[252] Otho’s Praetorian Guards were the weakest point in his army.

    [253] Cp. i. 36 note 61.

    [254] i.e. that Spurinna was in league with Caecina, and meant
          to hand them over to him.

    [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.