Augustus | Page 7

Suetonius
only counterfeited madness, is
uncertain; for no confession was obtained from him by torture.
XX. He conducted in person only two foreign wars; the Dalmatian,
whilst he was yet but a youth; and, after Antony's final defeat, the
Cantabrian. He was wounded in the former of these wars; in one battle
he received a contusion in the right knee from a stone--and in another,

he was much hurt in (84) one leg and both arms, by the fall of a fridge
[135]. His other wars he carried on by his lieutenants; but occasionally
visited the army, in some of the wars of Pannonia and Germany, or
remained at no great distance, proceeding from Rome as far as Ravenna,
Milan, or Aquileia.
XXI. He conquered, however, partly in person, and partly by his
lieutenants, Cantabria [136], Aquitania and Pannonia [137], Dalmatia,
with all Illyricum and Rhaetia [138], besides the two Alpine nations,
the Vindelici and the Salassii [139]. He also checked the incursions of
the Dacians, by cutting off three of their generals with vast armies, and
drove the Germans beyond the river Elbe; removing two other tribes
who submitted, the Ubii and Sicambri, into Gaul, and settling them in
the country bordering on the Rhine. Other nations also, which broke
into revolt, he reduced to submission. But he never made war upon any
nation without just and necessary cause; and was so far from being
ambitious either to extend the empire, or advance his own military
glory, that he obliged the chiefs of some barbarous tribes to swear in
the temple of Mars the Avenger [140], that they would faithfully
observe their engagements, and not violate the peace which they had
implored. Of some he demanded a new description of hostages, their
women, having found from experience that they cared little for their
men when given as hostages; but he always afforded them the means of
getting back their hostages whenever they wished it. Even those who
engaged most frequently and with the greatest perfidy in their rebellion,
he never punished more severely than by selling their captives, on the
terms (85) of their not serving in any neighbouring country, nor being
released from their slavery before the expiration of thirty years. By the
character which he thus acquired, for virtue and moderation, he induced
even the Indians and Scythians, nations before known to the Romans
by report only, to solicit his friendship, and that of the Roman people,
by ambassadors. The Parthians readily allowed his claim to Armenia;
restoring at his demand, the standards which they had taken from
Marcus Crassus and Mark Antony, and offering him hostages besides.
Afterwards, when a contest arose between several pretenders to the
crown of that kingdom, they refused to acknowledge any one who was
not chosen by him.
XXII. The temple of Janus Quirinus, which had been shut twice only,

from the era of the building of the city to his own time, he closed thrice
in a much shorter period, having established universal peace both by
sea and land. He twice entered the city with the honours of an Ovation
[141], namely, after the war of Philippi, and again after that of Sicily.
He had also three curule triumphs [142] for his several victories in (86)
Dalmatia, at Actium, and Alexandria; each of which lasted three days.
XXIII. In all his wars, he never received any signal or ignominious
defeat, except twice in Germany, under his lieutenants Lollius and
Varus. The former indeed had in it more of dishonour than disaster; but
that of Varus threatened the security of the empire itself; three legions,
with the commander, his lieutenants, and all the auxiliaries, being cut
off. Upon receiving intelligence of this disaster, he gave orders for
keeping a strict watch over the city, to prevent any public disturbance,
and prolonged the appointments of the prefects in the provinces, that
the allies might be kept in order by experience of persons to whom they
were used. He made a vow to celebrate the great games in honour of
Jupiter, Optimus, Maximus, "if he would be pleased to restore the state
to more prosperous circumstances." This had formerly been resorted to
in the Cimbrian and Marsian wars. In short, we are informed that he
was in such consternation at this event, that he let the hair of his head
and beard grow for several months, and sometimes knocked his head
against the door- posts, crying out, "O, Quintilius Varus! Give me back
my legions!" And (87) ever after, he observed the anniversary of this
calamity, as a day of sorrow and mourning.
XXIV. In military affairs he made many alterations, introducing some
practices entirely new, and reviving others, which had become obsolete.
He maintained the strictest discipline among the troops; and would not
allow even
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