All this however was described with exaggeration to the Senate, in
the speeches of those members who proposed a public thanksgiving, and that
on the days of the thanksgiving the prince should wear the triumphal robe
and enter
Rome in ovation,
lastly, that he should have statues on the same scale as those of Mars the
Avenger, and in the same temple. To their habitual flattery was added a real
joy at his having appointed Domitius Corbulo to secure
Armenia, thus opening, as it seemed, a field to merit.
The armies of the
East were so divided that half the
auxiliaries and two legions were to remain in the province of
Syria under its governor, Quadratus Ummidius; while
Corbulo was to have an equal number of citizen and allied troops, together
with the auxiliary infantry and cavalry which were in winter quarters in
Cappadocia. The confederate kings were instructed to
obey orders, just as the war might require. But they had a specially strong
liking for Corbulo. That general, with a view to the prestige which in a new
enterprise is supremely powerful, speedily accomplished his march, and at
Ægeæ, a city of
Cilicia, met Quadratus who had advanced to the place
under an apprehension that, should Corbulo once enter
Armenia to take command of the army, he would draw all
eyes on himself, by his noble stature, his imposing eloquence, and the
impression he would make, not only by his wisdom and experience, but also by
the mere display of showy attributes.
