Meanwhile the operations
of Vespasian were hastened by the zeal of the army of
Illyricum, which had come over to his side. The third
legion set the example to the other legions of
Mœsia. These were the eighth and seventh
(Claudius's), who were possessed with a strong liking for
VESPASIAN'S PREPARATIONS FOR WAR |
Otho, though they had not
been present at the battle of Bedriacum. They had
advanced to
Aquileia, and by roughly repulsing the
messengers who brought the tidings of Otho's defeat, by tearing the colours
which displayed the name of Vitellius, by finally seizing on the military
chest and dividing it among themselves, had assumed a hostile attitude. Then
they began to fear; fear suggested a new thought, that acts might be made a
merit of with Vespasian, which would have to be excused to Vitellius.
Accordingly, the three legions of
Mœsia sought
by letter to win over the army of
Pannonia, and
prepared to use force if they refused. During this commotion, Aponius
Saturnius, governor of
Mœsia, ventured on a
most atrocious act. He despatched a centurion to murder Tettius Julianus,
the legate of the 7th legion, to gratify a private pique, which he concealed
beneath the appearance of party zeal. Julianus, having discovered his
danger, and procured some guides, who were acquainted with the country, fled
through the pathless wastes of
Mœsia beyond
Mount Hamus, nor did he afterwards take any part in
the civil war. He set out to join Vespasian, but contrived to protract his
journey by various pretexts, lingering or hastening on his way, according to
the intelligence he received.
