Now arose disturbances in the east.  The Parthians expelled their king, Vonones, a former favourite of Augustus.  Armenia became involved, and these things were the source of serious complications later.  Tiberius was already meditating the transfer of Germanicus to these regions.  That general, however, was planning a fresh German campaign from the North Sea coast.  A great fleet carried the army to the mouth of the Ems; thence Germanicus marched to the Weser and crossed it.  Germanicus was gratified to find that his troops were eager for the impending fray.  A tremendous defeat was inflicted on the Cherusci, with little loss to the Romans.  Arminius, who had headed a charge which all but broke the Roman line, escaped only with the utmost difficulty.

Nevertheless, the Germans rallied their forces, and a second furious engagement took place, in which the foe fought again with desperate valour, and were routed mainly through the superiority of the Roman armour and discipline.  The triumph was marred only by a disaster which befel the legions which were withdrawn by sea.  A terrific storm wrecked almost the entire fleet, and it was with great difficulty that the few survivors were rescued.  The consequent revival of German hopes made it necessary for two large armies to advance against the Marsi and the Catti respectively, complete success again attending the Roman arms.

Jealousy of his nephew’s popularity and success now caused Tiberius to insist on his recall.  At this time informers charged with treason a young man of distinguished family, Libo Drusus, mainly on the ground of his foolish consultation of astrologers, with the result that Drusus committed suicide.  This story will serve as one among many which exemplify the prevalent demoralisation.  In the same year occurred the audacious insurrection of a slave who impersonated the dead Agrippa Postumus; and also the deposition of the king of Cappadocia, whose kingdom was annexed as a province of the empire.

A contest took place between the Suevi and the Cherusci, in which Rome declined to intervene.  Maroboduus, of the Suevi, was disliked because he took the title of king, which was alien to the German ideas, being in this respect contrasted with Arminius.  The Cherusci had the better of the encounter.

II.—­The Development of Despotism

Germanicus on his recall was in danger, while in Rome, of being made the head of a faction in antagonism to Drusus, the son of Tiberius.  He was dispatched, however, with extraordinary powers, to take control of the East, where Piso, the governor of Syria, believed that he held his own appointment precisely that he might be a thorn in the side of Germanicus.  The latter made a progress through Greece, settled affairs in Armenia and Parthia, and continued his journey to Egypt.