The Last Night at Brixellum

Brixellum on the Po, April, AD 69: Otho still has an army, but he decides to end the civil war.

Transcript

Brixellum on the Po. The beaten men from Bedriacum straggle into the camp.

Otho has fresh cohorts, and the Moesian legions are already at Aquileia.

The soldiers clasp his knees and beg him to keep fighting.

Dio recorded his answer: Otho hates civil war, even a victorious one.

Better that one man die for all than many for one.

He burns his letters, so the victor can blame no one.

He hands out money. He sends his friends off by boat and wagon.

Suetonius recorded his words: Let us add this one more night to our life.

Until late the doors stand open. Anyone may walk in to see him.