[299] See 34 and 35.

    [300] Via Postumia.

    [301] The word here used, cuneus (a wedge), should mean
          strictly a V-shaped formation, which the troops also called
          ‘pig’s-head’.  But it is also used more generally of any
          attacking column advancing to pierce the enemy’s line, or
          indeed of any body of men in close order.

    [302] Because they were on the raised Postumian road.

    [303] i.e.  The Irresistibles.

    [304] The quondam marines (cp. i. 6, &c.).

    [305] From Lower Germany (cp. i. 55 and 61).

    [306] From Pannonia (cp. chap. 24).

    [307] Only a detachment of the Fourteenth was present at this
          battle, as is explained below, chap. 66.

    [308] The camp-prefect (chap. 29).  The Batavians are the
          detachment which had left the Fourteenth (chap. 27).

    [309] This is not an allusion to the fight described in chap.
          35.  The gladiators, now under Sabinus (ch. 36) seem to have
          suffered a second defeat.

    [310] The fixing of this distance rests on the doubtful
          figures in chap. 39.  In any case it must have been between
          fourteen and twenty miles.

    [311] Plutarch in describing this rout makes the same rather
          cynical comment.  Dio puts the total loss on both sides at
          40,000.

    [312] He had remained behind in camp (cp. chap. 33).

    [313] i.e. other than the Guards.

    [314] See chap. 32.

    [315] At Brixellum.

    [316] Plutarch adds a picturesque detail:  ’One of the common
          soldiers held up his sword and saying, “See, Caesar, we are
          all prepared to do this for you,” he stabbed himself.’

    [317] See note 286.

    [318] According to Plutarch, Otho’s generals, Celsus, Gallus,
          and Titianus, capitulated at once and admitted Caecina to the
          camp.  Tacitus would doubtless have condemned Plutarch’s story
          for its lack of tragic pathos.  The facts, however, are against
          Tacitus.  Now that his main force had capitulated at Bedriacum,
          Otho had no sufficient army to fight with, since the
          Vitellians lay between him and his Danube army at Aquileia.

    [319] Titianus’ son.  He was eventually executed by Domitian
          for keeping Otho’s birthday.

    [320] Servius Sulpicius Galba.

    [321] The conqueror of Vindex, now consul-elect (cp. i. 77).

    [322] April 17.

    [323] Cp. note 316.

    [324] Ferento in Etruria.

    [325] Albia Terentia was the daughter of a knight who had not
          risen to office.