At this
same time, Vannius, whom Drusus Cæsar had made king of the Suevi, was
driven from his kingdom. In the commencement of his reign he was renowned
and popular with his countrymen; but subsequently, with long possession, he
became a tyrant, and the enmity of neighbours joined to intestine strife,
was his ruin. Vibillius, king of the Hermunduri, and Vangio and Sido, sons
of a sister of Vannius, led the movement. Claudius, though often entreated,
declined to interpose by arms in the conflict of the barbar-
ians, and simply promised
Vannius a safe refuge in the event of his expulsion. He wrote instructions
to Publius Atellius Hister, governor of
Pannonia,
that he was to have his legions, with some picked auxiliaries from the
province itself, encamped on the river-bank, as a support to the conquered
and a terror to the conqueror, who might otherwise, in the elation of
success, disturb also the peace of our empire. For an immense host of Ligii,
with other tribes, was advancing, attracted by the fame of the opulent realm
which Vannius had enriched during thirty years of plunder and of tribute.
Vannius's own native force was infantry, and his cavalry was from the
Iazyges of
Sarmatia; an army which was no match for
his numerous enemy. Consequently, he determined to maintain himself in
fortified positions, and protract the war.
