Vologeses meanwhile,
though he had heard that the roads were blocked by Pætus, here with
infantry, there with cavalry, did not alter his plan, but drove off the
latter by
PÆTUS DEFEATED, ASKS CORBULO'S
HELP |
the menace of an attack, and crushed the legionaires, only one
centurion of whom, Tarquitius Crescens, dared to defend a tower in which he
was keeping guard. He had often sallied out, and cut to pieces such of the
barbarians as came close up to the walls, till he was overwhelmed with
volleys of firebrands. Every foot soldier still unwounded fled to remote
wilds, and those who were disabled, returned to the camp, exaggerating in
their terror the king's valour, and the warlike strength of his tribes,
everything in short, to the simple credulity of those who trembled with like
fear. Even the general did not struggle against his reverses. He had indeed
wholly abandoned all the duties of a soldier, and had again sent an entreaty
to Corbulo, that he would come with speed to save the standards and eagles,
and the name yet left to the unfortunate army; they meantime, he said, would
hold to their fidelity while life lasted.