It was here consulted what remedy to apply: for it was advised, that
"ministers of sedition were preparing to be despatched to the other army,
to draw them too into a confederacy in the revolt; that the capital of the
Ubians was destined to be sacked; and if their hands were once inured to
plunder, they would break in, and ravage all Gaul." This dread was
augmented by another: the enemy knew of the sedition in the Roman army,
and were ready to invade the Empire, if its barrier the Rhine were left
unguarded. Now, to arm the allies and the auxiliaries of Rome, and lead
them against the departing legions, was to rouse a civil war: severity was
dangerous: the way of largesses infamous; and alike threatening it was to
the State to grant the turbulent soldiers nothing, or yield them
everything. After revolving every reason and objection, the result was, to
feign letters and directions from Tiberius, "that those who had served
twenty years should be finally discharged; such as served sixteen be under
the ensign and privileges of veterans, released from every duty but that
of repulsing the enemy; and the legacy, which they demanded, should be
paid and doubled.
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