Tacitus: The Histories, Volumes I and II eBook

once been an officer in the Guards, he was respected by the men.  Besides this, the inhabitants supported their fellow citizen, and in the hope of future aggrandizement rendered enthusiastic service to the party.  When the news of these efficient preparations, somewhat exaggerated by rumour, came to the ears of the Vitellians, who were already in some doubt, Fabius Valens returned to the ships with four men of the Body Guard, three of his friends and three centurions, while Maturus and the rest preferred to remain and swear allegiance to Vespasian.  As for Valens, though he felt safer at sea than among the cities on the coast, he was still full of doubts for the future, since he was certain what he had to avoid but quite uncertain whom he could trust.  Eventually a gale drove him upon the Stoechades,[113] some islands belonging to Marseilles, and there he was overtaken by the cruisers which Paulinus had sent in pursuit.

FOOTNOTES: 

     [94] The story returns again to ii. 101.

     [95] La Riccia.

     [96] See chap. 12.

     [97] Hitherto camp-prefect (cp. ii. 29).

     [98] Against Caecina for his inefficiency.

     [99] Cp. i. 77.

    [100] This was in 45 B.C., when Caesar was carrying on the
          government with a high hand and small regard for precedent. 
          Holding an election on the last day of the year, he was told
          that the consul was dead:  there was no one to preside.  So he
          promptly announced that Caninius was consul till the next
          morning.  ‘So no one,’ says Cicero, ’breakfasted during his
          consulship.  However, there was no crime either, and his
          vigilance was such that he never closed an eye during his
          whole term of office.’

    [101] Cp. ii. 59.

    [102] This man had been prefect of Egypt, and had built
          special baths for Nero, who was expected to visit Alexandria. 
          But he committed the indiscretion of washing in them first,
          for which Nero had banished him.

    [103] Both the Junii and Antonii could claim as an ancestor
          Augustus’ sister Octavia; and the Junii were also connected
          with M. Junius Silanus, Augustus’ great-great-grandson, whom
          Nero had put out of the way.

    [104] See chap. 12.

    [105] They had already incurred the disgrace of betraying
          first Galba, then Otho.

    [106] Rimini.

    [107] Now admiral of the Ravenna fleet (see chap. 12).

    [108] See ii. 16, note 247.

    [109] Monaco.

    [110] See ii. 12.

    [111] Cp. ii. 67.

    [112] Frejus.

    [113] Iles d’Hyeres.

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