Chapter 15 Summary

The chapter is not specifically dated, but obviously takes place immediately after the previous chapter, probably in 14 AD. When news of Augustus' death reaches the Roman regiments stationed along the Rhine River, widespread rioting erupts. The soldiers are owed back pay and many have served far beyond their term of enlistment. The situation becomes especially critical as German raiders threaten to invade the empire. Germanicus' regiments also revolt. Germanicus tries to resolve the situation among his own troops but must eventually result to a ploy; he pretends to have received a statement from Tiberius granting the soldiers' demands. When Tiberius refuses to agree to Germanicus' settled terms, Germanicus asks Claudius to liquidate portions of their respective estates to raise cash to pay the promised back wages. Germanicus then re-establishes his local forces.

Chapter 15 Analysis

The soldiers' demands are fairly typical—the want...