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New reinforcements were supplied by Varus Alfenius with his Batavians。
They had routed the band of gladiators； which had been ferried
across the river； and which had been cut to pieces by the opposing
cohorts while they were actually in the water。 Thus flushed with
victory； they charged the flank of the enemy。
The centre of their line had been penetrated； and the Othonianists
fled on all sides in the direction of Bedriacum。 The distance was very
great； and the roads were blocked up with heaps of corpses； thus the
slaughter was the greater； for captives taken in civil war can be
turned to no profit。 Suetonius Paullinus and Licinius Proculus； taking
different roads； avoided the camp。 Vedius Aquila； legate of the 13th
legion； in the blindness of fear； fell in the way of the furious
soldiery。 Late in the day he entered the entrenchments； and found
himself the centre of a mob of clamorous and mutinous fugitives。
They did not refrain from abuse or actual violence； they reviled him
as a deserter and traitor； not having any specific charge against him；
but all； after the fashion of the mob； imputing to him their own
crimes。 Titianus and Celsus were favoured by the darkness。 By that
time the sentries had been posted； and the soldiers reduced to
order。 Annius Gallus had prevailed upon them by his prayers； his
advice； and his personal influence； not to aggravate the disaster of
their defeat by mutual slaughter。 Whether the war was at an end； or
whether they might choose to resume the conflict； the vanquished would
find in union the sole mitigation of their lot。 The spirit of the rest
of the army was broken； but the Praetorians angrily complained that
they had been vanquished； not by valour； but by treachery。 〃The
Vitellianists indeed；〃 they said； 〃gained no bloodless victory；
their cavalry was defeated； a legion lost its eagle。 We have still the
troops beyond the Padus； and Otho himself。 The legions of Moesia are
coming； a great part of the army remained at Bedriacum； these
certainly were never vanquished； and if it must be so； it is on the
battlefield that we shall fall with most honour。〃 Amid all the
exasperation or terror of these thoughts； the extremity of despair yet
roused them to fury rather than to fear。
The army of Vitellius bivouacked at the fifth milestone from
Bedriacum。 The generals did not venture an assault on the enemy's camp
that same day； besides； a capitulation was expected。 Though they
were without baggage； and had marched out only to fight； it was
sufficient protection to them that they had arms； and were victorious。
On the following day； as the feeling of Otho's army was evident； and
those who had been most furious were inclined to repent； envoys were
sent； nor did the generals of Vitellius hesitate to grant conditions
of peace。 The envoys indeed were detained for some little time； and
this circumstance caused some doubt； as it was not known whether
they had obtained their object； before long； however； they returned；
and the camp was thrown open。 Both victors and vanquished melted
into tears； and cursed the fatality of civil strife with a
melancholy joy。 There in the same tents did they dress the wounds of
brothers or of kinsmen。 Their hopes； their rewards； were all
uncertain； death and sorrow were sure。 And no one had so escaped
misfortune as to have no bereavement to lament。 Search was made for
the body of the legate Orfidius； and it was burnt with the customary
honours。 A few were buried by their friends； the multitude that
remained were left above ground。
Otho was awaiting news of the battle free from alarm and resolved in
purpose。 First came gloomy tidings； and then fugitives from the field；
making known that all was lost。 The zeal of the soldiers did not
wait for the Emperor to speak。 They bade him be of good cheer； telling
him that he had still fresh forces； and that they would themselves
endure and dare to the last。 This was no flattery； they were fired
by a furious impulse to seek the battle…field； and raise again the
fallen fortunes of their party。 Those who stood at a distance
stretched out their arms； those who were near clasped the Emperor's
knees； and Plotius Firmus was the most zealous of them all。 This
man； who was prefect of the Praetorian Guard； repeatedly besought Otho
not to desert an army so loyal and soldiers so deserving； 〃there was
more courage in bearing trouble；〃 he said； 〃than in escaping from
it； the brave and the energetic cling to hope； even in spite of
fortune； the cowardly and the indolent are hurried into despair by
their fears。〃 While he was thus speaking； as Otho assumed a
relenting or a stern expression； the soldiers cheered or groaned。
Nor was it only the Praetorians； who were peculiarly Otho's troops；
that thus acted； those who had been sent on from Moesia declared
that the approaching army was as firmly resolved； and that the legions
had entered Aquileia。 No one therefore can doubt that the war might
have been renewed with its terrible disasters； and its uncertainties
both for victors and vanquished。
Otho himself was opposed to all thoughts of war。 He said； 〃I hold
that to expose such a spirit； such a courage as yours； to any
further risk is to put too high a value on my life。 The more hope
you hold out to me； should I choose to live； the more glorious will be
my death。 Fortune and I now know each other； you need not reckon for
how long； for it is peculiarly difficult to be moderate with that
prosperity which you think you will not long enjoy。 The civil war
began with Vitellius； he was the first cause of our contending in arms
for the throne； the example of not contending more than once shall
belong to me。 By this let posterity judge of Otho。 Vitellius is
welcome to his brother； his wife； his children。 I need neither revenge
nor consolation。 Others may have held the throne for a longer time；
but no one can have left it with such fortitude。 Shall I suffer so
large a portion of the youth of Rome and so many noble armies to be
again laid low and to be lost to the State？ Let this thought go with
me； that you were willing to die for me。 But live； and let us no
longer delay； lest I interfere with your safety； you with my firmness。
To say too much about one's end is a mark of cowardice。 Take as the
strongest proof of my determination the fact that I complain of no
one。 To accuse either gods or men is only for him who wishes to live。〃
After having thus spoken； he courteously entreated all in terms
befitting their age and rank to go at once； and not exasperate the
anger of the conqueror by staying。 With the young he used his
authority； with the old his prayers； and still his look was calm；
his speech collected； as he checked the unseasonable tears of his
friends。 He gave orders that those who were departing should be
furnished with boats and carriages； he destroyed all memorials and
letters remarkable for their expressions of zeal for himself or
their abuse of Vitellius。 He distributed some gratuities； but
sparingly； and not like a man who was soon to die。 Then he even
administered consolation to Salvius Cocceianus； his brother's son； a
very young man； who was anxious and sorrowful； praising his
affection while he rebuked his fear。 〃Do you think；〃 he said； 〃that
Vitellius will shew so ruthless a temper that he will not make even
this return for the preservation of his whole family？ By hastening
my end I earn the clemency of the conqueror。 It is not in the
extremity of despair； but while my army yet cries for battle； that I
have sacrificed to the State my last chance。 I have obtained enough
reputation for myself； enough nobility for my family。 Successor to the
Julii； the Claudii； the Servii； have been the first to bring the
Imperial dignity into a new family。 Enter then on life with a brave
heart； and never entirely forget； or remember too vividly； that Otho
was your uncle。〃
After this he dismissed every one； and took some repose。 He was
now pondering in his heart the last cares of life； when his
attention was distracted by a sudden tumult and he was told of the
confusion and outrageous conduct of the soldiers。 They were
threatening with death all who attempted to depart； and were extreme
in their violence against Verginius； whose house they had blockaded
and were besieging。 After rebuking the ringleaders of the tumult； he
returned and employed himself in granting interviews to those who were
departing； till all had left in safety。 Towards evening he quenched
his thirst with a draught of cold water。 Two daggers were brought to
him； he tried the edge of each； and then put one under his head。 After
satisfying himself that his friends had set