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But before this time, and while Vespasian was about Alexandria, and
Titus was lying at the siege of Jerusalem, a great multitude of the Germans
were in commotion, and tended to rebellion; and as the Gauls in their neighborhood
joined with them, they conspired together, and had thereby great hopes
of success, and that they should free themselves from the dominion of the
Romans. The motives that induced the Germans to this attempt for a revolt,
and for beginning the war, were these: In the first place, the nature [of
the people], which was destitute of just reasonings, and ready to throw
themselves rashly into danger, upon small hopes; in the next place, the
hatred they bore to those that were their governors, while their nation
had never been conscious of subjection to any but to the Romans, and that
by compulsion only. Besides these motives, it was the opportunity that
now offered itself, which above all the rest prevailed with them so to
do; for when they saw the Roman government in a great internal disorder,
by the continual changes of its rulers, and understood that every part
of the habitable earth under them was in an unsettled and tottering condition,
they thought this was the best opportunity that couldd afford itself for
themselves to make a sedition, when the state of the Romans was so ill.
Classicus
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also, and Vitellius, two of their commanders, puffed them up with such
hopes. These had for a long time been openly desirous of such an innovation,
and were induced by the present opportunity to venture upon the declaration
of their sentiments; the multitude was also ready; and when these men told
them of what they intended to attempt, that news was gladly received by
them. So when a great part of the Germans had agreed to rebel, and the
rest were no better disposed, Vespasian, as guided by Divine Providence,
sent letters to Petilius Cerealis, who had formerly had the command of
Germany, whereby he declared him to have the dignity of consul, and commanded
him to take upon him the government of Britain; so he went whither he was
ordered to go, and when he was informed of the revolt of the Germans, he
fell upon them as soon as they were gotten together, and put his army in
battle-array, and slew a great number of them in the fight, and forced
them to leave off their madness, and to grow wiser; nay, had he not fallen
thus suddenly upon them on the place, it had not been long ere they would
however have been brought to punishment; for as soon as ever the news of
their revolt was come to Rome, and Caesar Domitian was made acquainted
with it, he made no delay, even at that his age, when he was exceeding
young, but undertook this weighty affair. He had a courageous mind from
his father, and had made greater improvements than belonged to such an
age: accordingly he marched against the barbarians immediately; whereupon
their hearts failed them at the very rumor of his approach, and they submitted
themselves to him with fear, and thought it a happy thing that they were
brought under their old yoke again without suffering any further mischiefs.
When therefore Domitian had settled all the affairs of Gaul in such good
order, that it would not be easily put into disorder any more, he returned
to Rome with honor and glory, as having performed such exploits as were
above his own age, but worthy of so great a father.