The annales of Cornelius Tacitus. The description of Germanie

XVIII Piso is doubtfull vvhether he should returne to Syria or not. And prepareth an armie against Sentius.

IN the meane season a messenger, ouertaketh and aduertiseth Piso, at the Iland Cous, that Germanicus was departed. Which tidings he receiued intemperate∣ly, offered sacrifices, visited the temples, nothing moderating his ioy; and Plan∣cina growing more insolent, then first changed the mourning weede, she ware for the death of hir sister, into a ioifull attire. The Centurions flocking about him, told him, that he had the good will of the legions, at his deuotion; that it was his best to returne to the prouince, wrongfully taken from him, and now voide of a gouernour. Whereupon taking aduise what was best to be done; his sonne M. Piso, was of opinion that he shoulde make all haste to the citie: that there was nothing yet done which might not be answered: and that weakesuspicions, and vaine re∣ports were not to be feared. The variance betweene him and Germanicus, was woor∣thie perhaps of some rebuke, but not punishment: and by taking the prouince from him, his enimies were satisfied. But if he should returne, Sentius being against him, a newe ciuill warre would begin. Neither would the Centurions and souldiers con∣tinue on his side; with whom the fresh memory of their captaine, and the loue deepely printed in their harts towards the Caesars woulde preuaile. Domitius Celer, one of his inwardest friends, perswaded the contrarie. That he ought to take the time when it was offered: that Piso and not Sentius was made gouernour of Syria: vnto him were the fasces, and dignitie of Pretor giuen, to him the legions commit∣ted. If any violence should be offered by the enimie, who should more iustly oppose his armes against them, then he, who hath receiued the authoritie of a Lieutenant, and speciall commission? Rumors grow stale and vanish away with time: and often the innocent are borne downe with fresh enuie: but if he had a power at hand, and his forces increased, many things which could not be foreseene, by meere chaunce might turne to the better. Do we hasten to come to Rome, with Germanicus ashes: that Agrippinas lamentation, and the vnskilfull multitude, at the first rumor, should laie hands on thee, vnheard and vndefended? Thou hast for thee Augustas consci∣ence, and Caesars fauour, though in secret. And none bewaile more braggingly Ger∣manicus death in outward shew, then such as in their harts are most glad. Piso be∣ing

forward enough of himself to haughtie attempts, was with small adoe drawen to this opinion. And sending letters to Tiberius, accuseth Germanicus of riot and pride: and that himselfe was driuen out of the prouince, bicause there might be a way made open to innouation: that he had againe taken charge of the armie, with the same fidelitie, as he had alreadie gouerned it. Withall, he commanded Domitius, with a galley to saile into Syria: and auoiding the coasting of the shoare, and letting passe the Ilands, take wide and open sea. Then marshalling and arming runnagates, and rascall base companions, and sailing ouer to the continent, he intercepted an ensigne of yoong and rawe souldiers, which were going to Syria. And writeth also to the Lords of Cilicia, to send him aide: the yoong man Piso being nothing slacke in the seruice, although he was against the vndertaking of the warre. Wherefore passing by the coast of Lycia, & Pamphylia, meeting with the ships which had con∣ueied Agrippina to Rome, each side hating one another; made themselues readie to fight: yet both sides fearing the one the other, they proceeded no further then to hard words. Mirsus Vibius sommoned Piso to come to Rome to answere for him∣selfe: who scoffingly answered him againe, that he would come and appeere, when the Pretor which was to inquire of poisonings, would appoint a day as well for the plaintif, as defendāt. In the meane time Domitius being ariued at Laodicea, a citie in Syria; and going to the standing camp of the sixt legion, as most fit for new enterpri∣ses, was preuēted by the Lieutenāt Pacuuius. Sentius openeth that by letters to Piso; warning him not to go about to tempt the armie with corrupters, nor raise any war in the Prouince. And such as he knew to haue Germanicus in minde, or were aduer∣saries to the enimies, he assembled togither: putting them oftē in mind of the great∣nes of the Emperor, and how the common-wealth was assailed; and thereupon ga∣thereth a strong power readie to fight. Yet neither Piso, nor his side, although his enterprises fell out otherwise, than he expected; did let slip that which was of most safetie for the present; but putteth himselfe in a verie strong castle in Cilicia, called Celenderis. For by sorting and medling togither the runnagates, the new and raw soldier lately taken, his owne and Plancinaes slaues, and the aides which the Lords of Cilicia sent, he marshalled them in forme of a legion. And then affirmed that he was Caesars Lieutenant: but drouen out of the Prouince committed to him; not by the legions, for they called him thither; but by Sentius, which cloaked his priuate malice with false crimes: therfore that they should stād stoutly to the battel; bicause the soldiers would not fight, when they should see Piso whom heretofore they called their father. If they would proceed by order of iustice, the right was on his side: if by armes, he wanted not strength. Then he displaied his companies in order of battell, before the castle on a steepe craggie hils side: the rest being inuironed with sea. On the contrarie side the old soldiers, with their supplies were marshalled into rankes. On this side was the strength of souldiers: one that of place. In courage and hope there was great oddes also: and on their side no weapons, but rude and clownish, prepared for a present shift. And when they came to handie strokes; there was no lōger doubt who should haue the vpper hand, but til the Roman cohorts could win the plaine ground: which done, the Cilicians shewed their backs, & shut themselues in their fort. In the meane space Piso went about, but in vaine, to assaile the nauie which waited not farre off. Then returned to the castle againe, now tormenting himselfe vpon the wals; now calling to euerie souldier by his name, and offering re∣wards: assaied to raise a mutinie, and did so much preuaile, that the standard bearer of the sixt legion, went with his ensigne to his side. Then Sentius commaunded the cornets and trumpets to sounde; gaue an assault to the rampiers; caused laddres

to be put vp; and the ablest men to follow; and the others out of engines to shoote dartes, stones, and fire brands. In the end Pisoes obstinacie being ouercome; en∣treateth that hauing yeelded vp his weapons, he might remaine in the castle, vntill Caesar were consulted, who should be gouernor of Syria. The conditions were not accepted; nor any thing graunted him: but onely, that he should haue shipping and safe conduct to the citie.