41.5
Cn. and
L. Gavilius Novellus were coming with supplies from Aquileia, and unaware
of what had happened, very nearly entered the camp while it was in the
possession of the Histrians. They left their goods and fled back to Aquileia,
spreading alarm and tumult not only in that city, but in Rome itself. Reports
reached the City, true so far as they told of the capture of the camp by the
enemy and the flight of the defenders, but rumours also filled the City to the
effect that all was lost and the entire army annihilated. As usual in times of
tumult and alarm, an extraordinary levy was ordered in the City and
throughout the length and breadth of Italy. Two legions of Roman citizens
were called up, and from the Latin allies 10,000 infantry with a complement
of 500 cavalry were raised. The consul, M. Junius, was ordered to go to
Gaul and requisition from the communities in that province as many soldiers
as they could each supply. It was decreed that the praetor Tiberius Claudius
should give notice to the men of the fourth legion, the 5000 allied troops and
the 250 cavalry to muster at Pisae, and that he should be responsible for the
defence of that province in the consul's absence. M. Titinius received
instructions to order the first legion and the same number of allied infantry to
assemble at Ariminum. Nero, wearing his paludamentum, left for Pisae;
Titinius, after sending C. Cassius, one of the military tribunes, to take
command of the legion at Ariminum, arrived at Aquileia. There he was
informed that the army was safe, and at once sent a despatch to Rome to
allay the tumult and alarm. He then sent back the contingents which he had
requisitioned in Gaul and went to rejoin his colleague. There was great
rejoicing in Rome at the unlooked-for news, all enrolment of troops was
suspended and those who had already taken the military oath were released
from its obligations. The army at Ariminum which had been suffering from
the pestilence was disbanded and sent home. The Histrians were encamped
in great strength not far from the consul's camp, and when they heard that
the other consul had arrived with a fresh army they everywhere dispersed to
their cities. The consuls took the legions back to Aquileia for their winter
quarters.