[21] We must notice that in Florus’ account provincia is used several times, and in no clearly defined way. He says, e. g. (II, 30, 23): “missus in eam provinciam Drusus primos domuit Usipites”; and again (II, 30, 26): “et praeterea in tutelam provinciae praesidia ubique disposuit.” In the first provincia = “land,” since at that time, before Drusus’ campaigns, it is clear there could have been no province even in a rhetorical sense; in the second it can easily refer to the province of Gaul.
[22] Mommsen, Hist. of Rome, V, p. 9. In point of fact what charge had Julius Caesar given his heirs at all? At the time of his death he was planning an expedition against the Getae and the Parthians. There is not a shred of evidence that he himself contemplated action of any kind in the northwest, or ever enjoined it upon his heirs.
[23] Ibid., p. 155.
[24] II, 30, 30.
[25] Drusus died in 9 B. C. Tiberius was in command during the years 8 and 7; Domitius Ahenobarbus, years 6-1. M. Vinicius took charge in 1 B. C. Tiberius, on his return from Rhodes, was again in command in 4, 5, and 6 A. D., and after he started on his great campaign against Maroboduus (year 6), Varus was placed in charge in Germany, probably at once, or at all events early in the year 7.
[26] Note also the purpose of Florus’ insipid and misleading exaggeration of the result of Drusus’ deeds, II, 30, 27: “ea denique in Germania pax erat, ut mutati homines, alia terra, caelum ipsum mitius molliusque solito videretur.” Drusus’ success is magnified by way of contrast with Varus’ failure, and with the aim of preparing the reader for the statement “sed difficilius est,” etc.
[27] Tac., Ann., I, 60; II, 25.
[28] Cassius Dio, 60, 8.
[29] See [p. 25 f.]
[30] Ann., II, 88: “liberator haud dubie Germaniae et qui non primordia populi Romani, sicut alii reges ducesque, sed florentissimum imperium lacessierit, proeliis ambiguus, bello victus. Septem et triginta annos vitae, duodecim potentiae explevit, caniturque adhuc barbaras apud gentes, Graecorum annalibus ignotus, qui sua tantum mirantur, Romanis haud perinde celebris, dum vetera extollimus recentium incuriosi.”