Soon after, the legions arrived. Alarmed by the
report of this increase to the army, the Vitellianist cohorts began to
waver; no one urged them to fight, many urged them to change sides, each
more eager than the other to hand over his company or troop, a present to
the conqueror, and a source of future advantage to himself. From these men
it was ascertained that
Interamna, situated in the
adjoining plain, was occupied by a garrison of 400 cavalry. Varus was
VITELLIANIST OFFICERS TURNCOAT |
at once
dispatched with a lightly equipped force, and cut to pieces a few who
attempted to resist; the greater number threw down their arms, and begged
for quarter. Some fled back into the camp, and spread panic everywhere by
exaggerated reports of the courage and strength of the enemy, seeking thus
to mitigate the disgrace of having lost the position. Among the
Vitellianists treason went unpunished; all loyalty was subverted by the
rewards of desertion, and nothing was left but emulation in perfidy. There
were numerous desertions among the tribunes and centurions; the common
soldiers remained obstinately faithful to Vitellius, till Priscus and
Alfenius, deserting the camp and returning to Vitellius, relieved all from
any shame they might feel at being traitors.
