DISSATISFACTION OF SOLDIERS |
The next day Vitellius, after giving audience to the envoys from the Senate
whom he had ordered to wait for him there, proceeded to the camp, and
actually bestowed high praise on the loyalty of the soldiers. The auxiliary
troops loudly complained that such complete impunity, such privileged
arrogance, was accorded to the legions. The Batavian cohorts were sent back
to
Germany, lest they should venture on further
violence. Destiny was thus simultaneously preparing the occasions of civil
and of foreign war. The Gallic auxiliaries were sent back to their
respective states, a vast body of men, which in the very earliest stage of
the revolt had been employed to make an idle show of strength. Besides this,
in order to eke out the Imperial resources, which had been impaired by a
series of bounties, directions were given that the battalions of the legions
and the auxiliary forces should be reduced, all recruiting being forbidden.
Discharges were offered without distinction. This measure was disastrous to
the State, and distasteful to the soldier, who found that the same duty was
distributed among a smaller number, and that his toils and risks came round
in a more frequent succession. Their vigour too was undermined by luxury, a
luxury that transgressed our ancient discipline and the customs of our
ancestors, in whose days the power of
Rome found a
surer foundation in valour than in wealth.
