[Sidenote:—­11—­] The great confusion which under these conditions prevailed in the camp of Vitellius was increased that night by an eclipse of the moon.  It was not so much its being obscured (though even such phenomena cause fear to men in excitement) as the fact that the luminary appeared both blood-colored and black and reflected still other terrifying shades.  Not for this, however, would the men change their attitude or yield:  but when they encountered each other they contended most vigorously, although, as I said, the Vitellians were leaderless; for Alienus had been imprisoned at Cremona.

On the following day, when Primus through messengers tried to induce them to come to terms, the soldiers of Vitellius sent a return message to him urging that he espouse the cause of Vitellius.  When, moreover, they joined battle with his soldiers they contended most vigorously.  The battle was not the result of any concerted plan.  Some few horsemen, as often happens when two forces are encamped opposite each other, were out foraging in front of the others and suddenly made an attack.  After that reinforcements came from both armies to each of the two parties in whatever order the troops happened to become aware of the situation,—­first to one side, then to the other, now of one kind of fighting force, now of another, infantry or cavalry:  and the conflict was marked by vicissitudes until all had hastened to the front.  Then they got into some kind of regular formation and carried on the struggle with some order even though leaderless.  Alienus, as you remember, had been imprisoned.

[Sidenote:—­12—­] From this point on the battle between them was a well matched and evenly balanced affair, not only during the day but at night as well.  For the coming of night did not separate them.  They were thoroughly angry and determined, although they were acquainted with each other and talked back and forth.  Hence not hunger nor fatigue nor cold nor darkness nor wounds nor deaths nor the remains of men that fell on this field before [nor the memory of the disaster nor the number of those that perished to no purpose] mitigated their fierceness.  Such was the madness that possessed both sides alike [and so eager were they, incited by the very memories of the spot, which made one party resolved to conquer this time also, and the other not to be conquered this time either.  So they fought as against foreigners instead of kindred, and as if all on both sides were absolutely obliged either to perish at once or thereafter to be slaves.  Therefore, not even when night came on, as I stated, would they yield; but though tired out and for that reason often resting and indulging in conversation together, they nevertheless continued to struggle].  As often as the moon shone out (it was constantly being concealed by [numerous] clouds [of all shapes that kept passing in front of it]), one might see them sometimes fighting, sometimes [Sidenote:—­13—­] standing and leaning on their spears, sometimes sitting