. Civil war and rebellion in the Roman empire 69-70; companion to the "Histories" of Tacitus . d then findthemselves in a position which is the most hazardousposition for an army compelled to fight a decisivetactical engagement. This is the position techni-cally known as that of an army with its front to aflank. A diagram may make this clear:— The Vitellians inthis position have beenformed to a front ontheir left flank. Whena force is thus drawnup, the enemys mainattack is always directed*c upon the flank which is A = Vitellian base, over the river beyond nearest tO the -r
. Civil war and rebellion in the Roman empire 69-70; companion to the "Histories" of Tacitus . d then findthemselves in a position which is the most hazardousposition for an army compelled to fight a decisivetactical engagement. This is the position techni-cally known as that of an army with its front to aflank. A diagram may make this clear:— The Vitellians inthis position have beenformed to a front ontheir left flank. Whena force is thus drawnup, the enemys mainattack is always directed*c upon the flank which is A = Vitellian base, over the river beyond nearest tO the -r-. >r ,1 c u BC = Direction of Vitellian march for OT II me lOrCe Can De c**£TZ** »„—non, defeated on this flank their base. its yme 0f communica- D = Direction of Othonian attack on CB from Aquiieia. tions is thereby cut, E = Vitellian front to meet the attack. and the whole force isseparated from the hope of succour. Whereas if itis worsted on the flank farthest removed from thebase, the line of communications is still open tothe defeated army, and retreat, if difficult, is at. AND THE VITELLIANS 49 least possible for them. As a general, if not hisarmy, must always take into account his positionin the event of defeat as well as in that of victory(unless he is staking all on a single throw, andwishes for no choice save that between victory andannihilation), the Vitellian commander could notcontemplate with equanimity an advance whichmight compel him at any moment to form front toa flank in face of the enemy, if he was unwillingto surrender altogether his line of communicationsto their mercy. If then the Vitellians forced the passage of theriver at Placentia, it was more probable that theywould not straightway pursue their march south-east along the road. They would rather followupon the heels of the retiring Othonians towardsAquileia. This would suit Otho well. He wouldbe retreating in the direction of the advancingArmy of the Danube, and the aim of his
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