第 10 节
作者:向前      更新:2021-04-30 17:16      字数:9322
  something that might lead to an outbreak。 In the Upper army;
  however; the 4th and 13th legions; which were stationed in the same
  winter…quarters; proceeded on this same first of January to break in
  pieces the images of Galba; the 4th legion being foremost; the 18th
  shewing some reluctance; but soon joining with the rest。 Not however
  to seem to throw off all their reverence for the Empire; they sought
  to dignify their oath with the now obsolete names of the Senate and
  people of Rome。 Not a single legate or tribune exerted himself for
  Galba; some; as is usual in a tumult; were even conspicuously active
  in mutiny; though no one delivered anything like a formal harangue
  or spoke from a tribunal。 Indeed there was as yet no one to be obliged
  by such services。
  Hordeonius Flaccus; the consular legate; was present and witnessed
  this outrage; but he dared neither check the furious mutineers; nor
  keep the wavering to their duty; nor encourage the well affected。
  Indolent and timid; he was reserved from guilt only by his sloth。 Four
  Centurions of the 18th legion; Nonius Receptus; Donatius Valens;
  Romilius Marcellus; Calpurnius Repentinus; striving to protect the
  images of Galba; were swept away by a rush of the soldiers and put
  in irons。 After this no one retained any sense of duty; any
  recollection of his late allegiance; but; as usually happens in
  mutinies; the side of the majority became the side of all。 In the
  course of the night of the 1st of January; the standard…bearer of
  the 4th legion; coming to the Colonia Agrippinensis; announced to
  Vitellius; who was then at dinner; the news that the 4th and 18th
  legions had thrown down the images of Galba; and had sworn
  allegiance to the Senate and people of Rome。 Such a form of oath
  appeared meaningless。 It was determined to seize the doubtful
  fortune of the hour; and to offer an Emperor to their choice。
  Vitellius sent envoys to the legions and their legates; who were to
  say that the army of Upper Germany had revolted from Galba; that it
  was consequently necessary for them; either to make war on the
  revolters; or; if they preferred peace and harmony; to create an
  Emperor; and who were to suggest; that it would be less perilous to
  accept than to look for a chief。
  The nearest winter…quarters were those of the first legion; and
  Fabius Valens was the most energetic of the legates。 This officer in
  the course of the following day entered the Colonia Agrippinensis with
  the cavalry of the legion and of the auxiliaries; and together with
  them saluted Vitellius as Emperor。 All the legions belonging to the
  same province followed his example with prodigious zeal; and the
  army of Upper Germany abandoned the specious names the Senate and
  people of Rome; and on the 3rd of January declared for Vitellius。
  One could be sure that during those previous two days it had not
  really been the army of the State。 The inhabitants of Colonia
  Agrippinensis; the Treveri; and the Lingones; shewed as much zeal as
  the army; making offers of personal service; of horses; of arms and of
  money; according as each felt himself able to assist the cause by
  his own exertions; by his wealth; or by his talents。 Nor was this done
  only by the leading men in the colonies or the camps; who had abundant
  means at hand; and might indulge great expectations in the event of
  victory; but whole companies down to the very ranks offered instead of
  money their rations; their belts; and the bosses; which; richly
  decorated with silver; adorned their arms; so strong were the
  promptings from without; their own enthusiasm; and even the
  suggestions of avarice。
  Vitellius; after bestowing high commendation on the zeal of the
  soldiers; proceeded to distribute among Roman Knights the offices of
  the Imperial court usually held by freedmen。 He paid the furlough fees
  to the centurions out of the Imperial treasury。 While in most
  instances he acquiesced in the fury of the soldiers; who clamoured for
  numerous executions; in some few he eluded it under the pretence of
  imprisoning the accused。 Pompeius Propinquus; procurator of Belgica;
  was immediately put to death。 Julius Burdo; prefect of the German
  fleet; he contrived to withdraw from the scene of danger。 The
  resentment of the army had been inflamed against this officer by the
  belief; that it was he who had invented the charges and planned the
  treachery which had destroyed Capito。 The memory of Capito was held in
  high favour; and with that enraged soldiery it was possible to
  slaughter in open day; but to pardon only by stealth。 He was kept in
  prison; and only set at liberty after the victory of Vitellius; when
  the resentment of the soldiery had subsided。 Meanwhile; by way of a
  victim; the centurion Crispinus was given up to them; this man had
  actually imbued his hands in the blood of Capito。 Consequently he
  was to those who cried for vengeance a more notorious criminal; and to
  him who punished a cheaper sacrifice。
  Julius Civilis; a man of commanding influence among the Batavi;
  was next rescued from like circumstances of peril; lest that
  high…spirited nation should be alienated by his execution。 There
  were indeed in the territory of the Lingones eight Batavian cohorts;
  which formed the auxiliary force of the 14th legion; but which had;
  among the many dissensions of the time; withdrawn from it; a body of
  troops which; to whatever side they might incline; would; whether as
  allies or enemies; throw a vast weight into the scale。 Vitellius
  ordered the centurions Nonnius; Donatius; Romilius; and Calpurnius; of
  whom I have before spoken; to be executed。 They had been convicted
  of the crime of fidelity; among rebels the worst of crimes。 New
  adherents soon declared themselves in Valerius Asiaticus; legate of
  the Province of Belgica; whom Vitellius soon after made his
  son…in…law; and Junius Blaesus; governor of Gallia Lugdunensis; who
  brought with him the Italian Legion and the Taurine Horse; which was
  stationed at Lugdunum。 The armies of Rhaetia made no delay in at
  once joining Vitellius; and even in Britain there was no hesitation。
  Of that province Trebellius Maximus was governor; a man whose sordid
  avarice made him an object of contempt and hatred to the army。 His
  unpopularity was heightened by the efforts of Roscius Caelius; the
  legate of the 20th legion; who had long been on bad terms with him;
  and who now seized the opportunity of a civil war to break out into
  greater violence。 Trebellius charged him with mutinous designs; and
  with disturbing the regularity of military discipline; Caelius
  retorted on Trebellius the accusation of having plundered and
  impoverished the legions。 Meanwhile all obedience in the army was
  destroyed by these disgraceful quarrels between its commanders; and
  the feud rose to such a height that Trebellius was insulted even by
  the auxiliaries; and finding himself altogether isolated; as the
  infantry and cavalry sided with Caelius; he fled for safety to
  Vitellius。 Yet the province still enjoyed tranquility; though its
  consular governor had been driven from it。 It was now ruled by the
  legates of the legions; who were equal as to lawful authority;
  though the audacity of Caelius made him the more powerful。
  After the army of Britain had joined him; Vitellius; who had now a
  prodigious force and vast resources; determined that there should be
  two generals and two lines of march for the contemplated war。 Fabius
  Valens was ordered to win over; if possible; or; if they refused his
  overtures; to ravage the provinces of Gaul and to invade Italy by
  way of the Cottian Alps; Caecina to take the nearer route; and to
  march down from the Penine range。 To Valens were entrusted the
  picked troops of the army of Lower Germany with the eagle of the 5th
  legion and the auxiliary infantry and cavalry; to the number of 40;000
  armed men; Caecina commanded 30;000 from Upper Germany; the strength
  of his force being one legion; the 21st。 Both had also some German
  auxiliaries; and from this source Vitellius; who was to follow with
  his whole military strength; completed his own forces。
  Wonderful was the contrast between the army and the Emperor。 The
  army was all eagerness; they cried out war; while Gaul yet wavered;
  and Spain hesitated。 〃The winter;〃 they said; 〃the delays of a
  cowardly inaction must not stop us。 We must invade Italy; we must
  seize the capital; in civil strife; where action is more needed than
  deliberation; nothing is safer than haste。〃 Vitellius; on the
  contrary; was sunk in sloth; and anticipated the enjoyment of
  supreme power in indolent luxury and prodigal festivities。 By midday
  he was half…intoxicated; and heavy with food; yet the ardour and
  vigour of the so