67. But Vitellius had no ears for bold policies. He
was overwhelmed by pity for his family and by concern lest, by fighting to the
bitter end, he might leave his widow and children to face a victor less
disposed to mercy. He also had an elderly mother in poor health, but happily
she died a few days before the ruin of her family, having gained nothing by her
son's reign but grief and men's esteem.
On 18
December, after learning of the defection of the legion and cohorts which had
surrendered at Narnia, he walked down from the palace
dressed in black and surrounded by his sorrowing servants. His little
son was borne in a tiny litter, as if to his funeral. The greetings of the
public were ingratiating and ill-timed. The troops maintained a sullen silence.
(The
Histories by Cornelius Tacitus
—Book
Three:67)
LXVII.
The ears of Vitellius were deaf to manly counsels. His
whole soul was overwhelmed by a tender anxiety, lest by an obstinate resistance
he might leave the conqueror less mercifully disposed to his wife and children.
He had also a mother old and feeble, but she, expiring a few days before,
escaped by her opportune death the ruin of her house, having gained from the
Imperial dignity of her son nothing but sorrow and a good name. On the 18th of December, after hearing of the
defection of the legion and the auxiliary infantry which had surrendered at Narnia, he left the palace, clad in
mourning robes, and surrounded by his weeping household. With him went his
little son, carried in a litter, as though in a funeral procession. The
greetings of the people were flattering, but ill-suited to the time; the
soldiers preserved an ominous silence. (BOOK III: SEPTEMBER—DECEMBER, A.D.
69; 3.67)
Kalendas: The day of the new moon and the first day of
the month in the ancient Roman calendar. (Dictionary.com)
For a
detailed discussion cf. Wikipedia: ‘Roman Calendar,’ ‘Julian Calendar,’ and ‘Kalends.’