by
detachments
from it.
Tacitus
[114] Chap. 56.
[115] His supposed murder by Vitellius is described, iii. 38, 39.
[116] Legio Prima Italica, formed by Nero.
[117] Called after Statilius Taurus, who first enlisted it. He
was Pro-consul of Africa under Nero. Cp. note 146.
[118] Their mutiny in A. D. 69 is described by Tacitus, _Agr. _ 16.
[119] i. e.
by detachments from it.
[120] Mt. Cenis.
[121] Great St. Bernard.
[122] i. e. he had the main body of the Legion V, known as 'The
Larks', and only detachments from the other legions.
[123] Known as 'Rapax', and stationed at Windisch
(Vindonissa), east of the point where the Rhine turns to flow
north.
THE MARCH OF VALENS' COLUMN
On the very day of departure a happy omen greeted Fabius Valens and
the army under his command. As the column advanced, an eagle flew
steadily ahead and seemed to lead the way. Loudly though the soldiers
cheered, hour after hour the bird flew undismayed, and was taken for a
sure omen of success.
They passed peaceably through the country of the Treviri, who were 63
allies. At Divodurum,[124] the chief town of the Mediomatrici,
although they were welcomed with all courtesy, the troops fell into a
sudden panic. Hastily seizing their arms, they began to massacre the
innocent citizens. Their object was not plunder.
