretur: as though their gau- dium was an officium or munus. epistulae: cf. on 54 fin. scrip- sisset: quoted reason; Caecina conformed to etiquette in not com- municating with the consuls; cf . 4, 4, where Mucianus gave offense by writing to the senate. 56. ceterum Italia: in contrast with the tranquillity at Rome; peace did not come even posito ubique bello; cf . 52 init. vi et stupris: the general term and the particular linked by hendiadys. fas nefasque: in formulas composed of opposites one term may totally eclipse the other; cf. 3, 51 tantam . . . adversus fas nefasque inreverentiam fuisse. venales: i.e. offering their serv- ices as assassins. ipsi: in contrast with those who masqueraded as soldiers (specie militum). refertos agros = well-stocked estates. obnoxiis = under obligations; cf. 1, 1 obnoxios. infamis: cf. 1, 66, his avarice while in Gaul. 67. integrum: i.e. not yet decided; cf. Ann. 15, 18 integro adhuc bello; Sail. lug. 73, 1 tamquam ad integrum bellum. Ger- manic! exercitus: except for V Alaudae and XXI Rapax, Valens and Caecina had brought from the Rhine legions only detach- ments, vexilla, viz. of I Germanica, IV Macedonica, XV Primi- genia, XVI Gallica, XXII Primigenia. Vitellius appears to have brought with him the remainder of XXII, and further detach- ments from I, IV, XV and XVI. Cf. 1, 61; 2, 89, 100 (XXII in Italy). trahebat: i.e. from their various stations, to meet, or overtake him on his way from Treves (Trier) to Lyons; cf. 59. festinatis: for the trans, use cf. on 1, 76 fin. pleraque . . . fes- tinavit. nomina nominal strength; cf. 4, 14 inania legionum nomina; contrast 2, 69 numeros = actual strength. Hordeonius Flaccus: cf. on 1, 9. delecta, etc.: detachments from the three legions then in Britain, viz. II Augusta, IX Hispana, XX Valeria Victrix; cf. 3, 22 cum vexillis nonae secundaeque et vicensimae Britannicarum legionum; cf. 1, 9. Asiaticus: his vicious career is given by Suet. Vit. 12; cf. below, 95, where he is said to have rivaled the worst of Nero's freedmen; cf. Plut. Galba 20. He BOOK II 217 was crucified by Mucianus, 4, 11 fin. palam, etc.: cf. Intr. 13. anulis: cf. on 1, 13 anulis. mancipium: out of contempt the freedman is called a slave; so servorum manus in 1, 7. 68. Mauretania: cf. on 1, 11 Mauretaniae. procuratore: i.e. procuratore pro legato, governing the province; cf. on 1, 2 fin. procurationes. Lucceius Albinus: he had been procurator of Judaea, 62-65; cf. Joseph. B.I. 2, 14, 1; Ant. 20, 9, 1 ff. Cae- sariensis: Algeria, minus the greater part of Constantino. Tingitana: Morocco. baud spernendis viribus: abl. qual. as predicate; cf. 81 Sohaemus hand spernendis viribus; 11 hand sper- nenda manus. agebat = erat or versabatur; cf . 3, 42 hand procul inde agebat; 3, 57 turn forte Minturnis agens. decem novem: rare form of the numeral, but found even in Caesar, B. G. 1, 8, 1. latrocinia, etc.: cf. on 1, 46 latrocinia et raptus. manus: in app. with numerus only. Hispaniae: it had at first declared for Otho, but soon went over, to the side of Vitellius; cf. 1, 76. Cluvius Rufus: cf. on 1, 8; as the senatorial province of Baetica had no troops to protect itself against the threatened invasion, the military responsibility fell on Cluvius, as imperial legatus of Tar- raconensis. decumam: i.e. Geminam; he had also VI Vic- trix; cf . on 1,8 Hispaniae. propinquare: cf. Intr. 17. uttrans- missurus: the feigned intention; cf. 80 ut legatum salutaturi. arduum: cf. on 1, 85 arduus. spargebatur: on the poetic word cf. Intr. 16. luba: .the name of numerous princes of Numidia. The last Juba, a descendant of Massinissa, had been made king of Mauretania, under a Roman protectorate by Augustus. Caligula had put Juba's son Ptolemy to death in 40, and Claudius estab- lished the provincial government; cf. on 1, 11 Mauretaniae. 59. Asinius Pollio: it is not known how he was related to the celebrated Pollio. As praefectus alae he could not have been higher in rank than an eques. Scipio and Festus are also mere names to us. adpulsu litoris: for the free gen. cf. Livy 27, 30, 7 ut . . . portibus et litorum adpulsu arceret; Cic. Verr. 5, 85 adi- tum litoris . . . ademerunt. Tac. even has aditus with gen. for access to a person, e.g. Ann. 16, 1 principis aditum emercatus; ib. 10 aditu Neronis prohibebatur. In 1, 87 Galliarum aditus, the verbal force is lost, as often in Cic. aditus templi, etc. Cf. 72 errore veri. quae fierent: i.e. in Mauretania. brevi audito: 218 NOTES cf. Agr. 40 exceptusque brevi osculo; Ann. 14, 12 brevi adsensu. inpar, etc.: cf. 3, 36 praeterita instantia futura pari oblivione dimiserat. Arar = Sa6ne (a corruption of the later name Sau- conna). This journey by water was merely a stretch of ca. 75 m.p. between Cabillonum (Chalon-sur-Sa6ne) and Lyons. paratu = apparatu; cf. 81 fin. egestate: Suet. Vit. 7 gives the details of his egestas at the time he left Rome for his province. lunius Blaesus: cf. on 1, 59. rector = legatus pro praetore; cf. on ib. rector. par opibus = correspondingly wealthy. minis- teria: referring to the multitude of servants, with minutely divided duties, thought essential by Blaesus to imperial dignity. Vitellius had already appointed his ministers, or secretaries, from among the knights, 1, 58. quamvis: with subjv., although of a fact; as often in silver Latin; cf. 79, 85; Dial. 2. curuli: sc. sellae; cf. Ann. 1, 75 ne praetor em curuli depelleret. infanti: in the later Roman law a child was infans up to the age of seven, and this was probably only the confirmation of long-standing usage. Suet. Vit. 6 says that the boy was almost dumb (prope mutum et elinguem), but it is inconceivable that Tac. should have used infans in that sense here, when describing a review. filio : cf . on 1, 75 liberi; he had just been brought from Rome. Germani- cum: he had previously assumed this title himself, 1, 62. rebus adversis: cf. Intr. 13; Tac. looks forward to the fall of Vitellius, and later the death of the boy, by order of Mucianus, 4, 80; cf. on 48 fin. nimium meminisset. in solacium cessit: not to the boy, of course, nor his father; but in the general judgment, what was at first styled nimius honos, was later thought to offset, in part at least, the misfortunes which followed. For solacium = compensation, satisfaction cf. 1, 77 in solacium; 2, 47 neque solaciis opus est. cessit = came to be regarded; cf. Ann. 14, 54 fin. hoc quoque in tuam gloriam cedet; Germ. 36 in sapientiam cessit. 60. turn: Vitellius is at Lyons up to 65. alienatio: practically = odium, and hence construed with in and ace.; cf. 4, 49 alienato erga Vespasianum animo fuisse. Illyricos exercitus: cf. on 1, 9 Illyrico; the legions of Illyricum had furnished the majority of the combatants on Otho's side; cf. also 1, 76; 2, 11. cetera* legiones: i.e. I Adiutrix (cf. 1 1 cum legione prima), and the legions of the East, Syria, Judaea, Egypt. contactu = contagious example. BOOK II 219 tristi = cruel. squalidos: the reference is, of course, to the usual squalor of ancient defendants, or suppliants who tried thus to excite sympathy; cf. Quint. 6, 1, 30 producere ipsos, qui pericli- tentur, squalidos atque deformes. ultro: cf. on 1, 7 ultra. in- putabant: sc. sibi; i.e. they actually credited themselves with, etc.; cf. on 1, 71 imputavit, where in similar circumstances MariusCelsus dared to plead his fides as a defense. spatium . . . itineris: cf. 40. vehiculis: cf. 41 fin. et: for the more logical adversa- tive, i.e. in spite of the improbable tale, Vitellius believed. fidem = their (previous) loyalty to Otho, but there is no small sarcasm in the juxtaposition of perjidia and fides. absolvit: as though fides were the crime with which they were charged; so in 1, 59 damnatos fidei crimine. ignavia: cf. on 7 ignaviam. Marius Celsus: evidently he did not lower himself as Paulinus and Procu- lus did; cf. 1, 71. consulatus: for July and August, 1, 77. fama: abl. cause, i.e. quia fama vulgabatur. Cn. Caecilius Sim- plex: proconsul of Sardinia, 66-67 (OIL. X, 7852); cos. suff. Nov. and Dec., 69; cf. 3, 68. postea: the time referred to is that of the arrangements made in 71, below. Trachalus: cf. on 1, 90. Galeria Fundana: his second wife; her father had been praetor; cf. Suet. Vit. 6; cf. also below, 64. 61. pudendum dictu: cf. Agr. 32pudetdictu (parenth. as here); above, 41 mirum dictu. From Tac.'s aristocratic standpoint this fanatical uprising was a very vulgar affair. Boii: they had in- vaded Gaul with the Helvetii, but when the latter returned to their own country, the Aedui made room for the Boii in their territory. Their chief town was Gorgobina; cf. Caes. B. G., 1, 5, 4; 28, 5; 7, 9, 6. inserere sese fortunae = thrust himself into the foreground; fortuna suggests the highest prominence, cf. 1 quantaecumque for- tunae capax. For the Tacitean phraseology, cf. Dial. 10 nomen inserere . . . famae; Ann. 6, 2 ignobilitatem suam magnis nomini- bus inserit. numinum: i.e. of divine command or inspiration. adsertor: this technical term of the law was associated with cases where the status of persons (whether free or slave) was in question; hence Mariccus is represented as a champion of Gallic freedom. indiderat: cf. 1, 51 hoc enim nomen . . . indiderant. Aeduo- rum: cf. on 1, 51 Aedui. trahebat = was winning over; cf. 86 Delmaticum militem traxere; 100 fin. traxeritne Caecinam. Others 220 NOTES translate was plundering, a sense which the verb has only where the context leaves no ambiguity, as e.g. Ann. 3, 74 ne Cirtensium pagi impune traherentur (with praedatio immediately preceding); so the cases in Sallust show trahere in company with ducere, rapere, exscindere. gravissima: the steadfast loyalty of the Aeduan state is contrasted with the levitas of Mariccus' supporters. civitas: probably not limited to the city of Augustodunum; some action must have been taken by the Aeduan senate in the name of the whole tribe. mox: i.e. at Lyons. 62. ultra: than has been narrated in 60-61. defectores = rebels (not the rebels); the reader_naturally refers this to the asso- ciates of Mariccus, but it is evidently meant in a wider sense, in- cluding also any others who had refused at first to acknowledge Vitellius. He of course denned rebellion from his own personal standpoint, claiming that he had been proclaimed emperor before the death of Galba; cf. 1, 74 fin. quod tanto ante traditum Vitellio imperium ad Othonem vertissent. - intestatis: their property fell to their natural heirs, or if they had none, to thefiscus; cf. Ann. 2, 48 bona Aemiliae Musae, locupletis intestatae, petita in fiscum. prorsus: cf. on 5 prorsus. temperaret: for temperasset; cf. on 5 abesset. timeres: for the potential cf. on 1, 10 laudares; cf. Agr. 22 fin. ut silentium eius non timeres; Hist. 3, 75 innocentiam iusti- tiamque eius non argueres. In this indef. 2d person the potential subjv. may stand in the apodosis of a condition, as in the result clause (Agr. I.e.). epularum . . . libido: Suet. Vit. 13 gives the details ad nauseam. irritamenta, etc.: cf. 1, 88 luxuriosos ap- paratus conviviorum et irritamenta libidinum. vastabantur: figu- rative. August! . . . Caesaris: both had been conferred already by the senate; cf, 55; also 1, 62. The title of Augustus was as- sumed on his arrival at Rome, below, 90 fin.; later that of Caesar also, 3,58. differret: characteristic clause; cf. Cic. pro Quinct. 89 edictum, quod . . . vetaret; others make it equivalent to quo . . se differre dicebat. Italia: cf. Intr. 18; the bare abl. from which is freely used by Tac. of country names ; but was more orthodox with certain words, e.g. abire, profugere, abscedere, excedere; cf. Suet. Vit. 14 urbe Italiaque mathematici excederent; Hist. 2, 65 fin. profugerat Britannia; Nipperdey on Ann. 2, 69; pellere Italia is freq. in Tac., e.g. Ann. 2, 32 de mathematicis . . . Italia pellendis BOOK II 221 senatus consulta. mathematici: cf. on 1, 22 mathematicis and ib. vetabitur; Suet. I.e. ludo: sc. gladiatorio, the necessary prep- aration for the arena. id . . . perpulerant: pellere here has the construction of cogere, instead of ad id; cf . 4, 42 hoc certe Nero non coegit. aemulabantur : here with an inf., on the analogy (in silver prose) of certare; only one other case is known, Vulg. 1 Cor. 14, 39 aemulamini prophetare. 63. fratris: i.e. L. Vitellius; cf. on 1, 88. rettulimus : viz. 1, 88. M. Plancius Varus: procos. of Bithynia in 70 or 71; in the latter year cos. suff.; procos. of Asia 78-79; our information is largely based upon coins. ex . . . amicis: cf. 1, 31 e Galbae amicis; 1, 24 e proximis Tigellini. Flavius Sabinus: cf. on 1, 46. praefectum urbis: the city prefect had jurisdiction within a radius of 100 miles, at first over cases affecting peace and order; but his powers were gradually enlarged. Cf. on 1, 14 praefecto urbis; Dig. 1, 12, 1, 4. tanquam: cf. on 1, 48 tanquam . . . furatus. cohortem: cf. 1, 80 septumam decumam cohortem e colonia Ostiensi, etc. nee: the negative belongs with the abl. abs. veniam: for Dolabella. scelus: i.e. the betrayal of his friend. It has been understood of Vitellius' crime, the death of Dolabella; but as Tac. mentions various delays, it is more likely that Varus' repentance came earlier. Triaria: cf. 64; she ap- pears again in an unfavorable light, 3, 77. terruit: with the constr. of deterruit; cf. 1, 40 fin. terruere quo minus; Intr. 17. incessisset = had been excited; incedere often = come up, crop out, supervene, etc.; cf. Ann. 1, 55 spes incesserat; 3, 36 incedebat . . . licentia; ib. 71 incessit dein religio; 6, 21 suspicio incesserat; Hist. 3, 27 fin. incesserat cunctatio. For the subjv. of repeated action cf. on 1, 10 vacaret. 64. Petronia: the divorced first wife of Vitellius. Her father, P. Petronius, had been very prominent ; was proconsul of Asia under Tiberius, made legatus of Syria by Caligula, and an intimate of Claudius (Ann. 3, 49). For her brother cf. 1, 6. Her social posi- tion would add to the pretensions of Dolabella, if he chose to con- spire against Vitellius. eius: to avoid the ambiguity of suam; cf. on 9 eum. epistulas: cf. on 1, 67 epistulis. Flaminiae: cf. on 1, 86 fin. devertere : i.e. leaving the Flaminia at Narnia, and going up the valley of the Nar (N.E.). The Flaminia crossed the 222 NOTES Nar by a handsome bridge (now a picturesque ruin) and proceeded northwards through Umbria. Interamna : in southern Umbria, now Terni, best known for the neighboring cascades. The form Interamnium also occurs, but rarely, so here in the Medici Ms., but not at 3, 61, 63, the only other places where it is mentioned in Tac. It was the patria of the emperor Tacitus (275-276), and has without reason been accounted the birthplace of the historian also. e proximo = close at hand. Galeria: cf. 60 fin. Sex- tilia: cf. 89 fin.; her death in December of this year, 3, 67. Noth- ing is known in regard to her family, beyond the vague statement of Suet, that she was not ignobilis (Vit. 3). antiqui moris: cf. 1, 14 fin. moris antiqui (of Piso). quin etiam: for the order cf. on 17 fin. quin etiam. epistulas: cf. on epistulas above. Germani- cum: cf. 1, 62. evicta: cf. Ann. 1, 57 evicta (or victa) inlacrimas; 11, 37 ad miserationem evicta erat. tantum adversa: cf. 3, 67 nihil principatu fili adsecuta nisi luctum et bonam famam. 65. Cluvius Rufus: cf. 58; on 1, 8; on 101 scriptores. ad- sequitur: cf. 1, 39 adsecutus erat. Hilarus: as Caesaris libertus shows, he must have been a freedman of Nero, or Galba, or Otho, passing to Vitellius with the rest of the imperial domus in succes- sion to Otho (cf. suum, below). Probably his duties in Spain were in connection with the financial administration, or the secret ser- vice. tanquam: cf. on 1, 8 tanquam . . . fovissent. Vitellii et Othonis: Cluvius at first sided with Otho, but soon went over to Vitellius, and the province with him; cf . 1, 76. potentiam: he was not content with his legitimate potestas; cf. on 1, 1 potentiam. diplomatibus: cf. on 54 diplomata. Cluvius found himself in an awkward position, not daring as yet to prefix the name of either of the rivals, while the omission of an emperor's name at the head of the document was also open to a malicious interpretation. contumeliosa . . . popularia: predicate use of the adjj. ultro: cf. on 1, 7 ultro. L. Arruntius: cos. 6 A.D.; governed Hispania Tarraconensis, 25-34, in absentia, by his legati; cf. Ann. 1, 13; 6, 27; Suet. Tib. 63. ob metum: cf. Suet. I.e. non ausus a se dimittere, etc. Trebellius Maximus: cf. on 1, 60. Britannia: for the abl. cf. on 62 Italia. Vettius Bolanus: legatus of a legion in Armenia with Corbulo in 62; cos. suff. before 69 (else he could not have been legatus of Britain); governed Britain 69-71; later pro- BOOK II 223 consul of Asia; cf. Ann. 15, 3; Agr. 8, 16; Hist. 2, 97; Statius, SUv. 5, 2, 54 ff. e praesentibus : cf. 1, 13 fin. inter praesentes splendidissimus (of Otho at the court of Galba). 66. quartadecumanorum: cf. on 11 quartadecumani. vexil- lariis: for their part in the battle cf. 43. a Nerone, etc.: cf. 27 quas bello Neronis, etc. tendere: cf. 1, 31 tendentes. discordiam : cp. 1, 59 turn discordia temporum a legione digressae; 1, 64 mox rixa inter Batavos et legionarios; 2, 27. Augusta Taurinorum = Turin; in republican times Taurasia. hospitem: i.e. the man in whose house the soldier was quartered; cf. 3, 2 tantum hospitibus metuendos. arsisset = exarsisset; Intr. 17. quos: sc. Batavos. Grais Alpibus: the Alpis Graia, Little St. Bernard, was reached from Augusta Taurinorum by way of Augusta Praetoria (Aosta). For the other passes cf. on 1, 61. eo flexu itineris, etc.: from the Little St. Bernard there were two routes to Lyons, diverging at Montmelian, in the upper Isere valley: (1) via Chambery (Lemin- cum) and Les Echelles (Labisco), down to the plains of the Rhone via Aoste (Augustum) to Vienne, and so to Lyons; (2) down the Isere valley, via Grenoble (Cularo) and Moirans (Morginnum), to Vienne and Lyons. Cf. map in CIL. XII. The former route was probably taken as far as Aoste, and thence a less frequented road down the Rhone to Lyons. Others understand that the seditiosi (below) wished to take route (2) and that the legion actually marched by way of ChambeYy, the Lac de Bourget, and the Mont duChat. Viennam: cf. on 1,65; 2,29. timebantur: explained by the conduct of Valens, 1, 66. signa, etc.: the scene of this is much more reasonably placed in the plains of the Rhone, say at Aoste, than while they were still among the high Alps, at Mont- melian. ferebant: for quisque with plural cf. on 1, 35 nimii verbis. 67. e . . . cohortibus: cf. on 1, 64 ex Vitellio. honestae missionis: i.e. an anticipation of the honorable discharge, to which they would otherwise be entitled only after sixteen years of serv- ice, with a bonus of 20,000 sesterces; cf. Dio 55, 23. clas- sicorum legio: cf. on 1, 6 e classe. undecuma: its station was in Dalmatia; cf. on 1, 9 Illyrico; 2, 11; 3, 50. septima: i.e. Gal- biana, from Pannonia, as was the XHIth; cf. 11 and 86. spec- taculum: cf. 70. parabant: cf. on 30 inridebant. ad curas: 224 NOTES cf. 4, 2 ad euros intentus; 4, 18 in Gallias . . . intentus; but the regular constr. is the dat.; e.g. 1, 29, 79; 2, 41. 68. et . . . quidem: marking the contrast between his dis- creet measures as regards the defeated, and the lack of discipline on the side of the victors. As often, Tac. omits an adversative with the second member; cf. 36 init.; 1, 16 fin.; 1, 63 init. modeste: i.e. without harsh treatment. ludicro initio: abl. abs.; it began in sport, a certamen luctandi (cf. below). ni = but for the fact that, etc. Tac. is fond of more or less elliptical conditions with nisi or ni. Beginning in sport, the whole thing would have been undeserving of mention, but for the fact, etc. Ticinum: cf. on 17. Verginius: cf . 51 and on 1, 8. vel . . . aut: cf. on 1 vel. tempestivis = beginning betimes; cf. Cic. Cato M . 46 tempes- tivis quoque conviviis detector; Arch. 13, etc.; Ann. 11, 37 tempes- tivis epulis delenitus. perinde: cf. on 1, 30 fin. perinde . . . quam. intentus . . . licenter: cf. Intr. 13; intentus is the op- posite of remissus. pervigiliis ac bacchanalibus : both terms are borrowed from religious enthusiasm, orgies, etc. prociderat: for the pluperf. with postquam, cf. 1, 26 postquam vulgatum erat. di- ductis: i.e. in favor of the one or the other. quartam decumam: although ordered to Britain (cf. 66), this legion was thought ca- pable of defying its orders. coactores: only here for qui agmen cogebant. agniti: cf. Intr. 11. quanquam: with adj. for quamvis; cf. on 1, 83 quanquam. ad: cf. on 8 fin. ad celebritatem nominis. ducis sui: as legatus of Upper Germany. omnis seditio: cf. 49, 51. fastiditi: he had declined to be saluted as imperator by them; cf. on 1, 8 Verginius. 69. legatione: for the sending of this embassy cf. 55 fin. ibi: i.e. at Ticinum. ultro: cf. on 1, 7 ultra. pietatem: their devo- tion to him, in demanding vengeance for attempted (?) assassina- tion. frementibus: cf. Intr. 7. impunitatis: Vitellius makes no attempt to punish the troops for the disturbances of chap. 68. Batavorum: cf. 66. in Germaniam: whereas their legion had been sent back to Britain, ib. ; in Germany (Mainz) they were prominent in the great uprising of 69-70; cf. 4, 15, etc. interne, etc.: the rebellion led by the Batavian Civilis involved revolted pro- vincials and mutinous legions, as well as free Germans; cf. 4, 22, mixta belli civilis externique facie; 1, 2 plura [bella] externa ac BOOK II 225 plerumque permixta. bello: for the dat. cf. on 1 imperio. defec- tione: from Galba's standpoint. inania belli: cf. Agr. 6 inania honoris; above, 2 laeva marts. The Gallic militia is contrasted with legionaries and regular auxiliaries. numeros = actual strength; cf. on 57 nomina. vetitis: Intr. 7, 12. inter paucos: cf. on 1, 1 inter infensos. virtute, etc. : cf . Ennius, moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque (ap. Cic. Rep. 5, 1); Livy 4, 40, 9 pro virtute tua . . . qua una ... res publica stetit. Two distinct statements are condensed into one, apud quos potius virtute quam pecunia res Romana stetit, and apud quos res Romana melius stetit. 70. flexit: instead of taking the Via Aemilia at Placentia, Vitel- lius continued down the left bank of the Po by the Via Postumia to Cremona. munere: for the preparations for this spectaculum gladiatorum cf. 67 fin. quadragensimum : i.e. about the 23d May. pugnae: for the gen. cf. on 1, 26 postero (iduum die). lacera corpora: on the style of this description cf . Intr. 23. frugibus = crops. inhumana = revolting, of that which shocks the feelings; so of the indifference of the mob to bloodshed, etc., at the capture of Rome by the Vitellians, 3, 83 (inhumana securitas). pars viae: sc. Postumiae, from Cremona to the battlefield. rosa: col- lective, as usual; the plur. is not found in classical prose. ex- tructis: cf. Intr. 7. regium, etc.: such Oriental customs had been introduced by Caligula; cf. Suet. Col. 13. laeta, etc.: cf. 3, 6 laeta ad praesens male parta mox in perniciem vertere. perniciem : in October of this same year Cremona was destroyed by the troops of Vespasian; cf. 3, 32 f. For the anticipation of misfortune cf. on 48 fin. nimium meminisset; and below, tarn propinquae sortis ig- narus. locos = positions. nine inrupisse: cf. the similar passage in Ann. 1, 61 fin. where the survivors of Varus' army point out to Germanicus the features of the disaster, hie cecidisse legatos, illic raptas aquilas, etc. falsa vera: for the adversative asyndeton cf. on 26 fugientes occursantes. clamore et gaudio: cf. on 1, 27 fin. clamore et gaudiis. aggerem: apparently the weapons had all been collected in one pile, as a kind of trophy; cf. Ann. 2, 18 struxitque aggerem et in modum tropaeorum arma . . . imposuit; ib. 22 congeriem armorum struxit. intueri mirari: the asyndeton has a cumulative effect, as in 1, 2 fin. agerent verterent. subiret: in a double sense (1) with sors it = in mentem veniret (cf. 3, 31 226 NOTES subit recordatio) ; (2) with lacrimae et misericordia it = came over, etc. (cf. 1, 13 curam subisse; 37 horror animum subit). tot milia: the traditional figure was 40,000, no doubt exaggerated; cf. Dio 64, 10. laetus ultro: cf. on 1, 7 ultra. Suet. Vit. 10 adds his disgusting remark (probably apocryphal): optime olere occisumhos- tem,et melius civem. propinquae sortis ignarus: cf. on laeta and perniciem, above. 71. exin = exinde. Bononia: cf. on 53. spectaculum : cf. 67. cultu = properties, esp. accouterments of the gladiators. propinquabat = appropinquabat; cf. Intr. 17. corruptius: i.e. there was no pretense of discipline; cf. 11 fin. corruptum luxu iter. ingenio: a collective term for familiar figures or features (ingenium = natura). cantantem: i.e. on his singing tours. luxu: dat.; so senatu, Ann. 1, 10; commeatu, ib. 12, 62 fin., etc. saginae: cf. 1, 62 temulentus et sagina gravis. mancipatus: the figure is from the formal transfer of a slave, etc., to the new owner; cf. Cic. Cato M. 38 si nemini mancipata est [sc. senectus]; Hor. Epod. 9, 12 Romanus . . . emancipates feminae. vacuos: proleptic. For the changes made by Vitellius cf. on 1, 77 ceteri consulatus. menses: Sept. and Oct. dissimulatus = ignored; cf. 82 dissimulans. Martius Macer : cf. on 23. P. Valerius Mari- nus: nothing more is certainly known of him than that he was an Arval in this year; cf. CIL. VI, 2051, 53, 62, etc. mitem: the expected causal clause is condensed into a description of the man; so ingratus below. For the inconcinnity cf. Intr. 13. ausus . . . extimulator : cf. Intr. ib.; ausus is absol., as in 25 fin. unde rursus ausi. consuetudine servitii: cf. 1, 90 fin. ex libidine servitii. Similarly Agricola was obliged to thank Domi- tian for refusing him the proconsulship of Asia or Africa, Agr. 42. Under Nero every execution or exile was followed by a vote of thanks to the gods, Ann. 14, 64 fin. 72. quanquam: with coeptum; cf. on 1, 43 quanquam. Scribonianus Camerinus: perhaps a son of M. Licinius Crassus Frugi, cos. 64, who was brother of Piso; cf. on 1, 48 Crassum. The wife of Crassus was Sulpicia Praetextata, to whose family Scribonianus owed his cognomen; cf. 4, 42. Histria: modern Istria. in argumentum fabulae: i.e. to help him in bringing out his comedy; argumentum = mise en scene (also plot). veri BOOK II 227 = as to the fact, obj. gen. of an unusual type; cf. 59 adpulsu litoris; 1, 46 vulgi largitione; 4, 49 indiligentia veri. cum per- tractus: sc. est; for the cum inversum cf. on 1, 29 cum adfertur. postquam: cf. Intr. 24. servilem: slaves were crucified after suffering torture; cf. on 1, 46 fin. 73. vix credibile, etc.: this chapter forms an effective transi- tion to the story of Vespasian's rise to power, just when Vitel- lius' fears from that quarter have been silenced. speculator es: cf. on 1, 24 speculatori; they had been sent by Mucianus (Antioch) and Vespasian (Caesarea). etsi: with abl. abs.; found even in Caesar (e.g. B. C. 1, 67, 5). Cf. on 1, 83 quanquam (with circum- stantial abl.). vagis, etc.: cf. 1, 34 vagus primum et incertus rumor. ad: cf. on 8 ad celebritatem nominis. ut: cf. 1, 4 ut erga principem novum. externos: i.e. Oriental luxury and de- pravity. proruperant: pluperf. of prompt action; cf. on 5 fin. aboleverat. 74-86. Vespasian, laying aside his hesitation and encouraged by Mucianus, declares himself against Vitellius, and is proclaimed emperor, first at Alexandria, then at Caesarea. Preparations for another civil war. 74. bellum armaque: cf. Agr. 30 proelium atque-urma; above> 1 arma Vitellii bellumque, where, however, arma may have a dif- ferent sense. circumspectabat: cf. 6 vires suas circumspicere. praeeuntem: cf. on 1, 36 praeire. fausta . . . omnia: cf. 4, 49 laeta Pisoni omnia tanquam principi continuare. Vespasian naturally used the familiar formulas wishing all prosperity to Vitellius, beginning quod bonum faustum felixque sit. Mucianus: cf. on 1, 10. in Titum: cf. 5 fin. praefectus Aegypti: cf. on 1, 11; it was a post more important than many of the proconsul- ships; yet only knights were eligible. Tiberius Alexander: cf. on 1, 11. It was he who first proclaimed Vespasian emperor; cf. 79. sociaverat: i.e. with Vespasian. tertiam legionem: cf. on 1, 79 tertia legio; it was the first of the legions in Illyricum to side with Vespasian; cf. below, 85. ceterae: cf. on 1, 9 Illyrico. secuturae sperabantur: the personal constr. of pass, verbs with nom. and infin. (or infin.) is very much extended by Tac. and other prose writers of the period; cf. on 1, 50 crederetur; Ann. 3, 8 fin. neque dubitabantur praescripta (esse); 16, 17 additur . . . ita 228 NOTES scripsisse. flammaverat: trans. = inflammaverat; cf. Intr. 17. mole belli: the point is here the colossal scale of the war; in a different sense 1, 61 fin. tota mole belli. modo . . . aliquando: cf. 51 modo . . . nunc. sexaginta: he completed his 60th year on the next 17th Nov., having been born five years before the death of Augustus (Suet. Vesp. 2). progressum: i.e. an advance by successive steps at discretion, whereas the aspirant for empire may not pause; for him it is a single leap. Some editors insert esse regressum to balance the thought. 75. viro militari: cf. Agr. 41 tot militares viri; on his military career in Germany and Britain cf. on 1, 10; Suet. Vesp. 4. bello inexpertas: cf. 1, 8 bellis inexpertus; Agr. 41 expertum bellis ani- mum. quid . . . profuturas: cf. on 1, 50 ituros. praesenti: i.e. requiring no careful preparation, executed on the spot. diverse: for diversus as applied to a rival party cf. 34 euro, diversa sciscitandi; 3, 5 maiore ex diver so mercede. sic ... sic: the first example illustrates facinore, the second praemium. Scri- bonianus: cf. on 1, 89. ad summa militiae : Tac. probably means nothing higher than the rank of a centurio primi pili, the ordi- nary limit of promotion for one who had risen from the ranks. 76. pavoribus: cf. on 13 iras. cor am = publicly; in this mg. coram appears first in the Augustan poets, e.g. Aen. 1, 520; Hor. C. 3, 6, 29; cf. Ann. 6, 8 quae coram habentur, and 13, 25 fin. coram prospectans (the only other examples in Tac.). omnes, qui, etc.: the opening sentence is very similar to that of a passage in Sallust, a letter of Mithridates (Hist. 4, fr. 69 M) : Omnes, qui secundis rebus suis ad belli societatem orantur, con- siderare debent, liceatne turn pacem agere; dein, quod quaesitur, satisne pium tutum, gloriosum an indecorum sit. But the resem- blance may be due to rhetorical scheme, rather than to direct imi- tation. promptum effectu: cf. 1, 87 fin. facillimum factu. ar- duum: cf. on 1, 85 arduus. ipse . . . considerandus est: the personal constr. by prolepsis adds emphasis to the necessity of judging the adviser's motives. Out of the personal the imper- sonal considerandum est must be supplied with the next question. In the active voice prolepsis of this kind was very frequent in conversational Latin; in the passive it is rare; cf. Hor. C. 4, 14, 17 spectandus . . . quantis fatigaret minis; Ov. Met. 6, 208 an BOOK II 229 dea sim, dubitor. quam salutare: elliptical ind. quest, depend- ing on what follows; cf. 1, 29 quo . . . fato, in vestra manu post- turn est. nee = neve; cf. on 1, 84 nee. a . . . propius: cf. 1, 10 prope ab exule. longo = diuturno; cf. on 1, 5 longo. Galbae: Otho is calmly ignored. abiit, etc. = is past and gone. transvectum = exactum; cf. Agr. 18 transvecta aestas. posses videri: this phrase (esp. freq. in law Latin) gives the commonly accepted interpretation of an act, a term, etc., it does not refer to mere appearances. Cf. Agr. 13 potest videri ostendisse posteris, non tradidisse. concupisse: Vespasian's ambition must have been quite generally known even before the death of Galba (cf. 5); but the r61e of a pretender has now become impossible, since the death of Otho has freed Vitellius' hands to dispose of an- other rival. excidit: sc. memoria. trucidatus: for the use of the ptcp. cf. Intr. 11. Cn. Domitius Corbulo: the most illustri- ous of Nero's generals; but having aroused his master's jealousy, he was forced to commit suicide in 67 (Dio 63, 17). He was a brother of Caesonia, wife of Caligula; legatus of Lower Germany in 47; proconsul of Asia under Claudius; legatus of Cappadocia and Galatia; then of Syria; then of Cappadocia again; best known for his various Armenian campaigns, 57-66; cf. Ann. 13-15 passim; 11, 18 ff.; Hist. 3, 6; Dio 60, 30; 62, 19 ff.; Plin. N. H. 2, 72; 6, 23. natalium = generis or originis; cf. on 1, 49 natalium. Galbae odio: for the adversative asyndeton cf. on 1, 83 nimia pietas. ne . . . quidem: the negation is limited to duds arte . . . victum, even Otho, who was not beaten by, etc. exarmat: cf. 67. principis imitatione: cf. 68. novem: 3 in Syria, 1 Syrian legion now in Moesia, 3 in Judaea, 2 in Egypt; cf. on 1, 10, 11. extern!: i.e. the bellum ludaicum; cf. 4. clas- sium, etc.: cf. 4 fin. reges: cf. 81. ante omnis: the attributive position (cf. on 15 iuxta) shows that this is equivalent to qua omnis antecedis. More normal is the use of the phrase in such expressions as rex ante omnes maestus (Curt. 6, 6, 19); anteomnes insignis (Livy 41, 4, 6). Cicero would have said praeter ceteros. 77. nobis: i.e. myself; cf. in Piso's speech, 1, 30 nihil adrogabo mihi. triumphale : Vespasian had not indeed received a tri- umph for his exploits in the conquest of Britain in 43; but while his superior, Aulus Plautius, was honored with an ovation, Ves- 230 NOTES pasian was awarded the triumphalia ornamenta; cf. 78; Suet. Vesp. 4. capax: cf. 1 maturam petendis honoribus iuventam. apud Germanicos, etc.: for Titus' career cf. on 1, 10; Suet. Tit. 4 tribunus militum et in Germania et in Britannia meruit, etc. rerum: for the gen. cf. next note. ordo = relations, relative position; cf. Plaut. Trin. 451 mearum . . . rerum . . . ordinem. vincimus: the present, in the midst of futures, adds a note of confidence; cf. Sail. Cat. 58, 9 si vincimus, omnia nobis tuta erunt, etc. discrimen . . . patiemur : the expression is so unusual that many have preferred to read partiemur (Puteolanus), which gives a phrase hardly less difficult to parallel. It is more like Tacitus not to repeat in the verb the idea of sharing already sug- gested in ex aequo. For patiemur an illustration is cited from Livy 26, 13, 8 ultima pericula . . . perpessi. ex aequo: cf. Germ. 36 fin. adversarum rerum ex aequo socii sunt; cf. below 97; Agr. 20 fin. immo = or rather. tu: must be restored on ac- count of the antithesis; cf. 3, 2 fin. vos . . . legiones continete: mihi, etc. tuos: emphasizing Vespasian's right to the chief command of all the armies, while Mucianus is to lead the expedi- tion against Vitellius. hos . . . illi: the pronouns reflect the feeling of expected friendship with the victi, and inevitable hos- tility towards the victores. per fastidium, etc.: cf. Intr. 13. aperiet, etc.: for the fullness of language in this pass. cf. Intr. 14. contecta: the comparison is with wounds which have closed once, only to resume suppuration. vigilantia, etc.: cf. 5. parsimonia: naturally in a complimentary sense, as in Agr. 4, where Tac. commends the provincialis parsimonia of Massilia. torpore: cf. 1, 62 torpebat Vitellius; 2, 99 Caecinae . . . torpor recens. inscitia: cf. on 1, 1 inscitia. saevitia: instances are given in 64, 70. qui deliberant, desciverunt: cf. Intr. 27; a similar thought less pointedly expressed, Agr. 15 fin. iam ipsos . . . deliberare. Porro in eius modi consiliis periculosius esse deprehendi quam audere; cf. Plut. Galba 4 fin. 78. respoma vatum: cf. 1, 10 fin. responsis, etc.; 2, 4; Suet. Vesp. 5. Seleucus: Suet, mentions a Seleucus mathematicus in connection with Otho, the same person whom Tac. calls Ptole- maeus (1, 22; Suet. Otho 4, 6). An evident confusion on the part of Suet. For the mathematici cf. on 1, 22 mathematicis. BOOK II 231 rectorem = as his adviser. vetera omina: detailed by Suet. Vesp. 5. laetior: cf. Suet. I.e. arbor quoque cupressus in agro avito sine ulla vi tempestatis evulsa radicitus atque prostrata, inse- quenti die viridior ac firmior resurrexit. The Ms. latior is incom- patible with the shape of a cypress. triumphalia: cf. on 77 triumphale. consulatus: in Nov. and Dec. 51; cf. Suet. Vesp. 4. inter: this position of a dissyllabic preposition between coordinated substantives is very rare before Tac.; cf. Livy 22, 3, 3 Faesulas inter Arretiumque; a disputed example in Caes. B. C. 3, 6, 3. Cf. Hist. 3, 19 (super); 4, 77 (inter); 5, 8 (penes); 5, 19 (inter). Carmelus: the mountain extends in a northwesterly direction, forming a great promontory 25 miles north of Caesarea. tradidere: i.e. there never had been a temple or an image. ara, etc.: adversative asyndeton; cf. on 1, 83 nimia pietas. reverentia: cf. Germ. 9 fin. deorumque nominibus appellant secre- tum illud, quod sola reverentia vident. Basilides: in itself an auspicious name. Another man of the same name at Alexandria, 4, 82. quidquid, etc. : cf . Suet. Vesp. 5 apud ludaeam Carmeli dei oraculum consulentem ita confirmavere sortes, ut quidquid cogi- taret volveretque animo, quamlibet magnum, id esse proventurum pollicerentur. extruere: here, as in 3, 72 of the later stages of con- struction or adornment, as the building (there the Capitol) ap- proaches completion. Thus marbles for decoration are marmora ad exstructionem domus (Dig. 30, 41, 4). aperiebat: i.e. they now found the key, cf. Ann. 11, 34 aperire ambages et veri copiam facere. quanto; for the omission of tanto cf. on 1, 88 quanta. Antiochia = Antioch, on the Orontes; about 300 m.p. north of Caesarea. Caesarea: on the coast; named by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus; earlier known as Turris Stratonis. From the Jewish standpoint it was not ludaeae caput (cf. 5, 8 Hieroso- lyma genti caput). ilia . . . hoc: Tac. often neglects the usual attraction to the gender of the pred. ; cf. 1, 49 quod segnitia erat; here he first neglects, and then observes, the older rule. 79. initium, etc.: cf. 1, 39 initio . . . orto. Tiberius Alexan- der: cf. 74. legiones: cf. on 1, 11 copias. quamvis . . . iu- rasset: cf. on 59 quamvis. ludaicus exercitus: cf. on 1, 10 legionibus. Syria: for the abl. alone cf. on 62 Italia. 80. quaeritur: i.e. by Vespasian's friends. spes timor, etc.: 232 NOTES cf. on 1, 3 fin. laeta tristia; 2, 26 fugientes occursantes. ratio: cf. 19 rationem ostendens. salutaturi: evidently the usual morn- ing salute. Caesarem: i.e. the title of Caesar, depending directly upon cumulare. Others understand a case of zeugma, and supply vocare, or salutare. mens: esp. of those to whom dum quaeritur, etc., above refers. fortunam: pregnant for confidence of success. transierat: the instantaneous pluperf. ; cf. on 5 fin. aboleverat. aut: cf. on 1, 51 fin. et. caliginem = dizziness. Livy has it in the literal sense, of men climbing scaling ladders at the siege of New Carthage: cum altitudo caliginem oculis offudis- set, 26, 45, 3; of a wounded man Curt. 9, 5, 28 caligine oculis offusa. Tac. may have had in mind the Livy pass.; but the expression can hardly have been of Livy's coining. laeta omnia: cf. 3, 54 cum . . . laeta omnia fingeret; Ann. 1, 42 fin. laeta omnia aliis e provinciis audienti; 11, 15 et laeta quidem in praesens omnia. affluentia: there was nothing but good news, and abundance of it; cf. 1, 57 fin. ex affluenti. It would be several days before he could learn that he had been proclaimed at Antioch also. id ipsum: i.e. the first news that the troops at Caesarea had hailed Vespasian imperator, received perhaps three days after the event. ubi illis, etc. : as Antioch was a Greek city, the cus- tom of using the theater for public assemblies prevailed. So Timoleon veniebat ... in theatrum (at Syracuse), cum ibi con- cilium populi haberetur, Nep. Tim. 4. arte quadam ostentator: in this oft-quoted characterization, Tac. is probably condensing what Livy says of Africanus, non veris tantum virtutibus mira- bilis, sed arte quoque quadam ab iuventa in ostentationem earum compositus (26, 19, 3). Or he may have recalled Livy's judgment of Romulus, cum factis vir magnificus turn factorum ostentator haud minor (1, 10, 5). nihil aeque: the omission of sed (cf. 84 sed nihil aeque) shows that Mucianus first made his statement in regard to the transfer of the legions at this assembly. legioni- bus: for the dat. cf. on 1, 11 procuratoribus. mutarentur: Suet, speaks of a rumor dissipatus, destinasse victorem Vitellium permit- tare hiberna legionum et Germanicas transferre in Orientem ad secu- riorem mollioremque militiam (Vesp. 6 fin.). militibus: cf. on legionibus, above. 81. Sohaemus: cf. on 4 fin. reges. Before his transfer to So- BOOK ii 233 phene, in 54, he had been prince of Emesa, on the upper Orontes, in Syria; Ann. 13, 7; Hist. 5, 1; Joseph. Ant. 20, 8, 4; B. I. 7, 7, 1. baud spernendis viribus: as in 58. Antiochus: cf. on 4 fin. reges; Ann. I.e.; 12, 55; 14, 26 fin.; Joseph. B. I. I.e.; etc. On the asyndeton, cf. on 1, 13 Vinium . . . Laconem. M. lulius Agrippa = Herodes Agrippa II ; cf . on 2 Berenices, and on 4 fin. reges. On the death of his uncle, Herod of Chalcis, in 48, he re- ceived that kingdom; but in 53 Claudius gave him in exchange the districts known as Batanaea, Trachonitis, Abila, and Gaulanitis, while Nero added parts of Galilee and Peraea. He had gone with Titus on the errand mentioned above, 1 ; but when Titus turned back from Corinth, Herod went on to Rome. Cf. Joseph. Ant. 20, 5, 2; ib. 7,1; 8, 4; 4, 9, 2; B. I. 2, 12, 1 and 8; ib. 13, 2; 18,9; Acts 25-26. Berenice: cf . on 2. inennes: this does not exclude auxiliaries or militia; cf. 1, 11 fin. inermes provinciae. legionibus: Cappadocia became a province under Tiberius, in 17, but was governed by procurators, until Vespasian, propter adsiduos barbarorum incursus, assigned two legions (XII Fulminata, XV Apollinaris) to the province, and a legatus consularis; Suet. Vesp. 8; Ann. 2, 42; Dio 57, 17 fin. summa rerum = whole situation; cf. 3, 50 de summa rerum cunctantes; a different mg. above, 33. Berytus = Beirut, on the coast of Phoenice, north of Sidon; made a colony by Augustus; it became in late Roman times an educational center, especially for students of the Roman law. splendissimo : referring to their " decorations," i.e. phalerae, torques, and other dona mUitaria; cf. 89 fin. decora: cf. on 1, 84 decora; Intr. 15. paratus = apparatus, as in 59 principali paratu. 82. revocare: i.e. ad signa, or ad arma. signatur: some of these coins appear to have been preserved; cf. Eckhel Doctr. Num. VI, 320. bonos, etc.: cf. Agr. 21 hortari . . . adiuvare . . . laudando promptos et castigando segnes. dissimulans: cf. 71 dissimulatus. praefecturis: in the auxiliaries or the cavalry. procurationibus: cf. on 1, 2 fin. procurationes. summa: i.e. high offices, esp. governorships of important provinces. for- tuna: wealth and rank were their only recommendation. neque ... ne ... quidem: unusual correlation, to emphasize the second member; cf . Germ. 7 and 44 fin. neque . . . neque . . . ne . . . quidem; ib. 37 non . . . non . . . non ... ne ... qui- 234 NOTES dem. alii in pace: while Sulla, Caesar, Octavian, etc., had given donatives to their armies in war time, Tiberius did the same upon his accession, but under the will of Augustus. Caligula imitated his example. With Claudius for the first time a donative seemed to be the price paid for the throne. Nero, of course, followed the precedent. Vespasian's donative was small, only 25 denarii. Cf. Suet. Aug. 101; Claud. 10 fin.; Ann. 1, 8; 12, 41, 69; Dio 65, 22 fin. firmus, etc.: cf. 1, 35 fin. adversus blandientes incor- ruptus. militarem: equiv. to obj. gen. militum; cf. 1, 46 vulgi largitione. -exercitu meliore: abl. qual., a general is known by the army he keeps; cf. Nepos, Eum. 3 fin. peditatu, quo erat dete- riore. obtinere = hold; cf. next note. claustra Aegypti: i.e. Alexandria, on the west side of the delta, and Pelusium on the east. Vespasian's object was not so much a strong position in impreg- nable Egypt, as the opportunity to secure its revenues, and to hold back the grain supply upon which Rome depended for its daily bread; cf. 3, 8 Aegyptus, claustra annonae, etc.; Suet. Vesp. 7 ducibus copiisque in Italiam praemissis, interim Alexandriam trans- iit, ut claustra Aegypti optineret. Cf. 3, 48 fin. where Vespasian plans to cut off another source of the annona by invading Africa also. nihil arduum fatis = the fact (or the belief) that nothing, etc.; cf. Intr. 11. arduum: cf. on 1, 85 arduus. reciperandae mili- tiae: best taken as dat. of the end. The praemium was to be more substantial than mere restoration to the service. Cf. 67. 83. agens: cf. 1, 30 ageret, etc. gliscere: cf. on 8 fin. glis- centem. vires: he takes with him but one complete legion, and probably a detachment from each of the five remaining in Syria and Judaea. But he also counts upon large reinforcements from the Danube legions, especially III Gallica, now in Moesia, but formerly in Syria; cf. 74; 1,79. tredecim . . . milia: this num- ber is reasonably assumed to represent five detachments of 2600 each. Cf . 57, where three legions contribute 8000. vexilla- riorum: cf. on 1, 31 fin. vexilla. classem: in reality not the whole fleet, but lectissimas Liburnicarum omnemque militem (i.e. marines), 3, 47. ambiguus consilii: cf. on 46 consilii certus; Ann. 1, 7 ambiguus imperandi. num: cf. on 37 num. Moesia: cf. on 1, 79 Moesia. He did decide upon this route, up the Hebrus, the Margus, Danube, and Save (or Drave), and so to Aquileia at the BOOK ii 235 head of the Adriatic. Thus naval warfare was eliminated from the conflict. Dyrrachium: in the province of Macedonia, on the coast, opposite Brundisium; western terminus of one of the most important roads in the empire, the Via Egnatia (the over-sea con- tinuation of the Appia), leading to Thessalonica and Byzantium. In Greek times Epidarnnus, now Durazzo. clauderet: zeugma; supply peteret or occuparet with Dyrrachium. exponi: cf. on 30 expositos. in incerto: cf. on 1, 37 in incerto. 84. strepere: cf. 62 strepentibus ab utroque mari itineribus; Livy 26, 51,7 urbs ipsa strepebat apparatu belli fabris . . . in pub- lica officina indusis. fatigabat: the obj. is readily supplied from provinciae. nervos: the familiar proverb; cf. Cic. Phil. 5, 5; Imp. Pomp. 17; Plut. Cleom. 27. verum = actual fact; the charges brought by the delatores were often groundless; others understand it in the sense of equity. passim delationes: cf. 1, 20 ubique hasta et sector; 1, 65 multae in vicem clades. Tac.'s Roman readers probably did not take the trouble to supply a verb. quisque . . . correpti: for the plur. after quisque cf. on 1, 35 nimii verbis. optinendas: in place of its ordinary mg. maintain, the verb here has the sense of carry out, carry through, as in Ann. 3, 52 fin. indecorum adtrectare, quod non obtineret. baud perinde = haud ita; cf. Germ. 5 haud perinde adficiuntur. The comparison is merely implied. magistris: cf. 63 inrepentibus dominationis ma- gistris. didicit: opinions differed as to whether Vespasian was naturally miserly (natura cupidissimus) or forced into extortion by the needs of the treasury (summa aerarii fiscique inopia, Suet. Vesp. 16; cf. ib. 23). quo . . . sumeret: purpose clause; his generous contributions were not without the hope of ample re- turns. in reciperando: the abl. constr. enables Tac. to avoid another long gen. gerundive; euphony, rather than variety, is the motive. 85. tertia: cf . on 83 vires. octava: i.e. Augusta. Claudiana: the name is added to distinguish it from VII Galbiana, in Pannonia; cf . 86. It had been loyal to Claudius in the revolt of Scribonianus in Dalmatia (cf. 75; 1, 89). inbutae: cf. 1, 5 longo Caesarum sacramento inbutus. quamvis . . . interfuissent: cf. on 59 quamvis. Aquileia: cf. 46 fin. de Othone: they refused to believe him dead. vexillis: i.e. they encountered only detach- 236 NOTES ments of the Vitellian legions; cf. on 1, 31 fin. vexilla. ex metu consilium: according to Suet., who gives (Vesp. 6) a more detailed account of these doings at Aquileia in April, they planned to create an emperor for themselves, and (after rejecting the names of va- rious other consular legates) at the instance of some men of the Hid legion (then in Moesia), they preferred Vespasian, nomenque eius vexillis omnibus sine mora inscripserunt. But the mutiny was suppressed for the time being. inputari: i.e. could be set down to their credit with Vespasian; cf. 1, 38 quis mihi plurimum in- putet. Pannonicum exercitum: i.e. the XIHth Gemina and VHth Galbiana; cf. 86. abnuenti: conditional. Aponius Saturninus: cf. on 1, 79; below, 96. rector: cf. 1, 59 fin. Lugudunensis Galliae rector. Tettius lulianus: cf. on 1, 79 fin. avia Moesiae: cf. 4, 70 avia Belgarum; Ann. 13, 37 avia Armeniae. deinde: cf. on 50 deinde. cunctabundus, etc.: cf. 83 init. 86. tertia decuma: stationed at Poetovio, now Pettau, on the Drave, in Styria; cf. 3, 1. They had returned to their old quarters after building the amphitheaters at Cremona and Bononia; cf. 67. septima Galbiana: the Hispana of 1, 6, q.v. M. Antonius Pri- mus: a Gaul, born at Tolosa (Toulouse); the leading figure in Book 3, as the most active of the Flavian generals. In his later days a friend of the poet Martial. Cf . Suet. Vit. 18; Mart. 9, 99; 10, 23 and 32; Hist. 3, 2 et passim; 4, 2, 4; etc. falsi damnatus: it was a case of witnessing a forged will, in the year 61; cf. Ann. 14, 40. The penalty was deportation and loss of all property for the prin- cipal (Dig. 48, 10, 1, 13), while the false witness might get off with ejection from the senate (Paul. 5, 15, 5). inter alia, etc.: resem- bling an appositive phrase (cf. 1, 62 laetum augurium) , or instead of an appositive clause, quod fuit inter alia belli mala. in nullo . . . usu, etc.: i.e. found no employment. Of course he retained his command. momentum: cf. 1, 59 grande momentum. strenuus, etc.: observe the rhetorical form of this portrait of Antonius, esp. its antitheses. artifex = a master. iuncti: in the fig. mg. only as yet, having reached an agreement. Delmaticum militem: i.e. the Xlth Claudia; for the XlVth Gemina Martia Victrix (cf . on 1, 9 Illyrico; 2, 11 quartadecumani) had returned to its former station in Britain; cf. 66 fin., 86 fin. quanquam: cf. on 1, 43 quanquam. L. Tampius Flavianus: twice consul suffectus (ca. 46 and 74, or BOOK ii 237 after); procos. of Africa and then legatus of Pannonia; cf. Plin. N. H. 9, 26; Hist. 3, 4, 10. M. Pompeius Silvanus: cos. suff. in 45, and again ca. 74 with Tampius Flavianus; procos. of Africa, and then accused by the provincials, 58, but acquitted by Nero; legatus of Dalmatia, 09-70; cf. Ann. 13, 52; Hist. 3, 50. tenebant: cf. on 30 inridebant. Cornelius Fuscus: procurator of Pannonia; presently admiral of the Ravenna fleet; under Domitian pracfectus praetorio, until he lost his life in the disaster of the 2d Dacian ex- pedition, in 86; cf. 3, 4, 12, etc.; Suet. Dom. 6; Mart. 6, 76; Juv. 4, 111. natalibus: cf. on 1, 49 natalium. quaestus cupi- dine: both law and custom forbade a senator to engage in trade; cf. Livy, 21, 63, 4 quaestus omnis patribus indecorus visus. It was more profitable to become a procurator; cf. Ann. 16, 17 adquirendae pecuniae brevius iter credebat per procurationes administrandis prin- cipis negotiis (of Mela, brother of Seneca). If the Ms. quietis is correct (which is highly improbable), then prima and idem are emphatic. coloniae: it is not known to what town this refers. facem: cf. fiagrabat, below. In English we should more naturally say he was the chief firebrand. aegrum = rotten, weak, i.e. dis- affected. adgrediuntur: i.e. Antonius and Fuscus. quarta- decumanos : cf . 66 fin. primanos: the classicorum legio, now known as I Adiutrix; cf. 67. secuturis: cf. on 32 inrupturis; Intr. 7. 87-101. Vitellius and his army reach Rome. His administra- tion, more contemptible than ever, under the control of Valens and Caecina, 87-95. News of the uprising under Vespasian, and prep- arations for the impending conflict, 96-101. 87. contemptior in dies: cf. 73 fin., the point at which the nar- rative is here resumed. ad omnis . . . amoenitates = at every attractive town and villa. resistens = consistens. gravi . . . agmine: cf. 1, 70 fin. calonum: cf. on 1, 49 calories. lixarum: cf . ib. lixas; they were free, but acted insolently, even in compari- son with (inter} the slaves. modestia = discipline; cf. on 1, 52 modesti. regetur: the tense is that of a general truth, narrative being abandoned for general observation ; cf . 92 nee umquam satis fida potentia, etc. Most editors emend to regeretur. metu . . . per adulationem; cf. Intr. 13. cogniti: viz. at the court of Nero; cf. 71. amicitiarum dehonestamentis = scandalous friendships; the genitive is epexegetic. aut: in a negative statement aut 238 NOTES often stands where et would be used in an affirmative statement; cf . 1, 63 non ob praedam aut spoliandi cupidine, sed furore et rabie. cultores . . . vastabantur: cf. on 16 vastatos. 88. seditionem: cf. 68. paganos: cf. on 1, 53 fin. paganos. foret = esset; cf. 21; for the iterative subjv. cf. on 1, 10 vacaret. consensu: the abl. abs. trails loosely after manente (with zeugma, for lack of a pres. ptcp. of esse); the whole is equivalent to a cum- clause. ad septimum: on the Via Flaminia, in the Tiber meadows, about two m.p. nearer than Saxa Rubra, and the well-known villa of the Empress Livia (Prima Porta; cf. 3, 79). The distance is from the Servian gate at the foot of the Capitoline (Via Lata). saginam: cf. 1, 62 sagina gravis. vernacula . . . urbanitate: i.e. it was only a practical joke; vernacula has its special mg. city- born, metropolitan; cf. Petron. 24 hominem acutum atque urbani- tatis vernaculae fontem. So in Ann. 1, 31 recruits from the city are vernacula multitudo; cf. Dial. 28 de urbe et his propriis ac vernaculis vitiis. balteis: cf. on 1, 57 fin. balteos. an: silver Latin for num; cf. Ann. 2, 9 quaesitoque an Caesar venisset; Hist. 4, 86 fidem . . . temptavisse, an. forent = essent, cf. above, foret. Galba: in their own eyes the soldiers of Vitellius were the avengers of Galba, forgetting that they had at first revolted from him. ipsi: i.e. the German auxiliaries. tergis: for class, pellibus; so in Ann. 15, 44 the Christians areferarum tergis contecti. But Germ. 17 gerunt et ferarum pelles. inscitiam = awkwardness; cf. on 1, 1 inscitia. lubrico viae: cf. 1, 79 lubrico itinerum. terrore et . . . catervis: hendiadys, the feeling produced and the means of its production. 89. ponteMulvio: cf . 1, 87. deterritus: at some point between the Pons Mulvius and the Campus Martius he yields to persuasion, and gives up his plan of a triumphal entry. praetexta: in place of the military paludamentum. quattuor legionum : viz. the three that had accompanied Valens (I Italica, V Alaudae) and Caecina (XXI Rapax), and that of which the main body must have come with Vitellius (XXII Primigenia') ; cf. 1, 61, 64; 2, 100. Tac. was perhaps an eye-witness of this scene. aquilae: i.e. legions with their eagles; so vexilla and signa, below. per frontem = at the head of the column; usually applied to an acies, not often to an agmen (but cf. Ann. 12, 16). totidem: Tac. overlooks the three BOOK ii 239 rexilla from Britain, mentioned in 100. circa: forming parallel columns, but probably in close order, not as at the entry of the Flavians, 3, 82. legionibus aliis: i.e. I Germanica, IV Mace- donica, XV Primigenia, XVI Gallica; cf. 100. alarum: of cavalry. et : epexegetic, that is; cf. on 10 iactatum. peditum . . . eques: Intr. 13. forent = essent; cf. on 88 foret; for the subjv. cf. on 1, 10 vacaret. praefecti: cf. on 26 praefectus castrorum. phalerae: cf. on 1, 57 fin. phaleras. torques: not worn as collars, but hang- ing down over the breast, like the phalerae. facies: cf. 42 non una pugnae facies; 1, 85 facies belli. matrem: cf. 64. 90. alterius: often used in preference to allus; for the sense cf. 1, 45 alium crederes senatum, alium populum. somno: fig. for desidia, ignavia. vacuum curis = unconcerned, thoughtless. August!: cf. 1, 47 nomen Augusti et omnes principum honores. frustra: with reference to his impending fate; for the hint of ap- proaching catastrophe cf. 48 fin., 59 fin. recusaverat: more exactly, he had only postponed; cf. 62 edictum, quo vocabulum Augusti differret. 91. funesti ominis loco : a common use of loco in place of a predicate; cf. 4, 26 prodigii loco accipiebatur. XV kalendas Augustas: cf. Livy 6, 1, 11 diemque a.d. XV kal. Sextiles, duplici clade insignem, quo die ad Cremeram Fabii caesi, quo deinde ad Aliam cum exitio urbis foede pugnatum, a posteriore clade Alien- sem appellarunt insignemque religione rei ullius publice privatim- que agendae fecerunt. Cremerensi: the slaughter of the Fabii by the Etruscans, 477 B.C.; Livy 2, 50. Alliensi: at the hands of the Gauls, 390; Livy 5, 38. cladibus: Cic. would have written clade; cf. 1, 18 quartam et duoetvicensimam legiones. comitia consulum: the arrangements Vitellius had already made (cf. 71) required formal ratification by the senate under the transparent guise of an election. Tiberius had transferred the elections to the senate (Ann. 1, 15), but the assembly met to hear the formal renuntiatio of those who had been elected; cf. Abbott, Roman Political Institutions, 503. emitter, etc.: he wished to give the impression that the old-time freedom had in part returned. In reality the emperor's commendatio of his candidati was deci- sive; cf. Abbott, 331, 416. fautor: i.e. he favored that faction which happened to be most popular. They were dis- 240 NOTES tinguished by colors, white, red, blue, green, i.e. albata, rus- sata, veneta, prasina, respectively. consulerentur : cf. on 1, 10 vacaret. Helvidius Priscus : a well-known member of the op- position, born in Samnium, son of a first centurion, son-in-law of Thrasea (v. below), commander of a legion in Syria, 51, tribunus plebis, 56; relegated by Nero in 66, he returned under Galba; was relegated again and put to death by Vespasian. Tac. gives a portrait of him in 4, 5 f.; cf. Ann. 12, 49; 13, 28; 16, 33; Suet. Vesp. 15. non . . . ultra quatn = tantum; no verb need be supplied, for, while originally elliptical, the combination has come to be treated as an adverb, i.e. = tantummodo; so quid aliud quam, non aliud quam, nihil aliud quam (Thesaurus I, 1634, 34 ff.), nihil amplius quam; cf. Ann. 4, 34; 13, 40 fin.; 15, 13; an idiom freq. in Livy, e.g. 27, 18, 11 nihil aliud quam via impediti. potestatis: sc. tribuniciae, one of the most important of the powers conferred upon the emperor; cf. on 55 cuncta. re pub- lica = affair of state. P. Clodius Thrasea Paetus: from Patavium, cos. suff . in 56; son-in-law of Caecina Paetus (a victim of Claudius) ; father-in-law of Helvidius Priscus; himself also a steadfast op- ponent of the emperors and a Stoic; forced to suicide in 66; cf. Ann. 16, 21 ff.; 14, 12, 48 f. 92. Publilius Sabinus: nothing further is known about him, except his deposition a few months later, 3, 36 fin. Julius Pris- cus: cf. 3, 55, 61 fin.; his suicide, 4, 11 fin. For the asyndeton with names cf. on 1, 13 Vinium . . . Laconem. Both were eccentric promotions. pollebant: cf. on 30 inridebant. inter: cf. on 1, 1 inter infensos. olim: cf. on 1, 60 olim. fecunda gignendis inimicitiis : for the abl. cf. 1, 51 fin. fecunda rumoribus; Ann. 13, 57 flumen gignendo sale fecundum. et: cf. on 1, 51 fin. et. salutantium: i.e. at the morning call. potentia: cf. on 1, 1 potentiam. aut: equivalent here to modo . . . modo. nobilium turba: Nero's exiles; cf. Otho's ineffectual measures for their relief, 1, 90 (empty honors, 1, 77). gratum: cf. 95 laetum . . . quod. adprobavit: translate by a passive. iura liber- torum = iura patronatus, the various rights which the patron had over his freedman. Exile extinguished such rights. For an im- poverished patron the most important of these were (1) the privilege of support at the expense of the freedman, if the latter BOOK II 241 had means; (2) the right to one-half the property of the f reed- man, if he died childless. Cf. Dig. 25, 3, 5, 19 ff.; 37, 14, 21; Inst. 3, 7, 1. servilia ingenia: meaning freedmen; so servorum manus 1, 7. corrumpebant = inritum faciebant. occultos: i.e. of obscure, and hence unsuspected, persons. ambitiosos: i.e. of very influential persons, into whose good graces the freed- men had wormed themselves per ambitionem. sinus: the figure is from the folds of the toga. in domum Caesaris, etc. : by nam- ing the emperor their patron. For an example of a powerful libertus Caesaris cf. Galba's Icelus, 1, 13, 37 fin., 46 fin.; cf. 95. 93. castris: the permanent camp of the praetorians; cf. on 1, 17 castris. There were other barracks (perhaps included here) for the cohortes urbanae, vigiles, etc. porticibus, etc.: cf. 1, 31. principia: i.e. they had no rallying place, as in the principia of a camp, the central part of the via principalis, and an open space before the praetorium. Cf. 3, 13 recurrens in principal miles. imminuebant: zeugma, resulting from the antithesis corpus . . . animum. infamibus: i.e. notoriously unhealthy. The ancient reputation of the Vatican still remains. For the adj. cf. Hor. C. 1, 3, 20 infamis scopulos Acroceraunia; Livy 21, 31, 8 infames frigoribus Alpes. tetendit: cf. on 1, 31 tendentes. in vulgus: cf. on 15 iuxta. obnoaia = exposed, as being not yet acclimated. Suetonius Paulinus had predicted this result, 32. ordo militiae = the service, with its rules and conventions; cf. 1, 38 sine more et ordine militiae. sedecim: a temporary enlarge- ment, in place of the usual nine (though Nero had twelve, CIL. V, 7003). It was not continued by Vespasian. For the dismissal of the old praetorians cf. 67; for Vespasian's nine cf. CIL. Ill, p. 853. quattuor: only three had heretofore been stationed in the city; cf. on 1, 20 fin. urbanis. Vespasian had four such cohorts, CIL. I.e. scribebantur : cf. Intr. 17. tanquam, etc.: cf. on 1, 8 tanquam . . . fovissent. periculo: for the dat. cf. on 1, 59 perieulo; for the occasion cf. 25 ff. fluitasse: Caecina presently abandons the cause of Vitellius; cf. 100 f.; 3, 9, 13 ff. 94. militiam: i.e. arm of the service. urbanae militiae: in- cluding praetorians and cohortes urbanae under a single term; so 1, 4 f. urbanum militem, and miles urbanus. alares: i.e. auxiliary cavalry. The extraordinary privilege of being enrolled in the 242 NOTES urbana militia was not extended to the auxiliary infantry; cf. legionibus alisque, below. castrorum: sc. praetor ianorum; by meton. for service among the praetorians. decus: it had pre- viously been a hard-earned honor to serve in the guard. con- tionante: i.e. from the tribunal at the camp. pro Vindice: cf on 1, 6 fin. super: cf. on 1, 8 super. donativum: cf. 1, 5; 18 fin. principum: possibly Claudius, certainly Nero, Galba, Otho, probably Vitellius. ut tributum: these exactions from the freedmen no doubt won popular favor for Vitellius. perdendi : cf. 1, 30 perdere iste sciet (of Otho); 37 quod Polycliti . . . per- diderunt. cura: ironical. inludere: cf. Ann. 15, 42 viribus principis inludere; Sail. Cat. 13, 2 quibus mihi videntur ludibrio fuisse divitiae. 95. natalem . . . diem: the 24th Sept. (or according to others the 7th); cf. Suet. Vit. 3. He was born 15 A.D. vicatim: a vicus was a street, with the narrower streets or alleys opening into it, including the houses, hence equivalent to precinct; e.g. Vicus Tuscus, Vicus Longus, Vicus Patricius. laetum: cf. 92 gratum . . . quod, etc. in campo Martio : the tomb of Nero (the family tomb of the Domitii) was on the Pincio (Collis Hor- torum), but visible from the Campus Martius; cf. Suet.'s descrip- tion, Nero 50. inferias Neroni: cf. Suet. Vit. 11 et ne cui dubium foret, quod exemplar regendae rei publicae eligeret, media Martio campo adhibita publicorum sacerdotum frequentia inferias Neroni dedit. Augustales: i.e. sodales Augustales, established by Ti- berius soon after the death of Augustus. There were at first 21 regular sodales, and four representatives of the imperial family. They had at Bovillae, on the Appian Way, near Mt. Alba, a shrine which had long been associated with the ancestor worship of the gens lulia; cf. Ann. 1, 54 (quoted below); 2, 41; CIL. VI, 1985 ff. (1986 is of the year 69). ut Romulus Tatio: sc. sacerdotium; but in place of this more indefinite object, it is not unlikely that Titios, the proper designation, stood in the original text (after Rom- ulus); cf. Ann. 1, 54 addito sodalium Augustalium sacerdotio, ut quondam T. Tatius retinendis Sabinorum sacris sodales Titios in- stituerat, a passage which represents a different legend as to the foundation and purpose of the Titii. nondum . . . et: an imitation of Vergilian narration, with much the same effect as BOOK n 243 that of a cum inversum (cf. on 1, 29 cum adfertur); of. 1, 37 sep- tem . . . menses sunt, et iam, etc.; Aen. 2, 692 vix ea fatus erat senior, subitoque fragore \ intonuit, etc. ; 5, 857 vix . . . laxaverat artus, | et, etc. ; Georg. 2, 80 nee longum tempus, et, etc. quar- tus: in reality quintus. Asiaticus: cf. on 57. Polyclitos: for the typical plural cf. on 1, 37 Polycliti; and below, Vinios Fabios, etc. Patrobius: cf. 1, 49. et: cf. on 1, 51 fin. et. odiorum: abstr. for concr.; cf. Intr. 15. prodigis epulis: cf. 62 epularum foeda et inexplebilis libido; Suet. Vit. 13. sumptu ganeaque: the hendiadys balances the preceding adj. + noun; Intr. 13. abunde: sc. esse; the adv. serves as pred.; cf. 97 fin. contra fuit; 1, 75 frustra fuit. noviens miliens: sc. centena milia; 900 million sesterces = ca. 47 million dollars. paucissimis: i.e. April to Dec. sagina: cf. 71; on 1, 62 sagina. Othonem Vitellium: i.e. an Otho, a Vitellius; for the asyndeton cf. on 1, 13 Vinium . . . Laconem. inter: cf. on 1, 1 inter infensos. Vinius: Galba's colleague, 1, 1, etc. Fabius: i.e. Valens, 1, 7, etc. Icelus: Galba's freedman, cf. 1, 13. The freedmen are paired together. Marcellus: cf. on 53. 96. tertiae legionis: in Moesia; cf. 85. Aponius Saturninus: legatus of that province; cf. 85. epistulis: cf. on 1, 67 epis- tulis. mollius: cf. 1, 12 quo seditio mollius acciperetur. con- stare = was unshaken. exauctoratos: cf. 67. insectatus: for the aoristic use of the perf. ptcp. cf. Intr. 12. vagis: under orders, of course. Translate by a while-clause. Cf. Intr. 7. sennones, etc.: for a similar attempt, not long after, to suppress free speech cf. 3, 54. alimentum, etc.: cf. 1, 17 fin. male coer- citam famam supprimentes augebant, 97. -que: the class, use, to pair together the provinces lying in the same general direction. Naturally Germania includes both Rhine provinces. segniter et . . . dissimulans: cf. Intr. 13. Hordeonius Flaccus: cf. on 1, 9. bello: the uprising under Civilis, already feared; cf. 4, 12 ff. Vettius Bolanus: cf. on 65 fin. consular!: sc. legato. Cluvius Rufus was governing the province in absentia; cf. 65; 1, 8. trium legionum: i.e. VI Victrix, X Gemina, I Adiutrix; the last had been sent thither by Vitellius; cf. 67. prosperis . . . rebus: with conditional force. certaturi: the ptcp. takes the place of a relative clause 244 NOTES containing the apodosis. For another silver Latin freedom with the fut. ptcp. cf. on 32 inrupturis. ad obsequium: cf. 35 ad proelia. ex aequo: cf. 77 ex aequo. legio: III Augusta; cf. on 1, 11 legio. Clodius Macer: cf. on 1, 7. f avorabilem : so an oration which wins applause is a favorabilis oratio (Ann. 2, 36 fin.). famosum: Suet., on the other hand, says that he governed Africa integerrime nee sine magna dignatione, and that he returned nihilo opulentior, Vesp. 4. contra: adverb as pred.; cf. 95 abunde. 98. C. Calpetanus Rantius Quirinalis Valerius Festus, related by marriage to Vitellius; legatus pro praetor e exercitus Africae, a position much more influential than that of the ordinary legatus legionis (the case of Macer, above); in 70 he caused the murder of the proconsul, L. Piso; in 71 cos. suff. with Domitian; governor of Pannonia, 73, and Spain (Tarraconensis), 79-80; cf. 4, 49 f.; Plin. Ep. 3, 7, 12; best known from inscriptions in Spain and at Trieste, CIL. II, 2477, 4802, etc.; V, 531. cum fide = loyally. invaluissent : representing the fut. perf. of direct dis- course. fefellere = escaped unnoticed, absolute; cf. 3, 41 and 5, 22 ad fallendum; Livy 10, 14, 6 non fefellere . . . in occulta valle instructi. socordia . . . dein: cf. on 5 dein. Pannonicae Alpes: not a separate group of the Alps, but merely a term for the passes of the Julian Alps. The main route led from Aquileia, northeasterly, over the Alpis lulia (830 m.), down into the valley of the Save at Emona (Laibach), and so to Poetovio (Pettau). etesiarum: according to Pliny these began to blow on the 20th July, and lasted for 40 days (N.H. 2, 124). inde: sc. navi- gantibus. 99. inruptione: the abl. (means) is with exterritus; others make it abl. of time, and nuntiis means. atrocibus, etc.: cf. 1, 51 fin. undique atroces nuntii. expedire: as in 1, 10 and 88. proficiscentis: cf. the entry into the city, 89. species . . . vigor . . . ardor: for the style of this pass. cf. Intr. 23. rarum = thinned, open; cf. 3, 25 rariore iam . . . acie. fluxa: i.e. held listlessly; not = fracta; for it is too much to assume that battered arms, or those in bad order, would have escaped inspec- tion. Tac. is speaking merely of physical condition and its effects. quantum . . . tanto: for a similar neglect of symmetry cf. on BOOK II 245 I, 14 fin.; on 2, 11 tarditas. Tac. follows Livy in this balance of a positive against a comparative in a proportional sentence. soluti . . . seu: the second term is an entire clause; cf. Intr. 13; 34 simulantes . . . ac ne, etc. plerique: i.e. among the his- torians. Flavius Sabinus: cf. on 1, 46; 2,55. Rubrius Gallus: cf. on 51. erga: here in a hostile sense; cf. Ann. 2, 76 discor- diam erga Germanicum; and so sometimes in Plaut., Ter., Nep. In Cic., Caos., Sail, it always denotes a friendly relation. 100. Caecina: the date of his departure is probably about the 1st Oct. Cremona: cf. 17, 22, etc. vexilla: cf. on 1, 31 fin. vexilla; below, vexillariis. Britannicarum legion um: omitted in the enumeration of 89, q.v.; they were II Augusta, IX His- pana, XX Valeria Victrix. exercitui: for the force composing Valens' expedition cf. 1, 61, 64. ductaverat: ductare exercitum was regarded as obsolete in the time of Quint., but sanctioned by the usage of Sail, and Tac.; cf. Quint. 8, 3, 44; Sail. Cat. II, 5; lug. 70, 2. tota mole: cf. 1, 61 fin. tola mole belli. legiones: from 3, 14 fin. we learn that I Italica and XXI Rapax were sent to Cremona. pars: in reality this was the larger part of the force. Hostilia: on the left bank of the Po, S. E. of Mantua; of strategic importance also, at the crossing of the Via Postumia (cf . on 23 Bedriacum) and the road from Bo- nonia to Verona. Ravenna: in the marshes, south of the Po delta; station of the fleet; cf. on 9 Misenensi. Patavi: Patavium (Padua) lay between Verona and the Adriatic; the birthplace of Livy. secretum: cf. on 4 secreto. componendae proditionis: the gen. constr. limits secretum, and indicates the end which the interview was expected to serve. So even in golden Latin; e.g. Caes. B. G. 4, 17, 10 naves deiciendi operis; Cic. Cato M. 84 commorandi . . . deversorium. Silver Latin used such phrases more freely, even attaching them directly to the verb, as a substitute for the purpose clause; cf. 4, 25 vinciri iubet, magis usurpandi iuris, quam quia, etc.; Ann. 2, 59 Aegyptum proficis- citur cognoscendae antiquitatis. Sex. Lucilius Bassus: cf. 3, 12, 36, 40; in 4, 3 he once more appears as a cavalry officer. There was nothing exceptional in his commanding a fleet. It was un- usual, however, for the two fleets to be combined under one prae- fectus. Later he was legatus of Judaea; Joseph. B. I. 7, 6, 1, 6; 246 NOTES 7, 8, 1. praefecturam praetorii: cf. the recent promotion of Publilius Sabinus, 92. foret = esset; cf . 88. iracundiam . . . ulciscebatur: Tac. sarcastically puts the subjective feeling in the place of an objective injury. quod evenit, etc.: cf. 1, 39 utque evenit in consiliis infelicibus; 56 quod in seditionibus accidit, etc. ; 81 utque evenit inclinatis ad suspicionem mentibus. 101. scriptores: Pliny the Elder, Vipstanus Messalla, and Cluvius Rufus are the most obvious sources of Tacitus for this period. Pliny's work was a continuation of that of Aufidius Bassus, and hence known as A fine Aufidi Bassi libri XXXI; cf. Plin. Ep. 3, 5, 6; Hist. 3, 28. Vipstanus Messalla figured in this war as acting commander of a legion the Vllth Claudiana; cf. 3, 9, 18, 25, 28. Tac. had made him one of the speakers in the Dialogus. For Cluvius Rufus cf. on 1, 8. potiente rerum: here of the possession of power, not the acquisition of it; cf. 3, 74 potiente rerum patre. corruptas . . . causas: causas is pred. appos., i.e. as the reasons (for the defection of Caecina and Bassus); but instead of adding, say a relative clause, to show that these reasons were fictitious, he condenses that thought into a phrase, corruptas in adulationem; cf. 1, 1. super: cf. on 1, 8 super. ab aliis: meaning esp. Valens; cf. 99 fin. legiones: at Hostilia, on his arrival from Patavium. subruebat: of the abortive attempt simply; for the sequel cf. 3, 13 f . pro Othone militiae: cf. 14 ff., 28. The second book ends, as the first had ended, with preparations for an impending conflict, the northward march of armies, ill-prepared in both cases, for a struggle which was to bring another usurper to the throne. APPENDIX VARIATIONS FROM THE TEXT OF HALM * Halm This Edition 1, 2, 6 omissa 11 urbs 3, 5 ipsa necessitas 6 tolerata 9, 12 cunctatur 10, 8 se 11, 5 domui 12, 2 a (misprint) 13, 2 et dett. 19 segnis et, donee bellum fuit 15, 24 blanditiae et 16, 9 e (misprint) 26, 4 Ian. 31, 20 reverses 33, 10 relanguescat 35, 9 sistens 37, 24 Tigellini 38, 12 aperiri 39, 4 f . rediret . . . peteret 41, 9 et 42, 7 ictu 43, 11 Statius 12 trucidatus est 44, 13 honore 48, 17 pro consule 49, 4 confixum (misprint) 53, 6 id add. Heinsius 55, 10 et (misprint) 1 Fourth edition, Leipzig, 1883; ing are not included. missa Med. et urbs Med. omit b toleratae b cunctantur Med. (Andr.) omit domi Med. e omit donee bellum fuit, segnis et C. Her. blanditia et W. Her. a omit rursus Med. elanguescat lac. Gronov. resistens Faernus Aegiali (egialii Med.) aperire Med. redire . . . petere Med. (Andr.) omit ictus Meiser Staius Klebs (cf. CIL. IX, 3080) trucidatur wig. honori Nipp. proconsulatu Med. suffixum omit ac reprinted 1907. Differences of spell- 247 248 APPENDIX 57, 7 tertium 60, 4 proruperat 65, 16 relinquerentur 67, 1 per Caecinam haustum 68, 1 pericula (misprint) 13 iusto 69, 7 ut est ib. et 70, 6 exciti 71, 10 ne hostem metueret, conciliationes 72, 5 crudelitatem mox 74, 3 quietis locum 77, 16 Saevino P . . . 78, 5 ostentui 79, 3 [ad] 4 novem 83, 23 intercidit 84, 6 hinc 85, 1 apta 87, 13 [immutatus] 88, 6 expediri tertio ed. Spir. proruperant Med. (Andr.) relinquerent Med. (Andr.) Caecina hausit Med. (Andr.) periculo infesto (in sto Med.) Turn, ut est omit Joh. Muller acciti a testes mutuae reconciliationis Nipp. (but prefixing deos) mox crudelitatem dell, e quietis locis Madv. Scaevinto Propinquo Andr. ostentata Ernesti, Andr., Her. transfer to novem ad novem Acidalius intercidet Heinsius ut Med. (Andr.) omit immutatus vulg. expedire ab 2, 1, 19 incerta adhuc victoria 4, 3 consulit (misprint) 19 amor 6, 2 pernicibus 7, 2 bello civili 5 discordiam 10, 5 delationem (misprint) 10 retinebatur ib. adhuc terror! 12, 2 maiore Italiae parte 14, 11 est ib. acie 17, 1 bellum, quod incertam adhuc victoriam dett. consuluit rubor Andr. praecipitibus Beroaldus bellorum civilium Ritter socordiam Pluygers delationes retinebat Med. aliquid terroris Jacob etiam ora Italiae et Thomae acies Thomae bellumque Med, APPENDIX 249 20, 4 [barbarum tegmen] 21, 6 f . retorta ingerunt 16 operibus 22, 4 fluxu (misprint) 28, 10 [sanitas sustentacu- lum] 32, 2 qua 35, 2 perlabebantur 38, 18 redeo 40, 2 sedecim 46, 15 et gemitus 50, 1 Ferentino 55, 2 cecidisse 60, 1 interfecti sunt 64, 3 Interamnium 65, 4 Hilarius 12 hunc 66, 12 exarsisset 68, 5 proinde 74, 14f. esse regressum (C. Her., Joh. Mutt.) 76, 4 inchoaturi 77, 11 tu hos 78, 7 latior 81, 3 inservientium 83, 11 [sibi] 87, 8 regeretur 90, 2 ipso 93, 8 aviditas 9 labefecit ib. insuper confusus 94, 12 inert! 99, 2 expediri 100, 13 proditioni 19 [ut et similes sint] omit paria regerunt Meiser omit fluxa omit quia (Andr.) praelabebantur Med. venio Med. (Andr.) XXV (cf. PAPA. XL, Ixiv f.) vel gemitus W. Her. Ferentio Med. cessisse Med. interfecti vulg. Interamnam Puteol. (as in 3, 61) Hilarus Andr. sed Arruntium #ooe(Amintium Ritter) arsisset Med. perinde dett. omit incohatur (inchoatur Med., Andr.) tu tuos Th. Kiessling laetior Triller servientium Novdk omit regetur Med. (Andr.) ipse Ritter aviditate Med. labefacta Meiser confusus insuper Gerber omit b*, dett. expedire Acidalius proditionis Med. omit E following pages contain a list of the volumes now ready or to appear in the series of Macmillan's Latin Classics. MACMILLAN'S LATIN CLASSICS Edited under the Direction of JAMES C. 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