The annales of Cornelius Tacitus. The description of Germanie

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Title
The annales of Cornelius Tacitus. The description of Germanie
Author
Tacitus, Cornelius.
Publication
[Printed at London :: By Arn. Hatfield, for Bonham and Iohn Norton],
M.D.XCVIII. [1598]
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Subject terms
Germanic peoples -- Early works to 1800.
Rome -- History -- The five Julii, 30 B.C.-68 A.D. -- Early works to 1800.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A13333.0001.001
Cite this Item
"The annales of Cornelius Tacitus. The description of Germanie." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A13333.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 11, 2024.

Pages

III. Corbulo goeth to Syria to aide Paetus: who in the meane space maketh a dishonorable peace with Vologeses.

COrbulo daunted nothing at all, leauing part of his forces in Syria to defende the fortresses built vpon the shore of Euphrates, tooke his iourney as the nee∣rest way and plentifullest of victuals, by the Comagenians, then by Cappado∣cia, and from thence to Armenia. There followed the armie, besides the vsuall furni∣ture and prouision of warre, a multitude of camels loaden with corne, to driue a∣way both the enimie and hunger. The first he met of those which were throughly affrighted was; Pactius the Centurion of the first ensigne; then many other soldiers, who pretending diuers and sundry causes of their flying away, he admonished to re∣turne to their ensignes, and trust to Paetus clemencie. As for himselfe he was rigo∣rous to none, but to the conquerers. Withall, he went to his legions, encouraged

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them, put them in minde of their old valour, and what occasion they had to win new glory. That they sought not now villages and townes of Armenia for a reward of their trauels, but Roman camps, and amongst them two legions. If vnto euery common souldier, the crowne was giuen by the Emperors hands, as a speciall honor to him who had saued one citizen only, how great and worthie an honor shall it be when the like number shall be seene of the succourers & succoured. And with these and the like incouragements generally cheered, (and some there were whom their brothers perils and neere kindred inflamed of their owne proper motions) they hastned their iourney day and night. Vologeses so much the more eagerly pursueth the besieged, now assailing the trench of the legions, now the fort, where the feare∣full or aged had fled for defence, approching neerer then the Parthians custome is, to allure by temeritie his enemie to battell. But the Romans hardly haled out of their cabins, did but defend their rampires, part at the commaundement of the cap∣taine, and others by their owne cowardlines, looking for Corbulo; and if they should be put to any distresse, purposed to shift for themselues by the example of the ouer∣throwe at Caudina and Numantina. Neither had the Samnites people of Italie, nor the people of Carthage which contended for greatnes with the Romans, so great power as the Parthians. Their auncestors also, both valiant and commended of all, when fortune crossed them prouided for their safetie. By which desperation Paetus, the generall of the armie vtterly cast downe, yet sent not his first letters to Vo∣logeses in humble sort, but in manner of a complaint: That he vsed hostilitie against the Armenians, subiect alwaies to the Romans, or to a King chosen by the Empe∣rour. That peace was alike profitable to both. That he should not regard things present only. That he was come against two legions with all the power of his king∣dome, but the Romains had the whole world besides at commandement to aide the warre. Vologeses answered nothing touching the matter, but that he was to expect his brothers Pacorus and Tiridates, and that that place and time was appointed to consult of Armenia. * And that the gods had fauored them so much, being a mat∣ter worthy of the Arsacides greatnes, that withall they could determine of the Roman legions. After that, Paetus sent messengers to intreate a parly with the King, who commanded Vasaces captaine of the horse to go. Then Paetus beginneth with the Luculli, Pompei, and such other Captaines as had conquered and giuen away Armenia. Vasaces answered, that the Romaines had but a shadow of holding and giuing away of Armenia, and that the right and power was with the Parthians. And hauing sufficiently debated the matter on both sides, Monobazus Adiabenus the next day was called a witnes of their agreement: which was, that the legions should no longer be besieged, and all the souldiers depart out of the bounds of Armenia, and all forts and prouisions to be deliuered to the Parthians: which done, that Vologeses should haue licence to send Embassadors to Nero. In the meane space Paetus built a bridge ouer the riuer Arsamites, which ran by the camp, vnder colour of passing that way: but the Parthians had commanded it to be done as a token of the victorie, for it serued their turne, and our men went another way. And the rumor went, that the legions were sent * 1.1 sub iugum, with other disgra∣ces which the Armenians were wont to vse against the vanquished. For they entered the trench before the Romaine camp was departed, and beset the way, challenging and leading away their horses, and such as had beene their slaues. Their apparell also and weapons were taken from them, and the souldiers yeelded them for feare, least any occasion of quarrell should be giuen. Vologeses hauing ga∣thered together our weapons and dead bodies, to witnes the ouerthrow of our

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people, forbare from seeing the running away of the legions. A fame of modera∣tion was sought for, after he had satisfied and filled his pride. He passed the riuer Arsamites on an Elephant, and euery man neere the King on horseback, because a rumor was spread that the bridge would fall vnder the burden, by the deceit of the makers. But such as ventured to go ouer it, found it strong and sure.

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