Histories 2.103

Hist. 2.103.1Ac prīmō Valerius Fēstus lēgātus studia prōvinciālium cum fidē iūvit;And at first the legate Valerius Festus loyally supported the zeal of the provincials; Hist. 2.103.1mox nūtābat, palam epistulīs ēdictīsque Vitellium, occultīs nūntiīs Vespasiānum fovēns et haec illave dēfēnsūrus, prōut invaluissent.soon he was wavering, openly favouring Vitellius by letters and edicts, Vespasian by secret messages, ready to defend the one side or the other, according to which prevailed. Hist. 2.103.1Dēprehēnsī cum litterīs ēdictīsque Vespasiānī per Raetiam et Galliās mīlitum et centuriōnum quīdam ad Vitellium missī necantur: plūrēs fefellēre, fidē amīcōrum aut suōmet astū occultātī.Some soldiers and centurions, caught in Raetia and the Gallic provinces with letters and edicts of Vespasian, were sent to Vitellius and put to death: more escaped notice, hidden by the loyalty of friends or by their own cunning. Hist. 2.103.1Ita Vitelliī parātūs nōscēbantur, Vespasiānī cōnsiliōrum plēraque ignōta, prīmum sōcordia Vitelliī, Dein Pannonicae Alpēs praesidiīs īnsessae nūntiōs retinēbant.Thus Vitellius' preparations were known, while most of Vespasian's plans were unknown, first through Vitellius' indolence, and then because the Pannonian Alps, occupied by garrisons, held back messengers. Hist. 2.103.1Mare quoque etēsiārum flātū in Orientem nāvigantibus secundum, inde adversum erat.The sea too, with the Etesian winds blowing, was favourable for those sailing to the East, but adverse for the voyage back.