The Works of Tacitus

tr. by Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb

[1864-1877]

Tacitus: History Book 2 [100]

100. Caecina, having embraced Vitellius and received tokens of high distinction,
left him, and sent a detachment of cavalry to occupy Cremona. It was followed
by the veteran troops of the 4th, 10th, and 16th legions, by the 5th and 22nd
legions, and the rear was brought up by the 21st (the Rapax) and the first Italian
legion with the veteran troops of three British legions, and a chosen body of
auxiliaries. After the departure of Caecina, Valens sent a despatch to the army
which had been under his own command with directions that it should wait for
him on the road; such, he said, was his arrangement with Caecina. Caecina, however,
being with the army in person, and consequently having greater influence, pretended
that this plan had been changed, so that the gathering forces of the enemy might
be met with their whole strength. Orders were therefore given to the legions
to advance with all speed upon Cremona, while a portion of the force was to
proceed to Hostilia. Caecina himself turned aside to Ravenna, on the pretext
that he wished to address the fleet. Soon, however, he sought the retirement
of Patavium, there to concert his treachery. Lucilius Bassus, who had been promoted
by Vitellius from the command of a squadron of cavalry to be admiral of the
fleets at Ravenna and Misenum, failing immediately to obtain the command of
the Praetorian Guard sought to gratify his unreasonable resentment by an atrocious
act of perfidy. It cannot be certainly known whether he carried Caecina with
him, or whether (as is often the case with bad men, that they are like each
other) both were actuated by the same evil motives.

101. The historians of
the period, who during the ascendancy of the Flavian family composed the chronicles
of this war, have in the distorted representations of flattery assigned as the
motives of these men a regard for peace and a love of their country. For my
own part I believe that, to say nothing of a natural fickleness and an honour
which they must have held cheap after the betrayal of Galba, feelings of rivalry,
and jealousy lest others should outstrip them in the favour of Vitellius, made
them accomplish his ruin. Caecina, having overtaken the legions, strove by every
species of artifice to undermine the fidelity of the centurions and soldiers,
who were devoted to Vitellius. Bassus, in making the same attempt, experienced
less difficulty, for the fleet, remembering how recently it had served in the
cause of Otho, was ready to change its allegiance.

Next: Book 3 [1]