[255] He was making 'a reconnaissance in force westwards along the river bank to discover, if he could, the strength and intentions of the enemy' (B.W. Henderson, _Civil War_, &c.). But Mr. E.G. Hardy points out that, as he had only 4,000 men and Caecina's 30,000 were in the immediate neighbourhood, this would have been foolish. It seems better to believe Tacitus' suggestion that his insubordinate troops forced Spurinna to march out. [256] Considered Gallic and effeminate. [257] Mr. Henderson (_Civil War_, &c.) argues that it was imperative for Caecina to take the fortress at Placentia, since it threatened his sole line of communication with Valens' column. Tacitus, as usual, gives a practical rather than a strategic motive. His interests are purely human. [258] Familiar devices for sheltering troops against missiles from a town wall. They were generally made of hurdles covered with raw hides. The _vinea_ was a shelter on poles, so named from its resemblance to a pergola of vines. [259] In i. 61 only legion XXI is mentioned. But Caecina may have formed the detachments into another legion. [260] Civilis' nephew and bitter enemy. See iv. 70, v. 21. [261] Spurinna's colleague in the command of the advanced guard from Rome. He was now probably at Mantua. [262] At the meeting of two high roads leading to Cremona, the one from Hostilia and the other from Mantua. It was near here that Vitellius defeated Otho, and here that his power fell before Vespasian (cp. iii. 15 f.). [263] See note 231. [264] This was stated in i. 87. The reminder is inserted because they were not mentioned with Gallus in ii. 11--unless, indeed, Mr. Onions is right in suggesting that _quoque_ is an error for _duces_. [265] He had left him in charge of Rome. See i. 90. [266] We learn in chap. 33 that Gallus was disabled and took no part in this engagement: hence the omission of his name. [267] About 101/2 English miles. [268] Locus Castorum. [269] See chap. 11. [270] The Via Postumia, built up on a causeway high above the fields on either side. [271] Son of Antiochus, king of Commagene (see note 216). He was in Rome probably as a hostage, and accompanied Otho. [272] An eminent critic has called Tacitus' account of this battle an 'historical nightmare', but those who do not suffer from a surfeit of military knowledge may find that it lies easy upon them. It is written for the plain man with an eye for situations and an ear for phrases. THE DECISIVE STRUGGLE