Yet the two brothers lived in
amiable dearness and concord, no wise shaken or estranged by the reigning
contention amongst their separate friends and adherents.
Drusus was soon after sent into Illyricum in order to inure him to war,
and gain him the affections of the army; besides, Tiberius thought that
the youth, who loved wantoning in the luxuries of Rome, would be reformed
in the camp, and that his own security would be enlarged when both his
sons were at the head of the legions. But the pretence of sending him was
the protection of the Suevians, who were then imploring assistance against
the powers of the Cheruscans. For these nations, who since the departure
of the Romans saw themselves no longer threatened with terrors from
abroad, and were then particularly engaged in a national competition for
glory, had relapsed, as usual, into their old intestine feuds, and turned
their arms upon each other. The two people were equally powerful, and
their two leaders equally brave; but differently esteemed, as the title of
king upon Maroboduus had drawn the hate and aversion of his countrymen;
whilst Arminius, as a champion warring for the defence of liberty, was the
universal object of popular affection.
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