Vespasian was just raised to the empire, but he still had to tear
the diadem from the brow of the barbarous Vitellius, and maintain
the choice of the legions with the sword. The new emperor sent
Primus, one of his lieutenants, and a very skilful general, against
the tyrant of Rome. After several advantages, Primus attacked two
legions posted before Cremona. The Roman legions fought against
each other like the most determined enemies. Primus was near losing
the battle; but his courage rallied his troops when on the point of
giving way, he brought them back to the charge, and gained a complete
victory. His army was eager to enter Cremona, but was prevented by
the arrival of six legions of the opposite party. A fresh nocturnal
combat instantly ensued between the victorious soldiers and their
newly-arrived enemies. Success was doubtful; in the obscurity of night,
address and courage were equally useless; they slaughtered each other
indiscriminately,--their blows fell as frequently upon their friends
as upon their foes. At length, however, the moon shed her beams over
the bloody scene, and gave a more certain direction to the fury of
the combatants; the troops of Primus had this friendly light at their
backs. In this situation, the legions opposed to them, deceived by
the shade, aimed their arrows badly, and shot them short of the mark.
Primus profiting by this advantage, encouraged his soldiers, redoubled
his exertions, and added the prudence of a consummate captain to the
bravery of an enterprising soldier. Nothing could resist him; his
enemies fled before him; and Primus was victor a second time. This
carnage was signalized by one of those tragical events which are only
met with in civil wars: a son killed his own father without knowing
him; he recognised him as he was expiring, and, transported with grief,
he gave himself up to despair, cursing the war which had made him
an involuntary parricide. The victorious troops were indefatigable;
believing that nothing was done till all was done, they attacked and
carried the camp which surrounded Cremona. This place must have fallen
into their hands, and the inhabitants surrendered, in the hopes of
meriting some clemency by a prompt and voluntary submission; but they
were deceived--the greedy legions would not be disappointed of their
booty. Cremona was pillaged, its walls were razed, its citizens were
slaughtered, its edifices were burnt, and the city was almost entirely
destroyed by troops which ought to have respected the ancient allies
of the Roman people and the citizens of the same empire.