按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
assemblage of cavalry and infantry； and the pomp of the kings that
strove to rival each other in magnificence； presented an appearance of
Imperial splendour。
The first business of the campaign was to levy troops and recall the
veterans to service。 The strong cities were set apart for the
manufacture of arms； at Antioch gold and silver money was coined；
everything being vigorously carried on in its appointed place by
properly qualified agents。 Vespasian himself went everywhere； urged to
exertion； encouraged the industrious by praise； and with the
indolent used the stimulus of example rather than of compulsion； and
chose to be blind to the faults rather than to the merits of his
friends。 Many among them he distinguished with prefectures and
governments； and several with the honours of senatorial rank； all
these were men of eminence who soon reached the highest positions。
In some cases good fortune served instead of merit。 Of a donative to
the troops Mucianus in his first speech had held out only moderate
hopes； and even Vespasian offered no more in the civil war than others
had done in times of peace； thus making a noble stand against all
bribery of the soldiery； and possessing in consequence a better
army。 Envoys were sent to Parthia and Armenia； and precautions were
taken that； when the legions were engaged in the civil war； the
country in their rear might not be exposed to attack。 It was
arranged that Titus should pursue the war in Judaea； while Vespasian
should secure the passes into Egypt。 To cope with Vitellius； a portion
of the army； the generalship of Mucianus； the prestige of
Vespasian's name； and the destiny before which all difficulties
vanish； seemed sufficient。 To all the armies and legates letters
were despatched； and instructions were given to them that they were to
attach the Praetorians； who hated Vitellius； by the inducement of
renewed military service。
Mucianus； who acted more as a colleague than as a servant of the
Emperor； moved on with some light…armed troops； not indeed at a
tardy pace so as to give the appearance of delay； yet not with
extraordinary speed。 Thus he allowed rumour to gather fresh strength
by distance； well aware that his force was but small； and that
exaggerated notions are formed about what is not seen。 Behind him；
however； came in a vast body the 6th legion and 13；000 veterans。 He
had given directions that the fleet from the Pontus should be
brought up to Byzantium； not having yet made up his mind； whether；
avoiding Moesia； he should move on Dyrrachium with his infantry and
cavalry； and at the same time blockade the sea on the side of Italy
with his ships of war； thus leaving Asia and Achaia safe in his
rear； which； being bare of troops； would be left at the mercy of
Vitellius； unless they were occupied with proper garrisons。 And thus
too Vitellius himself； finding Brundisium； Tarentum； and the shores of
Calabria and Lucania menaced by hostile fleets； would be in utter
perplexity as to which part of Italy he should protect。
Thus the provinces echoed with the bustle of preparing fleets；
armies； and the implements of war。 Nothing； however； was so
vexatious as the raising of money。 Mucianus； with the perpetual
assertion that money was the sinews of war； looked in all questions；
not to right or truth； but only to the extent of a man's fortune。
Informations abounded； and all the richest men were fastened on for
plunder。 These intolerable oppressions； which yet found some excuse in
the necessities of war； were continued even in peace。 Vespasian
himself indeed at the beginning of his reign was not so bent on
enforcing these iniquitous measures； till； spoilt by prosperity and
evil counsellors； he learnt this policy and ventured to use it。
Mucianus contributed to the war even from his own purse； liberal
with his private means because he helped himself without scruple
from the wealth of the State。 The rest followed his example in
contributing their money； very few enjoyed the same licence in
reimbursing themselves。
Meanwhile the operations of Vespasian were hastened by the zeal of
the army of Illyricum； which had come over to his side。 The third
legion set the example to the other legions of Moesia。 These were
the eighth and seventh （Claudius'）； who were possessed with a strong
liking for Otho； though they had not been present at the battle of
Bedriacum。 They had advanced to Aquileia； and by roughly repulsing the
messengers who brought the tidings of Otho's defeat； by tearing the
colours which displayed the name of Vitellius； by finally seizing on
the military chest and dividing it among themselves； had assumed a
hostile attitude。 Then they began to fear； fear suggested a new
thought； that acts might be made a merit of with Vespasian； which
would have to be excused to Vitellius。 Accordingly； the three
legions of Moesia sought by letter to win over the army of Pannonia；
and prepared to use force if they refused。 During this commotion；
Aponius Saturnius； governor of Moesia； ventured on a most atrocious
act。 He despatched a centurion to murder Tettius Julianus； the
legate of the 7th legion； to gratify a private pique； which he
concealed beneath the appearance of party zeal。 Julianus； having
discovered his danger； and procured some guides； who were acquainted
with the country； fled through the pathless wastes of Moesia beyond
Mount Haemus； nor did he afterwards take any part in the civil war。 He
set out to join Vespasian； but contrived to protract his journey by
various pretexts； lingering or hastening on his way； according to
the intelligence he received。
In Pannonia； however； the 13th legion and the 7th （Galba's）； which
still retained their vexation and rage at the defeat of Bedriacum；
joined Vespasian without hesitation； mainly under the influence of
Primus Antonius。 This man； though an offender against the law； and
convicted of fraud in the reign of Nero； had； among the other
calamities of war； recovered his rank as a Senator。 Having been
appointed by Galba to command the 7th legion； he was commonly believed
to have often written to Otho； offering the party his services as a
general。 Being slighted； however； by that Prince； he found no
employment during the war。 When the fortunes of Vitellius began to
totter； he attached himself to Vespasian； and brought a vast accession
of strength to his party。 He was brave in battle； ready of speech；
dexterous in bringing odium upon other men； powerful amidst civil
strife and rebellion； rapacious； prodigal； the worst of citizens in
peace； but in war no contemptible ally。 United by these means； the
armies of Moesia and Pannonia drew with them the soldiery of Dalmatia；
though the consular legates took no part in the movement。 Titus Ampius
Flavianus was the governor of Pannonia； Poppaeus Silvanus of Dalmatia。
They were both rich and advanced in years。 The Imperial procurator；
however； was Cornelius Fuscus； a man in the prime of life and of
illustrious birth。 Though in early youth the desire of repose had
led him to resign his senatorial rank； he afterwards put himself at
the head of his colony in fighting for Galba； and by this service he
obtained his procuratorship。 Subsequently embracing the cause of
Vespasian； he lent the movement the stimulus of a fiery zeal。
Finding his pleasure not so much in the rewards of peril as in peril
itself； to assured and long acquired possession he preferred
novelty； uncertainty； and risk。 Accordingly； both he and Antonius
strove to agitate and disturb wherever there was any weak point。
Despatches were sent to the 14th legion in Britain and to the 1st in
Spain； for both these legions had been on the side of Otho against
Vitellius。 Letters too were scattered through every part of Gaul；
and in a moment a mighty war burst into flame； for the armies of
Illyricum were already in open revolt； and the rest were waiting
only the signal of success。
While Vespasian and the generals of his party were thus occupied
in the provinces； Vitellius was daily becoming more contemptible and
indolent； halting to enjoy the pleasures of every town and villa in
his way； as with his cumbrous host he advanced towards the capital。 He
was followed by 60；000 armed soldiers demoralized by licence。 Still
larger was the number of camp…followers； and of all slaves； the slaves
of soldiers are the most unruly。 So numerous a retinue of officers and
personal friends would have been difficult to keep under restraint；
even if controlled by the strictest discipline。 The crowd was made
more unwieldy by Senators and Knights who came to meet him from the
capital； some moved by fear； many by a spirit of adulation； others；